Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 11, Number 121, Decatur, Adams County, 21 May 1913 — Page 1

Volume XI. Number 121.

SALUTE WAS FATAL Is Belief of Conductor Spach of Train Wrecked at Preble. PASSING TRAINMEN ■■ • Averted Attention of Engineer for Few Seconds—- • Was Careful Driver.

Tuesday’s Huntlugton Press says: "That the attention ot J. Ray Dickinson, engineer of the ill-fated Erie I>assenger train No. 8, which was wrecked near Preble Sunday morning causing the deaths of Engineer Dickinson and Fireman Hosier, was distracted only a few seconds by the sunposed customary signals of salute by Trainmen Cull and Quick as they passed the 'passenger train No. 7, permitting his engine to become beyond his control and plunge headlong to its destruction, is the theory advanced by < onductor A. B. Spach of the wrecked train who was the last living man to speak the late legislator. When interviewed last night Mr. Spach shed tears as he told of the sudden and tragic death of his favorite engineer and friend of many years. “ ‘Although a theory has been advanced that Mr, Dickinson suffered a stroke of paralysis or was the victim of heart disease just before the accident occurred, he was dead before the engine turned and pinned him and the fireman beneath its ruins,’’ said Mr. Spdch, "I do not think that that was the case In the wreck Sunday. I believe that he simply “overlooked his hand" when saluted by Conductor Quick and Engineer Cull, at a point about one-fourth of a mile from the Place of wreck and at the rate of speed at which he was traveling was unable to stop the train In time to prevent the catastrophe. "Other than that I have nb explanation for the accident. I do not believe that Mr. Dickinson was stricken ly any disease In that short time after evidence from the trainmen on No. 7 shows that he waved to them and was alive just before the enginb jumped the tracks. “I have been railroading about for-ty-one years and in all of my experience found Mr. Dickinson was one of the most careful engineers that ever pulled a train for me. His judgment was exceedingly good. He was on the alert at all times and for that reason I cannot account for the wreck. “If I had lost a brother I could not have felt sadder and been more filled with grief,’ said the veteran railroad man as he shed tears of sincere feeling. ‘Dickinson had been my engineer for a number of years, having pulled freight trains for me when we were both young in railroad ranks on the Erie railroad. I could depend on him at all times and always felt particularly safe when he was engineer of a train under my charge. When we approached the detour track I noticed that were were running at a high rate of speed, but I thought that he would slacken the train and make the new track in safety. ‘“As we neared the meeting place at Preble, Dickinson sounded the meeting signal and was answered by a signal from the cars. He then answered that signal with the engine whistle and applied the air. The apeed was then reduced to about forty miles an hour. I believed that ho would slow down to a greater extent when crossing from the old track to (the new but for some unaccountable reason he did not do this. It was just

I ’one minute from the time we left PrebI Be till I hurried to the front of the I 'train after the sudden stop had been I made. We had traveled nearly a half I Dlile ' “ ’ln my mind the righ rate of Ktpeed and the short distance from the ■ meeting point of the trains and the Edetour track, accounts for the wreck. * Ab I said, I believe that the engine begcanie beyond the control of the unfortunate engineman. ’■Before we left Huntington, Pickin’son and I held the customary conferHemce of engineer and conductor of the same train before leaving a station. Here the last words of Dickinson to me were uttered. We compered tiinegpleces, J “ ‘I said, "How’s your time |’’"Three-forty six," said Mr. Dlckln■on. I -

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

ahead.' were the last words that I said to Mr. Dickinson. Fortunately at the time of the wreck 1 was seated in one of the steef Pullman cars in the rear of the train. 1 did not feel any part of the sudden stop and did not know what happened. 1 thought perhaps the train had been stopped because ot some obstruction. " ith Conductor Sexton, who was deadheading’ to Marion to bring back another train I walked from the car to the front of the train. There we saw the engine piled up on its side in the mud. Steam was escaping from the bursted pipes and we could not approach within a short distance to the locomotive. We could not see either of the men who had been in the cab.

