Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 6, Number 1, Decatur, Adams County, 1 January 1908 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume VI. Number

NEW COURT HOUSE OFFICIALS James P. Haeflmg, Clerk-Harvey Steele recorder. -4

THEIR TERMS BEGIN John F. Lachot Succeeds Himself as Treasurer. THREE FINE OFFICERS Well Fitted for Their Positions and Will Prov: Worthy of Trust. Il ■ The fact that today is the : itLl, one of the year 1908 was evidud|d' oflkgs- coun Wwhere new terms of offlc%fcW?re bg®. John F. Lachot succeeded wjiuslf as: county treasurer, Janies P. began his four year term as aounty . clerk a;d Hervey Steele f flowed ' Clinton S. Cloud as county reorder. ■ The new officials* have duly qialified ' and have filed the necessary bonds . as required by law, Mr. bond being $2,000, Mr. Haefling’s Jlo.ooo and Mr. Lachot’s $200,000. While each of these three officials a:| men well known a’Jd we have on virions' occasions told of their special tineas | for the offices entrusted t> the), it i may not be out of placi to sain give a few f,ac|fs concern!®? ther. John F. LaChot, the cfinty teasurer, who will succeed Imself. has already served two yea** atnd has inFoven; his worthiness. HI, has rade | 7 Wa record that his friews and hi i L • • party are indeed proud lof and w haven’t room in which |> print h many good things we hi e heard o his administration. He pas proie a faithful, efficient, horJei and worh | officer and will continul to trans< . the business of th e conty treasir I in a businesslike way < ring the 8 suing two years. He ' s born 1 Wayne county, Ohio, ne 9, 186 I moved to French tow hip. Adar county, when eight ye* old mon to Berne when a youninan, work? as a drug clerk, ma-pi the cottas hotel and traveled fl the BroKi Oil company, of Cleland, years prior to his ehion to offl'. He is one of the most Ipular oflkfrsl ever in Adams county.He turns oyer| to himself the sum off 40.069.64 |nd| you can bet your lasted that every! cent is duly accountefor. James P. Haefllngje qew county, clerk, is another oflil of whose . ability many are wing to vouch I He has been connecl with variou? ■ business enterprisesJerved several | k years as deputy ell and know? , thoroughly every del of his office s He will personally Jk after th 1 1 work as clerk of t.iAdams circuit court, where he isf favorite with courts, attorneys althe reporters. Mr. Haefling was bJat Tiffin, Ohio, forty years ago. canjo Adams coun- ' ty when a small 11 and has lived her e practically ev«nce. He was educated in the schl of the county and his career sin Jnaintai ring his majority has been Irery busy one. For several years hlerved as a railroad carpenter, did Itract work and later became depuilerk under El- \ mer Johnson. Aftljour years at that work he engal in the fire insurance business 1 Mr. Gallogly. After receiving tllomlnation for county clerk be sihis agency interest and soon Award was apIpointed receiver fihe Loch. Dirk-ko-i & Co. busines settlement re|uiring the propc ind of ability, Ibout $40,000 beii nvolved. After kL‘ disposing of that t, Mr. Haefling ■ ‘ Issumed a positic ith the Kirsch K < Isellemeyer lum yard, where I? 1 ’ ■ \ ’ Miained until tw< nths age. when ■ Biresumed his i at the clerk's ■r Wk ■ V His recorc county clerk Pl aBl ■ *>e a clean honorable one. uTz I®B Bloop, of Bl 'reek township. V Ive as depi LA MSteele i ; new recorder. 11 Wh he h een acquainting j| I \Bh his duties, and for, 1| Nfiat 1( ie will conduct ■ | * ■ * w

