davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-01-15

.coolld saturday, January 5, 12 pound
. Mrs. John Cocklin and Mrs. Georye
Fucker have been on the sick list for
some time.
Master Jesse Bowers is unable to at
tend school on account of illness.
w. Il. Bowers was in Randolph on
business Tuesday.
Miss Hattie Brumbaugh, of Brimfield,
is visiting relatives at this place.
Mrs. VIM. Kurtz, of Summit county,
was the guest of Mrs. b. f. Wise over
Sunday.
George Rayot and wife have returned
from a six weeks stay near Louisville.
Martin Bast has returned after visit
in Massillon.
II. II. Gibson and son nailed on 459
horseshoes in four days last week.
The protracted meeting closed Sum
day night.
Teachers Institute will be held at
White Hall school house Saturday.
January IL.
1t is reported that ]. J. Smith has
sold his store to his sons, Erwin and
Oscar.
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-01-15
86TH BIRTHDAY.
Ceiebrated by the Children and Grand.
children Of Ell Smith.

The children and grandchildren Of
Ell Smith, who lives four miles north
of this city. Saturday evening, assem-
bled at the home of Frank Smith. to
celebrate the formers eight sixth
birthday. Although having attained an
advanced age, Mr.. Smith enjoys ex-
ceedingly good health and strength for
one Of his years. He is a highly hon
ored and respected citizen, and Is to-
day one Of the substantial pillars of the
Wearstler Evangelical Lutheran church.
He has not missed a night or day SER
vice at the church foG many years.
Thirty-five guests partook of sump-
tuous feast, served at 0 o'clock. Tho
eevening was spent In pleasing social
manner. recounting the past and pro-
phesying for the future.
Rev. g. c. Smith, the pastor at
Wearstler church, was present. Iii
pleasing address he congratulated Mr..
Smith on the anniversary. The chill.
dren presented Mr.. Smith with q mum.
her Of useful presents. g..
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-01-15
TO SELL RAILROAD
Salem Electric Line TO Be Knocked
Down at S125,O0O.
DECISION OF The CIRCUIT court
Releases City and Other De.
PENDANTS From Liability In
Legal Action.

Salem, Jan. 1.-THE United States cir
cult court, of the northern district Of
Ohio, Thursday entered a decree in
the case Of the Morton Trust company,
of New York, against the city of Salem,
Byron 9. Amber, Joel Sharp and j. M.
Woodruff, originally appointed trustees
of the Salem railroad and against the
trustees individually by which the road
and all property is to be sold at date
tc be fixed, on the mortgage or deed OF
trust. The decree was taken upon the
motion of the holders of the bonds OF
this city amounting to $125,0o0, as plain
tiff the sale to take place at the Salem
railroad station.
The case has been pending, practically
since the decision of the Ohio supreme
court declaring the special act of the
Ohio legislature authorizing the issue
of bonds unconstitutional, shortly after
which the court appointed B. 8. AM
bier, receiver, who has since operated
the road.
THE CITY RELEASED.
The decree evidently comedies the va.
lidity Of the decision of the Ohio SUI
preme court, releases the city and all
other defendants of liability and orders
Tie sOlu not icSs IMAM SlSOb-
900, all deficiency for interests and costs
to be reported to the court by
| the special master having the
sale la charge. No bid is to be received
nnless the bidder first deposits $4,000,
and fixes the payments. The interest
accrued and unpaid amounts to $40,090.
There Is a balance of the proceeds from
the sale of the bonds Of $3.50 in the
hands of the surviving trustees and
| So, ,62S.70 of the surplus earnings Of the
road which, 1t is understood, the court
orders paid to the plaintiff company. It
/ Is understood that the plaintiff valves
\ all Claims for the balance against de-
Ifendants, should balance Of deficiency
remain after the road is sold.
>v CITIZENS AGITATED.
There is naturally some agitation in
the minds of citizens as to who will be
the purchasers of the roaS 1t is had
from parties who had some knowledge
Of the motives of the bondholders in
bringing this case to a conclusion. that
1 IL Is their intention to buy the road and
operate it under a new organization.
| which will not involve much change
In the present management. but under
n charter for which some steps may al
eady have been taken. Parties have
been considering the matter of purchase,
but are not willing to pay the price fixed
by the court which was doubtless sug-
gested by the plaintiff. and will not, SO
IL Is said, bid on the property. -
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-01-15
It IS Alive BODY.
State DecenniaI Board Of Equalization
AWakenS at Last.
COMMITTEE ON rules REPORTS.
The Valuation of Property In
Almost Every County Will be
Increased.

