Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 6, Number 214, Decatur, Adams County, 7 September 1908 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume VI. Number 214.

OPENS NEXT WEEK Thirty Cent Clubs to Be Organized All Over Adams County SPEAKERS ASSIGNED Judge Erwin and E. G. Huffman Will Speak Here—the Other Dates The Bryan and Kern campaign will open in. earnest in Adams county next week when Thirty Cent Clubs will be organized in every nook and corner, and there will be speeches by tbe party leaders. Bills were printed here today showing the exact time and places. From this time on there will be something doing constantly until November 3rd, when it is believed old Adams will stack up a majority never before equaled in this green spot. On Wednesday of next week the first speeches of the season will take place at the court house in this city, when Judge R. K. Erwin and Hon. E. O. Huffman, committeemen of the twelfth district, will address the voters. A band and two glee clubs will enliven the occasion. On the following evening, Thursday, September 17th, meeting to organize clubs will be held as follows: At Briggs Hall, Geneva, address by Hon. D. E. Smith; Monmouth school house, address by Hon. Daniel N. Erwin; Preble township, Krutzman’s school house, address by Hon. J. Fred Fruchte; Kirkland township as election school house, address by Hon. C. J. Lutz; Union township at Kohr's school house, addresses by Hons. A. P. Beatty and J. C. Moran; Monroe, at Hocker’s Hall, address by Hon. John F Snow; Berne, at hall, address by Hon. D. B. Erwin. On Friday evening September 18, meetings will be held as follows: Linn Grove, at school house addresses by Hons. Jacob Butcher, of Geneva, and Jesse Kelley; French township, at election school house, addresses by Hons. S. A. M. Butcher; Geneva and Emil Franz, of Berne; Blue Creek township at Kinsey school house, addresses by Hons. D. E. Smith and John C. Moran; Jefferson township, at Booher school house, addresses by Hons. Henry B. Heller and W. L. Thornhill. All these meetings will be called at 7:30 o'clock p. m.

REFUSES TO VOTE George Zehr Says It is Against His Religious Convictions AN UNUSUAL CASE Naturalization Papers Refused Him—May Go to Supreme Court An unusual occurrence was that before Judge Merryman this morning when George Zehr’s application for naturalization papers was deferred, the court bolding that applicant was not entitled to the protection given United States citizens because he believes it wrong to vote. Mr. Zehr is one of the best men of this county, a loyal citizen and a Christian gentleman. According to his religious belief is wrong to vote against a Christian and said if there was only one ticket he could vote, but where there are more, he did not believe it it right. The court told Mr. Zehr of the (high esteem in which he held him but said that he did not think a man who could not believe in the constitutional mode of selecting officers was entitled to papers of citizenship and refused to grant them. Mr. Zehr lives three miles northwest of Geneva and has been a resident of the county for forty years. He was bom in the city of Dahn, Germany, in 1842. He said this country suited him and he would do all he could for it, but according to his Bible, he couldn’t conscientiously vote. The case will be heard later again for the purpose of making a record and the question may be decided in the supreme court. Peterson * Moran are attorneys for Mr. Zehr.

SERVICES AT PRESBYTERIAN. Rev. Spetnagle Delivered Two Eloquent Sermons. Rev. Spetnagle, of the Presbyterian church delivered two eloquent sermons Sunday, his first for a month and he was at his best, feeling just fine he sta "d and he certainly spoke that way. His morning subject was Digging Wells,” and his remarks were full of wholesome advice, well given. Miss Florence Sprunger rendered a beautiful solo. CAUSES SORROW Milo Elzey, Known and Loved by Many, Gone to Great Beyond A FINE YOUNG MAN His Left Leg Was Amputated Yesterday and He Died Soon Afterward Yesterday noon when reports from the Elzey home to the effect that Milo, the youngest member of the family, had finally passed away, rumored through the streets of the city, an expression of profound sorrow characterized the visage of every person who was informed of the sorrowful news. If is seldom indeed that a boy of such tender years gains the popularity among young and old, rich and poor, as did Milo. He has been held iu the high esteem of all. Not only has he been industrious, honest, popular and trustworthy, but during the course of his young life he has been devoted to his mother in a true loving way, for which, if for no other reason, he has won the admiration of his every acquaintance. When but a mere chap, Milo was employed as clerk and delivery boy at the Hower and Hower grocery. His sterling worth and honesty of. principles soon became known and he was steadily advanced, never betraying in the least the confidence reposed in him. A few

