Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 7, Number 76, Decatur, Adams County, 30 March 1909 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume VII. Number 76.

SHOT BY OFFICERS Alonzo Uptgraft of Near Geneva, Was Seriously Wounded TAKEN TO PORTLAND Wanted on Charge of Rape and Dodged Arrest Several Weeks Portland, Indiana, Maxell 30—(Special to Daily Democrat)—At this hour three p. m., Uptgraft Is still alive and in the same condition as yesterday. There are cases where similar cases have recovered even when shot through the brain as in this case and the doctors still offer some hope. There have been no arrests in the case and none will be made, though the grand jury which meets in May | will make a thorough investigation of I the affair. Alonzo Uptgraft, a farmer living near Phenix, in Jay county and a few miles southwest of Geneva, was dangerously if not mortally wounded Sunday night when he was shot down by ; officers who were trying to arrest him on a charge of rape, which had been ' standing against him since February | 3rd. Since that time officers have, been after Uptgraft but he has spent most of the time in Michigan. He came home Sunday to visit his family, his wife being very ill with pneumonia. About nine o’clock Sunday night Sheriff King and Deputy Sheriff Cunningham and Night Officer Tieben, of Portland 1 , and Marshal .Depew of ■ Briant arrived at the Uptgraft home and surrounded the house, and then the sheriff rapped on the front door. Uptgraft made a dash for liberty through another door, and was confronted by Deputy Cunningham who shoved a gun in his face and ordered i him to surrender. Before the officer J could grasp him Uptgraft turned quickly, slammed the door in Cunningham’s face and dashed across the house and out of another door. He reached the yard safely but had to (Continued os Page Two) o HURLED A STONE Ray Light Charged With Destroying a Church Window TRIAL THIS EVENING Before Squire Smith —Was Arrested by Deputy Sheriff Green Deputy Sheriff Ed Green this morning arrested Ray Light, a young man well known in this city, who has been living with his brother on the Beavers farm near Peterson. Light is charged with malicious destruction of property, the affidavit which was filed by James F. Niblick, alleging that on last Saturday, Ray maliciously and purposely threw a stone through one of the colored glass windows of the Methodist church, located between Peterson and Preble. The trial of the young man will occur this evening before Squire James H. Smith of this city. Light has never been in trouble and his friends cannot believe that he would destroy the window just for the pleasure of doing something mean and are hoping that he may have some good defense to offer.- Light will be remembered as one of the lads Injured in a Clover Leaf wreck at Bluffton several years ago, when an Edington boy lost his life.

BACK FROM ANOTHER TRIP C. H. Getting Will Move to That Country in the Fall. C. H. Getting is just home from anothc. visit to his real estate holdings in the Panhandle of Texas, and he comes back filled to the brim with the sort of enthusiasm that is good to see. He says that the Texas fever gets him harder every time he goes there, and that he likes his location and the chances for making money better after this visit than he ever liked it before, and that Is saying a good deal as he was considerably wrapped up in the enterprise before. He expects to move there and is arranging his affairs to leave this fall to take up a permanent residence there. He says that the climate is ideal and that the soil is good for the best crops that grow. His many friends will regret to see him go, but will wish him the best that that country affords. A SPECIAL GUARD Chicago and Erie Had Watchman Here to Watch Traction AFFAIR WAS SETTLED No Effort Was Made by Traction to Take Any Undue Advantage The Chicago & Erie Railroad company have had a special guard here since Sunday, watching the work ot the interurban company and had any effort been made to cross the tracks it is hkely that some fun would have occurred. Officials from the chief office arrived yesterday and after a consultation with the officials of the electric line announced that the matter had been easily settled. There was nothing sensational about the matter, the Erie as do all railroad companies simply looking after their rights. They were anxious that the lines be not crossed except under their supervision, and the traction company seems to have been just as anxious that the crossing be done in that manner, consequently the settlement was quickly arranged. Mr. L. E. Morton, private secretary to General Counsel Johnson, of the Erie, was here today, but his visit had nothing to do with the crossing business. Mr. Morton, who has his headquarters in Chicago, was until a month ago the >clerk of the Indiana commission. o ■ MAKES BIG ABSTRACT OF TITLE The Kohne Heirs Adds Eighty Acres to Their Realty Holdings. John Schurger has just completid the second largest abstract ever made t by him during the long number of years he has been in the business. The abstract is being made to clear the title to eighty acres of land belonging to the Joseph Smith heirs, and which has now been purchased by the Kohne heirs. The land joins the large acreage owned by the latter in Washington township, and with the new purchase makes the Kohne boys the owners of two hundred and forty acres of the best land in the county, and within sight of this city. It is a beautiful 1 farm, and tyie owners know how to make the fertile acres look at its best. o ADDRESSED MODERN WOODMEN Rev. Wise Delivered a Special Sermon to the Members. Among the services held In this city Sunday which attracted more than usual notice was the sermon preached Sunday morning at the Evangelical church by the pastor, Rev. D. O. Wise. The address was given especially for the members of the Modern Woodmen’s lodge and this large order attended in a body. Rev. Wise’s sermon was a scholarly and a most appropriate one and was listenend to with great Interest by the large number press it. Rev. Wise is a capable and abb minister and by his address of Su-iday made many new friends in Decatur.

