davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1897-10-02
ARSON AND SUICIDE.
Mic Keeper Set Fire to His Barn
and Then Rushed Headiong
Into in Flames.

Waterford. Wis. Sept. 2S.-i Special.
Mic. Keeper. Il well-known farmer re
siding about a mile northeast of this vii
lagc, lost his life last night in Il fire which
destroyed his barn.
Keeper set the fire himself and the
circumstances are such as to lead the au-
thoritics to believe that. despondent over
domestic troubles. he wished to cXtermi-
nate the whole family.
Served with n Summons of Divorce.
Keeper has been brooding over a num-
Der of things of late. and his dcspond
ency led him to give way to drink. See
ing 10 prospect of the mans reforma-
ton. Mrs. Keeper decided to get di-
vorce. The summons in this proceed
ing was served Oh Keeper only yesterday,
and 1t added to his moroseness. He spent
most of the evening at some saloons in
the village, going home about 8 o'clock
He retired shortly afterward. and the
family noticed nothing peculiar about his
actions.
As near as the hour can be fixed. Keep
per arose about midnight and partially
dressing himself. quietly slipped out of
the house. He had not put on his shoes
for fear Of awakening the family. 1t is
supposed that he went directly to the
barn, and set it on fire. When the flames
had obtained good start Keeper went
back TO the house, though for what pur-
pose is not known. The oldest son was
aroused. and seeing the fire at the barn,
supposed it to have been of accidental
origin. The son gave the alarm. and not
much too soon. either. for the barn was
only few rods from the house.
BY the time the son got out of doors
the fire had spread to an adjoining small
er barn, and Keeper had dashed into this
IL l. Il
that his father was trying to rescue the
horses and went to his aid. The son res
cued one team and then looked around for
his father. Soon he saw the lat
ter NAL king his way to the up
per part of the structure, where he
walked deliberately into the smoke and
flame. \ moment later the roof came
down with era Ii and the son barely
escaped.
Hard Work to Save the House.
Hope Of rescuing the elder Keeper be
ing gone. the family turned their attcn-
ton to the house. and it was only with
the greatest difficulty that it was saved.
Thirteen head Of cattle were burned and
the loss on the two barns and their CON
tents Is estimated at 5000, without in
surance.
The charred body of Keeper was found
when the ruins had cooled off. A cor
onerS jury went from the village to the
scene later i'll the morning and rendered
verdict to the effect that Keeper had
periShcd in a fire set 10y his own hand.
The deceased was -, years old, and
for several years lived ut WauwatOSa,
where he worked Il carpenter. He
leaves a family of six sons and n daugh-
ter. the latter residing in Milwaukee.
Keeper was well thought of III this viciR-
ity until he began to drink heavily, and
there is no Doubt this veal knpSS had nm
The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1897-10-02
JOHN BDECk El;.
JOHN BOECkEE.
MRS. BpEtk EE.
CAROLINE BbEj X ER. aged T.
CHRISTINA BpEtKER aged ..
HENRY RDECK ER. aged :.
1l/IiE RnECk ER, aged Is.
JOHN EOEt X ER. aged >.
- ENEl, Il I'E infant

Roeckcr was to have helped a neighbour
threSh this morning, and when he did NOT
put i'll appearance about . o'clock his
brother Henry, who lives with the oil
folk about twenty rods away, went TO-
learn the reason. The doors We're locked
and there We're no signs of life. lie tried
10 get in the house, but met no response,
and finally kicked i'll the door.
The Indications are that Hocckcr first
despatched his wife with the shotgun,
then used the revolver on the baby. first
shooting then knocking out It's brains He
then went upstairs. where the five chill
dren We're sleeping. He must have used
light. for his aim was effective. each
victim being shot in the forehead All
hut two children met with instant death,
for the blood clots were under their heads,
and two lay aS calmly Tcposcd as if in
sleep. All except Henry, who is not yet
dead. but who cannot live. We're attircd in
night robes
The murderer had reloaded the weapon
while upstairs, and evidently sent the seq
ond bullet into the oldest girls brain just
before leaving the room. Going down.
stairs be stretched himself beside tn"
corpse of his wife and shot himself. His
right hand was burned 10y the powder
showing much use of the revolver.
Members of BocckerS family say he
had no family troubles. his financial at
fairs Were in good shape. and they can as
sign no motive for the terrible crime.
The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1897-10-02
The Fourth Day.

