Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 6, Number 60, Decatur, Adams County, 10 March 1908 — Page 1

DEC AT IT R 1) A] LY DEMOCRAT.

Volume VI. Number 60

IMPEACHMENTCASE Plaintiff Concludes Evidence this Afternoon—Will Go to Jury Tomorrow EVIDENCE TO NOON Various Citizens Testify Regarding the Charges Against Mayor Coffee Portland, March 10. (Special)—The prosecution in the Coffee impeachment case will conclude its evidence this afternoon and the case will go to the jury some time Wednesday afternoon. The plaintiff is represented by L. C. DeVoss, C. J. Lutz and S. A. D. Whipple, of Portland and the defense by D. D. Heller, Peterson & Moran and R. H. Hartford, of Portland. Squire James H. Smith was the first witness called this morning. He identified the records showing that Mayor Coffee plead guilty. He also testified that in August, 1907, he saw Coffee intoxicated and heard him use abusive language to Ed Irvin when many people were passing. George Worden said that in August, 1906 he saw Coffee intoxicated on th e street, saw him come out of Ostemeyer’s saloon and saw Fred Bohnke put him in a buggy and start to the country. On cross examination he said he had trouble with Coffee 26 years ago and had often been fined in Mayor Coffee’s court. Ed Bultemeier said he saw Coffee go in the Ostemeyer saloon, but could not swear whether he was drunk or sober. Dick Boyd saw Coffee intoxicated on Wednesday of fair week and heard him abuse Irvin. Charles Christen said he attended council regularly, had heard Coffee use boisterous and abusive language toward the members, and that he had threatened to throw him (Christen) from the council room. In his opinion the mayor at such times was either under the influence of liquor or drugs. On cross examination he explained what caused Mayor Coffee to use such language as he did. L. A. Graham said he had seen Coffee go into the Nickle Plate saloon several times a day and told of three times he had passed him on the street when the mayor staggered. (Continued on page 2.) DIRECTORS BOARD Great Northern Fair Association Met Today and Re-Organized GOOD RACES ASSURED Secretaries of Other Counties Met Here Today to Form Racing Circuit The Great Northern ikjr association met at the library today and reorganized, a amount of new stock having been subscribed for to ■ assure the success of same. The new' ■board of directors as chosen includled John D. Nidlinger, C. D. Kunkle, ■Simeon Bowers, A. A. Butler, Charles B - Niblick, J. W. Broadbeck. M. A. ■Ripley, Rudolph Schug, John P. Stein- ■ er - S. Pontius, William Farlow. George ■Brewster, A. J. Smith, George Tricker ■and Thos. h. Baltzell. ; I In connection with the association Btneeting Secretaries Vining, of Celina, ■Walborn of Van Wert, Jackson, of ■■Paulding, and Meyers of Fort Wayne. ■®et with Secretary C. D. Kunkle of ■this city to confer regarding a better ■ speed program for each place this ■season. They will offer some big ■stake purses and will assist each other ■ ' ,L an effort to secure race horses for ■ thls entire circuit. Without doubt this ■dear’s raceg wiu be the best cv er ■ given her* ; ■ H. Martz, of Monroe, passed ■ * r °ugh the city enroute to Liberty ■ ’tnter to visit with his daughter who ■ llT es there.

