Early News

Rochester, Monroe, NY
Democrat & Chronicle
Sun Mar 5, 1905

DEATH DUE TO BLOW OR FALL ?

John W. Kress Dies of Fractured Skull
Deep Depression Appears
Spot in Skull Looks as if it Had Been Made With Club or Other Instrument-
Kress Told Policeman He Had Had Fight With Bartender

   Considerable mystery surrounds the death of John William KRESS, a plumber, who died in the City Hospital early yesterday morning. KRESS had been committed to the hospital from police headquarters on Monday evening last, as a vagrant, who had taken ill.
   Coroner KLEINDIENST was notified of the death yesterday, and at once directed the removal of the remains to Scheuerman's undertaking rooms, where an autopsy was performed. It was found that KRESS had died of a fractured skull. This morning Coroner KLEINDIENST will formally ask the Police Department to assist him in obtaining evidence as to how KRESS came to his death.
   KRESS was found in front of Sam PALMER's saloon, at Clinton avenue north and Division street, on Monday evening last, shortly after 6 o'clock. Patrolman RENDSLAND found the man. He said he had had trouble with a (next 3 lines unreadable) policeman sent him to headquarters.
   At the police station KRESS complained to the turnkey that he felt ill. Captain ZIMMERMAN went into the cell room, and after looking at the man summoned the City Hospital ambulance, and KRESS was taken to that institution. On the turnkey's sheet a charge of vagrancy appears against KRESS. At that time the police thought the man might be suffering from lack of food and possibly alcoholism, and, that treatment at the hospital would straighten him out in a few days. It is understood that the physicians at the hospital treated him for alcoholism, and that he was thought to be recovering. Owing to the fact that the Coroner is investigating the matter, the superintendent at the hospital has ordered that no information regarding the case shall be given to the public until the inquest is held. It was learned, however, that KRESS became unconscious soon after he arrived there.
                                                  Talked With His Sister
   Mrs. Mary BECKER, of No. 234 Scio street, called at the City Hospital to see her brother. He recognized her, and they talked. Most of his talk was rambling. Mrs. BECKER asked KRESS how he came to fall. He replied that someone had hit him on the head.
   "What were you struck with?" Mrs. BECKER asked.
   "A rubber," said KRESS.
   "Who struck you, John?" Mrs. BECKER inquired.
   "You did," was the reply.
   Mrs. BECKER realized that her brother was not in his right mind. He having several times, in a disconnected manner, alluded to his having been struck on the head by some person. The coroner and others suspect that the man was assaulted before Patrolman RENDSLAND picked him up in Clinton avenue north.
   The autopsy performed yesterday afternoon by Coroner's Physician MOONEY, assisted by Drs. A. S. KNIGHT and James K. QUIGLEY, developed the fact that death was due to a fractured skull and the hemorrhage brought about by the blow on the skull. The fracture was on the right side of the skull. It was fully five inches in length and described a sort of curve, beginning just over the ear and extending to the back of the head. The clot of blood that formed beneath this fracture was as large as the hand. The fracture, in the opinion of the physicians, could have been produced by contact with a stone walk. However, a depression was found in the fracture, just over the ear, fully three-fourths of an inch deep, and this strengthens the theory that possibly a club or something similar brought about the injury that caused death.
                                                Lived Here and There
   It has been ascertained from Mrs. BECKER that since early in the winter KRESS had been living away from here. He was single and 35 years of age. He regarded her place, however, as his home. He had been working at his trade.
   Patrolman RENDSLAND said last evening that on Monday afternoon last, before he had met KRESS, he was approached by William BAKER, janitor of the building on Main street east, in which is located Eastwood's store. BAKER informed him that he had allowed KRESS to sleep in the boiler room of the building for one or two nights, while he was there at work, but that he thought he ought to be taken care of. He told the policeman that KRESS had told him of having had trouble with a bartender, and BAKER suggested that KRESS should be turned over to the proper authorities or his relatives. BAKER said KRESS had no money and no work. BAKER occupies a at (sic) on the third floor of a building next west of Eastwood's.
   Samuel B. PALMER, a saloon keeper at Clinton avenue north and Division street, said last night that KRESS had been about his place a good deal during the past few months. He said KRESS had been drinking. He said he had refused to sell him liquor for some time past, and had asked him to keep away from the saloon.    PALMER said he had heard of no trouble KRESS had had with any of his bartenders. He did not think any trouble had occurred, beyond the possibility that one of them might have ordered him from the place.
   When arrested KRESS had on a neat blue suit, a good overcoat, and shoes and rubbers that were in good condition.
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SURPRISE PARTY
   A surprise party was given to Miss Minnie KEADY, of No. 107 Breck street, Wednesday evening. A pleasant evening was passed with music and games. Supper was served. Those present were Misses Margaret SHARKEY, Nellie CUNNINGHAM, Ida FRANK, Bertha ROLAND KRESS, Ida NIGGLEY, the Misses Alen, Mrs. Daisy ANDREWS, Joseph SHARKEY, Edward ROLAND, Eugene COLAN, Mr. YAW, Joseph KEADY and Arthur KEADY.
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PERSONAL MENTION

