Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 21, Number 103, Decatur, Adams County, 30 April 1923 — Page 2

Life of Judge John C. Moron Was Filled With Many Good Deeds

o- u Life History of Judge John Moran b—, o Judge John ('. Moran, endeared in the lieiiiix of all who knew him, und known by praith all) every person in the county ami surroiinding ((immunity, was a native son of Adams County, iwing horn in Jefferson township on February la, 1870, He was the sou of Thomas and Anna Moran, both natives of County Galway, Ireland, lie was the eldest son and fourth child of a family ot nine. His parents emigrated to this country in 1X65 and settled in Preble County, Ohio. Shortly afterwards the elder .Morans came to this county anti settled on a farm in Jefferson township. Judge .Moran's father lived to be over 85 yeas of age and for' n number of years made his home ■with his son. at which place he died. His good mother died on .May 27, 1887 when her son, John was seventeen years old. Was a School Teacher During the time that he was attending the grade n< hools in his township. Judge Moran helped his father on the farm. Later he attended the Ohio Northern University a: Ada. the Tri-State Normal school ;>■ Angola Valpariaso university and spent two years in the Portland Normal school. He then struck out for himself and at the age of nineteen, took up the profession of teaching, his first term being in Mercer j ('iu:ity, Ohio. He taught seven terms, four of them in the Cottonwood school in French township, and many of his former pupils remember him as a man of sincerity ami pa j tience. all of whom will be grieved to learn of his untimely death. A Student of Law (living up teaching. Judge Moran took up the study of law and entered the office of Judge IL H Hartford nt Portland, where he completed his reading of Blackstone. Admitted to Bar in 1897 Judge Moran, then a young attorney. was admitted to the Adams county bar in 1597. twenty-six years ago. He opened his first law office at Berne during the same year, and within a short time gained for himself an enviable reputation as 4. brilliant and capable lawyer. He Ovyti in Bern - tor three years. Was Prosecutor Six Years Judge Moran was a democrat in politics and in 19im was elected Proeecuting Attorney on the democratic ticket and was re-elected to two other two-year terms, having served six years in all. When elected Prosecuting Attorney, it necessitated his moving from Berne to Decatur and since that time* he has been a resident of this city. Speaking of his services as prosecutor. Lewis’ history of Adams and Wells counties, says: 'lt is doubtful if

CLEAN-UP DRIVE j STARTED TODAY City Trucks and Wagons Begin Hauling Cans and Rubbish in City This is clean-up and paiut-up week. Early this morning, under the direction of city strut commissioner, Ed L. Augenbaugh. with two learns and wagons, witii one and two mtn in charge, started to make tlie rounds in gathering up the old tin cans, lotties and other rubbish from the alleys throughout the city. Owing to th' unexpected arrival el i v t ars of coal consigned to the city light and power plant, the two big Indiana trucks were being used today to haul the coal to the municipal plant. Commissioner Augenbaugh Hat'd that in all probability the big trucks wouhj be put in service in tl ? clean-up drive Tuesday or Wednesday. A complete canvas of the city will be made. Beginning tomorrow or Wednesday one oi the trucks will begin on First str-et and work crosstov n. west to th- corpe’ •ition Hit. Today ope truck ijus tilering up tin: cans, etc., in tile snail; end of the city, while the teams and wagons wore working iu the west ami north-, west part. it is a big job to haul tin winter's uc •itmnbiii' et cum-, bullies and other unsightly trash and I it thought.tl-u,t it will take a week or t<h) da? s ■ to . <;tnuplvie the ‘e.lcfiu tip drive. All cans, and bottles should be placed in boxes or barrels . nd set in the alley or along the civb to they can be picked out and thrown into the trii'k. In connection with the cl.au-tin movemexit. the cottjcil will see t'i'i* bills anti placards are removed front tue telephone tud electric ligluj

