Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 7, Number 102, Decatur, Adams County, 29 April 1909 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume VII. Number 102.

PETERSOHN ACQUITTED Columbia City Jury Returns Verdict for the Defendant —lnteresting Case ON SECOND BALLOT Manager of Tailoring Company Who Worked Here Free—Two Other Cases Columbia City, April 29.—(Special to Daily Democrat)—John Petersohn, the manager of what the people of this section knew as the Fort Wayne Tailoring company, was acquitted by the jury which heard the case filed against them here by S. F. Ort, charging them with being transient merchants, and operating without a license. The case went to the jury at 7:30 last evening, and the verdict was returned at 8:55. This morning attorneys for the defendant moved to dismiss a similar case against Petersohn and also one against his partner, a Mr. Kizer, but the motions were overruled and thege cases will be tried at some future date, the time not having been fixed as yet. The prosecution say they will be able to make a stronger case the next time, and believe they will be able to convict the men. There was much interest in the outcome here and also in Decatur and Adams county, where the men worked before coming here. The plan is to visit a community and open an office, insisting that they are a permanent institution. They give in their property for taxation and thus avoid paying the license of ten dollars a day as required by law for transients. After about two months, w'hen they have thoroughly worked the county, they move along to another place, and do the same thing. Petersohn was acquitted on the second ballot, the first standing eleven to one in his favor. DIVORCEGRANTED

; Mrs. Ed Johnson Given a Decree and SBOO in Cash as Alimony OTHER COURT NEWS Some Business in Probate Affairs—Several Real Estate Transfers The divorce case, Mrs. Hattie | Johnson vs. Ed Johnson, was tried !, this morning, Mrs. Johnson telling her ■ story, and the evidence was supported by Mrs. Robison, Fred Bohnke and others. Mr. Johnson was not in court but was represented by his attorneys, ■ D. D. Heller and L. C. DeVoss. After hearing the evidence, Special Judge IR. S. Peterson, before whom it was | tried, promptly granted the decree. | Mrs. Johnson asked for . $5,000 ali|mony, and it is understood that this | part of the case was settled for SBOO, kt any rate the court rendered judgment for that amount, payable in wash. j Samuel W. Boble vs. Samuel Kintz, Cottrell fur the defendant, rule to answer. > D. E. Grim vs. Zemanna Grim et al, partition, final report filed and commissioner discharged. . Michael Miller, guardian for Otto and Milo Baumgartner, filed an inventory, which was approved. ' Benjamin Habegger, administrator Os the Caroline Duer estate, proof of (Continued on page 2.)

OPERATION FOR APPENDICITIS Former Geneva Man to Undergo an Operation. I The attending physician on J. M. i Buck, who has been sick since Sun- ■ day, this morning stated that the condition of Mr. Buck was such as to warI rant an operation for appendicitis, and after calling another local physician in consultation this afternoon it was decided that the operation will be performed tomorrow morning at the Buck home, where arrangements will •liave been completed to give the case more careful attention with trained nurses on hand to take charge of the ; patient. The physician report that ■ Mr. Buck's condition is very good for the operation and they anticipate that he will pass through the ordeal very ■ successfully.—Bluffton News. o THEIR BUSY TIME The Ward Fence Company in the Midst of a Busy Season A GREAT PLANT Shipments Being Made to Every State in the Union An hour's travel through the various departments of the Ward Fence company plant will satisfy the m'>st skeptical that it is a great instiutio.i, and that they are doing a great business, and that some day, and that day not far distant, everybody will want to shake hands with themselves and be glad that the Ward Fence company is a part of the manufacturing and business interest of this city. They are right now in the midst of their busy season, and in every department business Is humming. Fence machines are busy to the limit, ornamental fence is being manufactured as fast as their force of men can turn it out, and apparently every inch cf the large and commodious buildings are filled to the brim. Tuesday a representative had the pleasure of going through the plant, and we must confess that we really were amazed at the gigantic proportions of the concern. Five cars were standing on their siding, and two of them were ■ being filled with the various shipments of the plant, and these shipments were going to nearly every , statq in the union. The New Eng- ■ land states and the east, California [and nearly every other western state was included, as was also Florida and the southern states. Hardly a state was missing in the receipt of some of the product being sent out by this Decatur concern. Fifty-two people are now on the pay roll, and it really would make any boster proud to take in all the sights to be seen : at the plant of the Ward Fence com- ' pany. .The management hopes to ‘make the concern grow and far exceed the present output, and we have no doubt they will succeed. • — THE RECEPTION IS TONIGHT Methodist Church Parlors to Be Scene of Pleasant Social Gathering. The Epworth League of the Methodist church has in charge a reception and welcome to the Rev. and Mrs. [Sherman Powell, who W'ere sent by the Grenfield conference to the charge [in this city. The Epworth League never do anything by halves, and this fact assures a warm welcome and a good time for those who invade the parlors of the Methodist church this evening. Rev. and Mrs. Powell have already won a home among the Methodist people, and It Is expected that other congregations will join them in extending to the new pastor and wife, a welcome to this city. A program will be indulged and a good time is in store for all who can attend. o AN APPEAL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS Philadelphia, April 29. —Each member of the Knights of Columbus in the United States and Canada, and there are 218,000 of them, tomorrow will receive an appeal for contributions to the fund of $500,000, which the order has pledged itself to raise for the endowment of the Catholic university at Washington.

