Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 34, Number 287, 23 August 1909 — Page 1

. RICHMOND FAIL AND SUN-TELEGRAM. VOL. XXXiy. NO. 287. RICHMOND, IND., MONDAY EVENING. AUGUST 23, 1909. PIP SINGLE COPY, CENTS.

THE

JOHN LANCASTER IS SHOT

BY WILLIAM HARRIS

When Well Known Gardener Was Returning to His Farm, Two Miles North of Town, at Midnight, His Former Employe Attacked Him at Entrance to His Estate and Remarking That His Opportunity to Kill Him Was Now at Hand, Emptied Five Shots Into Him.

TAKE ASSAILANT SUNDAY WHILE HE WAS AT HIS HOME No Statement Could be Obtained From the Would-be Assassin Today, Who Is Held at the Jail ASSAULT WITH INTENT TO KILL is CHARGE MADE It Is Alleged That the Motive Of Crime Is Revenge - Officers Are Looking for the Accomplice. Saturday night, with alleged malicious and felonious intent, William H. Harris,- a well known farmer living about three and a half miles north of the city, attempted from ambush to murder John D. Lancaster, also a well known gardener and farmer, at the entrance of the latter's home, about two miles north of the city, on the Chester pike. While his intent was not accomplished, he succeeded in injuring Mr. Lancaster severely, although not fatally, by shooting him five times, once in the head, twice in the left hand, once in the right hand, and once in the abdomen. The wounds were made by a 22 caliber revolver, it is believed, although the weapon has not been found. Started on Hunt. The authorities were notified about 12 : 45 a. m. Sunday and at once started on a hunt but Harris's arrest did not take place until yesterday noon, when First Sergeant Little of the police force and Oscar Mashmeyer, deputy sheriff, found him at his home, about a mile and half northeast of the Lancaster farm. He was placed in the county jail and a charge of assault and battery with felonious and malicious intent to commit a murder was placed against him, the affidavit being filed by Prosecuting Attorney Chas. Ladd this morning in the circuit court. It is the belief of the authorities that Harris had an accomplice who stood in the shade of the trees some distance away from the entrance of the gate where the shooting took place. His identity has not been established but the authorities are hopeful of making an arrest in a day or so, in which case, if their theory is true, the accomplice will also be charged with the crime of assault and battery with intent to commit a murder. It is understood that the accomplice is a young man and weak mentally. Punishment for Crime. The crime is punishable by a penitentiary sentence of from two to twenty-one years. The affidavit filed in the circuit court serves merely the perfunctory service of holding Harris, and may be changed at any time. It is probable, however, that the charge as specified in the affidavit will be used by the prosecution unless the state of Mr. Lancaster's condition becomes such, that it is certain he will die, in which case murder in the first degree will be the charge to which Harris will have to answer. It is probable that Harris will be given a preliminary hearing this week and the case set for trial in September. As the grand jury meets in September, it is also probable that it will investigate the case and return a verdict. Motive for Crime. The motive for the crime is not known, as Harris could not be seen at the county jail this morning. However the authorities say that it was revenge. Mr. Lancaster himself believes that Harris, who is a former employe of his, committed the act for such reason, although the injured man claims that there is no reason for Harris holding a grudge against him. Harris displayed the utmost nonchallance when arrested, according to the authorities. He does not seem to feel the least sympathy for his victim. The details of the attack as given out by the authorities show that the deed was one of the most carefully planned, harrowing and blood curdling ever attempted in this county. The quarrel between the two men began early in the evening, when Harris accosted Lancaster in front of his Stand at the South Sixth street market place. Harris had been drinking

and was half drunk at the time, it is said. An officer interceded and ordered Harris to go home or he would be placed under arrest. Harris got his team and started home. Blockaded Entrance. About 11:30 o'clock Lancaster started home. Just as he drew up to the gate at his home, he noticed that a wagon blockaded the gate, with the exception of about five feet, leaving sufficient room for the horse and spring wagon to pass. This Lancaster

