Decatur Democrat, Volume 41, Number 40, Decatur, Adams County, 16 December 1897 — Page 1

12 PAGES.

fOLUME XLI.

P ,rtv hours ,levoti ' )n bp £ ,ln at ll Ca th lie church last Sunday 5 ended yesterday morning. Mrs Ed Ehinger and Mrs. Hen-; Schulte were at Fort Wayne' today attending the funeral of grs Henry Goeke. Tbe G. K. & 1 wiH se' l excursion ketsat rate of one and one-third L for the round trip. Selling Es Dec. 24. 25, and 31, 1897, nd .lan 1, 1898. All tickets good J return until Jan 4, 1898. The reports now in circulation, that 'he Decatur Steam Laundry Miild cha"ge management are not p The management will remain tbesameas at present under the direct supervision of George W. Ihwne. p d. Moffett was the successful spirant for the postoffice at Hartford Citv among fifteen applicants. jj r Moffett edited the Journal in ibis city several years ago and has s number of friends who were glad to hear of h>s god fortune. A large number of the friends of Mr. and Mrs A D. Locke, attired tbennmves in deep disguise last Saturday evening and proceeded to effect a complete surplise on this etimable couple. The surprise ng complete and the enjoyment all that could be asked for. A Columbia chainless bicyclw exhibited in our city yesterday. Th s is a new.innovation in the bicycle world, and is attrac ing threat d< al of attention. The new »heel is a raarv.-l of beauty and of tours * commands a beautiful price, $125.00. We notice in our Dixon items that on Thursday last, Thomas Maloy, a prominent farmer of Adsmseountv was quietly united in marriage to Miss Ellen Vizard of tear D xon. Thomas has many friends in 'his section who join the Breeze in extending congratula tions —Monroeville Breeze. John Stoneburner, the janitor at the M. E church was knocked down by a gas explosion at the church one evening last week and severely burned. The fire had joue-'utin the furnace and the escaping gas exploded when ignited John is now minus his mustache and will always have a fond remembrance for gas explosions. J. W. M eks is making arrange meats to locate a grocery and no ion store in the old building known as the “Jefferson” •hure h, located on his farm iu Union township, Adams bounty six miles south of this place. The store will be conducted by Wm. McG nagle, who will remove his family to that place.—Monroeville Breeze. The president of the Pennsylvania railroad together with other officials of that system arrived in the city Tuesday morning on a hunting expedition. They arrived iu the president’s special car, which was sidetracked to await the return of the officials. We were unable to learn the amount of game killed, but it would have been in order for these distinguished gentlemen to take a shot at the miscrab e old depot in this city. The Eleventh district K. of P. Meeting held at Winchester las’ Thursday was a grand success and exceeded all expectations. Nea r t,rn thousand visitors were present uud each and every one received a eordia' welcome and were royally entertained. Seventy-four lodges ’-re represented and th* visitors numbered several Knights high in Tythian circles, among them Supreme Chancellor C dgr >ve. The secret was exemp'itied by a Siehmond lodge and was grand. A number of Knights from this city ’ere in attendance.

Don’t forget farmers, that the n ge people are still at work, they approach you, inform 'hem that you will compare their Prices with those of home merchants before buying and you will money by doing so. You can ‘5? a better range at less money rora your home dealers, than you can from these smooth salesmen w ho are employed at a large salary big prices from the people, rhe Democrat invites you to call 01 any of our home dealers and inranges and compare prims. \ e do this knowing that any and of our d- alers will be glad to ’how you their wares and explain yon the difference in price even ‘‘you do pot buy. Deal at home, slVf ‘ tnondy and encourage the peo■e "'ho play taxes and build up the Cot "uiuuitk-.

