Decatur Democrat, Volume 45, Number 17, Decatur, Adams County, 4 July 1901 — Page 1

all the news ALL THE TIME.

VOLUME XLV.

p, W. Smith of Richmond was a business visitor in the city Monday, going from here to Oden Michigan where he will arrange his summer homo for occupancy. Mrs. Smith and family will join him tomorrow. Children’s Day was observed at the Evangelical church Sunday. Appropriate services in which the children took the leading parts were given. The United Brethren Sunday school children also gave an entertainment in honor of the day. Jim Hughes, Jr., was arrested Tuesday evening upon a charge of intoxication. He was taken before Mayor Beatty who released him upon a promise that he would appear as a witness against the parties who sold him liquor. The boy is a minor. The decision of Judge Allen of the Marion county circuit court, holding invalid the act of the assembly passed two years ago, known as the mortgage exemption law. will not have effect on the operation of the law in any county but Marion. The law will stand as valid until otherwise declared by the supreme court, and there is no indica tiou that the case will be appealed. Frank Gessingcr, of this office, has received a letter from Fred Martin, an old Decatur boy now in Skagway. Alaska. Fred says he is getting along fairly well but is mighty tired of the country. He also adds that unless some of his claims turn out rich soon he expects to lie in Oklahoma August 6. when the new district will lie opened for settlement. Skagway is awful quiet and has been for several months, as Fred states he has just secured a position and done his first work since last November. He sends best regards to his many friends. Gert Reynolds one of the city’s popular barlrers being employed in the Lose A: Shrank shop, is no longer a member of the bachelor circle, having violated every rule. On last Thursday ho silently hurried to Van Wert and at eight o'clock that evening was united in marriage to one of the best known young ladies of our neighboring city. The happy young bride was Miss Emma Kanim, and the ceremony occurred at the home of her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds arrived here Friday morning ami will hereafter be numbered among the Decaturites. May their lives be happy and harmonious throughout. Herman Wiecking is making arrangements to take one of the longest trips ever made by a Bluffton citizen and one that will add to his already traveled career about 27,000 miles. He has l>een in nearlyall parts of Europe, has been in Cuba and Asia but this time will touch all the Pacific ocean islands and another continent or two in his wanderings. If possible to get his business in shape he will start November 1. Hisitinerary will include a trip across the United States to San Francisco, where he will set sail for Honolulu, Japan, India and the Philippines. Ou returning his tour will take in Europe, especially Italy, Germany, England and a voyage back over the Atlantic to New York City. Bluffton News. Beginning with last Sunday a new time card has been in effect on the G. R. &I. railway. The north bound passenger formerly due here at 1:30 a. m. now goes at 11.-OK p. m., and the south bound train No. 6, formerly due at 12:47 a. m. goes at 2:31 a. m. The change is made to accommodate pas sengers to the famous resorts of the north. No finer trains travel over the civilized globe than these, and he who seeks relief from the boiling suns would do well to hide himself away in one of the 11:08 sleepers and eat breakfast at Mackinac the following morning. This famous train is now known as the “Northern Arrow," this name having been selected from several hundred in a prize contest which was closed July 1. A Grand Rapids youth ten years of age was the author of the chosen name and receives for his trouble a round trip ticket to Harbor Springs, a popular resort. An effort is lieing made by our business men for a county fair to be held at Steele's park just east of town. The plan is to unite with the Blue Creek township association and make it a county affair. In fact the Blue Creek managershavepracticaly agreed to do so provided our citizens could raise them the sum of S7(M). A committee composed of Messrs. Ed Beeler, Charles Eninger, Dave VanCleef, Frank Gast, Harrv Moltz and Charles True started out Thursday afternoon and within a few hours hail the desired funds subscribed. They drove out to St«ele Friday evening but were unable to meet the managers as they were busy with an iee cream social. However the Blue Creek people agreed to come to the city within a few days when the matter will l>e thoroughly discussed and settled one way or the other. Every one knows that a county fair is a good thing for every one when under a good management and there is no reason why old Adams, the l>est county in Indiana, should not have the banner show’. A director is to be selected from each township who will have full control if it is decided to give the fair but these men alone can not make it a success. Every busi ness man and every citizen should assist.