The state decennial board of equali-
cation has given evidence of being live
body The board has been in session
since December 4, at Columbus, with
out accomplishing anything for the
benefit of anybody, except to draw
promptly mileage and s5 per day. says
a Columbus exchange.
Wednesday the committee on rules
made it's report, adopting practically
the rules as to the equalization of
property valuations that were stricken
out of the statutes by the Roger act.
Under these rules the board will add
to the aggregate valuation of real
property in every county which 1t be-
lieves to be below the actual value in
money such per cent, as will he neces-
sary to raise the figures to the cash
value. The same procedure will main
tain as to reductions.
The equalization of property Is to
be taken up in the following order:
Farm lands, the counties being taken
in their alphabetical order: villages in
the several counties, also taken In al
phabetical order; the cities. except
Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo. Colum
bus and Dayton; the cities, and VIII
lagos in the several counties as COM
pared with the farm lands. The busi-
ness of the board is to be transacted in
committee of the whole without re-
port until the work is completed All
petitions and complaints are to be pre-
sented in writing and are to be urged
orally before the committee OF the
whole.
After disposing of the rules the
board proceeded to ride roughshod over
the printed opinion Of Attorney Gen
eral Sheets. This was in connection
with the report of the special commit
| tee. to whom was referred the resolu-
| ton requesting Gov. Nash to convene
| the legislature in extra session. The
majority reported that there was no
need of an extra session, holding that
an erroneous impression as to the
| powers of the board had been obtained
from newspaper publications; that the
board possessed all the power neces-
sary to transact business for which ii
| was elected; that there was no incon-
yenience on account Of lack of en-
ployes and that everything surrounding
the body was supremely happy.
Mr.. Booth objected to the adoption
of the majority report, contending that
the attorney generals opinion ts dia-
metrically opposed to conclusions of the
committee. Mr.. Ketterer held similar
views, but the majority side explained
by suggesting that the attorney general
desired to give supplemental or re-
,ised opinion in which the latitude pi
the board may be enlarged. Arditor ci
State Guilbert thought the board baJ
practically all the powers possessed by
the similar body ten years ago. 7.f
There is perharsino member Of th'
board fully satisfied as to the law ol
the duties conferred upon them, YET
tary are apparently detrn. ned 10 pre-
ceed without regard to- future conse-
quences or promised litigation. Z ts
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-01-15
KE|FFER' TRIAL
Will be One Of Most Noted In History
Of the State.
NO Direct EVIDENCE OBTAINADLE
But Prosecutor Feels Confident
lie Can Convict Prisoner OF
Shooting His Brother.

Ravenna, o., Jan. lin an inter-
view today with Prosecutor Beckley re-
garding the case of John H. keiffer, un-
der indictment for shooting with intent
to kill his brother, Wesley Keiffer, at
Brimfield on the night of December 1S,
the prosecutor said the case would
be tried at this term of court, and that
he was positive of conviction.
There are several features in the case
that have already attracted wide atten-
ton, and the trial will be one of tho
most noted in the criminal annals of
the country, and that means considera-
BILE, because it will be remembered that
the "Blinky" Morgan and Goss murder
cases have been successfully prosecuted
at this place in the last decade.
While no direct evidence has yet been
secured in the Keiffer case, a chain of
circumstantial evidence is in possession
of the officers which they think will
break down the prisoners carefully pre-
pared alibi. John Keiffer resided in
Kent with his family, which consisted
of a wife and four children. He is a
carpenter and had been out of work.
For several days prior TO the tragedy
he visited the farm of his brother
Wesley, returning home at night. On
Thursday, December 10, he left home
early in the afternoon, visited doctor
ater called at a store, and by 4 o'clock
was in the south part of Kent, less than
two miles from the home of Wesley
John claims to have then returned to
the business portion of Kent, and at
o'clock was at the residence of Robert
Mary for gun. The shooting occur
red at about 8 o'clock, and the prosecu-
tion is convinced from its investigations
that an hour and a half Of vital time
cannot be explained by John.
1t is the theory of the prosecutor that
the gun used by John was purchased
in Cleveland on December 6. On that
date John went to Cleveland ostensibly
to have his eyeglasses refitted, but it
develops that he did not get that work
done. He can give no account of any
business in the city, but the next day
after his return Wesley noticed re-
volver in his pocket.
From the fact that the weapon has
never been found since the tragedy, IL
Is thought that it was disposed Of in the
numerous swamps that parallel the rail-
road leading from Wesley's home to
Kent. A hardware dealer at Kent re-
members selling cartridges to John, but
has not been able as yet to fix a date.
Another peculiar feature in the case
ls that John claims to have been at
tackled by a stranger at Wesley's home
several weeks prior to the shooting, but
the prosecutor has become convinced
that this is a myth, and at that time
John contemplated the deed and was
laying the foundation which would
throw suspicion from him. His claim
Is that an unknown man jumped from
hiding and struck him with a club on
the leg below the knees. He reported
the attack to Wesley, but exhibited no
evidence to substantiate his statements
Opa ~ tho nri nj nciDal noints in all trap o.
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-01-15
AN UNLUCKY FAMILY
Fatalities, Strange and Mysterious
Follow the COllinscs.

