Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 7, Number 160, Decatur, Adams County, 7 July 1909 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume VII. Number 160.

C. E. VOGT RESIGNED Tendered at Council Meeting Last Night to Take Effect August Ist AN ELECTRIC BELL Will Be Installed by Erie— Other Important Matters Disposed of Chris E. Vogt, who has served as city engineer for Decatur for two years or more past, last evening tendered his resignation at the regular meeting of the city council, same to take effect August Ist The resignation was immediately and promply accepted, and this being the last business of the session, the meeting thereupon adjourned Every member was present when the meeting was called to order and the minutes of the

previous meeting were read and approved. Mr. Cline representing the Chicago & Erie road and Mr. John Flemming, the local agent, appeared before the council and asked that the ordinance providing for a watchman at Eleventh street be reconsidered and a bell substituted. All the members favored this excepting Mr. Chronister, who objected vigorously, but was voted down and the bell will be used. The C. & E. agreed to put the bell in at once. The fact that cement sidewalks on Fourteenth street are going to pieces was discussed and referred to the street committee. Dr. Beavers asked that he be permitted tn construct a sidewalk on Monroe street at the curb from First street to the river on the south side and this was referred. J. S. Bowels filed a petition signed by him that he be allowed to construct a brick sidewalk on North Second street as he has a lot not yet filled up, also for a water hydrant in front of his home, and one at the packing house, an electric light in front of his home and that a hood be placed over the Clark sewer. His petition was referred in parts to the appropriate committee. The assessments on the Weikle sidewalk on Fourteenth street were read and filed and an opportunity will be given to hear objections. John E. Smith and Charles Brock appeared to remon-

strate against the building of the Brown sewer on Eighth street, and the matter was. referred to the sewer committee. For the second time no one bid on the construction of the Oliver Jackson sidewalk and no action could be taken. A resolution was adopted for the payment to McNall company for $4,440 this being one-half the amount agreed upon for the new boilers. John Sprague who has the contract for sweeping the streets was refeused his money when his bill for $82.50 came up, it being reported that he had not done his work according to contract and he will have some trouble securing his allowance from the remarks heard at , the. meeting- An old sore was brought up again when a letter was read from some Vermont gentlemen who holds Decatur refunding bonds for $13,500 and which t are due. Every council for a number of years has fought this case put with the same result. The records fall to show what they were issued for and when due. They will be refunded at the next meeting. The

finance committee gave their O. K. to the report of the city treasurer and city clerk. Bills were reported by the finance committee and allow - ed as follows: D. F. Teeple * 96 58 Ed Fulton 175 Julius Haugk 2280 D. F. Teeple 22 37 D. F. Teeple 20 06 X D. Stults 45 83 Frank Aurand • 1-25 James Swift 5,58 , Phil Medham 300 i Chicago & Erie 285 22 Elec. Appliance Co 191-59 Frank R. Snyder 30,08 G. R. & I. Ry. Co 108 93 Vnmn Oil Works 30 54 C. Vogt 76 00 Kalver & Co. • 50 Fred Spuhler 17,1 2 Sunday Creek Coal Co 26,-65 G. M. Jones Co 33. ,0

M. A. Hanna & Co 72.08 Adams Express Co 60 P. J. Hyland 46.34 C. U. Dorwin 225.00 M. J. Myiott 248.50 Wells Fargo Co ;.... 2.80 Geo. Keiser & Co 40.95 Natural Mill Supply Co 1.25 Gifford Elec. Supply C 0....... 48.40 Fort Wayne Elec. Works .... 123.21 W. J. Archbold 13.46 True & Runyon 1.04 Monarch Elec. Wire Co. 2.48 Geo. Zimmerman 7.50 A - Cool 35.50 Marion Whitright 5.25 John Sprague 13.50 “HAPPY JACK’HERE He is a Globe Trotter and is Walking on His Way Around the World THE TRAMP ACT He is to Do All this Without a Penny to Pay the Bills

