Early News

Rochester, Monroe, NY
Democrat & Chronicle
Sun Mar 19, 1905

FOUND WITH SKULL CRUSHED

Farmer Believed to Have Been Murdered as a Result of a Quarrel
   Canajoharie, N. Y. - March 18 - The body of Peter CONRAD, a farmer, aged 65 years, was found early to-day with the skull crushed lying in the cow shed on the farm of his brother, Charles CONRAD. It is believed that he was killed as a result of a quarrel.
   The CONRAD brothers, both well known farmers, live far apart. Last night Peter CONRAD drove into the village of Canajoharie and is said to have been seen at a hotel under the influence of liquor and in company of (unreadable) time during the night his horse arrived at his home without a driver and was cared for by Mrs. CONRAD.
   To-day the body of the missing man was found in his brother's cow shed. Blood stains were traced from the cow shed to a point near the residence of a neighbor with whom CONRAD is said to have had trouble and who was once arrested at CONRAD'S complaint that he was concerned in a chicken stealing affair.
   FONDA -- Sheriff DODD returned to-night from Argusville, Schoharie county, where he has been to-day investigating the death of Peter CONRAD, bringing with him Daniel SMULLER, whom he arrested on suspicion. CONRAD and SMULLER lived on adjoining farms and, because of the condition of the road leading to the farms, a road was made through SMULLER's yard. Coroner VICKERS, of Canajoharie, and Sheriff DODD, on investigating the murder, learned that SMULLER and CONRAD had had a quarrel at Argusville yesterday, during which CONRAD accused SMULLER of stealing his chickens last summer. The two men started for home about 6 o'clock, each driving his own team. CONRAD was never again seen alive.    On an elm tree in SMULLER's yard were found large clots of blood and the snow near the house was also covered with blood. SMULLER refused to talk. He has a wife and five small children.
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POISON THE CAUSE OF THE DEATH OF MRS. ETTA WOOD

Autopsy Shows That, but Physicians Are Unable to Say
What Kind of Poison - Not Suicide

   An autopsy on the remains of Mrs. Etta WOOD was performed at SCHEUERMAN's undertaking rooms yesterday. Dr. Clifford V. C. COMFORT having charge. Dr. William D. WARD, of No. 474 North Goodman street, Dr. Irving E. HARRIS(?) and Dr. MAY, of the Homeopathic Hospital, were present. The autopsy, Dr. COMFORT said, was the most difficult he had ever conducted. Poison was found in the stomach, but the character of it the physicians were unable to decide. Last evening Dr. COMFORT reported to Coroner KLEINDIENST that he had made an examination of the stomach, liver and kidneys and had found them badly congested. He said he was still unable to determine the nature of the poison. The Coroner will begin the inquest to-morrow morning.
   Dr. COMFORT thought that because of the (unreadable) of the stomach and other (unreadable), which could have been formed by the chemical union of calomel(?) and lime water.
   Coroner KLEINDIENST and the physicians are not inclined to believe the woman committed suicide.
   Yesterday afternoon Frank MOORE, of Fairport, told the Coroner he had visited Mrs. WOOD at her room Wednesday evening. He said she was sick at that time. She said she had been taking cough medicine.
   Yesterday afternoon Detectives MAGUIRE and WHALEY visited the house at No. 170 St. Paul street, where Mrs. WOOD roomed. The detectives searched the room thoroughly. They found a quantity of pills and bottles of cough cures, and came upon a bottle of lime water. The bottle was nearly full. This find is important, in view of Dr. COMFORT's intimation that corrosive sublimate cause her death. The bottle that Detective BAUER found in the room on Friday did not contain carbolic acid, as was at first supposed. It held a small quantity of tincture of iodine.
   Mrs. Alice REED, a sister of Mrs. WOOD, telephoned to Coroner KLEINDIENST from Wilson, N. Y., yesterday that she would be on hand to-morrow to take charge of the remains.
   Mrs. WOOD died in the Homeopathic Hospital Friday evening. She was unconscious from the time of her removal to that institution from the St. Paul street house at 1 o'clock that morning. Mrs. WOOD was a dressmaker, and had been a resident of the city but a short while. She was about forty-five years of age.
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FAKE FIT AFTER BLOW, WIFE SAYS

Odd Assault Detail as Separation Grounds
Stepdaughter Sues, Too
Engineer's Wife Alleges He Simulated Irresponsibility After Abusing Her -
Daughter Asks Damages for Injury Holman Did to Eye

