Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 6, Number 110, Decatur, Adams County, 7 May 1908 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume VI. Number 110

■ JUNE THE TENTH ' Democratic Congressional Convention to be Held at Union City CALL ISSUED TODAY County Chairman Met at Muncie—Call Includes Adair Republicans Muncie, Ind., May 7. —The county chairmen from Adams, Deleware, Jay, Madison, Randolph and Wells county met here today for the purpose of selecting a time and place for holding the congressional convention. District Chairman, L. G. Ellingham, of Decatur, presided and the session was held at the Delaware hotel at 10 o’clock. It ■was decided to hold the convention at Union City on June 10th. Bluffton was the only other applicant for the convention and they lost out by a vote of five to one. This is the first political convention hdld at Union City in years and will be largely attended. The call as issued is addressed to “all democrats and all Adair republicans” and they are urged to attend the convention. Plans for the campaign were discussed by the chairmen and the meeting continued until noon. THREEARE MISSING As a Result of Fort Wayne Fire—State Factory Inspector Criticizes FIRE DEPARTMENT Says Hotel Was Protected as Far as Indiana Laws are Conerned Fort Wayne, May 7.—The city authorities have ceased work at the fire scene and the clearing away of the debris will be continued under orders of Mr. Schoaf, the owner. Some * of those who were in charge believe, all the bodies have been recovered. Others dispute it. Three are unaccounted for, E. T. Smith, of Pittsburg; H. B. Daniels, of Roanoke, Va., and F. L. Gaffey, of Indianapolis. Indianapolis, May 7. —William E. Blakley, state factory inspector, who has just returned from Fort Wayne, ■where he has been conducting an Investigation of the New Aveline hotel fire of Sunday, offers severe criticism of the Fort Wayne fire department and says that, according to the best information, the clerk tn the hotel did not realize the danger when he called only the chemical engine instead of the fire department, “I believe," said Mr. Blakley, “that most of the people who were burned to death, or perhaps all of them, could have been saved had the fire department been sufficiently equipped. The firemen were unable to manipulate the aerial truck and there were no other ladders that would reach (farther than the third story. The hotel was six stories high. Because of the failure, as I am informed, of the clerk at the hotel to call enough apparatus, the department w - as delayed about fifteen minutes in getting enough apparatus to the fire. It is customary in cities where there are chemical engines in the fire department to send the chemical to all fires, but in this Instance, I am informed the clerk, calling the fire department by telephone, asked only for the chemical engine. “I believe also,” continued the in-

spector, “from my investigations that, the fire burned longer than was at first supposed, before being discovered. The smoke was confined to the elevator shaft and was carried apparently by a strong current of air, which fanned the blaze and increased its fury. The hotel was protected fully as far as fire protection laws are concerned. I found that people who jumped from the windows of the hotel did not do so because they were forced to jump. In one Instance a man jumped from a window when he could with care, have stepped right out on the fire escape.” Mr. tlakely believes that instead of having doors between the rooms of hotels, as advocated by some, it would be better to have balconies running the length of the hotels on the outside of the building. “The staircases in a hotel," said Mr. Blakely, “can not be too wide and in no instance should a stairway be built near an elevator shaft. An elevator affords very little chance for escape in case of fire and should the fire orig(Contlnued on page 2.) NEARLY DROWNED Dr. W. P. McMillen Had Thrilling Experience at Mile Creek A LUCKY ESCAPE Was His from Drowning— He is Confined to His Bed While on his way to see a patient at the Riefy home near Berne last night, Dr. W. P. McMillen experienced one of the most excitable times that has ever come to our notice. The physician left Decatur at about 10:30 o’clock for the home of his patient. It was pitch dark and it was but a short time until Dr. McMillen lost his way. However, he left the horse go its way and as the animal started across the bridge spanning the mile creek three miles north of Berne, it stepped off the bridge into the creek, which was filled with water to its bank's limit. The vehicle followed and Mr. McMillen was thrown headlong into the stream. He managed to gain a foothold and even then the water nearly covered his head and it was only by grasping tine floating buggy that he avoided being drowned. He finally crawled up the embankment to the road and before searching for help to rescue the horse, he placed the horses head on a stone in the abuttment to keep it from drowning and upon returning after walking two and one-half miles for help he ascertained that the animal was still in the position in which he left it. Some digging was necessary before the horse cbtild be removed from the perilous situation. Mr. McMillen then continued on his way to the Riefy home, from where he came to the city this morning at nine o’clock in a prostrated condition. Not only is Mr. McMillen extremely nervous, but he is suffering from a sever cold and confined to his bed. The bridge off from which the horse stepped had no railing, and in consequence of the very dark night, the accident could not have been avoided. MRS. FORDYCE PAINFULLY HURT Fell Last Evening, Dislocating the Right Shoulder. Mrs. S. B. Fordyce, was painfully injured last evening. She was visiting at the home of Irvin Brandyberry on Fourth street and while walking about the yard caught her foot in an iron hoop and fell forward, alighting on the hands and shoulder. The head of the humerus was dislocated from the right shoulder and pressed downward and backward, causing severe lacerations. The injury is very painful. but her condition today was favorable. o Mr. and Mrs. Frank Cloud and children arrived from Kalamazoo and will reside in this city. Their household goods are on the way and will arrive soon. They have a host of friends who will be glad to welcome them home as they formerly lived here and are well and favorably known.