i that office ever had a better administration than in Mr. Moran's hands. One feature of Mr. .Moran's record , In the prosecuting attorney office, Is, that he never drew a defective utilt davit or indictment throughtout hl* I three? terms." John F. Snow, speak t Ing of his record in "Snow's history of Adams County," says- "During the . incumbency of his office he discharged all of its duties and obligations | with intelligence, fearlessness and marked ability. He tried numbers of important eases, and in each he| displayed a profound knowledge of the law and skill as an attorney. His chief concern was the intere st of the public he served and he re tired from office with the plaudits of the members c>f all political parties and the esteem of his fellows." J Formed Law Partnership Early In his career as an attorney. In- formed u law partnership with the late Shafer Peterson, this partnership continuing until Mr. Peterson's death. A number of years ago i he was admitted to practice in the I State Supreme Court and carried a,| number of trials to that tribunal. In the practice of law. Mr. Moran built up a wonderful clientage, and hisl services were always in demand.) Much of Mr. Moran's enjoyment ini life was in doing something for his. fellow man and in giving advice or rendering service to those less for-1 tunate than he and to those troubled with legal matters or difficulties. It has been said that he gave as much 1 of his service and talents without recompense as those for which he relc:eived pay. He represented hundreds of property owners previous to becoming judge, in the matter of ' presenting petitions for gravel roads to the board of commissioners. Was Married in 1901 Mr. Moran was married in Decatur. September 23, 1901. to Miss Rosella Yager, daughter of Charles and Magdelene Yager, of French town ship. The bereaved wife and two children, who with the hundreds and hundreds of friends of the judge are heartbroken over his untimely death, survive. The children are: Margaret Moran, a student at St. Mary's College. South Bend, tend Richard at : home. Three brothers and four sis-1 ters also survive, they being Judge I Jaynes J. Moran and Dr. Mark Moran. | p, Portland: Patrick, Moran, of Jef-[ ferson township. Adams County, and I the sisters, Mrs. P. K. Kinney and ■ Mrs. T. F. Golden, of Fort Wayne: Mrs James Kinney, of Jefferson townskip. and Miss Margaret Moran, a teacher in the public schools of this city. Church and Lodge Membershio Judge Moran was a member of the St Mary's Catholic church and was most devout in his religious duties. He was one of the church trustees tad held other offices within the ■hurch circle. He was a member of tin St. Joseph and Holy Name sod-

I polos and the poles will be paiat'-l. The business men are going to put iup new awnings and paint their store room trouts, ornamental lights ! are going to be installed on Second i street from Jackson to Jefferson, and Decatur is going to be a "spick and l span" city. Get the fever! AGED RESIDENT I OF COUNTY DIES Mrs. Rosanna Baumgartner, of French Township Expires Sunday A. M. Mrs. Hosanna Baumgartner, age SI I yc ars. a resident of Adams county and I French township for sixty five years | ami. mother of L. L. Baumgartner of I tills city, former county surveyor, died at her home at two o'clock Sunday morning otter several weeks - ' illness with the influenza and infiirmities of old age. The deceased was one of the well Known and highly respected women of Ihi county. She was Isirn in Stark:' county. Ohio. March 27. 1842. being eighty-one years old on her last birthday. When a young woman she married John J. Baumgartner and tn this union ten children were born. Her husband died about twenty-nine . lyeuis ago Following Jier marriage I she made her home in French towni ship where her husband was a proi .gressivo farmer ahil later engaged in -‘tli" general store business. ij Funeral services will be held Tuest'day itl'lernoou at two e'clook at the I'l.mn Grove llvangrlival 'hursh. Rev, Lnttmr officiating. Burial will be 1 1held Tn tie Lmu (jrtwi cemetery. Ih'.-id'.:- L. L. Baumgartner of this ei|y th' following children survive: I Rec. G H. Baumgartner and Mrs.

DECATUR, DAILY DEMOCRAT, MONDAY, APRIL 30. 1923.

eties und at all times lead un exemplary life. 1 He was one of the forty-six charter members of the local Knights ot Columbus, Decatur Council Number

MET AN UNTIMELY DEATH “ 1 ■ •’< ■■“’T 'i'.The* above like ness of the late Judge John C. Moran, who met , death leg accidently drowning tn the St. Mary's river at Fort Wayne huit Th. was made from a photograph made in 1919 when he became Judge of the Adams circuit court. This was the last photograph made of the deceased.

