Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 7, Number 84, Decatur, Adams County, 8 April 1909 — Page 1

Volume VII, Number 84.

STORY WAS FALSE Clarence Omo Arrested and Made Confession of Perjury A SENSATION More About the Woodburn Murder Cases—Prosecution Terms It a Fake Judge Erwin has made another score in the Baker murder trial which was concluded in the Huntington circuit court a few weeks ago. He caused the arrest of Clarence Omo, one of the witnesses for the state and Omo was arrested Monday, and yesterday he gave what is being termed a confession, and stated that the particular testimony had been -written out for him to commit to memory. The testimony was important in the fixing of dates, the testimony of Omo in the trial of the case was that the time was fixed in January and according to his confession it was in June. The confession hag caused a sensation in Fort Wayne and Allen county, on account of the two trials of Herman Miller and John Stout and their conviction of murdering Columbus Croy, marshal of Woodburn. The third trial was chat of John Baker, the case being heard in the Huntington circuit court. Judge Erwin defended in all three cases and they were hotly contested and much feeling brought into them. The prosecution in the case brands the confession of Omo as false, and they will endeavor to prove that Omo is not telling the truth.

MEET TOMORROW Men Who Will Take School Enumeration Will Gather Here | TO RECEIVE BLANKS I And Instructions from the I County Superintendent— The Decatur Enumerators | The men who will take the school H enumeration in Adams county wnll ■ meet ai the office of County Superini I tendent L. E. Opliger tomorrow, to ■ receive instructions and blanks necI essary to do this work, which by the I way is a very important duty. The B men will begin their work on Saturday I and according to law must complete < B same within twenty days. In practi- ? ■ cally all of the outside districts the B enumeration is taken by the trustee, I to whom the duty is assigned. HowB ever they may secure the services of Z I some one else if they so desire and in I this city this is usually done. In DeI catur the board 'has selected Andrew E Welfloy in the First ward, Ed Kintz ■ in the Second and Walter Johnson in I the Third, who will do the enumerat- | ing and report to the president of the I board, Mr. D. B. Erwin Usually the I men are paid by the day but this E year they will receive their pay acE cording to the number of names taken. : ■ By ttiis plan it is believed a greater jE effort will be made to secure a com--3® plete list. The Decatur men will meet S® at the office of Mr. Erwin tomorrow E evening to receive instructions, and J® it is probable that they will not beS their active work until Monday. o — ■SOCIAL AT MONROE SATURDAY S-’ The Easter supper, announced by gßthe Ladies’ Aid Society of the M. E. i:"B church at Monroe, will be given as . ■ previously advertised on Saturday evE ening. Some one sent in a notice yes■lß terday that the affair had been postM poned, but we were informed this ■ morning by a special telephone call ; B that this was an error and that the B supper will be given as advertised. ■ This means a good time in store for i ' B all who attend and it is safe to say ■ that there will be a good crow'd presB ent, notwithstanding this misunderB landing. Remember the date, next gB Saturday, April 10th.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

CHARLES ROE NOT ARRESTED And He Objected to Having His Name Used by Another. Charles Roe, a clean cut, respectable and industrious young man who has lived in this city and county the greater part of his life, was here last evening to straighten up an error, inadvertently placed on the police docket, last Monday morning. Among those “pinched” Saturday evening was a man named Ves Garner. He appeared in advance of the regular session of police court and paid his fine. Instead of his own name that of Charles Roe, true name unknown,was placed on the docket. Os course, when the real Charles Roe heard this he was rightfully very indignant, and immediately came here to see that the proper correction was made on the books. Charles is an upright young man. does not drink, and very naturally does not care particularly to have his name thus used. HERE FOR SUNDAY Rev. Powell and Family Will Arrive Here for Easter IS WELL PLEASED With His Appointment and Anticipates a Delightful Ministry Rev. Sherman Powell, who at the recent session of the North Indiana Methodist conference, was appointed to the pastorate here for the ensuing year, writes us that he will arrive ta this city with his family in time to spend Easter Sunday with his Decatur friends. Just now he says they are in the throes of packing, a job by no means pleasant, even for a minister and his Xamiliy. He lalso says that unless there are some conflicting arrangements, he will preach his intiatory sermon here next Sunday, and as nothing has been announced that will prevent same, it is no doubt safe to say that such will be the case. He closes by saying: “My visits to your city have all been very pleasant, and I am anticipating a delightful ministry.” Rev. Powell is quite well known here, and has many admirers who are pleased with his selection, and who with the other citizens. will co-operate with him in making the year a banner one.

