Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 13, Number 20, Decatur, Adams County, 23 January 1915 — Page 1

XIII. Number 20.

LONG LIFE ENDS Mrs. Caroline Ferry, Decatur Lady, Passes Away at Age of 100. IN FORT WAYNE Death Came at Home of Her Daughter, Mrs. Boyles— Funeral Monday. The news of the death of Grandma Caroline Ferry, for many years a resident of this city, until last, spring, when she went to Fort Wayne to live with her daughter, Mrs. Eudora Boyles, which occurred yesterday, did not come wholly as a surprise to her many friends here. She had been ill for several weeks, and this week, her granddaughter, Mrs. Minnie Orvis, O’Brien, of Marion, was called to her bedside, her illness becoming so alarming that it was known that she could live but u short while longer. Since the death of her daughter, Mrs. Har riot McMillen, of this city, with whom she lived many years, she was cared for by her granddaughter. Minnie Orvis, until the marriage of the latter, which occurred last spring, and her removal to Marion. At that time Mis. Ferry was taken to the daughter’s home in Fort Wayne. She has many, many friends in tins city, to whom she had become much esdeurfi'. and who, on their frequen* visits in Fort Wayne, since her removal there, called on her. Last September she celebrated her one hundry.'h birthday anniversary, and several Decatur friends were among those who called on her. The Fort Wayne Sentinel says of her: “Mrs. Caroline Theresa Ferry, who had lived four months over the century mark, died Friday morning at 8:45 o'clock at the home of her daughter. ■Mrs. Eudora Boyles, 813 West Main street, after an illness of fourteen weeks. Old age is given as cause of death. “Mrs. Ferry was a pioneer of Fort Wayne and had resided here the greater part of her life. After the death of her daughter. Mrs. Hattie MacMillen. in Decatur, with whom she had made her home for a period of about twenty years. Mrs. Ferry returned to Fort V.’ayue on May 5. 1914, and has lived with her daughter. Mrs. Boyles, since “Mrs. Boyles is the only surviviuchild, although there are twelve grand children and five great-great grand children, as follows: J. C. Morris an 1 Caroline Morris, Richard Hossley and Elizabeth Hossley, and the little baby of Goorge Boyles of Chicago. “ForSeveral years Mrs. Ferry had been rather weak physically and tor the last several months had been mi able to walk. During the time sheliv

Il" ■ f sjaMWEh ■ ?,■ wife UfM'- ,; - ' - «W <$ ■nL'-'iHßhr' K; I ' ■£■ W* ' ; •’ ■ . JF. ;< •j’ * WB 1 •• '■: ' ■ ./ •;; ■ ' ■ 3 , V<>s : ; ( }d Ji 1 aMjlk. - • . a '4 GRANDMA FERRY. Who diet! yesterday, aged one hundred years, four months and seven days.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

ed with Mrs. Boyles she had required constant care and attention. Mentally, however, she 'was as bright as the majority of women many years her junior up to the very last, when she lapsed into a sleep from which she never awakened. Remarkable Memory, “For a woman of her age her memory was most remarkable and younger folks who would call on her by the scores, especially on Sundays, delighted in hearing her tell of the pioneer days and the hardships and tribulations that those of the earlier days had to endure. She often told of ’.he days when there were no houses outside of the old fort, when what is now the court house square was an open clearing used as a camping ground for bands of roving Indians and when the (Continued on Page Two) 0 EUGENICS LAW

Causes Comment — Many Say Restriction Should be Placed on Marriage. INCREASED DIVORCE Lake County Worried Lest Bill Pass—Five Licenses Here This Month. With twenty-three days of January's quota of thirty-one gone, only five marriage licenses had been issued by the Adams circuit court up until this morning. If the number is so small under the present rather loose law, wonder is being expressed as to what to would be if the now eugenics law l asses the lower house, as it has the upper. The new law provides that the male applicant file with his application for a license, a certificate of health. Under the present law the parties give their answer under oath that they are free from transmissible disease. Under the present law, which has been in effect many years, it is doubtful if any applicant, has ever answered other than in the negative, though many divorce cases which follow, as well as several boasts, which have been made afterward, show that such must have been in many instances, an untruth. While conditions in this county may not be so bad as in others, the Hammond News gives in the following a little information as to the conditions in Lake county: “The two old cronies are here. Their names are Ernie Shortridge, a clerk of Lake county, and Harry Nicholson, the marrying 'squire. They are here to oppose the eugenic bill introduced by Senator Neal.— Indianapolis News." “The above paragraph in the Indianapolis News tells the story in itselr. "It indicates that the Lake county (Continued on Page 3)

