Decatur Democrat, Volume 46, Number 17, Decatur, Adams County, 3 July 1902 — Page 1

A LL THE NEWS all the time.

VOLUME XLVI.

Frank Galloway of near Berne was arrested last week at Huntington by Fnited States officials who charge hitn with being a deserter from the “ r> Galloway enlisted at Chicago abciit a vear ago and was sent to Walla Walla, where he grew tired of t l ie life and skipped out. \ noticeable feature of the number of hay tedders, hay loaders, mowers aH d flinders that are being put out by the several dealers of town. 1 he crops generally promise to be large, help „ill be' hard to get and in order to safely house it the farmer has no other alternative than to purchase imple I moots with which to do the work. Hugh Hout artived in the city Tuesday afternoon from his home at Cookville, Tennessee. He is still serving as an engineer and has been kept so busy for two months past that a vacation became necessary and he decided to spend it with relatives at old Decatur. He is the guest of Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Schirmeyer. Those who have put their names on our roll of honor recently by paying the necessary one dollar bill for the Democrat are John W. Coffee. Jeremiah Archbold. Martin Gerke, John Gleckler, Ernest Kruckenberg. Irvin Brandyberry, 0. J. Soman. John Hoffman, F. M. Eversole. Henry Peters. L. N. Christiauer. H. F. Schei* man John B. Miller. Ben Middleton, E. N. Canada, P. Soldner, L. Yager & Sons and J, D. Nid linger. Says the Bluffton News. The K. of P. band will go to Decatur July Fourth to plav for the street carnival and races. The driving association offers 11,500 in prizes and some speedy horses will enter the races. A big balloon ascension, high wire slide, fire works and band concerts are also among the attractions advertised. The band goes over on the early train and returns on the night train. If Decatur’s other attractions are as good as the music they will lx* in a position to give visitors more than their money’s worth. W. H. Eichhorn will deliver the Fourth of July address at Markle Friday and heis referred to in the Jour nal as “the silver tongued orator." Markle still clings to the old-fashion-ed idea of mixing in a little patriotism with its noise, something that most towns lose sight of. Their amusements are also the old-fashioned variety consisting of catching the greased pig. climbing the greased pole, sack races, tub race and pie eat ing contest, ending with a pyrotechnic display at night. Markle always gives a nice clean celebration that is worth going to see.—Bluffton News. Dr. Dick France has opened dental parlors in the two front rooms of the new Studabaker block, corner Second and Court streets. Dr. France graduated recently from the dental department of the Indianapolis University one of the best schools of the kind in existence. The first two years of his education in dentistry were spent at Ann Arbor, Michigan and he is well qualified to practice. His rooms are tastefully arranged and what is of more importance contain the best and latest instruments and tools, thus enabling him to do all kinds of work. Dr France is a popular young gentleman and we wish him many years of successful practice. Fred Tague took possession of the Mougey shoe store bright and early Tuesday morning and is now arranging to iio his share of the business, and from the businesslike manner in which he takes hold we believe he will succeed. The stock of shoes was purchased from Mr. Mougey April Uth, a part of the contract reading that he was to take possession July Ist. The stand is dlie of the oldest in the city, having for many years been owned by Anthony Holthouse who sold to Locke A Mougey some five years ago. Dell Locke sold his interest to John H. Mougey about a year after, since which time that gen tieman has lieen soli* owner. His business has been prosperous and he retires with the good will of everyone "ho has dealt with him. The most popular song of today is entitled “I’ll be Baby, in Baby's place” and it will be of even greater popularity in Decatur when it is known that it was written in this city and suggested by the words and actions of one of the little daughters of Decatur. The author is Harold Dean, who clerked for several months at the Burt House. While here the sad incident occurred which inspired tia oueg filled mind and he wrote the piece which is now gaining popular ity all over the world. To little Mar cella Kuebler is due the credit for the inspiration for while her little sister lay dead and the saddened mother found solace in tears, Marcella placed her little arms about her Wk and said “Don’t cry mamma, I won’t go way. I'll be baby in baby's place.” Harold Dean heard of the incident and immediately put it into H<) ng. A few weeks ago ne sold same to the Hayes Music company of Toledo, Ohio, and they at once published ;>OOO copies which were sold in less than a week and now every music store in the country is trying to secure some. The song is said to be the prettiest in the musical fine.

