Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 6, Number 129, Decatur, Adams County, 29 May 1908 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume VI. Number 129.

GENEVA GOES DRY Remonstrators Win by a Healthy Majority in AntiSaloon Fight SIX WITHDRAWALS The Papers Will Be Filed Sometime Before Midnight Say Workers Geneva, Ind., May 29. —(Special to Daily Democrat)—The saloons in Geneva are doomed. The days for the business are numbered or will be soon for the remonstrance fight has won overwhelmingly. The battle started Tuesday morning, will terminate this evening with the filing of a remonstrance at the county auditor's oflice at Decatur, signed by about 350 voters, though only 272 are necessary. Mr. O. O. Juday will arrive at Decatur with the papers which will be filed sometime between that hour and midnight. The saloon men made some resistance but to .no effect. When once started the remonstrance move went along like an avalanche gliding down the side of a mountain, gaining each moment. Everybody tried to get on the water wagon or nearly so. Rev. King and the other workers here are greatly elated over the success. No application will come up before the board of commissioners at the June session, but the remonstrance is a blanket and will cover any application filed within two years.

A party of six Geneva men arrived here last night and filed their withdrawals from the remonstrance with Auditor Lewton shortly before midnight, that being the limit of time for a withdrawal. They were Joseph Brown, William Steed. G. B. Monroe, Victor McKissie, John Liechty and Albert Michael. However their action will not affect the remonstrance as the majority will be too great. o CLOVER LEAF HAS DEFICIT. The Road Has Plenty of Cash and Is Comfortable. The indications are that the Toledo, St. Louis and Western (Clover Leaf) will close its fiscal year June 30. with a deficit of $150,000 or $175,000, says the Wall Street Journal. A fair estimate of the road’s net earnings for the year after allowing for $132,000 taxes, is $1,200,000. Clover Leaf owns $6,380,000 Alton preferred, on which it has received during the year semi-annual dividends of 2 per cent each. These amount to $255,200 and bring the Clov.er Leaf s estimated total net earnings for the year up to $1,455,000. The $10,500,000 collateral trust bonds which the Clover Leaf issued to acquire its Alton common l and preferred stock will necessitate the payment of $253,200. Fixed charges on the roads other obligations will make the total deductions for interest for the year $1,223,200. This deducted from total net income, will leave a balance of $232,000. The 4 per cent dividends paid on the $lO,000,000 Clover Leaf preferred stock involve $400,000, and as only $232,000 will be available from the years earnings, the remaining $168,000 will have to be paid out of previous surplus. This Item at the end of the last fiscal year amounted to $2,162,445, so Clover Leaf will have nearly $2,000,000 left. Much of this surplus is in the form of cash so that road will be in a comfortable position notwithstanding.

YOUNG CRAWFORD RELEASED. Pending His Good Behavior—Promises to be Good. Harold Crawford, the young man caught in Fullenkamp's store, was arraigned this morning and plead guilty to the charge of larceny. His promises to be good were taken in good faith by the court and he was released upon good behavior in charge of probation officer. Lankenau and the boys relatives. It is believed the lad is at the turning point and that he will prove worthy of the confidence put upon him by the court at this time. A balloon ascension will be made at the carnival grounds tomorrow afternoon at about two o’clock. No doubt a large crowd will witness same.

A GREATER OSSIAN WILL RISE. On the Ash Heap Caused by the Recent Fire. The disastrous fire at Ossian Tuesday night was a hard blow to the prosperous and thriving town, but the people of the place are possessed of indomitable courage in the face of misfortunes which would dishearten completely a less sturdy and determined community. In the face of their heavy losses most of the fire sufferers are arranging or have already arranged to rc-embark in business and most of them will be conducting their respective institutions in cramped, but the only available quarters for the present. All of those who were located in the block wiped out had arranged by last night, less than twenty-four hours after the fire, to get back into business again immediately, with the exception of Rector Bros, and Fred N. Sharp, who on account of their extremely heavy losses, and complete destruction of their stock, and without available locations must necessarily take more time to determine their future course. —Bluffton News.

