Decatur Democrat, Volume 45, Number 7, Decatur, Adams County, 25 April 1901 — Page 1

AtL THE NEWS ALL THE TIME.

VOLUME XLV.

The Red Men’s lodge were in their g lorv last evening and the banquet at which they sat to was a hummer. A number of new members Were initiat e l Tuesday evening and last night’s event was in their honor. Miss Geneveive Hale entertained a crowd of her voting friends at her home on Fifth street Saturday even ing. and an enjoyable time is the ver diet of those present. Dancing, games and refreshments were among the amusements. »w cases filed this week are Jacob Barkley vs Simon Barkley, Petition to have defendant declared of unsound mind. John W. Voglewede vs Toledo, ? St. Louis & Western Railway Co.,' damages $5,000. State vs Isaac King, removing timber. State vs Mary E. Overhulser, Arson. William Loshe to Elizalieth Apple man is the only marriage license issued at the clerk's office this week. They were married from the St. Mary’s 1 Catholic church Tuesday morning. Both are well known young people, and we offer our sincere congratula- I tions and good wishes for their future I lives. Quo Vadis at Bosse's opera house i Tuesday night was well presented and a large crowd attended. Beni dicts company is one of the best on the road and no citv need hesitate in giving them an audience. They carry a large amount of special scenery and each and every member is an actor of of merit. R. G. Kerlin of Toledo, Ohio, and the head of what is known as the Ker lin Bros. Company, has asked, and has been granted the franchise for an electric line in the city of Montpelier. It is proposed to run a line from Montpeliar to Marion. It looks very much like a good venture, and if the Kerlin’s take a hold of it in earnest it will lie built in a short time. The D. W. Beerv horse sale at the Draker livery stable on Pearl street, yesterday afternoon did not attract a crowd of buyers. Twenty-one head of horses were disposed of, the soiling prices ranging from s<>o to $335. Mr. F B. Robinson, of Richmond, bought a team of draft horses, paying $320 for one of the animals and $335 for the other. Fort Wavne Journal Gazette. Fred Winnes and Wallace Litin. two popular young men of this city, left Saturday night for San Francisco. California. They will also visit several other cities in that western state and if they secure employment will probably be absent some time. Fred is a blacksmith by trade and Wallace a cigar maker, both fine boys who will get along tip top in any country or climate they may visit. Daniel Urick, of Monroe township, went to Portland Wednesday to apI>ear lief ore the board of examiners for an increase of pension. Mr. Urick was a member of the 12th regiment of Indiana Volunteers during the war of the rebellion, one of the regiments that conducted Shermau to the sea, and while carrying timber for a bridge in South Carolina, he hurt his back, which has since been giving him trouble, and for the last year has pained him so that he is unable to work. Adams County Times. A recent issue of the Muncie Morning Star gave us the following information: The firm of Cranor & Maun has been disolved. Ex Senator O. N. Cranor retired from the firm and also from the law practice in this city. A co-partnership has lieen formed between J. Frank Mann and Ralph W. Ross and they will be found at their office in the Odd Fellows block where they are now ‘‘at home” to their many friends. Both members of Mann X Ross are well known in Muncie. Mr. J. Frank Mann is the well known chairman of the democratic county committee and Ralph W. Ross was for several years deputy prosecuting attorney under Edward White.

Criminal and civil cases have lx**n attended to in the circuit court this week as follows: State vs Frank Kuby and Joseph Eicher, forgery, prosecuting attorney permitted to ‘withdraw the note alleged to be forged from files for the period of two days. State vs John Gephart, forgery, bond fixed at SSOO and case set for fifth Wednesday. State vs Evelyn Echert, perjury, jury impanelled and ease tried. State vs Marv E. Overholser, avson, bond fixed at SSOO and same given. State vs Isaac King, removing timber, bench warrant issued. Lake Shore & Michigan Southern and Ft. Wayne & Jackson Kailway Co. vsCityof Ft. Wavne, M for seventh Monday. Abraham Baegly vs Wabash school township, third paragraph made more specific, demurer filed. Reuben Grist vs Ohio Oil Co., motion for new trial overruled, appeal to appellate court granted and i>ond of $1,700 fixed ami filed. John S. Bowers vs Calvin Miller et al,‘joint answer filed by defendants, rule to reply. Christ Ashbaucher vs Isaac Bowman, set for next Saturday. Lucie Deßrat vs Edwin Heller, executor, answer filed in two paragraphs, rule to reply. Alferd Deßrat vs Edwin Heller, executor, motion by defendant to have claim made more specific. James T. Mann and A. P. Beatty vs Adams county, rule to answer.

