The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-26
POLITICIANS SUICIDE.
The Romance and Tragedy or Wayne County's
Court House War.

MILFORD, Pa, June 23.-Some years ago
BENJAMIN II. Holgate a leading local politician
in Wayne County was defeated for the Demo-
cratic nomination for member OF the Legisla-
ture. He took the defeat so much to heart that
he attempted suicide by hanging. Tho attempt
was frustrated. Mr. HolRate had little to do
with politics for year or two. He then sought
another nomination. and was again disap-
pointed Some time afterward he WAS found
with his throat cut from ear TO ear. IL was
thought that he would die. but his wound heal
ell and he recovered. His mind was affected.
however. His friends placed him in the insane
asylum at Danvlle he was discharged in
short time. fully recovered. Since then he in
tcrested himself more or less in politics. In
1876 tho trouble over the now Court House be-
gnn in Wayne County. The Judges OF tho
courts had ordered new hall Of justice erected.
in place OF one built in 1913. Leaders In both
the Democratic and Republican parties opposed
tho work and what was known MS tho anti
Court House party was formed. B. H. Holgato
became leading figure in the new party. which
carried everything before II at the elections OF
1877 and 1878.
The Chairman OF tho Board Of County Com
missioners. who had charge Of the construction
OF the new Court House. died on learning the
result Of tho election in 1877. The work was
1878 an entire Board Of anti Court House Com
mlssioners was elected. The wife OF one OF
these Commissioners. who had been elected to
the place Of the one who had died the year
before. died soon after her husbands election.
The late Chairman OF the Board had used so
largely of his means in the effort to defeat the
auti-Court House party that his widow was left
burdpncd with debt Her home wns advertise
for sale by the sheriff. Her son had been clerk
~ the Board Of Commissioners. but was re-
moved on tho accession 70 Office Of the anti
hA if..1 %,
| the Commissioner who had been elected to
| his fathers place for loan SUFFICIENT
| to pay of the claim against the estate Of his
| father and save 1t to b IL mother; The Commits
soncr had an interview with the widow. Tho
result was a proposal 81 marriage The widow
accepted the offer. Tho couple were married
| IN few days. The debts OF the leading Court
| House agitator were paid by the anti-COut
| House leader. Since the marriage there seems
| 10 have been change In the Board OF Commits
sloners in relation 10 the completion OF the
| Court House. which Inns already cost SEQ 600
| and stands half finished, exposed to the wealth
| or. SO marked IL the change that the rumor
| prevails that the Commissioners are only wait
| ing until they can fix upon some compromise
with their party. which elected them ON tho
plntform OF doing everything in their power To
| Commissioners have had recent interviews
| with John. A. Wood. the architect Of tho
aSs as to the e1s cost the SeS TemsG GdS
| Of the work can be done for. With work re-
sumcd on the Court House, by men elected by
| the opponents OF the work the mission 81 the
antl-Court House party would be gone. Tho
! politicians running the party have had for
| some time n slate of candidates made ont for
| the coming fnll. Tho political hopes OF PENN
! min II. HoRntc were fixed ON the nomination
| for sheriff of Wayne County on the anti Court
! House ticket. This office is worth 10000 for
| the torn. and with affairs MS they We're a year
| ago the clettion OF tho anti Court House candi-
| date would be assured. Tho recent rumors Of
| the coming disruption ~ tho anti-Court House
| party have caused n little apprehension among
MS leaders. j. II. Hogate seemed 10 be- COM
| WINGED that thcr" WIS foundation for the ru-
| murs. few DAYS ago. after canvnseiug tho
! matter NJ the county scat. he went To- his homo
/ died ON ThursIuV