Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 6, Number 11, Decatur, Adams County, 13 January 1908 — Page 1

DECATTJR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume VI. Number II

BATTLE OF LIFE i As Fought by Augustus C. Gregory, Who Died Saturday. HIS ARMY CAREER Served as a Commissioned Officer During the Civil War—Great Lodge Man. After an illness dating back exactly eight weeks, A. C. Gregory, one of the oldest and best known citizens of Decatur, departed this life Saturday afternoon at twelve-forty-flve o’clock, death resulting from a complication of kidney and liver trouble. Mr. Gregory was born on Greene street in New York City sixty-eight years ago and it was there ihat he received his early education and was reared to manhood. At the age of sixteen years he entered the service of Uncle Sam, and for four years he served in the navy most of his time being spent on the Independence, one of the United States most powerful gunboats at that time. At the expiration of his term in the navy he returned to New York City, where he remained but a short time, going from there to Willow Creek. Wis., where he taught school for several years and followed his profession that of a bookkeeper. It was while stationed at this point that the war between the north and the scuth broke out and the north made its call for volunteers, and at the first summons for assistance, Mr. Gregory 1 left for Rippan, Wis., where he passed the examination and was sent from there to Oshkosh, Wis., where Company B, 32nd regiment volunteers infantry was organized and in a few weeks he was at the front fighting for his country. He was made second lieutenant of the above named company and in this capacity he served for two years, when he was promoted to first lieutenantcy, but never got to serv, e owing to the fact that his commission was delayed through some cause unknown. It was at this time that he was seized with the smallpox and was given up by the army physicians, but owing to a rugged constitution he fought a winning battle against the disease and recovered only to find that he had lost the hearing of one ear and that his eyes were so badly affected that he was given a furiough by the commanding officer. He was with General Sherman when he made his wonderful and historic march to the sea and it was while thus engaged that he became acquainted with John Chubb, Byron Dent and David King, all now deceased and after scur.ng his furlough he concluded to ccm e to Decatur, owing to this acquaintance. This was in the year 186 i, and ever since that time he made this his home. He first engaged in the profession of a bookkeeper and school teacher following this for a number of years, when he branched out into the paint and wall paper business which he followed, until a few years ago, when he disposed of his business and retired from active life. During the past few years he had been practically unable to do anything owing to illness and stayed close to his home. H e was the oldest lodge member in this city, having been a charter member of the Blue lodge of the Masons of this city, a member of the Scottish Rite Masons, of Fort Wayne, a charter member of the Eagles lodge of Fort Wayne, and a member of the local G. A. R. The funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon at th e home on Madison street at one-thirty o’clock. An Episcopal clergyman from Fort Wayne will officiate, after which the Scottish Rite Masons will assume charge of the services. The remains will be placed in the receiving vault at the Decatur cemetery for ten days, when the members of the G. A. R. will assemble at the cemetery and hold their ritualistic services. He leaves a wife, a daughter Mrs. Dick Townsend, of Peoria, 111* a son Robert Gregory of this city, a sister, Mrs. J. V. Genung, of New York, and a host of friends. The remains may be viewed at the residence this afternoon between the hours of two and five, and Tuesday morning between the hours of nine and eleven. SCOTTISH RITE MEETING. All members of the Scottish Rite and Perfection lodge are requested to meet

at the Commercial club rooms this evening at 7:30 o’clock to complete arrangements for Brother A. C. Gregory’s funeral. ATTENTION EAGLES! There will be a special called meeting at the Eagle hall this evening at 8 o’clock to make arrangements to attend the funeral of Brother A. C Gregory. All members are requested to be In attendance. D. D. COFFEE, W. P. E. E. SNOW, W. S. o Grover Hoffman, who had a cockerel on display at the poultry show, sold the same to a fancy poultry raiser of this county. The bird scored high, and Mr. Hoffman received a fancy price for his bird. ARE MAKING PLANS An Effort to Bring About the Defeat of Taft.

