Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 6, Number 242, Decatur, Adams County, 9 October 1908 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume VI. Number 242.

AFFIDAVIT HAS BEEN PREPARED .—

Charging Charles Wolfe With Murder in first Degree GRAND JURY TO INVESTIGATE

CORONERS INQUEST Was Held at Ten O’Clock this Morning—Verdict Not Announced Yet THE PRISONER TALKS Funeral Services for Mr. Mangold Delayed Awaiting Arrival of Daughter Prosecutor Heller has prepared an affidavit, which will be signed by Sheriff Eli Meyer, charging Wolfe with murder in the first degree and this will be filed this evening or tomorrow morning as soon as Judge Merryman arrives home from Fort Wayne, where be was called on business this morn-1 ■ng. It is probable that Wolfe will KWaive a preliminary trial and will be Lbeid over until the first week in No- ■ vember when the grand jury will fully investigate the affair and perhaps res turn an indictment similar to the affiKtavlt. Under the law. where a charge E 01 murder in the first degree is made -It is permissage to prove either murder in the first or second degree or ■Manslaughter, the jury deciding and IMbting the punishment accordingly. A Mfoecial grand jury will not be called M the regular session will be held in three weeks. A post mortem examination upon the body of Jacob Mangold was held at the Moses & Meyer undertaking ; booms this morning by Drs. C. S. Clark - lad P. B. Thomas. They will prepare «|report to the coroner which will be Siren in probably tomorrow or Monday. stating their opinion as to the caase of death. The coroners inquest was held at the office of Prosecutor Henry B. Heller at ten o’clock this asiWning and six witnesses were exJJfcfned, they being Ed Hurst. Charles Lord. John Schlegel. Grover Ritenour. Samuel Magley and Jerry Archbold. ( ‘'lhrSßc-nt at the inquest were Coroner Ctamdstaff, Prosecutor Heller, and At- - torncy, J. C. Moran and D. B. Erwin, representing the defendant. The various witnesses told their version of bow the affair happened and court reporter DeVoss took the testimony. The -s' boroner, however, will not give a findtag .until he has the report of the phybMans who conducted the post mortem •tobably by the middle of next week. It is rumored that the physicians found no hemorrhage of the brain and fcllwE Skull was not fractured and it

is believed that the finding of the inquiry will be that the deceased came to his death as the result of heart trouble brought on by the shock of a severe blow on the forehead and that one Charles Wolfe was the cause thereof. The two by four slab used as a weapon by Wolfe is now in the hands of Sheriff Meyer and will be used in the trial. It is a bad looking club, with a cleate across near the end and containg about a dozen nails which protrude in an ■ ugly manner. Several spots of bleed prove that it is the identical ipstrument used by Wolfe. The death of Mr. Mangold is to be deplored. As a citizen ne was of the truest type and faithful and devoted husband and father. During the many years he has resided in Adams county he has ben highly esteemed by his .every acquaintance. The deceased I was born in Fairfield county. Ohio, ' sixty-three years ago, removing to j Adams county and settling in Preble in 1863. At the age of nineteen years he was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Spangler, sister of Sylvester Spangler of this city, and to this union were bom four children, three of whom are living, namely, Mrs. Earl Taylor, of Portland, Oregon, formerly Miss Sophia Mangold, and the Misses Kate and Clara, residing here. Two brothers, Noah and Henry of Decatur and two sisters, Mrs. Henry Krick and Mrs. Jacob Sheerer, survive to mourn the loss of the departed estimable man . A message wes received this afternoon from Mrs, Earl Taylor, of Portland. Oregon, formerly Miss Sophia Mangold, a daughter of the late Jacob Mangold, stating that she would leave that city tonight for here and consequently no arrangements for the funeral will be made until her arrival which will be about Wednesday next. On the streets, in the stores and in the homes, in fact every place about Decatur, the untimely death of Jacob Mangold was the subject of conversavarious opinions were expressed on the sad and terrible affair. So far as (fan be learned the murder occurred practically as given in our issue of last evening. All who were present at the time of the affair say that Mr. Mangold was transacting his duty.and that Wolfe,who seems to have been angry with some of his fellow workmen, allowed his temper to get the better of him. It is claimed that after he snick Mr. Mangold, the latter ■ being hurled into the ditch, that Wolfe jumped on his victim, was taken off by Ed Hurst who was nearby. The deceased was an easy going, kind and patient man and his friends do not believe that he did aught to warrant such an assault. Coroner J. C. Grandstaff, who was at Poe when notifield of the murder, arrived at the scene at 4:25, and immediately ordered the removal of the body, and the remains were brought to the Moses & M"yer morgue, by Harve Smith, and prepared for burial. Immediately after Mr. Mangold became unconscious Dr. C. S. Clark was summoned, but the injured man had ceased to suffer almost before the messenger was on his way. Dr. Clark examined the body and gave as his opinion that the skull had not been fractured, but agreed with Dr. Grandstaff that death had probably been caused by the forming of a blood clot upon the brain. Immediately after striking the fatal blow, Wolfd proceded to the home of John Robinson on north Second street where he, tvithout knowing of the

