Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 6, Number 304, Decatur, Adams County, 22 December 1908 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume VI.

Number 304.

ADOPTED A CHILD Mr. and Mrs. Chrismen, of Elieta, Ohio, Filed a Petition WHICH WAS GRANTED • Dorothy May Cramer Became Their Daughter this Afternoon Attorneys L. C. DeVoss filed a petition in circuit court this afternoon asking that Sarah C. and Isaac Chrlsnien be allowed to adopt Dorothy May Cramer and that the name of the child be changed to Dorothy May Cramer Chrismen. The petition was granted as prayed and the child will have a good home at Elieta, near Lima, Ohio, where the petitioners reside. The child is about seventeen months old, a bright faced and happy littl girl, who will brighten the home of her new parents. The mother is dead and the father, Frank Cramer, was indicted for deserting the child, a few months ago. When he appeared in court he explained matters and took the baby to his father’s home, where she has since been living. The Chrismens are well to do people, and will furnish a splendid home for the babe, will educate and provide for her. The matter seemed to be entirely satisfactory to every one concerned and all left the court room happy.

CHURCHMEN SUED Bishops McDowell and McCabe and Rev. Guild Included CAUSES SENSATION Men Are Accused of Unduly Influencing Elijah Hay for His Money A special dispatch from Warsaw, I.idiana, to the Journal-Gazette, of Fort Wayne reads: Charges of an extremely sensational nature are Incorporated in a suit filed today in the Kosciusko circuit court by Clementine N. Keys and others against Bishop W. F. McDowell, successor ot Bishop McCabe; the Rev. H. W. Bennett, of Warsaw; William Alleman of Warsaw; Judge L. W. Royse, of Warsaw. and the Rev. D. H. Guild, pastor of the First M. E. church, of Wabash, formerly of Warsaw. It is alleged iij the complaint that September 29, 1887, Bishop McCabe, at that time a spiritual advisor of Elijah Hays, who died at his home in Warsaw In December. 1907, acquired undue influence over Hays and pursqaded him to deliver to McCabe three deeds to ■property of the total value of $176,000 and the revenue from which property was turned over to the missionary board of the Methodist Episcopal church and the Nicholas Low Theological Institute; that- Hays was unable to resist the great influence cast over him by McCabe, which is set out in the complaint was “improper, ■fraudulent and wrongful.” A startling declaration is made in the complaint to the effect that the late Bishop McCabe kept Hays in a state of abject poverty during his Isftt few ■years. Another sensational part of the complaint is a clause which charges that one of the trustees of the fund, an attorney who claimed to have performed a legal service, pre sented a bill for $3,256.52, and that this service was in fact the ns u Ing of proceedings to declare Hays of unsound mind. Following his death Hays was interred in a casket costing SSOO, this at his own request This is believed to have been the only extravagant expenditure of money that can be laid to Elijah avs. Hays during his life time made many big donations to the Methodist Epscopal church, particularly to its mis sionary societies and to the . ico Low institute, which is located a Mercedes, Argentine Republic.

NEWSPAPER CHANGES HANDS. Mr. Noble Praigg Buys the Portland Commercial-Review. The Portland Commercial-Review, one of the oldest daily papers in this part of the state, was sold yesterday to Noble T. Praigg, of Indianapolis, who took immediate possession, publishing his salutary last evening in which tfe announces that he will conduct a straight-out Republican paper, and will support all the nominees. This is perhaps a hit at the former ownership who failed to take up the bludgeon for Cromer or “Uncle” Nate Hawkins. Frank Braden, who retires has for some time been engaged in the work of adjusting fire insurance forth assured and has an office at Indianapolis. He will very probably devote his attention entirely to that business from now on. The consideration was not made public.

