Decatur Democrat, Volume 40, Number 40, Decatur, Adams County, 17 December 1896 — Page 1

The Decatur Democrat

VOLUME XL.

KNIGHTLY KNIGHTS. •ISTHICTT IWKKTING HELD IN THIN CITY TIIKNDAT. Decatur’s hospitable doors were thrown off their hinges Tuesday to 200 Knightly Knights from Bluffton, Huntington, Fort Wayne, Berne Geneva and Portland. They came to attend a district meeting ot their order, and in the meantime tak-e a bird’s eye view of one of the best county seat towns to be found in northern Indiana. Judging from the exclamations that simultaneously found utterance from them, they were dissapointed in nothing. A •01 dial greeting was accorded them on every hand. Every member ot the order and every citizen of the town made a reception committee of themselves, which made the visitors feel a hospitable welcome wherever they went. District Deputy Grand Chancellor Jay of Portland, presided at the public meeting at the court room in the afternoon and at the business meeting at the lodge room. We must confess that Bro. Jay is right wp to date in Pytbianism, besides, as a presiding officer be has few equals. Filled with young blood that fairly thrills with Pythian honor, he shows with every word and every act that what he says comes direct from the heart. His exemplification of secret work is > without a parallel. Mr. Jay is destined to some day become a conspicuous figure in Pythian, circles. At the evening ssssion the following resolutions were adopted: Be it resolved: That we reommend that the general laws of the order be jso amended and so made as to require the Grand lodge Knights of Pythias to meet and hold the sessions of the Grand Lodge in the month of October instead of June as now. Second, We further recommend that the general laws of the order be so changed and made as to permitMhe meetings of the Grand Lodge to be held in other cities of the state than Indianapolis, and at such eities as can fully accomodate any such meetings. Third, That we recommend that the Castle Hall association be urged by some proper means and method, to hasten the erect ion and completion of the Grand Lodue Castle Hall. Fourth, We recommend that the laws of the order be so formed that in the future that some one of the Grand Officers he required to deliver at each district meeting in the state, a public address upon some subject having reference to the order. Fifth, We recommend that the laws of the •rder be so framed as to reqnire all the past and future decisions of the Grand and Supreme Tribunals, and also the past and future decisions of the Grand and Supreme ■Chancellors to be collected and properly placed in a book form, properly indexed, and bound in a proper manner for the use and benefit of subordinate lodges. Sixth, We believe we voice the sentiments •f all the brother Knights present when we say that we greatly appreciate the efforts of Brother Millard, our Grand Instructor, for the full and complete instructions given us ■pon this occasson upon the secret work of the order, and we recommend that he continue so to do in the futureoand especially as to the correct pronunciation of words Jn the ritualistic work. Seventh, Be it further resolved that we tender our sincere and knigttly thanks to the Grand officers present for honoring us with their presence and assistance at this meeting, and also tender our thanks to Kekionga lodge No. 65 for their cordiifl and f . kind treatment of us and the splendid manner in which they have entertained us on this occassion. Eighth, And be it further resolved that we tender to our deputy grand Chancellor, Bro. M. T. Jay our thanks for the kind and efficient manner in which he has conducted the business of this district during his term of office, and we hope that we may be favored with so kind and an efficient brother to succeed him in the office. Ninth, We greatly regret that Bro. Hnnt •f Winchester, and Bro. Past Grand Chancellor Neal were unable to be present with us on this occasion on account of sickness in their respective families, and we sin- . cerely hope that the sick members may speedily recover. Tenth, We tender to the Odd Fellows lodge of the City of Decatur. Indiana, our thanks for their kindness in tendering to us the use of their beautiful lodge room on this occasion, and we shall always hold our sister lodge in kind remembrance ?for the kind act. • John T. Franiik. Lrvi S. Frazier. Gkoroe Elt. Gilford H, Jonhs, Rudolph Lrhman. W. B. Spinsbr. ■ T. J. Tangeman. John T. Dickrrs. The adoption of the above resolutions was followed by the transaction of some other business of minor importance, after which came the conferring of the rank of Knight' The work was done by the officers of our own Kekionga lodge and nobly and well did they perform the secret workings of this

beautiful ritualistic work., Every visiting member opened their mouths in wonder and eurpnse at the beautiful portraits of the pythian Knighthood. Grand Instructor Williard was loud and noisy in his praise of their accomplishments. Die officers ot the grand lodge present each made short extemporaneous addresses which revived the slumbering spirits of depression; and made every one feel that it was good to be there.

