Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 6, Number 43, Decatur, Adams County, 19 February 1908 — Page 1

becatur daily democrat.

Volume VI. Number 43

COUNCIL SESSION Regular Meeting of the City Dads Held Last Evening TWO BRICK ALLEYS Brick Street Improvements Tabooed—A Busy Meeting The council met in regular session last evening, Mayor Coffee presiding, end every councilman being present. The minutes of the last meetings wer e read, which were approved and the council proceeded to get down to business. A petition signed by Jacob C. and Eleanor Johnson asking that the alley running east and west commencing at the west line of Firststreet and terminating at the east liee of Second street between Monroe and Jackson streets, be paved with number two paving block and that the council order the construction of the same as it is a necessity. The petition was referred to the street and sewer committee, who immediately filed their report recommending that the alley be paved as prayed for in the petition, and initructed the engineer'to file his plans snd specifications for said improvenent. A resolution ordering the clerk o give notice by publication that the souncil would hear objections to the mprovermnt of the above named alley Ind also the improvement of the alley running north and south between first and Second streets was read ind adopted and they set the 17th lay of March as a day when objections could be heard at ’he council chain- ; tera. The matter of paving several , treets was taken up at this time and t seemed to be the general opinion i if the council to let this matter rest I or the present time owing to the act that street improvement bonds Cere not selling as rapidly as they ihould, and thought it would be a food Idea to postpone the building of hese streets until money matters opened up, then the streets could be old at a much lower figure. A resolution approving the plat as laid out y Catherine Allison was read and jdopted and approved in all things by he council. This plot covers the Alison property on Adams and Third I re-is which was recently, converted i rom an outlot into inlots. The finnce committee, to whom had been | eferred the reports of the clerk and treasurer for the months of Decemer and January, reported favorably ipon the same and they were found orrect in all things, and ordered pread of record. An ordinace reguiting a police board and authorizing hat the council appoint a commlitee f three of its members to act in this apacity, whose duties it shall be to ppoinr. a night police for the city nd fix the salary for said policeman nd to appoint all other police necssary and to regulate their salary, all f which must be ratified by the counil in open session before the same hall become In force and effective, 'his ordinance was successfully adanced to its third reading, when a issenting vote by Councilman C-hron-iter caused the ordinance to be carled over until the next meeting of be dads, when it will no doubt be assed and become a law. This or inance takes the appointment from he mayor and places the police of ur city under the supervision of this dice board, from whom they will eceive their orders. Chisten then loved that on and after the first day f March. 1908, that C. Vogt the city Ivil engineer be appointed water 'orks superintendent, to hold the line in conjunction with the office of ity engineer and that the salary for lid office shall be twenty-five dollars »r the said engineers’ department nd fifty dollars for the said water forks superintendancy. This motion let with some little opposition and le same was thoroughly discussed . r the council and finally passed by vote of four to one. All voting in Ivor of the motion except Chronister. If- Vogt’s new duties will start the ■rst of next month. Upon motion by ■an Camp orders number 7103 and in favor of the Chicago & Erie Rilroad were ordered destroyed and ■ new issuA made for the amount. ■Meh was $52.35. The following bills Were then read and allowed: ■' E- Smith * 3.85 (Continued on page 2)

NO CHANCE TO SETTLE STRIKE. Another Unsuccessful Effort at a Compromise. Another attempt to bring about a settlement of the differences between the Indiana Union Traction company and the Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway Employes was made yesterday afternoon when a joint committee representing the Cential Trades bodies of Anderson, Marion and Muncie waited on President Arthur W. Brady and General Manager H. A. Nichol, at Anderson. The committee was courteously received and the conference lasted more than an hour. The officials of the company maintained that nothing cat> be done at this time to relieve the situation, in the same terms, practically, as have been used since the beginning of the strike, on January 1.

