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About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 28, 1905)
THE O’NEILL FRONTIER D. H. CRONIN. Publisher. >*NE1LL, NEBRASKA Because ns employes rrequentiy were late, a large London house recently or dered that the tardy ones should write their excuses in a book provided for that purpose. But the clerks proved, lazy and unoriginal. At the top of a page a late one would write "Train de layed” or "Omnibus horse died," as the case might be nnd the rest fell Into the habit of making ditto marks and let ting It go at that. But not long ago ttle man had a new excuse. He wrote with pride: "Wife had twins." Tho second slow person that morning was In a great hurry and did not notice the ln« novation, but made his customary ditto marks, and the rest of the men on that page followed suit. The excuse book was abolished. In the far east language has always been more florid and more ambiguous than in the west. The king of Ava. In Burma, called himself the "regulator of the seasons, the absolute master of the ebb and flow of the sea, brother of the sun and lord of the four and twenty umbrellas." The king of Arracan, low er Burma, was "possessor of the white elephant nnd two earrings, as well as "lord of the twelve kings who placed their heads under his feet.” In the Mozamblque-Zunbesl region of Africa the king of Monomtopa was not only "lord of the sun and moon,” but "great magician and great thief." Ants have a wonderful power of ex isting long periods after losing Import ant parts of their bodies, which are not reproduced. They have been known to live two weeks! without the abdomen, which is so bulky in proportion to the rest of the Insect. Under the most fa vorable circumstances an ant may live more than a month after Its head liar been cut off. One case Is recorded in which the rest of the ant moved about forty-one days after decapitation. Ants, also revive after being submerged in water for many days, ullhough they •aem to be dead a few minutes after | ■they are Immersed. An Incident of the early days of the present German empire: The question as to how the kaiser’s title should run divided the court Into three sections. One division favored "German emper or," the second was for "emperor of Germany." while the third wished it to be "emperor of the Germans.” Bis marck, who was present at one such discussion, looked up from a meal. "What’s the Latin for sausage?” he asked, "Farcimentum,” said one. "Far cimen,” said another. Bismarck smiled significantly as'he replied: "Farcimen tum or farclinen, It Is all the same to me." Camille Flammarlon has been malt ing experiments In Paris to see wheth er the moon exerts any Influence on tho growth of plants, according to tho legend. He made different sets of plantings at dates which correspond to the different phases of the moon, using peas, beets, carrots, potatoes, beans and many other vegetables of the ordi nary kinds. The results were extreme ly variable nnd no fixed rule seemed to ! govern them. The plants appeared at periods which had no connection with the moon’s phases. Sir Edward Elgar, who is professor of music at Birmingham university, delivered the first of a series of public lectures there recently, and, dealing with English composers, contended that music was not helped so much as other arts. It was utterly hopeless for a young musician to expect to keep himself by writing serious music. He wanted to see larger concert rooms In towns where works could be produced at a small fee. Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Richmond, of Columbus, O. celebrated their fif tieth wedding anniversary, attended by near relatives and the Intimate fam ily. A feature of this unusual event was the placing of flftv $20 gold pieces In the huge cake, and It was carved the coins fell to various members. One. was so fortunate as to receive three of • the double eagles In his one slice of the anniversary cake. The famous tapestries of the palace at Fontainebleau have been cut aim slashed until they are almost In shreds; the sculptors' and carved wood mantle pieces chipped in scores of places by a modern vandal. A well known archi tect, who had been engaged to make a report on the condition of the palace, states that an expenditure of $100,000 will barely cover the costs of the most urgent repairs. Eight years ago three young English university men decided lo start a laun dry that should be a model In its pro cesses and work, and they succeeded. Recently they opened an exhibition of their achievements In Bond street, where It Is hoped It will make a