A VERY PLEASANT HALF HOUR WITH GRANDMA FERRY

Mrs. Lucien P. Ferry, the oldest settler of this locality, honorary vice president of the Allen County Pioneer's association, and who has made her home for a number of years in this city with Dr. and Mrs. W. W. P. McMillan, gave a very interesting account of early days, and we consider ourselves fortunate in hearing and publishing it. Years ago, in times which we consider historical now, Mrs. Ferry's father, Louis T. Bouroe, lived in Montreal. He was a Frenchman, and had a brother who was Mayor of that city at one time. It makes one think of this uncle as a man of great dignity, riding in a carriage and cheered by the populace. In England and most of its colonies, the mayor is a man of rank. Perhaps the father was living at the time when Montcalm, one of the noblest men in history, participated in the French and Indian wars. The mother of Mrs. Ferry was a Canadian woman, and the scene of her birth and childhood was on the battlefield of the French and Indian wars. Many of the skirmishes were surprise attacks from behind the trees of the woods, according to the mode of Indian warfare. Mrs. Bourie’s father, Mr. Milush, had a mill on a stream; there a battle was fought betw'en the French and In-

ITPERPLEXESTHEM County Auditors Are at a Loss to Know Where to Get Necessary Funds TO REFUND LICENSES State Officials Do Not Seem to Be Entirely Clear— No Trouble Here A perplexing question has confronted county auditors throughout the state as to where they are to get funds with which to reimburse saloon 1 kepers in “dry” counties for unexpired ! licenses. The question was put to 1 Robert J. Aley, state superintendent ■ of public instruction, and he in turn i has relayed it to Attorney General Bingham. There is a provision in a statute which requires SIOO of each saloon license be turned over to the school tuition fund for the county : in which the license is granted, and the question which the auditors are ' perplexed about is whether the money that is to be refunded to the dram j shop keepers shall be paid out of I that fund or some other fund. The | question was first brought to the atj tention of Mr. Aley by the auditor of Fayette county, where there is not a sufficient amount in the tuition fund with which to reimburse all of the saloon keepers who were ousted by the county voting “dry.” Nearly all of the tuition fund in Fayette county had been apportioned before the question of refunding to the saloon keepers was brought up, and the ' auditor of, that place is now in a I quandary as to what course to puri sue. He appealed to Mr. Aley to help him out of his difficulty, and the latter sent a request to Mr. Bingham for an opinion. The questions that have been put to the attorney general are: “From what source are the auditors to derive the funds with which to reimburse the ousted saloon keepers ,and what course shall they pursue in the event the tuition fund has been apportioned?” In this county, however, it is believed there will be no inconvenience i at least nothing that will cause very much worry. County Auditor Michaud says that while he has not investigated the matter, he is of the belief that all will be necessary here is to call the county council and allow them to appropriate the money for this purpose, as there has been a sufficient amount paid in %y the applicants for licenses since the first of the year to pay out those who have a rebate coming. He will take the matter up at once and will be prepared for the business when the time comes.

