Decatur Democrat, Volume 43, Number 1, Decatur, Adams County, 16 March 1899 — Page 1

aIL the NEWS all the time.

>LUME XLIII.

OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

Work and Harmony Among Instruction! Scholars Have Hade the Present Term a Prosperous One. That the public schools of Decatur Song the very best in the state, made evident to a Democrat rep,dative who was conducted through Central building, by the courteous j hospitable superintendent, Prof. F Brittson, Tuesday morning. 'ore are enrolled at present 772 Vents, this number being divided ,t equallv among the four hand“e wdiool buildings The corps of ‘hers is an able and proficient one i the person who has kept in line th the school work can not help ieinff that each and every branch the educational work has been >atlv advanced during the past few ars Prof. Brittson is a bright, euer- ; c hustling voting superintendent, thoroughly understands his work d who leaves nothing undone which il in any way assist in the advancept o f the students or the aid of the ,teachers and to him is due largethe present flourishing condition of r schools. The Central building itains the primary and grammar jdesand the High school. The iniarv department which is cornel of first, second and third grades looked after by Miss Dora Steele d Miss Rose Christen and work done by the children in ese grades and the control exercised these very proficient instructors simply marvelous. Tin* seventh, rhth and advanced eighth grades, ich compose the grammar grade e under the guidance of M. E. ower, A. W. Guilick and Miss Dora terson. and the work here is also ost interesting, especially in the latr t'rade, which is rather an auxiliary preparatory step totheHigh school, i these rooms as in the lower ones, spupils show a wonderful advanceent and the order and deportment good. Until the past two years the igh school was composed of three ars work, but recently the work has >en increased by the adding of new ranches and the time for the complete of the work and the securing of a iploma made four years. The credit istem used in all colleges has taken ie place of the old style of grading id the entire work is on a better, iftier and more satisfactory plane, nd is sufficient to give the person rho wishes to enter college credits for Imost a year without an examination, 'he High school work is divided as lllows: Prof. Brittson. United States istory; Miss Lell Segar, mathematics; lies Mary Johnson, English, and 'reach and English history; Miss trace Manning, Latin; C. H. Kauffuan. German, science Greek and toman history; Miss Grace Miller, lusic. Miss Blanche Reynolds is übstitute teacher and librarian and erforms her work nicely. It is her uty to fill the place of any teacher rho may lie absent and look after the ibrary of 1700 volumes, which by the ray is no small undertaking. The K»ks are selected from the best auhorsand the library is a well chosen me for all grades. The graduating lass of 1899 is composed of fifteen mung ladies and gentlemen, as fol»ws:MissesGrace Sutton. Effie Woodrard, Fannie DeVilbiss. Harriet Hill, intrude Blosser, Mina Case, Bessie khrock and Ina Everett and Messrs hlph Knoff, George Krick, larry Sehroll, Perry Ferry, Arthur Suttles Rollin Lochner and Jonas Fritch. The commencement exercises will be held at Bosse's opera louse May 26, and each member of be class will take an active part in he entertainment. The class is without a doubt the farthest advanced of iny who have been graduated from ike Decatur High school. The various ward buildings are also under the “are of as good talent as can lie seared and the schools have never been aso prosperous a condition. The instructors are as follows: North Ward Principal, C. D. Kunkle; teachers, Misses Maud Foster Fannie Rice and lessie Barkley. West Ward Prin(‘l'al. John Parrish; teachers, Misses Loretta Snow, Nellie Winnes and Eva South Ward-Principal. O. v- a '“cc; teachers, C. O. Suttles, and ,Nellie Krick and Bessie Cong cton. j n thg en y re spools the °rk is beyond criticism. To be sure, n perhaps three of the rooms the , cou ld be slightly improved, and / Ba f® to say that it will be unr the careful eye of Prof. Brittson. J , S . U1111 “£ U P the present condition savik* ‘, 00 ' s ' we feel it only just to th' k <aUr * n " the past few years 'rvhasbccu a decided betterment ti .,J Vora 18 more thorough and the wro-i a 8 are more ‘ n harmony in their tho; thau ,K ‘- V llave ever been- and tho ® pro . vera ents are due greatly to P r n m Penntende “t’s hustling merits. whi.i'V 11 amon & the improvements have . ** )een ma de and which we tarv n y , .. s l x ’f l en of is the suplimen‘ables'and o B ? stem ’ the ma gazine labrat 1 „ 1111 pro vements in the fatnili' Jr '’ a .J "hieh tend to better A stll( lent with his work. Prof p' , . r °f the teachers including Normal o" ' vill attend the Chicago tapreriroik s , lllnlllp r. the better nest year tlenise^ves f° r their duties

