Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 14, Number 4, Decatur, Adams County, 5 January 1916 — Page 1

♦ ’■ wmmaam 2 Volatile XIV. Number 4.

UNITED STATES TO ASKAUSTRIA President Wilson to Ask Austria if Information Does Not Come. # PENFIELD TO INQUIRE m —-i Conscription Bill is Presented in English House Kof Commons. — (United Press Service) Washington. I). C., Jan. B—(Special to Daily Democrat) —President tlfilson and Secretary of State Lanali, (or nearly an hour today thresh-, ed rat the international crisis developed by the sinktcg of the Persia. At tfcc conclusion of their conference Lancing said this country was still awaiting the facts. ' ‘it is hoped Ambassador Penfield at y|tn-.i;i will be able to throw some light on the situation within the next twenty-four hours. T'i Indications are that a certain time Will be given for informal inquiries by this government’s representatives at Vienna and if nothing develops requests will be made of the Austrian government for information as to the nationality of the submarine. London, Jan. 6—(Special to Daily Democrat)—Premier Asquith this afternoon introduced in the house of commons the government’s bill for conafcription. Ireland is excluded from the provisional of the bill he announced. The i gofwnm' nt took this step to avoid I on of the Irish party leadill calls for the compulsory onlistm tat of all single men between the t ages of eighteen and forty-one, wu. are eligible for military service. | Hl);o provides for the enlistment of ■tvtdhwers without dependents. hill exempts from service hi! batchelors and widowers engaged in Ifindtspensible and special occupations, like the manufacture oi munitions, and duties and those supporting relatives and those who have Con.BCieiiiious scruples, such as Quakers. ■Washington. Jan. s.—(Special to the tSail; Democrat (-President Wilson today called Secretary Lansing to meet ftfm at eleven o’clock in a conference on the international situation. aasangHfty Shington. Jan. 5. imperial to the Democrat) The coast guard MmV' :' Seneca was ordered to start v||®h - to the aid of the Greek liner Hjesschinika with m.-.ructions either trt tow the hull of the vessel in. or if is not possible, to dynamite it. fji Senaca is in New York harbor. Jan. 5. -(Special to the Dfly Democrat) The president will cl his cabinet together Thursday and it is expected the policy of this govemnu tit on the submarine will be determined at that JWbe. j R_ — — A SOCIAL GATHERING. And A Good Program a« the Evangel ical Parsonage. Kte presidents of the diferent secI of the ladies society of the Evafc--MWa! church are planning to have n large ocial gathering Thursday even- ' at 7:30 at the home of Mrs. Rilling 331| Winchester St.. The members and fiends of the church are cordially invited to attend. In connection with N i|l*>cd program refreshments will he furred. Ten cents admission will bo charged. Now you may depend upon it When a groop of star women like take hold of anything, something will come to pass that is worth while. So don’t miss it by all means i O 1 DYNAMITE CARS. (United Press Service) Slf'ort Wayne, Jan. F>. - I Special to the Daily Democrat) —Everybody in Fort Wayirn but the street car strikers think the strike is over and that the Fort Wayne and Northern Indiana I traction company has won out. Peo ■ pic are riding the cars just as they did before the strike. The placing of two sticks of dynamite on the track this week is considered merely the final flare-up. ML r PENNINGTON FUNERAL FRIDAY The funeral of Mrs| Charles Pennington wil be held Friday morning at nine o’clock from the St. Mary’s Catholic church.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

