Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 7, Number 103, Decatur, Adams County, 30 April 1909 — Page 1

Volume VII. Number 103.

WAS DESTRUCTIVE Last Night’s Storm Moved Building Six Feet IT WAS FIERCE Dwellings, Outhouses and Trees Were Dam- * aged The storm of last night, one of the severest which has ever visited our city, played havoc with the Lenhart saw mill, the wind lifting the roof from the building and placing it on the ground several feet distant. The mill Is located on the west side of Line street and at a place where the wind has a full sweep, Its pathway from the west being unobstructed by buildings of any nature. A heavy gust resembling that of a real cyclone lifted the roof from the structure and hurled it to the ground with great force, crushing it almost to atoms. The loss is heavy as the expenditure of a neat sum will be required to repair the structure.

A house belonging to D. J. Weikel, and located in the Lynch addition,was carried six feet, by the fierce wind last night, but the house was but slightly damaged. The structure is situated in the open and therefore was easy prey for the destructive element which lifted it from its foundation, forcing it six feet eastward from its location. Last night’s storm was unquestionably the worst which has for years visited our city, and the citizens were terrified during its progress. It is the opinion of Mr. Weikel that the wind lifted the house clear of its foundation as the pillars are standing undamaged.

Fifty feet of the Elick tile mill shed was blown down and completely destroyed and several windows in the house were blown out by the heavy wind thus entailing loss to the owner. A large portion of the roof of the Lynch factory btdlding was torn from the building and completely devastated by the wind and scarcely an outbuilding in that vicinity was standing this morning, the citizens residing in the west part of the city coming in for more than their share of the damage. Many shade trees lay flat (Continued on page 2.) WAS MARKED DEAD Letter Addressed to Sam Railing at Solliers’ Home is Returned BY THE POSTMASTER Railing’s Guardian, E. B. Lenhart, is Investigating the Matter Is Sam Railing, a young man who lived here for many years, and became quite a character, dead? That is a question that is worrying his guardian, E. Burt Lenhart, of this city, considerably. A few days ago Mr. Lenhart wrote to Sant, addressing the letter as usual, in care of the soldiers’ home at Marlon, where Sam has been an inmate for some time. This morning he was greatly surprised when the letter was returned to him, with the stamp “Dead” marked across the envelope in bright red ink. It hardly seems possible that the man should die and be buried without some of his relatives or *rlends or the guardian at least being notified, but just the same, Mr. Lenhart is Investigating the affair. Sam was a member of company B and served a year during the recent trouble with Spain and after his health failed he was admitted to the Marion home, where he has remained since. He has a little money which is looked after by Mr. Lenhart, who was appointed guardian for him a few months ago.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

THE BLUFFTON BALL DOPE They Are Working Hard to Get the Candy. Fred Tangeman reports today that the outlook for baseball has brightened up and that a number of subscriptions of stock have been received that were not expected and that he thinks that baseball can safely be counted upon for Bluffton this season. The board of directors elected have not been doing a great deal yet, as they had to wait to see sure that the finances would be secured. “Ducky” Ebbets has been in their eye as prospective player manager since the talk of a team was first started, and if they can be secured under the rules that will be adopted Ves Maggart and Godman, of the old Bluffton team, will also be sought. "Huck" Bowman, of Ossian, for the outfield is also on the string of players that the board has in view if he can be secured. —Bluffton News.

