Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 5, Number 123, Decatur, Adams County, 20 May 1907 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume V. Number 123

GOES TO PRISION Sheriff Meyers Takes Wilson to Michigan City TO SERVE TIME FOR PERJURY Was Sentenced in Court Here —Has Left a Crooked Trail in the Wells County Village. The Bluffton News of Saturday evening said: J. J. Wilson was taken to the Michigan City penitentiary this morning by sheriff Myers, of Decatur, to begin on his sentence for perjury. It is very probable that he will be released inside a year as the prosecutor has so recommended and others a-e willing to sign a petition for his release in that time. “Snake’s” going has left a long and croked trail in Bluffton and the tortuous trail is a pretty good mark for others to steer away from. For years past there has been a reckless disregard for an oath administered by the grand jury and that body has been absolutely unable at times to ascertain the truth on subjects under investigation. The indictment of Snake furnishes a wholesome lesson in this regard and it is already bearing fruit. One of the grand jurors said this morning that the truth was flowing forth now as freely as the water in the Wabash at high tide. Every witness but one came through with facts in his possession just as rapidly as questions could be put at him and there was no hesitancy on the part of any one in giving up the names of all concerned in crooked work of the past. Therefore, Wilson's indictment has served a good purpose and for the good it has done Wilson should not be made to suffer too heavily. A year in the penitentiary will be sufficient for him and will teach a much needed lesson to hundreds of others who know now the meaning of perjury.

CLEANING UP DAY Tomorrow is the Big Annual Occasion SOME NEW IDEAS PRESENTED By a Member of the Civic Improveprovement League —Would Make Decatur a Model City.

Now that the 21st of May—Decatur’s cleaning-up day—ls at hand the members of the Civic Improvement League are anxious that all shall feel interested in lending a helping hand to make it a success. So much was accomplished last year, in so manj ways, the beautifying of the court house grounds, the cleaned alleys, the garbage cans, the anti-spitting ordinance, the removal from back yards and other places of the accumulated debrs of years, the improved appearance of lawns all over the city, the interest taken by the children in the planting of nowers, all testify to the value of the effort put forth by the league, and now that we have our hand in, it behooves ns all to continue the well begun work. The time is well within the memory of many of our citizens when the cow with the crumpled horn broke down the gate at ■early morn and entered the garden and ate the corn, and any other green thing she could lay her tongue to, and after filling up on garden ‘sass’’ she sallied forth to attack and destroy the young maples, which some enterprising citizens had planted in a vain attempt to provide shade. It is not necessary to say what she did to those trees, but it took a long and hard-fought battle before an ordinance was passed forbidding the cows to be pastured on the commons and roaming at w-111 on the streets of Decatur. Without this ordinance our beautifully shaded streets would have been treeless. The problem confronting our city today is that of dogs and chickens. It is practically useless to try to have flower beds with dogs racing over them and attempting to replace the choice bulbs you have planted by an old bone for future use, and no shrubbery can withstand their de(Continued on page 2.)

: DISCHARGED FROM THE NAVY. ’ Albert Lange Home After Four Years of Service. Albert T. Lange arrived this morning from Piqua, €>., where he had been visiting for a few days with his brother, Edward Lange. Mr. Lange for the past four years has been in the service of Uncle Sam, as a marine, he having been aboard the battleship Missouri. During his four years of active servlets he has made many long cruises with his boat and has seen much of the country. Last Monday he put in the last day of his time, and at Hampton Roads, Virginia, was mustered out of the service, paid in full and given an honorable discharge. Mr. Lange looks quite healthy having a good color, and states that he has not seen a sick day in four years. He is of a nervous disposition talking to any one, caused by his constant confinement on a boat. He expects to fully recover from this litthe ailment and thinks that in several weeks upon terre firma he will be all right again. He expects to remain in Decatur sveral weeks visiting with relatives and friends.

