Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 9, Number 10, Decatur, Adams County, 12 January 1911 — Page 1

Volume IX. Number 10.

DECATUR WOMAN Wife Whom Frank Spahr Attempted to Murder Was Miss Jennie Deßolt. OF THIS CITY Her First Husband Was Jesse Anderson-Well Known Here. A number of Decatur friends of Frank Spahr, or better known as "David” Franklin Spahr, the Ft. Wayne man, who committed suicide Monday night after attempting to murder his wife, and whose death occurred twenty minutes later at the St. Joseph hospital, where he was hurried, went to Fort Wayne this morning to attend the funeral which was held from the Peltier undertaking parlors at 9 o’clock. The tragedy has much local interest here because of the fact that the wife, whose life he came so near ending with his own. was a former Decatur lady. Her maiden name was Eva Jane Deßolt. She was the daughter ■of John Deßolt, deceased, and a niece of George Deßolt, proprietor of the Deßolt house on Third street. Mrs. Spahr’s first husband was Jesse Andersbn, and they resided in this city, their life being a rather tempestuous one, the marital bark finally shattering oil the divorce rock. Mrs. Anderson was at one time o cook in the People's this city and also worked in the laundry, being known as a hard-working woman. Two years ago she married the David Franklin Spahr, who this week attempted ter murder. Mr. Spahr was a resident, of Convoy, Ohio, but was well known ■ here, often visiting Decatur relatives, being a brother of John Spahr of this city and an uncle of Dale Spahr. The little daughter, who was with Mrs. Spahr when shot, was not her own child, but Hazel Thomas, daughter of j Will' Thomas, and granddaughter of Joe Thomas, of Cardwell, Mo. Mrs. Spahr had taken the child when three weeks of age and reared her as her own. Hazel had visited here with Mrs. Sarah Hendricks only the week before this, going home a week ago Monday, just a short time before the tragedy. The Fort Wayne Sentinel gave the following account of the tragedy: “Firing first at his wife, the bullet grazing the woman's side, Frank, Spahr, forty-three years old, a carpenter by occupation, ended his own life by suicide Monday evening. The tragedy occurred on the porch of the Spahr home at 720 Clay street, at 7:30 o’clock and the bullet which passed entirely through Spahr's body, a short distance below the heart, caused his death twenty minutes later at St. Joseph’s hospital, to which institution the injured man had been hurried in an am-, bulance. “The attempt at murder and the suicide were the culmination of a long period of domestic discord in the ( Spahr home. The husband is said to have been brutally abusive, and the wife had recently instituted suit for divorce, at the same time denying her husband admission to her home. "Spahr went to the house shortly after 7 o’clock Monday evening and sought a reconciliation with his wife, but she declined to discuss their difficulties with him and closed the door In his face. Thinking that he had gone, Mrs. Spahr and her thirteen-year-old daughter dressed and prepared to spend the evening down town. As they stepped from the house Spahr, from his position on the porch, but a few feet away fired at his wife, the bullet grazing her side and lodging in the casing of the door. “Screaming, ‘My God! I am shot!’ Mrs Spahr rushed back into the house, pnd as she did so, Spahr turned the weapon on himself, firing a second shot which passed entirely through his left breast. The leaden missile dropped from his clothing when the dead man’s garments were removed from his body later at the undertaking rooms. “From his home but a short distance away J. C. Peltier, who had heard the shooting, rushed to the spot, and was joined there by others who had been attracted by the noise of the shooting. Spahr lay huddled in a heap upon the porch, his clothing stained by the blood which gushed from the wound in his breast. The police were notified and an ambulance called, but Spahr died on the operating table at the St. Joseph’s hospital twenty mln-

