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VOLUME XXVII
PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA, THURSDAY, AUGUST t!S, 1907.
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John B. Beckner, a Young Han in the Employ
of Charles Cramer.
TRAGEDY OCCURRED MONDAY
Claimed Nebraska City as His Home, Where
lie Said His Parents Reside.
John Beckner, a young "man about
seventeen years of age, came to the
home of Chas. Creamer living on the
Levi Churchhill farm, southwest of
Rock Bluff, about four weeks ago, and
applied for and was given work. Since
then until Monday he has worked on
the farm for Mr. Creamer, and at all
times proven himself an excelent farm
hand. Always quiet and with no bad
habits, at all times willing to work and
do his share of what there was to do,
and a little more. He gave his home
as Nebraska City, saying his parents
lived there, and that he expected as
soon as he had earned enough money to
return to school of which he seemed
very anxious of completing. Where he
had been attending the school he did
not state, neither where he expected to
attend when he had earned sufficient
money to complete what he desired in
the shape of an education. With the
stock he was a model hand and on his
first arrival instantly made friends with
the dog, which was a little long-haired
black fellow, which followed him where
ever he went.
During the entire time which young
Becker hss made his home with the
Creamers, he has shown h'mself a
model young man, and nothing about
his actions would indicate that his mind
was unbalanced, unless it mht be
that he was more than ordinarily quiet
and very sober at times. Last Satur
day he attended the old settlers' pic
nic at Union, and when he was ready
to start Mr. Creamer asked him if he
wished a horse to ride he said no but
went afoot, and after he was at the
picnic, Mr. Cramer asked him if he
did not want some money, suggesting
that he could have five dollars, but he
told his employer that he did not need
any money as he had plenty. While at
' the reunion he met his cousin, Stephen
Beckner, and told him that he intended
to attend school when he had earned
enough mouey, but did not say where.
Sunday he went to church services
taking Mrs. Creamer, and in the after
noon went to Geo. Shrader's which is
about a mile and a half away, Mr.
Shrader being the father of Mrs.
Creamer, and while there seemed him
self as at other times, mingling with
the people who had congregated there,
and seemed to be enjoying himself as
he usually did.
Not until yesterday morning was any
thing noticed out of the way in' his ac
tions. Mr. Creamer had gone to help a
neighbor thresh and had left young
Beckner at home to rake some millet
which had been cut and was lying in the
swath. After Mr. Creamer had gone,
John went to hitch the horses to begin
his task, and after he had been gone for
a little while Mrs. Creamer heard some
one calling "Georgia," "Georgia," and
going to the door found Beckner in great
distress, telling her some one had cut
the lines of the harness all to pieces.
Mrs. Creamer went with him to the
stable and found that in harnessing, he
had gotten parts of two sets of harness
and by so doing had both horses harness
ed for working on one side. He seemed
very much excited by this event, but
after having been assisted in getting
I. 0. 0. F. Convention.
The Independent Order of OddFellows,
of Mills county, Iowa, are holding a
county convention at Pacific Junction
to day, which comprises the lodges of
Malvern, Glenwood, Tabor, Randolph,
Henderson, Silver City and Pacific
Junction. A large number of Odd
Fellows are present, and more would
have nodoubt attended but for the rain
during the night. Pacific Junction,
while a small place, knows how to
rustle in taking care of a crowd.
Ubdliil lAJULuJaibUalr
the things staightened out by Mrs.
Creamer, he went to work and seemed
much as usual and Mrs. Creamer went
back to work. Mr. Becker raked the
millet that had been cut around the
house which took him until nearly or
about ten o'clock after which he had
some more to rake about a quarter of a
mile east of the house.
At this place evidence shows that he
must have worked from one-half to
three-quarters of an hour, judging from
the amount that was raked. When
dinner time came he did not come to
the house and at one o'clock, when he
had not appeared, Mrs. Creamer went
to see if there was anything the matter,
and after having passed around a piece
of corn, found the team next to the
millet patch eating corn, having evident
ly wandered from the other side of the
field as if on their way to the house.
