Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 7, Number 117, Decatur, Adams County, 17 May 1909 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume VII. Number 117.

TWO DEAD TWO INJURED In a Feud Between Farmers and Their Sons Near Richmond this Morning OVER A LINE FENCE The Meeks Attack Their Neighbors and Both Die —Excitement Intense Richmond, Ind., May 17.—(Special to Daily Democrat) —One of the worst feuds known in the recent history ot Indiana terminated this morning and as a result two men are dead, and two others badly wounded. The scrap occurred over a dispute of a line fence between the fajrns of Alexander Meeks and Frank Railsback, three miles west of this city. Alexander Meeks and his son Raymond were shot and died instantly, Frank Railsback Sr., was slightly injured and his son 'by the same name was very seriously hurt. The difference between the two families has existed for several weeks and while it was known that the bad blood existed it was not believed that it would lead to a war and bloodshed, but this morning the Railsback men went to the line and proceeded to cut down some posts. Meeks and his son went to where the neighbors were at work. They carried revolvers and shot guns and without much controversy, tbe» fired on the Railsback men. With the first shot Frank Railsback received a terrible wound in the abdomen. The Railsbacks retreated and Joel, another son soon came up to them with a shotgun. He fired two shots in rapid succession, point blank at the enemy, the shots striking the (Continued on page 2.) THE ELKS LEAGUE Mayor France Attended a Meeting at Fort Wayne Regarding It MANAGERS TO MEET Next Friday Evening to Compete Plans and Arrange the Schedule Mayor Carl O. France was at Fort M ayne Saturday evening, where he held a conference with Mr. Gross, of Marsaw, and Harry Wiebke, of Fort Mayne concerning the proposed Elks base ball league The preliminary steps were taken for the association an d it is assured that the project Will be a go. A meeting has been called for next Friday evening at Fort Mayne, when the managers or representatives of Elks teams from eight or t p n cities will be present and the league will be doped out to a certainty. A schedule will be made up and the season will likely start about Decoration Day. It is probable that the cities represented will include p °rt Wayne, South Bend. Decatur, Huntington, Bluffton, Marion, Wabasn, Marion, Warsaw, and Kokomo. Two games a weetr are tn be played, and the league will wake up a lot of interest in-the towns before the season is over.

UPTEGRAFT TO BE TRIED SOON Is Improving Steadily—Has a Bullet in His Brain. The trial of Alonzo Uptegraft, charged with attempt to rape Miss Bonnie Owen, his niece? has been set tor June 14. Uptegrafts relatives have employed Attorney Frank Dailey, of Bluffton, to defend him and the case promises to be a hard fought one. The defendant since being discharged from the county hospital in this city, where, the first few days after the almost fatal wound was received, he hovered between life and death until a change for the better occurred, has been gradually improving during the past few weeks. The bullet has not been removed rom the head but remains embedded beneath the skull where it lodged when discharged from the revolver by the Bryant marshal.—Portland Sun. o — DEATH OF PIONEER Lewis Miller Who Came to this Country Over Seventy Years Ago DIED AT HOAGLAND His Early Life Was Spent Aimd Scenes of Hardship —Was Well Known Lewis D. Miller one of the pioneers of Allen county, died at his home in Hoagland Saturday morning from the infirmities of old age and cancer of the face. He was in his eighty-first year. Mr. Miller was born in Erie county, New York, in 1829, and came to this state with his parents in 1837 and settled in the woods six miles south of Fort Wayne on the Piqua road near where now stands the Hesse Castle church. At that time that part of the county was almost an unbroken forest, their nearest neighbor being three miles away. They often were compelled to earry water for home use that distance. At that time Fort Wayne was but a village of a few log cabins, and the greater part of the population of the country were Indians. The writer has often heard “Uncle Lewis,’’ as he was familiarly known, tell of the clearing the ground and burning the brush and logs on the identical spot where now stand the Dedekin house and city hall of Fort Wayne, and of the many hardships of tne sturdy pioneers of that day and of their labor that made it possible for us of the present day to enjoy the great comforts our county and city affords. Uncle Lewis often related the fact that the flour that was used by the family was sometimes brought from St. Marys, 0., in a flatboat down the St. Marys river, and at one time when breadstuff could not be had the family lived on potatoes alone for three weeks. Yet they never gave up in despair. They bravely battled on to hew out a home in the wilderness. Mr. Miller was married in 1851 to Mary Jane Morey, a pioneer maiden of the same neighborhood, who survives him at the advanced age of seventyfive. After marriage they settled cn and cleared up a farm of their own, leaving it only a few years ago to engage in mercantile business in Hoagland. Os late he had been living a retired life, resting upon the laurels of a well spent life. His married life was a happy one and he was the father of twelve children, of whom only four with his aged companion survive him: Silas M. Miller, of Hoagland, Ind.; Benj. E. Miller, of Angola, Ind.; Clark E. Miller, of Richmond, Ind., and 1 Owen O. Miller, of Lima, Ind., all prosI perous and highly respected. Uncle (Lewis politically was one of the 'staunchest of democrats, which faith he adhered to to the last. He was a member of the Church of God The funeral sermon will be preached by the Rev. Markley, of Columbia City. Interment in the Antioch cemetery.Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette. NOTICE TO COMMERCIAL CLUB A meeting of the members of the Commercial Club will be held at the rooms tonight and it is desired that every member be present. Important business will be transacted.