' Happy Jack" the globe trotter, arrived in Decatur this morning, coming from Van Wert arriving here at ten o’clock last night. He is traveling around the world on a wager of two thousand dollars and an automobile. He left Boston on April i, and is expected to complete the tour in one year, walking to San Francisco where he expects to arrive by the middle of September. He then ships to Cobo, Japan, then to Sydney, Australia, New Castle on the Thames. He will then walk to, London, from there through Scotland, on to English Channel to Hamburg, Germany. From there he goes through Denmark to Copenhagen and on to Boston, where he is due to arrive on April 1, 1910. He makes the trip tramp like and without a cent of money, everything he eats and wears is given him on the way. From every citiy he gets a letter from the mayor of the city, this being the countersign that he has been in every city which his contract calls for. From here he goes *to Huntington, Rochester, Crown Point on into Chicago. According to “Happy Jack's” story this wager came about in a funny way. During oue of W. J. Bryan’s trips to Boston he made a speech and in that speech said “no man can go across this country without money.” “Jack” heard the speech and he immediately gained an audience with Mr. Bryan and agreed to go around the world instead of across the country and do it without a penny if there was a sufficient wager in sight. Munsey’s Magazine heard of this story and they sent two reporters from New York to Boston to talk with “Jack.” When they finished their interview W. J. Bryan and Munsey agreed to each give a thousand dollars, and a Detroit Auto company hearing of the offer, agreed to give a .car. “Happy Jack" keeps a diary and once a week has a newspaper to mail all the newspaper clippings, accounts of his trips in his own notes, letters 1 from mayors of the different towns through which he passes and to send them to Munsey's Magazine. He complained of not feeling the best while here this morning, but attributed it to the fact that the last few miles 4nto I this place he traveled at a too fast pace and thought that this had slightly indisposed him. He is twenty-eight [ years old and looks like he was equal \to the occasion and would win -the wager. o SHE HAD FEW BIRTHDAYS Aged Woman, Now Dead, Was Born on February 29, 1816. * . Benham. Ind., July 6.—With the death of Mrs. Mary Benhafu, which occurred July 2, this part of the state lost one of its oldest citizens. She jwas 93 years old, but had very few birthdays, as she was born February 29, 1816. She died on the twenty-sixth anniversary of her husband’s death. When she was only one year old her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Ellis, came to Indiana. She was married to James Benham in 1835. Seven children survive. The oldest is Milford Benham, of Muscatine, la., who has a daughter 50 years old.

IN BAD CONDITION Superintendent Whittaker in Serious Mental Condition HAS HALLUCINATIONS Friends Fear a Breakdown of Mental Faculties Jeffersonville, Ind., July 7. —Dr. Carl Weidner, of Louisville, specialist on mental troubles, was called in consultation with the attending physicians in the case of former Superintendent W. H. Whittaker of the Indiana reformatory. Following the consultation, Dr. Weidner gave a diagnosis to the effect that, in his opinion, Mr. Whittaker will never be any stronger mentally than he is at the present time, and fears that he may become totally insane. Mr. Whittaker labors under many hallucinations, one of them being that different persons are trying to take his life. He refuses to drink any water during his conscious moments, unless assured it was not taken from the well at the reformatory. He labors under the impression that this water is poisoned. Another one of his hallucinations Is that different convicts, inspired by persons not connected with the institution, have placed typhoid germs in the water of the reformatory wells for the purpose of causing his death. These are but a few of the lhany turns his mind takes in its present unsettled mental condition. The physicians are considering, it is understood, the advisability of removing Mr. Whittaker to the Fletcher sanitarium at Indianapolis. It has become known in the last day or two that Mr. Whittaker has for some time been a sufferer from diabetes, and this, together with the mental strain under which he has been laboring for two weeks, doubtless aggravated bls mental condition. Mrs. Whittaker, who has never been robust in health, is prostrated and also continues in a serious condition.

ARE MANY THEFTS Many Valuable Articles Have Been Stolen at Craigville Recently VISIT BELL HOME A Valuable Watch Was Pillaged at Home of Hilliard Bell The citizens of Craigvil’e are much aroused over several thefts that have occurred in that city and vicinity in the past few weeks. The last loss reported is that of a fine gold watcn from the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hilliard Bell, residing one-half mile north of Craigville. The watch, which belonged to Mrs. Bell, was put in a dresser drawer during a few hours absence of the family, which time they spent with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. V. D. Bell, in Craigville. When they returned the timepiece could not be found and no trace of it has yet limed up. . A few days before that time- Clarence Hower, a young man of Craigville, was suspicioned of taking a ring and several other articles from the home of Dr. and Mrs. D. C. Hoffman. When questioned about the articles the lad confessed. He also took two brass boxings from the elevator an dretumed these asking forgiveness from the elevator managers. The lad appears to nave amania for taking things and an investigation may be made. He is not held guilty for the Bell theft, however.

