Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 5, Number 93, Decatur, Adams County, 15 April 1907 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume V. Number 93

■FATAL ACCIDENT YESTERDAY ■Wilson Van Horn Was Instantly Killed ■ By a Traction Car

no ONE TO BLAME Motorman Fred Smith Was in Charge VICTIM STEPPED ON TRACK Just in Front of Approaching Car — Mrs. Van Horn Witnessed the Terrible Accident. Wilson O. Van Horn, a farmer living half way between here and Fort Wayne was instantly killed Sunday morning at 9:30 by being struck by an interurban car on the Fort Wayne and Springfield interurban, the car leaving here at nine o'clock. This is the first accident on the new line and , President Fledderjohann and other members of the company expressed] the deepest regrets, although they . were in no wise responsible for the ' Bad accident. Motorman Fred Smith! •was in charge of the car. He is one of the most careful men in the service i an experienced man who came here . i trom the Wabash Valely lines and no I HHlame whatever is attached to him. j He was terribly broken up over the EMaffair and refused to be consoled because of the fact that he was blame- . ’ |ess. K The fatal accident occurred just in 'front of Mr. Van Horn’s home, a gahort distance north of Middletown, a Hfcnall town on the Decatur road just north of the Allen-Adams county line, and a pathetic feature of the case is that Van Horn and his HHrife were preparing at the time to ■ 'take a car for the purpose of going ■to New Haven to attend the funeral gfof a nephew’. ■ The Van Horn residence is located

WANTS THE CASH Jake Hillinger Defendant ■ in Law Suit HIS BRIDE OF FIVE DAVS iabays He Married Her Fraudulently and She Demands Six Hundred Dollars. I Jacob Hillinger, who last year was jfthe hero in many a hard fought base Hall battle, and was the envy of many fans, seems to be having his just at present. Last W edhe was married to Miss Mabel ■Bchlegel, of this city, to settle a pater--■'Bnity suit filed against him. The wed■king occurred just after noon, Jake his bride to her ■ome, w’here he remained an hour or Kwo. He left here on the six o clock Star for Auburn, where he has a poslin the blacksmith shop of the ■Kipinger Carriage Factory. This ■norning Attorney L. C. Deboss appeared in circuit court here and filed ■Ba complaint for Mabel Hillinger. a ■bride of less than a week, charging ■that her husband had fraudulently ■married her to escape prosecution, deserting her without ■just cause and failing to make any ■provision for her support, wherefore ■Mabel demands from Jake the sum ■of S6OO. Under the law recently enKacted and which went into effect a ■day before Jake was married he is ■also liable under the criminal stat■ute, which makes abandonment a tel Hotly , attached to which is a peniten■tlary sentence as a punishment. I W. S. Peterson is on the sick list ■suffering from an attack of in flam■matory rheumatism. ■ Mrs. J. Baughman, of Decatur, is ■visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. ■Abe Studabaker, of South Main ■street.—Bluffton News.

only about twenty feet from the interurban tracks and at a point about 150 feet north is a small station where it is customary for persons in the nighborhood to flag the cars when they wish to get aboard. Mr. and Mrs. Van Horn had made preparations in a hurry to take the car in question and while Mr. Van Horn hastily packed a few remaining articles in their traveling bag he bade his wife go ahead to the station to flag the car. Mrs. Van Horn had walked to the station and had just began to wave her hand as a signal to the motorman, when, to her horror, she saw her husband step upon the track, just in front of the house, and right in the path of the approaching car. Mr. Van Horn was slightly deaf and he did not hear the car nor the terrified cries of warning from his wife. In anstant the coach was upon him and when members of his family and the car crew rushed to his side he w - as dead. Death is believed to have been instanteous. The body was not badly mangled and the fatal wound was a fracture of the skull, just above the right eye, Coroner J. E. Stults, who was summoned to investigate the case, stated last night that the only other injuries were a gash six inches long below the left knee, some abrasions on the left side of the face and some bruises on the back.

The body was carried into the house by the members of the crew of the car. which was north-bound coach No. 2, due here at 10:30 a. m. Coroner Stults arrived and made an investigation of the tragedy. It is probable that a verdict of accidental death will be returned, as the evidence procured seemed to indicate that no one was responsible for the distressing affair. Mr. Van Horn was well known in Decatur, as he fre- , quently came here to trade. He leaves I besides his wife, seven children: i Misses Blanche and Clyde, who work 1 at Fort Wayne and Bertha, Hildred, Clarence, Edwin and Glen who reside at home.