Obcatilß

The old Studabaker- Allison buildings, corner of Madison and Second streets, have been entirely cleared away and the excavation work will begin soon. Dr. NN. Black left Geneva, Tuesday morning for Pittsburg, Pa., where, with his wife and child he will visit for a short time, after which, some looking around will be done with a view to finding a new location to establish himself in his profession permanently. Geneva Herald. One of the laws passed by the legislature provides that property that is mortgaged shall be exempt from taxation to the extent of S7OO. This opens up the much discussed subject of double taxation. It will cut a big figure in reducing the amount of taxables in the state, and will increase the levy. The Gazette of Fort Wayne reports the promotion of Geather DeVillbiss, a nephew of Dr. DeVilbiss, of this city, as follows: “Geather DeVilbiss has resigned as foreman of the Wabash shops at Peru and in a day or two will assume the office of general foreman of the Grand Trunk shops at Battle Creek, Mich., under J. E. Muhlfield, who has charge of the mechanical department of the western end of the road.” Lyman Hart, the veteran pop corn and peanut dealer, who has catered to the wants of the school boy for many years, has retired from business. He lias disposed of his stand to Charles Mann, who is renovating and cleaning up same and adding a bright new stock. He will be ready for any and all customers within a few days and the boys will be accommodated with all sorts of candy rings and other novelties which are a large part of school children’s lives. Twenty-five students who, during the past year have labored faithfully under the guiding hand of W. A. Lower, called at that young man’s home east of the city last Friday evening and tendered him a farewell reception. They showed their high appreciation of him by presenting him with a handsome present. Refreshments were served and the evening was a happy one. Mr. Lower left Monday morning for Indianapolis, where he has accepted a position as assistant superintendent of public instruction. The township assessors have full charge of the appraisement of real estate, which takes place this year, and the assessors will have this important duty to perform in addition to the regular work. There will be no extension of time and as a result the work will have to be rushed. The collections of the dog tax is one of the trying ordeals of the assessor, but he will have to attend to it just the same as if his duties were less burdensome. The assessorswill use more precaution than customary in picking out deputies, as the appraisement of real estate is something that is of vast importance. The Marion Leader contained the following which will be of interest to many of our readers who know of the occurrence: “Will Arnold of Muncie, was awarded SIOO damages against the Lake Erie & Western railroad Friday. The case was tried in the circuit court here, where it was brought on a change of venue from Delaware county. Arnold was on his way to Decatur on the 24th of last May, to attend the eighth district republican convention. The train was run in the interest of George W. Cromer, one of the candidates for the congressional nomination, but Arnold was an anti Cromer man. When the train reached Montpelier, over the L. E. & NN. road, Frank Young, NV. E. Floyd and other Cromer men ejected Arnold. Arnold alleges that the railroad employes stood idly by and watched the proceeding without offering to interfere. He brought suit against the railroad company for $1,500 and secured SIOO. The case has been watched with much interest throughout the state.

M. A. Myers, a well known farmer of Blue Creek township, committed suicide bv shooting himself through the head last Thursday evening. For several months he had been in illhealth and this, urged along by financial troubles, brought on temporary insanity, during which time he ended his earthly career. From all reports he ate his supper Thursday evening as usual and shortly afterwards retired to his room. Everything , went along as usual until about nine o'clock when the shot of a pistol rang out. Mrs. Myers went immediately to the room and there found her husband with a bullet from a thirty-two calibre revolver through his brain. He was still alive but unconscious. Everything possible was done for him but he never revived and died about four o’clock Fridav evening. The ball entered the forehead just between the eves and passed entirely through the head. He was thirty-four years of age and was highly esteemed bv all who knew him. A wife and four small children are left to mourn their loss. He was interred at the cemetery near Salem on Sunday. No report of the occurrence was made to Coroner Clark and consequently no verdict was rendered.

