Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 8, Number 170, Decatur, Adams County, 21 July 1910 — Page 1

Volume VIII. Number 170.

BEGINS THE FIFTH YEAR Decatur Library Closes the Fourth Year of Its Existence as the MOST SUCCESSFUL Os the Period—Growth of Library Has Been Great Some Statistics. Just four years ago Wednesday, July 20. 1906, was the beautiful Decatur library thrown open to the public. and while the opening was a most auspicious one. and the expectations lor the results of the library great, the institution has grown far beyond the most sanguine and the fifth year, which begins today, gives promise of far exceeding all hopes. While it is impossible to convey in mere figures the far-reaching educational influence of the .brary, and the mauy thousands oi both young and old. who have been b-nefitted by It. the report of Miss Annette Moses, the librarian, for the year 1909-1910 gives some figures that will prove interesting, and give some idea of the resources and growlh of the library, from month to month during the year as well as from year to year, for each month lias shown an increase in number of borrowers, readers, visitors and reference workers. The total number of ■ registered •’borrowers" is now 1871. which is more than twice the number of the first year. Os the present number 241 were added during the past year The increase of patronage from . year to year can be seen from the tollowing table: The first year the borrowers numbered 92r>; second year, 1.356: third year. 1,630: fourth | year, 1.871. During the year the number of books loaned to the borrowers i was 19.375, making an average month ly loan of 1.614. As an accurate ree- | ord of all loans must be made in order | to protect the property, to see that the books are not kept out longer than : the regulation period, some idea of | the bookkeeping required in this one department alone can be gained. The greatest demand for books in the past | year was made in the month of February. when the loan reached the figure of 2.240. September was the quiet month, the circulation dropping to D 33. The circulation by months was August, 1909. 1,037: September. 933; October, 1.220; November. 1,650; December. 2.095; January, 1910. 2.024; February, 2,240; March, 1,933; April, 1,781; May. 17,95: June, 1.577; July, : 1,072. The "banner days” of the year were December 31, 1909. with its loan of 130 books; November 30, 1909, 122 books; and February 19, 1910, 120 books. The resources of the library are large for a new one. the total number of books on the Shelves being 4,300, of which number 430 were added during the year. The reading ciicle books, numbering twenty, were purchased Jointly by the school and imrary boards and placed in the library to be used by teachers during the school year and at Us close placed In gsoeral circulation. In addition to those added by purchase there were two gifts, highly acceptable—"ln and Out of Central America,” by the Shakespeare club, and “The American Accounting Encyclopedia,' by H. B. Helier. During March a self-sustain-ing fiction shelf was a new feature. Forty-eight copies of the most recent fiction were added. For each copy a charge of ten cents is charged, the time limit being seven days. This is proving a great success. Decaturs great pride can lie also in her « i xce lent supply of periodicals for the read-1 ing table, which is said to exceed that of any city library in this section ol j the state. The list of periodicals has been increased for the coming > f ' ar and includes: Technical World. Cosmopolitan [ Good Housekeeping. Cadies' Home i, Journal, Century, St. Nicholas. World , Today, Woman's Home Companion, ! Review of Reviews, American Homes ! and Gardens, Scribner's, Munsey • Outlook, Hooper's Bazaar. Pad c : Monthly. Success. Etude, Pearson s, ' Popular Electricity. Popular Meehan-, Leg, McClure’s, Camera Craft, Building

