davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-04-01
FOUND HIS WIFE MURDERED
THE scsNETHAT eREETEDAEARmER
A Lawrence County Tragedy-Aoquitted OF
Murder-GuiIty OF MAnslaughter-Ab-
ducted-Mr. Nelson's FuneraI-Fire
Neutrality-suspicious. State News

Mitchell, March 26.-[Special. IA
messenger came here this evening from
near Bono, place about eight miles east
Of here, and gave the particulars of most
horrible murder which was committed
yesterday. Sol Neideffer, a prosperous
farmer living about two miles from Bono,
left home yesterday morning to attend q
sale near Lancaster, several miles distant.
His wife intended to do some work at
home, but her husband tried to get her TO
90 to the house of her father, Joshua
Lewis, about a quarter of mile distant
But she preferred to remain at home
NeidefFer returned from the sale late yes
terday afternoon, and finding no one
in the front room he opened the door
TO rear room and was horriHed
at the sight of his dead wife lying on the
floor stir and cold with two shots through
her body. One had penetrated the right
side and the other entered just over the
left eye. Her right hand was ciasping a
stove hook, while the other was powder
burned, showing that she had attempted
TO defend herself against the attack OF the
demon who killed her. Much excitement
exists in the neighbOrhOod and every man
will be compelled to give an account Of
himself and his movements upon the day
of the murder. II the murderer be found
the indications are that he will adorn the
limb of some nearby tree without much
ceremony. There is no clue to the MUIR
der as vet. The country Is thick V settled
and If anv tramp had been around his
movements would have been seen. The
place il not near the railroad and it is not
likely that any tramps would have been
at the house without being noticed.
Neideffer had been married about three
years, but they had no children, and no
one was about the house except his wife
when he left Yesterday
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-04-01
Inquest Held.

MITCHELL, March 81. Especial. j An
inquest was held by DR.. Pearson last
night over the body of Mrs. Neideffer,
who was murdered in her home, about
eight miles east of here, some time last
Wednesday. Nearly all of the neighbors
were present and from the evidence given
no clue could be obtained to the muir
derer. The verdict given was that the
wound in her head had caused her death,
and that the party inflicting it was I'M
known. There were sowe signs that her
body had been assaulted, but when found
her clothes were unmolested. \ bullet
from a thirty-two caliber revolver was
found on the carpet. The murder could
not have been committed for financial
gain, as nothing was missing about the
house. There were some rumors that
Neidefier might be guilty, but Sheriff Day
says that such belief is entirely unfourded
from the evidence given. There will he a
meeting of the people OF the community
tomorrow to see il some clue can be dis
covered. Intense sorrow prevails, as Mrs.
Neidefler was much respected by all who
knew her.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-04-01
VERY UNIQUE DISPLAY.
an Incandescent Light In n Dress-The Au-
dlence Electrified.

LAwRENCEBURG, March 29.-[Special.] j
OF all the uses to which electricity has
been put, perhaps the most novel was in
this city recently, when for the first time
in the United States and perhaps in the
world the electric light was used to make
a display on a human form. The expert
ment seemed more dangerous than playing
with edged tools, but happily proved a
grand success. On two evenings Mr.
Basel OF Chicago was giving an entertain
ment here, in which each business of the
town was represented by some young
lady dressed in such manner as to adver-
tise the wares of the various lines of mer-
chandse. Mr.. James Johnson. superin-
tendent of the electric light works here,
was among those represented, and his dis
play was certainly unique and original, if
it was somewhat dangerous. Mrs. Georgia
Nowlin represented the light. She was
dressed in some light fluffy material, re-
lieved by trimmings OF the three national
colors. Around her had been woven a
perfect network of wires, each one con-
Meeting with an incsndescent light in a
| colored globe, and the globes to the num-
Der OF twenty-five, fastened to her dress,
her hair, and one resting on the top OF her
head.
The wires were connected with the
| main wire on the street, and when the
| curtain was raised (the room having been
previously darkened by putting out the
gas the electric circuit was completed,
and standing erect with one light in her
right hand in imitation of the Bartholdi
statue, food OF light shone from her,
| brilliantly Illuminating the vast audito-
rium, while the audience held its breath
| In suspense until the curtain descended
and the current was turned off, and then
amid shower of applause the same per-
! Torrance was repeated. Not many young
ladies would care to risk such an expert
ment. The display was perfect in every
sense, and was certainly grand, the various
colOred globes in which the lights were
making the strongest colored lights, which
| blended in the most perfect harmony,
while the lights in her hair and the one
held erect in her hand shone forth with
no covering except the glass, and the
beautiful young lady who was so brave
smiled her sweetest upon the admiring
audience.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-04-01
HENDRIX SENTENCED FOR LIFE.
His Doom Pronounced In the Stiffness of
nm EIrly Morning Hour.

