Decatur Democrat, Volume 43, Number 9, Decatur, Adams County, 11 May 1899 — Page 1

all the news all the time.

VOLUME XLIII.

william Frick, of Pittsfield. West ' W as the guest of Bob Ehinger Jd other brother Elks over Sunday. ' The county treasurer is busy this Jk making his return to Auditor vTngold. thus satisfying the tax duplicate to this extent. Mr and Mrs. J. ML Vail and Mr. and Mrs- ML H. Niblick and son. tpsse are making a several days trip through the south. They will spend Lveral days at Cardwell, Mo., where dj e gentlemen are interested in a large factory. Misses Florence and Rosa Johnson ipft Monday for Angola, where they ’ill remain some time and attend: school They are the accomplished daughters respectively of Lemuel and ; Joseph Johnson, living near the city and are recognized as educational leaders in this county. \ union meeting of all the churches the city was held at the Methodist church Sundav evening and was largely attended. The services were presided over by Rev. Kline of the I iiited Brethren church, while Revs. W E. Adams. W. H. Daniel. H. C. Duckett. G. ML Pearce and ML H. Vygrant took part in the services. New circuit court cases are John C. Cowan vs John C. Blossom et al.. quiet title. Gus Rcsenthall vs Harry Bosenthall. petition to have guardian : appointed. Kirsch & Sellemeyer vs William Nichols, account 8250. Martha J. Hudson vs Andrew Hudson, divorce. Mahallell G. Burkhead vs Robert A. Andrews etaL.from J. P. A complaint for divorce has been filed in the circuit court by Attorney L.C. DeVoss, which is entitled Martha J. Hudson vs Andrew Hudson. According to the complaint they were married May 5, 1892, and lived together until’this complaint was filed. Cruel and inhuman treatment is charged. She prays for a divorce, alimony in the sum of SSOO and the custody of their one child. Charles Wey of Peru, known to everybody in the 160th regiment as "Windy Wey,” is suing the Queen & Crescent railroad for SIO,OOO damages. About the first of last Octoter he was returning to Lexington from a furlough home. He was sick. The conductor out of Cincinnati ordered him to sit in the smoking car. The smoke was offensive to the sick soldier, and he objected strongly. Friends on the train also argued with the railroad man. but it ended in the blue coat living- ejected from the train and in his having to walk fourteen miles. On that occasion “Windy” had right on his side. Marion Chronicle. At a meeting of the board of trustees for the Decatur public schools Monday evening, the following excellent corps of teachers were selected for the years 1899 and 1900. Principal high school, Miss Lell Segur; English, Miss Mary Johnson; Latin, Miss Mena Meyers; German and Science, Prof. H. C. Kauffman. For the grades the following: Dora L. Peterson, C. D. Kunkle. Dora Steele, J. R. Parrish, Nellie Winnes, Eva Acker. Maude Foster, Tessie Barkley, 0. L. Vance, Nellie Krick, Bessie Congleton, J. B. Dutcher. C. O. Suttles, Mattie Auten, Ada Springer, Lulu Miller, Blanch Reynolds. Fanny Rice, and instructor in music, Miss Grace Miller. Janitors: Lewis Hammond. Charles Allegar, J. ML Burke and John A. Smith. The list of teachers is one of the strongest ever selected to serve as instructors of Decatur students and under ML F. Brittson our schools will certainly rank among the best in the state during the coming year. John ML Hart died at the home of Herman Tettman, on South Third street, last Thursday noon. About a month ago he had an operation performed on his foot, which had been injured several years ago. After the operation he improved until about two weeks ago when he was taken sick with a complication of diseases. He was thought to be improving and ate quite a hearty dinner on Thursday. Shortly afterwards he was stricken with heart trouble and died in a few moments. He was born in Orville, Wayne county, Ohio, in 1856, and was forty-three years old at the time of his death. In 1865 he removed with his parents to this city. In 1877 he left home and for seventeen years he made his home in the west. During his absence he was located in Missouri, Montana, Dakota and other states. About five years ago he returned to this city and has since made his home with his younger brother. Adolph Hart. When a young man he learned the shoemaker’s trade, but since his return he has been connected with his brother in the barlier business. He was a most excellent young man. was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic church choir and also of the Decatur Choral Union. His aged mother, two sisters, Mrs. Herman Tettman and Mrs. John Johns, and one brother, Adolph, remain, his father and two sisters having proceeded him to the haven of rest. Funeral services were held from the Catholic church Saturday morning, with interment in the St. Joseph cemetery. A large number of sorrowing friends mourn the loss of one thev had grown to love most dearly.

