Decatur Democrat, Volume 41, Number 18, Decatur, Adams County, 15 July 1897 — Page 1

ALL the news, all the TIME.

VOLUME XLI.

Mrß Belle McLaughlin of Mineral Springs, Arkansas returned tn h Pr home Tuesday, aiter a visit with Mr. and Mrs. Ezra MailoneeFrom the Fort Wayne Journal ... p note that Miss Mollie Miller of Geneva, was at the St. Joseph hospital suffering with a badly poisoned face. Ex- Prosecuting Attorney George T Whittaker of Dunkirk, has his ye get on a portion of a fabulous fortune said to be awaiting him in England. Fort Wayne and Decatur played a game of ball last Thursday at Steele’s park. The same old storv remains unchanged. Decatur 12 Fort Wayne 6. Lou Yager is rusticating at Petoskey and other northern Michi gan points in search for relief for asthmatic trouble. He will be ab sent until October. Calvin Miller & Co have started their stone crusher, and everything works tiptop. They wiH soon be gin placing the crushed stone on the new macadamized road. Attorney Taylor of Portland, was in the city Monday looking after the records in the Brown Gemmell ease, with a view of taking an appeal to the supreme court. Mrs. Nancy Deener an aged inmate of the county farm, died at that place last Thursday. The funeral took place from the Pleasant Valley church Friday afternoon. Prof. G. W. A. Luckey, a former resident of this city, now occupying the chair of Pedgogy in the . State University at Lincoln, Neb., is visiting relatives in this neigh borhood. The Som of Veterans met in state encampment at Marion last week, at which time R S. Thompson of Rising Sun, was chosen com- i wander, George E. Retter of Farmland, senior v ce commander, and Harry Strohm of Kentland, junior vice commander. Tuesday night was the installation of officers of the Rebekah Lodge. Those who were installed were Mrs. Fannie Grubb, N. G.; Mrs. Hattie Alleger, V. G; Miss Della Harruff, rec. sec’y; Mrs. Car rieSutherland, financial sec’v; Mrs. Emma Porter, treasurer. Berne business men and taxpayers were the last to interview the members of the board of equalization. They came up Tuesday. The board have finished their labors for this year, having ad journed sine die Tuesday evening. We feel very much like complimenting the board for their fair and honest attempts to classify the assessments upon an equal and just basis. County Clerk Fitzpatrick had occasion to file a document Thuisday, that was the first of its kind he ever saw, anti one which is much out of the ordinary. It was that of Nora Martin, mother of Charles W. Martin, aged one year June 15, 1897, who bound and apprenticed him to John W. Hutchenson and wife until June 15, 1914, the said John Huthenson and wife to keep, clothe and educate him, also to teach him the trade of glass blower. All the parties live at Redkey.—Portland Sun. John D. Rockafeller sleeps 71 hours every night, retiring at 10:30 and rising at 6 Every morning when he gets up he is $17,705 richer than when he went to bed. He sits down to breakfast at eight o’clock and in that short half hour his wealth has grown $4,041.50. On Sunday he goes to church; and in two hours that he is away from home his riches have grown $2,166. His nightly amusement is playing the violin. Every evening when he picks up the instrument he is $50,000 richer than when he laid it down the previous night. Otto Aersam, a young man who has been making his home with Cris Aersam a farmer living near Yera Cruz, was found dead in a wheat field near Bluffton last Fri day morning. It was at first sup posed that the man had been overcome by heat and died from the effects of it, but later developments have led the officers of Wells county to bedeve that the man had been fouly dealt with. Suspicion Point to several parties, but as the coroner has not as yet given his verdict no arrests have been made. Should the coroner conclude that ‘Aersam lost his life by foul means, several arrests will probably follow.

