Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 5, Number 135, Decatur, Adams County, 3 June 1907 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume V. Number 135

MINISTERS PROTEST Do Not Like Reproduction of Thaw Trial THEY BELIEVE IT IMPROPER They Give Voice to the Following Protest Agains Reviewing the Scandal of the Thaw Trial. We, the members of the ministerial association of Decatur, do hereby condemn the Pictorial show reproducing the Thaw tragedy advertised at the Pictorium show rooms June 3, 4. We believe the show to be indecent and improper to present to a Christian community. We, therefore, wish to put on record our earnest protest against the production of such a show being given in Decatur. President Roosevelt at the time of the Thaw trial did all in his power to prevent the report of the tragedy being sent through the U. S. mails on account of its vileness. The government of Canada has prohibited these same pictures being shown in any part of the Dominion on the ground that the reproduction of the Thaw- tragedy to be immoral. It is a reproduction of the act committed and tends to teach others to go and do likewise. Signed: C. B. WILCOX, E. E. BERGMAN, A. B. HAIST, L. C. HESSERT, ALFRED FOWLER, D. B. KESSINGER. o Bismark, the "glass eater” until lately of Decatur, was jailed last night by Marshal Carlisle, and the county jail had to retire from its open door policy of the past few days, which it was able to maintain for lack of prisoners. Bismark came here from Decatur yesterday and last night was found so badly intoxicated he did not even know his old trick of glass eating. He was taken to jail to sober up.—Bluffton News.

LOSS WAS HEAVY Rain Causes Wreckage at The Murray REACH FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS Plastering Falls off, Lights go out and the Popular Hostelry Was a Deplorable Sight. C. D. Murray, proprietor of the Murray Hotel, informed us this morning that the heavy rain of last Saturday entailed a loss to him of something near five hundred dollars. The furniture, electric wiring and other appurtenances about the hotel being practically runined. The cause of the heavy loss came about on account of the old roof having been taken off in places and the new one not having been completed in time to turn the water, which fell Saturday by the bucketful. The carpenters had made a great effort to get the building under cover before the heavy rains, but their efforts proved fruitless and they were driven to cover before the work could be completed. The hotel was a miserable looking place Saturday night, several inches of water standing on the floor and more falling. Mr. Murray, however, made every effort to protect his guests and did everything in his power for their comfort and the traveling public was extremely thankful for what he did. Men were put to work early this morning getting things in shape and his guests will be cared for in excellent style from now on. Nick Miller, the barber, managed to care for his trade until nine o’clock Saturday night, when he was drowned out and when it became necessary to shut off the electric lights. The scene at the hotel was certainly anything but a cheering one, but the debris is being cleared away rapidly and it will soon be the best hotel in Indiana. Mrs. U. O. Russell, of Ossian, who has been visiting Jerry Russell and other relatives here for the past week, returned to her home this morning.

PINCH QUEER ACTING STRANGER Police Land Fellow Whose Stories' Don’t Sound Good. Marshal Green and Deputy Sheriff Butler Sunday morning picked up a stranger at the John Elick tile mill in the west part of the city and placed him in jail on a charge of vagrancy. The man gave him name as being John Ryan, and says his home is at Piqua, 0., from where he came to this city. His actions were very queer and he talks like a man that was mentally afflicted. His statements concerning numerous things do not link together to suit the police and they expect to hold him until they can glean some further information concerning him. Dr. D. D. Clark went to the jail this morning and examined the prisoner and is of the opinion that he is of unsound mind. Marshal Green will endeavor to ascertain something concerning his relatives today, and will ask them to come and take charge of the prisoner. hisTastbattle Desparado Marvin Kuhns Dies Fighting BODY POSITIVELY IDENTIFIED Indiana's Famous Outlaw Captured Near Van Wert After Being Mortally Wounded and Died Shortly. Van Wert, 0., June 3. —(Special.)— The man captured near here at five o'clock last evening, after a chase of many miles, and after being shot several times was positively identified today as Marvin Kuhns, Indiana’s most infamous outlaw, horse thief and murderer. He died at the police station here at eleven o’clock last night, refusing to say a word about his identity. Kuhns was reared at Wapakoneta and parties from there have positively identified the body today. The police in this section believe that in Kuhns’ death they have • broken up a gang that for months have conducted a wholesale horse stealing campaign. Kuhn was undoubtedly the leader and his nerve, if ever questioned, was proven in yesterday's battle. With fifteen men against him, the desperado, single handed, fought until he fell mortally wounded.