DBCAT ll R n®M ° c B 4T.

A meeting of the base ball directors was held last evening for the purpose of making further and necessary arrangements for an early opening of the park. Miss Flora Johnson, daughter of Lemuel Johnson, left for Angola Monday afternoon, where she will take a several months course in the normal college of that place. George C. Weimer, of Toronto, Indiana, has removed his family to this cfty and thev are now at home on North First street. Mr. Weimer has accepted a position as miller with Van Camp & Bucks in their First street mills. The Democrat welcomes him self and family as citizens of Decatur. Mrs. H. L. Confer and son, France, i arrived last evening from their far western home at Sturgis, South Da-; kota, and are the guests of her mother, Mrs. Corbin and other relatives and friends. They will remain severall months and will be joined in a few ■ weeks by Mr. Confer. Ora France left for Chicago, Tuesday evening, and returned with Mrs. Center and son. The time has come when the rights of the bicycle must lie recognized and they are in all cities of any size in the I country. A number of our business I men who are wheel enthusiasts are i requesting that a space lie reserved on each side of the streets which should not be sprinkled. The streets as they are now are constantly wet and muddy and unsafe for the bicycle riders. A few feet on each side will not make any difference in the way of heat and dust and would lie a great accommodation to the wheelist, and save him untold trouble in keeping his wheel in a presentable condition. The Decatur toys who were encamped at Celina last week, seem to have had a grand time. The Standard of that city in speaking of them said: The old fair grounds gave shelter to a jolly party of campers from Decatur, Ind., this week. The party incluning Chas. King. R. O. Johnson. Jesse Robinson. Bert Harruff. Lambert Foreman and N. E. Coverdale. A huge joke was perpetrated on Charles King, who was put under mock arrest for an imaginary offense, taken before Attorney Landfair, made to stand trial, and on being fined $2 and costs, straightway had his tine confiscated for treats for the entire camp. The ! voting men enjoyed a gala time while here. Frank Meibers died at the home of Ben Kanpke, on Jefferson street, at 9:30 o’clock Monday evening, after an illness of several weeks. He was born in this city February 28,1868,and died May 8,1899,aged thirty-one years, two months and ten days. During the past year he has teen employed as a clerk in a restaurant at Peru. About two months ago he began failing in health and shortly afterwards broke down completely with typhoid fever. Just two weeks tefore he died J. B. Meibers, and J. ML Voglewede went to Peru and brought him to this city. The best care possible was given him but his system was unable to withstand the ravages of the fever, and his soul winged its flight to the great beyond Monday evening. Frank was a member of the Catholic church, and his funeral will be held from that church Friday morning. . Rev. Theodore H. Wilkins officiating. Interment in St. Joseph’s cemetery. His father, Nicholas Meibers. two sisters. Mrs. J. ML Voglewede and Mrs. Ben Knapke, a brother, J. B. Meibers. two i half-brothers, Joseph Bremerkamp i and John Henry Bremerkamp, and a half sister. Mrs' Kate Lampe, of Newport, Ky., are left to mourn their loss. The Decatur Base Rail Association met at the Burt house Monday evening .and completed arrangements whereby a semi-professional ball team will be organized in this city for the coming season. The association is composed of a number of our prominent business men who realize the fact that a ball team is a great advertiser for any town, and who have each subscribed twenty-five dollars worth of non-assessable stock. At the Monday evening meeting the following officers were elected for the season: President. ML C. Fronfield; vice-president. J. H. Vogelwede; secretary, J. M. Place; treasurer, Peter Holthouse: Manager, Ora France. A board of directors for the club was appointed as follows: W. C. Fronfield, J. M. Place. Jerrv Coffee. Charles Murray, and Dick Townsend. The grounds just across the river have been leased for the season and will be put in shape at once. A new grand stand will be built and the park made one of the finest in Eastern Indiana. Manager France will advertise for five or six professional players who will report within the next ten days and proceed to work out until the opening game, which will probably be played on Decoration Day. Four or five home players will be used, including Ed Touhey, Ora France, Chris Meyers. Charles Woodward and Dick France, and after the proper team work the Decatur aggregation will be able to meet anything in the way of base ball teams in this part of the state. It is the purpose of the management to secure a tetter team, if possible, than our “leaguers” of 1894 5 when Place’s Creams won so many well earned laurels. I

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1899.

