Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 9, Number 221, Decatur, Adams County, 21 September 1911 — Page 1

Volume IX. Number 221.

FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT AT FAIR Motorcycle Driven By C. L Franks Os Portland Swerves Into Crowd

ONE DEAD TWO HURT — Life of Little Rufus Allen Crushed Out—Reuben Lehman Badly Hurt. THE DRIVER ESCAPES With But Slight Injuries— Affair Casts Gloom Over the Day’s Pleasures. ************** $ THE DEAD. * # * ; Rufus Allen, Decatur. * * * * THE INJURED. * ReuOen Lehman, Berne. Right * * knee cap punctured; flesh * * stripped down from knee cap * * on left leg. * *C. L. Frank, cycliat, Portland..* * Back wrenched, bruises about :> * face and body. * ************** The motorcycle racee of the Great Northern Indiana fair ended in a trag- 1 «dy Wednesday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock when the motorcycle driven by C. L. Frank of Portland, being No. 4 in the race, while going at a terrific speed, turned aside from the beaten track, and ran into a crowd of people assembled as spectators on the monnd in the circle, across the track, •bout two hundred feet east of the grand stand, fatally injuring seven-year-old Rufus Allen, son of Elza Allen of this city, who died an hour and fifteen minutes later without regaining consciousness, and also seriously Injuring nine-year-old Reuben Lehman, son of Burkhardt Lehman, residing about three miles from Berne. The rider wtfs also thrown from his seat and rendered unconscious, but ’as soon revived, though sustaining slight injuries to his back. The terrible accident, with its most terrible results, happened so quickly, and totally without warning, being over in a second, that no one seems able to tell exactly how it did occur. Prank stated that his machine had been out of order from the beginning of the race, and he did not know just w hat the matter was. In the ninth lap of the race he tried to better the air pressure, and leaned low with his wrench in his hand, trying to fix some Part of the machine. The other hand held the handle. From gfline reason, fl>e machine became and swinging to the left, dashed into ’he middle of the crowd, while going at terific speed. The crowa was instantly in a frenzy when it became known that two young hoys had been badly injured and the rider also. Women shrieked, men Srew pale and the mass began to Forge from all parts of the race-track *o the scene of the disaster. Physicians were called, there being several bear, fortunately, and automobiles were pressed into service to convey the injured to this city, though it was with difficulty that the officials could clear the way through the frenzied throng. The Allen Fatality. The Allen child was seen to be the most seriously hurt, and he was brought at once to the office of Dr. w H. Smith in this city, where he was Siren the best of attention. Examination revealed the fact that the entire left side of his skull was crushed in. causing concussion of the brain. The fracture extended just a little back of the forehead, beginning with » width of about two fingers wide, and extending beck nearly to the base °f the skull, growing wider a* it ex-

