The Muncie Morning News from Muncie, Indiana • 1

THE MORNING NEWS YOL. XVIII. NO. asa MUNCIE INDIANA, THURSDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 20 1896. 10c Pir Week; Single Copy Centi REFORMING MUNCIE.

A GOOD EXCOSE oflloe to hear tbe eleotion returns on the 15ih day of F.bruary, 1896 We werr there about half an tour. I asked Wal ter Cray to go down on the street. He looked at hie welch end said it we 8 in p. m. We went down stairs end aruULd to the Lobby oigar store, on Main street A fie.

we were theie ebort lime 1 saw E.more Sheelasilliog by a table witn his heed on hia bands. Cook, toe proprietor of tne cigar store, reused him up and told him to etir around a little end be would feel better. 1 did not see him after that. I am sure Ibet it was K.rnore Sfatels that I aaw. J.

L. Setti.e. Subscribed end eworn to before me tbie 1Jlb day of February, 1890. JoNKl'ii F. Bowens, Coroner Delaware oounty, led.

Ladies Twentieth Century Shoea in Black and Maroon at I eaw Elmer Sb-ret ie the ahenfl'a oil! between 10 end 12 o'clock p. m. I am ure it was the same pereon whoee bod) I aaw in Meeka undertaking rooms rn Kiel Mam street on Monday, tbe 17ib day of February, 1896 Jar. O. Bisel.

Subscribed and eworn before me this 17 ib da of February, 1898. Joseph F. Bowrrb, Coroner Delaaiare county, IniL Dr. Bowera alatea that he has tbe came of a person who will makeontb i hat just before be epeued the door to enter the Lobby cigar store, he noticed he north bound paaeenger train Croat Mainitneton the Ft Vane, Cincinnati A Louisville track. After entering the place he eaw Sheets titling el table in the rear room.

This traip spoken of left Munoieet 7:58 end is the one that ie supposed bak'M tfbepta, Chief Fortner end Coroner Bowers bed a conference yesterday in which Mr. ortner a lied the ooroner not to be too hasty In making hia verdiot. He ie anxious to have time to run down every possible clue. BICYCLES. That Factory Employing a Num her of Men May Not Come, $5 $3 Mens Kangaroo, Calf and Cordovan $5.00 Shoes in Lace and Congress at $3-5 Big Arch Shoe House K00NS MAN0K 5 MUNCIE, IND.

ANTHONY BLK. Hamblins? Hounrh Arp (loafd llhout One Kick. The Homes of Questionable Repute Will Be Closed After March 10-A Quiet Reform tn Progress. The action of Chief Fortner at the in-lenoe of tbe police commissi mere, in oonoeotioo with the closing of the gambling houses, was met by genaral approval. Previous to this action the fre-q renters of thase resorts, end espaorel-t (hose who pot work but spend their time in the gambling room 0oU! heard talking on the streets about tne A6d Miiffiof Pla7 ere the got prtviobll.

They talked uadsr the notes of the polios ihd advertised generally tbe faot that Munoie see getting to be a wide open town. Every gambler who could get together enough money to buy a deck of osrd end a little paraphernalia started a room and a a result nearly every stairway In the business portion of the ci'y led to a gonbling resort. The favorite game of late has n-n draw poker. The check off in this game amuunte to over 83 per hour BDd many garnet have been known to run two days Tbe bouae would get over 88 1 and but vary little would be won Whet wee lost went to the gamekeeper. Thu caused the loser to make a kick to the police commissioners Hid as a result the houses were closed.

SHin-CD TO ANDERSON. Several gambling outfits have already arrived in Andereuo fio-n Muncie end it is aaid more are coming, says the Anderson Bulletin. Ore well known sport give it out that thing ere arranged in this city, that there will be no gambling house pulled for three month at least. The bad women who are to be made to leave Muncie elec have their eyes on Anderson. AFTER QUESTIONABLE HOUSES- There Will Be None Lett in Muncie After March 10.