Judge Hammond and son, of LaFayette, Indiana, and Attorneys Zollars and Colerick of Fort Wayne, are again in the city' looking after the case of Miller vs Wabash Railway. The case will probably be completed next week. We forgot last week to mention the fact that one of our Dewey Day guests was Horae L. Wisner, of Bluffton, and a member of the 160th regimental band. Ye editor used to soldier as “devil” in the Bluffton Banner under Hod’s genial management, and to him we accord the few bright spots that are found floating hereabouts. Yesterday’s Fort Wayne Journal said: “Vicar General John Guendling left for Chicago on an early train yesterday morning to see the Rt. Rev. Bishop Joseph Rademacher, who is under the care of a physician at St. Elizabeth's hospital in that city. A telegram was received at the episcopal residence which stated that the bishop is markedly better and that his early recovery is anticipated. He is himself full of hope, and of anticipation of the time when he can return to the charge of his diocese. Father Guendling will attend a religious meeting at Notre Dame tefore he returns to the city. Mrs. R. B. Allison and Miss Hattie Studabaker arrived home Monday morning, after a three months absence in foreign lands, during which time they visited the prominent cities of Egypt, Italy, France, Austria, England and other places of interest in the old world. They arrived at New York Tuesday night of last week, on board the largest ship in the world, the Wilhelm de Groesse. They were met at the dock by Colonel R. B. Allison, who left here Monday for the purpose of meeting the ladies. The party then spent two days in New York, going from there to Washington. D. C„ where they spent a few days sight-seeing, leaving there Saturday for home, arriving home at eight o’clock Monday morning. The ladies are well satisfied with their trip, although still very tired from constant travel. A meeting of the G. A. R. was held ' at their armory last Saturday evening : for the purpose of completing arrangeI ments for the proper observance of i Decoration Day. A committee for services was appointed as follows: T. , R. Moore, chairman; D. K. Shackley, Theo. Kennedy, George Louthan and | Robert Blackburn. Committees for the marking and decoration of graves of soldiers in the various cemeteries were as follows: Alpha cemeterv, David Murphy: Buffenberger. G. W. Gates; Beerv. Dan Kitson; Bethel. Fred F. Freck; Catholic, J. Colchin. Theo. Kennedy: Clarke. Fred F. Freck; Decatur, old, John Barnett; Fuelling, Fred Franz; Mann, M. P. Mallonee; Maplewood, R. S. Elzey, Sam Chronister: Martz and Ray, Jos. Wistler, Wm.{Hendricks; Monmouth. L. ML Lewton; Mt. Tabor, J. M. Archbold; Pleasant Mills. James Boyd, Ed Roebuck; Preble, Charles Conrad; j Revnolds, ML P. Mallonee; Steele and Shady, Jacob Spade; Salem. Geo. B. : Cline; St. Joseph, R. S. Elzey and I Sam Chronister: Tircker, Emanuel Tricker; Union Chapel, R. A. Drum imond; Smith, Joseph Wistler. Mm. Hendricks: Zion Chapel, Gus Y ager. Another meeting will be held Satur- ■ day evening to arrange for speakers, ' form line of march and otherwise comj plete arrangements. John Welch and Michael Casey, i the former a gunner and the latter a i fireman on the famous battleship Baltimore, were the guests of Jack Burke over Sunday. The men were in the terrible engagement at Manilla a ! vear ago, when Dewey and his ships i destroyed the Spanish fleet and gave the enemy an impression of what a fleet of American vessels could do in I the way of marine fighting. The two i seamen had many stories to tell of the i terrible fighting' they had seen and Mr. Welch, the gunner, bears several i sears received while at Manilla. He :is a man fifty two years of age, although he looks as though he had not ■ seen half that many summers. He ■ has teen in the navy since a mere boy and has, by his good work and daring feats risen from a cabin boy to a gunner on one of America’s greatest war ships. He was one of the men who performed the feat of cutting the cable from Manilla to Hong Kong and in honor of the heroism displayed at that time he has been presented with a medal upon which is a cluster of nineteen large diamonds which seemed to catch the eye of all who seen it. He also carried with him the proper furlough papers and passports signed by Dewey as his commander. Mr. Welch is away on a thirty days furlough from Philadelphia, he having returned from Manilla several weeks ago. His term of service will expire in August, at which time he will receive his dividend of the prizes captured bv the Baltimore during the late war. which, by the way. will be no small sum. He is now past the age to re-enlist and will be retired on | half pay for the rest of his life. Mr. > Casey has teen discharged and will not re-enter the navy, at least for awhile. The two men left for Chicago Sunday evening where they will I visit relatives for a few days and then i return east.