Decatur, Indiana, Saturday Evening, January 23, 1915.

IS CALLED OFF Scarlet Fever Calls Off the Root Township Teachers’ Institute. SET FOR TODAY Ae Mallonee School—lrma Houk Teacher—Victim is Clyde Cline. Scarlet fever, which broke out yesterday in the district, was the cause of calling off the Root township teachers’ institute which was to have been held today at the Mallonee school, district number seven, Root township. Miss Irma Houk of this city is the teacher. A good program had been arranged and a good time anticipated. The scarlet fever victim is Clyde Cline, young son of Mr. and Mrs. Jay Cline. The little boy had been ill for a couple of days or more, and yesterday broke out with scarlet fever. The little boy was a student at the school. o NOTICE.'

General rehearsal tonight for all who are in "Down in Alabam.” Place, assembly room in high school. Time, 7 o’clock, sharp. undeTjirrest Publishers and Editors of the “Menace” Are Arrested at Joplin, Mo. by FEDERAL OFFICERS Action is Taken as Result of Protests Sent to Postoffice Department. The following dispatch is sent out from Washington, showing the action taken by the postoffice department in the matter of commencing suit against the publishers of the "Menace,” the anti-Catholic paper, published at Aurora, Mo.: Washington, D. C., Jan. 20 —The postoffice department reports this evening the arrest at Joplin, Mo., of Phelps & Brown and Walker, the publishers and the editor of the "Menace,” of Aurora, Mo. Not much information is available here as to the specific charges, but the action is taken for violation of the postal laws. There are seven distinct and separate charges against each of the accused persons. The arrests were made by Inspectors Scannell, Foster, Mcllwaine and Browder. The arrests were made at Joplin, where the, publishers and editors were attending the trial of Father Rossman’s libel suit against the "Menace.” The postoffice department's action in the matter was no doubt accelerated by the nation-wide protest made on December 8 by the Catholics against the violation of the United States mail laws by the “Menace.” So strong was the protest from Indiana alone that Senator John W. Kern ntroduced and read the protests from 'ndianapolls in the senate. The countless protests were at once referred to the postoffice committee, and this, it is said, led to the recent vigorous action. o—■ — ANDERSON DITCH SOLD. John Mayer Lucky Bidder on Hartford Township Drain. The William Anderson drain in Hartford township was sold this morning at the office of Surveyor Phil Macklin to John Mayer of this city for $4,775. - His bid was only $2.50 lower than that of the next lower bidder. Other bidders were John Rickard, Bieberstein & Pusey and William Anderson. The drain is about two miles long and is both open and closed. John B. Kiracofe is at iris desk in the Smith & Bell office again after an enforced vacation of nearly two weeks on account of illness, a complication of indigestion and lumbago. He was I confined to his bed nearly a week.

DANCE ON TUESDAY NIGHT. In order that those who desire to attend the home talent play “Down in Alabam,” next Friday, and owing to a previous engagement of the dancing teacher, Miss Lorimore, the weekly Friday night lesson and dance of the Maxixc Dancing club will be given on next Tuesday evening at the K. of (’. hall. The dance last evening was well attended and a most pleasant time had. o— - OSSIAN BOYS HAVE MUMPS. The game of basket ball to be played between Decatur and Ossian high school teams next week, has been called off for the present. Professor Worthman today received word that the Ossian boys have the mumps.