A number of prominent citizen, who reside south of tbe railroad, commenced a month ego working with tbe determination to rid MuDoie of ell house of questionable repute. They bed consultation with tbs police oommiaeiooera end decided that they could accomplish their desire. They therefore informed the owners of these plaoea that they would be compelled to close their house after Merab 10. The eotion will not be fought by the women but they will elose as requested. Two boueea on Gaiety Commons have already been closed, end it is only a question of 19 more day until they all will be closed.

REFUSED ADMITTANCE. James Hope Arretted For a Very Peculiar Reason. Leet evening Jameo Hope wee tried Dd acquitted of tbe charge of provoke, in Mayor Cromer court. Hope is a youDg man employed at Rail Brothers glass works. He was on of the attendant on the door at the bell given a few nights since, in Franklin hall, by tbe Green Glee workers.

A Mies Sullivan was refused admittance to the ball room by Hope end the osused bie arrest on tbe above Charge. KEBPIHQ WATCH. Chief Shepp and Hit Men Ready For the Red Demon. Chief Granville Sbepp end Firemen Bud Gordon of F.re Station No. 1 end Captain Chat Taylor at No.

2 station were awake ell of lest night in readiness to bitoh up the horses at tbe first stroke of the bell soutdiDg an alarm. Tbe chief recognized the great danger of fire during such weather BDd desired the advantage of every second of time possible to have. Such work la very commendable. Knights at The officers at Montpelier have given orders that all gambling places must at once close and the Knights of the Green Cloth are leaving the town. Some Muncie men bed prepared tj emigrate to Montpelier hut other pastures will have to be found.

Fred Thompson Won. Fred Thompson, a former resident of Muncie employed at the Truflender A William grocery was swarded the gold medal at the exhibition given at the Grand Opera House, Wednesday night by tbe Passtime Atbletio club. There were several oonteetantaand the vlotory vai good one. Several Munoie young men witnessed the exhibition. Has Coroner Bowers For Not Acting Hastily.

ELMORE SHEET'S DEATH Is the Same Hjsterious Case With No Delropments. 8 me PenoDi Are lariating, Bat the Coroner Ii Hot Yet Beady. 8 worn Btatementi That Mait Be Recognized. All that remained of poor Elmore Sheets was quietly buried yesterday and to the grays went the remains of a young man, the real cause of whose death will probably never be known. Elmore Sheets was not a vioious boy by any means, for be was worse to himself than any other person and there is no question but that hn habits were the indirect cause of hia untimely death, no matter bow it came about.

On the fatal night he had been drinking to reel of intox icante, and is death was the result, no matter if he was killed by a train or by an assassin. Early in ths evening, when hia father saw him, he discovered the young man's intoxicated condition and tried to per-sua ie him to go borne with him. more refused but later agreed to come home with hie brother iu a buggy a ebort time. After that the brother gave El more 10 cents with which to get shaved aid the young an spent it in ilhe Central block barber shop. When the brother was ready to go home he could not find Elmore and be drove on.

Had the young man not been intoxicated he would have gone home with either hia father or brother; again, had he not been under the influence of whisky in the event that he was struck by a train, be likely would have got out of its way. Figure it any way you will and the result can easily be attributed to bis fondness for strong drink. There is a great diversity of opinions on the case, and many persons have long since srrived st the conclusion that the young man wss killed by a train. These people ask you why would any ona kdl Elmore Sheets? Tbs same question might be put on hundreds of other murders, some of which were cot cleared up for months or years No person should oommit murder end many timee the onme is made by person with no such intentions. There at many very plsusable thesriea, ell of which would look dear enough if the links of evidence were oollected into single chain.

