Hide Article Text (OCR)
THE FATAL FARM.CONTINUES TO BE THE ONE TOPIC Of INTKREbT.«• ttUKU* ■unlcre* d Konui-JIW Cur■ UypocrmyWI foie and ofI'npHralelol-Concertedmoody Into aAn Inter*I A Dtielvi 111* Klde tfco Mnt.loi Clothlac—To Jlomio.Durfcig ths pr-gres# of the investigation conducted bj the coroner of Rock Island county (luring the holding of the inquest over the dead body of John Laudorbach. some peculiar facti were developed. When asked if fas did not think it remarkable that so many hired bands of her late brother took tho sudden determination to ec neat,” Miss Carrie Ba3-lian replied No. To the direct -question es to whether Bhe did not suspect foul play when she learned of the mysterious disappearance of so oianyemployes of her brother,she made the very suggestive answer that auch ail occurrence was not unusual, since afie remembered that nearly a score of years ago. wb«D her father lived on the place, a man disappcar-ed under just such circumstances as theee.This is an admission which, to say the (least, is worthy cf inquiry, lor it may lead to further discoveries which would reveal the possible fact that Dot only the younger but the elder Bastian was concerned in the yet incomplete annals of the bloody farm, yes. bastian interviewed.The young lady repreeentative of b Now York Journul whom Tot Leader mentioned as visiting the Bastian premises last Wednesday, upon the suggestion of the Kock Island Argus, paid a visit to Mrs. Ilenrv L. Bastiun, the wife of the muiderer, with the end in viow of talking with her upon these terrible disclosures. It had been suggested to her that she would be more capable of interviewing tho widow of the suicide, than anyone else, on account of her wider experience, and particularly by reason of her flex, which would 6taud her in beat need in approaching the afflicted lady, iu whom everyone be-lieres, and with whom they sympathize iu this hour of her terrible anguish. Owing to the aacreduess of her sorrow, nono of the local papers deemed it narruutablo to intrude upon her privacy, and wboo tho lady reporter decided to visit th*sione to beat his children into an unconscious condition.Tt would uot require a great flight of the imagination to see iu this domestic brutality strong evidence of a murderous nature; but to wbst extent he practiced it ia not, and perhai* never will be. known. At any rate it is interesting, as a study in heredity if nothing else, to note that tho son cornea by his blood-thirstiness honestly.Nevertheless, from sll the facte hitherto adduced it appears that Henry L. Bastian, the Black Hawk murderer, was one of the mast eoh-suiDBte hypocrite* on record. Peeing as a pillar of the Methodist church at Milan, and slaving his farm hands with a conscience as easy as though he were but moving the puppets on a chess board; praying with his family each morning and evening, and denying decent burial to the victims of his bloody cudgel; refusing to do business on Snoday.and forging another's name to a bogus paper; a saint, wear ing a halo among his Methodist brethren, but not less a demon glutting himself with the blood of his fellows; highly respected by his neighbors and burning their property; professing to be a friend of labor, and then murdoriug bis employes in order to avoid paying them tbeir wages; all these contradictions are wrapped about the life of this notorious criminal aid stamp him as a •paragon of duplicity, and the iBcariot of treacherous hypocrncy.FATHE8-W-XAW INTERVIEWED.M.T. Johnston, the father of Mi* Henry L. Bastian, was seen by a Kock Island reporter yesterday morning at his home in Black dawk. “We believed in Henry Ba'tian up to the discovery of the body on tho faroi, said Mr. Johnson, “but we have nothing more lt;0 say now. We simply cannot undorstand it. Mr. Johnson slated further that through conversation with his daughter ho bad learned that nothing of the nature of suspicion (Milercd her mind the night of Kuschmanu’s death. Although she know something had happened but she did not know tho oxtout of it. She was iu the bouno oil tho ovaniog, after her husband went away, as she supposed to look for Ku6chmnun after the horse returned, but her sister-in-law, Carrie Bastisu, was in oud out during tho evening.alwavs been regarded aa one of the most important place* for investigation about the farm. A* soon aa the weather will permit, it is believed tho search will be renewed.In any event the search of the farm ought not to atop here. Aside from whBt tho well may cootaiu there are many other places yet to be looked into.CLOTHES ARE BLOOD!.It will be remembered that in the oarlv part of this week a piece of clothing was found near the side of the barn. This piece of cloth has been carefully dried out and submitted to a microscopical examination, with the result that human blood was found staining its closely*4knit texture, and so oofhad itreporter decided to visit th* poor lady at the homo of her father, M. T. Johusion in Block Haws township and interview her upon tho facts in the case, a load was lifted from tho shoulders of the local reporters, and of the Kock Island Argus ia particular.It wa* at the home of her parents that the lady representative* of the presa saw Mr*. Bastian. It was the tarsc time that sh* bad granted an audience to any other than lbo*o who ere dear to her since the terrible ordeal through which she haa lately passed, for, added to her terrible crucifixion of the heart, and her in-describle grief, the unhappy lady has passed through the travails of confinement, and has not yet risen from her sick bed.crcsued with so mow.