Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 6, Number 119, Decatur, Adams County, 18 May 1908 — Page 1

ECATUR DAIW DEMOCRAT.

|wolume VI Number Up

I»EW CITY BUILDING I ■’lans Being Discussed for a I I New Hall and Fire DeI partment House H)N MONROE STREET I Klan Be Built Without InI Bcrease in Taxes—Will Be I Modern Structure I .<■ A city hail and fire department buildI in Decatur is among the possibilI of th® immediate future, and I is probable that the plans will be | at the next meeting of the j council. In an interview with I of the progressive couneilnu-n morning, we were informed that I a move was now being discussed I was favored by practically the board. The city owns a well lot on Monroe street. They K'Mre now paying $240 a year rent. This wculd furrnish almost money ■ to erect a tutM-rit tin bnihlit c ■Mrithout increasing the tax a dollar, city is fast becoming financially and tfce enterprise will prove brick building 44x66, with a ■■over and a basement. The first floor gHkill. be used for the fire department the second for offices and council I Mr?:. a view to a third story when ti.eI In due time a furnace and I By her modern conveniences will be inI and the new hall will be all I will be needed for years to come. KBrtis is no pipe dream, but is figured I Knt accurately and may be expected I Btefore fall. With this improvement I a paid fire department can arran & ef l fc> r an d better equipment for fighting the fiend. It is I such a resolute it will be snbwithin a month.

■CORONER’S REPORT [■Dr. Kessler, of Fort Wayne, i Scores Those to Blame | for Aveline Fire ■IN DIRECT TERMS I ■State Inspectors, Owners of I Building, Hotel Managej ment and Others Blamed ■ J Fort Wayne, Ind., May 18.—Coroner ■■Kesler hag completed his inquest nv. r |Hlhe twelve bodies found in rniu< of New Aveline hotel. He finds faub ■■with tlhe state building inspectors who ■■three times passed the building as safe recommendations for t'.m safeof the guests. He accuses the night porters and watchmen oit d . Hat the time of the fire of improper of the furnace: scores the of the building for not having SB ropes and chains in the rooms and ■■suitable fire escapes in building, and HBscores the hotel management for neg■■ligence in not marking exits with ■■lights, and for violations in boxing up ■■hallways leading to fire escapes. He ■■criticises the owners for having the ■■furnace too near the joists and for |H having an elevator shaft lined with SBpine. Finally he speaks in no un■■certain terms of the failure of the city gßto equip itself with apparatus for resHBcuing guests from burning buildings. ■■Already damage suits amounting to ■ ■JiO.OOO have been filed against the wß®hoaff estate, owners of the building, ■■ an ff Jones and Stevens, the hotel men. S.B He found that the fire originated ■■hear the furnace in the basement. ■ For several days there has been Persistent rumor about town that K BKolan King, a well known horseman this city had been shot and ser®H'°usly wounded in a fracas at Pi'ts- ■ ■’ ) ' lr s- After trying for several days SB' 0 s ®cure an authentic story of the affair and without success, we have ■fflbeen tipped off that it was only a ■B^ 6 started by some of his friends ■g ca, ’sea little ripple of excitement.

THE NUMBER IS TWENTY-TWO. If Mrs. Gunness is Alive the Number is Twenty-Five. Laporte. Ind., May 17.—Twentytwo deaths are now charged to Mrs, Belle Gunness, archmurderess of the age, in a semi-official report given out by the authorities today. Should it be proved later that Mrs. Gunness is alive and that the headless body of the woman found in the ruins is that of another, the total number will be Increased by three, counting the two children who perished in the fire. The list given out by the authorities contains the names of Mrs. Gunness's two husbands and all those who are known to be her victims. Added to these are the names of all who have been traced to the Gunness farm and have disappeared. It is the belief of Sheriff Smutzer that all of them were victims of Mrs. Gunness’s “lure of death.”

SELECT TEACHERS School Board Will Meet Tonight to Select Teachers for Next Year MUCH BUSINESS Same Teachers With Exception of O. E. Frazee Will Likely Be Chosen The closing of the school year of 1908, brings .with it not only we pleasures emanating from the glorious events inauguarted by the senior and junior classes, and the joyful anticipations of the small school boys and girls for their summer vacation, but a large volume of business in closing the term falls due to tranact. The school board, however, Is equal to the occasion and we may note here that never before has a more authentic report been filed by a board than will the one of this year notwithstanding the fact that the funds have been completely exhausted and money must be borrowed to make the payment of the teachers’ salaries for this month.

