Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 5, Number 239, Decatur, Adams County, 3 October 1907 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume V. Number 239

is UNDER ARREST Harry Scott is in Jail at Williston, N. D. CHARGE OF BIGAMY Hugh Hite Causes Arrest of the Criminal Who Escaped but Was Recaptured. Henry Hite has received word from Buford, North Dakota, announcing the fact that Harry D. Scott, the alleged bigamist had been captured and was safely locked in the jail at Williston, North Dakota, where he would be detained until some word to the contrary was received from this city. For some time past Mr. -Hite has been making an effort to effect the arrest of Scott and now that he has the gentleman safely in the arms of the law the charge of bigamy will be pushed to the limit and from all appearances Scott is due to take a nice quiet little trip over the road to Michigan City, where he will not in the future molest innocent young girls. Requisition papers have been asked for from Governor Hanly, and are expected to arrive in this city by tomorrow and Sheriff Meyers will then make the trip across the continent to take charge of his prisoner and he will be returned to this city, where he will be forced to stand trial. The case has attracted considerable attention in this city owing to the fact that on last June he was united in marriage to Miss Madge Hite at the Presbyterian parsonage by Rev. Alfred Fowler, the marriage proving a surprise even to Miss Hite’s parents. On the same evening of their marriage the young couple left for Alva. Okla., where they remained for several weeks, returning byway of Chicago, where they parted. Mrs. Scott returned to this city to her parent’s home and Scott went on west, where he was supposed to get their future home all arranged and was then to send for his wife. In vain Mrs. Scott waited for some message from her husband, telling her to come and as the time grew longer, and longer, and no message arrived, the fond parents of Mrs. Scott became suspicious, and began to make inquiry as to his whereabouts, and in some manner received the astounding news that Scott had another wife living in Buford, North Dakota, where he was making his home. Mr. Hite then determined to learn the truth of the entire affair, and ten days ago he sent his son Hugh Hite on a trip through that section of the country with instructions to pick up all the evidence possible so that the marriage might be annualled, and if possible effect the arrest of the criminal. Hugh left the city very quietly and made his way to Williston, North Dakota, as fast as the steam cars could carry him and there found in the clerk’s office the record of a marriage license Issued on October 31, 1906, to Harry D. Scott, of Indiana, and Miss Grace Smithwick, of Buford, North Dakota, of which record he secured a certified copy and now has the same in his possession. Upon inquiry he learned that Scott was at Buford and he left on the next train for that place and upon arriving at that city he looked out of the car window and saw Scott standing on the depot platform. Knowing that Scott would recognize him, Hite got off the train on the opposite side, went up street to the bank, where he told his story and made known his desire to cause Scott’s arrest and the banker sent for a justice of the peace and the deputy sheriff and the necessary papers were made out in a few moments and the arrest was made. The town of Buford, however, had no jail and the deputy sheriff was compelled to place his prisoner in his own home from where Scott made bis escape, stole his father-in-law’s horse and made his way into the hills. Mr. Hite then went to the Smithwick home and informed these people of his purpose and that family was grief stricken over the terrible turn of affairs an informed Mr. Hite that the matter was new’s to them and that they wou do everything in their power to cap ture Scott and see that justice was done. The deputy sheriff was severe ly critized by the people of Buford for permitting the prisoner to escape, and that gentleman got together a posse of cowboys and went on a sti hunt for Scott. Mr. Hite secured fur ther evidence in Williston so that it

