Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 34, Number 177, Decatur, Adams County, 27 July 1936 — Page 53

E;rst Weekly Published February 13, 1857; First Daily 1903

I HOLTHOUSE secy-treas. y liTUI'R R HOLTHOUSE, who enjoys the distinction of be ■B ins one of lhe y° ul, * ert mayors ever elected in Decatur, is ■MJ secretary-treasurer of the Decatur Democrat Company, and ■B* editor of the Decatur Dally Democrat. ■ has been one of General Chairman Carl Pumphrey's most enI and tireless supporters In furthering plans for the Centennial. Holthouse, a descendant of one of Decatur's pioneer families. I b , rn and reared in Decatur atid attended the Decatur Catholic ■Lhial school. Following graduation he attended for three years. ■j w eph's College, at Collegeville, Rensselaer. Indiana. He was em- | Iby Mr. Heller to work on the Democrat in 1912, and since that ■» has been actively connected with the paper. He purchased his Knugcial interest in the paper in 191/

Bounty's Only Daily Has | Exceptional Service Record ■ (Continued From Proceeding Page)

L n»m« appears at the t<ff> of FL P as the editor, is signit-' L, of the start, initial circulation L the ambition of the DECATUR ir.LE and appears in the sect issue of the EAGLE, Vol. 1,. L 2. Feb. 20. 1857: | We take pleasure in announL. to our readers that our Loipects are highly flattering. Ls e r taking into consideration he discouraging circumstances Lder Which the first number Lour paper made its appearLee before the public. When Lidmg to the earnest solicitations of many citizens of this | MU nty. we came to the conMon. after mature deliberaLn. to establish a weekly Lwspaper in this place, thereby mutually benefiting ourLlves and the citizens generally. Under these conclusions be issued and circulated our Prospectus, but to our dismay, be citizens of town and county, almost universally refused b subscribe when the prospectuses were presented to them bid solicitation made by those Lio took a deep interest in Ike welfare of our paper, giving many reasons for the burse they were pursuing, be most prominent and unbsweraPle of which was, that bey would not subscribe for, L agree to sustain a paper bthout seeing it and ascerpining whether it would be ■ leadable or not. I Without a single name upon Bur subscription book, our first ■amber went to press; we worked off only about threedbd copies late on Friday ihening last. At the appearbce of our paper much interlit was manifested and conhued to increase to such an Intent that on the following bening we were entirely out I ■ copies, and our subscription pt had increased far beyond brmost sanguine expectaLs.. I Our prospectuses are being ■lied for, subscriptions obtain- ■ without troubft:, our circu■tion increasing and we now p»e assurance of being susB"ied in our enterprise, and ■i look forward to the time, ■ich is not far distant, when br subscription list will ex•*d five or six hundred subBribers. I We would, therefore, request f’. friends and citizens, to B«tinue your exertions, use f r utmost endeavors to exthe circulation of the BJSI-E. solicit your friends fl neighbors to take their ■“nty paper, patronize a home pmal; and we will remunerC ),ou ' by 9'ving to you P"ly, a readable paper — P that in point of neatness, B "»t be excelled by any P“"’ry paper in the State. I*' return our thanks to who have, already, mani1. " Buch a warm interest in p whalf, by giving a general pt’ation to our paper, and ■ tfte ’'lvertisements already E, E *er bearing in |T., the max 'm "Live and Let | is our motto. ■ ' Hill acquired the paper in K iRRQ C ° nt * publication ■,. 3 w hen he enlisted as a E J ’tHdier with the U. S. E ' h " Paper had little mathlit h / K,nall htthscription list. ■ th,. « t 0 Htru SKle for its life I lJ rS u l "' w years - When Mr E? he lea sed the plant to ■ »hn Chlrillyer and Spen- ■ »h P n°!^ rated U until Jul F’ ls ' let, 1 ?, e plant was leatie(i to E tfi „„ Hudgell, and the office ■T h Ved ,0 t* l6 rooms over Dr. E * Jrw ' n ' 8 drug store. Kelt says Snow, "was E Cl . ’ aggressive writer, who ■•iitborv ' deas with the Feder ' Kb ?' and '" is - waa Kd in, i heat of war times, was F o HX. eUanCe - His part |itiv/ T H df?el ' was "tore conBi Its. lroilb le rose in NovemKbq. i^ nd r On th ® 19th Os Dt " Hkr ar*. ? fatten was placed B es t by the United States

