Decatur Democrat, Volume 43, Number 8, Decatur, Adams County, 4 May 1899 — Page 1

aIL THE NEWS ALL THE TIME.

VOLUME XLIII.

COMPANY B. AT HOME. The) Return to Their Decatur Friends After a Year’s Campaign. A magnificent reception and ban. quet tendered the boys on DEWEY DAY. MONDAY. The members of Co. ‘B. 160th Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment, arrived home last Thursday afternoon | over the G. R. &I- railway. A telegram from Capt. Lenhart received at i this office during the morning said | thev would leave Cincinnati at eleven o'clock and arrive home on the 3:27 , train. The news circulated quickly. au d when the hour for the arrival of | the train came, fully 2,000 people were crowded in and about the sta- ; ( tion. The train was about thirty minutes late in arriving, it being near ( four o’clock when the long-hoped for ( i ears pulled slowly up to the depot. A ! special car had been attached for the ' I soldiers and this was decorated with ; t banners, bearing the inscription. ! -Co. B. 160th Indiana, homeward ' bound from Cuba." As the train I came to a stop and the boys, many of whom bad not been seen by Decatur friends for a year, began scrambling off. a mighty shout of welcome went up from the thousands of throats. I The boys were besieged by friends on ! every hand and it was fully fifteen : minutes before the crowd began to ' I move away from the yards. It was : ' impossible to get the boys into line as j was intended and efforts in that di- , I rection were soon given up. The De ' catur City Band, the G. A. R.. Reception Committee and many of the citizens marched down street while the soldiers came with friends and it would be a hard matter to decide who were the happiest, the boys or their friends. The address of welcome which was to have been delivered by Mayor Beatty was postponed and the crowd contented themselves by shaking hands and extending greetings to the brave lads. The city was in gala attire, nearly every business house, and many dwellings, being decorated with the national colors and welcome signs. The arrival of the boys was announced to those who were not at the train by the ringing of bells, blowing of whistles, etc., and for several minutes a general pandemonium ensued. The committee having ini charge the reception decided that the I return should be celebrated in con- . nection with Dewey Day and accord ingly last Monday saw Decatur again ' in holiday attire and the streets thronged with a large crowd of peo-1 pie anxious to extend welcome to the boys. The day’s program was opemnl by the anvil chorus salute at sunrise. At nine o’clock the boys assembled at the G. A. R. hall and at ten o'clock formed in line for the march to the court house, escorted by the city band and a large number of ex-soldiers. The line formed on Second street and marched north two squares, returning and marched to the court house where an interesting program was rendered. The band played several stirring pieces after which Rev. H. C. Duckett led in prayer. Hon. R. S. Peterson called the meeting to order and introduced the permanent chairman, N. Blackburn. The first oration of the day was then delivered by Father Wilkens of the St. Mary’s Catholic church, whose every won! was one of welcome and joy for the returned heroes, who had gone forth fearlessly and manfully to defend the flag. He said that the citizens of the city and county were proud of such men. “The American Soldier" was the subject so well handled by Rev. AV. H. Daniel, who in a half hours speech told the soldiers what he thought of them. “’The soldier is admired by all and his deeds of valor read and re-n ad by old and young, but more especially are we interested in the American lads who voluntarily march out to face the enemy for humanity's sake. We are even prouder of the members of Co. ‘B’ and are happy for the occasion of honoring' them as we do to-day.” The soldiers i then fell in line and" were conducted to the armory where the committee on refreshments were awaiting them, and such a feast the tables were simply laden with everything on the market j and the way the soldiers went after I the good things was a fright. A pleasant hour was spent at the dinner tables and the guests of honor as well as their hosts seemed to enjoy the affair to the utmost, and the fact that a large amount of eatables were distributed among the poor of the city’ snould be evidence that no one went away hungry. The afternoon services were opened"by Rev. H. C. Duckett in an eloquent discourse in which he told of the honor and respect he had for the American soldier. He said, “I am proud of him because he has the faculty to do as commanded, to follow his leader through ordeals and hardships of every sort to victory. Such men are hard to conquer and my earnest hope is that such patriotism will never die in the hearts of our A oung America.” Rev. G. AA ■ Pearce i followed with a brilliant talk upon : the subject of the army of the great est and best country on earth. Hep talked in his usual plain and inter 1 esting manner and told many truths.j He also honored the G. A. R. mem bers who were present by addressing ;

