Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 85, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 July 1906 — Page 1

THE RENSSELAER REPUBLICAN.

VOL XXXVIII. NO. gs.

THE WILD MAN MYSTERY CLEARING UP

At last some light is. being thrown on the mystery of the so-called wild mas who has attracted so much attention during a week past, and whose actions have reached many of the city papers. Judge G. W, Hanley has been going out to the stock form tracks very early about every morning for some weeks, to exercise his horse, and for several mornings week before last he saw this man out there, when he would come up to the fence, from the woods and watch the Judge as he flashed past behird his foaming steed- And several times the like the other judge in Maud Muller, he “drew his bridle by the bank, of the stock farm track to greet the crank.” On these occasions he talked sensibly enough, (the crank that is, cant say about the Judge’s talk, especially i? he was talking boss.) He wore the now well known cor duroy pants and light automobile cap. On one occasion when the Judge talked with him he was mending a rip in those pants, and explained his reluctance to make his appearance in Rensselaer until the rip was mended. The Judge talked with Bruce Moffitt, of north Union, Monday, and Mr. Moffitt is very sure he is the same man who worked for him for 2} days, about two weeks ago, on his steam dredge, and was then discharged because he was a “dope fiend.” Otherwise addicted to the use of opium, or some similar drug. And this statement would easily account for the man’s recent strange conduct, especially if he has been without his accustomed supply of the drug. Judge Hanley has not got sight of the man since he began to be watched for, and to shooting at his pursuers.

Ran Away With the Binder.

8. S. Shedd, of about two miles east of town, met with a severe accident, Monday afternoon. He was starting up his binder in his oats crop, and using a spirited young horse which was not used to that kind ot vehicles, and a runaway resulted. Mr. Shedd was thrown off at the first start, and with such violence that both bones of his left arm were broken square off, just above the wrist It is a bad and painful break and will be long in healing. The horses ran about a quarter of a mile and ran the binder into a big fence post, which was pulled out “by the roots,” so to speak. The binder caught on some fence wires and the horses were thrown into the wire fence. They were not hurt much, however, nor was the binder broken up near so badly as might have been expected, and a few hours’ sojourn at Lute Hemphill’s broken wagon and implement hospital put it in running order again.

We are now receiving black raspberries again and can fill your order for case lots. John Eger. All the former patrons of the bakery are asked to continue their trade with me. Good bread and fine pastry always on hand. Kick Schmitter. Wait for Duvall & Lundys overcoats and fall suits. No old stock and no moth eaten stuff to push off. All new and np-to date at reasonable prices. Duvall St Lundy. Eyes examined free by latest methods by A. G. Catt, Eye sightspeeialist and Graduate refraotionist Permanently located in Bensselaer, Ind., office up stairs New Murray-Long Block. No date limits on sale. Special discounts on entire big line of Oxfords until sold. The G. E. Murray Go. Keep your eyes open for the nice, new and nobby styles for fall in suite amVovereoats. At reasonable prices at Duvall A Lundys.

ISSUED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY. THE FRIDAY ISSUE IS THE WEEKLY REPUBLICAN.

GOLLMARS’ BIG CIRCUS COMING.

The Gollmar Brothers big railroad shows will exhibit here on Tuesday July 31st. This same show was here two years ago, on Sept. sth, 1904, giving two exhibitions apd in the character, quality and magnitude of which it came as near coming pp to the promises of the bills as any show that was ever here. It also presented a splendid street parade. A most com mendible feature of the management of this show is that it keeps out all fakers and gamblers and short change men, and the rough and tough element generally, which is so prone to be found with circuses, and with some of which they are a regular part of their business The Gollmarehad a rattling good and big show two years ago and ,by all accounts it is still bigger and better now. We do not suppose that it is the “greatest show on earth” but taka it all in all we doubt if there is now any other as good which exhibits in towns the size of Rensselaer.

OBITUARY.

Mrs. Rosetta Jane Sharp, was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Shively, and was born at Westville, Ohio, May 14, 1851, and died at Rensselaer, Ind., July 15th, 1906, aged 55 years, 2 months and one day. She was married to Joseph Sharp, at Yelverton, Ohio, Oct., 7th 1879, and moved then with him to Kentland, Ind., and in 1884 moved from Kentland to|Rensselaer which has ever since been their home. - ~ ■

Her husband and three children, all of adult age survive her, namely John, Ethel and Opal Sharp. Also her aged father, John Shively, and sister, Mrs. Mattie Sharp, the photographer. Also another sister Mrs. Eunice Electa Stout, ot Yelverton, Ohio, and one brother, John Franklin Sharp, of Yelverton Ohio. All these relatives were present at the funeral, except the brother.

