Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 6, Number 85, Decatur, Adams County, 8 April 1908 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume VI. Number 85

the city council They Held a Regular Session on Last Evening A CEMENT WALK Considerable Business Done by the City Dads Last Night The council met last evening in regular session, Mayor France presiding, and every councilman being present with the exception of Christen, who was absent from the city. After the reading of the minutes which were approved, the council got down to business and ground out the following matters. D. E. Smith, representing the Monitor Oil company, who holds a claim for supplies against the city for thirty-seven dollars, which included some boiler compound which proved to be worthless, asked the council what disposition they desired to make of the claim and it was agreed to settle less the amount of the compound and Mr. Smith was instructed to write his clients and ascertain if this settlement would prove satisfactory. Dr. C. S. Clark then addressed the council in relation to the catch basins along north Second street he claiming that they were not constructed in the proper manner to carry off the water after a heavy rainfall, and as a result the street was flooded. This matter was referred to the street and sewer committee, who were instructed to take up the matter at once and give the property owners the necessary relief. A petition signed by Howe Rice and others asking that the city order a cement sidewalk to be constructed on and along both sides of Seventh street was presented and read and referred to the street and sewer committee. Mr. Rice on behalf of the petitioners explained their attitude in the matter and showed where the same would be a benefit to the property owners and also a protection to the brick street. L. C. Helm fire chief then filed a requisition before the council for five hundred feet of fire hose and other additional supplies among them being a hose drier, which will have a tendency to preserve the hose and keep them in perfect shape for use. The council ordered the purchasing committee to purchase the necessary supplies and in this manner the city will be afforded much better fire protection in the future. The following bills were then read and allowed: D. F. Teeple Geneva Machine Works 15 20 Henry Peters 20 00 J. D. Stults 45 87 Nat. Mill Supply Co. 22.13 L. C. Helm 20 00 Ft. Wayne Elect. Works 7-71 Wm. Schlgel 225

C. Vogt 75 ’ 20 Kai ver & Hurst 150 William Geary 10 00 J. D. Wisehaupt 8 50 M. J. Mylott 235 23 John Sprague 71 65 D. F. Teeple •• • 8 - 5 ® U. 8. Cast Iron Co 6 00 Nat. Carbon Co 62.50 Holthouse* Drug Co I- 25 Peter Kirsch 9- 60 P. J. Hyland 10 43 Telephone Co 12.00 Sunday Creek Coal Co 154.55 Shoal Creek Coal Co 100,79 H. Harruff 20.00 Nat. Express Co 2.25 Frank Cloud 175 C. W. Dorwin 230.64 J. Bryson 4,25 Clover Leaf R. R- Co 57.32 Amos Fisher 1162 G. R. & 1 287 51 H. M. De Voss 5 - 00 W. E. Fulk 6213 To the bills of Amos Fisher for night police service and H. M. DeVoss for typewriting some notices. Councilman Chronister strenuously objected. claiming the bills were illegal and asked that the record show that he opposed these two measures. As to Fisher’s claim he stated that he had not been appointed according to law and hence was not entitled to his pay and he would not vote for the same. As to the other claim he refused to make much comment. Mr. Chronister was permitted to place his vote on record in relation to these claims and the council proceeded as If nothr Ing had happened. Mr. Fisher, the newly appointed night man made his

report to the council in relation to the condition of the city's welfare and his actions to date were approved by the council. No further business coming before the council they adjourned to meet on next Tuesday evening when objections wiil be heard in relation to the improvement of Sixth street. o A MARRIAGE APRIL FIRST. A Salem Couple Make Their Solemn Vows. A quiet wedding which took place April Ist at Salem, Indiana, was when Mrs. Jesse Lee Bartling became the bride of Mr. Elisha Irwin Davis, at the home of the bride's friends, Mr. and Mrs. Horace Kohn, at nine o’clock in the evening. Both parties are from Adams county, Jiving at Salem, and quite well known. May peace, prosperity and happiness be theirs, which is the wish of their many friends. COURT HOUSE NEWS Interurban Company Files a Condemnation Suit Against Miller FOR RIGHT-OF-WAY R. S. Peterson and D. E. Smith Appointed as Election Commissioners Attorneys C. J. Lutz and John Koenig has filed a new case entitled the Ft. Wayne & Springfield Railway company, a corporation vs. Andrew Miller and Mary Susana Miller, complaint to condemn real estate for right-of-way.

