Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 10, Number 123, Decatur, Adams County, 22 May 1912 — Page 1

Volume X. Number 123.

MAY BE CHARGE OF MURDER Milliard Steele Fires Five Tinies At Jacob Keiper—One Takes Effect

SHOT NEAR HEART Father of Injured Lad Caus- * ed Excitement When He Reported Affair. AT NOON TODAY Mr. Steele Held by Officials, Pending Outcome — Probably Fatal. .Jacob Keiper, aged twenty-four, a son of Henry Keiper, who for several years has resided at / Steele's park, where they assisted in the farm work, was probably fatally injured when he was shot through the upper part Os the left chest by Willard Steele, owner of Steele's park, east of the city, and one of the wealthiest men of the community, the affair happening near the park entrance about noon today. The first news of the affair came at 12:20 o'clock to this city, when the aged father, moaning piteously, and crying as he ran. hurried through the businefe part of the city, directly to the office of Drs. Clark, seeking medical aid Keiper was hysterically crying, ‘O, my boy is dead, my boy is dead; he has been shot five times right there!” pointing to the upper part of his left lung. The doctor's office being closed at the noor hour, Keiper descended and returned north, a crowd gathering around as he walked, among them being Constable Andrews, who accompanied him. Doctors were soon called and the crowd hastened to the scene of the shooting, a Democrat reporter being among the early arrivals. The boy had been carried to the miserable quarters in the little room at the north side of the entrance and sat on the edge of the bed, or a pile of blankets. The affair happened at the hog-pen, east of the private road, just a little southeast ofthe big entrance building that spans the driveway. After the affair, Mr. Steele, who had been slopping his hogs there, continued his work and it was while there that he was interviewed by a Democrat reporter. He claims that the Keiper youth came along as be was at work and called him names, threatening to kill him. Mr. Steele told him to go away, but Keiper continued his abuse and finally jumped over into the hog-pen and ran after Mr. Steele. Mr. Steele says he drew his revolver and fired two shots into the air and then.as the boy continued after him, he fired at him Jesse Tricker, a young man who was also working near the scene, tells the same story as Mr. Steele. Though injured the Keiper boy was able to walk away and made his way toward his home, some two hundred feet away. He fell once or so on the outside of the building and then again on the inside of the entrance. People living nea r the nark, who heard the shooting, hurried over, and with the father, assisted the boy into his room. It is said Keiper had no weapon of any kind when he threatened Steele. It is said by many that the Keiper boy was Intoxicated, and that he had spent the morning in this city on the beer wagon with ‘‘Big Joe” Osterman, the driver. Mr. Steele also said that the boy had worked Monday, but that he had been drunk Tuesday. It Is said that Mr. Steele purchased the revolver about two weeks ago. stating that he had been threatened considerably and wanted to have it for protection. Constable Andrews was asked this morning by Mr. Steele to notify the Keiper to vacate the premises, but Mr. Andrews had not as yet served the papers on them when the shooting affair happened. Several of the people of the vicinity of the pary heard the shots and were greatly alarmed. Among them was the Barton family, living in the entrance across from the Keipers, and also the I. G. Meyers family, living near. The Keiper boy is said to be below

