Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 8, Number 28, Decatur, Adams County, 2 February 1910 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

flume VIII. Number 28.

THE FIRE FIEND Wreaks Thousands of Dollars’ Damage to Parrish I Bakery and Restaurant. — GASOLINE EXPLOSION In Bakeshop Causes Fire— I Rear of Building Gutted ■ and Stock is Ruined. I Fire which started from a gasoline explosion in the bakeshop of the Parrish restaurant and bakery at 6:15 this morning caused a loss of several thousand dollars, the building, which belonged to Jacob Martin, being damaged to the extent of about ene thousand dollars, and the entire •mount of the large stock carried by ■Yank Parrish, the proprietor, and the bed rooms and furnishings, being ■Maliy ruined by fire, smoke and water. | The Are originated in the bake 'room at the rear of the building, when Carl Platz, the baker, attempted to light the gasoline stove under what is known as the proof oven in which the bread is set to rise. He had just applied the match when it exploded—why, no one knows —as the place was in a mass of flames In an instant. Mr. Platz grabbed a number of sacks in an attempt to smother the flames. The sacks caught Are, however, and he attempted to throw the stove bodily from the building, and in doing so his arm was badly burned, his hair singed, and other minor injuries re-, reived by him. In the meantime the entire bake-: shop had caught fire and the flames rapidly spread to the kitchen adjoining and thence shot into the main restaurant room in spite of the attempts of the cooks, waiters and clerks to extinguish or confine the flames. The Are department responded readily but were unable to control the flames until the bakeshop and kitchen were completely gutted. The greatest damage done to the main restaurant room was caused by the water, which drenched everything, by the smoke which blackened, and the heat which blistered and cracked the furniture and glass. The bedrooms and furnishings were also ruined, and the place cannot be opened for business until everything is thoroughly remodeled. Work on the remodeling will probably begin at once, and Mr. Parrish will probably reopen the store, though definite arrangements are not yet determined. The loss to the building, though ft cannot be definitely estimated, is in the neighborhood of SI,OOO. Mr. Martin carried $1,500 insurance on the entire building with Burt Lower and John Peterson ,and Mr. Parrish carried insurance in the agencies of Andrew Welfley and John Peterson, though the insurance in both cases cannot cover the great loss resulting from the Are. Four or five boarders were asleep in the rooms on the second floor and as the Are at the rear shut off the only . means of escape In that direction, where the stairway was located, it was necessary to escape over the front awning. One man, Mr. Crocker, . who cleans old hats, fell through the awning, but managed to catch himself, and all got out without injury. WORK RESUMED AT CHERRY. (United Press Service.) Cherry, 111., Feb. 2—(Special to[ Daily Democrat)—Workers at the St. I Paul mine resumed their efforts this morning at daylight to clear the upper vein of the gasses which prevailed yesterday and prevented them from bringing forth any of the two hundred bodies known to be there. A vast number of deputy sheriffs are preserving order among the crowd at the entrance of the shaft. The body of one miner and fifty-four mules were found today, three hundred fifty feet from the opening in 1 the St. Paul mine. It is probable that the bodies of many of the miners will. be brought up before night. The I mules were sealed in the underground stables. ,- a—- — overhead work on the B. G. & C. traction line is being rapidly extended and it will be but a short time until the wor kwill be extended to Geneva. Over a mile of work is being put up day, Including poles and all.—Bluffton Banner. I

