Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 34, Number 355, 28 October 1909 — Page 1
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.VOL. XXXIV. NO. 355. RICHMOND, IXD., THURSDAY EVENING OCTORFR lOOO . " uncusfcK , 1JCKI. SINGLE COPY, 2 CENTS.
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Superintendent Nettleton Neff of the Richmond Division Announced Today as a Result of the Investigation Conducted by the Railroad Officials that Young Man, Who Was Front Brakeman on Ill-fated Freight Train, No. 75, Is Responsible for the Catastrophe, Having, as the Evidence Showed, Opened the Switch and Then Entered The Collinsville Station.
YOUNG MAN SAYS
CHARGE
AGAINS
T
HIM UNJUST ONE
McDonald Has Informed His
Friends That He Is Being
Held Responsible for Care lessness of Another.
CREW OF FREIGHT 81
ARE ALL EXONERATED
Railroad Company Also Exonerates Collinsville Operator
Alleged Act a Most Astounding One.
Ralph McDonald. 20 Richmond avenue and front brakeman on the illfated Pennsylvania freight, No. 75, which was wrecked last Friday In a collision with passenger train No. 18. resulting in the death of six men. is
held responsible, by the railroad company, for the terrible catastrophe. McDonald absolutely denies to friends that he is responsible for the wreck. Superintendent Nettleton Neff of the Richmond division this morning officially made this charge. In an interview with a Palladium reporter Mr. Neff said: "The front brakeman on freight train No. 75 was responsible for the Collinsville wreck. I do not care to give his name. He Is already suffering the most terrible mental anguish. This man did not positively admit his responsibility but the evidence clearly shows that he is responsible. Arrived on Time. "According to the evidence we have gathered No. 75 left Seven Mile and pulled into the siding at Collinsville five minutes in advance of the tim passenger train No. 18 was due to arrive there. The evidence shows that the front brakeman on No. 75 got off the train, threw the derail and then opened the west switch of the siding, ftfter which he entered the station. "Why he did this I can advance no reason. It is evident that he knew that No. 18 was due to pass No. 75 at Collinsville as it was testified in the investigation that at Seven Mile,
members or the crew of No. 75 dis
cussed as to whether the train would
have time to reach Collinsville ahead
of No, 18.
You can state that the crew of freight train No. 81 are absolutely
exonerated from responsibility for the wreck, also the operator at Collins
ville. "The evidence shows that No. SI
pulled into the siding at Collinsville
and permitted No. 24 to pass. Then No. 81 went to Somerville and went on a siding, allowing No. 18 to pass. The crew of No. 81 did not leave the Collinsville siding switch open." The result of the investigation conducted by the division officials is most startling. Various reasons arc advanced as to why McDonald acted as he did. The General Opinion. It is the general opinion that the young man opened the switch in a moment of abstraction and without thinking what he was doing. "That may . have been the reason that he opened the switch from sheer habit and without thinking of the conse
quencesbut a railroad man is paid to think. One moment of "forgetfulness on the part of a railroader often results in such a tragedy as the Collinsville catastrophe," remarked a railroader today.. Tomorrow the Butler county coroner will begin his investigation as to the cause of the wreck and its result will be followed with the keenest interest by railroad men, and the public at large, to see whether the coroner's verdict coincides with the finding announced today, by Superintendent Neff, If the coroner finds that McDonald is responsible it is probable that criminal action may be brought against him in the Butler county courts. It is understood that the Ohio railroad commission will also investigate the wreck and take some action. It is not known whether McDonald has been discharged by ths railroad
company. Mr. Neff this morning did not state what action had been taken in that respect. McDonald Denies Blame. Ralph McDonald, front brakeman on freight train No. 75. upon whom the blame for the catastrophe at Collinsville, O., has been placed, maintains that he is innocent and is being unjustly held responsible by the railroad company! He is alleged to have told John Reid. with whom he boards, at 20 Richmond avenue, that if a fire were built under his feet and it were his dying breath he would declare that he was innocent and did not throw the switch which caused such a terrific head-on collision between the freight and passenger train. McDonald is alleged to have assert
ed that he is being blamed for anoth
er's carelessness but refused to di
vulge the name of the person whom he thought responsible. He scorn3
the idea of running away to escape probable punishment and declares that he will stay and "face the music,"
and if the railroad company chooses to hold him responsible for an act he
never committed, he will stand his ground as his conscience is perfectly
clear In the matter. It is claimed that McDonald's demeanor is not that
of a man responsible for such a calamity.
