Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 6, Number 297, Decatur, Adams County, 14 December 1908 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume VI. Number 297.

AWAY UP IN THE AIR The Democrats to Hold Conference at Indianapolis MANY TO BE THERE They Will Discuss a Legislative Program and Other Things Indianapolis, Ind., Dec. 14—For the next two days politics will be livel- , in Indiaanpolis. The eyes of the state will rest upon the group of politicians gathering here f<?r the ante-legislative meeting of the democratic solons who are to take the responsibility for the new laws for the state of Indiana at the coming session of the legislature. Beginning today democratic members of the senate and the house and candidates for office at the coming session, all the way" down from the rafted States senator to doorkeeper in the house of representatives, will begin to arrive, together with all classes of men who desire legislation enacted. The Denison hotel where the legislators are to hold their meeting and “love-feast” Tuesday night, will be thronged with democratic politicians. Along with the legislators will come the numerous applicants for appointment to office under Gov-ernor-electj Thomas R. Marshall’s administration. Tuesday morning the mayors of many Indiana cities wjll pour into Indianapolis to take part in a meeting the purpose of which is to discuss the law they are seeking.which would permit mayors to succeed themselves in office. Representatives of the Merchants’ association, of Indianapolis and its kindred organizations in various counties of the state will get in as many licks as possible for the merchants’ association platform. Candidates for office will be sollcting support. The aspirants for the speakership of the house of representatives will line up as many vote as possible. Each aspirant for the United States senatorship will be on hand building his fences. Os the senatorial aspirants expected to be present there are John W. Kern, of Indianapolis; B. F. Shively, of South Bend; L. Ert Slack, of Franklin; Maj. G. V. Menzies. of Mt Vernon, and Edw'ard G. Hoffman, of Fort Wayne. According to Representative W. S. Wells, of Fort 'Wayne, chairman of the committee on arrangements for Tuesday night’s meeting, it was the intention originally to make the meeting a Jeffersonian banquet at $1 a plate, but Mr. Wells said today that, acting for the legislators, he had accepted the invitation extended by the Marion county members of the legislature to attend the banquet as guests of the Marion county members. “It is the purpose,’’ said Mr. 'Wells, “not to have any political scrambling at the meeting. IH will .be a harmonious affair. The meeting itself will be for the members of the legislature only. No candidates for senator will attend. There will be no set program, but impromptu talks will be made.” Chief among the things to be considered by the legislators will be the platform of the Indianapolis Merchants’ association. which includes the following proposed laws: 1. A« universal system of bookkeeping in all counties of the state. 2. Requiring the governor to have stated examinations made of the books of every county, township and city. 3. Requiring |he criunlty auditor to audit before making settlement. 4. Paying the county commissioners appropriate salaries and requiring them to give bond. 5. Requiring county auditor to give a more adequate bond. 6. Cutting off extra allowances to public officers. 7. Forbidding public officers profiting in any way from public contracts. 8. Requiring county officers to keep a public fee book. 9. Requiring sheriffs to feed prisoners at actual cost. 10. Requiring the state auditor to audit the school funds. It. OcmpeWing the collection *>f fines and forfeitures due the school fund. 12. Putting the prosecuting attorney and his deputies entirely on a salary. 13. Compelling the payment of all lees into the public treasury. 14. Requiring the courts to be responsible for the drawing of jurors.

15. Requiring preliminary examinations of jurors for special venires. 16. Authorizing <srand jurors to make a presentment to the governor when conditions warrant and requiring the governor to institute a special investigation and prosecution in such cases and present the facts to the legislature. —o REFUSES TO RAISE THE DEAD New York* Prison Official Opposes Resuscitation of Electrocuted Criminals. Albany, N. Y., Dec?~l3. —Prison officials in this state will not lend themselves to any experiment which seeks to if - ive a man executed in the elect ic chair. Superintendent C. V. Coll tins of the state prison department said today that he would consider such an experiment illegal, and permission would have to be secured from the legislature. A FAMILY EVENT Birthday of Ex-Commission-er, Joseph E. Mann Was Celebrated A SUNDAY DINNER The Home Circle Contains Thirty-One Members, All Living One of the most pleasant social events reported for some time occurred Sunday at the home of ex-county commissioner Joseph E. Mann, in Root township, when the sixty-fourth birthday anniversary of that clever and popular gentleman was duly celebrated. The guests were the immediate family, including the nine children and their families. An unusual feature in the history of this family in the fact that it consists of nine children, who with their wives, husband and children number thirty-one and not a member of the entire household from grandparents down to grandchildren has been called by death. As may be imagined a reunion of this circle is always a happy one and yesterday was no exception. A big dinner was served and the rest of the day spent in a pleasant w-ay. The children are Mrs. W. J. Archbold, John and Harlo Mann, Mrs. J. C. Grandstaff, Robert Mjmn, Mrs. Jesse Singleton, Frank Mann, of Bloomington. Mrs. Shelby Vance, of Willshire, and Miss Nettie Mann.