IF IT IS WET OR DRY Denver, Colo., July 7. —The state supreme court handed down a decision upholding the validity of the Colorado local option law passed two years ago. The opinion holds that if a ward votes dry but a precinct in that ward votes wet, the precinct is dry nevertheless. Should a wrnrd vote wet, however, a precinct within that ward votes dry, the precinct goes dry. ■ z

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday Evening, July 7, 1909.

JUDGE BRANYON HAS RETIRED Poor Health Causes Huntington Jurist to Give Up Practice. * Judge James C. Branyan, one of the oldest and most prominent members of the Huntington bar, judge of the circuit court, democratic candidate for congress from the Eleventh district, and a member of the state legislature, retired from the active practice of law today and will here after spend his days in quiet retirement This action was taken following the return of his son from Canada and on account of his poor health during the last six months. The law firm which had been connected with almost every important case in the county will be continued under the name of Branyan Bros., with John S. Branyan and Wilbur Branyan the partners.—Huntington News-Demo-crat.

MAKING PROGRESS Tariff Bill Passed the Senate Committee of the Whole SOME LIKE TAFT Think the Business of the Administration Properly Transacted Washington, July 7. —The tariff bill passed from the committee of the whole to the senate at 1:20 o’clock this afternoon. The senate took a recess until 3:30 o’clock to aw'ait a print of the bill as amended in committee of the w r hole. Senator Oldrich expects a final vote on the bill before Friday. The senate reassembled at 3:30 o’clock, and on Mr. Aldrich’s suggestion adjourned, when all the amendments made in committee of the whole will be voted on en bloc, except such as senators may wish to reserve for further amendment. Mt. Aldrich said the entire bill would be open for amendment. A decision that the conference committee on the tariff bill shall be made up of eight senators and eight 'representatives has practically been reached. Os the sixteen men ten will be Republicans and six Democrats. Senator Aldrich will dominate the committee. His latest proposal is to take into, the committee from the senate, Hale of Maine; Penrose, of Pennsylvania; Burrows, of Michigan, and Smoot, of Utah, Republicans, jan'd Daniel, of Virginia; Bailey, of Texas, and Money of Mississippi, Democrats.

Washington, July 7. —Some of the relics of the last administration are still disposed to criticise the Taft administration because it does not move along to quick step time, but no one ventures to say that business is not being transacted with thoroughness and always with the constitution and the laws of the land in mind. The one thing above all the others that has impressed observers during the four months of Taft is the president’s determination that every question that arises shajl be maturely considered before it is decided. This applies to the small questions as well as to those of large import. CIGARETTE BAKER IS FREE Charge of Bribery Dismissed at Indianapolis.

Indianapolis, July 7. —The bribery charge against Oscar A. Baker, of Marion, Ind., former representative of[ the tobacco trust, was nolled on the motion of Prosecutor Hooton in the criminal court yesterday, but the proceeding placed Hooton little nearer ro a solution as to what he should do with SIOO held by him as evidence. Baker said it did not belong to him. Ananias Baker, who was at the time of the giving of the alleged bribe of SIOO, a member of the state house of representatives, took the SIOO from the accused Baker, as he said, to trap the tobacco lawyer, and later turned the amount over to the state. It was passed down to Hooton by the former prosecutor. Ananias Baker is now dead, and It was for this reason that the case was nolled, O. A. Baker being a fugitive until the death of the principal witness in the case. • o Miss Mary. Dilling returned to Fort ■ Wayne today.

