Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 7, Number 272, Decatur, Adams County, 15 November 1909 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Volume VII. Number 272.

HANDSOME CHURCH St. John’s Church at Vera Cruz Dedicated Yesterday MANY WERE THERE It is a Beautiful Building Costing Nine Thousand Dollars Vera Cruz, Indiana, November 15.— (Special to the Daily Democrat)— Perhaps the largest crowd of people that was ever entertained in this place, was of that of yesterday, when the beautiful St. John's church was formally dedicated to Its cause and the place of worship opened to its members and the public. It is a beautiful and Imposing building built of pressed brick, handsome in design and finish and cost nine thousand dollars. and dedicated free from any incumbrance of debt. The dedicatory services were In charge of the pastor, Rev. Oswald Vitz and to him is given much of the credit for the new church edifice and for the success of its dedication. The Bluffton, Geneva & Celina Traction company run their construction train between Bluffton and Vera Cruz and thus accommodated many Bluffton people and enabled many to attend who otherwise would not have been able to attend. The services of the day began at ren oclock in the morning with invocation, a song by the congregation, scriptural lesson by Rev. Kohler of St. Marys, Ohio, and then came the d dication which in charge of the pastor, Rev. Oswald Vitz. Following this were addresses by Rev. J. Otto Vitz of Louisville, Ky., and Rev. H. W. Vitz of Indianapolis, and after a prayer and song service the morning services ended One of the events of the day was a free dinner to every one who was there, ar I perhaps a thousand people ate of t’’e many go > I things and wished for the St. John s church the greatest possible blessings. In the afternoon there was a scriptural lesson by Rev. Otto Vitz, a serman in German by Rev. Kohler of St Mary’s, Ohio, addresses by Rev. H. H. Kattman of Berne, Rev. L. C. Hessert of Decatur, Rev. N. E. Vitz of Delance, Ohio. In the evening similar services were held and at which all the visiting pastors spoke, among them being Revs. Otto Vitz of Louisville, Ky., H. W. Vitz of Indianapolis. Nathan Vitz of Defiance, Ohio, Oswald Vitz the pastor of the church dedicated, Peter Kohler of St. Marj s, Ohio, Rev. Kattman of Berne, and L. C. Hessert of Decatur, mong the visitors were many from Decatur, they being the families of M. Kirsch, Peter Kirsch, Otto Kirsch. Fred Sellemeyer, H. W. Sellemeyer, A. H. Sellemeyer, J. D. Myers, George Henneford, Fred Reppert, Otto Reppert, Martin Worthman and Eli Meyer. It was a great day for the members of St. John s church and one that will long be remembered by them.

ON SPECIAL TRAIN Knights of Columbus Will Journey to Huntington Next Sunday A JOINT INITIATION Will Be Held There—Train Over the Chicago & Erie at 6:30 a. m. Arrangements have been completed for an excursion special train from this city to Huntington next Sunday morning on account of initiation work of the Knights of Columbus lodge which will be held jointly at that city. The train will leave here at 6:30 Sunday morning and returning will leave Huntington at ten o clock In the evening. It is expected that fully 150 people will take advantage of the excursion as nearly that num ber have already agreed to go. Tin initiation is a join* affair. There are twenty candidates from th is clty ’ forty from Huntington and eight from (Continue don page 4 )