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

the average in mental intelligence, and it is said his mother was unfortunate, being at present an inmate of an insane asylum. Probably Fatal. The Injured boy was taken at once In the Clark automobile to the county CONTINUED ON PAGE FOUR LACKED ONE YEA Atz Sewer Lost Out on Final Passage for Want of Sufficient Vote. MANY NEW WALKS Will be Built This Summer —Nothing Important up for Tuesday’s Meeting. Business of a minor scale was rushing at the regular session of the city council Tuesday evening, most of which came under the report of the street and sewer committee, which generally has its share of the city's actions to contend with. The specifications for the construction of walks along Elm street, asked tor by the property owners of that street, to be built of cement, were filed and adopted, they agreeing to build as soon as possible. A list of unbuilt walks throughout the city, which the clerk was asked to prepare at the last meeting. and which would be later left for construction, was gone over. Although still incomplete, the following streets have walks to be huilt: Russell, Elm, Line. Mercer avenue, Winchester, Adams, Decatur, Grant, Nuttman avenue, Mcßarnes, Cleveland, North Third, Oak, and others. This will be more thoroughly looked into by the committee and they will be'"ready to give a more definite report by the next meeting A petition for a sewer asked by Samuel Butler, in the west part of the city, was referred to the street and sewer committee. The Atz sewer on North Third street, which has been the cause of much discussion by both sides, was up for final passage, but for want of sufficient votes lost out, and the improvement will be dropped, unless a new petition is presented. A drain near the Heckman mill, which seems not to be of sufficient size to carry off the bulk ot water, was asked to be looked after by John Spahr, an interested party. This was also left to the street and sewer committee. The matter of the sweeping of the strets, which was brought up at the last meeting, upon complaint of a number of people, on account of the raising of so much dust, was up against Tuesday evening and was discussed for some minutes. That it is detrimental to the health was acknowledged by the council, but the best means to prevent it is the question now to be solved. Arrangements Will he made to have the epringling wagon pass over those streets previous to the sweeping, which will prevent the cloud of dust, as heretofore. The street and sewer committee will see what arrangements can be made as soon as possible. The sewer asked for by the Ward Fence company on the site where their factory is located, to permit, them to erect a new office building, and a sufficient drain for basemeat and other buildings, was reported favorably, and the same was ordered to be constructed. A petition for a light on Chestnut street was asked for by the residents, and same referred to the electric light committee. The Indiana Lighting company, which has a franchise for the running of their lines under the city’s streets, is somewhat violating the city ordinance, since no one can tear up any portion of a street without first obtaining a permit from the street commissioner to go ahead. Some complaints have been made that small heaps of dirt and stone have been left lying on the streets after their work is completed! causing Inconvenience to a certain extent in passing. Mr. Dellinger, one of (Continued on Page 2)

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday Evening, May 22, 1912.

MAY HAVE PARK Council Last Evening Made Move to Convert Waterworks Yard Into PRESENTABLE SCENE Want Fountain, Flower Beds and Electric Lights—lmprovements Welcome. The lastest move of the city in the way of improvements was brought forward at Tuesday evening’s meeting of the city council, when it was put that the grounds belonging to the waterworks plant, west of the buildings be leveled off, plowed, and grass seed sown for a lawn, with other improvements to be made, and turn it into a park for the people to pass a little spare time. Although there were no definite steps taken as to what improvements ought to be made, several good suggestions were made, which no doubt will be carried out, as all are in favor of Converting the present wild looking place into a more suitable and up-to-date grounds.. The first and most, important steps to be taken will be new' walks on the west and north sides. It was then thought that if a fountain could be placed in the center with several pretty flower beds kept in proper condition, a string of electric lights strung along for- its illumination, and several benches placed here and there, it would make a vast difference from the present condition. This has been talked of before, but the city was never financially able to go ahead with their desires, but since a more favorable sum is now available, it is believed that their present plans will be more thoroughly gone into. The improvement has been left in the hands of the city improvement committee, and whatever they would be willing to do in the line of ‘‘fixing up" would certainly be appreciated by the public. THE SCHOOL NOTES Final Examinations Closed Today—School Pupils Free Till Friday. • RETURN FOR GRADES Art Exhibit Opens This Afternoon—The May Festival Class Exercises. i The final examinations were closed today in the public schools of the city and the pupils dismissed until Friday afternoon at 1 o'clock, when they will return for their grades and promotion cards. Then will come the long summer vacation so eagerly anticipated by the children, and no doubt by the older ones as well. A large number will attend the art display at the Central school building today, in which the work of all the pupils of all the grades Is represented. The display will also be open Thursday and Friday afternoons from 2 to 4 o'clock. Everybody is cordially invited to attend. The seat sale for the class play, ‘The Fifteenth of January,” Thursday evening at the Bosse opera house began this morning at the Holthouse drug store. The reservation of seats for the commencement exerises Friday evening, will begin tomorrow morning at 8 o’clock at the same place. The afternoon was an ideal -one for the May day festival of the eighth grade students, given on the central school lawn this afternoon, and witnessed by a large number. — o SNEDEKER THEATER PARTY, Owing to the commencement on Friday evening of this week, the Snedeker theater party has decided to postpone its engagements at the opera house until Thursday, Friday and Saturday of next week. The bill for next week is “The Farmer’s Daugater."

