Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 7, Number 104, Decatur, Adams County, 1 May 1909 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume VII.

HIS LIFE CRUSHED OUT Benjamin Shroelucke Met Instant Death at Interurban Gravel Pit Last Night HE TOUCHED WIRE And 6,600 Volts of Electricity Entered His Body— Badly Mutilated Fully aware of the pending danger but not thinking of the atmospheric changes which had impaired the insultation of a half-inch wire carrying 6,600 volts of electricity from the Fort Wayne & Springfield trolley wire to a switch near the gravel pit, Ben Shroelucke, for several years an employe of the local traction company, grasped the heavily charged wire last evening at 4.30 o’clock, and in an instant fell on nis face cold and lifeless, his features so badly distorted by the severe burns that he was scarcely recognizable. Tfye unfortunate man together with Wash Pyle, James Smith and Henry Harmcycr had been working at the gravel pit during the day. They ceased work at about 4:20 o’clock and following the spur they proceeded to the interurban track, where the men expected to board the southbound car due to pass that point at 4:35. During the wait one of the party unconsciously passed near to the wire which enters a switch at a point where the sidetrack leads from the main line, and Schroelucke admonished him not to get too close. He (Schroelucke), however, remarked that he guessed there was not much danger, as the wire was heavily insulated, and but a minute later he leaned against the post and thoughtlessly grasped the wire. His arm was drawn double by the powerful voltage, and in some inconceivable manner the wire struck the right side of his head, burning his ear entirely off and inflicting a deep wound in his head, his brains falling upon the ground. His feet and hands were severely burned and the shoes he wore were almost burned from his feet. Death -was instantaneous. The storm of Thursday night had impaired the insulation of the wire, hence the accident. Coroner Kessler, of Fort

Wayne, was hastily summoned, and he issued a permit -for the removal of the body to Adams county, where an examination of the body and circumstances surrounding the untimely demise was instituted by Coroner Grandstaff, resulting in a verdict of accidental death. The remains were taken to the Moses & Meyer morgue, where many people have witnessed the charred body. When the news of the awful accident and its fatality to her husband reached Mrs. Schroelucke, who is in a delicate condition, she was overwhelmed with grief and the shock rendered her case extremely serious. The deceased who was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Schroelucke, of New Knoxville, Ohio, was among the first to be employed by the Fort Wayne & Springfield railway company, and since he began work he has officiated in almost every capacity which has to do with the operation of the cars. He proved a mechanic of ability and was a valuable man to the company. Mr. Schroelucke removed his family and took up his abode in Decatur more than two years ago, where they have enjoyed the fellowship of many friends, whom they have made by their cleverness. That the hand of death should pluck the companion of the griefstricken woman and the father of three little children is more than mind can fathom. The sympathies of a host of friends are extended to the bereaved ones in their hour of sorrow, The deceased was a member of the local camp of the Modern Woodmen lodge, and carried insurance in the amount of SI,OOO, which will be promptly paid to his widow. He is the first member of the local camp to pass into eternity. The decedent had passed his thir-ty-second milestone by one month and twenty-three days and at the time of the accident was in the best of health. He was born in Ohio from which state {Continued on page 2.)

Number 104.

SAY ADAM MOSURE IS INNOCENT Bluffton Lawyer Insists His Client Was Wronged. The Elsie May Martin case still remains a mystery which is unsolved and which probably never will be solved. If the public ever knows the true history of the case there is a strong possibility of Adam Mosure being released from the state prison. F. C. Dailey, who was the attorney for Mosure, said this morning that he was confident that his client was innocent. It is the custom of attorneys to always claim innocence for their clients before a trial, but an attorney who has had considerable practice and dealings with the people of the underworld, get so they can usually tell whether a man is guilty or innocent. Mr. Dailey said that if he ever saw’ a man w’ho w*as innocent Mosure w r as that man. —Bluffton Banner.

