Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 6, Number 285, Decatur, Adams County, 30 November 1908 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume VI. Number 285.

TO PAY RESPECTS Local Gas Office Will be Closed Tomorrow Until Noon MR. MURDOCK DEAD Was Leading Factor in Organization of Many Indiana Industries Local manager Godfrey Christen, of the gag company has received instructions to close the office here on Tuesday morning, at which time will occur the funeral services for the late James E, Murdock, who died very suddenly Friday night of heart trouble. Mr. Murdock was assistant to President Deitrick in the Logansport and Wabash Valley company and took an actice and very important part in the management of the company’s affairs iii this section of the country. Mr Murdock worked at his bank all day Friday and retired feeling good. The attack of the heart came on and he died in a few minutes. Mr. Murdock traveled all over Europe, and during the last summer made a journey to Alaska, incidents of which he was very fond of relating to his friends. His chief recreation was automobiling. and he spent much of his spare time in his big machine. No man in Lafayette had such wide business associations as did Mr. Murdock. He formed an alliance with powerful eastern capitalists who invested millions of dollars in interurban lines and gas properties in Indiana and Ohio. The Indiana Lighting company, which was formed this summer, was one of the products of his brain and numerous other enterprises not yet matured originated with him. Among the many institutions and corporations in which he was interested are the following: President of the Merchants’ National bank, president of the Evansville and Southern Traction company, director of the Lafayette Loan and Trust company, director of the Belt Railway association, director of the Tippecanoe Agricultural association, principal owner of the Romney Stock farm, director of the Monon railroad, heavy stockholder in the Fort Wayne and Wabash Valley Traction company and Terre Haute, Indianapolis and Eastern Traction company, stockholder in First National bank of Boswell and the State bank of Romney

Mr. Christen had expected to attend the funeral, but being in rather poor health himself, and the weather being so bad he has decided not to do so. _o__. CLAIMS BILL WILL PASS. Senator Ktssler, of Logansport, Will Seek the Repeal of County Option. Indianapolis, Ind., Nov. 29. —Senator Frank Kistlpr, of Logansport, will introduce a bill soon after the legislature Is convened to repeal the county local option law by substituting the ward and township unit, as declared for by the Democrats in their state platform. Senator Kistler said that the bill will pass, as he has enough pledges from Republicans to put it through. While he did not mention the names of the Republicans who will vote tor the measure in the senate, it is understood that Senators Wood, of Lafayette; Connerman, of Posey county, and Pelzer, of Boonville, are among the members. Senator-elect Walter Leggeman, of Evansville, who died unexpectedly yesterday, w r as another Republican member counted in favor of the repeal of the law. Governor Hanly will issue a call soon for a special election to name Leggeman's successor, and it is likely that whoever is elected will take a stand against the present law. DEATH OF JAMES MURDOCK. One of Indiana’s Greatest Financiers is Dead. Hon. James Murdock, of Lafayette, and one of the best known business men in Indiana, died early Saturday morning from heart failure. Mr. Mur dock was wealthy, being a millionaire, amassing this fortune by a d> votion to and a keen insight into the many intricacies tofi -business. The Murdocks have owned practically all of the Wabash Valley Gas Co., which for years supplied Decatur with natural gas. Mr. Murdock’s funeral will occur Tuesday morning at Lafayette from St. Marys Catholic church at 10 o’clock.

COUNTIES FACE LEGAL WAR. Confjusi n of Nantes of Localities Makes Mixup in Bridge Site. Annapolis, Md., Nov. 29.—-There is danger of a lawsuit between the authorities of Anne Arundel and Prince George counties over the location of a bridge crossing the Patuxent river, connecting the two counties and to be built at the joint expense, because its ‘construction has been begun five miles below where the Anne Arundel county authorities wish it. The error is believed to be on account of . a confusion of localities having similar names. The Anne Arundel authorities wanted the bridge located at “Duvall’s Mill,” while the Prince George commissioners had their minds on “Duvall’s Farm." several miles away. • o IS A NEW BUSINESS Schafer Saddlery Company Start Mr. Watts on Road With Samples TO SELL PRODUCT Harness of Quality and Workmanship to Be Sold to the Wholesalers With two trunks filled with attractive and durable samples of light and heavy harness, collars, fly nets, etc. T W. Watts, representing the Schafer up-to-date saddlery company left