MAY MAKE CHANGE School Board May Divide Eighth Grade Into Two Classes Next Year HELD A MEETING Last Night and Discussed Project—Only One Teacher for Eighth Grade The school board held a called meeting last nfcht for the purpose of transacting important business relative to school work. Several important projects were discussed by the body that will, if materialized, make a decided change in at least Eighth grade work for next year. It will be remembered that for several years the eighth grade pupils have been instructed by the various high school teachers the same as are the high school students, each teacher having an allotted time for their work. The board advanced the idea at last night's meeting that a permanent teacher be given charge of the eighth grade and that the high school teachers confine their work to the high school students. The feasibility of dividing the eighth grade into two classes, A and B, was also talked of and tills project met with the hearty approval of all. It is a conceded fact that the eighth grade pupils must have a thorough course of training before entering high school and the establishment of the two classes will enable the teacher to give the A class pupils a touch of high school work before they leave the eighth grade. Some time this week or next the high school faculty will meet with the school board and decide whether or not the above stated changes will materialize. MARSHALLS TALK Says He Will Not Fight Men But Against Measures this Campaign THE ASSESSMENTS No Candidate Taxed More Than $1,500 —Each District to be Organized Indianapolis, May 6. —Two important features characterized the meeting of the democratic state committee today, One was a brief address by Thomas R. Marshall, the democratic candidate for governor. The other was the assessment levied by the committee on the different candidates who hope to win at the November election. The members of the com mittee were inclined to be “mum' on the question of assessments. “We took a solemn pledge that we would not divulge the amount of the assessment,” said Committeeman Osborne, of the Sixth district. Another democrat said that none of the assessments exceeded $1,500. “I am not at liberty to say what the assessment was, but the statement that no man was assessed more than $1,500 for campaign purposes is incorrect.” In his talk before the committee Thomas R. Marshall spoke of the importance of organization. He said he expected to make a clean campaign. “I believe,” he said, “that it is best to make an appeal to the judgment and reason of people instad of playing to their passion and party prejudice.” “Suffice it now to say that my fight will not be against men, but against measures. I am only one man in a large number of men, but I think I see dangerous tendencies. I am strongly in favor of keeping intact the co-ordinate departments of government. For instance, a good man inspired by good motives may go beyond the constitution to accomplish good results, but by so doing he may establish a precedent to be followed by a bad man inspired by bad motives. We lawyers are strong on precedent and we wish only good ones established.

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday Evening May 7, 1908.

“For the most part I approve heartily of what President Roosevelt has said to congress, but I do not approve the Rooseveltian way of doing things. I have the highest regard, too, for Vice-President Fairbanks, but I do not approve of his theory of legislation. I might add that I hold congressman Watson, my opponent, in high personal esteem, but I do not share his high prior-convention views on the tariff. I say prior-convention becatfse Mr. Watson may have changed his views since the convention that nominated him declared for early revision. I only refer to these officials to enforce what I say, that my fight will be against measures, not against men. “My campaign will be conducted in a fair-minded and high-minded way. I will consent to nothing less. I stand on the platform adopted by the Democratic state convention, and will take up its planks one by one and discuss them in detail as the campaign progresses.” After fixing the assessment of can(Continued on page 2.) TALKED IT OVER A Large Number of Enthusiastic Citizens Held Booster’s Meeting Last Night AT COMMERCIAL CLUB Interurban Extension Subsidy Furnished Subject of Discussion The self same aggressiveness and enthusiasm that has made Decatur one of the best manufacturing and business towns in this section of the state, characterized the booster’s meeting which was held at the Commercial Club last night in behalf of the extension of the Fort Wayne and Springfield interurban railway. Wih the subsidy election but one week hence, the energetic citizens of our city realized the responsibility resting upon them and with the interest of every resident of Adams county at heart they have pledged themselves to in a legitimate way, put forth every effort to cause the election to carry so that the railway can be extended as proposed. With so much at stake as is in the probability of the extension of the Fort Wayne and Springfield, every resident of the township should feel it a duty to vote the small subsidy asked for as it will advance the price of every acre of land in the township as well as furnish means by which business will be brought to our city and thus benefit the merchants and energetic citizens of Decatur who are working consistently not only for the benefit of the Decatur people, but the farmer as well. There is no one thing that brings better results financially or socially than harmonious endeavors between the farmers and town folk and the interests of both ar wonderfully advanced by the ‘practice of same. Let every voter get in the harness and cast his ballot for the small amount in question, for the defeat of the subsidy would bring with it discouragements in many lines. courFhousenews Clara Echart, of Wells County Asks $3,000 from M. B. & E. Traction Co. CHANGE OF VENUE A New Partition Suit Filed —Marriage License Issued—Other Items Upon change of venue from Wells county, a case was filed here today, in which Clara Echart asks $3,000 damages from the Marion, Bluffton and Eastern Traction company for personal injuries. The complaint was filed in Wells county last September and alleges that on January Ist, 1907, early in the morning before daylight, the plaintiff went to Stop 11 along (Continued on page 3)

