Decatur Democrat, Volume 40, Number 50, Decatur, Adams County, 25 February 1897 — Page 1

The Decatur Democrat

OLUME XL.

, Nightwatchman Geary was at Fort Wayne last Monday. « Dr. Coverdal made a professional trip to Monroe yesterday. The m ther of Titus H. Ernst of Peterson, spent Sunday in the city visiting relatives. Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Meihers entertained some friends last Sunday at five o’clock dinner. The infant child of Mr. and Mrs. Win. Bell died last Thursday and was buried on Friday. A number of Decatur people witnessed “Hani n’s Superba” at Fort Wayne last night. The Niblick store was closed the firs* of the week, an invoice and inventory being then made. Frank Gast was looking after the cigar business in the southern part of the county last Wednesday. Mary Jacobs has been issued a decree of divorce from James K. Jacobs, by action of the circuit court Charles K. Bell employed in the Geneva Bank, spent the fore part of the week in the city with his parents. Mrs. JnoShirey has been danger ously ill for the past week and at this writing no hopes are entertained for her recovery. ‘ A. J. Reynolds of Hartford township, wants to notify the public that he will not be responsible for any debts contracted by his wife. Master Ed Erwin, the newsboy, lost forty cents near G. Berling’s residence. Finder please return to the owner and receive ..the boy ’ I lasting thanks. The county commissioners meet in regular session next Mondiy. AH b Ils for allowance by the [board, must be filed with Auditor IMangold by Saturday. Mr and Mrs. B. J. Knapke en tertained a pedro party last Sun day. The first prize was won by Mrs. J. H. Bremerkamp and Mr. John Gerard and the booby by Mrs. Jacob Gloss and Mr. J. H. Bremerkamp. Mr. and Mrs. William Bell re quest us to return their heartfelt thanks for the kind assistance of friends and neighbors, especially Mrs. Andrew Baxter and sister, for their kind attention and sympathy during the sickness and neath of their little baby. The bill introduced in the legislature extending the term of township Trustees fifteen months-has passed both branches of the legislature and is now in the hands of the Governor for his signature. Th is is an easy way of securing office and probably other office holders would like to see the same kind of a bill passed pertaining to their offices. Miss Lena Barthel gave a pedro party Srnday evening to thirty invited guests in honor of her visitors, Misses Lauer and Honcb, of Tiffin, Ohio. Martin Mylott and Mis j Lauer captured the first prizes, and Will Kuebler and Mary Gloss walked off with the boobies. Will savs he would rather not have any prize at all than to be compelled to take the name of “tail-ender.” v E X. Ehinger Assistant Cashier of the Decatur National Bank passed the 36th mile-stone in Ide, last Monday and in the evening a large number of friends gathered at his home on Monroe street to do honor to the occasion. A regular birth day time was had and Ed was completely smothered beneath his load of congratulations. We mention his age by special request, as he has been trying to lead pepple to believe (especially the ladies) that his age is only twenty-six. The Knights of Pythias together with a large number of friends assembled at their hall Friday night and celebrited the 34th anniversary of the otder. A very entertaining program had been arranged consisting of sougs and music after which an elegant repast prepared by the dainty hands of the Rathbones was served and this seemed to • touch the exact spot, as was evinced by the numerous ex clamations made by the .members and visitors. The gallant ffnights and fair Sisters are gaining quite R reputation as entertainers, and it is necessary t•> .pass along the word, that eilher Os tin .n are ■ o | ing io have a “d'.jng'/’ to it -um • large and healthy crowd.