She thought to tie them and look for
Mr. Beckner, and after leading them to
a tree she found no line with which to
do so, and the idea dawned upon her
that he had taken the lines off and hung
himself. Looking down south toward
the farther end of the millet she saw
the dog come out of the woods which
bordered it and she called him but he
would not come, and she, fearing to
find the man hanging to a tree, went
and got the neighbors, John Yardley
and wife, the latter a sister to Mrs.
Creamer, and going to the woods, found
him hanging to a tree with one of the
lines around his neck, dead.
The dog was still watching near him,
and could not be called away, remain
ing until after the body had been cut
down when he came away with another
dog, which had been allowed to go along
"with some of the neighbors. Other
neighbors were notified and County
Attorney Rawls and Sheriff Quinton
were also notified and they immediately
went to the scene of the tragedy. Mr.
Rawls says when he got there the faith
ful dog was still watching at the side of
his dead friend. The coroner was tele
phoned for and could not be reached, so
Sheriff Quinton impanelled a jury, con
sisting of George Shrader, John Yard
ley, Chas. Sans, Gus Splitt, Wm. Splitt
and Chas. Creamer; after a short time
they returned a verdict that the de
ceased, John Beckner, came to his
death by his own hands, by hanging
himself to a tree with the lines taken
from the team which he was working.
The body was turned over to funeral
director, L. R. Upton, and taken to
Union. The dead man's cousin,
Steve Beckner, who had been summoned
by telephone, came just before he was
removed to Union. The parents of the
unfortunate young man have been
notified, but at the time the officers
from here left the scene of the tragedy
last evening they had not arrived, nor
had they been heard from. Yesterday
morning'Mr. Beckner had shown Mrs.
Creamer a letter from a young lady
cousin of his, and he had two others in
his possession from someone, but after
the tragedy none could be found upon
his person; neither any evidences of
their destruction. The motive for com
mitting this rash act remains a deep
mystery.
Special Trains for State Fair.
Thursday, Sept. 5th, special train,
Plattsmouth to Lincoln, over short line.
Leaves Plattsmouth at 8 a. m. Return
ing leaves Lincoln at 7:30 p. m. Fare
$2.74, round trip including admission to
fair.
A special train will leave Lincoln for
Omaha and Plattsmouth at 7 p. m. Tues
day, , Wednetday and Thursday. Rate
via Omaha $3.54, round trip, . including
admission to fair.
W. L. Pickett.
KILLED DY DE
MENTED 1700011.
Cass County Girl Pours Carbolic Acid
Down Throat of Attendant at
Bailey Sanitarium, Lincoln
The Lincoln Journal contains the fol
lowing account of Miss Irene Nickel,
whose parents reside at Alvo, this coun
ty, pouring carbolic acid down the throat
of an attendant at the Bailey Sanito
rium, in that city, at which place Miss
Nickel was sent for treatment for her
demented condition:
"Irene Nickel, a demented woman at
the Bailey sanatorium eluded her sleep
ing nurse and poured carbolic acid down
the throat of J. Gallogly, an attendant
who was sleeping at the hospital, so that
he died at 8 o'clock, three hours after
the poison was administered. The coro
ner's jury found that the man had come
to his death by having carbolic acid
thrown into his face and that the Bailey
sanitorium was exonerated from any
blame. '
"The woman wore handcuffs through
the entire act. She arose in the early
morning, went to the bed of the young
man who she thought was murdering her
family and she was determined to stop it.
She said in her testimony that she de
bated whether she should take the poison
herself or give it to the man. She decid
ed that if she took the acid the killing
would still go on but if she killed him it
would stop at once, and her family would
be safe.
"Mr. Gallogly was sleeping in an ad
joining room. He was lying on his back
and his mouth was partly open. The
woman took the poison from the chest
and in the awkward way one would throw
the contents of a bottle if both hands
were tied, she threw it on the face of
the sleeping man, a part of the liquid go
ing into his mouth and the rest on the
other parts of the face. He started from
the bed and removed a part of the acid
from his mouth by expectorating vigor
ously. His face and r.eck were badly
burned besides parts of the body where
the acid touched.
"Irene Nickel lives at Alvo. She is said
to come from a good family. Her folks
thought that a fewweeks at the .sana
torium" would restore her to her normal
health. Her people did not like the idea
of sending her to the state insane asy
lum. She has been here for severl
months.
