Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 5, Number 176, Decatur, Adams County, 22 July 1907 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

■/olume V. Number 176

HISTORY CHAPTER Story of Adams County’s Public Buildings fcIRST JAIL WAS BUILT IN 1836 ■Court House in 1839—Present Hall of Justice in 1873—School Houses and Churches. By Ladles’ Historical Club. Rapid Transit. The exact time when the first public ransit was established in Adams couny cannot be ascertained, but early in ts history the four-horse stage with ts "winding horn” was run between lecatur and Ft. Wayne for the coneyance of passengers and mail. It ; worth mentioning also that before nd during the war a regular “wagonine” was conducted between these wo points, owned and operated by ohn King and William Gilson, who or a number of years carried the surilus produce from Decatur to Ft. IVayne and were also entrusted with nany valuable packages to the solders families from the “boys” at the i-ont. These were sent by express o Ft. Wayne and then forwarded by ‘ this line to their final destination, and t is noted that there were no failures » deliver. The first railroad In Adams county vas what is now known as the Grand lapids and Indiana, which was competed in 1871, and added materially o the convenience and financial prosperity of Adams county and its county seat. In 1878 a narrow gauge railroad was built between Toledo and St. Louis, which was in a few years Changed to standard gauge and is now known as the “Clover Leaf” or Toledo, Bt. Louis and Western. This road had a precarious existence for a number of years, but has always done a large business. In 1881 and 1882 the Chicago and Atlantic railroad was projected and built, making the second east and west road for Decatur. This road is now known as the Chicago and Erie or C. and E. Ft. Wayne and Springfield Interurban Road. ’ The Ist day of February, 1907, was a great day for Decatur, as that date witnessed the opening for regular traffic between it and Ft.. Wayne, of the above named railway. The following graphic description of the road and its equipment is taken from the “Electric Railway Review:” “The first division of the Ft. Wayne and Springfield railway company’s line has been completed and cars are now operating between Ft. Wayne and Decatur. The line is operated electrically by single-phase alternating current with a line pressure of 6,600 volts. The overhead work is of the latest type, of catenary construction, and the line throughout is well designed. The franchises which the company holds run for fifty years: The line is located favorably for controlling a healthy freight and passenger traffic. The city of Ft. Wayne, with its suburbs has a population of 61.000. and Decatur has a population of 5,000. The estimated population adjacent to the right of way between Ft. Wayne and Decatur is 13,000 making a total estimated population of nearly 80,000 to be served by the line. In addition to •this the company is drawing a large patronage from the four other interurban lines radiating from Ft. Wayne. The completed section of this road 21.6 miles long, parallels the old Piqua pike and is almost wholly located on private right of way from 30 to 100 feet in width. The maximum grade on the line between Ft. Wayne and Decatur Is 1.8 per cent and the greatest curve is five degrees. Much care

was given to the construction of the subgrade: The upper dressing is composed of a substantial gravel,wh c was obtained from the company's own pit located about midway between t e terminals. Concrete was used exclusively in the bridge abutment and waterway construction- There are eight bridges of the deckgirder type and one 155 foot span truss bridge on the line. The latter spans the St. Marys river at a point a short distance from the power plant. Eac > bridge is of 100 tons capacity. e tracks are laid with 70-pound A S. < • E. section steel rails on standard ties. The rails are joined mechanically by standard six-bolt splice-bars an electrically by the “Ohio Brass com pany’s” No. 0000 soldered bonds. Power House. The power house and car barns are situated on a 14% acre tract of groun owned by the company, located jus north of the city of Decatur. The

east, north and south walls of the power house are constructed of concrete blocks molded in sections 8 by 12 by 24 inches in area and are provided with interior air chambers. There were 7,200 blocks used in the power house construction. These were made by day labor at an average cost of 15 cents each. They were mixed in the proportion of one part cement to two parts sand and were cast in an “Ideal" concrete block machine. They were laid in cement mortar. The west wall of the structure is sealed up with sheet steel, and is designed to allow for future extensions of the building. All the material except the cement was obtained entirely from the property owned by the company. The power house occu(Continued on page 2.)