DEATH WAS SUDDEN An Illness of Two Hours Causes Death of Mrs. Gause WAS VERY SUDDEN Broken Hearted Husband and Ten Little Children Survive Her Mrs. Fanny Gause, wife of Nathan Gause, living about six miles east of the city, died suddenly Saturday night at 11:35 o'clock. She had done her usual housework during the day and was feeling as good as ordinary, when she suddenly became ill about 9:30 ip the evening. At first it was not believed that her condition was serious, but she gradually became weaker and it was disc<#vered that a blood vessel had bursted, which connected the heart and lung. No cause can be given for the accident, as her work had been no harder than usual. Her death makes motherless ten little children, and the husband is heart broken over his errible loss. The deceased was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Meyer of Union township, the father having died some years ago, but the mother survives. Other relatives are two sisters, Mrs. Finley Pfeifer, of Van Wert and Mrs. Sadie Schug of 'Wren, Ohio, and one brother, Fred Meyer, of Van Wert. The sympathy of the neighborhood goes out to the husband and the ten children, three girls and seven boys. Mps. Gause' age at the time of death was thirty-four years, eleven months and nine days. The funeral services were held this afternoon, the funeral cortege leaving the house at two o’clock. Services were held at the Salem church east of this city, interment at the cemetery near by. o COURT HOUSE NEWS Land Patents,Seventy Years Old Filed for Recording Today A MARRIAGE LICENSE The Knavel Case Reset for Wednesday—Other Items of Interest

Patents were recorded today showing the granting of 80 acres from the United States to William Hilgeman. The land lies in Preble township, and the grant was made September 20, 1839. Other patents recorded were 80 acres to Moses Beckner, 320 to Holomon Mayer. The entire 480 was transferred to Mr. Hilgeman's children a few days ago, this being the first transfer recorded on this land in the entire seventy years since the government made the grant. Other transfers are: Decatur cemetery to Henry Hite lot 27, for S6O; Adeline M. Blackburn to D. G. M. Trout, part of /ot 17, Decatur, SSO; Jesse E. Eckrote et al to Benj. B. Mayer, one acre in Hartford tp„ $150; John H. Hilty to Rosina Bucher, lot 370, Berne, $225. A marriage license was granted to Emil Baumgartner, aged 25, a brick mason at Decatur, to Minnie R. Russell, aged 16, a daughter of Joseph E. Russell. Hooper & Lenhart have entered appearance for the defendants in the contract suits brought by Frank M. Schirmyeer, as trustee against John Schaffer, Henry Krick, Decatur Abstract and Loan company, and John W. Tyndall. Samuel W. Goble vs. Samuel Kuntz, damages SSOO, change of venue, cause sent to Wells county for trial. Mary Knavel vs. Edward Knavel, divorce, reset for Wednesday, May 19. Judge Charles Sturgis, of Bluffton, arrived at noon to assume jurisdiction ill the cuss of The Metiooel Hs.uk of Commerce vs. Cardwell Box Co. et al, a $5,000 suit on note.