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

Age, Woman Beautiful, Little Folks. Metropolitan. Travel Magazine. Masters In Art, Tlie Designer, Iteautltiil Homes, American Hoy, Youth's Companion, Saturday Evening Post, Hay View Magazine, Header's Uulde to Periodical Literature. Current Literature, Toledo Weekly Blade, National Geographic, Field and Stream, Recreation, Engineering Review, The Outing, Modern Machinery, Children's Magazine. A number of the metropolitan daily papers and two local daily papers are also on the tables. The library also yields a revenue, the amount collected during the year from fines, cards and rental of library hall being $105.40. The library iH open every day of the seven in the week, through the year, excepting legal holidays. The hours are from 12 to 5 and 6 to 9. On Sundays from 1 to 6 p. m.. During the summer vacation period the hours change to 1 to 5 and 6:30 to 9 p. m. From its beginning the library has been In charge of Miss Annette Moses, to w hose careful, courteous and painstaking service as librarian is due in a great measure the growth and success of the library. Miss Nellie Blackburn is assistant librarian, proving most capable and courteous. Th<‘ present library board consists of the following members: President, Mrs. Elizabeth Morrison; vice president, Mrs. L. G. Ellingham; secretary. Mrs. H. B. Heller: treasurer, E. X. Ehinger; Mrs. C. D. Lewton. M. Kirsch and T. C. Corbett. RAWN IS A SUICIDE Chicago Police Made Thorough Investigation and so Report. CIGARETTE HABIT A Great Time in London During June of Next Year is Announced. (United Press Service.) Chicago. 111., July 21 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —After a thorough investigation by the Chicago police, headed by some of the shrewdest and best detectives in the country, the department makes the statement that the death of Ira G. Rawn was suicide and not murder. The conclusion is that Rawn killed himself, and evidence is accumulating as to the cause of the tragic end. The revelations that are coming to light in the investigation of the Ilinois Central railroad, of which Mr. Rawn was vice president before assuming his present place last November. Much of his wealth is now said to have been accumulated by his connection with fraudulent repair contracts made while with the Illinois Central. Humiliation of exposure is thought to have been the cause of his suicide. (United Press Service.) Chicago. 111.. July 21— (Special to Daily Democrat) —Mrs. Gaston, head of the American Cigarette League, makes the statement that their work is greatly hindered by the indulgence in the practice and use of cigarettes by many society women in high place, and names Mrs. Nicholas Longworth and others as being victims of the habit. (United Press Service) London, Eng., July 21—(Special to Daily Democrat)—What will perhaps be the greatest ceremony ever witnessed in London will occur at the coronation of King George, which will take place in June, 1911. — -oTWO SUNDAY SCHOOL PICNICS. Presbyterian and U. B. at Maple Grove and Steele’s Parks. Doth Maple Grove, north of the city, and Steele’s park, east, rang with the happy laughter and cheer of the young and old of Sunday school picnickers today. The Presbyterian school enjoyed the pleasures of Maple Grove, many going out on the special and the various regular cars during the day. while the shady grounds of Steele's park provided the scene of mirth for the United Brethren school. To say that a good time at both places was enjoyed is superfluous. 1

jONE WAS KILLED . Thomas Smetherst of War- , ren Killed in an Automobile Accident. . THREE ARE INJURED ) , i Accident Occurred Near Liberty Center in Wells County. i Bluflton, Ind., July 21—Thomas Smetherst. aged thirty-one, of Warren was instantly killed; his cousin. Geo. Smetherst, of Warren, slightly injured. and James B. Tailor of Columbia . City, a traveling salesman, was seriously and perhaps fatally injurtd at 9:15 o’clck last night, when an automobile, owned and driven by the latter and carrying the party from Warren to this city, plunged from an abutment into Rock Creek, two miles north of Liberty Center. The bridge over the creek, broken down by a hay baler, had been out of repair since early spring and a temporary span aT one side has been used. Not knowing this and the danger unmarked bywarning lights. Tailor drove his machine through a weak scantling, the only protection, into the stream. Tailor'R injuries cannot be fully determined as the doctors fear that he has been hurt internally. He is conscious and able to give a complete account of the accident. He is fortytwo years of age and is unmarried, and travels for the Harper Buggycompany of Columbia City. He had caned upon the hardware firm of Smetherst & Smetherst, at Warren, operated by George Smetherst and his brother, Thomas, and was on his way home, George and Thomas Smetherst, the latter a clerk In the store, accompanying him. the latter intending to come to this city and return home by traction. Thomas Smetherst was one of Warren's best kwown young men. His wife and child, a babe, are spending the summer with relatives in Canada, and a message sent informed them of his death. Tailor w ill probably be taken to his home at Columbia City tomorrow . COURT HOUSE NEWS The Passon Divorce Case is Already Dismissed and the Costs Paid. THE SHERIFF HERE He Came From Clear Lake and is Attending to Some Official Duties. Mary C. Passon changed her mind, and Wednesday was in the city with her husband, both apeparing at the clerk's office, where the costs were paid in the Passon vs. Passon divorce case and the same dismissed. She made some very serious charges against her husband, but all this is for the present at least, forgotten ami forgiven. Sheriff Meyer came in this morning from Clear lake, where he left his family enjoying the pleasures of life at the lake. He is attending to a tew pressing official duties, and in the list will likely be the acceptance of the bond given by Benjamin Lett, one of the implicating parties in the Schwartz horse stealing case. The bond is for the appearance of the defendant when the case is heard in the Adams circuit court, which will probably come up during the September term. Bonds for the John J. Soldner macadam road are now in the hands of the auditor, they coming fresh from the lithographer. Tbe Soldner bonds with three other sets are now awaiting purchasers and as soon as they are taken up, work upon the roads will begin. o Misses Cora and Hazel Davies of near Monroe went to Fort Wayne this i morning for a visit.