DECATUB DAILY DEMOCRAT

tended lower, the Injury affecting that part of the skull over the motor area of the brain. It was the intention of the physicians to take him at once to I the hospital in Fort Wayne and tho automobile of P. W. Smith of Richmond, who was in the city, was engaged for the conveyance, but it soon became apparent that the child could live but a little longer and at 4:45 Le breathed his last. The body was then removed to the Meyer, Scherer & Beavers morgue, where it was prepared for burial, being taken to the home of the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Elza Alien, at 412 South Thirteenth street Wednesday night at 9:30 o'clock, where the body will lie until the funeral, which will be held sometime Saturday, at the Evangelical church. The Rev. D. O. Wise will officiate and burial will take place in Maplewood cemetery. The little Allen boy had gone with his half-brothers, Howard and Jesse Foughty, to the fair, and Howard was near the unfortunate brother at the time he was struck. Eugene Runyon was also near the scene, and gave a very accurate account of the tragedy to the father. He stated that the Allen boy sat on the bank of the mound, and the Lehman boy sat next to him. When the cycle came along the track ft swerved suddenly at that point and ran directly into the two boys. The wheel seemed to jump into the air, and he stated that the wheel of the cycle seemed to strike the Allen lad directing in the chest, running over the Lehman boy's legs. Another byI zander, a Miss Ix>ng. stated that the I handle-bar struck the Allen lad on the side of the head.. The Allen boy, it is said, was thrown some eight feet back over the mound. The mother had been in Huntington and had just returned on the afternoon train, reaching the city about the time the accident occurred. She was still on the street when told of the accident, not yet having had time to reach home, and arrived at the doctor’s office just about five minutes after the lad had been taken there. The shock to her was terrible, and she fainted upon entering the room where the boy was. The father, Elza Allen, who is night watchman at the Krick & Tyndall plant, was at home at the time, with the two younger children, Iveta and Thetus, and arrived some time later, as soon as word could be gotten to him. Rufus Earl Allen, the deceased, was eight years old last January twentysixth. He was born in this city and the entire period of his young life was spent here. He was a bright and active little fellow, having entered school this year, and being assigned to the first grade in the South Ward school, of which Miss Eva Acker is the teacher. ll«*'ha<kstarted to school last year and had gone about three weeks, when he had an attack of measles. folldjed later by whooping cough, and complications which affected his eyes, and upon advice of physicians, he was not allowed to return to school until this year. He was very fond of his school work and his father stated this morning that the little fellow could scarcely wait until the morning hour came to return again to his school room. He has one sister, Ireta, and one brother, Thetus, younger than himself, besides several half-brothers and sisters. They are Ray Allen of Hartford City, Frank Allen of Washington; Sidney Allen of Arkansas: Otto Allen of Oklahoma; Glen Allen of Ossian, and Lizzie Allen, residing with an uncle in Oklahoma. Howard and Jesse Foughty, also half-brothers, reside here. The family is indeed grief-stricken , over their bereavement, which is so heavy because of the unexpectedness i of the taking away of their little son. in the prime of health and strength. ’ The mother, whose heart was full beI yond measure, moaningly sobbed for the great relief and comfort that would [ have been theirs in a degree had the , lad "only been ill. so that they could have taken care of him" before he was > taken away. CONTINUED PAGE TWO.

SUDDENLY THROWN From the Buggy to the Road Was Edward Chronister, I a Farmer. i ?ON WAY TO TOWN —■ . i Both He and His Son Escaped Injury-Buggy Was Demolished. i . > Ed Chronister, a farmer living just > west of the Sim Hines school house, met with an exciting runaway Wednes- • day morning as he started for the fair, i He had just hitched up, and accom--1 panied by his young son had driven > out upon the road and onto the right side. Before he reached the turn he ( saw an automobile coming and prepared for the passing. Nothing amiss as the auto came on, he did not signal them to stop. but as the machine ' came close the horse became fright i ened and turning suddenly ran directly in front of the approaching machine The buggy was tipped over and was dragged some distance, but ! Chronister held to the lines and was uninjured. The horse broke the shafts from the buggy and ran. Neither Chronister or his son was injured and are thanking themselves that they escaped injury so easily. The buggy was demolished, and the harness, to ’ some extent. The parties in the an'o assisted him home. No blame can be attacher to anyone implicated in the affair as the horse scared when the danger was really past. WILL SPEAK SUNDAY. Rev. Imler has received word from the Rev. Goodwin of Montimorenci, who is to be his successor here, stating that he will be here Sunday to deliver his first address. He will in the morning conduct the services at the Union Chapel at 10:30, and in the evening will speak at the local United Brethren church at 7:30 o'clock. All members of the congregation are asked to respond, and are extended a cordial invitation to be present to greet their newly-appointed pastor at his first appearance. MANY ACCIDENTS Bill Clark Thrown From Wheat Drill—Two Ribs Are Broken. HEEL IS CAUGHT In Couplings—G. R. & I. Brakeman Stops to Get , Injuries Dressed. Bill Clark, living with his father-in- [ law, Mr. Cahn, on the J. S. Bowers ■ farm near this city, suffered the frac-. ture of two ribs Wednesday. He was . driving a wheat drill, when the horses . became frightened at an automobile and Clark was thrown from his place on the vehicle. A brakeman, living in Richmond, and running on a G. R. & L freight, was injred Wednesday evening at 5:55 o'clock at Jefferson street, while coupling his cars. His right foot was caught in some way in the coupling, and the heel of the shoe was mashed together, being flattened to nearly one-1 half the width. Not only was the heel of the shoe compressed, but it took part of the heel of his foot, which was bruised, and the ligaments torn, requiring medical attention, though no bones were broken. -A*” 1 ' Fred Goldner of Preble, who has been dangerously sick with typhoid fever, is recovering, being now able to sit up. ———«► —— ■— CLOSE FOR FEAST. On account of the annual Jewish holidays which will begin on Friday, the I. Bernstein store will be closed from 2 p. m. Friday afternoon until 8 o'clock | Monday morning. This is an annual 1 custom and is observed the world over without a break of any kind.