enormity of his crime, told his story to Mr. Robinson, stiating that he would probably be arrested upon the charge of assault and battery. In the course of this conversation he stated that a contention had been caused between himself and several of the workmen as a consequence of the fact that he was making an effort to haul as many loads of gravel as possible that he may receive compensation accordingly, and the levelers and a number of the teamsters, he asserts, persisted in delaying him in different ways. Wolfe quartered his team at the Robison barn at nights and would drive to his home in a single vehicle. After conversing with Robison he drove homeward, unconscious of the fact that as a result of his blow he had become a murderer. After his arrest and the awful news of the affair reached the ears of Wolfe’s young wife she broke down in grief, weeping bitterly for several hours and she asserted that she knew her husband was grossly aggravated else he would never have committed the act. The prisoner is the father of a thirteen ■ months' old baby boy and is the old- j est son of Joseph Wolfe cf French 1 township. The father and mother of the prisoner, heart broken and positive of the fact that the act of their son resulted only after persistent provocation, came to the city this morning and in telling of the life of their imprisoned son, they created much sympathy among all who heard them. The father, one of the most highly respected citizens cf French township, in an interview with a Democrat representative, said that Charles, always of a quiet disposition, had nveer before been in trou ble of any nature and this fact is substantiated by many responsible per sons. He continued: “I know the boy was forced into this for he has never in his life from childhood to the present day, with the exception cf yesterday, threatened or attempted violence to any person, but to the contrary he has been regarded by all who knew him as quiet, self ]>ossessed young man. The conversation of Mr. Wolfe was broken several times when he broke down and wept bitterly. He further said that with a family of ten, children (four boys and six .girls), he had never before experienced trouble with them, and this comes as a sad blow to the parents. Developments in the case, summing ' up the reports of the eye witnesses, have created a trend of sentiment to the effect that Wolfe was subjected to provocation by several of the gravel road employes and it is even reported that the life of Wolfe was threatened prior to the encounter, but as to the authenticity of this we are unable to state. It is further said that Wolfe was admonished not to return to the dump, else he would be dealt with nought!y. As to these reports, however, the Democrat will not assume any responsibility, as it is mere hearsay, but in justice to all concerned we publish same. Tn full realization of the enormity of the crime, the people, while deeply sympathizing with the friends and relatives cf Mr. Mangold. extend their sympathy also to the prisoner, who on the impulse of the moment, and seemingly bereft of premeditation, struck a blow which, will, in all probability, require him to i face a serious charge. A sister of the prisoner, Miss Ethel May, is employed in this city, and she was overwhelmed with grief when told of the sad affair. We today ascertained by talks with many of the acquaintances of Wolfe, that he has always been quiet and of kind disposition, which will be much in his favor at the time of the trial. PRISONER TALKS. A representative of the Democrat in an interview with Wolfe this morning was impressed by the .prisoner of his deep regret that resultant to the blow he struck, Mr. Mangold was ushered into eternity, although he emphatically declared that notwithstanding the provocation, the least of his thoughts were that such a fate would befall the victim as a consequence of his deed. Mr. Wolfe is indeed sensitive relative to the humiliation whch will evidently be caused his wife and infant babe,and bitterly wept when the name of his good wife was mentioned. He had engaged his attorneys, Peterson & Moran and D. B. Erwin, prior to the visit of the Democrat representative, and although he did not wish to fully discuss the affair, he made the following statement: "I was hauling stone for the road and as I was needing all the money I could possibly

