Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 13, Number 81, Decatur, Adams County, 5 April 1915 — Page 1

Volume XIII. Number 81.

WAS £ PIONEER Peter Hoffmann, Pioneer of Linn Grove, and Oldest Druggist in County. DIED ON SUNDAY End Came Peacefully—Bedfast Only Few Days.—Father Dr. S. P. Hoffmann. Peter Hoffmann, aged seventy-two,' pioneer resident, and the oldest druggist in the county, passed away Sunday afternoon al 2 o’clock at his home in Linn Grove. He had been bedfast but a few days, and had been at Iris store last, on Tuesday. Deatli was caused by chronic pephritis. Mr. Hoffmann's parents were natives of Germany. They embarked in June,. 1842, at Barium, Germany, for the United States. It was while on the vessel, during the trip of twelve days, that Mr. Hoffmann’s birth occurred, on June 28. The parents and their family came to Columbus, Ohio, and set- ‘ tied on a farm near that city. In the cholera epidemic of 1549 the father and two brothers gave up their lives. . The mother and her children —four brothers and two sisters —came to Indiana, settling in Jay county, in 1856. Mr. Hoffmann was the last aurvinving member of the family. In 1860 he entered the general store at Linn Grove of Mr. Crabbs and the late Major R. B. Allison, as a clerk. In 1865 : he became a partner of John Schaupp, £ in the drug business. Three years la- ( ter he purchased Mr. Schaupp’s interest and continued alone. In 1872 Mr. 1 ( Hoffmann opened another drug store j at Berne and conducted the two stores, • until 1906, when he sold the Berne ( 1 store, retaining possession of the Linn t Crove store until 1912. when he sold ( it to his three sons and daughter. In 1867 Mr. Hoffmann was married to Louisa Kizer. To them were born two children. One son died in infancy. The second. Orestes K. Hoffmann died in 1900. This marriage was dissolved by the death of Mrs. Hoffmann in 1871. January 4. 1874, he was married to Louise French.' Five children were born to them. There are three sons —Forest and Oral, of Linn Grove, Dr. S. P. Hoffmann, Decatur: Mrs. L. I. Yager, Berne. A daughter, Edith Edna, died in infancy. Mr. Hoffmann was a lover of all that is beautiful in nature. No day’s work was so hard and tiresome that he did not take time at its close to water and care for his flowers. Not only were the lawns beautiful with flowers, but he was also a lover of trees, and especially the maple. His residences were surrounded with beautiful stately maples and the present fine grove that surrounds the Linn Grove school house, owes much of its existence to Mr. Hoffmann. Not only did he ?n- i courage the planting of the trees, but t he personally during the long dry sum- i mers, carried water to many trees that would not have survived, but for his care given them. Hobbies brinjt out the finest in men. < and Mr. Hoffmann, as have many oth- - ers, had several hobbies. Besides < those of flowers and trees, he for < years, as long as wood was used in bis furnaces, chopped and split ills own cord wood, also for his kitenen i stove. He arose long before the oth- i ers and for many years the sound or i Ids sturdy axe resounding through the neighborhood was the call to breakfast. Mr. Hoffmann also had a hobby for the collection of “nigger heads,” both large and small. These were gather- 1 ed and taken to his residence, where he built them into rockeries around his most cherished trees. The keeping of a diary and scrap books were also favorite diversions of his. He kept a diary almost continuously from 1873 until March 12, 1915. The last entries were: “Saturday, February 20—Fair, warm; flies out on the wing;” and “Friday, March 12— Fair; Mrs. John D. Rockefeller dead.” Many a dispute around the old box stove in his store was settled by his diary, when after several had argued the time of certain neighborhood happening, a call came, “Uncle Peter, get down your diary.” This would be referred to and the depute settled, whereupon the one who had been right in his statement would exclaim, 1 told you so.” The diary Included not only local but foreign items of interest, and there are about five volumes of about 300 pages each. The making of scrap books was a