HAS STRUCK GOLD Frank E.' Smith Extracts Two Dollars’ Worth from Pan of Sand \ ■ WILL INVESTIGATE Sand Was Taken from St. Marys River and Frank May Turn Miner K Frank E. Smith, the gunsmith, who is of an inventive turn of mind, and who is at all times making experiments for his own amusement and education, has discovered something that will undoubtedly make the citi- ; zens of Decatur sit up and take notice i and which in the end may make th? ; St. Marys river famous. A short I time ago while in need of sand to I make an experiment, Mr. Smith went to the river with a small pan which he scooped full of sand and returned to his shop, used what he needed and set the pan upon a shelf out of the way. Monday he again had cause to use this sand and he took the same from the. shelf and was surprised to see many little bright specks of yellow in the same. He then concluded to experiment in a mining way and in the end realized something like two i dollars worth of pure gold from this : pan of sand. Mr. Smith w’as more , than surprised at his experiment and went to the river again for the pur- ! pose of securing more sand and furthering his experiment, but the St. Marys was out of its banks and he was forced to postpone his experiment until a later date. He is confident that the sand in this river contains gold, and as soon as he is able will probe further into the matter. How much gold the sand contains he does not at this time care to state, but in his own mind is confident that it will pay a man to investigate and this is just what he expects to do.

DELAWARE SOLID FOR WATSON Delegates There Will Vote for Congressman Wats°n. Pressing the county nominating contests for first interest before the public wer e the scattering attempts to defeat the list of candidates for state delegates favorable to Congressman James E Watson. An effort was made at Albany and in few Center township precincts to carry the day for William L. Taylor and Charles W. Miller. other gubernatorial aspirants, but. though no exact figures were obtainable, the county central oemmittee’s headquarters at 2 o’clock this morning said that it could be safely stated that Watson will have a solid delegation of thirty from Deleware county on the floor of the Republican state convention at Indianapolis April 1 and 2. Enough data wer e secured by Chairman Hufford and his assistants, who i received the reports of the election at the former’s office in the courthouse. where he is representing the people as county recorder, to show that the Watson candidates had carried the day in every contest, many of them being selected without opposition—Muncie Star. —~ Burt Mischaud and son, of Van Buren, passed through the city enroute to Berne, where he will visit I his brother for a few days.

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday Evening February, Ip !VoB

POE BOY RAN AWAY Was Picked Up at Bluffton Half Dead from His Exposure HIS PITIFUL TALE Orphan Lad Ran Away from Home to Escape Whipping Threatened by Teacher Lester Johnson, a fourteen year old lad, whose home is at Williamsport, just across the north county line, ran away from hom e Monday, because his school teacher threatened to whip him. He arrived at Bluffton at midnight, clad only in light clothing and half dead from his exposure. He was picked up by a night policeman and given shelter at the street car barns and later was taken, to the jail. The Bluffton Banner said: The story of the little fellow’s short but sad life, as related by him to the sheriff and Mrs. Lipkey, was pitiful. His father, an aged man, had married a woman twice his junior, and their married life had never been happy. The former was frozen to death a few years ago and since then his mother had remarried and the sons by her former husband one of whom is not mentally bright, have been making their home with her and her second husband at Poe. From what can be learned from the boy his life has with his step-father and mother been anything but ahappy one, and the fear of a whipping at school seems to have been not the only thing that caused him to leave. The sheriff was unable to locate Gilbert. his uncle, this forenoon and Mrs. •Lipkey, unwilling to see the lad so scantily garbed, visited neighbors for donations to replenish the youngster's w'ardrobe. Mrs. W. I. Evans responded with an overcoat and he was soon warmly fitted out. He then went to seek his uncle and whether the latter will keep him here as the boy wishes or return him to Poe is not known. Late this afternoon Sheriff Lipkey received a call from the stepfather of the boy at Poe, who had learned of his presence in Bluffton, asking that the officer send the lad home. This will be done tomorrow.

