Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 6, Number 302, Decatur, Adams County, 19 December 1908 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

olume VI. Number 302.

■getting ready ■Eighteen Counties in Indiana Are Preparing for 1 an Election ■ON LOCAL OPTION ■lncluding Jay and HuntingI ton, Also Wabash, Noble and Delaware The Fort Wayne News of last evening had the following to say regarding the probabilities of local option elections in this district: Five counties in the Fort Wayne district of the Anti-Saloon league and thirteen other counties in other districts over the state, are now making preparations to hold elections under the recently passed county local option law, according to Rev. N. C. Shirey, of this district. In the Fort Wayne district the counties in which preparations are being (made are Jay, Whitley, Wabash, Huntington, pnd Noble. The other counties over the state are Marshall, Laporte, Polk, Lawrence, Switzerland, 'Wayne, Randolph, Fayette, Putnam, Jackson, Howard, Hamilton and Delaw-are. "I’m afraid,” said Rev. Mr. Shirey, in speaking of the matter, “that affairs in Indiana are being rushed too fast. I fear that the elections may turn out here as they did in Ohio. There the matters were pressed too speedily and as a consequence the league workers lost seven counties. There was nc need for them losing at least five of this number. I don’t want any more counties in my district to have elections right off.” It is understood that St. Joseph county, in which South Bend is located, is preparing for an election. The election will not be held immediately, however. Superintendent Hicks, of that district, is quite sanguine of the result. Practically all the candidates favorable to the league were elected at the last election.

THE HUSBAND WON 1 — < Sensational Divorce Case at , Bluffton Closed Yesterday ’ I WIFE BEGAN SUIT Charles Cotton Gets Children But Must Pay Alimony Charles Cotton gets divorce and the custody of the two children. Mrs. Ettie V. Cotton receives SI,BOO alimony and is allowed S4OO attorney fees. This is the result of the Cotton divorce suit which came to a close this morning after the Wells circuit court had entertained one of the largest crowds for years. The crowd in the court room this morning was not as large as it had been heretofore. The decision was not expected so soon, but it was thought that their would be several inconsequential witnesses to be placed on the stand in sur-rebutfal. When the defense suddenly got to the end of the string of witnesses, Judge Sturgis immediately announced that he was ready to give his decision. He said that the plaintiff had failed to prove her charges of cruel and inhuman treatment. The principal proof by the defense in his charge of cruel | and inhuman treatment, he said, was: the acknowledgement of the plaintiff that she had told the defendant that J she did not love him, never had loved him and married him for his monej. The judge held that the defendant was a fit person to take care of the children and owing to the fact that he can furnish them a home he gave them to his custody. The judge, however, held that the plaintiff should receive alimony, stating that in order to keep her from resorting to any unlawful means of making a living the law provided for this. He found that the property of the defendant was wprth about SII,OOO, with $2,000 debt

on it. The costs were taxed to Cotton. Judge Sturgis said before giving the verdict that he felt as able to give i* then as he would after an argument. As soon as the decision w-as announced Mrs. Cotton, in company with Mrs. Fritz, started down the stairway. She maintained her composure during the rendering of the verdict and until after she started to leave. As she passed her husband she broke down and was weeping when she went down the stairs. The defendant was well pleased w-ith the verdict and although he appeared touched when he saw- his wife leaving the room, he said that the judge could not have given a better decision. The money feature, he said was not such an item to him as the custody of the chil- ( dren. He wanted the custody of them. —Bluffton Banner.