attempted to do and just as he had about passed through the space be tween the wagon and gate, one of the wagon wheels caught on the gate post. Lancaster stopped the horse and at this juncture, Harris stepped from behind his wagon and said to Lancaster, "You ---, I'm going to kill you now I've got a chance. I've been waiting for about four years for this opportunity and now that I have it, I'm going to finish you." Before he had hardly finished he leveled his gun on Lancaster and began shooting. Six shots were fired altogether. Five took effect. Aimed at Heart. Undoubtedly Harris aimed at Lancaster's heart, as the first four shots struck Lancaster in that part of his body. But for the fact that Lancaster had an unusually shaped bone button on his vest, he undoubtedly would have been seriously and perhaps fatally hurt. One bullet struck this button, breaking it and glanced toward the left side of the abdomen. The bullet penetrated and came out about three inches from where it entered. Two of the shots struck Lancaster between the knuckles on his left hand and lodged near his wrist. These are being probed for by the physicians and their recovery will determine the calibre of the revolver. Another shot went into his right hand, while the last struck him a glancing blow on the left side of the forehead. The sixth shot went wild and passed through a crate of mangoes in the wagon. After empting his gun, Harris grabbed a heavy whip and tried to beat Lancaster with it. However, interference by Charles Fish, who was riding with Lancaster, and Harvey Sego, who was riding with his wife a short distance behind Lancaster, caused Harris to take to his heels. Drove to His Home. Lancaster, after the shooting, drove to his home, a short distance up the lane, and summoned help and physicians. He did not believe that he was seriously injured, although very weak from the loss of blood. His wife was almost prostrated, as was his daughter, who lives with her parents. Deputy Sheriff Oscar Mashmeyer and Tross Lamberson, policeman, were notified about 12:45 Sunday morning and drove to the Harris home. However he was not to be found so they came back to this city. Yesterday morning, Mashmeyer was notified by neighbors of Harris, that he was in the woods near his home. Mashmeyer and Patrolman Little secured an automobile and went to the Harris home. They entered the house from a thicket to the rear and took Harris unawares. He was eating dinner at the time and did not display the least bit of nervousness on being captured. He even invited the officers to eat dinner with him. He said that he had spent the night and morning in the woods with a gun and dog. Harris formerly lived with his first wife, who is now Mrs. John Sullivan, living with her four children in Fairview, on the Lancaster place as a tenant. He was discharged. Harris has told friends that Lancaster prevented him getting another job, by telling prospective employers he was a good workman when sober, but drank heavily. There was also an intimation by neighbors that Harris had accused Lancaster of separating him and his first wife. However in the divorce proceedings, which took place at the circuit court two years or more ago, the first wife obtained a divorce on the grounds of cruel and inhuman treatment and failure to provide. Wedding a Sensation. About six weeks ago Harris, who is about 55 years of age married Miss Jane Kerlin, who is 76 years of age, and owner of a farm said to be worth about $10,000. This marriage caused much comment and relatives of Mrs. Harris, number two, are said to have tried to interfere with the plans. As a result Harris is said to have threatened to take the life of Theodore Wampole, a neighbor and relative of Mrs. Harris. Mr. Lancaster is well known in this city, having had a stand at the South Sixth and East End markets for many years. He had the most prominent stand at each location and was in all probability the best known gardener furnishing supplies to this city. He is fairly wealthy. He is about 60 years of age. The attending physicians say that it will be. several weeks before he is able to be out again, providing his wounds heal aa rapidly as hoped. Harris' bond was fixed at $2,000 but up till 3 o'clock no effort had been made to get him out of jail. However it is understood that relatives will secure the necessary amount if possible.

