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SEMI-WEEKLY EDITION EIGHT PAGES
VOLUME XXVI11
PLATTSMOUTII, NEBRASKA, THURSDAY, APRIL tig, 1909
NO. 212
Platte
WILLIAM CROSKARY
KILLED AT QUINCY
Quarrol With Dridgo Foroman
Results Fatally
Will Croskary, a well known
bridge worker or this city, residing
with bis mother and system t 51o
North Fifth street, dlml this morn
ing shortly after seven o'clock from
Injuries which be received
yesterday afternoon In a fight on the
Qulncy bridge with John Edgar Hed
rlck, foreman of the gang of bridge
workers who are now engaged in
making some repairs on the bridge.
Ystorday afternoon about 7
o'clock, Croskary, in company with
Charles Unglesbee, of 642 State
street, walked out on the bridge,
, Croskary telling the latter that he be
lieved he could get employment on
the bridge, as he understood" they
were In need of help in repairing the
bridge. The two men, according to
the story told States Attorney Gilmer
and Chief Robbing this morning by
Unglesbee, went to the east end of
the draw where the men were work
ing and applied to the foreman Hed
rick, for work. They were Informed
that there were no more men need
ed, when Croskary offered to show
Hedrick how to draw a spike, which
he proceeded to do. While thus en
gaged Unglesbee stated that Cros
kary joked the foreman about the
latter's nrt knowing how to properly
draw a spike, and after an exchange
of words the foreman ordered him
from the bridge. At the same time
Unglesbee left the bridge calling to
Croskary to come with him. Un
glesbee looked around at the men his
attention being attracted to the quar
rel. He say Hedrick strike Crosl
k.iry and saw the latter's hat fall Into
the river, and after being struck
Croskary picked up a sleJge hammer
hanJle and invited the foreman to go
to the bank with him, where they
could have it out. When he was
being questioned by the states attor
ney, Unglesbee stated that Hedrick
grabbed a sledge hammer, and seiz
ing by the handle struck Croskary
over the head, felling him. After
that Hedrick struck his prostrate
form several times with his fists, af
ter which he permitted Croskary to
arise.
Croskary immediately left the
bridge in company with Unglesbee
and the two went toward the boat
landing, where Unglesbee stated
they were going to take the ferry
back to Qulncy. Croskary refused to
come to the city, saying he was going
over to Sherman park to lie down,
which he did, Unglesbee returning to
Qulncy alone. From a number who
saw the Injured man enter the park,
It was learned that he went to the
northeast corner and laid down. He
was found there this morning and
brought to Qulncy on a hand car, and
after arriving here he was started for
his home on North Fifth street In
the police ambulance. He died a Rhort
time after entering the ambulance
and the remains were ordered taken
to Freiburg's morgue to be prepared
for burial.
In Park All Mplit.
After leaving Unglesbee, Croskary
entered the park where he was seen
by a number of persons In West Quln-
ey. He occupied the same spot all
afternoon, and according to those
who saw him they believed him to be
intoxicated and sleeping off a drunk
and paid no further attention to him.
This morning he was still in the
same place In the park when Maurice
and Ellis Reed.. William Church,
James Crabtree, Frank Fitch and
George and Myrtle Hoke went past
the place. The ground plainly show
ed that he struggled long and hard
to rise to his feet. When It was
learned that he was Injured he was
placed on a hand car and brought
to this city, dying a short time after
reaching here, as stated above. Cros
kary was brought to this city by Con
stable Wood worth.
Xci-k and Nose Broken.
That Croskary could have walked
to the park from the bridge after re
ceiving the Injuries which It Is stat
ed he received, does nM seem possible
for an examination this morning re
vealcd the fact that his neck and nose
were broken, and one of his eyes
aa discolored, the Mow which H"d-
Hrk In alleged to have struck him
it and break the neck at the same
time. The other injuries which he rec
eived In the fight consisted of bruises
about the head and face.
This morning Coroner Haley was
notified of the death and a Jury was
summoned to hear the evidence of a
number of witnesses who will be
brought to the city as soon as they
can be communicated with. Those
who compose the jury are Drs. Kelly
and Myers, Edward Ryan, Neb Hud
son, Fred Lechtenhdahl and J. J.
Linton. The hearing will be conduct
ed at Freiburg's.
