Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 37, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 March 1905 — Page 6

WEEKLY REPUBLICAN. GEO. 6. MARSHALL, Publisher. RENSSELAER, - - INDIANA.

WANTS DOLLARS BACK

ILLINOIS FARMER SUES FOR < LOST RICHES. William Wilmerton of Illinois Seeks to Hecover from Si. Louis “Get-Ricli-Quick” Concern—Man Struck by Foul Ball Brings Suit. Cleverly worded letters playing on the unsuspecting mind of a retired farmer for the purpose of separating him from his fortune through alleged grain speculations, were an important feature in the suit for $40,000 of William Wilmerton, aged S 3, of Preemption. 111., against the defunct Merchants’ Brokerage Com pany in the United States Circuit Court in St. Louis. According to Wilmerton’s etory, he worked on his farm for sixtytwo years and all his wealth represented his own hard labor. In December, 1902, after he had retired and settled down to spend the rest of his days in ease, he was attracted by the advertisements of the “get-rich-quick” concern. He was encouraged with predictions of great gains and he sent them other sums, a few days apart, gradually increasing the amounts. At one time he sent $10,000; The old man was led on in the belief that he would soon be made a millionaire. On July 2, 1903, after he had invested $40,000, he became suspicious, and soon afterward received a letter stating that all his money had been lost, as also had the firm’s own money. The farmer, Almost crazed by the sudden blow to his hopes, consulted attorneys. On July 31, 1903, suit was begun and the brokerage company’s deposits of S3,GIG in the Germania Bank was attached. A rush of the firm’s patrons resulted and an exposure followed. FOUL BALL CAUSES SIO,OOO SUIT. St. Paul Man Alleges Blow in Temple la Responsible for Insanity. A foul ball knocked over the fence of the downtown ball park in St. Paul on Aug. 27 last in a game between St. Paul and Columbus has led to a SIO,OOO damage suit against Che St. Paul baseball club. The ball stiuck Cornelius Holland in the temple as he was crossing the street. He claims as a.result of the blow he has been subject to temporary fits of insanity. The ball which struck him is alleged to have been batted by Eddie Wheeler, third baseman of the St. Paul team.

Steal $4,000 in Diamonds, Two men entered the jewelry store of A. D. Ernne in the Colonial Arcade, Cleveland, and asked to be shown some diamonds. One of the men picked up a tray containing $4,000 worth of gems and made a dash for the street, followed by his companion. The robbers were lost in the crowd by the time the clerk reached the door. Detectives are working on the case. Maryland Jim Crow Law Valid. The Maryland Court of Appeals held that the “Jim Crow’’ law passed at the last session of the Legislature, requiring steam railways to furnish separate compartments fpr white and colored passengers, is valid so far as it affects commerce within the State. It is invalid as to interstate passengers, however, and must be construed as not applying to them. Finds Cure for Epilepsy. What is believed to be a cure for epilepsy was discovered through an accident. A patient in a Cincinnati hospital who manifested the symptoms of an oncoming fit got hold of some peroxide of hydrogen and drank copiously of it. The effect was instantaneous and the fit was prevented. Afterward the compound was tried on four other patients and proved successful in every case. Big Store in Columbus Burns. Fire which started in a paper bin in the basement of the Columbus Dry Goods Company’s store in North Digit street. Columbus, Ohio, destroyed the structure and for a time threatened the destruction of a four-story business block and a sixstory apartment house adjoining. The loss is estimated at $200,000. Four firemen were slightly hurt. Ships Collide Near Halifax. Racing through the dusk two big ocean liners which bad collided just outside the harbor at Halifax, N. S., toiled in desperation for their docks, while 1,800 imperiled passengers shrieked in panic. The race was successful, but one of the ocean greyhounds sank at its wharf before the last passenger had hurried down the gang plank. Woman Eacapea with $1,000,000. Sophia Beck, now Mrs. Richard Graham, a Chicago girl, who is said to have fled the country with $1,000,000, the proceeds of two “get-rich-quick’’ concerns exposed in Philadelphia, is declared to have made Mrs. Cassie L. Chadwick’s incursions in to the realms of “high finance” look mediocre. Rnesians Said to Want Peace. Dispatches from Russia say all classes realize that carrying on the war would be folly, and reports from Paris declare that a preliminary peace conference already has been held in Stockholm. Manrice Barrymore Die*. Maurice Barrymore, once famous ns an actor, died in a sanitarium nt Amityville, L. I. Mis last appearance on the stage was in a monologue act in a variety house in New York City four years ago. Miming Boy Returns Home. Frank Ely Rogers, the boy who disappeared from his home in Evanston, 111., four years ago, returned, but refused to reveal the whereabouts of his aunt, Florence A. Ely, who vanished the same day. Number of Russians Bent East. The Russian war office hns issued a statement that 774,554 officers and men have been sent to the far East. From this it Is figured that the Russian losses up to the present time are about 500,000 m*u. ,

