Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 9, Number 162, Decatur, Adams County, 11 July 1911 — Page 1

Volume IX. Number 162.

CITIES IN SUMMER Are Not a Very Desirable Place, Writes Wm. Brokaw of Cleveland. LETTER TO HIS SON Is Transferred Into a Letter to All Friends Through the Democrat. Cleveland, Ohio., July 9. ’ll. 3339 W. 25th St. B. F. Brokaw:—The weather is so intensely hot and oppressive in the city, if it don’t let up pretty sopn you need not be surprised if I come back to the country before the dog days of August. It's awful, and the city is on the verge of an ice famine. Even ice laborers are scarce and worn out Rush orders are sent to the far north to help out the dally shortage of hun drends of tons —so great is the demand that artificial ice plants are practically out of commission to supply over 600,000 thirsty tongues. Mobs of women and children besiege ice wagons, begging for small chunks of ice only to be denied, for the short supply must go to groceries and for fresh meat, fresh egg and vegetable markets and perishable food-stuffs Fresh meat and eggs can’t stand it long out of cold storage, for it's the preventative against famine and ravenous death plagues in these congested city districts. Farmers have no idea of the suffering of these poor, dying mothers and children Think of it! It is a veritable hot air hades on earth, little infants dying like flies in a bottle. City authorities have to yield to the demand for many to sleep in open air, in parks and public school grounds. There is a little artificial lake you known in the public city square, fed by sprays from waterworks. These are generally safeguarded by police from transgression bj boys, but the authorities have to yield, and bystanders throw pennies and nickels in to see the kids dive and flounder about to find them —just like throwing fish into the pond to feed sea Hons In the parks. It’s fun and health for the kids these hot days and many a little street waif got a penny or nickel that he would not dare ask for on the street, and the coin-throwers would never think of giving. Everybody wants something for their money, and no doubt many spectators enjoy it more than a moving picture show. It’s the real stuff. Farmers kick about monopolies and middle men. That’s all right at the right place, but much of it’s wrong, | when applied to the retailer of food : supplies. Hot weather food for con-! gested cities must be procured by rush orders or cold storage. You can’t send your fresh eggs and butter to market in the cities in an ice cream freezer, nor green garden yegetables in a loose slack barrel. Try It. Take it ta town day after tomorrow, or Saturday p. m„ and see what the grocer will give you for it these hot days. Hot as hades should be, and then expect these poor, lean, limber housewifes to get up a good fresh fa'-merc’ meal for your sweltering kids. Let me say to all farmers: "Stay on the farm, and kiddies, you stay with pa and ma, and don’t be enticed to go to these congested city factoriw.” A big garment makers’ strike has been raging here for weeks, and hunger and thirst and fair wages Is the slogan. Girls, stay on the farm, and try to see as little as possible of these discontents, and yet they rub against me in the city. I often think of the village and farmers girls wanting the latest style of hats, waists and gowns, fresh from these sweat-shops, instead of learning to make them at home. Oh, girls, I often think ff you could only be on a crowded street car and see these poor, lean, limber mothers and their more amacla.ted daughters hanging to the straps, with perhaps only a dry lunch, perhaps only a crust or two sandwiches, with a slice of green, wilted cucumber, going to these l sweat-shops, from three to eight stor-' loa high and covering perhaps a whole city block —a veritable wriggling mass of human skeletons—many of them running the gauntlet under guard to these eels of human hades trying to seep out a starvation wage to help a sick mother or hungry brothers and sisters, and then think of the thousands of places these fathers and big brothers go to get something to swage their thirst, that costs more