Misses Bertha and Jessie Gass, of I V auseon. Ohio, left Tuesday for their 1 home after a pleasant two weeks' visit with Mr. and Mrs. Frank Gass and other relatives and friends here. The young ladies made many friends while here who will gladly welcome them back for another visit at any | time. Marriage licenses have been issued this week to M. F. Aspy and Iva White, William Shusser and Susie j May Lawson, illiam Twigg and and Nona Ketchum and one to two parties who request that their names Ire concealed from the public. Wei are unable to say whether they are ashamed of the transaction or whether ■ they wish to surprise their mammas, i At a meeting of the Eastern Indi i ana Grain dealers association held at | Anderson last week the price to be ' paid for the crop of wheat was discussed. The price has not been fully agreed upon, but it was said that 8 cents under the Toledo market will ■ probably be the price. The difference of 8 cents means the cost of freight and hauling of wheat so that in the end, it is claimed, the farmer here gets more for his wheat than if he were so near to Toledo that he could haul his wheat to a Toledo elevator. It looks as though we are at last going to have some factories in Decatur that will give employment to our laborers at good wages. The organization of a board of trade with sufficient capital to offer inducements is going on steadily and quite a neat sum has already been subscribed, although by no means enough. The committee wants $5,000, if possible, and with this sum will be able to offer sufficient funds to secure several good plants. Let's put forth an effort and not put the entire burden upon one man, for the success of such an enterprise means too much. There is scarcely a man, capitalist, property owner, business man or laborer who will not profit if we secure good factories. Let’s get them. If you want to escape the heat you can do so by going on one of the two expeditions to North Pole next , mouth. The fare for the round trip, if any passengers are taken,* will be >SOO. It costs about $25,000 to fit for a season's voyage to the artic such a vessel as that for the Perry expedition which sails in July, or that for the I Baldin expedition, which also *sails next month. Members of the crew of an Artie ship are paid about $125 a mouth, the mates and engineers per haps SSO and $75 and the seamen $35 a month. These wages, it is always i stipulated beforehand, must be paid promptly and regularly to the men’s families in Newfoundland and Nova i Scotia. There are always ten to twenty men. Quite a number of people were in ' town Saturday to take in Schiller I Bros. & Orr’s great united shows, but they weredisappointed for the famous aggregation never appeared. They I are snow bound some where in the i wilds of Michigan and along with that misfortune their baggage, including the elephant and monkey, are being held for debt. The show was above the average and had they been able to withstand the ill-winds of another ' week would probably have prospered. Although playing to small crowds all I season they managed to keep up until I Tuesday of last week, when they land ed at Vicksburg, Michigan. They pitched their tent and were ready for business when the big wind and rain storm, which reached here afterward, landed on them. It was the last sad blow and they have so far failed to arise, although it is rumored that they will soon be ready for business and will then fill all dates. Their tent was badly wrecked and considerable other damage done. That we are living in the age of inventions, and that nothing in the way of machinery is impossible has been proven beyond a doubt this week by the appearance in our city of an , automobile mowing machine which has been on exhibition at Schafer, Son & Loch’s hardware store. The ma chine is manufactured by the Deering Harvesting Company, and is in charge I of Mr. Elliot, direct from *he factory. The mower came to town bright and early Sunday morning and its wonder ful power has already been observed bv hundreds of people. Several exhibitions of the actual work it does have fieen given at Steele’s Park and another will be given today. The inventor of the machine is also here today to hear views on his wonderful automobile. The company have so far only built six of the machines, expecting them to be used simply as an advertisement. However, they have proven to lie practicable and the. company will very probably put them I on the market next season. The in ' gen ions device is operated by a four horse power gasoline engine which can be used for all general purjxises on the farm such as pumping, grinding feed, etc., and can be moved around at one’s pleasure without the least inconvenience. They will prob ably lie sold for about $225 and the general opinion is that within a few years no farm will be complete without the automobile mowing and general purpose machine. It is certainly a labor and time saver

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1901.