LARGEST AUDIENCE OF SERIES. The largest week-night audience of the series attended the Methodist revival Tuesday night and many pronounced it the most precious meeting. The interest was so great that the auditorium was too small, hence the lecture room was utilized. The pastor preached on Matt. 20:29-34, | where Jesus healed the blind beggars as he passed by. The story of the Savior's companion touched many hearts. Both the men’s and mixed choruses will sing again this evening. Men’s chorus rehearsal at 6:30 at the parsonage. There will be a precious meeting tonight. Every one Invited. The Rev. D. O. Wise assisted Tuesday night LIFE INALASKA Graphically Described by by Frank Barthell in Letter to C. C. Ernst. HAS STAKED CLAIM And Will Leave Soon on a Hundred Mile Trip With a Five Dog Team. Frank Barthel, who is enjoying the winter among the snow-clad hills of Alaska, employed with Martin & Koons at Fairbanks, has written his old friend, Charles Ernst an interesting letter, under date of December 30th. He gives some figures from the thermometer that show that this is not the only locality where the temperature varies. On November 21st the register was sixty-four below zero; December Ist, five below; December 2nd, twenty below; the next day It was forty; Christmas day it was only ten below, not a great amount colder than right here, and the day the letter was written the mercury showed just zero. Frank has staked a twenty-acre claim and has bought a five-dog team, and with a partner will leave soon for that place where he hopes to secure results. His claim is one hundred miles from Fairbanks, and it takes six days to get there. In that country it is dark all the time now, excepting two hours and that is only dusk. Siberia is only ninety miles from Fairbanks and one can reach there now over the ice. Fred Martin gave a big turkey dinner on Christmas day and the guests included men of every nationality, excepting Chinese. The new camp at Idrldot, which created so much excitement last fall, has proven no good. Men are suffering there on account of the high prices. Wood sells for eighty dollars a cord and you have to cut it yourself, and other commodities are in proportion. Frank has bought a launch and expected to go to the Ididrot I camp next summer, but likely will not Ido so now. Five men from Fairbanks, including William Loyd, a friend of ! his, have started for Mt. McKinley and will try to reach the top. They believe Dr. Cook a fakir, for two of the five miles is all that any of the natives have been able to scale, and they have tried it often, for it is believed on this mountain is the gold ledge which supplies the Klondyke. Mr. Koon was expected to arrive at Fairbanks the first week of January after his visit to the states. Frank says he will be home next fall unless 1 he strikes it rich and can profit well Iby remaining, for he says a man ought to be well paid for staying I there where it’s too cold to get out ( in the winter and the mosquitoes eat you up in the summer. — — TO FORMER HOME. The remains of Thomas Long, whose death .occurred yesterday at Monroe, will be shipped to Uriohsville, Ohio, his former home, tonight, 1 where the funeral will be held. His brother arrived this morning and ac- ■ companied the remains to that place. o The county local option petitions i which were filed Monday evening did ■ not contain quite as many names as the chairman, C. S. Brineman, had anticipated, there being but a few over 3,100. However, this is a majority of the voters of the county and it is thought that the majority can even be piled up greater than this whbn the | election is held. —Bluffton Banner.

Decatur, Indiana. Wednesday Evening, February 2, 1910.

BAND BOYS BUSY Arrange for a Delightful Evening at Oprea House Next Monday. HOYLES . ORCHESTRA One of the Best Concert Companies on the Road Will be Here Then. Mr. Frank Engle, manager of the Decatur band, is to be congratulated upon securing the famous Hoyles orchestra and entertainers, who will give a delightful concert at the Bosse opera house in this city next Monday evening under the auspices of the band. This will be the last event by the band boys before Lenton season begins. The company comes highly recommended and those who attend will enjoy an evening of merit. The and boys are still selling tickets, which cost only twenty-five cents and can be reserved at the Holthouse drug store free of charge. There are no waits between acts at the entertainment. it being a continuous program of two hours from the time the curtain rises until It drops. There will be readings, solos, duets, etc., and it is a guaranteed affair. Mr. Engle has worked hard to make the band a winner in Decatur and he has the honor of having their affairs in good condition. He and the other boys deserve your support. Dont forget the time and place and be sure to have the quarter ready. It’s next Monday evening. o Miss Sadie Barger has returned to her home at Magley after a several days’ visit with Miss Lilly Venls at Hoagland. _o HOPE ABANDONED Mrs. D. P. Reynolds Suffers From Cancer of Liver and Cannot Recover. IS IN A HOSPITAL Was Operated on Three Weeks Ago—She is Gradually Growing Weaker. All hope for the recovery of Mrs. D. p. Reynolds of this city, has been abandoned, and her death within a few days is feared. She suffers from [cancer of the liver and three weeks ago was taken to the St. Joseph hospital at Fort Wayne, where she was operated on in the hope that her life might be saved. This operation showed the real cause of her illness for which there is said to be no cure. For a few days she seemed to improve, but for a week past her condition has been critical and Mr. Reynolds, who returned this morning from Fort Wayne, gave the informa- ! tlon that hope had been abandoned. 1 Mrs. Reynolds is well known here and 'the hopelessness of her chances for ! recovery will indeed be sad news to [her many friends and relatives in this ' county, as they had been lead to believe that she had a good chance to I regain her health, which had been rather poor for a year past. i. ■ -e - - — FAIR ASSOCIATION MEETS. The officers of the Great Northern Indiana Fair association met in the office of C. J. Lutz this morning and attended to several business matters, chief among which was the revision of the premium list for this year. -o HAS NEW BLACKSMITH. H. E. Martz of Berne, a blacksmith of many years’ experience, who has been engaged with various oil companies, has taken a position as blacksmith for the Fort Wayne & Springfield Railway company. — ■ —— Will Fry returned last evening to his home at Indianapolis after a visit 'here. He was accompanied home by 1 his daughter, Mrs. Al Fritzinger, who twill spend several weeks at her old I home.

