ORWALK Founded in 1800.] .4 n Entertaining a7 ad I nstmotive Home Journal, ESpecially Devoted to Local News and Interests. NORWALK, CONN., FRIDAY, JUNE '19, 1891. [$1.50 a Year, 1 NUMBER 26. :3 VOL." X01. The Daily Gazette A Is issued every week-day at 3 P. M., at ONE CENT PER COPY. The Cheapest Rates for Advertising, and THE LARGEST CIRCULATION. The Weekly Gazette, [Combined with Fridav’s Dailv.l Is issued every Friday at Noon, at THREE CENTS PEB COPY, on $1.50 PER YEAR. The Daily and Weekly. Served to Local Subscribers at :I‘EN CENTS PER WEEK, OR- $5.00 PER YEAR. A. H. BYINGTON. Proprietor. This paper has the largest circulation of any paper in the state west of Bridgeport. OUR JOBBIN G DEPARTMENT. MR. HARRY M. GARDNER, JR... of New York, has charge of the GAZETTE'S Engraving, Book and Jobbing Department. He is an expert and experienced Job Printer, and no work en- ted to him will be unsatisfactorilv done. THE LIVE NEWS OF T’O-DAY. Capt. Enos Frisbie of Harwint-on has just celebrated his one hundredth birthday. —Buy your story papers of Benedict and get your GAZETTE for nothing. 122f At three o’clock yesterday morning the thermometer registered 53° a fall of 40 degrees in thirteen hours. The well known nurse, Mrs. Sarah Betts of East Norwalk, is reported to have removed a monster tape worm - Mrs. Carrie Peterson of Benedict Farm. Yesterday’s rain did not have the ef- fect of stopping work on the East ave- nue improvement, and it will be pros- ecuted with all the resources at com- mand. Members of Lincoln and Pilgrim Councils will meet at the O. U. A. M. hall at 7 o’clock Sunday evening, to at- tend, by invitation, the services at the Methodist church. ——Toilet Paper at Benedict’s News Office. 122-tf Beginning to-morrow morning Mr. Gus Franke will run four chairs in his tonsorial rooms, he having secured another excellent assistant who will re- port for duty to-morrow. —Benedict is opening and will dis- play a fine line of fireworks. 125tf The aged General John M. Schofield, now Commander-in-Chief of the U. S. Army was married yesterday to Miss Kilbourne, an 18 years old beauty of Keokuk, Iowa. —-The finest Line of Smoking Tobac co in town at Sutherland’s. The graduating reception of Mrs. Mead’s school will take place this even- ing, and the exercises will be of ex- ceptional interest. Norwalk’s peeple are always found at Hillside on such occasions. —Latest Music at Benedict’s News Emporium. ‘ 122tf The hauling of the large iron water mains up Spring Hill to-day, for the South Norwalk water works, is a tedi- ous and heavy tug for the poor horses, as two of these pipes, a load, weigh 3,000 pounds. —Benedict’s line cf Cigars lay over anything in town. 122tf Seven races are booked for today and to-morrow by the Driving Park asso- ciation, They are as follows: For to- day, 2:24. 2:37 and 2:48 classes. For Saturday, double team, 2:33, 2:40 and free-for-all classes. The races will be called at 1 o’clock. —Briar Pipes from 10 'cents up at Sutherland’s. Mr. John H. Hoyt left town to-day for the Berkshire Hills of Massachu- setts where he will look up a summer resort for his family. In his absence his telegraph business will be attended to by Miss Jennie Drew, of Fairfield, an experienced telegrapher. _ —The breezy GAZETTE and a choice cigar for 5c at Benedict’sto-night. 122tf Maj or Reul P. Cowles, president of the C. Cowles Hardware Co., was found dead in bed this morning between 3 and 4o’clock. Mr. Cowles was a prom- inent Republican and at the time of his death was the treasurer of the Con- necticut society of the Sons of the Rev- olution. He was 62 years of age. —Split Bambo Fishing Rods $3. 50 at Sutherland’s. GeOrge Lane, a well-known hatter died in Danbury' yesterday of con- sumption, aged 50 years. He has trav- eled for several New York firms during the past ten years, and fifteen years ago he was a prominent Danbury hat manu- facturer. » ' ‘ best. i Stuart The teachers meeting of St. Paul’s Sunday School will not be held this evening as announced in the DAILY GAZETTE yesterday, it having been ad- journed from last evening until next week. —Prime Roast Beef at G. H. Ward- well & Co.’s 12 Main St. The thoughtful action of the Court of ‘ Burgesses in postponing the collection of our onerous borough tax until the 15th of July without adding the penal- ty