GOSHEN, March %. - Special l. After
twelve hours earnest argument the jury
in the Hendryx murder trial brought in
a verdict at o'clock this morning
sentencing Frank Hendryx to imprison-
ment for life for the murder Of Edward
Calkins.
The judge and the prisoner were ava.
kened and in the solemn stiffness of the
dark courtroom with only the sheriff and
jury as witnesses the judge pronounced
sentence upon the prisoner. who never
moved muscle, merely remarkinq that
lit was pretty bad to convict an innocent
man upon the sole testimony of woman
like Mrs. Calkins, who was known to be
an adventures and a woman of i'll re-
pute." The public generally approves OF
the verdict, but bitterly condemns
the action of the state in setting
Mrs. Calkins free so that she might APP
pear upon the stand against Hendrix
after she had confessed the crime in her
cell and had confessed herself, too, of be-
ing equally guilty with Hendryx in the
preDeditated murder OF her husband for
the insurance money. The mystery still
seems to remain as much of q mystery a.
before the sentencing Of Calkins. The
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-04-01
A WHITE CAP WHIPPING.
William Baker, Ex-Convict. Severely
Punished Near Fairland.


SHELBYvnLE, March 3O-[Special. "A
few weeks ago William Baker returned
from Jacksonville, where he had
served a ten years term for murder.
He had treasured up a vengeance against
all persons who had testified against him,
and openly threatened to kill Simon r.
Roberts of Falkland. Yesterday surety
of the peace proceedings were insti-
tuted against him aud he was placed
under arrest, and at s o'clock last night
Constable Crosby started to jail with him.
When he came to Sugar creek a mob of
white caps arose from the bush on either
side of the road and closed in on the
officer and his prisoner. Two men
were detailed to take charge OF the officer,
who protested vigorously against
their Interference with his official
duties, and tried 10 deputize the mob as
conservators of the peace, but az he did
not know their names no attention was
paid to his appeal. The white caps
wood and proceeded to tie him up to Il
tree. He is very dangerous and lear
less man and resisted them to the
last. They overpowered him, however.
and began lampOoning him in a most
vigorous and unmerciful manner. Buggy
whips and cowhids were used by twenty
five or thirty men in turn. As one white
capper became tired of laying on the lash
another took his place with new and
powerful force. He was beaten until he
relented and began begging for his life.
The judge OF the white cap jury di-
rected that arequest be made of the desper-
ado before concluding the exercises. He
was accordingly requested to leave the
country and never return under penalty
of death. He consented tn the judges
terms and after giving him another round
of lashing, he was cut down and per-
mitted to go hence without
delay. About twenty-five years
ago William Baker and a man by the
name of Raridan got into controversy at
St. Paul, Decatur county, and Baker
killed him. For this he was sent to the
penitentiary for twentv-one years,
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-04-01
e. ster Bridal Bells.

MARTINsvILLE, March 90.-[Special. !
At the residence of T. Stark, near Whit
taker, yesterday, Charles E. Walls, a
prominent business man Of this city, was
united in marriage to Mrs. Lucy A. Jar
relI, the Rev. o. S. Baum officiating. Mr..
and Mrs. Walls will make their future
home in this city.
Samuel Brickert, aged fifty-seven years,
and Mrs Sarah Hart, aged forty-fve
years, were married at the residence OF
Dayton Woodlands. few miles south OF
this city, yesterday evening by the Rev.
NJ. S. Taylor.
Richard Cordell, a young evangelist OF
Indianapolis, has been having secret meet
ings for several months with Miss Maud
Johnson, prominent society lady of this
city. They arranged an elopement for
today, but this was thwaIted. A com
promise followed and they were married
at the home of the brides parents this
evening
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-04-01
THOSE OLD VENEZUELAN BONDS.
Galvanized Into Life They Relieve the
Creditors of an Anderson Bank.