the work without thf assistance of a deputy. He is forty years old, and a native of Adams county. He is a son of ex-trustee John Steele of this township and was educated in the local schools. He lived for five years in Kirkland township arid since has resided in Decatur. He taught school several years*, traveled for Lyman Brothers and for some tim e conducted a grocery In this city.. In all his career he has been industrious and honest, and being capable as he is he is sure to make a splendid record as a public officer. Mr. Cloud, who retires, will resume his farm work. Miss Mayme Cloud, who has proven her proficiency as a deputy, will visit in Nebraska for several months. David Gerber, Retiring clerk will continue la th P stock business A DOUBLE EVENT Birthday Party Was Followed byCcEpplete / Surprise. 1AT STEELE HOME On West Monroe Street, Marked the Closing of the Old Year, 1907. One of the most brilliant social 'tventts of the season occurred at the home of D. V. Steele on west Monroe street last evening. For some years Mrs. D. V. Steele and Mrs, John Bolinger hav e been giving birthday dinI ners alternately—December 31st being I the birthday of Master Pete Bolinger | and Mrs Steele. This year the six i o'clock dinner was given at the magnificent home of Dayton Steele. Besides the two families Rev. Stangle and family a id Father Peter Bolinger of South Whitley were present to enjoy the festivities incident to the tenth birthday of Master Bolinger and the fiftieth birthday of Mrs. D. V. Steele. Many beautiful and valuable presents j added to the joy of the evening. No sooner had the guests risen from the bountiful repast given by Mrs. I Steele than a large concourse of peoIple filed into the home and gave the Ijprincipals of the evening’s enjoyment p complete surprise. Among those Lho came were J. D. Wisehaupt and kvife, J. D. Stults and wife, L. W. Frank and wife, Harry Wilkinson and family, James Hurst and wife, David Stoler and wife, Adam Deams and wife C. E. Baughman and wife, John Hill and wife, Phillip Meihls and wife, Mrs. Robert Perkins and Mrs. Martha Stephens. After spending a most enjoyable evening and' wishing all a happy New Year the friends departed in time to get home by 1908. MAKING INQUIRY % About Attitude of Different States at National Convention. i I ELECTION NOT CINCH A Hopeful Financial Note from Controller Ridgely. Washington, January 1. —Just now republican politicians as a rule are devoting their time to trying to find out whether their favorite candidate for the presidential nomination can get tba vote in national convention of this or that state. A little later there will be some thoughful Inquiry as to whethI e r the republicans can elect the man to 1 be nominated at Chicago next June, in

Decatur, Indiana. Wednesday Evening January, i 1908.

their private exchange of views the I old party wheel horses are spying that . the remakable victories of die republican party in both state and national elections since 1896 seem to have caused them to forget that the political pendulum must swi"g back sooner or later. Many of the far-seeing ones are somewhat puzzled with the outlook for next year. They are beginning to realize that conditions are changing. They speak of a good many clouds on the horizon. They hope the outlook will become more promising; they are disposed to believe it will, but they are impressed with the fact that the time is near at hand when the party in power may well pause and take stock —may well take a good square look at the situation as it exists today. Washington, January 1. —William B. Ridgely, controller of the currency, sounds a hopeful financial note in a statement given out this afternoon. The pew year, he is confident, will bring a general revival in business. . The banks of the country, he believes, will soon find it advisable to return to ; normal cash payments. In- a general! * review of the financial situation the i controller reaches< the conclusion that' th e blame for conditions that have I existed the last two months caanot justly be placed on any man or any set of men. It Is sufficient, he thinks, to know that conditions are rapidly improving. TO ATTEND FUNERAL OF AUNT. Messrs. Holthouse and Voglewede Go to Kentucky. Messrs. Peter Holthouse and John Voglewede left this morning for Covington, Ke fucky. where they will attend the funeral of their aunt, Mrs. Lizzie Overman, who will be buried at that place tomorrow morning. Mrs. Overman was the last aunt living of these gentlemen and since her demise, they have neither an aunt or uncle living and in fact many of their near relatives have gone to the great beyond. Mrs. Overman was quite well, known here, she having visited with relatives in the city on several different occasions. She was preceded by her husband, who died several years ago. The relatives here are grief stricken over the sad affair. The deceased was eighty-six years of age, she having died from old age and a complication of ailments.