FUTURE LEADERS Will Take Part in the Junior High School Entertainment AT ASSEMBLY ROOM Tomorrow Afternoon—Pubic is Invited—The Program The juniors at High school are planning with pleasure their first literary entertainment which will be given at the assembly room and which is scheduled to be the best of the year. From glancing over the program we are inclined to believe this is so,and the public is most cordially invited to attend. Some of the celebrties who will take part in the big event are Burke, the eminent composer; Baumgartner, the distinguished lodge man; Wisehaupt, the silver tongued orator; Myers, the hero; Patterson, famous trombone soloist of the Adams county juvenile band; Rodenbeck the agricultural specialist; Wilcox, the dramatist, and a bevy of girls, whose equal for brilliancy is not to be found in all of Adams county. The program follows: “Deacon Slocum’s Presence of Mind,”

Irene Evans. “Education,” Clyde Baumgartner. Violin Solo, Don Bnrke. “Our Opportunities,” Lillie Tepele. Debate—“ Resolved, That Hamilton Was a Greater Man than Jefferson’’ Affirmative, Perth Crays, Fred Myers; negative, Alma Kooken, Howard Wisehaupt. Christmas Recitation, Dorothy Walters. Trombone Solo. Bruce Patterson. “Christmas Spirit,” Harold W’ilcox. “Duties of Punctuality,” Effie Patton. “Advantages ot Ugliness,” Anna Winans. Piano Duet. Margaret Mills and Winifred Burke. “The Flag,” Frank Mills r “December 25th?” Free Frisinger. “Pilot, Another Star,” Don Burke. A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. o FINE OIL WELL DRILLED. Produces 130 Barrels of Crude Within Twenty-Four Hours. Portland, Ind., Dec. 21.—The Portland Drilling company has just completed a well on the John Prilliman farm in Bearcreek township for the Standard Oil company which is one of the best oil producers recently drilled in the Jay county field. Within twenty-four hourn after the well was shot it produced 130 barrels of the crude product. This is the Standard’s No. 4 well on this farm, which adjoins the Hughes lease, held by the Citizens’ Gas and Oil Mining company of this city. Another well will be put down by the Standard as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made. fl - POSTOFFICE CHRISTMAS HOURS To accommodate the public, the postofflee will be open from eight to ten o’clock on Christmas morning. The law requires but one hour, but the local boys are doing this to accommodate their patrons and they deserve credit for Abus trying to serve the people.

A XMAS PROGRAM Splendid Entertainment to Be Given at the Christian Church ALL ARE INVITED The Music Will Be a Feature Enjoyed by All • Who Attend The Sunday school of the Christian church are planning a splendid entertainment for Christmas eve to which the public are most cordially invited and those who go are assured an enjoyable time. The program as it will be rendered is as follows: Instrumental Music, Miss Mabel Weldy. Opening chorus, “Hail the Messiah.” Prophecy, Isaiah IX: 6-7. Prayer, Supt. of Sunday School. Recitation, “A Happy Xmas to You,” Miss Mary Burk. Duet, “In a Manger,” Glenis Mangold and Vivian Burk. Recifation —‘‘I Heard the Bells,” Miss Bertha Shults. Vocal Solo —“In the. Silence Holy”-* Miss Maude Conley. Recitation and song by nine children. Reading, Miss Glenis Mangold. Song—“ The .Angel's Song”—Unison. Recitation, Miss Vivian Burk.” “The World’s Gifts,” by four boys. Vocal duet, Thelma and Dorothy Williams. Reading—“ The Beautiful Story”— Ruby Artman. “Christmas Thoughts,” by six girls. “The Xmas Bells,” recited by Elmer Darwacter. Decitation —selected —Miss Julia Gillig. Decitation and drill, “Joy for His Coming,” Miss Ruby Artman and four girls. Song —“The Prince of Peace” —Choir. Scripture reading, Luke 11:8-14—Mr. Burk. Song —“Joy to the World!” —Audience. Benediction. o CREDENTIALS HERE John M. Frisinger Receives Official Announcement As an Elector WILL MEET SOON * The Fifteen Electors of Indiana to Meet in Indianapolis in January John M. Frisinger received his credentials this morning from governor Frank Hanly, as a presidential elector from' this district and enclosed in the letter was the official vote of the state, which showed that the highest republican elector had a plurality of 10,731. The fifteen electors of the state will meet in the state house at Indianapolis on the second Monday in January, where they will cast the electoral vote of the state for the republican candidate. They will then choose one from their number as a messenger to take the result of the count to Washington, D. C. A peculiar thing in regard to the election as revealed by the report he received this morning Is that about 4.000 republicans and 3,500 democrats voted for the first. elector thinking that they were voting the straight ticket and thus lost their votes on all but president. It is not improbable that Mr. Frisinger will be selected as a mes; senger to take the result of the electoral vote to the capital city. —o— G. A. R. TO RETURN MONEY. Kokomo Subscribers Will Receive One-Third of Encampment Fund. Kokomo, Ind., Dec. 21—The executive committee having in charge the ' fund raised to entertain the late encampment of the state G. A. R. has decided to refund the unused balance, 1 which will amount to about one-third of the original subscription. Steps have been taken to prorate the money . among the original subscribers.