Dent Spencer driver for the Opel a House bill poster company indulged in a lively runaway near Monmouth Saturday afternoon. He was return ing from a trip to Hoagland where he was advertising the carnival. The’ horses got away from him and liefore they stopped the wagon and harness were considerbly wrecked. •Julius Haugh secured the contract Saturday for the building of a handsome new school house at district number eight, in Wabash township, his bid being $l3B lower than the next man to him. The bids filed with Trustee Macklin were Mr. Callihan. of Geneva, $2,935; Fred Hoff man of this city, $2,725 and Mr. Haugh. $2,587. John H. Mougey. who sold his slice business here to Fred Tague will go on the road as a traveling salesman, having accepted a position with the M. L. Carnahan company, of Fort ) \\ ayne, one of the best shoe jobbing houses in the country. He enters upon his duties next Monday, his territory being that part of Ohio south of the Pittsburg railway. John is a hale fellow, well met. a thorough shoe man and will do his share of business w.th his trade. Old man Ertel of Jay county has another chance for his freedom but in the meantime he will be confined in the (ounty jail. He was tried for the murder ot his wife last week but the jury after being out thirty-two hours failed to agree and were, discharged. At that time they stood four for conviction and eight for acquittal and all were so firm in their conviction of guilt or innocence that a verdict was impossible. As the summer vacation is now on the old man will have to spend his summer in jail. He will be tried in September. F. M. Schirmeyer arrived home Sunday from a several days trip to the east. The principal object of his visit was to attend the national meeting of representatives of independent telephone companies which met at Philadelphia Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of last week. About 400 telephone men were present and the occasion was a profitable one in the way of business education. At the close of the meeting the associa tion chartered a train and made a run to Atlantic City and this part of the week’s event was by no means a minor one in the way of pleasure. Beginning with Tuesday July Ist the internal revenue tax on beer has been reduced from $1.60 to SI.OO. It means a half million dollars to the brewers of Indiana in one year. The saloon keepers say that they have their eyes on the reduction of 60 cents on lieer and are laying lines to reach a share of it. Committees have already visited the brewers to ask for a reduction from $7 a barrel, the rate they have been paying since 1898. The retail article, however, will remain the same price, five cents a glass. The repeal of the war tax will also lx> welcomed by bankers, brokers, tobacconists, nawnbrokers, etc. Deeds are also to escape the special tax after tomorrow. It is Albert Brittson. P. M., if you please, he having entered upon his official duties as postmaster of Decatur Tuesday morning. P. L. Andrews who has served the people of this locality in an efficient and faithful manner for four years and four months closed his business Monday evening and turned over the keys to the new manager. Mr. Andrews has been faithful and we believe has tried to serve the people with all his ability. He has been congenial and accomodating and so far as we know has made friends with the majority of the patrons of the office. Mr. Brittson is well known to our readers and no one doubts but that he will manage affairs in a satisfactory manner. His deputies A. F. Acker.’ Mavnard Frisinger and James Beery were sworn into office Tuesday evening.

An accident from which the escape from death of one person at least seems miraculous occurred Tuesday morning at the scene of the new depot building. For several days Fred Spuhler. Ben Etnerine and Burt Segur have been digging a sewer to free the depot basement and railroad grounds of water, and have reached a depth of about eight feet. The frequent rains have soaked the ground to such an extent that sewer building is exceedingly dangerous. While the thrt*e men were at work Tuesday morning the west bank suddenly began to give away. Etnerine and Spuhler saw the approaching danger and succeeded in getting near enough out to escape. Young Segur how •V6F was not so lucky; h© was bt*iKiing over when the eave-in came and was unable to get out. he was canght bv the heavy load of dirt and completely buried. For a little while things looked pretty serious as Burt was two feet under ground and his two companions also in uncomfortable circumstances, having been caught just enough to scare them badly. It was a delicate job to dig down to Burt but he was finally excavate.! after a burial of nearly four minutes. He was bruised slightly but no bones were broken and he seems to have lieen a pretty lucky individual after all.

