Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 January 1901 — Page 1

THE RENSSELAER SEMI-WEEKLY REPUBLICAN.

VOL XXII NO. 31

The Lyda Murder Tria ' .

Evidence for the Defence. Mrs. Sarah Pummell testified that Lyda’s grandfather suicided. Several reputable people testified to Cox’s good reputation Lr morality etc. Five or six near neighbors and estimable people testified as to Mr. and Mrs. Lyda’s excellent relations to each other, to Mrs. Lyda’s good reputuation for morality, peace etc., and as to Mr. Lyda’s good opinion of Cox as a farm hand.

A. L. Howard, W, M. Field and G. A. Mathews, prominent merchants of Fowler, gave evidence that they saw the Lydas about every weex, that they were kind and affectionate; and no change had been noticed in Mr. Lyda’s actions in the latter part of his life, Mr. Matthews had assisted in testing, at the Lyda house, as to hearing kissing in the kitchen from the basement, or from the kitchen to an upstairs room as per Ella Heisler’s testimony. Said it could not be so heard; but somewhat weakened his testimony on cross examination. Considerable evidence was inintroduced to show Lyda was in debt. Also that he was in continued poor health and talked at several times in a manner denoting thoughts of suicide. Also that Mrs. Lyda’s objections to an autopsy were based on Mr. Lyda’s own request.. That she would not have objected had she known murder was suspected. Mrs. Alice Foster, a sister of Mrs. Lyda, denied a number of injurious statements that had been attributed to her by witnesses for the state. Said Lyda’s health had been poor 6 months. That Mrs. Lyda wanted him to send for Dr. Thomas, at St. Anne and his insisting on waiting till the end of the week.

Dr. R. J. Clarke, of Monticello, was called as an expert. He had thirty years’ experience, and at one time was connected with the Cincinnati hospital. He had treated one case of strychnine poisoning in his practice, and also had a little personal experience not enjoyed by many physicians, having taken a dose of strychnine once himself. He corroborated the views of Dr. Peters, that if Lyda was suffering from strychnine poison he most have taken three separate doses; one at Dr. Mavity’s office, one at Mrs. Foster’s home, and the other at his own home in the evening preceding his death. Dr. Clarke also testified that he had treated several oases of uremic poisoning, and gave it as his opinion that Lyda died of of uremia.

The defense also introduced an affidavit from Ella Heisler, the the domestic, the state’s star witness, that she had never seen anything improper between Mrs. Lyda and Cox. Defendant Cox was then placed on the stand. He detailed his life from his birth in Tennessee to the present time, and said he was thirty-eight years old. He came to Indiana when twenty one, and worked in Fountain and Tippecanoe counties some years. He worked at ditching and farming for several years in Benton county, and went to work for Wm. Lyda in 1899. He never had been alone with Mrs. Lyda, never had improper relations with her, and never thought of Lyda being poisoned until rumors started after bis death. Cox made a good witness for the defense and created a most favorable impression. The cross-examination of Cox failed to change his testimony. His testimony on direct examination was gone over but he did not change his story in the least, He answered in a nervous manner and

JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA. FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 190.,

o*ten became angered but ened his case a great deal. Ke answered questions for five and one-half hours. Miss Heisler’s affidavit that she was financially unable to attend triaj was introduced to impeach her as she testified that she had f7O in the bank. In herstatement she aho said that Lyda took a resting powder himself, Thursday morning, July 19. Mrs. Lyda then went on the stand. She gave her age as 42 years and her birthplace as Benton county. She had known Lyda five years' at marriage in 1878. The different places where they lived and the time were gone over. She testified that Lyda had been complaining for two years of his kidneys, pain in back and his stomach; was sick by spells; that in-the last year he often quit work, sometimes for one-half dav;that he was taking a patent medicine, being opposed ta doctoring. She had provided sos the table for the last twelve years while Mr. Lyda was trying to lift the mortgage on his farm. Their relations were always good up to time of death. Cox never did anything improper around their place; Mr. Lyda was not satisfied unless Cox was there and Cox was always working; told of visit to Danville, 111, in July and of Lyda expressing his opinion of suicide; also heard Lyda tell Mrs. Ferrell that he was not coming back and Chas. Collier that if he never saw him again the horses were in the stable and harness on the fence; made but one trip to town with Cox, and at Lyda’s request; denied telling Martin Lux she was so mad at Lyda a dozen times she could poison him; Lyda took sick Sunday, July 15, at 9 o’clock; sent for Dr. Mevity on Monday morning against Lyda’s wish: Dr. left medicine; sent for him again Tuesday morning but the‘doctor did not change medicine. Dr. Mavity came again Wednesday morning by previous arrangement; she was to go to town Thursday for binder fixtures and Lyda insisted on going along. Just before starting Lyda said he had taken some tea and resting powder; told of trip to town ; took Lyda to Dr. Mavity’s office and left him there while marketing, being gone 25 minutes; she and Dr Mavity assisted Lyda to an inner room where he could lay down; denied telling Mrs. Mount that she gave Lyda a resting powder in the morning: She gave Lyda no medicine on Thursday morning. The remainder of Mrs. Lyda's testimony was practically the same as that of Mrs. Judy, Geo. Austill and Star Cox.