MOST UNIQUE “The Potter Craftsman’’ Gave Third Number of Lyceum Course AT THE OPERA HOUSE Fashioned Vessels of Clay and Drew Parallel With Life Characters. The third one of the high school seniors' Redpath Lyceum course given at the opera house last evening proved to be one of the most unique, entertaining and instructive numbers ever given here. It was given by Smith Damron, who is known as “The

Potter Craftsman,” and was wholly new and entertaining. Mr. Damron is a potter by trade. This is a hand art that is fast disappearing with the innovation of new machinery. He is a craftsman of more than the usual calibre, however, as he uses his mind in a highly philosophical manner, while his hands shape the clay into vessels of many kinds. On the stage lie had fitted up his “potter's wheel” on which the vessels were formed. On tables were placed boxes of tlie clay used, also pottery in various stages of fornfng. While lie shaped the clay into the various forms and explained the work in each stage, he drew a parallel likening the forming of vessels from clay to the forming of a life character. This parallel he carried out throughout the lecture, which was a splendid one. —o AN UNUSUAL PHENOMENON. Washington, D. C., Jan. 23 —(Special to Daily Democrat)lndiana was favored by an unusual phenomenon on thel morning of December 18, according to | the weather report issued here. Peo-I pie in the vicinity of Berne saw whutj is known as a “light pillar.” “Shortly before the sun rose,” the report states,' “we could see a bright reddish (not prismatis streak, nearly as wide ssthe sun’s disc, extending up from the ’ horizon to about 20 to 25 degrees, fad-; ing away, resembling the effect of a powerful searchlight at night. The sun rose as a dark, red ball, and as it ) appeared above the horizon the pillar was separated from it by about one degree. As the sun rose higher it passed behind a small cloud and at | that time the pillar extended below j the sun to about 3 degrees. Finally, j about 7:30 a. m., the sun was completely obscured by clouds and the > phenomenon was past.” o OPERATE THIS MORNING. Mrs. Clyde Wolfe, living on the Yager farm near Pleasant Mills, was operated upon this morning for appendicitis and other complications. She had been ailing for a number of years. The ordeal was performed by Drs. D. D. and C. S. Clark of this city and E. J. McOscar of Fort Wayne. A trained nurse is in attendance. WANTS A PEACE DEPARTMENT. The following parapragh appeared in a Washington dispatch this morning: “Mr. Jacob Miller, formerly a resident of Adams county, and who for a time resided in Fort Wayne, is in Washington with a bill of his own making, which seeks to create a peace department in the president’s cabinet. He formerly taught school in Adams county.

WAY IS CLEAR Not a Traction Car Missed Its Schedule on Account of the Snow. CARS ALL ON TIME Freight Business Big--Car Loads of Horses Sent Out Over the Line. The unusually heavy snow has not made matters the least bad for the interurban company. Cars have been running on strictly schedule time, both incoming and outgoing and the conditions are fine. Not a car has missed its schedule on account of the snow. While the snow is very heavy and the long fall has added to the difficulty in keeping the tracks clear, a large force of men was kept busy clearing the way, and the tracks were kept free. The freight business has been unusually heavy also. The horse sale held yesterday contributed heavily to this. A car load was sent to Findlay, Ohio, last night; another was sent to Toledo, Ohio, today, and a local shipment of horses was made to Fort Wayne today. Some slight burn-out today occasioned a little delay for one of the runs today, but otherwise every-thing is going along nicely.

PIONEER IS DEAD Mrs. Isaac Peters Died This Morning at Daughter’s Home in Bluffton. BORN IN THIS COUNTY ♦ And Resided Here Until Seven Years Ago—Was 11l Four Years.

