Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 14, Number 12, Decatur, Adams County, 14 January 1916 — Page 1

Volume XIV. Number 12.

EXPECT RIOTS TO BREAK OUT Government Troops Patroling El Paso to Prevent Rioting. IN MEXICAN QUARTER Washington Expects to Stand Pat in Face of Criticism. (United Press Service) El Paso, Jan. 14—(Special to Daily

Democrat)—Preparations had been made this afternoon to meet the expected re-occurrence of stropt rioting tonight. A provost guard of 250 United States infantrymen patroled the Mexican quarter. United States cavalry was held in readiness to enter the down-town streets before dark. General Pershing prohibited the holding of a mass meeting in Cleveland Square this afternoon. Ex-Gov-ernor George Curry, of New Mexico, a member of Roosevelt’s rough riders, was to have been the principal speaker. Washington, Jan, 14,—(Special to Daily Democrat) —The administration will stand pat on its present course regarding Mexico, it was officially announced at i'ne White House following the cabinet meeting this afternoon. This announcement came in the face of further criticism in congress and a direct intimation from England of her Interest in recent Mexican outrages. At the same time direct word came from General Carranza, declaring in effect, that he can and will handle the situation. Senator Works, introduced a resolution proposing that congress take the matter out of the hands of the president and intervene, but the president is determined to give Carranza a chance to prove himself. These things happened: The British Ambasador arranged for a conference with the state department regarding Mexico. Caranza wired a message telling his purpose to mete out condign punishment to the bandits who murdered American citizens. The president discussed the situation with senator Stone and the latter warmly defended the administration’s course in a senate speech. The white house let it be known that no United States troops will be sent across the border for the present, at least. The cabinet, in regular sesion, considered posible courses of action. Carranza's mesage to the Mexican ambassador follows: “The murderous attack on the passenger train near Chihuahua was made by the only remaining band of outlaws in that region. This hand is being actively pursued in order to insure its capture, whereupon condign punishment, which their crime deserves, will be meted out to every guilty participant. The constitutionalist government troops have been ordered <o establish strong patrols from end *o end of the railway line in order to forfend against similar outrages, 1 >u will make this declaration to the press of the United States. (Signed) Ven ustiano Carranza. Martial law has not been declared at El Paso by General Pershing, Secretary Garrison said today. He said Pershing does not have authority to act without orders and no such orders have been issued. Request from Governor Ferguson to the federal government would first be necessary before such orders could be issued, he said. In this connection, it was recallet. that General Pershing several weeks ago was given practically unlimitei authority in dealing with trouble p the border. , It was considered possible that the fixing of provost guards by'the regulars to protect themselves might have been mistaken by El Paso citizens t > ♦he establishment of martial law. Washington. Jan. :14, -(Special to Daily Democrat)— No armed troop will be sent across the Mexican ion c at this time, it was indicated today following a half hour conference between President Wilson and Senator Stone, chairman of the sen a i. or in relations committee. The s< na or c ed to get the president’s advice on action his committee should take on the (Continued” on Page 3.)

DECATUR DAIRY DEMOCRAT

MISS PATTERSON APPOINTED County Treasurer George E. Kinzle, today announced the appointment of Miss Marie Patterson to be deputy treasurer. She will assume her new position next Monday morning. She , has had considerable experience in the office and her assistance will prove valuable to the new official. Mr. Yager has been assisting temporarily in the office and will continue to assist as necessary but will devote the greater part of his time to his life insurance business which is growing steadily. •— — TO HAVE CHAUTAUQUA I Mrs. G. M. Lyons of Chicago stop ped here over night enroute to Chicago from Willshire, Ohio, she is with the Redpath Chautauqua Company and went there to book the town of Willshire, for a Chautauqua for next summer. 1 his will be a five days’ circuit.

