Decatur Democrat, Volume 42, Number 42, Decatur, Adams County, 29 December 1898 — Page 1

all the news ALL THE TIME.

VOLUME XLII.

Misses Lizzie and Emma Deader n r\ew Washington, Ohio, are the guests of their sister, Mrs. W. A. Wetter. Editor Rayu, of the Geneva Herald, was in town last Saturday on business and incidentally made this office a pleasant call. J. Fred France and family of Huntington. have been the guests of relatives and friends here and at Geneva for several days. Miss May Niblick gave a masquerade party to a number of her friends Wednesday evening. Twenty five invitttions were issued. Editor Silver, of the, Bluffton Chronicle, was a Decatur visitor the first of the week and while here didn't forget to make us a sociable call. Receptions and parties seem to be the order of things this week among the fashionable of the city. Two or three are booked for every evening this week. Charles Meyers, a former Decatur bov who has been employed in the Geneva oil field for several years, has been transferred by his company to the Warre field. Two new cases were filed in the circuit court the past week: Delinda Ellsworth et al vs John Hyatt, attachment. Miles W. Hamrick vs Daniel Lewis et al, to quiet title. The Union City Times published an elegant Christmas edition last week, which holds up the reputation the Times has always borne, that of being one of the leading papers of the state. R. T. McDonald, who died at Dallas, Texas, last week and who has done more towards making Fort Wayne what she is, than any other man was certainly a believer in life insurance. It is said he carried policies aggregating $160,000. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Arcutt, of Ridgeville, spent Christmas with the latter’s parents. Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Smith, at this place. They returned home Tuesday and were accompanied by Miss Ada Archbold! who will visit with them for a few days. In our write-up last week of the joint institute at Berne, the trustees were somewhat slighted. There were but one or two absentees, thus show ing an unusual interest in school work by these guardians. The trustees in Adams county are aggressive to the best interest of the townships, be it school work or what not. The following readers of the Democrat have renewed their subscription during the past week: Peter Kirsch, •John Walton. D. Furgerson, T. A. Baker. John Buhler, Mrs. Geo. Smith, J. H. Steele, A. P. Grim. Jacob Mangold, J. P. Haefling, Wm. Harper, George Pontius, Barney Lengerick. Sam Soldner, Henry C. Bittner and George W. Watson. Christmas time and the holidays is a harvest for the railroads and this year was especially so. Early last week people began coming and going, and travel increased until Saturday, when it became so heavy that ail trains were late. The local agents report the business this year heavier than it was last, and the receipts from ticket purchasers far surpasses that of last season.

Hard tack is no longer the exclusive reliance of the army. Several divisions have been supplied with field ovens of galvanized iron, which turn out 200 loaves at a baking. Each soldier is entitled to 18 ounces of flour as a part of his daily ration, and economic baking represnts an important item. A regiment at Savanah recently received S9OO in cash for flour saved m one month. The bakery is set up by the men inside of twenty-four hours, and the bakers are selected from the ranks.

A female peddler is going about the country selling patent button fasteners. If you do not wish her to take liberties with yon in her search for missing buttons, the best thing you can do when you see her approaching !s to take to your heels. If you gi'e her a half a chance she will grab your drawers which protrude above vour pantaloons, yank them up and disclose such fasteners as pine sticks, nmls, etc. If there is anything that "ill send the cold chdls down a man’s B Pmal column, it is thus to be rudely yanked about by this feminine vender Patent fasteners who is said to lie headed this way. H. Wilkens, the clever voting artist who is to star in “The Noble ntcast to be given by the city Drastic Club Friday evening, is certainly a wonder. He was the center of traction last Saturday as an ad ver•senient for Kern, Brittson & Beeler. p posed as Hobson, Dewey and . ln gton in the large show win--0" of that firm's shoe store and his was immense. It is said that H J. era * I’ets were made by some of our ise ones as to whether or not the ;‘ gure "as real or wax. Mr. Wilkens attm » r ' n l^e i‘ ue P°sing and th® „ v „ ra< ‘ tlon ."’as one of the most novel l„ r B ** n in the city. He is said to an ext -‘ellent actor and the play Fri , wuT' 60 * 11 *’ "iii no doubt be well. n your time and money.

