Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 10, Number 80, Decatur, Adams County, 2 April 1912 — Page 1

Volume X. Number 80.

ROADS WERE SOLD Contracts Let for Four Macadam Pikes to be Built This Year in County. BRIDGES ARE LET Contractors Had Their Inning in Commissioners’ Court—Bridge Grade. Four roads were sold at the meetjpg today. I'ue Eiiisl Fuelling road in Root township went to Christ Musser, his bid being $3,295. The Tucket road. Washington and St. Mary's, to the Erie Stone company. The M. F. Parrish road, Washington and Monroe, Merryman & Fugate, for $3,1 Oil, and the A. R. Bell road to Julius Haugk. On the latter road were six bids, Mr. Haugk’s bid of $7,987 being s7o<f less than any of the others. This contract includes the fill which leads to the new bridge at the foot of Monroe street, and is one of the most important improvements of the kind ever made here, as the fill extends to the Studebaker farm east of town. When completed it will be one of the finest entrances to the city that can be found in the state. Charles Workinger was allowed $8.54, this sum being refunded on his taxes, account of an error. It appearing to the satisfaction of the board that on account of the fact that this county now has 150 separate macadam roads, a total of about 400 miles .that there is an urgent public necessity for a plat book showing the exact locations as to townships, etc., and therefore the board appointed H. S. Michaud to prepare same, his compensation to be $50.00. Joseph M. Peele filed a petition that he be appointed a justice of the peace of Jefferson township and the matter was continued until the May session. The report of the viewers and engineer on the Mertz macadam road In French township and Yellow Creek road in Washington township, was approved and the roads both ordered constructed. The auditor was ordered to advertise for bids to be received May 7th. Contracts were also let for building and repairing bridges as follows: Falk bridge. St. Mary's township, to Berne Supply Co., $610; Tricker bridge, Washington township, Dallas Butler, $>'98.75; Scbug bridge, Monroe and Wabash, Berne Supply Co., $290; Mann Culvert, Wabash tp., all bids rejected because higher than appropriation; Steury bridge, Monroe tp., Berne Supply Co., $104; Monmouth bridge repairs. John J. Schuh, $l9B. The auditor was ordered to advertise for bids to be received on May 7 for the building of the K. P. Davies rood and the Fred Fox road. C. C. Ernst was named engineer and Samuel Martz and Al J. Porter as viewers on the Frank M echter road, to meet at C. E. Bohner’s at Monroe April 10th. 1 The county surveyor was ordered to prepare plans and specifications for the Metier bridge in Wabash township to be filed at the May session of the commissioners. POLICE COURT NEWS. Frank Schultz, a workman employed by the construction company, was taken up Monday afternoon by Special Policeman Andrews, and when ar raigned this afternoon on a plain drunk charge, entered a plea of guilty and was given until Wednesday afternoon in which to leave town for Toledo, whhre he says he has eight children. FUNERAL OF MRS. BRIGHT. The funeral of Mrs. Nancy Blight was held this morning from the Beery church, with the Rev. Solomon Good of Dayton, Ohio, assisted by Jacob Heller, officiating. The fuenral was very largely attended. Mrs. Bright's death occurred Saturday night following a day's serious illness with gall stones.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