“I found in Mr*. Bastian, said the correspondent, “a noble, innocent woman. As I lookod into her faoe, I could tell even before ah* spoke what a terrible sorrow ahe had passed through. She haa simply been dazed by what ha* happened, and when she told me that she had never had reason to do otherwise than trust her husband to the utmost and believe in him, I knew ahe was speaking from the depths of her soul.BELIEVES IN CABBtZ.I MW how painful it was for her to even allude to what has happened, and I know too well how to sympathize with my own sex and add to one’a cup of sorrow by expecting her to speak further than is necessary on so delicate a subject. I realized from the moment that I met her that my duty had been performed, for a glance at her open, intelligent countenance ia all that is necessary to sat-iafy one that nobody ia so grievously shocked a* she by the revelation*. She i* completely astounded. She eras not made a confident by her husband even aa to bis ordinary business transactions, I find, too, that she kas never had reason to doubt her aiater-in-Jaw, Carrie Bastiao who bad made her home at the farm during the last month or more, aod she be-liwed m her. She stated, too, that Carrie was homo the evening of the McLaughlin fire. No one can meet Mr*. Baetian without being impressed with bar character . She ia a broken hearted woman, and the full measure of cniMolation which wa all yearn so much to offer cannot prove the balm that w« would .have it. We can but pray that it may aoothe and comfort The anguish of the victim of cruel deception is the bitterwt of all.BAWl*»'* FAMILY BtarECVABLE.It may not be much known but it ia a fact that the Baatiana have had relatives residing in Moline for mauy years, tho family being very respectable and identified with the Matbo diet, church. Tho young lady, a first cousin of Henry Bastian on his mother's side, is a teacher in the Moline school* and is held in high esteem.THE ELDER lUSTUX.Tbsas relatives always regarded Henry os a nice, quiet young man and nerer know him to do aDy wrong act- His late fatbor, however, was a aovero parent, and his cruolty toward his family, particularly in the punishment of llni .children, was among tho kin a maltorof unfavorable comment, though by Urn genoral public, he was supposed to be a goal man. ThisMinnv TO SELL ODESTIOXED.There is question as to the right of Mrs. Bastian to sell the persona! effects of her husband without an order of the court. It will bo remembered that a few days after Henry Bastian’* death all personal properly of the estate was sold and some JGOO or *jOO realized therefrom. This *alo wa* irregular to say the least, and should have been Carried on by order of the court and in no other way. Quite a number of bills against tho estate have been Bled. These included one for the amount of 179 from relatives of Fred Kuschmann, but'Air. Johnson, father of Mrs. Bus-tinn, ha* agreed to pay this latter bill. It is not desired by them to appear in court and rehearse tho murder oi Fred Kuschmann, as would bo necessary in a suit for the amount.THE KCSCUX1ANN 1XQCEST.iRobert Kuschmann, tho uncle of Fred Kuschman, yesterday notified tho coroner of his desire that the in quest over tho body of hia nephew be reopened with a view to leaching a verdict in accordance with the facts. I do this, said Mr. KuacbmauQ today, in justico to tho relatives of Kuschmann and in justice to the public. Verdicts reached without-all tho evidence it is possible to ad-mit-iu aa inquest should be set aside by another investigation. I believe now ffbere is enough evidence at haud to show that Fred Kuschmann did not meet hia death by accident, but was murdered by Henry Bastian. At least everybody is satisfied *uch is tho ca*e.CACRIE DOOMS TDK XCRDER.It may be added here, that the only person, so far as is known at this writing, who doe* uot think \uach-mati was murdered is Carrie Bastian. unless she has changed her mind since her last visit to Rock Island, when she stated her conviction that Kuschmann’s death was due to accident. Under these circumstances it will Be important to have Carrie Bastion ,e testimony beforo the coroner’s jury, for at the first inquest Henry Bastion wa* the only one of the family who testified.COIOXBR SATS “NO ’*Coroner Hawes atated yesterdayafternoon that he could _____,to be gained by another inquest anchad *o informed Mr. Kuschrnann Mr. H|,w« admitted, though, that it