CELEBRATE THEIR ANNIVERSARY Mr. and Mr». Wilda Watta Observe Thirty-Fifth Wedding Day. Yesterday at their home in the 1 south part of the city, Mr. and Mrs. Wilda Watts celebrated their thirtyfifth wedding anniversary. The day was spent in such away as to i.iake a memorable one and those wno attended enjoyed a very happy occasion. At high noon a sumptuous din. 1 ner was served at which the brothers and sisters and their families took part. The home was beautifully dec- ' orated for the occasion and which presented a very attractive appearance. Mr. and Mrs. Watts were the recipients of many beautiful presents. Those present from out of the city were Mr. and Mrs. Brent Sunderland [of Spencerville, Ohio; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ladig of Fort Wayne; Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Wilder and Mr. and Mrs. J |W. Watts of Monmouth; Mr. and Mrs. I George Melhls, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Meihls and Mr. and Mrs John Everlett of this city. | o FILLED A VACANCY Rev. Jarvis Will Fill the Vacancy in the Methodist Circuit NATURAL GAS Geneva Will Be Well Supplied During the Coming Winter Geneva, Indiana, Nov. 15.—(Special to the Daily Democrat) —Rev. Jarvis, of New Albany, Indiana, has been selected by the district superintendent , of the M. E. church, to fill the vacancy in the Geneva circuit caused by the resignation of Rev. W. O. Bowman. The Bluffton, Geneva & Celina Company have the steel laid [from Bluffton to Vera Cruz and it is the intention of the company to have I the cars running into Geneva by the. first of the year. The officers are > pushing the work and that they will [ realize upon their present hopes, we. have no doubt. Marvin Kelley and family moved, from Geneva last week to Indianapolis, at which place they expect to make their future home. The Ladies’ Birthday Club pulled off a stunt Saturday by assembling at two o'clock and marching to the Moser studio, where they had their pictures “took"—sequel, and the next day it rained. The public schools have reached their normal condition since the scar. ! let fever scare, much to the satisfaction of the teachers, parents and pupils. Geneva is now being supplied with 'natural gas and plenty of it, and it is the best ever used here for fuel and light. Will Heater who is responsible for this happy condition, is being praised on all sides and es- ' pecially by all those who are enjoying the luxury and comfort of natural gas. Scott Ellis has returned to Geneva from an over Sunday visit with his parents at Decatur. Moses Schindler made a business trip to Decatur Monday, returning on the afternoon train. M. E. Hutton fe to be praised for his enterprise in bringing such good talent as Mr. Albert Earl, who entertained the people of Geneva on Thursday and Friday evenings. Rev. C. J. Graves, pastor of the M. E. church here, delivered an interesting and able address on Sunday evening and which was well received and commented upon. Many candidates are daily calling upon the Democracy of Geneva and we must say they are a very social class of fellows. From present indications there is a horse race on - it will be hard to pick the winners in i some of the races. Time will tell. .— o — Jake Butcher, of Geneva, was in the 1 city today on business and returned i to his home on the afternoon train. I

LOOKS LIKE A GO George Maddy Still Boosting His Creamery Proposition in South OTHERS INTERESTED The Same Paper Gives Account of the Robbery of Maddy Home The Jonesboro Daily News said recently: At a meeting last night, the Retail Merchants’ Association decided to co-operate with George Maddy, in efforts to make the proposed 110,000 creamery for Jonesboro a reality, and appointed Messrs. J. C. McKee, H. L. McCain and P. S. Osborn a committee, to work with Mr. Maddy in the organization of a corporation. The value of the acquisition of such a plant to this city is apparent and the proposition is meeting with general favor, live merchants readily perceiving the opportunity for the enter, prise in Jonesboro. This plant is to be of the? most improved and up to date type with every facility to handle the entire daily output of all the surrounding territory. The stocx will be offered to the leading farmers who will pledge their support by giving more energy to their dairy products, and a great deal of the stock will also be placed with the leading and most energetic merchants of Jonesboro and vicinity. Burglars and sneak thieves are busy again, the unwelcome intruders effecting an entrance into the residence of George Maddy at 217 east Jackson street between eight and ten o'clock last night, while Mr. and Mrs. Maddy were away. The thieves got in by tearing loose a screen and entering through an unfastened window, the screen having been considered a sufficient safeguard. The visitors made away with three valuable rings, a gold watch and many articles of clothing, but Mr. Maddy regrets the loss of a pair of suspenders as I much as anything, they being the [first prize ever won by him in competition. The thieves left but little clue to their identity, but from the quantity of paper burned about the house, it is remarkable that what they left behind was not destroyed by fire.

