Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 8, Number 56, Decatur, Adams County, 7 March 1910 — Page 1

' Volume VIII. Number 56.

MRS. BIGGS, THE WINNER Took First Place in the Daily Democrat’s Popular Voting Contest and Won the Brush Runabout.

OTHER WINNERS - Stewart Niblick and Charles Zimmerman Secure Diamond Rings. CONTEST A SUCCESS Total Vote Was Over FiftyTwo Million—The Count Watched by Many. * MRS. WILLIAM BIGGS, * * Decatur, Automobile 8,411,340 * * STEWART NIBLICK, * * Decatur,Diamond Ring 7,300,910 * * CHARLES ZIMMER- * * MAN, R. R. No. 2, Dia- * 4. mond Ring 6,032,910 * * JOHN CUSTER, Pleas- * * ant Mills, $25.00 La- * dies’ Suit 5,631,500 * 4 MARGARETTA FRIS- * * TOE, Geneva, Gold * * Watch 3,764,540 * * FRANK FOREMAN, * * Berne, Gold Watch.. .3,564,540 * *J. C. GRANDSTAFF, * * Preble, $20.00 Rug... .3,219,040 * * J. N. BURKHEAD, Mon- * * roe, Set of Dishes... .2,607,760 * * JACK GRADY, Decatur, * * Umbrella 1,887,780 * * HERBERT LACHOT, De- * * catur, SIO.OO Hand * * Bag 1,644,760 * * Other prize winners—Beatrice * * Van Camp, Decatur; Raymond * * Kohne, Decatur; Mrs. Fred Koeh- * * ler, R. R. No. 4, Bluffton; Miss * * Flora Runyon, Berne; John Hen- * * dricks, Monroe; Sarah Jaberg, * • * Magley. * * TOTAL VOTE 52,876,526 * ************* [ A crowd of several hundred, every s'One of whom showed the intense interest they felt, waited, almost breathlessly' for the old clock in the court house tower to strike 10 Saturday night, for that hour marked the closing of the Daily Democrat s popular | ‘Voting contest, hich has been in progress for six weeks past. The of- . Hee was packed and the sidewalk in fc-• front was filled to the curb, with the I s many whi wished to see their favorite j win the automobile, the diamond rings ■ tor the other valuable prizes. We believe we are safe in the statement K that no more successful contest was k ever given any place, much of the | success of which was due to our conI test editor, Mr. C. G. Prothero, who I was always on the job, courteous and K. clever. At a few moments before 10 1 o’clock Saturday evening all the en- | velopes of the candidates had been placed upon the table, as per instrucI tions, and the judges, Messrs. Ned I Steele, C. J. Voglewede, Fred Jaebker, i and W. Schrock, and with Mr. I? Prothero, the contest editor, and J. H. B Heller, representing the Democrat, I the count of the enormous vote began I Immediately at the hour announced. | The table had been arranged In the | front window, in view of the hundreds , . who watched the count inside and F out, and the entire affair was planned 1 and was fair to every candidate. The total vote of the contest was I enormous, far beyond the expectations I of any one, being 52,876,526. This recI ord exceeds any contest of the kind I ever given in this section of the counI try. It was a big undertaking, the abI solute giving away of nearly $1,000.00