ILL FIVE YEARS Rev. W. W. Watts, Late of Monmouth, Succumbed to Paralysis WAS 77 YEARS OLD Has Served in Civil War and in Ministry for Many Years—the Funeral Rev. W. W. Watts, probably the best known man in northern Adams county, who for five years has suffered as a result of a paralytic stroke, together with the infirmities of old age, died last evening at 4:30 o'clock, after sustaining the third and fatal stroke of paralysis. The deceased has lived a noble life. He was born at Union, a small town in the vicinity of Dayton, Ohio, in 1831, where he was reared to manhood. In 1853 he was united in the holy bonds of wedlock to Miss Annis Gates of near Celina. To this happy union were born six children, T. W. Watts of Decatur; J. W. Watts, of Monmouth; Mrs. C. C. Wilder, of Monmouth; Mrs. Rhoda A. Maban, of Monmouth; Mrs. Mary Allen and Greenbury Watts, the latter two having preceded their father to the great beyond. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Watts took up their abode at Menden, Ohio, where they resided for a number of years. However, they had been wedded but eight years when a call for volunteer soldiers was issued and Mr. Watts was among the first to enlist in the service of his country in 1861, when a dark cloud hund over the nation of America. The deceased was a member of the forty-sixth Ohio volunteer infantry and during the course of the battles, he was wounded several times, having been shot in the head and back, as well as having two fingers of his left hand shot off. He was brave and true and before the war ceased he was appointed captain of his company, an honor he well deserved. In 1880 Mr. Watts and family removed to this county, which was a short time after he had entered the ministry, his first charge having, been at Delphos, Ohio. Since that lime be has engaged in evangelistic work as well as holding charges at Upland, Indiana, and Vandalia, Mich., in the Friends church. The paralytic stroke suffered by the deceased five years ago rendered him unable to continue activity in the ministry and in fact his condition has demanded medical attention during several years past. In June. 1907, the aged man suffered the second stroke, although but a light owe, and he then made the statement to his wife that he would be taken by a third this June. Last Monday evening at 5:30 o’clock the third stroke came, although not in June as was predicted by the afflcted man and since then he has gradually declined, being unconscious and unable to speak during the closing chapter of his long and useful life. Besides the four children, his widow, two brothers, J. M. Watts, of Menden, Ohio, and R- O. Watts of Adrian, Mich., together with a multitude of sorrowing friends, partake of the poignant grief emanating from the death (Continued on page 2.)

A BOLD BURGLARY John Joseph Candy Kitchen Was Broken Into this Morning NO MONEY TAKEN The Home of John Drummond Was Also Entered and Glasses Stolen Not profiting by the fate of one young man who was finally caught breaking into a store some miscreant whose name the police would very much like to learn, broke the rear door of the J. Joseph candy kitchen off last night, entered the place of business and were sadly disappointed to find that no money with the exception of a few pennies was left in the store. Mr. Joseph closed his business place last night at eleven-thirty o'clock, taking with him the money he had not deposited in the bank. The doors of the store were securely locked, but this morning when the proprietor opened the store he was astonished to see the rear door lying on the ground in the back yard. An investigation disclosed the fact that some one who well knew where the sliding bar was on the door had pried it off as well as breaking both hinges. Not a cent was taken but to the contrary Mr. Joseph thinks he is ten cents to the good on the transaction, as he found two nickles on the floor that he cannot account for and he thinks the robber lost It in the flurry. It appears that there is a home talent gang, the members of which are making petit steals and a protracted effort will be made to capture them.

The home of John Drummond in the west part of the city was entered yesterday afternoon at three o’clock and an eight dollar pair of gold rimmed, double lense glasses was stolen. Mrs. Drummond had gone to the home of a neighbor for a few minute’s visit leaving the side door unlocked. Returning in fifteen minutes she noted that some unwelcome visitor had been in her home She at once missed her spectacles, but no clew has been found as to who the thief was. 0 WEDDING PUT OFF Because William Sheaks Couldn’t Secure the License Yesterday WAS GRANTED TODAY Preacher and Guests Were There and the Wedding Supper Occurred William Sheaks, who failed to secure a [license yesterday because he couldn’t answer the questions for his intended bride, appeared again this morning, this time accompanied by his fiancee. It developed that bis failure to secure the license yesterday caused quite a disappointment as when Sheaks arrived at Mrs. Vorhees' home last evening he found the preacher and guests there and

