Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 7, Number 220, Decatur, Adams County, 15 September 1909 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume VII. Number 220.

UPTGRAFT IS GUILTY Verdict Was Read in Jay County Court this Morning—Ask Clemency IS NOW IN JAIL Wife and Family With Him —Man Who Was Shot , in Capture Convicted Portland, Ind., Sept 15. —(Special to Daily Demcorat) —Alonzo Uptgraft, of near Bryant, charged with assault and battery with intent to commit rape upon the person of Bonnie Owens, a niece of his wife, was found guilty according to the verdict read

in open court at 8:30 this morning. The crime was committed February 3rd last when Uptgraft and his niece were in a buggy enroute to his home. It will be remembered that the defendant was not captured for some days and when finally rounded up he showed fight, the result being that he was shot through the head by the Bryant marshal. He was in the hospital several weeks finally recovering. The trial began Monday morning and the case went to the jury at 1:10 Tuesday afternoon. The jury agreed at 11:30 last night and returned a sealed verdict which was read when court convened this morning. The verdict found the defendant guilty as charged and recommended that the court show clemency in passing sentence. Judge LaFollette has not announced when he will pass sentence. Uptgraft was taken to jail and placed in the criminal department. His wife and children who have remained with him, were allowed to accompany him ■ to jail. The only defense offered was j that he was intoxicated at the time. The penalty for the offense is from two to fourteen years in prison. — , TO TAKE THIRTY-THIRD DEGREE Wright Rockhill Will Go to Boston for the Work.

The 33rd degree in' Scottish Rite ( Masonry will be conferred upon | Wright W. Rockhill, of this city, one j week from tonight at Boston, Mass., by the imperial council, which will be; in session there at that time. Mr. | Rockhill will be one of a class from ! all over the country. Mr. Rockhill will be the sixth Fort Wayne Mason to have received that honor, the present 33rd degree men being John H. Bass, William Geake. Charles Read, Cl- W. Pixley and Charles Wilding. Mr. Geake, as an active, recommended Mr. Rockhill for the honor. There is only one 33rd degree conferred for every one hundred 32nd degree mem- ■ berg. With Mr. Geake, Samuel Geake and Mrs. Rockhill, Mr. Rockhill will, ?o to Boston Saturday. He has long been affiliated in local Masonic circles and the distinction to be conferred upon him next week is appreciated i by his brother Masons. —Fort W ayne Sentinel. o ~~ WILL ATTEND FUNERAL Mrs. Henry Gerke and babe and Mrs. Wm. Martin left this morning for Berne, where they will attend the ( funeral of Mr. Samuel Sprunger,which, will be held this afternon. Mr. ( Sprunger is well known here and •eaves a large host of friends to ( Mourn his loss. „ 1

IT WILL OPEN TUESDAY Bluffton’s Street Fair Will Be on Next Week. Next Tuesday morning at ten o clock Mayor Hamilton formally proclaims the Bluffton street fair open and turns over the keys of the city to the executive committee. Every flag will be up, every exhibit will be in place, the bands will play, the numerous free shows will be going, and the most unique celebration of its kind in Indiana will have started on its triumphant course. The decorations are to be most elaborate, and the illuminations will make the night scenes most gorgeous spectacles. Hon. J A. M. Adair will deliver the principle address at the Old Settlers’ meeting at the court house on Wednesday.

BEGINS JOURNEY, I President Taft Starts Upon Journey of Thirteen Thousand Miles START FROM BOSTON A Great Reception and Banquet Given Last Night Boston, Mass., Sept. 15. —President Taffs first public utterance since congress adjourned was made in this city tonight before 2,000 men representing the business interests of Boston. The occasion was a banquet given in Mechanics hall by the Boston Chamber of Commerce, recently formed by a merger of the Boston Merchants’ association and the Associated Board of Trade with the cham-

ber, and it marked the beginning of ■ ■the president’s 13,000 mile trip through the country. The features of the president's address were his endorsement of the proposition to establish a central bank in connection with currency reform, his words of high praise of Senator Nelson W. Aldrich of Rhode Island, head of the National Monetary Commission, and his repudiation of any attempt to start sectional strife in the country, I such as that which he attributed to Governor Johnson in ‘‘calling upon the west to organize against the east.’’ I Among the guests were cabinet members, diplomats, congressmen, clergymen and distinguished business leaders. The president w’as greeted heartily, and at a reception preceding [the banquet many shook hands with I the executive. The occasion was the beginning also of a chain of social j events in which the leading cities of' (Continue*’ on page 2.)

