The Evening Republican from Meadville, Pennsylvania • 1

Evening Republican me VOL. LXXIX, No. cj2. MEADVILLE, THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1907. PRICE ONE CENT FOUND TflE BODY NEW LIGHTING PLANT uur uuarantee she discovered that her husband had time train 9 was leavrng Buffalo for quit his position and was going to this city.

Near Blaisdell on the dia-leave her. He denied it but his wife mood or sharp curve tne accident hap-becarae so nervous that she sent for pened. Train 9 it seems was coming a doctor, who left her medicine. Later on the left track and 10 on the right, she was given a dose supposedlv of It was impossible for the engineer on tram 10 to see another tram coming Finance Committee Says We Cannot Afford One This Year, and Councils Agree. the same medicine she says.

This made her immediately unconscious. She revived and. she claims, was seized and another dose forced down her throat. Mrs. Johnson was soon afterward found unconscious and taken to the city hospital where her life was barely saved.

The physicians declared she "was full of belladouna." Wnen Mrs. Johnson left the hospital on April 2 she swore out warrants caarging johnson and Mrs. Bourdalle with attempting to kill her. The accused had fled the same day Mrs. Johnson was sent to the hospital.

Dr. Bourdalle traced his wife and Johnson to New York, but when the police went there they had gone. Mrs. Johnson says that she dreamed three times that her husband was in Cleveland, where he has a cousin told Detective McDonald of She her dream. Attorney J.

H. Sampliner, retained by Cleveland friends of the woman, said Tuesday night that she had refused to permit his instituting habeas corpus proceedings in her behalf. "Although the police have so far failed to produce a warrant calling for her arrest, she is so anxious to return and clear herself that she re- the alleged abductors, who sign them-fuses to fight extradition." Sampliner selves J. demanding gold certi-said. ficates because the "are running a big Detective McDonald will take her chance." Park avenue paving for which it was found that an appropriation of $2,270 at least was required in addition to the money available from the bond issue, including the premium on the same, amounting to $2,730.

If it should presently develop that more money Is required for this improvement your committee is of the opinion that it may be necessary to cut off some of the paving at the south end of the street. Your committee made a departure from the usual custom in estimating the income from the tax levy by writing off $1,500 for exonerations as it Is obviously bad business policy to figure on money which will not be received. The estimate, however, from miscellaneous sources are very conservative and may be exceeded; in any event we can confidently expect that every cent of the estimated income, will be received. Every executive officer and every board of the city responsible for the expenditure of money should understand that the work of each department must be done within the appropriation; first, because the appropriations are sufficient, and second, because there Is practically no balance to draw against. Lastly, your committee would remind councils to observe economy themselves, especially in such matter as placing additional gas lights, and countenancing other projects which can as well be deferred until there is more money in sight.

Respectfully submitted, F. J. Kebort F. M. Graff, Chas.

Farnicorn. F. W. Biigh. Adam Werle.

April 17. 1907. Estimated Receipts of the City of Meadville, From All Sources for the Fiscal Year Ending the First Monday in April, 1908. For millage at 14 mills For millage at 13 mills 117,020 From city tax, 14 and 13 mills $49,277.27 Less for exonerations 1,500.00 ta Advertisers! Our net average dally circulation for the year 1906 3,672 Advertisers can make this a part of their advertising contract with us. THE NUMBER OF DAILY PAPERS PRINTED WEDNESDAY WAS 4,038 his liberty last night.

The only tools that could be found were a piece of telegraph wire and a piece of sheet iron. Fortune may be insane, but the cleverness with which he concealed the materials removed from the wall and the selection of the spot where the hole was made indicate that his thinking powers are not seriously impaired. The mortar and bricks were concealed about the jail in water closet hoppers and some were wrapped up in paper and placed where they would escape notice. The place where the attempt was made is prac tically concealed by a gas meter and could be detected only by close observation. Fortune has been allowed the privilege of the corridors, but for the future will be kept in a cell." ADDITIONAL LOCAL.

Prof. Christie will read "The Shepherd at the Unitariian parish house this evening. This play will be of widespread local interest and will be ably read by Mr. Christie. All stockholders of the Grand View Mining company are requested to be present at a meeting of importance to be held at the Lafayette hotel at 8 o'clock Saturday evening.

