Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 5, Number 309, Decatur, Adams County, 24 December 1907 — Page 1

DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volame V. Number 309

MRS. PONTIUS WON Sensational Divorce Case Heard and Decided by Judge Erwin. IN PORTLAND COURT Husband Said Wife Was Jealous and She Said Too Much Mother-in-Law.

Judge R. K. Erwin has been serving as special judge in a sensational divorce case at Portland this week, the suit being entitled Allen Pontius vs. Lena Pontius. The parties, while they lived together, were residents of near Bryant. Plaintiff charged his wife with cruel and inhuman treatment. in that she was jealous without cause, and times innumerable, accused him, falbely, of intimacy with other women. If they came to the house, she at once suspected an immoral motiv e therein, he alleged, and accused him of similar intentions every time he was detained until after dark at the bars, or went to town, especially past the home of a certain woman. In her cross complaint Mrs. Pontius told a story of too much mother-in-law. She says that they failed to agree, after they moved into the same house with his mother, the woman calling her many names, and finally ordering her to leave the house. Her husband failed to provide her a separate house and she was compelled to go 20 miles, when ill to the home of

her mother, near Redkey, where she has since remained, supporting by her labor and the assistance of her mother, r their little girl whom she took with her. Another child, a boy, remained with the father. Mrs. Pontius asked for a decree and $2,000 alimony. After the evidence had been submitted the court granted the defendant a divorce on her cross-complaint and the custody of the girl, with an allowance S 3 a month for her support. Six hundred dollars alimony (Continued ob page 2.) TEACHERS WILL GO Prof. Opliger and Others from Adams County to Attend State Meeting. THE TEACHERS’ ASS’N At Indianapolis, Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this Week. County Superintendent L. E. Opliger and a number of the teachers of Adams county will leave Thursday morning for Indianapolis, where they will attend the fifty-fourth annual session of the Indiana State Teachers’ association. The meetings will be held at room 67 of the state house, and promise to be the best ever held in th e state. Among the noted educational workers on the program are Dr. Elmer B. Bryan, president of , Franklin college; B. F. Moore, Marion, retiring president of Indiana associa- , tion; Dr. John A. Keith, president Wisconsin State Normal, Oshkosh; , Prof I. F. Harner, Purdue; Dr. Frank W. Gunsaulus, president Armour Institute; Charles R. Williams, editor Indianapolis News; Dr. Woodrow Wil. son, president Princeton university; Prof. Edwin G. Cooley, superintendent Chicago schools; Dr. William A. Quayle, St. James M. E. church. Chicago; Dr. Robert J. Aley, Indiana university. Besides these, a number of noted musicians and clergymen will assist tn the program which begins Thursday evening and continues until Saturday noon. ST. MARYS CHURCH. Tomorrow, Chirstmas, at St. Marys church. 5 o'clock a. m. Solemn High Mass. Songs of children at the most beautiful crip. 6 o’clock, 7 o'clock. 8 •’clock low masses. At 10 o'clock Solemn High Mass and sermon by Rev. Michael Eichinger. Solemn Vespers at 3 o’clock p. m. All sun time.

HAS HEIR—DON’T KNOW ITGuy DeWitt Abandons Wife Who Came to Adams County Relatives. Guy DeWitt, a young baker, who worked until a few months ago in Bluffton shops, is the father of a new boy baby bom last week in Adams county, but it is doubtful if he is yet aware of the fact, says the Bluffton News. He was married a little more than a year ago to Miss Josie Gilgen, but they did not live together long until slight difficulties caused a separation. A few weeks later their difficulties were temporarily patched up and they lived together again, until their domestic troubles broke out afresh and Guy left the city, and he has not been here for several months. After he left and showed no disposition to return his wife disposed of practically all of their household goods and went to the home of relatives in Adams county, where her child was born. The exact whereabouts of the father and husband is not known.

MANY WITNESSES Can Testify to the Marriage of Mr. McGaugle and Miss May. A PRETTY CEREMONY 'Squire Smith Officiated at a Wedding in D. M. Hensley’s Window.

