Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 5, Number 259, Decatur, Adams County, 26 October 1907 — Page 1

DECATUR DAIRY DEMOCRAT. -

Volume V. Number 259

A STEP FORWARD Made by the American Federation of Labor their relation with chiefs Convention Closed at Chicago Yesterday and Was a Most Sucessful One. Chocago, October 26.—Leaders of the National Civic Feredatton movement see as one of the great results of the National Conference on Combinations and Trurst, which closed here yesterday, the completion of a long step forward in their plan for relations of amity with the chiefs of the American Federation of Labor. As an aid to the federation's alm for close relations with the big labor body headed by Samuel Gompers it was decided at the opening of the conference in Chicago not to encourage attacks in the convention on the “labor trust,” with result that a number of delegaes who had planned speeches against the closed shop and the methods of organized labor materially modified the tenor of their remarks. When the conference was planned it was deemed fitting to recognize labor's interest in the trust question by making President Gompers vice-chairman of the governing committee. His presence at the gathering led to the appearance there of the presidents and executive officers of the national union of machinists, miners, carpenters, printers and longshoremen, besides the leaders of numerous smaller unions. Labor’s representatives took an active part in the discussions affecting the railroads and the oil, steel, tobacco, lumber, rubber and beef combinations. During Intermissions of the conference the labor leaders in attendance held a number of meetings to consider the industrial future and make out a politaical course for their organization. President Gompers being present at most of the meetings. The non-appearance at the conference of President August Belmont of the National Civic Federation has led to a discussion of rumors that Mr. Belmont is to retire from the leadership of the organization. It was authoritatively stated, however, that President Belmont was unable to leave New York because of the financial situation there. His associates express confidence that he is not losing interest in the organization. It is said that Mr. Belmont will make early reply to the critics of his administration because he secured from public utility companies funds to defray the federation's municipal ownership investigation and report. The conference just closed did not develop any political action within the federation. The majority of the 400 delegates were not members of the federation and the conference itself had no jurisdiction on qustions of policy affecting the central body. From conferences of the executive officers of the Civic Federation after adjournment of the national conference. word was given that Secretary Ralph Easley will issue calls for early meetings of special committees on the recommendation of legislation in congress that the committees may complete heir work before the end of the year.

PASSION PLAY IS PLEASINGRev. Bergman’s Lecture is Good—An Explanation. The first portion of the Passion play was again presented last night at the Electric theater and many people saw the presentation. Rev. E. E. Bergman lectured on the moving pictures as they were shown and the entertainment was interesting indeed. Owing to the fact that the people from whom the Passion play film was secured made a mistake and left another man have the film for a series of eight shows, the play cannot be produced here as advertised, but the entire film will be shown a portion at a time with another appropriate show each evening for the price of five cents. Moving pictures illustrating the Holy City, as it is sung is very pretty ind ed and the entire performance is very interesting. Don't fail to attend the place of amusement tonight and see the second portion of the wonderful Passion Play-

