Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 5, Number 198, Decatur, Adams County, 16 August 1907 — Page 1

DECATUR DAII-Y DEMOCRAT.

Volume V. Number 198

CLOSING CHAPTER Judge Erwin Continues Story of Trip trip over rocky mountains From Montana Through the Grand Canyon and the Sights Witnessed There. At home, Aug. 8, 1907. Editor Democrat: We left you in our last letter on the western side of a very high range of the Rocky Mountains in Montana, near the city of Missoula, at 7.00 o’clock in the evening, on the Northern Pacific railroad, and under the charge of J. J. Hill, of merger fame. By earnest effort and a very laborious one, apparently, we crossed the "Divide” and by the next morning at 5:30 we landed at Livingston, Montana, 1,007 miles west of St. Paul, Minn., and just half way between the western end of Lake Superior and the Pacific ocean, and 504 miles Prom Spokane, which we left the morning before at 7:15 and two thousand miles from home. We here had a letter from home telling us everybody was ail right, and the second time we had heard from home in nearly six weeks. The scenery in Montana is grand and very attractive, but after we had already traveled through or in sight of mountains for four weeks and over three thousand miles of territory, the waterfalls, cascades, mountain gorges and grostesquely shaped rocks, one sickens of them and we were really glad when night lowered the curtains around us and we were permitted to retire to our berths and trust to Hill and his employees to see us safely over the mountains. Nothing of particlar interest occurred until we started for the park. At Livingston were the representatives of three transportation companies, who are in the business of conducting tourists through the famous Yellowstone Park. We finally engaged with the Wylie Camping Co. for the journey and at 8:00 o’clock started for the trip which would take until Saturday night to complete. It is fifty-four miles from Livingston to Gardner, the gateway to the park from the north. Here we were met by the company with their concord coaches and four or six horses. From Livingston to Gardner the railroad follows the valley of the Yellowstone for the entire distance. Three miles from the town we passed through the first canyon of the Yellowstone or the gate of the mountains, which forms a natural valley. This canyon is nearly a mile long and just wide enough to comfortably admit the road and river, the mountain walls rising about 2,00 feet perpendicular on either side. Passing through the canyon we entered Paradise Valley. This valley is seven to twelve miles wide, and about thirty miles long. Many of the peaks along the valley rising to from 6,000 to 10,629 feet above sea level. Forty miles from Livingston we passed the second or Yankee Jim canyon. so called because for several years prior to the building of the railroad an enterprising Yankee named James George, having constructed a w’agon road along this canyon levied toll from each visitor who passed that way to the park. Yankee Jim still lives at the south end of the canyon, which is scarcely 100 feet wide. A little further along is Circular Mountain, on which is what they call Devil’s Slide, a smooth and very steep strip of the mountain where the sands and rock have for centuries rolled and slid down until it is apparently as smooth as a polished floor, and the formation is of a reddish brown tinted with grey and pink and being at an angle of 65 or 70 degrees, and 2,000 feet high. Electric Peak, the highest mountain in this vicinity, is directly on the northern boundary of the reserve. Here is Gardner. The Northern Pacific has built a beautiful depot at (this place, being constructed from round logs, with a polished floor and a large fireplace in one end where they burn cordwood four feet long. At this station we were met by the coaches and taken to the company hotel for lunch. At the main entrance to the park is an imposing scone arch the cornerstone of which was laid by President Roosevelt April 24, 1903. After dinner we were loaded into the coaches, drawn by four spirited horses, all having at some time been range horses, as each bore the brand