A crowd estimated at 2,000 elbowed each other to secure the best positions of view in front of D. M. Henslye’s jewelry store window this after, noon, when Miss Janette May, a handsome, blushing young lady of eigh. teen summers, became the bride of Mr. Thomas McGaugh, of Mercer county, Ohio. The crowd began gathering at noon and by two o’clock the Hensley store was crowded and the streets packed and every window in the Morrison and Niblick blocks across the street were filled with people, eager to witness the much advertised and widely heralded affair. About two o’clock the bride and groom, accompanied by Miss Mary Longworthy, the bridesmaid and Mr. Otis Byers, groomsman appeared at Squire Smith’s office where the necessary blanks were filled out and the wedding party headed by Marshal Bohnke. Deputy Sheriff Green, Constable Frank Smith and several reporters, marched to the Hensley store. The window had been appropriately arranged with Christmas bells, a horseshoe and with deer skins on the floor. In one portion of the window stood a stork and about its neck was suspended a sign bearing these words: “Not yet, but soon.” As the couple marched to the scene, cheer after cheer went up from the multitude and a cornetist in one of the upstairs windows played “There’ll Be a Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight.” The couple took their places in the window, joined hands and in about one minute Squire Smith had said the words which bound them for better or worse. He congratulated them at 2:14 and another hearty cheer went up. Congratulations followed. Miss Burdge, society editor of the Daily Democrat, being the first to bestow her good wishes. Very pretty did’ the bride appear in a neat gown of cream cashmere, the waist beautifully trimmed with duchess lace, and the skirt was neatly tucked. She wore only one piece of jewelry, a small watch and chain. As she took her place, a bouquet of carnations and roses were handed t.i he r , which she held in her hand during the ceremony. The only attendant of the bride’s was her intimate friend, Miss Marie Longworthy, who was charming, ly dressed in a jumper suit of brown panama with a fancy white vv.’t. At the close of the ceremony. Squire Smith congratulated the happy couple, wishing them a long, happy and prosperous life. The many friends then followed suit in the way of congratulations. after which Squire SmHh presented the silver set with a pret.y little speech and with the compliments of D M. Hensley. The certificate was. next and this was filled out and presented to the happy couple before they left our city. The broom followed and this presentation speech seemed to be (Continued on Page 8.)

Decatur, Indiana, Tuesday Ev ning December 24. 1907.

A GREAT SUCCESS Clarence L. Ayres and His Wonderful Record as a Manager. —— WELL SPOKEN OF By an Authentic Insurance Journal —He is Also the Vice-President. The Indicator, a journal devoted to the interest of insurance, in its December issue, tells of the almost marvelous success of the Northern Insurance company of Detroit, Michigan. The vice-president and general manager of the company is Clarence L. Ayers, a native of this county. The article is a column or more in length and says in part: The Northern Assurance Company, of Michigan, one of the newer life insurance companies to commence busihas made a somewhat remark, able and most excellent beginning. It received its license October 19 last, and up to date or during a period of two months has written upwards of two millions of paid-for business, a record worthy of some boasting. This company does business entirely on the non-participating plan and has put on the market some exceptionally good policy contracts. The Northern has a capital stock of SIOO,OOO and surplus of $25,000, all paid in. Clarence L. Ayres, the vice-president, is the underwriting manager, and he is the responsible party for the unusually liberal and attractive policy forms. Mr. Ayres has had a long and success, ful hfe insurance experience and in presenting these policies to the public he seems to have reached the acme of perfection. He is managing th e company along conservative lines and its success seems assured from the start. He is backed up by an able corps of assistants, and a board of directors made up from some of Michigan's leading financial men.

A SEWER I ,CAVED IN Valuable Horse Belonging to Decatur Lumber Company Badly Injured. IN PECULIAR WAY Difficulty in Extracting the Animal—Damage Suit May Follow. Last evening while making a delivery of lumber to a party near the postoffice, the large black horse owned by the Decatur Lumber Co., was very badly injured, the result of a sewer caving in. The accident happened in the rear of the old Noah Ark building on North Second street, just as the driver was getting ready to make a turn south. The sewer was just recently completed and the cave in was no doubt the result of the recent heavy rain and thaw. The horse was submerged to its body and considerable trouble was exp|jjgnced in getting the animal out, the driver being forced to call for assistance. The horse was badly bruised about the legs and body and it is feared that it is hurt internally. From all appearances it would look as if some one was up against a damage suit. However, this may depend upon whether the animal recovers or not. The advertising matter for the TriState Bowling Tournament to be held at Fort Wayne is being sent out over this section of the country to various bowlers, which gives a general Idea of what will happen from Jan. 13. to 18. Garry Herrmann, Cln.cinifati, one df thd big, bugs, will be present and assist in making tie tournament a success. Entries from all over are, being received by the management and | a big list will be in the field.

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This is the night. Old Santa is even now on his way—kind old Santa, distributing pretty toys and gifts and good cheer. Tomorrow is the glad Christmas day. When the babies say good-night this evening, tell them what Christmas stands for, and why it is the sweetest and best of all sacred holidays.