EXTOL HIS PRAISES The “Young Knight” Recognizes Ability of Harold Wilcox IN GRAILDOM He Has Held Very Responsible Positions and is a Favorite The “Young Knight” a periodical published exclusively for the Knights of the Holy Grail, has reached our exchange table, and within its covers is a very interesting sketch of the efficient work of Harold Wilcox, formerly of Decatur, who has figured prominently in the annals of Graildom. The tribute paid to this studious young man is as follows: The state Merlin of Michigan is the above named Harold V. Wilcox, whose likeness appears elsewhere in this issue. Associated with him is his father, the Rev. C. B. Wilcox. The father and the son work together, perhaps the son is the runner-up while the father scores. Both have had much experience in the work as they were in charge of the fine castle at Decatur, Ind., and its large success was largely due to their efforts. Here are some of Harold's adventures and victories: Charter member of Percivale castle, Decatur, Ind.; first night of the purse (castle went bankrupt); toastmaster at the Percivale castle anniversary banquet, biggest banquet ever carried through in the city; au thor of “The Legend of the HolyGrail” published in the November and December numbers —a play; knight commander of Percivale castle; captain of castle at the Winona camp; Republican leader in the Percivale senate; joint winner in all debates in which the castle participated; professional Holy Grail booster. o SELECT MANAGER R. D. Myers Will Have Charge of the Decatur Furnace Factory MR. SMITH RESIGNS Mr, Myers and Family Will Arrive from Illinois

Within a Few Days Mr. M. S. Smith, who has served as manager of the Decatur Furnace factory for two years past, has resigned and will conclude his duties at that plant some time within the next few weeks. He will be succeeded by Mr. R. D. Myers, of Lawrenceville, 111., who will move his family here at once. They- have rented the Mibb Hattie Studabaker house on Third street just' south of the Central school building • and will occupy same within a week ’ or two. Mr. Myers is a native of I this county, a brother of John T. | Myers of the Myers & Dailey clothing . firm, and a son of the late Henry H. Myers. For a number of years I he has been engaged in the oil supply [ business and for five years past in the supply manufacturing business, in which he has succeeded. He is well fitted for the position and will prove a very valuable man for the place, being a splendid manager and salesman. Mr. Smith has been an industrious and careful manager of the plant while here, and has many friends who will regret to hear that he and his family are contemplating leaving the city. They have not perfected their plans.

Mr. and Mrs. E. Woods and daughters, Mrs. Eli Meyers and Miss Jennie Woods will leave Saturday morning for Cincinnati, where they will visit the former's fruit farm. Mr. Conrad, formerly of this city, is living on the farm. Mr. Conrad likes his new home | very well.

HER SON TO BE PAROLED Bluffton Woman Has Been Working Months to Secure This. Bluffton, Ind., July 6. —A happy piece of news was received here this morning by Mrs. Nancy Hower, 70, who has been working constantly for the past eighteen mouths for the parole of her son, Jesse, in the Jeffersonville reformatory, having been confined upon conviction of criminal knowledge a>»d aid in an illegal operation that resulted in the death of his wife at Fort Wayne. She received word today that the parole prayed for so long had been granted and her son will come home to work on the John Miller farm south of the city. Doctors and others implicated with Hower were never prosecuted. —o TRAIN THE VOICE Prof, Tucker, of Marion, Has Started a Class in Decatur ( , MEN’S CHORUS Will Be Started—the First Meeting Will Be Held Tonight Mr. Carlisle Tucker, hailing from Marion, Indiana, and reputed as one of the best professors of voice culture in this section, is in the city organizing a male chorus. The initial meeting will be held tonight at the office of Dr. Fred Patterson, at which time the organization will be perfected and a meeting night chosen. Prof. Tuckier states that there is some very good talent in this city, which after development, will make the public sit back and take notice. A large number of Decatur gentlemen already pledged themselves as members of the class the actual practice will begin within a very few days. Mr. Tucker will come to this city at least once | a week and will devote his energies j to the advancement of his scholars, i Local singers are more than pleased to have the opportunity to obtain in- j struction here at home and the fee, to be charged is exceedingly reason- ■ able. It is expected that at least ' forty people will be in the class ere the work is well started. As understood now, it is the intention of Prof. Tucker to organize choruses in Bluffton, Huntington and several other towns in the vicinity of, Marion, and at certain times each year these several choruses will unite in forming one large chorus to be used in festival work. Just a few ' weeks ago the chorus which Prof. Tucker has been conducting in Marion sang with the great Thomas orchestra of Chicago, and the reports of their work are very flattering, reflecting great credit upon Mr. Tucker.

