Semi-weekly Express, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 27 March 1896 — Page 2
RAILROAD AFFAIRS.
WILLIAM R. M'KEEN, JR., TO RECEITE A ME KITED PROMOTION.
ka General Foremuu He is to Have Charge of Every Department of the Vandalia Shops.
Notice will be given in a few days that Win. R. McKeen, Jr., new master car burider of the Vandalia, has been appointed to the position of general foreman at the siiops. Heretofore his jurisdiction has 'been limited, but with the ehainge there will be no department over which he h-as not complete control. This fajct will cause many to wonder what is to become of one or two other officials, ilr. M'cKeen's promotion will be made from the office of W. C. Arp, superintendent c/f motive power. When Mr. M'oKeen entered the railroad business he went to the Den-ivlwen shops, where the present superintendent of motive power was at that time engaged. The association there,, as well as the instruction received, makes Mr. McKeen a valuable man under Mr. Arp, who recognises no meih-cd except that practiced in all Pennsylvania shops. The pew general foreman will likely give his first attention to the machine and engine 'department. It 1?. a' well known fact that until recently many of the Vamdalia's engines were in.a. d-eploralble condition. Some, whale y«t- in service, were in a condition that ts-hould -have gent thern to the shops. The htavy business the road was doing, however, made this impossible and 'they were patched up and prfessed into service. Mr. McKeen will give his entire attention to this department until everything Is in condition. It Is understood the general iforeman wi'u have authority a'bove everybody in the motive power department except the superintendent.
This chantge is likly what induced Mr. McKeen to change his mind about leaving the Vandalia and going to the BrociU'S 'Machine Works. It is sure he was off ere the position and seriously considered it.
POVERTY DROVE HIM.
Indianapolis Paper Confirms Forger Miller's Pitiful Story. (Despite the suspicions of the police and the broadcast manner in which John Miller has succeeded in strewing forged chec!ks over the country, investigation confirms the prisoner's story that he is a novice In the art. His claim that he has a wife and children living in Indianapolis proves to be true and the appearance of his family !s suf-ficient-proof of his claim that poverty flrove him to crime. In telling the Story of the forger's career at the capital, the Indianapolis Journal of yesterfiay prints the following:
The German giving the name cf John Miller, who passed a number of forged checks in this city recently, was arrested in Terre Haute yesterday by .'Detectives Dwyer and MoRae. He confessed that he is the man W.ho forged the tbree checks described in yesterday's Journal. The name of C. E. Reynolds was forged to t'wo of these, one of which was accepted at the store of W. J. Eisele, 42 West Washington street, and the other, for $14, at J. R. Shearman's bicycle ptore, 44 North
Pennsylvania avenue. The
third one was for $24.50, and was accepted by W. O. Saffell of 7 and 9 Madison avenue. This one was alleged to be signed by T. 1M. Hervey. The checks tvere shown to be rank forgeries when presented at the bank, for they did not sven bear resemblance to the signatures of the men whose names appeared on them. Miller further added in his confession that 'he had passed so many checks in Indianapolis that he could not give the total value of them. His wife and four children are now at 291 Kentucky avenue. The family came to Indianapolis about two .months ago. He claims to be a decorator and paper hanger, is about SO years of age and has a German accent. He asserts that his mother, Mrs. Mary Pretz of 1613 Fifty-first street, Chica $ is worth about $20,000.
Miller had a watc.h and a ring in his possession which 'he secured by his forgeries In this city. He has written to his wife 'here, asking her to hunt up the forged checks. He sent a telegram to his -mother, asking iher to come to his rescue. He thinks that by making good the amounts he secured by the for°-°r-les, he will escape trials in the courts/
Miller's wife was seen by a Journal reporter last night at her home, 291 Kentucky avenue. She is a comely little •woman, t«i or three years' her husbands junior. She told a straightforward story that was convincing in its simplicity and candor. She was evidentJy expecting to hear bad news concerning her husband. Monday morning he left home, telling her that he would make another effort to get employment. Since then 6he has learned nothing from him. If he wrote to 'her from Terre PaU 'lfc^»had
not
received his letter
aast .ingT.i, 'She could scarcely believe the reports of the forgeries and said that if her hus'band had been guilty of such a crime he must have committed it at a time when he was n'ot altogether In his right mind. Lately he has been much depressed, because of his inability to earn enough money to provide*for his family. "When Miller failed to return home his neighbors connected him with the forgeries here and spoke of their fears to (Mrs. Miller.
A short time ago, she says, her husband decided to move to Indianapolis from Chicago, thinking he might be able to obtain employment at his trade. For the last six months he has had nothing to do and -was utterly penniless when he moved his family here. Mrs. Miller says she sold her furniture to get money to pay the railroad fare. They rented the house on Kentucky avenue, paying a few dollars down. Her husband bought a little furniture—two beds, a few chairs and a table—on time. Last week she had to pawn her dress in order to make a payment on the furniture, as it was a'bout to be taken from them. Mrs. Miller says her husband had been low spirited and despondent as a result of their poverty. They have four children, a boy of 4 and three girls, the eldest 7 years old. Last week the little boy was ill and they were too poor to employ a physician or buy him proper food. "I didn't even have money to buy him a pint of milk." his mother said. The •bare floors of the four rooms of the little cottage, and the scantiness with which they are furnished, attest the extreme poverty in which (Miller's wife End children have been Jiving. For several days, until she received another payment on the furniture she sold in Chicago. Mrs. Miller says there was barely enough food in the house to keep them alive.
