Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 13, Number 97, Decatur, Adams County, 23 April 1915 — Page 1

Volume XIII. Number 97.

IT CHASES BLUES Like the “Dutch Cleanser” The High School Seniors’ Class Play HAD GOOD MISSION And it Fulfilled it Last Evening—Was a Great Success. i Did you gee the high school seniors’ class play, “Bachellor Hall” last evening.’ If you did you were mighty lucky. In the first place you were fortunate in getting a seat at all, so great was the demand for tickets and the seniors were obliged to give up their seats in the main hall and take gallery seats. In the second place you were mighty fortunate because it was a gplendia production, a regular “Dutch Cleanser”— “It chases the Blues. Tlie play was just brimming over witli things that provoked laughter—funny situations arising from the misunderstandings of a great variety of characters. Without exaggerating in the least, it may be said that the production was hotter than many given by professional actors. To begin with, the play itself, was a good one and the various parts were enacted with consummate skill by the players. There were three acts of one scene each, the play being laid in the home . of Congressman Myrtleton. of Washington. D. C. The congressman’s part ‘ was taken by Clelland Ball, who made s a dignified elderly man and displayed i much ability in acting. Mr. Myrtle- . ton’s ward. Miss Betty Vance, a memher of an amateur actors’ society, had secured the Myrtleton home for the ' production of a play, “The Fatal Shot.” 1 Miss Vance was represented by Miss t Nellie Winans, who enacted tiie j young girl’s part with much natural charm, as did Miss Frances Dauer, as Polly Reynolds, an amateur actress in ‘ the production of tiie play. Mrs. Van t Styne, who had dramatic aspirations, t and was determined that her daugh- ( ter, Claire, should also become famed j behind the footlights, and receive due j recognition from tiie press, was well , represented by Miss Olive Perkins in r a pleasing way, while poor, timid, lit- j tie Claire, who had not the least de- . sire to be an actress, and was too j timid to assert herself, was portrayed ( by Miss Esther Enos charmingly. Os 5 course the author of “The Fatal Shot. ’ j Vere Lee, who was an amateur actor . as well, was in evidence, stewing ‘ around about the outcome of his pro- ' duction and this part was well taken j by Earl Blackburn. ( While the play was in full swing, two of Myrtleton’s constituents and ( staunch supporters from “back home” appeared on the scene. They were Deacons Silas Jervis and Elisha Bas- I sett from Rambletown. Tiie congress- | man had promised his church folks back home to secure a new minister for them and the deacons had come ■ to meet him. One could very well glimpse the appearance of Sidney Borton and Byard Smith, when they become old, in the way they looked last evening, as Jervis and Bassett, respectively —two elderly deacons with chin whiskers and the other character- < istics of age and deacons in literature. The fact that Bassett was "hard of hearing” in one ear. produced many , complications. This and the fact that the congressman knew that the deacons would not be interested spectators and participants in such a “sink of iniquity” as a “the-ater play,’ and knowing also that his participation in such might queer him among the church people of his home town, when it came to re-election, attempted to keep the fact that a play was going on in his house, a secret from tiie deasons. This lead to innumerable difficulties, resulting in just as many funny situations. The. negro butler in the Myrtleton home; whose part was taken by Earl Ripley, was a star and provoked much laughter for his quaintness and natural portrayal. Then, too, there was a bit of love-making in the play, of course, since that is what makes the world go around, and this element was supplied by Ensign Jack Meredith, of tiie navy, who was in love with Betty Vance, but which match the congressman opposed. Myrtleton, of course, since tiie play was to be kept a secret, had given orders that no reporters were to be admitted. His good friend, tiie captain in the navy, had wagered that he could not keep them out. Ensign Jack

