Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 5, Number 260, Decatur, Adams County, 28 October 1907 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume V. Number ?30

A TRACTION DEAL Manager Fledderjohann Denies that There is Probability of Rumored Sale. TO WABASH VALLEY Says Overtures Have Been Made — Superintendent Takes a Vacation. The fact that officials of the Fort V ayne and Wabash Valley traction company, right oh the heels of a visit to the city of Col. J. Levering Jones, the company's president, went before thev mayor ana noara ot public works members yesterday and urged a six-teen-foot clearance of proposed elevated tracks at Calhoun street, gives color to a strong rumor that the local company has nego iatiom, on for the purchase of the Fort -Wayne and Sprfngfleld ‘railway company's Forb Wayne-Decatur road. Os course, the officials of neither company are doing any talking about any such move and information seekers are met with denials but rumors in local financial circles have it that the sole object of the visit here, on Friday, of Colonel Jones, was to discuss the purchase of the Decatur line. Fort Wayne's newest interurban line will, when its extensions are completed, be a valuable piece of property and its acquisition by the Fort Wayne and Wabash Valley system would be an important bit of expansion. It is no secret that the policy of Fort Wayne s big interurban company is one of extension and whe.her the rumor of the purchase of the Decatur line be true or not such a move would not be an unexpected one. —Fort Wayne Journal-Ga-zette. President W. H. Fledderjohann, of the Fort Wayne and Springfield line was seen by a representative of this paper this morning in relation to the above article and gave out some information in the interview that was very interes.ing and which the public should know. Mr. Fledderpohann acknowledged the fact that for the past six months, and in fact since the line was started several years ago, the Wabash Valley trac ion company has been negotiating the purchase of the line running between this city and Fort Wayne, but that everv overture made by them had been turned down, and the proposition for the time being is dead. The selling of the Fort Wayne and Springfield line is possible and should the Wabash Valley traction company make the right price and meet *he demands of the local company a deal might be consummated. However, with the price as fixed by the local company now stands, it is not likely that the line will be sold. Mr. Fledderjohann would not state as to what the stockholders valued the line but intimated that the price was quite large and the prospers for a sale to the Wabash people was practically out of the question. Another thing to be taken into consideration is the fact that the big bulk of the stock in the Fort Wayne and Springfield company is t>ld by Decatur people and it is a fact that they would not desire to jeopardize their interests at this time and we are confident that the stockholders have unlimited faith in W. H. Fledderjohann’s ability to handle the reins of this line in a proficient manner. When it is taken into consideration that during the past summer this line had a pay roll reaching five thousand dollars a month, and during that time employed numerous Decatur laborers, that their running expenses amount to nearly four thousand dollars a month during the winter and the bulk of this money is left in our city, do you think that the Decatur stockholders would consent to let loose? The line as it now stands is one of the best paying institutions ever promoted in this section of the state, and from a laborer's standpoint is one of the best institutions Decatur has ever had for their benefit and as the line is in excellent shape financially, we do not think that the Decatur people interested will let go so easy to a concern that would undoubtedly make their headquarters at Fort Wavne and let us hold the sack. The article was published for a purpose and that purpose the management of the local line is well acquainted with and when the same was shown to President Fledderjohann he had a hearty laugh over the matter, and (Continued on page *•)

