Decatur Democrat, Volume 43, Number 21, Decatur, Adams County, 3 August 1899 — Page 1

ALL THE NEWS ALL THE TIME.

VOLUME XLIJI.

short on stamps. p ostm .,ur Andrew* Touched for Sixty-Seven Dollar* In Stamp*, which Is Surrounded In Deep Dyed Hystery. When Postmaster Andrews took his regular monthly invoice he found himself short of stamps, and upon investigation the number aggregates 9 500 two cent stamps and 1,700 one centers Considerable mystery surrounds the affair. The stamps are kept in the combination locked safe, being purchased from the government in lots of about 5,000 stamps of each denomination. The department demands a thorough and complete invoice the first of each and every month. When the invoice was taken the first of July everything was straight, but the August invoice revealed the shortage. Nothing else W as taken and nothing* disturbed. When the stamps are placed in the safe they are counted and between every so many, a slipof paper is placed, and the same numbered. The stamps were taken from the bottom, hence no discovery was made until the regular monthly invoice. The whole affair is a mystery as Postmaster Andrews says he absolutely knows nothing more than has been stated above. The postoffice inspector will be here soon and after that, no doubt, government detectives will be put to work to solve the mystery and bring to light the long fingered culprit. John H. Heller of this office, without malice aforethought, hied himself to Winona Lake, where for a week past he has been re.'operating and rusticating. A very recent interview elicited the information that this great pleasure resort was bringing back to him the tears of youth. He also informs us that the resorters there are looking forward with great anticipation to the coming of the Hon. XV. J. Bryan, who deliveres his famous lecture on imperialism, the date of which is Wednesday of next week. We regret to announce the serious illness of J. D. Stults, a very prominent and prosperous farmer of Union township. The affliction of Mr Stults is somewhat peculiar, no two physicians being able to agree as to the cause or effect of same. He was brought home from Ft. XX ayne Monday where medical consultation was being had. and at which catarrh of the bowels was slightly hinted at. The many friends of Mr. Stults will regret to learn of his illness and all will hojie for a speedy recovery whatever the malady may be. Last Sunday afternoon occurred the marriage of Roy Venis of this eitv and Miss Alta Steele of Decatur. The ceremony was performed at four o’clock at the home of the groom, Councilman G. R. Venis and wife on West Market street, by Rev. J. H. String, pastor of the reformed church. Only a few of the most intimate friends of the young people in this city and Decatur were present to witness the ceremony. After congratulations a fine two course supper was served. Mr. and Mrs. X enis will reside in this city and will go to housekeeping at once in a house ready for them on East Market street. The Banner extends most cordial good wishes to the young couple.— Bluffton Banner.

At a meeting of the base ball managers last evening, part of the associaciation withdrew and now there is talk of a re-organization who will take up the vacancies and continue ball during the remainder of the season. If the new organization succeed in getting together the team will Ire even better strengthened and an opportunity given the fans to witness a continuance of good ball. Place's Creams have won high favor witji our people and they will not be permitted to disband, if the wishes of half the base ball enthusiasts are complied with. The players were settled with and all other bills against the organization will be paid in full as soon as a balance sheet is made, which is now being done by E. X. Ehinger and C. S. Niblick, the season thus far has been very successful, the present management receiving weekly dividends on their investment —in a horn. One of the best games of base ball that has been witnessed at Zimmer man's park, was that of last Sunday between Place's Creams and the Fort Wayne Shamrocks. The two teams are as evenly matched as it is possible for two adversaries to lie, and in this game every player was full of ginger and at his best. The game was opened with the Shamrocks at the bat, when the one and only run was scored for the visitors. The Creams scored one in the third and one in the ninth innings, making a score of two to one, the majority favoring the home boys, who well earned the game, notwithstanding the excellent playing of the Fort Wayne boys. The batteries were composed of Dick France and Cole for the Creams, and Robinson and Smith for the visitors. The fans in speaking of the game grow quite enthusiastic and emphatic while saying it was the best entertainment in ball that ever happened. They say much about the fast twirling of Dick France, and class him among the coming players in national ball.

