Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 8, Number 15, Decatur, Adams County, 18 January 1910 — Page 1

Volume VIII. Number 15.

TWO DIED IN FLAMES And the Father Fatally Burned While Trying to Rescue Daughters. A TERRIBLE DISASTER Occurred Near Warren at an Early Hour This Morning—Home Burned. (United Press Service.) Warren, Ind., Jan. 18.—(Special to Daily Democrat) —The most terrible accident in the history, of this locality occurred at 4 o'clock this morning at Troy City, a little town, three miles West of here, near the edge of Hunt-|-lngton county, in which two little girls were burned to death and their •father, Eldon James, was so badly Bburned that his death is expected Ktourly. Mr, James is a pumper em- | ployed by the Ohio Oil company and K lived in a small house on the William Kfcramer farm, where he worked. He [tjgwakened early this morning and found his little home in flames. He •creamed to his wife, who gathered two children, a year-old baby girl and a boy, aged seven, in her arms and escaped. The father hurried into another room to save the two girls, Mabel, agen ten, and Leota, aged four. He got hold of them, but just as he , Started to leave the room he was ■truck on the head by falling timbers and knocked to the floor. This made him lose hold of the girls, and though he grasped frantically for several min- ' ’ntes, he could not get them again and Was forced to leave them to their awful doom. He was burned from head to foot and inhaled flames to such an extent that he cannot live, but he man- ( aged to crawl from the burning build-: Ing and was carried to the home of a neighbor, where he is now dying. A BANKER is dead John Farson of Chicago Died Suddenly—Dr. Cook is Located in Germany. IS IN SANITARIUM Mine Workers of America Open Annual Convention at Indianapolis. (United Press Service.) | Chicago, 111., Jan. 18.—(Special to Daily Democrat)—John Farson, mil%<3inaire and one of the best known bankers in the country, died here today at his Oak Park home after a short illness. Heart disease is believed to have been the cause. (United Press Service.) I Frankfort, Germany, Jan. 18.— (Special to Daily Democrat)—The Frankfort Zeltung is authority for the I statement today that Dr. Frederick A. I Cook, the discredited arctic explorer, and wife are in a sanitarium near Heidelburg, where he is suffering from a nervous breakdown. (United Press Service.) Indianapolis, Ind., Jan. 18. (Special to Daily Democrat)—The annual convention of the United Mine Workers of America convened in Tomlinson hall today. Fifteen hundred miners are present. President Lewis responded for the miners. The first day of the convention was spent ni perfecting the The pollers are now ' counting the votes for the new officers and will report tomorrow, although it is practically assured that Lewis will be re-elected as president, Frank Frays as vice president, and Edwin Perry as secretary-treasurer.

DECATUR. DAILY DEMOCRAT.

