Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 13, Number 103, Decatur, Adams County, 30 April 1915 — Page 1

Volume XIII. Number 103.

TERRIBLE FATE Mrs. John Graber and Baby Badly Burned in Amish Settlement IN ALLEN COUNTY Husband Burned in Rescuing Them and Was Insane Last Night. The Amish settlement in Milan township, Allen county, twelve miles east of Fort Wayne, had a terrible’ experience last night about 5 o’clock when Mrs, John Graber, aged thirty,! was probably fatally burned; iier ! husband was badly burned about the arms and was insane last night from the shock, and their two-year-old baby boy, Harvey, was severely burned about tire hands and face, at 5 o’clock last evening when a can of oil exploded as the woman was pouring it into the stove in their! summer kitchen at the residence just I off the Maysville road. But little hope is held by the attending physicians for the recovery of the wife, while tire baby’s condition is critical. Mrs. Graber had gone with tire baby to tire kitchen to start supper. She took a two-gallon can half filled witlr what she thought was coal oil, and poured it on some kindling in the stove. She had placed the baby 1 in a little carriage near the stove. As the oil fell upon the shingles, flames leaped upward to the nozzle of the can, causing the explosion. The bottom and spout of the can were blown off and the oil dashed over the woman, baby and furniture of the room. The mother brushed the flames from her and ran into the yard. But remembering that her babe was in- i side she plunged back into the burn- t ing building and grasped the little . fellow in her arras, returning to the . yard a mass of flames. The wind had the blaze spread over all her 1 garments and those of the baby be- • fore she could even start to extin- 1 guish them. The husband, unhitching his team ’ at the rear of the barn, was attractcd by the screams of his wife, and 1 rushed to the house. He began pull-I ing what clothes he could oft of the ♦ gasping woman. I

Fighting for the lives of his wife ! and baby he pulled at the burning ji garments until his hands were two .< big blisters. Finally the woman fell < prostrate on the rear porch, with 1 the baby lying beside her. Small 1 pieces of cloth fell off and burned i about her as the husband continued • hip futile efforts to free her from i I ( the flames. When the fire was finally quelled ’ I but two small pieces of cloth were] left on her. The little dress of the babe was burned partly off at the I top. A little pile of ashes six inches ( in diameter was all that remained ot| < tne clothing of both mother and I baby. |' While the husband fought he call- | ed for help at the top of his voice. i his brother’s wife, Mrs. Peter Gra- : ber, living directly across the road, was attracted after several minutes, and ran to the scene. She started to aid in the call for help, and at the same time pumped water ;yid threw on the burning furniture in the summer kitchen. Her husband, working down the road with a team, at last heard her and, uncoupling his horses leaped on one and ran the animal at its fastest gait to the rescue. He and his wife were successful in extinguishing the flames in the kitchen, and aided in carrying the prostrate woman into the house. Dr. J. C. Emme, of Harlan, was summoned and after arriving at the house called Dr. Edward H. Kruse from Fort Wayne. Both physicians worked with the woman and baby for over an hour while neighbors held the husband in the granary, and occasionally walked him about the barn as he swung his arms and called for his wife at the top of his voice. •‘Mary! Mary! Where are you?” he would call, and then attempt to free himself from the men holding him. His hands were rolled in two large balls of cotton until the physicians could care for him. Mrs. Graber was burned over her entire body, and could hardly talk above a whisper from breathing into her lungs the flames. It was neces-

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

1 wry to wrap her from head to foot. I Her body wuh one big blister and 1 her mouth was swollen shut from the effects of the heat. Her chances for recovery are slight is the belief of Dr. Kruse. The tiny hands of the baby were white balls of blisters, and as the doctors attempted to wrap them the little fellow swung his hands and <ried freely. The left side of ills face was burned raw. Tlie Graber home is but a short distance from Sower's corners. The neighborhood is made up of Amish people. The news of the disaster to the family spread like wildfire, and within an hour after the accident, upwards of fifty neighbors and children were pouring in and out of the house. Women sobbed, while the Puritaniclooking husbands stood witli arms around them and soothed the best they could. Nearly all were related, I more or less distantly. Up and down , the road for several rods, big farm I horses, hitched to steel-tired uncov- ’ ered buggies were fastened to the fences on both sides of the road. The Grabers are not related to the Grabers of this city, but as the community is Amish, they probably have many relatives and friends in tiiis county. A GREAT SUCCESS Was Adams County W. C. T. U. Institute at Berne. CLOSED LAST NIGHT Mrs. John Niblick Was Elected President of the County Union.