TO SAVE MONEY Clover Leaf and Alton Will Cut Off SIOO,OOO Expenses Under New Plan. THE SAME SERVICE Will Be Continued—Will Not Reduce Wages But Expect More Work. A reduction in the operating expenses of the Clover Leaf and Alton road of at least SIOO,OOO a year is said to be the plan of the new owners of the property. A change in service is not contemplated in this economy but a consolidation of the elimination of jobs will be depneded upon to accomplish this result. The Altonu road has been found to be over officered There are, according to the stories one hears, several officers whose functions are so nearly alike that there can be found little excuse for the existence for more than one. This condition- is said to exist from the highest to the lowest grades of employes. The new owners of the road Intend to cut out all superfluous timber and consolidate the offices as fast as possible. Evidences that th e new owners intend to cut. down the number of officers, foremen and employes are seen every' day in the bulletins announcing the consolidation of departments of the Clover Leaf and Alton. Traveling engineers and firemen, it is reported, will be dispensed with and from every official and employe more work will be expected. Wages are not to be reduced or anything done that will jeopardize or injure the quality of the service. —— Regular passenger service has been inauguarated be/ween Bluffton and Huntington ovel the Chicago, Bluffton and Cincinnati (railroad, and trains are now runnir.gion a regular schedule between Huntinstca and Portland.

IS BADLY INJURED! Carl Ernst Hurt in Pennsylvania Yards at Fort Wayne. ON LAST EVENING Slipped While Throwing Switch—Left Arm SevereFractured. C. W. Ernst, a Pennsylvania brakeman, sustained a broken arm last evening at 7:30 o’clock by falling while attempting to throw « switch. The railroader had run ahead of his train in the east yards and seizing the switch lever gave It a jerk but slipped on the ice and fell over the stand, i alighting on his left side, with his left ! arm doubled under Mm. The bone in ; th e upper arm was fractured just ’ above the elbow. He was placed ! aboard a switch engine and hurried to the station where a cab was waiting to convey him to the St. Joseph’s hospital. He is the second trainman, to sustain a broken arm as a result of the slippery condition of the ties and ground as Wilber Holly was the vic- ; tim of a similar accident about two * weeks ago. Mr. Ernst is single and | rooms on Baker street. The fracture i is said to be a serious one but there ; is no danger of the loss of the use of , the 'member. —Port Wayne Journali Gazette. Mr. Ernst is a son of Titus Ernst of this city and has many friends and acquaintances here who hope his injuries may not prove at all serious. e WEDDED AT MONROE. j ■‘Mrs, J. Richards went to Monroe morning to attend the wedding B- Miss Ony Urick of that place and times Stewart, of Huntington. the fceremony having been performed at Ithe home of the bride in the presence of ai number of frie ds and relatives. Both parties are quite well known in this city and they have the best wishes of all for a prosperous and happy wedded life.

BY FANNIE M LOTHROP _______ —_ ■ ■ ' . -O. • 8 ''MiPhotograph by Schlattman, Mexico WHAT DIAZ HAS DONE FOR MEXICO PORFIRIO DIAZ of Mexico is a wonderful man, and for more than a quarter of a century has given peace, prosperity and progress to a country that in the fifty-nine years preceding his assumption of the reins of government had fifty-two rulers —dictators, presidents and emperors. Revolution was the normal condition; peace was but that strange, portentous calm that presages a new storm. Murder, mutiny and turmoil was the order of the day. His eventful life with its adventures and lightning changes would make a writer of dime novels humiliated with envy. Born in 1830 at Oaxaca, he was destined by his mother for the priesthood; but sh 1847 forsook church and cassock for the life of a soldier and prepared a company to join the Mexican forces against the United States. Juarez, then president, recognized the mettle of this boy of seventeen and took him into his law office. But young Diaz had larger ideas; he had keen eyes and a clear head and began to see vaguely through the fog of troublous conditions the chances for a man to scale the heights of realization by the pathway of opportunity. He knew opportunity was on the battlefield so he went there to meet it. Enemies were pressing in on all sides; he led gallant men in perilous attacks, wresting town after town from the invaders. Dashing assaults, thrilling escapes, brilliant victories, brave defeats, became common-place to him. Twice he was thrown into prison and twice escaped. Leaving his prison-door he gathered round him a new army and fought like a Spartan. He swam a shark-infested river to escape his enemies, was picked up and evaded capture disguised as a coal-heaver; at Puebla when his cannon balls gave out he filled his one field-piece with cobblestones; in the fight at Oaxaca he stood on the church tower and had the church bells melted into charges for his cannon, and faced the rain of shell till his command was reduced to two Other men of the time could be forced, placated, plead with, bribed, silenced in some way, Diaz—never. Through terrible struggles he reached the presidency in 1877. Fearless, incorruptible, a man of instant decision, born to command, he unified the thirty states and territories of Mexico into a nation with a government as free as our own, gave it free schools, free ballot, free press, freedom of speech and religion, threaded the country with railways, expanded the postal service, encouraged ’“dustry inereased trade, and ’with temporizing, diplomacy, cajolery, forie—whatever the situation required gradually transformed a fighting pit injo a great nation.

