TERRE HAUTE —
Terre Haute sought national publicity in 1910 through “Boosterism,” lauding the city’s significant advancements during the decade ending Dec. 31, 1909.
But the first national publicity the city received during 1910 was news of the mysterious death of 48-year old William H. Neiderhelman, a Terre Haute jeweler.
Neiderhelman, known in Terre Haute as “W.H. Helman,” was found unconscious by a chambermaid Jan. 10 on the floor of his room in the Plaza Hotel at the northwest corner of Ninth and Sycamore streets. He died a few hours later. The death made headlines from coast-to-coast.
Neiderhelman had returned to Terre Haute from Chicago by train on Sunday, June 9. After securing the hotel room, he ordered a shot of whiskey from the bar.
Two letters written by Neiderhelman were found in the hotel room. One was addressed to the chief of police and the other was to an anonymous friend.
Both notes accused 20-year old Effie Sellsberry of placing poison in his coffee at a Chicago restaurant before they departed for Terre Haute. The letters asserted that Miss Sellsberry remained on the Louisville & Nashville train en route to New Orleans.
Local law enforcement officials were suspicious, questioning how Neiderhelman could have survived more than 18 hours between the time he ingested the poison and probable time of his death. Nevertheless, they notified police and railroad officials in Memphis and New Orleans to detain the woman.
Sellsberry, a New Orleans theater vocalist, was Neiderhelman’s stepdaughter. He was divorced from her mother, Sophie Neiderhelman, who lived with her two adult sons in Cincinnati.
When Sellsberry and her traveling companion, Henry Corcoran, arrived in New Orleans, the pair was arrested to be returned to Terre Haute for questioning. Deputy Prosecutor Charles Whitlock and his wife picked them up Jan. 12.
Unknown to Sellsberry and Corcoran, a detective made the last 140 miles of the rail journey occupying a seat behind them. The New York Times, among others, tracked the details.
When interrogated, Sellsberry readily admitted having dinner with Neiderhelman in Chicago. She also acknowledged that both of them became ill after eating oysters.
“We braced up on some medicine,” she said, “and when I bade him good-bye just before reaching Terre Haute, I felt hardly any ill effects and he appeared to have experienced nothing serious either.”
Corcoran was a horse jockey. His father was the proprietor of a hotel in Nashville, Tenn.
“What are we wanted for?” he asked police in the New Orleans depot.
“For murder,” the detective replied, words that caused Sellsberry to scream and burst into tears, attracting the attention of hundreds.
While the two suspects were being returned to Terre Haute for questioning, some of Neiderhelman’s intimate friends came forward with melodramatic stories about the jeweler’s background.
“W.H. Helman, Jeweler,” had been in Terre Haute for several years. Starting in February 1902, he worked for Sam Sterchi, local jeweler and pawnbroker at 306 Wabash Ave. In late 1905, he opened his own store at 1129 Wabash Ave.
Before 1890, Neiderhelman maintained a home and a jewelry store in Cincinnati. He allegedly borrowed money to acquire an imposing inventory and then fled with his wife, her two sons and the jewelry to Germany, where he launched a thriving business.
When German authorities discovered after 10 years that Neiderhelman had not served time in the Army, he was directed to register and enlist. Instead, he returned with his family to America and, after staying in Chicago for a while, was hired as “W.H. Helman,” worker, by E. & J. Swigart, Cincinnati wholesale jewelers.
Creditors were never the wiser. In late 1902, Neiderhelman disappeared from his Cincinnati home accompanied by his wife’s female cousin and ended up in Terre Haute as “Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Helman,” residing at 802 Mulberry St.
Apparently Neiderhelman’s relationship with his ex-wife was not overly strained. One of her sons came to Terre Haute to work for his stepfather with the idea of inheriting the business. However, he returned to Cincinnati after a few months.
On Jan. 14, an autopsy revealed that Neiderhelman’s stomach contained 53 grains of potassium cyanide. According to medical authorities, he would not have survived more than 10 minutes after ingesting that dose of poison.
The death was ruled a suicide and the preliminary murder charge against Sellsberry was promptly dismissed.
Kellastone, a material manufactured in Terre Haute for a few years commencing in 1909, was lauded as “the finest new building material in Indiana.”
