Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 35, Number 40, 17 December 1909 — Page 1

RICHMOND PAIXABIUM

Id A ND 3UN-TETLEGRAM.

VOL. XXXV. NO. 40.

riDHOGS FED OH HUMAN BONES IT IS BELIEVED Traces of the Little Animals Were Found at Pauper Cemetery by Investigating County Officers. EFFORTS WERE MADE TO DRIVE THEM OUT flodents Had No Trouble Gaining Access to Bodies, Which Were Placed in the Very Cheapest Coffins. Conditions, necessitating an im provement, or even a chane in loca tion of the county infirmary cemetery, are more serious than first intimated by the county commissioners, as one of the county officials stated this morning that the burying grounds had been made the reudevous of ground bogs and in some instances human bones have been brought to the surface by these rodents. It is true that at the present time conditions are not so serious in this respect as in the past. Yesterday, on the visit too the infirmary by the county commissioners, Walter Com mons, president of tiie county council and Joe Commons, a representative of the county board of charities and corrections, the cemetery was visited. One of the party making the inspection, stated today, he found only one ground hog hole In the cemetery, but he bad understood that formerly It had been made a regular burrowing grounds by these animals. One Good Proof. Unless, it was presence of food In the shape of human bodies no reason Is ' advanced why the little animals should frequent the cemetery as they usually make their burrows in gravel banks and not in soil of a clay character. When the presence of the animals was noted, it was learned today, drastic action was taken, some of the animals being caught in traps and killed and others poisoned. With the exception of one burrow, the cemetery yesterday, showed no effects of ground hog depredations, according to a county official. The ground hogs would find no obstacle in making a meal on human bodies as the coffins in which the County paupers are buried are of the cheapest sort. The coffins are placed in a pine box and lowered into the grave, the dirt being thrown in on top of them. There is no protection around the coffin such as a cement, Stone or brick grave lining. Rodents, puch as ground hogs, would find no obstacle in soon cutting a hole through a coffin and gaining access to the body. An order has been given that an extraordinary effort be made to catch the one remaining ground hog, even though the old legend avers these Knimals sleep during the winter, until February 2, at which time they pmerge from their burrows to make a Weather forecast for the next six iveeks. The county commissioners will see that there is no repetition of complaints, from this source in the future. May Move Cemetery. It is even probable that the cemetery will be moved from the northeast, mid most remote, corner of the farm to the hillside, south of the railroad. This hillside might cheaply be conVerted into a cemetery for the institution, which would be a credit to the county. The commissioners will await the decision of the town council of Centerville, about -accepting the com missioners proposition to purchase one acre of the Centerville cemetery for $300. An investigation as to the eligibility of the inmates at the institution was made yesterday. It was not completed but it was found that Wayne county was providing for two paupers which should be cared for by other counties. These were discharged from the institution and sent to those institutions of the counties in which they belong. It is probable that the number of inmates will be reduced upon further Investigations. A MOON DISCOVERY boston, Dec. 17. Prof. Wm. H. Pick ering, of Harvard college observatory declares he has proof that there Is plant life in the moon. He claims to ihow by a number of slides and draw ings that the moon is not the dead world that it has been thought to be in the past, but that several of the lunar volcanoes have been showing signs of great . activity during the past fifty years and as volcanoes give out gas there must consequently be an atmos phere of some density which would be

GRQU

fODducive to life of a low order.

Monorail Car and Billiard Balls

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The Monorail car, in which it is possible to play a. game of billiards while the car is in motion. Each car is kept upright on a single rail by two wheels revolving in opposite directions in a vacuum. It has been found as one of the curious results of the gyroscope principle, as applied to the monorail, that when the car stands upright the billiard table would be truly level, and the billiard balls stationary, the force of gravity acting vertically downward. In rapid movement of the car the table would counteract the centrifugal force, tending to throw them toward the outside of the curve.

