Decatur Democrat, Volume 41, Number 39, Decatur, Adams County, 9 December 1897 — Page 1

all the os, ALL THE TIME — 1

volume ill

John Yager has returned to Fort I Wayue t° have another operation performed on his eye It is h ped E e desired result wi 1 be obtained this time, as operations of this character are not desirable oftener than a few times. j N. Studey, superintendent of the Fort Wayne schools, and district state examinee, was in the e itv last week examining the condi ion of our schools. He found ther n in fi'St class running order and highly complimented our officers and teachers in their thorough cysteni of work. The boiler of a C. & E. freight engine exp orted at West Minster, Ohio, last Fridav morning and ser ionsly injured theenginer r, firemm and a brakeman. The train was runninsr at full speed at the time of the explosion and caused a bad mix up The wr> eking crew from Huntington was sent over to clear a wav the debris. The board of commissioners met in regular session Monday m rning, the new member qualifying an d taking the oath of office. The board organized by selecting Joseph E Mann as president, an honor well bestowed. During Joe’s of ticial connection with the county so has proved himse f to be a competent and worthy officer. An entertainment will be given thia evening at the I. O O. F. lodge room. The numbers consist of musical and literar selections and will be will worth hearing. Supper will be served in rhe banquet hall from 5 to 9:30 p m., and the proee ds will be used for the benetitof the State Orphan’s Home The cause is a worthy one and should lie well patronized by our citizens. The Sunday Enquirer contained the following account of a battle in the public schools of Ohio City Pa ties from that town report the fight as being very brutal and the superintendent is now under t e care of a physician: Van Wert Ohio, December 4*—Ohio City in this county, is all torn up ever a fight tbit occurred in the public scrools at that place. There has been a feud of ong standing between the super ntendent, R. I Wulson. and the teacher of the grammar department, F. B Landon This ended in a fight, and the superintenden’ was badly beaten by the grammer department. Landon was assisted by four or five pupils Warrants have been issued for the assailants, and the war will be carried to the Courts, The post office and general store of Henry Briner at Peterson was bnrg'arized Friday n'ght and a lot of stamps, clothing, cigars and tobacco were stolen. The loss is esti mated at 150. Entrance to the building was effected through the back door and was no doubt done by people who had first familiarized themse'ves with the place. Strangers were seen loitering near the place during the day and the iob is now laid at their doors- They also partook of a hear'y lunch be fme eiving and were evidently sot afraid of discovery. Nothing was known of the robbery’ until the next morning when Mr. Briner opened toe store Officers were notified at once but up to this time nothing has been heard of the robbers. The executive commi’tee of the I Ohio Valley League of Bimetallic dubs held a meeting at Greensburg, Ind , Saturday afternoon. Dr R. H. Reemlin of Cincinnati, presided «nd Allen W. Clark wass cretary. Among those in attendance were Parks M Martin, chairman democratic state central committee; Tla , v ’us J. Van Vo-his, of Indianapo hs, and John Overmyer ’of North A committee of Indiana men which includes Allen W. Clark an <l Thomas Taggart, were instructed to arrange for the meeting of the league at Indianapolis next summer. Among the speeches was one bv Flavins J. Van Vorhis, who !a 'd that “the free silver republi cans of Indiana realize that the ®ght for free silver must be made "nder the banner of the democratic Party.” ft was resolved to ask the clubs of Illinois to send ’"‘legates to the next meeting of Ibe league, and the committee ad Jonrneq to meet in Indianapolis on l " e 15th day of February next. It w as also resolved that the American flag be incorporated in the ndge. ; 8 probable that Judge ■*rvin of Covington, Kentucky, s'll be the next president of the Je ®gue.

Mi-s Doi lye Schafer is visiting several cities in Nebraska. She is making ar angements t give sev eral elocutionary entertainments during her visit, and with her exceptional ability she will surely please. Joseph Rumschlag met with an accident last week that will prob ably result in the loss of his right thumb Wtiile assisting a neighbor who was stuck with a load of word, he had his thumb pinched between the wheel and the wood and as a result that member was mashed 'o a j*-lley Amputation will probably be necessary.