Bev. M E. Birakat conducted services at the Presbyterian church last Sunday, during the absence of Rev. J F Hoi ton. Marriage licenses were issued this week to Christian Musser and Minnie Hale, Grant Bad and Clara M. Johnson, A'bert Sourers and Anna Luginbill, Amos Amstutz and Saloma Stetler. The family parrot belonging to! Mr. and Mrs J. W. Place became! tired of life a few days ago and left this earth for the land of parrots.) As a consequence there is great! mourning in the house of James W. Allen Porter o’ Decatur was the guest of A. Barkley and family last Sunday. On his return home he was accompanied by Miss Chral Rittenhouse, who has been visiting I Mr. and Mrs. Barkley for the past two weeks —Monroeville Breeze. Our correspondent at informs us that they are booming and business flourishing. That the candidates are becoming numerous and that probably Henry Koenemann will make the race for sheriff. Col and Mrs M. B. Miller left Monday afternoon for their new home at Washington D. C. They left over the Big Four railroad from Winchester to Cincinnati, Ohio, where they took the ever popular Chesapeake & Ohio route to their destination. The board of commissioners have det rmimd that no interest on outstanding orders shall be paid whenthere is money in the treasury for their redemption. After the first of the year they will advertise and take up all outstanding orders, and stop all unnecessary payment of interest. The Winchester street, Sixth street anil Gregory alley improve ment bonds to the amount of $5,190 38 were sold Wednesday afternoon at the law office of J. W. Teep'e. Contractor Woods was the successful bidder. The bonds *ere sold at par together with the accrued interest toda'e. The show windows in our city are now attired in their holiday dress and present an elegant ap pearance. Our merchants have purchased large sto ks of holiday goods and everything desired in this line can be bought at home. Do not leave town for holiday presents. Patronize the merchants wh > advertise and you will find what you want. John D. Edwards, the electrician of this city, has been awarded a ten year contract for lighting the town of Weedsport, New York. The contract calls for forty street lights and as the town has only two thousand inhabitants, the str-etsi will be brilliantly illuminated. Mr. Edwards is a man of practical' experience, and f he gives to that city as good service as he gave this city, the citizens will have no cause for complaint The regular monthly Mother’s meeting was held in the Central school building Friday afternoon December 10. Meeting was called to order by Pr-sident Brittson. Subject for discussion, “Our duty to man,” was discussed by the fol lowing persons: Mesdames Schrock,

Holoway, Merriman. Luckey ami .\jleger Misses Peterson, Miller, Congleton, Dai'ey and Erwin. Folfowing this a short discussion on the subject “Law” was indulged in after which the meeting ad journed to meet on the second Friday in January at three o clock p. m All interested are requested to be present at that meeting. H. All eg AR, secretary pro tern. The commissioners wound up their regular session of business yesterday- In the last few days they ordered the auditor to draw a remitter upon taxes paid by I eter J Baumgartner. The petition <> Dr C. S. Clark for duplicate orders was dismissed, as was also the application for liquor license of John Falb. They visited the county infirmary and report everything therewith, including the inmates, as being clean and well takdered to draw a remitter for fd taxes naid by Peter Huffman. Ihe petition to change surveyor’s office wa S continued and gravel roads in r °„id of tbZ usual amount of busirbe term and adjonrnied last evening.

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY. DECEMBER 16, 1897.

