Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 6, Number 45, Decatur, Adams County, 21 February 1908 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume VI. Number 45

A GRAVE CHARGE Nate Haley, Accused of Kidnapping Anna Blazer, His Sweetheart LEFT yesterday Young Couple Will Probably Marry—Girl’s Mother Wants to Stop It A sensational affidavit was filed this morning in Mayors Coffee’s court against Nathan Haley by Prosecutor Henry B. Heller, charging him with the heinous onense of kidnapping. The affidavit was signed by Mrs. Rosie Blazer, the mother of the girl, who alleges that Haley unlawfully, feloniously, forcibly, fraudulently and by means of false statements and promises did carry off and decoy her daughter, Miss Anna Blazer, whose tnie age is but sixteen years. It seems from what can be learned from reliable sources that Haley and the Blazer girl had been going together for some time, and that Haley was very desirous of making the girl his wife. To this Mrs. Blazer objected, saying her daughter was too. young and told the couple to wait a few years longer. A few evenings ago Miss Blazer left home saying she expected to spend the night with Mrs. Chris Amstutz, and as she did not return home the next day or the next Mrs. Blazer asked the police to assist her in locating her daughter. The police went to the Amstutz home and were informed that Miss Blazer had not been there at all. Mrs. Blazer then commenced to inquire around various places and last evening received the information that Haley and her daughter had left Decatur Thursday afternoon, north bound, for parts unknown. Mrs. Blazer is confident that Haley, by undue influence, enticed her daughter from home and in the eyes of the law is a kidnapper, and she wants him apprehended and punished to the fullest extent of the law. She further stated that her daughter was an innocent little girl who hardly knew right from wrong, and she censures Haley for the entire proceedings. The police are making , an effort to locate the couple and may ; succeed in breaking up Haley's plans of making Miss Blazer his lawful wife. I It is impossible for the young couple | to secure a license in this state, and | it is possible that they have gone west as Haley has been talking considerable about California during the past (Continued on page 2.) ANOTHER HOLIDAY Washington’s Birthday to Be Observed Legally in Decatur BANKS WILL CLOSE Also the Postoffice—No Mail Deliveries Either City or Rural Tomorrow is Washingtons birthday, the 176th anniversary of the birth of America’s greatest leader. The event is a national holiday and will be so observed from Maine to California and from the great lakes to the gulf. Coming on Saturday such a holiday always works more or less of a hardship, but the Law provides for no exceptions. It has besn definitely decided here that both the First National and the Old Adams County banks will be closed during the day, rather an inconvenience to the business men and farmers, but still the. only safe thing to do under the •" H. > The postoffice will also' be closed, excepting from 8 to 9 o’clock a. m. However some of the clerks will remain there during the day for the accommodation of the public. No deliveries of mail, either city or rural, will be made. So govern yourself accordingly. < The law also makes necessary the closing of the saloons. Washington day was appropriately observed today in the various schools of this city.

SPECIAL SERVICES ON SUNDAY Washington and Lincoln Days to be Observed at M. E. Church. Next Sunday morning at th® M. E. church the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln will he celebrated in an appropriate manner. For this occasion D. E. Smith will give a talk on the life and works of Lincoln, while D. N. Erwin will take for his subject the life and works of Washington. It is but right that the people of America should assemble to refresh their minds of the noble deeds of Washington and Lincoln have done. Aside from the talks, an excellent musical program will be rendered including selections by the ladies’ quartet, composed of Mesdames J. W. Vail, C. L. Walters, C. B. Wilcox and J. B. Rice. This memorial service will be held at 9:15 the usual time for Sunday school. WELL'KNOWNLADY Mrs. Anna Stauffer, Formerly of Berne. Dies at Fort Wayne A FINE CHARACTER Was Oldest Member of the Mennonite Church in the State