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

worth of beautiful prizes. Os course there were those w’ho said it was impossible—that it would be a failure, that it was too big an undertaking for a city the size of Decatur, but the Democrat believed it was possible and the result proves it. In round numbers the contest put on our books twelve hundred new daily subscribers and six hundred weeklies, giving us a circulation almost unheard of in a town of 6,000 population. We have attained a distinction, to which we have aspired for years. In fact ever since the Daily Democrat became a part of business of this office —w’e now reach every nook and corner of the county—with a circulation of 3,500 or more daily, and a weekly circulation of 2,200, or a total of nearly 6,000. It is fair to estimate that at least five people read each paper issued of the daily, and you will thus see that this paper is read each day by 17,500. As an advertising medium we claim this cannot be excelled. Mr. Business Man think of the wonderful opportunity you have, to thus reach this vast number for the small amount necessary, as our advertising rates are low when you compare it with the circulation. If the dollars spent with us do not get you returns, it Is because you have nothing to sell. Throughout the contest, it has been our aim to treat every candidate fairly, to treat them all alike, and we believe we have done so as far as possible. There were nearly one hundred candidates nominated, of which number about half dropped out when the real test of getting business began. This number was again cut into before the fierce gait for the finish was struck, but the fact that twentyfive candidates were working during the last week is certainly a great record. At the close no one could tell with any degree of accuracy who the winenrs were and it required the official count to determine it. Even tlje winner was so uncertain that the hour of the count was as Ipng as the ordinary week. The general interest aroused was wonderful, and the big total vote shows that much work was done. Every one of the candidates did excellent work, and at each bonus new and old subscriptions rolled in. The Democrat is more than satisfied with the result, and while from a financial standpoint, we will not be able to endo wany colleges or hospitals, it has proven a "circulation builder” unequalled. We are pround of every candidate and the work they did. They were each and all hustlers and each one earned more than the prize we were able to give. We are sorry that we could not give an automoble to each, but of course we can’t. As a token of our appreciation the management wishes to thank eacn one of them, and nere and now we extend to them our heartiest, and most sincere thanks. To our hundreds of new subscribers we wish to say it will be our constant aim to furnish them all the news, all the time, in the most readable manner possible. We hope the large family of new readers will become so well acquainted that they will never leave. o —■ 1 ■■ BOHNKE FUNERAL TODAY. Funeral services for Mrs. H. Fred Bohnke were held this afternoon from the home on North Second street, the services being in charge of the 'Re/. Mumma, pastor of the Concord Lutheran church. The Pocahontas lodge of which she was a member attended in a body and conducted the ritualistic services at the Maplewood cemetery, where the body was laid to rest. —— o— MUSICALE BY PYTHIAN SISTERS. A musical to be given Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock under the auspices of the Pythian Sisters at the K. of P. home promises rare entertainment. The entertainment will be given by Mrs. Mae R. Perkins, reader and pantomlmist, and Mrs. Kate L. Speck, pianist, artists in their line. The admisson will be ten cents.

Decatur, Indiana. Monday Evening, March 7, 1910.

ROOF CAUGHT FIRE At Home of George Smitley on Thirteenth Street Sunday Evening. SOON EXTINGUISHED Whistle Blew For “Out” Just as Fire Cart Reached Thirteenth. With the wind blowing a stiff gale Sunday evening about 6:30 o'clock, the roof of the Knoff residence on South Thirteenth street, now owned and occupied by George Smitley and family, caught fire, but was discovered by the family in time to extinguish it with very little damage. The fire was blazing away quite briskly at the southwest corner of the roof, near the eaves when found, and a ladder hastily procured, the members of the family formed a bucket brigade and soon put it out. A small hole was burned into the roof, but it is thought five dollars will cover the damage. The fire was in a direct line with the wind from the chimney in the middle of the house, and no other solution can be given except that it caught from sparks from the chimney. In the meantime the fire alarm had been given and the fire boys got out the cart and hose and made a quick run down Monroe street. When they arrived at Thirteenth street the whistle blew for “out” and they were forced to return again. A large crowd of people followed the cart and hose, and it as not until the clamor of the hose cart bell and the tramping of the surging crowd that followed, sounded, that many of the residents of that part of the city knew that a fire had been in their midst. Another fire that might have resulted seriously was that at the Herman Gerke farmhouse, five miles north in Root township As Mr. Gerke was coming from the barn about 8 o’clock Sunday morning he noticed smoke issuing from the roof of the house. Investigation showed that the fire had started in the inside of the attic and eaten its way through. A bucket brigade was formed and the fire soon extinguished, the only damage being two large holes in the roof. It is thought that soot had clogged the chimney, and catching fire, burst through the tile and brick of the chimney into the attic, setting fire to the surrounding framework. SERIOUS CHARGE Is That for Which John Joseph of Geneva is Now Under Arrest. GAVE A CASH BOND Was Brought Here Sunday Has Employed Attorney and Will Fight Case. , John Joseph, the Syrian, who conducted a candy store here for two or three years, and who for the past year has been located at Geneva, was arrested at that place Sunday, charged with assault with intent to commit sodomy. He was taken before the justice of the peace there and when told that the crime with which he was charged as an offense punishable with a sentence to prison, he plead guilty and was bound over to circuit court on SSOO bond. He was brought here by officers and taken to the jail, where he furnished a SI,OOO cash bond and was allowed to return to Geneva. It is alleged that the attempt at sodomy was upon John Chrisman, a fourteen-year-old boy, and the affair created quite a little excitement at Geneva. Joseph denies his guilt and says the boy hung around his store and that when he kicked him out Sunday, he became angry and filed this suit to get even. Joseph employed D. B. Erwin as his attorney and the outcome of the case will be watched with interest.

