Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 9, Number 97, Decatur, Adams County, 25 April 1911 — Page 1

Volume IX. Number 97.

TALE OF A STEER And of the Wild Midnight Ride of Judge Merryman Formerly THE TEACHER “TOM”| As Told in Rhyme by That Jurist — Strenuous, But, Oh, You Fun! To see the dignified Judge Merryman sitting on the bench in the Adams county court room steering the populace in the straight and narrow way of the law—surrounded by all the beautiful frescoes on the walls of the court room, with their symbolic emblems —including the goddess of justice blindfolded, meting out with her true scales the law, which said painting hovers ever at the right of the bench —one could not well imagine that the grave and serious judge had ever participated in the wildest sports —namely that of trying to steer a brindle steer hitched to a sleigh, in a mad, midnight ride to return some • borrowed steelyards. But such ik the case, as Henry Fruchte of Magley, the well known farmer of that district, can testify, with the following poem as 'Exhibit A.” It is no doubt a good thing that the goddess of justice with her "steelyards" is painted behind the judge's bench, else a glance thereto might bring to the j judge's mind the old event and disturb his judicial gravity. In 1872, Judge Merryman, then known as "Tom," was teaching school in Preble township, and boarded at the home of Henry Fruchte's father, Everhardt Fruchte. One winter’s day they butchered hogs and in the course thereof, found occasion to borrow Bill Bieneke's steelyards, which the boys decided to take home that evening, and thereby hangs the following tale in rhyme, which the judge wrote | and presented to "Henry Fruchte,” > and with which Henry was so pleased that he asked that we publish it. The John and Fred mentioned therein are John Wafel and Fred Sellemeyer: j To Henry Fruchte (My Old Chum Mike.) ( | It was in eighten hundred seventytwo, There was John and Fred and Me and you, I We had butchered hogs that Winter day, I And got Bill's steel-yards, the hogs to weigh. i Oh, such fat hogs, sounds and zounds. One weighed eight hundred fifty pounds. I guessed five hundred would weigh the creature, And all had a laugh on Tom the Teacher. I When all was done, 'twas late at night, I The little brown jug then came in sight, Some took a little, others more, But none took enough to make him snore. When all had eaten—supper done, Then jokes and smokes and good Dutch fun, When we spoke up with hearty will, Let' stake the steelyards back to Bill. I So to the barn we slipped away, And put the steelyards in the sleigh, And from a shed out in the rear, ( We took a yearling brindle steer.

We got a harness, put it on. And tied two lines to briudle’s horns, Jumped in the sleigh and away we went, Out to the road —the steer hell bent. It was zero cold and clear as day. And the Preacher’s house just across the way, Just then you yelled, Lord, Tom, the Preacher, What shall we do to stop the creature With one loud bawl, tail in the air, He went so fast it raised our hair, Down the road and cross the lots, We laughed and roared, "Ach das ist spass.” At Billy’s lane the steer turned in, On towards the house he ran like sin, You jumped out, put the steelyards in place? But Tom and the steer went on with the race.

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He bawled and be kicked till he came to the fence, He jammed right into it—that steer had no sense, Tom held to the lines but he had to let go As he went over the dash board Into the snow. Mike, sure as you live, I wouldn’t be here, Except for the fact that I lit on the | steer, I The steer out of breath, in the snow where he lay. Rolled up his big eyes as if he would say, What the deuce made you boys hitch me to that sleigh? We got home at midnight, our duty was done, It surely was strenuous, but, Lord, it was fun! o TO VOTE FRIDAY Root Township to Decide Whether or Not They Want Saloons. TICKETS ARE PRINTED