FOURTH NUMBER Os High School Lyceum e Course at Opera House Monday Night. MR. CHARLES PAYNE ' World Traveler to Give In- } teresting Lecture With Stereopticon Views. The general public will please note . the change in the date of our next ! number on the high school Ix’ceum 1 course. Instead of the next number coming in the spring, as announced, we have had to yield to the wishes of ! the lyceum bureau to have us take i one number at this time. The next > entertainment on the course, will, therefore, be given on Monday night. . January 17, at the Bosse opera house. , Mr. Charles Payne, the world trav- . eler, will be here on the date mentioned above with stereopticon views t which are used by the lecturer in illustrating his stories of travels. Mr. Payne is known and recognized as a man of years of experience on the American platform and is noted for the very extensive travels he has made into all parts of the world. Montaville Flowers spoke of him as one of the most famous travelers in the world and as a most delightful entertainer. Mr. Payne will either describe and show the beauty and splendor of the Yellowstone park, or a travel through Old Mexico, or the various things of interest in relation to the Panama canal and the building of the canal. The entire description will be illustrated with many splendid views with the stereopticon. It will be remembered that Mr. Payne is on the lyceum course for three nights of entertainment, but will give only one night at this time and will .return to Decatur for the other two appearance, April 3 and 4. A price of 25 cents for a single admission is being made for adults and 10 cents for all children of school age for the grades from first to the eighth inclusive. Arrangements are being made to (Continued on page 2) ARE READY NOW Farmers’ State Bank Will Open at Preble at Eight O’clock on Monday. • IN HOTEL BLOCK L. O. Adler is Cashier, John Hoffman, PresidentBoard of Directors. The Farmer’s State Bank of Preble, newest financial institution of Adams county, will open for business next Monday morning, wish L. O. Adler, former teacher in the Decatur schools , and well known over the county, as cashier. The bank Is located in the • north room of the Klofenstein hotel building and has been nicely equipped . for the convenience of the public and • the officials of the bank. John Hoff- , man is president of the new bank, - Jeff Klopfenstein is vice-president and the other directors are John Miller, . August Conrad, William Meyers and (Continued on page 2) 1

Decatur, Indiana, Friday Evening,

HAD A GOOD TIME Large Crowd Participated in “500” Party Given by Eastern Star AT MASONIC HALL Refreshments Were Served and a Dance Followed Contest at Cards. The Eastern Star ladies were hostesses to 140 ladies and gentlemen last evening at the new Masonic quarters, and the evening was a very delightful

mu uruniug wao a WQ UCJlgllUUl one. The principal part of the program was progressive ‘’soo’’ for which thirty tables were arranged in the assembly room. Eight games were played and first prize for the ladies went io Miss Georgia Meibers, who was the I lucky one of the half dozen who each | won seven out of the eight games, her Prize being a set of Community silver spoons. The ladies second prize, a Carrarole or baking dish, went to Miss Agnes Kohne. J. H. Heller won eight straight games and the gentleman s first prize, a handsome silk umbrella while second prize for the gents, two pair of silk socks was captured by L. A. Graham who won in the cut of the cards. Following the contest, the ladies served coffee and sandwiches and then the room was cleared and the young people enjoyed an hour or two of dancing. The event was a complete success in every way and it was twelve o'clock before the crowd quit enjoying themselves. The new quarters are comfortable and well equippd for such events and there will likely be a number during the year. IS NiBLicrDAY Many Members of Family Celebrate Anniversaries Jointly Today WITH A DINNER At Home of Amelia and Mary Niblick—ls a Happy Social Event. Today is Niblick day. Many members of the family will join in celebrating many anniversaries of birth and wedding, among the members thereof, in a dinner party this evening at six o’clock at the home of the Misses Amelia and Mary Niblick on i Marshall street. While today is the birthday anniversary of both Miss Amelia and her brother. James K. Niblick, the celebration is also for many more. They are: John Niblick, whose birthday anniversary falls January 8; Mr. and Mrs. Charles S. Niblick, whose wedding anniversary is the same date; Dan Niblick, whose birthday is January 10; Miss’ Mary, whose birthday is January 12; Hattie Niblick Suttles, whose birth anniversary is January 18. January 30 is also the birth anniversary of Hattie Studabaker-Obenauer, of West Palm Beach, Fla., whose sister married into the Niblick family, and who was also always invited, during her residence here to join with them in the celebration. A remarkable coincidence is that of the eight children of the late Mrs. Jesse Niblick, five, who are mentioned before, were born in January. A fine dinner will be served this evening and there will be many pleasant features otherwise to mark the reunion. Miss Amelia, one of the celebrants and at whose home the dinner is given, has been an invalid for some time, being a sufferer from rheumatism, and the gathering, bringing so many members of the family together at this time in her home, will be especially enjoyable to her, who is confined to the house so much. Covers will be laid for the following: Father Seimetz, John Niblick. Mr. and Mrs. Burton Niblick, Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Suttles, Mary, Josephine and Arthur Daniel Suttles, Mrs. Will Niblick, Jesse Niblick, Mr. and Mrs. ] James K. Verena Niblick, j Mr. and Mrs. Dan Niblick, Mildred i and Harold Niblick, Mr. and Mrs. C. ■ X. Niblick, Mary Frances Niblick, Mr. | and Mrs. L. A. Holthouse, William, i Rosemary and Patrica Holthouse, Mr.