was bow taken for granted that Kusehmann was murdered, whereaa the original verdict austaioa the theory of accident. Mr. Kuachm*no is disposed, nevertheless, to iniiat bpon the reopening of the inquest.THE DirCTT SATS TBS ” Deputy Coroner Eckbart informedbrutal trait led him on some occa-Deputy CoroDer Eckbart Mr. Kuschman nyeaterday morning that ho would conduct the second inquest without a cent of coat to him or to the countv, so that the indications are that tho proceedings will be conducted over again aod a verdict reached more in accord with the fact* ss they are now known to exist and based upon testimony which it ia possible to introduce.INVESTIGATIONSDSEEXDEO. Deputy Sheriff Hull, who ha* been conducting tho search at tho Bastian farm, broke camp yesterday and came into town, the rain* of the previous day *nd night having soaked the ground so that it was impossible to continue the clearing of the old well of tlio rubbish with which it has been choked up, and which willSohably oud tho systematic search r victim*. The well search should bo pushoil to the bottom, as this haaODIOUSbeen soaked with it that the element* could cot dissipate it during the long days the small portion of clothing was exposed.A DIME J4DSE0II.H. S- Myeis leased tho famous farm from J. D. Means yesterday afternoon and will attempt to conduct it as a dime museum hereafter, charging an admission fee of 10 cent* to all who go on tho premises, and warning all who do not produce the uocessary dime to keep out. Such a bit of blood traffic ought to be stopped by those in the authority, for this bartering in the curiosity of visitors, and the terrible and ghastly celebrity of the place is o disgrace to Bock Islaud county. Such a course of procedure is but another development ia the multitudinous sensations of the notorious farm.LADIES’ NECKWEAR. Newest Sliapes. Latest ColoringsA. MORITZ DRO.. 121 W. 2d St.THE COAL TRAFFIC.Ukdy to Boom With the Opening ot the liloHboinburg Mine.The work ni the Blossom hurg m'ne on Rock river has began. But few menhiv employedfrom lea or 50 men put (“iiiaa tu makeyet; but as soon as the es the ground there will to 40 i'U the work, besides the bed for ihc roadfrnm the mint lo the Hennepin canal. It looks us though the coat I rattle, on the Hennepin win Im booming this coming year, doesn’t h* With Captain George Heliuor. and hln col I own I barges, and Captain McCaffrey and hie boat* Hu-local market will tic plcntcously supplied. and tlie commodity, cheapened accordingly. Ia-r* than a week the two barges, which were launched Just prior lo the high wind of the past several days, will dock on our shores with i r.ough black diamonds to stock a modest coal yard.MORE .MATERIAL.Or-ltred By the Davenport Consolldiu «d Gas. Electric Light Co.Tlie Davenport Consolidated Gas. Electric Light and Steam Heating Company Is letting no grass grow uniler Its feet those days. While the street work has been stopped temporarily on uc-couiu of the down pour of rain the post few days it Is pushing right along in the matter of securing additional material so that as soon aa work can be reopened It will be kept humming.E. C. Walsh, who Is In the east Is now at Philadelphia, where he Is doing some purchasing. He has let a contract for a large consignment of gas pipe there and Is Investigating the hit-bich will beeat improved machinery put into the new plant.addition to rantractthis he will undoubtedly lot while .acre for the furnishing of :i large supply of miscellaneous material to be used in the new works.J. W. Walsh has returned from Clinton where he went the day of the first storm which stopped the street work. His mission there wa* to look after some needed supplies there and place some orders.To a reporter ol The Leader this morning he said: Wc will put the men back on the street work Just a* soon as the ground dries off sufficiently to permit It. 1 hardly know how soon that will be but If the weather clears up no time-will be lost 1 can assure you.”A course of Hood’s Sarsaparilla this spring may he the means of keeping you well and hearty all summer.Hood's Pills are the best family cathartic end liver medicine. Harmless, reliable, sure.One hundred talesman wanted to sell nursery stock. Good salaries to experienced men. I*. J. Rkgan, Iowa City, Iowa.Prof. N. W. Hanson, the mind reader, and hi* manngcr Fred Peck are tckU-tered at the Hotel Down*. He will bo at the Turner Grand Monday and Tuesday evenings.Mr. C. E. Bolalt, W. Union. Miaa.Blood Poison1 try or llvo u and IbWdm IldUBgHood’se»u»*d IrfUmnudoo. snip turning on mj■f*. I bare taken ■•ed's auiipul!* tnd » aot hare any pollen •yapion*. I banSarto-pariUaCuresaHoad’s Pllla •«. »u lire? m*. mumum**
Newspaper Details
Davenport Leader
Davenport, Iowa, US
Fri, Apr 10, 1896
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Davenport P.
IA, USA 20 Oct 2016
Other Publications Near Davenport, Iowa
Davenport Leader
Davenport Tribune
Davenport Weekly Leader
Davenport Daily Leader
Sunday Democrat and Times
