Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 7, Number 10, Decatur, Adams County, 12 January 1909 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume VII. Number 10.

A BRIBE STORY Rep. Stuart Claims an Attempt Was Made to Bride Him IS GETTING WARM life . The Senatorial Race is Getting Red Hot , _>B4iai:ajiolis, January 12. —(Special to the Daily Democrat)—Tilings are beginning to sizzle in the senatorial fight and the stories afloat are not calculated to make them cool off in a hurry. A rumor has been persistent in its circulation that a secret senatorial spying committee has alreadybeen busy in an attempt to expose any effort to use money in the selection of a United States senator. Representative Stuart, a republican represer ' tive from Kokomo has made the declaration that some one tried to bribe him. The statement created a sensation. Joffii W. Kern spoke lightly of the TUmor, but Senator Fleming, who is backing Mr. Hoffman said he was ready to inject personalities any time the ball was opened. He said further that it was all a scheme of Oscar Henderson, who fixed up the story in order to help along the band wagon rush for Kern, and that it was funny that Stuart, Henderson and Kern all hail from Kokomo. There is much comment on the attempted effort to bride Stuart, and it may have a tendency to make the legislators line up and stay lined .

IN HONOR OF THE SENATE Reception by the Vice President and Mrs. Fairbanks. Washing'on. Jan. 11. —Vice President and Mrs. Fairbanks give their annual reception in honor of the senate tonight. It was a notable company that gathered at the K street home and included the chiefs of embassies of the diplomatic corps, the senators, the members of the house cf repreent atives, the justices of the United States supreme court, the justices of the courts of the District of Columbia and many of the members of the Congressional press galleries and their wives. About 1,000 persons attended the reception. The Marine band furnished music. The decorations were pink and white roses A buffet supper was served. The reception began at 9:30 o’clock, and lasted until 11 p. m. President Roosevelt came over from the white house at 10 o’clock and spent some time chatting with distinguished people in attendance. Mrs. Roosevelt was Indisposed and could not attend. , ———— KILLED BY TRACTION CAR Lebanon, Ind., Jan. 11 .—Returning to his home, just over the line in Clinton county, after spending the evening with his sweetheart, Miss Flo Smith, near Mechanicsburg, eight miles north of Lebanon, Lee Winfield Mundell, eeventeen years old, was caught on the county line crossing bebetween Boone and Clinton counties by the 10 o'clock southbound limited car on the Northwestern traction line last night and was instantly killed. His neck was broken. Although his buggy was demolished there is not a bruise on Mundell's body. The body was brought to this city on the car. Marion Parker was the motorman and Harry Richey the conductor. Coroner Ivory Tolle will hold an inquest today.

ANNUAL ELECTION AT COPPOCK Their Annual Meeting Occurred at Two O’clock this Afternoon The annual election of a board of directors for the Coppock Motor Car company took place at the offices of the company at two o'clock this afternoon. The stockholders turned out in force but we go to press too early to give a list of the personel of the board. With the new year the change of management takes place, Mr. Wiley retiring and Mr. D. L. Quinn taking charge of the management of Decatur’s automobile factory. The Wileys go back to Marion, they expecting to leave next Monday or Tuesday. They are estimable people and Decatur is loath to see them leave. AN ENJOYABLE DAY Indianapolis Filled With People to Attend Inauguration BUSINESS BEGINS The Legislature Will Begin Their Active Work x Today Indianapolis, January 12. —There were “things doing” in plenty about the state house today and a wooden Indian would almost have enjoyed it, to say nothing of a live Hoosier American. The house of representatives was an especially busy place, and was crowded throughout the morning. At 10 o’clock the fifteen electors of Indiana met as required by law and cast their votes for William H. Taft and Tames S. Sherman of New York, for president and vice president. Among them was the old wheelhorse, John M. Frisinger of Adams county. Ex-Governor Winfield T. Durbin, of Anderson, presided and was chosen to hasten the glad message to Washington. After this business, the senate visited the house and the canvass of the vote for governor and lieutenant governor took place. Then the entire party proceeded to the senate chambers where Frank J. Hall was inaugurated lieutenant governor. The house and senate then went to the rotunda, where Governor Marshall was inaugurated in an appropriate manner. All this time a thirty-six piece band, located in the halls, gave forth inspiring music and all in all there was plenty to make one’s blood fairly tingle. The law makers should get down to real business by Tuesday and a rush of bills is anticipated. Representative Gottschalk is watching the corners in a keen manner and we predict he represents old Adams county in an able manner. Dr. J. C. Grandstaff and John Hoffman, of Preble, were among those who witnessed the inauguration ceremonies. Others who are here for the various big events are A. D. Moffett and wife of Elwood, Mrs. and J. Fred France of Huntington. Jake Huston, a former resident of Decatur, is assistant doorkeeper of the senate and is as full of jokes as ever. He was appointed by “Uncle Nate” Hawkins of Portland. A crowd of Fort Wayne men are here today boosting Ed Hoffman in his senatorial race. The fight begins to wax warm. HELLER. — o - BROTHERHOOD ORGANIZED New Bluffton Methodist Society Starts Out With Many MembersBluffton, Ind., Jan. 11.—At a meeting yesterday afternoon a Methodist brotherhood was organized from the men of the First M. E. church and started with a membership of 102, which number is expected to be greatly increased. The officers elected are P. A. Allen, president; H. H. Deam, first vice president; L. B. Stevens, second vice president; D. H. Swaim, third vice president; A. J. Tribolet. fourth vice president; Herman Lesh, recording secretary; W. W. Rogers, treasuer, and A. B. .Cline, chaplain. There will be an- | other meeting next Sunday.