“HELLO GIRLS” UP IN ARMS Because of an Order Prohibiting Receopt of Presents. Spokane, Wash., April 15. —One hundred and sixty girl operators in the employ of the Pacific States Telephone company in Spokane, are figuratively up in arms over an order, just promulgated, to the effect that they will not be permitted to accept presents of sweetmeats, gloves and hatpins from patrons of the local, interurban and long distance lines in the future. The official explanation for the order is that Spokane is the banner city of the Northwest for presents to operators and as a result the “tip-givers” receive the best service, while others are frequently neglected, when it is known that a generous patron wants the line. The girls declare this is not true, and they will organize a club protesting against the rule, and a strike, they say, may result. The management has also posted a rule that no girl can be employed by the company unless she presents credentials, showing that she is recommended by at least three local business men and lives at home or in a private family, but against this there is little or no protest. - WHERE WAS THE EARTHQUAKE Seismographs Record a Terrible Shock Somewhere. Albang, N. Y., April 15.—The strongest and longest earthquake shock ever recorded in the seismograph in the state museum here occurred early today, when the instrument records movement of two hours’ duration, and made a greater movement than did the San Francisco earthquake. At one time the movement was so pronounced that the pendulum was swung clear off the recording cylinder. The fact that an earthquake has occurred is also confirmed by the weather bureau at Washington. .— o The Interurban Railway will run a special car tomorrow, the same leaving here at 12:00 p. m. for the benefit of those desiring to attend the funeral of Mrs. Christina Dirkson

Decatur, Indiana, Monday, Evening, April 15, 1907.

MRS. CHRISTIAN DIRKSON DEAD Well Known Pioneer Lady of Root Township. Mrs. Christina Dirkson, one of the oldest and best known women in Root township, died Saturday evening, after an Illness of several weeks duration. Death resulting from old age and other complications. She was born in Germany in the year 1829, making her age seventy-seven years and during a greater part of that time she had resided in this county. She came here when the surrounding country was but a wilderness and assisted in her way in up building and improving the same. During the past ten years she had made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Henry Reiter, and it was at her home that she departed this life. The funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon at two o’clock at the St. Johns Lutheran church and interment will be made in the St. Johns Lutheran cemetery. ABSORBING TOPIC Chosen by Rev. Kessinger of U. B. Church STORY OF HARRY THAW Provides Many Lessons—Says Thaw Should Be Placed in Institution Where Body and Soul Could Be Healed. Perhaps one of the most out of the ordinary and interesting talks that has been given from a pulpit in a Decatur church for some time, was that delivered by Rev. Kessinger at the U. B. church last night. The subject, a most appropriate one, at the present time, “The Thaw Case,” was taken up and the minister in a clear and decisive manner discussed the material circumstances of this case of world wide fame, presenting to his hearers many logical thoughts that seemed to be absorbed by every person present. Rev. Kessinger laid the foundation of his talk by quoting words from the scriptures that were quite fitting to the theme he was about to present, and the large audience listened attentively to a subject, the kind sentiment of which has never before been attempted in a pulpit in this city. The minister began his lecture proper by emphatically declaring that Harry K. Thaw could not be justified in committing the act that he did “Regardless of the impurity of Stanford White and his many disreputable acts,Thaw could not be excused for taking a human life,” continued the speaker. He further stated that it seems of late years that the result of a criminal action depends largely upon which one is the shrewdest, the lawyers for the defense or of the prosecution, and the guilt or innocence of the culprit is lost sight of. In conclusion on this phase of the subject he said that he thought the idea of having juries to decide the destiny of persons is a humbug, and that it is not just for the state of Indiana, New York or any other in the union to commit a crime itself, to punish another for committing the same identical thing. “The criminal,” continued the speaker, “has a disease the same as other diseases that are more commonly characteristic to mankind, and as we have institutions at which the insane, epileptics, feebleminded and other unfortunate persons are treated, why not have those in which the criminally diseased can be treated and given a chance to be restored to manhood.” The discourse was excellent and Rev. Kessinger commanded the undivided attention of every person present by the able manner in which he handled the most difficult subject. G. O. P. AND HANLY AT OUTS An Open Warfare May Begin at Once. Beveridge May Help. Indianapolis, April 15. —It has been ascertained that there has been a feud and evidently irrevocable break between Governor Hanly and the state Republican machine. It was known that during the close of the legislature the machine and governor were at outs. Now it rests with Hanly whether warfare will actually begin as soon as he recovers from his sickness. Some say the governor will try to smash the machine and that Senator Beveridge will join him in the attack.