In a number of the states of this great republic an election for the United States senate is much like the election of a Roman emperor in the days of Caesar something to be knocked down to the highest bidder. This is a disgraceful fact.

Roman Barthel and Frank Schumaker arrived home Sunday from Buffalo. They say the exposition grounds are not nearly completed and will not be entirely so before August. I There was no chance for work and the j boys did not care to wait for an opening. The following have paid their sub scription to the Democrat since our last report: John Robison, W. W. Stewart, David Glockler, John Parrish, Fred Keuckenberg. Martin Miller, Henry Hite, Albert Reppert, Bert Hendricks, A. W. Graber. J. D. Nidlinger, Martin Jaberg, J. Christen, jr., I and A. J. Suman. The telephone girls have a huge ‘ joke on Jim Place and they say he is not nearly so wise as he would have I people believe. Just ask him if he! cares to take a chance on a base drum ' and he’d hand you ten cents and ask you to take something on him. Why, they say he is actually getting so easy that if he can’t get you the money any other way he will send it by mail. Upon information of Ellsworth Blazer a case has been filed against lesac King charging him with petit larceny. The exact crime with which he is charged is said to lie that of cutting a white oak tree on the laud of said Blazer. The tree is valued at seven dollars and the act was committed on February I,ll*ol. The case was first filed for removing timber but this was dismissed. An exchange of business of considerable importance was made Mon day morning, when the Methodist ladies turned over to the Christian ladies their manmouth stock of runimage goods on Monroe street. The M. E. people were in charge eleven days and as a reward for their earnest endeavors, now have credited to their bank account nearly SIOO. of which amount something like $99.99 is clear profit. The sale will continue for some time yet or as long as business continues as briskly as it has and the new proprietors solicit your patronage. If you have anything you don’t want take it to them, and if there is anything you do want go there and see if you can't find it on their bargain counters. The new agent at the Clover Leaf depot is to be John Jewell, that fact having already been decided upon by the controlling powers of the corporation. although the change has not actually taken place and Ed Whinery is still in charge. Mr. Jewell has been serving as agent at Ohio Citv for some time and the company have decided jto promote him to the agency hero. However, the operator who is to take bis place at Ohio City is now engaged lon the Chicago Erie road and John cannot leave until his successor can arrange to go to work. Hence Mr. Whinery has not yet been relieved. His family have already removed to Muncie and Ed will join them as soon as possible which will be within i a few days. The new agent here is I well known and his popularity is 1 assured as he has lieen connected ! with the office here for several years prior to his appointment at Ohio City. Mary E. Overhulser, a w’ell known lady of this county was arrested yes terday morning on a charge of arson and placed under SSOO bond, which she duly gave. The indictment is ohe returned by the late grand jury and the docket entry is entitled State vs Mary E. Overhulser and one other, the latter having been not yet placed under arrest. The indictment says that on the 20th day of June, 1900, said Mary E. Overhulser and one other person did then unlawfully and wilfully conspire together to burn a certain dwelling house and did shortly afterwards set fire to and burn said dwelling situated on a farm south lof this city, valued at SIOO. The house was the property of Mrs. Over hulser and was insured in the Contii nental Insurance company of New i York for S2OO, twice its value. It is I claimed that Mrs. Overhulser went to another person, whose name has not lieen made public, told her the si-heme of burning said building for the insurance thereon, and offered said party twenty five dollars to do the work. The offer was accepted and a few days latter the building burned to the ground. The insurance company was notified and promptly settled their loss, believing it to be a just one. Afterwards it is said the party who had done the work demanded the promised twenty five which, however was not forthcoming and the accom plice to get even told the story to a number of neighbors. The company heard of the affair and sent a representative here to investigate, with the result that the matter was taken liefore the grand jury and an indictment returned. Mrs. Overhulser would have been arrested a week ago, but was visiting at Lima, Ohio, and upon her return was promptly taken in charge. The case will be heard in the circuit court within a short time and will very probably create considerable interest.

