Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 34, Number 177, Decatur, Adams County, 27 July 1936 — Page 42

PAGE FORTY-TWO

WRITER STATES (Continued From Page 41) and. wa stoutly proclaimed that to "stick In the mud" would mean not to progress. The result wi« a decisive'Tictory aud within a year or two several other similar elections carried over the county. Then came the three mile road law and within a period of some twenty years, practically every mile of road in the county was Improved. With the coming of the automobile, many miles have now been paved and no county in the state surpasses this one for its splendid highways. When Citizens Carried Lanterns We remember the days here when those who ventured down street at night carried lanterns by which to find their way home, then in 1892 came gas lights along the streets and the Edwards electriclight plant which furnished illumination for stores and those houses where it could be afforded. The city plant was built In 1895 and the water plant soon afterward, both struggling along against strong opposition for years until they finally became paying institutions. In the past twenty years thaese have improved from time to time until the Decatur Light and Powef plant is one ot the finest in the middle west, providing the best lighting system of any town this size in the country and annually showing a profit, much to the convenience and aid of every citizen and :iQt payer. - Telephone In 1894 The telephone came to provide ftfrther conveniences to our people in 18941 when the Citizens Telephone Company was organized, a number of enterprising citizens, subscribing for stock sufficient to install the plant. This has grown rapidly, kept abreast of the times, added rural lines and taken over the " exchanges at Berne. Monroe and Linn Grove, built under-ground conduits for their lines and become a strictly up-to-date and modern institution. First Dally Newspaper I The first daily newspaper here to operate for any considerable length of time was the Daily News from 1891 to 1893, with Patrick J. Bobo and Edward Martin as publishers and the writer as the printer and make-up man. The Daily Democrat was launched January 12th, 1903 with Lew G. Ellingham aS publisher and J. H. Heller, manager and has continued since. ‘ In 1903 the Decatur public library vjas built under the Carnegie plan and with the assistance of a group of local men and women. In the early part of the century

i Continued Success \ O3&M & — jfll Ji The record of accomplishment for Decatur and Adams County during the short span of a century is truly remarkable. That its progress and development will continue on at an even greater rate is our sincere hope, and to that end we pledge our best efforts. » Centennial visitors are invited to come in for a showing of the latest creations in ladies’ ready-to-wear. There is no obligation. L F. Gass Store READY-TO-WEAR

the Tort Wayne & Springfield traction lino was built from here to Fort Wayne and operated a number ot years until the automobile became so popular and numerous that the electric line could not show a profit and was finally Junked. Securing New Industries In 1908, the Decatur Commercial Club sponsored a movemet to raise $40,000 with which to secure new industries for the city. Tracts of land adjacent to the city were purchased, laid oil in lots and a great community auction was held with Colonel Fred Reppert as the auctioneer. The cash was paid in aud several factories, including the Angola Furnace Company, the Ward Fence Company and the Coppock Motor Company were brought here. For a few years they prospered but one after the other eventually fold ed up and the outlook was any thing but pleasant. Still our thrifty and progressive folks did not give up. In 1911, the Holland-St. Louis Sugar company was seeking a location In this vicinity and the boosters here got busy. A campaign to raise $12,000, secure 5,000 acres of beet contracts for two years, provide railroad facilities including yards, drill water wells and otherwise meet the requirements was put on, fifty business men participating and succeeding in ten days. Old Home Week of 1912 as a celebration over landing this $2,000,000 industry and the occasion was one of the most successful ever given in this section. Locating G. E. In 1919, through a tip given by a Mr. Myers of the Pennsylvania traffic department that the General Electric Company at Ft. Wayne was looking for a site for a temporary branch. Business men here soon became active and succeeded in bringing Mr. Emmons, vice-pres-ident and general manager here from Schnectady. N. Y. to look over the old fence plant, then occupied by a soft drink factory, with the owner willing to cooperate to secure the larger industry. The building however, was not suitable and company repaired to the offices of the Decatur Abstract Company. Schirmeyer & Quinn, to discuss the proposition further. In the discussion, Mr. Emmons inquired what the ccst would be to purchase the land where the G. E. plant Is now located, and was given an estimate of $7,000, which he declared too high. In desperation, one of the committee said, “Why if that’ all that’s stopping you, we will agree to sell it to you for one dollar,” He laughed long and hard and said it was worth thinking about. A w«gk later he called us to