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday Evening, July 21, 1910.

MOSE RICHER SLEEPS WELL. He Snores Loudly and Other Prisoner! Are Complaining. Fort .Wayne, Ind., July 21 —If Mono Richer's conscience bottlers him It is not reflected in the loss of sleep as the men who have been compelled to occupy the same cell with him at the county jail say that he snores so loudly that they cannot get their rest and a change of bunk has been asked by the men assigned to keep an eye on him. lie Is restless during the day because he has nothing to do which is an unusual experience for him brit at night he turns in promptly and sleeps the limit allowed by jail life. He eats well and is a good prisoner. That he is anxious to get through with the hearing in the lower court is shown by the fact that he never lost an opportunity to ask when he wi’l be taken out to enter hla plea Since the viail of his wife and her parents on Monday morning he has been allowed no callers and the same rules that apply to other prisoners in the Jail apply to him and he will not be shown any favors that the other men are not granted. NEWS OP MONROE - Chester Hendricks Suffered an Accident at Lansing, Michigan. THE OTHER NEWS Monroe is Lively Even at This Dull Season of the Year. Monroe. Ind., July 21—(Special to Daily Democrat —The Junior League of the M. E. church of this place will give an ice cream social at Monroe on next Saturday evening. Let everybody turn out and give the young forget the date, Saturday, July 23rd. Chester Hendricks, a young man from this place, but who has been working in an automobile factory at Lansing, Mich., for several months, arrived home the latter part of last : week with the middle finger of his right hand broken, the result ol" playing ball at that place. He will he laid up for a few weeks before he 1 can resume his duties at the factory. We understand Ches was making good and the above accident no doubt will be quite a handicap to him. Miss Lena Dickerson and Miss Daisy Albers of New Lisbon are visiting with Misses Carrie and Lizzie Scherer and Miss Jessie Dickerson, south of town and other relatives here. Tom Galogly of Decatur was in town Tuesday looking after insurance business. Alf Graham of Decatur was in town Wednesday looking after some insurance business. John Urick and family were overSunday visitors with relatives at Dunkirk. Ott Urick of Dunkirk was in, Monroe over Sunday visiting with relatives and incidentally looking after hands to work at the glass factory there. Chicken thieves have been busy recently, a number of people near this place reporting the loss of their entire erop of “spring t'rys,” as well as old hens and roosters. There have been a large number of these fowls stolen within the past two weeks and one should not be surprised of hearing of the guilty party in the near future. John Grim, who for several years has been lineman for the Monroe Telephone company, and who resigned a short time ago, has accepted a position in the same capacity at New London, Ohio, and has moved his household goods to that place, where he has entered into his duties for the telephone company at that place. John is a thorough telephone man and we predict for him a prosperous future. Chris Christianer was the first farmer of the season of 1910 to bring a load of new wheat to Monroe this week. He sold It to the Mouroe Hay, Grain & Milling company. (Continue won page 4.)