proper Impression upon the 'sni'art" London women who have been sending their lingerie and laces to Paris to be dealt with. Benjamin K. Thorn, a native of New' York, nephew of United States Senator T. C. Platt, age 75. and classed as the most fearless sheriff In California, died recently. As sheriff of Calaveras county he was leader In the most fa mous man hunts in the state's history. No chance was too desperate for him | to take, and he took many desperate chances in his fifty years of service. A fen- years ago an Indian on the Coeur d'Alene reservation brought to the reservation two "Belgian hares." Their descendants are now numbered by ens of thousands and they are de vastating the crops of white settlers far and near. To make matters worse, the Indians believe that to kill a rabbit or hare brings bad luck. A stope carving of a grizzly bear in the attitude of defending her cubs has been made by A. C. Thompson. Seattle, And will be shipped to Alaska, to be placed over the grave of R. Shadesty. one of the most prominent Indians of the north when alive. He died on De cember 17, 1903, leaving $600 to pay for the monument. In accordance with the expressed do •ire of the Roman Catholics of Ne vada. that state will be made a separ ate diocese. Moert of It has hitherto formed a part of the diocese of Sacra mento. A splendid cathedral will be built In Reno on the site of a church that was burned recently. Honolulu has on exhibition a speci men of the I11I11 or "stone that breeds ” f'«m Kau Island. The natives say that If the stone Is placed In a glass Jar and water poured over It and the Jar he cc'-ed for a couple of days the stortc will reproduce Itself In the form of four or five smaller stones. One of the oldest settlers In Kingman county. Kansas. Is a mule. It helped to flraw the first wagonload of provisions Into the country. The mule has been Admitted as a member of the Old Set tlers' association and attends every pfe wlc. It is one of the landmarks of the ,«ounty. A PIONEER DEVOTES HIS LIFE TO REVENGE Massacre of Sever Children Nerves Henry Wiseman to Slay Indians. LIVES IN CEDAR COUNTY V/ns Settler When State of Nebraska Was Wild, but Now Alone and Miserable, He Occupies a Log Cabin. Norfolk. Nob., Dec. 26.—Fifty miles west of Sioux City, high above the Missouri river, among the wild, pic turesque hills of northern Nebraska lives an extraordinary man, whose life has been a thrilling romance, full ol tragedy, revenge and hatred. The story of Henry Wiseman is fa miliar to all the inhabitants in anc about Cedar county, Neb., where tin strange man lives, and will be handed down from father to son for genera tions to come. A man whose boyhood was spent within a few miles of Wiseman’s homf can never forget the powerful effect ol the tale upon his imagination when it was first unfolded to him. * Henry Wiseman was one of the first while inhabitants of Cedar county, .set tling there before 1860. He hailed from Kentucky, and possessed the strength agility and courage characteristic ol Kentuckians. . He was over C feet tall, and straight as the barrel of his long carbine, a fact well known to his enemies, both in Kentucky and the west. He was an abolitionist, who left his southern home because of slavery. When he went to Nebraska he had a wife and six chil dren, a number later increased to eight by the birth of twins. The oldest was a boy about 20, the next oldest was a girl of 16. Indians at Firs* Friendly. v Wiseman built a log cabin on the side of a hill near the Missouri river in a region that is still wild and ro mantic. Woods are dense in the val leys; they abounded with game in th<* early days. Indians were numerous; they passed up and down the river in their canoes, and roamed by hundreds over the hills At first Wiseman lived on friendly terms with the red men, some of whom were his guests almost daily, and life In the wilderness was enjoyed by the Wiseman family. But the friendly re lations between the Kentuckian and the Indians ended in an awful manner, giving place to deadly hatred and en mity. When the civil war broke out. Wise man sent his grown-up son to the front to fight against the slave power, and the boy fell in battle. Wiseman himself joined n regiment of soldiers to protect the settlers on the frontier against Indians, who became warlike and bloodthirsty when hostili ties began in the south. Thus Mrs Wiseman and seven children were left at home unprotected. During the summer of 1862. while the family was in this precarious situation, Mrs. Wiseman was obliged to go to \ Yankton, Dakota Territory, on business. The distance sin* had to