DOWN

SATURDAY BECK MENTIONED MAYORALTY HONOR County Chairman Is in Receptive Mood But Declines to State He Is Out After the Nomination. PARTY IS STRIVING TO UNITE FACTIONS It Is Realized That Harmony Is Essential -- Convention Will Be Held the Middle of September. The first part of next month the democratic city committee will hold a meeting and effect a new organization on which will fall the brunt of the hard municipal election campaign, which opens with vigor the first of October. After the reorganization has been effected, with C. W. Morrill in all probability retained as chairman, provided of course that he is not too badly stung with the mayoralty nomination bee, a convention will be called and a ticket placed in the field. Owing to the success of the demoelection, when its candidate. Dr. Schillinger, was elected over the republican candidate, Dr. W. W. Zimmerman, who this year again heads the republican ticket, there is a decided scramble among the chiefs for the honor of being placed on the ticket as the mayoralty nominee. This is no longer regarded as an empty honor, as it was prior to the last election. . Harmony Is Wanted." r,Whether the mayor and the Merrill-Study-Johnson factions will unite and agree on a harmony platform, remains to be seen. All the democratic leaders admit that this is essential if th? party hopes to win out again next November but this longed-for harmony is a doubtful quantity. Echoes of the old fight four years ago when the Merrill-Study-Johnson faction "slipped one over" on John Bayer and nominated Schillinger are still heard and the old sores are not yet healed. Democratic "wise heads" admit that the right man must be picked if it receives the eAtire support of the party. This man must be one who is acceptable to both factions and up to the present time C. E. Beck appears to be the only one capable of meeting the demand. Mr. Beck is chairman of the county organization and a canab'w diplomatic man. He has carefully avoided party squabbles, but at the same time has worked hard for the succes of the party. Statement by Beck. When asked this morning whether he would accept the democratic mayoralty nomination. Mr. Beck said: "I have nothing to say pro or con. The convention must choose a man who is fair and square and who will give his attention to the office in the event he is elected. I have been approached by several of my friends and they have urged me to make the race, but I have not yet given them any answer." It can be seen by this statement that Mr. Beck Is in a receptive mood and that he would be more than willing to accept the nomination if it was extended to him. Rl BBERS LOOTED WEBSTER STORES Unknown Men Secured Some Money and Numerous Other Things. P0ST0FFICE INSPECTED BUT THE THIEVES DID NOT ROB UNCLE SAM OF MUCH RAZORS, TOBACCO AND KNIVES IN THE LOOT LIST. Webster, Ind., Aug. 23. Thieves broke into the post office run in connection with the general store of Isaac Steddam, and also the general store of William Halsley, sometime between 10 : SO o'clock last evening and 4 o'clock this morning, and secured money and other articles valued alto- ( Continued on Page Seven.)

FOR

DEMOCRATIC

THE WEATHER PROPHET. INDIANA Fair and wanner.

UNION LABOR III EFFORT UNIONIZE BREWERYWORKEPS Committee Appointed by the Trades Council to Wait on

Management of the Local Plant on Wednesday. UNFAIR RESOLUTION IS PLACED ON TABLE Union Bartenders Feared Its Enactment Would Compel Them to "Go Out" lliff Makes a Statement. Union labor in Richmond will make an effort to force the Minck Brewing company to accept a contract recog nizing the establishment of a brewery workers union local at the plant. It is understood that Wednesday a committee appointed by the president of the local trades" council will wait on the brewery cfficials and make an effort to effect a satisfactory adjustment of the matter. At the present time the local brew ery is qne of the very few, it is stated in Indiana which does not (jiuploy union labor. Minck beer is sold al most exclusively in all the local sa loons, with probably four or five ex ceptions. Barkeeps Union Men. It so happens that practically every bartender in the city is a union man. At the trades council meeting last week it was reported by a brewery workers' union organizer that his effort to unionize the Minck brewery had not been crowned with success, owing' to the refusal of the brewery management to accept the contract submitted. A resolution was then submitted, it is stated, declaring Minck beer "unfair." This resolution was tabled after strenuous argument against it on the part of the delegates from the bartenders' union. It was pointed out that if Minck beer wrs declared unfair union bartenders could not sell it. It was also pointed out that as Minck beer was handled almost exclusively hv the locil F.i'.oons it wo-ild be up to the bartenders to "go out" if the resolution was adopted. Appoints a Committee. After the resolution was laid on the table President Daudt ofx the council, who is ono of the bartenders' union delegatps, appo'rted a committee to wait on the brewery management. Lewis K. II:f one of the brewery officers, stated this morning that he had no objections to the brewery workers joining the union, but that the terms of ti.e union contract were so objectionable they could not be considered. Under the"? terms the bottle washers could net be employ ed hi any other kind of work. This would be true of the various other classes of employes. Mr. Ilff state:l that in the larse breweries such an arrangement is possible but not at a plant the size of the local one. He also pointed out the fact that a nine hour day wa3 provided for drivers, with tixe and a hnlf pay for overtime, and that any driver handling five hundred kegs per year v.-as entitled to an assistant. Mr. IHff said that all of the brewery drivers, no matter how many kegs per year they each handled, were provided with helpers, but that the drivers and their assistants were frequently obliged to put In more than nine hours work per day. Under more liberal terms, Mr. Iliff said, no opposition to the organization of the union would be made by the management of the brewery. Eating Booth at the Show Grounds Went Up in Smoke This Morning. GREASE CAUSED FLAREUP Considerable excitement was created this morning in the vicinity of the show grounds by the burning of the hamburg stand and tent operated at the corner of Nineteenth and North F streets. The proprietor of the stand, one of the attaches of the circus, whose name could not be learned, was engaged in frying the small pieces of meat which are known by courtesy by the name of hamberger, when the grease In the pan caught fire and before assistance could be summoned the tent, stand and Its entire belongings was a charred mass of blackened ruins. The proprietor did not seem to be visably effected by bis loss. He bought a new tent and outfit and continued the sale of "hot dogs' throughout the day as it nothing bad happened.