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part of his remarks to them. Rev. Mygrant of the Evangelical church, then welcomed the boys home and in doing so voiced the sentiment ofevery citizen of Decatur, when he said that they deserved to prosper and be happy after the sacrifices they had made and it was his earnest hope that they would. Major E. P. Miller was then introduced and heartily cheered by the large crowd. The major has always been a favorite here and his safe return is the cause of no little celebra-! tion among his friends. In his re-1 marks he thanked the citizens of Decatur and Adams county for the way they had received their sons and the enthusiasm their return was marked with. He said during the year the boys were away from home they j traveled by forced marches twenty-1 eight miles, by rail 3,917 miles, and by water 1,16(1 miles, making a total i of 5,105 miles. While in various camps, the boys were encamped with several hundred thousand soldiers, in- > eluding cavalry, artillery, rough rid-, ers and infantry and Major Miller passed a worthy compliment upon our boys when he said no regiment was ' better drilled, nor would have done better service had an opportunity i presented itself than the 160th. The ■ major’s address was listened to attentively and a hearty applause followed. This ended the regular program for the day, but the soldiers and their friends kept up the celebration for several hours. Quite a large crowd was in the city, everything ’ passed off nicely and everyone en- ! joyed themselves. It was just one year from the time the boys left De catur until their return. On the evening of April 26, 1898 they received orders to report at Indianapolis for duty ■ in the Spanish-American war. Thev left at 6:30 the morning of the 27th | and arrived at Camp Mount during I the afternoon of the same day. Here they were enlisted as members of the volunteer army and passed their examinations. Then followed several weeks of tedious waiting for orders, during which time they were entertained principally with guard duty and squad drills. On May 16th the welcome orders to move toward the seat of war were carried out by the company leaving Indianapolis for the old Chickamauga battlefield of Georgia. The boys were dressed in nice, new uniforms and carried Springfield rifles. After many months of camp life at Chickamauga the word to move to Porto Rico came and with swelling hearts and cheers they boarded trains for Newport News, Virginia. There they were held in expectation for weeks "and finally when the orders came for them to ’go to Lexington, Kentucky, instead, there was sad disappointment. The war with Spain was virtually over. The sinking of Cervera’s fleet at Santiago by Admiral Schley, the capture of the Spanish fleet by Admiral Dewey at Manilla in the Philippines and the brilliant work of the regulars and volunteers at San Juan and El Caney in Cuba, had vir tually ended the war. The boys went resignedly to Lexington. After several months they were sent to Columbus, Georgia, and in January from there to Mantanzas. Cuba, where thev did garrison duty until the latter part of March when they were sent to Savannah, Georgia, and there on the 25th of April were mustered out of the service as honorably discharged soldiers and returned home to receive a most royal welcome. They' arrived home on" the afternoon of April 27, 1899, just a year from the day they left. The company has not lost a man and the return home is a glorious one. Clayton Shepherd has removed from Linn Grove to Bluffton, and while in this city Monday ordered his DemoI crat changed to the latter address. In all probability he will enter the prac- ■ tice and profession of law and become 1 a permanent fixture there. Mr. ShepI herd is an exceptional young man with much ability which he fully ■ knows how to use to an advantage. Frank T. Rawley, a young man living near Monmouth, died last AA ednesday evening at nine o’clock. He had been sick for several months and was resigned to his fate, knowing that jhe could live but a short time. A 1 peculiar co incident was the fact that ' he died on his twenty-first birthday, the eventful day of "a young man's life —the day he attains his majority. I Funeral services were conducted FriI day morning by Rev. AV. H. Daniel of this city. The Passion Play, known as the drama of Ober Ammergan. was reproduced by moving pictures at the Bosse Opera House last Saturday and Sunday evenings. The drama was given under the auspices of the St. Mary's Catholic Church for the benefit of the St. Joseph cemetery. The attendance Saturday evening was very slim but on Sunday evening a large crowd was present and all were highly pleased with the program. Instrumental music was furnished by Miss Tena Radamacher and Prof. J. C. Kissell, the manager, sang a number of beautiful solos. The plav is produced from the story as presented every ten years at the little village of Ober-Ammergan in Germany, showing the life of the Savior, with the story of the cross. The reproduction was very interesting and the audience were delighted.