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

than warm lake water. Many of these are good, honest maidens (city girls), ana oh, how many of them would appreciate an invitation from their country farm sisters to spend a few weeks or months' vacation on farms and learn to milk, churn, gather fresh eggs and garden stuff and a thousand and one little country pleasures. I began this for a short letter to my son, B. F. Brokaw, but I guess I have missed my route and I'll send it to the Decatur Democrat and let the editor cull out such lines as he thinks will not taint his popular county paper, and if Frank don’t get to read it, he'll not be out much. WILLIAM BROKAW, Cleveland, Ohio. , to get Increase Postmaster General Hitchcock Decides to Give SIOO Increase to THE RURAL CARRIERS Congress Gave Appropriation But Left Decision With Mr. Hitchcock. Washington. D. C. July 11 —The forty thousand odd rural free delivery carriers in the United States are to receive salary increases as a result of a decision reached today by Postmaster General Hitchcock. The order will provide for the disbursement during the current year of >4.000,000, which will mean an increase of SIOO ovsr the present salary of S9OO for all carriers on standard routes with proportionate increases in the shorter routes. Congress provided last session for the expenditure of this extra >4,000,000, but left it to the discretion of the postmaster general as to how much of it should be expended. Mr. Hitchcock has decided to authorize the expenditure of the full amount. His desire to compensate the carriers for any additional burden which may be placed on them if the parcels post system he has recommended for rural routes is approved by congress, was the important consideration, Mr. Hitchcock declared, which led him to make the authorization. , During the current year the rural service will cost the government about >40,000,000, the estimated loss being >25,000,000. The rural delivery system was started fifteen years ago with eighty-three carriers who were paid only >2OO a year. On July 1 there were 41,562 carriers, their aggregate salaries being >35,793.000. WORK IS DELAYED On Building of Monmouth New School House by Brick Famine. HAVE GOTTEN NONE Since Three Weeks Ago— May Not Finish by August Fifteenth. On account of a brick famine, or some unforeseen delay in the getting of brick, the work on the building of the new school house in Monmouth has been delayed somewhat and it will keep the contractor hustling to finish it by August 15th, the time set out in the contract. The basement has long been ready, in fact everything is ready for file work of the iuasons on the superstructure, except the necessary brie!:, and it seems that their task is going to be like that of the old Egyptian taskmasters of old —making brick out of straw. It is said that it has been three weeks since the last ear load of brick has been received, and the workmen have necessarily been delayed this long. There is some doubt expressed as to whether the building can be completed in time for the opening of school in September., Henry Getting of near St. John's who was badly hurt last week by falling from a load of hay, is reported as being much better.

DECATUR MEN OF AFFAIRS. ESTATt V’AWf r>< (Pi) Oz * w/A ■ — IPSX FRENCH QUINN. French Quinn couldn’t be anything but a “live one,’ 'a man who hustles, and who tries his best to do that allotted to him, no difference how hard he tried to be anything else. He is a bundle of energy and nerves who, since he graduated from the Decatiir public schools, when he was fifteen, has always hustled and made his own way. For eighteen years he served as a clerk, bookkeeper and assistant cashier of the Adams County bank. Some years ago he went to Arkansas where he was for several years engaged in the timber and egg case business, and served as general manager of the Paragould & Memphis railroad. He returned here two years ago and became the secretary of the Bowers Realty company, where his hustling qualifications with those of hi* associates are building up a splendid business. He was the organizer and first president of the Decatur Commercial club and is a member of various lodges, a thirty-seceond degree Mason, K. of P. Elks and S. of V. He is a clean-cut, good-to-meet, agreeable to talk with, and one of the most clever and popular young business men of this locality.

RESIGNS PLACE Mrs. Effie Brokaw-Johnson Quits Position With the First National Bank AT DENVER, COLO. And Will Leave For Her Home Here the 17th—Is Seeing Country, Now. Mrs. Effie Brokaw-Johnson, who went to Denver, Colo., a year ago, where she has been enployed in the First National bank, has resigned and will leave for her home here the 17th of the month. In a letter to her parents she says she resigned the first of the month and is enjoying a two weeks’ trip over that section of the country and resting after a year of hard work. Several of the bank employees are taking their vacation at this time and Mrs. Johnson joined them in a pleasant trip over the Moffat road, they being given passes over this line, which was built and controled by the late Mr. Moffat, president of the bank, who died about two months ago at the Belmont hotel in New York. Over this road one sees Colorado’s most beautiful scenery, including the famout Georgetown loop, which is several miles long and contains twenty-three tunnels. The road is 16,000 feet above the sea level and crosses the peaks of several of the highest mountains of that state. The trip also includes trips to Pike’s Peak, Garden of the Gods, Cave of the Winds, grave of Helen Hunt, th* Cliff dwellers, and a hundred other placee of interest. Mr* Johnson is proud of her record as a stenographer in the First National, known as one of America's greatest banikng institutions and writes that she had her picture taken in various rooms of the bank, including one photo taken in the ■directors’ room with the president of ths bank. She made good in the west, but is hdmesick and decided to resign and return to old Indiana. DID NOT INWALL. Owing to the fire alarm calling some of the important officers of the Odd Fellows to do duty as firemen, or in their respective line of work, it was impossible for the installation ceremonies to be had. Those whose work necessitated their presence at the scene of the Are were allowed to go, and those remaining attended to the usual business of the lodge. The installation will be held next Monday evening, Snecial D. D. G. M. Samuel Butler having charge of the work. REBEKAHS WILL INSTALL. Tonight at the regular meeting of the Rebekahs the installation of the officers for the following term will be bad, as will also the initiation of a candidate. All the Rebekahs are requested to be present.

Decatur, Ind. Tuesday Evening, July 11, 1911.

