Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 7, Number 22, Decatur, Adams County, 26 January 1909 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume VII. Number 22.

FILED A PETITION Adams County Will Probably Vote on Local Option A HUSKY DOCUMENT Two Thousand One Hundred and Eight Names to Petition A few minutes after two o'clock today a momentous looking document was filed with County Auditor Michaud, the same being received by him and given his official acceptance. The document in question was nothing more nor less than a petition asking the board of commissioners of Adams county to call a special election for the purpose of voting upon the question of “dry" or “wet” A. J. Smith'of this city and E. M. Ray of Berne presented the document to the Adams county official, they being designated and empowered with this duty. The petition bears the signatures of two thousand, one hundred and eight names of the legal and qualified voters of the county, they coming from all corners and from every township. According to the vote of the last election for secretary of state, upon which these votes are compared, there was 5,128 votes cast, and the number of names on the petition numbers about forty per cent of the total vote of the county. The law requires twenty per cent of this vote, so it will be seen that the petitioners are there good and strong. The petition will be presented to the board of commissioners at their February meeting, which will commence at their rooms in the auditor's office on next Monday morning. The law requires the calling of a special election not less than twenty days nor more than thirty days from the time they take action upon this petition. If this is followed in this case Adams county voters will be permitted to vote on or before the first day of March. The county council will have to make the appropria(Continued on page 2.) o HEATED CONTEST Attorneys in Bubb Damage Suit Are Fighting Vigorously TO WIN THE CASE Will Go to the Jury Tomorrow Night—Many Witnesses Auburn, Indiana, Jan. 26. (Special to the Daily Democrat)—The Bubb 110.000 damage suit which is being tried in the circuit court here, is progressing rapidly, although counsel has had many heated arguments on technicalities and the admissahilitv of evidence. The prosecution is introducing evidepce which on the surface appears damaging, although the defense on cross examination has brought out points very much in favor of the defendants from the prosecuting witnesses. A number of witnesses were examined this morning and the attorneys for the plaintiff per slsted in showing that it was due to the negligence of the interurban em ployes that the death blow was dealt out, while the defense on cross examination are trying to show that the decedent was engaged in an illega business and walked upon the trac.r, knowing that the car was due at that time. The prosecution will conclude its case this afternoon and the defense will have its case before the jury by tomorrow evening. It is Q u ‘ ,e likely that at the present rate tne jury will have been instructed and retired to their room before nightiall tomorrow.

governor is making good He is Not Sticking His Nose Into Legislative Business. Indianapolis, Jan. 26, —Governor Marshall is making good his declaration that he will not attempt to dictate to the legislature or to other branches of the state government. Bills are being introduced to carry out his ideas, but he is not "laying down” on anyone to put them through. His attitude is that the legislature ought to use is own judgmen, even regarding his particular measures. The situation is so different from what it was during the two sessions in Governor Hanly’s administration as to be the cause of much comment. From the very outset Governor Hanly had to be consulted about the organization of the legislature, and the party was split over bills he insisted should be passed. Two years ago he backed the Babcock insurance bill and opposed the Vincennes university bond measure to a point where it was impossible for the republican leaders to hold their representatives together. COURTHOUSE NEWS They Ask Control of the Fravel Children MARRIAGE LICENSE Everything in Readiness for the February Court Term The board of children's guardians have asked the court for the custody and control of the three Fravel children, their mother being Mollie Fravel, now languishing in the county jail, on a more or less serious charge. A marriage license has been issued to Crist Augsburger, aged twen-ty-three, of French township, and Ida Fox, aged twenty-three, of Berne. Both are popular young people and have a host of friends who will wish them well. Clerk Haefling has all the court dockets, calendar and other necessary implements for the February court term ready, and on Monday morning there is nothing in the way of immediately proceeding to the business of the term. A glance at the calendar indicates that many cases will be disposed of during the term. The Studabaker-Faylor case will likely receive some court attention during the early weeks. The action taken by the supreme court will be made a matter of record, and this will be followed by such action as will be taken in the lower court. The Faylor heirs are seemingly making all arrangements to try the case without any unnecessary delay. Real estate transfers are Victoria S. Hill to Krick, Tyndall & Co., 10 acres Washington township, $1,200. Thomas Broadstock to Anthony Glendening, 107 acres in Kirkland township, $6,500. Rachel A. Kern to James M. Ray, part lot 107, Decatur, SSOO. o FAIR CO-EDS INDIGNANT. Receiving Young Men Callers on Sunday Evening Cause of Trouble.

Oxford, 0., Jan. 26.—There is a dispute among the fair co-eds of Miami university over the question whether they shall entertain young men callers on (Sunday evening. Jealousy is at the bottom of the scrap. One hundred girls, who room in Hepburn Hall on the campus, are not allowed to receive callers at night, while those rooming out in town do as they please, so the dormitory girls are pushing an amendment to the rules. The matter is now pending before the students’ council, but the university senate, composed of the faculty, will probably be called upon to settle the controversy.