SUICIDE ATTEMPT It Is Reported That William E. Smith Attempted Self Destruction NEAR AUBURN, IND. His Health is Bad and That Was Probably the Incentive A report has gained circulation in Decatur to the effect that William E. Smith attempted suicide Saturday night, although nothing is definitely known as to his whereabouts. The rutnor goes, however, that owing to his ill health he decided that self destruction would be the quickest and only way he could avert a long and tedious siege of illness, which would inevitably end in his death. Smith was seen a few weeks ago in the vicinity of Auburn, and it was stated by a Decatur party that he was working in a barber shop in a little village near that place. It will be remembered that he was engaged in the restaurant business at Garrett with Frank Bradley of Auburn, until the place was sold to J. O. Smith of this city. After the sale William came to Decatur, and while here stated that he was going to leave for Hot Springs to take a course of treatment. A physician had advised him that he must seek a different climate as tuberculosis had fastened its grip upon him. An interview with Elmer Smith a brother of William, who resides in Decatur, resulted in the vigorous denial of the attempted suicide and Elmer states that he received a letter from William yesterday denying the whole affair. However, Elmer is responsible for the circulation of the story, and until more light is thrown upon the affair the people will not know as to the authenticity of the report. o ADAMS CO. REPORT Dr. J. M. Miller Has Compiled Interesting Report in Regard to Death Rate ADAMS CO. RATE LOW i But Six Deaths Occurred in County Outside Corporate Limits in December Dr. J. M. Miller, secretary of the county board of health has forwarded to the proper authorities, his report for December, 1908, which is probably the most interesting one he has compiled since assuming the office. Until a few days ago there was but one death reported as occurring outside the corporate limits of Decatur, Berne and Geneva for the month of December, although five others were reported subsequently, but even the number of six Is far below the monthly average, and in fact the lowest number of deaths occurring in the county for years in a similar length of time. There were seventeen deaths in October and about that number in November, while during the preceding months there were many more than this recorded. Six deaths have been reported thus far in January. The ailment which ushers the greatest number of people into the eternal world is tuberculosis, pneumonia. second; organic heart diseases, third: accidents fourth and Infants diseases fifth. The death rate in Adams county was so low in the year 1908 that J. N. Hurty, secretary of the state board of health wrote a letter to Dr. Miller asking if he did not make a mistake in the Wgures in his report. 36.461 deaths occurred in Indiana last year which is an average of 13.4 while in this county the average was only 10.4, a decisive decrease from the general average. Thus Adams county people have the distinction of preserving their health ks well as being a thirsty and industrious people. The health of each individual should be the thing to be considered before the accumulation of wealth or social enjoyment is to be reckoned with.

Decatur, Indiana, Tuesday Evening, January 12, 1909.

A RICH MAN SUICIDESHenry E. Robinson, of Richmond, Commits Suicide. Richmond is all agog with excitement over the tragic suicidal death of Henry E. Robinson, one of the rich and influential business men of that city. 11l health is given as the cause for the rash act, which occurred Sunday evening in his apartments. A thirty-two calibre revolver and a bullet hole through the brains told the tale of the manner in which the suicide ended his life. The deceased is the father of Frank Robinson, who is known by many of our people, having lived on the Robinson farm in French township for many years. Mr. Robinson was president of the Robinson company, manufacturers of threshing machines, many of which are in use in this county. TAFT UNLOADING A Breach Between Taft and the President is the Talk TAKE NO PART Samuel Gompers on the Indiana Senatorial Situation Washington, January 12. —The Washington Times, which has a careful staff man with President-elect Taft, prints the following: “Is Pres-ident-elect Taft deliberately unload-