George Barrett. The prediction is made, says the Venango Citizen Press, that the Clin-tonville oil field, in Venango county, considering its limited area, would be the busiest one in the state during the coming summer. The rise in the price of high grade crude oil is responsible for this great activity. With oil at $1.78 and a prospect of it going higher, operators find it profitable to complete small wells, even those producing as little as three-quarters of a barrel, which is the extent of many wells brought in in the Clintonville field. foot of land for several miles south and west of Clintonville is under lease and the leases cannot be purchased except at fancy figures.

The Central Pennsylvania Lumber company has broken ground for the foundation of a large sawmill at Sheffield, which will have a daily output of 175,000 feet of lumber. The mill will be constructed of re-enforced concrete, and is be completed by November 1st. of the present year. It will contain two band saws and a re saw. The motive power will be electricity.

Timber for the mill, which it is expected will be in operation for 12 or 15 years, will be furnished by tracts in Elk, Warren and Forest counties. The company will inaugurate an innovation in the manner of taking the lumber from the mill to the yard. Four wheeled wagons drawn bby horses will be used to convey the lumber from the mill to its respective stations. These wagons will be so constructed so as to dump from either side, and the loads will be slid off on one side or, the other of the 18-foot docks ready for the pliers. Warren Times.

POLICE COURT Two drunks faced Police Magistrate James Kepler, Thursday morning. One paid a fine the other went to jail for 10 days. BADLY BURNER AT FRANKLIN GASOLINE EXPLODED, FRIGHTFULLY BURNING MRS. ENGELSKIRGER While She Was Cleaning a Dress Skirt With It Will Probably Not Live the Day Out. A telephone message from Franklin this afternoon stated that Mrs.

Philip Engelskirger, of that city had been terribly burned this morning. The message further stated that the unfortunate woman was in the baseman of the house cleaning a dress Ekirt ith gasoline when the galosine exploded 1terally roasting her, and at 1 o'clock her condition was considered very Ftrious, it being believed that she would not survive the afternoon. The head, arms and body were frightfully burned and the sufferings of the victim weie pitiable. She was removed to the home of a neighbor where a physician was summoned. The explosion of the gasoline also pet fire to the house, and the Inside burned considerably before two daughters of Mrs.

Englesklrger could extinguish the ffanies. OF A DEAD MAN GEORGE A. GERARD MADE THE GRUESOME DISCOVERY WHILE FISHING THURSDAY. Coroner C. Stockton Notified and Body Will Be Brought To Meadville This Afternoon.

George A. Gerard notified the Meadville police about 3 o'clock Thursday afternoon that he had found the body of a dead man lying upon the banks of French creek to-day, while fishing. The body was found north of the junction, a short distance below the Erie freight house. Mr. Gerard, who resides on Clark road, returned to Meadville as soon as he had made his discovery and Coroner C.

J. Stockton was notified. The body will be brought to Byham's undertaking rooms this afternoon. It is believed that the man had been drowned and the body had washed down stream. SUSPECT PLACED UNDER ARREST FOR THE ALLEGED $25,000 THEFT OF From Express Company and Bank.

Arrested Man Claims He Was Under Influence of Liquor and Did Not Know What He Was Doing. St. Paul, April 18. It developed yesterday afternoon that the money stolen Tuesday night from the Union depot office of the Northern Pacific Express was a package of that the Merchants' National bank of this city had consigned to Duluth. Yesterday afternoon the express company turned over a check for the full amount to the bank.

John Gunderson was arrested yesterday for this crime. He appeared to be under the influence of liquor and said he knew nothing about the robbery. Upon the police suggesting that they would let him go without prosecution if he would tell where he had hidden the money, Gunderson said he could not remember what he had done with it. Gunderson claimed he had been drinking and did not remember what had happened during the night. Gunderson had been employed by the Northern Express and was recently discharged.

He is said to have been familiar with the details of the office and knew that a package containing the $25,000 was going to Duluth on the night train. Zimmerman, the clerk in charge of the office, say Gunderson came to the office about 9 o'clock and as he had been employed there he thought nothing of his hanging around. Gunderson appeared to have been drinking and was in a very jovial mood. He remained there until everyone but Zimmerman and a porter had left, and then Gunderson gave the porter some money and told him to get a bottle of whisky. As soon as the porter had disappeared Gunderson covered Zimmerman with a revolver and commanded him to open the safe and hand out the package.