An exchange says that a farmer s Id a few bushels of potatoes to a store-keeper the other day, and when asked why the potatoes at the top of the basket weie larger than those at the bottom, he informed the purchaser th it “taters were growing so fast when he dug t 'em that by the time he got a basket full the last ones had grown bigger than the first ones.” The Decatur National Bank will hold their annual election of officers on Tuesday, January 11th. This institution is growing in popular favor each day and they number among their stock ho ders some of our ablest business men ami wealthiest citizens of the county Under the present management the capital has been increased to 1100,000. and this bank is now 1 numbered among 'he solid finan e.ial institutions of northern In diana. A great many objections are be ing made by citizens owing to the fact that the electric ligh's are be ing run on moon schedule. Espec ially w»s this true last Sunday evening The ligh s were turned off ong before the churches had dis missed services and people wee obliged to find their way home in ihe old fashioned way. Business men who keep t' eir places o' bus - nees open on Sunday evenings also found fault as they «ere unable to get light until way after dark. They s y if the lights ar- to be run ■ m moon schedule, the city should make some arrangements about furnishing them with moonlight, starlight or some other bril iancy provided by nature. “Lower the iaeand turn on the incandescent lights.” The southern division of the G. R & I. railroad has a new superintendent. P S O’Rourke after almost a hal' century of faithful service has resigned, and J. W Hunter who has held the position of master of transportation has been appointhd in his stead. A* a reward for faithful services Mr. O’Rourke has been appointed general agent of the company, so he will still remain in the service, bnt his work will not b» so confining as heretofore and he will have a better chance to recuperate his health which has been fail ng fonsometime. The newly appointed superintendent is a thorough railroad man, conversant with every detail of his duties. His long service under the direction of his eminent pre-dece-sor has especially fitted him for the position. Now that the elect-ic light plant is completed the Democrat won’t be pig head d enough to allow the perhaps criminal acts of a council to stand in the way of eulogizing the contractor and constructors of our plant, especially when those contractors deserve any com pbmentary mention we may choose to give them. So far as we have been able to perceive and learn the plant itself fills the letter of the plans and specifications. It was built by the well know C. L. Olds Construction Company of I'ort Wayne, and their long established reputation in this business is en titled to additional honor for their nrompt business methodsand man ner of fulfilling their contract or agreement. The plant is located on the citv property and is opera ted in connection with the water works station Its capacity includes eighty s'reet arc light dynamo, twenty-five commercial ligh dynamo, and a 1,500 incandescen light dynamo The engine that nropels ’ the electrical machinery s of the Bass make, and is the best and most durable that the mark, t affords The plant is <lesigna ert after the latest practice, the machinery being driven from a banter shaft with clutch pulleys so that the dynamos can be started and stopped independently ofeach other It is entirely completed, and we presume will be accepted by the council.

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY. DECEMBER 9. I8!>7.

The residence ot W. J. Meyers i on North Fifth street was burglarI ized Monday evening between 5 and 6 o’clock while the family was away. A small amount of money : was taken from a purse and in their search for valuables, the thieves | scattered he turnitu>e promiscousIly about the house Sneik thieves j are still at work. Turn loose the bloodhounds. The contractors on the Bluffton and Decatur gavel road have decided to cease operations until next spring. This step was made necessary owing to the cold and inclement weather. Just as soon as the weather next spring will permit, they will push the work to an early completion. As far as finished the roa t is excellent, aid >s pronounced by experts to be superior to any stone road built in the state. This is highly satisfactory to a I pa ties concerned and we trust will aid in the addition of other good roads to those air- ady built. Let’s get together on the toad question. Mr. and Mrs M. J. Wertzberger . celebr ted the thirtieth anniversary of their wedding by the marriage of their daughter, Miss Adel ia to Hiram 8. Walters, at their . residence on Third street at 9 a m Tuesday morning. It was a quiet home wedding, no one being present but the immediate family ,i Rev. J. F. Horton was the officiatI minister. Mr Walters is an old Adams county boy but is at present a ticket clerk at Benton Har bor, Mich. The bridal coup e took the noon train on the Clover Leaf, going directly to their future home at Benton Harbor, where there is a home ready to receive them. They have the sincere wishes of . their numerous friends for their future happiness and prosperity.

In his report to the state board of health for the last quarter, Dr. H. F. Costello, secretary of the Adams county board of health reports 148 births, 39 marri'gesand 37 deathDeath was occasioned by disease as follow: gastro-intestinal catarrh 1, disease of lungs com pi ated wi'h meningitis 1, dropsy 1, apoplexy 1, flux 1, inanitive 1, convulsions 1, abscess of liver 1, diphtheria 3, dysentery 5, cholera infantum 6, bum ed 1, scalded 1, old age 1, cerebro spinal miningitis 1, premature birth 2, pneumonia 1, typhoid fever 3, membraneous croup 1, croup 1, consumption 2, puerperal septa caemia. The deaths as above given are not complete owing to the fact that all were not reported to the board of health, There was reportel under the head of contagi us d i Reases 36 cases a« fol lows: M easles 1, typhoid fever 10, scarlet fever 1 and diphtheria 24.

