davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-12-24

shaker. On leaving the hotel he went
by the door nearest the street from
the parlor, and in passing out he threw
the shaker under the piano, so the po-
lice say.
The Grand Jury ended its investiga-
ton OF the case late yesterday after
o 1t is understood that an indict-
ment was Immediately found, and this
will be formally brought into the
Court of Oyer and Terminer against
Wilson, who is under arrest in Phila-
delphia.
Wilson will then be extradited as
soon as possible and his trial held
early in the new ear.
Romer's will was admitted to pro-
bate in the s~urrogate's office today.
1t was made October 20, 1900. and first
provides thai after all debts and funeral
expenses nave been paid, Harry F.
Allen, a friend. is to receive $500.
In the second provision Mr.. Romer
directs that "all the rest and residue Of
my estate of every description should
be devised ito the Fidelity Trust Com
pany of Newark, New Jersey, to have
and to hold in trust and to invest and
~reinvest the same, and the same and
the income, in their discretion, with
full power and authority to sell and
convey the whole or any part of my
real estate as to them may see fit, and
out of the principal or income of my
estate to pay annually to the guar
dian of my child hereinafter mentioned
the sum of 81, 900 in equal quarterly
sums until said child shall have arrived
at the age of q years, and in that
event, to pay the whole of the residue
of my estate unto my said child"
Bessie Herrick, sister-in-law. is then
named as the guardian of the child,
Margaret J.. Ronler, and it is provided
| that in ease of her death, Nellie Jones
shall have such guardianship and,
again. in case of the latter's death,
Margaret Jones is named.
In case of the death of the child
itself before the age of 81 years. the
estate is to be divided by a bequest
of $4,000 to the t~estator's wife's mother
| Margaret Jones, of Rensselaer,, n. VI
$1,000 to Bessie Herrick, and the bal
ance of the estate as provided by the
laws of the State.
The Fidelity Trust Company is named
as executor of the will, which was
witnessed by Emma L. Davidson, OF
East Orange, Aand Horace Stetson, o
Orange.
In a codicil attached and dated
March 8, 1905, Mr.. Romer formally
~ratiies all the provisions OF the will
except that the bequest to Allen is re-
voked, and he provides that Mrs. Mar
garet S. Coddington, described as my
friend" shall receive 5000, provided
that at the time of his death his child
shall be in her charge.
Another change made is that Mrs
Margaret Jones is to receive $1,000, in
stead of $4,000, and that $4,000, instead
of $4,000, be given to Bessie Herrick.
All the principal witnesses In thu
case were subpoenaed, as told yester'
day, including John Woodson, th'
negro jeweler. of Philadelphia, with
whom Wilson pawned Romer's dia'
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-12-24

sure: Roasted turkeys, roasted geese,
roasted capons, huge sirloins of beef,
home-cured hams and a myriad of good
things that only a housewife of long
ago could conceive. were heaped upon
the snowy table, while at the end. in
front of the masters plate, was placed
the piece de. resistance, a sucking pig,
roasted whole. a glowing red apple grip
ped tightly between its glistening teeth.
In the centre of the table burned the
stately candles, surrounded by a bank
of holly, cleaning with its scarlet ber-
ries. On the side tables stood the bowl
of wassail, the big pitchers of port and
cider, plates of nuts and fruits and
sweets and platters of Christmas cakes
of every description; not forgetting the
yule dough. those plain. but well-spiced,
thin cookies, made as were the ancient
cakes in the form of a human body,
with slits for the nose and mouth and
currants for the eyes. Other evidences
that the feasting was to be continued
throughout the day were contained in
the two large baskets on either side of
the fireplace. one filled with chestnuts,
the other with apples. these to be roast
ed at will on the glowing Goals, while
in the corner were the irons with which
to null the port and cider.
A custom of beauty was one rarely
nowadays. While the after
festivities were at their height
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-12-24