Hedrick Arrested.
Susie Croskary, all of this city, and
the brother la Thomas Croskary, also
of Quincy. Qulncy (111.) Journal.
Croskary was quite well known In
this city where he formerly resided
and where he met and won his wife.
Croskary had many faults and yet
he was wlthall a good fellow. When
he was drinking, it would seem be
was a little quarrelsome and prone to
start trouble, but when not In his
cups he was well liked. Mrs. Cros
kary s many friends will be very sor
sy to hear of the misfortune which
has overtaken her and she Is sure of
the sincere sympathy of all. At this
time it Is not known Just what dis
position will be made of the unfor
tunate man.
Htendrlck was arrested this morn
ing at the bridge, charged with mur
der, States Attorney Gilmer accom
panying Chief Robblns and Ungles
bee going along to Identify him, as
at that time It was not known what
his name was or who he was not.
He was brought to this city and
olaced in the city Jail. Hedrick lives
in Louisiana, Mo., where be has a
family. Before coming to this city
he was In charge of a bridge crew
on a lower section of the K line, but
was transferred to this city April 1st
and placed In charge of the bridge
gang, with headquarters in this city
He has been staying at the Young
boarding house near the Burlington
depot. After he was arrested and
brought to this city he refused to dis
cuss the affair, saying that he did not
care to talk until the proper time.
He stated, however, that he was not
afraid of the outcome of his case and
said that self-defense would be his
plea. v -
A Question Involved.
At first it seemed probable that
a question would arise as to which
state would have jurisdiction in the
case, Illinois or Missouri. The fight
occurred on the draw bridge, accord
ing to Unglesbee, and to the east of
the center of the draw. When States
Attorney Gilmer went to the bridge
this morning he was shown the place
where the fight took place, and found
It to be on the Illinois side of the
channel and the case will be handled
here.
Case Puzzles Officers.
For a time this morning the of
ficers were at a loss Just how to
proceed in tne case, word having
reached the police concerning the
man. Various rumors were in circu
lation In regarl to the condition of
Croskary, one of them In West Quin
cy being to the effect that he had
been slugged and robbed, and another
that he had fallen from a freight
train and thus Injured, and still an
other that he had been with a gang
of men in West Quincy and the
crowd of them were drinking. It was
learned, .however, that Croskary
crosed the river yesterday afternoon
with Unglesbee and he was at once
sought by the police and later found.
Unglesbee stated that Croskary had
been drinking some, but was pretty
able to go alone until after having
the encounter with Hendrlck, when
he staggered slightly. He also stated
that Croskary had been In Fred
Smith's saloon Wednesday evening,
during which time Croskary and Hed
rick had a few words concerning some
trlval matter. After Unglesbee was
found this morning .the matter was
cleared up by the story he told and
the warrant charging the bridge fore
man with murder was sworn out by
the states attorney.
Was Well Known.
Crosltary was well known among
the bridge workers In this city, hav
ing resided here for the past ten
years. He was the son of Mrs. Mary
Croskary, of 515 North Fifth street,
and lived there with hs mother,
brother and sisters. He was born In
Hunnewall. Mo., April 23rd. 1880,
and was 29 years and two months of
age. He came here from that plnee
ten years ago and had resided In this
city almost the intlre time, ocen
slonally leaving the city with a bridge
rrew. He returned to this city from
Dcs Moines, la., where lie had been
working with a bridge gang. The
Croskary family formerly lived In
'.Vest Qulncy. The dead man Is sur
lived by his mother, fix sisters and
Band Making Good progtr.
From Monday's Dally.
The Bohemian Boys band yester
day morning began their practice of
marching and playing and made a
Mip Into the country for the purpose
of practicing. They gave the Inmates
of the county farm a royal time, stop
ping there and playing a number of
airs for their benefit. In addition
the visited several farms and played
for the edification of the people being
received with open arris everywhere
In fact their music was fine. The boys
are making excellent progress and
are showing up In fine shape as mu
sicians. They have developed mar
velous talent In that line and are well
worthy of all the encouragement they
get from the public. They walked
several miles yesterday morning and
the practice was well for them. At
the county farm the Inmate i were
enthusiastic over' their appearance
r.nd Mr. Tarns, the keper of the
farm, was delimited to have them
come out and visit him, showing his
good will In a substantial manner.