OfcCATIfR

Dick Townsend of the Burt House, thTboM e q h h i s em P loves about gin te Wlt ‘ a hantlsome Christmas Homer Sowers and wife will entertain the young people of the Presby tenan church tonight at their home on south Fifth street. County Superintendent Brandyberry is at Indianapolis this week where he is attending a meeting of the state association of teachers. John M. Gideon and wife and Mrs Shugars.of McGill, Ohio, came Saturday and spent several days visiting at the home of Clerk Lenhart and family. Rev. Duckett, of the Presbyterian church, delivered an excellent Christmas sermon last Sabbath, which was attentively listened to by the congregation. The Decatur High school football team will meet the Bluffton team at Fronfield’s park this afternoon. Dick France, the famous Michigan guard, will play in the game. James Harklass, and family, of Paulding, Ohio, spent Sunday in the city, the guests of Mrs. Harkless mother, Mrs. Hower. Jim is assistant cashier in the Paulding County Bank. Governor Mount is determined to do all in his power to break up white cap outrages in Indiana. He will strong ly urge that the legislature will pass an act that will be effective in that direction. Christmas Eve was celebrated in all our churches last Saturday evening and the arrival of the grizzled old veteran “Santa Claus’’ delighted the children just as he did forty years ago, “long afore we knew who Santa Claus wus.” Foreman & Berger and John D. Neidlinger shipped two car load of horses to Germany Tuesday evening. They left here over the Erie for New York in a palace car and will leave that city the last of the week. These gentlemen are all hustlers in the shipping business and deserve success.

Mr. and Mrs. William R. Dorwin celebrated their golden wedding anniversary last Sunday, that day being the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding. All their relatives and a large number of friends took dinner with them in honor of the celebration. Among those present were Rev. Jay Dorwin and wife. On his arrival home Christmas day A. M. Baxter found about thirty of his friends and relatives gathered to remind him that it was his thirty-third birthday. After recovering his nerves somewhat the employes of his hav press came marching in and presented Mr. Baker with a fine writing desk. After dinner was served the remainder of the day was spent in social conversation and an old fashioned good time. Ed Macey, who until a short time ago was a corporal in Company B. 160th regiment, arrived home about two weeks ago, having received an honorable discharged. He was agreeably surprised upon his arrival home to find a fine baby boy who Ed says will hereafter be his captain. Ed says he prefers life in Adams county to life in the army. He thinks the boys will leave for Cuba within a few weeks.

The reception and dance given by the Ladies Bowling Club last evening was a brilliant one. Seventy-five invitations had been issued and a large majority of that number were present. The reception began at eight o’clock and lasted about two hours, after which came the grand march and then several hours of dancing. Refreshments were served and the music, which was furnished bv the city orchestra, made the pleasures of the evening complete. Several out of tow n guests were present. There has turned up in this part of the state a dangerous counterfeit of the $lO silver certificate, Hendrick s portrait and check letter “B. The mmer.il appearance of the bill is bad but in a measure it is relieved by crumpling the bill, soaking it in water or bv some other process, giving it the appearanc of a used bill The genuine has in the lower left hand corner the stamp of the bureau of engraving and printing, but in the counterfeit this is omitted. The silk threads and other mark are in the counterfeit, aud with the exception of the differences noted it can scarcely be told from the gennine. , . . The educators of Indiana have been surging into Indianapolis pretty steadHv this week for their annual holiday Sng and it is estimated that over 2500 are .«»• I" a ‘“ h Tot Lo this association became so large that it was necessary to div.de the work before it among sections. The meeting of the general association l secretary is Emma d. - , continue all week.

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29 1898

THOSE of our delinquent subscribers who failed to pay up in p ’ -n ~ gus . t) an ,d those who promised to pay before the holidays, > 1"* *. take notlce that our subscription books must be closed and > sett ci lup by the first of next month. These accounts must be ’ 3 paid, so give this notice your prompt attention. 8 w -m—w.'.m, mi m ■y-ir-'rnry-Hw ,*■, _t* ,**, 'u, u ,u, u.. ,w.