mond ring; Thomas Waters, also a
negro. who was present when the
ring was pledged: E.. j. Crane, another
Philadelphia to whom Wilson first
tried to sell the ring. The ring was
offered in evidence also.
Prosecutor Young received the con-
fession from the Philadelphia authori-
ties, but declined to make it public.
"It was not a complete confession, "
said the prosecutor, "but only a part
of it."
He stated that he had presented it
to the Grand Jury. The prosecutor did
not take kindly to the publicity given
the case.
ut is not right that everything
should be published this way" said he.
for it lnterferes with the ends Of ius-
tice.'
County Physician Elliott, who per-
formed the autopsy on the body of
Romer, was the first witness called
Yesterday, and Edward Kemp, who
made the diagram of Romer's room,
followed. In addition to the three
! Philadelphians there were Elvie j.
| Weatherhead, Romer's partner in
the undertaking business, and Cor
don c.. .Lindes, who was in the
FIRMS employ; Herbert Hopper. who
accompanied the deceased part of the
way home on the night of the murder;
Mrs. Frances j. Kieb, wife of the
proprietor of the Park Hotel, where
the murder was committed; Stephen
Miller, who conducts a cigar store near
the hotel: Detective Sergeant Drabell,
of Orange, and Detective Sergeants
! Mason and Godfrey, of the prosecutors
[ Office.
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-12-24

Herold: William r. Hoffman,. one OF
Mr.. Stengers closest friends, and Christian
Fiegenspan. he left for Philadelphia to
consult the famous DIR. Deever, known far
and wide as an appendicitis expert. On
the train they met William P. O'Rourke,
city building inspector.
DR.. Deever advised Mr.. StengeI TO have
the appendix taken out, saying that his
trouble might become serious some time
while away from home where good atten-
ton would be impossible. Mr.. Stengel re-
turned to this city, thought matters over,
and on Tuesday advised his friends that
he had decided to have the operation.
They tried to dissuade him for the time
being, on the ground of the approaching
holidays. but he insisted, saying that he
was in proper frame of mind, and wanted
1t over with.
Mr.. Hoffman and young Fiegenspan
again accompanied him to Philadelphia
wednesday night. The operation was per-
formed Thursday. 1t seemed to be uc-
~cessful, but on Sunday complications de-
veloped that made his condition pre-
c%arious.
Mrs. Feigenspan, now Mrs. Stengel, hur-
ried to him. Her children and %stepchil-
dren, Edward c.. and Christian ". Feigen-
span and Mrs. Rudolph Kuser, of Tren-
ton, accompanying or following her. Mr..
Stengers brother, ]. August, who is secre-
tary Of the F%eigenspan corporation, and
his sisters, Miss Mile Stengel. Miss Elsie
Stengel, and Mrs. Henry S~nellbacher, also
went to Philadelphia and were present at
the wedding and the death that followed.
Albert 8. Koenig, superintendent of the
brewery, was also present.
After the wedding ceremony, which was
decided upon only after the physicians
said that there was practically no hope.
Mr.. Stengel grew weake gradually until
he succumbed about 4:15 O'Clock this
morning
Mrs Stengel and the other relatives re-
turned to Newark after he expired. The
body was brought back this afternoon and
was taken to his home, 169 Fairmount
avenue. Mrs. Stengel and her children
went directly to their home at 7l2 High
street upon arrival in the city. She was
laboring under such a severe strain.
brought about by the anxiety and grief
of the past foity-eight hours, as well as
the physical srrain, that she could see no
one but members of the family.
Mr.. Stengel, besides being the head OF
the Feigenspan interests, was a director
In the German Hospital, a director In the
Union National Bank, one of the trustees
Of the United States Brewers Association.
a member Of the finance committee of the
Brewers Board of Trade, a member OF
the Newark Board OF Trade and of the
Elks and the North End and Union
clubs. He also belonged to the Ariop
Singing Society and several other Ger
man organizations. During his life he
held many offices in the New Jersey ana
the New York brewers associations.
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-12-24