Mrs. 'Miller says her husband has never been In trouble before. She was greatly worried at the reports concerning him. She does not believe that her (husband's mother .will be able to do
anything for her Bon as she has nothing except an estate left by her late husband, which is now tied up to the probate court at Chicago.
ATE HER GARTERS.
Sadie Uartinot's Testimony About Her Missing Asset. Sadie Martinot, who is in her last week of a three weeks' engagement at the American Theater, enjoyed the latest fad of actresses yesterday by being examined in supplementary proceedings in the Supreme Court under an unpaid judgment of Albert F. James for $440.40. Sadie, who iB off the Stage Mrs. Max Figman, was examined about a year ago in the same case, and told of having a pair of garters with diamond buckles. Lawyer George R. Ely, who appears for the judgment creditor, did not try to have a receiver appointed to get them away from her, but he had them «in his eye when -he 'began the present examination, says the New York Sun. .The judgment was for wearing apparel. The actress was elegantly attired and posed as if the oares of debt were not disturbing. She had come to court with iLawyer A. H. Hummel in a carriage that figured in a judgment subsequently entered against her in the 'same court. When asked her name she replied: "Mrs. Max Figman, and I might as well say now that I am dead broke."
She smiled at Lawyer Hummel to see if that was all right, and, getting a smile and nod of approval in return, she clasped her hands in her lap and was ready for the next questions. Lawyer Ely hesitated, and she went on: "I haven't a dollar except what is necessary for my 'support. There is absolutely nothing which I own that you can attach."
In answer to questions she' said that she is starring in Boucicault's "Shaughraun," and is getting $150 a •tveek, all of which she needs for her support. She is stopping at the Hoffman House. "I understand," said the lawyer in a confidential way, "that you had a pair of garters with diamond buckles some time ago, have you got them yet?"
The actress heaved a sigh as she leaned back, crossing her legg, and said: "I lunched on them one day." "Yon don't mean that you swallowed them?" 'he persisted.
MOh,
no. I wanted luncheon one day
and I did not have the money to pay for it. I got the luncheon, but somebody else got my garters."
She told Lawyer Ely that she would pay when times got better, and that it was out of the question to save on what she was getting. Oh, yes, of course, she had other creditors. It was no use asking about them. They also would be paid, she ran on. One of those creditors was iMr. Hummel, whom she owed for services and also as the agent for Stephenson & Yard:ey, English authors, about $3,000 for royalties on the play "The 'Passport." "All wilt be paid some day," she said.
John A. Garver, an assignee of J. B. Brewster & Co., took judgment against her yesterday for $284.36 for the repairing and storage of two carriages from June, 1S91, to February, 1892. She let this judgment go by default.
A NEW CLAIMANT.
A California Woman After Millionaire Davis' Estate. 'Butte, Mont., March 26.^-Something o£ consternation was thrown into the camp of the numerous heirs' and claimants of the Davis millions last night when Attorney M. J. C&vanaugh filed a petition in the district court in behalf of Mrs. Huldah Queen-Davis, otherwise known as Huldah Snell of Kern county, Cal., asking for the revelation of the oldest will, layiug claim to the whole estate of many millions, alleging that she is the surviving wife of the dead millionaire. Davis was not known to have been married, and his relatives here laughed at the claims of the California woman when first heard, about a year ago. The petition makes her claim serious, however. She alleges that she was married to Davis August 15, 1S42, in Carroll county. Ark., and was his lawful wife until his death in Butte, March 14, 1890. Two children were born to them, she says-'-one May Isabelle, now 'Mrs. Isabelle Morrow of Fresno, Cal., and the other Laura Annie Calhoun, living in San Francisco.
The petitioner asks that all the property no,w in the hands of the administrators be divided among them according to law, by which she is entitled to onehalf and each of her daughters to onefourth. After their marriage Davis went to California, and his wife heard he was dead and married again. Later she moved to California and met him again. Mrs. Calhoun, one of the daughters, is the mother of Eleanor Calhoun, the actress, now in Paris.
Five contests of the 'alleged will of Andrew J. Davis are now on. Tomorrow is the last day for filing congests. The wn'testa.rts so far on reteord are Eliza Bowdoin df Springfield, Mass., Diana Davis of Somerset, Conn., Calvin P. Davl's oif Seibastcpol, Cal., Huld'a Snell of Kern county, Cal., the latter claiming to lie the widow of the dead millionaire. The most formidable contest is that of Eliza A. Smith, instituted today. She alleges that the -will of 1866 was a forgery and that It wa.s contested by Henry A. Root, Harriet Sheffield of Massachusetts, Henry A. Davis of Nelw York and Sarah Maria Cunvmings cf Ware, MaS3. The case resulted in a mistrial, after which the petitioner states that the contestants entered into a conspiracy wih the heir, John A. Davis, to divide the estate among themselves and defraud the other heirs. The petitioner wants one-t wenty-sefoond o:f the estate. Saturday, April 4th, is set as the day for hearing the petition.
