Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 6, Number 32, Decatur, Adams County, 6 February 1908 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume VI Number 32

DEATH CLAIMS REV. DANIEL

One of Indiana’s Most Prominent Methodist Ministers

A LONG ZILLNESS The End Occurred Late Yesterday Afternoon FUNERAL SERVICES Will Be Held Here Friday Afternoon —Many Ministers Will Attend Expected for days, yet dreaded hourly. the news was flashed over out city last evening that Rev. W. IL Daniel, the well known and widely beloved minister had breathed his last. The end came at 4:24 o’clock Wednesday afternoon, after an illness of several years with anemia. He bore his sufferings patiently and death came to him as calmly as a babe falls to sleep, no sign of pain marking his countenance in the closing moments of his illness, the loved ones about the bedside scarcely realizing the departure of the spirit from the body. Rev, Daniel was known to every man, woman and child In Decatur and was loved and admired by all. He was truly a Christian, having devoted practically his entire life to work in the ministry and during the last thirty six years of his life held charges in nearly all the principal cities of the north Indiana Methodist conference. He was a tireless worker and the fact that he died from a disease common only to extreme old age is proof that he put into his efforts all his strength and energy. While serving as presiding elder of the Fort Wayne district in 1903 his health began to fail and at the following conference he withdrew from active work with the hope that outdoor exercise might restore his lost forces. He purchased a small tract of land near this city and for some time seemed to improve, then came a long sick spell. Recovering partially he accepted a position as an editorial writer on the Chicago InterOcean, but after a few months was forced to retire and again removed to this city. Since that time his condition wl ' *' AMi has grown more serious with each day. About seven weeks ago he became bedfast and the setting of each sun found him weaker until the angel of death relieved him at the hour stated last evening. For four or five years he fought against the fatal disease, having a strong desire to live and do further work, but like the strong swimmer in the surf of the sea, striving for the shore, he sometimes seemed to be nearing a point of safety, but with each ebbing wave, he was carried further out. until at last he was gone forever from the gaze of loved ones, on that tide which breaks alone on the high shores of immortality. He was as near a Christian, we believe, as mortal man can be. As a loving husband and father, as pastor and faithful friend, he will walk this earth no more. His death was in a manner pathetic. But little past the high noon tide of life, not quite sixty years old. he died from anemia, with symptoms

generally found in a person many years older. During his years in his chosen work. Rev. Daniel served in perhaps twenty charges of this state and in each community he has almost innumerable friends, whose hearts are sad today. The kindness of his nature and his mental activity were bis leading traits. In all his labors among men. women and children, no kinder heart ever beat in human breast than that which struggled on until 4:24 last evening an dthen forever stood still. There was a light in his face, a chord in his voice and a pressure in his hand which were full of love for his fellow beings, and which made him welcome among every class. Messages of condolence have been received by the family from many sincere friends over the state, who loved Rev. Daniel for his real worth. The funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at two o'clock from the First M. E. church of this city, the pastor, Rev. C. B. Wilcox, being in charge. Cards announcing his death were sent out last evening to all of the Methodist ministers of the conference and a number of them will be present at the funeral. Rev. Daniel was pastor of the church in this city during the years 1898 and 1899, and his work here was most successful, the growth being very ynarked during his pastorate. Under his direct supervision as local pastor, the North Indiana M E conference met here during the first part of April, 1899. Prior to that Rev. Daniel had served as local pastor in charge of the annual conferences at Peru in 1884 and at Richmond in 1896. The conference held here was a most successful one, due largely to Rev. Baniels preparations, which were painstaking, patient and mindful of the interests of the parishioners and guests. His services with the North Indiana conference will be sadly missed for ever since his withdrawal from active ministry he has taken an important part in all of their meetings. He was appointed as a member of the examination committee, one of the important places at the Fort Wayne district conference, which meets here next month. The funeral services in charge of Rev. Wilcox tomorrow will be of a ministerial nature, and the pall bearers will be six presiding elders of the district. The remains will be placed in a vault at Maplewood cemetery, where they will remain until spring, about two months, when they will be interred with Masonic ritualistic services. William Henry Daniel was born on a farm near Richmond, Ind.. April 10, 1848. He was the eldest of three children, the others being Hiram Daniel, who died in early manhood, and Mrs. Jennie Comer, who now resides in Indianapolis, Ind. The deceased was the son of Thomas and Louisa Daniel, who removed to Anderson, Ind., when Wiliiam was about five years of age. When thirteen years of age the mother died and William went to Alexandria, Ind., where he learned the millers' trade under an uncle. William Daniel. During this period in his life he was converted and united with the Methodist Epis copal church. He soon felt th e call to the ministry and when twenty-one years old he gave up his trade and went to Fort Wayne college, where he completed his education. After leaving college he taught school for a year and in the spring of 1892, he was admitted to membership in North Indiana conference of the Methodist Episcopal church. On March 12, 1873, he married Emma L. Birch at the home of her parents, Presiding elder W. S. Birch and wife in Fort Wayne. He served in all thirty-two years in the ministry, the charges which he filled being as follows: Fremont, one year; Leo, two years; Coesse, one year; Waterloo, three years; Columbia City, three years; Auburn, one year, Peru, two years: Broadway, Logansport, three years; Union City, three years. At the close of his pastorate In Union City he was appointed to Mulberry street church, Kokomo, but after serving this charge six months he became the victim of an attack of acute asthma, and it was necessary for Him to nave a change