INTERESTING LAWS A Glance at Some of the New Acts Which Affect Us I I THERE ARE SEVERAL I 1 < Cigarette Law, Veterinary 1 Telephone, City and Towns and Public Hospital Acts • A glance over the new acts which , have just reached here show many new laws which will be of Interest to many people of this community. As arranged in the acts of 1909, chapter 4 is the sheiff and chapter 10 the clerks ’fee bills which caused more or less discussion for two years and which will give hte officers here a small Increase in their salaries. Chapter 28 is the cigarette law, providing that cigarettes may be sold to adults, and providing a penalty of from $25 to SSOO fine and six months in jail for selling them to minors. Number 47 is the tenement * house law, 55 is the public accounting act and 56 has to do with the metropolitan police law. The telephone law which H. M. Romberg passed after one of the hardest fights ever known in an Indiana legislature, is number 111 while 118 is the Furnas fire escape bill. Chapter 126 provides that towns of the class in which Decatur works under may enforce a tax of from two to five cents or the purpose of erecting and maintaining a public hospital. The three mile road law is given as changed In chapter 148 and 149 is the law which maloes it necessary to have the star spangled banner sung in every school. Brolleys famous Bunday base b£li legalizing act is number 175, 181 is a veterinary law of considerable Importance; 188 is the cities and towns act which Is of Interest to many people of this town. Chapter 190 provides for a special mode of voting on the necessity of better qualifications for admission to the bar In Indiana. The volume closes with a financial statement, showing the condition and expenditures which is followed by a complete index. house Lumbers Are Necessary if Decatur People Want Free Mail Delivery TO BE CONTINUED Postmaster Frisinger Receives Instructions from Headquarters Postmaster Frisinger informs us tha the has been notified by the government officials that the appointment of an extra mail carrier for Decatur was made on the promise that the houses will all be numbered and the street names placed at the corners of strets, this being a necessary preparation for free delivery. An inspector will be sent here soon to ascertain whether this has been done or not and he has the power to cut off delivery from that part of the city In which this order has not been complied with. The correct number of your house can be ascertained from the city engineer and the number obtained at a very low cost and this should certainly be done if you appreciate the fact that the mail will be delivered at your door twice each day. The name of the streets which must be placed at the corners will ’ probably be looked after by the city, i this being in their line of duty according to instructions. Mr. Frisin-j ger also says there are a number of patrons now being served who have; never complied with this order and' they must do it or they will be cut! off the list. This is no bluff, and if you appreciate free delivery we would advise you to comply with it a tonce. ’

Decatur, Indiana, Tuesday Evening, March 30, 1909.

HANDED OUT A PLUM C. C. Matson Appointed a Member of the Stats Tax Board. Indianapolis, March 30. —C. C. Matson of Greencastle, formerly a member of congress and a Democratic candidate for governor in 1888, was appointed a member of the state ■ board of stax commissioners by Governor Marshall yesterday. Mr. Matson will succeed Parks M. Martin, the ; present Democratic member of the board, whose term of office will expire this year. The appointment will be for four years and carries with it a salary of $3,000 a year. Owing to a difference in opinion as to the expiration of Mr. Martin’s term no formal commission has yet been is- ; sued to Mr. Matson. Governor Marshall has written a letter to both, suggesting that they come to an agreement between themselves as to the time the new member will assume his duties. The records in the office of the governor show that Mr. Martin’s term will expire on May 1, but Mr. Martin believes that his term will not ■ expire until August 24 of this year. HELD IN NOVEMBER tity Elections in Indiana Held at That Time BLUFFTON PRIMARY They Have Three Candidates for the Mayoralty Three candidates are battling for honors in the mayoralty contest at Bluffton, they being George Mock, Frank S .Smith and the present mayor, A. W. Hamilton. They are going after the boys In away that leads their friends to believe that they want the nomination and want It in earnest. The Democratic primary is set for the eighth of April, and there will be hot times around the old dry town until that day and date. Candidates for the other offices at the disposal of the primary are not going very fast, and if they do not soon 'fill up, they will be called upon to 1 fill the slate. This all reminds the Democrat that Decatur will soon have to be thinking of getting busy with a similar contest. The election will occur on the second day of November, this being the first tryout of holding city elections in the fall. For years they have been held in May, the legislature two years ago changing the time until November in the off years, the contention being that by holding them at that time there would be less state or national politics engendered into city campaigns. It will be tried out this year and then we will know whether or not the statesman who drafted the law and the lawmakers who made it, knew what they were talking about. o BOYS LECTURED AND RELEASED The Lads Who Engaged in a Street Fight Get Off Without a Fine. Dutch Wise. Charley Davis and Johnny Durbin, who engaged in a three cornered scrap on the street last Saturday night and were pinched by the night officers, were arraigned before Mayor France last evening, who, though realizing the guilt of the bqys was inclined toward leniency, it being the first time they had appeared in police court, and after a good straight talk In which he warned them not to appear .again and advised Wise and Davis to stay away from the sa loons, the mayor let the lads go. The lesson should be a good one. o Mrs. Homer Watkins, formerly of this place, but who has been making her home at Pittsburg, Pa., for some time, has returned to this city and is 'visiting with her grandmother, Mrs. (Mary Watkins and other relatives. ' She will remain in this city for some ’time and then expects to make a pleasure trip through some of the ■eastern and southern states. She will (visit places in Florida, California, lowa, Nebraska and several other states. On her way back she will return to Pittsburg, and will again 'make here home there.