CUT DOWN THE INDEBTEDNESS OF THE CITY-SAVE THE INTEREST

On August 30th I submited to you for publication the receipts and disbursements of the city treasury, comI mencing Sept. 1, 1898, and ending I Augst 31, 1909. My object in publishing this lengthy article was to ’show’ why I believe in publicity of i municipal affairs, and why it is nec’essary to care for the revenues of the city, cut the indebtedness down and save the interest for our homes and business instead of giving it to the bondholders. In the first six years of this report, you will notice that the city spent nearly fourteen thousand dollars for cleaning and repairing of the stone streets. This much cash was spent, besides the po’l tax. One year the stone was hauled lon the street and the next year the 'same stone, or at least much of the same stone, was hauled off by cleaning. This mada the stone streets veryunpopular in the business section of our city and at the same time created the desire for the brick street, which 'is much superior. Another very important item is the temporary loan.. During six years of this report, the city borrowed one hundred and one thousand three hundred and ninetyone dollars and fifty-six cents, and paid off in about the same time one hundred and nine thousand seven 'hundred and ninety-one dollars and fifty-six cents. This money was borrowed at eight per cent, interest. Figure the interest on the above moniey for one year and add to this the

COURTHOUSE NEWS The Haugk vs. Place Case Appealed to Appellate Court of Indiana ITEMS OF INTEREST Passwater Case Will Be Tried—Attachment Issued for Edward Knavel

T’lie case of Julius Haugk vs. J. W. Place et al, suit on contract in which $250 was demanded and a finding rendered for $125 will be taken to the appellate court. The court rendered judgment on the verdict and granted an appeal, the bond being fixed at S3OO. Ed Green has been appointed by the court to serve as house baliff during the September term of court and is already on the job. Samuel Beeler vs. Nina Beeler, divoifce, apearance by Macy, Nichols & Bales for the defendant, answer filed. i Isadore A. Kalver vs. Decatur Furnace company, on account, submitted, finding for the plaintiff in the sum of $261.66 with relief, Ella Debolt vs. Chauncey Debolt, motion for an allowance filed by plaintiff. Criben Sexton Co.,vs. Decatur Hardware company, suit on note, rule to answer absolute within five days.

Adda M. and W. J. Hahnert vs. j Martha Duntner et al, partition, an -1 swer filed by H. B. Heller, guardian I 'ad litem. I In the case of Rosie Passwater vs. I Charles Passwater, for divorce, which! was heard yesterday on a plea in j abatement, the court found for the plaintiff and the trial of the case will proceed. The defendant was ordered to plead. Costs against the defendant on the plea in abatement. I Mary’ Knavel vs. Edward Knavel., motion filed for an order on the de-, fendant to show cause why he does not make payments for the support of his children as ordered, motion sustained. The defendant was also ordered to show cause why’ he should not answer for contempt of court. An attachment was issued for him returnable within five days. I Mathias Kirsch et al vs. Fannie and John J. Meyer, mechanics’ lien, sub-

money used in repairing the stone streets and you will see why I said that the most of our troubles come from bad business methods. There are many other reasons, but the tw-o statements above will illustrate the idea. I am neither defending nor finding fault with any individual. I am trying to favor business methods that will force the individual to recognize the value of an open set of books that say something else besides “all paid in, and all paid out. ’ I am firmly against the city handling merchandise. Many residences have been wired by city wire under the direction and by permission of former councils. The wire was paid for out of the electric light fund. How many of these people can show the citytreasurer’s receipt for the wire or the work done? Now- some of this talk of graft sounds to me like the kettle calling the pot black. Yet I believe that bad business methods have caused pur greatest troubles. Our people are awake to the necessity of every city officer giving an accurate account of his official record and the only thing that bothers me is to know why they did not wake up when the city was going in debt instead of when she is coming out./ Mr. Editor, I promised you a recapitulation of that report, and here it is: Sept. 1, 1908 to July 31, 1909. Receipts General fund $125,858.02 Sinking, W. W. bond &