NEW CONSISTORY IS ORGANIZED The Fort Wayne Branch Starts With Five Hundred Members. The Fort Wayne consistory, Ancient, and Accepted Scottish Rite Masons, held its first meeting Tuesday night at the Temple, and organized and elected officers. The consistory has jurisdiction over the degrees from the eighteenth to the thirty-second, and territorially over ail this section of the state. It starts work with a charter membership of 500. The consistory has not yet received its charter, and w+ii not until the supreme council meets in the fall, but it is working under a dispensation and is in all respects as though formally chartered. The consistory has elected the following officers: William Geake. comman-j der-in-ch!ef; C. B, Fitch, first lieutenant commander; B. Paul Mossman. second lieutenant commander: R. S. Viberg, orator; Joseph L. Gruber, chancellor, G. W. Pixley, treasurer; Charles E. Read, secretary; Ronald Dawson, master of ceremonies; N. R. Wenger, hospitaller; A. E. Carroll, engineer and seheschall; E. F. Llebman, standard bearer; Henry Cohen, guard; W. S. Sponhauer, sentinel. The second and fourth Fridays of each month were chosen as the dates for the stated meetings. Local Masons are already beginning to make arrangements for the big initiation on May 18 and 19, in a large class will take degrees from the fourth to the eighteenth inclusive. This will be under the auspices of the Lodge of Perfection, which at present has a membership of 1,000, and will attract Masons in large numbers from twen-ty-two counties in this part of the state.—Fort Wayne News.

THE SESSION ENDS Missionary Society of the Presbyterian Church Have Good Meeting OFFICERS ELECTED Mrs. Charles Dicer of this City Made Recording Secretary The closing today of the missionary convention, in session for the past two days at the Presbyterian church, was marked by a good attendance. The members of the local church were many of them present with the delgates and in each instance received a great deal of good from the meetings. Last evening Miss Beaber, the missionary from Persia, gave a talk, and, in spite of the bad weather, a good sized attendance was had. Miss Beaber is a very interesting speaker and her account of the work, its methods of being performed and instances of interest that happened while there, was greatly appreciated. This morning she gave another twenty minute talk. The reports of the various counties and churches was made this morning. They showed an increase in almost every instance in membership and interest manifested. Among the other numbers of the program, Miss Isabelle Cooper, of Fort Wayne, gave an interesting talk of the school and life of the girls in Spain. Her talk was of special interest to the young members of the society. The officers were elected today as follows: Secretaries —Foreign, Mrs. Mary McDonald, of Fort Wayne; Home and Fredmen, Mrs. E. C. McKeehan, of Fort Wayne; Literature, Mrs. W. W. Greek, of Bluffton; Y. P. S. C. E„ Miss Cora D. Altman, of Huntington; Recording, Mrs. Charles Dicer, of Decatur. It was decided that next April the convention should be held at the Third church, of Fort Wayne. The exact date will be decided upon later. —Bluffton Banner. o —. ■ Dr. C. H. Good, of Warren, has finally moved to Huntington, and opened an office for the practice of his profession in that city. The doctor has been given a large amount of free advertising lately in his search for a new home. After hs defeat for congress last fall and the drubbing given him by the people in his home town, he then and there made up his mind to quit them cold.