This is not deserving of consideration in view of the fact that our public institutions have experienced the greatest progress in every department that they have ever undergone in their history. As the initial movement in closing up the work, the school board will meet tonight to select the teachers for next year. Those who have applied to teach are as follows: W. M. Beachler, C. E. Hocker, J. C. Tritch. D. A. Baumgartner. Rose L. I Dunathan. Anetta Johnson, Elsie MacGregor, Mattie Bailey, Mary Miller, Lizzie Peterson, Bess Congleton, John R. Parrish, Florence Johnson, Della Sellemeyer, Eva Acker, A. D. Suttles, Grace Coffee, Nellie Winnes, Nora Ahr, Clyde Rice, Rose Egan, Emma Sellemeyer and Fannie Rice. It will be noticed that every teacher with the exception of O. E. Frazee of the high school who taught this year are applying for another term, and in all probabiltiy each of the applicants will be granted their request. Mr. Frazee has been offered a lucrative position elsewhere and has decided to accept same. His work in our schools has been commendable indeed and while his services here for another year would be greatly appreciated, his many acquaintances endorse his advancing movement and wish for him an abundance of success in his new field. That the school fund has exhausted furnishes a perplexing problem to be solved by the board, the only apparent alternative being the raise of the levy of taxation, which in all probability will be done to the extent of ten cents on the one hundred dollars. This, however, would make an unnoticeable change in the taxes of each individual and it will serve to meet the demand of the new school law which pro- ■ vides that each and every teacher be 'paid from five to eight dollars per J month more next year than this, . according to their grades. A meeting of the school board will also be held Friday night for the allowance of the teachers’ salaries and at some time in the near future, the Proposed [change in the eighth grade will be de'elded upon.

COURT HOUSE NEWS * Rev. Haron Kohn Allowed SIOO for Cider Press— Verdict Returned THIS AFTERNOON The Weil Wool Case from Bluffton Began Today— Jury Empanelled A marriage license issued Saturday evening was that of Curtis Wolfe, aged twenty-one, a laborer and Flossie Smith, aged eighteen, both of this city. The records at the clerk’s office show that Maud Magley sold Louisa Magley lots 19 and 20 in Monmouth for $210; A. J. Pyle sold A. Aspy 40 acres in Wabash township for $2,000 and Chauncey E. Young sold to John H. Striker 60 acres in Blue Creek township for $5,000. Evidence in the case of Horace Kohn vs. Joseph W. Hakes, was concluded (Saturday 'evening. The arl guments were heard this morning and the jury retired at eleven o'clock after being duly instructed by the court. The demand was for $250 for a cider press sold by Kohn to Hakes. At 2:15 this afternoon the jury returned a verdict, finding for the plaintiff and fixing his damages at SIOO. The case of Weil Bros. vs. Charles F. Davison, suit on contract, demand $1,200, began this afternoon. The jury was empanelled at three o'clock. Attorneys are Olds and Sutton for the plaintiff and Hamilton and Lutz for the defendant. In the case of the State ex rel Attica Bridge Co., vs. Calvin Miller et al, appearance was entered by At(Continued on page 2.)

HADSTATEMEETING Independent Telephone Companies in Convention BELL ON THE HIP Independents Walking All Over the Once Great Monopoly Frank M. Schirmeyer, secretary and manager of the Citizens’ Telephone company, came home Saturday afternoon from a two days’ state convention of the Independent Telephone association of Indiana. The most important development of the convention was the appointment of a committee to investigate the advisability of a clearing house system for the toll business of all the independent companies. This would systematize the whole toll line business, to which each company w>uld report. Under tihe present method each company has to settle with every other Independent company over whose lines toll messages are sent. Michigan has tested out this new way of condensing their business arrangements and it is said to be quite a success. The independents are growing in strength and have the Bell completely on the hip, making a dying fight to retain as much of the long distance business as possible. The convention last week was well attended by the Independents who are bringing into use the very best that is in the telephone service. ■ The bill to increase the vacation of mail carriers, clerks and postoffice employees from fifteen to thirty days has passed the senate and is now in the hands of a conference committee. The bill also provides for the allowance to railway mail clerks of $1 per day for expenses. Local (employees and carriers are hoping that the bill will pass. If the bill passes as it now is it will become effective July Ist.