DISH OUT SALVE Eighth District G. 0. P. Editors in Session PAT EACH OTHER ON THE BACK Goodrich Begs for Harmony and Propheycies that the Party will Get Together. Republican editors of the Eighth congressional district dined at the Hotel Delaware Saturday evening and later held a conference at which politics of the past, present and future from a national, state and congressional standpoint was discussed. Harmony hovered over the meeting and it seemed that all in attendance, including special guests, James P. Goodrich, state chairman, of Winchester; George B. Lockwood, chairman of the Republican press bureau, of Marion, and John H. Terhune, district chairman, of Anderson, were cordially united on the question of "policy." Little was said of national politics, but the situation in the state and the Eighth district, particularly, aroused a discussion in which every person present participated. Each made the broad prediction that the state and district would yield large Republican majorities next year. A review of the work of the last legislature was fully discussed. The record of the general assembly was highly commended as having been of a generally satisfactory nature, especially among rural residents. When the banquet was finished, the meeting was called to order and Ed. C. Toner, of the Anderson Herald, was unanimously chosen chairman. In the order that they were seated at the table Toner called for individual expression from the editors and guests. In most part the discussion related to the laws enacted by the legislature. Some discussed the new ditch law, some the road law, others high license bill and still others referred to the blind tiger statute.

On the question of factionalism in the Eighth district the view was shared almost unanimously that the bitter rivalry of the past is a closed incident, and that the factions will unite in selecting the next candidate and electing him. It was also held that the newspapers would be largely responsible for the course of the next election, and that it behooves the editors to “get together” and uphold the principles of the party rather than discussing the man so pointedly. Speaking on this matter, State Chairman Goodrich evoked considerable applause by stating that the people should return to the issues and policies of the party first rather than selecting the man, as he can be found easily when the time comes. “We are going to get together,” enthusiastically remarked Mr. Goodrich, who believes Indiana will remain strongly Republican in the next battle of ballots. It was the concensus of opinion that it is now too early to begin looking up congressional material, but that the editors and party leaders should (Continued on page 2.)

Decatur, Indiana, Monday, Evening, May 20, 1907.

DECORATION DAY Program for Observance in Decatur BY THE SAM HENRY POST Rev. Kissinger Will Deliver the Address of the Day—Line of March and Other Particulars. The program for the Decoration services has been completed by the committee, Theodore Moore, A. J. Teeple and Joshua Parrish, and is as follows: The G. A. R. and veterans will meet at the G. A. R. hall at 9 a. m. From there they will march to the Old Protestant and Catholic cemeteries to decorate the graves of their comrades, who so bravely fought for the preservation of American rights. From these cemeteries they will return to the, G. A. R. hall and adjourn for refreshments. At 10 a. m. the committee will go to the Maplewood and St. Joseph cemeteries to decorate graves. At 1 p. m. they will meet at the hall, form and march to the court house, where ritual services will be held followed by an address by Rev. Kissinger. After the services at the court house, the line of march will be formed and march to the river bridge, where further services will be held. At 1 p. m. all schools with teachers, benevolent societies, lodges and citizens who are willing to participate in the services are requested to report to D. K. Shackley, officer of the day, for a position in the parade. The formation of the parade shall be, form on Third street, right resting on Jefferson street; march east on Jefferson street to Second street,north on Second street, east on Monroe street to river bridge.

ARE’ RECOGNIZED Iron Age Gives Notice of Decatur’s New Industry MADE THOROUGH INVESTIGATION Greatest Paper of the Kind in the Country Published at New York Boosts Our Foundry Company. The Decatur Foundry Company, Decatur, Ind., recently incorporated with a capital of $30,000, will begin the construction of four new buildings within the next few weeks. Contracts for the steel structural work have been let to the Indiana Bridge company. The main foundry building will be 60 by 220 feet, and the building for core, pattern and finishing room will be 36 by 140 feet. The product of the plant will be gray iron castings of light and middle weight, and also castings of brass and aluminum. —Iron Age. The above is a clipping from the May edition of the greatest authority published in the world, and shows that Decatur’s new plant will be recognized. They never publish a statement of this kind without a thorough investigation and this mention certainly proves that our new iron factory will be one of the best. ■ o — DECATUR LEADS ALL THE REST Harry Weber tells Blufftonites Some Galling News. The days of Frank O’Brien as dispenser of warm vapor for the Clover Leaf railroad are numbered and that distinction that he has so wonderfully earned by a long series of pipe dreams has slipped from his grasp into that of Harry Weber, district passenger agent for the line. There is no question of Webber s title to the belt, won at a single blow. This noon Harry dropped off a passenger train and entering into conversation with a group of traveling men, reporters and the typical station crowd, remarked that Decatur was the busiest town on the Clover Leaf route. Os course this was greeted with derision but Webber's reputation was made. —Bluffton Banner.

A SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL YEAR. Prof. O. H. Blossom Doing Good Work at Union City. A recent issue of the Union City Times gave an account of the high school commencement,which occurred in that city last Wednesday night, there being nine graduates. Prof. O. H. Blossom, a native of this county, is superintendent of the schools, and the article speaks very highly of him. In part the Tinies said: On the stage with the class were O. H. Blossom, the efficient superintendent, under whose wise guidance the school has continued to prosper and enjoy Unprecedented growth; his able principal John Stanley, and Dr. William Commons, secretary of the school board. It was altogether another evidence of the splendid school system U. C. enjoys. The enrollment this year was greater than ever before, namely, 582 as against 557 in 1906. The high school enrollment this year was 123, a gain of 16 over last year. Superintendent Blossom and his proficient corps of assistants as well as Messrs. Dunn, Hook and Commons of the school board are to be highly commended for the fine showing made by our educational facilities.

COURTHOUSE NEWS Sensational Theft Causes a Divorce Suit FILED BY MRS. HARLEY BAUM Will of Wilson H. Shepherd Probated, Showing an Estate of $20,000 —Andrew Gottschalk the Executor. Attorney Lewis C. DeVoss filed a new divorce case, the plaintiff, Clara Baum and the defendant, Harley Baum. The couple were married December 6, 1905, and have one child, James Richard Baum, aged five months, for wfich Mrs. Baum asks the custody. Aljout six months ago it will be remembered Harley Baum made a sensational play by stealing two sacks of money belonging to the National Express company and which had been placed on a truck at the Clover Leaf depot. He was arrested and on December 19th last convicted of grand larceny and sent to the reformatory. This is the cause set out for the divorce. The will of Wilson H. Shepherd was probated this morning. Andrew Gottschalk being named as executor, who qualified and filed bond for $6,000. After providing for payment of all debts, Mr. Shepherd bequeaths to his daughter Nellie I. Steiner, SSOO, to make her equal with the other children. He then asks that the residue of his estate, including 100 acre farm, valued at SB,OOO, a house and lot in Bluffton, valued at $1,500, sixty-five shares of oil stock valued at $6,500, and other personal property, be equally divided among Clarence C. Shepherd, Nellie I. Steiner, and the two children of Annie Pontius, deceased, eldest daughter of Mr. Shephercf, deceased, eldest daughter of Mr. Shepherd. The value of the entire estate will probably reach $20,000. Judge Erwin was an honorary guest Saturday evening at a meeting of the Ft. "Wayne Blackford club, a class of young lawyers, and delivered a very excellent talk. Peter N. Moser, guardian for Joseph Snyder, filed an inventory, which was approved. John W. Coffee, administrator of the Mary Braun estate, filed his final report and was discharged. Samuel Stahl et al vs. Illinois Oil company et al, demurrer filed by Illinois Oil company sustained. Grace Lister vs. Thomas T. Lister, divorce, set for final nearing Friday, May 24th. D. M. Osborne and Co. vs. Mattie Young, suit on guaranty, demurrer overruled, except as to eighth paragraph, which was sustained. Noah A. Loch vs. Edward Dirkson et al, distribution reported and receiver discharged. A marriage license was issued (Continued on page 2.)

SANTIAGO TONIGHT A Splendid Performance at Opera House A GREAT MUSICAL PROGRAM Advance Sale is Large and the Show Will be Repeated Tomorrow Evening—A Good Cause. The advance seat sale for the beautiful military drama to be presented tonight at the Bosse Opera House indicates that this will be one of the most successful home talent productions ever staged in the city. With the cast, the strongest obtainable in the city,, and the musical numbers, the latest and best hits of the season, the Columbian club deserves the patronage they are receiving. The chorus formations are beautiful and with such choruses as "The Maids,” “Society Ladies," "Rough Riders,” “Red Cross Nurses,” and "Black Hussars,” the musical part will be complete. The chorus of that pretty song, “Grand Old Flag,” will be beautifully illustrated by the ladies of the chorus forming an American flag. This cannot fail to make a hit. The finale with Portia Thomas as the daughter of the regiment, is sure to put a fitting climax on the enjoyable evening’s performance. The performance will be repeated tomorrow night. The seat sale to open at 7:00 o’clock tomorrow morning at the Holthouse Drug Co.’s store. Tickets, 25c all over the house. Proceeds of Santiago will be donated to the fund for the new Catholic school building by the Columbian club, under whose auspices is being given. The club members show a laudible spirit in thus aiding in the upbuilding of the educational advantages of our city and deserve your patronage. 0 A PROCLAMATION

