Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 9, Number 129, Decatur, Adams County, 1 June 1911 — Page 1

Volume IX. Number 129.

11 NEW HOME New Building For People's State Bank Ready For Occupancy. WILL BE OPENED ON Saturday to the Public in New Quarters —A Fine New Building. Berne, Ind., June I—(Speciall—(Special to Dally Democrat) —The beautiful new banking house for the People s State bank of this place has finally been finished and will be occupied by the bank this week. About two years ago the Peoples State bank corporation bought the old Allison-Morrow brick building in the northeast corner of Main and Jefferson streets, diagonally across the main public square in town from the Bank of Berne. The following spring work was begun on the acquired property after tearing down an old frame building to the alley in the rear. The New Banking House. The old brick structure was completely overhauled from basement to roof, being veneered on the Jefferson street side with vitrified glazed brick in white and grown, and finished in Bedford sandstone. The part of the building that attracts most attention is the front, which was reared in the architectural style of the Greek temple, of sandstone and glass, consisting of four massive sandstone columns and capped with an artistic galvanized iron cornice to match, and overtopped with the American eagle perched on a globe and spreading his wings. Over the entrance in'the corner is reared a beautiful circular jetty, supported by a gray granite column, and sheltering a pretty alcove on the second floor and a big clock with face toward the street, to serve the people. The whole building is the most imposing business structure in Berne from an architectural point of view and no doubt its equal is found in few towns of the size of Berne. The Banking Rooms. The bank will occupy the front sixty feet of length of the building (the entire length of the building is 126 feet, the longest business house in town). The banking room proper, with its accessory compartments, takes up forty feet, and the vaults, vestibule and director's room the remaining twenty feet. The banking room is finished and furnished in mahogany and marble, the latter flanking the customers’ compart meat, the wainscoat consisting of white “English vein Italian," and the base-board in “Swanton Green” marble. The vault is encased in a wall of solid reinforced concrete, 20 inches in thickness, built up from basement, and is equipped with the most modern safety vault doors. The vault has two compartments, one for the use of customers to deposit their valuable papers, and the other, the banking vault proper, containing the bur-glar-proof manganese steel safe. The rear half of the ground floor of the building is occupied by the Central Grocery of Heller & Smith, and the shoe shop of John F. Mazelin. The front apartment on the second floor will serve as a dental parlor foi Dr. Harry Neuenschwander, and the rest of the second floor is occupied by Dr. D. D. Jones and Architect Abe Boegly. The entire building Is equipped with an up-to-date steam heating plant, waterworks (both rain and drinking water), lavatories and toilet closets; in short, the building has all the equipments and conveniences of a modem city building, and it would be difficult to find a banking establishment in a town of its size that wou t surpass It. The entire structure, including its equipment and original purchase price, amounts to about $16,000, an considering the appearance as well as the conveniences of the building, it is certainly a marvel at that price. The Bank. The People's State Bank is one o the thriving financial institutions o Adams county. With its capital stock of $50,000, and a surplus of $i,700, it is founded on the solid foundation of resources amounting to a quarter of a million dollars, ft was founded and orgaf ’’.ed February 2, 1903, and