EXCITING RUNAWAY. ,1 An exciting runaway started on Mercer avenue late Monday afternoon 1 when the horse being driven by the wife of Frank Davison, who resides on 1 the Bowers farm, frightened at some-' thing lying on the street and began I to run. The woman, who was accompanied by her child, exhibited cool : nerve in trying to stop the raging ! horse and at the junction of Adams ; street the horse swerved and striking ' the curb threw the occupants from the buggy. Neither the child nor the wo- ! man was injured. The horse continued to run and broke one of the shafts of the buggy. NAME INSPECTORS Commissioners Announce X * Names of Men to Have Charge of Registration. FOR THE YEAR 1912 Also Places Where the Boards Will Hold Three Sessions of the Year. * The men who will serve as inspectors at the three sessions of the hoards of registration in Adams county, the first to be May 9th, were today named by the board of commissioners. In a few cases changes were made from those recommended be- * ! cause of the fact that the law pro- ' I vides that a trustee must serve as I election inspector and he cannot serve J as both, and because others were ' desired as election inspectors. The men named and the places where the boards wi l ' meet as are follows: East Union—Kohr school, Frank Mclntosh. y West Fnion—Broadbeck, Philbert I Gase. j -E. Root —Aver, August Walters. West Root —Monmouth, C. H. Getting. North Preble —Freidheim, Ernst Doehrman. South Preble —School No. 5, John Hoffman North Kirkland—Peterson, Sim J. Bowers. South Kirkland—Honduras, A. K. Stoneburner. North Washington—Hammels, Denj. ■ Eiting. South Washington, Reineker School Jacob Omlor. j North St. Mary’s—Bobo, Elzey Jack- ' son. South St. Mary's—Pleasant Mills, John Noll. North Blue Creek —School No. 7, John Durr. South Blue Creek —School No. 6, ; John Bebout. ; North Monroe —Monroe, Peter Rich. Middle Monroe —Election, I. G. Kerr Berne “A” Cottage Hotel, F. C. j Foreman. Berne “B”—Town Hall, Joel Liddy. French —Flection, J. C. Augsburger. North Hartford—Linn Grove, Fred | W. Studler. South Hartford—Brushwood, Eugene Lindsey. Ceylon—School House, Joseph : Chrisman. Geneva “A"—Calaboose, John E. : Briggs. Geneva “B” , J. H. Runyon. West Jefferson—Buckmaster, W. V. Buckmaster. East Jefferson —Booker, Job Yancy “Decatur, Firs, “A” —Linn & Patton's, Fred V. Mills. Decatur, First “B” -Egg Case Office, Isaac Chronister. Decatur, Second “A’ —Court House, ' j George Kinzel. 5 1 Decatur, Second “B”—Eighth St., Martin Miller. Decatur, Third “A" —Ilolthousc 1 barn, M. Kirsch. ’ Decatur, Third “B” —Seventh St., ' John Christen. r — 1 NO COOKING CLASS MONDAY. Mrs. Stella Phillips, domestic science teacher of Fort Wayne, came to this city to give the regular lesson 1 to the high school girls’ cooking class, ' Monday afternoon at the gas office, I but found them unprepared and takh ing a week’s vacation. She will re--6 turn again Thursday or Friday and 3 I the lesson will be given. The lesson I I will probably be on planked fish and j potato rosettes.

Decatur, Indiana, Tuesday Evening, April 2, 1912.

WAS FOUND GUILTY Murderer of Joseph Yania, the Italian, a Former Resident Here MAS BEEN CONVICTED • By DeKalb County Jury— Found Guilty of Manslaughter—To Prison. Raffelo Mastrainno, a Fort Wayne man, who had been on trial in the DeKalb county court at Auburn four and a half days for the murder of Joseph Yania, an Italian of Fort Wayne, who two years or so ago was a resident of this city, and an employee of the Ward Fence company, was found guilty of manslaughter by the jurors Saturday morning and will be given a sentence of from two to twenty-one years in prison. Although the services of an interpreter were necessary to translate the testimony of most of the fortyeight witnesses who were examined, the trial of the case consumed but four and one-half days, the shortest time in which a murder case has been tried and decided in the history of northern Indiana courts. The crime was committeed in an Italian tenement on Mellta street. Ft. Wayne. Marie Larosa made her home with Joseph Yania, her uncle, and he objected strenuously to the attention of Mastrainno to the girl. The couple in spite of this, met frequently and Yania learned of the meetings. In the afternoon of July 3rd last year Yania went to the home and found Mastrainno there. During the quarrel which followed, Mastrainno drew a revolver and' discharged a bullet into the body of his pursuer, causing instant death. He tried to make his escape, but was later captured by the police. The defendant contended that he fired the shot when Yania, with a drawn knife, pursued him. DEATH WON RACE Mrs. Drusilla Summers Planning to go to Daughter’s Bedside Today RECEIVED MESSAGE Os Death Which Occurred Yesterday—Deceased a Sister of Mrs. Conrad. Mrs. Drusilla Summers and her daughter, Mrs. John Conrad, with whom she lives, and the latter s children, Osie and Ray Magner, left today noon for Elwood, v.here they Were called by a telegram received Monday night telling oi the death of M r s. Summer’s daughter, and Mrs. Conrad s sister, Mrs. John Smale, which occurred Monday. The funeral will be held Thursday. Mrs. Smale had been 111 with cancer and it was known she was seriously sick. The Decatur party had planned to go today to be at her bedside, but word of her death came before. She was about fortyone years of age, and her girlhood had been spent at Spencerville. Mrs. Summers has but two surviving daughter—Mrs. Mattie Conrad of this city and Mrs. Ella Rader of Spencerville. z BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT. Mrs. W. G. Spencer has received announcement of the birth of a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Roy Edinger of Warren, Pa., on March 26th. The Edingers were former residents here, where Mr. Edinger served as master mechanic for the interurban Company. IS MOVING THIS WEEK. Deputy Clerk L. L. Baumgartner, ■ will move his household goods to this 1 city this week from Linn Grove and 1 expects! to be at home In the Chris 1 Vogt property on Fourth street by I Thursday.

