Decatur Democrat, Volume 43, Number 48, Decatur, Adams County, 8 February 1900 — Page 1

ALL THE NEWS ALL THE TIME.

(VOLUME XLIII.

BOOM IN OIL. Prospectors are Looking with Favor on the New Field in Adams County. OU In Its Crude State Is Now Quoted nt $1.19. and Hay Reach the Two Dollar Mark. Agitation Should be the Slogan. While Adams county has for many years been strongly identified in the Crude oil interests, lieing a fair producer of the Indiana product, yet the high price now being paid has caused an upheaval in oil operations. Pros- ■ sectors are thick and as a result much new territory is and will be opened up, and the year 1900 promises to produce some startling revelations in the history of Indiana oil, and the expanded territory producing the name. The Adams county field to this time has been confined to the extreme southern and southwestern portions. The renewed interest now making itself so manifest, will be the means of developing the entire field in the county, and that means that operations will extend very near to this city. The vein or field as has been many times outlined by the men who makes this their business and study, runs northeast across the county, beginning about four miles west of Geneva. This brings Decatur within three miles of the field, the same laying south and east. To show that we are not dreaming dire visions of misapprehension, we need but to say that this week alone, there were registered at the Burt, four different prospecting parties who were spending more or less time investigating the merits of this part of the county for oil. In conversation with them they followed the usual instincts of their profession, by imparting as little information as possible. Some would wink the other eye and look wise, while others would give you to understand that there was every indication of oil, and that with thorough prospecting a field might be found that would outstrip the expectations of the most sanguine. The last party was here yesterday, and to show their sincerity of purpose, they spent most of the afternoon in looking over our city. This was done simply to satisfy themselves as to the conveniences and comforts we enjoy, as residents. In this respect we know they could not help but be impressed favorably, for it is the pardonable pride of every citizen here to have the best the country affords, and that fact impresses everv stranger who enters our portals. But with this condition arising and the flattering prospect for an oil boom in which Decatur will be the hub of operations, it stands our people in hand to help the crusade along. The success of any enterprise succeeds or fails largely by the sentiment as expressed by a city and her people. So it may’ be with this. Every property owner, merchant, banker and in fact every citizen, especially every laliorer, land owner and farmer is interested in the opening of this new oil territory. With crude oil selling on the market for 81.19 a barrel and a prospect for the price increasing, its value certainly can not be measured or even conjectured upon. It is stated that even now with vast increase of production—which was brought about by the increase in price—that there is not sufficient oil upon the market to supply the demand. The many new staples, in the manufacture of which crude oil forms a competent part, has opened many new avenues for oil, and gives rise to the opinion that oil in its crude state may reach two dollars a barrel, and that before many months shall have elapsed. This fact should also impress us as citizens equally interested in our own welfare as well as that of our neighbor, our city and our eountv. We can all help the good work along, and it is our duty so to do. The commissioners are now busy looking over plans for the new county infirmary, which will, no doubt, adorn the site where the old structure nowstands, and that before many months rolls around. The plans of Architects C. N. Christen of this city, Kuno Kibler of Bluffton, Wing <& Mahurin of Fort Wayne, John A. Hoscoster of Richmond, and Hiram Elder of Marion, have been submitted and are being carefully inspected by the members of the board and the merits of each weighed with due deliberance and precision. The examination will continue all of today and perhaps longer, as it requires much time to note the many points contained in each plan. And in this the architects have done themselves credit, as the plans submitted show excellect taste in a structure of this magnitude and kind, besides it shows off to advantage the mechanical genius of the men who prepared them. In all probability if either one of the plans meet the j approval of the board, they will at onee adopt them and enter into a contract for their proper use in bringing to actuality the handsome new county ifcfirmarv, which is now being contemplated. As we have said editorially, the commissioners and county council deserve commendation from the people for giving to the poor of this county a home that contains the comforts every being is entitled to. I