for non-payment, was a mercy to those who are dependent on their mid- July dividends, as well as the poorer class of property holders who have first of July interest and insurance claims to meet. . —-All kinds of fresh Fish at G. H. Wardwell & Co.’s 12 Main St. We have a sensible letter from,“a cit- izen and taxpayer” about borough tax- es, which we would be glad to print if the writer had the courage of his con- victions sufficiently to-entrust to us in confidence his name. For the ten thous- andth time let us say we cannot notice anonymous communications. Usually all such are unworthy of notice. -—Call at G. H. Wardwell & Co. 12 Main St. and order your lobsters. Rev. Dr. Noble and George B. St. John returned from New London last evening, where they had been in at- tendance upon the annual Congrega_ tional Conference. They report hav- ing a delightful time. Rev. Dr. Noble was most agreeably surprised at meet- ing one of his old college-mates, Dr. Newman Smythe of New Haven, whom we had not seen before since college days in 1857. He also met another old friend in the person of Rev. Dr. Parker of Hartford. Dr. Ellery C. Clark of the pension bu- reau and Mrs. Mary E. Arthur of Bal- timore were married at the residence of Mrs. Livingston, No. 10 B street» northeast, at 3 o’clock yesterday after- noon in the presence of a few relatives and friends. Rev. Dr. Gibson perform- ed the marriage service. The couple left at 5 o’clock by boat for Fortress Monroe and New York, to be absent two weeks. —Washington Star. WHAT MISS SF’INSTER SAYS: That Miss Anna \Voodward is at Washington. That Mr. Clarence Selleck, our long distance walkist, started yesterday for a tramp to Quebec. That Mrs. William Randle Smith has a nephew from Florida now on a visit with her, and is expecting Dr. Ellery C. Clark and his bride next week. That all the roads lead toward Char- ter Oak Park to-morrow. Here’s to the Norwalk Y. M. C. A. boys, and may they all win. That they say that the diamond clasps that have hitherto been lavished on garters are being readjusted to bracelets. This is a reform in the right direction. That if Rudyard Kipling’s next story does not sell well, it will not be the fault of the obituary editors. That Mrs. Mead’s commencement exercises will monopolize about all the excitement there is in town to-day. That there was nothing sectional about the late spellof heat. It reached right out from Maine to Texas, and from the Atlantic to the Rockies. That in this part of the country the growth this year of daisies, has been almost unparalleled; . While a meadow may present an attractive appearance when almost white with daisies, the plants from which these flowers spring tend to devour the sustenance that would otherwise go to the grass. It Took. ‘ A force of men were at work scraping our muddy c1 osswalks about the bor- ough, this morning, and consequently so far asour borough rulers are con- cerned, all is forgiven. But now aplea comes up from “Many More Ladies,” in the spunky little city of South Nor. walk, praying the DAILY GAZETTE to fire a much larger and. hotter brick at the heads of their city fathers, who, as these ladies charge, leave the city crosswalks far more deeply buried in mud than ever they are at the borough. Special Borough Meeting. A special borough meeting will be held on Wednesday afternbon, June 24th at 3 o’clock, to authorize the ,Wa- ter commissioIiers to lay water pipes on avenue; Elmcrest Boulevard and Springfiill road, also to authorize the Court of Burgesses to' construct a sewer on Cross street. - -_—Fre,sh Lobsters at G. H._ Wardwell & Co. ’s 12 Main street to-day. SGHEELE’SIiEGUTION ! Additional Facts and Incidents. An Anarchist. etc. From various sources and largely from the Bridgeport News, we have culled many of the following interest. ing incidents connected with the life, character and execution of the strange being who yesterday expiated his crimes on the soafi'old in the jail yard at Bridgeport. - - . . The Bridgeport Standard showed its .. enterprise by getting out an illustrated Extra. In it was given a wood cut of Scheele, of his victim Drucker, Sheriff - Clarkson, State Attorney Sam Fessen- iden, his Counsel, Judge' Lockwood, 'Jailer Wells and his assistant ofiicers Hayes, Scofield and Tibbals and Rev. Beverly E. Warner, also