Fulton County Ledger Sep. 14, 1882

Fulton County Ledger
Sep. 14, 1882

MORE BURGLARS

Sunday night last burglars made a raid on Lewistown. They broke into the grocery store of Thomas Stafford, and stole a quantity of eatables, mostly canned goods. They also bearded the lion in his den, and entered the house of Sheriff Waggoner. They entered the kitchen, but as the door leading into the other part of the house was locked, they got no farther. They helped themselves to a quantity of provisions, carried away a number of silver and plated spoons, forks, &c, Dave says he did not care for the loss of his silverware, but the rascals stole several pies, and left him without any pie for breakfast Monday morning.

Our neighboring city of Havana was raided Saturday night. The post office, and the dwellings of Judge Lacey, S. C. Conwell and Mrs. Coppel were entered. Judge Lacey and family lost a large amount in money, silverware, &c.

A few nights since two houses in Macomb were entered, one of them the residence of the late George D. Keefer, but the rascals were scared off without securing much plunder. (transcribed by Bonnie Dagen)

-----------------------------------------------------------

Arrested.

Tuesday last Chief of Police Matson arrested in Peoria two Negroes on suspicion of their being the chaps who committed the series of burglaries in this city [Canton] Sunday night, September 4th. One of them, Henry Harper, was a resident of Peoria and well known there, 24 years of age, and the other gave the name of Charles Smith, also known to the policy by the alias of George Williams. On Harbor was found a silver watch which provide to be the one stolen from the residence of Mr. Harrison Putman of this city, on the night of the 4th. On the other was found a handkerchief with the name of Jacob H. bass on it, a silver watch, not claimed here, but probably stolen, a pocket-book containing $2024 in money, knife, &c.

Mr. Matson brought the Negroes to Canton yesterday morning and they had a preliminary examination before Esq. Main. Harper told a straight story, that he was not in Canton on the night of the robberies, was a janitor at Rouse’s opera house in Peoria, became acquainted with Smith a few weeks since, the watch was given to him by Smith. Officer Matson and Jared Drake vouched for Harper and had known him for a year or more.

Smith, alias Williams, tried to prove an alibi, but told a very crooked story. He claimed to have bought the watch in Peoria; said he took the handkerchief which had Mr. Bass’ name on it from a vest pocket which he picked up on the river bank while fishing; that he was never in Canton until the officer brought him here; that he was in Peoria the night the robberies were committed here, &c.

Harper was dismissed, giving his own recognizance, in the sum of $200, to appear as a witness at the December term of the circuit court, and Smith, in default of $1,000 bail, was sent to jail at Lewistown.

Officer Matson says Smith is notorious in St. Louis, and greatly feared there as an expert burglar and thief, but officers there could not get proof positive against him, he always setting up an alibi.

After the examination Harper said he saw Smith give a necklace and a silk handkerchief to a Negro girl in Peoria, and told where she lived. Matson telegraphed to officer Minor, and he went to the place and secured the articles. The necklace was taken from Charles Martins’ house. (transcribed by Bonnie Dagen)

-----------------------------------------------------------

Personal.

Maj. Jones Rawalt, of Orion township, who has been very low from Bright’s disease for several weeks, is still alive, but his death may be expected at any time.

Charles Kline, a son of Mr. H. M. Kline, went to Jacksonville last week, to take a course of instruction in the Jacksonville Business College.

Prof. Boyer, of Lewistown, Republican candidate for county superintendent, was in Canton Thursday last, and called at the Ledger Office.

Rev. W. B. Shinn, having been appointed presiding elder for the Astoria district of the U. B. church, last week moved his family to Canton.

Henry Wyman returned last week from his vacation tour.