say they would accept the proposition and to proceed with purchase of the ground. This was done speedily and the following spring the building was completed, equipped with modern machinery and became the first unit of the big company which manufactures one article only, small motors. It has proven a great industry and employs several hundred men aud women. Shortly after this, through a friend in the Fort Wayne plant, the late Robert Harding, contacts were made with the Wrenchler brothers of Hamilton, Ohio, resulting in bringing here the Decatur Casting Company. The money fori these two concerns was raised by j ; subscription, showing the progres-i slve and public spirited attitude of ■ our people. McMillen And Other Industries At the beginning of the recent i depression, the sugar factory went! into receivership and was dark for a couple of years when Dale McMillen purchased it and has add-1 ed there to the soya bean, fertiliz er and stock food plants, providing employment for many and a market for thousands of farmers in this territory. The Mutschler Packing Com-, pany plant, the Cloverleaf Cream-' eries. The Krick-Tyndall drain tile I factopy, the Lafountain Handle sac-1 tory, The Schafer Harness Company. The Acker Cement works. The Adams County Lumber Yard, The Porter Hoop factory and oth-1 er concerns have each done much in making this a splendid community in which to live, providing labor for hundreds and bringiug money from the outside to circulate here. Political And Other Battles We have vivid memories of the many political battles engaged in here: the wet and dry fight which] went on for years: the entraining | of old Company B in 1898 when thev ; went to Cuba to support the famous Teddy Roosevelt In his drive i up San Juan hill: the enlisting dur-1 ing the world war and the many drives for Red Cross, sale of Lib-1 erty bonds and all the other activities: the many social events including fairs of one kind and another, first held in the grounds where the Adams County Memorial hospital now stands and later those at Steele's park and since the abandonment of that beautiful ground, the street carnivals, political rallies and parades and a hundred other events, some of which I are dim in the minds of most of] those living now. Pioneers Built Well Decatur, as I have known it, has ! always been a wonderful place, be-j cause its early settlers were real folks, who looked ahead, were thrifty yet progressive and who built well. Among those whom I knew personally were such men as Judge Studabaker, Robert Allison. Byron| Dent, William G. Niblick, Samuel Simison, the Drummonds. Schafers, Reynolds, Simcokes, Hales, A. ]J. Hill, the Trouts, the Harts. ' Chubbs, Hannas, Bleekes, ChristI ens, Petersons, Coverdales and a hundred others, each family having rendered splendid service in community building in the old days. The Cloverleaf railroad was built in 1878 and while that is going just a little far back for the writer, he remembers well the widening and improving of that road i in 1886 and the construction of the Erie in 1882. j

Best Outlook In History Decatur was a good town and in 1882 became a fine little city. Since then it has continued to grow year by year and is now recognized as one of the best for its size to be found anywhere. Its churches, schools, parks, streets, lights, stores, factories and people are unexcelled. Never was the outlook any better than it is today and we predict a rapid growth and a happy people in the future who will enjoy the many fine opportunities necessarily afforded in a city where the people do things and do them well, not the least evidence of which is the present Centennial to celebrate a hundred years of achievements. —o- — — NARROW-GAUGE (Continued From Page 41) years ago. Mr. Kintz, who is still in a hale physical condition despite hie 82 years, has owned and operated the same farm for 60 years, having moved to Decatur from Pleasant Mills (then known as Mollica) in 1876. He still resides on the farm, although living retired. "When I first came to Decatur" reminisced Mr. Kintz, “the condition of the main street (there was no paving, of course) was so bad that the wheels on my wagon would sink deep into the mud. At that time, too, it was not uncommon to see oxen used for hauling and for general farm work. It has been at least 50 years, however, since any have been used in my neighborhood “The changes which have taken place in the past 60 years are almost unbelievable,” he continued, 'with a, tractor on practically every farm and the sight, of a horse anil buggy on the road cause for much comment." — .w..... ■ o—, Buy Wooden Money!