The Adams County Woman’s Christian Temperance Union institute which closed at Berne last evening was a great success, as it always is when held at Berne. Mrs. Rose Pearce, a state worker in charge of institutes, presided, and the program as announced was carried out. The closing evening session was especial‘ly good, as the greater part of the I day session was given over to business. Miss Rose Lehman, who has been the very efficient president, tender|ed her resignation on account of many duties pressing heavily upon ’ her, and she was made vice presi- ' dent. Mrs. John Niblick, president 'of the Decatur union, was elected president of the county association. Mrs. B. J. Rice of this city, who has been treasurer for two years, was ; elected treasurer. A list of the secretaries ana department superintend- ■ ents could not be obtained at this •time, but will be published later. | Readings by Mrs. Teeple of Fort Wayne were especially good. Duets by Miss Kathryn Egly and Miss Beck, Mrs. Eugene Runyon and Mrs. jc. E. Bell; vocal solos by Mrs. Arthur Ford and Hope Hoffman; piano | solo by Miss Thelma Houk, and a pipe organ solo by Miss Celia Andrews, were special features of music of the evening program. There were several auto loads , from this city attended the conveni ticn.

TWENTY GRADUATES AT BERNE Berne, Ind., April 29. —Final arrangements have just been completed for the high school graduating exercises. The class this year numbers twenty and names of the members follow: Ova Wechter, Vera Braun, Elda, Sprunger, Ruth Reusser, Noali Soldner, Edna Neaderhouser, Gertrude Lehmann, Frelda Maurer, Cleo Rumble, Everett Echung, Alice Lehman, Horace Caffee, Ruth Kattmann, Naomi Haecker, Arthur Sprunger, Ella Hahegger, Milton Sprunger, Paul Rohrer. Ella Luginbill and Martha Lehmann. The Rev. H. H. Kattmann of the German Reformed church will deliver the baccalaureate sermon in the new Mennonite church on the evening of May 16. The class play will be given on May 13. the junior reception on May 14 and the commencement exercises on May 18. —o NEW HAVEN PARTY HERE Ira B. Sleet cashier of the New Haven State Bank and a party of about six other New Haven citizens were in the city today attending to some legal matters at the court house.

Decatur, Indiana, Friday Evening, April 30, 1915.

WAS IN DEBATE Former Deputy Sheriff Jesse Kelly Takes Part in Debate. HELD AT BLUFFTON Took Side of Civil Law in the Question —Interesting Debate

Former Deputy Sheriff Jesse Kelly of this city, now Metropolitan insurance agent, with territory at Bluffton as well at Decatur, was one of the debaters in a debate at the Bluffton court house Tuesday evening. The question was ‘'Resolved, That Divine Law Has a Greater Tendency Toward Civilization Than Civil Law”. The judges refused to decide the question and the vote was put to the audience, yhere were four votes. The first three were for the negative and the last for the affirmative, a man getting up and making a speech and thus winning over the majority. B. C. Kelly and D. D. Derbyshire affirmed the question and it was denieq by Jesse Kelly of Decatur and S. E. Hartman. Each speaker did very well, saving the best and strongest part of his speech until the rebuttal, for which each debater was granted a few minutes. Strong points on each side of the argument were brought out. A large crowd attended and a great deal of interest was manifest. The debate was the first held in the court room by the debating society, those prior to this time having been held at the Toll Gate school house.

THE TOTH VALUE Os Decatur Real Estate and Improvements Appraised At $1,377,650 REPORTS ARE MADE By Appraisers—Making Out Statements For Property Holders The total of appraisement of Decatur real estate is $723,300; and of the improvements thereon, $654,350, making the total realty and improvements $1,377,650. Such are the figures as complied by A. H. Sellemeyer and J. B. Holthouse, appraisers for the city. They have completed the actual assessing and are now making out the statements which will be ready in a few days to be given out to the property holders. This appraisment is ' made every four years. This year’s appraisement shows an increase of about ten per cent, or about $60,000, which is the demand made by the state tax board.

