Decatur Democrat, Volume 43, Number 17, Decatur, Adams County, 6 July 1899 — Page 1

all the news all the time.

glume xlih.

■ a number of wheelmen from Fort ■. vne were in the city Sunday to ! :n ess the defeat of their favorites, B ■■■ Shamrocks. | Fourth of J uly causalties were few ■ this city as were also the visible timber of plain drunks, all of which B r iks in glowing terms of those who Bive'in charge the preservation of law Bd order. I \t the fiftieth anniversary of the Bjem church which will beheld July B‘)th, a prize will be given for the best Bcitation, one or more contestants Botn each Sunday school will take B a rt. Hon. R. K. Erwin has been Biosen as speaker of the day. Miss Annie Smith, was stricken kith a very severe attack of heart rouble Monday morning, dne to the Jiock, caused by the sudden death of ier father, and for a time it was feared Le could not be revived. She is reW rte<l much improved at present lowever and her friends hope that he will soon be entirely recovered. Fifteen hundred people paid twen-v-five cents at Huntington to see the iloomer girls play ball with the home earn, and as a canvass twelve feet imh extended from the grand stand o’the outfield had been put up, they lad to dig up an extra dime to see he sport. The game resulted in avor of the young men by a score of .5 to 11. The pitcher, catcher and irst basewoman for the g'rls were ast players. Decatur should have a street fair his fall. Why not arrange for a hree days’ “blow out” during the irst week of September? Every ither city about us are haying these ■arnivals each year. They are not mly for the amusement of our people iut they are the means of bringing i large amount of money into our city. Let's get at this at once and give a air that will out-shine anything of the kind in the state. Charles Jeffries, for a year past the genial clerk at the Burt house, has resigned his position to accept a more lucrative one with the management of the Kirby house at Muncie, Indiana, and left for that place last Monday. Charley is a hale fellow, well met, and as he understands the hotel business perfectly, can not help but succeed in his new home. While here he made many friends who are pleased with his success. Owing to a recent provision in the state law governing teachers’ examin ations, all teachers who have heretofore made exemption grades in examination will be required to take an examination in literature. The examinations will soon lie held. All teachers successfully passing the examinations filing their manuscripts with the state superintendent will be given a license to teach anywhere in the state they may desire without further examination. It is reported that Leonard Myers, a young man living in the eastern part of Blue Creek township, was surprised at his home Monday evening by four masked men, who demanded his valuables. He refused and was immediately bound and the premises searched. The gang, it is claimed, secured fifty dollars and at once took their departure, leaving Mr. Myers still bound. He was found several hours afterwards, bv some of the members of his family. Officers are said to lie upon their tracks, however, and it is probable if they are captured they will be severely dealt with. J. T. Merryman’s Sunday school class gave an entertainment at the lecture room of the Methodist church Friday evening, which was a most enjoyable affair. A splendid program, consisting of music and recitations was given and the audience were delighted with *he entire entertainment. Among those who took a prominent part were Miss Dollie Schafer and Mr. Eugene Douglass in recitations, Misses May Niblick and Matie Albers, vocal solos, Charles Brock and Fred Falk, instrumental solos. Mr. Merryman delivered an eloquent address on the subject “Power of Culture.” which was much enjoyed. Music was also furnished by a quartette, composed of J. Q. Neptune, Mrs. John Vail, Miss Matie Albers and Charles Bell. The evening was also quite a success financially, It is just half a century since what is known as the Salem church located two and a half miles east of the city was organized. In honor of their birthday which comes July 20th, a grand picnic and celebration will be given in the Kern grove near the church. Every Sunday school in the county is invited to attend and participate in the pleasures of the day, and that it will be one long to be remembered is evident from the preparations already being made. A committee is at work securing speakers, bands, amusements and everything necessary to make the event a grand success. They have arranged to dedicate the morning to the older folks, and various papers regarding the history of the church will be read. In the afternoon the Sabbath school will render a suitable program, consisting of songs and recitations. Refreshments will be served on the grounds. Make arrangements to assist them in this golden anniversary.

Oscatilß DEMOCRAT.

