Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 103, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 March 1917 — Page 1

Jasper County Democrat.

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STOCKHOLDERS RATIFY ACTION

Of Board of Directors in Purchasing Harrington Elevator. At a special meeting of the stockholders of the Farmers’ Grain company held at the court house Tuesday afternoon the action of the board of directors in purchasing the Harrington Bros, elevator for $11,599 was ratified. The vote was 149 to 0. Two stockholders did not vote. The board of directors is composed of seven, members, five of whom voted to make the purchase, namely, H. W. Jackson, Frank Hoover, - Sherman Thornton, C. F. Stackhouse and Fred Waymire. J. W. Stockton and Michael Kanne, the other two directors, opposed the purchase. The latter was of the opinion that if they waited a while longer the property could be bought for less money, and Mr. Stockton contended that it to’ok the unanimous consent of the board to close a deal. At the meeting Tuesday afternoon the question was raised as to whether or not the meeting was legal, only seven days’ notice having been given when the by-laws required ten. This matter was referred to J. J. Hunt, and as there were about 100 stockholders present he advised that because of this large representation they proceed to ascertain the concensus of opinion. The stockholders voted unanimously to waive any technicality as to the legality of the call for the meeting. They also voted that four directors, a majority of the board, were all that were needed to enter into a contract in the name of the company. C. W. Postill, secretary of the company, explained that the board of directors had proceeded on the assumption that a majority could transact business and that the elevator had been purchased and then belonged ,tp them; and that SI,OOO of the stockholders’ money had been paid on the same. Mr. Kanne asked permission to state his position, and said that while he had been in favor of purchasing the elevator he believed that if they had waited a while the same could have been secured for $2,000 less money. Mrs. Ed. Kanne read a prepared paper setting forth the views of Mr. Kanne and Mr. Stockton. In this paper it was intimated to an extent that Frank Hoover had stepped beyond the bounds of his authority in seeking to close this deal. Mr. Hoover was one of a committee of three appointed at a previous meeting to negotiate a deal for the elevator at the price of $12,000. During these negotiations he succeeded in getting the price down to $11,500 and explained his whole activities to the complete satisfaction of the stockholders. A motion was then made that the stockholders ratify the action of the directors in purchasing the elevator. In the vote that followed 149 shares of stock voted for the measure and none against. There were something over 150 shares of stock represented, but Mr. Stockton and Mr. Kanne did not vote. The property purchased is to be taken over May 1, and the next question confronting the company Is the selection of a manager. The success of the enterprise depends largely upon this feature of the business. And it is probable that H. E. Hartley, who has managed the business for Harrington Bros, since their purchase of the elevator and who has been in the grain business all of his life, will be retained.

PARTIES NOW RESIDE HERE

Principal and Alleged Affinity Are Residents of Rensselaer. George M. Meyers, a resident of Rensselaer for the past three years and a former part owner of the Jasper County Telephone exchange, who some time ago brought suit for divorce from Mrs. Mary E. Meyers of Washington, Illinois, was recently made the defendant in a cross-complaint for divorce filed by* the latter. Mrs. Meyers charged desertion in the cross-complaint, and after hearing her testimony and that of a neighbor, the decree of divorce was granted to Airs. Meyers. In reporting the case the Peoria, TlMnois, Star published the following facts: Following a separation of five years ago when the name of another woman was mentioned, Mrs.

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COURT HOUSE NEWS IN BRIEF

Interesting Paragraphs From the Various Departments OF JASPER COUNTY CAPITOL The Legal News Epitomized—Together with Other Notes Gathered from the Several County Offices. Attorney A. D. Babcock was over from Goodland on business Thursday. Attorney J. A. Dunlap and Josiah Davisson were Chicago visitors Tuesday. Former County Treasurer A. A. Fell was over from Remington on 'business yesterday. Former Trustee L. H. Selmer was down from Gillam township on business Thursday. County Auditor Hammond expects to enjoy the summer in modern style, having purchased a Ford touring car. New suits filed: ’ No. 8747. John G. Reidelbach, adm. estate of Edward E. Nichols, deceased, vs. Guy Beaver; complaint on note. Demand $125. Frank Medland of Logansport, the contractor who built the county hospital, was in the city Tuesday, and reported having been awarded the contract for a $20,G00 church at Flora, Indiana. Grant Davisson, trustee of Barkley township, was in town Tuesday for the first time in three months. Both he and Mrs. Davisson have had a seige of the measles and the latter is still in very poor health.