JESSE LA FOLLETTE RETIRED. Begins Career as Head of University Law Department Today. Indianapolis, Ind.. Dec. 31. —After ten years of service as assistant United States attorney at I .dianapolis, Jesse J. M. LaFollett.j retires from office today to become a member of the faculty of Indiana university. He will be instructor in the law department of the school. Mr. LaFollette will be succeeded as assistant United States attorney by Clarence W. Nichols, who has been attached to the offic e for 115116 years. Joseph B. Kealing, Unied States district attor- « ney, recommended to the attorney general’s department that Nichols be appointed. Mr. LaFollette has also urged the young man’s appointment. Although Mr. Nichols has had ro * official information regarding the i place, it is understood that the nec- ■ essary sanction of the Washington i officials will not b e long delayed. The i salary attached to the position is ■ -2 500 a year. Mr. Nichols took ser- ■ vice in the office nine years ago as a stenographer and afterward became chief clerk. He has been closely asso- ' ciated with Mr. LaFollette and em- ■ ployed his time well. NEW YEAR SOCIETY Many Watch Parties Were Held in Decatur Last Evening. I MENU-ATES MET Family Dinners Today—- * Miss Jean Lutz Entertained A. H. C. Club. Misses Marie Patterson, Fanny Hite, Mr. aqd Mrs. Jerry Torrance of Marion, Ind., Messrs. Robert Schock, Oscar Hoffman, Oliver Gleichman. of Evansville, Ind., w-ere pleasantly entertained last evening by Miss Midge Smith at (Conlnued on Paige 3.)

COURT HOUSE NEWS Mrs. Dora Hower Files a Divorce Complaint Against Her Husband. THE PLAINTIFF WON In Case of Hamlin vs. Bolds —Jury Returned a Verdict Last Evening.

L. C. DeVoss is attorney for the plaintiff in a new divorce case filed, the title of which is Dora Hower vs. Charles J. H. Hower. They were married in November, 1902, and lived together until about six months ago. However, their married life has been full of discord and unhappiness, Mrs. Hower says her husband mistreated her in memy ways, abused her, failed to provide for her and the two children and frequently abando ed her. Recently Mr. Hower t. ied to get a few weeks a,go and Mrs. Hower also asked for a decree on her cross complaint, but both were refused. Since that time one o.f the children has been adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Fin Bennett, of Portland. Mrs. Hower asks for the custody of the other child.

Marriage licenses have been. Issued to Webster C. Martz, aged twentyI three and Luetta Mae Mock, aged I nineteen, both of Monroe township, . also to William Kelley, aged twenty- | one, a farmer from Van Wert and SylI via Beltz, aged seventeen, of Blue I Creek township. Susie Connant vs. Louis J. Habegger a $2,000 damage suit, rule to answer in five days recorded. The case of Edward Hamil vs. Otto Bolds was concluded last evening going to the jury about five o'clock. The following verdict was returned about 7:30 o’clock: “We the jury find for the plaintiff that he is the owner and entitled to possession of the property described in his complaint and that the same has been unlawfully detained from the plaintiff by defendant, and we assess the plaintiff's damages for such unlawful detention at SB.OO. John T. Myers, foreman.’’ Old Adams County Bank vs. John H. Yager et al disclaimer filed by Meyers and Gillig. The sam e entry was made in. a similar case against H. S. Porter. «. ro