The large page advertisement; otSimison & Soldner of Berne, will > be found again in this issue. They are one of the old and progressive firms of that place. Reports ate current that Smith & Bell of this city, will purchase another mill at Liberty Center. This step is made necessary to handle their fast increasing business. The W. C. T. U. will have an old ' fashioned spelling school at the home of Mrs W. 8 Hughes on SatI urday night, Dec. 18. A prize will tie given the best spe'ler. Taffy i and popcorn io eat at recess. Everybody come and have a good time, all for ten cents. Rev. and Mrs. E. T. Gregg entertained the Cecilian Musical Club lat the beaut ful parsonage home ' Tuesday evening. Dinner was l served, a musical program ren I dered and a very enjoyable evening | devoted to social amusements. The hunting party of which H. S. Porter of this city was a member, has returned from the wilds of Missouri, ad reports good success. They bagged a number of deer, besides numerous small game, but owing to 'he game laws of that state they were unable to supply 7 their friends with venison. At the home of her parents Miss Agnes Buckmaster was reminded ■ of her eleventh birthday by thirtyi three of her friends calling upon her. She was the recipient of many useful and ornamen al presents. Games of all kinds were indulged in and then refreshment* were served. At an early hour all bid Agnes goodnight with many well wishes. A company of superb singers, dancers, comedians and merry’ makers who keep the audience in a constant array of excitement from start to finish. The show cluses with a fare* comedy, A stag party, in which oriental magnificence is thoroughly displayed, sending yon 'I home with light hearts and smil--1 ing faces.—Kalamazoo (Mich) b I News. The Choral Union has been hold i ing rehearsels in Bosse’s Opera . House during the past weak. The ! cantata “Joseph” will be rendered ;on New Year’s night. This will be ' i one of the finest musical entertainI ment* ever given in the city, and J the Choral Union is making ear nest efforts to h«ve this entertainment exceed a lything of the kind ' ever given in the city. Get your Bibles and study the story of Joseph. This beautiful biblical story has been set to music by J Astor Broad and will be presented at Besse’s opera house by the Decatur Choral Union on new years eve and new years night The Choral Union is composed of ! about seventy-five of our best musicians, they are now holding ! nightly rehearsa s at the opera hou-e, and will present to our music loving people a very enjoy - ! able enertainment. Receiver R. B F. Pierce of the Toledo, St Louis & Kansas City railroad company, filed a report with the United States court Tuesday. It makes a first rate showing. From May 22, 1893, until Nov. 30, 1897, the period of the receivershio, the receipts have been #14,623,161 61 and the disburse meats $14,455,365.03, leaving cash on hand Dec. 1, 1897, amounting to $167, 596.58. Th* receipts dur ing November of this year weie $568,991.76, of which $357,248.09 came from agents and conductors. The disbursement* for the month were $401,395.18, the largest single being the traffic balance due con necting roads, amounting to $157,520.38. Excuse us. Last week for some unaccountable reason we forgot to mention the street commissioners doings, but he is still hard at work just as hard as ever. Last week he removed a heavy c >at of mud from Fifth street and the street is now ready to be shorn of its dressing again. But that large iron roller still remains in obscurity. Now is the time to put that valuable article to immediate use, but we have been deprived of its services by resolutions. The streets are in excellent condition to roll and let us get together and resolute that roller back to the corporation limits for use. Appoint the street i commissioner chiet custodian and ) clothe him with power to begin to commence. M Den he turns his office over to his successor, let the streets and alleys be in a presentable shape and now is the time to [ start the roller rolling.

W. Wig Brigg* of Geneva, and W H. Shepherd of Hartford township, were looking after their political fences here several days this week. The Evening Journal is booming Attorney A. L. Sharpe of Bluffton as t”e republican candidate for congress to succeed the present incumbent, Charles L. Henry. A certain Portland man makes it a p >mt to refuse a match to any person who wants it to light a cigarette. And say, tint is not all, there is a tobacconist in this city that refuses to sell the dirty little things—Portland Sun. That is easy. Not one of these little life sborteners can be found on sale in our entire city.

A three year old child of Enoch Eady was badly scalded Tuesday morning by falling into a tub of hot water which the mother had prepared for scrubbing. The little tot accidently stumbled into the water and was badly burned before its screams brought assistance. Dr. Thomas was called and relieved the 1 ttle sufferer. It is not believed that any serious results will follow. The New York Millinery Store suffered a slight loss Thursday evening by fire. While Miss Lizzie Louden was lighting a gas jet a lighted ma ch fell from her hands into the window decoration* and in an instant the inflammable material with which the window was decorated, was entirely destroyed. Several hats were converted to ashes and the loss is estimated at $25. W. S. Morrison of Huntington, traveling pissenger agent for the Erie lines, was looking after rail road business in the city Tuesday. He found time to smile on the Democrat, and again impress us with his gentlemanly hearing and courteous manner. We predict that some day Mr. Morrison will occupy a st 11 higher position in railroad circles. On Wednesday evening, Decern her 8, in the presence of about fifty invited guests, J. P A derson, formerly of Decatur, Ind , now of Wren, Ohio, and Mi*s Lena Roth were united in marriage at the home of the bride’s parents, hree and one half miles north-*est of Wren. The marriage was solernnizedbv Pastor H. H. Smith at6:oo p. m., after wh ch a most bountiful supper was served. Mr. and Mr-. A"derson will make their future home at Wren, Ohio. May their future be as bright as their wedding day The following persons have paid subscript ons since our last rep rt: Chas Hilton, Wm. Droege, E Peltz, Andrew Jackson, C W. Hocker, Andrew Miller, John D. Stultz, Miss Lou Ho'er, T. P. Hollingswor h, George Patterson, Geo. Thornhill, D. N. Stauffer, James Johnson, Dr. H F. Costello, G Berling, A. B Rilev, Geo Dutcher Dr J W. Vizard, John Robison, D Bixler, Michael Zehr, Jolhi L. Case, Henry Magley, B. J. Males, J. A Fleming, El Green, J. A Anderson, Geo. Austin, D. B Erwin, Wm. Jaebker, Mrs B P. Haris, Peter Forbing, W. V. Bnekmaster, W. W. Case, A. B. Daugherty, Frank Davis and J. W. McDonald. Court proceedings for the past week can be told in the following: Clark J Lutz vs Royal Ins Co., dismissed and costs raid Frank A. Hoffman vs John R Porter, set for trial January 13. Helen Bobo vs Samuel Reisen etal., judgment vs defendants for $50.2.». Isaac Hays etal., vs David Oberman, the report of J. F. Mann as trustee makes a final report, which is ap proved and trustee dismissed Georg* H Foote et al., vs Mary Closs, judgment vs defendants for #316 20. William Underwood ys W. P. Black et al., judgment vs plaintiff for costs. Norvel Blackburn vs William H. Numbers, judgment vs defendant for #l9. Gilbert E. Bursley et al., vs George W. Bolds, dismissed and costs pud. Nellie Walters vs Elijah Walters adm’r, now on trial. The Huber Manufacturing Co. vs Jesse M. Parrish et al., judgment vs defendants for $165.20. Jarecki Manufacturing Co. vs Willard P. Black et al , John S. Gilland as receiver makes a report. L. C. Dunbar ex parte, agreement with board of commissioners upon vacation and opening of highway. John King & Son vs Sol M. Schuepp adm’r., set for trial December 25- Pete Holthou*e & Co., vs William H. Harrison executor, ordered left off docket.