this morning on an extensive business trip in the interest of the company. The Schafer company launched in the wholesale harness business some time ago, and have enjoyed a lucrative mail order business since. The excellent goods manufactured by the concern has become in great demand and as a consequence, Mr. Watts has been chosen to represent the firm on the road. By this means they expect to engage more extensively into the wholesale business, covering a vast amount of territory. Mr. Watts is a salesman of ability. Worlds of experience in this line has equipped him with the qualities which spell success in his every undertaking. That he has such an ability and in consideration of the fact that he can compete with all comers in the sale of harness, in price and quality it can readily be seen that his work will be fruitful. The Schafer people are much encouraged over the bright prospects for a prosperous future in the business and if quality and workmanship are to be considered, their fondest hopes will undoubtedly be realized in the ready sale of the goods. o ROBBERS WERE CAUGHT HERE Negro and a Boy Taken —Another Man Got Away. Erie Chief of Police P. M. McCarty Wednesday night captured two robbers who entered a car at Kenton and rode in it to Decatur, where they were rounded up. There were three fellows jin the gang. They forced the lock on one nf the cars of an Erie train at the former place and rode in the car which they had entered, calmly looking into boxes and packages in the car and helping themselves to what they wanted. The Erie police got next, to this and laid plans to get the entire bunch. When Captain McCarty rounded them up at Decatur one fellow, a negro, managed to get. away. McCarty captured the other two, another negro and a white man, almost a boy brought them to this city,where they were kept in the police station until yesterday at noon. McCarty then left with them for Kenton where papers will be filed. While here the fellows were asked what they' got out of the car. The negro stoutly protested that he got nothing at all, but the boy boldly stuck out his feet and displaying a pair of new shoes said, "This was all I got out of it.” — Huntington Times. The illness of David Studabaker, the voung son of Mr. and Mrs. D. E. Studabaker, has developed into a case of typhoid fever. While quite sick he is reported today as resting as easy as could be expected. Miss Springer, a trained nurse from Hope hospital, arrived today and has taken charge of the case.

ON LOCAL OPTION Wabash to Be First County in This District to Vote PETITION IS OUT And Election Will Probably Be Held on December 28 Affairs in Wabash county look very promising from the viewpoint of the anti-saloon league. Such a large number of residents in that county have been putting up an appeal for an option election there that when Rev. N. C, Shirey, superintendent of the Fort Wayne district, in which Wabash county is included, stopped off at the county seat Friday night, he was forced to consent to the beginning of operations toward that end and the temperance workers today had placed in their hands petitions for signatures which will be presented to the county board of commissioners if expectations are realized. Should' this be the case, an election will be asked for some time during the week of the 28th of December. Rev. Shirey returned from Wabash this morning and he expressed his most confident belief in the ability of the workers there and in the final success of the undertaking. “It is the policy of the league to be conservative in such matters,” he said today, “but the room in which we met Friday night was so crowded and every one semed so enthusiastic that I was but a figurehead in ordering them to go ahead.” Wabash county is the first in the district under the charge of Rev. Shirey in which Operations Jiave jcomimenced under the new law and owing to this, more than any other fact, the election must be successful for the welfare of the league. The main fight will be in the city of Wabash, as the remaining part of the county is overwhelmingly in favor of the prohibition of the sale of intoxicating Iquors. The commissioners’ court meets on the 7th of next month and if the petitions contain 25 per cent of the signatures of the voters, an election has to be called within twenty to thirty days.—Fort Wayne Sentinel. ■ u HAD A GOOD TIME

Dr. Dick Neptune Arrives Home from Month’s Hunting Trip GOT TWO DEER Also Some Turkeys and Lots of Squirrels and Fish Dick Neptune came home Saturday night from a month's hunt in Arkansas. He is looking fine, feeling just as “purty” as he looks and says he had the time of his life. He was accompanied by Peter Frank and Peter Wilhelm of this place, who will remain there and trap during the winter. and by Link Hill and Bill Middleton, of Cardwell. The deer were scarce, but Dick got two of the three he saw, and wild turkeys were not as numerous as they might have been. The real sport came in squirrel hunting and in fishing, the latter especially. Dick has fished as much as the average professional man who loves the sport, but says this is the first time he ever got all he wanted. The camp i was along the St. Francis river, and the water being low after the long 1 drouth, the fish had congregated in the deep holes, were good and hungry and bit on any old thing. The doctor 1 fished and fished and hunted until he i was tired of the business, pleasure becoming work and then he came 1 home. A few of his friends are eating venison today, and are willing to ewear that everything he says is ( absolutely true. ; o < Appropriate religious services were ] observed at the various churches yes- < terday morning and evening and good t attendances were at each meeting. i

Decatur, Indiana, Monday Evening, November 30, 1908.