years ago he accepted a position as bus driver for L. A. Holthouse and in this capacity was faithful and efficient. Several months ago, the youth, while alighting from the vehicle, struck his knee against the hub of the w'heel and as a consequence a tubercular condition soon developed, causing alarm among his many friends. In an effort to effect relief he went to Mt. Clemens, Mich., where for several weeks he was given treatment, returning slightly improved. He was home but a few days, however, until he sustained a fall and from that time he has gradually declined, his case becoming extremely serious a few weeks ago. Having been accorded all treatments known to medical science without avail, it was advised and submitted to that an operation was the only means by which the boy’s life could possibly be saved. Drs. C, S. and D. D. Clark and .1. M. Miller amputated bis left leg yesterday shortly before noon, and Milo died a few moments afterward. When the leg was amputated no blood whatever was in evidence and it was known that the spark of life could remain but a very short time, and Milo parsed calmly and peacefully into e’emity. It i 8 sad Indeed that one possessed of such honorable qualifications should be plucked from a loving mother and brothers and sisters, when in mere boyhood but the grim reaper in his deadly sweep; without regard to these, takes the flower from many a home. The writer having been an acquaintance of the deceased during the most of his life knows that the departed youth has lived a busy and honorable career one which should afford consolation to the bereaved relatives. Surviving besides the mother ere one brother, Forrest, of this city, and two sisters, Mrs. William Shackley, of Berne, and Mrs. Charles Ulman, the father having preceded Milo to the great beyond. The funeral services will be held from the house tomorrow afternoon at 2; 30 o’clock, .burial to take place at Maplewood cemetery.

The Huntington ball team plays Lew Scott’s Independents here two games Labor Day. One at 10:30 In the morning and one at 2:30 in the afternoon. The teams are evenly matched and the games will be worth seeing—Bluffton Banner.

ASSIGN TEACHERS School Board Held an Interesting Meeting Friday Evening ALLOW SOME BILLS Treasurer is Ordered to Borrow SI,OOO from First National Bank The school board met Friday evening in continued session and transacted business preparatory to the opening of the 1908 term. Probably the most important matter which occupied the attention of the board was the assignment of the teachers to the respective grades and the fixing of their salaries. Two hours’ time were required to adjust the salaries according to the grades and the total amount to be paid the teachers per month this year is $1,626.85, which is $146.85 more than wag paid last year. The treasurer was ordered to borrow SI,OOO at 6 per cent at the hirst National bank for the general fund to be used in the special fund. This money will pay for the repairs of the building, accomplished subsequent to orders from the state. The following bills were read and allowed: C. E. Suttles, repair west ward, $16.50; J. S. Holcomb Co., floor brushes, $16.25; T. A. Leonard, repair on roof and spouting at south ward, $146.20; repair on Central building, $1.67: repair on North Ward, $3.00. It was ordered that the tax levy be as follows: Special fund. 47 cents on SIOO valuation; special building, 8 cents On SIOO valuation; tuition, 42 cents on SIOO valuation. This makes an aggregate of 97 cents on the SIOO. A DIVORCE SUIT Mrs. Mollie Hauk Wants a Decree and Custody of Her Daughter