List of Election Officers For the Two Precincts For the Day. Tickets were printed at this office today for the local option election to be held in Root township Friday of this week, at which time they will decide whether or not the sale of liquor shall be prohibited there. The ballots were turned out under the supervision of William Hockemeyer and J. A. Fuhrman, and Auditor Michaud, the commissioners, 900 being printed and 100 sample ballots. The election boards as selected for this event are: East Root. Inspector —William Kuklehan. Judges—R. A. Drummond and Charles Fuelling. Clerks —Bert Wolfe and Theodore Hobroke. Sheriffs —August Busick and James Knavel. West Root. Inspector —Charles E. Magley. Judges—H. E. Butler and H. F. Fuelling. Clerks —C. D. Kunkle and C. H. Getting. Sheriffs —Harlo Mann and William Rodenbeck. But Httle interest has been manifested in the campaign, so far as has been learned outside at least, and it is expected that the vote will be rather small. At this time there is but one saloon in the township, that being the one conducted at Williams by John Hey. If the township votes "dry” he could continue his business ninety days under the law. Ift it votes “wet" he will remain at least for two years. o THROWN FROM RIG. Mrs. Nelson Louden of east of Monroe, while on the way to the home of her sister, Mrs. John A. Haggard, for a visit last Sunday, experienced a mishap in which she considers herself lucky that she escaped with the littlie injury that she did. The horse she was driving stumbled and fell, and at the same time throwing the occupants of the rig into the street. A. S. Keller, the real estate man of Monroe, who was near the scene, Av ent to the rescue, put things in shape and started them on their way again. Mrs. Louden received a number of cifts, but no serious injury resulted.

K. OF C. MEETING. A very Interesting session of the Knights of Columbus was held Monday evening by the members at the hall and several questions, which were up before the lodge for discussion were attended to and disposed of. A goodly number were present and enjoyed an evening of pleasure as well as one of business. I , 1 ERECT MONUMENT. Frank Teeple and Martin Smith went to Geneva this morning where they erected large monument at the West Lawn emetery for the late Sylvester Pontius, which was sold * . the W’emhoff Monumental Works of i this city. It is a handsome memorial to the deceased member of this fami lly and resident of Geneva, whose loss was heavily mourned by many.

Decatur, Ind. Tuesday Evening, April 25, 1911.

(HAS GOOD RECORD I Grand Rapids & Indiana Carried Eight Million Passengers. IN THREE YEARS And Not One Fatality is Recorded Against Them During That Period. The Grand Rapids and Indiana railway—a subsidary of the Pennsylvania line —has carried 7,815,637 passengers in the last three years and pot one has been killed as a result of a train accident. Several weeks ago it was announced that the Pennsylvania railroad east of Pittsburg had carried over 300,000,000 passengers In the last three years with only one fatality as a result of an accident tea train. This was followed by an announcement from the Vandalia that in the same three years it had carried 9,800.000 passegers with a perfectly clean record, so the Grand Rapids & Indiana is the latest part of the Pennsylvania railroad to announce that for three years it has not had a passenger killed in a train wreck. The Grand Rapids and Indiana operates 580 miles of line with a total of 434 miles of track. Its freight trains have traveled 4,800,716 miles in .the last three years; passenger trains | have run 4,635,664 miles and have ■carried 251,934,282 passengers one : mile. i

The Grand Rapids and Indiana has been remarkably free from even trivial accidents, there having been only ten accidents to passenger trains in the last three years which could be classed as collisions, or derailments, affecting passenger trains alone. Counting the total number of passengers carried on the Pennsylvania lines east, the Vandalia and the G. R. & I. railway in the last three years, the official records of these companies show that 389.473,040 passengers were carried one mile, and out of this number of people —more than four times the population of the United States —only one was killed as a result of a train accident.

HOUSE WARMING Lutheran Parsonage on West Monroe Street is Completed. IS NOW OCCUPIED By Pastor and Family—Reception For Congregation. The new parsonage, which for the past few months has been under course of construction on West Monroe street by the Zion's Lutheran church, on the lot just east of the church, is completed and the pastor, the Rev. Henfy Wehmeyer, and family, are taking possession today. It is thought that everything will be arranged for their comfort by today and tomorrow, and on Thursday evening the pastor and wife will entertain the members of the congregation at a reception, or what is more cheery and comfortable sounding, a ‘‘house-warm-ing,” in honor of the new home-com-ing. The home is a very comfortable eight room house, with bath and ail modern conveniences, and Is pretty to look at as well as convenient. The painters were today putting the finishing touches on the exterior. The new church was built but a few years ago, the parochial school house a few years later, and now the parsonage, all being located on the corner of Eleventr and Monroe Sts, a possession and work of which the congregation may well feel proud.