Decatur, Indiana, Tuesday Evening, December 22. 1908.

ERIE CONDUCTOR HELD UP Beaten by Thugs—Saved by a Switch Engine. Daniel Led man, an Erie conductor, was caught by two thugs in the yards at Marion early this morning and beaten into unconsciousness in their efforts to rob him. He was called to go out about midnight and made an inspection of his train before it left the yards. When within a short distance of the caboose a man approached Him and asked ' for 1113 overcoat. This was refused, and the man struck him in the mouth. In a short time another thug struck him over the head with some blunt instrument and he was unconscious. Just then the headlight of a switch engine steamed upon the three and the robbers left without having secured the watch and money possessed by the unfortunate man. He was brought to his home in this city today at noon. From present prospects he will not be long detained from his work. —Huntington News-Democrat. GIVES AN OPINION George Zehr Answers Recent Statement of Naturalization Chief WRITES TO COURT Says He Must Leave Elections to God Who Knows Best George Zehr, the Wabash township man who some time ago asked to be

naturalized, and who said on the witness stand that he did not believe In voting, has written the following letter, which was translated from German by Editor Rohrer and published in the Berne Witness today: Dear Friend Merryman—As I read your report concerning naturalization I saw that you have misunderstood me. I beg your pardon that I'could not make myself better understood in » the English language. The report ’ read that I did not believe in government nor in voting for it. Certainly I do most heartily that we must have . a government ordained by God, for the protection of the good and the punishment of the evil. According to Tit. 3:1 we are indebted to be subject to the government and obedient to every good work as Paul teaches us in Rom. 13:1 and 8. I am in ' hearty accord with the duty of honoring the government, and whatever it does with a good conscience and in the fear of God He will not leave unrewarded, for He is a rewarder ot the good. In regard to voting there is a mystery for Christians. May God grant, that it may become clear unto us. We as Christians and followers of Jesus leave the result of the election in the hands of God, who knows best what man is fit to occupy this or that office, for He knows the hearts. Our prayer is that if voting is done in the love of God In our hearts. God will do what those that fear Him desire. We prayed over and discussed this matter in our congregation on Thanksgiving Day. and I desire that all of God's children would pray more earnestly over this matter. The reason that I do not go to the polls Is this: First, I have never seen the piesidentlal candidates and hence if

I did vote, I could only vote what other people told me. In the second place there are the two parties, one says so, the other so. I said in Decatur, if there were only one side, I could vote too. I am thankful to God that we have a government that we can live in peace and serve God. But the election I must leave to God, or else I might do more harm than good. I beg your indulgence for my poor writing and hope for the best, that Mr. Merryman will understand me better, and in case you can do anything for roe I shall gratefully accept it. I await a reply, and If necessary, I shall call in person. Respectfully, GEORGE ZEHR. o Albert Brlttson. former postmaster . of this city, now in the real estate business with Marion Smith at Mt. Pleasant, -Michigan, was looking up old friends here today. He left this afternoon for his home. Several Geneva people were in the city today on court business, return- ( ing to their homes this afternoon. | •