SEVEN TO THREE Was the Result of the Sunday Game AND IN FAVOR OF BLUFFTON, TOO Visitors Braced up and produced the Real Article—Good Game Until Last Inning. Fifteen hundred people gathered at Steele’s Park yesterday afternoon and witnessed the defeat of the locals by our old-time rivals Bluffton, by a score of seven to three, and one and all seemed thankful when the game was over, as they had been packed in the grandstand and along the ropes like sardines, while the thermometer stood ninety-five in the shade, and old Sol poured down his hot rays and seemed to have no mercy on spectators or players. Coats and collars were soon shed and all rph.de themselves comfortable and it was throughout the game a good natured crowd. The stands commenced to fill up as early as one o’clock by those who went early so as to gel a good seat and -by the time the game was called every available place was occupied, and it was a dense throng. This being the first Sunday game in our city this season, it was announced before the game was called that the management would tolerate no rowdyism, betting or yelling, and that the spectators would be compelled to give vent to their feelings by clapping the hands. This seemed to meet with the approval of all, and a more orderly crowd could not have been seen any place. The game was called at three o’clock with Bluffton at bat and the locals in the field, and the visitors were retired in one, two, three order. The locals at once got busy and with two hits and an error managed to cross the rubber twice, and this seemed to be a commanding lead, but the uncertainty of base ball was yet to be seen, and in the third inning Bluffton tied the score the result of several hits and an error and it was the time for the visitors to give vent to their feelings. The locals, however, tied the score in their half of the third and the battle was this way until the fifth, when Bluffton scored another run, the result of an error and a base hit. From this time on until the ninth it was one, two, three for both sides, and it was a pretty battle. The ninth proved a disastrous inning for the locals as the visitors, after two men were out, scored three runs and as far as the game was concerned it was all over, as the locals could do nothing with Boyd at their time at bat. The Bluffton team now presents a more formidable lineup than they did the last time they appeared here, and have a strong team and were certainly entitled to all the credit in yesterday’s contest. The box score tells the tale:

Decatur. AB R H PO A E Nash, rs 4 11 11 0 Behringer, 2b . 2 11 6 2 0 Burns, If 4 1 0 1 0 0 Wallace, ss ... 4 0 1 2 5 0 Weber lb .... 4 0 2 8 0 1 Pierce, cf 4 0 0 2 0 0 Witham, 3b .. 4 0 1 2 5 1 Winger, c .... 3 0 0 4 2 0 Geyer, p 4 0 0 1 0 0 Total 33 3 6 27 15 2 Bluffton. AB R H PO A E Laßue. 3b .... 3 2 1 0 4 0 Ryan. If 5 2 3 1 0 0 Thomas, rs ... • 5 0 3 4 0 1 Boyd, p 5 0 0 0 2 0 Eichler *2b ... ■ 4 0 2 4 3 2 Speicer, c .... 4 2 2 3 0 0 Zanglein, ss .. 4 1 12 2 0 Pfetferle, lb .. 4 0 1 10 1 0 Donovan, cf .. 4 0 0 3 0 0 Total 38 7 13 27 12 3 (Continued on page 2.)

ONLY TEN HOURS Did Lutz-Schlegel Honeymoon Continue GRIM REAPER CLAIMED BRIDE Couple Were Married at Mission Hal! Saturday Night—Groom Awoke Sunday Morning, Found Wife Dying. Saturday night at ten o'clock, Mrs. Samuel Schlegel and Mr. Frank Lutz were married at the Mission Hall, after the usual religious services, which the band of mission workers have been conducting nightly for the past year, the cermony being performed by Squire J. H. Smith, as the leader of the mission was unable to perform the ceremony, as he was endowed with no statutory rights. Mrs. Schlegel and Mr. Lutz had been earnest attendants at the mission hall for the past year, and both had become affiliated with this sect, and there is no doubt but that their acquaintance there grew into love with the above results. However, their honeymoon was destined to be one of short duration, as the grim reaper claimed the bride of only ten hours as his own and carried her away to her last resting place, where she will know no more sorrow or hardships. Immediately after the ceremony the happy couple repaired to their home on south Seventh street. Sunday morning early Mr. Lutz was aroused by his wife's moaning, and before he could secure the service of a doctor, death resulted, and the groom's honeymoon was turned into sorrow. The coroner was immediately summoned and Sunday afternoon a post mortem examination was held by Drs. Grandstaff, Beavers and Thomas, which showed that several clots of blood had formed on the heart, which undoubtedly caused her death, otherwise her condition physically" was fdutid' to be in a perfect state. The funeral services were held this afternoon at two o’clock at the Mission Hall, and interment was made in the Decatur cemetery. She leaves a husband and five children to mourn their loss.

