Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 15, Number 48, Decatur, Adams County, 26 February 1917 — Page 1

Volume XV. Number 18.

ARMED NEUTRALITY ASKED BY WILSON CUNBRD LINER LACONIA FELL VICTIM TO SUBMARINE-26 AMERICANS ABOARD WITH ONE LIFE REPORTED LOST.

(United Press Service) • < (By Carl I). Groat) L Washington, I). C.. Feb. 26—(Special to Daily Democrat)—President , Wilson today appealed to a joint ses-' sion of congress for permission to arm American merchantmen; to establish! an armed neutrality and for full and immediate assurances that he may j I exercise such authority as he deems 1 necessary to handle the German- i American situation. ]1 Declaring that he is the “friend of!peace and means to preserve it for I America," as long as he is able the'; president emphasized the fact that he '; neither asked nor contemplated a', step which might bring war through !, action of this country. He declared ! that war could only come through an , act of Germanv. "No course of my choosing will lead to war,” he said. “War can only come by the willful acts and aggression of others.” “But,” he added, “we must defend ' our commerce and the lives of our ] people.” He emphasized that while he may now have full power to take what steps are necessary he desires that ' congress, “by its own vote,” show that it is behind him in whatever he 1 may decide is necessary. .. . While he asks specific power to arm ships he said he could not he any' more specific since he can only de-, cide as the situation develops what specific thing should he done. The president also asked a “suflfi- ( 1 rient credit to enable me to provide adequate means of protection where 1 they are lacking, including adequate insurance aganist the present war risks.” While practical results of the new German subsea campaign “are not yet full disclosed,” the president said, and the overt act lias not yet occured. “it will be foolish to deny that the situation is fraught with gravest possibilities and dangers." London. Feb. 26 —(Special to Daily Democrat)—The 18.099 ton liner Laconia fell victim today to the German submarine warfare, being torpedoed without warning off the Irish coast. The vqssel was enroute from New York to England. The Laconia is the biggest victim of the submarine warfare since the new decree was announced. Six Americans were aboard the vessel. Two hundred seventy-eight passengers aboard the liner were rescued. The C’unarder carried mail from America. She was torpedoed Sunday night. Another steamer rescued her passengers. A majority of the survivors were expected to land at Quensetown and others at Bantry, Ireland. London, Feb. 26 —(Special to Daily | Democrat)- -Ku( El Atnara has be”nj teeaptured by British forces, I’han-, cellcr of the exchequer Andrew Bonarj Law made this anouncement in tae house of commons. Prisoners taken numbered 1700. He said the ". urkish garrison was in full retreat. London, Feb. 26 —(Special to Daily Democrat)—British destroyers met a German destroyer squadron between eleven o’clock and midnight Sttnda' night in a heavy engagement in the North sea. Sir Edward Carson, fir--t Lird of the admiralty announced in commons this afternoon. "After a heavy engagement with guns and tor)>edoes our ships remained undamaged” he said "The extent of the enemy’s damage is unknown. New York, Feb. _ 26^-(Special to the Daily Democrat)—A cable message to the Cunard line this afternoon told cf the finking of the Laconia and said one life was lost. There were mo.e than twenty Americans in the crow of the Laconia the Cunard line m nounced. Washington. Feit. “26-(Special to Daily Democrat)—Ambassador Willard at Madrid today cabled the state

