Decatur Democrat, Volume 41, Number 9, Decatur, Adams County, 13 May 1897 — Page 1

The Decatur Democrat

“VOLUME XLI.

Mrs. Sarah Ramey and daughter of Portland Snndayed in the city with R B. Allison and wife. Drs. Thomas and Costello attended a meeting of the state board of health at Indianapolis this week. Mrs. Frank Everts entertained a number of her lady friends ata six o’clock tea last Saturday evening. Besides the dainty refreshmentsan elegant time is reported. Reports have just been received by the K: of P. lodges in this state, which show that on January 1, 1897, Indiana had 423 lodges, with a membership of 36,928, and net assets of the subordinate lodges of $772,241.31. Since January Ist, 23 new lodges have been instituted, and dispensa ion for 5 more. Quite a number of Decatur people were taken in by the failure of the Mutual Life and Loan Association of Indianapolis, last week. W. H. Niblick, Peter Holthouse and Jerry Coffee were at Indianapolis this week looking after the share holders’ interest It is hoped that the affairs of the company will be amicably settled, that stockholders may be able to realize something for their iny estment. Shoe dealers have placed their orders with manufacturers for green colored ladies’ shoes for the fall trade and which color is expected to become very popular like unto the red, tan and other shades of footwear. A la<tv with green, shoes, red stockings, blue dress, a yellow necktie and a purple hat trimmed in pink and mouse color, would certainly be a dazzling “beaut” and a joy forever. —Ex. “Jack the Whittier” who has been confined in the county jail for some time on the charge of chicken stealing, ha-* just completed a miniature ship which is perfect in almost every detail. The ship, is made of wood, paper and pieces of cloth, and was built entirely during his incarceration. When completed he presented it to a son of Sheriff Ashbaucher who naturally feels highly elated over his unique present. The Whittier is an artist in his line Miss June Merryman entertained a number of friends Saturday even ing in honor of her visit.ors- the Misses Myrtle Long and Edith Albers of Fort Wayne, and Miss Minnie Obemeyer of Delphos, Ohio. The mandolin orchestra furnished the music for the occasion. Dancing and games were indulged in until it came time to depart for their homes. Those present besides the guests of honor were: Misses Blanche Reynolds, Lizzie Patterson, Fannie DeVilbiss, Mary Meyers, Lizzie Peterson and Bessie Schrock. Messrs. Karns of Bluffton, Chalmer Schafer, Earl Coverdale, Earl Fristoe, John Kern and Lawrence Hughes. It is told of a well known real estate dealer of this city, that he received a letter a few days ago from a-farmer in a neighboring county, asking about the soil of a piece of land he had for sale. The dealer wrote back: “The houses are built with sod floors and the grass grows so fast that nine times a day it has to be mowed off the floor so the mother can fineJaer baby in its cradle. One child that sleeps on the floor grows twice as fast as the others Where the soil is richest a man dare not stand on one foot any length of time or that leg will grow longer than the other and bother him in walking. Any' further information will be cheerfully furnished.” The sale was made the very next day. A special frotn Bluffton to the Indianapolis Journal Sunday says: A racy divorce case was tiled in the circuit court today on a change of venue from Allen county. The principals in the suit are Col. G. W. Stites, formerly landlord of the Warren Hotel, and Mrs. Maud Stites, his wife. The colonel is a man more than sixty years old and while at Warren was a widower with no apparent intention of marriage. Suddenly he disappeared, about a year ago, went to Fort Wayne and married a young wo man aged twenty five. They moved to Fort Wayne and lived together two months, then Mrs, Stites tiled suit for divorce and demanded $5,000 alimony. The colonel has filed a counter charge, alleging that prior to and since his marraige his wife has been unfaithful and that he was “duped by her pretension of respectability.” Mrs. Stites us a daughter of E. C. Peltz, one of Adams county’s large and successful farmery of St, Mary’s township.