PROHIBITION EXERCISES. At Adams County Court House Next Monday, May 3. Attention of the public is again called to the prohibition meeting to be held here Monday, May 3, at 1:30 p. m. in the court house. J. Raymond Schmidt, state chairman of the prohibition party, will speak on the subject of prohibition. Also M. A. Stipp, citizenship superintendent of the Indiana Christian Endeavor union, will sing. He has a voice of natural sweetness. Everybody invited. o COME TONIGHT The M. E. Sunday school will give their program of songs, music and readings at the church parlors this evening at 8 o’clock sharp. This entertainment is under the direction of Mrs. W. P. Schrock and Mrs. Locke Bracken, assisted by Decatur’s best musical talent. If you miss this program you will be sorry. Come and you will be glad all the rest of your life. COMMITTEE. o— Mrs. Thompson Niblock, Mrs. Jesse Niblock and Miss Anna Winans spent the day in Fort Wayne.

PLANTS DESTROYED. Mrs. James Hurst, who is a great lover of flowers and takes much care of them, with justifiable pride, has \.ui greatly annoyed this spring by the destructiveness of small boys of the vicinity. A tulip bed was their victim a lew nights ago, when they crushed the stalks over, and because they were remonstrated with they returned last night and worked further disaster. Mrs. Hurst had set out a Japanese snowball,plant of rare value, and had set a small board up to prevent any effects of frost that might result. Last night the boys Visited the yard, tore up the plant by the roots and knocked over the board. THE COURT NEWS Allen County Case Regan Trial Here This Afternoon—Venued Here GUARDIAN NAMED For Aged Lady—Marriage License Was Granted Couple

A marriage license was issued to Alvis Topp, farmer, born June 21, 1889, son of Hubert Topp, to wed Stella Nevil, born September 21, 1896, daughter of John Nevil. Real estate transfers: Trustees M. R. E. cemetery, to Jacob Hunzicker, lot 213, M. R. E. cemetery, $44; Lucinda F. Allen to Alven Vorhees, lot 250, Geneva, $375; U. S. patent deeq to Christian Steiner, 160 acre, Hartford township; U. S. to Thomas Johnson; F. M. Schirmeyer, trustee, to Cal Peterson, lot 67, Decatur, $200; Geneva Coons to Elmer E. Baumgartner, lot 3, Linn Grove, $125. Ross Harden qualified as guardian of Jane Harden, who, on account of old age ana infirmity, is incapable of managing her own estate. He gave $3,000 bond. Elias Hirschy, guardian of Metta Hirschy, reported sale of real estate, which was approved. Deed was ordered, reported and approved. By agreement of parties, a judgment was rendered for The Humphrey Grocery company against H. W. Daniels for $404.37 and costs. The drainage commissioners reported in the matter of the Ernest Bauermaster drain and May 18 was the date set for the hearing of the report. Notice was ordered to all new parties brought out by the drainage commissioners.

In the case of Louis W. Myers vs. Frank and Jos. J. Johns, rent and possession of real estate, second paragraph of complaint was filed by the plaintiff. Rule to answer. The case went to trial this afternoon at one o’clock before a jury. The ease was venued here from Allen county. Jane Harden was adjudged incapable of managing her own estate on account of old age and infirmities and it was deemed advisable to appoint a guardian for her. Attorney D. B. Erwin was allowed sls and Prosecutor R. C. Parrish $lO. for services, the same to be paid by the defendant. — o BILLY HOFFMAN HERE TODAY Colonel Billy Hoffman of Anderson, politician of considerable reputation in Indiana, and who for many years during the times when republicans held full sway in this state, served as secretary of the senate, was a business visitor here today. Billy is now manager of a factory located at Anderson, which constructs play ground paraphanalia. He says business is fine and things are coming good. He is optimistic about business conditions for the future and is happy, declaring that he Is out of politics. — o FUNERAL HELD TODAY. Funeral services were held this morning at the German Reformed church for Mrs. Margaret Dauber, mother of Mrs. Jacob Weidler. Rev. L. C. Hessert officiated. The services were largely attended.

