Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 5, Number 241, Decatur, Adams County, 5 October 1907 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume V. Number 241

talk extension Toledo and Ohio Central May Build Line through this city With Encouragement They Might Conclude To Build To Fort Wayne. The possibility k of extending the Toledo and Ohio Central Lines from St. Mary's to Ft. Wayne has been discussed to some extent by a few of our people, and it is the opinion of some that the company might be interested in the project. It woujfd first be necessary for the people along the proposed route to become interested by forming an organization for the purpose of taking up the right-of-way. The country through which the route would pass is exceedingly level, requiring very little grading, and the only stream of any consequence that would have to be bridged would be the St. Mary’s river. The towns along the proposed route would probably be Neptune, Mercer, Rockford, Willshire, Decatur and FtWayne, and the new line would strike the C. and N„ C. and E., G. R. and 1.. P„ Ft. W. and C., and the Wabash, giving the towns along the line direct connections with Chicago, and cities in nearly every directon The country through which the route would pass is fertile, and the people generally speaking, are well-to-do and there is little doubt that an offer from the people would be recognized by the railroad company. The T. and 0. C. company is a rich concern, their profits for last year being in the neighborhood of five million dollars, and it is reasonable to suppose that they would take advantage of a proposition that would give them an outlet along the route above mentioned. As above stated, the matter has been discussed by a number of our people, and an effort will no doubt be made to interest others along the proposed route, with the hope that it wil lultimately result in the building of the road from this city to Ft. Wayne.—St. Mary's Leader.

HILGEMANN GOLDEN WEDDING. Account of the Happy Event by One Present. The golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hilgemann was celebrated at their home, nine miles southwest of Decatur. They have lived in Adams county fifty-one years. Mr. and Mrs. Hilgemann were born in Kattevenna, Germany. Mrs. Hilgemann's former husband, William Hilge, died in the year 1854, leaving her with four children, Wilhmena, Henry, Sophia and Mary Hilge, Sophia having preceded her father in death. She wa sthen married to Henry Hilgemann. To them were born three children, Frederick, Friedricka, Catharine L., wife of J. D. Hoffman, who is living near the old homestead. The other two died several years ago. There are sixteen grandchildren and thirteen greatgrandchildren. The most impressive ceremony was when the aged couple stood at the altar and joined hands. Rev. Beisser spoke of their golden anniversary in a most pleasing manner. After the ceremony they returned to the Hilgemann home, where a bountiful dinner was served to seventy-five guests. Mr. and Mrs. Hilgemann were presented with two large rockeis be sides other valuable presents. Those present were: Rev. Beisser and wife, James D. Hoffman and family. Henry Hilge and family. Dan Linn and wife, Mrs. Lou Guenther and daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Bardelmeier, Mr. and Mrs. Bloencke, Mr. and Mro. William H. Beineke, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Beincke, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Hilgemann Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Riller, Peter Fulk and son, Mrs. Ben Hartmann. Mrs. Adam Liby and son, Mrs. H. Peters, and Mr. and Mrs. H. Korte. Those present from Vera Cruz were: Mrs. Rev. Viiz and children, Mr. and Mrs. H. Dolch and family, Mrs. Ed Neuensch wander. Those from Decatur were: B. JTerveer and wife, E. Slickmann and wife, H. H. Bremerkamp and wife, • F. Gass and wife, Mrs. M. Fullenkamp. H. Kreutimann, Jacob Hoffmann, Mrs Ezra Leßrun and family, Jacob \ e ler and daughter and Roy Sautbine.

TROUBLE OVER A SETTLEMENT Causes Court to Appoint Administrator for Pirl Runyan. This afternoon in the circuit court the judge was asked to appoint an administrator to make a setlement between the Lumley oil company and the relatives of Pirl Runyan, the young man who was killed by being caught in a gas engine on a lease of the company which employed him near Albany. The company was desirous of securing the appointment for Blanche Runyan, an inexperienced girl, whom it is alleged they had led to believe they were paying the damages as a present and not because they could be forced to do so. The court has signified his intention of appointing Sylvester Runyan, a halfbrother to the deceased, and the company is preparing to charge personal unfitness against the choice. —Bluffton Banner. Johnny Fetzer, the little son of Mrs. Fetzer, is confined to his home and bed in a very serious condition, suffering from a very serious attack of kidney trouble. TO PORTO RICO Miss Mary Todd Will Go Soon TO ACT AS TEACHER In Blanche Kellogg Institute —A Mission School in Santurce.