going after m. e. conference Bluffton Organizes in Effort to Land 1909 Meeting. Bluffton. Ind., March 9. —At a regular meeting today of the Bluffton Ministerial association, composed of all of the Protestant ministers of the city, it was unanimously voted to extend an invitation to the North Indiana M. E. conference, in session in Anderson in April, to hold the annual conference in Bluffton in 1909. This invitation of the Bluffton Ministerial association will be extended to the North Indiana conference through the Rev. J. K. Cecil, pastor of the Bluffton First M. E. church, and is expected to be a strong argument in favor of this city as showing the perfect harmony in which all of the Bluffton pastors will work for the | good of the conference. In addition to Bluffton, Fort Wayne is the only city that is thus far mak- 1 ing a special effort to land the M. E. t conference next year. Both of these cities have appointed active working committees which are hard at work after the, big gathering. Bluffton handled the conference once, fifteen years ago, in a highly satisfactory manner and is today much better equipped than at that time to take care of the conference. o A FAREWELL PARTY I Given by the Pythian Sisters Last Evening for Mrs. R. K. Erwin and Daughter ADOPT RESOLUTIONS Showing Their Regret in Losing the Assistance of Two Valuable Members I “Farewell! a word that must be, and has been; A sound which makes us linger—yet —farewell-’’ Such was the delightful surprise party given by the members of the Pythian Sisters to Mrs. R. K. Erwin and daughter, Miss Mabel, to express the great regret of them leaving Decatur to go elsewhere to make their future home. After the opening and closing of the business session, the members adopted the following resolutions, which were read by Mrs. O. L. Vance, and were ordered to be spread of record: Eureka Temple No. 39, Pythian Sisters are about to lose one of its most; diligent and faithful workers by the removal of Sister Ella Erwin and family from this place. Sister Ella has been a true Pythian sister, at all times practicing our motto “Purity, Love, Equality and Fidelity,” and by so doing has been an inspiration to j others of the order, to live nearer its , teachings; Therefore, B e it Resolved, That although we are sorry to lose Sister Erwin from our regular meeting, sorry to lose the help so freely given in all temple work, we send with her our love and best wishes for the happiness and prosperity of herself and family. And we present to her a small token of our love. And whenever she sees this little present she can think of Eureka Temple and know that every’ sister is sorry for her to leave Decatur .and will give her a warm welcome any time she can make it convenient to come and meet with us. Be it further resolved. That to Sister Mabel we extend our love and best wishes for her future happiness, and although all lives must contain some shadows, may her life be a lone life few shadows and abundant sunshine. After the resolutions were read, Mrs. Florence Bain gave a pleasing talk on the organization of the order which was seventeen years ago. She also mentioned the fact there were 1 only two charter members in the hal, . who were Mrs. Al Burdg and herself. Then she made mention of the fact ■ that last evening also was Sister Nora • Linn’s 38th birthday anniversary. Im- ■ mediately following a delicious two i course luncheon was served Dunng • the evening- the order presented Mra . r K Erwin with a cold meat fork ' with her initials beautifully engraved ; thereon and to Miss Mabel they gave , a hand painted fruit plate. After the , social hour.

HAS GREAT FUTURE The Ward Fence Company Doing a Large Volume of Business USE GAS ENGINES In Their New Plant— They Will Furnish Their Own Light The progressiveness of Ward Fence ! Co. is attracting attention not only in this locality but over the entire country. Their ornamental fence and patent gates are pronounced more up to date and durable than is manufactured by any other concern, hence they are but reaping the harvest from a well sown field. No expense has been spared by this mammoth concern to make their output of the very latest , design and best material, and it is , not surprising that there is a large demand for it in the various states of the Union as well as in foreign countries. The enterprising citizens of Decatur are cojping to realize more , each day what a valuable acquisition this concern is to the business interests of our city and ere the first day of May approaches a more material evidence will be manifest in the way of modern buildings, equipments, etc. The management has contracted with the National Meter company, of New York for the installation of a forty horse power gas engine and a producer. They will furnish their own lights and we may add here that there’s will be one of the most up to date power plants in the state of Indiana. The contractor who secured i the contract for the construction of I the foundation will begin work this week. The buildings proper will be completed by May first. Messrs. Brackett and Ward are much encouraged over their business of this year as they did twice as much business in the month of February this year than last. No doubt many people will be surprised to learn that this institution has expended $474.91 during the months of January and February for stamps alone. One day last week they received thirteen orders from a single firm in Illinois. The Ward Fence company is represented in every state of the Union. These (Continued on page 2.) o AGAINST GRAVES Committee of Lawyers Recommends His Disbarment CHARGES ARE PROVEN Graves Failed to Deal Squarely With His Clients Speaking of the case of John C Graves, the Warsaw attorney who prosecuted civil suits hene against ex-trustees without success, the Warsaw Times says: “In the Kosciusko county court the committee appointed from the bar association to investigate the charges made against Attorney John C. Graves, made a report to the association, substantiating the charges made against the Warsaw attorney The report of the committee was in the nature of a complaint and made five charges against Graves. Three of the charges were that he had failed to deal squarely and lawfully with the Arbuckle-Ryan company and two that he had not acted as an attorney should act when he made a settlement between former township trustee T. C. Holloway and the Wayne township advisory board a few years ago. The committee recommended that Graves be disbarred from practice in all Indiana courts. No action has been taken on the report of the committee, but disbarment proceedings will doubtless follow.

