Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 7, Number 178, Decatur, Adams County, 28 July 1909 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

(Volume VII. Number 178.

IS BEING GRILLED Jferry Thaw on the Witness I Stand Today in His Own Behalf HE WANTS RELEASE District Attorney Jerome is I Giving Him a Round That Hurts SjFhite Plains, New York, July 28.— mecial to the Daily Democrat)— Harry Thaw took the witness stand this morning, and he was plainly nervous and realized that his fate deJtnd' 'i upon his own actions and testimony Thaw showed the effects of yesterday's testimony when his cause was dealt many body blows by the evidence of Mrs. Morrill. Thaw's attorneys immediately turned him over fc Jerome, they foregoing any direct tilatimony “Why are you here,” began Jerome, and he was answered “this is a habeas corpus proceeding looking toward my release from Mattewan. “Why were you committed to Mattewan?” "Because at the end of my second trial when I was acquitted, the judge issued a commitment.” “Well, why were you acquitted?” “Because they found me not guilty.” “Why you killed Stanford White, shot him to death in Madison Square Garden.” Thaw answered leisurely, “I was acquitted I think because the counsel for both sides held that I was suffering from a delusion at that time.” The grilling will continue throughout the day and the result is in the hands of Justice Mills of the supreme court of the State of New York. Mrs. Thaw is present at the hearing, and is rendering all possible aid for Thaw's release. —--o ■ ■ - TOMORROW IS THE BIG DAY B»me of the Fast Ones During the Red Ribbon Races. The second day of the great Red Ribbon races at Fort Wayne tomorrow, Thursday, -will see some of the ■greatest racing of the meeting. The program will open with the 2:08 pace, for a purse of S4OO, and it promises to be one of the best events of the track this season. The second event will be the 2:24 pace, the Centilivre Brewing company's stake, for SI,OOO. The third race will be the 2:18 trot, which has some great horses entered. I — o I THE FORT WAYNE FAIR It Will Be Heid this Year from September 14 to 18. The great Fort Wayne fair will be heitl this year September 14 to 18, •and the indications at the present Stoe arc that it wBl be the largest ever held, in Northern Indiana. The H premiums have been increased and the purses given for race events the largest ever given by any fair association outside the state fair. Excursion rates to Fort Wayne on all railroads and interufbans. A ll BOTTLE WAGE CONFERENCE Manufacturers Are Said to be Demanding a Big Cut. Atlantic City, N. J., July 28.—The annual wage conference of the exec- ! utive committee of the ■National Association of Glass Bottle and Vial Manuftcurers and the Glass Bottle Blowers’ Association of America will bew gin a secret session here tomorrow. Representatives of the workmen fear a clash over the demands of the manufacturers for a big cut in the present -wages. , ;

KILLED IN THE COURT ROOM W. Y. Ellis Put a Bullet Through the Heart of N. P. Willis. Little Rock, Ark., July 28. —Shooting over the head of United States Senator Jefferson Davis, W. Y. Ellis, a resident of Pine Bluff, fired a bullet into the heart of Nathaniel Parker Willis, owner of a liquor cure at Indianapolis, Ind., in the circuit court room here yesterday afternoon. The shooting was the tragic ending of a lawsuit brought by Willis against his divorced wife, who had subsequently married Ellis, for the possession of his child. Willis died almost instantly after he was shot, in his mother's arms, who was waiting across the room and rushed toward him as he fell in the hallway outside of the court room. Willis secured his divorce a number of years ago and started the litigation for the possession of the child. Yesterday he secured an order from Circuit Judge Fulk to take possession of the child, who has been for the past ten days in the custody of an uncle at Pine Bluff, and today the parties to the suit met in the court room to decide where the child was to be delivered. Ellis appeared for his wife, the former Mrs. Willis, and Senator Davis represented Willis.