Miss Mary Todd, of this city, will sail the 19th of this month from New York city for the island of Porto Rico, where she will take a position as a teacher in the Blanche Kellogg Institute, a mission school in the town of Santurce, a small town which is a suburb of San Juan, the leading city of the island. Miss Todd will leave here probably week after next and enroute to New York city expects to stop off at Baltimore for a visit with friends before departing for the foreign land. She intends to arrive in New York city on the afternoon of the 18th, and leaves the day following. The announcement of the fact that Miss Todd, who is one. of the most popular and leading members of Bluffton society, will leave for Porto Rico is a great surprise to her many friends in Bluffton. It is not a sudden determination on the part of Miss Todd, however, as she has been contemplating taking the position in the mission for more than a year. Some time ago whle visiting a former school chum, a lady who has been teaching in the same mission school to which Miss Todd goes, and who had just then returned from Porto Rico to her home in Yorktown, Pa., Mrs. Todd first began to think of taking a position as instructor in the same school. She later received an offer and decided to accept, selecting the position out of several other good ones.—Bluffton News. ( Miss Todd is very well known in Decatur, having frequently visited here.

CASE READY FOR JURY. Suit Against Decatur Man Will Conclude Today. (Special to Democrat.) Bluffton. Ind., Oct. s.—The evidence in the case of George M. Baird vs. Eli Meyer, sheriff of Adams county; Ed Green, marshal of the city of Decatur, and James Dougherty, manager of the Decatur Furnace Company, was concluded at noon. The arguments were heard this afternoon, and it is expected the case will go to the jury at about 5 o’clock. The case is one wherein the plaintiff demands $2,000 for false arrest. The case as to Green was dismissed on account of lack of evidence. Remember the game to-morrow between Decatur and Rockford will be called promptly at 3 o’clock, and tbe same promises to be a warm one in every particular. Rockford is coming greatly strengthened and wants the game However, several new faces * iU be S een among the locals, and the battle for supremacy will be a royal one . Don’t fail to attend and enjoy yourselves.

MAKING CHANGES Clover Leaf Will Operate from Bloomington THE NEW OFFICIALS Houlehan May Become General Superintendent of New System. With the reorganization of the Clover Leaf-Alton railroad deal, and the election of officers, there is a number of changes that the new officers contemplate making, that will come as a surprise to the people of Frankfort. It is the intention of the company to operate the merged properties from Bloomington, 111., and Peter Maher, of this city, superintendent of motive powea and equipment, has been offered the position, he to make his headquarters at Bloomington, and it is said that the offer made Mr. Maher will

be accepted, he at this time making arrangements to move to that city. All of the general officers of the company are to be located at Bloomington, and all general officers of the merged roads will have their offices in that city. There is a probability that Supt. Houlehan will be made superintendent of the entire system and in the event he is, he will move his office to Bloomington. If he is continued as superintendent of the Clover Leaf he will remain here. It is also the plan of the company to place David Hughes, of this city, in charge of the blacksmith department of the shops here, in charge of the blacksmith department of the entire system, he to look after all the shops of the merged roads. Mr. Hughes was at Bloomington a few days ago, being called there in connection with the offer made him by the officials. While the general offices of the company are to be at Bloomington, there will be offices maintained here as now, and the company promises that the increase in the business in the Frankfort shops and also in the traffic that will be carried by the Clover Leaf through this city, will be over 100 per cent., so that Frankfort will be one of the important cities on the lines of the merged roads. Frankfort Crescent.

FILES HIS REPORT Probation Officer Lankenau’s Statement HAS NINE IN CHARGE Three Boys Charged With Larceny and Three With Burglary in His Care. Henry Laukenau, county probation officer, filed his report for the past six months, from April 1 to September 30, as provided by law. His statements show that nine delinquents are under his control —six boys and three girls.

