davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-01-04
MORE LETTERS
FROM UNKNOWN
FOUND IN DRESS
Letters With Missing sigma
lures Furnish New Clues
for Coroner and Postal In
spector to Follow.

Evidence of the indirect presence of
a third personality in the Kaufman
murder-smcide case at Pennville Sat
urday afternoon has been exposed and
authorities we're. nearer reaching q
motive for Kaufman's act than ever
before.
At the same time Judge Fox called
a session Of the grand jury to begin
an investigation Of the case Wednes-
day to determine the legality Of the
secretion of evidence by the relatives.
A postal inspector began his investi-
cation last night to determine whether
letters mailed in a rural free delivery
box by Kaufman after he killed his
wife should be delivered.
Plot Is Suspected
Part of what by officials is believed
to be plot by which Mr.. Kaufman
was to be forced from his home was
revealed last night and today when
the apparently leak-proof organization
Of the wife's relatives spilled bits of
evidence. Witnesses whose names
will not be revealed until after the
grand jury investigation also came
forward today to testify they saw
Manzella Conway, Mrs. Kaufman's g
aunt, place the three missing letters
in a satchel.
Instead of quieting down after the
burial of the bodies yesterday, the
case has inflamed neighbors Of the
families more than before and some
of them were here today to urge that
the missing letters be forced from the
persons holding them partially to ex-
onerate Mr.. Kaufman.
More Letters Found
From other relatives today came
the Information that two letters were
found sewed inside Mrs. Kaufman's
dress. The letters were discovered
after Coroner Morrow had completed
bis examination and had taken her
purse, found in her petticoat pocket,
and he knew nothing of them, he said
He will not try to determine Kauf-
mans motive, he said, and he did
not read the part in the missing let
ters which witnesses to the reading
declare will clear Kaufman's name.
The two new letters were to Mrs.
Kaufman from the unknown third
person. She bad torn the signatures
from them. These letters are believ-
ed to have only an indirect bearing
on the case, but may have been the
root Of the quarrel Saturday morn
ing. Neighbors se!d. however, that
they had never known Mr.. Kaufman
to begin quarrel but had lately
avoided the house because of his
wife's domineering disposition.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-01-04
BUILDING OPERATIONS
FALL $31,725 BELOW
RECORD FOR YEAR 1915

Costs of new buildings constructed
in Richmond the past year were $751;
725 less than new construction 1915,
the records of Building Inspector
Hodgin will show in his annual report
for 1916 which he now has almost COM
pleted
Last year new buildings Of all
classes were constructed at total cost
of $344,725 while the costs Of new
construction the previous year totaled
$375,000.
The report will show that six new
factory buildings were authorized the
last year.
Repairing and remodeling work last
year cost $43,S00. the permit record
shows, against $4,000 for the previous
year. No permit is issued for repair
ing or remodeling work which costs
less than $10O.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-01-04
POULTRY ,FANC|ERS
WANT LOCAL SHOW

Efforts are being made to organize
temporary association Of Richmond
boosters SO that large poultry and
pet stock show can be staged here the
last of this month or the first of next.
The poultry association is inactive
at present and for this reason the
proposition will have to be handled by
a temporary organization. Several
men interested in poultry have been
boosting the proposition for some time
believing that it would be a good
method to draw people from the sur
rounding territory and small towns
into Richmond.
In case such an exhibit is held this
year, several original features will be
presented.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-01-04

Of 1922 900: one cent on the general
fund, and one-half cent on the voca-
tional education fund: Other sub
jects and their treatment follow:
Purdue Endowment Fund-The gov.
ernor quotes former Attorney General
Stotsenburg to the effect that $780,
600 realized from the sale of lands,
is not liability against the state OF
Indiana, but is trust fund, which
should be invested for the benefit of
the university.
Sale Of State Lands-All laws on
this subject he states, should be re-
pealed and uniform provision made
for the sale of such lands by the
state auditor, after proper appraise-
ment
Drainage Of State Lands-Refer-
ring to the Kankakee river lands,
Gov. Ralston recommends an act Civ
ing courts jurisdiction to establish
drains across state lands, without
expense to the state.
Banking Observation-Disclosures banks
and repositories are growing in such
number and size that this department
should be made separate from the
state auditor and administered on a
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-01-04