Decatur, Indiana, Monday Evening May 18, 1908.

TO DECIDE GAS CASE SOON. Judge Macy Grants One Week for Filing of Brief. Portland, Ind., May 18. —(Special to Daily Democrat) —Arguments in the case of the Citizens' Gas and Oil Co. vs. the Warren and Indiana Oil company, to have a temporary injunction declared permanent, were concluded before Judge Macy, of Winchester, in circuit court here Saturday evening. The court granted Attorney F.,8. Jaqua for the plaintiff, one week’s time tn which to file his brief and stated that at the expiration of that time he would give his decision. If his finding favors the defendants, gas will at once be turned on in Decatur and the housewife will be happy for a while at least. A decision is looked for early next week. SACRED ANDHAPPY Were the Baccalaureate Services at Presbyterian Church Last Night FOR CLASS OF 1908

Rev. Spetnagel Delivered Able Sermon—Appropriate Prayers and Music Among the pleasant memories of the class of 1908, the baccalaureate sermon and services will always retain a prominent place. The occasion occurred last evening at 7:30 at the First Presbyterian church and that beautiful and commodious house of worship was crowded, every available seat in the auditorium, lecture room and gallery being taken. The church was decorated with high school and class colors and with tulips and other cut flowers. Special seats were reserved for the seniors, juniors, parents of the graduates and the teachers and trustees. Promptly at 7:30 the class entered, accompanied by Prof. Beachler and the trustees. On the pulpit with Rev. Spetnagel were Rev. Wilcox of the Methodist church, Rev. Hessert of the Reformed church and Rev. Stangel of the United Brethren. The choir, which rendered beautiful music included Mesdames C. F. True, Harry Deam, J. C. Patterson, Miss Marie Patterson, Messrs. Wesley Hoffman, Hugh Hite, Will Schrock, J. C. Patterson, C. J. Lutz and Wilson Lee. The services opened with the invovation,, sang by the audience, followed by a short prayer by Rev. Hessert, in which the entire audience joined in repeating the Lord’s prayer. The audience sang “Onward Christian Soldier,” after which Rev. Spetnagel read the Scripture lesson from the twentysixth chapter of the book of Acts. I beautiful anthem by the choir was fol lowed by an appropriate prayer by Rev. Wilcox. Mrs. C. B. Wilcox then sang a delightfully sweet solo, accompanied by Don Burke, violinist and Miss Elizabeth Peterson, organist. About the entire service was a sincere air, which made a something steal into one’s mind and- carry him into the sublime. Rev. Richard Septnagel preceded his sermon by a few remarks in which he gave due honor to the class of 1908, then chose his text from the twentysixth chapter of the book of Acts, “Whereupon, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto tlhe Heavenly Vision.” He impressed upon the class the great good of visions, and the importance of same, if they would do great things in the future. The sermon was one of the ablest, most interesting, and entertaining ever heard here, and the thoughts instilled into the minds of the hundreds of hearers should be productive of great good. “That one must have the vision of a great purpose,” he said, “is proven by the life of every great man the world has known, Caesar, Napoleon and Washington, and others.” Continuing Rev. Spetnagel said that each youth should catch the vision of life threefold. First, of self, in where duty is recognized or human responsibility; second, brotherhood, out where duty lies; third, Christ, up where duty receives power. He said: “Be true to the visions which come to you in the trial of school life, never waver, be true to the visions of youth. May (Continued on page 3.)