Mrs. Sharp united with the M. E. church when but 16 years old, and remained a faithful member until her death.

Her funeral was held Tuesday, at 10 A. M. at Trinity M. E. church, by Re \ H. L. Kind.g, the pastor, and interment was made in Weston cemetery.

A Battered Looking Train.

What was left of the train which was wrecked near Fair Oaks hast Friday went south at 11 a. m. Wednesday, headed for the shops at La fayette. The fragmeut consisted of the engine, the mail car, the combination baggage and smoker, the day coach and oue sleeper. The engine was a sad wreck, there being literally nothing left of it except the boiler and wheels, and cylinder. The cab was gone, and all other upper parts with it including steam box, sand box and smoke stack and also the cowcatcher. The engine was also still covered thick with dirt and sand. The cars were not in so bad a shape, though their vestibule fronts were all caved in. The blind baggage car which was so totally wrecked was set fire to and burned up, where it lay.

Our prices on overcoats and fall suits will be lower than any sale prices as we buy for cash and sell lor cash and we don’t ask one price and take another. One priced clothiers. Duvall & Lundy. The new stylish mens grey and fancy scotch mixtures ana worsted suits at $3.88 $6.50, $7.60 and $9.60, can not be matched at double the price. Chicago Bargain Store. Wanted:—Three or four unfurnished rooms, centrally located. No children. Address box 143.

RENSSELAER, JASPER COUNTY, FRIDAY. JULY 20,1906

Wild Man Excitement Quieting Down.

There has not been much doing in wild man circles the past few days, though occasional reports of his still being seen are yet circulated. The old deserted floral hall building out on the old fair grounds has lately been more or less reliably reported as his lodging room and ‘reception parlor, combined, and for which its location and size very well adapts it. The last time he is reliably reported to have been seen was in that vicinity on last Tuesday, by some boys out there after cows which are pastured there. Wednesday afternoon Jack Montgomery and Mose Leopold were out that way in an auto and took a look at the old floral hall, and when crossing the river north of there they heard a single shot, at some point which sounded up in the jungle. Pappv Platt, who was at the bridge heard it also, and it sounded to all of them like the wild man might have fired the shot. They hurried round to the stock farm and down to thp river back of it where they fonnd Messrs Ellis and Vick still so busy catching the Mayor’s big salmon, that they had not heard the shot. More than ever convincedthat the cunningwild man fired it, and in such a way that it sounded in only one direction, they plunged into the jungle and searched it as thoroughly as their small number would permit. As usual they missed the wild man, but they found an old party fishing in the the river, and he also heard the the shot, and said it sounded up stream towards where the Mayor and party were. Going back there they found the big fish landed and that the fishers had al had time to remember that Christie had fired the shot they had heard, from the repeating rifle of Vern Marshall who was with them. And thus ended one more wild search for the wil d man.

A Circumstance of interest in i-uis connection was the great |number of fresh muscle shel s noticed by the Mayor and party, thrown out on the bank of the river, along t here, and which led to the suggestion that the wild man may have taken to a diet of raw clams.

Stand By Year Own Town Says Gov. Folk.

Jefferson City. Mo., July 18. — Governor Joseph W. Folk, in addressing t the retail merchants of .Missouri, at their convention here, spoke against the mail order business and favored advertising in the town papers. He said, in part: “We are proud of our splendid cities, and we want them to increase in wealth and population and we also want our country towns to grow. W e wish the city merchants to build up, but we also desire the country merchants to prosper. I do not believe in the mail order citizen. If a place is good enough for a mao to live in and to make his money in, it is good enough for him to spend his money.

“No merchant can succeed with out advertising in one way or another. Patronize your town papers, build them up, and they will build the town up and build you up increased trade and greater opportunities. Do not be afraid that business is going to be hurt by the recent exposures of wrongdoing in the commercial world. No man who is doing an honest business can be injured by the light. All business will be better for the cleansing process it is going through aud for the stamping out of evils.”

There will be no advances in our prices on fall clothing. We can give you all wool suits and overcoats from $3.00 to $5.00 cheaper than any other concerns. Duvall & Lundy. 15 to 60 per cent off every boot find shoe in the house of over SIO,OOO worth at the Chicago Bargain Store.

