Decatur Democrat, Volume 44, Number 23, Decatur, Adams County, 16 August 1900 — Page 1

A ll the news all the time.

VOLI ME XLIIII.

The annual meeting of the stock-| i, of the Citizens’ Telephone company will lie held at the office, of Secretary Schirmeyer, on the evening | of September 3, at which time five di-; rectors will be chosen. Mrs. A. R- Bell entertained a number of relatives at dinner yesterday i and a good time with plenty to eat 1S reported. The only drawback to the affair was the fact that only the ladies were invited. Misses Blanche and Bertha Hart | entertained a number of their young friends at their home, corner of Madj ß on and Fourth streets. Thursday evening. Refreshments were served and the young folks thoroughly enjoyed the occasion. E, X. Ehinger, Nick Miller, W. A. Keubler and Charles Niblick formed a party who drove to Fort Wayne Sunday and attended the ball game between the Fort Wayne team and the Toledo Mud Hens, the latter winning by a score of five to one. The first democratic rally of the year occurred last Friday evening, when James McDaniel, a life-long republican, directed the raising of a hickory pole in front of his home, southeast of the city. Quite a number from this city attended and the occasion was a lively one. Hon. D. E. Smith addressed the crowd and everybody had a splendid time. Let the good work go on. A large number of Decatur citizens were at Fort Wayne last Sunday to attend the ball game between the team of that city and Toledo, the principal attraction being ““Hoggie” Taylor, who is playing third base with the latter team. Taylor has been with the Mud Hens about six weeks and is said to be giving excellent satisfaction. In Sunday’s game he made two hits and played errorless. He is the same old boy who distinguished himself by holding down the third bag here last season, which fact of itself is sufficient to secure him a place in the Inter-state. A franchise for the Mcllheny electric line was granted at a meeting of the commissioners last Friday. The life of the franchise is thirty-five years and it is to Ire built not nearer than fifteen feet to the center of the highway- not to occupy any of the bridges and as a matter of fact, the road occupied by them is to be kept in repair by them, They will stop at every intersecting road to take on passengers or freight, give a bond of SIO,OOO for the faithful performance of their contract and pay into, the county treasury thirty dollars per mile for every mile of road operated in the county. The franchise is void after 1901 if no work has begun upon the construction of the road. Henry Kranz, who was shot by John Braun last spring was at Fort Wayne Monday for the purpose of having an examination performed on him by means of the X rays. The instrument showed that the bullet which entered the left breast near the heart, had in some peculiar manner worked itself alrout until it now lies back of the right breast. The wound is not causing any trouble, nor probably ever will, but Henry wanted to feel certain in the matter and to know for hi:: own satisfaction just where the leaden ball was lying. The physicians decided that it would not be the thing to do to try and remove the bullet as it is not causing any trouble at present and in Mr. Kranz’s condition an attempt to remove same might prove fatal. The marriage of Miss Wilhelmena Jane Myers to Mr. Rollo C. Fifer occurred at the residence of the brides parents, corner of Fifth and Jackson streets Thursday evening. The affair was a quiet one only a few of the immediate friends and relatives being present. Miss Mary Myers, bister of the bride acted as maid of honor and Mr. Clifford Pifer, brother of the groom as best man. Rev. G. Hunter Myers, of Fortville officiated and performed the sacred ceremony in a most impressive manner. The wedding partv entered the parlors from the hall and stood before a bank of beautiful flowers while the words were spoken which joined two happy hearts. The bride wore a gown of Persian lawn and carried roses, while the bridesmaid work pink silk and carried carnations. The groom and groomsman were dressed in the conventional black. The ceremony was performed at six o'clock and after congratulations were tendered, a dainty dinner m three courses was served. T’was a happy wedding supper and the occasion a most brilliant one. Mr. and Mrs. Pifer left at 7:57 over the Erie for Bellefountuine Ohio, where they will make their future home and the Itest wishes of many Decatur friends will ever be with them. Among those who witnessed the ceremony ’’•“re a number of friends from a distance, including Rev. ami Mrs. H. Daniels, Miss Margia Hanna, "Esses Daisy and DeEtta Davis, u H ' F ni ‘ly Greswold and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Harding. Fort Wayne; ‘J*? 8 Lena and Flossie Pifer, Forest v“°A? 1 ' 88 <)ra l Adams, Portland; “ lr . (. lifford Pifer, Bellefountaine and vdle atKl Mrs ' G ' H ' Mye ”’ ° f F ° rt '