For six weeks or more Kuhns gang worked near Piqua, Ohio, but a few days ago they moved the base of operations to Auglaize county. They stole several horses from there last week and got away with them. Saturday night Kuhns stole a rig from a hitch rack at Wapakoneta, driving to a point six miles south of St. Marys, where his horse showed signs of fatigue he abandoned the outfit, stealing another and proceeding. He had scarcely started, however, when this horse ran away. Kuhns then went to the farm of Wesley Smith, nearby and stole his best horse and rode on. Smith and his grandson missed the horse at daylight and immediately started in pursuit, following him to this city, a distance of forty miles. They were joined at Elgin by a man named Lewis, and arriving here at two o’clock, the elder Smith gave his place up to Sheriff Hatt, the three proceeding in one rig. A half mile west of here they found that Kuhns had held up a boy, who was driving, took his buggy, hitched his stolen horse to it and drove away. Six miles northwest of here they caught up with their man, but young Smith was not positive; until they drove around him. He recognized the horse, and they halted, when Kuhns pulled his revolver and fired. Hatt leaped from the rig and slipped and fell on the road. Kuhns fired again, the bullet struck within an inch of his head, splashing mud in his face. Kuhns leaped from his buggy and ran into a thicket. The three men followed and were sooii joined by a dozen farmers, who were attracted by the shots. The battle lasted a half hour. Sheriff Hatt shot Kuhns through the shoulder, another put a bullet in his right hip. Hatt finally used his shot gun, and the fugitive fell. He was overpowered, fighting to the last moment and taken to Covett, a little town where medical aid was secured. When told be must die, he said he was glad of it. His wife lives at Kendallville and she has been communicated with to learn what disposition shall be made of the re- | (Continued on page 2.)

Decatur, Indiana, Monday, Evening, June 3, 1907.

COURT HOUSE NEWS Last Week of the Term Began Today MRS. BOLDS’ WILL PROBATED Four School Teachers Granted Marriage Licenses—France vs. Miller Case Sent to Allen County. The last week of the spring session of court opened this morning. Judges Erwin and LaFollette each conducting some business. In the Mathias Schafer estate, E. X. Ehinger, administrator, filed his report of sale of real estate to Mrs. Katherine Schafer for $1,900, and the same was approved and deed ordered. In the guardianship of Freeman Durgeon and eight others, the death of John Dudgeon, one of the wards was suggested and the guardian, A. W. Holmes filed his final report as to him. A marriage license was issued Saturday to Clyde M. Rice, of Root township, a school teacher at the north ward in this city to Etta Mae Warner. At the same time a license was also issued to the latter’s brother, Glen W. Warner, to marry Alice Edne Koos. Each of the four parties are school teachers. Rudolph Heffner, of Chattanooga. Ohio and Nellie Deyo, of Berne, were granted a license and married at the clerk's office Saturday afternoon. A junk dealer’s license, granting Roy, C. L. and Oliver Painter the privilege of buying from house to house in Adams county, has been issued. The will of Mrs. Leah Bolds was probated in court. She bequeaths all her property, both real and personal, to her husband, Alexander Bolds, so long as he lives, then to be divided (Continued on page 2.) LOSfIiirHAND Dan Brandyberry Painfully Injured AT THE SAVINE TILE MILL Got His Hand in the Machine and the the Thumb and Two Fingers Were Ground Off. An accident occurred last Thursday afternoon at the Savine tile mill, located on the Elias Crist farm four miles southwest of town, in which Dan Brandyberry, a well known young man was very painfully injured. He was an employee at the mill, and while doing his usual work, that of feeding the machine, he lost his balance and fell forward. In trying to catch himself, he threw his hand out and got it over into the box which holds the grinder. Instantly the cogs grasped his hand, and before he could be extricated, his right hand had been terribly lacerated. He was taken home and physicians summoned, who found it necessary to amputate nearly half the hand, the thumb, index and middle finger being taken off. He suffered terrible pain and the physicians worked many hours before he could be quieted. GEORGE ReTtER IS DYING. Friends of George Reiter, the originator of the “Pony” cigar, and a man widely known in this his home, will be sorry to hear that he is fatally ill at the home of his son at Humbolt, Kan. Mr. John Watt received a letter from George W. Reiter yesterday in which the young man said that his father was fatally ill, that he did not expect him to ever get up again, and there was a tone of intense sadness in his words. George Reiter was well liked, in fact men had high regard for him. Mr. Reiter was prominent in the Masonic fraternity.—Ft. Wayne JournalGazette.

