Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 6, Number 294, Decatur, Adams County, 10 December 1908 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

olume VI. Number 294.

AN AMISH HOME Will Provide Care and Shelter for Little Selvy < Springer i A TOUCHING SCENE 1 ( t Enacted in Court Room this 1 Morning When Mother Gave Babe Away Tlie cause of Effie M. Springer vs. John M. Springer, divorce, was r docketed in circuit court. About a year ago, when the cause was filed, the court granted what is termed a ! legal! separation, ordering Springer tc pay SB.OO per month for the support of his children. He has failed to do this and according to the petition filed today has been living in adultery. The court, therefore, granted a divorce ar.d gave the custody of the child, Selvy, to the board of children guardians, who have found a home for her with John Swartz, an Amishman.who will give her splendid care and training. Swartz and his wife and another ccuple appeared in court and took possession of the child. The little girl, three years old, climbed upon her new mamma's lap and seemed perfectly contented aad happy. Little Selay is a bright, flaxen haired, pretty little child, and how any father could cast her aside to be thrown upon the mercy of the world Is unfathomable. Swartz stated in court that he has no children of his own and agreed with S. R. Fordyce and Mrs. D. D. Heller, members of the board of children’s guardians and to the court that he would give the child a good home, allow her to choose her own religion when old enough and aid her in every possible way. Both Mr. and Mrs. Swartz appear like kindly, good natured and capable people, as they are. Mrs. Springer was also given judgment for S2OO alimony. The custody of another daughter was given Mrs. Springer and the custody of Viola and Leo, two other children to Mr. Springer. The latter is to pay $3.00 per month at the clerk's office for support of the daughter Mamie, who remains with her mother. NEED MORE ROOM Decatur Furnace Company Will Have to Expand TOO MANY ORDERS They Could Employ Many More People Had They the Room G. L. Guilfoyle, of South Bend, president of the Decatur Furnaco company, was in the city today on business for this enterprising Decatur company. The furnace company is overflooded with orders and it will be necessary to more than double its present capacity if the company keep pace with its orders. Should this extension to the buildings and equipment be made, it follows that stock will have to be issued and sold for this purpose. There should be no trouble in finding purchasers for thi9 stock, as there is no chance for speculation. It is a plain business proposition. The company have already passed the experimental stage and their possibilities and future is certain and sure. The company have been working the capacity of the plant the entire year, in the face of the fact that nearly every other manufacturing institution w’as compelled to reduce their working force. One hundred men employed there as easily as not. L-j have the business to employ them, besides such an increae in the work ing force will insure dividends for those who own the stock. It is the time to make the company more than prosperous, and it is the time, too, to help the general business of the city. We hope that this new issue <of stock will be taken without delay.

VIRGINIA TO GET STATUE. State Gets One of Stonewall Jackson From Moses Ezekiel. Rome, Va., Dec. 9. —Virginia is to be enriched by still another statue from a Roman studio, this time of Stonewall Jackson, and also this time by the sculptor, Moses Ezekiel, who is never forgotten by his state, to which he does such honor. Mr. Ezekiel Is also executing the head of his Napoleon in bronze for Mrs. Douglas Robinson of New' York, President Roosevelt’s sister. His Napoleon is treated originally. The great emperor is at St. Helena, slttir and leaning on a cane. ls is his no longer. An emAinerlcan, looking at the lone ,are, remarked: “There is a tragedy iin that stick."

