Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 5, Number 300, Decatur, Adams County, 13 December 1907 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT Vr ' V -* ’ ■’’V” ■ Wp* ’) * . - ■ X W • T ' h

Volume V. Number 300

DEMAND is large , Mechanics’ Lien Filed Against the M. B. &E. J at Huntington. ‘ h BIGGEST in history , Claim of $120,000 Filed in Court Against Bluffton Traction Line. There was filed in the Huntington circuit court this morning a complaint ln which the amount of litigation is probably the largest ever asked in rhe Huntington circuit court, says the Huntington Herald. The suit is based 0D a mechanics' Hen agains property in Grant, Huntington, and Wells counties, where the lines were recorded in February, 1907. The title of the case is More-Mansfield Construction company vs. Marlon, Bluffton & Eastern Traction company, the Bluffton & Marion Construction company and the Marion Trust company. Lesh & Lesh of this city filed the suit, being associated in the case with W. W. Ketcham, ex-attorney general of Indiana, and F. Winter, attorneys at Indianapolis. The amount of the judgment demanded is $120,000, 115.000 of which is for attorney fees. I The complaint on file recites the I identity of the parties to the suit and I alleges that the plaintiff constructed I a traction line betwene Marion and | Bluffton through Warren on contract | with the defendants. The allegations ■ of the complaint are quite lengthy ■ giving in detail the cost of construe I tion of bridges, grade and other work ■ The total cost of materials, work, la ■ bor done and money expended is al I leged to be $l7B 843 66. It is furthei I alleged that on such work a reason ■ able profit Is twelve and one-half pei I cent, making a total construction prict I of $201,199.12. Os this amount slOl. ■ 318.45 has been paid, leaving a bal ■ ance of $99,880.67. Interest on thi: I amount since January 1. 1907. whei I the road went into operation, is aske< I and sls 000 for legal fees is consider I ed reasonable. Therefore the demam I is for $120,000. It Is asked that th I lien be enforced and that foreclosur I be granted against the lien and 1 I event the amount is not paid the proi ■ I erty be sold at sheriff's sale as 'n an I other foreclosure case.

USED A REVOLVI Fort Wayne Counciln Prefers Death to Impeachment. HE MAY RECOV Otto Seidel, Threate With Ejectment from C fice, Shot Himself.

I Otto Seidel, republican councilman from the third ward, Fort W ayne, has been drinking heavily of late. Tut s day night he appeared at the council meeting intoxicated, was bodily eject ed from the room. He awaited in > hall and had a fight with one of the member. The council demanded hi.resignation and threatened !m>e ’ ment. He refused and kept on ■ ing. Last evening about eight oc. he went home and told his mother whom he lived, that he was go'nend it all by shooting himsel • thought he was only talking t scolded him for drinking. He w a room he used as an office an< moments later a shot was 1” ■ aged mother hurried in to n wayward son lying on the rlet hole in his breast He wa ~ ex . to a hospital and recovery, press some hopes for hk Seidel is well known in Fort and was quite popular unti actions became known. A very noticeable c^an^ today in the Kalver hide mar** hunters and trappers shou i tlce of the same.

A VALUABLE BUFFALO ROBE. Nebraska Man Offers Schafer Hardware Company a Trade. Some time ago the Schafer Hardware company advertised a secondhand automobile for sale. They received inquiries from all over the country and the machine was sold within a few days ago. Since then they have received offers from dozens of people to trade everything imaginable. The incident proves two facts that it pays to advertise and that people want automobiles. Os all the letters received, however, the best one came yesterday from W. C. Cooper, of McCook, Nebraska, who wanted to trade a Buffalo robe for the machine provided the car is modem and in i first class order. He explains that Buffalo robes are scarce and he values his at $550.

