Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 12, Number 184, Decatur, Adams County, 6 August 1914 — Page 1

Read By 15,000 Each Evening

■Volume XII. Number 184.

GERMANY'S LOSS ESTIMATED AT 10,000

HEAVY GERMAN GUNS IDESTROYBELGIUM FORTS Big Battle Between Belgium And German | Armies At Liege Began At DayI break And Still Continues In Despatch To London, Italy Will Be Strictly | Neutral Despite Germany’s Demand That She Keep Her Obligations Or Have War Declared Against Her Immediately.

TOFORMCOMPANY One Hundred Americans In , Paris offer Their Services jmi i to That Country ■ ■l.ll ■ NEW AERIAL GUN In the Hands of Belgians is [ Causing Havoc Among the German Dirigibles r U Brussels. Aug. 6--(Special to Daily Democrat) —Germany’s loss on tlie Belgium frontier will total about 10,000 killed, wounded and captured. Os these e -2,000 were captured. King Albert will take command today. German rein- . forcements are hurrying forward. There was a lull in the fighting today cn account of the German army being again defeated. Two regiments of cavalry tried to surprise by night the fortifications at Fort Liers but were repulsed witli heavy losses. The German Crown Prince is believed to' be enroute to take personal command. , French aviators have arrived to assist , Belgium.

Brussels, Aug. 6—(Special to Daily Democrat) —The real battle of Liege began at day breas today and still continues. The German forces are now said to number 100,000 men and are under the command of the Crown Prince and high officials of the general staff. Up to the present the Belgium advantage has been maintained and the loss to the enemy enormous. The German attacking force are displaying desperate courage but their efforts aie useless in the face of a sweeping fire from the almost impregnable fort. Germany lost one big dirigible this afternoon. It was loaded with ex plosives and was attempting to pass ever the fortress on the Herve Plateau when the Belgium gunners got its range with a gun especially designed for air craft- An explosive shell crashed through the big envelope and the gas bag exploded. The dirgible fell a crumpled mass and the entire crew numbering 27 men were killed. The wreckage fell on the Plateau just a short distance in front of the first which it had sought to destroy. Almost Immediately an aeroplane rose from the German ranks and attempted a flight over the fort in the direction of the main fortress at Liege. It also was wrecked by the aerio gun from the fort. The last demonstration of the accuracy of the Belgian) gunners caused consternation among the ■' German ranks and their aeroplanes for the rest of the day contented Ethemselves with flying above the GerE man ‘lines. The Belgium air men have I proven wonderful in the crisis. They I maintained a positjon in the air along I the front of the fort and every attemp. of a movement by the Germans was I signaled and the range of the attack ing troops so accurately located that < few Belgium shells were wasted. The Germans are attacking along the e.i- , tire line of forts along the front of Sliiege. Having established that it

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

would he impossible to carry by force, tlie artillery lias been placed in position and tlie Belgium front is being shelled by long range. For tills purpose the new Krupp guns are being used and an enormous number are already in action. The advices received at tlie war office failed to estimate tlie German dead and wounded but it is known to be in the neighborhood of at least 10,000. Rome, Italy, Aug. —(Special to Daily Democrat)—Tlie Italian foreign office lias sent a cable to tlie British foreign office in which Italy’s position in the present war crisis is announced as being one of strict neutrality. Great ■Britian lias been informed that her declaration of war does not alter Italy’s resolution. This announcement means tlie breaking of the triple alliance, it is expected that Germany will declare war on Italy and if this is done, Italy will immfediately declare war on Austria and proceed to attack with her army and navy. Anti-Austrian feeling is growing stronger hourly.in Italy. Londn, Eng., Aug. 6—(Special to Daily Democrat)—War against Italy is expected to be the next move of tlie Kai ir. Paris reported definite information that tlie Kaiser has sent an ultimatum which expires at midnight demanding that Italy either keep her pledged word and help that government or prepare for war.

PARIS, France, Aug., 6 —(Special to Daily Democrat)—One hundred Americans offered their services to France today and asked tliat the company be | formed wearing the uniform as worn by Lafayette’s army of the revolution. Brussels. Aug. 6—(Special to Daily Democrat)—The battle of Liege is becoming increasingly desperate. The entire German army and artillery is engaged and the Belgium defense is stubborn. Two of the outlying Belgium forts have been evacuated. The German artillery now has the range of the Belgium position and its fire is extremely effective but has failed to check the Belgium war enthusiasm. Washington, D. C.. Aug. 6—(Special to Daily Democrat)— Secretary of Navy Daniels has ordered the battle ships, destroyers and cruisers at New York. Philadelphia and Hampton Roads to see that the President’s neutrality proclamation is enforced. These vessels will see that no foreign ships are loaded with contraband cargoes. London, Eng., Aug. 6—(Special to Daily Democrat)—The Bank of England and the Bank of France today re duced their rates to 6 per cent. This announcement caused much (elation for it is accepted as indicating that the governments have no doubt as to the outcome of the war and believe it will be ended soon. German and British navy departments were told tonight that the main German navy is not engaged in the North Sea light. LONDON, Eng., Aug. 6—(Special to Daily Democrat)— While Belgium soldiers are holding in check an army of ■ more than 100,000 Germans command- - etl by the Crown Prince, British and f French warships are sweeping the (Continued on r age 3)

Decatur, Indiana,Thursday Evening,Aug. 6, 1914.