Milwaukee. Wis. Sept. III Special
The last day OF the Safe fair opened
with a continuation Of the perfect vea;h-
sr which has prevailed during the sltiTe
The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1897-10-02
CHICAGO POTATO MARKET
MARKETS EY TELEGRAPH

Lower; receipts excessive. 1913 cars:
Northwestern early Ohios. 42M5oc; rose and
peerless 42m50c; Hebrons, 42M5oc; Bur
banks 4SU5Uc.
The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1897-10-02

Modern Definitions. Son = Paw,
what's meant by horse OF another
color" Wheeler-''A bicycle of another
make" Son-"And what's a dark horse.
paw Wheeler-'A uameless whe4,. -
Puck.
The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1897-10-02
SLAUGHTERS HIS FAMILY.
John BoeCker, an Iowa Farmer,
Ends Terrible Crime, by Com
mitting Suicide.

Carroll, la, Sept. 2S.-,Iohn Bocckcr,
aged II years. attended services ut the
church in Brcda, Carroll county, Sunday
afternoon with his eldest daughter, spent
the evening hroodinG over some financial
affairs, although he was Il wealthy farm
cr as farm wealth goes, and some time
in the night shot and killed his wife. his
six little children and himself. Th"
follows:
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-07-25
20 Years of Cures.
LOOSE METHODS

Alleged to Prevnn at the State Peniten-
tiary.
Last evenings issue of the Mounds
vile Echo had the following:
During the late administration OF
affairs at the State prison the state op-
position papers kept up an almost con-
tinual criticism both in and out OF sea-
son. while but little, if any, complaint
was made by citizens of this city, all
of whom had a general knowledge oil
how the institution was conducted.
Now there is complaint from the local
citizens. and as the Echo has been re-
peatedly solicited within the last month
or six weeks to give the matter some
attention. il was thought best TO hold
on to silence and give the adminlstra-
ton papers an opportunity TO WASH
their own grist. AS they have at pres
ent a large tubfull of county linen the
State might be boiled over the same
fire.
Now that the Echo has concluded TO
give the present complaint to the atteh-
ton to the public, it does so in no par.
tisan spirit. but solely as a matter or
public interest and not with any bias
or prejudice against the warden or his
staff. 1t is a subject Of common com
plaint with the citizens OF this city that
convicts from the penitentiary are per-
mitted to roam at will in all parts OF the
city. and that they are frequently sent
out through town on errands without
a guard. and that both male and female
convicts are permitted TO go out to the
families Of officers and guards OF the
prison to act as servants in their fam
lilies. 1t is said instances are known
where convicts went out with children
to fish.
1.-THE citizens Of Moundsville say that
they do not feel safe in their homes
when big, burly convict negroes are
permitted to run loose over the town.
These are some Of the complaints we
hear from citizens OF Moundsyille.
"The citizens Of West Virginia be-
feve that the criminals sent here by
their courts are kept in close confne-
ment as a punishment for crimes they
have committed, but they would be
shocked to know that the criminals
sent here have the privilege OF the city
streets or are taken out into families
TO be used as house servants.
mo complaint has been heard from
the manner in which the institution Is
conducted on the inside"
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-07-25

grounds tomorrow, and the outing OF
trainmen at Wheeling Park on August
4th are among the large affairs in the
reG.' FIXTURE.
Trolley parties are more than ever
popular this summer, and this is not
hard to understand, as a trolley ride
is a delightful diversion, possessing the
merit of novelty as we'll as Cheapness.
The Illuminated cars of the Wheeling
line, and the Benwood and Southern as
well, have been in great demand.
When the w. & e. G. line ad opts cleo
tricity as its motive power, trolley par
ties will be no inconsiderable source
Of revenue to the company.
-
The Silver Leaf Club entertained
friends yesterday at Mozart Park in
dancing and other ADJUSTMENTS.
James Plant, a popular young man
ot South McCollOch street, delightfully."-
entertained a party of his friends at
Mozart Park Thursday evening, in
honor Of the twenty-second anniversa-
~ 80 his birth. About sixty couples
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-07-25
BETTER TINES
In Evidence in the City-A Talk
With Leading Photo
graphtr.