HASTHEM GUESSING Members of the Railroad Commission in the Air MAY REORGANIZE Some of the Members Will Resent Any Attempt at Interfernce Indianapolis, March 30. —Politicians are wondering what course Governor Marshall will pursue as regards the Indiana railroad commission. The governor, before his election, advocated the reorganization of the commission, and it is known that he has been considering the question since assuming the reins of government. The governor’s contenton is that the present commissioners were appointed pursuant to the act of 1905, which created the commission, but which, the governor holds, was repealed by the act of 1907 extending the powers of the commission and re-enacting the act of 1905. Under the act of 1907 the governor, it is known, believes he has the right of appointment. The governor has held frequent conferences on the matter with Judge William J. Wood, chairman of the commission. Judge Wood's term expires May 1. He is an applicant for reappointment and many shippers, railroad men and city and town officials have indorsed him. Both Governor Marshall and the members of the commission are silent on the proposition, but it Is known that Judge Wood told the governor shortly after the governor’s inauguration that he would be willing to step out in case the executive decided to reorganize the commission. Not So with the republican leaders, however. Two members of the commission. Henry M. Dowling and Judge McClure, are republicans appointed by Governor Hanly. The republicans will resist any attempt to reorganize the commission and will go to the courts if necessary. The republican contention is that the act of 1905 was not repealed, but merely amended. Different lawyers have given opinions to this effect. PROGRAM IS GOOD Men’s Club of Presbyterian Church Will Hold Regular Session Tonight GOOD TIME CERTAIN Talks and Musical Numbers and a Reception for the Ladies The Men’s Club of the Presbyterian church are looking forward to this evening with anticipation of a splendid time, and of course they will have it. The program as arianged is full of interesting things and aside from this the gentlemen are to have the unusual opportunity of entertaining their wives and lady friends, an event that does not come often and when It does the “boys” feel like doing it right. The presence of every member and every one interested in the success of the club is desired. The program as arranged is as follows: Orchestra. Song by audience, orchestra accompaniment Invocation —Rev. Spetnagle. Orchestra. Talk —Rev. Imler. Solo —Mr. L. E. Steele. Talk —D. B. Erwin. Organ Recital—Mrs. C. J. Lutz. Solo —Mr. L. E. Steele. Song by audience, orchestra accompaniment. Benediction. Refreshments. o ——— John Weber went to Willshire this! noon on business. I 1