FELL INTO TRUNK Miss Lillian West Who Showed Here Last Week Suffered Serious Attack HAS HEART TROUBLE Was Found in Her Dressing Room in the Theater at Auburn, Indiana Lillian West, leading lady with the “Fiddler and the Girl’’ has been having a tough time recently. The day before coming here she fainted ou the street at Portland and no show could be given. She was by no means well here, but managed to take her part. The Auburn Courier give the following account of what happened there Friday night: “The Fiddler and the Girl” which held the boards at the opera house last night, met with a streak of ill luck. Lillian West, ’ the leading lady, was seized with cramps just before it was time for'the curtain to rise and it was necessary to summon a doctor to care for the afflicted woman. In fact her case was so critical that a couch was taken down on the stage and attention was given her by not only Dr. GeisInger but members of the company. Miss West was in the dressing room and was seised with the pain when near her trunk, falling into the same, and was found in a doubled up condition by some other member of the company when she was not ready to appear on the stage. Dr. Geisinger remained with the lady until nearly 2 o’clock this morning, and states that had it not been for his timely arrival she would have died from failure of heart action.

Decatur, Indiana, Monday Evening, November 15, 1909.

THE COUNCIL WON’T SUBMIT Refuse to Grant Franchise to Indiana Lighting Company, I By a unanimous vote the city council last night voted against the passage of the twenty-five year artificial gas franchise which was sought by the Indiana Lighting Company. The franchise came up last night upon a motion to pass it to the third reading, and when the vote was polled every one of the five councilmen voted no. This in effect killed the frachise in the form in which it was introduced. It might be called up again at the next meeting of the council, for reconsideration, but ts it was called again the vote would be the same if the franchise remains the same as at present. Failure to call It in any form next meeting will mean it fe dead, or if it is called again it might be passed through the reading and then put to final passage and killed for certain. The death of the fran- . chiee appeared to be the intent of the vote last night.—Bluffton News. WANT TO KNOW The Progressives Want to Know What the President Meant GOLDEN JUBILEE President Reviewed Catholic Societies With Church Dignitaries Washington. Nov. 15. —The simple . word “intent” threatens to make an j issue between President Taft and sev-1 eral of the leading progressiye sena- | tors, with a possibility that it may [eventually involve the “progressive”, wing of the party in congress in a lineup against the president as far as legislation to amend the Sherman ' anti-trust law is concerned. Some of the progressive senators are anxious that the president shall explain to them, right at this time, what he meant by the use of the word “intent” in the speech he delivered at Des Moines, la., Sept. 20, when he outlined his legislative program for the l coming session. In that speech which stands as an expression of his purpose in regard to legislation, the 1 president apparently declared in favor of so modifying the Sherman law as to make it operative against trusts only when it is proved that they are organized with “intent” to monopolize and to suppress competition. Washington, Nov. 15.—President Taft this afternoon stood on the steps of St. Aloysius church with Cardinal Gibbons and Archbishop Falconio the papal delegate, in a review of the men’s Catholic societies of Washington, an incident of the golden jubilee of the parish. Preceding the review the President delievered a brief address, having been introduced by Father Eugene De L. McDonnell, the rector, who referred to the fact that fifty years ago President Buchanan had assisted in the dedication services of the church. New York, Nov. 15. —Announcement was made that distinguished men and women are behind a movement to I raise $2,500,000 before Feb. 22 for a George Washington memorial building at Washington, D. C., which shall serve as headquarters for scientific patriotic, educational and art organizations of the country. Among those who have given the movement their endorsement are Senator Elihu Root, Dr. S. Weir Mitchell, Prof. Alexander Aggassiz and Gen. Horace Porter. ■ ■ o — — A RUNAWAY Last Saturday evening a horse belonging to Chancey Brokaw' took fright at something when near the Adams County Bank and started north dow'n Second street before Mr. Brokaw could get into the rig. He having hold of the lines managed to stop the horse before it gained much headway. Miss Madge Philips who was in the rig jumped out and received several cuts and bruises about the head. No other damage was done.