Decatur, Indiana. Wednesday Evening, September 15, 1909.

utitted. (Judgment 'for plaintiffs in sum of $61.27. Real estate transfers: John H. Mumma to William Kline, 160 acres Union tp., sl. F. M. Schirmeyer to Sarah E. Roop, lot 32, Decatur, $240. Milo Wilson to Sophia Stauffer. 44 acres in Monroe tp., $4,850. Michael Smith et al to W. E. Kintz tract in Washington tp., $5,800. Elmer E. Eley to J. O. Maloney, 26 acres in Blue Creek tp.. $1,400. E. B. Lenhart et al to George Geels, 80 acres Root tp., Henry H. fHart et al to E. B. Lenhart et al, 80 acres in Root tp., $6,500. Mary Bremerkamp to E. B. Lenhart et al, 80 acres Root tp., $1,250. Gilbert Strickler to Elwood Stevens, lot 894, Decatur, SBOO. William F. Blakey, guardian for Richard Bischoff et al, filed his final report and was discharged. Hiram Musselman, 48, a farmer from near Lynn, Randolph county, and Mary Johnson, 45, of Root township. were granted a license to marry.

YOUNGMENRETURN Willis and John Everett After Long Absence SURPRISE MOTHER The Former Has Been in Navy—The Latter in California Willis Everett who has been for several years on the battleship “Glacier" and John Everett, who has been

in California, passed through the city on their way to Wren yesterday,where they surprised their mother, Mrst Emma Everett and family by their return. The boys are nephews of John and George Everett of this city, and their relatives here and at Wren are very joyful on account of their home coming. Since leaving his home town Willis has been all over the world, and made long stays in the Philippines and Australia with his ship, and so has many stories to tell. The younger brother has been absent for a long time. It is not known by the Everetts of this city how long they will remain, but they are expecting a visit from the two young men soon.

Mrs. Thomas Haefling left this morning for Flint, Mich., where she will make her future home. Mr. Haefiing who has been there for some time, has been meeting with good success in his line of business, and will from now on make Flint their 1 future home.

int. fund 78,1502 Misc. streets and sewers.. 114,483.75 Special street and sewer.. 17,683 GO Water w-orks meter fund.. 629.40 Temporary loan 101.391.56 Water works ext. fund.... 2,950.97 Judgment fund 4,982.0! Fire fund 2,822.11 Refunding bond sale 20,000.00 Electric lights 122,685.70 Water works 97.705.29 Total $689,348.43 Disburse. General fund $110,650.72 Sinking, W. W. bond and int. fund 91,324.53 Misc. streets and sewers.. 112,165.04 Spec, street and sewer fund 11,484.51 Water works meter fund.. 647.80 Temporary loan 109,791.56 Water works ext. fund.... 2,331.87 Judgment fund 4,970.79 Fire fund 300.00 Electric lights 126,427.84 Water works 111,214.66 Total $681,309.32 Money in treasury July 31, 1909, $8,039.11. To make the above more plain, we will have to state what moneys constitute the totals of the electric lights and water w-orks funds. We will give you this statement below and allow you to do your own thinking. In a short time, by your permission, we will follow with a statement showing the city indebtedeness Sept. 1, 1898,

INSPECTION TRIP Will Be Made by the State Board of Commissioners Next Month OVER MANY LINES List Includes All the Steam Roads and Interurban of This City