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

. opened for business in the present quarters on April 2, 1903, with a capital stock of $40,000. This was raised in 1906 to $50,000, since which time the bank has enjoyed a steady and healthy growth. Rudolph Schug has been its cashier from the beginning. Other prominent business men identified with the bank from its inception are: Julius C. Schug, E. D. Engeler, J. P. Habegger and C. A. Dugan, the latter from Decatur. The present members of the official family of the bank are: Julius Schug, president; Albert Neuenschwander, a member of the Berne Hardware company, vice president; Rudolph Schug. cashier; E. D. Engeler, manager of CONTINUED ON i AGE FOUR TO MEET MONDAY Township Trustees Will Select a County Superintendent at That Time. THREE CANDIDATES Under New Law County Auditor May Begin Voting if Tie Exists. r‘ The selection of a county superintendent of the schools of Adams county, to serve for a period of four years, is the chief duty of the township trustees to be attended to as the law provides at their meeting to be held in this city next Monday morning. There are three candidates for the position: L, E. Opliger, the present superintendent; Edware S. Christen, principal of the west ward school in this city, and Albert Sellemeyer, principal of the Peterson schools. All three are competent and each man has a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. While the contest has been on for some time there has not been as bitter a contest as many would have us believe. Some six or eight I weeks ago, at a meeting of the trusi tees held at Berne, a resolution enj dorsing Mr. Opliger for another term was adopted, but the candidates have j nevertheless kept up the campaign and the question will be settled at i the annual meeting Monday. The tiustees include te* democrats and two republicans, all of the candidates are democrats and the democratic organization has taken no part so far as is known. County auditor Michaud will preside over the meeting and in case of a tie vote will begin balloting with the rest, this being provided under a new law passed by the last legislature. The matter is a very important one and everybody is agreed that it is one in which personality, honesty, qualification and experience of the candidates should be the thing considered. In other words the interest of the schools should be first and foremost, EVANGELICAY QUARTERLY MEET Rev. J. J. Wise of Fort Wayne Will Preadh Sermons. The first quarterly meeting of the year for the Evangelical church will be held Friday evening at 7:30 o'clock the presiding elder, the Rev. J. J. Wise, of Fort Wayne, preaching the sermon. Following the quarterly meeting will be the quarterly conference. The presiding elder, the Rev. J. J. Wise, will preach both Friday and Sunday evenings. —o — AT REV. JONES' CHURCHES. The first quarterly meeting of the Chattanooga charge will convene at Calvary Evangelical church, beginning Friday and continuing over Sunday, June 2 to 4. Rev. J. J. Wise, presiding elder of the Fort W’ayne district, will preside. Quarterly conference Saturday at 2:30. Communion service will be held Sunday morning at 10:30. No preaching services at Salem Evangelical church Sunday morning, June 4th, owing to quarterly meeting occasion, both churches uniting in the one service. E. B. JONES, Pastor. o - ENTERE FT. WAYNE HOSPITAL. Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Whitehead of .south of the city left this morning for Fort Wayne, where Mrs. Whitehead will enter the Lutheran hospital for an operation for a tumor, with which she has been suffering for sometime.

Decatur, Ind. Thursday Evening, June 1, 1911.

TIRE UP FENCE Interesting Case in Mayor’s Court Today Concerning Line Fence. TWENTS WITNESSES Were Summoned and Attorneys Are Fighting the Case to a Finish. The trial of William Fleetwood was held today, having been sent to the mayor’s court by 'Squire Stone, before whom It was filed on a change of venue last month. Fleetwood is charged with malicious trespass, and it is alleged that he entered upon his father s land and tore down forty rods of wire fence which had been erected the day before by his father and brother, Sherman, who farms the father’s farm. Having some family disputes as to the line dividing the farms both claimed a strip of ground lying between the two places and the attempt of the father to fence it in was thwarted the day after, when Fleetwood and his wife tore it down. Directly after that Sherman Fleetwood came to town and swore out the affidavit. The problem the court is called upon to solve is one of ownership and all the old surveys are being used as evidence and the trial will probably continue all day as there are several witnesses yet to be heard. _ Prosecutor Parrish is appearing for the state and for the defendant appear Heller, Sutton & Heller. The case is being fought to a finish and as some of the original cornerstones have been removed by some one the case Will present a complex problem to solve. The land in question is less than an acre in extent and for years .an old rail fence stood on the line in question but at the erection of a new wire fence hostilities broke out anew and the fence was destroyed, and the case brought to court, for settlement. A motion to quash the affidavit was sustained and the case was dismissed late this afternoon. THEY SERVED TIME Two Pleasant Mills Young Men Complete Term of Enlistment. THREE YEARS’ TIME See Many Interesting Sights But Do Not Expect to Return. Arthur and Carey Comer, two young men of Pleasant Mills, who for the past three years have been in the employe of Uncle Sam as infantrymen returned home, the former Wednesday and Carey this afternoon from the Philippines, where they have been stationed for more than a year. They enlisted at Fort Wayne, going to Columbus, Ohio, where they were put in training and then sent to the northern part of Wyoming, where they were placed on guard duty. After a stay of fourteen months at this place the boys were transferred to San Francisco, remaining there for several months and then were sent to thq Philippine Islands, where they have since seen service. All during the service they have been together and belonged to the 19th infantry, Company K. Having served their enlisted time they were permittted to return home on a vacation, and should they wish to return can do so within three months at continued pay. At present they are undecided concerning their return, and if they can secure suitable occupations will remain here. . o — SALEM GROVE SOCIAL. The “Golden Gate” (colored) male quartet of Wren, Ohio, will give a free concert at the Salem Grove Saturday evening, June 3rd. Refreshments will be served on the ground, and a prize will be given to the most popular lady