DECATUR DAIIX DEMOCRAT

Meredith, acting under the sealed orders from the captain, gained entrance into the house in spite of the many difficulties, succeeded in writing the , account for the paper, and helping along ids own romance as well. The part of Jack Meredith was excellently portrayed by Kenyon Walters. One of the chief parts, including many funny situations, was that of Fred Kooken, as Pinkerton Case, an amateur detective, who also took a part as an actor in “The Fatal Shot.” Trying to unravel the mystery of the disappearance of tiie bonds bought by the con- , gressman with money given by the deacons; and the part a white hair from a rug plays in the unraveling of tiie same, with many other counterplots, brings the play to a climax.Last, but not least, O’Rourke, the policeman, a part admirably taken by (Continued on Page 2.) o - TO TOURJCOUNTY Members of T. P. A. Plan a Delightful Day’s Trip for Next Thursday. BANQUET AT NIGHT President Reid Names Committees Who Will Have Charge of Program. Next Thursray will be T. P. A. day in Decatur and the boys are planning a great entertainment for the occasion. Each year the Travelers’ Protective association celebrates in an annual event and the committee ap- - pointed for this purpose has reported, with the announcement that the day lias been fixed for next Thursday. On that day the boys will leave Decatur in the morning in automobiles and during the day will tour the entire ■ county, visiting all the principle towns and places of interest, inspect the five hundred miles of stone roads, call on brothers and acquaintances at Monroe, Berne, Geneva, Linn Grove, Pleasant Mills and other towns and 1 villages, taking dinner and supper. To look after this trip President T. M. Reil has named a committee, includ- , Ing J. W. Tyndall, French Quinn and F. H. Hubbard. When the party arrives in Decatur in the evening they will be given a banquet to which the ladies are also invited, and at which a program of music and toasts will be given. The committee in charge of that part of the program includes C. 1 H. Colter and Will P. Schrock, a sufficient guarantee that it will be worth while. It promises to be a delightful day for the Travelers. —o - ESTATE JETTLED Final Report in the John Studabaker Estate Filed at Bluffton. THE TOTAL AMOUNT To be Distributed Was $202,727.22—The Distribution. Bluffton, Ind., April 23—The final report of J. W. Sale, as administrator of tiie John Studabaker estate, was approved by Judge Eichhorn, and tiie administrator discharged. There was an estate of $202,727.22 to distribute, and the distribution was made according to an agreement of the heirs in lieu of settling the estate under a will, on which there was a contest when the agreement was entered into. The distribution is as follows: Martha J. Werling, 24 per cent, $48,654.53; David E. Studabaker, 16.29 per cent, $33,024.26; Mattie McCormick, 15.70 per cent, $26,050.56; Charles A. Studabaker, 8.56 per cent, $17,353.46; ■ R. S. Todd, 3.13 per cent, $6,325.06; • Martha A. Roush, 4.12 per cent, SB,- : 352.36; Mary R. Rhue, 5.12 per cent, ■ $10,379.63; Bessie Sale, 5.12 per cent, > $10,379.63; and Robert W. Rogers, 5.12 t per cent, $10,379.63.

Decatur, Indiana, Friday Evening, April 23, 1915.

UNION MEETING ■■—ll I—— Os Christian Endeavorers to be Held at Presbyterian Church. ON NEXT TUESDAY Field Secretary Will Give the Principal Address—Other Features. There will be a union Christian Endeavor meeting next Tuesday evening at the Presbyterian church. Mr. R. A. Walker, the field secretary of Indianapolis, will be present and give the principal address. The young people’s societies are indeed fortunate in obtaining Mr. Walker as he is in great demand for Christian Endeavor work all over tlfe state. Howard Wisehaupt, a personal friend of Mr. Walker, will be here to lead the music and a special program is being arranged. Every one is urged to be present. An offering will be taken for Mr. Walker. Every one interested in Christian Endeavor or young people’s work is urged to be present. o UNCLE HEZEKIAH OBSERVES. “This is the time of the year when both ends easily meet,” said I, as I looked over the table. “How is that?” says my wife, who finds it difficult to stretch the household allowance. "Why,” said I, as I looked at the canned chow-chow and the spring rhubarb, “there is the‘last of the garden’ and also the first of the garden.” Q THE LODGE_NOTES Decatur Ben Hurs Will Confer Degree on Candidates 1 at First Day 1 1 1 OF THE CONGRESS At Bluffton—l. O. O. F. An- ' niversary Celebration on 1 Next Tuesday. i P. O. Bowers, of Crawfordsville, i state manager of the Ben Hurs, and F. F. Braughman of Marion, district deputy, are expected here tonight to be ( with the local Ben Hurs. At this time arrangements will be completed for going to the fifteenth northern Indiana fraternal congress in session at Bluff- . lon, May 5 and 6. The Decatur team lias been given tiie honor of conferring the degree upon a large class of candidates the first day of the congress. Tiie Rebekahs are planning for a program and supper to be given next Tuesday evening after tiie regular ledge meeting for the Odd Fellows and their families. This will be a celebration of tiie I. O. O. F. anniversary. Talent from outside the lodges, as well as those of the orders, will be asked to take part in the program. The affair promises to be a most enjoyable one. The northern Indiana fraternal congress of Ben Hur will be held at Bluffton May 5 and 6. Lodges from all parts of northern Indiana will be present and a large class of candidates will be initiated. The program for the meeting lias not yet been arranged. The Eastern Star chapter w/11 convene promptly at seven o'clock this evening that the business of the lodge may be attended to before the Shakespeare club social. The grand chapter will be in session in Indianapolis next week. Among those from the local chapter who will go are Mrs. J. S. Peterson, G. T. Burk and Mrs. I. A. Kalver. o STONE UNLOADER BUILT. Contractor L. W. Frank, who is making the Eleventh and Tenth street improvements, has completed the stone unloader at the Erie railroad. This is run by gasoline power and is very convenient, combining facility with speed.