   Assault and battery upon his step-daughter and abusive treatment of his wife, followed by periods of what is alleged to have been simulated frenzy, are the sensational acts charged against Seneca J. HOLMAN, a veteran New York Central railroad engineer, who is well known in church circles. The allegations are made in papers served by Deputy Sheriff HAWLEY yesterday in actions begun by Lillian A. HOLMAN, who sues, in one case for a separation and maintenance, in the other as guardian ad litem of Ethel A. CARPENTER, her daughter.
   The younger woman's complaint, drawn up by Willis COON, recites that she was 20 years of age on July 23, 1904. The principal act of assault specified is that HOLMAN, on March 12th of this year, entered her sleeping room at 7 o'clock in the morning and struck her in the face, Miss CARPENTER being in bed at the time. She alleges her left eye was injured, and swears to other results of the alleged attack. Among these is shock to her nervous system, from which, says the plaintiff, she still suffers pain. The attendance of a physician to treat the injury to her eye is set forth in the complaint.
   Miss CARPENTER "has been compelled to attend school," where her injured eye was observed, runs the complaint, "and to go into public in such condition, greatly chagrined by reason of such condition."
Further minor details of damage are alleged. Mrs. CARPENTER demanded $1,000 damages of her step-father, besides the costs of the action. The institution of learning referred to in the complaint is the Rochester Business Institute.
   Mrs. HOLMAN's complaint alleges various instances of cruel and inhuman treatment, for which alone the state law will separate husband and wife the couple were married in 1898 and have resided on Savannah street and Central and Parsells avenues.
   The wife, in making allegations of assault, promises to offer proof that policemen were called into her residence on occasions when he says, HOLMAN was abusing her. She alleges that she will prove two such occasions. Proof of HOLMAN's alleged affectation of temporary mental irresponsibility will be offered on the assault charges, says Attorney COON, as the wife claims it was after ill-treating her in the manner alleged that the engineer would counterfeit fits.
   The HOLMANS have been residing at No. 100 Atlantic avenue. The husband is well known in the neighborhood and the litigation ensuing from the family differences will be a shock to numerous acquaintances. Henry W. CONKLIN will serve an answer in behalf of HOLMAN within a few days.
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DEATH OF HENRY PEARCE

Native of England Dies in Rochester After Long Residence here.
   Henry PEARCE died at his home, No. 314 Jay street, on Friday, aged 72 years and 7 months. Mr. PEARCE was born in Bath, Somersetshire, England, in 1832. He came to this country in 1871, bringing his family. For some years he was associated with then Hop Bitters Company, of this city, but several years ago was compelled to retire from active life because of ill health. His death occurred after a long sickness. Mr. PEARCE was a member of Genesee Lodge, No. 3, I. O. O. F.; Mount Hope Encampment, No. 2, and Windsor Lodge, No. 198. Sons of St. George. He leaves his wife, Mrs. Mary A. PEARCE; four sons, Harry, Charles G., William J., and Albert J.; three daughters, Miss Martha I. PEARCE, Mrs. Elizabeth BULLINGER, Mrs. Mary A. STONE, and six grandchildren.
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ROBERT G. LEVIS
   Robert G. LEVIS, a prominent business man, died at noon yesterday in the City Hospital, aged 51 years. Mr. LEVIS was born in Rochester. He was of the firm of LEVIS Brothers & Broxholm, was a part master of Rochester Lodge, F. and A. M., and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Lake Avenue Baptist Church. Those who survive him are his wife, six sons and three daughters, all except Robert P. LEVIS, of New York, and R. Raymond LEVIS, of Chicago, of this city. The names of the children follow: Robert P., Dr. Harold J. LEVIS, R. Raymond, Florence, Ednah, J. Herbert, W. Walter, Arthur B. and Elsie M.
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KEREN HAYDEN
   Keren HAYDEN, a veteran of the Civil war, died yesterday afternoon at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth CONBOY, No. 261 Jefferson avenue, aged 78 years. He leaves five daughters, Mrs. CONBOY, Mrs. Ella PRITCHARD, Mrs. Mary PERRY, Mrs. Anna HUGHES, all of Rochester, and Mrs. Kate FORD, of Ogden; ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Mr. HAYDEN was an uncle of Chief of Police HAYDEN. He was a member of Company D, 140th Regiment, New York Volunteers; Martindale Post, G. A. R., of Spencerport, and other organizations.

PETER S. ALBRIGHT died yesterday morning at the home of his brother, Benjamin ALBRIGHT, No. 205 Jennings street, aged 37 years. He leaves his wife, Minnie; three daughters, Evelyn, Margaret and Celia and one brother.

GRIFFITH ELLIS died Friday night at his home in Adams Basin, aged 69 years. He leaves one son and three daughters, J. W. ELLIS, Mrs. W. G. WOODAMS, Mrs. George HALL and Mrs. Mort HAVENS, all of this city.