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

lutes later. The remains were removed to the Peltier undertaking rooms after (Coroner Kesler had viewed them. “To neighbors Mrs. Spahr declared that life with her husband had become ’ unbearable, that she feared for her 'own life while he was about and that she hoped he would die. The arrival of the police was evidently a relief to the distressed woman, and she expressed the hope that he would be taken somewhere where he would nver return to her. Neighbors say ■ that during the summer and fall I sounds which came from the Spahr home indicated that the husband was I choking and beating his wife, and the situation was a matter of comment in the neighborhood. “The couple had been married little more than two years and Spahr seemed angered because the wife insisted on providing a home for her young daughter by a former marriage. , The weapon used by Spahr was a 32calibre Forehand model, carrying five cartridges. But two shots had been fired, though indentations on the head of the remaining three cartridges in--1 dicated that Spahr had attempted to fire each of them, but. hey failed to i ’ explode.” BUSINESS CHANGE Emerson Beavers Purchases a One-third Interest in Furniture Store of MEYER & SCHERER New Firm Began Today and Will Go After Their Share of Business. Emerson Beavers of the firm of Cress & Beavers, has purchased a one- , third interest in the furniture and uni dertaking business of Meyer & Scherer. j The new firm will be known as Meyer, Scherer & Beavers,” and began business as such this morning. The firm of Meyer & Scherer has been an active and progressive firm in the past and with the addition of Emerson Beavers will make a strong partnership. Mr. Beavers has lived in Adams county all his life and is trained by long experience in selling goods. He has a wide acquaintance throughout Adams county and is familiar with the "ins and outs" of the business game. ' It is the intention of the new firm to add to their already large' stock of goods and make their store the home of furniture buyers from all over the county. Mr. Beavers desires to meet his friends and acquaintances and the public generally at his new place of business. The future of this firm with its social and financial strength, backed by three as energetic young men as are in I our county, Is assurred. i o WALPOLE COLERICK IS DEAD. 1 Hon. Walpole G. Colerick, Ft. "Wayne attorney, former congressman and excommissioner of the supreme court, one of the ablest and most distini guished lawyers of this part of the state, and well known here, died at 5:30 o’clock Wednesday evening at the Lutheran hospital at Fort Wayne, where he was taken a few days ago for treatment. He underwent an operation Tuesday, but was unable to stand the shock, though he made a brave fight. Death was due to an obstruction of the poralic opening of the stomach. He was aged sixty-four years, five months and ten days. He was a brother of the late Henry Colerick, also well known here, and is I survived by a widow, a brother and a sister and a number of other relatives. He had been in declining health since October and confined to his home since the day before Christmas. Mr. Colerick was born in Fort Wayne and spent his entire life as a citizen of i that place. He was admitted to the bar in 1866. In 1878 he was elected j congressman and served four years. i He secured the federal building for i his home city. t i ——e i 1 Ed Macy made his regular trip to Toledo this noon. > John Wagner of First street is very > sick at his home, being taken ill yesl terday, and had to have the best of • care for soma time. This morning he C was somewhat better, and it is now t thought that he will get along all • right.

Decatur, Ind. Thursday Evening, January 12, 1911.

REGULATION BILL Introduced in Senate This Morning by Senator S. B. Fleming. ALSO IN THE HOUSE Provides Higher License and a Saloon For Every 500 People. (Unitea Frees Service.) Indianapolis, Ind., Jan. 12 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —The big fight on the liquor question in Indiana was started in the legislature today when Senator Fleming of Adams and Allen counties in the upper house, and Representative Seidensticker, in the lower bouse, introduced to the respective bodies the liquor bill to better regulate the saloons and which it is proposed shall be passed and made a law in conjunction with the ProctorKeeney local option measure. Speaking of this bill Mr. Fleming said, that he hoped unless this bill can pass, the repeal of the present local option bill be not accomplished. The bill provides: Limitation of saloons to one to every 500 of population. Abolition of brewery-owned saloons by a provision requiring that the applicant for license shall not be a member of any firm or corporation engaged in the manufacture or sale of any article intended to be sold by the applicant. That the county commissioners shall pass under the character of the applicant and say whether he shall be granted a license. That the license shall be transferable, thereby making it an asset which the holder will be careful not to lose. That the state license fee shall be fixed at S2OO, this money to go into the school fund and provided that the saloon be located in a first class city or four miles therefrom, the city license fee shall not exceed $400; if within any city of second class, the amount of $300; in any other city the amount of $250; and within any incorporated town 100. COURT HOUSE NEWS Suit Against Fort Wayne Outfitters Co. in Progress Here Today. WILL GO TO THE JURY Late This Afternoon-A Few Other Items of Interest From the Docket. The case of Sarah L. Guyselman vs. Fort Wayne Outfitters Co., trespass and damages, demand, SI,OOO, is still on trial before a jury. The plaintiff, it seems, furnished some goods from the Outfitters company and on failure to pay for same the company went to her house to secure same and the plaintiff claims they took goods which did not belong to them and took down curtains and disarranged furniture and carpets. The defendant denies the statements. The case will go to the jury this evening. Hartzell & Geake represent the plaintiff and Somers and D. B. Erwin the defendant. The case of the State ex rel. Hazel Weimer vs. Stewart Ayres, paternity proceedings, has been filed in circuit court, sent up from 'Squire Stone's court. German Building Loan Fund & Savings Association vs. M. J. Butler et al., note and foreclosure of mortgage, demurrer overruled. SPECIAL SERVICES AT MISSION. There were two more conversions at the Mission last night, making a total of twenty-six. Tonight there will be special services, with Rev. Snyder of New Carlisle, Ohio, and a lady evangelist from Kentucky will be present. - o— •—— NOTICE, ROYAL ARCH MASONS! John J. Glendening, grand inspector, R. A. M., will be here to inspect Decatur Chapter, No. 112, at 7 p. m. this evening. All companions take notice, and do not fail to attend.