HUNTING A MOSES Democrats Are Looking Over the Ground for a New Leader THREE MENTIONED Governors Marshall, Johnson and Harmon Are Discussed Washington, Dec. 19. —The Democratic senators and representatives are looking toward a new line-up of their party in 1912 and out of the cloakroom discussions and interchanges of views that have followed the opening of congress these has developed an earnest desire to co-oper-ate in finding a new Moses —a man who possesses all of the essential qualities necessary to lead the party out of the wilderness four years hence. The Democratic party, in the sentiment reflected by its leaders in Washington, has no intention of tying itself to the tail of Mr. Bryan’s kite again. The Nebraskan has lost none of his personal admirers, but he has lost hosts of supporters who formerly pinned their faith to his political judgiment, but who have come to regard him as an impractical Idealist who can never lead the party except in one direction, and that is toward defeat. Os the high ideals and pure motives of Mr. Bryan ho senator or representative raises a question but that Mr. Bryan as a candidate for president the fourth time is not to be thought of. His very staunchest champions, l in fromer campaigns are saying that the time has come for a new deal and a new leader. In this situation three names are mentioned and three only, for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1912. Thre is a surprising unanimity |of ,-belief among the party leaders in congress that the next Democratic candidate for president will be one of three men Judson Harmon, governor-elect oi Ohio, Thomas R. Marshall, governorj elect of Indiana, or John A. Johnson governor of Minnesota. There are i more inquiries about Mr. Marshall than about either of the other presidential potentialities. This arises, in part, from the fact that he has not been as prominent a performer on the i political stage as either Harmon or Johnson —a fact which is not at all likely to redound to his advantage. The Indiana Democratic congressmen are called upon nearly every day to tell what manner of man Mr. Marshall is, and they are giving him som e top-notch advertising. o — DETECTIVE ASSOCIATION MET. Interesting Meeting Held This Morning. The Adams county Horse Thief De- , tective Association held their regular (quarterly meeting in, the G. A. R. i hall this morning and much enthu- ' siasm was manifest among the hundred and fifty members who were ’present. The officers who were elected at the last eeting assumed their . respective positions today for the first time and discharged the duties es- - ficiently. A number of new members , ! were voted in at the session and the members were banqueted at the var- • ious restaurants for dinner. The state ■ association will petition the next leg- - islature to repeal the pardon a,nd par- . ole clause in the law put into effect ; some time ago and will ask that crim- . inals be sentenced from ten to twent ty years. '

A PLEASANT TIME Post X Entertained State Officers and Members Last Evening SEVERAL TALKS A Buffet Luncheon Served in Elegance and Good Taste The social stunt played by Post X last evening was the best and most enjoyable ever held at the Commercial Club, and that is going some. A social time was enjoyed until 9:30, when luncheon was served in the parlors of the club. Sandwiches, salad, oyster patties, wafers and coffee composed the delicious menu. The service was par excellence, being under the skilled managenient of Mrs. Frank Ciawford. Following the luncheon, W. H. Wiley, as president of Post X, introduced the speakers of the evening, and short talks followed, much of which was of interest to the local membership. The state and district officers spoke at length about the work and good accomplished, accident insurance being the sober and principal side of the organization. Indiana division stands second in membership. The financial reports of the national association show large and healthy reserve funds, thus making safe’the Insurance feature. Rev. Spetnagle, chaplain of the local post, made a pleasing address, supplemented with several stories, thus adding to the gaiety of a most delightful session. The state officials are today on a scouting tour for new members, and it is thought the campaign will bear the fruit of success. —« o Many family dinners have been planned for Christmas and seasons of good cheer bld fair to be plentiful. Everybody should join in making it the most memorable of all former similar events.

; DENIES THE STORY ) - Taggart and Marshall Never 3 Conversed on Senatorial t Race t I, ‘NOT WORKING i n ’’ Senatorial Candidates To l! Lay Up Until After the t Holidays r ___ ,{ Indianapolis, Dec. 19.—National Committeeman Taggart denied a story n that h e quit the race for the United . Sates senate at the urgent request of Governor-elect Marshall. It was said n that Marshall wanted Taggart to with- " draw for the good of the party, bee lieving that his candidacy would stir up the now almost dormant feud between the Taggart and anti-Taggart J factions. He Is said to have consulted with members of the organization n and that they joined with him in re- ° questing Taggart to retire. Taggart did not discuss the story at length. At e the time of his withdrawal he said that he could not afford time from his business to run for senator. The chances are that the democratic can didates on the state ticket will not file S contests against the republicans. Burt New, who ran for reporter of the supreme and appellate courts, and was defeated by 171 votes, said tonight r that he has abandoned the contest. L Other men on the ticket are said to - have dropped the matter quietly. e Indianapolis, Dec. 19—All of the - United States senatorial candidates r have ducked away from Indianapolis t and are not expected to return until - after Christmas. Most of the polis ticians are “laying off” until the close a of the holidays, when the real fight - will begin. Very little can be ac--3 complished while the Christmas spir- - it is rife, and the politicians know - it and are not wasting their energy, t There were rumors here that many -of the party leaders who came here -for the meeting of the democratic legislators have agreed on Rep. Thos.

