Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 13, Number 14, Decatur, Adams County, 16 January 1915 — Page 1

XIII. Number 14.

OFFICIAL LIST IS IMPOSSIBLE Iptelief Expeditions Can Only Get to Edge of Devastated Territory. ROADS ARE BLOCKED With Debris and Torn UpFrench Deny German Claim of Victory. Home, Jan. 16 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —A deflnite list of casualties was again Impossible today, because all forces were bending everv energy to rescue those injured. Official and unofficial figures indicated that the death list will not be less than 30,000. Home, Jan. 16, —(Speclcl to Daily | omocrat) -Huddled in. f roups jin the open country without fcod fuel or extra clothing many thousands of Italian persons were facing death today. Only the outer rim of the great zone transfered from prosperity to desolation by Wednesdays earthquake has been touched by the relief workers. Nothing has been done in the Camjpaitia and southern Abuzzr region where harrowing conditions prevail. This is not due to lack of efforts but because communication is impossible Preast;nt and noble, soldiers and privates are working side by side desperately trying to build up the road so that relief autos may pass through. Paris. Jan. 16 —(Special to Dailv Democrat) —The government this afternoon issued a shar, note taking di rest issue with the German claims of a great victory in the vicinity of Solssens. There is absolutely no ba,is for such claims, the war office said. “As a matter of fact the German nttempt to make a great victory out • f the engagement is entirely a feat of Imagination. We had less than thirteen brigades engaged. It was impossible to reinforce them owing to the washing away of the bridges along the Aisne. So our troops were withdrawn.” Amsterdam, Jan. 16 —(Special ‘o Daily Democrat) —The.Ostend correspondent of the Tid says that the Germans have evacuated all of the coast towns as far north as Maridkerke, but that the allies have not yet occupied them. Mariakerke still femains in German hands. The German withdrawal has been due to the continued shelling of the positions from the sea. Petrograd. Jan. 16,—(Special to the Daily Democrat 1- Another sweeping Russian victory over the Turkish forces in the Caucasus was announced today. Eight transports conveying Turkish troops from Annapoli are reported to have been sunk by the Russian Black sea fleet. Nothing is known of the fate of the troops but many are believed to have been drown. At the same time the Turkish 11th army corps and the remnant of the 10th. which were trying to reform near Kara Urgan have been completely defeated. The fighting Hvere was declared by the official reports to have been desperate and t> have resulted in enormous Turkish losses. The 62nd. Turkish regiment was annihilated by a Russian bavonet charge. The official reports say that only the commandent and sev ral officers and men were left alive and thdy were taken prisoners following the charge. The total number of prisoners taken in this engagement exceeded 5,000. In addition there was captured 14 guns, 10,000 head- of cattle and a quantity of supplies. Paris, Jan. 16,—(Special to Daily Democrat)—The new French artillery rushed to the Aisne is holding the Germans in check. In the territory from Soissons to Rheims it is doing effective work according to reports from the front received today. The French however have been unable to maintain their advantage at Notre Dame Lorette near Carency. It is admitted that the Germans have retaken their trenches there which were captured by the French early this week. The French however are making steady although slow jprogress at Blagny. Constantinople, Jan. 16, —(Special to Daily Democrat)—Learning for the (Continued on rage Two)