SEEKS PART OF A MILLION. South Bend Woman Enters Suit as Heir to Estate in Canada. South Bend, Ind., Nov ‘ 29. —Mrs. Joseph Labadie, of South Bend has, ■through her attorneys, J. Leon Gould of Indiana Harbor, formerly of Indianapolis, filed suit in the circuit ocurt of Essex, Ontario county, Canada, for a tract of land on which is now located Walkerville, a flourishing city of several thousand inhabitants. She is one of twelve heirs who are fighting to regain property worth more than $1,000,000. One of the leading defendants Is the Walkerville Distillery company. Besides asking for the title to the property, the Labadie heirs also demand proper conpensation for the use of the land from the year 1837. I COUNTY INSTITUTE An Interesting Session Closed Saturday Afternoon BOOK OF JOB A Lecture by Prof. William E. Smyser of Wesleyan University The afternoon session of Teachers’ Institute opened promptly at 1:30 by singing by pupils of Decatur schools.

‘‘The School Ideal’ was then discussed by O. G. Brim, of Berne schools. He said the aim of education t is to fit us fo r life. The educated i man should be social, unselfish, obedient and industrious. To teach these ; ideals we should keep the ideal bea fore the student. Further discussion a of this subject by W. P. Merryman, t teacher’ of Blue Creek township. An a education is simply a state of mind. - Not only are the leaders educated, i but men of all occupations may be a educated. He went a step further a than Mr. Brim and said that educa- - tion is not fitting a man for life, but - education is life. Four persons are s to be considered in developing ideal r namely, patron, child, school officer and teacher. Both speakers agreed in the main on this subject. i We were then treated to an ex- ' cellent lecture “The Book of Job, a * Literary Study,” by Prof. William E. Stnyser, of Ohio Wesleyan university. This was an eloquent talk nf fifty min- > utes, which was highly appreciated by all. Rest. Piano duet, by Misses Mutchler. Recitation, Miss Goldine Fink. This recitation was responded to by an encore. ' Educationl quiz: « First question, "How to Secure and Maintain Interest in School.” An- . swered by Jesse Snyder of Jefferson township. Second question. “How Can Current Events Be Made Use of in the Schools.” Answerd by Mr. Swartz, of French township. Third question. "How Can Wc Hold the Large Boys in School?” Answered . by Mr. Gilliom, or Monroe school. Fourth question, “Should the Readers and the Arithmetic be Re-adopt-ed?" Answered by Mr. Beachler, of Decatur. Fifth question. “What Are the Ad- ! vantages of teachers’ institute con- | ducted on the departmental plan’” ( Answered from the standpoint of the ( grammar grade by Clyde Rice, of Decatur. From the standpoint of the ‘ high school by R. J. Mann, of Mon- < mouth. I Closing remarks by Mr. Opliger. 1 Adjournment. i i NOTES. c There were several visitors in at- r tendance at the institute. t The educational quiz was a new [ feature and was well taken. c Trustees Barkley, Kline, Pease, v Teeple, Raudebush, Huser, M. Augs- i barger, Bebout, trustee-elect O. J. Su- £ man were present. t Chas. Schug,- of the Berne school i board, was in attendance. c o t Dr. C. B. 'Wilcox delivered a pow- I erfid sermon on the subject, “Thanks- t giving" at the M. E. church yester- • day morning. A splendid audience heard the excellent discourse. On ac- t, count of unavoidable circumstances j the male quartet did not render spec- t ial music as was advertised. |r

