Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 13, Number 4, Decatur, Adams County, 5 January 1915 — Page 1

Volume XIII. Number 4.

GERMAN BOMBS SESTROr BASES Aviators Strike Suburbs of Dunkirk and Take Heavy Toll of Lives. A SURPRISE ATTACK By Allies in Alsace Results in Gaining of New and Strong Positions. Berlin, Jan. 5. -(Special to Daily Democrat) —German airmen it is announced today here dropped bombs on the ammunition bases of the British in the suburb of Dunkirk. The aviators destroyed a large quantity of ammunition and set fire to a suburb partly destroying it and killing and wounding 300. •— — - Paris, Jan. 5, -(Special to Daily Democrat) —The Germans who were not expecting an offensive movement were surprised by the allies in Alsace with the result that the allies have taken up a new position with important gains in the territory. The Belgian artillery which had been disorganized is again in action. The gains in the north are termed important. They range from 200 to 500 yards in the north in N'ieuport and east r,f St. Georges. The Belgian guns sile :• ced German artillery in this section. The determined attempt of German sappers to mine the French position were presented by shelling the German position with short range motors which blew the German trenches to pieces. Petrograd, Jan. s—(Special to the Daily Democrat) —A complete decisive victory over Turks operating in'the Caucasus was announced today. I The entire Turkish force has been I routed and the entire Turkish ninth corps was forced to surrender. The victory is declared to be complete The Turkish positions are said now to be held by the Russians and enormous quantities of supplies, ammuations and guns have been captured. The victory today followed the arrival of fresh Russian troops who manipulated a flanking movement which resulted in the Turks being split in tw. . Q AWARDED BIG DAMAGES. Washington, D. C„ Jan. s—(Specials—(Special to Daily Democrat) — Damages amounting to $252,000 will have to be paid to G. E. Loewe & Co., of Danbury. Conn., by the United Hatters of America, under a decision of the supreme court. The litigation was famous as the "Danbury Hatters’ Case." Members of organized labor had contributed funds to light the case for years. Indianapolis, Ind.. Jan. s—(Special to Daily Democrat)—Samuel M. Gempars, president of the American Fed- | eration of Labor, predicted trouble in Danbury. Conn., when the damages are collected, “I feel awful in regard as to how the men will take this when j their homes are sold to pay this repar- : ation. They will not easily submit. | I can't tell you what will occur. The | -people aren't going to buy Loewe's 1 hats any way. But Loewe isn’t fair. His victory will be very barren.” —o OPENING GUN OF CAMPAIGN. Washington, D. c., Jan. s—(Special , to Daily Democrat) —Further evidence that the president's speech will be the opening gun of 1916 campaign came ■ today. President Wilson toid callers I; that the address would be decidedly "political.” He refused, however, to | indicate just what line he would foll low. The address will be extemper- | aneous, the kind which he himself admitted he can make most effectively. -o BEN VOLMER IS SICK. ■ Ben Volmer, the well known cigar ’ maker, at the Charles Sether cigar factory, is seriously pj at the home of his sister, Mrs. Peter Mougey. sufferings from a nervous breakdown, and poor stomach action. Dr. C. S. Clark is in attendance. o NOTICE M. W. OF A. Regular meeting night, Wednesday, January 6. Installation of officers for ' coming yeir. E. B. MACY, Clerk.