CUT UP THE ROADS Is Charge in Affidavit Against One John Miller Filed Today OTHERS TO FOLLOW Hauled More Than Three Thousand Pounds When Roads Were Soft Upon affidavit filed by Jacob D. Hendricks, a case was filed before Squire James H. Smith this afternoon, charging John Baker, whose true Christian name is unknown to affiant, with unlawfully hauling a load of more than 3.000 pounds over a macadam road, on February 12th>, at a time when the roads were in a thawing condition and using a wqpgon on which the tires were less than four inches wide. Many people to forget that there is such a law and that it is the duty of the county commissioners to see that same is rigidly enforced. If such practices were permitted the reads built at so great a cost would be ruined each spring, causing a large outlay of cash for repairs. The penalty is a fine of from $5.00 to $25.00. About a dozen similar affidavits have been prepared by Prosecutor Henry B. Heller against various people and will be filed within a few days. When the spring thaw comes many people will save themselves trouble and expense by remembering that there is such a law as this one on the statute books. SPECIAL MASONIC MEETING. There will be a special meeting of the Masonic lodge this evening to complete arrangements for attending the funeral of William Pillars.

MAIL CARRIER BIGGS WINNER. Successful Contest in Word Contest Today. W. P. Biggs, the well known mail carrier, answer number nine, is the successful contestant for th® DailyDemocrat’s missing word offer today and we owe him a dollar. The correct answer was “old” from the Schafer Hardware store’s advertisement, “our" from the Decatur Cement Roof and Block company’s, “you" from W. G. Spencer’s. Today’s contest again extends to the rural route, a special prize being offered to the first correct answer filed by four o'clock tomorrow evening. Get busy. Only a few moro days in which you may earn a dollar with but little trouble and enjoy yourself while doing it. o COURT HOUSE NEWS Robert Durbin on Trial for Failure to Support His Child A LAW QUESTION Was Argued in the Case— Partition Cause Was Submitted Today x i The case of the State vs. Robert Durbin began before Judge Merryman and a jury this morning. Durbin lives in Monroe township. He was married here several years ago, afterward moving to Ohio. Nearly four years ago ha deserted his wife and child, and came back to Adams county. Last fall Mrs. Durbin returned and at the November grand jury Durbin was indicted for failure to support his child. After the jury was empanelled this morning Attorney Smith for the defendant asked that the case be dismissed because the plaintiff is not a resident here. Judge Merryman held that the wife's residence is where her husband lives and the trial proceeded. The penalty in such cases is either a jail or penitentiary sentence and a fine.

Josephine W. Smith, extr. of the Polly Steele estate, filed a petition for sale of real estate, summons ordered j returnable March sth. As stated in Tuesday's issue, when the evidence in the case of the State vs. Mrs. Williard Steele and Mrs. Mary E. Debolt was concluded at 3:15 yesterday afternoon, Prosecutor Heller, addressing the court, said that while he believed the witnesses had all been sincere, he also felt that a sufficient case had not been established and asked the court to instruct the jury to return a verdict for the defendants, which they did in a few moments. James Gilbert, vs. Norma P. Gilbert et al, partition suit, default of all defendants, finding that plaintiff is the owner of the undivided one-third of the real estate mentioned in the petition; real estate ordered sold and J. C. Sutton appointed commissioner, filing bond for $6,000. Sarah M. Spence vs. Alice L. Ray, admx., claim $25.00, assigned for trial to R. S. Peterson special judge. Peterson & Moran have filed a new case entitled William Geake vs. Fred Hoffman, suit on account, $l5O, appealed from Squire Stone's court. Joseph H. Voglewede, guardian of Elizabeth M. Gluting et al vs. John Gluting et al, partition, report of sale filed and sale confirmed; deed ordered, S6OO of purchase money paid, mortgage approved. o GILLETTE MUST GO TO CHAIR. Albany. N. Y„ Feb. 18. —The Court of Appeals today decided that Chester E. Gillette, of Cortland, must die in the electric chair for the murder of his sweetheart, Grace (or “Billy”) Brown, of South Otselie, Chenango county, at Big Moose Lake in Adirondacks, on July 11, 1906. The court affirmed the judgment of convictioif of murder in the first degree and the sentence of death, renderd at the extraordinary term of the supreme court in Herkimer county. Gillette formerly lived at Fort Wayne, Indiana.