USED A BED SHEET Did a Young Woman, Who Committed Suicide by Hanging, Today. SHE LEFT STRANGE NOTE I (American News Service) Chicago, Dec. 17. Lillian Zeller, 23 years old, a stenographer of Grand Rapids, Mich., committed suicide in a room at the Palmer House shortly before midnight last night and the body was found early this morning. Aaron Morris, a manufacturer's agent, in whose room the girl ended her life, is being held by the police while his story of the finding of the body is being investigated. According to Morris, when he went up to his room at 12:30 o'clock this morning, he found the door locked. Upon forcing it he found the girl's body hanging to the chandelier. She had hung herself with a bed sheet. A note found on the bed read as follows: "Generally when you make a mistake, you are supposed to correct it, but if it is a matrimonial one you are expected to deny it and stick it out." HAD A LEG CRDSHEO And Frank Cook Is in a Serious Condition at Reid Hospital. WAS RAILROAD ACCIDENT Frank Cook, a Pennsylvania freight brakeman, had his right leg cut off this morning at Hagerstown. He was brought to this city and taken to the hospital, where he is in a critical condition, but it is believed that he will recover. He has a wife and child, living on North Nineteenth street. Cook was connecting steam couplings to two cars at Hagerstown when the train suddenly started up and caught him before he had time to move. He suffered other injuries of a less serious nature. THE WEATHER. INDIANA Fair and colder tonight; Saturday partly cloudy and snow In the south.

RICHMOND, IND., FRIDAY EVENING, DECE3IDER IT, 1!K9.

TO TRY SEPARATION St. Louis Man and His Wife To See If It Cures Marital Woes. SHE IS QUITE ROMANTIC (American News Service) St. Louis, Dec. 17. E. Auribey Schatzman, patron of athletic sports, reported separated from his wife on the "trial separation" plan, attributes their marital troubles indirectly to her very romantic disposition, which caused hr when a fourteen-year-old school girl, to correspond with the Maharajara of Cooch-Behar, India's chief native ruler, an old man with seven children, whose picture she htd seen in a magazine and who inquired about her of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Widen of St. Louis, when they were in London a year ago. "My wife has accused me of being insanely jealous," said Schatzman, and added: "Maybe I was, but no more than other men with a pretty wife. I shall continue employed in business by my wife's lather indefinitely on very amicable terms. SUCCESSOR TO HAAS As Secretary of Commercial Club Is Attracting Considerable Interest. HE WILL BE POSTMASTER The report, of the nominating committees of the Commercial club will be awaited by the members of the club with much interest. The selection of a secretary to succeed E. M. Haas, who has been nominated for postmaster by W. O. Barnard, congressman from this district, will be the center of interest of the committee's report. This office requires an able executive and one who can devote most of his time to its duties. The next office of interest is that of president. John F. McCarthy has served In this capacity for two years and undoubtedly his name will be included in the nominations, although he has stated that he would prefer the office would be given to another member of the club.