Bowling Green, o., Jan. n.-From
broodin.s over the calamitIes that have
from time to time overtaken members
of the family, b. F. Collins has become
insane and been committed to the hos
pital for insane at Toledo.
The fatalities that have been visited
upon the family are both strange and
mysterious. The first to meet with a
violent death was a daughter, who fell
into a hole filed with water and was
drowned. The next to come to his death
In an unnatural way was son. He fell
from the top of an oil derrick and in
jured his spine so badly that he died.
In October last year Alex. Collins,
who was in the employ of the Paragon
Oil Refining company, was found dead
In a tank. The relatives Immediately
suspected foul play, and though no post
mortem was held. the father engaged
the services of detectives to run down
some things which he said he knew. A
month after the death of Alex. Collins
Frank Collins, another brother, was
found dead in boiler house near Rising
Sun. this county. The coroner made an
examination and is still collecting evi-
dence in the case. This death stirred
up the old gentleman to renewed energy.
He claimed that the last boy was get
ting too close to the murderers of his
other son, and they put him out Of the
way. The father. convinced that MUIR
ders had been committed, worked all
the harder, with the result that he
finally broke down and lost his mind.
Two more sons are bumpers on an oil
lease near Six Points, this county, and
1t is said they are In constant fear lest
some calamity will overtake them.
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-01-15
LOST HIS TONGUE
John Witzerman Of Canal Dover Under
goes Peculiar Operation.
HAS GOOD chances OF RECOVERY.
Taken to a Hospital In Cleveland
Last Sunday...Was lnveter.
ate Smoker.

John Waterman, a well known Canal
Dover stone mason, went to Cleveland a
few days ago and had his tongue re-
moved, clear back at the root. Witzer
man has been most inveterate smoker,
and sometimes he has looked upon the
wine glass. Last August he complain
ed of pain In his ear, but did not pay
much attention to II for couple of
he called Shauwecker, Of Canal
Dover.
The doctor could find nothing wIcng
with the ear. but asked him to call
again for more thorough examination,
which he did a couple of weeks later.
He surmised that there was some
throat difficulty and That the nerve car
ried the sensation to the ear. This prov
ed to be correct, as he found q lump
at the root of the tongue as large as a
hazel nut, which he diagnosed as cancer
Waterman said there has been lit
tie lump there since August. The doctor
advised him to have It removed, telling
him Just what II was; but witzerman
went away and did not come back TO,
some weeks, when 1t was as large as 0
hickory nut. He was again advised al
to the urgency Of the matter, but neg.
lected II until Sunday. Then he called
on the doctor at o'clock In the morn.
ing. and asked the doctor to take hin
to Cleveland. as he could not swallow
any more.
They went at once to Lakeside hospi.
tai In that city, and after consultation
his entire tongue was removed. tina
being the only hope Of saving his life
He stood tho operation well. ana hal
lsoma chance Ox racoyery, hut Il he does
II vir a. - glers pxeezlRG, - - !
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-01-15
Ohio Pastor Called.

New York. Jan. 10.-At a meeting Of
the congregation Of the Westminster
Presbyterian church last night. q unan.
imous call was extended to the Rev. DR..
John Lloyd Lee, Of East Liverpool, o..
to fill the pulpit OF that church.
The pulpit has been vacant since tho
first Sunday In December last, when
the resignation Of the Rev. DR.. Robert
Sample was accepted. DR., Sample goea
to fill the chair Of Christian Ethics at
Lincoln University, near philadelphia
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-01-15
NEW BALTIMORE NEWS.

