Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 7, Number 90, Decatur, Adams County, 15 April 1909 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume VII. Number 90.

HAVE BEGUN WORK Julius Haugk Began Work on Adams and Mercer Avenue Contracts TALK OF PAVING Many Residents Want These Streets Paved this Summer Julius Haugk and a force of workmen have begun the improvements on Adams street. They are now plowing the street and doing grade work, the first essential to street improvement. The improvement of Adams also includes Mercer avenue, and if there is a street needed in all Decatur it is Mercer avenue. There is much travel and considrable heavy hauling on that thoroughfare, and if it was ever macadamized it fails to show it at this time. The new street calls for i curbing and macadam along the line i of all such streets and pubfic roads of this nature. It is the intention of I the' contractor to push this work and I to build the entire work as stipulated | in his contract just as fast as good i weather and a fat pay roll will permit. Some of the property owners along [the street mentioned above are talking seriously and perhaps will present ito the city council a petition asking these city officials to brick or otherwise improve these streets just as soon as the work now being done is complete. An investigation of the merits of bitulithic has been asked by some of those interested, but Whether this investigation is made or not, the Democrat is of the opinion that there is but one sort of pavement that should be used, and that ■s brick. You may talk about asphalt, ■bitulithic and other pavements, but ■jecatur's experience with brick and Bier knowledge of the experience of I Bother neighboring cities with other [ Blinds of paving, should settle for all [ Etime to come that brick is the best I Bpaving used, and that Decatur had teted with w’isdom in using it upon gal! her improved streets. ■ The Fort Wayne & Springfield etnjjloyes are now laying the brick between the tracks’on north Second and Kfit Chester streets. They are using nose brick along the rails and a' be ter job is expected than on that Kart of the street already laid and Being used. I o THE McNAVIN-CASH CO. Sake a Real Hit With the Decatur People. ■The McNavin-Cash company played tp -fa well crowded house last night, tind the audience were delighted in presentation of ‘The Gambler's Hpfe." The company made a distinct sst, each individual atember coming in for his and her share of applause. HBe play is a. clever story drawing a ’Kiely moral, and afforded the cast 4|inple room for effective work, while |gße costumes are among the most a»en on the local boards this [J Sar. Mae Beresford as Anna DenniBlanche Tower as Cordelia DenHKon and Florabelle Malcolm as were especially strong in the Utt. Burleigh Cash the leading man, kfts a decidedly pleasing stage presHBbe and a personality that completely r.^ptirates his audience. Howard K. |Kce as Willard Graham hd his parts Well taken. Taking.it all in all the t.®p|ipany playing at the opera house week is the strongest stock company we have had here for some time. “A Southern Romance will Ladies will again be free, making the price so that e vex y one can afford to go. Call up the Holthouse Drug store by Hhc and have your seats reserved, Mgttie crowd tonight promises to be ■ • ° Th' Shakespeare Club met yesterday afternoon and made arrangements banquet to which they will incite [their friends, and entertain them « is the custom at the closing of the [year’s work. The banquet will yMPfdven on Friday, the twenty-ninth the Murray Hotel. The committee i trtH[see that everything is done to •ake the affair a pleasant one.