GOVERNMENT CLAD THAT ZELAYA WIS GIVEN OP OFFICE

Tension in All Nicaraguan Affairs Is Greatly Lessened, But There Still Remains Much to Be Done. UNITED STATES WILL OBJECT TO MADRIZ He Is Regarded as Merely a Puppet of Zelaya and General Estrada Is Favored at Washington Now. (American News Service) Washington. Dec. 17. With the res ignation of President Zelaya the tension in Nicaraguan affairs is decidedly lessened, and while much remains to be done, under the requirements of this government before conditions there will have reached a plane satisfactory to the administration, it is felt here that a good beginning has been made in the matter of Nicaraguan house cleaning. It is regarded as certain that Dr. Madriz, Zelaya's choice as his successor will not be permitted by the United States to assume office, he being looked upon as being entirely willing to act as puppet in the hands of Zelaya in the improbable event that he succeeds in being elected president. The United States government feels in honor bound to back up Estrada's candidacy for the presidency and it is thought will be willing to go to extremes to bring this about. Cannot Stop Him Leaving. While reports are current here about the intention of this government not to permit Zelaya to leave Nicaraguan soil until he has been punished for his action In the GroceCannon case, naval officers and lawyers versed in international law declare that there is no legal power which can be invoked by the United States to prevent him leaving Nicaragua whenever he chooses. It is thought the state department would not object to having him leave Nicaragua as soon as possible, for while his departure would lessen the existing tension to even a greater degree than his present resignation, it would, at the same time, do away with the opportunity for the ex-president to pose as a martyr before other Central American republics, where love for the United States government is none too strong, and who might precipitate grave trouble if an attempt were made by this government to punish Zelaya in some direct manner through the new Estrada government. ZELAYA HAS RESIGNED. Managua, Nicaragua, Dec. 17. Jose Santos Zelaya has resigned the presi dency of Nicaragua. He placed his resignation in the hands of congress yesterday. Apparently there was no other course for him to take. The people are aroused. The guns of the revolutionists threatened. Warships of the United States lie in Nicaraguan ports Managua has been seething for days. The spirit of revolt has spread even to the gates of the palace. Zelaya, sur rounded himself with an armed guard. Unchecked the porulace has marched through the streets, crying for the end of the old, proclaiming the new regime. Who will take up the reins no one knows nor cares. It is sufficient that Zelaya as dictator will be known no more. There is nd doubt that con gress will act quickly on his resigna tion. for the people have demanded it Dr. Jose Madriz, judge of the Central American Court of Justice, at Cartago. who has been close to Zelaya and is his choice for president, is on his way here. He will arrive Saturday. Estrada's Word Bears Weight Madriz has his following, strong and influential, even among the revolution ists, but Gen. Estrada, under whose command the great body of fighting insurgents now face Vasquez's troops at Rama, will have none of him. Es trada's word will bear weight in the choice of a president. Zelaya has known, too. that Madriz is not acceptable to the United States and he has sought to learn who would be looked upon with favor by that government as his successor, but the American government, so far as can be learned, has named no man and the choice probably will lie with those who have gained the upper hand. Accompanying his resignation Zela ya sent the following message to con gress: "The painful circumstances In which the country is plunged call for acts of abnegation and patriotism on the part of good citizens, who are the witnesses of the oppression of the public by the heavy hand of fate. "The country is staggering under a shameless revolution which threatens the nation's sovereignty and a foreign nation unjustly intervenes in our af(Continued on Page Seven.

TWO WOMEN START WAR WHILE KING RESTS III STATE

Baroness Vaughan, Wife of Leopold, Driven From Her Home by King's Disowned Daughter, Today. MEANS OUTBREAK OF BITTER FAMILY FEUD The Pope Has Declared Leopold's Union With the Baroness Was Valid Albert Is Now the Ruler. (American News Service) Brussels, Dec. 17. Scarcely had the body of Leopold been arrayed In a general's uniform to lie in state, before a bitter war between Baroness Vaughan, the king's wife, and his disowned daughter. Princess Louise of Saxe-Co-burg, broke out today. Under the di rection of Princess Louise, an attorney closed the villa at Lack en, where the Baroness was staying, against the protests of Baroness Vaughan. The villa was legally 6ealed and the occupants were forced to vacate. In spite of the Pope's declaration that Baroness Vaughan's marriage was valid, the Princess Louise by this move announc ed an outbreak of a bitter family war, in an attempt to drive the Baroness from Belgium into seclusion. Brussels in Mourning. Brussels is officially in mourning for King Leopold II, who died at 2:33 o'clock this morning. In reality, however, there is little grief. The King's escapades and the many scandals of the later years of his regime thoroughly divorced the love and sympathy of his subjects from him. The new king fromerly Prince Albert of Flanders, is popular. The cabinet was in session, having been summoned by Premier Schollaert immediately after the death of the ruler. The cabinet prepared to carry out the steps arranged before hand against the king's death. Leopold himself helped to complete these plans, before he submitted to the operation which was the last hope of saving his life. Obdurate to the Last. Leopold was obdurate to the last toward the two daughters from whom he had been estranged Princess Louise and Princess Stephanie. The end came when those about the royal patient were more optimistic than they had been in days. Leopold, handicapped by his extreme age and his weakened constitution, made a magnificent fight for life and for a time appeared to be recuperating from the effects of the operation. Almost to the end the bulletins issued by Drs. Thiriard, Depage and Stainen promised recovery. Prince Albert, his wife and Princess Clementine, Leopold's favorite daughter, were not present at the end, but arrived some minutes after. It was said today that Baroness Vaughan, widow of the king, was admitted to the sick room in the king's last hours. Albert arrived nearly half an hour after the king's death. As he, his wife, and Clementine were admitted to the death chamber, thfe women broke down. Albert advanced gravely to the side of the bed. For a moment he regarded the peaceful, but worn features of his predecessor on the throne. Then he bent and kissed Leopold's forehead. HIS FINAL REPORT. E. E. Wiker of Indianapolis has made his report of final settlement in the guardianship of Clifford A. Hebble, who became of age December 1. The estate is valued at $1,750. Judge Fox will review the report next week. Those