J. Y. Wallick, of Canton, Ill., was in town the first of the week, the guest of Dr. Bolton. Mr. Wallick contemplates returned to this place and put in an artificial lake in the northwest part of town; which he will fill, comparatively speaking, with fish. He will also put up large quantities of ice for shipping. He has been engaged in that line of business in Illinois. His lake was a great place for resort, for boat-riding in summer and skating in winter.—Mrs. Cook and her daughter, from Ellisville, Ill., have become citizens of our town.—Mrs. And Miss Cook, Mrs. Wolf’s mother, has purchased the dry goods department heretofore run by H. J. Wolf & Co. —Mr. and Mrs. H. Whitmore, Mrs. F. W. Miller’s father and mother, and three children, from Canton, Ill., arrived Friday morning, and will make a good visit.—Pacific Junction (Iowa) Gazette.

Rev. John Hughes, of Table Grove, has been reinstated in the ministry of the Universalist church.

Another Fulton County young lady avails herself of the superior advantages offered by Mt. Carroll Conservatory of Music to receive a first class musical education—Miss Fannie Yates, of Farmington, who left home Monday last for Mt. Carroll.

Mr. C. D. Hoblitt went to Sterling this week, to attend the wedding of a nephew, and will from there accompany her daughters Maggie and Susie to North Hampton, Mass., where they will attend school.

After building a fine church in this city and almost paying the indebtedness incurred, Rev. P. Lyon, by request of Bishop Spaulding, has gone to Fairbury, to strengthen the Catholic denomination in that city and try to build a good house of worship there. The church here and the community in general regret to lose Mr. Lyon. He left for his new home last week. Rev. O’Reilly will come here from Pekin. He is highly spoken of by the Pekin correspondent of the Peoria Journal. Will preach in the church here next Sunday morning.

Hon. M. Walker, of Atlantic, Iowa, arrived here yesterday morning, on a brief business visit. He reports the Walter brothers and their families all well.

Mr. B. F. Eyerly and family went to Chicago last week and returned yesterday morning. Mr. B. purchased a large stock of fall goods, which are now being received.

Miss Zulema Ruble, of this city, returned to school at North Hampton, Mass., Tuesday evening last.

Capt. Grant has gone to Ohio, to attend to some legal business. (transcribed by Bonnie Dagen)

-----------------------------------------------------------

About Potatoes.

   One day last week Mr. Samuel Eyerly, of Joshua township, presented our better half with a quantity of very fine potatoes, of his own raising—a new variety here, and very prolific.
     In the spring of 1881 Mr. Eyerly received from the publishers of the Rural New Yorker, as a premium for this subscription, a potato weighting three ounces which they called the “White Elephant” variety. Mr. Eyerly raised last year, from this potato, eighteen pounds of potatoes. During the winder he lost two pounds. A few days ago he dug over forty bushels, the yield of the sixteen pounds—large, long, fine potatoes, and most excellent eating.
     Mr. Eyerly’s neighbors should secure some of these potatoes for seed next spring. He will exhibit some of them at the fair next week.
(transcribed by Bonnie Dagen)

-----------------------------------------------------------

Soldiers’ Reunion.

     The soldiers of this county held their annual reunion at Ipava, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. About 300 of the ex-soldiers were present and drew rations. The arrangements for their accommodation were not very good, the executive committee having failed to attend to making the needed arrangements.
     Vermont was selected as the place, and the first Monday and Tuesday in September the time for holding the next meeting. Col. Hamer, of Vermont, was made president for the ensuing year, and E. P. Durell, of Vermont, secretary. We have not learned the names of the executive committee.
     An accident occurred Tuesday morning, by which Adrian Roberts, of this city, was badly wounded by a wad. A company from Cuba and vicinity was about to enter Ipava and take possession in the manner of soldiers capturing a place. There was a sham skirmish between them and those already in possession, in which Roberts was struck in the left side, entering his body and injuring him severely. He was taken to a hotel and physicians summoned. The wound not dangerous. Mr. Roberts was brought home by his father, Mr. D. Roberts, Wednesday evening, and at last report was resting away. (transcribed by Bonnie Dagen)