RECEIVED PRAISE. Frank Kern, agent for the Metropol!-1 tan Insurance company in this city, has received a very commendable let-1 ter from the superintendent of agencies of New York City, and which stated that he is doing more work than could be expected from a town this size. Just last summer he received honors for securing more policies than any other agent in this district. Mr. Immer also stated that if he wished for a promotion in the company he should write him and he would try to secure him a much better position. Frank is a hustler and is certainly doing his share of the business. NOW TO GET READY Tomorrow the Signal and the Contestants Are Off. MAKE EARLY START Nominations Coming in Every Day—Contest Creating Great Stir. If your name is not already nomi-. nated you should cut the nomination j blank out of this issue and send it! at once so it will appear in the first publication of names in tomorow’s pa- 1 per. You need not be a man or woman known throughout the city or town in which you live to stand a good chance in this race. You need not have hundreds of friends who will come to you without asking to help you win the prize. j It all remain with you in your determination. You must work and work incessant-, ly, whether it be among business or professional men with whom you have dealings among men in the stores and factories where you are employed or entirely in the country districts. The first thing to be done is to let, all your friends know that you intend to win a prize. That will give you the best kind of a start. It will inspire them wi h confidence in you and they will do their absolute best in your behalf. Iflsep Your Friends Working. Then see that every friend you have is interested in your race. Meet them on every possible occasion and remind them that any cdhsideration shown will be thankfully reieived. See to it that every one of them is a subscriber to The Democrat, so that they will know from time to time just how you stand among the contestants, and will be in a position to help you “win out.” The prizes are so varied and so many and so valuable that each one is worth a good struggle. If you cannot get the first, you may perhaps get the second or third. But what the management of the Democrat wants to impress upon its candidates most forcibly is that their determination, coupled with unceasing efforts, is the only means to be used in securing one of the valuable prizes offered to the readers of this paper. About the Voting. Coupons will be printed in each issue of the Democrat starting in with the .first publication of names, and continuing two ■ weeks, but they will only be good for one week from date of issue. Watch for the date of expiration on each coupon and don’t hold them, but vote them. Vote them today and every day, then you will be assured your votes have not expired. If it is not convenient for you to bring your coupons to the Democrat office, send them by mail addressed, Contest Department, care of The Daily Democrat. Read the Rules. Every one should read the rules and regulations published in the regular ad in this paper whether they are a contestant or not so that if a friend of yours asks you to support them you will known in what way you can do so. If there is anything that anv person wishes to know in regard to the big voting contest, The Democrat Contest Department telephone is No. 51. Don’t be afraid to call and have the contest editor explain everything to you whether you figure on being a contestant or not. Mrs. C. S. Niblick and daughter, Verena, went to Fort Wayne this morning.

A STRONG COMPANY The Berne Hardware Company Incorporated Under State Laws. THE SCHUG BROTHERS One of the Most Successful Business Firms in the County. One of the biggest deals made in Berne in recent years, if the parties concerned can get together on the invoice, is about to be closed between the hardware firm of Schug Bros, and the Berne Hardware Co,, an organization composed of about twenty strong and influential business men of Berne and farmers of the community. Articles of incorporation of the new firm were filed with the secretary of state, Fred A. Sims, several days ago, and yesterday they received their charter to do business. The capital stock is ■ $45,000. The directors of the Berne Hardware Co. are D. C. Neunschwander, David P. Sommer, D. N. Stauffer, Eli Baumgartner, Albert Neunschwander, Ferdinand Mettler and Frank Amstutz. D. C. Neunschwander is presii dent of the organization. The purpose I of the new firm is to do a general hard- ! ware business, including a harness 1 and tin shop. An offer to Schugg I Bros, to dispose of their large triple- | front business building has' been acI cepted and the invoice of the stock is to begin today. If the deal will go through it is the company’s intention to buy also the stock of hardware and I tin shop of Sommer & Co., and the stock of harness of Amos Kirchofer. All will be merged into one big busiI ness. Schug Bros, have been in the I hardware business in the town since 11887, when they bought out J. P. Habeggar. The present building which covers half the block between Jefferson and Fulton streets whs built in : 1900. They are among the oldest busI iness men in Berne. Os late the | health of J. C. Schug, manager of the I business, has been failing somewhat and they desire to retire from busi- ' ness. — o TO THE HOSPITAL Mrs. D. P. Reynolds, Who Has Been Suffering From Baffling Malady Goes TO FORT WAYNE For Examination —Has Been Sick for Several Weeks— May Operate. Mrs. D. P. Reynolds, accompanied by her husband and a neighbor, Miss Emma Werder, left this morning on the 8:30 car for Fort Wayne, where Mrs. Reynolds will enter a hospital for examination by Dr. Rosenthal. Mrs. Reynolds, who is one of the best known ladies of the city, has been ailing for several months, her malady seeming to be an affection of the liver or stomach, but baffling four of the ' best physicians in the county. The doctors have advised an operation, but Mrs. Reynolds is opposed to this and i hopes that the trip to Fort Wayne will result to her good without an opi eration. On account of her age and the weakness of her condition, it is , thought an operation would not re- ■ suit favorably, and all friends hope that she will meet a speedy recovery without the last resort. ; She has been bedfast for several ■ weeks, but the doctor advised brlng- ■ ing to the hospital, where better atl tention can always be given than in a i private home. i — BOUGHT PIANO FOR LODGE. i The Ben Hur lodge appointed a com- : mittee comprising Harvey Harruff, Adam Weis, U. E. Cramer and the lodge . organist, Mrs. Emily Ritter, to pur- ; chase a piano for the hall. The comi mittee went to Fort Wayne yesterday noon, where they decided upon the purchase. The piano is a fine one, of , excellent tone and will be a handsome I addition to the lodge room and the lodge service.

iana. Tuesday Evening, January 18,1910.