AGAINST THE CITY Suits Filed by Night PoliceMen Frank and Reynolds. TO COLLECT SALARIES Controversy Will Be Settled in the Adams Circuit Court. k Joel Reynolds and Samuel Frank, the two night policemen, will try to collect their salaries in the Adams circuit court. Through their attorney A. P. Beaaty, they filed separate suits today, demandirjg the sum of $125 each. The cases are filed against the city of Decatur, a corporation, and each complaint alleges that said city, by its common council, on May 12, 1891, adopted an ordinance, giving the mayor of said city full power to hire and discharge special police when same is deemed necessary, that said ordinance has never been repealed and is, therefore, in full force and effect. The complaint further relates that on September 6, 1906, these officers were duly employed. They quit for a few days last October, but were again ordered into service on November Ist, and have served ever since, being on duty four days in October, thirty days in November and thirtyone in December, a total of sixty-five days. At $1.50 per day, this amounts to $97.50 each. A copy of the ordinance and an itemized bill is attached to th e complaint, o Mrs. Frank Yeager has gone to Ber je for a visit with relatives.

Price Two Cents

HE IS SLOWLY SINKING. W. H. Ernst, a Former Blufftovi Citizen, is Dying. Attorney Thomas E. Sayler arrived home last night from Marietta, 0., where, for the past week, he has been the guest of his father-in-law. Al Oppenheim and family. Mrs. Sayler was prevented from l accompanying him home by the illness of her sister, Miss Ethel Oppenheim, but will follow next week. While at Marietta Mr. Sayler twice called at the residence of W’illiam Ernst, the farmer Bluffton man, who is at the point of death at Ibis home there from a cancerous growth of the face. No one is admitted to th e afflicted man’s room and even his most intimate friends have not seen him for weeks. It is eaid that the appearance of Mr. Ernst’s face is too horrible and repulsive for words', th e cheek, eye and nose being almost entirely eaten away and in some places even the bone has been consumed by the creeping, insidious growth. Every known cure has been applied without relief and the unfortunate man. cannot live more than a few weeks at the very most. —Bluffton Banner.

THE CONTEST ENDS Miss Frances Radamacker Wins the Gold

Watch. LARGE VOTE CAST She Wins by Two Hundred and Seventy-Four Votes. The gold watch contest that has

been creating so mucn excitement for the past three weeks, closed last evening at the Pictorium and this morning Judges John C. Moran and C. O. France took charge of the ballots and made the final count, which resulted in a victory for Miss Frances Radamacker, who received a grand total of 1,19 r votes, she winning over her neare: rival Miss Ada Murray by 257 vote. The contest was clean cut in ever.J respect and the best of feeling pre vailed throughout among the candi dates. Miss Radamacker received tA /handsome complimentary vote anM| she certainly should feel proud of he t" many friends who so ably assisted her. Mr. Stoneburner by these various contests is making many friends for his place of amusement and so. far (every co fest has been clean cut. The watch was turned over to Miss Radamacker today and she should . feel justly proud of her New Year's present. CLOSING VOTE. Stella Ellis 527. Frances Radamacker 1,199. Dude Vqglewede 409. Nola Snyder 672. Perle Burdg 531. Minnie Orris 418. Letta Kintz 495. Joe Mylott 112. May Shilling 112. May Holthouse 412. Rose Gleinhenz 615. Joe Krick 404. Ada Murray 942. Mamie Cloud 113. Anna Martin 103. Mabel Hocker 100. —o — . •

LEAVE FOR DALLAS TEXAS- — Mr. and Mrs. Schafer Will Spend the Winter With Daughter. Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Schafer will leave tonight for Dallas, Texas, where they will remain for the winter with - their daughter, Mrs. W. F. Britson. * ■ Mr. and Mrs. Schafer just recently disposed of their property and household effects and they may remain permanently in Texas, although they may return to this city some time during next summer for a visit at least. - ♦ Decatur is loath to lose such an estimable family and it is sincerely hoped ' that Mr. and Mrs. Schafer will see <r , ; fit to return to our midst and make their future abode before many months have passed. Mrs. Horace Botthoff and ' t •left D'