TO HAVE BIG ATTRACTION Wabash Eagles to Have Big Time Latter Part of January. Wabash, Ind., Dec. 14.—With W. J. Bryan as the attraction, Eagles will have a big event the latter part of January, to which all northern Indiana lodges will be invited. Theodore A. Bell of Indianapolis, former head of the Eagles, has obtained Mr. Bryan for the Wabash lodge. Practically all of the grand lodge officers have given assurance they will be here. The Eagles are anxious to retain the Eagles theater for the lodge. To do this the grand lodge officers interested themselves in having a big Eagles tally here. o ALLEGED MURDERER IN CELL Slayer of Seelyville Coal Miner is Returned from Wisconsin. Terre Haute, Ind., Dec. 13.—After having evaded the police nearly four months, Hughie Dickerson was brought to Terre Haute tonight from Antigo, Wis., where he had sought to hide his identity. Officers Nugent and Brown placed him in jail charged with the murder of Earl Slack, a coal miner of Selyville. According to the officers Dickenson had been working in the woods in Wisconsin. While engaging in a friendly scuffle last August, Dickerson it is alleged, drew a knife and almost diemboweled Slack. Decatur merchants have already awakened to the fact that this is to bp a big week for the Christmas shoppers and from orders already In our advertising columns will be well filled this week. It’s but ten days until old Santa Claus climbs down the chimney. Get ready.

THE YOUNG PEOPLE Os the Various Religious Societies of the City Enjoyed Union Service LAST EVENING At the Evangelical Church— Appropriate Program Was Rendered On® of the most interesting union meetings of the young people’s societies ever held in Decatur was that of last night at the Evangelical church when representative members of the various religious societies rendered a very appropriate program. The musical and literary numbers were of much interest to the large audience which assembled. A song by the congregation opened the meeting, followed by prayer, song and the scripture reading. Thonfas Perkins gave an address on "Influence of Literature on the Mind, and i nthis he did well, supporting his theme by the presentation of logical thoughts. Miss Della Sellemeyer then rendered a beautiful vocal solo and was followed by an address upon “Influence of Literature on the Morals” by Homer Knodle. Don cleverly executed a violin solo, after which L. C. Hessert, in his usual interesting manner, gave a talk upon The “Influence of Literature on the Community.” Miss Effie York rendered a solo which was very pleasing, after which Attorney C. L. Walters gave an excellent talk upon the theme, “Relation of Mind to the Soul.” A. Van Camp appealed favorably to his every auditor in a talk upon “Kinds of Literature That Strengthen.” Miss Irene Schlrmeyer played an instrumental solo. The young people were much encouraged by the presence of a large audience and another such event would not be out of order. FALL WEDS SPRING Miss Laura Lawson, Eighteen, Has Become the Wife of George Aumiller 52 WERE WEDDED HERE By Squire Smith—Prominent Monroe Township Couple Married George Aumiller, a well to do Wabash township farmer, who is fifty two years of age, took unto himself a bride of eighteen summers last Saturday, Squire James H. Smith employing a beautiful ceremony in binding the matrimonial ties. The bride, Miss Laura Lawson, is a daughter of James W. Lawson, of Jefferson township, and is well known in the southern part of Adams county. The wedding occurred Saturday evening after which the couple repaired to a furnished home In Wabash township. The groom has been married before, having been divorced from his first wife. The many friends of the contracting parties wish for them much success on their matrimonial career. I Squire J. H. Stone in his usual impressive manner spoke the words that joined the lives of Benjamin Gross and Miss Frances Brandyberry Saturday afternoon and the happy couple went on their way rejoicing. Both parties reside in Monroe township. — o— • EATS FORTY-TWO BANANAS I Wabash County Man Requires Medical < Aid After Winning Wager. . —. i Wabash, Ind., Dec. 13—Homer Lew- s is. 20, of Lagro, this county, has the < championship in gastronomical feats i for this county. On a wager he ate t forty-two bananas. His feat accom- i plished he was taken quite ill and i medical aid was rushed to him. Treat- t ments relieved him and he will re- 1 cover. *