Decatur, Ind

CLERKS ARE INVOICING. Measure Off Yards o f Goods —Look ' Like the Three Fates. Many of the stores have begun their annual invoice of goods, while others are waiting for the close of the January sales. The task of invoicing is a great one a severy yard or pound of stock must be measured or weighed and the value computed. The Boston store began this morning, and the clerks sitting behind the counter measuring off yard upon yard of embroidery and other goods looked like nothing so much as the Fates spinning and measuring off the threads of life — except in this Instance the personifications were all young and fair. FARMERS’" WIVES Plan for Contest to be Held at Farmers’ Institute— All Are Asked TO LEND SUPPORT Business Men Are Asked to Contribute to Interest by Giving Premiums. Farmers’ wives, take notice! Are we going to keep up our auxiliary to the farmers’ institute or not? We cannot do this unless the farmers’ wives will do their part. The committee met to arrange for the coming institute and its program, which will be printed later. Now, this is the aim and work of this auxiliary. To help each other. To bring our farmes’ wives in a closer touch with each other; to find new ways and plans by which we may lessen our work and increase our happiness; to show them that each housewife has a part in this grand success of agriculture; to bring to our children every attainment within our ’ reach ,and to assist the Farmers’ Institute of which we art an auxiliary. We want you to do your part. There will be a contest and premiums offered under the following rules: First, second and third premiums on bread. Dough before baking must weigh one-half pound, and will e judged on taste, lightness, evenness and color of loaf. First, second and third premiums on butter. To be made in cake or print, one-half pound, to be judged on taste, solidity, color and general appearance. First, second and third premiums on cake. Must ge two-layer, judged on taste, lightness, color and general appearance. Every wife who lives on a farm is urged to take part in this contest, and bring same to the institute not later than 10:30 o’clock. Premiums will be presented as last numbe- on the program. Now Comes Business Men’s Part. We have not heretofore asked heln, and in this case we ask your help that we may help you; and if you help us, we want it given willingly. For this conttat we want nine premiums. The bread, butter and cake, which have been awarded prizes, will he spread on a table and carried in be- ’ fore institute by four girls. Names of prize winners will be read and they are asked to stand near table and their prize; then the donors present each with their respective premium, and then in return the receiver will present premium donor her bread, butter or cake. The judges will be selected as follows: To be the wives of the business men who offer the best premiums. This will be a splendid advertisement as well as assisting the auxiliary of the farmers’ institute. We do not want to solicit for these premiums and will depend on the generosity of Decatur's business men. Telephone 547. MRS. ED LYONS, MRS. JOHN EVANS, Pres. Sec’y and Treas. RETURNED TO UNION CITY. George Steele of the racket store, who is conducting one at Union City, left for that place this morning, where he is adding a number of improvements, both in and outside of the store. Mr. Steele has three of these stores under his direction and as this is the last one purchased, it is not so j well equipped as is desired by Mr. I Steele.

ANNUAL MEETING | —- Ward Fence Company Elect New Directors and Officers Monday. REPORTS WERE MADE Excellent Showing for the Past Year Was Made by the Company. The annual meeting of the stockholders of the Ward Fence company held meeting at the offices of the company Monday, all the stock being present but seventy odd shares, thus showing an interest in the company by those who own the stock. Among those present was Harry Ward, who made the trip from his present home in Florida, and who will return there tomorrow. The reports of the year showed a handsome increase in the business done as well as the profits realized, and what was really more gratifying was the prospects of the company for the coming year’s business. Several new avenues have been opened up and the output of the plant will have to be greatly increased to supply the demand for 1910. They are now in the midst of their busy season in the office, their catalogues and other printed matter being sent to prospective buyers, and their postoffice addresses embrace all the states in the , union and many foreign countries. The board of directors elected at the meeting yesterday is composed of the following well known business men and farmers, all of whom are heavy investors in Ward Fence company stock. They are Dr. D. D. Clark, M. E. Brackett, L. A. Graham, John Hessler, Frank Heiman, Cris Selking, E. L. Carroll, E. C.' Bleeke and Harry Ward. The officers for the year are Harry Ward, president; E. L. Carroll, vice pesident; Ned Steele, secretary, and M. E. Brackett, treasurer and manager. The Ward Fence company is one of the healthy institutions of the city and what is better they are steadily growing larger and of course better. Q

