Decatur Democrat, Volume 43, Number 2, Decatur, Adams County, 23 March 1899 — Page 1

ILL THE NEWS ALL the TIME.

LUJIE XUH.

■ Illi: BRINEY OCEAN ■ alll Broun Interviewed B by The Democrat. ■ Relates his Experience on Board ■te Bulgaria During that Perilous H Storm Lasting Eight Days. Se , fn l>a>s Llapse From the Time the Ne" York Harbor I ntil Safely ■ lanJeJ at the Azores-An Account of ■ Thrilling Perils While at Sea. Kl or is afforded the privof laying before our readers a ■faeeomit of the perilous trip ex bv Adam Brown and John who were passengers upon the ■?,,. ir;u . The suspense and anxiety ■Trieiio'd by the many relatives, ■ends and acquaintances of both ■seuger' was not a patching to the ■; trlil \ ami anxiety experienced by ■e< ( . two men. We say two, when in K. there were one hundred more, K ,o ally known toour readers. ■ will but mention them. They ■h left Marion. Ohio, on the night ■January 24, being Tuesday, arrivK-:. \,.w York Thursday following. K the 28th they took passage on the ■iguria for Hamburg, having in ■a charge forty three head of K<,... The Bulgaria was comparaK. new having been purchased Kout a year previous, and was ■ought and really was one of the K heavy freight boats on the water. Kides the horses owned by Haugk ■Bruivn were others to the numlier ■ 107 in all. besides heavy cargoes of Ker and timothy seed, malt, millet, Kngarian and orchard grass, oil Kai sacks, bran, spokes and much Ker merchandise, together with 102 Kssengers and crew. Sail was set K-.x o'clock on the morning of JanKrv 28th. which was followed by five Kys favorable voyage, traveling in Kat time 1272 knots or that many Kies. At two o’clock on the mornKg of the sixth day out a terrible Korin arose which was terriffic and Kighty in power, throwing the boat K' n one side and then the other with Kdi force that passengers to retain Heir feet had to hold to some sta■onery support. One has to travel Brough these ocean storms before Bey can even faintly realize how terBble they are. After the storm had Bged for four or five hours the rudBer—or some of the complicated maBiinery used iu propelling it broke. Bud the boat lay helpless with no Beans to protect itself with the angry Bares. When the boat lay on its side Be lower deck filled with water and ■- weight together with the force Bat throwed the boat whichever way B wave would force it, broke in ■bins, carried away stationery parti■ons, and in reality made one mighty Bea within itself, of the lower deck, ■ere is where the horses weie sta-. Boned, and they were carried first Bom one side of that great ship to Be other. Many of them stood the ■errible battle but for a few hours and ■any even less, while others crippled Byond description, lived for several Bays. This terrible storm lasted Bight days, a part of which time Be passengers were housed in the ■token in order to save their lives. Bti'Ti the storm subsided nothing ■as left of the horses but one Boiid mass of mangled flesh. But Belve or so were living and they sere ordered killed by orders of the faptain, and also ordered moved from fne side of the vessel to the other to peep the boat from sinking. At this lime p ar t o f them lay in the water F our feet deep. After this was done fork began on the repair of therud|“W. This, the most important feafnreof ships, is a structure 12x15 feet fuilt under the rear of the boat and ■’means of constructed machinery heavy timbers, guides them through the water, and are operated ‘torn the deck. The effort at this ■me to repair the rudder proved a failure. Then the officers orwe<l the heavy cargoes thrown overand the second and third days 7. e storm was occupied in filling Js order, with every one at work. It ss carried from mid-deck to topand there thrown over into the waters, and was an occupation ' calculated or termed a snap, this time the cabins had all n.swept away and what sleep the ' r * e ?s " aR 011 the sacks of grain f The morning of the J 1 * 1 day of the storm was Sunday examination at four o’clock reaihr tle startling fact that nearly • he rooms contained some water, r rooms being completely full and en^?ne rooms were filled to within , v lnc hes of the fires. This drove ]T T M )ar k of hope away and the entations of distress and anguish (•bi'i awful. Men, women and Hi i, ren C I "‘th fright and with im,, 0 ? 8 . °* rßßcue * u sight, the panic " 1 lot be described or imagined. The

