Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 7, Number 174, Decatur, Adams County, 23 July 1909 — Page 1

■Tolurne VII. Number 174.

IT MAY HAVE BEEN MURDER lifeless Body of an Unknown Man was | Found This Morning

ALONG C&E.TRACKS Had Been Dead for Hours— I Two Tramps Are Held on Suspicion TOGETHER LAST NIGHT "Were Heard Quarreling—j Had a Quart of Alcohol With Them ®The lifeless body of an unknown Ban was found about nine o'clock this j|orn''ng, lying along tbc right-of-way of the Chicago & Erie railroad, just .foutl. of the C. C. Cloud farm and legbout 20V feet west of the water tank. The body was first noticed by Joe *foops, conductor on the east bound ■’i. focal, who was on one of the cars. He notified the Erie agent, John Fleming. who at once summoned the ofHBfcials Dr. J. C. Grandstaff, the cor-K-oner happened to be in the city and ■Accompanied the ambulance to the The body was conveyed to M the undertaking rooms of Gay & Zwick 3 and prepared for burial, after a thorE. ough examination had been made byDr. Grandstaff. The dead man was a cripple, his left arm being shriveled ■and very small and he looks like a professional tramp, in fact he was l»lWcoL-nized by various people who have seen him here at different times. Sheriff Meyers and others said he has • "been in jail on different occasions, but there is no clue to his identity. He is six feet tall, weighs about 175 pounds, left arm crippled, has blond, . ■Blxnosr red, curly hair and is perhaps forty years old. In his pockets were found a knife, four pocket hooks, one Os them containing ten cents, a memorandum containing some street ad,/Attesses but no names, and a number of itrinkets, collar buttons, a mirror, etc. He wore a good suit of clothes, a blue serge coat and vest, dark trousers, good clean underwear, good shoes and was fairly presentable. S s , Concerning his death there is a mystery and two men who were with him are being held in jail, having been ISfresi'd about ten o'clock at the Brer Leaf railroad, by Marshal Butler. They gave their names as WilMams and Wilson, said they had come here from Delphos, Ohio, and that they knew nothing about the man dying. However, they were with him last evening and late in the night heard quarreling. The dead man was found near the fence north of the tiidlroad. about thirty feet from the tracks. He was lying with his head down, over a small log and had been dead for several hours when discovered In one hand he held an empty pint beer bottle and near him Was found a quart bottle, containing A small amount of grain alcohol. The bottle was labeled Schaefer & Schaefet druggists, Huntington, Indiana. That firm was called over the phone but said they did not remember making a sale of this kind. The three men were about town yesterday and at five o’clock last evening were seen going west along the Erie tracks by Joe Toops, the man who found the body. A number of people in the neighborhood saw the men and several say they heard them quarreling over some cans, or the contents thereof. Mrs. William Weimer identified the dead man as one who had called at her house last evening and asked for a bottle of water. Others who saw the trio were Miss Kate Jackson, Mrs. Sam Hower, Clem Knott and Bert Green. It was at first generally supposed that the three had licked up the bottle of alcohol and had then .Staged in a fight in which the vic-