Decatur, Indiana, Monday Evening, December 14, 1908.

HANLY BUYS A RESIDENCE Governor Pays $15,000 fbr New Home at Indianapolis. Indianapolis, Dec. 14. —Governor J. Frank Hanly has bought the residence property at the southwest corner of Meridian and Twenty-first streets, and will make it his home. The property is attractive, the house being a frame, ten rooms and the lot . of ample size. There is eighty feet frontage on Meridian street and the lot is 162-feet deep. There are several shade trees on the ground. The price paid was $15,000. The governor will take possession January 1, after extensive repairs have been made. Sam--1 uel R. Artman, former judge of the ■ circuit court of Boone county, who will be Governor Hanly’s law partner i after the latter’s retirement from office, has bought the property at 1921 ’ north New Jersey street, and will take i possession before the first of the year. . The consideration was SIO,OOO. t • \ TO HAVE AN INNING t Congress and the President Want to Fight Each Other 1 ‘a broadside b The President Has No Respect for the Weapons j He Uses j Washington, Dec. 14. —Congress is 5 in a state of great commotion over the • president’s latest move In his controversy with the lawmakers. The 3 I information which has just become ! known, that the president has used a the secret service to “dig up” the rec--1 ords of congressmen who have not hewed to the strict line of public duty and that he intends to hurl this in- | formation at congress in the shape of an epistolary broadside has caused a sensation. The quietude of the Sabbath was broken by numerous congressional indignation conferences when the action of the president In turning the secret service sleuths on congress, gave rise to talk of the most warlike character. It wag spoken of J by the angry congressmen as action of the highest disrespect to a branch of government that is at least supposed to be co-ordinate with the executive. Many congressmen are on the anxious seat tonight, notgknowing whether their names are included in the list of those whom the president will try to smirch. All that Is known definitely is that the president, through the agency of the secret service, is r preparing a report on congressmen, f who. he believes, have been servants of the special interests and otherwise delinquent in their duty to the general public; that in his report he does not deal in generalities, but mentions f names and assails reputations. The connection between men in the public service and big corporations will be set forth in circumstantial detail, and . the report, on the whole, will be as hot a characterization of congressmen as ever fell from the pen of any of the so-called muck-rakers. Acting under instructions from the white ’ house, Chief Wilkie of the secret (service has been gathering all of the evidence brought out against congressmen in the land fraud and other cases, and such other facts as his sleuths have been able to secure, showing the relations between public men and private interests. Even where direct connection is not estab- 1 lished the way will be left open for inferences and deductions that will : put the members assailed on the defensive. The president is not averse to having it known that he has this shot in his locker and that it certainly will be fired If congress pro- | ceeds to rebuke him, even in mild terms, for the section of his annual message in which he reproved congressmen from limiting the activities of the secret service bureau. In that message he intimated that the restric- t tipns were put upon the secret ser- I vice by congressmen who feared in- I vestigatlon at the hands of the secret ' service officers and if congress re- I bukes him he will slap back by trying ■ to prove his point ’ : %