WILL THE STAYING HAND GLADDEN WEARY EYES?

Chicago Tribune.

MUCH WORK BY CONGRESS.

Record Shows Bast Session to Have Been the Busiest on Record. F. 11. Wakefield, docket clerk of the House of Representatives, has prepared a statement showing the amount of work done by the Fifty-eighth Congress as compared with previous Congresses as far back as the Fifty-second. The report shows that the number of bills and resolutions introduced aggregated 20,074. The various House committees reported on a total of 4,904 measures, including Senate acts and resolutions. The House passed 11,550 of its own bills and resolutions during the second session and 551 of the 620 Senate acts and resolutions that had been reported from committees. At the close of the session it left on the union calendar unacted on 112 bills, of which thirty originated in the Senate, having passed 247 of the 359 bills and resolutions referred to that calendar. Upon the House calendar, to which there were referred 409 bills and resolutions, only sixty-four remained unacted upon, of which--fifty-three- were of House origin, and eleven of Senate. On the private calendar, to which was referred a total of 3,841 bills and resolutions, 232 remained unacted upon, of which twen-ty-eight were of Senate origin. Of the House bills sent to the Senate for concurrence only 122 failed to be acted on, while twenty-five House bills were indefinitely postponed in the Senate. These were largely private pension bills and were postponed mostly because of the death of the proposed beneficiary. For the same reason the Senate recalled twenty of its own bills after the House committee had favorably reported them. Of all the House bills sent to the President for his approval only one failed to receive his signature and become a law. The work of the House in the Fiftyeighth Congress, as compared with the Fifty-seventh Congress, shows an increase of 2,514 in the number of bills introduced; an increase of 25 per cent, or 985 in the number of reports made, and an increase of 104 in the number of public acts. The number of private acts showed a gain of 1,156. From the Fif-ty-second to the Fifty-eighth Congress tiie number of bills and resolutions introduced increased in number from 10,623 to 20,074; the number of reports made from 2,613 to 4,904; the public laws enacted from 398 to 574; the private laws from 324 to 3,467, and the number of pages "of the Congressional Record from 2,620 to 4,246. The number of days of actual session of the House in the Fifty-eighth Congress were 190. as compared with 340 in the Fiftysecond. 447 in the Fifty-third, 280 in the Fifty-fourth, 242 in the Fifty-fifth, 197 in the Fifty-sixth, and 222 in the Fiftyseventh.

DIVOR[?]E DENIED COL. CODY.

