Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 6, Number 117, Decatur, Adams County, 15 May 1908 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume VI. Number 117

BY A HANDSOME MAJORITY

Washington and Monroe Townships Favor Extension of Traction Line

BY EMPHATIC VOTE Every Precinct But Two Carried by Big Majority OFFICIALS THANKFUL Will Start to Work Immediately and Line to Berne Will Be Pushed AA ashington and Monroe township want the Fort Wayne and Springfield interurban (extended south and expressed themselves in a most emphatic manner at yesterday’s election, when they voted SB,OOO to the company to use for the purchase of right-of-ways. Every precinct in the two townships voted for the subsidy, excepting East and West Washington, which gave a majority of ten and sixty respectively against the subsidy. This city favored the project by a vote of 758 to 189. a majority of 569 and giving a majority in the town and township of 499. In Monroe township every precinct voted “for" all kinds of reports to the contrary notwithstanding, and as shown in the table that township gave a total majority of 268. In this city “A" precinct, first ward, reported at 6:15 and the entire vote of the town and township was in before seven o’clock, excepting “B” of the first ward. Berne and Monroe soon followed and by eight o’clock the crowd at the Daily Democrat office knew the exact vote, which was:

Decatur and Washington Tp. First Ward. For Against Precinct “A” 140 24 Precinct “B” 100 23 Second Ward. Precinct "A" 166 31 Precinct “B” 61 45 Third Ward. Precinct “A” 151 33 Precinct "B" 140 33 Washington Tp... East 41 51 Wiest 31 91 Soial 830 331 Majority for, 499. Monroe township. North precinct 110 47 Middle precinct 31 13 Berne “A’’ 108 13 Berne “B” 117 25 Total 366 98 Majority for, 268. Under the law this subfsidy of $5,000 from Washington township and Decatur and $3,000 from Monroe township, including Berne and Monroe is due when the line is complete. The assessment will scarcely be noticed, being only $1.50 on a SI,OOO assessment. The interurban company will go to work immediately securing the right-of-ways for the line, which should be completed within a very lew days, when the grade building will begin, and it is the desire if possible, to have the line in operation by August 15th. The decisive vote w-as a pleasant surprise for the inter, urban people and the various business

men and others who have boosted the ctontiinuance of the line south. It means much for all and another year or two will see the extension of the line south to Portland, perhaps to Richmond, through one of the greatest country on this section of the planet. While it was generally believed that the election w’ould carry, the most sanguine were surprised at the size of the vote. COMPANY IS THANKFUL. Manager Fledderjohann and Attorney J. H. Koenig were interviewed this morning and said: “We desire to thank the 1 voters of Washington and Monroe township with all our might and heart and soul. We all feel very grateful to the Commercial Club, business men and every one in general who assisted in making the election so nearly un(Contlnue4 on page 2.)

INSANE BARBER IS HELD. Bluffton Man Will Be Taken Ba«k to Easthaven. Bluffton, Ind., May 14.—Sheriff Lipkey today deceived commitment papers from the Easthaven asylum at Richmond for Harry Mote, the insane barber who a year ago was first lodged in the asylum when he became metnally unbalanced from his mania for boosting base ball, imagining among other things that he was organizing a league of all the cities in the United States. In his present condition, however. Mote has forgotten his base ball notions and has nothing to say on that Score unless questioned. A year ago he was a raving maniac and had to be placed in a straight jacket by the sheriff at Hartford City, but today he is in a state of melancholy and phows no violence either in talk or actions. Mote went to Bartlesville, Oklahoma, three weeks ago to try to dispose of some real estate but had no success. His brothers, residing there bought him a ticket for Bluffton and started him home, but nothing was heard from him until last Sunday night when the Marion police took him in charge. He was out of Easthaven simply on parole only.