Provost Marshal and taken to Indianapolis for trial. . . Mr. Hndgel soon yielded his editorial position to James R. Bobo and T. Addlespuerger. who conducted the paper until the sth of May, 1865" when ■ sfr. Hill returned from the service. Mr. Hill continued to publish the EAGLE until November, 1874 when he sold it to Joseph McGonagle. who changes the name to the DECATUR DEMOCRAT. Ellingham Buys Paper In 1879 the DECATUR DEMOCRAT passed to the ownership of S. Ray Williams, who conducted its publication until August, 1881 when James A. Hill became its owner and editor for a short tinhe, selling it to the firm of Roth & Cummins, of Bluffton, who operated the paper until the fall of 1883 at which time Norval Blackburn became its editor and proprietor. As such he continued until August, 1896 at which time the office and plant were sold to tne DEMOCRAT PRESS COMPANY, owned by Lew G. Ellingham. Mr. Ellingham had come to Decatur two years before and launched the DEMOCRATIC PRESS which he now merged with the Decatur Democrat, changing the name of the consolidated papers to THE DEMOCRAT, and continuing its publication as a weekly. Snow, in commenting upon Mr. Ellingham's taking ownership of the paper, said: "The DECATUR 'DEMOCRAT office was re-arrang-jed, new and modern furniture was ! placed in the front office, and the ' surroundings given a metropoliitan appearance.” The DEMOCRAT has occupied its present location for the last half century, since 1883. It now owns the building it occupies, making the purchase this year. Up to 1900 all type was set by j hand, when a Simplex machine I was installed. Later a Mergenthali er linotype machine was put in. In i 1906 the motive power was chang- ■ ed from a gas engine to an electric . motor, a hot air furnace was placed lin use as a heating plant and a l new and improved Whitelock Press was added to the mechani- ' cal department of the office t Toi day the newspaper has a modern I press, several linotypes, the latest type, and all modern facilities for publishing not only a splendid I i newspaper, but doing excellent | commrecial printing. Daily Started Having in mind the progressive needs of the community, and with a desire to encourage that progressive spirit. Mr. Ellingham, as publisher. with Mr. Heller, as manager, launched the publication of the DECATUR DAILY’ DEMOCRAT in 1903. the first issue appearing on Monday evening, January 12. The Daily met with immediate and popular acceptance and so well did it j fulfill the needs of the community and the county for a daily news- ' paper that its progress has been ■ steadily forward. Beginning as a ' six-column newspaper, it is today I published in eight-column metro- , poll tan form. The daily supplanted ithe need for the weekly, which ■was discontinued in 1913. The first editorial in the DAILY i DEMOCRAT on that zero day in j January. 1903, with a foot of snow 'on the ground, expressed the policies of the paper as follows: The DAILY DEMOCRAT begins life like a veritable old timer. With its city and rural route circulation of nearly 800. secured when efficient soliciting was impossible, slightly speaks of the full measure of succes that has greeted i the announcement that it would be born today. With its birth it flaunts no long winded purposes in life. For neari ly fifty years the WEEKLY DEMOCRAT has been an im- ' portant influence in the busi- ' ness life of this city and county, and especially so during th'e last fev/ years, when much I activity anti progress has been ,! manifest. We prefer to stand on the merits of the weekly I and everything it is and has II been, the DAILY DEMOCRAT , will be. It will endeavor to

THE PRESENT STAFF I ta>’ «jm >- t “ n Vi* i ■ k R <' J '■ U > < ? !*' r 1 - ' la H I { 5 ■ Pi 1 * V?i ■ F l ; Pictured aflwyve are the members of the present force of the Decatur Daily Democrat. Top row: Harold Daniels, linotype; L. C. Perry, job department; C. E. Holthouse, circulation and job manager; John H. Heller, editel and publisher; A. R. Holthouse, business manager; R. C. Ehinger, advertising manager; Mary Macy, society editor; Pete Reynolds, city editor; Don Beery and Fred Voglewede, mailing department. Lower row: Robert Garard, linotype; David Adams, linotype; David Heller, linetype; Robert Heller, reporter and farm page editor; Luzern I'hrlck, composer; Robert Shraluka, reporting and advertising; Fred King, stereotyper and pressman.