' and Mrs. C. 8. Niblick, Charlotte and 1 Margaret Niblick, Misses Gertrude and ' Lena Holthouse, Tony Holthouse. Mrs. Catherine Closs, Miss Mary Closs, Misses Amelia Tonneller and i Bertha Kohne and Mary Niblick. “THE HIGHER LIFE" The subject of the sermon at the Baptist church tonight is 'The Higher Life”. Interest is growing steadily and the chorus is furnishing some excellent music. The public is urged to come and enjoy the services. BEN HUR NOTICE The Ben Hurs will have installation of officers this evening and obligations will also be given pew candidates. ‘.All members should attend. IL LO FAP P E NDlCrris - Mrs. Clay Green of south of Pleasant Mills is quite seriously ill of ap-

pendicitis. Mrs. Green was formerly Miss Tague. MEN WANTED Men wanted to work on ice. Call at Steele's park. H. L. CONTER. gettin£_ fell Capital of Montenegro Fell Into Hands of AustroHungarians. CITY IS UNHARMED Arrests in New York on Conspiracy Charge to Ship Rubber. (United Press Service) Vienna, Jan. 14 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —Cettinje, the capital of Montenegro, has been occupied by Austrian troops, it was officially announced this afternoon. “AustroHungarian troops pursuing the de seated enemy entered Cettinje, which is unharmed,” said the official statement”. “The populace is calm,” it continued. London, Jan. 14, —(Special to Daily Democrat) —The National Railway mens unions, one of the strongest la bor organizations in Great Britain, to day defied the government to enact the conscription bill. In the most dm , tic resolution yet adopted by any body, the executive committee of the railway men declared their organization will resist conscription to the uttemcst. They hinted at an imediate strike of all railway workers of Great Britain if the bill passes Parlment. New York, Jan. 14, —(Special to the Daily Democrat) —Five persons, including one woman, were indited by (Continued on Tags 2.) THE -J.INE ~ UP Probable Line-up to Face the Opposition in Tonight’s Games AT PORTER’S HALL Only One More Date Scheduled for Decatur This Season. Another double header has been arranged for tlie basket ball fans for tonight when the first Decatur high school team will meet and try ha.d to defeat the Geneva high school team and the St Joseph school team will oppose the second high school team. The games will begin promptly at 7:30 o’clock at Porters hall and both big games can be seen for one admission. The probable line up for the first team game on the part of Decatur is: Macy and Snyder, forwards; Ball, center; Gay and Wisner, guards. The second team line-up will be about as follows: Baltzell, Rilling or Stephenson, forwards; Burdg, center; Knapp and Linn, guards. Saturday night the first team will Igo to Berne to play a return date. It I developed today that only one more game will be scheduled for Decatur, I following tonight’s game and if you J want to see basket ball you had better attend tonight and the next date following. . w .... ...I

January 14, 1916.

GEO. BROWN DEAD Pioneer Kirkland Township Shoemaker and Farmer is Dead. A YEAR’S ILLNESS Life-long Resident* of Adams County—Born Here in Year 1846. George W. Brown, one of (he oldest pioneers of Adams county, died this morning about six o’clock at his home in Peterson after a year's illness of j