nonpartisan basis, the governor rec
ommerds.
The State Penal Farm-The execu
tive suggests that industries add
tional to agriculture should be pro.
vided for inmates of the penal farm
Workmen's compensation-Casu
ty companies writing employers liza.
bility should be required to establish
a reserve with the auditor Of state to
protect their clients. Gov. Ralston
declares.
Blue Sky Law-Corporation securi.
ties should not be sold unless there
is sufficient property back Of them to
justify their use, the governor
asserted.
Marriage Laws-Females, the gov.
ernor recommends, should be re.
quired to reside in the place OF appli.
cation for marriage license sixty days
prior to date of such application and
should be required to make affidavit,
guaranteeing eligibility signed by a
freeholder.
Impeachment Of officiais-Present
laws on this subject are unsatisfac-
[continued On Page Ten.]
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-01-04
PAID DIVORCE FEE?
Then YOU'RE MARRIED

Evidently many persons who have
appeared in Wayne circuit court for
divorces during the last five years
hold the opinion that they are legally
separated while in reality they are
not said Prosecutor Frank Strayer
today.
Under the G. O. d. divorce system
OF the local ,ourt the clerk can make
no entry OF DEGREES until court costs
are paid. On examination Of the
records II has been found that dozens
have never paid these costs and conse-
quently are not divorced although all
necessary court action has been taken.
"The only way that the county clerk
has to get the payment of these costs
Is to refuse to grant marriage licenses
when parties of divorce suits In which
costs have not been paid apply. If by
chance these parties go to other places
and secure licenses and marry they
are liable to prosecution"
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-01-04
RUSS SUFFER
LOSS OF LAST
FIRM GRASP
ON DObRUDJA
Successful Teutons Threaten
Strategic Point at Braila
Where Vast Supplies Are
Stored by Entente.
RUSS TAKE 500 men

Russia's last remaining hold in the
Roumanian province Of Dobrudja has
been so badly shaken by the loss o1
Matchin to Field Marshal Won Mack
ensens forces that It seems doubtful
IL she can much longer retain hel
grip on any of this trans-Danube terri
tory.
Dispatches from entente sources in
iicate an expectation that she probably
will be forced shortly to abandon 1t
West Of the Danube at this point
Braila the important Roumanian grain
and oil storage depot Is still held by
the Russians. but II Is considered
doubtful II 1t can hold out long under
the threat of the Teutons across the
river The line of the Sereth to which
the Russians have retired further
north-westward runs just north OF
Braila.
Believe Stores Removed.
The expectation Is indicated in the
dispatches however that the prolonged
defense of the city has given time for
the removal OF the valuable stores OF
provisions and material which 1t con
tained.
In the Moldavian frontier where
heavy pressure by the armies Of the
Central Powers has been exerted, the
defense Of the Russians and the Rou
manians seems somewhat firmer. The
latest Petrograd statement does not
concede any further Withdrawals along
this front in the face Of the Austro.
German attack, although further prog
ress at one or two points was claimed
by Berlin.
No operations of importance have
been reported from any Of the other
fronts.
The capture by Russian forces on
the Roumanian front of 600 prisoners,
three cannon and fifteen machine guns
together with some mine throwers and
bomb mortars is announced in today's
Russian statement. This success re-
suited from an attack on hostile posi-.
tions on heights to the south of
Botavhu mountain In the wooded Car
pathians.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-01-04
SUNDAY SCHOOL
PARTY GROUPS
ARE ASSIGNED