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

department that the foreign office has notified him that the seventy-two American Yarrowdale prisoners woe, released February 16th. (By Ed L. Keen.) London, Feb. 26 —(Special to DailyDemocrat) —Conviction grew in Great; Britian today that the Germans de-i liberately planned the torpedoing if the seven Dutch ships reported Saturday to have fallen victim to German submarines. The belief was based on (he theory that Germany sought to force the Netherlands government into war 30i that she might raid the great store-' houses of food in that country. This would explain the massing of 1 large German forces on the Dutch border and the treachery of Berlin in not living up to a safe conduct granted to the Dutch vessels. London, Feb. 26 —(Special to'Daily Democrat) —The greatest gain in territory since the battle of the Marne has just been achieved by the British and with practically no losses. The British now have Baupaume almostl within their grasp. German troops 1 have abandoned a section of territory of probably six square miles in t x-,.' tent. Retirement by the Germans from! Baupaume. an important strategic, point, is now confidently predicted here. For two years British troops! have pounded unceasingly toward this position. _____ Berlin. Feb. 26—(Special to Daily. Democrat) —"In several sectors of the Ancre the British advances failed” said todays official statement. Faris. Feb. 26—(Special to Dally Democrat)—The American freighter Oreleans has passed safely through the German submarine zone and will! dock at Bordeaux tomorrow The ves-' sei has entered the Glrone river. Tokio, Feb. 26—(Special to Daily! Democrat)—The British steamers Persetts and Worcestehsliire have been sunk off Colombo according to announcements today. It is presumed. that Gorman plotters caused the dis asters and that Teuton agents secret ly placed bombs in the two vessels timed to explode at sea. Washington, Feb. 26—(Special to Dally Democrat)—President Wilson will address congress at one o’clock today to ask power to protect Ameri can lives and property on the seas. TO WORK UNTIL JUNE. Continuing, after speaking of the wedding of Fanny Burwell and Roy M. Balyeat, the Bluffton News says: I “Mr. Balyeat is a contractor, enI gaged in cement construction work 1 on a large scale in the state of Monj tana. He will leave Sunday for his home in the west, while Mrs. Balyeat, the bride, will remain until] June Her husband will have a hand-; some new home ready for her recep-1 tion when she goes to Billings in the summer. Mrs. Balyeat announced today that she will continue to serve as court reporter until the summer vacation of the courts, thus giving. Judge Eichhorn ample time in which to secure another competent report- i er before the opening of the court next fall.” NEWSY LOST TWO DOLLAR BILLS After a hard weeks work and just finishing the job of collecting from his many subscribers late Saturday ' evening one of the Newsey’s for Lite ' Daily Democrat lost two w one dollar ’ bills while on his route Saturday even--1 ing. in the west part of the city. Anyone finding the two one dollar bills I will do a big favor by returning it to .this office. C. B. L. OF° I- NOTICE. The C B. L'. "ofYwill meet Tues- , day evening after services. 1

Decatur, Indiana, Monday Evening, February 26, 1917.