New Baltimore, Jan. II.
Mrs. 8. s. Newhouse visited friends
In Leetonia recently.
John Baum spent part Of last week In
Massillon.
Gay Maxwell is at home again after
visiting friends In Akron and Cleveland
for two weeks.
Mrs. r. M. Cummings was in our VII
lage recently paying farewell visits to
friends here. She will Join her husband
In Anthony, Kan, In a short time.
Mr.. Anderson. who has been working
In Sharon during the fall, has been at
home on account Of sickness. He has
so Tar improved a. TO be able to be
about and win soon return TO work.
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-01-15

cefved Announcing Ills critical condi-
tion. A message followed, Thursday
November 15. saying Sthat he had died
The announcement OF his death was-a
severe shock to.the family as well as 10
his host of friends. He was a most
exemplary young man, with high men
tai and moral attainments.
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-01-15

Special to News-Democrat. t
. Massillon. Jan. il.--Art simms, thf
Akron undsfated, and Eddie Gardner, q
Wheeling, w. Va, ara to meet In ~
resk4 ~ y this qity nest xhegece{
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-01-15
SERIOUS CHARGES
Against State Dairy and Food CON-
missioner Blackburn Are
made BY GAINESVILLE GROCERS.
1t Is Alleged Dealers In DOld's
Butterine We're Guaranteed
Immunity From Arrest.

A dispatch from GAINESVILLE says that
interviews with the leading grocers in
that city fully bear out the statements
that representative of the Jacob Dold
Butterine company declared that there
was an understanding between his
company and state Dairy and Food
Commissioner Blackburn, by which
grocers who sold bold butterine would
not be prosecuted
While the cases against the Zanes-
vile grocers for selling, the goods of the
Capital City Dairy company were pend
ing Charles ii. Bancroft, agent for the
Dold Butterine company, arrived in
GAINESVILLE, calling first on John f..
Brown, the Lee street grocer MI.
Brown was for many years president
of the city council, and is one of the
best business men and shrewdest pol
ticians of GAINESVILLE.
ANXIOUS TO PLACE GOODS.
Mr.. Bancrofts anxiety to place his
goods with him anh his profuse as
surances that he could handle them
without molestation, caused Mr.. Brown
to pump" him, as he expressed 1t. MIR.
Brown said:
while one of the cases was on trial
in Squire Griffee's court, Mr.. Bancroft
came 70 my store and wanted me to
renew the contract we had had with his
company the previous year, sayiiS he
woIld guarantee me against having an!
fines to pay. He said all l wo IL have
to do would be to plead guilty If ar
rested, ard his company would pay the
fine. | told him all the other companies
would do that. but that l did not like
the idea of being arrested, and having
to plead guilty.
You won't be arrested for selling
the goods he re2,icd
"'How do you know?' / asked.
"'Well 1 know he replied.
HE said now was the Tins to get
on the band wagon. l then told him
that / understood that an indianapolis
house was guaranteeing immunity from
prosecution, and asked him II the Dold
company would do that. He replied that
he cd not know, but -w,l telephone
the house. He tilen left, ani l imme-
diately telephonedthe other grocers
who had had trouble with Blackburn
to draw Bancroft out wh:l he called
- them. Later he calltd ne ur by
phone, and said he had telephoned the
house, and that he was prepared TO
give a written, guarantee from the
Jacob Dold Butterine company that
there would be no affidavits filed against
the sellers of their butterine. He did
not say in so. many words that his
house had an arrangement with Black
burn, but he certainly left that impress
sion"
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-01-15
A WRITTEN GUARANTEE.