Sheriff McColly is going to reduce the high cost of living. With a corps of able assistants and efficient counsel he commenced work Thursday afternoon on a garden plot that he hopes will render him immune from rising prices for the next six months at least. Samuel Jackson of Indianapolis Was in this city Wednesday and met about twenty-five people at the court house to discuss and explain constitutional convention proceedings. Attorney C. M. Sands was appointed to arrange for another meeting to be held April 3, the place to be announced later. Attorney W. H. Parkinson returned Saturday evening from Mudlavia where he had been taking the mud baths for rheumatism. He is apparently free from rheumatism at present and is feeling fine, we are glad to state, except for a little natural weakness from taking so many of the hot baths. Wednesday, in company with his father, H. E. Parkinson, he made a trip via auto to Morocco and Kentland on legal business. The Democrat's exchanges have been publishing the erroneous statement that mortgage exemptions must be filed between March 1 and April 1, and the writer “fell” for the error, although knowing better had he given the matter second thought. The period for filing is from March 1 to April 30, the same as the period for assessing property. However, it is best to attend to this matter right away rather than put it off to the last moment, as many people do and some forget it altogether. Judge B. B. Berry of Fowler came over Wednesday to hear' arguments knd render his decision in the case of Thomas W. Ward vs. Thomas A. Vernon and others of Aledo, Illinois. The case involved the title to nearly 500 acres of land in the vicinity of McCoysburg, known as the Zard land. The defendants, five in number, are business men of Aledo and with Mr. Ward had once owned a tile and brick factory there. The concern became involved and the plant was sold to pay the debts. Mr. Vernon purchased the property and later traded it for the land in Jasper county. Mr. Ward was a majority stockholder in the Illinois corporation and contended that the Zard land was purchased for the partnership. In rendering a decision

RENSSELAER, JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA, SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1947.

Judge Berry ruled that the existence of a later partnership had not been established and that Mr. Ward had no claim to any part of the land in this county. The plaintiff was represented by Attorneys John A. Dunlap and Mose Leopold of this city and M. E. Graves of Morand the defendants by Williams & Dean of this city.

CAMPAIGN WILL BE CONTINUED

Until All Have Had an Opportunity -to Contribute. At a call board meeting of the trustees of Monnett school Tuesday night action was taken which continues the Rensselaer part of the campaign until all have had a chance to give. The same team captains will continue to send out their workers until all cards are marked subscribed or refused. The trustees decided that the Rensselaer merchants should have more to say in regard to the building and building fund and to that end appointed a committee of five to act as an advisory committee. The following citizens were selected: J. J. Hunt, G. H. Healey, A. F. Long, George Collins and L. H. Hamilton. w The trustees feel that the building is assured and desire to express their appreciation ,to Rensselaer citizens for their good will and contributions.

GET PLACES ON MERCHANTMEN

Rensselaer Boys in Navy to Man Guns on Merchant Ship. Earl Hemphill of this city, who has been on the U. S. S. Oklahoma, writes his relatives here that he and Hairy Hickman, who is on the same battleship, that they have been sent to Norfolk where they are at present awaiting their turn to go on the American merchant ships that are being armed for protection from German submarines. In order to man these merchant ships the naval department is .taking a limited number of pointers, gun captains, sight setters and tray men from each warship, and it appears that the two Rensselaer boys are to be among those chosen. There is a possibility that if war should be declared between the United States and Germany these arrangements would be altered somewhat, but at the time the work of arming merchant ships is being pushed vigorously.

MARRIED SINCE FEBRUARY

Miss Daisy Morris Becomes the Bride of Morocco Man. Miss Daisy Morris, daughter of Mrs. E. J. Morris of this city, and John Roadruck of Morocco, ’ put one over on their friends by slipping away quietly and getting married a month ago. The ceremony was performed at Wheaton, Illinois. Miss Morris has been one of the operators at the Jasper County Telephone exchange for the past seven years, and by her efficient service and courteous manner has made a large circle of friends. Since her marriage she has continued in the same position. Their plans for the future have not been announced. Mr. Roadruck is a native of Morocco, where he has spent practically all of his life. He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. D. W. Roadruck, who are numbered among the most prominent and influential families of Newton county. The many friends of Mrs. Roadruck will unite in extending her congratulations and best wishes.

TOOK DELIGHTFUL AUTO TRIP

Most of the Roads in This and Newton County in Good Shape. The editor of The Democrat and Lesley; Miller of The Democrat force took a delightful automobile trip Wednesday of seventy-one miles, stopping at Mt. Ayr, Morocco, Brook, Kentland, Goodland and Remington, and calling upon the newspaper brethren at the four latter places. Wednesday was one of the finest days we have had lately and we found the roads in fine condition, the Worst roads, as usual, on the entire trip being in Jasper county, but even these were not bad except in a few places. «The farm lands in about Kentland seemed plenty dry enough to work —they are perhaps the most thoroughly tiled of any lande in this part of the state—ana oats sowing was probably begun to some extent the latter part of this week. It is probable that farmers will begin sowing here early next week, judging from weather indications at this writing. .