tuberculosis. He was born in Kirkland township, this county, April 14th, 1846 being the son of William and Margaret Brown early settlers in this region. His wife, . Susannah is dead. Mr. Brown left home at the age of eighteen years and coming to Decatar learned the shoemaker trade under the late Henry Winnes and Soloman Billman. He then returned to Kirkland township where he remained in that business until about twenty years ago when he took up farming as an occupation. He is the owner of fortytwo acres near Rivarre. He is survived, by the following children: William D. 11. Brown, of Lima, Ohio; Eisle Retta Roebuck Colbman, this county. One daughter, Alice died when a baby. Os brothers and sisters there remain: James B. Brown, lohn; Misses Elizabeth and Jane B. Brown of Peterson. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and It is thought that the funeral services will be held from the Antioch church. The funeral arrangements, however, are not fully arranged. ELECT Tirzah Aid of the Ben Hur Lodge Selects Their Officers FOR ENSUING YEAR —— * Social Session Follows the’ Meeting—Fine Program Given. The Tirzah aid of the Ben Hur lodge at the annual election of officers, held in the lodge hall last night, selected the following to head the work for the coming year. President —Mrs. John Burk. Vice-president—-Martha Hays. Secretary—Grace Hoeneisen. Treasurer —Ruby Baker. Chorister —Mrs. Adam Weis. Pianist —Goldie Closs. Following the business session of of the aid the time was given over to a social and penny social. The program given at this time was interesting and consisted of numbers by: Speech—F. F. Broughman. Whistling Solo—-Mabel Springer. | Instrumental solo —Ruby Baker. ( Reading—Elizabeth Burns. o LEO GETS A MEDAL. Leo Kirsch who swatted two January flies and thus killed 182,000,000 of their descendants, got his medal all right. Clifford LaDeile, of the Hensley Jewelry store, cut a large round disk from a nickel alarm clock and D. M. Hen- j sley engraved it nicely with "Leo Kirsch, champion fly swatter.” A pin| was attached and last evening at a social pathing at the Kirsch' home, Leo was surprised when he was presented with the medal, and is as proud as proud. RETURNS FROM TRIP Jacob Atz and Emerson Beavers returned last night from Chicago where they was attending d convention of furniture dealers for three days at the 1319 building on south Michigan , avenue. While there the local firm purchased a large quantity of new furniture for the local store. Both members of the firm enjoyed their , visit to the windy city they said. o ’ K. OF C. NOTICE. l Monday, January 17th regular meet- ■ ing. Entertainment, lunch and smok- ; er. G. K. • •

TODAY'S HOOSIER ODDITY. (United Free* Service) Warsaw, Ind., Jan. 14—(Special to Daily Democrat) —John Banks lost his dog. Banks wanted a warm place for i Fido, so he moved the kennel to a place near the furnace, and left the furnace door open to keep Fido warm. But Fido was hard to suit. Banks began worrying about the furnace door, so he got up quietly and closed it, so as not to awaken Fido. The next morning Fido was not to be found. But Fido’s ashes were—in the ’ash pan—the next morning. MRS. PARRISH BETTER. Mrs. Nora Parrish, widow of Newton Parrish, who has been seriously ill since Monday is now much better and can get around the house. At the time she was taken sick little hope for her ultimate recovery was held out by . the physicians. >| _ ~

THE STORK AHEAD 1Births in County More Than Double the Deaths— Report is Made, by DR. J. C. GRANDSTAFF Secretary of County Board of Health — Average Death Age Was 47. 1 Feeling that the people of Adams ■ county might appreciate a report from ■ I the county health commissioners, J. '| C. Grandstaff, secretary of the coun- ■ ty board of health, has prepared and ■ submits the same. He finds that the total number of , births in the past year, exclusive of Decatur. Berne, Monroe and Geneva, - which keep their reports separately. I !is 379. To off set this, there were i 154 deaths. His report in detail further is: Marriages recorded, 193; oldest ' couple licensed to marry: Groom, 69; i bride. 68; youngest couple licensed to marry: Bride, 17;.groom, 17; the average for the year: Brides, 24: grooms, 27. Os the deaths I find that we had 154 outside of the city of Decatur, and the towns of Monroe, Berne and Geneva. I find of the males who died, the oldest one was Grandpa I ( Kunkle of Root township, who was 94, and of the females, Grandma Martz , of Monroe township, who was 91. The average age at death for the year was 47. I also find diseases and other causes of death along with, tire number ars as follows: Tuberculo-1 , sis, 19; pneumonia, 17; cancer, 15; 'still-born, 24; dysentery, 1; gastro- ! enteritis, 1; angina pectoris, 1; apoplexy, 7; colitis, 2; diphtheria, 1; nephrolithiasis, 1; meningitis, 1; septicemia, 2; typhoid. 4; organic heart trouble, 10; acute gastritis, 1; cirrhosis of liver, 1; cystic tumor, 1; gastric ulcer, 3; endocarditis, 2; gall stones, 1; arterio sclerosis, 3; interstital nephritis, 5; accidents, 8; acute bronchitis, 1; peritonitis, 1; cgrebral softening, 2; exopthalmic goitre. 1; cerebral abscess, 1; paralysis, 2; per-1 icarditis. 1; pernicious anemia, 3; ! Bright’s disease, 3; senile bronchitis, 1; convulsions, 1. | A STRONG STAFF — Os Officers Elected by the German Reformed Christian Endeavor. i HARRY KNAPP, PRES. I — Meeting Held Last Evening —Committees Give Reports. The German Reformed Christian Endeavor society heid its annual business 5 1 f : meeting last evening at the church, t Not all the reports of committees i were in at this time, but the past i year has been a most successful one. f Principal among the matters attendi ed to, was the election of officers, and r a strong staff was elected, as follows: President —Harry Knapp. Vice-president—Lydia Kirsch. Secretary—Letta Wetter. Treasurer —Albert Miller. Organist—Ruth Mayer. Assistant organist—Marie Gehrig. .