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life boats were hurriedly arranged and filled with provisions and the passengers provided with life preservers. It was at this distressing point that Adam Brown was wakened from his bed on the grain sacks, where he had lain for a few hours exhausted from loss of sleep and exposure. When awakened he saw his fellowpassengers dressed in their life preservers and as he looked at them and at the boats already prepared and equipped, his thoughts were that every passenger was shrouded and that the boats represented to him the hearse that was to carry them to their graves. We can little imagine the feelings of horror that surrounded the Bulgaria at this perilous moment. Here the distress whistle blew and from a distance came the answer from a similar whistle or what afterwards proved to be the Wee Hawken. Then eheer and buoyant hope gave rise to utter despair of a few moments before, and every one felt their lives saved. Every one tried to get off. When the Wee Hawken boats lined up the excitement was great. Four boats were filled and by orders the children were taken off first, women next and then the men. Twenty-five were taken off and safelv landed upon the boat of rescue. Then the winds became furious and the waves high and it was impossible for the boats to return, although they spent many hours before the attempt was given up. Thus despair was great on board the Bulgaria, as no one thought the boat could sursurvive until the next morning. But every one went to work. The chief engineer sent men to start the pumps and all the boys to dipping, and bynext morning which was the fifth day of the storm, the throwing overboard of cargo was again begun, and by that night the captain expressed a faint hope that perhaps the boat might be saved. The next day work progressed the same as day before, except that the cargo was dumped in the coal room and used for fuel instead of throwing' it overboard. It was feared that the fuel might run short thus the order to fire with the cargo or that part of it that would make heat. Work on Wednesday the same as the two days liefore, and during this time the storm was raging and no one except a sailor could venture on deck. On Thursday, the eighth day of the storm, it partially abates, sufficient to permit the throwing overboard of the horses. This was a sickening sight to behold. The next two days, Friday and Saturday, work was again begun on the rudder. What is known as the rudder house was entirely torn away. On Sunday a little sail boat w?.s sighted and was aked to go for assistance. Tuesday a small freighter was sighted and arrangements agreed on to tow the Bulgaria to shore. It hitchixl on in front but the cable snapped, and then it shifted its position to the rear, and by this means sailed for an hour when cable again broke. Then the waves came on making all attempts fruitless, although she stayed by until next morning, and left, promising to bring assistance. By February 17th the rudder house had been completely torn away, and with a pole connecting the rudder machinery, gave it a trial but the pole broke. Then two poles were used in connecting it in a similar way and by Monday, the 20th. it was again completed. This time the captain said it was all right. The next day at ten o’clock it was tried and proved the salvation they were looking for. The first day they sailed from ten to twelve knots an hour, starting for the Azore Islands, arriving there about nine o’clock on the morning of February 24th. That evening the officers and German Council of the island came out in tugs and celebrated the event. Their tugs were illuminated with Japanese lanterns, bands played and fire works illuminated the dusky waters. It was a jovous meeting and" none were more happy than the Bulgaria passengers, whose perilous journey was at an end. Adam Brown, who kindly gave us this description of the voyage, could not say enough in praise of the gallant captain, officers and crew, who performed well their duty. Nothing was too hard for them and nothing was left undone that could lx l done for the safety of the ship and the comfort of his passengers. But two lives were lost, one a sailor w-ho was washed overboard while attending to his duties on top of boat and the other a small baby who fell from its mother’s arms while she was being taken down into the boat that transfered the twenty-five to the Wee Hawken. During the storm the captain was strapped in his bridge night and day, never leaving it, which in a manner show the courage manifested and that he knew his duty and performed it well. The next day after arriving at the Azores a boat sailed for New York and both Brown and Yager secured passage and came home. They arrived in New York on Wednesday. March Sth. and were home the Saturday following, since which time they have been busy greeting friends and trying to explain to them some of the many perils they witnessed in escaping the agonies of death upon the sea. It is safe to say that neither passenger will ever forget their experience and trip on tae Bulgaria.

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 1899.