Mrs. Anna Stauffer, the oldest member of the Mennonite church in Indiana, and a woman of the most beau tiful character, died at the home of her daughter. Mrs. Emil Erhart, on Thursday afternoon at the age of eighty-five years. Death was caused by heart failure, and’ the aged woman had been ill but a few hours. Mrs. Stauffer was born in Switzerland and came to America with her parents when she was two years of age. They settled in Wayne county. . Ohio, where the child was reared until her early girlhood, when the family moved to Adams county, Indiana. Before she was out of her teens the young girl was married to Mr. Stauffer in Adams county and shortly afterward they came to Berne, Ind., where her husband died twenty-one years ago. A year ago Mr. Erhart. son-in-law of the decedent, and president of the Globe Printing company, removed his family from Berne to this city and brought Mrs| Stauffer with them. Mrs. Stauffer was always a Mennonite and was the oldest member of that church in Indiana. She was never seriously ill a day in her life until Thursday afternoon and a few minutes before her death was conversing with her son-in-law and a visitor from Berne. As she was bidding the visitor good-bye she suddenly threw up her hands and uttered a cry, falling back upon her pillow dead. She was a lovely character and would talk of olden times to her visitors by the hour. Her greatest delight, perhaps, was to tell to the young some of the things which had happened in her long residence in the state and how she had seen this part, of the state grow from a wilderness into towns, cities and beautiful places. Surviving are her four daughters and two sons as follows Mrs. Emil Erhart. df this city; Mrs. Peter Stuckey, Mrs. Joseph Stuckey and Mrs. William Wittmer, of Berne; S. W. Stauffer, of Plevna, Kan., and Amos Stauffer, of Geneva, Ind. Forty-one grandchildren and sixteen greatgrandchildren also survive. The remains will be shipped to Berne on Saturday and the funeral services will be held at that place Sunday morning at 9 o’clock. —Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette. ■ o Alleging that a combination of cigarettes and liquor has transformed her husband from an agreeable companion to one with whom it is impossibe to live, Mrs. Mamie B. West has filed suit at Huntington asking for a divorce from David R. West. Henry Hite, who had the tune to fall down stairs Wednesday evening, is reported as being some better today and this morning was able to come down stairs and sit up. He is very lame and stiff, but it is thought that with a little rest he will i soon be himself again. I

ANNUAL ROLL CALL: — Knights of Pythias and Their Friends Enjoyed Delightful Evening PROGRAM WAS GOOD Songs, Lectures, Talks and Orchestra Music Followed by Banquet The Knights of Pythias, Kekoenga 1 No. 65, of Decatur, held their annual roll call last evening at their hall. Over two hundred guests responded to the written invitations which were issued to the members and their wives and the Pythian Sisters. As each entered the hall a large reception committee was there to extend the welcoming hand, making every one feel perfectly at. home. Mr. Clyde Rice was the presiding officer of the evening. He called the audience to order by announcing the first number of the program, a duet rendered by the Misses Vera Hower and Nellie Nichols, followed by a selection by the high school orchestra. It must be said there was no one who did not fully appreciate our Decatur boys and there is no doubt that in the near future Decatur will be number one along this line. Next came the opening address by Rev. C. B. Wilcox. This was cleverly given as he opened the address by amusing the guests by several funny remarks and closing with several remarks on man which were very instructive. The fourth number was a solo by the K. of P. quartet, composed of the following men: Messrs. W. B. Johnson, Wesley Hoffman, Harvey Lee and C. Forman. One speech which caused amusement was the stump speech given by Don Burke, who certainly will some day make a splendid politician. Claude and Tena McKean favored all with a vocal duet, and were encored and responded with “I Would Rather Waltz, Bill.” Next came an address on “The Absent,” by D. N. Erwin, who spoke on Friendship, Love and Char* ity. He spoke of each absent member, although they had departed, they were present, as their spirits still lingered among them. He, also, stated there had been no deaths of the K. of P. order during the past year.' An instrumental duet was rendered by Donald and Kenneth Vancil. The third talk was to be given by A. Van Camp, on Charity, but he said he thought it would be an act or charity not to take up the few minutes which were allowed him and let the program continue. He did. address a few remarks to the young men. who were not Knights of Pythias. “If I Only Had a Home. Sweet Home” was the title of the selection so sweetly sung by Miss Mary Erwin, followed by the roll call, by J. A. Parrish, who was the secretary. Nearly all of the members responded except those who are far away. Dore B. Erwin told the story of Daman and Pythias, as the views were brought before the audience. How Pythias was ready to give his life for Daman. This showed that a man’s word was more to him than his life, because if Daman had not returned at the stated time, Pythias was ready to give his life as he had promised, but Damon did return in time and this melted the king’s heart so that he pardoned botjh mien. This was and is the foundation of the Knights of Pythias order. They -also showed the pictures of the four charter members who are the oldest K. of P.’s of the Decatur lodge. They are Godfrey Christen, Fred Schafer, C. T. Dorwin and A. R. Bell. The closing number of the evening was another selectidh by the high school orchestra. After this number the committee, Clyde Rice, W. B. Johnson, Sam Shamp. Fred Mills, R. K. Erwin and Walter Johnson, of Monroe and Luther Hower, served a sumptuous banquet in two courses. There were many out-of-town guests present and all voted th K. of P. members royal entertainers.