DENIES THE SALE Auditor Kelly Says There Is No Deal FOR SALE OF TRACTION LINE Officials of Ft. Wayne and Springfield Know Nothing of Rumor Published at Ft. WayneTwo rumors of sales are afloat in local traction circles but both lack confirmation. One has it that the Ft. Wayne and Springfield road, operating between Ft. Wayne and Decatur and with a line projected from Decatur to Celina, 0., is to be sold to the Toledo and Chicago road, operating between Ft. Wayne and Garrett, Kendallville and Auburn and with a line building to Waterloo. The other rumor says that the Toledo and Chicago lines are to be sold to a syndicate of eastern men and that the deal has been practiclly closed. Neither of the two companies has offices here and efforts to reach officials last night failed. Both lines have been completed for some time and are doing a prosperous business, both in passenger and freight traffic—Ft. Wayne JournalGazette. The above caused some surprise here arid is not generally believed. The local company have had several opportunities to sell, but their line is not on the market. President Fledderjohann is .out of the city, and could not be interviewed today. Auditor Kelley stated that he knew nothing of any such a deal even pending, and credited it to some reporter's fancy. The Ft. Wayne and Springfield is good property just now and is getting better every day, but it is not for sale. o Born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Van Camp, a beautiful little daughter, that will be known as Dorothy E. Both mother and babe doing well.

Decatur, Indiana, Monday Evening, July 22, 1907.

LIFE IN ANDERSONVILLE PRISON William Craig Tells of the Tortures of Ten Months There. William Craig was interesting a large number of people in front of the city offices this afternoon by explaining many things about the Andersonville military prison that was located at Camp Sumter, Georgia, in 1864. At that time there were 35,000 prisoners confined within the walls of that prison, Mr. Craig being among the captives. He had a large picture of the prison before him this afternoon that belongs to the G. A. R. post and he described it to the crowd that assembled in an interesting manner. Mr. Craig was a prisoner there for ten months and he says that the life was very strenuous, especially when the rations were short. o_ REFUSE TO RETURN P. J. Bobo Is Fighting For His Liberty MAY SEEK REDRESS IN COURT Arrived From Wisconsin Last Night —Has Been Held in Asylums For Five Years.

Patrick J. Bobo, arrived home last evening from Peshtigo, Wisconsin, and this morning was taken in charge by Marshal Ed Green, acting upon orders from Superintendent Smith, of the Marinetta Insane Asylum, who ten days ago sent a message here that Bobo had escaped and would probably come here. A representative of this paper interviewed Pat and during a half hour conversation, failed to discover any signs of insanity. He informed us that he had employed attorneys and would fight the case out in the courts. He left Peshtigo two weeks ago Saturday, telling the superintendent that he was going home and without a cent of money, worked his way to this city. Six years ago he went to Marinetta and accepted a position in a printing office. He is a clever newspaper man and a skilled printer and succeeded. After working a year, he was induced to go to a sanitarium to recuperate, the hard work having caused his health to decline. He was instead sent to an insane asylum, kept there as long as the law permitted, then shifted somewhere else, and then sent to the institution in the county from where sent. He talks intelligently of the hardships he has passed through, without any chance to secure freedom, and he believes he has grounds for damages from Marinetta county and the state of Wisconsin for his false imprisonment. and that this is one reason why they are so anxious for his return. Habeaus corpus proceedings will be instituted at once to secure his release and if the Wisconsin authorities make any defense the case will be fought out here, where Pat has friends enough to insure him a square deal. As this is vacation time for court, it will be necessary to bring the proceedings in one of the surrounding counties. Mr. Bobo lived here many years, being a son of exJudge Bobo. He published the first daily newspaper ever printed in Decatur, and has many friends here who will help him get on his feet after five years of hardship and privation.

SEVEN THOUSAND MILES TO WED Two Ladies Travel From Wales to Spokane to Find Lovers. Spokane, Wash., July 22.—Traveling more than 7.000 miles from Wales to wed lovers of the girlhood days, and married less than an hour after their arrival in Spokane, was the experience of Lucy Jones and Grace Thomas, formerly of Cornwall. Miss Jones became the wife of David Parry, and Miss Thomas linked heart and fortune with Griffith Hughes, farmers in the Big Bend wheat belt, west of Spokane. The double ceremony was performed by Rev. David H. Hughes, of Almira, Wash., in Westminster Congregational church. The grooms have been in this country seven years and are prosperous. They visited Wales a year ago and while there were made happy by receiving promises their sweethearts would come to the Northwest this summer. The couples have known each other since childhood and will be neighbors in their homes near Almira, where they will go after a stay of several days in Spokane.