BUYS AN ALLEN COUNTY FARM | Dave Eckrote Purchasers Garden Spot Near Fort Wayne. The gardening farm of Adolph Shill- | ing, two miles south of Fort Wayne, containing forty-eight acres, was purchased yesterday by David N. Eckrote, of Berne, nd., the price paid being $7,500. Mr. Eckrote will also engage in gardening and trucking. There s is one of the finest and best in Alien county. Mr. Eckrote also purchased a fine team of horses and also all farm 1 implements of Mr. Shilling. This farm was sold through the firm of K. Vorndran agency. STABBED BY TRAMP I Jim Murphy and John ; Lang Were Assaulted ! i < BOTH FORMERLY LIVED HERE 1 1 i Believed They Will Both Recover ' 1 Though Murphy's Wound Was Quite Serious. 1 A letter from James Murphy, who with John Long left this city about , one year ago for Lorain, Ohio, states , that he and Long were stabbed by two strangers about a week ago, because they refused to permit them to sleep in the railroad yards at orain, and were watchmen. Messrs. Murphy and Long are employed at watchmen in th railroad yards at Lorain, and abou a week ago two strangers approached asking if they could sleep there for the night. Murphy explained that they were allowed to permit any one to enter the yards without a pass. At this one of the hobos stabbed Murphy in the back and as Long stooped to help the wounded man, he was stabbed in the stomach by the same man. Murphy, however, was not seriously hurt and as the men were escaping he took a shot at them and the bullet took effect in the leg of one of the desperadoes. A nearby policeman heard the report of the revolver and hastened toward the scene in time to capture the fugitives and they were lodged in jail. Both Long and Murphy were taken to a hospital and are improving nicely, although it was thought for a time that Murphy would die. The tramps are being held on the charge of assault and battery with intent to kill and their trial will ensue as soon as the victims of their knife have sufficiently recovered to testify. o A foot ball team representing Decatur will go to Keystone tomorrow where they will indulge in a game with the sturdy eleven of that place. The locals have been practicing hard and expect to give the Wells county lads a run for their money-

TYPHOID WAS FATAL Causing the Death of Myrtle Light AFTER FIVE WEEKS SUFFERING Well Kftown Young Lady Died at Portland, Where She Had Recently Moved. Portland, Ind., Oct. 26. —Miss Myrtle Light, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Amos Light, died at 3:30 o’clock Friday afternoon at the home of her parents, 912 west Arch street, this city. Her death was due to typhoid fever, with which she was taken ill about five weeks ago. Miss Light was aged about eighteen years and had moved to this city from Decatur, about seven weeks ago. Besides the father and mother, four brothers survive to mourn her departure. The funeral services will be conducted at Salem church, near Decatur. Sunday afternoon at two o’clock and Interment nn-.de at the Salem cemetery. Miss Light lived here for a number of years and was a beautiful young lady. The news of her death will cause sadness to her many friends and acquaintances here.

Decatur, Indiana, Saturday evening, October 26, 1907.

MYSTERY CLEARED Clay Wertzberger Explains a Message I SENT HERE THROUGH MISTAKE Telia of How Young Man Named Cotton Supposed to Live Here Was I Killed in Indian Territory. About a week ago we published a message received by J. C. Patterson, Western Union agent here telling of the death of a young man named Cotton at Kener, I. T. and addressed simply to Mr. Cotton, Decatur, Indiana. Mr. Patterson was unable to find the man and the matter was not explained until yesterday when he received the following fro man old Decatur boy: the following from an old Decatur boy: of papers from home and inclose a clipping from one of the papers. I knew this Mr. Cotton well and he was in the store just about four hours before he got killed. This Mr. Griffin who signed the telegram is a contractor and Cotton was working for him. The way this fellow met his death is reported like this: He and a bunch of o hers were having a good time in one of the pool rooms at Keifer and when the clerk made change with Cotton the clerk claimed that Cotton kept out 15 cents, so they got into it and the clerk told him if he didn't come up he would shoot him, so I guess he didn’t come up. The U. S. marshal arrested the fellow who shot Cotton and took him to Tulsa before a commission and that is the last we •heard from that fellow for he got away some way; it is claimed by some that the marshal himself let him loose, and I wouldn’t doubt it very much at that, for that is all the law is out in the place graft. They telegraphed all over trying to locate his people, and word just came today that they live in Ontario. He has been buried in Sapulpa, because they couldn't hold him any longer. Well I guess this will straighten things out for you, so be good to yourself, as always, yours truly, Clay Wertzberger. Dal is in the store and sends his regards. WOMAN IN BLACK lias Again Appeared in This City