DECATUR DAI LY DEMOCRAT

| pleasure to him and lie has about 100 | volumes, some containing as many as •100 pages. Many of these are Indexjed and are very nicely kept, recording . Items of Interest of politics, poems, I mechanics, architecture, farm-life, etc. The sermons of Talmage and Spurgeon, his favorites, are preserved therein. Many of the books he made, and others were purchased sometime s at a cost of as high as $3.50. Years ago when tlie Hon. A. N. Martin was a member of congress, he sent to him a dozen congressional records. All these have been filled witli scraps. Mr. IJoffmann also fitted up his attic room, wliicli lie sealed and shelved, witli relics, including Indian curios, weapons and other tilings, making a fine little home museum. At tlietime of his death, Mr. HoffI maim was tiie oldest pioneer resident of Linn Grove. None of tlie present (Continued on Page 4.) THE COURT NEWS Grand and Petit Juries for April Term Drawn Today by Commissioners. A NEW TRIAL Is Granted in the SparrowErie Stone Company Case—Other Notes. Jury Commissioners D. M. Hensley and Eugene Lindsey of Linn Grove and County Clerk Ferdinand Bleeke drew the names for the grand and petit juries for the April term of court today. Tlie April term opens next Monday but the petit jury will not report until the third Monday of tlie term. Tlie grand jury may not be called. The following were drawn: Grand Jury John Wendle —Jefferson township. William H. Bollinger—French. William A. Aspy —Geneva. John Scherry—Kirkland. John H. Bryan—Blue Creek. Fred Bieneke —Preble. Petit Jury Riley Bradford —Geneva. Alonzo Shanks —Hartford. Christ CT D. Bieberich —Decatur. Calvin H. Hamrick —Blue Creek. Edward H. Faust— Washington. Fred Eblerding —Kirkland. Gabriel Everett—St. Marys. A. P. Ford. —Wabash. R. A. Drummond —Root. William Jaebker—Preble. Emanuel J. Liechty —Monroe. Fred Pyles—Geneva. Otto Berger—Root. John Peterson —Decatur. Frank Foreman —Berne. Citizens’ Bank of Spencerville, O„ vs. Martin Gerke et al. A motion by the plaintiff to modify finding eight was overruled and exceptions taken. The final report of C. S. Niblick, guardian, as to Minnie Bogner and current report as to the other wards, were approved. The guardian was discharged as to Minnie and the.trust continued as to the other wards. County Recorder Andrew Welflcy finds an extraordinarily big job, that of recording the Blue Creek diteli report. In the case of Adelbcrt Sparrow vs. The Erie Stone company, in which a verdict for damages was awarded Mr. Sparrow by the jury in a recent trial here, Judge Smith has granted a motion for a new trial. — —o — SECOND WARD BIBLE CLASS. Notice of correction as to time of the holding the community Bible class is hereby made. The previous announcement read that the meeting with Mrs. D. D. Heller would be Wednesday evening, which was an error, as the meeting will be held Thursday evening at 7 o’clock, sharp, with Mrs. Heller. .All members urged to be present. o- — NEW CHIMES DONATED. A stand of new chimes have been donated to the St. Mary’s Catholic church and the sweet musical echoes rang from them for the first time yesterday. The Easter services at the Catholic church Sunday were very beautiful, there being three masses i i the morning.