ÜBcatilß

Surveyor Fulk is the recipient I lof several oddities from the land I of Buddah. They were sent by Miss Julia E Pairish a re’ative and missionary in that far off land. The last will and testament of Leonard Tremp, deceased, was probated at the clerk’s office last I Saturday. It decrees a 1 real and personal property to the surviving widow. Decatur has no street commissioner and wants one. Portland has a street commissioner and water works superintendent all in one.—Portland Sun. Goodness! \\ hat a slam on our street commissioner. George Trim of Eaton, Ohio, has purchased Miller’s Steam Laundry and took possession last Monday. Mr. Trim conies to this city highly recommended, having had several years experience in the laundry business. Mrs Chas. Coverdale aroused the people in the west end a few nights ago by her lusty calls for “help.” After a little time it was ex plained that she had mistaken her husband for a burglar, and j.lte neighbors returned to theyv-peace-ful slumbers. ' Ed Sourer, book accountant who-"has been employed by Treasurer Bolds fora few weeks and wlfb is going through the busi nessof the office, was called to Indianapolis the,first of the week to straighten out the books for a loan association there. Superintendent Brandyberry will hold an examination at his office j Saturday, for those who have com- , pleted the reading circle course. : Those who successfully pass this I examination will receive a diploma from the Reading Circle Board, which will exempt them from ex amination in science of education I and literature for life and professional lice use. The irrepressible Frank Schumacher gave vent to his feelings again Saturday night, and kept I the people in the neighborhood of north First street in a tremor of terror during the night. A mob has been organized to look as er his needs and the next time he proceeds to heap abuse upon his family, he will be given a dose of ■ treatment such as he has never be : foie received. One dose guaranteed to cure. A sad accident occurred at Eagle . Lake, near Warsaw, last Monday, in which the Misses Bertha, daughter of E. F. Yarnelle of Fort Wayne, and Georgia, daughter of I Prof. J. W. Coulter of Chicago, weie drowned while sailing on the lake. The young ladies were spilled out of a treacherous sail boat and went down in ninety feet :of water. The body of Miss Yarnelle was recovered, but Miss i Coulter sank t> the bottom, and i divers will be required to bring the body to the surface. The Methodist church of Gene- , va are busily advertising an excursion to Rome City, Tuesday, June 27. The fare from this city is but $1.25, which shows that the Geneva congregation are hustlers for a low rate, a very promising drawing card during these times of Hanna ' prosperity. The train starts from Richmond, and is due in this city at 8:10 in the morning. The car fare also includes admission to the ' assembly, and as this is G. A. R. day there, many will no doubt take advantage of the opportunity and spend a day at this pleasure resort. Statiistcian Connor has undertaken a task which if successful will make interesting reading. He has directed the authorities of every town, citv and village to take a census of all the tramps within its jurisdiction. This work is to be 1 done on a particular day yet to be i named. The time will be kept secret, and when the time arrives, r officers will round up the tramps and list their names, place of resi I dence, age and occupation. The purpose being to secure an accurate list of these knights of the road, with a view of finding means ■ to deal with the tramp question. . Every city will be thoroughly II searched when the time comes, and while it will be impossible to H get all of them, enough may be i captured to give the public some ■ | idea as to the number of these s I traveling vagrants. Mayor Quinn ! has not yet received his instructions but is daily expecting them and, will lend his assistance to accomplish the desired end.

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY. JULY 15, 1897.