LEFT IN DISGRACE John Branyan, a Huntington Lawyer, Deserts Sick Wife and Family GOES TO CANADA Also Forsakes Creditors— Took Plenty of Cash With Him John S. Branyan, of Huntington, well known here, has deserted his family, several of whom, including his wife, are dangerously ill. He has been absent three weeks and all kind of rumors are afloat. The Huntington Herald says: One of the rumors is that he as joint commissioner to sell in, the Yeung estate had in his possession when he left S7OO belonging to the estate. H. B. Spencer was commissioner along with him in the case and Mrs. M. L. Spencer was on the bond. Mrs. Spencer is understood to have employed a local attorney to look after her interests in rhe case. It is the rumor that Branyan left with a large amount of money. Part of it is accounted for by the fact that he is known to have disposed of his claims for fees in the damage suit of Page vs. Fort Wayne Cooperage company, which were a goodly sum, Branyan is known to have written back to this city from a point in Canada, supposedly Montreal, that he 'was short of funds to meet obligations and that he never expected to return. Meanwhile Mrs. Branyan is in 111 health and under the care of a nurse at her home on Henry street. This week a daughter has been taken ill with scarlet fever. Children in the family have been telling in the neighborhood that their father had gone away leaving but twenty-five cents in the home, and that he would never return. Relatives have made a partial provision for the family, and there has been some effort, it Is understood, on their part to raise funds to meet the obligations left. Branyan is the man who defended Weston, the murderer of R. J. Holthouse. He has appeared here in a number of cases in court and was considered a brilliant but rather peculiar young man. T, J, Hupp who was in the city for the interests of the Ebberts Shoe Co., of Buffalo, N. Y„ left today noon for Fort Wayne. While here he transacted business with F. B. Tague.

THEY BUY A NEW HOME. The Blufftoh K. P.’s Buy the F. T. Mann Home. By a unanimous vote of the large assembly of members at the meeting of the Knights of Pythias lodge last evening, the chapter took one of the most important steps in its history, deciding upon the purchase of the palatial F. T. Mann residence at the corner of Marion and Washington streets as a new and permanent home for the order. The deed to the property was transferred to the lodge this morning with the payment of $5,550, the purchase price, and work of putting the structure into condition for occupancy will be commenced at once, so that the order may move Into the new’ quarters by July 1, as promised by the building committee.—Bluffton Banner. THE DOUBLE CROSS Congressman Adair Euchred Out of a Slice of the Pork CAUSED SURPRISE Politics Was Worked Against the Popular Congressman Washington, May 15.—When the omnibus building bill was reported to the house, Congressman Adair was treated to a surprise. His name was not in the pot, nor was the nice, fat slice of pork he expected. The congressman had understood all along that he would get an appropriation of $50,000 for a site and building at Elwood, but there was no such appropriation. This was especially disappointing, as Adair had put into the hopper half a dozen public building bills for towns in his district —mote bills than any other Indiana congressman introduced —and he felt confident that in turning out its grist of appropriations the committee would favor at least one of his towns. The fact that Adair is a Democrat seeking re-election in a close district may or may not have had something to do with the omission. The slight imposed upon Adair is all the more remarkable from the fact that all the other Indiana Democratic oongressmen drew handsome slices of “pork.” Mr. Dixon getting a big appropriation for Columbus. The building bill was reported late yesterday and will pass the house today.

: JOHN KING IS DEAD 1 a - Aged Resident of Preble i Township Called to Re1 ward this Morning t t ILL A FEW WEEKS J L From a Serious Case of Dropsy and Succumbed 1 to Ravages Thereof k > John King, one of the best known men in the county, who has lived in 1 Preble township for many years un- • til a few months ago when, after cohi tracting a serious case of dropsy he I was taken to the county infirmary, > died this morning at one o’clockl. > The deceased was born at Massilon, I Ohio, in 1847 and when but a boy > he moved to this county and located 1 in Preble township where he spent the most of his life. A few months ■ ago the aged man became suddenly i ill and his condition became worse i day by day. It w-as thought best to > convey the sick man to the county infirmary, where he could be properl ly cared for, as with the exception . of one sister, he has not a living i relative. Since being taken to the i county infirmary he has gradually de- ■ dined' until relieved by death. The deceased is known all over the county. The funeral services will be ■ preached at the infirmary Sunday , afternoon at 1:30 o’clock, after which • the cortege will leave for the Alfy - church cemetery, where interment will be made.