WILL CONTINUE IT Commercial Department Will Not Be Discontinued IN THE DECATUR HIGH SCHOOL The Report Has Gained Circulation But is Untrue—lnstead the Advantages Will be Better than Ever. A report has gained some circulation, especially among the students, that the German and the commercial department may be discontinued in the local high school. It is well that this error be corrected by stating that both the German and the commercial department will be continued as heretofore. The commercial course has been rearranged that it may comply with the best interests of the school. A new. and more up-to-date bookkeeping sys tern was adopted last year and a different system of shorthand will be introduced at the beginning of the second semester of the coming year. It is planned to better equip the department by installing new typewriters and by making other improvements as are found necessary. The entire commercial course will be elective to students of the sophomore year. In compliance with the new school law, which compels all Indiana high schools to offer bookkeeping and commercial arithmetic, the seniors of the college preparatory course may elect bookkeeping as one of the four subjects of the regular course. Commercial students will receive commercial diplomas at the close of the high school course. The commercial studies were put into a number of the high schools of the state last year, some had departments and others will offer the work the coming year. These departments have proven of much value to many students. It has been shown by statistics that only one per cent of the high school graduates have gone through college. The other ninety-nine per cent have gone to the busy cares of life, many of them having been helped by a practical education derived from advantages offered by commercial high schools. The board of education has had no intention of discontinuing the work, but, on the other hand, are planning to offer better advantages in the future.

GOT TOO HAPPY Boozy Stranger Broke Up the Meeting AT THE MISSION HALL SUNDAY Police Were Called But Man Disappeared—Several Women Fainted During the Excitement. Several strenuous hours were passed Sunday afternoon at the Mission Hall, and for a time it looked as if trouble was brewing for the leaders of this place of worship, and they were at last forced to the last resort of calling for the police to restore order. The Mission services opened up as has been the usual custom for a year past and it wasn’t long before the members got warmed up to the work, and several persons were induced to go to the mourners bench. It was during this service that a man, a perfect stranger to every one, and who had on an overload of booze, made his appearance in the hall and immediately got happy in a religious form and became so noisy that the leaders tried to induce him to leave peaceably but this he refused to do, as he was determined to take part in the services. As a last resort the police w r ere telephoned for and by the time they arrived on the scene the disturber had and quiet reigned. During the excitement several women fainted and it was some time before they were in a condition to continue in the services. This is the first time the meetings have .ever been disturbed, and the leaders will use every precaution to see that it does not occur again.

Shrlff Hudson spent Friday afternoon at the county infiramry and assisted Superintendent Mills in giving Harry Mote, the demented barber and ex-baseball promoter, a much-needed bath. The Insane man was covered from had to foot with filth and presented a most pitiful sight. After receiving his bath the cell was given a thorough cleaning and Mote was returned to the cell attired in shirt and trousers. With his hands fastened together he is powerless and obliged to spend his time sitting on the floor as his legs are swollen to almost twice their normal size. The condition of his limbs was occasioned by his standing for hours in his bare feet. —Hartford City News.