Wood Case is busy papering the : sheriff’s, treasurer’s and superin-' tendent’s office at the court house. I After they are completed they will no doubt put forth a very much improved appearance. The stockholders of the Old Adam- County Bank have a meeting at their banking house at nine o’clock <>n August 3, for the election of a board of directors, who will serve one year from that date. A notice to this effect will be found in our legal columns. Two hundred and nineteen tickets were sold yesterday on the ex-cur-ion to Robison Park, given under the auspices of the the third division of the Ladies Mite society of the M. E. church Five coaches were used to convey the excursionists to Fort Wayne, and a delightful time is promised at this beautiful park. The county commissioners made a proposition to D. P. Bolilk to settle the perilling sutobf State ex rel Noah Mangold/ auditor vs Bolds, for s9so;'' The proposition was aceepted and judgment for that amount will be rendered the first day of the September term. This will be money made or money saved to both interested parties. Main and Winchester streets are fast being placed in condition to receive t fie stone, but owing to continued high waters this spring the quarries are behind in their orders and crushed stone is hard to get. Things are being 7 pushed, however, and it will not be long until the brick will be lad and another beautiful thoroughfare opened for travel. » George Towne the new proprietor of the city laundry, intends making up-to-date improvements in his new purchase which will insure to pat r ons better work than they have ever before received. 'Everybody should patronize the home industry, thereby insuring to the institution, deserved-success No need of sending laundry out of he city when first class work can be obtained at home. Bear this in mind. A letter was received at this office a few days ago from Miss’ Julia E. Parrott now doing missionary work at Toungoo, Burma. She says she prizes the Democrat so highly, that she feels very blue if any of the issu s are lost enroute to her far away home. The letter was mailed June 4 and reached this city July 9, being on the road one month and five days. The time required for a letter to travel this distance, will give our readers some idea of the distance that sepal ates Miss Parrott from her Adams county friends. The following well known young men John Yager, Chas. Spencer, Frank France, John Heller, Lloyd Dalrymple, Floyd Smith, James Hark less, Ora France, John Eller and John S. Peterson compose an outing party now enjoying themselves at Rome City. The boys had considerable trouble in arranging themselves. Sixty-five public meetings and thirteen executive seasons were held to decide who should furnish a sheet and pillow ease for the cook. The necessary articles were provided and the boys “got away” last Monday. Miss Lell Segur, the superintendent of the Decatur, Ind., schools, is a woman of convictions. Among other things she believes that taxa tion without representation is a denial of liberty. The other day an assessor called upon her and she made him wish he hadn’t. She distinctly let him know that he was the tool of despoticauthortity, a minion of masculine autocracy and a low down publican of a despicable czarism. Nevertheless the assessor was firm. He demanded a list of her taxable property. She refused to give one. He made out one himself and requested her to swear to it. This she would not do under any circumstance’. The assessor thereupon invoked the aid ot a constable and Miss Segur was ushered in before a justice of the peace. The justice did not believe in encouraging female John Hempdens. So he fine! her $lB and the lady suddenly saw that martyrism was too co-tly tor long continuance. The justice did his part well and is deserving of the thanks of all men. He nipped in the bud an incipient feminine re bellion and impressed upon the fair sex the virtue of obeying that scriptural injunction to render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s. —Sentinel.

. If the sweat of one’s brow indi cated that one was earning a living, what an easy time the street burn would have in convincing the world that his duty to his family demanded that he adhere strictly to his vocation 'The mailing room at the po-t---office has been made larger and more convenient for Past master We'fley and his deputies. Uncle John evidently wants his republican successor to have plen'y room to handle a ! l the business the “promised prosperity” may bring. At M. E. church Sunday: Sun day school at 9:15; preaching at 10:30, subject “In what sha 1 I glory?”; Junior League at 3:00; address on “Good Citizenship” by Hon. S. E. Nicholson at 7:30. Services will be held at county infirmary conducted by Senior League at 4:30., The truant officers appointed are George W. McKean for this dis trict which includes Preble, Root, Kirkland Washington townships and Decatur; Edwin W. France for Union, St. Mary’s, Blue Creek ayd Jefferson, and Adolph Schug for French. Monroe, Harford, Wa bash, Geneva and Berne. The ap pointes are all commendable in every particular. After a session of many ballots and much heated discussion the county commissioners appointed Barney Meibers as superintemlent of the Bluffton & Decatur gravel road. The duty of the superin tendent is to be on the road and superintend in a general way, the construction < f the new road. As Barney has considerable knowledge with this class of work, it is sat'eto predict that the work done will fill every letter of the plans and specifications ® " o' 1 Curry Pyle of Geneva,,., has departed upon another somewhat protracted dfunken spree, leaving be •bind him a young wife, stricken with grief and remorse. ’ The officers h,ere were notified to arrest him Monday evening, but he bad taken a Chicago & Erie train east, before the-®word came. He ’ s young and has taken the Keeley cure for the purpose of breaking up the liquor habit, but we are disposed to think tie is infiictod with a job lot of unadulterated cus sedness that can’t be reached through Keeley’s compounds. An alarm of fire was sounded last Friday night from the res aurant and bakery of J. S. Golchen. Parties going by discovered the room full of smoke and naturally sounded an alarm as the place had every appearance of a conflagration. The fire department responded to the call, but were stopped before they had reached the scene, it having been discovered that the disturance was caused by a kettle of burning sulphur which had been p aced in the room to kill flies, a very poor thing to do unless people have a warning or the nightwatch, at least, has been notified. Rev. Eli Stoops, who brought suit against the City of Decatur some time ago for $5,000 for injuries received by falling out of a wagon, was awarded $2,000. dam ages by a jury in the Jay circuit court last Saturday morning. The case was taken from this county on a change of venue. The first trial which was begun in this city came to a sudden end, owing to theconduct of one of the jurors. A mo tion will be made for a new trial this week, and upon failure to receive this the case will be appealed to the supreme court to await a final decision. The finding was made under a special verdict, and fifteen interrogatories were submitted by the plaintiff and answered by the jury. The jury finds that Stoops did not fall out of the wagon but was thrown out, that he was not acquainted with the condition of the street at the time of the accident, and that the street commissioner had not repaired the street and was therefore in poor condition, that the holes in the street could only be seen when driving from a certain direc tion, and that the wagon in w hich plaintiff was riding was not improperly loaded and did not contribute to the accident. The attorneys for plaintiff believe that the decision of the lower court will be sustained by the supreme court in case of an appeal, and this city will be obliged to contribute about $2,500 more towards maintaining an expensive luxury in the person of an incompetent street commissioner.