The Chatauqua section of the ! Lathes Shakespeare club met with Mpr John Niblick, at her beautiful liijne on Third street yesterday aftern3tn - large attendance and a spendiT meeting is reported. "L Houser who has been delivering a number of lectures in this city on various medical topics closed the series last night by a brilliant lecture at Bosse’s opera house. He has examined a large number of patients while in the city, some of whom will receive treatment by mail. Fred \ aughn, another member of company B has received an honorable discharge and is with his friends in this city. Fred arrived from Mantanzas last Saturday morning, after a five days trip. He is looking rather bad, but expects to be entirely recuperated within a few days. He says the 160th will be mustered out, but probably not for two months. He reports every member of company B as being in excellent health. Barney Kalverisky will leave for Fort Wayne Friday afternoon to be in attendance at the celebration of the Jewish passover wich will begin in that city Saturday and continue eight days. Barney has attended these services faithfully for many years and although he generally returns looking rather thin after the long fast, he has a clear conscious that he has done his duty and that fact is worth considerable. A new rascal is on deck. He goes into a store and claims to have the same name as the proprietor and is afraid that things will get mixed up as he is going into business there. In case of goods being delivered there bymistake will the merchant please take charge of them until he comes for them. The stranger then goes to a wholesaler and orders a big bill of goods, usually jewelry. The goods are sent. The sharper comes along and takes them away. As the good natured merchant has received the goods and allowed them to pass from his hands, he has to pay for them. Just at present the circuit court is engaged in trying the case of Miller vs. the Wabash railway, wherein the plaintiff asks for $5,000 damages for a fire whicn is said to have almost ruined said Miller’s farm and which it is alleged was started by the negligence of an employee of the company. The case is here on a change of venue from Fort Wayne and will no doubt be one of the longest trials ever heard in the county. The same case was tried several months ago and after five weeks work the jury failed to agree upon a verdict. A numlier of prominent attorneys are engaged in the case, including Messrs. Colerick, Zollars, Hammond, France and Erwin. Among the many changes made by the new law is one govering the superintendent of the poor farm. The board of commissioners will, under this law, elect a superintendent at their June meeting, who will serve for two years instead of one year at a time, as the present contract calls for. He must make a quarterly estimate of the supplies needed by the asylum, and the contract for furnishing them shall be let by the commissioners each quarter after due advertisement for bids. The bids must lie examined in open court, and all bill supplies furnished by the successful bidder must be approved by the superintendents and paid on warrants issued by the auditor. To the superintendents is given general charge of the asylum, but he is required to report in writing all of his acts in managing hid affairs. Another official whose term is changed is that of the county school superintendent. He will lie elected in June, 1899, and will serve for four years instead of two, as heretofore. Circuit court proceedings are Benjamin W. Sholty vs David R. R. Braun, tried by jury, verdict favored plaintiff with damages in the sum of sls and $lO attorneys fees. Victoria Foster vs John L. Harper et al., continued. Nannie King vs Nolan King, divorce granted plaintiff also alimony in the sum of S2OO. Peter Soldner vs Elizabelh Allman, defendant adudged of unsound mind and incapable of managing her estate and that a guardian ought to be appointed. Mathias Miller vs Catharine Miller, the plaintiff ordered to pay into court the sum of SSO for the benefit and use of the defendant and her attorneys. Miss Adda Snow appointed court reporter until the further order of the court. Bank of Geneva vs Christopher Haviland et al., judgment vs defendant for $305.75. Ida H. Newberry vs Henry F. Newberry, divorce granted plaintiff and the custody of their minor heirs. The great railroad case of Sebastian Miller vs The Wabash railway, is now at trial, and will consume about four weeks in active trial. A jury has been selected and are Emerson Beavers, Elijah Nidlinger. Charles Yager, Frank Judd, Jacob Buhler. John Noll, James Willy, Charles Morrison, John H. Breinerkamp, Ed Kinney, Gust Kramer and Henry Schulte. The attorneys for the plaintiff are Henry Colerick of Fort Wayne, and R. K. Erwin of this city, while the railroad company is being defended bv Judge Lowrv of Fort Wayne. E. P. Ham mond' of Lafayette.’ and France & Son of this city.

