Decatur Democrat, Volume 41, Number 43, Decatur, Adams County, 6 January 1898 — Page 1

all the news ALL THE TIME.

VOLUME XLI.

MONROEVILLE TRAGEDY. Michael miller and viola marquardt COMMIT SVICIDE TOGETHER. Parental Objection Given as the Direct Cause of the Rash Deed - Both were Quite Prominent. A shocking double tragedy occurred at Monroeville Sunday nigh in which two lives were s*c rificed for the sake of love Two jpopu ar voting people of that lift e town were found in the cold embrace ol death early Monday morning in the ba k room of a sdoon owned by M’cnael Mil er. For two year* Michael Miller, saloon Jceeeer, and Mi-s V iola Marquaidt daughter of one of the ■■ "St promi neut farmers of Allen connty have been lovers. During all that time the parents of the gi-l have strongly obje< ted to Mil er as a suitor, but the young people had hoped to overcome these obstacles and the recent tia edy -hows that they had Jivd again-t hope When August Miller, a brother of the dead man, jop-ned the saloon for “iisines* [Monday morning he noticed that Lthe bar fixtures hail been dis url» d and believin' his tiro her to be in ■Fort Wayne where he had gme a ■day or tw » before, he in ide an in svestigiii mos tne piemises After ■calking about the p ace, he went to ■he nielli occupied as a sleeping ''a artment by his brother. On openRug the door the high l that met his gaze rendered him terror stricken and he rushed from the room in search of a physician, The fir-t object th i m-t his gaze was thho ly of Viola Marquard lying face downward on the fl .or O > the lied Jx i gon his 'ack with hi* hands above his head was the dead body Os 'be ael 'ldler When Dr. Kauf nan entered (he place t he surroundings pointed too pla nly to n tragedy Bull the young people bad bullet holes throu h the t tuple and had been dead several hours. Was it mu der or suicid'? After making an examination of the room it was general y believed that suicide was the proper thenry. Both f the dead people must Lave died instantly, as their brains were Completely shattered. Fr. in th«po*iti<m in which the bodies were found it is generally be ieved that Miller died first Tne young wo man’* body was lying in a heap on the fl or. Her right arm want retened ot't on ihe ft >or ami just beyond the fingers lay a revolver With I hree chambers eiuptx . While the features of the young man were compo ed, showing m» trace of pain the face of 'lts* Marquardt was slightly contorted ami tile m Seles drawn, showing that she siiff-red Some before di-so lllion to >k place Butt tlie \ ictiin* were fully dressed Mi 1 r wore hiscoat, and 'liss Marquirdt had her str» et jacket on as if she wa* ju*t about to leave the bouse. Her hat was found in the room out* de, beside Miller’.* cap Sheriff 'le citing and Coroner Kappel were notified as soon as the minds „f those about recovered from the stupor of horror that such discoveries bring. The officers went lo the village immediately. The trao-ily was the tai* of everyone B isim-ss was almost su*pendted, and horror wa* on every face It was difficult to conduct the in ves igatiou. The bodies had l»ee lef' in the positi m they oec >pi>d when first found, an I when Coroper Kappe arrived he found them umn >v d. Fro n the position of the bodies, the officers were led to believe that Miss Marquardt first ti-ed at Miller, killing him. and then shot herself. The surroundings point to this view but the 'etkers f >und by 'filler’s brother do not. At al 1 events if the girl fired at, her lover it wa* with h s knowledge and acquiescence, for h s face ■was unimi/ed ami c imposed The truifa will pro >ably never be known : Only two shots * ers tire l, for, al though three chambers of the wea j p<m were empty, one of the chain-i bers was rusted, showing that it •had not been loaded for some time It was impossible to get at t'e true facts from the witnesses, everybody *as so excited and du-trated that fto one could give a clear and cob-