The ceremonies took place in the beautiful Odd Fellows lodge morn, which has just been beautified beyond description. The walls and ceiling have been frescoed, while life size biblical images, who are closely allied to the workings and teachings ot the order, adorn the walls. The work is fine and the improvement one that fills with pride every member of St. Mary’s lodge. The closing of the secret session was followed by a banquet served in the armory. Two hundred and twenty knights surrounded the long lines of tables and partook of life’s blessings in a very knightly manner. It was a banquet fit for the kings. Everything palatable was served and in quantities that oould not be disposed of in one evening. MENU. Saddle Kock Oysters Celery Olives Turkey Ham iaratoga Chips Cold Slaw French Bolls Grapes Bananas ioe Cream Assorted Cake Tse, Mixed N uta Coffee Cigars The banquet was served by the Sunday school classes of Dell Locke and George W. Woodward. That it was a grand success every one present is ready and willing to stand up and testify, and we hope they realized a handsome profit in return, tor they deserved it. After the banquet came toasts. The Hon. John T. France acted as toastmaster in his usual dignified manner. Mayor Stevens of Bluffton, David E. Smith, R. K. Erwin and D- N. Erwin of this city, Mr. Hatfield ot Huntington, M. T. Jay of Portland, John Anderson of Berne, and George Bowers of Ossian all responded to toasts in a very" enter taimng manner. Many of them were exceptional in character. We would like to mention all of them at length but time and space forbids. But suffice it to say that it was an event that will long be remembered by every one who was present and participated in the pleasures of the occasion. The ladies quartette, Mesdames lownsend, Pattereon, True and Thomas, deserve special mention. They captivated the knights at every appearance and sang beautifully, It is safe to predict that every visitor will take home pleasant memories of the occasion as well as of our people and city.

A very pleasing program was given at the court house Tuesday afternoon by the Knights of Pythias. R. K. Erwin made the address of welcome. Mayor Stevens responded, for the visiting Knights, and James Willard, the Grand Instructor, made a short, but interesting talk on Pythianism. Beautiful selections were rendered by a quartette of ladies composed of Mesdames Townsend, Patterson, Thomas and True The male quartette composed of Messrs Bell, Beery, Neptune and Hark less also rendered some choice selections. The Knights then adjourned to the, lodge room where they met in secret session and listened to a very instructive talk from Grand Chancellor Otto Kolb. Emigration to America has created so great a dearth of labor in the agricultural district of Germany, that Chinese coolies are now being imported in perfect hordes for field work in the provinces of Silesia, East Prussia, Posen and Pomerania. Inasmuch as the coolies are content to labor for twenty cents a day, all told, the German landowners are enthusiastic about the innovation, and those peasants who have hitherto turned a deaf ear to the arguments of emigration ape now being driven to the wall, and may shortly be expected to arrive in this country in shoals. Marshal Cowan received a letter from Mrs. Mixter, the mother-in-law of JoQ,Gemmel, in answer to a letter sent her some time ago regarding the death of Joe Gemmel. From the description given, she believes the dead map' to be her son-in-law. She further adds, if relatives desire to exhume the body she will aid in defraying the ex-’ P«dsm. ’ * ' " . * ...

DECATUR, INDIANA, ’’HURSDAY. DECEMBER 17, 1896.