It states that said railroad company is planning to extend its line southward from this city to Monroe, Berne and Geneva, passing through a portion of the Miller farm, which lies just south of this city, that it is necessary for them to use about four acres of said land, that they have tendered defendant the sum of S3OO for the right-of-way, but he refuses to accept same, wherefore it is asked that the court appoint three disinterested freeholders of Adams county to assess and appraise the damages. County Clerk Haefiing has appointed Robert S. Peterson and David E. Smith as election commissioners to have charge of the subsidy election on May Uth to vote on the SB,OOO subsidy for the Fort Wayne & Springfield railway line to purchase their rightof-way between this city and Berne. The commissioners look after the printing of the ballots and meet at the county clerk’s office on the evening of election and canvass the vote. TOWNSHIP INSTITUTE AT 8080 It Was the Best One Held During the School Year. The teachers and school officers of St. Marys township held the last institute for this school year at Bobo, April 4, 1908. Supt. Opligcr was present and presided over the meeting. All teachers answered the rollo call. The regular routine of work was carried out. The institutes throughout the year have been well attended and have been very helpful. The following resolution was adopted: Resolved, That we, the school officers and teachers of St. Marys township extend a vote of thanks for their kind hospitality and hearty co-operation in the work of the institutes throughout the year. o — BIG CROWDS AT PICTORIUM. Prof. Colvin, the Hypnotist, is an Additional Attraction. Prof. Earl E. Colvin, the hypnotist, is entertaining Immense crowds at the Pictorium each evening and from the screams of laughter emitted he seems to be pleasing those who witness his work. He changes his program each night and the hall is too small to accommodate those who wish to witness his feats of the mysterious art. The price is only five cents and the show includes the usual program of moving pictures. If you don’t get your money’s worth at the Pictorium you are certainly hard to please.

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday Evening April, 8 1908.

A ROYAL WELCOME 1 Will Be Given Dr. and Mrs. C. B. Wilcox Next < Friday Evening t i AT CHURCH PARLORS' 1 Epworth Leaguers Plan a Delightful Event in Hon- I ' or of Their Return The fact that the executive body of the North Indiana conference has so amply complied with the wishes of the Decatur people in that Dr. and Mrs. C. B. Wilcox are to occupy the ministerial capacity of the M. E. church for another year at least, has caused much satisfaction among the members and friends of the church and as a fitting climax to bear evidence of their sincerity, a royal reception will be given for them at the M. E. church parlors Friday evening. The affair will be in charge of the Epworth Lea guers who have long ago demonstrated their entertaining abilities. An excellent program will be rendered during the evening and refreshing delicacies of the season will be served. Every member and all friends of the church are extended a cordial welcome to be in attendance. Dr. and Mrs. Wilcox have won the admiration of all with whom they became acquainted during the year they have resided in this city. During the pastorate of Dr. Wilcox the audiences have increased gradually and his discourses appeal equally as much to the men as to the fair sex. His talks have been practicable and convincing, and his remarkable knowledge of ancient and modern history enable him to discuss illustrative themes with ease and at the same time educate his auditors in regard to historical events of importance. Mrs. Wilcox has played an important part in the welfare of the church. Her musical ability has made her a valuable acquisition to the choir and the beautiful solos she has rendered have royally entertained many audiences. Decatur can well be proud that this most estimable family has been assigned to this charge for another year as their services are invaluable to the interests of a church. o A STRONG BUNCH Decatur Will Be Represented by a Fast Local Base Ball Team GOOD ONE PROMISED