DRIFT WOOD SAVED HIS LIFE. Jacob Oman, of Vera Cruz, had a Close Call. A pile of drift wood lodged near the bank probably saved the life of Jacob Oman of this city, who was fishing in a rock quarry east of Vera Cruz Friday afternoon. Oman is a great fisherman and this place was recommended to him. Yesterday he drove to the quarry and cast his line into the water. He met with little success at first. He espied a log extending from he bank into the water and walked a short distance from the bank upon it. He soon got results, as the fish seemed to fight for the bait. But suddenly his feet slipped and into the water plunged Mr. Oman. He was submerged to his neck and with great effort he reached a pile of driftwood and reached shore safely. He drove all the way home with every stitch | of clothing soaked to the skin.—Bluffton News. — o 1 THE THREE ROADS Rev. Oborn Says the Theater Card Parties and Dancing Lead to Sodom. A POWERFUL SERMON Delivered by the Evangelist at the Methodist Church Sunday Evening. Selecting as his theme the words contained in the twelfth stanza of the thirteenth chapter of Genesis which reads "And Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent toward Sodom,” Rev. Oborn, the evangelist, who has been engaged to assist in the series of revival services at the Methodist church, delivered one of the most powerful addresses that has ever been heard in our city. After dwelling on the biblical constructions of the text, he outlined his speech by stating that there are three distinct roads to Sodom, and that he would picture each of .hem as nearly as possibly. “The first road,” he said, “is the theater.” He then proceeded to describe each and every feature of the stage and its constituents, stating that the very construction of most every opera house signifies immorality, explaining that almost invariably booths were built on the stage where men and women changed their costumes without even a door- to the booth, and women as well as men cast their modesty to the winds. He closed on this phase of his address by emphasizing that there are not half a dozen opera troops on the road that conduct a good clean show from first to last. "The next road to’Sodom,” said Rev. Oborn, “is cards.” He spoke at length about card games being played in the parlors of fashionable homes and gave illustrations of their influence and the speaker shocked every person in the crowded auditorium by relating of a card party in a certain town where the picture of Jesus Christ was put up as a prize. He then exclaimed in eloquent language that he had always thought it was lowly enough for the Roman soldiers to gamble for the garments of Jesus Christ, after he died on the cross, but he said he would rather take off his hat to the soldiers than to the fashionable ladies who played cards for his picture. "The third road to Sodom,” as stated by the speaker “is dancing.” In delineating the features of dancing he made the satement that any lady to be popular on the dancing floor, must either consciously or unconscionsuly arouse the passions of the opposite sex. He further stated that if the immorality would be elimina ed from the dancing hall, there would be nothing left. For more than an hour and a half the vast crowd was held spellbound by the plain and forceful remarks from the lips of the evangelist and every sentence he uttered contained something to think about. Rev. Oborn will remain here during the evangelistic services and will preach each evening. „— o The Delphos wreck crew of the Clover Leaf was called to Macadam, a side track east of Ohio City, Saturday, with the wreck train, to replace on the rails some cars that figured in a derailing stunt. Traffic was not blocked.

Decatur, Indiana, Monday Evening, October 28, 1907.

HURLED TO DEATH Henry Buuck, Caught in Belt and Whipped Around Big Fly Wheel. AT PREBLE ELEVATOR Found Two Hours Later in a Dying Condition—Funeral Tuesday Afternoofi. Henry Buuck, owner and proprietor of the Preble grain elevator, and one of the bes known men in that locality, met with a terrible accident Saturday, resulting in bis death at about six o’clock Sunday morning. While Working about the engine, he was caught in the belting, whirled entirely about the big fly wheel, and dashed to the floor with awful force, crushing the very life from his body. When he failed to come to dinner at the proper time, and after an hour or more had passed, his wife became anxious and began an inquiry, resulting in two neighbors shortly afterward finding Mr. Buuck unconscious in the engine room, his face covered with blood and life slowly ebbing away. How long he had been lying in that condition is not known, bin perhaps for an hour or two. He was carried home and physicians summoned. He had received a deep cut just above the left eye. His left ear was torn nearly off. the cheek bone was crushed in, his skull fractured and the left shoulder fractured and dislocated at the joint. He showed great depression from the shock and recovery was at once declared impossible. Everything possible was done for him, but he sank gradually to his death, which occurred at the hour mentioned. The announcement of Mr. Buuck's terrible accident and his subsequent death, caused much sadness here, where he was known as a clever, honorable and progressive business man. He was just in the prime of life, having been reared in Preble township, where he was born thirty-five years ago. A hard worker, he soon developed into a successful business man and 'during his management of the Preble grain company, had proven his ability. He was married twelve years ago to Miss Susie Meyers, who with (Continued on page 2.) RELATIVE IS DEAD Mrs. Snellen Receives a Sad Message from Kansas City Sunday. JAMES BOWERS DEAD Formerly Lived at Fort Wayne and Well Known in this Locality. Mrs. O. N. Snellen is the recipient of a message from Kansas City, Mo., conveying the sad news that her brother-in-law, James R. Bowers, succumbed to the ravages of Bright's disease yesterday. Mr. Bowers has been ailing for some time, and for several months past his condition has been alarming and to those who were posted as to his condition, this news will be no surprise. The deceased was quite well known in this city, as he made frequent vists here when he resided in Fort Wayne, some nineteen years ago. After leaving Fort Wayne he with his family went to Kansas City, where he engaged in business. He was a sucessful and well to do business man and the news of his demise not only causes sorrow to his friends and relatives in this vicinity, 'but also to his acquaintances at the Missouri city. The remains will be shipped from Kansas City Wednesday morning and arrive at Fort Wayne Thursday, where interment will be made. A number of people from this city will attend the funeral. — - ■ -<> Mrs. James Ball who visited since Tuesday with Muncie relatives and her sister, Mrs. G. H. Kelley of east Walnut street, returned to her home at Decatur Saturday morning to make arrangements for moving to Lagrange.—Portland Review.