| READ THE POWER i OF A SUGGESTION | We publish on page fouT of today’s Democrat an interesting local story. Be sure and read what Uncle Sam has to say about our enterprising city pnd progressive business men. He is a keen observer, an enthusiastic home trader, and a firm believer in the future prosperity of Decatur. Decatur will grow, if we all take hold and boost, says Uncle Sam. CONFESSED CRIME Seth Nichols in Cell at Portsmouth, N. 11., Told How He Killed DR. HELEN KNABE Tiptoed to Her Bedroom and Cut Her Throat With Big Butcher Knife. (United rress service.) Portsmouth, N. H„ April 2—(Special to Da'Jy Democrat) —Sitting on the iron bench'in his ceil In the police star tion here today Seth Nichols, formerly on the United States battleship Dixie, told how he and another man named Knight, who had paid him sl,500 to commit the deed, forced an entrance into the Indianapolis apartment of Dr. Helen Knabe and murdered her by cutting her throat with a stag-handled butcher knife. He said that he and Knight forced an entrance to the living room through a window and top-toeCf to her bed room. “She was lying in her bed with her bedclothing reaching to her breast,’’ Nichols said. As the two men reached the bed the sailor said the woman awakened and groaned and,commenced to stir. “If she hadn’t awakened, I think I would have renigged—well, when I saw her turn toward me, 1 killed her, and that is all.” Nichols said that after the murder he and Knight threw the knife in some creek as they crossed. He said the blade was ten inches long. Indianapolis, Ind., April 2 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —Captain Holz, in charge of the investigation of the death of Dr. Helen Knabe, who was found on the iloor of her apartments on October 24th last, with her throat cut from ear to ear, said today that the department was waiting for a picCONTINUED ON PAGE FOUR THE NEEDLE’S EYE Not More Difficult for the Squeeze of Caravan in Days of Old Than THE ELEVATOR DOOR Was Today Noon for Clark Edington—Back Badly Sprained. The “Needle's Eye'' in the days of old, was not a more difficult squeeze ’or the certain caravan to pass through, than was the doorway leading to yie scales at the Burke elevator door today noon, for Clark Edington, who attempted to drive through on a load of straw, and he is now al his homo in the south pail of the city suffering from a painful, though not serious sprain of the back. Mr. Edington is in the employ of the Carrol warehouse and was sent at noon to the Burke elevator for a load of straw. He got the load and was driving through the doorway into the scales shed. He miscalculated the distance between the top of the load and the top of the doorway, and did , not stoop low enough to escape' the door catch. As the result, he was 1 caught there in such away that his . back was hurt. Mr. Burke, who noticed his predicament, hastened to help by backing the horses and thus freeing the man be. ire the injury had , time to develop more seriously. He I was taken into the office ami revived I somewhat, then inter to his home,, a i doctor calling at once. It. Is thought ■ no bones were broken, but the sprain is very painful.