of climate. He was therefore, trans-, ferred to the pastorate of the Metho-1 dist Episcopal church at Hamiine university, a prominent college at St. Paul, Minn. After one year spent in Minnesota, his health was restored and he came back to Indiana.filliag out an unexpired half year as pastor of the First M. E. church at Goshen, Ind He was then appointed pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal church at Richmond, Ind., which charge he served for five years. Then he was appointed to the Decatur church, where, after a ministry of two years, he was made presiding elder of Fort Wayne district. He served in this honored position for four years, when he asked and was granted a supernumerary relation which he retained until the time of his death. After retiring from the ministry he lived a portion of his time on his farms near Converse. Ind. He also served as an editorial writer on the Chicago In-ter-Ocean for several months, but continued ill health compelled him to resign this place. During the last year of his life he made his home in Decatur. He died as the result of a prolonged attack of pernicious anemia. The latter weeks of his life were filled with suffering, but he was at all times patient and uncomplaining and he died peacefully, as one might fall asleep. Aside from the widow, he is survived by his two children. Mrs. Chalmer C. Schafer, of Decatur, and Harry R. Daniel, of Chicago. He is also survived by his sister, Mrs. Jennie Comer, of Indianapolis. —— o- - - OLD “BETSY’S” TRIP Had a Difficult Journey Between Here and Portland ROADS WERE BAD Car Went Through Garage Floor at Portland—Will Reach Richmond Today W. H. Wiley, manager of the Coppock Motor Car plant, received word this morning from Nat Hull and Frank Tukey, the two men who had charge of “Old Betsy,” the car that the Coppock people are making a test trip to Cincinnati, 0., with, stating that they arrived at Portland lasi evening after a day of hardships and experiences that they will not soon forget. The men report that the roads were in a terrible shape being sloppy and in numerous places the snow had drifted badly on the road, which made it a hard task for the car to drive through. When nearing Portland they encountered a snowdrift that was something like five feet deep and before they could get through the men were forced to shovel out a path. The entire trip was made through a driving rainstorm, and the boys were mighty glad when they drove Into Portland. At Portland the machine was driven into an auto garage and it was here that the boys experienced further trouble, as the car was so heavily loaded that it went through the floor of the garage up to the axle. This forced them to unload the sand and then lift the car out of the hole and it was found that the machine had not been damaged in the least. The men reported that they fully expected to land in Richmond this evening and would without doubt reach Cincinnati by Friday evening. The car could not have been started under more adverse circumstances and if it holds up under the strain to its destination it will have stood a test, that no other car has ever done. The boys are well pleased with the way the ear has been acting and expect no trouble from this source. SCHERER IS NOT WANTED. The Hotchkiss Sheriff Sends Another Order. Sheriff Meyer is in receipt of a letter from Sheriff Gibbs, at Hotchkiss, Colo., stating that the case against R. M. Scherer has been dismissed for lack of evidence. Mr. Scherer’s Decatur friends were not alarmed at any time that he was seriously involved in any way in the Colorado deal as his previous record here has been entirely clean. — Rev. N. E. Vitz. who has been visiting Rev. Hessert, left for Vera Cruz before returning to his home at Deflnance, Ohio.