NEW CHANGES MIND Democratic Candidate for Reporter Will Continue His Contest WITH THE OTHERS State Committee Back of Them—Met at Indianapolis Last Night Indianapolis, Ind., Dec. 22. —Burt New. of North Vernon, late Democratic candidate for reporter of the supreme court, who had announced he would not take part in a contest for the office, has come back into the fold and will go into the contest with his Democratic brethren. This announcement w-as made tonight following a meeting of the Democratic state committee in the Denison hotel. Mr. New was at the meeting and was authority for the statement that he will be a party to the contest. He declined to make a statement as to his sudden change of mind, referring all questioners Ito Stokes Jackson, state chairman, who was at the meeting. When asked for an explanation, Mr. Jackson told the inquisitive ones that they would have to see Mr. New. The proposed contest, It was said, was the sole topic of discussion at the meeting of the state committee. All of the members were in attendance with the exception of Peter Foley, of Terre Haute, and N. A. Stevens, of Plymouth. The announcement that the state committee will be back of the contest was made formally tonight. When the proposition for the state committee to take up the contest was put to a vote the members were unanimous in declaring in -favor ol taking such a step. Edward G. Hoffman, who is a candidate for the United States senate and who is also a member of the state committee, was at the meeting. He and his associates in the committee declared that there was nothing brought up at the meeting concerning the senatorship. o BUSINESS IS GOOD Only One Concern That Doesn’t Ask for Business But Gets It Anyway UNCLE SAM’S STORE Over Five Thousand Stamps Were Disposed of Yesterday At this season of the year every business house does a big business, and most of those who need extra help and who mil up a good hank account at this time, can account for same because they advertise their special holiday goods, but there is one place in Decatur where this is not true, where they never advertise and where although the rush is proportionate to that of any other bus-

iness in the city, they must handle the trade with the help they have. Thia place is the postofflee—Uncle Sam's store. Each Christmas brings a rush In the demand for postage stamps, for at this time hundreds of people are sending packages to their loved ones and the stamp clerk Is kept busy handing out the little red and blue stamps. As an instance of what they do at this season, yesterday’s record shows that 2,000 twocent stamps and 3,000 one-cent stamps were handed out In small amounts, that Is to say that each person waited on bought only one, two or three stamps as they might need to send away the package. The individual sales amounted to several thousand and the clerks were all tired last night when thev closed the windows. The mall men are also having their troubles at this time, as each delivery is unusually heavy and they have many inquiries to answer. o Miss Winifred Eliingham received an ugly fall at school today and as a consequence has a very sore elbow’, the injury requiring medical attention.

SANTA CLAUS IS COMING He Will Visit the Star Theater on Christmas Day. John B. Stoneburner, the original picture man, has an entirely new and original idea for Christmas day at the Star theater. On that day, afternoon and evening, he has arranged to have with him, old Santa Claus himself, no imitation, but the real thing, with’ a pack on his back and a present for each and every child who visits the show, also a joke and a treat for papa and mamma. He has also arranged for an especially good film for that date and you will certainly enjoy the occasion if you visit the Star. For this evening he has the great show’, Abe Lincoln, showing the life of the martyred president from his childhood days to his assassination in the Washntheater. Young and old should see this show. 1200 WERE THERE Greatest Meeting Ever Held in North Indiana in Woodcraft Yesterday AT SUMMIT CITY About Two Hundred Can-

didates Received the Obligation The special interurban car which conveyed the members and candidates of the Modern Woodmen lodge to Fort Wayne to witness the biggest district meeting ever held in northern Indiana, returned this morning at one o’clock, every member delighted with the great time he enjoyed. In the afternoon a session was held in the

Sangerbund hall, in which interesting addresses were delivered to the delegates. Attorney C. L. Walters of this city, with his usual brilliancy, and in a very able manner, delivered the response to the addresses of welcome. His chosen remarks were encored again and again. An adjournment of the afternoon meeting occurred at 4 o’clock. At seven o'clock in the evening the twelve hundred woodmen formed a line of march and the parade which followed was certainly a gorgeous display of splendid manhood. Repairing to the hall the members were favored by an address from national lecturer, Mr. Riley, which abounded with thoughts which appeal to right thinking men and every lull in his talk was a signal for vociferous demonstration, so captivating was his oratory. National lecturer Riley is, unquestionably one of the ablest men on the American lecture platform. Following the address two hundred candidates were given the obligation, three of whom were given the initiatory work which was ably conferred by the Auburn degree team. It was the greatest meeting in Wodcraft ever held in the state, and Fort Wayne outdid herself in giving her guests royal entertainment.

