Decatur Democrat, Volume 42, Number 49, Decatur, Adams County, 16 February 1899 — Page 1

all THE news all the time.

OLUME ALII.

(old settlers say the present cold Beather is the most severe they have K'n in this locality for many years. J Mrs. C. M. Kenyon is visiting a ■mnber of Indiana towns this week in K interest of the Kuechmann-Doug-K- Concert Company. ■ Clerk Lenhart issued marriage ■censes this week to James Kinney HqJ Bridget Moran, John Bauman Kj Xnna Kneuss. Edward Lohr and Kura B. Tumbleson, Daniel L. Rohr Kd Myrtle B. Ramey. I The semi-annual reports of the Krand Army of the Republic, department of Indiana, up to December, 31, Kus shows gains in membership of Holl and losses of 1,238, make the Hresent net membership 17,537. There Has a gain of two new posts with four Kwndonments, making a net loss of H" '' ■ The Hon. Levi Mock has been seto preside in the Wells county Hreuit court during the February term K the absence of Judge Vaughn, who H>n not serve. It was at first proposed K appoint Judge Carroll of Marion, Kat the clerk, sheriff and auditor, Kith whom the selection rests, apHointed Judge Mock. I Will Miesse returned the latter part K last week from Charleston, South Karolina, where he had been for sevHr;d weeks on account of poor health. K ill does not like the south particularly, and as the climate did not benefit him any he made his visit shorter Kian lie intended to. He returned by Kav of Columbus, Ohio, where he Kisited relatives for a few days. I The Dos P Club held their last Hun ting for the season at the home of Kiss Mayme Terveer on Fifth street, Kuesday evening, and the evening’s Kleasures are declared to have been Hrstclass. Eugene Christen and Miss H'lora Conter were awarded first Krize. Refreshments were served and Hhe evening was a fitting celebration K the closing of the season’s pleasures. H[he club will probably hold a few Kiore meetings after Easter. I A north bound G R. &I. passenKer train crashed into a freight at Ft. ■Vavne east yards Sunday morning Hoing considerable damage to the enof the former and several cars of Hhe latter. Both the engineer and Kreman of the passenger were injured, K‘“ latter taking fire and being conHiderably injured. He extinguished Hlc fire by jumping into a tank of ■rater. Several Decatur citizens were Kn board the pasenger train and were ■everely shaken up. I Burglars struck Willshire last SunKlay morning and proceeded to make Hhemselves acquainted with the inKerior of the safe in Hale Bros’ Ware Kiouse. They succeeded in blowing H>p<-n the safe and were no doubt quite when they found that their Krork had done them no good. The Kooks and money having been reKaoved by the manager Mr. Reynolds Ko his home, the evening before. The Kafe was almost completely destroyed Band the explosion shook the entire ■own. It seems that there has yet Keen found no remedy to stop these Kjroperty destroyers from getting in ■heir work. | Fire entirely destroyed the interior ■nd most of the exterior of the|BtudaKaker Allison frame buildings oppoKite this office. The blaze occurred Bast night about eleven o’clock and K'i such a headway that water had Biut little effect, and it was sometime Before all the fire was extinguished. Bt started in the back end of the old Kiverett, Hite & Co. room and the ■ hole interior of the same was red Biot before thejfire was announced, but Bhis necessitated but the elapse of a ■“" moments. It spread to the Frank ■Gast & Co. cigar store, but nearly all B>f the stock was removed before any ■Linage was done. The latter was inBmred but to what amount and in ■'’hat companies we were unable to Bearn at an early hour this morning, Ift which time the Democrat goes to Biress. The buildings will no doubt B>e torn down at once, It is supposed Bo have been the work of an incendi■ry. ■ The seventh biennial report of the B>ureau of statistics has just been received, and from it we find that the ■expense of the courts in this county Kr the year 1898, was §8,917.60. poor ■86.167.05, bridges, highways, etc., ■32.448.32. officers salaries §16,369.31, ■Superintendent of schools and county ■institutes §1,213, board of health §235.e ounty commissioners §963.35, Bounty attorney and legal expenses ■988.20, assessing and board of reUview §2,293.18, criminals §1,027.62, ■insane §625.40, benevolent, reforma■J® r y, deaf and dumb institutions §456.coroner's inquests §305.90 redempbonds §5,000, interest on bonds ■*,074.35, lands and new buildings ■ or poor §1,550, books, stationery, ■Printing and advertising §2,394.68, re■R? lrs ’ ue k insurance, &c., §317,Bj ’ "ravel road bonds §49,287, popu■fi ‘‘on of the county 22,225, seventyBr\ e mi * es of gravel roads, 623 real transfers with a total consideraEnf D and 425 mortgages ■ a ished. eighty-four school houses. B/v, e ,~* wo school teachers, and 7,779 ■ nidren between six and twenty-one Ig.-'-al S of aga.