WHY DONT YOU USE GAS? The frequency of gasoline explosions in this section recently has caused many to stop and think. A Democrat reporter interviewed Jack Monyhan today and the manager of the local office says that while they have contracted with a number of Decatur people, there are still a large number who should use artificial gas. It is clean, and safe, and convenient and [ cheap, and there Is no reason why one should worry about explosions [ when the use of gas solves the problem. Jack says he is getting tired of running to so many fires. THE TIMEISSHORT 200,000 Votes Issued Only Until Saturday Night of This Week. HUSTLE FOR RESULTS Get Busy—2oo,ooo Votes is Given for s2g Worth of Old Subscriptions. There are probably some candidates in the contest tonight who have not any of the required amount of subscriptions to make the $25 worth lof subscriptions that have to be turned in by next Saturday evening at 10 o’clock in order to win the extra voucher for 200,000 votes. If you will just make up your mind right now that it is easier to get that extra 200,000 between now and next Saturday evening than it is to get that many more subscriptions later on it is very easy done, for you have three days in front of you to secure $25 in : old subscriptions. The contest editor believes that there is not one eontestlant in the contest today, who if he or she made up his or her mind to do so, could not go out and get $25 worth of subscriptions between now and next Saturday evening at 10 o’clock. Candidates have been known to go into the contest after the first bonus vote offer had gone by and win the grand prize. But it is much easier for the candidates to win if they will take advantage of the vote offers. Remember that the vote offer closes next Saturday evening at 10 o’clock. o Miss Florence Case of Van Wert, Ohio, transferred here this afternoon on her way to Fort Wayne. THE FIRST BOOK In Which the Minutes of the First K. of P. Trustees Were Recorded WAS FOUND TUESDAY In Auditor’s Office—Mislaid by Seymour Worden, Trustee —Was Auditor. While looking for some old records in the auditor’s office Tuesday, Attorney D. B. Erwin happened onto an old book stowed away on one of the top shelves, and covered with dust of thirty-five years, in which book were the minutes of the first meeting of held by the trustees of the Knights of Pythias lodge o. this city, in 1875. The first trustees were M. Burns, Seymour Worden and M. V. B. Simcoke, and according to the book about all that was done at that first meeting was the drawing cuts to see who should hold the “long term” of office. The long term of eighteen months fell to Mr. Simcoke, the year term to Mr. Burns and the half-year term to Seymour Worden. Mr. Worden was at that time auditor and the book, which was in no way a part of the county records, but belonged to the K. of P. lodge, was probably mislaid in some way by Mr. Worden while working in his office. It is quite probable that in all these years the book has never been turned or moved from the place in which it was originally mislaid. The bpok will be highly prized by the lodge as one of their oldest record.

