Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 8, Number 301, Decatur, Adams County, 22 December 1910 — Page 1

Volume VIII. Number 301.

MANY DIE IN FLAMES Thirty Firemen Crushed Beneath Falling Walls in Chicago Today. morris PLANT BURNS Eighteen Dead in Philadelphia and a Score Were Badly Injured. (United Press Service.) Chicago, 111., Dec. 22—(Special to Daily Democrat)—Between twentyfive and thirty firemen were killed today and Fire Chief Horans and Burroughs are missing, the result of a fire which early today destroyed a large meat warehouse owned by the NelsonMorris Company, and causing a loss of half a million dollars. Under the walls of the building a large force of men were working when the wall fell, burying the brave men beneath. At 9 o'clock this morning a statement was issued at the chief's office that Burroughs and Horan and thirty men are buried in the fire debris. The bodies of Captain Doyle and Captain Brice Moraski were recovered this morning. Shortly afterward the fire increased in fury and every available engine in the city was rushed to the ' scene. Fire Marshall Lackey, supposed to have been killed was found several hours after the fire broke out. He said that he and Horan and twen-! ty-five others were laying hose in the | beef room of the packing plant when a tank of ammonia exploded. Nearly every man was overcome. Horan and Burroughs were laying unconscious, Lackey said, when he managed to stagger from the building. A positive statement was issued at noon at the chief's office stating that thirty-two men ha<J perished, including Chiefs Moran and Burroughs. The bodies of Captain Doyle and Collins have been recovered and bodies supposed to be one of the chiefs have been taken out. Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 22—(Special to Daily Democrat)— Eighteen firemen and policemen are known to be dead, more than a score in the hospitals, several fatally injured and a number missing as the result of a fire which destroyed the Freilander leather wholesale house during the night. The dead and injured were crushed > when the four walls of the building ; fell, precipitating the men into the flames. At noon today the fire was still burning and the smoke of the ruins greatly handicapped the work of the rescuers searching for those still in the ruins. The fire is believed to have been of I incendiary origin and a vigorous in-. vestigation is being made. DELIGHTFUL VISIT IN EAST. Miss Margaret Daniels, who has gone to Salem, Mass., for a six weeks’ visit, and to attend the wedding of Miss Harriet Hill, writes friends here of her safe arrival. The arrival was delayed somewhat on account of a wreck, which occasioned their taking a round-about way. The scenery from Eastern Ohio on through the mountains of the east was especially delightful at this time of the year. , All day of a part of the journey there a blizard raged and in the evening the clouds cleared away through which a glimpse of the snow-covered mountains, touched with the red, purple and golden glow of the sun. came. The wedding of Miss Hill to Mr. Will Hayward will take place New Year's Day, the ceremony being performed in their own home. Miss Daniels is ha\ •ng a delightful time, and the six weeks of her stay there will pass all too soon. — o getting apportionment BILL READY Washington, D. C. Dec. 22—(Special to Dally Democrat)— 'Representative Crumpacker of Indiana said today that an apportionment law, reflxing the basis of representatives in the house, based on the new census would be pre aented to the house committee soon. Crumpacker after several comferences with the minority leader, Mr. Clark, m ade this statement and it Is belie'ed the bill may show traces of dem•crnti.c influence. ' A