AMERICAN STEAMER WRECKED (United Press Service) Santiago, Chile, Jan. 5, - (Special to 1 Daily Democrat) —Tho American j steamer Santa Clara from New York for Valpariso, has been wrecked in a j severe storm In the Magellan straits. No oilier details have been received here. New York. Jan. B, —(Special to the Daily Democrat) —The steamship Santa Clara of ttie Pacific line, has been badly damaged in die Straits of Magolj ian, hut is not lost, according to cable I advices today to the local agents of ! die vessel. p PLEADS NOT GUILTY (United Press Service) Washington, Jan. 6— (Special to the l Daily Democrat)-— Representative Mr. Buchanan of Illinois indited on a charge of conspiracy went to New York today to plead not guilty in federal court and to arrange bond. CITY SHOW PLOW Purchasing Committee Will Buy Three Plows for Street Commissioner. TALK OF REPEALING The Nine O’clock Snow Ordinance —Will Biggs to Remain on Force. Municipal affairs for the year 1916 opened last evening in a very brisk fashion when tbw city councilmen met in regular session and started the wheels on another year's grind by first adopting the resolution authorizing the turning over of the Abe Stoneburner road, better known as West Madison street to the county to be macadamized. Other business affairs soon found their way into the hands of the city dads, which were in turn quickly disposed of. The maintenance bond of L. W. Frank & Son for the East Rugg street improvement was filed and approved. The street commissioner’s report for 1918 was filed and referred to the street and sewer committee. The street commissioner’s annual inventory and his report for November and December, giving the number of polls collected during these two months was also filed and referred to the street and sewer committee. The'report of the city vblunteer fire department was filed through its secretary, H. Dellinger. .The report included the number of men on the force. The street and sewer committee reported as having looked into the matter of the remonstrance filed by C. C. Linn against his preliminary assessment in the Linn sewer. They found that he was assessed too high in the improvement and ordered same changed. The final resolution adopting the assessment roil was then passed. A letter of notification from the public service commission, notifying the city of the change in the ownership of the Indiana Lighting company was spread on record. The street commissioner was ordered to look after the repairing of a sewer on North Second street near the Fred Reppert home. Mayor Christen then recommended that the board of safety still employ Will Biggs as a special policeman. The subject of cleaning up the ; streets, sidewalks and sewers was then talked of. After a little discus. . sion the purchasing committee was , empowered to buy three snow plows , for the street commissioner, and to i clean up the streets. The repealing of the nine o’clock snow ordinance was also talked of. No action was ‘ taken in this matter, it being tabled 1 until the next regular meeting. The following bills were allowed and the meeting adjourned: A C. Foos pay roll $174.00 L Kuobler Co 2.40 Decatur Herald Co 0-00 Orval Harruff 37.80 S Ft. Wayne Electric Works.... 23.09 B National Meter Co 62.00 1 Columbiana Pump Co 2.18 1 Indiana Elec. Appliance C 0... 1.82 Lorain Coal & Dock Co 136.00 s T. St. L. & W. R. R 396.34 Standard Oil Co 9-99 e W. J. Archbold 300.00 Ft. Wayne Oil & Supply Co. .. 14.91 Aske Voltage Reg. Co 3.50 Protective Electric Supply Co. 88.22 i- Citizen's Telephone Co 4.09 g Adams Express Co 04 8 Dowling-Schuey Co 1 - 78 (Continued on page 2)

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday Evening, January 5, 1916.

PLANS LOOK GOOD Architect Charles Weatherhoffft Files Plans for (Tounty Improvement. REST ROOM INCLUDED Also for Surveyor, County Superintendent and the County Agent. Mr. Charles Weatherhogg, the well j known Fort Wayne architect, was; here yesterday afternoon and presented plans to the county commissioners for rebuilding the court house basement and providing a rest room for the ladies, comfort station, storage ; and heater rooms, offices for various officials and furnishing almost double the room as is now avilable on the first floor of the court house. It is estimated by Mr. Weatherhogg that the improvement can be made for SIO,OOO, and it is proposed to let the matter rest until the county council meets next September, when they will be asked to appropriate the money if these plans are finally adopted. The drawings presented by Mr. Weatherhogg are complete and all who looked them over were enthusiastic. The plans may be seen at the office of Henry B. Heller, the county attorney. The idea is to have the ladies’ rest room on the first floor in the room now used as a ladies’ toilet. Under the new plans there will be a ladies and gentleman's comfort station on the south side, built up ground, with entrance either from the street, the first floor or basement. The basement is to be properly arranged for light and heat, with a concrete floor and will contain besides the storage and heater rooms, offices for the county commissioners, highway superintendent, county agent, surveyor, corridors, etc. The plan looks good, the cost is small, the up keep will be practically nothing as the pipes now passing through-ihe baseffient will furnish this and the improvement would save a much larger investment if any other plan is adopted, for it is assured that very soon more room must be provided. If you are Interested in this very important subject you are requested to examine the plans and to make any suggestion you think will help in deciding this matter. Your opinion will be printed in the Daily Democrat if you send it in. WAS AFFIRMED Appellate Court Finds for Strauss Bros, in Quiet Title Case Against RHODA ROOK ET AL. Word Received Today by Attorneys—Decided on Errors in Brief. Heller, Sutton & Heller, and Hooper & Lenhart, attorneys for Strauss Brothers Company in a quiet title suit against Rhoda Rook et al., have received word that the decision rendered in favor of Strauss Brothers in the Adams circuit court by Special Judge Charles Sturgis, of Bluffton, had been affirmed in the appellate court, where it had been appealed by 1 Rhoda Rook et al. This is quite an interesting case 1 and grew out of the fact that Rhoda 1 Head, in 1884, deeded 80 acres of 1 land in Monroe township, the real estate involved in this suit, to Joseph 1 Head and wife, for their use during life, and after her death, to their chil * dren. A provision was made that Jos * eph Head was to maintain and sup- ) port Rhoda Head during her life, and 4 if he failed to do so, the deed was 4 void. J In 1886, Joseph Head and wife, hav--8 ing failed to comply, with the terms 2 of the deed, deeded the land back to 9 Rhoda Head. Rhoda Head took pos--4 session of the same, and after many 2 intervening conveyances, the land fin--0 ally came into the possession oi 1 Strauss Brothers, who brought this 0 suit to gain a clear title. 2 Rhoda Rook and the others, whe 9 are defendants, and who appealed tin 4 case, are children of Joseph Head 8 who claim that Joseph Head and w'ifi had the power to deed back only thei:

| ! life estate in the property, and not | that which belonged in fee simple after tholr death, to the children, the defendants In this case, The action was brought under (lie jurisdiction of Judge Merryman, but because he had taken the acknowledgement of the deed he was disqualified to serve as judge in this rase, and It was assign, ed to Special Judge Sturgis of Bluffton, who decided in favor of Strauss 1 Brothers. Rhoda Rook and the other defendants thon appealed and the higher court sustained the decision of the lower. The point upon which the appellate court ruled, and which was brought out by the attorneys for Strauss Brothers is that “The appellants’ brief does not contain ‘under separate heading of each error relied (Continued on Tage 4.) EIGHT ANIMALS KILLEDJN FIRE Four Thousand Dollar Fire at LaFountaine Handle Factory Last Night, CONTENTS ARE LOST Harness, Buggies, Handles, Hay Burned —Discovered by W. Murphy. Five horses ana three mule’s were burned to death m a fire, of unknown oregin, that destroyed the stables of the Lafontaine Handle Company at eight thirty o’clock last night. When di)saovered, the flames had gained such headway that the fire was uncontrolable by the time the fire department arrivea. The total loss is $4,000 partially covered by insurance. Discovery of the fire was made by William Murphy, the night watchman at the factory, who turned in the alarm. He attempted to get the horses out of the stable but succeeded in only loosening them, when the flames drove him out. One team cf the eight horses was only purchased yesterday and placed in the stable last evening. The barn contained, besides the eight animals, seven sets of harness, three buggies, one half carload of handles, a large quantity of hay, and the building itself was valued at one thousand dollars. The progress of the fire was rapid. Following its discovery the flames burst through the roof in a moment and the excessive heat drove away those who attempted to save any of the contents. A small fire hose from 1 the ftetory played upon a corn crib, containing some corn, saved it from burning. ‘The barn will be rebuilt,’’ said Mr C. E. Bell this morning, “and we will posibly commence work just as soon as the debris can be cleaned up.’ SECTiONjTVOID Supreme Court Give Down Decision Eagerly Awaited on Primary Law. 3 t EXPLANATION GIVEN 1 By Attorney General’s OsB sic Ten is UnV * • der Conditions. e a (UnitPd Press Service) ls Indianapolis, Ind., Jan. 5— (Special to , Daily Democrat)—The Indiana su1, preme court today, while affirming the decision of the Marion county ! court, which declared section 10 of j. the new primary law unconstitutional, , pave an interpretation of this section ( ] which in effect sustains it and adds s that the lower court is affirmed on grounds other than those affecting the r . constitutionality of the paragraph. a Section 10 provided for challenge of 0 voters who did not vote the ticket in question at the previous election, y The supreme court declared unconj. stitutional section 13 which required ,f candidates to pay an entrance fee bea fore filing petitions to place their names on the ticket. 0 The decision, as interpreted by an e assistant in the attorney general’s ofj flee means that: “One only has the fc l right to challenge a voter who offers ir! (Continued on Page 4.)

