Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 35, Number 27, 4 December 1909 — Page 1

RICHMOND FA3L1LAJDIUM oTJN-TTCTEGR A M. RICH3IOND, IND., SATURDAY EVENING, DECE3IBER 4, 1909. SINGLE COP 3 CENTS, VOL. XXXV. NO. 27.

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As Train No. 24 Was Passing Through Lewisville, Enroute to Richmond, Last Evening, Siding Switch Gives Way as The Baggage Car Passed Over It, With the result That It and the Cars Following Dashed Into the Siding and Collided With Terrible Force Against a Cut of Freight Cars

STATION RUINED BY BOMBARDMENT OF BIG COACHES With the Usual Good Luck of The Indianapolis Division None of the Passengers or Train Crew Killed. SOME LOCAL PEOPLE ARE SLIGHTLY HURT Wreck Was One of the Most Peculiar Ones in History of Road and the Damage to Property Is Heavy. SERIOUSLY INJURED. Otto T. Schoen, Indianapolis. Back badly sprained. Both hips sprained, left shoulder dislocated, severe cut on top of head, several small cuts about the face and body, internal Injuries of a serious' nature. MINOR INJURIES. Robert B. Good, postal clerk of St. Paris, O. Several cuts on, face, bad bruise on left side of body, left ankle sprained. W. F. Mclnturff, postal clerk, St. Paris, O., both knees sprained, other severe bruises. A. L. Fox, postal clerk, Covington, O., left knee and ankle sprained. Mrs. John Bolinger, Richmond, hand sprained. Mrs. William S. Chenoweth, Richmond, back sprained. Mrs. John B. King, Texarkana. Tex., left side of body and left knee injured. J. E. Curnahan, Canton, O., right side of chest bruised. F. M. Lyon, Greencastle, Ind., left hip and knee injured. H. D. McClelland, postal clerk, right leg fractured, several small bruises. W. H. Holfinger, postal clerk, Covington, O., minor body bruises. Ten year old daughter of Mrs. Perry McMurdy, Piqua, O., fractured left collar bone, left shoulder dislocated. The girl is the daughter of the operator in the M. D. railway tower at Piqua. While running at the rate of 50 miles an hour, Pennsylvania passenger train No. 24, enroute from St- Louis to New .York, struck a defective switch and jumped the track at Lewisville, Ind., about 29 miles west of Richmond, last night at 8:50 o'clock, seriously injuring one person and causing eleven others to sustain injuries, although some are of a minor nature. Several Richmond people were on the train at the time of the wreck, including Mrs. J. B. Foley, who was uninjured, Mrs. J. IL Bolinger, minor injuries, W. D. Williams, and Mrs. William Chenoweth, whose back was sprained and who suffered a severe nervous shock. A Defective Switch. The main line track at Lewisville is at an elevation of about twelve to fifteen feet. Train No. 24 Is a fast flyer, and does not even hesitate at Lewisville, dashing by the station at a terrific rate of 'speed. The train is due in Richmond at 9:00 p. m. When just west of the Lewisville depot the train struck a siding switch. The locomotive, tender, express car and mail car passed safely, but the front trucks of the baggage car, the next coach, were deflected by the switch flying open and that car, followed by the rest of the train, took the siding at tremendous speed and crashed into several freight cars, completely demolishing them. The force of the impact hurled the baggage car and day coach from the siding track and broadside to It, forming a barrier that brought the two Pullmans following to a rough stop. Pulled From Tracks. When the baggage car took the siding, before breaking the coupling, it pulled the rear trucks of the mail car, just ahead, from the tracks. In this fashion It was dragged from the switch to a bridge several hundred feet east of the station, where It finally broke loose from the car in front, went over the embankment, crashing completely over on its side at the bottom. The imprisoned mail clerks inside,