Author of "The Senator's Secretary" in Saturday Evening Post Comments on Them in Humorous Vein.

In the "Senator's Secretary" column of this week's Saturday Evening Post, there appears a humorous account of a j correspondence between William Dudley Foulke of this city, and President Taft. It is the general supposition that Samuel G. Blythe, the well known humorous political writer, is responsible for the articles which appear in the Post under the heading "The Sena tor's Secretary." The Post article on i Mr. Foulke follows: We haven't been able to find a word for it yet, down here in Washington, but something has happened' that comes very close impinges, so to speak on the wreck of an Institution, j To be frank about It, President Taft has cut loose from William Dudley Foulke. the great Civil Service Reform- j er, publicist, protagonist and ready-let- j ter-writer of Richmond. Indiana. A large, not to say pursy, gentleman who;

WATCH THE XMAS TREES SAYS FIRE CHIEF TO PUBLIC

Many a Happy Home Has Gone Up in Flames Just From Careless Burning of Candles on the Trees. ELECTRIC WIRING BY AMATEURS DANGEROUS This Often Results in CrossedWires, Which Generally Means a Blaze, the Fire Chief Points Out. As Christmas approaches and the hundreds of families in the city are busy decorating their homes for the glad holiday season; when Christmas trees are being purchased and gaily adorned with tinsel, candles and everything possible to make them look at tractive, the danger of fire resulting from this source is great. For to the Christmas tree is attributed the destruction of many happy homes and the happiest day of all the year is oft en turned into the most sorrowful, simply because of a little carelessness. In discussing the matter. Fire Chief Bd Miller, stated that great care should be exercised in regard to deco rating and lighting the Christmas trees. He declared that electric wiring, frequently installed temporarily. and by hurried or careless hands, may result in crossed wires and a conse quent fire. The use of inflammable substances in display windows, near electric lights or over gas jets is also a source of great danger. The chief stated that cotton, which was so frequently used to produce a snow effect. should be eliminated and that if the snow effect was desired it could safely be done by the use of mineral wool. Store Fires Dangerous. "Fires in our stores at this season are particularly dangerous, owing to the crowd of shoppers." said Chief Miller. 'Panlc is almost certain to follow unless there is perfect organiza tion in the store for the purpose of meeting just such an emergency." In speaking further on the subject Chief Miller said: "Lighr fabrics of a highly inflamma ble nature should not be used as dec orations, unless they have been dipped in a chemical solution to render them non-combustible. Too much care can not be exercised in the matter of prop er electric wiring. Ga3 flames should be protected by a globe, chimney or screen and all combustible material vhould be kept removed from such flame. Do not put colored paper over electric light bulbs, as the heat Is suf fic ient to start a blaze. All store win dows should be kept well ventilated as a few days of hot. dry air with Its attendant chemical decomposition con stitute conditions ripe for spontaneous combustion. Care in Schools. Great care should be exerc ised in the school and church entertainments sheet tin or zinc should be placed un der every Christmas tree to catch can die drippings. Sand, water or fir extinguishers ought to be kept in the most convenient place for Instant use. Exits should be marked with red lights and kept free and clear. Every Santa Claus costume of flannel or other quick burning material, with its cot ton batting trimming, and its fals? beard and wig, should be dipped Into a solution to make It fire proof. No gathering of children should be per mitted unless every known precaution against fire and panic has been taken by thos; in charge. In fact, too great precautions cannot be taken as the danger during the holidays is exceed ingly great."

