Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 11, Number 56, Decatur, Adams County, 6 March 1913 — Page 1

Voulme XI. Number 56.

“WETS" WIN THE BATTLE Decatur Voted to Retain Saloons By Majority of Thirty-Two Votes F IN OPTION BATTLE ' Talk of Remonstrance and Contests-Washington Township Dry Decatur voted ■•wet" at Wednesday's ! election by a majority of thirty-two votes. It was one of the most exciting elections ever held here and the interest manifested while the returns S were being received at this office last evening proved beyond question that everybody has an opinion on this question of selling liquor. This is also shown from the fact that an even 1.200 votes were cast, that being the largest vote ever polled in the city. The campaign was made along different lines than ever before. Each side organized and worked quietly, (’util the last week, one would never guess unless he knew, that an election campaign was in progress, but all the time each side was working as hard as its workers could “dig." The last day | or two much interest was shown but I the arguments were by no means as frequent as heretofore. However, election morning had scarcely dawned whda- It became evident that it was a

real election. Each side had its workers at the polls and challenging of votes was a frequent occurrence. Three or four arrests for illegal voting showed that it was a big battle. As the day progressed the outcome became more doubtful and when the polls closed no one knew what the outcome would be. As early as 6:30 this office was packed with people and the crowd in front of the bulletin windows extended to the middle of the street. At a few minutes after 7 o’clock the returns from the First precinct, "B” Third ward, came in, fixing the “wet” majority at thirty-two and the crowd began to disperse though quite a number waited for the returns from the township. Washington township which also held a local option election yesterday went “dry” by a majority of three votes, which means the closing of the saloon near Monroe when the license expires, April 4. The license Is held by Franklin Andrews. The fight in the township was also a hot one as shown by the close vote, tljp North precinct going wet by forty-two while the South precinct went dry by fortyfive. In the city of Decatur the ‘‘dry” carried First ward “A” and Second ward “B,” while the “wets” won in all the other precincts. Third ward "A" gave a wet majority of 55, the largest for that side, while First ward "A" gave the dry their best showing, a majority of 30. There was considerable talk last evening and to-day of a remonstrance in the Second ward, where are located all the saloons of the city,’and it Is likely that an effort will be made along that line although it is doubtful if such a movement would be succesful since the ward went “dry” by only three. Another rumor that was current today was that the board in Third ward "A” allowed a part of its members to go to dinner, while the rest remained and received the votes. It was stated that an effort to have that vote thrown out would be made. The vote for the city and township by precincts fol- \ lows: / j Decatur. Precinct. “Dry” “Wet" First Ward “A" 119 89 First, Ward “B” 76 SI Second Ward "A” 119 133 • Second Ward “B” 82 Third Ward “A” 77 132 Third Ward “S’’ 120 125 Totals 684 818 Wet majority, 32. Washington Township. North 59 101 South. 94 49 EH* Totals ...’..,153 150 Dry majority, 3. If the election stands, the five retail saloons, C. Rademacher, C. D. My

DECATUR DALLY DEMOCRAT

Murray, Morton Andrews, Ellis aiul ~pn Knapke will secure licenses at the April term of the board , of commissioners and will continue to operate as heretofore. — l> "ALL A MISTAKE.” Owing to the fact that the editor of Tiie llearld has made it a point that ii lie cannot say any good of any one or anything through the columns of ; his pa|>er, he will not say anything. e shall refrain from saying anything of the show put on by Decatur talent Tuesday evening—Willshire Herald. i, 1 cs, but then he acknowledges its all a mistake anyhow. EXTENSION MADE Washington Township Resii dents Now Enjoy Equal Library Rights With > - -“■**- ; THE DECATUR PEOPLE •I ; JV 4 Will Assist By Paying Library Tax Next Year—- !: Patronage Increases [ j The public library of this city can no longer bd known as the Decatur public library. Its privileges have been extended to all the residents of Washington towns trip, who now enjoy : equal rights with those -of Decatur - in this respect* For some time the local, as well as the state board, has been working for township extension . and this point was gained in respect