L. MANSING, of Bay street, is in New York for two weeks.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles C. ZOLLER, of North street, are in Washington.
Dr. G. Greg CARROLL, of West avenue, is in New York pursuing post graduate studies.
Mrs. William NEFF and mother, of Chestnut street, are at the Hotel Victoria, New York.

Mr. and Mrs. HUFELAND, of No. 89 Columbia avenue, are spending a few days with friends in Buffalo.

Charles N. PRATT and Master Earl PRATT, of Garson avenue, are at Hot Springs, Arkansas, for two months.

Miss Agnes GOLDEN, of Hickory street, and Miss Mary JENNINGS have left for New York and Washington.

Mr. and Mrs. John GO?TER and son Harry, of No. 203 Lewis street, were in Washington for the inauguration ceremonies.

Miss Anna MAHER, of Manhattan street, and Miss Lillian NEFF, of Chestnut street, are among the Rochester guests at the Hotel Victoria, New York.

Mrs. A. St. PETER and children, formerly of Warren, Pa., are visiting Mrs. St. PETER'S parents, Mr. and Mrs. HICKS, of Lyell avenue. They will live in Harrisburg, Pa.; hereafter.
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MARRIED

KING - HASTINGS - Wednesday afternoon, February 22, 1905, at Lady Chapel, Patrick KING and Miss Elizabeth HASTINGS. The ceremony was performed by Rev. M. J. KREIG.

MARTIN - BECK - At Holy Rosary Parish house, Saturday afternoon, at 6 o'clock, March 4, 1905, Miss Estelle D. BECK and Grover C. MARTIN, both of Rochester.
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DIED

MESSENGER - Entered into rest at the City Hospital, at midnight on Friday, March 3, 1905, Mary A., widow of Richard MESSENGER, age 61 years, she is survived by two daughters, Elizabeth R. and Florence M. MESSENGER.
-The funeral will take place from her late residence, No. 74 Atchison street, on Monday, at 2:30 P. M. Burial private.

STEPHESON - In this city, Saturday, March 4, 1905, at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth JONES, No. 341 South Goodman street, Edmund STEPHESON, aged 86 years. Deceased is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth JONES, and one son, Samuel STEPHESON, also two grandchildren and one great grandchild.
-Funeral will be held at No. 341 South Goodman street, at 2:30 P. M., Tuesday, March 7, 1905. Interment at Mt. Hope cemetery.

