Decatur Democrat, Volume 46, Number 10, Decatur, Adams County, 15 May 1902 — Page 1

all the news all the time.

VOLUME XLVI.

Geneva now has a new postmaster jn the name of M. A. Aspy who succeeds Nathan Shepherd, who has acceptable filled the place during the last four years. The change took place Tuesday. \ line girl baby was born at the home of Mr. and Mrs. David E. Smith at an early hour Monday morning. The new addition is causing an extra supply of genuine joy at the Smith home. Henry Hirschy of Monroe is a brand new reader of of the Democrat, thus demonstrating a judgment that is hard to beat. He planked down bis lucre yesterday, and you do not believe we will give him his money’s worth, just watch us. The case of state vs Alonzo McDaniel came up for trial in the circuit court this morning. The defendent is charged with stealing clover seed from the J. D. Hale warehouse and afterwards disposed of it to Studabaker, Sale A Co., at Bluffton. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Doak are home from Piqua, where they were called by the death of Mrs. Lucinda Smith, mother of Mrs. Doak. The deceased was seventy-eight years old, and died quite suddenly and before medical aid could revive her. New Circuit court cases filed since last week are Wabash township school vs Eugene Barnes, petition to purchase real estate for school purposes. John L. Case and Anarew J. Case vs Louis Harmon etal foreclosure of mortgage. Jacob Colter and P. W. Smith vs Catharine Niblick et al quiet titel. Owing to the fact that so much work is to be done around the county infirmary, the superintendent would be pleased if visitors would confine themselves to calling on Wednesday, Thursday. Friday or Sunday. Both Mr. and Mrs. Graber always welcome visitors, and if these days are kept in mind, it will relieve them not a little. A new galvanized iron ceiling will soon adorn the Al Burdg barber shop on Monroe street. The recent fire which wiped out the city buildings and damaged considerable other pro perty is the cause of this improvement now. It is a substantial improvement and adds much to the ap pearance of this very popular place. That Ft. Wayne people can live without purchasing meats from the beef trust is indicated by reports made by local packing houses. The reports show that the consumption of meats in Ft. Wayne in the last week has fallen off 45 per cent, and ) n the suberbs and country 50 per cent. Many union men are boycotting the meat packers, and .say the market is per; mauently affected. In all probability the Shepherd murder trial, set for trial in the Jay circuit court, will be venued to another county, and probably here. The reasons advanced for the change are that several cases of this nature have been heard in the Jay circuit court, and that there is more or less prejudice against the defendant. At tl' present time things are not rushing in the Adams circuit court.

Strong pressure is being brought to bear upon Hugh Dougherty of Bluffton to accept the democratic nomina tion for congressman in the eighth district. There is great dissatisfaction in the district over Cromer and the anti-Cromer republicans want some good, clean democrat like Dougherty to be nominated against him, and for that reason the Bluffton tnan is solicited to accept the honor. Columbia Citv Post. The school board met Tuesday forenoon and selected the following teach ers for the coming school year, subject b' their acceptance: Room 1, Mrs. Mary L. Baumgartner; Room 2, Rosi na Wittwer; Room 3. R. 0. Soldner; Room 4, Florence Johnson; Room 5, Emma Byerly; Room (>, A. W. Hornby; Room 7, B. A. W’inaus, Superintendent, Messrs. Soldner and Horuady and Miss Johnson are new teach ®rs. Mr. Hornady has been engaged m teaching in Wells county and is at present studying at Angola. Mr. Soldner is a well-known successful teacher of this neighborhood, and Miss Johnson is also a teacher in the county. Berne Witness. The corps of teachers who will have charge of the city schools next yeat were selected at a meeting of the school lioard Monday evening. The grist of applications was something of a fright and at times made the three members of the board wonder ''hat end they were on. As selected the teachers are H. D. Merrell, (). L. ;ance, John B. Dutcher, Olive Daily, •'°hn R, Parish, Arthur D. Suttles, Jonas Tritch, Nellie jyrick, Bess E. c-onginton, Eva Acker, Dora Steele. J aa,i y Rice, Lulu Miller. Grace ’ ut " es Orval HArruff, Lizzie Peter son J, F. Fruchie, Blanche Reynolds . raucl * Cooke. and Bertha Ideller. \vor Ors were selwted in the names ,am Hurst, Dick Burwell. Uliam Derwachter and Michael *' ) rtz berger. The list of teachers nibrace all those of last year with * , f!X< ’eptions, and the new ones are ■ ‘'mates of the high school and • means they are qualified for the lr new

