The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

MP vy;* ;•>.,„- ^rrf-i'V* * -;* \.T"v • * rf"-"W«' v^^".T,^79'.m«n»y?NicKiPJK7 '>'?"• •/• ".'•i .^A' v*\ .v.^-,'«%' U*"".';'-w*"" -~?J --<-•- •• ™«--«->•>. »•»..« -.. ,.„ „ --" . _ „ . . •.. ,,,.,, . A..„.' ... „ .• .'•. .,•, '. ^ ,' t '-^ . ->* * •> " ' ." '* >* '\r • ^ v« «ivA h •• •••. » < ^ ** '-'•* T * * * • % • • . + " ,/ . ^ ' * ? % ~ * * *" • • • ' ' • v . - » 7 • - - • • • " • * « "w»y ---r.»^ • •*• > i 4f sr. / «- * .7. vii* P; - f % e"fe£« -'.' , - .••;^v.'.:r / iyr'v ' . •*• >\ " • .^ 5 *>, ;*> „ T4 ?<<a s*i ^ t> t"4 . S«1| 4*" jf^ *' ... :-'3,.f Jtv* -m VOLUME 53 McHENRY. ILLINOIS, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1927 No. 21 Full Confession of Slayer laasfc. SB i £*&. I? SON CONFESSES HE ISSSSStSlSS^'"'V Christopher Schumacher, 54, Shot to Death Thursday Evenin While Milking in'Barn at Farm Home N$8f, McHenry ( \ v:'« '&3rz%t est Soil, WUBflll, iBCftftmlts SISJlBg;-tJli*rgtt£ His VMber Was Cruel to Both Wife-and Children--Brooded Over Plans For Revenge For Seven Years McHenry county's first murder case continued by the sheriff and his aids. ---!• nearly twenty years is now receiv-; They went to the home and brought <«g attention in the circuit court, fol-' in all the guns they could find there lowing the killing of Christopher Schu- afid nearby. Faint suspicion pointed teacher, 54-year-old farmer, who was j to one of the neighbors, Landers •lain in the cow bam on his farm,1 Harvel, who about a year ago had a three miles southwest of McHenry,' fight with Schumacher, but he proved Thursday evening of fault week at'that he had nothing to do with the linking time. (terrible affair and was not arrested, People of McHenry and nearby although he later was quizzed at the , territory were horrified when they _ *#ere apprised of the fact that cold- ~ Wooded murder had occurred right in their midst. It was hard ta realize inquest. The presence of a Chevrolet coupe, which was parked on a road near the farmhouse at the time of the shooting Hie fact that tragedy in this form had: led the officers to make an investiga- Vjisited them just at the door.of thejtion along that line and it was disfity. Being located just outside, of i covered that one of the sons of Schuthe big city • of Chicago, where j macher was the owner of such a car. murders are a common occurrence, Following up this clue led to the folks have become accustomed to | bringing of William Schumacher back hearing of and reading about such* tilings, but for many years the neighborhood had not witnessed such an Unfortunate affair as was staged last fftursday evening on the Clemens farm, recently occupied by Chris Schumacher and his large family. home but he was not placed under arrest until after the inquest. Dogs Furnish First Clue Two dogs were in the barn at the time of the murder. They made no disturbance whatever before the shooting, which led Sheriff Sanford to RIVER BRIDGE WILL SOON BE OPENED Road Work on Route 61 Is Being Speeded Up While Gofld Weather Lasts Tha weather is an important factor in road work and with the very favorable weather of the last week the work is progressing rapidly. E. H. Merrick has completed the short strip of pavement leading to the mill por>A bridge from Ringwood road and probably in another week, with conditions favorable, the laying of the slab on Route 61 beyond Ringwood will be finished. The grading company, having completed its work at Ringwood, has moved nearer to McHenry and established a camp near the Jacob Preund home, just north of the turn in the Ringwood road leading to Mc- Collum's lake. The men will begin operations by grading from the end of the newly-laid slab to the corner. The sound of the tractors working south of town can be heard from early morning until dafk as the Janner Bros. Construction company of Davenport, Iowa, continue the grading at the south end of Route 61. Every day is the §ame to them and they work Sundays as well as week days in their endeavor to complete the grading job this fall. A steam shovel is now at work cutting down the fill just south of town and three tractors are employed to haul the three large caterpillar trucks which, besides several dump