Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 34, Number 39, 17 December 1908 — Page 1

ONLY 6 MORE SHOPPING DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS. DO YOUR TRADING NOW

MOOT F AIX ABITJM AND SUN-TFXT?TR AM. VOL XXXIV. NO. 39. RICIUIOXD, IND., THURSDAY 'EVENING, DECE3IBER 17, 1!K)S. SINGLE COPY. 2 CENTS.

T

WIDOW SEEKS TO

PU ISO WOMAN WHO

WHDTE HUSBAND f betters of Obscene Nature Found After Death of E. M. Cheesman, Turned Over to Federal Authorities. MRS. EFFIE BERTSCTi PLACED UNDER ARREST Arraigned in Commissioners' Court, Waives Preliminary Hearing and Must Face Federal Court. Letters are sensational MRS. CHEESMAN HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF RELATIONS BETWEEN HUSBAND AND CENTER VI LLE WOMAN UNTIL AFTER HE DIED. missives in tool chest. PEFORE DEATH WIFE WAS TOLD TO OPEN CHEST AFTER HE HAD DIED AND ON DOING SO FOUND HUNDREDS OF LETTERS. ENTERS DENIAL OF GUILT Victim of Charge Claims She Did Not Write to Cheesman, and Her Husband Has Confidence in Her Word. Charged with sending letters through, the mails which were too "ob scene, lewd and lescivious" to be set forth in the affidavit filed against her py Mrs. Myrtle Cheesman; her father Ifohn Fox of Greenville, O., and Postoffice Inspector W. T. Fletcher, Mrs. Cffie Bertsch of Centerville, who is the wife of Carl F. Bertsch, was this Jmorning arraigned before United Etates Commissioner Perry J. Freetnan. Mrs, Bertsch entered a plea of hot guilty and waived examination, Whereupon Commissioner Freeman pound her over to the federal court on bond of $200, furnished by her husband. ' The case when it comes up for trial In the federal court promises to be of k most sensational and 'spicy nature. Mrs. Bertsch, it is charged, sent obfccene letters to T. M. Cheesman, who died last October at Fordlick, Va. tin. Bertsch is a former resident of this city and is -well known here and n Centerville. Her alleged affinity, the late E. M. Cheesman. was for fcbout four years assistant superintendent of the Robinson & Co. machine Works and resided with his family on Richmond avenue. Wife Finds Letters. It Is alleged by Mrs. Cheesman, Who is now living with her father at Dreenville, O., and with whom a Palladium reporter talked this morning, pver the long distance telephone, that Mrs. Bertsch had corresponded with her husband from 1904 up to the time of his death. Mrs. Cheesman states that she never knew of the relations between Mrs. Bertsch and Cheesman Until after his death, when she distovered' about four hundred of Mrs. tlertseh's letters in an old tool box. Neighbors of Mrs. Bertsch never told her anything was wrong, said Mrs. Cheesman. Mrs. Bertsch Close Friend. It is stated that when Mrs. Cheespian learned through the letters found in the chest of the relations of her husband and Mrs. Bertsch, who she regarded as her closest and most intimate friend, she immediately avengrd herself upon her alleged false friend by placing the letters in the hands of the ,. postal authorities at tSreenville, O. 'Do you hope the federal authorities convict Mrs. Bertsch of the charge tiled against her?" Mrs. Cheesman fcras asked by the reporter. "She broke up my family and she lid me an awful wrong and I well I won't say what I intended to say," the replied. Cheesman ' resigned his position Kith Robinson & Co. last February o accept a position with a cement Construction company. His work took kim from place to place and his wife - Kent, with him. It is stated that the o6t marks on a number of Mrs. bertsch's letters show that she corfesponded with him wherever he Kent Left Daughter Behind. s'When we left Richmond," stated Urs. Cheesman, "we left our daugher in the care of Mrs. Bertsch so Ibat she could attend school in Richmond. Last October when my husband contracted his fatal illness at Tordllck, Va,, Mrs. Bertsch came to liat place and brought my daughter (Continued on Page Eleven.)

WANTS III BE SHOWN House Calls Upon President to Submit Basis for Insinuations.