GOES TO PANAMA President-Elect Taft and Party Has Left the South GONE A MONTH The Next President Proposes to Investigate Conditions Charleston. S. C., Jan. 25. —Presi-dent-elect and Mrs. Taft and party, including a small staff of distinguished civil engineers, selected to inspect with the president-elect the isthmian canal, sailed for Panama early today. The party will reach New Orleans on the return trip on February 13. The two big warships, the North Carolina and Montana, as they swung out into the harbor and passed out to sea attracted considerable attention. Aboard the big cruiser North Carolina were the president-elect, his ruddy cheeks attesting the benefit he had gained from the golf links at Augusta, and his immediate party, including Mrs. Taft and Wendall Mischler, his assistant secretary,who has been with Mr. Taft since Secretary Carpenter left for California to recuperate his health. Aboard each craft was a secret service agent, L. C Wheeler on the North Carolina, and Richard Jarvis on the Montana, both of whom will remain with the party throughout the trip. Mr. Taft exexpressed the keenest appreciation of *he cordial welcome and wholesouled hospitality extended to him by the people of Charleston and said he had enjoyed his brief stay in this city greatly. Mrs. Taft was looking forward to the sea voyage as an opportunity for rest after a period of activity in social engagements and in travel. Senator Knox, who is to be secretary of state in the Taft cabinet, who came to confer with Mr. Taft upon matters of importance returned to Washington this afternoon. Chairman Hitchcock, who came here at Mr. Taft's request, will remain a day or two probably. John Hays Hammond, president of the League of Republican clubs, will spend several days here. o LAST RESPECTS Many Decatur People Attend Funeral of Late Mrs. Watts THIS AFTERNOON Rev. Ira Johnson, of Lynn, Delivered an Excellent Sermon This afternoon at one o’clock services over the remains of the late Mrs. W. W. Watts were held at the late Monmouth home, where with bowed heads and sad hearts many friends of the deceased paid their last tribute to the memory of the departed noble woman. It was a feast of profound sorrow in which all present participated, and not only those present were heavy laden with grief, but

many who were unable to attend,

i share in the hour of bereavement. I The words of cheer emanating from i the lips of the Rev. Ira Johnson, of ; Lynn, Indiana, a life long friend of the Watts amily, were well appreciat- ’ ed, although the relatives can find i but little consolation, their loss is so > great. Those from Decatur who were . in attendance at the funeral services i were: Mrs. C. Ervin, Mrs. M. F. Rice, i Mrs. S. E. Shamp. Mrs. Hulda Archer, : Mrs, Ben Rice, Miss Fannie McConnel, Mrs. Oscar Jones, Mr. John Woy : and Joshua Parrish. Mr. and Mrs. J. • May, of Delphos, passed through the i city this afternoon enroute to Monmouth to attend the funeral.

Decatur, Indiana, Tuesday Evening, January 26, 1909.

UPLAND POSTOFFICE ROBBERY. The Robbers Helped Themselves to Money and Stamps. Upland, Ind., January 26.—The postoffice at this place was robbed by burglars last night or early this morning of S4OO in money and $l,lOO in stamps. The burglars broke their way into the building and then blew open the safe. No one heard the explosion, and it is believed the burglars muffled the safe to avoid noise that would alarm the citizens. After getting the money and stamps the robbers stole a horse and buggy belonging to Calvin N. Harner and fled, it is believed, in the direction of Marion. The postoffice was in a building by Itself and no other place was entered. S. A. Connelly, the postmaster, says no clew was left. An effort was made to get bloodhounds for the purpose of tracking the robbers. The postmaster put much confidence in a coach dog which he had placed in his office as a watch dog, but apparently the robbers obtained its confidence, for it was still in the postoffice this morning and showed no signs of a struggle of any kind. This is the fifth or sixth robbery of postoffices in Grant and contiguous counties within a month.