Decatur, Ind. Thursday Evening, September 21, 1911.

BENEDICT, KING OF THEM ALL. “The Great Benedict" will agatn apI pear at the opera house tonight in his wonderful act. The man of mystery, who reveals your past, present and future, locates lost and stolen articles, ! missing friends and relatives, your i questions will be promptly and cotrectly am wered. The large audience ( at the opera house last night was spell bound and everybody says Benedict i. ; a wonder. This is the biggest and ! best vaudeville act ever in this city, excepting none. Come to the ope.i house tonight and see him. The management has surrounded him with i.!• tures and songs, making a full hour ■- ' entertainment. The prices remain tin t same, 10 cents for adults, and 5 cc i for children. COURTHOUSE NEWS Hon. D. E. Smith Appointed Special Judge to Hear Matters in I, THE NIBLICK ESTATE 4 David Steele Appointed Ad ministrator of the Mary Steele Estate. i - David Steele was appointed administrator of the estate of Mary E. I , Steele. He gave SIOO bond, with P. K. , Kinney and H. S. Steele sureties. ■ i , I A petition filed by Laura A. VanCamp, executrix in the Anson VanCamp estate, to pay legacy to Ida E. Van Camp was sustained and so ordered. In the matter of the Jesse Niblick estate, Hon. uavid E. Smith was ap- | pointed special judge to hear and determine all matters therein, Judge Merryman being disqualified by reason of having been counsel for the executor, John Niblick. — Motion of defendants, seperately to quash indictments were filed in th* 1 two cases of the State vs. John W. Meibers and Frank Schumaker, chargI ed with keeping gaming device and a ' gaming booth; also in the case of the State against the fair officials, George Tricker and Charles E. Magley, charged with permitting gambling on the fair grounds. Bond of William Frazier, as commissioner of construction of the William Glendening drain, was filed and approved. Laura A. Van Camp vs. Charles VanCamp et al., partition. Petition filed by Ed Johnson for order of commissioner to pay taxes on lot No. 20. In the four cases against George' I and Sarah Tricker, for contribution * and to set aside fraudulent conveyance, seperate demurrer to each para, graph of complaint was filed by the defendants. — I Martin Miller vs. Dallas and Katli- I ’ arine Butler, note and foreclosure of i mortgage, SI2OO. Demurrer to comi plaint filed. I Gustavus A. Heyman et al. vs. Geo.: G. Waldray, note and account, de-; rnand S6OO. Set for September 27th. j WHERE DID IT GO? _ i Tobias Meyers, a resident of the south part of the city, is out just $65.; He is unable to say just how it dis-1 appeared as he had the money when he started for town Wednesday night ! and this morning it was missing. He ’ carried the money in a wallet In his front trousers pocket and had saved ; $65, with which to support himself; this winter and had come to town Wednesday night. He was sure he > had the money, but this morning when examining his wallet he found the bills gone and the small change intact. How it disappeared is a mystery, although pickpockets may be operating here. POLICE COURT NEWS. The gypsies who have been giving everybody trouble while here have been ordered to get out of the county. I They were ousted from the fair ground i 1 because they would not pay the ren-1 tai and they packed up their belongings and moved for parts unknown.