WILL RELEASE PIGEONS. Carrier Pigeons Will Make Return Flight to Toledo Saturday. J. C. Patterson of the National Express company is in receipt of a communication from F. Scott of Toledo, the well known carrier pigeon fancier, stating that he would send a consignment of pigeons here, arriving Friday on train number-5 over the Clover Leaf. He asks Mr. Patterson to release the birds Saturday morning between six and six-thiry o’clock in order to time their flight back to Toledo. ’ This Mr. Patterson has consented to do. A consignment of pigeons belonging to Mr. Scott was freed here a few months ago by Mr. Patterson, the little birds making a record flight. oJUDGE AT FT. WAYNE, Julge J. T. Merryman of Decatur was on the bench in circuit court Tuesday hearing arguments of the attorneys interested in the case against Oliver T. Steward, owner of the liquor license at the fair grounds. A. E. Thomas and T. E. Ellison represented the W. C. T. U. interests, while Elmer Leonard and John W. Eggeman were appearing for the fair association. The question as to whether the old license had expired and was not renewable, whether the fair is an agricultural fair, and whether the license covered the sale of liquor in the grand stand were argued at length. The court, after hearing the arguments, announced that a ruling would be made today after an opportunity had been given to look up the authorl-' ties cited. —Fort Wayne Journal-Ga-zette. o HIS FIRST SERMON. As Pastor of Decatur Christian Church Rev. Owen Here Sunday. Rev. George Owen of Burnettsville, who has accepted the call to the pastorate of the Christian church, will arrive Saturday to conduct his first services as pastor, on Sunday, May 26. The Washington Gilpcn residence on Tenth street has been finally secured for the Owen family's residence, and they will move their household goods here next week. ANNOUNCEMENT. The Washington Township Sunday School association will hold a convention, June 9, 1912. There will be an afternoon and evening session. At the evening session we expect an address by C. D. Meigs of Indianapolis, state superintendent of the home department. Mr. Meigs is an earnest Sunday school worker and a very entertaining speaker. Pragram and full particulars will be given later. THOS. S. PERKINS, Township President. —.— o QUARTERLY MEETING SERVICES, Will be Held Next Sunday at M. F Church by Dr. J. A. Beatty. Quarterly meeting services will be held at the Methodist church next Sunday when Dr. J. A. Beatty will he present. Tonight there will be a preparatory service for the holy communion. The pastor will preach at the service tonight. o FINLEY DRAKE FUNERAL. The funeral of Finley Drake, who was electrocuted Tuesday morning at the interurban power house, will be held Friday morning at 10 o’clock from the Salem church and burial w ill take place at the Salem cemetery The funeral will be under the direction of the Red Men with which order Mr. Drake was affiliated. o DECATUR CIRCUIT. Quarterly meeting service Sunday morning at 10:30 at the Washington church. Communion service at 2:30, conducted by Dr. Beatty. Quarterly conference Monday, 2:30. Official members especially urged to be present. Important matters to be discussed. Services at Mt. Pleasant Sunday evening. o FORT WAYNE GETS MEET. Although Lake county delegates made a hard fight to secure the C. B. L. of I. annual convention for Hammond in 1913, the vote carried to hold the next year’s meet in Fort Wayne. o ASHES AND CINDERS. Any person needing ashes or cinders can have same by hauling them from alley at rear of Dally Democrat office.