IS REMODELING THE PICTORIUM Stoneburner Adds a New Floor and Other Improvements. ' That J. B. Stoneburner, manager of the Pictorium, is making all preparations for the accomodation of his patrons, is evidenced by the fact that he is putting in an elevated floor and in other ways fixing his place of business up. The elevated floor is being placed in by contractors Linn & Patten, and will thus afford every patron that attends a free and unobstructed view of the entire show. He has ordered a new curtain and will remodel the inside in many ways for the accomodation of the public. The floor will be completed in time for this evening's performance, when the Thaw pictures will be shown for the first time in Decatur and this popular place of amusement will no doubt be packed. o Mrs. Mary Feltz and daughter, of Lima. Ohio, is in the city visiting friends and relatives for a few days. HEIS RE-ELECTED Lawrence E. Opliger is Again County Sup't A GOOD OFFICIAL RECORD His Re-Election is a Just Tribute to an Untiring and Able Superintendent.' It was eleven o’clock before the township trustees congregated in the commissioner’s room at the auditor’s office, to elect a county superintendent The delay was occasioned by the absence of Trustee Huser, of Monroe township. He failed to come, so at eleven o'clock auditor Lewton called the township trustees into session. It took them but a few minutes to unanimously choose Lawrence E. Opliger to succeed himself as county superintendent of Adams county for the next four years. Mr. Opliger was first elected to this place in January of last year, to fill out the unexpired term of Irwin Brandyberry, who resigned on account of failing health. Since that time Mr. Opliger has succeeded so well that his re-election was but a just tribute to a courteous and able officer. The schools of the county have just closed the most successful year of their existence, and to their credit have produced the largest class of common school graduates that ever finished the course of study, as laid down by the board of education of Adams county. The school relations all over the county are pleasant and agreeable and of course profitable. Lawrence E. Opligei. There is no dissatisfaction anywhere along the line, and this is uncommon, when the large number of pupils are considered. It is a tribute to the skill and ability of Mr. Opliger, as the head of education in this county. Superintendent Opliger is twentynine years old, and is a native of Wayne county, Ohio. He came with his parents to Adams county in 1889, and up to the time of his election to the superintendency, always lived in Hartford township. He has been a student of the tri-state normal and the Indiana university and for six years was a teacher in the public schools of our county. He was good teacher, and a favorite at all the county institutes, and has well earned the recognition sought and given him. The trustees and several other friends of the superintendent were entertained to dinner by Mr. and Mrs. | Opliger, and a most enjoyable feast, is reported.