THE SUM GROWING Shortage of Tipton Bank Officjiajl/ Now Thought to Be $85,000 UNDER NO BOND The Assistant Cashier Had the Entire Confidence of the Bank -.- i Tipton, Ind., July 28—The shortage of Noah R. Marker, assistant cashier of the First National bank, exceeds $85,000, according to the latest report given out by the officials of that institution. President Shirk made the admission that the sum of money In the safe Saturday night was something like $60,000. It is known by an examination of the books that Marker was short $25,000 more, and there is a possibility that further irregularities may be found, when the bank examiner, acting under instructions from the controller of the currency, makes a complete investigation. It is known, however, that Marker forged a number of notes. E. W. Shirk, president of the bank, is one of the prominent capitalists of northern Indiana. He is president of the First National bank of Peru, and has had large banking interests in Delphi and Monticello. He and his family are said to have a fortune of several million dollars. Among business men there is no question of the ability of the Tipton bank to pay all of its indebtedness. “Had not Marker swept out all our available cash,” said Mr. Shirk, “we should not have suspended operations, but we had no currency to work with. He took all but the silver. After we once had closed we decided not to open until the bank examiner comes. When he has discovered the amount of the shortage the stockholders will at once make it good and we shall proceed with business. The shortage is entirely problematic now. The books are in bad shape, and it may take a week to straighten them out. Noah Marker was not under bond. He had been in the position of assistant cashier only a short time,’’ said Mr. "hirk. “We intended that he should give bond, but this action was postponed. He had been with us so many years and we so implicitly trusted him and the cashier, William Marker, with full management of our affairs that we had no thought of taking the usual precautions against embezzlement. But no matter how much the shortage may prove to be, we can and will make good every dollar. Fortunately for us, we learn Marker did Hot draw upon our deposits in United States depositories, and other banks before he ran away.” ■ o T. H. Ernst visited his mother at Peterson last night, and left her this morning in a very weak condition. She hardly recognizes any one around her, and she can live but a short time at the best.

ARE DOWN AND OUT Twenty Saloons in Muncie Have Closed Their Doors THIRTY-FOUR LEFT Clubs Will Soon Be All the Rage in City of Muncie Muncie, Ind., July 28. —When the bells struck 11 o’clock Monday evening twenty saloons went out of business in Muncie, the owners of these being the “ninety-day men.” The county voted “dry” April 27. The proprietors of eighteen of these saloons retained leases on the places and intend to open soft drlng establishments and restaurants. However, some of the former saloon rooms are to become the meeting places of clubs and arrangements have been completed for the organization of certain clubs under the state laws. One club has completed a locker system and members will keep their liquors in their individual lockers in the future, while the man who runs the place will merely be paid a service fee by members, who say that they will observe the law strictly and will do nothing that will bring them in conflict with it. The twenty saloons went out of business quietly. Some of them are prominent uptown drinking places that never have caused the police difficulty, while others were dives that have caused no end of trouble. There was considerable hilarity in a few places, but there was no serious disturbance in any of them. Thirty-four saloons remain and these are preparing to take care of all trade by means of longer bars and more bartenders. At a special meeting of the city council last night an appropriation was made with which to pay the saloon keepers who quit business before the expiration of their license dates their pro rata of license money for the unexpired time.

CARED FOR BY SONS Mrs. Sarah E. Hendricks Will Not Be Committed to Asylum FOR THE PRESENT Her Sons Will Take Care of Her —Sheriff Meyer Was There Mrs. Sarah E. Hendricks, Berne, recently adjudged insane, and for whom a warrant was placed in the hands of Sheriff Meyer authorizing her committment to Easthaven asylum, has not and probably will not be imprisoned in the Richmond hospital, as aresult of late developments. Mrs. Hendricks until a short time ago resided with her daughter, Mrs. Meyer at Berne. Her mental faculties became so impaired that she was unmanageable and the daughter petitioned the officers to pnss upon her mental soundness and pursue such a course as provided for by law in the disposition of the case. The aged woman was examined and pronounced insane by the board, and her committment to the asylum ordered. Sons of the afflicted woman, apprised of the procedure, at once instituted habeas corpus proceedings against Sheriff Meyer thus preventing him from executing the order previously made. Judge Merryman ordered the woman brought into court for trial, and Sheriff Meyer accompanied by a Berne physician, \'ent to the home yesterday, where' an examination of her condition disclosed the fact that she was physically unable to be taken from the home. It is probable that the sons will be permitted to have the custody of Mrs. Hendricks, unless her mental condition becomes worse. o . .. . _. Crops in Adams county continue to be very promising and if nothing happens the farmers will get a very good harvest this fall.