POSTAL SAVINGS Congress to Give the People Postal Savings Banks PAY TWO PER CENT Such a Bill to Be Introduced Early in the Session Washington, Nov. 30. —Congress, in the three short months of the regular session which will open next Tuesday will write at least one very Important law upon the statute books. There is hardly any room to doubt that the bill of Senator Thomas H. Carter, of Montana, establishing a system of postal savings banks, will be enacted into law. Debate on this measure will begin in the senate Dec. 14, when it comes up as a special order. It is not expected there will be any protracted discussion, for both national platforms in the last campaign approved the project, and there is aunanimity of sentiment iu favor which paves the way for speed. In view of the probability that governmental postal savings banks soon will be established, a word as to the system may be of interest. Every postoffice in the United States that is authorized to issue money orders will become a postal savings bank office. Any person who is ten years old or more may become a depositor by placing sl, the minimum amount necessary to open an account. A married woman may enjoy the privilege of the system free from any control or interference by her husband. The depositor will be given a pass book with the amount ot his deposit duly entered and with his name on the back for identification After an account has been opened deposits of 10 cents and multiplies thereof will be received, but no one shall be permitted to deposit more than S2OO in any calendar month. No deposit shall be allowed to exceed SI,OOO and no interest shall be paid on deposits in excess of SSOO. On deposits of SSOO and less interest at the rate of 2 per cent per annum shall be allowed and entered in the pass book to the credit of the depositor and shallbecome a part of the principal. o ELECTION FRAUDS Will Be Fully Investigated by Special Grand Jury Called

IN JAY COUNTY They Will Also Investigate the Recent Murder at Dunkirk Judge John F. LaFollette has ordered Jury Commissioner, R. P. Stewart and T. C. Stephenson to meet on Monday of next week with County Clqrk Gillespie to draw the names of six men to constitute the grand jury to sit during the December term of the circuit court to be begun December 7th. Usually the grand jury is called out one each year and then during the month of January but previous to the election Judge LaFollette declared his intention of calling a special session of the grand jury to investigate pny jalleged infractions of the election laws that might be reported as a result of the last election. While the election affairs will perhaps take up the greater portion of the time of the grand jury they will also be other matters to probe into, among which will be the ShattoSummers murder case at Dunkirk and the alleged larceny case in which it is charged that Earl Mann obtained clothing and shoes from local stores, taking them away on approval before paying for them and then forgetting to bring them back —Portland Sun. c Mrs. John Heller, who has been quite sick for a week past with the grippe and quinsy, was not so well today, he r throat giving her great pain. I

LEAVITT WILL REJOIN WIFE. Bryan’s Son-in-Law Engaged in Painting “The Last Supper.” Paris, Nov. 29. —The Societe des Beaux Arts is arranging an elaborate collection of canvasses by its members, to be sent to America early in 1909 for exhibition at the principal cities. W. K. Leavitt, W. J. Bryan’s son-in-law, has been asked to take charge of the exhibition and act as the American representative of the society. Mr. Leavitt, who i s engaged in the completion of a large painting “The Last Supper,” for which prominent prelates and artists posed, has not yet accepted. Mr. Leavitt has announced he intends to resume residence with his wife at Denver as soon as he finishes the painting. MAN FROM MEXICO Was in the City Today and Says Decatur People Are Succeeding ON HIS WAY EAST Says That Hugh Hite and Paul Wooten Are Enjoying Prosperity A gentleman by the name of Dick Wallace, a resident of Oaxaco, Mexico, was in the city today paying a brief visit with Henry Hite and family. He stopped here enroute to Pennsylvana where he expects to visit with his mother. Hugh Hite and wife from Decatur and Paul Wooten reside in the same city that does Mr. Wallace and it was gt their request that he came to Decatur on his way to Pennsylvania. The Mexico gentleman is pleasant to meet and in his interesting talk he related of how Mr. Hite and Mr. Wooten are succeeding in Mexico. He stated that Hugh was doing exceptionally well in the mining business and that he and his wife liked the country very much. The opportunities are great in that country, according to Mr. Wallace, for young men, and Messrs. Hite and Wooten are accepting the good ones. Mr. Wai- , lace owns a mine near Oaxaco. He left on the Erie train for Pennsylvania after his pleasant stay in this city. o GETS THE TWELFTH DISTRICT