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

tim had been struck with a bottle or something else, and been killed. His face and head were covered with blood, but when the coroner examined the man, there was no trace of any blow that would have caused death. His face was purple, the blood having rushed to the head, and there was a slight abrasion of the skin over the fight eye, but the skull waS| hot crushed and the general opinion of the doctor was that the man had died from the effects of the alcohol, although he will not give a verdict until after the inquest, which will be held at the office of Prosecutor Henry B. Heller tomorrow morning, at nine o'clock.,The dead man's breath was heavy from the fumes of the alcohol, even many hours after his death. The two men held In jail will be retained until some further investigations are made. It is believed that they could tell all about the affair if they would. They were interviewed by a representative of the Daily Democrat this afternoon. They gave their names as Frank Wilson, aged sixty, and Charles Williams, aged thirty, both saying they lived at Huntington, and had come over here yesterday. They say they know nothing of the affair and although they are not supposed to have seen the dead man are loud in their protestations that they do not know him or how he met his untimely end. They act very suspicious, though, and will be put to a closer examination before they are given their liberty. It is not likely that the dead man will ever be identified, as there is positively no way of beginning on this duty. The dead man was viewed by many people during today. One of the men held In jail is an umbrella mender. Later this afternoon Schaefer & Schaefer, the Huntington druggists, telephoned this office that yesterday, a stranger, aged about forty, with a sandy mustache and light hair, came to their store and purchased a quart of alcohol, some quintne and some boracic acid, claiming he was a horseman and wanted the goods for medicine for some horses. The quart ot alcohol was undoubtedly the one that the dead man had with him, or rather what was left of it. He gave his (Continued on page 2.) ENTERS CONTEST

Will Hammel of the City News Company After an Automobile Prize OR ELSE THE CASH Hampton Magazine Company Offers a Chance for Hustling News Men Will Hammel of the City News company has entered a contest with the Hampton Magazine company, which continues for three months and in which the prize is a handsome Reo or Maxwell automobile or a cash prize. The Hampton Magazine is one of the standard ones, succeeding the New Broadway, which has been published for twenty-three years, and is filled from cover to cover with good clean reading. The prizes include eight autos and $5,900 in cash and as they are awarded to the newsdealer making the best showing on his increase of sales Will figures that he has a good chance to get in on the distribution. Any way those who give him their name can lose nothing as the magazine is a good one and is well worth the price charged, fifteen cents, payable when the book is delivered each month for three months. It is hoped that a hundred or two at least will be convinced that they need the magazine from now until November and give him their names. o Eli Meyers made a business trip to Berne this afternoon.

ITS PRIMARY DAY Democrats and Republicans Are Nominating at Fort Wayne Today FOR CITY OFFICES Biggest Fight for the Democratic Nomination for Mayor One of the hottest elections ever held in Fort Wayne is on today, it being the Democratic primary election for the city officers. The contest has been a spirited one, and a number of local Issues, including the disposition of the municipal lighting plant, have been thoroughly talked over by the voters. The Republican primary is also on today, adding some interest to the occasion, though there seems to be a feeling that the Democratic candidate will have no trouble in being elected. The candidates for the Democratic nomination are Henry P. Scherer, a former mayor; August M. Schmidt, Albert E. Melching, once sheriff of Allen county, and Charles McCullough, a well known business man and banker. For the Republican honor the candidates are ex-sheriff Grice and B. W. Skelton, who has served as city clerk. The Jcr-rnal-Gazette said this morning that the fight had narrowed down to Sheerer and McCullough on the Democratic side, and that Grice would get seventy per cent, of the Republican votes. For city clerk the Democratic candidates are A. J. Muldoon, Dave Stout, John Noll and Oswald Stahn. For judge of the municipal court are H. W. Kerer, Frank H. Kleekamp, A. L. Greible and William Fruchtenicht. In all the wards there are strong fights for the nominations for councilmen and all of Fort Wayne are watching ciosely the results of the scrap today. o WILL TRY IT AGAIN The Eleven Indiana Members of Congress are Candidates Again EARLY ORGANIZATION The Democrats Have a Chance to Carry the Next House Washington, July 23. —The eleven Democratic members of the national house of representatives from Indiana intend to stand for renomination and re-election next year. Every one ot them seems to think he can be renominated and most of them feel confident of re-election. The first termers in the company of eleven are John W. Boehne, of the First district; William A. Cullop, of the Second district; Ralph W. Moss, of the Fifth district; Charles A. Korbly, of the Seventh district; Martin A. Morrison, of the Ninth district; Cyrus Cline, of the Twelfth district, and Henry A. Barnhart, of the Thirteenth district. It is very well understood here that in these seven district the Republicans will endeavor to regain the ground they lost at the last election. William E. Cox, of the Third district; Lincoln Dixon, of the Fourth; John A. M. Adair, of the Eighth, and George W. Rauch, of the Eleventh, do not expect to get through without secrious opposition, but they feel that they are on somewhat solider ground than the seven newcomers. If the Indiana Democratic members can have their way the tariff will be made the chief issue in the congressional elections next year. They are a little more inclined to that issue than are Democratic members from other states who failed to stand by the Democratic national platform. The early reorganization of the Democratic congressional campaign committee means that the