DECATUR DAI LA" DEMOCR AT

WALKS VERY ICY. The icy condition of the sidewalks makes traveling very difficult and many accidents, some with serious fractures of bones, have been reported. In come cases where the snow has been taken off the walks as soon as it fell, the walks are free from ice and very fine. Pedestrians have taken to the middle of the street for safety and speed in walking. K CARD OF THANKS. Mrs. C. M. Myers and Mrs. M. Filllenkamp express their sincere thanks to all their friends and relatives who tendered their sympathy and services during their bereavement, in the death of their husband and son-in-law, C. M. Myers. BUYS -INTEREST Chas. Knapp Purchases Interest in Store of Father, Henry Knapp. WILL COME HERE February First to Begin Work—Business Will be Enlarged. Charles Knapp, who has been located at Freeport. 111., for some time, has purchased an interest in the hardware and farm implement store of his father, Henry Knapp, on East Monroe street. He will come here February first to begin his new work as a partner in the firm. Mr. Knapp, who is one of the old merchants in the city, in point of, years of operating a store, recently built a new brick business block for his store, and made several other imI provements, with the enlargement of i b.is business. The new firm will enlarge it still further and will make the new store the latest word in hardware and farm implements. Mt. and Mrs. Knapp will make their home with Mrs. Knapp’s mother, Mrs. Adeline Smith, on Mercer avenue. o PLEASE REPORT ON SEALS. It is necessary that we make our final report to the state Red Cross society, showing the result of -the campaign on Red Cross seals in th’s county. This must be done at once. Please report. The work in this county lias been very satisfactory and we appreciate the effort made. MRS. J. H. HELLER. GET ACQUAINTED Newly Elected Township Trustees Meet With Supt. E. S. Christen. I DISCUSS THE WORK Excellent Talks Given— Several Ex-Trustees Meet With Them. The new township trustees, who took their office January first, met this morning witli County Superintendent E. S. Christen in their “get acquaint- • ed” session. All were present except Geo. M. T. Houck, of Kirkland township. who was re-eiecied, succeeding i himself, it was decided that the regular monthly meetings would be coni tinued, as the trustees have in the past, and the meetings will be held ■ in the office of County Superintendent ■ Christen. The depository law was . discussed, and a talk on the relation of the trustee to the public schools was given. Several of the trustees also gave talks, as did ex-TrusteJ ■ John T. Kelly, of Jefferson township • and O. J. Suman of St. Mary’s, the retiring trustees being invited to ■ meet with the new board. I The present trustees now include: ; Union, A. J. Bienz; Root, Philip I. Schieferstein; Preble, John Miller; Kirkland, George M. T. Houck; Washington, Ed L. Augenbaugh; St. Mary's. E. W. France; Blue Creek, Charles L. , Jones; Monroe, John Eicher; French, ■ Joseph L. Graber; Hartford. Peter Fox; Wabash, Albert Harlow; Jefferhob, Job L. Yauey.

Decatur, Indiana, Tuesday Evening, January 5, 1915.

ELECT OFFICERS St. Paul Lutheran Church at Preble Held Congregational Meeting. PETITION CONGRESS Favoring Neutrality of Government in War—Meeting Well Attended. The members of the St. Paul Lutheran church at Preble held a congregational meeting last Saturday afternoon, which was attended by a large number and proved a very interesting session. . Rev. Koch is the pastor and is a popular and widely beloved worker. In the election of officers William.Ehlerding was chosen elder, Martin Kirchner, steward, and Charles Hobrock, trustee. It was decided to make some improvements, the interior of the church to be repainted during the summer and the windows to be replaced with new ones. A petition was signed and sent to Congressman Adair, complimenting the neutrality being shown in the European war and urging a continuance of that policy. It was a good meeting and was enjoyed by those who attended. o TO ATTEND LYON SERVICES. Mesrs. C. E. Bell, Harve Shroll, Simon Brandyberry, Cal Peterson and O. P. Mills and Rev. Rogers are among those who will attend the Lyons evangelistic services at Fort Wayne this evening. o WELL KNOWN MAN Frederick Bohnke, Sr., Succumbs at the Age of Eighty Years. WAS ILL LONG Resided in County Nearly Sixty Years—Funeral Thursday. Frederick Bohnke, sr., eighty years of age, who for nearly sixty years was a resident of Root township and this county, and one of its prosperous and ! prominent farmers, died this morning at 3 o’clock at his home on North I Second street, where he had lived since retiring from active work, fourteen years or more ago. Mr. Bohnke had been ailing for some years of a complication of diseases, including i kidney trouble and paralysis, and for I several weeks, his condition had been 1 critical. Mr. Bohnke was a native of Germany, where he was born April 30, 1834. being a son of Mr. and Mrs. I Henry Bohnke. When twenty years of age, he came to America and setI tied in Cincinnati, Ohio. He remain led there-for five years, when he came to Adams county, and settled in Root , township, where he spent the greater part of his life. He became quite well to do, owning a fine farm there, ami became one of the prominent and in- ! fluential men of the community. He ;; is survived by lys wife, Wilhelmina .! Bohnke. and the following children: J Mrs. Herman Miller. Fort Wayne; ■ Mrs. Grabner, Woodburn; Mrs. Erni est Krueckeberg, Union township; J Mrs. John Railing, Union township; ; i Mrs. John Peoples, Decatur; Mrs. i ! Emile Wilder, south of the city; Miss i i Vena Bohnke, at home; II Fred Bohnke, Fort Wayne; Gust 1 1 Bohnke, Three Rivers, Mich.; Henry > Bohnke. Allen county. > Mr. Bohnke was a member of the > Zion’s Lutheran church of this city and the funeral will be held there ; Thursday afternoon. The funeral procession will leave the house at 1:30 ; o'clock for the church. The Rev. Hoff- ■ man will officiate. According to the desire of the de- . ceased, expressed during life, there , will be no flowers and friends are askr ed to omit the presentation of the - same Burial will he in the Decatur cemetery.