There la one tbirg certain about the case end that is that Sheets left Muncie not later than 7:45 o'clock Saturday evening if bis death was accidental, and theie is such a pocderacce of evidence that be was in Muncie after that hour that Coroner Bowers ie in no position to be hasty in finding a verdict. There ie a strong feeling ttffct tbe verdict should be announced at once in accordance with tbe views of tboee who believe tbe death was accidenteL Some of theee people ere eeneuring Dr. Bowers for not making some announcement, end last evening a News reporter celled on him to convey this fact. Dr. Bowers seemed somewhat eurprieed, but stated ibet be wee prepared to bear anything since having been informed through the prees of tbe reports from some of the physicians whom he employed to help mesa the poet mortem.

Said be: Some of these physicians ere reporting there is no possibility of tie injuries eying been inflict with anything but a lccc motive, no matter if there wae one within 100 miles of him or not. I dont eee it that way end with the eworn statements I have it ie impossible for me to do the justice I am sworn to do end ignore tbe statements of theee me. There ie one thing eure, theee men have sworn to falsehoods or Elmore Sheets met death other then accidental, regard lees of the condition of tbe body. 1 have the sworn statements of six men end will gt others, whom 1 have beard of, Jrafprs the wpek ie out and they will add etrength to those 1 have, my information ie correct. At tbie point tbe reporter asked to see the statements and secured the privilege of printing them as given below: John Settle being eworn testifies is follows: I waa well acquainted with Emor known him nearly 14 year.

I went to Lefflsr WA Balls W. H. Harrington being eworn testifies as follows: 1 have Known Elmore Sheet four or five years, Inspector of First prscmol on Feb. 15, 1896. We finished tbe count el 9 oclock p.

m. I went from the elu-non plsce on High wtreet to Qeorge W. Cromer's ofiloe end gave the election returns. Then 1 started for Ltfller A Bali's office end as 1 went out by tbe fountain el the south east oorner of the court house end then went ecroes street diagonally 1 eaw Elmore Sheets in from of George Crooks' saloon on Walnut street. I turned around the second time to look el him ea be had beeu out west and this wee the first time had sen him.

1 am aura that it was Elmore Sheets that 1 eaw. W. U. Harrinoton," Subscribed end snore to before me this 19ih dsy of February, 1890. JOhEI'H F.

Uowkrs, Coroner Delaware county, led. Milton A. Shipley being eworn testifies as follows. 1 have been acquainted with Elmore Shee'a for the last seven or eight years. 1 met him after 10 o'clock p.

Feb. 15lb, 1896, on Walnut street Dear St. Johns cigar atore. Iwo meD were with him that 1 was cot acquamt ed with. They went into the cigar store and came out with some cigar and Elmore gave me a cigar.

1 lit it and went over to court house to bear primary election returns. Tbe tbree men started down Walnut street Elmore said that he would be over to tbe court bouse in a short time but 1 did not see him again. 1 know that it was Elmer Sheets that 1 saw. Milton A. Shu-lev.

Subscribed end eworn to before me tbie 17 lb dsy of February, 1896. Joseph F. Bowers, Coroner Delaware coudIj, led. Welter Grey being sworn, testifies as follows. 1 bsve been Intimately so queitited with Elmore Bbeeta for about 12 years.

He lived within one mile of me in Harrison township for five years. I wee in Muncie February 15tb, 1896. John Settle end I went to Le filer A Balls office to get return from the election. We beard some returns, end Settle asked me to go down stairs. At this time I looked at my watch end it was 8:10 p.

m. We came down end walked around tbe oorner to the Lobby oigar store on Main street. I saw Sheets aittirg on chair with hie head resting cn bends, which were on table, 1 did not say anything to him then, but in a ebort time Cook, tbe proprietor of the cigar store, roused him up. I eeid to him, Howdy do, Elmer, end he apoke to me. That wee ell that wee said.

I am aura that it was Elmore Sheete that I bsw and that wae after 8.10 p. Feb 15th, 1896 Walter Gray. Subscribed end eworn to before me this 19th day of February, 1896. Joseph F. Bowers, Coroner Delaware county, led.