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Picture fakirs, book agents and swindlers of various kind are in the city this week and everyone should know how to meet such people. Remember if you want any kind of goods you can secure them of home merchants for less money than of an agent. As recorded on the entry docket this week at the county clerks office are four new cases entitled respectively Mauda M. Dulin vs Samuel A. Dulin, divorce and alimony, demand SIOOO. Emma F. Gilbert vs Chicago & Erie Ry company, damages, demand SIO,OOO. Herdleston I. K. Roe! vs Mary M. Roe, divorce. Luella Huston vs Joseph Wallace Huston, divorce. The by-laws and rules for the government of the Decatur Driving Club j have just been printed and are now in the hands of Secretary Johnson. The rules show complete and thorough organization and the! club is bound tosucceed. Our citizens should endorse this movement and assist them in every way possible. Several new members have joined this week and everything points to some good races vet this season. Peterson & France, attorneys, have filed a suit entitled Mrs. Emma F. Gilbert vs. the Chicago A Erie Railroad company, a corporation, asking for SIO,OOO damages. The case recalls the accident which occurred at the Mercer street crossing last January, when Mrs. Gilbert and her husband were hurled a distance of a hundred feet, white their baby was carried on the pilot for nearly two squares. A suit was filed by Mr. Gilbert shortly after the accident but has not yet been tried. The accident seems to have been due to the carelessness of the company and both caseswill probably result iu verdicts for the plaintiffs. Yes, it’s been awful hot for the last few days and everybody, big and little, thin and fat, have suffered accordingly, but Charley Murray must be near desperation, and as a sort of comforter keeps constantly humming: “Take up the fat man’s burden, go soak your shirt in sweat, and seek in vain for a cooling breeze with face all steaming wet; go tiy and find some shady spot where you can sit and stew and have some snoozer spring the gag “Is it hot enough for you?” Take up the fat man’s burden, a hundred in the shade! Three hundred pounds of adverdupois to soak in lemonade. | Oh, for an hour in Klondike! Oh, for the Arctic snow! Ring off your balmy breezelets, and let the blizzards blow.” The most terrible wreck ever known on the Grand Rapids A Indiana railroad occurred just at daylight yesterday morning thirty miles north of Grand Rapids, Michigan, when the north bound passenger due here at 11:08 collided with south bound passenger train number 2, due here at 1:19 p. m. Nine lives were lost and a number of people seriously hurt. The dead and wounded are all train employes, excepting two. C. Pierson of Franklin, Indiana, and W. G. Hort sow, who were passengers. The north bound train was the finest on the“ road. The accident was caused by operator Wells of Mill Creek, who failed to deliver orders to the north bound train to side track at Sand Lake. Both trains were going at full speed. No one from this county was on the train so far as heard from. The rumor that John 11. Hurst, son of James Hurst of this city, had fallen a victim at the battle of Yang Tsuu. in China, on August 6. is not true, at least the boy’s parents are not in the least inclined to believe same, although the story created much excitement when first circulated. The battle of Yang Tsuu was a terrible one and a number of Americans were shot down bv the Russian soldiers through i a mistake, which is described by press dispatches as follows; “’1 he Four-i teenth Regiment took part in the at tack on the Chinese trenches. As the ! Chinese fled the regiment entered and I occupied one of the Chinese positions. | A Russian battery some distance off | did not notice the movement. It open!ed fire on the position and planted I shells among the American troops. The Russians were quickly notified and ceased their tire.” Young Hurst was in the battle, being a member of company H, Fourteenth Infantrv, but he is believed to be safe. The list of wounded included the name of James i H. Hurst, corporal company F. Fourj teenth Infantry, and by some it was believed that this was our brave boy. However, in an interview with the boys i father, that gentleman said: “Ido not believe my boy was wounded for several reasons, first his name is John Henry Hurst and not James H. Hurst; second. he is a nienilier of company H instead of F; and third, he is a private and not a corporal.” John Hurst is still from all reports safe and sound and will no doubt return to tell his experience with the Boxers. He is seventeen rears ol# and joined the regulars iu May, 1899, having been in the Philippine until w l sailed with his company to ( hum. His parents recieveda letter from him last Saturday which was written the dav previous tohisdeparture, in which he'stated he was in good health ami | could stand the trip if the rest of the; I boys could. I

