Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-01
Iowa
EX- MAYOR WANTS A PARDON
Samuel F. Smith of Davenport Ap.
peals to the Board of Parole.
BIG DEAL IN COAL PROPERTIES
Number Of Prominent IOwRns Seri-
ousIy Ill, Among Them Richard
c. Barrett and q. II. Pray,
Former state Omcials.
CFrom a staff Correspondent

DIES MONIES, Ia, Feb. &.-(Special)-
Tho state Parole Board. 1t is expected, will
at the next meeting pass upon the applica-
tiCn of Samuel +. Smith of Davenport for
parole and release from prison at Ana
mosa. Smith is a nephew of the famous au-
thor of America and is himself a scholar
and author Of some note. Some years ago
he was mayor of Davenport and was re-
puted to be wealthy. He owned a handsome
home and entertained lavishly. Then 1t was
discovered that hn had made misuse Of
trust funds in his hands and he was con-
victed of cmbezzlement. He has been at
Anamosa several years and has applied
for a parole, and his friends believe it will
be granted He is employed in the library
department at the r~eformatory.
Buy Big COnI Properties.
One of the largest coal deals in years was
completed today when the Enterprise Coal
company bought the holdings of the White
breast Fuel company north OF Des Moines.
The price paid was $751; OJ in cash. A new
mine will be sunk in a short time on the
property acquired. t-
Fight Frame Depot.
Des Moines commercial clubs have
started a movement to compel the Rock
Island railroad to build a brick depot in
East Des Moines. After a many months
fight the Rock Island has prepared plans
for a frame depot. These plans have been
approved by the state Railway commits
sion. BY having the fire limits extended
tn Commercial club believes II can force
the company to build a more substantial
building.
In Favor of sunday TheRters.
The organization of stage hands and
workers about the theaters of Des Moines
has got into the game with regard to Sun
day closing laws. The Actors union has
represented to the legislature that the
actors desire that Sunday theaters shall be
closed. The stage hands Of Des Moines
have taken action to show that the people
connected with theaters do not object "a
Sunday theaters and Sunday work, but on
the contrary, oppose all laws intended to
close the theaters. A number of vaudeville
specialists in the city have also signed q
protest to the legislature against the con-
templated Sunday closing bill. The base
ball men of the state are up in arms against
the bill for fear It will cut out all SUNDAY
base ball.
Prominent IOwans Are Ill.
Prof. Richard c.. Barrett, who was fN
four terms superintendent Of public instruc
ton for Iowa and one OF the best-knoWI
educators of the country, is lying at Mercy
hospital dangerously i'll, He has had tw'
operations performed for a growth Of tn
bone in the head. He is at present a mem
Der of the faculty of the State college a
Ames. News from Iowa City Is TO tn
effect that G. b, Pray, who was for tWelV'
years clerk Of the supreme court of Iowa
is dying at a hospital there, where he wen
for an operation. He was also at one tim
chairman Of the republican state committee
County Mutual Insurance.
The report of the state auditor just is
sued shows that the business OF INSURANCE
in what are known as county mutual fir
companies has been steadily increasing
year ago these companies had risks Il
force in the state of $277, 100000, and thi
wear they have 1927, OOO,OO There are abou
300 OF these companies, nearly all confin
ing their business TO one county each. Thei
total receipts for the year amounted I
1900, 600.
Convicted of Criminal Assault.
Earl w. Lindsay, manager of the Prairi
! Telephone company, was convicted Of Grim
inaI assault at Newton today on S-year-ol
Grace Hopkins of Colfax. on November
last Lindsay invited the girl to go ridin
in his automobile, and is said to have as
: saulted her.
A new line of attack is being made o
the bill before the legislature to readjus
4; the work of the departments. 1t is asserte
j that the bill is for the purpose of stirrin
h up factional troubles. Some OF the change
I would leave the office Of state audito
I with fewer employees than at present an
less work TO do, and this It is asserted
4 -. 49, z,1p,ga % ,,,pHgbEpu Gtata A,,lgtr
= Bleakley because last summer he bolte
the republican caucus Tn the Legislative
1 special session. But, as a matter of fac
: the state auditor went on record when Il
was in the senate In favor Of these yer
= changes. The matter Of chief concern r,
: lates to the transfer Of the insurance d,
: partment TO the office OF governor.
Found Dead IA Attic,