Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 January 1901 — RECORD OF THE WEEK [ARTICLE]

RECORD OF THE WEEK

INDIANA INCIDENTS - TERSELY TOLD. Brutal Hazing of a Teacher—Murder Mystery in Indianapolis—Marries a Youth in Jail —Reign of Terror’ at Chesterton—Father’s Plot Fails. Wesley Dugan, a public school teacher in the southern part of Pike County, was the victim of a brutal hazing at the hands of his pupils, which nearly cost him his life. During the school hour he was set upon by a number of the larger pupils, his hands secured behind his bapk and then forced to go with them to a large pond about a mile from the school house. It was the intention to duck him in the pond, but he succeeded in releasing himself, and wading out into the water got upon a large stump. Not being able to carry out their, purpose, the pupils began to pelt him with stones and clubs, and he was soon forced to leave the, stump and attempted to reach the apposite bank, nearly half a mile away. He was benumbed by the cold, and although a good swimmer he was exhausted before reaching the opposite bank and lost consciousness. He had sunk to the bottom of the pond when a farmer rushed in and rescued him. leading Mason Shot. William H. Smythe, grand secretary of the Masonic order in Indiana, was shot in the head behind the right ear and perhaps fatally wounded in his office in the Masonic Temple at Indianapolis. The shooting is a mysterious one, and, although a corps of police and detectives have been at work diligently on the ease,, the mystery is not satisfactorily solved. Before Mr. Smythe lapsed into unconsciousness he told, in an incoherent manner, of a blond woman who entered his office and asked to be permitted to use the office telephone. As sije had called twice before in the morning and he was busy, he refused her request. At this, he said, the woman drew a revolver from somewhere about her clothing and fired point blank at him. He felt the sting of the bullet and fell to the floor, where he was found a few minutes later by Lewis A. Coleman, an attorney, who had called at the office to transact business relating to the Masonic order. Bride Gcei to Jail to Wed. Mrs. Bertha Arthur, a young widow of Anderson, was married at the county jail in Muncie to Walter “Dobber” Richy, who will in a few days be sent to State’s prison for the robbery of the Bowlee dry goods store. The young woman went to Muncie as soon as she learned of her sweetheart’s incarceration and sought to get a marriage license. She failed to procure the license without affidavits, but later she renewed her efforts and was successful. Justice Moreland performed the wedding ceremony in the jail corridor. Richy is 22 years old. His bride is 25, and is unusually pretty. Chesterton Has “Reign of Terror.” Chesterton is having a “reign of terror.” A few nights ago John Strahl was held ub at the point of a gun, but knocked the highp-ayman down and escaped. In two nights five houses were broken into. At the Catholic parsonage offerings amounting to S6O were taken, sll6 in the same drawer being overlooked. Small thefts are of almost nightly occurrence. Cars are being robbed on the side tracks. Car Inspector Fensky of the E., J. & E. Railway capturing a man leaving a car with his arms full of shoes. Plot to Kidnap Son Fail*. Charles 11. Beach, formerly of Logansport and now of Chicago, lies in jail in the former city charged with trying to kidnap his son, over whom the boy’s mother has control. Beach was placed under a SSOO bond to await trial'. It is said the Beach family was broken up several years ago, since which time Beach has lived in Chicago. &

Within Our Borders. Franklin has a big gang of robbers. Hartford City is chock full of tramps. Laporte already plans great July 4 celebration. Louis J. Schmidt, (X), Lafayette, was run down and nearly trampled to death by a careless driver. Wm. Vulpilat, a Marion hotelkeeper, got mad at a justice of the peace because he required bond and tried to whip him. While hunting, John Knight, 18, Nashville, discharged both barrels of his shotgun accidentally and has but one foot now. Walter Newman and Ross Neeley were blown several feet by a bursting Muncie gas main, but neither was injured seriously. Cornelia Barth, aged 24, wist of August Barth of St. Croix, was fatally burned while rescuing her year-old babe from their burning residence. Two window glass factories at Dunkirk, where 300 Labor Assembly-, men went out because of the*employment of league cutters, resumed work and all is quiet. Dr. William Randolph, claiming to be from Chicago, was sentenced to three years in State prison for the theft of a patent medicine recipe from Dr. Otto Kaquth of Evansville. John Anderson, Muncie dairyman, caught a fellow taking a turkey from his roost. Anderson fired three times at the thief, who fell. Anderson thought he had killed him and ran for a doctor. Then the fellow escaped. Jackson Clemens, who was charged with murdering Arnold Perry, near Rochester, more than fifty years ago, and who escaped from jail during the trial, has just died in Missouri, where he lived an upright life under an assumed name. Daniel Alley, 12, Windfall, tried to kill himself by drinking horse medicine, because he thought his father was going to punish him for some offense. Mrs. Emma Adams, 50 years old. died suddenly at a church entertainment in Evansville. Just as her little son rose to deliver a declamation she fell over dead. Death was due to heart disease. The big saw and tile mill of Graft & Kfeigh, at Echo, was destroyed by fire. The mill was fitted up with expensive modern machinery and the buildings were costly. The loss is SIO,OOO. Tbe fir* wm the wdrk ot inceadiariea.