Decatur. Indiana, Thursday Evening February. 6 IVOB.

SMITH GOT HIS Former Decatur Man Mixed Up With a Clover Leaf Brakeman AND WAS CLEANED He Struck a Match on Side of a Coach and Insisted He Had the Right Charles Smith, the stret cleaning contractor, came home from Decatur last night on the Commercial Traveler at 10:19 o'clock and after getting off the train at the station and deciding to smoke, he struck a match on the side of one of the coaches. Now, railroad companies are very particular about the care of their coaches and when a car is scratched up on a run the crew must make a report of the cause, and the crew is generally held responsible. Therefore, Brakeman Flynn, of Frankfort, who was standing on the platform asked Smith in a gentlemanly manner to stop and not bother the coaches in the future, telling him that the train crew was responsible for the damage. According to witnesses of the trobue, Smith replied that he would light matches on the train w’henever he wanted to and would also remove the cranium of the brakeman or “knock his block off’’ if he didn't shut up. Before he had finished talking the brakeman struck Smith a blow in the face and Traveling Passenger Agent O’Brien, who was at the scene of the trouble, came to the rescue of his company and also handed Smith a few swift jolts. Before Smith could recover the train pulled out, taking Flynn and O'Brien along. Smith has not filed any affidavits yet but merely says he will get even at some future time. It was reported this morning that Flynn had struck Smith over the head with a lantern but this is a mistake, as witnesses of the affair state positively that he used nothing but his fists.—Bluffton Banner. ABANDON BRIDGE Old Structure on the WellsAdams County Line Has Served Its Time TILE REPLACE IT Large Enough to Carry Off the Water—Commissioners Voted on Proposition The county commissioners have been petitioned by John Hirely and others to abandon an old bridge on the Wells-Adams county line, located a short distance north of Vera Cruz, and if the petition is granted the petitioners, consisting of a number of farmers, will replace the bridge with large tile which will be of such dimensions that they will carry off the water and do away entirely with the necessity of a bridge at that point, said the Bluff ton News last evening. The old bridge is a tumble-down affair of the wooden variety and if the tile are not put in the commissioners will soon have to order a new bridge. The county will be asked to bear a small portion of the expense of putting in the tile and the petitioners will see that the work is done. Mr. Hirely promised to come to Bluffton today to haul the commissioners to the site of the bridge in order that they might view it and give a ruling on the petition. Commissioner Huffman did not come to town today, but Commissioner Lutz and Lechner made the trip to the site of the bridge with Mr. Hirely and they voted for the abandonment of the bridge and the installing of tile. CLUB WILL MEET SATURDAY. The Shakespeare club has postponed its meeting with Mrs. D. D. Heller until Saturday afternoon, on account of the death of Rev. Daniel. o John Stalder is at Warren on business.