A DOZEN MEN WOUNDED.
Frfe-For-All Fight lu Franklin Connty Cause Death.
Rushville, Tnd., 'March 26.—As the result of a free-for-all ifight across the line in Franklin county last night in which knives and pistols were used, nearly a dozen men were wounded. Henry Wilson and Samuel Templeton were rivals for the same girl and 'this led to the fight when the men met at a dance. Charles Bolster andvHenry Wilson may die.
Malt-Nntrine Victorious.
St. Louis, March 26.—The plaintiff In the suit against Anheuser-Busch Brewing Association -for infringement on the name "Nutrine," which they are wing on «heir Malt extract has withdrawn the suit. Anheuser-Busch's Mait-Nutrine is the purest malt extract on the'market, a great tonic and is 'having enormous sales.
Mark Twpin Recovered.
London Hereto 26.—Newe has b*en received her® that Mark Twain ha» completely recovered his health and that be sailed yesterday firora Bombay for Mauritius and Capetown. He ha§ sold the copyright of new-wart.
MVCTTi?T? FIT? MTTDTiFT?
A VERY PECULIAR STORY OF SOMNAMBULISM AND ITS DILEMMA.
How the Awfal Discovery Was Made—The Law Conld Mot Send the Ouilty Man to Punishment.
posed, falling on me,
some
Tom, my
'And how I d^d yell,
three times, and
And
himself.
,.v ,»
1A Washington Star writer is in receipt of a letter duly stamped, bearing the postmark of Eden, 111., dated December 18th, written on a typewriter and unsigned: Evidently the writer of the letter knows the newspaper man, as the letter will show, but the newspaper man is absolutely at a loss to determine who the letter writer Is. Neither ift he sure that the letter was written by a person in Eden, 111., inasmuch as it is easy to mail a letter at any point, however remote the writer may be from illeness from catarrhal troubl that point. In any event, the writer will 'Mr. Xr&ngford
rive thfe letter for what it is worth,
and let it go at that. It is as follows: "iMy Dear Friend—You will no doubt be surprised to receive this letter, and you will- no doubt wondeV from whom it comes and why I should have written it to you, but therfe are reasons why I should write as-i do, and 1* think the writing of it may foe of assistance to me in extricating me from a painful dilemma. The facts in the case are as herein stated. "About siS months ago fny office partner, a young man of unusual ability and character and associated ^vith me as a friend and partner for seven years, Visited a town of considerable importance in an adjoining county on business for the -firm. He remained there a week or ten days, attending to the matter so successfully that our profits in the transaction were in the neighborhood of $5,000. (He was stopping at the best hotel in the town, which at the time was full of guests, owing to an influx of visitors attending a fair or convention, or something of that kind, and on the third night of his stay a man was murdered in his 'bed in a room on the third floor, my partner occupying a room on •the floor 'below.
The Murdered Man.
'The murdered man had evidently been smothered to death or choked and apparently for the purpose of robber^, for n'othing of value was found in the room. The door of the room was unlocked, Taut it was evident tha the murderer had come in through a window opening onto a shed, from the roof of which a ladder reached to the ground at the rear, a distance of only a few feet, as the hotel was situated on sloping ground. The night was Warm and the window was up, thus inviting the marauder to 'his ugly work. Of course, there was great excitement the hotel and in the entire town, and the police made the most diligent efforts to find some clew upon which to act, but their efforts were entirely futile, and beyond one or two suspicious circumstances and a detention of one or two suspects nothing could 'be done, and the affair is now merely waiting its own solution, unless by a strange fatality or whatever you may call it am in posessison of the true facts in the case. "Aimonig the most active in the search for the murderer was my partner, tfoait kind of wortc being in our line, my partner (being one of the most skillflul in such work that I have ever known, and I have known them all. SAnlce the murder he has 'been devCting some cf his spare time to unraveling the case, but enitirely on the quiet, and recently he has been giving his n'lights to i't. Ten days ago, when I retired on Monday night at 11, I 3e'ft .him poring over a diagram elf the tote'.l floor, with all.the points cf importance marked in red ink. At 1 o"clock I was awakened by a noise in my partner's room, "Whi'dh adjoins mine, and called to him. "Receiving no answer to several calls, I went to eee what ^vas wrong and found him c-n his .hands and knees in his bed, clutching the 'bolster und^r him and apparently choking the Me out of it. It was so ludibroU'S th'-ait I fairly shouted, but he kept on a't his. work, and then it occurred to me that he was asleeip. I soon 'found that he was and, after comsidera'ble shaking, I g"ot h'Lm aiwake. Then we 'bot'h had a laugh over it and I made him go to bed, ajfter a le'cfture on nerves and the nervous system and the necessity of proper rest. Two nights la'ter he was do tog the same thing again and after the third time I gave him a dose of bromide and sent him to bed beifore I retired.
Stragling His Roommate.