Big Jump For Poultry.

Pullins Brothers, of the Iroquois Poultry Farm, in Barkley Tp., had in town on Thursday morn ing a coop of nine fine spring chickens which were started on the longest journey that any Jasper county birds ever took. They are to go to Para, Brazil, in South America, and far beyond the equator, and where it is now the dead of winter, so far as they have have any winter in that tropical region. There were six barred Plymouth Rocks and three white Plymouth Rocks, in the shipment, of which three were roosters and six pullets, and all fine spring birds. They were photographed at Parker’s before sending away. G. L. Lewis, the machinist expert who is setting up the big Sternberg dredge, is taking the birds down there as a present to a friend. He expects to return there in a short time and is now sending the birds to Toledo, Ohio, his former home, and they will rest there until he gets ready to start for the far south.

The Pullins Brothers are getting quite a menagerie out at their place east of the Pullins bridge, their present most interesting feature be ing a baby elk, born to their pair of adult elks on Jane 12th y bqt which until the last few days has been kept hid in the brush by the mother, and only lately began to venture into sight. They are usually to be seen in the evening along about six or seven o’clock, but keep in the underbrush during the heat of the day. They also have three deers, and expect an addition to the deer family before long. ~ Besides these they have a brood of genuine wild turkeys, the eggs from which they were hatched, coming from West Virginia. These wild turks as well as their expected baby deer are intended to be ex hibited at the coming poultry show here next winter.

Nothing In Dead Horse Story.

A story starting from Hammond is being published to the effect that the carcass of a horse was found under one of the wrecked cars, north of Fair Oaks, and that presumably that striking the horse caused the wreck. A reputable citizen of Rensselaer was right on the spot when the wrecked cars were pulled out Wednesday and he says there is nothing whatever in the dead horse story.

Judge Wiley to Try Celebrated Case.

Judge U. Z. Wiley, of the Appellate court, and formerly judge of the Benton, Jasper and Newton circuit has consented to preside in the hearing of the SIO,OOO libel suit brought by 8. B. Lowe against Col. A. C. Voris, of Bedford, set for trial Monday at Paoli. The appointment of Judge Wiley is acceptable to both sides and there is every reason to believe that the trial will now proceed. The suit grows out of the celebrated Sarah Schafer murder case.

Have you noticed the crowds at the biggest sale of real value ever in town. July 14 to July 28th at the Chicago Bargain Store A ten cent social will be given Friday afternoon, at the residence of Mrs. Allic Porter, across the river for the benefit of the Baptist church. Everybody invited. Nothing spasmodic about the Wildberg Sale; the best stock in Northern Indiana to be sold out at less price than has been known for years. Come in and see the ladies shoes good stylessl.so to $2.50 for SI.OO, walking $2.50 and $3.00 for $1.50. Boys SI.OO to 1.50 heavy leather sole canvas shoes for 50 cts. Chicago Bargain Store. ■ • Our fall samples of tailoring are nowin, they are composed of fine all wool worsted in all the nobby pat* terns. A fit is guaranteed or no sale.. Duwll & Lundy.

HOUSE ENTERED AND MONEY STOLEN.

Another new sensation to disturb the equanimity of ouy people came to light Tuesday afternoon. It was a case of honse breaking in which the house breaker got away with the goods. The victims of the robbery were Mr. and Mrs Abe Simpson, whose residence is on Cherry street, in the northeast part DTtown.

The robbery occured some time between one and two o'clock in the afternoon, but was not discovered until some hour later. Mrs. 1 Simp son went out with Mrs. J. C. Passons, to ride up to see the 1 big dredge. She locked all the doors carefully and deposited the key of the front door in an accustomed hiding place outside, for Mr. Simpson, when he came back which he did about two o’clock. After Mrs. Simpson, came back she had occasion to use a little change and looked on a bureau where she had left a little but found it gone. Then she looked in a drawer where they regularly kept their money, and found it all gone as vel as $3 50 left in another place. A heavy gold ring, the property of their son Charley, was also missing.

A few old coins of small denominations, and two 10 cent war time “shin plasters,” kept as curiosities, were not taken. Neither was a gold watch belonging to Mrs. Simpson nor a silver one belonging to Abe. From which it is evident that the thief was enough of a professional to avoid carrying away anything which could afterwards be easily identified. The amount of cash He found was $19.50, in all. The sum though not very large was all the ready money they had left to carry them over to the next pension day, Abe beingino longer able to work; and they feel the loss quite severely.