Decatur, Indiana, Friday Evening May 15, 1908.

A GREAT MUSICALE Pupils of Academy of Music of St. Marys Church Entertain Packed House A FINE PROGRAM Was Rendered to the Delight of All—to Be Repeated this Evening The First annual musicale of the Academy of Music given under the direction of the Sisters of St. Agnes at Bosse’s opera house last evening, proved to be a great success, and was greeted by a packed house. Too much credit cannot be given the sisters, especially the music teacher, for the fine manner in which she had instructed the pupils in the art £>f music and not a hitch was made in the whole entertainment as each one carried out their part of the program to perfection. Promptly at 8:15 o’clock the curtain arose and the audience looked upon a stage of flowers while in the center were two fine Packard pianos, which were shipped here especially for the occasion by the Packard piano factory at Fort Wayne through their agent, Mr. L. F. Alexander of this city. The opening number on t|he program was a march, “Lily of the Valley" played by four girls, two being at each piano. This number was well received but on account of the lengthiness of the program no encores were responded to. The next number was a comic song by John Corbett and much praise is due Master John for the clever manner in which he handled his part. Lack of space will not permit us to mention the rest of the numbers in this part as every number was very good, showing that the pupils had spent many hours of hard practice, profiting by the old saying, “practice makes per-, feet." Probably the best number of the whole evening was the comic song “Little Shaking Quakers” by John Corbett and six little girls, this closing the first part of the program.

After an intermission of a few moments the curtain rose again for the second part. The selection this time being a waltz by the orchestra, including pianos, several violins and mandolins. This number was especially good, as the time throughout was perfect. Others that were especially fine in this part of the concert were the “Sleigh Race” by a quartet of four boys, and the vocal quartet by Mrs. Q. Neptune, Miss Clara Terveer and Messrs. Harmon Yager and Dr. J. Q. Neptune. After a few moments the third part of the program was ushered in by another selection by the orchestra. The piano solo "Ripples of the Alabama,” played by the Misses Bertha Kohne and Mayme Deininger was es. pecially good, and is deserving of special mention. The fourth part of the program was rendered by the pupils who received their grade diplomas. At the closing of the fourth part of the entertainment. Father Wilken in a few words thanked the audience for their kind and careful attention to the rendition of the music and expressed the desire that the pupils would advance still higher in their music. The following pupils received their grade diplomas: Marie Connell, Matilda Berling, Geo. Baker, Joe Didot, Raymond Keller. Raymond Coffee, Stella Brown, Matilda Halmau, Germaine Coffee, the Misses Agnes Kohne, Bertha Deininger, Anna Sellemeyer, Leona Bosse, Naomi Niblick, Marie Boknecht, Edith Miller, and Genevieve Berling. A selection on the variations of “Home Sweet Home” rendered by the orchestra was the closing part of the evening's entertainment. At the close the audience wended its way out silently, touched by the deepness of the music rendered, the affair proving to be one of the best of its kind ever given in the city. It will be repeated again this evening and another packed house is already assured.

The Steele and Weaver racket store has undergone a decided improvement during the past few days, which will add much to the convnience of this enterprising institution. A large arch has been cut between the front and back room to make room for their large stock.

