GRANT COUNTY, INDIANA
NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
Marion, IN.
Dec. 6,1898. The fiancé committee of the City Council today sold $20,000 of improvement bonds at a premium of $1,262. Such a thing was never done before in Marion. Many times the city has succeeded in selling its own city bonds at an advance, but this is the first time that the improvement bonds have brought a premium. The bonds nears 6 percent, and are redeemable after 10 yrs. There were 8 bidders for the bonds.
Marion, IN.
Dec.7,1898. May Powell, aged 15, daughter of Frank Powell, committed suicide today by taking Rough on Rats. Her parents were divorced some time ago, and the father remarried again. The girl made her home with her mother, whom she did not like, and she then went to her father. She took suddenly ill last night, and afterwards told her father what she had done. The girl’s life had been very unhappy.
Marion, IN.
Dec.8,1898. Isaac Pennington, the Sims township farmer who was on trial yesterday for embezzling $700 of his daughter’s money, was sentenced to a yr in the Michigan City Prison today. The defendant is 46 yrs old and has been one of the most highly respected farmers in the county. Pennington’s daughter pushed the case and was the most important witness. Pennington has many friends in and about Herbst and the Swayzee who are willing to stand by him. His oldest son will have charge of his business during his father’s absence. Judge Paulus showed signs of weakness while pronounced the words that sent the defendant to prison. Pennington expressed a desire to get away from Grant county as soon as possible and Sheriff Bradford took him to Michigan City this afternoon.
Isaac Pennington, a prominent farmer, is on trial at Marion, charged with embezzling $700, of his daughter’s money. Mr. Pennington’s wife had left a farm of 40 acres to the daughter, and Mr. Pennington was named as the guardian. The girl says he sold the farm and appropriated the money for his own use.
Marion, IN.
Dec.9,1898. A few weeks ago Patrick Gillen, a laborer, file suit for $10,000 damages against Max Berenstein, one of the wealthiest business men of Marion, for alienating his wife’s affection. A few days afterwards Berenstein filed and affidavit against Gillens attorney, George mouser, and also against Mrs. Gillen, charging blackmail. The damage suit was to be called for trial Thursday, when Attorney Mouser asked for a postponement. This the court refused, and he then made a motion that the case be dismissed, which was done. Mr. Berenstein, when asked what he would do with the blackmail case, said it was a state case, and he was ready to testify against them at any time.
Marion, IN.
Dec. 11,1898. There was a sensation today when it was found that 41 arrests, growing out of grand jury indictments, were made last night, most of them being saloon keepers for violating the Nicholson law. Sheriff Bradford’s deputies visited houses of disorder, and many inmates were brought in late last night. The keepers were fined $10 and costs, and the inmates $6 and costs. About 20 more are to be arrested tomorrow. Several men were caught in the houses last night.
Matthews In,
Dec. 30, 1898. Another wolf, supposed to be the mate of the one killed last winter, has been seen several times by Eli Rigdon, and others this winter near the old prairie. A hunt will take place the first time a tracking snow falls. A good many who live near the prairie think there was a litter raised last summer on the prairie. These wolves are what is known as the Michigan timber variety.
Marion, IN.
May 25, 1899. Hamilton Mercer, of the Morning news, will soon go to Springfield, O. where he will serve as a member of a committee of the mercer family to look up the family’s large estate, in New York City and England. Later this committee will report to a mass meeting of the Mercer heirs, to be held in Chicago, June 25. The estate is valued at $200,000,000, and consists of Mercer hall and lands surrounding the castle in Scotland, a large amount of money in Bank of England, a large amount of property on Mercer Street, New York City, and a large tract of land in New Jersey.
Marion, IN.
Dec. 30, 1898, There has not been a game of poker played in Marion since Wednesday noon. The sports are leaving town on orders of police. Some expect to see the houses open up again in a few days, but the most knowing ones say that it is all off. Mayor Golding says that the order was not for a day or a week, but for the rest of the time that he is to be mayor of the city.
9/6/1899
The Marion post-office during the last 4 months had done a remarkable business, aggregating $8,832.27. The corresponding 4 months of the last year showed a total of $7,114.18. At this rate the present year at Marion post-office will show and increase of fully $5,000. This means that the total receipts of the office for the year will be approximately $33,000
Fairmount, IN.
