Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1894-1895, 1895-11-29

nation and in order to deal with the
Hoover matter intelligently, it was nee
essary to learn more of it which, after
considerable investigation, we have
done. Many people in Plymouth and
in West township have been interviewed.
His wife and children have been visited
and those who havek nown him from
childhood have been talked to in the in
terest of complete fairness to Mr.. Hoo
yer and all others concerned.
DIR. RITCHEY INTERVIEWED.
When Dr. Ritchey, of Donaldson, was
seen by an INDEPENDENT representa-
tove he substantially said.
81 was at one time very warm friend
of Ed. Hoover. / knew him from child
hood and in his early manhood regarded
him as most promising young man. |
had great faith in him, as to both ability
and integrity. Notwithstanding that
we were Of opposite political parties |
worked hard for hi election when he
was candidate for the office of township
trustee of West township in the spring
of 1888 and gave him all my influence
toward his election. With a majority
of 50 against his (Republicanl party he
carried the election by small majority
and went into office as the successor
of J. c. BunDell with j. {. Bunnell, j.
a. McFarlln and W. W. Warnes as his
bOndSmen.'
ALLEGED CROOKEDNESs.
"Some time after Hoover entered up
on the duties of this office it was alleged
by parties who came to me privately
that Hoovers accounts were not straight
Hoover was keeping general store here
at the time and was generally supposed
to be in good circumstances, but his
bondsmen became dissatisfied with the
course he was pursuing and believed
that township funds were being appro-
priated for other than their intended
uses. / resented the suggestion of such
a possibility and went so far as to say
some harsh things to the bondsmen for
this suspicious. Hoover asked me to
examine his books which did hurriedly
under his direction and thought they
were all right. Not long after, however,
/ became convinced that the trustees
books accounts were not right.
lost no time in apolOgiZing to the bonds
men for the injustice | had done them. :
"To offaet the assertions of his bonds
men that there was deficiency in the
funds Hoover claimed that they were
wording against him for political pur-
poses. still believed that HoOver's in
| tentions were good and when, some
time after the first suggestion of infidel-
ity ON his part, his first bondsmen with
| drew and others were asked to sign l
told some of them that in my Judge
ment Hoover was all right. The new
bondsmen were, l think, Joseph Kneif-
fer, David Wilbur, VIM. Wllburn, Jas.
Foreman and Mrs. Hettie VanSc)ik.
However 1t was, Mr.. Foreman soon
withdrew at an expense of $50 and con
sidered himself lucky to get off at that
price. While still trustee, Hoover
moved his stock of merchandise to Ply
mouth. Afterwards the stock was
moved to Argos where there was con-
siderable trouble in one way and an
other and right there you can get very
interesting story from his father-in-law
| David Wilburn."
HE DRANK.
During all this time, after his lee
| ton to office he drank more or less
heavily and to all appearances was
going rapidly to the bad
"When he came to Donaldson Hoover
had slight heart trouble. He began
by taking stimulants tor relief and it
was not long until he was more or less
intoxicated great deal of the time.
He finally became an excessive user of
choral and brOmides."
"There is no doubt that Mrs. Hoover
was shamefully neglected and mistreat-
ed. When their last child was born
Mrs. Hoover and her family were
almost absolutely destitute. Hoover
had at this time been gone from this
vicinity two or three months. When
was called to attend her at the time of
her sickness / found the family living
largely upon donations from neighbOrs.
After the child was born Mrs. Hoover
was, of course, reduced to helpleSsnesS
and it was necessary to have not only
food and clothing but assistance in the
house. With Mrs. Hoover's consent |
saw the township trustee who provided
a hired girl and other necessities during
her convalesence.'
DIsOwNED Ills CHILDREN.
Notwithstanding his protests of love
for his children and his prOfessed will
lingness to take and care for them he
has disowned one or more of them and
accused his wife of infidelity. l have
known Mrs. Hoover since childhood