RATES ARE LOWER J Assessment Values for This ' Year Show a Decrease Over Last Year. GENERAL AVERAGE J Os Three Weekly General ✓ ( Averages Completed Today by Mr. Gentis. County Assessui George W. Gentle today noon completed his striking oi the general average from the three weekly general averages of the assessments taken by th various township assessors in their first three weeks' work. This grand general average represents the averrge assessment values for the county and will be the figures sent in by Mr. Gentis to the state board. The state board will •ither call a meeting of the'-cdiinty assessors at which time coiiijiaVi&m will be made, or else the averages will be mailed to the afficials. Heretofore meetings have been held at Fort Wayne and Muncie, but this year’s plans are still unknown. The values this year show the rating to be lower than last year, with the exception of hay. Hay last year was listed at from $8 to $10; this year, from $lO to sl2 per ton. The following are this year’s rates, with those of 1911 and 1910, respectively: Agricultural tools, implements and machinery—s 47.49; $45; $47.91. Household furniture and library—s32.64; $35; $30.03. Pianos—ss6.67; $65; $61.06. Carriages, wagons coaches —$14; sls; $15.50. Horses —$70.32; $75; $74.46. Cattle—sl7.43; sl7; $18.45. Sheep—s 2.72; $3.50; $3:45. Hogs—s4.ll; $5.00; $5.00. Wheat —70c. Corn —35c. Ry^ —60c. Oats —30c. Potatoes —50c. Barley—6oc. Hay—slo.9l, DEATH FROM SHOCK Mrs. Martha Trbolet of Bluffton Died at 3 O’clock This Morning. STARTED TO FIRE And Fright Along With Heart Trouble Caused Death Afterward. Heart rtouble, with great excitement, caused the death of Alphonse Tribolet of Bluffton, one of that city’s estimable ladiej at 3 o'clock this morning, accoi ding to a message received by Mis- Bernice Andrews, west of this city, from her sister, Mrs. Paul Tribolet, the deceased lady being the mother of her husband. Late Monday, or during the night, Bluffton was visited with a serious fire, the exact time not being stated in the message, and Mrs. Tribolet, who was afflicted with heart trouble, started to the scene of the fife, and the excitement was too much for her system, and shortly afterward caiiHi'd her death. She was nearing her sixtieth birthday and this, too, lent much toward the excitement which resulted in het death. She was known to a number of people here, her children being popular with Decatur young folks, who in return have met at the Tribolet home, thereby making her acquaintance. The sad news came as a heavy blow to the many who enjoyed her friendship and she will be greatly missed by her wide circle of friends. She leaves a husband and the following children: Louisa and Mary, at home; Paul, of Bluffton; Charles, in the Philippines; Hari old Tribolet and Mrs. James Artman, also of Bluffton. The fifnetal will be i held sometime Thursday and several I of the Andrews family will J>e in ati tendance. t Mcsdames C. A. Dugan and J. H. Heller were Ft. Wayne visitors today.

TWO SHOWS COMING. Persistent rumor is going the I rounds concerning the routing of two shows for this town the coming summer. It is said that both the Wallace shows and the Miller Bros.’ 101 Ranch show will be here during the hot months. July 23rd the Barnum & Bailey shows will be at Ft. Wayne, atid this effectually eliminates them from being Decatur possibilities. There is much speculation concerning where the shows will secure grounds as the bridge over the St. Mary’s will be out practically all summer, and the old show ground uii the Judson Teeple farm will be in corn. COURT HOUSE NEWS Three Suits Filed in the Circuit Court—Judgment Rendered. IN THE STRIKER CASE Inventory of Bertha Kirchner, Guardian, Approved —Realty Transfers. The inventory oi Bertha Kirschner ; guardian of Edwin Kirchner et al., was approved. Dennis Striker vs. Albert Meyor et al., note and foreclosure, $700; finding for plaintiff on his note and mortgage vs. Meyer & Meyer for $768.75, and same is a third lien on the real estate in suit. Finding for David Rich on his cross-complaint vs. Meyer & ?>leyer for $1,249.50, and same is a prst lien on real estate in suit. Finding for Christian C. Beer, David Rich and Christian Mertz on crosscomplaint vs. Meyer & Meyer foi $335.59, and same Is a second lien on real estate in suit, and that each are entitled to foreclosure of his mortgage and an order of sale of said real estate to pay same. Finding foi Christian Rich on his separate answer. Judgment was ordered accordingly and order of sale made. Sheriff was ordered to pay all costs; secondly to pay lien of David Rich; third, ’den of Beer, Rich and Mertz; fourth, pay lien of Dennis Striker and any surplus to Albert My?rs. W. V. Buckmaster, administrator, vs. Jennie Evans et al., partition. Pe tition by plaintiff administrator for order on commissioner to pay him as such administrator, $1,549.36. with which to pay debts, etc., of Wesley Evans, deceased, was submitted and granted. A new quiet title suit was filed by Hooper & Lenhart, entitled Kereuhap puch Johnston et al. vs. Abraham Blosser et al. Hooper & Lenhart also filed suit for the Decatur Lumber Co. vs. Clem J. Heidemann, on account, demand $75. Clara Anderson et al. vs. Catherine Anderson et al. is a partition suit filed by D. E. Smith. Realty transfers: Harriet A. Mann et al to Ulysses S. Drummond, lot 39, Decatur, $875; Samuel Zerkle to Gene Stratton Porter, lot 133, Geneva, $625. —, ——— o— — MRS. PLOUGHE HOME. Was Operated on at Ft. Wayne for Appendicitis Two Weeks Ago. Herschel Ploughe of Muncie was in tho city Monday evening and this mottling went to Fort Wayne to a' company Mrs.Ploughc home this afternoon from the Lutheran hospital, where two weeks ago today she underwent an operation for appendicitis. Although she has been doing nicely, she had to be brought here on a cot over the G. R. ft T. afternoon train , and from here was conveyed to her home in the Meyer, Scherer & Beav- ■ ers ambulance. —c brotherhood tonight. The regular monthly meeting of the Methodist Brotherhood will be held at > the church parlors tonight at which I time the Rev. B. E. Parker of Hart- - ford City will address the men. A special selection of musical numbers is being arranged and the meeting will prove doubly interesting to the members who attend.