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday Evening, April 29, 1909.

By Miss Agnes Gillig. dians and the British, ’till the stream was red with blood. Mrs. Ferry was borp in 1814. She is very active and appears full of life for one who has reached so great an age. She reads with interest several of the city newspapers, and the home daily papers. For years she has read good books, and made beautiful lace. Before Mrs. Ferry was born, her parents resided at Detroit, where her father was an Indian trader. The beautiful city was then but a trading post with a fort, and the forest surrounding was filled with Indians. It is interesting to hear a story of an incident that occurred while the family resided there, for the deed itself was done by those who figured in history as the brave men who won our battles, and General Harrison himself straightened up matters. About the time of the famous battle of Detroit, the' Bourie family entertained the soldiers. With the disappearance of the food prepared, the spoons also disappeared. Mrs. Bourie having discovered this, the general was informed, and he reproved the soldiers for stealing the spoons from his friends, who had been so kind as to entertain them. The camp was searched, and in a certain tent was found the spoons which were returned. In those days the older members

TO STAR THE GRAND CIRCUIT l Miss Good of Huntington, is a Tai-; ented Musician. Huntington, Ind., April 29. —Miss Blanche Good, Huntington’s talented musical artist, is to star in a grand concert tour next winter. Her definite plans were announced today. Miss Good is now under ’contract to Charles L. Wagner, of Chicago, for an engagement of several months next winter at flatering terms. Mr. Wagner was with the Slayton bureau a number of years, but is now at the head of his own touring bureau. Miss Good will appear on programs with Leon Rennay.of Paris, a barytone of great prominence in the musical affairs of Europe, and Miss Margel Gluck, of Berlin, a violinist of high attainment and much note. Miss Good’s contract calls for five concerts weekly and much of her time will be booked in the larger cities. APPROPRIATE GIFT Ladies of the W. R. C. Will Give High School a Handsome Flag WILL HAVE PROGRAM Event to Occur Before Decoration Day and the Public is Invited A beautiful tribute of love for the young, and patriotism as well, is exhibited by the members of the Women’s Relief Corps of this city, at this time, for they are arranging to present to the Decatur high school, a handsome American flag, ten by eighteen feet in dimensions, and made of the best bunting. The gift has been purchased and is expected to arrive within a few days. The presentation of the flag will be made at the high school room some time before Decoration Day, the exact date to be announced later. An appropriate program will be rendered and it will be an inspiring occasion, co which the public is most cordially invited. The W. R. C. are always doing something which will be of benefit to others and this gift, made as it is, in a spirit of love, is one which should and certainly will be, thoroughly appreciated. May »t< beautiful folds, the stars and stripes, be unfurled to the breezes for years to come, and may it waft to the young people the patriotism and love of country that it has inspired in so many American breasts, thus making us the greatest nation in the world.

of the family attended balls at the fort, where they dressed in grand style, the ladies with powederd hair, and brocades and silk. The gentlemen wore the satin cravats and ruffled stocks always, and appeared at their best at the fort festivals. Mrs. Ferry’s mother was very dignified in manner, and was always called Lady Bourie. Before the fort was built, Mrs. Ferry's father came to Fort Wayne. The English fort was located on the west bank of the St. Marys river. It was located by Captain D’Vincennes, founder of Vincennes. Gen. Anthony Wayne traced the fort in 1794. The parents of Mrs. Ferry, became warm friends of Anthony Wayne. Later the family, returned to Detroit and in 1814 came back. The second trip was made in a pirogue, a boat hewn from a large log, and propelled by paddles. In this boat was placed trunks, bedding, provisions and passengers. When Mrs. Ferry started to schol in 1822 she was taught by a Baptist missionary in the fort. She went to school in the council room and in the jail. When she grew older she was sent to Detroit to school. On her return she met her husband, a young lawyer and in 1831 they were married and lived in Fort Wayne. By degrees the little hamlet grew into the large and prosperous city it now is. Mrs. Ferry is an accomplished and lovable lady, to whom it is certainly a pleasure to talk.