The Boston Store have a sparkling new advertisement this week. Mrs. John Pe pies of Ft. Wayne returned to her home today after a short visit with relatives. All members of the W. C. T. U. are requested to meet at the home of Mrs. Jolyi King, next Saturday. Mrs. Moses who has been visiting her son Homer at Fort Wayne for a few days returned home Tuesday. Jacob Schafer is again employe 1 by the Deering Harvester company with headquarters at Schafer & Loch’s. Allen Showers of St. Louis, was in the city the forepart of this week visiting friends and looking after business. The route agent of the Wells Fargo & Co. Expre‘B was in the city this week looking after busi ness connected with his line, Mrs. Ellen Ullery left yesterday to join her husband in Drake county, where they have purchased a farm and will make their future home Mrs. Ella Richards returned to her home Monday at Land, Ind., after a short visit with her father, William Hoaglaqfi who has been seriously ill. Miss Mary Parrish will reopen her dressmaking parlors over Brock’s Hardware store, Marcn 1. Cutting and fitting a speca'tv. Your patronage respectfully solicted. * The wife of Bn Breiner died at her home near Preb'e last Tuesday and was buried on Friday. A large concourse of sympathizing friends followed the remains to their last resting place. On last Tuesday evening the young men and boys of Hoaglard enjoyed a grand fox chase After a chase of over half mile a fox was ciptured by J. W. Emrick and R B. Sipes It was of’a rare specie, having dark, bushy hair. R. K. Allison and D'French Quinn both of the Old Adams County Bank, have serious ititentiens of attending the presidential inauguration at Washington, which is due at noon on March 4. They will go on to New York and take a peep at Wall Street before returning. „ Rev. G, W. Schroeder closed his protracted meetingatClarks Chapel last Sunday night, having taken into<he church foriy members in all and having about 31 or 32 convertions The meeting closed with a testimony meeting by each one telling what it was that brought them to Christ, which was very interesting to all. —Monroeville Breeze. The Fort Wayne Journal of last Sunday contained electrotypes of all tbe members of the Lodge of Elks in that city and among the number could be seen the smiling faces of Robt. “Bob” Ehinger and “Paddy” P. J. Hyland two well known Decatur boys The above order will give a minstrel show at the Temple tonight and a large number of people from j,his city will attend.

A Wabash couple tried going to church Sunday and leaving their infant in charge of a new and green domestic On returning they found that the girl had been troubled by the crying of the baby and had administred copious draughts from a bottle labeled “kid elixir,” which she thought would be just the thing. The parents were hor ior stricken as they knew it was a bottle of kid glove cleanser. They sent for a doctor at once, but fortunately the infant was not harmed by its experience. The Knights of Pythias’ annual sermon was delivered Sunday afternoon at the court room by Rev. Hart of the Baptist church. A large crowd of Knights together with the Kathbone Sisters left their Castle Hall at 2:30 and marched to the court room in a body. They occupied front seats and were attentive listeners to the words spoken for their especial benefit. The sermon was first-class, being" i ’itersected with pathos and humor. During the exercises the makMprvtette composed ’’of the following gentlemen: A. R. 8011, James' Darkless,D. W. Berry and Dr. C . E. Neptune, rendered some very: pr 'ty and appf >n'iate vocal eelee i .: - Af’er bei edict ion fry Rev. H iti •'•.audience.wasdismissed. | ■ , . , . • ... .. :•

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 25. 1897.