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY, MAY 4, 1899

The school enumeration for the city of Decatur has just been completeci and shows a total of 1226, a gain of three over the report of last year. Work has been begun upon the masonry of the new court house tower, and in all probability the same will be pushed to completion as rapidly as possible. A runaway on north Third street created considerable excitement last : Thursday afternoon. The team bei came frightened at the water works whistle which began blowing just as the team got opposite the building. During the thunder shower Monday afternoon over sixty telephones were burned out. thus causing no little inconvenience to our citizens and no end of trouble to the linemen. The instruments were all fixed up by Tuesday evening and the line is in as good servicable condition as ever. The house of Leopold Yager on south Second street is being removed to south Fifth street this week and a i beautiful new home is soon to be built ' on the site of the old homestead. The new house is to be one of the most j modern structures in the city, and ! will add greatly to Decatur’s gallery of elegant homes. Lieutenant Meyers, who stopped in Columbus, Ga., for a few days visit with friends, arrived home Monday afternoon, looking none the worse for i his year’s service under Uncle Sam. i Dick was an excellent officer and dei serves much credit, having advanced I within the year from a private to a ' commission officer. Monday was a red letter day at the i office of Treasurer Neuenschwander, i that official and three deputies having i all they could attend to, in waiting | upon the people who called to settle I their spring installment of taxes. Even since, the office has been crowded most of the time, but the rush has subsided and everything will settle down to a normal condition. Mrs. Abraham Mangold, the venerable mother of Auditor Mangold, died at two o’clock yesterday afternoon, after a lingering illness ■ with dropsy and asthma. The deceased i was eighty-one years, two months and [ twenty-seven' days old. The funeral j services will be held at ten o’clock I tomorrow, Friday, from the German I Reformed church of Preble township, : conducted by Rev. Varnhold who will j preach in German, and Rev. Kruse in English. An exchange says, In the begini ning God created the heavens and the ! earth; then the editor, the liberal ad- ' vertiser and the prompt paying subI scriber it was good. Next day a blizzard set in and he created the man I who did’nt believe in advertising and I another that didn't take the home i paper; then he rested. The devil then i got into the moulding room and he j created the man who takes the paper for years and fails to pay for it. After | completing that sorry job and having a few lumps of mud left he made the excuse for a man who settled his subscription by instructing the postmaster to mark the paper “refused.” That Decatur will have a base ball ' club that can clean up anything inside or out of the national league, now seems to be an assured fact. Charles Murray, who is agitating the ' i organization of the club is working i earnestly and has succeeded in get- ■ | ting a sufficient number interested to j make it a success. A number of business men who believe in enlivening the town are interested and will make it win if possible. The plan is to secure six professional players and 1 fill out the team with local players, 1 and Decatur’s base ball team will be I a fast one. The old park just east of 1 I the city will be put in shape and I within a short time our fans will be ' j given an opportunity of seeing a ball | game at home again. Tho “city dads” met in regular ses- , sion Tuesday evening and proceeded Ito transact business. The roll call was: present, Suttles, Haefling. Miller, Niblick and Mann; absent, Chronis- ' | ter. The minutes of the meetings of the council on April 18 and 19, were read and upon motion approved. All bills which had been filed were referred to the clerk. The proof of publication ’of notice to contractors for digging a trench from the river to the j water works was filled. On motion of . I Councilman Niblick the matter of imi proving Monroe street was referred to | the street committee. Niblick moved ! that the question of repairing the i alley between Mercer and Winchester streets be referred to the committee on j streets and alleys. Councilman Miller i moved that the matter to dispense I with the service of Haefling, as lineman for the electric light company, be i referred to the proper committee, I which was done. The petition of R. !B. Allison for franchise for a new I telephone company was referred to judiciary committee. Bids for the digging of the trench from the river to the water works plant, were opened and were as follows: AA .AA . Moats, $1.15 per rod, bond signed by AV. R. Dorwin: S. S. Magiey. ?i.2-> per rod, bond signed by C. D. Lewton. This : concluded the "evening’s business and the meeting was adjourned to meet in continued session next Tuesday _even[ing-