Father Wilkens was quite ill with lagrippe several days last week but is now reported to be much improved. Charles A. Dugan, the well known cashier at the Decatur National Bank, was at Huntington last Friday, where he acted as one of the judges in the high school oratorical contest, which was held that evening. Milliard Cowan, ex-marshall of this city, has been in town several days this week. He is now employed by the Logansport, Wabash- Valley Gas Company as pumper in the fields. He will return to his work tomorrow. Three new circuit court cases were filed since last week and they are Hattie Cunningham vs Earnest V. Cunningham, divorce. Flint & Walling Manufacturing Company vs G. R. Marcy Manufacturing Company, venue from Wells county. John Reynolds vs John D. Steele, seduction, demand, §7,000. William Fouty spent three days last week in jail under the charge of desertion and failure to provide for his wife and family. At the end of the third day the wife repented after a solemn promise by the direlict husband to hereafter and always perform well the duties of a tender and loving husband. As yet no further arrests. Sergeant Jesse Roop returned home the latter part of last week from Columbus, Ga.. he having received an honorable discharge from the service. On account of being on provost guard duty in the city of Columbus, Jesse did not go with the company to Cuba. He is glad to be back with his family and friends, but says the boys had many good times along with the hardships of their soldier’s life. During the year 1898 the HamburgAmerican steamer line shipped over its lines from New York to Hamburg, Germany, 7045 head of horses, and but forty-eight of this number died on the water. About one thin! of the entire number shipped over this popular line was owned by Decatur horse merchants, which certainly goes to show that our dealers are hustlers and that Adams county is one of the greatest horse markets in the world. The oyster supper given by the members of theC. B. L. at the armory, in the Meibers’ block, Monday evening, was a social, financial, brilliant success. The supper was all that a being could wish and was served with the usual taste of the C. B. L. boys and the ladies who assisted. A piano furnished interesting music while the guests partook of the feast. After the tables were cleared away, the evening was spent in dancing and other amusements.

The Rathbone Sisters entertained the Knights of Pythias in their lodge rooms Monday evening and a splendid evening is reported. The order of the entertainment was a carpet ball winding contest. Large carpet rag balls were presented to each gentlemen with orders that when the signal was given each gentleman was to wind the rags into another ball. The men worked like demons and the contest was a furious one and was finally won by Harvey Harruff. A handsome (?) Valentine was in the center of each ball of rags and was given as souvenirs. Refreshments were served and the evening's enjoyment was complete. Circuit court proceedings are Mary Smith vs Jacob S. Railing et al., judgment vs defendant for $832.61. State vs Ben Middleton, J. T. France is appointed by the coint to assist in the prosecution. State vs Charles E. Everett, plea in abatement in three paragraphs filed bv the defendant, to which the plaintiff is ruled to reply. Peter Gaffer vs Daniel Sprang, heard by the court. The sheriff ordered to fill a vacancy in the regular panel of the petit jury, which was done by substituting Jacob Huser of Monroe township. The case now on trial before a jury comes here on a change of venue from Allen county, and is one in which Henry Biddle sues the Wabash Railway Company for damages. Hon. Henry Colerick is one of the attorneys for the plaintiff. About sixty persons assembles.! on Tuesday evening at the home of Mrs. Dr. Dorwn, it being “guest night" for the Ladies Historical Reading Club. The program opened with a song by the club, “Sweet Cuba Bye and Bye’, after which Rev. Marion Beale, present editor of the Fort Wayne Gazette, was introduced and gave an address on Mexico. Mr. Beale spent several years as a missionary in Mexico and is therefore peculiarly fitted to talk upon the history, past and present, and the conditions of the republic south of us. His address was most interesting. He dwelt especially upon the life and character of Benito Juarez and his treatment of the L surper Maximilian, all of which was an instructive supplement to the study of Mexico which has occupied a portion of the time of the Historical club this winter. Miss Grace Miller favored the cotnpanv with a beautiful piano solo, as did' also True Fristoe. A guessing contest gave amusement to all. Refreshments and social chat closed a very enjoyable evening. Out of town guests were Rev., and Mrs. Beaie, of Fort Wayne, amt Mrs. Rev. Smith, of Greenwood.