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

taken to north BALTIMORE. Remain, of Mr,. 0 . p. Steele Will be Laid to Rest There. A funeral service for Mrs. Oliver P. eee of Blue Creek township was conducted this morning at the home of a nephew, Coral Steele, near Steele where death occurred Tuescday night. he body was then brought to this city, leaving on the 1:33 Erie train for North Baltimore, Ohio, a former home of the deceased, and to which Place Mr. and Mrs. Steele had made arrangements to return to live. The body was taken to the home of Joseph Steele at that place, where it will lie in state until Saturday afternoon, when another service will be conducted. A large number of relatives and frienus accompanied the remains to North Baltimore this afternoon. ■ CHRISTMAS DAY Will be Celebrated in Nearly Every Church With Special Programs. BY THE CHILDREN Some Given on Christmas Eve—Others on Christmas Night. Nearly every church in the city will observe Christmas Day with special exercises, in which the children will take the leading part. The following announcements have been made this far: The Sunday school of the United Brethren church will observe Christmas Day by the giving of an elaborate cantata, entitled “The Star of Blessing.” This will be given Sunday ev- , ening, beginning at 7 o’clock, and will be a portrayal of the beautiful story of the birth of the Christ-child, the shepherds, the visit of the wise men, and everything attending the event of the advent of the Savior. The cantata will be unusually good. The Christian Sunday school will | have its Christmas exercises Saturday evening at the church. There will be a musical program with duets and solos by Mrs. P. G. Williams, Miss , Nellie Daniels and others, choruses by various classes, and a number of readings by Miss Mabel Weldy, followed by the giving of the regular treat. The evangelical Sunday school is preparing a program for Christmas ' night, which will consist of recita--1 tions and music, closing with a can-. tata, “The Ten Virgins,” which prorn--1 ises to be an exceedingly beautiful (and entertaining one throughout. | The children of the Methodist I church will present their exercise on: I Christmas Eve. “It will be a regular , 'good, old-fashioned entertainment by the children,” said one, “with, of. course, a real, live Santa Claus to | make his appearance at the proper time and in the proper spirit.” I Under the care of Mrs. C. Vogt the, 1 children of the Sunday school of the German Reformed church are prepar-. I ing a very elaborate program, which , is said to be unusually fine, and a great treat will be in store for all who I attend. The program will be given Saturday evening. The Baptist Sunday school will give a program, "Silent Night,” on Friday evening, the children taking part in recitations, drills, etc., with uneful Christmas songs. There will be a Christmas tree and other things going with the Christmas-tide. Christmas Eve Is the time when the. «» Presbyterian eburoh Will observe the holiday by t o ren of a special program of reel X and song, for which they have been preparing for tlme ' TOM HAEFLING_GE ts A BOOST. mnm Haefling. who about a week or eleetrldan B ,„ n ,1 friends will be pleased to learn | success.

Decatur, Ind. Thursday Evening, December 22, 1910

TWELVE-HOUR DAY Postoffice Boys Are Working Overtime to Get Rid of Business OF SANTA CLAUS Twenty-two Employees of Local Office Are Hustling Some. The postoffice boys are working about twelve hours a day nowadays trying to work off onto the willing re- I cipients some of Santa Claus’ delightful burdens which congest the office at this time of the year. All of the twenty-two employees of the local office are just as busy as they can be, no extra helpers having been provided to assist in the rush. These twen- . ty-two men are required to handle the large amount of mail and then deliver it—covering portions of Preble, ' Root, St. Mary’s, Washington, Kirkland, Blue Creek townships, besides the city of Decatur. A portion of the routes also extend Into Ohio. The city carriers no doubt have the hardest burden, as they are unable to carry the entire load in one trip and must make frequent trips back to the 1 office for the remainder of the supply. I o ; U. B. CHURCH NOTICE. All that are taking part in the en- i tertainment at the United Brethren I church are asked to be sure to be ! present at the church tomorrow at 1:30 o’clock.

PANAMA CANAL BIGGEST JOB IN HISTORY

BY W. C. GRAHAM. Culebra, Canal Zone, Isthmus of Panama. Very few people realize that the ’ United States government is engaged in the biggest job in the history of man in undertaking the construction of the Panama canal. The work has now been in progress for six years, and there is not the least doubt that it will be carried out; to a successful consummation. The casual passenger across the isthmus sees very little of the work ■ being done, and it is always difficult to convey an adequate idea of the gigantic proportions of the undertaking, ■ but the following figures may bring' home to the reader some significance, of it. The length of the canal from ocean Ito ocean will be about fifty miles. The | average bottom width will be 659 feet, i The minimum depth will be forty-one: ; feet. The canal takes a southeastern course, starting from Colon on the At-1 lantic side of the Isthmus, and ending. at Panama or (Balboa) on the Pacific | ‘or southern side. Most people think , the canal runs east and west, but such . is not the case. The country through which the canal is being built is very broken, and | I there is scarcely a level spot to be found on the zone. | The Gatun dam and locks will be, the largest in the world. Some of the I proportions are: length, 7,200 ieet, (greatest width, 1,900 feet; the height 'of crest of dam aboVe sea level is 115 feet, width of crest, 100 feet; maximum width at bottom, 2,100 feet. The area of Gatun lake, which will be formed by this dam, will be 167 square miles. Where are now forests, some small towns, and the old track of the Panama railroad will be submerged beneath this lake. The total amount of concrete to be used in the construction of the locks will be 2,096,000 cubic yards. The side walls of lock chambers will be ; 50 feet wide at the bottom and eight feet at the top. Besides the Gatun dam and locks, dams and locks of almost as g'gantic proportions are being constructed at Pedro Miguel and Miraflores. The official estimate for the construction of the canal is ?375,000,000. but it is thought that it will evendually cost close upon 1500,000,000. A look into the Gatun dam or into I Culebra cut and the mind is baffled in its attempts to adequately describe the work in progress. The Alpine i tunnels, the subways of New York land all other modern engineering