DEQA.TOR DAILY DEMOCRAT

APPROVES PRESENT LAW Henry Blakey, one of the best known farmers of the county and a man who pays attention to public iflairs, especially in his home township and county called today to express himself as strongly in favor of the present road superintendent law. He says there is no doubt in his mind but that the roads received three times the attention the past year as before. What Is your opinion? —■—— oPAY INSURANCE CHECK. A check for SSOO was paid yesterday afternoon to Mrs. Newton Parrish by the Ben Hurs, the same being for an insurance policy carried by her late husband in the lodge. HOUSE BURNED Residence of Wm. H. Rubv in Blue Creek Township Destroyed by Fire. CAUGHT IN THE ROOF Half of Furniture is Burned With the House—Partially Insured. The story and a half frame house of William H. Ruby, located in Blue Creek township, four miles south and two miles east of Pleasant Mills, was totally destroyed by fire this morning at 10:30 o’clock. Not more than half the contents were gotten out. The large kitchen range, and heavy furniture in the sitting room and bed room were consumed with the house. Ti e loss is about $1,500, partially covered by insurance. The fire started in the roof and is supposed to have caught from sparks from the chimney. o GOOD ENTERT/VNMENT COMING. One of the funnist local talent entertainments seen in this vicinity in many a day is scheduled to be presented by the Woman’s City Improvement society at the opera house on Thursday and Friday nights, Januaiy 28 and 29. It is called “Down in Alabama,” and represents the scenes of early days of southern plantation life, brought up to date. The entertainment is furnished under the management of the producing department of the Eldridge Entertainment house, Franklin, Ohio, and under the direction of Mr. George A. Parker, one of the very best conductors, who will attend to all the coaching and play one of the leading comedy parts. oNEW TAILORING STORE OPENS. With Barney Weismantel personally in charge, Store No. sos 113 Elwood Tailoring company opened in the rear of the new bank block this morning. The store is attractively arranged and a display of many new patterns are to be found there. The window is worth seeing and many prospective customers called today, some to leave their orders, and some to look. The company is establishing twenty-five of these stores. o AFFIDAVIT FILED TODAY. Thomas Buckm/ister and Doc Schroeder engaged in an argument concerning a rig which Schroeder claims Buckmaster borrowed from him and returned in a broken condition. Schroeder called Buckmaster a dead-beat at the Hitchcock sale today. Buckmaster struck Schroeder a lick which closed his left eye. Dec was filing an affidavit against his as sailant at 2 o’clock this afternoon. Buckmaster appeared before Mayor Christen this afternoon and plead guilty to the charge and was assessed a fine of $1 and costs, amounting to sll. In return an affidavit was filed against Schroeder by Buckmaster on the same charge of assault and battery o — FRED SCHURGER’S DANCES. Fred Schurger, dancing master, announces that his season s opening dance will be next Monday evening at the C. B. L. of 1. hall The opening dancing lesson will begin at 7:45 and the regular dance a( 8:45. Throughout the evening new dances will be ntroduced from time to time.

Decatur, Indiana, Saturday Evening, January 16, 1915.

NEW CORN KING , Is Crowned in State—R. L. Stainbrook of Bartholomew County IS THE CHAMPION Had Best Ten Ears of White Corn at Indiana Corn Growers’ Association. Lafayette, Ind., Jan. 15 —R. L. Stainbrook, whose farm is in Bartholomew county, near Edinburg, is the new corn king of Indiana. He was crowned today at the annual show of the Indiana Corn Growers’ association, held in connection with the fanners’ short course at Purdue university, when the judges declared his exhibit of ten ears of white corn the grand champion exhibit of the show. This is the first time the championship has gone to Section 4, as nearly every year, Johnson county, which is in Section 3, has won the coveted prizi. The fact that Section 4 has won the championship this year shows the increased interest the southern part of Indiana is taking in corn culture. The best ten ears of yellow corn, according to the judges’ award, was that exhibited by L, M, Vogler, of Hope, Ind., which also is in Bartholomew county, o WATCH FOR ANNOUNCEMENT The Schafer Hardware company are rushing preparations for the big sale which will s*art in the Madison street building soon. The advertisement giving particulars will appear the first of the week. This is a real fire sale and a chance for you to buy real bargains. o A GOOD WORD * For Decatur Waiters Spoken by Traveling Salesman Who Knows. THEY’RE ALL RIGHT What They Do and Do Not Do as Recorded by the Traveler. A traveling man whoe visits Decatur now and then speaks very highly of the manners of Decatur restaurant waiters as compared with those of the city. He is a man in a position to judge, and Decatur can well feel proud of her corps of waiters. “Decatur waiters are well mannered,” he said, “and I may say, their manners are more conspicuous for what they do not do, than for what they do. For instance I have never seen one of them stop and stand still and let the soui> on the tray get cold, to take notes on the dress and actions of patrons. I have never seen the men behind the lunch counters comb the’r hair or clean out their ears or nose and otherwise fondle their face before using their hands to pick up the cold meats or sandwiches or other foods. They never gather in the entries and laugh and make remarks about patrons at the table —at least not so the patrons can see them. They never quin and query the patrons and depart, having found out everything to be learned about their private family history, how many children and cats there are in the household, how ■ old the patrons are, how long they have been married, or how soon they expect to be married, how many towi els they have with pale blue lace on, then how long they have worn the , dress or coat and hat they have on, - and so forth—nor do they go fr m store to store and peddle out the information they have gained—and that is more than I can say of the waiters in the city. Decatur waiters are cour- - teous and kind and polite, and show ; that they have been students of etit quette, and I never fail to speak a ; good word for them.” 1 When you look at a mail order cat- - alogue. remember that sometimes the best part of the circus is the parade.