ing all the personnel, appurtenances and inheritances of Rooseveltism and getting ready to emancipate himself entirely from relation or obligation to the Roosevelt regime? "That he has such a purpose and that his pursuit of it in making his cabinet has led ‘to sharp disagreement between himself and President Roosevelt is current report in high places. The refusal of the president-elect to include in his cabinet William Loeb Jr., is said to have seriously piqued the president, with the result that something not far from the proportions of a breach between him and Taft is declared impending. Mr. Loeb is under the objection of having too much of the savor of Rooseveltism about him. Frank H. Hitchcock, likewise tarred with the Roosevelt stick, is to be in the cabinet, but must not continue as national chairman; and his position will be a modest and minor one, rather than that of chief advisor to the next president. The whole tendency in cabinet construction, it is broadly declared among people in touch with the great political and personal interests involved, Is toward minimizing Roosevelt ideas.” Washington, January 12.—Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federation of Labor, said that it is not true as reported that he is taking any part in the election of a United States senator in Indiana. Said he: “I stumped the state for the Bryan and Kern ticket, and the Indiana Democrats were good enough to say that I contributed somewhat to the result in that state that makes the election of a'United States senator possible. Certainly they will not, in return, insult union labor by choosing any candidate who has been always inimical to the best interests of the cause that I represent, especially as there are five or six good Democrats with clean records from which to choose a senator.’ 1 PLANS TO PROPAGATE QUAIL Game Commissioner Sweeney Soon Will Restock Allen County. Fort Wayne, Ind., Jan. 11. —Frank A. Emrick, attorney of the Allen County Sportsmen’s association, has received a letter from State Game Commissioner Z. T.* Sweeney, in which the commissioner says he will send three consignments of quail he v e in January or February to restock Allen county. Mr. Sweeney also has sent to the local association a permit to trap quail for restocking purposes at any place w’here permission to do so is obtained from the land owner. The work must be done under the direction of a township trustee, road supervisor or other official, who must report it to the game commissioner’s office within ten days.

THE PLAY WAS FINE “A Race for a Widow” Pleased a Small Audience AT THE OPERA HOUSE It Was the Best Shown Here This Season by Far As deserving as was the company of clever actor's and actresses, but a small audience greeted “A Race for a Widow” at the Bosse last night, and as a consequence the theater going people missed one of the hits of the season. As a curtain raiser, a oneact play entitled “In Honor Bound” was presented and we are voicing the sentiment of those present when we say that it was the best moral lesson ever taught in the local play bouse, in which Arthur Wilbur, always clever, presented a line of thought in beautiful language which appealed to his every auditor. The devotion of a true husband to his wife was exemplified cleverly. Prolonged applause signaled the close of the introductory act and the show proper ensued. In this too, Wilbur starred, and his work was well appreciated by every member of the audience. He was supported by an excellent company, all of whom played their respective roles with credit. Why Decatur people do not support shows of the calibre of “A Race fora Widow” nobody seems able to explain. It is as good as there is on the road and a great deal better than many performances that Decatur people have paid $2, to see in Fort Wayne, besides their car fare to the summit city. If Decatur theater going people wish to see a play house maintained In the city they must patronize the excellent shows brought here by Mr. Bosse.

MATTER SETTLED Those Macadam Road Contracts Are Again Awarded TWO WERE LUCKY Merryman and Fugate and Samuel Yost Get Them I The refusal of Wheat & Sisk to take their macadam road contracts was the means of calling the board of commissioners into session and they agreed that it would be to the interest of all concerned to give the contracts to the next lowest bidders, and thus save any further expense, and probably be the means of getting even higher bids were they thrown open for bids again. This was done and as a result Merryman & Fugate gets two of the contracts and Samuel Yost the other four. The E. H. Faust road goes to Merryman & Fugate for $4,561, the Tieman road to Merryman & Fugate for $3,175, while Samuel Yost gets the Gallmeyer for $2,850, the Henry Wafel for $4,110, the Bowman for $3,545 and the Kirk-land-Preble for $2,550. Contracts were entered. Martin Laughlin, president of the board, was again unable to be present at the special sessfbn. He does not seem to be getting on as well as he should, and the improvement is so slight that his friends are somewhat discouraged. The greatest trouble comes from a weak heart, which so far fails or refuses to show the proper tendency to recuperate. He is unable to be out of the house. Harry Tribolet for many years the best newspaper man in Bluffton, but who in recent years quit the profession for something more substantial, was in the city for a few hours today on business. He is a member of the Tribolet real estate agency, and they have made good in so far as the financial end of the business is concerned.