The condition of the times in Wheel
ing is certainly improving. One OF the
best evidences OF business improve
ment was voiced to Register reporter
yesterday by George w. COnnel, OF the
firm Of Tappan & Connel, the we'll
known photographers. Mr.. Connel was
seen at their gallery on Main street,
and in answer to questions said:
There is really great Improvement
in business over that done few
months ago. and no one is better able
TO discover it than the photographer,
for. as you know, photographs come
under the head of luxuries. and when
money is tight people. delay having
pictures taken"
How did your special price days
take?" asked the scribe.
az was going to speak OF that. AS
YOU know. we advertised our best Aristo
cabinet photographs at s1.4S per dozen
on last Monday. Tuesday and Wednes-
day. This low price for our $500 cab
met photos was the means Of filling our
gallery with people anxious for sittings.
The result surpassed my expectations
and il required our entire force 10 take
care of the people. and some, OF course.
came late and were unable TO secure
sittings. We have arranged 70 have
the same price prevail all this week.
however, and we expect to accommodate
ALI who come. This week only, men,
women and children can come any day,
and the price will be s1.4S per dozen
for our regular 800 cabinets"
No one need go without photographs
when they are able to secure them at
so reasonable price.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-07-25
PERSONALS.

PERSONALS.
! There was a young chappie named Ike,
Whom none Of the set seemed to like;
| There's a well-defined rumor
! That he reused their ill-humor
! When he called his bicycle bike.
Indianapolis Journal.
Mrs. Marsden L. Colvig and daughter
Evelyn, are visiting Mrs. Colvigs pa
rents, Mr.. and Mrs. A. Van Peterson,
| at Milwaukee.
Misses Lou Breining and Edna
/ Ward, of East End Pittsburg, are Wis
iting at the home Of Mr.. T. S. Riley,
on Thirteenth street.
Mr.. and Mrs. Wickham, OF the Is
land. have returned from sojourn at
Mt Clemens, Mich.
Miss Carrie Brues, Of the Island, is
in Atlantic City.
Hon. Jno. A. Howard and wife are
home from a trip to the seashore.
DR.. John G. Hupp and wife have re-
turned from Atlantic City.
Miss Mayme Thompson returned to
Uhrichsville, after a pleasant visit
with the Misses Hunter, Of the Island.
Miss Nellie Faulkner, of Baltimore,
| is a guest of Miss Carrie Osborne, on
! South Chapline street.
| Misses Annie and Laura Bender, Of
| the South Side, are guests of Mounds
vile friends.
Miss Maud Chapman, who has been
! spending the summer at the Mounds
Vile camp grounds, is a guest OF Miss
Edna Sturges, of the Island.
Leon B. Stein and sister, and Miss
| Clara Speyer have returned from Nj
agara Falls and Canada.
Don Merriman, George Norton and
Will Vance left for Cleveland and
tour CT the Lakes.
Mrs. S. Z. Wright and others have
engaged rooms for the summer at the
Heights" in Bethany.
Miss Lizzie Cormack is visiting her
sister, Mrs. J. d. Lewis. in Bethany.
Miss Elizabeth CarenDauer, Of North
Market street, leaves this morning
over the B. & O. for Pittsburg on a
short visit to relatives and friends.
Mr.. and Mrs. Ben Connolly, OF North
Market street, leave this morning for
a short visit to friends in Pittsburg.
Don Merriman, Will Vance and Geo.
Norton left during the past week for
Buffalo and other lake points.
Miss Florence Grape, Of Meadville.
Pa, is visiting friends on Virginia
street
Miss Elsie Whitaker is at Loeb Lynn
Heights on a short visit.
Miss Blanch Moffat leaves next week Tor
Cape May to spend the month of August
Mrs Sue E. Wright and daughters are
summering at Bethany.
Misses Annie Dickman and Katie Henry
are at Philadelphia and Atlantic City.
Miss Martha Carnahan, of Toronto, is
visiting friends on the South Side.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-07-25