Ob c at if R

Don L. Quinn left today for a vacation and outing trip to the northern lakes, going byway of Toledo then by water. It will tea pleasant trip and no one will enjov it more than Don. Rev. XV. H. Shepherd of Ossian, paid our sanctum a pleasant call yesterday morning and remained long enough to inform us that he was happy as a June bug and was well satisfied with his pastorial work. Sheriff Erwin is entertaining David Hirschey. an epileptic brought here by Henry Bluhm of French township. He is a chronic ease and a bad one, and will be taken to the county infirmary within a few days. At present he is leading Sheriff Erwin and family a merry chase. Rev. H. C. Duckett chaperoned a Sunday School picnic Tuesday that spent the day in the Foreman grove, four miles up the St. Mary’s. The party was not a small one, consisting of several loads of young America, who possessed the earth and the fulli ness thereof for one whole day. Pic- | nic dinners and other fun was the | amusement anticipated and realized. It was a Presbyterian affair. Last Tuesday was a gala day for the members of the Presbyterian Sunj day school and church, it being their annual picnic and outing. Nearly two hundred people were present, and everyone seemed to think the success of the meeting depended upon them. The children, for which such occasions are mostly arranged, enjoyed the day greatly. Truly such gatherings ought to serve to call forth new zeal and faith, as well as courage for the year to come.

Information reaches us that Chicago portrait solicitors are canvassing the county, using some of the old sterotyped methods of securing orders. It would be well for every person to give these solicitors the cold heart, and when desiring an enlarged picture with a handsome frame, to seek the local dealers, who make that their business, and who are in position to furnish same at as low a price as any outside dealer. When dealing with this class of people, do not imagine that you are or will get something for nothing, but instead will pay all the law allows and then some. A report from the state board of health gives the health statistics for the quarter ending June 30. The total number of deaths are given at 4,389. an increase over the same time last year of 1.021. This increase is partially due to the diligence of the health officers in collecting and reporting death statistics. Out of that number of deaths 615 are reported from phthisis, thirty from cholera infantum, 177 from cerebro-spinal men-ingitis,seventy-four from typhoid fever, three from small pox out of 240 cases. From this same source the total number of births are reported to be 7,395, with triplets reported from Huntington, Miami and Pike counties. Still births number 141, twins thirty-nine, and illegitimate 117. The whole number of marriages were 5,267. C. W. Hocker was in the city last Saturday from Monroe and verified the statement that he would soon leave Adams county and take ud his residence in Brownstown. Jackson county. He has already began preparing his large saw mill for shipment, and within a few weeks will have it running in full blast at his new home. He will first begin the manufacture of coiled elm hoops and later will branch out into the general timber and lumber trade. Cris was given a very handsome bonus for locating at Brownstown, besides already having secured a large amount of timbersufficient to keep the mill running for some time to come. Mr. Hocker and family hare long been residents of this county, the former being identified as one of our solid and substantial citizens, and to lose him the community sustains a loss. But while regretting his departure we wish him unbounded success in his new field of action. The doctors and the lawyers played ball Tuesday and so far as heard from no deaths or suicides resulted. It was a fierce struggle, being a sample copy of the national art, with the championship of the universe dangling in the balance. Every plaver was a star and every star was entitled to two stars, for fear one made him sick. It beat an Indian game all hollow. The fans exhausted their supply of exhultation and were carried off the grounds on a stretcher and new recruits added in order that the proper amount of base ball hilarity followed each and every brilliant play. The lawyers led off by making four runs in the first inning, two in the second, three in the third, one each in the fourth and fifth, two in the sixth, nine in the seventh, six in the eighth, twenty-eight all told. The doctors did not fare so well, scoring but one in the first, one in the fourth, two in the fifth, three in the sixth and thre«i in the ninth, ten all told. Home runs.' three and two baggers were as common as stale butter, but notwithstand-: standing the difference in the score.| V et it was a brilliant game, well played. When the weather warms up some more another contest will be i pulled off. I

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 1899.