Decatur, Indiana, Saturday Evening, December 19, 1908.

Honan, of Seymour, for speaker. Predictions were made that he will be elected on the first ballot and that the only opponent he will have on the show down will be Rep. James Garrard, of Vincennes. Indianapolis, Dec. 19.—Efforts are being made by the anti-saloon forces to make an organization within the ranks of the democratic members of the legislature for the purpose of blocking the movement to repeal the county local 1 option law by substituting the township and ward unit. It has been known for some time that there were several democratic representatives and two or three senators of the same party who are against tampering with county local option, but it was not learned until today that they have held a meteing here at which they considered plans for making an alliance yith the republicans. TO THE CABINET Senator Knox Appointed Secretary of State POSTAL SERVICE No Deficit if the Government Pays for Its Own Mail Augusta, Ga., Dec. 19. —William H. Taft, president-elect of the United States, announced the appointment of United States Senator Philander C. Knox, of Pennsylvania, as secretary of state in his cabinet. The announcement followed the receipt by Mr. Taft of a telegram which came late this afternoon, conveying the information from Mr. Knox that he would accept the premiership of the Taft cabinet. “I feel that I am to be congratulated in securing the- services of Senator Knox in my cabinet,’’ said Judge Taft in making the announcement, and making the same with the understanding that he was to be quoted. “In selecting a secretary of state, I wanted first a great lawyer and second, a man who would fill the public eye, not only here but abroad, as a man who stands out pre-eminently as a great American. Mr. Knox was a great attorney general; he was a prominent candidate for the presidency, and is recognized in the seiiaate and elsewhere as one of the great lawyers of that body.” Washington, Dec. 19.—The free service performed by the postoffice department may receive a good deal of attention'" before this session of congress ends. Many persons, including (Continued from page 3.)

WARE HOUSE FIRE Decatur Egg Case Company Loses Another of Its Buildings BOYS WERE SMOKING And Dropped a Match— Loss is Estimated at $1,300 Two young lads, hidden away from the sight of parents and others who might not have liked it, quietly smoking corn cob pipes, caused a rather bad fire at noon today, when the wareroom owned by the Decatur Egg Case company and located on west Adams street was completely destroyed. It Is supposed the boys dropped a match on the flooor and the blaze resulted. The room was filled with about 300 bales of excelsior and it made an ugly fire. A stiff wind was blowing and the fire company did good work in saving the surrounding buildings and sheds. The loss to the stock is estimated at about S3OO and to the building at SI,OOO, both insured. Had the fire spread east to the stave piles as was feared at first the blaze might have been one of the worst in the history of the city, as the strong souhwest wind would have swept It on into the heart of the city.

