Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 13, Number 39, Decatur, Adams County, 16 February 1915 — Page 1

Volume XIII. Number 39.

THE PRIMARY LAW It is Now Proposed to Put One Up to the People to be Voted on. WOULD HAVE TEETH New State Printing Lawx That Would Provide for ; Nine Classes Proposed. (By Lew Ellingham) Indianapolis, Ind., Feb. 15—-This seems to be the open season for the discussion, both within and without the legislature, of a compulsory primary election law. Those who favor and those who do not favor such a radical departure from the present method of nominating the state, district, county and township cam.yates, < are busy giving expression to their views. One of the latest to break into print upon this subject is the -t lion. Thomas Taggart, national committeeman, and for years the conced-

ed leader among the Indiana democrats, He tried to make this one fact plain, and that is, that the views to which he gave expression, are his own personal views and that he has no desire to foist them upon his party, end in this his sincerity cannot be questioned, it can not be questione I because Mr. Taggart’s idea is to present a complete primary election bill —with teeth, whatever that means—have the same adopted by the present general assembly and submitted to the people at the next general election in 1916. An outline of such a I ill has been drafted and according to its provisions the voter would be safe-guarded by the general election laws of the state. The drafted bill provides for the nomination of all candidates for United States senator, representatives in the national house of congress, elective state officials, members of the general assembly, circuit, superior and probate judges, ; rosecuting attorneys, elective county and township officials, elective city officials, delegates to national party conventions, members of party state central committees, county and city committees, and one member of the national committee for each party. I The date of this primary is designated as the third Tuesday in May of each election year. It will be held under the general election laws of the state, thus eliminating all the frauds that are said to prevail under the makeshift primary laws in force in certain counties of the state. One section provides that any person holding an appointive office either in the state, sounty or township shall not lie eligible to serve on any party committee. Every candidate other than county and township, shall qualify by

certifying his name to the secretary of state, and one of the features cf this qualification is the payment to the secretary of state of a fee equal

to one per cent of one year's salary L of the office to which the one so quail lying, aspires. Every presidential year the presidential electors and I delegates to the national convention . are also to run the gauntlet of the primary. Provision is also made for I a preferential vote on the candidate:. I for president and vice president. It there is anything omitted I have failed to find it. The object in submitting a bill of this kind is for the purpose that should the people of the state favor a primary they know in advance the kind of a primary law I they will get. It closes the gate for an affirmative vote and then for a I general assembly to enact into law I only a pretended primary law. The I draft of the bill mentioned certainly goes the full length, and has enough “teeth” to satisfy the most hungry primary enthusiast in the country. | The writer sees nothing but merit in the submission of such a primal y bill. Put the matter square up to tIV i electors and let them decire whether it is gooji, bad or indifferent ami whether or not they want such a lav/ written into the statutes of the state. Why not? Is not this a pretty good compliance with ; a state platform written after but a short and unsatisfactory discussion of the subject, and over which the opinion was about equally divided. Think this over well,

and then give your member of the legislature your best opinion as to what course he should take when the matter is presented for legislative action. The Indianapolis News is trying to muddy the primary election water.

DECATUR DALI A DEMOCRAT

I The News has gone on record against such a primary and lias presented the defects 01 such u law and presented them well. Just now that newspaper is jingoing to the extent of criticising the leaders of the democratic party for not carrying out their platform pledge upon tills question. It seems to one up a tree that the News shquld be an honest exponent of what they believe upon the primary question. 1 hey should either be for or against a primary, and not be for a primary by inuenda just to play a little politics against a party that placed a primary declaration in its platform. The question before the house is whether a primary election law is a beneficial (Continue on Page Two) TO SELL GROUND The Catholic Cemetery on Mercer Avenue to be Laid Into Lots and SOLD BY THE CHURCH Was Bought by St. Mary’s Church in 1842—-Lenten . Eeason Opexns.

Acting upon the advice of the board of trustees of the church and in answer to the- many urgent requests from Jhe members of his congregation Rev. J. A. Seimetz, yesterday stated to the members of the St. Mary’s church that the old cemetery grounds along Mercer avenue would be laid off into lots and sold in part or any way which the purchaser wished to buy it. Since 1895 the cemetery has been abandoned as a burial ground by the St. Mary’s congregation. In that year the new and beautiful St. Joseph's cemetery west of the city was purchased and is now the official burial place. Most of the remains that were buried in the oM cemetery have been taken up and reburied in the St. Joseph's cemetery. At present there are between forty and fifty bodies lying in the old cemetery, and these will be taken up and the tombstones removed to the new cemetery. The ground will then be laid off into lots and sold to the highest bidder.