HAD GREAT VISIT Dr. C. T. Rainier and Family Return From a Week at i the Dibble Home iAT LANSING. MICH. , i I Everybody Well and Happy —Reunion Was Every Minute a Happy One. — Dr. C. T. Rainiei and wife, their | daughter, Mrs. Forester Andrews, and her two children have returned from Lansing, Midi., where they visited i with F. W. Dibble and family for a week, and they report the grearest time of their lives. Each day they were shown something new and of interest. The Dibbles live on one of , the best farms in the Wolverine state, ‘ two and a half miles from the capital, the dome of that building being visible from their doors. The crops this year are excellent and Mr. and Mrs. 1 Dibble and Miss Blanche are all well | and enjoying life. Their farm con- • sists of eighty acres of highly productive land, with orchard and fine buildings. One day they entertained their i visitors with a trip to the state capital building, where they visited the various offices. One of the attendants there presented Mr. Rainier with one of the original tickets used in that state in the election in 1864. It is a republican ballot, bearing at the top the .' words "For the Union.” then the names Lincoln and Johnson, and be- ■ low that, “No compromise with treason.” Mr, Rainier prizes the little piece of paper very highly. The Dibble fam- :' ily sends regards to their many friends . In and about Decatur. ; - » CHARLES PHILLIPS WEDS. '| Charles “A. Phillips of Lima, Ohio, and Miss Emma Comer of Jackson ' Center. Ohio, were united in holy bonds of wedlock at 4 o’clock Wednes- ' day. They arrived here Tuesday I evening and are visiting the groom s ; parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ed A. Phillips, ' of North First street. j VIOLATED PAROLE J John Wesleyhouse Taken Up Here to Serve Eight Years Longer. IN MICHIGAN PEN: ' Violated Parole by Leaving State—McKee Brought Here For Trial. Warden Oliver of the state prison at Jackson. Michigan, came to the city i and this morning left at 10 o’clock for I that place with John Wesleyhouse, a [convict, who had violated his parole I by going out of the state and who was j picked up here by Sheriff Durkin, the I man having come in on a freight and 1 roamed about to First street. WesleyI house had already served seven years | in the Michigan prison, and had been 1 paroled, on condition that he not leave i the state, which he did. Word was i sent out to all the sheriffs of the surrounding states, Mr. Durkin being sue cessful in getting the man. He still i has eight years to serve. The man is only about thirty-three years of age. Sheriff Durkin and Prosecutor Par- ' rlsh returned Wednesday evening from i Celina, Ohio, bringing with them James McKee, wanted on a charge of ing made by D. M. Hensley, who cashI issuing fraudulent check, affidavit heed a worthless check for him for $12.50. The man was brought into court this morning, but was not arraigned, the entry on the docekt being made to the effect that the warrant was returned, fully executed. His bond was fixed at SSOO. Miss Matilda Henneford and Frank i McFhrren, clerks at the Leader, were I entertained Sunday at the home of her brother, George Henneford, and family, at Decatur.—Bluffton News. 1

BERT SEGUR WA SWINDLED. Bert Segur, son of Harvey Segur, ot this city, >vbo lately returned from the Philippine Islands, but who is now located in Fort Wayne, where he is a member of the Cheboygan Real Estate company, was the victim of a peculiar swindle, according to the following from the Journal-Gazette: “A B. Segur, a real estate man, found two blank checks in his wallet yesterday when he went to the Hamilton bank for the purpose of cashing certified checks for S6OO and sl,6oofi which he thought he had with him. The blank checks were substituted for the real articles since Saturday night. Botli checks are made out to bearer and can be cashed by anyone who holds them except at the Hamilton bank, and the Decatur National bank, where payment has been stopped. Both banks, 11 are protected by indemnity bonds fur- , I nished by Segur when he obtained his I i money yesterday morning and the authorities are awaiting the appearance ' of the checks when they will make an effort to arrest the person who has ’ them in his possession unlawfully." e BIG DAY ARRIVES 1 Early Rain Checked Crowd i Somewhat But Thousands Are in Attendance. r NEVER WAS BETTER J s ! Yesterday Was Good Day and Management Well Pleased With Results. *************** ■ * TODAY’S RACING PROGRAM. i * * * Free -for-all Pace and Trot— * * Purse sls0 —3 in 5. * Name of Horse Owner. * * J. D. McKervinW. B. Hale * * Little King Charles Martin * * Major Tom William Frank * * Carter NobleC. H. Clark * | * r- * | * 2:25 Pace—Purse $350 —3 in 5. * 1 * Stately B„ Jr, B. C. Masterson * I * Rob DC. C. Masterson | * RewardJ. F. Merryman * 1 * Queen Albert Lon Brickley * |Dlrch H. C. Clark * j * * j Half Mile Run and Repeat—Purse X- : * $50,00. * * Kitty Gleason. * * Belle of Rockford. * s’: P. S. * ******** * * * * * * The steady rain wmen began falling at an early hour tnis morning put a check to the crowd and prevented thousands from miles around from I venturing out, wnich they would have done had the weather been more favorable. The crowd of Wednesday was a large one and more than was expected by the association, there being five thousand people on the ground I and surpassing the crowd of last year I somewhat. The paid receipts also figured well considering it being chil-; dren's day, who were admitted free ot cnarge. Today, known as the big day, and when the majpority of people plan to attend, and in spite of the rain which crippled the crowd very much, hundreds of rigs and thousands of pedestrians could be seen wending their way to the city and early setting out for the park. The program of yesterday was an interesting one and the only thing to mar the day of pleasure was during the motorcycle race when one life was sacrificed and two others persons painfully injured, when ; one of the racing machines became unmanageable and ran into the crowd of bystanders. The fastest races oi the four days will be on the track today and the outline given elsewhere 1 would be one hard to beat. I Wednesday was a busy day for the ] association when the real work of the I fair was begun, with more interest. ; that, of the awarding of premiums to I the large bulk of cattle, stock, swine, i sheep and poultry, which will occupy i a considerable time until this is completed. A better showing of high grade stock in this line was never exhibited at any previous fair, with the large barns and bins which are crowded to the doors. The judges selected for the awarding of premiums are none other than the beet men understanding this work and giving the awards to only those deserving of the first, second or third ribbon. A number of Decatur people were successful in 1 CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO.