were injured, one perhaps fatally, Otto Schoen of Indianapolis. Most of

the injuries sustained by these men were caused by flying timbers and other debris. The mail car swung around with the force of the momentum, as it was passing the depot, a one story frame affair, and. struck it a glancing blow, careening it over. It also ploughed up the entire length of the station platform. No one was in the station at the time of the accident. Escape Miraculous. The wreck occurred 60 quickly that the passengers, many of whom were retiring for the night, scarcely had time to realize what had taken place. Their narrow and fortunate escape from death is regarded as miraculous and the recollection of it causes all to shudder. Aid was immediately summoned and the wrecking trains from Indiana polis and Richmond appeared on the scene shortly after the accident. The injured were carried to the Hotel Wil dey at Lewisville and were given instant medical attention by a score of doctors who arrived from the neigh boring towns and cities in special cars and automobiles. It is supposed that because of their great weight the Pullman cars retained their position on the track and this fact probably prevented a catastrophe which would have been ecual to the Collinsville, O., disaster of several weeks ago, in which seven lives were lost. Lawson in Charge. The train was in, charge of Conductor C. B. Lawson of Columbus, O., Ted McGrew, engineer, Indianapolis and E. C. Smith, fireman, Indianapolis. The wreck was caused by a bridle on the switch breaking and the blame can be attached to no one. , The day coach directly back of the baggage car crashed Into the rear end of the latter with terrific force and both cars were badly battered up. The passengers were thrown out of their seats and from their berths in all directions:-, some of them receiving cuts from the flying glass. However none were seriously injured. 1 Frank M. Skinner of Indianapoli3 was the only mail clerk who was not injured. He was in the car that went over the embankment and his escape from injury is regarded as remarkable. There were about fifty passengers on the train, it is estimated. The debris was quickly cleai-ed away by the wrecking crews and traf fic was not seriously blocked. A bal last train from Knightstown also ar rived and helped to clear away the wreckage. It is estimated that the loss to the Pennsylvania company will reach $30,000 at least. WOMAN IS BADLY BORNEO WHILE AT WORK 111 KITCHEN Mrs. Richard Lane Early Today Placed Lighted Hot Plate on the Floor and Then Steps Over It. HUSBAND FIGHTS THE FLAMES WITH HANDS Unfortunate Woman Is So Badly Injured That Her Recovery Is DoubtfulMother Of Two Children. Early this morning, after setting a lighted gas hot plate on the kitchen floor in order to permit the polish on the gas range to dry, Mrs. Richard Lane, living at 1327 North A street, heedless of her danger, stepped over the hot plate and her clothes were caught on fire. The flames spread so rapidly on the light garments that she was burned in a terrible manner and her recovery is regarded as uncertain. The flesh in many places on her body was burned to a crisp, in fact, veritably roasted. Some of the charred flesh fell from her body as strips of her clothing were removed, after the fire was extinguished. The burns are about her arms, body and legs. Her face and hair were not burned in the least. She is resting in a semi-comatose condition at her home. ; How Accident Happened. One of Mrs. Lane's relatives, in speaking of the accident, stated that Mrs. Lane had removed the hot plate from its position on the range in order that she might blacken the range and permit it to dry rapidly. While en

FUJI! SPEED)