A LARGE FUNERAL L» — I, Hundreds Pay Last Respects t to Wrn. P. Glendening— Masons in Charge. ) ■■■■■ ; SERVICES AT GENEVA Lodges from Decatur, Geneva, Bluffton and Portland Attended in Body. Twenty-five or thirty from tills citv attended tlie funeral services of William Glendenning, held at the United Brethren church at Geneva, Sunday morning. Tlie funeral was one of the largest ever held in that part of the county and tlie sorrow expressed over the sudden death of this splendid citizen was sincere and heartfelt. Only a portion of tlie immense throng was able to get into the church building. Mr. Glendenning was a member of the Masonic lodge, having taken all the work and having for many years been a faithful worker in that order. The funeral was attended by the Masonic lodges from Decatur, Bluffton and Geneva, by the Commandery from Bluffton and by Scottish Rite members from Decatur, Fort Wayne, Bluffton, Geneva and other places. Also by the Elks from Portland, of which lodge the deceased was a member. Tlie service was tlie Scottish Rite funeral, the Knights Templar acting as guards. Rev. Knight of Geneva had charge of the funeral. o BEGIN NEW LIFE Several Hundred Formally Taken Into Church Membership ON EASTER SUNDAY More Take Communion at One Time Than Ever Before in History of City. Easter Sunday was an unusually happy day in the churches of this city and community, marking for many the real beginning of a newer and better life. Special communion services were held in practically every church, and it is said that never before in the history of tlie churches, have there been so many communicants. At the conclusion of the services wiien the invitation was given, many went forward to unite with the churches. Many of these were those converted during tlie recent Honeywell union revival, or during the week’s special evangelistic campaign of last week. At the Methodist, 205 new members were received. At the United Brethren there were sixty who united with the church. This is in addition to the many who united during the devival conducted prior to that of the Honeywell revival. At the Presbyterian fifty-three came into church membership; Evnagelical, seventy; Christian, twenty-eight. This is only a partial report of some, however, as there are many others who will make the formal steps later. At the German Reformed six who were confirmed were taken into membership, and four or five will be received next week. At the Concord Lutheran church, eighteen new members were received F and two came by letter. More will s come later. At the Methodist church a special > junior program was given in the after- - noon. The men's service at the Evangelical church in the afternoon was a , fine one, two confessing the Christ. Mr. Martin of Elkhart ; Messrs. Chas. - Gross and George Crowe, of Fort • Wayne, all traveling salesmen, were present and gave talks. Reports from other churches in the county, %where the revival influences 1 also extended, have not been received. f, o— — — s BEN HURS BENEFIT PLAY. Ie The Ben Hurs announce a benefit y play for Thursday evening at the Rex i theater. There will be specialties besides the regular reels.

Decatur, Indiana, Monday Evening, April 5, 1915.