Decatur will play Van Wert a foot ball game in this city on Christmas day. The home team will be greatly strengthened and the game well worth seeing. It is also reported that Bluffton will send a team over to be killed on New Years day. The G. R. & I. is remodeling its depot at Kendalville, and making it one of the prettiest on the line. —Fort Wayne Journal. They will have to remodel several times before they get it more picturesque than the antedeluvian heirloom now barely able to h«»ld itself together in this ciy, and which we have been learned to call “daypo.” The fifteen year old son of Sheriff Ash baucher had a severe attack of heart trouble a few eve ings ago and since that time has been confined to his bed. He was kicked in the region of the heart by a horse a short time ago, and while no evil effects were noticed forsome time, it is thought that the kick is the direct cause of his present sickness At the regular meeting of Decatur Lodge No. 571, F. & A M. list Tuesday evening, the following officers were elected to serve for the ensuing year: Willard Suttles, W. M.; David E. Smith, S. W ; Max Romberg, J. W., John H. Lenhart, Sec’y; and Henry Winnes, Treas. The installation of officers will be held Tuesday evening, Dec. 28, at wh ch t me the R. A. M. and O E. S. will also in stall officers which will be public to Masons and their families. Up to the present time about two hundred and reventy five incandescent lights are in use by consunn rs. The incandescent dynamo will carry 1500 lights and it will probably be some time before the machine is loaded to its fullest capacity Had the city council reduced the rate to a price within the reach of the people and taxpayers who own the lighting plant and who ar - enti led to anv benefits o be had. then would the city plant have been liberally pa ron ized “Knock off another chunk and turn on the incandescent igh s.” Farmers are comp'aining of hav ing halter straps and parts of their harness stolen while leaving their horses hitched in different part- of the city Some person or persons have a habit of appropriating th-se articles to their own use. While these straps haven’t a great value, yet farmers do not feel that degree of safety which they ought to have if they were certain that their harness would not be stolen whPe trading in theci'y. Officers should endeavor to capture the guilty partie- and set them up as a bright shining example for the benefit of other kleptomaniacs who nty be roaming at large. Do this before they acquire the habit of stealing harness, horse wagon and all.