LIQUOR CASES ARE DISMISSED Two Suits From Here Left Off Portland Docket. Both the Samuel Sprunger, ex parte, and the Jacob Hunzker, ex parte, suits sent to this county on change of venue from the Adams circuit court at Decatur, were dismissed Monday morning and the costs of the actions were taxed against the plaintiffs. The cases were both liquor license application that were appealed from the Adams county commissioners’ court and had been pending on the local court docket for some time.—Portland Sun. LETS TRAIN PASS OVER HIM High School Boy Has Narrow Escape from Death on Trestle. Oakland, City, Ind., Dec. 21—While Ora Dyer, a student of the high school, was walking along the railroad track yesterday a train approached so near ai he was crossing a high trestle that he attempted to jump into the creek below. His foot caught between the ties and he fell beside the rail. As there was not time to move he lay still while the entire train passed over him. The engine carried away a part of his clothing, but he was unhurt.

Price Two Cents

CANAL FIGURING Is Occupying Minds of Leaders of Congress in Washington AT THIS TIME Believe Taft Will Use Good Judgment in All His Plans Washington. December 22.—The leaders of congress who are not going home for the holidays are taking thought of the possibility of the extra session in the spring having to take up the question of so altering the plans of the Panama canal as to provide for a sea level canal instead of a lock waterway. They are impressed with the openmindedness with which President-elect Taft is going about the inquiry to establish the truth as to the stability of the foundation for the locks at Gatin dam. The general feeling in the legislative body is that if there is the remotest doubt about the wisdom of going ahead with a lock canal the plans should be changed. Some of the senators have felt all along that perhaps the lock plan was adopted without due consideration and investigation. The board of consulting engineers, it will be recalled, reported in favor oi a sea level canal, but President Roosevelt rejected the report. The president wanted a lock canal and congress gave it to him. This is what the board of consulting engineers—a majority of them—said on the sub ject of a lock canal: “The United States is proposing to spend man; millions of dollars for the construe tion of this great waterway, which 1 to serve the commerce of the worl for all time, and the very existenc of which would depend upon the per manent stability and unquestione safety of its dams. The board if therefore of opinion that the exis fence of such costly facilities for th< world's commerce should not depend upon great reservoirs held by earth embankments resting literally upon mud foundations, or those of even sand and gravel. The board is unqualifiedly of opinion that no such vast and doubtful experiment should be indulged in.” In asserting that the president-elect will not hesitate to upset the Roosevelt canal plana i f his own judgment and expert investigation so dictate, friends of Mr. Taft point to this utterance from him ir 1906 in transmitting to the president the report of the canal commission and the recommendation of the consulting engineers: “When I visited the isthmus a year and a half ago and went over the site and talked with the then chief engineer. I received a strong impression that the work of construction upon which the United States was about to enter was of such world-wide importance and so likely to continue in active use for centuries to come that it was wise for the government not to be impatient of the time to be taken or of the treasure to be spent. ROADS OPPOSE ELEVATION. Willing to Bridge One Fort Wayne Street, but Oppose General Plan.

Fort Wayne, Ind.. Dec. 21. That the Pennsylvania and Wabash companies will agree to the elevation of the r tracks at Calhoun street and will hitterlv fight a general scheme of elevation was clearly Indicated at a meeting held in the city hall this morning, which adjourned after a couple o hours of discussion until Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock when the Wabash will file a formal remonstrance. The Pennsylvania filed a forma re monstrance and the Wabash road asked for time in which to e remonstrance. The Pennsylvania .re monstrance was taken under advise ment. John omig. » IS; wW has lived In years and who for parents and oth Belle fona few day, left • accepted a taine, Ohio, when wjn job of arch^' Ur for 8bo«‘ three occupy his f re(urn t o Columweeks when he ‘ months . work bus for the c I ' ! ' He w fil gradat the Ohio ’ m ' ing wor ked his own uate in June, haung way through college