JOIN THE LEAGUE Decatur Sends Representative to Muncie INSTRUCTED TO ACT FAVORABLY Owners of Local Team Agree to Join the Indiana-Ohio League—Opens Next Sunday. From present indications the much talked of base ball league, which will be composed of the following cities: Richmond, Portland, Decatur, Marion, Bluffton and Van Wert, Ohio, and which will be known as the IndianaOhio league, will be formally launched this evening, when the respective managers of these clubs will meet at Muncie, Ind., and adopt their rules and regulations and at the same time adopt their playing schedule. Louis Holthouse, representing the local team, will leave for Muncie this evening and will vote for the organization as the local fans want this kind of base ball and are heartily in favor of it, and he goes with the instructions to support the launching of the league in every respect. A league of this description means much for the local management, as it always assures them good dates and the matter of booking teams will be done away with as a schedule will be adopted and every team will be expected to live up to it. The mileage will be small, and it will in the end mean that much money will be thus saved from paying out large bills for car fare to poor attractions. The teams included in the league are evenly matched and the struggle for the pennant will be interesting. On Friday evening of last week at a meeting held at Indianapolis, the following matters were taken up and discussed which means the success of the league: Friday evening at the Star office in Indianapolis, Manager Frank Runyan of Bluffton. Manager Lewis Hunt, of Portlnd and Manager R. B. Hubbard, of Marion, met with A. R. Kling, sporting editor of the Star, and took the first steps toward organizing the Indiana-Ohio league, which is to be composed of the following towns--Richmond, Portland, Decatur. Marion, Bluffton and Van Wert. Ohio. Next, Monday evening at 8 o’clock, the managers of the proposed league will meet at the Hotel Delaware, Muncie, and complete arrangements for launching the league. At this meeting each team will post SIOO guarantee to finish the season. A schedule will also be drafted, a president elected, and umpires chosen and other details of minor importance will be transacted. The league season will open Sunday, July 28, and will close Sunday, September 15. There is not the slightest doubt but that the league will be a go as the managers of the teams now proposed to be Included in the circuit are enthusiastic about the organization and there are other independent teams already trying to break into the circuit. While the meting was in session Friday there were long distance phones from Marion and Kokomo,each city asking to be included in the league. They were invited to be represented at the league meeting at Muncie Monday evening. Percentage of gate receipts for the home and visiting clubs was arranged for, an SBOO a month salary limit decided on and a decision was reached to have each club manager draw up a schedule, which he will submit at the Muncie meeting. The most satisfactory schedule will be adopted. Mr. Kling stated that he thought league ball would increase the gate receipts in every town from thirty to forty per cent and all the managers agreed with him. Mr. Kling is slated for the presidency of the league, and he will make a most efficient official.

Price Two Cents

INSURANCE COIN Is Now Pouring Into State Treasury OVER $150,000 IS NOW DUE Same Fund Which Was Formerly Handled by Auditor and Which Caused Sherrick's Downfall. Indianapolis, July 22.—Within the next two weeks the Insurance companies of states other than Indiana will pay into the state treasury between $150,000 and -160,000 according to Cyrus W. Neal, deputy insurance commissioner. This sum will represent the taxes that the foreign Insurance companies pay the state for the right to do business here. These companies are taxed $3 for each SIOO of premium receipts over and above the losses paid, and this year closed July 1, and the companies are now sending in the statements of business done during that period, in order that their taxes may be figured up. The taxes for this six months’ period are smaller than those for the six months ending January 7, 1907, when about $175,000 was paid into the state treasury. Either more insurance was written during that period than during the six months’ period just past or the losses were greater than usual. To one of these factors, Mr. Neal attributes the falling off in receipts. Formerly these insurance taxes and fees were paid to the auditor of state, and it was this money that David E. Sherrick was alleged .to have embezzled when he was state auditor. Since the Sherrick trouble, however, all of the state auditors have not taken in these taxes. They have been figured up by the insurance commissioner in the auditor's office and a statement of the amount due sent to the companies. The companies then send the taxes direct to the state treasurer. A HOUSE PARTY Given For the Misses Porter And Shearer A TWELVE O’CLOCK DINNER A Picnic at the Parent Grove Sunday Proved a Delightful Occasion— Oth'r Society News. Miss Dessie Porter, assistant bookkeeper of the Union Telephone company, at Bluffton, and Miss Jessie Shearer, the bookkeeper of the shoe factory, at Huntington, were the honored guests at a small house party for a few days, last week, given by Mrs. John Fleming on First street. The party will close today, during the period there has been several informal dinners and parties . given for the guests. Another delightful feature of yesterday was the twelve o’clock dinner given in compliment to Mrs. John Keis, of Ft. Wayne, by Mrs. Harlow Mann, of R. R. 4, to a company of friends who were: Mr. and Mrs. Joe Mann, Mr and Mrs. Harry Butler, Mrs. Cooks. The table was prettily decorated with flowers and the dinner was nicely served in three courses. One of the most successful and jolly picnics was given yesterday at the beautiful shady grove of Parents, south of the city, by Miss Anna Parent and Joe Palmer to a large crowd of friends. All those present had a fine time and late in the day left for their homes stating what a royal time the host and hostess had prepared for each guest. Mrs. W. Kuebjer charmingly entertained Mr. and Mrs. Frank Obrien and Mr. Ross, of Toledo, Ohio, at a six o'clock dinner last evening, at her home on Monroe street. C. O. France entertained delightfully at a croquet party and lawn festival last evening, the event being enjoyable. The guests were Messrs. Jim Pierce, Otto Burns, Ralph Behringer and Oscar Way. The refreshments were ice water and Red Band.