Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 35, Number 36, 13 December 1909 — Page 1

THE RICHMOND PALLADIUM AND SUN-TELEGRAM.

VOL. XXXV. NO. 36. RICHMOND, IND., MONDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 13, 1909. SINGLE COPY, 2 CENTS.

A WEALTHY JOKER HELD IN MOROCCO BY THIS COUNTRY

Young Millionaire, Fond of Practical Jokes, Is Now Detained at Legation of American Minister. HIS SANITY DOUBTED BY THE AUTHORITIES Death of His Young Bride Is Ttiought to Be Responsible For His Queer ActionsIs a Peculiar Case. Tangier, Morocco, Dec. 13. Lawrence Perin, eccentric Baltimore and New York millionaire, whose mania for "practical jokes" has recently shaken the ordinarily composed regal foundation of King Alfonso's realm and shocked his relatives and social excluslves In the United States, has gotten his foot in it once again. This time the erratic young man of millions and a turn for the discomfit lire of others has . been "detained" here. It was at the urgent request of representatives of the United States government and pending further in structions from the State department at Washington that the young man and romantic gallant was apprehended here last night. Perin seems to look upon his detention here in the light of . one of his own jokes. Puffing restfully on one of the goldband cigarettes which he plucked placidly from the diamond-studded gold case, which he extracted from his waistcoat pocket, the American reclined peacefully in an easy chair at ia American embassy office here. A faint smile played around the corners of his mouth as he addressed the Ministers in charge. Thinks It Another Joke. "I guess thiB one's on me, old man. But who framed it up? I'll wager King Alfonso has set out to come back at me for the joke I played on his representative about that darned Moorish palace I dug out of my mind. Well, I'll stick it out, but can't we have some wine to while away these dr 'ing hours In your most noble city? "This Is no joke, my friend," replied the Minister, "we have instructions to detain you until we hear from Washington." "A-ha! exclaimed the young adventurer in evident delight. "Congress is in session and 'Bill' Taft and 'Phil Knox want me to corae over and advise them how best to settle the Nicaraguan mosquito!" "Perhaps," was the nonchalant re ply of the Minister. "Well," retorted Perin, in his usual jocular mood, "I suppose I may then be said to be bound in Morocco." Perin became somewhat restless as the day dragged wearily to its close and paced up and down the embassy office floor, toying nervously with his heavy watch charm. Effect of Suicide Feared. it is feared that the recent suicide of his beautiful young bride, formerly JMIss Jane Gordon Sartori, has preyed so constantly on Perin's already falteiing mind, and the officials here suppose the appeal from the United States to hold him for instructions, comes from relatives who desire to have him once more confined in a sanitarium. "Not. quite right in his nead," is the kindly explanation of young Perin's exploits by his relatives, and this explanation has been found very convenient from time to time in getting young Perin out of trouble when things were pretty thick. After the evcitement of the news of his wife's suicide in England, in September, had subsided, Perin concluded to go abroad, and a short time ago he turned up in Ronda, that ancient city in Spain near Gibraltar, where stands the ruin of the old palace of the Moorish kings called "El Casa del Key was about time for Perin to break loose again. He had an idea. After a long conversation with a representative of King Alfonso, Peria led the government and citizens to believe he had unearthed a wonderful old Moorish palace and was about to build a wonderful memorial on the cite. That was his latest joke. Tried "Joke" on Roosevelt. The news of the latest achievement of the young American spread instantly. People came for miles around to see the excavations on the Sunday following his last visit to the mayor's reception. More than 3,000 people journeyed from the countryside around about to view the wonders of Mr. Perin's "ancient Moorish palace." But it was impossible to sustain the joke for long. There were no ancient ruins to bo seen. The joy of the populace turned to indignation and resentment. Perin be(Continued on Page Seven.)

HELD ON "BATH TUB" MYSTERY

Miss Virginia Wardlow, the aunt of the victim of the New Jersey bathtub mystery. She is in jail under suspicion as being connected with the woman's death. When Albert C. Snead, a Virginia farmer and brother of the missing husband, heard she was being detained in jail, he said she ought to be freed as she was one of the most lovable and selfsacrificing of women and never had anything to do with Ocey Snead's death.