Aug.30,1899. A committee from Knightstown, composed of Mr.E.M. Shurburn, superintendent of the water works in that city, and Messrs. Zion St.Clair, and Applegate, members of the Town Council, were in Fairmount Tuesday studying the municipal ownership plan for electric lights and water works. Las June the Town Board of this city purchased the city electric light plant from Gilbert LaRue and it has been proving very satisfactory.
Marion, IN.
Sept. 1,1899. The 69th Indiana Volunteers took the town this week. Both the city and the Soldiers’ Home were turned over to them. Governor Chapman, of the home, made a very interesting address, but Colonel Perry, of the regiment, of Indianapolis, delivered the principal address of the reunion. Connersville was selected as the place for holding the next meeting. The old officers were re-elected as follows: Colonel, Oran Perry, Indianapolis, and L.M. Lacy, secretary and treasurer. Congressman Steele was present at the exercises and responded to a flattering demonstration with an impressive talk. The campfire last night was most interesting and largely attended. H.O.P. Cline, state commander of the Sons of the Veterans, made an address at the campfire. Only 2 deaths have occurred in the regiment during the past year.
Marion, IN.
Feb.5,1898. This afternoon was the appointed time for the Grant Community Populists to elect delegates to the state convention. Chairman I.M. Miller was at the Superior Court room, but the Populists failed to materialized, and after an hour’s gloomy wait the chairman adjourned the convention.
Matthews, IN.
Feb. 28,1898. the chase after the wolf, after continuing 2 days, had to be abandoned on account of melting snow, making it impossible to track him further than the prairie. Tom Smiley shot him 3 times with 400(?) shot, knocking him down many times. There were eleven shots fired into him altogether without bringing him down. Joel littler, an old hunter, says it is a genuine gray wolf.
Marion, IN.
Feb. 25, 1898. Though there is no extraordinary manifestation of the war spirit in Marion, yet the officers of Company A, 4th Regiment, are disposed to take advantage of the feeling aroused by the recent developments with a view to placing the company in the best possible condition for any demand that may be made on it. A meeting was held at the armory tonight for that purpose. There are now about 65 members, and in their physical condition as well as to their moral character. There is no excitement, but simply a dispassionate survey of the situation with a determination to put the company on the best possible footing. The purpose is to increase the membership to the full limit of 83.
Matthews, IN.
Feb.24, 1898. A wild animal, supposed to be a large fox, has been killing sheep for a great many farmers south of town. Yesterday the Smiley boys instituted a hunt and found the track on the Crow farm. The corralled the animal in a pond, surrounded by a thicket, near the Black factory. Charles Smiley passed the point to the animal’s entrance to the pond seventy yards when he heard the animal making the brush crack coming out. As it came in sight he fired 2 shots at it, but failed to bring it down. The saw that it was not a fox at all, but a grey wolf, and proceeded to trail it into the prairie about 2 miles. It was growing dark, and they gave up the chase for the day. A large party is being made up and will give chase tomorrow. The party will be headed by Joel Littler, and old wolf and deer hunter.
Fairmount, IN.
Feb. 20, 1896. The Fairmount Academy was gutted by fire this afternoon at 3 o'clock. The fire was discovered by one of the students and in an hour the pretty college building was in ruins. The library of about 2000 volumes was taken from the building in comparatively good shape. The desks in the commercial department were also saved. With the exception of these everything else was burned, including the library of the Auroro Literary Society, which contained over 600 hundred volumes.
Marion, IN.
Feb.20,1896. A disastrous fire occurred here about 2 o’clock this morning, resulting in a heavy loss to W.C.Smith, shoe dealer, and to the New York Dry Goods company. The fire is supposed to have come from an overheated furnace under the dry goods store. During the early part of the night the Howard Wall Comedy Company gave an entertainment in White’s Hall on the 3rd floor of the same building with an audience of several hundred present. The loss on the building, owned by Wm. White, is trifling, but Smith’s loss is roughly estimated at $16,000, and that if the New York Store at $15,000
Marion IN.