THE WETS MAKE A GAIN Returns from One Hundred and Fifty Towns in Nebraska. Omaha, Neb., April 15.—Official returns from the Nebraska municipal elections were issued by the Merchants’ and Manufacturers’ association touching the question of licensing he saloon. Returns have been received from 150 towns and villages having a total population of 260,230. Os this number 82 towns voted to issue licenses. Their total population is 154,900. The remainder, 68 towns, voted against issuing licenses. Their total population is 105,330. Excess of population of ‘‘wet’’ towns over that of “dry” towms is 49,570. The number of “dry” towns which changed over to the "wet” policy is 25, the total population of which is 46,150. The number of “wet” towns which changed over to the “dry” policy is 17, the total population of which is 26,250. to visitHeurope Mr. and Mrs. O. P. Edwards Will go Abroad Next Week A DELIGHTFUL TRIP Will Spend Several Weeks in It^ly—Also Visit Other Points Mrs. O. P. Edwards, of Leipsic, 0., will arrive this afternoon from that place to spend a few days with her parents, before leaving for Europe. Her husband will arrive Saturday evening from Leipsic to visit over Sunday also with Mr. and Mrs. Niblick and family. Monday they will go to their home and Wednesday go to I New York city, from where they will [sail Immediately on their ocean trip. [Mr. and Mrs. Edwards will go to Na- : pies to see the sights in that beautii ful city. On completing this they will visit Milan, Florence and other cities of Italy, and to add to their enjoyment, they will go through the various countries of Europe, with a party, [most of whom have traveled in Eui rppe before. Germany and its principal cities, and Austria-Hungary and France will be visited. Crossing the [channel Mr. and Mrs. Edwards will visit England, Ireland and Scotland. The trip, after these countries have been visited, will have taken up about three months. They will return to the states, according to present plans the latter part of July. a— TO HOLD MEETING TODAY Preliminary Work on Electric Line Soon to Begin. Bluffton, Ind., April 15.—The Bluffton, Geneva & Celina Traction company will hold a meeting in this city today for the purpose of outlining the preliminary work and will decide upon the time for commencing work. All preliminary surveys have been made and the deputy county surveyor of this city has been employed to act in the capacity of chief engineer, and w’ill superintend the work. The line will be built as far as Geneva at least this summer and eventually will go to Celina. The towns of Linn Grove and Geneva were both very anxious to help on financing the line, and $75,000 worth of stock was subscribed in those two pladbs. The company will ask a franchise of the city council here at its next session. 0 NEW CLOVER LEAF OPERATORS

Austin Straub and H. F. Majors Sent to the Frankfort Office. There has been an entire change of the operators force at the Clover Leaf station in this city and as a result, the two men there, Austin Straub and H. F. Majors have received promotions, both being sent to the office at Frankfort. These young men are capable and have been most faithful and efficient and the promotion will be received with pleasure by their many, friends. Their places here will be filled by P. H. Wagoner and R. E. Ballmeyer. The change took place yesterday.

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday Evening, April 15, 1909.

COURT HOUSE NEWS Judge Cook, of Huntington. to Hear Big Damage Case Here CAN’T FIND JURIST Who is Not Related to Parties in Lenhart-Bell Partition Case An order for the defendant returnable forthwith has been issued in the paternity case, State ex rel Grace Beavers vs. Homer Achleman. The name of Sarah C. Studabaker has been changed to Sarah C. Mundhenk and costs rendered against the plaintiff. Hon. Samuel E. Cook, of Huntington. has been chosen as special judge to hear the cause of the Citizens’ Telephone Co., vs. Fort Wayne & Springfield Railway company. Os the names given by the court from which to select a judge, the plaintiff's struck off the name of Judge Heaton and the defendants the name of Judge Engle, leaving that of the Huntington jurist. He will be here tomorrow to assume jurisdiction. The wool case, Abraham Weil et al vs. Charles F. Davidson, suit on contract, has been postponed by agreement. In the Norman G. Lenhart vs. A. R. Bell et al, partition suit, D. E. Smith has declined to serve and the court is having trouble finding a special judge who is not related to some of the parties. The land in question is the few acres where the Clover Leaf had their switch, when this place was made a freight division. Real estate transfers: Catherine Allison to John P. Schwartz, tract in Monroe tp., $4,200; D, E, Smith to Catherine Allison, 32 acres Monroe tp., commissioner’s deed, $1.00; <Samuel Gerber to Emanuel Gerber, 5 acres in Kirkland tp., S4OO. o WRITES FROM CUBA J. E. Moser is Enjoying Expedition Very Much LEFT HAVANA Indiana Party Has Gone to Trinidad to Inspect Land A letter received yesterday from J. E. Moser, who is traveling in Cuba tells of a most pleasant journey taken by the party who some time ago left the United States port. He also tells briefly of the beautiful country and the highly salubrious climate in the island. Mr. Moser and the party left Havana Tuesday for Trinidad, where they will inspect the laud on which they have an option, and if conditions appeal favorably to them, they will purchase a large strip of the valuable soil and will proceed to develop it. Mr. Moser in his letter says that he has read much about Cuba, and always had thought it was a fine country, birt he states that to gain the correct idea of its grandeur the conclusions reached by one who reads of the Island must be multilled by four. The expedition has been the source of much pleasure to Mr. Moser, and he will remain away for about a month. Should he be favorably impressed with the land, he will without doubt make an investment along with the many others who are on the journey. o Dr. R. S. Wilson, of Wren, has purchased the property and practice of « Dr. M. S. Cramer at Ohio City, and is now located there for practice. Dr, Wilson is a son-in-law of Douglas Dudgeon of near this town.—Willshire Herald.