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The case of George Drake et al vs Ruth Drake et al, a partition suit is to be appealed to the supreme court unless a new trial is granted on the motion now pending. John Stoneburner, the music man, is removing his stock of goods into the Allison building on Second street, where he will soon be ready to greet friends and customers. A slumber partv was given by Mrs. Jesse Townsend Monday evening and about a dozen lady clerks of the city enjoyed the hospitality of that well known hostess. Fred Hill, junior member of the firm of Hill & Son, proprietors of the Burt, left Friday for Chicago where he attended to business and otherwise put in several days, going from there to Omaha, Nebraska, where he joins Mrs. Hill for a several weeks visit with friends. Barney Kalverisky has been successful in having his named changed and will hereafter be known as Barney Kalver. His son, who recently removed to this city from Chicago, had a like operation performed upon his family name and the firm here will be known as Barney Kalver&Son. They are now transacting business in their new store on North Second street. A surprise upon Mr. and Mrs. Smith at their Mercer street home was the society event of Sunday evening and was given in honor of their third wedding anniversary. A large number of guests enjoyed the evening entertainment which consisted chiefly in progressive pedro, prizes being won by Mrs. Dan Niblick and E. X. Ehiuger. Refreshments were served and the entire program thoroughly enjoyed. Thomas J. Smith, one of the oldest and most respected citizens of Wabash township, died on January 30. The deceased was born in Shelby county, Kentucky, July 30, 1850. He was for three years a soldier in the civil war. He was a member of the Christian church since 1877, and al ways lived a contented, peaceful and happy life. His wife survives him, they having no children to console and comfort her in the sad hours of affliction that is how her lot. “Some of the simplest things in the world,” says the Scientific American, “are the most efficacious.” and adds: “If you are. afraid of lightning, here’s a very simple safeguard to remember —simply put on your rubbers and then stand up so that your clothes won't touch anywhere. Whether you're indoors or out of doors you’re perfectly safe, for rubber is a nonconductor, and you are completely insulated.” Unquestionably very few people who wear rubbers are killed by lightning. There may be various reasons for this immunity, and nobody can prove that the rubbers should not be counted first on the list. After all, but few people are killed by lightning anyway. The Masonic Grand Lodge now in sessional Hartford, of which Judge George G. McNail, of Greenwich, Conn., is Grand Master, has taken a stand against Masonic beggars. Grand Secretary John H. Barlow, in his report, says: “I desire to caution the lodges and bretheren against those who, for want of a better name. I have classed under the head of “Masonic Tramps.” They go from place to place, craving in many ways the assistance of the fraternity. They are usually well posted in the ritual, and have no doubt at times received Masonic degrees. Many of them have been suspended from their lodges, either for lin-Masonit conduct or non payment of dues. Our jurisdiction has been unusually invaded by such characters during the past year, and I have sent out several warning circulars to the lodges.” The exercises at Fort Wayne Monday were most fitting to the memory of that famous general, Henry W. Lawton, and were witnessed by many citizens from this county. The train bearing the body arrived at Fort Wayne about eight o’clock Monday morning, fourteen hours earlier than was expected. On the train were Mrs. Lawton and family, General Shafter and a number of other officers and aids who were with the Indiana son when he fell on the battlefields of Manila. They were met by a long line of G. A. R. members from over the state and by various other orders and organizations and conducted to the court house, where the body laid in state until four o’clock. During the day General Shafter and Mrs. Lawton received and clasped hands with many old soldiers in the parlors of the Aveline hotel. At four o'clock the line of march was again taken up and proceeded to the station where the car had been transferred to the G. R. &I. railway. The train left Fort Wavne about five o’clock going south to Richmond, thence to Indianapolis, where they arrived shortly after nine o’clock. The train passed through this city at 5:30 but made no stop. The casket was a massive one, lined with sheet iron and required twelve men to lift it into the car. Fitting exercises were also held at Indianapolis Tuesday and yesterday morning the train left for Washington where the body is to be interred in Arlington cemetery.

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1900.