WILL LIVE AT LOS ANGELES. H. M. Kapp and Wife Will Soon Reside There. Hugh M. Kapp arrived this morning from Texarkana, Texas, for a short business trip and visit with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. L. S. Kapp, and will be here over Sunday before leaving again for the west to make his home permanently. One object of his visit here is to see W. B. Brown on business. He will represent the W. B. Brow’n Chandelier company as their representative in practically all of that territory west of the Mississippi. Mr. Kapp said today that after his return to Texarkana he and his wife will leave for the Pacific coast, and expect to make Los Angeles, Cal., their place of residence.—Bluffton News. CLUMAMURDERER His Victim. Peter Poffenberger, Died Yesterday Afternoon LIVED FOR 13 DAYS With Windpipe Severed, His Battle for Life Being Heroic Bluffton, Ind., May 15. —Hovering for thirteen days between life and death from the effects of the gaping wound slashed across his throat Friday evening, May 1. Pete Poffenberger passed away. at 2:10 o’clock yester. day afternoon at his home on north Williams street, and Orval Clum, the beardless boy, confined at the county jail, the self-confessed wielder of the deadly razor, is now a murderer. The fight for life made by the unfortunate victim of the drunken brawl was really heroic and that he was able to live so long after his horrible injury is little short of wonderful. On the night of the assault the physicians dressing the wound were positive that there would be no fatal results, but then they did not know what vast quantity of his life’s blood had been lost by the man. Not until last Sunday was his condition really looked upon as serious by the doctors and then it was seen that his chances for recovery were truly hopelss. On Tuesday it became evident that, from the restless tossing of his head from side .to side by the patient, the stitches holding the severed ends of (Continued on page 3.)

TO INSTALL PASTOR Presbyterians Planning Special Services for Happy Event ON MONDAY EVENING Pastors from Fort Wayne and Van Wert to Assist —Special Music The congregation of the Presbyterian church is looking forward with much pleasure to the installation services to be held at the church next Monday evening. At that time, the new pastor, Rev. Richard Spetnagel. who has already endeared himself to the hearts of his congregation and the public in general, will be duly installed as pastor, by the committee as appointed by the Presbytery. Among those who will take part in the services of this important event are the following ministers: Rev. H. B. Master of Fort Wayne, who will deliver the sermon and propound the questions; Rev. Frank M. Fox, of Fort Wayne, who will deliver the charge to the people; Rev. James A. Gordon, of Van Wert, Ohio, who will deliver the charge to the pastor. Mr. Yarnell, of Fort Wayne, has also promised to be present and assist in the music. The Presbyterian choir are making special preparations for the event, which will be a delightfully appropriate, interesting and inspiring. The public are cordially Invited to attend these services.

CHILD'S HEAD BLOWN OFF A Most Deplorable Accident at Geneva This Morning

WILL GO TO ROME CITY. A Fishing Party Will Go There Tomorrow. D. M. Hensley received word from Rome City today stating that bass fishing in the lake at that place was fine and he has arranged to go there tomorrow afternoon to remain over Sunday Reside Mr. Hensley, Messrs, C. A .Dugan, Lafayette Ellis, Anson Bremerkamp and several other Decatur people will go to that popular resort tomorrow. Many fish have been caught at Rome City this spring and several parties from here are planning to spend their vacation at that place. o Next Monday evening Judge R. K. Erwin will deliver an address at the Epworth league anniversary at the First Methodist church. The following officers have been elected for the cnisuing twelve months: President), Miss Maud Wells; first vice-president. Miss Fern Winters; second vice-pres-ident, Miss Edith Zook; third vicepresident, Mrs. H. A. Smith; fourth vice-president, Mrs. H. G. Wagner; secretary. Miss Elsie Roush; treasurer, Miss Naomi Webb; pianist, Miss Katherine Anderson; chorister, Hugh M. Beaver. —Fort Wayne News. PASS THE ICE WATER Fairbanks is Still a Candidate for the Presidency

