Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 7, Number 83, Decatur, Adams County, 7 April 1909 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume VII. Number 83.

DOLLAR GAS FOR DECATUR Indiana Lighting Company Agree to Fifteen Cent Reduction AT WORK ALREADY Right of Way for Main Line to Kingsland is Now Being Taken Dollar gas for Decatur was the result of the conference between the council committee ana the officials ot the Indiana Lighting company, who have been trying or some time to secure an amendment to their franchise here. As is noted in the council proceedings the franchise was duly amended as prayed for at the regular meeting last evening, and everything is now in readiness for the installation of the artificial gas plant. Messrs. Sam Murdock, of LaFayette, president' of the company, and Mulholland, of Fort Wayne, manager of the company for this district, w’ere here to close up the matter. They are both pleasant gentlemen who know fully every detail of the business and who we believe will lend every effort to making the service here satisfactory. A representative of the company has been here for a week past taking up right-of-ways between here and the west county line. He reports that he is getting along nicely and will soon have his duties completed. The line will be laid at once and the work on the building of a supply or emergency tank in this city will also be done soon. It is quite probable that by the middle of June or the first of July the people of this city can use artificial gas for one dollar per 1,000 feet which is fifteen cents less than the price formerly proposed. helieiTmonday William Patton Surrendered His All to Almighty Last Monday POPULAR FARMER Funeral Today—His Son from Lincoln, Neb., to Attend Funeral William Patton, aged 87 years, and for fifty-three years a resident of Jay county, residing just across the Adams county line, died Monday after a long illness, caused by a complication of ailments and thus sorrow has been caused to his many acquaintances in Jay and Adams counties. The deceased was one of the best known and most progressive farmers in Jay county. He was a large land owner, having lived but a stone’s throw from the Adams county line during the most of his life, where he became the owner of much land. He was taken ill some time ago, and has gradually declined, death coming as sweet release from the pangs of suffering. The decedent was well known over the southern portion of this county, he having had dealings with many people who live here. The funeral services were held today. His son James of Lincoln, Neb., passed through the city last night enroute to the late home of his father to be in attendance at the funeral. o — PRESENTING THEIR ARGUMENT St Louis, Mo., April 7.—John G. Milbum of New York, the Standard Oil company’s chief counsel of record, has commenced the presentation of the defendant’s side of the case in the governmnt’s suit to dissolve the Standard Oil, company of New Jersey for alleged violations of the Sehrman act before the United States circuit court of this city.

THEY UPHOLD THE LAW Supreme Court Declare Alabama Prohibition Law Vahd. Montgomery, Ala., April 7.—The supreme court has declared the state prohibition law valid, all the judges concurring in the opinion. This is the second time the court has upheld the state-wide act of the last legislature. It was attacked on several constitutional grounds. The Alabama state-wide prohibition taw went into effect January 1. At once an attack was made in Birmingham, Mobile and Selma, the case from the last place being taken to the highest court. It is understood now that the law officers will begin a campaign for the enforcement of the act Heretofore they have been very lax because of the doubt about its validity. The opinion was rendered by Justice Anderson. THEY ADJOURNED The April Term of Commissioners’ Court is Ended THEY WERE BUSY A Heavy Docket and Lots of Business Was Disposed of Schug Bros, of Berne, were given the contract for wire fencing, bids for which were opened during the session. Bids were ordered for seven steel bridges and as many more concrete floors, and several concrete abuttments. These new’ Improvements are located in many of the townships and are badly needed. Oscar Hoffman was ordered to prepare plans and specifications for closets in the basement at the court house, and to present these plans to the board at their meeting in May. The rental of the old fair grounds will come up at the next term of the board, bids being asked for, and notice to that effect will be given. The board of turnpike directors will also receive bids for a number of cars of crushed stone, together w-ith other road building material, the same to be delivered upon order of the board.