BOARD TO MEET County Board of Education Meets Tomorrow—Will Receive Report OF ENUMERATORS Will Elect Truant Officer —General Business to Be Discussed The county board of education will meet tomorrow at ten o’clock at the office of County School Superintendent, E. S. Christen. Under the old law, this meeting was due the first Monday in May, hence would not have been held until next Monday, May 3. Under the new law, it falls on the first of May which is tomorrow. The board according to law, always met May first to receive the report of the

enumerators, hence the meetings will be combined under the new law. At the meeting tomorrow, an attendance officer will bo elected. This is the regular election, the term to begin next August 1. As Truant Officer William Miller resigned, the new officer will undoubtedly serve out his unexpired term. The report of the enumerators will be received," - the county commencement date fixed and other business of general interest to the schools, attended to. There are three known candidates for the attendance officer’s position. They ere: Jesse Steele, Clark Butcher and Jacob Augsburger. WILL COME HERE C. and E.Engineer Will Present Four Plans For Crossing Near Bobo TO COMMISSIONERS Claim They Can Reduce the Cost Three Fourths--Pe-tition Filed For Preble

The Chicago^& Erie railway will send their chief engineer to this city Monday or Tuesday to consult the board of commissioners concerning ; tiie improvement in the crossings at and near Bobo. He will present to the board the four plans which were presented this week to the Public Service Commission and which they are , asking the county to support in pre- . ference to the plan adopted and ordered by the commission. They claim that the one crossing this side of Bobo in which it is necessary to tunnel for quite a distance will cost $61,000 and the other crossing about $20,000 of which amount the county must pay one fourth. Under the new plans as proposed the total cost would probably not exceed $20,000. The engineer and the board will go to Bobo probably to look over the ground and to con fer with people interested in the improvement. The question Is a very important one for other and similar improvements will be asked at crossings over the county and it means the expenditure of a large sum of money eventually. For this reason it is said that a petition for a similar improvement at the Preble crossing has already been filed with the commission. The crossing is a very bad one, equally as bad as the ones at Bobo .and there is no question that some action should be taken looking the safety of the traveling public. o IS “SOME” RYE. Whatever may be said of the "booster” lots, they are “some” rich ground for growing rye, as Deputy Postmaster C. E. Hocker can well vouch. He sowed one lot in rye and while it is not yet ready for harvesting. it is three feet high. A stalk which he brought down to the office this morning measured fully that much. George Everett can come in I for a share of the honors as he did I the harrowing.

| COMMITTEE MEETS TONIGHT I The members of the committee in charge of the Athletic Club will meet at eight o'clock this evening at the city hull, at which time plans will be discussed. The buiMlng committee have not reported any building which is satisfactory and can be secured and it is understood that the question of securing a permanent location will be taken up at once. Whether this can be done or not is a question still unsettled but it is likely that an effort along that line will be made. The collections are coming in nicely and by next September there will be on hands a sufficient amount which can be used to lix up suitable quarters. It is the opinion of most members of the committee that the money if expended at this time in up stair club rooms would be used to the best advantage. 0 SUNDAY SERVICESAT CALVARY. Sunday school at 9:20 o’clock; L. S. Shilling, superintendent. Preaching services at 10:20. Rev. Habegger of Uinn Grove will preach at this time. Everybody cordially invited.

ON HOW JO LIVE A Hundred Years — President Taft’s Physical Adviser Will Lecture AT THE CHAUTAUQUA Dr. Charles E, Barker Will Also Give Important Health Exercises. Every one is, of course, interested in learning how to live one hundred years. The fact that a lecture on this subject by so prominent an authority as Dr. Charles E. Barker, who was physical adviser to President Taft during his administration at Washington, is to be given Chautauqua week is at once of great importance. At the morning session on the third day, Mr. Barker will give liis lecture entitled “Health and Happi-, ness” and in the afternoon his subject will be as stated above, “How to Live One Hundred Years.” At this afternon lecture Mr. Barker will give demonstrations of physical ex

ercises which every one can prac- 1 lice at home. He will also outline a' plan of diet which should be followed; by business men in offices and who are not performing hard manual labor. It was Dr. Barker, who, by his system of physical exercises and plan of diet reduced President Taft's weight some eighty-live pounds. The exercises which Dr. Barker will demonstrate, however, are not necessarily to reduce flesh but are just as essential to the man or woman of average weight. Aside from President Taft, many, other prominent men in national life have followed Dr. Barker’s plan for health. He stands in the forefront i of teachers, orators and exemplars of tiie gospel of health and happiness. He has lectured widely under the auspices of the psysical training department of the national committee of the Y. M. C. A. and his work, has been widely commented upon i both in the editorial and news col-! umns of our largest city newspapers., One of the Springfield, Mass., papers during his recent week’s lecture engagements in that city published daily articles on health from Dr. Barker’s pen. Dr. Barker will be glad to answer all questions along the lines in which he is specializing. It is safe to prophesy that “health day” at the Chautauqua will have excellent results in every one of the 120 cities in which Dr. Barker is to appear.