Late Saturday evening word reached this city, that W. J. Fitzgerald, a wel 1 known resident of Decatur had died suddenly at Dunkirk. Ind. Friends immediately left for the sc*ne of death to pre pare the body for removal fi< hi* home in this ci'V- The facts in connection with his sudden death, as near as could be learned are as follows: Some time during Satur day morning he -t pped into a r staurant for a lunch. While being waited on tie fell across the counter in a stupor, and after several at tempts to arouse him had been fruitless, the city marshal was sent for. The marshal assisted by other officers removed the unfortunate man to the city prison where they again attempted to arouse him without success. They visited him several times during the day but he was found unconscious each time. The last time they vi-ited him, which was about five o’clock in the evening they found him dead. The belief that hewas intoxicated probably kept the officers from calling a physician or any aid. If such is the case, the authorities are deserving of severe censure. Some attempt should have been made to give the stricken man relief and notallow him to die uncared for. At the coroner’s inquest it was developed that apoplexy was the cati*e of death. All symptom* point to this as being the proper solution for his death. The body was brought to this city Monday afternoon and taken to the home of his mother, corner Third and Monroestreets. The funeral was held Tues lay morning at 9 o’clock from the residence of h'B mother. Interment in St. Joseph’s cemetery.

I CIRCULATION j 2400 WEEKLY.

NUMBER 40

APPOPLEXY. FULL ACCOUNT OF THE SUDDEN DEATH OF WILLIAM J. FITZGERALD. The following from the Dunkirk Evening Star contains afull account of the sudden death of W. J. Fitzgerald at that place, together with the coroners verdict: People on the streets Saturday evening were shocked to learn that the old man who had been put in the city jail early in the day on account of intoxication hud been found dead on the couch in his cell. The tost to know of the prisoner’s death was Marshal Hartman who had gone to the jail at 5 o’clock to take the old man to supper. He found the prisoner lying on the couch of the cell apparently still asle-p. W hen he attempted to awaken him, however, he was s artled to find that the man wa* stiff and cold. A number of by standers were at once called in and Dr. Garber sent for. When the physician arrived, he pronounced the prisoner dead and had him remove! to Cook’s undertaking establishment acioss the street. It was the opinion of Dr. Garber that the man had died from apoplexy and a post mortem examination by Dr. Murray late Saturday night proved that the opinion was correct. A blood vessel had burst in the brain and had caused the stupor which deceived the officer and ended in death. The man from his condition when found had evidently died be’ween 12 and 3 o’clock. The inquest was held Sunday at 2 o’clock and the verdict was in accordance with the findings of the post-mortem examination and which will be found below. An examination of the dead man’s pockets brought forth a number of articles bv which be could be identified. One was a letter from a Mrs Haefling of Decatur who addressed 'he per-on to which the letter was -ent as “Dear Brother.” A telephone call to the writer brought G M. Haefling, her husband to the ’phone and from him it was learned that the deceased was William J. Fitzgerald of Decatur and tna» he had a wife and child at Fort Wayne and a mother and sister at Decatur The deceased’s relatives were well to do people Mr Haefling said, and wou d look after the remains. Sunday, James Haefling, a nephew by marriage of the deceased, arrived from Decat nr and accompanied |the remains to that city this morning, the body beingshipped byway of Ridgeville. The funeral will e held Tuesday and the remains intered at Decatur. The physicians assert that the marshal is in no way to blame for his mistake in regard to the man’s condition as any one, out side of a physician, wou d have taken Fitzgerald to have been drunk. They also c airn that death would have resulted just the same wherever the man had been coroner’s verdict. “I, Jonathan B. Garber, coroner of Jay county, state of Indiana, did on the 12th day of Dtcember, 1897, ho'd an inquest on the body of a mal* person about the age ot 50 vears, and who was found dead at the police stat ion i i the city of Dunkirk, Ind , about 5 p. m. December 11, 1897- Aftei bearing the testimony and examining into all the circumstance* ci nnected with the case, I find that the deceased was William Joseph litz—gerald whose residence was Decatur Ind , and that he was 49 years old. I further find that the said William J. Fitzgerald came to his death between the hours of 12 and 3 p m. on the 11th day of December 1897, and that death was caused by cerebral hemorrhage, or apoplexy. “Given under my hand and seal this 13th dav of December, 1897. J. R. Garber, Coroner.” The following officers were elected to guide the destinies of Sam Henrv Post No. 63, G. A. R.: Commander Joe Bremerkamp, Senior Vice Commander Andrew J. Teeple, Junior Vice Commander George W. Louthan, Quartermaster Norval Blackburn, Surgeon Jacob Railing. Chaplain Robert N. Andrews, Officer of day John Williams, Office’- of guard Samuel Chronister, Delegates to State Encampment John W illiams, Jacob Yager and Andrew J. Teeple, Trustees John D. Hale, Simeon B. Fordyce and R. S. Peterson. Installation of officers will be held first Saturday iu January.