FIGURING THE COST G. R. & I. Preparing an Interesting Table WILL SHOW THE ROAD’S PROFITS If There are None They May Contest the New Two-Cent Fare Law in the Courts. General Manager J. H. P. Hughart, of the G. R. & I. is supervising the preparation of a table that will show how much it costs that road to do business. It will be shown just how much it costs to carry a passenger a mile, how many passengers are carried in a year and the number of miles they traveled and every item of expense will be included, the care of the roadbed, cost of interest, labor, new rolling stock and care of old and the various details connected with the system. The receipts of every kind will be contrasted with this. This table will be prepared before the road decides on what action will be taken regarding the new two-cent fare law and allowances will be made for increased travel under the twocent rate. It is this which the management is ascertaining and if it is found that the road cannot make a fair profit at the new rate a contest may be made. Mr. Hughart’s view is that a railroad is like any other business proposition, not wanting to do business without a profit any more than any business concern. While the integrity and good faith of the legislators is not impunged there is a feeling that action was taken without the facts in the case being known. As to the railroads in regard to the law, Mr. Hughart believes that different conditions prevail and that it is an individual problem for each road to work out. A road by means of the kind of territory it traverses or because smaller train service is given may be able to do business at less expense than another road. (Continued on page 2.) THEY HAD TO WALK Wreck Failed to Stop Decatur Party LODGE BOYS GOT TO LIMA Hung Up By Wreck at Spencerville They Counted the Ties Into Lima —A Muddy Trip. A party of fifteen Decaturites left yesterday over the Chicago and Erie railroad for Lima, where they intended to take in the initiation of a class of candidates in the Knights of Columbus lodge. The boys left on the early morning train which would have put them in Lima at nine o’clock in plenty of time to see all the work. However, the unexpected happened, and at Spencerville they encountered a wreck that bid fair to lay them out for four or five hours, and the entire party concluded to hoof it into Lima, a distance of five miles. Dr. D. D. Clark headed the party with C. S. Niblick bringing up the rear, and in this way they proceeded to count the ties into Lima. The track was muddy and in terrible shape and the boys were spectacular sights when they landed in Lima at eleven o’clock. However, they enjoyed the work, that is what they saw of it, and say they would pass through the same ordeal again if necessary. The boys arrived home early this morning footsore and weary over their experience, but happy and in good humor. • o BIDS ON WERLING AND MYERS DITCH. County Surveyor Baumgartner opened bids for the construction of the Werling and Myers ditch in Root and Preble townships. Sections 1.2, 3,4, 5 and 6 went to Josiah Engle for $958.53, and sections 7,8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 to Butler & Butler for $3,740. o D. E. Lauferty returned this mornling from a visit with his family at | Ft. Wayne.

HER LEFT ARM BROKEN. Little Gale Sullivan Fell from the Porch to the Ground. Little Gale, the five year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Sullivan, bad the misfortune to break her left arm last Saturday afternoon at the home of Arthur Russell on Mercer avenue. Mrs. Sullivan and daughter Gale were visiting at Mr. Russell’s, and intended to go to Geneva on that afternoon. The little girl was left playing on the porch, while the mother went into the house. In a few minutes the child came running to its mother screaming, and it was then that she realized that some misfortune had befallen it. Upon examination it was ascertained that the child's arm was twisted almost entirely around, the result of its falling from the porch to the ground. Dr. Miller w’as summoned and he administrated medical aid to the injured member. The child suffered intense pain for the past two nights, but the pain has now practically left. SOCIETY ISBUSY Delightful Dinner at The Case Home SUNDAY SCHOOL CONVENTION To Be Held Here Thursday—Surprise Given Yesterday for Mr. Phil Macklin. An occasion long to be remembered by the merry guests that were present is the party that was given by Irwin Case last night at his home at Magley, in honor of the Misses Luella and Luetta Cordier, of Celina, The merrymaking crowd of young people composed of the following: Messrs. Jesse Helm, Dick Erwin, True Fristoe, Arthur Beery, Arthur Mangold, Dyke Frisinger, Milo McKinney, Jesse and Albert Sellemeyer and the Misses Marie Beery, Emma Hoffman, Pansy Beil, Winifred Johnson, Lucile Hale Edna Hoffman and Luetta and Luella Cordier drove to the Case home yesterday evening and were treated to an elaborate dinner, after which toasts and speeches were in order. True Fristoe delighted the crowd with excellent music during the evening. The quartette composed of Dick Erwin, True Fristoe, Arthur Beery and Jesse Sellemeyer rendered selections that were well received and the entire affair was conducted in away that reflects much credit to Mr. Case. The Sunday school convention of Washington township will be held in this city on Thursday, June 6, 1907. There will be the afternoon and evening sessions and all of the churches will take part. The convention will be at the United Brethren church. A very interesting program has been prepared which is as follows: 2:30 —Song. Opening Devotional Services... Rev. E. E. Bergman 2:4s—County and township primary work, aim and purpose Mrs. S. D. Beavers 3:00 —The Relation of the Home to the Sunday School as Touching Discipline and Effective Sunday School Work Rev. A. Fowler 3:15 —Reading..... .Miss Lillie Steele 3:30 —Address and Round Table... County Pres. Jesse Rupp Evening Session. 7:30 —Song and Invocation Rev. L. C. Hessert 7:4ij—l. What Belong to Lesson Preparation for the Teacher J. T. Merryman 2. For the Scholar. .Dora Erwin Solo Miss Marie Beery 8:00 —How I Interest my Class and How My Class Interest Me.. Mrs. W. H. Nachtrieb, Mrs. C. Vogt, Miss Iva Steele, Miss Jessie Winnes, Miss Nettie Moses, Mrs. Dr. Holloway, J. F. Lachot. Reading Miss Faye Smith 8:30 —Election of Officers. Offering for Township Sunday School Work. A surprise of yesterday which was successful in every manner, was the one planned by Mrs. P. A. Macklin, of Geneva, on her son, Philip Macklin, in compliment of his twenty-fifth birthday anniversary given at his home on Market street of this city. The guests arrived early in the morning and stayed late at night. An oldfashioned birthday dinner was served (Continued on page 2.)

