Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 9, Number 305, Decatur, Adams County, 30 December 1911 — Page 1

Volume IX. Number 305.

GROUND TO DEATH Rosa, the Fourteen-year-old Child of Aaron Troutner, Runs Under ENGINE’S WHEELS On Clover Leaf—lnstantly Killed and Body Horribly Mutilated. Her body ground to pieces before the very eyes of her father and others of her nearest friends, who were pow erless to aid her, fourteen-year-old Rosa Troutner, daughter, of Mr. and Mrs. Aarou Troutner of the south part of the city, met Instant death tkjs afternoon at 12:05 o’clock under the wheels of a light engine of a local freight on the Clover Leaf ralroad, just south of the Clover lanri dqioi in i i this city. The body was horribly mutilated, being cut in two just at the waist, the right arm being severed and the left leg severed belm the knee. The head and face escaped without a scratch. The child had been visiting with relatives in the country and hac been brought to this city today nooi, the family leaving her at the Clove- Leaf depot, from which place they tlought the child could easily go to the home I of Mr. and Mrs. John Oswald, old • friends of the family. The Oswald family live just across the railroad track, south of the depot. The father, Aaron Troutner, had been at the Os-‘ wald home repairing a stove, and a sister of the unfortunate child was also there. -Looking from the window, the Oswalds, together with the child's father and sister, noticed Rosa standing at the depot, uncertain which way to go to find the home The sister ran out and called to her and Rosa started j to run across the track to the Oswald house. In an interview this afternoon shortly afterward Conductor 0. E. Benton, of Delphos, Ohio, gave an account of the accident. He stated that his train. No. 123, with engine No. 23, a local, westbound freight, was in the yards. The engine had just shoved a car up on the switch, southwest of the depot, and was returning, light, to the east, when the child, happy in the anticipation of the reunion with her family, and unheeding the light engine, ran across the track, directly in its way. The tank wheels and drive wheels of the engine passed over Ler body, death coming instantly. Those who saw the accident state that it was through no fault of the train crew, as the child ran directly in the way of the engird. The father had gone out on the porch of the Oswald home to meet the child, and was an eye-witness of the awful fate that overcome her He. together with Mr. Oswald, were the first ones on the scene and pulled the body forth from the track. Dr. Miller was hastily called, but examination revealed the fact that death was without doubt instantaneous and that > nothing could be done to help her The pieces of the body were tenderly gathered up and taken to the freight 1 house of the road and a’ 1:30 were I .taken to the Myer, Scherer & Beavers! | mnrmo for preparation for burial. I UMr. Troutner and family had moved I wfe only three weeks ago from Chi i Ko. where they have lived for the, I Aft ten years. Prior to going there \ ti family lived here, and Rosa wa= 1 in this city. She was the oldest I “lour children, the others being t "ti. Willie and George, Tho father yslltborer and is said to be in relu l circumstances, tie time of going to press no funi Mrtangements had been made. V —

' EAGLES’ NOTICE T'wvill he a special meeting of al fl igles at their hall Sunday afto'clock, in order to make to attend the funeral of one oitr brother members. John W ■ Klein! who died tbis morning. :ET AT LIBRARY. The i»r meeting of the board of guardiadll be held Tuesday afternoon a>, library hall. The meeting winkled at 2 o’clock and all ( membert expected to be present.

jjECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

CONTEST IS CLOSED. The Pythian Sisters Award Dkfll to Mildred Yager. i a. 1 he Pythian Sisters closed their doll <ontest Friday evening, announcing at the public entertainment held at the home, that Miss Mildred Yager, daughter of County Treasurer and Mrs. Charles W. Yager, was the winner. Joe Fuhrman was awarded the comfort. A large attendance was present and enjoy ed the excellent program given, which included vocal music by Mr. and Mrs. Jesse 0. Sellemeyer, readings by Paul Reinking, solo by Catherine 1 eck, duet by the Yager sisters, piano solo by Ireta Beavers, piano duel by the Misses Nellie Nichols and Horine Edward’s. The doll is a large, nearly life-sized beauty, and one of which Miss Yager can well be proud. JACK THE PEEPER Has Again Made His Appearance in the Vicinity of Monroe. CHRISTMAS DINNERS Were Given by Many for Es- .„ _ 1 T7 • J O 11