About fifty Decaturites and as many more from other parts of Adams county were at Fort Wayne Monday to witness the ceremonies in honor of Generel Lawton. Earl Adams, Floyd Smith, Gustave Ehiuger and a number of others attended the production of “Cheek” by Davidson’s Stock Company at Fort Wayne Monday evening. Ed Beeler, of the firm of Kern, Beeler & Co., proprietors of the Big Store, is in New York, where he will be busy for several days buying spring goods for their well known department store in this city. The boys thoroughly understand their business and you will profit by waiting for their announcement. The law office of Peterson & France and the insurance office of J. S. Peterson, located over the south room of the Blackburn-Allison block, is one of the neatest and best arranged in northern Indiana. The rooms are nicely arranged and with new furniture, electric lights, etc., presents a most comfortable and convenient appearance, and by the way, the business of the firm fully justifies their handsome home. Schafer, Son & Loch are erecting a handsome new brick block on their lot, corner of Madison and First streets. The building will face on Madison street, will be fifty feet wide by one hundred feet long. Already the sheet iron buildings have been torn down and a large farce of men are at work rushing the completion of the build ing. The new rooms will be used as a buggy and harness store in connection with their already large business, and will be a splendid addition to the city. Homer Sowers, the genial and popular assistant who has been connected with the Decatur Egg Case Company at their plant in this city for several years and who was recently promoted to the position of manager of the Van Wert. Ohio, factory, was in town the first of the week superintending the shipment of his household goods to his new home. Himself and family left Tuesday afternoon and by this time they are probably fairly well settled in the Buckeye state. Homer says the outlook for the new mill is very flattering and ho is confident of success. They will begin work next Monday and will employ from forty to sixty men. Portland, our neighbor city on the south has been suffering lately from more than her share of disastrous fires, none however, have been so horrible as that which occurred at an early hour Monday morning in which two of the wealthiest citizens of Jay county lost their lives. William and John Newton were eccentric old men and lived alone in their home about two miles from the city; they were quite wealthy, being quoted at from 8100,000 to 8200.000, the former being president of the Peoples’ Bank. About five o'clock Monday morning their residence was discovered ablaze but before aid could reach them the flames were far beyond control. The brothers could not be found until afterwards, when a search of the ruins revealed the charred remains of the two men. By some it is believed that the men were robbed and the building fired to cover up traces, but-the general idea is that the terrible disaster was simply an accident and that the men in trying to get out were overcome by the smoke. John, the younger brother has a family in England. while William was an old bachelor. Fifty-thousand dollars in notes were in the house and are a total loss. A session of the city council continued from last week was held at the city hall Tuesday evening. Mayor Beatty presided and councilmen Suttles, Haefling, Chronister, Miller. Niblick and Mann were present. The minutes of the meeting of January 16 were read and approved after which the following bills were presented and each duly considered and upon motion allowed: Fort Wayne Electric Works 82.06, F. Bissel $50.80, National Carbon Co. $48.50, Chas. H. Moore 816.48, International Boiler Co. 827.00, Standard Oil Co. 89 07, William Steele 854.70, Ingersoll Drill Co. 811.97, Schafer, Son & Lock 87.28, 11. B. Knoff, pay roll 85.00, Schafer, Son & Lock $12.72, Gas Co. 894.99, G R. & I. Railway Co. 81.38, John D. Hale $12.00, Wells Fargo Express Co. $.46, Bert Mann $7.80, Kirsch & Sellemeyer $93.35, Kirsch & Sellemeyer $19.80, J. K. Mann, pay roll 815.65, W. J. Archbold $1.50, Joe Mallonee 81.00, finance committee $41.19, Kirsch & Sellemeyer $4.48. A. N. Steele $127.10, W. J. Archbold, interest $604.62, M. A. Jackson $lO, Geo. Kinzle $45, Thos. Haefling S4O, M. J. i Mylott SSO, L. C. Helm, chief $B,l Ashbaucher & Bell $1.12, A. Schlegel | $4.65, J. K. Mann, salary $37,50, Wil- ■ liana Geary $5.00, H. B. Knoff, salary $37.50, Milligan Jackson S4O, C. N. Dorwin S4O. A resolution for the | construction of a public sewer in the i south part of the city was read. Niblick moved that same be adopted as read and the roll call was accordingly ordered by Mr. Beatty, resulting in a unanimous vote for the affirmative. Resolution was declared adopted and this concluded the business for the evening.

