Decatur Democrat, Volume 39, Number 36, Decatur, Adams County, 22 November 1895 — Page 1

The Decatur Democrat.

VOL. XXXIX.

KIDNAPED! >4 John frontman'stolen From a Train and Placedin a Dungeon for Three Days. w « About three weeks ago John Treutman left this city for West ■Baden Springs the famous Indiana health resort. On last Tuesday he made up his mind to start for home and immediately began carrying his intentions into effect. As soon as arrangments were complete he start- . ed for the depot to catch the morning train. While standing aroftgd waiting for'the train, he was accosted by a young lady, whom John describes as being very handsome. They soon became engaged in conversation, and John learned she was bound for Mitchell, Ind., and would therefore both take the same train. After a little while.lhe train pulled in and both goton board, occupying the same seat. When they ariived at Mitchell the young lady got out of the seat and started for the platform, and John with his usual courtesy accompanied her. When John was about to step off the platform of the car he was seized by a supppsed accomplice of the lady T carried to a dungeon where he was kept for three days without a mouthful to eat except a few apples. John says he ( thiuks the lady made some sign to her accomplice when they got off the train, indicating of of course that she had a victim. When he was carried away one hand '> was placed over his mouth to keep him from calling tor help and he was drugged at the same time. When he was placed in the dungeon was stripped naked and placed in bed. He knew nothing for some time afterwards and whin he had partially recovered from the effects of the drugs, a lady came into the room with a lamp. John asked to be released, which was refused. r> He was kept there for two’or three days, and all that time was under the influence of drugs. When he received his senses again he found himself at the same depot where he had been stolen. He examined his pockets and found himself short S2OO, which he had on his person when he left West Baden. AU the rest of his valuables were left untouched, they probably thinking that they might bear damaging evidence against 'diem and so did not take them. John arrived in this city Friday night and at first was loathe to say i anything about his strange experience, but his friends seeing that something was worrying him induced him to tell his strange story. A Democrat reporter called hpon hiqi yesterday at the Burt House I apd obtained full particulars which ■ are givpn above. A mystery surVYbunds the whole affair and the ■ friends of Mr. Trentman will en- ■ deavor to have it solved, and the ■ guilty parties brought to justice. I It is not at all improbable ■that he was kidnapped lor ■he purpose of holding him ■ for a ransom, and the parties ■ interested were probably aware ■that his relatives are quite wealthy, ■and thought that a large sum could ■be scared out of them. They must ■have, however considered the dan■ger connected with the affair and ■turned him loose, content with ■what money he had upon his person. ■John says- he will never visit that ■ srt of the country again unless he Hakes with him a good sized arsenal Kind he z has also made up his mind Ho pay no more attention to handHome women. ■''The pumpk for the water works ■.rrived last Friday and will be put ■n position at once. Workmen Have just finished setting the air ■ompresaor.

DECATUR. ADAMS COUNTY, INDIANA. FRIDAY. NOVEMBER 22. !«!#>.