cis.- statement <.f what. »as known, and the cm oner decided to post i p.me the holding of the inquest, until Wednesday, at, which lime' the telafives and others concerned will have recovered t» eir wi s and be ab e to tell a connected story of whatever is known of the young people’s re'ations Coroner Kapp-1 took away the pistol with which i the deed was committed, and also ' has two letters * hich were foun I hm the “back bat” in the saloon. I'tic-e letters were hand d to Dr. Kaufman by the brother when the investigation wa* in progress. The first was from Miss Marquard',and was identified as being in her hand writn g- It read as follows: January 2 Yon wi 1 wonder wh.it has induced US to do this act, but we have concluded to die together ami di game. My folk- a e opposed to our marriage and Mike is disc uraged am 1 we wil die together. Bnry us side by side. Viola Marquardt and Michael Miller. The second letter was longer i han the first and laire some evidence of having been wr tten tinder the ii llueiic- of a mental strain. The band willing wa*identified by persons iu Monroeville as hat of Michael M Iler. It was signed in a »e 1 co densed signature, “J. M. Miller.” The letter s'ated that the writer had lost money in gaming and that he still owed a little He named two Fort " axne liquor d-alers as his creditors, and gaye ihe amount he owed each one This 'latement was followed by another to the effect that he would have ab..ut $1,300 left after all his in debtedness was paid This amount he said that he wanted his brother August to have, since that hr ther was married and would la? more greatly in need of tne money. I'lien the writer said that he knew that the gi I was all right and that lie had frequently b»en hurt by the way that certain p-ople had talke about her. But he said that he l.'ived her and he knew that she loved I ini since they t ad dec ded io die together He urged that iliey • e buried together, notwithstanding wh it arty one should sav. Tnere wa- a pitiful sc-ue when Jacob Marquardt, the fattier of the unfortunate young woman, arrived it the house « here the tragedy oc mined He hail been notifiei of Hie sad affair, a <1 when e arrived lie «as l eside himself with g'ief. When he reached the house he forced liis way through the crowd ami <1 mantled admittance to the room where the bodies lay. The coroner’s inquest was iu prog es* and the door had been 1 eked to keep away tie curious. The space in front of the door was packed wii Ii humanity, but the crowd fell back appalled by th- awful grief •<f the heart stricken father. At the door s me one told him he must not go in until the co oner had fin ished his work. His surging grief hr Ke loos* and he cred out: “Let me in! She is mi e and I must have her! My daughtei!” Tney ge tly trud to testrai • him, but, breaking from them the half craze t parent launched his frame against ihe door. The strong lock gave wa* and the dour tb-w open, disclosing to his agonized view the full iwful, hear 1 breaking spectacle He gazed mi his daughter’s form with t-arless ey> s. Th n looked a the physic an* and offices ami shttdd*Tingly turned to go. “Go on wi ll your examination,” fie said, “but when you aie through I want my daughter” Friend* took care of the stiirken man, ami whe i the investigation was over ■e saw hi - daughter's corpseagain. Both liodivs were taken in charge by the local undertaker and pre pared for burial. Both of the young people were well and favor ably known in this city, and the r many friends were shocked to hear of their sad fate While it was kii'Wn to many that their love had not the sancti n of some of the relatives, few there were but who sup(»o*ed the course of love would overcame obstacles. It was not to lie. ' A woman despairing and a man brooding over a futile love, ami ijna hap over an unkind dis pensAtion of fortune’-favors, is the picture that presents dself to the miml when the circumstanc s of ihisi'leath are considered. Still, all is not know-, ami probabb nothing will ever shed the light of trutft on 'his 'lark tragedy, that has shocked the entire community. Thet*® a e circumstances that p dnt to a double tnnrde r , or to a double Buitdde, or to a murder and -uicide j but the pall of death bangs like a ]

DECATUR, IXDIA.'A, THURSDAY. JANUARY (I. IS!'8.