OHIO GUARDSMEN ARE ORDERED OUT: BRIDGEPORT RIOT Trouble at the American Sheet And Tinplate Factory Has Reached a Crisis, the Sher iff Reports. SEVERAL GUN FIGHTS OCCUR DURING NIGHT Four Men So Far Have Been Wounded by Rioters Sheriff Finds It Impossible to Secure Deputies. (American News Service) Columbus, Ohio, Dec. 4 The entire Eighth regiment, with headquarters at Bucyrus, eight companies of the Fourth regiment of Columbus and seven companies of the Seventh regiment of Marietta, and the Columbus hospital service and signal corps, were ordered to Bridgeport this noon, after receiving a telegram from Sheriff Amrine, ringing with accounts of bloodshed and menace. TROOPS ARE ARRIVING. Bridgeport, O., Dec. 4. Unable to cope with the situation any longer, Sheriff Amrine today at noon asked Governor Harmon to send troops to quell the trouble and preserve order at the Standard Plant of the American Sheet and Tin Plate company, and over one hundred troops are now enroute to this city. ' - -" Sheriff Amrine says he was unable to secure any deputies, every man he approached, refusing to serve. During the night gun fignts were fre quent and several persons were injur ed. The shooting continued until four o'clock this morning. Four persons were wounded during the shoot ing, including Chief Poe of the Amer ican Tin Plate company's police force who had the end of his nose shot off, Windsor Davis, aged fifteen, was shot in the leg, and two guards who re ceived wounds are now in the hospital. Many others are reported to have been wounded but the company offi cials refused to give their names. gaged in polishing the stove she also had her husband's breakfast cooking on tne not plate. sne went away from the stove and on returning step ped over the hot plate. She forgot that it was lighted. Immediately her clothing began to blaze and she ran into the back yard and rolled on the ground, at the same time calling for aid. Before this came, however, she arose from the ground and again returned in the house, calling to her husband, who was upstairs. Then she returned to the back yard and rolled about on the grass. Soon her husband came down and picking up some of the baby's clothing on the rear porch, rushed to her assistance. He spread the child's clothing over he' head, thus protecting this part of her body, then he put out the flames with his hands. He was slightly burned about the hands and arms. Physicians were summoned as quickly as possible and dressed mrs. Lane's wounds. Inasmuch as the flesh is fo severely burned, little could be done to relieve her intense suffering. Her recovery depends much on her own vitality, according to the physicians. Mrs. Lane is the mother of two children, one two years old, and the other four years old. HE ADVISES ' WOMEN N earing Says Better Training For Motherhood to Better the Race. WOULD REDUCE CRIMINALS (American Xews Service) Philadelphia, Dec. 4. Scott NearIng, professor of economics in Swarthmore college, came forward today with the declaration that If women were trained in the duties of mother hood it would result in a great improvement in the human race. "One eighth of all modern children possess criminal tendencies because their mothers were educated for a mercenary marriage instead of moth erhood," he said. "Girls should be taught the most Important social facts concerning health, the responsibilities of motherhood and now to meet them."

COUNTY COUNCIL

ACTS ON INSANE WARDSQOESTION Makes Small Appropriation to Permit the Drawing Up of Plans of Institution for Unfortunates. SPECIAL SESSION TO BE HELD NEXT MONTH At Which Time a Location Will Be Decided on and an Ap propriation for Construction Authorized. At the special session of the county council this morning, which was called for the purpose of considering the sub ject of providing quarters for the in sane charges of the county, a resolution was passed and an appropriation of $200 made for the preparation of detailed plans for the county insane quarters, which will cost in the neigh borhood of $,O0O. The sense of the resolution was that the county must care for its unfortu nates until such a time as they can be come charges of the state. Rightful ly, the insane are charges of the state, but owing to the limited facilities the state has for caring for the unfortunates, the county must assume the burden until the legislature gives relief. Session in January. The council could not take complete action on the matter at this time for several reasons. The most important la that the council can not appropriate money for next year's work, at a spe cial session held this year. However, this year the architects will begin plans for the quarters, and as soon after the first of the year as practicable, the council will hold an other special session and at that time decide on the location of the auartetw,accept plans and make the required appropriation for meeting the expense of erecting the quarters. Three locations are under considera tion. One is the county farm, recoin mended by many citizens and Amos Butler, secretary of the state charitable and correction society. Others would like to see the quarters located near the Eastern Indiana hospital in order that the assitance of the physi cians at the state institution might be called upon in times of need. The third location is the ground owned by the county, and adjoining the county jail. The members of the council have not stated what location appeals most to them. Makes Tentative Plans. Architect W. S. Kaufman has al ready prepared tentative plans for the quarters, which were reviewed by the council this morning. These provide for model quarters, such as the cottages erected under Mr. Kaufman's direc tion at Easthaven. Mr. Kaufman will now make plans more complete ia details than those shown to the coun cil this morning. The council is proceeding in a con servative manner about the question and already has held consultations with Judge Fox of the circuit court and Dr. S. E. Smith, superintendent of Eastern Indiana hospital. The council considered a few minor appropriations, increasing some made a year ago. The amount of the appropriations increased, ranged from $5 to $75. An appropriation, amounting to about $O0O, was made for bridge work The question of improving the bridge on the Middleborough pike, will be left until next year, inasmuch as the bridge could not be completed this year. C. E. HELD A RALLY All Societies of Whitewater Meeting Met at East Main St. Church. AN INTERESTING PROGRAM The Christian Endeavor rally of all the societies of Whitewater quarterly meeting was held last evening at East Main Street Friends church and largely attended. The round table discus sion was conducted by Harry Reeves, several important subjects being taken up and one of which was the possibility of Increasing the membership. Word has been given out at national headquarters at Boston that one million dollars are wanted before 1911, and the local societies intend to do their share in securing new members. There were several Interesting discussion of papers read by delegates from the different Christian Endeaverors of the conference. THE WEATHER. INDIANA Probably snow Sunday much colder. .