Decatur, Indiana, Friday Evening, July 23, 1909.

minority party intends to get into the congressional campaign early and stayin late. Just at this time when many of the Republican statesmen are in the dumps the prevailing talk about the capital is that the Democrats will control the next house or representatives. Many of the Republican statesmen are saying privately: “If the Democrats cannot elect the next house the party had better go out of business.” Unquestionably the minority party lead- . era arc hopeful, and yet the wise men ■ among them realize that it will not be an easy task to wrest the control of the house from the Republicans. A ’ gain of twenty-five Democratic members would do the trick. But where are the twentyfive to come from. FOUR WERE HURT In a Wreck on the Trolley Line to Robinson park Last Night REAR END COLLISION Caused Much Worry for Those Who Had Friends at the Park Fort Wayne, Ind., July 23. —Mrs. Rebecca Tatner, of 1341 Horace street, was seriously injured and three other people were slightly hurt in a head-on collison between two city cars on the Robinson park line at 8:45 last, night about two miles this side of the park, when car No. 250 dashed into a small open car, loaded with pleasure seekers, which had become disabled on the main tracks. The others injured: Miss Ada Sawyer, 514 Fairmount place, back injured. Miss Elsie McGuire, 1432 Wells street. Miss Laura Kunkel, 430 East Wayne street. Mrs. Tatner sustained bruises about the body and a contusion of the skull immediately back of the right ear. She is at Hope hospital. Miss Hershberger, a trained nurse, of 2718 Holton avenue was aboard the car, was slightly shaken up, but rendered valuable service in caring for the injured and assisting the attending physician. The accident occurred on a straight track opposite the old paper mill. Both cars were bound for the park and were crowded with jolly park visitors. Open car No. 605, in charge of Motorman Hartman and Conductor Charles Bahney, had become disabled and Conductor Davis and Motorman Harley Phillips came up behind, smashing into it and hurling the panic-stricken passengers of the smaller car from their seat or from the car. There were several thousand people at the park during the evening and the news of the accident spread rapidly. It was first reported that several people had been killed and anxious relatives who remained in the city during the evening and had people at the park kept telephones busy inquiring the nature of the accident and the names of those injured. These were greatly relieved to learn that the accident was no more serious than it was and that their friends or relatives were safe and uninjured. — o > COURT HOUSE BUSINESS QUIET A Few Real Estate Transfers —No Other Records. Real estate transfers: S. H. Adams to Charles Long, lots 81 and 82 Ceylon, ?2,500; F. M. Schirmeyer, trustee, to Adam Schafer, lot 58, Decatur, $255. Mary Bottenfield to Frederick Hubner, tract in Kirkland township, quit claim deed, SI.OO. This was an exceedingly quiet day at the court house, there being practically no records in the other offices. o— ANOTHER ONE GONE WRONG Terre Haute, Ind., July 23. —Howard Phillips, aged twenty-two, a clerk at the Terre Haute National bank, has been arrested and has confessed taking $4,000 in the last three years. The thefts were made when making exchanges with other banks by holding out money and by manipulating the accounts. While he was away on a vacation his books were examined and he was arrested when he arrived home last night.