Has Left the City. He left his boarding house this
morning about 10 o'clock after telling
Mr. and Mrs. Reid that he would prob
ably go to Collinsville to make a further investigation of the matter. He
has not returned since that time, al
though all of his clothes and belong
ings were left at the boarding house.
His friends ridicule. the idea that he
ran away.
McDonald has many friends who be
lieve in his innocence and upon whom
he can call for aid in case criminal "ac
tion is brought against him. McDon
ald is 24 years of age and is unmar
ried. His parents reside in New Par
is. He has a sister, Mrs. Elmer Rhodes, residing at North Eighth and H streets. The man is a quiet sort of person, it is saidk and bears an ex
cellent reputation. He has been ia
the railroad business for about four years, although all of that time he
has not been connected with the
Pennsylvania company.
As the result of the Investigation
of the railroad officials, McDonald!
has been dismissed and was notified today that his services were no long
er required by the company. . Conduc
tor Brown on freight No. 75 has been suspended for four weeks, while fireman Jackson, also of the freight crew, has been layed off for two weeks.
HE KILLED SEVEN WOMEN SAYS MRS. 0. MUELLER TODAY
Testifies to the Police That Her Husband Made That Boast to Her and Then Said He Would Slay Her.
MOST BRUTAL FIEND OF AGE, SAY POLICE
International Efforts Were Started Today to Trace the Career of Arch Fiend Held
In New York.
BEVERIOGE IS TO
ADDRESS MEMRERS
OF A LOCAL CLUB
Prominent Indiana Statesman
And Senior Senator to Ap
pear Before Commercial
Club on November 15.
She Liked Her Chauffeur Very Much
JOHN W. FOSTER IS
ALSO TO SPEAK HERE
tvansville Man, One of the
Best Known American Dip
lomats, to Appear Before The Club First of December.
A LOVE SICK YOUTH. Lynn, Mass., Oct. 28. Using his dog's collar as a noose, Charles Ricker, 17 years old, and disappointed in love, committed suicide by hanging himself from one of the posts of his bed last night. The boy knotted a belt tightly about his ankles to prevent himself struggling during strangulation.
(American News Service)
xvew i orK, Oct. 28. "I have killed
seven women, and I will kill you too.
This confession and threat was made
by Otto Mueller, alias Frederick Gen
hardt, to Mrs. Gebhardt, according to
me latter s story to the police today. Authorities declare they are sure of proving Gebhardt the most brutal
riend of the decade. Mrs. Gebhardt says her husband had planned to kill her, but lost his nerve at the crucial moment. International efforts were today begun to trace the career of Otto Mueller, alias Frederick Gebhardt, alias Fritz Scharferlein, confessed Bluebeard and ex-convict. The German government is involved in the hunt for further
facts in his monstrous career, and tlfe St. Petersburg police are to undertake the tracing of his life in Russia, where his first known victim wed him. Was a German Girl. Anna Luther, the womanhe killed eighteen months ago, near Islip. L. I., and the discovery of whose skeleton
recently led to the baring of Mueller'3 atrocious record, was a German lass, with whom he went to Germany on
their wedding trip.
ine announcement late yesterday that Mueller had confessed he was a triple slayer, caused the police to renew their efforts to prove him another
"Hoch." Here is the record which the authorities today declared they would fasten on Mueller: List of Victims. 1895Deserted Minnie Roseneau, whom he married in Russia, taking $ 400 of her money. 1800 i Deserted Lena Wessner. whom he promised to wed, getting $340. Con
victed of grand larceny in Sing Sing till August, 1005.