TO BEGIN MONDAY Work on the Big Gas Tank Will Start in this City Next Week MR. FREESE HERE Arranging for the StartWorkmen Will Arrive First of the Week Mr. Freese, manager of the KerrMurray works of Fort Wayne, was I here yesterday afternoon, looking over the ground just west of the G. R. & I. railroad where will be located the big tank for the use of the In- ■ diana Lighting company, who will :soon furnish this city with artificial gas. The Kerr-Murray company ■ have the contract to build this tank, and similar ones at Bluffton, Lebanon and Franklin, Indiana, where they will also furnish this modern and popular fuel. Mr. Freese said that i he would have a bunch of workmen here Monday to begin on the excavation for the tank, and the work will continue until complete. It will require seven car loads of material, jthe first one having arrived already. The others will arrive one each day, beginning Monuday. The tank will be a monster and will be ample to supply this city for many years to come. Several men will be employed at the station as It is necessary to operate it day and night. Decatur will have gas about the flfi teenth of June. 0 WILLSHIRE MAN INJURED HERE Horse Ran Away and J. L. Crowe Was Hurt. J. L. Crowe is confined to his bed suffering from bruises sustained when his horse scared and upset the buggy at Decatur, Saturday afternoon. He was just starting home with two tubs of ice cream and some ice when the buggy ran into a rut and caused one of the tubs to fall out which frightened the horse and it 'started to run, over-turning the buggy and throwing Mr. Crowe to the ground under the remaining tub and the ice, and as a consequence he is suffering excruciating pain, and it will be some time before he will be able to be up and around, and will necessitate his using crutches for some time after he is able to be up.— Willshire Herald. EZRA COWAN DIED THIS AFTERNOON. At three o’clock this afternoon the word was received here announcing the death of Ezra Cowan, of Bobo, postmaster of that place, and one of the best known men of the county. No particulars were obtainable at this late hour. It is believed his death must have been sudden, as he was in the city a few days ago. He is well knewn here.

Historic and Current Fact About Hoagland and Williams By R. Earl Peters

In 1871 during the time the G. R. & I. railroad was under construction, two little villages bearing the names of Hoagland and Williams, found inception, the former located two miles north of the Adams county line in Allen county, and the latter within the boundaries of Adams. A saw mill and store were the first business institutions to locate in Williams, but since that time a creamery and several other concerns have existed in the little town. The village was named in honor of an Irishman bearing the same name, who was employed to aid in the construction of the railroad, and who was continuously in some sort of trouble with his fellow workmen. He became so conspicuous that the citizens deemed it appropriate to name the town after him. Williams has never grown to a marvelous extent, but she has been a good business town. The moving away of the P. W. Smith saw mill impaired business interests and in fact the town is now solely depending upon the support of the farmers. The farmers in that vicinity are industrious, and consequently are wealthy. Henry Zwick ,the storekeeper, has lived in the village for a number of years, and has carried a full line of merchandise, meeting the demands of the people well. He is now operating a huckster wagon, and is doing a lucrative business In this and at his store as well. Hoagland is one of the most progressive little towns in Allen county. She has steadily grown /intil her population has reached four hundred and fifty. While much could be said about her earlier history the developments of the recent past have furnished the all absorbing topic of discussion among the citizens of and about Hoagland. Some few weeks ago a gentleman hailing from Ft.

“SHE’S ALL RIGHT” Indiana is the Greatest State of Them All INDIANA SOCIETY Congressman Cullop Eulogized Many of Indiana’s Greatest Men Washington, May I.—Representative William L. Cullop of Indiana was the star attraction last night at a meeting of the Indiana Society of Washington when, besides a speech of Mr. Cullop, a social and literary program was given Mr. Cullop spoke of the glories of Indiana. He advised his auditors that whenever they are asked, “What’s the matter with Indiana?’’ they can truthfully answer “She’s all right.” After describing the state’s natural resources and material wealth and paying a compliment to W’illiam Henry Harrison, the first territorial governor, he said: “In Benjamin Harrison our state furnished as a president the greatest lawyer that ever occupied that high office. He was both scholar and statesman, and a man of the highest character and strictest integrity. He not only was an honor to his state, but to the nation as w'ell, and will take his place in the history of his country to remain forever as one of its greatest public characters. “Three vice presidents have been elected from Indiana, Schuyler Colfax, Thomas A, Hendricks and Charles W. Fairbanks, each of whom discharged the duties of that high office with signal honor and ability, and made for themselves fame that will be cherished as a priceless legacy by the people who honored them and whom they served with fidelity. “Three speakers of the national house of representatives have been elected from our great state—John W. Davis, Schuyler Colfax and Michael C. Kerr —who discharged the duties of that great office with marked ability and signal success, and shed luster on the people ofa great nation. “The great names as governors of Indiana won high distinction as such

Decatur, Indiana, Saturday Evening, May 1. 1909.