Os these, all the boys and one girl are at their homes, one girl is at the county infirmary and the other girl has been taken in charge by a relative. Three of the boys are charged with burglary, three with larceny and the three girls with incorrigibleness. Six of the delinquents, four boys and two girls, are attending school regularly, and are doing nicely. Frank Huston, a crippled boy who has been under the custody of Officer Laukmnau, has been sent to the Feeble-Minded Home at Fort Wayne, and the officer asks the court to relieve him from the duty of visiting him. Judge Erwin approved the report, and ordered the same duly recorded in the proper docket. Beside the cases reported by Mr. Laukenau, he has kept his eye on many other lads, and done everything in his power to keep them on the straight road. — Mrs. DeVeltin and Mrs. J. H. Heller visited at Monmouth yesterday afternoon.

Decatur, Indiana, Saturday Evening, October 5, 1907.

BLOW TO CITY GOVERNMENT, Injection of National Politics at Cleveland is Bad. Cleveland, Oct. 5. —The injection of national politics into the mayoralty campaign this fall, declared by him to have been done by the nomination of Theodore E. Burton to oppose Tom L. Johnson's fourth election as mayor of this city, is flayed by Mark M. Fagan, Republican reform mayor of Jersey City in a letter written by him to Mayor Johnson, and made public by the latter. “No more deadly blow at the cause of representative municipal government could be struck than the injection of national politics into a mayoralty campaign, as has been done by the nomination of Mr. Burton,” writes Fagan. “This plan, experience shows, is always a device of corrupt machine politics to obscure vital local issues, on alone the contest ought to turn. As a Republican I regret that my party has in your city been used to befog the issue you have raised, that of reform in dealing with public service corporations, and I sincerely hope the issue you have raised may be successful and the effort against it fail.”

GUARDIAN NAMED For Lilly Boze and Two Others DEMURRER ARGUED Judge Erwin’s Term is Nearing Completion—Only Three Weeks More. James M. Rose has been granted letters as guardian for Lilly P. Boze, aged thirteen; Herbert, aged ten, and Chester, aged five, and filed bond for S2OO, signed by F. C. Foreman and Andrew Gottschalk. Judge Erwin’s term as judge of the twenty-sixth circuit will close three weeks from today, and Judge Merryman’s term begins three weeks from Monday. However, he will not assume the* bench until two weeks later, when the November term begins.

Attorneys D. E. Smith for the plaintiff and F. S. Litterer and J. C. Sutton for the defendant argued a demurrer in the case of Ida Koldeway vs. William Koldeway et al., a partition suit, several interesting legal points being discussed. The court took the matter under advisement.

The case of Sumner P. Shelley vs. Christina R. Niblick, administratrix, claim $342.13, has been dismissed at cost of the estate. Eliza Hartman et al. vs. Clara L. Hoffman et al., partition, an appraisement of real estate was filed and proof of posting of notices of sale. The divorce case of Malinda Fronefield vs. William C. Fronefield has again been dismissed, and the costs paid. The drainage commissioners have filed their report in the ditch petitions of William Glendening, John W. Heller and Augene Lindsey et al.

In railroad circles it is said that the re-election of Mr. Felton as president of the Clover Leaf-Alton roads was not unexpected. In fact, it was stated during the past forty-eight hours that he would be chosen by the new board to succeed himself, but it was also intimated that the re-election of Mr. Felton was purely a courtesy, and that his resignation in the near future is inevitable. —Frankfort Crescent. If a man would give as much thought to his family, his social and business surroundings, and his own character and reputation, while allowing his feet to wander from the path of righteousness and morality, as he usually does after his wayward journey has been brought to a sudden halt, there would be less scandals to report and less work for the tongues of the scandal mongers. Mr. Daugherty was one of the best known railroad men in this section of the country. About two years ago he i was taken down with a severe spell of sickness, which affected his mind, and later it was found necessary to take ' him to the hospital for treatment. i

MILITARY REPORT Something About the Indiana Militia CONVENT IO N OVER The Cotton Manufacturers Had a Good Meeting This Year. Washington, Oct. s.—Adjutant-Gen-eral Ainsworth, in his report on the Indiana militia for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1907, says, among other things: “The armories at Indianapolis are used exclusively for military purposes, and are suitable for preservation of property, as places for gallery practice, and for meeting for theoretical instruction, but in general are too small for drill. They are the best that can be obtained with the amount of funds available. In other places in Indiana, however, the armories are rented, and very few of the organizations are able to procure a place suitable for a drill hall. Few of the companies had any instruction beyond the simpler movements. Rifle ranges have been obtained for many of the companies, and arrangements are being made by state authorities to provide all organizations with facilities for practice. The personnel present a fine appearance, and are apparently zealous, efficient and reliable.”