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday Evening, July 28, 1909.

THEY WILL STILL OPERATE Tinplate Company Insist That They Will Operate. Elwood, Ind., July 27.- —In spite of the fact that an injunction has been denied the tinplate company, the officials state that that fact will have no effect whatever upon the stand taken by them and that the plant here will be operated under the same conditions in the future as it has since the calling of the strike. Eleven mills and 21 stacks were running at th® plant today, and the management hopes to open more during the week. During yesterday and last night quite a number of men were brought in from the east, and it is bfficlally stated that several more of the local men have returned to work. The company says that the factory here will be operated at all costs, and as a proof of that statement are fitting up additional sleeping and eating quarters for their workmen. Extra policemen have been detailed to escort workmen to and from the plant, and officers are on duty there at every change of the turns.

CAME TO THIS CITY Geneva’s Birthday Club Spent Last Evening Here DINNER AT MURRAY They Were Guests of Mrs. Atwood and Mrs. Kimball That Geneva Birthday Club is now known In this city. They came here j twenty strong last evening, indulged in a dinner at the Murray, and then spent some time taking in the sights of the town. They came as the guests of Mrs. Kimball and MYs. Atwood, both of whom had passed the sweet sixteen mark and had to do the honors. Yesterday afternoon they were entertained at the home of Mrs. Kimball and then were chaperoned to this city by W. B. Hale and Jim Briggs, they coming via automobile. Those composing the merry party were Mrs. A. G. Briggs, Mrs. W. W. Briggs, Mrs. J. H. Hardison, Mrs. A P. Hardison, Mrs. R. L. Towns of Brunswick, Maine; Mrs. S. O. Weldon of Elyria, Ohio; Mrs. Heeter, Mrs. Baird, Mrs. Deitsch, Mrs. Reddout, Mrs. Fristoe, Miss Lorene Miller, Mrs. McGinnett, Mrs. G. W. Bolds, Mrs. J. F. Wheeler and Mrs. McCray. The evening was pleasantly spent in a social way, making it we imagine one of the most enjoyable events of the famous Birthday Club. They left about nine o'clock for their home and we hope arrived without mishap. o TO RETURN HOME NEXT MONTH Mrs. Morrison Getting Ready to Leave Oaxaca, Mexico. Mrs. A. B. Morrison has written friends here that she will pull herself away from the enticing things around Oaxaca, Mexico, and start for her home in this city about the fifteenth of August. Her daughter is with her at the present time, and their return is for the purpose of arranging a few preliminaries before Miss Harriet leaves for another year at school. Mrs. Morrison spends much time in Mexico where she seems to enjoy life better than any place else. o SAW MUCH OF THE COUNTRY Two Decaturites Took a Long Automobile Ride Yesterday. A Van Camp and Treasurer Lachot took an automobile ride yesterday chat covered a big slice of this state and part of Ohio. They made one hundred and sixty-nine miles and both came in fresh as two daisies. In the round they called on many customers of the VanCansp Machine ■Works, and spent some time visiting with friends and acquaintances while enroute. It was a great trip and they both enjoyed’it to the limit. o ■ - ■ . . The managers of the Great Northern Indiana fair association are accomplishing much in preparing for the big 1909 event, which begins the twenty-fourth day Ilf this; month.. The attraction this year will by far eclipse all former ones, and the exhibits will be of unusual interest.

COURTHOUSE NEWS Clerk Haefling Collects Change of Venue Costs from Other Counties PRUNED THE BILL Another Settlement Made in the Booster Lot Cases Clerk Haefling was in Portland yesterday where he collected costs due the county in change of venue cases. His trip there completed the circuit, and his report to the commissioners shows the collection of $38.20 in Wells county, $28.00 in Allen county, and $31.30 in Jay county. The total collection was $97.50 and this amount has been turned over to the proper fund belonging to the county. , . , . While at Portland yesterday Clerk Haefling went through the records and corrected the bill made by the officials of Jay county against this county for costs in suits in which change on venue had been taken. The amount of the bill filed was $1,162, but a careful pruning by Clerk Haefling reduces the amount to $939, and this amount has been recommended as due Jay county and it will be paid. These costs have been permitted to accumulate for a long number of years, and that is the reason that the bill now is so large. Peterson & Moran and Clark J. I Lutz as attorneys have filed a dismissal at the clerk’s office in the case of Frank M. Schirmeyer, trustee vs. William Beachler. The case has been settled by the payment of the amount due the trustee, and the suit will be dropped from the court calendar.