OPEN INSTALLATION The Yoemen lodge of this city will give a public Installation of officers Monday evening at their hall. A party of the local members /were in attendance at the Fort Wayne installation Thursday evening and are prepared to give an Installation that will be very interesting. In addition to the installation a musical program will be given by the orchestra. The officers to be installed are as follows: Foreman —J. E. Brown. Master of Ceremonies —Joseph Stevens. Chaplin—Mary Cramer. Correspondent—Guy Brown. Master Accounts —S. E. Whitman. Rowena —Alice Whitman. Rebecca —Mollie McConnehey. Guard —L. D. Brown. Overseerer —Emil Baumgartner. The public is cordially invited to attend. o IS NEAR^ DEATH Wife of Rev. Wm. Smith, Former Pastor of Bleeke Lutheran Church IS IN HOSPITAL In Buffalo, Dangerously 11l of Cancer of Stomach— Well Known Here Henry Bleeke and other members of the Bleeke Lutheran congregation, have received the sad news that the wife of (heir former pastor, Anna, wife of the Rev. William Smith, is lying at the point of death in a hospital in Buffalo, N. Y. She is ill of cancer of the stomach and there is no hope for her recovery. Rev. Smith was pastor of tlie Bleeke congregation here for nineteen years before going nine years ago to Buffalo N. Y. where he has been pastor of the church. Mrs. Smith’s condition has been critical since the holidays. She is about fifty years of age. While here, Mrs. Smith served for some time as teacher of the Bleeke parochial school. She is. well known here and highly beloved by all who knew her. —o JUDGE DISMISSED CASE. As was expected by the maty frit |is of Raymond Bremerkamp in this city the embezzlement charge placed against him last week by a South Bend man, did not contain sufficient evidence to warrant a trial, and the case was dismissel. A telegram was sent by Raymond from South Bend to his brother in this city, and read as follows: “Judge found no evidence for conviction, so case was dismissed this morning.” The job was probably a try-to-get-even scheme on the part of Mr. Bremerkamp’s former employer. BEGIN CAMPAIGN Ben Hur District Deputy Braughman of Marion Works for Class FOR LOCAL BEN HURS Lodge Hopes to Have Large Class to Initiate by January 29th. F, F. Braughman of Marion, Ben Hur district deputy, who has been here since Wednesday, was at the Ben Hur meeting last evening ahd gave a good talk for the good of the order. Mr. Braughman is here to conduct a new membership campaign, and will return here again next Tuesday for the remainder of the week. A special effort is being made to secure a large class of candidates for initiation by January 29, and it is hoped to have not less than twenty-five by that time, though the limit has not been set. The home-coming social set for next Thursday evening, will be a big event, and Mr. Braughman will be here for that also.