HOLD THE RECORD For Ten-foot Boat Trip-— Pleasant Mills Boys Are Planning Another TO LAKE ERIE When That is Completed Will Have Crossed United States by Boat. Holding the record for making the trip down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to New Orleans in ten-foot boats Ralph Fuller and John Boner, the two Pleasant Mills boys who returned home Sunday morning are planning to make another record. As soon as there is enough water in the river, they are going to take a boat trip to Lake Erie. When that is completed they will have made a further record of having crossed the United States in the smallest boats. As the "divide” between the northern and southern flow of waters is in this county, the Wabash carrying the waters south and the St. Mary's taking the waters north, the boys have the advantage over boys of other places in being able to take the northern and southern boat trips starting at a point so near their homes. The boys brought back witli them an interesting photo of themselves taken, each in his boat in the river of the Father of Waters, enroute to New Orleans. The expanse of water — background, foreground and side-stops, —is something magnificent.

CAUSE£_ DELAY Mail Carriers Required to Compare Pension Check and Certificate Numbers INSURES DELIVERY Os Pension Check to the Right Parties—Not all Were Ready Decatur mail carriers Tuesday had a new duty to perform in connection with the delivery of pension checks. By an agreement between the postoffice department and the pension bureau the carrier must compare the number on the pension check with the number on the certificate held by the recipient of the check. The checks are mailed in an envelope with a transparency that reveals the number on the check and the name of the pensioner and before leaving the check the carrier requires that the certificate be exhibited that he can compare the numbers. The pensioners had all been notified of the arrangement some time ago but nevertheless the carriers were occasioned considerable delay while pension certificates were dug up from various places of safe-keeping. The ruling is primarily to insure the delivery of the checks to the right person. The postoffice department has issued special instructions in connection with the interruption of service due to the war in Europe. There is no parcel post exchange between United States and Germany and United States and France and no money orders can be issued for sums in excess of SIOO for payment in Europe. The post master is authorized to keep himself informed and use his discretion, even in issuing orders for this sum. Egypt and Soudan have also declared that they will receive no orders and postmasters are requested to decline to issue any on those countries —o ——' UNCLE HEZEKIAH OBSERVES. Ole Miss Lickiticut prides herself thet she is becomin’ sum markslady. She swatted two flies at wunst.

“DECATUR CAN AND WILL"

I extra | AT POINT OF DEATH (United Press Service.) SPECIAL CALL—Shortly after 3:00 o'clock it was reported that Mr*. Wilson was sinking rapidly. 1 WASHINGTON, D. C., August 6— (SPecial to Daily Democrat) —At one o’clock this afternoon, Mrs. Woodrow Wilson’s condition was “unchanged.”: Oxygen and other stimulates are be-: ing administered and the physician would not venture to predict what the next hour would bring forth. She is suffering from chronic kidney trouble and is making a brave fight. The j House today unanimously adopted a resolution expressing sympathy for the President on account of the critical illness of his wife and expressed hope that she might regain her health. It read: “RESOLVED—That the House of Representatives tender to the President in this his hour of apprehensive sadness its warmest sympathy and pray’s that God in Heaven in his mercy may restore to health his good wife, advisor and helpmate.” I A SHOffTILLNESS Mrs. O. T. Hendricks Monroe Passes Away At Home Last Evening HEART TROUBLE Was Cause Os Death—Had Been A Resident Os County For Fifty-five Years After a short illness of only about two weeks duration, Mrs. O. T. Hendricks one of the most highly respected residents of Monroe, and who for tlie past fifty-five years lias lived in Adams county, passed away last evening at 4:20 o’clock at her hom6, death being caused by, heart trouble. Although not having enjoyed the very best health for some time, it was not thought until two weeks ago that her condition was in any way serious. In company with her husband, Mrs. Hendricks had made a short visit at Warden two weeks ago Wednesday. The next day she was taken seriously ill [with heart trouble and from that time until deatli relieved her, she became gradually weaker. Mrs. Hendricks en (Contlnneu on Page 3) CLAIM DDCKEfEO Edna C. Baker Files Claim Against Estate of John P. Baker for Money PAID FOR TOMBSTONE By Mistake the Sum Was Paid From Her Private Account Instead of Estate The claim of Edna Baker against William C. Baker, administrator of the John P. Baker estate, has been docketed in the circuit court and will be heard in court as a regular cause. The claim is for $l5O and represents the amount paid by the claimant, to H. J. Stetzer & Company of Celina, Ohio, for a tombstone tor the decedent. The same was ordered by the claimant and William C. Baker, administrator, but by mistake of all the parties, the money was paid out of the claimant's private funds. She asks that this be refunded to her from the funds of the estate. The claimant is represented by Attorneys Peterson & Moran.