861 which was organized in this city in February. 1905. However, he became a member of the order in 1902, being initiated at Fort Wayne with a number oi other Decatur mt i» He was the first deputy grand knight of

.M uy Opliger, of Berne; Charles | Baumgartner, Mrs. Charles Rohn. of * South Whitley, and Ben and Ida) Baumgartner at home. • PAINTERS* NOTICE A great many merchants have inquired at this office for painters to take a contract for the paintint> of their business I fronts. Lots of work to be had at good prices. Let s get the town painted as soon as pos- ' sibie. Come in and see us. Help make Decatur's business section; shine and help put the town on i ihe map. WILL RESTONE ROAD TO BERNE State Highway South From Decatur to he Repaired This Summer Indianapolis, April 30.- Orders have ' been placed for $50,000 worth of crushed stone and gravel by the state highway commission for immediate j delivery, anil the next few days wll. i note the start oi of stupi'niloiis maintenance operations for placing nonI rigid typed roads in the state system in excellent condition for spring and summer traffic, John D. Williams. ■ highway director, announces. Thirteen roads will receive the Inilk "I this'milt,erial au,d as fast,' as I In. y arc repaired other highways of ■ |he system receive attention when > they begin lo show wear. Mr. Wil- . Hams. said. Roads delegalc-d to be rep Trod first 4ft: < ■ »-. ■ V So. ; 21.' Oeeatnr to Horne with si nni' —- . | No. 12, east aud west of Bicknell,

the local council. He was also a member of the local lodge of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Improved Order of Red Men. and hi* presentu und guiding hand

will be sadly missed by his lodge brothers. Served As County Chairman" Besides being honored with public • offices of trust and honor, Judge Moran served as chairman ot the

| gravel. No. 12. east and west of Bicknell, ■ stoine. No. 15. east of Washington, gravel. . No. 5, east of Washington, stone. : No. 8. soutli of Gary, stone. No. 28. south of Petersburg. stone. No. 20, east of Oakland City, gravel., , No. 5. west of Washington. stone No. 12. norlh and south of Sanborn, ' gravel. No. i>. north of Madison, stone. No. 49. south of Lowell, -.tone. No. 10. north and soutli of Carlisle, i grave! 1 No. 10. north of Princeton, gravel. No. 2.1, east of Rockville, gravel. No. 13, Fort Wayne to Os.4i.in. stone.No. 22. north of Bloomington, stone. ' No. 25? east of Bloomington, stone. According to Mr. Williams th ■ com-1 mission this year will build approxiinateiy fifty miles of penetration typ" I reads, designations as to location to Ibe announced soon. —o Ed Phillips Injured By Automobile Saturday Ed Phillips, elderly resident of this : city, suffered painful but not serious I injuries late Saturday afternoon . when struck by an automobile pt the ■ corner of Second and Monroe streets. J The car was driven by a man from i ■ B.Tile. Mr. Phillips was crossing the street and laid nearly reached the ' east side of Second street when the car came from the west on Monroe, street and turned soutli on Second street. The car struck Mr. Phillips, dragged him several feet and then Struck another ear, pushing it up onto the sidewalk on the west side of Second street., Mr. Phillip's injuries cbhsisted of a cut on the back of his head and several bruises and skinned places on his left arm, leg and side, lie was able to be around town toThe name of th. mu,n who, drove Ihe ear yas not learned. 1 j -— o J r-WANT aDH EARN—S $ 4 •' sr-?—st-'A'ANT ADS EARN—

county demoi ratic committee and took mi active and public-spirited i purl in politics. Elected Judge in 1918 the twenty sixth judicial circuit, and (

■ In 1918, he was elected judge of a Burned office in November 1919, having served only three years and five months of his six-year term. His ! ri ord during that time proved his ‘ ability. He was careful, honest, fail