teemeu pnends—Schools Open on Tuesday. Monroe, Ind., Dec. 30 —(Special to Daily Democrat)—Monroe has been I experiencing a nigntiy visit for some time of a “Jack-the-peeper,” who has been very annoying to the residents of this place by bis prowling around and i peeping into windows. The party is known and should be careful, or he might be compelled to extricate some buck-shot ’out of his anatomy in the near future. This habit is a most degraded one and should he be caught, ■ he may be sorry for his acts, although he may mean no harm in so doing. A very pleasant Christmas dinner I party was given by Mr. and Mrs. William Scheier, when all the relatives i gathered to do honor to the occasion. . Those present were Mrs. Zekiel Elzey 1 and niece, Miss May Carpenter, of Murray, Mr. Knepper, Z. O. Lewellen I and family, W. S. Smith and family, Mrs. E. B. Macy and children of De- ! catur, J. J. Mayer and family, J. Fred ! Mayer of Indianapolis. There were I twenty-nine in all who sat down to the festive board, which was loaded ; with all the delicacies the market afforded and all enjoyed the repast to the limit. And now Monroe has an up-to-date weather prognosticator in the shape of | a black cat, owned by Oscar W oods The feline has been discovered with its paws above its head as a rule before a severe storm, and Oscar says it’s a sure sign of a change in weather, and has Professor Hicks beaten by a considerable distance. No price can buy this wonderful cat from Mr. Woods, as he states it is a sure weather prophet. The Monroe schools will again open next Tuesday, January 2nd. The young men of the Standaid i Bearers of the M. E. church gave an ovster supper to the young ladies of I the same society and the general pub- < i He on last Monday evening, which was ' both a social and financial success. Many out-of-town guests were en- i tertained by Monroe relatives and 1 friends over the holidays. Mr anti Mrs. Joe Johnston gave ■ I their annual family reunion on Christ- I mas evenlug. those present being R. 0 . Johnson and family of Gary, Ind.: Chester Johnson and tamilj of tur \V. E. Johnson and family of Mon

roe’and Charles Hocker and family o necatur This is an annual eventhen the family gathers to exchange presents and enjoy a^s° cial tlme - Ou r business houses were all do*' on Christmas day, giving the holiday appearance. All members i the mercial club are requested to be ent at their regular meeting on Tuesday night, November 19; Mrß . Jacob Closs returnedW" 10 ™ ingtoFortWsynea teraholJ ! a t the Class homestead in

I FANCY PLAYING i Local Basket Ball Team Again Takes Scalp of the Pennville Boys. WAS GOOD GAME Score 27 to 16—Van Buren Team is Next Scheduled to Play Here. The basket ball team returned home at an early hour this morning, but feeling fine as the result of their victory over the Pennsville team, and placing them one notch higher toward the top of the ladder. This makes the second defeat the locals have administered to the Pennville team, they playing here some weeks ago, and Friday evening believed they could obtain revenge, but their efforts were foiled with the classy playing ot rue locals The first half of tho game was very evenly played, the score standing 11 to 10 in favor of Decatur, but in the lai- : ter half the locals secured a lead on ' them, winning with a score of 27 to 16. ' So far no other game is scheduled un-1