\\. 11. Myers and will soon move! from their present home in the west pat t of the city, to their property on I Adams street, once owned by A. A. Nichols. The house will be repaired ! and fixed up and then it will be as i nice a place to live as any one might The basis of representatinon to the democratic congressional convention to be held at Anderson June 18 will be one for every one hundered votes cast for John W. Kern. This entitles Adams 32. Delaware 46, Jay, 34, Madison 83, Randolph 21 Weils 35.' total 254. The Bargain Clothing Store will move the first of next week from their present quarters to the Spangler building on Second street, which is being remodeled to the tastes of the most skeptical. A new front, shelving and other improvements will make the store room a very acceptable place to transact business." It would seem that the people take but little stock in subsidies. The election at Huntington Monday defeated the subsidy for the Dayton. I nion City and Huntington interurban. The subsidy met a Waterloo at Huntington. Bluffton and Union City and certainly demonstrates the unpopularity of the subsidy racket. The home of J. E. Teeple east of town was entered by thieves one day the latter part of last week, ten dollars in money and a watch being the fruits of their search. The deed was done is broad day light and as yet there is no clue to the fellow that did ■ the job. It is thought that perhaps they were the same experts who tried j their hand at the home of George G. Flanders.

Contractors are on the ground and will begin moving the old infirmary buildings according to plans adopted and contracts made. Superintendent Graber is now located in the new building, and while not fixed up to suit him. yet all he asks now is plenty of time. The first night they moved over some one relieved Mr. Graber of a fine gun. recently purchased. This is the only accident that occurred, and in that they are fortunate. Mr. and Mrs. Hiram T. Gregg of Decatur, were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Kenyon over Sunday. They were on their way from Kokomo, where they attended the wedding of Miss Grace Gregg, who visited the editor and his family some months ago. The latter was married to Mr. Stephenson, brother to the wife of Presiding Elder Marble of the Kokomo district, and their home will be in Chicago. Red Key Times. Treasurer J. H. Voglewede will sell *17,200 worth of gravel road bonds, the sale taking place at his office on Thursday, May 29. The bonds are for the construction of the C. E. Bollinger macadam road, and which will be built in Monroe township this summer. The bonds run for a series of twenty years and are payable in installments of $429.15 every six months with interest at four and one-half per cent. An effort is being made to induce Frank C. Dailey, a member of the firm of Dailey, Simmons A Dailey of Bluffton, to enter the field as a contestant for the democratic nomination for congress in the Eighth district He is a rising democrat, an orator and an active worker. The young democracy of the Eighth district would find him an incentive to hard work during the congressional campaign. His father, during the term of Gov. Matthews, was a member of the supreme court. Montpelier Herald.

Alfred Grindle A Co. of Fort Wayne have lieen selected by the building committee of the Presbyterian church as their architect. Mr. Grindle is now in the city and it is hoped that by today some time, suitable plans and specifications will be agreed upon. Should this prove true, definite action will shape itseif. It is the desire of the committee, as well as every member of the church, to push the building at a lively gifit. and this will lie done as soon as the preliminary details are adjusted. Pastor Allen is still a very busy man, and thus far has accomplished not a little in making a new Presbyterian church a pos sibility. Mayor Beattv has selected his standing committees which will have charge and govern the business of the citv council, during the reign of the present members. As slated they are on judiciary Simeon Fordyce. C. J. Weaver anil S. W. Peterson,. Finance Charles Teeple, T. C. Corbett and Henry Stetler. Sewers, streets, alleys, bridges and railroads S. W, Peterson, Henry Stetler and S. B. Fordyce. Buildings fond public improvements T. C. Corbett, Charles Teeple and C. J. Weaver. Water works C. J. Weaver, Simeon hor dvceaudS, W. Peterson. Electric light Henry Stetler. T. C. Corbett and Charles Teeple. Fire depart ment Henry Stetler S W. Peterson and T. C. Corliett. Public schools Charles Teeple. S. B. Fordyce and G. J. Weaver. These committees have not as yet been read to the council and made of record, but they will lie, vithout change, at the next meet mg. the one this week being the first.