Amos R. Walter of Fort Wayne, president of I he Gazette Publishing Co., was in the city Tuesday looking after the interests of his paper. Miss Lucy Vail was the guest of her brother John, during the com mencemeut exercises, returning to her home at Ossian Saturday evening. Don M. Parrish the ninejyearold son of Newton Parrish, diet}, early Saturday morning of peritonitis. The funeral was held Sunday afternoon at the M. E. church. The Red Men and Sons of Veterans of which orders the father was a member, attended in a body. Interment in Maplewood. New cases tiled include Sarah Barkley exparte, petition to have guardian appointed. In the matter of Joseph Bremerkamp, appli cation for guardian. Louis B. Root et al vs Ester Franklin and Herman Franklin, notes; demand S3OO. Davis Dailey vs James Miller foreman for a telephone company, injunction. Government Building and Loan Institution vs James IT. Ward et al , for writ to assess damages. Mr. and Mrs. James K Niblick celebrated their cry-tai wedding last Sunday evening at their home on North Main street. A large, number of friends were present to enjoy their liberal hospitality. A number of elegant and useful presents were given them, and the occasion will long be remembered by those present. Progressive pedro was played until a late hour, after which an elegant repast was served and the guests departed for home with many well wishes for their future life. . Mrs. Jacob Schafer was much rejoiced yesterday, at which time she received from the president of the School of Oratory at Philadelphia, he information that her accomplished daughter, Miss Dollie, had r ceived first honors of her class. The letter further stated that this decision was the unanimous vote of the faculty. This school is one of the best of its kind in the country, all of which further testifies to the marked ability displayed by the young student. She is one of three who have been accorded the honor of distinguishing themselves at the commencement exer cises, which will be held in a few days. Her many Decatur young friends will read this item of news with a relish. At last the gold brick sharks have visited this city, but left empty handel. He chose for his victim Dr. D. G M Trout and presented his claims in . good style, but the doctor having plenty of this world’s goods, did not deem it advisable to invest in any glaring schemes, and the sharks left the city empty handed. They did not remain long after Dr. Trout had refused to bite, probably fearing arrest. ’Tis strange, but nevertheless ’tis true, that an occasional victim presents himself in this en lightened age, to be caught by this fossilized bunco game, but in this, city their efforts were in vain, and they hurriedly left the city to look for pastures new and where suckers are more plentiful. On the evening of-March 27. at the residence home of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh M. Kapp in Bluffton, a very quiet wedding took place, in which two of Decatur’s prominent young people played a leading part. At this time and place the Rev. J. W. Hicks performed the ceremony that combined the fortunes of David E. Smith and Miss Ethel Hale. The marriage was a secret one and remained such until Monday of this, week, when “at home” cards were received by their scores of friends. It bore the date of their marriage and the further information that they would be at home after June 10, at2L5 Monroe street. This is a yery cozy little home recently purchased by the now happy groom, and where they will take a kindergarten course in housekeeping after the date mentioned. The bride is one of Decatur’s most ex cellent young ladies, being intelligent, bright and possessing friends without number. Everybody knows Daye, so we won’t spend much time in extolling his many virtues Being the present prosecutor for this court circuit, an important member of the legal firm of Schurger, Reed & Smith and a recognized lawyer of ability. The Democrat extends congratulations, and hopes the unfamiliar name of Smith may Jet live through many centuries of time.

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY. MAY 13. 1897.