BASKET BALL GAME. Decatur and Pennville Tomorrow Evening. The basket ball game which is scheduled to take place Friday evening between the high school teams of this city and Pennville will be of much interest and all lovers of this sport should not fail to attend and help root for the home team. They have strengthened themselves somewhat since the last game and expect to win from their opponents. The visitors are coming well prepared and both sides will put up a royal battle. COURT HOUSE NEWS Charles Passwater Given Divorce on Cross-complaint —Decided Today. RUSH FOR LICENSES Keeps Deputy Clerk Roop Busy—A Partition Case Was Submitted. A new case was filed, the title being Oliver W. Storer vs. Wasnington W. Wyer, note and foreclosure of mortgage, demand, S2OO. James Hendicks vs. Sarah A. Hardin et al., partition, default of all defendants, cause submitted, finding for plaintiff, title of lands quieted. P. G. Hooper appointed commissioner to CONTINUED JN PAGE FOUR

feats offer no parallel, nor any comparison in the matter of magnitude and modern engineering skill. Gangs of steam and electric drills follow along wide swaths, boring holes of twenty to fifty feet deep into which go tons of dynamite to be electrically touched off each day at 11 or five in the afternoon. The roar is tremenduous, one continuous bombardment thundering upon another, giving forth concussions so powerful even far distant from the blasting that one I not accustomend to them feels most 1 sensibly the heavy earth shocks. Then follows upon this debris of I earth and stones the steam shovels, I which, scooping at the rate of a thouI sand tons a day, for each shovel digs ! out a new depth twenty feet wide and ' deep, loading one of the many trains of | from eighteen to thirty-six cars which carry their tons away to the Laßoca sea wall or to the Gatun dam. Between the locks of the canal will ; be the great lake filled mainly from I the Chagres river, whose surface will be eighty-five feet above sea level. To transport all the material used in the construction of the canal, and j to carry away the earth and rock that | is being excavated from the cuts the government has and maintains about 1160 railway locomotives and hundreds of dump cars, and it takes thousands ( of men to operate and keep these in rapair. Railway tracks are laid all through the canal, and have to be shifted con tinuously as the work progresses. Telephone and electric lines have to be maintained throughout the length of the canal, to operate the trains by, and to fire the electric blasts with. Monstrous electric cranes and towers are used in conveying the concrete for the locks and dams, and in different, places suspension bridges span the canal, some of them being 100 feet above the present level or bottom. Gold hill, commonly called the Culebra cut, Is 660 feet above sea level, and the canal will be 85 feet above sea level at its highest point. This hill has been the stumbling block for both the French and U. S. governments and as the work pro-, gresses the difficulties become greater for the hill keeps sliding in, and at times tons upon tons of earth and rock come sliding down in the cut. Every foot of the canal is being worked upon, and all the men that can possibly be used to advantage are employed, but it takes years to make much of a showing on Culebra cut, from the fact that only a limited amount of men can be worked to advantage. Certainly these men must be paid regularly, and must have competent

DR. BLOSSOM HERE Former Adams County Boy is a Candidate For the Superintendency of TUBERCULOSIS HOME Located at Rockville—The Place Will be Awarded Next Month. Dr. John C. Blossom of Richmond, Ind., was a visitor to this city Wednesday evening, called here to attend to business affairs. Mr. Blossom is a son of J. Monroe Blossom, and was born and reared in this county, being still well known here, though he has not visited among us for a number of years. Since leaving Adams countysixteen years ago he has succeeded in a splendid way, and is now an active candidate for the position of superintenent of the state hospital for tuberculosis, located at Rockville, Indiana. Dr. Blossom is a strictly self-made man. When a youngster he decided that he wanted an education and after completing the work in the schools of this county he proceeded without a dollar in his pocket to spend eight years and a half in colleges. He is a graduate of the University of Kentucky, medical department, and did his literary work at Angola and Terre Haute. For ten years he has been practicing medicine, being located at Richmond, where he has a lucrative practice. He is splendidly qualified for the position he now aspires to.

