Category Archives: Newspaper Clippings

Suit For Divorce

Suit for Divorce.

William Schwartz brought suit for divorce from his wife, Mary Schwartz, yesterday. He alleges that they separated in 1890 and charges her with having an ungovernable temper and striking him. He also says she has been an inmate of the Central Insane Hospital for the last ten years.

NEW SUITS FILED.

Joseph Souer vs. Richard M. Crosby et al.: damages. Demand, $1,000. Superior Court. Room 2.
William Schwartz vs. Mary Schwartz; divorce. Superior Court. Room 2.
Max Gundelfinger vs. Sarah Gundelfinger et al.; partition. Circuit Court.

“Suit for Divorce,” The Indianapolis Journal (Indianapolis, Indiana), 26 May 1900, p. 3, col. 3; digital image, Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ : accessed 15 March 2014).

“New Suits Filed,” The Indianapolis Journal (Indianapolis, Indiana), 26 May 1900, p. 3, col. 4; digital image, Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ : accessed 15 March 2014).

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There is plenty information available on-line about the early Indiana medical health system and the Central Hospital for the Insane. Below are several links to sites regarding the Indiana Central Hospital for the Insane. (I have avoided those sites and videos that dwell on the ghost hunting and paranormal activity around the old hospital site, if you are interested in those, just google the Central Hospital for the Insane). Several members of the extended Yegerlehner family ended up “in the system” in the 1890s and early 1900s. At this time, three women are known: Mary Victoria (Wheeler) Schwartz, Rosina (Yegerlehner) Wolfe and Nancy (McCoy) Walker Kline. Accessing mental health records in Indiana is not easy due to privacy restrictions so it may never be clear why these women were institutionalized, basically for the remainder of their lives. In Rosina’s case, she spend nearly 40 years in the state hospital system. Were these women merely victims of the time in which they lived, when medical science did not understand conditions and symptoms that are more easily understood today? Were they genuinely ill? Or were they sent away to be hushed up? Whatever the reason, the conditions that existed at Central and the other state hospitals was deplorable.

http://www.in.gov/icpr/2650.htm

http://historicindianapolis.com/a-room-with-a-view-central-state-hospital/

http://www.asylumprojects.org/index.php?title=Central_Indiana_State_Hospital

http://indianapublicmedia.org/momentofindianahistory/central-state-hospital/

Robinson Sent to Workhouse

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Robinson Sent to Workhouse

Paul V. Robinson, who shot his wife, stenographer in the law office of W. B. Schwartz, on East Washington street, Jan. 19, was fined $160 and sentenced to the workhouse for six months, by Judge Alford, in the Criminal Court, yesterday. The original charge was assault and battery with intent to kill, but the intent was withdrawn and he was permitted to pleas guilty to assault and battery. Mrs. Robinson was shot in the back, but was not seriously hurt, and another shot came very near hitting Attorney Schwartz, who disarmed Robinson. About a week ago Mrs. Robinson filed suit for divorce.

CRIMINAL COURT

–Fremont Alford, Judge–

The State of Indiana vs. Paul Robinson; assault and battery to kill. Defendant withdrew former plea of not guilty and pleaded guilty. Find $160 and sentenced to the workhouse for six months.

“Robinson Sent to Workhouse,” The Indianapolis Journal (Indianapolis, Indiana), 6 March 1900, p. 6, col. 4; digital image, Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ : accessed 13 March 2014).

“Criminal Court,” The Indianapolis Journal (Indianapolis, Indiana), 6 March 1900, p. 6, col. 5; digital image, Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ : accessed 13 March 2014).

Robinson’s Mental Condition

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ROBINSON’s MENTAL CONDITION

May Result in His Being Given a Workhouse Sentence.

It is probably that Paul V. Robinson, who shot and wounded his young wife, Tillie Robinson, at the office of Attorney Schwartz, where she was employed, will be given a workhouse sentence of about a year. It is claimed that Robinson is not mentally sound at all times and his family has been threatening to have a commission investigate his sanity with a view to putting him in the asylum. They are willing, however, for the State to send him to the workhouse for a year, and if it is concluded to do this there will probably be no defense in his case. An affidavit has been received from the judge of the Probate Court at Minneapolis stating that Robinson was arrested in that city last December and locked up on the insanity charge. The affidavit states that Robinson was in a bad state of mind at the time from worrying about his wife, who was in this city.

“Robinson’s Mental Condition,” The Indianapolis Journal (Indianapolis, Indiana), 20 February 1900, p. 6, col. 4; digital image, Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ : accessed 12 March 2013).

Tillie Robinson Now Free

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TILLIE ROBINSON NOW FREE

She Secures a Divorce from Man Who Shot Her – Other Divorces.

Late yesterday afternoon Judge Allen, of the Circuit Court, granted a divorce to Mrs. Tillie Robinson, who was shot and wounded by her husband, Paul Robinson, on Jan. 21, at the office of Attorney Schwartz, where Mrs. Robinson was employed as a clerk. The woman looks to be about twenty-three years old and is rather pretty. The wound given her by her husband has almost healed.

