The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-05
INDIANA AND ILLINOIS NEWS
A Verdict That Makes Big Hole in the
Bank Account Of an Ex-Treasurer.
Curious Grave Decorations in Honor of a Dead
Wife-A Disappointed Girl Hangs Herself
The Crop Prospects in Illinois.
INDIANA.

Verdict In the Hun tington County treasurer
SuIt-Hfsrory of the Case.
NpeciaI TO the Indianapolis Journal
MARION March 3-In the Grant Circuit Court.
this morning, verdict in favor of the plaintiff
for sI4 40 was render IN the case Of the State
on the relation of Israel II Heaston, auditor of
Huntington county, against ex-Treasurer Henry
Beaver and his bondsmen. Charles Maybe,
Isaac Kelt Daniel G. Beaver, Frederick Dick,
Enos T. Taylor Samuel B. Smith, and Jacob
Whistler From mass OF conflicting testimony
and from figures and accounts more calculated
to deceive than enlighten the following appear
20 be pretty nearly the facts in the case:
In July 1878, Daniel Christianson. then treas
urer OF Huntington county, sold $12. 900 worth
of bonds, known as the Stnltz gravel-road bonds,
on which there was premium of 81 $50 Chris
Hanson made no return or account of the pro-
ceeds and when he turned the Office over to his
successor he retained the amounts stated. Dur
ing the two years of his successor Joseph Stultz.
the shortage not discovered. Henry Beaver
became treasurer in 1882, aud discovered the
discrepancy of over $12, 900. Demand was made
on ChristaLson for the amount, which was paid,
but IN order TO cover up. conceal, and prevent a
Democratic scandal, Fl. G. Black auditor from
1875 TO 1883, charged the amount to the treas
urer IN three separate items, which aggregated
$l2. 600. 1t thus occurred that the first scratch
to snow the proceeds Of the bonds sold 1873
did not appear the books until May 81, 1883.
al this time the matter remained dead secret
among the Democratic leaders and the officials
concerned.
When E. T. Lee became auditor, in 1883, he
separated the money into the several funds. and
discovered that the three items entered by Black
10 aggregate Sl2, oG0, which Christianson paid
back, belonged to the Stultz gravel road fund.
and SO entered it. One of the charges of 900
thereby appeared on the ledger and the other
the Journal. When Beaver went out of Office
and turned its effects TO William *. Win
dell, the present treasurer, he retained the $12-
900 with interest sued for. claiming in jusriica-
ton that the charge on the journal and that
the ledger made two charges for ore item, This
was the whole question in dispute, and the one
which the jury decided against Mr. Beaver. The
first trial of the case was held at Huntington
about a year ago, and resulted in disagree
ment Political bias was decidedly marked, and
the case was brought here on a change of venue
Unique Tribute in Honor OF a Dead Wife.
EDecial to the Indianapolis journal
New CASTLE, March 3.-Yesterday your cor
respondent visited the Batson Cemetery, a
quiet, country graveyard, four miles east of
this city, which contains of the most re-
markable evidences of eccentricity and peculiar
marks Of respect to the dead ever exhibited in
this part of the country. On the family lot of
Paul II. Hughes, an old and highly-respected
citizen of that vicinity, are three graves. The
lot is nicely graveled and we'll kept, and the
graves are surrounded by little walls of bricks
and sea shells. There is monument, head
stone or other mark to show who lies buried
there; but over the grave of Mrs. Hughes, who
died seven years ago. is a heavy wooden box,
with an iron lid, which. upon removal. reveals
cabinet about four feet long, TWO feet wide and
eighteen inches deep. with glass sides ana top.
In this cabinet is probably as odd a collection
as was ever seen, aud perhaps the only one of
the kind In the world AT the end toward the
foot of the grave Is miniature ark, extending
across the cabinet. which is about eight inches
high, and has gable roof. Distributed in front
of the ark and looking toward the head OF the |
grave. Is group OF over two hundred figures, |
representing the animals, 1.-TWO by two" as they |
came out of the ark, ana at their head stand |
eight plgmies TO represent Noah, his wife and |
his sons and daughters. Besides these there |
are two beautiful bronze statues of German sol
diers. each side of the cabinet; three |
glass and two elegant silver vases, with hand |
some bouquets OF artificial wild flowers and os- |
trch pluInes four polished blocks. each bear |
ing a beautifullv-colored-gla ball, and two |
supporting busts OF small children; two odd |
looking horns, prettily painted and decorated |
with siiken cords aud tassels, and many other |
minor articles giving evidence of eccentricity /
The cabinet and its contents were placed in their
present position by Mr.. Hughes, who has taken
this peculiar method of showing his respect for |
his deceased wife. He has expressed a wish to |
have a similar cabinet and collection placed |
upon his own grave after his death.