BABCOCK - In this city, Saturday, March 4, 1905, at family residence, No. 95 Beauford street, Hattie CONNELL, wife of John K. BABCOCK. Besides her husband she leaves one daughter, Loretta, and three sisters, Mrs. HANE, Mrs. ZIMBER, Mrs. J. E. McDERMOTT and two brothers, James and Edward CONNELL.
-Funeral Tuesday morning at 8:30 o'clock from the house and 9 o'clock from the Church of the Blessed Sacrament.
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SUCH DISOBLIGING POLICE

Wouldn't Help Woman Whose Husband Was "Running Around"
   Two women entered police headquarters and accosted Special Policeman SEINER. One was about 45 years of age. There were tears in her eyes. The other woman was somewhat younger. The elder woman informed SEINER that her husband was "running around with another woman," and she wanted to know if there was any way the police could put a stop (unreadable).
   "Who is the woman he is running after?" SEINER inquired.
   There was no reply.
   "What's your name?" the officer added.
   "Now, that's none of your business," the abused one asserted.
   SEINER told her the police could do nothing for her unless they knew who the persons were, and that anyway she would have to see Captain ZIMMERMAN about the trouble.
   The woman's companion said something that would not look well in print, and the two backed out of the station. As they disappeared through the doorway the younger one shouted: "We'll shoot the __ __ __ __."    Outside the station the women complained of the unwillingness of the police to do things and talked of killing the other woman on sight.
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THIRD TRAIN STRUCK HIM

Ryan Dodged Two but Was in the Way of the Next One
   Coroner KLEINDIENST held an inquest yesterday afternoon into the death of Walter RYAN, also known as Walter FASSETT, who was struck by a fast freight train at Despatch Tuesday night. The Coroner examined three witnesses and then declared that RYAN'S death was due to his own carelessness and was purely accidental.
   The principal witness was Henry GANVRAU, who was walking on the Central tracks with RYAN.   GANVRAU said he met RYAN at Kane's Hotel and that they started to go home together. They walked through the yards and had seen two trains and had stepped from the tracks out of their way. The freight train came upon them very suddenly, and he had but barely time to seize RYAN by the coat sleeve. He was too late, however, and RYAN was struck.
   James WINDSPEARE and Henry AMES, engineer and fireman of the train that struck RYAN, testified that they did not know of the accident until their train was flagged. Both reside in Syracuse.
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DEAL THAT FELL THROUGH

Youth Tried to Exchange Trading Stamps for Postage Stamps
   "Just give me postage stamps for these," said a youth from the country at the stamp window at the postoffice yesterday, and the clerk gasped in amazement when there was pushed toward him a large accumulation of trading stamps.
   "But these are trading stamps," began the clerk, ----ting a practical joke.
   "That's all right," coolly remarked the other, "I want to trade them in now. I got them at ___'s store."
   It took the man at the window fully five minutes to explain to the youth that Uncle Sam wasn't in the habit of cashing trading stamps, no matter what corporation issued them.
   "I--I--er thought they were good anywhere," stammered the bargain hunter as he turned away.
   This may sound like fiction, but every word of it is true.
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MISS EMILY HANFORD

Death of Woman Who Taught School Nearly Fifty Years
   Miss Emily HANFORD, daughter of William I. HANFORD, died yesterday afternoon at the home of her nephew, Harry GLOVER, No. 173 Alexander street. Miss HANFORD was born in 1833. After graduating from the old Tracy Seminary she taught for nearly fifty years in Nos. 1? and 15 schools, retiring three years ago. She leaves two brothers, William H. HANFORD, of Springfield, O., and Henry S. HANFORD, of Rochester. She was a member of the Third Presbyterian Church for many years.
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EMMA AINSWORTH BEEBE, wife of assemblyman Albert P. BEEBE, of the Fourth district, died in the City Hospital Friday night as the result of an operation. Assemblyman BEEBE was with his wife when she died. Long illness had weakened Mrs. BEEBE. The remains were taken to the home in Parma.

J. WILLIAM KRESS, 35 years of age, who died in the City Hospital yesterday morning, leaves two brothers, Frederick and Joseph KRESS, and two sisters, Mrs. Mary BECKER and Miss Libbie KRESS. The body was taken to the home of Mrs. BECKER, No. 234 Scio street.

CAPITOLA BLAISDELL, widow of William H. BLAISDELL, died at her home, No. 58 South Goodman street, yesterday, aged 45 years.