(Oonttauefl m Page 2) GOES BACK ONBID I W. 0. Newlon, Successful Bidder for Building of the New Reservoir DOES NOT CONTRACT With the Committee—Bid Will Cost SIOO if He Does Not Take It. — Each individual chair of the city coucll was occupied Tuesday evening when this body of the city’s business transactors met in regular session and started to take care of the many business affairs and problems before 'them. The reading of the minutes of the previous meeting was the first thing on the docket. A motion to have them approved as read was scheduled and 'carried. The report on the completion of the Magley sewer, proof of publication of the pole ordinance, adopted by the city council and the awarding of the Madison street sewer contract ,to Myers and Richards, with a motion that the committee draw up the contract between the two parlies and city, all came under the head of unfinished business. The city engineer was instructed by motion to make assess'ment roll for the property owners along the Madison street sewer, and ito have it ready by the next meeting night. This was seconded and car--1 ried. The next matter before them was the 'refusal of W. O. Newlon to make a 'contract with the waterworks committee for the construction of the new '230,000 gallon reservoir. Mr. NewHon was awarded the bid at the last meeting, his bid being $3,099.50. Now he refuses to accept it, saying that he imade a mistake when he bid on the material .and that he would not have time to look after it. His bld Contained a certified cheek for SSOO which was required with each bld-. A motion was then made to keep S2OO of I the SSOO if he did not contract within two weeks. This motion was lost upon vote, It standing three to two in favor of the "no’s." Another motion was Imade to keep SIOO If Mr. Newlon did not contract. This motion was seconded and carried and the city clerk was notified to give notice to Mr. Newlon to that effect.

I Charles Colter told of the petition 'presented to the council about ten 'months ago In which property owners ! along the east end of Adams street [asked for the bricking of same. This matter was talked of and finally referred to the street and sewer com'mittee, which will look after it. South Third street was also refer■red until the next meeting night. A 'petition signed by the property own!ers along Fifth street asking for the removing of the poles and hydrant and sidewalks ina uniform manner was read. A motion was then made to rescind the order given to the dty waterworks superintendent to put all poles five feet within the curb. Burt Lenhart showed the council a plat of the Niblick addition which he was making into lots. Eleven lots, 52 by 132, were platted. The number ol the plot is 257 and is surrounded by Indiana, Decatur and Short streets. This was referred to the street and sewer committee. The motion to adopt the report on the Richards sideI walk, to raise the grade on Nuttman 'avenue sidewalk and adoption of the resolution on the sidewalk running along Oak and Rugg streets, were seconded and carried. The purchasing committee was ordered to get prices on the supplies for the coming fall (OMSDaow «« »

“DECATUR CAN ZXINID WILL”

CONTRACT WAS LET By the Myers-Dailey Clothing Company for Fixtures for New Building. WILL BE MODERN To Build Addition, Handsome New Front, Tile Floor. Steel Ceiling. The Myers-Dailey company, clothiers, who several months ago purchased the Schafer building just north of their present location are arranging to install therein the most up-to-date and best equipped clothing and furnishing store in this part of Indiana. The contract for the new fixtures was let Tuesday to the Rockford Manufacturing company, including new cases, tables and fixtures complete. The oldfashioned tables and shelving will not be used in this new store, but the newer side cases, enclosed and so arranged as to show every garment, with show cases to match and small center tables will be installed. It is proposed to move and be ready for business by September 1, and the work of remodeling will begin soon. The building will be extended by the building of an addiUon of some twenty or thirty feet at the rear. A new front, strictly metropolitan, will be built, the stairway will be taken out and placed inside the main room, an entrance giving handsome show windows will be arranged. The ceilings will be metal and a tile floor in front will add to the appearance of the place of business. The cases and tables, in fact all the fixtures in the present place of business ar e being offered for sale. It will be a well-equipped and attractive clothing house, one that the town may | well feel proud of. The Artman & Hess Case has not yet announced where their new F location will be, but will likely do so in a few days.