THE “HOSS” RING Three Hundred Head Were Disposed of at tfye Big Sale HELD HERE TODAY Colonel McNab Kept the Bidders Busy and the Crowd Amused This was sale day for the Decatur Horse Sale company, and three hundred head of sleek, well bred, handsome animals found new homes. The crowd was big, the buyers plentiful, and the bunch of horses the best ever put on the block here. In other words the sale was another big success. Colonel McNab of Ashley, Ohio, was again in the auctioner's box and he

kept the crowd in good humor. He is a star in his line of work and it's hard to get away from his alluring voice when once you hear him. The scene on First street was the usual one, there every other Friday. “Bring in another boss, there he is, ain't he a dandy,” yells Mac. “What do I hear to start him, two hundred I got; five, ten, fifteen, thirty, thirty-two and a half, who’ll give me the five, five I got, who’ll give another bid, five, five, five and sold” to the man from Findlay or New York or Boston or some other seaport, and so goes the song, “bring in another, bring him in barefoot, any old way, get ’em in here or get 'em out.” It’s good, to hear and there are hundreds who gather at the big sale barn just to be entertained. If you don’t think it’s a job to sell three hundred horses at auction you should watch the colonel perspire, and work, and keep it up for eight or nine hours. It all makes business and these horse sales are as we have stated before, mighty good things for Decatur, and the surrounding country.

IT SHOULD BE THE LAW Bryan Favors Legislation Forbidding Government License in Dry States. Lincoln, Neb., April 30.—William J. Bryan, in the Commoner, urges congress tv enact legislation forbidding the issuance of federal liquor licenses in prohibition states. He says: “Tn spite of the attempt of local authorities in these (prohibition) districts to prohibit the sale of liquor as beverage, the federal government continues to issue licenses in contemptuous disregard of local sentiment and local laws. The government receives $25 for each license, and it must either intend to collect that sum without giving anything in value (in case the one receiving the license does not sell liquor), or to encourage the one receiving the license to violate the local law. o ELKS MEETING TONIGHT D E. Studabaker, who has been absent for several days atteniing to business in the west, writes us from Morton, Kansas, that he will arrive home today and that we notify the Elks that there will be an important session of that lodge at the hall this evening, and which all members are urged to be present, as there is business of importance to be attended to.

BIDTHEM WELCOME Reception to Rev. and Mrs. Sherman Powell Given Last Evening DELIGHTFUL EVENNG A Large Crowd Paid Their Respects to the Pastor and Wife Notwithstanding the inclement weather and the fact that several other attractions were scheduled for that evening, the partlors of the Methodist church were crowded to greet Rev. aud Mrs. Sherman Powell, pastor for at least the present year, of the church in this city. Every person present had the privilege of greeting the pastor and wife, and during this time a regular Methodist handshaking bee was in order. Fol-

lowing this a musical prgoram, beginning with a duet, followed by a song by four boys, musical selection, a recitation by Irene Meyers, violin with piano accompaniment, a duet, and then Mr. Jonas Tritch, the president of the Epworth League, in a few well chosen and well spoken words, presented Rev. Powell. His response was good and it was received by a hearty applause from the assembly. Following came the refreshments, and in all it was an enjoyable evening well spent. Rev. Powell is an earnest man and has an impressive way of winning the minds and hearts of his hearers. At all events the welcome was accorded to one who labors in the vineyard of the Lord with an honest heart and a sincere purpose. The Democrat can but hope that their residence in this city will be pleasant and profitable.

PROPERTY IS SOLD Knight sos Pythias Dispose of the Old House on Third Street SALE WAS EXCITING Fred Scheiman the Purchaser—Work on Home to Begin in Two Weeks The old Dorwin house on Third street, just north of the Hotel Murray, was sold this morning at ten o’clock by the Knights of Pythias to clear the lot preparatory to the erection of a handsome and modern home for that lodge. The property brought a total of $309.05, the house and woodshed and foundation being sold at once and purchased by Fred Scheiman for $302, while the brick sidewalk went to Orval Harruff for $5.05 and the stone walk from the house to the sidewalk to Jacob Magley for $2. There were a number of bidders for the house, the principal ones being the Hunsicker Brothers, W. H. Myers, L. T. Brokaw and W. J. Myers. Mr. Scheiman will move the house at nnce to a vacant lot he owns near the packing house, just this side of the Erie. The K. P. will remove the big cottonwood trees from in front, making it impossible to get the buildings out. They require that the house be out of the way within two weeks, and immediately after that time they will begin work on the new home, which will be ready for occupancy by the late summer. The sale was conducted by Auctioneer Harry Daniels, and was spirited and exciting. o BALL GAME HERE SATURDAY The high school boys have arranged for another ball game for Saturday, and you are invited to go to Stele’s park on that day and root for them. At that time they will meet the Berne high school team and will try to win. There is a slight change in the lineup from that of last Saturday, and the boys expect to give the Berne lads a fine drubbing.