times

Fair Oaks Man Killed at Watseka.

Two sons of Thomas Mallatt of Fair Oaks, were in town Thursday morning, on their way ta Watseka, 111. after the body of their brother, D. L. or Luther Mallatt. He had been living at Hoopeston, 111. but had just moved to Watseka. Wednesday he began working in a flouring mill, and on Thursday morning was killed by an explosion in the mill. Probably of the boiler. No particulars were received except that another man was killed, also. He was 25 years old, married and leaves a wife and a four year old daughter. His wife was Maud Swisher, and she is a daughter of Squire George Swisher of Wheatfield. The body will be brought back to Fair Oaks for burial.

Marriage License.

tx on 1 Charles Roes, Deo - 2y t Netta Collins. p. OQ ( Henry O. Gilbranson, Dec. I'd | DeUaßmitk Great reductions on trimmed and untrimmed hats at Mrs. lines

Sad Death of an Only Child.

"VOur well-known townspeople I A Mrs. A. P Burton, whose ’’ome'Kjjist north of town, have suffered affliction of the death orS^ r on ]j son an j only child. Fred.Xdoht and most lovable boy, aged l aet November. x. Mrs Burton his motherS^ nt to Champaign. 111. to visit mL Burton’s parents, a short time before Christmas. Mr. Burton and Fred followed her there on Saturday bes re Christmas, Dec. 22nd, The boy who seemed strong and healthy, but really had many sicknesses told one of his playmatesj ust before he left that bo felt bad-

ly and believed be would have a sick spell. Almost immediately after reaching Champaign he was taken with, nose-bleed and a stomach sickness A very high fever followed, much like typhoid and this continued until Monday evening, Dec. 31st, when death ended his brief but hopeful and beautiful youig life. He was his parents’ only child, they having lost an infant about a year ago. He was, above all, his mother’s companion, comfort and joy, and the weight of her affliction in this his sudden and untimely death, only those can know have been similarly afflicted. He was unusually forward in in his studies and was a member of the Bth grade in our city schools. He was also a faithful attendant at the Presbyterian church and Sunday school, and a member of the Junior Epworth League, of the M. E. church. The stricken parents with the body, are expected to arrive this evening. The funeral will probably be held Wednesday afternoon.

Rathbone Sister’s Officers.

At the regular meeting of the Rathbone Sisters, 'Friday evening Dec. 28, the foliowing new officers were elected. Lorena BartooM. E. C. Margaret DuvallE. S. May BabcockE. J. Elizabeth HausM. of T. Lula HuffM of R. & C. Louella Childers. ..M. of F. Grace PumphreyP. of T Jennie NowelsO. G. Anna MillsP. C. Sadie Laßuel. 0 Mary Hamilton Trustee The election was followed by refreshments, during which all were highly entertained by W. A Huff with a graphaphone. A number of visiting members were present, among whom were Mrs. Katie Yeoman, of Fair Oaks, and Mrs. Jesse Roberts, of Elgin, 111.

A Marriage at Wheatfield.

The first-Jasper county marriage of the new century was at Wheatfield. The parties were Mr. Henry O. Gilbransen and Miss Della Smith. It took place nt the residence of the bride’s parents, at 8 o’clock p. m. Monday Jan. Ist, 1901, and the ceremony was performed by Rev. L. B. Appleton, of Rensselaer.