HE WILL GO TO PRISON I Harry Axtell of Bloomington, Gets a Bad Verdict. Bloomington, Ind., April 15. —Harry 1 A. Axtell, until a year ago one of the financial leaders of Bloomington, slept tonight in a cell at the county jail aud. in all probability, will have to go to the Michigan City prison within the next ten days to begin a sentence of from two t» fourteen years for embezzlement of more than $38,000 of the funds of the Real Estate Building and Loan association during the ten years he was its secretary. After deliberating just five hours the jury returned a verdict of guilty last night after a trial hat had lasted eight days. Axtell and his four attorneys were dumfounded at the verdict. They were wholly unprepared for it, as they had expected the present jury would follow the example of the jury in the city embezzlement case last term, when Axtell was acquitted of the charge of embezzling $7,000 while he was city treasurer. o TALK OF SHIVELEY May Lead the Minority in the Senate Tariff Fight ;HIS LONG' SUIT The Indiana Senator is Away Up on Tariff Schedules Washington, April 15.. —Talk of Senator Shively of Indiana as the leader of the Democratic forces of the senate during the tariff fight .was heard and iti is known positively that there has been a partial canvass to ascertain whether it would be agreeable to a majority of the Democratic senators to have the Indiana senator to perform the functions as leader while the tariff fight is on in place of Senator Culbertson of Texas, the regularly elected leader of the majority. It remains to be seen whethr this undercurrent of movement in favor of a new leader will assume formidable proportions, but one tliiAt is certain, that there is quite a little [ nucleus of senators who would be much gra'ified if an arrangement could be brought about that would transfer the leadership of the party to the new senator from Indiana. It is not disguised that there is a great deal of dissatisfaction over Senator Culbertson's leadership. It grows partially out of disappointments in committee assignments. Another complaint is that! Senator Culbertson is not sufficiently aggressive to lead the minority in a great battle over the readjustment of the tariff. Some of the Democratic senators go so far as to call Senator Culbertson a “quitter.” The Democracy in the senate is rent with factions, and those who are talking of Shively for leader point out that he is free from the factional quarrels and jealousies that necessarily would handicap any senator of longer service in directing the fight that is about to open. It would be a most unusual recognition of a new senator to inskall him as leader, but to offset this objection it is urged that Senator Shively probably knows more about the tariff than any other senator on the Democratic side, having served on the ways and means committee and having made tariff schedules a study for a good many years.

W. L. HARDISON KILLED. Struck by Train —Was Brother of J. H. Hardison of Geneva. The following dispatch which appeared in the Record-Herald recently gives a short, account of the tragic death of a brother of Uncle Jimmie Hardison, of Geneva: Los Angeles, April 10. —W. L. Hardison, vice president of the Columbia Oil Producing company of this city, formerly principal owner of the Los Angeles Herald and at one time one of the wealthiest citizens of Los Angeles, was instantly killed at Roscoe, a Southern Pacific siding, today, when the motor car which he was driving collided with a light engine. The collision occurred at a crossing where the view was obscured by the roadside. The machine was demolished. Mr. Hardison was about sixty years of age.