"Taft-Foulke" Letters

i abides in the White House has said "Scatr and William Dudley has scat ted to a scattering seatteration. You see. William Dudley held the job of letter-writer-in-ordinary to the last administration. Any time he felt lik taking his pen in hand he took it and indited a few thousand words of advice, council, information or question to Colonel Roosevelt. Needing many mediums for the promulgation of his various ideas, the Colonel used Wil liam Dudley as one. They did brother act that was a wonder for they were both stars. Notwithstanding the Colonel's epistolary facility he never could beat William Dudley, who wrote letters with both hands at once with equal ease, and dictated another the while. It usually happened like this: Wil(Continued on Page Seven.)

SINGLE COPY, 3 CENTS.

LOCAL OPTION IS 110 LONGER HELD AS PARTY ISSUE Democrats and Republicans Like to Hold the Supreme Court Decision Wipes Question Out of Politics. IT ALSO ELIMINATES " HON. J. FRANK HANLY He Cannot Now Appear Be fore the Next Republican Convention and Make a De-. mand for Prohi Plank. - (Palladium Special) Indianapolis. Ind.. Dec. 1 7. Demo crats and republicans, alike, declare that the supreme court has put the liquor question clear out of politics, by its decision holding that the local option law ia constitutional. They say that there is now no need for any declaration whatever on thla subject by either party In the platforms next year, and that it is not likely that any declaration will be made. The party that does make a declaration may as well hang its fiddle on the willows, if the declaration Is in favor of the re peal of the law. Therefore, they say the liquor question has been eliminated from politics. The only declaration that could be made which would mean anything would be one In favor of repealing the local option law. It Is now on the statute books Just as firmly as any other law that ever was passed, and Its validity has been upheld by the highest court in the state. What Might Have Been. "There Is not much danger that any political party In Indiana will declare for the repeal of the law, said one republican today. "If the supreme court bad held the law unconstitutional then there would have been room for a declaration of si me kind. In such a case the declaration would probably have been in favor of state wide prohibition, because if a local option law were not constitutional no other local option law would ever be passed. If the court had held the law unconstitu tional, therefore. It would have opened the way for J. Frank Hanly to come into the next republican state conven tion and demand a prohibition plank in the platform. But this menace Is past. There Is nothing now for Hanly to ask for that he could get. The republicans are not going any farther than they have gone on the liquor question. They can now say that thy put the local option law on the books and that there is nothing more for them to do. They have done everything that has been asked of them by the temperance people. No Prohibition Yet. "But I do not believe the state ot Indiana is ready for state wide prohibition, and the party that declares in favor of it will find about as tough sledding as the party that declares in favor of a repeal of the local option law. Even the republican party will not stand for state wide prohibition. To do so would bring a big split In the party, and the republicans are not courting any splits Just now. So. I contend that the liquor question has been removed from politics. I notice, however, that the brewers talk of presenting their claims to the next convention and asking for the adoption of a plank favoring a law that will be more favorable to their business, but I do not believe they will do this when they think It over. They can't even hope for any declaration along this line. "As I see It now. the political activity along temperance lines next year, if there is any at all. will be for th? purpose of securing the nomination of temperance men for members of the legislature. The Anti-Saloon league will be interested in seeing that men are nominated who will oppose the repeal of the local option law. The brewers and the liquor people will want to nominate men who will favor the repeal of the law. regardless of whether any platform declaration is made or not. Whatever activity taken place In that direction, however, will not show up until the legislature Is elected. Then the liquor people will begin their actual and active campaign among the members to bring about thenactment of a new regulative and restrictive statute." Is a Party Leader. The man who did this talking Is one of the leaders of the party In the state, and It Is believed that he voiced the sentiment of a majority of the party worker. Tber are all tired of having the liquor question staring them In the face, and thev are glad to have an opportunity to drop It And yet. on the other hand, another republican who stands high In the party made the declaration that the decision of the supreme court meant that the democrats will make an open declaration fa favor of the repeal of the local option law. and that If they do this they will (Continued on Page Poor.)