ARM WAS DISLOCATED. Dorothy, fifteen-months-old babe of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hakes, is perhaps one of the youngest victims of the season in the way of bone dislocation accidents. The babe was being played with last evening and tossed and dangled by its arms, when one of the bones so the left wrist became dislocated. A physician’s services were necessary to put it in place again and the babe is carrying its arm in a sling. — . o CALLS FOR STATEMENT Washington',; Jan. 5, —(Special to Daily Democrat) —The comptroller of currency today issued a call on National Banks for a statement of their condition at close of business Dec. 31, 14,. TO THE FRONT Grandson of Grandma Ferry With the Hussars Has Gone Toward THE FRENCH BORDER i Another Interesting Letter from Strassburg Received by Mrs. O’Brien. Another interesting letter from Strassburg, German, from Madame Siebler de Ferry, granddaughter ol Grandma Ferry, written to her cousin, Minnie Orvis O'Brien, follows: Strassburg, Germany. Dec. 4. 1914 Dearest Minnie:—Your ever welcome letter came shortly after mine had gone, and 1 was so glad to hear from you again. It takes so long to get news, but we are thankful for that. I am glad y6u"afe well. ani was pleased to hear about Grandma. I wanted to send Christmas presents in money, but it is not possible. The mails are not sure and the prices til money was doubled. Letters we cannot close, and not even write too long ones, as they are all under censor. I think I wrote you in my last letter not to send any papers or parcels. They will not arrive. To hear from you will please me just as well, and cur thoughts will be witli those we love, who are so far away. We are all well and getting on, but dear good Clinton lias gone with his regiment—the Hussars (cavalry) toward the French border. Yes, dear, it is hard to see those young boys going, but they are so full of hope and courage. Youtli knows no danger and Clinton always said he had so much American in him that it would pull him through. Dear, good boy, I hope so. May God bless him and bring him back to us. The weather is not bad, exactly, but winter it is just the same, and they must learn to miss lots of things; if he only keeps well. I will enclose some little pictures—just as he looked when he left us. the 23rd of November. I took them. Arno is with us. Paul is still here, but quite busy, and his nerves begin to feel the strain and worry. Yes, sometimes one does not know what is wliat. We live from day to day and must thank God for that. This is a dreadful war. Too bad you do not hear the truth. We get no English papers, either, now. 1 had an American paper from Munchen, but it does not come through and of course the Paris papers stopped at once. Don't send your pictures just. now. H would be apity if the were lost, being so large, but I would love to see them. It pleases'me much to hear you and John are well posted over news from here. I sometimes think I have only now learned what the Germans are. They are considered slow, dull and rather mathematical, but they have changed. They arc workers, studious, very exact and as a whole, honest, too good-hearted. They can even be too soft. I am sure they will surprise the world some day, when all is over and the truth comes out. They are not “barbarous." as the papers say. 1 could give you personal proof of self-sacrifice. We see a great deal here. Sometime I will tell you more. So good night, dearie. Think of us In your prayers—for our brave sons win are fighting for us, and may God keep Clinton from harm. I hope he will not have to go directly to the front. We had a nice card from him this ■ morning. They have not been in fire ■ yet. With love to you both. 1 atn always, your MAZIE.