Price Two Cents

MANY BIDDERS Lots of Business in Commissioners’ Court TWO MACADAM ROAD CONTRACTS Bridge and Abutment Contracts Awarded—Two Salooe Licenses Granted. The board of commissioners began a busy session this morning. People from all over the county were present at the auditor’s office, they having business before the board. Ludlow L. Sheline and Russell Richards were granted licenses to retail liquors. Both operate saloons in this city. John L. Helms and others petition for drain, petition and assessment approved, \and Surveyor Baumgartner appointed superintendent of construction. The drain is found to be of public utility and benefit. V:’. Bids were ordered for the construction of the J. N. Kerr extension of the Pleasant Valley and Oak Grove road and for the Roudebush and Hain. The latter is in Washington township. The C. E. Bollinger extension four macadam road was continued. West Washington macadam road extension five was ordered sold. Nine bids were opened for the construction of the Reynolds macadam road in Hartford township. The bids were: Fred Hoffman, $4,879; Frank Heller, $3,762.15; Butler & Butler, $4,968.75; Bears & Haviland, $4,021; C. C. Yoder, $4,771; R. Meshbarger, $3,992.15; W. N. Anderson, $3,875.45; David Meyer, $4,162, and Bierie & Rose, $3,837.15. Frank Heller was the low bidder. Bids were also opened for Otto (Continued on page 2.) Judge McClure Another Anti-Cromer Candidate FRIENDS WORKING THE WIRES It is Hinted That Hon. Jesse LaFollette is Cultivating a Congresssional Bee. Indianapolis, June 3.—John F. McClure, of Anderson, judge of the Madison circuit court, is the late entry in the race for the Republican congressional nomination in the eighth district. A good deal of quiet work is being done for him in different parts of the district. Judge McClure long has been a Republican leader in Madison county politics. In the bitter fights between the Cromer and Stilwell factions he is declared to have taken a neutral position, although it was the general understanding that his sentiments were with the Stillwell crowd. The chances are that the Stillwell forces in Madison county will support Judge McClure, while the chances are equally good that the friends of former congressman George W. Cromer, of Muncie, will fight him. The talk now is that former state senator Walter L. Ball of Muncie, one of Cromer’s bitterest political opponents, will also get into the congressional race and play the game in conjunction with the McClure forces. In the event that McClure could not land the nomination, he would throw his influence to Ball, and vice versa. Former Congressman Cromer continues to assert that he is not dead polically, and that he will be heard from again. It is the understanding among his friends that he will not be a candidate for the nomination next year, but will be in two years from that time. It is also hinted that Hon. Jesse LaFollette, a deputy in the office of United States District Attorney, is also warming up to the proposition of a try out for the congressional nomination. He still retains his residence at Portland, and as a candidate looks good to many of the rank and file.