CONSUMER WILL SHARE — Kansas City. Mo., April 30. —(Spe-I I vial to Daily Democrat) —Consumers | will share in a saving of $10,000,000; i annually as a result of the acquisition' of interest of Morris & Co., I-'. Edison' ■'.nite, president of Armour company. Id'el red in an interview here today,' ’Competition will see to it that Hili.- saving oi $10,000,000 annually; through handlings of volumes of busi,n *ss as <mo is divided between the ! ‘penile and the producer, - ’ White said jin discussing the department of agri-1 . culture hearings on the legality of’ t l ' ■ packer merger w hich opened here; ■ today. TAXES ARENOT HALF PAID YET I Last Week of Taxpaying Time Expected to be a Busy One Here — The next six days will without doubt be busy ones in the office o! County Treasurer Hugh Hite, for the J ;reason that the last week for paying’ taxes finds less than half of the spring installment of taxes paid in this county. However, this is not an unusual condition as in former years the last week of taxpaying has always been the busiest. Mr. Hite stated tiiat the receipts up to today totaled approximately $170’,000.00. The total taxes to be paid by properly owners in this county this year is J 905.000.00, the half being over $450,060.00. The receipts on Saturday were abofit $18,000.00, while tile largest single day's receipts during the v, i 'A was $30,000.4)0. Majority Pay By Check Very little cash and currency is taken in at the treasurer’s office. I i

at all times, unafraid of public opinion und desirious only to be just tc all. He has not been reversed a single time by the supreme court, and his services have been much in dei mand us special judge tn surroundI ing cities. Speaking of his ability as [ a legal authority, Lewis' history ) says: "John C. Moran is one of the I men who have contributed the reI sources of u tine mind and of un I equally tine character to the prestige and activities of the Adams county bar. While he was making his maiden efforts as a lawyer, he attracted the attention ot older attorneys and Ims been steadily rising ! in esteem end in the extent and im portace of the business entrusted to I his care.” ■■ -a —— Community Is Grieved Over Tragic Death (Continued From Page One.) 1 murks of any kind of violence which might lead one to believe that Judge Moran had been a victim of foul play. Another fact which strengthened the belief that he had met deatli accidentally, was that $35 in cash was found in his clothing. Dr. Benuinghoff declared that death was due to accidental drowning. Judge Moran left Decatur on the morning of April 19. going to Huntington where lie acted as special judge in a law suit that day. The trial at Huntington was completed on Thursday and Judge Moran started for home that evening, returning Iby way of Fort Wayne, in that city, he stopped to visit with attorneys. ' and early in the evening he was accompanied to the traction station by | Attorney Elmer Leonard, where I Judge Moran boarded an interurban , for Decatur. When the car reached i the Baker street stop near the PennI sylvania railroad station Judge Moran alighted, according to the conductor. A little later in the evening he was seen in a restaurant, two blocks south of Baker street on Cal- | noun street, by Attorney R. C. Parrish, of Fort Wayne, who was pass- | ing the restaurant. Mr Parrish delicided to return and talk with Judge I Moran for a few minutes. AVhen he reached the restaurant, less than I five minutes after passing it, Mr. I Parrish found that Judge Moran had ) left. He looked around the street ! for him but failed to find him. The ! next day the search for Judge Moran started and every possible clue was investigated without any light being shed on the mystery of his disappearance. Diligent Search Conducted No one was found who has seen the judge after he left the restaurant on Thursday night. Photographs and descriptions of the miss-

' the majority of taxpayers paying by ; check, certificates of deposit and money orders. Years ago it was ' common for the taxpayers to pay their taxes in cash. Checks and money orders should be made payable to Hugh D. Hite, treasurer of I Adams county, Monday, May 7th, is the last day ' to pay the spring installment of taxes i without the ten per cent penalty being added. caselssenT TO WELLS CO. Alberson Cemetery Case Venue d From This County for a Retrial The case of the Alberson cemetery ■ association, of Linn Grove, against. Daniel Fuhrer, for condemnation of land, which was tried in the Adams i circuit court some time ago and the decision later reversed by the sui preme court, has been venned to the Wells circuit court for retrial. j The case involves the apraisemeut . set on an acre of real estate, belonging to Fuhrer, which the cemetery association wished to condemn. The original appraisement was for $540 actual value and $2,500 for damages done to adjoining property. The court lowered this SSOO and sot the total recovery at $2,500. The supreme court reversed this, however, holding tiiat condemned property could be appraised only at its market value, the price it would bring tor Its most valuable use. It was held that any use to which the land might be put at a future date should not effect its value. The property is said to bi- underlaid with heavy gravel deposits. o . Jg..|—|„\VANT ADS EARN—S -s—s I

