Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 39, Number 101, 9 March 1914 — Page 1

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AND 8UN-TELEGRAM VOL. XXXIX. NO. 101 RICHMOND, IND., MONDAY EVENING, MARCH 9, 1914 SINGLE COPY 2 CENTS

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Tvelve-Year-Old Lad in Accidentally Discharges

Into Chest of His

BOYS USE WEAPON IN GAME

Tiring of Sunday Amusements, Lads Load Cartridge in Chamber. Robert Creager Asks Ernest McDonald to' Hold Up Hands and Pulls Trigger. Stricken Lad Rushes Through House and Dies on Steps in Rear with Bullet Wound in Chest. Wielder of Weapon Prostrate at Home Today Sunday Tragedy Stirs Fairview Residents.

"Let's play 'holdup " suggested Robert Creager, 12 years old, to Ms playmates, Ernest McDonald, also 12, and Allen McDonald, aged 11, Sunday afternoon after the three lads had exhausted their extensive amusement repertoire. They were playing at the Creager home, 1130 Boyer street. The suggestion was received with enthusiasm by the McDonald brothers and the boys dashed into the bedroom of Mr. and Mrs. Emerson Creager, who were not at home. On a dresser was Mr. Creager's 38 calibre revolver, its chambers empty, but nearby ;were some cartridges. Picking up the gun and discovering it was not loaded, young Robert put ae of the tempting cartridges into the third chamber from the trigger hammer "Just for fun." He handed the weapon to Allen, -who pointed it at Robert and pulled the trigger, but the hammer dropped on an empty chamber. Robert then took the revolver and pointed it at the chest of Ernest "Hands up," he commanded, "and give me your marbles." Ernest complied with the "hands up" order, but Robert said, "L believe HI shoot you anyhow." He thought the next chamber was empty and pulled the trigger. There was a roar and a tongue of flame shot out of the barrel. The bullet struck Ernest squarely In the chest and was then deflected downward, piercing the top of the heart. The stricken boy gazed dully at his horrified companions swaying a little as the blood gushed from his wound, s tarn tag his shirt front, then ran for the rear of the house, dying on the back steps.

Ernest's younger brother, Allen, was the first to comprehend that grim tragedy had interrupted their play, and, screaming, fled from the house to the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel McDonald, 1132 Boyer street. He found his father asleep, but soon roused him, and in a few I words, between sobs, told of his brother's sade fate. Mr. McDonald rushed to the Creager home and found his dying son cradled in the arms of his slayer, who was sobbing, "Earnie, I didn't mean to; oh, Earnie, I didn't mean to." By the time Mr. McDonald had taken his son into his arms the child had breathed his last. Mr. Creager is a driver for an oil company, and Mr. McDonald is a paper-hanger and decorator. Families Prostrate. Members of both families are prostrated today over the terrible accident. All realize that the tragedy resulted from a thoughtless childish act and that young Creager discharged the revolver without any evil intent.' Robert Creager's condition today was truly pitiful. He has cried almost continually since the shooting of his playmate, and any reference to the tragedy unnerves him. Little Allen McDonald appears to be stunned by the death of his brother. Both mothers for a time after the shooting were hysterical. Mrs. Creager said today that her son and the McDonald brothers were almost inseparable companions, and their favorite pastime was playing Inflian. In the summer, she said, they would don Indian costumes and play with bows .and arrows, and occasionally use Mr. Creager's shotgun, which was never loaded. The boys had always been told of the Importance of never handling firearms unless they we. confident they were not loaded, so ve can not understand why Robert placed a cartridge in his father's empty revolver. Coroner Peirce investigated the rase yesterday and today and will return a verdict of accidental death. Prosecutor Reller agrees with the coroner's verdict, and no criminal action will be taken against young Creagor. Although the lad loaded the revolver, the prosecutor is convinced the boy had no criminal intent and that the shooting of Ernest was a thoughtless, earless action. LEAVES NINETY-SIX DIRECT DESCENDANTS Leaving as her survivors, ninety-six direct descendants, Mrs. Rosanna Catherine Dafler, 88, died at the home of her daughter Mrs. William Toliver, S3 North Fifth street last night. Besides nine children, she leaves forty grandchildren and forty-seven great-grandchildren. Her six surviving sons are J. K. Dafler of Brookvllle. C. W. Dafler of Farmersville, O. and U. A. Dafltr of Richmond. The three surviving daughters are Mrs. Rosanna Kepler of Columbus, O.. Mrs. Elizabeth Dillon of Dayton and Mrs. William Toliver of this city. Funeral services will be held at the home at 7:30 o'clock Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning the body will be taken to West Alexandria. Services will be held at 10 o'clock in the M. E. church there and the body will be buried in the Maple Grove cemetery. Friends may call any time. WEATHER FORECAST For Indiana Fair tonight and Tuesday; rising temperature Tuesday. TEMPERATURE. Noon 32