DEADLY GAS FUMES Came Near Causing Death of Grandpa Kunkle and His Nephew WERE IN-^CHICAGO Unconscious for Fifteen Hour^ —Arrived Home Last Evening Grandpa Samuel Kunkle, of Monmouth. came home last evening from a week’s trip to Paris. 111., where he spent a few days with a sister, whom he had not seen in ir»any years. He was accompanied by Cal Kunkle, a nephew from Wells county, a brother of Will Kunkle. and the two men had an experience that came near ending in the death of both. The accident happened at Chicago Heights, Chicago, where the men stopped on their way home (for an overnight visit. They retired on Monday night about ten o'clock, the two sharing one bed. The younger Mr. Kunkle turned the gas jet too low and when the pressure went down during the night the light was extinguished and the gas fumes escaped in their room. Along towards morning, the lady of the house noticed the smell of gas and started an investigation, soon discovering that It came from the room occupied hy the visitors. The door was locked and It was Impossible to awaken the men, so the only thing left was done, the door broken down. The two men were found very near to death, and the physician who was summoned seemed very doubtful of his ability to arouse either. After constant work, the younger man was restored to consciousness at ten o’clock on Tuesday Imoroing w'hile grandpa continued to sleep until Tuesday evening. They had recovered by Wednesday sufficiently to come home, and the elder ma n seems none the worse for his experience, though it is said that the Wells county man was not entirely well, and may y p t suffer further Illness. Samuel Kunkle is past eighty-eight years old, and his trip was a wonderful thing, but the fact that he had strength to recover after being so overcome with the deadly gas fumes seems almost

beyond belief and be Is being congratulated by his friends. THE JURY IS CHOSEN. Fort Wayne, Ind., Dec. 16- After three days’ work the jury which Is to try Charles W. Dun n for the murder of ten-year-old Alice Cothrell, of Whallen, was selected Wednesday afternoon at 4:30. The court permitted the jury to separate and go to their homes over night during the trial under Injunction not to converse about the case or listen to conversation on the subject. The session this morning began, with the statement of the state. Unusual to (precedent the members of the jury were permitted to saparate last night and go to their homes.

CHICAGO CLUBMEN PAY FINES Chicago, Dec. 9. —Munsipal Judge Going today fined four boxers and two officials of the Illinois Athletic Club *IOO each for promoting and participating in a boxing match. The bout took place two weeks ago and was looked upon as the first attempt to resume boxing in Chicago. The fines, aggregating $6Bl, were paid by an official of the club.

IS TOO COLD YET To Think of Having a Ball Game—Bluff ton Enthusiast is Inspired PROPOSES A LEAGUE Including Decatur and Other Cities—A Promoter is Needed That there will be a base ball league organized by Bluffton and other nearby cities is now practically an assured fact. All that remains to be done is for some one to promote the enterprise, as the fans in nearly all of the available cities appear to be ripe for the game. The merchants of this city, who are in favor of a league, argue that unless BlufTton has base ball next season there will be absolutely nothing to keep the people In the city. When the fans get ripe for a base ball Same they will go to Fort Wayne, Chicago, Cincinnati or Indianapolis. With a good base ball team it is argued that this class would be kept at home and would spend their money here. The Kokomo people are anxious now for a league, while it is thought that Marlon will come out good and strong with a team. Other cities around here also want base ball and there will be a large enough number get into the game to make an eight club league.—Bluffton Banner. It Is true that there is base ball fever in the cities of the gas belt but as yet no Decatur enthusiast has stepped forth with a proposition which would include our city In the proposed If ague There are a few cold months to reckon with yet before the temperature will rise to an extent that will inject the proper warmth In the systems of the fans here, hence the eyes of the people cannot be diverted from the fond anticipations of Christmas and its Santa Claus with a base ball proposition with no evidences of its materialization. claims~ljnpaid Ossian Live Stock Association is Made Defendant in Two Actions TWO MEMBERS Os the Association Lost Horses and Were Not Paid—Poor Management Two clams were filed in the circuit court against the Ossian Mutual Live Stock Insurance association. One suit is by Charles F. Kegerreis and the other one hy Roy Holcroft. Both men state that they had become members of the company and had paid up their assessments. The former claims that during the month of October, 1908, one of his horses which was injured, was killed and that although the claim was allowed by the officers of the association, It was never paid. The other suit by Roy Holcroft, for S2OO states that one horse was killed in the spring and that he never got any money for it. He asks for $56.25. The officials of the Trust company, which Is acting as receiver for the association, state that they have a number of suits pending in Portland and Muneie against policy holders in the association who have not paid their assessments. It was on account of the failure of the members of the association to pay up their dues that a receiver was asked for.— Bluffton Banner. This live stock association has been having no end of trouble recently, and there seems to be some defect in their system of doing business. ■ DOG SAVES HIM FROM BULL Farmer Is Attacked Because he Wears Red Shirt Goshen, Ind., Dec. 9-When Abram Pletcher, a farmer, walked through bis barn yard wearing a red shirt he was attacked by an Infuriated bull and tossed into the air. Pletcher’s life j; was saved by bis dog, which seized , the bull by the nose.