The 160th Indiana regimental band will visit our city on May 25, and give one of their fine concerts at Bosse’s opera house. This is the same band that cheered the hearts of company B in the far distant land of Cuba and brought them safely back to their own firresides. The 160th band was acknowledged to be the finest musical organization in the service. In our issue of two weeks ago we gave an account of the Mumma wedding anniversary, which should have read Mr. and Mrs. William Mumma, of Root township, instead of Charles Mumma as it did. Guests who attended the celebration and whose names were omitted were Mesdames Amos Lewton and Elizabeth Marquette and Charles Kern. The many friends of Bert Harruff were agreeably surprised Thursday morning when they received the news that he had been married the evening tefore to Miss Grace Wilkins, of Portland. The marriage which was a quiet one occurred at the M. E. parsonage at Portland, Rev. Harlen performing the ceremony. The happy young couple arrived home Tuesday and are at home with the groom’s parents. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Harruff, on south Fifth street. The bride is the accomplished daughter of James Wilkins, a well known business man of Portland, while the groom is the son of County Recorder Harruff. Mr. and Mrs Harruff have not fully decided upon their future plans, but they will remain in this citv for a while at least. The Democrat joins with the numerous friends of the happy couple in offering congratulations. The circuit court record for a week past is Frank Snyder vs Daniel Beeler, plaintiff ruled to reply to each paragraph of the defendant’s answer to plaintiff’s complaint. John C. Cowan vs John C. Blossom et al., publication ordered upon complaint to quiet title. Charles Boknecht vs Warren ML Moses, plaintiff ruled to reply to defendant’s answer. Frank Snyder vs Daniel Beeler, plaintiff files separate demurrer. Henry Meyers vs Joseph M. Rice, defendant defaults. Joseph H. Cole vs Edmund R. Week et al., special findings of facts and conclusions of law, favoring the defendant including the costs expended. Martha J. Hudson vs Andrew Hudson, complaint for divorce filed and summons issued. Kirsch & Sellemeyer vs Mm. Nichols, complaint on account, summons issued for defendant, returnable May 20. Simon E. Mentzer vs Lulu M. Mentzer, defendant files motion for change of venue from the county. Gaffer Bros, vs Daniel Sprang, special findings of facts and conclusions of law, judgment vs plaintiff for costs. Henry Bair vs Knicker Bocker Oil Co., affidavit for a change of judge. The great Wabash railroad case began grinding Monday morning, and the taking of evidence is still in progress and just how long it will continue is still in doubt. The legal talent is still sparring on points of law. and manage to consume a great deal of time and display a great deal of ability, if nothing else. James C. Wilson died at the home of H. S. Porter, on Madison street, Friday noon after an illness of several years.' In 1894 the deceased, then employed at Birmingham. Alabama, was stricken with paralysis. He returned to this city and his friends and relatives did everything possible to assist him to recover his shattered health. He spent several months at Hot Springs, Arkansas, where he was looked after by the best physicians of that famous health resort. He was then taken to the St Josephs hospital at Fort M’ayne, where he remained for nearly a year and a half, receiving the best medical attention possible, but to no avail and he was brought back to his friends and the last days of his life made as pleasant as tender hands could make it. James Craig Wilson was born in Decatur, Indiana. April 28, 1862, and was thirty-seven vears and seven days old at the time of his death. M’hen a boy he learned the printing trade and was for many years connected with this office. Afterwards he held lucrative positions on Metripolitan dailies in Rochester, Minn., Birmingham, Ala., Indianapolis and several other cities. He was consider- , ed one of the most accurate and speedy workmen of any in his profession and excellent positions and opportunities were always open for him. M’hile in the hospital at Fort M’ayne he professed his believe in Christ and Rev. E. T. Gregg, then pastor of the , M. E. church of this city, was sent for , and July 14. 1897, administered the baptismal rite. His last days were full of peace and he died fully prei pared to meet his Maker and Savior. Funeral services were held from the Methodist church Sunday afternoon at three o’clock, Rev. M . H. Daniel , officiated, assisted by Rev. ML E. i Adams, of the Christian church, and ■ the body was laid to rest in Maple- ‘ wood cemetery. A brother, ML ML ■ M’ilson. of Minnapolis, Minn., and two sisters, Mrs. H. S. Porter and . Mrs. Henry Hite, of this city, are left to greive the loss of he who has de- ■ parted fora happier world. Father, mother and two sisters have preceedi ed him to the heavenly home, the father having lost his life in the civil war.