Harry Christen is now compounding medicines at Page Blackburn’s drug house. The new recruit is by no means new in the business, having been filling a similar position for several years at the old Dorwin drug store. Mrs. J. T. Daily of Bluffton, visited in the city several days last week and before returning dropped the proper amount in the Democrat slot. She was incidentally booming the Bluffton street fair, which will take place September 24-27. R. S. Peterson and C. A. Neuenschwander went to Indianapolis yesterday and today will appear before the state tax board and endeavor to keep the board from adding any per cent to Adams county taxables. Before. the state board added thirty per cent, and it is the opinion of every one here, with half a mind, that this addition was unjust. It was to bar such a rejietition that these gentlemen were sent to represent the taxpayers before the board. Thanks to the board of health the life of diptheria in our midst will be short and not fatal. The Ramey boy is almost beyond the danger line as are also the two Lord children all of whom have been under strict quarantine ever since the first outbreak, lhe time limit for contagion expires today and there is but little or no danger of it spreading. Nevertheless every precaution will be taken to stamp out the disease in its entirety, and in this everything indicates success. Sunday was a perfect day, especially for travel, which no doubt encouraged and increased the number who took advantage of the low railroad fare and spent Sunday in Chicago. Those who took advantage of the opportunity from this city and vicinity numbered 232. The train consisted of ten coaches and was in charge of Conductor Day, one of the well known railroad employes of the Erie. The trains were run in sections, no stop being made after leaving the city, i Another section started from Huntington. The total number on all trains was 940. The annual meeting of the stockholders of the Old Adams County Bank was held at their banking house Tuesday, resultingin the re election of | theold boardof directors and offieersas | well. The directors are Judge Studa- ! baker. R, B. Alb’son, XV. H. Niblick, I John Meibers, R. K. Allison, J. S. Bowers and J. T. Dailey. They made XV. H. Niblick president, David Studa : baker vice president, R. K. Allison I cashier,C. S. Niblick and French Quinn | assistant cashiers. The business of the meeting ended in the distribution lof the usual semi-annual dividends, all of which were evidently satisfactory to all interested. The Old Ad ams is one of the best of its kind, and the re-election of its old officers means that it will continue along the same lines and lie one of the foremost banking institutions in the state of Indiana. XVilliam Gerke, a life long farmer and resident of Root township, died last Sunday morning at an early hour. For several years he has been afflicted with chronic trouble, but it seldom kept him abed. On Thursday befero he died he was in this city, apparently in as good health as usual. On Saturday a physician was called and he began improving until Sunday morning, when he suddenly took worse and I lived but a few hours. The deceased ' was about sixty-three years old. and I had lived in the same township all I his life time. He was a prosperous and well to do farmer possessing 240 acres of land in Root township, and 117 acres in Allen county. He leaves a wife and family of ten children. His parents came from Hanover. Germany, coming to this country in 11836, and the following year located jin this county and lived here until j they died. The funeral services were j held from the St. Peter’s church by ■ Rev. Hines, the remains being laid j away in a fine slate vault. The deceased was well known in this city.

Thoughtful housewives are now stocking their closets with preserves and relishes of all kinds. The winter supply of currant jelley has been made." and later in the season attention will be given to preparing of crab apple and grape jellies. This is the month to make pickles. Sweet pickles, peaches and plums are delirious. Allow three and threequarters pounds of sugar to seven pounds of fruit. Put the sugar into the preserving kettle with a quart of vinegar and two ounces of cloves and a stick of cinnamon. Boil them for five minutes after the sugar is dissolved. Pare the peaches and stick a clove into each one. Place a few at a time into the boiling sirup and cook them until they are clear, but not softened enough to fall apart. When all are cooked continue to boil the syrup until it is reduced nearly onehalf. and pour it over the peaches. Plums are pickled in the same way. The skins may be left on both peaches and plums if preferred. In fact, the fruit is often more savory if they are left on, and in which case the down must lie brushed off the peaches and the plums must be pricked with a fork in several places to prevent the skins cracking when placed in the hot syrup.