Decatur, Indiana, Friday Evening, October 9, 1908.

make, I would begin work very early in the morning and would haul as, many loads a day as I cauid to in- i crease my pay. I was delayed yester- ! day several times by workmen at the ! 'dump, and after excessive provocation ' and a threat was made, I, while standing in wagen pitched the cross piece of the wagon, which struck Mr. Mangold. After further controversy, during which I was struck at with a shovel and admonished not to return to the dump, I drove to the home of John Robison, gathered my belongings ■ and went home. Mr. Mangold was| walking around when I left and I thought he was all right, until told by . the officers that he was dead. I have deep sympathy for the relatives of the deceased and hope to be forgiven for whatever I have done that is wrong.” This in substance is the statement of Mr. Wolfe, who rested but little last night at the county jail. Wolfe is repentant. A short time after the con-. ;versation, the father, mother and brother cf the prisoner visited the jail and a most pathetic scene followed, I the mother weeping as though tfier heart would break, and the father and .brother contributing to the pathos attending the meeting. It seems unfathomable that a man of his few years . (his age being 25 years), who never .before has been the subject cf the slightest criticism has been doomed ’to such a fate and deserving or unI deserving, he is accorded the sympathies of many. o WORLD’S SERIES Chicago Nationals and Detroit Americans to Battle for Championship THE FIRST GAME At Detroit Saturday—the Players Eligible and Other Items of Interest Cincinnati, Oct. B.—Beginning with 2 o’clock in the afternoon cf Saturday, October 10, the baseball teams of Chicago and Detroit, which have .just won the closest recorded contest for the championship of the National and American leagues, will meet at | Detroit to enter upon a six-day series of games for the base ball championship of the world. Rut one game will be played at Detroit before the scene shifts, the Sunday and Monday conjests being scheduled for Chicago, j while the Tuesday and Wednesday games are to be played at Detroit and the sixth game, if one is necessary, will then be transferred to Chicago. There have been some additional rules adopted governing such con--1 tests, although in most respects the 1 rules will be as in previous similar games. The national base ball commission will be in charge, but the 1m- ! mediate control of the games is given to two umpires from each league. For i the National league Umpires O'Day and Klein were designated by President Pulliam, while President Johnson, of the American league, named I Sehridan and Connolly to represent his organization. The following players will be eli- ! gible to participate in the games, and none others: Chicago National League ClubBrown, Chance, Durbin, Evers, Frazer, Howard, Hoffman, Kling, Kroh, Lundgren, Marshall, Moran, Overall, Pfeister, Reulbach, Sheckard, Slagle, Schulte, Steinfeldt, Tinker, Zimmerman. Detroit American League Club— Coughlin, Cobb. Crawford. Downs, Donovan, Jones, Jennings, Killian, Killifer. Mullin, O’Leary, Rossman, Schmidt, Summers, Suggs, Schaefer, Thomas. Willets. Winter and Mclntyre. At Chicago—General admission $1; grand stand (unreserved), $1.50; grand (reserved), $2; box seats, $2.50. At Detriot —General admission, $1; pavilion, $1.50; grand stand. $2; box seats, $2.50. The games shall be called in both cities at 2 p. m. A large number of Decatur fans are arranging to go to either Detroit or Chicago to witness a game or two of the big series. o Quite a number of the Knights of Columbus will go to Gas City Sunday to attend the dedication of the new St. Patricks Catholic church.