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Holdup Game His Revolver Little Playmate U, S, ORDERS CHECK ON TEXAN RAIDS ACROSSJIO GRANDE Wilson Refuses to Be Stampeded by Recovery of Vergaro's Body From Mexicar Soil. WASHINGTON, March 9. The United States government took prompt action today to investigate the raid of armed Americans in Mexico and to prevent similar occurences in the future. General Bliss, who is in command of the American troops on the border, was ordered to institute a prompt inquiry into the facts concerning the recovery of the bedy of Clement V'ergaro. He was also instructed to take precaution against similar occurrences, which might embroil this country and Mexico. At both the state department and the white house it was stated that further action would depend upon the official report received from the civil and military representatives of the government. Wilson Sits Tight. President Wilson refused to be stampeded by the sensational reports telegraphed from the border, and sat tight on the Mexican lid. Alarm over the Mexican situation ran high in government circles for many hours today following the receipt of dispatches from the border stating that a party of Texas ranger had "invaded" Mexico and had recovered the body of Clement Vergara, the American hanged by the Federal troops near Hidalgo. Excitement was quelled by the receipt of the following dispatch from Governor O. B. Colquitt of the Lone Star state: "Captain John B. Sanders, commanding Company B, Texas rangers, at Laredo, advises me by telegraph that he has recovered the body of Clement Vergara. I wired him for full particulars. He advises me that he did not go into Mexico at all, but was informed that the body of Vergara would be delivered on. the Texas side of the river at a place named at 3:30 o'clock Sunday morning. He went there and found it. "As to who brought it across the river, he says he does not know. He said he had not assistance in this matter from the family and relatives of Vergara, who however, fully identified the body." Secretary Bryan refused to discuss t,he recovery of Vergara's body. LAREDO IN ARMS. LAREDO, Tex., March 9. Open Threats to "kill the greasers" were heard on the streets of Laredo today. The local authorities fear the Mexicans living here will be attacked tonight, and citizens of the southern republic were warned to keep off the streets. Vergara's body after recovery from a cemetery, lay on a si In an undertaking establishment. COOCH LECTURES J. J. Conch, of Dayton, was the lecturer yesterday afternoon for the International Bible Students' Association at the Commercial cub rooms. He spoke to a large audience.

Richmond Girl Would Marry Grocer Sarah Addington Wants tc Live Life Over.

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MISS SARAH ADDINGTON: NEW YORK, March 9. Miss Sarah Addington, of Richmond, Ind., a student' at Barnard college, believes Mrs. Archibald Cblquhun, the noted English sociologist, to be quite right in theory that "the modern young woman does not fit herself to become the wife of the modern middle-class young man." "In spite of the fact that my course of studies is shaping me for a professional life," said Miss Addington, I am afraid Mrs. Colquhun is right. If I had the last few years to live over again I suppose I should return to Indiana and marry the postmaster or a prosperouSjjgrocerman. I cannot help but state very frankly a fact that is borne upon me namely that I am out of touch with what was my father and mother's idea! of what I should be a wife, a mother and (necessarily) what Mrs. Colquhun says, a cook." Miss Addington is the daughter of Mrs. Benton Addington of Glen View. She was graduated from the local high school and Earlham college. During her residence in this city, Miss Addington was society editor of The Morning News and was identified with many club and social organizations of the city. Miss Addington is a frequent writer for the New York newspapers and has attained signal success in metropolitan journalism. Her views on the education of girls for their future station in life has created remarkable discussion in the east. The statement was widely quoted. MAD DOG SHOT A coilie dog, either poisoned or suffering from an attack of rabies, was shot Saturday afternoon at the ball park by Patrol Driver' Wenger and Patrolman Henry Westenberg after it had frightened residents of North D street near Glen Miller park. The dog was frothing at the mouth and snapping. Wenger secured a shot gun and emptied both barrels into its body and head. The body was immediately, cremated, preventing a test -for rabies. It is believed no other dogs were bitten by the Collie. ROBBINS NEUTRAL "It is not my intention to preside as chairman at the meeting Fred Land is will address for the drys," said Mayor Robbins this afternoon when informed that the local prohibition organization was to ask him to do so. "It is my intention to remain . absolutely neutral during the option campaign. As executive of this city it is my duty to do so, so that I can act without bias."