ANOTHER_CHASE Fire Department Misdirected Again, But Fire Was Small and Out. GIVE ACCURATE ALARM Use Street and Block Number Instead of Reporting People’s Names. Fire, caused by sparks from the chimney, caused five dollars loss at] the Alva Henderson home on Indiana street yesterday afternoon at one\ o'clock. In commenting- on the fire this 1 morning it developed that this is the second alarm within three days that I has been mis-reported to the depart-1 inent, not through lack of knowledge or in transmission but front the error! of excitement. The fire Friday was reported as being located at Tenth and Adams as a matter of fact it was north , Fifth street. Yesterday’s fire was re j ported on north Fourth street, whereas it was off Fifth street. This is caused, said Captain Dellinger, by the reporting of the name of the person 1 who lives in the house on fire. P-e ! [ pie move, you know, and we cannot keep track of all of them. When giving a fire alarm use street addresses.] it don’t liqve to be exactly correct, just say “the six hundred block north Fifth” or ten hundred block west I Monroe” or some " similar direction. That’s the way to report fires. Don’t run the department on a wild goose chase, maybe the next one will be yours. ROOMSASSfGNED Evangelical S. S. Assigned Places in New Church —The Last Service — BEFORE DEDICATION —■ — C. E. Hocker, Financial Secretary, Read Report Yesterday. Yesterday was the last day for the Evangelical congregation, of holding 1 all their Sunday services in the basement of the new church, which will be dedicated next Sunday. The attendance was very large, and at the close of the morning service. | the financial secretary. Charles E.l Hocker, read the summary of the re-1 i port of the finances, attending the | building of the new edifice, publication . I of which will be made later. At the close of the Sunday school ! the superintendent L. L. Baumgartner, j reported the assignment of the class 1 i es to the various new Sunday school rooms. Following this, all went above, where they found their places and will be ready for the new room occupation next Sunday. - - ■ ———— M. E. REVIVAL. The revival meeting at the Methodist church still continues. Last night the great auditorium and lecture room were filled and the interest was intense.' No day meetings at the church this week. Prayer meeting schedule for Tuesday is as follows: Meetings begin at 2:00 p. m.: Section 1. All north of Marshall street, at the home of Mrs. Emma DeVoss. 723 North Third street. Section 2. Between Marshall and ' Monroe and Firth street and the.river. Mrs. W. J. Myers, 234 North , Fifth street. Section 3. Between Marshall and ' Monroe and Fifth and Tenth streets, at Mrs. Alzey's, 217 North Sixth • I j street. Sections 4 and 5 combined. All west of Tenth street, at. Mrs. T. W. '■ Holsapple’s, 303 Nort Tenth street. Section 6. Between Monroe and ’ Elm and Fifth and Tenth streets, at ' Mrs. John Burk's, 122 South Ninth ■ street. >i Section 7. Between Monroe and river. Adams and Fifth street and the river, at Mrs. John Niblick’s, 222 West Jes--1 ferson street. Sections 8 and 9 combined. All

“ south of Adams and east of Fifth and 1 the Clover Leaf railroad, at the home ' of Mrs. Avon Burk,‘at 2:30 o'clock. 11 Section 10. All between the Clover Leaf railroad and the G. R. & 1. ■ ' tracks and south of their crossing I at Mrs. Stella Crists, 515 Line street. These prayer meetings are for everybody and you will be helping them and also be a help to them if you go. There have beqn many meetings of I great power in the homes of the peoI pie and we look forward to splendid results from these this week. Meet- | ings for Wednesday will be announci ed in tomorrow's papers. Service in the church each evening at 7:30. Come. o — CHRISTIAN PRAYER SERVICE. The Christian prayer meeting will be held Wednesdaj' evening at the | home of Mrs. Elmer Smith, on Fouth ' street. ARTICLES FILED * For Incorporation of “The Vance Safetv Lock Company” Today. WITH CAPITAL STOCK Os SIO,OO0 —Five Directors Named—Twelve Stockholders. Articles of incorporation of “The i Vance Safety Lock Company." capitalized at SIO,OOO, were filed this morning with the county recorder, by the firm’s attorney. D. B. Erwin. The papers set out that the company is organized for the manufac-' ture of the Vance Safety Permuta-1 | tion or Combination lock, and for I ! similar articles, and also for their i sale. There are five directors, as fol I lows: O. L. Vance, the inventor of ! the lock; August A. Sellemeyer ! Fred Heuer. Daniel D. Sprang and William Klepper. Other members of ! | the corporation are C. A. Dugan. I Hugh Hite. Lee Yager, John W. Tyn- | dall, Mileton E. Hower, D. B. Erwin. | Albert M. Sellemeyer. The locks are being manufactured ! in Cincinnati, Ohio, and are shipped here to the company for sales distribution. The incorporation is for twenty years. —o— . . MERCHANTS TO BOWL. All merchants, employes and others interested in the organization of a merchants’ league of bowlers are invited to meet at thb Arlington alleys at 8 o’clock Tuesday night for the purpose of completing plans. You are invited. FOR COAL JROBE Commission Will Probably be Appointed to Investigate Coal Situation. BILL IS INTRODUCED Railroad Workers Exempted from Compensation Act—Bill is Killed. Indianapolis Feb. 26 —(Special to. Daily Democrat) —An investigation of the high price of coal which has prei vailed in Indiana will be conducted by a commission appointed by Governor] Goodrich provided a bill introduced today by representatives Miller and Gentry passes the legislature. The bill l makes provision for the appointment of a commission with wide powers to make the probe. The Senate passed Simmons bill exempting railroad men from the workman’s compensation act. Negly’s bill providing for the establishment "bf city planning comnVscioners was killed in the senate by a vote of 25 to 17. The senate passed Jackson's bill providing a bounty of fifty cents each [ on chicken hawks. Consideration of the excise tax bill which was scheduled to come, up to--1 day was postponed until tomorrow on ! account of the illness of Senator Borliter one of the supporters of the bill.