It Is probable that the boys will make
several trips into the country In the
future If the weather keeps good.
ray Visit to City.
From Monday's Dally.
George W. Vallery and wife and
John F. Vallery and wife came in
Saturday evening on the Schuyler
train and spent Ihe night in the city
with relatives, departing for the west
yesterday morning.
Mr. George W. Vallery Is general
manager of the Colorado Midland
with headquarters at Denver, Col.
and was very prominently mentioned
for general manager of the Colorado
& Southern when the Hill Interests
acquired that road. He Is eonsld
ered one of the best railway officials
in the country. John F. Vallery is a
brother of George W. and is general
agent for the Burlington at Denver
Like his brother he has made himself
a name as a railroad man and is re
ognized as one who has a future In
the business. They are both Platts-
mouth boys and are among those who
obtained their railroad experience In
this city and who have made good In
the big world.
Fer for Winter Wheat.
Some apprehension is felt by rail
road men over the condition of the
winter wheat crop In this state. , It is
said the Intense cold at on time dur
ing the winter, and the spells of thaw.
Ing and freezing hurt the wheat crop
more than was at first supposed. Re
ports received during the past week
have not been nearly as satisfactory
as had been hoped and some are In
clined to believe that the shortage
will be considerable. At this time all
the roads In the wheat belt are en
gaged In getting reports on present
conditions, and some of the reports
are said to be anything but cheer
ful. The number of "excellent" re
ports has been less usual.
A few days ago the operating de
partment of the Burlington Issued a
report in which this statement was
made:
''Indications now are that wheat
has wintered in very fair shape. The
spring, however. Is exceedingly back
ward, and as wheat Is Just beginning
to grow a little It may be found that
It Is not in as good condition as was
thought at this time. There Is prob
ably a little less acreage than last
year. The report from agents indi
cate present conditions as compared
with an average crop as follows:
Lincoln division, 91 per cent; Omaha
division, 90 per cent; Wymore div
ision, 98 per cent; McCook division,
90 per cent. These figures may be
considerably changed In the next re
port.
"Spring grain Oats are In fair con
dition but backward. Practically all
the oats have been sown and in many
places they are out of the ground and
growing. About an average crop of
oats will be seeded In Nebraska dis
trict. As usual very little spring
wheat is being sown." State Journal.
The above apprehension does not
seem to be indulged In by the farm
ers in this vicinity, nearly all of
whom state that the outlook for a
bumper winter winter wheat crop
ere never better. The weather in
this section has been considered by
mor& of the farmers Interviewed as
being very good and no one believe?
the crop here will be short. Of
course, there Is a good chance that
the crop can go back considerable
yet but It is not thought at all prob
ble.
striking him across the brlilge of the one brother. The ulsters are Mamie
tinio In such a manntr as to break Alice, Nellie, Cassle, Frankle and
Ijoiiisville Teachers.
The school board met Tuesday
evening and elected teachers for
the next school year. C. W
Watson was recalled as principal
at an advance of $5 per monts
making his salary $90. - Miss Mc
Grew was re-elected assistant prln-
ipal at an advance of $5 per month
and Misses Sadie Rivett, Ellon Jacob
son and Opal Ross at the same sal
ary they received this last term. The
applications of Misses Mills and Carl
son were rejected, but new appoint
ments have not as yet been made
The appointments of these teachers
meets with the general approval of
the patrons of the school and Is
guarantee that we will have good
school the coming year. Louisville
Courier.
Jolm Gels the Medal.
From Monday's Dally.
The medal for the first man to
mow his lawn must be given to John
W. Kinser. This morning where the
blrdH were carrollng their message
of coming day, John Wesley hied
himself to the gladsome mead a
you might say, and gladly pushed
the lawn mower oer the one Inch
of green grass which thrust Its head
toward heaven. It was a tiresome
task but at lust it was accomplish)
and today he has the only clean
shaven lawn in the village. John I
surely some enterprising citizen and
Is considered a fitting candidate of
the Carnegie medal.
G. F. Swltzer of NYhawka came u
last evening on tne m. p. train ae
coinpanylng the Insane man from
that place, returning this mornln
after the hearing. Mr. Kwltzer Is a
uncle of County Commissioner Fwl
zer and ne of the best citizens Ni
hanka affords.
Pn-pininn to Move.