Peter Ashbaucher, father of exsheriff Peter Ashbaucher of this conn-: ty, died at his homo at Newville, Wells county, on Wednesday night of last week of old age. He was born in 1820 and was a pioneer of this state. The funeral services were held from the house at ten o’clock Friday morning. Mr. and Mrs. Ashbaucher and family, from this city, attended.

The Union City Time of last week spoke in glowing terms of our county clerk-elect as follows: Elmer Johnson the “Boy Buyer” has secured a car load of horses in this section the past week. They are all heavy draft and purchased for export, weighing from 1500 to 1700 pounds. Mr. J. has been one of the nicest men in this line that has ever done business with our people and by his prompt business methods has established a reputation that materially helps him. Norval Blackburn and Dan P. Bolds engaged in a fistic encounter Monday evening from which both wear evidence of having been met. The former was thought to be seriously hurt at first, but is recovering. He received several deep gashes on the head which required the attendance of a physician, but is expected to be out in a few days. Friends of both men regret its occurrence, as no doubt the participants do also. The cause which led up to the encounter is said to have been a personal grievance between the two, which was being discussed by them and ended as above stated. Following is the schedule to be followed by assessors this year in listing farm stock: Team of horses $75 to SIOO a head: three-year-old colts, SSO to $75; two-year-old colts, S4O to SSO; one-year-old colts, $25 to S4O; carriage horses, SIOO to $150; average horses with records, S3OO to $500; first-class mules, SIOO to $125; three-year-old mules. S6O to $75; two-year-01d,540 to SSO; one-year-old, $25 to S4O; registered cows, SSO to $100; common cows, sls to S4O; stock cattle, all ages, 3J cents a pound; feed cattle 4 cents a pound; registered sheep, $lO to S2O, all other sheep, $1 to $5; hogs, all ages, 3 cents a pound hogs, $lO to $25; poultry, per dozen, $3 to $5; bees, a stand, $1 to $5. Andrew J. Hoskinson, an aged citizen of southern Adams county, and father of Mrs. John F. Snow, of this city, died at his home in Ceylon last Thursday morning of paralysis, after an illness of only a few days. He was born in Licking county, Ohio, July 28, 1830, and was nearly sixtynine years of age at the time of his death. He hail resided in this county nearly thirty-five years, having removed here in 1868, and located in Blue Creek township, where he resided ten years and then located at Ceylon where he has since lived. In 1855 he was married to Miss Mary Foster and to them have been born five children, three of whom with the aged wife and mother are left to mourn their loss. Among the children living is the only daughter, Mrs. John F. Snow, who for many years has been a resident of this city. Mr. Hoskinson was an excellent citizen and was highly respected by all who knew him. Funeral services were held from the residence Sunday morning by Rev. J. J. Fred, of Geneva, and the body was laid to rest in the Snow cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Snow and family, of this city, attended the services. Mayor Beatty and Marshall Hart attended the second meeting of the Municipal League of Indiana at Marion last Thursday. Much important business was transacted and the organization is now firmly established. The meeting met at 1:30 p. m. and the address of welcome was delivered by Attorney Condo, and the response thereto made by Mayor McHenry of Wabash. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved, after which the committee on by-law made their report, which was unanimously accepted. The following is a synopsis of the by-laws adopted: “It shall be the duty of the executive committee to make rules and regulation for the photographing and numbering thereof and the measuring of all criminals and suspects. The system of measurements and taking photographs adopted by the league shall lie strictly followed by each member of the league. It shall lie the duty of the legislative committee to meet from time to time, when they may deem it expedient and proper, upon the written call of the chairman and secretary of the committee, to consider needed reform and legislation to the interests and the different branches thereof. No compensation, except actual expenses, shall be paid any member of this committee, except it be authorized by vote of the league in convention.” Other business such as the establishment of a rogue’s gallery in each city was considered and adopted and various matters of more or less importance talked over. The visitors were entertained while in Marion by the local order of Elks, which is enough to warrant the statement that the meeting was an enjoyable as well as a business affair. The next session will lie held at Ft. Wayne May 18. A number of cities have joined the order in addition to the charter members and the riddance of tramps and thugs is assured.

