Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 6, Number 98, Decatur, Adams County, 23 April 1908 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume VI. Number 98

A JAIL DELIVERY Two Prisoners Escape from the Wells County Jail LOOSEN A BAR Howard Johnson and James Clark Make Good Their Escape Bluffton. Indiana, April 23.—(Special to the Daily Democrat)—This city is undergoing the sensation that usually follows a successful jail delivery. The sensation lacks all the elements of blood and thunder, wherein the sheriff or his wife is held up and threatened with their lives, and are otherwise made to stand and deliver. The < game was successfully worked by , Howard Johnson and James Clark. The former was being held as a witness in the LaPoint® murder case, and as will be remembered. Mrs. LaPointe on Monday plead guilty and was sentenced to the Woman’s prison. Johnson, aside from being a bad character on general principles, was the real cause of the murder, and the Wells county authorities expected to keep him a prisoner until late in the summer, and then try him for fornication, in order that he, too, might suffer to some extent for his part in the crime committed. Clark was held for assault, and would have completed the terms of his sentence in a fewdays. The work was done with a piece of broken banister, taken from the stairway some time ago and hidden in Johnson’s trunk. With this piece of broken banister, wrapped with bed clothing in order to deaden the sound, a bar was pried from the windows of the two cells, where these prisoners were confined, and they made their escape. It all happened between twelve o’clock last night and six o’clock this morning. The sheriff and his family were all dead to the world and heard nbthing unusual during the time mentioned. The conductor on an early Fort Wayne car reports taking up one passenger at Kingsland, and one at Greenwood, and the description of the two tallies with that of the two escaped prisoners. The Wells county officers will not spend much time or money in running to earth these two escaped prisoners, on the theory that their room is more welcome than even their presence in the Wells county jail. THAT NEW PARK T. W. Shelton Organizing Amusement Company for Proposed Park TO BE CONSTRUCTED Capital Stock to be SI,OOO and Sold in Shares of $25 —Many Takers T. W. Shelton, one of the progressive officials of the Fort Wayne and Springfield interurban railway is. at present busily engaged organizing an amusement companj', who will furnish attractions for the park that is to be built north of the city along th® interurban line. The capital stock of the company is to be J 1,000 and $25 shares are being sold to different people who wish to speculate in the proposed enterprise. A moving picture show, peanut and popcorn stand, baby racks, bowling alleys, shooting gallery and stands will be installed in the new park and at the end of each year the above mentioned company will declare a dividend to each stockholder. Fifteen prominent people have already subscribed for stock and it is thought that enough will be subscribed in the near future to perfect the organization, no subscribers being bound until SBOO stock is raised. Decatur people are anxious that the park be built and it is safe to predict that the park will be visited by thousands of people this summer should it be constructed, as planned. I