JAY DEMOCRATS ORGANIZE. Will Hold Their County Convention Saturday, April 30th. More than forty of the democratic precinct committeemen and township chairmen responded to the call Issued by County Chairman W. Lea Smith, and met at the city council chamber at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon to perfect the county central committee by selecting a chairman, vicechairman, secretary and treasurer, resuling In the unanimous re-election of W. Lea Smith as county chairman, W. R. Armstrong as secretary and Ed P. Bishop as treasurer. Tne new office of vice chairman was created and County Recorder Joseph B. Wilson was unanimously selected for this place. The date of the county convention to be held in this city was fixed for Saturday, April 30th —being cinsiderably earlier than has heretofore been the practice in this county. Following the regular business before the convention James J. Moran and E. E. McGriff, each aspirants for the nomination of judge on the democratic ticket were invited in and addressed the assembled committee. —Portland Sun. A BUSY JESSION Several Marriage Licenses Have Been Issued to Young People. OTHER NEWS ITEMS Administrator Named—Accountants Have Returned—Realty Transfers. A license to wed was granted Elizabeth Kelley, 23, of Washington township to Enoch L. Murphy, 30 a Wells county farmer. Albert Meshberger, 29, a farmer from French township, and Louise Reichert 19, of Monroe township, have been granted a marriage license. D. D. Heller has been appointed a notary public and filed bond for SI,OOO, as required. Adda M. Hahnert et al vs. Martha E. Deutner et al., partition. Report and resignation filed by commissioner, and approved. H. B. Heller appointed commissioner and filed bond for S6OO and inventory. A marriage license was issued to Quincy O. Ritter, 26, a carpenter of Steele, Indiana, to Elva May Zerke), 22, daughter of William Zerkle, Laura A. Van Camp. vs. Charles Van Camp et al., partition and quiet title. Appearance by Smith, Lutz, Peterson & Moran for defendants, Charles and Herbert Van Camp. Letto Thomas vs. Elsie Thomas, replevin, reset for trial on Wednesday, March 16th. . Isadore A. Kalver vs. Decatur Furnace Co., receiver, intervening petition filed by D. L. Guilfoile, who filed answer. Real estate transfers: Thomas S. Perkins to Fred Scheiman, 24 acres, Washington tp., $5000;. Fred Scheiman to Thomas S. Perkins, 55 acres, St. Marys tp., $4,000; Fred Scheiman to Margaret S. Gassard, 52 acres, St. Marys tp., $4000; Ezra Zimmerman to D. C. Zimmerman, 159 acres, Kirkland tp., $7800; Amanda Schenck to C. D. Schenck, 80 acres, St. Marys tp., $5000; P. W. Fishbaugh to C. D. Schenck, 80 acres, St. Marys tp, SSOOO. Simon J. Bowers has been appointed administrator of the estate of Lydia Bowers and filed bond for $3,000. A. P. Beatty was appointed special judge in the estate of Abraham J. Sprunger. Webster Perry and William McCoy, the state accountants, have returned here for a further investigation of the official records. —oMiss Mary Dailey, who nas been spending Sunday with her parents at Willshire, Onio, passed through the city this morning on her way to Fort Wayne, where he is a student in St. Augustine's Academy.