1005 Disappeared, after the myste
rious death of Mrs. Marie Katz, of
Long Island, taking $700. She had been lured from her husband.
1000 Married Mrs. Anna Meinke in
February, with whom he was living as
Gebhardt, when arrested. Got $800,
10OS Married Anna Luther, Islip
Woods murder victim. Got SuOO.
1908 Married Katie Lantz also, in
iu connection wun the announcement, made this morning by Secretary E. M. Haas of the Commercial club,
tnat United States Senator A. J. Bev-
eridge would address the club Novem
ber 15. it was also stated that Hon.
uonn w. Foster ol Evansville. who
has served the United States as min
ister to Spain and in numerous other
posts, would speak before the club, the first week in December, on the
subject of "International Peace."
The Hon. Mr. Foster is one of the most polished statesmen and speakers ever serving in the fnterests of
the government. During the adminis
tration of the late President McKin-
ley, Mr. Foster served in his cabinet.
He afterwards was appointed by Pres
ident Roosevelt as minister to Spain and served for a number of years in
a most excellent and efficient, man.
ner. Was a Congressman.
Mr. Foster started in his public ca
reer as a congressman from the dis
trict in which Evansville is located
Undoubtedly many will avail them
selves of this exceptional opportunity
to hear Mr. Foster. 'The date for his appearance before the club has not been definitely decided, but Mr. Haas
stated this morning that he was con
fident that it would be during the first
week of December. '
Senator Beveridge's subject has not
been learned by Mr. Haas. However,
it will probably be on some subject
in connection with the government.
It is expected that he will touch upon
the tariff and the fight of the insur
Si SEE" ,rr Z JSLtK Inohan Antean Was Editor of
that the attitude of President Taft toward tariff legislation will be discuss
ed by the senator.
Vi h 31 f ii ASSASSIN OF ITO Qf ) IIDEITIFIED AS A WW J KOREAN PARTRIOT $mL
SOUTH BEIID 11017 MECCA FOR CLUB BOMHOF STATE Northern Indiana City Is Now Thronged With Delegates to Three Large National Fraternal Conventions. A FEW LOCAL WOMEN ARE IN ATTENDANCE
At the Meeting Yesterday Mrs. M. F. Johnston Spoke on Art Work and Also on Civic Federation Efforts.
(Continued on Page Seven.)
Otto Mueller, Arch Fiend of a Decade
$ ?v tfrtj yj S&?,$
Otto Mueller, the self confessed murderer of Anna Luther, whose body, thrown into the bushes at Brentwood Moor, near Islip, L. L, in April, 1908, was not discovered until a year elapsed. According tohis ; own story, he met the girl in 1907 and married her a year later and took her to Germany on a honeymoon. Cespite the fact that he was then married to a woman in Astoria, L. I. Returning in April, 1908, he took her to see friends in Newark while he called on his wife in Astoria. Finding she had a baby he decided to get rid of his second wife. A fanatic love of looking at real estate took them to Islip where he tried to get money from her. When she raised her head for a kiss he fired twice into her head. According to the police he had robbed several girls under promise of marriage.
V1CKSBURG READY
TO RECEIVE TAFT
Great Southern Welcome Has
Been Planned for the President.
EXPECTED TO ARRIVE LATE
A Newspaper in Seoul and Had Been Pledged to Take Life of Ito.
SOUTHERN KOREA IS
' VERY NEAR A REVOLT
Japan Will Be Forced to Rtfch
Troops to the Country Immediately or the Rebellion Will Be Serious.
FLAGSHIP OF THE FLEET IS DUE TO ARRIVE AT 6 THIS EVENING
BUT MAY BE TWO OR THREE
HOURS OVERDUE.
(American News Service) Harbin, Oct 28. The assassin of
Prince Ito was identified today as In
dian Antean. He was former editor of a newspaper at Seoul. He confessed that he belonged to a society of
twenty Koreans, pledged to kill Ito.