WANT SOMETHING Democrats of Wells County Looking for Soft Places CHIEF DOORKEEPER E. B. McDowell, Frank I i Christman and jVL J. Sawj yer on the List > Ex-Representative E. B. McDowell , of this city, has announced his active r candidacy for appointment as chief . doorkeeper of the house of represenI tatives at the coming session of the s Indiana legislature, which will convene in January. He stated today that he will go to Indianapolis next Tuesday, when there will be a gathering of democratic lawmakers, for the pur- . pose of meeting old friends with whom * he served in the house several years ago, and to solicit their support and of other members whom he will meet. He (- has personally written to every representative, asking for his support, and has received replies from practically all of the old members with whom he served, promising him their support. The appointment is one of the best to be made. There are sevJ eral other Wells county democrats who are mentioned as possible appointees by the new governor. Frank Christman is out for a place and will probably seek the office of state oil inspector. He admitted today that he will seek an appointment. E. M. Rinear, of this city, is being mentioned for the office of state fish commissioner. He has not taken up an s active campaign, but his friends are e urging him to get Into the race. M. J. Sawyer is a receptive candidate for l * a remembrance from his party. He J was out at first for doorkeeper, but e has withdrawn from this race and will (j throw his support to E. B. McDowell. There are several others here out for plums but will not yet authorize state- * ments. —Bluffton Banner. y o IS SERIOUSLY ILL 1 I- ■ Jacob Blew, Blacksmith, is i Suffering from a Comr plication t f , A REPRESENTATIVE 1 ■ Os Bluffton F. O. E, Was I ; Here Last Evening and Made Arrangements i i A gentleman from Bluffton representing the F. O. E. of that place was iu the city last evening for the purpose of conferring with members of the local order In regard to extending the hand of charity and sociability to Mr. Jacob Blew, the Third street blacksmith, who is confined to his home on account of serious illness. Mr. Blew was taken 111 some time ago, but had never made the 1 fact known to the Decatur Eagles. ( His condition was reported to the ' Bluffton organization, however, hence < they immediately dispatched a repre- < sentative to this city. Arrangements i were made to the effect that the De- ’ catur Eagles will see that Mr. Blew 5 is well taken care of and the same ] will be paid by the Bluffton order f of which the sick man is a member, r This courtesy is not to be extended for < the reason that Mr. Blew is in des- t titute circumstances, but because it is the duty of the F. O. E. to care for their sick. o ■ ■ JAPANESE TO PLY NEW SHIPS ’ Line of Steamers to South America Determined Upon. c _____ r a Tokio, Dec. 13. —At a dinner today t to the new Japanese minister to China s it was announced that the Toyokisen o Steamship company will start e. new t line of steamers between Japan and a South America, commencing Jan. 1, s with three steamers on a regular b schedule. |tl

RECOGNITION FOR DONALD HALL Congressman Adair Appoints a Private Secretary. It is stated on reliable authority, that Donald Hall, son of George W. Hall, of Portland, has been offered and has accepted the position of pri--vate secretary to Congressman J. A. M. Adair, and will begin his active duties immediately after the adjourn-’ ment of the present short session of congress. Theje will be plenty of work for the new secretary with the opening of spring, both assisting in work in the departments and in mailing out the congressman’s annual quota of garden seeds. Hall was employed by Adair during the greater part of the recent campaign in the Portland headquarters and is said to be thoroughly familiar with the work that will be required of him in <he new position.

IN CIRCUIT COURT No Session Today—Judge Merryman in Portland Case MARRIAGE LICENSES Three Were Issued—Business Quiet About Halls of Justice

Three marriage licenses were issued Saturday afternoon, the parties being George Aumiller, aged fifty-two, a farmer, and Lora P. Lawson, aged eighteen, the groom has been married orce and was divorced in 1895; Benjamin Gross, 19, a farmer, to Frances Brandyberry, 18, of Monroe; Harve L. Kessler, 25, a famer, of Monroe, and Emma Steele, 24, of Decatur. The latter couple were married at Judge Merryman’s office, that official saying the words that made the young couple happy. Judge Merryman is at Portland today to assume jurisdiction in a will case. He will return this evening. Not a single case is set for trial in circuit court this week, and it looks like a “deßd one” in the news line. Real estate transfers: Noah Luginbill et al, to Lewis J. Habegger, inlot 192, Berne, $1,250. County Assessor George Gentis is busy these days getting ready for his duties of 1909. Treasurer Lachot and* Auditor Lewton ar e closing up the year's work in their respective offices. / A junk dealer’s licenses has been Issued to W. A. Comer and Denver Robison, of Pleasant Mills. o ALL WERE BORN IN INDIANA