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 1901.

t Why is a newspaper like a woman? Various answers may be given, viz: “Because it has to have someone to run it,” “Because both have to be known to be appreciated.” “Because it changes its dress.” But the correct answer is: “Because every man should have one of his own and not be running after his neighbor’s.” A surprise upon Mrs. Albers at her home, corner of Jackson and Third streets, was given Friday evening in honor of her having arrived at the seventy-first anniversary of her birth. The affair was planned by herdaughter Mrs. C. K. Bell and was a most successful and enjoyable event. The supper was sumptous and nicely served and was greatly appreciated by all. B. J. Terveer Monday received a package of plants and flowers from Germany which he will proceed to grow at his home on Fifth street and if any one on earth can make them grow we know Barney can. He has been busy for several weeks setting out plants and otherwise beautifying his lawn, which already has the reputation of being the most attractive in the city. A special train of five coaches carrying about 300 Bluffton K. of P. members passed through here on their way to Fort Wayne, where they witnessed degree work as given by one of the best teams in Ohio. The run was made over the Clover Leaf and G. R. & I. railways and the fact that they got the business over the Lake Erie & Western, a direct route, shows that some one must have made an effort of more than ordinary size. The supreme court Thursday in reversing a judgement for damage recovered by Claude Bennett against Edward Bogue held that a city has no power by ordinance to exclude from streets automobiles, bicycles, traction engines and other vehicles operated by other than horse power. The fact that they interfere with drivers of animals makes no difference. Bennett, a twelve years old boy, while riding a bicycle, collided with a traction engine that Bogue was running through the streets of Kokomo. One of the facts | relied on to show that the injury was j the result of Bogue’s negligence was that he was running the engine through the streets in violation of a city ordinance. Judge Monks wrote the opinion of the court. A quartette of our citizens are contemplating an extensive trip throughout the western states. T. B. Hunter, Lew Butin, W. H. Rupright and son, Wence, will compose the partv. They expect to take the train and goto Denver. Colorado. At that point they will organize an emigrant train and start overland for the Golden Gate. They will probably loiter for a few weeks in I Yellowstone Park and explore some of i the largest gold and silver mines in Arizona, scale the summit of the immortal Pikes Peak, and after reaching the coast will dispose of their mules and wagons and take a ship journey homeward, going to the Hawaiian Islands and around the cape of Good Hope. If the present plans are carried out they will harbor at New Orleans and travel by the way of water to Cincinnati. The journey is one of the largest ever projected by Ossian people, and the note book of these tdlirists will no doubt be a source of much valuable and interesting study upon their return. Ossian News.

John Ralph, owner of a tin shop at Geneva, was hurled into eternity almost instantly about eight o'clock Tuesday morning by the explosion of a small tinner’s stove. He was doing some work in the rear of his shop when the terrible accident occurea. and no one being near, the true cause will never be known. It is presumed that a gas had formed from the gasoline with which the stove is heated and and when Ralph struck a match to light same, the explosion occured. The stove was one of the small hand furnaces which we have all seen car ried about the streets by tinners hundreds of times and which look inno- ! cent enough, and are when properly handled. The shop of Mr. Ralph is located on Line street and was badly wrecked by the awful force of the ex plosion, the plate glass front being torn out and one side of the building shattered, making a loss of several hundred dollars. Ralph’s internal organs were blown from his Ixxly. Part of his intestines were found hanging on a nail and pieces of lungsand heart were scattered all over the room while the ceilings and walls were spattered with his blood. The limbs and head were not injured but the whole force of the explosion seemed to have struck him near the stomach. The deceased man was forty-five years old and leaves a wife and six children. He came to Geneva in 1892 a poor man, but by hard work accumulated quite a little property and some money. The family will also receive $1,500 life insurance. Coroner Clark of this city was informed of the accident by ’phone and went down Tuesday afternoon. He says that it is his opinion that the explosion was entirely too forcible for so s.uall .an amount of gasoline and believes that it was the work of nitro glycerine, although he is at a loss to know how any of that deadly fluid would have been in the shop.