"a little drap to warm them up" was
served, and each was asked, to drink
the health of ole mistiss, ole mars, the
little folks and the household guests.
This closed the ceremony for Christ
mas Eve. Candles were passed around
and warm beds sought, there to dream
of Santa Claus and the morrow n
what was to be found in the score of
stockings left hanging about the great
open fireplace.
Christmas morning breaks clear and
cold. The household bestirs itself
early, awakened by the entrance of the
house servants, who rush from room TO
room calling Christmas Gift" to all
within, as they bear to each the family
loving cup, containing the morning
grog. a sip from which each is sup
posed to take. Gathering in the great
dining-room, a huge punch bowl, filed
to the brim with the -snow-capped
Christmas egg-nog, greets them, This is
the beginning of the days good cheer.
Breakfast over, the gift-giving begins
among the servants. for those within
the house had all descended in the wee
sma' hours to scan the contents of their
stockings, there to- find that which was
most ardently desired. When the army
of slaves arrived on the front lawn gifts
over which the mistress and her helpers
had labored so a%rduously were brought
forth and bestowed, while groceries,
extra allowances of provisions, sweet
meats and TASKS of egg-nog or spirits
we're passed around. Then the house,
hold made ready for church, which was
followed by the midday Christmas feast,
capped by the blazing plum pudding,
prepared months ago
And what feasts they were, to be
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-12-24
LEADS
TO FIND IN
ROMER CASE
ocon.lnuea from Flr.t PACED

fatal night in which the undertaken
lost his life the family cat has shown a
propensity of remaining in the parlor'
All 3 o'clock this morning while a night
Waterman was on his rounds he dis
covered the cat creeping neal the par
lor door, and the next instant IL was
hidden from Hadden's view. Lighting
a gas let MADDEN looked for the cat,
but it was not to be seen.
The only thing in the parlor 10 hlde
the animal from view was the piano.
This is located near the door or the
parlor which leads to the street. Pro-
curing an umbrella, Hadden knelt on
the foor and began poking under the
piano in the hope of routing he at
He did so and came across something
that for a moment made him tremble.
The handle of the umbrella caught in
the crank part of the shaker, and HAD
den pulled it out, and there before him
was the instrument of death, for the
blood and matted hair told him the
story.
Forgetting the cat. he ran upstairs
to Mr.. Kieb's room and aroused his
employer.
Look. see what / found in the par
lor. MIR. Kieb," he exclaimed, and in
the dim rays of the gas light In the
hall Mr.. Kieb saw the weapon.
Hardly taking time to clothe himself,
the hotel mar made for the telephone
and called UP the police station and
asked that a policeman be sent to the
hotel, and that there was something
important there.
When an officer arrived the weapon
was turned over to him, and he COM
m%unicated with Chief of Police Washer,
and hat official Immediately repaired
to headquarters. Detective Sergeant
John Drabell was also summoned, SO
important did the chief think of this
new find, and as early as possible the
weapon was removed to the prose-
cutor's Office.
The finding of the weap.n has stirred
up renewed interest in the murder.
When Chief of Police Washer was
asked if his men had searched We
parlors when they made an examina-
|tion of the hotel he reluctantly replied,
mo, we did not search the parlor at
ALL"
The furnace shaker was part of an
old furnace which was removed to
make way for a new one some time
ago. and the shaker was hung on the
rafters in the cellar of the hotel. Will
liams, or Wilson, knew where this was,
and it is conjectured that when he
made his way into the hotel on the
fatal night he first went to the, cellar
and there armed himself with the
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-12-24

LNEX

could forget who be1eld the upturned
and eager black faces of the plantation
help as they came forward TO receive
the gift that they so well knew awaited
them.
Good old days, we say? Days that
are gone, but the memories of which
are as green and fresh in our hearts
today as the holly and mistletoe we
are engaged in twining into wreaths
for the Christmas of today.
Christmas Before the War had the
same significance for the children of
tho South as it has for those of today,
but how much more it meant to the
m~istresses of those plantations where
q hundred or more slaves had to be
remembered than it does to the grand
danes of today, who HAYS but to en-
ter their carriages, visit the nearest
shop and there purchase whatever their
fancy might dictate. Today it is little
else than n of many shopping tours.
so. dear to the hearts of all woman
kind. Then it mean endless work; for
months the needles flashed in h busy
housewives hands. as a gift then was
almost invariably handmade.
Preparations for Christmas in ante
bellum days generally began early in
September. when miiady paid her semi
annual visit to the nearest city or
and there laid in her supplies.
Groceries we're purchased by h
wholesale, staples for the field hands
and all the delicacies the market af-
forded for the great house and the
horde of guests which were to in
wade it.
A visit to the dry goods stores re-
suited in the purchase Of cloths, cot
tons. 1annels and silks by the bolts.
OF course, materials for fancy work
were purchased in large quantities,
every Southern-born woman spent
her spare moments at work OF his
sort. Arriving home the fall campaign
was mapped out. Every plantation
of half a dozen or more women
and girls among the slaves, who desig-
mated themselves by the proud titles
of iseamsters." Each day the seam
sters', would come to the room set
apart in the manor house for sewing,
under the watchful eye of the mis-
tress of the house, sew up the seams oil
the she herself had cut out.
for the smallest baby on the
p~lantation, as we'll as those for the
little pickaninnies, h~alf-grown girls
and old women alike. were made
and laid away for Christmas. Brlght
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-12-24
-W LN1W
ZE XNR21zRzUET