IT GOES TO DENVER ; i Democratic National Con- , vention to be Held 1 T There. j 1 ] THEY WON EASY < ] 1 When Chicago Failed They ’ Threw Their Forces to Denver. i i: Washington, Dec. 13. —After de- j : elding to hold the next democratic ' national convention at Denver, Colo., j : and fixing the date of the meeting for I July 7, 1908. the democratic national ' i committee late Thursday entered upon a more spirited debate on the propriety 1 of accepting more of the SIOO,OOO of--sered by Denver for the convention ' than actually needed to pay the con- ■ vention expenses in that city. The r opposition to the acceptance of the , - contribution took the torn! of a reso-; • lution by Representative Clayton, of - Alabama, declining money not actuals ly needed for convention purposes, but i after a long debate the resolution was II laid on the table by a vote of 31 to 14. 1 Mr. Clayton, Representative John i Sharp Williams, of Mississippi, and e Governor Hoke Smith, of Georgia, all e spoke in favor of the passage of the n i resolution. Mr. Smith was especially )- ■ emphatic in saying that the SIOO,OOO . y which had been offered to secure the , republican convention and refused by the republican national committee had | {been offered to and was about to be ■ accepted by the democratic commit- . tee. He said the republicans had turned down the offer because it was regarded as in the nature of a bribe n and that democrats in view of that circumstance could not afford to accept it Mr. Williams spoke in a similar vein, as also did Mr. Clayton. Mr. Taggart advocated the acceptance of the SIOO,OOO, saying it would be D needed now even worse than in 1900 R and that at that time it would have been practically impossible to have opened headquarers for Judge Parker •d if they had not the extra money secured from St. Louis, where the conwas held.

vention was hciu. Mr Clayton declared that the acceptance of this money would be m line with the very practices in campaign contributions that had been condemned by the committee. Mayor for camS purposes is contributed by corP in legislation or otherwise, ‘ the contribution of Denver H not be ascribed to any such C ° U d f The people of Denver, he | pU . rP ° B haV e I regular organization for said, have „ tTrac ting conventions trfectlv proper for the demthe offer.

root township THANKS. , the Democrats of IdeSil Lshlp for thelr confidenCe Root Xn the recent primary elecand a ? elected trustee will enfill the office in the interdeavor to du estof the H P ; g ° P E . maGLEY. * ReV ' W 'd his frimds are confident improve and hi his health. lt »i»-in x - “ I good naan.

Decatur, Indiana, Friday Evening December I 3 1007.

EARNINGS LESS But Expenses Less Also— Clover Leaf Made Net Increase. THE ANNUAL REPORT Shows the Road to be in a Very Flourishing Condition. The Toledo, St. Louis & Western, or Clover Leaf, had In two respects a different experience during the past

year from most railroads In this country. In the first place its gross earnings decreased; in the second place its operating expenses decreased still more, so that the net earnings were the largest in the company’s history. This second favorable result can be traced directly to the fact that the road during the year received 500 new coal cars aqd 750 new box cars, all of 80,000 pounds capacity. The read is a through line from the Mississippi river at St. Louis and at Alton northwest to Lake Erie at Toledo, and over the Detroit & Toledo Shore line, which is controlled jointly with the Grand Trunk, to Detroit. It has no branch lines. Its traffic is highly competitive and moves at low rates. With 34 per cent of its tonnage made up of manufactures, merchandise and miscellaneous, its average rate is little more than one-half a cent per ton mile. Last year there was a great development in bituminous coal tonnage which rose from 20 per cent of the total to 29 per cent. Mineral products, as a whole, make up 37 per cent of he total tonnage; agricultural products 16 per cent; animal products, 5 per cent against 7 per cent. The most marked decrease during the year was in packing house products other than dressed meats, the tonnage of which derceased from 113,000 tons to 34.000 tons. Recently the road has assumed new prominence through the purchase in August of a property much larger in mileage and in earning capacity—the Chicago & Alton. The process of | combining the two properties is already under way. As soon as the short connecting line from Panama. 111., west to Litchfield is built, new through traffic between Kansas City ! and Toledo and Detroit should be developed.

GOES ONE BETTER Squire Stone Increases the Offer of His Friend, ’Squire Smith. BOOSTING BUSINESS Will Marry Any Couple Free and Give Them a Handsome Certificate.