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SALOON KEEPER TO SHOW EVIL OF WET T The Rev. Tillman Hobson Traces Method of Conducting Saloons and Liquor Business in Richmond. ASSAILS HYPOCRITES IN LOCAL CHURCHES Asserts Licensed Saloon Unconstitutional Class Legislation Accommodating One-tenth of Population. Presenting himself to his audience as a saloon-keeper, the Rev. Tillman Hobson, of Pasadena, Cal., presented his line of reasoning home while keeping the crowd at the Tabernacle laughing. "A Square Deal for the Saloonkeeper" was the subject of the address. "There are two sides to this booze question and I am going to give the side yow folks haven't heard before," Mr. Hobson said. "Remember that I am a saloon-keeper. We have been grossly insulted and maligned. You brought me here and now you want to close me up. A committee representing the brains and brawn of your city came to my home and asked me to open a saloon here. " 'We need you, Mr. Hobson, they told me, 'The city is on the verge of bankruptcy. We need the business your saloon will bring. Won't you come and open a saloon in Richmond? We have to have that money or the school won't be able to run. The city can't get money enough to pay its bills. We're in an awful fix up there at Richmond.' Becomes Patriotic. "So I brought Mrs. Hobson and we came to Richmond to open a saloon. I found a good location, a nice corner store that belonged to a church member. But that was all right. The church brother Just doubled the rent on me, but I didn't care about that. I became gloriously patriotic in my new roll. - , I remembered that my grandfather had attended yearly meetings in the Quaker church here. I 'was proud to rescue the city. "Then they came around and told me I had to pay the city $250 a year for a license. I couldn't kick on that because I knew the grocery men and the butchers couldn't afford to pay it and I could. So I did. I called my place of business 'The Mint,' not the peppermint, but 'The Mint.' "Everybody dropped in to see that my business was going on all right. So soon I had to open the room back of j the Mint for meetings. Whenever . there was any ward heeling to be done ! they came to the Mint and arranged it there. I had all the politicians and ! the other bums, in fact the cream of the town, so I could rescue it from bankruptcy. Opens for Charity. "Pretty soon I found the city was being rescued fast enough. If I was to be the financial savior, I had to get (Continued on Last Page) PROSPECTS BRIGHT FOR GUEST HOUSE, ALL WORKERS SAY Although Total Amount Has Not Been (Raised, Directors Will Meet Tonight to Discuss Future Plans. Although the week's campaign on the part of women interested in the proposed Richmond Guest House did not result in the raising of $20 000, the amount desired, members of the soliciting teams are far from dtScouraged and steps will be taken this week to complete the amount necessary in order to secure the $10,000 gift from Mary T. R. Poulke. A meeting will be held this evening at 7 o'clock at the home of Miss Elenor Robinson, 316 North Eleventh street by the board of directors, he purpose of. which will be to arrange plans for obtaining the amount neces sary to bind the offer of Mrs. Foulke.1 The exact amount which has been collected or pledged is not known as the auditing committee has not completed its work, as yet. However, it is believed that the total obtained last week will reach at least $13,500. Entre Nous Gives $100. It is likely that all persons, business houses, fraternal and social organizations who have not been asked will be solicited. The Entre Nous Club at a meeting yesterday, appropriated $100 for the Guest House fund. The general sentiment expressed at the meeting on this matter was that the club desired to assist a worthy project of this sort. Captains of the canvassing teams who reported at a meeting in the Commercial club rooms late Saturday afternoon, stated that a total of $2,103.25 had been pledged on the last day of (Continued on Page Ten,)