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 1899.

Esq. Smith performed the ceremony that made Harry Markwith and Emma Grim husband and wife. The ceremony was performed last Thursday in the office of Esq. Smith. The happy couple are residents of Blue Creek township. Our citizens should make preparations to make the return of company B a gala day in the history of Adams county. Within a few days we can tell positively the exact date they will be home, and let’s make arrangements for a grand reception. The boys have a record to be proud of. Everybody can own a bicycle this year, for the prices are lower than ever. A wheel that formerly sold for from $75 to $1(M) can oe secured for $25 and SSO. Quite a number of new 1899 models are already on the market and many sales have been made. It is believed by the local dealers that the chainless wheel will be brought to the front more prominently this year than ever before. These wheels have been thoroughly tested and are giving general satisfaction. The district meeting, Knights of Phythias, at Hartford City last Thursday was a gratifying success to those having same in charge and a day of pleasure to those who participated therein. The address, the degree work, the refreshments and smoker were all mingled with friendship, charity and benevolence, and a good Pythian time was the result. Hartford City is a great town, if they would only take a day off and use a little Pearline on their streets and sidewalks. Through the kindness of County Superintendent Brandyberry we are favored with a copy of the 1898 report of the superintendent of public instruction. Cuts of two handsome school buildings, one in Root and one in Hartford townships, appear in the report. We also note that the total reading circle membership is 5,631, total teachers 134, total enrollment of county institutes 187, with an average daily attendance of 172. Those who hold professional or life state certificates in this county are C. A. Dugan and Lell Segur-of this city, and J. E. Orr of Geneva. The Bluffton Banner says: “Mrs. W. J. Craig of Chicago, was in the citv last Friday and paid this office a call. Her husband is still at the soldier’s home in Marion and cannot be removed from there until the weather becomes warmer. He is still entirely helpless and will probably remain so the remainder of his life. He is unable even to feed himself or attend to any of his wants. The $72 per month pension recently granted him will not any more than pay for his care, but it will enable his wife to have him removed to some other place, and he will not be under the necessity of remaining at the home.” Pearl Cutting, a private of Company B, 160th Indiana regiment, who was thrown into prison several weeks ago for an article which he was supposed to have written and which was published in the Evening Journal of this city, has been released. He was arrested and placed in prison February 11th and was released March 9th, after serving innocently, as has since been shown, for thirty days. The story of his imprisonment and the account of his innocence was published in this paper several weeks ago, since which time his friends and parents have used every effort to secure his freedom, and they have finally been successful. Captain Lee, an intimate friend of Pearl, heard the story of his arrest and believing him innocent, caused an investigation to be made with the above results. Cutting’s friends here are highly elated over his release and are most thankful to Captain Lee and General Wilson for their actions in the affair. It is said that bis arrest was caused by some parties who were not on friendly terms with Pearl and used that means to even up things. The circuit court in their February term has disposed of business as follows: John and NV. H. Niblick executors vs Michael J. Wertzberger, judgment vs defendant for $293. Sebastian Miller vs Wabash Railroad Co., defendant demands struck jury, which was granted. James F. Mann vs Nancy J. Powelll, gaurdian appointed to manage her estate. Sarah Lehman : vs Emil Franz et al., cause dismissed | and costs paid. Catharine Alexander i vs Nicholas Hoehamer. continued. | Samuel Simison et al vs Wesley Lawson et al., judgment vs defendant for $151.61. Jacob Wegmiller vs Thomas j E. Mann, set for trial on March 31. | Peter Gaffer vs Daniel Sprang, special findings and conclusions of law, verdict favoring defendant. The order for a struck jury of forty, was “struck” to sixteen. Emerson Beavers, Elijah Nidlinger, Charles Yager, Frank Judv. Jacob Buhler. John Noll. James Willy, Charles Morrison, John H. Bremerkamp, Edward Kinney, Gust Kramer, Henry Schulte, Willis Glendening. Alfred Zirkle, I Harry R. Moltz and Samuel Hite, from the above sixteen a jury of twelve will be selected to try the ease of Sebastian Miller vs Wabash Railroad; judgment in favor of plaintiff has been rendered for costs inclined in the Allen superior court. .