JUST PAID AN ELECTION BET Rochester Sportsmen Settled an Election Wager. Rochester, Ind., March 30. —Probably the last man In the state to pay off an election bet on the Marshall and Watson outcome was Henry Peiffer, a leading Republican of this city, when he gave a fine banquet to Mr. Alex Ruh, a local Democratic druggist, at the former’s home last evening. Last November the wager was made between the two men that whoever lost the bet on the governor would have to give a banquet to the w’inner and to twelve other men whom the latter would have the privilege of inviting. So last week Peiffer told Ruh to begin to do his inviting. The druggist at once asked ten of the most prominent Democrats in town to attend the feast and also sent invitations to Governor Marshall and to Congressman Barnhart of this district. GOES TO PORTLAND Jeff Bryson Given the G. R. and I. Agency in That City BEGINS APRIL IST Checked Out Here this Afternoon After Nineteen Years Service After more than nineteen years of continual service as agent for the . Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad in this city, Jeff Bryson was today checked out by the auditor of the ! company and on Thursday, April Ist, will begin his duties as agent for the same company at Portland. The change comes as a promotion, in the fact that it has become neccessary for the company to send to Portland, ■ one of its very best men and Mr. Bryson was chosen as the one who could best serve the company and its patrons at that place. The new position carries with it a handsome increase in salary and it is needless to say that the people of Decatur all know that the troubles of the G. R. and I. at Portland, if they have had any, are over. This city regrets to lose Mr. Bryson. He has been during his score of years here, one of the best, most enterprising and successful citizens. He has taken a prominent part in affairs of interest and we honestly believe has not an acquaintance in the city who does not admire and respect him. It is not known who will succeed him, but this fact will likely be given out by tomorrow. o NAMES STATE VETERINARIAN Governor Marshall Remembers Montpelier Man. Indianapolis, March 30.—Dr, William E. Coover, of Montpelier, was appointed state veterinarian by Governor Marshall to succeed Dr. A. W. Bitting of Lafayette, a Republican whose term has expired. Dr. Coover is a graduate of the Ontario Veterinary college and has been practicing his profession at Montpelier for several years. He will make his headquarters in Indianapolis and he says he will devote all the time that is necessary to his work that will be for the best Interests of the live stock of the state. “TEMPEST AND SUNSHINE” Manager Bosse considers himself very lucky for having secured such a production as “Tempest and Sunshine’’ a dramatization of Mary J. Holmes’ most popular novel .by. Lem B. Parker and produced by W. F. Mann. This popular production is one o f those kind that is interesting for the old folks as well as for the young by showing the contrast of the natures of the two beautiful sisters, one being quick and passionate, and the other gentle and kind. This is a . southern play about the time of 1850 and the costumes are of the quaint | old-fashioned style. The scenery is j pleasing to everyone and cannot fail to give entire satisfaction. This in- ; teresting and popular production will i Ibe seen at the opera house on Tues- 1 I day, March 30. i

Price Two Cents

RIPPED THEM UP Representative Moon Defends the Insurgents and Raps Clark ALL ARE THERE Special Interests Looking After the Best—Aldrich Losing His Power Washington, March 30.—A break in the monotony of the tariff debate occurred in the house of representatives yesterday when Mr. Moon of Tennessee, one of the twenty-three whom the recent Democratic caucus “disciplined” for having voted with the Republicans in the adoption of the Fitzgerald amendment to the rules, defended his action in vigorous language. He scathingly denounced the attitude toward him and his twentytwo assistants by the minority leader and the other Democrats in the house, who, he said, had shown an Inolerance unspeakable. He characterized the Democratic caucus resolutions as “humiliating, dishonorable, contemptible and pusillanimous.” Washington, March 30. —In this hurlyburly over the tariff one or two impressions fasten themselves on the mind of the average layman—the mere loker-on. The first of these is that the scores of well-groomed men who are staying at the Washington hotels and are busy day and night seeking out members of congress are the representatives of a few thousand “protected favorites who claim the right to hold up all business and levy every kind of tribute on every living creature and every kind of labor and production, in order that they may increase their own wealth and decrease the labor and trouble necessary to produce it.” Afipther ) impression , driven in on the layman is that as • things stand today there is not the slighest pirospect df the consumer getting anything out of this year’s i tariff legislation. i Washington, March 301 —Senator . Aldrich, the reputed “boss of the Sen- , ate,” will find it much more difficult I to shape the tariff bill to his liking than he had expected. There was a > time when Aldrich was given credit ; for getting about everything he went after in the way of tariff legislation, s but the new era of progressiveness I (Continued on page 2.) I o ; OFFERED GOOD JOB 5 t r Tom Haefling May Manage Electric Plant at West Unity, Ohio TO BEGIN APRIL IST If He Accepts—Committee Came Here to Secure His Services Mr. Eley, secretary, and two other i members of a company which owns i an electric plant at West Unity, 0., 1 were here last evening and made : an effort to secure the services of Mr. Thomas Haefling as manager of the plant. The latter has the offer under consideration and will give his answer by Thursday of this week. It is quite likely that he will accept i as the offer was a splendid one, and -1 Tom has all the ability necessary to . ' operate the concern In the way it 1 should be. West Unity is a town of '. about 1,500 inhabitants, located thir3ty miles from Toledo. The plant r | furnishes the lights for the city as ;1 well as power for various concerns, - and is modern and up to date in . ’ every way, with duplicate machinery, (and operates twenty-four hours In the day. It is owned by a private corporation who heard of Mr. Haefling through a Toledo electric company and they immediately sent a committee here in an effort to secure h’s services. Mr. Haefling has had considerable experience in the electric line and is fully competent to take charge of such an electric station.