Creditors OF an Anderson Bank.
ANDERSON, March 2S.-[Special.1 THE
creditors OF the old national bank of this
city which failed in 1873 have received
some encouraging news from Comptroller
Lacey of the treasury department. In
1866 Thomas n. Sdllwell, the president
of the old national bank of this city,
was appointed U. s. minister to Venezeula.
While there he induced the Venezuelan
government to indemnify certain Ameri-
can residents for property lost during an
insurrectiOn. Bonds were issued TO the
amount of several millions upon the
award made by a joint commission APP
pointed by the United States and Vene-
zuela. Stillwell secured $4,000 of these
bonds. and upon his return to Anderson
deposited them in the national bank as
assets. Subsequently to this the bank
failed, with liabilities in excess ofSl50,0 900.
Among the assets of the bank were
these Venezuela certificates, which
dered vaueless by the Venezuela
This being true, the depostors and credit
ors OF the bank only obtained 391 per
cent. of the amount due them out OF the
assets. Today one of the creditors of the
bank received notice from Comptroller
Lacey that of the $50, 600 Venezuela bonds
held by the creditors of the bank. the
mixed commission, which had just closed
its session at Washington, had acknowl-
edged $4,000 genuine and repudiated
the balance. This, with the s per cent.
interest compounded, will make enough
when paid to pay the old creditors dollar
for dollar on their claims against the bank.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-04-01
Farmer Miller md the Postal.

BRAZIL, March 27.-[Special. THE case
of the Postal telegraph company VS.. James
X. Miller has been virtually disposed of
in the Clay circuit court. The company
asked that the temporary injunction is
sued recently to restrain Miller from any
further damages to its wires and poles
be made permanent and that judgment
of 1000 be awarded against Miller for
damages committed. Judge McGregor
has granted the prayer OF the company in
making the restraining order permanent
and assessed damages in the sum of s.
with costs. Miller was granted all appeal
to the supreme court. The company dis
claims any lee simple title to the national
road
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-04-01

officers still have Mrs. Calkins under sur
VIGILANCE. and what adds to the popular
curiosity DR.. Hendryx, the father of
Frank, has disappeared and cannot be
found. Although a man of means, he re-
fused to put up Il cent for his sons de-
tense, and it is strongly limited today that
he it was who originated the entire infa-
nous scheme. Witnesses have been
found who will swear that they saw him
walking up and down the river bank dur
ing that memorable boat ride, and he it
was who was so anxious to have Calkins
give Hendryx the power of attorney
on the insurance papers. The story of
the awful crime for which Frank Hen
dryx was today sentenced for life has been
already published in TIE SENTINEL
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-04-01
Youthful Burglars Arrested.

LoGANsPoRT. March so. Especial. !
John Roof, Edward Overholser, Charles
Welch and John Hall, four boys aged
about sixteen years, pleaded guilty today of
burglary and were bound over to await the
action of the grand jury. During the past
year dozen houses and stores have been
burglarized here. The police could not
obtain the faintest clue as to who the cul-
prits were. Saturday the chief of police
arrested the bows in Terre Haute while
they were disposing of some of the stolen
property and were brought here today.
The boys have stolen over 81 900 worth of
various goods, most of which has been re-
covered. The parents of these youthful
thieves are among the best-known and re-
spectacle citizens of this city. Young
Overholser's father was the prohibition
candidate in this district for congress two
years ago.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-04-01
Coombs Declared Guilty.

CRAwFoRDsvILLE, March 26.-[Special. J
The jury returned verdict in the Coombs
case this morning at o'clock, after ballot
ing all night. The first ballot showed
eleven for guilty and one for not guilty.
In the second they were unanimous for
guilty. Nine ballots were taken on the
degree of punishment, two being for muir
der in the first degree; three for murder
in the second degree, and seven for man.
slaughter. Finally the jury compromised
on verdict OF manslaughter, with i'm
prisonment for twenty-one years. The re-
suit gives general satisfaction to all in
Guiding the family OF the dead man.
Coombs is very much downcast at the re-
suit, but says he will behave himself and
get the benefit of good conduct, so as to
shorten his term to thirteen years.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-04-01
An Entire village Converted.