DIED AT CLEVELAND Mrs. Dodane, Mother of Petre Dodane of this City, Buried Today. Mrs. Justine Dodane, widow of 1 Francis Dodane and long a resident of Allen county, died at. the home of her daughter, Mrs. F. J. Bercot. in Cleveland, 0., on Saturday from the infirmities of age. Mrs. Dodane was [Bl years of age. She was born in [France, February 22, 1828, and came ito America with her parents about sixty-five years ago. They settled at I Louisville, 0., and later moved to [Jefferson township, Allen county. Os late years the aged woman had made her home with her daughter, accompanying the latter to Cleveland eighteen months ago, where she had since resided. Besides Mrs. Bercot, the following children survive: Mrs. Felicia Barday of Jackson township; Mrs. Louise Vuillemin, of Sheldon: Mrs. Catherine Cholley, of Louisville, O.; Peter Dodane, of Decatur; Mrs. Jane Martin, of Monroeville, and Mrs. Elizabeth Arend, of Cecil. Two children preceded her in death. Funeral services from St. John's Catholic church at New Haven Wednesday morning at 9 o’clock. —Fort Wayne Sentinel. o— ———— — tAv. and Mrs. James Haefling. who i have been visiting friends at Columbus, Ohio, will arrive home this ev'ening.

Price Two Cents

A LECTURE COURSE Has Been Arranged for Geneva, Will Begin in October, Five Events TWILIGHT SERVICES Will Begin Next Sunday Evening—Other Items of Interest from There Geneva, Ind., July 7.—(Special to Daily Democrat) —Arrangements have been completed for the Geneva lecture course which will begin some time in October. The first number is to be the Fisher-Shipp Concert company of Chicago, one of the best. The second is a lecture by Dr. Madison Swadene,, of Kokomo, Indiana. Number three is an address by the famous Ramshorn Brown, editor of the Ramsborn, at Indianapolis. The fourth attraction will be Mr. Ash Davis, the cartoonist, and the last will be a lecture by Dr. Joshua Stansfield, of Indianapolis. — —• Mrs. Charles D. Porter left Tuesday for Rome City. She was joined at Fort Wayne by Dr. M. F. Porter and family and they will enjoy the' heated season at the popular resort. Mr. C. D. Porter will go up next Sunday and spend a few days trying to land several big ones. The United Brethren and Methodist churches will hold their first union twilight services next Sunday evening on the lawn at the Homer Pontius home. Rev. Meyers of the U. B. church will be in charge of this 'meeting. In connection with this announcement it might be of interest to give a short history of the U. B. church in Geneva. The pastor is the Rev. G. M. Meyers, a hard working Christian gentleman. The church is in a flourishing and prospering condition with a membership of 275 and an average Sunday school attendance of 150. It is a brick structure, sitI uated at the corner of High and Bradi ford streets and has a seating capacity of 400. The parsonage nearby is a neat frame, of handsome appearance and making a comfortable and pleasant home for the minister of this church and God serving people. Everybody Is cordially invited to attend these twilight services.

Geneva is noted for her good housewives, especially In the line of cooking, and home made bread, pies and cakes. We see by perusing the Mpncie Star’s daily housekepers columns that Mrs. McWhirter of this town won a dollar prize in the good cooking contest last week. It will be a matter of news to many to know 7 that Geneva has the longest solid business block in the state of Indiana, extending from Wells Bros, store to the postoffice, a distance of 525 feet without an alley. Miss Hazel Macklin, daughter of P. A. Macklin was accompanied to Fort Wayne Monday by Dr. O. M. Graham and Phil Macklin of Decatur, where she entered the St. Joseph hospital and was operated on Tuesday for appendicitis. The operation was performed by Dr. McOscar and was a very successful one, from which she is now recovering, much to the satisfaction of her many friends.

| Mr. Wayne Schafer and Miss Goldie Umbenhower, of Cromwell, Indiana, came Tuesday for a visit with the latter's aunt, Mrs. Lewis Evans, who • resides four miles east of Geneva. A family reunion was held today at ■ the home of S. M. Connor here, the * affair being in honor of Granpa Solo- ■ mon Clay, who has passed his ninet tieth birthday. Among those present ■ for the happy occasion were Mrs. . Sarah J’ingry, of Kansas City, and Mr. : Otto Clay of Paulding, Ohio. There s were twelve guests present, and it . was a delightfully pleasant event. I A NEW CASE WAS FILED Attorney D. fi. Erwin filed a new suit at the clerk’s office, the title being Henry Knapp vs. William J. H. Hahnert, complaint on note, demand S3OO. c George Graber returned to Fort Wayne after a visit with an uncle.