PLEASANT MILLS, IND., AND HER MOST VALUABLE ASSETS

A village not to be overlooked in writing of the progressive ones in the county is Pleasant Mills, situated southeast of Decatur in St. Marys township. With the exception of Monmouth, this town is the oldest in the county. Its populative growth has not been especially marked during the passing of the years, this probably being the case as a result of its contiguity to the county seat, Decatur. Located within the corporate limits are a number of healthy business institutions, however, all of which are enjoying a wide patronage. A Mr. Braddox erected the first residence in Pleasant Mills and the next prominent man to locate there was Alex Acker, who at that time conducted a woolen factory and saw mill. Thus the town started on her business career. The St. Marys township land being of good quality it was soon sought, for, and but a short time elapsed until farms were marked out and sold to people who settled to stay. The land was well tiled and proving productive, it made for its owners neat fortunes. As a rural district thrived the town flourished and as dwellings were erected new families moved therein. Thus one of the most fertile and promising strips of land in the county was revealed to the gaze of the outside world. A class of people assumed control of the business interests of Pleasant Mills and St. Marys township who labored industriously for its advancement, and today the township can well be presented as a criterion of good govern-

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday Evening, April 8, 1909 .

WANTS ALL THE REPUBLICANS Miles J. Furnas is Looking for the Impossible in this District. Representative Miles J. Furnas of Randolph county, is thought to have an eye on the congressional nomination in the Eighth district. He don’t want it very badly, it seems, but would take it under certain conditions. He is thus reported by an exchange: “I have been mentioned as a candidate for congress, but haven’t fully made up my mind as to whether I will get in the race or not. There is no money in politics, and I have reached the time in my life when I must look after providing for the years when I shall not be able to do the work I am doing now. However, if the Republicans, mind you, all the Republicans in the Eighth district wish me to make the race, I may make it, but will not be a factional candidate.” c ESTATE DIVIDED The Late Samuel Steele Gives Property to His Heirs WILL IS PROBATED Ira Steele Named as Executor —Milton Yager One of the Heirs The will of the late Samuel Steele of St. Marys township, was probated at the county clerk’s office this morning. By the terms thereof this well known citizen, provides fo v the payment of debts and funeral expenses. He then gives to his son. George, the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter in section 29 in St. Marys township, and also inlot 30 in Pleasant Mills. To his son Decatur I. Steele, he bequeaths the north half of the south half of the northeast quarter of section 29, in St. Marys, and inlot 28, Pleasant Mills. To his son, Ira, the south half of the northeast quarter of section 29, St. Marys township, and inlot 27, Pleasant Mills. His grandson, Milton Yager, w r as remembered by being given inlots number eight, six and twenty-nine in Pleasant Mills. Os the rest of his entire estate, Ira Steele gets one-third, and the rest is then equally divided between the three sons George, Deca f ur and Ira. The latter is named as >he executor. The will was written October 8, 1907, and witnessed by David E. Smith and John Schurger.

By R. Earl Peters ment, excellent citizenship and of other features unspeakably commendable. There is not a road in St. Marys township which has not been macadamized or petitioned therefor, and this is indicative of the progressiveness of the people. Pleasant Mills has a population exceeding two hundred and fifty, consisting in most part of retired farmers who have as a consequence of their toil and thrift accumulated a sufficient quantity of the world's goods to assure comfort for them in their, declining days. Dr. J. W. Vizzard, who is probably one of the most prominent men in the township, and who has gained a state wide reputation politically, as well as professionally, went to Pleasant Mills sixteen years ago yesterday. His success has been boundless, his patronage extending over several of the townships, and Dr. Vizard is held in the high esteem of the people. He has been the choice of Adams county people to represent' them in the legislature, and this spring was elected chief clerk of the house of representatives, thus reflecting much credit upon his ability. U. S. Drummond, formerly of Decatur, is the possessor of the general merchandise store which for years was conducted by Charles Yager. He is succeeding nicely, and is enjoying a liberal patronage. His store is well stocked.