Wyoming Judge Praises Wife and Censures the Showman. “Buffalo Bill” has lost his suit for divorce. The District Court at Sheridan, Wyo.. decided against Col. Cody, holding that he had failed to prove any of the charges made against his wife. Incidentally the court gave high praise to Mrs. Cody, while severely censuring her husband. Judge Scott in rendering his decision said: "Mi's. Cody was an oyerindulgent mother and wife, who always took pride in his success and always looked forward to his homecoming and made great preparations to receive him. She entertained his guests with cordiality. She did not use profane language. The poisoning of his pet dogs was accidental. She never spoke disrespectfully of him to his friends or guests. She always accompanied him to the depot on his departures and was there to receive him on his returns. In her hon)9 she has a largo statue of him in the hall; iu her bedroom she has his portrait done by a famous painter, and on her table she has his photograph, while the dishes she used were souvenir ones stamped or etched with his portrait. ,'Uch, in brief, is the character and conduct of Mrs. Cody extending over a long period of her married life. “In return for this wifely devotion the plaintiff has been cruel to her, ami heaped indignities upon her.”

Woman Can Kill Brutal Husband.

A wife hns a right to kill n brutal husband. This, in substance, is the ruling of a Chicago justice before whom a woman was on trial for slaying her life’s partner. The woman was Mrs. Jessie A. Hopkins, who shot her husband at their home Jgn. 1, after he had attacked and threatened to kill her. Judge Kersten this week instructed the jury to dismiss the defendant, with the remark that “if a woman is unfortunate enough to .marry a brute she has n right .to defend [herself even to the point of taking his jlife.”

CONFLICTING RUMORS OF PEACE.

St. Petersburg dispatches say that' the Czar, alarmed by the prospect of utter disaster which now seems to confront the Russian arms, has put up his hand and turned an unwilling ear to the peace party. The ministers and other court advocates of tentative advances to Japan, looking toward the closing of the war, are jubilant. They believe they have triumphed over the grand dukes and their followers. It is declared on the very highest of authority that an actual move is about to be made; if, indeed, it is not already under way. In the conflicting rumors issuing from St. Petersburg there is little upon which to base an accurate estimate of the situation, but that counsels of peace are now obtaining a more favorable hearing among Russian high offi-

JOHN M. HARLAN.

RIVAL CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR OF CHICAGO.

cials than at any previous time since the war opened is manifest. The war party still maintains a threatening front and declares that the idea of seeking a settlement is ridiculous. That the ministry is seriously weighing the possibility of getting an honorable and not too costly settlement, however, cannot be doubted. If it could have definite assurances that the penalties which Japan will exact are not too severe it probably would begin peace overtures at once. Just what price Japan will demand is still wholly a matter of conjecture. The Chicago Daily News says that undoubtedly Japan will require the cession of Port Arthur and the Liaotung peninsula, international control of the Chinese Eastern railway and the permanent withdrawal of Russia from Manchuria. If this is all it requires Russia apparently is likely to strike a bargain. If it adds a cash indemnity or a demand for the cession of any Russian territory, none of which has yet been occupied by Japanese forces, Russia may conclude to continue the war. It has still to consider the possibility that Rojestvenskyl's fleet may accomplish something and it may be that negotiations are now delayed only to see what the result of the approaching naval battle will be. Meantime Japan continues its preparations for further fighting and pays no heed to gossip of peace. The Interviews of Its diplomatic representatives Indicate that Japan means to insist upon a cash indemnity. If that is to be its attitude the probability of an early peace would seem to depend largely upon whether the victor is willing to make the dose less disagreeable by allowing the payment to be made under some other name. In Its present plight Russia might agree to pay a handsome sum ostensibly to reimburse Japan for divers Incidental expenses.

All Around the Globe.

The Bryan Cotton Oil Company's plant in Bryan, Texas, was destroyed by tire. Loss is SIOO,OOO, with $60,000 insurance. Three murderers and two thieves were freed from jail in Madisonville, Ky., by some one outside cutting iron bars from a rear window. A magnificent living specimen of the California condor lias been shipped from San Francisco to the Central Fork zoo in New York. It measures It feet from tip to tip.

STREET CARS THE ISSUE.

