Decatur Democrat, Volume 43, Number 12, Decatur, Adams County, 1 June 1899 — Page 1

aIL the news ALL THE TIME.

VOLUME XLIII.

thy will be done. E T. GREGG’S EARTHLY MISSION OF LOVE CLOSED. Nob |e, Useful and Unselfish Life Now Sleeps * the Long, Peaceful Sleep that Knows No Wakening. Rev E. T. Gregg is dead. How ,'j’ it seems. How hard it is to SS times bow to the will of Him Xdoeth all things well. We deeply mourn the loss of this kind friend, i Mher Five thousand other souls m ££ this day likewise feel the i.iiter pangs of sorrow. The announcemnt as a thunderbolt, and caused even the brave hearts of men to battle with the emotional, to keep from mingling tears of sorrow m their efforts to console themselves that evervtbing is right. In our humble Judgment no truer Christian ever traveled the straight and narrow path, no better citizen ever paid tribute to the patriotism of our country and no more devoted friend and brother ever displayed the pure sympathies of human kindness. Too much can not be said of him and that not too well. That our readers may know that Me ar e not alone either in our appreciation or sorrow. we reproduce the following from the Kokomo Evening Tribune, and will permit that to express the feelings entertained by his legion of admirers in Decatur. Xt his Tate residence, corner of Mulberrv and Clay streets, Tuesday evenin., at 6:08 o’clock. Rev. Edwin T. Gregg, aged 38 years, died of nervous prostration resulting from lagrippe. The funeral will occur at Grace M. E. church Friday afternoon. The services will be ’ under the direction of Presiding Elder M. S. Marble, who will be assisted by the local pastors’ association and by members of the North Indiana Conference. The remains will for the present be placed in the receiving vault at Crown Point cemetery. In the half century’ that has winged its way into the unchangeable past since the first number of the Tribune was issued, it has seldom, if ever, been called upon to chronicle a death that is more generally or more sincerely lamented than that of Rev. Edwin T. Gregg. His sojourn in Kokomo had not been of long duration, only little more than a twelve month ago he preached his first sermon in Grace church, but in the year which was allotted him in which to carry on his labor of love he had accomplished more than many men bring about in lives that extend even beyond the milestone that marks the allotted threescore years and ten. He came a stranger, and he was permitted to tarry not long, but when he went he bore with him the friendship of every man, of every woman,and of every child who had ever come within the sunshine of his countenance. He was a Methodist minister and in his calling none ever served more faithfully. He was thoroughly consecrated to the cause in which he had enlisted and no call to duty ever found him tardy or unwilling. His service to his church was loyal and his devotion to his congregation something beautiful to see. But the thing that uplifted him above the multitude, which drew unto him from all classes and conditions friends that were held in bonds as strong as steel, was that breadth of mind, that bigness of heart which led him to the practice of that religion, not of books, the religion that has no cant, in its brave, simple creed, yet, which binds man to man in ties that time nor death can sever, the religion of the generous, gallant gentleman’s loyalty and honor. The influence of his character reached but farther than he ever knew. It touched the daily life and guided aright the steps of men who professed no religion, who adhered to no creed. And among them who make no pretentions as church men he was as well beloved and is today as sincerely mourned as by any member of his flock. He was’of that class of men that are God-sent to humanize the race and to redeem life from its thousand littlenesses. His refined habits, serene temper, kindly forbearance and high instinctive honor made themselves felt imperceptibly, but surely, and the influence of such a life will not cease, but with all the sweetness of a benediction will live as long as memory. Concerning the brief illness of the deceased little need be said; indeed there is little not already known, so general and so anxious had been the inquiry made every hour since he was stricken down. One week ago tonight he was taken suddenly and violently ill. In apparent health and strength he attended the meeting of the Gentlemen s Literary club last Wednesday evening. He made no complaint of any indisposition at that time and the report sent out from his home the following day that he was critically ill was startling news to everybody. From the first the chances were against him although he tried in every way to help himself, and the physicians in charge fought skillfully and courageously in his Irehalf. Until Monday night there had been just the slightest warranty for hope, but at that time he became much worse and those who watched by his bedside and saw him painracked and fever-tossed, knew that the end was near at hand. All through the quiet, sunny hours of Tuesday he lived on, though for him