Marriage Pcense were i«w ued Wednesday to Charles D. Voaw and Bertha J. Jones. D. E Smith finished np the criminal business in Jay county for this term Tuesday New case entered for the January term of the Adams circuit court. John W. Kleinhenz vs»J. C. T. G rard, Simeon Weiand and John Yo t, foreclosure of chattel mortgage. Miss Elsie Wittenberger of Chi cag>, who has been the guest of] her sister, Mrs. J.,D. Edward*, a| few ’ days left Wednesday for Kendallville, where she will visit awhile before returning home. Grand Chancellor Otto Kolb. Grand Keeper of Records and Seals Frank Bowers and Grand Instrnct >r James Willard, were in the city enjoying the hospitality of local and visiting knights, Tuesday. The man arrested Saturday afternoon as the supposed muderer of Brakeman Schlagel, was turned loose Sunday morning. Parties who came to identify him claimed he was not the party. He succeeded in getting two or three square meals and was happy. License to wed were issued to the following persons since the 10th: Alexander O. Smith and Mary L Hohn, August Scheinan and Hanna Eic'off, David Libby and Isabella Sb uggart, Edward Roe and Heathy Haggart, William F. O’Connell and Sophia (’ampbell. Jno. B Holthouse received a tele gram Mm day afternoon from Jacksonville, Florida, saying that his wife wis much worse and asking him to come at once. He left on -the first train, but by the time he arrives, she will likely be dead. Mrs. Holt house left about a month ago for the south in search of health. The citizens of the neighboring villages of Decatur, Montpelier, and Warren, the latter place lightid by the moon only, acknowledge that Bluffton will in all probability receive the new railroad. Bluffton usually gets what she goes after — Bluffton News. How About the Chicago A Erie, known at the time you went after it as the Chicago & Atlantic rail road. E X. Ehinger assistant cashier of the Decatur National Bank regrets very much the wrecking of the steamer Sallier, which occurred a few days ago off the Spanish coast, i i which 292 lives were lost. Ed was personally acquainted with the officers and crew, having crossed the ocean with them on his trip to Germany, and says they were all gentlemen, and highly esteemed by all who knew thffin. The Methodist ladies feel vpry grateful and extend their earnest thanks to each one who helped them in any way to make their Carnival the success it was, both financially and socially. Especial thanks aie due each member of Hart Bro’s orchestra, also the gen ■ tleinen and ladies Mandolin Clubs and the patronage and help given by all the sister churches in ti e city, and we hope to be able to return the courtesy in like manner to each one in the future. Sunday evening about 6 o’clock as the family of Charles Baker was away from home, sneak thieves entered the residence and carried away a lot of wearing apparel, silverware etc. Among the clothing taken was a sl6 overcoat which Mr. Baker had hail but a short time. Entrance to the house was i made on the west sidte and was evidently done by some one acquainted with the lay of the land. Parties are suepected and unless the goods are returned semething will drop. About aix months ago Mr. Baker had his horse stolen and now believes that heis hoodoed. Some time in the near future, i there will be a meeting held at Colnmbns, Ohio, composed of rep r sentatives of most of the independent telephone companies in In i diana, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsyl-| vania and West Virginia. The object of the convention will be a combination of all the independent' plants and the formation of a gi gantic syndicate which will be the greatest rival the Bell company ( ever had. It is understood that New York and Chicago capitalist*! are concerned in the enterprise and a capital stock of $2,000,000 has been subscribed. We have not heard whether representatives of, the local company will attend the meeting, but our neighboring cities will be represented.

Peter Jackson returned Tuesday I morning from a business trip in eastern Ohio. H. E. Sonera left last Tuesday for a few days visit with his broth er at Hartford City. The Chicago A Erie Railroad Co. pulled ten car loads of silk through this citycity this morning. They were sent from San Francis o to Xew York. The ten cars were I valued at $100,900. Judge Baker of Omaha, Nebras7 # I ka, has dec ared the curfew ordinance recently passed by that "ity, unconstitutional. The small boys under fifteen years of age may now | roam at largeas long as they p'eaas. Mrs. Begltn’entertamed a num her of relativesat dinner Monday, and it was a feast such as only the hostess can prepare. All the! guests enjoyed themselves im-l rnensely and are looking forward to the tune when they can again dine with the estimable lady. Man is a harvest it is said He begins life at the cradle, learns to handle the fork, often has rakish ways and sows wihi oats; threshes his wiv through the world, and when he arrives at the sere and yellow leaf, time mows him down and h s remains are planted on the hill side. Mr. Ora Seaney, the man milliner, of Fort Wayne. Indiana, sails , for Europe on the Veendam, Dec ember 26, to study millin' ry. Mr. Seaney is the first milliner from th s part of the country to visit the c liter of ihe fashionable world, and his customers have expecta tions of seeing many new and novel things this coming spring season. Diphtheria continues to rage at Portland, Indiana. The state board of health has advised the county commissioners to place the entire matter in the hands of Dr. M. T. Jay, with the instructions that the disease must be stamped out. New cases continue to make their appearance each day and so far, all efforts to combat successfully with the disease have proven .futile.

The state of Indiana will celebrated her eightieth birthday anniversary Saturday. A great many th ngs have transpired in that time. Wonderiul development haseverywhere been noticeable and nowhere has it been greater than in our own commonwealth. (Mice the term Hoosier was used in a sense not at all complimentary, but today there is not a citizen, native or by adoption, that is not proud of the appellation. Brakeman Schloschen of train 82 on the C. & E. was shut by tramps ea’-t ot Marion Thursday evening. It is supposed that the brakcmati lost his life while putting the tramps off his train. Killing brakemen is a popular pastime with tramps these dais, and some punishment should be meted out to them which they wid not soon forget. The brave men who fall while protecting the property of their employers should be accorded some protection from the assaults of these dirty loafers.