John, son of Rudolph and Helen STEESE, died yesterday at the family residence, Kossuth street, aged 10 months.
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JOKE, BOYS EXPLAIN IN COURT

Tying Youngster and Leaving Him on Railroad Track Mere Prank
   John LEE, aged 16 years, and Albert HEBERGER, aged 17 years, were arraigned in police court yesterday on the serious charge of assault in the first degree. They are two of the five boys who bound Andrew CRANE hand and foot and placed him on one of the passenger tracks of the New York Central tracks on Wednesday. The boy were represented in court by John J. McINERNEY, and a plea of not guilty was entered. The hearing was adjourned until Friday next, and Judge CHADSEY committed the two boys to jail. Bail was fixed at $1,000 bond or $500 cash.

Frank CARTER, Henry SCHUMAN and Oscar GERMAN, the other boys of the five, are at the Shelter. They will be arraigned in juvenile court to-morrow morning. These boys are 15 years of age.

LEE and HEBERGER said in court yesterday that they had no intention of doing CRANE any harm. They admitted that they had been teasing the boy for an hour, and said they knew the railroad inspector would remove him from the tracks. Otherwise they would have released him.

The CRANE boy is said to be far from bright, so the quintette gallantly picked the unfortunate as a mark for their sport. Another excuse offered is that the gang knew a passenger train was not due in an hour, and the youth was in no danger.

Of the five boys accused of the assault, all except Henry SHUMAN have been in the State Industrial School. He never has been in any institution.
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ACCUSED OF DRIVING LAME HORSES
   Fred SCHUM was driving peacefully through Spring street yesterday afternoon when he was halted by Humane Agent BOYINK. BOYINK asserted that the horse was lame and had a spavin. He placed SCHUM under arrest. SCHUM was taken to police headquarters, where he was paroled to appear in police court to-morrow.
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TURNED INTO PENSION FUND
   Chief HAYDEN has received $25 from Mrs. A. J. WARNER, of Charlotte, who desired the money to be given Detective NAGLE, who succeeded in recovering a horse and carriage that were stolen from her barn in that village last summer. As a rule prohibits members of the Police Department from receiving financial reward for duties performed, the cash was turned into the police pension fund.
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MARRIED

DEMAREST - DE YOUNG - Monday, March 13, 1905, by Rev. Dr. Max LANDSBURG, Charles Madison DEMAREST and Adelaide Isabel DE YOUNG, both of this city.
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DIED

PEARCE - In this city, March 17, 1905, at No. 314 Jay street, Henry PEARCE, aged 72 years and 7 months.
-Funeral Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. burial private. Please omit flowers.

OLMSTED - In Parma, Thursday, March 16, 1905, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Joseph S. ASHTON, Martha LEWIS, wife of H. A. OLMSTED. Besides her husband she leaves one son and ten grandchildren.

MILLER - At her home in Phelps, Wednesday, March 15, 1905, Susanna MATTHEWS MILLER, wife of the late William MILLER. The deceased is survived by three daughters, Elizabeth C., M. Frances and Helen L. MILLER, and two sons, Robert C. and George E. MILLER.
-Funeral Monday, 2:30 P. M., at St. James' Church, Almira street.

MORROW - In this city, Saturday morning, March 18, 1905, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Nicholas DEVERAUX, No. 619 St. Paul street Mrs. Mary MORRIS, widow of the late John MORROW, aged 86 years. She is survived by three sons, William H. and Ambrose MORROW, of Clinton, N. Y., and P. F. MORROW, of Washington, and three daughters, Mrs. M. HERNER of Oshkosh, Wis, Mrs. Thomas O'TOOLE, of Clinton, N. Y., and Mrs. Nicholas DEVERAUX, of this city.
-Funeral on Monday A. M. Burial at Utica, N. Y. Syracuse and Utica papers please copy.

WENNER - In this city, Saturday noon, March 18, 1905, at the family residence, No. 125 Evergreen street, Henry J. WENNER, aged 54 years and 8 months. He is survived by his wife and three daughters, Mary, Catherine and Josephine, and one son, David, two sisters, Mrs. Valentine WELKER, of Rome, N. Y., and Mrs. Frank SCHUSTER, of Perkinsville, N. Y.
-Funeral will be held Tuesday, March 21, 1905, at 8:30 A. M. from the residence, and at 9 A. M. from St. Michael's Church.

MADDEN - In this city, Saturday morning, March 18, 1905, at the Homeopathic Hospital, Mrs. Johanna MADDEN, widow of Michael MADDEN.
-The funeral will take place from the home of her daughter, No. 143 Broadway, Tuesday morning at 8:30 o'clock, and from St. Mary's Church at 9 o'clock.