Deputy Marshal Charlie Lines has in his possession a pocket book containing twenty-five cents in money and a railroad ticket from Rochester to Decatur. The name 1 of Miry Malott is written in the | hook. The pocket book was found on the street Monday morning.— Wabash Plain Dealer. It is currently reported that Albert Brittson, of the firm of Kern, Britt’on & Bee’er, was married at Lancaster, Ohio, last night to Miss Alma Madden, one of the leading society belles of that city. Their many friends in this city' join with the Democrat in wishing them success on their matrimonial voyage. Miss Dollye Schafer has re turned from Philadelphia where she graduated with high honors in the National School of Elocution and Oratory. Miss Schafer is peculiarly adapted for her chosen work and bids fair to become a shining light in the elocutionary' world. The people of this city are earnest ly awaiting an opportunity of listening to her recitations Genevaites were strongly in evidence at the head-quarters of the board of review Monday. Some of them came to register a vigorous kick, about the unjust amount of their assessment, while others came by request and were asked why their assessment should not be increased, The board this year is (baking an earnest endeavor to form a reasonable basis for ’he' assessing of the different classess of business, and to equalize them accordingly. = 6 4-mong the many inventions placed upon the market is a patent “tail fastener” to be used while milking cows. One part fastens to the tail and the other to her leg just above she hock joint. The new fangled invention makes life a .snap for the njilker and flies, but the cow js made to suffer. It has not proven a protitalde invention forthe purchaser, however, as in most cases where it ha* been used the jeow became Q enraged at the actions of the flies and the seeming it-elessness of her caudal append age causes her to blaze away with her heels, and kick the'milk pail over. Thus will another good invention have to be placed on the ram ® 9 The city council met in continued session Tuesday evening, Mayor Quinn presiding. Couneilmen Coverdale, Knoff, Vail, Niblick and Rice were present. A motion was made and carried, instructing Mayor Cast of Huntington, that the sidewalk along his property in th’S city must be repaired or the same will be sold. A resolution w y as passed authorizing the finance committee to pay the water works bonds and coupons due July 1, 1897, amounting to $153.00, by order, drawn by the city clerk upon the water works fund. The bill of the fire department presented for payment was continued until next meeting.- R. S. Peter son presented a bill for $47.45 for services as attorney 7 in the Stoops damage ease; S4O 00 was allowed. The r> solution introduced at the last meeting, wherein it was resolved to discontinue the eclectric lights for stnet lighting purposes, inasmuch as the contract with J. D. Edwards has expired, was read, and after some amendments was passed. Those voting yea were Coverdale, Vail, Niblick and Rice; nay, Knoff. The sarcastic part of the resolution was withdrawn, in which it said “on account of the opposition of such expense, by certain taxpayers of said city, as ex pressed by their recent proceedings, to restrain said city from contracting for a system of eclectric lights, although such new contract would furnish at least twenty more lights at a b ss aggregate cost than the city now pays.” It evidently being the intention of the party who drew the resolution to slam the “certain taxpayers.” The city marshal was instructed to procure two lamps for the city hall, to take the place of the incandescent light formerly in use. The council then went into executive session to mourn over the verdict in the Stoops case, and discover if possible “where they are at.” The proposition to build the new eclectric light plant was also discussed, but what took place at the meeting can only be imagined, as the parties present have the proceed ings carefully concealed beneath their hats, not deeming it best for “public good” to air themselves. Council then adjourned.