TO HUNTINGTON Suit Against Traction Company is Sent—Alleges Unusual Facts CHANGE OF VENUE Has Been Taken in Suit Filed Last Fall by Frank Beckman Because the Fort Wayne & Springfield Railroad company operated a train over its lines between Forb Wayne and Decatur September 26, 1907, using steam instead of electric power and because the use of steam power is not. provided for in its - incorporation papers, the company is , defendant in a damage suit for $lO,- I 000. The suit comes to Huntington county from the Allen circuit court, where it was filed January 5, 1909, the change to this county being oil a motion for a change made by the defendant company. This suit is brought by Frank Beckman, administrator of the estate of Mary Beckman, also husband of the decedent, and alleges that he and his children have been damaged to the extent of SIO,OOO by an accident befalling Mrs. Beckman and resulting in her death November 19, 1908. It is recited in he complaint that Mrs. Beckman on the day of the accident was driving a family horse along the highway and was accustomed to driving. The horse, accustomed to electric cars, was frightened by the smoke and racket of a steam engine, which was pulling the train that day and so acted as to cause injury to Mrs. Beckman, who, after extended medical attendance, died in fourteen months, as an alleged result of the injuries sustained by her nervous system. Harper & Eggeman file the suit, which has already had exiensivb attention in the courts of Allen county, as evidenced by the demurrers, amended fxrmpilaints, etc., accompanying the original complaint, iln fact indications are that the case is at issue and the only thing now desired is a fair and impartial hearing by a Huntington county jury.—Huntington Herald. THE ANNUAL BALL First Dance Given by the B. P. O. E. Was a Success GIVEN LAST NIGHT Forty Couple Took Part in the Very Delightful Event

The first annual ball given by the Elks lodge of Decatur, at their hall last evening, was a most successful social event, and the regret of those who attended is that they must wait for a year to have the pleasure of another similar dance. About forty couple took part in the grand march and then proceeded to trip the light fantastic for sevaral hours. The music was just right:, being furnished by the Fristoe and Miller orchestra, alone a guarantee of its worth and perfect rendition. Among those present! were a number of out-of-town guests. The ball was in charge of a committee, including J. S. Peterson, Jesse Helm and True Fristoe, who did their parts well and are receiving the thanks of the many who enjoyed tihe occasion. The rooms were appropriately and uicely decorated and everything arranged for the pleasure of the guests. The dance program included fifteen numbers, concluding with Home Sweet Home waltz. It; is safe to predict that the boys will have to continue the annua\balls in the future years. o The course of study which the Historical Club, meeting every week on Tuesday, has devoted itself to, was completed at the last meeting Tuesday night. However, all business was not settled and a meeting w’ill be held soon to finish up the plans for next year.

ARE GREAT HOG RAISERS ; The Heirely Brothers Raise Many Good Porkers. It is a safe statement to say that 1 John, Jeff and Albert Heirely, three German brothers, residing east of this city, are the largest hog raisers in northern Indiana and possibly in the entire state. During the present season they have fed off four car loads, ■* 'he last rtf which was shipped this morning and according to their statement have still 800 head in their pos- I] session. The three brothers control and farm over 500 acres of land, a parti of which is rented and for the raising of their hogs have one of the finest hog houses in this part of the state. The hogs are fed with shelled corn which is placed in a big bin with an opening in the bottom much after 1 the manner of a cracker bin for tae i hogs to feed from. The chief excel- , lence of the device lies in the fact ( that no corn Is wasted. —Bluffton News. 1 TO GO TO GERMANY I I Abraham and Jacob Bollen1 bacher Will Visit i Mother Country i TO LEAVE IN JUNE They Will Not Return for ' Two Months at Least Abraham Bollenbacher of Blue [ Creek tow'nship and his brother, Jacob, of Jefferson township, are planning to leave for Germany in June or the month following, where they will visit their two brothers and other relatives for two months. These gentlement came tq America forty-three years ago, and have lived in Adams county for thirty-seven years. They have accumulated fortunes since being here and will return to the mother country to visit those whom they have not seen for many years. The men will go from here to New York city and will leave on one of the big ships in the Atlantic. After arriving in Germany they will visit the locality lin which they spent their boyhood days and before returning they will visit several cities in the old country. They are expecting the time of their life, and will not return to the United States until they have seen a goodly portion of the country. The Bollenbachers are among the most progressive of Adams county farmers. They possess w'ell improved farms and know’ how to keep them in condition. o POLITICS TO CUT NO FIGURE Civil Service Commission Gets After Revenue Service Politics. Washington, April 15. —The civil service commission sent *jo the secretary of the treasury a request of national interest growing out of the recent investigation of the Terre Haute revenue office. During that investigation it was brought out, according to the report of Commissioner Greene, who conducted it, that Collector John R. Bonnell made substantially this remark: “I always appoint Republicans when I get a chance.” This was said in reference to the subordinates who have been appointed by Mr. Bonnell. Based upon this remark the civil service commission asked the secretary of the treasury to issue an order which will go far, it is hoped, toward eliminating politics from the internal revenue service. The request is that the secretary of the treasury shall issue orders to all I>he internal revenue collectors in the United States directing them to eschew politics in choosing subordinates. p Mrs. Erma Smith, of Fort Wayne, returned home. She was in the city on business. j Mrs. Daniel Sprang has presented a new magazine to the library. The i Women's World has been presented by several women of the city. Miss Hattie Studabaker reached • Oaxaca, Mexico, last Saturday. In i Mexico City she met Mrs. O. P. Kins sey, of Valparaiso, former president ■ of the Indiana State Federation of I Womens Club, as she was passing on I the street. This meeting of an old, friend in that distant city was a very . agreeable surprise to both of hem. h