RESOLUTION IS PASSED. Washington, D. C, Dec. 12. The house select committee on the president's strictures dn congress, Ta connection with secret service, today reported to the house a resolution calling upon the president to submit information upon which he based his insinuations. The House passed, unanimously, the resolution. RINGS WITH JOY Ottoman Parliament Is Open Today, Sultan Abul Hamid Presiding. CROWDS ON THE STREETS SCHOOL CHILDREN SANG NATIONAL ANTHEM HOPE THAT CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY WILL BE LONG LIVED. Constantinople, Dec. 17. Turkey made her bow as a full fledged constitutional monarch today, when the Ottoman Parliament held its first session. This assembly was provided for in the constitution granted by Sultan Abdul Hamid last July and is the first, body of its kind to meet in the Empire for over 30 years. The life of its only predecessor was brief, but great hopes are entertained for the success of the newcomer. Today was proclaimed a general holfday in honor of tHe parliament and the city is doing its bast to observe the occasion fittingly.. The decorations are unprecedented and most of the population is in the streets eagerly discussing the prospects of the new regime. Practically every regiment in the Constantinople garrison lined the route when the Sultan drove to open the , assembly, while school children stationed at vantage points along, the way, sang the hymn of liberty as the Imperial , cortege passed. Everywhere Interest and expectation were high, and there is no doubt that the day will go down as one of the most important in Turkish history. The list of 39 senators appointed by the Sultan has been published. It comprises members of the cabinet and council, ex-ministers, generals, admirals, the Bulgarian bishop of Monastir, three Armenians, three Greeks and one Jew. The members of th8 chamber of deputies, the other branch, were elected by the Turkish people last month. PLUNGE JO DEATH Auto Slips and Slides Into the River, Killing Two. DRAWBRIDGE WAS OPEN. Milwaukee, Wis., Dec. 17. Oscar Z. Bartlett, a wealthy member of the board of trade and Alfred Kunz. chauffeur, were killed when their big automobile plunged into the river last midnight. President Salliday, of the Saliday automobile company, was rescued by a crew of a passing steamer for which the drawbridge was open. Bartlet was thrown against a pier, fractur ing his skull: Kunz was buried beneath the automobile at the bottom of the river, while Salliday landed in the water and escaped injury. The chauffeur discovered the bridge open when within a hundred feet of It, but could not stop because of the slushy pavement. The shrieks of the party as the car plunged over the embankment, attracted the steamer's crew. New York has the greatest number of wage-earners of any State in the Union. Pennsylvania is second. New York city hotels are now entertaining 18 per cent more customers than they were one year ago.

TURKISH

EMPIRE

The Noose Forces a Confession Elmer Hill, As Rope Was Being Placed About Neck, Told Mob He Assaulted and Killed Thirteen Year Old Girl.

Montfirello, Ky Dec. 17. An armed mrb tok Elmer Hill, a white man, trJm 'the jail this morning and hanged him to a tree on the outskirts of the city. He was charged with assaulting and murdering thirteen-year-old- Ma

WILL RECOMMEND THAT THE COUNCIL RATIFY FRANCHISE Committee Holds Meeting and ' Arguments of Opponents And Supporters of D. & W. Settlement Heard.

EXPECTED COUNCIL WILL HEED ADVICE Dayton and Western Will Be Given Right to Operate Its Freight Cars Over North E Street Line. The franchise committee of the city council, after gazing upon about fortyfive shippers and about seven members of the "Lookout Committee," last night, and hearing statements from various members of each faction, retired to a private room with other councilmen not on the committee, and there decided that the committee should recommend to council at its next session that the Dayton & Western frauchise be ratified. No doubt council will heed this ,advice. Adam Bartel, of the A. H. Bartel Wholesale Notions company, and E. M. Haas, secretary of the Richmond Commercial club, made the principal addresses for the shippers, while C. B. Hunt and Wilfred Jessup were the principal speakers for the "Outlook committee." Chairman Henry Deuker, of the franchise committee, presided over the meeting and invited a general discussion. Shippers Fire First Gun. Mr. Bartel fired the first gun for the shippers. He stated that the Dayton &; Western franchise matter had nothing to do with the question as to whether traction freight cars should be operated through Glen Miller park. He stated that the Terre Haute, Indianapolis and Eastern traction company had a .franchise granting them this right, and that all the Dayton & Western people were asking was a franchise which would give them the authority to operate its freight cars over the freight line of the T. H. I. & E. Mr. Bartel stated that it was only fair that the D. & W. should have the same privilege granted the other company, and that after its franchise had been ratified and the citizens desired to test the right of the city government in permitting a public park to be used for the placing of such a line as has been located in Glen Miller, he and a number of other shippers would contribute to a fund to meet the cost of litigation. Jessup Threatens Suit. Mr. Haas also pointed out that the Dayton & Western franchise matter had nothing to do Vith the Glen Miller case .and he asked Mr. Jessup, attorney for the "Outlook Committee," that, such being the case, what opposition he had to offer for the ratification of the D. & W. franchise. Mr. Jessup admitted that he and the members of the committee were not present to oppose the ratification of the D. & W. franchise, but had attended the meeting under the impression that it was called for the purpose of considering whether or rot the traction line should remain In Glen Miller. He stated that council had the authority of ordering the line out of the Glen by ordinance, and unless council exerted this authority he would bring suit to enjoin. Mr. Hunt's statement that he and his . associates were not opposing the shippers was heard with amazement by those business men who were under the impression that he and his coworkers had been responsible for the delay in the settlement of the D. & W. question. SIMON, PRESIDENT Popular Rejoicing in Haitai When News Becomes Known. CONGRESS TAKES ACTION Port au Prince, Dec 17. General Simon was today proclaimed president of Hayti, by a unanimous vote of the congress at Port au Prince. Great popular rejoicing followed. mie Womack, who was on her way to school at Danville. Hill confessed while the rope was around his neck. He was brought here from Danville a few days ago to prevent ih threatened lynching. .., ,

