The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-05-28
DEATH OF ROSWELLR. ROUSE
Driven Well Litigation Made Him
Wealthy and Prominent in This City.
In Spite Of Business Rsverses. lie Was Success
full, and Had Mary PrIends-His Love
Of Diamonds aud Horses.

IN pump and well supplies on West Mary
land street. died yesterday morning at his
residence on West Georgia street. His
illness extended over period of two
weeks. but he was not confined 10
bed ell of that time. The Immediate
duration of the ailment only four
days About week before be was taken
down, but recovered sufficiently to give
some attention TO business. he was con-
scious up to the last. HIS physician, DIR.
Gray, had told him Of the serious
nature of his trouble. which was compli-
Gated with an Inflammation of the stomach
and he was aware that each returning
attack might end his life. The Doctor
said be died of chronic Inflammation OF
the stomach.
The deceased was born IN New York. and
came TO this city. twenty eight years ago.
as the Western agent of N. w. Green. who
was The inventor OF the driven WELL whioh
was covered by q patent Dir. Rouse
had as > territory the township
in which this city is located.
and also Hendricks and Morgan
counties. After great deal of litigation
In the federal court. the matter afterwards
going to the Supreme Court of the United
states, be had monopoly or the driven
well business IN this city, and even where
ne had not himself sunk the wells he was
able TO collect o royalty. He made
great deal OF money I'D this business. The
litigation was carried on In the name or
HiDe * Stevenson. who had the right OF
the State. and they successfully sus-
tanned the grant to them OF tho
right in the courts. IL was their
case which was carried up 10 the court OF
N.a~ tarrn 4. Inh
also prosecuted mnch litigation was An
dTews Brothers. Ia time the case involving
the validity OF The patent went up from
another State. end the decision of Justice
Sn;p;oe :, shs sl bad the
versed. That ended the validity of
the patent which has by this time at any
rate expired by limitation. The patent has
been IN free use by the public for some
years. The we'll was fret invented by
Green in is6l. and the patent was Issued in
1865. 1t consisted OF proeurlDga water supply
by means OF driving an lion pipe into the
ground. 10 bad Perforated conicai point
through which the loosened earth would
be drawn into the pipe and pumped or
lifted out. By means of this style of well 1t
was possible To 90 the second stratum of
water, thus securing purer supply. pro-
sected from all surface drainage. In after
years Dir. Rouse. in connection with an
employe named Sanders. invented q point
which was put on the market with some
success.
With one exception the entire business
life OF the deceased was connected with tho
driving of wells and the sale of supplies for
fitting them. About ten or welye years ago
be was unfortunate In business and made
an assignment to James h. Franklin for the
benefit of his creditors. The business was
wound up and the assignee discharged.
Mr.. Rouse was able afterwsr TO resume
business, and has been successful. At one
time he organized company for the man.
pfaeture Of patent wrench. which was
known rs the Rouse wrench. He invested, he
said, about SOS, 900 In The business, but it
was unsuccessful 1t went into the hands
OF Sylvester johnson as receiver and was
wound up. Mr. Rouse always recovered
~ho knew sr04 him .sy tsss he wss
man of much more than average
ability and that when he would abstain
from drink he was always eminently sue
cessful In his ventures. he had decided
talent for the management OF affairs. He
would sometimes not touch liquor for sew
eral years. and these were times OF pros
perity for him. He thought himself at one
time worth $4,000.
The dece ased lived in a very modest
style, but was passionately fond of dia-
monds He wore, especially when CON-
vivially inclined. very large cluster
diamond ring and n large diamond in his
BhIrs bosom. He usually carried thousand
dollars worth of the precious stones In
his pocEet Another singular trait WAS has
inordinate love OF fine horses though he did
not care much for mere race horses. Beauty
OF form and style was what pleased
him, and he would pay high prices
for suoh struck his fancy. At one
time he went TO Richmond and purchased
q celebrated pair of spotted horses belong
ing to John Il. Miller 1t Is said that he
Reve bis note for $1,000 for them. They
created "a sensation for awhile. They were
sold finally to the Woods stables. Mr.
Rouse paid for the team in part by trading
the Millers fast little PAGER known as
Rocket.
The deceased was noted for his good
nature aud for his generosity to his friends.
Those who knew him best cay that
he was always true TO his friends. He
was about tifty-fve years of age. and mar
ried. He had no children, but his wife
survives him. He has two brothers. one
living in North Dakota and the other In
New York. The funeral will be held Tues
day afternoon, at o'clock. at the house,
No. s5 West Georgia street. Mr.. Rouse
was q member of the Board OF Trade and
Of she lted Men fraternity.