A BOOZE TRAGEDY IN DRY COLUMBUS Laden to the Chin With Cheap Whiskey, Man Starts a Fierce Battle. POLICEMAN FATALLY SHOT GREENBERRY SPARKS ENTERED RESTAURANT AND ANNOUNCED HIS FIRST COURSE WOULD BE A ROUGH HOUSE. (American News Service) Columbus, Ind., Dec. 13. Filled to the chin with cheap whiskey on the Sabbath morning and in a dry town, Greenberry Sparks, aged twenty-three years, entered Matt Pfeiffer's restaurant al announced that a "rough house" was the first thing on the program. Pfeiffer, who was formerly a saloonkeeper, summoned the police. In the battle which ensued. Policeman Woods was probably fatally wounded by a bullet from Sparks' pistol. Omar Clark, an innocent bystander, received a stray bullet in his scalp, not proving serious however. Two additional policemen overpowered Sparks. BOTH LEGS CRUSHED An Italian employed on the Pennsylvania railroad, west of Centerville, had both legs badly broken above the ankle, Saturday by a beavy timber falling from a car and catching him. He was brought to Reid Memorial hospital and is in a serious couditiou. His legs may have to be amputated. FRANK PAGE HAPPY Frank Page, connected with the money order department of the post office, and his wife are the parents of a baby girl, born this morning. Being the first child, the parents are justly proud. Congratulations have been showered on them frrom all sources. THE WEATHER. INDIANA Rain or snow tonight; fair nd colder Tuesday, .

HER CREW MISSING (American News Service) Buffalo, Dec. 13. Another wreck on the Lake Erie during a recent storm was reported this morning when the schooner Spadema was discovered suomergea in twenty feet of water near South Bass island, the crew is unknown. The fate of CASE IS POSTPONED (American News Service) Pittsburg, Dec. XZ. The trial of P. J. Kierman, who created consternation in Catholic Societies all over the country, by alleged crooked dealings, which was set for today, was indefinitely postponed. DEMOCRATS APPOINT SEN. MONEY I .FADER KUt '1 United States Senator Money of Mississippi, who has been chosen minority leader to succeed Senator Culberson, who resigned

-.. .Jim

NO DIVORCE FOR

FRANKLIN

OWENS

IS E Judge Fox This Morning Announces His Decision Which Exonerates Freeman Who Was Named Co-respondent. DEFENDANT ALLEGED DEPRAVED BY COURT To Substantiate This Charge, Letters Received From Her Are Referred to by JudgeRuling Expected. Judge Fox this morning refused B. Franklin Owens a divorce from Mary Melissa Owens, not because he did not believe the plaintiff should be liberated from matrimony, but because the plaintiff's allegations that Perry J. Freeman, who was named as co-respondent, were wholly unprovenj in the trial, which took place in the circuit court Thursday Friday and Saturday of last week. The court postponed making a decision Saturday until today, as he wished to carefully review the testimony, which was voluminous, before making his decision. The decision was the only one which court attaches believed would be rendered and therefore it wa no surprise. Calls Her Debated. Mrs. Owens, against whom the action was directed, was characterized by the court as utterly debased and her depravity was apparently so developed, as shown from letters which she wrote Mr. Freeman, and which were introduced a3 evidence, that ;.t was astounding. Judge Fox said that he could not see the reasdn for Mrs. Owens's falsehoods, unless, as the defense intimated, it was for black-mail, or, if not, to cause Mr. Freeman and his family the utmost mental anguish. During the trial there were several letters introduced as evidence by Perry J. Freeman, who, through his counsel, Henry U. Johnson, fought the allegations of Mrs. Owens. All of these letters with the exception of those which Mr. Freeman wrote to Mrs. Owens and her husband, were written by Mrs. Owens. Judge Fox read the first sentence of one of Mrs. Owens' letters, and t is unprintable. The court said that the rest of the letter was even worse and he did not read it. The spirit of the other letters which Mrs. Owens wrote both to Mr. Freeman and his family were in a similar vein. Regarding the Baby. The court referred to the testimony introduced in which it was alleged that Mrs. Owens had charged Mr. Freeman of being the father of a child who it was also testified, she had adopted from a Chicago foundling home. The court said it almost paralleled the once famous Titsworth case. The court said that Mrs. Owens tried to give the public the impression" that the child was her own by, false methods. He said Mrs. Owens even went so far as to write Mr. Freeman, requesting him to have members of his family help in making its clothes. Judge 'Fox referred to the letters written by Mr. Freeman, in which he warned the defendant and the plaintiff in the case, that unless her annoyance ceased, he would prosecute her. A reply by the plaintiff to one of Mr. Freeman's letters was read, in which he said that he was going to get even, charging Mr. Freeman with being responsible for breaking up his home. Mr. Owens knew of the conditions under which the baby came into their possession. However, the court did not hold that Mr. Owens was perjuring himself in testifing that his wife had confessed to him she had been intimate with Mr. Freeman. The court said that he believed both Mr. Owens and Mr. Reller, his counsel, were testifying truthfully but that Mrs. Owens's confession to them was a falsehood. Testimony Not Impeached. The court said that he could not accept the testimony of either Mr. Owens or Mr. Reller as opposed to that of Mr. Freeman. The latter testified under oath that he had had no immoral dealings with the defendant, while the other two testified to what Mrs.. Owens had told them when she was not under oath. Although Mr. Freeman's chastity had been pronounced bad by two witnesses, the court held that none of his testimony had been impeached. He said that because his chastity had been questioned was not any evidence that his truth and veracity was bad. Mr. Freeman was asked by a reported whether he would file an affidavit in the federal court charging Mrs. Owens with sending obscene literature through the mails. He said that his future action had not been determined upon, but intimated that he would allow the matter to drop, with Lis complete exoneration by the court.