CIRCULATION 2400 WEEKLY.

NUMBER 18

Unclaimed letters are at the postoffice belonging to Amy 8. Grandstaft, A. Shleyman, M. King, C.Y. Towman, W. C. Bradfard, Wm. Collins 2, Mathew Cooper, F. M. Nours, Sarah O. Wolf, M. E. Pelty, Ollie Rhoades, Lem Rayl, E T. liannford 2, B. F. Hurless, Annie Coffee. A new sign made it’s appearance above Lost? & Schrank’s barber shop last Monday afternoon bearing this Hiseription, “Dr Schrank, Electro Physio Treatment of Quinsy and Kindred Diseases a Specialty,” Ben denied the allegation, and is keeping up a constant search for the “allegator,” if found dire results are expected. Frank Albright, an old resident of this city, employed as engineer by John W. Vail, was overcome by the heat last Saturday while attending to hi’ duties. He was at once taken to his home, where for some time grave doub’S were had as to his recovery. He has greatly improved, however, and will soon be able to resume his position. Superintendent Brandyberry has the promise of some high talent for the county institute this year. Among them is Dr. M.G. Weatherby Ph. 1) of the Bloomington University, Joseph Swaim LL D. president of the Bloomington University, L. A. Dale of Indianapolis, and Prof. Arthur Foley of Angola. It will be teen that the institute will be a success, as the public prominence in educational work of the above instructors fully insures it. A serious run away occurred Sunday morning in which two teams participated, and Mr. and Mrs. John Stegmyer were slightly injured. “A team belonging to Anthony Spuhler became frightened on street and ran away, and in passing the team belonging to John Stegmyer caused that team to take fright in the river bridge and upset the buggy, throwing its occupants out and slightly injuring them. Mrs. Stegmeyer was taken to the residence of James K. Niblick where a physician was called to attend to her wants. At this writing she has fully recovered from the shock and her injuries. Both teams were stopped after a short run. The board of review had a queer customer before them last Friday, and as fate would have it, the aforesaid queer customer was. a woman, and as usual she held the fort regardless that the members of the board are clo’hed with legal authority tor most any emergency. The lady was Miss Lell Segur, a high s hool teacher and for several months last year, principal of the city scho ds. When Assessor Wisner visited her during the assessing season this spring she politely but very positively refused to acknowledge by oatn or affirmation the list of property given in for assessment. Much leasoning and persuasion on his part availed nothing, so he reported the matter to the board of equalization. They summoned her to appear betore them last Friday She then and there again refused to comply with the request to acknowledge the instrument in question. After the consumption of considerable argument which availed nothing she was turned over to the tender mercies of the officers, who arraigned hei* in Esq. Smith's court, where she again held herself in contempt, as well as sncceded in making the biggest kind of a big fool of herself. For all of which Esq. Smith registered a fine of $lO, which with costs amounted to $18.60. Ihe fine was the lowest penalty as fixed by the statutes. She promptly paid the amount, which no doubt more than equals her taxes, and while not much if any wiser, is that much poorer. It is somewhat deplorable to think that a teacher in the | public schools of today would so far forget the dignity of her position, as to make a public fool of herself. In the list of studies and school training none should be | more forcibly implanted in the minds of the young students, than the pride oflawand order and their observance in every particular sense. Miss Segur could surely take lessons in this branch, with due propriety. The constitution and laws of our state must be protected and upheld by every man, woman and child, of whatever color. No privileges can be extended. Another offense of this kind and our court would bejusti tied in dealing more harshly, which it would do, no doubt.