HERMAN MILLER TO BE TRIED The First of the Woodburn Cases Will Likely Be Tried Next Month. After spending two days of this week at Woodburn completing his investigation into circumstances (surrounding the murder of Marshal Columbus Croy, Prosecuting Attorney A. E. Thomas announced yesterday that he was now prepared to begin the trial of the men accused of the crime. Assisted by Mr. J. M. Robison, he has made an exhaustive study of the case and says the state is ready to try any of the prisoners. Mr. Thomas will confer with Judge Erwin and 11. C. Underwood, counsel for Herman Miller, who are anxious for an early trial of their client, and Judge O’Rourke will then be asked to set a date for the case. Mr. Thomas is willing to try Miller first and would like to have the case called next month. Judge O Rourke is arranging the court docket so that all other matters will be cleared away as far as possible, in order to leave the court free to attend to the Woodbum cases. —Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette. BY A STRAY BULLET Arthur E. Oliver, of Marion, Got Benefit of a Twenty-Two HAS RELATIVES HERE Many of the Andrews Here Are Related to the Victim of this Accident Arthur E. Oliver, the young man accidentally shot, as the police believe, by a stray bullet from a gun iu the hands of Clarence Reynolds, is said to be gradually improving at the home of his father, 3636 south Washington street, and although he is not entirely out of danger it is thought, he will recover. The bullet has not been removed from the young man’s body, but the wound is healing nicely and it is the opinion of the attending surgeons that no infection will result. The shooting of Oliver has proved a puzzle to the authorities. The police, spent many hours investigating the circumstances surrounding tho case, and accidental shooting is the verdict. Young Reynolds is the only person in the vicinity with a gun at the time of the shooting. He had a twenty-two caliber rifle and Oliver’s wound was caused by a bullet from a twenty-two rifle. The youth was shooting in a northeasterly direction and Oliver’s wound angles from the breast bone to the shoulder. The time of the shooting is almost identical with the time given by the young man, and the police have accepted this theory as correct and the only feasible one. Oliver was driving south along Selby street near Forty-fifth street, and the Reynolds boy was a square and a half away to the southwest. Young Reynolds says he does not know he fired the shot that struck Oliver. If he did he says he did not intend to do so and is not fully satisfied he did the shooting. He admits shooting at birds, at a mark, and in almost every direction. but he did not know his bullet struck Oliver. The matter has been dropped by the police and no further investigation will be made. —Marion Leader. Mr. Oliver is related to many of the Andrews in this county. He is a bus driver, and while driving along the public streets of Marion, was shot as related above. He saw no one with a firearm and himself is at a loss to know from whence the shot came. Luckily It was not serious. NINTH DISTRICT NOMINEE. Martin A. Morrison, of Frankfort, was nominated for congress on the second ballot by the Democrats of the Ninth district in convention at Kokomo. The other candidates were Clyde H. Jones and M. E. Clodfelter. both of Crawfordsville, and J. W. F. Thomas, of Carroll county, whose candidacy was unexpected. M. E. Foley, who was not a candidate, was also vot|ed for.

A GREAT CONCERN Decatur Electric Light and Power Plant Has Made City Much Money 700 CONSUMERS City Affairs Are in Best of Condition and Officers Working Harmoniously The municipal affairs of Decatur have never before been in such a creditable condition as at the present time, and there are but few people who have come to a full realization of what recognition our enterprising town commands. There are various reasons why Decatur people are entitled to display their pride for the holders of the city reins are harmoniously working fjor the welfare of the citizens they represent. and much has been accomplished during the past few years that plays its part in the progress of the city. The electric light and power plant which was built in 1897 is today one of the most up to date in this section of the state. The city has invested $90,000 in this institution and its equipment could not be duplicated for fully one-third more than that amount today. For eight years this plant was operated without tax being levied upon the citizens for street, lighting purposes and aside from a few thousand dollars in floating orders, the Decatur electric light plant is entirely out of debt, notwithstanding the fact that SB,OOO was spent last year for a new 500 horse power engine and a three phase dynamo which is suitable for all power purposes. There are more than seven hundred electric light consumers in Decatur, who on an average pay $1,600 per month into the city coffers. This is remarkably good and reflects credit upon the councilmen who have bad the plant properly equipped so that the business could be handled. The sum of SSOO is paid each month to the employes of the plant and this is a reasonably small amount in consideration of the fact that power and lighting service is given twenty-four hours each day. An evidence of the rapid advancement of electricity is the fact that electric power is used in the operation of nearly all the industries of our city, including Krick & Tyndall brick mill, Decatty Pro(Continued on page 2.) OPEN SEASON HERE City Base Ball Team Will Play First Game Here Next Sunday WITH TOLEDO TEAM A Great Game is Expected as Both Teams Are Very Strong The local base ball team will open the season in this city next Sunday afternoon with a game against the Toledo Shamrock, a team composed of fast and snappy players, and from indications the initial game will be a battle royal. The local boys have been practicing hard to get into condition and the Toledo aggregation will have to go some to beat them. The Decatur team was scheduled for a a game at Huntington Sunday, but Captain Pennington has cancelled the game, so that the first game would be played in this city. The people who attend Sunday’s game will no doubt be surprised at the strength of the locals as in the practice games they have shown up in great form. Two new additions have been made to the team, and they will line up as follows: C. E. Pennington, catcher; Woods, pitcher; Coffee, first base; Ellis, second base; Peterson, ss; Johns 3b; Robison, If; Wolford, cf; Stevens rs. o — Wai Wemhoff made a business trip to La Fontain, Ind., today in the interests of the Wemhoff Monumental works.

