Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 5, Number 95, Decatur, Adams County, 17 April 1907 — Page 1

Volume V. Number 95

SESSION OF THE COUNCIL Important Business Affairs were Transacted Last Night

I THE SIDEWALKS Second Street Property I Owners Score FORMER ACTION RESCINDED Contract for Coal Let—Mayor Coffee Made a Speech—School Bonds Purchased by Old Adams County Bank. The common council met in regular session last evening at the library building and at once got down to business. Every councilman was present, and a large crowd of visitors were on hand to listen to the proceedings. The first matter taken up was the proposition concerning the Construction of the cement sidewalks along the north Second street, and the council first listened to the reading of a petition which had been; Spied by practically every property i holder along the street, they asking to be permitted to put down their own , side walks, and that the width of the I ifiaßame be four feet. R. S. Peterson 1 apok" at some length in behalf of the | i ' petit toners, and he was replied to by Bwtorney A. P. Batty, who endeavored Bto show the benefits to be derived ■lron, letting the sidewalk by contract. Several other property owners who were present spoke for and against the improvement and the matter was ;;Aen up to the council to determine. MBlpoii motion the street was estab-ggjplb-d to the width of sixty feet from street north to the corpora- ■ Utm line and the width of the sidewalk determined at five feet, and the side of rhe sidewalk to be feet from the center of street OH each side. It was then decided tjiat each property owner be required to build their own sidewalk according to the plans and specifications to be Hit m by the engineer and the said ||||ralks to be constructed and completed by June 15th. 1907. Thus has endone of the most bitter fights for an Hjfcp’.ovement ever opened up in the A petition asking to have Ke- ■ ®e>’’ ca street graded was presented. MOnd upon motion was referred to the and sewer committee. A peti-as-Ing for a cement sidewalk on tile east side of High street was read upon motion was referred to the and sewer committee. A petiJon signed by S. E. Shamp. D. N. Erand Fred Scheiman asking for the ruction of a sewer on the south Md of Market street was read, and ®on motion was referred to the street sewer committee. The bids for for the ensuing year were then Opsned; three firms being represented by agents and the contract was awardto the W. J. Hamilton Coal comof Columbus. Ohio, their bid be g five cents lower per ton than th; Sunday Creek Coal Company, who the coal last year. The contract to furnish a good of coal and the council is conthat they have made a good During the discussion of ths bids the mayor in an impassioned »1 ech accused the Sunday Creek Coal of holding the city up for cents on the ton. claiming that mining rates had gone up and that city should pay this amount. Ihe informed the representative of company that unless they could clearly define their reason con the raise that the over charge be deducted when the final set■Bment was made. The agent who present made a faint effort to the company's action but his were disconnected and he Ju carry much weight or conviction ■th his argument. The contract eninto by the purchasing committee the digging of a ten-inch well at tt water works plant was read and <1 oved by the council and ordered on rcord. ■The bids that were filed on the school bond sale were then and read there being but two filed, they being as follows: The ? Old Adams County Bank. $6.60a.9j>; ■eed & Harrison, of Cincinnati. Ohio. | ■,511.25. The bld of the Old Adams

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DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

County Bank being the best they were awarded the bonds and the finance committee were instructed to ascertain what kind of bonds the bank desired and to purchase and issue the same at the earliest convenience. The bank's bid gives the city a premium of $105.95 on the issue. The water works superintendents report was then read and upon motion was referred to the finance committee as were the reports of the clerk and treasurer for the month of March. The following bills were then read and allowed. Sunday Creek Coal Co $337.10 Od Adams County Bank 45.00 W. E. Fulk 25.25 Henry Schultz 1.80 Henry Peters 4.25 P. J. Hyland 4.25 Old Adams County Bank 168.75 National Bank 56.25 J. D. Stults 46.03 Pittsburg Grade & Supply Co. 31.25 L. G. Ellingham 40.00 Lagonda Mfg. Co 1.60 Wm. Burford 41.25 Ingersoll Rand Co 4.25 Lenhart & Myers 5.30 Adams Express Co 10.40 J. S. Bowers 600.78 Ed Green .50 D. F. Feepie 54.64 W. J. Archbold 47.11 Union Oil Works 44.31 Clover Leaf Coal Mining Co.. 54.88 Geo Kuser & Co 1.65 Bass Foundry 1.44 Fairbanks Morse Co .96 G. R. & 1 144.62 No further business coming before the council the adjourned to meet Friday evening, when they will hear objections on the Third street improvement. o STUDENTS TO CULTIVATE LAND A tract of a hundred and sixty acres of farm land, which was recently, purchased by the Indiana School for Feeble Minded Youth by the appropriation granted the institution by the Indiana legislature, is being cultivated by the students and employes of the institution. The property is located immediately across the road from the old farm. The price paid was $16,000.