An Extraordinary Municipal Campaign in Progreaa in Chicago. Two- candidates for Mayor, who propose to achieve municipal ownership of the street railway system by different methods, are giving 'Chicago- one of the most picturesque campaigns in its history. One is John Maynard Harlan, the Republican nominee, and the other is Judge Edward F. Dunne, the choice of the Democrats. Judge Dunne is generally looked upon as the real municipal ownership candidate. The Municipal Ownership League has indorsed him, and many of the Socialists have announced their intention to vote for him. Dunne proposes to offer the traction companies a fair price for their tangible properties and a reasonable compensation for the franchises which have yet a term of years to run. If the companies refuse to sell, he proposes to go at once into the courts. He will endeavor to

JUDGE E. F. DUNNE.

have each franchise forfeited as soon as it expires, and to have the traction companies outsted from the streets. Then lie proposes to build rival city lines on the principal streets. Such a course, in a few years, would leave the existing companies without downtown connections. Harlan proposes to grant the existing companies 41 new franchise, at the expiration of which they are to sell out to the city. If they refuse he proposes to build rival lines. The campaign is’just now in full swing. The Republican nominee, in a fast automobile, rushes about to various portions of city, making four speeches in the evening. The Democratic leader has been forced to place a substitute on the bench and take the stump in his own defense, and is making one speech a night.

OLD WORLD NOTABLES

London Truth asserts that “now, for the first time in centuries, England possesses. in Sir Edward Elgar, at least one composer of international repute.” The Czar of Russia and the German Kaiser might each steep in a different house every night for a month and not exhaust the number of his palaces. Leoncavallo, engaged by the Kaiser to write an opera on a German subject, has abated the ill feeling iu the fatherland against him by denying that he said Germany hns at present no great composer. The German Emperor hns conferred imperial court hunting costumes upon three English noblew v omen—the dowager countess of Dudley, the iparchioncss of Lansdowne, and the marchioness of Ormonde. Capt. Cecil Battine of the King's Hussars. British army, in his forthcoming book, “The Crisis of the Confederacy,” describes, from his own point of view, the campaigns of Gettysburg and the Wilderness. J. M. Bacon, n distinguished aeronaut. who died recently, was n scholar of Trinity college, Dublin, was ordained and held a curacy, and later turned to science. King Leopold of Belgium, who has never signed a death warrant during the thirty-nine years of bis reign, thus keeps the promise made his mother on her deathbed. Bizet died three months after ths first production of "Carmen” in PnFis, it being n failure. The thousandth performance of the opera has just been had la the French capital.

WAR DURING A WEEK

SCREEN IS DRAWN OVER MILL ... TARY OPERATIONS. Dispatches of Past Week Show No New Light on the Conflict in the Far East —Remnants of Russia’s Routed Army in Full Retreat. The week, which opened with the Russian army in full retreat from Mukden, closed with its fate in doubt. Kuropatkin’s divisions that had escaped death, or capture arrived at Tieling, where reserve supplies and a fortified position awaited them. Then the Russian army was driven out of Tieling. The remaining stores wei’e burned, many guns abandoned, and the retreat resumed. St. I’etersburg, naturally, was filled with alarming rumors. It was reported that the railroad had been cut at Changtufu, 40 miles north of Tiding; that there were strong JapaneseTColumns east and west of the railroad even farther to the north; that the Russian forces had been driven into the hills east of the railroad and were trying to reach Kirin or Vladivostock; that they were without food, ammunition, and artillery. There were no dispatches, official or otherwise, to confirm or 'deny these sensational reports. The week's dispatches added a few’ details to the sum of Russia’s disaster at Mukden. The war office at Tokio estimated the Russian force engaged in the battle of Mukden at 376 battalions of infantry, 178 squadrons of cavalry, 171 'batteries of artillery, or a total of 327.500 men and 12168 guns. Field Marshal Oyama reported the capture of 40,000 prisoners. His armies counted 26,500 dead. He estimated the Russian wounded at 64,500. This total of 130,1X10 casualties reduced the effective Russian force to 197,500 men —all that got safely through to Tiding. St. I’etersburg reports credited Linevitch —who succeeded Kuropatkin —with 268,000 men, the figures being achieved by including the railway guards and the Fourth army corps, which had just arrived at Harbin. This force of 268,000 men, badly equipped, short of supplies, was retreating before a force of perhaps fully double its strength. At a council of war held at Tsarskoe Selo it was resolved to send a new army of 400,000 men to the far East to continue the war. General Kuropatkin was recalled', practically in disgrace, and General Linevitch placed in command. The war party apparently is still in power at St. Petersburg. There are disturbing indications that Russia's credit is reaching a limit. The refusal of the French syndicate to contract for a fresh loan of $125,000,000 has caused uneasiness in St. Petersburg. At Paris it is stated vaguely that the loan has only been postponed. In St. Petersburg it is insisted the loan will be made within ton days. The proposal of the Russian Minister of Finance that the banks of St. Petersburg float an internal loan of $100,000,009 has not been well received. Still, It would be foolish to assume that Russia has reached the limit of her resources. The fact that her gold reserve still stands at $'174,500,000 proves that the Czar's empire is not penniless.