wagons drawn by horses, carry the filling to the low spots nearer town, thus building up the road. The Fox river bridge will probably be opened fbr traffic in a week or two as soon as more gravel is added to the approach at each end of the bridge. HERMAN KAMHOLZ SERIOUSLY INJURED SOCIAL AND CLUB DOINGS OF WEEK McHENRY LAUNDRY AGAIN OPERATING For thirty-six hours after the suspicion someone had committed the Bturder it was not known who the • crime who was well acquainted with party was that fired one shot from a the dogs. His suspicions caused him Shotgun which ended the career of a ] to follow up this idea successfully, well-known dairyman/ who came to finally resulting in a full confession this section about two years ago from of the oldest son, William, that he had near Barrington. | shot dewn his own father in cold Sheriff Early on the Job I blood and gave as his reason for so Within a short time after tha kili-| doing that the old man had been cruel Ing, Sheriff Cyrus Sanford and his: to the boy and his mother for years, deputy, M. J. Wandrack, were on the He said he had brooded over this for "*jKene and an investigation was start-1 seven long years during^ his waking jgA. They worked tirelessly on the, hours and dreamed of it by night. . lob of clearing up the mystery, pick-; The cruelty that his father had shown ' up every due which might lead to the children and the mother preyed -to the guilty party who pulled the! upon the boy's mind until he made up |rigger of the gun which resulted in his mind to kill the old man and thus " the instantaneous death of Schumach- j beleived in this way ft would free his •r as he sat milking one of his cows mother from a life of slavery, rid his •bout 7 o'clock on the evening of younger brothers of a cruel parent October 20. < and allow- at least a temporary vent The farmer, with his two small f°r h's revenge. •ons, Chris, Jr., and Frank, aged 15 Now that the crime of murder has •nd 13, respectively, were in the cow been committed and the father lies in barn, when a shot rang out, the re- his grave the son has failed to admit Worthy Matrons' Night McHenry chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, observed Worthy Matron's night at Masonic hall, Monday evening and a large number of out-oftown guests joined with the local members in a delightful evening. The hall was prettily decorated with autumn leaves and flowers adding to L. •. Adams of Woodstock Puts Local Plant In Operation and Adds New Equipment The laundry at West McHenry which was recently talfen over by L. •V. Adams of Woodstock, is now in operation and the first week was a most satisfactory one to all concerned. Although Mr. Adams realizes that ft may take some time to build up the trade that he desires he feels sura that the business is here and that he the attractiveness of the room. is going to Ijave a successful seasons Mrs. Jennie Greunwald, worthy, ma- There is now an experienced laundry? tron of Nunda chapter, was the man in charge of the work and they Worthy Matron for the evening and will endeavor to give their customers Harry Shales, Worthy Patron of the best of service and satisfaction Nunda chapter, was Worthy Patron in every way. for the evening and they were welcomed by W. M. Ony Wheeler and W. P. Clayton Harrison. TH& other offices were filled by worthy matrons from neighboring chapters, officers being present from Crystal Lake, Libertyville, Wauconda, Dundee, Harvard, Elgin, Waukegan, Richmond. Woodstock, Grayslake and Antioch. Members of grand chapter committees, Worthy Matrons and Patrons and Past Matrons of McHenry chapter were escorted and introduced and Worthy Matron Ony Wheeler and Worthy Patron Clayton Harrison, as host and hostess of the evening were escorted. The regular work was followed by the initiation ceremonies, after which the presiding officers and guests of honor were called upon and responded with short talks. The officers of the evening presented Worthy Matron They handle all kinds of laundry^ ^ work and have established two routes which will enable better service' for their patrons. Mr. Adams took over the equipment which was in the laundry and has added to this several pieces of new machinery, including a water