SESSION IS OVER Commissioners Conclude Busy Two Days—Four Roads Accepted. PLANS FOR BRIDGES Ordered for Various Proposed Improvements— Meyers’ Petition Filed. The commissioners concluded a busy two days session last evening. They approved specifications for a new typewriting machine in the county clerk's office and will receive bids for same on February 7th up to ten o'clock. They accepted the following macadam roads: Samuel Teeter, David Depp, Fred Kruckenberg and Harrison street. The surveyor was ordered to prepare plans for bridges, culverts and arches and present same to the meeting on February 7th of the following: Roop bridge, Root township; Bukman bridge, Root; retaining wall at Monmouth bridge, Root township: Graber bridge, French; Bethel, Jefferson; Ben Miller bridge on Hartford-Wabash line; Burk bridge, Wabash; Gates bridge, Monroe; Luginbill in Blue Creek. The inventory of the county infirmary made by the board and Harvey Smith and George Ineichen was approved. The petition for a macadam road by John Meyers et al was filed and a finding rendered that same is in due form, sufficient and according to law, that petition is signed by more than fifty resident freeholders and voters of Wabash township apd that proposed improvement will be of public utility. It is said that a remonstrance is being secured against this road. The petition contained more than 200 names. The viewers’ report on the John Appleman et al petition for macadam road in Washington township, was approved, ordered established and the auditor ordered to receive bids on same on February Bth. UP FIVE INCHES Report from Sugar Plant This Morning—The High Mark is 45 Inches. HOPE IS EXPRESSED That Decline of Two Inches This Morning May Continue —Sugar Still Safe. The water on the main floor of the Holland-St. Lours snugar plant reached a depth of forty-five inches this morning. At eleven o’clock it had fallen two Indies and the men in charge were hopeful that the decline would continue though they were fearful bebecause yesterday the water raised sligtly just before noon. So far there has been no damage to the millions of pounds of sugar stored in the ware house, tlie water having been held back by sand bags and pumped out as it seeped through. This morning a larger pump was put in and Manager Hubbard and Superintendent Kremers feel confident that they will he able to control the situation if as they hope the water continues to recede. Word from Rockford and St. Marys , is that the water is going down there and the local people were much ens couraged today by the authentic information that the water is falling at Wiltshire. It raised here five Inches during the night and the levee east of j town is now about fourteen inches under water. Considerable damage is r being reported by farmers along the river bottom. n Yesterday several men with Mike f- Meibers in charge went down the rive er in a boat and succeeded in dynamit s ing several ice jams, giving a better (Continued on

ARE RENEWING SUPPORT Several hundred subscribers have already renewed their support of tho Daily Democrat, thus assisting us in our annual celebration. They are delighted with the souvenir, a valuable bill fold and we sincerely hope they will enjoy reading the paper as we believe they will. We will leave nothing undone to make it Interesting and complete and with the continued aasistance of our big family of readers we feel sure we do it. If you are not now a member of the Daily Democrat family—subscribe now. a PROPOSES TAFT. (United Press Service) New York, Jan. 6, —(Special to the Daily Democrat)—'The New York World, democratic, today editorially advocated the appointment of former president Talt to The Supreme bench to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Justice LaMar. PLANISJEATEN Preparedness Plan Believed to be Dangerously Near Beaten UNLESS IT IS MODIFIED Senate and House Heads Fail to Support President Wilson’s .Measure. (United Press Service) Washington, Jan. B, —(Special to the DUily Democrat) —Unless materially modified, President Wilson’s preparednes plan is beaten. This is the opinion of authorities, learned today, from the admnistration itself. Defection of Senator Kern, senate Democratic leader, from the forces working for the great army and navy program outlined by the president in his message to congress, was final proof to the white house that the plans will nJt carry. Kern's decision that he cannot support the program became known today. That the people of Indiana are opposed, is Kern’s chief reason, it is said. This leaves the preparedness prorram unsupported by the leaders in both houses. The wave of sentiment for a great preparednes program which a few weeks ago was sweeping the country apparently has reached its crest, some administration leaders think. Today President Wilson is receiving many discouraging reports. The opposition centers upon Secretary Garrison's army plan. The people, “back home” don"t like it, many congressmen reported. Kern refused today to confirm the report that he was against the administration preparedness program. “I will stand by my statement that generally I will support the program although I cannot say which of the general plans proposed I will approve.” he said. The defection of the Indiana senator Is traced to his fast friendship with William J. Bryan. Leaders with whom he has fklked said that Bryan is viciously bitter against the president’s program and is threatening to stump the country against it. o — DECATUR MAN IS PRESIDENT Hartford City, Ind., Jan. 4—The stockholders of the None-Better Manufacturing Company met today and elected officers and directors, Jolfn Schug of Decatur was chosen president; C. S. Clark of Decatur, vice--1 president; Abe Hocher, Chris Rich, ■ R. R. Schug of Berne and Oliver Schug ; of this city, were chosen directors. 1 The last remains as secretary and * treasurer of the company and the ' manager of the plant in this city. The 5 business being done by the plant at ! this time is the best in its history. oa SLACK IS NOMINATED. 0 (United Press Service) i- Washington,Jan. 8, —(Special to the i- Daily Democrat) —President Wilson t today sent to the senate the nominas tion of L. Ert Slack as United States f district Attorney for Indiana, succeed s ing Frank C. Dailey, resigned. SCHOOL HOUSE FLOODED o . Washington township school num e ber six taught b- William Noll lias r- suspended work pending the receding t of the flood which is filling the cellar r of the building. Two feet of water was in the cellar yesterday.