Czar's Minister for Peace. While Emperor Nicholas, whose word is final, still declines to abandon the prosecution of the war and the government maintains its ability to continue the conflict, The Associated Press states that powerful influences, including several of the emperor's own ministers, are now strongly urging that the time has come to indicate to Japan Russia's desire for peace upon a reasonable basis. Should Japan then attempt to impose too onerous conditions, these influences argue that, in view of the universal wish to see the bloody confliet ended, Russia’s position will be strengthened abroad by the alienation of sympathy from Japan, and the situation at home Improved when the nation is made tb"understand that the emperor’s pacific proposals have been met with impossible terms. One of the emperor's ministers in a conversation with The Associated Press correspondent said: “We have suffered bitter defeat on land and sea. We can, however, still continue the war. But both countries have suffered great losses in blood and treasure, and it would only profit the rivals of both were we to fight on until one or the other Is exhausted.” “What would be Russia’s attitude on the subject of Indemnity?” “Russia never yet has paid indemnity and history practically affords no precedent for indemnity when territory is not occupied to insure payment and Japan holds not a foot of Russian territory. Japan could, however, take the proceeds of the sale of property and rights of the Chinese Eastern railway, which was built with Russian money.”

Sparks from the Wires.

Pittsburg poetnl authorities will try to trace n box of poisoned bonbons sent to the wife of an attorney in that city. 'The woman’s name is kept secret. The total loss of life in the anthracite coal mines of Lackawanna county, Pa., in 1904 was 137, against 121 in 1903, when the output was much larger. Judge Albertson of Seattle decided that no man should be mulcted in damages who breaks a promise to marry a woman be afterward finds is afflicted With tuberculosis.

COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL

—— Dun's review of ChicaCbiCdQO. g° trade, published by IL G. - Dun & Co., the mercantile agency, says: Developments have continuedt favorable to business, and the volume of production and distribution steadily expanded, new demands imparting a more encouraging tone in operations, especially with reference to future employment. A larger use of money now is evident, and the showing of the local national banks creates a good impression. With the seasonable weather which mainly prevailed, the leading retail lines were enabled to make a satisfactory advance. Personal buying was very largely augmented throughout the jobbing division, and the manufacturing branches added materially to bookings. Iron and steel gained additional strength from the orders received fort rails, pig iron, plates, ami structural material. Prices have maintained firmness and became higher for sheets. Inquiries show that the railroads will make further notable purchases of rolling stock and track material, and considerable bridge work is contemplated. The market exhibited well distributed demand, and notwithstanding the large supplies there was satisfactory absorption and steadiness in values. Leather and sundries were in good request. and the leather working branches, particularly shoes, obtained a fair amount of new business for fall delivery. Breadstuff's experienced a good demand, and the movement of grain reached unusually large proportions. Bank clearings, $198,052,1X18, were 19.4 per cent over those of corresponding week last year. Money was in steady demand, and the discount rate for choice commercial paper ranged from 4 to 5 per cent. * Failures reported in the Chicago district numbered twenty-five, against twenty last week and twenty a year ago. ~ ~ 7“I Bradstreet's weekly reNfiV IOrE. view of the country’s trade is as follows: Spring trade and outdoor activities gather force as the month advances. Better weather, small interior stocks, and confidence in the future induce a wider distribution in practically all sections except the South, where considerable irregularity appears, spme markets reporting expansion, while others advise of contraction, compared with a year ago. Dry goods, clothing, groceries, shoes, hardware, farm implements, lumber and building material show relatively most activity. AH reports indicate great activity in railway circles. Merchandise shipments and high class freight are very large, grain tonnage is heavy for this season, aud complaints of car shortage still come, though the situation has improved slightly. Gross receipts for January gained 6 per cent, while net increased 12 per cent. Collections still lag, but money has -turned firmer, probably a reflection of increased demands in regular trade lines.