a view of the jail, jail yard and scaffold, with Scheele’s old house in New Canaan, .from the window of which, in cold and deliberate premeditation,he shot doWn and instantlv killed his victim. At the executlon were many from New Canaan who had known the aged murderer and his victim. On their faces says the Standard there'was no expression of pity for the condemned man as he mounted the scaffold and awaited his doom. They had seen the struggles of the murdered constable on - that stormy winter’s night, when he fell in the snow pierced by a shot from Scheele’s gun. They had heard the heartrending cries of the .mother and orphans when they learned that the husband and father, while performing» his duty, had been shot down and ex- pired before he could say good-bye to those he loved so well. While others looked in sympathy at the aged, totter- ing form on the scaflold, and believed that a life sentence would have answer- ed equally well, the faces of those New Canaan officials did not for a moment relax, and the fixed, determined ex- pression remained until the physicians said that Jacob Scheele was dead. A seventeen-year-old‘son‘ of the mur- dered officer was among those from New Canaan, who witnessed the hang- ing, as stated in yesterday’s DAILY GA- ZETTE. It is stated that Mrs. Louis Drucker and her two daughters ap- plied for passes, but they were refused. Scheele passed his last night on earth principally in pleasure, sitting up with his guards until an early hour in the morning. Under orders of the Sheriff he was not molested by the intrusion of either curious persons or sympathizing friends. Scheele had told his spiritual adviser earlier in the day that he would not re— quire his presence during the night as he desired to enjoy himself by playing ' cards, sipping cool lager and puffing upon his fragrant cigars, the gift of Jailer Wells. But this did not deter Rev. Mr. Warner from making a short visit. After less than an hour’s talk with the old man the clergyman left for home, promising to be on hand early in the morning. Scheele then began to play penochle with one of the guards, and with his mind wholly intent upon the fascinating game seemed to forget completely that he had but a few more hours to live. He drank frequently of the bottled beer with which he was supplied. Scheele continued playing penochle until after midnight, when he became quite hilarious over his success in win- ning from Mills. He then proposed playing euchre and the accommodating watcher consented. At this the Ger- man'proved his superiority and was greatly pleased. It was nearly two o’clock when he stopped playing cards, remarking at the time that he had played his last game of cards. He then disrobed, intending to retire. For nearly an hour he eat just outside of his cell, smoking and drinking lager. He retired about half-past two o’clock, and at 3 o’clock was sleeping heavily. Rev. Mr. Warner arrived shortly af- ter 7 o’clock and was with the con- demned man while he was eating his morning meal. Scheele was cool and collected, and conversed calmly with his spiritual adviser. He appeared greatly refreshed by his four hours’ slumber. « At 9 o’clock Scheele had finished his breakfast. Rev. Mr. Warner and the prisoner then held an earnest consul- tation, after which Sheriff Clarkson in- formed Scheele that if he had anything to leave in writing he could do so, but at nine o’clock the prisoner had written nothing. Sheriff Clarkson then read the death warrant to him. Scheele lis- tened to the reading and when the sheriff had finished was not noticeably affected. . ‘ While this was another scene was being enacted out- sideof the jail. Undertaker August Lieberum drove into the jail- yard with, the‘cofiin, and it was taken to the rear _of the building. The casket was of broadcloth with silver handles. ’ Louie Potter, of those present from Norwalk stood at the jail window and looking down outside saw the old man’s coffin, and read the plate—“Jacob Sz‘eheele, Died June 18, 1891” The sight of this casket and plate and then turning to look at the prisoner, affected him, he says far more than. seeing the drop fall and Scheele launched into eternity. ‘ ' Mr. Potter brought home a piece of the original score card of the games played between Scheele and his keepers that fateful night. It is a gruesome souvenir. 