"Three nights ago he went to bed before I did and he was snoring peacefully when I turned to. He was well, too, for we had received 'ttwo important co™mission's and we needed all the strength we had to carry 'them to a swvessiful finish. At or atoout 2 o'clock I was
aw-aikened
by
a
heavy weight, as
1jmp
posed, falling on me, I thought
,and
QT1„
knQW
was dreaming, but Ln utastamU. Icnaw
that somebody was at my Uiroat and
that I had
figh S
would be a
*ead
who my assailant
d,ark
"^_
ifl
as pitch in the and I had^no^
was.
tfoe conclusion of it "was
and still is that my partner 'is on the chase for himself in that hotel killing. I'm sure he killed that man in- his sleep, and killed himT"because, as it happened, the doors of "the other rooms were locked, and he simply wandered into the first room he could get into. I know it, but I cannot tell my suspicions, a.nd it would do no good if I did, for he doesn't know anything of it, and there I am. Now, what would you do? The
SALOONS LESSENING.
Ell Bitter Says Two-Thirds of the Townships Have None. Special to tha Express.
TERRE HAUTE EXPRESS, FRIDAY MORNING, MARCH 27,1896.
ending out jdst-whaittne Niclioi®iil&w
MI&IJ&JIX Ui? MUilliriil has done. Of the results of the investigation Attorney E. F. Bitter sayB: For twenty-five years the number of saloons in this 6tate went steadily up.
But since the passage of the Nicholson law the case has "been different. They have steadily decrease^
rSome
coun
ties .have cleaned the saloons out entirely, while others 3iave*#riven them into the oounty seats. In Indianapolis alone there are sixty saloqns less than there was two years ago. The coming campaign -will be a strong one against the saloons in 'Indiana. The wdr is oh, don't you forget It. The saloon may cry peace, but there is no peace."
FOUR SCORE YEARS.
Ira R. Langford Ends a Long and Useful Life. Ira Langford of 300 North Fifth street died at 4 o'clock yesterday after a pro-
was 80
years
of
was one of the pioneers of
.age and
Terre Haute.
When he oame to Terre Haute to any years ago he worked at the carpenter trade. He aided ift the construction of many of the older houses and has been identified with the growth from an un important Village to a large and pros perous city. He was a man who was highly esteemed and the sorrow at this death is far from being confined within the* circle of'his own relatives. Hii kind, genial disposition made him pop uiar and his sterling worth- as a man during his days of active dusiness life made him friends who "have watched his decline with feelings of deep regret, during the past decade.
Mr. Langford was a pioneer member of the Presbyterian Church and of the Masonic order of this city and the funeral services will be under the auspices of the Knig'Kt Templar degree of the Masons, Sunday afternoon. The funeral sermon will be preached by the Rev. R. V- Hunter, after Which the remains will be deposited in the family vault at Woodlawn cemetery.
Ira t/angforcf Was born June 29, 1816 in Albemarle county, Virginia. He first learned the, carpenter's trade and re moved from Kentudky to Illinois. Later he came to this city where- he was one of t'he pioneer citizens. -iDuring the war he was route mail agent on the Big Four railroad. In 1877 =he purchased of Oliver Bartle'tt the book'blndery that was then located in the fbuildAhg at Fifth and Ohio streets now occupied by the Glohe (Printing office^- He conducted this business until the Call of 1879, when he sold out to Gus •Conzra-syn, who h&d been employed in the bindery for 'twto years. The business was then conducted under the firm name, $f Conzman, I-Iebb & Brennan, who removed the office to the rooms over Button's book store afterwards occupied by the Wisely bindery. 'Mr. Langford was m&rried about thlrtyJfive years ago to Mrs. Mary F. Holden, who still survives him. Two elstera are also living, Mrs. Mary Burton of St. Louis, and Mrs. 'Sarah Braden of Kansas, 111. A niece, Mrs. William H. Reeves of Liberty avenue, was raised' in Mr. Langford's home.
Since a boy (Mr. Langford has been a member of the Presbyterian Church and for many years an honored member of the Terre Haute lodge -No. 19, F. and A. M. and Terre Haute commandery, No. 16, of the Knights Templar.
THE FLAG WASN'T UP.
And Now Governor Altgeld and Others Are Under Indictment Ohalmpaign, 111., Marcfh 26.—Governor Jotm P. Altgeld and the entire board of trustees of t'he University of Illinois Were indicted by the Champaign grand jury today for alleged neglect or refusal to compday with- tiWe law requiring the American flag bo be displayed over ititoe university buildings. The flag has been displayed from t'he flagpole In front of military hall but not from the separate buildings.
What Governor Aitgeld Says. Springfield, 111., (March 26.—Governor Altgeld received his information about the indrotment by the Champaign oountty grand jury from a reporter.