BROKE THROUGH THE ICE Lad is Saved From Watery Grave by His Playmate. Bluffton, Ind., Jan. 11. —Herman, aged 9, son of Henry Groh, a harness dealer, broke through the ice on the Wabash river and would have drowned but for the bravery of Oral Gilliom, a playmate of the same age. When the Groh Boy broke through the lee he clutched several times at the ice at the edge of the hole, but each time the ice broke away from him. His playmate approached and by stretching out on the ice got hold of one of Groh's hands and pulled him to safety. The boy was about frozen by his cold bath before he reached home. IN CIRCUIT COURT Action is Taken This Morning Upon Several State Cases WILL IS PROBATED Several Court Entries Were Made this Morning The court fined Curley Ellis S2O and costs, the case being on a grand jury indictment for selling liquor to minors. It was the first offense, the defendant pleading guilty. The State case against Henry Bradford for allowing minors to play pool, was dismissed and the costs paid. There was four cases and the same entry is made in each case. A motion was sustained as to taxing costs in the case of Daniel B. Ford vs. Smith Shoemaker and William Andrews. Upon application by the defendant for a change of venue from the county, the case of Frank Berger vs. Chicago & Erie rfailroad was sent to Allen county for trial. The case is one for personal damages sustained in a wreck, occurring some time last summer.

Henry A. Tindall vs. Jacob Fogle, a separate answer was filed to the cross coplaint of the defendant. The divorce case of Amanda Risen vs. Samuel Risen has been2set for trial on Thursday of this week. * - The original will of Elizabeth Zeser was filed and admitted to probate. The will provides for the payment of debts and funeral expenses, gives her husband a life lease in her farm of eighty acres, and after his death the same shall be divided equally among the children, who are Andrew, Theresa, Charles, Clara. Margaret, Frank, Edward, William, Daniel and Timotheus. Should the husband marry, then the property immediately goes to the children. Mary T. Dorwin has been appointed a notary public and has filed a one thousand dollar bond in compliance with the law. A marriage license was issued to John W. Bower, of Bluffton, and Cora A. Walters of this county. The groom is thirty-two and the bride is twenty-four. The last will and testament of Jesse W. Stoneburner, deceased, was offered for probate. The document was witnessed by Paul G. Hooper and E. Burt Lenhart, and gives to the surviving widow all the real and personal property as long as she lives, on does not marry again. A division among the children is then provided. o Mrs. Weiland is very low today and her death is momentarily expected. All hopes for her recovery have been abandoned. John Bower of Bluffton and Miss Cora Walters of Monroe, were quietly married at the M. E. parsonage this afternoon at two-thirty o'clock. Rev. Wilcox officiating. They will remain in Adams county until spring at which time they will leave for Oklahoma to make their future home.

Price Two Cents

MAKETWOCHANGES Successors Must Be Chosen for Dr, C. B. Wilcox and Rev. G. W. Martin LATTER OF OSSIAN Rev. Martin Has Just Tendered His Resignation to Church Rev. G. W. Martin, pastor of the Ossian M. E. church and well known to hundreds of Adams county people, has announced his intention of resigning from the active pastorate and thus two important changes will be made in the North Indiana charges at the next session of the conference to be held in April, successors to be chosen for Dr. C. B. Wilcox of this city and Rev. Martin of Ossian. An exchange has the following to say in regard to the resignation of Rev. Martin: A surprise was sprung on the congregation of the Ossian M. E. church Sunday night when Rev. G. W. Martin, pastor of the church, announced that he had suddenly decided to resign as pastor of the circuit and that he would move to Anderson. The only reason he gave for this sudden determination was the fact that his wife has ill health and needs a change. The sermon at the Ossian church Sunday night was preached by Rev. J. W. Metts, a local preacher at Ossian. After he had concluded preaching the regular pastor got up and said he had a surprise in store. He said that he had determined to resign, his resignation to take effect immelately. He said that bis wife had had health and it was for this reason that he was going to make the change. The announcement came like a thunderbolt from a clear sky to the people of the church. It is claimed that there has been no friction whatever between the members of the church and the pastor during the two years which he has preached there. Everything was rolling along smoothly and the people were well pleased with the minister. Owing to the fact that the annual conference is but a short time from now also makes the announcement the moire mysterious. Revt. Martin was in the midst of revival services at Prospect when he made up his mind to quit. Sunday morning at the services at Prospect he made the same announcement that he made at Ossian Sunday night. His other charge is Sheldon. Revs. Metts, Elzey and Rector will probably take care of the charges until conference when a regular man will be assigned. It is supposed that Rev. Martin will take up revival work.

ANOTHER MINE DISASTER One Hundred and Fifty Are Estimated to Have Perished. Huntington, West Virginia, January 1.2. —Hardly had the crepe been taken from the doors visited by death in the rcent explosion here until one hundred and fifty more homes were plunged into gloom by today’s disaster in the Pocahontas mine at Welch, West Virginia. It now seems that at least one hundred and fifty more men have perished and the heat is so intense from the fire in the mine that the rescuers cannot enter. Fifty were killed two weeks ago in the same mine. o A TWO WEEKS’ VACATION After this week the Adams circuit court will take a two weeks' vacation, the present session ending with this week. The February term promises to be more of a busy session than the present term has been. During the vacation several of the officials, among them Clerk Haefling. will visit Indianapolis and look in on the general assembly which will be busy making good and wholesome laws by that time.