BURNED

HAMBURGER

I She Figures in a Divorce Case 1

1 1 i

3jw V f; I

f msJtt

I p. fit Gcafsiji ,fi

Mrs. .lames Mo.Vickar, formerly Mrs. Dalv Tme'son Homer. Is named, by. Mi a. L. Hanson in her suit for. divnroe against toe president of the Central Railroad of Oeorgia. 1

STATE TREASURY TO BE- DEPLETED IN A FEW WEEKS It Will Be Necessary on the First of October for state to borrow $900,000 From the Counties. PAYMENT PROMISED TO THE CONTRACTORS Improvements on State Institutions Have Been Made Throughout Summer and The Money Is Needed. Tnrlionnnnlic Allf V ThA tnf treasury 13 going to be broke on the first day of October, and the state of Indiana will have to borrow about $900,000 from the ninety-two counties of the state. This is now possible under a new law passed by the last legislature. The democrats, evidently, foresaw the condition of affairs as it would be on the first of October, so they had a bill passed giving the auditor of state i he right to call on the county treasurers for, advance payments of taxes from the counties. For the last three or four years the state has been running ahead of its income. The appropriations by the legislature have been far in excess of the regular revenue of the state each year, and the result has been that the state has been in the hole before the end of the fiscal year. The fiscal year ends on September 30 and the new one begins October 1. Pushed Improvements. This year the .work on improvements at the various state institutions has been pushed during the summer, with an understanding that the contractors would not ask for their money until the beginning of the new fiscal year. Several hundred thousand dollars worth of such work has been done and the contractors will want their pay on October 1. If the state were to pay them out of the regular revenues which it will get at that time It would not have enough money left to run through the following six months, at the end of which another settlement will be made by the counties with the state. Therefore, the auditor of state is arranging to make a call on the county treasurers for something like $900,000 In advance on the

(Continued on Page Eight.)

i

MEDEABIS BIDS

LAST FAREWELL TO ASSOCIATES Centenarian at Old Settlers' Picnic Tells the Pioneers It Is Last He Will Probably Attend. SCARCELY REALIZES HIS ADVANCED AGE He Advised His Friends to Seek God and Become Converted to Christian Religion Very Feeble. Greatly enfeebled and visibly effected by the burdens of almost 100 years, it was with difficulty that Fletcher Medearis of Greensfork who will pass the century milestone of his life on the lr.th of next November, at tended the Old Settlers' meeting at Centerville Saturday. But he did "at tend and occupied a prominent place of honor on the platform where he listened with rapt attention to all that was Raid and even took an active part in the program himself, by deliver ing a short speech at the urgent re quest of the committee in charge. Mr. Medearis speech was the most novel feature in connection with the event. So feeble was he by his exerenie age that it was necessary for him to be given assistance in order to get out of Jifs ' chair. His . word) were scarcely audible except by those close to the platform. Mr. Medearis spoke of his advanced age and stated that this would probably be the last Old Settlers meeting he would ever at tend. ", Bids Them-Goodbye. He stated that he wished to tell ev ery one goodby now as it would perhaps be his last opportunity. He declared that he did not feel that he was almost 100 years of age and when he looked back on some of the events of his long life, could . scarcely believe that such a great lapse of time had passed. Mr. Medearis seated that he joinea we enure n tDeiore . ne was zv years of age and had always been a faithful worker and firm believer in Christ- He advised all to seek God and become converted to the Christian faith early, as it was the only real way to attain supreme happiness and contentment.' f .' . - . - Mr. Medearis was too feeble to talk