The monthly class meeting of the pupils of Miss Blanche Adelsperger, was held at her home last Saturday afternoon. A prepared musical programme was rendered after which the musical game “Allegrando” was played. Dr. J. A. Houser, of Indianapolis, has been delivering lectures at Bosse’s opera house during the week and each entertainment has been largely attended. He uses a stereoptican which is I the finest ever shown in the city and his talks are said to be interesting and instructive. His first lecture last Monday evening was a masterful effort and showed he thoroughly understood his business. The latest scheme to swindle farmers is being worked in the collection of a “war tax” from the more ignorant class of agriculturalists. The swindlers travel singly, and when they have selected their victim they present their authority, consisting of printed receipts and a printed copy of a purported revenue law requiring farmers to pay a certain per cent, on the value of their property for war tax purposes, after which they proceed to collect whatever amount they are able to get from the farmer.

Letter from Matanzas, Cuba, so says a report from Lafayette to the Indianapolis Sun, says three young men have been thrown into prison in the fortress at Matanzas, by Colonel Grinder and Captain Marks because they would not sign a statement that their treatment had been good. Two of them, Todd and Moore, have been working on the stonepile. The other Walsh, had been worked so hard that he was sunstruck and had to be sent to a hospital ship. It is said that the detail that led them to prison wept out of sympathy for them. An immediate investigation will be ordered. It is reported that John Davis was given a dose of poison by George McKinsey of Hoagland, a few days ago. According to the story Kinsey considered that Davis was entirely to affectionate with his (Kinsey’s) wife and took the poison method to get him out of the way. A glass of pop was used to hide the death dealing substance. Davis drank the stuff and soon afterwards sank into an unconscious condition. He was found bv his friends, a physician summoned and his life saved. Kinsey after giving the poison is said to have gone home and given his wife a terrible whipping. Arrests will probably follow. The commissioners finished the business of the regular March term yesterday. The petition of C. E. Stuckey, NV. F. Schug and Lewis Fruchte were continued. The viewers on the John Hessler petition for road are Charles Fuelling, David Strile and Levi Kline. J. Frank Mann tendered his resignation as county attorney and Clark J. Lutz was unanimously elected to fill the vacancy at a salary of $250 a year. The county officers filed the following reports which were approved: Clerk —civil cases $316.66, probate $185.74, criminal $3.40, marriage licenses $94.00, transcript and copies $9.75, certificates, sales, &c., $30.65, insurance $7.50, total $647.70. Recorder —deeds $199.60, mortgages $152.40, releases $53.70, mechanics liens $2.50, records $3.50, miscellaneous $20.80, total $432.50. Sheriff -commission and fees $37.72, fees taxed on writs $40.88, | fees received $47.05, deeds and certificates $6, per diem $134, miscellaneous j S6O, total $326.15. Auditor transfers $19.10, affidavits $18.75, appraising and recording bonds sl3, school fund mortgage deeds sl, tax titles, &c., $24, miscellaneous $62.75, total $166.60. Six tramps, as tough looking specimens as ever crawled out of a freight car in Decatur, were about the streets Monday afternoon begging and looking for an opportunity to make a holdup of some kind. They were spotted by Marshal Hart however, and Tuesday morning they were ushered to the Adams county jail. Later in the day five more, who were just about as mean looking as their predecessors were taken in. Yesterday afternoon they were taken before Mayor Beatty ana tried on the charge of vagrancy. Four of the eleven told pretty straight stories and were acquitted. The other seven were found guilty and were fined five dollars and costs, amounting to twelve dollars each, which amount they will be compelled to work out on the streets at the rate of seventy five cents per day. Mayor Beatty has grown tired of the insolence offered our citizens by’ these knights of the road and is determined it shall be stopped if within his power. The ruling that these tramps shall do street work is under citv ordinance number 76, which provides that any one convicted of vagrancy shall be compelled to work on the streets until their fine and costs shall be paid out at the rate of 75 cents per day, and that they shall during that time be under the direct supervision of the marshal. “Weary Watkins” and his tired brothers will therefore lie compelled to do labor for sixteen days. They will begin their duties tomorrow. This will put considerable work upon our city officers, but they have concluded that our town must be rid of . such hoboes as these.