'V ' TEE MURDER. All our readers are familiar with the details of the murder at New Canaan. As scen'as the news of the murder spread through the town, hundreds of people hurried to the house and it was soon filled with excited and angry men. Cries of “lynch him,” “hang him,” etc. but wiser counsels prevailed and New Canaanwas spared the disgrace of a lynching. It was said after the murder that as Scheele was such ja bad man, that Drucker should haveused more caution when hewent to arrest him. Scheele laid all his troubles to-Drucker, and was bound to have his life. ' It appear- ed that Drucker’slife was all that he wanted. When told that Drucker was dead he said that he was———glad of it, as the town would bebetter ofi'with- out him. He regretted that he did not kill himself, and the people of New Canaan regretted it as much as he did. The autopsy made on the body of Drucker showed that seven No. 2 shot had entered the heart, two of them passing entirely through it. Five days after the murder Scheele was given a preliminary hearing before Justice Francis M. Bliss in the town hall. When put to plea he said: “I have nodings to say about dot. I can’t tell if I am guilty or not guilty until I see me mine lawyer.” Gilbert Stevens, Ezra Hall and Of- ficer Brant, all of whom witnessed the murder, testified before the justice. The murderer was bound over to the Supérior Court. After being incarcerated in the jail for a short time he was examined by Dr. Lauder, who pronounced him in good condition and could see no evi' deuce of insanity. HIS TBIAL. Throughout both trials, particularly the first one, Scheele maintained an arrogant demeanor that was very exas- perating for his counsel. He asserted that he knew more about the case than his lawyers, and when they urged him to plead guilty to murder in the second degree, he became enraged. In spite of the urgent advice of his counsel the stubborn man refused to accept the' chance to save his neck from the gal- lows, professing to believe that the jury would acquit him. There were several exciting incidents during the trial. While Dr. Hubbard was testifying as to Scheele’s sanity, the latter jumped to his feet when the physician placed his hand on his head, and gesticulated wildly. He also poured out a tirade of German and broken English and was subdued with difficulty. On another occasion he attempted to get out of the pen and strike Constable Brant who was one of the witnesses against him. He told Brant that if he ever got free his first duty would be to kill him. The lawyers in their effort to save Scheele from the gallows tried every means in their power. They had such men as Robert Weber and Albert Wint- ter, men who talk German, go and urge the old man to plead guilty to murder in the second degree as the only escape from death, but he only swore at them and held to his declaration that they were trying to sell him out. ‘ His counsel did all that mortal men could do to save the German’s life. In spite of his unreasonable reproaches they left no stone unturned which might evolve a ray of hope. Scheele imagined that Judge Lock- wood was not trying to get him free. He thought that he knew more than his counsel, and refused to be guided by their advice; he became very wrathy at both Judge Lockwood and Attorney Curtis because they advised him to plead guilty and go to the state prison for life; he refused to listen to them. His legal advisers had no end of trouble with him. ~ LOUIS DRUCKER. Louis Drucker, the victim, was a constable in the town of New Canaan and had lived there sixteen years. He was thirty-nine years of age, and a tailor by trade, employing several hands in his shop at New Canaan. He was generally 1iked,was a man devoted. ._ ,_ ;_ 1y attached to his family and was of going on in the inside cheerful disposition. Drucker was a member of a Hebrew Benevolent So. ciety in Bridgeport, of Harmony Lodge, F. St A. M., and Wooster Lodge, I. O. O. F., both of New Canaan, and a of clergymen to see him until Rev. Mr. .had not been near the jail recently. member of Washington Chapter, R. A. M., of Norwalk. He was also connect- ed with the New Canaan fire depart- ment. His remains were taken to Bridgeport for interment. By his death, his wife and several children were left to depend