Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 5, Number 105, Decatur, Adams County, 29 April 1907 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume V. Number 105

A SERIOUS WRECK Occurred on G. R. & 1., Sunday Morning JUST SOUTH OF PORTLAND Twenty People Injured, Several of Them Seriously—Track* May Have Been Tampered With, The north bound passenger train on the G. R. & I. due here at eight o'clock Sunday morning, was wrecked at Collett, just south of Portland at 7:35, and twenty people were injured. No one was killed outright, but the wreck was one of the worst in the history of the road. The list of the more seriously wounded is as follows: Conductor James Hayes, 2114 Hanna street, Fort Wayne; skull fractured and right eye lacerated. Brakeman Franklin C. Kime, 2536 South Wayne avenue; injured about the head and left hand mashed. Baggagemaster Christian E. Holzwarth, 836 Walnut street; injured about the face and body bruised. Mrs. Goins, of Richmond, Ind.; leg seriously hurt, probably fractured. Fifteen negroes more or less inwhom are dangerously hurt. The news of the wreck reached here shortly after it occurred, it being reported that six people had been killed but this was untrue. As the train was rounding the sharp curve just south of Collett, the tender first left the rails followed by lhe baggage car and the two day coaches. The second coach was filled with probably two dozen negroes, who were on their way from Richmond to Portland to attend a religious festival. Conductor Hayes and Brakeman Kime happened to be in this car at the time of the derailment, and when the car finally settled in the ditch on her side the seats had left their moorings and with the passengers had found lodgment in one end of the coach. The baggage car rolled down the embankment parallel with the second coach, while the third coach in ahe rear rested with one end on the side of her sister car. The rescue of the imprisoned devolved upon the cooler heads and Engineer Kelker and his fireman, who escaped without a scratch, superintended the work. Ow(Contlnued on page 2.) — o DEATH OF PIONEER Abraham Weldy Succumbs to Attack of Paralysis HE DIED SATURDAY NIGHT The Deceased was a Resident of Union Township—Funeral at Pleasant Grove Today. ••K - Abraham Weldy, one-of the oldest and best known citizens of Adams county, and a pioneer resident of Union township, died Saturday night at eleven thirty o’clock at the home of his son, William Weldy. seven miles northeast of this city after an illness of three days, death resulting from a severe stroke of paralysis. The de ceased was seventy years of age an for a number of years had made this county and Union township his home. Several years ago he gave up farming and went to live with his son. an was leading a retired life. \tednes aj morning, however, without a mo ments notice, he was seized with this stroke and after lingering three da} s death relieved him. He was a pros perous farmer and was held in ig esteem by all who knew him and is many kind acts and deeds of charit. will be sadly missed by those wo came in constant touch with him funeral services were held this after noon at two o'clock at the Pleasan Grove church, and interment wa. made in the Pleasant Valley cemetery. He leaves a wife, a son and daughter to mourn their loss. Richard Abrams, a "trust} at the Michigan CHy prisin. escaped on Tuesday afternoon. He was 56 yea of age and was sent to prison t re years ago from DeKalk county.

NAMED BY PUBLIC OPINION. The Clover Leaf Railroad was Really Named Shamrock. The name of Clover Leaf route is a misnomer, but the public would have it Clover Leaf so, of course, the road had to give way to public opinion. As a matter of fact, it should be Shamrock. In 1887 the president of the Toledo, St. Louis and Western was James M. Tingley, a son of Erin with patriotic instincts. The road needed some distinctive emblem to identify it, so every employee, from the section hands to the president, cast about! him for ideas, especially the president. The latter didn't cast far before he hit upon the shamrock. But there was one weak spot in the idea. The president fondly imagined that everybody would recognize a shamrock leaf without its being labeled in plain English, but it was a mistake, only the Irishman recognized it, and everybody else thought it was a Clover Leaf. So the “Clover Leaf” was the name attached to the road. o COURT HOUSE NEWS Andy McConnehey Was Tried Today ON THE CHARGE OF LARCENY Attachment Issued for Mrs. Williard McConnehey—Finding in GerberAlbrecht Case.