A two-year-old child was found dead in lied at the Orphans Home at Berne Wednesday night of last week. The child had lieen suffering from whooping cough for several days but was not thought to be seriously ill when put to bed. However, two hours later when a nurse went to see how the infant was doing she found her cold in death. Coroner Clark says he believes death was caused from strangulation. Judge Shively of the Wabash circuit court Monday overruled a motion for a new trial in the case against murderer John Rinkard and sentenced him to be hanged August 23, next. Peterson & France, attorneys of this city defended Rinkard, but the deed with which he was charged, that of murdering his wife, was one of the most atrocious in the history of the state and his able counsel were-power-less to save him from the severest penalty of the law. Will Phillips, a well known former Decatur boy has purchased the Freedom restaurant located at 241 North Clark street, having taken possession Tuesday afternoon. The deal was made Monday and those who know say Will has made an excellent bargain. The restaurant is one of the best known of the North side, has an excellent patronage and as Will has lieen employed there most of the time for three years past he will very probably make things go. His friends here wish him all kinds of good luck. City Engineer Harry Knoff arrived home Tuesday from Louisville, where he has been for a week past seeking medical assistance for a cancerous growth in the mouth. He expected to undergo a severe surgical operation but was discouraged in doing so when told that it would be necessary to cut away half the face and he would then have but one chance in fifty for recovery. The examination was conducted by several prominent surgeons and physicians, among whom was Dr. Jesse E. Mann, formerly of this city, now one of the leading instructors in the Southern Homeopathic Medical College of Louisville, Kentucky. The growth was caused by the extraction of a tooth eight years ago, the gum : never healing as it should and thus causing the jaw lione to decay. The task of selecting teachers in the schools of the Philippines will lie rather one of elimination than seeking for good material. Applications for these positions are arriving at Washington at the rate of twenty or twenty-five a day. The number of teachers to lie appointed is limited to 1000. At the war department it is stated that appointments in the Philippines are all in the hands of the Taft commission. That commission has appointed Fred i W. Atkinson, of Springfield, Mass., su--1 perintendent of public instruction and : the presumption is that he will organI ize the public school system and ap- ’ point all the instructors. Applicants who are accepted will be sent to the Philippines on army transports. The superintendent of the Manila division will get $3,000 a year; the other nine from $2,000 to $2,500 a year each. The teachers will get from $75 to $125 a month, the exact salary to be fixed by the superintendent according to proficiency. Teachers will have to pay their own expenses from the time they begin to draw salaries from the government after their arrival at Manila. If present indications count for anything there is a genuine boom in the oil business, which guarantees a few test wells, the same to be drilled by the Decatur Gas and Oil Company. The boom was launched last Thursday night at a meeting at Kohr's school Louse in Union township. Although the meeting was not attended by many of those owning land in the close proximity of where the first test well will be drilled, yet the plan was laid bare before them by the principal spokesman, John S. Bowers, and an , interest awakened that has since acted ‘ with greater promptness than an narcotic ever could. The plan is for the land owners there to produce SSOO and take for it paid up stock in the com I pany and a well will lie drilled to test the territory. The Union township fanners present readily saw the ad vantage to them, and since then have raised the sum desired, and in consequence will have the honor of the first well drilled by the Decatur Oil and Gas Company. They will hold another meeting at Kohr’s school house tonight, when the matter will be finalIv adjusted and the location of the first w’ell determined. At a meeting of the company’s directors held Monday evening a number of south Washington township farmers were present and asked for she same priveleges allowed to Union township, which was granted. They will hold a meeting at Washington school house tomorrowevening and lauch the agitation there They have a determined look about them, and are sure to raise the amount demanded and get a well. The prime object of the Decatur Oil and Gas Company is to test the territory surrounding this city, and to settle forever and then some, whether or not we have oil. Should the test show’ oil, there then will lie but little trouble in developing the field, as foreign companies would flock here thick and fast, and for all of which Decatur will be benefitted.