WON THEIR FIRST The Local Club Administered Bitter Defeat to Fort Wayne Greys WAS A FAST GAME Robison Scored Four Runs by Securing Home Run With Bases Full The local base ball club won their first game of the season yesterday afiernoon when they took the Fort Wayne Greys into camp to the time of eight to five. The weather was ideal and a fair sized audience had gathered when the game began. It was a great contest. in which the Decatur boys fully Javelnged themselves for the shut out they suffered at the hands of the Fort Wayne lads two weeks ago. The locals took the field and retired the opponents easily. However, the local players were not so easily to be retired but cinched the game in the first inning. The first three men up got on bases. Big Cal Robinson then connected with the sphere mightily and dropped it outside the lot, which meant four scores. It was a pretty home run. Robinson pitched great ball and did not allow the visitors to score until the seventh Inning, when a pass and two scratch hits netted them three runs. They pushed two more acress the rubber in the eighth, but it was insufficient, as in the meantime Decatur had secured four more runs, making their total eight. The locals took kindly to Chamberlain's shoots and hit them to all corners of the lot. He was succeeded in the sixth by Smith who pitched good ball. Robinson also weakened and the game was finished by Bales. The game was replete with sensational plays in which Ellis, Coffee, Miller,- Peterson and Bales figured most prominently.

WITH HIGH HONORS Raymond Knoff Will Graduate from Chicago Dental Surgery College 26TH OF THIS MONTH After Graduation He Will Engage in Business at Chicago Invitations have been received in the city announcing the fact that Raymond Knoff,, who for many years lived in this city, will graduate from and after discontinuing his school gery on May 26. The graduation exercises will take place at 2:30 p. m. at the Garick theater. Mr. Knoff was educated in the Decatur public schools and absorbed many ideas relative to life here, he accepted a position with Dr. J. Q. Neptune,, where he sought to learn the dentist trade. He was an unusually intelligent young man college. In the meantime he worked to dentistry that proved useful to him in his college work. He left here a few years ago for Chicago and entered Chicago, and although but twenty-two pay his tuition and he is a self made young man who deserves a successful business career. After graduation, (Raymond will engage in business at lege wtfh the highest honors attainyears of age, he bids fair to receive a liberal patronage, as he leaves colcontinue to persistently burrow into able. Raymond is well known to all Decatur young people who predict a prosperous future for him. For the past few days an effort has been made in this city under the auspices of the Travelers’ Association to collect funds for the relief of the victime of the great holocaust in Fort Wayne. The collection is being made at some of the hotels and our citizens are contributing liberally. The number of victims and horrer of the occurrence awakened much sympathy in this city and the contributions will probably swell to an unexpected amount.—Huntington News-Democrat, j

TRACTION OFFICIALS ARE NAMED The M. B. E. Hold Their Annual Stockholders Meeting. The second annual meeting of the stockholders of the Marion, Bluffton and Eastern traction company was held yesterday afternoon at the general offices of the company in this city and the same officers and board of directors were named for another year’s service. The business, future prospect and past showing of the company received thorough discussion and many suggestions for the betterment of the already splendid service of the road were made. Following are the officers and directors: President, L. C. Davenport; secretary and general manager; R. F. Cummins; treasurer, W. A. Kunkel; directors, L. C. Davenport, R. F. Cummins, H. C. Arnold, G. Max Huffman, W. A. Kunkel, J. W. Sale and W. W. Edwards.—Bluffton Banner. OFFICERS NAMED Temporary Officers Named for Republican Convention THE ATTENDANCE Indiana Will Be the Best Represented State in Union Chicago. May 18. —Temporary officers for the Republican national convention were selected Saturday by the sub-committee on arrangements of the national committee as follows: Temporary Chairman —Julius C. Butt’ rows, of Michigan. General Secretary—John R. Malloy, Columbus, Ohio. Chief Assistant Secretary—Lafayette R. Gleason, New York. Assistant Secretaries — Charles Tlrooks Smith, Parkersburg, W. Va..; Ernest Walker Smith, Hartford, Conn.; Philip M. Hoefele, St. Louis, Mo.; M. J. Tobin, Vinton, Iowa; Charles M Harger, Abilene, Kan., and Allen Hollis, Concord, N. H. Reading Clerks—Thomas W. Williamson, Edwardsville, 111., and George A. Wilson, Des Moines, lowa. Parliamentarian —Asher C. Hinds, Washington. D. C. Official Reporter —M. W. Blumenberg, Washington, D. C. Messenger to Chairman- —Empsirdell Stone, Indianapolis, ind. Messenger to the Secretary—John H. Jackson, Cincinnati. Ohio. Sergeant-at-Arms —William F, Stone, Baltimore, Md. First Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms— Edward P. Thayer, Greenfield. Ind. Chief of Doorkeepers —Stephen R. Mason, Baltimore, Md.