THE PRIMARY
NEXT TUESDAY
A Few Pointers That Would
Be Vellfor Voters to
Look Over
Names cannot be written on the pri
mary ballot. They must be printed
thereon and only the names of those
printed may be nominated.
The Friday after election an official
canvas of votes will be made at the
court house by County Clerk Rosen
crans and two deputies who will be ap
pointed later.
The Saturday following the canvas,
when the official nominees become
known, the county central committees
of both republican and democratic part
ies will hold their meeting for organize
ation. The law makes two elections instead
of one. The primary will be conducted,
practically the same as past elections,
with the excepion of the main featues
mentioned and the usual judges will be
in evidence.
The method to be pursued by those
living in the country is to go to their
polling place after noon and before 9 at
night and call for a ballot. The party
allegiance must be stated under the new
law, or no ballot will be given.
If the voter fails to state his party
allegiance he cannot vote at the pri
maries, but failure to make known this
will not prevent him from voting at the
general election. The same is true of
the other provisions of the new law.
They have no bearing on the general
election to be held in November.
. The primary election, September 3,
is to nominate candidates. It takes
the place of caucuses and conventions.
The election in November is to elect,
and will be conducted as heretofore.
Failure to vote at the primary election
will not invalidate the voter at the
general polls later.
Married in Nebraska City.
Judge Wilson this afternoon united in
marriage Allen R. Compton and Miss
Belva Shanklin. Both are well known
and popular residents of Weeping
Water and after the ceremony left for
their home and will be given a reception
at their home this evening. Nehawk a
yCity News.
Improved Ssfsty Device
The Burlington is putting in a new
combination switch and semophore at
the station here, which is supposed to
avoid any trouble that might arise
from the failure of any one to properly
throw the switch at that point. The
switch as it is thrown will show itself
either day or night the conditions. In
the way the arms of the semophore
are during the day will show conditions
and at night it will be told by thediffer
nt lights.
SUGSZGSFUL AFFAIR
More Speakers Announced for Labor
Day Celebration.
With Governor Sheldon, Hon. George
L. Loomis, of Freamont, Hon. Hugh
Meyers, of Omaha, and Senator Root
and Judge Travis, of our own town as
speakers on Labor Day, we are certain
ly guarenteed plenty of interesting
talk. Then sgain, we have two excel
ent bands of music to enliven the oc
casion, including the Iowa Institute
band, one of the best musical organ
izations in the west.
The parades alone will be worth com
ing many miles to see, as great ef
forts are being put forth to make the
parade at night a most brilliant affair,
as illuminations of rarious kinds will be
carried in this parade.
Remember Labor Day is intended for
you to take a day off from your labor,
and enjoy yourself. This you can do by
coming to Plattsmouth next Monday
to witness one of the greatest and
grandest celebraton in the history of
the town. Bring your wives and chil
dren with you, for they will enjoy this
occasion as well as yourself. Remember
the day and date Monday, September
2nd.
THE WABASH
PARK AGAIN.
An Explanation Why the Groves and
Lake are Seemingly Uncared For
Our article in regard to the condition
of the once beautiful park at Wabash,
but which has not been taken care of as
a park for some time, has provoked a
f ,w comments, and brought forth an
explanation as to why the conditions are
as they are. When Mr. Richards acquir
ed this park, says Mrs. Joseph Tighe,
formerly of Wabash, he expended con
siderable money in fixing it up in the
proper shape for park purposes. He had
the park houses and stands in the best
of shape, and the bridges over the lake
in excellent repair and a number of good
boats on the lake. In fact everything
was fixed up in very nice style. As it
was situated then, Mr. Richards was
willing for the people to use it for picnic
purposes, and for the meeting of con
ventions and outing parties, expecting
of course, that those using the property
would exercise reasonable care in trying
to preserve its good condition. This
they did not do, but many who went
there did not even say, 'by your leaf,'
but took possession, without saying
word, or even e'xpresing any
th anks after it was over and
seemed to delight in destroying as
much of the property as was possible.