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 1900.

h|LLAXLXIIIXAIAXXIILXXL£IAIJJU.XLIILLLI.LI_LI.II_LI.IXIIk: •S l wi n sending out statements to delinquent subscribers •s " August 20. We intend to renew our liberal offer of last year £ 3 and send the Democrat for one year, when paid iu advance, for h SI.OO. Otherwise the price is $1.50. • Therefore, if you want the Democrat for one dollar, pay in advance one year from August 20. H The Indiana State Sentinel will be given all year-in-advance h subscribers. ’ H • B T'TTT tt TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT TTTir

F. M. Schirmeyer and family came home yesterday from Winona, where I they had been rusticating. Mrs. Schirmeyer and Irene have been there for two weeks and report a pleasant outing. Lee Martz was over from Bluffton yesterday talking to the boys about the reunion of the 160th which goes into camp there for two days. Mr. Martz was one of the gallant soldiers in the war of the rebellion and likewise during the latter skirmish with Spain. The jury in the trial of Millie Quigg charged with the murder of John R. Dilley, at Celina, reported a disagreement to the court Friday evening at six o’clock, after being out thirty-six hours. The Standard says: “When the court house bell rang last evening at six o’clock, the town turned out eu masse to hear the verdict. People were not surprised when Judge Armstrong announced that the jury had disagreed, eight of the jurors favoring acquittal, while four held out for conviction. Mrs. Quigg, who had awaited the report with intense anxiety depicted on her countenance, was then returned to jail to await further action.” Dick France, our famous athlete, accompanied the Fort Wayne Shamrocks to Bremen last Satuday where he pitched a great game of ball, winning same by a score of Bto 0, and leaving the Bremen sluggeis down with three hits. On Sunday. Robbins, the regular pitcher, was to have joined the team but he failed to put in an appearance and Dick again went into the box. winning 7 to 1. and allowing but five scattering hits. A passed ball by the catcher allowed the only : run for Bremen or the second game | would have also been a shut out. Dick now becomes a regular member !of the Shamrocks and will go with [ them next Sunday to Celina and the ! next to Auburn. They will play at i Richmond on labor day. Jack Burke, for several years a i plumber in this city, has tired of domestic ties and left for unknown parts where he will start life anew. He left last Sundav and yesterday sent won! to his family here that he was disgusted with the plumbing business and things in general and expected to get something to do in some other line of business. He told his wife to get along tho best way she could and to do whatever she considered the proper thing for herself and family. The letter was written from White Pigeon, Michigan. Mrs. Burke is an estimable woman and has the sympathy of everyone. She has two children, the youngest of which has l>een quite ill for several days. She will return to her former home as soon as possible. Jack left town without informing his employers. Rose A Bell, of the fact, and they have consequently Ireen greatly inconvenienced this week. However, they will secure a new man in a day or two, and affairs will probably be" running smoothly before long. Two tough looking young tramps who are no doubt criminals and crooks of some notoriety were taken in Tuesday morning after a little brush, and are now in jail awaiting trial at the September term of court. They arrived on a Chicago & Erie freight from the east during the morning and went at onee to Mathias Schafer's saloon where they drank about forty cents worth of beer within fifteen minutes. They then came down I street and one of them went into j Schafer, Son A Loch’s hardware store and bought ten cents worth of cartridges for a3B calibre revolver. From there they went to Meyers' saloon and I drank another beer each and called for soup. Mr. Meyers was not in at this time and his boy who was on duty went to the rear of the room to get the soup. While the boy was away one of the strangers slipped behind the counter and robbed the money drawer of alxiut $1.50. Ashe was leaving the boy returned and asked him what he was doing back of the bar, and was told that he was after some salt. The boy noticed the drawer open and suspecting something went and looked in, thus discovering the loss. He called his father who was out in front and Mr. Meyers held the two hoboes there while his son went for Marshal Hart. That officer took them in tow and started to jaii with them, but the taller of the villians decided to try to escape and when he got to the cor ner of Madison street made a dash west. Marshal Hart whipped out his revolver and ordertsl him to stop, which he did after running alxrut fifteen feet. Again when in front of the court house the young man got off the track but was soon started in j tho right direction by a tap on tho | head by Harvey's mace. They were tried before Mayor Beatty during the afternoon and bound over to court on I I the charge of larceny.