Andy McConnehey, a well known character who, during his thirty years of existence in and about Decatur, has had more or less experience in the police courts, was tried before Judge Erwin today. He is charged with having stolen nine chickens from John Largaant, a tenant on Williard Steele’s farm. During the past few weeks about fifty chickens were stolen from the Steele farm, but in this instance Largeant identified and recovered his chickens from the Decatur Packing house, where they were sold by Andy and his brother Williard. Prosecuting attorney H. B. Keller appeared for the state and Shaffer Peterson defended. Judge Erwin rendered a verdict of guilty and found the punishment at from one to three years, tiien suspended sentence as provided under the 1907 acts. Under this law Andy will have to report each month to the prison warden and at any time they see fit, officers may come and take him. He is in fact a paroled prisoner. The case against Williard McConnehey was dismissed. Grace Lister vs. Thomas T., Lister, divorce, appearance by D. E. Smith for defendant; answer filed; set for trial Friday May 3rd. Martin J. Bligh vs. Charles D. Murray, suit on notes, demand $105; cause dismissed and costs paid. Dyonis Schmitt, guardian of Peter Braun et al vs. John Braun; report of sale filed and sale confirmed; deed reported. Fred J. Gerber vs. Albrecht Reber et al, suit on note $1,200; answer filed; cross complaint filed; general denial filed to cross complaint; submitted; evidence heard; finding for plaintiff in sum of $1,103.77; finding for Reber on cross complaint for $2,183; second lien; sale ordered by sheriff. Louisa Zaugg vs. Peler Zaugg; divorce; refault of defendant; rule against prosecutor to answer. Ada Major et al vs. Elma Oliver et al partition; finding that widows interest is $475; also that widow is enti led to all of same which commissioner is ordered to pay her. State of Indiana vs. Isaac Robison continued by agreement. Mrs. Williard McConnehey was subpoened to appear in court this morning to testify in the case against his brother-in-law, but failed to appear and lhe court ordered an attachment issued for her. Squire Frank C. Foreman, of Berne, was attending to business in the Adams circuit court today. A marriage license was issued Sat(Contlnued on page 2.)

Decatur, Indiana, Monday, Evening, April 29, 1907.

TOWN WAS GUTTED A Bad Blaze Occurred at Markle Saturday LOSS SIXTY THOUSAND DOLLARS Entire Town Threatened—Twelve Business Houses Burned—Huntington Fir* Department Called. The town of Markle, twenty miles west of here, suffered a $60,000 fire Saturday afternoon, which wiped out an entire block in the heart of the businss district. For three hours the town was threatened and the blaze was finally controlled by the Huntington fire department, which was sent over on a special C. & E. train. The fire started in the haymow of James Zumbauld's livery stable from an overheated and probably defective chimney. An instant after the discovery the entire stable was amass of seething flames fed by the hay in the loft. A few minutes later Harvey's barber shop adjoining caught and the flames then leaped into Boyd's restaurant. The town has no fire pro-' tection of any kind and no water supply except wells and cisterns and the citizens were compelled to let the fire take its course. Bucket brigades were formed to protect other buildings and stop the progress of the flames, but it was without avail. The operator in the telephone exchange called up Huntington and asked for help while the flames were consuming the Odd Fellows building next door to the structure in which the exchange was located. Huntington responded and the operator started to call Fort Wayne and Bluffton when suddenly the wall of the burning building fell, a portion of it crashing into the exchange building and breaking all of the wires, thus leaving the town without telephone communication. Meantime the fire had progressed until the hardware store of Harvey & Rouse, Maxwell's butcher shop, Reddin’s and Slam’s groceries, Julius Yoos’ hardware store, and the Odd Fellows’ block, the largest building in the town, were all enveloped and when the firemen arrived they were confronted by an appalling scene. The Huntington fire company arrived at three o’clock and aftor a two hours’ fight, succeeded in controlling the flames. The insurance on the block is only about one-third the value it is said. Twelve buildings were burned. o A DAMAGE SUIT Filed Today by Joseph W. Murphy WANTS PAY FOR A BARN And It* Contents Destroyed by Fire