COAL COMING NOW r 11 5- The Krick-Tyndall Company Has Received Five Carsand Will Open Up. r , HAD A BAD SEASON — Because of Fuel Shortage —Other Cities Have Suffered Big Losses. i ' , The coal famine may be brokenfrom indications of the past few days, in fact the serious comfltions have already been relieved and there ire hopes that front now on there will be no further difficulties in securing ell the fuel necessary for manufacturing purposes at least. The season his I been the worst known here in years I and many concerns inclding the city plant have at times, been almost up to i the serious point. One of the con- ! corns which has suffered largely from lack of fuel is the Krick-Tyndall Company, tile manufacturers, who have had only coal enough to run part time ] during the winter and for two weeks 1 past have been practically at a stand still. They received a car last Friday and four ears Saturday and with a dozen more cars on/he road, feel that the worst is over and that they can keep the wheels moving from now oh. However Decatur seems to have been more mortunate than neighboring cities for in a number of the. towns; manufacturing industries have been I forced to quit temporarily and the city; ] plants have had great difficulty tn, ' keeping up fires. OIED SUDDENLY J. H. Barrone, Prominent Farmer and Democrat, St. Mary's Township DIED THIS MORNING At Eight O’clock—lll Only Since Saturday Evening* of Apoplexy. i John H. Barrone. long au influential farmer and prominent democrat iof St. Mary’s towtiship, died this | morning at 8:30 after a short illness since Saturday evening. Death was primarily due to apoplexy, with complications of pneumonia. Mr. Barrone had come to town Satj urdav for medicine for his wife, who I is ill of the grip, and that evening he complained of a cNNI. He threw’ 1 himself on a cot in the living room. ! where he was found Sunday morning! | about 11 o'clock in an unconscious! I condition. A son had gone to Fort 1 Wayne to call on his sister, Mrs. Emil Caeppart. who had an operation last week at the hospital, and this left two younger children, and Mrs.; Barrone, who is ill of the grip, at' home alone with Mr. Barrone. When he did not appear Sunday morning by eleven o’clock Mis. Barrone arose and went out, finding him unconscious. A was called and the family was fortunate in getting a graduate nurse, Mrs. Alexander, a neighbor, both of whom did everything possible for the afflicted man and his family. But never regained consciousness, passing away at 8:30 this morning. It is believed he suffered an apopleptic stroke. Both lungs were also found to bo badly congested. undoubtedly due to bis Iving long in the chilled room alter regaining consciousness. In the death of Mr. Barrone, the county and community loses one of his best men. Everywhere he is spoken of in only the highest praise, and his death' is sincerely regretted. He was a man active in affairs, and - ] for years he served as democratic i central coiumitej'inan from his precinct. I The deceased was fifty-three years i of age last December 6. He was botn ] in Wert county. (). but practical ] I ly ail his life had been l spent in (he - vicitjity where his death occurred. i His wife was formerly Miss Rosa ■ Geier. A particular sail feature is | that her aged father, Edward Geiec,