RED LETTER DAY AT U. B. 1 Yesterday was one of the best flag's services ever held in the United Breth ren church. The primary children hi • tlie Sunday school gave a brief program previous to tlie session* of tlie school. Tlie juniors acquitted themselves well, which reflects credit to those who had tlie matter of drilling tlie children in hand. The attendance in the school ran away beyond tlie 300 mark. A large number enrolled as new members of tlie various classes, bringing the enrollment of tlie school well above the 400 mark. There is no longer room in tlie church for the school. Some classes will repair to tlie parsonage for the lesson period, until arrangements can lie made fi r more room in the church. A now church will be a necessity soon. Rev. J. E. Grimes, of North Manchester. Ind., superintendent of the St. Joseph Conference, preached an Easter sermon in the morning to a well filled house. Tlie Christian Endeavor society met at 6:30 p. m. A number of members were received into tlie society. Sixtyone members were received into the church and more will unite nxt Siinday and the Sunday following. One hundred and sixty-seven have united with the church since the first of January. Rev. Harman preached on "The Resurrection of the Body,” using Paul's letter to the church at Corinth and a part of the fifteenth diaper. The communion of the Izird' supper was administered at the evening service. It is said this was the largest communion ever held in tlio church. Tlie house was crowded to its utmost at the evening service. The church territory will be redistricted and sub-leaders appointed over eacli district to do the visitation work, as assistants to the main class leader and the pastor, who could not properly do all this work. Tlie Christian Endeavor is recording some splendid victories, lead on by Mrs. John Hill, who is very efficient in this line of work. 0 REVIVAL CLOSES AT BEULAH. The evangelistic services closed at Beulah Chapel Sunday night, with a crowd that taxed the building to its utmost capacity. Evangelist John E. Hewson’s closing sermon was a most powerful arraignment of sin. Five were forward at the altar for prayer. Three claimed victory. At the close of the services, as “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder" was sung the vast audience waved their handkerchiefs in a “wave service,” which was very beautiful and inspiring. A free will offering of $75 was given to the evangelist, Mr. Hewson. Rev. Grimes, the pastor, baptized eleven and received twenty into full membership. The meeting was a great uplift to Beulah church. The end of the conference year finds Decatur circuit in good spiritual condition. o TAKEN INTO CUSTODY. Inquest Will be Held on James Kizer of Linn Grove. Sheriff Ed Green and his deputy, L. D. Jacobs, were called to Linn Grove last evening to take into custody James Kizer, who it is believed is insane. He is not dangerous, but is addicted to wandering ,and had just returned from a trip to Detroit, Mich. That he might be kept In safe keeping lie was brought to the jail here and an inquest will be held soon. — 0 DAWNS CLOUDY AND COLD. Havana, April s—(Specials—(Special to Daily Democrat)—The day for the big John-son-Willard championship heavyweight fight dawned cloudy and cold, with prospects of rain. Rain would not stop the fight. Johnson was gay. but Willard was serious. Odds ranged from 8 to 5 on Williard to 6 to 5 on ' Johnson. THE CATHOLIC BIBLE. I We have on hands about a dozen [ bibles of the Douay version, the bible of especial value to members of the catholic church. This ediL tion is endorsed by Cardinal Gibbons and Is complete. It sells for $1.23 and six coupons in limp leatht er and 81 cents in cloth. Those le- , soring these bibles should get them now as the offer will continue but , a short time. It is not necessary 3 to have coupons in order, any six coupons will do. We have ordered another supply of the protestant bibles which should be here in a few days. Better get yours soon. We t have put out several hundred during k the past month and one lady has purchased fifteen. Its the greatest bible bargain ever offered.

CAR IS DAMAGED ■ , Mrs. H. A. Foreman, Huntington, Drives Auto Into . Tree at Steele’s Park. B ) , MACHINE DISABLED i < Occupants of Car Shaken Up , But Escape Serious Injury —Car Brought in. H. A. Foreman, manager «of the Woolworth five and ten cent store a; ! Huntington, Indiana, came to Decatur! Sunday in his handsome new Reo car.' He was accompanied by his wife and • . by Mr. and Mrs. Howard Flack and Mrs. D. R. Warner, also of Hunting- , ton, and Mrs, Smith of Brazil. Ind , . and came for a visit with the J. H.! Stewart family. They returned last evening via tlie traction line, the big car being safely tucked away in the Kalver & Sikes garage for repairs. During the afternoon, Mrs. Foreman decided to take a little drive and accompanied by Mrs. Flack and Mrs. Smith and Meredith Stewart, drove over to Steele's park. In front of, the grand stand Mrs. Foreman started to turn the car, when it got away from , her and tried to climb a maple tree. The radiator was wrecked, the crank case broken and the car otherwise jammed up. The occupants of the car were shaken up and bruised. Meredith receiving a bump on the nose and another on his knee, but none of them were seriously hurt. Tlie car was brought into town later in the afternoon and left here for repairs. o - THE APRIL TERM Opened This Morning—Liqour Licenses Granted to Kloofenstine and Hev. REPORTS ARE FILED By Various County Officials Bills Allowed —Tomorrow Turnpike Day. Jeff Klopfenstine was granted a license to sell liquor at Preble and John Hey was granted the same privilege at Bingen, when the board of commissioners convened this morning. No objections were offered to either application. Various county officers filed reports this morning for the of the board. County Treasurer Archbold filed his report for March collections: Recorder Welfley and Sheriff Green and Auditor Baltzell each filed their . report for the first quarter of the year; Clerk Bleeke filed a report showing . collection of fees for ex-sheriff and ex- - clerk and fees for present clerk. The board devoted the greater part of the day in going over the bills now on file. Tomorrow is turnpike day at • which contracts for two roads in Kirk- • land township will be let. BRITISH BATTLESHIP SUNK. I Berlin, April s—The British battle- - ship Lord Nelson was stranded inside i the Dardenelles and destroyed by fire from the Turkish forts. Loss of the • Turkish armored cruiser Medjigieh in a Sunday engagement off Odessa was limited to an. official statement from the Turkis hadmlralty today. The crew of 320 officers and men were saved by other Turkish warships. In the same engagement two small Russian vessels, the Provident and Vastochnaja were sunk. Their crews were taken prisoners. BROTHER ON HUNTING TRIP. Mrs. George Tester of this city is in receipt of a clipping from a Ixis Angeles paper, giving an account of a big hunting trip that her brother, •Jack Tester, enjoyed some weeks ago in the woods of northern California, with a party of other men. During their camp in the woods Jack and his party shot ten bucks, one panther and six bears. The clipping gives a long account of the hunt.