WAS SEEN LAST EVENING Two Young Men Beheld H«r a Moment Then She Hastened Down an Alley. The lady in black, after an absence of several months, has again made her appearance in Decatur, and was seen last night by a couple of young men in the west part of the city .when they were going home from the show. The boys were walking along in an unconcerned manner talking over the merits of the show, when a woman dressed from head to foot in a flowing gown of black, stepped from behind a tree and carefully scaned .he countenance of each of the boys and without uttering a word or sound silently disappeared up an alley. The occurrence hapened betw.'er Eighth and Ninth streets and at the time the boys were so frightened that they were unable to say a word The woman, whoever she was, seemed to be look ing for some one and when she discovered her mistake made hasty tracks and was swallowed up in the darkness. The boys made no effort to follow her as they were too badly lightened and were mighty glad when she left them. The boys desired that we not publish their names at this time, hut they firmly vouch for what they saw and are firmly convinced in their own minds that the famous woman in black is among us again. CARD OF THANKS. We desire in this manner to thank the many friends' and neighbors who so kindly assisted us during the sickness and death of our beloved husband and father. Mrs- Anneta Miller and daughter.

NEARLY A KNOCKOUT BLOW. Al Buhler Just Dodged a Horee'e Hoof. Al Buhler, the blacksmith, had a very narrow escape from a probably instant death a few days ago while shoeing a horse. The animal was of a nervous disposition and as Mr. Buhler stooped over to raise its hind leg to shoe it the animal kicked and in so doing just grazed the top of his cap, knocking it from his head. Had he received the full force of the blow on the skull it would undoubtedly have been crushed. REVIVAL SERVICES Daily Growing in Power and Interest FIRST WEEK WAS A SUCCESS □r. J. W. Osborn is Assisting Dr. Wilcox at the Methodist Church. The revival services in progress at the Methodist Episcopal church are daily growing in interest and power.

V The attendance is increasing at each service and a revival spirit is already manifested. Seldom does the first week of a service develop so much interest and there are many indications of a gracious revival in this church. Dr. J. W. Osborn, the North Ind. Conference evangelist, has just come from a gracious meeting at Lagrange, and has already made a good impression by his earnest spirit and able preaching. Sunday will be a big day in this church. Sunday school will convene at 9:15 a. m. At 10:30 a. m. Dr. Osborn will preach. Epworth League 6 if. m. Mrs. W. H. Daniels will lead this service and there will be a record breaking attendance of our young people. At 7 p. m. Dr. Osborn will preach his famous sermon “Camping on the Sodom road or Modern Amusements Handled with Gloves.” AT OTHER CHURCHES GERMAN REFORMED. Sunday school at 9:30. Lesson “Caleb’s Faithfulness Rewarded.” Joshua 14-6-15. German service at 10:30. Text, Jeremiah 36:20-23. Topic, The Indestructible Word. Christian Endeavor Society meets at 6:30. Topic “The Kingdom of Christ in Europe.” Act 16:6-15. Evening service conducted in English at 7 o’clock. Text Mark 6:3. Topic, Christ and the Workingman. We cordially invite friends and strangers to worship with us. Louis C. Hesert, Pastor. UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH. U. B. church corner S. Sth and Madison Streets. Sunday school 9:15 a. m. J. D. Stults superintendent. Y. P. C. U. at 6 p. m. Mrs. Philip Meihls. Pres. Prayer meeting Wednesday evening at 7 o'clock. W. D. Wisehaupt, leader. The pastor will preach in the morning at 10:15 and at 7p. m. Subject “With Christ in Prayer,” morning text, “In Spirit and in Truth,” evening text. Visiting friends to the city and the general public will always find a warm welcome with us. L. A. Strangle, Pastor. WILL PREACH HERE SUNDAY. Dr. Charles P. Foreman, of Winona (Continued on page 3.)