I>BCATIIR

lit was a day of blight and not of blossoms. Friends from distant cities hearing of his illness hastened to him and stood with sad, anxious faces about the grassy dooryard of his home. Five physicians were at hand and battled desperately to foster the faint spark of life that still remained. But every report from his bedside was more and more discouraging. At last ) the shadows grew long over the close of the summer day, the gold of evenI ing stole up and met the dusk of night i behind the silent stars, and then it was while angel hands, hidden from mortal eyes, shifted the scenery of heaven, the white soul of Edwin T. Gregg broke its earthly fetters and ascended Ito God who gave it. The here had touched the hereafter, and there was ; ended another story of human life, of its love and loss. It seems a thousand pities that he should have been called, that one whose influence for good was so great, that one so young, so full of promise and with so much to do and live for should be called upon to yield up his life. The wisdom that removes i such a man lies very far beyond the comprehension of the finite mind. In it are the inscrutable workings of the hand of Providence. It is an old philosophy that “whatever is, is right” but humanity has never been set a harder task than bow before the One Omnipotent and say, “Thy will be ■ done.” Edwin Timberlake Gregg was born February 1, 1861. at Peru, Indiana. His parents were Aaron H. and Martha T. Gregg, both of whom have passed to their reward. He received his early training in the public schools of Peru and later graduated from the high school of that city. His collegiate work was taken at DePauw university. He did not complete his course, there, however, on account of failing health. After leaving school he engaged in Epworth League work for a number of years. He entered the ministry in 1891, his first charge being at Roanoke, Indiana. His second charge was at Decatur, Indiana, where he remained five years. At the session of the North Indiana conference held at Hartford City in 1898, he was assigned to the pastorate of Grace church in this city and was returned to the same charge by the conference lately held at Decatur. Rev. Gregg was a member of the various Masonic fraternities, the Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen and Ben Hurs, in all of which organizations he I had membership in the local lodges. He was a Knight Templar and the funeral services will be under tne auspices of the local commandry of that order. His immediate family included a wife and two children. Naomi, aged 11, and Kenyon aged seven. The widow and fatherless little ones are overwhelmed with the grief that has come into their lives and in their bereavement they have ’ the sympathy of the entire community. The husband and father had however provided well against a sudden summons and leaves an estate ' worth probably $25,000. There is about $17,000 worth of real estate and something over SB,OOO life insurance. Rev. Gregg preached his last sermon in Grace church, Sunday evening, May 21. Providence seems to have exercised a special care over him and ' so directed the works of his last days ' thatthev would be remembered when he was called away. He had on pre- ' ceeding Sunday evenings taken his text from the ten commandments and had preached from them all. At his last service he took for his text what has been termed the eleventh commandment, “Love Ye Gne Another. Such was his last message to his congregation. And by it he will be remembered even until that time when the last that knew him shall have passed away, as one who taught, as the essence of his creed, the law of love and the lesson of the golden rule.

The official board of the Methodist Episcopal Church of this city, passed the following resolutions: Whereas, our former pastor and beloved friend, Edwin T. Gregg, has been suddenly called from the field of labor in the Church Militant to enter upon the enjoyment in the Church Triumphant of the fruition of a well grounded hope in Jesus Christ and a character and life worthy of his high calling; Therefore.be it resolved, that while his labors ended in this society with the conference year of 1898, when he entered upon the pastorate in Grace church at Kokomo, Indiana, yet by his sterling worth as a citizen, his marked ability as a preacher, his tender sympathy as a pastor, and his true, unbounded friendship, he had so endeared himself to us that our hearts followed him, and we now keenly feel a personal loss. Be it further resolved, that we tender our heartfelt sympathy and love to his bereaved wife and children, and also his brother and sister, and we coni miserate his church at Kokomo in their very great loss. Decatur, Indiana, May 31, 1899. Since Wednesday evening is and has been held sacred as the evening for prayer service in the cit y churches, we, the’pastors, earnestly desire that no other arrangement or appointments lie made on that evening that will conflict with the prayer services. M. H. Daniel, W, H. Mvgrant. E. M . Kruse, ,L Q* Kline, W.’ E. Adams, H. C. Duckett.