HUSBAND IN WEST Fooled Her Out There and Took Possession of Their Son Francis Peterson and Moran filed a suit entitled Mollie K. Hauk vs. Frank J. Hauk, suit for divorce. The couple were married September 30, 1896, and lived together until September 1, 1906, when the defendant left his family, going to Coffeeville, Kansas, where he has since lived. They have two children. Lola E., aged ten, and Franc’s D., aged eight. In July, 1907, Hauk sent for his wife and children to come to him. They went with happy visions of a reunited home, but arriving there Mrs. Hauk discovered that it was onlv a p’sn for him to secure 1 of the children He ordered her back to in.’iana, and she came, her husband retaining possession of the sou whom he still has. Mrs, Hauk charges her husband with infidelity and asks for the legal custody of the daughter Lola, apparently being willing that her husband keep the sop.. Mrs. Hauk is a resident of this township. oBURGLARS RANSACK HOUSE. Bluffton, Ind., Sept. 6. —While the family of James DeWitt, a prominent contractor, were on the streets, burglars entered their residence and thoroughly ransacked the house. Beds were tor nup, drawers pulled out and bureaus upset in the search for money. A few household articles were missing, no money being found on the premises.

OPERATION FAILS TO SAVE LIFE Bluffton, Ind., Sept. 6—Mrs. Aaron Guess died at three o'clock from, catarrh of the stomach following a n operation which failed to bring relief. She had been married to Mr. Guess but six months. By a former marriage she leaves five sons, the children of W. M. Brickley. Mrs. Guess was forty-two years of age. The remains | will be taken, to Markle for burial.

Decatur, Indiana, Monday Evening, September 7, 1908.

COTTON’S PAPA WILL AID HIM. George W. Cotton returned to Elkhart Friday evening after a short visit in this city. He paid a visit to his son Frank, who is in the county jail awaiting trial on a charge of issuing a fraudulent check and althcugh ho did not furnish bond for Frank’s release he promised to assist him in his troubles. Frank assured his father that he had not patronized the flowing bowl since he took the cure at Plymouth, Ind., and this won the unstinted support of his father in his present trouble.— Bluffton New-s. o ASK A SUBSIDY Electric Line from Bluffton Through Geneva SPECIAL ELECTION The Date of Electon Will Be Made Known Tomorrow John A. Briggs, M. E. Hutton, S. W. Hale and several other bosters from Geneva, were before the board of commissioners and received their approval for a special election, the same I to be held at the regular voting precincts of both Wabasb and Hartford I townships on a date yet to be fixed iby the board of commissioners, i The object of tbe special election is the voting of a subsidy to the Bluffton, Geneva and Celina Traction company. In one sense it will be an extension of the M. B. E. line, although the promoters are combined into a separate organization. The petition asks for one per cent of the taxable property, and in Wabash township the sum aggregates $15,076.00 and in Hartford township $9,405.00. The petitions presented were numerously signed, and if they mean anything, they mean the success of the subsidy. The line will be of great benefit and will give Linn Grove that relief for which they have been praying for all these years. Geneva, too, will be helped, and of those pushers there are wise—and they are—they will work early and late for this road. The fifteen thousand subsidy is not a drop in the bucket to the returns that will come to them laer on. The company proposes to build to Geneva and then later extend the line to Celina. Ohio. BOY IS INSANE Clarence, Son of the Deceased Solomon Gilpen, Has Unbalanced Mind STRANGE DELUSIONS Decatur Physicians Made Examination this Morning An insanity inquest was held over Clarence Gilpen at the office of Squire Stone this morning by Drs. J. M. Miller, W. E. Smith and D. D. Clark and although their verdict will not be reduced to writing until tomorrow, it is safe to say that he is of unsound mind and will be adjudged so by the physicians. The subject is the son of the late Solomon Gilpen, of St. Marys township, has parents dying sev. eral years ago. Clarence then went to eastern Ohio, returning to Adams county two weeks ago. He was employed by Isaac Smith, but was incapable to perform the duties on account of strange hallucinations about officers being after him and other delusions. John Rrodbeck. an uncle to the boy, took him in charge and he asserts that the boy’s mind is in a very bad condition. Persistence in a private habit is largely responsible for his dementia. Application will be made to enter him at East Haven asy- . lum and in the meantime he will be in charge of Mr. Brodbeck.