Decatur, Indiana, Tuesday Evening March, IO 1908.

; BIG DITCH PETITION FILED. Affects Over Two Hu n dred Property Owners. Attorneys Peterson & Moran this afternoon filed the largest ditch petition in circuit court ever put on record in Adams county. It effects the property of two hundred and fourteen freeholders and is entitled Albert Wai- , ter et al, petition for a drain. The * ditch benefits lands in French and Kirkland and Monroe township and also in Wells county. The proposed . ditch begins at the northwest corner Peter Steffens farm in French township and terminates in an open ditch in section seven of Monroe township, with a branch tile ditch. The petitioners claim the drain is necessary to the health and welfare of th e people of ' the community and there are thirtyl two signers, five of whom reside in . Wells county. The petition will be docketed as a cause on April 8, 1908. > POLITICS IS RIPE I , Delegates Selected and to Be Selected to the Many Conventions J 1 J WATSON IN THE LEAD 1 t Cromer is Still a Man of Great Mystery—Delaware ( County Democrats r The Democrats of Adams county ( have selected their delegates for the state, congressional and joint sena- > tofial conventions, and are now ready ■ to vote for the best men and the best I Democrats. I ______ i The Adams county Republicans will select delegates to their state and congressional conventions on Satur- . day, March 21st. For this purpose , they will meet in mass convention at . the court room. At that time they will nominate a candidate for trus- ( tee of Washington township. William Jennings Bryan will make every effort to attend the annual i spring term banquet of the Jackson ! club of Indiana university, according to a letter he has written to Paul G. Davis, president of the club. It is too early to make a definite promise, Mr. Bryan says, but if he can do so ho will 1 arrange his engagements so he can | be in Blomington at that time. John O. Behymer. editor of the Tipton Times, Dell Crampton, of the Delphi Citizen-Times, wants to go to the Democratic national convention at Denver as one of the delegates from the Ninth district. William P. O'Neill, at one time a newspaper editor, but at present cityattorney of Mishawaka, Indiana, has a hankering to be the Democratic candidate for lieutenant,governor. He is booming his boom at a merry clip, and at present is much in evidence. It Is still Watson against the field in the for the Republican nomination for governor. He still has a long lead, although his opponents ar<> making some extravagant claims. This is part of the game, however, but disinterested observers can see nothing but a Watson victory, and that before many ballots are taken. George W. Cromer still has all the boys guessing as to what he has up his sleeve. They have just complaint too, and say that he ought to fight fair, and if he is a candidate, say so. Anyone can rubber neck in the brush, but it is little glory he can achieve, unless he plays the game like a good Indian should. Come out of It, George, and show the boys that you are not looking for the long price for that support which is yours by admission. Delaware county Democrats are getting gay by claiming that they have every reason to believe and do believe that they will ,tay claim to some Democratic county offices after the November election. As the usual Republican majority is something like five thousand, no resignations from the Republican ticket is likely. However, the nerve of those Delaware county Democrats Is good to look at. s