COURTHOUSE NEWS .<—■«» —" Takes Jury Twenty Minutes to Find Ode McClish Guilty—A New Trial WILL BE ASKED Judge Heaton Assumes Jurisdiction in Schwartz Will Case Today. It took the jury just twenty minutes and two ballots to return a Verdict against McClish at five minutes till 10 o'clock this morning. The verdict was: “We, the jury find the defendant, Ode McClish, guilty as charged in the affidavit, and that his true age is years O. L. Vance, foreman.” McClish sortied not the least disturbed by the unfavorable verdict and walked up and patted the prosecutor on the back) in an affectionate way. Afterward he sat composed and quiet, smoking a big fat cigar in evident enjoyment. His attorney, J. C. Moran, has prepared a motion for a new trial, which will probably be filed this afternoon, although thirty days' time is given for so doing before sentence is passed. The evidence in the case was concluded Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, and four hours were given each side for arguments, Atorneys R. C. Parish I prosecutor, for the state, and J. C. Moran, for the defense, making some strong pleas. The arguments closed at ten minutes till six, when court adjourned until this morning. This morning Special Judge R. H. Hartford of Portland instructed the jury, and they retired at 9:25 o'clock. A motion filed Tuesday by the defendant, asking court to direct a verdict of acquittal, was overruled. County Recorder Andrew Welfley has secured Milton Yager, son of County Treasurer C. W. Yager, to CONTINUED err.’ PAGE FOUR THOUSANDSATTEND I. O. O. F. Meeting at Indianapolis Confronted With Big Questions. SERVICES ARE HELD Over Remains of Rev. Richeson, Boston Murderer, Electrocuted Tuesday. Boston, Mass.. May 22—(Special to Daily Democrat)—General services over the body of Rev. Clarence V. T. Richeson, former minister, and electrocuted murderer of Avis Linnell, were held here in the Warren Avenue Baptist church this afternoon. The Rev. Herbert S. Johnson, who attended Richeson during his last days in life, preached. Burial will be in or near Boston, but the exact place is being kept a secret at present. Only Richeson’s attorneys, brother and sister and newspaper men were present. < Indianapolis, Ind., May 22 —(Special to Daily Democrat)—More than 1,000 Odd Fellows are here today attending the semi-annual meeting of the grand lodge of the order. One of the most important subject under discussion is the request of the Rebekah assembly, the woman's auxiliary to the 1. 0. O. F., that all members of the grand lodge be required to belong to some one of the Rebekah lodge. Strong opposition is being decveloped in granting the request. The grand lodge will adjourn tomorrow. ’ o DR. NATHANIEL BUTLER. The people of Decatur will be given a treat in the lecture of Dr. Nathaniel Butler of Chicago university, who will deliver the lecture at the commencement exercises Friday evening. Dr. Butler is in the educational department of Chicago university, and is one of the greatest educators and speakers in the country. His lecture will certainly be one that has no equal and everybody should take this opportunity of hearing him.

NEW LIBRARY BOOKS. Twenty-eight new books have been received for the library shelves. Three —The Rubayiat, High School Debate Book and Irsen’s Letters, are for the general shelves, while*the following, which include the new fietion books, will be placed on the rental shelves: Hoosier Chronicle, John Rawn, The Healer, A Likely Story, Arthur St. Claire, Her Weight in Gold, The Band Box, Thro’ the Postern Gate, Recording Angel, The Old Nest, Broad Highway, Saute, The Adjustment Plain Path, Fighting Doctor, Mother, Blue Flower, Keeping Up With Lizzie, Touch Stone of Fortune, Christopher. Polly of the Hospital Staff, Grain of Dust, Pleasure and Pt.laces, Initials, and Warner’s Works. o THE CLASS PLAY High School Seniors Complete Arrangements for Presentation of Plav THURSDAY EVENING “The Fifteenth of January’’ —Seat Sale Began Today for Event. The seniors of the high school have completed arrangements for the pre- ' sentation of their class play, “The Fifteenth of January,’ ’at Bosse's opera house Thursday evening. The seat reservation which began this morning at the Holthouse drug store betokens I a large house and the play is being i eagerly anticipated Those not having ‘ tickets may secure them at the drug store. The east and setting follow: ■Lieutenant Jack Wilson (army officer on furlough)—Gregg Neptune. Ted Allen (an assistant professor)— Charles Brodbeck. Dick Sherman (who becomes Peter, a deaf mute) —Paul Myers. Billy Burton (quarter-back on the I varsity team) —Sherman Beery. Count Andreas Cassovelli (an Italian adventurer) —Milton Yager. “Chuck” Clinton (a freshman with no rights)—Dallas Elzey. Tom Harrison (a sophomore)—Karl Battenburg. Prof. Ebeuezer James, M. A., Ph. D. (of the department of economics) — Ben Teeple. Prof. Henry E. Burton, M. A., Ph. 1). (of the department of philosophy) — Edgar Vancil. Don Hampton (a shy scientific student)—Willie Bowers. Frances Burton (with a fondness for fairy tales) —Rosa Green. Eva Burton (a senior in the high school) —Ruth Baltzell. Barbara Burton (Bobbie, whose specialty is Billy)—Zelda Sebnitz. Doris Meredith (an heiress) —Naomi Dugan. Ruth Thurston (with a love for art and Peter) —Neva Brandyberry. Elsie Smythe (from Butte, Mont.) —Margaret Mills. Tabitha Tattler (a college gossip) — Frances Cole. Sally Sue Stevens (from next door) —Helen Fonner. Dolly Dinsmore (a freshman) —Jennie Long. Polly Preston (another) —Velma Lenhart. Mrs Meredith (an ambitious mother) —Orplia Sheets. Maggio Mahoney (a servant)Gladys Kern. Mabie Johnston (a freshman) — Blanche McCrory. Synopsis. Scene —A western college town. Time —Present day. Act I —Sitting room in the Burton House. Billy can't play football unless he can pass economics examination. Sally Sue plans to slip notes in his desk. Dick becomes a deaf and dumb man. Jack tries to win Dor’s. The story of the prince, princess and the dragon. Act ll—The campus, a week later. Billy wins the game for the team. Doris promises to wed Jack on “The Fifteenth of January.” Billy is suspected of cheating. Bobbie takes the blame. The count causes trouble between Doris and Jack. Doris announces her engagement to the count. Act III —Same as Act 1. Dick wins Ruth. Ted pleads with Barbara. Sally I reveals a secret that clears Barbara. , Tabitha proves that the count is of no account. Jack justifies himself and J Doris returns to him. 1 Music by the high school orchestra.

