Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 7, Number 24, Decatur, Adams County, 28 January 1909 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume \ 11. Number 24.

IMMENSE CROWDS Attended the Institute at the Court House Today 1,104 IN NUMBER Attended the Various Sessions—Officers Elected for Coming Year Last evening's sessio not the Fa>-- [ mers’ Institute was very interesting, and a vast audience enjoyed the well ; prepared talks and special music. Af- | ter music selections by Mrs. D. R. Vali and Mrs. C. J. Lutz the meeting proper was opened by an address by J. M. Cantley on "The Farmer as a Citizen.” This was a splendid dis- ! course, and well appreciated by the : audience. Judge J. T. Merryman fol- : lowed with a talk on “Country vs. City Life” and he presented many thoughts which found lodgment in the minds of ; the people. “Waterways" was the [ subject for discussion by Charles i Bash, of Fort Wayne, and he. too, | proved" to be very entertaining in the lecture. Second Day, Morning Session. Institute convened at 9:30 a. m. /Opening exercises consisting of a fewappropriate remarks touching upon I the farmer and his business, followed [by prayer, were conducted by Rev. Imler, pastor of the U. B. church. I First subject, “Soil, How Improved and How Impoverished.” J. B. Burris J the speaker showed that since the [soil is the farmers' best asset, it is lot' the utmost importance to preserve I its fertility. He says in France the i average yield of wheat per acre is 44 bushels, while in America the average is 13 bushels. This is due to much raising and selling grain, hay, I etc., in this country. He considers [the man most, intelligent who feeds his crops instead of selling them. Practice crop rotation, sowing plenty of clover. By growing leguminous plants such a clover, cow peas, etc , the fertility of the soil is made available. Commercial fertilizer stimulates rather than improves the soil, and in the end is a detriment and should only be used as a last resort. Improve the soil by getting the air into it and the water out of it. Brainage warms the soil, an important essential to plant growth. Subject discussed by the institute. Several (questions and much interest manifested in the discussions. Next on the program, “Reasons for apd Against Centralization of Schools ' by J. M. Cantley. The speaker said the schools have passed through two phases of progress, and are now entering the third. The first object of the public school was to prepare the [bey to be a good citizen and voter. The second purpose was the personal improvement of the pupil. Mr. Cantley discussed the advantages of the small school —personal attention to each pupil the main advantage, if the teacher be a real teacher. The best results are not attained by the school ’’keeper," but by the real teacher. He said the prayer of the school “keeper” upon entering the school Toom in the morning is “O, God. if it "was only 4 o’clock.” The speaker then discussed the advantages of the large school. There is inspiration in numbers —centralized are preferable. Fewer classes, longer recitations, betiter and more sanitary buildings and 'better supervision, the principal reasons in favor of consolidation. He thinks the days of the little red school house with its pleasant memories are about numbered. Subject discussed by the institute. Mr. Cantley asserted that the township should not be the unit; the county instead. Adjourned. Afternoon Session. The woman’s auxiliary met at 1:15 Mrs. D. E. Studabaker, president, in charge. In the absence of the secretary. Mrs. Evans. C. S. Mumma acted » c secretary. I Mr. Cantley's address was highly entertaining and very much appre liated by the audience. Discussion »y Prof. L. E. Opilger, county superintendent of schools. Mr. Oplig f Hade the point that what a school loes for a pupil is a test of what a ichool is. Many country boys get an education in spite of, rather than by he aid of the country school. The (Continued on page 2.)