The members of the 160th Indiana regiment recieved the news that they were to be mustered out with great joy. The mustering out will take place at Savannah, Ga., where diey will be conveyed just as soon as transports arrive. They should be given a royal welcome by their home folk, that their happiness will be increased to the highest point. Since leaving Indianapolis last May fourteen members of the regiment have died, which is one of the saddest features of the htnne coming. • A rapid writer can, write thirty words a minute. To do this he must draw his pen through the space of a rod, sixteen and one-half feet. In forty minutes his pen travels a furlong, and in five and a half hours a full mile. He makes on an average, sixteen curves or turns of the pen for each word written. Writing at the rate of thirty words per minute, he must make eight to each second; in in an hour 28,000; in five hours, 144,000, and in 300 days working only five hours a day, he mokes not less than 43,200,000 curves and turns of the pen. And yet the average man thinks there is no work in getting up a newspaper. Sergeant Andrews, of company B arrived home yesterday morning from Cuba, byway of New York and Cincinnati. He left Mantanzas about a week ago going by boat to New York, from there home by rail. He is looking as fat and sassy as ever and says he feels as well as he looks. He expects the boys will be sent to the United States the latter part of next week and that it will not be long until they are all muetsred out. It will be eleven months next Sunday since our boys marched bravely to the front and it has doubtless been a long stretch of time to them and their friends. We hope Sargeant Andrews is right and that they will be sent home before the rainy season sets in on the island. The tramps who were arrested and sentenced to sixteen days at hard labor were taken out of jail and put to work cleaning Second street last Friday noon. Quite a number gathered to see the “start” and were surprised to see “de gang,” grab hold of the shovels and brooms as though they were used to that kind of life. They labored faithfully until five o’clock and succeeded in cleaning the street from the Presbyterian church to Court street. On Saturday the weather was too bad to ask such frail creatures to labor and they were given a rest until Monday. Upon the morning of that day Marshal Hart appeared and notified them it was time to report for duty, whereupon he was informed that they had “struck.” They absolutely refused to go to work and that settled it. Mayor Beattv then ordered that they be fed upon bread and water, and they have this week been living on that luxury. They prefer anything to work and the mayor has decided they shall have it and has ordered the marshal that they lie brought out upon Main street to-day, a ball and chain attached to them, and that they be let stand until they change their mind as to whether or not a little work is the worst thing on earth. Our officers are determined to rid the city of the tramps if it can possibly be done.

Christian F. Blakey, probably the oldest settler of Union township, died at his home last Saturday morning. He was taken ill with la grippe about four weeks ago, and owing to his advanced age and feeble condition he was unable to withstand the terrible ravages of that disease, which gradually wore itself into quick consumption, and he has been called to his reward. His was a busy and useful life. He was born in Prussia, May 7, 1821, and died March 18, 1899, aged nearly seventy-eight years. He came to this county in 1840 with his parents, who settled on the farm where our subject has ever since lived. His early life is filled with many incidents of dangers as was usual to the Hoosier pioneers of those days. He arrived with his parents and other members of the family on the 27th day of November, after a long and tiresome journey from West Virginia. After arriving in Union township, where the father had previously entered the west quarter of section twenty-one, the family lived for some time in the covered wagon iu which they had traveled. In December following, however, they completed a log house in which they lived until 1852, when they build the old homestead were the deceased resided until his death. In 1849 Mr. Blakey married Miss Louisa Falsing and to them were born three children, Mary, Sophia and John H. Mrs. Blakey died in 1856 and a few years afterward Christian was united in marriage to- Mary A. Rupp. Ten children, Eliza, Charles, Martin, Frederick, Theodore, Edward, Otto, Matilda, Christian and Christine, were born to them, all of whom are living excepting the last two. Christian Blakey has always been an honest, upright, industrious citizen and has a countless number of friends and relatives who mourn the loss of one they have loved and respected for so many years. Funeral services were held H orn the Blakey church Monday after noon and the body interred iu the cemetery nearby