PIONEER STRICKEN William Burdg Suffers a Stroke of Paralysis IS IN SERIOUS CONDITION With but Slight Hopes of Recovery— One of Best Known Men of the Community. "Uncle Billy" Burdg, a pioneer resident of Decatur, than whom but few people in the county are better known, was stricken with paralysis, about five o'clock yesterday afternoon and is in a dying condition. He was setting in a rocking chair at his home on Mercer avenue when the attack came, and he fell helpless to the floor. Help was summoned and physicians called who administrated, but with little relief. At eleven o’clock last night he suffered another slight attack and became much worse. All the children including Mrs. Lafayette Ellis and Albert Burdge of this city, Mrs. Marion Ellis, of Muncie and Mrs. William Bell of Elwood, have been summoned. Uncle Billy is seventyone years old. He came here many years ago. and during the greater part of his life here was engaged in the milling business. His many friends are hoping he may recover though practically no hope is extended. CAPT. MYERS IS DYING. Anderson, Ind. April 17 —Captain W. R Myers, former secretary of state and congressman, was stricken with paralysis today on rising from bed. His whole left side was affected and he cannot recover. His family is at his bedside.

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday, Evening, April 1 7, 1907.

OF INTEREST TO TEACHERS Reading Circle Examination on Next Saturday. A reading circle examination will be held next Saturday at the central school building. Any teacher who passes successfully the examination on the current reading circle books, will be exempt from taking the examination on these two books when passing the regular county or state teachers’ examination. When a teacher has passed the examination successfully on four consecutive years’ work he is entitled to a diploma which exempts such teacher thereafter from taking the examination in the subjects of science of education and literature when taking the regular teachers’ examination. The above is a good opportunity to become exempt in these subjects. Any person wishing to take advantage of this opportunity shall notify the county superintendent before the date of examination. dhTnot likFit Panama Visitors Not Given any Flowers LOOKING AFTER SENATOR BORAH Indiana Postmasters to Have a Meeting at Indianapolis on May Fifteenth. Washington, April 17.—Despite the roseate accounts of conditions on the isthmus which members of Speaker Cannon’s party brought back from the canal zone, practically every one of them is nursing a secret wound received while they were inspecting the work done on the great waterway. While strong in their praise of what has been accomplished they return with their personal feelings hurt, and although little has been said about the matter, the story has got out, according to a correspondent here of the New York Sun. It is said that they were slighted, ignored, almost insulted; and treated like ordinary non-consequential citizens by the officials of the Canal Commission. Thy got no more consideration than if they had been a party of commercial travelers, or ordinary “rubbernecks,” instead of a dignified delegation of the country’s lawmakers. In fact they were treated about as a member of the House is when he goes over to the Senate side of the capitol. They were admitted and allowed to stand around and see things, but no one extended them a welcome or paid any attention to them. Washington, April 17.—The Department of Justice has asked for complete details of the indictment of United States Senator W. E. Borah, of Idaho, who. according to the information that has reached the department, is charged with conspiracy to defraud the government in land transactions. Borah was recently elected Senator, to succeed Fred Dubois. He had been counted an administration man, and is at this time a special attorney, employed to assist in the prosecution of William I. Haywood, secretary and treasurer of the Western Federation of Miners, for the murder of former Governor Steunenberg. Washington, April 17. —There is to be a meeting of the postmasters of Indiana at Indianapolis May 15, for the purpose of organizing an association. There is to be no politics permitted and the department is encouraging such organizations when only the good of the service is at heart. Many other states have such organizations and Indiana is just getting into line. At this meeting Third Assistant Post-master-General A. L. Lawshe and Chief Postoffice Inspector W. J- Vickery, both of Indiana, will be present and lend any assistance they can. o — ATTENTION COMRADES. Inhere will be a regular meeting of Sam Henry Post G. A. R. Thursday night. All members are requested to be present, as business of importance will come -before the Post. By order of Commander. o County Auditor C. D. Lewton, of Decatur, was a caller at the court house yesterday afternoon and spent an hour with county auditor LindeI muth and county treasurer-elect Scheiman. Mr. Anson Van Camp came up with Mr. Lewton. —Ft. Wayne Journal-Gazette.