| SHAFE’3 RIGHT THERE. Shafo Peterson is Decatur’s Worth. He sets the style of wearing straw ( hats in the spring. Sure enougli Shafe appeared today noon wearing his straw hat—the first of the season, as usual. Tomorrow, according to tradition, Fred Mills will come down wearing his, and then tiie rest will muster up courage and follow suit. laiter: In an interview this afternoon, Mr. Peterson stated his hat was a 1916 model, eight cylinder. He disclaimed honor of priority, however, having lost the championship tills year like Jack Johnson. Ho ranks third, Frank McConnell and George Martin having beaten him in tiie race, is Ameling Dick Townsend Refitting and Refurnishing His New Kentucky Hotel. IN MODERN FASHION Will be One of the Best Hostelries in Blue Grass Region When Done. According to an announcement made last night by Manager Dick Townsend, of tiie Palmer Hotel, extensive improvement, which when completed, will render the Palmer House one of the most up-to-date hostelries in the state, are now under way. Manager Townsend will continue tiie , policy of extensive improvement until everything possible toward the betterment of the hotel has been done. Laborers are now at work remodeling eight rooms on the fourth floor of ' the hotel. Remastering, repapering and repairing wili be done to these rooms, following which others will be treated in a like manner. Baths are to be added to forty-two rooms, thus giving eighty-four rooms with bath in the building. Fifteen rooms will be remodeled next week. “We are starting at tiie top,” said Mr. Townsend, “and coming to tiie bottom witli ' the improvement, and bringing tiie dirt down with us.” The big kitchen of the hostelry wili be entirely repainted in white, thus adding much to the attractiveness and sanitation of tiie place. Every room in the house is to be (Continued on Pago 2.) iHFsUNMY Washington Township Sunday School Convention at U. B. Church. THE PROGRAM GIVEN » I Talks, Vocal and Instrumental Music Make Up I Splendid Program. Tiie Washington township Sunday i school convention will bo held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock, April 25, at the United Brethren church. Tiie following program lias been an- , nounced: 1 Opening Exercises — Clayton i Shafer. Song—U. B. Ladies' Quartet. Practical Lessons from Ruth—Estella Perkins. Violin Solo —Thelma Williams. Value of Sunday School to Me— Harvey Everett. Reading—Alta Teeple. Literary Value of the Bible—Miss V. Cravens. Piano Duet —Thelma and Irma Houk. Lessons from David’s Life —S. C. Cramer. Brief Talks by Visiting Officers. Sacred Selections on a Victrola— A. M. Sellemeyer. Round Table Discussion by All. Talks should not exceed seven minutes. Come and enjoy an hour with us. |