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY, MAY 15, 1902.

A fulllledged boycott is on at Bluffton between some of the few manufacturing establishments and Postmaster Sharpe. It is claimed that the latter was against the • railroad subsidy which was voted on last Friday, and the former take this way of | getting even. Twelve candidates were initiated into the mysteries of the Catholic Benevolent Legion Sunday, those receiving the degrees being J. C. Moran, Lee Martin, Joseph Knapke, An- ■ son Bremerkamp, B. J. Knapke, J. H. Meyer, W. M. Hartings. John Baker. Edward I liman, John Starost and I Joseph Metzger. Jesse Niblick, only son of Banker W. H. Niblick, is wearing a punctured bustle, caused by sitting on the hot end of an infernal machine. The accident occurred while conferring some exciting degrees in the Young Men’s Social Club, in which Jesse was playing the important part of an innocent candidate. He has been in bed every since but will be all right again in a few days. B. W, Sholty has received encouraging news from his family who are located at Phoenix, Arizona, in which they state that the climate seems agreeable . and is benefitting them. Mr. Sholty expects to have his business here disposed of by the first of July, and if so he will join them at Phoenix, where they will settle and prepare to live perhaps the remainder of their days. Cards were received in this city last week which announced the marriage of Miss Grace Gregg of Kokomo, and Mr. Stephenson of Chicago. The bride is wellj known here, being a frequent visitor at the home of ber brother. Rev. E. T. Gregg, while pastor in this city. They will reside in i Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Gregg lof this city, the former a brother of i the bride, attended the wedding. The Whist club met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Lew G. Ellingham Monday evening, and after a tangle in which for a time it looked like there might lie red blood on the moon. Mrs. Roy Archbold and Lew i Ellingham scored high with 167 i points. Twelve boards were played and sneaks barred. Refreshments were served. The club meets next Tuesday evening with Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Dugan. Washington township and Bluffton last Friday voted on the D. U. H. subsidy, knocking the proposition higher than Gilderoy’s kite by a majority of 181. This knocks the hopes of the Commercial club, who were doing some earnest work in favor of the road. What effect the vote will have on building of the road is yet uncertain. That it will not go through Bluffton is assured and there is considerable doubt whether it will lie built at all. Captain George W. Rilley is dead. For many years he was a resident of Geneva, but for the last ten years has lived with his brother at Fall Church. Virginia. When the writer was at Washington last winter he visited Captain Riley, who at that time was an inmate of the Sibley Hospital, taking treatment for a very dangerous looking cancer which was playing sad havoc with his left cheek. He at that time looked as though his days were numbered, and his death now is no surprise. He was buried in the Arlington National Cemetery.

Bad luck has been the lot of the management of the Decatur Oil A Gas company for the past week. First some son of a gun pulled the plug from the tank at the Teeple number two well, and before the leak was discovered thirty or forty barrels of oil had made good its escape. Then the gas engine which was used for power to do the pumping got on a balking spell, and and a machinest had to be calk'd to tame it down. Thea as additional mortification the drill in the Beam well got fast, and to get out of the dilemma, the derrick was moved and another hole liegan. Drilling is down something over 200 feet and last reports finds everything lovely. If there is any merit to a bad beginning there will be no end to gushers when the work is done. The Bluffton News of last Friday said: Adam Richey, of Craigville, accompanied by Homer and Oliver Derr, sons of Henry Derr, went to Indianapolis today to appear before the United States’ grand jury. They were summoned there to tell the grand jury what they know in regard to the affidavit against Albert Steiner, the young man who has lieen charged with counterfeiting. Their evidence if given to the jury as it was stated to a News reporter will be very damaging to young Steiner, The Derr boys said that Steiner gave counterfeit nickles to each of them, one receiving six and the other seven of the spurious,coins. They were expected to pass th in but say they never tried to do so. Mr. Richey said that Steiner tried to pass one of the lead nickles in his restaurant at Craigville but that lie refused to take it. These three witnesses were not summoned to Ft. Wayne wnen the examination was held there mid none of those who were at Fort Wayne have yet been sumnyined to Indianapolis.