MIX-UP OF DATES. Affects Meeting of Adams County Trustees’ Association. Trustees Walter Thornhill of Wabash, John Moser of French, David Steele of Kirkland, O. J. Suman of St. Mary’s, John T. Kelly of Jefferson were among the members of the Adams County Trustees’ Association which met this morning at the office of Washington Township Trustee Samuel Butler in this city. The association holds monthly meetings in the towns of Geneva, Berne and Decatur, but owing to some sort of misunderstanding a number of the members met on the ninth of this month instead of today, and very little was accomplished at either meeting. The next session will be held February 11th at the office of Mr. Butler. FOR ANOPERATION Miss Bertha Bieberich of Preble Enters the Lutheran Hospital. OPERATION FRIDAY For Affection of .Appendix and Gall Stones—Ailing Since July. Chris Bieberich of Preble accompanied his daughter, Miss Bertha Bieberich. to Fort Wayne this morning, where Miss Bertha will enter the Lutheran hospital. Tomorrow morning at 11 o’clock she will undergo an operation for relief from affection of the appendix and gall bladder. Last July Miss Bertha first became ill and while she recovered to a certain extent, she has not been enjoying the good health that had been hers. The first of the week, in company with her father, she went to Fort Wayne for examination by a specialist and the operation was advised. Dr. J. C. Grandstaff of Preble will go to Fort Wayne Friday to assist Dr. Duemling in the operation. WILLIAM WAGNER SICK. Former Resident of This City—Now Resides at Fort Wayne. Mrs. Lew Hughes- and Mrs. Cecelia Jacobs were called to Fort Wayne owing to the severe illness of William Wagner, a former resident of this city, now making his home at that place. He was overcome by an attack of paralysis. The relatives received word to this effect and left at once for his bedside. He is well known here and his many friends wish for him a speedy recovery. o THE SCHENK TRIAL IS CN Wheeling, W. Va„ —(Special to the Daily Democrat) —Jan. 12 —Miss Alma Evans, a nurse who attended John O. Schenk, the millionaire packer, was the first witness called in the trial of Mrs. Schenk for the atempted poison ing of her husband. The nurse said Mrs. Schenk wtnt to a fortune teller who told her that her husband would not live until Christmas and when asked if it did not make her feel terrible, Mrs. Schenk replied, “No, I would rather know.” TO INSPECT LODGE. This evening promises to be an interesting affair for the members of the Royal Arch Masons when John A. Glending of Indianapolis and Grand Inspector of the order will Inspect the local lodge. They are preparing for the event and those in charge ask the presence of all the members to be on hand and take part. Mr. Glendenning is known to a number of the people and his reception here this evening will be a warm welcome. Be sure to attend. o— ——- RETURNS HOME. Rolla Brodbeck Transferred From Hammond to Rivarre. Rollo Brodbeck, a young man of this city, who for several months has been employed by the Erie railroad at Hammond at one of the towers in that city, has been transferred to nearer his home town and will work at Rivarre as third trick man, which place was made vacant recently by Hugh Daniels. Mr. Brodbeck left here only a short time ago and will be welcomed back by his many friends, who regretted to see him leave.