I died only last week, the body being brought here from the soldiers home tn Marion and taken to the Barrone home wbpre it lay until the funeral held la ” Friday. There tire two sons ami two dauzh- | ters, surviving .one of the daughters, Mrs. Cappaert being in the hospital in Fort Wayne, her father accompany--1 ing her there week before last tor the operation. Brothers and sisters ure Will Barrone. Mrs Henry Stettler, Mrs. H-'n y Schnep;-. and Mrs. Frank Schhepp <.t I I’nion towushiit. The funeral will be Thursday afternoon at 1:30 o clock from thy Methodist church at Rivarre. THE COURT NEWS II • _____ Divorce Case of Jessie A. Miller vs. Wm. H. MilI] ' ler Submitted. NOT A JURY TRIAL Many Witnesses in Court— Special Judge Hartford Here on Business. The divorce cas<j of Jessie A. Miller vs. William H. Miller, is on trial in* the circnit court before Judge D. E. Smith .without a jujy. Many witnesses are in court. J. C. Sutton, H. B. Heller and R. C. Parrish are Mrs. Miller's attorneys, while Peterson & Moran are for the defense. In the estate of John R. Holthouse I a petition was submitted for an al- ; lowance for attorneys’ fees for the i counsel for the estate. Clinton Hart, et al vs. Saralt Ree l, et al. Fitjal report approved and dnnmissioner discharged. Special Judge R. H. Hartford. o< ! Portland, was here today on business I relating, to the case of Josephine H. s>-' ver vs. Stella May DeLegrance, e.t a> The answer of'the defendants to the! second paragraph of complaint was filed. Plaintiff filed a motion to ! strike out the cross complaint fil' d | by tlie guardian ad litem June S, 1916 1 from the records and files. Crtris complaint withdrawn. The case is s t for Marclt 15. Defendants object ’o; I this dale because of* the fact th<? t their counsel cannot be present on :' • count of having another case for that ] date, which was set prior to* this on . , Frank W. Mosure, administrator, of the estate of Louisa Zaugg .vs. David! Kolter, et al. The commissioner upon his petition, was ordered to mu’te a partial distribution, this bvipg of SSOO to Aldine Kloppfenstein, Ila Fisher, Alfred and Ollie Zaugg. Samuel Egly has recorded the name of |||s eighty-acre farm in Hartford township as “Walnut Grove.” Real estate transfers: Frank Click to Abraham Bollenbacker, 5 acres. > i Jefferson tp„ $1250; Abraham B. Biberstein, deeds eaclt for 40 acrei, in j i French tp„ to Bertha Stauffer, Seth | Michael. Abraham Biberstein, Barbara Habegger et al., each $400; Abraham B. Biberstein, two deeds each for 40 acres, Hartford tp„ to Saralt I ; Moser and Menno Biberstein, each $400; F. M. Schirmeyer et al. to Jean ’IF. Smith, lot 33, Decatur. s2so‘, Wm. i O. Bigham et al. to Mary J. Pillars, pt. lot 574. Decatur, $3500; John Mosure. auditor, to F. M. Schirmeyer. I lots 5 and 25, Decatur, $9.68 and $3.27; i Orlando Bover et al. to John F. Hocker. 93 1-3 acres. Washington tp„ 1 $15,000; Effie Case to Nade C. Haley,' 1 acre, Washington tp„ $1650; F. M. Schirmeyer, trustee, to Earl B. Adlams. lot 31. Dqcatur, $240; Anna Me- | Manama et al., to Fred Roth, 50 acres, Monroe tp.. $5,000; Fred Roth | et al. to Geo. McManama, 50 acres. Monroe tp.; ssopO; Geo. Brash et al. 'lto Kenne'N W. Countryman et al realty in Preble tp. $24,000. WILL MOVE TO FLINT ’ Jew. J. Helm, former clerk nt th" i posfoflict today returned from Detroit, where he concluded arrangement)' t with Earl B. Newton to assume, the . | ■ management of his real estate busi- 1 j ness at Flint. Michigan .Mr. Newton,: anil (i’luge Nachtrieb were in part nershl*but recently Mr. Newton took 1 over ffle entire business and has cm ployed Mr. Helm h> look after bis in I terests at Flint. Mr. and Mrs. Hel.n will go to Detroit tomorrow and th- n ttP Flint where they will see about a house and other details preliminary to moving there as soon as possible.