travel was not great, being less than thirty miles, but progress through the wilderness was slow, and she was gone two or three days. When she returned to her borne an awful discovery aw; ited her. The white doorknob was staged with blood. The alarmed woman «iWFnot dare enter, but walked around to the rear of the house to look in through a window. The worst fears took possession of her. Where were her children? Why did they not come running out to meet her and why did she not hear anj sounds from them? Behind the house lay a bleeding In dian at the point of death. He had just strength enough to raise himself ; on his elbow and meet Mrs. Wiseman with a look of unspeakable malice anil anguish. That look was never effaced bom her memory. Filled with terror and not having the heart to look into the house, Mrs. Wiseman lied from the place and hur ried for help to St. James, a frontier harnlyt. three miles away. A few hours later she returned with a company of men. They entered the house, where they found stretched upon the lloor tin* (lead bodies of the live oldest children. The corpses were horribly disfigured, showing that the victims had been butchered in a most brutal manner. Twins Roasted in Oven. The two youngest children, the twins, could not at first be found, and ii was believed that the Indians had carried them away alive to be reared b> squaws. But such was not the case In searching about the house one of the men opened the door of the oven of tin kitchen stove, where* lay, roasted to a crisp, the bodies of the infants. The effect of these shocking disclos ures upon Mrs. Wiseman was so crush ing that she broke down both mentally and physically, and her life was de spaired of. She rallied physically, however, but her mind was partiall.v deranged from that day until her death, forty-three years later. It is supposed that during the absence of Mrs. Wiseman a band <>t' Indians ap proached the house, probably with no hostile intent. The children saw them coming and were tilled with fear. The eldest boy. a lad of about lii. seized the loaded gun, and when the In dians were a few rods from the house, fired at them, wounding the leader. This enraged the rest and the massacre fol lowed. The (lying Indian found by Mrs, Wiseman was the victim of the boy’s deadly aim. It was some time before Wiseman heard of the awful tragedy and re turned home. His seven murdered chil dren had been buried in a common grave on the hilltop near his house. There he fell on his knees and swore *\n oath of vengeance against the red men—that he would kill every Indian that would expose himself to his rifle. And well did lie keep his oath. Some years ago a party of geologists .passed up the Missouri to examine the formations on the Nebraska srae. Dig ging at the base of ttie hill on the top of which the Wiseman ,children are buried, their spades came in contact with bones—-human bones. A dozen or more skulls were dug up. each contain ing a bullet bole. Mrs. Wiseman died 1 wo years ago at an advanced age, but Wiseman still survives. He is over l8d, in good health and still cherished the same intense hatred for the red men —A— THREE PRISONERS BREAK JAIL When They Depart Guns Belonging to Sheriff Are Also M'i6Stng. Kearney, N**b., Deo. 23.—Three prisoner# eonflived in itx.* county .UH craped and are i>eilt£ hunu-d by the police force of Kearney, They were Fred M. Gillette and \V. 13. Warner. chatgod with forgrey, and Fred Engcdbr*''h.\ *.h urged with hors# stealing. JAIL BREAKERS CAUGHT I Three Bad Men Who Escaped from Kearney, Neb., Are Retaken Aft er Fight with Officers. K-arra y, Neb., Dec. 27.—Fred Gillette. \V. Tl. Warner and Fred Englobrccht, the j three nu n who broke jail in this city last I wek have ben captured near Holdrege, where they w* re brought to bay in a hay stark. They were pursued until night fall by* Sheriff Sammons and Chief of Po lice Trindlo, who secured an automobile for l;. chase after hearing the men had been sighted near Elm creek. Making a stand in a haystack the trio fought off one posse with a revolver fusil lad**. Sheriff Gustu3 Pheli»s of this coun ty, with several deputies, then drove down upon the exhausted men with Winchester rifles levelled and the men surrendered. PEANUT KILLS LITTLE ONE. Kernel Lodger, in Bronchial Tube and Baby Dies. Omaha, Neb., Dec. 26.—The lodgement of a peanut in the bronchial tube caused the, death of Gertrude Briggs, 1 year and lfi months of age. Dr. Allison performed an operation on the little one’s windpipe, but death followed after acute inflammation of the lungs had set in. The child was the daughter of Harry Briggs, a carpenter. The child found some shelled peanuts and swallowed one of the kernels without chewing it. RIFLE AND FENCE ARE FATAL. Trigger Catches on Wire and Ball En ters Boy’s Heart. Hastings, Neb., Dec. 2G.