RESIDE IN TOLEDO Mr. and Mrs. Will Rundell Like New Home There— Business is Booming. HE IS THE MANAGER Os the Williams Company —Has Fine Position— Live in Oakwood. Mr. and Mrs. Will Rundell, formerly of Decatur, where Mr. Rundell was manager of the Ward Fence company, are now comfortable located in Toledo, Ohio. Mr. Rundell has a good position there, being general manager of the Williams company, at a salary of $3,600 per year and fifty per cent commission on all brokerage business he does. As business there is brisk this

I runs up very high, his last month’s • total being |625. Mr. Rundell has i buoght a Ford automobile, and owing to the great real estate boom there - has ventured into it for himself on the side. During the time they have lived there, 4hey have owned three - houses, all sold within a week or buy- ■ ing. At present they are in a seven- ’ room duplex ,at 1020 Oakwood, and - like it so well they will stay there until they build for themseives. So boom- ’ ing is real estate in Toledo that one ’ can turn money over ten times in ten I days. They reside in the same block with four old friends and have been 1 busy every spare moment renewing ’ old acquaintanceship. Decatur friends . of Mr. and Mrs. Rundell will be pleased to hear of their success an tftheir ' pleasure in their new home. I DR. WILCOX HAS RESIGNED. > < Dr. C. B. Wilcox has resigned his 1 position as secretary of the Holland- ’ St. Louis Sugar company, to take eff feet the first of June. He will spend - the summer looking after his farm f and the real estate recently left by 5 his sister and will later take active 1 charge of his newspaper, the St. Louis Independent.

Decatur, Indiana. Wednesday Evening, May 21, 1913

R. C. MINTON HERE. Succeeded In Getting New Election for Pierceton’s Township. R. C. Minton, state attorney for the anti-saloon league, stopped off in the city this morning for a short visit with friends. Mr. Minton is enroute to Indianapolis from Warsaw, where he assisted in the wet and dry controversy there. In the local option election held recently in Washington township, in which Pierceton is located, the wets won by an alleged two votes. The drys succeeded in having the county commissioners set aside the election, and a new one has been called for June 10. SPARKS StF FIRE A To Residence at Geneva Be-

longing to Pat Kinney—s2oo Damage. FAMILY WAS AWAY At the Time—Loss Covered by Insurance — Started Repairs Immediately. Catching fire from the sparks of a portable saw mill that was operating just across the road, a residence at Geneva belonging to Patrick Kinney of this city was partially destroyed Tuesday morning at 10 o’clock. The man who occupied the house was working at New Corydon at the time and the rest of the family was away from home. The blaze was discovered by the employees of the mill and was burning briskly. They quickly spread teh alarm, and with the assistance of the volunteer Cre department the flames were soon under control, not, however, until quite a bit of damage had been sustained. A large part of the roof was burned off, entailing a loss of probably S2OO. Mr. Kinney went to Geneva this morning to look over the condition of the house and will start an the repairs immediately. He is fully protected by insurance. Only a very few of the household goods of the occupant were damaged and the loss will amount to several dollars. The fire department did excellent work in confining the flames which other wise would have caused a fire of more serious nature. HAVE ORGANIZED

Eight Butchers Organize “The Hoosier Packing Co.”—Will Incorporate. WITH CAPITAL STOCK Os SSO,OOO—D. Schmitt is Elected President—Will Also Make Ice. Eight butchers of the city—D. Schmitt, John Baker, Fred Mutschler, Albert Mutschler, Dal Hower, C. C. Wilder, Simeon Hain and George Simmers—who bought the building and grounds of the old Decatur Packing company, recently, have effected an organization for the operation of the packing house and artificial Ice plant, and will henceforth be known as “The Hoosier Packing Company.” There will be seven directors, who are the first seven named before. The organization was effected at a meeting held Tuesday afternoon at 4 o'clock at the Hooper & Lenhart office. After chosIng directors, 'they elected the /oilowing officers: President, D. Schmitt; vice president, John Baker; secretary, Dal Hower; treasurer, Fred Mutschler. The company will proceed to Incorporate at once, with a capital stock of 150,000. The term of incorporation will be for fifty years. They will get ready for the operation of the plant as soon as possible. Fred Linn of the firm of Linn & Patton went to Van Wert this morning, where they are building a church.