Nov. 29,1898. The State Bank of Jonesboro has gone into voluntary liquidation. E.L. Zeis, the cashier and manager, has been contemplating retiring from business for some time and today notice was posted on the door. They will not receive any more deposits and will pay all obligations as fast as possible. The will keep the bank open for 6- to 90 days in order to collect loans and to wind up the institution. The capitol stock is $10,000, held by the Zeis family and a Mr. Curtis, of Rochester.
Marion IN.
Dec. 1,1898. Major Steele has been in consultation with Governor Chapman, of the Soldier’s Home, in regard to the location of the new chapel, which is to be built next Summer. The plans have been approved and the contract will soon be let. Major Steele is making an effort to get a separate building for the nurses employed in the hospital, and will make a strong plea for this building, as well as a building for the electric light plant, at the meeting of the board in Washington next week. Increased appropriations for the purpose of beautifying the grounds will be asked for.
Marion IN.
Nov. 30,1898. Deputy Sheriff Pierson today levied on the stock of the Andrew J. Conroy installment Company, in this city. The company has branch houses in many IN cities, the local branch being under the management of C.E. Tait. The stock was levied on to satisfy a judgment for $10,000 in favor of James A. Ross, of Evansville. There is a lien of $5,000 for attorney’s fees in favor of J.E. Williamson and A.L. Doss of that city. The deputy sheriff secured 1,285 leases on goods that has been sold to the people of Marion, but which had not all been paid
Marion, IN.
Dec.2,1898. Last spring, while Mr. & Mrs. David Highly, of Richmond township, this county, were driving in a storm at night across a bridge near Mier, the horse took fright and leaped from the bridge, dragging the occupants of the buggy into the swollen stream. Mr. Highly caught on one of the abutments and save himself, but his wife was carried down stream lodging in a thorn bush. Highly hurried to Mier, where he secured the assistance of a half dozen men, who rescued his wife from her perilous position.
Now the 2 of the men threaten suit against Mr. Highly for $1,000, claiming he offered them that sum if they would rescue his wife. Mr. Highly claims he did nothing of the sort, and intends to fight the case. Mr. Highly is one of the wealthiest and most influential farmers in the county.
Indiana Journal
Dec. 1, 1898 G.C. Harwood and Charles G. Barley, of Marion have leased the old cracker factory in that place and will engage in the manufacture of iron and brass besteads with a force of 60 men. This is the 3rd factory of its kind in Marion.
Gas City, IN.
Oct. 11,1899The feeling between the 2 factions of the city Council has become so bitter that no meetings have been held for some time. Last night only 4 members were present at roll call. The mayor issued warrants for all members not present and a quorum was secured at 10 o’clock, when the committees for the coming year were appointed. The factions are wrangling over sidewalk improvements which are badly needed.
Marion, IN.
Oct. 12,1899. A number of farmers living south of Marion are discussing the project of uniting for the formation of an association to preserve game birds that fly over their land. A large number have been approached, and it is thought that at least 6000 acres can be secured. The farmers agree not to shoot the birds themselves and to keep off the farm any who would shoot them, and to prosecute anyone who shoot the birds out of season. They think that only in this way can the game birds be preserved to this section of the State. The present game laws are not enforced and the game is rapidly disappearing.
Marion, IN.
Oct. 13,1899. Thomas Alford of Sistersville, West VA. Who has created quite a flurry of late in the Indiana oil field by g=buying in so many leases, today made another big deal through his attorney, W.H. Trook, of this city. Mr. Alford, together with Archie W. Thompson, of Sistersville, and R.J. Heald, of Marietta Ohio, purchased 350 acres of leased oil territory in Van Buren Township, this county, from Eugene H. Fishburn of Chicago, Richard L. Dezeng of Cincinnati and Elsworth L. Fee of Warren IN. the land lies about directly south of Van Buren. It has not been developed to any great extent, there being but 2 small producers on it at the present time. By the deal Mr. Alford comes into possession of 7/16ths of the land.
Mr. Heald the remaining 2/16ths. It is the intention of the gentlemen to begin developing the property at once and if the fluid is found in paying quantities the drill will be worked to the utmost capacity.