Brazil, March 3O.-[Special The most
remarkable religious revival in the history
dist t eniscona Es6horo o under
pastoral charge of the Rev. Mr.. Crook OF
the Center Point circuit. Ashboro is but
a hamlet, having but the one church
house, small, neglected, dilapidated and
almost abandoned, built in 1858, when
the class never numbered more than
twenty-five or thirty, which was reduced
to an active membership Of but five or
six. Up to last night, just two weeks,
there had been 128 conversions and aces
sions, which includes substantially the
population of the village and a number
adjacent. The minister in charge an
nounced last night that as the whole con.
gregation had experienced conversion and
religion, the meeting would close.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-04-01
DECLARED UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
Judge Lotr Knocks Out the Eight.Hour

MUNcIE, March 30.-[special. Judge
Lott today sustained the motion to quash
the indictments against Superintendent
Kennedy of the Muncie pulp mil, charged
with violating the eight-hour law in en-
ploying a day and night force, working
thirteen and eleven hours respectively
and paying weekly wages for their work.
The court held that the indictments were
based upon an unconstitutional act, mas
much as no definition is given OF what
shall constitute q violation of the law.
Muncie's attorneys applaud the decision.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-04-01
Preperin : for n Mill.

ANDERSON, March 30.-[Special. An
derson sports are anticipating big time
Saturday night. Arrangements have been
made for a grand sparring tournament at
the opera house that evening A good
deal of bad blood has been engendered
between local pugilists and it is not i'm
probable that the affair will wind up with
a regular old-fashioned MILL Jack Han
ley, a clever middle-weight, formerly of
indianapolis, and Dick Collier, reputed
middle-weight ex-champion of England,
have been "sparring" at each other
through the local press for several days
past and it is quite likely that these two
worthless will try conclusions Saturday
night.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-04-01
Tough Work for an Cd Man.

CRAwFoRDsvILLE, March 29.-[Special. i
James Beckner, wealthy citizen OF Oar
lington, is ninety-two years old and feeble
minded, but insists on transacting his own
business. This he does under the super
vision his son, who drove him to this city
yesterday to pay his taxes. He left the
old man in a grocery store for a few min
utes, and that was the last seen of him
until this morning, when he arrived at his
home, ten miles distant, in dying condi-
ton. He had taken a dose of morphine
and became possessed of the idea that the
police were after him, and he fed the city.
lie lodged about in the woods all night
and arrived at home in a pitiable condi-
ton. He will die.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-04-01
North Indiana Fruit Crop Outlook.

FORT WAYNE, March 27.-The fruit
crop of northern Indiana, which had
looked very promising, has been damaged
to the extent of many thousands of dol
lars. Last evening from to 10 o'clock
there was q continuous freezing rain,
which froze the buds of the fruit trees in a
heavy coating OF ice. The wind blew the
branches and the icy covering of the buds
was cracked, breaking the buds. The
delicate buds of the peach trees appear to
have suffered most.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-04-01

committed. Christian Abeggler of Spades,
a prosperous and highly respected farmer,
blew the top of his head off with shot
gun. He placed the muzzle of the gun
against the side of his head and fred it,
tearing off all that portion OF the head
above the ears and leaving nothing re-
naming in the skull but the medulla at
the base. Poor health is supposed to be
the cause, as he was in good circumstances
and had no family troubles. He was tif-
ty-six years of age and leaves wife and
several children.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-04-01
Horrible Death of a Young Girl.

ANDERSON, March 24.-[Special. Miss
Lizzie Bond, a young lady aged twenty
years. was passing down the c., w. & NJ.
railroad, going to her work, when a con-
struction train passed at high rate OF
speed. Bv some means the clothing of
the unfortunate young lady was caught on
q rod under the caboose and she was
drawn under and dragged distance OF
fifty Yards. She was literally ground and
mashed TO pieces and her brains dashed
out against the cross-ties. The family of
the young lady recently moved here from
Fort Wayne and her remains will be
shipped there for interment tomorrow.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-04-01
A Fight for a Young Indy.