(Contained on Pace Eight

TEACHERS ENJOY

FIRST NUMBER Oil H G00DPRQCRAM First Lecture at Institute at Chautauqua Was Delivered This Morning by Dr. William Forbush. MARATHON RACES ARE v STRONGLY CONDEMNED Dr. A. T. Kinnaman Describes To Teachers the Educational Situation Now Existing in Kentucky. - TUESDAY'S PROGRAM. 9.-0 a. m. Religious Extension 3 iiuur a ouvni aian religion" couducted by S. A. Adder. 10.11 a. m. Ladies Physical Cult ure Class direction of &UasHl4unb kin. 10.m a. m. Dr. KiDnaman, HEU School as an Institution.' , ll .tut a. in. Dr. Fbrbush, "How lie Does His Thinking. 1 p. in. Dr. Kinwiwttn Tli Kour Questions. 3:00 p. m. Rev. Eroeat WYay O'Neal. "Popular Fallacies.' 4 p. m. Whitney Brother. 7K p. m. Miss CKRellley, "Irish Litrature and Folklore.' 8.1MI p. m. Whitney Bros., assisted by Mrs. Whitney, grand concert 8:30 p. m. Dr. Spurgeon in huator ous lecture. Today was the first of the teachers institute lectures at the Chautauqua. County Superintendent Charles W. Jordan acted aa chairman this morning. He spoke of the place the institute holds In the work of the teacher. The lecturers for this year are Dr. William Bryan Forbush of Detroit. Mich., and Dr. A. T. Kinnaman of fowling Green. Ky. Dr. Forbush deals with the problem of the boy. He has divided his series of lectures so at to deal with all phases of 'the life of a boy. physically, morally and intellectually. Dr. Kinnaman will discuss the question of the school and the relation of school and teacher. The lecturers who have boon nor nr. ed will prove more interesting to the general public than some who have addressed the institutes. It was said by Supt Jordan that he would like as many or the school patrons as possible to atend the institute lectures. He said one of the greatest advantages of a joint institution such as this Is the fact patrons and teachers Intermingle and the lecturers deal with sub jects of vital Interest to both. Of Much Interest. The lectures are of as much Inter. tereet to the mother or father, as to the teacher. The teacher deals with the child for nine months of the year and the parent for twelve, so there ought to be many things in common. Each of the speakers has made a careful study of the subject with which he deals. Dr. Forbush Is president ot national boys' organization and Is re cognized as a man who has spent years in trying to learn just what Is best for the boy. . The organization of the religions ex tension hour, which was- scheduled for this morning was postponed until S o'clock this afternoon. It is proposed to hold the sessions at this hour daily. It was found the attendance would be larger than In the morning. The work will be in charge of S. A. Ackley of Jackson, Mich. Mr. Ackley delivered the sermon yesterday morning and his effort was a characteristic ofle. He is expected to meet with success in his venture, which Is the first of the kind for the local Chautauqua. This afternoon the subject for the discourse was "Christ and Temptation. Tomorrow afternoon's subject will be "Christ and Man." The sunbjects announced on the program will be followed until Friday, when a change will be made. Are Bad For Boys. The Marathon race, such as was popularized last spring among the school boys of the country was severely condemned by Dr. Forbush in his mornings lecture. He said the strain on the boy was too severe and expressed his belief there Is something the -matter with school officials who tolerate such sport. The speaker probably knew nothing of those long periods pupils of the local high school are required to stay after school for such an indiscretion as whispering. At any rate he stated plainly he would allow certain movement ' and occasional conversation among pupils in the schools. Not only this, but he said the child can be best served by permitting him time for physical recreation. He advocates turning out the school children occasionally for a half day vacation, so. they might have physical recreation to Interrupt the tedium of mental strain. Boys Are Interesting. "When God made boys, he made the world interesting. the speaker said. "Man is made of dust but the

i i 5

f f 1

XOrntlaned oa Pa C