Comes now the grand jury for the November term of said court and respe tfully submits the fol lowing report: We have visited the county infirmary and find the same in excellent shape, considering the opportunities the superintendent of the B<id infirmary has tor carina for the same. The main building is old, there is much danger of fire and it is d fficnlt to heat during the winter months, and the same '8 uncomfortable for the inmates, and that the building is hardly worth makingany extensive preparations to heat the same We believe there is hardly sufficient land in the farm to get the best resu'ts from it, and the grand jury suggest and recommend that the commissioners make some arrange ments, whereby the superintendent can farm more land, for infirmary purposes and for the county. We also suggest that some new bui'd ings be ereefed for the care and comfort of the inmates. The stock about the farm is wed cared for a id the crops seem, during the past season, to have been well cultivated and have yielded well, considering the quality of the land in the county farm. The inmates are well cared for, the beds and bedding are clean and neat and everything about the buildings are the same. We bave also visited the county jail and found that the inmates ate treated well generally, they are well cared for, but we would suggest that the sheriff give fiuther atten'ion to the cell department and watch carefully that the same does not become foul and dirty. We suggest that the inmates themselves could keep or assist in keep ing that department clean. There are no needed repairs about the building that came under our observation, and we have no further business matters to investigate and hereby ask to be discharged. David S. Mauller, Foreman.

A number of the Knights of Pythias of this city are at Winchester today in attendance at the district meeting. The Clover Leaf railroad earned in November $207,742.47 against $212,187.35 in November of a year ago, showing a decrease of $4,444 - 68 The receiver claims the decrease is due wholly to their inability to handle more freight owing to a scarcity of cars Over four hunlred cars of freight are now laying at East St. Louis awaiting transfer to Clover Leaf cars as western roads will not allow their cars to be taken east of St Louis As soon as the road is fumi-hed with more rolling stock they will be able to handle all the business that comes along and 'his s promised as soon as the road is taken out of the hands of a receiver. Henry Heller who graduated from the Indiana Law School at Indianapolis last spt ing and since that time has been in the office of Mann & Beatty has branched out for himself. He will open a law office in the Stone building and be prepared to attend to all kinds of legal business. He successfully handled his first case before the board of commissioners last Tues day. He is the youngest son of Judge Heder, is a young man with exceptional ability and is destined to become one of the shining legal lights of the Adams County Bar. His broad acquuntanceand earnest desire to succeed will amply fit him to follow in the footsteps of his distinguished father. The Democrat wishes him success in his new field of labor.

The jury in the Bosworth Evans case, returned a verdict for the defendent after a deiiberal on of twenty minutes. T. is was a case brought from Jay county on a change of venue* The p'ain iff sought to recover fees on a contract wh'ch they bad with the defend ant for services perf rmed in a damage suit tried before Judge Baker in the U. S court at Indianapolis in which the defendant in this case w-s awarded dannges to the amount of $7,000. After the verdict was awarded, attorneys filed a lieu on the judgment for more than 'he amount of the damages This somewhat riled Judge Baker and he took the matter in his own hand and adjusted the matter in a fair and impartial manner The attorneys were flowed $2 000 and the lady was given $5,000. The suit just tried was begun with a view of r» covering m ire fees and in which they signally failed. The verdict is a j ust and popular one. The board of commissioners met in their regular December session Monday, since which time they have consuma ed the following business: August Gero exparte report of viewers approved. Christ Ash baucher and Anthony Wertzberger were appointed viewers upon the Samuel W. Smith petition for high way. G. W. Nichols of L nn Grove, I. E. Shell of Geneva, Jacob Bri nemann and Jacob Hunzicker of Berne, Peter W Kessler of Monroe, and John F. Dickerson of this city weie granted Itcense to retail intoxicants. Trustee Fruchte presented four petitions for bridges of which two were accepted and two continued. Trustee Schug presented five bridge petitions, ot which three were accepted and two continu'd. Trustees Hall and Brown on** each which were continued. Upon the petition of H. Wilda Williams, the appointed viewers are John Hess er and L. W. Johnson. The petition of Henry Fruchte to accept gravel road was acc -pted. Upon petition of the citizens of Hartford township Samuel Ophinge'r was appointed ju-tice of the peace to succeed W. H Shepherd, whose term of office expired in 1896. The quarterly reports of the sheriff, auditor, treasurer, recorder and clerk were approved. Upon the petition of D. B Ford for highway, Henry D. Fuelling, A. J. Sipe and Henry Eiting were appointed viewers H. F. Costello was unanimously chosen secretary of the board of health for one year. The commissioners organized into an auditing board, by the selection of Frederick Reppert as presid-nt and Samuel Doak as secretary. On the M. A Ripley petition for di ch, Martin Laughrey John J. Soldner and J D. Winans are appointed viewers. The Fred Schafer petition, William Hole, Henry C S etler and John Meibers appointed viewers. The A. S Burley petition, the viewers appointed are George Haefling, John P. Spooler and Harlo Mann.