■ EYE REMOVED. J. F. Hocker of Fort Wayne Lose* Sight of One Eye. Charles F. Hocker returned today from Fort Wayne, where he visited with his brother, J. F. Hocker, who has been sick for some time. His illness Is somewhat of a peculiar one. Eleven years ago, while using a gun and discharging same, a portion of the cartridge and powder flew backwards and located in his right eye. The injured member was quite sore at the time, but seemed to heal, and at times it would become infected, and nothing could be done that would effect a cure. It has been giving Mr. Hocker much trouble and upon the advice of the physician it was deemed best that the eye be removed, be cause it had become in such condition that the other eye would soon become affected. On last Monday he submitted to the operation and Mr Hocker, who returned this morning, stated that his brother was resting quite well. FOUR AFFIDAVITS ii Were Filed in ’Squire Stone’s Court This MorningAssault and Battery. MALTREATS MOTHER Sensational Developments Expected When the Evidence is Heard. 1 ■ ..-.all Four sensational affidavits were filed this morning by Prosecutor Parrish in 'Squire Stone’s court and the necessary warrants issued to cause the arrest of the parties charged. One affidavit called for the arrest of Margaret Jones alleging assault and battery. The other three were against Warren Jones on me same charge, each covering a different occurrence. It is alleged that during the past year Jones has succeeded in inducing his mother to deed him 160 acres of land which she owned in return for her support the rest of her life, and when he secured the deed at different times maltheated her. The old tady is very I infirm and crippled and it will be impossible for her iu be brought to court but hbr deposition will be taken. Some time ago Jones’ mother complained to the sheriff and he undertook an investigation, which warranted him in having the affidavits filed. The warrants were placed in the hands of Deputy Sheriff Merica, who was appointed special constable for the occasion and he left this morning to make the arrests. The two parties were brought in about 2 o'clock and arraigned, they employing David Smith as their attorney and the case was continued until Saturday afternoon at 1 o'clock wqhen it will be heard in 'Squire Stone’s court. o TRAMPS LEAVE THEIR SIGNS. No doubt you have noticed, at some time or other, curious looking marks or signs with chalk, on fences, barns or other outbuildings in the vicinity of residences, says an exchange. These signs become more evident with the approach of spring. They may seem very insignificant to you but they are vitally important to some member of the nomadic tribe known as the hobo. They are also significant to the members of the police force, though for a different rea son. The marks consist of lines and circles carefully drawn but nevertheless full of meaning, and serve as a sort of block signal for the hoboes. A knight of the highway indicates by these signs whether or not there is a chance for a hand-out and where. The warning is given if there is a waiting wood pile and if the hobo is greeted by a disagreeable dog a jagged sign appears not unlike the youthful conception of Teddy’s teeth. Os course a house of this sort is given a wide berth. Cross bars indicate that some one is liable to land in the lock-up and a town with such signs is usually shunned. If you would know what the hobo thinks of you, look for the “high signs" which are beginning to appear. ■ ■ Miss Ida Yocum left this morning for Ohio City to make a visit wltb her parents. Her sister, Miss Gayle, is also visiting with her parents.