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY, JUNE I, 1899

Ex-judge Byron K. Elliot, of the supreme court, has published an opinion that street improvements under the Barrett law are legal and the bonds so issued are legal. The panicky feeling among contractors is about over and this decision of Judge Elliott is reassuring. A freak exhibition on our streets Monday afternoon and evening surpassed anything of the kind ever seen here. Prof. Conklin, for many years connected with Hagenbach, the famous animal trainer, who won laurels at the World’s Fair, was the owner of the outfit. His exhibition consisted of a wild man or woman, which he called “Bacco” or some such name, and who sat, seemingly unmindful in a den containing one hundred and fifty crawling, creeping, slimy snakes which struck and bit at him in a frightful manner. After the snakes had been described to the audience, “Bacco,” just to show you he knew his business would swallow several of the reptiles. Our information was gleaned from a citizen who never took a drink in his life, and probably never will since his present glimpse at snakedom. France & Son as attorneys tor the i Aultmann Miller Company, have filed a suit in the Adams circuit court I which makes Oliver N. Snellen de- | fendant in a suit for slander and i which demands a $5,000 judgment ; against said Snellen. The complaint I covers fourteen carefully typewritten pages and contains four paragraphs I which set out the fact that the defendant is a manufacturer and dealer in ; reapers, mowers and like farm machinery, as is also the Aultman Miller ; Company. That the defendant to j procure and make sales of his product maliciously slandered the Aultj man Miller Company by publishing : that “they had failed, were in the ' I hands of a receiver, and in the future could not furnish repairs for its ma- , chinery sold.” From this the plaini tiff claims that it has been injured iu reputation and trade and it’s credit , damaged by reason thereof to the ex- : tent of $5,000, and asks judgment in i that amount and other proper relief. Rudolph Bentz, a prosperous farmer living on the north boundary line * of French township, about ten miles southeast of this city, committed sui1 cide by shooting himself at an early ’ hour yesterday morning. Coroner ’ Clark was summoned and went out ’ during the afternoon to hold the inJ quest, returning a verdict of “Death by his own hand.” Mr. Bentz was sixty-six years old. He has been mar- [ ried over thirty years and has eight children, the youngest eighteen years ’ of age. It is said his domestic life was anything but pleasant and that ’ family quarrels were very frequent ' about the homestead. Yesterday , morning, he arose as usual, and break--1 fasted. At the table, it is said some words passed between himself and some members of the family. He I left the table, and going to the stable did the morning chores. He • then secured a small rifle, went into 1 the barn yard just back of the ’ stable and undoing his shirt, placed I the rifle to his breast and pushed the trigger with a stick which he held in ’ his right hand. The ball entered the 1 heart and death was instantaneous. The wife and children are heart- ’ broken and have the sympathy of their neighbors and friends. Mr. 5 Bentz was a fine, sturdy looking man, ! and by hard labor had accumulated ’, I enough worldly goods to make him ! comfortable, and his sad ending is ‘ I therefore the more to be deplored. | The funeral will be held Saturday I j morning.

Homer Stetler, for many years a resident of this city but who has been residing with his father, Henry Stetler, near Pleasant Mills, for some time created considerable excitement about that little village last Saturday by his endeavors to kill everybody in the neighborhood. For some time it has been known that Homer was mentally unbalanced and at times he was considered rather dangerous and in view of that fact, a lunacy board which met last week, declared him insane and recommended that he be sent to the asylum at Richmond. That institution being crowded, however, he was not taken into custody but allowed to remain at home, the family thinking they could control him until such time that a place could be made for him. Saturday afternoon, however, he became unmanageable and made an attempt to take the life of his sister, Miss Celia Stetler, with a pocket knife. That young lady escaped and ran into the house. Help was secured and Homer securely bound. Sheriff Erwin was sent for but upon his arrival the prisoner again became violent succeeding in breaking away and running into the house, where he hid himself in the stairway. The officer and friends were held at bay for an hour by Stetler and in their attempts to secure him, the father received a cut upon the neck, while a brother-in-law. Peter Stein, of this city, was scratched upon the hand. He M’as finally secured and brought to this city, where he is now confined in the county jail awaiting a summons to the state asylum. While a resident of Decatur, Homer was an excellent citizen and his many friends greatly regret this sad occurrence.