The Huntington News-Democrat contained the following: Dan. Beery of Decatur, and Ed. Lynch of Chicago, were in the city today, at the Bailey livery barn, buying fine horses. They were paying good prices and purchased several good horses. Quite a number of draft horses are being shipped out of this country this spring. The Ladies Relief Corps gave a pleasant entertainment at their hall last Friday evening in honor of the members of the order and their children. An excellent program, consisting of songs and recitations by the little ones and musical selections by Mrs. C. J. Lutz, Miss Margaret Eicher and others were rendered, refreshments were served and a most pleasant evening enjoyed. Various games, including a peanut hunt were played. In the latter prizes were won by Dick Blossom and Kittie Stevenson. Rev. Duckett, who, during the past year, has labored among Decatur people as pastor of the Presbyterian church, was elected by the members of that church last Sunday and will at the coming Presbytery, which meets in this city April 17 and 18, be formerly installed as such. The services were conducted by Rev. J. D. Bailey, of Bluffton, and were most impressive. Rev. Duckett is an earnest and thorough worker, never growing weary of doing good for those who need it and we gladly welcome him and his estimable wife, who is also an earnest Christian worker, as permanent fixtures to our city. Another important business transfer was made in this city last week, in which Mr. William Zwick, a wideawake young man of this county secured the interest of Miss Mattie Auten in the furniture and undertaking establishment of Auten & Gay. Mr. Zwick took possession Monday and is now regularly installed for duty. The firm of Auten & Gay has for years been one of our most responsible ones and we feel sure that Gay & Zwick, the new addition to Decatur’': business world, will bear the same reputation. They are both young men of ability and have the required energy and hustling qualities to enable them to succeed. Mr. Zwick has for several months been employed at Ashbaucher & Bells’ hardware store and is an excellent young man. A theatrical company is being organized in this city and will soon be launched upon the unwary public. The company is, we understand, composed of a dozen youngsters who know about as much concerning the show business as a goat does about St. Patrick’s day. In fact the most of them, from all reports, would have trouble in reading their lines, not to say anything of repeating them or trying to act. They hold regular meetings each evening in the room over Wertzberger’s tin shop in the King block and it is said the noise of their number nines as they attempt to do the buck and wing dance is simply deafening. We understand the company is booked for Willshire, Berne and a few other nearby towns, and we would advise the citizens of those towns to remove the opera house out in the woods. The company has twenty-five dollars in the treasury and the guardian of the funds is being closely watched. The members of the aggregation range from fourteen to eighteen years of age and most of them would be safer at home with their mothers these cold evenings than running about the streets trying to imitate show people, for verily, the life of the barn stonner is a hard one. Adam Brown and John Yager are at home, safe and well, after perhaps the most perilous trip ever made by any citizen of Indiana or any other state. John Yager arrived home last Friday afternoon while Mr. Brown, who was attending to some business in New York, did not arrive until the following day. They tell a story of the most terrible trip imaginable upon water, and the fact that they are here to tell the story at all is simply a miracle. They have nothing but words of praise and commendation for the brave captain of the vessel, and it is no doubt due to him that the ship was finally brought into port. They left Pota del Gordo, Azore Islands, about two weeks ago on board the Portugese steamer Vego, and landed at New Y T ork one week ago last Tuesday. Only four of the Bulgaria passengers returned to America, all the rest having sailed about the same time on the Boliver for Hamburg. Since the return of the gentlemen to this city they have been kept very busy answering questions and shaking hands with their many fiiends. It is impossible for any one to tell the story of their experiences unless it be told by one who actually saw and passed through them. Mr. Brown desires his friends to know the story, and in next week’s issue we will publish a complete account of the trip written by that gentleman. He says that a true account has never been published and our i readers will no doubt await with inter-1 est the facts by one who actually | knows just what happened. Both j gentlemen are in excellent health and and show no traces of a five weeks journey over a stormy sea.