til January 12th, when the Vanßuren team plays here. They are another fast bunch, and have won some fast games since the opening of the season. However, the locals will endeav- ’ or to obtain a date with some other i team for next week, thus keeping them > in better trim for the succeeding ones, j Professor Worthmann, who has been ■ attending the meeting of the teachers' I association at Indianapolis, came down i { to Pennville Friday evening and ref- . ereed the half of the game and Mr. . Goff the remaining half. France Con- . ter of Indianapolis and Harold Mur- . ray accompanied the boys to Pennville. Tbe following was the line-up: Decatur —Petersoisand Lose, guards; McConnell and Vail, forwards: Vancil, center. Pennville —Harper and L. Hammit, forwards: Horn, center: P. Hammit and Whistler, guards Field goals were as follows: Baskets, Vail, 4; Vanci!, 3; McConnell, 2; Peterson 2 Penville —Harper. 2: L. Hammit, 2; P. Hammit, 1; Whistler, 1. Foul goals—Peterson, 5; Harper, 1. TO ARRiVE SOON Decatur’s Five Thousand Dollar Fire Apparatus Has Been Shipped. WILL BE MODERN Combined Hose Wagon, Chemical Engine and Complete Outfit Coming. Will P- Schrock, secretary of the Decatur Improvement association, this' morning received the bill of lading for the new $5,000 combination fire' engine and hose wagon, showing that the eqlupment was shipped from Charleston, W. Va., on Thursday. It w j]jcome byway of Richmond, Ind., an( j should arrive here about Wednesday of next week. The outfit will be a motor wagon, modern and efficient, n# il was furnished by the Kanawha Ctemical Fire Engine company. Tbe J [nick was built by the Decatur Motor. Cjr company, and tbe Kanawha companlc think so much of it that they jave already ordered several similar mes for other cities. The company rill eive a test run. announcement of

pl n 111 felV'T <*- ICOL lUII, <*m«v.... - — n i which will be made in a few days. v They will build a temporary shack, | which will be set on fire and the alarm turned in, the company making a run and extinguishing the blaze. This machine will give Decatur the best protection against fire of any city In this section and is one of the requirements necessary for a lower insurance rate. From three to five paid men will be in charge of the new fire department on Third street, and Decatur will soon be able to point with pride to her fire department. The new etty building completion and la equal to that of most cities double our size.

Decatur, Indiana, Saturday Evening, December 30, 1911

I I TO PLAY IN FORT WAYNE. I John Colman of Union City, William j Butler of South Bend, Charles McAr'dle of Monroeville, went to Ft. Wayne 1 yesterday afternoon, where they played Friday evening in the basket ball game between the St. Joe and St. Patrick teams. Bob Meibers and Stewart Niblick also accompanied them to Ft. Wayne. The boys are students at ( i Renssalaer and have been here vis- ' iting college friends during the holi- ' days. — ■<>- MADE MISTAKE IN DOSE. Barney Wertzberger, the prominent Second street barber, took a dose of camphor oil and was very sick after the mistake. A doctor was called and the prompt action of an emetic ejecting the poison from the sick man’s stomach averted serious consequences. 1 He was very sick for a short while, but was able to be at work at his shop in the morning. ■•"‘■‘"I" o COMING TO FRONT ————— Males in Past Decade Have Been Making Great Gains Over Females. ARE NOW IN THE LEAD

