Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 55, Number 243, Decatur, Adams County, 15 October 1957 — Page 6

PAGE SIX

PJLEASANT MILLS BRIDGE wwv a vywißmyßrTNtSr 4' MAg» • vMbfetx.J^MU x itbt ' r K - I I I Bl t II ■ ■I ’ JlWWto-- RBc mZzz THE OLD COVERED BRIDGE at Pleasant Mills, constructed in 1881, is still serviceable, and used by state highway 101, where it crosses the St. Mary’s river at that town. The story of the bridge, and many other interesting events which happened nearby, is related by Mrs. J. F. Halberstadt, Sr., in an interesting article of local history.—(Staff Photo*

(The following article describes the history of the Pleasant Mills covered bridge in the words of one of the town’s best-known residents. Mrs. J. F Halberstadt, Sr. It was first published in a ma’gazine called “Covered Bridge Timber” in 1947. It was given to the Adams county historical society through the efforts of Gerald Durkin, who was acquainted with Mrs. Halberstadt.) The old covered bridge and the village of Pleasant Mills, are synonymous. Try to think of Pleasant Mills and you also visualize the old covered bridge. George Heath surveyed and E. A. Goddard, a mill owner of the uncharted village, plotted the village in 1846. Twenty-four years later the community was confronted with the necessity of a better way to cross the St. Mary’s river. Fording the river in times of low water and using a bridge that was under water in wet season were not ample facilities for the growing industrial operations. > . Therefore, something was done about it. The Adams county commissioners—Daniel Weldy, Leadner Dunbar, and John Rupright—signed a contract with the Smith Bridge Co. of Toledo, 0., for a 135foot bridge across the St. Marys river chi September 7, 1880. The bridge was built the following year at a cost of $2,551.50, or $18.90 per lineal foot. Much of the labor was furpished

REXALL ORIGINAL SALE 6 GREAT DAYS I OCT. 14 thru 19 MON. thru SAT. SMITH DRUG CO.

COCKSHUTT DEMONSTRATION Come and See the New .... 421 Mounted Corn Picker in Action Wednesday, October 16 on the ABE INNIGER FARM - 4 Miles South of Coppess Corners or 2 Miles North of Berne on U. S. 27 See the ROTOCYCLE STALK CHOPPER Shred the Stalks. See the Powerful GOLDEN EAGLE DIESEL TRACTOR pulling the famous high clearance 24A COCKSHUTT 4-BOTTOM PLOW. Do Not Forget! WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16 9:00 A. M. to 4:00 P. M. ADAMS COUNTY FARM BUREAU CO-OP ASS’N. MONROE, INDIANA

by the townspeople and nearby farmers. The out-of-town men were housed and fed in the home of Hampton A. Fristoe. The bouse is now the home of Lydia Mcßarnes <19471 who was a foster daughter of the Fristoe’s. She helped to prepare the hash for those hungry men and is (1947) living in the same house to tell the tale. The bride holds memories of all varieties. About a mile to the left of the bridge was the natural/site of Elephant Rock, now a memorial dedicated to our famous authoress. Jean Stratton Porter. It now lies on the Adams county court house lawn.. About a mile to the right is the Devil’s Backbone. It was while driving a horse hitched to a buggy past that spot that S. F. Bowser had his inspiration to construct a pump that has changed your life and mine. The idea was embodied first in water pumps, so they would not freeze in Indiana’s severe winters. The same idea is used in our gasoline pumps. It has indeed been revolutionary. Bowser came to Pleasant Mills a few years before his death, and retraced the pilgrimage where he had conceived the idea that changed his life from that of a laborer to an industrialist. This time he traveled by automobile driven by his chauffer. William Faurote’s father once rescued Dale Harper from drowning in the cold depths of the river near the bridge. Nearby, Al Roebuck’s "learn drowned hitched to a wagon loaded with stone. Some have memories of wonderful catches of fish near the old bridge. The small fry ducked under the bridge near the abutments, hung their garments on nearby bushes.: and •.•went swimming in their birthday suits. The bridge holds a sacred memory for many who have received the ordnance of baptism, some to the left and some to the right of it. Harry Daniels was baptized in the highway when water was at a high mark. The flood*of 1913 was the only time that water stood in the bridge deep enough to row a boat The bridge is the southeast corner of the Miami reservation of 1285.63 acres made to the children of Antoine Rivarre in 1818. To the left of the bridge are what are thought to” be traces of the burial place of the Miamis of the neighborhood. There are numerous jack-knife-carved initials in the bridge. The