Library Stock-holders’ Meeting.

The Stockholders of the Jasper County Public Library will meet next Monday night and elect two directors. The question of keeping the library open Unger cn week day afternoons will be considered. Subject at the Presbyterian Church Sunday morning: “A Glance Through an Open Door.” Evening, “The Christian Armor.”

A Good Organ.

A good Estey organ, in good condition, for sale cheap. For name of party,' enquire at this office.

A Twentieth Century Reception.

The Ladies Literary Society, received yesterday, between the hours of 2:30 and 5:30 p m„ in honor of the new century, and at tended by a large number of the most refined and cultured of the town. It was held at Judge Thompson’s residence. .Elegance and luxury, in a markcharacterized the recep--1 features. . ~ committee, con1, g ° flt eßident > Mrs. S. P. Thompson, MW. P 1 son, Mrs. Carr^l|k^ I,IS 1O1 “ p ‘ R. W. Marshall. Mrß royally welcome to^W^^^ one while a bevy of ’ again welcomed the guests table.

The various gifted ones in music, gave entertaining instrumental .and vocal performances Judge Thompson read an original poem, and Rev. Royse gave an interesting and instructive talk. In point of enjoyment the whole entertainment one long to be remembered. During the reception Judge Thompson composeeband read the following poem very appropriate to the occasion. This dawn of the Century and first of the year Is the best day we’ve seen in our own Rensselaer One can walk over smooth pavement and ride our stone streets While in peace and tnj.e friendship, as neighbors now greet. We have a fine Court House and its help-mate the Jail, To keep peace between editors. Our banks never fail, Our schools are the best in all this broad land If a book we may want we have it at hand. We have fine churches almost half a score The pastors are helpful and true to the core The merchants are clever, our artists quite neat Our inns are capacious, there’s plenty to eat. Our ladies in literature now seem to lead Without hate of classes, or clashing of creed, They this day invite your aid by a word To review in memory what they have heard. That the New Year may show much better in store Than what in the past we may have passed o’er We want to move forward and push still ahead Kor ’tis our place to beckon and not wont to be lead.

The Smythe Shooting.

William H, Smythe, grand secretary of the F. and A. Masons of Indiana, who was mysteriously shot at Indianapolis Thursday, has excellent prospects for recovery. His condition is constantly showing much improvement. There is still much mystery surrounding the shooting, which the detectives have been unable to solve. He gave out that he was shot by a “blond woman” who was mad because he would not let her use his office telephone. But she must have much more than “blonde” in fact “red-headed” to the last degree to shoot a crippled elderly man for that cause. The general impression is that Smythe, whose health was poor and spirits depressed, shot himself. But so far the great difficulty in the way of that theory is to find the revolver the shooting was done with.

A Remarkable Invident.

Burr Wheelei, of Hammond, was recently the father of a new baby, whose birth completes the phenomental chain of five living generations of one Lake county family. The baby is a week old, while the great-great-grandmother, Mrs. Hannah Carl, of Crown Point, is 92 and still hale and hearty. Only in extremely rare cases has a woman of Mrs. Carl’s age bad the pleasure of looking into the face of a decendant five generations younger. Strangely too, every living link in the long chain of lives is in Lake county.

Dennis Gleason, the horse buyer, will be at Duvalls’ livery barn, next Saturday. Anyone having hotses to sell, please call.

The Hammond Infanticide.

Mary Saeel Tells All About It. The following is condensed from the Hammond Daily Tribune, cf Wed need ay. “The infanticide case with which the name of Dr. Mary E. Jackson is connected, was the first matter taken up for consideration by the grand jury today. The testimony before that body was of necessity secret but The Tribune has been in possession of the information for several days past as to what might be expected in the way of evidence. Simultaneously with the publication of the story in last Saturday’s Tribune a police affioial of Hammond went to

and took charge of the broug>fi£ Miss Nagel, who was in a privtSMps oity and cared for any ou t reach of obstructed thejpMk would have came willingly and Sb® a Tribune representational by complaint to offer except Dr. Jackson and Earl Mann. . k