by Carelessness of Owners of a Traction Engine. Clerk J. Lutz and D. E. Smith are attorneys for Joseph W. Murphy in a damage case against John Fox and Amiel Sprunger, demanding $1,375. The plaintiff employed the defendants during last month to saw out certain lumber for a building, the said defendants being engaged in that business. They used a portable traction engine to operate the machinery, and while conducting same on March 28th without using a spark arrester or screen, they carelessly allowed sparks to escape from the smoke stack and set fire to a large barn,which, together with all the contents, was destroyed. The complaint is in ten paragraphs, the first demanding SBOO for the loss of the barn and the second $570 for the loss of the personal property contained in said barn, making a total of $1,370. A bill of particulars showing the various items of the personal property and the value thereof accompanies the complaint. Mr. Murphy lives in Monroe township. A similar case was filed by Barney Ford a few weeks ago. - o— A farmer in Howard county by the name of Leondas Pickett will hereafter keep his money in the bank as he was taught a lesson the other day when $1,300 in gold which he had buried in the garden, was stolen bythieves.

STATISTICS ABOUT PRISONERS. More People Jailed During Last Year Than Year Previous. Indianapolis, April 27.—According to statistics compiled by the state statistician, the jails of Indiana housed 2,000 more persons in 1906 than in the year 1905. The total number of people in the jails of the slate during the year was 31,632. In 1905 |he total number was 29,342. Marloq county had the largest number of prisoners and Brown county the least. Only eight men were incarcerated in the Brown county jail during last year. Marion county had 4,342. Os the total of arrests, 13,592 were put under restraint because of drunkenness. Vigo county held the record as the county having the most "drunks." The number in that county was 1,624. Delaware county had 821. Marion county had but 432. In 1906 the number of murderers arrested was sixteen less than in 1905. Allen county for the year 1906 had five, Grant clunty had two, Marlon twenty-five and Vigo seven. ■ —o A COURT DECISION It Puts a Crimp in Consolidated Schools NO LAW TO MAKE LEVY Transportation of Pupils an Illegal Transaction so Far as Officers and Public Funds are Concerned.

The Indiana supreme court Saturday handed down a decision in the case of the State of Indiana on the relation of Fred Beard vs. Caleb B. Jackson, township trustee, in which it is held that there is no law under which a tax may be levied to pay the expenses of transporting pupils of a township to a consolidated school. The case was a mandamus suit brought by Beard to compel Jackson to furnish free transportation for several pupils to and from a consolidated school. The case was appealed from Vermillion county. Appelant's counsel argued that a law passed Ui 1877 gave authority for levying a tax for transportation under a clause which provides for the payment of “other school expenses.” The court held that by this clause the legislature did not contemplate that the transportation of pupils would be a secondary expense of the public schools. The opinion, which was written by Judge Montgomery, says that if free transportation of pupils be deemed expedient, the legislature should set forth the duty of the appropriate officers and should authorize the levy of the transportation and should prescribe the conditions under which it> is to be provided. "In the absence of all such legislation the county superintendent was without jurisdiction over the subject matter,” says the court, "and the order made by him was without force and void. The requisite legislation, cannot be supplied by the courts, school officers or local tribunals, but must eminate from the law-making body and be general and uniform in its application.” SURPRISE FOR J. D. KEMPER. His Children Plan a Happy Birthday Party for Him. J. D. Kemper, of rural route ten, will always remember his forty-third birthday- anniversary, which occurred Saturday and was most appropriately observed Sunday- by a big surprise, planned by his children. A big dinner was served and an afternoon of entertainment followed, being very thoroughly enjoyed by all present. The guests were: David Fuhrman and family, Lewis Griswold and family, Chas. Haw-kins and family, Wm. Zerkle and w-ife, Frank Faurot and family, T. W. Crumbaugh and family, G. W. Miller and wife, Lawrence Strickler and wife, Edw-ard Gass and family, J. J. Longenberger and wife, Rollie Longenburger, Rollie Coppock. Louie Miller, Lucy Ford, Hattie Taurot, Enos Ford, Wm. Faurot and Enoch Fairchild. CLOUDBURST IN OKLAHOMA CITY Oklahoma Cily, April 29.—Seven people are reported dead as a result of a cloudburst this morning at capital hill. The Canadian river is bank full. Persons camping on low lands near the river were caught unawares and had no time to escape. It is feared many more are dead.