Mrs. William Poling, a resident of North Seventh street, died quite suddenly Tuesday from lock-jaw, brought about by stepping on a rusty nail. The funeral services takes place today with interment at Bryant.

George Bowers will be kept busy ! now for several weeks disposing of i | “History of the 160th regiment of' Indiana Volunteers,” which is now I ready. The book is a splendid his-i ; tory of the company and will no ; doubt be highly valued by the boys. The Fourth of July celebration • given at Beatty’s grove under the ! auspices of R. C. Marks and James Tyndall was a success. Quite a large crowd was present and the program was given in an excellent manner, i The boys announced that they would I give a four days’ fair this fall which will surpass anything of the kind ever i given in the county. L. H. Fisher, a brakeman on a Chicago & Erie freight train was caught between the cars while doing some switching at Wren, Ohio, last Friday afternoon and was seriously injured. His left arm was terribly i mangled and it is thought amputation will be necessary. He was brought Ito this city and properly cared for i until evening, when he was taken to his home in Huntington. It is not thought his injuries will prove fatal. Another confession has been sprung i which again exonerates Rev. Hinshaw |of the murder of his wife, for which | offense he is now serving a life sentence in the Michigan City prison. Our readers are still familiar with the case, the murdered wife and her husband being former residents of Randolph county. About two years ago a similar confession was given out, but upon investigation not much credence was given the story, and that fact will tend to create doubt now. The county institute will be held this year beginning August 14. which is about two weeks earlier than usual. The list of instructors is not completed at this time but the County Superintendent promises talent that can not be discounted. The session last year was among the best ever held, and if that standard is equaled, the teachi ers of Adams county may consider themselves among the most fortunate. I The public schools of the county are i attaining a reputation not equaled by i many counties in the state. Among those who attended the celebration at Geneva last Tuesday were j Henry Alberson and family,who reside j near Domestic. As they were driving 1 through town their horse became frightened and ran away. The buggy was overturned and all were thrown out. Mr. and Mrs. Alberson who are very old were quite severely injured, and it is feared the latter cannot recover, she having receieved a broken leg and arm and other serious injuries. The daughter who was driving held to the lines and was dragged half a block, but finally succeeded in stopping the frightened animal wirhout ; any injury to herself. Pattrick Delhanty and Ben Kramer, two of Linn' Grove’s tougher element soaked themselves prettv thoroughly with the contents of a keg of beer last Thursday afternoon and then got “nasty.” They quari reled and finally indulged in a duel lin which Delhanty had a long ways the test of things as he was armed with a big, mean, looking knife, which be used wildly, and with which he succeeded in carving his opponent almost into slices. Kramer received several bad cuts, one of which, just over his right hip, was nearly a foot in length and required fourteen stitches to patch it up. He was taken to the county j inrfimary and Dr. D. D. Clark sumI moned who dressed the wounds and who now reports that he will soon be [ ready to avenge himself if he so desires. No arrests have been made. Weather forecasts for July seem to vary a little. Some of the famous proph Beiers claim a long and terrible drought through the entire month, while others say we will have plenty of rain. W. T. Foster says: “My last bulletin gave forecasts of the storm wave to cross the continent from Ist to 4th and the next will reach the Pacific coast about the sth, cross west of Rockies country by close of 6th, great central valleys 7th, eastern states ’ 9th. Cool wave will cross west of 1 the Rockies country about Bth, great J central valleys 10th, eastern states Il2th. Temperature of the week ending 8 a. m. July 17 will average much telow normal in the southern tier of states, telow normal in the mid-lati-tude and about or a little above in the northern tier of states and Canada, j Rainfall for the weeek above mentioned will be above normal within 200 miles of a line drawn from Norfolk. Va., to Kansas City, Mo., and the rainfall of all North America will decrease as distance from that line increase. The general tendency of temperature will be upward till about July 20 which this year will be the warmest of the summer in the northern states, after which the temperature will gradually go lower. About the dates of the high temperature waves severe storms may be expected, especially thunderstorms and hail in localities subject to these. The most severe storms may be expected not far from 9th to 19th.

«DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY, JULY 0, 1899.