HIRAM WILLIAM THOMPSON, son of William L. and Louise THOMPSON, died Wednesday, at No. 10 Thayer street.

CHRISTOPHER HUNT at his home, No. 236 Joseph avenue, last night, aged 58 years.
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SCHOFF TO LEAVE HOSPITAL

Victim of Shooting Affray to go to Buffalo on Monday
   Garry SCHOFF expects to leave St. Mary's Hospital to-morrow, and will return to his former home at Wende, a suburb of Buffalo. One of his sisters has been with him since the day following the shooting. She will take him home. SCHOFF will be in police court when the hearing of Bessie BAKER LITTLE, his alleged wife, comes before Judge CHADSEY. SCHOFF'S recovery is something remarkable, the physicians at St. Mary's say. Few men with a bullet resting so close to the brain have recovered from the effects of the shock.
   The BAKER woman shot SCHOFF a month ago. The bullet penetrated the face beneath the eye, and lodged in the back of the head near the base of the brain. For a time it was not thought SCHOFF could live, but under skillful treatment he has gained strength and is now practically recovered. The woman is in jail, although bail in the sum of $500 was fixed by judge CHADSEY on Wednesday last.
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TWO McDONALDS SENT UP
   Two men answering to the name James McDONALD were before Judge CHADSEY in police court yesterday, charged with vagrancy. One of them had stolen a pair of trousers in Front street. He was given two months in the penitentiary. The other was just a plain, unvarnished vagrant, who asserted that he was a lake man in the season of navigation. He said he came from Oswego and had been looking for work. The Court said forty days would do him, and that the ice would be out of Buffalo harbor by that time.
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ALMEDA GIRLS' THEATER PARTY
   The Almeda Girls held an enjoyable theater party at the Cook Opera House Thursday night. The club members are Adelaide HEBERLING, Blanche ROWLEY, Florence STALEY, Helen MAGILL, Della STEWART, Mildred WILBUR, Stella SCHULTZ, Helen McNAMARA, Regina KEARNS and Lucille PATTERSON.
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MENTALLY UNSOUND, PERHAPS
   In police court yesterday, the hearing in the case of Charles BRASCH, accused of having assaulted his wife, was adjourned until next week. In the meantime his mental condition will be looked into. BRASCH lives at No. 63 Murray street.
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GAVE MILK PEDDLER A CHANCE
   In police court yesterday Judge CHADSEY had another milk peddler to deal with, Abraham COHEN has a license, but he hadn't taken the trouble to change it from his wagon to his sleigh. Hence it was not displayed by COHEN when Inspector BROWNELL came across him the other day. The Court said the law required the license to be displayed, and that he must impose a fine of $5. He then suspended judgment in the case to give COHEN one more chance to obey the law.
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PERSONAL
   S. FEDERBUSCH, of No. 76 Kenilworth terrace, has returned from New York.
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FOOD SHOW
   B. J. McGOVERON, representing the Meek Company, of Coshocton, Ohio, is prepared to show a full line of advertising specialties, suitable for souvenirs. 606 Livingston building.
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WHAT THE PIANOLA PIANO IS
   A piano of highest grade, containing a complete Metrostyle Pianola inside a regular piano case. Playable by hand; run with pianola music roll. Pianos exchanged; demonstration daily. H. Tracy BALCOM No. 38 East avenue, solo agent.
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CONNORS - MILLER