Dec. 6,1898. The fiancé committee of the City Council today sold $20,000 of improvement bonds at a premium of $1,262. Such a thing was never done before in Marion. Many times the city has succeeded in selling its own city bonds at an advance, but this is the first time that the improvement bonds have brought a premium. The bonds nears 6 percent, and are redeemable after 10 yrs. There were 8 bidders for the bonds.
Marion, IN.
Dec.7,1898. May Powell, aged 15, daughter of Frank Powell, committed suicide today by taking Rough on Rats. Her parents were divorced some time ago, and the father remarried again. The girl made her home with her mother, whom she did not like, and she then went to her father. She took suddenly ill last night, and afterwards told her father what she had done. The girl’s life had been very unhappy.
Marion, IN.
Dec.8,1898. Isaac Pennington, the Sims township farmer who was on trial yesterday for embezzling $700 of his daughter’s money, was sentenced to a yr in the Michigan City Prison today. The defendant is 46 yrs old and has been one of the most highly respected farmers in the county. Pennington’s daughter pushed the case and was the most important witness. Pennington has many friends in and about Herbst and the Swayzee who are willing to stand by him. His oldest son will have charge of his business during his father’s absence. Judge Paulus showed signs of weakness while pronounced the words that sent the defendant to prison. Pennington expressed a desire to get away from Grant county as soon as possible and Sheriff Bradford took him to Michigan City this afternoon.
Isaac Pennington, a prominent farmer, is on trial at Marion, charged with embezzling $700, of his daughter’s money. Mr. Pennington’s wife had left a farm of 40 acres to the daughter, and Mr. Pennington was named as the guardian. The girl says he sold the farm and appropriated the money for his own use.
Marion, IN.
Dec.9,1898. A few weeks ago Patrick Gillen, a laborer, file suit for $10,000 damages against Max Berenstein, one of the wealthiest business men of Marion, for alienating his wife’s affection. A few days afterwards Berenstein filed and affidavit against Gillens attorney, George mouser, and also against Mrs. Gillen, charging blackmail. The damage suit was to be called for trial Thursday, when Attorney Mouser asked for a postponement. This the court refused, and he then made a motion that the case be dismissed, which was done. Mr. Berenstein, when asked what he would do with the blackmail case, said it was a state case, and he was ready to testify against them at any time.
Marion, IN.
Dec. 11,1898. There was a sensation today when it was found that 41 arrests, growing out of grand jury indictments, were made last night, most of them being saloon keepers for violating the Nicholson law. Sheriff Bradford’s deputies visited houses of disorder, and many inmates were brought in late last night. The keepers were fined $10 and costs, and the inmates $6 and costs. About 20 more are to be arrested tomorrow. Several men were caught in the houses last night.
Matthews In,
Dec. 30, 1898. Another wolf, supposed to be the mate of the one killed last winter, has been seen several times by Eli Rigdon, and others this winter near the old prairie. A hunt will take place the first time a tracking snow falls. A good many who live near the prairie think there was a litter raised last summer on the prairie. These wolves are what is known as the Michigan timber variety.
Marion, IN.
May 25, 1899. Hamilton Mercer, of the Morning news, will soon go to Springfield, O. where he will serve as a member of a committee of the mercer family to look up the family’s large estate, in New York City and England. Later this committee will report to a mass meeting of the Mercer heirs, to be held in Chicago, June 25. The estate is valued at $200,000,000, and consists of Mercer hall and lands surrounding the castle in Scotland, a large amount of money in Bank of England, a large amount of property on Mercer Street, New York City, and a large tract of land in New Jersey.
Marion, IN.
Dec. 30, 1898, There has not been a game of poker played in Marion since Wednesday noon. The sports are leaving town on orders of police. Some expect to see the houses open up again in a few days, but the most knowing ones say that it is all off. Mayor Golding says that the order was not for a day or a week, but for the rest of the time that he is to be mayor of the city.
9/6/1899
The Marion post-office during the last 4 months had done a remarkable business, aggregating $8,832.27. The corresponding 4 months of the last year showed a total of $7,114.18. At this rate the present year at Marion post-office will show and increase of fully $5,000. This means that the total receipts of the office for the year will be approximately $33,000
Fairmount, IN.