IT FAILED TO WORK Black Hand Scheme Was Tried at Ossian—Sum of SI,OOO Demanded FROM JOHN GASTON Life of He and His Wife Threatened—Effort to Catch the Culprits John Caston, one of the wealthiest men of Ossian was shocked Friday morning when he found the following I letter under his front door: Mr. John Caston: Dear Sir —You and your wife have been marked for death, and the only way for you to save yourselves Is to do as we tell you. You are to place SI,OOO (one thousand dollars) securely tied in a paper at the following place on Friday night at the hour of 6:30 p. m. These are the directions to follow: Come out of your front door at 6:30 p. m., have a lighted lantern in your hands, walk north on the east side of sidewalk to the corner of the j alley, then lay down the thousand dollars on the west side of the big corner post of the wire fence, then turn and go back into your house and stay there, not coming out that night. We will watch every move you make and if you try to catch us you will fail and then you will pay for it by your life. We mean business and you must do as we say. We will not give you another chance. Friday ! night at 6:30 p. m. is the time, Nov 112th. If you do not do as we say 1 you and your wife will both be shot [ at our first chance, you cannot escape, so don’t try it. If you think more of your money than your life we will have your life. You must not tell : any one about this for one year from i this date. If you do you will meet I your fate. You must put this letter with the money. Do as we say and all will be well. If not you are to blame. Yours truly. DEATH. Caston notified the officials at Bluff, ton, who hid in the locality and the ■ instructions were followed, but no one [made an attempt to claim the package. It is believed to have been the work of home talent, who weakened at the time.

THEY BEGIN WORK Grand Jury Was Instructed and Sworn in Open Court this Morning SOME SPECIAL ADVICE Court Asks Jury to Look After Violators of the Law on Hallowe’en Judge Merryman instructed the grand jury at nine o’clock this morning and they were sworn in shortly afterward and began the duties, which will keep them busy for perhaps ten days. Two of the regular panel, Solomon Billman of this city and John C. Augsburger of French township were excused and their places were filled by William Blackburn and William Ward, both of this city. The in. structions by the court were regular excepting in one feature. After giving the instructions as provided bystatute, informing the jury as to their duty regarding any violations of law that may be informed or know about, the court called especial attention to the fact that during the recent Hallowe'en period as much as $1,500 worth of property had probably been destroyed in this county, that the fact had been repeatedly called to his attention and that, he felt he would not be doing his duty if he did not instruct the jury specially on this subject. He asked them to look up any acts of this kind and stated that the law gave no i license to the destruction of property I or violations of law at Hallowe’en or i i any other period. It seems likely that I ■ some of the boys will regret the work | they did in this line.

SHE DISLOCATED HER WRIST Mrs. R. B. Allison Fell on the Monroe Street Pavement this Afternoon. Mrs. R. B. Allison, while down street this afternoon and about to en. ter the Mutchler meat market on Monroe street slipped and fell to the pavement. In the fall her right wrist was dislocated and her hip injured to a certain extent. Dr. Boyers was summoned who set the fractured arm. She being unable to walk was taken home in a cab and medical attention given. She will no doubt be laid up for some time owing to her extreme old age. It is not thought that anything serious will result from the accident, and that with care she will recover without any trouble. She but recently came home from a prolonged visit with her daughter at Birmingham, Alabama. a stormy session Was That of the Stockholders of the Great Northern Fair Today FUTURE UNDECIDED Motion to Continue Failed and a Motion to Quit did Likewise

Whether or not there will be a fair here next year is a very hard qum'i >n to answer at this time. The annual meeting of the stockholders of the association was held at the Modern Woodmen (hall in this city today There was a fairly good attendance and the question of what to do with the debt was the puzzler which caused a merry fight among the members and took up the greater part of the day. At three o'clock it was an undecided question. It seems that the association owes about $3,000. This has accumulated from the earlier years, when bad weather and otherthings aided in causing the fair to run behind. Today some one made a motion that an assessment of $5.00 on the share be made to pay the debt and the fair continues. This lost by, a few votes. Then some one else moved that they offer the lease for sale and pay the debts, assessing for the balance and quit. This also lost by a decided vote. And there you are. They want to and they don t and it seemed they were looking for a suggestion that would solve the problem. At three o'clock they began the election of new officers, after which the question of the future will again be taken up. It is hardly likely that after battling against odds for so many years and finally for the first time in history, breaking even or about so that they will disband. They have won the victory by incessant work and after learning how- to conduct a fair and make the ends meet it would seem very foolish to give the beefit to some new organization.

