The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-19

of the gospel and told them he had not long
to live. He asked them to pray for him,
which they did. He was conscious when he
was the only friend of the many who pro-
IesSed great friendship for him to be at his
bedside when the summons came.
From all accounts the life OF this strange
man, his protligacy and extravaganza, is al
most without comparison. Not since the
made the instrument of such insane abuse
as the fortune which Berry got hold of last
June.
HIS PACE WAS FURIOUS.
Few persons know who he was how he
got the money he flung to the winds, or just
the exact an cunt of his fortune. He made
his debut on a startled world Dune 2, 1897, in
the little town of Salem, III. His appearances
and his conduct were the signal for an ac-
tivity in the telegraph Offices which has
never ceased since he paid bootblack SIS
for shine" ard gave a cabman SIS for
aTiVmg nm half an hour. He married
Miss sadie Miller in Mount Vernon and
grove ner on the wedding tour TO Salem
behind a horse for which he paid $40 co., Ha
LOOK the whole main floor of the hotel at
Salem and scattered money about with an
extravaganza that astounded people Kerry
gave out that his father at GloversVille
n. X, his old home, had died and had left
MN Sl,CV0Og. lie announced that he would
spend 1t all but 800, 900. That sum he would
retain for his old age. How much he really
had no one but himself ever knew but ii is
fact that he spent thousands and never
even TO the day of his death, seemed in
want.
He soon grew weary of his wife and de-
serted her. his mother-in-law sued him for
ms board Dill, and he was arrested When
ne got out of Jail he went to st. Louis, and
MS career there was something the staid
and conservative inhabitants of this city
were shocked TO behold. On one occasion
he was robbed of all he had in st. Louis
and aWoke next morning in Indianapolis
without a penny But soon he was once
Of n 10 Tvs
always very drunk. From Indianapolis he
slowly drifted to this city, where his life
of debauchery was cut short, but whether
by an accident or whether he fell victim
of robbers no one will ever know, as the
police have absolutely no clew to work
upon
This strange creature was a tramp him.
self before he fell heir to his million, or
whatever sum he so suddenly acquired. The
people near Salem and Mount Vernon had
treated him kindly, and that was why he
selected that neighborhood as the scene or
his remarkable start in the wild career that
finished him. His widow had a suit pend
ing against him for divorce when he died.
A dispatch from Mount Vernon, ILL.,, says:
James +. Berry came here In May 1897,
having but shortly before, while tramping
in the West learned from brother hobo
of the death of his father. Or. Berry, who
left him large estate. Berry has brother
still living in Gloversville. On June last.
Berry in a highly spectacular manner, was
married at Salem, ILL.,, TO Miss Sadie j. Mil
ler of Mount Vernon. Berry and his wife
returned to Mount Vernon. where. after a
married life more or less happy until July
4, Berry deserted his wife end remained
away from here. number Of different
lawsuits resulted. and Nov IS last Mrs.
Berry filed a bill in the Circuit Court for
separate maintenance and for an injunction
against Berry and his banker, George w.
Evans, and Berry's friend George X. Car
ter, restraining them from selling or other
wise transferring or disposng of Berry's es-
tate or money. Berry filed a suit for di-
vorce from Mrs. Berry, but the suit was
not pushed to a termination. and Mrs. Berry
Is BeTry's lawful widow unless, as has been
stated he has former wife living.
Mrs. Berry has employed Fred G.. Blood,
representative from this county in the State
Legislature: States attorney w. 9. Blair,
James p. Carter and Judge r. M Farthing
10 represent her. and Will push her rights to
the utmost Mrs. Berry did not know
whether a will had been made by Berry, but
if she is cut out by d will contest Of the
same will certainly result Attorney Blood
left for Paducah this afternoon, and Mrs.
Berry left tonight. The attorney carried
the marriage certificate of the Berrys, and
Mrs. Berry will, it IS thought, claim the
BODY Of her ltc husband.