Speakers and musicians, forming
sQHadrons in the city-wide Sunday
school campaign, and the schools to
which they have been assigned foI
Sunday. the first day Of the campaign
were announced today by the cam
paign committee
Squadron No. / consisting Of Super
intendent J. T. Giles, and Mrs. Ray
Longnecker will appear at the follow
ing schools: st. Paul's Lutheran
South Eighth Friends, First Christian
and First English Lutheran.
Squadron No. 2-President r. L.
Kelly and Mrs. F. W. Krueger, at First
Methodist. East Main Friends. Second
Presbyterian and United Brethren.
Visits Four Churches.
Squadron No. 3-Secretary Ellis M
Learner and Mrs. Fred Bartel, a;
Grace Methodist, First Presbyterian
Reid Memorial and Central Christian
Squadron No. ed Hasemeier and
Miss Carolyn Hutton, at Second Eng
lish Lutheran, Allen Jay Memorial
Earlham Heights and Fairview Meth
odist.
Squadron No 5-Percy Sprague
and John Graham. at Whitewater
Friends, Union Nilsson Second Bap
tist and Mt. Moriah Baptist.
Squadron No. 6-J. F. Holiday
speaker, soloist unassigned, at Trinity
English Lutheran. First Baptist. North
A Street Friends and st. Pauls Epis,
copal.
Work During Afternoon.
Squadron No Harrison Scott and
Robert Gentle, at First Pentecostal
church of Nazarenes. Bethel A. M. E
and Wesleyan Methodist (These
Sunday schools meet in the afternoon. }
With the exception Of Squadron No
Z, all persons participating in the cam.
paign and all persons who have agreed
to furnish automobiles for the squad
rons will meet at the Y. M. c. A. at
S:45 o'clock Sunday morning for the
start.
All are urged by the committee to
be on time. Sunday school superin.
tendents have also been asked to open
their schools promptly at the time set
for opening to facilitate movements
of the squadrons and the scholars have
been asked to be on time at all schools
Speakers on Sunday morning will
deal with Sunday school efficiency.
this having been designated as Bring.
a-Friend" Sunday.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-01-04
lee ASHLEY
DIES IN CITY
after SIEGE
OF SICKNESS
Manager of Westcott Held
Many Responsible P Pos 81
tions in Business Life Of
Community.
STARTS CAREER EARLY

After having been critically III fol
four months from complication OF
diseases H. Lee Ashley, manager OF
TIE Westcott hotel and one of the city's
best known business men, died about
$50 o'clock last night In his apart
ments at the hotel. He was 81 years
old. For several years Mr.. Ashley had
been in poor health.
Mr.. Ashley had been actively identi
fled with the city's business affairs
for fourteen years. He came to Rich.
mond from Kokomo in 1902 to accept
the position of secretary-treasurer of
the Westcott Carriage company, a
position he retained when that com.
pany was reorganized and became the
Westcott Motor Car company, six
years ago.
Ashley Retains Position
About three years ago Mr.. Ashley
severed his connection with the West
colt company. Later. with A. c.
Brown, he secured SO year lease on
ore of the most valuable business
properties in the city, the Wakefield
block northeast corner of Ninth and
Main streets. About two years ago
Henry c. Starr. W. c. Cunningham and
Mr. Ashley secured the lease on the
Westcott hotel, which was managed
jointly by Cunningham and Ashley un-
til the formers death, about a year
ago.
NJ. Ashley several years ago pro-
NOTED a deal whereby the holdings OF
tNe old Richmond Natural Gas com.
p. ny were taken over by the Richmond
Light, Heat & Power company.
Becomes Good SaseInan.
Mr.. Ashley was born on farm near
Franklin, Ind, and began his business
career at the age of IS. While still a
young man he became partner in a
vehicle manufacturing concern and
soon established a reputation as sue.
cessful salesman. He is survived by
the widow, his son, Howard, two sis
ters, Mrs. W. N. List. Galveston, Ind.
Mrs. ]. M. Morehouse, Kokomo. and
three brothers, R. NJ. Ashley, Kokomo.
E. W. Ashley. Galveston, and John H.
Ashley, Indianapolis.
Mr.. Ashley was a man OF moderate
circumstances and was we'll known
and popular in this city. He was a
member of the Richmond lodge of
Elks.
Funeral services by the Elks lodge
will be held at the Westcott hotel at
500 o'clock tonight. Friends may
view the body from to 9 o'clock
Funeral services will be held at 2
O'Clock Friday afternoon in the Christ
ian church at Kokomo, with interment
at KokomO.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-01-04
WILSON PLANS
SECOND MOVE
TO GET PEACE

WASHINGTON. Jan. 4.-If the en-.
.ente reply to President Wilson's peace
note fails to meet his proposal for an
early occasion for an avowal Of terms,
the President will not let the negotia-
tions drop but will make at least one
more move.
This became definitely known today
although it was indicated that no final
decision on the nature of the next step
had been reached.
II another communication Is sent 1t
is expected to make more clear the
position of the President.
President Wilson's chief hope in the
ultimate success of the negotiation Is
known to lie in his suggestion that a
means he found for maintaining peace
in the future.
President Wilson's friends say he is
urconcerned over efforts to connect
his note with the German peace pro-
posals.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-01-04
ONE RURAL RESIDENT
DOES NOT KNOW ROUTE
HE LIVES ON NOW