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CLUB HOUSE FIRE COSTS ' FIVE LIVES! NIBETEEII MISSIHG Missouri Athletic Club At St. Louis Destroyed by Spectacular Blaze, Doing $400,000 Damage. ST. LOUIS, March 9. -Five men are known to have lost their lives, nineteen others are missing and more than two score were hurt today in a spectacular fire that destroyed the Missouri Athletic club and caused heavy damage to the Boatman's National bank, one of the oldest financial institutions in the Middd West. The property damage was estimated at more than $400,000. The Athletic club house, as far as known, approximately housed 100 men, most of them wealthy young men of St. Louis and the remainder salesmen, representatives of business interests in various parts of the country: At 10 o'clock the Missouri Athletic club officers gave out an official list of missing which contained eighteen names of prominent men. Building Valued at $200,000. The building occupied by the Missouri Athletic club was owned by the Boatman's Bank which occupied a portion of the" first floor. It was valued at $200,000 and was erected in 1890. being of especially heavy granite and brick construction. The club occupied the seven floors and basement with the exception of the bank rooms. The club used the basement for a swimming pool and bath, the first floor for lobbies and reception room, the Becond floor for pool and billiard rooms, the third floor for dining rooms and kitchen, the fourth for dancing rooms and official headquarters, the fifth and sixth floors for sleeping rooms and the seventh floor for a gymnasium. Guests were sleeping on the fifth and sixth floors when the fire alarm was sounded through the building by the ringing of telephones in their rooms and by the call of fire by the night clerk and later taken up and relayed by the guests. Safes Full of Money. The bank officials said that there was more than one million dollars in currency and $274,000 in coin in two large safes which are in a heavily constructed vault of steel set in concrete with a reinforced ceiling. The fire is believed to have been started in the main dining room on the third floor of the club. Nearly all of the guests and residents of the club had retired when the fire started about 1:50 o'clock this mornine. A few guests were in the lobby. These went through the upper halls and awoke every one. ' When the guests emerged from their rooms every hall was filled with smoke. The known dead are John Martin Rickey. Chicago, treasurer of the Ford Manufacturing company, a roofing concern. James Riley, 55, St. Louis, C. G. Cossler, manager of the Ludlow Saylor Wire company. STEWART TO TALK AT Chicago Reformer to Open First Nightly Meeting for Drys This Week. With o'nly two weeks work remaining before the option election the drys have started in the whirlwind campaign which includes meetings each night, except Saturday. These night meetings arranged" primarily to bring before the citizens and dry workers of Richmond, speakers of national repute are the strong features of the campaign. Although S. Edgar Nicholson would make no statements it is understood that the precinct polling is well under way and the executive committee expects to have an itemized list of each voter in the city. Oliver W. Stewart, a Chicago reformer, speaks at a mass meeting in the North A Street Friends church tonight. An effort was made to have the Windy City orator speak at the tabernacle but his lecture-sermon had been scheduled at the Friends church for a number of months. Rutledge to Come. The remaining nights of the week will be taken up with addresses by John L. Rutledge, of Cleveland, O.. who comes to Richmond tomorrow. Tuesday night will be designated "Home Night," when Prof. Elbert Russell, head of the' theological department , of Earlham college, a member of the city council who will present some statements regarding taxes in Richmond as a wet and as a dry town. The Tuesday night's meeting will be held in the Reid Memorial church. It is expected that President Kelly, of Earlham college, will preside at the meeting. Two or three manufacturers have been asked to speak at that time. It is understood that Prof. Russell will present data he has recently compiled regarding the city's taxes, crime and poverty. The colored people will hold a special mass meeting in the Mt. Moriau Baptist church, Wednesday evening. The Rev. W. A. Roll, 'of Indianapolis, a colored dry worker, will be the speaker of the evening. The church is situated at the corner of South Ninth and B streets. PLANS ARE O. K. Specifications for u small fill to be made in the Abiugton bridge were approved by the commissioners and bids advertised for. It is the first contract to be asked on bridge repair work this season.

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Light, Heat & Power Company Lowers Schedule, Conforming With City Rate, Only to Compel Higher Rates Later LETTER DISCLOSES SCHEME

Communication of New York Attorney of Concern to Indiana Public Service Commission Reveals Company's Voluntary Reduction in Rates Prompted Only by Hope that Commission Later Will Find Justification to Increase ScheduleCommission Replies in Twenty-two Words to Long Argument of that Corporation's Lawyer,

Alleging that the company made only a profit of $9,972.45 on its investment of more than $200,000 in the local electric light plant, G. H. Olney, New York attorney for the Richmond Light, Heat & Power company, has filed an objection to the Indiana public utility commission approving the reduction in electric light rates without first being granted a hearing. While the Richmond Light, Heat and Power Company recently decreased its electric light rates to conform with the new schedule filed by the municipal light plant, it has done so with the idea of later having the public servicecommission investigate the rate question with the hope that the commission would find a justification for restoring higher rates. This is revealed in a letter written to Chairman Duncan of the Service Commission by G. H. Olney. 40 Wall Street. New York City, vice president and general solicitor for the United Gas and Electric corporation which owns the local plant. Olney's letter was filed February IS, but The Palladium was unable to obtain a copy of the letter until today. This move on the part of the company, following the application and approval of the $850,000 bond issue, only proves that the company hopes to bring in the question of present securities as an important factor in fixing the valuation of the local plant. If there has been any doubt why the patrons of both the city and the private plants are to receive the benefit of reduced electric light rates. It is removed by Mr. Olney's letter. Mr. Olney frankly states that his company would be compelled to reduce its rates to a figure as low as those fixed by the city In order to hold its list of consumers. He questions, however, whether either plant can afford to grant the reduced rates.