MODERN WOODMEN Nowan Established Order in Decatur DEGREE WORK CONFERRED Fort Wayne Uniformed Foresters Did the Work—Many Out of Town Visitors Were Here. The Modern Woodmen of America met at the K. of P. hall Saturday evening where they were entertained by the team work of Edwards camp No. 3127 and Ft. Wayne camp No. 4761, who came to Decatur and iniated several candidates in a manner which shows that these camps are thoroughly posted in the secret work and enthusiastic Woodmen. Their team of uniformed Foresters exemplified the work in a creditable way and there was no doubt left in the minds of the candidates but what they got all that was coming to them.

The members of Decatur camp No. 9770 extended to these camps a vote of thanks for their kindness. Talks were made by several of the Fort Wayne officers and members after which all repaired to Anderson and Bakers for refreshment. There were also present members from Berne, and Monroe camps and visitors from Emison camp, Emison, Ind., and Grover Hill camp, Grover Hill, Ohio. There were in all about 80 members present, the Ft. Wayne members are indebted to manager Fledderpohann of the interurban for his kindness in furnishing them a special car for the occasion. COURTHOUSENEWS Grand Jury Begins Duties This Morning CHARLES YAGER IS FOREMAN Regular Instructions Given by Judge Erwin —Partition Case Heard— Petition for Ditch Filed. Court convened at 9:20 this morning and among the first duties of Judge Erwin was to charge the grand jury. His instructions were regular, no special charges being given and the men were sent to work under Charles Yager, who was named as foreman. Henry Stetler was appointed bailiff. Prosecutor H. B. Heller will assist the jury and it is probable that the usual number of indictments, will be returned. The jury is composed of Charles Yager, Melvin Davis, Lemuel Bears, Tilden Delhi, Frank Brokaw and William Barkley. A petition for a ditch, two and one half miles in length, in Hartford township, has been filed by William Glendening, John W. Heller, Eugene Lindsey and others. The bond was filed and approved. D. E. Smith is attorney for the petitoners. In the cadb of Henrietta Waters vs. Wilson L. Waters, divorce, a summons was ordered returnable May 15. Rachael Felty vs. Charles F. Felty, partition; default of defendants; D. D. Heller appointed guardian ad litem for minor heirs; finding that plaintiff is the owner in fee, as tenant in common of the undivided onethird of real estate named in petition. I. N. Veeley, A. J. Miller and Levi Baumgartner were appointed commissioners to make partition. George B. M. Maurer vs. George B. M. Maurer, Admr., claim of $350 dismissed. George B. Maurer et al vs. Saloma Adams et al, quiet title and partition; final report filed and commissioner discharged. o It has been discovered that under a law enacted by the last legislature now in effect, that every legal voter in the state must pay a poll tax. Under the old law all legal voters between the ages of twenty-one and fifty were required to pay poll tax, voters being exempt after reaching the age of fifty years. ,