A paper balloon sent up here Tuesday night caught fire and fell on a hay stack, about two miles east of town. The hay was entirely destroyed and the farmer is wishing the man who invented the balloon had never teen born. W ashington Steele, who has teen very low for several weeks with a complication of diseases, and whowas reported dying Monday, is still alive although it is feared he cannot recover. Mr. Steele is among the county’s oldest and most respected citizens and his many friends still hope for an improvement in his condition. A party of fishermen will leave Saturday for Clinger Lake, Michigan, where they will spend a week in a search for bass. Among those who will go are C. A. Dugan, J. T. Merryman. A. J. Smith. C. K. Bell. Henry Hite and son Hughe, Robert Gregory, Will Chronister, M. Burns, Frank Schirmeyer, L. D. Adams and several others. The boys are all good fellows and a good time is an assured thing.

Our farmers and business men, in fact everybody has teen praying for several weeks for a good soaking rain and from all prophecies it was feared there was none in sight, but there was and it arrived yesterday at noon, a beautiful, steady rain, just the kind that will make the corn and other products grow almost to maturity in a single day, and our citizens are all thankful for the downpour. Everybody wore a smile and stepped along the wet streets as though it were a luxury to be allowed to do so. The two hundred dollar display of fireworks with which Geneva was to have closed their day’s celebration Tuesday, became ignited in some manner just before time for the exhibition to be given and a terriffie explosion followed. All kinds of figures were in the air for awhile and the crowd which had gathered to witness the display were quickly dispersed. After the smoke had cleared away, it was found that T. S. Phillip, who had charge of that part of the celebration, had been quite severely burned. It is not thought, however, that he is seriously hurt and the affair is considered rather lucky, although the expectant visitors were rather disappointed in having their evenings enjoyment thus destroyed. The commissioners met last Monday and heard a remonstrance filed by Fred Koenemann to a petition for ditch, but as it was not filed within the specified time allowed by law, the same was dismissed, and the viewers report approved. July 14 is the time set for the viewers final report. The viewers report upon the A. Kohne ditch was also approved. A petition for the opening of a highway was also acted favorably upon. The bonds of J. W. Myers. William Darwechter and Thomas Baltzell as superintendents of the East Washington and Decatur and Monroe roads were approved. The bonds call for $5,000 each. People having business with the board can see them the first Monday of every month, it being decreed by the last legislature that they should meet monthly and in payment receive a stated yearly salary. Well they didn’t do a thing to us. Those Findlay boys from the Buckeye state havn’t got a bit of sense when it comes to playing the national game. They were down on the schedule for two games and the fans 1 were anxiously awaiting two hotly j contested games, confidently expecting at least one of them to be added ’to their list of victories. But they ’ were disappointed, for besides being crippled on account of the absence of shortstop Burgess and the rest of the team pretty badly used up, the boys were unlucky, while the Findley boys could fall down twice, get up, turn around, half dozen times and the ball still land right in their mit. But even at that rate we gave them a game and Bud Fowler, captain, said the Creams were among the fastest lot of players he has bumped up against this year. The scores, thirteen to four and thirteen to five, tell the sad story and need no further explanation. The visitors were a gentlemanly lot ofbase ball players, not scrubs but all “vets at the business and our boys showed up well beside them, everything against them as it was. Coffman and Speisman did the battery work for Findley, on Thursday anil Lyons and Speisman Friday. Reynolds and France were in the box for the Creams and Cole behind thebat. Good crowds attended both games and although the “rooters” would much rather have seen the scores reversed they realize that we must loose part of the time and are not ashamed of a defeat by such players as Bud Fowler and his team. The Creams go to Findley for a return engagement next Monday and Tuesday, at which time they hope to secure revenge, good and plenty. The Sunday game between the Creams and the Fort Wayne Shamrocks resulted in a victory for our boys by a score of seven to three. Robbins did the twirling for the Shamrocks and France for the Creams. Only seven hits were made off France’s delivery and he struck out ten men. The support given him was almost perfect, only two errors teing made. The game was one of the test of the season and was interesting throughout.