(American News Service) Vicksburg, Miss., Oct. 28. All Vlcksburg was busy today arranging another great southern welcome for President Taft and the fleet that Is accompanying the vessel on which he
is making his trip down the Mississippi. The party has been delayed and while the president is scheduled to arrive at 6 p. m. today it is possible that he will not get in till 2 or 3
hours later. The president's boat is between Vicksburg and Helena, The others are scattered in the wake of
the Oleander.
Held Up by Low Water. Near Helena the fleet already held
up by low water, suffered another do-
lay when the steamer Grey Eagle, on
which were several governors, elu
aground. . After a short delay the go
ernors and others on the stranded boat were transferred to the Illinois
a j. i a ' -.
ana me inp resumed, it was report
ed nere today that the Grey Eagle was
IS GREATLY EXCITED. (American News Service) London,- Oct 28. Southern Korea.
excited by the assassination of Prince Ito, the Japanese statesman to whom the rebellious Koreans attribute the
subjugation of their country, is in open revolt today and Japan will be forced
to rush troops to the peninsula, ac
cording to dispatches received here today.
The announcement came by the To-
kio government that the mild policy
outlined by Ito in the exploitation cf
Korea, would be followed, has aroused
the Japanese people, and the press is demanding severe measures, reiterat
ing its call for the absolute annexa
tion of Korea, The making of Korea an actual part of the Nipponese domain instead of allowing it to remain as at present, a nominally independent nation tributary to Japan, has been the subject of Tokio from the first move
Miss Jennie Quackenbush of New York is shown in the top picture and ust below is "Chauffeur Frank" Hiacock whose affections, she values so highly that she is suing Miss Jeannette Suffern, sixty-five years old of Ridgewood. N. J., a 1300,000 heiress, for marrying him without asking her permission. Miss Suffern asked "Chauffeur Frank." and when he said "yes" she married him without looking up the title to him. just as she married his brother "Hostler Bob" Hiscock, a few weeks before and then found that he bad, or said he had. a wife somewhere. She gave Bob a
black eye as a brand as he went away. Miss Suffern in her hasty marriage was actuated by a desire to have a manager for her estate. When "Hostler Bob" turned out to be a gay de
ceiver, she proposed quickly to anoth er stable hand. He disappeared
Then he turned to New York and fin
ally found "Chauffeur Frank," Bob's
brother. Miss Quackenbush. reading
of their wedding went at once to an attorney and declared her heart was broken. They were to be married In November, she sobbed. But no one
knows where the faithless Frank took
his bride.
HUN
T FOR VICTIMS
Eastport, Me., Oct. 88. The patrol
of the Bay of Fundy anil the Atlantic outside in the search for the boatload
of men who succeeded in putting off
from the steamer Hestia when she
was wrecked off Grand Manan, was
maintained today, but there was lit
tle hope of success. It is believed
that the score or more in the lifeboat are lost making the death list at least
thirty-five. Several of the vessels which have been cruising in the hope
of picking up the missing craft today
abandoned the search.
ED. BARRiLL FIRM
Hamilton, Mont, Oct 28. Ed N
Barrill. the Alaskan guide, reiterated
today his declaration that he would
to the boilers, but that there was no ZtilT E" ck A. Cook makes his speech here nanin ahrrarl ropean DaUon. , ,,, .-J
Awaited With Anxiety. 1 7k , X.T eTery wint Janan s first mo fn tht. that the "Plorer may bring up in at-
has been awaited with anxiety. That
FASHION
IS lift
tempted controversion of his affidavit
statesman who has closely studied
the far eastern nmhlem trwtav
Maiden. Mass., Oct 28. Residents A Rnssio-Jananoae entente rennrtmi
of the fashionable Belmont Hill sec- in dispatches received here, adds to tion are wrought up over the fact that "the comDlexitv of the Knnan in.l
Joe Walcott, the negro pugilist is ne- Manchurtan problem. It is declared gotiating the purchase of a residence that the object of Ito's trip to Harbin on Converse avenue. Public meet- where he was shot, had as one of Its ings have been held to discuss Joe's objects, the completion of tentative armoring plans. Walcott now resides raneements for the agreement between
it is not far off wasTlu Tdeclaration iilSL1"? McKlD,.ey
iucu mjj icoui uic summit.