Mrs. Jeff Bryson is visiting at Plainwell, Michigan Her lietter half will join her tomorrow and enjoy a good time. Zekiel Elzey and wife of near Kingsland, returned home Saturday after a few days visit with relatives in the city. The infant eaughter of Will Allen, formerly of this city, now living in Hartford City, died Monday. Funeral took place Tuesday. Mesdames A- L. Devilbiss, John T. France, J. C Patterson and L. G. Ellingham were entertained at tea yesterday afternoon by Mrs. W. H. Niblick. Rete Mougey has stopped shoeing horses and is putting in his time practicing on shoeing a young daughter that arrived at his house last Thursday. The bill for the division of Adams and Jay counties as a judicial circut has passed both branches of the legislature and is now in the hands of the Governor awaiting its fateMr. and Mrs. Will Kuebler entertained the following young ladies at 9 o’clock dinner in honor of the Misses Lauer and Honck of Tiffin, Oh o: Misses Lena Barthel, Sue Thompson, Mary Lincoln and Kit Miesse. The ladies of the Baptist church will conduct on “Exchange” on Saturday afternoons, beginning Saturday, Feb., 27. Call at the show window of tbe Adams Express office in the TonnelliQr building and see wi at they have for sale. Chas. P. Ehinger and Dan M Niblick will leave for Philadelphia and New York tomorrow to purchase the spring stock fi r the new dry go ds firm. They will attend the inauguration ceremonies and assist president McKinley in arranging his preliminary official duties You will find in this issue the published st itement of the financial condition of the Old Adams County Bank. Their statement makes an excellent showing and one that any banking institution may well f el proud of. It is the third largest bank in the slate, an Indianap >lis and Evansville banking concern being the only two that show better financial growth. Niblick & Company have a quarter section display on fifth page, which announces that on and after March 1, they will be ready to show their customers great reductions in their line. You will find them occupying that position in the Democrat for the n xt year to come. The new concern will be managed by Charles Ehingei ably assisted by John and Dan Niblick, and we warn you now that you will hear from them often during that time. House bill No. 411 introduced by Representative Kelly of Adams county, provides for the protection of manufactures, bottlers and dealers in ginger ale, seltzer water, soda water and other soft drinks. The bill has been favorably reported by the committee on Manufactures and commerce and bids fair to become a law. The bill was in troduced at the instigation of J. W. Place and is receiving the hearty' commendation of the bottlers in all parts of the state. Should the bill pass it will insure to bottlers the protection long sought for. The new syndicate which purchased the rea' estate and personal property of the Island Park Assembly at Rome City, has finally elected ‘officers and decided on dates and details of an assembly for the coming season. The Rev. L. J. Naftzger, of Richmond, has been elected president, the Rev. W. E. Grose, of Kendallville, superintendent and secretary, and the Hon. O. L. Woodruff, of Avilla, treasurer. Plans have been made for an assembly on a scale not attempted heretofore in the history of that institution, and a class of talent and entertainment is being engaged costing thousands of dollars and including some of the best talent in the old and new world. Besides the platform work many other Tmp.i-tant improvements are taking place, among which is surrounding the lake with el-civic lights from Spring* Beach-on the north and east side, south to the,, narrows, thence: to the island When these Improve - ments are completed it will lend I s ill prore enchantment- M this al-j ready fmpular summer resort. .!

Henry Fred Linn and Wilson H. Lee have purchased two of the vacapt lots on Mercer street, be-: longing to Mrs. A. J. Hill. Three new resident houses will spring up there next summer. Mesdames D. M. Hensley. Jno. W Tyndall and J. W. Merryman will entertain a number of their lady friends at a 6 o’clock dinner this evening, at the elegant apartments of Mr. and Mrs Hensley on Main street. The new barn of Edward Kintz, ; who lives one mile west of this city, is now finished and safe to say a more complete barn has ever been built in Adams county. We ( trust that the coming harvest wilt r fill the new structure from floor to J roof. T. P. Harris of near Berne, and -a resident of this city several years b ago, was in the city Tuesday smil- | ing on his many friends and inci- ( dentally renewing his Democrat . subscription. Mr. Harris is a genial gentleman and one whom any newspaper man likes to meet, ■ for he admires the home local ' newspaper and isn’t afraid to say 5 so. > The Forth nightly Club, the lead ' ing literary society of the city, met last Thursday evening at the office of Dr J. S. Boyers and listened to > a paper prepared by A D. Moffett 1 subject, “Shakespeare.” The subI ject was ably handled and a fly dis 5 cussed by the members. After the • literary work was completed the • club decided to maintain its organ f ization for the Coming year, and members were notified to prepare papers for the future edification of i he society. Jay circuit court did not convene ' Monday morning. This was oc : casioned by the fact that Judge Heller was busy trying the case ' against County Treasurer Bolds, for alleged embezzlement, ami wrote the clerk that he could not - convene our court before Thurs--1 day, if then Sun readers rememf her the sensational stories in re--1 gard to the case mentioned and ’ pin but little faith thereto. —Port--1 land Sun. I Treasurer Bolds is not being 5 tried for embezzlement. This is a 1 a case where the county seeks to • recover from Mr. Bohls the am not of the shortage caused by irregu- . larties in road receipts. > Sundy morning a tramp presented himself at the back door of A. ’ K Grubb’s residence and asked ■ for something to eat. While the 1 good housewife was prepairing him 1 something, he espied Mr. Grubb and immediately brought a large > dangerous looking knife into play ' and threatened to do boddy injury > to Mr. Grubb.Before he had ac--1 complished anything however he I was overpowered and taken to the county jail. A warrant was swoin I out for his arrest and he was ! charged with being a common tramp. If he is convicted it Will ■ probably be to his liking as he will have :> warm p ace to sleep and three good meals each day without work. Revive the stone pile. The proceedings of the circuit court consists of the following: Jame< B. Rice vs William W. Hoagland and William M. Hoag ! land, judgment vs defendants for 1201.30. Andrew Fields vs Lizzie L. Harmon, et al., judgment vs defendants for $32.37. John Bie-ber-tine vs Abraham Bieberstine, plaintiff sued for $l5O and defendent received judgment for $582.11 against plaintiff. James H Ward vs John T. Fuince execu or, judgment vs plaintiff for costs. Old Adams County Bank vs Joseph E Stoops, Clement L. Walters and Irwin Acker, finding and judg ment that Stoops and Walters are surety for Acker. Isaac W. Zimmerman vs Is me Robinson, judgment vs plaintiff for costs. Edwin France, administrator, vs City of Decatur, judgment vs plaintiff for costs. Hattie McAffee vs City of Bluffton, judgmens vs City for SISOO. Lodiska Patter vs Joseph Pompey, judgment against plaintiff for costs. Rebecca J. Brown vs orval Blackburn, Lewis C. -Miller. John Weifley and John F. Snow, judgment ys <lefendants for ! $423. John Coffee xs W, H . Nib ' lick, executor, judgment against plaiut'ff for c sis. Jacob TKessler--vs Martin V. B. Slmcoke, ollie -of Jjjsijc of he Lk teedebJared vacant. Etta M iu.-’m -. k -"D aiuvl J 11 m». divorce g- I'U-od plaintiit'uml judg med A-d- <■ 'd-i’ii for coiri. - Jlfli'i IS. Petmson, "exp 'tie, ::i7mTlte<. t:> i the bar. t