more adventurous climbed high into the timber braces to cut their initials. During the years; the bridge has undergone various repairs but* to all intents it is the same old covered bridge. The citizens of Pleasant Mills cherish the old bridge with its memories and hope that when it is no longer safe for modern travel it will be as a museum piece. Each generation should preserve its tradition and folk lore for coming generations. "Remove not the .ancient land marks which thy fathers have set,” is as good advice as when the wise man of old gave it to the ybuth of his time. (Volume 1, No. 2, June 1947. of the Covered Bridge Timber, published by the American Covered Bridge Historical Society, Inc., written by Mrs. J. F. Halberstadt, Sr., of Pleasant Mills.) Ask Continuance Os Jimmy Hoffa Trial Decision Reserved By Federal Judge NEW YORK <W — Federal Judge William B. Herlands today heard arguments for the indefinite continuance of the trials ’of Jimmy Hoffa for perjury and wire tapping. He reserved decision at least until Oct. 25 when he said he either would name a trial date or rule in favor of the indefinite continuance. Saul Gelb, attorney for the embattled Teamsters’ Union official, said he would submit 287 press and magazine clippings for the judge's consideration to show that the “atmosphere has been so saturated with adverse and hostile publicity,” that Hoffa would be unable to have a fair trial. He said the summer hearings of the Senate Rackets Committee headed by Sen. John McClellan (D-Ark.) had been "devoted to exposing Hoffa as the associate of gangsters;—a very evil man.” “Every medium of communication has been used to discredit and dstroy the defendant, Hoffa, and to say that Hoffa could go to trial in the near future and get a fair jury is a mockery,” Gelb said. He added that he had never before seen a case where one arm of the government —the commit-tee-led "a hunt or a chase with one purpose only—to destroy the defendant Hoffa.” U. S. Atty. Paul Williams said that if Gelb’s arguments were followed to their logical conclusion Hoffa could never b«_.trie<t “ Before arguments began on the motion for an indefinite continuance, Haifa pleaded innocent to lying to a federal grand jury about the alleged wire-tapping of his own Detroit office. Cub Scouts To Meet Wednesday Evening Members of Cub Scout packs 3061 and 3062 will meet at the Boy Scout shelter house at Hanna-Nutt-man park Wednesday evening, at 5:30 o’clock, for a wiener bake. Re-Trial Expected For Red Leaders WASHINGTON (W — The Justice Department said today two Communist leaders whose convictions were reversed by the Supreme Court Monday “will undoubtedly be re-tried.” The reversals, however, will delay for probably a year a final ruling on the constitutionality of the Smith Act’s “membership clause." This part of the law was challenged by the pair—Claude M. Lightfoot of Chicago and Junius Irvin Scales of the Carolinas.

* Ki NO SACKS, THESE WACS— Lt. Jeanne Wolcott Inspects her 71 WA€s~in Yokohama, Japan, after giving them a verbal dressing down over their appearance—not filling out their uniforms in the right places and such like. A post commander—male—and three reporters also inspected the unit. Verdict: No sacks, these WACs. Said Lieutenant Wolcott, “It was pretty obvious that the girdles and padding had something to do .with it.” The new shapeliness, she meant. (International Soundphoto)