Decatur, Indiana, Monday Evening, May 17, 1909.

THE MAMMA ROBIN MURDERED The Babies Are Being Cared for by Railroad Men. Richmond, Ind., May 15.—The brave little mother robin which journeyed with her nest of eggs from New York to Richmond on the journal box of a freight car, and whose young were hatched a few days ago, is no more. The dead body of the robin was found beneath the car and evidence was unmistakable that some person had deliberately killed the bird by crushing it within his hand. The back was broken and the ruffled feathers told of the rough treatment. If the guilty person can be found he will be prosecuted. The Pennsylvania officials have already begun an investigation. The baby birds were not molested and were carried into the freight house, and clerks and other employes will attempt to raise the orphans, though the chances of success are deemed slight.

WILL HAVE A FIGHT Bluffton Council Will Contest the Validity of Gas Franchise STATEMENT IS MADE To the Body by S. E. Mulholland Representing Indiana Lighting Co. The first official action between the Bluffton council and the Indiana Lighting company occurred last Friday night at a regular meeting of the former, when S. E. Mulholland, representing the artificial gas company submitted a written statement to the body informing the members that artificial gas would be piped to that city and the consumers would be charged SI.OO per one thousand cubic feet. The statement of Mr. Mulholland was introduced as follows: To the Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council, of the City of Bluffton, Ind.: Gentlemen: We respectfully beg to advise your honorable body that in accordance with the terms and conditions of the franchise granted to the Bluffton Light & Fuel company, by the common council of the city of Bluffton, June 8, 1889, entitled: “An ordinance granting the Bluffton Light & Fuel company, of Bluffton, Indiana the right and privilege to lay, maintain and operate gas pipes in the city of Bluffton, Indiana, for illuminating .heating and power purposes, and limting the price to be charged consumers therefor.” We are at the present time constructing a pipe line from the city of Fort Wayne to connect with the system of pipe lines already laid in the streets of Bluffton, which pipe line will also branch to and supply gas to the city of Decatur. He then recited the first section of the ordiance which the company holds after which he delivered a talk in which he championed the cause of the gas company. The Bluffton dads do not take kindly to the proposition, and there are a number who question the validity of the franchise and in all probability a bitter fight will be encountered by those concerned. The Bluffton people abhor the idea of having their asphalt streets torn up. The city attorney gave his opinion of the matter, after which the statement of Mr. Mulholland was tabled and action was deferred. - o A WEDDING AT CLERK’S OFFICE Judge Merryman Makes a Young Couple Happy by Saying the Words. Judge Merryman did the necessary service at 4:30 o’clock Saturday evening which united the lives of Mr. Vernon Oscar Purdy and Miss Mary E. Sapp. The ceremony was performed at the office of the county clerk and was witnessed by the clerk and other officials of the county. The groom is nineteen years old and a farmer from Black Creek township, Mercer county, Ohio, while the bride is but eighteen, a daughter of a well known farmer from Hartford township this county. —o Judge Charles Sturgis, of Bluffton, was in the city this afternoon looking after legal affairs. Though one of the youngest jurists o’ the state. Judge Sturgis ranks very high with the at' I torneys of this section.

