Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 October 1897 — More About Messenger. [ARTICLE]

More About Messenger.

The following regarding Wm. Messenger’s wanderings after killing Nelson and of the method of his capture, is from the North Judson News. The Messengers had formerly livecl about Marion, and had relatives named Risler residing three miles from town. The officials there were keeping a close watch for him, and when he made his appearance here last Friday he was shadowed until an opportunity presented itself to arrest I him.

The account which he gives of himself after the shooting is as follows: Went from San Pierre to Wheatfield and back to San Pierre ths same night. Upon hearing that Nelson was really dead, left San Pierre and went to Fair Oaks; then to Gas City, Marion. Dayton, Ohio, to Kentucky, West Virginie and back to Dayton, Ohio. Then he returned to Grant county and was passing under the name of Risler. Monday night the mayor, sheriff and three policemen went to Rislers’. They were met at the door by Mr. Risler, who said Messenger was not there. The mayor informed him that the house must be searched, and at this juncture. Messenger stepped out of the house and gave himself up. As he held out his wrists for the handcuffs he said, “Well, boys, you've got me at last.” According to his story, the bloodhounds were on the wrong trail all the way from Wheatfield to Momence, and at no time has he been in the vicinity of the Kankakee river, as reported by snap-shot newspapers. In appearance, the prisoner is not the desperado that his San Pierre escapeda would And he is said to be a first rate fellow when not under the influence of liquor- He is a man of medium hight and weighs about 160 pounds. His lawyers are Burson & Burson and plea will be -self defense.

The Democratic New York Journal says that ‘‘gold is on its way to New York and the tide of domestic mannfachirhig interests rises higlier each day. The railroads are blocked up with the crush of business all along the line. The campaign of 1896 was remarkable for the interest shown and the active work by the business inen of the country. The blow aimed at business by the free silverites was recognized as a heavy and dangerous one. and the best elements of the business world lined up in opposition. It is now observed that in States where the money question is an issue the business men are again coming to the front and reviving and keeping up their organizations of last year. The gold Democrats of the country are attracting a good deal of attention by the vigorous work which they are doing in opposition to that wing of the party which went off on the free-silver tangent. In view of the recent tumbles which silver has taken, and the growing disfavor with which the 16_to-l proposition is viewed alike by all political leaders, it would seem as though the gold men of the party would soon be in a position to dictate terms to the silverites.

The latest announcement of national importance is that Mr. Bryan, the candidate of the dear people and of "Vote for Bryan and Humanity" fame, is wearing diamonds. It would seem eminently proper and tasteful for any ordinary man and politieian to wear* diamonds, but the idea that Mr. Bryan, who stumped the country from the rear end of a baggage car in shirt-sleeves, or with a $3 alpaca coat, should now wear diamonds. It all goes to show the return of prosperity.

The Popocratic captains are beginning to revive their drooping spirits. Wheat has taken a little fall, and they are anxiously watching the market. If wheat would only go down to fifty cents a bushel again, they feel that they could shake their fingers in the farmers' faces with great effect. Last year a bushel of wheat and an ounce of silver were equal in value, but this year the wheat is worth just double the silver, and for some reason the Popocrats don't stand in with the farmers as well as they did last year.

Mr. Bryan is still carefully excluded froni the States where this fall’s campaign is considered of serious importance. In Ohio, Maryland. New York, and other States where there is a real contest lie has been given to understand that he is not wanted, and other free-silver shouters are also barred. This is humiliating to Mr. Bryan, but he may coinfort himself with the fact that it isn't because the party leaders dislike him personally. It is merely his mistaken views that are unpopular. The silver trust is preparing to attack the railroads. It has just occurred to the members of the trust that the cause in the fall in the price of silver is due largely to the fact of cheapness in transportation of silver ore. A ton of ore contains five or six dollars’ worth of silver, and it is apparent that transport aation cuts an important

figure ip the price of the white metal. It is therefore evident that the rapid opening up of railroad lines has had much to do with the fall of the ‘‘money of the Constitution.”