GARNISHEE BILL POSTPONED Bill Backed by Merchants' Association Loses Out. Representatives of the Retail Merchants' Association and of union labor appeared before senate judiciary committee to fight for and against the garnishee* bill under consideration. Labor won its fight, as it was decided t> recommend that the proposed measure be indefinitely postponed. A. B. Slaymaker, of Anderson, represented the merchauts, and Fred L. Feik, chairman of the legislative board of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen, Edgar A. Perkins, president of the Indiana Federation of Labor, and Clarence Gaumer, secretary of the Indiana Federation of Labor. were present to oppose the bill. The bill provides that 10 per cent of ' any workingman's wages could be : for the payment of debt, there being no exemption. THE AMACHER CASE It is Affirmed in the Supreme Court LOTS OF LITIGATION Tried Twice in the Circuit Court of this County The Amacher ditch case has been affirmed by the supreme court, notice Ito this effect being received by the clerk of the Adams circuit court. The settling of this case ends an unusual amount of litigation over a drain that affected but few people, i but they fought the case like old soldiers, and would never say die. The case first started by a petition in the commissioner's court by Mr. Amacher and Ira Waggoner, asking for a drain through their lands and Roswell O. Johnson’s farm. The latter remonstrated and defeated the petition in the commissioner’s court, and then it was appealed and tried in the circuit court. Johnson getting damages in the sum of $25. A new trial was asked and granted, and also a change of trial judge. Judge Fox of Richmond, assuming jurisdiction in the case. The second trial was a victory for Amacher and Waggoner, the trial of the case lasting for seven or eight days, and the lawyers in the case being D. E. Smith. L. C. DeVoss and C. J. Lutz for the petitioners, and Heller & Son. Peterson & Moran and Hoper & Lenhart for Mr. Johnson. The jury were hut twelve minutes in airiving at a verdict, and there was much comment at the time over this feature of the proceedings. The case was appealed to the appellate court and later transferred for some reason to the supreme court, where it has hung fire for a year or more. The supreme court opinion was written by Judge Mongomery. It has been some three or four years since the case was first started in the commissioner's court of Adams county. and the costs now- amount to sl,000, a sum of money that would dig several ditches. The decision of the supreme court in complete form will arrive in a few days. o_ MANY VETS OPPOSE THE BILL Pension Agencies in Favor Among the Soldiers. Washington, Jan. 28. —The senate is hearing from Grand Army veterans who object to the abolishment of the eighteen pension agencies and to the payment of pensioners by check from Washington. Probably the most interesting letter on this subject comes from Nicholas Ensley of Indianapolis, who formerly was United States pension agent for Indiana, In a letter to a United States senator Mr. Ensley says: “My candid opinion and judgment is that the passage of this bill is a mistake. It looks as if the protest of the old soldiers in Indiana will have no bounds if congress finally passes this bill. I am being besieged more or less every day by old, feeble soldiers of Indiana, now’ on the pension rolls at the Indiana agency in this city, who were loyal in the days when men were wanted by the government awfully bad to help save this grand country of ours, that the people of the entire nation are now enjoying.

A SUIT AVERTED Funny State of Affairs in a Business Transaction PRINCIPALS AGREE On a Settlement and Thus Avert a Big Law Suit The filing of a civil action which, until today, was scheduled for entrance on the docket of the Adams county court, has been deferred, probably permanently, on account of counsel for the proposed defendant, M. H. Tabler, effecting an agreement with the plaintiffs, the Huber Manufacturing company. Had the suit been entered of record, the complainants would have alleged that three years ago, Joseph Wabel, a resident of Monroe township, purchased a Huber traction engine; that later he sold a half interest in same to Mr. Tabler. After the formation of the partnership it would have been alleged that Tabler mortgaged the engine to the Schafer Hardware company in the amount of SSOO, purporting that he was the sole owner. Not knowing that the engine was mortgaged, Wable sold it back to the manufacturing company, and then the trouble began. It became known that the mortgage existed against the property and negotiations were begun to institute the proceedings against Tabler. However the parties have gotten together and have agreed to sign a contract which specifically will direct the disposition of the case, and it is thought now that the matter will be settled next Monday. e The city council will hold a very interesting meeting next Tuesday night, at which time business of vital importance to the tax payers will be transacted. The city dads are well taking care of the city's business, and they deserve the congratulations of the people for their efficient work. o J. HAGGARD DEAD Former Resident of Monroe Township Died at Home in Michigan WAS ILL LONG From Stomach Trouble and Other Complications— Is Well Known A communication from Parrington, Michigan, conveyed to friends and relatives at Monroe the sad news of the death of John Haggard, who until a few years ago was a resident of Mon- [ roe township. With his family the ' deceased moved to Michigan three years ago, where they have since resided. Some time ago Mr. Haggard became seriously ill from stomach trouble and other complications peculiar to old age. He has since declined until death relieved his sufferings yesterday morning. The remains were shipped from the late home this morning and will arrive at Monroe early tomorrow morning, and the funeral arrangements will then be made. A. B. Bailey went to Fort Wayne this afternoon, where he will join the party of sorrowing friends and relatives who are accompanying the corpse to Monroe. William, James and John Haggard, of Monroe tpwnship, brothers of the decedent, were at his bedside at the time of death, they having gone to the Michigan town last wek in response to a telegram stating that the afflicted man was seriously ill. The deceased was <3 years of age and is known by a host of Adams county people, all of whom join the relatives in their hour ot sorrow. o— Bert Hunsicker, proprietor of the restaurant formerly owned by Prover Brothers, has for sale green onions, radishes and lettuce and everything in the restaurant line.