CIRCULATION 2400 WEEKLY

NUMBER 2

The following marriage licenses have been issued during the past week by Clork Lenhart: Joseph Runyon, to Gertie Miller; Abraham Raven to Effie M. S. Carpenter; John E. Johnson to Viola Pearl Bollinger; Wm. Nusbaimto Laura Flora; AlouzoUpt graft to Lydia E. Young. Besides the above a blank license was issued to parties whose names are unobtainable at the present. Mrs. C. G. Hudson, wife of the presiding elder of the Goshen district, and who as secretary of the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society, was to have taken a prominent part in the M. E. Conference soon to meet here, will be unable to attend that meeting on account of a serious accident which liefell her about two weeks ago. She was changing cars at Alexandria and was going from one depot to another. In order to save time she was walking along the Big Four railway, where several trains were switching, a train was approaching her on the main track, along which she was walking, and she in endeavoring to get out of the road stepped too close to a switch and was struck by a train on that track. She was thrown to the ground and the engine passed over her right arm, crushing it entirely off. She was taken to the Alexandria hospital where she is getting along very nicely, but it will probably be some time before she can attend to her duties. Last Tuesday evening was the regular meeting night for the city council of Decatur and the proper time found Mayor Beatty in the chair as presiding officer and Couneilmen Suttles, Haefhng, Chronister. Miller, Niblick and Mann present. The minutes of the meeting of March 7 were read and approved. The finance committee presented bills which were allowed as follows: John Glutting, $2.26; Street Commissioner’s pay roll, $25.20; Frank Ferrell, $1.50; Thos. Buckmaster, $6.75; National Carbon Co., $47.75; J. F. Mann, $1.70; Quaker Citv Rubber Co,, $2.50; Ingersol Sergent Co., $10.64; Willard Steele, $56.55; Homer Cross, $0.30; National Meter Co., $53.30; New York Nozel Co., bill referred to the mayor. A resolution that the city clerk be authorized to draw an order upon the city treasurer for the salaries due the city officers for the quarter ending March 31,1899, was read and unanimously adopted. The contract of E. Woods for the use of the city street roller to be used in construction of the gravel roads was approved. Suttles then moved that the city hereafter use round carbons in place of the eliptical now in use. Motion was referred to the mayor. A petition for the bricking of Monroe street from the river bridge to the G. R. & 1. railway, signed by several property owners along said street, was referred to the committee on streets and alleys. This concluded the work for the evening and council thereupon adjourned. The mysterious death of Isaac Baker, which was reported in last week’s issue, was again taken up by Coroner Clark and Prosecutor Smith, Monday and several important witnesses examined, but the result is still very unsatisfactory and no verdict has yet been returned. Jesse Anderson, the young man who was with Baker all evening, was put on the stand and told a straightforward story, proving conclusively that he left Baker do’wn street and was not with him after that. Anderson lives on Monroe street near the river bridge, and when I he left his companion went immediate!ly home. Anderson says that Baker had considerable money about him and that they spent but little during the evening. H. F. Burdge and H. F. Lee, brakemen and J. E. Norton, conductor on the train which ran over Baker told about the same story. i They said they were on train No. 28, lan east bound freight which arrived I here about 10:45, the evening of the accident; they cut the train and the engine with a half dozen cars ran down to the water tank, they then backed up to the station, did a little switching and were running back to get the other section of the train. They had gone about a square west from the station when the rear brakeman felt the car he was standing upon raise considerable. He thought something had been run over, but was not sure. About the same time, a young man who had been riding on the train climbed into the cab and told the engineer that a man had been run down and killed. The train was instantly stopped, and the men went to where Baker’s remaing were strewn along the track. The body was cut entrely in two and there was no one near, no money was found and they saw no traces of anything to indi cate murder. While the stories told by the various witnesses entirely vindicate Anderson, they do not prove conclusively that Baker was not murdered by some one, although there is nothing to show who the murderer is. There are two strange things which can not be explained, namely: “W hat has become of his money, and who was the man that left the Schlegel house and started down the C. & E. tracks with Baker?" These ques tions may never be answered unless something else developes. The coroner's verdict will probably be that “Isaac Baker met death by being struck bv a train."