BANK HATER DEPOSITS, MONEY Isaac Huddleston Leaves $1,000 in the City. .

Before leaving the city yesterday afternoon, aged and eccentric Isaac Huddleston deposited in a bank the $1,000 he had carried about iu his clothes for many months. Huddleston had been afraid to entrust his money to a bank and until told by the sheriff not to do so, had persisted in carrying it about. He is seventy-four years old, feeble and would be an easy victim to the robber. The domestic woes of the Huddlestons are just at present at low tide. The couple has been told by authorities their quarreling and squabbling must cease or they will be dealt with by the law. The sheriff has advised neighbors at Dublin to leave the Huddlestons alone and a reoltition of stoning the house will be dealt with by law. "DEAD" FORGER IS FOUND AFTER A TWO YEARS' SEARCH Henry E. Agar Captured in Texas and Will Return to Indiana to Face Huge Fraud Charges. INSURANCE POLICY ON MAN'S LIFE WAS PAID Clever Deception Used by Him In Order to Make His Getaway, It- Being Supposed He Was Drowned. Princeton. Ind., Dec. 17. Henry E. Agar, for nearly two years believed dead, is under arrest in Texas. He was thought to have been drowned in the Wabash river near Mount Carmei, 111., on the night of Jan. 23, 1907. He was Gibson county's representative In the legislature in 1905, and was a prominent business man. Soon after his disappearance evidence was obtained that he was a forger and embezzler to the extent of $123,000. Agar was captured by Capt. Ross of the Texas rangers, and yesterday, according to a message from Ross, confessed and said he would come back to Indiana without requisition. He is in custody at Harlington. Texas, forty miles from the Mexican border. Officers are speeding to get him, and he probably will be returned Saturday or Sunday to face numerous charges. One Insurance Policy Paid. Agar's wife and family believed him dead and for months have been battling in court for the life insurance money he left to them, amounting to $27,400. One policy has been paid and two placed in trust pending developments. In every case tried the Agars have won, the court holding the proof of death sufficient, but several cases are pending appeal. Not since Agar's disappearance has there been a time when the insurance detectives were not on the watchout for him, and they have followed clew after clew in vain. It was not until Tuesday that real hope came with a message to Chief of Police Skelton: "Do you want Agar? Wire instructions immediately." It was from Ross and soon afterward, in reply to an affirmative answer, came the words: "Agar arrested. Come at once with papers." A midnight consultation was held by Chief Skelton, Prosecutor Clyde McGary. H. D. McGary, one of the heaviest losers, and Attorneys Harvey Harmon of 'this city and Craig and Wheeler of Evansville, for the insurance companies. Bets on Whether It's Agar. Before morning H. D. McGary made affidavit charging Agar with forgery on a $5,000 note, and Chief Skelton and Prosecutor McGary were on the way to Indianapolis to get requisition papers, while Harmon was speeding to Texas to -prevent any escape by habeas corpus proceedings. The report has caused excitement in Princeton, and bets are being made as to whether the captured man is really Agar In spite of the alleged confession. Many have believed he look his own life in the river, realizing that in spite of his wonderful shrewdness he could (Continued on Page Two.) THE WEATHER PROPHET. INDIANA Threatening Thursday night and Friday; rain in north and central portions; probably colder Friday. OHIO Rain Thursday night and Fri-

VENEZUELA HAS DECLARED WAR AGAINST HOLLAND South American Republic Takes Action to Secure Revenge for Objectionable Actions of Dutch.

