Rochester Monroe, NY
Democrat & Chronicle
Feb. 23, 1896
DEATH OF M. D. HARTER
The Ex-Congressman Shot Himself at the House of a Friend in Fosteria, O.
Fosteria, O., Feb. 22 - M. D. HARTER was found dead shortly before noon to-day
at the house of Superintendent KNAPP, of the Interstate Grain Storage Company.
He was in bed, and by his side was a revolver. The bullet had entered the right
temple, and he had been dead for some time. He attended a supper in a church
last night and seemed in good spirits. Returning to the home of Mr. KNAPP, he
retired about his usual hour and nothing more was seen of him until he was
found. Several letters addressed to business associates and one to his wife in
Philadelphia were found in his room. It has been learned that Mr. HARTER
committed suicide by shooting himself.
No reason is assigned by the family for Mr. HARTER'S rash act, though he has
acted strongly for some time. A letter was found addressed to his wife.
It was read and it was found that part of it had been written February 20th and
some added yesterday. There was not a word in it that would indicate a motive
for the suicide, nor a word that refers to it. A telegram addressed to his wife,
requesting her to pay his life insurance assessments was also found. Mr. HARTER
yesterday took out a $100,000 gold bond life policy, being assured by the agent
that if he committed suicide, his heirs would receive the value of the policy.
Cleveland, O., Feb. 22, M. D. HARTER was one of the best-known Democrats in Ohio
and a successful business man. He was elected to the fifty-third congress from
the Mansfield (seventeenth) district and refused a renomination. He was a gold
Democrat, and his views were very pronounced. He had extensive business
interests in Mansfield. Fostoria and other cities. He had been a resident of
Philadelphia since he returned from congress.
Philadelphia, Pa., Feb. 22 - Ex-Congressman Michael D. HARTER, who committed
suicide to-day at Fostoria, Ohio, removed to this city about two years ago. He
leaves a widow, three sons and a daughter, the latter being Mrs. J. Vaughn
MERRICK, Jr. Mrs. HARTER left to-night with her son, Robert D. HARTER, for
Mansfield, Ohio, at which place Mr. HARTER'S brother-in-law, G. E. BROWN is
living and where, it was stated the deceased will be buried.
Mr. MERRICK was at a loss tonight to account for Mr. HARTER'S death. He said
that when the ex-congressman left for Ohio about ten days ago there was
apparently nothing the matter with him, beyond the fact that he had complained
of insomnia. It was also stated that Mr. HARTER had no known business troubles
and he was regarded as being in easy financial circumstances.
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STRUCK BY THE ENGINE
Edward Smith and Nellie Dorthy Injured at a Brown Street Crossing
Edward SMITH, a plumber living at No. 36 Herman street, and a young woman named
Nellie DORTHY had a very narrow escape from being killed by a switch engine at
Brown street crossing shortly after 10 o'clock last night, and both are now at
the City Hospital as a result of the accident, while the horse which they were
driving was killed outright, and the cutter is badly wrecked.
SMITH and Miss DORTHY were driving down Jefferson avenue, and when near the
crossing heard an engine somewhere in the vicinity, but could not see it, and
consequently slowed up until the flagman waved his lantern, as SMITH supposed,
for him to drive ahead, which he did. He drove on to the crossing at a slow pace
on account of the uneven surface and the resistance caused by the rails to the
runners, and it was doubtless due to this that the couple were not killed, as
the horse had just stepped on to the track when the engine struck the animal
with terrific force, throwing him to one side and upsetting the cutter. The
occupants were also thrown several feet and were rendered unconscious.
People passing near at once ran to their rescue, and the hospital ambulance was
soon on the scene. The injured man and woman were taken to the hospital, where
it was found that SMITH had sustained a dislocation of the shoulder, and also
had several cuts on the face and scalp. Miss DORTHY seemed to be stunned and
examination showed a number of painful wounds and bruises on the head. SMITH was
seen lying on his cot in the operating room about an hour after the occurrence,
when he stated that he was positive that the flagman had swung the lantern in a
manner indicating them to drive across the track. The hospital physician stated
that the injuries sustained by SMITH or Miss DORTHY were not likely to be
serious.
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EX-GOVERNOR ROBINSON
Death of the Counsel in the Lizzie Borden Case — Sketch of his Life
Chicopee, Mass., Feb. 22 — Ex-Governor ROBINSON died this afternoon at 4:30
o'clock. The last signs that he was conscious were observed at about 11 o'clock
last night, but since then he was in a stupor, growing gradually weaker until he
died. There were present only the members of the family and the physician, Dr.
PRINDLE, who had remained at his bedside a large part of the last twenty-four
hours. The end was very quiet and peaceful. No arrangements have yet been made
for the funeral.
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George Dexter ROBINSON was elected governor of Massachusetts in 1883, defeating
BUTLER overwhelmingly, and was re-elected in 1884 and 1885. Since then he has
practiced law in Springfield. He won wide popular fame as a lawyer by his
skillful defense of Lizzie BORDEN, of Fall River, in the great murder case, and
for many years he had occupied a prominent place in the Hampden county and
Massachusetts bar. He was born in Lexington, Mass., January 20, 1834. He
graduated from Harvard College in 1856. Immediately after taking his degree he
became principal of the Chicopee high school and held the position nine years.
In 1865 he went to Charlestown to study law with his brother, Charles ROBINSON,
and was admitted to the bar in March, 1866, immediately beginning practice in
Chicopee.