THE GOOD OLD WAY Robert J. Aley Has Good Ideas About the Schools NEW FANGLED WAYS Believes in Making the Foundation Strong Robert J. Aley, who will succeed Fassett A. Cotton, as state superintendent, is inclined to the opinion that many schools of the state are adding a “junk pile” to the regular course of study, or attempting to have the children do things that they will be able to do after they have mastered certain fundamental principles and rules and for that reason it is a waste of time t-j have pupils engaged in so-called practical work. If a boy can add, that settles it; if he can subtract, divide , and multiply, he ha a a foundation upon which to become an accountant. Prof. Aley's idea is to have the school children well grounded in the branches taught them, believing that when thus equipped they will be able to manage the actual problems with which they are confronted in after life. “When you went to school you learned to add. You did not solve a carpet problem one day, a plastering problem the next and an electric light or traction problem the following day. You did not have to add up railroad tickets —you just took hold of addition and learned to add. Then when the first electric light bills and traction problems presented themselves, you seemed to have no fear of them. You had learned addition before.’ 1

MOSTLY NEWSPAPER TALK Not Much Being Said Among Legislators About Repeal. Judge John M. Smith, who returned Monday morning to Indianapolis, to be present at the beginning of the third week of the legislative session, gave out a short Interview just before leaving, concerning the work of the session. Referring to the effort being made to repeal the present county local option law he said that there is a great deal more being printed in the metropolitan newspapers concerning it than there was talk among the legislators themselves. He said that he doubted whether any serious attempt would be made to repeal the measure at this session.—Portland Commercial-Review. o CARRIE NATION IS “EGGED.” London. Jan. 25. —Carrie Natlon.who is attempting to deliver a series of lectures here, met with a very hostile reception at the Canterbury music hall tonight. She was pelted with eggs, one of them striking her in the face. From the beginning the audience maintained a chorus of boos and hisses. Her manager vainly appealed for fair play and Mrs. Nation was obliged to quit the house under police protection.

GREAT PROBLEMS And Their Relation to the Church Were Discussed LAST EVENING At the Presbyterian Church by Eloquent Speaker Mr. McGarrah, of New York, one of those silver tongue Irishmen who always find expression in the heirts of the people, gave a lecture last night at the Presbyterian church of intense interest to aU, relating eloquently conditions relative to the ever-per-plexing immigration questions which confront the minds of Christian American people. The speaker, a young man of commanding appearance, and thoroughly versed on the great national questions of which he spoke, held spellbound the vast audience which had gathered by the presentation of logical thoughts, intermingled as only an Irishman can with humor precisely fitting to the occasion. Introduced by the Rev. Spetnagle, Mr. McGarrah immediately launched upon a line of thought which greatly inspired his every auditor. His address was Opened by the remarkable statement that in the time intervening from June 30, 1904 to 1907, more Immigrants came to America than there were in the thirteen original colonies or In numbers, three and one-half millions. At the present time, he continued, there are fifteen millions of people living in the United States who were born under other flags and fifty per cent of the population of our country is composed by people either born in foreign lands or of parents who were. The question is a serious one, he continued, and demands the immediate and careful attention of the Christian people. He reiterated the fact that immigration should not be stopped,but that we as American patriots should so influence the foreigners as to make good Americans of them. His advocacy of home mission work was emphatic and appealed generally to the audience. In fact Mr. McGarrah is one of the most eloquent and forceful speakers who ever addressed a Decatur audience and his return would be welcomed at any time.

GOES TO OKLAHOMA Rev. McCarty to Preach in That New State FILES A SUIT Wants a Recounting of Affairs With His Divorced Wife Portland, Ind., Jan. 26. —The Rev. W. E. McCarty, of east Votaw street, will leave Friday of this week for Lawton, Okla., where he has been offered and accepted the pastorate of the First Methodist church. Lawton is the county seat of the county in which it is situated, and one of the best towns in that state. Before leaving Portland, the Rev. Mr. McCarty instructed his local attorneys to enter suit, as soon as the papers in the case can be prepared, against his former wife, Mrs. Isabelle Williams, for damages, alleging breach of their ar.te-nuptial contract. A second paragraph demands an accounting for his portion of the nicome of the former wife's property, it being alleged that by the terms of the contract, he is entitled to one-third of that amount. The hearing on this latter paragraph of the coming complaint, will involve all of Mrs. Williams’ property and the trial for that reason will be a lengthy and tedious affair. The suit will be filed as soon as the papers can be prepared. The Rev. Mr. McCarty will return here in time for the trial of the case.

THEY CAUGHT THE WILY DR. Dr. Holcomb and Mrs. Cotton Come Back Married. Dr. John H. Holcomb, who has gained so much notoriety in connection with the divorce case of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cotton, was brought back to Bluffton this morning under aftest, in charge of Detective George W. Harrod, of Fort Wayne, who ten days ago filed a charge of perjury against the doctor in Squire M. W. Walbert’s court. Accompanying Dr. Holcomb and Detective Harrod was the doctor's new wife, Mrs. Etta V. Cole Cotton Holcomb. who according to the best Information obtainable married the doctor after the two left this state for their trip south. The detective and his two companions arrived in Bluffton this morning byway of Fort Wayne, arriving on the car due here at 10:45. The doctor was not subjected to the indignity of handcuffs, but walked freely aiong the street with Detective Harrod and his wife tJ the office of Squire Walbert, where the affidavit was read to him and he entered a plea of not guilty. His bond was fixed at $2,000 and Dr. Holcomb immediately arranged to furnish this. —Bluffton News.

