Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 5, Number 134, Decatur, Adams County, 1 June 1907 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume V. Number 134

ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT Five Young People Graduate From The Decatur High School

A BRILLIANT EVENT In Which Each Senior Performed Gracefully ADDRESS BY DR, ROBERT ALEY The Indiana University Man Proves an Able and Interesting Speaker— Reception Follows Exercises. With the colors of all the classes flying in the Opera House and with the students of each trying to outdo the other, the commencement exercises of the Decatur high school of 1907 were held last evening at eight o'clock. The stage was pretty with its simple decoration of fern, flowers and a large pennant of the Decatur high school colors of purple and gold. The five Seniors were seated on the stage with Superintendent Beachler at their left. The three young ladies looked very pretty in dainty white gowns and lopkd the picture you often see of the sweet girl graduates. The two young men were dressed very neatly in black. I The exercise opened with a duet by Mrs. C. J. Lutz and daughter Jean, which pleased the audience very much. Next came a vocal solo by Jesse Ernsherger, accompanied by A. B. Holthouse. The invocation was pronounced by Rev. D. B. Kessinger, pastor of the United Brethren church. A violin solo, “Serenade Espagnole, Op. 29“ by Eugene Pirani, was rendered by A. B. Holthouse in the manner char-

acteristic of him. The first speaker, Miss Winifred Johnson had for her subject, “Ideals." She had a well modulated voice, was easy in her manner, and as she drew a word picture of the life and character of an ideal, grew stronger as she proceeded. Miss Johnson said home was first and the most Important school, for there is where the first influences are thrown upon a child and there the character starts. She asked the question, What is the ideal of man and woman? The answer was a true man and true woman tor every soul is a seed and not knowing from what tree it comes, so let them get to work cheerfully and the future will take care of itself. Harry Dibble, the second speaker, had for his subject, “Progressive America,” a most difficult subject, but one that he handled in an excellent manner. He spoke of the wonders of electricy and its discovery by Franklin and closed by saying: “There is no bound or means that a man may not use today.” “Is it Worth While?” was the subject chosen by Miss Fannie Frisinger. She told how men make names for themselves by grasping opportunities while others let them pass by unheeded. She asked “What is education?” and the prompt answer was, the making of the character and developing of the mind. “If a man empties his purse in his head no man can take it away from him,” says Franklin. She closed with “He who knows the most will know the best. ’ At the close of this a vocal solo, “For all Eternity” was rendered by Miss Marie Beery in her charming way. She was encored and rsponsed with “Good by Sweetheart, Goodby.” She was accompanied by True Fristoe on the violin and the interest of the audience was held from the first until the last. Walter Baltzell spoke on “A Hero” and he showed considerable ability. He commenced by saying “A hero of today is a true hero. Reputation is fast declining, the character is supreme, and no man is high because he is in a high position and no man is low because he is in a low position. No, it is not what kind of a position a man holds, but what kind of a man he is. This portrays the true hero. Mr. Baltzell has a good voice, was easy in his manner, and as he closed, the house cheered him long and loud. Miss Leanota E. Winans, the last speaker, had “The Class Oracle” as her subject and she certainly was easy and at home as she gave the brief history of the class of 1907. It was a

word picture of the class from twelve years back up to this date, especially commencing with the freshman class, which numbered seventeen four years ago. Second year which was Sophomore, there was nothing of importance that happened in this year, but 1907 was being recognized as the leading class. Next came the Junior year, with the class numbering six, small but mighty was the motto, and then the last year it was destined to be a number less than the previous which was five. The class that leaves tonight cannot be supplied by the one which will take their place next year as Seniors. Following this Miss Winans gave the class prophecy five years from now, which was very interesting. Miss Winans was presented with an elegant bouquet of pink carnations and ferns. A duet, overture, “Poet and Peasant” by Suppe, was given by Mrs. Lutz and Jean, who proved their talent, and were more than appreciated by the listeners. Dr. Robert J. Aley, of Indiana University, with the "Call of the Century” as his address easily outclassed the lecturers heard in the city. He started by saying the centuries as they come and go have peculiar events which mark them as individ(Continued on pag* 1.)