11 ■ !1' An Increase of More Than ’. Eighty Thousand Noted for Every Year. r J n The census shows that the male n majority in the United States, always n large, Is steadily increasing Last year there were 4”J22,122 males In ’. the country and only 44,640,144 fei- males. The majority of the male sex ■ was no less than 2,691,978. Ten years i- earlier, the census of 1900 showed a : 1 male surplus of only 1,815,097. ; I It seems that the excess of males i- has been growing at the rate of about j 87,500 a year for the last decade. That , increase has been irregular of course. 11 It has been less than the average in i years when immigration was comparatively small and emigration—the re- : turn tide of population moving back 'to Europe—was exceptionally heavy. : On the other hand, the growth of tho male surplus has been greatest when . the immigration was at record figures, | and relatively tew new comers retu.’nI 1 ed to their homes. For immigration is the explanation lof the larger part of the big excess of males. In some instances there are ! three or four rimes as many men as ! women among the immigrants from j old world lands. I The young men cross the to seek better opportunities for earning a living, and the women for various reasons are more likely to stay where they were born and reared. It is easier for the men to obtain money i for the long journey and they feel safer In such ventures. Often they go to prepare homes for their sweethearts and in many cases they are not. able to send for them, as they expected to when they left their native villages. — o A GRAND SUCCESS. 1 One hundred eighteen poor children j of the city, and every one of them ! worthy, enjoyed the rare treat provided , Friday afternoon by Leah, Veda and ( j David Hensley, children of D. M. Hens ■ ley, the jeweler. They were shown the I moving pictures at both the Star and ’ Crystal theaters, and never did little . ones enjoy them more, the slides be-' ing unusually interesting, and some of them very funny, which were espec- ' tally pleasing to the children. When ' Mr. Hensley called for his bill from the theaters, Messrs. Stoneburneftand Parent refused to allow him to pay a cent for the shows, as it was for charity, stating that their services were entirely free for charitable purposes, a

. thing for which they are certainly to ' , be commended. The Hensley children i gave to each of the children in attendi ance a treat consisting of a bag of assorted candles and an orange. For ■' many of the little oner this was the 1 i ’ first time they had ever been in a show i of any kind. One woman attended with four of her small children and i stated that it was the first moving pic- : ture show she had ever seen. A man 1 called for four of his small children ’ and told them that It was the first opI portunity the little ones had ever had ' of seeing a show of any kind, and all ! were very grateful for the treat.

TRAIN KILLS TWO 1 A. J. Smith Returning from 1 Chicago on Train That Killed Two Ladies NEAR WARSAW, IND. Last Evening—Were Two Prominent Elderly Ladies of That City. A. J. Smith, who returned Friday night from Chicago, was on the Penn Sylvania Flyer, No. 28, which Friday evening, at 4:47 o’clock, struck and instantly killed two aged ladies, driving in a buggy near Warsaw, Indiana. The two ladies were Mrs. Price Rupe, aged sixty-five years, and Mrs. W. H. I Eller, aged seventy years, both resi--1 dents of Warsaw, and the accident happened at the Palestine road crossing, one-half mile west of Warsaw, i The train was running at fifty miles an hour at the time of the accident, and one body was thrown a distance of 150 feet from the tracks, while the other was carried on the pilot to the i station at Warsaw, a distance of a half mile. Mr. Smith saw the body removed from the pilot. The buggy was

completely demolished and the horst 1 instantly killed. The two ladies drove I directly in front of the train, and as I the view of the track is unobstructed at that point, it is thought that their ! rig was enclosed and obstructed their j view. The Flyer was in charge of EnJgineer George Miller of Fort Wayne. e i Mrs. Eller was the widow of the late s W. H. Eiler, formerly justice of the t peace, and is survived by two sons, n P. B. Eiler, and C. L. Eiler, the latter a telegraph operator on the Big Four. x A daughter also survives and resides in Burkett, Ind. 3 j i Mrs. Rupe was the wife of Price Rupe, and had formerly resided at Pal- . estine, eight miles southwest of here. t She is survived by one son, Jasper , Hopfield, who' resides in Warsaw. Both women were of prominent t’amiL lies and their death is deeply mourned. | This makes three persons in two months who have been killed by . trains upon which Mr. Smith was rid- , ing. About two months ago he was on a train that killed a man near Bedford, Indiana. ’ I r ANNEAL BANQUET To be Given New Year’s Night to Their Lady Friends. AT PYTHIAN HOME Interesting Program Has Been Prepared—Will be Brilliant Affair. The T. P. A. will give its annual banquet to the members of Post X and 'their lady friends on New Year’s ■night, Monday, January Ist, al 8 ■ o’clock, at the Pythian Home. An in- ; teresting program has been arranged, | and with T. M. Reid presiding, will be ‘ given as follows: ; Music —Mrs. J. D. Dailey, Miss Edith IF. Smith. Welcome—French Quinn. Music —Mrs. J. O. Sellemeyer. Special—William P. Schrock. Music —Miss Edith F. Smith. Reading—Mrs. Charles R. Dunn. Music —Mi. and Mrs. J. O. Sellemeyer. Good Will—Rev. Louis C. Hessert. The dinner will be served by the