The place is an ideal one for building, and the lots will no doubt be sold within a short time. The money derived from" the sale of the property will go toward the beautifying of the St. Joseph's cemetery. The old cemetery ground was purchased in 1842. Lent Starts Wednesday. Starting with Wednesday, which is known as Ash Wednesday, the first day of lent, the six weeks of fast and abstinence will begin. During this holy and solemn season services will be held at the St. Mary’s Catholic church on Tuesday and Friday evenings. On Tuesday evenings there will be a sermon and benediction and on Friday evening the stations of the ' cross will be held. The services will start at 7:30 and be in charge of the

Rev. Fathers Seimetz and Kroger. — o_ INTERESTING program. M. E. Ladies Arrange Good Propram for Mite Box Opening. The following program will be rendered by the Woman’s Home and Foreign Missionary society of the M.E. church at thei rannual mite box opening at the home of Mrs. C. C. Schafer Tuesday evening, February 16: Opening Song—" Onward, Christian Soldiers.” Exposition of the 23rd Psalm-Mrs. Stephenson. Prayer —Mrs. Daniel. Piano Solo-Miss Rose Smith. Selection on Victrola. Reading—Mrs. Hildebrand. Piano Duet—Mrs. Jesse Dailey, Mrs. Fred Fruchte. Vocal Solo—Mrs. Will Schrock. Cradle Songs of Many Lands-Sev-en Little Girls in Costume. Selection on Victrola. Everybody come and enjoy a pleasant evening. A silver offering will be taken at the door.

R EV. KALEY PREACHES. The fourth quarterly services were held yesterday at the EvangeMca church Rev. Rilling had presentt Rev D. A.’ Kaley. pastor of the ■ Evangelical church, who prea following the communion servicelt sermon was an able one and he ga the essentials of conducting a «<- cessful revival. The sermon was a preparatory one for the coming r. vival.

Decatur, Indiana, Monday Evening, February 16, 1915.

DEATH'S VICTIM Mrs. Philip Schirock of Near Peterson Succumbs— Was Operated Upon. BURIAL WEDNESDAY At Bryant—Was Fifty-four Years of Age—Leaves Nine Children. Mrs. Prllip Schirock, aged fifty-four years, wife of a well known farmer of near Peterson, died Sunday morning at 10 o'clock. She had been a sufferer from gall stones and appendicitis and recently underwent, an operation for that. Everything possible was done for her, without avail, and death relieved her sufferings. The family formerly lived at Bryant, moving to this county two and a half years ago. The body will be taken to the former home at Bryant, leaving this city tomorrow afternoon over the G. R. A I. The funeral will be held Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock from the Trinity church. The priest of that churtoh, assisted by Mr. Schirock's two brothers. Father Peter of Cleveland and Father Lawrence, of Winamac, will have charge of the services and the three priests will conduct a high mass. The husband and nine children are living. The children are: Ed, Charles and Andrew, of Elyria, Ohio; Mrs. Irene Gabel, Bryant; Dan, of Decatur; Clara, Linus, Fideless, Idella, at home. Mrs. Schirock’s mother. Mrs. Elizabeth Beadel, resides with a daughter, Mrs. Frank at Bryant, and it is there the body will be taken. Besides the sister namer before, Mrs. Schirock leaves three brothers. They are Henry Bealed, Toledo, Ohio; John Beadel, Defiance, Ohio; Jos* ph Beadel, Bryant. Mrs. Schlmck was a lady well liked by all and her death causes sorrow. o WHEN LADY DEAD Mrs. James Stevens Wrer, Ohio, Called by Death Sunday Evening. SICK ONE YEAR Suffered from Complications —Funeral Wednesday . Afternoon.