OPPORTUNITIES AT HOME “It. Is strange” mused the agricultural college professor, "that farmers will continue to overlook so many ■ opportunities right at home and see only those at a distance. There is no better farming country in tlie world, taking everything into conpidejation. than right here In Indiana. We have good soils, good climate, good markets and good means of tranporting our crops to tlie markets. Why seek elsewhere. It reminds one of the old tale about tlie man in South Africa. I He owned a small farm, but hearing of tlie great diamond fields he sold his farm and wont to hunt diamonds and get rich quick. After several years of fruitless search and much hardship he returned and found that ills farm was one of the richest diaI' mond mines in the country. He had overlooked tlie opportunity at home." BROTHER IS DEAD Noah Baumgartner, Brother of L. L. Baumgartner, Died at Linn Grove. ON SUNDAY NIGHT Funeral Will be Wednesday —Had Been 11l Little Over a Week. Noali Baumgartner, brother of Deputy Clerk L. L. Baumgartner of this city, died last night at his home near Linn Grove. He had been ill little more than a week from the results of grip, which terminated in an abscess in his head, and also seemed to affect the entire system. Mr. and Mrs. L. L. Baumgartner went to be witli him yesterday morning and were at his bedside when he passed away, as were other members of the family also. ! The deceased was still a young man in his thirties. The wife, who was formerly Miss Fanny Stucky of Berne, witli three daughters, survive. The children are: Lucile, Dorothy and Earline. The mother, Mrs. Rosa Baumgartner, lives at Berne. Broth- ( ers and sisters are: Charles Baumgartner, St. John.s Mich.; Edward, of Portland; Daniel, of Linn Grove; L. L., of this city; Mrs. Leander Rolin, Mrs. Mary Opliger, Linn Grove; Miss Ida Baumgartner, of Colorado. The deceased was a man of fine character and was well liked by all. Tlie funeral will be Wednesday morning at 10 o’clock at the Linn, Grove Evangelical church. ELWOOD STORE ANNOUNCEMENT I Barney Wisemetal, secretary of the Elwood Tailoring Company arrived this morning and is in charge of the store for the present. Persons wlo ordered suits at that place are invited j to call and see Mr. Wisemetal who 1 will be glad to explain any tiling you may wish to know. Mr. Charles Beim-* ley who was in charge of the store' lias left the city without leaving an address, but Mr. Weismetal is here to meet any person with whom busi-! ness in connection with the store was transacted. Tlie Elwood Company is reliable and have a number of stores,' from which they put out several hundred Easter suits, guaranteed in every way. Barney will be here several days, and the store will continue in operation, having done an excellent business during the months they have operated here. o GRADUATES APRIL 8. Lloyd Magley One of Sixty-six Graduates from Veterinary College. i Invitations have been received to ■ the graduating exercises of the Indi- ! ana Veterinary college at Indianapolis i to be held April 8 in the auditorium -of the Severin hotel. There are sixtyi six graduates and among them is Lloyd Magley, son of Mr. and Mrs. S. S. Magley, of Monmouth. Tlie address will be delivered by Charles A. Greathouse, state superintendent of public s instruction, and there will be special i- musical numbers. a o—- •, DR. BURNS’ REMOVAL. 0 i, Rr. Elizabeth Burns, who has residg ed at the corner of Monroe and First s streets, is removing to the Al Steele d residence on Madison street, west ol g tlie Murray hotel, and is now located there.