story cleared up the last cloud iff the State’s case. She said she had been forced tn accompany Mann to Hammond, but that when she was brought to Mrs. Jackson, and learned the nature of the revolting operation, she refused to continue and begged to be allowed to go home again. She says that, at this, Dr. Jackson said she was a “little fool,” that “it wouldn’t kill her” and “it might as well be done then as any other time.” She says farther that Dr. Jackson operated on her and put her in the greatest agony previous to the birth of the infant. The connecting link between the opera tion above described and the infant found under the Hohman street bridge was also furnished by Miss Nagel who said she brought a napkin with her from Rensselaer and that it was one belonging to a young lady in whose home Miss Nagel lived for four years up to the time of the operation. She said Earl Mann took the dead child and left the house. The infant found by the police was wrapped in a napkin on which were embroidered the letters ‘G. T.” The napkins was identified on Miss Nagel’s arrival here as belonging to the young lady and as the one she brought with hot to Hammond when she came. Michael Nagel, the father of the girl, came to Hammond this morning and brought some important documentary evidence with him together with the assurance of the leading residents of Rensselaer that he could have all the backing he needed in the effort to bring the guilty ones to j ustice.

Coming Sure.

Fultoni, the great Prima Donna and America’s most historic character and Unique Artist, the World Famous “Drummer Boy of Shiloh.” Through a general movement of our citizens these artists have been secured for one program to be given Tuesday evening Jan. Bth, at the Opera House, a subscription list having been circulated and our people responding generally for so high class an entertainment is the best evidence that Rensselaer wants and will support only the best. We shall give full particulars and detail of the program etc. in future issues as time and space are too limited for a proper announcement in today’s issue.

Matinee Saturday afternoon at 230 o’clock. Admission 10 cents.

Regular We w&r Edition

A Snit For Breach of Promise*

A suit l|hich wi s begun in the U. 8. Circuit ccurt, at Chicago, Wednesday, will have much interest for Jasper county people. All the Chicago, papers mention the suit at greater or less length The following is the Times-Herald’s account: “Virginia Harris of Rensselaer, Ind., sued Benjamin H. Durham of Onarga, Hl.,<n the United States Circuit C(®rt yesterday for $50,000 for allege®, breach of premise to marry.

Mie-s Harris is of a wealthy family, and it is said styjtdces not need the money for Wiich sl e sues, nor does she hope a financially profitable cornjaromiEC She is 30 years old and ft third cousin of the defendant. Mr. Durham is 50, the head of the "banking firm of Durham Brothers, a. Onarga. He is rich and prominent in politics in his section His friends satf he cared for the plaintiff more afta relative than otherwise and nev« gave her ftny reason to believe hql meant to«.

Funeral.

Mr. rived from P. Burton erday evening, wlmfe Ill,JTuestheir son Fred, amkfcxbody of particulars of his dea^fe> s '«mt vailable. He and his' s reached Champaigifon J,Saturu. v Dec. 22nd. On tigfr Tuesday following he was taw|n with a severe case of grip. By Saturday, Dec, 23th, he felt enough better to get up for dinner. Immediately after their meal, howevej, he was taken with cere bro-spinal in its severest form, soon became unconscious, and from that condition never rallied, his] death occurring on Monday evening, Dec, 31st. The funeral was held here Wednesday, Jan. 2nd, at the Presbyterian church, by Rev. A. G.Work assisted by Rev. C. D. Royie. It was very largely and a more impressive, sad and *sympathetic funeral has seldopi been seen in our city. The Bfh room of the city schools attended in a body, and the pall bearers were selected from among his young class-mates. The floral offerings weip most profuse and beautiful, ancFespecially those presented by the school mates. Jnterment was 'made in Weston cemetery. 4

Heavy mounting boards, of various tasteful colors, at Thi Republican office. Furniture Repairing and Up bolstering Shop./ The undersigned is prepared to do all kinds of repairing, upholstering, varnishing and painting at reasonable prices at Milroy property across the river. All work will be promptly called for and delivered. George Sharp, 319 S.River St A Good Rensselaer Houle for Sale. A good team of horses will be taken in part payment. For further particulars. Enquire of J. J. Norgor, Lee, Ind. JJI-3tp-w

€ 111$’Opera fiow Rensselaer, Ind. ONE SOLID WEEK, Commencing Monday Eve. Dec JbL» Special Engagemnt of tS Riley-Burton Stock CoT x Change of Bill Nightly Admission 10 andJr j