BEHOLD NEW ONE It is the Bob Tailed Coat— To be in Style—Take Your Old Coat. AND SLASH OFF TAIL If It Comes Below the Waist Line It Must Have a Decided Flare. Behold a new one! It is the bobtailed coat. So, if you want to be in style this spring just take the old coat of the 1914 model, a good, sharp pair of shears and slash it off so that it strikes above the belt. Or you can have a coat made just a little below the waist line, but it must have a very fancy flare. The weekly letter of the Fashion Art League of America, sent out yesterday through its president, Mrs. Alla Ripley, from the league’s style headquarters In the auditorium hotel, says: “The smartest coats this spring will be as short as the Eton, scarcely covering the waist line. But they differ from the short coat worn last spring, in that they are much more close-fit-ting: also, when the coat reaches below the waist line, it must flare out at the sides. This is good for slim figures, but not good for large women—the Eton without the flare will suit her best. There is a circular cut skirt laid in shallow box-pleats like panels, about six inches apart, that is a good skirt for tailored suits. It is safe to assume that the extremely short coat will be adopated by American women. There has been a tendency in this direction for a year and this spring <t will probably reach its greatest vogue. The features will be its extreme shortness, its tight fitting effect and the flare." o STILL FAITHFUL H. A. Fristoe Cheers Us With Annual Message Renewing Subscription TO DAILY DEMOCRAT Has Never Missed an Issue and Says He Still Finds It Interesting. Well here’s our annual message from old Al Fristoe, who each year just about this time never fails to hand us a note for appreciation that makes us dig narder during the year. He says what he says in his own original way and here it is: Rochester, Ind. Jan. 15-15. Mr. J. H. Heller. Decatur, Indiana. Friend John; Enclosed you will please find my check for $2.50 in payment for the Decatur Daily Democrat for the year 1915. I have been a subscriber of the Daily ever since it was born have stayed with it in its infancy and now when it has grown to a full fledged Boomer and Booster I feel like still continuing to support it. I enjoy reading it just as much as I did when a resident of your city and county. There is always something of interest in each and every copy to me. Trusting that it may still be a “Live Wire” for the best interest of the community which it serve* I am Yours Respectfully. H. A. FRISTOE, Rochester, Indiana. 0 THE WAGES OF SIN. 'Twas down in Oil City .that place of renown, A pumper named Arcybald Sinn hung armin' An’ Sinn had a habit of lickin’ his wife An’ runnin’ her offen the lease with a knife. She sued for a divorce an’ she got the decree, i An’ Sinn had to pay her, as alleymonee, . A half of his wages, the pesky ole , sneak — • An’ the wages of Sinn was twelve dollars a week. —E. F. Mclntyres.

• BIG FIRE ANNIVERSARY. • Yesterday—January 15, at high noon—was the anniversary of another big Decatur fire. It occurred in the • year 1877, and started in the L. Yager cabinet store on the second floor, it swept rapidly and destroyed the buildings of Byron S. Thompson, John Weifly, Mrs. Harriet Studabaker. L. Yager, A. Barthol and James R. Bobo. Most of the goods In the stores was 1 onsumed by the fire, which destroyed the buttuings, o K. OF C. NOTICE. Regular meeting Monday, Something to eat; also business matters of Importance to be taken care of. every member be there. G. K. o- ■■ . — . INCREASED RATE - In Passenger Fare is Desired by the Railroads Operating in the State. A MEETING HERE Railroad Men Address Commercial Cl/j at Bowers Realty Office Yesterday. Representatives of the various railroad lines which operate through Decatur were here yesterday for the purpose of giving information to a number of business men concerning the proposed action on the part of the railroads to secure an increase of the passenger, rates to two and a half cents per mile. The railways contend that with the reduced fare in this state and the increase in labor and material it is impossible for them to operate except at a loss, the claim being made that the railways in Indiana last year lost more than twelve million dollars in the passenger department. The meeting was presided over by Will P. Schrock and the railroad men present were Mr. Lockwood and Mr. Wagner of the G. R. & I. Mr. Enos of the Erie and Mr. Rose of the Clover Leaf. Each made a short talk giving some idea of the purpose of the meeting and it was decided that a meeting of the board of directors of the commercial club be hel | next I Monday evening at which time the business men are invited to join when a proper resolution will be presented. 1 Mr. Rose Gives Address. Mr. Rose said in part: The passenger fares on the rail roads operating w|hin the state ot Indiana were, in the year 1907, by action of the gejjeral assembly, reduced 33 1-3 per cent. That is, passenger fares were reduced from 3c per mile to 2c per mile. It is my understanding that the law was a party measure, pure and simple, and that the railroads were not consulted and that the fairness of the measure was not considered. In other words, it was decided Jo enact this law without regard as to the consequences. The railroads having rails in the state of Indiana are now asking that the maximum passenger fare be Increased from 2c to 2 per mile. We are asking this for the reason that the tw’o-c.ent rate is unremunerative; in fact, in many cases, passenger trains are operated at a loss. Since the enactment of the two-cent passenger law in Indiana, operating charges have increased gradually owing to increased expense in cost of operation. 1. Wages increased —federal intervention. 2. Installation of block signals. 3. Building of steel equipment. 4. Rebuilding of cabooses used in freight trains. 5. Elevating tracks on bad road crossings. 6. Elevating tracks in large cities. 7 Full crew law. 8. Parcel post law. f 9, Sixteen hour law. 10. Increased taxes. ; 11. The use of every safety device. 12. Advance in the cost of all mas terial used in every department. Don’t understand me as in any way i finding fault with the measures looking toward improvement, which mean i for safety and comfort of our patrons, as we are heartily in favor of any im- - nrovement that makes for safety and feel that the public is entitled to the b best possible service, but we also feel that the returns should be sufficient to I- justify the expense. Another thing, (Continued on rage Four)

Price, Two Cents.

