Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-02-06
Was He MUfderedl

THE SUSPICIOUS DEATH OF MAN WHO HAD
$4,000 INSURANCE ON HIS LIFE.
A telegram from Lebanon, Pa, Feb l. saws:
In December last Joseph Raber fell into a shall
low stream in Union township and was drowned
me peculiar manner in Which the body was
found and the subsequent conduct of Certain
persons aroused suspicious Of foul play, eSpeci-
ally since it became known that insurance poll
cleS on his life to large amount had been taken
out. Several insurance companies interested In
the case employed detectives and as they were
ABOUT TO begin an investigation JOS. F. Peters.
or West Hanover township, lodged information
before Squire Peck. charging John r. Steckler
Chas Truth, Israel Brandt, Henry Wise. Josiah
Hummell and George Zichman with being the
murdererS OF Raber. Warrants were granted
ana 1he persons named arrested this morning
and lodged in jail. The original amount of the
insurance was $50, 000 but on account of failure
to keep up the payments some $4,000 had been
dropped. Policies in the following companies
are still good:-Home Mutual, OF Lebanon,
$4,000: Keystone, OF Allentown, $4,000; Reading
Mutual, $1,000; Mutual Benefit, of Hartford,
$1,000: and New Era, of Philadelphia. 81 900.
The affidavit ON which the warrants were
granted was sworn before Squire Peck of
Hanover township, by Joseph F. Peters. SON
arrested. The following is Il synopsis OF the
affidavit:
81 ain a son-in-law OF Charles Truth. l have
kept this information back as long as possible.
out my conscience would no longer permit me
to remain quiet. On the evening of December
I, 1873, saw Zechman and Truth carry the
body OF Joseph Raber to the water and throw
tim. AfterWard looked at the body and saw
a bruise on the head as though made by blunt
instrument
Peters belongs to the regular army. and was
home on furlough at the time. All of the per-
sons arrested excepting Zechman and Truth.
held policies on Raber'S life, and it is charged
that conspiracy was formed to put him out OF
the way In order to secure the money. The ac-
cused persons will have hearing next Satur-
day at 10 a. IN. Truth is so years old: Brandt.
49, Weiss, So; Hummell, 80; Zechman, s5; and
Sleckler Is. They are all respectfully connect
ed. 1t is thought that the Youngest viii make
startling confession in few days.
Meissonier had been nominated knight OF the
Legion of Honor, and as he was a protege of M,
de Callleux, the artist was to receive the Insignia
from the hands OF the latter in person. Out of
CONSIDERATION for MelSSOnierS lazy habits the
dlectorof the museums appointed the late hour
OF a. m. FOR the ceremony of investment.
somehow MeiSsonier oversight himself day after
DAY, but at length paid some one to get him out
When he reached the Louvre NJ de Cailleux was
in his study attired in nothing but his shirt
"Ah! so here you are? he said to the young
painter. Il see it takes time to rise by seven"
MelSSonier apOlOgiZed. Enough. Sirn said M
de CailleuN: then ringi ng, he was answered i'm
mcdatey by a servant. 'John," he continued
turning TO the attendant, bring me my coat
and sword" John did as desired and helped
his master on With the two articles, regardless
Of NJ de Cailleuxs singular aspect without
pantaloons. Approach, sir,r ordered the
Official and NJ de Messonier did as desired.
When three gentle taps had been 20
and a rraternal kiss printed on his cheek, NJ de
CailleuX took his coat and sword OH ana sat
quickly down TO his writing again; Jhe cere,
mony has remained wildly stamped on the
artists memory, and from his lips very PROP
ably did M Perrin hear the story.
ey-Safd Gen sherman TO divers colored men
OF Macon the other day: 'You have your des-
tiny in you own hands 10 work out. Get edu-