—Samuel Evans, the 13-ycar-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Thom as F. Evans, who reside two miles south ■of Roseland, accidentally shot and killed himself while hunting rabbits. The lad had crawled through a barbed wire fence and attempted to pull a twenty-two cali ber rifle after him. The trigger caught on .the wire fence and discharged the load. The ball entered the boy's heart and killed "him instantly. —t— FACTORY NEEDS MORE WORKERS Beet Sugar Plant is Running Full Force Night and Day. Fremont, Neb., Dec. 26.—The Standard ,‘Beet Sugar company is having the biggest run since the Leavitt factory began busi ness. The present campaign will prob ably last until March. The company Is working at full capacity both night and day. Competent help is scarce and about all who apply are taken on. Owing to the class of floating labor which the company is obliged to employ the force in constant ly changing and a good many men are kept on the pay roll simply because there is no one to take their places. Most of the beets are raised in the western part of the state and are high grade. HEAD SHOT OFF. Boy Pitching Hay at Ansley Was Ac cidentally Killed. Broken Bow, Neb., Dec. 23.—The 14 year-old son of John D. Knapp, a farmer living three miles south of Ansley, was accidentally shot and Instantly killed. The father and son were in the field load ing hay, the boy working on the wagon where the shotgun lay. While stooping for aonther fork of hay Knapp heard the report of the gun and looking up saw* the boy with the right side of his head blown off. The father does not know how the accident happened. .. HOG CHOLERA PREVALENT. In Vicinity of Allen and Martinsburg Farmers Report Losses. Allen, Neb . Dec. 23.—The hog cholera is raging through the part of the county near Martinsburg, Waterbary and also near flu-; place. Farmers are reporting the loss of many of their fine porkers which they hud planned to market just before Christmas this year. This is a seri ous loss to farmers when such a big crop of corn is In the cribs ’for feeding pur poses. The epidemic has not covered any great territory as yet, but every farmer is taking all p-eeauiion to prevent the dis ease entering his droves. —— nU.MMVVMT U O E. O U Av I I E. IVI t IN I Frantic Team at Pierce Nearly Runs Over Some Children. Pi*tree, Neb., Dee. 23.--A team belonging to .1. 1C. Sexton created a lot of excitement here by running away in the main busi ness streets while they were filled with teams i. d shoppers. The team ran south and turned a corner while going at a ter rific rate of speed. Just as they reached the corner some children who were prom enading on the walk reached the corner also. For a moment it looked as if the team w >ul 1 dash right into and crush the children. Happily the horses turned to short a corner and a wheel of the vehicle came into contact with a large electric pole stopping the horses suddenly. Only this probably saved the children from d< a (h. —t- - CALLED POPCORN KING. L. H. Ledcrer, of Pierce, Sells His Pro duct by Novel Idea. Pierce, Neb., Dec. 23.—L. H. Ledcrer who is deputy clerk at this place is also be coming widely known as a popcorn king. This year in* planted a considerable area to this crop ami was rewarded by an enor mous production. He attempted to sell it to several local merchants, but they could use but a few bushels at a time. Ledcrer set his brain to work and originated the idea of placing the popcorn, shelled, into small pound packages ready for popping. His idea was introduced by several whole sab' limit* over the state and now he is completely covered with orders for his popcorn. He intends to devote much at- 1 tentaon next year to this crop. INDIANS BUY WHISKY. Claimed They Procured It Somewhere in South Dakota. Plafcn view, Neb., Dec. 23.—County At torney Berryman was called this week tc rianto to prosecute twelve Indians and one white man for drunkenness. Each man was fined in each case and over $130 was idded to the school fund. It seems from ; the testimony that the Indians have been I I rolng across the state line to Springfield. I 3. D., and getting ‘ bitters” from some j lealer there. The authorities are determ I ined to put a stop to this violation of the law and it may be (hat at the next hear ing of drunks there will bo added a thirty ■days’ sentence to the fine which will have to be worked out on the county roads. SUICIDE IN A WELL. Omaha. Neb., Dee. 23.