The Esworth League will entertain all the young people of the M. E. church together with their friends, in the lecture room of the church tomorrow evening. Jacob 8. Hart has filed an application with the clerk of the circuit court for the appointment of a guardian for Joseph Bremerkamp. The application states that Jo is owner of personal property and a pension which amounts to £72 a year, and that he has a wife and five children depending upon him for support. • Some of the young people of our city gave a swell reception at the armory last Monday evening in honor of Miss Oral Adams of Portland. The City Orchestra fur nished the music for the oc asion. The hall was nicely decorated and dancing was indulged in until a late hour. Refreshments were taken during the intermission and the affair has been chronicled as one of the most pleasant events of the season. Oliver Steele, a promiqynt farmer of Union township, brought a bog story to town last Monday, that clearly demonstrates that the festive porker has good staying qualities. Some time last fall lhe wind blew a straw stack over, on Mr. Steele’s farm and about the same time he missed one of his hpgs. Nothing more was thought of it until a few days ago when he cleaned up the remains of the straw stack, and there discovered Mr. Hog alive and apparently wel 1 after his six months residence in his close quarters. The story is told at Bourbon that a traveling physician, claiming Columbus, Ohio, as headquarters, called upon various people throughout Adams county afflicted with ihcurable diseases and agreed to cure them or no pay, conditioned ■hat they taW his medicin ; the money to be deposited in bank and payable to the doctor when a cure was effected or the conditions were shown to lie yio'ated. The medi cine proved to be s> horrible in taste that no patient could swallow it, and a forfeiture of contrac’ followed. James Teeters, a farmer, paid over $2,000 for his experience, and there were other patients, swelling the total harvest reaped by the physician to something like $5,000. —Portland Sun. William Henry Woebbeking died last evening at the home of his son, Conrad Woebbeking, of 195 Broadway, from infirmities of old age. He had long been a resident of the city, and was highly' respected by all. The funeral will take place Tuesday afternoon from Emanuel Lutheran church.” Mr. Woebbeking was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1808, and was, therefore nearly 89 years of age. He emigrated to America in 1845, and settled on a farm in Adams county, near Decatur. He lived there un til 1870, when he removed to this city, and had lived here ever since His wife died about five or six years ago. The surviving children are Conrad Woebbeking, of this city, Henry, of Woodburn, Mrs. Christian Matsch and Mrs Fred Rolf, of this city.—Fort Wayne Journal. The city fire department held a meeting at the city hall last week and discussed the question of holding a firemen’s tournament in this city on July Fourth. This a move in the right direction and should interest all of our neighboring cities. When this plan is once inaugurated it will become intensely interesting and the people will look forward to these contests with de light. A firemen’s tournament will furnish plenty of amusement for a Fourth of July celebration and other attractions are not necessary as the program will extend throughout the entire day and will consist of hub and hub hose races, hook and ladder races, coupling contests and jadder climbing contests. If the prizes offered are sufficient, there is no reason why a goodly number of companies cannot be secured to compete. Os course in order to hold a successful tournament, that necessary of all evils, monejy, will be required. When the soliciting committee approaches you, remember that the fire laddies always respond to an alarm, ready to risk their lives if necessary to prevent the destrnotiq.p of property, for which they receive a measly pittance from the city, not enough in many cases to pay for their damaged clothing. For this reason they are worthy of consideration. When they ask for aid to further this event, let loose.

W. S. Morrison traveling passenger agent for the Erie Lines, with headquarters at Huntington, was looking after business here for the company Tuesday, and incipaid the Democrat a very social call. He is the successor of genial W. G. Mac Edwards, and from our short acquaintance we feel safe in stating that he is able to fill it with satisfaction to the company and credit to himself. Mrs. Mary Tonnellier, wife of John Tonnellier died suddenly at her home on Fifth street last Sunday. She was sitting at the window reading a paper, when she fell back in her chair and expired in a few moments. Paralysis of the heart was the immediate cause of her death, although she has been quite sick most of the last winter, and several times her life was despaired of She leaves a husband and ten children to mourn her loss. The funeral was held •at St. Vary’s Catholic church Tuesday morning at 9 o’clock. Interment at Maplewood . Semak thieves stole the washing from tlm line of Mrs. David Eley Tuesday night. Early yeserday morning a search warrant was placed in the hands of Marshal Cowan, giving him authority to search the premises of Mrs. Whip pie on Sixth street. All of the clothing was fmfnd in her posses sion and Mrs. Whipple, her daughter Pearl and Lizzie Ball were placed under artfest, charged with the theft. They were arraigned before Squire Smith and bound over to the circuit court. The girls are'between the ages of 14 and 16 years, and will in all probability bqsent to the reform school, while a more severe sentence awaits Mrs Whipple. The latter has been conducting a house of ill fame on Sixth street for some, time, and thus does the city make good riddance of bad rubbish. The somewhat juicy, and sensational damage ami seduction suit known to*our readers as the BrownGemmell suit, is at an end. The jury after laboring for twenty-eight hours, reached a verdict that favored the plaintiff with damages in the sum of $3,000. The case was on trial just two weeks, and was chuck full of choice selections not taught or examplified in modern ethics. The suit as docketed is entitled Ola Br >wn by her next best friend Lorenzo Brown vs Greer F. Gemmell. The complaintjs written in two paragraphs .and briefly told, states that in 1891 the plaintiff was but fifteen years old, and she went to live at the home of the defendant who was past fifty years. That through his manifestations of love, &c, he brought about her seduction, for which damages in the sum of $25,000 was demanded. To both paragraphs of complaint the defendant set.up a general denial. It was the third trial of the case, the fir-t one being at the November term of court in 1895, with Judge Heller on the bench, when damage* in the sum of $5,000 was allowed the plaintiff. The higher court granted a new trial on some tecnical error. The second trial came up at the August teim of last year, beforeß. S. Peterson, special judge. This time the jury disagreed. In the trial just ended, the testimony on both sides was full of interest ing bowery life. It showed the defendant to be adept in the art of. “getting next” to a young girl, with whom much time, &c, was spent. From the manner these delicate transactions were brought about and executed, we are led to beleive that many an old maid has likewise suffered the pangs of an anxious moment. The plaintiff too, has had her troubles. At the time of this alleged criminality she was but fifteen years old, but according to the testimony in the trial she had over stepped the martial laws of virtue before she had been snared by the false pretenses of the defendant. He was old enough to know better, however, and really ought to be made to suffer the remorse and loss of the money given the plaintiff. It was a dirty and immoral trial, not tended in any way to hold up the dignity of the law, to the high and elevated plane where it belongs. The attorneys in the case made the most of their opportunities offered. The arguments were all masterly, especially the three hours address of Jesse J. M. LaFollette. who reviewed the case from start to finish, and perhaps saved his client several thousand dollars in the amount of the judgement.