softener and two new presses and is now prepared to meet the demands of this locality for just such an onto prise vf- his. STATE WILL PLACE MORE FISH IN McHENRY WATERS Rudolph E. Johnson, proprietor of the Bald Knob hotel, on Pistakee Lake, informs The Plaindealer that he has just received a letter from Represent, tative Roy J. Stewart stating that Director William Stratton has announced that a truck load of smallmouthed black bass (approximately Ony Wheeler with a gift, each officer j 1,000,000) will be dumped in the lake received a gift, and those in the East at Johnson's place within the next received gifts and flowers.' ten days Altogether the evening was a most This will be more good news for the delightful one and was brought to a fishermen who frequent the waters tlose by the serving of refreshments. Fotmer Resident of McHenry In Accident At Car/ Thursday Afternoon Herman Kamholz, residing at Cary and employed at the Cary Country club, was seriously injured last Thursday afternoon about 4 o'clock, while engaged in dragging the fairways of the club golf course. He had been driving a tractor and had stopped to make an cf'.justment on the machine. As he stepped upon the wheel to resume his operations the tractor started and he fell, his foot catching in the wheel. Kamhola made several revolutions with the wheel, resulting in a broken leg just above the knee and a broken limb just below the hip. He was removed to the West Side hospital at Chicago, and was reported to be resting as well as could be expected trader the circumstances. Mr. Kamholz is well known in this vicinity, having been a former resident here, and has many relatives, including his brothers here. Hallowe'en Party Bob Peterson entertained several of his schoolmates and friends at a Hallowe'en party at his home on Fri- < Klay evening of last week. Hallowe'en decorations and those In keeping with the autumn season were used, giving the home a festive appearance. Hallowe'en games were played and music and dancing were enjoyed by the jolly boys and girls. The guests who were present to enjoy the good time were: Edward Matthews, Floyd Covalt, Charles Peterson, Carl Rietesel, Claire Kinsey, Eugene Sayler, Stanley Schaeffer, Jack Purvey, Jaunita Keg, Virginia Engeln, Miarie Kinsala, Charlotte Erickson, Marion Krause, Mildred Gans, Arleen Bacon, Dorothy Wormley, Ruth Phalin and Frances Hughes. PATRICIDE PLEADS GUILTY--Left to right: State's Attorney Luinley, Christopher Schumacher Jr., Jessie Marlowe (fiancee of William Schumacher), Mrs. Christopher Schumacher (widow of slain farmer) and her children, Allen, Henry, Edward and Otto, in Woodstock court, when William urged that he be made to pay penalty ftp crime. ilerald and Examine* pWtto port apparently coming from a hay that he is sorry for his act. He stills chute leading from the main floor of holds to the belief that he was justified the barn to the feeding trough in the in doing what he did and is willing to Lutheran Church The McHenry Zion Lutheran coniasement. The father fell to the floor pay his debt to society whatever it gregation wiii have their annual fng 1 and the little boys ran scream to the house where their mother v&nd some of the other children arid 1fcwo hired men were at the time. Coroner Cook Takes Charge Help was summoned and the an- ~ thoritie8 notified. The body was brought to West McHenry after the •'t Arrival of Coroner Cook from Huntley nd two local doctors, Dr. N. J. Nye Dr. A. I. Froehlich, performed he autopsy in search for the shot. !>• found that the charge had enid on the right side of the head, "lit tl»e base of the brain, the shot being found in the front part of the head may be. However, instead of releiv-1 mission services Sunday, Oct. 30, at ing his mother and brothers this man's. 2 o'clock, p. m. The Rev. H. E. Brauer of Marengo will preach, are welcome. mg ciime has brought them nothing but sorrow aniH shame. Confesses to Sheriff The confession given late Saturday afternoon to Sheriff Sanford was blurted out after the sheriff had questioned William since 1 o'clock that morning. Persistence in denying any knowledge of the marder had almost won his release. •The son made the confession in an old stone house located near Marengo where he had been taken by the sheriff and.