Word has l>een received from Mrs. i A. Holthouse at Jonesboro, Arkansas, | that her daughter, Mrs. Bert Lynch, is recovering and out of danger. Mr. Holthouse and family will leave in a week or two, expecting to make that place their home for two or three years. Arc lights have teen placed in the Allison-Studabaker block and now 7 a night force is added with a view of opening the new Kern, Brittson & Beeler store on September 1. XVork is progressing very rapidly and every effort will be made to complete the same as soon as possible. About August 10. H. L. Confer will leave his present home at Sturgis, South Dakota, and pay his respects to the natives in this place. He is assistant cashier of the bank there and has a very lucrative and responsible position. Barring his wife and family there is no one that will give him a more royal welcome than will the boys in this office. An outbreak is expected but militia protection is promised by the highly gingered officials of our state. We are in receipt of the catalogue of DePauw University for the year just closed. It seems that DePauw has had a prosperous year. About $30,000 was collected, pledged, or bequeathed to the University this last year, for endowments and sustaining funds, in addition to the regular income. The student enrollment was large, coming from many states of the union, and some from foreign countries. The faculty will be increased. The DePauw estate will be settled soon, adding $200,000 more to endowments. The University has really entered a brighter day. Catalogues will be sent on application to the Registrar. Greencastle, Ind. There is a new disease of women of fashion due to fashion alone. It is diagnosed, prescribed for and cured bv physicians like any other disease. If is called the “silk petticoat wrist.” Its symptoms are plainly apparent to nervous specialists and it is surprisingly common. Does the burden of your silken skirts make your wrist ache and and your fingers grow tired? Are you conscious often a dull, aching pain in your wrist and arms, like the toothache grown tired or rheumatism in one of its lesser moments? Do you feel this most after a day of shopping when you held your skirts for a half day with the grim determination that no speck of dust shall mar their fair surface even if you feel faint from it? If so you have the latest society disease, which is interesting doctors — the silk petticoat wrist. The city council met in regular session Tuesday evening. Owing to the absence of the presiding officer, Mayor Beatty, Councilman Miller was called to the chair. Just a quorum was present and they were Councilmen Suttles, Haefling, Miller and Niblick. The minutes of their meeting of July 18 was read, approved and ordered signed. Bills were allowed to X’anCamp & Buuck fifty-five cents. Rose & Bell $173.43, Bradford Belting Co. $21.35, Electric Appliance Co. $4.47, National Carbon Co. $47.75. G, R. & I. Railroad $3.16, XVilliam Gearv $5, XX'. J. Brchbold, postage $3.45. Standard Oil Co. $9.36, Theodore Haefling S3O, H. B. Knoff $37.50, M. A. Jackson $lO, George Kinzle $45, M. J. Mylott SSO. Much discussion was given the bill of Eli Merryman which calls for $2961.83 forthe completion of the Thirteenth street sewer, which has been hanging fire for some time. The bill includes several extras, which it was decided to investigate and another meeting was called for last night, at which the bill would again be taken up. George Addlesperger, after an absence of more than twenty years, arrived in this city, his old home, the latter part of last week. George left here in 1878 and went to the far west, where he engaged in the cattle business. He was always out on the prairie, far away from any station or postoffice and consequently during all that time never heard a word from home. During his absence his father, XX'. J. Addlesperger, has died and the rest of the family, including a number of brothers and sisters, have all moved away and are living in various parts of the country. It is therefore rather a sad visit for George, who has always had in mind the old homestead and the happy occasion of his home-coming. He finds many changes and improvements in old Decatur and many of the older faces are still familiar to him. For a time while in the west George owned and operated a cattle ranch, and by the wav has accumulated enough worldly goods to retire whenever he should so desire, although comparatively still a young man, being just forty-three years of age. Some time ago he sold his ranch and is now employed on the largest farm in the world, located seventy-five miles northwest of Butte, Montana. He is second boss of the ranch and has a very lucrative position. He will visit relatives in Toledo, Fort XX'ayne. South Bend and Peru, returning to the west the latter part of next week. While in this city George made this office several pleasant calls and his stones of the last twenty years of his life were indeed interesting. He says he never again expects to return to this country.