The governor said: "If such a thing has been done it only ^holws that there are some very small,:' narrow people over there. Of. the board oif trustees nine are elected by the (people, the other three being the governor, superintendent of puibli'c ins^riitftion and the president of the state board of agricul ture. The state's attorney of Champaign county, who profbalbly secured the indictment, cares nothing'.1 about the trustees and prt^albly iwaited to strike the governor, thinking jt would foe good politics to do so. The- 'fla.g prolbaJbly has been kept flying above the institution most of the time. If any one had felt aggrieved he could have called the attention of the president of the univer
si ty to the failure. I have taken a deep
interest in the university and been very
Qf lt
.he had meat a gr^t^vantage, and the first thing I iating and tends to hold the trustees 'throat out of his clutches and ye91 for ^nfh^nJniv6rsity
twice
the
then
become one of the
gfeatest instHutioTle of
the kind in
America. The people otf Champaign
county feel a. like initerest in it and it is
a &rand jury
posed of citizens of that county should
up Tidfcule. Its
effect will be, if it has any effect, in-
jU,rious to the Institution. I should
be sorry to see
hands feeling for my throat .relaxed, ana ed or injured by any such petty action. The governor and trustees of the university can stand lit if tine people of
right over me Tom's voice, stammerin and half-awake, oame with: *Wh-wh-wh-what do you want? Is that you, Fred? What's the matter?' and! then •he laughed and began to swear at himself like a pirate, and went back to his own bed, and I heard him snoring within ten minutes- But there wasn't any snoring for me. I was doing some tall thinking.
,the institution discredit-
Champaign county can."
TRIED TO LYNCH HIM.
Fresno pastor who Mftdfl Charges About Fresno Girls. Fresno, Cal., March 26.—An attempt was made this evening to lynch Johnston, the minister, who, a few mights ago charged from the pulp!t that twoth'irds of the girls of Fresno were ruined before they arrived at the age of 14. Officers rescued him from an angry mob and he is now under the protection of the sheriff. Johnston came here a few days agoand had been conducting revival meetings up to the
am time he made the charge against the law"can't^send*him"to"the"' gallows, the Fresno girls from, the pulpit. penitentiary or the lunatic asylum, for Receivers Report Filed. he has committed no crime and IH .. swear he isn't crazy. So what Is to be Indianapolis, Mar done. Tours in grave doubt." kins and E. P. Hustoq, recovers of the
The reporter is no expert in matters ?eo,ria'' ^^tur & f.1"*! of this kind, but he would suggest that
this peculiar somnambulist have a
flled
the,lf.
ruafy
wI'thIt
the
Peciiiar somnamouast nave a shows the refeipts for Feb-time-lock put on his bed room door
1
Indianapolis, March 25.—Two-thirds of the townships of the big state of Indiana are now without saloons, according to advices received by the officials of the Good Citizens' League, who have been exploring the state's every nook Vness^like manner jrtwj ?orqer matt Jor-A^e purpose of discharged fcer duii«fc
United States clerk this
5* «ky -ras
set to ooen at 9 a when evervbodv *uary to have been $102,7«5.83, the dis7 W 7 7 1 8 3 0 9 9 3 9 8 1 1 to a re in the house is up and able to defend
oursem aL3
±ha di«-
ceipts since the receivership -began have been $2,446,839.09. The reports show cash on hand at the time of filing the report, $10,007.31.
Settlement of an Estate.
The settlement of the estate of Joseph Blake, who died about a year ago, was completed yesterd-ay and* the administrator was discharged by the court. Mrs. Mary C. Blake, wife, was the admin is tratrux, and'the woman Is highly complimented, for the prompt and busim, which she has (Ph»-
IN POLITICS FOR FUN.
-"ci
HOW NKW TORE'S POLITICAL LEADER FINDS EXCITJSKfcSt.
His Vast Acquaintance and How He Holds its Frlendsh p— A Man Who Controls a Powerful Machine.
in
Seated in a high banked arm oihair his office a)t 49 Broadway, New York, Thcen&s C. Pla'tt was chatting about politics with a Republican leader when the latter suddenly said: "What on earth are you In poK'tltes Pot, Plat't You manifest no ambition for offifce, except for its bestowal upon others, and you devote a vast dead time to the game. What is your elb ject?"*
of
The boss Of the Empire state Republ.!can party gazed out of the window for a moment and then answered: "I do it more for ainuaemenit than for anything else. I am beyond, having any personal ambitions, you know Yes," he aMed with a smile, "ft amuses me, and I like'the excitement it iaiffords."
Though In poli'tpcs only for fun, Mr. Piatt wields more power in the RepUElltoari' party oif New York than any man who ever lived, not forgetting Conkltog. Tt would be difficult to imagine the same end attained by more opposite methods than the methods of Mr. OonkQiiftg and those of Mr. Piatt. Conkling imperiolis, arroga.n t, masterful in temperament, awaying his party by the Smpe/tuous force which overrode all resistance, Piatt, silent, gentle of manner, soft af speech, coldly persistenit under Reverses, goes around obstacles and leaves them Isolated and impotent. Yet Piatt himself is almost unseen and un heard. On a brisk political day ipo'll tSciatiis are seen in throngs in his ante room or seated like customers in a bar ber shop, along the walls of his inner office awaiting the call for "next." Mr Piatt sees all theie me in, sees every botdy who 'calls to see hJm and answers every letter that coimes to httn, and that requires an answer, although hi's per sonal mail is said to he larger than that of any other man in'New York. Therein lies one of the secrets off his power— a vastly wide acquainltaWce and everybody in all the oirteles impressed with some friendly attention from Mr. Plat't, am attention rairtgimg all the way from a kind reception to a suibStanttal advancement offiv'f&rred with a sense df appreciative favors- yet to come, says the Chicago Chroriltele.