When using the boats on the lake they
would not return them to the landing or
boat house, but turn them loose to drift
where they might, leaving the oars in
the boats or in the water as it best suit
ed them. For these reasons Mr. Rich
ards had concluded that it was well, if
the people did not appreciate the provi
sion that he had made, that he would
use it as a pasture and thereby have an
income from the place, rather than the
way it was before with an outlay all the
time, and the property being distroyed
as well. We see your position, Mr. Rich
ards, still we think that if you had prose
cuted a few of the people who have want
only destroyed your property, it would
solved the question, and also have been
a preventative to those who have no
regard for other people's property, from
doing the same thing in the future. No
one could expect you or any one else to
keep up a park, even in the event that
they did care for the property, unless
there was some revenue to pay a por
tion of the money invested. Still we re
gret very much that the park has gone
to disuse as it is, and should like very
much to see it restored as it was in the
years which are past.
A Former Resident of Cass.
Wm. Hagel, wife and son came in
last evening from Northport, Neb. Mr.
Hagel is a former resident of Cass
county and is a brother of Mrs. John
Fight and Mrs. Wehrbein, and father
of Mrs. Jacob Treitsch, jr. The Journ
al acknowledges a pleasant visit from
Mr. Hagel, who has been a reader of
this, paper for many years.
OLD SETTLERS'
RE-umon at union
Address of Villbn Ramsey
Delights His udif crs.
Quite a number attended the old
settlers' reunion at Union yesterday
from "Plattsmouth, and from' several we
learn that there was quite a crowd
present and everything passed off
pleasantly.
Our young friend, William Ramsey,
was one of the principal speakers, and
he surprised all in his oratory. All
agree that he made a fine speech and
that his manner of delivery was that
equal to many of our leading orators of
this day. After he had concluded his
address many of the old settlers who
had known his father (Judge Ramsey)
for many years, gathered around him
and congratulated him upon his excel
lent address, so appropriate to the oc
casion, and wished him success and
prosperity in his chosen profession, that
of the law.
The attendance was not large yester
day, but in numbers fully up to that of
the first day of previous reunions. From
the number that went from this vicinity
this morning, we judge there will be a
large crowd in attendance today.
WHAT TIME
BRINGS ABOUT
Duff
Grain Company Will Remove
Several of Their Elevators
There was a time when the Missouri
Pacific did not run through this country
and well do we remember when the
people used to come here with grain
from away down in the county. But
the inauguration of the Missouri Pacific
made a change in the affairs, not only
new towns sprang up, which took a
portion of the business that had form
erly come to this town, but it made new
shipping points for grain that had be
fore sought a market at this point. The
other little places which were nearer to
the place where it was raised getting
the shipments. When the Duff Grain
company first acquired the elevator at
this point there was a good deal of
grain for shipment offered here. But
one elevator was built nearer to the
place where the corn was raised, and
then another and another, until there
were five elevators nearer and almost
forming a semi-circle around this one.
The amount that it was able to ship from
here gradually grew less, until within
the last few years scarcely any was
offered. At last the Duff Grain comp
any have concluded to try another
experiment, in fact to do as the others
have done. They have made arrange
ments to have the old elevator torn
down here and rebuilt out near the old
Doud place, or what is known as Chas.
Cook's now. It has been whispered
"That the Burlington will continue
their road on down through Mynard,
crossing the Missouri Pacific there, take
a southwesterly direction to Weeping
Water and Lincoln." This would tap a
very fine piece of farming country,
and not only make a much shorter and
more direct line to Lincoln and the west
but also prove a very valuable feeder
to the system. The Duff Grain com
pany also expec t to to tear down their
elevator at Cedar Creek and rebuild it
at Louisville. Both of these changes
are intended to be made by the time the
present crop is ready to move. The
gang of workmen whose duty it is to
do this work have first to remodel the
elevator of the company at Franklin.
A Big Blowout
A large number of young people
gathered at the home of Adam Stoehr's
last Saturday evening and enjoyed a
big time in .dancing, and refreshments
were served at the proper time, and
every body went home feeling that it
was good to be there. Those present
to enjoy the event were: Henry Born
and family, Louis Born and family,
John Ahl and family, Willis, Allie,
Emil and Louis Meisinger, Henry and
Adam Heil, John Krager, John Kaffen
herger, William Hirtz, Martin Jim and
Will Kroler, Frank Steppart, Otto
Parkamin, Peter and John Kenny, Aug
ust Thomas, Nick Baumgartner, Misses
Minnie Born, Hattie Heil, Anna Park
amin, Hattie and Mattie "KafTenherger,
Lizzie Amma and Kattie Steppart, Mary
and Rosa Kenny, Miss Minnie Stohl
man, Nettie and Mary Meisinger.