DISCUSS CURRENCY Democratic Congressmen Favor Most Any Sort of a Bill. Washington, January 13. —Harry S. Brown, the veteran Washington political writer of the New York Herald, in a review of the presidential situation, printed in the Herald, says; “The plan for the defeat of Taft contemI plates the control of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connectlcutt without instructions. It has been possible to accomplish this arrangement very quietly because of the settled custom In this group of states to send their delegates to the convention unhampered by instructions. The only time that this plan has been abrogated in recent years was during the McKinley-Reed contest. Washington, Jan. 13. —The democratic members of the house committee on banking and currency held a meeting for the dtfscussion of the Fowler and Aldrich currency bills and voted unanimously to support any motion for hearings on both bills before the full committee. It was developed that all of the minority members are opposed to the Aldrich bill because it enlarges the policy of securing currency by the deposit of bonds. Some of them also look with disfavor on the Fowler bill as too revolutionary in its proposal of a complete retirement of all outstanding currency and the substitution of a currency secured by national bank assets. Washington, Jan. 13.—Warned by the energetic work already being done by the republican congressional committee, the democratic members of the house have urged Chairman Griggs, of the democratic committee to call the members of his organization together without delay for the purpose of laying plans and beginning operations with a view of capturing the next house of representatives. o — HIS CONDITION IMPROVED. Robert Simiieon is Slowly Recovering From Illness. Samuel Simison. of Berne, passed through here today enroute from Bluffton to his home. He spent Sunday wLL his father, Robert Simison. at the latter place, and he states that his father is somewhat improved from nis recent sick spell. The elderly Mr. Simison has passed his ninety-sixth milestone and It is quite probable that he will live several years yet. The news of his improved condition will be gladly received by his many friends in this vicinity. — o- . The recent heavy rains have caused the river to raise until it is now ready to overflow’ into the surrounding low lands. If the weather should now change and get cold the Ice men would have an excellent chance to reap their harvest. But very few games remain yet to be played in the billiard tournament at DeWitt’s smoke house, and these should be finished within the next few days. The contests have all proven interesting and they hav e so far been witnessed by large crowds, who enjoy this kind of sport.

MEET IN DECATUR The Fort Wayne District Conference to Be Held Here. OPENS MARCH SECOND Dr. Edwin Holt Hughes to be the Principal Speaker. With the coming of spring a mo3t Important event in the history of Methodism in Decatur will occur, according to an official announcement that the Fort Wayne district conference of the Methodist Episcopal church will convene in this city on the second day of next March. Arrangements for the conference are complete, providing for most interesting programs during the various sessions, with men of prominence on the program for talks and in fact every feature that goes to make an .event of this kind a crowing success. As planned, the first session will ensue on the evening of March the second and this initial 'meeting promises to be very interesting from the fact that Dr. Edwin Holt Hughes, president of DePauw university will deliver an address. He is a speaker of ability, and will without doubt be greeted by a crowded house. On the evening of March third. Bishop Vincent of Indianapolis, will deliver a lecture and this also gives promise of being interesting and instructive. On the following evening Rev. J. K. Cecil, of Bluffton, is scheduled for a sermon, and this meeting will conclude the conference. However, during the days of the third and fourth of March excellent programs will be rendered, including talks from the presiding elders of the six districts of the conference and special music by the local choir. Arrangements to accommodate one hundred and fifty out of town guests who will consist of pastors, their wives, exhorters and Sunday school superintendents, class leaders, Epworth league presidents and presidents of the Ladies Aid societies of the various churches cf the district. Rev. J. C. White who was succeeded to the pulpit of the Decatur M. E. church by Dr. Wilcox, arranged for this meeting to be held here before his transfer was made to Logansport, and although he may not be present, Decatur will have him to thank for his effort to cause this meeting to be held in our city. WORKPROGRESSES The Pipe Line From the New Gas Field to be Completed this Week. PRESSURE IS STRONG Five New Wells Give Encouragement to the Promise for Plenty Gas. The Wabash Valley Gas company is rushing the work to completion in the construction of the pipe line between Geneva and the new gas territory a distance of eight miles. Two gangs of workmen are on the job, one working from each direction and at the present time, four miles of the line is completed. It Is thought that th e line will be completed during the the last part of this week and the connection will be made some time in the near future. The new territory which is owned by the Warren Oil and Gas company, of Warren, Pa., contains fiv e good producing wells that show a rock pressure of from 150 to 175. At present the-city of Portland only Is being supplied from these wells, but after the new line is completed, Geneva and Decatur will be added to the list. According to a statement made by an official of the Wabash Valley Co., Decatur, will have as much gas as they ever had, within a short time, and this news will be welcomed by many Decatur people, who havo been unable to believe the good tidings.

Decatur, Indiana, Monday Evening January, 13 1908.

