Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 37, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 March 1905 — WANTS DOLLARS BACK [ARTICLE]

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. ,