Washington, Oct. 5. —The second and closing day’s session of the national convention of cotton manufacturers was marked by the delivery of addresses by two members of President Roosevelt’s cabinet. They were Secretary Straus, of the Department of Commerce and Labor, and Postmaster-Gen-eral Meyer. Others on the program were: D. A. oTmpkins, of Charlotte, N. C., on “American Shipping on the Deep Seas;” Arthur R. March, of New York city, on the “Economic Position of the New York Cotton Exchange, and its Relation to the Cotton Trade,” and L. Green, freight traffic manager of the Southern Railway, on “The Loading and Shipment of Cotton.” A complimentary luncheon in honor of the foreign delegates w'as given at the close of the morning session.

NAME SUPERVISORS Each Township Elect in December TRUSTEE IN CHARGE The Law Relating to Supervisors Was Changed by Last Legislature.

It is not generally known that an election is to be held in the various townships of this county before the | close of this year. According to a new law road supervisors are to be elected in December instead of January. The law provides that this election shall be held on the first Saturday after the first Monday, which will be Saurday, December 7, this year. There are supervisors to elect in

each of the four townships of the county, and it is to the interest of all the people to see that only men who have a knowledge of road building are elected. It often happens, however, that such men do not care to bother with the office. Under the old law any man elected to the office, who failed to serve would be required to pay a penalty of six dollars. The new law abolishes the penalty, and now a man who does not care to serve can throw up his job at his pleasure. Formerly the supervisor was allowed $1.50 for each day’s work, and in no case could he be paid for more than sixty days in one year. The law now provides for an Increase in pay to $2 per day. This law also gives the township trustees the power to district the ownships for road district purposes.

MEETING FOR SUNDAY. Rev. Bergman Making Effort to Combine the Christian and Baptist. A meeting of the gravest importance will be held at the Christian church in this city to-morrow afternoon at 3:30 o’clock, when the question of uniting that church and the Baptist will be thoroughly discussed and some plans made toward the ultimate accomplishment of this idea. Rev. Bergman, local pastor for the Baptists here, has been working toward this end for several months, reasoning that as the doctrines on which the churches are founded are identical, and knowing that in union there is strength, that such a combination in Decatur would transform two weak churches into a reasonably strong one. which would be well supported. Such a union is being much talked of all over the country, but if the move is successful here, it will be the first real action of the kind taken in the state.

Dan A. Daugherty, a well-known Clover Leaf passenger engineer, died at 10 o’clock Wednesday night in a hospital at Kankakee, Illinois. o TO LOCAL CHARITY Ladies Mite Society Held a Meeting AT GLENDALE FARM A Happy Time There Last Evening—Other Society Events.

By Perle Burdy. The Ladies’ Mite Society of the Methodist church held a business meeting with Mrs. J. A. Rice at her home on North Fifth street, yesterday afternoon, in order to discuss a few very important questions. First, the ladies decided to set apart the month of November, and all the collections they receive during that month they will give to local charity work, which shows what a grand spirit the society has put in their work. The next question which was settled was the annual New England dinner. This will be held October 17. A large company of ladies were present, and the meeting was very profitable.