MRS. LESLIE CARTER IN "DU BARRY” Mrs. Leslie Carter, the most distinguished actress of our time, will present David Belasco’s play. Du Barry, at the Majtstic theater, Fort Wayne, on Saturday, Feb. 15, matinee and night. In giving Mrs. Carter the first place among English speaking actresses, writers for the stage have taken two things into account—her incomparable temperament, and her achievements as a dramatic artist. Mrs. Carter’s early stage work was as a comedienne, or rather in roles which did not call for sustained emotionalism. while all of her latter impersonations have been a combination of the two —the light and gay, joined to surprising flights of tense, temperamental acting. This great dramatic artist shines as brilliantly as a comedienne as an emotional actress — i and the same can, oddly, be said of every actress who has made a great name on the boards. But every comedienne is not capable of expressing emotion, of bringing conviction to acute and poignant passion, the glowig, rapturous, ecstatic. Mrs. Carter has a woderful personality, and her finished artistry finds vent in such great roles as Du Barry. Prices for special matinee, 50c, 75c, SI.OO and $1.50. Evening prices 50c, 75c, SI.OO, $1.50 and $2.00. Seat sale openfs Wednesday, Feb. 12th. Mail orders accompanied by remittance and addressed envelop will rceive prompt attention. GOT HIS NEW SUIT Son of Congressman Adair Made Him Keep His Recent Promise THE BOY A LEADER At the Head of Class Three Consecutive Months—Hollidays Expresses Opinion Washington, February 6.—Representative Holliday is one of the numerous congressmen who believe that such a message as the president sent to congress the other day will accomplish no particular good and may result in harm. "What the country needs,” said he, “is rest, repose, a chance to get back to normal conditions. The fifty-ninth congress enacted some sweeping reform laws. We should try them out before enacting any new legislation. There is no need of special messages at this time to inculcate honesty. The public conscience is aroused and never during the life of this generation or the next will people be Allowed to steal with impunity.” Herbert Adair, son of Congressman Adair, is the owner of a handsome suit of clothes which he won in a peculiar way. The young man is 15 years old and bright as a whip. Last September he entered the military institute at Waynesboro, Va. In the first examination of the year, held in October, he made the best grade in his class. In the next examination, that of November, he repeated the performance. As the holidays drew apace he began to think of coming to Washington to spend Christmas with his parents. He had no clothes except his military uniform and a summer suit, and he questioned the appropriateness of wearing military clothes on a holiday excursion, The congressman then wrote and outlined a definite proposition. If he would lead his class in the third examination —that of December — he should have his pick of all the suits of clothes to be had in Washington. Herbert buckled down to business. One day, shortly before the examination, Congressman Adair received the following message from his son: “Get ready to buy that suit of clothes.” Examination day found the young Hoosier prepared and he easily won the first place. He took an early train to Washington. His father escorted him down town to a first class clothing establishment and the question of what to wear was soon adjusted to his entire satisfaction. o — A telephone message from A. G. Briggs, of Geneva, this afternoon, was to the effet that the court has not rendered his decision as yet and as soon as he does the gas will be turned on.

BROKEIINTO HOUSE A Steer Belonging to E. Flickinger Indulges in Wild Rampage I — WAS BLINDFOLDED And After Breaking Loose from Owner It Plunged Through a Window One of the queerest incidents that has ever come to our notice happened at Berne yesterday morning when a steer weighing about 1,000 pounds plunged through a window in Widow I Backesto’s home. The animal was being led to town by its owner, Benjamin Flickinger, and it had been blindfolded so nothing would be seen that would frighten it. When in the vicinity of the home of Mrs. Backesto the animal heard a noise and broke loose from its owner. It proceeded along the house, although it could see nothing, and when in front of a window it made a plunge through same, breaking several panes of glass, but without damage to the sash, and this I is a mystery that is yet unsolved. In the mixup the steer sustained several ci ts on its body, and it wandered about in the house, leaving blood marks wherever it went. The steer finally succeeded in escaping from the house and in a rage of anger ran into the Cris Yoder home, breaking shutters and damaging the portico banisters. This did not seem to satisfy its fiendish desires as before being captured it did damage to the home of Anthony Mischaud. While the affair seems funny indeed, it is not considered such by the people who sustained damage from the animal’s rampage. Mrs. Backesto is indignant over the actions of the steer and everybody in the vicinity of Berne are of the opinion that the animal should have known better than to take full possession of their homes without an invitation to do so. WOULD ACCEPT IT Congressman Adair Says His Message Was Miscontrued AS TO GOVERNORSHIP Will Not Neglect His Duties in Congress, But Would Like the Honor Washington, February 5. —Congressman Adair says that his recent interview in The Indianapolis Star in reference to gubernatorial nomination has been misconstrued. “I have never gone on record,” said he, “as saying that my name would not be presented to the state convention, nor have I withdrawn from the race, because I never entered it. I shall not neglect my congressional duties here to make a canvass of the state, but I would accept the nomination and make the best race possible if my party should see fit to name me as the standard bearer.” Since his recent interview appeared Mr. Adair has received many letters from Indiana on the subject. Many of the writers, he says, insist that he shall not forbid the use of his name. o J. B. Stoneburner today royally entertained the school children to a free matinee at the Pictorium showing them that famous film “The Teddy Bears.” Mr. Stoneburner is very progressive in the way of advertising, and is of the opinion that it pays him in the end to entertain the childre in this manner once in a while. There is no need of us saying that the house was packed, as that is a foregone conclusion. The condition of Willis Spuller, who is suffering with typhoid fever, is unchanged, and he remains practically the same. His condition is serious and his relatives and friends do not see how he can survive the ravagings of the disease much longer.