CAUSE UNDECIDED Case of Page vs. Niblick Will Not Be Argued Until Saturday EVIDENCE IS HEARD The Original Judgment Was Secured Because of a Peculiar Accident The case of Page vs. Niblick tried at Bluffton Saturday, will not be decided before next Saturday, that being the time fixed by Judge Sutrgis for hearing the arguments. The Evening News of that city said in the Saturday issue: The case of Charles Page vs. Christina Niblick and others, a suit on which an effort is being made to collect a judgment of $8,500 was heard by Judge Sturgis in circuit court this morning. The evidence was largely documentary and did not require long for introduction. Judge Smith has it under advisement. Charles Page, a farmer, was driving past the factory of the Fort Wayne Cooperage company when his horses frightened at escaping steam and ran away. Page was thrown out and received personal injuries, and in a suit filed lat#r in the Miami circuit court secured judgment for $6,500. It was appealed and Page won both in the appellate and supreme courts. The appeal bond was signed by the cooperage company, John and Aaron T. Vail and W. H. Niblick. The latter died and the claim for collection of the old judgment and costs was filed against his estate, and this precipitated the case for collection. His wife, Christina Niblick, becamevone of the defendants. This case came here from Decatur on change of venue. o I HE NEEDED A REST 1 Joe Eley Draws Sentence of Forty-Five Days from the Mayor HE WAS IMPUDENT William Elzey Pays Fine for Public Intoxication— Police Court

In return for his impudence Joseph ' Eley (introduction unnecessary) was . given a package by Mayor France . this morning which he will fondle within the confines of the Adams ‘ county bastile until dawn of Fourth of . July day, and Joe really said he didn’t j care if it was six months longer for ( he needed a rest. The notrious man ] last Saturday evening identified him- ( self with a large amount of bad whisky and was no sooner staggering on the public thoroughfare than he was ' gobbled up by Policeman Fisher and ( lodged in jail. He was this morning i arraigned before Mayor France, where . a fine of five dollars and costs was assessed amounting to fifteen dollars. ' The mayor proceeded to give a scatn- i ing lecture to Joe, when the latter I answered in words not well chosen and consequently thirty days were added to the sentence, making in all forty-five days which he will be required to serve. Joe gave vent to his happiness enroute to jail, stating that he would now get a much needed rest. William Elzey became intoxicated Saturday night and was arrested by Policeman Fisher. He pleaded guilty to the charge of public intoxication. 11 this morning before Mayor France, ’ j and was promptly fined $1 and costs, 11 amounting to eleven dollars. This he ‘ paid was was released from custody. • o t WILL ELECT OFFICERS TONIGHT i At a called meeting of the Decatur s Commercial Club this evening will occur the annual election of officers for the ensuing year. It is the desire , that all the members be present as ’ considerable business of importance ? is to be discussed, besides the selec- » tlon of the men who will conduct the r club for the next twelve months. '

LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL IS HERE The Session Really Closes With this Weeks Work—Reports Next Week. The last week of school is here. The present session will end with Friday and then comes the three months- vacation, to which the children have looked forward to so long. The examinations will be held this week. Next week the students will go to the school only on Wednesday noon, when they receive their final reports and their promotion cards if they are so fortunate as to secure them. The rest of next week is really vacation time, but the time will be busy for the older pupils, for there are receptions and various other events of interest in a society way. On Thursday evening comes the class play and on Friday evening the commncement exercises proper. THE ANNIVERSARY Os Epworth League Was Duly Celebrated Last Night AT M. E. CHURCH A Good Program Was Rendered—Excellent Music A strikingly appropriate service observed last evening at the M. E. church furnished due celebration for the twentieth anniversary of the local chapter as well as all others of the United States Epworth League and the vast assemblage occupying the spacious auditorium and lecture room found the rendition of the clever program a source of much enjoyment. With the rostrum occupied by the speakers of the evening, a fifteen piece orchestra seated in a semi circle about the pulpit, the foremost seats of the church occupied by representative members of the league and beautiful decorations in evidence everywhere the scene was really good to behold when the opening of the exercises was announced by the Rev. Powell. Unswerving in their loyalty to the organization and ■with high reverence to the ideals exemplified therein the members of the local chapter last evening displayed a pride incident to their identification therewith which demonstrated their zqal in the cause they champion, that of | furthering the Christian cause and the I splendid representation of American | youth present was an inspiration to every onlooker. All phases of the