A FAMINE IN ROLLED OATS. Indiana is experiencing a rolled-oats famine. Grocers are out of the prepared breakfast food and have been unable to get a new supply, the factories and millers turning a deaf ear to the petitions of the retailers. Local housewives are threatened with this notable shortage of a staple article of food for a long .ime to cme —possibly until next summer’s oats crop is harvested and on the market. The cause of this shortage of rolled oats—and It is just as impossible to obtain oat meal—lies in the condition of the 1907 crop. All over the country the same trouble prevails —the oats grew and headed out but failed to fill out. Millers tell the grocers here that the oats are chaffy —consist principally of hulls with little of the nourishing kernel inside. As a result, millers are not preparing rolled oats for the market —they say it does not pay. and people must live on something else this winter. NoTmUCHToInG Congressional Leaders Will Manipulate a Do-Nothing Session this Time. TO GET IN GOOD Congressman Adair Will Likely Land Good Committee Assignment. Washington, Oct. 28. —A “do-noth-ing” session of congress is predicted by those who are watching the developments pending the reconvening of the national legislators on Dec. 2. In the parlance of the national capital a "do-nothing" session means one that is confined to action on the regular supply bills. The effort of the leaders of congress, as already plainly indicated, will be to put the stopper on legislation. They will see not to legislate, but to keep down legislation to the very minimum, this being considered good politics in the face of a coming presidential year. As to the wisdom of this program the congressional leaders already find themselves at variance with President Roosevelt. The president is preparing a message that will make stirring and vigorous recommendations with reference to further legislation for the control of railroads and trusts, for an inheritance tax, etc. He will force .hese measures to the front with all of his customary energy and there is a splendid prospect that he and congress will work at cross-purposes during the session.

Washington, Oct. 28. —John Sharp Williams, Democratic leader in the house of representatives, has positive no.ions on the upbuilding of the Democratic party in the north, and his distribution of Democratic committee plums will be made with that idea primarily in view. Speaker Cannon has indulged the practice since he became speaker of allowing Williams to arrange the Democratic committee appointments, which is not such a disinterested and generous concession as it might appear, inasmuch as it involves Williams in a great deal of trouble with his colleagues and diminishes his prestige as a party leader. However, Williams has assumed the responsibility and he will do so again in the coming session. In line with his policy of trying to strengthen j the Democratic party in the northern states Williams is considering the advisability of placing John A: M. Adair of the Eighth Indiana district on the committee on agriculture. It has been represented to him that if Adair is • put on that committee he will be able : to do a great deal for the Eighth dis-| trict. which is an agricultural locality, j and thus strengthen himself and im-1 prove the Democratic chances of carrying the district again next year. The Democratic congressional cam-,' paign committee has interested itself j in Adair’s behalf and has written aj letter to Williams suggesting that it would be a good move, from a party ' tsandpoin., to put Adair on the committee of agriculture. Ira Hoffmann, of the Majestic theater. at Fort Wayne. Ind., was in this city Saturday evening advertisng Ezra Kendall in “The Lord of Dollars," "Woodland” and DeWolf Hopper in “Happyland" which are to be played in that city in a short time.