DR. HIRSCHY NAMED As the South Dakota Representative to the Civis Federation Meeting. IS NOW IN SESSION At Washington—ls Brother of Amos Hirschy of Berne and is Known Here. Dr. N. C. Hirschy of Redfield, South Dakota, where he is president of the Redfield college, is representing that state at the Civic Federation meeting at Washington, D. C., this week. He ! was appointed by the governor of that : state to serve on this very important mission and with the governor and other distinguished monos his secI tion are this week taking part in the all important meeting, the chief purI pose of which is to formulate plans for the inauguration of a system of unform state laws, a popular and much needed reform. At present the laws in the various states vary so much that while one may be thoroughly posted in the statutes of Indiana he may know but little of the laws of any other state. The time is approaching when at least the more important acts will be ’similar in each state. Dr. Hirschy is a brother of Amos Hirschy, the well known Berne real estate man, and is well known here. He passed through Fort Wayne Sunday en route to Washington. The sessions there will conclude Thursday and it is likely that Mr. Hirschy will stop off at Berne on his way to his western homo. His friends are delighted to hear of his success and recognition, as he is a man of much ability. A marriage license has been issued to Andrew Niblock, aged 50, of Owasso, Mich., and Miss Catherine Max•well, aged 37, of Cleveland, Ohio.

VALENTINES BEGIN TO APPEAR. With St. Valentine’s day little more I than four weeks away, the merchants are getting out their supply of valentines with which those who are faithful devotees of this saint will celebrate, though ten to one, they will forget all about the good saint in their own pleasure. The valentines vary little from year to year, though the postcards are slowly supplating those of celluloid, fluted with cut paper and tissue frill, and decorated with red hearts, posies and poesies. The various merchants are getting their display racks ready and it will be a very short time until they have blossomed out into full blooming valentines. WERE RELEASED Warrant .Issued .for Otto Bremerkamp and Roy Jones Not Served. TO SUE FOR DAMAGES Men Charged With Robbing Depot Turn the Tables on the Officers. ’Squire Smith’s room was well filled 1 at 10 o’clock this morning, when Otto Bremerkamp, known among many of his acquaintances as “Whitey,” and “Deacon” Jones appeared there to declare their inocence of any connection with the robbing of the' Chicago & Erie depot on Sunday night. The story is a complicated one. When the report of the robbery was sent into railroad headquarters, Detective Richey j of Lima and the captain of the force I : from Huntington were immediately put on the job of landing the culprits. . They came here Monday morning and started to work. In the afternoon, it seems, some suspicion was cast on the two men named, and Marshal Peterson > called the marshal at Bluffton and as > he says told him if he located them | I to keep an eye on them. A few min- - utes later, Marshal Pierce of Bluffton called up and informed Marshal Peterson that he had the men. The Erie