Mr. Woods, of Watt, Ohio, Has Been Signed to Pitch—Other Stars Captain Pennington, of the city base ball team, has issued a call for every candidate desiring a position on the team to be present at Walter Murray’s barber shop tonight, where the final organization will be effected The meeting of tonight is for the purpose of electing a field manager and discussing plans for the season’s playing. The team will consist of very good talent and the boys expect to win their share of the games. Inasmuch as Decoration day will be observed on Saturday this year, no game will be booked for this occasion. The first game of the season, however, will be played the first Sunday in May. It is quite probable that a team from Toledo will play here at that time. Mr. Woods, of Watt, Ohio, who has been signed to pitch, has wonderful steam, and much Is expected of bim this season. Cal Robison is also included in the pitching staff, while Pennington, the veteran backstop will be at the receiving end. The infield will be well taken care of by Coffee, Linn, Peterson and Johns and the outfield will be equally as strong. The Fort Wayne Shamrocks will be early opponents for the fast local bunch.

THEY BRING QUICK RESULTS. Try a Democrat Want Ad. and Be Convinced.

The people of Adams county and vicinity have been convinced long ago that the want ad columns of the Daily Democrat is the only sure way of obtaining quick results. This fact is evidenced by the many people who by this medium dispose of articles that are for sale, find renters for houses, find buyers for properties, find articles that have been lost, owners for articles that have been found and many other transactions of different kind have been brought about by inserting a small ad in the Democrat want column. The want column is read by almost every reader of the ! paper and results are sure to be ob- i tained. , WANTS IT CORRECT State Superintendent Cotton Gives Out Rules for Taking School Enumeration INSISTS UPON IT Says It Must be Made Faithfully and Accurately to Be of Benefit Indianapolis, April 8. —Instructions to the county superintendents of the state relative to taking the annual school enumeration this spring, which have been prepared by Fassett A. Cotton, state superintendent of public instruction, urge that the greatest , precautions be taken against dishonest returns. “When the county superintendent” says Mr. Cotton in his circular, “finds any evidence that the enumeration . is excessive in number or in any other way incorrect he may require the same to be retaken, and he may ap- . point persons to perforin the service, • who shall receive the same compen- , sation out of the same funds as the person or persons who took the enumeration in the first place, and the . school revenue shall be distributed upon the corrected returns. ' “It is the desire of the department” continues Mr. Cotton, “that .every corporation in the state, whether city, . town or township, shall be accredited with every person between the ages of 6 and 21 to whom it is legally entitled. The question is one affecting the very foundation upon which the apportionment of the school revenues is made to townships, towns and cit--1 ies. The enumeration must, thert?fore, be made faithfully and accurately.” In his letter-to the superintendents ’ Mr. Cotton gives the following instructions: Do not enumerate any person born since April 3Q, 1902, or any person born previous to April 10. 1887. Do not enumerate employes in facj tories, hotels, business houses, etc., f at places of business. Such employes must be listed at their places of residence, and should be listed by the ’ enumerator provided for in the terri--1 tory in which such person actually s resides. a Do not enumerate children of famk ilies that are temporary residents in a city, town or township. '' Do not enumerate married people, even when such persons are under 21 r years of age. s Do not enumerate children who are a attending school in a town, township or city, whose parents, guardians or e heads of families reside elsewhere. I Minors should be Isited only at ace tual places of residence, and not at s places of business. ). Require all persons having charge of the enumeration to observe careful- ' ly the law, notes and instructions givII en on the enumeration blank. i, o — s Mrs. Cyrus Weaver left this morning J for Van Wert, Ohio, from where she received a special message summoning her to the besdside of Mrs. Ed Perry, who is not expected to live e through the day. Mr. and Mrs. Perry 1, formerly lived here on Indiana street, d During their short stay here they won •t many friends who will be greatly 1 grlev- > ed over the illness of Mrs. Perry, who it Is said cannot possibly recover.