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday Evening April 23, 1908.

DELEGATES TO HOLD A MEETING | Chicago Delegates to Plan a Campaign for the Vice-President. Indiana delegates to the national Republican convention to be held In Chicago in June will hold a meeting in Indianapolis Friday May 1, to plan a campaign in the interests of Charles W. Fairbanks. A call for the meeting of the delegates was issued yesterday from Republican state committee headquarters. The call was signed by Chairman James P. Goodrich, who is one of the national delegates at large. The delegates from different parts of the state will meet in Room 818 Claypool hotel, at 1:30 p. m. It is understood the Indiana delegation will be solid for Mr. Fairbanks. At the meeting on May 1 the delegates will arrange all the details of their stay in Chicago and will decide on the kind of campaign they are to make. Chairman Goodrich will attend the meeting. In the call the alternative delegates are invited to at tend the meeting. The Indiana delegation has arranged to have headquarters in the Auditorium Annex. Rooms will cost sls a day. COUNTRYWEDDING The Modern Woodmen Had a Gay Time Last Night KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS Knight Degree Work—The Bachelor Maids and Other Society Events On Wednesday evening at 6:30, Mr. John J. Jones and Miss Dora Minnie Bender, both of Pleasant Mills, Ind., (were united in marriage at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Israel Bender. Mr. and Mrs. Jones come from excellent families and are (estimable young people. The wedding was a quiet affair, but beautiful in every way. After the ceremony a sumptuous wedding dinner was served. Many valuable and useful presents were received. The following | guests were present: Ethel Jones, Ira . Jones, Thompson Noll and family, j Mr. and Mrs. Fred Troutner, Catherine Coverdale, Sarah Coverdale, Jacob I Rawley, Mrs. Esaias Jones, Rhoda ' Jones, Minera Carter, Nettie Carter. Jesse Myers, Calvin Carter, Sanford Carter, Alva Carter, N. L. Carter, of Pleasant Mills; G. W. Davis and family, Mr. and Mrs. Warren Hamrick, Mrs. Harry Moltz, of Decatur; Mrs. Hattie A. Geddes, of Goshen, and Mrs. C. B. Sweeney, of Spencerville, Ind. Mr. Ira Jones and Miss Ethel Jones were bridesmaid and groomsman. Rev. C. B. Sweeney, pastor of the M. E. church, of Spencerville, Ind., ■was officiating minister. Mr. and Mrs. Jones will reside in Fort Wayne. The Modern Woodmen of America had a grand meeting last evening which was largely attended. Mr. W. F. McGiniety, of Portland, visited the lodge and gave a very interesting talk, which the members enjoyed immensely. The Knights of Pythias order will hold their regular meeting tonight which gives promise of being enjoyable and well attended. Candidates will be given the third degree of this order. All members are urged to be present and especially the third degree team. If the members do not care to miss one of the best meetings of this order it will be well for them to attend as there is a surprise in store for the members at large. Miss Clara Terveer charmingly entertained the Bachelor Maids club at her home last evening, this meeting being the first for several months. A few hours were spent in the playing of euchre, which was very enthusiastic, the Misses Mayme and Bertha Deininger receiving the first prizes and the Misses Bertha and Dudei Voglewede receiving the second prizes. ! The hostess served a delicious luncheon, and at a late hour the girls departed for their homes. The next (Continued on page 2.)