During the electrical storm early yesterday morning lightening struck one of the poplar trees in the front of the Mrs. Dugan property on Third street. Guests at Hotel Murray all thought the house had been struck and hastened out to see what damage had been done. Night clerk Dentner was standing in the door way and was thrown down by the shock. ' The county commissioners appointed viewers upon three proposed ditches. The viewers on the J. N. Kerr petition are J. M. Duff, Martin Laughlin and James Foreman. On the Soloman P. Sheets petition James Archbold, Henry Wafel and Lewis i Fruchte. On the Samuel Oplinger j petition, James J. Neusbaum, Chris Ashbaucher and Noah Bieberstiue Another aged pioneer of Preble township, Frederick Kipp, has gone Ito his final reward. He died Monday | evening about seven o’clock at the home of Theodore Ewell where he resided during the last few years. He was a native of Germany but came to this county nearly fifty years ago. The funeral services will be held this morning at nine o’clock from the St. Paul Luthern church. An immense crowd attended the Parent exercises at the Presbyterian church Sunday evening and the program was very interesting. A number of prominent citizens took part in the services, among them being Prof. H. A. Hartman who talked interestingly upon the subject. • Relation of Parent to teacher.” County superintendent Brandyberry discussed “Neglected children not in public schools,” and Mayor A. P. Beatty, “The purpose of the curfew ordinance.” A quartette composed of Messrs J. C. Patterson, Lawrence ■ Hughes. Fred Patterson and C. J. Lutz rendered several musical treats. i At the morning services Rev. Duckett delivered an instructive sermon for i the benefit of parents. John 8. Peterson, the active insurance agent, is nursing a crippled i ankle this week and hopping about > like a grasshopper, the result of a trip to Preble Thursday afternoon. He traveled by the bicycle route, arrived , i safely at his destination and took in • i the sights at the big tank fire. The i ■ return trip, however, was when the i damage occurred. He had rode per- > haps a mile or more when he had oc- , casion to jump off. He was going [ pretty rapidly and as he alighted his ! left foot turned, resulting in a badly sprained ankle. He is able to walk , I just a little at present after a week’s j I careful mirsing of the injured member i I but will probably feel the effects for j several weeks. i George Tester the young man who > has been clerking for Dave VanCleef at the Fair Store for some time left a few days ago for Colorado Springs. I I He got as far as Chicago in safty and there succeeded in purchasing a ticket •I to bis destination from a scalper for ' twenty-four dollars. He went to the station at train time and hastened np • to the gate keeper expecting to soon ■be on his way westward. However when he showed that official his ticket ' he laughed and placed it in his pocket ■ saying he supposed he knew his own ’ name. It transpired afterwards that the gate keeper had arrived from the • Springs a few days before and had disposed of the ticket to the broker. ' He secured a job as gateman and when his ticket came through he took advantage of the fact that it was made out in his name and put it in his I pix'ket Tester notified the police who ■ quickly secured his money back from I I the broker and George thoroughly ’ i disgusted left for home immediately. Walter Stanley a former resident of ■ this city met death at Fort Wayne , Sunday night, being struck by a Lake I Erie & Western excursion train, i Whether or not his death wasacciden- ■ tai is still a matter of very great doubt, it Ix-ing the general opinion among railroad men that he was murdered and his body placed on the tracks as a blind. Stanley was a caller for the ' Nickel plate road and was on his way home along the track. He was terribly mangled and was only 1 identified by his clothes and from the fact that he had lost a hand some time ago. It is known that he carried a good watch and had considerable money as pav day had only passed a few days. The Nickel Plate employes are firm in their belief that Stanley was foully dealt with. They say that a railroad man as old in the service as I he, and with his faculties unimpaired, would not have been caught by an approaching train. Engineer Cranston, who was in the cab of the Lake Erie engine which ran over Stanley, said to the coroner that he was positive no one was walking on the track j ahead of him. He saw no one, and if I a man was caught by his engine, he ' must have been lying down on the tracks. The entire police and detective force of Fort Wayne are working on the case and further fails may soon develope. Stanley lived here some time and was well liked. He was married to a Decatur lady, Miss Lizzie Laminerman who with three small children remain to mourn their loss. While a resident here he lived on Eleventh street and was favorable known. He was thirty years old and | removed to Fort Wayne five years’ ! “go- ’ i