of his former owner. The roadway soon enters the canyon of the Gordner river over one of the most attractive drives in the park, passing beneath Eaglenest Rock, where the cliffs are fully 1,500 feet high above the roadway. The first place of interest is the Mammoth Hot Springs. These occupy several acres with many distinct terraces and springs, and on the eastern slope of Terrace Mountain. Here is the transportation company’s hotel. These terraces are formed by the deposits which are left by the hot water which flow from the springs down the hill, and are from two to three feet high and reach up the side of the mountain tor a distance of 20 to 30 feet and are in,a circular form, with every color of the rainbow blended in profusion, and as beautiful as a spring time sunrise. Near this spring is a formation in the shape of a liberty cap after which it is named. It is formed by over lapping layers of deposit, evidently having been built up by the overflow of water through the orifice in its top. Next is the Mineral Terrace, a mass of deposit forty feet high covering an area of nearly three-fourths of an acre, with a hot spring on the top, some twenty feet wide. The quantity of water overflowing is very small, (Continued on Page 4.) GOING TOTHEBAD We Drink and Chew More than Ever GOVERNMENT STATISTIC AGAIN It Does not Compare to Other Published Reports—Still a Conflict with Central American States. Washington, August 16. —Prohibition laws, reform waves, temperance crusades and anti-smoking and chewing clubs did not make the people of this country any more abstemious in the fiscal year closed June 30 than in other years. On the contrary, there were millions of gallons more whisky and beer consumed, more than half a million or more cigars used, nearly a billion and a third more cigarettes and thousands of pounds more of snuff consumed than in the previous fiscal year. Worse than all else there were used many millions of pounds more oleomargarine, cheese, adulterated butter and such. All this is shown by the statement of the internal revenue bureau for the fiscal year that closed June 30. The total receipts from all sources for that year were $269,664,022.85, as compared with $249,102,738 for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1906. From the different sources the receipts were as follows: Spirits, $156,336,901.89, compared with $143,394,055.12 for the previuos year; tobacco, $51,811,069.69, against $48,422,997.38; fermented liquors, $59,567,818.18, compared with $55,641,858.56; oleomargarine, $887,641.31, compared with $570,037.93; adulterated butter, $12,743.60, last year $9,258.43; renovated butter, $161,795.79, last year $926,452.49. But in dollars and cents the failure of the people to be impressed by sumptuary laws and z moral regulations is not shown half as well as in gallons, pounds, numbers, etc. Take cigars and tobacco, for example. In the last fiscal year there were withdrawn for consumption cigars to the number 8.642.278.219. an increase in a year of 57,543,375. Washington, August 16—The news from Mexico of an impending conflict between all of the central American states except Costa Rica, was received here with surprise and incredulity, for up to this moment all of the advices from that quarter of the world which have reached Washington were to the effect that the asperities caused by the last Nicaraguan attack upon Acatjutlan Acajutla. Salvador, had been smoothed down under the combined influence of the governments of Merico and America. Indeed. it was the belief of the state department officials here that arrangements were about perfected for a conference in Washington next fall or winter of delegations from the central American states, the only obstacle being the reluctance of each of the parties to taking the initiative in ask-, ing for the conference.

Decatur, Indiana, Friday Evening, August 16, 1907.

ARE YOU READY? Fair Week Will Soon be Here GET YOUR DISPLAY IN READINESS Enter Your Stock or Any Other Thing that You Think Will Take a Premium. Every merchant, every farmer, every factory man, every housewife, every boy and every girl in Adams county should be interested in the Great Northern Fair, which will be here week after next. Time and expense have not been spared by the association to make this the greatest of all fairs ever held here and if the people of this community will help just a little, it will outshine anything in the county’s history. Every one who can should have an exhibit at the fair. Every person for miles around should compete for a premium. Surely you have something: fine stock, or poultry, or flowers, piece of art, fancy ware or something out of the ordinary. By entering it at the fair you help the display and will likely receive a premium which will more than pay you for the trouble. The races this year will be excellent and if you are a lover of this kind of sport, you will be more than pleased. Get ready to come. Write your friends and have them meet you at the most beautiful fair grounds in Indiana. —o I’TS DIFFERENT THEN AND NOW Merchant Explained the Difference in Prices Easily. Not long ago a farmer in lowa went to a harness dealer to buy a set of harness. He found one that suited him and the price was $45. The farmer haitiened to remember that about a dozen years ago he had bought harness just like it for $35, and he mentioned the fact. The dealer went to his book and found this to be true. “But,” said the dealer, “my book shows that you did not pay cash for it because you did not have the money. You hauled in 300 bushels of corn and gave it to me for the $35 harness. Now, I'll tell you what I’ll Jo. If you bring me 300 bushels of corn I will give you the $45 harness, also a double buggy harness worth sls, a $7 plush robe, a boy’s riding saddle worth $5, one whip and riding bridle worth $2.50, brush and curry comb worth sl, and a rawhide buggy whip worth sl.” o . . ———— WILLING TO SETTLE Fred Koenig Makes Overtures to His Wife DENIES THREATENING TO KILL Says He Will Give a Bond for Her Future Use and Offers Her the Hospitality of Her Home. Fred Koenig paid this office a little visit this morning in relation to the article published in yesterday’s issue concerning the trouble between he and his wife and told us the folowing facts concerning his side of the story, which he requested us to publish so that his friends could understand the position he was taking in the matter. Fred denies ever threatening to kill his wife and claims that here is a plot existing among his wife’s relatives to cause a separation and that in so far as he and his wife were concerned they could get along in fine style if the relatives would only let them alone. Fred is a hard working fellow and claims to have always provided well for his family and Mrs. Koenig had no fault to find along this score, and why she should leave him he is at a loss to state. To satisfy all concerned, he stated that he wouid give a bond to insure her safety and that he would pay all costs of the case and quiet the matter up. He is very indignant toward his father-in-law, and says that he is and has been the cause of all the trouble between he and his wife. Mrs. Koenig is still at her father’s home, but Fred says she is welcome to return to his home at any time she desires and he will | provide for her.