KENTUCKY BRIDE John Gillig and Miss Elizabeth Poindexter Married at Cynthiana, Ky. FIRST OF THE YEAR Are at Washington, D. C. on Wedding Trip—Live at Garden City. Kans. Mr. and Mrs. Amos Gillig of First street have received announcement of the wedding of their son, John Gillig, to Miss Elizabeth Poindexter, a young lady of Cynthiana, Kentucky, which took place the first of the year. Although a hint of the coming wedding was given relatives and friends hers, the fact that it came at this time is a surprise to all. From Cynthiana the young couple left for Washington, D. C., where Mr. Gillig is attending a convention of federal superintendents of construction. After a short visit there Mr. and Mrs. Gillig will go to Garden City, Kans., where Mr. Gillig is now employed in superintending the construction of a federal building. He lately spent some time at Cynthiana and other Kentucky towns where he was in charge of similar buildings. He visited at his home here on Christmas before leaving for Cynthiana. He is a young man of ability and lias proven good in his work as an architect. After graduating from the Ohio State university he spent some time in Washington. D. C., in government employ, before being sent out as a federal, government building superintendent of construction. SUES THE HOTEL Bliss Hotel at Bluffton Sued for $15,000 by a Traveling Man. HE STEPPED OUT Os Door and Fell to Paved Alley Some Feet Below and Was Injured. The Bluffton News says: “George B. Warren, traveling salesman of Indianapolis, today commenced a suit for $15,000 damages against the Bliss Ho-1 tel company and Del Locke, in the Wells circuit court, resulting from injuries he alleges he received when he I fell in a doorway at the hotel July 21, 1914. A change of venue is asked from the county. “The plaintiff alleges that on July 21, 1914, he rented a room on the of- . (ice floor of the hotel, getting the . room the farthest from the front of . the building. A door to the room opened on the hallway anil there is a I , door at the rear end of the hall, the i complaint states. There was no light at the rear doorway and the door was slightly ajar on the night of the accident, the plaintiff says. It is asserted that the door opens upon a paved alley, four and a half feet below the level of hallway or door, and there were no stairs or steps, giving it the appearance of being for the free use of the hotel patrons. Mr. Warren says he desired access to the outside . air and left his room at 9 p. m„ and walked to the door, not knowing the ; Conditions. When he levered one • foot to step out the door, the plaintiff . says he lost his balance and fell onto i the pavement. He claims to have re- • ceived permanent injuries to his legs , and hips, and the complaint sets out ) the other injuries as follows: Bruis- ) ed and made sore his nerves; sprain- ’ ed ligaments of right leg and hip: r bruised and made entire body sick ? and sore and shocked, and greatly In- . jured the nervous system. f "The complaint alleges that the acI cident was due to the carelessness in ■. not placing a. light or sign at the door ii way as a warning and because of his i injuries he asks damages in the sum p of SISX>OO. II ' — —o - —— >. ORGANIZES FINANCE BOARD, s The school board met yesterday and » organized its finance hoard, with J. S. I- 1 Falk. president, and O. L. Vance, sec- ■ ret ary.

HELD PRAYER SERVICE. , Rev. and Mrs. Floyd Bogers, Mr. and Mrs. Simon Brandyberry, Mr. and Mrs. ('. E. Bell, t'al Peterson and Mrs Beach drove in a sled to the George Dutcher home in Root township last evening, where they held a prayer service for Mrs. Harriet L. ('overdale, who is spending the winter with her daughter. Mrs. Dutcher. The service was of about two hours and was much enjoyed. MISS BOKNECHT TEACHER. Miss Clara Boknecht has begun work as teacher at the Zion’s Luther an parochial school, until a successor can be secured to take the place of the Rev. Wehmeyer. |who goes to Bridgeport, Conn. THE SECOND DAY County Board of Commis sioners Order Auditor to Advertise for Bids FOR MACADAM ROADS Total of Fifteen Will be Ordered at This Session and Built This Year. The commissioners continued thei. regular January session today, dis posing of several items of business Four roads were ordered adveyisei and it is stated that perhaps a do'en more will lie ordered sold at the next meeting before the session closes. On the Henry Scheuman et al. pe tition for a macadam road, the viewers asked for an extension of to file their report and were granted until January 20. The auditor was ordered to adver tise for bids on the petitions of Be: Schrank et al.. Charles Patton et il the Steigmeyer Extension No. 1 an the Mt. Tabor road. Bids for thbuilding of these roads will be re ceived February 2nd. T. J. Durkin filed his report of feecillected as county sheriff from September 17th to November 28. am same was approved. No remonstrance having been filei in the matter of Philip Gephart et al petition for drain, the same was refer red to Phil Macklin as engineer an Noah Bieberstine and Samuel J. Dur bin as drainage commissioner, they to meet at the auditor's office Janu .ary 7. COUNTY COUNCIL Held Special Session This Morning to Reappropriate Money in General Fund. TOTAL OVER $5,000.00 Three New Members Present —Favor Tile at Yellow Creek Bridges. The county council, composed of A. G. Briggs, president: Mathias Kirsch, secretary, and Peter Forbing. Frank Hisey, Ernst Conrad, John O. Kranor, ' William Baumgartner, met this morn- > ing as provided by law and proceeded - to re-appropriate the money which s was unused in various funds and ret verts therefore to the general fund. - The bills which had accomulated and • were unpaid because of no appropriations were allowed, making a total ot { $3,544.01. Besides these the council ■ made the following appropriations: A. F. Welfley, for recopying records SIOO.OO i Mrs. I). D. Heller, for board r of charities 40.00 s For purpose of t iling b ellow 1 Creek to avoid rebuilding of bridges 2000.0'1 For rest room plans 100.00 For Julia A. Works' training i school 30.1'1 I. The total asked for was $6,214.11. and the total allowed was $5,199.57. (Continued on Fago Two)

