The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-11-20
A MARTYR TO FATE.
The Remarkable Series of Misfortunes that
Came to Major DOxey.
Washington Critic.

Washington Critic
Dispatches and letters to the Critic relate the
misfortunes which have recently befallen Major
Z. L. Doxey, Of Anderson, Ind, who filled the
uneXpired term of the Hon Godlove S. Orth in
the Forty seventh Congress.
SIX months ago Major Doxey was half-mill-
lonaire The larger portion of his wealth was in
cash and bonds, the balance in choice real estate
at his home city, Anderson. He made his money
in grain speculations, and of his means he I'M
stlntingly helped the unfortunate of his vicinity
and helped to build up the city in which he
lived, and was by the greater portion of the peo-
pie looked upon as local benefactor. The I'M
fortunate OF the county in which he lived first
turned to him for succor when distress and the
hard lines came upon them He is said to have
never refused merited aid.
The first stroke of the blighting hand of fate
was welded upon Major Doxey at the outset of
the Presidential campaign. He was carrying an
enormous deal in wheat, and was a heavy buyer
when the crash came. His losses footed up about
quarter million dollars. This must have alb
sorbed all his ready resources
Following this came his nomination to Con-
greSs against Judge Ward, of Lafayette. Like
all men of great enterprise prominence and con-
siderable financial influence Major Doxey had
some enemies in his own county within the ranks
OF his party. They were gotten through bust
ness transactions partly, and on account of his
political aspirations mainly. Much to his hui
initiation. these men came out boldly and op-
posed his election.
oUuSo Wdru lS popular IN une ulSUflct, ana
waged strong fight. The campaign waxed
warm, exciting terrific almost, and much that
was bitter was said. The struggle was a great
tax upon the nerves and brain and pride of Ma
yor Doxey. He stood up, however, like man
before the Calling guns His defeat at the polls
by light plurality was a surprise to the people
generally, and a severe cut to Major Doxey, al
though he bore it bravely
During the latter part of the campaign there
was severe illness in the immediate family of
Major Doxey, then came death, but he looked
up through all of this
On last Friday morning came the fourth sad
blow OF the season year ago Major Doxey
determined to erect monument in his little
homo city. This he began at once in the form
OF an opera-house. The best architects and
artists were employed, and two months ago
the finest playhouse of the size in the United
States was opened there amid great splendor and
eclat-
1t was perfect little palace of beauty, fin
lshed at cost of nearly $4,000 1t was not
built as an investment for profit, as opera
houses in small cities never pay a profit The
building was the pride of the whole populace,
even the enemies of the proprietor praising the
gift.
The Laura E. Dainty troupe played "Moun-
tain Pink in the Doxey Theater on Thursday
night. At O'Clock on Friday morning there
was nothing but an excavation and four black
ened walls to mark its monumental site. An
incendiary fire in an adjoining building did the
work There was no insurance. and the loss
was therefore total, the building completely
burned out Surely this was the browning
stroke of fate.