HORSES FOUNDERED. Ray Smith, a prominent farmer, living south of the city, is the loser of a valuable horse, and several others being quite sick, on account of being foundered on Saturday of last week. Mr. Smith had Just finished threshing and quite a bit of grain had been scattered on the ground. He had turned his horses in the field and they, finding the grain, ate to excess, one of them dying. The others, although sick, will come out all right. FALLS OFF WAGON. Hugh, little son of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Holthouse, while playing with several companions Monday afternoon on a log wagon which stood but a short distance from their home, fell off and received a cut in his head. He was also badly frightened. The wound was dressed by his mother and everything is getting along nicely. YOUNG COUPLE WED Gene Steele Weds Young Ft. Wayne Lady, Miss Isabelle Milligan. WILL LIVE HERE Groom Employed as Molder at Decatur Foundry— Eighteen Years Old. The many Decatur friends of Lawrence Eugene Steele, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. D. V. Steele, of West Monroe street will be surprised to learn of his wedding which took place Saturday evening in Fort Wayne, to Miss Beulah Isabelle Milligan, a well known Fort Wayne young lady. The wedding was a very quiet one. being solemnized at the Methodist parsonage by the M. E. minister of the Broadway M. E. church of Fort Wayne. The groom is an employee of the Decatur Furnace, Foundry and Machine works, in the capacity of molder and holds a very good position. The bride is one of Fort Wayne’s most estimable young ladles, who has made her home with her sister, Mrs. Keller, la that city since her mother s death. The young couple are preparing to go to housekeeping on South Third street in the house formerly occupied by Mr. and Mrs. John H. Schug. The groom is one of the youngest in the city, being but eighteen years of age, while his bride is proportionately youthful. A “belling” was one of Monday evening’s events. WILL Grvt. SOCIAL. The Ladies’ Aid socity of Monroe will give a social next Saturday evening if the weather permits. Owing to the rainy weather the social planned ■for June 17th, was postponed and will be given now. The proceeds will be used for church work. All are cordially invited.

THESMOKE POURED From Building Occupied by Daily Herald, Indicating Incipient Fire. DAMAGE FROM WATER — - Impenetrable Smoke Prevents Firemen From Reaching Flames. The early discovery, and the consequent alarm at 8:10 o’clock Monday evening, probably averted a serious conflagration in the business district, . only the quick response and heroic I work of the firemen being responsible ■ for its curtailment. I At that hour a pedestrian noticed I a light smoke issuing from the cellar of the building occupied by the Herald, a daily publication, and the mellow glow at once told the story of an i incipient blaze. The alarm was has- | tily given and the quick response was apparent, the firemen being on the scene of the fire in less than three minutes. But at that time the small i blaze fanned by a draft had grown to such proportions that it was impossible to enter the building. The thick smoke, stifling those who attempted to remove the contents, that part of the work was abandoned and all attention given to fighting the fire. The I blaze was confined to the rear part •f th* cellar where it found its inception, but the smoke filled the entire building, doing considerable damage, both to the printing office and to the living apartments above. The water thrown was converted into steam which again condensed on the delicate mechanism of the typesetting machine and on the presses, doing damage which at the present time cannot be Intelligently estimated. The building was damaged somewhat. The origin of the fire is unknown, some attributing it to crossed electric wires, others to a cigar stump, carelessly thrown, and the true cause will probably never be known. Insurance of sufficient amount to fully cover the damage is carried and aside from the l*conveinence in getting out the regular issue tonight no other bad effects will result. Much credit is due the firemen for the excellent work which they performed, when it was seen that the fire was in the basement and the difficulty they went through in getting several streams of hose in play. The. 'crowd, which could not be kept back and got in the way of the workmen, was another hindrance to them, but in spite of all the difficulties which prevailed excellent work was done, and was realized as such by the many spectators who witnessed the fire. The Tri Kappa Sorority will hold their regular business meeting with Miss Bessie Boyers and all members are asked to be there this evening