Issued by Governor for Memorial Day DESIGNATES THURSDAY, MAY 30 Recommends Usual Observation of this Day, as Compliment to the Living and in Memory of the Dead. I Indianapolis, Ind., May 20. —Governor Hanly has issued the following Memorial day proclamation: “The beneficiaries of 130 years of unexampled sacrifices, transcendant services and exalted devotion, love of country and of freedom and thankfulness to those who founded and to those who preserved the government should impel us to make acknowledgment of our obligation, give expression to our gratitude and renew the covenants of our citizenship. “Moved to this thought, in compliment to the living soldiery of the republic and pursuant to customs grown sacred as love we bear the martyred dead, I. J. Frank Hanly, governor of the state of Indiana, do hereby designate. and set apart Thursday, May 30, 1907, as Memorial day and proclaim the same a legal holiday throughout said state. “Universal observation of the day is recommended and urged. Public offices should be closed. Business should be suspended and discontinued. Frivolous and noisy amusements should be avoided and the law respected. “In the national cemeteries near the great battlefields of the southland and about the prison at Andersonville, where gaunt ghastly famine and disease and thirst made death a welcome visitor, there—over the graves of all, even of the unknown —the forget-me-nots are in bloom today in annual commemoration of their exalted sacrifice. And there each recurring spring above their formless dust they spread their fragrance sweet as silence." o Charlie Elzey has an interesting item of news clipped from the Cleveland Press, but our modesty prevents us using it. However, Charlie will be glad to read it to you.

COUNTY CORONER TELLS STORY His Account of Tragic Death of Dr. Havice. Dr. Rush R. Richison, county coraner, went to Wren last evening and his investigation discloses the facts as already mentioned. A thirty-two caliber revolver was used. The doctor had sworn off on drinking and had not touched any liquor for a long time until about two weeks ago, when he again began to drink and since had drank heavily. Yesterday about noon he went to the train at the Erie station to meet a friend. The friend and the doctor walked up to his office together and, it seems they drank a considerable quantity of liquor. Later the doctor was upon the street almost a raving man. Soon after he went to his home and on going to a telephone called a neighbor woman to his residence. As has been stated, and requested a message sent to his wife in Ft. Wayne. Thereupon he took a revolver from his pocket, placed the muzzle of the gun about two inches above the right ear and fired. The ball passed through the brain and lodged just above the left eye.—Van Wert Times.

STREET CAR STRIKE Is Still Raging at Evansville, Indiana POLICE CAN HANDLE SITUATION Mayor Says Militia is not Necessary —Governor Hanly is Hurrying Home. Evansville, Ind., May 20—The first strike disturbance today occurred at Main and Louisiana streets, when a car was surrounded by strikers and progress was impossible. A riot call was sent in and the police soon disbursed the crowd. No arrests were made. Wilmington, Del., May 20. —Governor Hanly, who has been visiting here left hurriedly today for his home in Indianapolis to take personal charge of the Evansville street car strike sit nation. Delaware politicians were not much impressed with Hanly’s Brother Fairbanks' talk. In an interview today Hanly said that Fairbanks would be nominated, and that Taft and Forker will patch up their Ohio troubles. Indianapolis, May 20. —Col. Fred Gemmer, secretary to the governor, held a long distance conversation over the phone this morning with Mayor Boehme, and again inquired if the milita is desired to quell the strikers at Evansville. The board of safety was in session at the mayor’s office at the time, and turning from the phone to the president of the board, Boehme asked if he thought the police could handle the situation. The president replied in the affirmative, and the mayor told the secretary that the militia were not needed and it would be a bad thing to send them at this time. Mr. Gemmer said: “We will not send the militia, we have heard nothing from the street car people so far. We are watching matters closely, however.” Boehme says the story in the morning papers was greatly exaggerated concerning last night's riots and also said that whenever the situation warranted it they would send for the troops at once. o REV. D. 3. OAKES IS DEAD. Well Known Evangelical Pastor and Ex-Presiding Elder. The Rev. D. S. Oakes, for twentytwo years presiding elder of the Indiana conference of the Evangelical association, died Sunday morning of diabetes at the family residence, 2919 south Harrison street, Ft. Wayne. He was sixty-nine years of age and had long been in ill health, his condition assuming a critical nature several weeks ago. He is survived by his wife, four sons and one daughter: Harvey, B. F. and Robert A. Oakes, of Chicago, and David S. Oakes, of Ft. Wayne, and Mrs. George Bunyan, of Kendallville. Mr. Oakes had been minister in the Evangelical church for forty-three years and only retired from active service two years ago due to his failing health. The funeral services will be ■ held at Kendallville, Tuesday afternoon at 1:30.