“Frosty” Ford, an oil man, quite w'ell known here, and Miss Sylvia Heaston eloped from Geneva Saturday night but their elopement was not a very glittering success. Wm. Heaston, the girl’s father, objected to Ford for the reason that he was a grass widower and when he learned of his daughter running away to marry him he started in pursuit. He found them in Hartford City and took his daughter, who is seventeen years of age, back home. She is deeply in love w ith Ford and it is expected that she will make another attempt to get hitched up to him. Within fifteen days of each other occurred the death of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Jeanloz, old citizens residing near Monroe. For many years they trod the weary ways of this world together and when the hand of death took from the mother the arm of him who had so long protected her, she too soon passed away. As stated last week Fred Jeanloz died at an advanced age, April Sth and since that time Mrs. Emeline Jeanloz, his wife, slowly failed until Friday morning when she died. She was eighty-three years of age and well known. Rev. E. H. Peters conducted the funeral services from the Monroe M. E. church Saturday afternoon. John B. Dutcher, principal of the west ward school, was arrested Thursday on a charge of unlawfully whipping and punishing a twelve year old sou of Oscar Fritzinger, who is a student under Mr. Dutcher. The case was tried before ’Squire James H. Smith, who after hearing the evidence promptly returned a verdict for the defendant. This angered Mr. Fritzinger, who proceeded to talk pretty forcibly to the school teacher, threatening to whip him. Whereupon Dutcher swore out an affidavit against him for provoke. Fritzinger pleaded guilty and paid a fine of one dollar and costs, amounting to about seven dollars. The boy has been taken from school but it is said the trustees will endeavor to have him started at once by applying to the truancy officer. The annual Shakespeare club banquet which marks the closing of the year's work for that popular organization, was given Tuesday evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Sprang, corner of Sixth and Madison streets. The guests were received by Mr. and Mrs. Sprang, who extended royal welcome and made everyone feel at home from the very time they entered the house until they went away. In a Carrie Nation guessing contest, Harry R. Daniel was awarded first prize, a large Nation hatchet, while Mrs. John Heller was given booby honors and awarded a smaller hatchet. One of the principal events of the evening was an entertaining prophecy by Mrs. E. J. Bailey. Light refreshments, consisting o f sweet cakes with lighted candles in the center, were served and afterwards a dainty luncheon. At each plate was a conundrum which it was necessary to guess if you wanted anything to eat, and it is safe to say they were all guessed. The affair was a most delightful one as are all such occasions and events given by this popular club.

There has perhaps been more interest manifested about the court room this week and larger audiences have been present at each session than at any time during the past year. The case which has called forth this is one entitled State of Indiana vs Evelyn Eckert, perjury. The prosecuting witness, upon whose imformation the affidavit was filed, is E. Fritzinger, a well known business man of this city. This case is the result of paternal proceedings brought against Mr. Fritzinger last December by Miss Eckert which are said to have been false as she was not at that time in a delicate condition as she represented. Miss Eckert resides at Hammond, Indiana, where she was arrested several weeks ago and placedin jail here for perjury. The case began Monday morning and closed lust evening about five o’clock, when judge Heller charged the jury and sent them out for delibration. Most of Monday morning was taken up in arguring a demurer and in impanelling the jury which was as fol lows: Henry Meyer, John Fetzer, George Dutcher, Harvey Steele, David Crmu, Wm. Russell, Daniel Beiberick, George Ray, David Luginbill. Isaac Babcock, Crist Hirtchv and Daniel Shackley. Evidence in the case closed about ten o'clock yesterday morning and the rest of the day was taken up with the arguments, each side having two and one-half hours time. The case has lieen a hard fought one, every inch of ground being contested on both sides. The state is represented by attorneys A. P. Beatty, D. E. Smith and J. C. Moran and the defense by C. J. Lutz and L. C. De Voss. A number of witnesses from Hammond and Fort Wayne were used in the case. The defense introduced evidence showing that at times Miss Eckert was temporarily insane. As we go to press the jury is still trying to find a verdict, having now deliberated for fifteen hours. A report is current that they stand eleven for acquittal to one for conviction, but this report cannot be truthfully verified. Even with these odds there are several that predict a disagreement, which means a new trial.