BERNE PASTOR TO TOUR ORIENT Rev. Hartman Will Join Clark’s Bible Students’ Cruise. One of the happiest men in Berne just now is Rev. Frank Hartman, pastor of the Evangelical church, who has been given a leave of absense of seventy days to join Clark’s Bible student’s oriental cruise to the Mediterranean and the Orient, and back through Europe. The cruise will sail from New York next February the 6th, will stop at Madeira, Cadiz, Seville, • pibraltar, Algiers, Mjalta, Athens, Constantinople and the Bosphorus, Smyrna, Ephesus, Damascus, spend 19 days in the Holy Land and Egypt, stop at Naples, Pompeii, Rome, may take a route over the Alps through Switzerland, Germany, Eng land, and home again from London and Liverpool. They will have services and lectures by prominent ministers all along the route, so that the trip will be equal to a year in college. Rev. Mr. Hartman is profoundly grateful to his church for this great privilege. He knows it is an opportunity of a lifetime, and he being so young, but old enough to have his eyes open, and experience enough to be wide awake to see, will make the more of it. The congregation here also hopes that conference will be ready to reciprocate and leave Mr. Hartman here as long as it can.— Berne Witness. —— o THERE MAY BE ONLY ONE. Dope About the Portland Democratic District Meeting. The chances are that when the Eighth district Democrats meet in this city on January 2nd to elect a district chairman, the name ofLew G. Eiling ham, of Decatur, wilHrWhe only one presented. While two other names have been mentioned in connection with the place, a good maay Democrats over the district hold to the belief that this is not the time to break away from the old custom of giving each district chairman two terms and for that reason, if for no other, they are inclined to believe that Mr. Ellingham should be chosen to succeed himself, and the other candidates for the place have been made to understand this fact, and it is said they may not allow their names presented before the convention. It is pretty generally un. derstood that fully seventy-five per cent’of tfip democracy of the Eighth district -believe that there should be a change in the high offices of the state committee and whoever is elect >ed to that committee from this district tcannot afford to disregard the demand of his constituents. —Portland Sun. 1 I

NO DAILY DEMOCRAT TOMORROW Even the printers rest on Christmas day, and agreeable to our custom of former years, there will be no publication of th e Daily Democrat tomorrow, Christmas day. THEIXMAS SOCIETY Numerous Social Doings and Entertainments in Decatur. BAPTIST PROGRAM For this Evening—Many Family Dinners are Announced. There will be no meeting of the Ladies’ Aid Society of the Christian church. The family Christmas dinner of the Schrock family will be given tomorrow at the home of Mrs. Nettie Schrock. The guests will b e Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Meyer and family, of Butler. Ind.; Miss Nellie Schrock, of Indianapolis; Robert D. Schrock, of Ithaca, N. Y.; Mrs. Julius Moses and daughter, Miss Nettie. Misses Merle and Perle Burdg will entertain Miss Alta Ludy, of Geneva and Misses Nettie and Ida Crampton, of Pleasant Lake, Ind., over Christmas. The carriers of the Daily Democrat were nicely entertained by their manager, Earl Peters, last evening at his home in appreciation of the excellent service which they have given the past year. Music and games were the amusements of the evening. A delicious luncheon was served by the host. The following program will be rendered by the Sunday school children of the Baptist church this evening at 7 o’clock: Invocation. Santa’s Reindeer ....Genevieve Hebei Poor Grandma Guy Detro Xmas Joy Seal Ramsey Borrowed Stockings Alice Brandyberry (Continued on page 2.) I