Elizabeth Magyer has filed suit at Angola against Andrew Coy and his sureties, demanding damages in the sum of SIO,OOO. The woman is the widow of a Hungarian who was murdered at Pleasant Lake in June last, and she alleges that her husband w r as killed by his assailant while the latter was intoxicated by liquor sold him Iby Coy, who operated a saloon at I Pleasant Lake. I

Decatur, Indiana, Friday Evening February. 21 NoB.

THREE DOLLARS IN CONTEST. Very poor guessers again. No one had the correct answer in the missing word contest. There were four words out and we won’t tell you what they were for they are so easy and some of these words are again left out today, one of them being in an advertisement changed Wednesday and which has not been guessed yet and it's so easy, we don't mind telling you it’s in the Winnes ad. Now, see what you can do. Three dollars goes for today’s contest, and it’s worth your efforts. Get busy. Two other words out last evening are out again in this issue so put on your glasses. You have to find them if you get the money. Some one is going to be made happy if three dollars will do it and it makes no difference to us. just so its on the square, The contest has proven of great interest and a benefit to the advertisers.

CASE IS SETTLED Appellate Court Affirms Decision of Lower Court in King Case $2,000 IN DAMAGES Must Be Paid to Estate of Plaintiff for False Imprisonment That the railroad companies must use the proper discretion in the accusation and arrest of parties for assumed offenses Identically the same as any other corporation or individual is found to be true from a decision recently rendered in the case entitled Jesse King vs. G. R. & I. railroad company in which a jury in the Adams circuit court gave the plaintiff $2,000 J damages tor talse Imprisonment. The case was appealed to the appellate court and the news was received here this morning to the effect that the decision of the lower court is affirmed. There is no recourse for the railroad company other than to pay the amount to the estate of Mr. King, who died J about six months after the proceedings had begun. It will be remembered that during the year 1905 George Crim, agent at the Portland depot reported a shortage of money and made the fact known to a railroad detective who immediately arrested King on suspicion. He was placed in jail after being badly beaten by the detective and the detective returned to the station, whereupon he ascertained by checking up the money that there was no shortage whatever. King was immediately released from custody but this did not alleviate the liabilities of the company as is evidenced by the result of the proceedings. Moran and Smith of Portland and Peterson and Moran, of this city, repesented the plaintiff.’ The action of the appellate court is popular among all who know of the circumstances and it may serve to constrain under estimated actions of the star detectives who may be seeking notoriety, for their bravery. Mr. King formerly lived in this county and was a brother of Mrs. Henry Thomas and Mrs. Charles Helm of this city. o “AN IDYL OF OLD VERMONT” Modern Woodmen Select Favorite Musical Comedy Friday, Feb. 28th at the Bosse opera house the Modern Woodmen will present “Uncle Rube, an Idyl of Old Vermont,” a musical rural comedy in four acts with a chbrus of twenty voices selected from the best voices to be obtained in the city. The play itself is a comedy that is full of laugh, snap and go and one that will make a man so happy that he will even love his mother-in-law. No funnier character than Uncle Reuben Rodney has ever been given to the stage, and if you fail to hear “Bubb Green” sing his song “I read it in a Book” you will have overlooked the one best bet to laugh and grow fat. The musical numbers throughout are bright and clever and the chorus formation all new as the management hav e some new stunts up their sleeves that w-ill make you sit up and take notice. Your “Uncle Rube” will be at the opera house one night only. Admission 25c. Remember the date, i Friday, Feb. 28th.