SCHELL - In this city, Saturday, March 18, 1905, at her home, No. 21 Cleveland street, Mrs. Hannah E. SCHELL.
-Funeral from the house Tuesday, March 21st, at 8:30 A. m. and from Holy Redeemer Church at 9 A. M.

BOORMAN - Saturday morning, March 18, 1905, at the family residence, No. 226 Frost avenue, Frank P. BOORMAN, aged 68 years and 2 months. He leaves his wife, Mary V.
-Funeral at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon from the house.
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FOR MAKING DISTURBANCE
   In police court yesterday William MOONEY was fined $5 for having created a disturbance in the Cook Opera House Friday night. Monday paid reluctantly. MOONEY and a friend were ejected from the theater by an usher and Patrolman DEMLER placed MOONEY under arrest. The other young man escaped.
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GIRLS IN LEAGUE AGAINST CIGARETTE
   Wilkesbarre, Pa., March 18 - High school girls of Berwick have joined with those of Wilkesbarre, Hazleton and McKeesport in refusing to walk with boys who use cigarettes or to allow them to call at their homes. They have expressed their determination to do all they can to break up the cigarette smoking habit and believe that this plan will be one of the most successful.
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ITALIANS INDICTED FOR BRIBERY
   Gesuele CORIGLIANO and Rocco POLOMANO, Italians accused of offering to compound a felony by suppressing evidence of assault in the case of Enrico COCCI, for $50 consideration, were served with bench warrants yesterday growing out of indictments respectively charging bribery and offering to receive a bribe. The crime is alleged to have been committed on March 1st. BOCCI, accused of stabbing a baker named Paul LABATE, was instructed by Chief of Police HAYDEN to apparently accede to the alleged demands of CORIGLIANO and POLOMANO and pay them to absent themselves from Rochester when his trial should take place. The two claimed to be material witnesses for the prosecution. The penalty upon conviction of the bribery charges is imprisonment not to exceed five years, $1,000 fine, or both.
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ATTEMPTED TO END HIS LIFE

Wealthy Farmer Inhales Illuminating Gas in a Lockport Hotel
   Lockport, March 18 - Edward CRAKSON, a wealthy farmer residing on the Ridge road several miles from this city, made a vain attempt to end his life by inhaling illuminating gas to-night, in the Washburn Hotel, conducted by Isaac HECHT, on Washburn street.
   Thursday CRAKSON came to this city to be treated by Dr. WOOD for stomach trouble. He later went to the Washburn Hotel and applied for a room. Friday night he ate a hearty supper, retiring about 10 o'clock. He was called as usual this morning, but he failed to get up. At noon he did not come down to dinner, and about 4 o'clock Mrs. HECHT went to his room and tried to gain entrance, but the door was locked. Officer LAWSON was called and effected an entrance by breaking down the door. CRAKSON was found stretched out on the bed, fully dressed, in an unconscious condition. The gas jet was found to be turned on. He was quickly revived by a physician, but would give no reason for his attempt to end his life.
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VESUVIUS IS IN ERUPTION

Throwing Out Molten Lava, Hot Stones and Smoke - Earthquake Felt
   Naples, March 18 - Mount Vesuvius is again in eruption and is throwing out burning lava, red hot stones and a high column of smoke, while detonations are heard at long distances. The eruption is attributed to an earthquake, which was felt for eighty miles.
   Many foreigners, including several Americans, have been attracted by the magnificent spectacle, but are unable to approach the crater because of the immense quantity of incandescent matter that is being emitted.
*
BUFFALO FIRMS CONSOLIDATE
   Buffalo, N. Y., March 18 - Announcement is made of the sale of the William HENGERER Company's department store to William H. HOTCHKISS, president of J. n. (unreadable) & Co. Mr. HOTCHKISS became the absolute owner of the Hengerer business. The terms of the transaction were not made public and no announcement was made of the di??altion of the business beyond the statement: "Its future will be determined." The two firms are among the largest in this city.
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BOY FELL BENEATH THE CARS

Fillmore Lad Has Both Legs Taken Off in Accident at Portage
   Olean, March 18 - Bruce TARBELL, aged 15 years, met with an accident this afternoon, which will very likely result in his death within a few hours. TARBELL is a native of Fillmore and was one of several boys who have formed the habit of jumping on Pennsylvania freight trains for a ride to Portage, four miles distant from Fillmore. This afternoon he attempted to leap upon a train on the Rochester division at Portage, missed his hold and fell beneath the cars. Both legs were terribly crushed, and amputation was necessary.
   The boy was placed (unreadable) engine and carried to Fillmore with the greatest dispatch. There the right leg was amputated between the hip and knee and the left leg between the knee and ankle. The surgeons say he will not be able to survive, the shock attending the accident and operation.

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