NITRO - GLYCERINE I Went Through the Centre of Town < DRIVER ORDERED TO MOVE ON j i Refused to State Who He Was, Where He Came from o'r Where He Was Going. A nitroglycerine wagon carrying a load of this highly explosive stuff passed through our city this morning enroute to some point south. Where his destinatin was, however, the driver refused to state. The wagon was first discovered in the south part of the city by several citizens who seemed to know what it contained and ' immediately notified Policeman Bohnke, who rode out on his wheel and questioned the man concerning ■ whom he was and where he was going. The driver refused to tell his name and also refused to state where he was going stating that he didn’t think it was anyone’s business. He admitted however, that he had several hundred ■ quarts of this explosive material on , board and that it was to be used for oil well shooting purposes. The man

had a wagon regularly equipped for this purpose, the bed being partitioned off into little cells in which cans were secreted and which carried the nitroglycerine. Mr. Bohnke ordered the man to leave the city at once and followed him to the corporation line to see that he complied with the order and when last seen the man was still driving south. It is possible that the explosive material was being transferred from some factory to the oil field south of us and was to be used for shooting wells. Not many people were aware of the fact that we were harboring a man with such a load of explosive material and Mr. Bohnke was very careful in not telling any of the citizens in that part of the city. There is a heavy penalty attached to cases of this description and Mr. Bohnke declares that he will investigate the case carefully and endeavor to ascertain who the man was and make him suffer the consequences.

A FARMER PIONEER William Rice Pays a Visit to Adams County SEE MANY IMPROVEMENTS HERE Tells of Early Days—Has First Ballot Box Ever Used in Root Township. William Rice, Os Goodland. Indiana, a former resident of this county, who •was born in Root township sivty-nine years ago, is in the city making a visit with his brothers, M. F., B. J. and James Rice. Mr. Rice lived in Adams county when not a road was laid out except one that was known as the Piqua thoroughfare, and he states that the improvement of Decatur since his last visit here is remarkable. His father. B. J. Rice, was one of the first settlers in this county and he has cut timber where the Wabash depot and the court house at Fort Wayne is located. Mr. Rice has in his possession the ballot box in which the first vote in Root township was cast and he prizes it very highly. He has had several good offers for this relic but he will not dispose of it at any price. Accompanied by M. F. Rice he went to Berne this afternoon to make a short visit with Edward Rice and family after which he will return here for a short stay before leaving for his home. e

The heating plant at the Murray hotel is being overhauled and put in shape so that heat may be furnished as soon as possible. During the summer when the building was undergoing sme repairs it was found necessary to tear the plant out and as the plumbers have been so busy during the summer the heating plant was forced to wait. Mr. Murray fully expects to have the plant running full blast in a few days.

TRIED TO ESCAPE FROM JAIL. Prieners at Bluffton Made a Bofld Attempt An attempt to break from the county jail at Bluffton was frustrated yesterday afternoon by he sheriff of that county when he walked into the jail and confronted the prisoners with the most convincing argument, which caused one of the four prisoners to tell all he knew. The men had sawed the bars in the jail window so that just the least pressure would have permitted them to escape-

COURT HOUSE NEWS Replevin Case Filed on Appeal Today FROM SQUIRE JOHNSON’S COURT The Teeple Ditch Referred to Commissioners—The Smiths Will Fight Big Damage Case. On appeal from the court of Justice Johnson, a new case entitled Edward Hamil vs. Otto Bolds, to replevin a power house and contents, in Hartford township, has been filed in circuit court. In the case of Mirl Laisure vs. William and Mary Smith, SIO,OOO damages for alienating his wife’s affections, Heller and Son and R. O. Johnson, have entered appearance for the detfendanhs and were ruled to answer. Horace Kohn vs. Joseph W. Hakes, suit on note and account, answer filed in two paragraphs, rule to reply to second. Ten days having elapsed and no remonstrance being filed in the petition of Henry Teeple et al for a drain, the petition was found sufficient and referred to L. L. Baumgartner, James Willey and Henry Steele, who were ordered to meet October 29th and report November 28th.

John W. Poling vs. Peter Holthouse, note S9OO. answers filed by defendant to the interrogations, recently submitted by the plaintiff. o Frank Heller, of Harford ‘township, was in town Wednesday and announced himself as a candidate for trustee of Hartford ijownsihip'Frank is a young man of sterling worth and deserves the support of all his Democratic friends. —Berne News. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Wortman have gone to Fort Wayne for a visit with friends and relatives.