ONE OF BEST EVER Was Meeting of Modern Woodmen Last Evening — A CLASS INITIATED Banquet Also in Order— Large Class to be Adopted Next Week. One of the best meetings recorded in the annals of the local camp of Modern Woodmen was that of Wednesday night. About seventy-five were in attendance and interest in all departments was high. The installation of the following officers was one of the notable events: Counsel —C. C. Enos. Advisor —W. H. Engle. Banker —Eli Meyer. Clerk —Clyde M. Rice. Escort —Dorse E. Hoagland. Watchman —Walter Noack. Sentry—Charles Kraft. Manager—C. L. Walters. Past Coupsei—James O. Hoagland. During the evening a class of three candidates, including Melvin J. Butler, J. T. Meyers and Irvin Miller took the initiatory degree. The degree was conferred by the new uniformed forestry team, the work by the members of this team in their new uniforms, being very impressive and effective. At the close of the meeting, refreshments, consisting of sandwiches, pickles, cake, fruit and coffee, were served by Schlickman & Girod. The meeting next Wednesday evening promises to be equally good, as a large class will be initiated on that evening also. During the months of January and February the order expects to initiate fifty candidates, and during the year expects to double its present membership of two hundred. A smoker will close next week’s session. All neighbors are requested to be present. o JOIN WITH PASTOR Congregation of Presbyterian Church Joins With the Rev. Spetnagel IN THE REQUEST For Presbytery to Dissolve Pastoral Relation--Sup-ply Ministers. At the congregational meeting held Wednesday evening at the Presbyterian church, after the regular prayer service, the resignation tendered last Sunday morning by the pastor, the Rev. Spetnagel, was accepted by the congregation and a vote taken to join with the pastor in a request of the Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral relation. The resignation was made to take effect January 22nd, after which the Rev. Spetnagel will go to South Bend to make his home. That city will be his headquarters during his service as superintendent of the South Bend district of the Anti-Saloon League. A new pastor has not yet been secured by the local congregation, but there will be supply ministers secured to serve until a regular pastor has been obtained. IS IMPROVING. Word from the St. Joseph hospital, Fort Wayne, regarding the condition of Joseph Wetzel, is that he is doing as well as could be expected and is now thought by the physician that he ; will improve all right. He is still suffering much pain, and owing to the one position in which he must lie, makes his stay a very long and tiresome one. o TWENTY-FOUR DIE IN FIRE Connelsville, Pa., Jan. 12—(Special to the Daily Democrat) —Twenty girls and four men, employees of the McCrory five and ten cent store, are believed to have been killed in an explosion and fire which occurred this morning.

| LATE NEWS FROM LEGISLATURE. (United Press Service.) Indianapolis, Ind., Jan. 12, 2:30 p. rn. —(Special to Daily Democrat) —The liquor question was the chief topic of conversation here today. There is certain to be a big fight. Neither bill will be reported back to by the committee before next week. Those who favor the Proctor bill will not support the Fleming bill because of the change In the restrictions. Proctor favors sl.000 license and one saloon for each 1,000 people. Proctor has asked Stotsenburg to change the provision in his bill which makes a unite of an incorporated town. Senator today introduced a bill making Columbus Day, October 12th, a holiday, as desired by the Knights of Columbus. Both houses adjourned at noon until tomorrow. WILL HAVE UNION DELIVERY. August Schlickman and his co-work-er, William Workinger, who have been for several days trying to secure a union delivery between the nine grocerymen of the city, closed the contract this morning, the same to take effect February Ist. FORMER RESIDENT Os Decatur Dead in Huntington—Aunt of Mrs. W. W. Mcßarnes. SHE RESIDED HERE In the Sixties and Was Known by Many of the Pioneers. Mrs. W. W. Mcßarnes of this city was apprised of the death of her aunt, Mrs. James Hall, of Huntington, which occurred Wednesday. Mrs. Hall was a resident here in the sixties and will be remembered by many of the older residents of the city. Mrs. Mcßarnes, with members of the Fred Avery and Frank Butler families, will attend the funeral which will be held tomorrow. The Huntington Herald gives the following details: “After an illness of two months and in a serious condition but one week with bronchial asthma, Mrs. James Hall, a respected resident of Huntington many years, died this morning at three at her home, 520 Lincoln avenue. Born in London, England, March 19, 1839, Elizabeth Meek married James Hall there in 1860. Six years later they came to Canada and in six weeks located in Decatur, this state. After a year’s residence there they moved to Fort Wayne and a year and a half later to Huntington, which has since been the home of the Hall family. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hall, three dying. Surviving are the aged husband and two sons —Sid and Claude Hall, of this city. There is but one grandson. About two months ago Mrs. Hall began ailing. A week ago her affliction developed into a serious ailment of bronchial asthma and her decline was rapid. A member of. the Episcopal church in London early in life, on location in Huntington Mrs. Hall identified with the First Baptist church, and was devout in her Christian beliefs. Funeral services will be conducted at the residence Friday afternoon at two. Rev. W. F. Roberts will officiate. Interment will be made at Mt. Hope.” o " -- WILL SOLICIT LOCAL CHURCH. Special services will be held next , Thursday evening at the German Reformed church in this city, at which time a solicitation will be made for a contribution to the $50,000 fund for the proposed new seminary building at Sheboygan, Wls. The committee of this Classis, including William Sellemeyer of Magley, Lev. L. C. Hesserst ' of this city, Rev. Kattman of Berne and Rev. Diehm of Huntington, will no doubt all be present to assist in j the services. o ■ GAVE DANCE LAST NIGHT. The Young Men’s Social club gave another of their popular dances Wed- i nesday evening at their hall over the , Lachot & Rice drug store. The occasion was a very delightful one, fortyfive couples being present. A number of out-of-town guests were in the grand march. Music was furnished by Miller and King, trap drum and piano, and was splendid. The club will give their next dance on the evening of Thursday, January 19th.