• to Washington township. The exten- ’ sion will also add to the libriary funds . for Washington township will be levied • a library tax as well as Decatur, which will be available next year. The report of Miss Annette Moses, i librarian, as made to the library i board for the past year, Is a very encouraging one as the past month i shows a heavier patronage and greater interest than any In the library’s ex- ■ istence. v The number of 5,278 books of the • best literature are on the shelves ’ awaiting the perusal of Decatur and 1 Washington township readers. The , large number of “borrowers” as the registered patrons are technically known, was increased by sixty new ones during the month, i During the past month 2,729 books were issued to borrowers. Os this; number 1,503 were for adults; 1,115 for juveniles, and 111 classified. The highest circulation for any one day was 160; the lowest 62, and average daily circulation 104. It is interesting to note that for fifteen days of the month the circulation ranged from 130 to 160 books. All departments show growth, especially the club and school reference work, and the patronage of the rqttding tables where the best magazines, as well as several newspapers, ares found. At the meeting of the library board, the biggest book order ever placed at any one time, was agreed upon. This is an order for from $l5O to S2OO worth of books of all kinds, which will be eagerly awaited by the public. At the library board meeting Tuesday evening William Jackson, who has served efficiently as janitor, but who has been ill and finds himself In need of a rest, appeared and gave over his keys with his resignation. Loren Lake succeeds him. SAME FATE OF LINCOLN PENNY WILL BEFALL NEW NICKEL. ■ Decatur coin connoisseurs have noted with interest the advent of the new liuffalo-Indian nickel which has made its appearance. The new coins are creating much interest and specimens are grabbed up with alacrity. A New York despatch, however, says the new nickel is threatened with the same fate that befell the first Lincoln penny. Close observers have discovered “F,” the Initial of the designer, on it. NEW DEPUTY ASSESSOR. William Blackburn, assessor for Washington township, has appointed Ed Kintz hiiT deputy to work in the city of Decatur. Mr. Kintz succeeded . David D. Coffee, who tendered his resignation as deputy to-day.

CAN AND WILJL**

Decatur, Indiana. Thursday Evening, March 6, 1913

WEDDING NOTES /■ ‘ ■ j Miss Marie Merica Becomes Bride of Claude Matthew Lutz ONCE LIVED HERE Miss Nettie Frauhiger and Forest Mankey Married At Bluffton Last evening at 5 o'clock at the home of Mr. and Mrs. F. H. Mercia, in Bluffton, former residents of this city, occurred the marriage of their daughter, Miss Mertie Mafie and Claude Matthew Lutz, a son of Wells County Commissioner Ephriam Lutz and wife, the Rev. E. T. Poulson, of the Baptist church performing the ceremony. The couple will reside on the farm of his father in Lancaster township. Wells county. The bride’s father formerly conducted a garage in this city. She is a niece of John Merica. Another Wells county wedding of interest here is that of Miss Nettie Frauhiger And Forest Mankey, which took place yesterday afternoon at the office of Squire J. K. Rinehart. The bride is a daughter of Philip Frauhjger and a sister of Noah Frauhiger, the former Preble auctioneer. She is also a sister of Mrs. Della Frauhiger Yake, a former clerk at the True & Runyon store, this city. The groom is a son of Christian Mankey, living near Preble, and tyhs many relatives here. t o—

A BRISK SEASON In Building Circles—Activities Are Already Beginning VAN WERT CHURCH Will Be Built By Linn & Patton-John Schug to Build A brisk season in building circles Is evident from the activities already begun. When the bids were opened last night at Van Wert, Ohio, for the buildt ing of the new Evangelical church

the firm of Linn & Patton, of this city, whose bid was $13,659, was awarded the contract. Their work will not include art glass, frescoing, heating nor plumbing, all of which, will bring the cost of the ehurch complete, up to SIB,OOO. The other two bidders were Mann & Christen, Decatur, $14,515; Puny & Stripe, Van Wert, $14,156. The church will be built on the site of the old one which has been torn down, and work will begin as soon as the weather permits, with the expectation of completing It by October 1. The site is at the corner of Line and Crawford streets. Those present from the city at the opening of the bids were Oscar Hoffman, who made the plan, and Contractors C. S. Christen and Fred Linn. Bids will be received Saturday evening at the office of Architect Oscar, Hoffman for the new house to be erect-, ed by John Schug, on South Third street, south of the French Quinn residence. The plans were drawn by Mr. Hoffman. It will be a seven-room house with bath, two stories and basement, similar to the Quinn house. Arrangements will be made Saturday for advertisement for the bids for the Bobo new school house, designed by Architect Oscar Hoffman. Bids will probably be received the latter part of the month. It will be of one- story with basement. There will be three class rooms on the ground floor, also a and trustee's office. The structure will be of pressed brlclt with stone trimmings and will be a handsome one. A plot of ground has been purchased adjoining the playground of the old school house and the new one will be erected on the new grotmCL Otis J. Syman [is trustee.