He is first and 'aibove all things a stu deint of human nature, ife Mr. Ptatt. He beigan it away haick in the time when he was county clerk of Tioga county, clerk cf t'hfe county and c'lerk of the ccur.t at the same time, for the one office involves the other. That Wals iroamy years ago, for he was -in his twenties then, whereas .now he is a man of 62— a young man1 of 62, to Ibe sure, but none the less 62. "A man," he said, speaking of ^hls period of his life, "who is a county and court clerk in the country can 'build up a wide and valuable acquaintance if he is at all shrewd, and has good sense to go with his shrewdness. All he has to do is to be a little friendly and obliging—ready to accommodate people and put himself out of the way for them."
This is the keynote of his political life, and he struck it all those years badk when ,he was the brl§k, active, obligijig young clerk of Tioga. The office furnished the raw material in the shape of men to get acquainted with, and he supplied the shrewdness and the good sense. The product turned and was of vote making power. In the same silent, unostentatious way that he has drept in the first place of political influence in his native state he became a political power in his native country long before anybody knew he had been reaching out for the elements of that force.
His First Political Campaign. The first exhibition that old political war horses had of Mr. Piatt's real strength was in that memorable contest when Giles W.'Hotchkiss was a candidate before the Republican convention for the nomination for congress. The district then consisted of the counties of Tioga, Broome, Tompkins and Schuyler, and the vote in the convention of (Broome
and
Schuyler was exactly offset
by the vote of Tioga and Tompkins. Mr. Hotchkiss was a man of splendid character and made a good congressman, but he had been in congress several successive terms, and Mr. Piatt and some others in Tompkins and Tioga counties thought it was time for a change. Bo they produced Milo W. Goodrich as a candidate. Mr. Piatt led the Goodrich forces. The convention was tle'd—eleven votes from Broome and Schuyler against eleven votes from Soga
and
Tompkins. Over 2,000 ballots
were talken. 'Neither side would yield an inch. The deadlock seemed hopeless. iMr. Piatt had to go to Grand Rapids, Mich., on business, and the convention supplied a substitute to vote for him. When he got to Grand Rapids a despatch was awaiting
him-
1 told
£1"}
that neither Hitchkiss nor Goodrich had the nomination, but that he, Piatt, had been nominated.
Then there were rumors of sharp oractice. Mr. Piatt hurried home, forced the
reassembling
of: the conven
tion and positively declined the nomination Then the convention resumed where it had left off- Fifteen hundred more ballots were cast. The 'battle went on more doggedly until within three days of the election, and then Hotchkiss walked off with the prize. Piatt's attitude In the contest and the surprising personal strength he had developed made his own nomination at the expiration- of 'Mr.* Hotchkiss' term a foregone conclusion, and from thait day to this his hand has never been off the political machinery of the state.
Became a Senator.
Incidentally he reached the United States senate, but 'that was only an episode in the game of politics whioh he has played for the game's own sake until he has become t'he adept that he
The prizes In It are nothing to him compared with 'its absorbing excitement. It 4s 'the bread, meat and champagne of his existence. He sits'down to a political campaign as a master player sits down to chess. He does not shoot mor does he fish—except as a fisher of men. Of the theater he is moderately fond. He reads novels a good deal, and they fill in the time when he has finished with the newspapers. In addlition to the tremendous influence whioh tola connection with polRcal affairs Oms given him, Mr. Piatt has a magnetism peculiarly his own. He does Aot look it, but he has. Hia face Is a cold, almost forbidding, one In •repose. Its lines are lines of concentration. sternness, almost. He Is thin, pale and bloodless to appearance. He dresses neatly, but somberly. There is an aJbsohite lack of wfcat is called heartiness in either Ma presaooe or his man* ner. But it is when- (he meets one wfaorn he wishes to gain that the mystery of feia wirmJruc aomr with men 9jS
eiit.' The cold sternness of his face vanishes. The cold face fairly beams welcome and there is a hint of dignified deference of manner toward the stranger that subtly flattering.
Physically not a strong man, the life of clock]Ike regularity he leads would be a nec»?£ity even were it-not to his taste. Every morning at 6:30 he is up, and every morning at 7:30 he is at breakfast. Nine o'clock every morning finds him at his desk in the express oompany's offices. Oh the way doVMi town he reads the mofniDg papers find an the way uptown he Wads the eVeniftg papers. That is all the time he needs or tfan spare to keep himself abreast with the events of the day. He dines between & and 7, and after dinner goes, generally alone, for a walk, from which he returns between 9 and 9:30. At 11 o'clock he Is In bed. The (Platts have never maintained a private house in New York and for twelve years have made their home at the Fifth Avenue Hotel. \A1though IMr. Piatt is wealthy and is rapidly adding to his possessions, both he and Mrs. platt are very democratic in their tastes and modte of Jiving.