CLASS OF ’97. GRADUATE WITH HONORS FROM THE DECATUR HIGH SCHOOL THIRTY-ONE BOYS AND GIRLS RECEIVE THEIR DIPLOMAS AND ORATE BEFORE THEIR FRIENDS.

The commencement exercises were held at the court house last Friday evening and every vestige of room was occupied by friends of the graduates. Hundreds were unable admiS'ion and returned t<> their homes firm in their belief that this city needs a hall or building of some character to accomodate the large crowds that torn cut on occasions of this kind. About I, 200 peop e crowded into the court room and occupied every available seat, nook and corner. The aisles were densely packed and they were cleared with much difficulty, to admit the graduates. A large number of seats were reserved for the teachers, friends and members of the press, but the small number of ushers provided were unable to stop the rush and soon every seat in the house was taken. The room was devoid of a ! l decorations, save the platform used by the graduates. This was nicely decorated with ferns and potted plants lending an air of refinement to the occasion. At promptly 7:45 the boys ami girls who had finished their studies and were anxiously awaiting their diplomas, marched into the room and took their seats on the stage. The class was 'tre lar gest ever leaving our schools and consisted of the following young ladies and gentleman: Mary., V. Allison, Grayce Battenburg, Jessie Otlean Blossom, John Case, Sysie V. Calderwood, Richard G. Christen, Earl G. Coverdale, Marguerite L, Daniels, Vesta Dibble, May V. Ernst, Richard R. France, Margaret Fordyce, Earl DeLong Fristoe, Margaret M. Hover, Lawrence J. Hughes, John D. Kern, George L. Kern, Matie June Merryman, Melvin J. Mallonee, Hattie E. V. Moore, Elizabeth A. Patterson, My rtle M. Wat Laretta. Blanche Reynolds, Marion Smith, Charles O Suttles, Chalmer Christen Schafer, Mariam B. Trout, Ina Wyatt and Ruby G. Christen. The program was opened by a march, nicely executed by Miss Grace Miller. This was followed by the invocation by Rev. E. T. Gregg. After which came the regular school exercises arranged as follows: Commencement March and Chorus, Class of ’97. Invocation, Rev. it. T. Gregg. Piano Solo, Valse, Op. 83, Durand, Jessie Orlean Blossom. Salutatory—Age of Pericles, Marion Smith. Mandolin Solo, Intermezzo from Caval leria Rm ticana, Chalmer Christen Schafer. Voices of Poetry, Loretta Blanche Reynolds. One Great Lesson, Lawrence J. Hughes. Double Quartette, Come Where the Murmuring Brooklets Flow, Misses Daniels, Moore, Patterson and Case. Messrs. Fristoe, Carr, Hern and Christen. A Piano Tuner, Matie June Merryman. Our Political Relations with Great Britain, CharlesO. Suttles. Senior Orchestra, Selected, Messrs. Schafer, Coverdale, Fristoe and Hughes. Need of Educated Men and Women, Elizabeth A. Patterson. A Sweet Spirit, Myrtle M. Watts. Piano Solo, Feu Follet, Durand de Grau, Mariam B. Trout Dare I Sleep? Earl G. Coverdale. Stars That Shine in the Night, Grayce M. Battenberg. Vocal Solo, Voices of the Woods, Marguerite L. Daniels Valedictory—The Letter of the Law vs. the Spirit of the Law. Ina M. Wyatt. -Male Quartette, Selected, r Messrs. Fristoe, Hughes, Kern and Covefdale. Presentation of Diplomas, Lell M. Segur. Class Song, Litoria, Class of ’97. Benediction, Rev. F. W. Hart. . During the regular program John W. Kern delivered his oratiSn,