We have received subscriptions since our last report from Daniel Beeler, A Tripplett, Clark Stevenson, J. F. Mosure, D. F. Teeple, J. W.Gowan, H. J. Bulah, Coffee & Baker, S. J. Laman, J. S. Bowers, A. Campbell, E. L. Leßruu, Frank C. Foreman, Mrs. John King, Jr. and John Wilkie. The Hotel Murray did a rushing business Sunday, accomodating over eighty guests for dinner. In fact the trade was so much larger than expected that a delay was noticable in the service which the management say will not occur again. The Murray is making a special effort for home busi ness and their Sunday menu was certainly a great advertisement. A call has been made by the Baptist church for Rev. E. J. Beadsley, a young minister of Logansport, to occupy the pulpit in this city and he will very probably accept, He was here about a month ago and delivered a trial sermon, the congregation being so delighted with his effort that they decided upon an effort to secure his services. Since last April the church has had no regular pastor, at that time Rev. F. J. Gathers resigned and moved to Indianapolis. Should Rev. Beadsley come to Decatur himself and family will certainly be warmly received. While in session Monday the board of commissioners accepted the resigna tion of William E. Fulk as engineer on the Joel Hirsehy, William Shoemaker, C. E. Bollinger, Decatur and Monroe, Monroe Township Central, Pleasant Valley and Oak Grove and Geneva, Ceylon and Wabash Town ship macadam roads, all of which are under construction. Surveyor George E. McKean was appointed as the new engineer, being required to give a bond of $6,000 in each road, seven in all, meaning $42,000. The commissioners set Saturday, July 27. as a day to receive bids on the construction of the three Jefferson township macadam roads. Upon the ditch petition of S. P. Sheets, viewers were appointed in the names of J. M. Archbold, Henry Wafel and Lewis Fruchte. A regular oldfashioned house cleaning is going on at the poetoffice in this city and within a few days the appearance will be so bright that patrons thereof will scarcely recognize the place. Wall paper of a beautiful design already adorns the wall and a coat of paint enlivens the looks of the woodwork. There has been some talk of a change in location of the office, but present indications are that none will be made. Since Monday P. L. Andrews has lx»en serving with a neat increase in salary and the office from now on is what is known as second class, having lieen advanced from third class July 1. The postmaster’s salary is now S2OOO per year with an allowance for clerk hire of SIOOO annually, thus making an increase of several hundred dollars. However, special fees such as three cents for each money order issued and the allowance of SIOO for separating clerk are taken away. Judge Studabaker who owns the building, is negotiating with government officials to lease them the building for several years and if successful he will put in new and firstclass fixtures. He will probably ire successful but the new fixtures can not Ire added for several months at any rate. The trip around the world Tuesday evening was certainly a social success from the way we have heard many of those who participated speak of the splendid time although the threatening weather probably prevented it from being as paying as it would have been otherwise. The unique entertainment was given by the Presbyter ian ladies and they deserve great credit as royal entertainers. John Jewell acted as ticket agent having his office at the band stand in the court house yard, conveyances were on hands us scon as a crowd were ready to start and the first ™tup was made at Boston, located at the home of Jesse Sutton on Fourth strwt. Here the travelers were served with the Boston baked beans, pickles and sandwiches and coffee. After a short stay at Boston the guests took the boat for Hamburg Germany, which was situated iu the extreme west part of the city at the beautiful home of W. H. Meyers. Here they indulged in saur kraut, weinnies, etc., servixl by real German waitresses. After staying the limit of their tickets the various crowds set sail for Paris, the famous metropolis of France, nicely represented at the Allison homestead on Adams street. Here they viewed the great art-galleries which have been talkixl about in every part of the world. The lunch consisted of wafers and punch. The next stop was at Tokio, Charles True’s residence where the oriental colors and decorations told the visitors where they had landed. Guests at this city sat upon the floor, while the ’ little Japanese ladies served them with crackers and tea, rice and chop sticks. The last stop was at San Franscisco home of Rev. and Mrs. Duckett where good old American icicream and cake were allotted to the tourists. At the various stations decorations suitable to the different nationalities were displayed giving a beautiful and realistic appearance. The entire trip was made in safety and was delightful throughout.