A LIFE GOES OUT May, Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Hill, is Dead I ILL FOR MONTHS Tuberculosis Claims Another in Adams County Tuberculosis in its worst form has ushered into the eternal world the life of another of Adams county’s young people in the untimely demise of Pearl May, daughter of Jesse and Mrs. Hill, which occurred last evening at 4:20 o’clock. The young lady until last winter has enjoyed the best of health. She contracted a severe cold, however, and her lungs became seriously affected, becoming worse each day. Yesterday afternoon she was taken suddenly worse and the young life went out almost before the attendants were aware of the change in her condition. The deceased was engaged to marry Curtis Fritzinger and the date had been set in last April. The prolonged illness foiled these plans and the date was postponed two months later. The young people had at last decided to postpone the affair until this fall, when they expected to leave for the west in hopes of restoring health to the young woman, but alas the cold hand of death has plucked her from her associates, from heart broken parents, from a grief stricken lover the life of the most estimable girl, leaving nothing to console them but the sweet memory of her nobility and devotion to the cause of right. Miss May was a lovable . girl. She possessed those qualifications which win for one the recognition of the people and that the grim ' reaper has torn asunder the loving ties of girlhood just as she was step- i ping upon the threshold of a greater life, is one of the many things which human mind cannot fathom. 0 : — LETTER SERIES I Bert Segur, a Decatur Youth ' and His Work in the Philippines AS AN ENGINEER First of a Number of Letters of Interest to His Friends Here Tubigon, Bohole, May 2, 1909. Dear Father—Work has begun here but we are having trouble with one of these “little brown brothers.” The governor of this province has an idea that the wages of the laborers should be doubled and that we should be compelled to pay a graft to the Tenientes of Barrios to get men. The fact that the road is a public utility and used for the common good never enters his head ;and the fact that the people who paid the taxes paid them at the old rate of wages never occurs to his thick head. Well we can get men from Cebu to do the work or if he persists in his present policy we can see that he loses his job and I think that is what will happen. West was here this week, looking after things. Everything seemed to suit him except the supply of labor and that doesn't suit any one. This is a great fish town. Fish three and four feet long are brought in every day. The natives all igo at night and return the next morning. The dogs fish also. The the tide goes : out, the crabs come out of the holes i in the ground. The dogs go out along • the beach and catch these crabs. I ■ found some treacherous ground here ■ yesterday that the road must go over. ; One of the boys was driving a hub > into the road and I felt it shaking, i I took a stick four feet long and shov--1 ed it into the ground. I could shove ; it down full length with one hand and this is the dry season. The drainage

is the stiffest proposition here and it is stiff. The ground is a low flat and there’s hardly enough fall to get in the culverts let along drainage ditches. I am raising the old road nearly everywhere. I think I will go over to the cock pit this p. m. Cock fighting is quite an institution here in the islands. I have never been to a cock fight yet, though, and I have a curiosity to see one. So long, BERT. The following is the first of a series of Interesting letters from Bert Segur to his father, Harvey Segur, of this city, showing the young mans progress in planning and superintending and engineering a railway line across the islands. ALL IN READINESS For the Opening of Maple Grove Park Next Sunday Afternoon MISS WRIGHT HERE Will Make a Balloon Ascension and Parachute Drop —Big Crowd Going Arrangements are complete for a big day at the Maple Grove park on Sunday and it is expected with good weather that the largest crowd in the history of that amusement place will be there. The principal attraction is to be a balloon ascension and parachute drop by Hazel Wright, a cousin of the famous Wright brothers of Dayton, aeroplane artists. Miss Wright has a reputation over many states as one of the best balloonists of the age and she will sail far into the clouds. The ascension will likely occur about two o'clock, unless some delay should occur. Besides this attraction there will be good band music and many other events of interest. There is nothing at the park but innocent amusements and all who go are sure to enjoy themselves to the limit. Refreshments will be served on the grounds and the big crowd will have a good time. For this occasion and beginning at one o’clock the interurban will run special cars every half hour, during the afternoon. Miss W’right arrived today and her big balloon is in readiness for the trip to the clouds. 0 — . NEW GREEN HOUSE Ernsberger and Moses Will Erect New House IN DECATUR New Flower Department Will Be Constructed at Once This morning a force of workmen began the task of razing the flower department of the Ernsberger and Moses greenhouse, which is the first movement preparatory to the erection of a new building upon the site which is to be vacated. The department in which flowers are grown has proven inadequate in proportions and convenience alike to meet the de- : mands of the large patronage. The 1 proprietors conferred and decided t< begin at once the construction of th< new house with the intention of in 1 stalling every convenience known t The men are now busy tearing dowi 1 the walls, removing the glass, etc 5 and immediately after the completioi s of this, masons will arrange a con s crete wall about the lot. The carpen ? ters will begin their work the firs I of next week, and it is thought tha e the new structure will be ready foi r. occupancy within three or four weeks b The greenhouse proprietors are doing ;. a big business. At the present time - they are shipping on the average of s six barrels of cucumbers each day 1 and even at this rate are far behind > on their orders.