league work were well discussed and 4 intermingled with the well delivered k addresses were inspiring selections by the clever orchestra and songs by the congregation. The Epworth league ? has proven to be an unspeakable aid *■ to the church. It has prepared the rising generations for active and effective work in the church; it has placed the American youth on a standard of responsibility and reasearch which has a wonderful tendency in enlisting their profound interest. The ' twentieth anniversary of the society hno passed into oblivion but not unattended by success. Its achievements ] cannot be fathomed by mind nor can the influences of its agencies be reckoned even by those conversant with work proper of the organization. They can simply say it is a glorious success and has been from its very inception to the present age. What a consolation it is to know that the young people of our country are receiving the attention of a society such as this and the many others which have been organized in the churches of our country. — . —o WIFE HOLDS UP HIS PROPERTY Dan Runyon, who figured in a rather ■ sensational divorce case a week ago, when his wife was granted the decree, was here today to look after the settiemen t of his court affairs. He must ’’ pay into court the sum of SIOO, of I which twenty-five goes to his wife’s > attorneys and Dan says thats hard ' money to pay and the rest is alimony, i He don't object to paying, but says s that his wife won’t allow’ him to remove any of his property from her , ■ farm. He conferred with his attor- < neys and will avoid anything lifce.r trouble in the future. |l

Price Two Cents

HURLED TO GROUND Dr. and Mrs. W. E. Smith and Child Thrown from Buggy HORSE FRIGHTENED Dr. Smith Sustained a Badly Bruised Hip—Others Injured A vehicle occupied by Dr. and Mrs. W. E. Smith and their son Lowell was completely overturned on Jefferson street near the Niblick home last night, and the occupants were hurled forcibly to the ground, slight wounds being inflicted upon Mrs. Smith and the child, while the doctor sustained a badly sprained hip and other injuries Dr. Smith had driven to the south part of the city early in the evening, and returning he decided to drive to the country for a pleasure trip. He and wife and child occupied the buggy. Returning from the country they were homeward bound on Jefferson street when a passing bus frightened the horsd, which made a leap forward loosening one side of the shaft from its patent clutch. Mr. Smith exercised every effort to stop the animal and had almost succeeded several times when the buggy would run against the horse and renew its fright. At they approached near the home of John Niblick the animal was checked, but the passing of two automobiles again added to its fright and turning abruptly to the side it overturned the buggy, throwing the occupants to the ground. Dr. Smith held to the lines until he was dragged several feet and this is responsible for his injuries. The horse dashed down the street after tearing the shafts from the buggy and was captured on Second street. Mrs. Smith was quite badly bruised and the child’s face is badly scratched, but they are indeed grateful that no more serious than these injuries were received. A large crowd soon gathered at the scene of the accident and the injured ones were well taken care of and for this Mr. and Mrs. Smith request us to extend their sincere thanks to those who so kindly aided them. Dr. Smith will be able to resume duties tomorrow’, although he I will not recover ultimately for several weeks. The buggy was badly demolished. o —

SOMESPECIALWORK Side Degrees to Be Conferred by the Masons Tomorrow Evening ON A LARGE CLASS Boys Will Join the Button Makers and Tall Cedars of Lebanon The members of the Masonic lodge are planning for a good time tomorrowevening and those who can will no doubt be there to witness the inspiring work after they are aware of the program. First the Fellowcraft degree is to be conferred on a very popular young man, Mr. Patrick Parrish, and after he has been duly advanced to that stage in Masonry, the side degrees of Button Maker and ■ Tall Cedars of Lebanon, will be con--1 ferred upon a large list of candidates. Since the recent trip to Oeneva, a number of the boys have been anxious !to see this work given here and arrangements have been made to confer the work in all the solemnity and with all the flourish necessary to make it enjoyable not only for the candidates but or those of the audience. This order is growing rapidly and there Is talk of larger quarters in the near future, tuougii iio deuulte steps have been taken.