curtain, hiding forever th- secret <>f ihe cause which led to the horrible a flair. There are many speculations but no solution <>f he mystery. Perhaps it never will be Solved The funeral occurred yes terday ■ fternoon at 2 o’clock, and the two lovers wete buried side by side in the Old Marquardt cemetery. This was their dying request am! was agreed to by the families of both the deceased Fisher & Frysinger h>st three vahia'de horses en route from this < ity to New York The balance of the shipment is now on the way to Germany. Joseph Briner and Mary Oliver were maried at the residence of the bride in this city, Thursday evening. R*v F. W Hart of the Bapti't church officiated. Judge Heller was »t Fort Wayne Tuesday hearing a motion f r a •lew trial in the Aid u-Notesline case, which he tried in the superior court of that city some time ago. Mr. and Mrs. Ferris, Mrs Sarah Ramey ami daughter Rntn and Miss Lila Robbins, all of Portland. 5 nidayei in this city with dr. and Mr-. R B. Allison ami Mrs. Jessie Townsend and son Burt. Pete Holth nse & <’•. wish to extend their -incere thanks to their many friend* and patrons for their liberal patronage, ami hope to meri' a continuance of the same to the new firm of Holthouse, Schulte 6 Falk. Father Wilkens was ca led to Cincin uiti last Monday to attend the funeral of an aged aunt who • lied in that city. She was one of the oldest residents of the city, leaving resided there for more than sixty years. The firm <>f Ashbaucher & Bell is now a reality, th-y having cml> et»-d t 1 e invoice ami <>pene I the store to the trade. In a few da\s •*v rx thing will be arranged in proper or 'er for the coiiveuieuceofev- ■ r.x body concerned The New Year was ush-red in amid the screams of screeching whistles, ringing bells ami fire arms. Let us tie thankful t hat the entire ye«r will n-t be desecrated in ilii- horrible «ay. One sleepless night each year is pl< nty, and let u all be thankful that it is over f>>r at least another year. Gountv Supermt- ndent Brandy l>erry, Pr<>f. Bii tson of this city, anil John Anderson of Berne, came home fr-nn ludiaiiajrolis last Friday Tev were in attendance at a state meeting of county snperinteudei ts and bacheis, and report a most pleasant and profitable mee ing. " hile neighb’r ng towns weie shivering in their boots during the colii snap Sunday, Decatur citizens were comfortab y toasting their shins around a gas fi r e with the pressure sufficient f-r comfort and health. Tne management of the gas company here especial me tion fortheii efforts in giving our people what they pay for—gas in sufficient quantises. Dr. J. E. Mann formerly of this city, has been elected to the chair <>f eye, ear, nose ami thr >at in the Southwestern Homeopathic Medical College of Louisville, Ken tuckv. Dr. Mann was born and raised in this city and his many friends are pleased to hear of his progress toward wealth and fame. Dr. .Mann has long been regarded as one of the best specialists in the United States, and has often been cal ed ii|>on to perform difficult ouerations in all the large cities of the United States The success with which his operations are attended, have ga ned for him an enviable reputation. Thieves broke into the west end grocery Monday night and stole a li tof cigars and tobacco*. Goods were scattced promiscouslv about the room and considerable d image was done. Thvse burglaries and robberies have become a common occurrence in this city, and not even one, sole, solitary, lonely burglar, robber or thief has ever be n captured since these mid night burglaries have taken place. Somebody is to blame. The people are entitled to protects n if it does cost the city something Officers have not been back war I about knocking the bung out of the treasury bar’i when it comes to making expensive iinp'ovements, then why should they be tin id .when it comes to protecting life [and property.

A large immher -I out of town peopl att> tided the <'antata, “Jo*eph.” The ma y p easing thing* said of the prodiicti'Hi, by thevi*i tor* was very plea*ing to the t'hor al Union. M iss S q>h a Mangold entei tained asmall party "t friends at a “watch party” New Years eve Besides greetiiitf Hie New and bidding adieu tot tie O<l year, they feasted to suit the occasion Mr*. Samuel Acker and Miss Minta Acker retnr ed fr-in a l-ng ami p easani visit, at Georg town, Kentucky. Tney were absent three months and were much delighted with their southern visit Bert Lower ha* been enga-ed ns piincipal of the west ward school, a posi ion made vacant by the resignation of John 8. Fa k who lias purchased an interest in the clothing store of P. Holthouse & Co. One more addition to our announcement column has been made since "tir issue of last week. Her man F. iteinking of Un on township, asks lorepresent the fir*t <l’B- - on the board of county commissioners. It is reported that Sam Evans now confiu din the Reforo atory at Jeffersonviln . is lying at the point of death. Dating the past week or two lie has hail severa 1 hemorrhages of the lung* and n<> hope a eentertained for his lecovery. Henry Winnes has moved hi* -tock of boots ami shoes t the room corner Main ami Monroe *treets N. E., where he will lapleased to see his many friends He now has one of the finest business room* in the city as well as a first class local on. It is with pleasure that we call the attention <>four read'-rs to the well established hardware tir" of J S Bowers & Company. They Stait the New Year with a verx good space in the Democrat, which they will occupy during all of fs9S This s one of t lie oldest bu-iness firms in t e city. Me-dames "'iliiam II , James K and ' has 8 Niblick were at home to friends on N-w Year* day at the residence of Mr .nd Mrs. James K Niblick o • North Main stree . The entertainment was complete in every detail and the reireshments were elaborate. This was a dax long to be rem-inhered by their lady friends. The newly elected officers of tl e G A. R were installed at their hall last Saturda.v evening. B. W. Sholty was installing officer, ami the lodge is now under t* edirection of Jos. Bremercanip, commander; A. J. Peoples, senior vice commander; Go. W. L< uden, junior vice command r; John Wiliams, O D-; Norval Blackburn, Q. M ; R. N. Andrews, Chaplain; Jacob Hading, surgeon; Samuel Chronister, O. G.; L. R. Moore, adjutant “The Missouri Girl” that will appear at the opera hoiisa tonight is the finest comedy drauu on the mad This company carry and use all of their own scenery Miss Ravmon ' a* “Daisy” is reputed to be on an equality with the fore most artists in the profession If the patrons of the opera bouse wish to see a grand production, well staged, with handsome cos tumes, elegant s euery, thev do not want to miss this opportunity, as this is one of the strongest attrac tions that Manager Bosse habooked for this season, ami should be well patronized. Reserved seds on sa’e at Yager Bro’s, drug store. The business in the circuit court for the past week can be told in the following: Isaac Matter ex parte, admitted to bar. State vs Lee Smith et a', bench warrant issued. An"a O. Amspangh vs Mary C. Henderson et a , final re port James T. Merryman, • ommis sioner, a>'proved and commissioner discharged. Jarecki Manufactur ing Company vs Willaid P. Black et a', Receiver Gillil and makes a final report and is discharged David Studabaker vs Samuel M. Shugart et al, judgment vs defendant* for $169 State vs Otto Her man, set for trial January 20 Steve Longenberger vs John Longeuberger, judgment vs defendant for $420. William II Johnson vs Mary C. Urick et al, C. J. Lutz as commissi ner, files his final report and is discharged Mary O. Falton vs Manhatten Oil Company trial by jury, verdict for plaintiff in the sum ofstiso. Hattie McAfee vs City of Bluffton, now on trial with James R. Bobo, special judge.