Despite the fact that the new rural
route system passed its first annivers-
ary yesterday since establishment. one
Of the patrons are still using the old
numbers, from one to eight, instead of
the letters, A. B, c and D. In renew.
ing subscriptions to magazines and
newspapers, old numbers are given.
"The other day a man wrote a
letter to his wife and did not have his
address right He used the old one,"
said Frank Wilson. superintendent Of
mails. TT sometimes causes delay
and always causes trouble for u.s.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-01-04
1917 PAVING PLANS
PUT BEFORE BOARD
FOR QUICK ACTION

The city's permanent street paving
program for 1917 was introduced be-
fore the board of public works today
when resolutions for two Of the pro-
posed improvements were submitted
by City Engineer Charles and were
adopted without discussion.
One of these resolution calls for
the paving of South Fourth street from
South A to Main and for the paving
of Fort Wayne avenue, from Main to
North D.
The other resolution calls for the
paving of North F street from North
Tenth to North Fifteenth.
The board today accepted the resig-
nation OF Carl Wadman, captain Of No.
2 company, fire department, to become
effective February /, when he becomes
deputy sheriff. The board members
expressed to Wadman their apprecia-
tion for his long and faithful service
The board decided not to purchase
another motor truck for the city elec-
trio plant.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-01-04
TWO PARTIES
REACH PACT
TO SETTLE
PATRONAGE
Democratic Caucus Will
Name Party Members on
All Senate Committees by
Agreement.
OTHER Terms MADE

INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 4.-The con.
ference committee of Democrats and
Republicans of the upper house of the
state legislature, which convened this
morning, after session lasting until
after 4 o'clock reached an agreement
that was reported by the conferees to
the session of the caucus of Senate
Democrats at meeting shortly after
9 o'clock. Before the Democrats went
into caucus, it was said the conference
report would be adopted.
Terms of Agreement.
The terms of the agreement are sub
stantially as follows:
The Democratic caucus will be per-
mitted to name the Democratic mem
bers of all senate committees.
The Democrats will be permitted to
name one door keeper. such stenogra-
piers as may be needed by the Demo.
cratic members and to select one or
two employees In the documents and
bill rooms.
The concessions made by the Demo
Gratis include the dropping of the con.
test of Edward Eikman' for the seat of
Lem Dobyns and promise to refrain
from all purely obstructive tactics.
The Indiana legislature convened
today In its SEVENTEEN session and,
after organizing, the two houses met
jointly and heard the recommendations
Of Gov. Ralston The Republicans
have a working majority in the house.
but the senate is equally divided with
25 Democrats and 25 Republicans.
Several Questions Arise.
While the session is expected to
deal with the questions of statewide
prohibition, woman's suffrage, tax re.
form and constitutional convention,
1t Is predicted that there will be little
If any business transacted until afer
Monday, when James P. Goodrich, Re.
publican, will succeed Samuel M. Rails
ton, Democrat, as governor.
The Senate organized with Lieut.
Gov. w. P. O'Neill, Democrat, as the
presiding officer, but he will be sue
ceeded by Edgar D. Bush, Lieut. Gov
elect, who is Republican, on Monday.
Because Of the equal division in the
senate, the fate of many of the So
called reform measures is doubtful.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-01-04
GRAND JURY
Will PROBE
FOR CONTENT.
OF LETTERS
Judge Fox Calls for Special
Session in Connection
With Kaufman Case at
Strayer's Request.
OTHER CASES PENDING

To investigate thoroughly the tras-
edy at Pennville last Saturday which
claimed the lives Of Mr.. and Mrs. J.
Valentine Kaufman. the grand jury OK
Wayne circuit court will meet next
Wednesday.
Judge Fox In circuit court today ID
sued the call upon the request Of
Prosecutor Strayer.
"The investigation is necessitated
by the disappearance Of three letters
written by Mr.. Kaufman before he
committed suicide and probably afte.
he had killed his wife," said the prose
cutor today. "They probably contain
motives and may reveal some other
startling facts.
Il expect to return some indict-
ments for secretion Of evidence" said
Strayer today.
Other Cases May Arise.
Besides the Kaufman affair have
sixteen other cases of various natures
which need to be probed.
The coroner's investigation revealed
evidence tending to prove that Kauf-
man had killed his wife and then COM
mitted suicide. II 1t were not for the
fact that three letters written by
Kaufman and bearing stamps were
taken out Of a rural mail box and se-
creted the grand Jury investigation
would not have been necessary.
It is understood that the other cases
which will be Investigated concern
blind.tigers. embezzlements and acts
of violence.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-01-04
PORCH SHADE PLANT
CONTINUES WORK HERE