Robinson was not in court when the case was called and Judge Allen instructed the bailiff to call him. Bailiff Twiname called Robinson three times, but he did not respond. Some one remarked that Robinson was in jail and couldn’t very well respond. Mrs. Robinson told her story and the court gave her a divorce and restored her maiden name, Tillie Gisler. She said she was married to Robinson on Dec. 15, 1897. She said he failed to support her properly and associated with other women. She said that when she learned of his immoral conduct she left him. Their trouble culminated on Jan. 21, last, when he came to the office where she was employed and shot her.

“Tillie Robinson Now Free,” The Indianapolis Journal (Indianapolis, Indiana), 16 February 1900, p. 6, col. 4; digital image, Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ : accessed 12 March 2014).

Mrs. Tillie Robinson’s Suit

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MRS. TILLIE ROBINSON’S SUIT.

Wants a Divorce from the Man Who Tried to Kill Her

Mrs.Tillie Robinson who was shot and seriously wounded a few days ago by her husband, Paul Robinson, yesterday began an action against him for divorce. The shooting took place on Jan. 19, in the office of Attorney Schwartz on East Washington street, where Mrs. Robinson was employed as stenographer. Mrs. Robinson says she was married on Dec. 15, 1897. She avers that shortly after her marriage her husband began to show a trifling and quarrelsome disposition. She says he failed to support her properly and would go away and leave her destitute of means of support. She also charges that he was inclined to be fond of other woman. She avers that as soon as learned of his conduct she declined to live with him longer. Their trouble culminated on Jan. 19 when he walked into the office of Lawyer Schwartz and, finding his wife there at work, fired at her. The bullet took effect and she was painfully wounded.

“Mrs. Tillie Robinson’s Suit,” The Indianapolis Journel (Indianapolis, Indiana), 26 January 1900, p. 6, col. 4; digital image, Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ : accessed 11 March 2014).

Bullet Takes Effect

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BULLET TAKES EFFECT

PAUL VALDO ROBINSON ATTEMPTS TO KILL HIS WIFE

The Murderous Attack Is Made in the Law Office of W. B. Schwartz – Robinson Arrested.

Paul Valdo Robinson, an electrical worker, returned yesterday from Minneapolis and, after going to the office of W. B. Schwartz, 146 ½ East Washington street, and, asking his wife from whom he had been separated for six months, to again live with him, shot three times at her inflicting an ugly but not dangerous wound in her right shoulder. Only one of the three shots fired took effect. One of the bullets narrowly missed Schwartz who hurried to the young woman’s assistance.

According to all reports and statements of Robinson and the injured woman, the attempted murder was contemplated for some time. Letters from Robinson to other women in the city show he had considered the matter for some time.

The shooting occurred about 11 a.m. Schwartz was in his office talking with A. J. Bailey. Robinson entered and going to where his wife sat asked to talk with her. She was much surprised, not knowing he was in the city; but, though she told him before she would have nothing further to do with him, went into a small room adjoining the main office.

Mr. Baily had just left the office when a shot was fired in the room occupied by Robinson and his wife. A second quickly followed. Schwartz sprang to the door and opened it. Robinson was pointing the smoking revolver at his wife. He grabbed the woman and shoved her from the room and then Robinson fired the third shot while Schwartz was trying to wrest the weapon from him. Justice Hay, whose office is on the opposite side of the hall, and a constable rushed in and took charge of Robinson. The police were quickly on the scene and, after a short consultation, the prisoner was taken out through a window and over a roof to an exit on Delaware street, in order to avoid the crowd gathering on Washington street.

Dispensary physicians were called and Dr. Griffiths, who examined the woman awaiting the arrival of the hospital ambulance, found the bullet had lodged near the base of the shoulder blade about a quarter of an inch under the skin. The woman was removed to the home of her father, John U. Gisler, 824 Greer street. The bullet was extracted and unless blood poisoning sets in she will undoubtedly recover.

Robinson, though fairly well dressed, has the appearance of affecting toughness and apparently takes much pleasure in hearing himself spoken of as a bad man.

Lawyer Schwartz said the woman came to him several months ago and through him brought suit for divorce. She claimed that since their marriage two years ago she was compelled to work most of the time and supported herself and husband and concluded to leave him.

Robinson purchased the revolver with which he did the shooting at a pawn shop on East Washington street and said he bought it with the intention of killing his wife if she refused to live with him again. He said he had heard charges of improper conduct made against his wife and when questioned about them she refused to confirm or deny them.

Robinson is charged with shooting with intent to kill.

“Bullet Takes Effect,” The Indianapolis Journal (Indianapolis, Indiana), 20 January 1900, p. 8, col. 3; digital image, Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ : accessed 10 March 2014).

[Editor’s note: Paul V. Robinson married Tillie Gisler on 15 December 1897, in Marion county, Indiana. Tillie was short for Matilda. On June 1, 1900, Matilda was living with her parents, and she was divorced.]