GOLDEN WEDDING 1 Celebrated in a Happy Way Sunday by Mr. and Mrs. Ernst Bloemker. OF NEAR MAGLEY One Hundred and Seventeen Guests Joined in Festivities—Day of Rejoicing. Sunday morning about 11:30 one hundred and seventeen guests marched from the German Reformed church at Magley to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Errlst Bloemker in honor of their golden wedding. It was a great day of rejoicing and pleasure. About 12:30 the guests were called into the dining room where a sumptuous dinner of all kinds of substantiate and delicacies awaited them. The home was decorated with cut flowers and presented a gala appearance. The afternoon was spent in a general social time. Mr. and Mrs. Bloemker told of their long ago, by-gone days, of their school days and home-life in Germany. Both were born in Linn, Prussia of Germany, and with a great number of other young people came to this county in 1859, and were married at Magley the following year, March 6th, and have since that time lived near Magley. In addition to the short talks given by the seven children the Huckleberry octette rendered some becautiful selections, which were highly appreciated. Beautiful presents were given to the grandparents by their twenty-two grand children and one great grandchild. The following and their families were in attendance: Lewis Worthmann, Sam Jaberg, Fred and Jacob Bloemker, Charles Koller, Lew Krutzman, Gust Krutzman, Fred Peck, William Hilgeraann, Fred Bieneke, William and Henry Fruchte, B. J. Terveer, Mrs. Christ Reppert, Ed Reppert, Mr. Chas. Voglewede, Herman Linneman, Ed Luttman, Martin Worthman, Mrs. Henry- Peters, Rev. C. H. Schneider, Dan Scherry, William Sellemeyer and Mrs. Parks. Late in the afternoon the guests departed for their various homes, all wishing Mr. and Mrs. Ernst Bloemker many more happy days while on their voyage through this life. BERNE LANDS SHOW Poultry and Corn Show for 1911 Will be Held at Berne January 3-7. THE SIXTH ANNUAL “Central City” Offers the Best Inducement in Special Premiums. The preponderence of three and a half silver dollars, and not the toss of a penny gave Berne, the “Central City,” oY Adams county, the poultry and corn show- for 1911. The decision rested with the executive committee of the Adams County Poultry and Com association which met Saturday in the Hirschy & Winteregg office, and representatives of both Geneva and Berne, the rival towns for the honor, were present to boost for their burghs. Berne, it seems, had guaranteed $188.50 ,and Geneva, $lB5 for special premiums, expenses, et cetera, for the association, and the committee as heretofore announced, chose the best offer. The next, the sixth annual show, will be held January 3-7, and with the assistance of the enthusiastic, • wide-awake hustling citizens of Berne, the association expects to make this show the best ever held in the state. The members of the committee are W. A. Fonner, Martin Gerke, C. S. Mumma, D. M. Rice, William Hale, J. F. Burley, Walter Thornhill, A. C. Augsberger and Sam Simison.

VERY VALUABLE DOG ESCAPED. Broke Crate While Being Sent to Russlavi'le. When Ben Elzey, agent for the Wells Fargo, went to get a consignment from the Erie railroad this morning he found that a valuable large tan hound .valued at about thirty-five dollars, had broken its crate and escaped. The dog came In Sunday enroute to Russiaville and probably escaped Sunday evening. A reward is offered for its return to the WellsFargo Express company. COUNTY ORPHANGE The Building of a Home for Adams County’s Homeless and Neglected. IS RECOMMENDED By Committee Appointed to Investigate Cost of Maintenance of Such. If the county commissioners make a favorable order on the report and recommendation of the investigating committee of the Adams county orphanage proposition, Adams county will soon nave an orphans’ home In which her homeless and neglected children can be cared for at a much less cost, and with better results in a physical, moral and educational way than they are at present. The committee on investigation which recently returned from a visit to orphanages of other cities and counties met Saturday and have ready for presentation to the county commissioners at the March session which opened today, the following report: “Honorable Board of Commissioners of the County of Adams: “Gentlemen: —Your committee appointed to investigate the county orphans’ home proposition respectfully submits to you the following report: “After having thoroughly investigated a number of such homes and obtained considerable information as to the advantages of such a home, and the cost and maintenance of one, and after considering the county's present expenses of maintaining her orphans, your committee reached a conclusion favoring the building of such an institution for our own county, and would recommend the commissioners to have blue prints of a suitable, substantial, but plain building prepared and obtain an idea as to the cost of erecting it, leaving the location of same to the best Judgment of the board of directors. “The committee, however, feels that the grounds, known as the old fair grounds, or a portion of the north end of the county farm would be a favorable place for an orphans' home.

