Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1896-11-27


Templar Of Illinois, was found dead in
o dark alley in this city early Tuesday
morning. There was an ugly bullet
hole in his head md everything indi-
Gates that he was foully murdered by
footpads and robbed. His pockets were
rifled, and his gold watch and pocket
book had been taken. The murder has
caused the greatest excitement, and
every effort is being made to find the
person or persons who committed tho
deed.
Finding the Body.
w. T. Roberts discovered the body
in the alley In the rear of DR.. w. NJ.
Catto's residence, which is located In
the most fashionable section Of the city.
The head lay In a pool Of blood. There
was gaping bullet hole in the fore
lay walking stick and 3s-caliber re-
volver, of which one chamber was dis
charged. DR.. Miller was at Springfield
Monday and arrived In this city at
1880 o'clock Monday night. He walked
from the depot to the residence dis
trict, and when struck down was evil
IDENTITY going to the house of DR.. Cato,
where he usually stopped when he Wis
tied this city.
Peter Brucek, who lives block west
OF where the body was found, heard a
single shot as he was going to his home
Monday night. The handsome diamond
masonic charm worn by Mr.. Miller was
found this morning in the driveway Of
residence block east OF the place of
the murder, indicating that the MUIR
derers ran across lots and toward the
business part of the town. Sheriff
Nicholson has sent for bloodhounds to
be used in tracking the murderer.
No clew to the murderers has yet
been found, and they may continue to
be at large for come time. Relatives Of
the dead pastor have been notified. The
family lives at Bloomington, where 1t
is among the most prominent in the
city. An inquest will be conducted by
the coroner and the remains will then
be taken to Bloomington.
Mrs. Miller, when she learned Of the
sudden and cad fate of her husband,
was completely Frustrated. DR.. John
Miller, OF this city, is son Of the mur-
dered man.
nIasons oner Reward.
| The masonic haternities of this city
have authorized the chief of police to
offer $500 for the arrest Of the MUIR
derer. AT two o'clock Tuesday after
noon pair of bloodhounds arrived
firm Lincoln, Ill.,, and were at once
taken to the scene Of the murder, but
the trail had been so destroyed the
hounds were unable to carry 1t far.
The inquest was held and beyond tho
fact Of the finding of the body nothing
developed in the shape of a tangible
clew. This morning the body will be
placed in state in the First Methodist
church, where it will remain until Fri
day afternoon at two o'clock, when the
funeral will be held.
Bloomington Shocked.
Bloomington, ILL.,, Nov. 25.-Bloom-
ington was shocked by the news of the
murder in Decatur Of Rev. DR.. ]. R.
Miller, the popular pastor of Grace
Methodist church. There was a gen.
eral feeling of horror over the foul
crime, removing as it did one of the
purest and most scholarly of men, an
earnest and successful pastor, and
prominent knight templar and mason.
Rev. DR.. Miller had attained great dis
tinction in the church, as we'll as in
society, and few men were as highly re-
garded or enjoyed the universal re-
spect or esteem in which he was held
by all classes. He was appointed pas
tor OF Grace church by the Illinois con-
ference four years ago and became so
popular that his reappointment was
made in accordance with the unanimous
desire of his people. His congregation
is plunged in gloom by his untimely de-
mise, and there is sorrow in many
hearts.
The Dead Minister.
[Rev. James Miller was native Of Engs
land, and was So years old. He entered the
Methodist ministry when a young man and
continued in 1t until a highwayman's bullet
put an end to his career. In Decatur where
he lived with his family few years ago. no
was pastor Of the First Methodist church
until the time limit forced him to relinquish
that charge. In 1892 he was appointed pre-
siding elder of the Decatur district of the
Illinois conference. He held this office one
year and then followed his desire to preach
to a congregation rather than have charge
Of district. He held pastorates in Chi
cago, Jacksonville and Bloomington. At
the time of his death be was pastor Of the
First Methodist church of Bloomington
one of the largest Methodist churches in
Illinois.
Among all preachers of the Methodist
Episcopal denomination, both In the Rock
River conference and in the Illinois confer
ence, which includes all churches in the
state, DR.. Miller was well known
and highly esteemed both as q
denomination many years and was honored
by his fellow preachers In being made pro-
siding elder OF one time. He was efficient
not only as pastor, but was well known as
an orator.
AS knight tenapiar DR. Miller became
prelate of The grand commandery Of the
order in Illinois. Recently, too. he was
made state orator Of the commandery.l
kozers Plea Not Accepted.
Chicago, Nov. 25.-Ex-Banller An
thony Kozel was Tuesday morning pre-
pared to enter a plea of guilty to the
Charge OF larceny, but Judge Clifford
declined to stop the trial of another
case to'receive the plea. AS stated Mon
day night, il is Kozels plan to plead
guilty to larceny and ask an immediate
sentence, rather than stand trial on
chages of forgery or obtaining money
under false pretenses, but it is said the
prosecution will insist on trial on the
grayer charges.
CLOSED ITS DOORS.
Gaiiatla Gh".l Bank. Scene of the First
Jansss i;rotl,ors' Raid, suspends.
Gailatin, Mo-, Nos. a5.-The Dayiess
County Savings association. the Oldest