-his aids. The reason for •S!?* ri<£t.eye' indic K ati?S tha; the taking the prisoner to this house Victan would have to be m a stooping position at the time he was struck .as the gun was fired from above. A coroner's %iry was sworn in *bout 11 o'clock that night and the! to to get him away from everybody in an effort to make him talk. William had led the county officials over a road in an effort to establish . .. .„•« . .. , - i an alibi. He took them to a shack continued onttl Frid,, ^ uke ,iBe wher,*£ tag at 10 o'clock. Search Made for Guns tfc« aaakcirlNtt, had been staying with some friends. (Coatiaued ea All Sunday Dinner Given by the Atlar and Rosary society at St. Patrick's church hall next Sunday at 12 o'clock. Everybody invited. 21-fp Program Postponed The program planned by the Mothers' club for .Nov. 3 has been postponed until Nov. 17. Mora particulars later. % The Eastern Star .vill hold a public card party at Lilyr^oor on Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 3. Those who have cars and can take others please notify Mrs. J. Fay or Mrs. George Lindsay. Entertained at Schoewer Home Mr. and Mrs. Peter J. Schoewer ennear McHenry and is the resulfc_of the earnest efforts of Mr. Johnson in go> ing after these fish which the state has agreed to supply. Early this year there were thousands of game fish placed in the lake, at which time the state car was here and" m raal celebration was had. DAMAGE TO COTTAGE COMES REPEATEDLY FROM SHOTS A complaint has been made to the city authorities that several times shooting has been going on within the city limits and especially where damage has been done repeatedly to the cottage on the mill pond belonging to S. Trenker of Chicago. The Plaindealer has been asked to publish a warning to the parties guilty of this shooting as they are known and will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law if such practice is repeated. Damage has been found at different times caused by shooting through till windows when the cottage was not SON CONFESSES--William Schumacher (in leather jacket) hears Sheriff Cyrus Sanford read confession h& made. H«rald and Examiner photo tertained relatives and friends at | occupied. Shutters have been broken their home on Thursday evening of an(j jj,e wjndows jn the living room last week. Bunco was played, with and kitchen shattered. Even on the prizes being awarded to Miss Eva Hobler and Thomas Slavin and Miss lake side windows have been broken by shots which went through the Theresa Knox and Fred C. Schoewer t house. Someone is going to be receiving the consolations. Those who brought into court if this practice fnade up the happy gathering were: continues. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hobler and -daughters of LAxe Villa, Mrs. Fred jWeinschenlker, Miss Theresa Knox, Mr. and Mrs. Ed N. Young and daughter, Thomas Slavin, N. C. Klein and Frad C. Schoewer. Entertained At bridge Mrs. H. A. Asmalsky was hostess to several friends at her home on Wednesday afternoon of last week. Two tables of bridge were played and the prize for high score wa^Von by Mrs. J. Cox and second prize^was won by Mrs. N. H. Petesch. The/guests were: Mrs. T. J. Walsh, Mrs. N. H. Petesch, Mrs. A. C. Herzog, Mrs. Glover, Mrs. Earl Monear, Mfcs. George Kuhn, Mrs. Brasen, Mrs. Cox and Mrs. J. E. Wheeler. Linger Longer C!«b Mrs. Lester Page very pleasantly entertained the members, of the Linger Longer club at her home on Wednesday of last week. Prizes were awarded to Mrs. Ed Buss, Mrs. Louis! toward. * . 1 ^ O c t o b e r 2 2 , 1 9 2 7 , I f r o m McGraw'a and west to Fbrar Statement tJl William Louis Fred- man's. erick Schumacher, 28 years old, of! Henry, Katherine and OttO, tlHK. Barrington, Illinois, son of Chrleto-, other three children in the family at " plier Henry Schumacher, 64 years old, I that time, also received more than- ® of Rural Route No. 1, West McHenry. j their share of abuse from my dad. Ontfy ft I Illinois, who was found shot to death (time Henry and I, along with twqu ' in the barn on his property at the. other boys were playing ball in oui» .