Price, Two Cents.

INQUIRY STARTS Frank H. Merica, of Portland, Former Decatur Man, Says Daughter MIGHT COME THROUGH “Under Sweat”—Might Disclose Something Clearing Up Murder Mystery. The Muncie Star, in a Portland dispatch, says of the case of the daughters of F. 11. Merica. of that town, a former Decatur resident:

■ “That his daughter, Alma Switzer, might know full details of the David Beery murder mystery at Celina, 0., and would ‘come through under sweat,' was the statement of Frank Merica of this city, before a court of inquiry held here this afternoon at the instance of Prosecutor Myers of Mercer county, Ohio, the sheriff of that county and the marshal of Celina. Merica formerly resided at Bluffton and Montpelier, and at the time of the Beery murder, in April, 1912, was a resident of Celina. His two daughters, Mrs. Switzer and Maroe Howard, have been under arrest at Celina since last Saturday on charges of disorderly conduct. “It is claimed that the two women were decoyed to the Ohio city and after reaching there were placed under arrest, the officers having obtained some information that they might be able to disclose something that would lead to solving the murder mystery. However, it is not believed that Mrs. Switzer was personally connecte'd with the crime. Said He Never Cared to Mix. I "Merica said that he never cared to 1 mix with the troubles of his daughI ter and Switzer, who are now separ- ' ated, but said he did hear his ■ daughter tell her husband that if he : bothered her she would put him out of the way. The officers at the in- . quest contended that this remark elic- [ ited® from Switzer the rejoinder, 'lf , you ever mention that Beery matter 1 I’ll kill you, then take my own life.’ i Merica said he did not hear this ' statement, but admitted that Switzer in his presence told the daughter, ‘I [ didn’t marry you, I married your mouth,’ meaning that he married her ’ to keep her from divulging certain se--1 crets. Merica remarked to the officers during the inquiry that he had always thought if "Alma was under sweat she would tell the whole story.’ Second Murder Mystery. “This is the second murder mystery that Portland and Celina officials have joined in an effort to unravel, the other being the murder of Wilbur Phillips of Lima, 0.. killed by Dennis and LeVan Baker of Celina, a couple of years ago. Both the Bakers are now serving sentences for the crime, which took place on a Lake Erie & Western freight train, Phillips dying here. Celina officers thought for a time that the Bakers might be guilty of the Beery murder, but were mis- ( taken. They believe now that Switi zer was implicated and that they are in a fairway 'to unravel the mystery, ! but the whereabouts of Switzer are I said to be unknown.” A Montpelier dispatch says: “Alma Merica Switzer and Marie Merica Lutz-Howard, better known as ( the "Merica sisters," and until recent- . ly resident of this city, are held at Celina, 0.. as suspects in the murder of David Beery, near St. Mary’s. 0., in April, 1912. The women were decoyed to Celina, 0., by two men and i were arrested on a charge of disor--1 derly conduct. Some time ago their I mother is alleged to have died in a Fort Wayne hospital and made an ' ante-mortem confession to the effect I that the family had been connected . with several shady affairs. F. H. I Merica, who is now a resident of ! Muncie, at one time conducted a secI ond-hand store at Celina, later going to Huntington and from there came I to this city, where his store was lo- .' cated at the Blue Front building. The ( | Marie Merica is at present defendant I in a divorce suit pending at Portland. | One of the girl’s household goods are ' still located in this city, she having left here only recently.” IS DANGEROUSLY ILL. Dr. J. S. Coverdale and family received word yesterday that their daughter-in-law, Mrs. Clark Coverdale of Nashville, Tenn., is dangerously ill. The illness is the result of her operaton of last fall, complicated with I organic heart trouble, asthma and the (grip .