IS SEASON CLOSED? Decatur Fishermen Are Not Decided as to Construction of Law ON CLOSED SEASON Last Legislature Amends Act of 1905 and Eliminates Clause About Close The fact as to whether or not the state law authorizes a closed season in fislflng in the inland lakes has caused much comment among the people of our city and representing ihe fishermen wno catch the finny tribe at Reme City, D- M. Hensley wrote a letter to Z. P. Sweeney, state fish and game commissioner inquiring as to his construction of an act of 1905 which is found in section 615. This act provides that fishing in the inland lakes during the time from March 20th to May 15th is prohibited by law and any person disobeying the requirement is liable. The commissioner replied to Mr. Hensley inclosing an act passed by the last legislature which amends the 1905 act. It reads identically the same as the former with the exception of the elimination of the clause which authorizes a closed season. The commissioner, however, did not comment on the subject in the letter but simply enclosed the law for Mr. Hengley to construe. The question still remains as to the purport of the amendment and Mr. Hensley Jias written another missive asking the opinion of the commissioner. A party of fishermen are contemplating going to Rome City on a fishing trip and if the season is not closed they will leave in the near future. Fishing has been very good in Lake Sylvan this spring, a black bass weighing six pounds having been captured a few days ago. Mr. Hensley is an expert in this line and there is nothing he would rather do than to perch himself in a boat and tease the inhabitants of the water.

The “wets” won a decided victory over the temperance workers in nearly all the Illinois cities yesterday. In Michigan also the wets won in many places. The antis say they will keep on fighting. JURIES SELECTED Grand and Petit Jurors are Chosen for the April Term of Court COMMISSIONERS MET Every Township in County Represented on One or the Other Jury The Adams county grand jury will convene next Monday morning. The commissioners met at the clerk's office this morning and selected the men who will serve in that capacity, they being P. L. Andrews, Decatur; J. H. Runyon, Geneva; Allen G. Waggoner, Monroe township; John B. Noll, St. Marys township; John Steiner, French township; John S. Gleckler, Union township. The petit jury was also -selected for the April term, as follows; Samuel Jaberg, Preble township; George A. Kintz, Washington; James Chrisman. Geneva; William Yagle, Jefferson township; Frank W.Dibble, Root township; William Raudenbush, Blue Creek township; Alex Michaels, Hartford township; George H. Bright, Kirkland township; A. J. Teeple, Decatur; Jesse Callihan, Geneva; James Louden, Monroe township; Jacob Buhler, Decatur. The petit jury will report April 27th and serve during the entire term which closes June 13th. Every township in the county is represented on one or the other of the juries. . . - „.Q - CHURCH AT PLEASANT VALLEY

Rev. I. H. Hollingsworth will conduct services at the North Pleasant Valley Friends’ church next Sunday morning and evening, instead of one week later as he announced when there before.

ASSESSORS ARE NEARLY DONE. i After Five Weeks of Hard Work Their Work is Nearly Completed. The assessors who have been work- S ing hard sloee March the first in assessing the property and real estate in Washington township, have nearly completed their tedious task and they report that their work has progressed smoothly. It is gratifying news to the taxpayers of the township that the ' rate of taxation has been reduced to a material extent and they consider same ample reason to be thankful. ] Last year the rate was $4.74 per hundred, but by careful guidance of the interests of the township, the present rate is $4.02. This change is Indeed noticeable and it now seems that year by year the rate of tax will diminish until it will lower to more reasonable figures. The assessors are William £ Blackburn, Burt Green and John Chris- i ten. t PAVING THE WAY Democrats in Congress to , Wage a Vigorous Campaign TRYING TO STRADDLE Temperance Question Up to Congress—Chicago Convention Washington, April 8. —The Democratic congressional campaign committee, of which Representative Dixon of Indiana is chairman, is paving the way for an active and vigorous campaign to wrest control of the house of representatives from the Republicans. The first step in that direction is the laying of preliminary plans to raise a campaign fund. During the last week a canvass of Democratic members of the house has been quietly going on with a view to securing contributions to a fund to be used in an effort to elect a Democratic house. It was thought best to start the campaign fund by asking the members of congress to contribute. Washington, April 8. —The temperance question will not down in congress. A week ago the liquor interests were confident they had won their fight to prevent legislation of any sort at this session inimical to their business. Today they see indications which lead them to fear the temperance forces will get about all they ask for before the sessnon ends. It Is the “word from home” that is bringing about the change. Both senators and representatives are receiving letters ' from constituents saying that unless they take their stand with the temper-