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday Evening, January 28, 1909.

APPOINTED TARIFF DELEGATES -—- C. M. Kimbrough, of Muncie, to Represent Eighth District. Indianapolis, Ini. Jan. 28. —Governor Marshall appointed the following delegates to attend the tariff session to be held here February 17, 18 and 19: First district. Mayor John W. Boehne, dt Evansville; second district, John T. Oliphant. Vincennes; third district. Joseph M. Cravens, Madison; fifth district, W. C. Ely. I Terre Haute; sixth district, J. B. Gordon, Richmond; seventh district, John L. Ketcham, , Indianapolis; eighth district, Charles M. Kimbrough, Muncie; ninth district, J. F. Frederick, Kokomo; tenth district, H. B. Brown, Valparaiso; eleventh district, H. A. Gable, Marion; twelfth district, Samuel M. Foster, Fort Wayne; thirteenth district, Joseph D. Oliver, South Bend. o COURT HOUSE NEWS Seven More Children Given Board of Children’s Guardians OTHER COURT NEWS Arrangements for the Subsidy Election All Made The board of children's guardians ; had another busy day, and in conjunction with the circuit court, have taken into their care and custody seven more children, and will find them a home and the care that goes with such a home, and which is so necessary to the youth. The names of the homeless children are Henry and lona Fravel. Cleo Mecblister, Charles, Edith. Manilla and Follie Thatcher. The board will find a home for them and see that they are well cared for. They were all at the clerk's office this morning and the scene was one to soften the heart of most any one. Notice of ths affirmation of the Roswell O. Johnson vs. Christian Amacher, known as the Amacher case, has been received at the clerk’s office. Clerk Haefling and Election Commissioners D. E. Smith and R. S. Peterson have arranged for the subsidy election in French, Monroe and Jefferson townships. The tickets will be printed some time next week, and the inspectors will get their supplies , from them on next Friday. The election will occur the following Monday. — A marriage Iciense was issued to Jesse Johnson, aged twenty-nine, of Monroe, and Lena Ginter, aged thirty, of this township. According to the records at the clerk's office the Amacher ditch case was first filed there on November 29. 1904, it was tried and the first verdict rendered April 13, 1905, the verdict being in favor of Johnson, and giving him damages in the sum ot $25. The second trial was January 3 1906, before Judge Fox of Richmond, and the verdict was in favor of the defendants. o A PETITION OUT IN GRANT Temperance Workers Want an Election on February 23. Marion, Ind., Jan. 28— Follow’ing a conference of the temperance workers in Marion petitions will be circulated tomorrow that will ask the county commissioners to fix Feb. 23 as the date for holding an election under the new county option law. More than 100 persons, representing all political parties, attended tonight’s meeting, that was held for the purpose of deciding whether this is an opportune time for holding an election in Grant county. With forty saloons and more than 15,000 voters it is anticipated that the campaign in Grant county will be the hardest fought of any yet held in the state. o— Mrs. W. W. P. McMillen is entertaining a number of her friends at her home on Winchester stret this afternoon, the guest of honor being Mrs. Duke Stoops, of Petersburg.