SEYMOUR, March "a. - Especial. Ed
ward Garland and John Cain, local
pugilists OF Washington, Ind, had ar
ranged to fight to a finish. the prize to be
the hand of a young lady who agreed to
the arrangement. butthe police interiered.
Coming here quietly they retired to a Sc
took place this afternoon. The contest
was spirited, but Cain proved to be the
better man, and Garland was knocked out
in the third round. Both were severely
punished About seventy-fve spectators
witnessed the affair.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-04-01
PLYING FROM TAXATION.
Millions of Property Mover Placed on the
Duplicate.

DELPHI, March 27.-[Special. IA little
over one year ago Abner H. Bowen died
at his home in this city, leaving fortune,
mostly in personal property. of 100000.
He had scarcely been buried when the of
fcials moved on his estate to collect back
taxes on property that had been hidden
from the assessors. and the series of rows
it raised would I'LL large book. The
elder Bowen, although possessed Of mill
ions, listed for taxes only few thousands,
but so great was his power that no man
made a move during his lifetime to COM
pei him to pay taxes on all the property
he owned. The Bowen heirs failed to
agree among themselves upon an admins
traitor and the court appointed the county
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-04-01
THE OLD FOLKS HOODWINKED.
Young Thomas stillweil Elopes with Miss
Makepence OF And eraon.

ANDERSON, March 2S.-[Special. Am
derson society is all torn up today over
the elopement of Mr. Thomas n Stillwell
and Miss Halle Makepeace, well-known
young society people of this city. Stillwell
has been quite ardent in his attentions to
Miss Makepeace for year or more. The
young lady's parents were bitterly OPP
posed to Stillwell and tried by every means
toprevent the young folks from associating
together.
Last evening Miss Makepeace returned
home on a late tram from New Castle
where she had been visiting friends. She
retired TO her room for the night, but
not until she had told her par
ents that she intended to marry
Stillwell. Mr.. and Mrs. Makepeace be-
came suspicious and resolved to keep the
young lady under close surveillance.
About 3 o'clock this morning she came
down stairs having travelling suit on I'M
der her night dress. Her mother, who
was lying on the lounge, saw her pass out,
but supposed she had gone for drink.
Her suspicious were aroused after few
minutes, and waking Mr.. Makepeace the
two set out to find the young lady. Mr..
Su!lwell was outside waiting for
bis bride. Finding the old folks they
repaired to the residence of the Rev. J. A.
McGlone and were married a few minutes
after O'Clock this morning. They got To
the depot in time to take the express for
Cincinnati, and are now there enjoying
the honeymoon. The prominence OF the
parties has caused the affair to be the
reigning sensation. Mr.. Stiilwell Is the
son of ex-Congressman Thomas n. Still
well and the young lady is the only
daughter of Capt. A. 1. Makepeace, a
prominent business man of this city.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-04-01
ASuocessful Forgery.

NoBIEsvILLE, March 25-[Special. III
was discovered by the cashier in the Citi-
zens' bank today that an unknown man
had forged the name of Daniel Cats, q
prominent brick manufacturer here, to a
check and had absconded with the money.
He also tried TO have several orders
cashed, purpOrting to come from the same
gentleman, but the merchants to whom
he presented them suspected something
wrong and refused to cash his orders.
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-04-01
I.IhernI DnnnfInns

MITCHELL, March 27.-[Special. Mrs.
frankie Finger, who lives about four
miles from here, has been sick for some
time and this week at the suggestion Of
friends she donated parsonage to both
the First baptist church and the metho-
dist episcopal church. Mrs. Finger is in
good circumstances and has no near rela-
tives. Several years ago Mr.. Finger made
a liberal donation for building the metho-
dist episcopal church which bears his
name
The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-04-01

North VERNON, March 25.-[ Special. -
OniChristmas eve a young man named East
struck James A. Stops on the head with
a scale weight from the effects OF which
he died last night. The parties live near
New Marion. Ripley county. The assault
was unprOvoAed and occurred at the
baptist church at that place on the oc-
casion Of Christmas tree festival. Stops
will be arrested for murder