and as the hot-mulled beverages were
passed around, toasts were freely given.
The guest of honor, with glass abort,
would open the front a door ana
from the shelter of the piazza ne
toasted the fields and orchards, thai the
host might be assured of a successful
summer and a rich harvest. Returning
TO the hall, a well-pitched voice would
burst forth into that delightful old
carol:
God rest you, merry gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay;
For Jesus Christ, III Saviour,
Was born upon this day.
This carol usually closed the after
diversions. Chambers were
sought and siestas snatched thai eyes
might be bright for the browning event
of the day, the Christmas BALI
The huge hallway was cleared OF its
furniture and the glistening floor waxed
until its surface shone like a mirror.
The fiddlers took up their position in
the corner of the room as carriages be-
gan to drive up laden with the young
folks from the countryside for miles
around.
Round dances and square dances,
reels and quadrilles followed in quick
order, until h faint streaks of dawn
lined the horizon; then came the 4Vir-
ginia reel, in which old and young par
ticipated, and Christmas Day had faded
into the past. A round of gayeties are
crowded into the week. each a replica
of the one tha went before. Feasting
and merry-making goes on unabated
until New Years Day has been ushered
in; then guests depart and once more
the household takes up its routine.
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-12-24
. HRIsTMAs is near. Its approach

( CHRISTMAS Is near. Its approach
is heralded by the thousand and
one symbols that from babyhood
/ we have learned to love and associate
with the festival of the nativity of
Christ. This festival is joyously cele-
brated in every country on the globe
where the enlightening rays of Chris
tianity and civilization have pene-
trated.
Children tell us that Christmas is in
the air-that it does not require a
glance at the almanac hanging upon
the wall to apprise them Of the near
approach of a season which to them
is synonymous with feasting, merry
making, the exchanging of little gifts
with loved ones and, last but not least,
the annual visit of fat and jolly old
Kris Kringle n his reindeer sled. And
the children are right. For, after all,
is it not a festival that we grown-ups
participate in with the enthusiasm of
the little folks?.
Long since the shops have been
stocked to their capacity with toys and
the myriad of gewgaws that go to at
tract the attention of the millions of
shoppers who throng the streets, all
bent Upon one common mission-the
making ready for Christmas. A visit
to the large cities. small towns, as well
as to the little country stores. all be-
speak the ease with which prepara-
tions for Christmas can be accom-
piished nowadays, as compared with
those of fifty years ago.
1t might be well to pause awhile in
this money-mad age of commercialism,
when the pursuit of the dollar is para
mount to all else, and go back half a
century or SO and recall Christmas as
It was celebrated in the fair Southland
before the war. To hose who knew
the South before its broad green fields
were crimsoned with the lifeblood of
invader and defender, a Christmas
then was a festival long to be reinem-
hered; the climax of patient and ardii-
Gus preparation, the elimination of
months of painstaking care, yet withal
q labor of love, Those were days of
never-ceasing joy, which fairly
breathed the spirit of Peace on earth.
goodwill to men"
"Chrismas gift. mistiss! Christmas
gin, marster!" as the wards of the
slave-holding planters gathered about
the great house. front porch on
Christmas morning vas a greeting none
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-12-24