The German Lutherans near the Fuelling church will give a picnic in Berger’s grove on next Sunday. The usual services will be held. These yearly gatherings have become known throughout northern Adams, and large crowds always attend. There is also one given at Friedheim, at their usual place of holding them. These yearly meetings are also a custom with this congregation. This city will be represented at both places. Miss Minnie Orvis was hostess at a five o’clock tea given at the home of Dr. and Mrs. XX’. XX'. P. McMillen last Friday evening. The decorations consisted of sweet peas, vines and potted plants all of which gave an air of fragrance to the surroundings. Refreshments were served in four courses and was an important feature to the pleasures of theevening. Those present were Misses Nola Nachtrieb of XX'auseon, Ohio, XX’illie and Claude Rice of Berkley Springs, X’a., Fanny DeX'ilbiss, Mena Meyers, Jennie Congleton and Dolye Schaffer. Miss Nachtrieb was the guest of honor. It was quite a society event and nodoubt thouroughly enjoyed by those present. Mr. Davenport representing the American Electric Telephone Co. of Chicago, is here this week putting in the new switch board for the Citizens Telephone Co. The new board has all the latest appliances and insures the test service that can be given. It has a capacity of 200 ’phones and is so constructed that it can be enlarged to suit the needs and demands of service. The new line to Fort XX'ayne is now under construction. H. M. Romberg having the contract for digging of holes and setting of poles over the entire line. If nothing occurs service can be had by this route to Ft. XX’ayne within thirty days. The Citizens Telephone Company, is without question, a coming factor in the busines world of our enterprising little city. An inspection of the company’s office is all that is necessary to satisfy the mind of any one on this point. President Burris A. Jenkins of Indianapolis will be in Decatur to lecture before the County Teachers Institute Thursday Aug. 17th. He will remain in town only a short time, as he expects to attend a large number of such Institutes in the state in the next six weeks. President Jenkins is perhaps the youngest University President in America, being only twenty nine years of age. He is a graduate of Harvard University, and a speaker well known in Indiana. He was born in Kansas City Mo., Oct. 2, 1869 and took his school training in the public schools of that city before entering college. He was at one time a reporter on the Kansas City Times, and at another was on the Colorado range as a cowboy. He has traveled extensively in this country and Europe.and the Hawaiian Islands. After graduation te settled in Indianapolis, three years ago, as pastor of one of the city churches. During the past year he has carried on his pastorial duties and taught in Butler College of the University of Indianapolis. On Feb. 21, of this year he was elected to the Presidency of the University and is entering actively upon his duties. C. XV. Hannan the plucky young aeronaut, who made a very successful ascension on the Fourth of July, and which was witnessed at that time by thousands of people, has come to grief. Not having any engagements he has made this city headquarters, stopping with H. A. Fristoe at the People's Bakery. Last Saturday he concluded to give another exhibition of his skill and pluck by making a second trip to the laud of the clouds, but the wind was too strong and it was postponed until Monday. About four o'clock everything was in readiness and the word given, but one of the assistants failed to hear the signal and held the guy ropes a second longer than he should. This throwed the large balloon partially on its side, and before regaining its upright position it threw young Hannan with terrific force against the wareroom of Schafer, Son & Loch, and then when a few feet higher a telephone wire caught him around the neck. The first encounter broke his left leg four inches above the knee, and about six inches above the first break it was broken again, the bone tetween the two breaks being crushed, which insures the boy being a cripple at test. The upper lip was split to the nose, besides many other cuts and bruises and perhaps internal injuries, which have not as yet made themselves manifest. Dr. S. D. Beavers dressed the wounds, he being taken care of at his room at the People’s Restaurant. The Dr. informs us that there is nothing to save the boy from being a cripple, and he might fare worse. Notwithstanding a very successful ascension was made going several hundred feet high, coming down byway of the parachute and alighting across the river, near the residence of Judge Studabaker. Charley Smith was on hand, brought the injured boy direct to his room where medical aid was hastily summoned. The parents of young Hannan live at X ersailles, ‘ Ohio, and have teen notified. In the ; meantime he is and will will receive I the best of care and attention that can I be given him.