Price, Two Cents

NOT VERY SERIOUS Has Been the Demeanor of the Indiana Statesmen So Far. WILL SOON BE BUSY The Temperance Legislation Will Probably be the Most Important. Indianapolis, Ind., Jan. 12 —The general assembly is not taking itself very seriously as yet. That is, the statesmen comprising this law-making body have not reached the stage when their minds are devoted exclusively to the making of laws. Like a good many other enterprises it takes time and lots of It to get started, and the Indiana general assembly is no exception to the rule. It takes time to organize. In the house for Instance there are one hundred men, and one hundred men are even hard to manipulate so that they all look pleasant whether they feel that way or not. Up to date every one is pleasant. The first introduction of bills was permitted at the morning session on Tuesday and the grist was rather heavy. It always Is heavy and the longer the general assembly is in session the more this habit of introducing bills will grow, and judging from the character of many of these bills, it is a good thing that sixty-one days is the limit. Governor Marshall well said that the people would judge the legislature more by the character of the laws they made, than by the quantity of legislation they endeavored to palm off on the dear people. Outside of the platform bills that will soon be on their way through the legislative mill, there ■ is no defined sentiment for any partic--1 ular legislation. Some of course is ;' needed, but the public welfare is not I' suffering for any considerable amount, . and it is the hope of many that the freaks will not become too numerous i during this session. There is some mighty good level-headed men in both branches, and some of them are old ’ hands at doing legislative turns. They | will prove valuable in holding in check foolish and ill-timed legislation, and if they succeed in this they will have earned well their salaries, as well as the thanks of a grateful people. i Some of the newspapers are trying to start something. They are telling of meetings in which some legislators are demanding that John Kern shall tell. There are no such meetings being held. It is just another little stunt to make it a little embarassing for Mr. Kern. They figure that he is slipping through entirely too easy, and now they are trying to put a few I spikes in his skids. The democrats of either branch of the legislature, and who will vote for Mr. Kern are not seeking any enlightenment. With them the incident has long ago been a closed one, and they intend to confer the greatest honor that is theirs to bestow, and they will confer this honor without asking any questions. Senator Proctor has started his local option legislation and this will give the committee on public morals something to do. They will doubtless soon j begin to wrestle with temperance legislation. The Elkhart senator will have two bills that will prove the big ' cards during the session. One of them amends —does not repeal—the present county option law. The amendment Is the substitution of the city and township for the county unit, all other features of the present law being retained. The other bill is to restrict and regulate the traffic, limiting the number of saloons with the population, and which make extreme penalties for the violation of the law. The bill will doubtless be amended several times and places before it reaches the governor for his signature or veto. Visitors to the legislature have not been very numerous as yet, although i at alt the sessions thus far the galleries have been fairly well filled. It | takes excitement to bring the public j and the exciting times of the session ■ have not yet arrived. Some one will i start something some day and then 1 there will be plenty doing around the legislative halls and the state house. L. G. E. o Judge Heller was at Portland today, where he acted as judge in the Walker vs. Walker divorce suit.