Bonds W’ere ordered to take up the delinquency In the John H. Williams or loblolly ditch, mention of which was made yesterday. The bonds issued will not amount to more than SBOO, out of a total assessment of over $12,000. The board signed and approved their annual report of receipts and disbursements for the last year. The report, shows a healthy condition of the affairs of Adams county, and when published should be read by every taxpayer in the county. The board concluded the business of the session and adjourned just before dinner. They disposed of considerable business during the three days they were in session and have their affairs in good shape. oWILL GIVE A BAND CONCERT The Juvenile Boys Will Be Out on Thursday Evening of this Week. The Decatur Juvenile band, composed of a number of young men who are becoming excellent musicians, are making every effort to please the people of this locality and when the time comes they certainly deserve all the support of the city. They will make their first appearance for the season on the street on Thursday evening of this week, providing the weather man will permit it. They expect to give concerts on the streets during the coming summer and this feature will he fully appreciated by those who love to spend an evening listening to the latest tunes, when played by a good band. Boys, you’re all right. u- — Miss Ella Eddington who is a trimmer at a millinery store at Ossian, will arrive home Sunday to visit with ■ her parents.

BUILDING BONDS Sonntag and Company Failed to Make Good With Them ANOTHER SALE Bids Will Be Again Received by the Council on April 27 Sonntag & Co., the Chicago brokers, have failed to make good for the twelve thousand dollars w’orth of city building bonds purchased by them for long money on March IG. This company turns out to be nothing more than speculating brokers, who take no risk in bidding a good price for securities and then taking advantage of the opportunity ot making them sell for enough to make them a nice 'piece of easy money. After agreeing to buy the bonds at a premium of $450, they have since failed to sell them for enough to justify the deal, so they have quietly taken to their hole and apparently pulled the hole in after | them. It all necessitates the council [ to again sell- the bonds, and City Clerk | Wemhoff has a notice in this edition of the Daily Democrat, setting Tuesday evening, April 27, as the time when bids for the purchase of these bonds will be received and opened. This time the council have required a certified check for five hundred dollars to accompany each bid, and then if there is failure on the part of the successful bidder, he will be out the amount of his check, and the city will be well paid for the trouble occasioned. All this will necessitate the delay In the building plans. It was hoped to have this part of the work under headway, but now nothing more can be done until the bonds are sold again. As there were twelve bidders after them at the sale on the 16th of March, and the most of them reliable bond men and bankers, there is no trouble anticipated In this second sale. o THEIR CITY PRIMARY TOMORROW Bluffton Democrats to Nominate Candidates for City Offices. The Democrats of Bluffton will hold their city primary tomorrow, and nominate the candidates for the various city offices. The campaign which has been waging there for the past fewweeks, has been extremely quiet and but little excitemenr occasioned. There are three candidates for mayor, Frank S. Smith, A. W. Hamilton and George Mock. Wilson Grove, John Miller and Hugh Stout are contesting for treasurer, W. J. Poffenberger and T. J. McDowell for clerk, Arthur Hurd, Morris Edris, George F. Rinear and William Cline for councilmen at large, and Thomas Bulger for councilman in the First ward, Eli Miller and James B. Clark in the Second ward, Jeff Prough, Art Costello and Lewis Staver In the Third ward. NEXT WEEK REPERTOIRE. McNavin-Cash stock company will commence a week's engagement at the opera house next Monday night, April 12, presenting a repertoire of plays with refined vaudeville between the acts. The opening play will be “The Man from Nevada” not a western play as some would think from the title, but a society comedy drama of New York City life. Popular prices 10c, 20<\ 30c will prevail. Ladies free Monday night If accompanied by a paid 30c ticket. The press of Marion, where they appeared last week, speak in the highest terms of the company.