BACHELOR MAIDS Held One of Their Regular Happy Sessions Last Evening SLEIGHING PARTIES Are Again in Order—Pocahontas Entertained—Other Society Events -Miss Bertha Deininger proved to be a very pleasant hostess last evening at the regular weekly meeting of the Bachelor Maids at her home, on Madison street. Euchre was the chief game. The highest scores were won by the Misses Rose Conter and Mayme Terveer, while second highest scores w<>re captured by the Misses Mayme Conter and Gertrude Radamacker. Irnniediately following the giving of the prizes, the tables were cleared and a delicious two course luncheon was served the members who were present. They were the Misses Mayme Terveer, Rose Conter, Mayme Conter, Clara Terveer. Bert Vogewede, Dude Voglewede, Gertrude Radamaqker, Ada Deininger. Last evening the members of the Pocahontas lodge entertained their friends at their hall. A program of readings, recitations and instrumental and vocal solos proved to be the means of entertaining the guests. One number was reading rendered by Miss Merle Burdg. This was appreciated to the fullest extent. After which a luncheon of two courses were served. A large number attended and each one reported it to be the best entertainment of this year. The sleigh bells furnished the delightful music last evening as two sled parties approached the country home of Mr. and Mrs. John Schurger, west of the city. The party spent the evening in a pleasant manner by dancing to the strains of music rendered by the Messrs. Will Keubler and Fred Schurger. During the hours Miss Tena Schurger surprised the guests numbering forty by serving an elegant luncheon.

A sled load of young people from near Craigville gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Schlickman on Fourth street. The evening was spent in music and games after which luncheon was served the guests, who were so delightfully entertained. They were Misses Ethel Shady. Della Fratthiger. Nitta JFrauhiger, Minnie Shady, Lola Longenberger, Maggie Longenberger, Amelia Goldner, Bertha Shady, Messrs. Arta Shady, Dallas Goldner. Clem Youger. Eli Goldner. Oscar Shady. Goldner. The Pastime club met with Miss Clara Lange last evening and spent the evening playing hearts. Miss Louise Holbrock captured first prize while Miss Jessie McLean won second. After which a delicious three course luncheon was served by the hostess. Another sleighing party of last®evening which was very jolly was the one given by company of Decatur people at the home of Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Berry, of Peterson -An, old fashioned taffy pulling was the chief amusement. The guests were Mr. and Mrs. John Bright, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Mulcahey, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Snyder, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Gaffer. Mrs. Dallas Hower, Miss Nellie and lona Stalter, Mrs. M. J. Butler, Mrs. Charles Cusac. Last Sunday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Schoppmann occurred a farewell party in honor of their nephew. Will Koopman, of Kansas, who left for his home Friday morning. Relatives came from Fort Wayne and were entertained at a six o’clock dinner. The evening was pleasantly spent in playing games until a late hour when an elaborate four course luncheon was served. o Rev. Condo will delivere a second lecture at Salem church Sunday afternoon at 2:30 sun time. This lecture will be equal to the one given and promises even better. Come and hear him. The condition of William Rinehart is unchanged and he remains practically the same. Unless he gets relief in a very few days an. operation will be performed and the seat of all trouble removed.

THEY WANT THE STATISTICS. Rural Route Carriers Asked to Furnish Road Statistics. Rural carriers have been called upon by the department to furnish statistics concerning the roads their routes traverse and they are busy getting the information, some of which is almost inaccessible to them. The blanks they are required to fill out ask the number of miles of private and public roads on their routes, the condition of the roads, the condition of the bridges, whether the weeds along the roads are cut, whether a grader is used.whether the road officials are prompt in attending to their duties, how much money has been spent on the maintenance of the roads sicee the route was established, the name of the road officials, what improvements are contemplated and whether the farm values have Increased since the establishment of the route.