From the reports of the county officers to the board of commission loners, we find the following: Clerk—civil cases, $240.05, ’probate cases SIBO 43, marriage licenses sll2, other licenses sl, transcript copies $2170, certificates sl3 85, insurance $11.50, total SSBO 53. SI eriff—fees $23.45, wri s $2.68, deeds $4. total $30.13. Au litor—transfers $12.60, affidavits $6, licenses S2O, approving bonds $lB, tax certificates $49 75, total $106.35 Recorder —deeds 152 50, mortgages $167, releases $24.50, mechanicliens $1.50, certified copy of r- cords $3.50, miscellanous sll, to al $360. It is now definately known the Dick Townsend will return to this city January 1 and assume control of the Burt. Mr. A. D. Locke, 'he present proprietor will move hifamily to Bryan, Ohio, w' ere he has business interests which will require his attention for some time During'heir stay in thiscity, Mr and Mrs. A D- Locle have made many friends who sincerely regre their departure. Always foremost in religions, social and btisine s as fairs, their p aces will be hard to fill Mr. Locke has always been a persistent up-to-date business hustler and haa always as-ociated himself with new enterpises which might benefit the city. For this reason we will keenly feel his loss but wish him success in his new home. What would yon do if war should be declared to-morrow with a European power? How would it change your home life, the lives of your brother and other relatives? How would affect your bi si ness connect ons and business? What changes would it make in financial, ci y, state and nat’onil affairs? It is these interesting problems which a writer in the December Cosmopolitan has un dertaken to sketch under the heading of “A Brief History of Our Late War With Spain,” at the same time vividly describing the exciting scenes which would attend the opening of hostilities This sam a number ot the Cosmopolitan has a' article on “The Well dre sed Woman” by E sie de Wolfe, a contrast of the character of Henry George and Charles A. Dana by John Brisben Walker, in another place “The Loves of Goe'he,” while Weds’ story, “The War of the Worlds,” which has been bo w dely read, reachesits conclusion in an unexpected way, The following special appeared in the Chicago Chronicle last Sunday. Come ye Port'and people who have been kidding ns about our lying correspondents, now will you lay still: Portland, Ind., Deo. 3. —“Talking about shooting oil Wei is,” remarked a grizzled veteran in the office of a hotel here last night, “I saw a happening up in the Loblolly swamp a few days ago which eclipsed anything I had ever run across. My hair stood on end. Old Jim Walsh, one of the nerviest ‘shooters’ in the business, wa« ge'ting ready >o put down a charge in a little well which was about pet ering out, and had one big torpedo down in the hole. He started to fill up another, when the pesky stuff let off with a rip and a roar that stirred the whole neighborhood. 1 fell with the explosion and hugged the ground. It was all over in a minute, and then we began to bunt for Jim, but hadn’t any idea of ever seeing a siun of the old cuss. There is a biv thicket about 200 yards away and just when we had given up the search we heard a yell mixed with a fw good Pennsylvania Dutch oaths trom that way. I thought it was Jim’s voice and we hurried that way. Jim was in the top of an old oak, a clean hundred feet above the ground, and wa< the toughest mirk I ever saw. It.took two hours toget him down, and when we did it was found that the wire we used to let down the torpedoes had gone clear through him, about seventyfive feet sticking out between his shoulders, whi'e part of the rest of it was knotted and tangled in every direction. We pulled it out and Jim never whimpered, but after the thing was all over said: “Say have any of you ducks got any whiskey?” Jim’s gold watch was drove six inches in the tree, and a dollar went so near through that half of it stuck out on the other side. A ten-dollar bill was driven so hard against ihe bark that it couldn’t begot loose and is sticking there yet.” Nobody said a word, but when one of the' 'vd started toward the bar, evel V went along.