' Pythian Sisters from the following menu: Blue Points Olives Pickles Roast Turkey Oyster Dressing Giblet Gravy Mashed Potatoes Sweet Potatoes Cranberry Sauce Cold Slaw Jelly Bread Butter Brick Ice Cream Cake Coffee 1 The banquet will be a x as are those for which / ' noted. Every member/ quested by the presi/

tary to be present. An enjoyable hour 1 will be yours. Do not forget the date and place—Pythian Home, Monday evening, January 1, 1912, 8 p. m. POULTRY SHOW AT BERNE. Many Exhibitors From North Part of the County. Many breeders of fancy poultry in the north part of the county will join those of the south in exhibiting at the annual Adams county poultry show which will be held in Berne from Tuesday to Saturday of next week. The show will be held In the Wittwer building, corner of Main and Sprunger streets, and will be the usual fine display for which the Adams county exhibitors are noted. Many are anticipating attending. A PROMINENT MAN John W. Kleinhenz Passed Away Today After Long and Patient Illness. END CAME AT 9:15 A. M. Hardening of the Arteries Cause of Demise—Funer-

e al Will be Tuesday, e ,8 d Following a long and patient illness 1 dating back for a year and a half, 1 John Kleinhenz, a well known business ’’ man of many years, and numbered among the prominent citizens of the e county, passed away at fifteen mine utes past nine o’clock this morning ’’ from arterio scherosis, or hardening of 1 the arteries and liver, death coming as ■ a relief from the great suffering which s he has endured during his long illness. His declining health, which dates back e to more than a year, the first dawn of which appeared a yeas ago last July, and which gradually become worse r from time to time until his active busi- • ness requirements had to be abandoned. About September Ist a more noticable decline was brought on, and since then he was mostly confined to ’ his home, although at times being allowed to go here and there, but with great difficulty. One week ago to- ’ morrow he took a sudden turn for the worse, remaining so throughout tho day, and the end was then believed not to be far off.. However, he appear--1 ed slightly better at time, speaking to the members of the family, but no hopes were extended for his recovery. Last night about the midnight hour the sweat of death heavily press- ’ ed him, saying but little, and remaining in the same mood until the inevitable hour as stated above. The deceased was born June 26, 1849, at St. Rosa, Ohio, where he remained with his parents until manhood, or twentytwo years of age. Upon his arrival here he engaged in the shoe business, being employed at the Conter & Holthouse shoe store for some years. At the age of twenty-five he was united in marriage at St. Rosa, Ohio, the sorrowing wife, with six of the seven children who blessed their union, surviving him. For several years he was engaged in the shoe business for himself, again transferring into another business, that of the bottling works, along with the conducting of one of the city's ice lines. In the latter ho remained for seventeen years, and until his declining health forced him to quit and spend the remainder of his days in a more restful mood. As I a citizen he was well known, his acquaintance being a large one and in many ways he lent his aid toward the ; upbuilding of our city. He was a < member of the old Catholic Bcnevo ] lent Legion, which for many years was j one o fthe strongest lodges of the city, f and but few as members are still llv- a ing He was also a member of the 1; Eagles’ organization, which will at b tsnd the funeral in a body. He leaves ii to mourn their loss a wife and the fol- u

g lowing children: Mrs. George Krick, this city; Frank, Fort Wayne Rosa, I Lawrence, Edmond and Arthur, at home. Also two brothers, Anthony, j of Portland, Ind., and Gerhard, of St. Rosa, Ohio; two sisters, Mrs. Carl j Fahrig, of Marie Steine, Ohio, and Mrs. Mary Polkamp, of St. Rosa. The funeral services will be held Tuesday morning at 9 o'clock from the St. Mary's church, with interment at the St. Joseph’s cemetery. A— Attorney R. C. Parrish fined to his home today on acof 11’ I

Price Two Cents.