Jurist were out northern Indiana, Obfo ' Bn< * A reward of ' Offered by Judge J Bm „ g <* ’ SW »M j Portland, a brother. Manv ” Were advanced to account f leWe ' Moran's disappearance b u . i most generally |, cllev< . u 1 '-•» hud suffered a nervou. u u.iwn, due to his weak nhv . ’ dftion which was caused by illness last fall. y 4 The police department and fives of Fort Wayne ly in un effort to locate Ju<|t\ but they were baffied um Marys river gave up the b0(1 ] urduy evening. A search „ r surrounding territory wa. nia a“ i urday afternoon by the | b) ,, „ of Fort Wayne and J* was to be made Sunday aft,,.. ’ friends of the judge in this "it? Believe He Suffered Break(jow The most plausible theory now i. that Judge Moran suffered a htL down due to his harrt work jn ‘ ' nectfon with his court affairs th,, he turned into an alley aOOB leaving the restaurant, proceeded a block west to Harrison street, f 0) cd that street north to the raHroad i river bridge where he wa | ked the river. The body was found about ’ two blocks down the river from thi point. A report from Fort Wayne is to i the effect that the Starke boy w m claim the reward offered by Jud g6 | James Moran. The body was brought to Decatur ' Sunday morning and held at the y a - ' ger Brothers Undertaking cstablhh. ment until this morning when it was removed to the residence at «« Marshall street. Lodges to Attend Funeral Members of the Knights of Coluni bus, B. P. O. Es and I. 0. R. m., o( | which organizations Judge M, iraß ■ was a member, will attend the funeral in a body tomorrow. The active pall bearers have been choaeu from rhe membership of the Adams County Bar. They are C .J. Lutz, judge proteni; Mayor Huber M. DeVoss; Henry B. Heller, county attorney: J- T. Merryman former judge: J. Fred Fruchte and Frank Cottrell. Honorary pall bearers chosen from the Knights of Columbus are T. J. Durkin. Nick Miller and Fred Schurger. Honorary pall bearers chosen from the Elks lodge are D. M. Hensley. exalted ruler, Phil Macklin and Dick Both. Court will convene tomorrow morning and will be dismissed immediately for the remainder of the day. The office of the clerk of the court will be closed all day and other couu ty offices will close if possible. 1 Every business house in the city has been asked to close during the funeral tomorrow. MSEMLLMEN HOLD WORKOUT Fifteen Candidates for American Legion Team at First Practice About fifteen candidates for the American Legion baseball team re- ' ported for the initial workout at j ’ Bellmont Park Sunday afternoon. Although it is too early to make pre dictions in regard to the strength oi the team, indications are that a I strong team will be developed. More I candidates are expected at the nwi : workout which will be held on ucit I Sunday afternoon. Two or thw [(layers from Fort Wayne are expected here then in addition to a t from various towns in the count Several "old timers" who have pW cd un former Docatur teams were o»‘ j yesterday displaying their wares. It has not been definitely cun- 1 ' cred where the team will play ‘ln summer. The Rotury club has beo° considering ths proposition of m» ing a basebell park and clultlreiiplayground in Ahr's field east el 1 I Mam roe street bridge. The direc «’ |of the Rotary Club will meet t i evening to take definite aition the matter. The boy’s «'<Jrk mittee of which France (u " r chairman, has reported favors >J the matter ot construction;,' a ‘ dren’s playground there, it 0 _ TRANS-CONTINENTAL FLIGHT j Washington, April 3U ' _ ' <S^ U * (uur pally Deaiocruti-Three oi the Marine flyers who left San b £ ' April 19. completed the 1 • ‘ : continental flight at " lfc iltere today. . The fourth plane was ton. jut Harpers Ferry, W. Va., in ” of its goal.