1900 U. S. Census, Marion county, Indiana, population schedule, Centre Township, ED 162, p. 1-B, John U. Gisler

Couldn’t Stand Prosperity

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COULDN’T STAND PROSPERITY

An Inventor Too Nervous to Count His New Fortune

Though excuses for all sorts of doings have been made on account of a circus and the circus parade the latest in Indianapolis is something out of the ordinary, says the Philadelphia Inquirer. A story is told of W. B. Schwartz, a lawyer of Indianapolis, who has patented a typewriter having a number of vital and valuable points, going into Fletcher’s bank with a representative of the typewriter trust. The lawyer had a certified check or draft for something like $50,000, which had been given him for his interest in the patent. The check was presented and the cashier began piling out bundles of bills. When the full amount had been placed on the desk the teller asked Mr. Schwartz to count it and see if all was right. He counted awhile, but became so nervous that he could not “check out” the supposed amount in each pile of bills, and finally pushed all back and said: “Oh, I guess it’s all right. Give me a certificate of deposit.” It was done and Mr. Schwartz left. The incident was quite amusing to patrons of the bank who happened in at the time. When asked about it Mr. Schwartz denied being excited on account of the large sum which he had just received as a result of five years’ work. He said it was the circus parade that excited him. Mr. Schwartz is a practicing attorney, living at 1130 Brookside avenue, with an office at 146 ½ East Washington street. He was born in Berlin, Holmes county, Ohio, in 1859, and after attending school at that place and at Pittsburg, Pa., went to Brazil, Ind., where he was admitted to the bar and practiced there from 1889 to 1894. He went to Indianapolis in 1895, and shortly after, on account of frequent use of a typewriting machine, became imbued with the idea of inconvenience of the machines of the day and thought that a “visible” writing machine would be the proper thing. He worked out a plan in his head and finally put it into sketches. His plans were so perfected about a year later that he applied for a patent, which was granted in August, 1896. Not long after the patent was granted, representatives of the typewriter trust began negotiations with Mr. Schwartz for the purchase of the patent. He refused all offers, but kept the trust in tow, and several conferences during the last few weeks resulted in the sale of the patent to the trust. On account of business and personal reasons Mr. Schwartz declined to give the exact amount of the purchase money, and the details of the transaction, but it is understood that he received more than $50,000 in cash and is to receive $3,000 a year until 1901 to refrain from further action connected with the invention of typewriters.

“Couldn’t Stand Prosperity,” Mexia Evening News (Mexia, Texas), 17 October 1899, p. 4, col. 6; digital image, Newspaper Archive (http://www.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 7 March 2014).

Made Him Nervous

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MADE HIM NERVOUS

INDIANAPOLIS, July 21. – After exhausting his means in perfecting a visible line typewriter, W. B. Schwartz, an attorney of this city, yesterday called at a bank with a representative of the eastern typewriting machine combination and received $50,000 for his patent. Mr. Schwartz was so nervous when this fortune was shoved at him that he counted but little of it, pushing the bunch back and taking a certificate of deposit. He worked on his patent for several years. The sale to the trust was made yesterday. He is also to be paid $3,000 a year royalty.

“Made Him Nervous,” Fort Wayne Daily Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana), 22 July 1899, p. 3, col. 4; digital image, Newspaper Archive (http://www.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 7 March 2014).

Strikes It Rich!

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STRIKES IT RICH!

Attorney Schwartz Lands a Fortune by Inventing a Typewriter

Lawyer W. B. Schwartz, 1130 Brookside ave., has invented a typewriter, which he has sold to the typewriter trust for something like $50,000 down and $3,000 a year to remain out of the typewriter inventing business until 1901.

The machine is a type-bar model. The type bars strike forward from the basket in the front of the machine in which they rest. The oscillating pointer directly in front of the platen shows exactly where the type will strike the paper. Mr. Schwartz has been invited to go into the trust and work out other ideas, but thinks he will continue his law practice. The company owning the patents when they were sold was composed of W. B. Schwartz, C. L. Holowel, Dunrieth, Ind., and Theodore Harrison, of Indianapolis.

“Strikes It Rich!,” Indianapolis Sun (Indianapolis, Indiana), 21 July 1899, p. 3, col. 2; digital image, Newspaper Archive (http://www.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 7 March 2014).

$50,000

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W B. Schwartz Gets $50,000

W. B. Schwartz, until a few years ago a well known attorney of this city, but now president of the Visible Typewriter company, of Indianapolis, has sold his patent and franchise to the typewriter trust, of New York, for the sum of $50,000 in cash. Mr. Schwartz has also been retained by the trust company as chief mechanical expert, at a handsome salary. He may have to go the New York city to reside, in order to properly discharge his duties in connection with the typewriter enterprise.

The machine which has proven to be such a winner was invented and the patent taken out while Mr. Schwartz was a resident of this city. He has many friends here who will be pleased to learn of his success. – Miner.

“W. B. Schwartz Gets $50,000,” Clay County Enterprise (Brazil, Indiana), 13 July 1899, p. 1, col. 5; digital image, Newspaper Archive (http://www.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 7 March 2014).