Indianapolis, Sept. 15. —The state t board of tax commissioners will start 1 on a forty-day tour of inspection of all the railroad, interurban and street' I railway lines in the state about the ( middle of October. The board makes such a trip every four or five years in order to see for itself the physical ■ condition of the properties. Plans for the tour will be considered after State Auditor Billheimer’s return this week from his trip to California, where he has been for the last month. The steam lines to be visited include the Big Four and Its tributaries, the Pennsylvania and its branches, the C., H. & D„ the Monon, the Indianapolis ’Southern, the Southern Indiana, the E. & T. H„ the C. & E. I, the Wabash, the L. E. & W., the Nickel Plate, the Erie, the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern and the Clover Leaf. The interurban lines include the Indiana Union Traction lines, the Indianapolis & Cincinnati lines, the Terre Haute, Indianapolis & Eastern, the Ben-Hur, the Indianapolis, Columbus & Southern, the Fort Wayne & Wabash Valley, the Chicago, Lake Shore & South Bend, the Indianapolis & Martinsville, the Cincinnati, Lawrenceburg & Aurora, the Evansville k 1 Eastern, the Evansville & Mt. Vernon, ■ the Fort Wayne and Springfield, the > French Lick & West Baden, the Goshen. South Bend & Chicago, the In- • dianapolis & Louisville, the Indians apolis & Southwestern, the Kokomo Marion & Western, the Lafayette & 1 Logansport, the Lebanon & Thornr town, the Louisville & Southern In- ? diana, the Marion, Bluffton & Eas- » tern, the Muncie & Portland, the St. s Joseph Valley, the Southern Michi--1 gan, the Winona interurban line, the Winona & Warsaw and other lines, t A careful inspection of the street car r lines in Indianapolis, Evansville, , Terre Haute, South Bend, Fort Wayne, - Richmond, Anderson, Muncie and El- : wood will be made.

It has developed that Laporte county is without a county surveyor and that the office has been vacant since last May. Clyde H. Martin, Democrat moved from Laporte at that time and has since been located at Traverse ' City, Mich., where he is engaged as city engineer at a salary of $1,600 per annum.

the indebtedness when it freachefi the high water mark and the indebtedness July 31, 1909. You may nowlook at the water works and electric light plant by using the figures as they are or have been from Sept. 1, 1898 to July 31, 1909: Assets. Value of electric light and water plants $125,000.00 Street light earnings collected • 29,636.28 Earning colected from consumers 93,049.42 Hydrant earnings 63,251.73 V,’ater earnings collected from consumers 34,453.56 Due from electric light consumers 1,647.00 Due from water (works

consumers 1,000.00 Uncollected St. light and hydrant earnings 19,313.00 Electric light cash in treasury July 31, 1909 577.19 Water works cash in treasury July 31, 1909 160.57 Total $368,088.75]

Liabilities. First mortgage water works bonds $ 35,000.00 Second mortgage water works bonds 13,00000; Electric light bonds 5,875. Operating expenses 114 ’ ' I Interest on bonds carried by 1<() I PImT Arnings used for rep. 55,000.00 I

NEAR BEER IS A FAILURE Does Not Fill the Bill and is Losing Out. Indianapolis, Sept. 15. —Albert Lieber, of this city, president of the Indianapolis Brewing company, and one of the leading brewers of the state, made the admission in a speech before the convention of the National [Brewmasters’ association that near beers are a failure. “They do not fill the bill and the demand for them is decreasing,” he said in his address. Coming as it does from a man as prominent in the brewing business as Lieber, the statement is likely to attract considerable attention, for it has been the hope of the brewers that near beer would take the place of real beer in dry territory where the sale of lager beer is forbidden by law.

SALE DAY FIXED Furnace Plant Will Be Offered for Sale on Saturday, October 16th BARGAIN FOR BUYER Includes Grounds,Buildings, Stock, Patents and the Machinery

R. D. Myers, receiver of the Decatur Furnace company, has ordered legal notice of the sale of the property of that concern, as ordered by the judge of the Adams circuit court. The sale will occur at public, at the factory grounds, corner of Elm street and the G. R. & I. railroad, at two o'clock on Saturday, October 16th, at which time they will offer the two acres of ground and the two large brick buildings, completely equipped for the moulding and manufacture of warm air furnaces and grey iron castings. At the same time they will offer for sale some thirty complete furnaces with all the necessary fixtures, pipes, registers, etc., the manufactured stock and patterns of sewer, grates, shoe lasts and ail the rights and patents of the Decatur and An-1 gola furnace. The factory is fitted with electric power, has on hands a stock of iron and everything neces- ( sary to operate and as the receiver says is a snap for some one to step into a W’ell equipped plant at much less than the cost of construction. The terms are one-third cash, onethird in six months and one-third in nine months, with six per cent, interest. The sale price must not be less than the appraised value, which was $9,363.36.