Price, Two Cents

FIEND IS LANDED Charles Hockenrider Captured After Chase by Officers and Blood Hounds. IS IN JAIL HERE Attempted Assault on Mrs. Irelan of Geneva—Violence Threatened. About 7 o’clock Tuesday evening a brutal assault was made on Mrs. James Ireland, wife of the liveryman, a deaf mute, in ner home tn Geneva, by a then unknown man, who grabbed Mrs. Irelan and attempted his fiendish act. As a result ail Geneva was thrown into a high state of excitement and as the man made good his escape the officials secured bloodhounds from Celina, Ohio, and thetraii was run from the Ireland home to a habitation occupied by Charles and John Hockenrider, two junk dealers of that place. Suspicion was held against the Hockenrider brothers, as one of them was drunk on that night, but no attempt was made to arrest them at that time After the hounds had run the trail twice, however, early Wednesday morning the warrant for their arrest was turned over to Deputy Marshal Dickerson. He went to the Hockenrider home and after some difficulty was admitted and read the warrant. Hockenrider wanted to dress and was allowed to do so. Soon afterward the officer, who was unarmed at thetime. was driven from the house by the accused man, who wielded a stick of stove-wood. Securing a gun the officer returned, but in the meantime the men had hitched up a horse and had gone. The officer secured another rig ’ and followed them and just north of 1 the town called to them to stop, and they refused, threatening him and he I gave up the idea of arresting them. At Briant Dickerson was joined bj* the marshal of that place and they cornered them at the R. F. Bone home near there and despite the fact that the officers had drawn their guns they failed to make the arrest because the men wanted were weilding iron rods, guns and other weapons. Another attempt was made about j noon Wednesday, when a message from Geneva said that the men were rapidly driving for the state line. The officers returned to Geneva and seeded the services of James Cochrane, an oil man, noted for his courage, and great physical prowness and accompanied by him they pursued and caught up with them at St. Anthony, Ohio, where they were arrested and persuaded to return to Indiana. Charles Hockenrider was hurried to the Adams county jail at 10 o'clock ' Wednesday night and is held here for safe keeping. Mrs. Irelan will be brought here to identify the man and he will probably be bound over to conrt. His brother, John, was not brought here, as he was held on an intoxication charge at Geneva and it is thought that he is not Implicated in the attempted an assault. Geneva is in a high pitch of excitement over the affair and if the prisoner would have been held there it Is probable that violence would have been attempted by the outraged citizens. —-- C. FOUGHTY TESTIFIES. In regard to the account given publication Monday of the difficulty at the home of Charles Foughty, wherein Mr. Foughty’s former wife appealed to Sheriff Carlisle for help because she alleged Mr. Foughty would not let her see her son, Mr. Foughty states that his former wife’s statements are altogether groundless. He states that he did not refuse to let her see the boy when she called at his home but that he did refuse to allow her to take the boy away with her. In that he states that he was acting in accordance with the instructions from the court. Mrs. Foughty’s statement that, she was ordered away as soon as the sheriff left is also false, according to Mr. Foughty. Mr. Foughty offers the statements of his wife and son to corroborate his side of the story.—Bluffton News.