REMAINS THE SAME. Mrs. Elizabeth Myers, who is dangerously ill, remains practically the same, though she passed a very good night. It Is said her ailment is similar to that of the late T. R. Moore, as she is suffering from Bright's disease, and also hardening of the arteries. While she may ruily, and live several months, her life may be *he matter of only a few days, and little hope for her ultimate recovery is entertained. Mrs. Myers is sixty-two years of age. She is the mother of Dick and John Myers, the well-know n business men of the city. WHERE IS GUSSIE Attorneys Make Search For Gussie French Pierce or Her Heirs A BIG ESTATE Will Leave Them a Large Sum of Money—Can You Find Them Allan O. Argler, an attorney of Bellevue, Ohio, is interested in the settle-

ment of an estate in Ohio, where Gussie French Pierce or heirs would be entitled to a large sum of money if they can be found. Their whereabouts are unknown, and efforts are being made to find them by publishing notices in leading Indiana newspapers, as this estate was her home. The Decatur Democrat was instrumental in securing an SBO,OOO estate for Blanche Whipple and her brother last year and it may be that this notice will help place the Pierce money where it rightfully belongs. Any one

' knowing of the heirs may notify this paper. !** Gussie French was formerly a resident of Painesville, Ohio, and married a man by the name of Pierce a good many years ago. The old residents of Painesville say that Gussie French was a beautiful girl and one of the belles of the town at the time of her marriage to Pierce. These old residents state that they are sure Mr. and Mrs. Pierce weut to Indiana to live, where a daughter and son were born to them, that after the lapse of a few years following the marriage, the parents of Gussie French died and since that time no word has ever been re--1 ceived from her by the Painesville people now living. It happens that all the intimate friends of Gussie French are dead and that the old people now living there can give no more definite information than this.

COURT HOUSE NEWS Warrant Served In Jail on Clem Knoff For Failure to Support Children i - - TERMS END TO-DAY On Old Sentence-Judgment i u Rendered in Hyser— Emery Case

Just as Clem Knoff, the barber, was I preparing to be released today from 'Jail, after serving fifteen days’ sentence for public intoxication, a warrant was served on him by Sheriff Durkin, charging him. with failure to support his children. The warrant was issued on an affidavit filed in the circuit court today by his wife, Rarbarba Knoff. The affidavit charges that on February 15, and for a long time prior to that, Knoff, who was well able to do so, willfully, unlawfully and feloniously failed to provide a proper home food and clothing for his minor children. They are set out in the affidavit as follows: Harry aged, 10 years; Helen. 8 years; John, 6 years; Robert, 3 years; and Kenneth aged 3 months. An order was made for the publication of all depositions on file in the claim of William and Sahth Fender vs. Calvin D. Kunkel, administrator of (OMrttavs*. <m Page 2)

A NEW COMPANY Capitalized For Building Os Interurban Road Through City of Decatur AND OTHER TOWNS O f County—Styled Rich, mond, Portland and Fort Wayne Railway Co. INDIANAPOLIS, March o.—The Richmond, Portland and Fort Wayne Railroad company, ail interurban road, has filed articles of incorporation with the secretary of state, wiih a capital stock SIOO,OOO. The principal office of the comi>any is to be at Portland and the road will touch Fort Wayne, Decatur, Monroe, Beene, Ceylon, Geneva, Bryant, Portland, Winchester, Lynn, Fountain City, Richmond and all intervening cities and town. The directors of the road are Grant S. Staub, William F. Harblson, Charles F. Harbison, Richard J. McCarty and Chris H. Frank. Os the total capital stock SIO,OOO has been subscribed.