OLD FASHIONED t Was the Drunken Fight at Monroeville—lnvestigation Started FOUR MEN FINED 1 Prosecutor is Looking Up Evidence Against the Ft. Wayne Wholesalers > A lively little celebration at Monroeville Saturday night in which booze and a free-for-all fight wer e features and a subsequent court of inquiry ap- , pointed to investigate the mixu? I brought to light yesterday the fact that agents for wholesale liquor houses in Fort Wayne are doing a land office business in dry districts in Al- ■ len county and that the agents are repeatedly violating the by selling liquor in quantities of leks than five gallons. As the result of the disclosures Prosecutor Albert E. Thomas stated last night that he will immediately proceed to camp on the trail of law violators of this character and that he will vigorously prosecute all such cases when information can be secured. “If these fellows wish to sell In quantities of less than five gallons they must secure a retailer’s license,’’ said Mr. Thomas, “and if they do not do so they have no right to sell in small quantities. I am anxious to secure information against these men and break up the practice.” “From the evidence obtained at the Monroeville (hearing Prosecutor Thom- ■ as is certain that the wholesalers are making a practice of going into the dry townships of the county and selling liquor in small quantities, and to break up the practice js the task to which he and his deputies have set ; themselves. At the conclusion of the Inquiry in Justice Jones’ court enough evidence . had been obtained to warrant the arrests of Louis Girardot, the proprie- . tor of the poo’ room in which the fight took place; Fred G. Hauss, David Taylor and Harry Taylor on charges of drunkenness. Each pleaded guilty to the charge and was assessed $1 and costs by Justice Jones. —Fort Wayne Journal Gazette.

WILL GIVE A SHOW Modern Wodmen Arranging for a Home Talent Performance ON FEBRUARY 28TH “Uncle Rube” to Be Given by a Local Cast—One Night Only The Modern Woodmen lodge which was instituted in Decatur on last April are perfecting all arrangments to put on a home talent show at the Bosse opera house on the 28th day of. this month. They have secured the services of Henry Thomas, and they will put on that old favorite that made such a decided hit last season, “Uncle Rube.” They are getting together a very strong cast and fully expect to put on the best production ever staged by a home talent company. True Fristoe will have charge of the musical end of the performance and this means something out of the ordinary and something that will meet with the approval of all. The Modern Woodmen are the youngest order in our city, being a fraternal and insurance organization and is composed of a number of o.ur leading business men. This will be their initial appearance before the public and they will no doubt be welcomed by a packed house. It has been definitely decided to put the show on but one night and in announcing this fact to the public they wish to say that, regardless of the sale or encouragement received from the public, they will put the play on but one night. A complete cast and program will be announced later.

THAW Wi|-L ASK FOR DIVORCE Wife Faithful Through Long Trial Will Be Defendant. New York, Feb. 18.—Harry K. Thaw is to take immediate steps either directly or through his family, to obtain a divorce from Evelyn Nesbit Thaw. This announcement was made on authority today, following the statement that young Mrs. Thaw was the unchaperoned guest Os E. R. Thomas, the well known financier, at dinner in the Case Boulevard last evening. Mrs. Thaw has discontinued her visits to her husband at Mattewan, and has said positively that she will not go there again. Her decision has been made known to her friends, and there is no longer any secrecy among the member of the Thaw family. PASSAGE IS SLATED Aldrich Bill May Pass Senate this Week or Next A BUILDING BILL Looks Like a Pork Barrel— Defects in Battleships to be Considered Washington, February 19. —The Aldrich currency bill will probably pass the senate the latter part of this week or the first of next if the present program is carried out. Its troubles will then begin. When it reaches the house it must be referred to the committee on banking and currency, of which Mr. Fowler is chairman, and unless sentiment in that committee undergoes a change the measure will have a hard time getting from the committee room to the floor of the house. It is now clear that the progress of the proposed legislation depends on the attitude of Speaker Cannon and his lieutenants. If they decide that the bill must be passed because it is the only currency legislation possible at this session their influence may possibly be potent enough to bring it out of committee and put it through.