POINT THE WAY The Question is Whether Cannon, Taft or Roosevelt is to Point Way. RAIL CONFERENCE They Will Establish Long and Short Haul Rates it is Said. Washington. 1). C. July 21—Is Cannon. Roosevelt or Taft to point the way m- the coming congressional campaign? This is the question that is being frequently asked without bringing an answer. As things stand today it does not appear that any one man will be able to draw up a plan of campaign that will be satisfactory to tile warring elements in the party. The best informed of political observers do not see how it will be possible to carry on any other than a “go as you please" campaign. The venerable speaker of the house of representatives certainly has ideas of his own as to what sort of campaign shall be conducted. He wants the record ol' the party in power defended from "A" to "Z'' and he wants the people to Indorse the men who are responsible lor the party’s record. Washington. D. C., July 21—The great railroad systems of the country are preparing to announce, shortly, revised long and short haul rates. It developed today that for several days representatives of the transportation lines have held a secret conference at White Sulphur Springs. Va„ and the delegation that visited the interstate commerce commission came from this (onference. It is said that the object of the roads in announcing new long and short haul rates is to forestall the action of congress on this matter at the recent session. The roads, it is understood, have received legal advice to the effect that if the new long and short haul rates are promulgated before the new railroad law goes into effect, they will be safe from attack by the commission for some time at least. « ■■ o ■■■ — FACE IS BURNED Miss Lena Miller Suffers Painful Injuries at L. W. Coppock Home. FROM AN EXPLOSION Harry Braden Falls From Swing and Breaks Nose and Bruises Face. Miss Lena Miller, who makes her home with the L. W. Coppock family is suffering from quite painful burns about the face the result of an explosion which puffed into her face while cooking, and that she was not more seriously bunted is indeed a matter of much good luck. Miss Miller had opened the oven, not knowing that tit same way the gas in the oven had been turned on. The fire front under the cooking vegetables on the top ignited the gas which escaped front the oven, into her face, resulting in the burns. Her hair, eye-lashes, brows and eye-lids, as well as her lace, were badly burned. Dr. Clark was called, who applied soothing lotions and dressed the injuries, and Miss Miller will soon recover. Harry, two-year-old son of Mr 3. Jesse Braden of Fort Wayne, a grandson of Mr. and Mrs. C. U. Dorwin, of this city, fell backwards from a swing at the home of his uncle, Wid Dorwin, falling on his face on the ground, breaking his nose and otherwise mashing and bruising his face. Dr. Boyers was called to dress the injury. o SPECIAL MEETING. A special meeting of the Knights of Columbus has been called for this evening at which all members are asked to be in attendance. Business of importance will be brought up at this time and it is hoped that all who can will attend.

THE PEPPERMINT INDUSTRY. Ninety Per Cent of World’* Supply is Grown in St. Joseph County, Mishawaka, Ind., July 21—Mishawaka, a city of 11,000, is the center of the world's peppermint Industry. Os all the peppermint gTown in the world 90 per cent of it is raised in St. Jos eph county, Ind., and St. Joseph county, Mfch. t according to tile census recently taken by the United States, The peppermint industry a few years ago was given but little attention in Indiana and Michigan, but when farmers in the vicinity of Osceofa began to experiment with success several farms were turned oTer to the production of peppermint and its conversion into oil. Since then the industry has grown remarkably and the resnlt is that Indiana and Michigan farmers are annually gathering a harvest from Che New York market. Practically all of the heavy growers have their own distilleries. The present price for peppermint is $1.50 a pound, but it frequently goes as high as $5. The crop this year is short and it is predicted that top prices will be reached in the fall. W. A. Lyberger of Denver. Colo., and Hery Schulte left in the former’s automobile this morning for Fostoria, Ohio, to visit with friends. Mr. Schulte stopped off at Lima, where he was looking after some business. HE WILL BE BUSY Congressman Dixon Will be a Busy Indian During Campaign. * WANTS AN OPINION Can a School Corporation Borrow Money in Anticipation of Revenues. Indianapolis, Ind., July 21 —Lincoln Dixon of North Vernon, congressman from the Fourth Indiana district, was in Indianapolis talking over the demoI cratic situation in the state w ith various leaders. Mr. Dixon, who has been renominated, said that the campaign promised nothing except hard work and lots of it for him. as he had two things to look after, his own campaign and the business about the headquarters of the democratic congressional committee, which will be opened in Chicago August Ist. Congressman James T. Lloyd of Missiuri is chairman of the committee, but the active charge of the business at headquarters will be in Dixon's hands. The actual working plans of the committee have not been worked out in detail. Mr. Dixon reported affairs in iiis own district in better condition this year, from a democratic view pointy than they ever were before, and he predicts his own re-election by a handsome majority. Mr. Dixon called on Governor Marshall and spent considerable time with Burt New, the governor’s legal clerk. Mr. New and Mr. Nixon live across *he street front each other in North Vernon and have been close personal friends for years. Indianapolis. Ind., July 21—Attorney General Bingham has been called upon for an opinion by Robert J. Aley, state superintendent of public instruction, with reference to the power of a school corporation to borrow money in anticipation of revenues to be collected for the following year by means of the local tuition tax. In the past a school corporation could not draw in advance upon any funds to be received from the state. Elmer G. Bunnell, assistant superintendent of public instruction, believes that the local tuition fund cannot be used ’ll this way. o JESSE GARNER BARN BURNED. The barn of Jesse Garner, four miles east of the city, was burned to the ground this afternoon, with its contents. It was started by some children playing therein, who set fire to a load of hay in the barn.