SLOT MACHINES Ohio Manufacturer Endeavors to Place Machines in This City. THE MAYOR SAID NO Ordered Police to See That None of the Machines Were Operated. The mayor called the attention of the police to several slot machines which had been shipped into the city recently from an Ohio town to several business men here. As it was against the city ordinance to own or operate a slot machine in which there exists an element of chance, and the machines being so constructed as to play a chance, they are therefore illegal, and today Marshal Peterson made the rounds and notified the parties having the machines; that they would not be allowed (« operate them and In moat eases they were relegated at once to the scrap heap. Some bf the business men complained that they would lose money on account ot having to pay express and other charges, but that is a problem that does not concern the law, and the loss will have to be borne by the men. The operation of the machine is that you play five cents and In return you are supposed to get five cents' worth of chewing gum with the added advantage that you may, if you are lucky, gain any amount up to one dollar in trade. The manufacturer claims that the vending of the gum relieves the machine from operating as a chance, as the player is supposed to receive full value for his money. The mayor takes the view that the machine is a chance because many will play the machine for large sums, securing a large supply of gum. in order to have a chance of winning a dolUr in trade. He therefore barred the use of the machines . POCAHONTAS INITIATION. The Pocahontas council will initiate two candidates this evening, and all members are requested to attend the meeting. SURPRISE WEDDING ... . ” r Thomas Storieburner Surprises Friends by Returning With a Wife. — MARRIED WEDNESDAY Ceremony Took Place at Albion—Will Reside in This City. Quite a surprise did Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Stoneburner spring when they returned Wednesday evening from rvenaailvlllc and stated to their friends that they had been wedded that morning and had come to this city to make their home. The bride was Miss Erica Pontius, a charming and beautiful young lady of that city. She is popular in society, and the affections of the young lady were won while Mr. Stoneborner followed his trade of barbering there for three years. The groom -left here on Monday evening, where arrangements for the wedding were completed, and then left for Albion, Ind., where the wedding ceremony was performed by the Rev. Newcomb at the Methodist parsonage. the hour being 10:30 o’clock. Immediately following the service the happy couple returned to the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. P. A. Pontius, where a wedding dinner was served in their honor. Mr. Stoneburner at present holds a half interest in the barber shop with Forest Elzey, is very popular, and the best wishes of all his friends is being extended from the many friends of the couple. ■ ■ o Mrs. Andrew Krunemacher, who has been suffering from stomach trouble for some weeks, is still confined to her bed. While she eats and sleeps fairly well, she is entirely helpless.

UNDER ASSUMED NAME. Did Catholic Ball Team GO to Fort Wayne on Tuesday. The article which appeared in Wednesday evening's issue pertaining to the St. Joseph's school base ball team j going to Fort Wayne on Decoration , Day and later engaging in a game with the Cathedral team was a misI take, and those who composed the I crowd went under an assumed name I and without any permission whatever. I I also wish to state that all future games which had been scheduled to be played during the summer easor. with ouuldts ttamt, have beta car. celled. FATHER FLAHERTY. WELLS CO. PIONEER — Was Daniel Hunter of Bluffton Whose Death Occurred Tuesday Night. A SHORT ILLNESS Was Father of Mesdames John Wisehaupt and Elias Crist of Decatur. After a sickness of only thirty hours, Daniel Huntev, one of the county’s oldest pioneer citizens and also one of the oldest veterans of the civil war in the northern P(yt of the state, died at his home on East Market street at twenty minutes until one o’clock this morning. Mr. Hunter expired just forty minutes after the dawn of his eighty-seventh birthday. He maae nis nome with his two sons. Richard and John. On last Friday they had moved into the rooms in the rear of the offices of J. H. C. Smith and Mr. Hunter had greatly enjoyed the prospect of being where he could meet people and see the passersby on the streets. They had formerly resided on the west side, so far away from the business section that it was next to impossible for him to come “up town.” On last Friday he was able to walk to a doctor's office and hoped to be on the streets a little every day. He was taken sick on Monday ’ morning with uraemic poisoning. Owing to the weakened condition of his gystem, due to his advanced age, his decline was rapid and death came peacefully at an early hour this morning. Daniel Hunter was born in Wayne county, Ohio, on May 31, 1824. the son of David and Martha Hunter. On i July 17, 1845, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Reed, at his old home in I Ohio. Two years later, in 1847, he and his wife came to this county to reside. For a time he worked as a farmer. In the early sixties, when President Lincoln isued his call for volunteers, he answered the summons and became a member of Captain Peter Studebaker’s command, Company B of the 101st Indiana volunteer infantry. He saw plenty of active service and acquitted himself In a most honorable manner. It is of pitiful significance that while the other aged veterans were yesterday paying homage to their honored dead, one of the deans from among their number lay dying. At the close of the war Mr. Hunter returned to Wells county and again resumed his occupation as a farmer. Thirty-nine years ago the first of last March he and his wife moved to Bluffton. He had made his home here ever since. His wife passed away last October. Mr. Hunter was the last of his generation, all of the others of a family of ten children having preceded him in death. He was the father of eight children, of whom four, the following, survive: Richard and John of this city and Mrs. John Wisehaupt and Mrs. Eli Crist of Decatur. The following children are deceased: Mrs. Catherine Krill, Frederick R. Hunter, Eli Reed Hunter and Daniel W. Hunter. (There are eleven grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. Thursday the remains will be removed to the residence of his granddaughter, Mrs. J. M. Park, on West South street. The funeral services will be conducted at the Park residence at ten o’clock Friday by Rev. Clark Crawford. The remains will be Interred in Fairview cemetery. Comrades of the decedent from the 101st Indiana will be pall bearers at the funeral. —Bluffton News.