Ext. money raised by tax. 2,950.97 Outstanding electric light orders 2,993.31 Outstanding water works orders 2,082.99 Interest on outstanding orders 1,200.00 Money retained by taxp'yers 19,313.00 E, L. & W. W. orders in $20,000 bond sale 14,500.00 Undivided profits 82,564.48

Total $368,088.75 The above figures can be proven to the man who pays no attention to beekkeeping. Compare the present valuation of the electric light and water plants to our present indebted-. ness, which I will give in my next

article, and you will find a several thousand dollar credit in favor of the city. Ten thousand of the above ( bonded indebtedness is still unpaid. Twenty-four thousand eight hundred

seventy-five dollars were paid out of the revenues of the plant, and nineteen thousand was paid by taxation. Another very prominent feature of the above figures is seen In the sink- 1

ing fund, and water works bonds and ) interest funds. The total disburseLents were $91,324.53. Deduct from, this amount the $30,000 used in reI deeming bonds and you will have I $61,324.53, the money paid to meet 'interest claims. Cut the indebtedness down and save the interest. W. J. ARCHBOLD, City Treas. |

Price Two Cents

RESULTED IN DEATH Mrs. Kindel Died this Morning from Injuries Received Saturday MOTOR CYCLE WRECK Deplorable Accident Caused Death of One —Two Others Badly Hurt

Linn Grove, Ind., Sept. 15. —(Special to Daily Democrat) —Mrs. Albert Kindel, of near Linn Grove, who was so badly injured Saturday evening when a motorcycle driven by Abe Boegley of Berne, collided with a buggy in which Mrs. Kindel and her husband were riding, died at one o’clock this morning, after suffering three days of excruciating pain. Death was due to Internal injuries of the stomach and. bowels and the liver was also crushed, as shown by the examination of the attending physician, Dr. McKean, of Linn Grove. The unfortunate lady was fifty years of age and is survive! by her husband and three children, I two sons and one daughter. The 'funeral services will probably be held on Friday. In the same accident, Mr. Kindel was also quite badly hurt. His i left ear was torn off about half way down and he was badly bruised about | the shoulders and body, but is doing nicely and will recover. Mr. Boegley I was also painfully hurt, receiving parious bruises and a sprained arm. The accident was a deplorable one, I and the family have the sympathy of

all their many acquaintances. o —— MAY NOT TAKE THE JOB Contractor May Surrender Their Certified Check. While the board of public works has issued formal notice to the Julius Haugk company of Decatur, that its bid for paving Berry street, between Clinton and Barr, with creosote block will be forfeited Thursday night, un-

less a cqptract is signed, the members |do not believe the concern will enter into any agreement to do the work and will give the city its certified check deposited as a guarantee. The company has not refused outright to take the contract, but has intimated to the board that the bid was too low and for this reason it is anticipated that the matter will be let go by default. The check is for $l5O and if the company does not do the work lit is not probable it can be done this I fall, as it is too late to advertise for new bids.— Fort Wayne Sentinel.

THE HILL-MILLER WEDDING Was Performed by Rev. Mygrant at Van Wert. Mr. Andrew Hill, of Van Wert, 0., .and Miss Della Miller of Adams coun- | ty, Indiana, were Joined in marriage

: by Rev. W. H. Mygrant at the parsonage /of the Evangelical church, J van Wert, Ohio, Saturday, September 11 1909 Mr and Mrs. Hill are of the industrial class who are doing ... better their

’ their part in the world to 'condition as well fts others. Mrs. Della Hill for the present will assist hlr parents in getting located in their new home, which has become necesof their advanced

i sary 0,1 account or rneir au*<suvcu age. They will leave the farm where for a number of years they enjoyed a prosperous and happy life. As soon as these arrangements are completed Mr. and Mrs. Hill will locate in Lima, Ohio, where they shall be pleased to greet their many friends. May many (blessings attend them in life.