SI COUNTY LEAGUE Is the Borne by a Newly Launched Organization DECATUR IS IN IT ' With Both Feet—New Base Ball League Has Been Formed What is to be known as the SiCounty Amateur base ball league has . been organized and the first games will be played one week from next . Sunday. Towns to be included in the , league are Portland, Geneva, Pennville, Berne and Decatur. As yet the officers have not been chosen and , the schedule has not been compiled, but this work will be done before the date for the opening game. The teams will conform to the rules of , the national commission, although they will not be in any way connected with it. The Decatur Shamrocks will represent this city in the league and without a doubt they will take care of their end of the business. Thy have a bunch of classy players who will make the opponents travel ■ a rough and rocky rodd. Geneva Is scheduled to open in Decatur one' week from Sunday and the locals are confident they can administer defeat to tEem, the old time rivals. But one game a week will be played in the new league. A genetieman residing at Bryant is the organizer and he states that khe league will fill a long felt want in this section among lovers of the national sport. o WOMAN AND BLIND TIGER Connersville, Ind., July 2s?. —Mrs. Nettie Hughes was arrested yesterday afternoon charged with conducting a blind tiger at her home on Fourth street. She was placed under SIOO bond for her trial in the city court Friday morning. The prosecution claims to have a number of Witnesses who bought liquor at the Hughes home on Sunday and at other times.

REUNION TO BE AT OSSIAN The One Hundred and Sixtieth Regiment to Meet. Elaborate arrangements are being made at Osdian for the entertainmem of the annual reunion there on August 11th of the 160th regiment Indiana volunteers, and the members of Company F., living at Ossian and vicinity, will do all in their power to make it a big success. The K. of P. band of thirty pieces has bene secured for the reunion and an orchestra also has been secured to furnish music. The speakers program has been arranged and it contains the names of some of the leading citizens of Ossian, as well as leading officers of the regiment. The welcome address will be given by A. S. Elzey of Ossian. Other speakers down on the program are Col. G. W. Gunder, Major J. J. Bachman, Major James R. Harrison, Lieutenant Colonel Kiger and other officers. The visiting members of the regiment will be given free dinner and supper, which will be given on an elaborate scale. Quartermaster Rant Allen, who fed the boys in 1897 and 1898, will see to it that they fare in more sumptuous fashion while in Ossian. Company E members of this city, expect to attend in force. — Bluffton News.

IT IS ALL A FARCE The President Given Up His Fight for Tariff Reductions WILL NOT VETO Bill Will Be Signed Like a Good Little Fellow it Washington, July 28. —The progressive senators were informed that they need not expect any reductions on cottons and structural steel. The information, it is said, came direct from the white house. The president, it is understood, is greatly disappointed at not being able to accomplish anything on these two items. While there is lack of information as to just what the real situation was the progressives understood the conferees were practically a unit in declining to attempt to reopen the cotton schedule and were adverse to making any reductions on structural steel. In deciding what their attitude toward the bill shall finally be the progressives i will, of course, take into consideration this refusal of the conferees to give any relief on cotton and steel. Before the cabinet met the president saw Dwight, “whip” of the house; Speaker Cannon, Senator Beveridge ' and a large number of representa- : tives. Mr. Dwight was unwilling to 1 predict what the outcome in the house would be. He said to some members who called with him that he could i not give an estimate of the strength ' of either side in the house until members had seen the conference report. : Representative Hill was with him. To one of the far west senators the president said today he realized that he could make himself popular by vetoing the bill. “But it would be a very serious thing to veto the bill,” the senator quotes him as saying. “It would wreck my administration.” He said the bill contained much that he thought bad, but he could not bring himself to think of using the veto power. The detail of the adoption of a rule permitting changes in the ‘ shoe and leather duties below the rates in dispute between two houses i remains to be arranged, but serious Democratic opposition to that is not expected, because there is too much the Democrats want in the bill to warrant them in voting against it, except on the formal party vote by which it finally passes the lower branch. The leaders have had some fears that an attempt to adopt such a rule might open the way to general amendments to the bill, but the consensus of opinion is that the general issue involved is so overwhelming ' that any attempt to delay over de--1 tails will not be tolerated by a ma- ■ jority of the house. io — — Adams county people are anxiously awaiting the big fair to be held here soon. The exhibits, racing and other features will be better than ever this year.