HAVE GIVEN IT UP Eastern Democrats Abandon Hope of Defeating Bryan MAKING CONCESSIONS Senator Aldrich Working for the Passage of His Currency Bill Washington, February 21. —The eastern Democrats who have been planning for several months to bring out a candidate for the Democratic nomination who would have strength enough to hold more than one-third of the convention away from William J. Bryan, have about abandoned all hope of being able to accomplish anything. They pinned their faith on Governor John Johnson, of Minnesota, and Johnson, they now learn, is not available. Johnson had the presidential bee, and his friends say he may have it yet, but. say these same friends, there never was a time when he thought seriously of permitting himself to be made the candidate of the so-called Parker Democrats of the east. Ke was hopeful that Bryan would make way for him; he wanted the support of the eastern crowd In case the Nebraskan did get out of the race, but he realized from the start that his only hope of receiving the nomination of his party at Denver layin the possibility that Bryan would, at some stage of the game say: “I do not want the nomination. 1 am for Johnson, and I want all my friends to b.e for him.” Persons who have talked with the Minnesota governor r cently say he now realizes that Bryan intends to stick, and that being the case, he is absolutely out of it. Washington, February 21. —Concessions in the interest of the public are promised by Senator Aldrich, if an agreement can be reached to insure the early passage of his emergency currency bill. So many defects in the measure have already been pointed out, so rapidly increasing is the public sentiment against it. that Its supporters have been forced to realize that its passage in its present form is almost impossible. After a speech by Senator Johnston,of Alabama, insisting that the banks should hold their own reserves, Senator Aldrich crossed to the Democratic side and informed Mr. Johnston that he would accept a modification of the bill if it was agreed that a part of the reserves should be Invested in securities of such character that they might be used as a basis for emergency currency. Washington. February 21. —The president’s letter to the interstate commerce commission forewarning it what he will expect it to do in case the railroads of the country attempt to reduce wages is attracting wide attention. Railroad attorneys who are here say that so far as they know there is no concerted movement on the part of the roads to cut wages. Each road, it is asserted, will act. if it acts at all, on the bisls of its own necessities. Regular reports to the interstate commerce commission under the rate law bring in monthly the figures showing just what the roads are doing in a business way. Officially the commission knows that December reports showed a great falling off in business. Unofficially it knows that business did not improve during January and February.

Price T<?o CiutS

PROGRESS OF WORK On a State Institution Due Largely to Work of Adams County Man MR. HALE, OF GENEVA Some Interesting Facts from Interview with the Board’s President It is Indeed gratifying to know that our new state epileptic institution at Newcastle, although in its infancy, already gives promise of being one of the foremost of its nature tn the state, and the people of Adams county take pride in attributing the success so far largely to the ceaseless work of Hon. S. W. Hale, of Geneva, the president of the board of managers. Having served as a member of the board of the East Haven Asylum at Richmond for more than twelve years, Mr. Hale acquired knowledge relative to the management of same that makes him a valuable man to supervise the work of our new institution and he has efficiently discharged the duties characteristic to his office, responsive to which much progress has been made. It will be remembered that the last legislature appropriated the sum of $75,000 for the construction of new buildings on the 1,240 acre tract of land and with this sufficient room to accommodate one hundred and ten patients must be furnished. A few buildings have been erected and about thirty patients already enjoy the hospitality and treatment at the institution. At present there is no laundry nor administration building, although it is thought that same will be built in the near future. Some time during next month contracts will be let for the construction of two new buildings. Ther© are but seven institutions of this kind in the United States, located in following states: Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts. Texas and Kansas. Mr. Hale has visited the most of these and has gathered many useful ideas. At the present time he is engaged in visiting different counties in the state for the purpose of finding patients who can be cured. None but curable patients will be admitted and none who are violent or dangerous. All Indiana is interested in the welfare of the Newcastle Epileptic institution and many are willing to lend their assistance to make it the best in the country. THECASESAREMILD Epidemic of Smallpox in West Part of French Township AND WELLS COUNTY No Fatalities and Health Officers Will Soon Stamp It Out An epidemic of smallpox has been reported from the west portion of French township in this county and the east part of Wells county. Dr. J. M Miller, secretary of the county board of health has taken the matter up and a strict quarantine will be enforced at homes where the disease is located and where exposed parties live. It seems that a man named Kipper visited relatives in Ohio some time ago and brought the disease home with him. Already a number have had it and recovered and many were exposed before they knew of the trouble. The cases are all mild and greatly resemble chicken pox. Dr. Severin, of Bluffton, and Dr. Miller of this city will use every effort to stamp the disease out at once. There was a time when the report of smallpox created the greatest alarm, but the disease is at the present time treated so successfully that 1>" e is thought of it and no alarm is caus bv a smallpox report. It is cons - erad of a less serious nature than ordinary fever.