John Dickerson and Med Miller, of Geneva, former citizens of Decatur, are organizing a band in that enterI prizing little city. The boys are good ! musicians and will very probably effect a good organization. Harry E.« Bell who has been firing on the Panhandle railroad from Columbus, Ohio, to Pittsburg, is at home for a few days on account of a carbuncle on his right hand which prevents him from doing his work. “Doc” has an excellent position having already secured a regular run. He will return as soon as able, which will probably be sometime next week. A letter was received last week from Harry F. Winnes, an old decatur boy now located at Reedley, California, where he owns and operates a large general store. Harry writes an interesting letter, renews his allegiance to The Democrat and encloses a card of a new oil company recently organized in his section of the country. According to the card the company was ori ganized and incorporated September j 11,1899, with a capital stock of $250,- ' (MX), and Harry is secretary of the concern, which promises all kinds of future success. The “Me and Jack” company scheduled to show here Tuesday night failed to appear. They had one of the best shows on the road, and gave a clever entertainment at Anderson last Friday evening. Saturday morning the company gathered up their traps and prepared to move to Hartford City where they were billed for the evening, but alas' when it came time to settle their bills no manager was in sight. He had “vamoosed” and without leaving a cent. The members were forced to get to their homes the best way possible, and to cancel all dates. Lester and Williams were considered good comedidians and no doubt had a good attraction.

William M. Nichols died at the home of his mother, Mrs. Matilda Nichols, on Eighth street, at 7:30 yesterday morning. Since last August he had lieon a sufferer from anabscess I on the lungs, which gradually carried i him into consumption. He was a strong, robust appearing man, whom no one would have judged as a pos- , sible victim for this terrible disease. | He was born at Lancester, Ohio, Jan. i 18. 1863, and was thirty-seven years i and nineteen days of age. He removI ecl to this county with his parents in ; 1872, since which time iie has been a ! resident of Decatur. When a young man he learned the carpenter trade, at ' which business he has remained ever i i since, being considered one of the 1 ! best workmen in the state. “Billy,” j as he was familliarly known, was a I ; favorite wtih his comrades. He was • a pleasant, sociable fellow whom it was a pleasure to meet and who ever greeted you with a smile and a pleasant word. Besides the aged mother there remains to mourn his loss one ’ brother and one sister, Fred and Samantha Nichols, both residents of this city. Three brothers and two sisters have already proceeded him to the better land. He was a member of the Methodist church and the funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at two o’clock from the house conducted by Rev. W. H. Daniels. Many of our readers have no doubt, during the past two months, been ini terested in the story "In His Steps,” which has been published in the Democrat. This story has created interest all over the world, having been written by Rev. Sheldon, pastor of the Second Presbyterian church at Topeka, Kansas, and that gentleman is to become still more famous by publishing a newspaper for one week "as Jesus would.” The Topeka Daily Capital announces that on March 13 next its presses, franchises and entire editorial and business management of the paper will be transferred to Mr. Sheldon. For six days he will be its absolute owner. Unhampered, he will direct its course, edit its news columns, control its advertising. In every way his authority is to be supreme. The Sheldon edition is to be a paper that will be unique. Guarding its columns, as the flaming sword guarded : Eden, will lie the question, “What I Would Jesus do?” That is the chal- | lenge every piece of news, every editl orial, every advertisement will have to meet. The suggestion for this experiment took form in a question with which Mr. Sheldon startled the great Christian Endeavor convention at Detroit last July. He asked: “In this day when philantrophy munificently endows our institutions of learning, is there a man here who, recognizing the potency of the public press to make or mar civilization, will give $1,000,000 for the establishment of a daily Christian newspaper?” As to what Mr. Sheldon’s Christian daily will give its readers, and what it will with- i hold from them no one is definitely informed. Mr. Sheldon himself says that he is busy working out the details of his journalistic plans, but that he is not in a position to give specific information as to what they will lie. He is in daily conference with the reportorial and telegraphic news staffs of The Capital in order that it may be trained to handle news as Mr. Sheldon thinks it should be handled. The edition will no doubt be eagerly sought after and read the world over.