TO VISIT TERRELL Judge Erwin will Decide for Himself INFAMOUS MURDER CASE Important Ruling Will Be Made Only After a Personal Investigation by the Judge. [Special.] Bluffton, Ind., April 17. —Judge R. K. Erwin, special judge in the John W. Terrell murder case, yesterday afternoon informed the attorneys for Terrell and for the state that he would entertain no motions or make no rulings in the case until he was satisfied in his own mind as to the present mental status of the defendant. He informed the attorneys that as the court was at this time advised, Terrell was of unsound mind. In order to get at the truth or falsity of this statement, Judge Erwin stated that he proposed in the near future to visit the asylum at Richmond and there ascertain for himself John Terrell's mental condition. At the last term of court it will be remembered that Terrell’s attorneys filed a motion for a plea in abatement against the indictment that was returned on the ground that it w r as illegally returned, the court not having complied with the statute in returning it. The court’s ruling was that the state should make answer and today was the time set for such answer. The answer of the state was a motion that the attorneys, Jay Hindman and R. W. Stine, who were appearing for the defendant, show their authority for so doing and alleging that there had been no arrest in the cause, that he defendant had not waived service and that the matter w'as not within the jurisdiction of the court. Judge Erwin said that he had knowledge that Terrell was insane and asked if this was not true. Attorney Stine declared it was, but that the question could not be raised until the proper time in a case. Judge Erwin then declared that it was a fixed principle in all the states that an insane man could not be tried for a crime. He cited a noted case on this subject which showed that (Continued on page 2.)

COMMEND STOCK Committee Makes Glowing Report MORE THAN PAY SIX PER CENT Committee Made Thorough Investigation and Advise Investors to Buy the Stock. The committee recently appointed to investigate the Krick, Tyndall & Co. proposition to increase their capital stock for the purpose of enlarging this well known manufacturing plant have filed a most favorable report. The firm will have their proposition ready for the public within a few days and we predict that the “wise ones” will buy their stock as soon as given the opportunity. Work of enlarging the already mammoth plant will begin soon and this factory promises to more than continue a leading one in this section of the state. The report of the committee follows: Decatur, Indiana. We, the undersigned committee appointed by the Commercial Club, to investigate the Krick, Tyndall & Company plant, hereby take pleasure in reporting the following: Upon a careful comparison of the value of the plant by the above concern with the plant itself, we find the same to be, if anything low. and that the profits of the concern are more than sufficient to pay a net 6 per cent dividend on the proposed capitalization and a good surplus besides. We, therefore, commend the stock of this concern to the investing public as safe and profitable, and one that will pay good divilends from the beginning. W. H. FLEDDERJOHANN, J. B. HOLTHOUSE, J NO. W. VAIL, C. A. DUGAN, E. X. EHINGER.