STATE DEPARTMENT GETS NEWS THROUGH HIBBEN No Further Confirmation Has Been Received Castro Disbelieves Stories of the Country's Uprising. Washington, Dec. 17. The state department today received a dispatch from Paxton Hibben, secretary of the American legation at Bogota Colomia, stating that Venezuela has declared war against Holland. No further confirmation has been received. Although today the city is quiet and business is taking its normal course, dangerous demonstrations against the Castro regime are anticipated. No official act deposing Castro from the presidency of Venezuela yet has been taken, but such a step is expected any moment. DON'T BELIEVE IT. Castro Cannot Swallow Reports of Disturbances. Berlin, Dec. 17. President Castro of Venezuela maintains his composure in the face of the alarming reports regarding the disturbances in Venezuela. When dispatches were shown to him saying the people of Caracas had risen against him. Castro, after having one of the members of his party make a translation of these into Spanish, said quietly: "I don't believe it. I had dispatches from Caracas, but they mentioned nothing of the kind." President .Castro was asked for an expression of his views regarding Holland's seizure of Venezuelan ships, but he answered: "I am in Germany in a private capacity." CASTRO GONE FOR GOOD. Washington Believes Venezuelan Will Never Return. Washington, Dec. 17. From a trustworthy source came the information that when Cypriano Castro, the president of Venezuela, left his country to go to Europe for medical treatment, it was with the expectation that he would probably never return to take up the reins of government again. These advices have trickled through to Washington through both diplomatic and unofficial sources, and the popular outbreak in Caracas against Castro seems to bear out the authenticity of the news. This would' indicate that the reign of the dictator, who has had most of the great Powers of t!ie world on edge for a number of years, is ended. It also means that the United States anJ European governments will soon be able with'good grace to re-establish diplomatic relations with Venezuela. Jhe destruction of statues of Castro, the demolition of paintings of him and other hostile demonstrations against the absent ruler and his following, points inevitably, in the judgment of officials here, to the passing of the control of the government to other people. The public lands vacant and subject to settlement in the United States on the 1st of last July amounted to 774,385,069 acres. The streams of the Himalaya mountains will soon be engaged in the prosaic work of turning wheels.

Recognized Superiority The Palladium does not continually tell Its subscribers 'it prints all the news and prints it first." It don't have to. Palladium readers know it is the newsiest paper published in Richmond without being told. The Palladium lets its readers judge its merits. , The fact that the people are good judges, is proven by this paper's lead in circulation over all other papers in Richmond or the Sixth Congressional District of Indiana. The circulation of The Palladium for the year ending September SO, 190&-averaged

5,453

" Do you, Mr. Advertiser, the other Richmond papers?