As a result of a year’s sickness and suffering from dropsy and a complication of diseases the death of Mrs. James Stevens occurred Sunday evening at 9 o’clock at her home near Wren, Ohio. Mrs. Stevens took sick about a year ago and since that time had been in failing health. Her condition grew worse until it finally resulted in death. The deceased was born in Van Wert county and since childhood has hade her home at Wren. She was fifty-seven years of age and leaves a husband and four children: Alton, of Van Wert: Joseph and John of Wren, and Evaline, of Denver, Colorado. Mrs. William Roop of north of the city was a sister of the deceased. A step-son, Rowland Stevens, also survives. The funeral will be held Wednesday afternoon, the procession leaving the house at 1 o’clock. Rev. M. L. Gorbison of the U. B. church will officiate. ELKS AND THEIR FAMILIES. Tonight’s the night. What for? Why, the reception to be given by the B. P. O. E. for their families. The wives, daughters, mothers and sweethearts of the Elks are to be entertained at the hall at 8 o’clock sharp. . --Cr- '"** * TAKEN TO DETROIT, MICH. Sheriff Ed Green left this morning over the Clover Leaf for Detroit, Mich., with Otto Harb, arrested on the i charge of deserting his army post. He . will be taken to the army post near Detroit.

HAVE YOU GOT AN ALMANAC? The month is half gone and so Is the supply of those great reference books. We want every subscriber to the Daily Democrat who will renew during this month to have one. The offer Is good during the month and we hope you will renew your loyalty to the Daily Democrat and secure one of these valuable books. Do it now. We are planning to take care of the news during the coming year. You will want the paper. Why not subscribe now and get one of these splendid almanacs free. They contain information that you won't find anywhere else. - 1 ■ i■ l O' CHILDREN GIVE Response from Adams County School Children More Than Satisfactory. CHRISTEN PLEASED School in Kirkland Township With Less Than 30 Pupils, Gives $10.60. County Superintendent Ed S. Christen is more than delighted with the response made by the school children of Adams county to the appeal made through him by C. A. Greathouse, state suuperinteddent. Mr. Christen believes that no county in the state will make a better showing per capita than this one. From nearly every school in the county have come splendid reports, but it remained for Mr Will Jackson of Kirkland township to make the most wonderful showing. With less than thirty pupils in his school, he reported the sum of $10.60. The money will be sent to the state superintendent and the large -sum from the school children of Indiana will then be forwarded to the war district. All parochial schools are also invited to contribute to this fund. The money will probably be sent in on Washington's birthday, next Monday, which gives all this week to the children to make contributions. Mr. Christen will be glad to receive the money from any school in the county. Professor C. E. Spaulding, superintendent of the city schools, reports the sum of $16.35 from the city schools for the fund. From the high school, $6.46 was collected. From the seniors, $2; juniors, $1.75; sophomores, $1.60; fresment, sl.ll. The seventh and eighth grades contributed $2.93; the library classes, 83c; north ward, $2.80; west ward, $2.08; south ward, $1.25.

DIED YESTERDAY Mrs. Herman Reiter of Bingen Passed Away Sunday —Was 11l Long. CANCER THE CAUSE Funeral Services Will be Wednesday Afternoon at One O’clock. Mrs. Emilie Reiter, wife of Herman Reiter, died yesterday at the family home in Bingen, this county. Death was due to cancer, following an illness of seven weeks. The deceased was 52 years of age. Surviving, besides the husband, are two daughters, Louise and Ida Reiter, and the following brothers and sisterr Fred and Ferdinand Schoppman and Mrs. Sophia Berningt of Allen county, and Mrs. Lizette Reiter, of Fort Wayne. Funeral services Wednesday afternoon at one o'clock at the residence, and at 1:45 o’clock at the St. John’s Lutheran church on the Decatur road, Rev. H. C. Jaus officiating. A post mortem examination was conducted yesterday by Drs. Earl and J S. Coverdale, J. M. Miller, W. E. Smith and S. D. Beavers and a cancerous condition of the liver, lungs and pancreas was found. Mrs. Reiter had been under the care of a trained nurse for six weeks.

WEDDED SUNDAY Vaughn Murray and Clara Hockemeyer Marschand Married Sunday AT BRIDE’S HOME By Rev. H. C. Jaus —Couple Will Make Home in This City.