AN AUTO WRECK Occurred at Seven Mile Church North of Here ONE LADY BADLY INJURED Was Taken to St. Joseph Hospital— Party Were Enroute from Here to Ft. Wayne. As the result of an automobile accident three miles south of Hoagland at 7:30 o’clock Thursday evening, Miss Edna Null, of New Haven, was painfully, though it is believed, not dangerously injured. Her companions, three Ft. Wayne young folk, were more fortunate, escaping serious injury. Miss Null is now at St. Joseph’s hospital suffering from a laceration of the hip and her injuries, aside from the sever shock sustained. The car in the accident was that of Roland Anspach, of this city, and in the machine with Mr. Anspach were Miss Null, Miss Laura Lenig and Homer Kenyon, of this city. The young people were returning from Decatur, and Miss Null, who was driving the car. lost control of the machine. The car was in peril of going down a steep embankment when Mr. Anspach grasped the steering gear and turned in such a manner as to send the car sidewise against a telegraph pole, believing the impact would be less dangerous to the safety of the party than the threatened descent into the ditch at the side of the roadway. All suffered from the shock of the Impact, but Miss Null was the more unfortunate. She was thrown from the car with much force and in some manner sustained a rather extensive laceration upon one of her hips. Young Kenyon was rendered partially unconscious; Miss Lenig and Mr. Anspach were unhurt. Miss Null was carried into the home of a Mr. Kline, near the scene of the accident, and physicians were summoned. Dr. A. H. Macbeth and Dr. Morse Harrod responding from Ft. Wayne, Dr Smith and Dr. Morris from Hoagland, while young Mr. Anspach drove his disabled car to New Haven and brought Dr. L. S. Null, father of the injured girl, to the scene of the accident. Mr. Kenyon and Miss Lenig returned to the city on an interurban car Thursday evening. This morning Miss Null was brought to the city on a trolley car and taken to St. Joseph's hospital, where she is said to be making satisfactory progress toward recovery. The telegraph pole was not snapped off by the machine, but the force of the collision was sufficient to drive it to an angle that put its topmost point three feet out of a directly upright position. The auto was not badly damaged.—Ft. Wayne Sentinel.

Decatur, Indiana, Saturday, Evening, June 1, 1907.

“STAHL” DAY TO BE OBSERVED Big Benefit Game to Be Given at Boston June 13th. In memory of “Chick” Stahl, late manager of the Boston American ball team, June 13 will be celebrated in that city as “Stahl” day. The Providence club will play the Boston team there and the gater ecelpts will be given to Mrs. Stahl. “Chick” began his ball playing career in Dceatur, and until the time of his tragic death was a great favorite here. This day in his honor will be remembered here by many “fans.” Fred Reppert and family left this morning for Lansing, Mich., where they will visit for a few days friends and relatives, from there they will go to Ann Arbor, where Fred will cry a sale and from thence they will go to Detroit, where they will visit with relatives, returning home at the end of ten days.

COURT HOUSE NEWS A Quiet Day in the Circuit Court Room GUARDIANS REPORT WAS FILED County Superintendent to be Elected Monday—Commissioners and Board of Review to Meet. This morning’s session of court occupied but a very few moments, the roll call, a few funny stories and that was about all. Elizabeth Davenport, guardian for Josie I. Yager, filed her current report, which was examined by the court and duly allowed. The court room was turned over to the stockholders of the Ft. Wayne and Springfield railway company at ten o’clock for the purpose of holding the annual election. At ten o’clock Monday morning at the auditor’s 1 office, the county board of education will convene for the purpose of electing a county superintendent to serve for four years. The candidates so far announced, are Prof. Opliger, the present superintendent and Mr. Arthur Suttles of the city schools. Next Monday promises to be a very busy day at the court house. At that time the last week of court will convene, the county commissioners will be in session, as will also the board of education and the board of review. TO SETTLE DISPUTE Telephone Men Will Meet at Chicago TO DISCUSS PLANS FOR PEACE The Independents Will Convene at the Auditorium on the Fourth Day of June. During the national telephone convention to be held in Chicago in a few days there will be plans submitted which if accepted, by all parties concerned, the disagreement now between the old and new telephone companies will be settled. Three entire floors of the Auditorium hotel have been reserved for the 1,000 delegates. The convention may commit the country’s $350,000,000 independent telephone interests to a program of peace with the Bell interests which they have fought for years. The method by which competition fatal to dividends is to be done away with is known among independent telephone managers as the "Indiana idea.” It is the latest development from the struggle for supremacy in this state, where the Bell people have proposed to withdraw from all competitive towns in Indiana except two, provided the independent companies will take the Bell lines into their switchboards and deliver to the Bell companies such toll business as (Continued on page 2.)