the prisoner was not recaptured, the marriage could be annulled at once and on the next day he started for home. After the message came announcing Scott’s capture, Mr. Hite immediately wired to hold the prisoner until requisition papers could be secured and Scott is now lodged in jail at Williston, North Dakota. Mrs. Scott number one comes from a highly respected family, is a very beautiful young woman and is held in high esteem by all w'ho knew her. Mrs. Scott number two, namely Miss Madge Hite of this city is one of our most popular young ladies and is held in the highest esteem of all and she is forced to pass through trouble of this kind is unfortunate indeed. The bigamist Harry D. Scott is also well known here, having made this city his home for years and during that time always conducted himself in a gentlemanly way and was well respected. He was engaged as an operator while here and was considered (Continued on Page 4.) o — ATTRACT CALLING Object of Bulletins by State Superintendent EDUCATIONAL LAWS Centralization of Schools is the One Great Hobby of the State Officials. Fassett A. Cotton, state superintendent of public instruction, has just issued the first of his series of winten bulletins to the schools of the state. This makes the fifth year that the bulletin system has been in use and the superintendent in the current issue calls attention to the advantages of the plan. ‘‘The degree of success with which the bulletins have met,” he writes, “is the justification for their continuance. The primary purpose has been to keep the department in close touch with the teachers of the state. This has been done and the department has constantly kept before the teachers its ideals, principles and policies. The department has sought to exalt the calling and to attract to it the best men and women. It has always had the largest interest in and sympathy for beginners and has tried to encourage them and point them along correct pedagogical ways. It has attempted to make the work practical and to suggest concrete problems.” Mr. Cotton also calls attention to the educational laws enacted by the last legislature. “If the real spirit of these laws were realized,” says the bulletin, “the school system of Indiana would deserve to rank with the best systems in the world. But the passage of the laws is at best but half the battle. The spirit of the laws must be wrought in the people and in the schools. The weakness of the laws must be found and must be eradicated.” The bulletin makes special mention of the law providing for the centralization of schools, which already has caused some discussion in . different parts of the state. “The law < providing for centralization," says the , bulletin, “may be made effective in the hghest sense or it may become a dead letter. If selfishness and nar- . rowness and lack of foresight are to prevail, then no step forward can be . taken. If the needs of the children and the desire to make opportunity equal for town and country are to de- , termine, then the next decade may , witness tremendous educational pro- ( gress. So this is no time to sleep. , Indiana expects every teacher and j every citizen to do his duty.”

Interest in a crusade against the saloons of Warren, conducted by the women of that town, is increased by th< efforts made to bring John T. Crabb, a saloon keeper, to trial for selling liquor to John Little. Mrs. Little gave notice to saloon keepero not to sell to her husbiui dand _Crabb was arrested for selling to him. It was found the notice was not made out in lega Iform. An affidavit was then filed charging Crabb with seling liquor to an intoxicated man. Little was at first willing to give hs testimony, but Monday he failed to obey rhe summons to appear in court. An attachment is out for him and a constable is on his trail in Howard county.-Bluff-ton News.

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday Evening, October 3, 1907.

AFTER SOME ONE The President’s Keokuk Speech WASHINGTON BE DRY Prohibitionists Making Such Plans—Raising Standard of the National Guard. Washington, October 3. —The reiteration by the president in his Keokuk speech that it would be infamous not to punish the law-breaking rich as well as the poor, is taken here to mean that he has some particular individual or individuals in mind for prison punishment. The idea that the president wants to put a “wealthy malefactor" in jail was broached to Attorney-General Bonaparte today. “Do you think that is the president’s evil intention?” asked Mr. Bonaparte with one of his quizzical smiles, giving particular emphasis to the word “evil.” The attorney-general’s face beamed and his eyes sparkled, and the manner in which he went on to discuss the subject indicated clearly that he was in hearty accord with the president's policy. Washington, October 3. —The Prohibitionists have given notice that at the coming session of congress they will ask that body to adopt prohibition for the District of Columbia,which includes the city of Washington. While the movement will be managed by local prohibition organizations the prohibitionists of the entire country, it is asserted, will be the backers. During the last session a prohibition bill was defeated in the district committee of the senate by only one vote. It is this close committee vote and the onward sweep of the temperance wave throughout the country that persuades the temperance forces to believe that it may be possible to pass a prohibition law for this section of the United States for which the congress legislates.

Washington, October 3. —To procure more efficient officers for the national (Continue don page 4.) COURT HOUSE NEWS Bricker Case was Again Continued A MARRIAGE LICENSE Issued Last Evening—Case Against Eli Meyer and Others to be Tried. A marriage license issued yesterday afternoon was to Edwin W. Berry, aged twenty-four, a motorman on the interurban and Leota Idell Gilpin, aged twenty-one, both of this city.