A wedding of much interest that took place yesterday saw the union of Vaughn Murray of this city, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter D. Murray, and Mrs. Clara Marschand, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Hockemeyer of north of this city. The wedding took place at the Hockemeyer home Sunday afternoon at 4 o’clock. Rev. H. ('. Jaus of the St. John's Lutheran church officiated. William Gauze was best man, the bride having no attendants. Her wedding gown was of white crepe de meteor, becomingly made. After the wedding a fine supper was served, the guests being the relatives of the two families. The couple will reside on Mercer avenue in this city. The groom is a chauffeur and median ic at the Holthouse garage. Both are estimable young people and deserving of the many good wishes they have received. Among those from this city who attended the wedding were Mr. and Mrs. Walter D. Murray and Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Linn. WAS BIG EVENT. The thirty-third anniversary celebration of the G. A. R. was a big event of Saturday afternoon. The attendance was quite large and the fine pregram in full was given. John Wolford, the singer, especially pleased all and was recalled several times. S. B. Fordyce handed out souvenir post cards of the soldiers’ monument. MRIRASTERDEAD Simon Traster, Well Known St. Mary’s Township Man, Succumbs. WAS SICK LONG Os Complication of Ailments —Was Sixty-seven Years Old.

After a long illness of a complication of ailments, including apoplexy and intestinal nephritis, Simon Traster, 67, a well known resident of St. Mary’s township, died Saturday evening at 6 o’clock. He had been ailing since a year ago when lie suffered a fall and several times lately had been at the point of death. He was the son of Fred Traster and was born in Noble county, this state. For fifty years or more he has been a resident of this county, and was one of its highly respected men. He was born December 29, 1847, and at death was sixtv-seven years one, month and fourteen days of age. Mr. Traster was the father of four children. They are Daisy, deceased; Samuel, of South Whitley; Jesse T. of east of this city, Clarence, deceased. Three brothers and one sister are living. The funeral will be Tuesday morning, leaving the house at 9:30 o’clock for the Wren church, the Rev. Buyer officiating. — o SERVICES WERE FINE. The Christian Endeavor service at the Christian church last evening, with a special program given under the leadership of Mrs. C. R. Weaver, were especially fine, and much appreciated by the audience. o HAD FIRST PRACTICE. There were one hundred thirty voices present from all the churches at the first choir rehearsal for the big tabernacle services. The practice took place at the M. E. church yesterday afternoon.

IRVIN RAINIER ILL. Mrs. C. T. Rainier wont to Fort Wayne Saturday afternoon to visit with her son. Charles Rainier. They were in receipt of word that her son, Irvin, Is ill of typhoid fever in a hospital in Racine, Wis„ and his brother, Charles, will go to be with him, 0 UNCLE HEZEKIAH OBSERVES. Lem Gookins sez he bez read his first and last novul. He sez there ain't nuthln' in ’em. He read in et tliet tryin' t’ make a gurl er boy jealous increases their affexshun fer y’. He tried et an’ SHE hezn't spokun’ t’ him sence an' no sines uv speakin'. A NOTABLE EVENT Fourth Degree of Knights of Columbus Had a Big - Day in Ft. Wayne. FEAST AT ANTHONY Nine Decatur Men Take the Highest Degree in Ranks of Knighthood. No bigger event was ever held in Fort Wayne by the Knights of Columbus than that of Sunday when the exemplification of the fourth degree the highest rank in that order of knighthood, was conferred upon a (lass of ninety-one candidates, nine of whom were from this city. The affair was an elaborate one and will not be forgotten in years to come by anyone who had the pleasure of being present. The Decatur knights chartered a special car on the Fort Wayne Springfield railway, leaving this city at 1 o’clock Sunday afternoon. The initiatory work was given at the K. of C. hall and was in charge of Master Edward F. Reminert. and his staff, including Father Seimetz of this city. Following the exemplification every fourth degree man, numbering 250 in all, were banqueted at the Anthony hotel. It was a. banquet of note, and elaborate in every respect. Rev. Fa ther Seimetz of this city, who is chaplain of the fourth degree assembly, pronounced the Invocation and gave the opening toast. Following him were a number of other notable speakers. Those of the class from this city were Lenus Meyer, Thomas Leonard, J. W. Bosse, Martin Smith. George Colchin, Voglewede. Frank Barthol, Alphonse Kohne and Clayson Carroll. Those who accompanied the candidates were Rev. J. A. Seimetz, E. X. Ehinger, Jesse Niblick, C. S. Niblick, C. N. Christen. Will Berling, Fred Schurger, Martin Mylott, Dr. Costello, Dan Niblick, Ben Smith, Dr. D, I). Clark, Thomas Mai ley, J. F. McKennan, Herbert Ehing er, Herbert Bremerkamp, Harmon Colchin, Nick Miller. Dr. H. E. Keller. Joe Berling, Michael Miller, Dyonis Schmitt, Tony Hackman, Herman Yager and Joe Lose. The Decatur lodge now has fifty fourth degree members and is looked upon as being one of the strongest ol its size in the state.