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday Evening. December 10, 1908.

FEARS COLT HAD RABIES. Farmer Asks Examination of Brain, as Animal Bit Mother. Madison, Wis., Dec. 9. —John Dworka, a farmer living near Wauseka, has sent the brain and spinal cord of a colt to the Wisconsin Livestock Sanitary board with the request that it find out whether the animal had hydrophobia. He writes that one day recently his mother attempted to approach the colt in a pasture when it turned on her and nearly tore her to pieces. She finally succeeded in escaping. The n the animal entered the stable and kicked down stalls and bit itself and everything It came In contact with until It was so severely injured that its owner had to kill it. Mr. Dworka says he Is afraid the colt had rabies and that his mother may have been infected. heldthelawgood The County Local Option Law is Held Constitutional HOLD AN ELECTION Judge Plummer, of Wabash County, Makes Important Ruling Wabash, Ind., Dec. 10. —Judge A, HPlummer, of the Wabash circuit court, held the county local option law constitutional; that the county council does not need to make an appproprlation for an election before the order is made, and dissolved the restraining order issued against the county commissioners which forbade their proceeding with the arrangements for an electon, dated for Tuesday, December 29. Immediately steps were taken by the attorneys for the saloon Interests to appeal to the supreme court. As soon as the decision was read the county commissioners, still in session, proceeded to arrange for the election. This Is the first decision hy an Indiana judge upon the constitutionality of the Indiana statute passed by the legislature In special session. Concluding his ruling Judge Plummer said: “The licensed saloon is a dangerous business and demands regulation. Courts have held that the legislatures have power in restricting and In giving police power to regulate the saloons, and they have the power also to prohibit the sale of liquor. I believe that the Indiana legislature has the right to pass a law prohibiting the sale of liquor in the state of Indiana and that law would be constitutional and valid.” The suit was brought by John P. Martin, of Wabash, demanding an injunction upon two grounds. The first was that the law is unconstitutional, because it is in contravention of section 1, article 14 of the constitution of the United States regulating property rights. The second was that the law was unconstitutional in that It was in contravention of certain sections of the Indiana bill of rights guaranteeing due process of law.

VERDICT OF ACQUITTAL. Rushvtlle. Ind., Dec. S.—The six persons chare •d with whitecapping John B. Tribbey were acquitted here this evening. Tribbey was taken fro m his home on the night of August 5 last by masked men and was severely beaten with a board into which nails had been driven. Later he was tarred and feathered, being nearly dead when discovered. His wife, Leona Tribbey, Charles and Harry McFatrich. nephews of Mrs. Tribbey; Burl Kennedy, Perry Collins and Lafayette Goldman were charged with being implicated in the deed and were arrested. Mrs. Tribbey was accused of having been one of the Instigators of the crime The trial began a week ago. The case went to the jury at 3:45 this afternoon. Five ballots were taken by the jury, the first standing eight to four for acquittal. The second stood nine to three and the third ten to two. After the third ballot at 5:30 o’clock the jury went to supper. At 6 o’clock the jury returned to the jury room and resumed the balloting. The fourth ballot, also stood ten to two. The jurors then spent twenty minutes discussing the case and at 6'20 a unanimous verdict was reached on the fifth ballot.