Price Two Cents

A BIRTHDAY CLUB They Gave a Picnic in the Hardison Grove Which Was a Dinger DR. MILES DEAD Mrs. Rachel Albertson, of Domestic, Died Thursday Evening Geneva, Indiana, July 23. —(Special to the Daily Democrat) —One autumn afternoon in the fall of 1904 a number of ladies were calling on a friend when one of the ladies suggested the organization ot a birthday club. That little company took the hint and from that suggestion a birthday club was organized on August 9, 1904. The organization now has a membership of twenty-five, which la the limit Each member entertains the club once a year, and this happy event occurs on her birthday, and according to custom the hostess of these birthday occasions is presented with a solid silver spoon. The organization has a president, secretary jnnd treasurer, and they have full power to make rules for the regulatron and well being of this society. On last Thursday this club gave ■ picnic supper to their respective families, the event occuring in the Hardison grove, one mile south of town. The ladles went out early in the afternon and at five o'clock hacks and automobiles conveyed the sterner element of the society to the scenes of picnic activity. It was five-thirty when the bell rang and over one hundred sat down —on the ground—to what is since termed to have been the finest menu that a hungry man or a hearty kid could desire. It was a sumptuous supper and every one of the one hundred can yet taste the good things they could not eat —for want of more room. It was as a family reunion and all left feeling that it was good to be there. May the club prosper in the future as it has in the past, and may the good ladies remember that a year hence is picnic day.

Dr. A. P. Miles of Bryant, died at six o'clock last evening after a long il'ness with dropsy. Dr. Miles has been a practicing physician at Bryant for a long number of years, and was well known by every one. For several years his health has been bad, and but a few weeks ago he returned from a long absence in Florida, where he spent last winter, in the hope of benefltting his health. He was sixtyfour years old, and the funeral will be held at ten o’clock on Saturday, the Rev. West of Monroeville, having charge of the Services. Interment will bo made at Fountain City, their former home. The deceased was the step-father of Mrs. William Wells of this place. Mrs. Rachel Alberson the wife of Henry Alberson, living near Domestic in Wells county, died at eight o’clock on Thursday evening. The deceased was seventy-one years old, and her death was caused by the infirmities of old age. The funeral will be held at one o’clock on Sunday at Domestic, and interment will be made in the Alberson cemetery near that place. Walter Cross and family left Thursday for an over-Sunday visit with relatives at Lima, Ohio. Mrs. S. O. Weldon, of Elyria, Ohio, is here making an extended visit with her sister, Mrs. W. W. Briggs, on Line street. Owing to the fact that he accepted ! a job with the interurban, Frank ' Christman Thursday sold his dray ? line to Frank Winship. The latter - has taken charge and will push the i. business. a ~ To the management of Rev. C. J. a Graves the M. E. church is receiving -a new coat of paint, all of which adds - greatly to the appearance of this t house of worship. t • Steiner & Liddy will open a meat . market in the room just west of the bank on or about July 31. George Cooper, the popular restaurant man, returned Thursday from a visit with friends at Kendallville, Indiana.