men say they told him to watch them until further notice and that they would likely go to that place for them on the 10:17 train on the Clover Leaf. A warrant was then issued at ’Squire Smith's office after Detective Richey had filed an affidavit. This warrant remained in Mr. Richey’s possession. In the meantime the Bluffton marshal, it is said, after starting to jail with the men, decided to trust them, they promising to come here and stoutly declaring their innocence. He released them and they came to Decatur. Each presented, a bond of SSOO, the usual amount in such cases, which they handed to Sheriff Eli Meyer this morning. Though no return had been made on the warrant, the men and the officers met at ’Squire Smith’s court at about 10 o’clock, and the detectives refused to have a return made on the warrant, whereupon the men left with their attorneys, Peterson & Moran. The lawyers today began the preparation of complaints against the Chicago & Erie, Marshal Peterson and the City of Decatur, for false imprisonment, demanding heavy damages, Bremerkamp and Jones each to file a separate suit. Tne men charged with the robbery say they left here at 2 o’clock Sunday afternoon and went to Fort Wayne, and from there to Montpelier, where they remained all night. The railroad men say this is not the fact, but they have not yet secured sufficient evidence to warant the arrest of the men. Attorneys for Bremerkamp and Jones claim they were arrested and that the matter has been dismissed. An interesting legal battle seems to be in sight. Otto Bremerkamp is well known here and has never been in any serious trouble. Jones formerly lived here but for ten years past has lived at Bluffton. For the past few months the two have been

doing work for a directory firm at Greenville, Ohio. Marshal Peterson t did the talking over the ’phone, but says he did so at the instance of the detectives. The affair is about as tangled as can be imagined and the re-' suit will be watched with interest, es- , especially by the friends of the young men who firmly believe in their innocence. 1 Later —A telephone message from - the principal hotel in Montpelier says ■ that the two men registered thre at (Continued on page 2.) I

Price Two Cents

THE GENEVA NEWS Mrs. Mary Landers Laid to Final Rest at Alberson Cemetery Today. TWO MORE ARE ILL In the Famiy of Earl McKissick and a Purse is Raised for Them. Geneva, Ind., Jan. 18. —(Special to Daily Democrat) —Mrs. Mary Landers, past the age of four score, died Sunday evening at the Jay county infirmary, from infirmities. She was a sister of William Price of this county. The remains were brought here today and taken to the home of a nephew, James Price, five miles west of here, and the funeral services were held at 10 o’clock this morning at Union Chapel. Interment at the Alberson cemetery. Troubles, of the kind which wear out the very soul and life of man and woman, continue to come to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Earl McKissick. The little daughter was buried Monday aft- ' era twelve hours’ ilness with diphth- ; eria, and today the two other little ' daughters are very ill with the same disease. Yesterday the people of this locality raised a purse of $65.00 to aid the family, as Mr. McKissick is quarantined and unable to work. Quarterly services were held at the Apple church last Sunday. In the evening Rev. Freeman of Pleasant Mills clsed the very successful revival service which he has been holding. Sam Acker, who fell while out hunti ing a week ago, and was quite badly | bruised, is agadin able to attend to business. A. J. Miller, who was hit by a G. R. & I train a week ago, is again able to be about after being housed up since the accident. B. M. Gregg, representing the Dally Democrat, is here advertising the big I automobile contest, now on with that I paper. o

THEY REORGANIZE Adams County Poultry and Corn Association Met To- > day and Reorganized. ■ r THE SHOW FOR 1911 » 1 ( Will be Held in South Part ' of County—At Berne or Geneva. J 1 A goodly number of the representa- ’ tives of the Adams County Poultry - 1 and Corn association were present at ■; the meeting in Gallogly & Lower's of’i flee this morning, at which time tho ’' annual reorganization took place with 'the election of the following officers: I President, Walter Thornhill; vice president, Amos Hirschey; secretary ' and treasurer, Sam Simison; superintendent of poultry, Alfred Debrot; superintendent of corn, Ben Habegger; executive committee, C. S. Mumma, A. Augsburger, Will Hale, Martin Gerke, jD. M. Rice and W. A. Fonner. It was ’ thought best to hold the next show in the south part of the county and the .show for 1911 will be held either at ’ Berne or Geneva, the place to be de- ' cided later. As the show was held ; here this year and at Berne last year • it is quite likely that Geneva will be 1 the next place. r o — 1 SURPLUS OF WATER.

I ‘ What with the heavy downpour of , rain and the melting of the ice and snow yesterday, there was so much nf i a surplus of water that the sewers J were unable to carry it all off and I many of those who had cellars awoke this morning to find them full of water —or if they were fortunate in having a good outlet to the cellars —a water Une around the walls about a foot and a half high, showing to what height the water had aspired.