f error And a Devoted Admirer

SEDGWICK TELLS HOW CAtlliOll MET A TRAGIC DEATH Richmond Man For First Time Relates of Incidents That Led Up to Execution of the Yankee Insurgent. DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO AVENGE HIMSELF American Had Sworn to Get Even With Zelaya Because Of the Terrible Beating Given Him by Dictator. "Leroy Cannon, whom I know well, met his death in an effort to avenge himself on Zelaya for a terrible beat ing that the dictator had had admin istered to Cannon on an alleged charge of smuggling," stated Isham Sedgwick of this city, today. Mr. Sedgwick recently returned from his plantation In Nicaragua and he is an ardent hater of Zelaya. "According to the statement mado to me by Cannon he had been arrest ed several months ago because Zelaya alleged he was smuggling American goods Into Nicaragua. Before Cannon was overpowered he gave about fifteen of Zelaya's minature troopers a harder battle than they had ever ex perienced in a revolution- Cannon was over six feet tall and a perfect athlete," continued Mr. Sedgwick. "After his arrest Zelaya had Cannon severely beaten. After a short imprisonment Cannon succeeded In making his escape, how I do not know, and went to San Salvador and eventually to Guatemala. "On last Fourth of July I met Can non in Guatemala City. In a conversation with me at that time he told me that he Intended to get even with Zelaya if it was the last thing he ever did. "It goes against the grain of an American to be beaten like a dog and I'll pay that fellow back for the insult. He hurt my pride worse than my body,' Is what Cannon said to me, in the course of the conversation. A short time later he went back to Nicaragua, to carry out his threat, and was active, I understand, in promoting the revolution which is to result in the overthrow of Zelaya. Too bad he couldnt have lived to see the man he hated so, overthrown." A WOODMEN MEETING At the meeting of Modern Woodmen. Monday evening, annual election of officers will be held and also a large class, including F. X. Watt. H. R. Shute. Herbert King. J. R. Moss. E. M. Baird. and M. G. Schroeder will be ini-

X tiated Into the order. -

JSj

Francisco Ferror and "a lady of Barcelona," from a photograph, taken just prtoito tneagUatQr'aJurret and a sketch of the scene of his execution. It is said that the professor had many women followers. One of these, Dona Villafronca, was expelled from his country residence and sent out of Spain. Another, a widow whom he married, left him $40,000, while a third left him a house. It is estimated that his bequests amounted to $500,000. TAKES LONG FALL ROT HOT HUM Little Mildred Muth Drops from Porch Roof While She Was Playing. PICKED UP UNCONSCIOUS BUT THE YOUNGSTER SOON RE VIVED AND TODAY IS FEELING AS GOOD AS EVER FALLS IN MUDDY YARD. While playing with her young cous in on the porch of the rear veranda. little two year old Mildred Muth, child of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Muth. liv ing at 16 South Fifth street, climbed over the porch railing and fell to the ground below, a distance of probably fifteen feet. The screams of her cousin attracted the attention of other members of the family and she was picked up In a dazed condition, but she soon recover ed and was found to be unhurt. This morning she was as well as ever and apparently will not suffer in the least from her trying experience. The parent of the child stated this morning that Mildred with her cous in had been playing all afternoon in the upstairs rooms, where the family make their home,- and on the rear porch. The children began climbing on the railing which surrounds the porch when the little Muth child lost her balance and fell. Fortunately she alighted in the yard where it was somewhat muddy. A DECISION MONDAY Judge Fox announced this morning that he would render his decision in the case of Crowe versus McConaha in which the plaintiff asks for per manent injunction and $3,000 damages for waste. Monday morning. The case was recently heard In- the circuit court, taking several days to Introduce the testimony. The defendant was left a life interest in a farm south of Centerville and some of the heirs claim that waste was committed by tearing down fences and outbuild

ings and cutting away timber.