In the habeas corpus proceedings brought by Dr. George E. Snearly, of Roann, accused of wife-poisoning, to secure his liberty on bond pending trial, Judge L. H. Wrigley, at Colum bia City Monday arternoon, directed that the accused man be given his liberty under bond of SIO,OOO, which Dr, Snearly promptly furnished. The trial w’as set for June 11, and the court granted the motion of the state for a furher autopsy and chemical analysis of the remains of Mrs. Snearly. Dr. Lorin Smith, of Wabash, and Dr. B. W. Rhamy, of Fort Wayne, will be in charge of this w’ork, and the defense is permitted to select two other physicians to be present when the examinations are made.

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday Evening, April 7, 1909.

WILL BE MARRIED SOON Two Prominent Berne People to be Married. Announcements for the approaching wedding of Miss Marte E. Soldner and David Neuenschwander were received here today. The announcement did not come as a surprise as it. has been expected since the resignation of the groom-elect a fe-w weeks ago from the Leader department store of this city. At that time he wen to his home in Berne, and embarked in a men’s furnishing store. Miss Soldner Is a daughter of a prominent (farmer near Berne, and for many year clerked in the People’s store of Berne. Mr. Neuenschwander for two years was a clerk in the Leader store of this city, and made many friends here. He is an intelligent and ambitious young man, and has the best wishes of his friends here. The marriage will take place Sunday evening, April 11, and will be solemnized at 7 o’clock at the Menonite church of Berne. They will make their future home in that town. —Bluffton Banner.

TWO WET VICTORIES Blackford and Cass Coun- • .ties Join Wayne in the Wet Column BY SMALL MAJORITIES Drys Put up a Hard Fight But Lose Each County by Less than 200 No longer can Wayne county be pointed out as the only “wet” spot of Indiana. She was joined by two others yesterday, Cass and Blackford. The long string of victories for the “drys” which looked as though it would sweep the entire state, was broken, and though the margin was close considering the targe vote cast in each county, the wets won in each instance by less than 200. These fights w’ere the hottest ever waged in the state on the liquor question and had the “drys” been victorious It is probable that there would have been no further opposition, but Tuesday’s elections make a change, reviving the spirit of the “wets” and it is likely that from now on the various counties will be the scenes of organized contests by botn sides. In Blackford county the majority in favor of saloons was 181. Hartford City went wet by 251 and Montpelier by 83, while the two country townships went dry, but not by enough to overcome the towns. A peculiar result was that in Monpelier, where the saloons have already been remonstrated out, but which still voted wet by nearly a hundred. Returns from Cass county were slow to come In owing to the fact that a small cyclone in the evening rendered useless the telephone and telegraph lines. Early however, the “drys" admitted defeat but claimed that the majority would be under fifty. On this they seem to have miscalculated, however, for the total sent out later show a “wet” victory by 194. The city of Logansport, where the business men put up a great fight for the “wets,” gave them a big majority and it was impossbile for the country to overcome it. By the verdict of these elections seventy-four saloons located In the two counties are permitted to operate for two years longer at least. The women took a prominent part in the campaign at both places and all day they work unceasingly through the rain and storm, at the polls and at other places, helping to get out the vote and watching for any unfairness. At no place was there any rioting or any undue advantage taken by either side. GOES TO WABASH. Alva Buffenbarger Will Play Ball this Summer. Alva Buffenbarger, who for some time has been deliveryman in the employ of F. V. Mills, has signed a contract to play ball with the Wabash team of the Wabash Valley league, and will report for duty next Monday. Alva has the requisites of a good twlrler, and will certainly make; good on the center mound at Wabash. For his services he b to receive a good compensation.