Thomas Macy and Son Adolphus, of Marion, Indiana, are the guests of friends here. Mr. Macy was formerly a citizen of Jefferson township this county, and still owns a fine farm in this county. He is always a welcome visitor m our city. The stock yard chute of the G. R. & I. R. R. .was completely demolished Saturday afternoon by a freight train switching on the sidetrack. A car load of sheep and cattle were in the pen ready to be loaded. Our railroads have paid into the county exchequer for the November installment the following sums: Chicago Erie, $1,756.24; Grand Rapids & 1ndiana,52,701.64; Clover Leaf, $1,396.37. The total amount collected was $6,054 25, which very materially assists in defraying county expenses. J. W. Delong and Ed Menefee have returned from Woodruff Wis., where they had accompanied a crowd of hunters. They brought one deer with them, which was killed by H. 8. Porter. Porter seems to do the hunting for the party as he has killed all the deer so far. A merry crowd of young folks drove to “Gray Gables” last Thursday evening. Those present were: Mr. and Mrs. C. O. France, Misses Ella Sprang, Bessie Dorwin, Tessa Barkley, May Hughes, Eva Acker, Grace Peterson, Sadie Hale Leia Miller and Messrs Harry Bell, Miles Pillars, Warren Moses, Clark Coverdale, Don Quinn, Arlie De Voss and Simeon P. Beatty. An enjoyable time was had by all present The crematory at Ft. Wayne is in full operation. The body of a sheep was cremated Monday and everything works nicely. Now those of our friends who do not want to undergo the terrible ordeal of being put under six feet of earth, can have their bodies reduced to ashes and the ashes distributed among their friends, excepting of course, those which will be used for fertilizing. On last Saturday afternoon Mr. and Mrs. J. K. Niblick most royally entertained ten merry young people in honor of their daughter, Vereno’s fourth birthday. A merry time was had by all present, and at supper time supper was served. Those present were: Misses Agnes and Olma Starost, Ethel and Vera Ehinger, Bernadette Forbing, Stella Smith, Naomi Niblick, Agnes Webber and Master Arthur Close. Mrs. Abraham Fugate, of Kirkland township, died last Tuesday of consumption after a lingering illness- of several years. The deceased was one, of the most highly respected people of that community. Her funeral was' held Wednesday forenoon at the Dunkard church of that township, after which the remains were intered in the Steele cemetery. The bereaved family have the sympathy of the cpmmunity in which they live. Our neighboring city ot Bluffton has her hands full ot trouble at present. Remonstranpes are being circulated against certain Saloonkeepers and they (the salooff-keep-ers) have started a boycott against all business men who signed the petition, and the promoters of ihd remonstrances have in turn directed a boycott against all business men who do not sign the petition. Between the two factions business men are in deep water. Fdr the welfare of al) concerned, we trust the matter will be amicably adjusted. SonieUiiiiy: New, H. Guenzer of New York, qn experienced book binder, who has worked in the largest cities in the world, will bind old books as well as new. AR kinds of repairing neatly done. Prices satisfactory. Call at pemocrat office.'

HMD! Adam Ault Killed Beneath the Wheels of a Chicago & Erie Passenger Train. Passenger train No. 1 on the C. & E. R. R. brought to this city last Tueseay, the lifeless remains of Adam Ault who had been killed about two miles from this city while on his way to town. Mr. Ault who lives at Rivare, left home this morning for this city on foot. Ab was his usual custom he started down the railroad track. When about two miles east of here he was w arned by some telegraph linemen who were at work to get off the track, as the train was already in sight. Mr. Ault heeded their warning and stepped off the track but for some unaccountable reason started to cross the track and get on the other side, and in so doing slipped and tell. Before he could regain his feet the train was upon him and in andther instant his life had been crushed out. Both legs were cut off and his body was otherwise mutilated, and it is thought that death resulted instantly. Whether any blame can be attached to the employees of the railroad is not known at this time, but it is evident had he paid sufficient attention to the warning given, he would not have met this sad fate. Mr. Ault was 79 years of age. He leaves several children to mourn his loss. The Democrat extends its sincerest sympathy in their hour of aid bereavment. " fc_ WAS HE TOUCHED? o . . Dr. W. C. Cole Claims to Have Betfivßelieved of §SO. — i Dr. W. C. Cole, of Rockford, 0., is in the city. He came here by way of Ohio city to attend a trial. He brought with him an individual by the name of Win. Jones, whom he picked up at Ohio City, and when they landed here both were—? Wednesday morning the Dr. claimed to have been relieved ot fifty dollars during Tuesday night, and Jones is missing. Os course the natural supposition is that Jones has the money;while there is a great deal of doubt in the minds of some people whether the Dr. was really touched. If he "was he should not “holler,” for he is old enough to know that it does not pay to pick up every stranger he meets. Jones went back to Ohio City Wed nesday on the early train, and if the Dr. thinks he has the money, he is the man he should look after, instead of cursing the citizens of Adams county as he was doing that morning. The Dr. is wholly to blame in the matter. - .■ « K n tertalned. The ladies of the W. C. T. U. on last Saturday evening very pleasantly entertained about fifty of their friends at a pop corn and candy social at the home of Mrs. M. Congleton. An interesting program wastrendered as follows: t Music by Mandolin Club. Recitation, Josie Congleton. Violin Puett, Millie Lenhart and Minnie Orvis. Reading, Mrs, Dr- Holloway, Vocal Solo, Minnie Orvis. The Mandolin Club furnished some excellent mtisic. Pop corn and candy was then served during which ail excellent time was had by all present. Delavhr Walters while working on a barn fell off the r,oof and badly fractured his leg Thursday afternoon. The accident will probably lay him "tf|3 for the balance of the winter. ' r ■