A SALOON FIGHT Cause of Pugilistic Encounter at Markle THE SALOON MAN WAS OUT But Will Have to Answer to a Charge of Assault With Intent to Murder. Talk about excitement, guess things are at fever heat over at Markle. For months past there has been a liquor fight on at that place and saloons that were in business were put out, and those who wish to engage in it, cannot get a peep in. There are two factions, the remonstrators and the anti-remontrators. To date, the remonstrators are in the lead as victors. However, there was’ exciting event at that place Thursday night that for the time being put a leading antl-re-monstrator on top, but it is more than likely when the reaction sets in, public sentiment will be stronger against the saloon element than ever. Ed. Yose, a former druggist, but now one of the proprietors of the saw mill at that place, has taken quite a prominent part in the fight against saloons. Harrold Sparks is a man who thinks that Markle should have at least one thirst shop. His father formerly conducted one at that place and he can see no good and sufficient reason why he should be denied the privilege of coninuing in business. Thursday night about 10 o’clock, Ed Yose was in James Allen’s restaurant when Harrold Sparks came in. It was but a short time until an argument was started concerning the remonstrance against the saloons and Sparks took Yose to account for the part has was taking in it. One word led to another and finally Sparks stated in to whip Yose and by the time he was through, came near doing it. He knocked Yose down and then Allen ran from behind the Inuch counter to protect or rather stop the fight. In the meantime Yose recovered his feet in time to be knocked in the arms of Allen, after which Sparks started in to pummel him in true pugilistic style. Leaving the restaurant with his fighting blood up, Sparks met his un cle, a Mr. McCann, and held him up and was going to give him a whipping for the prominent part he was taking in pushing the remonstrance fight. The news had spread by this time of the fight in the restaurant and a crowd collected. It was only by the interfering of other parties that McCann was spared from going through the same trouncing that befell Yose. Sparks has been arrested on a charge of assault and battery with intent to kill. o— SOCIAL EVENTS OF THE HOUR Mrs. Fleming Entertains Ladies Aid— Euterpeans Met at Magley. Mrs. Fleming of First street proved a very charming hostess to the Ladies Aid Society of the Christian church yesterday afternoon. The Society will meet again in two weeks with Mrs. Harvey Lee. An excellent program will be rendered at. this meeting. An event of Thursday evening was the jolly time the ladies of the Euterpean club had at the home of Miss Nina Case at Magley. This was the last meeting of the year, so every member, which was twenty, drove a large hack to the Case home, starting at four o’clock. A sumptuous supper was served at six o’clock. The president of the club had arranged an interesting program on Mendelssohn, in which each member had a sub topic. At twelve o’clock a delicious luncheon was served the departing guests by the hostess, after which the guests returned to the city. The brothers, sisters, children, grandchildren and neighbors of Rebecca A. Ernest gathered at the home of Mrs. Milton Kidd to celebrate the eighty-third birthday anniversary. An elaborate dinner was served, after which a picture of the group was taken and a merry, enjoyable time was had until late in the day, when all returned to their homes, wishing grandma many long and happy days. The following persons were present: John Steele, Anna Steele, Alsena Homer, of Pleasant Mills; Titus Ernst, of Decatur; James Ernst, Ida Ernst, Murlin Ernst, Jennie Ernst, Geo. A. Ernst, Lida Ernst, lona Ernst, Dan Continued on page 3, col. 5.