From TiieKday's I mil v.
Former Senator S. L. Thomas Is in
Omaha today, going up to mnke ar
PiigeinentH for the transportation of
Mrs. W. L. Thomns and family to
ong Beach, Cal., where they will
make their future home. They de
parted on the mail train at noon for
hat city. Asked as to whether the
rumors which have been In clrcula
tlon regarding his purported removal
from this city to Long Beach, Sena
tor Thomas took aoccaslon to declare
that they were without foundation
(e lms lived In Plattsmouth and vi
clnlty for so long that It was impos
Bible for him to think of leaving
here permanently. It might be that
he would visit his son and family In
California this winter In fact, that
was almost certain, but as to leaving
here permanently he never enter
talned such a thought. The senator
believes that old Cass County Is Just
about as good as the best and h
doesn't want any California or othe
country In his just now. This will
be good news to the general public
who consider their loss enough in
losing W. L. and his most estimable
family.
BURLINGTON'S NEW
MERIT SYSTEM
New System of Punishing Vio
lation of Company Rule;
is
The Burlington road Is preparing
to make a change in their method
of enforcing discipline among their
mployes and to install what Is known
as the Brown or merit system of dis
cipline. An official announcement to
this effect has been promulgated by
Second Vice President Willard who
also has Issued a lengthy bulletin
setting forth In detail the reasons
why the system is adopted. The
Brown system Is In force upon vir
tually all the large roads of the coun
try and the Burlington has been Blow
In adopting it. The Rock Island, the
Union Pacific and Nortth western
roads have had it In force for sev
eral years and it has worked excel
lently.
Heretofore It has been the prac
tice of the Burlington to punish in
fractions of the rules by suspen
sion and eventually by dismissal
from the service. For instance, a
man violating a rule of the company
would be suspended fro mthe service
for ten days or thirty days or some
Btated period and a recurrence of the
offense usually meant dismissal.
The new system changes this. The
nfraction of a rule means a charge
against the man's record of so many
demerit marks. When it is intended
to charge a man's record with these
demerits. He is notified by the Su
perintendent that It is proposed to
change his record with so many de
merits, and he is asked to show why
lt should not be done or to sign a
waiver o fan Investigation and per
mlt the demerits to be charged
against him. Should he refuse to
sign the waiver an Investigation of
the alleged Infraction of the rule is
held by tho trainmaster or cupcrln
tendent and If he Is exonerated no
demerits are assessed. The assess
ment of a certain number of demerits
h punishable by dismissal from the
service. To offset the demerits, men
are entitled to credit for extraordin
ary and unusual service. Upon mak
ing claim for doing work or duties
outside their regular duties a stated
number i f merit marks Is given him
which are allowed to offset any de
merits he may have against him
One effect of the adoption of the
system is to keep a complete record
of a man's Bcrvlcc and this record
is relied upon to trace up a mart
when he applies for a position with
another company. By this means
careless, Indifferent and bad work
men are weeded out. It is quite
needless to say that discipline Is nq
cessary. The safety of the public In
Particular depends upon the disci
pline of the men In the engine and
train service. In addition the wel
fare of the rood, the reduction of
expuise and the full earning capn
ity of the road depends upon the
amount of discipline the road has In
Its service.
Mr. Willlard's bulletin Is very
lengthy and his explanation of the
adoption of the system Is very full
and complete. He holds that the
ild system of suspension u n foll-
ure and had not Improved the ser-
I'or Sale One of the Finest Farms In
Cuss County.
The Geo. A. Hess 200 acre farm In-
rated midway between Elm wood and
Alvo. Splendid buildings, 2 wells,
2,200 barrel coucnte reservoir from
which water is piped to house, barns
and tanks In feed yards.
Fine pasture with running water,
40 acres unbroken hay land, bal
ance In cultivation.
This farm has never been offered
for sale before and this advertise
ment will not appear again.
For particulars write or telephone
to.
T. II. Pollock. Hole Agent.
Plattsmouth, Nib.
The board of education lust even
ing hi., I a special HfHoi to 'lee
i I'.'.v principal to succeed Prof.
P-voks who leaves ill. on-''.:; ye:ir.