A UNIQUE DEED Was the Certified Copy of Original U. S. Patent Deed Filed Today. IT IS A PHOTOGRAPH Os the Original Entry Made in Office at Washington in 1837. A very unusual sort of deed was filed in the county recorder’s office for record this morning, this being a certified copy of the original United States patent deed granted by the government to John Albaugh for bis farm in Root township. The deed was granted to Mr. Albaugh at the Fort Wayne office. August 27, 1837, but for some cause he failed to record it and as the land has now passed into other hands, Mr. Albaugh being long since dead, and no trace of the original deed being found, it was necessary to get the certified copy of the deed from the office at Washington, where all such are kept to complete the title. The land has been owned for some time by James Hoagland, and he has now sold it to George Dutcher, who will move there and make his home. The failure of record was noticed by C. L. Walters, tile attorney, in making the abstract, which the new purchaser desired before buying the land, and which was the one thing needed to complete the chain of title. The certified copy of the deed was made by taking a photograph of the original .entry made at Washington, and it shows up in white lettering on a dark background, being a very unique in- ‘ strument and one rarely seen in this county. o ■ — . SHOT WRONG MAN Chicago Policeman Fired at Pickpocket and Got the Other Fellow. BANK HAS FAILED List of Dead in Kentucky Mine Has Reaced Total of Thirty-Three. (United Press Service.) Chicago, Feb. 2 —(Special to Daily Democrat)—While shooting at a pickpocket, Policeman Sullivan today shot Leon'Cereniak, the man on whom the until the work will be extended to was shot in the knee but not seriously wounded. The alleged robber gave his name as John Doe when captured. (United Press Service.) New Nork, N. Y., l*eb. 2—(Special to Daily Democrat)—The banking house of Fisk & Robinson, prominent among the banking houses for their dealings in government, state and city bonds, has failed. The firm's representatives say the liabilities are seven million; dollars of which more than a million is unsecured. (United Press Service.) Breaksboro, Ky., Feb. 2—(Special to Daily Democrat) —Thirty-three dead, two missing and a half dozen injured, one fatally, completes the list of casualties in the explosion at the Elk Valley coal mines late yesterday. Only the names of a few have been learned as the bodies have been so mutilated that recognition is practically impossible. - -o AT DISTRICT NUMBER FIVE. The Blue Creek township spelling contest will be held next Saturday at the school of District No. 5, of which W. H. Miller is teacher, instead of at District No. 7, as reported yesterday. — o Mr. and Mrs. Henry Zuber, who have been visiting with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kintz, returned this afternoon to their home in Fort Wayne. Mrs. R. J. Holthouse returned yesterday afternoon from Renssalaer, to ] which place she accompanied her son, I Arthur, where he entered college.

CALL FOR BANK STATEMENTS. (United Press Service.) Washington, D. C., Feb. 2 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —The comptroller of the currency today issued a call for statements of the condition of the national banks at the close of business on Monday, January 31st. (United Press Service. Indianapolis, Ind., Feb. 2 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —The Indiana state auditor today issued a call for a statement of the condition of the state banks of Indiana at the close of business on Monday, January 31st HITS HOME TRAIL Big Black Chief Thunderwater Joined a Show Troupe Which “Bustd.” IN FAR-OFF BOSTON Now the Chief is Seeking the Shortest Route to Chippewa Land. Decatur is harboring an Indiana. Big Black Chief Thunderwater arrived in Decatur today from Delphos and is soliciting the people of our city for funds so that he may be able to see his own reservation. Big Black Chief Thunderwater, whose real name in English is Wililam Scott, claims to be thirty-one years of age, and for the past two years has been traveling over the country witn a wild west show, which stranded in Boston, Mass., a short time ago, the manager of the company absconding with all the funds and leaving the actors to look out for themselves and get back home the best way possible, and ever since that time Big Black Chief Thunderwater has been gradually working his way westward. He had an Interesting tale to tell those who will take the time to stop and listen to him and his hardships while enroute to this city have been many, and in his estimation would fill a large sized book. Black Chief Thunderwater is a full-: blooded Chippewa Indian, and he ] looks every inch of the same, althoughl he now appears a little bit the worse, for wear, as he has not been sleeping regularly in soft beds and he has[ been eating as he could beg the same. ■ However, be has that one character- 1 istlc known to all Indians and says he will get back to his home if he is compelled to walk every foot of the way. Up to this time he has disposed of all of his Indian outfit, including headg-gear, moccasins, Indian suit and tomahawk, which he was compelled to do, owing to the fact that he had to eat. He, however, manufactures watch fobs, which are made out of beads and which are very pretty, the proceeds of which help to keep soul and body together. He expects to call on a majority of our citizens and will solicit aid from all that he talks to. He claims to have seen all of the world that he cares to, and when he gets back to the reservation he will never leave his camp fire again. His home is at Dayton, Oklahoma. George Steele of the Racket store left on the noon train for Union City, on business pertaining to his racket store. Albert Katterheinrich and Oliver Schug spent the afternoon at Poe on business connected with the interurban company. Mrs. Horace Bothoff came home from Pleasant Mills, where she has been for some time, owing to the illness of her mother. Miss Mabel Weldy, who has been taking a musical course in the Marion conservatory, is at home for a visit over Sunday with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Weldy. The dance to be given this evening at the K. of C. hall will no doubt be largely attended. Invitations have been issued to a goodly number and a large crowd is expected. Forty-five years ago today Titus Ernst struck Decatur. It was ground ■ hog day, 1865, and Mr. Ernst rememi bers It well. He has been a continu- , ous resident of the county and is one lof the most popular men of the city. .I ■ '