Aug.30,1899. A committee from Knightstown, composed of Mr.E.M. Shurburn, superintendent of the water works in that city, and Messrs. Zion St.Clair, and Applegate, members of the Town Council, were in Fairmount Tuesday studying the municipal ownership plan for electric lights and water works. Las June the Town Board of this city purchased the city electric light plant from Gilbert LaRue and it has been proving very satisfactory.
Marion, IN.
Sept. 1,1899. The 69th Indiana Volunteers took the town this week. Both the city and the Soldiers’ Home were turned over to them. Governor Chapman, of the home, made a very interesting address, but Colonel Perry, of the regiment, of Indianapolis, delivered the principal address of the reunion. Connersville was selected as the place for holding the next meeting. The old officers were re-elected as follows: Colonel, Oran Perry, Indianapolis, and L.M. Lacy, secretary and treasurer. Congressman Steele was present at the exercises and responded to a flattering demonstration with an impressive talk. The campfire last night was most interesting and largely attended. H.O.P. Cline, state commander of the Sons of the Veterans, made an address at the campfire. Only 2 deaths have occurred in the regiment during the past year.
Marion, IN.
Feb.5,1898. This afternoon was the appointed time for the Grant Community Populists to elect delegates to the state convention. Chairman I.M. Miller was at the Superior Court room, but the Populists failed to materialized, and after an hour’s gloomy wait the chairman adjourned the convention.
Matthews, IN.
Feb. 28,1898. the chase after the wolf, after continuing 2 days, had to be abandoned on account of melting snow, making it impossible to track him further than the prairie. Tom Smiley shot him 3 times with 400(?) shot, knocking him down many times. There were eleven shots fired into him altogether without bringing him down. Joel littler, an old hunter, says it is a genuine gray wolf.
Marion, IN.
Feb. 25, 1898. Though there is no extraordinary manifestation of the war spirit in Marion, yet the officers of Company A, 4th Regiment, are disposed to take advantage of the feeling aroused by the recent developments with a view to placing the company in the best possible condition for any demand that may be made on it. A meeting was held at the armory tonight for that purpose. There are now about 65 members, and in their physical condition as well as to their moral character. There is no excitement, but simply a dispassionate survey of the situation with a determination to put the company on the best possible footing. The purpose is to increase the membership to the full limit of 83.
Matthews, IN.
Feb.24, 1898. A wild animal, supposed to be a large fox, has been killing sheep for a great many farmers south of town. Yesterday the Smiley boys instituted a hunt and found the track on the Crow farm. The corralled the animal in a pond, surrounded by a thicket, near the Black factory. Charles Smiley passed the point to the animal’s entrance to the pond seventy yards when he heard the animal making the brush crack coming out. As it came in sight he fired 2 shots at it, but failed to bring it down. The saw that it was not a fox at all, but a grey wolf, and proceeded to trail it into the prairie about 2 miles. It was growing dark, and they gave up the chase for the day. A large party is being made up and will give chase tomorrow. The party will be headed by Joel Littler, and old wolf and deer hunter.
Fairmount, IN.
Feb. 20, 1896. The Fairmount Academy was gutted by fire this afternoon at 3 o'clock. The fire was discovered by one of the students and in an hour the pretty college building was in ruins. The library of about 2000 volumes was taken from the building in comparatively good shape. The desks in the commercial department were also saved. With the exception of these everything else was burned, including the library of the Auroro Literary Society, which contained over 600 hundred volumes.
Marion, IN.
Feb.20,1896. A disastrous fire occurred here about 2 o’clock this morning, resulting in a heavy loss to W.C.Smith, shoe dealer, and to the New York Dry Goods company. The fire is supposed to have come from an overheated furnace under the dry goods store. During the early part of the night the Howard Wall Comedy Company gave an entertainment in White’s Hall on the 3rd floor of the same building with an audience of several hundred present. The loss on the building, owned by Wm. White, is trifling, but Smith’s loss is roughly estimated at $16,000, and that if the New York Store at $15,000
Marion IN.