ID yesterday’s issue ’Squire James H. Smith announced in glaring headlines that from now on until January Ist he would marry any couple who secured the necessary license, free of charge The offer loked like a rare Christmas bargain, but it seems the generous reduction in the standard nrice has but stirred up his competition for this morning. ’Squire James H Stone proved himself equal to the occasion by authorizing us to announce that from now until January Ist. he will not only tie the nuptial knots for those who apply to him free of charge but will likewise present the couple beautiful marriage certificate properly fllled out and ready for framing. Its .ppaenU- ■>« «P » S ”“ " -ome other hustler empowered with rights for uniting those who love, to throw in a bed room set, a house *d l” or some other trivial gift. Get in the game, 'squire. MEETINGS AT SALEM. Meetings are still in “ a * T

DAMAGES AGAINST THE ERIE. Wells County Jury Gives McCalley Heirs $3,200. The jury which retired at two o’clock Wednesday afternoon to deliberate on the verdict In the big SIO,OOO damage z suit against the Chicago & Erie railroad, was out ten hours before they reached an agreement. At two o’clock this morning they delievered their sealed verdict to Jury Bailiff Poffenberger and it was read In open court at nine o’clock. The verdict in its general findings was for the plaintiff and the damages against the railroad company were fixed at $3,200. This 1 ■ the amoiTut which the jury aws.rded to the estate of William McCalley, the engineer who lost his life in a head-end collision at Servian Wabash county, two years ago.—Bluffton News.

COMPLETE PARDON Recommended by the State Board for Joseph Osborn. IS UP TO GOVERNOR Attorney Smith Receives Welcome Information from Secretary. State Board of Pardons, Room 121 State House. Indianapolis, December 12, 1907. David E. Smith, Atty., Decatur, Ind.: Dear Sir —I have to inform you that the Board of Pardons voted unanimously for a full and immediate pardon to be granted Joseph Osborn. It is now up to the governor to acquiesce in our decision. What he will do we know not, as ue is ansent from the state, but we hope for the best. Very truly yours, J. J. GILLETTE. State Board of Pardons. The above letter received this morning was indeed welcome, not only to Mr. Smith, but to many others here, who have been working and hoping for Joe’s release. Four years ago on Christmas eve Joe heard the verdict which sentenced him for life. His was a cheerless Christmas that year, but it begins to look now as though his Christmas this year would be enjoyed by him outside prison walls. It is believed Governor Hanly will approve the board’s action, and that Joe will soon be free. The board’s action is somewhat surprising, in that their opinion was unanimously in favor of a full pardon, not a parole or a pardon with any strings attached. Certainly they must be convinced as to their beliefs. The relatives of Mr. Osborn in Grant county, will also be happy over this news. The governor’s action should be taken in a few days. big coal deposit found. Will Make Washington Second Anthracite State. Discoveries made near Glacier, Wash., and verified by A. G. Bennett, of Wilkesbarre, Pa., formerly superintendent of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western coal mines, promise to place Washington second to Pennsylvania as a producer of antharclte coal. Mr. Bennet has made a thorough inspection of the deposit and analyses of the product and says it equals the Wilkesbarre coal, while a conservative estimate places the amount of coal above the water level at 6,000,000 tons. The vein is eight feet thick and extends a considerable distance into Whatcom county. The deposit, which was discovered by Artfius Alexander, of Minneapolis, while hunting bear, will be developed by the Washington Anthracite Coal company, | recently organized in this state with |a capital of $3,000,000. Gen Thomas H Cavanaugh, of Prosser. Wash., who is at the head of the enterprise, announces that it is expected to begin shipments to various points in Washington and adjoining states within a year. Mrs Fred Blazer asks us to state in the recent fire which destroyed their home in the southwest part of town, they saved absolutely none of their household goods, excepting th sewing machine and tha twas badly damaged.