COUNCIL MEETING Considerable Business Done by the City Council Last Night GRANTED FRANCHISE Indiana Lighting Company Given Amended Franchise The council met in regular session last evening Mayor France presiding, and every councilman being present except Van Camp who was ill. Clerk Wemhoff read the minutes of the former meeting, which were read and approved, after w’hich the council proceeded to their regular routine of business. A petition signed by F. E. Brow’n and George Wertzberger asking for the construction of a sewer near their respective properties, was read and upon motion was referred to the city engineer, who was instructed to report bacx at the next regular meeting. A petition signed by Charles Nelson and others asking for a cement sidewalk along the east, side of Fourteenth street was read and upon motion was referred to the street and sewer committee. A petition, signed by several property owners on Adams street and by Fred Linn and others on Mercer avenue, asking that when the council contemplated improving said streets that they inspect thej relative merits of “Tarvia,” a new paving process now in use in all the leading cities in the United States. These petitions were referred to the street and sewer committee. In connection with these petitions. Mr. Brooks, representing the “Tarvia” people, asked permission to explain the construction of this manner of paving, which was granted, and he consumed a half hour in telling the merits of his goods. He invited the council to come to Chicago and examine streets of this material that have been in use for years and claimed that his paving process would last as long as the foundation of the street remained. However, at this time the council was unable to take any definite action on the matter. The judiciary committee to whom had heretofore been referred the matter of granting to the Indiana Lighting company an amendment to their franchise reported favorably on said amendment, which report was adopted. D. E. Smith, representing this company then presented the franchise as they deslrde it amended, which now permits the company to charge one dollar per thousand feet and no more, and granting to them the use of the old mains formerly used by the Logansport and Wabash Valley Gas company. The gas proposed to be furnished by this company is artificial gas and they expect to erect somewhere in the city a large storage tank and will in the end employ a number of men. The action as taken by the council will no doubt be commended by every citizen, who will welcome the return or gas, although it is artificial. A resolution ordering the city clerk to issue improvement bonds in the sum of $257.70 in favor of Julius Haugh- for the improvement, of Ninth street was read and passed and he so instructed. The petition for a sewer in the south part of the city heretofore - filed by John Merryman and others was laid on the table the council refusing to consider the same, It requiring them to condemn certain real estate. Owing to the fact that the postofflee inspector asked that certain houses be numbered in the new district laid out where mail is to be delivered, the council instructed Engineer Vogt to give the property owners the correct number and further ordered him to have new street signs painted and placed up for every street in the city. This was done owing to the fact that the old street signs were practically out of commission. Burns then moved that owing t othe fact that Sonntag & Co., of Chicago, 111., who were at a recent meeting sold the $12,000 worth of city bonds at a nice premium and who failed to accept the same, that the city clerk be ordered and. directed to re-advertlse the sale of said bonds, fixing April 27, as the day and requiring each and every bidder to file a certified check of $500.00 with his bid. This motion carried. The following blls were then read and allowed: D. F. Teeple $ 69.63 (Continued on pa<e J.)

HE GOES TO NEW YORK. Governor Marshall to Address the National Democratic Club. Indianapolis, April 7. —(Governor Marshall will leave tomorrow evening for New York, where he will address the National Democratic Club next Tuesday evening. Mrs. Marshall will accompany him, and it is on her account that he will leave earlier than is necessary to arrive there on time. Mrs. Marshall has not been w-ell, and physicians have advised her that a trip to the Atlantic coast would be beneficial to her health. After the meeting in New York the governor will go to Washington, w’here he will be a guest of the Gridiron Club at one of its gatherings. On his return he will stop at Columbus, 0., to look into the working of the public accounting law which is in operation in that state. The law is similar to the one passed by the last legislature in Indiana. A NARROW MARGIN Lumber and Hides Being Considered by Congress TARIFF COMMISSION The Senate Will Add Such an Amendment to the Payne Bill Washington, April 7—The house of representatives, working under the inspiration of crowded galleries, got down to the real business of tariff making yesterday afternoon. Two schedules —lumber and hides--were were voted upon in committee of the whole, with Representative Olmstead of Pennsylvania in the chair. The house declared that It wants the duty of $1 a thousand on lumber retained but this decision was given with such a narrow margin, as to warrant the belief hat it may be reversed when a roll call is taken Friday, in which event lumber is likely to go on the free list. The house voted down an amendment to admit rough lumber free. There were 180 for it and 176 against it, so close as to be very uncomfortable for both sides, and tonight the free traders in lumber are about as hopeful as the lumber protectionists and neither side is sanguine as to the outcome when a record vote is taken. The ayes and nays cannot be taken in committee of the whole, but after the committee reports the bill back into the house a yea and nay vote can be had. The advocates of free lumber believe warn members are forced to go on record a majority of them will vote to wipe out the duty entirely.