FUNERAL FRIDAY Services Will Be Held at Reformed Church for Mrs. Moyer WAS VERY OLD Lived Here Many Years— Was the Mother of Noah Loch The funeral services for Mrs. Priscilla Moyer, better known among her friends as Grandma Loch, will be held Friday afternoon at two o’clock from the house, and immediately afterward from the Reformed church, of which Grandma was a devout member. Mrs. Moyer was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, in 1822, and was in her eighty-seventh year. She had lived here for many years and was quite well known, especially among the pioneers of this locality. For twenty-five years she has made her home with her son, Noah Loch. As stated yesterday she leaves three children, Mr. Noah Loch and Mrs. Mary Breiner of this city and Mrs. Frank Richards of Allentown, Pa., besides these, three children have preceded their mother in death. Her first husband died many years ago and in 1879 she was married to Mr. Moyer. She has enjoyed unusually good health for one of her years until last Thanksgiving, when she began to fail and gradually grew worse until the end, suffering from a cancerous ailment, together with the complications usual in old age. The funeral services will be conducted by the Rev. Hessert and interment will take place at Maplewood cemetery. NO SALOONS AT GARY Gary, Ind., April 8. —The twenty remaining saloons pulled down their blinds for the last time, for a year at least, and bid farewell to their patrons. Since the remonstrance was filed with the county commissioners, a year ago. the 108 saloons in Calumet township have been dropping off month by month, as their licenses expired. The saloon keepers are still hopeful in Gary that the suit which is still pending in the superior court to invalidate the remonstrance will be successful. They allege that more than half of the signers were not legal voters, and that their signatures were obtained by fraud and misrepresentation. A special judge, Charles W. Hanly, of the Jasper 'circuit court, has been appointed to try the cases.

A. M. Mauller, another of the merchants, has a line of general merchandise, including boots and shoes and he, too, is succeeding well. L. D. Brown, who for eight years has been the owner of the grocery store located on the west side of main street, is among the progressive merchants. The general hardware store is conducted by Edwin France, and an excellent line is carried. Mr. France has owned the store for five years and is doing well, H. M. Mathewson, the restaurant owner, is doing a good business. He has everything in his line, and is keeping in pace with the times. O. Fortney, possessor of a hardware store and blacksmith shop, is being liberally patronized. He carries a good stock. — A. N. Acker is owner of the elevator and this institution is flourishing. Much grain is taken there by the farmers in the township Pleasant Mills has an excellent system of education. Besides the graded schools she has a non-commissioned high school. There are also three churches, the M. E., United Brethren and Baptist Among the oldest residents of Pleasant Mills are William Armstrong, 84,Henry Steele, 77, and Gilbert Thomp-j son, 79. ’

TRIBUTE OF LOVE ANO RESPECT Fort Wayne Knights of Columbus Remember Deceased Brothers. Members of Fort Wayne council, Knights of Columbus, met last night in th£ council chambers for the purpose of paying their annual tribute of love and respect to tne memory of their deceased brothers. An elaborate program of addresses and songs was carried out and a large portion of the membership attended the meeting. During the year just ended but two members of the order, Simon D. Brady and August D. Rensman, were called by death, and special tributes were paid them in an address by John G. Schultheis. Other speakers of the evening remembered other deceased brothers and the affair served to more firmly cement the ties that bind the living members of the brotherhood by emphasizing he ties that exist between them and those who have gone before.—Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette. AFTER CRUDE OIL Republican Insurgents and Democrats Put One on the Payne Bill WATSON IS MAD He Does Not Want Taylor’s Place—Marshall Opposes Federal Inheritance Tax Washington, April 8. —Yesterday was a bad day for the Republican organization of the house. By a coalition between some Republican “insurgents” and the Democrats, the ways and means committee was bowled over and the advocates of free crude oil and its products won a signal victory, when an amendment by Mr. Norris of Nebraska, placing the insignificant duty of 1 per cent ad valorem on those articles was adopted by a substantial majority. A decision of the chairman that amendments could not be offered to the oil schedule other than the one covered by the special rule of last Monday and which provided for the removal of the countervailing duty on crude petroleum and applying an ad valorem duty of 25 per cent was overturned and not even a fervid appeal by the speaker in an endeavor to rally the Republican forces was sufficient to stem the tide ■avowedly against the Standard Oil ; company. By a practically unanimous (vote the countervailing duty went out as the committee recommended.