THE NEW OFFICERS The New Year Will See Several New Faces in County Offices. THE COUNTY CLERK And the County Recorder’s Terms Close—Several Enter on New Terms. Monday, the first day of the new year, 1912, will see several new faces in the county offices, tne two new officials being Andrew Welfley, county recorder, and Ferdinand Bleeke, clerk of Adams county, and of the Adams circuit court. Charles W. Yager will enter upon his second term as county treasurer and Henry Zwick will enter upon his second term of three years ■as county commissioner. Ferdinand Bleeke, the new clerk, will succeed James P. Haefling, who has served faithfully and well for four years. Mr. Bleeke was, until his removal to this city a short time ago, a resident of Union township, where he was a most enterprising and suc-

cessful farmer, owning 160 acres of ( the best land in the township, with fine buildings. He is a son of Frederick and Mary Bleeke, and was rears ed on his father's farm, receiving his ’> education in the parochial schools of s the township. He was married Octo--1 her 29, 1896, to Miss Matilda Koldee way, a native of Union township, and ’ of the children born to them, five are ? living. They are: Edgar, Hedwig, f Marie, Alton and Norma. Mr. Bleeke 3 resides on Fourth street, this city. He 1 is a member of the German Lutheran • congregation, and an active worker in 1 the church. Mr. Bleeke is a capable, 1 energetic man, and will fill his posi- • tion well. He will be assisted by L. L. “ Baumgartner, as his deputy. Mr. ■ Baumgartner is too well known to ■ need any introduction to the people ■I of Adams county, having served 1 , four years as surveyor, prior to the 1 [ present incumbent of the office. He ■ ■ was born in this county, October 16, 1 11863, and has spent his entire life ! here. Prior to entering office, he serv- ’' ed as a teacher in the public schools ' j for about fifteen years, and has also i been a successful merchant. After serving as surveyor he moved to Linn ' ] Grove, where he has been engaged ' in the mercantile business, recently disposing of that, business. He will move his family to this city in a short while. His family, consisting of his wife and four children, will be royally welcomed nere on. their return. James P. Haefling, tb» retiring clerk, will leave the middle of next week for Indianapolis, where he will enter the employ of the state accounting board, having successfully passed a rigorous examination. He will spend several days in the office, acquainting himself witinits duties, before being assigned to service in the field. He wishes to publicly thank all the people of Adams county for their kindnesses to • him and wishes lo state that he will ' always hold them in the kindest remembrance. He closes his term with a record of the highest. I' Andrew Welfley succeeds Hervey ■S. Steele as county recorder. Mr. , Steele lias been a faithful servant of the public during his four years' offi cial capacity. Mr. Welfley is also a (native of the county. H ewas born April 9, 1869, and is the son of the late John and Catherine Welfley. His father was a pioneer merchant of the city and also served as postmaster. Mr. Welfley is well qualified for his position, and will have an able assistant In Mrs. Letta Peters, who served as deputy for her father, C. C. Cloud, late county recorder. Mrs. Peters has been serving a few weeks as assistant in the clerk s office, succeeding Dep uly Roop, and will make lint a step

into the new position Monday. Mr. Steele, the retiring recorder, has made a good record, and has won the merited praise of the people. He has not yet decided upon his future course o BROTHERHOOD MEETING. The Methodist Brotherhood will hold the second meeting of that organization next Tuesday, January 2nd, when they will have the Rev. Earl B. Parker of Hartford City present to address them. There will be special music and a full attendance of the brotherhood is I urged.