GAVE APPROPRIATE ADDRESS Judge Erwin Pleased Large Audience at Bluffton. Speaking of Judge Erwin’s address at Bluffton on Decoration day, the Banner said: In the afternoon the address to the G. A. R. was made by Judge R. K. Erwin, of Decatur, at the Presbyterian church. The auditorium was filled with old soldiers and their friends, and they were privileged to hear the best memorial address of this nature ever delivered in the city. The Judge spoke for an hour, and during that time held the undivided attention of his hearers to the end of his speech. He gave a brief historical sketch of the various wars of th world, showing that all were waged for kings or as conquests until the American struggles. These were for freedom, and to save, united a nation. The healthy condition of the soldiers before him was mentioned and the men complimented on their strength after so many hard years of battle; for those who had fallen during the war, or passed away since, words of reverence were spoken. The speaker did not fail to remember the faithful work of the women during those times of troubles; he praised them for their noble efforts exerted at home for the sacrifices made by them in all ways a demand was made that they should sacrifice, touching lightly on the many pathetic stories of the day. Every thing he said was something, the truth of wffiich each soldier and each soldier’s wife in his hearing, knew only too well from personal experience, yet it served to freshen their memory and take them back again to the past, which though filled with sadness, had yet its brighter side, and in the recollections of these latter moments, they were happy.

INSURANCE DETAILS Brought Out by the Auditor of State NONE USED THE AGENCY PLAN Each Company of Thirty-Eight Doing Business in Indiana Object to the Rebate of Rates. Not one of thirty-eight life insurance companies of other s’ates doing business in Indiana, in answer to a series of five questions sent out by John C. Billheimer, auditor of state, says it did business by means of an agency company, operating under the methods used by the old state agency company. Several of the companies had agencies at different places that happened to be incorporated, but none had a general selling agency. Some months ago, at the time that the state auditor was agitating the special contract feature of Indiana insurance, he addressed letters to all of the foreign life insurance companies doing business in this state, with reference to agency companies, and the participation of the officers of the life companies in the profits of the agency cmpanies; commuted premium policies, special or service contracts, and the habit of the company with reference to the granting of rebates. These answers have been received by the auditor and for the most part, they show a pretty clear record. Each of the thirty-eight companies talks strongly against rebates and states that any agent whom it finds guilty of rebating shall be dismissed from the employ of the company. In many of the replies the comment is made that rebating is made unlawful in many states. As none of the companies has a selling agency company, the question as to whether the officers of the life company are officers of the agency companies, has no meaning. Thirty-seven of the entire number, or all but one, come out with the unequivocal statement that they do not issue special, service or board contracts. One company states that before answering it will be necessary for the auditor to make his question more specific. o Several car loads of brick have been hauled to and unloaded on Madison street for the pavement of same, and within a short time work of tearing up the street will be commenced. When completed this newly paved thoroughfare will add greatly to the convenience of the city, as this street has been a disagreeable one in rainy weather.

FOURTH ANNUAL SESSION Stockholders of Traction Line Gathered Here Today

ELECT DIRECTORS Number of Board is Increased to Eleven SIX OLD AND FIVE NEW ONES A Big Dinner Served at One O’clock —Toast by Well Known Citizens of Decatur. The fourth annual meeting of the stockholders of the Ft. Wayne and Springfield railway company was held in this city today and the session was one of the busiest and most enjoyable ones in the history of this company. About 125 or two thirds of the entire number were present at 10:30, when the election of the board of directors for the ensuing year was held at the court room. The number of directors for this year was increased to eleven, the following being the members of the board who will serve this year: W. H. Fledderjohann, J. H. Koenig, B. A. Fledderjohann, Charles Dirkson, Edwin Fledderjohann, T. W. Shelton, H. Gallmeyer, Harry Kirker, Louis Lammers, Henry W. E. Dirkson and Martin Gerke. At one o’clock the entire company, together with a number of invited guests, were escorted to the Meibers Hall, where a delicious dinner was served by caterers Coffee & Rinehart, the menu being as following: Chicken Dressing Ham Cranberry Sauce Mashed Potatoes Potato Salad Celery Vienna Bread and Butter Pickles Olives Assorted Fruit Ice Cream Assorted Cake Coffee Cigars Plenty of Water Every moment of the banquet was thoroughly enjoyed and especially the hour which follow’ed, during "which John H. Koenig acted as toastmaster in a happy and delightfully interesting manner. Dr. Wilcox gave the invocation and Mayor D. D. Coffee delivered an able address of welcome, with a good word for the Ft. Wayne and Springfield people. After a greatly appreciated song by a quintet of min-