Judge Erwin did not arrive home this morning and the session of the Adams circuit court could not be held as announced. The resolutions of the Adams county bar association as published a few days ago, were filed, ordered spread of record in the order book, a page of which was dedicated for the purpose. The case of the State vs. Nelson Bricker, set for today, before Judge Merryman, was continued on motion, supported by an affidavit by the defendant, on account of the illness of two important witnesses. The jury was discharged this morning until Thursday of next week, when the case of Joseph W. Murphy vs. John Fox et al, damages, $13.75, is set for trial. The case of George M. Beard vs. Eli Meyer, sheriff, Ed Green, marshal and James Dougherty, manager of the Decatur Frunace company, asking $2,000 damages for false arrest, will begin Friday in the Wells circuit court.

WANT A SETTLEMENT. Relatives of Pirl Runyan Demand Funeral Expenses. Today relatives of Pearl Runyan who was killed by a gas engine at Albany, in Delaware county, a few weeks ago. or on September 24, were in the city trying to get a settlement out of the Rumley Oil company, the firm he was working for when he met wit hhisf atal accident, but up to going to press had not succeeded. The company had instructed them to gather all the accounts of expenses incurred in his funeral, and they would send a man here today to settle the bills. The bills presented to the company for settlement amounted to $214, while the oil company only agreed to pay the sum of $lO5. Just what action will be taken in the matter could not be learned this afternoon, but more than likely an administrator will be appointed to make settlement. —Bluffton Banner.

SESSION IS OVER Grand Lodge of Knights of Pythias THE CLOSING WORK Various Reports—No Provision for Revision of the Constitution and Bylaw. Indianapolis, Oct. 2. —The grand lodge, Knights of Pythias, adjourned this afternoon without making provision for a revision of the grand lodge constitution and by-laws. It was decided to hold the matter of revision over for another year. Neither did the grand lodge act favorably on the resolution of Robert A. Brown to abolish the office of grand instructor and place this work in the hands of the grand vice chancellor. This question will also go over until the next annual meeting of the grand lodge. The judiciary committee, to which the resolution was referred, held that it could not be acted on at this session because it had not been properly introduced. During this morning’s session a handsome jewel was presented to Past Supreme Chancellor C. E. Shively, of Richmond, Ind. The principal presentation speech was made by Union B. Hunt, who represented the grand lodge. H. P. Brown. of Texas, supreme vice chancellor, made the presentation speech in behalf of the supreme body and James E. Watson, who placed C. E. Shively in nomination for supreme chancellor in San Francisco in 1902, also addressed kind words to the past

supreme officer. The grand lodge was pleased with the report of Harry Wade, grand keeper of records and seal, touching the business of the Pythian building commission. The first rooms in the new building in Indianapols were let the first of January, 1907. There are 303 office rooms in the building and of his number 187 are now occupied. Before retiring from office today Grand Chancellor Monyhan appointed the following committee to audit the books of the Pythian building commission: Captain Aaron Jones, of Anderson; John M. Lewis, of Seymour, and Leonidas Wagner, of Orleans. FINDLAY NASH TAKES BRIDE. Ball Player Wedded to an Indianapolis Lady. The Workhouse parlors were a scene of gaety yesterday afternoon for the wedding of Miss Lulu Steffen to Finley Nash, of Garrett, Ind. Miss Steffen was assistant matron at the Workhouse. Her husband is a conductor on the G. and O. railroad. The Workhouse parlors were banked with flowers, and after the ceremony, which was performed by the Rev. W. V. Wheeler, of the Rescue Mission, the guests, about two score in number, were seated for the wedding dinner. Superintendent A. D. Shaw acted as best man and Miss Maud Hutto as bridesmaid. Mr. and Mrs. Nash have been acquainted for several years. They left for Garrett, Ind., at 4 o’clock, < —lndianapolis Star. 1 o— — — Joe Miller, of Fort Wayne, was a < visitor in our city today and left on 1 the noon train for Willshire. <

