Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 February 1901 — RECORD OF THE WEEK [ARTICLE]

RECORD OF THE WEEK

INDIANA INCIDENTB TERSELY TOLD. i - Tale of Double Life Bared—Fatal Result of Quarrel Over a Girl—Fire Destroy* Opera House at Peru—Coin la Not Found. The recent reunion of the Sipe family in Kokomo brought to light a romantic story of double life. In 1805 S. T. Montgomery, who married into the Sipe family, was editor of the Kokomo Tribune. In 3870 he went to Mishawaka and published the Mishawaka Enterprise. Soon afterward he was reported to have been burned to death in the fire which destroyed the Studebaker wagon works. Mrs. Montgomery returned to Kokomo. Five years later William Montgomery, the oldest of the children, found his father at La Grange, Ohio, where he had married again and was serving as Mayor of the village under the name of “Maj. Wright S. Clarke.” Young Montgomery did not disclose his discovery to his mother. Mrs. Montgomery died several years later without knowing that her husband was alive. Ten years later young Montgomery met "Maj. Clarke” at Manistiqne, Mich., where “Clarke” was publishing the Manistique Pioneer. 'This time he introduced himself and the father acknowledged his identity, but the secret went no further. Young Montgomery obtained control of the Manistique Sun, a rival publication, and ran it in opposition to his father’s paper, a bitter newspaper war being kept up for years. Eight years ago the son moved his paper to Republic, where he was burned to death in trying to rescue his family. “Maj. Clarke” died at Manistique a short time ago. . He was a Mexican and Civil War veteran.

Slain with a Knife. Lee Walker, a farmer lad 20 years old, stabbed to death Edward Brown, a lifelong friend, at a church in Point township. The young men had for several months past sought the company of the same young lady. Walker took her to prayer meeting on a recent night, and after the meeting Brown met them on the outside. A few words followed and Walker drew a barlow knife and* began cutting Brown. “Don’t kill me,” he cried, as he fell at the feet of the young woman. After he fell Walker stabbed him several times. He then walked up to the girl and wiped the knife on her apron with this remark: “I guess you are now satisfied. You chose him in preference to me.” Walker escaped. Opera House Is Destroyed. «The Miller opera house in Peru was destroyed by fire, together with its contents. The plant of the Daily Chronicle, the job printing plant of Miller & Wallick, the confectionery store of Charles Griswold and the farming implements store of D. E. Inkenbury were also damaged. The loss on the opera house is $20,000, covered by insurance; loss on Daily Chronicle plant, $2,500, and to Miller & Wallick, $2,000, both insured. A defective light in the dressing room of the theater caused the fire. . Operation Without Results. Surgeons cut into the trachea of the little son of William Purdy of Pawpaw township, to remove the gold coin which the boy swallowed six months ago, and which with the aid of the X-ray, was found lodged in the trachea. The surgeons failed to discover the coin where it had been located. They say the gold piece must have slipped down into the bronchial tube and that another operation will be necessary to save the boy’s life. Within Our Borders. Oscar E. Lewis will be Shelbyville’s next postmaster. South Bend will celebrate its seventieth anniversary. Marion United Brethren Church reports a revival with 134 accessions. Anderson business inen are trying to secure the Hoffman automobile factory from Cleveland. Gus Theobald of Shelbyville, by mistake moved his goods into a house which he had not rented. Delaware County Prohibitionists endorsed the actions of Mrs. Carrie Nation at Wichita, Kan. Anderson people believe that burnedout carbon ends of electric lights are good for rheumatism. North Lincoln citizens have their guns loaded for a “peeping Thomas” who has been annoying them lately. Elizabeth Parigin of Clinton County has lived under every President of the United States. Her age is 104. El wood has ordered up all board sidewalks because of the large number of damage suits caused by “trips.” A country boy who clerks in a Knightstown store walks to and from bis home, three miles, and is always on time. Montgomery County Commissioners granted two franchises for electric roads from Crawfordsvilie to Indianapolis. New Castle has a club called “The Western Star.” Its motto is “Pnrlty,” and its aim to do uli the god possible. The proposed election to choose a postmaster for Kokomo has fallen through, as all the candidates have withdrawn. Walter Cason, Lebanon, plead*! gu'lty at Frankfort to assault and battery on Miss Minnie Kern, and was fined $25. and costs. A worm tub in a Lawrenceburg distillery burst, flooding everything in reach. Several workmen narrowly escaped drowning. John Lockridgo killed an eagle near Versailles which weighed fifteen pounds and measured seven feet two inches from tip to tip. James Harris, West Terre Haute, was killed instantly by falling down the shaft of his father’s coal mine, with a coal car. A stranger giving the name of L. W. Ashley was arrested in Sullivan County. It is said he has been terrorizing people of Riverton by entering their homes and holding them up in the highway. 'The Standard Oil Company has purchased the Indiana production of the Manhattan Oil Company and the Cndahy company. Price was almost a million dollars. Biggest deal in the history of the Indiana field.