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HARMON . AND TEDDY Winners in the Ohio Primary—Roosevelt Takes 31 Out of 41 Delegates. HARMON’S LEAD 10,003 LaFollette Polls Big Vote, But Was Unable to Land any Delegates. i (United Press Service.) Columbus, Ohio, May 22 —(Special to Daily Democrat)—Returns today in the Ohio presidential primary indicated that Colonel Roosevelt would havp thirty-one district delegates and Mr. Taft eleven district delegates in Ohio in the fight for the republican presidential nomination. Roosevelt has carried the state, but the Taft forces were claiming that the six delegates at large would be supporters of the president. Senator LaFollette failed to receive any delegates, al thought he polled a heavy vote in the four districts in which he contested. Governor Harmon defeated Governor Wilson in the fight for the democratic national delegates by a majority of about 15,000. This will give Governor Harmon the six delegates at large. The Wilson forces claimed early today that they had elected eighteen dis trict delegates. This would give Harmon twenty-four district delegates, a total of thirty to the national convention. In 2,161 precincts out of 5,163 in the preference primary vote Governor Harmon received 50,134 votes and Governor Wilson, 40,277 votes. South Bend., Ind., May 22—(Special to Daily Democrat)—The program of the annual encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic of Indiana for today began with an automobile trip about the city, under the direction of the local chamber of commerce. There were about one hundred and fifty automobiles pressed into use. This afternon there was a parade of the veterans, led by two companies of state militia, and four companies of cawets of the University of Notre Dame, near here. Commander in Chief Harvey M. Trimble of Princeton, 111., head of the national department, viewed the parade. o BASE BALL NOTES. The seniors and high school faculty will contest in a game of base ball on the grounds southeast of the Clover Leaf tracks next Friday and a good game is looked for. Both sides have some fast players and both are eager to decide the championship before the close of the school days of 1912. The new Decatur team is placing the grounds for their new diamond near the Clover Leaf railroad in shape and at present are engaged in discing, harrowing and leveling it in shape for an excellent smooth surface The newgrandstand to be erected will be capable of seating four hundred persons and this will be rushed to completion to be in readiness for the Decoration day game to be piilied off. o : POLICE COUR TNEWS. Night Pbliceman Melchi last evening picked up Philip Wilson on a charge of drunk and placed him in jail until this morning when he was taken before Mayor Teeple and plead guilty to the charge prefered. He was fined the usual sum SI.OO and costs and totaling $ll.OO. He had no funds but being a carpenter an for which purpose he came to this city he put up his tools in the keeping of the mayor for secur ity and was let go. He came from Angola some days ago and expected to follow the carpenter trade. — o— STAR OF BETHLEHEM. All members are requested to be at their hall this evening at 7:30 o’clock to make arrangements to attend the funeral services of their deceased brother, Finley Drake, who met death Tuesday morning. CHAS. AULT, Scribe.