Price, Two Cents,

PASTOR RETURNED Rev. R. L. Semans Reappointed to Decatur Methodist Church. REV. K. R. THOMPSON To Decatur Circuit—Rev. Parker Goes to Richmond First Church. Al the adjournment of the North Indiana Methodist conference at Wabash late Monday afternoon, after a week's session, the announcements for the appointments for the coming year were read. It is with much pleasure that the local congregation learns of the return of the Rev. R. L. Semans, he having served most successfully for the preceding year. The Rev. Landis, who resigned to retire from active ministerial work at the close of this conference year, is succeeded as pastor of the Decatur circuit by K, R. Thompson. The Rev. G. H. Crafts of Monroe has boon returned. It is with great pleasure that the friends learn that Rev. B. E. Parker, son-in-law of J. D. Hale, of this city, who has been pastor at Hartford City, has been assigned to the First church at Richmond, a great promotion, indeed. The tollowing are the appointments for the Fort Wayne district, as announced by Bishop David H. Moore of Cincinnati, Ohio: James A. Beatty, district superintendent; Angola, H. S. Nicerkson; Auburn, F. F. Thornbury; Bluffton, Clark Crawford; Bluffton circuit, supplied by Charles Sherwood; Bobo, Jesse Hochstedler; Coesse, E. P. Johnson; Decatur, R. L. Semans; Decatur circuit, K. R. Thompson; Fort Wayne, First chqrch, D. H. Guild; Ft. Wayne, Simpson church, W. A. Griest; Fort Wayne, St. Paul church, F. H. Cremean; Fort Wayne, Trinity church, T. M. Hill: Fort Wayne, Wayne street church, C. C. Travis; Ft. Wayne circuit, supplied by A. B. Gillian; Fremont, Frank S. Hickman; Garrett, C Tinkham; Geneva, E. Dunbar; Geneva circuit, supplied by Homer E. Elliott; Hamilton, J. O. Camphell; Harlan, F. V. Westhaver; Hoagland, M. F. Stright; Hudson and Ashley, to be supplied by A. W. Griggs; Huntertown. E. A. Bunner; Leo, E. Dickerson; Monroe, G. H. Crafts; Monroeville, C. M. Hollopeter; Montpelier, M. S. Marble; New Haven, Dr. A. J. Brown; Orland, R. T. Lar-sie; Ossian, L. D. Rehl; Poneto, Henry Lacey; Portland, U. S. A. Bridge; Portland circuit, J. C. Valentine; Spencerville, C, A. Burchard; Woodburn, P. H. Walter; York, supplied by W T . H. Whitsitt. Appointments made to others of the five other districts of the conference, that will be of Interest to Adams county people are: Goshen district, Somerville Light, district superintendent; Albion J. S. Newcombe; Nappanee, Silas Cates; Warsaw, J. A. G. Neal. Logansport district, Cassius C. Cissell, superintendent; Kokomo, Grace church, Rev. ,1. C. White; Main street church, J. A. Sprague. Muncie district, Charles E. Line, superintendent; Hartford City, .1. W. Walters; Selma, C. B. Daugherty. Richmond district, W. B. Freeland, superintendent; Greenfield, L. J. Naftzger; Knightstown, R. C. Jones; Modoc, C. B. Sweeney; Richmond, Fifth and Third street church, H. E. McFarland; Richmond, First church, B E. Parker; Grace church, Arthur Cates. Wabash district. B. S. Hollopeter, superintendent; Columbia City, C. N. Shoemaker; Huntington, N. F. Smth; Wabash, First church, J. K. Cecil; Wabash, Middle street church H. L, Overdeer; Warren, G. B. Work. The address of Dr. L. W. Munhall of Philadelphia was probably the most st faring speech of the closing hours of the session. He severely criticised Methodists for taking popular magazines and periodicals and declared that they were unfit to be read by the children of Methodist parents because of the romantic stories they contained. He also assailed the majority of Sunday school papers, stating that no pastor or Sunday school superintendent should permit more than a very few of them to be circulated in the church. Jeff Bryson of Portland was here today on business.