ISSUES THE CALL Chairman Moran Summons the Committee TO MEET NOVEMBER FIRST Will Fix Date for Democratic Primary and Adopt Rules and Regulations. John C. Moran, county Democratic chairman, has issued a call for a meeting of the central committee, to .be held in this city on Friday, November Ist. At that time the date for holding the Democratic primary election will be fixed and rules and regulations governing same will be adopted. It is probable that the date will be set for not later than the middle of December. Already the candidates are busy, several having already made a trip or two to various parts of the county and the old familiar hand shake is as popular j as ever. The nominations this year will include candidates, for auditor, treasurer, surveyor, prosecuting attorney, sheriff, representative and coun-I ty commissioner. The sheriff and pro-1 secuting attorney rqce i§ for the sec- ■ ond term.

Price Two Cents

COMING CONGRESS Hope is Experienced for Financial Legislation DOUBT THE STATEMENT Bureau of Labor Making Doubtful Claims—Oklahoma Constitution to Stand.

Washington, October 26. —Senator Elkins, of West Virginia, who was among the president’s callers, said on leaving the White House that he hoped and expected that some financial legislation would be enacted at the coming session of congress. He was not prepared to suggest the character of legislation that should be enacted, but he said that the business of the country had, in his opinion, outgrown the present financial system. Speaking of politics he said that it was not possible to get the people of West Virginia interested in presidential candidates so long as the third term talk continued. “The Republicans of the state have been disposed to take President Roosevelt at his word,” said he, “but they are now waiting to see whether he is to take another term. It is not possible to get them interested in anybody else until they learn what he intends to do.”

Washington, October 26.—A good many persons are declining to accept as reliable the statement recently put forth by the Bureau of Labor that the purchasing power of wages is keeping pace with the increase in the cost of living. Undoubtedly the bureau made a careful investigation as far as It went, but in view of the fact that the inquiry was limited to a comparatively few trades, men who have felt an unusual drain on their pocketbooks the last two years are not disposed to accept the findings of the bureau as final. The investigation did not cover salaried employes. It had to do with wageworkers in the principal manufacturing industries. Forty industries with 4.035 establishments, were covered. Critics of the report would like to see an inquiry conducted that would take in all the salaried employes of the country, and would take a wider range in considering the cost of articles of householding.

Washington, October 26. —The president will not be moved from his decision to promulgate the constitution of the new state of Oklahoma. Senators Long and Curtis, oi Kansas, Governor Frantz, of the territory of Oklahoma, and several other Republicans from the new state, saw the president and asked him not to approve the constitution. He said to them that Ids mind is made up, and that no amount of argument will cause him to change his’views. He indicated that the proclamation promulgating the constitution would be issued shortly.

“THE FLAMING ARROW” IS NEXT Lovers of tales of the frontier.where the red man takes an active part, will find a thrilling treat in “The Flaming Arrow” which comes to the Bosse Opera House Wednesday, Oct. 30. The characters introduced are all typical of the West in the early 60's and includes the picturesque cow punchers, the deep dyed and treacherous Mexican the Indian and army officers. The story has to do with the love of a young Indian chief for the colonel’s daughter. Another love story is added by the fun-loving Irishman in love with a spinster who does not care to acknowledge her span of life. This furnishes much good comedy as does “Snowball." a colored gent, who makes himself generally useful, tending the burros, polishing the harness generally and numerous other ways. Among the features is Moon Dog, a famous warrior; Red Flash. Custer’s famous Indiana scout: Black Eagle, an Arrapohoe chief, and White Eagle, his son. The latter's love for rhe colonel's daughter, his cleverness in rescuing her from the abductors and his picturesqueness. add to the interest of the piece. A band of sixteen Indians are an interesting feature. The title of the play is not suggestive of the true plot, except in the last act when an arrow shoots across the sky covered with brimstone, which sends forth i phosphorus light. This is the signal between Black Eagle and his son, should he survive the trip into the mountains in search of the colonel’s daughter.