In an interview this morning with > Receiver French Quinn, of the Fort Wayne & Springfield Railway comi pany, he stated that he knew nothing | ; of the above named company, nor any j ■ of the members thereof, nor did any , of the traction men of the city or | Geneva know of it. VOTE CHALLENGED I >

; So Peter Meyer Took Out | Naturalization Papers Yesterday , | ,VOTED FORTY YEARS j Became American Citizen In Ohio With His Father’s Naturalization i After voting for forty years Peter • Meyer, aged sixty-four, a well-known ! Washington township farmer, born in 1 ■ Bavaria, Germany, had his vote chal- j 1 langed yesterday, and was obliged to | take out first naturalization papers be-, fore he was permitted to cast his vote. Mr. Meyer came with his parents .to 1 | this country landing March 1, 1866, when he was eighteen years of age. The family settled in Ohio and there the father took out naturalization papers, and thus becoming a full-fledged American citizen, his minor children, including Peter, became American cit- j izens with the father’s action. Peter Meyer, however, when his vote was challenged yesterday, did , not have the papers here to show hia adoption as an American citizen, as they had been lost. There was not time enough to send to the Ohio city ; to get them, so, rather than lose his vote, he called at the office of County Clerk Bleeke and took ou the necessary papers yesterday. The only other person of foreign birth who took out yesterday the papers that qualified him to vote, was Tom Yelinck, aged twenty-nine, a na- ■ tive of Moravia, Austria. He landed . in New York July 4, 1908. RECEIVES CHECK. I Charles Helm, local agent for theji Southern Surety company received i a check of $7.50 for John Reel ' ] covering the period wnioh Mr. Jteel i ■ was confined on account of illness, i i The Southern Surety company Is one 1 of the most prompt companies in tak-.' Ing care of their policyholders in the i • country. — —ft —- TAKES THIRD INTEREST. Walter Johnson, formerly of this city, who has been working in the harness shop of Mrs. Nettie Colter, at Willshire, Ohio, has purchased a third interest in the business and has taken over the management of the same. While In Decatur Mr. Johnson worked for the Atz & Steele company.

POLICE COURT. The trials of John Sark, Otto Byphers and Horace Stauffer, arrested yesterday for illegal voting, will be continued until to-morrow. Sark's trial will be held at 9 a. m. and the trials of Syphers and Stauffer at 2 p. m. MOORE SALE FRIDAY. A sale of the household goods of the estate of the late T. R. Moore will ,be held Friday afternoon at 1:30 o’clock, March 7, at the home, corner of Ninth and Madison streets, by Miranda Q. Moore, administratrix. ATTEMPT FAILS Harry K. Thaw’s Latest Attempt to Regain Liberty From Asylum Fails MAJ. GENERAL WOODS To Remain as Chief of Staff Os Army For the Present By Order of President New York, March s—(Special to Daily Democrat.) —Harry K. Thaw's i latest attempt to secure his freedom | from the asylum for the crimnal Insane at Matteawan failed today. Thaw .had himself produced before Justice : Deiderigh of the supreme court and

a writ of habeas corpus was planned |to force a jury trial, the result was that when the case was called before ! the Justice Henry Hirschberg, of Newburg, who says he was “this defender's personal consul,” demanded the permit to withdraw the writ when he learned of certain steps the prosecu- | tion intended to take. After a lengthy i legal rangle the permission was granted and the proceedings were abandoned. Athens, March s—(Specials—(Special to Daily (Democrat) —The surrender today by j niua in Truis and thirty-two thousand Inina in Trius and thirty-two thousand prisoners was officially announced at the war office this morning. Constantinople, March s—(Specials—(Special to Daily Democrat) —An official statement today said that the Turkish cruiser Hamidjeh sank three Greek 1 transports at Athos instead of only lone as reported yesterday, Twenty;four transports were conveying soldiers, mostly Servians when the big