Miss lantha Gregory was at Fort Wayne the first of the week and during her visit there called upon Miss Gusta Kramer who has been a patient at the Hope hospital for several weeks. Miss Kramer is improving rapidly and is able to sit up part of the time. She will probably be sufficiently recovered to be brought home Monday or Tuesday of next week. However, it will be at least six weeks before she can occupy her place at the exchange. Haul out your bunting and flags this morning and make our beautiful city take on an appearance of celebration for 125 years ago today this great country broke away from bondage to England. 'Tis an event which never should miss being observed and we are going to do it right today. Help the Driving club along by displaying the stars and stripes we all love so well and for which so many of our brave forefathers have laid down their lives. Forget business cares and join in paying tribute to the great national holiday of Indenendence Julj’ 4th. There are rumors of more changes on the Clover Leaf and if they prove true Bluffton will lose the local freight division and its attending benefits. If the rumors current foretell the truth the local freight division will be moved to Van Buren and changes inaugurated whii’i will make the work of the trainmen easier. According to the rumor an additional freight will be added which will made four crews to do the work now handled by three. Instead of a train making the round trip to Delphos each day an extra train will be put on and a trip one way will be made each day between Van Buren and Delphos. Between Frankfort and Van Buren there will also be two trains, the same as run now between Bluffton and Frankfort. This will make a nice run for all the crews.- -Bluffton News. The annual report of the county clerk for the year ending July 1, 1901 has been completed and among numerous other facts shows that the Adams circuitcourt was in session 231 days and that during that time 162 civil cases were filed. Os this amount 120 are still pending the time being consum,ed in earing for the many on doekett ; prior to July 1, 1900 and for forty-two of those filed since. Seventy-nine I administration suits are still on dockett while twenty seven letters have been issued within the year; eightytwo guardianships are pending while twenty eight have been disposed of and twenty-five estates settled; four people have been declared insane; eighteen people have taken out first citizenship papersand one naturalized: Three men have been sent to the Indiana penitentiary and three under thirty years of age to the Jeffersonville Reformatory; 202 marriage licen ses have beeen issued; twenty-seven divorce have been granted and nine have been asked but refused; twentythree executions have been issued and thirteen decrees of mortgage foreclosures entered upon the docket. The making out of the report is no small job as may well be guessd by most any one. The regular session of the city council was held at the town hall Tuesday evening and business transacted as follows: Call of roll, which showed Suttles. Haefling. Myers and Niblick present. Mayor Beatty presided and ordered the reading of minutes of the meeting of June 18, which duty was performed by Clerk I Dallas Hower. Bills were then pre--1 seated and allowed as follows: Fort Wayne Electric W orks, supplies, $104.49; Illinois Electric Co., supplies, $34.88; Henry Worthington, supplies, $6.04, Fort Wayne Foundry, supplies, seventy cents; Fort Wayne Oil Supply Co., supplies, $1'4.59; Vulcan Chemical Co., supplies. $24.24; B. F. Kizer, supplies, $3.25; Geo. M. Haefling. services as inspector, sls: W. E. Fulk, engineering sewer. $16.50; L. G Ellingham. printing. $4.86; V»’m. Geary, police duty, $5; Henry Steven, labor, $1.50: Henrv Schlegel, labor, $4.50; David Brown, labor, $2.25; D. F. Teeple. freight and drayage. $4.09. J. K. Mann, pay roll, $23; J. K. Mann, salary, $45.84; H. B. Knoff, salary, $41.66; Milligan Jackson, salary, SSO; Thos. Baker, salary, S4O; J. M. Stevenson, salary, $65; Jacob Eady, salary, S4O: Thos. Haefling, salary. S4O; Dee Elzey, salary, S4O; Wm. Doehrman, salary S4O; Gas Co., gas. 8185.68; Rom Bell labor $19.00. The electric light and waterworks committee were directed to call on the waterworks engineers in regard to using the pump at the river and if they refuse, to report the matter to the council. The city commissioners reported on Listei sewer, also that they find that F. M. Sehirmeyer, one of the appointees, was unable to serve on account of lieing related to one of flie property owners along said sewer. Jacob Miller was appointed to act in his place on said matter. A resolution was then adopted authorizing the waterworks committee to purchase a gas engine or other power producing machine such ns is needed. The purpose of this machine is to operate a day current so that our citizens may use electric fans. A resolution to allow F. M. Sehirmeyer to construct a sidewalk along the south side of his property was passed. Council then adjourned.