The Ben Hur Social at the court house lawn Saturday evening was a most successful and pleasant occasion, successful from a financial point because forty-five gallon of ice cream was disposed of and pleasant because everybody enjoyed themselves. Music was furnished during the evening and the crowd was easily the largest one for such an event in Decatur this season. A deal was consumated Tuesday afternoon where by Boch & King disposed of their livery, feed and sale stable on First street to Enos Peoples, the proprietor of the large Second street stables. The new owner took possession at once and will proceed to run a first class barn in every way. New rigs and horses will be " added and the stable soon be one of the finest equipped in the city. James M. Rice will act as manager of the new barn and will look after Mr. People’s interests. Enos has been having a largei trade than he could handle and the new barn will place him in excellent shape for handling his customers. A representative from this office enjoyed a ride to John W. Vogelwede’s plum farm just west of the city last Saturday, and was shown over fifteen as pretty acres of laud as may be found out of doors. The plum orchard covers about five acres of ground and contains over two hundred trees, the limbs of which are simply loaded down with the choicest Lombards ever marketed hereabouts. The yield will certainly reach near the five hundred bushel mark and as John’s prices are most reasonable he will probably have no trouble in disposing of the entire crop. The farm is a model of neatness and the trees show great care and labor, but the revenue from this year's output will no doubt be a pleasing payment for same. President Benjamin Norton, of the Clover Leaf, returned yesterday from his tour of inspection over the line. As a result, he will have some changes and improvements made in the road and its equipment, and will have the roadbed placed in first class condition. He stated yesterday that as soon as the arrangement could be made and improve its passenger and freight service. Among other improvements to be made will be several vestibuled passenger trains and one or two fast freight lines. This will be quite an important improvement, and one which will lx appreciated by patrons of the road. An order has Ireen issued for the removal of the office of the superintendent of the St. Louis division from St. Louis to Charleston, while thedispatchersof the St. Louis division are removed from St. Louis to Frankfort. where the dispatchers of the Toledo division are also located. This is done for the purpose of concentrating the various branches of the transportation department. Toledo Times. A pretty home wedding took place Wednesday evening, at the home of the bride's paint’s. Dr. and Mrs. A. C. Ridout, 124 North I nion street. The contracting parties were E. E. Eichar. of Lima and Miss Nellie B Ridout, second daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Ridout. Only the immediate friends of the family were present. The beautiful ring ceremony was user! ami Rev. M. B. Pratt officiated. A course supper was served at 10 o’clock. The young couple were the recipients of many beautiful presents, among which was a diamond brooch, a present from the groom to tho bride. The wedding occurred at 7:30 o’clock, in the parlor, which was beautifully decorated with palms, smilax and cut | flowers. The bride wore a beautiful gown of foulard silk, trimmed in lace, and carried bride's roses. Mr. and Mrs. Eichar left Thursday morning, for a trip to Cleveland, Buffalo, Niagara Falls and other eastern cities. They will return bv way of Chautauqua lake, and will be at home to their many friends after September 1, at 418 North Metcalf street, Lima, O, The groom is a dispatcher in the operating department of the Standard Oil company s office at Lima, and has been train dispatcher of the D., L, and N. railroad, as well as ticket agent at Lima.. The bride is the aecond daughter of Dr. and Mrs. A. C. Ridout, formerly of Lima, who have lived in Akron about six months. The guests at the wedding were: P. R. Spray, Youngstown; Miss Margaret Eichar, of Decatur, Ind: Miss Ella Grimsey, of Warren; A. Krause, of Chicago; and Mr. and Mrs. M. B. Pratt, of Akron. - Akron Beacon. The groom is a former Decatur boy and has friends here galore, who will greet him and his fair bride gladly, should they visit us as they no doubt will in the near future. Ed has worked himself up to a splendid position and deserves the brightest future possible. The Democrat extends congratulations.