BRYAN IS COMING r — 1 r The Great Commoner and Mrs. Bryan Will Attend the Editorial Meeting. I. ———— J EARLY NEXT MONTH Senator Thornton Will Attempt to Reduce Salaries in Marion County. , (By Lew Ellingham) , Indianapolis, Ind., Jan. 16—The an- • nual mid-winter meeting of the Indiana Democratic Editorial association will occur in this city on February 4 and 5. It is such a well known fact that we hardly need to mention it, yet it will not hurt anything to say that the Indiana Democratic Editorial association is the greatest and most important body of men and women in , this fair state. It is also a fact that we are glad of the opportunity of reiterating it, that this association is the most potent factor in ixjlitics and that • the great Indiana democracy realizes their importance and concede to them the right to be real leaders in party affairs. While all the meetings of this association are worth while, yet the meeting this year will far out- . shine any other ever given. The reason is told in a few words. Hon. Wil- . liam Jennings Bryan will be their guest and their o/.tor and because of the presence of this great man, . statesman and editor, every demo- , cratic newspaper publisher in the ' state is in fine fettle and will be John--1 ny on the spot in participating and i enjoying the feast of pleasure that will I be theirs upon this occasion. Mr. Bry- , an is by far the most popular demo- . jerat in the United States, and this is ; ■ especially true in Indiana. Every . Hoosier editor is ready every hour of . the day or night to bank his reputation or his bank roll upon this great • democrat who is to be their guest, i That the attendance of democratic editors will be up to the limit at the ' mid-winter meeting to be held a few weeks hence, is a foregone conclusion. . President Cravens of the Bloomington , World, is now busy with the many preliminaries and in a few days the program of festivities will be ready to be given publicity. It is a safe prediction to say that the occasion will l:e one of the best of the year. A ban- • quet will be given, perhaps a public meeting, and aside from all this there will be several minor social stunts all of which will mean a merry pace for the editors and their families. The ladies will be pleased to know that Mrs. Bryan will accompany the secretary of state. The Bryans will be entertained during their stay in the city at the home of Governor an I Mrs Ralston, and this will mean much social activity. Mrs. John W. Kern will entertain the ladies of the editorial assembly at a luncheon or reception. and Mrs. Ralston will have some equally pleasant entertainment, so bring along your glad rags and we will all get young, giddy and gay again. Indianapolis, Jan. 16 —When it. comes to economy, the kind of econi omy that works both inside the degis- • lative halls and outside as well, there ■ is no one who has anything over Senator Thornton, who hails from the t county of Floyd and represents that ; county and Harrison as well, in the ■ upper chamber of the general assent- - bly. Among the bills that will soon start on the regular biennial grind, • will be one regulating the offices in the county of Marion, and what is more to the point, reduces the salaries of the officers several hundred per t cent. As prepared, the bill will give to each officer a straight salary, and 1 then allow them a certain additional sum for payment of necessary i. clerks. For instance the clerk is given a salary of $6,000 a year, and $20.000 additional for the help needed; the auditor $5,000 and $12,000 additional; recorder $5,000 and SIO,OOO add!i. tional; treasurer, $5,000 and $20,0(>0 ■ additional; sheriff. $5,000 and SIO,OOO additional. Figures in the hands of y Senator Thornton shows that last ;■ year the treasurer drew in salary and a fees $56,455.65, and that he netted that i, year $26,455.65. The auditor drew in i- salary and fees $19,150, and netted 1 $9,774.35: the clerk drew $31,000, and ? netted $10,185.96; the recorder drew 1 $20,705.52 and netted $6,105.52; the 3 sheriff. $33,000 and netted $20,4G8. A separate bill will be prepared for the (Continued on Page 3)