New and old subscribers to the Democrat who have renewed allegiance during the past week are George Keller, J. M. Gase. H. H. Foreman, George Hahn. Joseph Crisman, Mrs. Robert Blackburn, Mrs. W. L. Coffee, L. Hart, J. H. Barr and Henry Hirschy. If an ordinance introduced at the Bluffton council Wednesday night is passed, the city license to saloonkeepers will be raised to $250 per year. The ordinance was introduced by Mayor Plessinger who stated that he was entirely responsible for it and had it prepared for the purpose of putting Bluffton on a par with other towns. Robert Blackburn and Henry Meyers left yesterday for Indianapolis, where they will take part in the monument dedication which is th’ j week an important event in the history of Indianapolis. Grand Army Posts from all over the state are there and a great time is being had by the old soldiers who experienced so many hardships during the trying period of the rebellion. A letter written from Salt Lake City, Utah, from R. K. Allison, informs the Democrat that himself and Mrs. Allison are still enjoying the novelty of seeing hew large this country is, and at the same time viewing the sights and people. They were then homeward bound and expected to land in Decatur about the middle of the month, and if they are on time will arrive today.

An ice cream social was given at the Presbyterian parsonage last Friday evening, which was quite a social success and netted the ladies in charge a neat little sum of money besides. The Corbin band furnished music. Plans for their new church building were being displayed creating quite an attraction, especially for the membership, all of whom seemed to be interested to an extent that failure is an impossibility. The Catholic Benevolent League of Indiana that was organized here Sunday, is strictly a social and insurance organization. It’s headquarters are in New York City, and is of mutual inclination. At the present time its cash balance is of the kind and quality that gives it sufficient stabilty to guarantee its lasting qualities. The rate of insurance is so low that no one need be without this protection, and if we mistake not, the order will swell in members as it should.

Editor Harry Daniel is getting into print in a very acceptable way. The A. N. Kellogg Newspaper Company of Chicago, and one of the largest distributors of news in the country, has contracted for the exclusive publication of‘‘Minor Observations.” which have proved an interesting feature of the Daily Journal. The articles will be syndicated and of course used by many newspapers from all parts of the country. It is a matter of pride at least, that Decatur has literary talent that is recognized with something more substantial than flowery epitaphs It has just leaked out that a prominent Union township farmer, whose name we will not expose to the public, has been systematically worked to the tune of $l,lOO, by a lightning rod shark. The exact game as worker! has not lieen exposer!, but it is presumed that it is the olr! stereotyped system of putting up a sample copy for which the victim signer! a receipt which later turned out in the shape of a note, and in this instance it was a largo juicy note. The gentleman who will have to pay the fiddler owns a hundred acr6 farm, is well known anil one, who usually does a better business than dealing in lightning rotis upon such an expensive scale. It would seem from this, that the time will never come, when the lightning roil swindler will fail to occasionally find a real soft mark. While crossing the Chicago A Erie tracks at the Winchester street crossing. about 7:110 o’clock yesterday morning, Tom Peterson and James Ginlev were run down by a west bound emigrant train, and that they an» alive to tell the story, is simply another miracle in railroad accidents. Tom Peterson, who is employed by J. D. Hale, was delivering a sack of sand and young Ginley was sitting in the rear of the wagon. As they drove on the track the latter noticed the silently approaching train, and yelling to his companion, jumped to the ground, just as the engine struck the horse and wagon. With the excep tion of a broken finger the Ginlev boy was not injured. Peterson and the horse and wagon were thrown about twenty feet against an electric light pole. The horse was mashed almost Into a pulp, the wagon reduced to kindling, but Tom. although beneath the pile of mangled horse flesh and broken wagon, escaped with a dislo cated shoulder and a few bruises about his Ixxly. Although he may have received internal iniurios, the fact can not lie ascertained now. The railroad company have a watchman at this crossing, but he was not on duty at. the time of the accident. Both boys claim the train gave no signal of warning as it approached the crossing, and that it was running at a rate of thirty five miles an hour.