DEEP MYSTERY IN POISON CASE THE ACCUSED WOMAN IS ANXIOUS FOR FURTHER DE-VELOPMENTS In the Charge Against Her For Attempted Murder Could Not Be Calmed Until the Detective Arrived To Take Her To Rochester. Cleveland, April 18. The Plain Dealer says: Mrs. Blanche Bourdalle, arrested by detectives Tuesday night in her rooms in the Kadrin. an apartment house at 1772 E.

20th street, could hardly wait until the arrival of Detective John McDonald from Rochester. She paced restlessly back and forth in her cell all day Wednesday, impatient to go back and face her accusers. "The charge that I helped to administer poison to Mrs. Alice Johnson is mysterious," she said, tossing her blonde head in emphasis. "Mrs.

Johnston and I are the best of friends. She saw me off at the depot in Rochester." A dispatch from, Rochester late Tuesday night said Dr. Bertrand Bourdalle, president of the Bourdalle Chemical of this city, and husband of Mrs. Bourdalle, is two years over from He met his young wife in New York soon nfter the mysterious death of her husband by shooting In his own home. She worked In his office here as interpreter, and about eight months ago they were married.

Six months ago Bourdalle Induced George W. Johnson and his wife to occupy rooms in the Bourdalle house on Plymouth avenue. On March 29, Mrs. Johnson swears 1 on this curve, but this could be done by the "man handling the engine on the right side. However, it is not im-! possible for a trainman or baggage man to see a train coming and this is what George Craig did.

Seeing the I train coming and knowing that a wreck could not possibly be averted, he pulled the automatic brakes, stopping train 10. Then train 9 was stopped by the engineer within a few feet of the train bound for Buffalo. In backing up to let train 10 pass the trucks on two cars on train 9 left the track, holding train 10 for over an hour and making itself nearly two hours late. Jamestown Journal. LARGE SUM DEMANDED Dr, Marvin Has Offer to Return Kid naped Boy Upon Payment of $10,000.

Dover, April IS. Dr. Horace N. Marvin, father of the 4-year-old kidnaped boy, yesterday received another letter demanding $10,000 ransom for the return of the child. This time the letter comes from Cleveland, Dr.

Marvin turned this missive over to the Pinkertons. as he does all the letters he receives. He thinks tue Cleveland letter was inspired by a notice which he has inserted in newspapers all over the country offering to pay a reasonable reward for the return of the missing boy and agreeing not to prosecute the kidnapers. He does not place much credence in the Cleveland development. THE STRANGE WILL OF LIFELONG BREWER SCHLENK DISINHERITS SON AND DAUGHTER TO ESTABLISH FUND To Save Those Whom He Formerly Supplied With Strong Drink The Deceased Was Respected Citizen of Belvidere, III.

Belvidere. April 18. The will of George J. Schlenk, a brewer, who died recently, afforded a surprise for his relatives when it was probated yesterday and they found themselves disinherited. The will provides that the estate of $10,000 shall be made the foundation of a perpetual trust fund, the income of which shall be turned over to the Salvation Army with which to carry on the work of reform among the lowly and outcast especially in places of squalor and more especially the victims of drunkenness.

Mr. Schlenk provided for his widow, but his son and daughter are cut out entirely. There is also a provision that at the death of his widow, her share of the estate shall revert to me trust fund founded by him. The fact that Mr. Schlenk was a brewer and provided the means for making drunkards is exciting some comment, and some people see in his will a desire to undo woric as far as possible.

He was an admirable citizen, high in the Masonic and other fraternities, and all his life had been a liberal giver to all worthy charitable enterprises. His children are well to do and will not need any part of the es- tate. FRANK FORTUNE LODGED IN JAIL ON A CHARGE OF CARRYING CON- CEALED WEAPON, AND POINTING IT At Citizens Brought To the County Jail by Officer Fews Will Be Held for Court As He Couldn't Furnish Bail in Sum of $500. Officer William Fews, of Titusville, brought Fortune to the county jail Thursday morning on a charge of carrying concealed deadly weapons and wantonly pointing revolver, on a commitment made out by C. F.

Leig- rich, justice. From all accounts Fortune is a bad man. and but recently attempted to cut his way out of the Titusville jail, but was discovered in the nick of time, and upon searching his cell the authorities found the tools with which he done the work. The actions of the prisoner led The Herald to remark that unless something was done with the man in a short time the officials would be called upon to build a new structure for the confinement of prisoners. However, he will likely be safe in the local institution, as Sheriff Marshall and deputies will keep a close watch upon him.