c. Flegel, the Underwood street
grocer, said:
Mr. Bancroft offered to give me a
written guarantee against molestation
by the state food and dairy commits
sioner as good as a gold bond IL j
would sign a contract to sell his goods.
He told me / could take the guarantee
to any lawyer in town and satisfy my
self about it. 1 ask him how it was
that he could give such a guarantee,
and lie said 1t would take too ioHg 10
tell the story. He did say, however,
that Blackburn was getting even with
Pirrung for an alleged remark made by
the latter in New York City, to the eff
feet that he CPirrung) had Blackburn
in his vest pocket"
w. A. Scott, the Putnam avenue gro
Ger, said:
"Mr. Bancroft told me in the presence
of my wife that II would sign con-
tract to sell his goods he would give
me a bond in any sum / cared to name
that / would not be arrested. He said
the reason Blackburn was prosecuting
the people who handled the goods of the
Capital City Dairy company was that
he had determined to wipe the Capital
City company off the earth because It
had fought him. He said he stood right
next to Blackburn; that he had l4l
customers in Columbus, and none Of
them had ever been touched. -
WOULD SEE BELL FIRST.
IT told him would have to see Mr..
Bell first, and he agreed to come back
ot ~ xaJifh his n hIIt hpfOra
that time he was subpoenaed to testify
town."
Ira Josselyn, of Josselyn Bros, gro
GERS of Putnam avenue, said:
"Mr. Bancroft offered to give us a
fiat guarantee against arrest IL we
would handle his goods. / asked him
IL he would sign a contract that we
would not be bothered by the state Of
Ohio, and he said he would. then asked
him II he would give the same guarantee
against molestation by the United
States, and he said he could not dc
that. He wanted to write the contract
right out, but put him off, telling him
that / would have to see my brother
| first"
H. T. Piper. of Fell & Piper. grocers
said:
"Mr. Bancroft talked to Mr.. Fell, wht
is out of the city at present. We de-
clined to handle his goods, and d.
not know the nature Of the converse
ton, beyond that 1t was similar to tina
had with other grocers."
The attachment for Bancroft's arres
as a witness Is still on file In Squire
Griffee's court, ready for service on hin
whenever he comes within jurisdiction
OF the court.
HARsCH's STATEMENT.
william L. Harci, of 2Oi Main street
said:
"Mr Bancroft told me that Mr.. Jacol
Dold had an arrangement with FOO,
and Dairy Cemmiss>oner Hlackburs
sud thai =. wopld Ensantee M II
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-01-15

William L. Harci, Of 2Oi Main. street.
said:
"Mr Bancroft told me that Mr.. Jacob
DoId had an arrangement with Food
and Dairy Cemmiss3oner Hlaciburn.
suc thet - wosla G2,sentse me IEl-
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-04-23
GOSSIP.
Superior Court-Rushing Business.
Hog Stealing Case-Pushing Work on
the Sewers-A Horse Presented &c
Mr.. Porter, the Blind Preacher.

Correspondence of the Messenger.)
Goldsboro. N, c., April IL.
Your correspondent is out of the city
and the work falls upon less experience
ed shoulders for a day or two. Court
is yet in session and Judge Starbuck is
pushing ahead vigorously, many cases
being disposed Of each day. The court
has been occupied with a number OF
gambling cases-all negroes These vi
olators of the law nave been given an
average of about ninety days at hard
labor.
The Rev. pickett has arrived and
taken charge of the protracted meet
ings at st. Johns church.
Miss George Bizzell, daughter Of Mr..
z w. Bizzell, in running through a
window yesterday, sustained several
cuts on the forehead.
The shipment of asparagus is grow
ing larger the price ranging from 81 to
$50 per dozen punches.
Mr.. Leonard Edwards sold to Tom
Bright, the hack driver today the first
rubber tired surry that has even been
purchased in the city.
MI. James Hatch. of Mt. Olive, was
visiting in the city yesterday.
Since January 3O5 horses and mules
IAdfS DGCh oOId at AAO LIZ S~o|ANS va
Jas. Edwards.
On Friday next. MI. Henry Blount, OF
Wilson will give his famous lecture
"Chow Chow" in this city for the ben
eft Of the First Baptist Sunday school.
Mr.. J. w. Lamb is having his home
moved on John street in order that he
may rebuild his stables which were de-
strOyed by fire some time back.
The public today presented to Rev.
Mr. DnrfaT the hlin6 nFQ9PhpT a very
fin horse.
Mr.. David Middleton and family, of
Pelzer, s. c., are expected to move here
soon.
Work on the line of sewerage is pro-
crossing finely and Will reach the At
lantic and North Carolina railroad to-
morrow.
Every thing is very quiet around po-
lice headquarters today.
The case of state VS.. Ike Simmons
and Sarah Simmons consumed the time
in the superior court this morning.
Some time ago in the neighborhood
of Mt. Olive some hogs were stolen
from a widow lady. Richard Simmons,
a negro was taken before Jas. r.
Hatch, justice of the peace and was
bound over to court. While on his way
to Jail he was seized by a band of men
and severely whipped and ordered TO
leave the community. They then went
to the house of Sarah Simmons and
whipped Ike Simmons. Richard has
never been heard from since. Ike and
his mother We're tried today for receiv-
ing stolen hogs.
Sarah was convicted. But the jury
has not returned a verdict in Ike case.
The Goldsboro Lumber Company of
Dover suffered yesterday by fire. the
loss OF an old mill valued at 81, 900.
The fire. it is thought, was started from
a spark from a passing locomotive.