Washington, February 19. —There may be a public building bill at this session of congress after all. The prospect is that the huge naval and fortification plans of the president will be rejected, and if they are, say the leaders of the house, a building bill is possible. The house is in revolt against the demand of the administration for enormous appropriations for the navy and for fortifications. It has taken the position that unless the president can submit specific information showing that these enormous appropriations are necessary at this time they will not be made. Washington. February 19. —Charges that there has been serious defects in the construction of battleships will be considered at a special meeting of the senate committee on naval affairs on February 25. This was decided at a brief session of the committee today. Jt is probable that Rear-Admiral Converse, retired, president of the board of construction, and Rear-Admiral Capps, chief of the bureau of construction and repair, who recently prepared exhaustive replies to the various criticisms made in magazine articles and elsewhere, will be call’d before the committee, ADMITTED TO HIGHER COURTS. Attorney J. C. Sutton, a Member of State a n d Federal Bars. Attorney Jesse C. Sutton arrived home last evening from a professional trip to Indianapolis, where he attended to legal business of an important nature. Incidentally while there Mr. Sutton was admitted as a member of the supreme court and federal bars. The well known lawyer passed the “exam” easily and Is now fully prepared to practice in any of the county. state or United States courts. o — Mrs. M. Shelton Smith was called to New York City last evening to the bedside of a very dear relative,, who is seriously ill.

Price Two Cen

FUNERAL SERVICES Remains of William Pillars Will Arrive Here Thursday Noon STORY OF HIS LIFE Was One of the Pioneers Here—His Army Record Proved His Courage ■ ■ William Pillars, who died Tuesday morning at ten o’clock at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Jesse Buhler, at Marion, Indiana after an illness of a years’ duration, was born in Root township, Adams county, on the 14th day of January, 1843, making his age sixty-five years His parents we-e Benjamin and Nancy Pillars, now deceased. He was reared to manhood on a farm and received his early education in the public schools of Adams county, ar.d always ranked among the foremost in his studies. In December of the year 1863 during the civil war he enlisted in Company C, Eleventh Indiana Volunteer cavalry, and was appointed commissary ser geant of his company and was later appointed to the office of first sergeant. On June 1. 1865, he was commissioned a second lieutenant of his company, and on the 19th day of September was mustered out of the service with honor to himself. During his life as a soldier he experienced many hardships. His regiment was assigned to the army of the Tennessee and later to General Wilson’s cavalry corps, and during this time they did their share of the fighting, especially was this true when General Thomas and General Hood made their race for Nashville, Tenn. On December 15 and 16, 1864,, the Eleventh Indiana were in the front of battle and when General Hood’s army was defeated the regiment with the rest of the division followed him and his army to Gravelly Springs. Alabami. After the surrender of General Lee’s army the Eleventh Indiana cavalry was sent to Rollo, Missouri, and from there to Kansas, doing government duty until mustered out of the service in September. 1865. After the war Mr. Pillars returned to Adams county and in a short time entered

into the milling business being associated with Robert Patterson, this partnership existing until a few years ago when they disposed of theiplant to Charles Heckman. Mr. Pillars for several years after his retirement from actual business, assisted at the mill, but a year ago was fore’! to cease work owing to 111 health. About six months ago his wife departed this life and this seemed to agravate his illness, as he brooded continually over the same. A few months ago his daughter was unite! in marriage to eJsse Buhler and this practically broke up his home, and he concluded to go south into Arkansas and make his home with his son. Mlles Pillars. He gained strength upon arriving in the south, but soon commenced to brood again and his decline was rapid. Four weeks ago he .-ci. lined to Indiana, taking up his > esidt nee with his daughter at Marion, where he Tesidied until death claimed’ him Tuesday morning after months of suffering with tuberculosis. The remains will arrive in Decatur Thursday noon via the Clover Leaf, and will be taken to the residence of Dr. J. S. Coverdale on south Third street, where the same will lie in state until two o’clock, when the funeral cortege will proceed to the Methodist church, where the services will be conducted by Rev. C. B. Wilcox. Interment will be made in the Decatur cemetery. —o STpOD THE OPERATION WELL. Miss Lena Miller Will be Able to Return Home Soo”. Miss Lena Miller, a well known young lady formerly employed at Niblick & Co.’s store, was operated on yesterday at the Fort Wayne hospital, by Dr. McOscar. who removed several tumors from her face. Word from there today says she stood the ordeal well, and is resting as easily as could be expected. The physician says she will probably be able to return home in about a week.