RULING

MAD

A Newspaper Record Saturday when the Palladium advertising men announced that they had enough copy to require a twenty-two page Sunday edition there was general excitement. Even the office boy realized that if such an edition was successfully "run ofP Saturday evening and Sunday morning, all local newspaper records would be broken. Then everybody got busy and the new record was established. True, there have been larger editions published in Richmond but never so large a paper at "one run." When there is exceptionally heavy advertising it is generally known in advance, which permits all but the first section of the edition being prepared in advance. Just to show what kind of a job the Palladium's composing room had on its hands Saturday night, it is pointed out that they handled eighty-six columns of display and classified advertising and sixty-eight columns of reading matter. There was an average of four and onefourth columns of advertising to each page.

NICHOLSON BILL IS Man, Who While Living in Indiana, Gained State-wide Fame, at College. VISITING HIS CHILDREN HE NOW LIVES AT HARRISBURG, PA., AND IS PRESIDENT OF THE PENNSYLVANIA ANTI-SALOON LEAGUE. Rev. S. Edgar Nicholson, superintendent of the Pennsylvania Anti-Saloon league was at Earlham college this morning on his way from Chicago to Harrisburg, Pa. Mr. Nicholson is visiting his son and daughter, V. D. Nicholson and Miss Caroline Nicholson, who are students at the college. Mr. Nicholson arrived at the college last evening from Chicago, where he attended the annual convention of the National Anti-Saloon league. He will leave" this afternoon for his headqilarfc ers at Harrisburg. Mr. Nicholson was formerly a resident of Indiana and while residing at Kokomo was a member of the state legislature and introduced the antiliquor law, which is now on the statute books and which is known as the Nicholson law. Mr. Nicholson is an alumnus of Earlham college. IS OUITE UNUSUAL An unusual incident has come to light In the granting of a marriage license to George M. Worley, a machinist, of this city, and Miss Ethel Diana Snyder, in that the groom is just four years and a day older than the bride, the former having been f born in Virginia December 24, 1884 ( and the later in this city on Christmas day, 18S8. It is doubtful if there is another case on record where the birthdays of the contracting parties is so near the same date and so close to Christmas. This is Mr. Worley's second marriage but the first for the bride. OPPOSES THE ABUSE OF FREE DELIVERY Frank Hitchcock, pastmaster-general. who is determined the deficit in running the rural free delivery shall not be abused by the privilege extended to senators and representatives of se ing matter through the mails freer of cost. It is reported that fourteei of matter, that is not entitled franked, is being held up by the office department

al

oxons

to be ost-

HEW YEAR'S GIFT TO LOCAL PUBLIC BY L. H. 4 P. CO.

Beginning the First of the Year There Will Be a Reduction Of 20 Cents on Each Thousand Feet. USUAL CASH DISCOUNT IS TO BE CONTINUED After January First There Will Be No City in the Country Which Burns Cheaper Artificial Gas. The Richmond Light, Heat and Pow er company will present its patrons with a New Year's present that will be greatly appreciated this year. Con sumers of artificial gas in this city will be agreeably surprised and likewise pleased, over the announcement that after January 1, 101O, the net price of the gas will be 'M cents less per thousand cubic feet. The present price of artificial gas, where it is used for lighting purposes alone, is $1.50 per thousand cubic feet, with a '. per cent discount if paid before the tenth of the month. With this discount the net price is now $1.20. In event the gas is used for cooking purposes or for both lighting and cooking purposes, the net price is $1.00. What Decrease Means. After the first of the year the price of cooking gas and gas used for lighting purposes alone, will be the same, billed at $1.10 per thousand cubic feet, with a ten cent discount on the thousand, making the net price $1.00. This is for all gas where less than lO.ouO cubic feet is burned. After January 1, all gas in excess of 25,000 cubic feet, which now sells at $1.00 per thousand cubic feet, will sell at 80 cents per thousand cubic feet. The usual cash discount making the net price, will be ten cents per thousand cubic feet on all bills paid before the tenth of the month, following that in wbich tbc gas is used, provided AH previous indebtedness is paid. According to-John'XTTerkTns.'Tnan-ager of the Richmond Light, Heat and Power company, after the first of the new year there will be no city in the countrbuMking cheaner artificial gas than Kic&Mn ns stated