THE MARKETS

Chicago—Cattle, common to prime, $4.00 to $5.75; hogs, shipping grades, $4.00 to $5.47; sheep, fair to choice, $3.00 to $0.00; wheat. No. 2, $1.12 to $1.14; corn, No. 2,40 cto 48c: oats, standard, 29c to 30c; rye, No. 1,70 cto7B c; hay, timothy, $8.50 to $13.50; prairie, SO.OO to $10.50; butter, choice creamery, 25c to 27c; eggs, fresh, 15c to 10c; potatoes, 20c to 30c. Indianapolis—Cattle, shipping. $3.00 to $5.75; hogs, choice heavy, $4.00 to $5.25; sheep, common to prime, $2.50 to $5.00; wheat, No. 2, $1.12 to $1.13; corn, No. 2 white, 49c to 51c; oats, No, 2 white, 31c to 33c. St. Louis—Cattle, $4.50 to $6.00: hogs, $4.00 to $5.35; sheep, $4.00 to $6.00; wheat. No. 2, $1.13. to $1.14; corn. No. 2, 45c to 46c; oats. No. 2,29 cto 30c. rye. No. 2,70 cto 72c. Cincinnati—Cattle, $4.00 to $5.50; hogs, $4.00 to $5.50; sheep, $2.60 to $5.25; wheat. No. 2, $1.15 to $1.16; corn, No. 3 mixed, 50c to 51c; oats, No. 2 mixed, 32c to 34c; rye, No. 2,85 cto 87c. Detroit —Cattle, $3.50 to $5.50: hogs, $4.00 to $5.30; sheep. $2.50 to $5.25; wheat. No. 2, $1.12 to $1.13: corn, No. 3 ycilow. 49c to 50c; oats. No. 3 white, 32c to 33c; rye. No. 2,85 cto 87c. Milwaukee —Wheat, No. 2 northern, SI.OB to $1.12; corn, No. 3. 46e to 47c; oats, No. 2 white, 31c to 33c; rye. No. 1, 83c to 85c; barley, No. 2,50 gto 52c; pork, mess, $12.85. Toledo —Wheat, No. 2 mixed. $1.16 to $1.17; corn, No. 2 mixed, 44c to 45c; oats. No. 2 mixed, 30c to 32c: rye. No. 2, 81c to 83c; clover seed, prime, $7.85. BAffalo —Cattle, choice shipping steers, $4.00 to $5.65; hogs, fair to choice. $4.00 to $5.60; sheep, fair to choice, S4JSO to $6.25; lambs, fair to choice, $5.00 to $8.50. New York—-Cattle. $3.50 tb $5.80; hogs, $4 00 to $5.50; sheep. $3.00 to $6.00; wheat, No. 2 red. $1.14 to $1.15; corn, No. 2,52 cto 54c; oats, natural, white, 37c to 38c; butter, creamery, 20e to 25c; eggs, western, 15c to 17c. In a Cincinati saloon fight yesterday Julius L'Hrney, colored, was shot an! killed by David McClure, a barkeeper.