BURIAL FRIDAY — , i, For Fred Huebner, Former Adams County Man Who Committed Suicide IN FORT WAYNE ‘ ■■'* Burkett Family of Decatur Had Visited There Only Sunday Tlie funeral of Fred Huebner, the former Adams county farmer who committed suicide at his home in Fort Wayne Tuesday evening, will lie held Friday. There will 4>e private services at 8:30 o'clock at the home 615 Huffman street. The body will then be siiipped to Bluffton at ten o’clock and taken from there to Honduras where services wall be held at one o'clock in the St. Luke’s Reformed church. Tlie news of the suicide was received as a great shock yesterday to Mr. and Mrs. George Burkett of West Monroe street in this city, who were formerly neighbors of the Huebners in Kirkland township. The Burketts had also visited at the Huebners in Fort Wayne only last Sunday. At that time Mr. Huebner seemed depressed, being dissatisfied with living in the city. On account of having but the one daughter at home, however and finding the farm work too severe for her, Mrs. Huebner and the other had preferred living in town. Mr. Burkett was considered a fine man and neiglilmr. A son, Frank Hueber, lives near Vera Cruz. SENDSWCALL Indiana Federation of Clubs Asks Members to Assist in Celebration

OF "HEALTH DAY” Are Asked To Assist in Parades and Make the Day a Big Success Columbus, Ind., August 6 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —Announcement was made today that Miss Vida Newsom, president of the Indiana Federation of Clubs, has Issued an appeal to all club women in Indiana, asking their enthusiastic support of the plan to bring about a state wide observance of Disease Prevention Day Friday October 2nd. Miss Newsom points out the great need for a public awakening to the necessity for fighting preventable diseases which reap a terrible harvest of lives each year in Indiana. She urges all members of the federation to take an active part in the parade in their home town. In a great many instances 1 it is believed, attractive floats portraying the ravages of disease, the i ways in which disease can be pre- • vented, and other health lessons, will I be entered in the local parades by 1 women's clubs. The text of Miss New- i som’s letter follows: Again the call has come to our i Federation to lend assistance and | hearty co-operation in a most worthy cause, that of disease prevention. The club women have served nobly for several years in the annual Red Cross Seals campaign and we are confident that they will not be found wanting in this similar but more general work for the public welfare. You are doubtless aware of the fact that Governor Ralston has designated Friday, October 2nd, as ‘Disease PreI vention Day.” when the interests of the people of the whole state will be awakened, not only with reference to the ravages of tuberculosis but typhoid fever, and other preventable disease, and things that for the betterment of living conditions in the community. We bespeak for this new movement

in Indiana, the hearty support of all chib women. With such assistance ns the various clubs of tlie. Federation are able to give to the State Committee in charge of this educational propaganda, the success of tlie undertaking is almost assured. in view of the great need for a in* thorough and general dissemination of knowledge along lines of disease prevention, will not you or the club which you represent, act as one of the “live wires" in your community, in tlie promotion of this important conservation work. Will you not, at the beginning of tills new club year, dedicate yourselves to this cause tor tlie general good, then at the State Convention of the Federation, a few weeks hence, tell us something of the wonderful results thereby accomplished in your community. Counting on your earnest co-opera-tion and anticipating a great day for Indiana on October 2nd, I am Faithfully yours. VIDA NE’WSOM. Pres. Ind. Federation of Clubs. the Inspectors To Serve On Registration Board Were Named By Commissioners 'FOR THE PRECINCTS Will Sit At Regular Voting Places Except For One Change