In regard to the attempt to breaK jail The Herald of Friday says: "Yesterday morning Chief of Police Buckley on his round of inspection at the jail noticed that Fortune's clothing was covered with brick and mortar dust. An investigation discovered the fact that enough bricks had been removed from the southeast corner of the jail to permit a man's body to pass through. The outside bricks were left in position to prevent detection. Had the matter not been discovered Fortune would no doubt have regained The joint finance committee presented the following report to councils Wednesday evening, and the report, which is followed by a report of the proceeding! In full, was adopted Select and Common Councils: Gentlemen: Following the custom at the inception of a new fiscal year, your joint finance committee has investigated the financial condition of the city with respect to income and expenses and beg to report as follows for the fiscal year ending the first Monday in April, 1908: It is found that to provide for necessary expenses and set up a reasonable contingent and permanent improvement fund, will require a tax levy of 14 mills on the valuation subject to millage in the I irst. Second, Third and Fourth wards and 13 mills in the Fifth ward (one mill less in the Fifth ward because not subject to taxation to pay off the old city debt), aside from all other sources of income, including the premiums on the bond issue amounting to $2,370.00.

A detailed statement of the estimated receipts and expenditures is here to attached. Your committee regrets exceedingly that extraordinary expenses which for paramount reasons of public policy must be met this year will prevent the installation of a new lighting plant during the present year. The most favorable estimates for such installation would require from $5,000 to more than the unappropriated balance and the grave objections to undertaking such a project within the full knowledge of inadequate funds needs no comment. It is not within the province of your committee to pass upon the lighting question except to advise' you that there is no money to proceed with the work at this time and to say that the forthcoming report of the superintendent of the water and light department, with whom your committee conferred, will verify the conclusions stated above. The deep interest of the people in this long needed improvement suggests to your committee the propriety of stating the reasons which prevent its present consummation.

The purchase of the new auxiliary pump (the necessity for which needs no explanation if it is admitted that the city should be absolutely inde- dendent of French creek as a source of water supply), at a cost of $10,000, has imposed a greater burden on the resources of the water department than it is possible for the department to meet and at the same time provide for the renewals and extensions of the water mains which must be taken care of immediately. To provide for the work will require $3,795 from the general fund. The mains referred to are the six- inch on Locust street; six-inch on South Main street for the Page Boiler works; eight-inch on Race street for the Meadville Distilling company and the eight-inch to connect up the six-inch at the north end of the Erie railroad shops with the six-inch on Race street. The primary purpose of the last three Is of course to provide adequate fire protection to the plants named, but the last mentioned will also give much better protection to the business section of the city by equalizing the pressure on the Center street main and its tributaries. It should be gratifying to the people to know as an offset to any disappointment on account of the lighting plant, that extending this main will insure eight streams with a nozzle pressure of at least 110 pounds at the Erie shops which, with the company's own system of protection should lie a rea sonable guarantee against their destruction by fire.

It should also be considered that the good effect of the citys readiness to forego needed mu nicipal improvements in order to take care of the industries within its terri tory will not be lost upon otUer concerns which may in the future consider locating here. Another unexpected expense which militated against the lighting was the THE WEATHER. THREATENING Erie, April 18. The weather indications for Friday is rain or snow. back to-day.

"Mrs. Johnson's sworn statement to the Rochester police implicates Mrs. Bourdalle with George Johnson, the prosecuting witness's husband, in a plot to kill her. She says they forced belladonna down her throat," he said: The Johnsons and Mrs. Bourdalle and her second husband, a manufacturing chemist, lived in the same house in Rochester, said a special to the Plain Dealer.

When Mrs. Johnson was taken iil recently, Bourdalle, who is a physician, prescribed for her. March 19, during the absence of Dr. Bourdalle, Mrs. Johnson asked for more medicine.

According to the allegation of Detective Bauer, who investigated the case, Mrs. Bourdalle and Johnson, who were in the room at the time, held a whispering conversation and then mixed her a dose. She became iniconseious immediately. She awoke to be taken to a hospital, in a serious condition from belladonna poisoning. When she was discharged from the hospital, she found that her husband and the doctor's wife had disappeared.