ARTHUR J. GOODWIN ARRESTED.
He Is Charged With Numerous Stealings and Ml Brainy. New York, March 26.—Arthur J. Goodwin, Who has a record as a defaulter dnd bigamist, has been arrested .in this city upon the specific charge of defaulting, on March 1 1895, with $1,250, which, he had collected for the ConUnental Oil Co., of Cripple Creek, whose agent he was, dn (September, 1S93, he was arrested in iSt. Louis, where he was put under $1,200 bonds. He forfeited his bail, however, and went to England, returning only a few days ago.
There is, besides, a standing charge of bigamy against the prisoner. He married on August 7, 1890, Miss Mamie Gallagher of this city. On November 21, 1893, he was marrier to Sadie O'Neil, in (Brooklyn. The second Mrs. Goodwin was with him when he went to Europe. He did not support her, however, and she returned.
The police have other records of Goodwin. They learned that in 1892, while he was a clerk in the employ of Perkins & Edwards, in this city, the collected $400 for them and absconded. Then he went to Brooklyn, where he worked as clerk for W. Spenoej- & Co., •real estate agents. lie stole $1,500 from them. He admits having taken the' money from the Continental Oil Co., and says when he jumped his bail in St. I/ouis he did so with the intention of going to England, where his grandfather had died, leaving him some money. He Intended to return a-nd pay back the money he had taken. (His share of the estate, he said, was $15,000. Goodwin is 'held to await extradition papers.
A DOUBLE ERRAND.
Illinois Man Comes to This-City For Wife aud Cork Leg. John L. Smith, a one-legged' sailor from Quincy, Til., came over to Terre Haute yesterday to get him a new oork leg and, a wife. After purchasing the cork pedad, he' took a stroll about 'the city and ln this rounds came -across Miss Clara Helen Colesoott, a buxom, blushing- damsel, who confesses being 29 years of age. The old sailor, who has passed his 51st birthday, was smitten with the face and form of Miss Colescott and wasted no time In letting iher know he would like to take a wife back into Suckerdom with his new cork leg. Clara Helen Colescott was fairly well pleased with what was left of the sailor and the cork improvement, which she regarded as a sure barrier against death •by drowning. She didn't ask a few days to reflect or refer her ancient flame to her mamma. iShe simply told him she was "his hollyhock" and he couldn't call the 'squire too quick for her. It "was a go," made as a quick as a sale from a bargain counter and a few hours •later Miss Clara Helen Colescott was Mrs. Clara -Helen Smith, the wife of John L. Smith, sailor. Abolit 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon Justice Bennett was called to the "home of the bride," on Poplar street, between First and Wa'ter, where the ceremony was performed. There was no cake, no cards, and the ceremony was witnessed by only a favored few of the bride's friends. The couple will leave,todAy for Quincy where they will make their home.
A PAYING INVESTMENT.
Values of the Properties Enhanced By Village Improvement. "The property owners of a village cannot make a better paying investment than in the maintenance of a well organized improvement society," writes John Gilmer Speed in April Ladies' Home Journal. "Through suoh a society the value of every piece of property in a village and the neighborhood thereof, may be enhanced in value village life may be made to .take on new interests and new dignities stagnation may be kindled into an exhilarating activity. L/et the people become interested in a village improvement society and they will soon 'begin to discuss plans and policies with a gratifying alertness. They will discuss how best to secure a public library they will talk over the ways and means of getting running water into the town they will argue over the best way of establishing a fire department they will study drainage and sanitation they will recognize the value of street lights when the moon is shining on
another
part of the world
and when t,hey vote on these questions they will vote with entire intelligence, and they will go away from the meetings refreshed by what they have heard and what they have done."
GENERAL HARRISON'S WEDDING.
The Ex-President Will Leave for New York Next Week. Special to The Express.
Indianapolis, March 26.—General Harrison and party will leave for "New York for his wedding with Mrs. Dimmick next' week. The only members of the party will be General Harrison, his private secretary and lOolonel D. M. Ransdell. Tihe guests will be very few and it ia doubtful if even members of the cabinet wijl "be invited. The wedding ceremony will be as simple as possible. It will be performed! in St. Thomas' Church at moon of April 6th. After the oeremony a wedding1 breakfast will be served at the home of Mrs. Dimmick and her sister, Mre. Parker, end the party will take the evening train on •the Pennsylvania for (Indianapolis, Superintendent Bender having tendered a private car for the Journey. General Harrison's children will mot attend the wedding.
The Matabel* Revolt.
Capetown, March 26.—The Sfatabele towns are rapidly preparing their defences and enrolling volunteers. An additional force will be sent from 'Buluwayo to Inserze and Gambo. It is thought strong and prompt measures .quell thfc tevolt,
A TAR'S TRIBULATION
SAILOR
or
THE WABASH IS TROUBLE WITH THE MATE.
A Colored Deck Hand Asked For "Qlu Money" and Got an Ax ln Place of It.