New cases filed with County Clerk Johnson since last week’s issue are James W. Middleton vs Frank Gast, possession of real eastate, demand SSOO, summons returnable February 16. William Drew vs Emily N. Drew, divorce, summons returnable March 31. Atty Bolds vs Homer Pontius, injunction, returnable February 20. A base ball league has again been organized in Indiana and six cities of the gas belt have already entered. The venture was launched at Marion last Sunday when representatives of the various cities were present. Much interest was manifested and the probabilities are that the league will have a good season and a reasonably long life. Teams will be supported at Muncie, Wabash, Kokomo, Anderson, Marion and Logansport. It was decided to limit the salaries of the teams to SBOO each per month. Six games per week will be played, three at home and three abroad, and the season will open May 3 and continue to October 3. Harry Moltz, one of the proprietors of the Boston store, arrived home Saturday evening from New York, where for ten days he had been selecting and buying the spring stock of goods for their big dry goods establishment in this city. The shipment will very probably be the largest ever brought to the city and bargains galore may be looked for upon their arrival. Keubler & Moltz are among our most enterprising merchants and twice a year one of the firm goes to the eastern markets where they purchase direct from the wholesaler, thus saving the jobber’s margin and allowing them to give better bargains to their customers. Watch for their display advertisements which appear often in the columns of the Democrat. Judge Heller convened the Adams circuit court Monday after a vacation of a week and business was transacted as follows: State vs J. C. F. Manley, motion filed to retax costs. State vs Nathan Menser, set for fourth Monday. State vs W. H. Ramey, practicing medicine without license, set for fourth Tuesday. State vs Frank Boyers, keeping child from school, set for trial fourth Tuesday. State vs Joseph Bremerkamp, appeal from justice of peace court, set for trial fourth Tuesday. Mary A. Lusch vs James A. Poole et al, from Allen county, set for third Thursday. In the ease of Marcellus M. Justice et al vs John King Jr. and John Hawk, a motion sustaining default and judgment was set aside and the cause dismissed. Eugene Wahle vs Jeff Lehman. executor of estate of Laban Boegle, claim, set for third Wednesday. Louise Bradley vs D. E. Studabaker, damages, set for fifth Monday. Edward Kinney vs Wm. Aspy. breach of contracts, set for fourth Wednesday. Caroline Smith vs Central Union Telephone Co, from Jay county, set for second Thursday. Henry Bair vs Knickerbrocker Oil Co., from Allen county, dismissed. Jane Hendricks vs W. G. Spencer, depositions ordered published. State vs A. E. Thomas and J. H. Hardison, complaint on recognizance, defendants were ruled to answer.

The county commissioners met in regular monthly session Monday and since have appointed Charles E. Bollinger, Harmon Sellemeyer and John R. Peoples as reviewers on the J. W. Vizard ditch petition. The J. W. Brown ditch petition was continued. The petition of Joseph Lower to change township boundary line, thereby. taking Judge Studabaker and one or two other Washington township taxpayers to Root township was continued. The petitions of L. W. Lewton and John Steele to accept gravel roads were also continued. Rachel A. Jeffrey prayed for the proper credentials of admission to the Feeble Minded Institute at Fort Wayne, which was granted. Dr. H. F. Costello asked to have the rules as promulgated by the state board of health published, as the law requires, which was ordered. Bids were opened for stone and masonry work on six bridges and four arches, and contracts were entered into with Calvin Miller, on the Holmes bridge for $3.24 per perch complete, Steele bridge old stone $1.65, new stone $2.55, Niblick bridge $2.85, Dutcher bridge $2.44, Bionz arch, new stone $2.92, old stone $1.65. J ulius Haugk was given the contract on the Heimberger bridge for $3.45 per perch complete, Miller arch $2.95, Booher arch $4.20. G. W. Schaffer presented a petition to the board yesterday asking for the appointment of viewers and the township to vote on a proposed crushed stone road which begins at the Jay county line, running north through Geneva, Ceylon and ends at the township line east of Berne. The line of road embraces about seven miles. The board found that the petition bore the signatures of more than fifty of the freeholders and voters of Wabash township, and immediately appointed W. E. Fulk engineer, and Janies M. Wiley and Frank Hisey viewers, with instructions to meet at a stated time and proceed with a survey and estimate of the costs thereof. Viewers upon the Coat Cook ditch petitions, numbered one and two, are Henry H. Meyers, William D. Hoffman and John R. Peoples.