“Eulogy on Daniel Webster.” It was the same as delivered by him at the Portland Oratorical Contest and shows that the confidence bestowed in him by his friends was worthilly bestowed. Miss Agnes Schrock was also called for but was not present. It is useless to comment at any length upon the efforts of these young ladies and gentleman. Their work wa* excellent, essays and delivery admirab’e and speaks plainly of the polished education that can be obtained in our high school. The diplomas were presented by Miss Led Segur during the following well chosen remarks: “Friends and Patrons:— It is with pleasure that we are permitted to to you this work of our public schools, these young ladies and gentlemen, who started at the foot of our school ladder and step by step, round by round, day after day, year after year, completing the work of one room then another, until now they have finished the course prescribed for them ami are ready to receive a slight token of reward for their efforts. The real reward lies in the future. We do not claim them to be perfect in all the branches or in a single one. They have only theiT'first lesson. Other lessons, other experiences, other influences must follow, to broaden, polish and make useful the knowledge acquired here. It is not so much the amount of knowledge an individual has stored in his mind, as the use he mak<-s of it, that determines his position in manhood. But knowledge must be acquired before it can be made useful. Our public schools are the broad flagstone upoq which ail must tread to enter that intellectual temple of mental development of which manhood is capable. It is where the A. B. C. of knowledge is gained without which all higher education is a mystery. To our public schools do we owe out degree of Civilization, our rank as a nation. Hence better attendance in our schools, the broader and more general will be the culture of its future citizens. Patrons: I feel it is your duty to take advantage of the free culture system. Fill our schools and keep them full from the primary to the last year of the high school that we may present to you a larger and if possible a better prepared class than this. Give your children the advantages of the entire school course that have all the culture possible to assume the responsible duties of citizenship. Class of ’97: For three years we haye associated together as teacher and pupils; for three years you have wrestled with the work of high school that you might reap the rewards of this hour and fit your-elves for future usefulness. . You have labored; but your labor has made y u stronger, nobler and more capable to overcome the difficulties of life. You have had worries, trials, nay, even faTures, but they have only acted as the diamond dust to wear away the roughness that the real diamond of your character might show forth its merits. You have finished your first lesson. Now the future is before you, but it is a sealed, unwritten book, and only day by day are you permitted to turn its pages and write therein. But you are the author of your own history, the maker of your own success. True, your environments many times may influence you, but after all, it is the real man and the real woman that surmounts all difficulties and plants the banner “Excelsior” on the pinnacle of fame, Class of ’97, I wish you a useful and successful life. May you each be an honor to your class and to your school. Now in behalf of the Board of Education and the high school of this city, I wish to present you a slight token of our approbation. They are the rewards of the faithful. May they be reminders of past efforts and incentives to noble ambitions.” The class exercises closed with the song “Lithoria” and benediction by Rev. Hart. The graduates and friends then adjourned to the high school building where a reception was held during which congratulations were extended to the successful students. Light refreshments were served before the final adjournment, and then came the “good night” with regrets that their school days were over.-...

NUMBER 9