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT MONDAV .11 L\ 2/, !■>■>(>

DECATUR IS (Continued From Page 41) ) -v... - i to transact business in the city as i It is today, the "old-timers” will attest. •I Not more than three quarters of I a century ago, a shopping trip to ■ the city was an all day excursion. • ] Impassable mud roads required hours to circumvent on trips now i accomplished In minutes. On infre- . quent visits to the city, supplies i wore "layed in” for weeks and • some times months by near-by farmers. Trave! was no easier in Decai tur when horses sank to their I knees and wagon wheels to their I hubs in sticky mud. Merchants ] were Instrumental in having Cec- ■ ond street changed successively I from a mud road, to a plank road, : then to cobble stones which were replaced by brick and several years ago covered with Kentucky . rock asphalt. Merchants Alert Improved road conditions, howj ever, have not been to the exclusive advantage of local merchants as they brought distant trading i areas into direct competition for the business of this community, i To meet this competition, local ! merchant have striven to offer bet--1 ter products and service at lower prices in conformity to progress made iu the country in better retailing. How well the merchants I have succeeded may be seen in the government's business survey. Decatur merchants are "smart" retailers because of the shrewd type of buyer here. The Decatur Purchaser is looking for bargains but will not accept shoddy or inferior merchandise. Several years 1 ago a circus man of wide experience stated: "Carnivals operating -yp games avoid Decatur like a | plague because "there aren't ' I enough suckers here.” Decatur is a friendly city where 1 merchants and citizens join in makj ing visitors feel at home. A phrase which is becoming popular in an ' ever widening area is “I’ll see you j in Decatur.” ; 0 j, GIVES PERSONAL (Continued From Page 41) one-story brick buildings, each with two rooms, housing the coun- 1 ty offices. Preparing to dedicate j the laying of the corner stone of 1 . the present Court House, the coun- 1 I ty commissioners asaed father to 1 ] write in manuscript a history of I Adams county to be placed in the I -orner stone. During my summer , vacation 1 acted as secretary to Imy father and at his dictation 1 wrote out a history of Adams county which was placed in the corner . stone when dedicated. My father's I law office was at the corner of, I Liberty Way and Second Street.; j a one story, two room frame build-' ing just across the pavement to 1 the north was an immense native , spreading elm tree. In 1875 I graduated and May 18. 1876, I was married to John Niblick and in September of that year we went to housekeeping in the north half of the double house which is now owned and occupied by Dr. W. E. Smith as an office. Just across the street on the same ground where the present Soldiers’ ■Monument now stands, stood the i county jail and sheriff's residence | adjoining. it was a two-story log 1 building with one window on the

nro uro fix 150 Years— This store has been serving the Drug Needs of Decatur and Community for nearly half a Century. A long, long time and a record we are proud of. Your continued patronage has made our business a pleasure and one we cherrish most highly. Time is also a great factor in the Drug business. The speed and accuracy in the filling of prescriptions is of paramount importance in case of need. Kohne Drug Co. EAST SIDE STREET Success to the Centennial and a welcome to all .Centennial visitors.