NEW ENTERPRISE Staup Brothers of Palaka. Florida, Have Established Headquarters in City ARE MANUFACTURERS Os Five Pin Bowling Alleys and Same Will Be Made in Decatur E. I. Staup, the gentleman from Florida, who several days ago made a busines strip to this city and made all necessary arrangements to establish a distributing center for his five pin alleys, returned yesterday and brought with him five men who will travel from this city. Mr. Staup and his brother have permanent winter headquarters in Palaka. Florida, and Decatur will hereafter be known as their summer headquarters. A car load of lumber arrived yesterday morning which will be used in the manufacture of the alleys and a gentleman from Converse purchased one of the famous alleys after they located here. When this new institution is operating full blast five or six Decatur men will be employed and thus another enterprising concern launches on the business horizon of our city. This company is comfortably located in the south portion of the Bremerkamp building in which the Keller Incubator company has quarters, and it starts on its business career under most favorable auspices. Messrs. V. C. Thomas, Arthur Priddy, J. D. Ringham, O. W. Hamblen, P. C. Staup, A. N. Staup and E. S. Staup have come to the city for permanent headquarters to work in the interest of the above mentioned comapny. WASHINGTON NEWS The Canteen Lost by Big Majority—Landis of Indiana Led Fight CANNON IN LINE Will Help President—A Message from Roosevelt Was Dated 1910 Washington, May 7. —One of the most remarkable demonstrations ever witnessed in congress took place today when the house of representatives 167 to 46, voted to bar the canteen from the national soldiers’ homes. For the first time the onsweeping temperance sentiment of the country found vent in the national lawmaking branch and the exciting proceedings of the afternoon, followed by a vote of nearly four to one against the liquor traffic, showed that congress is in tune with popular opinion on this subject. The climax of emotion was reached when Representative Landis of Indiana closed the argument against the canteen. He was in fine form and spoke to full benches and crowded galleries. His excoriation of the whisky and brewing interests evoked applause. He charged that the liquor interests have been impudent and defiant and by their brazen conduct and studied insolence have brought on a revolution of popular sentiment. “I expect to live to see the day,” he continued, “when there will not be a saloon in the United States.” The visit of Speaker Cannon to the white house last evening has resulted in a better understanding between the president and the house. It was the first time the speaker had called at the white house since the controversy over the legislative program started. The outcome of the conference, it was said today authoritively, will be an honest effort on the part of the house Republican leaders to put through everything the president wants except the amendments to the Sherman anti-trust law and possibly the postal savings bank bill. The speaker was not prepared to say that he could force the house to carry out