<$•.. abgye address in West McHenry, 111.'yard. Heury, hit a ball whioh wegfr- J| shortly after ? I*. U. on the night of through a bed-room window. Father1 October 20, 1927. j became so enraged at the window- Statement relative to the murder of breaking, that he took a new horse- ^ ^ Christopher Henry Schumacher. State-! whip he had in the house at the timeJl ,• * < ment taken at the building known as' and beat Henry until all he had left in the Old Smith Mill which is located his hand when he was finished was: ' approximately 2% miles North-east of just a stick. There was another oc- ' Marengo, Illinois at 10:15 A. M. on casion upo.i which my father horae- Saturday morning, October 22nd, 1927. whipped* Henry. Happenings like Statement taken by Sheriff Cyrus those, made me resolve to stop JAMES RALPIN TRANSFERRED Sanford, Sheriff of McHenry County, abuses some day when I should b* jq WILLIAMS BAY WISCONSIN ' Present: Chief Deputy Sheriff M. J. enough and strong enough. James Halpin. the jovial telegraph1 Wandrack, George Reedy, 623 Melrose, Kaocks Him J>ow» operator at the North Western depot,! 8treet> Chicago, Illinois, and John S. | When I was 14 years old, we has beep transferred to Williams Bay, | Skene> 207 North Utica street- Wauke-j0n the Hirrjen place. I was unloadwhere he commenced work this week. ®an' HHno'8- |.ing hay in the barn from the wagon lo During the five years of his residence in this city "Jimmy" has made many friends, who will be sorry to have him leave. He has been actively interested in the Rifle club and has always been ready to give his efforts towards the benefit of McHenry. Mr. dreh will probably move to Williams Bay soon. Oldest Of Tea Children 1 the hay-mow. I heard some things Stenographer: George Reedy, 623 whiz by^ihe which made me turn* Melrose street, Chicago, Illinois. aiound. My father was standing in My name is William Louis Freder- the doorway, on the barn floor near a; ick Schumacher. I vp born on a farm pile of old corn. He was pitching the near Wauconda, (Wauconda, Illinois) corn at me as hard and fast as he was December 9, 1898. I am the eldest of able to. He said to me, "I thought ; and~Mrs."*Halpin andtheir" two ch'ii- iten children. Henry. Katherine. Otto, I told von to get the horses out' Ii*; Edward, All^n, Christopher Jr., Frank, told him I nad not heard him and he ' Merle and Richard. My Mother's seld, "Get off the wagon and come ; -, maiden name was Katherine Lang- here ou little son-of-a and I'll Kiwanis Club heim. I attended the Flint Creek and teach you to hear me when I tell you - The most interesting meeting the Porter schools until the age of so mething again." I always went to fnr spvpral months was held at the twelve. I left school at that time. I him when .ie ordered me too and I '4 NiesenXafe last Thursday evening Iwa8 the third *rade wheD 1 left this ;.Ime. only to be knocked > when tlie McHenry Kiwanis club! «^ool. The last two years of my doyn and then he kicked me down , held its weekly dinner. The main; brief shooting I only attended school the hay-chute at the end of which I McDonald and Mrs. Lester Page. A most delicious chicken chop suey dinner w^s served to the guests at five o'clock. Mrs. Harry Clark will entertain the club at their next meetr ing Several splendid sugges- Bridge Party lCra. Julias Keg was hostess to few friends at her home on Friday afternoon of last week. Two tables of bridge were played, with the first prise going to Mrs. A. J. Schneider, while the consolation went to Mrs. Brasen. The guests who enjoyed the afternoon were: Mrs. Albert Vales, Mrs. N. H. Petesch, Mrs. A . J. Schneider, Mrs. Andrew Eddy, Mrs. George Kuhn, Mrs. Brasen and Mrs. J. R. Smith. J7 . - Bridge Party Wr, «nd Mrs. Fred C. Schoewer entertained with two tables of bridge at her home on Thursday evening of last week with Mrs. Peter Weber and Miss Mildred Kinsala receiving the prices. The guests were: Mesdames Peter Weber, Ed Buss and Earl Mc- Andrews and the Misses Eleanor, Mildred and Florence Kinsala and Bertha Schiessle. Do not ferret the O. E. S. Hal- *lowe'en party this Saturday evening. •p. "Our Bridge" Ch* Miss Mildred Kinsala entertained the jnembers of "Our Bridge" club at her home Tuesday evening. The prize for high score was won by Miss Eleanor Kinsala while