THE SECOND SHOW “The Diamond Robbery” Company Was Staged at the Bosse Last Night FAIR SIZE AUDIENCE Witnessed the Blood Curdling Climaxes With Interest The “Diamond • Robbery” show troupe entertained a fair sized audience at the Bosse opera house last night by a succession of blood curdling occurrences that caused the awe stricken auditors to sit up and take notice It seems that the author has ' left nothing undone that would tend to furnish sensationallty throughout the play, else the characters strained their roles unmercifully. At any rate as best they could, the members of the cast portrayed the incidents characteristic to the stealing of diamonds, with a bit of humor intermingled and the applause could be heard for squares. In the usual mild manner the first act passed into oblivion with but as oundation carefully laid for the hair raising climaxes that were to follow and after arranging the stage paraphernalia so as to represent a saloon with Dent W. Spencer as its owner, the play proper ensued. To add to the weird and melancholy side of the play, Charles W. Hendricks appeared with a role that could well be termed the heavy part as the usual stage vanity and terrible struggle seemed to define his lines. It was a mixture of amateurs and professionals, all of whom had stage presence and look good for higher attainments. Ellis Countz again worked over time on the specialty stunt for which he seems most adept. The Jacob’s Stock company people did well, especially Dutcher, who sprung many jokes that wer e really new. At the close of the last act, perhaps the most interesting stunt of the evening was pulled off when a little red. short ear pig was lottered off, with the lucky number in possession of Harry Smith. However, before he could claim his property he was compelled to climb on the stage and catch it. The gait he ran would cause Royal Duke to turn his head in shame and he easily captured the animal. Thus the second of the series closed with nothing but bouquets for the actors and actresses. — o TAKE TAFT OR ME The President’s Method of Campaigning for Taft TO BE NO CHANGE In Meat Inspection Law— Protection for the Miners Washington. March 10. —The opening of this week brought numerous indications that the fight for the republican nomiation for the presidency is to be pushed all along the line. The president, who is the real manager of the Taft campaign, has adopted some new methods. He Is now saying to callers to refuse to support his candidate: “If you do not take Taft you will have to take me.” Another utterance he is alleged to have made a few days ago has gained wide circulation. It is: “Even the rich malefactors will all be for Taft before this thing is over. They realize that if they don’t take him they will get me.” Washington, March 10. —The meat inspection act which went into effect July 1, 1906, will not be changed in any repect at this session of congress. The two amendments proposed by Senator Beveridge, one providing that the expense of inspection shall be paid by the packers and the other providing that the date of canning shall be placed on all canned meats, have some friends in each branch of the legislative body, but the agricul- ' tural committee which have to do with i (Contbiwtf •• I)

’ AWAY UP IN THE AIR. Indiana Congressmen Trying to Formulate Campaign Issues. Washington, March 10.—The Democratic congressmen from Indiana find themselves embarrassed in trying to formulate planks on national issues to be submittd to the coming Democratic state cpnvension. The early date of the state convention puts them In a hole, so to speak. One of the main purposes of Democratic platforms Is to criticise the Republicans and especially the Republican concongress. The Democratic congressmen can not assume that congress will commit this or that sin of commission or omission before it ad journs, for the reason that congress may be mean enough to disappoint them. It might be annoying to the Indiana Democrats in their coming campaign if their state platform, adopted in March, should assail congress for specific acts of non-prefernce and congress, mindful of these castigations, should treat Itself to a clean bill of health along in April or May. The Democratic congressmen, to be plain, are up in the air. They don’t know what sort of recommendations to make to the state convention. WILL WED TONIGHT Miss Mabel Erwin and Robert Allison Jr. Will Make I the Solemn Vows A POPULAR COUPLE 1 They Will Leave Tonight on a Two Week's Wedding Tour South < At 8:30 o'clock tonight in the pres- 1 ence of only the immediate members ' I of the families and a few intimate friends, a pretty home wedding will be solemnized at the home of Judge I and Mrs. Richard K. Erwin, the con- 1 tracting parties being Miss Mabel Er- ' win and Robert Allison Jr. The marriage has been planned for some time , but not until yesterday did the time ’ it would take place become known, i Dr. C. B. Wilcox will perform the cere- ] mony that will unite the lives of these ( most estimable young people, after which they will board the Clover Leaf . west bound train for St. Louis, leav- i ing here at 9:51 tonight. Their wedding tour will consist of visits to several cities in the south and west, after which they will return to Card- I well. Mo., to make their future abode. In this city’ the groom to be has a lucrative position as manager of the Allison Lumber Co. mill and a furnished home awaits their arrival. Dick Erwin will attend the groom, while Miss Marie Allison will serve as ] bridesmaid. The interested parties are from the best families of our city, the groom being the only son of ex- J banker R. K. Allison, and well and favorably known in this city and vicinity, while the bride to be is the accomplished daughter of ex-judge R. K. Erwin. All Decatur extends to this happy couple their wishes for a most happy and prosperous future and while we are loath to learn of their -1 departure from our midst, the- best « wishes of all will accompany them ' wherever thev may cast their lot. WILL CLEAR THROUGH DECATUR c _ s Plan Adopted to Harmonize Insurance 1 Agents. ~ i For several years there has been r more or less friction between Decatur a and Geneva fire insurance agents, the ~ Geneva agents claiming that the rates j were not observed by the representa- c fives from this city, and vice versa. ] Yesterday an agreement was signed j by Geneva and Decatur agents to r observe the new rates established for c Geneva last August and to clear through Inspector J. H. Heller of this city. It Is believed that this will set- f tie all difficulties and conditions again c became harmonious in the metropolis c of southern Adams county. C — -o- — t' The St. Marys river is rapidly re- ii ceding and It Is thought that it will d soon be confined within Its banks. I The entire bottom on the east side 11 of the river was covered with water a but such Is not the case at present. b