Journalist-Mayor Bow ffl tab. lISBI i"' .* fr* Jgwgg • -4ft -'tae Arthur R. Holthouse Arthur R. Holthousa, secretarytreasurer of the Democrat Company, has been with the Daily Democrat continuously for the past 24 years. He is mayor of Decatur and for the past many months the promotion of the Centennial Celebration has been an, all-absorbing hobby. faithfully perform the mission of a daily newspaper and to that end we earnestly invite the cooperation of our prosperous little city, and a coun- t ty whose soil is the most productive and whose people are happy, contented and comfortable in life. The new born will be what its name implies, democratic and on the' questibn of politics there will be no splitting of hairs to find out whejh-. er the paper has any politics or religion. But we will print all the news and print it in a way that you will not only read it but want to read it. If you are not now a reader and want to be prosperous and happy during 1903, subscribe now. In that first issue of the DAILY’ DEMOCRAT thirty-three years ago, the New Fair Store was advertising a “Going-Out-Of-Biisiness Sale", the Big Store a "Sale at Off" and Niblick & Company. "The Big Cost Sale, every item a bargain". Fred Rcppert was soliciting the calling of farm sales; Charlie Voglewede was advertising felt boots at $1.49 a pair; the Bargain Clothing Company used a two-column ad of 2<> inches to advertise its anniversary sale. Holthouse. Schulte & Company called attention in space extending the full width of the bottom of the page to an "extraordinary money-saving sale on men's and boys' suits”. G. W. Archbold & Son advertised Chase & Sanborn "Seal Brand Coffee”. Brittson Brothers advertised "wire fence at the lowest price” and the Boston Store listed "carpet remants at 35c a yard." Many “sales" were advertised in this issue, another one being by Gus Rosenthal, who announced a “Clearance Sale, with Premium Tickets Given with 25c Purchases." Heller Buy Democrat In 1916, Mr. Ellingham, becoming publisher of the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, sold his interest in the DECATUR DEMOCRAT to Mr. Heller, who continues the ag-

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT MONDAY, JULY 27, 1936.

PIERCY PRAISES DEMOCRAT Dear Mr. Heller: I think you have two great reasons for congratulations at this time — one is the one-hundredth anniversary of your splendid city which as a journalist you have served so well, and second is the great achievement of the Decatur Daily Democrat in Issuing its centennial edition. A newspaper, it is said, reflects the character of the community; but a good newspaper does more: It goes a little ahead of the community — leads it: Within its columns are brought to a focus the varied ideas and sentiments of the people to the end that there may evolve a better understanding and program for the general good. At what point in the life of a community does a newspaper not touch? Health and sanitation, playgrounds and recreation, education and entertainment, relationships of town and country, the beautification of yards and streets, charities — all the questions and movements that better living for a community the newspaper must foster. Judged by the best professional standards the Decatur Daily Democrat must be proud of its record and in that pride must look forward to greater achievements. I beg leave to extend to you. Mr, Heller, my warmest congratulations, not only for your splendid accomplishments as a journalist , but for the privilege of living in so fine a community. Sincerely yours, (signed) J. W. PIERCY, Department of Journalism. Indiana University, Bloomington.

gressive and able editor at the! present time. The DEMOCRAT today goes into every home in the city, with a wide rural route and county circulation, affording merchants and business houses an economical advertising medium that is unexcelled. Its value is appreciated not only by the progressive merchants of Decatur but by many national ! advertisers who regularly use its columns. Attractive in make-up and typographically modern, pleasing and easy, to read, it presents local and I national news and features in a manner that reflects judicious editing and thorough coverage. United Piess, I. I.' N. and other ser-l vices bring the news from the I four corners of the world to'the DEMOCRAT office daily, while an efficient local staff and a number of special correspondents assure the reporting of every item of local interest. It is efficiency of the local news staff that gives the j newspaper its unique position. Everyone who reads in Decatur, and that means everybody, reads the DEMOCRAT, for po other medium gives the local news. There is no adequate substitute for the local newspaper. It serves a social and economic need for both suhscrib-; ers and advertisers, and happy prosperous merchants who know how to apply the simple principles of advertising through the consthnt use of 'its columns. Splendid Organization it has been my privilege the past few weeks ta cooperate with the DEMOCRAT staff in producing this Centennial edition, the largest paper by many pages, in the newspaper's 79 years of constructive commnnlty service. It is no small task to asblish a good daily paper, for press time conies every day and you cannot put off the job until tomorrow, when you add to the regular daily task the work of publishing a special