the wedding supper all ready. They enjoyed the supper anyway and bright and early today came to town to finish the job. The groom is thirty-nine, a teamster and was married once before. The bride is forty-one, and this is her fourth trip on the matrimonial sea, two voyages being so stormy that divorces were necessary and the other ending in the death of the husband about three months ago. The fact that they were detrmined not to fail in the'effort this morning was evidenced by the fact that they employed a firm of lawyers, Peterson and Moran to assist them in securing the license which was done with but little trouble. * o W. H. Oliver, who attends school at Bluffton, was in the city enroute to his home at Monroe for a two weeks’ vacation.

Decatur, Indiana, Friday Evening, May 29, 1908.

PAINTERS GO TO WINCHESTER. Did Artistic Wo r k for Paint Company While Here. The two painters, Messrs. J, F. Kennedy and B. H. Kennedy, of Indianapolis, who have been in the city for several weeks, painting artistic signs on the various buildings throughout the city, for the Burdsal Paint company. have finished their work here and although they did not paint the town red, they are deserving of great praise for the creditable manner in which they did the work. The Burdsal Paint company is represented in this city by the drug and hardware stores. An especially good sign that these two gentlemen have painted is that on the Bowers hardware store. The boys knew what they were about and their work shows it. They left this morning for Winchester, where they have several like jobs to work on.

IN BAD HUMOR Majority Party in Congress Looking Forward to Defeat COULD NOT AGREE They Completely Juggled With the Currency Question V Washington, May 29. —The closing Jays of congress reveal in striking fashion the disorganized condition of the Republican party. Indeed, it may be said that the entire session, covering nearly six months, has been one continuous revelation of factional strife and lack of leadership. The minority displayed a good deal of virility throughout the session, but after all, the real fighting was within the majority rather than between the minority and the majority. The session comes to an end with the Republicans in both senate and house in bad humor. Everybody is calling some one hard names. The senate accuses the house of extravagance. The house lays all the blame for the unprecented raid on the treasury on the senate. Both senate and house are saying hard things about the occupant of the white house, and the president, if he spoke his mind publicly, would no doubt be uncomplimentary to the Republicans in each branch of the legislative body. Many of the Republican members of the house are going home with the expectation of meeting defeat at the November election. The undercurrent of comment is that the house will be Democratic in the next congress unless the Republicans pull themselves together in an unexpected way between now and election day. It is worth recording for the sake of history that the great party has not been able to get together on one important question during this session of congress. If the president wanted a thing, congress did not want it. If congress proposed to do a thing on its own initiative, it was necessary to find out whether the president would veto it. The senate leaders and the house leaders worked at cross purposes from the time the session began. As a result of the lack of harmony the old party has done some woefully foolish things. Its action on the bill for publicity in campaign contributions, for instance, was positively silly, and yet, it seems, some of the astute Republicans in the house seemed to think they could really make the country believe that the party was in favor of publicity in such contributions. But after all, nothing better illustrates the disorganized condition of the party than the story of how it has juggled withthe currency question. When the session began in December the partyleaders were very positive that a wise, comprehensive currency law was to be the great work of the session.