Mr. and Mrs. Harry Kooken and son. Fred, and daughter, Alma, returned Monay night from a visit in Hammond, Gary and Fort Wayne. While in Fort Wayne they were entertained at supper by Mrs. Howard Shackley and daughter, Miss Jennie.

DOCTORS AT AKRON. Are Former Decatur Young Men—■ Are ProsperingSam E. Shamp was at his work at the postoffice again this morning after a week's visit with relatives at Akron, Ind. While there he met several former Decatur boys. Among them Is Dr. Will Kortenbrer, who is established there in the veterinary practice, and who is doing well and is well liked. Dr. Perry Ferry, formerly of Preble, is also located there and has built up a fine practice. He has, at present, in the course of construction, a fine new residence. J. C. Leiter, who was located at Akron, after leaving here, is now at Rochester. IS JUST DAWNING On the Politicians That Legislature Passed a Corrupt Practice Act. IT MEANS SOMETHING Should Have Fair Trial— Berne Men Attended Musical Event at Capital. Indianapolis. Ind., April 25 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —It is just beginning to dawn on some of the political leaders in me state that the last legislature passed a corrupt practice act, and that perhps it is the most radical and severe piece of legislation ever enacted by the Indiana general assembly. According to its provisions a person is liable to be yanked up before His Honor on a mightyslight provocation. Every person is guilty who shall directly or indirectly, by himself or by another, give, or offer or promise to any person any money, gift, advantage, preferment, entertainment, aid emolument, or any valuable thing whatever, for the purpose of inducing or procuring any person to vote, or refrain from voting, for or against any person, or for or against any measure or proposition at an election or primary election, or political convention, or session of the general assembly of the state of Indiana, or either house thereof. Or any person who receives any money or thing of value is likewise guilty, and subject to a fine of not less than three hundred dollars, or be imprisoned for not more than one year, or both, and shall be ineligible for any public office, or public employment, for the period of four years from and after the time of the commission of such offense. It bars every judge of the circuit, superior, criminal or probate court, or of the appellate or supreme court from contributing to any political agent or treasurer of any committee. In fact the law cuts up generally and sets out reports that will have to be filed by the officers of political committees, these reports to be made to the clerks of the towns and cities and the clerk of the county, and also provides in the same manner for reports to the state officers. It is all a radical change from the past methods of Indiana politics, and many are in doubt as to how to proceed under the new order of things. Some of the Indianapolis polticians are wishing that the author of the bill and law would have offered him solution as to how they are going to run a campaign in this city. With such a large voting population, many of whom are rounders and have to be handed something, and where, too, money is the predominating influence in almost every election, they have a right to be up in the air. From the knowledge we have of political practices over the state, it is the opinion of the writer that the county of Adams is as free as any county in the state from the baneful influences of political barg-ain and sale. The Traylor corrupt practice act will set a new order of things in Indiana politics and we hope that it will be observed and given a fair trial.

C. A. Lehman, E. A. Luginbill and M. M. Baumgartner of Berne were here last Friday, coming down to at tend the musical engagement of the Sheffield choir, which held the board at the Murat theater. It was quite a fashionable event, the society as w'ell as the musical people of this city, and of the state, making Hie event one of the greatest of the season. As the town of Berne is even more noted in a CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO.