HAND (KISHEII OFF. - » A Nickel Plate Brakeman .tleclM with a Had lUlahap. W J. Stanley, a brakeman on the Nickle Plate, had his right hand crushed while making a coupling at Knox, Ind last niijbt • e was a member of the crew ot the third section of No 40. eastbound He was a brought to this city on passenger train No. a. under the care of Dr. J. M. Dinnen, who amputated the hand. The unfortunate man is married, and lives at No. 92 Howell street —Ft. Wayne Journal. Mr. Stanley whs married to Miss Liz zie Lammerman of our citv about three years ago and lived here until about six months ogo, when he moved to Ft. Wayne to accept a position as brakeman on the Nickle Plate railroad where be was working when be met with this accident. His many friends in this city sympathize with l.inj during his Sad misfortune “CAP. RILEY.” Living in Old Virginia. Geneva'Herald. Dear Editor: Permit me to announce through the columns of your valuable paper that I have just heard from Captain Geo. W Riley, he is hale and hearty and still Hyes with bis brother at Fall Church, Va. His health is better than it has been for ten years. He does not get to the city very often on account of being too busily engaged raising chickens and gardening. Savs he often thinks of bis old friends in Geneva and would like to see them again. He sends his besf wishes to all. Respy. Yours G. W. Watson, Capt. of Watch. Pension Bureau. DEMOCRAT FREE. As a number of farmers have brought to this office specimens ot corn, we will give to the one who has the best corn the Democrat one year. There must be not less than three ears. The contest will be closed December 21, 1895, The award to be male by three disinterested farmers. PROCLAMATION., The President having bv proclamation named Thursday, Nov. 28, as Thanksgiving Day, it is earnestlyrequested that our people will put awav business affaias upon that day; and devote the same in earnest prayer to Almighty God.for his continued kindness toward us; and that each citizen | may be specially blessed at this particuar time of the year. I recommend that as individuals we make particular inquiry concerning the needy, and see that their wants are supplied. Divine expression and human experience has taught us that it is blessed to give than to receive B. W. QUINN, Mayor. Jlixing in a Little Fun. Yea,'"verily, girls are of few days and full of mischief and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. When the fair one cheweth gum with much haste and stampeth her pretty foot with vigor, then beware, She cometh forth in tbe evening with low r eck and short sleeves but in the morning she lieth in bed while her mother bnstleth. Sheeateth all winter of tbe devoted young man's oysters, and partaketh with glee of his sleigh rides, but when the gentle spring conreth she winxeth the other eye and goeth with a new beau. I . S, Grand Jury. The following citizens of Indiana are serving on the grand jury which convened at Indianapolis Nov. 12: Amos Foreman. Decatur; J XI. Cutsinger. EdiUburg: A C. Crawford. Maples: J. M. Barnes, Columbia City: Edward Blackman. Albion; C.C, Weaver. Newcastle; Abraham Laudig. Noblesvil e; I). P. Blake. Frankfort; lID- Gallagher Greetisbiirg; J. M. Dinner, North Manchester, Alexander McEean, Franklin; Toomas Waltman, Bean Blossm; 11. 11. Shipley, Disare; Geo. W. Wisrand.' Bloomington; Henry Ader, Siimmeyset: W. I). Baker. Monroeville?.- D. 11. Bowell La Porte: J. P. Oakes, Laporte; J. W. Martin, Foreman. Richmond. Amos .Foreman of this city returned from Indianapolis Saturday night, having bean excused from doing further duty, One of the most interesting events of t his week was the ingathering of the friends of Mrs. Arthur Fisher who has recently taken poSession of her snug, commodious and ' pleasant home on Third street ft! ter an outing of almost a year Mrs A L DeVilbiss. J T France, A S Gillig. J Lenhart. T Archbold, J Bryson, D Bolds,A G Holloway, J T Merryman, D Myers, T Merryman, and E Johnson, were numbered among the house warmers and judging from, the merrymaking all had a good time. Most excellent refreshments were served bv the hostess after which all dispersed for their’ respective homes, wishing Mrs Fisher many more surprises and tbe happy return of her com- ' panion from Europe with* his pockets loaded with the precious lucre from tbe old world, w ‘