upon themselves for their daily subsistence. Citizens of New Canaan raised several hundred dollars by subscription which they gave to the family. The Congre- gational church of New Canaan also donated about $50 to the family. Drucker’s widow and her children removed to Bridgeport soon after the murder and have since resided there. BEV. MR. WARNER. Rev. Beverly E. Warner, rector of Christ church and chaplain of the Fourth Regiment, has been acting as Scheele’s spiritual adviser for the past two or three months. During his long incar- ceration Scheele repelled all attempts Warner won his confidence. At first the murderer was sullen and morose, but gradually this gave way. During the last two weeks of his life Scheele seemed greatly changed. His demean- or was that of a man resigned, and he was as gentle as a lamb in the presence of Rev. Mr. Warner. The clergyman visited the murderer two or three times each week during the few weeks prev- ious to the execution; The prisoner read his Bible regularly and talked earnestly with Mr. Warner, to whom he became greatly attached. Scheele was a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and was 58 years of age when he committed the homicide. He came to this country when he was 37 years of age, and first located in New York city. For a short time he followed his trade. that of a tailor, but abandoned this business later when he moved to Norwalk and opened a saloon. Then he went to New Canaan and engaged in selling beer without a license. Mrs. Scheele is now in her 73d year. She called to see him twice after he was sent to jail in January. 1888, but she Nothing has been heard from her in any way and it is not known whether or not she is alive. EXECUTION NOTES BY THE GAZETTE RE- PORTER. There were three men nigh the spring, Sheriff Clarkson, Deputy Sher- iff Curtis and J ailor Wells. The sheriff did his duty. It was at 10.36 the trap fell. The murdered man’s son was present. Sheriff Clarkson did all in his power for the comfort of his guests and the poor victim. The diSplay of nerve, or whatever you may call it, on the part of Scheele, while almost appalling, was a relief to some of the more nervous Spectators. A number of New Canaanites seemed to take a grim satisfaction in his execu- tion. . ’Tis said that before leaving the jail for the scaffold Scheele expressed a hope that he might not see Messrs. Lockwood and Curtis, his attorneys. Mr. Lockwood was there at the jail. Scheele also showed great aversion to Editor Kirk’s being present. He was executed in his black suit, 4 recently purchased, a white shirt, lay- down collar and black necktie. There was a marked sympathy on the part of the German friends of the man who expiated the crime, of murder on the scaffold. The appearance of them on the scene touched the sympathetic chords of many present. It is stated by those who ought to know, that Scheele had a knife conceal- ed in the binding of a book which he was prone to read, and that on the night before his execution the possess- ion of which he confessed to his spirit- ual adviser, Rev. Mr. Warner, and be, Mr. Warner, "prevailed upon him to give up. He had later concealed the knife in his slipper. None other'seems to have gained his confidence to the ex- tent of Mr. Warner, although he, Scheele, was well pleased with the at-, tention paid him by Jailor Wells and Deputy Tibballs. , Scheele never ate much meat and was fond of sour food. Of beer he had all he wanted and fattened up on it, weigh- ing 180 pounds. There were several looking out of the windows of the jail kitchen. Among them might have been seen the old fa. miliar face of New Canaan Kate, who waved her hand to Constable John Lockwood. At" the windows of the work-room of the jail could be seen the faces of several officials from various parts of the county. It was remarkable that so many watches indicated such a difference in time as to when the drop occurred, there being a variation of five minutes in some cases. ‘A_._ .Not one in twent are freefrom some little ailment cause by inaction of the liver. Use Carter’s Little Liver Pills. The result will be a pleasant surprise. They give positive rehef. ' The Fireman’s Convention. At the state firemen’s convention held in New Britain it was voted to ap- ply to the legislature for a law making firemen