CIRCULATION 2800 WEEKLY

NUMBER 17

The arrangements are perfect for the celebration of Independence Dav which is under the supervision of the Decatur Driving Club. The program is complete beginning with the horseman's parade at ten o’clock and ball game at 10:30. The racing begins at 1:30 with a three minute pace, with four entries; free for all pace, five entries; ladies race, three entries; 2:40 pace, four entries; 2:25 pace, six enteries; free for all running race, seven entries; bicycle race, seven entries; mule race, four entries; ox race, two entries. At 7:30 the band concert and fire works will close the days amusement. All these attractions except the horseman's parade will take place at beautiful Steele’s park. Indications point to a large crowd and an enjoy able day. Berne’s new brick streets are now assured, the contract being awarded at a meeting of town board Tuesday evening. Their attorney Hon. Clark J. Lutz of thiscity was there and sewed the thing up without a break. There were seven bidders the lowest being $2.15 per square yard, and the highest $2.47 [x>r square yard, the same to be built with the Canton paving block. The contract was given to Thompson & Haies of Peoria, 111. The street will be composed of ten inches of macadam or crushed stone and four inches of gravel, which will form the foundation for the Canton paved block. The curbing will be of Berea sand stone, and the price contracted includes the street and curbing complete. There is a fraction over 13,767 square yards and when completed will cost the property ownners the neat sum of $29,600. When finished there will be nothing in the state that will beat it. W. H. Badders made the survey plans. The Portland Commercial spoke of the accidental death of A. E. Forry as follows: At the time the accident took place the switch engine, pushing three cars, these being in front, wascotningup from thetransfer house at the Lake Erie Western crossing: the train was moving slowly, one brakeman being on the approaching end and two others on top of the cars. Mr. Forry was going west on Main street, and when the trainmen saw Mr. Forry was going on the track immediately ahead of the cars they yelled with all of their might, and the brakeman on the front end, which struck the doomed man, was heard for ali ng distance as he fairly screamed with excitement. But the effort was in vain. All unknowing of what was in store for him, Mr. Forry stepped on the track, and the next moment was under the wheels, the circles of iron grinding out his life in an instant. He had been cut almost squarely in twain, and it all happened so quickly that he probably never knew of the awful experience which was ending his existence almost in a twinkling. Both arms were terribly crushed, his collar bone broken, skull crushed in addition to the terrible gash across his abdomen. Another school year has closed and a class of seven young students of the St. Joseph schools have proven themselves worthy to enter upon the duties of stern and real life. Their school days, so far as St. Joseph is concerned, are ended, and the diplomas awarded to each is a fitting acknowledgement of many hours well spent in study. The commencement exercises were held at Bosse's opera house Friday evening and notwithstanding the fact that the heat was almost unbearable a large attendance greeted the young ladies and gentleman when at eight o’clock the curtain arose and they were introduced to admiring friends. Falk’s Juvenile Orchestra assisted in making the evening's program a success and opened the exercises with a pleasing overture. Immediately after the rising of the curtain Miss Katie Mylott sang a beautiful solo, taring accompanied in the chorus by about thirty students. Otto Wemhoff was the first graduate of the evening, being the salutatorian. His subject, Patrick Henry, was well taken care of and showed both study and talent. Second on the program was Edward Coffee, who gave an interesting account of the life of Daniel Webster. Miss Rosa Tonnellier chose for her theme "The Influence of Science upon the Well-being and Progress of Society,” proving the influence to be uplifting in nature and powerful in force. After a beautiful solo by Miss Catherine Mylott, Miss Lollie Meibers continued the program by reading an excellent pa|x<r on the subject “Moving Onward.” Miss Anna Ginley delivered “Whistling in Heaven,” a pretty declamation, and did exceedingly well. The honor of delivering the class valedictory was granted to Joseph Smith, jr.. and he certainly did credit to himself and friends. He also delivered an oration from the subject, "Henry Clay,” which was well written and nicely delivered. The well deservtxl and hard earned diplomas were then awarded bv Rev. H. Theo. Wilkins, who also distributed some advice of the very best sort and which, if followed, will mean success and happiness for each and every member of the class. The evenings entertainment clssed by a short com edy by pupils of the schools which was entertaining to say the least.