—Because he hac no money with which to purchase Christ mas presents for his wife and secure th« service of Santa Claus for his little 1K month-old babe. N. C. Hansen, a shoe maker, committed suicide by jumping inti an abandoned well In the rear of his home BREWERY GUTTED BY FLAMES. Nebraska City. Neb., Dec. 23.—Fire gut led the large brewery of the Mattes Brew lug company here. The cause of the tin ix unknown The lo*« of $25,000 Is partly covered by Insurance. The plant will be rebuilt at once. HUSBAND AND WIFE ENTER SUICIDE PACT cormer Iowa Newspaper Man in Hospital at Lincoln, Nebraska. WIFE SHOT HIM TWICE O. H. Tibbitts, of Hamburg Appearj in a Strange Role and It Is Believed He Agreed to Suicide. Lincoln, Noli., Doc. In accordance with what is believed to be an agree ment to die together, Mrs. Susie V. Tibbitts Tuesday shot her husband, Oliver H. Tibbitts, twice with a 22-cal iber revolver, inflicting wounds which are not considered dangerous. Before she could turn the gun on herself, her husband weakened in his purpose and overpowered her. She was arrested and taken to the city jail, while he was removed to St. Elizabeth's hospital, where he was treated by City Physician Slattery. The shooting occurred In the block at 1320 O street, where Mr. and Mrs. Tib .bitts have been living for several days. jSince their marriage they have had considerable trouble, partly over their 5-year-old child and partly because of tlie drink habit to which both are ad dicted. Tibbitts has been employed at [the Milford home, but a day or two [ago came to Lincoln to join his wife. I They rented a room and Tuesday [night both began to drink absinthe. 'Wednesday forenoon they quarreled, 'and at the request of the woman Offi Vtr Boegh was sent to the block about ,!l o'clock to settle the difficulty. Mrs. Tibbitts declared her husband had been choking her. She had the revolver at 'the time. Officer BOegli toid Tibbitts to leave the place and stay away from her and required her to put the gun away. He left orders with Mr. Car ter, the landlord, not to allow Tibbitts to return. Tibbitts agreed to this and said he would go to Milford. He did return, however, and at the request of Mrs. Tibbitts was allowed tc go lo tlie room. They quarreled again, and as a result, it is thought, tlie com pact to die together was made. Mrs. Tibbitts to shoot him first and then herself. According to her story, told lo the police matron at the station, she turned the gun on him and fired, hitting him between the eyes. Before she could turn the weapon upon herself he grabbed her, and the second shot struck him tjust over the apex of the heart, log ing between two ribs. The screams brought neighbors to the room and the police were notified. Mrs. Tibbitts went readily to the station, but Mr. Tibbitts, in spite of his condition, refused to he helped to the ambulance. He walked downstairs and got into the vehicle alone. He was taken to the hospital pyhere it was found that his injuries were not serious unless blood poisoning should set in. Mrs. Tibbitts refused to talk to a re porter. When she was'asked about the lease she buried her face in her hands and returned to the back of the cell, sobbing. A conference was held with iu representative of the county attor ney's ollice and it is doubted if she will be prosecuted. It is not believed that her husband could be induced to 'make a complaint. Mrs. Tibbitts is only 2C years old, while her husband is 08. Her maiden name was Church and her father is Andrew Church of Fairmont. She has a brother who works in a lunch room on N street. Tibbitts is said to be a former newspaper man. He is said to have run a paper at Hamburg, la., for some time. Later in the afternoon Tibbitls was removed from the hospital to the city jail for safe keeping. It is said he be came so unmanageable at the hospital 'hat he could not be controlled. HEARING FOR BARKER. Webster County Murderer to Be Ex amined for Sanity. Lincoln, Neb. Dec. 23.—The supreme court has handed down its formal opinion .in the application of the attorneys of [Prank Barker, the Webster county mur derer to have his sanity passed on by the district court. The order reversing the (district court and commanding it to as sume jurisdiction was issued in time to •prevent the hanging last June. The court says in the syllabus: • “The jurisdiction of the judge of the district court of Lancaster county to in quire as to the sanity of a convict con fined to the state penitentiary under sen tence of death does nor depend upon the giving of the notice by the warden. If it Js alleged in a proper application to the judge, under oath, that the convict is in sane, and that the warden unjustifiably refuses to give the statutory notice, it is \he duly of the judge to make such inves tigation as will satisfy him whether there are such appearances ol' insanity as will justify the summoning of a jury to try (ho 'question.” MOTOR CAR HURT WOMAN. Union Pacific Novelty Has Acciden. Near Callaway. Callaway, Neb., Dec. 23.