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kintz celebrated their silver wedding at their home north of the city last Sunday. Dinner was served and the occasion was a happy one. The annual oratorical contest at Portland tomorrow promises to be an interesting affair. Delegates from Winchester, Bluffton, Portland and Decatur will battle for the prizes in oratory and declamation. Arthur Suttles and Miss Faye Smith will represent the Decatur high school. Last Sunday morning Rev. Adams, of Fort Wayne, began a series of meetings at the Christian church. His subject tonight is, “Our Help in Christ’s Absence”, and Fridav evening will be “The Chain of Salvation." Special music, song service and Bible drill. All are cordially invited. Come promptly at 7:30. Among the loosers in the Portland fire was the United Telephone Company, whose loss figures from S2OO to SSOO. The storm in this city last Monday burned out four coils in the switch board and thirty-five or forty instruments, which to repair will make a hundred dollar bill look sick. Such is monopolistic life. Among the veterans solders who escorted company B to the court house Monday was Uncle Johnnie Reed, who is past one hundred years of age. He remembers well the war of 1812, tho Mexican war, the civil war and was a participant in the last too. He considered it quite an honor to march with the boys of the Spanish-Ameri-can war and they were no doubt as highly pleased as he was. It should be generally known that the last congress made a law which prohibits the pensioning of soldiers’ widows where the marriage did not take place until after the passage of the law, March 3, 1899. The reason for such a law is found in the fact that many young women marry aged veterans to succeed to their pensions. The pension report for the last fiscal year records three surviving pensioners of the war of 1812, who were soldiers, and 2,407 widows. In honor of the safe return of Charles Mumma, who was a member of company B and who has been in service with them for a year past, a reception was held for him at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John A. Mumma, in Root township, Saturday evening. About thirty guests, including relatives, neighbors and soldier friends were present and the jollification was a merry one. Supper was served and was one of those elegant dinners for which Mrs. Mumma is famous. Games and social conversatiog made the evening an enjoyable affair well suited to the home coming of the soldier boy. The Board of Trustees for the Decatur public schools held their regular meeting last Monday evening, at which the important business to come before the meeting was the selection of a superintendent for 1899 and 1900. Prof. AV. F. Brittson was unanimously elected and will serve in that capacity during the coming year. Prof. Brittson is just closing his second year as superintendent of the schools, and during that time the schools have advanced wonderfully, owing to his untiring efforts. He is a graduate of the State University, well qualified for the position and withal an Adams county product and the selection is considered a wise one. Another meeting of the board will be held next Monday at which time the teachers are to be elected. i Circuit court proceedings are State vs Joseph McCloskey, fined 825 and costs for assault and battery. State ex rel Noah Mangold vs Perry Robinson, et al., set for trial Maj’ 23. John Reynolds vs John D. Steele, the plaintiff filed application to prosecute as a poor person, and Lewis C. DeVoss allowed SSO for same. Frank Snyder vs Daniel Beefer, defendant files a demurrer to every paragraph of complaint, which is overruled to which the defendant excepts. Fannie Grubb vs Abraham K. Grubb, petition filed by plaintiff to have defendant declared of unsound mind and for the appointment of a guardian; such notice was ordered issued. Joseph Bremerkamp vs Noah Mangold Auditor, et al., judgment vs plaintiff for costs of said Mangold; temporary restraining order made permanent upon a technicality, the law stating that notice should have been published and contract entered into at December regular session of the board of commissioners, defendant demurrs as to payment of costs and given thirty days to file bill of exceptions. Davidson Mattox vs John Christy, jr., cause ordered left off the docket. Theodore Snyder exparte, admitted to bar. August Freese vs Benjamin Knapke, judgment vs defendant for $154.81. Isreal Bright vs Susan AA’. Bright, C. M. France as commissioner, made final report of sale of real estate and was discharged State vs Daniel Harden, defendant discharged. State vs J. C. F. Manley, A. P. Beatty and France A Son. asked leave to appear for state. Albert O. Marsh vs James A. Showalter, et al., motion to dismiss for want of prosecution. Bessie Roop vs A irgel Roop, divorce and alimony in the sum of S3OO granted.

