Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-03-15
INTERESTS KEWANEE PEOPLE
Principals Foremen in Mine Financed
in Henry county-crime was
Aggravated.

vance.
When the two principals in the trag-
edy were employed together they did
not get on well together and having
learned that there was friction be-
Spickler of Kewanee and John A.
Sandholm of Iowa, went Feb. 81 to
Central City, S. D., near the mine to
assist in adjusting the difficulty. At
ter learning the circumstances the res
ignations of both Calvin and Farnham
were asked for and were rendered. 1t
was decided on account of the trouble
to abandon work temporarily until new
foremen could be secured and matters
adjusted satisfactorily.
Friends Prove False.
Calvin and Farnham for some time
appeared to be the best of friends.
Having always held him in high es-
TEEN, imagine Farnham's feelings
when he discovered by chance that his
supposed friend Calvin was a traitor
and was conspiring to rob him of his
property by trickery. But that was
not all that Farnham discovered. By
chance he learned that Calvin was
alternating the affections of his wife
and that the two were plotting to ruin
him.
Farnham owned little store in Cen
trail City. There was in connection
with the store the town postOffice. He
was the postmaster and Mrs. Farnham
was appointed his assistant. After be-
coming interested in the mine Farm
ham wished to sell the store but his
wife would not listen to such a plan.
He finally agreed to retain the bust
ness and at the same time secured the
appointment of his wife as postmis
trcss while he became the assistant.
Gets GaIvIn's Letter.
Calvin and Farnham became inter
ested in several real estate deals and
opened correspondence with parties in
Chicago. The latter awaited expect
antly for replies to his communica-
tons but all in vain. His partner in
the deal, Calvin, resided in Deadwood,
and one day Farnham decided to in
quire at that city for Galvin's mail,
thinking there might be a letter from
the Chicago parties.
Calvin had some mail but it was ad-
dressed in the handwriting of Mrs
Farnham, and not being able to ac-
count for the circumstances, the hus-
band was almost dumbfounded. Why
should his wife be writing to Calvin.
The more he thought of it the strong
er the determination to find out what
the letter contained.
Finds Wife UnfaIthfuI.
The envelope upon being opened
disclosed a 12-page letter from Mrs.
Fanham to Calvin. Plans were sug-
gested in the letter whereby the hus-
band was to be cheated out of his
property and Calvin and Mrs Farm
ham were to profit by the conspiracy.
Never having had reason to distTust
his wife or Calvin, Farnham could
scarcely believe his own eyes. He
hurried home and there in the store
found the two who had planned his
ruin.
Confronting his wife with the let
ters Farnham demanded an explana-
ton. The woman professed her inno-
cence claiming to know nothing of the
letters. AT an unguarded moment
Farnham was set upon by Calvin and
a struggle for possession of the letters
enSued. One was torn to bits by Gal
win but the other was retained by the
husband. Calvin left the house and
that night Farnham. driven nearly
mad by grief. made his way to a small
hotel in an out of the way place near
Central City and there attempted to
end his life by taking large quantities
of morphine.
Found Unconscious.
In an unconscious condition he was
found. before it was too late and after
working over the apparently lifeless
form for eight hours, the attending
physician succeeded in reviving him.
AS though his burden of trouble was
not sufficient, fate heaped another
weight of adversely upon Farnham.
The same night that he attempted his
life. his home which was next door
10 the store caught fire in some mys-
FERROUS manner and was burned TO the
ground. The second story of the store
was also destroyed by the fire. But
this was not all. Fanham was arrest
ed Immediately after being brought
charged with setting fire to the house.
and was later indicted.
Mind Affected.
Since that time the unfortunate
Farnham. almost distracted. had been
seeking peace and rest by travelling
He went from Dakota 20 Chicago.
where he spent short time with
relatives but as his mind appeared
wandering it was thought best to send
him back TO Central City In this
state of mind Farnham probably re-
solved TO be avenged and meeting Gal