Price Two Cents

A DOUBLE SORROW William Lincoln, Pioneer Resident of this County, Died in Washington WELL KNOWN HERE His Brother at Fort Wayne Suffers Stroke of Paralysis and Cannot Recover A letter received here recently from Ellensberg, Wash . conveying the sad news that William Lincoln of that place who was born and raised in Union township had died, will no doubt cause much sorrow among his many acquaintances in this vicinity. The deceased was a son of Ira Lincoln who was a pioneer of this county and well known by at least all of the older people, who lived in this locality in the early days. About thirty years ago he moved to Washington for his future abode and has since resided in that state. Two weeks ago last Friday he was the victim of a severe stroke of heart trouble, and died qu.’’ suddenly. He was an uncle of Washington and Dick Burrell. To add to the grief of the friends and relatives of this family, George W. Lincoln, who was also a resident of Union township, who for the past twenty years has lived at Fort Wayne, suffered a stroke of paralysis last Friday, just two weeks from the time of his brother’s death and since then he has not uttered a word nor swallowed anything, and it is but a question of a short time until he will pass into eternity. George W. was also born in Union township, and is well known in this county. He is a broth-er-in-law of John Adam Smith, of this city, and an uncle to the Burrel boys. The misfortunes of these estimable men will cause most poignant sorrow among their many friends in Adams county. ... - ... . 0 Rev. Homer B. Bosworth, one of the best known ministers of the Christian church in Eastern Indiana, Is dead at his home in this city, after an illness of over four months. Death was due to an impacted gallstone, causing an abcess of the liver. The exact cause of the death was determined by an autopsy, conducted by Drs. Mackey and Metzger.—Portland Commercial Review. ——— o IS A BUSY COURT Squire J. H. Stone is Working Overtime in Settling Civil Actions NEW CASE FILED Against M. J. Butler —Pearl Bienefeldt’s Good Will Probably Be Sold A new case was filed before Squire J. H. Stone this morning entitled Everett, Hite & Son vs. M. J. Butler in which the plaintiff’s demand a judgment of $31.07 and all accruing costs. The complaint alleges that the defendant is indebted in the above stated sum for groceries delivered to his home. The case before Squire J. H. Stone in which Noah Loch demanded a judgment against Maria E. McGath in ihe sum of $25.89, the defendant did not appear at the stated hour and after bearing evidence in regard to the claim and attorney's fees for the collection of the note, the court adjudged the same right and just and rendered judgment in compliance with complaint including all accruing cost The household goods of Pearl Bienefeldt are still being held here on account of the non-payment of his account at the Holthouse. Schulte & Co. store. Marshal Bohnke has written a letter to him at St. Marys. Ohio, informing him that he will have three days In which to pay the account. If at the end of this time the account if not settled, the goods will be sold at public auction and the account will be settled with the proceeds thereof.