A 300 geared bicycle which was on exhibition at J. S. Bowers & Co’s hardware store Tuesday, was the cause of no little interest. The wheel was an Ariel and anyone so desiring was given a privilege of a ride on the steed. A number of our riders indulged, but none of them could be induced to take it off of the brick pavement. The wheel was a novelty, and this firm deserves credit for their enterprise in showing the latest thing in the bicycle line.

It took the jury in the celebrated Miller-Wabash railway damage suit, forty-six hours to get a verdict upon which they all agreed. Judge Heller finished his instructions about ten o’clock on Wednesday of last week, and it was eight o’clock Thursday evening when they reported to the court, and were afterwards discharged. E. J. Kinney was the foreman, and he handed up the verdict that gave Miller, the plaintiff, damages in the sum of $1,713.94. While out, the july answered two hundred and forty-nine interrogatories, the answers to which were agreed to without much difference of opinion, but when it came to the amount of damages the plaintiff was entitled to, that was a horse of another color. It is said that the pleadings in this discussion were equal to that of any lawyer in the case, and that each juror had his opinion as to the amount entitled, and had good argument to back it up besides. This fact being true and the amount of damages varying from S7OO to $2,500, it is little wonder that forty-six hours were consumed in getting together. In a manner the verdict is a compromise between the two extremes, and when figured out amounted to the sum stated above. The plaintiff was expecting more and it would seem the defense are not satisfied as they filed a motion for a new trial, the same being set for a hearing Saturday. The circuit court for the past week have recorded the following: International Building and Loan Association vs Augusta M. Watson, et al, cause continued at the cost of defendants. Mary C. Miller vs Solomon Stuckey et al., summons issued for defendant. Myrtle Hoover vs Thomas Hoover, summons issued returnable June 8. Sebastian Miller vs Wabash Railroad Company, verdict delivered into open court by the foreman of the jury, with a finding for the plaintiff with damages amounting to $1,713.94. Tn the above ease the plaintiff submited one hundred and eighty-four interrogatories and the defendant sixty-five, making a record in themselves of twenty-five pages. The railroad company is ordered to pay into court within’ thirty days the sum of $427.50, this amount being what was paid the jury. The Aultman Miller Company vs Oliver N. Snellen, summons issued. Jacob Wegmiller vs Thomas E. Mann, tried by the court. Sarah A. Walton vs Julius Hofer et al, defendants ruled .to answer. Charles Pyle vs Valentine Schimp, S. A. M. Butcher and Lutz A Snow enter appearance for defendant. George W. Drake et al vs Ruth Drake et al, plaintiffs file a joint demurrer to the cross complaint of John Drake. Victoria Foster vs John L. Harper, trial by jury, argument of same being made by the lawyers today. State vs Jacob Hunsicker, motion by defendant for new trial granted. Catherine Alexander vs Nicholas Hoehamer, judgment vs defendant for $642.62. Place’s Creams are again on deck and the base ball season in Decatur has been opened by a brilliant victory, such as the boys of 1894 were famous for. The opener was played at Fronefield’s park Tuesday afternoon between Place’s Creams and Alexandria, and aside from one or two “squabbles" which always tend to mar a game, the contest was a splendid one, abounding in brilliant plays and dosing with a score of eight to six in favor of the Creams. The teams were evenly matched and the game exciting throughout. In the first inning Alexandria scored three runs on a costly error of France, who dropped a line hit after having it right in his mit. In the fourth they landed one more run and in the fifth two, making a total of six, which ended their scoring. Place’s Creams did not score until the third inning, when, after two men were down, Reynolds was hit by a pitched ball and given first. Cole followed with a clean three-bagger, scoring Reynolds, and in the excitement which followed stealing home. In each of the next three innings the home team scored twice, making a total of eight runs and winning the game. Reynolds and Cole formed the battery for the Creams, while Doan and Henderson were in the points for the visitors. Peterson and Meibers acted as umpires. During the game two sensational catches were made by Decatur's third baseman ! Taylor who jumped the ropes and ran back of the grand stand and secured two foul flies. Brilliant plays were also made by McCall and Peterson for the home team and by Hartman and Stokes for the visitors. Decatur’s star pitcher, Reynolds, did nice work, holding the opponents down to eight hits and striki ing out four men. The next game on , the home grounds will be played Friday with Bluffton.