GIVE STREET CONCERT. Band Boys Will Give Free Music Wednesday Evening. At the band practice Monday evening ft was arranged between the members that another free street concert would be rendered on the street Wednesday evening and practice to that effect was prepared on Monday evening. The boys have just received some new-, up-to-date music which will be heard at this time, and they invite the public to hear them. They are putting in all the time allowed them for practice and many complimentary remarks can be heard from people who appreciate the excellent work of the members. LIFE OF ARTIST Fred Crabbs, Well Known in Art World as Fred Cory, Brought to Close. AT AN EARLY HOUR This Morning—Was Son of Mrs. Jane Crabbs—Well Known Here. A life that was well known and at one time quite prominent in the art world, closed this morning at 7 o’clock, when Fred Crabbs, better known in the art field as Fred Cory, passed away at tne home of his mother, Mrs. Jane Crabbs, on South Third street. Mr. Crabbs had been in failing health sevpral years, uraemic poisoning gradually developing, and for the past week has been unconscious the greater part of the time. He was born in Toledo, Onio, and was the son of Perry Crabbs, who many years ago was one of the leading mercantile men of this city. The father died many years ago, and the son spent the past several years of his life with his widowed mother. A sister, Miss Jessie, died many years ago, and the mother thus survives the last one of the family. The deceased was a man of fine artistic talent, developed by excellent training, having stuaiea at various times with some of the best masters in Toledo and New York City, and later opened studios in Baltimore, M. D., and New York City, where he achieved considerable fame. His special line of art lay in landscape and portrait painting, in which he excelled. The deceased was about fortyfive years of age. Owing to the frailty of the mother, who is prostrated with grief, the funeral arrangements will not be made before night. OPEN WHOLESALE Second Wholesale Fruit House Has Been Opened in This City. STARTED TODAY Andrew Harting and George Massonnee Are the New Proprietors. , . i ( Decatur is going to have another - wholesale fruit house, with Andrew , Harting and George Maseonnee com- , posing the new firm, and they have j already begun business on a rushing ; scale. They have hecured the Simeon ( Hains meat market basement, where , they at present have a large assort- , ment of bananas and this morning were busy calling upon the local busi ness men for patronage. So far they have met with good success and another shipment of goods will be here for next Monday. They will also pm in a supply of fruits, and as soon as they can arrange things will present to the public a complete line of fruits and furnish goods to the local business men at very reasonable rates, and better than they can procure them out of the city. With this one Decatur will now have two establishments of this kind and with the giving; of the low prices can keep much of our money right here in town. The boys have a bright guture and are going at it for all there is in it.

Price, Two Cents

DROUGHT BROKEN Dry Spell of Week Past Was Ended With Monday’s Downpour. BROUGHT RELIEF i The Telephones and Electric Lights Out of Commission For Some Time. 1 The drought which has prevailed for the past week, and which was broken Monday noon by the heavy down-pour of rain, came with a hearty welcome to all, as well as the several other showers, which fell during the afternoon, and which means to the farmer and vicinity of Decatur, thousands of dollars. The intense heat of the last week or ten days had almost taken the life out of those who had to work in the boiling hot sun's rays, and different parties had to give up, being unable to carry on their daily occupation. The storm of yesterday caused much damage throughout the city to the electric lights and telephone company. The greater number of ’phones were out of commission for a while, until the handy men got themI selves busy and put them back into commission for the public use. The electric light men were also rushed with calls from here and there and were unable to complete their work at the fall of darkness Monday evening and many homes were without light. Although the work could not be completed the workmen did all they could tor the business men to carry on their trade, and those places were the current was in greatest demand. o A LAWN FETE And Musical Given Friday Evening by Christian Church. The choir of the Christian church has arranged for a very excellent musical and literary program to be given under their auspices in thd church Friday evening, July 14th. This will be followed by a lawn fete, during which refreshments will be served. Tickets will be sold for twenty-five cents for both the musical and lawn fete and it is desired that everybody attend. The following program will be rendered: Invocation —Mr. Burke. Instrumental Solo —Mrs. C. J. Lutz. Duet —Mrs. Eugene Runyon and Hope Hoffman. Reading—Mabel Weldy. Instrumental Solo —Helen Fonner. Solo —Dr. Neptune. Duet—lrma Houk and Helen Fonner. Solo —Nellie Daniels. Reading—Mabel Weldy. Solo —Mrs. Anker. Instrumental Solo —Germaine Coffee. Solo —Frances Laman. Trio —Irma Houk, Helen Fonner an« Golda Smtz. Benediction —Rev. Dawson. o HUGE CABLE FELL. At 3:30 this morning the large telephone cable supplying service to the west end of the city, fell without warning from the hangers, thirty feet above the street, the weight of the lead casing being too great for the worn supports. About six hundred feet of the expensive cable, stretched from the exchange office to a pole opposite the Wemhoff Monumental works, was down. The workmen were called at once and they began saving the cable from further damage, they believing the cause of the accident being the corrosion or burning of the supporting wires. The cable is quite an expensive item and the damage cannot be estimated until the extent of the severed service is determined. The manager, Mr. George Kinzle, with a force of linemen, is working heroically to restore the service and repair the fastenings. ■o FUNERAL OF MRS. SELLS. The body of Mrs. Hiram P. Sells was laid away this morning in the beautiful Decatur cemetery after the funeral sermon and other tributes of respect paid to her memory at the late home cn Thirteenth street, the services there being in charge of the Rev. Imler of the United Brethren churt The death of Mrs. Sells occurred ? urday night following a sev months’ Illness from a compile; of diseases.