Mrs. Isaac Peters, until seven years ago a life-long resident of Adams county, passed away this morning at 1:30 o’clock at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Erman Mentzer, of Bluffton, deatli resulting from leakage of the : heart. Mrs. Peters had been subject' to this trouble for the past four years I and had been confined to her bed since last August, her condition having at several times become so alarming that the relatives had been called to her bedside. The last and fatal relapse l began the first of the week and all rope for her recovery was given up by j the relatives. Mrs. Peters was born in Adams! county July 25, 1859, and was the' daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Levi Nel son. Site resided at the place of her birth until her marriage to Isaac Peters, January 18, 1875, at which time the couple moved to this city, residing here until seven years ago when they 1 moved to Bluffton to reside with the, daughter, Mrs. Mentzer. Five children were born to the union, three of them having preceded the mother in death. ’ Those surviving are Mrs. Mentzer of! Bluffton, and R. Earl, residing in 1 Washington, D. C„ and secretary to Congressman Cline. Four brothers: I Charles Nelson, of Sloan, Ark.; Alfred,) Wray, Colo.; Henry, Tamas, Wash.: ! John F. and two sisters, Mrs. U. S.' Drummond of this city and Mrs. Harryi Beitler of Elkhart also survive. Mrs. | Peters was a devoted member of the I Baptist church and a loyal supporter of the Ben Hur lodge. MORE TO SOME — o PRACTICE THIS EVENING. All members of the chorus as well as the dramatic cast who are to take part in the home talent play to be given here next Thursday and Friday evenings are requested to meet this evening at 7 o’clock at the assembly room of the Decatur high school. Please come anil be prompt. — o —’ HAVE HAD BUSY WEEK, Washington, D. C., Jan. 23 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —The six Indiana boy champions in corn work have spent a busy week in the national capital and concluded their visit today. I They left Washington at 10 o'clock • this morning and are due to reach I their homes tomorrow.

KIDNAPING AND RESULTS. Indianapolis, Ind.. Jan. 23—(Special to Daily Democrat) —Mr. and Mrs Jesse Conway, whose divorce appeared in the papers some time ago, and who reappeared at Christmas time, when Conway came here, gathered up his two sons, Tom and Jerry, and returned with them to New York without the consent of the mother, have been reconciled, remarried, and are presumably living happily "ever after” in New York. An amusing feature that followed the sensational kidnaping of the children Christmas eve, was told today by friends of the couple. Following the reconciliation in New York the following announcement arrived here: "Tom and Jerry announce the remarriage of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Conway." o NOW ORGANIZED Morris Five and Ten Cent Companies Elect Officers —Geo. Morris, Pres. ELECTED OFFICERS Fred Bell, Former Decatur Boy, Manager of the Second Company.

The Morris Five and Ten Cen. Stores company, to operate retail stores, has organized by election , officers as follows: President, Geo. S. Morris; vice president, John A Morris; secretary and treasurer, Harry McFarren; general manager, Festus Rhoten, and assistant general manager, Ray Brown. The John A. Morris company has elected officers as follows: President. John A. Morris; vice president, Geo. S. Morris; secretary and general man ager, Fred D. Bell; treasurer, Harr) McFarren. The seven directors include the six above named gentlemen and Will D. Morris. All of the stock is held by the di rectors and the general managers o; their various stores, twelve in num ber. There is no stock on the market of the total issues of SIOO,OOO and $lO, 000 respectively.—Bluffton News. The wife of George Morris, presi dent, was formerly Miss Hattie Pat

tersen of Decatur, daughter of the ( late R. D. Patterson. Fred Bell, manager of the second company, is a son ■of Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Bell, of Do a , tur. o FEATURES IN "DOWN IN ALABAM' , There are said to be more interest [ j ing and entertaining features in "Down j in Alabam,” the entertainment which the Woman's Improvement society i:I going to present at the opera house , | Thursday and Friday nights, January ■ , 28-29, than one would imagine could ; be crowded into one entertainment. A beautiful dramatic i icture of the sun ny side of a southern plantation home . Light comedy characters and situations with charming local color prevail. Th( dainty numbers furnished by the “Vi:: ■ itors from Memphis,” “Cuddle Up a i Little Closer,” from the opera, "Tlie Three Twins,” showing the seven ages jof cuddling. The pretty lantern drill by ten little girls; also the funny song, : “Yama Yama Man,” by ten little picca , ninnies, not to mention an old-time i plantation minstrel scene, introducing I the old negro songs and the new. tojgether with "Tell Us Pretty Ladies," ) the society song and drill, are all elev , erly presented. Then there are Nora land Neil, the “Goody, Goody Girls.” [the negro mammy, who is a scream, i A large chorus of mixed voices adds much to make it all a pure, clean laugh and an evening of frolic and fun.