The arrival of the steamer P. Yank*shaiw from the south with a cargo dri corn, "Wednesday night, makes thing* lively along tlje river and gftve the residents of the river banks a sample the excitement of years ago, when Terra Hahfe was a boating town and a judicial inspection of deck hands was a part of tfae police couri programme each morning. It revives memories Of the past and the banks we.re lined with Old time fiver rats yesterday morukiK in hope the hliariiy would continue.
About 11 o'clock Wednesday bight &
1
negro walked into the police station and informed Clerk BLdcroan h« had eome up-from the South on the boat, where he had bsen ehrployed to "tote do'n and pack coal." He said after tht boat had landed he asked the captain for some money to get 'Mm a litfcte gin as a precaution against the "fever an' ager" and was referred to the mate. Said the disheartened deck hand, 'Stead oib giben' me any money he done took aftah me wid am ax an' be hit ifte Ih de sma' db de back, jist as I was runnin' down de gang plank." The negro gave the name o£ Lloyd Harris and wanted the police to go down acid make the mate give him some money or send him to jail. The clerk Informed him that the police department was not a collecting agency and told him tha his only redress was in swearing out a warrant against hie assailant.
The negro appeared at Justice Brown's court yesterday and caused a warrant to be issued for Clay Hays, who'he says struck him with the ax. Constables Mullen and Anderson were dispatched to the boat to serve the warrant, but Hays, hearing of their coming, was out of sight when they arrived. He crawled down In the bold oil the boat and remained there until the officers had left. The constables made a thorough search of the upper decks and the cabin, but never thought about going down in the damp, dirty old hull to seanch for a high ton^d mate of a steamboat. It was after the boat had steamed off down the river after another cargo of corn that the cohstabJes learned their man was in hiding In the hull. The boat will return from the South again tomorrow arid the officers expect to be at the wharf and land the if man as soon as the bow of the steamer touches the ban&s.
While the deck hand Was trying to have the laws of the great state of Indiama vindicated, he was incidentally makintg a desperate effort to get hl« pay for "hebin.' coal and to tin'
co'eu"
He swore out a capias for Captain Allen of the steamer and he was broU'gfoSt before Justice Brown,. The botut captain allowed judgment to be rendered against him and then appealed the ocuse to the Circuit Court. He b«d no trouble in giving the required appeal bond and a few moments later he was back to the boat and on his way down the river, leaving the colored deck han4 without either redress for being hit With the ax or pay for his work.
A NOVEL PETITION.
If Bolla Adamson Isn't Dead He'd Beit Mnrry Home. A peculiar petition has beeo Hied before -the judge of the Circuit Court by •Mr.. Lloyd H. Adamson of Prairie Creek township. The document asks for the appointment of an administrator for the estate of petitioner's sot* and the prayer is 'based on the belief that the eon is dead. The presentation of documents of this kind are very rare and this is the -first one known to have been presented »to the courts of VlgO county. The petition sets forth that his con, Holla Adamson, who was a resident of this county, left his home on or about the 6th of March, 1886, and has never returned. He says £he boy has not been heard from since September, 1890, and having no word from him, direct or Indirect, he has concluded the son is dead. Since 'Rolla has been heard from the sum of $287.67 has come to his deposit from t'he sale of his interest in certain real estate and the petition states he has made no provision for the distribution of the money among his heirs. In conclusion the petitioner states the money is badly needed for the support of the missing son's heirs and asks that an administrator be appointed to receive and distribute it to them.
A thorough Investigation will be mada and if no traoe of the son oan be found the petition will be granted. Young Adamson is well known in this county and is known to be of a roving disposition. Some think he is taking a jaunt over the country, neglecting to writ* •home, and will furnish a little romanc* by turning up in Terre 'Haute about the •time his relatives get through mourning him as dead and the adrrtiniitfratoi has finished the work of disposing oi the 5267.67 now to his creditrhere and which he probably "intended to use In defraying the expense bf the fatted caJi exercises when he becomes weary ol Western shucks and returns to his father's home.
NEW RECORD BOOK.
Criminal Record Book Number Six Will lie Discarded Today. •Deputy Clerk John Cleary yesterday opened a new criminal order book, No. 7, and now has it ready for use. The old criminal record book has been ln use since April 23, 1803, and, of course, contains a record of the criminal history of Vigo county for 'the past three years. The last entry in the volume to be discarded is an allowance of $20 made by the court to "(Big Georgie," who is ln jail pending trial for the murder ot her lover. The allowance was made for the purpose of furnishing the woman money to defray the expenses of witnesses she expects to call from a distance to testify in her behalf. As thera was but one witness to the tragedy there is muoh speculation as to what the defendant expects to accomplish by calling witnesses from abroad. Th« fact that the witnesses are to corns from her old home at mdianapohs glive rise to the suspicion that bes.des the claim that the shooting was •an accidental there will be an attempt made tt prove hereditary insanity.
Death of Mr.. Y. T. Winney. Special to The Kxpress. Brazil, March 26.—'Mrs. one of the most prominent Ud city, dropped dead at an ^.aj} a years of age a-1"1
wasL?
Tribe of Ben Hur,
& Lad'ei
the
Knights
t»e Order of
and the Daughters of Rebekah. a»J oarried policies to the amount o. In these order*,