Price, Two Cent*

SUCCESSFUL YcAR Brought to a Close For Baptist Church-Pastorate of the REV. CHAS. E. EHLE Church Prospered Much During This Time, Spiritually and Materially. Just one year ago Wednesday the Rev. Charles Ehle of Bronson, Mich., came to this city and took charge of the pastorate of the Decatur Baptist church. The anniversary meeting held Wednesday evening in the church, the first one since the re-dec-orating of the building, at which time the annual reports of the superintendents of the various departments, show the past year to have been one of unparall«del prosperity and success in the history of the local church. At the time Rev. Ehle came to this city the membership consisted of thKy. onc resident members. th,e numbe-r now being fifty-one — nearly double the number a year ago i At that time the Sunday school had an enrollment of thirty-five with an average attendance of twenty-two; the enrollment now is over one hundred, with an average attendance of sixty-five. All these figures show in “cold facts” the great growth of the’ church during the pastorate of the Rev. Ehle, but it does not tell in even a little measure of the growth in spiritual and material departments. When Rev. Ehle assumed charge here, the congregation pledged enough money to nearly cover the pastor’s salary, but (here was not enough pledged to cover the current expenses, such as for fuel, etc. The report of the officer of this department, Wednesday evening, however, showed the pastor's salary paid in fv 11 for the year, and the current expr uses also, with a small balance in the treasury. The eve of the new year, moreover, shows an advance over that of the last year, as the congregation has pledged enough in advance to cover the pastor's salary and the current expenses also for the ensuing year. The financial reports of the Sunday school, the aid society, and all the departments as made Wednesday night, I show them clear of debt and with a ■ balance on hand. The noteworthy part of the financial side is that the money was contributed by each member according to the scriptural plan—/‘according as the Lord hath prospered thee” —none of the money being raised by giving church socials or other such methods. Besides raising the necessary funds for the carrying on of the regular church work —what may be deemed “the necessaries” —they also provided enough for “luxuries,” that is the redecorating of the church, the meeting Wednesday evening being held there for the first. The work of redecorating included the repapering of the church, the varnishing of the interior and the provision of other things of beauty and comfort, and the building now presents one of the most handsome appearances in the city. The colors are softly harmonizing tints of cream, olive green and light green. The dark green begins at the base with a handsome dado, shading Into the paneling above in a lighter tint of green, this in turn giving way to the warm cream tints of the ceiling, producing an effect of rare richness and beauty. The rich stained windows, with their inset frames, have been outlined with s/arkling gilt, and the pulpit background is a paper of a novel pattern, giving the appearance of leading into a columned, marble-floored alcove. The seats and interior woodwork of the entire church have been revarnished, and a rail and curtain have ben provided for the choir platform. The entire cost of the Improvements was pledged in advance, all bills are now paid, with a balance left over. For a time prior to February, 1910, the congregation had such little interest in the affairs, that the church was closed for a while and no Sunday school even was held during that time. Evangelist Rickard was then sent here and a revival conducted, during which time it was decided to call a pastor, and that his service here was most successful is an undoubted fact. Just one year ago Wednesday evening Mrs. Ehle and children joined the husband here, a reception being held that evening at the J. L. Moser home.