THE TWICE-A-WEEK

GENERAL AND STATE NEWS

Telegraphic Reports From Many Parts of the Country. SHORT BITS OF THE UNUSUAL Happenings in the Nearby Cities and Towns—Matters of Minor Mentioa from Many Places. CONGRESSMAN WOOD “CALLED” Publisher of Republican Organ Takes Issue With Champion of Filibusters. Representative Will R. Wood, in addressing the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce yesterday defended the action of the twelve United States senators who filibustered against President Wilson’s armed neutrality resolution and prevented a vote of the senate on the question. Mr. Wood said the action of the twelve senators was heroic; that they were the greatest patriots of the age, and that in time the American people, would come to regard them as a band of heroes. Mr. Wood further said that the newspapers mislead the public and did not give the true facts. Henry W. Marshall, publisher of the Lafayette Journal, took issue with Mr. Wood. He said he*regretted very much the necessity, but could not let the charge against the press go without challenge. He said the senators who conducted the filibuster were ( being condemned, not because of their personal opinion, but because they prevented the majority from taking action on a matter in which the American people were vitally interested. Mr. Marshall said he regretted very much that anyone should sow seeds of discord at a time when all the people should stand together and uphold the acts of the President of the United States.— Thursday’s Lafayette Journal.

TO HAVE THREE DAYS’ OUTING

Indianapolis, March 23.--Tndiana Democratic editors of the state are coming to Indianapolis next June to see everything of interest that is offered by the capital city. They will come with their families with no other purpose than the pleasure of the visit, for there will be no business sessions. It has been the plan in former years to take a three days’ trip to several places of interest in the state, but this time they will devote all three days to Indianapolis. They will come June 20 and remain until the night of June 22. There will be banquets, theater parties, receptions, automobile tripe, picnics and visits to different places of interest in the city. Henry B. Wilson of Delphi, president of the editorial association, is making preliminary plans for the meeting. , •

HUDSON BABE DIED YESTERDAY

The little son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hudson, living in the southeast part of town, died yesterday noon from pneumonia and measles. The child was a little less than a year old.

CONSTITUTION ELECTION NEXT

Indiana Women to Vote for First Time in September. Indiana women will have their first opportunity to vote at the epecial election, to be held on the third Tuesday in next September, for the purpose of electing delegates to the state constitutional convention, which will be held next January. The women will also have the right to vote at the special election to be held some time in 1918 for the adoption or rejection of the new state constitution that will he drafted by the convention. Without doubt the most important and far-reaching action taken by the legislature at the recent session was the passage of the bill calling for the holding of this constitutional convention, for it means an entirely new basic law for the state • for the first time in more than sixty years. For many years there has been widespread agitation in favor of a new constitution.

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CAUGHT IN DAKOTA BLIZZARD

W. (H. Barkley returned Wednesday night from a trip to Hyde county, South Dakota, with E. W, Deßower of Chicagd, where the latter purchased a 1,299-acre ranch with about 200 head of Angus cattle and 100 s head of horses near Highmore. They were caught in a blizzard while there which struck that section last week and is said to have been the worst storm they have had there in z the past forty years. They were held up for two days at Highmore and after leaving there their train was stalled for two days and two nights at Brookings. They were fortunate in reaching this little town, as some trains got stalled out in the country and the passengers had but little to eat and suffered many inconveniences. The conductors confiscated all express that could be used by the passengers during the two or three days the trains were stalled. Mr. Barkley says that the snow was'tjventy feet <deep in some of the cuts they came through and it w«e thought that 3,900 head of stock had perished in Hyde county alone. »

OAT SMUT DEMONSTRATIONS

It is estimated that at least 5 per cent of the oat crop of Indiana is destroyed by the smut each year. No definite figures have •been obtained for Jasper county, but many observing farmers report that the loss is considerable, especially in certain years. Losses from smut can be absolutely prevented by an expenditure of from 2 to 3 cents per acre for material and by the application of an even smaller amount of labor. Under average conditions the investment of $1 in formaldehyde may be expected to return from $25 to SSO in Increased yield. A series of oat smut control demonstrations has been arranged by the -county agent, to which everyone is invited to attend. F. J. Pipal of the-department of plant pathology of , Purdue will be ’in charge of these meetings and ,demonestrate methods and answer any questions relative to the smut. The following schedule has been arranged: March 2 (J, Welch school, Carpenter township, 7:30 p. m. March 27, Bowling Green, Marion township, 7:30 p. m. March 28, P. 0. Kennedy farm, Wheatfield township, 2 PMarch 28, East Vernon, Walker township, 7:30 p. m. March 29, I. F. Meader, Union township, 2 p. m. March 29, Parr school, Parr, 7:30 p. m. , March 30, Kniman school, Kniman, 7:30 p. ,m. At each of these meetings the advisability of forming township farmers’ clubs will foe considered and all are urged to prepared to discuss the matter.