PERILS OF PAULINE. Tomorrow night at the Crystal theater, the twelfth episode of “The Perils of Pauling” will be given. This is the serial which was Tunning at the Lyric theater until that place was destroyed by fire, and which has now been transferred to the Crystal. In addition to this serial, a comedy entitled "A Booming Swindle," will be given. Tonight’s show compromises a. Biograph drama entitled “Maskand Faces,” in two parts, and a Kalem comedy entitled "Lizzie, the Life Saver.” The price of admission is five cents to all. o — IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT. All members, regular or affiliated, of the Presbyterian church are urged to be present this evening at 7:30 prompt, at which time a congregational meeting will be held which will be of vital interest to the church. Rev. Edward Montgomery, of the Third Presbyterian church of Fort Wayne will be here this evening to act as moderator for the congregational meeting.

Henry Oerke and Louis Scheumann say the show at the Temple theater, Fort Wayne, last evening.

Price, Two Cents.

AVOID WAR ZONE Germany Requests Neutral Shipping Keep Clear of the War Zone. BATTLES IMPENDING Russians Are Reorganizing for Resistance Along Entire Battle Line. Washington, D. C., Feb. 15 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —In a note presented to the state department today by the German ambassador, Germany reiterated her request that neutral shipping avoid the German war zone and take instead the sea tract around northern Scotland. The war aone decree was called a measure of retaliation against England. The note declared Germany has information that English merchantmen are being armed preparatory to going out in groups in an effort to sink German submarines. Under sucli circumstances Germany contended, to stop and search a vessel would be out of the question. It was added that English ships are planning also to use neutral Hags in their dashes across tlie forbidden area. Because of these two facts, it was held, neutral vessels evidently will be endangered in the war zone and Germany's previous request for diverting shipping northward was repeated.

Berlin, Feb. 15 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —Great battles are impending all along the long battle lines extending from near Tilsit in east Prussia. to the Austrian provinces of Bukowina. The Russian retreat continues but dispatches from a dozen points today indicated that the Czar’s 'ilorces are now Deorganizing their lines for a stubborn resistance. Paris, Feb. 15- —(Special to Daily Democrat) —Defeat of the Germans in a three-day battle around Norroy and in Lorraine and success of allied infantry charges along the road from Betatune to Laßassee were claimed in dispatches received today. London, Feb. 15 —(Special to Dally Democrat) —The British government today brought to a head the controversy revolving about the detention of tiie cargo of American steamer Wilhelmina. It was announced in the house of commo/; that the cargo of grain and foodstuffs will be submitted to a pri :e court. The decision will de termine whether the ship will be allowed to proceed to Bremen. The government announcement came as a surprise. It was reported that no decisive steps would be taken for several days, pending formal exchange with Washington. Washington, D. ('., Feb. 15 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —Ambassador Spring-Rice notified the state department today that England will seize enemy subjects, whether crew or passenger, entering certain ports in British colonies or dependents. o REVIVAL CLOSES. A gracious revival ended at the Mt. Pleasant M. E. church, three miles northwest of Decatur last night. As many as twenty-five were definitely blessed at the atlar of prayer during the series. There were two conversions at the last service, and the pastor of the Decatur circuit baptized seven and received six into full membership of the church. Evangelist John E. Hewson of Indianapolis wai with us during this series and won a place in the hearts of all. His messages of gospel truth will not be forgotten. One of the features of the closing service was a ‘‘Ring Service,” all present standing out in the aisles against the walls of the building, forming a complete ring about the inside walls, joining hands and singing "God be With You Till We Meet Again.” Then a "Wave Service," all waving handkerchiefs and singing, "God be With You." The church has received the greatest uplift in twentyfive years. A free-will offering of $76 was given to Evangelist John E. Hewson in appreciation of his valuable services. —Contributed. I _ -O . — TO ATTEND OPENING. Miss Mayme Deininger left for Cleveland, Ohio, to attend the millinery opening for two weeks and get the new spring styles.