Nov. 29,1898. The State Bank of Jonesboro has gone into voluntary liquidation. E.L. Zeis, the cashier and manager, has been contemplating retiring from business for some time and today notice was posted on the door. They will not receive any more deposits and will pay all obligations as fast as possible. The will keep the bank open for 6- to 90 days in order to collect loans and to wind up the institution. The capitol stock is $10,000, held by the Zeis family and a Mr. Curtis, of Rochester.
Marion IN.
Dec. 1,1898. Major Steele has been in consultation with Governor Chapman, of the Soldier’s Home, in regard to the location of the new chapel, which is to be built next Summer. The plans have been approved and the contract will soon be let. Major Steele is making an effort to get a separate building for the nurses employed in the hospital, and will make a strong plea for this building, as well as a building for the electric light plant, at the meeting of the board in Washington next week. Increased appropriations for the purpose of beautifying the grounds will be asked for.
Marion IN.
Nov. 30,1898. Deputy Sheriff Pierson today levied on the stock of the Andrew J. Conroy installment Company, in this city. The company has branch houses in many IN cities, the local branch being under the management of C.E. Tait. The stock was levied on to satisfy a judgment for $10,000 in favor of James A. Ross, of Evansville. There is a lien of $5,000 for attorney’s fees in favor of J.E. Williamson and A.L. Doss of that city. The deputy sheriff secured 1,285 leases on goods that has been sold to the people of Marion, but which had not all been paid
Marion, IN.
Dec.2,1898. Last spring, while Mr. & Mrs. David Highly, of Richmond township, this county, were driving in a storm at night across a bridge near Mier, the horse took fright and leaped from the bridge, dragging the occupants of the buggy into the swollen stream. Mr. Highly caught on one of the abutments and save himself, but his wife was carried down stream lodging in a thorn bush. Highly hurried to Mier, where he secured the assistance of a half dozen men, who rescued his wife from her perilous position.
Now the 2 of the men threaten suit against Mr. Highly for $1,000, claiming he offered them that sum if they would rescue his wife. Mr. Highly claims he did nothing of the sort, and intends to fight the case. Mr. Highly is one of the wealthiest and most influential farmers in the county.
Indiana Journal
Dec. 1, 1898 G.C. Harwood and Charles G. Barley, of Marion have leased the old cracker factory in that place and will engage in the manufacture of iron and brass besteads with a force of 60 men. This is the 3rd factory of its kind in Marion.
Gas City, IN.
Oct. 11,1899The feeling between the 2 factions of the city Council has become so bitter that no meetings have been held for some time. Last night only 4 members were present at roll call. The mayor issued warrants for all members not present and a quorum was secured at 10 o’clock, when the committees for the coming year were appointed. The factions are wrangling over sidewalk improvements which are badly needed.
Marion, IN.
Oct. 12,1899. A number of farmers living south of Marion are discussing the project of uniting for the formation of an association to preserve game birds that fly over their land. A large number have been approached, and it is thought that at least 6000 acres can be secured. The farmers agree not to shoot the birds themselves and to keep off the farm any who would shoot them, and to prosecute anyone who shoot the birds out of season. They think that only in this way can the game birds be preserved to this section of the State. The present game laws are not enforced and the game is rapidly disappearing.
Marion, IN.
Oct. 13,1899. Thomas Alford of Sistersville, West VA. Who has created quite a flurry of late in the Indiana oil field by g=buying in so many leases, today made another big deal through his attorney, W.H. Trook, of this city. Mr. Alford, together with Archie W. Thompson, of Sistersville, and R.J. Heald, of Marietta Ohio, purchased 350 acres of leased oil territory in Van Buren Township, this county, from Eugene H. Fishburn of Chicago, Richard L. Dezeng of Cincinnati and Elsworth L. Fee of Warren IN. the land lies about directly south of Van Buren. It has not been developed to any great extent, there being but 2 small producers on it at the present time. By the deal Mr. Alford comes into possession of 7/16ths of the land.
Mr. Heald the remaining 2/16ths. It is the intention of the gentlemen to begin developing the property at once and if the fluid is found in paying quantities the drill will be worked to the utmost capacity.