“M. KIRSCH, “Os the County Council. “S. B. FORDYCE, “Os Children's Guardian Board. “JAMES A. HENDRICKS, “Os County Commissioners. “March 5, 1910." The report is backed up by the petition for the building of the home, signed by more than two hundred of the largest taxpayers in the county, and it will in all probability be built. The county is now free from debt and will be amply able to build the home, especially when the building will re duce the expense, as the committee claims, and in the end be a saving to the county. Adams county now has in various orphanages, twentythree children, for which the county is paying from twenty-five to thirtyfivo cents a day for their maintenance. This with the traveling expenses and others, makes a sum roughly estimated for exceeding ?200 a month, now going from Adams county funds to other orphanages. Besides this there is the large number of neglected children cared for by the township trustees which wou'J be given homes in such an institution, were one here. In this townshin alone, there are said to be twelve or fifteen such who are draining from the township funds, besides not receiving the advantages of a gojJ home and training that they would if cared for in such an institution. The county commissioners are to be commended for their favorable view of the matter in appointing the committee for investigation, and wll no doubt carry the matter further to a favorable finish. —— J •

Price Two Cents

THE MONROE NEWS P. J. Everhart Leaves for the South—Will Do Railroad Work. CHILD IS DEAD Little Martz Child Who Fell on Red Hot Stove Died In Oklahoma. Monroe, Ind., March 7 —(Special to Daily Democrat)—P. J. Everhart, a life-long citizen of this county and many years of Monroe township, left this morning for an extended trip to St. Louis, thence to Chicago, and from there he goes to Louisiana and Kentucky in search of a suitable location. Mr. Everhart has many friends in and around Monroe who regret to see him leave. He requests us to in this manner to thank all for their liberal patronage in his sale which he held a short time ago. Mr. Everhart expects to again embark in railroading, an occupation which he followed for years before moving on his farm. James Hendricks, sr., residing one and onehalf miles south of Monroe, reached the sixty-fiftn milestone of his age on March 2nd, and, as is the custom of his many friends, they concluded to give him a “post card” shower, and on that occasion he received 130 of the latest cards that could be obtained, with all the best wishes his friends could bestow upon him. Mr. Hendricks heretofore did not believe in sending post cards, but since he received such a large number. says he now thinks there is something in remembering him on this occasion. The nine-year-old daughter of Mr. Charles Lammiman, residing a short distance southeast of Monroe, has been greatly afflicted the past few days with inflammatory rheumatism and blood poisoning, caused by the rubbing of one of her shoes. She is some better, but is still very sick.

Word was received here Saturday that the small child of Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Martz, who was so frightfully burned by being thrown upon a red hot stove, by a young sister who w r as carrying the baby, and who tripped and fell, throwing the child on the stove, had died upon their arrival at Oklahoma. Mr. Martz and family left for Oklahoma the first of last week. Mrs. Lydia Hendricks will leave Tuesday morning for Fort Wayne, where she will attend the meeting of the Ladies' Aid society of the M. E. church of Monroe at a representative. On Wednesday evening she will attend the wedding of Miss Murlett, who will be married at New Haven. There is an industry southwest of Monroe that no doubt a great many people know nothing about. It is the broom factory, owned and conducted by James Hendricks. He informed us that he has made over six hundred brooms since his return from Oklahoma. He also states that brooms today were doubled in price, owing to the scarcity in broom corn and that he could not manufacture brooms at less than $4.50 per dozen. However, he has very few to sell at present and has several orders to fill. It would be well for some of our farmers to grow a certain amount of acreage of broom corn, as they can find a ready market right here at home. E. B. Macy of Decatur is visiting with relatives in and around Monroe this week. The Monroe Dramatic company put on the play, “Little Buckshot," at Geneva Saturday night, returning home Sunday morning at 2 o'clock. Alpheus Roop was calling on relatives and friends here Saturday. Dr. Rainier of Decatur was at Monroe Saturday and spent Sunday with his daughter, Mrs. Forest Andrews, and family, w'est of town. « Saturday certainly was a busy day at the Leichty Bros. & Co’s hardware store from early morning to late at night. Crowds of farmers were in ( (Continued on page 3.)