——o WILL DELIVER BUTTERMILK. George Dixon has made arrange ments with the Creamery company tor the establishment of a buttermilk sales route, that will be welcome news to many in the city. Tlie tnilk will be delivered the same as sweet milk, and tickets for the same will be sold. This will begin next Monday. REJECTS AMENDMENTS. Washington. D. C„ Jan. 23 —(Special to Daily Democrat)—Rejecting all amendments which would have forced the leasing of government-owned ships the caucus of democratic senators virtually completed consideration of the ship purchase bill this afternoon.

Price, Two Cents.

BLOODY BATTLE BEING FOUGHT Great Russian Army and the German? Meet in Encounter in North Poland. GERMANY PROTESTS Against Sale of Arms by American Manufacturers to Allied Nations. Petrograd. Jan. 23—(Special to the Daily Democrat) —Bloody encounters between the Cossacks’ advance of th? great Russian army now threatening the German fortress of Thorn and German forces southeast of Kikol, were reported in dispatches from the front today. Under a murderous fire from the Germans the cavalry was forced to retire. The Germans’ wheeled light artillery into position to support the riflemen. The Cossacks were permitted to advance within a short distance then a galling rifle fire was poured into their ranks. The outposts having clashed. Petrograd confidently awaits news of the beginning of one of the greatest battles fought in northern Poland. Russian scouts today reported that the army of General Francois moving to attack the rear of the Russian army moving on Thorn, is making slow progress.

London, Jan. 23 —(Special to Dally Democrat) —The admiralty office today announced that an unnamed British battle ship had sunk a supply ship for tlie German cruiser operating in the Pacific waters. Tlie crew was imprisoned. Galveston. Texas, Jan. 23 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —The steamship Dacia will sail this afternoon, her agents announced today. Clerical work delayed her departure, they said. A heavy northwester also helped to keep tiie German steamer in port. Captain McDonald intimated he would attempt to elude the British cruiser reported lying in wait in the Florida straits. Several newspaper men waited to sign on the crew today, but were rejected. Berlin, Jan. 23 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —German newspapers today applauded a semi-official statement given out by tlie government protesting of tlie sale of arms by American manufacturers to the allies. The statement charged that the spirit if not the letter of neutrality is being violated in this respect. Some of the most radical papers displayed a strong antiAmerican tone charging that such purchases are nothing short of subsidizing the United States under the veil of a trade war. Vienna, Jan. 23—(Special to Daily Democrat) Australian shells destroyed a railroad station in which several hundred Russian soldiers were quartered in southeastern Poland. The loss of life was heavy. Artillery fight■ng in tlie region of tlie Nida river southwest if Dieice was reported to [he progressing satisfactorily for the I Austrians. Tj FINED FOR CONTEMPT. — I Toledo, Ohio, Jan. 23—(Special to Daily Democrat) —Federal Judge Killits today held that a newspaper may be guilty of contempt when it publishes cartons, news items and editorials relative to a pending case. He fined the News Bee $7,500 and its ed'tor. N. D. Cochran, S2OO because of th.> newspaper’s comment on Killits' sandling of the street car scrape here. The issue was three-cent all day fare. Attorneys ter tlie newspaper immediately filed motion for a new trial. (, BACK TO MATTEAWAN.

Concord, N. 11., Jan. 23- (Special to Daily Democrat) Harry Thaw was today on his way back to New York io the Tombs prison, following his sensational escape from Matteawan a year or more ago. The slayer of Stanford White was brought to this city from Manchester by a sheriff. Judge Aldrich, who granted Thaw the habeas corpus writ, reversed his former decision. The prisoner was then turned over the sheriff under the extradition papers signed by Governor Falkner in 1913. The entire transfer took only ten minutes. Thaw was without counsel. He appeared cheerful as usual.