Dr. Bourdalle traced them to Cleve land. Mrs. Bourdalle had been at The Kadrin a week when arrested. Jonn- son jointly charged with the attempt upon his wife's life, cannot be found.

Mrs. Bourdalle. who was a widow named Leavitt previous to her marriage to Dr. Bourdalle two years ago, set herself up as a dressmaker at The Kadrin. "From what I saw of her, she was a perfect little Mrs.

O. A. Robertson, wife of the bandmaster. said Wednesday night. "She worked from 5.30 in the morning until 8 at night." The Robertsons occupy a suite on the same floor.

"She told us that she had had diffi culty with her husband, and admitted that Leaxitt, the name in which she engaged the flat, was not her real name." Mrs. Robertson continued. We never saw a man corresponding to the description of Johnson, in fact, to my knowledge, the woman has no male iriends in Cleveland." Mrs. Bourdalle denies knowing the whereabouts of Johnson, who was a foreman in a Rochester furniture factory at the time of his disappearance. Mrs.

Bourdalle is about 38 years old and handsome. She is French, of the same nationality of her husband, with whom she became acquainted when she entered his employ as an interpreter, shortly after the death of her first husband in New York. Six months ago she spent several weeks in Paris. MUST QUIT PRACTICE. New York Officials Are Determined to Suppress Carrying of Arms.

New York, April 18. While squads of detectives are scouring the foreign quarters, working under the direct orders of Police Commissioner Bingham and picking up all the men they find armed, the judicial officers of the greater city are showing evidence of their intention to co-operate with the police in breaking up the vicious prac tice of carrying deauly weapons. Yesterday in general sessions Judge Rosalsky gave the heavy sentence of three years In Sing Sing to John Keen, a negro who had been arrested for disorderly conduct. A pair of brass knuckles were found on him. District Attorney Jerome has pre pared 50 cases of men charged with carrying concealed weapons and w-ill present them to the grand jury to-day.

In all 215 men have been locked up. A NARROW ESCAPE. Prompt Action of Baggageman George Craig Saved a Disastrous Wreck on the Erie. If reports which have been circu lated are true a disastrous wreck was narrowly averted on the Erie Tuesday by the thoughtfulness of Baggageman George Craig, who runs from this city to Buffalo every day on Erie train 10. Tuesday train 9 arrived In this city nearly two hours late.

The cause was due to two of the passenger cars on the train leaving the track, but this Is not all there was to It. Train 10, which is due to leave Jamestown at 10:56 a. was an hour late and arrived in the Buffalo yards about the i I I $47,777.27 3.404.00 1.1C0.OO 550.00 700.00 500.00 From poll and dog tax From market house From city solicitor From city clerk From police magistrate From liquoP licenses From premium on bond issue 7.980.OO 2.730.00 Total Estimated Expenses for the City of Meadville, for the Fiscal Year Ending the First Monday in April. 1906. City Officers' Salaries.

Mayor 250.00 Treasurer 500.00 Controller 1.200. 00 City clerk 900. 00 City solicitor 9011.00 For two clerks of 240.00 3,490.00 Interest and State Taxes. Interest on city bonds 3,520.00 State tax on city bonds 33G.0O 3,850.00 City Sinking Fund. For city sinking fund 3,500.00 3,500.00 .100.00 170.00 800.00 50.00 City Taxes.

Assessment of taxes Board of appeals and clerk. Commission for col. of taxes. Distribution of tax notices. Tax notices and postage for delinquent tax 40.00 1.420.0H Police Department.

Salaries of chief and four patriolmen 4.420.00 Sundry exiwnses Fire Department. One-half of janitor's salary as supt. fire alarm 420.00 Chief of fire department 150.00 Two assistants 100. 00 Hose companies, appropriations for 1.000.00 Rent of hose houses 50.00 Light for hose houses 430.00 Hoie Hose teamster 000. 00 Hope Hose teamster, relief.

546.00 Chemical wagon 600.00 Sundry expense 1.614.00 5.4G0.OO For Lighting Streets. One-half of supt's salary 600.00 Electrician 900.00 Ump trimmer's salary 780.00 Engineer's salary 840.00 Fireman's salary 600.00 Sundry expense 4,280.00 8,000.00 Street Repairs. Street corn's salary 1 .000.00 One teamster 600.00 Sundries 4,400.00 6,000.00 Cleaning Paved Streets. Sundry expense 2,000.00 2,000.00 (Continued oa page 7.) "ST.