Barrill Is bitter in his denunciation
near the Everett line.
present dwelling.
THE WEATHER,
INDIANA Fair and warmer Friday.
He owns his i the two nations. The Russian finance
minister. M. Kokovsoff. who was at Harbin to confer with the leader of the "elder statesmen," was prepared to dis
cuss the financial and commercial aspects of the pact, it is asserted here in credible quarters. -
of Dr. Cook, and reiterates emphati
cally that be told the troth In his affidavit. '
SMOKER IS TONIGHT. his evening the Commercial Club members win give a smoker at their club rooms In honor of the members of the Young Men's Business Club. The members of both organisations are urged to attend.
(Elizabeth R. Thomas.) Delegates to three national fraternal conventions, the American Civic Federation, the American Library association and the National Educational association presented reports at the opening meeting of the State Federation o! Women 8 Clubs which is convening in South Bend this week. The report were given following the president's annual message. Local persons are deeply interested in the convention a a number of leading club women of thia city are in attendance. Mrs. Johnston Speaks. An excellent report was given by Mrs. M. F. Johnston, concerning the
Civic Federation held at Pittsburc She spoke briefly of the work of the organization. She compared the work of abating nuisances that face every city in the country with wholesale house cleaning and made a plea for co-operation on part of the club women of the state. The next convention of the Civic association will be held in the Sinton hotel. Cincinnati. O., in November and Mrs. Johnston expressed a hope that the state will.be better represented than at the last meeting. At the Pittsburg convention only three Indiana people were in attendance. Hold Round Table. At the close of yesterday morning't meeting a series of round table sessions were held. Mrs. M. F. Johnston also spoke at this time, her subject being
art. The session was presided over by
Miss Katherlne Mcllvalne. of Vln-
cennes. vice-chairman. In the absence
of Mrs. Josephine Page Wright, of
Fort Wayne, the chairman. Mis's Mcllvalne read Mrs. Wright s report in '
which she said that over SO federate 1
clubs in the state were using her study outline, and a number of unfederated
clubs had applied for permission to do so. Miss Edna Davis, of Auburn.
was the first speaker on the subject
and concluded her remarks with thesa words: "Study life in all its beauty, the beauty of the past recorded with the life blood of our heroes 'and blotted with their tears; study the beauty of fine expression and sentiment In the song which comforts the heart: and seek th beauty of practical work which teaches the world of its usefulness. In conclusion I say, aim high and tak time." For a Sane Fourth. Perhaps the most interesting features of the convention yesterday was the declaration for a sane fourth of July, and a resolution passed against the sale of cigarettes to minors. To th young boy. however, the tidings pertaining to the fourth comes as a sad blow. What's Fourth of July without fire
crackers? .
But to the anxious mother the news
will be greeted with Joy as the worries occasioned by her young off-spring seem to extend from one fourth to the
next
The convention greeted Mrs. W. S.
Major, state president, with hearty applause when she made her opening ad
dress in the morning. Mrs. Major is rapidly recovering from an lllneas. and
was in charge of the morning conven
tion session. Last night's meetings with addresses by Miss Helen Varick BoswelL of New York, and Mrs. Ellea M. Henrotin of Chicago, were the most
important of the convention.
Interesting Address. The former spoke on the "dub Wo
man's Responsibility in the Communtty," and Mrs. Henrotin on "The Responsibility of Club Women Toward
the Dependent Girls of the State."
Miss Boswell Is well known as a so
ciologist of experience. She is chair
man of the industrial and child labor
committee of the General Federation
of Women's clubs, but Is best known throughout the country as the woman sent by President Taft to the Isthmus
of Panama to look Into the social con
ditions and see what could be done
toward creating: interests for the kindreds of American women on the canal
sone.
The convention is largely attended
and la proving most benefleial as a number of important club matters are
being considered.