The residence ot James T. Archbold, of St. Marys township, came near being consumed by fire on the Fourth. A spark from the furnace of a traction engine set the grass afire and but for the timely arrival of assistance the house would have caught and been consumed. Jim lias an elegant home and has no hankering for any fires. The grand jury at their last meeting returned indictments against Bertha Cline and Minnie Woodward and Kirk Miller and Nolan Woodward, charging them with assault and battery upon Blanch Kelly. All the parties are residents of Monroe township and the assault it is alleged was committed the latter part of February. The defendants each gave bond in the sum of SIOO for their appearance at the September term of court and were released. Bids will be opened this evening at the office of F. M. Schirmeyer, secretary of the Citizens Telephone Company, for the setting of poles along the company’s toll line to Magley and Fort Wayne. Orders are also filed for twenty-five new telephones for use in this city, but owing to an overcrowded switch board, they cannot be connected until a new switch board with greater capacity arrives. It has been ordered and will be here in about ten days. The capacity of the new board is two hundred telephones. A proclamation has been issued by Governor Mount declaring the adoption of the following text books in the Indiana schools for the next five years, and their price: Frye’s Introductory Geography, thirty cents; Frye’s Advanced Geography, seventy-five cents; Cook-Cropsey Elementary New Advanced Arithmetic, forty-five cents; the New Era Slant System of Writing Books, Nos. 1 to 6, inclusive, five cents each: The New Era System of Vertical Writing Books, Nos. 1 to 6 inclusive, five cents each; Indiana Educational Series, First Reader ten cents; Second Reader, fifteen cents; Revised Third Reader, twenty-five cents;. Revised Fourth Reader thirty cents; Revised Fifth Reader, forty cents. The celebration of the glorious Fourth at Dorwin’s grove, which was a purely Sunday school affair, was a grand success, showing that there is still a large per cent, of the people who desire to see this great day celebrated in the old fashioned manner. It is said that fully fifteen hundred people were present, ten Sunday schools attending in a body. The day was a splendid tribute in honor of the greatest day our fore father's knew. Among those who delivered addresses during the day were, Revs. Duckett, Jones. Horton, Wier and Barton. Miss Hattie Studabaker also delivered a lecture upon the subject, “A trip to the holy land” audit is needless to say that'her listeners were much pleased with her story of personal adventures in so interesting a country. A dinner was served and the day spent in pleasure and amusement.

Another pioneer, who for more than half a century has watched the progress of Decatur and surrounding country, has passed to the silent city. Michael Smith died very suddenly last Sunday afternoon about two o’clock. He had not teen feeling well for several weeks, still his condition was not considered serious and he was able to look after his business affairs. On Wednesday of last week he suffered a slight hemorrhage of the lungs. This weakened him considerably but he soon recovered and on Friday made a business trip in his official capacity to the southern part of the county. On Sunday morning he went to church as was his usual custom and seemed to feel even tetter than usual. He ate a hearty dinner and shortly afterwards was seized with a coughing spell which brought on another hemorrhage and within two minutes he had ceased to breath and his soul had winged its flight to that land where neither care nor pain abounds. His death was a surprise to all and the family and friends were almost prostrated with grief and the sympathy of every citizen is with them. Michael Smith was tern at Schafhousen, Germany, September. 1835, and was nearly sixty-five years of age at the time o's his death.' He came to this county in 1848. and for fifty-one years has been an industrious and earnest citizen, ever ready to assist in building up his city in any manner possible. He was for a number of years proprietor of an ashery. Later he went into the stock business and for a number of vears owned and managed a livery stable. During the past ten years he has served as constable and in this capacity he was ever faithful and true, performing his duties in the straightforward manner which was one of his many good traits. He was married about forty years ago to Veronica Ehinger, who with five children, four doughters and one son, survive him. Two children have proceeded their father to the heavenly home. The subject of this sketch has always been a devout Catholic and the funeral services were held from the St. Mary s church at nine o’clock yesterday morning, Fatter Wilkens delivering the final sermon. He was laid to rest in the St. Soseph cemetery.