Washington, April 8. —In order to | quiet the fears of friends of Robert S. Talor of Fort Wayne who have heard that James E. Watson is trying to get Mr. Taylor’s place on the Mississippi River commission, Mr. Watson dictated the following statement: "There is no truth in the report that comes from Fort Wayne that I am a candidate for the position on the Mississippi River commission now occupied by Judge Taylor. I am not a canddate for that office or for any other office under the administration. I intend to return to Indiana and practice law. I do not want any office and my friends would do me a favor if they would cease to torment me in connection with appointment under the administration of President Taft.” Washington, April 8. —Governor Marshall of Indiana is opposed to a federal inheritance tax on the ground that it would interfere with the taxing powers of the several states. He thinks that inheritance taxation is a subject to be dealt with by the states and not by the general government. The Democratic members of the Indiana delegation have been advised of Governor Marshall’s views, which will have considerable weight with them.

A BAND CONCERT THIS EVENING The Juvenile band boys will be out this evening and will give a free concert on the streets. Arrangements ( have been made for platform and while the lads are a little nervous over their first attempt to please the public in the concert line, we are willing to back them with a guarantee that those who hear them will be' delighted and glad to know that they I i |will probably do a similar stunt each ': 'week during the summer.

Price Two Cents

A FEW SORE SPOTS Left by the Victory of the “Wets” in Blackford and Cass Counties MAY HEAL OVER Majorities Were Slightly Reduced But Each Remains Over 100 The official count in the recent local option elections in Blackford and Cass counties has reduced the “wet” majorities slightly, but they arc still sufficient, being over a hundred in each county. In Blackford the exact majority is 134, and there is considerable talk of the “drys” contesting, though it is thought likely that they will in a few days decide to take the matter philosophically. It is said that over $5,000 was won and lost on the election, and this is the cause of the most sore spots. Only one arrest was made for illegal voting. In Cass county the official vote showed a “wet” victory of 108. and there the merchants’ association who were responsible for the victory of the licensed saloon, have issued a statement that they will fight the issuance of a saloon license to any person who should not have same and will prosecute all violators of the law. A statement sent out from Logansport says that already there is a revival in business and they expect the town to be better than ever. Everybody is busy making up and the w r ar is over for the present at least, although the anti-saloon league promises them another as soon as possible.

FOUR MORE CARS i The Coppock Motor Car X Company Lands a Lot J! of Business i - HAS MUCH MERIT i 5 1 The Coppock is a Prime Fav1 orite at the Capital e ii City s t Now comes the Coppock Motor Car company with enough spring business t to make them hump for the next sixty e days, and in the meantime the pros- ? pect IS bright to cinch enough orders - to strain the output of the plant for a the year. D. L. Quinn, the manager, : 13 just home from Indianapolis, where t he landed four cars, that is four more a cars. He came in last week with e three, and this four makes seven, and r the four already sold and in commist sion in that city makes eleven cars f that will be in Indianapolis when the i. present orders are complete and shipI ments made. This is going some, and - means that the Coppock is a favorite i in the capital city. These eleven cars t mean the sale of many more, and it t means too, that the Decatur plant will t in a short time be on its feet and be going so fast that it will be Impossible to catch them. The Decatur r boosters are rejoicing today at the i good fortune and the good business I that is in store for the Coppock peo- ; pie. They have labored long and they ? have labored hard for just the accom- • plishments of the past two weeks. ' The seven cars that are now under - construction will mean lots of work f at the plant here, and for the next - thirty or sixty days they will be busy. , Thp rnAnagpmpnt proposes to keep up t the hostilities and during the year to place the business of that company on the high road to success. That 3 this will be done there is no doubt, and like all automobile concerns, aft ter a good start is registered, all - troubles are ended, except the troui ble of making the output meet the 1 demand. —————— , The Bluffton city Democratic primary is on today, and reports say there is a lively hustle on the part of the candidates and some of their [friends. A full vote is being polled 'and the outcome for any particular candidate is uncertain.