COURT HOUSE NEWS Charles Grim Granted a Divorce from Maria Grim. A DITCH ORDERED Teeple Drain Petition Confirmed—Hoffstetter Cace Set for Trial. Charles J. Grim gave his evidence in his case against Maria G. Grim and was granted a divorce on th? grounds of abandonment and adultery and was ordered to pay the costs. t In the matter of William E. Swartz vs. Journal Publishing Co., a demurrer was filed to M. F. Rice petition for rent allowance. There being no objections to the petition of Henry I. Teeple et al for a drain, same was confirmed and th* dltcl erdere established and referred to L. L. Baumgartner as superintendent of construction. A joint demurrer to the complaint was filed in the case of Daniel B. Ford vs. Smith Shoemaker and William Anderson, a $4,000 damage case. A demurrer was filed by the plaintiff to each paragraph of defendant’s answer in the case of Frank H. Barthel vs. Henry E. Keller, a $5,000 damage case. Attorney Bipler, of Rochester, Ind., was attending to business in the Adams circuit court today. The case of Christ Hoffstetter vs. The National Supply company, its officers and agents, an injunction suit. A motion supported by an affidavit for a continuance was filed by the defadant in the case of the State vs. Charles LeMay, rape. The case was set for next Monday and the court has not yet acted upon the motion. Judge Edward O’Rourke, of Fort Wayne, will be here tomorrow to hear the Niblick estate matters. Hunter’s licenses were issued this week to Clarance Beiersdofer. of Berne, Pontius and V. H. Finch, of Geneva.

A GLORIOUS EVENT Holy Grail Boys Pay Tribute to Their Deceased Brother. PLANS ARE COMPLETE For a Debate With the Monroe Castle on Important Question. The members of the Holy Grail held a special meeting in the lecture room of the M. E. church last night to make arrangements to attend the funeral of George Hurst in a body. The Hurst boy was a member of this organization and was held in the highest esteem of all the members who paid just tribute at this afternoon’s services. George was an active worker in the organization and he will be sadly missed not only by his parents, other members of the Hurst family, but also by all who knew him. Boys of the Holy Grail acted as pall bearers. At a recent meeting of the boys of the Holy Grail of the Decatur castle, j it was decided upon to have a debate with the Monroe castle on “Resolved,; That the world owes more to the printing press than to the pulpit.” Deca-; tn- has the negative and Herald Wil- t cox, Howard Wisehaupt and Ben Beavers have been chosen to participate in the debate. The debate will be held at Monroe one week from nex . Monday night and the boys are expecting a great time. I

• THE SHOWS ARE GOOD. Professor Leon’s show at the Bosse opera house last night was well at tended by lovers of good amusements and all were well pleased with the performance. The nail driving contest which was to have come off was postponed until tonight on account of the ladies failing to go upon the stage as their names were read. Mr. Leon, however, stated that tonight this contest would be pulled off if he was compelled o send to Win- • Chester for the ladies. In this contest the lady who drives eight nails in the shortest time gets a beautiful | present and no doubt it will not be a ’ hard task to get Decatur ladies to j participate tonight. Tomorrow night concluded Prof. Leon’s engagement ’ in our city and Monday he will leave for Alexandria.

A BIG CARN SHOW To Be Given in Connection With Annual Meeting of State Grain Association. MEETS NEXT MONTH At Indianapolis—Prizes Are Offered Grain Men for Best Exhibits. The grain and elevator men have received letters from the Indiana Grain association, which read as follows: At a recent meeting of the Board of Managers of the state association, it”was decided to hold a corn show in connection with the annual meeting to be held at the Claypool hotel, Indianapolis, Jan. Bth and 9th, 1908. The state has been divided into districts and each will offer a purse to be divided into 5 prizes to be given as follows: Ist prize, $10.00; 2nd, SB.OO 3rd. $6.00; 4th. $4.00; sth. $2.00. she northeastern Indiana district will offer prizes on yellow corn exhibits only but if you have white corn exhibited, it will be scored that you may see what you have.