CIRCULATION 2400 WEEKLY.

NUMBER 39

At a meeting of the board of commissioners last Monday, Dr. H. F. Costello of this city was reappointed secretary of the connty board of health. Dr. Costello has been health officer of this county for a number of years and dining that time has given entire satisfaction. He is one of the loading physicians of our city, well ac quained with the sanitary needs of hisciyand ful y capable of attending to all the duties of his office

The circuit court has disposed of following busine-s the pad week: State vs Nigger Andrews et al, verdict of not guilty rendered. George B'others vs Benjamin P. Harkless adrnr., claim of SIOO allowed. Eli M. Ray vs Lydia A. Ray, divorce granted. John H. H'rklessetal vs Frank E. Franceet al, dismissed and costs paid W. H. Platt vs Wi la Kohler et al, set. for trial Dec. 16 Thomas Bosworth vs Flora Evans, trial by jury, verdict for defendant. Jacob Hunsicker v< Anthony Holthouse et al, set for trial January 8. John D Weisha ipt vs William J. Myers, set for trial D cemher 17. State vs Frank D •V’-, set for trial December 11. Grand jury indictment numbered from twelye to t*enty-six. State vs Albert Moser et al, set for trial December 20. John Glutting vs Barney J. Terveer, dismissed by agreement. Alex Leßrun vs City of Decatur, dismissed by agreement. J. F. Mann et al vs C. D Murray, judgment vs def-ndant for $37. Albert Peltz vs Elmer Johnson, set for trial tenth Monday present term. J. W. Vizard adrnr., claim of $67 50 allowed. Henry vs Thomas H. Andrews, dismissed. John McSn.ith vs Diwd E. Sturtahaker, judgment vs defendant for $102.34. Decatur Investment Co. vs Caroline David et al, judgment vs d fendant for $270.

Council met Tuesday evening with an entire change of program. A.II couucilmen were present to take part in the proceedings, and Councilman Niblick was elected president pro tern. The minu ea of last mee ing were read and approved. The executive committee reported favoiing the allowance of SIOO to A Leßrun provided that Leßron pay his o« n costs and dismiss the suit ai d the city pay her own costs, The report was approv-' ed. The following bills were allowed: J. D. Andrews $13.50, C, Dorwiu S4O, M, Jackson S4O, The Olds Construction Co. $7lO, Gas Co $45. John Watkins 17 50, R. C. Drummond $1 85, George Kinzle $45, Wilson Humphreys & Cd’ sl2 50, Wells Fargo Expres $ 35, Adams Express Co. $2.60, W. G. Spencer Jr. $2.50, Vt m. Geary $5, Ft. Wayne Electric Corporation $12.50, A. VanCampss.lo Krick, Myers & Co. $74 05, E. Fritzinger sl3 20. John W. Tynda 1 $.40, Elmer Miller $ 90, P. J. Hyland $22 61, J C. R >op $ 75, A. J. Teeple $ 75, Old Adams Co. Rank $6.14, S’reet Commissioner’s pay roll $51.75. The bills allowed C L. Olds were for extras on the electric light pla 1 1 and for material furnish* <l. The extras amounted to $263 90, and material amounted to $446.10. The original contract price of $14,875 was also allowed. A resolution was adopted providing for issuing bonds to the amount of $798 09 to pay for the balance of the Sixth street improvement. Another resolution pertaining to the Winchester street improvement was adopted, which ordered bonds issued to the amount of $4,269.83. Bonds were also issued to the amount of $96.65 for balance of Gregory alley improvement. The bills of E. Woods for $945.15 for extras on the Winchester street improvement and $25.88 for ex'ras on the Six'h street improvement were presented and rejected. Prepare for another law suit. After some discussion on the electric light question, Counci'man Coverdale presented the following motion: “I move that we amend the rate of incandescent lighting and give a flat rate of 35 cents per month, All incandescent lights to be shut off at 11 o’clock p m., except one light for each consumer, that we give each church in the city a discount of 15 per cent from the regular meter rate, if paid at the end of each month. The motion was carried and the rate is somewhat reduced. Harry Miesse appeared in the interest of tbeG. R. & L railroad and asked for a con - tract between the city and the G. R. & 1. railroad for lights at railroad crossings. No action was taken. Council then adjourned.