prints, gaily checkered calicoes u
domestics were the materials generally
employed, as the negro ever had an
eye for color. Garments for the women
completed, those for the men and boys
were neX taken up, so that on Christ
mas morning each negro who came to
the house could be assured of eturn-
ing to his quarter with arms laden
with good warm clothing, including
everything from a pair of shoes that
"cried" to his hearts delight to a warm
new cap, or hat. as his fancy elected.
This sewing circle generally extended
It's operations over a period of W
months, but the work was invariably
gotten out of the way before Deem
Der /. for the three weeks just prior
to Christmas were busy ones and had
to do with the mysteries of the we'll
stocked pantry.
The succeeding days were ones of
never-ceasing delight to the housewife
and her corps of w~ell-trained DOH
and helpers. Cakes by the dozen were
mixed, baked and set away; cakes the
recipes for which are priceless today;
pastry of every description, and inva-
riably these were made in sufficient
quantities to carry the family n
their score of guests through the holi-
day season, for Christmas always ex-
tended over New Years Day. With
preparations for Christmas complete,
the house is set in order for its influx
of guests. The choicest linen, spiced
and snowy in its cleanliness, is brought
forth from the great linen presses, and
all the spare beds in the house made
up. Then follows the decorations. In
each room, living rooms as well as bed
chambers, blazing logs cracked upon
the hearth; windows are festooned
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-12-24

with ropes of Christmas greens, and
everywhere the Christmas spirit pre-
walls. In the great open halls, some so
heroic in proportion as to permit of a
four-in-hand being therein turned, is
set the huge Christmas tree, fairly
groaning beneath its burden of pres
ents. for here displayed are gifts for
each member of the household, guests
and house %servants alike. The trees of
those days, however, were illuminated
by myriads of vari-colored tallow dips,
since electric lights were as far in the
dim, dim future as many of the other
predictions of that wonderful old
prophecies, Mother Shipton.
Promptly at 6 o'clock on Christmas
Eve the peace and quiet of the great
hall was disturbed by the men servants
of the house as they staggered in be-
meath the burden of the yule log, in
reality the massive trunk of a we'll
seasoned hickory. This was set upon
the carefully polished andirons and
served as a "back log" for the cheerful
fire of Christmas Eve and Christmas
Day. Supper over, members of the
household gathered around. Chestnuts
and popcorn were brought forth; the
evening was spent in roasting chest
nuts, popping corn and spinning Christ
mas yarns for the little folks, who
lowered near. As the grandfather clock
chimed out the hour of 8 a hush would
fall upon the family group and every
ear was strained to catch the p~laintive
melody that f1oated in from without.
The Christmas ~serenaders had arrived.
The servants of the plantation, grouped
about the front porch, to the accom-
paniinent of a banjo, would sing the old
plantation melodies until invited into
the kitchen, where liberal rotations of
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-12-24
1NvrNr1oN BARS AccrDENTs.

vINELAND. Dec 24.-william San
ford. of this place. has patented a rail-
way truck guard which he expects to
exhibit before the Senate in Washing
ton. with the hope OF interesting Con-
gress In the. safety of those who risk
life and limb on fast trains. The
guard clamps on the rail- IN case OF acci-
dent ana prevents the car from topping
over, and also act as a brake.
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-12-24
wEArHER

WASHINGTON. Dec. 2i-Forecast for
New Jersey: Fair and colder tonight;
Wednesday fair: fresh west winds
NEW YORK. Dec. 24-Local forecast;
Partly cloudy and colder tonight; Wednes-
day generally fair with temperature close
to freezing point. Fresh to brisk westerly
winds. .
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-12-24
nne Year AGO Today

maximum velocity, 6 miles.
Total precipitation-l.S6 inches.
Character Of the day-Cloudy.
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-12-24

One 1tdT ABu lVuUY
Highest. Lowest. Average,
Temperature... 10 deg. 6 deg. 10 deg.
Character Of the day-C1ear.
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-12-24
CEMETERY

CEMETERY MEMORIALS.
GEORGE BROWN & Co.
Established 1850.
Designers and Manufa cturers OF
MONUMENTS. ToMBs. vAULrs AND GEM
ERAL CEMETERY WORK IN GRAN
TIE. MARBLE AND STONE.
$40 AMI su BELLEvILLE AVENUE.
OPP. entrance to Mt. Pleasant Cemetery
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-12-24
THE WEATHER IN NEWARK.

N1nd-DirectOn at nuOu, hoitiWSSt' We
locity, Il miles.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-12-24

Make up your mind now that you Will in
crease your sales. Advertise IN the STAR.
The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-12-24

Yesterday.