HE WAS HONORED Dr. H. F. Costello of this City Chosen Vice President of Medical Ass’n FT. WAYNE MEETING Medical Society of Twelfth District Have Interesting Session—School Talks • At the meeting of the Twelfth District Medical aossciation held at Fort Wayne Tuesday, Dr. H. F. Costello was elected second vice-president of the organization, which reflects much credit upon his professional ability, as well as hLs business qualifications. The meeting was an unusually interesting one and the papers read by Dr. Maurice Rosenthal, of Fort Wayne, and Dr. J. Clarence Webster, of Chicago, which pleaded with the brethren for a better understanding on the subject of saving and giving life through the operation of obstetrics, were high, ly appreciated by all present. Dr. J. N. Hurty gave an address in the afternoon and following the paper, the society placed itself on record as pleading for the important matter of a resolution introduced by Dr. H. O. Bruggeman calling for a drastic law on the subject of medical inspection of schools, also for the supervision of the state over every school house built in the future. Dr. Hurty did not mince his words when discussing the subject of medical inspection of schools and plainly blamed the state for “murdering” little ones. The following resolution was introduced by Dr. H. O. Bruggeman: “Whereas, Not less than 70 per cent of the schoolhouses in Indiana are wrongly lighted, badly ventilated, unevenly warmed and in other ways unsanitary, and hence reduce the efficiency of the pupils and cause sickness; therefore, be it “Resolved, by the Twelfth Councilor District Medical society, in session at Fort Wayne, April 21, 1908, l that it is the sense of said society ' that it would be an act of public econ- ( omy and humanity to remove the con- j ditions which so greatly retard the 1 progress of the school children and which bring so much suffering and I not a little death; and to this end it lis recommended to the people that . they demand a law which will com- 1 mand under heavy penalty the con(Continued on page 4.) COURT HOUSE NEWS Jesse Sutton as Commissioner Makes Final Report CASE IS POSTPONED Absence of Lawyers Makes the Court Room a Dull Place Commissioner Jesse C. Sutton made ; a final report in the case of Jonas Gil- • bert vs. Norma P. Gilbert, a suit for partition of real estate. The report as filed was approved and the commissioner discharged. The divorce of Sadie Myers vs. Harvey Myers, wihch was on the calendar for trial yesterday was postponed on the account of interested lawyers being at Fort Wayne in the trial of a case. While it is apparently dull around the Adams county temple of justice, it is made so by the absence of several lawyers from the city. There • is considerable business to do, but the court cannot be the whole show, all by his lonsome. Deputy Clerk Dan Roop is a busy man. He is copying several trans--1 cripts, each and every one of them ’ as long as the moral law and which contain enough double twisted allega- ’ tions to drive a strong, energetic human being to desperate deeds. Dan, however, owns in fee simple, a well " modulated temper, and wants 'o get married.