HIGH SCHOOL ORATORY. AN INTERESTING PROGRAM RENDERED BY THE CLASS OF ’99Fifteen Young Ladies and Gentlemen Finish Their Studies and Receive Diplomos. Graduation exercises are over and another class of young ladies and gentlemen, to the number of fifteen, have completed the first chapter in their educational career. The services were held at Bosse’s opera house Friday evening befoie the largest crowd ever assembled there. Every seat was taken when at eight o’clock Rev. H. C. Duckett of the Presbyterian church, led in prayer beseeching of the Supreme Teacher guidance and blessings for the class of ’99 upon that eventful evening and throughout their lives. Miss Effie Woodward then opened the program with a history of the class and an address of welcome. She told of the many incidents, some pleasant, some otherwise, which have occured during the twelve years which have elapsed since they wended their wav to the little white school building then used for the primary grade. The class entered high school fours years ago with more than thirty names enrolled upon the register, but one by one they have drifted out until but fifteen were left to bear the honors of the class. Miss Effie spoke in an interesting and pleasing manner and her effort was splendidly received. Her welcome to their last meeting was a pleasing one, well fitted to the occasion. Following her Miss Grace Sutton delivered an oration from the subject “Trinity of Power,” which showed much care in preparation and which was delivered in an easy and graceful manner. Her subject, although a most difficult one, was well handled. She argued, “that the power of man is what he makes it and depends to a great degree upon self-confidence. The three most powerful factors of society are, faith in others, faith in one’s self and faith in your ideal. Further than this a great deal depends upon the faith one has in his calling, without which Lincoln could never have freed a servile race, nor Gladstone have held an audience spell bound.” Miss Ina P. Everett then sang two beautiful solos, entitled. "Daisy” and “Forever and a Day.” Both were well chosen selections and the audience was enraptured with Miss Ina’s voice and delivery. She was heartily encored, showing that her listeners appreciated her efforts. Fannie B. DeVilbiss followed with a reading of H. S. Piner’s famous poem, “Gazelle and Swan,” which was among the very best parts of the program. The selection was excellent, the delivery splendid, the gestures graceful and the story interesting. “An American girl having been captured by Barbary pirates in Algiers was found to be so fair in contrast with the “Swarthy Moors,” that she was called “Swan.” It was the custom of these buccaneers to steal young girls from different nations and hold them for heavy ransom and the story of this American lady is told in an interesting manner. After five years captivity and there being no ransom offered she is summoned with four other girl prisoners, representing France, Spain, Italy and Greece before the king, who tells them that they are to enter a chariot race, the winner to be awarded a prize far better than liberty. “Swan" enters, wins the race, and the king tells her that she is to be queen of Algeria. She asks for liberty, is refused and stabs him. With his dying breath he makes her queen. She gives the crown to the slaves who secure her passage to America and once again returns to native soil.” The audience sat spell bound while Miss DeVilbiss recited and her efforts were well rewarded by the praises given her. Mindwella A. Case rendered Mendelsohn’s “Song Without Words,” an entrancing piano solo, and to say that her effort pleased the crowd would indeed be putting it lightly, and her playing of this difficult music proved that the class was well represented in that class of music. Ralph A. Knoff followed upon the subject, “Is Representative Government a Failure?” and while he spoke in a rather satirical manner he told many truths. He critisized most severely the corruptness of our present government and insisted that our representative government was a failure and that the only fair method for a free people to vote on a question is by a direct ballot and not by representatives who are bought and sold like so much merchandise. His oration was far from the ordinary and was greatly enjoyed by those who heard him’ although his argument would not be agreed to by all. “Trusts.” an oration by George M. Krick was the next subject and was ably handled. He gave a history of these organizations in the United States, stating that the first trust Mas the Standard Oil Company, organized in 1882, since which time hundreds, representing every line of merchandise possible, had been formed until today a terrible crisis is staring us in the face. He said, “It is the earnest duty of every honest voter to use his ballot as a battering ram against the fortified strongholds of trade, until their now fast strengthening walls