Dccatur, Indiana, Friday Evening, April 30, 1909.

WILL INSERT ANOTHER PROBE Governor Haskell Not Through With His Troubles. Tulsa, Okla., April 30. —A new federal grand jury was called this afternon to meet in Tulsa on Monday, May 10, to re-investigate the Muskogee towu lot fraud cases, ill which the names of Governor Charles N. Haskell and half a dozen other prominent Oklahomans were recently involved. Judge Ralph Campbell of the United States circuit court here granted the order for the new jury which will consist of sixteen men. When the indictments against these men were quashed on April 10 last it was on the ground that the indictments were faulty in that they were returned by a grand jury composed of twenty-three men under the federal law, instead of a jury of sixteen as provided by the Arkansas law-, which was held to be in force in the old Indian territory by federal enactment at the time the alleged frauds were committed.

NOT FREE TRADESenator Raynor Believes in Custom House Protection HOOSIERS MEET Progressive Republicans Are Unable to Agree With Senator Aldrich Washington, April 30. —Declaring that free trade is impracticable in this country, and asserting that not a single Democrat would vote for it if presented to him in a bill, Senator Rayner of Maryland in the senate today delivered an address denouncing the Payne-Aldrich tariff measure as failing to provide revenue and protecting the industries controlled by trusts rather than giving any relief to the consumers of the country. Mr. Rayner frequently entered upon oratorical flights and concluded with a series of condemnations of the socalled trusts of the country. He declared this belief in incidental protection in order to maintain the wages of American workingmen. “I have never believed in free trade between this country and any other countries,” Mr. Rayner said. “I think from every practical standpoint it is perfectly preposterous to talk about it. I think the country would vote such a proposition down almost with practical unanimity. I believe in custom house taxation, and I do not believe any other system will ever take its place to the satisfaction of the American people. Free trade is not the question before us, and no amount of reproach and adjectives will deter me from stating what the question really is. If there were a resolution now boldly before the senate in favor of th" entire abolition of tariff duties I do not believe that the doctrine of free trade would receive a single vote upon our side of the chamber.”

Washington, April 30. —The Hoosiers residing in Washington will meet at the Washington Club this evening, when a social, musicale and literary entertainment will be given. Representative William A. Cullop of the Second Indiana district will deliver an address, in which he will describe Indiana’s great men with -whom he has had a personal acquaintance extending over many years, and will point out the exceptional riches of the Hosier commonwealth in men and material resources. Washington, April 30.--The progressive Republican senators, who find themselves unable to agree with Senator Aldrich as to a number of tariff schedules, are examining “with grea tcare,” as Senator Doliver expresses it, the glass schedules of the Aldrich bill. It is becoming more evident every day that this question of a tariff on glass is going to produce one of the liveliest discussions of the special session. Mr. and Mrs. B. Baxter and children Earl, Ella and Opal, went to Bluffton today, where they will visit several weeks with friends.