edition 8 or 9 times the regular size, yoii create a situation that requires a facility of adaptation, long extra hours for many days on i the part of everyone in the organ-, ization. 1 would be unmindful or Hiy sense of appreciation if I did not here pay tribute to the craftsmanship, ability ami fine cooperative spirit of everyone, editors. advertising staff, printers, reporters who felt no sacrifice too I great ui exerting their best efforts , to give this community a Centennial Edition that would be a wori thy reflection of Decatur today and its achievements during the past hundred years. This friendly, helpful cooperative spirit in the DEMIOCRAT office, a spirit difficult to define in its full significance, but all powerful, is the spirit that makes organizations and cities. Decatur Spirit It is symbolic of all Decatur. It ’ is the spirit which has made the Centennial celebration possible, • and which has dominated all the in their splendid work. And in this spirit the DEMOCRAT reflects the soul of the community, for the urge to cooperate and to do is characteristic of all 'Dtscatur. It is this spirit which has made possible the coming cele--1 bration and the accomplishments the Centennial commemorates. It is this Decatur spirit which is the subject of comment on every hand and so long as this spirit lives, the city will continue to be, as Mr. i?llinghan> "smiling, prosperi ous Decatur." O , Bad Weather Fails To Decrease Votes ■ April 10, 1857 (Decatur Eagle) On last Monday 6th, Inst., the i annual Spring Election came off. The polls of Washington township was well attended, notwith- ; standing the inclemency of the I weather, the vote was unusually

Vice-President ■ Dick D. Heller Dick D. Heller, vice-president of the Decatur Democrat Company, was bom and reared, so to speak, in the Democrat office, where under the tutelage of his father, John Heller, he learned every phase of the newspaper business. He is a graduate of Indiana University where he made a splendid record and where he was an outstanding leader in the college's major activities. "Like father, like son,” Dick Hefler is politically inclined and has already made a record remarkable for his years. He has served as clerk in the Indiana legislature, I secretary of the senate, secretary Ito- Lieut. Governor Clifford M. ■ Townsend and was recently made secretary of the Democratic State Committee, which position he now holds. He is widely known- throughout the state and he Is universally recognized as one of the most popular and able of the younger men of his party in Indiana. large t'qr such an occasion. Quite an excitement was kept up during tile day. much interest was manifested by the people in their choice of men to fill the various offices, particularly trustees and supervisors, little or no opposition was made to the other offices. The following persons were elected: Anthony Kohn, trustee; ■ Jesse Niblick.- clerk; C. L. Schirineyer, treasurer; Jacob W. Grim, and Thomas Andrews, constables; the several supervisors, Abraham Robinson, district No. 1; J. D. , Nuttinan, district No. 2; Eli Beery, district No. 3; G. H. Hakman. distrk-t No 4; Ephrim Mosure. district 5; D. M. Ayers, district No. 6, no election in 7; James Wagoner, district 8; C. W. Andrews. district 9; T. H. Andrews, district 10. ■ • n— S W&ddinjr Bells Siow Up Decatur Eagle Marell 13. 1857 (Decatur Eagle) I ‘ —Tile Decatur Eagle offers an apology to its readers for its late appearance today. The editor thought ■ there was not enough to carry on . the business of the office, and he • foolishly, upon last Sabbath duwe • himself a helpmate, instead of ' helping, it has retarded the Eagle ' I in Its flight this week.

ELUNGHAM FOUNDED DAILY ' CENTENNIAL EDITION of the Dally Democrat would not be complete without dedication to its founder. Lew G. Ellinghain, for twenty years the editor and publisher, later secretary of state, publisher of the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette and at present the (Mist master in Fort Wayne. During his citizenship in Adams county Geneva and Decatur — he led in every movement for the good of the communities and to his efforts, much credit is due for the fact that this is now rated "the finest little city of the middle west." Mr. Ellingham was born In Wells county, reared and educated In Bluffton, purchased the Geneva Herald when hut nineteen years old and three years later acquired the Winchester Democrat which he published until he came to Decatur to start the Decatur Democratic Press in 1894. Two years later he purchased the Democrat and the two

papers were merged. In 1903 the daily was started and has since operated at the Decatur Daily Democrat. Active in politics, Mr. Ellingham served as county chairman and later in 1906 and 1908 as district Democratic chairman. In 1910 he was elected secretary of state and two years later was reelected, serving with credit that attracted much attention. During his term of office the automobile license law was enacted and Lew organized that branch, which has since handled many millions of lollars. In 1916, Mr. Ellingham sold