the low prize pMt to Maa Bttfra Schieask. tions were made in a round table discussion and these will be put to a vote at the meeting this evening. Another new member was added to the roll last week, being Bruce Stirling, who recently opened up the new subdivision, north of tha dty, "Shalimar." its weekly dinner. . , . _ , ^ 4 subject under discussion was a per- «bout «"rty-six days. (36) ^y father dropped eight feet to a concrete floor, manent objective for the club to work took me ou* of, school at that lime, and 1 was preuy oadly hurt that time - . . made me work on the farm. At the On another occasion when I waa age of nine (9) I'had worked in the cultivating °orn. I had covered a few fields and did the chores in the barn hills of corn, for which, without warnbefore going to school. When I was ing he came up behind me and struck taken out of school, I was forced to me, knocking me off the cultivator, do the work of a regular farm-hand. He kicked me as usual until I got up I was only twelve years old then and off the ground. That same fall. (I I remember that my father drank very was still 14 when this occurred) I Notice Second Liebrty Loan bonds have been called for redemption on Nov. 15, 1S27, and will cease to bear inheavily at that time. ! was plowing with a sulky-plow and My mother used' to tell me how my came to the end of a furrow and I father drank up his milk check monthhollered. ' Whoa" at the horses aad ly, at James McGraw s place in Cuba jtr dad feoilered "Gid-dap. what Station and George Foreman's at Bar- *""" rington, Illinois. My father punished terest after that date. These bonds me regula.ly, as long back ^ - should be presented on or prior to remember. He would lick me with any pmg the pole. For this. I was gUn Nov. 15. The West McHenry State;thmg hf lfoul,d Iajr „3 n^lnt " awful beatia«- He 8ttr€ «ave ^ to B.„k .ill b. pleased to handle lhe; pl^. whlp or^ .njttlM th.t WkM I »„ sale or exchange of these bonds for, hell are /no stopping for.' Gets Mara Tha pole hit'the fence-post, ifcsp IM iv 4V A nnl n »Li» T _ S_T_ and he was not particular on what We were OQ the same place in haying part of the body he would strike me. My father had a hired hand He used to beat mother too. named John Klell. a big fellow about Abased By Father six foot and 220 pounds. Ha used to . I remember one incident when I belp father stack the loads that Henry was abont nine years old. My father and I would gather from the had come home in company with a Henry was IS years at the time apd IT Jim Connally wltfi a single buggy. fifteen. We had to keep theaa two 21! and wanted to change horses. There big men busy and supplied with loads, p. w. FRETT, Mayor. was a "Jim" horse in the barn that Father would not let ue rest long ' mother was very fond of she refused enough to even go and get a drink Public Card Party to let father hitch the "Jim" horse and it was unusually hot during.that The Riverview camp, R. N. A. will up. Father became very angry at that time. I was overcome with the reat hold a public card party in tip K. C. and his ' ompanion. Jim Connolly, while milking the cows one ev^hlPg hall, Friday afternoon, Oct. 28.' grabbed mother by the wrist and was and the do tor told dad that I afbdadf Bridge, bunco and five hundred will (trying to twist h#r arm. Mother hit plenty of ivset. Dad told me thal^; If I, be played. Everybody welcome. 20-2 Connolly on the hand with a stick in'.could eat. I could work, so he Hadi anyone desiring it to do so. 20-4-fp Notice Shooting of any firearms ia prohibited within the city limits of McHenry by ordinance. All violators of this law will be prosecuted. Take notica. Eat your Sunday dinner at Patrick's church hall at 12 o'clock. I trying to atofend herself. For that. J me milk the cows and do other elioro^ 8t. father gave her a slap with the buckle-1 We were on what aaed to be called 21, end of a trace. That slap, across my i tha old Welch place when I waa ~ | mother's face, nearly put out her eye. | years old. One day 1 had started tha For stove and furnace parte and Both Connolly and my father were I pumping engine to pump wator tot* repairing call Brda, Phata KjL .lt-4 drmnk at ttoa Tbay bad XQpwtinuad o* M«i>) - J . - v • > -