BABE ATE POISON Probable Attempt to Poison Dog of Louis Schroeder Nearly Caused DEATH OF CHILD Schroeder - Babe Ate Small White Button Like Candy Found in Yard. The probable attempt of some one to poison the dog of Louis F. Schroeder, the stock salesman, residing on South Seventh street, nearly resulted fatally Tuesday evening for his two-year-old son, Ernest. While playing in the yard last evening, the babe picked up a small white button, that looked like candy, and childlike put it in his mouth. Fortunately an older brother, six years old, saw the child’s act, and informed his mother. The mother hurried out and succeeded in getting the button out of his mouth, before he had eaten all of it. When Mr. Schroeder came home h e was at once informed of it and the babe was plosely watched to see if any ill effects would result from the little one’s "candy” eating. The baby soon became ill and was afflicted with cramps. Dr. D. D. Clark was called and gave th e child an emetic, which relieved the stomach of the poison, and the babe suffered only a few short spasms following this. By 2 o'clock this morning it w T as wholly out of danger and had seemingly recovered except that his little tongue was swollen. It is not known what the button was that the boy ate, but Mr. Schroeder is inclThed to think it was a dog-button placed there by some one who wished to kill his dog. Mr. Schroeder tasted the piece that was left after the child had sucked it and found it very sweet like candy. It had the appearance of a camphor ball.

MAY FILE MOTION Will Ward Could Have Avoided Prison 60 Days at Least Under Law. SUPREME COURT RULE Allowed Time for Rehearing —Prisoner Gave Himself Up to Officers. Had not Will Ward surrendered himself to the sheriff Saturday after the decision of the supreme court, affirming the verdict in the Adams circuit court, It Is assured that he would not have had to have beghn his term in prison for sixty days. There is a rule of the supreme court that that time be given In any case, criminal or civil, for the filing of a petition for a rehearing. In this case the decision of the court was on a technicality, the real questions not having been reached and there 1s a possibility that some action may yet be taken toward securing a rehearing. In giving himself up Ward begins his term just two months sooner than otherwise, unless a rehearing could have been secured and a new trial granted. When asked concerning the matter this morning,. Mr. Ward’s attorneys said they had not decided what action would be taken In the taatter.

MANY STATE CONVENTIONS. Never perhaps before, have so many ; conventions and gatherings called so many Decatur people out of the city at ( one time, as is the case at the present time. In Indianapolis, alone, are be-! ing held the state dental convention,[ the I. O. O. F, and Rebekah grand [ lodge and the state encampment of the G. A. R. and its auxiliaries. The fraternal congress of Ben Hur calls many to Marlon. Decatur has representatives at all these places. At the Ben Hur congress the Decatur team will initiate a large class this evening.

I HUNTINGTON WANTS FACTORY. Huntington, Ind., May 21—If the interest of Huntington county farmers in the beet sugar industry is maintained at the rate it is being begun I with, there is little doubt that the | promise of a sugar factory for Hunt|ington must be kept, and that in a | very short time. The promise of the I Decatur beet sugar factory owners was that Huntnlfeton shall have an industry as soon as farmers in this display an interest that warrants a factory to handle the local product. F. M. Wilson, in charge of the Huntington county sugar beet district, made the statement yesterday I that SOO acres of Huntington county are planted in sugar beets. He ,pronounced this showing remarkable.

THE HOUSING LAW Will do Away With Much Light Housekeeping in Indiana Cities. — ALL REGULATIONS I Must be Lived Up to—Regarding Sewer, Light and Other Things. The housing law passed by the last session of the legislature will knock out a great deal of light housekeeping In the state.

j By the provisions of the law any (residence containing two or more families living independently of each other thereby becomes a “tenement house” and the owner must comply with the restrictions which the housing law Imposes on tenements. On this point the statute, credit for the passage of which is given to Mrs. Albion F. Bacon, of Evansville, says: i “A ‘tenement house’ is any house or (building or portion thereof, which is [rented, leased, hired or let out, to be 'occupied, or is ocupied or is intended, arranged or designed to be occupied [as the home or residence of two or [more families living independently of |each other (which family may consist 'of one or more persons) and having a common right in the halls, stairways, yards, cellars, water closets or privies, 'or any of them, and includes apartment houses and flat houses, but does not include hotels; and including dwelling houses occupied or intended to be occupied as the home or residence of one family or more, if built In a continuous row of more than two houses, if the halls, stairways, yard, cellar, water supply, well and cistern, water [closets or privies, are any of them I used in common; shall be deemed to [be tenement house, and shall be subject to all of the provisions of this [act, except sections 18 and 35.” Section 18 compels rear stairs on tenement houses constructed in the future, while section 35 compels sewer . connections. .! In many houses the lessees have let portions of the residences out for light housekeeping, thus giving shelter to (two families living independently of .each other. In such a case, the law : governing tenements applies. .I The legal regulations thrown about , a tenement house are complex and strict. The law goes behind the lessee and strikes at the owner of a building which shelters two or more independent families. In other cities of the state owners, 'comply in the matter of air-space, arcomply In the mater of air-space, arrangements, plumbing, water closets, 'and other details, should be subject for light housekeeping, they would be liable as owners or have notice served on their tenants that they must not permit light housekeeping.