Recovery, E. M. Moore, cashier of the Peoples State bank of that place, inaugurated a movement to organize a bank in Hoagland. Realizing the necessity of and field for such an institution, the residents of the immediate vicinity became active and within four and one-half days the organization was perfected authorizing the existence of the bank with a capitalization of $15,000. This amount was subscribed by twenty-six stockholders, who represent wealth which exceeds $300,000. After the perfection of the organization, committees on building, stationery, etc., were chosen at a called meeting and were authorized to act. As a consequence an order has been placed for the stationery and the foundation of the building has been laid, including a concrete floor, which will be occupied by the vault. The structure will be hastily completed and in all probability will be ready for occupancy by June 20. It is to be 20x40 feet in dimensions and w’ill be elaborately furnished. At a recent meeting the following officers and directors were chosen to guide the interest of the new bank: J. L. Smith, president; John S. Youse, vice president; J. R. Robison,' cashier; Dr. E. E. Morris, secretary, Ed F. Koepemann, treasurerer, and Messrs. Marion Smith, Charles Mailand, George Kaiser, Martin Luttman and M. F. Small, the remaining directors. This is a corps of able business men who without doubt will make the Hoagland bank a glowing success from every viewpoint and the people of that town and vicinity owe to these men and the other stockholders their sincere appreciation for the creation of such an enterprise. All preliminary details preliminary to the opening of the bank have been completed since the contract for the safe and vault doors has been awarded. The National Safe company of Cleveland, succeedd in

—Oliver P. Morton and Thomas A.

Hendricks. Both were members of the United States senate and wielded great influence in the nation. Oliver P. Morton was one of the greatest powers in national affairs that ever sat in that great body. A man of iron will, untiring energy and dauntless courage, he dominated his party and formed its policies for nearly twenty years. If during that time he, while a members of the senate, failed to obtain what he wanted, one thing was certain —no man in his party could secure the adoption of a measure over his opposition. He was a great character and ruled his party at his pleasure. He was a ruler among men and a leader who, by his ability, logic and force of character and rugged strength, won and sustained his position. “Hendricks, a different type of man, refined in manner, imposing in appearance, able, gentle, magnetic and pursuasive, was a leader of national renown who drew and held people to him as if by magic and formed and fashioned policies, had them adopted and carried out, with ease and grace and without provoking acrimonious opposition. He maintained leadership by love and affection and his commanding abilities.” "No reference to Indiana’s great men would be complete without mention of that great orator and general personality, Daniel W. Vorhees. For twelve years in congress and eighteen years in the United States senate he was a familiar national character and the greatest orator of his day and generation. Os tall and commanding figure, a fine specimen of physical manhood, of military bearing, he was attractive and magnetic, warm hearted and impulsive. He captivated his hearers wherever and whenever he addressed them and won them to him with ease and grace and retained them as no other man could. “These four great men. Benjamin Harrison and Oliver P. Morton, the j leaders of one party; Thomas A. Hen- ; dricks and Daniel W. Voorhees, leaders of the other, and contemporaries of each other, constituted a political leadership which has never been equalled by any other state in the Union and I doubt If it ever will be. Is it any wonder the state of Indiana has been a political battleground of national importance for years, when such mental giants and able, sagacious statesmen were pitted against each other In the conflicts as the respective leaders of the two great political parties? “I have spoken of these men as I personally knew them and of their (Continued on page 2.)