Price Two Cents

KINTZ APPOINTED As City Engineer to Succeed L. L. Baumgartner Who Has Resigned. WILL BUY THE COAL And Receive Bids for Street Sweeping—Other Business Transacted. Considerable routine business was disposed of at the regular session of the city council Tuesday evening. All members were present except Mr. Christen and the minutes were read and duly approved. City Engineer Baumgartner filed a corrected report on the Brown sewer assessments, to which there was no objection and a resolutilon was adopted accepting the same. Attorney Beatty appeared for the G. R. & I. railroad and asked that the resolution of two weeks ago, providing for a watchman at Jefferson street be reconsidered and the company allowed to transfer the Adams street watchman to Jefferson street and place a bell at Adams. The matter was referred to the street committee, who are to report at the next meeting. The finance committee reported the treasurer’s report for December as correct. Mayor Teeple asked that the city superintendent file a report of receipts and expenditures every three months. C. O. France filed his final report as mayor and it was referred to the judiciary committee for examination. Night Policeman Melchi filed his bond which was approved. L. L. Baumgartner tendered his resignation as city engineer and same was accepted, and the mayor, appointed Gabriel Kintz to fill this position. Mr. Kintz served as surveyor of the county for eight years and is qualified. The mayor was authorized to rent a room in the Stone block for the use of himself, the marshal and the street commissioner. The fire committee was authorized to arrange some means Os drying the fire hose. The clerk was authorized to advertise for bids at the first meeting in March for oil, coal, hauling of coal, and for a four-year street sweep’ing contract. The judiciary commit- [ tee was authorized to confer with the Interurban people concerning the 1 hauling of coal to the city plant. The [folowing bills were allowed: :Wm. Burford $ 10.00 'H. Harrutt 20.00 1 Wells Fargo Express Co 3.20 'Kirsch, Sellemeyer & 50n.... 99.84 C. J. Lutz 200.00 - Wm. Geary 10.00 Schafer Hardware Co 31.38 i Union Oil Co 26.86 - National Mill Supply Co 29.63 i Latta & Martin Pump Co 1.75 [Waterworks Pay Roll 70.50 '! Electric Light Pay Roll 236.00 ■ Sunday Creek Coal Co 33.08 i C. U. Dorwin Pay Roll 245.89 I J. G. Smith 43.33 i S. Melchi 22.54 • Holthouse Drug Co 1-45 Ft. Wayne Electric Works... 13.53 Powhattan Coal Co 4.76 F. Peterson 43.32 J. O. Smith 36.00 D. F. Teeple 30.87 C. & E. Ry. Co 81.50 D, F. Teeple 9.34 o MAY RUN INTO POE. It is said that plans are being furthered for the extension of the interurban line into Poe, a litle village between here and Fort Wayne, which would mean a side switch from the Fort Wayne & Springfield, running a distance of about a mile and a half. This would give the cars plenty of time to make the extra run in the fifteen minutes which are left from their hour and a half round trip to I I Fort Wayne, and would be a very good thing for the people of that vicinity. It is said that the work will begin in the summer. The greater ’ part of the ground which this line B would cover is already owned by the e interurban company. d 0 Mrs. James Archbold, Mrs. Tena s Kern, Mr. and Mrs. James Drage callfl ed on Mrs. D. P. Reynolds at the St. i- Joseph hospital. Fort Wayne, yesterI- day. The doctors stated that Mrs. e Reynolds would be able to be brought r. 1 home the latter part of the week.