WILL HELP BOYLE Father of Willie Whitla to Be a Witness for the Kidnapper TO BE CALLED The Case Will Come Up in Mercer, Pa., on Friday Mercer, Pa., April 29.—Additional information was obtained concerning the probable defense of James F. Boyle, the Whitla abductor, when he is called for trial Friday. It is asserted that James P. Whitla, father of Willie, will be the principal witness for Boyle. According to the information at hand, Attorneys Miller and Stranahan for the defense will call Mr. Whitla and through a line of questioning hope to produce an impression that will result in a minimum punishment. It is alleged that Mr. Whitla knew Boyle was connected with the abduction at noon of March 25 and that he talked with Boyle on a street corner near the store of Mrs. Hendrickson, where 'a few moments before he had left ’the package containing the SIO,OOO ransom money. Further, the report goes, Mr. Whitla assured Boyle that al! he wanted was the safe return of the boy and that he would not interest* himself in any prosecution. Whitla is said to have informed Boyle that he could remain in Cleveland or go where he pleased, but in any event, “he would he as tight as a elam” if the boy was returned unharmed. Following this conversation Willie was safely restored to his father on the evening of tnat day. It is also said Boyle will endeavor to prove an alibi. He w-as not in Pennsylvania he says, when the boy was kidnapped, and it is believed an attempt will be made to fasten the actual crime on a third party at present not generally known. Another story is in circulation that Boyle was merely the tool’ for others. It is said after the money was obtained from Mr. Whitla, an attempt was being made to get Boyle intoxicated, after which the principals were to leave him in Cleveland and go away with the SIO,OOO. ■— o CROKER BACK TO IRELAND New York, April 28.—Richard Croker spent yesterday afternoon and evening bidding farewell to several hundred friends who tendered him a reception at the Democratic Club. The afternon reception was attended by a great many women of whom al! insisted upon shaking hands with ! the former Tammany chieftain. Mr. Croker left for Ireland Wednesday. | •

THROWN ON RAILROAD TRACK Quite a Sensation is Created at Gary Over Mysterious Affair. Gary, Ind., April 29. —After he had thrown a five year old girl on the tracks of the Michigan Central railroad just before the arrival of a passenger train, a coarsely garbed man disappeared in the underbrush with the apparent intention of allowing the child to be killed. Officer William Miller, who says he witnessed the affair, says the engineer stopped his train before the child was reached. The police have been unable to identify the child and can obtain no •'information from her except that her name is Zaletto and that she does not wish to return to her home. RURAL MAIL BOXES An Order of Interest on All the Rural Routes NO INCOME TAX Western Senators Discouraged With Outlook for Tariff Revision Washington, April 29. —An order that will interest Indiana patrons of rural free delivery has just been issued by Fourth Assistant Postmaster General DeGraw. It is directed to postmasters and requires a relocation of all rural mail boxes that are not now accessible to the mail carriers. The order Instructs postmasters as follows: ‘Tn order to expedite the delivery, collection and dispatch of rural mail, enable rural mail carriers to cover their routes with celerity and to give the earliest possible service to patrons residing on the far end of routes, the department will insist that all rural mail boxes be *so located as to be served with the greatest expedition. You are, therefore, directed to require each rural carrier at your office to submit to you without delay, for transmission to the. department, the names of all patrons whose boxes cannot be served without leaving the road, dismounting, driving in deep ditches or on steep inclines or on or across railway tracks involving danger, or the approaches to whose boxes are obstructed. It is not required that box!es shall be erected beside the wheel [ tracks por on any particular corner of the cross-roads, but they must be erected within the confines of the road and accessible, on any corner. Washington, April 29.—The elder senators were passing the word along today that the income tax advocates were beaten, and that the danger of a successful insurrection against the pending bill had been passed. The western senators who are insisting on revision downward are discouraged with the outlook in general, but they have not abandoned hope of accomplishing something. They are still trying to obtain the affirmative support of the white house. DETAINED FOR THE DEFENSE F. C. Dailey, of Bluffton, to Defend Alonzo Uptegraft. F. C. Dailey, this city, has been retained as one of the attorneys to defend Alonzo Uptegraft,who is charged with attempted criminal assault on Miss Bonnie Owens, aged 18, a niece of Uptegraft’s wife. The case will probably be tried within a few weeks in the Jay county circuit court. One of the brothers of Uptegraft was here this morning in consultation with the local attorney in the case. Nearly all of the Uptegrafts live in this county, although the defendant lives in Jay county and the deed was committed just across the line. The reputation which Mr. Dailey has made for himself within the past few years as a criminal attorney resulted in the retaining of Mr Dailey. The defense, will contend that no attempt at assault was made and that the girl only imagined that the defendant had anyl such intentions. Uptegraft. is getting better since he was released on bond i and the wound which he got by being j shot by the marshal at Bryant is 1 healing well.—Bluffton Banner. ;