CIRCULATION 2400 WEEKLY

It now seems as though our boys will soon lie at home from Cuba. Although this report has been published so often that it is scarcely believed by anyone, still this statement comes from Washington and is authentic and unless the orders are changed we may soon expect a chance to give company B their promised welcome home. The dispatch which was sent out from Washington last Saturday says: “Wives, mothers, sisters, sweethearts, cousins and aunts of members of the 160th Indiana Regiment Volunteer Infantry will soon have an opportunity to welcome their boys home. They are now doing garrison duty at Mantanzas, Cuba, and an order was issued today for their muster out. It is expected the regiment will leave Cuba for the United States within the next twenty days, and it may reach home by April 5. Col. Guilder’s men will embark at Mantanzas and be transported to Savannah, Georgia. Then, if the weather is mild in the north, so the men will not be affected by a change of climate, they will leave at once for Indiana. If the weather should be cold and raw they may remain at Savannah for a short time. The order for the muster out of other volunteer troops in Cuba has been left jto the discretion of General Brooke, commanding the entire Cuban army, on the theory that he is the best judge of the organizations that can be first j relieved of military duty on the j island.” Isaac Baker met death at the Chicago & Erie railway at about 11:30 o’clock last Saturday night. There is an air of mystery surrounding his I death and it is even now, not known j positively whether he met death accidently or was robbed by some one and his body thrown on the tracks as a “blind." The story of his sad death as near as can be ascertained is as follows: Baker, who is a resident of Berne, has for several years been employed by the Adams County LumI her Company and for sometime he and a number of other workmen have I been getting out timber near Ohio | City. Last Saturday evening he, in company with several other laborers, i came to this city to spend Sunday. He and a young man by the name of | Jesse Anderson were together. They arrived in the city over the Clover Leaf at 8:28 and went at once to Schafer’s saloon, near the C. & E. railway, where they drank a glass of beer. From there they went to a resort just west of the Erie depot kept by a Mrs. Schlegel, and asked to be admitted but were ordered away. They then came down street and stopped at the O. K. restaurant where they bought their supper. Here it is said Baker had a twenty dollar bill changed. The two men went about the street and in various places of business until about 10:45. Baker is a brother of Mrs. Willard Suttles and expected to spend the night at her home in the southwest part of the city. Anderson, it seems, also resides in that part of the city and the two started home together. They, however, again went to the Schlegle house and were again refused admittance. They then started down the railway track locked in arms. Within a few minutes after leaving this place Baker was killed. Train num ber 84 was switching along the track and it is supposed that he was run down. He was found about midway between the Chicago & Erie depot and Line street, near a small tool house which stands there. His body was completely severed ami life was entirely crushed out when he was picked up by the brakemen. The coroner was notified and Dr. D. D. Clark was sent to the scene at once. The body was removed to Yager & Son’s undertaking establishment and prepared for burial. The remains were taken to the home of his sister, Mrs. Willard Suttles, and on Monday w ?re taken to Berne where the funeral services were held. He was buried in the Baker cemetery near Ceylon. The strangest part of the affair is that he was known to have considerable money, probably forty or fifty dollars, about him, but when found his pocket book was missing and only the sum of five cents could be found. On Tuesday Marshal Hart found a fifty cent piece near the transfer house, two squares away. The death, while probably accidental, looks rather suspicious and will probably have to be explained. The coroner’s inquest was to have been held yesterday but owing to the fact that several important witnesses were not present, it qas postponed until next Monday when some startling facts may be developed. The train which struck him registered at the tower house at 11:22 and it was probably 11:25 when he was killed, just about three-quarters of an hour after leaving Main street. His death is certainly a sad one and his friends and relatives have the sympathy of the community. Isaac Baker was born in Wabash township. August 28. 1848 and died in this city March 11, 1899. aged fifty years, six months and fifteen days. He was a hard working and industrious man. who injured himself rather than any one else. Three sisters. Mrs. Jacob Eley of Berne, Mrs. Willard Suttles of this city and Mrs. J. Teeters, his father, who lives at Berne, and a brother who resides in the far west, are left to mourn their loss.

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