Each exhibit will consist of 5 ears of the best yellow corn that you have, and' same will be scored by experts and prizes awarded according to their decision and also the corn will be returned to the party that made the entry that it may be returned to you together with the scoring. We ask you to take this matter up at once with your farmer friends and get as many exhibits as possible and do not forget to ask them to come along with you to the meeting as we believe it will do them good. There they will see com from all over the statie. Talk this matter with your friends and help push the show to a great success. For further information, write or phone E. M. WASMUTH, Roanoke, Ind. W. M. DOAN. Ossian, Ind. C. G. EGLEY, Berne, Ind.

ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH. (Cor. Monroe & Eleventh.) There will be English preaching Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Text: Matth. 11:2-10. Sermon topic: That Jesus Christ is truly the promised Messiah. A cordial invitation is extended by pastor and’ congregation. J. H. Klausing, Pastor. — Q- ' * CARD OF THANK 9. We desire in this manner to thank the many kind neighbors and friends who so kindly and willingly aided us during the Sickness and death of our dear wife and mother. James Wagner and children. It seems that local option is to be a clean-cut fight in the next session of the legislature, and it will be watched by the people with great interest. The situation is favorable to the success of the proposition. About as strong an Impulse for local option as it has received lately was the declaration Os Adolphus Busch, the millionaire brewer of St Louis. He said: "1 am in favor of local option. If a saloon is obnoxious to a community, let it be voted out” This is rather plain talk, and is evidence that the temperance wave that is rolling across the land has invaded the ranks of the brewers, I also.

Price Two Cents

IS AT WHITE HOUSE Daughter of President Roosevelt Undergoes an Operation. AT INDIANAPOLIS Interstate Commerce Has Business There—President’s Statement. Washington, December 13. —The condition of Mrs. Alice Longworth, daughter of President Roosevelt, who was operated on for appendicitis at the white house yesterday was declared to be excellent, shortly preceding the hour for the operation. Dr. Finney, of Johns Hopkins hospital, Baltimore, performed the operation. He was assisted by Dr. Sophie Nordhoff-Jung, of this city. It is stated that Mrs. Longworth has been ailing for some time, but that her condition has not been regarded as critical or serious. No apprehension is entertained as to the outcome of the operation.

Washington, December 13. —The Interstate Commerce Commission decided to hear the cases in which the Indianapolis freight bureau is plaintiff and the railroads centering at Indianapolis are defendants, at Indianapolis, December 18, 19 and 20. Commissioners Lane, Clark. Harlan, Clements and Knapp will go to Indianapolis to hear the cases. It was originally proposed to have a special agent take the testimony, but on examining the record the cases were found to be so important that it was decided to send five commissioners out to hear hear them.

Washington, December 13.—The president has done what every close observer of the trend of events believed he would do sooner or later. The general impression for the last few days had been that he would postpone his final announcement until the return of William H. Taft, secretary of war, from his tour around the world. Undoubtedly such was his program, but a series of circumstances arose which seemed to him to make it imperative that he settle this third term business without further delay.

Mrs. Jennie Studabaker, who has been spending a few days as a guest of Ferd Mosiman and family, returned to her home in Decatur Wednesday evening.—Bluffton News. ATTEND IN ABODY Came Off at the Pocahontas Hall on Last Night. A GREAT TIME HAD Helping Hand Society Elected Officers at Meeting Yesterday—Other Notes. The members of the Pocahontas lodge of this city held a most joyous session at their hall last night with members of the Huntington chapter present to partake of the festivities that were in store. The Huntington degree staff arrived early in the afternoon and at five o’clock they were entertained at the G. A. R- hall for supper. In the evening all repaired to the Pocahontas hall where initiatory work was conferred upon Mrs. Samuel Laman and Mrs. Jacob Tester. The Huntington degree staff did the work and it was, according to reports, the best ever. After the work the entire crowd was enterained at a well planned banquet at the G. A. R. hall after which they returned to the Pocahontas lodge room tor a social session. An elegant time was enjoyed. The meting of the Helping Hand society of the German Reformed church which was held at the home of Mrs. Fred Heuer yesterday afternoon was successful indeed. The usual routine of business was transacted. after which the election pt officers ensued, resulting with the following officers elected: Mrs. Fred (Continued from page D