THE DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT, DECATUR, INDIANA

Evangelist W iL'W The Rev. Lawrence Norris, Decatur pastor, will lead revival services at the Monroe Friends church beginning Wednesday, through Sunday, Oct. 27. The services will be held nightly at 7:30 p.m. at the Monroe church. Music and singing will be in charge of the Wable sisters. Everyone is welcome at the meeting, the Rev. Vernon Riley, pastor of the church, stated. The October monthly meeting of the Adams county Holiness Asso- ; ciation will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Friends church with the above workers in charge. Rev. Norris is pastor of the Union Chapel E.U.B. church. Study New Charges On Officer's Killer Whitley Transferred To Jail At Vernon VERNON, Ind. (W — Victor Wayne Whitley, 26, charged with murder in the gun battle slaying of an Indiana State Police trooper Sept. 30, was in jail here today awaiting a grand jury inquiry into other charges growing out of a night of terror in Southern Indiana. Whitley was transferred under heavy guard from Clark County Jail at Jeffersonville to Jennings County Jail here. He was charged in Scott County with killing Trooper William Kellems. and moved to Jeffersonville for safekeeping. Kgliems was one of two troopers in two st ates slain by two desperadoes who tried to flee police after a wave of holdups and robberies. Pursuit of the killer began tn Ralph W. Taylor, was killed by Miehiganr- Dne of the gunmen, police bullets in one of the-gfih battles. 1 The Jennings grand jury will in- ’ vestigate charges Whitley kidnaps ed a deputy sheriff and wounded two officers, one .a North Vernon city policeman and the other a state trooper. jDne Fined Here On ! Traffic Violation William Kruse, 21, of Decatur 1 route four, arrested by city police Saturday at the intersection of 13th street and Nuttman avenue for driving an improperly registered vehicle, was fined $1 and costs in justice of the peace court. Two other motorists, arrested ( Recently on traffic charges, are scheduled to appear in J. P. court later. They are Johannes Thomsen, 64. of Fort Wayne, charged with driving an overweight truck on U.S. highway 27 north of Decatur, i to appear Saturday, and John , Denlihger, 22, of Fort Wyne, arrested for speeding on U. S. 27 ’ north of Decatur, to appear tt£ night. j ! ■, Trade in a good town — Decatur

Interview May Halt Fourth Murder Trial Alleged Slayer Back Os Bar Eight Years LA PORTE (IF) — A radio interview Monday may have halted a fourth murder trial for Robert