Hoffman Has a Clear Field in His Congressional District. Indianapolis, Nov. 29. —Monday, December 14, is expected to be one of the big days in the United States sen- ■ atorship campaign which is now on in the Democratic party. Past activity, it is said, will pale into insignificance ; when compared witn the activity which will take form on that day. According to the gossip in political circles the candidates for United States senator and their champions and the candidates for the speakership of the house and their champions will come to Indianapolis on December 14 to get ready for the meeting of the democratic legislators, which will be held in the city December 15. State Sen-ator-elect Steve Fleming, of Fort Wayne, who was in the city, said that he would be for Edward G. Hoffman for United States senator first, last and all the time. Further than this statement Mr. Fleming refused to discuss the senatorship. Hoffman, it is said, will get nine votes out of his home district, the Twelfth. o ORVILL WELLS RETURNED HOME Traded Horses Twiee and Brought Good Animal Back. Orvill Wells, one of Monroe township boys who left home about ten days ago, taking with them a horse belonging to Wells father, returned home Saturday evening. He and his i comrade, Floyd Martz, had got as far i as Wells county, where they secured i a few days work at husking corn, and ) Wells finally got enough of the life . and came home. He had traded horses < twice during his absence and came < home with a better animal than he < started with. Martz decided to go on i further west and did not return with < the Wells boy. Wells parents were i greatly worried about him. anti no t doubt glad to have him at home again. 9

Price Two Cents

TO HAVE CONTEST Local Option Elections Are Slated for Four Counties RED HOT FIGHT The Anti-Saloon League Will Try to Sweep Everything Indianapolis. Nov. 30—With the activity that has been developed on the part of the Anti-Saloon league in circulating petitions for county local option elections in counties which the temperance leaders believe can be carried first, the Liberal league of Indiana is getting busy. There are increasing signs of activity daily around the league headquarters in the Indiana Trust building. The first clashes between the Anti-Saloon league and the brewers and liberal element will come in Wayne, Daviess, Lawrence and Whitley counties. Secretary Charles Pettijohn. of the Indiana Liberal league said today that preparations are being made to perfect large organizations in these counties for the purpose of contesting the local option elections. There are many people who are opposing the local option elections because of the expense. They estimate the cost of SSO a precinct. The county council makes the appropriations to bear the expenses of the election. 7o secure an election petitions signed by 20 per cent of the voters of a county must be filed with the county commissioners. In the four counties where the work has been taken up petitions are now being circulated and the indications are that the required number of signatures will be obtained within the next few days. It is the intention, if possible, to hold the elections before the convening of the next legislature, which, it is believed, will change the county local option law to one with the ward and township unit. Both the anti-saloon league and the Prohibition party will send speakers into the counties to conduce the temperance campaigns. The Liberal league will depend not so much upon speakers as it will upon organization work and what the officers term “practical politics.” o — ELECT A BOARD OF DIRECTORS Berne Traction Line Company Organize for Business.

8 The stockholders of the Bluffton, Berne & Celina Traction company at a meeting at Berne last night pref pared articles of incorporation which will be filed with the secretary of state within a few days. The capital 1 stock is $50,000 and the full list of in- ’ corporators numbers about twenty ? stockholders, the majority of them f citizens of Berne or vicinity, while a number of Bluffton men also are Interested with good-sized subscriptions 3 of stock. The board of directors, sev- , en in number, elected last night to > serve in that capacity for the first > year, are Joseph Gerber, Peter Neuen- • schwander, B. A. Batson, Rudolph Schugg. C. S. Stauffer, Dr. Simpkins, I and Edward Engeler. Os this board . only one, B. A. Batson, resides in Bluffton. Messrs. Gerber and Neuenschwander reside east of Bluffton, while the remaining four directors reside at Berne. This board of directors'will be called together in a meeting later to perfect their own organization by the election of officers. The articles of incorporation signed up with the full list of incorporators, will be received here within a few days by Attorneys Eichhorn & Vaughn and

by them will be forwarded to Indianapolis to the secretary of state.— Bluffton News. ——o— ■ FORT WAYNE GOLFERS TO BUILD New Club Will Erect $15,000 Home Early Next Spring. Fort Wayne. Ind.. Nov. 29.— Monday evening the two hundred recently secured members of the Fort Country Club, which will succeed Keltlonga Golf Club, will meett at the Anthony Wayne Club for < e of closing up the deal for chase of the George loung ’ ]jnkg of the city, on which th g and clubhouse wtil ■>* “ at option on intern midnight on that da. tion of the organizers to erect^ the $15,000 clubhouse earlj n