One Who Was There.
For Sale
A six-room house with cistern, half
block. Price $800. C. L. MARTIN,
Corner 10th and Pearl streets.
SERIOUS ACCIDENT
AT nEUAWKA
Team of Ernest Phllpot Runs
Arcay Tfcoss Occupants
to lho Grcund
Ernest Philpot, who lives - near Ne
hawka, last Saturday had made prepa
rations to go to the Old Settlers' Re
union at Union, and had driven to town
with a team of western horses which
were not too well broken, having in his
rig his wife and three small children.
At the crossing of the road which he
wished to take, and the switch which
leads to the quarry, was an engine
standing and was about through with
the work in hand and ready to pull clear
of the crossing. Mr. Philpot not know- .
ing this and being impatient about get
started to ynion, pulled out of the road
and endeavored to cross the track be- .
tween the road and the station. When
he started around the train, the engine
detached and started also, frightening
the team, which became unmanagable
and ran away, tearing the buggy all to
pieces and throwing the occupants out,
injuring some seriously.
Two children escaped with slight
bruises; the third child had a scratch on
its right temple but otherwise uninjur
ed. Mrs. Philpot, who was holding two of
the children on her lap at the time the
accident occurred, succeeded in protect
ing them from injury but suffered a
very painful wound, extending from the
top of her forehead down between her
eyes, following her nose and terminat
at the chin, and otherwise badly biuis
ing her. While her injuries are very
painful and the cut in her face looking
badly, they are not of a nature to pro
duce any permanent suffering.
Mr. Philpot, who, in endeavoring to
control the team, could not look to hi
own safety but was more conceined as
to the welfare of his wife and children,
and was dragged over the rails with the
wreckage of the buggy, and in his en
deavor to check the on-rushing pnimals,
his head hit against a rail which render
ed him unconscious and also broke hi
jaw. He layed in a semi-conscious con
dition during the day and night follow
ing. Our informant, J. P. Kuhney, says
when he came away yesterday that Mr.
Philpot had not entirely regained con
sciousness, and the doctors considered
Hs condition as being very serious. The
buggy was entirely demolished and
strewn along the track for a long distance.
DUE TO WEAK HEART
James McNealy of Louisville
Found Dead on Streets
of that City
At one o'clock Monday at Louis
ville, the clerk at the drug store while
on his way to the store to fill a pre
scription for a customer who was sick,
noticed a dark object lying on the walk
and upon investigation found it to be
the body of James McNealy, a butcher
by occupation and employed by Lute
Boedeker, owner of the market at that
place. McNealy is a married man, hav
ing a wife and one little child, and ap
peared very stout and healthy, seem
ingly never having had a sick day in his
life. Since the Fourth of July he has
been drinking very hard and it was sup
posed that his sudden death was in a
measure due to the effects of the excess
of drink.
The remains were taken to the un
dertaking rooms of P. C. Stander, and
his family notified. Coroner B. I. Clem
ents was telephoned for at Elmwood,
arriving early this morning. He imme
diately impanelled a jury consisting of
Michael Treitsch, H.J. Haberman, Frank
Johnson, J. R. Grimes, F. J. Petit and
P. C. Smith. They viewed the remain
as they lay at the undertaking rooms,
and then retired to the council chamber
where they considered the suhject, re
ceiving the testimony of those who had
anything to offer. Dr.' Lewis was put
on the stand and said in substance that
it was his belief that the deceased had
come to his death by reason of heart
failure. Others testified that they had
known him and eeen him during the day
and evening; some says that they had
heard someone vomiting but a short
time before the time when he was found
by the druggist.
When Mr. Petterson first noticed the
remains they were lying oji the east side
of Main street and a short distance
south of the barber shop. The finding
of the jury was that the deceased came
to his death from causes unknown to
the jury but supposedly from heart fail
ure. , The funeral will be held tomorrow
afternoon at 2 o'clock. The deceased
was a member of the A. O. U. W. and
carried $1000 insurance in that order.