A PLAY FESTIVAL 1 Will be Grand Event Marking the Closing of the City Schools. ALL THE PUPILS Os All the Grades and of the High School Will Participate. "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” There is a time to play as well as a time to work and the city schools will close their term, Thursday, May 20, with a grand play festival or play tournament. The exact place of holding the same has not been determined, but plans are now under way to secure Steele’s park lor the event. It will be an all-day affair. All the pupils of all the grades, as well as the high school, with their parents, if they so desire, will attend. Eacli one will take his own lunch. There will be no general banquet, because it is the desire to make everything as simple and free from labor and expense as possible, hence each will take his own lunch, making It as simple or as elaborate as he pleases. In the morning the grades will hold their exercises. These will be drills and exercises by the primary grades; and May pole exercises and others by the older grades. The afternoon will be taken up by the high school with , athletic sports and events of that kind. When plans are further perfected, a ‘ more detailed account will be given. 1 o i THE COURT NEWS 1 ( Jay County Case -Venued i ( Here—C. J. Lutz Ap- I ( pointed as , i A SPECIAL JUDGE i J. F. Snow Made Adminis- 1 trator of Nancy Vaughan > Estate. £ _____ , i A Jay county case entitled Harry f M. Sawtelle vs. Barbara Alberson et * al., on note and to foreclose mort- 1 age, will be heard here. The trans- ‘ cript and papers were received here f on change of venue this morning. a Wililam Frazier was appointed inheritance tax appraiser in two es- I tates, those of Mary Welty and Au- I gust Henry Heuer. The petition of Fannie Baumgart- 1 nor, administratrix of tiie estate of Noah A. Baumgartner, to sell personal property at private sale, for cash, or on time, was granted. The motion in the case of Emil Yandrich vs. The Holland-St. Louis 11 Sugar company was overruled and exceptions taken by the plaintiff. 1 Tiie bond for costs was filed by the plaintiff, Elmer L. Rice, doing business as the American Jewelry Company, in his case against Frederick Steudlcr, and tiie bond was approved. Special Judge J. T. Merryman declined to serve further because of interest as counsel for the defendant in an- < other case. C. J. Lutz was appointed I special judge by Judge Smith and i assumed jurisdiction. An absolute 1 rule against the defendant to answer I in five days was made. Niblick and Kirsch were released as bondsmen for Lulu Johnson, administratrix of the estate of Edward Johnson, and a new bond was filed with the Equitable Surety Company as bond. The bond is for $7,400. Letters of administration for tiie estate of Nancy Vaughn were granted J. F. Snow, who succeeds the late Samuel Doak. Real estate transfers: Charles C. Sullivan et al. to Ezra Lantz et al., Hot 360, Berne, $1200: William SprungI (Continued on Page Two)

M. E. CONFERENCE BENEFITS. ■ Rome City, April 23—Dr. J. L. Gilbert of Kendallville has been named executor of the estate of the late Mrs. ■ Maggie Brothwell, whoso death occurred here recently. By the provisions of her will about $30,000 will go to the Preachers' Aid society and the Missionary society of tiie Northern Indiana conference of the M. E. church. The will also provides that her 200- > acre farm, occupied by her tenants. Mr. and Mrs. C. P. Fisher, shall go to them as a life estate, together with , other money and securities and at their death shall revert to the Missionary society of tiie M. E. church. The further sum of SSOO was set aside and entrusted to Dr. Gilbert to be used in the maintenance of the Osborne cemetery. The estate is valued at about $40,000. o TO FIFE BOBERTS Terre Haute to at Once Begin Proceedure Against Imprisoned Mayor. FILE THE CHARGES Which Include One That He Raised His Own Salary a Thousand a Year. Terre Haute, Ind., April 23 —(Spec-' ial to Daily Democrat)—The city oi Terre Haute today set itself about the business of ridding itself of any offl- i cial connects* n with Donn M. Roberts, i the mayor. The great mass of people: as well as the big majority of the city council, feel that with Roberts ini Leavenworth prison, convicted of a crime against tiie ballot, tiie sooner his name is erased from the city’s official roll the better. The impeachment proceedings today were expected to consume several hours, but it was predicted when tiie trial opened at 10 a. m. that before night Terre Haute would be rid of Roberts. Evidence to be presented today was largely of the same nature as that ■ brought out in the federal trial at Indianapolis. though lacking the great ■ detail of that trial. Only the grossest ' acts of Roberts vzere to lie in evidence, i' Among the charges were the follow- i ing: That Roberts obtained tiie pas- ' sage of an ordinance to raise the sal 1 ary of mayor from $3,000 to $4,000, ' which, lias profited him since January 1914: that he illegally drew a warrant J of SSOO through the board of public J works to pay an Indianapolis attorney ' for services before the public service commission; that lie had his own auto- i mobile and those of other city officials j : repaired at the city's expense. Those!! are only a few of the charges. I < o |< BABE SUCCUMBS; — ; Esther, Two Year Old Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Amos Fisher DIED EARLY TODAY lil Three Weeks of Complications—Later Took the Measles. Esther, the two-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Amos Fisher of South Tenth street, passed away some time during the early part of the morning. Tiie babe had been ill for some time of catarrhal fever and bowel trouble and later contracted the measles and pneumonia, its illness extending over a period of three weeks. Worn out with watching and caring for it during tiie long period, the parents had fallen asleep again this morning, and on awakening at 4 o’clock, found that it had passed away. Tiie babe was two years old last February 13. Two other children. Reba and Georgia, are deceased. Two daughters. Mildred and Florence, are left the bereaved parents. The funeral will be Saturday afternoon at three o’clock at the home, tiie Rev. D. T. Stephenson of the Methodist church officiating. The funeral (Continued on I’ago 3.)