C harles and Lizzie Bushnell entertained a few of their friends at their home Sunday evening. An enjoyable time was had by all present. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Vaughn are the happy parents of a fine baby boy which made it s appearance Christmas morning. Mother and babe are doing nicely. J. W. Poling and family of Redkey, spent several days the first of the week with friends here. Mr. Poling is manager of the Peter Holthouse & Co. large clothing house at that place. Miss Gladys Hofman. of Detroit, Mich., is the guest of Miss Victoria Stone this week at the latter’s home on South second street. They will spend New Year’s day at Fort Wayne. It is rumored that John Blakesley, well known to nearly every citizen in this county, was married to a handsome young school teacher at her home in southern Georgia Tuesday evening. John Parrish spent Christmas at Fort Wayne, returning home Monday. He reports that Mrs. Parrish who underwent a severe operation several days ago is now getting along nicely and within a few days will be able to return home. ’Squire Smith has been quite busy during the past week in the matrimonial line. Last Saturday he united in marriage Wm. H. Trim and Miss Mary P. E. Hill and on Sunday afternoon he solemized the vows for John A. McClellan and Miss Etta Henderson. The committee of arrangements for the Farmers’ Institute are composed of Prof F. M. Falk, Mrs. Jessie Townsend and Mrs. Jennie Studabaker. With these as a committee the farmers can depend that they will not have only good music, but will have everything provided for the accommodation of the institute. Dr. Leßrun, the well known and leading veterinary surgeon, received a letter from his son, Charles, who is with Company B, Eighteenth Infantry, stationed at Cavite, Philippine Islands. The letter was written November 2. and reported him in good health. Charley will be remembered by all the Decatur boys who will be more than glad to hear that he is enjoying his experience as a soldier for Uncle Sam. R. T. McDonald, one of Fort Wayne’s most aggressive and hustling business men and one of Indiana’s wealthy citizens, died at Dallas, Texas, last Saturday at 11 o’clock. Funeral services were held at Fort Wayne Tuesday. Mr. McDonald was well known here and was highly respected and esteemed by all who knew him. He was principal owner of many electrical concerns over the country, including the Fort Wayne electric plant. Sylvanus B. Nickum, whose claim of having invented a light which will glow perpetually and without any re-1 plenishing of the forces which produce it, has attracted to him the attention of the people all over the world, has at last set a positive date for the display of the secret which he has so long guarded. In cards which he has [ prepared for his agents and others whom he considers as proper persons to behold the first' public appearance of his light, he announces that he will give a private exhibition of his light i at his home and labratory in Logansport on the 14th of January next.

The installation of the officers of the F. & A. M. lodge was held at their hall Tuesday evening. Contrary to their custom’ the seating of the officers was private. Those who will have charge of the lodge during the ensuing year and who were duly installed are: Worshipped Master, David E. Smith; Senior Worden, John H. Lenhart; Junior Worden, Edward Whinrey; Secretary. L. C. Miller; Treasurer, Henry Winnes; Senior Deacon, C. L. Walters; Junior Deacon, John H. Heller; Stewarts, Theodore Gerkey aud John Buhler: Trustees, Godfrey Christen, J. S. Coverdale and Charles A. Dugan; Tiler Barney Kalverisky. Tod Sloan, the dimunitive jockey, who is said to have the sporting world of two continents at his feet, arrived in Kokomo Friday to spend Christmas and the greater portion of this week with his foster parents, Mr. and Mrs. D. G. Biouser, of that city. He arrived from West Baden in a private car accompanied by Eddie Bald, the bicycle rider and C. F. Dwyer, son of the'noted New York turfman. Tod engaged five of the liest rooms at the Clinton hotel, where he is entertaining his friends, but is spending a portion of his time at the modest home of his parents. His wardrobe is said to be so extensive that he has to carry three dozen bigtrunks. He is said to be the possessor of 1.200 suits of clothing. 4.000 neckties, 400 pairs of shoes, 500 hats and other articles of wearing apparel in proportion.