The board of commissioners lias selected lli<- following inspectors for their several precincts of tlie registration board: East Union —John Erliart. West Union —Philbert Gase. East Root —August Walters. West Root. — North Preble —Conrad Doehrmann. South Preble —John Hoffman. Nortli Preble —W. I). Hoffman. South Kirkland- John Parrish. North Washington—Conrad Gillig. South Washington—Jacob Omlor. Nortli St. Marys—George Bonner. Soutli St. Marys—J. D. Winans. Nortli Blue Creek —John Durr. Soutli Blue Creek—James M Fort man. North Monroe—Jacob J. Roth. Middle Monroe- —Vance Mattox. Berne “A” —Philip Schug. Berne “B”— William Baumgartner. French —Jonas Neuenscliwander. North Hartford —Fred W. Studler. South Hartford —Eugene Lindsey. Nortli Wabash —Robert Kerr. Ceylon—Joseph Chrisman. Geneva “A”—Alva Fensetemaker. Geneva “B"—John H. Runyon. West Jefferson —Frank Ornsdorf. East Jefferson —Jacob Tester. Decatur: 1. Ward “A”— 1. Ward “B” —Frank Gass. 2 Ward “A”—Jesse Cole. 2 Ward “B”—Ben Shrank. 3 Ward “A” —John Christen. 3 Ward “B” —William Schamerloh. The registration boards will sit in the several precincts at the regular voting places, except .one, which has been changed. This is in Nortli Hartford and lias been changed from the school house to tlie rear room of tlie bank of Linn Grove. Tlie registration day is in October, twenty-nine days be-

fore the election. o—— MANY PICNICKERS. It was a very well-filled special interurban car that pulled out from the station this morning at eight o’clock with the Christian Sunday school picnickers and. their friends, bound for Robinson park, Fort Wayne, to spend I the day. The car will return this - evening, leaving Fort Wayne at six f o’clock. » o ■ [) ATTENTION W. R. C. 1 ", All members of the Woman’s Relict t Corps are requested to be present Frie day afternoon at 1:30 o’clock as busit iness of importance is to be transacted.

' Reaches EveryJNook 'Of County

Price Two Cents.

SUMMONS CAME 11 ~'or ’ .: ; ■ Meibers Who Succumbed at 6:45 Last Evening » — WAS 5 YEARS OLD Last Serious Illness Had Been Very Short—Pioneer of County Tlie news of the death of Bernard J. Meibers, aged seventy-six. one of the oldest and most prominent men of the city, which occurred last evening lat 6:45 o’clock at his home on West Monroe street, came as a most unexpected shock to his many friends. Mr. Meibers had been in somewhat poor health since last January, being as--1 dieted with leakage of the heart, hardening of the arteries and its attending complications. His vitality and ac- , tivity were wonderful, however, and until last Monday he had been able to be up, to walk about and to attend to his various duties. During tlie last few days lie contracted bowel trouble and this was die ! immediate cause of his death. For seventy years Mr. Meibers lias i been a resident of Adams county and 'is closely associated witli the develJopment of the city and county in general. Seventy-six years ago last November 11. he was born in Hanover. Germany, being the youngest son of a family of five children born to John and Chris-

itena (Drake) Meibers. When only six | years of age. he came with his parjents to the United States. They I came directly to Adams county and ! settled in the vicinity of Decatur. The mode of travel in tbat time was very I different from what it now is. and the | family was two months making the j ocean trip. Mr. Meibers was the only child on th' vessel and was a great I favorite witli the sailors, from whom he learned to talk English on the way here. When the father settled in Decatur on coming here, he purchased a lot on’ which was located a log house. This house was on the site where now stands the T< hn Voglewede brick resi- < i '-i ’ ■ r <t. At that time ) ■!> i 't street, which is nov." i •> thoroughfare and a i, ■' to 1 < • > was located in ■ mi ! ■ ■ -‘liters also bought lily r- ■ ' : where the Haugh ->i!' now : <nd ; The father was later > partner ! > with Jacob Shearer in Im saw mill business. When sixteen years of age, the deceased learned the carpenter’s trade and for ten years was engaged in that business, becoming a contractor. Later lie entered the mercantile business, and with his brother, John Meibers owned and conducted a general mercantile store In this city. On account of ill health he sold this business and returned to his contracting, in which i lie was most successful. Several buildings of note, made by him, remain as a monument of his industry. In 1865, Mr. Meibers purchased a farm, and resided on it for a while, I until 1886, when he went to Monmouth to live, where he conducted a general store, and also served as postmaster and ticket agent for the G. R. & I. railroad. On retiring from busi--1 ness there, he came to this city and i opened a grocery store, where now the F. V. Mills grocery is located. On

relinquishing this business, Mr. Meibers retired from active business life. On March 12. 1861, Mr. Meibers was married to Miss Mary K. Kerber, ■ a young lady of Union township. To them were born six children, of whom three, with the widow, are living. The children are Matilda, Charles O. and ’ I Eulalia. I Mr. Meibers was a prominent and < faithful member of the St. Mary’s t Catholic church in this city. He was a Democrat, politically, and took an active part in the affairs of his community, religiously, socially and politically. f He was a man of rplendid character, ■ loyal as a husband and father, and a man who will be missed in all ways, (Contmuea on Page 2)