ANOTHER. BIG FIRE At Geneva, with a Loss of Over Ten Thousand Dollars. Yesterday morning at 3 o’clock the cry of ‘ fire!” aroused tbe slnrnb.er- , ing citizens of Geneva to discover that between the G. A. R. hall and the building owned by George Hartman, the destroying element had fastened itself. Every building between Aspy & Miller’s store room and Decatur street was wholly destroyed. -x Only the heroic efforts of the citizens saved the wooden structures on the-north side of Line street The Odd Fellow’s hall had taken tire, but the tearing off ot burning shingles by O is Juday with bis bare hands followed by a faithful bucket brigade, saved the building from destruction. Had the fire ob tained headway in this hall there is no doubt that one third of the town would have been destroyed, and even perhaps the new brick buildings on the south side of the street including thq Shamrock and bank building The following are those whom the fire losses effected: A. G. Briggs’building, no < H Bell, groceries, insurance $550. Redding Bros meat marker, tiourance S3OO. G R Dickison’s build ing, no insurance. Buckeye Pipeline (Jo., no insurance. Miss Sue Hartman’s residence, it sur ince S4OO Geo. Hartman, bnudiug, insur ance S4OO. Henry IvU, general merchant'se, insoraucu SIOOO. G. A. R. hall building, insurance SSOO. Young & Dalrymple, restaurant, insurance S6OO. A*py Miller’s, new brick building, the I. O. O. F. hall, Dr. IL M. Aspy.’s dwelling, Grist Haviland’s building, yere damaged by fire and water, but fully insured. This fire seems to be tbe sequel to what occurred Tuesday morning at 3 a. m. when a frame warerooija in tbe rear of Aspy & .-Millers drug store was discovered to be on tire. By dint of hard labor the firfe was kept within a small radius. This wanton destruction is the work of a fire bug who has threat ened for seme time by personal and written declaration. Oliver Martin, a youth, was placed under arrest this morning and will be given a hearing. The evidence is conclusive, but owing to the fact that the fellow is not considered of sound mind, may change the course of procedure, and the accused placed in an asylum. This conflagration; added to the one that scourged the town in June, falls very heavily upon this growing town. Yettjie beautifi l and substan tial buildings and brick blocks already rebuilt and occupied, shows the Wonderful thrift and enterprise of its citizens, ' A. K. G. Joshua Bright and wife have returned home from the west. They report a pleasant visit. The people of the West are blessed, with a bountiful crop of everything that is produced in that country and the health is exceedingly good. While tn Minnesota they visited the Twin Cities, Mtnverpolis and St. Haul Minneapolis lias the largest ti Hiring jnills in . the world. They visited the largest mills in the city* having a capacity of turning out seven tiiousaud barrels <>f flour per day. Thev were favor ably impressed with the state of lowa. This is a fine country with enterprising people raising an enor motis amount of -fine stock. This is a tiiie farming country. Mt Bright has this week, shipped son.i'e of his tine I’dlajjd China hogs 'to Minnesota. liavifig purchased a farm there he is starting a branch herd near Browpsvilie. C.*„F. Saptbine, his son-in law, will have charge of the herd at that place. The present system of lighting the. court room is a disgrace to oiir county. When the lamps are lighted in the evening the room greatly resembles a chamber of horrors. Attorneys are barely able to distmguish themselves from their clients, and /we doubt very much it His Itonor lyould be able to himself if hurridly called upon to do" so. As for spectators—why they are simply lost in the darkness. Some step should be taken by the proper officials to rectify this, and turn the dingy bld room into a place of comfort for all concerned.