SPEND HALF MILLION DOLLARS Sixty-Five New Roads in Wells County Will Cost that Amount. Viewers for 35 new gravel and scone roads met this afternoon in the auditor's office, and were sworn in by Auditor Brineman. They will attempt to get their reports ready for the commissioners at the September term, but this will hardly be possible for all the roads. The viewers are as follows: Elijah Hoffman and W. B. Little on seven roads, Daniel Miller and L. C. Cobbum, five, Phanuel Mclntire and Gus Lipp, six, L. A. Minnear and R. A. Kilander, four, Samuel Gehrett and Calvin Foreman, four, C. H. Popejoy and Marsh Bell, four, E. C. Miller and Ed Robinson, five. Viewers are paid $2 per day and expenses. This makes sixty-five petitions filed to this time. There will be half a million dollars spent for new roads in Wells county if the law is constitutional and the petitions stick. The present batch of petitions cover about 65 miles that will cost from $2,000 to $2,500 per mile.—Bluffton News. Mrs. R. W. Randall, of Richmond, made a short visit with her brother, Charles Hearne, in the city and left this morning for Portland to make a short visit before returning home. AN ALTO THIEF Captured by Sheriff Hott of Van Wert AFTER AN EXCITING CHASE J. C. Hoffman, of Chicago, Taken after the Officer Wings Him With a Shot Gun. Van Wert, Aug. 16.—Sheriff Hott, who recently won fame by his famous chase of Marvin Kuhns, which ended in the death of that desperado, again proved himself equal to any occasion last evening when he captured J. C. Hoffman, alias Harold Sawyer, of Chicago, and wanted in that city for stealing an auto touring car from Jay C. Hills last Tuesday. Hott used a shot gun as a persuader and Hoffman is the loser of two fingers of his left hand. Much credit for the capture goes to D. L. McDonald, proprietor of the McDonald garage, though the daring arrest was made by Sheriff Hott, who, this time armed himself with a shot gun instead of a revolver, as in the case of the Kuhns capture. McDonald was passing along the street when his eye fell on a strange auto left in front of a restaurant. Recalling that a car answering the description of the one before him had been stolen in Chicago he hastened back to his garage to compare the number, make and style. As the circular letter description tallied with the machine he communicated with Sheriff Hott and Adams Wise and in a few minutes the trio was hastening toward the restaurant in one of the garage’s fastest autos. Learning that the stranger had just left the city in an easterly direction they headed after him with the throttle open, a good supply of gasoline and plenty of confidence and nerve. Hardly had the pursuers passed beyond the city limits when they could see the dust of the fast-fleeing car in the distance. Gradually they closed the gap between them and when about three and one-half miles southeast of the city they came upon the man and car. Ordering the driver to stop the sheriff threatened to shoot, but to his command the chauffer only shoved his car along the road faster. The chase settled itself to the supremacy of the automobiles in speed and the McDonald car soon swung aroung its competitor and gained the road in the lead. Sheriff Hott jumped from the machine in which he was riding and faced about, leveling his gun at the same time. Fearless and reckless of his life Hoffman attempted to run down the sheriff, but the wily officer perceived his intention and sidestepped danger. The crucial moment had arrived and < Sheriff Hott proved equal to the i emergency. Not willing to give his man the right of way without a pro- : test Mr. Hott pulled the trigger and < the left arm of Hoffman was seen to drop helpless to his side. With his i right hand the fugitive quickly drew i his machine up and dismounted, a < prisoner. Hoffman when taken into < custody had a 38-calibre revolver on i the seat beside him in the car, but < he was given no chance to use it.