DECATUR, INDIANA, TI

I George Flanders is again able to be at his post of duty at the City Steam Laundry after a two weeks touch of the lagrippe. A car load of horses under the care of Amos Sprunger left this city for Hamburg, Germany, yesterday morning. They are the property of Gerlier & Frisinger and were of the usual good Adams county quality. The delinquent tax sale took place at the east door of the court house Wednesday morning. County Treasurer Neuenschwander reports fiftyfive sales, perhaps the largest number in years. However, there was plenty of buyers, everything being sold to the satisfaction of the county and the purchasers. Arlie DeVoss writes his father that he has changed his base and is nowdoing clerical work in the officer’s department of the division encamped at Augusta. Ga. Arlie has the right kind of ginger in him to pick up a nice plum from his army service and we only hope he will be’ that successful. Yesterday’s Fort Wayne Journal said: Conductor J. H. Adams, of the AN abash, will leave this morning for Decatur, to testify in the case of Henry Biddle vs the Wabash Railroad company, which is being tried in Adams county, on a change of venue. Biddle sues to recove damages for being struck by a Wabash train at the Muncie junction, the trial of the case in the Allen county courts resulting in the jury disagreeing. One of the largest fires in the history of Van Wert, occurred at an early hour last Saturday morning at which time the Humphrey & Hughes building in which is located the postoffice, a wholesale grocry and a number of offices was totally destroyed. The loss will aggregate about §50,000 and as the building was supposed to be fire proof there was but little insurance. The building was a newone and was probably the finest in city. The Dietrich syndicate, which is now being re-organized, is to be known as the Central Union Gas Company with Jim Murdock, of Lafayette, as generla manager. The new- combine will issue stock to the extent of §60,000,000, of which §130,000,000 is of common and and the same amount preferred, the latter to draw seven per cent cumulative interest in exchange for new stock. The Logansport & Wabash Valley Company, is now capitalized a §1,750,000, and its bonded indebtedness the same.

Daniel Harden now languishes in Sheriff Erwin’s bastile, he teing the ninth in number to flourish therein. He has been wanted here for nearly two years to answer to a grand jury indictment which charges him with forging a twelve dollars order and dispossing of the same to Isaac Roe, cf Geneva. Sheriff Erwin smelled him over in Jefferson township and of course let no grass grow until he had him secure and safe behind iron bars. The defendant has spent most of his time in Ohio since the warrant for his arrest was issued. Attorney Dore B. Erwin and Frank M. Cottrell will defend Harden. His bond was fixed at §SOO, which he was unable to give. Henry Thomas, of this city, was at Montpelier, Ohio, several days last week, where on Thursday and Friday evenings he assisted W. H. Wilkens with a company of home talent artists in presenting the comedy drama “A Noble Oucast.” The Montpelier papers speak in the highest terms of our Henry, and say he is certainly a phenominal amatuer. The play was given under the auspices of the Montpelier band and crowded houses greeted the performers each evening. Mr. Wilkens will be remembered as the gentleman who engineered the performance of the same drama in this citv several weeks ago under the auspices of the City Dramatic club, and who did the statuary acts in Kern, Brittson & Beelers show window several different times.

About four o’clock last Friday morning fire was discovered in the A. M. Fuller building at Pleasant Mills. The fire had a good headway when first seen and the entire building was soon in flames. The citizens of the little village responded promptly but could do nothing against the fierce conflagation which was urged on by the winds. The fire originated from a defective flue. The building was a large two story frame and occupied by Mr. Fuller, who is agent for the Clover Leaf railway, and by A. J. Wood, who is postmaster and also owned a large stock of general goods. The building was valued at §1,200, with §6OO insurance in the Niagaria insurance company of New York, B. W. Sholty, agent. The railway supplies, which were entirely destroyed, were not insured and are thus a total loss. Mr. Wood's loss is estimated at §1.600. with §I,OOO insurance in the Continental company of New York, Alpha Graham, agent. The loss will aggregate about §3,000, with §1,600 insurance, and is a very severe one for Messrs. Fuller and Wood, who suffered a like loss about four years ago. The only articles saved were the mail and books in the post office de partment.

URSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1899.

B. W. Quinn, who for several weeks has been confined to the house with rheumatism, was on the street Tuesday afternoon. He is considerably better than he has been for some time, but is still looking pretty weak. Mrs. J. D. Hale was at Bluffton Tuesday evening, where she attended a grand reception given in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Studabaker, who have recently returned from their wedding trip. Mr. Studabaker is well known here. Marion C. Beal, proprietor and editor of the Fort Wayne Gazette, was in the city Tuesday to attend the reception of the Historical club, which was held at the home of Mrs. Dorwin, on First street, where he delivered an eloquent address upon the subject, “Mexico” While in the city Mr. Beal made this office a pleasant call. Chalmer Schaffer left last Friday morning for Bloomington where he joined the State University Glee club and is now making a three weeks’ tour throug the southern states with them. This organization is one of the strongest in the country, and the honor of belonging to it is not a small one. Chalmer is equal to the task, however, and no doubt assists greatly in the entertainments given by the club.

The Methodist Episcopal congregation of Ossian has decided upon the erection of a handsome church edifice the coming summer to cost about §6,000. It will occupy the present lot and will be a modern structure. It will have auditorium, lecture room, class rooms, etc., which can be all thrown together giving a seating capacity of between fire and six hundred. A finance committee and a building committee have been appoined. A genial party of Decatur business men will leave the last of this week for Hot Springs, where they expect to recuperate for several weeks. The party will consist of James W. Place, the famous manufacturer of ice cream and soft drinks, Mine Host Townsend of the Burt House, and P. J. Hyland, the popular assistant at the gas office. The crowd is a jolly one and we don’t doubt for a moment that they will thoroughly enjoy themselves. Several other business men are thinking seriousls of joining the boys. The North American, of Philadelphia. of Monday, February 6, contained the following account of the tenth anniversary of the Philadelphia Seminary which will interest our readers as Miss Schaffer, who is a Decatur lady is most highly complimented: “The Alumni Association of the Philadelphia Seminary celebrated its tenth anniversary on Wednesday evening. The readings given by Miss Dolie Schaffer, who represented the National School of Oratory, were exceptional fine, her imitations and impersonations of the various characters teing skilfully executed. Miss Schaffer possesses a voice of musical power and sweetness. The musical renditions were excellent.

Lent began yesterday and will close Easter Sunday, April 2nd. The season of Lent has l>een observed from the earliest Christian ages as it is today observed, in the different branches of the historic church —Greek, Roman and Anglican. The word itself is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and means spring. Hence the name for the great spring fast of the church. Though a fast before Easter is of very early origin, its duration was not settled until a latter period. Irenaus and Tertulian, the Christian writers of the second century, speak of its general I use throughout Christendom as to time and observances, but in the sixth century the length of the fast was fixed at forty days, having reference to the forty days of Moses and Elijah and Christ in the wilderness. The probabilities are that the central Indiana towns will be given tetter police protection within the next few months. A movement is on foot to organize into a league the police departments of Marion, Anderson, Decatur, Hartford City, Gas City, Columbia City, Elwood, Peru, Bluffton, Wabash and Huntington. AU the above named cities have signified a willingness to join the league which is teing promoted at Huntington. A meeting has teen called for Feb. 16. (today) at Huntington and the mayors and heads of the police departments of all the cities named have teen urged to attend. Mayor A. P. Beatty and Marshal Harvey Hart will attend the meeting and represent Decatur. Arrangements of this kind have teen going on for two weeks and this meeting is expected to be the commencement of an organization which will greatly assist in the protection of our homes and property. The invitations to the mayors and chiefs of police of the various cities were sent out by Z. T. Ducan, mavor of Huntington. Among other tilings he says: “At this meeting police matters will be taken up and considered as well as some legislative matters to come before the present legislature.” Just what measures will be adopted are not known, but our citizens earnestly hope that the organization will be a strong one and an iron-clad protection against I criminals and “hobos.”

