The Chesterton Tribune - June 18, 1885
Three Dollars and Costs
Last Sunday a load of celebrities went to the Lake, and from appearances
became sea sick from drinking too much water with a little fire in it.
This crowd was made up of the following: Ed Bowler, Bill Ben, Bill
Sackett, Bill Coulter, John Stemper, John Peter Brahy, Tom Miles, and a
few boys. Coming home they overtook a Polander named Lovendoski just
this side of the high bridge, and passing him, some one in the wagon
stuck him across the face with a whip. For this, the Polander had Ed
Bowler arrested, charging him with assault and battery. The case was
tried before Justice Gondering on Monday evening with John Coulter as
Prosecuting attorney, and Edward Harrigan as counsel for defendant. Ned
did nobly, but the evidence was overwhelmingly against him, and Bowler
was fined $3 and costs. The case was appealed. After the trial, it was
claimed by defendant's counsel that Bowler did not strike the Polander,
and they could prove who did it. They claim Bill Sackett did it, and
hope to win their case in the appeal. The whole crowd should have been
find for disorderly conduct.
Since the above was put in type, more has developed in this case.
Before leaving the court room, but after prosecuting attorney had left,
Squire Gondering reversed his decision and acquitted young Bowler. The
reason of this unusual move was that Bowler claimed he did not commit
assault and battery, but he could prove Bill Sackett to be the man. Of
course this statement, together with the very peculiar swearing of
Johnnie Devetaki, gave rise to a reasonable doubt in the court's mind,
and he acquitted Bowler. On hearing of the fact, John Coulter, made out
an affidavit against Sackett, and Tuesday he was tried. The result of
this trial proved beyond any doubt that Sackett did not strike the
Polander, and of course he was acquitted. The court in his remarks said
the case was unparalled. There had been much false swearing among the
witnesses. That there had been an offense committed all admitted, but
the guilty man escaped. Justice was defeated despite the honest efforts
of respectable citizens.
More About that Suit.
Furnessville, Ind. June 8, '85.
Mr. Editor: - I notice in your Issue of June 4th you stated that Wm.
Brummitt has filed suit against Mary J. Farrell to recover $400 on note.
You have been mis-informed, as we did not owe Mr. Brummitt that amount
at the time he entered suit. The amount was $255 instead of $400 and
the money placed by check in Lawyer Jones hand in Valparaiso a week
before the suit was filed. All that was necessary to be done was to
cancel the mortgage and receive the money, but from some cause suit was
filed against us. We were made to pay $16.75 costs. That is the kind
of a man Wm. Brummitt is. He met Mr. Jones on the street as I shook
hands with him before he made complaint, and did not say a word about
the money. As we do not want our credit hurt, we want the public to
know the true reason why we were sued.
Timothy Farrell
The publication of the above was insisted upon by Mr. Farrell, and we
knew nothing about the affair. If Mr. Brummitt is wronged in any way,
the Tribune wishes him to understand that it is between him and Mr.
Farrell. He has the same right to explain as Mr. Farrell, and on the
same terms. It is not our quarrel, and all parties must distinctly
understand it so.
Flower Day
This beautiful custom of the Christian Ladies of this part of the state
in selecting one day each year in which to gather flowers and distribute
them among the convicts of the Northern prison, is not to be forgotten
this year. The committees in charge of affairs have chosen June 25th
for this year. A number of towns within a radius of some fifty or
seventy-five miles on this day prepare their contributions into small
bouquets, to each of which is attached an appropriate scriptural verse.
These are then carefully packed and expressed to the warden. All the
flowers are intrusted to his care and he sees that they are properly
distributed among the inmates of the penitentiary. This kind effort
costs but little and serves to remind the fallen that they are not
forgotten. - M.C. Dispatch
Gabel's Experience.
Deputy Revenue Collector Chestnutwood, of South Bend, quietly dropped
into Chesterton last Monday morning, and unannounced, called on saloon
keeper Gabel. Mr. Chestnutwood was extremely desirous of seeing Gabel's
government license, which document he did not have. In consequence of
this Mr. Gabel was obliged to pay $47.80 to settle the matter, which
included a license and penalty of 50 per cent. Mr. Gabel will find that
obeying the law strictly is a great deal the cheapest plan, especially
when engaged in selling whiskey.
Circuit Court
The cases of W.H. Vail, vs. A. Stanton; John Hansford vs. A. Stanton;
and L.S. & M.S. Railway, vs. John Stupak were dismissed.
The case of Samuel C. Hackett vs. Peter Peterson, was decided for
plaintiff in the sum of $108, by default of the defendants.
In the suit of Charles LeClair vs. the city of Valparaiso, the jury
returned a finding for the defendant.
In the case of Benjamin F. White et al, vs. James Murrell et al.
Crisman, one of the plaintiffs, took judgment and dismissed the case
against the garnishee defendants.
The Brick Yard
Messrs. Purington & Kimball have placed on their yard a new Chambers
machine, and is having wonderful success with it. It does the same
amount of work that the other machines with a saving of two horses and
four men. We are informed that this yard is turning out at present
80,000 to 90,000 brick per day. The demand is brisk, and everything is
booming in this industry.
Obituary
Died: - At his home in Valpariso, Paschel Drago, on Sunday June 14th, in
his 83rd year. The funeral took place from the Catholic church on the
following Tuesday, and his remains wee buried in the Catholic cemetery.
Mr. Drago was one of Porter county's first settlers, having removed to
Valparaiso from the east in the "Forties." By trade he was a
blacksmith, and kept a shop in early days for many years at Valparaiso.
He raised a family of six children, four of whom are dead. He leaves a
widow, his second wife, 1 year his senior, and many relatives to mourn
his loss. May he rest in Peace.