George Ade Telle of Distinguished Men of Big Cities. Chicago, Dec. 13. —George Ade, the fable and musical comedy writer, Meredith Nicholson, the novelist, and John T. McCutcheon, the cartoonist, were speakers at the fifth annual banquet o' the Indiana society of Chicago tonight. Mr. Ade characterized New York «nd Chicago as “cities filled with muck-rakers, born In Indiana.” Horace Greeley’s advice was being followed reversely, he said, and the exodus of Indianians to New York could only be accounted for on the theory that good men are wanted everywhere. e FAVORS TO NATIONAL GUARD Militia Said to Be Favored in Preference to Regular Army. Wsshington, Dee. 13. —National Guard interests are promoted by an order of the war department that all requisitions received from the militia authorities for clothing and equipment be filled by the issue from the army source of supplies of the latest styles of articles called for. This will equip ■ the militia with nothing obsolete, abandoned nor old-patterned. Officials say it is a case of the regular army being sidetracked for the benefit of i the militia.

Price Two Cents

HE SEEKSA PARDON Albert Musser, Formerly of This County, Wants His Freedom i A FAMOUS TRIAL The Singular Fate That Followed Many Connected With the Case Hartford City, Ind., Dec. 14—The ■ Effort of Albert Musser, a life prisoner 1 at Michigan City prison, who ten years ’ ago was convicted here of the murder of Mrs. Eliza Stoltz of Portland, to obtain a pardon, recalls one of the i state's most famous trials and crimes, and also a singular fate of nearly all officials and attorneys who were connected with the case. Albert Musser I came originally from Adams county. At Anderson he worked in a paper mill and his companion was William Marshall, another paper maker. They worked little and caroused much. Neither had much money and for sev--1 eral dUys after the murder of aged Mrs. Stoltz they spent money with such recklessness that they aroused suspicion. They also talked some, indicating the money was sot earned by them 1 . An investigation followed which proved that the men had been in Portland about the time the crime was committed. Several months afterward they were arrestea at East St. Louis, JQI. They were brought to Indiana. Marshall was tried at Winchester and Musser in this city. Hershell Lafollette, a crippled boy of Portland, who, it was believed, had written a postal card to the Portland marshal directing him to call at the home of Mrs. Emma Stoltz near the stave factory, took his life by cutting his throat with a razor when the officers approached his home to arrest him. When the officer called at Mrs. Stoltz’s home in the afternoon he found her dead with a chair cover stuffed in her mouth and evidence of robbery on every side. He supposed the crime had been committed the night previous. The coroner thought, so also and so rendered his verdict. When Marshall’s trial came up at Winchester he was able to prove ar. alibi on this date and secured bls acquittal Shortly after the coroner who rendered the verdict died. Then from grief and sorrow Marshall s father committed suicide. Attorney Williams, who was Marshall's principal attorney, learned that Mrs. Stoltz had been murdered the second night previous to the afternoon when her body was found. He is supposed to have gained the information from Marshall. He refused to assist in the Musser case and secretly aided in the proecution of Musser here that resulted in his conviction. Shortly after the conviction of the prisoner W illiams died. During the trial of Musser his mother died. Judge Joseph C. Daily, of Bluffton, a former state su-

promo judge, who heard the case, dropped dead at his dinner table. John T. France, of Decatur, who made a plea for his client that attracted much comment for its briliancy, di'd (suddenly after the trial. Judge George Bergman, who secured the evidence both against Marshall and Musser and the reward for the conviction, shot and killed himself in his office a few years later. Attorney S. M • Cantwell of this city, who was speaker of the Indiana legislature, was one of the prosecutors of Musser and has since died. Only two attornejs id' n titled with the case are still alive, A. M. Waltz, who was prosecutor at the time, and J. A. Hindman, who defended Musser. Both live here. The su preme court’ refused Musser a new trial after it was carried up from this court. Musser attempted suicide while in jail at Anderson and after the conviction here. He always asserted his innocence. Marshall s serving a sentence for forgery in e penitentiary at Frankfort. KJmurder of Mrs. Stoltz, a rich old man woman who lived alone in t outskirts of Portland, attracted m than statewide attention The of a man found in a corn si,< * . . (0 the railroad was alwajs b« e' $ have been a “pal” of Musser. killed in a quarrel over of the money, supposed * at least $3,000, most of n