Both the Presbyterian and Metho- ■ dist churches will have services every > evening next week and they will no doubt be largely attended. , Lawrence Hughes who is at home for a few days from the Rush Medical s School, Chicago, will entertain a num- , ber of his friends at his home on Fourth street this evening. James Haefling, who is employed ,I at Columbia City, spent Christmas ■ I with his parents in this city. While ■ I here he did not forget to call and reI new his allegiance to the Democrat. i The Celina Democrat came out last 1 1 week with a beautiful holiday edition. , | Twelve pages, with a handsome cover, done in gay colors, with an ivy and misletoe border, makes the paper as neat a souvenir as we have seen lately. Several of our citizens have comi plained lately of some miscreant who . sneaks about at night and turn on the . yard water hydrants. This fellow, j who ever he is, will be watched for I hereafter and if caught his punishj ment may be a severe one. I The bowling chib held their regular I meeting last Friday evening and the I usual enjoyable time was had. The ( score was somewhat higher than before. D’French Quinn made the highest score, 129. with Roy Archbold ■ a close second, 121. Miss Mary Meyers had the highest score among the ladies, having madeeighty-nine points. The circuit court proceedings during the past week contains the following: John Hyatt et al vs Flemon I Drake et al, judgment vs plaintiff for [costs. Harry R. Moltz and Paul G. Hooper vs Helen M. Blossom et al, judgment vs plaintiff for costs. William H. Fisk vs Lewis H. Bailey, cause dismissed and costs paid. Uncle George Pontius, of Wabash j township, was in the city Tuesday and made this office his regular call. ; not forgetting to deposite his dues ‘ for the renewal of the Democrat. He | was on his way to Bluffton, where be will spend a few days and then go to Keystone to visit his daughter who resides at that place. Unde George :is a favorite wherever he goes and is always a welcome visitor at this office. The Presbyterian parsonage will lie open next Saturday, Dec. 31, for the reception of callers from 8 a. m. to 7p. m. Please register as you enter the door. A general invitation is extended to all our friends and acquaintances. A special invitation is extended to the members of our church and congregation. By request of the session of the church and their wives together with the pastor and wife. The following marriage licenses have been issued by Clerk Lenhart since our last report: Benjamin Sprunger and Susan Burkhalter, AlI bert M. Keller and Laura Belle Richard, Samuel B. Fifer and Bertha V. Macklin, George 0. Dowden and Ruth i E. Baxter, William 11. Trim and Mary P. E. Hill, Leon D. Lake and Etta G. Foughty, John A. McClellan and Etta Henderson, Frank B. Porter and Flora D. Frazier. George M Tyndall land Mary J. Martz. Besides the above names two blank licenses were issued to parties who desire that their weddings be unannounced for awhile. A late special dispatch says: Adjt. I Gen. Corbin issued the preliminary I orders providing for the muster out of i 50,000 volunteers in the next month. This action marks the final passing of

I the volunteer army organized for the | war with Spain, as it will terminate i the existence of practically every regiment furnished bv the states now distributed among the southern camps as well as those militia organizations now in Manilla, Cuba and Porto Rico, which will soon be relieved by regulars and returned to their homes. This order of course includes the 160th Indiana regiment now at Columbus, Ga. and the 161st at Havana. The latter regiment will lie among the last to be mustered out and many of its members may become “regular” soldiers. A letter has been received at this office from Miss Julia E. Parrott, a former Adams county lady, but who for several years has been doing foreign missionary work. The letter is dated at Sagaing, Burma, and says that the writer has been quite ill for a long time. Her regular station is at Toungoo, Burma, but owing to her poor health she is now spending a few weeks in Northern Burma. Miss Parrott also says that as soon as she feels able she will again furnish the Democrat readers with letters, describing the far away country in which she now lives. These letters are very interesting and have been much prized by our readers and all will again be glad to hear from this good lady who is giving her life to the work of civilizing aud christenizing the heathens. Her letter is quite a novelty, bearing an India postage stamp, inscribed India postage, two annas sic pies. The euvelope contains six different post marks.