CIRCULATION • 2800 WEEKLY

State Superintendent Jones has decided that teachers holding exemption certificates are not affected by the new law regulating salaries. Contracts are now being made in all parts of the state with teachers for the next school year and many inquiries have been received. Mr. Jones holds that those exempt from examinations are govern ed by the old law. There are two classes exempt graduates of the Terre Haute Normal and those that have taught six years and hold thirty six months’ licenses. The new law says that teachers shall be paid not less per day than the average grade of scholarship, two and one-half. No reference is made in the law to those examinations, so that the old law allowing freedom of contract holds good. Mr. Jones also says that the new law applies to cities and towns as well as rural schools. The Bluffton News of last Saturday contained the following regarding our former congressman: Hon. A. N. Martin, accompanied by his friend, John H. Ormsby, departed at noon for Marion toenter the Soldiers’ Home. His condition has grown worse instead of better, and he finally decided he would go to Manon where he could have the benefit of hospital treatment. Congressman Steele, whom Mr. Martin beat in 1888 and who beat him in the 189-1 congressional campaign, has interested himself in his case and wrote that he had secured a room for him in the hospital and a regular attendant. Governor Chapman, head of the home, also wrote an urgent letter for him to come. It is hoped that the treatment will be successful and that nursing will restore his health. His lungs, however, are affected in a bad way and he may never return from the Marion hospital. He still retains his law office but his cases have been continued to future terms, pending his recovery. Willis D. Randall, a tourist printer, known here as well as in nearly every town in Indiana which can boast of a printing office, died at the home of his sister in Legonier, Wednesday. The sad story of his life was told in the Banner of that city thus. "Mr. Randall was about 56 years old and had been a resident of this city nearly half a century. In his early life he learned the printer’s trade, but in later years entered college where he graduated with high honors in the medical department at Ann Arbor. At one time he practiced medicine in this city but this was not to his liking and he gravitated back to his trade. As a printer he has visited many or most of the newspaper offices in this part of the country. Always a first-class workman and absolutely honest, he had many u warm friends among the publishers. He was his own mortal enemy. He suffered and caused his friends many heart aches, all on account of an appetite that seemed to overwhelm his manhood and engulf his good intentions. Withal, he was a kind hearted companion, a staunch friend, an honest man and a gentleman. He has worked out his destiny. Draw the veil over his faults and remember him as he was. himself.” John S. Bowers was awarded the contract for building the Elm street sewer and branches thereto by the city council Thursday evening. All mem bers were present and the session grew pretty warm for awhile. A large number of residents and tax payers of the south ward were present and urged a re-letting of the contract, but the councilmen could not see things that way. Mr. Myers, of the First ward, was the only one in favor of re-letting and be put a motion that the petition for same be accepted. The motion was not seconded and was therefore lost. Mr. Niblick moved that the sewer committee be authorized to contract with Mr. Bowers for construcof the sewer, the council to decide from time to time what amount of extras were necessary. The motion was seconded by Mr. Mann and a vote by roll call for same resulted in all voting aye but Myers. During the evening short talks were made by B. W. Quinn. C. J. Lutz. J. S. Bowers, R. S. Peterson and J. C. Patterson. Mr. Bowers stated that he would charge only for the extras used, and from what he could ascertain as to the wishes of the people this would cut his bid down about $2,500, leaving it at something over $13,000. At a continued council meeting Tuesday evening Mayor Beatty was present as were also Mann, Suttles, Haefiing, Myers, Leßrun and Niblick. The following report of the sewer committee was read and adopted, all present voting aye excepting Myers: “The sewer committe directed to enter into contract with John S. Bowers for the construction of Elm street sewer and branches connected therewith, beg leave to report that said contract therefor has lieen duly entered into with said Bowers, and your said committee on behalf of said City of Decatur here with submit the same for your ap proval.” Said report was signed by G. M Haefiing and E. H. Leßruti. Mr. Myers refusing to sign. The con tract and bond of Mr. Bowers was then filed and duly approved, the bond being signed by David Studa I baker, Henry Krick, John W. Tyndall. Rufus Allison and A. S. Burdge and 'called for $'25,000. Council then ad 1 journed.

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