NJ. E. church. performed/the ceremony
which united Miss Dorg oliver anu Mr..
Parke Leroy BrOkaw FOR veal or woe.
Only intimate friendG and relatives of
the happy principals were present.
After the ceremony a wedding spread
was served, and he bride and groom
departed or welding tour.
About twenty invited guests witness
ed the ehr!stMing of Wilbur H., the
INFANT son o. Mr. and Mrs. S. G. Robin
son, al the Mcclure House parlOrs, We'd
neSday eysning The Rev. Jacob Brit
tlnghanH rector Of St. Luke'S p. E.
church, performed the interesting cere-
mon% A course dinner was served in
hc9Sr of the occasion by Mrs. W. L.
hEbinsOn, grandmother CT the infant,
Xnd it was followed by a brief season,
VERY enjoyably spent in the parlors in
music and conversation.
Cards were sent out last We Mr..
and Mrs. William AENRnl Mar
tins Ferry. for tI heir
accomplished dfla , 10
Mr.. Lincoln II Ohio.
The ceremony Va at the
home of the. NEXT We'd
nesday eH oil be followed
by a n er which the bride
and g depart for their future
no7 Ahis:a.
* cohgenial party of young persons
from gridgeport gave a basket picnic
q. .rH n Tf hffECCu
BLANCHE and Edna AdOlph back Of the
town. In the evening they were joined
by a humber Of their gentlemen friends.
The affair proved very enjoyable
throughout
Ar ENJOYABLE lawn fe.e was given at
the Hsinlein residence in Bridgeport
Thursday evening by the ladies of the
congregation Of The Trinity English
Lutheran church.
A delightful reception and tea was
given " ednesday evening at the home
Of Mr. and Mrs. George O'Kelley, in
bridgeport. About twelve couples were
present. The evening was spent in
music and dancing.
The Christian Endsavor Society Of
the Christian church Of Moundsville,
gave q very successful social TuesdaJ
evening at the home Of Mrs. Ella
CraadstaG.
Tuesday evening the Martins Ferry
Gee Club was charmingly entertained
al the home of Mr.. and Mrs. Chas. Nor
gan. on Third street.
Wednesday evening at the home al
the brides parents on South Jacob
street. Mr.. viii 8. NcElroy was united
in marriage 20 MISS Lille Humes. \
brief reception followed. after which
Mr. and Mrs. McElroy departed over
the r. & o. for Atlantic City and othc~
seaside resorts. The bride is a winsome
Young lady. with a wide circle Of
friends. and the groom is a popular and
successful druggist doing business on
South Jacob street.
Miss Birdie Stewart was treated 10
an agreeable surprise in the form OF
am unexpected. but nevertheless agree
able visit frcm a cOngenial party Of
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-07-25

! a committee composed Of w. NJ, Boz
mar, Of West Liberty; w. w. McElrOy,
Of Clinton; T. NJ McCord, of Wells
burg; and G. c. Wells, of Miller. w.
Va.
A lawn fete will be given Thursday
evening, the 10Th, at the Island bridge
park, for the benefit of the new En-
,glish Lutheran church. 1t will be given
under the auspices of the childrens
Missionary Society.
The Mikado Club and their friends
will dance at Mozart Park Monday
evening.
One of the swell society affairs of the
week is the house party being given out
at Elm Hill by the Misses Emma Pol
lock. Gene Waterhouse, Mary PAUL,
Jennie Jepson, Lyle PAUL and Mary
Gardner. of Steubenyille. Wheeling, no
doubt. notices, the scarcity Of young
men, as country life has suddenly te-
come attractive.
One OF the most enjoyable and sue
cesSful affairs OF the week was the
trolley party given by Excelsior Coun-
Gil No. 4, Daughters OF Liberty. The
special illuminated cars, tastefu.ly
decorated by Miss Letitia Connell and
Miss Rosa Eckard. took charge Of the
party at the ID. OF L. hall, corner or
Twenty-sixth and Chapline streets. The
conductors were Miss Letitia Connell,
Miss Rosa Eckard, Mr.. Charles Kur-
ner, Mr. It. ]. Colen and Mr.. Fred
Reineke. The first two cars were IN
charge Of the ladies, in which they TOOK
their parts exceedingly well. The cars
went to the North End, Benwood and
about the loon in the city, stopping
at the hall, where elegant refreshments
were served. Some very pleasing mus
ical selections by Mr.. B. Leach and Mr..
Clarence Stypes were rendered. IL
was the largest trolley party of the sea-
/ son. and proved successful in every re-
/ spect.
The annual picnic and promenade
concert to be given by Parke Division
A. o. H. and Ladies Auxiliary Of ST..
Josephs Cathedral, Thursday, August
18th, 1897, at Wheeling Park, promises
to be a big success. Supper will be
served by the Ladies' Auxiliary from >
to s in the Casino restaurant. The fol-
lowing are the members of the general
committee in charge: Messrs. NJ. Bailey,
]. w. Kemple, w. o'Neill, M. Prince
and ]. Fassell, and Mesdames w.
O'Neill, Kate Comerford, w. Reedy,
Misses Rosa Skally and Raph MO-
ran. Mr.. NJ. B. Bailey was chosen
chairman, Miss Moran secretary and
Mr.. J. w. Kemple treasurer. Supper
committee: chairman, Mrs. w. O'Neill;
assistants, Mrs. A. Weitzel and Mrs.
Reedy. Refreshment committee, chair
man, Mrs. Katie Comford; assistant,
Miss Kate Farrell.
An interesting and enjoyable event
of the past week in social circles was
the hay party given by number OF
North End young ladies Thursday
evening. About twelve couples drove
out to Steeles grove, where they
"tripped the light fantastic" to music
furnished by the Oriental Mandolin
and Guitar Club of Martins Ferry. Tin
horns and sleigh bells took prominent
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-07-25
ENTERTAINMENTS.