THE FAST DITCH It is Still Being Fought by Remonstrators BEFORE ALLEN COUNTY BOARD A Hearing Set for August TwentyEighth—Ditch Affects Four Counties. The famous Fast ditch case, which has been in court several years, including some months in the Adams circuit court, is to have another inning in Allen county soon, according to the Journal-Gazette, which said: Wednesday, August, 28, the drainage commissioners appointed by the Allen county board of commissioners to make an amended report in the Little River or Fast ditch, will report to the board of commissioners of Allen county the result of their labors in making an amended report and reassessing lands. The expense of the improvement will probably exceed by several thousand dollars the SIOO,000 mark. The farmers of Wells, Huntington, Whitley and Allen counties will come in for assessment on this ditch. Under the law as amended by the legislature of 1907. if twothirds liable for assessment on the proposed Improvement remonstrate against the ditch, it cannot be constructed. The present law is very favorable to remonstrators, as on a two-thirds remonstrance against the ditch, they will not be liable to any court costs, while under the old law remonstrators feared to join in the remonstrance because of the heavy expenses to them on account of a review of the ditch, but under the pres= ent law there W’ould be no review and no court costs will be created by a two-thirds remonstrance against the ditch. A large number of farmers interested have engaged attorneys Aiken and Underwood and they have prepared a two-thirds remonstrance, which is being widely circulated among the farmers interested in the ditch. o An insanity inquest was held this afternoon at the county jail on Joseph Garwood, of Blue Creek township. The papers were filed by his wife, who claims therein that he is insane and that she is afraid to say with him as he may do something desperate. What th outcome of the insuest was we were unable to learn as we go to press. Full particulars in tomorrow’s issue.

BLAZE IN SALOON Caused Small Loss to L. V. Richards LOOKED DANGEROUS FOR A TIME Fire Started in Rear Room and Was Gaining Headway Rapidly When Discovered. A fire that for a time looked as if it might prove very disastrous, broke out last night about eleven o’clock in some mysterious manner in the R. V. Richard’s saloon on Monroe street and was only extinguished after considerable hard work and much delay. The fire w-as first discovered by Curley Radamacher, who was going home and he immediately turned in the alarm. Thef fire at this time had gained considerable headway and looked as if the building was doomed to destruction. However, upon the arrival of the fire laddies the water was soon playing on the blade and it was soon placed under control and extinguished. Mr. Richards, the proprietor, had just closed his saloon and had started home and had only gone a square when the fire was discovered. He hurried back to the scene unlocked the door and started i n with the assistance of several citizens to fight the same. The fire was confined in the rear of the building, which is a flimsy constructed affair, and the flames fast eating their way into the building proper before it was checked. What caused the blaze no one seems able to state, and it will no doubt remain a mystery to all concerned. The loss is fully covered by insurance.

BONAPARTE WILL BE THERE. Coming Meeting of National Prison Association. When Amos W. Butler, general secretary of the National Prison Association, was in Baltimore last spring, he called on United States Attorney-Gen-eral Bonaparte and invited him to attend the meeting of the association in Chicago, September 14-19. Yesterday Mr. Butler received a letter from Mr. Bonaparte accepting the invitation and agreeing to speak on the subject of “Punishment and Pardon.” His address will come on the afternoon of September 18, and will be a part of the program of the committee on criminal law reform, of which Judge Frank S. Roby, of the Indiana Appellate court, is chairman. The Attor-ney-General’s address will follow a paper by Judge Roby. Many other persons of note are to appear on the programs. These include Governor Deneen, of Illnois, and Governor Hanly, of Indiana, Mrs. Maud Ballington Booth, Bishop Fallows and many of the leading lawyers, legislators and prison authorities of the country. The different sessions of the congress will be held in the Annex Hotel and at the University of Chicago.

WON FOUR TIMES —■ — Congressman Adair on Governor’s Race BELIEVES HE COULD WIN -- ~ I Will Abide by Decision of His Friends in the Eighth District—To Introduce Pension Bill. r r .-’’TV.- — 3 Congressman Adair, While in In--3 dianapolis, gave out a Star interview: s “I have been a candidate for office ’ four times,” said he, “and I have al ways had the good fortune to win in the face of overwhelming Republican majorities. There never has Deena . time when I did not honestly believe t that I was going to win and I believe , now that if I were the nominee for , governor next year I would be elected. [ I have received many letters from . Democrats over the state who tell me they are going to the state convention ’ to vote for me. As to being a candidate for governor, I intend to abide by the wishes of the people of my district. I feel very grateful to them for electing me to congress and, w-hile at present I may be considered in the governorship race, I shall run for congress again if that seems to be the wish of my Democratic and Republican friends in the Eighth district.” On the opening day of congress next December Mr. Adair will introduce a bill increasing the minimum pay of pensioners, as provided the McCumber act, from sl2 to S2O a month. His bill also will provide that after a pensioner has reached seventy years he shall be entitled to $25 a month. o— JOHN GILLIG AS AN ARCHITECT Located at Cblumbus and Meeting With Success. John Gillig. formerly of the Daily Democrat staff, and now living at Columbus, is at home for a week’s visit with his parents and friends. John is located at Columbus, Ohio, where he is employed as a clerk in an architect’s office, and is advancing steadily. He is also doing work for himself during leisure hours and his plans have been accepted for a $20.000 flat, a $7,000 residence and other buildings of importance. He has the talent, and we expect to learn in the future of his rapid rise to fame in his chosen profession. — o— 1 LONG DIES AT PIQUA. i Fortner Well Known Resident Here 1 Failed to Recover from Operation. ‘ Ed Long, formerly of this city, who ‘ moved from here to Piqua. Ohio, nine ' yeasr ago, died Wednesday the result ‘ of an operation performed upon him ’ and which proved unsuccessful. Mr. 1 Long was a clerk in the hardware 1 store that was owned by Barney Ter- ■ veer several years ago, and he was well known in this community. Several relatives from this city and Ft. Wayne have gone to Piqua to attend the funeral which will be held tomorrow morning.