The banner picnic of the season was held at \\ att, Ohio, last Saturday and was attended by an enormous crowd. J. W. Place furnished the refreshments and the order was one of the largest ever received from a picnic party iu this section, consisting of eighty gallons of ice cream and twenty-six cases of soft drinks. Even with that amount of goods they were unable to satisfy the wants of the crowd. Yesterday at the homeof the bride’s parents Mr. and Mrs. John Clem, of Union township, occurred the marriage of their daughter Alice J. Clem to J. F. Nungester of North Dakota. The wedding ceremonies were attended by relatives and a number of friends of the bride and groom, all of whom showered congratulations and many costly presents upon the happy bride and groom. They will leave in a few days for their future home in the west. For the first time in its history the managers of Robinson Park jjill permit the selling of intoxicating drinks in that popular resort. Robinson Park gained its reputation all over Northern Indiana because of its having been so carefully guarded from everything bordering on the tough order. Not only has the sale of intoxicating drinks been strictly pro*hibited but all intoxicated persons or objectionable characters of all kinds have been carefully excluded. So well have the regulations in references to these things been carried out that it was a safe and proper place for ladies and children to go at any time unattended. There is no doubt that the managers will find that this innovation will cost them much of their most desirable patronage. Out of four cases filed with County Clerk Johnson this week, three are divorce proceedings, and this is about the ratio of new cases for the past several months. Such a record is certainly a disgrace to our county and state and it seems there should Ire some means of checking same. In all three cases abandonment is the principal charge and in two of the cases the parties cohabited together but two months. The complaint in the case of Maude Dulin vs Samuel Dulin shows they were married March 23. 189 L at Monroe and lived together until May 31 of the same year, when the husband left, going to Illinois where he has since accumulated some property and a restraining order has been issufd to prevent him from disposing of same. One child has been born to them. H. I. K. Roe and Marv M. Roe were married in Blue Creek township Julv 21. 1899. and lived together until October 1. 1899, when the wife left her happy home and has since remained away. Luella Huston and Joseph Huston were married July 9. 1881, and resided together a« man and wife until June 7. 1898. when the husband tired of family duties and went to Chattanooga. Ohio, where he still lives. Five children ranging in age from ten to eighteen years were left for the poor mother to support, which she has done by hard work, and without any assistance whatever from the father. John Potter, night clerk at the Burt house for several months, is missing, as is also $l2O left with him for safe keeping by J. C. Frame, of Indianapolis, and Mr. Frank Hill, proprietor of the hotel is looser that amount. Mr. Frame, who represents a stove and range firm at Piqua, Ohio, arrived at 7:16 Friday evening and went at once to the Burt House, where he registered and handed the clerk a roll of bills containing so he claims the sum of $l2O, asking that it lie placed in the safe over night. As several parties were at the desk at the time, Mr. Frame did not deem it necessary to secure a receipt and consequently did not ask for any. Potter had been drinking quite heavily during the day. owing probably to the fact that he had been called down pretty severely by a traveling man early during the morning and when he went on duty at seven o'clock in the evening was still under the influence. These facts with the opportunity presented when the money was given him for safe keeping led to the embezzlement and flight. He told the porter at two o'clock that he was going to walk around a block or two and went immediately to the Chicago & Erie depot when he boarded a west bound train and has not since been heard of or from. The porter waited patiently for his return, but as hour after hour passed he became very much worried and finally about six o’clock proceeded to call Mr. Hill. He knew nothing of the money and supposed that John had drank a little too much aud left town. About a half hour after how ever ho became aware of the facts of the case when Mr. Frame called and demanded the money hi' had left for safe keeping and same was found missing. Police authorities at Chicago and other cities along the C. & E. were notified but no due as to Prof. Potter's whereabouts have yet lieon obtained. Although Mr. Frame had no receipt or any means whatever, ot showing his loss, lus claim of $l2O was promptly paid bv Mr. Hill, thus showing the responsibility and strictly business methods of the Burt.