PRESBYTERY MEETS TONIGHT Convenes in Semi-Annual Session at Nappanee. Rev. Alfred Fowler, left today for Nappanee, Indiana to attend the semiannual meeting of the Fort Wayne Presbytery. The Presbytery comprises the counties of Allen, Wells, Adams, Whitley, DeKalb, Steuben, Lagrange, Huntington, Kosciusko and Elkhart, and has thirty-eight ministers. The presbytery will open this evening, when a new moderator and stated clerk will be elected and a devotional service held. Tomorrow morning the routine business work will begin, and one of the leading features will be the nomination of commissioners to the state and general assemblies, reports of committees and selection of the next place of meeting will be the closing buisiness of the morning. A GW PROGRAM Assured for the Violin Recital BOSSE OPERA HOUSE, APRIL 16 Given by Tony Holthouse and Pupils Assisted by Local Talent. Part I. Ensemble, Four violins and piano, Helmsberger; Tarantella, Helmsberger, Messrs. Annen, Burk, Brown Case and Holthouse; Le Voyage Galop, Streabbog, Orville Grim; Two Duets, Hohmann: The Star Spangled Banner, Francis Scott Key, Donald and Kenneth Vancil; Sixth Air Varie, C. H. Deberiot Mr. Frank Annen; Selection, Hohmaan, Clarence Fledderjohann, Sonata in E flat, Op. 81, Beethoven; Adagio-Allegro-Andante - Vivacissimente, T. Holthouse; Musical Reflections, Pious-Joyful, Schroder, Almon Case; Faust, Bowman, Don Burk; Overture, Crown of Gold, Bowman, Frank Brown; Home, Sweet Home, Bishop, Tom McKean. Part 11. Sonata in A flat, Beethoven, Variations Nos. 1,2, 3,4, 5, Miss Myrtle Bachler; Beduoin, Love Song, Pinsuti, Mr. Jess Emsberger; Heaven Hath Shed a Tear. Violin Obligato, Kuchen, Miss May Niblick; Saeterjentens Sonday, Ole Bull; Kuiawiak, Wieniawski, T. Holthouse; A Dream, Bartlett, Miss Clara Terveer; Song of The Horeator, Carmen, Mr. Louis Holthouse; Beloved it is Morn, Oylward, Miss May Niblick; Vocal Selection, Petrie, Mr. Hugh Hite; Vocal Duet, Miss Clara Teveer and Mr. Jess Ernsberger; Hungarian Dance, Jeno Hubay, T. Holthouse.

A BROKEN LEG Oliver Walters Seriously Injured Today AT MONROE STREET BRIDGE Horses Started to Run and Walters Leaped, Receiving Very Painful Injuries. Oliver Walters, living on the Dan Erwin farm near Salem church, was the victim of a very painful accident this afternoon at about 2:30 o'clock. He was driving to this city and the horses in some manner became frightened and started on a fast run through the Monroe street bridge. Mr. Walters jumped from tne wagon and broke both bones in his left leg, the broken bones projecting through the flesh. Dr. D. D. Clark was hastily summoned and ordered the injured man taken to his home, where he treated the fracture. The injury is nothing that will result seriously, although it will take some time for the break to heal. SEVEN CARDINALS CREATED Rome, April 15. —Seven new cardinals were created today by Pope Pius, all with foreign stations.

M, E. CONFERENCE CLOSES Rev. White is Sent to Broadway Street Church, Logansport

THE NEWMINISTERS < Rev. C. B. Wilcox Comes > to Decatur NEXT SESSION AT ANDERSON 1 Rev. Walters Goes to Bobo, Rev. Jones to Monroe and Rev. King ' * to Geneva. 1 [Special.] Logansport, Ind., April, 15. —The sixty-fourth annual session ' of the Northern Indiana M. E. con-!. ference closed here at noon today when Bishop McDowell read the list • r of appointments for the ensuing year. There are many changes, some of them unlooked for. Rev. John C. White, of Decatur, is sent to Broadway church in this city, while Rev. C. ' B. Wilcox, of LaGrange, is sent to Decatur. J. K. Cecil *goes to Bluffton, H. P. Hocker to Bluffton circuit, P. ' H. Walter to Bobo, Edgar L. Jones to Monroe, C. King to Geneva, James D. Newcomb to Hoagland. Rev. C. B. Wilcox, who comes to Decatur, is one of the most brilliant young ministers in the conference. He* is thirty-five years old and his family consists of Mrs. Wilcox and one son. He has been located at LaGrange for several years, where he is very popular. The Logansport church is one of the best in the state and Rev. White’s appointment is a deserved promotion. Logansport, Ind., April 15. —The Northern Indiana conference will meet at Anderson next year. At Saturday morning’s session Rev. E. J. Naftzger made a motion to that effect which was seconded by Rev. Herrick.

