Omaha daily bee., 1902-11-20
SMASHES EMPTY COACHES
Freight Train Crashes Into Rear Of Pas
senger on Great Western.
CONNECTS GAMBLERS WITH THE MURDER
wealthy Man Convicted of Conspiracy
Jumps Bond when Supreme Court
Amrms Sentence in His
Case.
(From a STAFF Correspondent

DIES MONIES, Nov. 19.-(Special. THE
Great Western passenger train from the
south, which is due to arrive here this
morning, was delayed two hours by an
accident which happened at Benton in
Ringgold county. Tit accident was fort
innate in that it might easily have been
much worse. The passenger train had
four regular coaches and two empty
coaches at the rear. II was standing at
the station when a double-head freight
train ran into the rear OF the passenger
at high speed. The two empty coaches
were demolished, but as they we're not
occupied no passenger was injured. The
front engine of the freight train was
ruined. The fireman, William A. Shaffer.
was injured so badly that he died soon
afterwards. The engineer, C. G. Squire.
was badly scalded and bruised, but will
not die. Several of the freight cars were
injured in the smashup. The cause Of the
collision Is not known.
City Administration ccuse
The Levich murder case turned strongly
today In the direction Of showing a con-
nection between the murder and the fact
that the man killed had been most active
In prosecuting the gamblers and compell-
ing the city administration reluctantly to
close up the gambling places OF the city.
At first the court refused to allow testi-
mony in regard to this matter, but later
decided to admit IL all as having a bearing
on the case. Testimony was introduced
showing that some of the gamblers had
protested to Finkelstein that he was doing
wrong in prosecuting them and that they
threatened his life II he persisted. He
had declared that he was not trying to
injure the gamblers, but that he wanted
the city to get the money they we're pay
ing out for permission to run and not the
city officials personally. A vast amount
Of testimony is being introduced to show
that Finkelstein had been threatened and
that he received letters telling him that
he would be killed.
Wealthy Convict FOrGeits Bond.
At a recent session Of the supreme court
the case OF the State against Hubbell o.
Soper of Dixon, ILL.,, was affirmed. He had
been convicted of conspiracy with others
to secure money from various residents Of
Washington county to pay for county and
township rights" in a patent washing ma
chine. 1t was found the machine was
worthless and that the concentrations and
Endorsements were fraudulent. Soper was
wealthy and had furnished the money to
carry on the business, which had been
worked systematically in several counties.
Others were indicted with him and a test
was made of his case. 1t is now learned
that as soon as he heard Of the supreme
court decision, which would compel him to
serve two years in the penitentiary, he left
his home in Illinois and all efforts to locate
him have been futile. The case attracted
a great deal of attention because OF the
prominence of all the parties concerned
and because there was a close question as
to whether it was a conspiracy case.
Names n New Referee.
Judge Mcpherson today named S. S. Eth
ridge of Des Moines to be referee in the
Glucklich bankruptcy case at Perry, in
place Of Halligan, removed. This is the
case in which the court severely censured
all who had a part in the case because Of
the delay and the disposition to make fees
rather than to accomplish results. He
ordered a special investigation to be made
Of the case and an immediate report on
whether or not further suits should be al
lowed in connection with the bankruptcy
proceedings.
The patent infringement case OF the Nor
rison Manufacturing company OF Fort Mad
isan against the Deere Pillow company Of
Rock Island was decided in favor OF the
plaintiff by Judge Mcpherson. The defend
ant company claimed that the device pat
ented had been in use prior to the taking
out Of the patent, but Judge Mcpherson
held the patent good. 1t is a device to. hold
the pillow in the furrow.