XMAS SERVICES Will Be Observed at the Presbyterian Church Tomorrow SPECIAL MUSIC Services for the Occasion, Both Morning and Evening In order not to conflict with the services of the various other churches, the First Presbyterian will hold their Christmas church service tomorrow. Rev. Richard Spetnagle. the pastor, has prepared a sp'endid and special program for the day, aud 'he public is most cordially invited to each and all of the days hours of worship. One feature of the day will be the music, which is to be especially fine, and which has been prepared for by the choir. The program for the day includes: 9:15 a. m., Bible school. 10:30 a. m., Christmas service and Christmas music. 2:00 p. m.. Junior C. E. 6:00 p. m., Senior C. E. 7:00 p. m., popular service. The pastor concludes his service of Bible characters. You are most cordially invited to all of the services. Come and catch the Christmas spirit which ought to possess your life during the coming days. o Arthur Strouse, 30 years of age, committeed suicide Thursday at the home of his mother in Avilla by swallowing carbolic acid. Strouse was unmarried. He was a laborer and is said to hav e been somewhat addicted to drink, but the cause of his suicide is unknown. He procured the drug, went to his room, removed his'shoes and swallowed the poison. His dead body was discovered by his mother an hour later. TO PANAMA CANAL President-Elect Taft With Civil Engineers Will Examine It MUCH CONTROVERSY The President-Elect Realizes Where Responsibility Now Lies Washington, Dec. 19—The general comment here is that President-elect Taft is starting in a business-like way the inquiry to determine whether the Panama canal is being properly constructed. He feels that if a mistake should be made in the engineering work on the canal he would be held responsible, and so it is that he proposes to take down to the isthmus a corps of the best civil engineers he can get together to examine the site of the Gutan dam. There have been many disquieting reports concerning the Gatun dam scheme and the entire lock canal plan, including the constantly mounting figures of total probable cost. Not the least disquieting of these things have been interviews with such engineers as M. Bunau Varilla, Lindon W. Bates and members of the consulting board w-ho still Insist that the lock plan is doomed to failure. But the time has come when ex parte administration statements in favor of the locks and dams must end, and when a final decision must be made on which may depend the expenditure of perhaps a half billion of dollars. The presi-dnt-elect realizes that the bulk of the work is to be done under his administration. Expert advice is not lacking to show that the present system of a lock canal is preferable to the sea level system, and Colonel Goethals, from the Isthmus, reports satisfactory progress in making the dirt fly. But this is not enough to satisfy Judge Taft. Many of the deductions of engineers who advised i the lock canal have not proved correct 1 since work was begun, and this, cou- ( •

pled with the increasing expense and | the recent accident near the Gatun dam, has caused Judge Taft to review in his mind some of the proceedings when the board of consulting en--1 gineers and the isthmian canal commission rejected the sea level system and adopted, after much discussion, the present lock system. When the present system was adopted not one of the engineers, either from the international board of consulting engineers or the isthmian canal commission had a word to say against the safety of the sea level system. The entire delegation of five foreign experts, together with three American engineers, all on the consulting board, seriously questioned the safety of the present system. They favored the sea level canal. Judge Taft has given these facts serious consideration. TAKE THE CASH County Treasurer Lachot Will Pay Adams County Share to State AMOUNT IS LARGE Sum of Nearly $28,000 for Fall Installment of State Taxes , County Treasurer John F. Lachot i will go to Indianapolis Monday morn- ’ ing and will carry with him the very ’ handsome sum of 127,554.66 which he will turn over to the state treasurer, this being the Adams county portion ’ of the state tax for the fall install- ’ menfl for this year. According to 1 this basis, our county pays each year nearly sixty thousand dollars as her ’ har e of the expenses of Indiana, and 1 from this estimate it would seem that ' the state should be able to pay as ’ she goes, but it is said that there has been for several years a state of affairs rather indicating that the state treasury is harduip, and it is but little wonder that the voters said at the recent election that it was time for a change in the management. This i should be another proof that the best way for the democrats to make friends is to follow a course of retrenchment in expenses in the state. Mr. Lachot 1 it will be remembered took a similar sum to Indianapolis last July. o THE COMPULSORY SCHOOL LAW Protects Children and Gives Indiana Good Citizens. The total number of children brought into the schools of Indiana as a result of the activity of the ruant officers is given as 26,181. These figures indicate simply those brought into the schools by the officers, and not children who attended because the law required them to do so. Os the number reported, 24,673 were placed in public schools and 1,508 in private schools. The salaries of the truant officers amounted to $32,502.50. Aid was given to 7,506 >of the children at a cost of $21,968.01. The aggregate expense of the officers’ salaries and for aid given the children is given as $54,470.51. At this rate the cost for each child was $2.08. Out of this total number of truants there were only 289 prosecutions. Os the number 266 were successful, twenty-two were lost and one was pending at the close of the school year. ■■ - o — LOOKING AFTER PROPERTY R, M. Link and J. H. Browning Were , Here Today. R. M. Link, of Paris, Illinois, and J. H. Browning, of Indianapolis, Indiana, were in Decatur today, looking after their real estate holdings. These two gentlemen are the owners of the j old Burt House property, and are very j anxious to do something with same. ( They would like very much to sell ] the lot, which as is well known is one ; of the best vacant lots in the city for ] business blocks, and as they have , several inquiries their trip here may f result in closing a deal. If they do 3 not sell it it is possible they may de- e cide to put up a block next year. s —— o — r Three prominent Wells county men j —William Gordon, a stockbuyer, v Clinton Hart, merchant at Liberty 1 Center, and Thomas Turpin, a con- t tractor—paid fines aggregating more = than SIOO for hunting upon a farm v without the owner’s permission.