WEATHER OUTLOOK Rev. Ira Hicks Forecasts a Big Bunch of Storms of Various Description. FOR NEXT NOVEMBER Closing of the Autumn Season to be a Mixture of Wind, Rain and Snow. There is to be something doing in the weather line most of the time in November if Rev. Hicks knows. He says that a regular storm period, which is central on October 31, will have its culminating stages on and touching the 2d and 3d of November. A reactionary storm period is central on the sth, 6th and 7th. We predict that storms will take on decided boreal conditions from about the sth to the 7th —that rains will turn to sleet and snow generally to the northward, with rising barometer, change to colder and very stiff to dangerous gales from the northwest. A regular storm period is central on the 12th, extending from the 10th to the 15th. This period wil pass its crisis from Tuesday, the 12th to Friday the 15th. Change to warmer, falling barometer and cloudiness will appear in western sections by the 10th and 11th, followed promptly by autumnal storms, but these storms will grow’ in extent and intensity as they pass over the country from west to east, reaching their climax in central to eastern sections from the 12th to the 15th. A reactionary storm period falls on the 18th, 19th and 20th. This period will bring falling barometer,with corresponding rise of temperature, followed promptly by cloudiness, rain and possibly snow. Change to much colder will rush down from the northwest about the 19th to 22d. A regular storm period extends from Friday, the 22nd, to Tuesday the 26th. Look for rain, turning to snow north and west, about the 23rd, 24th and 25th. This storm period, and in fact all the periods in November, are comparatively free from combinations of storm causes. Notwithstanding it will be the part of prudence to anticipate some disagreeable, if not force(Continued on page 2.)

:A SLIGHT WRECK e 1 s Interurban Sent Three Cows ■l' Into Eternity Sunday— Car Delayed. p e “ RESULTS WERE LUCKY s a i Accident Happened at Hes1 seicastle at a Point Where the Grade is High. 1 1 Henry Sorg, a farmer residing c north of this city near the Hessecastle . church, on yesterday afternoon had . the misfortune to lose three valuable s cows from his herd, the same being 1 killed by the interurban. The cows i ( j had gotten out of the field, owing i to a defective fence and got on io . the right of way of the interurban • along a stretch of track that spans > a hollow probably nine or ten feet i 'higher than the public road. The i: cows were struck by the car that J leaves Fort Wayne at four-thirty I o'clock and were instantly killed. The j point at which the cattle met their I death is a dangerous one, and it is a wonder that the car was not hurled from the track down the steep emjbankment. The car at the time was i heavily loaded and that a more serious accident was averted was lucky. The car was delayed for several hours 'until the work train was run to the scene and cleared the track, so that the car could proceed. What the value of the cattle was we were unable to learn, but Mr. Fledderjohann thought a satisfactory settlement could be made. The company practically was not to blame for the accident as the cattle were running at large and had trespassed upon the company’s territory.

INCREASED DEMAND FOR OLEO State Commissioner Says its as Good as Butter. Indianapolis, Oct. 27. —H. E. Barnard, state pure food and drug commissioner, says that the present high prices of butter, lard and other fats used in cooking are bound io produce an increased demand for oleomargine and similar articles. Mr. Barnard says that useful foods of this character are being condemned, although they are cheap, palatable and wholesome, but they never come into use because of the prejudice against them. "One can buy an article as palatable as butter for half the price if he is but willing to ask for oleomargine,” said Mr. Barnard. “The high price de- ’ inanded for butter is already increasing the demand for ‘oleo.’ The same is true of cotton seed oil. As a cooking oil instead of lard, this oil is just as cheap, nutritious and as palatable as olive oil and as meritorious when i sold under its real name.

VISIT THIS WEEK a : The Teachers to Make Some I Trips to the Schools of Neighboring Cities. SCHOOL BOARD MEETS Decatur Citizens are Urged to Visit Schools—Board I Wants Your Assistance, i The school board held its regular monthly meeting Friday night. All members were present and some important business was tranacted. The regular payroll of teachers and janitors were allowed. It was ordered ! by the board that all teachers be allowed to spend one day this week in visiting the schools in other cities. The board has recently made some valuable improvements in the school which add materially to the good of the school. At the First and Third ward a system of w’ater closets have been installed, the base* ments have been cemented and at the Third ward new furnaces have been added and both buildings have been made sanitary in every respect. At the beginning of October a visiting committee consisting of sixty men was appointed to inspect the schools. Many of these gentlemen have discharged their duty, and are loud in their praise of the condition of the school buildings, and the earnest efforts of Supt. Beachler and the teachers in charge of the various departments. The appointment of visiting committees is a new feature and is producing good results. Other committees will be appointed from time to time and should you receive an invitation to visit the schools as a member of one of these commttees don’t fail to go, as you will thus encourage the teacher and pupils and will be greatly interested in what you see there. On Wednesday of this week twelve gentlemen visited at the Third ward school at one time. Among those who have visited the schools recently were Messrs. J. T. Merryman, D. E. Smith, C. L. Walters, H. F. Callow, M. E. Hower, Jacob Atz, Albert Butler, Wm. Bosse. Dr. C. E. Neptune, W. S. Drummond, O. L. Vance and others. Every citizen is especially urged to pay a visit to the schools. The trustees are putting forth every effort to make our schools second to none, and to get the best results possible encourage them with your assistance.