CELEBRATE SILVER WEDDING Elaborate plans are being made for the celebration of the silver wedding or twenty fifth wedding anniversary oi’ Mr. and Mrs. Theadore Thieme of Union township next Sunday afternoon. Sixty or seventy guests will join in the festivities. Rev. Hoffman will give an address and Prof. Gotsch will be in charge of the music. Aj good time is assured.

Price, Two Cents

BOMBARD_ COAST German War Ships Attacking French Cities Without Anv Ovnosition NEW FRENCH SHIPS Are All Assissting At Dardanelles—Troops Also On French Soil Paris, April 30,-- (Special to Daily Democrat) The Germans have struck from the sea. Their was siiips o|>erat-

. ing 300 miles from their base have ~ shelled the fortified city of Dunkirk . Ninteen shells are known to have fallen in the city. Twenty persons have . been killed and 45 wounded. Whether i the bombardment is being continued of the hostile fleet is steaming south to shell Calais and other points is not yet known, it is believed here that * a demand already lias been made on 1 the Britisli government to send ships ' to protect the French coast. Most of the new French ships are aiding the British forces in the Dardanelles, it had not been believed possible here tiiat the Germans would take the chance of operating so far from their base of supplies, and, up until todays announcement was made every one believed that the French coast was quite safe. It is believed here that tiie Germans ships were sent south to co-operate with the army in a new drive against the French coast. An official statement tells of the Dunkirk bombardment. It stated that 19 shells fell in the city and destroyed several houses but that no damage was done to the fortifications. The Germans are again bombarding Rheims. More than 500 shells have ! fallen in the city. Numerous fires [' have been started but all were ex- ' tinguished. I Constantinople, April 30, — (Special Ito Daily Democrat) —British claims of success on the Gallipoli peninsula ! are without foundation, according to ! the statement issued today by the war | office. The Turkish forces are fightI ing with the utmost enthusiasm and I have repelled the enemy at every point. The battle has now been in I progress for two days and nights, | and the spirit of the Turks is declared to be of the best. In the first fighting afler the landing Kumkale fortress did not fire a single shot. The Turkish troops charged the enemy j with bayonetts and routed them capi taring large quantities of arms and ammunition. i ‘ Berlin. April 30, —(Special to Daily Democrat)— Todays official reports I from the war office told of the shelling of Dunkirk and the British fortress of Harwith. declared that the French and British offensive in the north ' had been checked and claimed the re- ! pulse of a French atack north of Flir- ' ey in which the French lost 43 officers including three regimental commanders and 4,000 men. The report made no mention of the reported German ’ raid by war ships on the lower Belgium coast and, in discussing the shelling of Dunkirk, said it was “by GerI man artillery.”

ASKS FOR REDUCTION Chicago, April 30,—(Special to the Daily Democrat)- Appearing in the United States circuit court of appeals for the convicted Terre Haute politicians, Judge Roby today asked for a reduction in the bond pending an appeal. The court announced it would rule on the matter next Thursday. ——o— — ———~ WAR ORDERS RECEIVED Pittsburg. Pa.. Ap;il 30.— (Special to Daily Democrat.)—Three large war orders were announced today by officials of concerns here with Russia as the buyer in each case. The Presed Steele Car company anounced an order for shrapnel and cars. It was learned that this is a $30,000,000 contract. —oPOLICE COURT Frank Elzy was arrested this noon by Marshal Melc'ni on the charge, of public intoxication. Elzy was found in front of the Miller & Beal restaur- , ant in a helpless condition and it was necessary to secure an automobile 'to take him to jail. Two half-pint I and one pint bottles full of whiskey I were found in bis pockets.