ENDS IN INSANE ASYLUM. “Biddy” Burns, a Ball Player, Has Strange Hallucination. “Biddy” Burns, a ball player, who appeared here frequently as a member of the Fort Wayne Interstate, Geneva, Bluffton and Garrette teams in 1906 has been committed to the state hospital at Toledo, being violently insane. His hallucination is that he is an author whose writings are inspired by direct telephone connection with heaven. Dissipation is probably responsible for his misfortune, for while playing independent ball he drank heavily. Biddie was a favorite among the youngsters. This is not Otto Bums, who played with Decatur, thel ast two seasons, though the latter was also known to many as “Biddy.” TWO INSTALLATION Knights of Columbus and C. B. L. of I. Held Sunday Meetings. THE NEW OFFICIALS K. of C.’s Met in the Evening and a Delightful Smoker Followed. The Knights of Columbus installed officers Sunday evening! district deputy Thomas McLaughlin and staff, of Fort Wayne, assisting in the beautiful exercise. The officers who will serve during the coming yea’’ and who assumed their duties are H. J. Yager, G. D; H. F. Costello, D. G. K; J. W. Bosse, C; Nick Miller, W; Thomas A. Ehinger, F. S; Otto Wemboff, R. S; Nan Niblick, T; Charles Lose, I. G; Will Johns, O. G; U. Deininger, Adv; Father George, Lect; C. S. Niblick, Dyonis Schmitt and Frank Heiman, trustees. At the close of the work a most enjoyable smoker was given. Th e C. B. L. of I. met Sunday afternoon to hold an important business meeting combining the two branches of the order and to install the newly chosen officers. Thomas McLaughlin and Jaulain Franke. of Fort Wayne, were the chief guests of the afternoon. Also the lodge decided to give a box social at their hall on Thursday evening for the benefit of the public. The ladies ar e supposed to prepare the boxes and as this is the first box social that has been given in the city for some time, they are expecting a very large crowd. The officers who were installed for the coming year were: President, John StaroSt; vice president, Mrs. Jennie Niblick; chancellor, Mrs. Jennie Starost; orator, Miss Elize Hain; secretary, Miss Rose Colchin; collector, Mrs. Wm. Parent; asst, collector, Charley Pennington; treasurer, Miss Anna Volmer; marshal, Miss Anna Parent; guard, Joe Knapke; trustees, Frank Teeple, Chas. Pennington, Chas. Rumschlag. —o — DAMAGES FROM SALOON KEEPER Asked by Marion Glass Blower in Superior Court. John Beggerly, who has a saloon at Marion was sued in the superior court for SIO,OOO damages. George M. Kocher and' Chris Kohlenberg are made parties to the suit, being bondsmen of Beggerly. Lillie Walter is the wif e of John Walter a glass blower, who was able to earn $l5O a month when he worked. Walter, says the complaint, was a drunkard and Beggerly knew It. July 6, 1907, 'Walter went Into the Beggerly saloon. He was intoxicated and drank four drinks of beers, each drink being a half pint. Between 8 and 10 o’clock at night he staggered out of the saloon and walked to the Clover Leaf railroad, which is just back of the saloon. Her e he staggered against a train and fell, his right i a’-m being so frightfully mangled that it had to be amputated. — o BUILDING BILL IS INTRODUCED. Washington, D. C., January 13.— (Special)—Representative Adair today Introduced his bill, providing for a $50,000 federal building at Decatur and other towns of the Eighth district