—The motor car which runs from Kearney to Callaway struck a wagon in which rode Mr. and Mrs. Charles Felker. Mrs. Felker re ceived a bad gash on her head but her husband escaped with few injuries. As they started to cross the track the car, which was without lights, because of trouble the motorman was having, struck tin* wagon. It was ground to kindling and one horse was killed. MADISON MURDERER FREE. Mickey to Release Frederick Sargent. Who Killed Wife at Battle Creek. Norfolk. Neb., Dec. 23.—It is announced from Lincoln that Governor Mickey issued t commutation to Frederick Sargent, a Madison county man, sentenced in 1S93 to twenty years in the state penitentiary for wife-murder. Sargent, who lias served twelve years and is the oldest inmate of the prison in point of service, will be released on New Year’s day. He has been a trusty for sev eral years. BONUS BRINGS RAILROAD. Hartington, Neb., Dec. 22.—The pro posed extension of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha railroad from here to Crofton seems now to be » certainty. The farmers of the vicin ity of Crofton who undertook to raise a bonus of $35,000 for the extension of the road have the money all subscribed and several .railroad men have been here the past week. The blue print for th^ pro posed extension shows that twenty three miles of foad will be built, run ning in a northwesterly direction from Hartington to Crofton. The road will run through Constance, a small inland town, in tnis county. SCHOOL, bonds sold, Bancroft Will Now Begin Erection o* Modem Building. | Bancroft, Neb., Dec. 23.—Twenty | thousands dollars worth of school bonds | were bought by a Nebraska Institution, | being the entire issue of the $20,000, £ per cent, semi-annual bonds voted for | the purpose of erecting a new brick school house. They were sold to the I Bankers' Reserve company of Omaha I at a premium of $700: The next highest bids were the Mc : Donald, McCoy & Co., at a premium oi 5613, and H. <\ Speer & Sons Co., at $210. DAIRYMEN IN LINCOLN. Butter Exhibit Will Be One of the Best in Recent Years. Lincoln, Neb., Dec. 23.—The Nebraska State Dairymen's association will hold its twenty-first annual convention in Lincoln January 17 and 18. The meet ing promises to he one of the most in teresting ever held. There will be ad dresses by experts on dairy products .and dairy herds and there will be a cow judging contest and a butter judging contest. All members of the associa tion who are residents'of the state are urged to take part in these contests. | The stock judging contest will take I place in the stock judging pavilion of ! the university farm at 3 o’clock Thurs day afternoon, January 18. Liberal • prizes have been offered for the best i scores in judging. OVER CENTURY OLD, Former Old Settler oF Cuming County, Nebraska Is Dead. West Point, Neb.. Dec. 21.—Edward i Loney. grandfather of E. H. Loney, j who was one of the oldest settlers of ; Cuming county, living on a homestead near Beemer for many years, is dead at Portland, Ore., at the age of 103 years. CHANGES HER PLANS. Will Return to Pittsburg to Institute Divorce Proceedings. Pittsburg, Pa., Dec. 23.—Failing in her intentions to secure a divorce without publicity by going west. Mrs. W. Ellis Corey, wife of the president of the steel corporation, is coming back to Pittsburg for the purpose of instituting proceedings. That these are the pres ent plans of Mrs. Corey was learned from an authoritative source today. Mrs. Corey left Los Angeles yesterday for the east, and her friends here are expecting her the latter part of the week. When she went to Nevada about a month ago, her plans were to remain there until spring, and, having secured residence by that time, make applica tion for divorce, hut owing to the pub licity given the case this has been abandoned. BIG GIF:TTor booth. London Man Provides $500,000 for Colonization Work. London, Dec. 20.