HAPPY CHILDREN A Hundred of Them Were Guests of Michael Wertzberger Yesterday AT CENTRAL SCHOOL They Enjoyed the Occasion and Voted the Entertainer the Best Man of All Michael Wertzberger has served for a number of years as the janitor at the Central school building. He likes children, especially the small ones, and never loses an opportunity to make a friend out of any of them when he has a chance. It is not out of the ordinary to see him any day assisting them in their games and ! otherwise aiding them, so consequently he has been a great favorite. Now he is the most popular man, the best, the very nicest, in all this town, and if you don’t believe it, we can prove it by nearly a hundred of the pupils of the first and second rooms of the school, who were yesterday his guests at a most delightful party. About two o’clock he secured permission of the teachers (by inviting them to go along) and took the entire bunch to the basement, where they played all kinds of games, sang songs, and were otherwise entertained, and where they were treated with candy and peanuts and each was given a good big sack to eat on the way home. It was a great occasion, a hundred happy little faces, some smirched with dirt, but all smiling and pretty were sure of it, and also sure that Mr. Wertzberger was the very “goodest” man of all and when Miss Congleton, teacher of the first grade proposed three cheers for him it was given with a whoop that could leave no doubt as to the sincerity of the children in that belief.

FOUR GRADUATES Received Diplomas from the Peterson High Schools Last Night PROGRAM WAS GOOD Dr. Archibald Hall of State University Addressed the Class The first annual commencement of the Peterson high schools is a matter of history. The event occurred last evening, and though the night was

about as stormy as could be imagined, the school building was well filled and all those present enjoyed the program immensely. There were four graduates, Cleo Donis Henry, Muri Edmund Fulk, M. Marie Daniels and Louie A. Dilling. All these young people have worked hard during their school days, and go out into the world well prepared for the battle. The program last night opened with a march, “Salute to Wellsboro,” by the Dailey orchestra. Elder D. M. Byerly then pronounced the praver, an appropriate invocation, and after another selection by the orchestra, the address of the evening was delivered by Dr. Archibald M. Hall, of Indiana university. His talk was a very able one and his advice to the class was highly appreciated by them and their friends. Another piece by the orchestra was followed by the presentation of the diplomas by the county superintendent, L. E. Opliger, who gave a short talk. Music by the orchestra and the benediction closed the first graduation exercises of the school. Prof. 'Warner of the schools is to be congratulated on the success of his school and this fitting entertainment. The crowd were held at the school about two hours by the storm.

Earl Steele, who is attending school at the business college at Fort Wayne will return home this evening to spend Sunday with his parents. He is a brother of George Steele, of this city. I

WANTS TO GO UP IN BALLOON Dr. Fowler Wants Another Expedition and Notoriety. Dr. W. N. Fowler, this city, has written to Indianapolis for a chance to go on an exhibition trip with the Wellman balloon. Dr. Fowler was with the Wellman polar expedition when he intended to reach the north pole by baloon. The doctor made two ascensions while in Paris. While Dr Fowler does not think that he will be able to enter the national balloon race, he has written to Dr.Gothe Link, Indianapolis, for a chance to give an exhibition trip with the Wellman balloon. Dr. Fowler says that there is hardly no way to describe an ascension in a balloon, the sensation being peculiar in itself. Nearly every one who has ever made an ascension wishes to try it over again, there appearing to be a peculiar fascination about it. —Bluffton Banner.

COURTHOUSE NEWS Action Was Taken this Morning in a Number of Civil Cases TWO SET FOR TRIAL Several Causes Were Dismissed—Answers Filed— Real Estate Transfers Arbuckle-Ryan Co. vs. David L. Marshand. et al, notes and foreclosure of mortgage, $2,050, appearance by L. C. DeVoss for Marshand and by D. E. Smith for Margaret Scherry, a defendant, rule to answer. William S. Dailey vs. W. A. Lower, admr., claim $54.75, set for trial May Bth. Fort Wayne Electric Works vs. W. G. Spencer, suit on contract, $125, answer and cross complaint filed; rule to answer cross complaint. Catherine Synder vs. William Eicher, for possession of real estate, demurrer overruled; answer filed; rule to reply to interrogatories.