CIRCULATION 2800 WEEKLY

NUMBER 23

MILTON BRIENER KILLED. The Young Son of Storekeeper Henry Briener, of Peterson, Accidentally Shot by Robert Beery, Yesterday Afternoon. Milton Emerson Briener. only child of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Briener pf Peterson, was shot yesterday afternoon by a target gun in the hands of Robert Beery and died as a result of the wound within five minutes. A crowd of young men aud boys were shooting at a target fastened upon a box car just north of Briener’s store. The sport had been kept up for some time and the boys had become a little careless. Miiton Briener had come from his home over to his father’s store, secured some peanuts and stood just outside eating them and watching the boys. Robert Beery, twentyone years old, stood about fifteen feet away trying to extricate a flobert which had lodged in his target gun. Without a moment's notice the gun was discharged and the leaden message of death was buried in the left breast of little Milton. With a cry of pain he turned and started towards his papa, but had gone but a few’ feet w hen he sank. Tender hands carried him into the store, but he had already lost consciousness and within a few minutes his young soul had found refuge in the better world. The bullet had entered between the first and second ribs just above the heart and had severed the ascending carotid artery, causing an internal hemorrhage and almost instant death. Robert Beery, who did the shooting, is the son o’s Joseph Beery, is twenty-one years of age aud should have certainly been more careful. The shooting, however, was entirely accidental and the young man’s grief is most pitiable. Everybody loved Milton Briener who knew him, handsome and manly, bright beyond his years, he made friends with everyone aud there is sadness in his community today. The mother and father are unconsolable over the loss of their only and beloved son and their sorrow seems almost unbearable. Milton was four years and eight months of age. Shortly after the accident Coroner Clark was notified and hastened to the scene where he held the inquest returning a verdict of ‘“death by the accidental discharge of a target gun in the hands of Robert Beery.” Several Decatur people are said to have been present at the time of the sad occurrence aud Jesse Robinson was standing quite near the boy when the accident happened. The occurrence is most sad aud the family, as well as the young man who is blamed for the accident, have sympathy of everyone. W. J. Houck of Marion, was nominated yesterday at Huntington, as the democratic candidate for congress iu the eleventh district. Mr. Houck is a lawyer aud stands well in the councils of his party. He will give George W. Steele, the republican candidate a hard chase. A wind and electric storm passed over this part of the state Sunday morning doing considerable damage to property and crops. The storm came up very quickly and iu less than half an hour from the time the first cloud was noticed in the southwest had broken in all its fury. The center of the destructive elements seems to have been about two miles south of this city where great losses are reported to buildings and crops. At the county infirmarv, the building occupied by the helpless was unroofed and one of the inmates. Grandfather Haley, struck on the head by a piece of failing timber. He was hurt quite badly although not seriously, perhaps. The windmill on the same farm, as well as fences, corn, etc., were blown down. A barn on the farm of Andrew Miller just south of town was totally destroyed, as was also a barn on the Samuel Christen farm. The Hines school house was unroofed and many other buildings considerably damaged. In that section it is said the storm seemed to come up within five minutes, the air was very oppressive aud for some time it was dark as night. The greatest loss will probably be from the blowing down of the corn, which already heavy with the golden ears will probably be a total loss in many of the fields. Quite a number of Decatur citizens were in the midst of the storm. Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Fristoe aud the latter’s father and nephew were on their way to Pleasant Mills and were compelled to seek shelter, the two former being at Joseph Johnson’s and the latter two at the infirmary. Elmer Johnson and family had driven out to their farm south of the city and selected a pleasant spot in tlie woods where they expected to rest during the day and enjoy a carefully prepared lunch which had lieen taken with them. The storm came upon them before they were aware aud they were forced to remain in the woods with trees cracking aud falling on every side until the fury had subsided. Elmer says the clouds were so low that they could reach them, and the air was so oppressive they could scarcely breathe. The storm seems to have been pretty general and did great havoc froth in VanWert and Wells counties. The rain was much needed, however, and |he cooling breezes were most welcome to everyone.