Mrs. Hugh Miller arrived from lowa City, lowa, last Monday and will be the guests of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry AVinnes and family during the summer. Fishermen who have returned from Celina this week report that the finny tribe seem to be on to their jobs and are not biting worth a cent. The boys are all having a good time, however, and several of them will remain until Saturday. Clad Burkhead a member of company “B,” has a genuine Mexican dog which he brought with him from Cuba. The dog is homely enough to be a Spaniard or any other foreign animal, but it is a curiosity nevertheless and creates much comment when on the street. It resembles the American rat terrier excepting that it is hairless and a trifle larger. The building boom is on and Decatur is proudly doing her share in this line of improvement. Many new residences are being built, many others are being remodeled and when the blasts of winter again makes itself felt, Decatur's many advancements will be noted and admired. In other words, there is no other town that can complete with the enterprise that is developing here. The flag floating over the White House at Washington indicates to all who see it that the President is at home. Whenever he is out of that city the flag is carefully folded away. The same custom prevails at the Capitol. Whenever either house of Congress is in session the flag flies over the wing of the building which that house occupies. If there is an evening session, a bright light in the house tells the story. This is, in Washington, what might be termed the “language of the flag.” Col. Robert Allison left Monday noon for New York, where lie met Mrs. Allison and Miss Hattie Studabaker, who were scheduled to arrive in that city Tuesday morning. The ladies have been absent about three months and during that time have visited the cities of the holy lands, as well as nearly all the principle cities of Europe. A number of letters from Miss Studabaker have appeared in the Democrat from time to time and the last one appears elsewhere in this issue, having been written from Paris. April 17. The many friends of both are anxiously awaiting their return to Decatur, which will probably be some time today. Prof. Hicks announces the weather for the rest of this month as follows: From the 7th to 9th look for reaction to very much warmer, with falling barometer and storms of rain, hail aud thunder in many localities. The change to high pressure, with cooler weather will follow promptly behind these storms. One or two nights of probable frost will result in latitude northward about the 9th and 10th. but marked change to warmer will quickly return. This period will develop a very high temperature for this season over most of the country. The barometer will be depressed generally, and some wide-reaching storms will appear on and touching the 12th to 14th. On the 17th and 18th marked storm conditions will develop. We will name Wednesday, the 24th. to Saturday, the 27th, as dates on and about which violent storms are quite probable. Dangerous storms may not come at all. But we do insist that the conditions point strongly to such possibilities, and that a calm and prudent watch should be kept on approaching storm clouds.

The commissioners were in session Monday and Tuesday. The county was divided into gravel road districts in conformity to an act of the last general assembly, which requires a division of gravel roads into districts containing an equal amount of gravel road. The first district will hereafter comprise Root, Preble and Kirkland township and under the supervision of Commissioner Mann, president of the board. The second district is French and Hartford townships, under Fred Reppert. while Commissioner Doak will look after Washington. Monroe, AN'abash, Jefferson and Blue Creek townships. The couneilmanie districts were divided according to population. The vote of 1896 and the enumeration of 1898. being a guide to a correct division. The first district is St. Marys. Union, Root, Preble and Kirkland townships; second district. AVashington township and the city of Decatur: third district, Blue Creek. Jefferson and Monroe townships and Berne; fourth district. French, Hartford and AV abash townships and Geneva. Citizens of St. Marys township were represented in court asking permission for the trustee to expend $6,000 with which to buy a stone crusher and open a quarry, the farmers along a line of roads extending from east to west through the township, agreeing to grade and haul the stone thereon and build a good and serviceable macadamized road. A remonstrance was faintly represented, after which being heard, the permission asked for was granted. This new departure in road building upon the 1 part of the citizens of St. Marys townj ship is quite commendable and wdl give them good roads at a very small ! taxation cost.