wr L BE HAPPY DAY Class of Thirty-nine Children to Receive Holy Communion AT ST. MARY’S CHURCH First Sunday in May—Under Preparation For Some Time. One week from next Sunday, and the first Sunday of May, will be 4 happy day for the members of the St, Mary’s church, not only for the grownup members of the congregation, but for the children as well, who are to take a prominent part in the day’s services, when a class of thirty-nine children, twenty girls and nineteen boys, will receive their first holy commuion. It is a day long looked for, and one considered to be the happiest of their lives, and when to a great extent their future life is moulded. For some time they have been under the careful and guilding band of the pastor, in making preparation for the approaching day, and who for the past thirty years has annually prepared the children for this day during his stay here. It is one of the most joyful days in the church year and one when all, both young and old, rejoice. Those to receive holy communion for the first time are the following: Dreda Parent, Mary Braun, Marie Connell, Anna Braun. Edna Bosse, Margaret Smith. Naomi Baker, Margaret Omlor, Christens Rumschlag, Naomi Gass, Mary Coffee, Philamina Colchin, Christena Ulman, Helena Starost, Lillian Keller, Rosa Spangler, Eva Alberdine, Ethel Ervin, Margaret Bernard, Anna Hill; Aloysius Schmitt, Raymond Keller, Joseph Laurent, Bernard Tonnelier, Herbert Loche, Leonard Deininger. Andrew Kintz, Richard Rademaker, Martin Braun, Adrian Wemhoff, Richard Tonnelier, Ambrose Hackman, Walter Meibers, Bernard Keller, Mederic Miller, David Teeple, Joseph Metzger. Gerald Shuh, Charles Steigmeyer.

GYPSY REUNION The Stanley Family Holding Annual Reunion in Fort Wayne Park. THE ENTIRE WEEK Some Pass Through Here Today on Their Way— Will Go North. Some of the regular “dyed-in-the-wool” gypsies of the dusky skin, black hair, dirty, gaudy gowns and with palms itching for the cross of the silver in exchange for “the fortune" passed through the city today and called on tne business populace while enroute. They were on their way to Fort Wayne to attend the annual reunion of the gypsy tribe of "Rummy Rey" or the Stanley family which is being held at the Driving park there this week. They are gathering at the park from all directions of the country and after their week's Easter celebration will scatter again, going north to Michigan to spend the summer months. The king of the tribe, known as King Louis Rummey Riey, with his brothers, George and Eli, reside in Fort Wayne much of the time. The party passing through here gave their name as Mitchell, with another appendage which we could not spell, even if we did remember how it was pronounced. —o A STATEMENT. James Woods desires it to be known that the parties who attempted ,to gain entrance to his rooms over the M. Burns shop Sunday evening are totally unknown to him and that at no time was he in the habit of allowing such parties the use of his apartments.

HORSE SALE THURSDAY. The next horse sale will be held at the stables on First street next Thursday morning at 10 o’clock with Mr. McNabb of Ashland, Ohio, as the auctioneer. Many horses have been received at this time and the sale promises to be one of the best attended of yet held. There are three more sales before the season closes, on April 27th, May 11th, and May 25th, after which the stables will close for the summer. The class of stock *being brought in for this sale is of the best in the country and many good bargains will probably be offered. A car load arrived this morning over the interurban and were at once taken to the barn, where several were sold to waiting buyers. COURT HOUSE NEWS Edward Kirchner Files Suit Against Daughter-in-law For Possession OF THE LAND On Which She Lives—A Big Suit is Promised —Other Court Notes.