What might have been » serious I runaway occurred on South Mercer street late Saturday evening. The | team driven by Charles LongenI berger and Horace BotthOff became frightened near the Presbyterian church and soon became unmanageable. The wagon was upturned and the men spilled out, but no serious results followed except the i demolishing of the wagon when it came in contact with a tree in front to J. Yager’s residence, near the C. AE. railroad. When last seen, the horses were still going south. Tha boys walked nine miles for exercise. William H. Wairick, a citizen of i Rockford, Ohio, while temporarily ‘ deranged, wandered away from his home Wednesday and is still at large. If you see a mat 53 years old, about 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weight 150 pounds, a soldier with a wound in the calf of the leg, chin whiskers and mustache, dressed in dark coat, pants and vest, strip,ed shirt, black soft bat and new boots, hold him and get SIOO. Mrs. Warrjdk has sent bills here offering that amount for his discovery and detention.—Bluffton News. News reached this city Monday that the above mentioned person committed suicide iiF Bl<j.e ( reek township last Thursday by hanging. He used a band from a shock of corn, fastened it to a limb of a tree and shuffled off thie mortal soil.

W. H. Niblick and R. B. Allison . returned Tuesday from a business trip to Toledo, Ohio. The W. G, T. U. will meet with Mrs. John King next Dee. 19 at 2:30 p m The viewers nf the qjad petition - 1 ed for by L. C. Dunbar were in the city Tuesday “in council”, making such changes and amendments as they think best,-the .Viewers a e Wm. Fulk, Chi is Ashbaucher and J. Neiienschwander. The Stag Billiard Parlor, Bell A Moon, will give a prize game of j bil'iarls of 100 points Thursday evening, Dec. 24. The prize will be one box of good 5c ffigars. Also a i rize game of thir'y eight of 200 points, winner receivings new hat. i Lew Corbin barred in Mil ard game. The Knights of Pythias who went to Decatur this afternoon to attend the district meeting of that order were, J. M. Hatfield, J. Fred , France, Dr. R. F Frost, Frank ( Nave, Fred Swaim, S T. Cast, Sam ■ Harris, Elmer Brown, H. D. Hat-, field, J. W. VanArdsol and Frank Guthrie. —Huntington News. The postmaster should put out a glass sign lamp afterelosing with i the word “Closed” upon it in big letters for the benefit of the peo [ pie who do not know what time the i postoffice closes, for we invariably ; see from 40 to 60 persons princi- | pally women try to get intothe! postoffice after eight o’clock. For their benefit we will say the po-t- --■ offiep closes at 7:30 p. m. The pedro party given at the i “Stag” billiard rooms Friday night: was well attended. About 68 took ; part in the game. Tile four prizes [ that were given away were won as I [follows: First prize a turkey, by I ; John Yager; second prize a goose, I Geo. Zimmerman; third prize a I duck, Chas. O Meibers; fourth prize a chichen, Dan Haley. Ten games were played, Yager won nine out of the ten. J. S. Marsh who formerly conducted a pool room in the building now occupied by the Armory, wus i arrested, at Bluffton Friday on a I charge of larceny. He held the position of manager of a bargain store in that city until the 16th day of last August, when he d sappeared with $169 belonging to the firm. Since that time he remained away until yesterday when the thoughts of former associates induced him to return. He was released on a S4OO bond. The season of buying and trading is now upon us. The people are looking for bargains and the dealers are no doubt desirous of disposing of their goods. The window displays aue attractive and the stocks are large and of excellent quality. The time is therefore ripe for busi uess. Those desiring goods, a”d those having goods for sale are ot the same mind. All that is necessary is for one class tokeep er fully informed as to goods and bargains. The best and surest way !to do this is through the columns of a newspaper.

I The dedication of the German I Reformed church at Berne took place las? Sunday. Ministers were present from Cleveland, Ohio, Prospect, Ohio, Fort Wavne, Decatur and Vera Cruz The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. Ruetinick D. D. of Cleveland Ohio. The solicitor was Rev. C. M. Sehaef ot Fort Wayne. At the time of the dedication the church had a debt 0f53,600 which was all raised last Sunday. An immense crowd took part in the exercises. Among the persons present was a large number of prominent visitors from abroad. The church starts off in good shape ' with not a cent of indebtedness and I with one of the finest churches in the county. Many conflicting stories have been current for the past two days, regarding the arrest of“. Jack the Peeper, Catcher, Hugger and Kisser,” but the rumors ace all unfounded. However, for the benefit of the gentleman/ whoever he may be, and should he be a reader of the Democrat, we desire to say that the girls have organized to do him bodily injury: Should he encounter during his travels a bevy of ath'etic voung ladies, our advice to him would be, let them alone, for they are armed with cayenne pepper, blue vitriol and horse whips. When they have exhausted all these implements of war, they will give him a tongue lashing, which will be far worse to the poor demented unfortunate, than any physical punishment they might •PPlj'

Mrs. Judge Stndabaker wiH spend a few days with friends at Bluffton.