Edward F. Kellie, originator of the plaster-like substance, chose Suites 608-610 of the Terre Haute Trust Co. building at Seventh and Wabash for the home offices of U.S. Kellastone Co. Kellie, president of the company, resided at 1109 S. Center St.
Homer L. Stees, S. Crawford McKeen, Edwin S. White and James B. Cahill, prominent local businessmen, were other corporate officers. Local lumber dealer Robert H. Kintz built a handsome residence at 1028 S. Seventh St., using kellastone, which was said to have “all of the advantages of concrete and none of its disadvantages.”
Anna Black constructed several homes at 15th and Liberty streets using kellastone. According to promotional material, kellastone was “waterproof, fireproof and acid-proof.” It was durable, artistic and “will not peel or crack.” It was a light material which could be manufactured in 26 different colors, used inside and out, on floors or ceilings, porches or steps, columns or railings.
Terre Haute Kellastone Construction Company made its headquarters in the Beach Block at the northeast corner of Sixth and Ohio streets. Orval C. Colton, a local carpenter, was president. It is unknown what other local Kellastone structures were built.
Kellie did not stay in Terre Haute long. In 1914, National Kellastone Co., was situated in Chicago. Kellastone was described in ads as an “imperishable stucco.”
The 1920 census placed Edward F. Kellie in Indianapolis.
History
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Death of Terre Haute jeweler gains national headlines
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: George Lance dominates intercity golf rivalry in 1927
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GENEALOGY: Follow ‘Tips on Caring for Documents and Photographs’
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LOOKING BACK: 1988: Teachers issued rubber gloves to use in management of blood, other body fluids
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In the 19th century, several female vocalists from the Wabash Valley, earned national celebrity by using that art form to excel. -
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Abundance of shoe stores existed downtown
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Genalogy: Handwriting in 1700s-1800s Copperplate or English Round Hand
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The death of Irish Kate Preston
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Looking back: 2003: Sherertz sets nine-hole school record
Terre Haute North Vigo High School’s nine-hole record at Hulman Links was broken by golf team member Matt Sherertz who shot a 4-under-par 32 in a team-record win over Northview.
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Historical perspectives: Railroads were models of innovation and growth in Haute
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‘Foreign’ letters to confuse a genealogist
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1988: 700 teachers unite in protest
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Genealogy: Vigo County Gold Star Honor Roll
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‘Far-sound’ rings in a new era
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Historical perspective: Venard: soldier in the War of 1812
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Looking Back: 2003: Mark Cook brings blues home
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Historical perspective: Attempted carriage-jacking thwarted
Nineteenth century newspapers covered several topics that might astonish current readers. For example, the front page of the Terre Haute Weekly Gazette on Nov. 16, 1878 – 135 years ago – reported on the bold attempt by four “villains” to rob two women riding in a carriage immediately west of the fairgrounds at Brown and Wabash avenues:
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Genealogy: Dutchman seeks family of missing soldier
Query: I live in the Netherlands and recently I have adopted the name of American PFC Joseph P. Nelson at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten. He was killed in action on Dec. 5, 1944, and his name is on the Walls of the Missing.
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Sewing Society keeps hospital in linen, supplies
When Tracy Pruitt came across a small box of old ledgers and receipt books recently, his first impulse was to throw it away. But he decided to sit down and examine its contents. In doing so, he discovered a story.
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Looking Back: 1963: Officials prepare for disaster
City officials were studying survival plans in case of a natural disaster or attack by an enemy source. Gilbert Leonard was the director of Vigo County Defense.
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Genealogy: Gold Star Honor Roll: Vigo County
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River boat models capture glory of former culture
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Historical perspective: Babe Holland: advocate for equality
Wherever Terre Haute native William Sylvester Holland roamed, he made an impact.
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Historical Perspective: Terre Haute’s architectural heritage
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Genealogy: A search for names from broken stones
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Hidden treasures: Laborers phased out by machines
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Looking back: 2003: Two men rob Terre Haute First National Bank
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Interurban makes city Crossroads of America
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The tale of the Wabash River
On March 14, 1913, the Indiana General Assembly adopted “On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away,” by Terre Haute native Paul Dresser, as Indiana’s state song.
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