Thanks" said the judge "a swester
From fairer hand"-and then he laugh
ed.
For Maud worked In the harvest field
And wore no gloves her hands 10 shield
From the burning rays of the July sun.
And she knew that he was 'poking
Fun"
And Maud stll treasures an ancient
grudge
Against "his ribs. the flirting Judge:
For sad 90 state with tongue or pen.
She was not so fair as she might have
been.
The ladies Of the Mozart Singing So
ciety gave a Kallee Visite at Mozart
Park Thursday evening. which was a
success In spite OF the inclement
weather. They entertained a large
party OF their gentlemen friends ia a
delightful manner ia dancing and
kindred amusements
Mr.. James r. Alexander. 81 Woods
field. formerly o. Wheeling. has re-
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-07-25
DIR. HAMMOND DEAD.

DR.. T. H. Hammond died last night
at his home on the Island, in the sixty
third year Of his age. Funeral SER
vices will be conducted at $3.50 O'Clock
this evening at st. Luke's P. r. church,
after which the remains will be sent
over the B. e o. TO Newmarket, Md,
for interment. DR.. Hammond came to
Wheeling from Washington, d. c.,
about nine years ago, and took charge
of the u. S. express Office, resigning
several years ago A wife and two
children survive him.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-07-25

tastefully decorated. Music and xaneing
we're carried on till early morning Re-
freshments were served at midnight1 Those
present were Misses Mary Hayden. HBessie
Compton. Lula coplin. OF Nebraska Alma
Friedman, Della Dudley, Lille Martin.
Rose McCray. Bessie Adair and Lenk Sin
sen; Messrs. Ernie Clark. Edw: Wren.
Floyd Patton, Clyde Msllonee. Simon
Friedman, Clyde Turner. Burt Martin and
Wayne and Byron Blue.
One of the most enjoyable events OF the
past week was trolley party given by
number OF young men Of the South Side.
over the Benwood and Southern Railway.
to Moundsville Friday evening. which
proved a complete success. is being an
ideal evening. Arriving at Moundsville.
the party adjourned 10 the ice cream par
lors owned by w w. Stidger and partook
OF refreshments. Among those In the par
ty were the following: JOS Boycott. VII
lard Hicks. Geo. Waterhouse. Gilbert
Conner. VIII Cunningham. Benz. Honeck-
er. Bernard Bero. Benz. McCiuskey. Arthur
Cunningham. Thos. Davidson, Harry
Cunningham and wife. Harry Hicks. VIII
bur Flood Thos. Timothy. Rudolph Tape.
NJ. Motter and wife. Chas. Arm, Ed. Fish
er. Saml Simpson and Albert Cunning
ham; and among the ladies were Misses
Eva Bayless. Grace Rulong. Emma Full
lerton. Emma Smith. Clara Smith. Lou
Helmbright. Maggie Cunningham, Blanche
Archbold. Maggie Carroll. Dora Helm
bright. Lovena Carroll. Miss Jamison.
Miss Tape. Eva Crosby May Beall and
Minnie Serig.
Mrs. A. p. Thallman gave delightful
progressive euchre party at her residence,
The Hedges" in Leatherwood last Thurs
day evening. The guests were confined 10
those living at Leatherwoou and vicinity.
A delightful luncheon was served, after
which the prizes were presented to the
winners. A special motor conveyed the
guests to their respective homes along the
line.
Miss Mary McMechen will be hostess to
the Bowling Club next Wednesday even
| ing upon their arrival from the Wheeling
Park bowling alleys.
The O'Kabe company Of Japs will
open weeks engagement at Wheel
ing Park Monday evening.
Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-07-25

The Steubenville Turner's will play
the Wheeling Turner's match game OF
basket ball at the Turner'S picnic Tues
day. July 9th. on the Fair Grounds.
The prize is valued at $50. A hot con-
test is assured, as both sides are prac-
ticing hard. i.
The 30O-yard relay race. the 22O-yard
race. open to all, will a.so be important
features.
The Martins Ferry hose team will
run, against time.
In addition there will be zen different
numbers on the programme