PLEASE RAILROADS They Prefer Federal Control of Railroads EAST COMMENTS FAVORABLY Speaker Cannon Has Gone Home to Remain Indefinately—Wilson is Acting Secretary. Washington, June I.—ln the opinion of public men here the paragraph in the president's speech at Indianapolis which will lead to most discussion is that containing the assertion that “whether railroad business is or is not interstate, it is to the same extent subject to federal control under the clause of the constitution granting to the national government power to establish postroads and, therefore, if necessary, by implication, power to take all action necessary to keep them at the highest point of efficiency." Some of the eastern nwspapers, in their comment on the speech today, point to this utterance, as the most far-reaching claim of federal power ever advanced by any president of the United States. Apparently the railroads are pleased with it. For the I last six months several of the most] influential men in the railroad world have been urging the president to exert his Influence to restrain states from enacting additional legislation. It was this desire that a brake be put (Continued on Page 8.)

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isters, composed of Revs. Fower, Bergman, Haist, Kessinger and Wilcox, the toastmaster introduced Judge Richard K. Erwin who gave a fifteen minutes talk upon the “Advantages to communities brought about by interurban lines.” His address was very interesting and thoroughly enjoyed. Judge James T. Merryman followed in a toast entitled “Advantages and disadvantages to a city of an interurban railway stopping in a town without any outside communication.” He explained his subject in a clear and happy manner and w'as listened to attentively. County Attorney Clark J. Lutz then addressed the banqueters upon the subject “Shall we not extend the interurban from Decatur.” He convinced every hearer as to the affirmative of this question and his remarks were good to hear. The closing address was given by the Rev. H. Theo. Wiken, whose remarks, as aways, contained just the right amount of earnestness and jest. It was a very delightful banquet and the big hall full of guests were more than glad they were there. Immediately after the dinner the stockholders and other guests went aboard special cars and enjoyed a ride to Ft. Wayne and return, completing an entire day of pleasure.

IS WELL FITTED _____________ ' Praises for Gene Stratton Porter the Author HER NEW BOOK MAKES A HIT “What I Have Done With Birds,” is Said to be Her Best Book. • Gene Stratton-Porter, a former Wabash girl and sister of Mrs. F. P. Wilson of this city, whose home is near Geneva, Ind., is the author of a new book entitled, “What I Have Done with Birds.” Perhaps a more comprehensive title would suggest what Mrs. Stratton-Porter, and her camera have done with birds, but the author has hunted them in wood and thicket, swamp and meadow for the purpose of photographing them, and her book is a plain, direct, Interesting recital of her experience in obtaining the pictures with which the work is illustrated. She informs us in the beginning that the “greatest thing possible to do with a bird is to win its confidence,” and before we have followed the narartive to the conclusion of the first chapter we begin to understand what winning a bird’s confidence means. There are hardships, Mrs. Stratton-Porter informs us, in wading, swimming, climbing, in hidden dangers suddenly to be confronted, in abrupt changes from heat to cold and from light to dark, but all of these must be met and endured if the photographer is to obtain photographs of the birds in their haunts, of eggs in the nest and of young essaying their first flight. A man, she continues, would seem better fitted for such work, but she adds that in the matter of finesse in approaching the birds, in limitless patience in awaiting the exact moment for the best processes of the dark room, in the part of winning bird babies and parents, it is a woman's work. “No man,” she adds, "ever has had the patience to remain with a bird until he secured a real character study of it” While there may be reason to dispute this broad assertion, it is evident, nevertheless, that the author herself is eminently qualified to prove her own premise. Her photographic studies" could not be surpassed. Almost a hundred pictures, each one of them an excellent study, disclose infinite patience and a thorough mastery of the delicate “art of winning bird babies and parents.” The text explains in detail how each picture was made, recounting the experience which befell the author in obtaining a photograph. — Wabash Plain Dealer.