The Sabbath school class of the Methodist church, taught by Hattie Studebaker, was entertained at the beautiful country home of Mrs. D. E. Studebaker at Glendale farm, situated two miles east of the city. As it is the custom of the class to entertain the members when they have a birthday anniversary, Miss Studebaker, being a member and having an October birthday, cleverly planned the event in honor of Mrs. Robert Miller, of Goshen, Ind., and also her anniversary. The guests who were included in the invitation list were: Mesdames Robert Miller, of Goshen. Ind.; James Rice, C. L. Wilcox, C. E. Neptune, O. L. Bell, Elizabeth Morrison. Sadie Gregg, of Chi-

cago; Floyd Bittson, of Dallas, Texas; A. D. Suttle, Walter Kauffman, John Parrish; Misses Catherine Champer, Hattie Studebaker, Carrie Cogswell, Nora Ahr, Rose Dunathan, Mabel Erwin, Edith Smith, Fanny Hite, Bess Congleton, Mary Miller, Mary Johnson. The guests gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. R. K. Erwin, where a large hayrack, decorated with bunting and flags, conveyed them to the country home at seven o’clock. The lawn and veranda were artistically decorated with Japanese lanterns and the national colors, which was a most pleasing picture as they approached from the road. Contests, music and games were the means of the evening passing so quickly and pleasantly, while the i evening hours were brought to a close 1 by an elegant luncheon which was ‘ served by the hostess.

This is the busy season for the coal man and for the next six months he will hold down the boards and be the whole -works. The looks of the display window at the Corbett Cigar Store was much improved yesterday when Med Miller, the artist, put on anice neat sign. The color, however, is a bad one for Irish nationality, and his many friends are taking advantage of the fact and roast him In great style.

Price Two Cents

PAVING BLOCKS Problem Solved by U. S. Government THE FOREST SERVICE Statement that the Block and Tupelo Gum Trees Will Furnish Material. Washington, Oct. 4. —The black and tupelo gum trees, which find their ideal home in the Dismal Swamp and other mashy places of the South Atlantic and Gulf states, will probably play an. important part in solving the street pavement problem which vexes the officers of every muncipaiiQy. Experts who nave experimented with the timber of this tree, which hitherto has been considered almost worthless, say that it makes an ideal block when properly preserved. A representative of a large woodpreserving company of New York, which makes a speciality of the manufacture of street paving blocks, has just left Washington after a conference with officers of the Forest Service regarding methods of wood preservation. His company is now dealing almost exclusively in black and tupelo gum and he is highly elated with the experiments which have been made.

Wood is now considered the strongest kind of a factor among the materials from which the ideal street pavement of the future will be manufactured. It is practically noiseless and this quality is very desirable in. large cities where there is much traffic. When properly preserved and laid the best wood pavements are said to resist wear and tear as well as any other material now in use. Wood received a bad reputation as a paving block in this country when it was laid in various cities a number of year ago. It failed because Americans at that time knew practically nothing about wood preservation for paving woods, paying the modern blocks just as they were sawed. Os course, wear, tear and weather soon made the pavement almost unfit for use. Foreign nations first made successful experiments in the preservation of wood used for paving, and now Uncle Sam has also learned some very important things about the manufacture of wooden paving blocks and in some respects has gone the European manufacturers one

or two points better. The Company, whose representative has been in Washington conferring on those matters of wood preservation, has just completed a three-cylin-der treatment plant at Norfolk, Virginia, where the wood will be impregnated with creosote and rosin by the pressure cylinder methods. The natural toughness of the wood makes it wear well, and the chemichls forced into the fibre will render it immune from decay for many years.

The turning of black and tupelo gum to account, on so large a scale, is a matter of importance in connection with the waning timber supply. Lumbermen have always considered it an inferior wood. Except for special uses, such as mauls, mallets, boards for wagons and cast beds, and for other purposes where a wood is wanted which will not split, black gum has been rejected by farmers and lumbermen. It grows over a tolerably wide region, and is abundant on the low .marshy lands near the coast of the Southern states. It finds its ideal home in the dismal swamps,

where other woods, especially cypress, once grew in great abundance. Severe tests have shown That black and tupelo gum. when given a proper preservative treatment, are excellent materials for street paving. The blocks are cut to stand on end about three inches thick, four inches wide, and about eight inches high. The wood is not very hard, but its toughness gives it superior wearing quali-

Unable to secure a marriage license on account of the under age of the groom, as was stated in yesterday's paper, Jesse Robins and Miss Golda Webb laid their case before Judge Sturgis last evening, who. wielding the power invested in him. made a special concession and instructed the county clerk to make the issue.— Bluffton Banner.