Price Two Cents

A HAPPY EVENING Enjoyed by Picnicers at Steele’s Park MERRY CROWD VISITED PREBLE Messrs. Dick France, John Confer a n d Harry Quinn Guests at a Noonday Dinner at Center Home- - n * > In the beautiful grove near the lagoon at Steele’s park, was where Mr. and Mrs. Charles Simcoke celebrated their first wedding aniversary and Mr. Fred Mills his birthday anniversary with a party of friends last evening. Before the tempting supper was spread they had several kodak pictures taken as souvenirs. The guests who enjoyed the few pleasant hours were Mr. and Mrs. Walter Kauffman, Mrs. Ida Simcoke, Misses Jane Hendricks, Iva Simcocke, Mrs. Victoria Hill, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Mills, Mr. Frank Mills, Misses Margaret and Victoria Mills, Ruth and Dorothy Reynolds and Ruth Smith, of Hammond, Ind. ♦ A merry and jolly crowd of boys and girls grove to Preble last evening to spend the evening with the Misses Perth and Glen Crays, who were formerly of Decatur, but are now making their home at Preble. The evening was pleasantly spent with games and having a general good time by the guests who were: Misses Stella Chronister, Eethel Butler, Ruth Ernst, Susan Harrison, Marie Jackson, Vida Stoneburner, Hilda Louser, Lois Meyers, Messrs. Harry Smith, Clyde Baumgartner, Harvey Stevens, Tom Vail, Tom McKain, Alva Buffenbarger, George I Scheller, Claud Crays, Dorsi? Burkhead. -7 . -i A luncheon of more thaii the usual charm was the one served this noon by Mrs. H. L. Center, in compliment to Dick France, of Alliance, Ohio, Harry Quinn, of Chicago, John Center, of McKeesport, Pa., who are the guests of friends and relatives here. Don't forget the experience social which will be given at the home of Mrs. Cy Weavers this evening by the Ladies’ Aid of the Christian church. A fine program will be rendered by nine of our leading musicians. The young and the old are cordially invited to attend for it is for the public as well as the members. • Mrs. Dan Berry is entertaining the Ladies’ Mite Society of the Methodist church this afternoon at her home on Fifth street. The Misses Mayme and Gyp Dorwin will leave in the morning for Ft. Wayne. Sunday morning they will go on to Rome City to join a house party. Mrs. L. C. Hughes was hostess at an old fashioned birthday dinner given in honor of her forty-second birthday anniversary yesterday at twelve o’clock at her home on north Chestnut street. There were several ladies present and each presented her with some beautiful gift. ,

Word has been received that Ford White, of Midland, Mich., a former Cincinnati, boy, now located at Midland, and a Miss Ruby Jones of that place will be united in marriage in the near future. Ford will be remembered by many in this community as he visited with relatives at Pleasant Mills several months during the past year. Mr. White is a model young man and highly respected by all who have become acquainted with him, and here is wishing him in advance and his intended, all the happiness this world affords. o— Rev. D. B. Reckard. who has been quite ill for the past two weeks, mention of which was made some time ago, is still confined to his bed with a fever and other complications. There are slight changes for the better in his condition today. He is under the care of Dr. P. B. Thomas, who is doing all he can to relieve his sufferings, and now feels hopeful for his recovery if nothing unforeseen sets in. The many friends of Rev. Reckards here and elsewhere are anxious for his speedy recovery. o The Kokomo ball team passed through here this morning enroute to their home, where they will engage in a series of games with the Bluffton team.