CIRCULATION 2400 WEEKLY

NUMBER 8

Mrs. Counterman, who has been the guest of her daughter, Mrs. J. Q. Neptune, for several days, met with a serious accident last Monday morning. She was coming down stairs when in some way she missed her footing and fell to the bottom. She was considerably bruised and her right leg quite badly sprained, but although seventy-seven years old she is improving nicely, and will be able to be about within a few days. George B. Bowers, one of company B’s members, is the author of a book to be known as “A History of the 160th Regiment Indiana Volunteers”, which will be put upon the market within a few weeks. The work will contain a full and complete history of the regiment from their enlistment to the mustering out, with illustrations of the officers and people prominently known by the soldiers. George is one of the county’s brightest teachers and we have no doubt but that the book will be highly treasured by the boys of the Spanish American war. The regimental band of the 160th are making preparations for their trip through this part of the state. They will visit every city which was represented in the regiment and give a concert in each place. The band was considered one of the finest in the volunteer army and they will meet with a splendid reception in Decatur. Jake Piercy of Willshire, member of company “B,” is a member of the band. He says they will rest a few days and will then make arrangements for their tour which will continue about four weeks. They’ will reach here about May 15. A disastrous fire occurred at Portland last Thursday afternoon, resulting in the destruction of $15,000 worth of property. The fire started in a stable at the rear of Spahr’s grocery. A strong wind was blowing and a number of other buildings were ignited within a few minutes. Within a half hour the fierce flames had enwrapped a half a dozen more buildings, including several business houses and dwellings anil for a time it looked as though the entire business portion of the city would be wiped out of existence. After hard work the flames were gotten under control. The loss is almost total as there was only a small amount of insurance on the property destroyed. The mammoth clothing store of Schulte, Falk & Ehinger is closed this week and an inventory of the stock on hand is being made preparatory to a sale of the establishment. The deal which has practically been made will be closed by tonight, by which time a complete invoice of the stock will have been taken. The new proprietor will be Mr. Peter Holthouse, who is too well known to Adams county citizens to need an introduction. He has been connected with the corner clothing store, as it has been known for more than fifteen years, proceeding last September, at which time Mr. Holthouse sold his interest to Schulte, Falk & Ehinger. Mr. Holthouse is one of those energetic business men who is never satisfied unless following his chosen work and he has therefore decided to re-enter the business. The stock is a large one and will very probably invoice close to the $20,000 mark. The goods will be straightened up and the store opened for business by Saturday. The retiring firm are young men of ability and have enjoyed an enormous trade during the time they have been in business. They are just at present undecided as to their furure employment. The law firm of France & Son presented a petition before the council Tuesday evening which asked for a franchise of the streets and alleys for the purpose of putting up poles and wires and for the permission to own and operate a telephone system. The matter was referred to the committee on judiciary, who will no doubt report favorably at their next meeting on Tuesday evening of next week. The law reallv gives them the right to proceed to business without going through the formality of asking the city for such permission. A similar franchise was granted the Citizens Telephone Company, and as a municipality cannot grant special favors in the way of franchise rights, they could proceed under the same privileges accorded the Citizens Company. The new company has not been honored with a name as yet, but this deficiency is only temporary and will not depreciate the market value of their stock. The petition as presented, bore the signature of R. B. Allison, D. D. Clark, Mills & Myers, J. S. Coverdale, \V. AV. Coil, E. H. Beeler. Kern, Brittson A Beeler. Albert Brittson. A. M. Fisher. H. F. Linn, Smith A Yager, C. S. Clark. B. \V. Quinn. J. H. Voglewede, I. J. Miesse, B. J. Smith. J. I K. Niblick, Niblick A Co., J. AA . A ail. H. A. Fristoe. L. Yager A Sons, J. E. Moser. Nachtrieb A Fuelling. J. H. Mougey. M. Burns, Greogorv A Son, P. B. Thomas, Ashbaucher A Bell, j Page Blackburn, Harvey Hart, B. AV. I Sholty. C. D. Murray, Harvey Harruff. L. A. Graham and G. AV. AVood ' ward. The total nttmlter is thirty-five I with forty-two shares of stock at S4O ' each. The future plans or organization of tfio company has not lx*en j made public.