WILL SELL BONDS City Council Will Adopt a Resolution Next Tuesday Night \ NEW CITY BUILDING Will Be Constructed as Soon as Bonds Sold and Bids Advertised The most important feature of the next session of the city council to be held next Tuesday night will be the work of perfecting plans for the erection of the new city offices. At the meeting a resolution will, in all probability be offered, asking for the sale of bonds which will amount to aprpoximateiy SIO,OOO, the exact amount, however, to be determined after an estimate of the cost of the building is made by the architect. It is an assured fact that the council will order the clerk to advertise the bonds for sale, beginning next week and there is no doubt as to find purchasers for them. Immediately following the sale of the bonds the council will advertise for bids which will require three weeks time. The contract will be awarded to the lowest bidder at the meeting following the expiration of the three weeks required for the advertising and work on same will begin at once. The work in the construction of the offices will likely begin in six weeks from the present time and from a viewpoint of one of the councilmen the building. for years longed for by Decatur citizens, will be completed and ready for occupancy by July fourth, 1909. A capital idea has been presented by a city dad which will without doubt meet the approval of the people. He thinks it seemly to have some sort of a blow’ out at the new building on the Fourth of July and apply the proceeds as a payment on the institution. The building is a certainty and Decatur folk are loud in their praise for the councilmen who have made heroic efforts to bring about a realization of the fondest anticipations. o WANT TO ASSESS Ossian Live Stock Insurance Co. in Bad Muddle MANY SUITS Have Been Instituted Against the Association The Union Trust company, receiver for the Ossian Live Stock Insurance company, is preparing to ask the court, if R. W .Stine, attorney for the receiver, finds that such a proceeding would be legal, to permit the receiver to go on assessing members of the association after the receiver was appointed. It is only’ in this way, according to the men interested that the association can come anywhere near paying out. It is claimed that even if all the assessments due the company prior to the appointment of the receiver, should be paid, the receiver would only be able to pay about 40 per cent of the claims. A large number of these claims, it is asserted cannot be collected at all as the people who owe them have no money. As a result unless the receiver can go on collecting assessments there will be no chance of breaking even. The receiver is puzzled over the cause for the suits against the company after the receiver was appointed. It is claimed that these claims would have been paid as nearly full as possible anyhow if turned over to the receiver and there would be no attorney fees. —Bluffton Banner. o There will be preaching at the Calvary church next Saturday evening. Jan. 30th at 7:00. Come and bring a friend with you. D. O. Wise, pastor.

THE GRAND JURY TO BE CALLED The Scott Murder Case to Come Up at Fort Wayne. The grand jurors drawn by the jury commissioners yesterday w'ill be called into the circuit court next Monday by Judge Edward O’Rourke and it is likely that a session will be ordered at once, primarily for the purpose of taking evidence in the case of John B. Scott, charged with the murder of C. Walter Thornton. The principal witnesses in the case are under bond and there are only a few to examine as there were only three persons in the saloon at the time the shots were fired and these include the dead man and the accused. Three others bolted before the fight got fairly under way. It is likely that the session will be a short one as there are not many prisoners in jail awaiting grand jury action. —Fort Wayne Sentinel.

HIS MAIL IS LARGE President Roosevelt Being in Favor With the People ORGANIZE NAVY Appoints a Commission to Consider Needs of the Navy Washington, Jan. 28. —The last weeks of President Roosevelt’s administration are being marked by ' controversy with congress. If the I people of the country could read the | correspondence that has come into ; the white house from every part of ; the land there would be no wonder i left that Mr. Roosevelt has the heart : and the courage when he thinks he I is right to fight for that right as he | sees it. The secret service matter i the Panama canal libel and the perj sonal attack of Representative WllI lett on the president, all have been j made the subject of letters to Tbeoj dore Roosevelt from persons of all I conditions in life, and these letters have come, not by couples or by tens or by scores, but by hundreds, and I they all bear testimony to the multitude’s belief in the honesty of the ’ president and to the multitude's desire that he continue his fighting for every principle and for every legislative act which will tend to uplift morals and to benefit the government. I have seen these letters and read scores of those which were not marked personal and confidential. To read I them all would be the work of a ! week.—Louis Ludlow.