The fish law expired Tuesday, and | ’ the barefoot boy with cheeks of tan, I and his care-worn father may now j roam at will along the banks of the St. Marys, looking for carp and craw- ! fish. The law is considered by many to have been a good one, although by many it was declared a violation to public policy. About here the law was not observed to any great extent and fishing went right along without a care for the new statute. The board of review are still busy looking after the adjustment of Adams county taxation. They have about concluded upon a basis for lands, but it is not definite and therefore not ready for publication. The valuation as returned by the assessor is Union ■528.3,825, Root $387,900, Preble $306,690, Kirkland $285,880, Washington $474,195, St. Marys $258,470, Blue Creek $255,225, Monroe $459,705, French $276,220, Hartford $291,810, Wabash $391,415, Jefferson $248,000. Taken the county over the average is reputed by the board as being low. L. C. Miller and J. D. Hale of this city, acting as deputy Grand Master and Grand Marshall of the F. & A. M. lodge were at Geneva last Wednesday evening to constitute lodge No. 621 at that place. During the past year this lodge has been working under a dispensation. At the meeting of the Grand Lodge at Indianapolis in May a charter was granted and the above named gentlemen wereappointto look after the organization. The lodge begins its career with twentyfour of the very test citizens of Southern Adams and the following able set of officers, who were ushered into their respective positions at this meeting: W. B. Hale, Worshipful Master; W. C. Campbell, Senior Warden; Frank Rinehart, Junior Warden; J. E. Lung Sec’y; S. W. Hale, Treasurer; J. B. Broas, Senior Deacon; Fred Lindsey, Junior Deacon; Nall Sumption and J. H. Hardison, Stewards; A. Liebert, Tyler. Messrs. Miller and Hale report a good time. ■ Independence Day was celebrated in due style and splendor in this city last Tuesday and although celebrations were given at Willshire, Beatty’s grove, Dorwin’s grove, Geneva, Hoagland and other surrounding towns, still Decatur had her share of people and everybody who was here seemed satisfied. The program was carried out exactly as advertised and the Decatur Cycle Club deserves credit and praise for their efforts. The day was opened by the morning salute. At nine o’clock, the Preble band gave a street concert and at ten o’clock headed the ball players and Cycle Club to Zimmerman’s park where Place’s Creams defeated the Entre Nous team of Richmond by a score of thirteen to twelve, after one of the hottest contests of the season. At one o’clock ’ the five mile bicycle race took place. ' Messrs. Beery, Bell and Townsend acted as judges; George Maddy, starter; D. Hensley, time-keeper; and S. P. Beatty, clerk. Twelve starters, with handicaps as high as two minutes left on the first round of the course, but on each lap one or two would fall out until at the -finish only five of the racers were left to fight for the laurels. James Waldron and Chris Myers were scratch men, but neither were successful in getting a time or place prize, , the former dropped out after the third mile. Those who finished and their order were, Alva Nichols, A. Kauffman. L. Wolfe, Wid Dorwin and Chris Myers. Alva Nichols also won the time prize, having made the five miles in fourteen minutes and thirty-nine seconds. Kauffman who won second prize is only sixteen years old and gives promise of becoming a great rider. He was registered from Linn Grove. L. Wolfe, of Monroe, who got third place is also a splendid cyclist and with proper training would make his mark. The boys sprint was the next race on the program and eight boys, under sixteen years of age, entered the contest, which was a lively one, all finishing in a bunch. Robert Schrock secured first prize, Harry Fritzinger, second and Jesse Sellemeyer. third. The mile open county race followed with eight starters and was won by L. Wolfe, Chrirs Myers ' secured second place and A. Kauffman third. Another ball game between Richmond and Decatur took up the time until five o’clock, resulting ' in a victory for Richmond by a score of nine to eleven. The game was quite interesting but was mared by the constant kicking of the visitors, which was most disgusting and which caused many of those present to loose interest. " Billy Earle, the captain, seemed to be the only geneleman in the lot and he registered enough kicks for a dozen games’. At six o’clock Prof. William Hannan made a grand balloon ascension and parachute drop. At eight o’clock an illuminated bicycle parade was given and many beautifully decorated wheels were in line. First prizes were won by Otto Bremer- < kamp and Florence Campbell. Following this a fire works display in which everybody indulged, lasting for several hours was enjoyed by all. Everything passed off nicely, and the day was a fitting celebration in honor of our glorious independence. The celebrations in all the surrounding places are said to have been most successful and good crowds attended all of them.