Price Two Cents

! IN CIRCUIT COURT . Three Marriage Licenses— Mr. and Mrs. Fronefield Will Wed THE OTHER ITEMS t Real Estate Transfers—A i Five Million Dollar Mortk : gage Refiled i Real estate transfer: Joseph Stuckey I to Noah Luginbill, lot 191 Berne, $2,- | 900; Alexander Bolds et al to Rosina W. Lindsey, 35 acres in Wabash township, $2,800. The Indiana Lighting Company has given a mortgage on their various properties in this state for $5,000,000 and same was recorded today. This is practically the same mortgage filed ; a few months ago, this one showing some changes in property. A marriage license has been issued to William Fronefield, 53, and Malinda Fronefield, 58. They will be married this evening, it being their marriage. Samuel D. Johnson, 22, a telegraph operator of this city and Edna Engle, 21, of Washington township. Anson B. Cunningham vs. Chicago & Erie Ry. Co., damages SSOO, separate and several demurre filed to each paragraph of complaint. Martin W. Walbert vs. Levi Kohler, note S2OO, appearance for defendants withdrawn, default of defendants. A marriage license was issued to 1 Quincy R. Winans, a teamster, of this ' city, 24 yfears old, and Iva Alice Miller, aged 18. o SUFFRINGS OVER Mrs. Annie, Wife of Late Jacob Good, Has Passed Into Eternity WAS BURIED HERE In Adams County—Lived in This County for Sixty Years Senility and its attendant complications has ushered into eternity Mrs. Annie, wife of the late Jacob Good, although the memory of this highly respected woman will remain fresh in the minds ot Adams county pioneers as long as they shall live. Her death occurred at the home of Solomon Good, her son. at Dayton, Ohio. Born in Fairfield county, Ohio, she in early womanhood was united in marriage to Mr. Good, accompanying him to Adams county in 1849. where, in Washington township, they engaged in farming. A thrifty farmer was Mr. Good and with the aid of his noble wife, he soon acquired a neat fortune. In 1882 he was taken to the great beyond and soon afterward Mrs. Good purchase a space of ground in Root, township, where she built a home, disposing of the former to Arthur Fisher. Her health became so feeble that four years ago she abandoned housekeep ing and went to the home of her son in Dayton, where the closing chapter of her long life was spent. She has been ailing for years, but her condition assumed dangerous proportions o late months, death coming as sweet release from the pangs of intense s ferings, her demise being rf ’ < ’°' r yesterday morning. The remains were shipped to th ' S ro C J 1 X 9 'id y Ranking at the Yager Brothers an morgue mill <>» <” M ' “ oW. ~/“tv' were held at rn(erment ham Stalter ceme tery. took place at the of & de . Surviving to moU ™ dall g ht ers: Mrs. voted mother are f (Continued on page 2 )