Washington, Jan. 28. —President j Roosevelt is of the opinion that the I organization of the navy department ■is not such as to bring the best I results, and he appointed a comi mission whose announced duty will j be to “consider certain needs of the navy.” The president's action was ; somew’hat of a surprise in view’ of 1 the fact that the members of the committee appointed today two weeks ( ago met in Washington and indorsed j Secretary Newberry's plan of feor* I ganization, and in view’ also of the 1 authorization by the senate of an j inquiry into naval expenditures, the j conduct of business and the need, if any, of legislation to improve the administration of the navy department 0 .— THEY CANNOT STAND FOR IT Willett's Speech in the House of Representatives Won't Go. Washington, Jan. 28. —The sensational speech delivered last week in the house of representatives by Representative Willett, of New York, in I which President Roosevelt was made < the object of severe and bitter critI icism, will not stand upon the records of the house. With but a few faint and unidentified nays the ! house today adopted the recommendation in the report of the select committee of that body appointed to consider the speech that Mr. Wil-1 left's speech be expunged from the! congressional records. A letter writ-1 ter. to the committee by Representa- ' tive Willett urging that his speech i should remain on record accompanied the report.

Price Two Cents

AN OPTION CLASH Committee Reports on the County Local Option Law MARSHALL ELECTION Debate is Getting Good in Both House and Senate The first clash over the proposed repeal of the county local option law is expected to come in the house today. The committee on public morals will submit two reports—a majority and a minority report on the bill introduced by Representative Kleckner of Cass county to repeal the county unit law and substitute the ward and township unit instead. The majority report will be signed by the Democrats on the committee, Representatives Racey, Hostetter, Faulknor, Moss, McKennan and Harris, and the minority report by the Republicans, Representatives Jay, Elliott and Maddox. The public moral committee met yesterday afternoon to consider the Kleckner bill. The Democrats of the house held a conference last night in the house chamber for the purpose of discussing the local option question, but took no binding action. No definite plan of action was determined upon and it was decided to caucus immediately after the noon adjournment today for the purpose of outlining a plan of action for the repeal of the county unit law. The local option elections held on Tuesday in Putnam, Decatur, Hamilton and Tipton counties were discussed, and those who are demanding the repeal of the law declared that the temperance people are holding elections In strong temperance counties, 'where (they are sure of victory, in order to bring the effects of the election to bear on the legislature to prevent a repeal.

Acting on an opinion by Attorney General Bingham, Governor Marshall decided last night to call an election in Marshall county to choose a suc- ! cessor to Representative William S. j Sarber of Argos, who died several | days ago. It is understood that the I people of Marshall county did not I desire another election because of the expense and because of the already large number of Democrats in the house. When the question was called to the attention of Governor j Marshall he asked Attorney General i Bingham for an opinion. The attorj ney general said that the law requires : another election in case of the death lof a senator or representative and that circumstances do not permit of any digression from the rule. When the attorney general's decision was i made known to Governor Marshall ithe executive decided immediately io i call the election. Debate reached a heat that was personal in the house yesterday in the j discussion of the Strickland election I reform bill, which was among the five [bills to pass. Representative GemI mill, of Marion, attempted to amend the bill, and held the floor against Representatives Strickland and Garrard from the Demcoratic side. The Republicans say the amendments offered by Strickland, the author of the bill, are too drastic, and will merit its defeat in the senate. The bill will come up for passage today.

A surprise of the session was the passing of the bill of Representative Faulknor, introduced at the request of Governor Marshall, to reduce the clerical force in the governor’s office and create the office of executive counsel at $3,700 a year. A number of the minority members of the house voted for the bill. The most pronounced opposition came from Representative Babcock, former secretary to Governor Hanly . The salaries provided for the county officers in the different counties and the amount of the bonds to be furnished by the county comsioners are as follows: Adams—Clerk, $2,200; auditor. $2,800; sheriff. $2,000; recorder, $1,700; commissioner, $450; commissioners bond. $4,500. This comes under a straight salary bill introduced in the senate. The senate had more fun with a (Continued on page 2.)