foremen to see that each and every i man gets his hours that are justly due him, and that he also gives the government value received. A labor train is maintained and run on a regular schedule, to take the men to and from work and when the whistles blow for the noon or evening hour it is a sight well worth seeing to watch this vast army of man, composed of people from almost every nation on the face of the earth, go climbing up the banks to their homes or to the mess house. It must be taken into consideration that the natural conditions and resources of the isthmus was not to be compared to any part of the United States, and that the proposition before the government was to make these conditions such that the men could live and live comfortably, else it could not expect to keep them here. In order to make the canal zone a place where men and their families could live and enjoy the comforts of life, and to show what strides have been taken in this line, I will enumerate a few of the many improvements the government has made which will give some idea of the fitness of the canal zone at the present time. Has built towns along the canal which are from one to three miles apart. Built a sewer system in each and every town. Installed electric light plants, which permits every town to have electric light and power. Has a good water system and every house has water and bath. Paid fire department in each and every town. Metropolitan police system throughout the entire zone and order is strictly enforced. Dispensary in each town where all employees can get free medical attention. Commissaries in each town where all articles of merchandise such as are usually kept for sale in any first class general store, can be bought at a minimum cost. Has built thousands of houses, "which are classed as bachelor, or married quarters. Bachelor quarters are built to accomodate from eight to sixteen men or ladies and are mostly all two-story houses with veranda all around, which Is screened In, are all furnished with bed, springs, mattresses, dresser, commode, and all have electris lights and bath. Married quarters are both one and two-story houses to accommodate from one to four families and are furnished complete, including ice box CONTINUED ON PAGE EIGHT. ..

Besides being recognized as a good physician he has had some experience along the line,, having had charge of the out-door colony at Newcastle, for eighteen months and having given special attention to the study of the dreaded white plague. There is, too, a 500-acre farm to manage, and as Mr. Blossom was reared on a farm, he knows that game and its practical details. He is going after the job as superintendent in earnest, as he does after those things he wants and we predict that the other fellows will know he is in the fight before it is through. He is the only candidate in the eastern part of the state and of course his many friends here want him to win, if for not other reason that that he is a product of the county. He has the qualifications and Is deserving of recognition. The job will be awarded by the board of trustees of the institution next month. o . ■ - - - A HOME WEDDING Miss Clara Schultz Becomes Bride of Carl Hanna of Ossian. AT BRIDE’S HOME Ceremony Took Place at Eleven O’clock Today— Wedding Trip. A very pretty home wedding took place this morning at 11 o’clock at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Schultz, when their daughter, Clara Elizabeth, became the bride of Mr. Carl Hanna, son of Mrs. Emma Hanna of Ossian. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. A. M. Gillespie of Fort Wayne and was witnessed by a number of tire friends and relatives of the’bride and groom. The bride, who is a young lady of always pretty and dainty appearance, was even more so in her wedding gown of gray satin and net with trimmings of embroidery bands. After the ceremony, a wedding dinner was served and Mr. and Mrs. Hanna left later for Fort Wayne from which place they took a Pennsylvania train to Chicago, where they will spend several days on their honeymoon. They will be at home on their return, at 1705 Lafayette street, Fort Wayne, in which city Mr. Hanna is employed as a machinist. The bride’s going-away gown was a handsome one-piece tailored costume of blue broadcloth, with velvet band trimming. She wore a coat to match, which with a gray hat and gloves completed a very pretty costume. The couple is highly deserving of all the good wishes bestowed upon them by their friends. o FRED WIELTFELDT INJURED. Dislocated Knee Cap Monday Evening When He Fell. Fred Wieltfeldt, living six miles north of the city, sustained a painful injury Monday evening while doing some work around the barn. In some manner not clear to himself he slipped and fell, injuring his knee. He paid little attention to the matter at first, but later the knee became swollen and pained him severely. This morning he came to town and went to Dr. Beavers, who examined the injured member and found 1 V. the knee cap was dislocated, and tl.e knee otherwise badly sprained. Tie dressed the injured limb, and Fred is feeling somewhat better, although it will be several days before he cun use it as he did before. — —O' ' - — BUY YOUR GOODS AT HOME. It has been called to our attention that traveling agents are in this county taking orders for coal oil, and are charging the price of eight and onehalf cents per gallon. We desire to call the attention of the farmers and others of this vicinity to the fact that coal oil can be bought right here at home, in five and ten-gallon lots, for eight cents per gallon. Buy It at home and you are sure of what you are doing. Milo McKinney is at home from Milwaukee, Wis., for a Christmas visit with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. C. McKinney. His brother, Wallace, will arrive tomorrow. Both are representatives of the Lowney Candy company in Wiscinsin.