—General Booth of the Salvation army, wrote to King Edward, ! announcing that George Herring, chair man of the City of London Electric Light ing company and a prominent member of many other corporations, had donated $500,000 to the army to be used in a home colonization scheme, but that the army had engaged to repay this sum in twenty five annual installments to the King’s hos pital fund. General Booth says he hopes to provide for those who for various reasons are un- | able to leave England under the emigra- ! tion schemes of the Salvation army. Mr. I Herring is well known as a philanthropist, j NO HOPE FOR SPALDING Sporting Goods Man Injured in Auita Accident Probably Will Die. Avignon, Franca. Dec. 20.—The doctor,*! j have little hope of saving the life of J. i Walter Spalding, who was injured in an 1 Automobile accident yesterday. The frontal bone was fractured, one eye destroyed, and the other injured by splinters from his j glasses. Details of the accident show that Mr. j Spalding's automobile, in which he was accompanied by three friends, was travel ing at a high rate of speed. It -broke down close to the crossing barrier, swerved along the track, and overturned. Mr. Spalding’s head struck a fense post and the other passengers were severely bruised. A minute later an express train passed the scene of the accident. t NOVELTIES OF THE NEWS, t \(HIHHIIIIHMIItU)lt ! Paris, 111.—Thomas Caton, of whom his \ relatives had heard nothing for forty ; years, gave his sister, Mrs. Mary Balten, | a surprise today when he called at her i home. He is an official of the Mexican Central railroad. Chicago, 111.—A jury in Judge Clifford’s court yesterday brought in a verdict of $25,000 against Lyon & Healy, dealers in musical instruments at Wabash avenue and Adams street. The plaintiff, Mrs. Mary r. Swafford, had sued for $25,000 for injuries said to have been suffered by her in the store in 1901 by tripping over a rug. Columbus, O.—"This is the last time you will have to do this for me,” said the Rev. 11. J. Good, pastor of the Chicago avenue Church of Christ as several of his parish ioners went down into their pockets to make up ids unpaid salary. Next morning ho took his place behind the men’s furn ishings counter In a store as clerk. He said he had to make a living somehow. Cincinnati. O.—Joseph S. Neave, whose fortune is estimated at several millions, today accepted the post of superintendent of tne street cleaning department of this city, declaring that he desired the office to give the municipality the cleanest streets possible. As a mechanical engineer he is an expert, but has had no experience in taking care of thoroughfares beyond ' keeping the rcadways on his extensive grounds in order. Altoona, Pa.—The Pennsylvania railroad has come to the conclusion that rich men’s sons will not make good railroad men and that they have to go to the poorer classes for the right kind. The officials of the company therefore made a proposition to the school officials to equ p the high school here with complete appliances, whereby boys can study railroading. The proposi tion has been accepted, and the equipment, which will cost $18,000, will be installed at once. Special instructors will be furn ished by the railroad company. Trenton, N. J.—Michael Malielwicz awoke with a stinging sensation about the right side of his head and found his right ear lying on a shelf beside his bed. He be came frightened and called for help. Then he was told by those In the house that he had been drinking last night and that he had had a narrow escape with hts life after a desperate struggle with Vincent Gundozel. a boarder in the house. Gun dozel had plunged a knife into Maliel wicz’s scalp, tearing a hole several inches long to the skull. The next plunge sliced off the ear. The fight had then been stopped bv a fellGw boarder. DIVISION OF CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA Convention at Merna Chopped This Large Territory Into Four Parts. EACH WAS GIVEN A NAME The Ambition of the Town cf Merna t* Be the County Seat Is Declared by Delegates to Be the Motive of the Factional Fight. Merna, Nob., Dec. 22.—At a county di rision convention held at this place a large representation was in attendance and the meeting was enthusiastic. Lines were drawn cutting Custer county into four counties, the north west quarter of the county to be named Noble, the southwest quarter Arbor* the southeast quarter Custer and the northeast Axamas. This divides 1 lie county into four equal parts and the petition will be circulated at once. If the division of the county is com pleted by legal confirmation Merna probably will become the county seat of tiie northwest county, which is given the name Noble. It is generally known that there has been considerable rivalry between Merna and Broken Bow and Merna's ambition to be the county seat, it ap pears, could be granted only by divi sion. The movement has long been agitated, and on various political matters Bro ken Bow is said to have won some ill1 feeling over the county. Custer county is situated in the heart pf the state. Next to Cherry, and closely run by Lincoln county, it is the largest county] in the state. RETAINS OLD DEPUTIES Jnited States Marshal-Elect Warner Assumes Duties Tomorrow, Mak ing No Great Changes. Dakota City, Neb., Dec. 22.