Price Two Cents

LIBRARY REPORT fyinetta L. Moses the Librarian, Makes a Report WONDERFUL GROWTH The Library Has Many Readers and is Popular All Over the City

The Decatur public library is proving a mecca to those who delight in the qujet, entertaining pastime of reading, and the number who take advantage of the reference books has largely increased July 20,) 1909, marked the third anniversary of the opening of the library. The following report will give the public definite figures and data concerning its growth. Each month's report has found an increase in the number of visitors, borrowers and reference workers, and every phase of the work has shown growth and added interest. The public schools and literary clubs of the city have made good use of the books of reference. Many of the pupils have been taught to use the reference books, and thus greatly relieve the work of the librarian. The' total number of readers now enjoying library privileges is 1,630, 274 names being added during the year. The close of first year was 925, second year 1,356; third year 1,630. The county is well represented among the borrowers, as any person within the county can enjoy all the privileges of the library by paying an assessment of $1.60 per year. The shelves now contain 3,870 books, 380 volumes were added during the year. The number of books according to classification is as follows: Biography, 186; literature, 448; fine arts, 46; useful arts, 28; science, 112; philology, 14; sociology and law, 164; religion, 43; ethics, 43; encyclopedia!, 31; adult fiction, L 160;) juveni'e, 908. These do not include government books of which there are about 300. The reading circle books, 20 in all, were purchased jointly by the school and library boards, and placed on the shelves of the library. Among the year’s gifts were 28 volumes on scientific subjects by the greatest writers of the world, given by Miss Jessie McLean. The books are a valuable addition and greatly appreciated by the board. The Shakespeare Club presented two fine books on Alaska by Bruce and Mac Lain. A number of very excellent books for the children's reading tables were given by the Misses Walter. “Helen's Uabiesf ( was given by two young girls, representing their club. The reading tables contain many of the leading magazines and newspapers, with departments to suit all tastes. These periodicals are given by citizens of the city. The figures on circulation do not begin to enumerate the number of persons who use the library. The winter and spring months are more conducive to readers. February was the banner month, 1,971 books, the record for the month, and May 11, 1909, was the banner day, 130 books. Circulation by months: August, 1,250: September, 1,048; October, 1,419; November, 1,651; December, 1,704; January, 1909, 1,898; February, 1,971; March, 1,844; April, 1,800; May, 1,695; June, 1,569; July, 1,102. Total circulation for year, 19,251. The library is open every day in the week excepting legal holidays, from 12:00 to 5:00, and 6:00 to 9:00 p. m. On Sundays from 1:00 to 6:00. During July and August the hours change to 1:00 to 5:00 p. m. and 6:30 to 9:00 p. m. The amount collected during the year from de- ' jinquent fines and paid privileges . was $39.00. This amount is placed i in “book fund.” The present library i board consists of the following members: Mrs. Elizabeth Morrison, presr ident; Mrs. L. G. Ellingham, vice r president; H. B. Heller, secretary; ?le. X. Ehinger, treasurer; Mrs. C. D. r Lewton, M. Kirsch, T. C. Corbett. 1 Annette L. Moses Librarian. o I M’MILLIN RESIGNS OFFICE Postoffice Inspector to Serve a Security Company. Washington, July 28. —Frank E. McMillin, chief inspector of the postoffice department, today tendered his resignation to Postmaster General Hitchcock, to take effect. July 31, to become vice president of the National Security company of New York.