TO TEST TWO-CENT FARE Railroads to File Suits in Several of the States. Dispatches from Chicago state that suits are being prepared by the attorneys of leading railroads to test recently enacted 2-cent fare laws. It is said that these suits will be filed simultaneously in Nebraska, lowa, Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and in other states having 2-cent statutes. Test cases will be carried, it is said, to the Supreme Court of the United States. The 2-cent fare laws will be attacked, it is said, on the ground that they establish rates unreasonably low; that in some cases they are confiscatory and that they are unconstitutional because they cause unjust reductions in rates for interstate traffic, over which the individual states can exercise no authority. It is expected that the suits will be filed late this month. COURTHOUSENEWS Grace Lister Files Sensational Divorce Case HUSBAND TRIED TO KILL CHILD And Did Various Other Cruel Acts— Arguments for New Trial in the Herschy Case. Grace Lister vs. Thomas Lister, divorce and SSOO alimony, was the title of a case filed by attorney L. C. Deboss. The complaint says the couple were married December 29, 1903, and have two children, aged three years and fifteen months respectively. Tilden is accused of having abandoned his family five different times, to have cursed and beaten his wife, pulled her hair, failed to provide for her, and even threatened to kill her. The complaint also says that the defendant is possessed of a despondent, melancholy, hysterical disposition and when he is seized with spells which he has frequently, she is afraid he will kill her or the children. He is accused of trying to kill his oldest child and of other terrible charges; in fact, the complaint is one of the strongest ever filed here. Mrs. Lister asks for the custody of the children. SSOO alimony, and ten dollars per month to support the family.

Lizzie Hendricks vs. Hubert Topp, replevin; dismissed and costs paid. Arguments for a new trial in the case of Sixby and Grumme Company et al vs. Hirschy Bros, were heard this morning, but no decision given. The grand jury will visit the county farm tomorrow and will probably complete their work by Saturday. National Supply Company vs. L. C. Ira W. Holt et al; attachment; demand, $641.08; appearance by Jay C. Hamil; answer filed by clerk and sheriff; agreement of settlement by plaintiff and Jay Hamil. $116.77 ordered paid to Shaffer Peterson as trustee as per agreement filed, and continued by the said trustee. David Werling and Charles H. Myers, petition for drain; set for trial Thursday, April 25, 1907. Peter M. Moser has been appointed guardian for Henry, Edward, Jesse and Ezra Snyder and filed bond for SSOO, which was approved. Jacob P. Hobegger, guardian for Carl Hobegger and four others, filed his final report and was discharged, the money on hands being paid to the wards. In the W. H. Niblick estate a reappraisement of the Wren Bank stock was filed as petitioned for. o GOV. HANLY SUFFERS RELAPSE Indianapolis. April 17.—Governor Hanly’s condition is not so well today. In spite of his very serious condition, he took a deep interest in settling the affairs at Dearborn Park, and today he had a relapse. o Rev. E. B. Parker returned to his home at Wakarusa this morning. While here he was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Hale.

GUEST OF HONOR! Congressman Adair at Indianapolis HE MAKES A SPEECH He Was Paid Great Honor by the Democrats at the State Capitol —Good Meeting. Congressman Adair was the guest of honor of the Indiana Democratic Club, at Indianapolis last night. In addressing the club, he said in part; The only consolation we have at the present time lies in the fact that the Republican party is almost as hopelessly divided as we are. With Theodore Roosevelt in a quarrel with Harriman and Rockeffel, who, together with the insurance companies and tariff beneficiaries, contributed the funds which made his election possible i . 1904, and his apparent determine ion to extinguish Foraker in Ohio anti nominate his friend Taft for the presidency, in the event the people don't say, “You first, Teddy;” with the tariff beneficiaries and trust magnates sucking the life blood out of the public treasury; with their hands and arms in the pockets of the producing millions; with another hungry horde demanding a raid on the public treasury and the purse of the people, through the enactment of ship subsidy legislation; with political machines in every state in the union riding rough shod over all opposition; with all these difficulties in the way of the Republican party, I am not so sure after all but that our condition is even better than theirs. “The eyes of the people are on the Democratic party, for there is no other party from which they can expect relief to come. It is the party whose foundation rests on the solid rock of equal rights. It is eternal as justice, as indestructible as truth. It is the party which time and again has been buried under an avalanche of ballots, deposited by men who had been deceived by the glamor of concentrated wealth and the teachings of false prophets. But from the grave it has risen, each time with renewed strength and redoubled energy, to advocate and plead the cause of the common people. G. R. & i. WRECK Entire Passenger Train was Derailed AT LYNN THIS MORNING South Bound Train Leaves the Track —No One Seriously Injured, But Cars Were Badly Damaged. Number ttvelve, the morning passenger train on the G. R. & I. due in this city at 7:14 in the morning, was wrecked this morning a mile north of Lynn and the entire train was derailed. The train was running at its usual rate of speed and had just crossed a public highway when the engine left the track taking the four coaches with it and tearing up the track for a considerable distance. The wreck was caused by a rail working loose and spreading when the engine struck. Although the train was loaded with passengers at the time, all escaped injury aside from being severely shaken up. Thirty-two rails were torn up and the track was damaged considerable. That the passengers and crew escaped without injury is a mystery to all, as for appearances it was one of the worst wrecks the road has had in recent years. All traffic on the line between Ridgeville and Richmond has been suspended and the trains are being run from Ridgeville to Bradford Junction, thence into Richmond. The wreck cannot possibly be cleared up before morning although the wrecking train from Richmond is on the scene doing all that is possible. The passengers on board the train were carried into Richmond on a special the road sent lout.