Price, Two Cents.

WILLARD WINS ■ BIG BATTLE IN ■ TWENTY-SIXTH • Kansan Cowboy Knocked Out Negro in Battle for World’s Championship. i AT HAVANA, CUBA i Fierce Fight With Many Knock Downs —Crowd Largest in History. Havana, April 6—(Special to Daily Democrat) —Jess Willard brought back to the white race again the world's championship heavyweight pugilistic championship. Johnson went down before one of the cow boy's haymakers in the twenty-sixth round. Up to that time Willard had bested the negro in eleven rounds. Johnson had be?n best in only three rounds. Eleven rounds were even. Havana, April s—(Special to Daily l Democrat) —The championship fight i between J. A. Johnson, negro holder of tlie heavyweight title of the woild, and Jess Willard, cow boy challenger, 'started here under sunny skies at 1:32. Tlie odds by tlie Perry Mutual were ilO to 6 Johnson would win. Johnson entered tlie ring at 1:07 and Willard at 1:15, after the fans had become very • restless over the delay. Johnson weighed in at 225 pounds and Willard at 238. A real outburst of applause greeted the negro and he acknowledg-c-d it with his golden smile. When Willard appeared the tumult of cheering was deafening. The two men iiosed for the movies in the center of tlie ring. Willard took the corner with the sun to his back; Johnson took the other corner. I Round 1. Johnson appeared confident, while Willard was serious. Johnson forced Willard back to his corner, where they clinched. Johnson tapped lightly to Willard's kidney. Willard I made Johnson lead. Willard landed to the negroe’s jaw, swinging his head slightly. Johnson countered witli a right to Willard's jaw. They exchanged left to the body.. Round even. i Round 2. Johnson laughed when ■ Willard missed a left to the head. Willard repeated the same and landed . with a hard left. Johnson lost his smile and began rushing the white man. Willard stood his ground and , fought tlie negro off. They exchanged stiff blows in the center of the ring. Willard's round. Round 3. Johnson again tried to rush Willard, but the white blocked i with surprising cleverness, landing a stiff left to the body. They clinched. Johnson rushed again and had the best, lof tlie exchange. Willard kept workI ing his left to the negros’ head. They 'mixed in a real set-to in tlie center. Working like a whirl-wind Johnson i drove Willard to the ropes. Willard ; blocked a left to the body and a right to the jaw. Round even. Round 4. Johnson came out laughing. Willard fell for the trick and laughed back. They clinched. Sharp exchange. Willard grew confident and i laughed as he blocked. Johnson rushed him to the ropes, landing two hard punches. Willard bled slightly around the lips. Johnson’s round. Round 5. Johnson feinted and sent • a right to the body. He sneered at Willard and said, “Don’t tell me what you are going to do.” Johnson sent ) left to face. In exchange, got a slight-. - ly bleeding mouth. Johnson rushed i Willard, landing two body blows. Wili lard landed loft to face. Round even. Round 6. Johnson had best of exs change, landing stiff right to jaw. Wil- >. lard blocked one, and several body s jabs. Johnson rushed the fighting. Willard seemed cool and landed hard c to Johnson’s jaw. Johnson drove Wil,l lard to corner. Even round. Round 7. Johnson was fighting hard, with grim determination, apparently trying his hardest to win, Willard blocked all rushes. Johnson missI- ed a vicious right. He was trying for t the body. Johnson landed a left to a the face and a hard right to the body, f There was a vicious exchange. W;I---l lard’s round. (Continued on Page 2.)