IS NOW A BENEDICT Simeon Hain is Home From the West BRIDE ACCOMPANIED Will Be Home October 15th on Adams Street—Wedding Occurred Monday. Simeon J. Hain, the popular proprietor of the Madison street meat market, whose engagement was announced in a prevoius issue of the Democrat, was married last Monday morning in the Catholic church at Jamestown, N. D., to one of the most popular girls in that enterprising town. Mr. Hain, while travelling through the west about three years ago, became acquainted with his fiancee and since that time he has made several visits to her western home. He left last Wednesday for Jamestown to claim his bride, and after their marriage they immediately started east, stopping at several cities enroute to pay short visits with friends. The happy couple arrived in the city yesterday afternoon from Chicago, and will be at home at their newly furnished home on the corner of Line and Adams streets after Oct. 15. Mr. Hain has lived in this city for many years and is popular among his multitude of friends. He is a hustling young business man, and is enjoying a good patronage from the fact that he is not only conducting one of the best and neatest meat markets in the city, but is also courteous and accommodating to the public. The bride, whose maiden name was Miss Anna Bertell, is the daughter of a prominent business man in Jamestown. She is a graduate from the St. Johns academy, one of the best educational institutions in the west, and she is thoroughly accomplished in every respect. The many friends of this couple wish for them an abundance of success in their matrimonial career. o Mrs. J. C. Moran accompanied by the Misses Bert Fullenkamp and Bert Hart took dinner yesterday at the home of E. Ftitzinger.

TAX REDUCTIONS Tax Levies Compared With Last Year OFFICERS GOOD WORK Decatur Reduced SeventyTwo Cents—Nearly Every Township Reduced. The tax rate for 1907 and which will be in effect in 1908, shows a favorable reduction. By townships and corporations compared with 1906, is ; as follows: s

1907. 1906. Union $1.90 $2.22 Root 2.06 1.92 Preble 2.00 2.46 Kirkland 1-78 1.82 iVashington 1-48 2.02 St. Marys .' 2.00 2.14 Blue Creek 2.14 2.32 Monroe 1-64 2.04 French 2.04 2.10 Hartford 2.16 2.14 Wabash 1.80 1.88 Jefferson 1-52 1.68 Decatur 4.02 4.74 Geneva 3.14 3.70 Berne 2.44 2.80 Monroe not reported.

Reductions have been made in nearly every township and corporation, and where no reduction occurs, excessive macadam road building is the cause. The most notable decrease comes to the lot of Decatur, and while the rate is yet high, another year of good business administration will see the tax rate further reduced. As it is, seventy-two cents on every one hundred dollars valuation is an worthy of praise. Reductions in the townships are also of the noticeable kind, and the officers having the levies In charge have Jone commendable work.

HE BUYS ANOTHER FARM. Governor Hanly Invests a Little More of His Surplus. Governor Hanly has again launched a business enterprise. Last Saturday the governor made a trip to Seymour and inspected a farm of 223 acres, five miles east of that city. The farm suited him and he has bought it. Associated with the governor in the deal are Col. Fred Gemmer, his private secretary and R. Harry Miller. The farm was bought primarily as a timber investment. There are 100 acres of fine timber land. Several months ago the governor bought the timber on a farm near Indianapolis. The sawmill on this farm will be removed to the farm near Seymour and the work of making the timber into lumber will be begun at once. Mr. Miller will have charge of the cutting of the timber. “Even after the timber has been removed the land will be valuable for grazing,” said Colonel Gemmer.

HAD A GOOD TIME Decatur Rebekahs Visited at Bluffton WERE ENTERTAINED Visitors from Geneva and Linn Grove Present—Degree Work and Banquet. One of the events of the season in lodge circles in Bluffton took place last evening when the Bluffton lodge of the Daughters of Debekah entertained the Decatur, Linn Grove and Geneva lodges. The guests, about forty in number, were first entertained at a supper at the Oyster Bay. Fifty-five were placed at the table which extended from the front entrance of the Oyster Bay back through

to the private dining rooms In the

rear of the restaurant. An elegant f supper was served. Later the guests assembled in the lodge rooms with 3 the Bluffton members where the Bluffton degree team gave work to a class of five candidates, composed of Mr. ' and Mrs. John Dougherty, Mr. and I Mrs. Harry Baunt, and Mrs. Harry Stegkamper. After the degree work a two-course banquet was served in the banquet room of the lodge quarters. Speeches were made by visiting members and by M. M. Justus, Frank Wisner, Albert Sunier and George Rinear, of the Bluffton lodge. A recitation was delivered by Miss French, of Linn Grove. The affair was an exceedingly pleasant one and passed off smoothly. It was one of the first lodge gatherings in the city this fall and an opener to further festivities of that order. The meeting was one huge success.—Bluffton News. o .—. SENATOR BORAH ACQUITTED. Idaho Millionaire Goes Free and Friends are Happy. Boise. Idaho, Oct. 2. —United States i Senator William E. Borah tonight was i acquitted of the charge of conspiracy 1 to defraud the government out of val- i liable Idaho timber lands. t