ance forces they will be punished in the coming campaign. Washington, April B.—The several Republican presidential camps have information from New Hampshire to the effect that the state undoubtedly will send an uninstructed delegation to the Cmcago convention. The administration has been making strenuous efforts to obtain an instructed delegation. The state has never sent an Instructed delegation to a Republican national convention, and it is asserted positively that There will be no departure from this time-honored rule this year. A call has been issued for the state convention to meet at Concord, April 21, -- ■■■ o ■ — WILL RENDER PROGRAM. Easter to Be Observed at the M. E Church. One week from next Sunday, Easter, perhaps the most memorable of all occasions will be observed at the M. E. church. In the morning the members of the Sunday school will render a fine program including trios, speeches and songs and all who attend will be royally entertained. In the evening the choir, consisting of more than sixteen voices, will render an Easter contata, which tells the story of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ in detail with beautiful solos, duets, men’s and women’s choruses. I The entertainment promises to be inIterestlng.

J Price Two Cents

A STRONG TICKET Says the Columbian Record of the Democratic Nominee PRAISES MARSHALL Describes Him as a Man of High Character as Lawyer and Citizen There is an old saying about Indiana that there is more politics to the square foot in the Hoosier state than to the square mile in any other state iu the Union. This adage originated way back in the days of “Blue Jeans” Williams, the former governor, and it? was generally admitted to be a fairly apt assertion. It is certainly more true of Indiana today than ever before in the history of the state, and, naturally, this being convention time for all political parties, “Topics of the Times” cannot help but deal with politics. It is generally conceded that the Democratic state convention held in Indianapolis last week nominated the strongest ticket presented to the voters of the state by the democracy since the time of Hendricks, and the good old days when Indiana was regarded as safely in the Democratic power. Certain it is that the Democrats showed more signs of life than has appeared on the surface of that party since 1902. The Democrats “got together;" but they bad to fight pretty hard to accompliesh unity. That they have done this to a greater degree than the Republicans thought possible is admitted, regretfully by the latter. Thomas Riley Marshall of Columbia City, a man of high standing as a lawyer and a citizen, carried off the nomination for governor. He is a direct descendant through his maternal ancestors of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, though he is not of the same faith as the illustrious signer. Mr. Marshall is a Presbyterian but he has many close friends and admirers amongst his Catholic neighbors. On the whole, the Democracy did well. Indiana is, of course, a Republican state nominally, but the Republicans who are now in the act of making their nominations will have “to go some” to put up a ticket which will impress the public more favorably than that which haS been presented to the citizens of the state by the followers of Jefferson and Jackson.

It will be a close year in Indiana and it is well. The good citizen, the man who is tired of machine domination is going to have more power this year than for twenty years. He is having his inning. Party leaders have got to pay heed to his demands. The Republican convention now in session has good material before it. It can pick a Republican nominee for governor who will be above reproach, and frame a ticket that will be as commendable as that which the Democrats have nominated. How will Indiana go? It entirely depends upon how well the Republicans have noticed the trend of the times in which we live. —Columbian-Record. —o JUDGE ERWIN FAVORS RELEASE. Os Bluffton Youth "Sent Up" on Circumstantial Evidence. Friends of John Payne, a Bluffton youth accused and convicted of stealing money from the ohn Clark saloon in that city are making an effort to secure his release. He was tried before Judge Erwin and in speaking of the matter the Bluffton News says. In addition to the jury’s recommendation for a parole or pardon a strong recommendation for leniency is also made by the trial judge, R. K. Erwin, of Fort Wayne, formerly of Decatur. In his recommendation for a pardon Judge Erwin says that there was always a lingering doubt in his mind as to the guilt of John Payne, although the jury of twelve men returned a verdict unanimously expressing their opinion of his guilt. The evidence at the trial of John Payne showed that if he got the money he was alleged to have stolen he had to climb upon a sort of picket railing in front of the bar and reach over three or four feet to get hold of the money sack. The conviction was upon circumstantial evidence.