SUNDAY SERMONS Dr. Wilcox Illustrates Contrast Between Anglo Saxons and Descendants. INTERESTING THEMES Were Handled by Ohio Minister at the Presbyterian Church—Other Services. Rev. W. T. McKinney, of DeGraff, Ohio, occupied the pulpit at the Presbyterian church yesterday morning and evening and did exceptionally well in his sermons. Fair sized audiences were present at both meetings. On next Sunday Samuel H. Edgecumbe, of western Ohio, will preach and from what we are able to ascertain he is above the ordinary in his work. Three or four other ministers will be given a trial before a selection is made and this gives the people of the church an opportunity to hear and decide upon the minister can best fill this charge. Preaching services were observed in the various churches of the city yesterday and regardless of the inclement weather, good audiences were present at each meeting. While it must be said that Dr. C. B. Wilcox has, during his stay in Decatur, presented and delineated many interesting themes to his congregations, his address of yesterday morning in the estimation of many who heard him, far excells any of his former sermons. The theme, “The Greatest Miracle of Modern Times” furnished the subject from which not only religious but historical transformations as well, were talked of in a manner becoming to th e speaker. “The Miracle” spoken of in the theme, takes the hearer back to ancient times,when the ancestors of the Caucasian race, the Anglo Saxons were in savagery. Much stress was placed upon the fact that the Anglo Saxons were savage, drunken, treacherous, and fearless class of people, who would kill their enemy, make a vessel out of his skull and from it drink the blood of his body. This indicates the heathenish characteristics of our ancestor even so late as six hundred years after Christ, and is used in the later development of the address to illustrate the wonderful miracle brought about (Continued on page 2.) PRIMARY RESULTS Wells County Democrats Select Standard Bearers for County Ticket. JOE BURNS DEFEATED Merriman Beats Him for Representative—Carlisle Named for Sheriff. Bluffton, Ind., Jan. 14.—The Democratic primaries held in this city Saturday resulted' as follows; For representative, J. B. Merriman was nominated by a plurality of 685 over Joseph Bums, candidate for reelection. For treasurer, William J. Dustman was nominated by a plurality of 504 over M. M. Justice. In this race there were four otheis who failed to show for place. For sheriff, Freeman Carlisle was nominated by a plurality of 125 over Marion Garton. In this heat there were two short tracked 1 contestants. Carlisle is the present j marshal of Bluffon. For coroner, Herman Thoma, was nominated without opposition. For surveyor, Harvey Sark, was re-nominated for a second time without opposition. For commissioner from the first district, Lewis A. Nutter, defeated Samuel Gehrett by a plurality of 350. For commissioner of the third distrct. Harry Gilbert, by a plurality of 675, defeated' Edward Walters. o The C. B. & C. is gradually reducing its force of employes along the j line and Friday discharged a gang of I fifty more men who had been assisting to put the grade into better condition. Most of these men were fori elgners. —Bluffton News.

j THEY NAMED A TREASURER. W. H. O’Brien Now Treasurer of the Democratic National Committee. Owensboro, Ky., Jan. 13. —Secretary Urey Woodson, of the democratic national committee, announced that the committee on arrangements for the Denver convention will hold its first | meeting in Denver on Monday, January 20. The committee is composed of Chairman Taggart, Secretary Woodson. Sullivan, of Illinois; Mack, of New York; McGraw, of West Virginia; Howell, of Georgia; Johnston, of Texas; Osborne, of Wyoming, and Dahlman, of Nebraska. W. H. O'Brien, former chairman of the Indiana democratic state committee, has been appointed treasurer of the national committee, vice August Belmont, resigned. COURT HOUSENEWS Last Week of the November Term Began Today—A Two Weeks’ Vacation. A WILL IS PROBATED Mrs. Jerry Russell’s Last Testament —Ditch Report Filed. This was blue Monday and the attorneys seemed to he a little slow in getting started, consequently there was little business tranacted before Judge Merryman. In the Mathias Miller et al petition for a drain, the drainage commissioners filed their report as provided by law. F. S. Armantrout, executor of the William H. Woodruff estate, filed an inventory of the personal property which was approved. Three cases are st for trial this week, the Beeler replevin suit Tuesday, Eaton divorce case Thursday and Haviland divorce case Friday. This Is the last week of the November term of court and will be followed by a two weeks’ vacation, the February term opening February 3rd. The will of Christian Homeier was probated this afternoon. It was written October 21, 1907, was witnessed by Conrad Gallmeier and Willhelin Buitemeier and is very short, simply bequeathing all personal and real estate to his wife, Louisa Homeier. The last will and testament of Mrs. Mary Jane Russell, who died last week was filed. After providing for the payment of debts and funeral expenses she bequeaths all her real and personal property to her husband, said property at his death to be equally divided between the three children, Ulysses, Carry Amarine and Esther Poling. Ulysses G. Russell, th e son, is named as executor. The will was written November 29, 1907, and witnessed by Paul G. Hooper and Rosa Gasa. APPOINTED AS A DELEGATE. Judge LaFollette Remembered by Governor Hanly. Judge John F. LaFollette has received a letter from Governor J. Frank Hanly notice that he has been appointed as one of the delegates to a convention of the citizens of Indiana, which will he held at the Board of Trade Assembly hall in Indianapolis, on Tuesday and Wednesday January 21 and 22 for the purpose of considering the interest of the state in the movement recently inauguarated in Washington for th e improvement of the inland waterways of America. The governor states in his letter that he has appointed a number of delegates from different parts of the state at the suggestion of Henry Riesenberg, vice president of the national rivers and harbors congress for this state in order that the state may be well represented- —Portland Commer-cial-Review. o — SCHOOL BOARD HELD SESSION. The school board held a short session at the central school building this morning to make arrangements for a music and drawing teacher to : succeed Miss Gray. They have sev- ' eraj in view and expect to make a se-. j lection some time this week. m