TO BOOST MERRIMAN A big delegation of local Odd Fellows will leave on the early cars Monday morning for Indianapolis to be present for the state meeting of the order and boost for J. B. Merriman, the local candidate for junior warden. At a meeting of the local lodge Friday evening the winning or. ganization was made complete and the delegates and boosters to make i the trip named. The election of officers for the ensuing year will take place on Tuesday afternoon and the boosters will make the trip a day in advance to land their man in the cen. ter of the ring.—Bluffton Banner. HE MADE A STATEMENT While we announced the death of Charles Keiper, who was the victim ■ in the Van Wert stabbing affair, a statement made by the unfortunate j man was withheld from the public for j I a time. Before his death he stated ( ■ that the whole matter was in fun and j that he thought that the old man should not be punished for what he 1 I had done. Price the tailor had a pre. i llminary hearing and was bound over r awaiting action of the grand jury, his n bond being fixed at two thousand del- t liars. I

Price Two Cents

NOVEMBER TERM Circuit Court Convened this Morning—Some Business Was Transacted PROBATE AFFAIRS Appearance of Attorneys in the Van Camp Case— Ross Case Again The November term of court convened this morning after the officials have enjoyed a week's vacation. Heller & Son and J. C. Sutton have entered appearance for the defendant in the case of Charles Van Camp et al vs. Laura Van Camp, to contest will. In the case of Leota Ross vs. Hanna Raudenbush, the breach of promise, a second paragraph was filed to complaint, alleging seduction. Joel Liddy vs. Joel Liddy admr., claim of S4O allowed to be paid with costs. Evaline Archer et al vs. Mary Bisson et al, partition, report of sale filed, deed reported and approved. John W. McKean vs. Mary A. Loch et al, demurrer filed by Indiana Harvester Company. In the Sophia Conrad ditch petition, the viewers report and assessments were filed. Abraham Wiel et al vs. Charles F. Davidson, suit on contract, cause continued by agreement. The grand jury was instructed, William Blackburn was appointed foreman and Joseph P. Johnson bailiff. S. B. Fordyce was granted letters as administrator for the Mercy A. Andrews estate and filed bond. Leonard Schnepp, admr., of Hannah Schnepp estate, filed a petition to sell real estate at private sale and the court so ordered. Elsie Thomas admx. of the George W. Thomas estate, filed an inventory of the personal property. John Scheiman, admr. Mary Knavel [estate, filed report of sale of property which was approved. A marriage license was issued to Glen Ogier aged 22. a farmer, Blue Creek township, to Elva Scoles, 18, of Jefferson township. Real estate transfers: Mary Bogner to Andrew Wolpert, 120 acres Root township, $1,200; Perry V. Lewton to Andrew M. Hoffman, lot 21, Preble, $1,700.

BEING TAKEN OUT Part of the Old Dam at Pleasant Mills is Being Tom Down AN OLD LANDMARK jit Was Built During the Early History of the County About thirty feet of the old dam at Pleasant Mills is being taken out under the direction of the board of f commissioners. This is made neces- , sary by the fact that the water has i washed the banks of the St. Marys > river in several places near this dam. ,! a rd part of it is being torn down ■for the purpose of avoiding any damage’to the land along this waterway. The dam is quite a noted one, being built many years ago for the purpose of furnishing power for the old grist mi'll. The mill has long since been abandoned, but the dam has stood the test of time and still is in a good (Continued on page 43