CIRCULATION 2400 WEEKLY

NUMBER 17

Word has come from Washington that W. T. Durbin, republican national committeeman from Indiana, who was at the head of the One Hundred and Sixty-first regiment in Cuba, "is selected for the command of one of the regiments that is now conceded by the administration must te raised if civilization, enlightenment and everything but liberty are to be shoven down the throats of the 8,000,000 Filippinoes that history may say that the administration of President McKinley added so many million to the population of the country and so many thousands of square miles to its area.

It was Sunday evening after the famous game with the Shamrocks and Big Dick France the renowned twirler sat on the sofa with his sweetheart: “Play nearer to your base, darling,” murmured she coyly, and accepting her gentle coaching he drew her to him with an enticing out-curve. “And who shall unpire our nuptials, love?” said he, taking one kiss and making a bold effort to steal another. “I care not sweetheart,” said she gently, “so the game ends in a tie,” and they gently fastened their faces together in one long luscious two-bagger. And he telegraphed her fatter this liner; —“Score one two in my favor. Due to good teamwork. Send gate receipts at once for we need support.” James Lenhart, the sixteen year old son of Mr. and Mrs. John 11. Lenhart died Sunday evening at six o’clock at the home of John Gideon, near McGill, Ohio, after an illness of only four days. On Wednesday, he left this city with his parents, for a drive to McGill, where they expected to spend the Fourth. Jimmie was apparently in good health when he left, and only a short time before had told his boy chums of the time he expected to en joy on the Fourth. On the way over however he was stricken with inflamation of the bowels and by the time the party reached their destination, he was a very sick boy. Physicians were called at once and everything possible was done, but it was evident that the chances were against him. The news of his serious condition did not reach here until Friday, and from that time on until Sunday evening his anxious r mds were hopeful, though he was .... ted better and worse several times each day. But on the Sabbath evening, just as the sun went down in the west, his bright young life came to a close, and the arrival of the news in this city sadened the heart of many a young friend who had learned to love him. His remains were brought home Monday afternoon and the funeral services were held from the Methodist church yesterday. Rev. W. H. Daniels officiating, described his life as follows: James Lawson Lenhart, son of John H. and Tilla Lenhart, was born in Peterson, Ind. February 24, 1883, died July 2, 1899, while visiting together with his parents at the home of John M. Gideon near McGill, Paulding county, Ohio, aged sixteen years, four months and eight days. About eight years ago the deceased came with his parents to Decatur where he spent the brief years of his life. He attended the public schools of our city, and at the time of his death bad completed the first year of the High school course. The church record shows that on August 12. 1894 he was received into the Methodist Episcopal church of Decatur by Rev. E. T. Gregg. He was a member of the Sabbath school and the Epworth League chapter of the same church. His attendance ui>on the sessions of these two organizations was quite regular. He contributed much in various ways to make the leaguemeetings delightful to the young people. The members of Dr. J. M. Miller’s Sabbath school class will tear away, as pall bearers to-day, with sad hearts the remains of a greatly esteemed class-mate. At a children’s service, held under the auspices of the Sabbath school quite recently he sang a solo very greatly to the delight of the large audience. Activity characterized the departed along the lines of his preferences. He possessed a social disposition. He was always disposed to take the hopeful view. In conversation he often awakened the smiling face and heart. This trait mainifested itself even during his fatal illness. His physical make up was pleasing, manly and indicative of strength. Little did any suspect in looking upon him even but a few days ago that so soon his body would sleep in the silent casket. But unseen to mortal eyes the fatal condition existed which despite all the efforts of tender love and skill must produce death. He met death with composure. Much of the time he was engaged in prayer. To a minister who sat by his bedside he said, he was ready to go. How full of meaning and comfort are these words. Besides the parents the deceased leaves two brothers, E. Burt and Norman G., and one sister, Mrs. Millie Rice, of Ft. Wayne, Ind. All these have the most sincere sympathy of the entire community and the prayers of all devout hearts that God s grace may te fully sufficient. A large circle of other kinilred likewise mourn. How sadly he will be missed, only the weeks and the months yet to come will reveal. But in loving] memory he will abide.