Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 February 1901 — RECORD OF THE WEEK [ARTICLE]

RECORD OF THE WEEK

INDIANA INCIDENTS TERSELY TOLD. Miaer’s Condition Indicates Commission of Grave Crime—Fairs for Eastern Circuit—Woman Beaten by a Bulgier—Sexton Fails Dead in Cemetery. Newton McCormick, well known throughout the northern part of Madison County as a miser, with wealth of unknown figures, is dying at the home of one of his neighbors. He was rescued from his shanty, which was almost enveloped in flames when neighbors arrived. The old man was lying on the floor apparently in a deep sleep, but when carried into the fresh air he became delirious, and it required a great effort to restrain him from dashing back into the burning building. He said he had $7,000 in the burning house. He was not believed at first. Investigation proved that he went to Hartford City and drew $7,000 from a bank with which to buy a farm. He took the money home with him. It is the general belief that McCormick was robbed of the entii-e sum, and given a blow by robbers that rendered him insensible, after which the house was set afire to cover the work.

Arrange Fairs in Eastern Circuit. The annual meeting of the members of the Eastern Indiana fair circuit was held at New' Castle. M. S. Claypool of Muncie was re-elected President and Frank A. Wisehait of Middletown re-elected Secretary, The dates for holding fairs this year and the secretaries were set as follows: Middletown, July 30 to Aug. 2, Frank A. Wisehart; Hagerstown, Aug. 6 to 10, L. S. Bowman; New Castle, Aug. 13 to 17, William Risk ; = EI wood, Aug. 20 to 23, Frank De Harity; Greenfield, Aug. 20 to 22, Charles Downing; Rushville, Aug. 27 to 30, Mnncie, Sept. 2 to (5, M. S. Claypool; Anderson, Sept. 10 to 13, McCullom; Indianapolis, Cept. 1G to 22, Charles Downing; "Richmond, Sept. 24 to 27, Joseph Stephenson; Poi’tland, Oct. 4 to 8, C. O. Hardy. Anderson district fair wus udmitted into the cii - cuit. Woman Attacks a Burglar. A masked burglar entered the home of J. E. Hollowell at Marion and Mrs. Hollowell, who was alone, attacked the man. She attempted to tear the mask from his face. The man struck her on the head with some instrument, rendering her unconscious. He then bound her and searched the house. He secured only $2 and a gold watch. Mrs. Hollowell was found unconscious when her husband returned from his lodge meeting. She will recover. Falla Dead by Open Grave. While engaged in filling a grave from which the mourning party had just departed Basil Rhodes, sexton of the Fayetteville cemetery, fell dead. Rhodes was at work with his helpers when suddenly he paused from his labors, put his hand to his heart, uttered a half inarticulate cry and sank on the pile of eai-th beside the grave. His associates endeavored to resuscitate him, but all their efforts failed. Leases a Vast Oil Tract. A syndicate of capitalists has consummated the lease of 10,000 acres of land in two townships in La Porte county which are embraced in the Kankakee marsh distinct. It is the purpose of the syndicate to secure leases to cover 15,000 additional acres and to begin the sinking of wells at once. Oil experts claim that the largest and most productive fields in the State wtll be developed in the Kankakee region.

State Newt in Brief. Boss carpenters of the gas belt have organized. Franklin Coil-Hoop Company plant burned. Loss $4,500. Northern part of Laporte County said to be overrun by wolves. Mrs. William Baker, wife of a wellknown business man of Frankfort, began a suit for divorce. Engineer Harry Muster was seriously injured in a collision between a B. & O. S. W. mail train and a switch engine at Aurora. Dr. Deeter, prominent physician of Union City, will be married to Miss Lucy Havens, Laporte, Indiana’s champion’ fat girl. She weighs 500 pounds. James M. Reynolds, 74, Lafayette, died suddenly of heart disease. At one tiriie he was vice-president and general manager of the Monon Railroad. Patrick Duffy and Paul Showner were fatally injured at the Clover Leaf Railroad shops, Frankfort, while assisting in moving a coal car across a turntable. The trustees of the University of Indianapolis have chosen as dean of the law school James A. Rollback, who for seven years was professor of law in the University of lowa. Charles Evans, sentenced for burglary a few months ngo at Muncie, but who escaped from the officers, has written from South Africa that he has joined the English cavalry. The storeroom and stock of general merchandise belonging to Benjamin Simpson ut Carlion was destroyed by fire. The loss will reach $24,000, mostly covered by insurance. The origin of the fire is believed to be incendiary. Six freshmen of Rose Polytechnic Institute, Terre Haute, were suspended for hazing. Final action will be taken by the faculty. The class, as a body, declined to stop hazing, but said it would not take the initiative ip the practice. At the annual intercollegiate oratorical contest at Indianapolis between Indiana institutions, W. O. Tyler, a colored man from Indiana University, took the first honors with his oratiop on "The Middle West.” Earl was second and Depauw third. Seven colleges contested. Lee Virgil, 26, Evansvifc. prominent In society, killed himself, lie was worried over the death of Ids mother. The Bank of Ellettsville was closed upon attachment by I>. L. Woodall, a depositor. About $3,000 is due to small depositors. The bank is owned by Edmond Palmer, who says all claims will be paid in fall. Frank F. Loomis, who says he is wanted at Warsaw, N. Y„ on six indictments for forgery and that SI,OOO is offered for his capture, surrendered at Loganaport, giving as a reason homesickness and • desire to see bis mother.