A. C. Jones, M. being eworn, testifies ea follows: I wee acquainted with Elmore Sheets. Did not know any of hie brothers.

About two years ego we looked wheels on tbe Granville pike. I made several visits about tbie time to Jno. W. Bnd Elmore Sheets stopped me at several different times to ask me bow Mr. Shaffer wee.

Since then I have bed a speaking acquaintance with him. Between 10:30 end 11 oclock Feb. 15, 1896, 1 met Elmore in front of Wirts restaurant on Jackeon street 1 eeid to him: Sheets, ycu will have a rough ride at this late He eaid: 1 aint riding; Im walking. He also stated that be hsd staid in town to, get tbe re turns but that be had heard notbicg He hsd a sm box or package under hie arm. 1 sm sure that it was Elmore Sheets that I sew.

A. Jones. Subscribed and eworn to before me this 18th dsy of February, 1696. Joseph F. Bowebs, Coroner Delaware County.

James O. Bieel being sworn testifies as follows: I have been at denoee at several dff srent times where I have seen Elmore 8het. Saturday, Feb. 15, 1896, But the Popular Vehicle Will Be Made In Munoie Joit the Same, and Thle Year Too Hew Induetry. There has been a great deal of talk alKiut bicycle factories fur Muncie, the test one negoiated for promising to employ eomelhiDg lees than 1,000 bends.

While ell tbie talk was developing into what now seems to be reel atmosphere one of uncle's most substantial citizens bee been at work organizing a company end preparing to build the popular little machine right here at home. That gentlemen it Mr. M. Ball, who is one of Muncie'e prominent manufao now engaged In ie manufacture of washing machines in a faotory located near Suuth Council street. Mr.

Ball has interested some other gentlemen with him in the project end last week he was in Chicago where he closed negotiations of importance. Hie plans are not yet completed other then tbe machines will be put together in a fsotory here under hie supervision Tbe parte will be purchased in Chicago end tbe finishing touches put on here. Tbe wheel will be pushed on the market and large ft res of hands employed. Tbe negotiations have been oonduoted quietly end no eaeiatanoe wee solicited. Tbie ie the kind of an enterprise that is leating.

A FRI0HFUL FALL. Lee Nelson Falls Through a Hatchway at the Paper Mill. Yesterday morning at 7 o'clock Lae Nelson fell through a hatchway at tbe Consumers Paper works, alighting in large tub which ie used to cook tbeatraw into pulp, where he wee found soon afterwards wi one of ire legs brakes. Nelson was in an upstairs room, which wee filled with steam, and in walking about did not notice tbe bole. Fortunately tbe tub wee not filled with boiling liquid, or hie body would have been par boiled.

He 'resides in Westeide where Dr. Martin wee oalled to attend him. SATURDAYS GAME. The Promised Warmer Weather Will Help the Football Contest. Next Saturday is tbe date eat for tbe association toot ball game between tbe Muncie Union team end the champion Shamrocks of Cincinnati.

Yesterday the expenses cf tbe visitors was guaranteed and tbe game will sure ly occur regardless of the elements. The Muncie team has been praotioiog herd, anxious to secure tbe game and with it tbe eeeooiation championship of Ohio end Indiana goes. The Buckeye teem baa defeated ell comers this Beeson and the Muncie players know that it will require their beet efforts to win. Consequently the teem will likely be composed of tbe same players that took part in tbe second gsoee with Indianapolis. This yresther ie good for tbe game it it ddly moderates so' tbe epectaidnr.will net suffer.

With a little sunshine end the ground frozen, a big crowd will wit ness a fine game. Tbe visitors will arrive in Manoie Setardsy morning at 9 oclook. Mrs. Harvey Lt filer ie visiting relatives and numerous friends in Albany. $5 Down, $2 Per Week BICYCLES We have 25 shop-worn and BICYCLES which we will offer this week second hand A- on the above terms to the right parties.

See them and get our prices. HO WEST WASHINGTON STREET. a OPEN EVENINGS.".