THEY FIGURE BADLY Southern Democrats Still Think Roosevelt Will Be Nominated Washington, May 15. —Joseph B. Kealing, manager of the campaign of'Vice-President Fairbanks, announced on his arrival here that the campaign is to be formally opened and pushed with vigor on the arrival of Mr. Kealing in Chicago within a few days. The headquarters will be at the Auditorium Annex. “The friends of Vice-President Fairbanks feel confident that the Republican convention will open its proceedings without a majority of the delegates being for any particular candidate,” said Mr. Kealing in a formal interview given out by him today. "It will b.e a deliberative body and not a band-wagon affair- At this time almost all of the delegates, and the man who will win in the end will be the one who, according to the judgment of the convention, can most easily be elected in November. In my opinion Vice-Pres-ident Fairbanks has a good chance. He has a solid state back of him whose delegates will go to Chicago in his interests and support him loyally and enthusiastically because they believe he will make the strongest candidate. His ability and character are recognized. Washington, May 15. —The southern Democrats in congress are practically a unit on the proposition that if the Chicago convention should renominate Roosevelt the Denver convention must pass by Bryan and nominate a candidate who would appeal to those voters who would not be disposed to support Mr. Roosevelt. Most of the northern Democrats in public life hold to the same view. Discussing the situation privately the Democrats say it would be suicidal for their party to pit Bryan against Roosevelt. As they view the situation. Roosevelt and Bryan are too much alike. Roosevelt, they are inclined to believe, would get at least 10 per cent of the Democratic vote in some of the states if Bryan should be the candidate on the other side.

Washington, May- 15.—The sundry civil appropriation bill as passed by (Continued on page 2.)

Price Two Cents

A TRAGIC DEATH Little Five-Year-Old Son of John Kessler the , Victim SISTER HELD GUN Which Exploded—the Sister and Parents are Heartbroken

Geneva, Ind., May 15. —(Special to the Daily Democrat)—Lying at the home of John Kessler in the south part of the city is the lifeless and headless form of his five-year-old son, who was accidnetally shot by Miss Alice Gesslier, the seventeenyeaFold Mster to the dead chjld» The Kesslers were engaged in cleaning house and this morning at 8:30 o'clock Miss Alice took the shotgun from its position in the closet with the intention of cleaning it. The little child was playing in the room when the gun was being cleaned and 1 while rubbing a cloth over the weap- ' on, in some manner the girl touched the triggers, which dealt the death blow to her little brother, the convents of the shells of both barrels exploding and blowing the infant's head entirely off. Portions of tihe head and brains were scattered over the room and it was a heart rending scene to say the least. The mother, hearing the report, hastened to the scene only to find her little son cold in death, and her daughter prostrated over the terrible accident. But a little time elapsed until neighbors filled the Kessler home to assist in consoling the heartbroken parents and family, and the scene which followed was indeed pathetic. While no blame whatever can be attached to the girl in whose hands the firearm was, when it exploded, she continues to weep bitterly and cannot be consoled. The opinion of interested parties is that the triggers of the gun were cocked when the girl secured it and.in such a case, the slightest touch would cause it to explode. Not only is the Kessler family grieved over the awful calamity, but the entire population of Geneva are expressing their profound sorrow in that the death blow was so innocently dealt out to the little boy by his sister, who loved him as only a sister could. Mr. Kessler, father of the dead child, is a team* ster, and when the news reached him announcing the untimely and tragic death of his little child he could scarcely believe it and hurried home to find that it w-as too true. The coroner, Dr. J. C. Grandstaff, of Preble, was summoned, and arrived about noon. The funeral arrangements have not as yet been made. - — —a —■ TEKARA GIVES GOOD ACT. At Pictorium —Will Appear Again this Evening, Tekara, the wonderful European court magician, appeared at the Pictorlum last evening, giving a specialty act after each picture show and we are not exaggerating when we say it was the best turn of the kind ever given in Decatur. Prof. Tekara is a star and his act more than pleased the hundreds who witness the act. He will appear again this evening, giving those who have not seen his work, an opportunity to do so. The pictures are also fine and its sure enough a big show for five cents. o The musicale given by the Academy of Music undr the direction of the Sisters of St. Agnes will be repeated again this evening at the opera house. While the seat sale is very good for this evening's entertainment, there are still some choice seats left, and if you have not a seat already buy one at once. The price of admission is 354 It is Mr a |pood cause and the doors will open promptly at 8.30 p. m. ' ,