Mrs. W. 11. Brooks, of Huntington is visiting m the city. Mrs. N. Blackburn is visiting friends at Buena Vista. Your magazines you can have bonnd at the Democrat bindery. J. W. Bosse is at Marion, Ind., looking after people who have a bad cough.• It Miss May Hughes is the guest of her cousin, Miss Hattie Kelley of Geneva. Mrs. E. P. Menefee is visiting friends in Geneva. She left for there this morning. Miss Minnie Mcßain, of Napoleon Ohio, is visiting her uncle, Samuel Shaffer, of Rivare. Born, to G. Nesswald and wife last Monday a 11 pound boy. Mother and babe are d oipg well, Wm. Brooks, of Fort Wayne, who has been visiting his daughter, Mrs. Bert Lichtenwaiter, returned home Monday. Mrs. James Roach, of Arcola, Indiana, who has been visiting her brother A. J. Smith left for Marion, Indiana Tuesday. A house belonging to Ed Kinney nf Jefferson township, was destroyed by tire Wednesday together with all the contents. He ; .had some insurance but the amount is not known. Ex-Recorder Baughman has been appointed Postmaster at Steele, Vice, J. R, Porter resigned. Baughman moved there Wednesday and will be with his son in tbe dry goods business. Al Hesshn, the young man who was shot at Van Buren last week, passed through this, city Tuesday on his way to Ft. Wayne where he will take treatment at the St. Joseph Hospital. The pay car on tire G. R. &J. passed through, the city Monday afternoon. As a consequence the “filthy” is a little more plenty and the employees are particularly happy. The Portland Evening Sun, cam® up shining Monday. From its appearance and make-up it bidAr fair to' be a bright light in the newspaper world. Come again Bro: Timmonris. The case of- State ex rel Volmer vs P. Mougey has bgeu comprom ised. The defendant paying the plaintiff $300; One hundred dollars to be paid in cash and the balance at the rate of $5 per month.. M. L Byers and Chas. Helm left Monaay for Indianapolis to attend the Grand Lodge 1. 0 O. F. as. representativis of the local lodge.,“ They were a-vompanie i by. Frank. Mann who will act as chaperon and and show them the sights in the eapi'.ol city. A man wbo. had.stoleu the djnner buckets of a G. R. it 1 freigfi’t crew at Adams, a sn ail station a'few miles north of here, was brought to jthis city by the copi*uctory>f the freight train,"and. turned over to the coiiuuetbr of the passenger train going north, lie will be tak en'in custody by the authorities ofAllen county where the crime was ~ committed. Here is ai-question fpr debate by tile High school. Resolved: That a man is not a thief Who steals his dinner when he is hungry. One of the provisions of the new fee and salary law is that the clerk shall issue a-.fee bill for, cost not later than sixty days after cost has been adjudged against a-litigant, and that the sheriff shall- levy the same on property at once and it the Saiiie is not paid, then proceed to sell the property to make the cost, thus adding more cos't to- tbe amount already accured. Parties having costs to pay will save time, and money by looking law and paying the costs of their case

NO. 36.