'i

that-rie KLypeM working for somiv rf e time to bring about the decrease in th

f city. The Rlcbrft0?1 bJ" rwCPwjr cpanVyX 'V "frk syndicate andn

price of gas for thjs city. The Ric mond LKhtlMeaft an4l,Pwrr com pan is owned byi New "Wrk syndicate ajid; it wasr thregh the exertions of Manager Perkins that the plans were approved by the syndicate and the new order relative to the change in price was granted. , Helps Srnall Consumer. It is frequently the case that when a decrease in the price of gas is made by public service corporations, it is at the expense of the small consumer, who rarely is benefited by tne change. However, when the new change goes into effect the large and small consumer alike are ' equally benefited. The small consumer, who uses artificial gas for lighting purposes alone, will be given a 2" cent reduction in price just the same as the large consumer. The company believes that by lowering the price of its gas the number of consumers will be increased. It is believed the action taken by the Light. Heat and Power Co . is a declaration of war against the Richmond Natural Gas Co. Some time during the holidays the following statement will be issued by the company: The attention of gas consumers i called to the following schedule of reduced prices for gas which will become effective at once, and will apply to bills rendered January 1, 1910 and will be based on monthly use per meter: Billed at Net Price

Up to 10W) cubic ft- $lJO $l.f Next ati.CTJ.iO cubic feet I JDS JO Next 3iO cubic feet llViO t , Jjo Next 23J0OD cubic feet .95 .85 AU la excess 80 .80

CITY OWNERSHIP OF WATER WORKS IS HIS PURPOSE Mayor Favors Reorganization Of Board of Works So That He Can Be a Member and Direct Policies.

NEW PLAN WOULD ALSO BE A SAVING TO CITY Is the Argument Advanced by Dr. Zimmerman A Shakeup in the Fire Department An Assured Fact. Mayor-elect Zimmerman's dedsJotj to reorganize the board of public works when be assumes office, Jant ary first .means, he states, the beginning of his effort to municipalise the water works, which for years has beeo his pet plan. The clause In the amended cities and towns law. which permits the council of a city, the class Richmond is in, to create ' a board of publie works composed of the mayor, the city engineer and a. third member, appoint ed by the mayor, will be taken advantage of, as It Is known that th next council favors the mayor-elect's plan of reorganizing the board. Would be FiQtire-Head. "If the old board organisation was continued, the mayor wonld continue to be merely a figure-head In the city government. The three men I would appoint to the board would manage the city's affairs and the question of municipalizing the water works would be In their hands. Such a board might handle this question to my entire satisfaction, and. again, they might not. I do not intend to take any risk. I want to be on the board and I want to see personally that my ideas are carried out. Mr. Charles and Mr. Hammond, who will be my associates on the board. I know to be men who are thoroughly In accord with my plans. Dr. Zimmerman stated. Dr. Zimmerman also states that In reorganizing the board he had another Idea in view, that of reducing the city's payroll. Each member of the board of works now receives $1,000 per annum, a total of $3,000. Under the new system only Mr. Hammond would receive compensation for his sen ices as a board member, consequently there would be a saving of $2,000 per year to the city. Against Boose Fighters. While Dr. Zimmerman is an admirer of Fire Chief Ed Miller, he Is not satisfied with the present organization of the fire department and. It Is predicted, there will be several changes made In the force the first of the year. "There are some members of the force wbo "rush the can too frequently to suit me. That has got to be stopped and the worst offenders will bo discharged. Dr. Zimmerman stated. "What the city demands Is a fire fighting force without a booze fighter on it. It might happen that some fireman while under the Influence might be hurt at a fire and wonld then Imagine the city was liable for damages." Who the two police sergeants will fie -is still unsettled. Present chief, George Stanbach, and Second Sergeant McNally are candidates' for the position of first sergeant. None of the ffteeA-e bretTafng their necks tn a scrarmbfrj'ror Jne second sergeancy. T1ICpVlpointments to these two poside by the new' polk NAME HEW OFFICERS At the meeting of tbVchristlan Endeavorers of the" city at the Christian church yesterday afternoon, officers were elected for the coming year as follows: President, Harry Sloan; vie president. Irvin Stegall; secretary and treasurer. Miss Laura Morrison. Notwithstanding the Inclement weather there was a very good attendance at the meeting. An excellent sermon was preached by the Rev. Levi Pennington of the Friends church and special music was a feature. There are seven societies represented in the anion. The banner for the largest attendance yesterday, was awarded to the Christian church. MAKE THEIR REPORT John F. Fender, C H. Sorber and George R. Hart, appraisers, appointed by Judge Fox to assess damages, and place a value on land belonging to John K. Shroyer. and others, which Is desired by the Pennsylvania railroad company, have - made their report. Three and one-third acres of land lying adjacent to the railroad are valued at S40D and the damages are placed at $1,500.1 The report has been accepted

and placed on file.