SPRING IS HERE IN FACT

Wednesday was officially the first day of spring, and it was also one of the finest days for some time. Thursday was also a bright, clear day, but somewhat cooler than Wednesday. Yesterday dawned with a typical spring shower, which continued at intervals throughout the forenoon. At 2 p. m. the thermometer in front of The Democrat office registered 69 degrees, but there was a cold wind from 1 the northwest 'And the mercury was falling rapidly. Following are the official temperatures for the past few days as reported from the government weather station at St. Joseph college: High. Low. Tuesday ............ 39 Wednesday ... .. • • .<• • . ,61 28 Thursday ........ ■ ••... 67 31

HERE TO SELL AUTO STOCKS Some parties were in Rensselaer this week endeavoring to sell stock in an automobile company. They had ope of the cars manufactured by their company here and gave an unique demonstration on the street Wednesday afternoon, driving the car a# a very swift pace up an incline of perhaps eighteen inches and jumping it off at the high point, the car making a leap of about thirty-seven feet before striking the street again. Just what was sought to be proven by the peculiar demonstration we are at a loss to say, as perhaps almost any other make of car would perform the same stunt, but personally we would rather have a car that had not been submitted to any such “test.”,

Vol. XIX, No. 103

GERMAN U-BOAT SINKS OIL SHIP

Twenty-One Americans Die When Boat Capsizes. SUNK WITHOUT WARNING Twenty-one Members of the Crew Picked Up by a Destroyer and Landed in Holland. , ■ f Amsterdam, March 23. —German submarines have claimed their seventh American victim. The Yankeee steamer Healdton was torpedoed without warning early Wednesday night in the North sea ott the coast of Terschelllng. Twenty-one members of the crew of 42 lost their Ilves. Twenty were drowned and another died from Injuries received In the launching of the lifeboats. ' Eight have landed at Terschelllng and 13 more have landed at Ymulden, Holland. * Three Lifeboats Launched. While details have so far not been obtainable by American Consul Mahin, he has received Information from Terschelllng that when the Healdton was struck Captain Christopher Immediately gqve orders to the crew to take to the liieboats. Three of the craft were launched. It Is presumed the 20 men drowned were hurled from the craft by the heavy sea, as were the 15 victims of the Vlgllancla, sunk last week, and that It was impossible to rescue them. i The one lifeboat containing eight of the crew was towed In by a ibrpedo boat.

London Gets Report. London, March 23. —The Yankee steamer Healdton has been torpedoed in the North sea, according to dispatches reaching London on Thursday night from Amsterdam and The Hague. Elgjht of the crew of 42 men, after buffeting wind and wave many hours In an open boat, were picked up and landed at Terschelllng, Holland, a Central News dispatch from Amsterdam says. Eight American Citizens. New York, March 23. —Eight of the officers and engineers of the Standard Oil steamship Healdton are American citizens, an officer of the company said at his home. ‘ Cargo Value $106,886. Philadelphia, March 23.—-The steamer Healdton, a tanker owned by the Standard oil company of New .Tersay, sailed from Chester, Pa., on January 26 for Rotterdam with 2,137,711 gallons of refined petroleum, valued at $106,886. ; Washington Receives Report. Washington, March 23.—American Consul Mahin at Amsterdam cabled the state department on Thursday night that the American steamer Healdton was sunk by a submarine Wednesday off Terschelllng, Holland. It was torpedoed without warning. Twenty of the crew were drowned. Another died of injuries. The dispatch follows: “Standard Oil ship Healdton, from Philadelphia for Rotterdam, cargo oil, torpedoed without warning 8:15 evening of 21st, 25 miles north of Terschelllng, Holland. Twenty of crew drowned. One died of Injuries. Others (taken) to North Holland. Submarine seen after torpedoing. More details to follow."

In “Safety Zone.” The Healdton was bound from Philadelphia for Rotterdam with a cargo of oil and was sunk 25 miles north of Terschelling, Holland, in the so-called German “safety zone.” While the message does not state whether by Terschelling is.meant the Island at the bend of the Netherlands’ coast Just north' of the Zuider Zee or the Terschelling lightship near that island, a point 25 miles north of either point, the island or the would be outside of the barred area whicli Germany proclaimed around the British Isles. Calls It Act of War. The sinking of the Healdton outside bf that zone without warning, consequeently, is virtually an act of war on the United States. . OU is contraband, but under the old Prussian-American treaty with the United States government, while contraband may be detained when carried In American vessels or delivered out, the vessel in which it is carried should not be sunk and the oil if taken over must be paid for by Germany. Blaster is near at hand and no doulbt the boys Wd men will be thinking of their nobby clothes. We are ready to show you all the latest in Kuppenheimer, Collegian and Frat clothes, and they are just swell. Come In and see our assortment.—C. EARL DUVALL.

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