Investigation showed that the thief had got into the house by raising a window, the only one which was left unfastened. It was a side window, and visible from the street, though few persons pass that way at that time of day. There is another house just over the fence, but just now it is vacant. The thief evidently left through the back yard, as the chicken park gate had been forced open and the chickens let out, the hinge being broken.

There is no reliable clue to the thief, further than that a stranger evidently a bill distributor, sat under a tree, across the street, when Mrs. Simpson left the house, and saw her go away.

i However Abe thinks some party more familiar with the locality got away %ith his cash.

No old stocks carried over. But new, nobby and up-to date suits and overcoats will be on hand Aug. Ist. We invite you all to call and inspect our lines. Dunall & Lundy. Clearance discounts in all de partments at the G. E. Murray Co.’s big store. Don’t forget— We clean, press and repair any suits or overcoat s we sell FREE of charge. Duvall & Lundy. For Sale-Eight hundred “Homer pigeons,” all young, large asd healthy. Reason for selling am going to leave state. Address M. Baugh, 202 Russell street, (West) Lafayette, Indiana.

Lawn Social.

The members of the Christian Endeavor Society of the Christian Church will give an ice cream social on the lawn at the residence of Rev. G. H. Clark on north Van Rensselaer St., on Thursday evening July 26th, 1906, Everybody welcome. Come and have a good time. Committee. * Parker does framing.

About Kankakee Drainage and Marsh Hay.

Farmers says the Chicago Journal, along the Kankakee river have gone into the.trust basting business. They have joined a movement for the draining of the Kankakee marshes. They intend to make the marshes into fertile farms. Oa these farms they plan to grow potatoes, corn and other valuable products. And that means the death of the marsh “hay trust,” which will be put out of the way without help from president Roosevelt.

For scores of years the Kankakee river bottoms have produced nothing but marsh hay. This hay is not good for feed, but there is a ready market for it among glass and queens ware manufacturers, use it for packing their One grade of hay grown in the marshes is called “rope” and ig used by pipe manufactures as core, making the hole in the pipe stem during the process of casting.

The farmers along the Kankakee both in Illinois and Indiana, endeavored for many years to get the water off their land and grow profitable crops, but without result. The Kankakee river, which has been called the eroockedest stream in the world, refused to carry the water away. So the farmers had to be content to cut the]marsh hay and sell it for the best price they could get. Horace Marble, a Wheatfield, Ind., banker, saw the value of the hay. He bought it from the farmers for a low price and sold it to the business men who used it for packing for a high price. He started a bank and loaned the farmers money, generally getting an option on the next hay crop as part of his interest Gradually he controlled the Kankakee valley hay output and came to be called the king of a * hay trust.”

The farmers were paid from $3.50 to $4 a ton for their hay, above half the price of timothy. They had to cut and bale it and deliver it for shipment. The majority of the farmers were in debt, with no prospect of getting out, but were going further in, Two years ago some Indiana farmers started a movement to make their farms something more than marsh: Jeremiah Smith, a government surveyor, in 1834 tried to find the level of the marshes, but reported to Washington that it’was impossible to drain them. He called the Kankakee a Styx, but the farmers diden’t think he knew it all. They sent to Washington, to the department of Agriculture, and asked for aid. M. H. Downey and Prof. C. G. Elliott investigated the marshes for the bureau and said it would be possible to shorten the course of the Kankakee and lower its bed so that the crooked stream would drain the marshes and leaee the land dry for cropraising purposes.

The farmers took heart. The price of marsh land went up and companies were formed. One company bought 23,000 acres from Nelson Morris of Chieago. The farmers organized and raised the money for straightening the river. The crooks were cut out and the bed was lowered. In one place a dredge reduced the length of the stream from forty-five to 16.92 miles. Soon in Starke and Laporte counties, Indiana, the water disappeared and fine crops took the place of the marsh hay. Porter and Jasper (counties then got the water from Starke and LaPorte counties. The farmers of Porter aud Jasper met and decided to keep up the dredging work. Marble head of the “hay trust,” owned much land in these counties and he is said to have protested at a meeting against the improvemen work. But the farmer decided to go ahead. Now more dredges and morelaboreis are on the way to the Kankakee marshes to reclaim thousands of acres oi land which have for many years been the chief asset as the “hay trust.”