The backbone of the severe cold snap seems to have lieen broken, and many of our citizens are in a better frame of mind than they have been for two weeks. When you call up some people by telephone they reply in a voice and manner that would suggest the playing of the leading part in some drama. Persons in offices dealing with the public should first learn to be civil and sensible when conducting business, even though it be over a telephone. You can’t tell to whom you are saying “Hello,” you know.

It would seem that there is no flies on the stock of the Citizens Telephone Company. The last transfer was that of J. Frank Mann to Grrhart Berling, four shares for a consideration of §14(1. The investment is considered a mighty good one at that price, as the company is getting its foot on the right side of the financial hill. This stock showing an increase in value of several hundred per cent. Not only that, but the company has one of the best plants in the country and gives excellent service to their patrons. Joseph B. Brunegraff and Miss Katie Neeman were married at the St. Mary’s Catholic church, in this city, Tuesday morning. Rev. Father Wilkins officiating. The ceremony was a beautiful one and quite a number of friends were present. The groom is one of our test known young men, being at present engaged in the restaurant business on West Monroe street. The bride is an Ohio girl and has for several years teen one of Celina's most popular young ladies. They will be at home to their many friends after March 1, at their cottage on North Eighth street. The Democrat joins with the many friends of the happy couple in offering congratulations and wishing for them a pleasant pathway through life. Collins Bushnell, one of the county’s test known citizens, died at his home on west Monroe street Wednesday morning. He was. sick only a few days, having taken a bad cold which developed into lagrippe and finally into pneumonia. He was fifty-six years old and had teen a resident of Decatur for thirty-five years, having moved here at the close of the war in 1865. He was a blacksmith by trade and has for many years teen employed by Gus Schelgle.’ He was an excellent workman and was respected by all who knew him. A wife and five children mourn the loss of a kind and devoted husband and father. His oldest son, Will Bushne’l, is at present first-sergeant in company B, now doing service in Cuba. The funeral services will be held Friday afternoon from the United Brethren church, Rev. Miller officiating. Interment in Maplewood cemetery. The Monday morning Chicago papers contained thrilling accounts of how a number of people were carried out into the lake on ice slots Sunday afternoon and five of them were believed to be lost. Among the five who were supposed to be lost were Elmer D. Brothers, formerly of this county, and two cousins of his wife. The party had teen walking along on the ice and were enjoying themselves taking pictures with a kodak, when the ice suddenly broke loose from the shore and they were afloat on the treacherous lake. It was dark before they were discovered and then the lake was too dangerous on account of the broken ice to venture to them. Mr. Brothers has many relatives here I and a host of friends who were ex-I tremely anxious to hear what the next! morning had brought forth and there were many smiles of approval when the Tuesday’s moring papers told of the rescue of the entire party on Monday morning. The Chicago Times Herald in its description of the accident said: “All night long, while the citizens of Chicago were sleeping quietly in their teds, these five people had been compelled to walk, walk, walk, for the sake of their lives. Drowsiness, which made the rough ice seem like a comfortable couch, they had to resist. Wearriness, which made their bones ache and their wills almost give in, they had to overcome. The lights of the homes on the northern shore shone out at them, now near and now far, but always between them and the beekoning gleams lay the black stream of uncrossable water. Over them in the sky was the clear, faint glimmer of the northern lights, and around them there was no sound but the occassional cracking of the ice or the gurgling of the water. It was too late to hope for the presence of rescuing parties of human beings, and the duty of the night was to walk, walk, walk. All kept up under the terrible strain and suffering, except Miss Manley, who finally became unconscious. In the early dawn men and a lioat were seen a couple miles away. Mallory, was the sprinter of the crowd, and he was sent on to hasten the rescuing party. By and by the two miles were crossed and the toilsome journey across the ice and water to shore was begun.” All were safely landed and have entirely recovered. The escape was certainly a narrow one and the friends of Mr. Brothers are happy that he and his friends were lucky enough to be i rescued from the death which seemed inevitable.