Washington, April 7. —The movement for a tariff commission which was started a good many months ago by Senator Beveridge and promoted by the Indianapods tariff commission conference is about to bear fruit. Yesterday It was learned definitely that a provision for the creation of a tariff commission will be inserted as an amendment to the Payne tariff bill in the finance committee of the senate. The plan is developed sufficiently to speak of it In outline only, but as contemplated and as it probably will be carried into execution it gives the tariff commission advocates substantially all they have contended for. CASHED A WORTHLESS CHECK Frank Cotton Simply Cannot Keep Out of Trouble. Frank Cotton, who was released from jail here a few weeks ago after spending the winter on a sentence of forgery, is again up to his old tricks and the officers of Huntington are on his trail. According to the Huntington Times this morning, he visited the city yesterday just long enough to pass a worthless check on E. Burget, a meat dealer. He had been to several dealers in the vicinity of the meat market, trying to get a check cashed. At the meat market he presented a check for five dollars, signing the name of his father, G. W. Cotton, who has been conducting stock sales there. He then left on a traction car for Fort Wayne.—Bluffton Banner. ’

Price Two Cents

CYCLONE HITS COUNTY Did Considerable Damage in Root Township Last Night THE FONNER FARM Suffered Most—Buildings Blown Down—Storm Severe Over State A small cyclone, in fact almost a full grown one, from Its action In. places, came up from the southwest last evening, took a dash through the central part of the state, leaving traces at Kokomo, Wabash, Logansport and other cities, arrived here, somewhat soffened about eight o’clock and a few r minutes later was tearing up mischief in Root township in regular Kansas style. Fences were torn down, telephone poles leveled and there was some other damage. The most disastrous streak of the storm seems to have been at the Willis Fonner farm in Root township, five miles north of town. There a big hay shed was wrecked, the corn crib torn down, the windmill hurled over and the big bank barn was also considerably damaged, the doors being torn off and the building almost shaken from its foundation. Mr. Fonner’s loss will probably reach S3OO. Several other buildings in that section were destroyed, but none ot them were of very great value. The storm proceeded over into northern Ohio, seems to have gained renewed strength and a large amount of damage and some loss of life is reported. As In former storms this immediate locality- seems to have escaped more luckily than surrounding country. o AN ANNUAL EVENT Presbyterians Will Hold Their Congregational Meeting Tonight AT THEIR CHURCH Reports of Various Departments —Will Discuss Plans for Next Year

The annual congregational meeting , of the members of the Presbyterian church will bp held at that house of worship this evening at eight o'clock. This is an event of the utmost importance for at this time are heard reports from the various departments ■ of church work, showing the condition thereof, and the results of the past years labors. At this time too, are discussed the'plans for the coming year, and the more interest manifested and the greater zeal with which the work is entered into, the better wlil be the results. A departure from the old routine will, be made this evening in that short talks will be given by several men of the church as well as by the pastor, Rev. Spetnagel. who has labored most earnestly during the past year and who is so anxious to make the next . twelve months even more successful, j Every member should be present this . evening for the,' meeting is sure to . be of great interest, as well as being . very entertaining. I , APRON SAJ-E TOMORROW , Don’t forget the apron sale to be . given at the Presbyterian church parllors tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon. /Refreshments will be served. The /public is cordially invited. These events are always happy ones, and [aside from aiding a good cause you 'are sure to enjoy every minute of the time.