Price —

ONLY A POLITICAL Dr. Good, of Warren, Again Spoken of for Congress. It is understood that Dr. C. H. Good, of Huntington county, will again enter the congressional arena and make a contest for the Republican nomination. It Is claimed that in the contest last > fall he maintained a neutral attitude. He had an opportunity to become an exile, but refused the offer. It is understood that Thad Butler, the veteran Republican editor of the Wabash, who returned from a short residence at Boulder, Colo., formerly and for many years editor of the News-Express at Andrews and the Huntington Herald, is ready for the question and will manage his journalistic campaign. Thad is now a quiet looker-on in Huntington. —Peru Cronicle. o AS TO DIVORCES * - Statistics Being Prepared by Mr. Crooks FOR THE CENSUS DEPARTMENT Spring Collection of Taxes About Half Paid in—Many Road Petitions to Be Presented Next Month. Joseph M. Crooks, of the department of commerce and labor bureau of the census, Washington, D. C„ is here arranging divorce statistics covering a period of twenty years. His work rquires about three weeks’ time and while Mr. Crooks admits that he has discovered some interesting facts and figures here, he is not at liberty to divulge same; this being strictly forbidden by his department. His report will be compiled and given the public in due time from the census bureau. Treasurer Lochot reports that the spring collection of taxes is about half paid in, leaving as much more to be paid by May 6, two weeks from next Monday. This means that during the next fifteen days there will be lots of business at the county treasurer's office. Everything paid after that date will have to be paid with the six per cent penalty attached. Six or seven macadam road petitions will be presented to the board of commissioners when they meet May 6. The most of them come from Root township, but several other townships are interested in the building of macadam roads, among them will be the extension of the Geneva, Ceylon and Wabash township road east of Geneva. Bids will be received for coal at the next session of commissioners court. A contract will be made for enough to supply the court house, jail and county infirmary. o ANOTHER BOOM STARTED. C. K. McCullough, of Anderson, Being Groomed by Friends. Michigan City, Ind., April 16. —The Dispatch, edited by John B. Faulknor, who was a member of the last legislature, says: “A boom has been started by Indiana Democrats for C. K. McCullough, of Anderson, for governor. There is said to be a lot of McCullough talk through the state, perhaps more than for any other man thus far suggested for gubernatorial honors on the Democratic side. There was probably not a member of the Indiana legislature that had a more unique and spectacular career than the Anderson man. He was apparently on the popular side of all important legislation and that is what first attracted public attention to him. Mr. McCulloughs game fight for home rule and liberal ideas in government affairs, coupled with his sound business judgment and ability to get on the right side of public questions, made the Madison county representative thousands of friends and ad\nirers in all parts of Indiana." o EVELYN WON’T DISCUSS STORY New York, N. Y., April 17. —Evelyn Thaw visited her husband today as usual and at the tombs entrance she I said in answer to a query on her mother’s statement printed yesterday “I cannot discuss that at all.”