   Miss Jennie MILLER, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Morris SMITH, of Rhine street, and Louis CONNORS, of Scranton, Pa., were married Tuesday afternoon at 5:30 o'clock in the Leopold Street Synagogue. A reception at Odd Fellows Temple followed. Covers were laid for 200 guests. The bride wore chiffon trimmed with duchess lace and pearls. The maid of honor, Miss Fanny RABOLINSKY, wore Persian lawn. The page was Master Ellison ROSENTHAL, nephew of the bride, Ella and Ruth MILLER, nieces of the bride, were flower girls. Among the out-of-town guests were Dana MILLER and Isaac MILLER, of Oil City, Pa; Mr. and Mrs. Albert MILLER, of Cleveland; Mrs. RABOLINSKU and Fanny RABOLINSKY, of Buffalo, and Jacob CAPLIN, of Scranton. Mr. and Mrs. CONNORS will be at home after March 26th at No. 1114 Price street, Scranton.
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BIRTHDAY SURPRISE PARTY
   Miss Anna VOGT of Ontario street, and Miss Katherine WHIPPLE, of Tonawanda street, gave a surprise party Thursday night for Miss Mildred RUSSELL, of Park avenue. It was Miss RUSSELL'S birthday. The house was decorated with palms, ferns and cut flowers, a color scheme of pink and green being carried out. The evening was spent in cards, prizes being won by Miss Anna VOGT, Walter CARROLL, Mabel DOYLE and Frank CURTIS. Vocal and instrumental selections were given by Lucy VOGT, Bessie FOSTER, Anna VOGT, Katherine WHIPPLE, Harry BENNETT and James SPRAGUE. Covers were laid for sixty at supper. After supper dancing was enjoyed.
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PEDRO AND DONKEY PARTY
   Mrs. J. WAGNER, of No. 149 Wilder street entertained the Eureka Pedro Club Thursday evening. Prizes were won by Mrs. F. KLUEBER, Mrs. J. WAGNER, Mrs. J. MORAN, Mrs. HAAG and Mrs. SMITH. After luncheon had been served the club was entertained with a donkey party. Prizes were awarded to Mrs. J. RILEY and Mrs. SLATTERY. The next meeting will be held with Miss M. HELFER, of Child street.
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KAELI - METZGER
   Thursday night at the home of the bride, Emmett street, Miss Maude K. METZGER and C. Ambrose KAELI were married by Rev. W. J. REID.
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DIDN'T GET SLADE AGREEMENT
   Justice FOOTE yesterday morning postponed until afternoon the hearing on Mary A. SLADE's motion to compel Dr. R. A. VAN ALLEN to produce for inspection an agreement with the late Patience SLADE and bond for maintenance, which the physician alleges in defense of a suit to set aside Patience SLADE's transfer of property to him. As the County Clerk's office closed at noon, the plaintiff submitted her motion papers, it being too late to file the agreement, even had the court ordered it produced. The case will go to trial to-morrow morning. justice ROBSON having adjourned his equity until then for the purpose of concluding it. Curtis & Curtis appear for Miss SLADE, sister of the late Patience SLADE, and W. H. DAVIS for Dr. VAN ALLEN.
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AMATEURS TO GIVE "CUBAN SPY."
   The recently organized Holy Rosary Dramatic Club, which numbers several actors of considerable amateur experience, will present the four-act comedy drama. "The Cuban Spy," at the parish house, Lexington avenue, to-morrow and Tuesday evenings. Rehearsals have been conducted by Miss BOYLE, of New York. A third performance may be given. The cast follows: Richard CARSON, George V. SHAW; Roderick VALDES, Edward J. KYLIE; Jasper, W. G. SHEEHAN; Carl WEISBEER, W. J. HE?GHES; Phellin ME?AB, F. P. BALL; Lopez, F. H. FEEYLEY; Elinora, Miss McGUIRE; Bridget MONAHAN, Miss HOWELL; Sophie, Miss McDONNELL.
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MARTIN - BECK
   Miss Estelle D. BECK and Grover C. MARTIN were united in marriage yesterday afternoon at 6 o'clock by Rev. John G. VAN NESS at the Holy Rosary parish house. The bride was attended by miss Mae HOVEY. The groomsman was Orlando GABEL, a cousin of the groom. The bride and groom are well known in the city. They will reside in Rochester.
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MISS MAGILL AND MISS DENNIS
   Formerly with McNulty & Co., have opened millinery parlors at 54 East avenue, and have just returned from New York with a full line of the latest spring millinery.
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REMOVAL
   The Misses FRIEDELL have removed to the Granite building, sixth floor. Home phone 5302.
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