landing this contract in the midst of hot competition. Representatives of the Victor, Dewaid and Mosier were in Hoagland yesterday and placed bids for this contract. There are a number of energetic business men in Hoagland, who are always ready to boost any enterprise that looks good. M. F. Small, proprietor of the tile ; and brick factory, has been in busi- - ness at Hoagland for more than nine- : teen years. He has a very well equipped mill and finds ready sale for all the material he can manufacture. Doing business in the town now are lumber yard, elevator, drug store, three groceries, harness shop, two blacksmith shops and a meat market. The grocers handle a line of general merchandise. Mr. Schanepp, proprietor of the drug store, has been in the town for a number of years, and he carries a big line of drugs and sundries. A. C. Crawford and company have a general merchandise store and are doing good business, handling everything used by the people. Earl Smitley has a well stocked store carrying a general line and he is enjoying a lucrative patronage. The Stafford restaurant has proven to be a needed asset to the business interest of the town. The traveling public find it convenient to find accommodations in the village. J. L. Robison is probably the oldest business man in the town. He has been in business there for more than twenty-seven years. Mr. Robison carries a general line of goods also. Dr. J. L. Smith was among the first to settle in Hoagland and he has resided there since then, with the exception of four years, when he served as auditor of Allen county. Paul Smitley is the possessor of the only meat market in the town, and he, too, is doing a good business.

SAME QUESTION Grant County Prosecutor Says Option Law Went Into Effect Sept. 26 DATE IT PASSED Notwithstanding the Decision of Judge Plummer * of Wabash The Marion News-Tribune says: “You may say for me that so far as Grant county is concerned the decision of Judge Plummer of Wabash county, In which he holds that all saloon licenses issued up to November 20, 1908, and after September 26, 1908, are good, and that the holders of these licenses should be allowed to run and operate their places of business until one year from the date of the issuance of the license, wdll not be regarded as correct until the supreme court of Indiana has ruled that his idea of the law is correct,’’ said Prosecuting Attorney Williams last evening. “In case any holder of a license issued after September 26 depends on the decision made at Wabash and keeps his place open after the expiration of ninety days from the date of the county option election, you may depend upon it that he will be prosecuted by this office.” It is expected that the decision made by Judge Plummer will be appealed to the supreme court. His decision is directly contrary to the opinion filed by Attorney General Bingham. The sole point of difference is on the construction of the term used in the act passed by the special session of the legislature last September, "that no license issued prior to the passage of this act shall be terminated by virtue of this act or any vote thereunder.” If the words “passage of this act” means the actual passage by the legislature and the signing by the governor of the county option law, Attorney General Bingham is right in his construction of the law. If the language used in the bill adopted by the legislature is to be construed’as meaning that the law Is to take effect after it has been published and distributed among the county clerks of the state. Judge Plummer! is right in his decision.”

NEW TIME CARD ON THE ERIE Goes Into Effect Tomorrow—Some Important Changes Made. A new time card goes into effect on the Chicago & Erie, and as there are a number of changes, it may be well for you to post yourself if you arc going to use that line for traveling purposes. According to the new schedule, there will be in the future, five passenger trains eastward each day and only three west. The new card is as follows: Eastbound. No. 8 —2:27 a. m. daily. No. 12—4:05 a. m. daily. No. 4 —3:38 p. m. daily. No. 22—1:49 p. m. daily ex. Sunday. No. 14 —8:57 p. m. daily. Westbound. No. 47 — 3:17 a. m. daily. No. 3 —12:47 p. m. daily. No. 21 —10:10 a. m. daily, ex. Sunday.

CLEAN HP THE DIRT Dr. Keller Issued Notice That Will Prove of Interest to Every One THE LAW IS STRICT May 10th is the Date Set for the Notice to be Obeyed Dr. H. E. Keller, secretary of the city board of health, has issued a notice that will be of interest to every property owner in the city. The notice in question requires the removal of all rubbish and filth from your premises, and it really should require but a suggestion from this officer to get the result desired. It is the time of year when a general cleaning up is not only good to look at, but good health requires it, and the Indiana law-s now compel property owners to remove everything that looks objectionable to a health officer. It is even unnecessary to notify properyt owners, and this form of notice will be dispensed with by Dr. Keller. He rightly expects the citizens of Decatur to be clean, and that every one who sees the notice he gives them and which is printed elsewhere in this issue, will forthwith begin the process of cleaning out the dirt. The law- is strict and permits of the prosecution and a fine if the law is not followed. The time limit is May 10, and we advise the good people of Decatur to get busy and to clean out the bad smelling places. By the way, Dr. Keller has made an efficient health officer, and we desire now to commend him upon the strict enforcement of the various health rules.