JONESREFUSES TO GIVE PUBLIC STATEMENT ON RETIREMENT Returns From Ardmore, Pa.. Where it Was Believed He Had Gone to Secure Funds to Cover Overdraft. Sharon E. Jones, former treasurer and general manager of the Jones Hardware company, recently resigned at the request of tho directors after it had been ascertained his overdrafts totaled $27,000, has returned from Ardmore, Fa,, where he visited relatives for a few das, but he declined to make any statement today regarding the action of the directors in ousting him. Mr. Jones was told today that it had been reported he would make a statement in his own behalf today. "That report is without foundation." he replied. "I have no statement to make at this time but I might have one to make in a few days." "What are your future plans?" he was asked. "I have made no decision in that respect," he answered. So far as known there have been no new developments in the trouble between Mr. Jones and the directors of the company the past few days. Has Nothing to Say. When Mr. Jones left for the east last week the directors were informed that he intended to secure money to effect a settlement of his alleged indebtedness to the company and to purchase a controlling interest in the concern. Whether Mr. Jones was successful in this is not known. He had nothing to say about the matter. Mr. Jones Is still a director of the Jones Hardware company but. one of the stockholders is responsible for the statement that his resignation from the board will be requested. It was reported today that the directors of the company had been completely successful in negotiating with a Chicago bank to renew notes due for loans which were secured to operate the business. Failure in these negotiations, it is understood, would have resulted in throwing the company into the hands of a receiver. CALL PALLADIUM ON MUNCIE RESULT Returns on the local option election held today at Muncle will be received by The Palladium this evening. Persons desiring information may call The Palladium after 7 o'clock.

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Mr. Olney'B interesting letter of inquiry contained more than 1,000 words, but the commission's letter in reply was limited to twenty-two words. "Our suggestion to you Is that you file rates that are reduced to the rates offered by the municipal plant at Richmond," read the commission's letter of a single sentence to Mr. Olney." Mr. Olney's letter which contains some rather interesting information for citizens interested in the electric light question created surprise in Richmond today. Text of Letter. "Through a newspaper clipping we learn of the presentation to your commission of a petition by the city of Richmond for authorization of a reduction averaging about 16 2-3 per-, cent of the electric light and power ; rates of the municipal plant, with the statement made that the city could ' place the reduced rates in effect temporarily beginning March 1. 1914. pending a more permanent determination of rates to be made by the commission. "An electric lighting and power plant In which we are interested Is now being maintained in the city of Richmond by the Richmond Light. Heat and Power company as it has; been maintained continuously for many years under franchise granted by the city in 1894 but now surrendered for an indeterminate permit under your public utility act. Such plant has a present valuation In excess of $200,000 according to the com-i pany's book entries, of cost and tht engineer's appraisal by Samuel S. Wyer recently filed with the commission. During the year 1913 the company sold l.t76.959 K. W. of electricity for $63,076.94. which, after a deduction of $42,495.10 for operating expenses and taxes yielded a net income of $20,581.84 and after a farther deduction of $10,609.59 for fixed charges, amortization and reserve against depreciation, yielded a net profit of $9,972.45. even though Its rates by reason of larger discounts on charges for electricity for lighting are lower than those charged for similar (Continued on Last Page IG IS TO WORKS BOARD J That "jinx" of the board of public t n-nrlo (ha Xfain a4-Mn 111 narfni question, bobbed up again today, with fresh complications, to worry the city officials. It was learned that the sixty days period for presenting the matter to j the council for decision had expired j without it having been placed in coun cil s hands and now the whole business will have to be done over. The day of hearing on the petition for the paving of the street was January 5. the Isst day the former board of public works was In session. A remonstrance was then filed and tae question was ordered to council, but not taken there within sixty days, as the law provides. Six months from the date of filing the remonstrance must laps before the board can again act ou the matter. nil- i.rrilal want the street uated but' they delayed bringing the question to council's attention to see what I the result of the agitation for raising i the street and bridge; would, rwlt U,j

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