i Many landlords are not aware of the terms of the stringent housing law, and will get busy getting inside the provisions of the measure. The housing law compels sewer connections. A tenement can occupy only ' [65 per cent of the lot space except when located on a corner. The buildling shall be only 1% time as high as the street on which it fronts. In the [rear of each tenement a yard shall [extend across the entire width of the [lot and be not less than 25 feet deep. I Rooms in a tenement cannot be [cut up into two or more similar rooms unless each room has a window to the outside and Is at least 10 by 10 feet [in dimensions. Stairways must be at can be no water closets in the base(Conurrass •)

Price, Two Centi,

INJURED IN ERIE YARDS Young Man Probably Struck by Freight When Trying to Board Train. SKULL IS FRACTURED 1 __ Taken to Infirmary—Gave Name as Lawrence Monroe—Home at Chicago. | A young man giving his name as I.awrence Monroe, age twentyeight, and permanent residence, Chicago, was very seriously injured in the Chicago & Erie yards, near the stock yards, Tuesday evening at about 6 |o clock. His skull was fractured, his .back injured and his jaw dislocated.

No on e saw the accident and the man laid along the tracks until 8 o’clock, before he was removed to the Erie freight house. Later he was taken to the county Infirmary, where he is receiving the' necessary care, with at least an even chance to recover. > < j Monroe claims to have fallen from a through freight. No. 79, which went through here at 6 o’clock, but this [part of his story is not believed because h e had been seen about the city all day yesterday. He had been drinking and it is believed he was injured In trying to board the freight. He had a suit case with him and as the train .went through that part of the yards at a good rate of speed, he was probably thrown in trying to hop on the train. He staggered across the track and laid down, with his head on bis suit case, where he was later found by several men in that locality. The railroad physician was summoned and the man was carried to the Erie freight house. An examination showed that he had a hole about the size of a dollar near the left temple, his jaw was dislocated and his back wrenched. His left side was partially paralyzed from the blow on the temple and the man's condition was very serious Several times during the

evening it was believed he was dying, but be rallied, and by midnight, after having received all the care possible to give an unfortunate human being, he was feeling much better and had regained consciousness. | To a Daily Democrat reporter the young man said his name was Lawrence Monroe, that he had a wife and two children living in Chicago, that he was a traveling baker and cook and had been working at Dayton, 0., 'since the flood. He talked eight or ten languages fluently and claims to have traveled all over the world, having served In the army in the Philippines and later traveled much as a member of the United States navy. He is of rather slight build, light haired and blue eyes, rather well dressed and evidently a good fellow. He iclaims to have served on the police force of Chicago and has been up and down the line In every direction. The physicians performed an operation on him this morning, lifting the skull at the fractured point, and it is thought he will recover. When the man's jaw was set Tuesday night he declared he felt the best he had ever felt in his life, this injury apparently causing him the greatest pain.

NEW FRIENDS' CHURCH. At Monroe Will be Dedicated Sunday —Dinner Served in Basement. The new Friends" church at Monroe will be dedicated Sunday. There will ,be a good program in honor of the event, and the church is making arrangements to entertain many visitors. Dinner will be served in the basement of the church. ■ ' o 1 CRIPPLED NEWSBOY DEAD. I I ( Many Decatur citizens will remem- ' .ber “Teddy" Hohnhaus, the little -crippled Fort Wayne newsboy, who - often came down on the Interurban J car with his wares. His death occurj red recently In Fort Wayne from comt plications, which followed an illness t which started January 2. He was 19 » years of age and was one of the acknowledged leaders among Ft. Wayne | newsboys.