Clem Hott Imus* ent'rtaineil th* l)'s of P. nt his home last Friday evening. The evening was devoted to Pedro and dancing and the entertainment greatly appreciated P izes were won by Nettie Smith a d Anna Mongey ami Messrs Otto Eliitiger and Hugh Thom s. Thec-'llege student* from this ci y and county have returned t" ttn-ir studies after a brief holiday vacation. The boys mid girls greatly enjoyed their short stay with friends but were anxious t" again take up the struggle and turimil incident to a busy student’s life. The Misses Faye and Mabie E l ivards entertained several young people Thursday evening in honor of the Misses Leiningerol Kendallville. Ttie young folks enjoted ihemselves immensely and expressed a vote of t auks for the pleas ant man • r in winch they were entertained l\i I heir pleasing hostess’. Marriage licenses have been is sued during the week to Frederick lluff'inaii and Callie Foster. Dennis G Brandyberry and Ora E Wis b-r, Hany B Hower ami Cora B. Mjers, Charlej H Shaffer and Nettie Bowman, Peter Bauman and Arma VraiTriinten, Will am C. Allmandinger and Barbaras. Hoehamer, Shelby L. Vance and Lulu 8. Maun. Dick Townsend is again at the helm at the “Burt ’’ He took po* session of this famous hostelry January 1, ami win make his city h-s future home. Dick is one of the liest known hotel men in Indiana, and tiis first step owards hotel fame was taken in this citv. After leaving this city he took charge <4 'he Randal t Fort Wayne ami (dated t among the for* most hotel.* of the country. After ilispos ing o his interest* in that city, he accepted the position of nnnager of the Grand Hotel at Indi-tiapoli* where he remained tin il a short time before returoing to this <ity. A daughter of Peter Wilhelm was severely burned at tt>e home of Petei Gaiter on North Ninth street •ast Friday afternoon. While the uiri was passing an < pen the place her < lothing cati. ht fire a 1 d *he was so->n enveloped in flames. Her *cr ams brought to tier re*cue Peter ami Michael Gaffer who succeeded in extinguishing the flnne* but not tl til ttie child had been severely burned around the liody. Her rescuer- were a'so burned in extinguishing the flmnes, and are to be co iimende I f>r their prompt action in saving the child from a tirrible d>ath. At this writing the child is somewhat better and will possibly recover. The Decatur Choral Union rendered the cantata “Joseph” at the Operi House last Ftiday ami Saturday evenings, and for the magnificent way in which it was prod tic ed are entitled to t"e pra’se and adtuira ion of ttie entire community. This beautiful rend lion o' a bibical story , represented weeks of bard and earnest labor by the Union. Their fondest hopes have been realized. Prai*e for the Chor al Union is heard on every side. Phis ex ellent organization ha come to stay and for this the pe<> (>le are glad Among its members will lie found ail of the best tnusi cal talent within the lim ts of our city, and this city boasts of tio small number of vocal artists. They have promised upon some future occasion, to again entertain the people of Decatur and their appearance wi I always be heralded with pleasure The proceeds of the entertainment just given will be used by the Union in furnishing a mom fir their own purpose, and. and this room will lie equipped with one of the best pianos in the market. The cantata of “Joseph” just produced is a bi bical story beantifullv dramatized It would be useless for us to attempt to por tray the story or give even a remote idea of what it contains. To those who are not lamilier with the story, we advise reading the Bible and thus obtain a full de scription of the story which furnished the nucleus around which was built one of the most beautiful dramas ever presented to the public. The presentation "f char xcters was excellent, and the choruses were grand. It might better he died a symposium < f our fairest sons and daughters, sweet voic s and handsome costumes Let us welcome the Decatur Choral Union with one accord and wish for them the same success in the-r future under'akings, as was attained in the rendition of “Joseph.”