CHURCH AFFAIRS Revival Services at the Evan gelical and the Christian Churches Interesting PROVE ATTRACTIVE The Old Gospel and the Man of Gahlee Has Not Lost Its Attraction The revival services at the Evangelical church are drawing large , crowds of people. These special meetings are creating great interest among the people cf this city. The old gospel ot the Man of Galilee has not lost its attraction and power when intelligently and earnestly presented. The membership of the congregation are deeply interested and manifest a commendable earnestness in the Master’s kingdom. Yesterday's services were largely attended. Rev. W. H. Mygrant, a former pastor of the society, had charge of the afternoon services. The meeting was well attended, the service? were spiritual, the address most helpful. The speaker laid great j stress upon the importance of Bible knowledge. He said: We must know to do and we must do to be useful and happy. The Christian life is one o' knowledge, of service and of comfort and peace. Last evening Rev. C Geist, of Markle, preached to a full house. The splendid attention of the audience indicated that something was being said. Rev. Geist, the son of a preacher, is a profound thinker, a forceful speaker, a scholarly man. He took for his text Malachi 3:10. He described the sad conditions existing among the Israelites in the days of the prophet; he said the same conditicns would obtain in any church or individual when the same sins are practiced. He emphasized the facts that one-tenth of the increase of our substance, one-seventh of our time, our bodies and hearts, our lives and services to belong to God, and the withholding of either or any of them was disastrous to the Christian life and the only safety was the entire consecration of them all to God and His service. There are present eight evangelists, pastors and singers to assist in the services. Come out this evening to hear the message of God, the soul-inspiring songs, and see for yourself what God is doing for the people of Decatur. The services at the Christian church (Continued on page 2.) TOVOTE FOR BRYAN Twenty-Two Hundred Car Men Pledge Themselves to Bryan DEMOCRATS JUBILANT The Same Organization Formerly Were Republicans Chicago, 111., Oct. 7.—The InterOcean, the republican newspaper, today publishes the following: “At a meeting last night of the North and West Side Street Railway Men’s Conservative Republican club, held in Gazzola’s hall, Western avenue and Madison street, resolutions were adopted condemning President Roosevelt, for appearing to be working in harmony with William Randolph Hearst. In the same resolutions the street car men identified with this movement pledged their support to Mr. Bryan and General Stevenson. “C. B. Dwick is president cf the organization and A. C. Meyer is secretary. This branch of the Chicago car men was organized in 1896 and worked for the election of McKinJey and Tani ner. In the municipal campaign a ■ year ago last spring they supported ' Mr. Busse. It was estimated at that time that about 2,200 car men were brought into this organization. The ' work they did for Busse aroused the ■ other 5,000 men who were supporting Mayor Dunne and there was much (Continued on page 2.)

A TROLLEY PARTY AT BLUFFTON | A Great Time is Enjoyed by Many Ladies. Another of the popular trolley parties of the Misses Swinney, of Fort Wayne, arrived in Bluffton at noon to- ' day, and leaving the car at the Bliss hotel, the ladies were at once ushered into the hotel, where dinner was served. Del Locke, proprietor of the hotel, had •en apprised of their coming, and had a sumptuous repast readyin anticipation of their arrival. This is the third visit of the Misses Swinney and their pleasure parties to the city of Bluffton and the local hotel is the favorite place for such events. Following the spread a coaching party was given about town. Covers were laid for Mesdames F. E. Stouder, James Smith, J. W. White, E. F. Yarnelle, S D. Hanna, F. J. Hayden, J. H. Jacobs, J. I. White, W. T. Breckenridge, A. E. Boulson, W. P. Breen, George Crane, C. D. Emmans, N. B. Fisher, B. J. Griswold, S. Hoffman, A E. Hoffman, C. S. Knight, Hugh Keegan, E. H. McDonald, J. W. Caskey, S. L. Morris, Steven Morris, Walter Olds, H. G. Olds, Pervear, Porter, A. H. Perfect, Misses Kathryn MacDougal, Merriss, M. B. Clark, Margaret Smith, Kate Hamilton, Anna Ward, of Fort Wayne. Mrs. Harry Deam, Mrs. W. B. Nimmons and Mrs. Del Locke, of Bluffton, and the Misses Swinney, of Fort Wayne—Bluffton Banner. —— o — COURTHOUSE NEWS Judgment Rendered Against Plaintiff for Costs in the Fay lor Case NEW CASE FILED Two Marriage Licenses— Will of John Bucher Was Probated Attorney C. L. Walters filed a new partition petition entitled James W. Drummond et al vs. William and J. B. Drummond. Amos Hirschy vs. Lillie B. Andrews et al, notes and foreclosure of mortgage, appearance by Peterson & Moran for defendant C. C. Schug and ruled to answer. Laura France vs. Frederick Oetting, damages SI,OOO, appearance by Hanna & Geako and Peterson & Moran for defendant. Rule to answ-er. Thomas Faylor et al vs. David D. Studabaker, motion to tax costs sustained. All costs accrued since September 9, 1902, amounting to $1,404.23 ordered taxed to plaintiffs and judgment rendered for same in favor of defendants. The will of Joseph Bucher was probated. It was written August 18. 1908 and witnessed by Philip Harlow and Andrew Shoemaker. He gives to his wife Harriet Bucher all his property, real and personal, to have and to hold so long as she lives or remains his widow, except that he directs that his grandsons, Clarence Miller receive S3OO and Ross Miller S6OO when they become twenty-one years old. He provides that the S6OO heretofore given his two daughters, Frances Decker and Carrie Kelley is not to be considered in the settlement of the estate. At the death of Mrs. Bucher the property is to go to the children, Frances Decker, Almonetta Miller or her heirs and Carrie Kelley, share and share alike. He asks that Joseph Eckrote be his wife’s advisor and advise her on matters of business. Marriage license have ben issued to , Leo C. Wilhelm, 26, a painter of Decatur, and Mary M. Wilhelm. 24, his divorced wife: also to Isaac C. Ford, 27, an oil pumper and Hazel Ensley. 1 19, both of Adams county. Otto Hilderbrand, executor of the Henry Hilderbrand estate, filed his final report and notice was ordered for October 31. Attorney J. C. Sutton appeared. I i Betty Meyer, guardian for Clara Def yo, filed her final report and was discharged. o Miss Anna Clark, stenographer at the Coppock Motor Warks, is laid off from duties on account of sickness. |