WAS BOUND OVER Adam Moser Will Have to Prove Innocence in Circuit Court CHARGE IS SERIOUS Unable to Give Bond for SBOO and Was Sent Back to Jail Adam Moser, the Adams countyman charged with enticing Pearl Elsie Martin, an eleven-year-old orphan girl from the Levi Wulliman home south of Bluffton on August 11th, was arraigned Friday afternoon before Squire Rinehart and entered a plea of not guilty and evidence was then heard, but the case was not entered into deeply. The affidavit on which Moser was arrested alleged that the alleged crime took place on or about August first, and Moser was ready to offer an alibi for that date, but an alibi for August Ist would not free him as that was not the date the prosecution sought to prove that he had been at the Wulliman place. Moser said he would be able to show where fie was on that date and would prove that he was not at the Wulliman farm. He had a big retinue of his Adams county relatives and friends here to try to help him out in his difficulty where they were also a number of witnesses on hand for the prosecution. Squire Rinehart bound Moser over to circuit court under bond of sf\o and not being able to furnish bond he was returned to jail to await arralgment in circuit court. The case may go over to the November term in order that attorneys may prepare for trial. —Bluffton News.

TO MEET TONIGHT Stockholders I of Citizens’ Telephone Company in Annual Meet ELECT NEW OFFICERS And Read Reports—This Has Been a Most Successful Year The annual meeting of the Citizens* Telephone stockholders will be held at the office of F. M. Schirmeyer this evening at seven o’clock, at which time important business will be transacted. The election of officers, reading of reports, etc., will be accomplished and other matters will be disposed of. The Citizens’ Telephone company has experienced a most successful year which Is now nearing its close. Many new telephones have been installed and every department has undergone decided success and the stockholders of this enterprise have ample .reasons to be grateful. The fact that the Bell people have cease business in this section will only add to the success of the local company and every indication points to a most prosperous future. The officers have performed their duties efficiently which. In a large measure is responsible for the advancement of the company’s interest. —— o JOE TRAINER DENIES STORY. That He Had Ought to Do With Painter’s Arrest. About ten days ago we gave an account °f the arrest of Charles Painter, of Willshire, by a U. S. revenue officer, for operating a blind tiger In that "dry” town. It was alleged that one Joseph Trainer, a harness maker in that town had given the “tip” which led to Painter's arrest, but that gentleman vigorously and emphatically neies any part in tbe affair. Joseph is a good hearted soul, and the last person we know of whom any one would maliciously wrong and from inquiries made we believe in his innocence and are glad to say so. Perhaps the trial of Painter will bring out the real facts in the case.

FUNERAL OF S. M. PASSON. Held Yesterday—Was Well Known Citizen of Jefferson Township. S. M. Passon, aged sixty-seven years and for half a century a resident of Jefferscn township, was hurled yesterday, funeral services being held from Grange Hall church. Mr. Passon was one of the best known citizens of southern Adams county and had many acquaintances in this section. He is survived by his w-ife and five ca l- <? ren. o FIRST DAY IN COURT September Session Began With a Rush of Routine Affairs THE PROBATE WORK Occupied Quite a Portion of this Morning Session— Many Reports The September term of the Adams circuit court convened at nine o’clock this morning and Judge Merryman proceeded to arrange the preliminaries for a busy term. Business w’as transacted as follows: Millard McGath et al vs. Mary E. McGath et al, partition, and injunction, appearance by Hooper & Lenhart for Sholty and Meyers, rule to answer. Berne Lumber Co. vs. Peter D Roth et al. mechanics- lien, cause dismissed and costs paid. Bank of Berne vs. Luther and William Lehman, notes $125, dismissed and costs paid. Edward L. Arnold et al petition for drain, proof of service filed, finding that each and all persons named in petition have been notified properly. Cause ordered docketed. William Fleetwood vs. Julia A. and Benj.; Allen, note $l5O, dismissed and costs paid. Frank O. Martin et al, drain, report of drainage commissioners filed. A similar report, was also filed in the Sylvester C. Tinkham et al drain. Orrin D. Bleakley vs. Central Western Oil company, note $120,000 and receivership, final report filed and receiver discharged. William H. Cadwell vs. Universal Oil company et al. William Heller receiver, final report approved and receiver discharged. Real estate transfers are as follows: Marie Zaugg et al to Orville Heller, lot 14, Preble $975. Decatur cemetery Ass’n to Benj. F. Butler lot 484 for S3B, to J. E. Butler lot 464 for S4O; Henry Ileidoman 100 acres i tl ’Washington township, $4,000. Maggie Vc sey to John Badders lot 19, Monroe, SBS. Marriage licenses were issued to Russell Andrews, 23, a laborer and May Elzey. 19, both of this county; Grover Liby, 24. a farmer, to Lizzie Hilge, 22, PROBATE AFFAIRS. The clerk's report and action was approved in tbe estate and will of Abram Steudler,William J. Craig, John A. Anderson, Mary Brickley. William R. Kirchner, which were filed during vacation. C. D. Lewton, administrator of the L. W. Lewton estate and David Zehr, executor of the Cary E. Irwin will filed inventories, which were approved. The clerk filed his report and the letters were confirmed in the following guardianships: Catherine Eiting guardian for Agneg E. Eiting, et al; A. B. Bailey, guardian for Frances Kessler; Clara Anderson, guardian for Catharine and Joseph Anderson. George C. McCune, guardian for Forest McCune, filed an Inventory. A. Ml Neuenschwander, guardian for Lydia M. Neuenschwander et al, filed a current report and was-author-(Continued on Page Two)