Price, Two Cents

MANY LIVES LOST Rush of Water in Texas Valleys Cause Great Damage and Loss of Life. BRITISH AVIATORS Flying in Scores Over German Lincs in Belgium and do Much Damage. Austin, Texas. April 23 —(Special to Daily Democrat)- Forty to sixty lives lost; a hundred families homeless and a half-million dollar property damage estimated. That tells in brief tiie story of a gigantic rush of water through the valleys of Shoal and Waller creeks early today. The Colorado river is on a rampage and a record high flood stage is predicted. Fire and police departments are working desperately. Every hour brings reports of the bodies floating down stream in swirling waters—a mile out of their banks. Homeless, shivering refugees have sough} refuge in tree tops and on roofs. Some dead bodies already have been taken from these shelter places. Firemen Tom Quinn lost his life while heroically trying to rescue a group of drowning women and children. Bodies are being t 4 n from under vast heaps of wreckage and river sand. Fear grew apace this afternoon that tiie night's toll would show 100 or more victims of tiie raging flood. (By Ed 1.. Keene.) London, Apdil 23, — (Special to aily Democrat)--British aviators arc running wild over the German trenches in Belgium. Scores arc passing and repassing over the German lines. Some penetrate well into German tertitory. Railway signal bases have been bombarded successfully interfering with train schedules. In his ofli c’al repori today Gen. French mentioned an attack by no less than 19 aviators who dropped bombs on a great aeroplane shed, designed to house two or more of the latest Zepvlins just outside cf Ghent. He declared a great explosion took place in the shed. Gen. French also confirmed the report that the Germans are making tiie most desperate effort to regain Hill No. 60 near Ypres having launched successive attacks only to he beaten back witli heavy losses. “We hold tiie entire crest and dominate Ihe entire section" proudly declared tiie field marshal. The Germans were attacked again today and were also attempting a drive against Hie British lines at Laßassee. It is understood here that tiie newer units of tiie British expeditionary army are now gradually receiving their baptism of fire. Gen. French, takingßtha present opportunity to season his volunteers without exposing them to the great risk that will come when the offensive is directed against the miles of German trenches which look like a gigantic snider well from tiie British front to inside German territory. Berlin, April 23 —(Special to Daily Democrat) Tiie German attack on tiie Anglo-Belgian-French position between the North sea and Ypres is being successfully carried out. This was indicated in a brief official bulletin issued tills afternoon by the war office. 11 claimed that the. allied position extending (from Ixmgemarck, five miles north of Ypres, to i’ilken. on tiie Ypres canal, had been carried by tiie Germans. o CZAR ARRIVES AT FRONT Petrograd, Apri| 23. (Special to Daily Democrat) The Czar arrived at Lemberg today enroute to inspect the Russian front in Galicia and the Carpathians. It is stated that because of melting snow and spring rains the campaign generally is at a standstill. There are plenty of rille and artillery exchanges but no attempt at tin advance is possible at this time. — o WILL FILL PROGRAM. Washington. D. C., April 23 —(Special to Daily Democrat) The cabinet definitely ’ decided today to send .lie Atlantic fleet through the Pamjna canal, according to program, unless a slide occurred in the meantime. The decision enables tlje navy to buy coal and supplies immediately.