Price, Two Cents

GOING AFTER FEOEBAL PLUM i Jesse 0. Sellemeyer and , Fred V. Mills in Contest for I’ostoftice. (HAVE PETITIONS OUT ■ I Announcement of Who Will Distribute Patronage is Being Watched For. j Mr. Jesse O. Sellemeyer, well known I young business man, a worker in the democratic party and the secretary <,f that organiation, today flung his hat in the riqg as a candidate for postnuts- ■ ter of this city. He is circulating petition which will in due time be presented to who ever is given the authority of deciding this important question, and up to noon itad secured a -large number of signatures to his articles of recommendation. He has the backing of a number of the prominent workers and patrons of the office. It is known that several others have ' their eye "sot" on the job and developements will be watched with interest. Mr. Sellemeyer is a Jlember of the limn of Kirsch, Sellemeyer & Sons Co.* lumber and coal dealers, has been active in business and political work tor several years and is energetic enough to keep things moving. Owing to the fact that Mr. Adair will conclude his office as congres ;- man one week from now and that bo<h United States senators are reputeiic«ans, there has been considerable speculation as to who would have the patronage in the eighth district and jso far no official announcement his been made. Ordinarily the distribution <>f federal plums under sue it circumstances would fall to the memier i of the national committee from this j stale, thi being Hon. K. G Hoffman, | of Fort Wayne, but there lias been -ome new.' ftaper talk, hacked by semiI official rumors front various sources, that Vice President Thomas R. Marshall will look after patronage in all Indiana districts not in hands of dem,ec ratio congressmen. It is likely that ; litis matter will he tk (tied after the inauguration which takes place next Monday and the candidates will then I know just how to proceed witli their 1 campaign. There is also some talk that the retirjng congressmen will continue to distribute the patronage, which would put it up to Mr. A.lair. Mr. Mills Also In Race. This afternoon Fred V. Mills, well known grocer and for many years a member of the county central committee. began the circulation of a petition asking that he lie qppointed to H o place’ indicating that the race may assume from this time on a real contest for the honor and profits of deriving I’ncfr Sant. Mt® Mills is one cf the active business tuen of Decatur, a hustler, and a political worker of I many years experience. EVANGELICAL CHURCH COTTAGE MEETINGS. Preparatory to the comtjtg evangelistic meetings at the _ Evangelical church* a number of cottage prayer ! meetings will be held Tuesday evening front 7:30 to 8:0ft. It if hoped there will i*e a large attendance. AtI tend the one nearst to your home. The following are the places and * | leaders: Jacob Tester home. L. L. Baumgartner, leader; Charles Knodel home. Eugene Runyon, leader. I<>m Kern home, Mrs. Fred Linn, leader. Charles Hockfir home. Mrs. Eugene Runyon, leader. Lew Hughes home. J H. Rilling, leader. Leaders will kindly report the attendance. FATHER VINCENT TO CINCINNATI Father Vincent. C. P . formerly Lawrence Ehinger of this city, lett today noon for Cincinnati, where he has’ been in charge at the preparatory school tor Passionate fathers. Father Vincent arrived in tlie city Saturday and visited over Sunday with his parents. Banker and Mrs. E. X. Ehinger. He had been gone for eleven years. TO RELIEVE SHORTAGE 1 Um ed Press Service) Washington, Feb. 26 -(Special to Daily Democrat)- Senator Borah today introduced a bill providing for an a| propriation of six million dollars to be spent at the direction of the president to relieve tlie present fond -it.-* nation.