Price Two Cents

IT WAS THE BEST Indiana Com is the Best Ever Raised Here ESTIMATES OF YIELD Benton County is the Banner County for Large Average Indiana may not have a “bumper” crop of corn this year, but the quality of the cereal is so much better than last year that the farmers will be gainers when they make comparisons. The crop last year was estimated at 150,000,000 bushels, but much of it was unmerchantable or was poor feed for live stock, because it had not matured at frost time. Early freezing in many localities made the cereal soft and practically valueless. The crop this year may not exceed 120,000,000 bushels, but most of it is of high grade—well formed kernels almost as hard as flint—and little of it, except in the northern counties on farms reclaimed from marshes and on bottom lands, was damaged by frost. These statements are based on reports from correspondents ,of The Indianapolis News on the corn growing counties and are the consensus of opinion of leading fanners and grain dealers. The estimates of yield given by the correspondents are borne out in the main by the statistics compiled by Mary Stubbs Moore, who obtained her estimates from .assessors and other reliable sources of information. The state statistician's figures, given in tabular form elsewhere, show the crop this year to be short in acreage, average yield and total production, as compared with 1907. Last year there were 4.025,506 acres under cultivation as compared with 3,884.980 acres this year; the average yield was 37.39 bushels, as compared with .30.98 bushels, the estimate in 1908 and the total production was 150.50i2.420 bushels, as compared with 120.394,902 bushels this year's estimate. Benton was this year the banner com county cf the state. With 99.258 acres and an estimated average yield cf 32.35 bushels, the total prbduction was 3,211,840 bushels. The largest average yield was in Tipton couaty, where 48.477 acres, it is estimated, produced 1.795.238 bushels, or an average to the acre of 44 35 bushels o CLARK TONIGHT Congressman of National Fame Will Speak at the Court Room ON ISSUES OF DAY Big Crowd Should Hear Him—Most Learned Man in Congress Hon Champ Clark, who will speak to the voters of this community at he court room this evening, is a man of nation-wide reputation and you should by no means fail to hear him. He is a witty, brilliant and able speaker, a sound reasoner, and will explain the various questions uppermost in the minds of those who are debating the right and the wrong in this campaign in a fair manner, lie has held many offices of trust and will very likely serve as the next speaker of the bouse of representatives. For many years Mr. Clark held the distinguished honor of being the youngest college president in the country, and still his duties were performed in a splendid way. and since his election to congress he has borne the reputation of being the most learned man in the halls of that great law making body. Decatur people are considering themselves fortunate that they wil tonight have the chance to bear him on questions of so great interest a .this time. The meeting will open at 17:30. Join the throng.