J. M. Brady, of Philadelphia, Pa, was in the city on business and returned home by the Fort Wayne trac[tion.

BROWN WAS GAME So Was All His Gambling Paraphanalia When Police Arrived AT FRENCH LICK A Proposed Raid Failed Because Some One Tipped Off the Plan French Lick. Ind., May 28. —Acting it is understood, at the direction of James Bingham, attorney general, two squads of men, six or seven in each squad moved on Al Brown's casino at this place and the Colonial Hotel at West Baden last night for the purpose of seizing gambling property which it was alleged was kept in the two places. The men were dressed in plain clothes and they had no trouble in getting into either the Brown casino or the Colonial but their work was without avail, because all the gambling apparatus had beeii removed in the afternoon. After taking a look through the two hotels the men left and today returned to their homes. The attorney-general was not here, but it was said he had ordered the raid, acting under instructions from Governor Hanly. The men who made the raid arrived here last night. Some of them came early in the evening and others did not arrive until later. They divided into squads, part of them tak ing care of the Casino and the other squad looking after the Colonial. They were armed with search warrants sworn out 'at Paoli in the afternoon. During the afternoon three wagonloads of gambling apparatus were removed from the Brown Casino. It is not known, where it was taken. The Casino was not opened at all last night and operations at the Colonial were shut down early yesterday afternoon. It was announced at both places, it was said, that they would not be opened again this season.

Dent Spencer will have a vaudeville show at the carnival grounds tomorrow evening. He will have a number of old time favorites together with a bunch of good specialties. Don't miss it, as the admission is only 10c.

PROJECT FAVORED County Commissioners Favor the Construction of Albert Walters Ditch FILED THEIR REPORT More Than Two Hundred and Fifty Farmers Will Be Affected The drainage commissioners filed their report this morning in regard to the proposed Albert Walters ditch, favoring the project in every particular. As has been previously stated, this ditch will be the largest open trench ever constructed in Adams county, affecting more than two hundred and fifty farmers In French township. Mr. Walters circulated a petition some time ago securing thirtynine signatures and the commissioners were petitioned to cause the same to be established. The report of the commissioners covers sixty-six typewriter pages and is probably the most lengthy which has ever been compiled by the body. June the eleventh has been set for hearing of objections on the assessments of the proposed improvement and if none are registered the same will be constructed during this summer and fall. It is quite probable that no objections will be made as the drain is much needed. The assessments have been made against each forty acre tract of land or less, which will be drained by the ditch.

The Misses Grace Swank and Rebecca Keller who were the guests of Miss Mayme Dorwin, returned to their home at Geneva today. They were accompanied by Miss Mayme Dorwin.

RETURNED TO OHIO LAST NIGHT The Delegation of Traction Men Well Pleased. The delegation of thirty-four business men and farmers from Mercer, Mendon, Rockford, Willshire and Spencerville, who were here yesterday to investigate the probabilities of extending the line throuh to Lima left at 3:26 over the Erie for their homes. They will hold a meeting to decide on the probable future of the company. The members of the party were: Messrs. Dr. H. C. Hart, Theo. Eysenbach, E. L. Halter, E. H. Carr, W. H. Wein, T. M. Berry, J. B. Graceley, F. C. Snow, S. A. Sheets, C. H. Baum, J. E. Wilson, H. C. Richardson, E. M. Wein, J. M. Beard, Robt. Kolter, P. F. Weidhardit, C. B. Miller, J. F. Wetherill, L. H. Leßarron, J. H. Hoverman, Henry Hildebrand. Harry Briggs, H. L. Gamble, Dr. E. P. Hussey, L. A. Price, L. B. Williams, F. C. Snow, H. S. Smith, G. H. Wright, H. B. Sunderland, A. S. Hooker, Master Robt. Sunderland, J. L. Reck, J. F. Disher. o TARIFF TO STICK No Relief by Congress to the Newspaper Publishers