—Unitee.' (States Marshal-elect Warner will as sume his duties as marshal at Omaha tomorrow morning. He says the ap pointment was wholly unsolicited. He expects to retain the present deputies find will make no changes at all nu Jess ho finds them unworthy in some J-espect. It is presumed he will move his family to Omaha. He has been deluged with letters and telegrams con gratulating him and asking for jobs He began answering them at 4 a m ind is still far from caught up. AGENTS BUNCO FARMERS. Signatures to Contracts for Samples Followed by Demand for Payment. York, Neb., Dec. 22.—Several farmers In south York county are complaining of being taken in by a medicine or remedy company, that claimed head quarters in Nebraska. A smooth agent called on the farmers wishing to introduce their remedies, which were guaranteed to cure every disease a farmer might have. They had a new plan to introduce their remedies that would make it profitable to the farmer, and that was to make the farmer their agent, and in consideration of an agency the farmer would receive samples of the remedies which he agreed to show his neighbors and friends, and on all orders he would get H commission. . The agent, securing consent of the y.. farmer to accept samples free of cost, pulls out a contract telling the farmer that as an evidence of good faith that he will receive the free Samples and recommend the remedies, he must send i contract signed in to the house, or tompany. The remedies arrived and were re ceived. Sixty days afterwards a col lector called stating that lie was from f-incoln and wanted payment of $40 for remedies purchased and to prove his fight to collect $40 he shows the farm er a contract which the farmer signed' agreeing to pay at the expiration of (sixty days for the remedies. Some of the farmers are paying to avoid a suit; others are holding off. VICTIM OF ANGRY MOB. Coleridge Man, Accused of Wife Beatv ing, Badly Beaten by Citizens. Hartington, Neb., Dec. 22.—Henry tfaack, the Coleridge wifebeater, was given a dose of his own medicine. ' About two weeks ago Knack was fined $50 and costs on the charge of foeating his wife while intoxicated. He [was also admonished to leave the town [for good. He came to Hartington, and, (wishing to effect a reconciliation with |his Wife, he returned to Coleridge. As soon as it got noised around that }ie had returned a vigilance committee was formed oli twenty men and boys and he was marched out of town and unmercifully beaten. For a distance of four miles he was driven like a wild animal. He was kicked and hammered with clubs until he was unable to move, and a sympa thetic farmer brought him to Har*ing (ton more dead than alive. His nose was broken, his jaw fractured and his head pounded so both eyes were swelled shut. His left ear was broken and there were black and blue spots all over his body. While there is no one who justifies his treatment of his wife the best citizens of Coleridge condemn the action of the men who participated In his punish nent. WIFE’S THROAT CUT. Omaha. Neb.. Dec. 20.—Bathed in her own life’s blood, the body of Mrs. Barta Mathauser was found lying on the floor of her kitchen by Mr. Mathauser, the victim of self destruction. A razor lying by the side of the body, was mute evidence of how the woman had chosen Ito end her existence. When Mr. Mathauser returned from iwork he attempted to enter through the kitchen door, as was his custom, but the door was blocked by the body of lik wife. After forcing the door lie found his wife with a ghastly gash in her throat. She had evidently been dead several hours. —t— WHITTEMORE TRIAL IS ON. O’Neill, Neb.. Dec. 20—The case or Bridget Carrigan vs. Fred Whittemore, (involving the liability of a bank exam liner and his bondsmen in the event or a bank failure, was called in the districli court here. The cases arises out of the ! failure of the Elkhorn Valley bank at. !O’Neill over a year ago. Several depos itors of the defunct bank have tiled identical suits and the fate of the one now being tried determines the fate o :all. Negligence on the part of the bunk (examiner when he last checked up the .Elkhorn Valley bajik is alleged.