Price Two Cents

HAVE SWORN OFF Bluffton Gamblers on Anxious Seat SPECIAL GRAND JURY REPORTS A Hundred and Fifteen Indictments ments Cause the Sports a Sensation They Never Dreamed of. Bluffton “sports” are so badly frightened just now that even base ball has lost its interests, and the all absorbing question is how many indictments stand in the circuit court against each. John Wilson, who was convicted here a week ago for perjury, opened his heart and mind and poured forth some strange tales. A special ’grand jury w-as called and the witnesses summoned, remembering the dose given Wilson, unbosomed in a wholesale way. The jury were in session only three days, but that seems to have been plenty long enough. They reported late Saturday evening, returning 115 indictments, more than twice the amount ever returned by either a regular or special jury. It is said that the greater number is against the boys who love the game of poker, and who have been twisting the tigers tail during the past few months. Slot machine owners have also got theres, in fact it seems to have been a sort of clearing up shower, and one or two of the real live ones will have to answer to a dozen separate indictments. Proprietors of the quiet game will have poor patronage in Bluffton for a while at least, as practically every one now on the anxious seat has taken a pow never to touch another card. ..fr. ' 1 Mrs. Artman and Miss Della Harruff left for Indianapolis, where they will attend the Rebecca Assembly on Monday. These ladles are sent as delegates from the Rebecca lodge. A DIN NER PARTY

Is Given by Mr. Edwin Fledderjohann THE OTHER SOCIETY NOTES Happy Affair at the Sellemeyer Home South of City—a Boys' Birthday Party at Neptune Home. A delightful affair of last evening was the six o'clock dinner given by Edwin Fledderjohann at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Fledderjohann, on Adams street. Those who enjoyed the dinner were: Misses Loretta Swartz, Helen Mailand, Lydia Heckman, Loretta Beaverdam, Anna Scheiman, Lydia Getting, Ida, Emma and Lena Dirkson, Pearl B. Purdy, Ina Everett, Flora Fledderjohann, Grace Purdy, Miss Hrickfermeyer. of Fort Wayne; Messrs. Henry Mailand, Ben Swartz, George Brown. p. Hesanegar, Otto Scheiman, Lou Scheiman, Cal Peterson. Another prettily appointed dinner of yesterday was when the Misses Emma and Matilda Sellemeyer entertained a small company of young ladies at their lovely country home, south of the city. Those present were: Misses Della Sellemeyer, Bertha Knapp, Bessie Baumgartner. Lizzie Knapp, Ella Mutschler, Emma Slickman. Emma Mutschler, A jolly birthday party of Saturday evening, which took place at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. Q Neptune, was the one given in honor of Gregg and Glen’s birthday anniversaries by Mrs. Neptune, to twelve school mates of the boys. Many games which boys like, were indulged in, also a peanut contest prevailed during an hour of the evening. A beautiful book was won by Kenneth Vancil. At nine o’clock the guests were shown into the dining room, where a large table was arranged with birthday decorations, and delicious luncheon was served. The little guests besides the hosts, were: Forset Vail, Donald Vancil, Glenn Tague, Kenneth Anderson, Kenneth Neptune, Clark Peoples, Harold Murray, Claude McKean, Jesse Cole, Cecil Cole, Kenneth Vancil.