INDORSE GOVERNOR HUGHES. New York City Republican Club Gats in the Game. New York, Dec. 23. —The republican club tonight endorsed Governor Hughes as a candidate for the republican presidential nomination and called upon republican organizations throughout the country to co-operate in securing his nomination and election. There were over 300 members of th e club present ad all but nine voted for the resolution, which was as follows: “Resolved, that the republican club of the city of New York, endorses Governor Charles Evans Hughes, as the republican candidate for the presL dency of the United States in 1908, and’ asks the co-operation of kindred organizations and of the people generally throughout the city, state and nation to secure his nomination and election.” WON THE DEBATE Decatur Youths Given the Decision at Monroe Last Evening. A SPLENDID TIME Big Delegation from Here Attended—Monroe Society Gave a Reception. The long expected evening is over at last, Decatur won. How merry it made the boys and girls feel as they were driven nome may be readily imagined. Promptly at six o'clock last evening two hacks filled with young people left Decatur for Monroe. Many songs were sung and many jokes played while on their way there. After reaching their destination they joined in and sang “Nearer My God to Thee” which sounded beautiful on the night air. At the door of the M. E. church the members of the Holy Grail were led into the church by Rev. Wilcox and wife, where reserved seats awaited them. On the platform were seat, ed J. E. Nelson, Merlin of the Monroe lodge, and Rev. Wilcox, the Merlin of Decatur; Lester Keller, the Knights Commander of Monroe, and Clyde Baumgartner, Knight Commander of Decatur. J. E. Nelson was the presiding officer. Th e opening song was “America” sung by the entire audience, followed by a prayer by Rev. Wilcox. “Solemn Deep” was the title of the vocal solo rendered by O. V. Graham. This was splendid. Next came an in. strumental solo by Miss Anna. Smith, who played “Love’s Devotion.” “Don’t Talk When You Have Nothing to Say” was what the Decatur quartette sang. It was composed of Messrs. Howard Wisehaupt, Tom McKean, Don Burke and Bruce Patterson, and Miss Grace McKean as pianist. At the close of the musical selections, J. E. Nelson stated the question and the debaters. The question was, “Resolved, the world owes more to the printing press than to the pulpit.” The judges were John Welty. Charles Hocker and Dr. Ray. The three points which they, as judges, decided to grade the debaters on were: 1. How many points. 2. General expression. 3. The delivery. The affirmative members wer e O. V. Graham, Otto Longeberger. B. F. Shin. The negative of Monroe. Howard Wisehaupt, Harold Wilcox and Bennie Beavers, of Decatur. One speaker said: The real cause of the printing being invented was because the men commenced to have a great desire to print more copies of what they wanted to say. He also made the statement that we would have never known that Christ was born had it not been for the printing press as it would not be recoried. What the printing press does in one day, a thou, sand men could not do in the same time.” A speaker on the negative side said The pulpit has and always will prepare the way for the press for had it not been for the pulpit, we would not have had the press. Without the pul. pit what would become of the press? We all would go back to barbarians. What we need is to know God. "Gossip” What has the devil ever brought to this world of humanity but that? What has caused this great change that has come across the country ? Was (Continued on page 2.)

Price Two Cents

THE CALL ISSUED Chairman Taggart Makes Announcement for Democrats. DENVER ON JULY 7th First Installment of Money Pledged Has Been Forwarded. French Lick, Ind., Dec. 24. —Chairman Thomas Taggart, of the democratic national committee, yesterday issued formal announcement of the action of the committee in selecting July 7 as the time and Denver as the place for holding the next national convention. As to delegates, the announcement says: “Each state is entitled to representation equal to double the number of its senators and representatives on congress. Each territory, Alaska, District of Columbia, Hawaii and Porto Rico, shall have six delegates. All democratic citizens of the United States, irrespective of past political associations and differences, who can unite with us in the effort for a pure, economincal constitutional govern, ment, are cordially invited to join us in sending delegates to the convention.” Mr. Taggart also announced the fol. lowing special committee on arrangements for the national convention: Roger C. Sullivan, Chicago, Ill.; James C. Dahlman, Omaha, Neb.; Norman E. Mack, Buffalo, N. Y.; R. M. Johnston, Houston, Tex.; John T. McGraw, Grafton W. Va.; John M. Osborne, Rawlings, Wyo.; Clark Howell, Atlan. ta, Ga. Denver, Colo., Dec. 24.—The first installment, $25,000 of the SIOO,OOO fund pledged to the democratic national committee by the Denver Convention league, was forwarded to Chairman Thomas Taggart, at French Lick, Ind. The remainder will be paid in equal installments on January 22, February 22 and March 22. —o ANNUAL EVENT Studabaker Family Gathers Here for Their Christmas Re-union. A HAPPY AFFAIR Begins this Evening at Niblick Home—Christmas Day at the Old Homestead. An event that will be a prominent feature in the Christmas social doings of Decatur is the re-union of the Morrisons, Niblicks, Studabakirs and 1 eseys and their children, which is to begin at the home of John Niblick The Veseys, of Fort Wayne, have arrived and this evening the older ones of the different families will be entertained for supper at the home of John Niblick, whii.a the younger people will enjoy their supper at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Suttles. After supper 's over th e entire crowd wall go to the home of Miss Hattie Sudabaker for an even ing of social chat and amusement, and will remain at her home for the night. Upon arising in the morning each member of the merry party will be presented with the gifts which were intended for them and the early hours of the morning will be devoted to a good social time, after which the party will repair to the home of John Niblick to spend the day which will be observed appropriately. These most estimable families have gatherings of this nature every year and a good time is always in store for all who attend. The party will consist of W. J. Vesey and family, of Fort Wayne, Mr. and Mrs. James Edwards, of Leipsic, Ohio, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Suttles, Mrs. Elizabeth Morrison and daughter. Miss Hattie Studebaker, D. E. Studebaker and family, John Niblick and family of i this city.