CIRCULATION 2400 WEEKLY

NUMBER 12

give away to be crushed beneath the feet of unhampered toil and healthy competition.” Rollin B. Laughuer then delivered a well prepared paper on “Interdependence of Society and Solitude,” telling in a clear concise manner of the mutual relations of one to the other. His oration was nicely delivered and showed great care and study. He said, “that while society should be the place where our thoughts, already gleaned in solitude, should receive the polish and finish, still too much time is spent in polishing and too little in working on the substance. If the .young men of today M'ould only hearken to the warnings given him by nature, w r ho is daily urging him to take advantage of the solitude offered him for study. If he Mere M illing to turn his eyes away from the glitter and facination of society until he Mas strong enough to guard against the frivolities, if he could be made to realize that upon his own knoM’ledge of himself rests his possibilities, the world would be enriched by more such men as Newton, Moltke, Edison and Milton. Miss Harriet Hill then sang “Loudon Bridge” with piano accompaniment by Prof. Kauffman. The solo was nicely rendered and was Mell received. Miss Hill deserves great praise for the effort she has made in securing an education and her labors Mill doubtlessly be rewarded. “The Legend of an Organ Builder,” a reading by Miss Gertrude Blosser was the next selection. The story of this beautiful poem is a pathetic one and one M’hich reached the heart of every listener. The sad story of the labors of the builder, his flight upon his wedding day, his exile and his return, the scene of the funeral of the woman he still loved, his death and burial by her side, are incidents so sad that but few can listen and refrain a tear. Miss Blosser has a well modulated voice and her delivery Mas unexcelled. “The Twentieth Century Patriot” was the subject of an oration delivered by Jonas C. Tritch which showed no small amount of work and his excel lent effort deserved the applause it received. The patriot of the coming century will be the man Mho has every qualification of a brave and true American. He Mill be a character symmetrically formed and American patriotism will live, because the private citizens Mill have learned M’hat must be his model. Os him, it M ill be said: “His words are bonds, his oaths are oracles, his love sincere, his thoughts immaculate, his tears pure messengers sent from his heart, his heart as far from fraud as heaven from earth.” Bessie M. Schrock then rendered two very difficult piano solos, one by Rubenstein, the other by Chopin, and those mho listened were convinced that while Miss Bessie has been preparing herself in an educational line, she has not neglected her lessons in music. Perry S. Ferry then delivered the farewell address. Perry has an easy, natural delivery which seemed to catch the audience exactly, and a most hearty applause followed his effort. Representing the class of ’99 he returned thanks to the Board of Education, to the superintendent and teachers and to the citizens of Decatur for many kindnesses shown them. In closing his remarks to the class he said: “Time only can tell M’hen our graduation day in the school of life shall come, but M hen it does come, may we each be ready, and meet it, ‘Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him and lies down to pleasant dreams’.” This concluded the class exercises and with a short address, Prof. W. F. Brittson, as superintendent bid good bye to the class and presented each of them with their diplomas. Rev. Duckett then pronounced the benediction and the exercises of the class of '99 were at an end. Music for the occasion was rendered by the Decatur orchestra. The graduating class also favored the audience with a class song M’hich was appreciated. Arthur Suttles. who delivered his address at the oratorical contest, and Harvey Schroll Mere also aM’arded diplomas. A novel convention will be held at Marion, Indiana, some time during this month M’hich Mill be noticed over the country, because not a word will be spoken during the entire session, M’hich M’ill probably continue several days. It will be a meeting of the deaf and dumb of Indiana and Mill be noted as the first of the kind ever held in the state. Among the novel features of the convention will be a sermon by Rev. A. V>. Mann of Ohio, the only minister who tells the gospel by means of sign language. Auditor Mangold has completed the May settlement sheet and from it we glean the following figures: State tax $5,509.91, benevolent institution fund tax $2,655.77, state debt sinking fund $1,593.51, state school $6,795.55. state educational institution fund $885.46, county tax $22,315,87, township $6,485.86, tuition $6,981.62, special school $10,973.30 road $10,286.92, dog $214.42, township poor $990.‘•’o county sinking $1,666.70. turnpike I $3,217.54. diteh $1,364.81. Decatur A : Bluffton gravel road $3,089.20. townI ship bridge $6,742,20. library 8240.43, 1 corporation $14,438.37, total collecI tions $106,447.64. In settling with the state. Treasurer Neuenschwander turned over to that official $19,024.68.