Price Two Cents

LEAGUE BASE BALL Decatur Can Secure a Place in the Northern State League DO YOU WANT IT? Letter From the Secretary Shows the Lay of the Land If there is a “live one” in Decatur, just at this time, who likes the great national game of base ball well enough to devote a little time to organization, this city can be represented in the Indiana Northern State league. Quite a number have informed us that they are willing to assist in the support of a club here that would be a credit to the town and will keep a large amount of money home during the sumnier, it being acknowledged that, nothing will do this so well as a good ball team. What do you say to it? The condition of affairs at present is told in the following letter from the league secretary: Huntington, Ind., April 13, 1909.

Mr. Louis Holthouse, Decatur, Tnd. Dear Sir —On authority of Ed E. Hill, president of the Northern State base ball league, I write you to sound the sentiment of Decatur fans and particularly yourself, regards Decatur and league ball for the coming season. considering the Northern State league proposition. Information has reached us that Decatur wants league ball again and we fell that the above mentioned is the proposition for your city to consider. A good meeting of the officials and promoters was held in Kokomo last Sunday. It was the sense of that meeting that the present organization now composed of Huntington. Wabash, Peru, Kokomo, Marion and Bluffton should be increased to an eight-club league. Anderson. Elwood. Logansport and Muncie want in, but we figure that Decatur should fill one of the other two berths to effect a better circuit. Next Sunday, at Marion, the Spencer hotel, another meeting will be held? at which we desire the presence of yourself or some other responsible party to represent Decatur. Forfeits of SIOO will be posted on that date to effect an organization meaning business. Also at that meeting you could inform yourself better. I can assure you that Decatur’s application will receive honorable consideration. You are well enough informed on base ball to know the outlook, which with Sunday ball permitted, will be live this summer. Please advise me by early mail if Decatur can be represented. Respectfully, Earle Steele, Secy.

ELECTED OFFICERS LAST NIGHT The Old Officers Re-elected for the Building and Loan Association. The board of directors of the German Building, Loan Fund & Savings association held a short! session last evening and elected the old officers and who will serve for this year. They are Godfrey Christen president. Mat Kirsch vice president, F. M. Schirmeyer secretary, and C. S. Niblick treasurer. They also elected a board of managers, tfhey being Mat Kirsch, Godfrey Christen. James P. Haefling, C. S. Niblick and F. M. Schirmeyer. The board of managers have the affairs of the company in charge and indications point to their having a busy season during the spring and summer. ROBINSON WILL. LEAVE TONIGHT Ordered to Report at Portsmouth, Ohio, at Once. “Brownie” Robinson today received transportation and an order to, report I at once at Portsmouth. Ohio.*where ’ he will sign as a pitcher in the Ohio- ■ Pennsylvania league. He was signed in the Teas league, but was sold two weeks ago. He will leave this evening for the Ohio town and will immediately begin practice. If he makes good he will be assured of a job as long as he wants to play ball, for the O. P. is one of the fastest leagues in the country and graduates a large number of players into the big leagues each year.