NOVEL FEATURES The Inaugural Parade Will Be Great this Year DR. H. W. WILEY He is Having Rough Sledding Just Now Washington, Jan. 26. —The Taft inaugural parade will be a combination of interesting and novel features. Nearly every day some organization of a more or less picturesque character makes application for a place in the marching column. In these days when President-elect Taft is beset with office seekers it is refreshing to learn that Thomas P. Morgan, chairman of the committee on civic organizations has received an application for a place in the parade from an organization which expressly declares that it is composed of men “who are not federal office holders nor seekers for government positions, but plain citizens who work ed like geewhilikins for the election of Taft and Sherman.”

Washington, January 26. —“Will the government lose the services of Dr. H. W. Wiley, chief chemist of the agricultural department and. father of the federal pure food law?” This is a question many persons are asking today. Dr. Wiley refuses to say what his plans are. One of his close friends said for him “With Dr. Wiley it is simply a question of whether he can serve his country best in the government service or outside that service. He is trying to settle that question to his own satisfaction now. Os one thing you may rest assured — he does not intend to abandon his fight for pure food for the people of the country.” Washington, Jan. 26. —Ernest P. Bicknell, formerly of Indianapolis,was signally honored today in the annual report of the American Red Cross, which was transmitted to congress by Secretary of War Luke E. Wright. The report contains the information that Mr. Bicknell has been awarded a special medal for “important and valuable services to the Red Cross after the San Francisco earthquake.” Washington. Jan. 26. —Another feud is threatened between congress and the president as a result of the pure food referee's decision overruling Dr. Harvey W. Wiley, chief of the government bureau of chemistry. o INTRODUCED REGULATION BILL Indianapolis, Jan. 26.—Representative Kleckner, author of the bill to substitute township and ward for county local option, introduced another bill in the house today to regulate saloons. The bill provides that there shall be but one saloon to each 500 inhabitants and that a saloon license shall be suspended for the first violation and revoked for the second (violation of the liquor laws.

Price Two Cents

THE LAWMAKERS They Had a Busy Day Yesterday Making Laws THE ROAD LAW Committee Hearings on the Repeal of Three-Mile Law Indianapolis, January 26. —In a brief but busy session yesterday afternoon the house received forty-three new bills, some of them important. Among these is Kleckner's repeal of the county local option law, with provision for the revocation of licenses of saloon keepers who violate the law. Two election bills are of interest. One by Beaver, of Indianapolis, requires that voting machines be available at voting places for instructions ten days before election day. One by Chrisney provides that candidates shall not be assessed for campaign .expenses, Behymer, of Madison county, offered a bill that caused Indianapolis members to smile. It seeks to prohibit judges from practicing law. The smilers had Police Judge Whallon in mind. A bill to repeal the act creating county councils was introduced by McGinnis, of Morgan county, who also introduced one of two three-mile r<?ad law repealers. - I »■! 4 The senate passed four bills yesterday. Nineteen measures were received. The house bill, which gives relief to property owners in White, Benton and Jasper counties, in the construction of a ditch, which came up under a special order, went through without a dissenting vote. The other bills passed by the senate are as follows: Senator Kling's bill authorizing the consolidation of cemetery property at Peru. Senator Pearson's bill authorizing the city of Bedford to levy a tax for the support of a hospital. Senator Stotsenburg’s bill authorizing toll roads to allow electric lines to use their right-of-way. Senator Stotsenburg has prepared for introduction in the senate a campaign contribution bill which, he says, is simple in its provisions and at the same time will prove effective. It. (Continued on page 2.) o A GOOD MEETING

Coppock Motor Car Company Held Annual Meeting NEW DIRECTORS A Few Changes on the Directorate —Pushing for Business The annual meeting of the Coppock Motor Car company yesterday was well attended and the reports were satisfactory to the stockholders who were present. Five cars will be made at once, all the five being of the hew type,which now justifies the opinion that it will be a favorite before the season far advances. It is a light small truck made with less expense and is a thorough, durable and well built car, good for all the ordinary wants of the truck trade. The directors are M. E. Brackett, Fred Schafer, M. Kirsch, Judge W. J. Vesey, L. W. Coppock, W. H. Wiley and A. E. Diehl,

and the officers M. E. Brackett president, Fred Schafer vice president, ■ D. L. Quinn secretary and manager, M. Kirsch treasurer, and L. W. Coppeck superintendent Mr. - Quinn the new manager is fast assuming a varied knowledge of the automobile business, and is giving unqualified success to those for whom he is workling. He has already taken up the (selling proposition and has several nice prospects in view. Indications 'point to a successful season for this Decatur company.