All EFFORT MADE

TO RESCOE RIFE FROM THE CHAIR Wilfred Jessup and Others Ap pear Before Ohio Board off Pardons on Behalf of the Eaton Murderer. ALLEGED THE JUDGE MADE A BAD MISTAKE Said He Neglected to Tell Jury Recommendation of Mercy Prohibited Pardon Decision Next Month. Columbus, Dec. 4 Admitting that the verdict was a just one and that there was no defense for the murder of Mrs. Uda Griswold, an appeal was made yesterday to the Board of Pardons for a commutation of the sentence of Harry Rife, who slew her at Eatou last June. The pleas made to the board were the most powerful heard by that body. The speakers were Daniel Ryan. chaplain-In-chicf of the Grand Army of the United States; Mrs. Elizabeth. Stanley, vice president of the W. C T. U. of Indiana, and Wilfred Jessup. at torney for Rife. They are all from Indiana. Mr. Ryan being from Hymera, Mrs. Stanley from Liberty and Mr. Jessup from Richmond. For His Family's Sake. It was In the name of RIfe'a family that the appeal was made. - It com prises JO different groups with a total membership of 3.5in, and there la no record of any of them having ever been arrested for an infraction of tha law. The strong point made was that in charging the jury, presiding Judge Fisher forgot to explain to the members of it that a sentence with recommendation of mercy carried with It the prohibition of pardon. It was al leged that it was because of the fear that mercy might be shown that tn Jury, after wrestling with the case all night, finally determined upon the ex treme penalty. The Board of Pardons was impressed with this plea and will send to tho common pleas court of Preble county. for a copy of the charge. The state was represented by Special Counsel William Saylor. It so happens thac Prosecuting Attorney Gilmour, of Preble county is a brother of the mur dered woman, who was librarian rf Eaton, and therefore could not appear in the case. Rife is in the penitenti ary, the date of his execution belnj January 10 next. The board will decide the appeal on January 13. ONLY ONE PETITION. Jessup States Plea of Jurors Only On Presented. Mr. Jessup stated this morning thst the only petition presented to the board was that of ten of the Jury men who composed the jury, in which they ask Governor Harmon to commute the sentence from death to life Imprison ment. More than an hour was spent with the board by the three representatives of Rife. and they believe that the board will act favorably for the con demned man. It Is probable that Mr. Jessup will attend the January session of the board in the interests of his client. Harry Rife killed Mrs. Griswold. his former sweetheart, in the public library at Eaton, last June When the trial was heard by the Jury of the common pleas court of Preble county at Eaton in September, it resulted in the Jury debating for many hours as to the sentence to give Rife. The Jurors finally returned the most severe penalty, but since then ten have experienced a change of feeling. A SCHOOL DECISION Was Rendered This Morning By Judge Fox in a Milton, Ind., Case. . DEFENDANT IS SUSTAINED In a decision today. Judge Fox over ruled the demurrer of the plaintiff to the answer filed to the complaint In the case of Charles L. Wilson, against the school town of Milton. The plaintiff had sought to prevent the payment of bonds Issued by the school town to meet the expenses incurred la making necessary Improvements -to the school building at Milton. The court's decision will virtually throw the matter out of court, It is believed. In reTiewlng the case. Judge Fox said that the school town Issued eight bonds of $150 each to meet a improvement to the school building. After four of the bonds had tees paid and the fifth one fell doe. the plaintiff in the above action sought to prevent the payment of the bond. However, by the court's ruling the township In bound to meet the expense of the tntproTements which the officials of the school town accepted.