AGAIN DEFEATED Fort Wayne Bowlers Take Short End of Score MANY WITNESSED THE GAME They Came Up Shy One Hundred and Twenty Pins—lt was a Good Game. The Knights of Columbus bowling team from Ft. Wayne came to our city Saturday evening with the determination of regaining laurels lost to the local K. of C, team some time ago, but were again forced to content themselves with the short end of the score, and were defeated by a total of 120 pins for three games. The bowling started at eight o’clock and a large crowd w r as on hand to see the fun, and to root for the locals, which they did in a very appropriate manner. The features of the game was the bowling of both Berling and Wemhoff of the locals, it being mainly through their efforts that lhe boys managed to come out with the long end of the score. Brink, of Ft. Wayne, rolled three nice games, and had his team mates followed him the result might have been different. The scores were as follows: Ft. Wayne. Brink 162 199 188 Kavanaugh 177 164 134 Luley 167 173 133 Rosenheimer .... 179 159 147 Harkenrider 120 146 156 805 841 758 Decatur. Berling 211 172 134 Colchin, B 173 147 118 Johns 160 162 180 Colchin, H 174 195 141 Wemhoff 149 207 202 867 882 775 0 — Nick Detro had a very narrow escape Saturday evening from being seriously injured and as it is he is so badly bruised up that he is unable to do any work. Nick, in company with several other young men were standing in the gutter of the street talking when a rig drove by, the front wheel striking him, and knocking him down, causing the buggy to run over him. His comrades assisted him to his feet and after a careful examination it was found that the injuries were nothing serious. Who was driving the rig no one was able to say, as the fellow drove right on.

A NARROW ESCAPE Lawrence Archbold Escaped Serious Injury LIVE WIRE LAID HIM OUT Outside of a Badly Burned Hand He is Uninjured, Although It Was a Close Call. Lawrence Archbold, the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Archbold, had a narrow escape from instant death Saturday afternoon and that he escaped is the surprise of all who have become acquainted with the facts. The accident happened at the interurban gravel pit north of the city. While the young man was endeavoring to uncouple two gravel cars, which were connected to the freight car and in some manner his hand came in contact wiJh a small electric wire and the entire voltage passed through his system. The young man was knocked down from the effects of the shock and he was picked up for dead by conductor Meibers and motorman Fast. The young man speedily recovered and other than having a very badly burned hand, he was uninjured. The experience, however, will no doubt learn the young man a lesson that he will noil soon forget, and will teach him that electric cars are very treacherous play things. The example set by young Archbold should also prove to be an example for other young men and boys, who have acquired the habit of hopping on and off the cars. No blame or fault can be attached to tfhe employees of the car, as the young man had taken hold of the coupling before the men could warn him of his danger.

BLUFFTON A TOUGH TOWN Some of Their Progressive Citizens to Form a Union. Six months from this date it will be impossible to get a drink of alcoholic beverage in Bluffxm not mixed by a union bartender, if the National Union of Bartenders has its way, and it is going to start in to do something towards having its way here in a short time. There is a National Union of Bartenders, and a State Union of Bartenders and pretty soon there is to be a Bluffton Union of Bartenders because a state organizer is started this way. He is just now mixing them up in Mr. Flickensteinsten’s celebrated establishment in Ft. Wayne, but in a day or two he is coming here to establish a bartender’s union.—Bluffton News. o Mrs. James Fox and Mrs. Michael Maroney, of Ft. Wayne, were in our city yesterday endeavoring to organize a branch of the Catholic Woman’s Benevolent Association, a fraternal organization. What success they had we were unable lo learn. o ARE MANY CHANGES Indianapolis Army Post Under General Grant BUTLER FOR THE PRESIDENT Former Populist has Charge of the South —Rural Route Carrier Increase Being Distributed. Washington, April 29.—1 n the shift around that) will come with the abolishment of the army division stations Gen. Grant, now commander of the department of the East, will become commander of the department of the Lakes, succeeding Gen. William H. Carter. The new army post at Indianapolis will come under General Grant’s jurisdiction. The war department has in mind a tentative plan for eventually making Ft. Benjamin Harrison headquarters for the department of the lakes, but it may not be possible to carry out ilhis plan for several years. General Grant will probably not succeed General Carter before next fall, and possibiy not until a year from this spring. He cannot leave the department of the East until General Wood returns from the Philippines to succeed him.