He was first married in Lexington November 24, 1859, to Hannah E. STEVENS, and
after her death, in 1864, he was married again in Lexington, July 11, 1867, to
Susan E. SIMONDS. By his first marriage he has a son, Walter Stephens ROBINSON,
and by the second a daughter, Annie Florence, now Mrs. H. E. WRIGHT, of
Springfield. Besides being governor of Massachusetts, Mr. ROBINSON filled many
important offices. He was representative in the legislature in 1874, senator in
1876, and representative in the forty-fifth, forty-sixth, forty-seventh and
forty- eighth congresses of the United States. In 1887 he declined a position on
the inter-state (didn't get the rest)
****
MARJORIE SUMNER
Close of the Life of a Sweet and Winsome Girl
The death of Marjorie SUMNER, daughter of Dr. Charles R. and Julia L. SUMNER,
which occurred at an early hour yesterday morning, closed the life of a
peculiarly winsome girl.
She was but 16 years of age, and while exceedingly attractive in the physical
sense, appealed to those who knew her best by the graces of her character, her
unselfishness, kindliness and patience. Although so young, she had had hard
lessons to learn in fortitude, and she had learned them well. More than the
ordinary share of suffering had come to her, even before the final illness,
which was long and painful. She met all with cheerful endurance, and made the
final brave but unsuccessful fight for life through weary weeks of bed ridden
sickness with the same gentle and calm spirit which had been characteristic of
her life.
Until compelled to give up her work, she attended Miss CRITTENDEN'S school
where, as everywhere, she was a favorite.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
The funeral of Mrs. Sarah Ann ELLIOTT will be held from the house, No. 118
Saratoga avenue, this afternoon at 3 P. M.
The funeral of Jesse William RANDALL will take place from the house, No. 243
Childs street, to-morrow afternoon at 2 o'clock.
Marjorie, daughter of Dr. Charles R. and Julia L. SUMNER, died yesterday morning
at the home of her parents, No. 33 South Clinton street, aged 16 years.
Mrs. Nancy Royce MARVIN died yesterday morning at the Home for the Friendless on
East Main street, aged 90 years. The funeral will take place from the Home for
the Friendless Monday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock.
****
J. HENRY HOWE THE MAN
Will be Named for an Office To-Morrow by the Mayor
Mayor WARNER stated to a Democrat and Chronicle reporter yesterday that on
Monday he should announce the appointment of J. Henry HOWE, of the plumbing firm
of HOWE & BASSETT, to be a member of the examining and supervising board of
plumbers and plumbing, to succeed Martin WALSH, whose term expired with the year
1895. The board with the aforementioned complex and comprehensive title holds
two meetings each month, and the members are allowed a salary of $5 each for
every meeting, making $120 annually. The term of the members of the board is
three years. There has been considerable strife for the appointment just made
among qualified plumbers of the Democratic persuasion, and the mayor has been at
a loss in which direction to look for a man after his own heart to fill the
position for several weeks, but Mr. HOWE will receive his notification of
appointment to- morrow if the mayor retains his health and the mails do not
miscarry.
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PERSONAL MENTION
C. P. GRUPPE is in town for a short visit.
William E. LIPTROTT, of New York city, is visiting friends in this city.
L. C. HERCKENRATH, of New York city, is visiting friends in Rochester.
Mrs. J. G. MUTSCHLER and daughter have returned from their visit to Kansas.
George E. MERCHANT, assistant to the president of the B. R. & P., has
returned with his wife from Albany, where they have been to attend Governor and
Mrs. MORTON'S reception.
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FELL IN A FIT
F. H. WILLIAMS, a young man about 28 years of age boarding at the Clinton hotel
on South St. Paul street, fell in an epileptic fit in front of the Hayward
building on South Clinton street shortly before 0 o'clock last evening. A couple
of men from the crowd that quickly gathered, bore him into Kallusch's tailoring
establishment an Dr. Jesse W. BUELL was summoned. Under treatment he recovered
consciousness and so far regained his strength that twenty minutes later he was
able to walk out to the curb where the Homeopathic Hospital ambulance was
waiting. In it he was conveyed to his rooms at the Clinton hotel and later in
the evening was reported to have nearly, if not fully, recovered. In the hurry
and confusion the city ambulance was also summoned but returned immediately to
police headquarters.
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HOUSEWORTH - POPP
Miss Josephine POPP was united in marriage by the Rev. Mr. PLATT to Edward
HOUSEWORTH at the Methodist parsonage on Averill avenue yesterday. Mr. and Mrs.
HOUSEWORTH left on the 6:55 train for a short trip.
****
SOME GOOD FIGHTING AT BOSTON
Boston, Feb. 22 - Johnny LAVACK of Saginaw, Mich., and "Solly" SMITH
of Los Angeles, fought fifteen rounds to a draw to-night at the West Newton
street armory. In the presence of about 2,000 people. It was one of the hardest
fought battles seen in Boston for some time and the decision gave much
satisfaction. Both men were in excellent condition and from start to finish they
fought every minute. LAVACK was seconded by Joe WALCOTT and TURESDEL, while
SMITH had in his corner Denny MURPHY of New York and Jimmy KELLY. Captain Bill
DALEY acted as referee. The bout between Jimmy KENARD, the St. Paul Kid and Joe
GANS of Baltimore, was given to GANS after a one-sided exhibition of six rounds.
"Charley" STRONG (colored) of Newark, N. J., and Nick BURLEY (white)
of Boston then faced each other for twelve rounds, resulting in a draw.
****
DIED
SUMNER - In this city, Saturday, Feb.22, 1896, Marjorie, second daughter of Dr.
Charles R. and Julia L. SUMNER, aged 16 years.
-Funeral will be Monday afternoon 2:30 o'clock. Private.
CORYELL - In this city, Friday, February 21, 1896, Abraham O. CORYELL, aged 38
years. A wife survives him.
-Funeral from the residence, 233 North Clinton street, today at 2 P. M. Toronto
papers please copy.
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GjS