Price Two Cent#

HURTY IS AFTER THE DOGS. Will Introduce a Bill that Should Stop Hydrophobia. Indianapolis. Feb. 6—Dr. J. X. Hurty, secretary of the state board of health, will advocate a law before the next legislature designed to put an end to the “mad dog” evil. Dr. Hurty will work for legislation which will make it possible to kill all unlicensed or unmuzzled dogs, at least in the cities and towns. He will also favor a bill which will provide for a high tax on dogs. He believes that something should be done io put an end to the mad dog scares which are general over the state and in Indianaoplis. “It seems too bad,” said Dr. Hurty, “that the governmental authorities permit hydrophobia to exist. If the health authorities had control of the matter they would practically apply the obvious method of prevention, and there would be no such thing as hydrophobia. This method would be the destruction of all unlicensed or unmuzzled dogs. "Present conditions are foolish. Germany long ago abolished our methods of managing affairs so far as hydrophobia is concerned, and that disease is known no more in that practically conducted land." — o Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Bennett, of i Tipton county, arrived this morning to visit relatives. THAT EXTENSION Meeting at Richmond to Talk Over Affairs of the Interurban Line A HEAP OF MONEY Would Be Required to Build the Road Seventy Miles According to Estimate Business men of this city and of Lynn and Fountain City met last evenI ing in the Commercial club rooms with President W. H. Fledderjohann and General Superintendent T. W. Shelton of the Fort Wayne and Springfield Traction company, which has recently completed building its line from Ft. Wayne to Decatur. Fountain City and Lynn people are extremely anxious to have this road continued south from Decatur to Richmond. and the business men of this city feel that the bringing of this road into Richmond will be a great benefit to the city. Recently a self-appointed committee of local business men went to Decatur, where they met with Mr. Fledderjohann and Mr. Shelton These officials were told of the traction situation here —that there was no traction line entering Richmond from the north — and invited them to visit Richmond and look over the situation. They arrived yesterday and in the afternoon were shown about town in an automobile. Lynn and Fountain City business men were notified of the presence of the traction officials here and were invited to attnnd a meeting held in the evening. At this meeting each town was represeted by a goodsized and enthusiastic delegation. To Mr. Fledderjohann and Mr. Shelton the advantages of a line between Richmond and Decatur, connecting Fountain City. Lynn. Winchester, , Ridgeville, Portland, Bryant, Geneva, and Berne, was pointed out. In their opinion such a line could be built for $1,500,000. Mr. Fledderjohann stated that his company would furnish onethird of this amount, but that the remainedr would have to be raised in the various towns through which it is proposed to run the road. After this statement had been made by Mr. Fledderjohann it was decided to have apl pointed committees of business men in ! Richmond, Fountain City, Lynn, : Winchester and Portland. According to the plan proposed, after these various committees have been selected they will hold a joint meeting, probI ably in Richmond, and formulate some plan for furthering the project. The Fort Wayne and Springfield Traction company has franchise rights from Decatur to Celina, 0., but it is thought that the route proposed last night to the officers of the company appeals to them more than the Ohio lines. At least they stated that they were favorably impressed with the proposition.—Richmond Paladlum.