The Monroeville Breeze of last week said: “Hazel Andrews and H. Whistler, constables for Monroe township, Adams county, with headquarters at Monroe, Indiana, were in town Tuesday, in pursuit of one Newport, whose parents reside in Paulding county, who is supposed to have led away a horse from near Monroe, which did not belong to him. They returned home not finding their man.” A number of Adams county Masons were at Fort M’ayne this week, where they attended the annual convocation of the Scottish Rite bodies of the valley of Fort M’ayne. The convocation was called to order Tuesday afternoon by Grand Master Geake. The afternoon was taken up by the conferring of the degrees fourth to thirteenth, inclusive, and in the evening the class were given the sublime degree of perfection. The names of Adams county Masons who received the mysterious work were Messrs. J. S. Boyers, M. Burns, A. P. Beatty, Charles N. Christen, Augustus Gregory, Theo. Gerke, George Kinzle, J. ML Tyndall, Dave E. Smith and Frank Sowers of this city, and M’ill Hale, M’illiam Glendening and ML C. Campbell of Geneva. The boys report an excellent time and say the work was simply perfection. The Shakespeare Club enjoyed a reception at the home of Mrs. A. B. Morrison Tuesday evening, the guests of honor being Mrs. R. B. Allison and Miss Hattie Studabaker, who reached this city last Monday morning from a tour of Europe. Our readers will ever remember and appreciate the many excellent newspaper articles that appeared in the Democrat and were penned by the talented Miss Studabaker during their travels. The reception tendered them upon their return will long remind them that after all, there is no place like home. The occasion was strictly a dress affair. True, many of the costumes were somewhat antiquated, but the nobility and beauty of many summers, still shone resplendant. Among those who added special charm to the occasion can be mentioned Mesdames J. D. Hale, David Studabaker, J. ML Tyndall, J. ML Meyers, Dr. Marie Holloway, Mrs. Crabbs, Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Bailey, Grandpa Moltz and bride, and the “Townsend PattersonThomas True” Quartette. The latter sang several original songs especially dedicated to the occasion and was the greatest hit of the season. They were costumed after the styles of the next century, which added somewhat to their originally. The program included a recitation by Mrs. Hale, reading by Mrs. Holloway, music by Mrs. Ellingham, and a'two course lunch, all of which was thoroughly enjoyed by every one present. Mrs. ML J. Fesey, of Fort Wayne, was the only out of town guest.

Council met in called session Tuesday evening with Haefling, Suttles, Miller, Chronister and Mann present. Absent Niblick. On account of the absence of Mayor, Councilman Haefling was selected chairman and business was transacted as follows: On recommendation from the proper source the following bills were allowed: Central Electric Co. $15.57, Electric Appliance Co- $67.50. Boiler Compound Co. $29.40, Clyde Nursery Co. $22.00, Decatur Democrat $15.40, Joseph T. Smith $4, Commissioner’s pay roll $111.90, H. B. Knoff $37.50, Andrew Appleman $3.75, Fire Company $29, P. J. Hyland $25.43, Clint Drummond sl.lO, Gas Co. $46.35, M . ML Moats $2.50, Chas. Smith $2, C. U. Dor win S4O Luther Carey $1.60, M. A. Jackson $lO, Thoma,s Haefling S3O, George Kinzel $45, M. J. Mylott SSO, H. S. Porter $1.50, M. A. Jackson S4O, J. J. Glutting $5.80. The bills of Thomas Buckmaster, Frank Ferrel, special policeman and Noah Mangold, Auditor, were continued. Councilman Miller moved that the report of the street committee be approved and the committee authorized to repair Monroe street east of second street. Motion carried. Moved and carried that the water works committee be instructed to contract with M’illiam Mershman for running a pipe line through his land for purpose of reaching the river from the water works. The judiciary commit tee reported upon the petition of R. B. Allison et al, and said that the statutes of Indiana provided for the organization of telephone companies as corporations; that petitioners have never incorporated; that the document presented is simply a subscription paper for the shares of stock for the purpose of afterwards forming a corporation; that it has not been shown your committee that a corporation has even been formed. That since the said petition was referred to your committee the petitioners by their attorney, have amended the petition and asked that the franchise or grant, if any be made to a firm or partnership company. It appears that the organization is not yet completed, as there has teen no incorporation nor any definite partnership formed. Since the legality of making a grant as asked for is very doubtful, the committee recommends that said petition and request be laid on the table. The report of the committee was concurred in and council there upon adjourned.