THE SPOILS WON No Civil Service Goes With Census Appointments THE OLD WAY Congress Passed the Spoils Bill by Overwhelming Vote Washington, Dec. 9. —A fight between merit and spoils, as applied to the public service, was the central and absorbing feature to today’s session of the house of representatives. Spoils won, hand down, and tonight congressmen are chuckling over the blow they dealt to the civil service reformers. The president In hts message yesterday strongly urged competitive examinations. The house did not seem to care a fig for the president’s opinion and the bill passed the house in a rush, spoils feature and all. Congressman Crumpacker of Indiana led the forces that lined up on the side of political “pap.” The proposition involved was whether the 3,500 clerks who are to be employed in the work l of the thirteenth census shall be required to pass competitltve examinations. The house decided against competitive examinations and in favor of noncompetitive examinations by the overwhelming majority of 119 to 65. All of the Indiana congressmen lined up with Crumpacker against the » plan of competitive examinations. Durr ing the debate there were several live- . ly tilts, and Representative Gillett of . Massachusetts civil service reformer, 5 tried to get an amendment substi- . tuting competitive for noncompetitive 3 examinations. Mr. Crumpacker said 3 the noncompetitive feature of the bill . has attracted a good deal of criticism i. from civil service reform associations, s but be declared these associations did B not know what they were talking . about 1 o ; BUY YAGER STORE t i i i Ulysses S. Drummond and Elijah Nidlinger Buy Pleasant Miiis Store 1 , OF CHAS. W. YAGER 1 They Will Take Possession January 1, 1909—Well Qualified The consummation of a business deal of yesterday conveys the ownership of the Charles W. Yager general merchandise store at Pleasant Mills to Ulysses S. Drummond of this city and Elijah E. Nidlinger of east of Decatur, the new firm to take possession January 1, 1909. Mfl. Yager, who is treasurer-elect, has owned the place of business for some time, and has been decidedly successful. It became necessary, however, to dispose of the store owing to the fact that his undivided attention will be diverted to the duties of the treasurer’s office. The new proprietors are among Adams county’s most highly respected 1 citizen®. N*. Drummpnd has for twenty-one years beer a clerk at the ' Niblick and Company store and has 1 been faithful in his work. lie has 1 established an acquaintanceship which ’ assures him a liberal patronage in I the new field. Mr. Nidlinger is also I well qualified for business and their i many friends wish for them all the < success the future can hold.

GLASS TOO CLEAN TO SEE. Atlantic City, N. J., Dec. 9. —City firemen who took their exercise In shining a glass paneled entrance to Fire Station No. 6 In Chelsea until It glittered wt*r« responsible for the curious injury of “Billy’’ Cobb, a Philadelphia athlete training here. Stopping at the fire station to get a drink of water, Cobb walked right through the glass, thinking It an open door, cutting himself so seriously that he I had to be removed to a hospital.

WEDDED AT CLERK’S OFFICE Mr. Rayle, of Tipton County, Claims Adams County Girl as Bride. Two happy young people were joined in the holy bonds of wedlock, the event occurring at the county clerks office at about 8:20 o’clock this morning. The party arrived on the eight o’clock train over the G. R. & I. and repaired at once to the court house, where a license was secured and Squire James H. Smith summoned, who performed the ceremony. The couple were accompanied by several friends, who witnessed the marriage. The groom was Oliver Rayle, a farmer, twenty-five years of age, from Tipton county, Indiana, and the bride was Miss Iva Summers, aged eighteen, a daughter of John Summers, the Monroe real estate man. They will make their future home In Tipton county. OUGHT TO VOTE Naturalization Chief Upholds Judge Merryman in Zehr Case

GIVES GOOD ADVICE Person Who Believes It a Sin to Vote Should Not Become a Citizen About two months ago, one George Zehr, a well known and respected resident of Hartford township, applied in court for naturalization, papers. In the course of his examination It developed that he did not believe It right for a person to vote, and said he would not do so. As our very government is based on the principle that the people rule. Judge Merryman has held that In his opinion Mr. Zehr should not be granted the papers. However, he has held up his decision in the matter, and In the meantime had the clerk, Mr. Haefiing, write to the naturalization department at Washington who recently replied as follows:

Mr. James P. Haefiing, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Decatur, Indiana: Sir —This office is in receipt of your letter of the 2nd instant reporting the case of one George Zehr. and asking informing on behalf of the judge of your court with regard to the division’s view upon the fitness of the said Zehr to become a citizen of the United States, since he belongs to a church which believes it is wrong to vote. I assume that Mr. Zehr is orthodox, in the popular sense of that word, and subscribes without mental reservation to the doctrines of the church of which he is a member, including

that which inculcates the curious teaching that to cast a ballot In an election is a sin. While the opinion of this office is in no wise conclusive upon a point of this nature, I do not hesitate to state that any person who maintains extraordinary belief cannot truhfully be said to be attached to the principles of the constitution of the United States. The whole theory of our government Is based upon the assumption that the original source of all just government is In the people, from which the sequence Is easy and inevitable that It is the duty of the people to take part In the constitutional methods of exercising this authority. It may be a reason- < able exercise of an American “sov- . ereign’s’’ discretion to abstain from . voting on occasion, but to bold the , position that to vote under any eon- ,

dltions is sinful is In my judgment to take a stand that Is inconsistent with the plain duty of American citizenship. Such a man cannot be said to be attached to a n organic law which makes express provision for that mode of government. However, this is a point for the court to be satisfied upon, and these remarks are made merely In response to the request in ydur letter of the 2nd Instant. The division will be pleased to be advised by you of the disposition made of this case. Respectfully, Richard K. Campbell, Chief Div. of Naturalization I E. E. DeWitt is arranging a very pretty display window in bis cigar store in which he will show goods which would make nice Christmas presents for men and ladies.

Price Two Cents

TARIFF REVISION Congressman Adair Will Make Another Record in Congress PLAYS NO POLITICS Manufacturers in His District Want Honest Revision Downward \> ashington, Dec. 10.—Congressman J. A. M. Adair announced the program he will follow with reference to tariff revision legislation. “I do not intend to let politics enter into my thoughts on this subject of tariff revision," he said. “If President-elect Taft is in favor of a n honest revision of the tariff, as it is reported he is, he shall have my vote and my influence in carrying out his plans. I believe in revision and by that I mean revision downward on a large number of schedules. I shall stand for anybody who will help to bring about such a revision, whether the moving spirits be Republicans ,or D<(mocrats. I (shall support whatever legisjation I .believe to be good, whether it emanates from the Republican or the Democratic side of the bouse.” “What is the sentiment among the manufacturers of your district In regard to tariff revision?’’ was asked. “I represent the greatest manufacturing district In Indiana,” said Mr. Adair, “and I have communications from a large number of Influential manufacturers, so that I believe I know their ideas. The truth is that there is a great change of ’ment among the manufacturers. Men at the head of large Industries who were protesting vehemently a year or so ago against any Interference with the Dingley schedules are now' insistently demanding a revision downward. Their eyes have at last become opened to the fact that the great trusts of the country, by taking shelter behind the tariff wall, are holding up the pricer, of raw materials and taking the edge off the manufacturers’ profit®. It is a simple proposition and they want a change.’’

MARTIN LAUGHLIN IS BETTER Recovering From His Very Serious Illness. Martin Laughlin, the county commissioner, who has been sick for several days at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John C. Moran in this city is greatly improved today. He still has some fever and will likely be confined to bed for a day or two yet, hut the trouble from congestion and the heart have been overcome, and he will likely recover rapidly. Mrs. Laughlin arrived this morning fronr her home In Jefferson township and will remain with her husband until he is well enough to return home. — -o WANTS MORE CARE OF INSANE Butler Forwards Recommendations Regarding Allen County Infirmary.

Fort Wayne, Ind., Dec. 9. A W. Butler, secretary of the state ooai of charities, has just forwarded to the county commissioners the report of a visit made by State Agent W S Reynolds to the Allen county infirmary. in which the county is urged to obtain competent attendants to take care of the insane patients. Mr Reynolds recommends that in the Insane ward the practice of having t e patients care for themselves be done away with. ——" DID HELEN GOULD SWEAR? Former Maid of Heiress Declares She Was Called Bad Names.

New York. Dec. 9-Helen Miller Gould, demanding and getting a bill o particulars, revealed in the * u ‘ ne “’’ | court today that Elizabeth Gauley. 4 . j Nineteenth street. Brooklyn. 13 her for $20,000 damages for alleg slander. The bill of particulars butes to Miss Gould language y jcculd not be repeated Injojl Elizabeth C-auley says she > L „ hy HM Miss Gould charged her an improper character _ Mrs. Edgar a returned to her home- today visit with friends in