ANOTHER DEATH FROM TYPHOID

Miss Mayme O’Donnell, of Jefferson Township Died Sunday. Miss Mayme O’Donnell, sixteen years old. daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John O’Donnell, of Jefferson township, died Sunday after a six weeks’ illness with typhoid fever. She was a popular young lady in her community The funeral services will be held at the St. Marys Ca’holic church, near New Corydon. Tuesday morning. ■ ■ o - ■■ Joel Farr, the little boy who was injured by a Clover Leaf train several days ago. w r as apparently better today. The physician in charge, Dr. Spaulding, redressed the shoulder today and says that the wound locks as well as could be expected. There is a chance for the boy's recovery.—Bluffton News.

Price Two Cents

HOW IT HAPPENED Manager Graber of the County Farm Tells Story of Augsberger’s Death. THE TRUTH IS SAD Old Pioneer Was Placed There by Relatives and County Bore Part Expense To whom it may concern: In response to articles printed in ■ the different county papers about the ! sickness and death of Grandpa Augsberger. I desire to put before the public a true statement regarding the i sickness, det h and burial of Grand;pa Augsberger. Fred Augsberger said it was through the efforts of his daughter, Mrs. Jacob Vogt that he was taken to the infirmary, about this 1 do not know, and do not attempt to critize anybody in this respect, but he was brought here and from this time on I wish to make this statement: Grandpa Augsberger was brought to the infirmary Aug. 29, 1907, and a. few days afterwards I notified i Fred Augsberger by letter, that his I father was here and I requested him i to call and visit him and if possible ito take care of him. Fred Augsberger ! did not call to visit his father for I about three weeks after he was notii fled. Grandpa Augsberger held his I own reasonably well for about the 1 first four weeks he was here, but afi ter that declined rapidly, but when I Fred Augsberger called he was strong • enough that he could have taken his father home if he had really a desire to do so. This was the only time Fred Augsberger called to visit his father during his sickness here. After Grandpa Augsberger’s death I notified him again, and expected him and his brother and sister to rei move the body and bury him in their family lot. Fred Augsberger respond■ed promptly this time, but refused to bury his father himself. With this conversation ended, Fred Augsburger ! left here and went to Decatur and ' requested me to notify his sister, Mrs. ■Jacob Vogt. I notified Mrs. Vogt by telephone, she saying that they would come as soon as possible, but did j not arrive here till about five o'clock ■in the evening. In the meantime Fred Augsberger returned from Decatur, arriving here about two o'clock. Mr. I Augsberger and myself talked the ! matter over, and he asked me if I had heard from Mrs. Vogt, and what she said. I told him she said they would come at once. In the meantime Fred would not agree to remove the body and was making preparations to leave when I told him that I was duty bound by the state law to send all unclaimed bodies to the state board of dissection, at Indianapolis, Ind., and unless they made arrangements to bury the body I would have to do this. At this Fred Augsberger inquired into the necessary expense of burial. I told him that we always paid $25 for a casket and shroud, and then cost of preaching the funeral and digging the grave. After Fred Augsberger understood the position I was in, he then agreed to pay the $25 for a casket and shroud if I would bury him in the infirmary cemetery. To this I consented and 1 paid to John W. Meyers SI.OO out of my own pocket for digging the grave, and issued a bill of $2 to Rev. Hessert for preaching the funeral, which took place in the infirmary chapel. This bill is to be filed before the auditor

and paid by the county. In the Berne Witness issued Oct. 122, 1907, Fred Augsberger says he ' had intended to pay me for all the trouble and expense I had with his father, but now since his father died in the poorhouse and called it a shame on the children, including himself, he will not pay a cent. In this same article Fred Augsberger said he paid the $25 funeral expenses. This he paid to me and I have paid this to Gay and Zwick for the casket and shroud. He said he had intended io pay me for the trouble and expense I had with his father. This I wish to say, is contrary to the state law, and had he offered me any money, I would positively refused to accept it, as it would have been plain bribery in the eyes of the law. When a man is brought here he is a public charge, and no money can be accepted as compensation for his trouble. J. R- GRABER.