INSTITUTE. I I The joint institute held here last ! Saturday vi as attended about one hundred and twenty w- rs who now are employed in the county. In addition to these were a majority of the school trustees and a large number of the other friends of education. The work of the program was begun on time, promptly at 9:30, with a houseful of teachers. The opening exercise was conducted by G. H. Laughery, principal of the Monmouth school--, after which followed someannouncments, among which were time and place of the Northern Indiana Teachers’ Association, at which the Hon. Wm. J. Bryan was to be a speaker. The first paper was on the subj ct, “The Value of Bi monthly' Examinations” and was presented by J. F. Hocker, of the Monroe township graded schools. Mr. Hocker favors bi-monthly ex aminations for the reason that the pupil is then required to proceed in some regular form of advancement and has something definite to do. It is a benefit to any one to work to a purpose. The civil ser vice examination culls out the most capable from the aspirants to the positions. B.y examination being expecte 1, the things learned will be remembered better. Deeper impressions will be made upon the brain cells. By a week’s review before the examination the child will better remember all he has gone over. If scholars would come out of school with knowledge they 7 must remember what thqy learn. J. E. Lung of the Geneva schools, in discussion favored the main points presented in the paper. The examination has two values, it aids the teacher in determining what the pupil knows, as well as assists the pupil to test what part he has yet to learn. In writing a pupil may answer a question and not know what it mea-is. No value can be derived from answers that a'e not comprehended. In arifehra tic and a'gebra a pupil make one hundred per cent. >n au examination and not know how to handle a question of like kind not in the lesson. Some pupils try to cheat in examination lam sorst to say it but they do. Teachers must stop this work a child who would cheat a teacher will be a man who would cheat the government. In furtherdiscussion Henry Lankeuau favored bi monthly examinations but thinks that the lists should be arranged a little differently. That scholarship, de portment and efficiency be the standard of promotion, and not scholarship alone. Too manyteachers begin to “cram” as soon as the child enters school. This is unnecessary and does not do the child the proper amount of good It makes him a machine, and he is dependent ins ead of self helping. C. E. Hocker of the Peterson