his interest in the Decatur Democrat to J. 11. Heller and became the publisher of the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette, continuing as the head of that largest Democratic newspaper in Indiana until he was appointed Postmaster, three years ago. Eager to serve and to assist others. Mr. Ellingham has been active in business and social organizations and has an acquaintanceship that extends over many states. He has attended a number of national conventions as delegate. In 1924. a delegate at large to the New Y’ork convention, he served as chairman of the rules committee, and in 1928 was a member of the platform committee as Huston, Texas. He has gone far and made a great record for achievement and Decatur citizens still look upon him as a part of this city and county, knowing that his heart still throbs warmly for any one or any thing that has to do with this old stamping ground. The community extends to him a special invitation to be an honor guest or better still t« just come home and be one of us for the entire week. From First Issue Os Daily Democrat 33 Years Ago

Jan. 12- Farmers throughout the county are elated over the excellent prospects of a heavy wheat crop. With wheat at 67 cents a bushel, this is very encouraging. Jan. 16 —The members of the German Lutheran congregation at Freidheim. have settled with the contractors, Man & Christen, who recently completed their very elegant new church building, Jan. 17—President Roosevelt is trying his level best to heal the breach between Senators Fairbanks and Beveridge, and he has offered the white house as a premium to anyone who will help him in the difficult task. Jan. 19 —A. R. Burr, postoffice inspector for the Cincinnati district which includes this portion of Indiana, is in the city on business of the utmost importance, the business being to carefully go over the matter of establishing free delivery service in Decatur. Jan. 24 —Late last evening the school city of Geneva filed a suit for $12,000 damages against the Logansport and Wabash Valley gas company for burning down their school house. March 13 —Farmers near Sycamore report whooping congji ainong their hogs. March 14 —The big gas engine at tlie Waiing glove factory was run for first time this morning. The date for the beginning of work has not been decided on as several pieces of machinery nave not arrived. May 5 The first monthly meeting of the Commercial club held at the C. B. I. rooms in the Studabaker block revealed the fact that much may be accomplished tor the primary good of this city by the organization. May 18 —Sunday was Zion Lutheran day in Decatur and will certainly be a long remembered one, especially by the members of that congregation for it is estimated that, over 2,000 strangers were here to attend the dedicatory services for their new church. June 28—The Allison & Studa baker block by all odds the most beautiful in Decatur and one of the handsomest in all Indiana, lies in ruins, the result of a few hours fire that broke out as near as can

PAGE FIFTY-THREE

h W I Lew G. Ellingham

■be ascertained at 2:45 o'clock Sunday morning. One hundred thousand dollars worth of property was consumed by the fire. It was Doj catur's most disastrous fire since i 1818. July B—The8 —The election of a city attorney was made last night by the city council and A. P. Beatty is now empowered in that capacity. It took 25 ballots to decide the mat- : ter. August 4 —Eph Bollinger was in town today and says he has given up ever seeing his pocketbook or the valuable papers contained therein. He says he thinks the police protection with the Wallace 'circus is not half what it is advertised to be. There is a general opinion that the detective force of the show carries is about as tough as the gang itself. August 7 —A rumor was current today that Red Fisher, a prisoner at the jail had committed suicide. There is no truth to the statement ' and how such a report could be started" is more than could be exactly figured out. He is lining held j as a suspect in a murder at Wood I county, Ohio. August 24—The Decatur-Mon roe macadam road is now complete and ready lor acceptance. Has been under construction for four years. The eWetion at which time Ihe required number of votes were recorded in its favor was held in 1898. It is complete in every way and is a good specimen of macadam road. September 21- The residence of Janies T. Merryman was burglarized this morning and by a. member of the craft who knows his business. . Mr. Merryman insists the work was done by a professional, for home talent would never enter the home of a lawyer, knowing full well the futility of such an effort, hut this fellow didn't do so bad at that, securing about five dollars in cash, a garnet, shirt stud, a pair , of trousers, shoes and other articles. October 15—Mrs. Tom Townley and Mrs. Homer Crumrino of Willshire were in town today. They were on their way home and while driving south on Line street met with an accident in which their escape from death or serious injuries seems miraculous. The horse became unmanageable at the sight of a train and threw the ladies out of the buggy.