Price Two Cents

DEATHANGELCAME i Relieving the Suffering of Mrs. David Steele, a Well Known Lady OF KIRKLAND TP. Had Lived on the Home Farm Since Her Marriage Over Forty Years Ago After eight months of suffering from complications, Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Steele, wife of David Steele, one of the best known residents of Kirkland township and of this county, died last night at 9:20 o'clock. Her death has caused great sorrow in her community as well as here and other places over the county where she was so well known. She was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, July 18, 1844, and at her death was aged sixty-four years, nine months and ten days. She was married to Mr. Steele December 24, 1868, and they immediately located on the farm in Kirkland township, where they have since lived. To them were born nine children. These are Williard S., Lauretta E., Millard N., Charles F. and Walter E„ who are living, and Ethel A., Cinderella M„ Lewis V. and Bessie 8., who have preceded the mother in death. The husband and other relatives also survive. Mrs. Steele was one of the best women of this county, and her death is deeply deplored. One son, Charles, is a resident of this city, being a member of the firm of Atz & Stele. Mrs. Steele became ill last August, and her decline was gradual. Everything possible was done, but the ravages of the ailments could not be checked and the suffering ceased only after she had closed her eyes in the sleep of eternity. The funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at two o’clock from the Beulah Methodist church near Peterson, the pastor of that church officiating. Interment will be made at Maplewood cemetery in this . city. The casket will not be opened at the church, and friends desiring , to view the remains may do so by ( calling at the home. THE BIG GAS TANK J I The First Car of Lumber Here for the Artificial Gas Tank ' BUILT AT ONCE 5 1 ? Still Claim that Decatur Can J Have Gas by the First ' of July 1 The first ear of lumber for the construction of the large tank to be used by the Indiana Lighting company for the storing of the gas supply for this city, arrived today, and in a few days the work of construction will begin upon its erection. It will be some tank, and not an imitation, some of the measurements are sixty-five 1 feet across the top, and forty feet in 1 heighth. Tne company recently purI chased ground in the Hanna addition i west of the Grand Rapids railroad, ■ and tne tank will be erected on this ; ground. All of the right-of-way has 5 been secured between this city and 1 Kingsland, and the work of digging , the trenches and laying the pipe line ■ will begin at once. They are taking I up the four inch line built last wini ter to the supposed new natural gas ■ field south of Geneva in Jay county, i and that pipe will be brought here and • used in the construction of this line. I I The company still hold to their orJiginal declaration that by July DeIcatur may have artificial gas for use in the cook stove. The Indiana Lighting- company is a strong company of capitalists and as a rule they are public benefactors and do their share toward the maintanance of public progress.