CIRCULATION 2400 WEEKLY

NUMBER 49

The People's Press, Bluffton, of last ■ week s issue said: A. L. Sharpe and A. N, Martin were in Decatur Wednesday making up issues in the case of Alpheus Good vs Stillmah McGrew. Mr. Sharpe is attorney for the defendant and Mr. Martin for the plaintiff. The parties to the suit are residents of Jackson township. The suit is one brought for judgment on bond in at tachment. The two gentlemen were on the same bond for which they had to stand good. The plaintiff's complaint alleges that the defendant did not pay his part of the money. Writing to the Indianapolis News from Matanzas, Cuba, F. W. Fox worthy writes: “The war department has asked Gen. Sanger how many regiments he could spare from here and what ones. He has recommended that two regiments be sent home to be mustered out, these two, the 160th Indiana and the 3rd Kentucky. The last Spanish troops leave the island February 10, and it is expected the above two reigments will be sent to the United States shortly after that date. They will probably be mustered out at some coast city upon their landing in the United States. Quartermaster Allen has turned over our two ambulances by order of Gen. Sanger to the district hostpitaL Our old tents have also been ordered turned over to the quartermaster here. Capt. Foxworthy and Lieut. Hinkley have been returned to the regiment by Gen. Sanger in anticipation of our early departure. The news of our musterout is received with a great deal of satisfaction with both officers and men.”

“The Hamburg-American liner Bulgaria is lost.” This is the news which flashed over the wires last Sunday, and the news was received here with no little concern as two Decatur citizens Adam Brown and John Yager with forty-three head of horses were aboard the vessel. Later news, however, says that the boat has not yet sank, but is drifting helplessly 800 miles off thecoast of the Azore islands. The first official news was a dispatch from Ponta Del Gada, which said: “Theßritish tanksteamer Weehawken, Captain Casey, from Philadelphia, Jan. 27, for Hull, has arrived here with twenty-five passengers from the Hamburg-American liner Bulgaria, Captain Schmidt, from New York Jan. 28, for Hamburg. Weehawken reports the Bulgaria drifting helpless 800 miles from the Azores. Nothing is known here as to the fate of the other passengers.” Another message from London said: “It is understood here to-night that the Hamburg-Amer-ican liner Bulgaria, which is drifting helpless 800 miles from the Azores, carried ninety passengers. According to a dispatch from Ponta Del Gada to the Daily Mail, the twenty-five memters of the Bulgaria’s passengers on board the Weehawken are women and children. The rest of the passengers and crew could not be taken owing to heavy weather.” On Monday a cablegram was sent out from London which gave the following information: “Lloyd’s agent at St. Michael’s Azores, cabled that the tank steamer Weehawken reports that the Bulgaria, when spoken on Feb. 5, latitude 40, longitude 43, was in a sinking condition, with three holds full of water, her rudder broken and her machinery disabled. The agent says the Weehawken had lost her boats and arrived with her bunkers full of water.” Another cablegram was received from I Hamburg Tuesday, which contained I the following, and which is the latest I official news: “The Weehawken teing an oil steamer, probably called at Ponta Del Gada for the purpose of landing the Bulgaria’s passengers. Two other steamers having assisted the Bulgaria, there is great probability that those steamers took the remainder of the passengersand crew. These steamers continued their voyage to their destinations and so it is likely that nothing will be heard for a week or fortnight.” The Bulgaria left New York for Hamburg two weeks ago last Saturday. Among the ninety passengers who sailed were Adam Brown, the wellknown horse dealer of this city, member of the firm of Brown & Hough, and John Yager, son of Daniel Yager, who went as an assistant. They had on board and were in charge of forty-three head of horses which left here three weeks ago last Tuesday and were the propertv of Brown & Hough. General opinion as to whether or not the boat will be saved is divided, but the worst is certainly feared by all who are in a position to understand the perilous position of the ship. Both men are well known here and have many friends and relatives whose prayers goes out daily for their safety. As the reports sent out yesterday are to the effect that the storms are over and that the seas are gradually becoming quiet, it is hoped that the Bulgaria, which was a comparatively new vessel, has teen able to withstand the terrible wind and waves and that she may yet come into jjort. The Democrat extends the hand of sympathy to the relatives who are indeed suffering for the safety of those they love and sincerely hopes that the dark clouds will soon move away and the good vessel Bulgaria live to make many another successful trip. Complete news of the disaster I is expected for our next issue.