T! e m b'eted prof. II niiiul.i llarrlsoii
at present principal of the Ravenna
M.-li n!icols and sail lo In- an eA
cellent educator. The board had no
Dm. Me arriving at a dei Islnn and
'.' e I I of. Hart Irt'.M '"I the first
MM
vice while at the same time the em
ploye suspended and his family have
been made to suffer from loss of
employment during the time he Is out
of work.
One method which is provided for
bringing the effectiveness of the new
system to the employes attention is
hat of monthly bulletin Issued con
taining a statement of the discipline
during the month. No names
are mentioned, those having .the mer
Its and demerits assessed again them
during the month being referred to
as "An engineer" or A brakeman" or
"A station agent' has been assessed
so many demerits for such and such a
violation of the rules. In this man
ner the men are kept Informed cf
the penalty the men have had In
flicted upon them for failure to at
tend to their duties and observe the
rules.
The official bulletin issued by Mr.
Willard putting the new system Into
effect is given below In full.
To He Infective May 1.
Chicago, May 1, 1901. Effective
this date the practice of suspending
employes in the train and engine do-'
partment, because of Infraction of
ihe rules, or for other causes, will bo
discontinued.
A complete and accurate service
history of all employes affected by
this order will be kept In the office
of each division superintendent, and
also of the employment department.
'Mo entry will be made a part of
the record of any man until the case
has been fully Investigated, and the
employe affected will. If desired, be
sjven personal hearing In that con
nection. Whenever a record entry
ts made, the man affected will be
given In writing an exact copy of
such entry.
Any employe found guilty of dis
loyalty to the company, of Insubordi
nation or drunkenness, will be dis
missed from the service, and will not
be re-employed. An employe whone
service cleorly Indicates that ho Is
not a safe or fit man to retain In
the service will be dismissed.
Promotion will In future, as lit
the past, depend upon the service
record of the man Involved, and upon
his fitness for Increased responsibil
ities. When these are equnl as be
tween two men, Ihe one older in tho
service will be given the preference.
An employe upon his request will
bo given a copy of his service rec
ord. Officers directly In charge of men
affected by this order are especially
requested to report for en'rv all com
mendable actions on the pp.rt cf
such employi s, as well as those nct
ons which may Justify criticism or
reprimand.
The purprse cf this ordi r f.-J to
assure constant and permanent i v.
plnynient to these employes v.iica
service rccerds Indicate thlr fit
ness for the positions held, cr for
Increased responsibilities.
Daniel Willard,
Second Vice President.
Celebrate Anniversary.
From Tuesuny imny.
The members of Platte Lodge No.
7 I O. O. F. and Rebekahs No. 40
lost night celebrated the ninetieth an
niversary of the founding of the I. O.
O. F. In America. There was no net
program but a very pleasant time was
had, there being a large attendance
of members of both orders at the
hall. After tho meeting which was
in the nature of a love feast and a
review of the history of the order.
Judge A. J. Ileeson delivered an ad
dress to the assembled members. Ow
ing to Mayor Saltier and President
of the Council Stetmker being de
tained by the council meeting, sev
eral of the most Interesting features
of the celebration were omitted. Tin y
are both prominent members of the
order and were on the committee hav.
ing i no matter in nami. Tiny ar
rived lute In the evening and the lat
ter port of the celebration was carried
out. Following the meeting there
were refreshments served and a fine
social time had.
Mrs. Glen Pi rryis "spending the
day In Omaha being a passenger for
tuht city on the morning train.
Masons I tine.
From Tnesduy'a Dully.
The local lodge of Masons last
evening concluded administering tho
work to Earl Travis who Is now a
full fledged member of the order.
The occasion was made memorable
by a banquet following the lodgo
meeting, a fine feast being prepared
and set before the members of the
order. Oliver C. Dovey acted as
toast master and there were a num
ber of speeches delivered by mem
bers of the lodge, among them being
J. C. Peti rsen, Prof. J. W. Gamble. M.
Archer and Canon Burgess nil of
whom delivered very happy ad
dresses. A great deal of credit Is
due W. C. Tlppens and Oliver Hud
son who were members of the com
tnlttee on refreshments and who let
no piilns lu spared to mako the en-
tertalnment n fine one.
Jacob Melslngir, one of tho well
known Melsloger brothers and a
mighty fine citizen of Cuss county,
came In this morning from his farm
In Eight Mile Grove precinct and Is
transacting business with our mer
chants today.