CIRCULATION 2400 WEEKLY

\UMBEK 43

THE AGONY ENDED. Congressman Henry Recommends P] L. Andrews as Decatur's Re publican postmaster. For severa' weeks the public has been on tiptoe, in anxious expectancy, awaiting the announcement <>f a new postmaster. Ti e siisp*nse has at last cleared aw<y A tele—uram reached this city yesterday morning announcing that Congressman Hen y ha>l recommended P. L. Andrews for that responsible p sition. P. L. Andrews is a product of Adam • county He was burn in this county thi ly-eight, years ago and has fivel here all that time. Most of bis life has been devoted to farming. He came to his city severa' years ago and began thestudy of law with R. 8. Peters, n. After a few years in 'aw, he turned his attention to uewsp per work and w .s f>>r a time editor of the Decat"r Jotin al. After a brief jieriod in t' is line he rettir e l to ti e farm whete be remained until two years ago when he engaged in the practic- of 'aw inthiscity «ith Paul G Hooper under the firm name < f H"O(wr & Andrews. For the past two years he has been -ecretaryof the county republ can central cunmitte and this position placed him in line for an app intni' iit under the present administration It has been irenerally conceded that he would be successful in his aspirations, and Ihe coming of Charles L. Henry to this city a few weeks ago for the purpose of looking into the merits of the respective candidates was heralded ns a bluff ptireand sitn| le. E'erybody expected the appointment of Audrewsas a reward for party fealty, and rarty services. He has the abi ity to make a first class official, and for t'e next four years the mail will be handled by a republican. New circuit court cases fi ed during t e pa*t week, only include Edw rd *• Wolf vs Charley Stahl et. al, note; demand $l5B. Town of Geneva vs William Fields et al, to foreclose 1 en, SSO. Council met in regular session Tuesday even ng and transacted business wi h Counci I men Coverdale, Niblick, Teeple and Rice prese t. Coverdale was e'ected pn sidetit pro tern and t e grist l»e---gan to grind. The fi'st act was to opt n the doors of the treasury and start the cash to flowing, by al'owing tlie f'llowiiig bills: Chicago Fire Ho*e Co $360, S reet (’ontniis*i 'iiers pay roll $4 70, (This would have been much larger but the streets have been hitlden away l>e—yond the reach of the Commissioner. He offered apo'onies whieh wereglatlly accepted on beha f "f the tax pavers,) E ectric Appliance Co $4 28, Fir < ejiartinen $lB 75, Wilson Humphreys & Co $lO, J 8. Bow- rs Co $26.03, J. II V ogelwedesl.so, Wm. Geary *5, John Brock $2.75, F A. Dibble $9 79, F.'it Wave Electric Corporation *l2 50, G >orge Kinzle $45, .lames C. Giverdale $6, Charles Peterson *3O, J hit Bn ck $2 25, J. Yager *l2 50, Ing rsoll Sergeant Dri 1 Co. $25 60, C. Jorwin S4O, M. Jackson S4O, M. Inglehait $6, James K. Niblick $1 55, Olds Construction Co. $298 35. Niblick & Co. $3 90. A. E Broadbeck $.«7. Dr Miller -as given permission to bui <1 a corrugated imn covered shed, back of John Brock’s store. Ttie finance ■ ominittee reported that they had borrowed from the Old Adams County Bank the sums $2,323.65, $264.39 and $lB 60, to be used iu payment of the city’s apport oninent of the Winchester and Sixth streets and the Gregory alley improvements. Ttie said loans to be paid out of the July distribution of taxes. Cotimilman Coverdale pre sent da written motion forttie reduction <>f incandesc nt 1 ght rates to 8c per thousand watts and a fl it rate of 25 cents per month for light;. The motion was ca l tied and the lights have again been re duced in price through the efforts of the Democrat. Council theu adjourued.