“UNCLE RUBE” NEXT MONDAY Cast of Characters for the Home Talent Show. On Monday April 22nd the ladies ' aid society of the Christian church will present their local talent benefit show “Uncle Rube” or an Idyll of Vermont. Uncle Rueben Rodney... Sam Shamp Mark, his son, and a promising young rascal Clayson Carroll Gordon Gray, an artist. Frank Wemhoff Ike, the hired man... Walter Johnson Bill Tappam. the constable.... Hugh Hite Upson Asterbilt, a dude Dick Erwin, Jr. Bub Grene, a young rustic.... J. J. Helm Mrs. Bunn, a charming widow Miss May Niblick Taggs, a waif Francis Bryson Millicent Lee, the country school ma’am Miss Mabie Erwin “Uncle Rube” is a rural comedy in four acts full of laughter and music. A chorus of young ladies and the pony quartette will assist in rendering the muscial program. The ladies are canvassing their tickets, the price is . 25c. Seats reserved at the Holt- ,

house Drug Store. Board opens the 22nd at 8 a. m. Visit your “Uncle Rube" at Bosse Opera House next Monday evening. The Keller Incubator plant on south Second street is without doubt the busiest manufacturing plant in the city at the present time. The concern is back several weeks in their orders and have taken on an extra supply of men to assist in the manufacturing of these chicken raisers so that they may get even again. The Keller Incubator has gained a wide reputation in the past several months and orders from all over the country keep coming in for these popular ma--1 chines.

Price

The motion was carried unanimously. It had been reported that the Methodist church at Bluffton would make an effort to secure the honor, but Anderson was the only place presented and voted upon. At the next conference in additions to the ministers each church will be reperesented by a lay member. Logansport, Ind., April 14. —The Rev. B. S. Hollopeter, pastor of the Broadway Methodist Episcopal church, Logansport, for the last two years, will be the new presiding elder of the Wabash district unless something unforeseen develops at the conference early tomorrow. His successor here, according to smi-official information will be the Rev. J. C. White, pastor of the Decatur Methodist Episcopal church since 1903, a son of the late Rev. J. C. White, who joined the conference in 1849 when the annual body met in this city. The Rev. Hollopeter joined the North Indiana conference in 1886, and has , sevred charges at Poneto, Monroeville, Churubusco, Selma, Montpelier, Noblesville and Logansport. Hundreds of Methodists participated in the services today, visiting ministers occupying all Protestant pulpits in the city both morning and evening. At the annual memorial services this afternoon Bishop McDowell paid a fitting tribute to the memory of two Methodist bishops who have died within the last year, Bishops McCabe and Fitzgerald. This afternoon’s memorial to the dead members of the conference was extremely impressive. The services were in charge of the Rev. Dora V. Williams, of Eaton, secretary of the conference. The big service of the conference today, however was in the morning at the Market Street church when Bishop McDowell delievered the sermon. “Redemption is the heart of the Bible,” declared the bishop. “The Bible is more than theology, more than literature, more than eithics; it is the gospel of redemption. Back in the garden of Eden it was more than any of the three, for it was promised that women should bruise the serpent’s head. That was redemption. Moses may have written good theology, good literature and good ethics, but he did more; he redeemed the children of Israel from Egypt.” Following the sermon ten deacons were ordained by the bishop.

HEART DISEASE James H. EcKles Died Suddenly Yesterday EX-CONTROLLER OF CURRENCY He Was an Active Member of the Cleveland Cabinet and Has Large Business Interests. Chicago, April 14.—James H. Eckels, president of the Commercial National bank, of this city, and former controller of the currency, died at his home here early today of heart disease. The death of Mr. Eckels occurred apparently while he was asleep in his bed. The fact that he was dead was discovered by a butler, Frank Evans, who entered Mr. Eckels’ room after hearing a telephone within ring continuously without receiving an an-

! swer. Thinking that Mr. Eckels had ■ not been awakened Evans entered and ’■ found Mr. Eckels apparently asleep. The butler called to him and getting no response sought to arouse him, i and found that he was dead. Other ■ members of the household were sum- ■ moned and Dr. Frank S. Churchill ' was hurriedly called. Dr. Churchill ; arrived within a short time, and after - an examination gave it as his opinion ’ that Mr. Eckels had been dead for ! some hours. 5 o — s Dr. Vizard, of Pleasant Mills, was y a business caller to our city today. i- Fred Hoffman made a business trip to Garrett this morning.