MORE FOR MILITIA Two Millions for Reorganization—Publicity Dead Washington, May 29. —The special committee of six members of the house appointed on complaint of the American Newspaper Publishers’ Association to investigate the wood pulp and print paper situation in relation to the tariff and with regard to an alleged conspiracy In restraint of trade, today submitted a majority and a minority report. The majority report, which is signed by Representatives Mann, of Illinois; Miller, of Kansas; Stafford, of Wisconsin, and Bannon of Ohio, is a preliminary report, and recommends that no legislation affecting wood pulp and print paper be enacted until the committee has further investigated and reported. The minority report which is signed by Representatives Sims, of Tennessee, and Ryan, of New York, recommends the passage of the Stevens bill to place wood pulp and print paper on the free list. Washington, May 29.—The president has signed the bill providing for the reorganization of the militia of the United States and its arming and equipment at a cost not to exceed $2,000,000, and gave the pen he used for the purpose to Gen. J. A. Drain, chairman of the executive committee of the national guard association. Assistant Secretary Oliver of the war department, said today that one of the first steps to be taken will be the appointment of a board composed of five representative officers of the organized militia, to consult with the secretary of war, regarding the condition and needs of that branch of the military service. Washington, May 29. —Nothing whatever will be done by the senate in the direction of obtaining campaign publicity legislation at this session. A sub committee of the committee on (privileges and flection's, consisting of Senators Long and Johnston, has been assigned to the task of preparing a bill, but it will not report one before next winter. There are four bills providing for publicity of campaign contributions now pending before the committee, including the Crumpacker bill passed by the house. FELL FROM A LOAD OF HAY. Charley Zimmerman Received a Broken Arm. Charles Zimmerman, fifteen year old son of Ed Zimmerman, who lives near Peterson, was painfully hurt this morning. He was helping his uncle, _ Lewis Zimmerman, haul hay and in some way fell from the load, alighting on his right side. His right arm was doubled under his body and broken between the elbow and wrist. Dr. D. D. Clark was called and attended the lad.

Price Two Cents

OLD DECATUR FLAG Which Was Bought Twenty Years Ago is on Display at Myers-Daily Store IS A GREAT RELIC 160th Indiana Volunteer Infantry Carried It in Their Travels The fact that Decoration Day, one of the most sacred of all national holidays, is but a day hence, has inspired the gratitude of every loyal American and even the window dressers of the business institutions of our city have applied their original ideas in commemoration of the worthy veterans of the civil and Spanish-American wars. The Myers and Daily display window has been artistically arranged with flags, muskets and other paraphernalia used in the war and it sattractiveness has solicited the attention of every passerby. The pictures of Lincoln and Grant complete the appropriateness of the decoration which in turn reflects credit upon their remarkable achievements. Peculiar among relics displayed in the window of the above mentioned firm is the big silk flag which was purchased twenty years ago by the Decatur guards, who were members of the national guards of the Indiana state militia, who at that time composed he third regiment. However, this regiment was transferred to the 160th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, who did service in Cuba, taking with them the flag which has been retained by the company since its purchase. The company was organized in 1888 under the captaincy of Dr. J. S. Coverdale with M. L. Byers first lieutenant and P, L. Andrews second lieutenant. The company left here for Indianapolis in citizens' clothing, where they attended for the first time, the encampment. M. L. Byers succeeded Dr. Coverdale as captain and the subsequent captains were respectively as follows: John Steele, French Quinn. Charles King, John Myers, Ed Miller and John Lenhart. The flag which is in the possession of John Myers is torn and tattered but an invaluable relic, which represents the brilliant career of the Decatur volunteers. Tomorrow’s holiday will be observed with profound respect try Decatur people. Although the business stores will not all close, the proprietors and employes will in some manner manifest their loyalty to the occasion.

TO MANAGE SOUTHERN FORESTS Important Step is Offer Made by Georgia University. Washington. D. C, May 29. An important step in the general movement to Bring many of the rich stands of timber in the south under a scientific plan of forest management is the offer made by the school of forestry of the university of Georgia, at Athens, Ga., to furnish timber owners experts who will examine and report upon any of the forests in the state. The object of the offer is to collect information in regard to the forest resources of the state, to (spread a knowledge of forestry and to Improve forest conditions. The forest school will furnish the experts free and the only expense which will be borne by the forest owner will be paid for the traveling and subsistence expenses of the expert while making the examination. In cases where several owners of the same locality apply the expenses will be prorated. When applications for examination are made, the owners have been asked to give their names and postoffice addresses, location of tract, area of tract, character of forest as shown by the kinds of trees growing on the land, the conditions of the forest, whether mature, original or second growth, whether the land has been burned or cut over, and the wishes of the owner regarding the use of the land. — o- “ LIBRARY WILL BE CLOSED. The Library will be closed Saturday -Memorial Day. The reading rooms will be open on Sunday at the usual hours, 1-6 p. m. The June magazines are all on the tables and are of exceptional merit. The public is invited to come to the library and enjoy the literary treat to be found there.