Price Two Cents

FAIR NEXT WEEK Fort Wayne Expecting Large Crowds at Their Fair GREAT RACES CARDED The Purses Are Large and the Steppers Will Be Fast —» I. Fort Wayne, Ind.. Sept. 7.-On account of the liberal patronage extended the Decatur fair by the people of Fort Wayne, a great crowd is expected from there next week when the Great Fort Wayne Fair will be held. The dates are from September 15 to 19. There will be a SI,OOO stake race with two SSOO purse events and a run Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and Saturday will be the great Fort Wayne derby. There will absolutely be no big day. They will all be just alike. Arrangements have been completed with the Grand Rapids road to run special trains leaving Fort Wayne Thursday and Friday evenings, Sept. 17 and 18 In order to give visitors to the great fair a chance to remain at the grounds for the entire program. These trains will be added at the request of the fair manage ment. The trolley line will also put in extra equipment every day and give some low rates. The directors are offering $9,000 in race purses and stakes and $6,000 in premiums and expect, to put on the best fair in the history of the county During the week the management of the Great Fort Wayne fair secured enough blooded horses to make that department of the big show a grand feature. George Souers, of Huntington, has entered seventeen head picked from a recent importation of seventy noble Percherons and Belgians which have been shown, only at the Indiana state fair. The celebrated Crouch stables will also be there and in every line of live stock the most excellent will be shown. o - — ■ Miss Hermina Wlecklng left this morning for Maumee. Ohio, where she will take up work as supervisor of music and assistant in German in the schools of that place—Bluffton News. o IN THE HARNESS Candidate Taft to Tour Many Sections of the Country GETTING NERVOUS Indiana Included in the Itinerary of His Travels Middle Bass Island, Ohio, Sept. 7.— W. H. Taft left here yesterday for the activities of his campaign. He had written the Republican national committee to arrange for him a speech-making itinerary and has suggested that the states of Missouri. Nebraska, Kansas, lowa, Illinois, Indiana and New York be included in any tour that many be decided upon. Mr. Taft has also expressed the view that his stay in Cincinnati might be terminated as early as Sept. 21, thus permitting the extension of his services in the general political field to a period of nearly six weeks and make possible a trip from coast to coast. The request of the nominee to be assigned speaking dates, coming, as it does, direct upon the visit here yesterday of National Chairman Hitchcock, and his desire to hasten the time when he is to take tbe road, is regarded as showing his fixed determination that no doubt shall exist as to his attitude. “I can’t conceive of anything more depressing than to be denied par tlcipation in an active campaign or to be kept quietly in oue place, pending wholly upon necessarily frag mentary reports as to what s go on and as to what conditions are. This was the recent summing up by Mr. Taft of his personal feelings in the - situation.