CIRCULATION 2400 WEEKLY

NUMBER 9

The familiar name of P. Holthouse & Co. agains appears in our advertising columns, having just succeeded the firm of Schulte, Falk & Ehinger, dealers in clothing and gent’s furnishings. This name is so familiar with the public that comment upon their business methods is unnecessary. Associated with Mr. Holthouse are Will Schrock and Robert Ehinger, both thorough clothing men, and is additional evidence, if any such is necessary, that the former reputation of this well known firm w’ill be upheld. The commencement of the Berne schools occured at that place Friday evening and was largely attended. The diplomas were presented by County Superintendent Brandyterry who delivered a pleasant address to the students who are just entering upon the burdensome pathways of busy lifes. Those who graduated were, Misses Ada Wittwer, Elsie Holmes, Leetha Cory, Ida Sprunger, Delphine Scheiderger, and Carrie Luginbill and Messrs. Gtto Sprunger, Edward Moser, Russel M’heeler, Adrian Hawk, Otto Stuckey and Phillip Sprunger. Prof. E. A. Luginbill acted as musical director and the invocation was pronounced by Rev. D. E. Zechiel. The exercises were interesting and entertaining throughout and showed careful preparation on the part of all the participants. The fourth annual meeting of the Eastern Indiana Oratorical Association was held at Portland last Friday evening, and 168 as loyal and staunch rooters as there are in Indiana, left the G. R. & I. station at noon for that city with a firm determination to bring home every prize in sight. They were disappointed, however, and the train which arrived here at three o’clock Saturday morning unloaded 168 as downhearted and discouraged lot of jreople as one would wish to see. Winchester and Portland took all the prizes and Decatur and Bluffton got the rest. Although Decatur’s delegates did nicely and received all kinds of praise, it seems the same hard luck that has always clung to Decatur high school representatives in these contests was still there. Miss Smith, our declaimer, received a very high grade from two judges, but the third cut her grade so low that she was only given third place. The contest was a success, however, in every manner. A large crowd was present and the city of Portland was wider awake than she had teen for many a day. Manchester sent over 300 delegates, Decatur 168 and Bluffton fifty-one, The meeting was opened by an address by the president of the association. Miss Matel Martin of Bluffton, followed by the contestants in the following order. Oratory “A Phillippic Against Annexation,” Miss Clara Davis. Bluffton. “The Negro and the Ballot,” Charles P. Reed, Winchester. “The Kind of Education that Pays Best,” Arthur Suttles, Decatur. “The Grand Old Man,” Paul D. Axtell, Portland. Declamation “The Painter of Seville” Miss Faye Smith, Decatur. "Troquemade,” Miss Leona Coats. Manchester. “Scene at the Natural Bridge,” Miss Daisy Christman, Portland. The judges were: Manuscript Mrs. Rose Mikels, New Castle; Dr. ML L. Bryan, Bloomington. Delivery --F. L. Littleton, Indianapolis; F. M. Beard, Hartford City; and R. I. Hamilton, Huntington. The decisions were: Oratory First prize, Charles E. Reed, Manchester. Second. Paul D. Axtell, Portland. Declamation First, Daisy Christman. Portland. Second, Leona Coats, Manchester. Though not announced the grades showed that Bluffton got third in oratory and Decatur fourth, while Decatur got third in declamation and Bluffton fourth. The executive committee made the following allotment of officers: Decatur, president; Bluffton, secretary; Manchester, treasurer; chairman of executive committee, Earnest Headington. The Portland Sun, in its story of the contest, spoke of Decatur candidates as follows: “The third oration, “The Education that Pays Most.” by Arthur Suttles of Decatur, was* a most able effort. He dwelt at length with that sort of education which is most applicable to every day life that which is gained easily and early enough to be of value to the possessor in early life. The comparison he drew was much to the belittlement of the musty, classical education wise men get. whose lives are not as valuable to their fellowmen as are those of many less finely finished and accomplished. Research vs accumulation, knowledge vs learning, were among the able, instructive and interesting submittals he made. Mr. Suttles had evidently devoted much time and study to his subject, and was able to present the results thereof in a manner that stamped him as one capable of much in that line, and the whole was an able defense of “practical education so of ten sneered at by those possessed of classical educations." “The Painter of Seville,” by Miss Faye Smith of Decatur. Young in years she was possessed of elocutionary talents and capabilities worthy of one much older, and made a most favorable impression on the audience." Although the De catur candidates were defeated they are not discouraged so much but that they will make a stronger fight than ever to win next year.