war ship attacked them. In rapid succession the Hamidjeh sank the throe boats and damaged several others, not allowing the remaining transports to attempt any rescues. DOUGLAS, Ariz, March 6.—The Maderista rebellion in Sonora was given new impetuosity to-day when couriers were sent out to notify towns that the state congress had formerly seceded from the republic. Sonora is one of the richest and popular states in Mexico. WASHINGTON, March 6.—Major General Leonard Wood for the present will remain as chief of staff of the army on an order by President Wilson was announced by the war department to-day. This is taken to mean that he will serve the one year and five months balance of his term. —o — RECORD-BREAKING EGG YIELD. Walter Rilling’s Fifteen Pullets Lay | 247 Eggs In February. Walter, little son of the Rev. J. 11. Rilling, of the Evangelical church, who is in partnership with his father in poultry raising, may Justly be proud of the fine egg yield made by his flock of fifteen Buff Orpington pullets during the month of February. During that short month, when eggs were as scarce as the proverbial teeth of their “ancestora” and the price soared far beyond the reach of the average pocketbook, this little flock of fine hens laid 247 eggs by actual count. The yield for each day was from eight tr twelve eggs. This was notwithstand ing the fact that the pullets wert hatched last May 15, and a few lr July, which is rather late for wintei layers. So far, they are making goo<] this month, also Mr. Rilling has thf high bred Buff Orphington strain.

Price, Tvr* Cent*.

TO CONTEST THE ELECTION Chairman Walters of the “Dry” Committee Says It Is Most Probable WILL TEST CASE Election Board In Third Ward “A” Went Out to Meals—Other Claims * “I feel absolutely certain that * * the local option election will be • * contested, but I have no authority • * to make that statement positively • * until after the managing board of * j * the "dry” organization have held * * their meeting. They will meet * * Friday evening and the matter * * will be decided by vote. If it is * i* decided to contest it will no doubt * * be for two causes, namely, illegal * * voting and the fact that the board • * in Third ward "A” did not meet * * continuously. I believe the mat- * * ter will be decided in court.” • * C. L. WALTERS. » The above statement was made this afternoon by C. L. Walters, attorney and chairman of the “drys.” Other / leading members of that organization

j icauiug uiciiiuens ui uiui organization also stated their belief that the mat--1 ter would be fought out in court. The “drys” claim that from four to six votes were cast in each precinct illegally, that is, that men voted “wet” who had no right to vote and they say that this would about be sufficient to turn the election to the “drys.” The real point on which the contest will be filed, however. Is due to the fact that the members of the Third ward “A” election board, instead of having their meals brought to them, went to the restaurant or their homes. They went in pairs so that there was 1 always a “wet” and “dry“ representative at the polling place, but the law ■ says that the election board shall meet at 6 a. m. and continue In session without any adjournment until 6 ' p. m., and the fact that the men left will be contested in court. It is argued on the other hand that there is a sec- ‘ tion of the statute which provides that no act of the hoard shall invalidate the election. It looks like it might make a real interesting law suit. The con- ■ test will be filed with the board of

commissioners and likely appealed by s the side which loses to the circuit *■ court and from there to the supreme 5 court If the vote for Third ward "A” is thrown out, it would change the re--5 suit from thirty-two wet to twenty--1 three dry, as that precinct gave a ’ “wet” majority of fifty-five. There r seems to be some difference of opinI ion as to whether the vote would be thrown out or the election declared Illegal. In the latter case it is argued another election would be necessary. The board at Third ward "A” was COIBDOMed of W. J. Myers and Lafayette Baker, judges; Harry Fritzingor and O. L. Vance, clerks, and M. Kirsch, inspector. The latter admitted that the board went out for meals, but states that there were always three at the polls, which were kept open us ■ required. The action, It Is also said, was done only after the board had ' unanimously agreed to this course. Mr. Kirsch stated that thiß had been done (before by boards on which he served • and that they bad interpreted the law 3 to allow them to do this. They also I I notified the election commissioners in f I the morning that they Intended to K thus arrange the meals instead of hav- ’• ing them brought in. s 8 It was also reported this afternoon •"that the election in Washington townr ship which went "dry" by only three t- 1 votes, will be contested. No details, 8 however, could be ascertained. e ... -o —— O CENSUS REPORT. 1- < ~ e Lillian Viola is the name of the girl n born this morning to Mr. and Mr*, ■r Charles Ault in the south part of the d city. This Is the third child in tlu e family. The mother was formerly Miss Maggie SchlegeL