THE DISTRICT CLUB MEETING The Federation of Clubs Had a Splendid Meeting at Anderson. Mrs. L. G. Ellingham came home yesterday from Anderson, where she attended the district meeting of the Federation of Woman’s Clubs. The entertainment there showed the hospitality of the club -women of Anderson. The program of the day included some well prepared and delivered addresses touching upon all the subjects of interest to the club women of the state. A district organization was made and hereafter this will be a permanent feature of their future work. The state officers were all present and the meeting was in every way a success. Mrs. Ellingham was on the program for a response to the address of welcome. RETAINED BY GOV. MARSHALL W. J. Wood is Re-appointed as a Member of Railroad Commission. Indianapolis, May I.—William J. Wood will be retained by Governor Marshall as a member of the Indiana railroad commission. The governor will recomission Mr. Wood at noon today, at which time his appointment which was made by former Governor Hanly will expire. The governor also announced last night that he will retain Judge J. F. McClure, who was appointed by former Governor Hanly I at the time of the resignation of Un-I ion B. Hunt. The anouncement will j end a long series of speculations by I I persons who have been guessing for 1 (several weeks as to who would be|< appointed to fill the vacancy caused. 1 by the expiration of Mr. Wood’s term. 11

Price Two Cents

TIPPECANOE IS WET

Four Counties Held Local Option Elections Y esterday THREE TO ONE Martin, Jefferson and Washington Were Carried by the Drys Lafayette, Ind., May I.—ln the local option election Tippecanoe county went "wet” by a majority of 722 (unofficial). The city of Lafayette gave a "wet” majority of 2,504. Wabash township, in which Purdue university is situated, gave a "dry” majority of 831. The total vote cast in the county was 6.160 for the “wets” and 5,286 for the “drys.” When the report reached the city that several hundred students had voted it was believed that the “drys” -would win, but the unexpected showing of the county dumfounded the “drys” and they gave up hope soon after the early returns were received. There were great rejoicing among the “wets” and the downtown streets when the returns were being given were packed with humanity. President Stone and prominent members of Purdue sac- 1 ulty worked early and late and did everything possible to pull the “drys” through to victory. The credit of the victory is given to the county Taxpayers' League, under the leadership of William Frey, a contractor, which conducted a personal and systematic campaign. Through the assistance of Attorney G. M. MacDowell of Danville, 111., who helped Cass county to "wet,” the league from its existence made great Inroads on strength of the “drys.” The appeal to the farmers not to vot<* for higher taxes was effective. Automobiles played a leading part in the election and they were kept busy in both city and country. President Frey said he felt sure all the way that the “wets” would win by a comfortable margin. Loogootee, Ind., May I.—Martin county joined the ranks of the “dry” counties in Indiana by giving a “dry” majority of 397 in the election held under the local option law. Only three of the nine townships in the county gave “wet” majorities—Lost River, Rutherford and Perry. The election passed off quietly as a Sunday. There was no disturbance reported at any of the polls, notwithstanding that large crowds stood about them all day and that the -workers of both sides put in their best efforts to get out the vote and win. The storm kept the farmers from the fields and they voted in unusual numbers. The out townships surprised every one by the interest manifested. The “wets’’ developed the most thorough organization and had practically all their dependable vote in the boxes before noon. Eight saloons are affected in the county, all of them located in Loogootee. The remainder of the county is already dry by remonstrance.

Madison, Ind., May 1. —In a contest so close that it was necessary to wait for the final returns to ascertain which side had won, Jefferson county voted “dry.” The unofficial majority was 54. This probably will be changed with the official count, but the "dry' majority will increase rather than decrease over the first figures. The city of Madison went “wet” in every preceinct but one. Madison township gave a “dry” majority of 6. The "wetsF seemed to have had their “bluff’’ in on the "drys” generally in the city, and they also had automobiles and carriages in constant motion. Nearly the entire colored vote and practically all the "floaters" were controlled by the “wets.” The “drys’’ did most of their work with big meetings and the “wets” held off until the last, when they went at it in whirlwind fashion. Salem, Ind., May 1 —Washington county is still on the “dry * list as a result of the election held, the temperance forces rolling up a majority of 1,235 against the saloons. The county has been “dry” for the last ’our years, but the contest which end’d with the election today has been a litter one, and the “drys’’ are jubiant tonight over their great victory.