Price, Two Cents.

THE PRESIDENT Will Arrive Friday Noon | and be Welcomed in Real Hoosier Fashion. 1 ■ TO DELIVER SPEECH 1 Much Interest is Attached— J Dick TCiller in Charge of the Arrangements. (By Lew Ellingham) Indianapolis, Ind., Jan. s—lt is a "1 true story that the president’s cabinet 1 decided that the president should de- ? liver a public address and they like- < wise Redded tiie time and place. In- I dianapolis and the Indiana democracy were favored only because it is near tiie center ot the nation, and also because there is less political friction among the members of the president'.! party in Indiana than in any of tiie surrounding states. This will be a great surprise to those republicans and republican newspapers who have been convincing themselves that the democrats in Indiana were shot full of holes and that not even saltpeter would save them from defeat in the next election. It is evident that the president —and the president is usually right—looks upon Indiana and 'specially tiie democratic party of Indiana as a compact political organization and that they are in hearty sympathy and accord with him and his administration. He is right. There is not a state in the union that is ‘for” the president and also in accord with him and his policies any more ->r any harder than is the democracy, as is also the great mass of 1116 Hoosier populace. But the president is coming. He will not only discuss his administration,, but he will also flow out of tiie water some of the flembers of the United States senate whose chief stock in trade is "senatora! courtesy." At present writing there is some friction between the □resident and senate. All the ap□ointments of the president are confirmed by the senate, and when one of hese appoitments happens to be conrary to what some senator thinks is <ood politics in his state, he simply makes a point of order against the confirmation, and then that old flee- ■ bitten "senatorial courtesy” holds up hat appointment or forces the presilent to withdraw it. The president will have a few mild things to say ibout ft his ancient custom, and so an idded interest is attached to his visit to this city. The president may ?o his length. He will find the people of this state in accord with him in what he has done since assuming ’he highest office in tiie land, anl (hey will be especially sympathetic ;nd wish him God speed in ridding lie senate of a rule and a custom that s too old and ridiculous for even scrims thought in tills present day. Col. Dick Miller, president of the ndiana Democratic club, will be master of ceremonies at tiie Wilson meeting. The president, accompanied by lis private secretary, and Senator Kern, will arrive about one o’clock Friday and go directly to the home ■>f Senator Kern, where luncheon will be served to the visiting party. From there they will go to the Tomlinson hall meeting, and at 5:40 will depa.t or the return trip to Washington. The president's visit here will be short and sweet, but it is also a visit that concerns the nation. Statesmen, politicians and citizenship in gener.il are vicing witli each other In anticloation as to what the president may say and how he will say it. It is a ten to one shot, that no matter how ■ tiie statesmen and politicians may accept the gospel ns preached upon this I occasion by the chief executive of the | i United States, the citizens will rally ; ■ to the cause and back the president a . to the limit. It is also a safe predicI tion that there are a few senators I who will wisii they had never heard t much less have practiced "senatorial I courtesy" upon a president who has the backbone to defy them and who - is willing to play a little "senatorial j > courtesy” of his own. ) Another subject that the president J is likely to discuss is the war. The . eastern press has already been givinz ) considerable space to tiie probability | ) of being brought into the conflict that is now raging on Europe. It is em- ) harassing to an administration that is . bending its energy and bringing into . service all the diplomacy at Uncle (Continue on Page Two)