Miss Blanche Lewellen of Win Chester, spent Christmas with her sister, Mrs. Ed Lennon, of the Monroe street Candy Kitchen, and other relatives in the city. Sam Soldner, one of Wabash township solid citizens, was looking after business here yesterday, among which was his renewal of the only paper on the globe The Democrat. Cards are out announcing a “fagot” party, which is to be given by Miss Minnie Orvis at her home on Winchester street this evening in honor of her friend, Miss Patterson of Fort Wayne. The wind blew in one of the large plate glass windows in Kern, Brittson & Beeler’s clothing store Monday evening. The window had been broken before and was rather weak and a slight gust of wind brought it down with an awful crash. Mrs. Pheby Spahr, mother of Jacob Spahr of this city, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Maggie Baxter, at Convoy, Ohio, December 17. She was more than eighty years old and a pioneer of Van Wert county. Nine children remain to mourn her loss. The calendar for 1899 shows that the year begins on Sunday. Washington’s birthday comes on Wednesday and Memorial Day and July Fourth on Tuesday. Christmas will come on Monday, Ash Wednesday on February 15, Shrove Sunday is March 12, Good Friday March 31, and Easter Sunday April 2. The game of foot ball to have been played last Monday was declared off on account of the Fort Wayne team being unable to get men enough together. A game will be played this afternoon, however, in which Dick France of Ann Arbor, and Earl Fristoe of Purdue will participate. If you are a lover of the game you should not miss it.

This evening at eight o’clock will occur the installation of officers of the order of the Eastern Star at their lodge room. The installation is to be public and in honor of the event the members of the Masonic order and their wives have been invited. After the exercises are over a banquet such as the members of this order are famous for, will be served and the evening promises to be a most pleasant one. \V. H. Eichhorn of Bluffton, will probably be the democratic leader in the next house of representatives in the state legislature. He was the acknowledged leader two years ago and he made a record which does him great credit. Eichhorn is one of the young men in Indiana who is steadily scaling the ladder by intrinsic worth. He is able and honest, and just such a man as might be expected to champion the cause of the people. An explosion occurred at the Methodist church Tuesday afternoon. Mr. Billman the janitor of that institution went down to the basement to light the gas. It seems as though by some unaccountable reason the valve had been turned on and the gas allowed to escape. At any rate when he struck the match there was an instantaneous report and Mr. Billman was thrown several feet. He looks a little the worse for the loss of his hair and beard which were badly scorched but otherwise he is alright. The affair was rather serious, however. and Sol fully realizes his narrow escape.

John Walters returned Monday from North Manchester, Ind., where he had been for several days, as the guest of his son, Frank Walters aud family. While in that city a rather peculiar incident happened to Mr. Walters, He was walking along the street one day when a tall young man passed him, both looked at each other but neither one was recognized. Shortly after wards, however, they met at Frank Walters’ home and Mr. Walters then discovered that the young man was his son, Will, who had been in Michigan for several years and whom he had not seen tor nearly five years. Both Frank and Will Walters have manv friends here who will be glad to learn that they are succeeding so well. According to the Geneva Herald of last week, one of Decatur’s young men is to enter the business world at Geneva. Marion Smith, one of the county’s brightest and most energetic young men has formed a partnership with Mr. S. H. Teeple and will soon o[M>n an extensive clothing and shoe store. The Herald says: Geneva is to have a new clothing and shoe store. The style of the new firm will be Teeple, Smith & Co. The head of the firm will be our well known townsman Samuel H. Teeple, who needs no introduction to our people. The other member is Marion Smith, of Decatur, a half brother of Mr. Brittson, of the firm of Kern, Brittson & Beeler, of Decatur, alsoof W. F. Brittson, present superintendent of the Decaturschools and formerly a teacher in our schools. The boys say they will be here about the first of the year and while it will take some time to get their goods in, before early spring trade opens up. they will give us a first-class clothing and shoe store. This firm will occupy the Rayn building]