Price, Two Cents.

HE FAILED TO MARRY » 1 ’ Samuel Barger, Wealthy Bachelor of Near Magi ley, is Defendant — IN A TRIAL TODAY Sarah Miller, Maiden Lady, 53, Wants $25,000 for Breach of Promise. Samue Barger, a weathy bachelor farmer o; near Magcy, fifty or sixty years of age, is on trial in the Adams circuit court today to defend his wellfilled purse from losing $25,000 which is the damage sum that Miss Sarah Miller, fifty-three, of near Convoy, 0., is asking for his failure to marry her and the consequent rendering valueless of a large quantity of doilies, pillow cases and comforts 4Rul rag carpets and other things that she prepared for the home which she thought she was going to establish. The jury had no sooner reported its verdict in the case it heard yesterday wherein money was demanded by a surgeon for a surgical operation which he had performed than the jury were told to hang up their hats and remain for the trial of a somewhat simlar ease —being one wherein a woman’s breaking heart figured, the balm for which was gold. Miss Miller is an active, shipper, little lady, cheerful in spite of the fact that for twenty years or more she has been a teacher of music, instructing youths and maidens to perform upon various musical instruments. Her dark brown hair, which shows not a trace of gray in spite of the heavy sorrows of the heart that seem to have been hers, waives down over her ears, in which gold ear-bobs hang, and upon 1 her head is a black hat, encircled with a purple ostrich band She ’s neatly attired in a dark-brown suit. • Her eyes are black and sparkling, and it is easily seen how they must have 1 pierced through ttie heart of the gal--1 ant Samuel until they struck the gold in his purse, which proved more re- ' sisting to their darts. Miss Miller took the witness stand and told how sue had gone to the home of a Frauhiger in 1912 to play a wedding march for a couple. The gallant Samuel who went to the belling, little dreamed that he there would meet his fate. But he did. Mutual friends, or mutual acquaintances, rather, introduced the fair Sarah to him. When Sarah returned home she did not forget Samuel, but sat down and wrote him a letter. On the witness stand she said: “To be honest, I will say that I did write him the first letter” —Counting back we find 1912, a leap year. In the next six months, he visited her once, but the correspondence must have struck up at a lively pace, for Sarah produced a package of letters to let Samuel have the pleasure of re-reading while ho was on the witness stand. He acknowleged that he wrote them and mailed them at Magley to Sarah. Then 1 his visits grew more frequent to Sarah and in July 1912, after a six month’s courtship, he agreed to marry her. On the occasion of his visits at her home, he was very affectionate, she ; said, on the witness stand, as she coy- - ly and modestly hung her head. Ho 1 kissed her and called her “his dari ling.” Samuel need not be a bachelor from .- choice, it seems, for during their court1, ship, she said he "unfolded his past to 5 her” and told her that he would tell her about it, before they got married, d as she would doubtless find it out anye how. She said he told her of an e entanglement with another “lady” and t that he settled with her for SSOO. Sarah said during their courtship, they attended the street fair at Bluffton September 1913, Samuel, whose ardor apeared to be cooling, told her e he didn't want to get majried. She n told him if he would settle the dami- ages, she would set him free. He did s not, hence this suit. 1- The pillow-cases, doilies, rag carpets, comforts, quilts, etc., which she made, the rugs she bought, the heating stoves she purchased for their j_ home, are worthless, and the damages s she asks is to make up for the sura g she expended for them. r The court room was filled with audr itors, the males predominating. Many (ContinueJ on Page 4.)