CIRCULATION 2800 WEEKLY

NUMBER 48

Orestes K. Hoffmann, eldest eon of Peter Hoffmann, of Linn Grove, died very suddenly at Chicago last Friday. His remains were brought to this county on Monday and funeral services held from the Evangelical church at Linn Grove. A full account of his life may be found in our Linn Grove items in another column. His death was indeed a sad one and we extend our sympathy to the bereaved ones. The Grange order is becoming a popular one with the farmers of this county as is shown by the organization of another lodge last Friday evening. This time the community about Steele have been favored and hereafter the members will meet on Friday evenings of each week to transact such business as may regularly come before them. The officers who will conduct the Steele Grange during the coming year were duly installed at the meeting Friday evening and are as follows: Kirk Campbell, Master; Dye Ferguson, Overseer; William Frazier, Treasurer; Will Campbell, Lecturer, and Ves Campbell, Chaplain. Forty charter members were secured to start with and ten new ones were taken in at their first meeting, thus insuring a prosperous and interesting order. After an illness of many weeks during which time she was almost a constant sufferer, Mrs. Frank Railing died at her home in the west part of the city Thursday morning. The funeral services were held Sunday afternoon from the methodist church, under the auspices of the Rathbone Sisters, of which order the deceased was a devoted member. Rev. W. H. Daniels and Rev. J. Q. Kline conducted the services 1 at which time the following memoir of her life was read: Catherine Railing was born in Van Wert county, Ohio, Oct. 2, 1857, died Feb. 1, 1900, aged 42 years. 3 months and 29 days, June 25, 1891, she was united in marriage to J. F. Railing, who today, after so few years of wedded life, is sadly bereft of her cherished companionship. She leaves also a mother, three sisters, one brother, and a large number of other kindred in sorrow after her death. Before her removal to Decatur she had been for several years a member of the United Bretheren church of Van Wert county, Ohio. For a time her membership in this city was held in the Presbyterian church, and was then transferred, in deference to her husband’s preference, to the Methodist church, in which she remained a member until her death. She was also a member of the Rathbone Sisters and the Woman’s Relief Corps, the former being present in a body at the funeral services. It may come as a surprise to our readers to known that J. Thomas W. Lucky, of this city, has lately branched into sporting circles and if all reports be true the manner in which he starts off would do credit to any atheletic association in America. For a year or more Tom, as he is familiarly known here, has been employed as a collector for a Chicago picture concern. Only a few weeks ago duty called him to northern Ohio and in the daily routine of his business he met many people of everv description. Among them, so the story runs, was one who had won laurels and incidently many dollars by his great ability as a runner and his strong and sturdy breast was covered with medals earned by his fleetness of foot. Whether or not his sturdy form or the desire to suddenly become rich ' attracted the attention of our worthy acquaintance we have not yet been informed. Certain it is, however, that Mr. Lucky and the world famed sprinter joined forces, concocted a mammoth scheme, whereby they should go to Archbold. Ohio, home of the fleet conspirator, makeup a match and proceed to fleece the innocent people of the village out of an unlimited amount of their hard earned cash. The project advanced admirably. The innocents (who had secretly been tipped by the smooth individual) bit just as was desired. A match was secured and the day set, interest was awakened and evervthing appeared lovely for the sharks(?) who had a “cinch” on the game. Lucky posted SIOOO, any or all of which could be taken by the villagers and they “took.” ’Ere many hours had rolled by they had taken all the bets our deacon could rake and scrape, and then came the day for the great event. All was in readiness, contestants in good form, a pistol was fired and away they flew. For a time Luckey’s man looked like a walk-a-way, but gradually he lost until the last quaver came, when they were neck and neck running like mad and steaming and frothing at the mouth. On they plunged until finally the SIOOO man lost his footing and fell, the former coming under the wire in a dog trot. It is stated that the Adams County Atheletic Club was terribly sick and for several days hovered in a precarious condition at the village hotel but finally survived, came back to Hoosierdom and has not even yet ventured out of the township. We have many people here who have bucked the shell game, played against sure things etc., but never before has a Decaturite been bit while trying to bite others. Truly has it been said: “The life of a sporting man is a varied one and filled with many trials.”