schools, in answer says there are two sides to the question. Some times the scholar is in a grade beyond where he belongs. The ex amination questions show th s: Sometimes the teacher hasn’t his school graded up to the Course of study and the examination will show how nearhisscholarsareupto what is expected of them. The teachers could then regulate their work instead of changing the list to su,t the school bring the school up to the list. I think efficiency and capacity of the scholar should de tern.ine whether he be promoted. C. L. Walters. Written examina tions alone fail to show real eapa city; it alone isn’t the true basis for promotion Not how old, nor how long in the grade, but the capacity of the pupil should determine the eligibility to promo tion. Human ability can’t be estimated by per cents only; the teacher’s knowledge of the capacity, opportunity and abilities are to be also reckoned .in when promotions are made. Eli W. Merryman concurs in the statements of proceeding speakers. Some teach yrs grade certain pupils too high from personal motives, some for fear of losing their job, some be cause ot other pupils being di - pleased at not successfully keepingup with the class. The ..teacher that dom’L properly gradAliis class? needn’t think that they don’t know it for thev do. He bad better give them what they make-and no more ' If 1 go to the bank to get ten dollars 1 won’t be satisfied with-less. If rhe bank expeets me to pay teu dollars it won’t be sutiisfte ? .witxless. Thr-hwv wilt h.'aYn IniHm ■ ; by and by and find that the bl's :. ss world demuuJs him to gix e ?.

NUMBER 50

its dues and nothing less. The teacher should grade the scholar what he makes, not less but not moie. 1) B Erwin. I have no earthly use for examinations below the fifth gra le. They don't show ability. I don’t like to grade with figures they don’t tell what I want to know, let-ers are better; I use letters to note the standing in the grades. At the close of thediscussion a number of the school trustees being present, responded in a few well chosen remarks in regard to the progress and interest taken by the teachers and schools under their charge. Trustee Fruchte believes he has the best'cjrps of teachers thart can be f >und in Adams county and is willing any day to enter a match- to test his belief. Trustee Lewton holds the battleground of the county and is ready to pit Monmouth and the en tire vicinity, which embraces Root township, against all the rest of Adams count/ for scientific teaching of a high order. Trustee Nidlinger dont want any halfway instruction in his township and is ever on the lookout for the teacher who is intent bn his business and determined to keep up the record in Union. Trustee Brown don’t intend to see Kirtland take any backward steps. The schools that he has visited are down to business and all his teachers are here today. Nothing succeeds like success and the schools under his charge must be successful. Trustee Stuckey, Mr. Brown’s neighbor, thinks the soil of French just as good as any in the county, and the schools a little better. In his township he has visited them all and knows whereof to speak. Thev sha 1 take no backward steps while he is on the seataud has the lines. He hasn’t missed a joint institute in his term of office. Mr. Hall hasn’t any teachers to trade and his schools are each n presented by the teacher who presides, though they came sixteen miles to be here today. Hartford in the last two years has furnished eighteen county diploma graduates and has more on the way. She has better roads, more pikes and a lot of other advantages you fellows up north .haven’t heard of. Mr. Buckmaster being the youngest man on the hoard stands straight up for his corps of teachers they being all expupils of Jefferson township and his former class-mates when in school. He is determined that the houses for school purposes in his township in the future shall be superior to the one iu which he attended school. Keep an eye on the future of Jefferson and her school workers.

Trustee Schug claims the largest school enumeration of any trustee in the county. With eleven districts he can hardly accommodate all. They may talk of good soil in French, on historic Monmouth, but the soil of Monroe township is the m st bounteous of all Adams c unty. His teachers, in unison declare that Monroe township can get tne biggest institute on the shortest notice of any set of teach ers anywhere. They were every one in Portland first, and last away at the joint institute; and such teachers as that he is going to keep at any price so long as the treasury holds out to pay the wages they earn. On account of unavoidable business matters several trustees were absent, but Blue Creek was yet to be heard from. Mr. Wechter, the veteran trustee, who is now on his seventh year in the service, in response to his name told us that it was his custom to avail himself of the opportunity of saying something iu favor of the grand and noble cause of education. I feel proud of the crowd I am associated with. I have visited some of my schools, and always try to visit them each term. The lad week I was attending court. I wduld advise younger men to court before they are as old'as lam now 7 . However, misery likes company, you know’, and it may be all right after all. Some sav that teaching is a stepping stone to something better. That isn’t so. There is nothing better. I would advise every teacher to do his best, and hear “come up C’lrt ick' and Fiauev, of Fort :-.e are in the city .assist ing attorm y Smith in the case: of Noah M.: igqid ex rel vs D. P B ds et. 1 al. •. " / — The G. R. K I will st-d , x.-urs. i ■ , j S \\ •! sl) i t'' ’i' 4! • i . . rmUmr ' “;g