Recalls Narrow-Gauge Wm. E. Kintz ; Some interesting incidents in the development of transportation facilities in Adams County are recalled by Wm. E. Kintz, pioneer resident of west of Decatur, in an article published elsewhere on this page. south side above the upper room arid the lower room was a dungeon with just a slit window with iron bars across it. And the prisoner i was lowered from a trap door in ' the floor and the sheriff's wife served the meals to the prisoners through a dumb waiter from the j sheriff's kitchen. The sheriff at that time was Mr. Janies Stoops. Church Service In Lour, House On the lot now owned and occupied by Dr. Frohnapfel stood the original court house where all jury trials were held. My mother told me that during the latter part of the 1840's the three original churches, Methodist, Catholic, and ’ Presbyterian, held meetings in this court house on Sunday morning I every third Sunday until they could build a church building of: their own. She also told me that Mr. John Closs, Sr. and a Mr. Holthouse had walked from here to! Cincinnati through the woods and collected the money among their members there to build the first Catholic church here, which was located on the corner ot utn a. Madison, a one-story frame with a school room attached at the back Tha.t school room in place of seats had benches on either side of a center aisle with desks in front, carpenter made, windows east and west and entered by a door to the north and pupils sat facing south. The older pupils were in the last rows on either side. I went to tta< school for awhile and studied Ger- ' man and sat in the last row. o ELLINGHAM TELLS ! (Continued From Page 41) ed thing wouldn’t run. We corrall-; ed a wire fence factory which was I supposed in time would out fence the world renowned Kitzelman organization in Muncie. There seemed to be something out of line with their patents, ail of which came to light too late. About this time the club house was sold. End of gloom. The only casualties reported from these series of misfortunes, was a slight dent in the pride of the experts. We were winning the big fight, that of arousing a com- ; munity spirit. At the present mo-

ment you bear much about "nelgh?«rliuL ' Why these bird. are mere babes m arms, compared to th. pioneers of 1902 and later. We our business men on th ir • everyone smiling, competitor •"»» on the buck. Even th. bnnkera would greet each other with a sick ly grin. This "bug” became conta gious and soon the community as a whole caught the spirit. The Itch only lasts aboui seven years bu

SEALED-IN MECHANISM dl PROTECTED UNTIL 1941[f AIAIIIT SERVICE EX P • Fear of Costly Service Call. Banished by * cstinghous. 5. Year Protection! Year, of Carefree, Economical Refrigeration See Westinghouse Golden Jubilee Models Today! ggggpg In addition to mechanical “Eject-o-Cube Trays, Moonsuperiority, Westinghouse stone Ware Accesses. Budt- L , offer, you greater beauty, in Crisping Pan, and many convenience and capacity other features. Let us prove it - for food and ice. See for your- will cost you Jess to own the %i self. See the Adjusto-shelf. new best. No obligation. Come ini ♦FIVE YEARS* PROTECTION I] With every Westinghouse Refrigerator you get the standard 1-year warranty, plus four additional years protection |HZ a<Sol against service expense resulting from « HL any possible failure of the Westinghouse hjg Mg EfJ Hermetically-sealed Mechanism. The gSM Ko lfc-.-'cost of this protection —only $5 —is j included in the original purchase price. B i Westinghouse ■ Birßiul£a»'(taS .. —JI Success to the Centennial. May you all enjoy the week especially planned for the founder of Decatur. — ■- —■ - Decatur Electric Shop G. COLE * 1 SAI RtK

|- I : JtiltsO SlhWinr W —l.. .... -- • , yw" ’. ' • , r -.... ■ wrl; , The Berne Witness The House of Good Printing and Binding Is the only newspaper in Adams county that has its own home. The Berne Witness has been Berne’s stand-bj new spaper for forty years, and has more paid-in-advance subscribers in the south half of Adams county than any other publication. W hen it comes to high class job printing, especially color work, and book binding there is no establishment in Adams, Wellsand Jay counties that can match the work done by the Berne Witness Company Berne, Indiana. Phone 31. w® The Berne Witness

thia malady lm>« ulutea one for lifeAs a rcult look at Dee-lur today, good old happy proapofoua amlllng , Decatur. It la Rood tor aore eyes. | Worthy Industrie!* Come now reliable worth while Indua . tries are located in your midst. ■ whv* Because ot the greeting they . received, the community spirit diaplayed. the neighborllnesa and the , milty of helpfuineaa offered. These i men of business caught the bug

such a homey family. Tin, 1 th’ng puta money in the and is good for the ij Ver ’’ Greeting to the p lonWf| those who followed them a m ’ God bleaa you one and all i as prosper you. and added m m a pinch of happineaH whl( , h ’ distribute to some neighbor. Lew Ellingham annoumi, "J / ; JucJ