The Epworth League of the Methodist church elected new officers at a meeting held last Friday evening. Those chosen were Jonas Tritch, Myrtle Valentine, Dossie Krick. Mrs. C. G. Hudson, Gertrude Blosser, J. C. Brock, Argo Brushwiller, Blanche Dibble and Iva Simcoke. Work has begun upon the handsome and costly new residence of Chalmer C. Schafer which will be built on Monroe street during this summer. The new structure will be a model of architectural beauty and we know of no one more entitled to the pleasure and comforts of such a home than Mr. and Mrs. Schafer. The Fort Wayne excursion last Friday was fairly well patronized by the populace of Decatur. The excursion was organized by some of the business men of Fort Wayne with the hope of increasing their trade. It did not work so well on those from this city, as the Fort Wayne Stores look like a dirty dollar when compared to the twentieth century enterprise so noticable around the business houses of this city. Nothing has been heard from the Decatur nimrods, who this week are to make the finny tribe at Rome City look cheaper than thirty cents, and who in the mean time will properly dedicate the new cottage belonging to D. M. Hensley. The party embraces some of the city’s expert fishermen and are D. M. Hensley, John Baker, J. K. \ oglewede, George G. Flanders. C. K. Bell, Charles Colter. John Smith. John H. Heller, R. B. Gregory and J. Q. Neptune. The Muncie. Hertford and Fort Wayne Railway company received its first shipment of rails for the line Thursday morning. There are 20 carloads in the shipment which will be enough to lay six or eight miles of tracks. These rails were ordered last winter and have been expected for several weeks. They were made by Lorain Steel company, of Lorain, O. The ties for the road has all l>een delivered and has been distributed over most of the line from Muncie to Montpelier. There will lie no delay in beginning this work of laying tracks now that the rails have arrived. Misses Stella and Edith Cowan in tertained a few of their many friends last Thursday. May 8. at their home in honor of their guest, Miss Enola Lee of Van Wert. ()hio. The evening was spent in social chat and games, after which an eleven o'clock lunch was served, and all returned to their homes well pleased with the way the evening was spent. Those present were: Misses Grace Cowan, Bessie Jackson. Clara Koos, Stella Cowan. Enola Lee. Elsie Baughman. Pearl Cowan, Ada Alexander, Edith Cowan, Messrs. Theodore Roth, Harry Jackson, Ben Shell. Walter Koos. Miles Frysinger. Ben Koos, Russell Lee and Merl Cowan.

At Geneva May 22, the Masons of this part of Indiana will lay the corner stone for the new school building now under proposed construction. Past Grand Master Geake of Fort Wayne, will place his official seal of approval upon the occasion and Masons from this city, Bluffton. Willshire, Fort Wayne, Portland. Pennville and elsewhere, will be there in numbers to assist and enjoy the many pleasures incident to such an occasion. The Hon. David E. Smith of this citylias been selected by the local Geneva lodge to deliver the address, and that means that the oratorical part of the program will not Ire neglected. The occasion will be one of considerable magnitude and interest to Geneva, as the new building will be a beauty, and will take the place of the one burned late last winter. The business in the Adams circuit court during the past week shows the following record. Franklin P. Wilt et al vs William Harper et al judgment vs plaintiff for costs. John L. Case et al vs Louis Harmon et al summons issued, Mary Kranz, vs Edward Johnson et al. trial by jury, ver diet favoring plaintiff for SIOO. State I vs Clyde Dougherty and Alonzo McDaniel. counsel to defend was ap pointed in the name of L. C. DeVoss. Lyman Rowe vs Casper Lang et al judgment vs plaintiffs for costs. Marion DeVinney vs Rosie DeVinney, defendant files demurrer. Amanda Cottrell vs Amanda Cottrell, admx, attorneys Moran and Schafer Peterson enter appearance for plaintiff. L. C. Dunbar et al., vs Byron Dun bar et al defendants roll’d to answer. Frank Gilbert vs Peter E. Fugate, defendant files demurrer. Mary Kranz vs Edward Johnson, judgment for SIOO rendered. State vs John G. Hoehatner, dismissed anil costs paid. Margaret Mieior vs Peter Wilhelm, final report fileil by E. X. Ehinger, the same lining accepted by the court. Wabash School township vs Eugene Barnes, summons issued. State vs Alonzo McDaniels, set for today. Henry Meyers vs Michael Diehl, judgment vs plaintiff for costs. Daniel Railing vs Mary Braun et a!., judgment vs Mary Braun for costs. Mary Ann Klav vs Jacob Kneuss etal James T. Merryman as commissioner, will sell certain real estate in Wabash township. John J!. Ussleman vs Fort Wayne consolidated street railway Co., judgment vs plaintiff for costs.