The National Weighing Machine Co. has put a scale in the G R. A .I. depot. “Its a goof thing.” The Bluffton knights turned ost 75 st'oog Tuesday a'd made a very imposing appearance las they came down 'he street headed by their l> nd and the Uniform Rank. The Knights of Py thiasof that sleepy ! lit! e bni-g are all righi, if the town [ is slow. The members of th» Baptist ichur h of this city have succeeded in semiring a minister. They have been without one for three months and consider themselves fortunate jin se • tiring Rev. Hart late of the Ossjan Baptist church, waosehome is at Columbia City. He will be formally installed next Sunday. Major Doxey, at one time almost the idol of his party in Indiana, is figuring .s principal in a sloo,oos I damage suit for seduction, brought [by a poor girl of Anderson, Indiana, who alleges that the Major was the cans' 1 of her downfall The | case has caused a great deal of excitement at Anderson, the home of the defendant, as he is classed as one of her wealthiest citizens, and I largest manufacturers. I Invitations have been received ie [ this city announcing the approachI ing marriagp of Miss Hattie Kelley of Geneva, and John E. Horney of Kirkpitrie, Indiana. The marriage ceremony will take place at rhe home of the bride’s parents, | Mr. and Airs George H. Kelley at | eleven a. in. Thursday, December 24,1896. They will be at home i after January 15, at Kirkpatrick, ! Indiana. The bride is a beautiful, ; accomplished and refined young [ iady and her hosts of friends in this city who will wish her all the happiness married life is heir to. i ' Bockcreek township produces more corn than any other portion of the county, due to the fact that ' most of the rich-bottoms of the ’ Wabash river are in the township. 9 Among the heavy corn raisers are Jere Rowe, who has busked about 5,500 bushels, D. W. Lesh 3,500. ’ Jacab McAfee 3,000, E i HaE ch 2,000, Jacob Alshouse 1,800, B. Rondenbush and Jacob Platt 1,600 ; and J. H. Crum and A. J. Miller t 1,400 About fifty more farmers ’ in Rockcreek have over a thousand ' bushels of new corn. —Blufltou News, t A pert Kansas editor offers a silk ’ shirt waist, a ready made essay and a b>x nf chewing gum to the ’ high school girl who first sends a ’ correct answer to the following problem. A man purchased gro- ’ ceries to the amount of 34 cents. When he came to pay for the goods , he had only a dollar bill, a three [. cent iece and wo cent piece. The storekeepei had a' half dollar and a quarter. They appealed te j a bystander, but he o had only two , dimes and a penny. After gome perplexity the change was made to the satisfaction of all. The $5,000 damage suit of Rev. Stoops of Decatur, against the city > I of Decatur, has been entered on the [docket of the circuit court on a ■ change of venue. Last summer . Rev. Stoops fell and broke an arm while walking along a sidewalk of that city. He sued lor $5,000 dam- ■ ages, claiming a defective walk. On , the trial at the last term of the Adams county a sensation was sprung when charges were preferred against one of the jurors, charging , him with having declared his intention to vote against Stoops. The jury was dismissed and the juror , arrested, but subsequently released on affidavits. Rev. Stoops is a , Methodist minister.—Portland Sun. Morton Hawkins, a fourteen-year- > old boy, tbe son of N. B. Hawkins, cashier of the Citizens’ Bank ot i Portland, left a few days ago for Monterey, Mexico, and carried with him a valise half full of Mexican dollars. During the last campaign [ there was a demand m this section ‘ of the state for Mexican dollars, ij The republican campaign orators J desired them to nee as object lesions. The banks laid in a supply I and exchanged them for good American money. Hundreds of [ them were distributed in this way, and they became common. After the election was over, Hawkins invested his-niouey in them. I They cost him 45 cents each. He . picked up all be could get. He [contemplated a winter in Mexico, where they would pass at their face , value and he haa gone to, expend them.

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