The case was submitted without argument on the part of the defense and the jury was out just long enough to take one ballot The verdict was greeted by cheers and applause which the court officers made no effort to restrain. This demonstration in the court room served as a beginning and as soon as the news reached the outside bells were rung and the fire department made a spectacular run through the principal streets, stopping eventually at the Idaho hotel, where Senator Borah, surrounded by several hundred of his fellow ciizens, was escorted.

o The Cincinnati Reds ball team which comes to Delphos for a game next ; week, Thursday will play the Decatur, i Ind., team the day before coming to i Delphos. Preparations have been < completed for the game and It is expected a large crowd will attend. The t contest is being well advertised in t adjoining towns and the interest thus ( far aroused points to an attendance larger than the grounds have contained of late years.—Delphos Herald. < Guess some one’s been hitting the pipe lover at Delphos. 1

Price Two Cents

AN ARREST MADE Dave Randall Charged With Attempt to Murder MRS. ELI MERRIMAN Placed Arsenic on the Meat in Her Cooler—Evidence Said to be Strong. Waiting until a chemical analysis completed a strong chain of evidence, Police Sergeant W. F. Pappert and Detective George Soliday, last night arrested David H. Randall, a saloonkeeper at 134 west Main street, on a charge of recently poisoning Frances Steele, nearly causing her death. The affidavit against Randall was filed by Miss Steele and charges Randall with “unlawful poisoning with intent to kill.” When the warrant was read to Randall at police headquarters, Randall said: “Boys, that gets me. I don't know anything about this. The fact is I came nearly getting some of the poison myself.”

Randall was denied bail last night and was forced to submit to being placed in a cell. I The crime with which Randall is charged took place on September 8, at the rooming house of Randall, at 635 east Wayne street. Miss Steele who is the divorced wife of Eli Merriman, lives in the basement of the house and Mrs. Emma Felhelser oc--1 cupies the apartments above. Ran- ! dall occupies a room in Felheiser ! apartments and while he says he does . not board there admits that he takes I a meal there occasionally. On the morning of September 8, ' Miss Steele went to a refrigerator ’ used jointly by herself and Mrs. Feld- . heiser, and which stood in an out- . house. Miss Steele noticed when she went to the outhouse that it was locked as usual and she took out some 1 beefsteak which she fried and ate for her breakfast. Several hours later, Mrs. Felheiser went to the refrigerator for a chicken for her Sunday dinner and she noticed that the meat was covered with a white powder. Going to the apartments of Miss Steele to ask her about the presence of the powder, she found her neighbor stretched out upon the floor, scarcely conscious. Doctors A. H. Macbeth and Morse Harrod were called and they found Miss Steele in a precarious condition. Several hours were required to revive her and she was violently ill for several days. Mr. Macbeth states that the woman owes her life solely to the fact that she ate too much of the poison. As soon as the poisoning case was reported to the police Sergeant Pappert and Detective Soliday set to work upon it and they at once suspected Randall. It was alleged that Randall was in love with Mrs. Feldhelser and the officers proceeded upon the theory that Randall was jealous of her and that she was the intended victim of the poison.

The clerk who sold the arsenic was located and the officers state that he identified Randall immediately as the man who bought the arsenic, though he was accompanied on the errand by a second man. An arrest, however, was not deemed advisable until the analysis of the poison found on the

? meat was completed. i The analysis of the powder was s made by Drs. A. H. Macbeth and B. i W. Rhamy, and was not completed > until late last evening. Both physi- ‘ cians pronounced the stuff undoubtedly arsenic and Sergeant Pappert and Detective Soliday determined upon an immediate arrest. Miss Steele was at once sent for and readily assented to the filing of an affidavit. The warrant issued, the officers sought Randall and found him near his saloon on west Main street. He made no resistance but when the warrant was read to him at police headquarters he stoutly denied his guilt, asserting that but for the fact that Miss Steele had been poisoned first he himself might have eaten some of the stuff. The arresting officers assert that they have a strong chain of evidence against Randall. —Fort Wayne JournalGazette. o George Flanders is acting in the capacity of mall carrier in the place of W. R. Dorwin this week. The latter i» enjoying a little vacation.