the president's program. He has an unruly majority to deal wtih and admits it. The Republicans as shown by last night’s conference, are still inharmonious on proposed currency legislation, and it is realized that, any effort to put through such an antiinjunction act as the president desires will meet with determined opposition from some of the Republicans. Political prophets who are predicting a third term for President Roosevelt sat up and took notice yesterday when President Roosevelt sent a message to congress dated “May 5, 1910.” The message itself consisted only of a letter of transmittal of a document from Secretary of State Root relating to a prison conference. For some unexplained reason the reading clerk of the house forgot to read the date line in reporting the message to the house, and the mistaken date line was not caught until it reached the stenographers. The mistake was the talk of the capitol when the Republican currency conference was in progress last night, M E. CONFERENCE National Convention Began at Baltimore, Maryland. Yesterday GREATEST IN HISTORY Will Continue a Month and Many Changes Are Expected—New Bishops Baltimore, Md., May 7. —Seven hundred and eighty-seven delegates representing more than 3,000,000 active members and a similar number of Sunday school pupils of the Methodist Episcopal church in thirty-seven countries of the world, gathered yesterday at the Lyric theater for deliberations that will last a month and will be of vital importance to tne church which John Wesley established in this country. If the predictions of those who as bishops or general officers can be relied on, this general confeence will go down in the history of the church with importance that will rank it with the greatest yet held. Six bishops have died in the last quadrennium and six in the last eight years. Eight or ten new bishops are to be elected this time, and thus there will be another general change in the organization and control. Momentous questions are up for settlement. Men known to have decided opinions are here to debate long and to plead fervently. On the question of amusements so many of the bishops have expressed their opinions that it can be safely said that in the main they will oppose any change in the traditional stand of the church against worldly amusements, but will suggest closer social organization of the old and young of the church. So great is the interest in the ques tion of bishops for races and problems growing out of the desire of the negro members for greater recognition that the bishops will make some statements on this subject. The chief business of yesteday's session was the election of a secretary and the assignment of the delegates to their places on the fourteen standing committees. —o- — —— ED FITZPATRICK AS AUTHOR, Publishes Book Showing List of Lawyers and Judges. Copies of the book recently com piled by Ed V. Fitzpatrick, clerk of the supreme court of Indiana, and a former resident of Portland, containing a list of the judges of all the courts of the state,a list of the prosecuting attorneys and other court, officers in Indiana are out. The book, in paper binding, contains some three hundred or more pages, and is very complete. It begins with a list of the judges of the supreme and appellate court, with those in each division of the latter court, and the other officers of both courts. Then follows a list of the sixteen superior courts of the state. The counties composing each of the judicial districts of the state follow. There are 61 circuit judges, and the same number of prosecuting attorneys. Last follows a complete list, both alphabetically and by counties, of the attorneys admitted to ■ practice in the state.

Price Two Cents

CAME BACK HOME Returned Early This Morning from Oaxaca, Mexico, for a Visit WILL RETURN SOON Mr. Hite and Wife Will Witness the Marriage of Paul Wooten Hugh Hite, who for several months has been managing a mine near Oaxaca. Mexico, returned to the city last night and surprised his relatives greatly, they not knowing that he had started for home yet. Mr. Hite accompanied Paul Wooten to Mexico some time ago and since being in that country he has gained eighteen pounds in weight. He says the country is the best ever. Mr. and Mrs. Hite will leave here the latter part of this month for their new home in Mexico, and on their way they will stop at San Antonio, Texas, to witness the marriage of Paul Wooten, formerly of this city and Miss Jule Monday, of Terril, Texas. After the wedding the two couples will continue on their way to Mexico. It has been known for several months that Mr. Wooten was soon to claim a bride, but his friends were not aware that it would happen so soon. Mr. Wooten and Mr. Hite are staunch friends and their success in the far-off country is certain. ■ o —— The funeral services of the late Mrs. . Carl Aber were held from the M. E. church this morning at 10:00 o’clock, the cortege leaving the house at 9:30 ’ sun time. Rev. Beeber assisted by ■ Rev. Newcomb and Rec. C. B. Wilcox ; officiated, and interment was made . in the Maplewood cemetery. A RICHMONDROAD Commercial Club of That City Enjoyed Their Annual Banquet INTERURBAN TALK Mr. Kelley Predicts That Line from Richmond to Decatur Will Be Winner At a meeting of the Richmond Commercial club Tuesday evening, W. H. Kelley, of that city responsed to a toast, “Our New Interurban.” Mr. Kelley stated that there was now a propject on foot to build a traction line from Richmond to Decatur where it will connect with a road now operating between that city and Fort Wayne. Mr. Kelley predicted that this would be one of the most succesful lines in the eastern part of the state. He said that it would operate through a country which had a population of 2,000 per square miles and that the fact that there were poor railroad facilities in this section of the country would be to the advantage of the new road. Mr. Kelley also stated that the people of Richmond had never been thoroughly convinced that railroads were a very good thing. Manager Fledderjohann, of this city, attended the affair, which closed with an elaborate banquet, PORTLAND'S NEW DAILY OUT. The Daily Sun Begins Life With Bright prospects. The Daily Sun, a new daily paper at Portland, has reached our table. It’s a bright, newsy and up-to-the-min-ute journal edited by E. A. McKee,who has had charge of the semi-weekly Sun for a number of years, is a seven column four page and appears to be w’ell patronized by the Portland merchants. The path of a daily in towns the size of Portland or Decatur is not strewn with roses all the way, but we predict that “Mac” will make Ms competitors in this section sit up and look around. The Sun begins its existence with a sworn circulation of 1,301.

Wayne. Mr.