Price, Two Cents

CITIZENS OF INDIANA I 1 Census Bureau Announces the Population of Twenty- ' seven Cities. I r ; MUNCIE IN THE LEAD I > For Cities of That Class— Decatur Not in the List Announced. i (United Press Service.) ' < Washington, D. C., Dec. 22 —(Spec--5 ial to Daily Democrat) —The census department today afinounced the 1910 population of the following Indiana cities: Anderson, 22,476; Elwood, 11,022; Hammond, 20,095; Huntington, 10,272; Jeffersonville, 10,012; Koko- < mo, 17,010; Lafayette, 20,081; Laporte, 10,525; Logansport, 19,050; Marion, 19,359; Michigan City, 19,027; Muncie, I 24,005; New Albany, 20,629; Newcastle, 9,446; Peru, 10,910; Richmond, 22,324; Vincennes, 14,895; Bedford, 8,716; Brazil, 9,340; Crawfordsville, 9,371; Frankfort, 8,624; Goshen, 8,514; Princeton, 6,448; Shelbyville, 9,500; Valparaiso, 6,987; Wabash, 8,687. Indianapolis, Ind., Dec. 22 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —The state board of pardons in session here this afternoon decided not to take any action on any of the cases before them at this time. The Hinshaw case was among the most important. ' o~ THE HOG HAD A DOUBLE SKULL. Frank Davis Has an Unusual Experience With a 500 Pound Porker. The nine-lived cat is not in it with the hog butchered Tuesday by Frank Davis, who lives north of the city. The animal in question weighed between four and five hundred pounds life which it had struggled so bravely came in whe nthe men attempted to kill it. It was shot four or five times before it fell. It was then “stuck” and dragged into the barrel for scalding. Just as the butchers were about to put the hog in the barrel, it came to life again and struggled fiercely with the men who were holding tightly to the animal. Four or five blows with a heavy ax were ineffective. Another crack of the gun brought the invincible animal to the ground once more, but it was not yet ready to die. In the course of an hour its life-blood ebbed away, and it was forced to relinquish its hold on that life which it had struggle so bravely to defend. When the hog was hung up it was found that it had a double skull, being nearly an inch space between the two. The outer one was badly crushed by the bullets and blows of the ax, while the inner one was untouched. CHANGES ON THE ERIE. Roy Hart Goes to Kenton —John Fleming to Huntington. John Fleming, employed for more than fifteen years with the Erie railroad, has resigned his position as agent at Kenton, Ohio, and will return to this city as Erie night agent. Roy Hart, son of Superintendent W. P. Hart, agent at Decatur, is promoted to the position vacated by Mr. Fleming.—Huntington News-Democrat. Mr. Fleming was transferred to Kenton from this city, where he served several years as agent for the Erie, he and his wife being known to many here. They formerly resided at Huntington and the return there will no doubt be a joyful home-coming to them. REV. HUDSON REGAINS HEALTH. Tn a letter to Mrs. Daniel Sprang, Mrs. C. G. Hudson of Anderson, wife of Rev. C. G. Hudson, former pastor of the Methodist church of this city, stated that Rev. Hudson has fully recovered from his recent disability and Is in very good health. Following a stroke of paralysis rei cently, Rev. Hudson had been practically helpless, but has now regained his good health. This will be very good news to their host of friends here. Mrs. Hudson, however, has been suffering from rheumatism of the hand somewhat.