EX-POSTMASTER OLDEST IN THE STATE

Isaac Jenkinson, of this city, the well known former editor end publisher of Richmond. Palladium, enjoys the distinction of being the oldest ex-postmaster now living in Indiana, if i not in the whole country. When but seventeen years old he was appointed postmaster of hU native town. Readville. Randolph county, under ihe administration of John Tyler and served three years. He was appointed postmaster of Richmond by President Harrison in is:.! and served one term. SKEPTICAL AS TO PROPOSED REVISION Local Attorneys See Faults in Proposed Judiciary System of Indiana. t. STATE IN DISTRICTS. WAYNE COUNTY WOULD BE IN SIXTH DISTRICT WITH FIFTEEN OTHER COUNTIES A CHANGE MAY BE MADE. Local attorneys are somewhat skeptical as to the success of ihe proposed revision ot the judiciary system of this state. . The Starke County Bar association proposes to have introduced at the coming session of the legislature, a bill which it Is hoped will raise the standard of the judiciary. It is taid the bill has met the approval of some of the best lawyers of the 6tato and there are prospects it will become a law. Copies of the bill are being sent to members of the legislature with an explanation requesting support. The bill provides that the circuit courts of Indiana shall be divided Into six judicial districts, each county constituting a judicial circuit. It provides that four of the districts fchall contain fifteen counties each and two shall contain sixteen counties each. Each county, it is proposed, shall elect one circuit judge for six years, who shall be eligible to succeed himself either by election or appointment. The salary is fixed at $3,3oO per year, together with actual traveling expenses. All fees are barred to the judge. The proposed bill provides also that four terms of court shall be held In each county each year in September, December, March and May, each term lasting six weeks. It is provided further that when a vacancy occurs in a judgeship a successor shall be elected on the second Tuesday of July, by the Australian system. Prosecuting" Attorney's Term. It is provided that a prosecuting attorney shall be elected in each county for a term of three years, his salary being $1,000 a year, together with all the emoluments of the office. It is provided in the bill that the sixth district shall embrace Madison, Randolph, Wayne. Shelby. Fayette. Franklin, Ripley, Ohio, Delaware, Henry, Hancock, Rush, Union, Decatur, Switzerland end Dearborn counties. General Objections. It is claimed by some local attorneys that if it were made impossible for a iudge to succeed himself, it would not be long until the judicial material would be exhausted in some counties. It is alleged th'at not every attorney is competent lo make a good Judge. Some attorneys do not favor the proposed division of the year for court term purposes. Objections are taken ;to the proposed clause relating to the prosecutors. At the present time the prosecuting attorney is elected for two years. He is shorn of certain fees and permitted others. know the actual circulation of

DEN! THEY ARE FOR B. RSHIELEY One of the Principal Denials Comes From Fleming Who Says He Is for Hoffman for U. S. Senator. PLAN LAID TO SAVE " COUNTY OPTION LAW Eight Democratic Legislators Held Caucus to Discuss Matter, But Law Is Sure to Be Done Away With. (By Special State Correspondent.) Indianapolis, Ind., Dec 17. Ever since the story got into circulation, that the brewers were lining up for B. F. Shively. of South Bend, for United States senator, the brewer have been busy denying tba questions that the democrats are so busily asking. The principal denial thus far made has come from , Steve Fleming, of Ft Wayne, who says emphatically that he and the Twelfth district Ellis Seat les. are for Hofman first, last and all the time, and that they are not for any other candidate. Nothing has been heard from Crawford Fairbanks, of Terre Haute either affairmlng or denying the report that he is for Shively and that he is about to double cross John E. Lamb in order to be for Shively. Hut the story of his flop from Umb to Shively seems to be so well grounded that there Is not much need to hear from him on the subject ' Changes in Police Law. While th'l was one of the most interesting developments of the meeting of the democratic members of the legislature In this city, there were seV eral other happenings that amount to something also. One was the almost unanimous sentiment among the legislators in favor of repealing the metropolitan police law. It may not be a repeal, exactly, but it will at least be a bill that will so change the metropolitan police law, that even its own father would not recognize it if he were to meet it on the broad highway in broad daylight alter the legislature gets through with it The plan now Is, to so amend It as to take, away everything that the supporters of the law have always believed in. The bill that will be introduced by Senator McCullough, of Madison county, to "make over" the metropolitan police law, will provide that the police boards of the various cities shall be appointed by the mayor and be approved by the common council of the city. This will take away from the governor all supervision over the police department of any city. This will take the very heart out of the present law, leaving the police organization of the cities practically as it was before the metropolitan -system was Inaugurated. It will be remembered that. Governor-elect Marshall, some time ago made the statement that If the met ropolitan police law is not repealed and he haa to make appointments of police commissioners he will allow the mayors and city councils to recommend the men for the places. But there is little doubt that the legislature will relieve him of all this responsibility. Against Option Law's Repeal. One of the interesting developments of the meeting, however, that did not crop out till after all the legislators had departed for home was the fact that eight democratls representatives held a little quiet conference of their own and decided to oppose any attempt to repeal the county option law. It is said that Representative Maish, of Clinton county, is the leader of the movement to oppose repeal, but the names of the others could not be learned. It was not on the program for them to hold this conference, and it is said that It was only a plan to count noses and see just how many democrats in the house can be counted on to vote against the repeal of the law. It is even hinted today that there may be others who will do the same, but only eight got together on it yesterday. It Is not believed, however, that even this movement will be sufficient to save the law from reepal, because the democrats have a majority of sixteen in the bouse and there are known to be several republicans who will

BREWERS

(Continued on Page Four.)