First cars have been shipped In the
removal of the Raymond Porch Shade
company from Richmond to Janesville.
Wis, but the company will continue
work in its factory here until the last
minute before its departure, Feb. /,
an official of the company said.
"Our first shipment probably has not
reached GAINESVILLE yet and our build
ing is not completed" he said. 1--WE
cannot stop work, or we will fall be-
hind our orders"
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-01-04
PLACES $3,577,ooo
VALUATION ON HOTEL

NEW YORK, Jan. 4.-Condemnation
commissioners have awarded S3,577.-
900 to the owners of the old Grand
Union Hotel and annex at Park Ave-
nue. and Forty-second street The ho-
tel, which was one of the bestknown
in the city, was torn down to make
way for the Broadway-Lexington Ave-
nue. subway under condemnation pro-
ceedings instituted by the city. The
award is about midway between the
lowest claim set up by an expert for
the owners and the highest figures
suggested by the city's expert More
than 1000 pages of testimony were
taken by the commissioners.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-01-04
FAMOUS COLLECTION
OF FORTY SKETCHES
OBTAINED FOR EXHIBIT

Personal touch and magnetism are
in evidence in the forty sketches of
Henry Turner Bailey, of Boston, that
will be shortly brought to Richmond
under the auspices of the Richmond
Art association. The definite date for
the exhibit to be held in the high
school art gallery will be announced
soon.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-01-04
W,rrENeERG GLEE CLUB
RECEIVES WARM PRAISE

Press notices of the Wittenberg Glee
club, which is to appear in concert
at the high school auditorium on Jan.
8. promise local music lovers a varied
and interesting program Of harmony.
The club has filed engagements in
Springfield. O., Dayton, Pittsburgh,
Fort Wayne. Indianapolis and Chi
cago. The director, Prof. r. H. Hill
Ter, is widely-known as soloist and
leader. Others in the official per-
sunnel of the club are: Business
manager. r. M. Kuhns; director of
orchestra, H. s. Billings; director Of
bass quartet, v. s. Sides; accompan-
jSt, N. NJ. Racer. -..--..--. -
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-01-04
UNSETTLED WEATHER
WILL DAMAGE WHEAT

Winter wheat has been placed IN a
condition Of serious jeopardy by recent
weather conditions and farmers are
awaiting the next turn of the elements
and praying for light snow.
The repeated thaws and light freez'
ing conditions which have followed
upon each other have not yet damaged
the wheat, it is said by farmers. A
rapid fall Of the thermometer after
one of the thaws will do thousands of
dollars Of damage, they say. unless
there is a light snow covering for pro-
lection.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-01-04
DEATHS EXCEED BIRTHS;
AVERAGE LIFE is LONG

EATON. O., Jan. 4.-Eyen though
the deaths in this city during 1916
reached a number almost twice that
of births, this may well be considered
good place in which to live. for the
average life is q little more than 58
years. based upon the records kept by
City Clerk Dalrymple. During the
year 6S deaths were recorded, while
only SO births were reported. Mrs.
Christena Wesco, 81, was the Oldest
person who passed to the beyond duy~
Ing the year.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-01-04
AMERICAN ANSWER
TO CARRANZA NOTE
GIVEN COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, Jan. 4.-The Ameri-
can reply to General Carranza's re-
lection of the protocol for withdrawal
of American troops from Mexico was
taken today to the chairman Of the
Mexican commissioners in New York
by one of the American commission
ers
Whether there is one more session
of the joint commission will depend
upon the Mexicans. There will not
be a continuation Of the conferences
however.
The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-01-04
.HOlo MASS MEETING

A large dry" mass meeting will be
held Sunday afternoon under the aus
ptces Of the local branches Of the w.
c. T. q. This was decided upon this
morning at a meeting Of the county
executive committee.
Rev. ]. ]. Rae will make the prin.
cipal address. Other ministers will
assist. The meeting will be held at
2:30 o'clock. Efforts are being made
to get the Reid Memorial church for
the meeting.