CIRCULATION 2400 WEEKLY

NUMBER 21

Hrs. Almira Hooper. The death of Mrs. Almira Hooper occured Sunday evening near five o’clock. Death was not unexpected, as for a week her illness was of such a serious nature that grave doubts were entertained, as to whether she could long storm the battle that was raging between her attending physicians and the angels of death. The end came peacefully, her long, useful and christen life making her last days sweet and peaceful. She is the daughter of James M. and Hannah Grosline. and was born in Athens county, Ohio, October 26,1818. When but maiden thirteen years old there came into her soul that higher, nobler purpose born from the indwelling of Christ, in her heart, and she united with the Methodist church at Alexandria, Ohio. As she grew in stature and matured mentally and physically, she grew in grace and christen exper ience. On January 15. 1837 she was united in marriage with T. G. Bobo, who died May 30, 1854, leaving her with several children. On January 12, 1858 she was married to Ezekiel Hooper in this county. It fallen to the lot of Grandma Hooper in her earlier life to make several states her 7' ■ . r'uf. A"J- . ■gjte 1 _ | Jr dtN 1:. ALMIRA HOOPER. home at different times. She removed from Ohio to Adams county and joined the M. E.church at Monmouth, a charge on Decatur circuit in 1841, under the pastorate of Rev. Jessie Sparks, now deceased. Since that time she spent several years elsewhere but for forty-five years has been in dentified with Methodism in this vicinity. How beautiful the character and example of the saint who tor a span of a life time has lived in sweet communion with God. Going to Him for counsel until Christ and His love permeates the daily walk and conversation, and to come in contact with such a one is like a glimpse of heaven. For sixty-seven years she has walked with God and learned of Him. She was eighty’ years, nine months, and four days old, but notwithstanding this extreme old age she was well preserved both in mind and body. During the Methodist conference held in April, in conversing with a Democrat representative said: “I am a Methodist from the crown of my head to the sole of my foot and have been all my life. But, there is one thing I do’not think is as it should be. I think women should have equal representation in the affairs of the church with men. Women do more church work’raise funds and I believe carry most of the burdens, and surely they should be allowed to be represented in the general conference on an equality with men. It seems to me that the preachers do not oppose it but they keep postponing it. ’ Grandma Hooper was very well informed upon the diplomatic methods adopted by the sterner sex in dealing with this much mooted question of “equality." She also had unbounded faith in the persistent efforts and final success of the gentler sex in bringing about a condition of equal footing for men and women. XX hen asked what were her most pleasant recolection in connection with church work she replied “The big revivals and the test one was during Rev. Gregg's pastor ate when so many souls were brought to Christ.” These seasons of refresh ing have always been dear to her and she has always taken an active part in them, raising her voice in prayer and supplication in behalf of penitent sinners and rejoicing with those who were born into the Kingdom. The funeral services were held from the Xlethodist church Tuesday the same being conducted by Rev. XX . H. Daniel. Interment in Maplewood, Auditor Mangold is making demand upon the bonds men of Ex-Treasurer Bolds for money due the county in road, county, township and other funds retained by him. The amounts are taken from the report made by A. Holthouse, expert accountant, and J. J. Maglev insolvent tax collector, and during'his first term amount to $1738.55 and during his second term to $2966.90. Demands are not only being made for the amounts stated but also for penalty and interest, as provided by law. If settlement is not I made, the prosecuting attorney will j bring suit for its recovery, which is the order as made by the board of commissioners..