William Mesel vs. Ellen Ryan et al, account $370, demurrers overruled, defendants ruled to answer. Lona Runyon vs. Daniel Runyon, divorce, set for trial Friday, May 7. Sarah J. Straub vs. Daniel Straub, divorce, dismissed at cost of plaintiff. Bessie Drown vs. Elmer Brown, cause dismissed at costs of plaintiff. Sarah E. Ritter vs. Jesse W. Watkins, admr., claim $1,170, answer filed by defendant. James W. Andrews, admr. of Jane Andrews estate, filed an inventory which was approved. An inventory was also filed by Mary Neaderhonser, admx. of the Fred Neaderhouser estate and approved. Real estate transfers: Noah Ellen - barger to Henry Ellenbarger. 40 acres Wabash tp., $400; L. C. Mills to James W Anderson, tract in Monroe tp., $1,300: Caleb Roe to E. M. Eley, 10 acres Blue Creek tp., $700; J. A. Malony to E. M. Eley, 20 acres Blue Creek tp., SI,OOO. Herman Sellemeyer, guardian for Hulda Boner, filed his current report, which was allowed. — — _ — o ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEET The Decatur Furnace Company to Elect Eight Directors. The annual stockholders' meeting of the Decatur Furnace company will be held at the office of the company at two o'clock p. m., on Monday, May 10. The election of eight directors and the transaction of other important business will be taken care of at this meeting, and the managers announce that some urgent business [ is to be taken up, and that the pres- i ence of every stockholder is desired. The company have had an unusually < good year, and for a long time they < have had more business than the ca- c Opacity of the plant would take care of. i

Price Two Cents

THE WIND BLOWS And Before Its Sweep Property is Utterly Destroyed A SEVERE STORM Was Occasioned Last Night —Saw Mill Overturned Evidencing the depletion of the forests in the middle states and especially in Indiana, a succession of destructive wind storms have recently invaded the state, extending to this immediate vicinity, where financial loss has been unmercifully rendered to many people. Telephone, telegraph and electric light lines are easy prey for the sweeping winds and while the owners of such systems are probably the heaviest losers, farm houses, barns and much city property have been subjected to the severity of the terrible storms. Early last evening a westerly wind soon ushered a cluster of heavy and seemingly impermeable clouds over the horizon and rain fell in torrents, accompanied by a fierce wind, the latter overturing the Lenhart saw mill building located along Line street and rendering much damage to trees and electric light line. Trees with trunks of large diameter were bowed almost to the ground and outbuildings in different parts of the city were rocked to and fro by the strength of the wind until inhibitants were alarmed to a great extent. The electric light globe at the Muray House corner was blown to atoms and several transformers in the north part of the city were greatly impaired by lightning, thus entailing loss and much labor in restoring the lighting system to a normal standard. There can be but one cause for the wind storms of unprecedented velocity in this section of the state, and that it the annihilation of wooded lands. But thirty years ago a severe wind storm or any semblance of a hurricane or cyclone was absolutely unknown to the people, while in the present age reports every day relate the sad story of the aw’ful result of cyclones and hurricanes in every section of the country. Decatur and Adams county have thus far been fortunate indeed in escaping dire calamities, although much loss of property has been sustained.

WAS A BANNER DAY Twenty Thousand Received by Treasurer at Noon Today MANY PEOPLE HERE The Commissioners Will Meet in Regular Session Monday • This was the banner day at the county treasurer’s office and at noon the receipts figured twenty thousand dollars. This was humping some, and caused the employes at the office to work every minute of the time. This was certainly a record and if the afternoon amounts to anything, the receipts for the day will be thirty thousand or more. There is but two more days for the payment of this spring installment, Saturday and Monday. It is quite probable that both days will be strenuous ones for the official at the treasurer’s office, | and that they will see the installment pretty well cleaned up, and but few delinquents who will nave to pay the fiddler with a penalty for being tardy in the settlement. The commissioners will meet Monday in their regular May session, and the outlook is good for the disposal >f considerable business. Two ma?adam roads will be sold and several >ther contracts made of considerable nagnitude.