A complaint, entitled Edward A. Kirchner vs. tsertna Kirchner, for possession of real estate and S2OO damages, was a new ease filed in the Adams circuit court this morning by Attorney D. E. Smith, lawyer for the plaintiff. On the face of the entry, it appears insignificant, yet behind it, lies what will undoubtedly make one of the biggest and most unusual lawsuits ever heard in this court.. The plaintiff, Edward Kirchner, is the fa-ther-in-law of the defendant, Bertha Kirchner, widow of William F. Kirchner, whose death occurred February 13, 1910. It is said that during the life of the son the father had given him by oral contract a forty acre farm in Kirkland township, on which the son built a house, barn and other farm buildings, and set out an orchard, at a great expense, with the understanding that he was to improve the farm, work it, etc., paying SIOO a year rent therefor, and at the death of the father, was to be given the place as his own The son, however, died before the father, and the widow and her several small children continued to live on the place, endeavoring to fulfill the terms of the contract and retain the property. The father-in-law, Edward Kirchner, has now brought this suit asking possession of the farm, and does not want the widow to fulfill the contract. The neighbors, it is said, rallied to her aid, and Monday helped her put out her oats. Another clause in the complaint, besides asking for the possession of the land, asks for S2OO for damages done by her cattle, hogs, horses, etc., by wandering over the estate. The defendant has retained Peterson & Moran as her attorneys and it is said will fight the case to a finish. Robert Fetters, the Huntington young man, who went into delirium tremens in this city and was taken to the jail, where he was cared for. .has nearly recovered and it is thought he will be able to return to Huntington today or tomorrow. • ' Real estate transfers: Nathan Franklin Martz to Benj. M. Smith, lot 12, Monroe, $300; Mary O. Christen et al. to Roy Wolford, house and lot in Root tp., $l5O. o DICK HELLER HAD COLLISION. BUmped Into Horse and Buggy—Got Out Luckily—Wheel Wrecked. Dick Heller was the principal actor in an exciting accident at noon today. He had borrowed Winfield Maddy's bicycle while the latter went into the library. Dick started around the block, and as he turned north at the Cress & Beaver marble shop, he ran into a horse driven by Walter Avery of near Willshire. Being a little short to reach the pedals the boy was unable to stop the wheel, but he managed to slide gracefully from beneath the horse, unhurt. The wheel was badly wrecked and is now being doctored by Ed Parent. Witnesses of the accident all agree that Mr. Avery was in no way to blame.

Price, Two Cents

CHARGE OF KIDNAPPING Causes Arrest of Four Men at Indianapolis—Mr. Ellingham Summoned. AS A WITNESS With Other Officials Requested to Bring Documents to Manning. (United Press Service.) Indianapolis, Ind., April 25 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —James Dadorf, a Burns assistant, was arrested this morning and will be arraigned this afternoon, charged with kidnaping. Secretary of State Lew Ellingham, Bert New, the governor's legal clerk; City Clerk Ramsey and Police Judge Holland were summoned by Justice Manning. All papers and documents in connection with the arrest were requested. Los Angeles, Cal., April 25 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —No attempt will be made by the state to implicate the union labor. It is believed by the district attorney, Mr. Frederick that the men are guilty as individuals. It is considered certain that the men will not be brought into the city by train but spirited in secretly. James McNamara lias not been allowed to shave since his arrest, the detectives saying they fear suicide. Washington, D. C., April 25 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —A resolution demanding an investigation of the McNamara arrest at Indianpolis was introduced in the house today by Representative Berger, socialist, of Wisconsin. (United Press Service.) Indianapolis, Ind., April 25 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —Justice Manning this morning bound over to the grand jury, Walter Drew of New York, counsel for the National Directors' association; W. A. Ford, assistant district attorney of Los Angeles, and Frank P. Fox of Indianapolis on a charge of kidnaping John McNamara. The first two are held in jail, bond being fixed at SIO,OOO each, while Fox was released on $5,000 bait. The constable is looking for Detective • Burns, but he has disappeared. It is reported one other arrest has been made. Burns said this morning that he was sure he could connect J. W. McNamara directly witfi the dynamiting when he got to Los Angeles.

Denver, April 25 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —Eleven detectives are guarding the McNamara brothers and McGanigal. who are speeding toward Los Angeles on the Sante Fe train No. 3. They will reach there Thursday. All arrived here on the same Santa Fe train last night. John being placed on the train at Great Bend, Kansas. All are handcuffed to detectives and allowed to talk to no one. REV. JONES HERE. Rev. E. B. Jones, the new pastor who will serve at the Calvary and Salem churches, as well as at the Mt. Carmel Chapel at Chattanooga, left today for Germantown, Ind., where be will complete arrangements for the moving of his household goods to Wjllshire, where he will be more closely located to his new field of work. The Jones family consists of the busband ana wife and two children, and they will be most welcome to the Decatur circuit which he is to serve as pastor. L. R. BLOSSOM IMPROVING. Word received today by Thomas Perkins from Ann Arbor brings the good news of the continued improvement of his father-in-law, L. R. Blossom, of Willshire, Ohio, who was operated upon for gall stones. He is now sitting up, feeling fine, the tube has been removed from his side and he will be able to leave the hospital in a week. He will probably stop off for visits with his children enroute home and will be at home in two weeks.