Washington, April 29. —Former Senator Marion Butler, of North Carolina, has been chosen as the administration's political agent for the South. Butler was elected as a Populist and was the youngest man in the senate when he served there. He was regarded as a man of brains and political skill. His success in breaking down for a while the strongly intrenched Democratic party of North Carolina has given a good many people the idea that he is well equipped to advise the administration on Southern matters. He practices law in Washington, bull has never lost touch with his home state. In 1902, when the president was planning to be nominated in 1904, James S. Clarkson, of New York, was made general manager and delegate-getter in the South. The position which Butler now holds is similar to that held by Clarkson. Washington, April 29. —The basis of distributing the $6,000,000 increase in the salaries of rural free delivery carriers provided for at the last session of congress, has nearly been completed by the fourth assistant post-master-general Degraw, and will result in individual increase of from 9 to 24 per cent in the pay of such carriers. The increase is based on the number of miles traveled by rural carriers. Those traversing 24 or more miles will receive the maximum salary of S9OO a year. Q_ THEIR ANNUAL ELECTION. Comm'rcial Club to Elect Officers in One Week. The annual election of directors for the Commercial Club will occur on the evening of Monday, May 6th. A smoker will be on tap and many other things that will interest every member. The Commercial Club has accomplished much since its organization four years ago, but there is much yet to do for the commercial advantages of our city. The selection of directors is, therefore, important, so every member of the club should be present at the time mentioned.

Price Two Cents

A GOOD PROGRAM Aid Society to Entertain Tomorrow Evening PASTIME CLUB TO MEET Lawrence Koeneman and Miss Lizzie Bering Were Married Sunday Afternoon. The Ladies Aid Society of the Presbyterian church will give a missionary program at the cnurch parlors on Tuesday evening at 7:30 o’clock. An excellent program has been prepared, which is as follows: Instrumental Duet, by the Misses Marguerite Hughes and Hilda Tudor; Coronation; Lord’s Prayer; Minutes and Business; Music; Freedmen, Mrs. J. C. Patterson; Solo, Rev. Alfred Fowler; Pacific Coast, Miss Christen, Mrs. Cusac and Mrs. E. A. Hoffman; Solo, Miss Mary Erwin; Report from Presbyterial meeting by Miss Faye Smith, Mesdames J. H. Heller, Chas. Dugan, Fred Tague, T. M. Reid; Instrumental Duet, Misses Irene Schirmeyer and Bessie Schrock; Reading, Miss Faye Smith; Solo, Miss Florence Sprunger; Instrumental Duet by Mrs. C. J. Lutz and Mrs Clark Coverdale; Devotional; Reading, Miss Alban; Tableau by sixteen of our charming young ladies of the city, closing winh the glorious hymn, “Blest Be the Tie,” and Mispah. Immediately following this will be a reception given by the ladies. The public is cordially invited to attend. Miss Louise Holbrock will entertain the Pastime Club on Tuesday evening in a delightful manner at her home on Monroe street. One of the prettiest weddings of this season was when Miss Lizzie Bering became the bride of Mr. Lawrence Koenneman, yesterday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock at the St. Johns church north of the city, in presence of large crowd of friends and relatives. The young people will make their home on a farm north of lhe city. The bride is not only beautiful, but very attractive in many ways, while Mr. Koenneman was one of the city’s most prominent young men when employed at Ball & Meyer’s furniture store, after which he took up the profession of farming, wherein he has been very successful. The many friends of the couple will extend congratulations and wish them every happiness. BEGINS ON MONDAY May Term of Commis-

sioners Court TOWNSHIP ASSESSORS THROUGH Surveyor's Office Busy—Treasurer Lachot Took in Lots of Gilt Today. The May term of commissioner’s court begins Monday. The macadam road business will take up considerable time. Besides the Winchester road in Root township, which will be sold, petitions for seven other roads will be presented. Besides this the usual other business will be presented. County Assessor Gentis is closing up the work in so far as the township assessors are concerned. Tomorrow will complete the time for their work, and the word comes that they are through in every township. The board of review begins a thirty days session the first ’Monday in Junei The appointees of that board have not yet been made, but it is expected that they will be soon. Deputy Clerk Baumgartner is back to his office after a weeks absence in Michigan, where he was called on the account of the illness of his father. The force at the surveyor’s office are up to their chin in ditch and road surveying. The road docket for the coming term of commissioner’s court promises to be heavy. Treasurer Lachot today transacted the largest volume of business yet done during lhe spring installment tax collection. The total receipts for the day would doubtless figure several thousand dollars.