of five years’ standing-exempt from military and jury duty and -- poll tax, also for an increased appropria- tion for disabled firemen, and a com- mittee consisting of Messrs. Tomkins of Mystic, J cues of Westport and Saxe of Waterbury, together with the presi- dent, was appointed to take charge of the matter. The following officers for the ensuing year were elected: President, Nicholas Staub; vice-presidents, H. J. Eaton of Hartford, John W. Carleton of New Britain, A. J. Kennedy of New Haven, C. E. Leonard of Willimantic, Erastus Cheesboro of Stonington, Thomas F. Burns of Winsted, Chief Wagner of Rockville and Chief Wylie of Middle. town, secretary, John Smith Jones; treasurer, Samuel G. Snagg. An invitation was received from 001. J. W. Robinson, of Concord, N. H.. asking the association to convene in the White Mountains next year. The matter of selecting the time and place for the next convention was placed in the hands of the executive committee, and the meeting adjourned, thus closv ing the forty-seventh annual conven. tion of theState Firemen’s Associa- tion. The Norwalk delegates speak very highly of New Britain’s hospitality, and the rousing reception accorded them. AA‘ ——vf Police Court Doings. The present unseasonable weather seems to have had an unpleasant effect upon floaters—those inclined to float in something of a more subtle char- acter than water. For example, J us- tice Austin fined Thomas O’Halloran $1 and costs for intoxication, etc., and John Coleman 35 and costs for intoxi- cation and wife beating. He also sent “Lean” Sher wood to Bridgeport jail for 120 days for vagrancy. The last case before him this fore- noon was one which had to do with colored people exclusively. It seems that Mrs. Georgiana Edmonds does not live with her husband, (whose home is on South Union avenue,) but for along time she has surmised that Annie Col- lins was a spy on her actions in her husband’s interest. Yesterday the fair Annie went to Mr. Edmonds’ domicile to have her fortune told, and while the venerable Auntie was in the midst of ’ her revelations the door Opened and in walked the infuriated Georgiana who ordered Miss Collins out of the house, and assisted her exit by taking her by the nape of the neck: Attorney Walsh appeared for the state and at the close of the testimony Justice Austin fined Mrs. Edmonds £51 and costs. Parker~—Skiddy. STAMFORD, June 18.—Miss Lillian Skiddy. daughter of Gen. W. W. Skid- dy, and Willard Parker, Jr., a son of Dr. Willard Parker of New York, who graduated at Yale in the class of ’90, were married at 11:30 this morning in St. John’s chapel. The Rev. Dr. Fat- lock, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Biggs, conducted the ceremony, Gen. Skiddy giving the bride away. The bride was dressed ina gown of white satin, made in princess style and trimmed'with point lace. Her veil was of white tulle, held by adiamoud pin. A reception follow- ed the service at Gen. Skiddy’s elegant mansion. Delmonico of New York served the wedding lunch. It is re- ported that the happy bridal pair are now guests at the romantic Parker cottage, on Tavern Island, Norwalk harbor. The Gazette Would Like to Know If the story is true that Chief DeFor. est got a letter from a drunkard’s wife the other day in these words:——“ Won’t you please, Mr. DeForest, put my hus- band on the borough police force. He is so dissipated he won’t work and his family is suffering?” If the story is true , that one of our borough officials got a letter from a wouldbe worker of the highways of- fering to give him one dollar a day for every day’s work he would get him to do on the borough highways? Another Lawn Fete. The Ladies of the First Congrega- tional church have been working hard the past six weeks preparing for aLawn Fete to be given on the church grounds Tuesday afternoon and evening. June 23. A novel and attractiveprogramme will be rendered. There will be a sale of useful and fancy articles, also re- freshments, including strawberries and cream. The proceeds to go towards the church debt. AA~ Supposed to Have Been Drowned. The steamer Northam " bound for New Haven yesterday afternoon dis- covered a water logged two 'masted schooner off Norwalk Island. Her name could not be learned. The crew are supposed to have been drowned.
Norwalk Chronicler