CIRCULATION 2800 WEEKLY

NUMBER 10

The death of Nicholas Nix occurred Saturday morning after a lingering illness. His illness dates back se.’eral months, being afflicted with diabetes. The deceased was fifty-nine years old and had been a resident of this city many years, and during that time was a useful and influential citiizen. The funeral services were held from the St. Mary’s Catholic church Monday morning, interment being in St. Joseph cemetery. Lawyers in the Bolds case argued a motion for a new trial in the Jay cir cuit court Monday, those who gave the court the benefit of their legal talent being Abe Simmons of Bluffton, Adair Ac LaFollette of Portland, and C. J. Lutz and J. C. Moran of this city, the motion was overruled but an appeal was granted to the appellate court, and 120 days given to file bill and 60 days to "file bond, the amount of the latter being $6,500. Mrs. Belle Bodkin of Geneva, was still living last evening although her condition is so grave that death is expected at any time. For the past three weeks she has been suffering from a critical stomach trouble, a con dition that arises in the last stages of consumption. She has not been able to speak for several days and bu t liquid nourishment is given her. There is no hope for her to live and it is not unexpected that death may relei ve her sufferings at any time. The Ohio City oil field is still the scene of wild speculating in oil. Another good producer came in the first of the week, and while not as large as some of those first drilled, yet it is a good payer, and is sufficient to keep the fever at a hight pitch. The Willshire company also found a good well and drilling in that locality is being vigorously pushed. Work is progressing on the Beam lease for the Decatur company, and hopes are ex pressed that the well will prove a good paying investment. E. L. Carroll’s new Curryville elevator is about the most modern and complete piece of industry that has happened around here for along time. It is located along the Clover Leaf tracks and will cost every cent of $3,500. by the time it is ready to take care of all kinds of grain. It will con tain all the latest machinery, including a wheat separator, and all the other modern equipments for the best that is in the elevator line. Mr. Carroll is also making some important changes in his elevator here, spending a good round sum of money, and is doing the thing up right. His line of elevators are certaninly models and will do all kinds of business when the season opens.

The Gentry dog and pony show Tuesday proved quite an interesting attraction not only for the little youngsters but many of the big ones as well. The show is one of the largest of its kind and make a street parade that is certainly the envy of more colossal aggregations. Their trained dogs amt ponies are wonders and do the bidding of their masters witli appparent human intellect. At the evening performance a great crowd was present, thronging the tent to the doors, and surely gave the management no cause to regret that Decatur was on their map. With the famous aggregation there is a dog which Mr. Gentry has refused *I.OOO for. The canine in question is a blood hound, not a very prepossessing animal, but wlien in action, like a courageous soldier, it looks much better than it does when on dress parade. Saturday was an eventful day for the little place of Frieiluiem, and especially eventful for the Zion Luther an congregation. The corner stone for their new church was laid and tiie ceremonies incident to the same began at two o’clock. A conservative estimate places the number of people present at 1500, by far the largest congregation ever assembled at any former church service. The program as outlined in last weeks Democrat was carried out. the Revs. Dornsilie and Klausing delivering impressive sermons, the former speaking in Ger man and the latter in English. Among the important documents placet! in tne corner stone was a copy of the Democrat of last week, and which contained a goal impression of the four churches that have stood the test of time there, the first being built in 1838, the second in 1843. the third in 1852, and the newly proposed and costly structure now under contract. The new building when completed* furnished with a new organ, seats and other furniture will cost close to $lB,(XX). The main room will have a seating capacity of f>oo, which with gal lery and annex rooms will increase its capacity to HMM) people. Neither money or expense is lieing sparred in making their future church home one of beauty, elegance anil comfort, and when complete every member will have a just right to feel proud of their efforts. Mann A Christen of this citv are the contractors, and the work will now be pushed with a view of com pleting same during the coming fall. At the cornerstone laving Sunday visitors from Fort Wayne, this city and I elsewhere were present, and joined j the Zion congregation in making the j event one longed to be rememliered i and cherished,