REAL LIVE BOOSTER FOR STEVE Dr. Hurty Says He Will Pray for Mr. Fleming’s Election. “I want to see Steve Fleming and congratulate him on his record in the senate.” said Dr. J. N. Hurty, secretary of the state board of health, Tuesday. “Senator Fleming,” he continued, “was a friend of the public health, and I want to tell him that I think he made a good public officer and that I will pray for his election.” Dr. Hurty was discussing public sanitation, and the duty of the man in public office to safeguard the health of the people. He believes, with Disrael, that “to preserve the health of the people is the first duty of the statesman,” and speaking along this line he referred to Mr. Fleming. He said that during his service in the senate Mr. Fleming championed every measure calculated to preserve the health of the people and was energetic and intelligent in assisting the state sanitary officers at all times. OPEN CONVENTION Taft Has Failed to Sew Up the Delegates to Chicago FOUR BATTLESHIPS Oratory by Senator Beveridge—Mitchell May Get Into the Cabinet Washington, April 23. —Some of the keenest of the Republican politicians ; said that the action of the Republican state conventions in New Hampshire and Nevada in refusing to send instructed delegates to the Chicago convention practically assures an j open convention. The adminstrai tion forces left no stone unturned to I obtain Taft instructions, or at least I to get resolutions through in each of these states expressing Taft preferences. Private telegrams received here say the delegates in both states > are against the administration candidate. Most of the New Hampshire delegation will, it is believed, support Hughes, Vice-President Fairbanks has two or three fast friends on the delegation. Senator Nixon, who will head the Nevada delegation, is a Hughes man. New Jersey is now a battleground between the Taft and antt-Taft forces, although the convention will not be held until next month. Persons who have recently been in the state say the sentiment against sending an instructed delegation is growing. Washington, April 23.—Senator Beveridge made a thirty minute speech in which he advocated the construction of four battleships and favored a fleet for the Pacific as well as for the Atlantic. The senator aroused the galleries to great enthusiasm. In concluding he said: “The Pacific is as much American as the Atlantic coast. We have grown into the habit of regarding American waters as the waters b<jlween New Brunswick and the Florida keys. We have come to con- • aider our only proper naval stations * as between Mt. Desert and Tampa. . But the Pacific coast, stretching from Vancouver island clear down to where California ends is quite as much American. We are quite as much concerned in it, its development, the safety of its people and the forwarding of its trade and all of its interests, as we are in those of the people who live upon the Atlantic coast. Washington, April 23.—1 tis now I pretty well understood both in congress and at the white house that if John MJtcliell, former president of the United Mine Workers of America, recovers his health he will be placed at the head of a bureau of mines in the Interior department. The bureau will not be established at this session because Mr. Mitchell has indicated that he is not yet physically able to take charge of it. The house committee on mines and mining has reported favorably the bill creating the bureau, and the program is to take up the measure at the short session next winter and pass it if (Continued on pago 2.)

Price Two Cents

CONSTRUES LAW Wholesale Liquor Dealers Cannot Sell to Consumers ONLY THE LICENSED The Attorney General Construes the Beardsley Law of 1907 Indianapolis, April 23.—A construction of the Beardsley law of 1907, just given by James Bingham, attorney general, will, if sustained by the higher courts and enforced, put an end to the sale of liquor in any quantity by unlicensed persons except whole salers, who may sell in quantities of five gallons or more at a time under certain restrictions and except druggists and pharmacists who are licensed by the state board of pharmacy. The new point raised is that relating to the sale of liquor by wholesale dealers. It has been the general impression that wholesale dealers might under the law sell in quantities of five gallons or more to any consumer. This would have been permissable under what was known as the blind tiger law which was enacted early during the session of 1907. The attorney general holds, however, that, according to the Beardsley law, which was passed later in the session, wholesale dealers who are unlicensed may not sell liquor in quantities of less than five gallons, and that even in quantities of five gallons or more they may sell to licensed retail dealers, other wholesale dealers and to regularly licensed druggists and pharmacists. The construction placed upon the law by Attorney General Bingham will have a sweeping effect in Indiana, if sustained by the supreme court to which a test case will hurriedly be appealed. It will stop all deliveries of beer and other alcoholic beverages to private houses in the customary way and put an end to shipments of beer by breweries and agencies direct to consumers, a practice now extensive in territory made dry by operation of the remonstrance law. GREAT HORSE SALE Decatur Horse Company to Dispose of Good Animals Tomorrow GOOD CONSIGNMENT Many Prominent Buyers Will Be Here and Bidding Will Be Spirited The buyers for the Decatur Horse Sale company have rounded up a consignment for tomorrow’s sale that will make their patrons sit up and take notice and from present indications the spacious stables will be taxed to their capacity when Auctioneer Reppert calls for the first horses. The sale has been well advertised and many prominent buyers have announced their intention of attending this, the most promising of «H ’he sales that have ever been held in Ihe city. The farmers who have been looking for brood mares and general purpose horses cannot afford to miss the opportunity of getting just what they want tomorrow, as the consignment consists of drivers, general purpose, brood mares, draft horses and colts. Not only can the farmers be pleased, but shippers as well, as valuable horse flesh the draft kind are ready to be sold under the hammer. The progressive proprietors of the Decatur Horse company make each sale better than the previous one and the buyers feel confident of filling out their load when they attend a Decatur sale.