$ CUSTOMERS SUMMONED 3 T 0 PROVIDE BAIL! r|| Hundreds of Tickets and fines Issued HI t 0 e 9 u^r Merchandise for IV OVERTIME j fl PARKING fl These items have been "parked" on our sales floor too long. We must have room for new Fall merchandise that fl is arriving daily. The Judges—our big bosses—have ordered stiff fines on these overtime porkers .. . Most are fl first offenders. . . Some have been "booked" before ... all are wonderful bargains at our "bail out" prices guaranteed regular price minus amount of fine). Listed below are but a few of the many you will find through our store. They are yours for BAIL ... Come and Get 'Em—first come, first served. MISCELLANEOUS BEDROOM SUITES t *■■■■’ ————— nnM.AVPT-n n.HT-.vr e, q. WARRANT FOR ARREST PROLONGED PARKING Stews Store Aft Suites I Tickets sea Traffic .... Custody Ordered j VALUE FINE BAIL VALUE FINE BAIL 9Pc • Mahogany. Fruttwood finish s l6A’ 9s Large Plate Glass Mirror— $199.95 $35.04 I J ,bcer—Comp,ete * . 700 s flfl’ 9s 3-Pc. French Walnut finish SI4A ,S With 2 Bowls 529.90 $ ~00 — Plasticised tops $179.95 $30.00 *49 24 Pc. Stainless Steel and Copper Ecko-ware S 3A’ 45 2-Pc. Seafoam Finish Double $« M Set, For Carefree Cooking — $39.95 $ 9.50 3” Dresser and Bookcase Bed $159.95 $50.05 *”3 3-Pc. Pearl Mahogany Double Dresser $« A A' 98 54” Steel Wall Cabinet. Insulated $ 30’ 95 Chest and Bookcase Bed .. $139.95 $30.00 * W “ Doors—Chrome Handle $34.95 $ 5.00 “3 3-Pc. Limed Oak Double Dresser $ « g A .95 Apex Vacuum Cleaner. .. _ a “ d B<M>kCOe M ‘ sl "’ 9s M 5 W ’ ' fl Easy moving, cannister type - $59.95 $21.20 3® 3-Pc. Ranch O ak Double Dresser $« - Chest and Bookcase Bed .. $199.95 $51.15 *3® I S? r»i^ e r , Tri’m ble D °° r sl9 95 $512 3-Pc. French Walnut Double Dresser $« dtQ.95 White, Copper Trim $19.90 $5.12 Bed m 9-95 M lOp Isl CONSOLE MODEL fl LARGE FIRESIDE J HEAVYWEIGHT fl I Sewing Machine I CHAIRS I BLANKETS | V«.™ BAIL I WOOL fl VALUE FINE BAIL fl £I7BB I VALUE BAIL ■ $29.95 $12.07 ♦l/°® ■ $3.86 $149.95 $28.47 120 H BEAUTIFUL DECORATOR ■ % $lO9 Lay-away for Christmas. FABRICS—Choice of Styles I ■ CHOICE OF COLORS M LIVING ROOM BEDDING Isl METER SLUGS FOUND—Arrest on Spot I CHALK MARKS PROVE fl VALLE fine BAIL Over-time Parking, Meter Jammed 2-Fc. sat. - ComrteU ' VALVE FINE BAIL f Selection of Colors $169.95 $31.15 *3® Innerspring Mattresses, Box Spring Kfl „ „ e. . Twin or full site, Simmons $59.50 $20.70 3® j.'fl- 2-Pc. Sui e, Biege or Green SfCQ.SO O r Serta Heavy Pile Frieze Covers.. $199.95 $40.05 *33 Bed and Matc hing Chair v $« M-00 i*, j' Kroehler 2-Pc. Suite Metallic Cover — $159.95 $32.95 *"/ MR I Green Frieze $254.95 $55.00 *““ Twin Site Box Springs $« A' 88 Serta, Simmons, Geier, Hirsh- $44.00 $24.12 *3 Foam Rubber 2-Pc. Suite S l p 7fi* Bo man. Several to choose from ... $219.95 $41.15 */ ® Simmons Sofa Beds— sgm q.9s f l Krnehlcr 2 Pe. Nyt.a SulU ‘ «*«<» « ”,. £' „ Charcoat. B„»« and B leee 5239.95 >2*.K N“on Fri™ «I»AS 189 * 3-Pc. Sectional—Foam Rubber $«• .95 Serta-Daveno with Innerspring Mattress s<Wdt -95 v; Green Frieze $299.95 $55.00 <*44 Rubber Cushions—Frieze $299.95 $35.00 mRHI Cover ♦ WA® 2- p c. Biege Metallic S< 9H' 2s Simmons Beauty Rest—Sofa Bed $« <«mr.oo Wfl Rubber Cushions— Modern $249.95 $27.70 Jwdwdw Gold Metallic $139.95 $12.95 *dw / B DINETTES ‘pl PARKED HERE LONGER THAN ■■■ vaii hami* ■iiuf nann rain aanaa V I visiting relatives .... IF YOU DON’T HAVE CASH FOR BAIL Notice Filed To Move On. Nll " eed ” k,in 9 V’"' !•*»»'• w, ’ u >•<•"» any Bern to ? - your custody for only a small fee. j * VALUE FINE BAIL ' 7-Pc. Chrome Dinette sg*w.9O ' fcifl Red, Yellow or Gray $89.95 $30.05 33 I ■ 111 I 5-Pc. Inlaid Top sduA’ 95 I I 11 I Guaranteed Chrome Finish $99.95 $30.00 ®3 fllfl 1 1 W\fll ■ I Wfl 7-Pc. Brass 'n Black. Choice of 8 AO’ 95 I I■ I I ■ I I Black or Turquoise $129.95 $30.00 33 I |ll l| I fll lair ■ Wood Grain, fl fl <NC * 7-Pc. Bronzetone - Brass Trim sg»fw.9s -— ** -- ***' | UR.NITURE Ermine Walnut Top $109.95 $20.00 ®3 I 239 N. 2nd St. Phone 3-3778 Decatur, Ind.

Lee Johnson, 34. South Betyi. and set up a fifth trial for him ifi a 1949 slayinf. Johnson has been behind bars eight years. His first two trials in the robbery-slaying of David RSmith. 27, South Bend taxi driver, ended with hung juries. A third jury found Johnson guilty in 1953 and recommended the death penalty. But the Verdict was thrown out because of a juror’s misconduct.

Johnson was in his fourth trial Monday when an interview was aired over a LaPorte radio station. •In the interview, Johnson alleged he was offered a “deal" before his current trial if he would plead guilty to manslaughter. Johnson said the “deal" included a suspended sentence. Both prosecution and defense immediately moved for a "mistrial." The prosecution said its action was “a motion to withdraw submission of matter from the ■

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1957

jury by reason of legpl necessity." The defense voiced no reason for its motion but apparently It stemmed from the interview. Special Judge Harry Long of Gary said he would rule on the motions Wednesday morning. Smith was beaten to death with a pop bottle and his money was stolen. If you have something to sell or rooms for rent, try a Democrat Want Ad— they bring results.