Price Two Cents

AWAITS DISPOSAL Relatives of Leyton Pottei From East and West Wire Instructions AS TO DISPOSITION Os Body—Placed in Vault Awaiting Father’s Written Message. * That the remains of Leyton Potter, the young man, professor and student in Oberlin (0.) Conservatory of Music. who committed suicide in Steele’s park Tuesday afternoon, will bn given the best of care by his relatives and friends, is evidenced from the fact that Coroner Grandstaff has received from the east, the west and the north, at points separated by very nearly the width of the continent, telegrams con cerning the disposition of the body. From the father, H. W. Potter, of Tacoma, Wash, came a telegram late Wednesday afternoon stating that the body be prepared ior burial in a plain casket and held for further instruction. which would come by mail. This morning came a telegram from the father, directing that the body be placed in the vault for the present. He stated that it was impossible for him to came at present and asked that the coroner look after the personal effects and wire by night letter at Mr. Potter’s expense, the manner of death and the total cost of expenses and he would remit at once. A message was also sent by Miss Armstrong of Carmichael, Ba_ to whom he was to have been married next month, asking that the body be prepared ior burial and held until further direction. C. W. Bess, from Oberlin, Ohio, asked that the body be sent to Lansing, Mich., this message corresponding with that sent Wednesday by his grandmother. Mrs. M. Z. Hudson, of Caro. Mich. Coroner Grandstaff. however, said he would regard the message of the fath(Continued e-» page 4.) DIED YESTERDAY Selma. Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Force, is Dead. FUNERAL TOMORROW Remains Brought Here For Interment in the Decatur Cemetery. Word reached this city late Wednesday of the death of Selma, the four years old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Force, former residents here, but for the past year living in Hartford City. Death came after ten days' illness from spinal fever. The funeral party arrived in the city at noon on the Clover Leaf and went to the home of Mr. and Mrs. I.ewHughes, parents of Mrs. Force. The funeral will occur at 10 o’clock Friday from the Hughes home, services being in charge of Rev, Powell, pastor of the M. E. church. Interment will be made in the Decatur cemetery. The Hartford City Journal says; "Thelma, the four-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Force of South Walnut street, died this morning at about 6 o'clock after a weetk's illness. The remains will be shippej to Decatur Thursday where funeral services will be held Friday and interment will be made in a cemetery at that place. “About a week ago Thelma was stricken with spinal fever and has been in a serious condition almost from the first. The disease that caused her death has caused the death of two other children in this city and for a time was thought to be contagious, but local physicians say it is only infectious." Mrs. I, E. Steele and sister, M’ Berker. of Marion, went to Wayne for the day. ■ *