CIRCULATION 2400 WEEKLY

NUMBER 42

John Frysinger left Wednesday for another several mouths stay in Germany. Mr. Frysinger accompanied two car loads of as fine horses as ever left this county. He will leave New York Saturday for Hamburg, Germany. John has made several of these trips and understands his business thoroughly. He is now connect ed with the firm of Frysinger & Ger ber and they expect to ship a large number horses to foreign markets dur ing the next year. Through the kindness of some member of company B. we presume, a copy of the Columbus Sun has reached this office in which the following account of the popularity of our gallant soldier, Major Miller, is given and which we take great pleasure in giving to his friends here: The Hebrew Fair, which has been in progress during the past two weeks, came to a close last night. All day yesterday the store was crowded, the blue uniform playing a most conspicuous part. This was caused by the fact that a very heated contest for the sword to be given to the most popular military officer in the city, was on. The contest was between Major Miller, of the 160th Indiana, and Adjutant Mitchell of the 3rd Kentucky. Just before the contest came to a close the indications were that Adjutant Mitchell would l>e the successful contestant, as he was several hundred votes ahead of Major Miller. Company K, of the 160th Indiana, came down in a body and voted solidly for Major Miller and when the hour for the close of the contest had been announced, the figures showed that Major Miller had 1,952 votes to his credit, while Adjutant Mitchell was a close second, his vote standing at 1,793. Lieutenant Casey came in third, having 627 votes in his favor. Lieutenant Middleton had 129, while Capt. Gaines, of the provost guard, had 127. Owing to the fact that the contest was more lively than was expected, the management of the fair has decided to award Major Miller, the successful contestant, a much liner sword than the one put up, and it will be ordered immediately. After the coupt had been announced members of the 160th Indiana band sent up cheer after cheer in honor of their popular major.

, The last chapter in the Stoltz murder, which has created no small amount of excitement and interest in this part of the state, has been closed 1 and in consequence Albert Musser 1 will, unless pardoned or given a new 1 trial, serve the rest of his life in the Michigan City penitentiary. The trial I began at Hartford City, December 12, 1 and continued until last Wednesday ’ evening. Judge Dailey finished his charge at eight o’clock of that evening and the jury retired. At two o'clock Thursday morning they had agreed upon the guilt of the accused and fixed his punishment at imprisonment for life When the verdict was read Musser maintained the same indifference that charactized his bearing throughout the trial. He never moved a muscle and his face did not pale. There were spectators who showed more emotion than the prisoner did. He walked backed to the jail with the sheriff, smoking a cigar with such an air of satisfaction as he would doubtless have worn if he had been on his way to a saloon for a morning drink. “Life is a long time”, he said, refer ring to the verdict, and that was all he would sav to the sheriff about it. This case has created much interest in this county for several reasons. The murder was committed in a neighboring and adjoining county, Albert Mussur, the convicted man, was an Adams county product, having lived near Linn Grove for many years, and one of the attorneys for the defense was our gifted and talented criminal law yer. Hon. John T. Fraece. The Hart ford City Telegram in its description of the trial said: “There was much curiosity to hear Mr. France. He came here with a great reputation as a jury lawyer, and those who heard him were not disappointed. His speech was principally devoted to the law, and he contrived to make it interesting for the spectators as well as for the jury, which will have to consider the law as well as the evidence in making up their verdict.” The Hartford City papers as well as every one who attended the trial are loud in their praises for Mr. France and his effort for his client was no doubt a noble one. An effort is now being made by Musser’s attorneys to secure a new trial. A telegram from Hartford City dated December 26, said: “The motion for a new trial in the case of Albert Musser, convicted of complicity in the murder of Mrs. Louisa Stoltz, of Portland, to be heard January 5, will pave the way to the supreme court for an appeal touching the admissability of the statements of Marshall as evidence. A conspiracy was alleged, on which Marshall was acquitted: hence his plea that his statements are not competent testimony against Musser, the other al legist conspirator. Throughout the trial Musser was confident of acquittal, and he regarded the proceedings with something akin to contempt. Since his conviction he has asserted his innocence most strenously, and his family will come to his aid. One of his brothers is United States attorney for the district of Colorado,