Price Two Cents

A NEW COMMITTEE m l ■ ■ ■ i Republicans Held Elections Over County Saturday Night. ORGANIZED TODAY J. M. Frisinger Re-Elected County Chairman—Delegates Chosen. The republicans of Adams county met Saturday evening from six to eight o’clock in their respective precincts, pursuant to call by county chairman Frisinger and selected county committeeman. There was a stiff fight in practically every precinct the Cromer and anti-Cromer feud being again very much in evidence. In this city the fight was very bitter, every candidate making an active campaign. The Cromer faction or the old organization headed by Chairman Frisinger, won out in every precinct by majorities ranging from twelve to forty and they also secured control of the committee in the county. Twenty-one Frisinger men were named, eight antis and two doubtful. The antis insist that their defeat was due to unfair tactics and the use of money, but the oher side only laugh at the accusation and return the compliment. The committeemen elected are as follows; E. Union, C. W. Miller; W. Union, Nathaniel May; E. Root, Jesse Warner; W. Root, Harry Butler; N. Preble J. E. Spangler; S. Preble, Fred Sheeler; N. Kirkland, Jacob Spade; S. Kirkland, J. Stoutenberry; W. Washington, George Barnett; E. Washi .g---ton, Elmer Cook; N. St Marys, Joseph Chronister; S. St. Marys, Jerome Elston; N. Blue Creek, John W. Dague; S Blue Creek, Charles Jones; N. Monroe, Hazel Andrews; M. Monroe. Lee Reefey; Berne A, C. G. Egley; Berne B, Welty; French, Ferdinand Yake; N. Hartford, Noah Pusey; S. Hartford, Luther Martin; N. Wabash, I. N. Teeters; Ceylon, John Brown; Geneva A, Fred McWhiney; Geneva B, F. S. Armantrout; E. Jefferson, Jesse Buckmaster; W. Jefferson, Geo. Brewster; Decatur Ist ward A. John Frisinger; Decatur Ist ward B, James Smith; Decatur 2nd ward A, C. V. Connell; Decatur 2nd ward B, Dan Weikle; Decatur 3rd ward A, D. W. Beery; Decatur 3rd ward B, F. S. Litterer. In several of the precincts the antis met immediately following the election and proceeded to select delegates to the district convention to be held Tuesday at Winchester, and this in definance to the call by Chairman Frisinger that said delegates would be chosen by the new committee, who met this morning at Frisinger and Peterson’s office to organize. The committee on credentials at the convention will decide which delegates will serve. The closest contest in Decatur was between Connell and Lower the former winning by a vote of 27 to 39. In one precinct in Berne, a tie resulted and the candidates flipped pennies, ttfi* Cromer man winning, in Geneva an anti won out by one vote. The new committee met at eleven o’clock this morning and proceeded to organize. Two names were presented for county chv’rman, John M. Frisinger, of Decatur, and Fred McWhiney, of Geneva, the former winning by a vote of twenty-four to nine. Ferd' L. Litterer of this city was reelected secretary and treasurer, without opposition and C. E. Egley of Berne was elected as vice chairman. The meeting was then converted into a convention, Mr. Frisinger presiding and delegates to the district convention were chosen as follows- Decatur and Washington township: Delegates, C. L. Walters and Samuel Butler; alternates, Tom Peterson and Frank Aurand; Union. Root. Preble and Kirkland, delegate, Willis Fonner; alternate. Harry Butler; Monroe French and Berne, deleg its, 11-uel Andrews: alternate. C. E. Egley: St. Marys and North Blue Creek, delegate Jerome Elston: alternate Amos Danner; Wabash and Geneva, delegate H. M. Aspy; alternate Sam Teeters; Hartford Jefferson and South Blue Creek, delegate, C. J. Jones, alternate, G. W. Brewster. o- “ Mr and Mrs. E. B. Schwartz, of Tipton county. Indiana, who haev e been guests of friends and relatives in this vicinity for some time, returned to [their home this morning.