Many of the Indianapolis friends of Senator Beveridge hoped that he would land the temporary chairmanship. The application for tickets of admission is said to be a matter that is worrying the committee on arrangements. The place where the convention will be held is inadequate for a national convention, and it is time Chicago was erecting a building for such purposes. Many Decatur people will attend the convention, and in all Indiana will be one of the best represented states in the Union. • ■■ ■■ - o INSTALLATION SERVICE TONIGHT Special Occasion at the Presbyterian Church. Rev. Richard Spetnagel, the popular pastor at the First Presbyterian church, will be formally installed this evening, the services to begin at 7:30. Among those who will take part are Rev. Masters and Rev. Fox, of Fort Wayne, and Rev. Gdnlon, of Van Wert. Special music has been arranged in which Mr. Yarnelle, of Fort Wayne, will assist. It promises to be a very delightful occasion and the public is invited to attend. o George H. Kelley, of Portland, is here in the interest of the Adams county directory recently published by a company of Portland business men. Mr. Kelley reports the condition of his wife, who has been ill for some time, as not being much improved. It is thought probable that it will be necessary to remove one of her eyes, in order to correct some defect that is causing much pain.

Price Two Cents

STILL BOASTFUL The Taft Followers Are Still Boastful and Confident A LONG LEAD Claims One Hundred More Than is Necessary to Nominate Washington, D. C.. May 18.-Satur-day was the last day for the election of delegates to the Republican national convention, and with the returns all In, the Taft people are as confident as ever that the secretary of war is assured of the presidential nomination next month, Frank H. Hitchcock, who is in charge of rhe Taft headquarters in this city, in his final statement, given out, credits his candidate with a total of 584 delegates, of whom 517 are pledged to him by instructions, 36 by indorsement, and 31 by declaration. He allows the other candidates. Cannon, Fairbanks. Hughes, Knox, Foraker and LaFollette 227 pledged delegates. He places the unpledged delegates at 169, and the number of contested delegates at 182. Os the unpledged delegates Hitchcock states that more than one hundred are known to be favorable to Taft, and he therefore concludes that the secretary’s strength epn be conservatively estimated at about seven hundred delegates. This is the estimate of the secretary’s strength which President Roosevelt made about three weeks ago. Inasmuch as Secretary Taft is a party to all contests. Hitchcock must include in that 700 the 182 contested delegates, indicating that he is confident, as the president seems to be, that the national committee. which is soon to convene in Chicago, will decide all or most of the contests in favor of the Ohio candidate.

INSTANTLY KILLED John Thrift a Former Adams County Boy Met Instantaneous Death r IN NEW YORK STATE Was Born and Raised Near Geneva and Left Here but a Few Years Ago A letter recently received from Olean. New York, by William Nelson of this city, brought with it the sad tidings of the tragic death of John Thrift, who was born and raised in the southern part of the country. having worked at Geneva for several years as a rig builder, when the oil boom was at its best at that place. The unfortunate man was the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Thrift, who for many years lived in this county. When but a young man he engaged in the oil business as a rig builder and after fulfilling this capacity for several years he was offered a lucrative position in the east which he accepted several years ago. He located at Chipmunk. New York, where he was soon given the foremanship of the rig building gang. His success was marked and three years ago he was united in marriage. Mr. Thrift then moved to Canada. where he engaged in the oil business. Last Thursday, while working on a lofty scaffold, he became unbalanced and fell many feet to the ground, which caused his instant and untimely death. The deceased was thirty-five years old and was buried last Saturday at Olean. New York. - Mr. J. D. .Stacy, of LaGrange. Ind., was in our city Saturday demonstrating a new brick machine which he has but recently invented and has had the same patented. The machine is a dandy and speaks very highly for Mr. Stacy, for his genius In inventing the machine. While in the city Mr. Stacy sold one of his machines to Mr. Fledderjohann, the price being about twenty-five dollars.