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 1902.

The month of June and roses, the time when 'lis said the minds of men and maids oft times turn to thoughts of love is past and the adage seems to ) have been slightly shatered. During ! the month only sixteen marriage li- 1 censes were issued, four of which ■ went out this week being granted to the following persons: Anthony A. ! Arnold and Flora Center, James E. I Ellsworth and Anna E. Gage, Harry F. Emick and Carrie Dunbar, Frank : C lay Elzey and Caroline Graber. The last article that the Immortal J. N. can call his own, except a bunch of passes and gall, will sold by Sheriff Cliffe within a few weeks at Upper Sandusky, Ohio, It is J. N.’s interest in the old homestead in Symochtee township, and is valued at) $1,698.25. Some time ago J. N.’s. brother, at New Lexington, Ohio, se-1 cured a judgment against him, which ' has remained unsatisfied for several years. J. N. has never taken any ) notice to frequent warnings, and the sale is made to protect the other heirs.—Hartford Citv Telegram. A musieale will be given next Sun-1 day evening at the Mt. Tabor church by the Epworth League, and an inter-| eating entertainment is assured to ■ which every one is cordially invited. | The following program has’ been ar-1 ranged: Instrumental music, Ada) Alexander; duett, soprano and alto, I Mary Dailey and Bertha Bunner; music, Mr. \Vm. Teeple; essay, B. S. Colter; organ solo, Anna Steele; soprano and alto duett, Grace Camp-1 bell and Nona Porter; instrumental I solo, Lizzie Graber; duett, alto and tenor. Ida Noll and H. Lee; organ I music. True Daugherty; male quar- i tette. Another case of kidnapping occurred here Sunday afternoon when Marion Mentzer better known as “Monks” stole his six-year-old son. j Mr. and Mrs. Mentzer seperated some i time ago and Mrs. Mentzer has lately | been living in the stone block. Sun- ) day afternoon Monks passed and saw I the boy playing near the foot of the stairs, grablied him and went west on I Madison street. Mrs. Mentzer heard i thi* boy yell, "good-by-, mamma,” and picking up a buggy whip started in pursuit. Mentzer turned north at the alley west of the Big Store and the last seen of him he was several rods in the lead. H. A. Fristoe of the Smoke House was busy Tuesday invoicing his stock of tobacco preparatory to filing his claim for rebate with the revenue department. July first the special tax on all plug and fine cut tobacco was reduced 3.6 cents on the pound and any dealer having 325 pounds of tobacco on hands was entitled to a rebate of $lO.Ol. No rebate less than $lO will be paid and broken packages could not be invoiced. If a retailer had tobacco on which the duty amounted to $9.99 he could not get a cent but if he could spring the amount two'cents he came in for a rebate of $lO.Ol. Mr. Fristoe had on hands nearly 1000 pounds of tobacco and his rebate will amount to $33.41. Ben Middleton was struck in the face by Kirt Johnson Tuesday after noon and his face quite badly disfigured. The affair occurred at the Nickle Plate saloon and there are several stories afloat concerning same. From what we have lieen able to learn the beating given Ben was entirely uncalled for and should not have been administered. Ben seems to have been having a run of unusually tough luck and it appears that at least a portion of it has been in the way of “kicking a man when he’s down.” We know of several affidavits which have filed against him but dismissed lie- ; fore any action was taken. If he is 1 guilty of any crime he should be prosecuted. but if not he should be given the same rights allowed to any other citizen and allowed to attend to his own business. J. E. Moser was awarded second prize in cabinet work at the annual convention of Indiana photographers at Warsaw last week and received a beautiful bronz medal as a proof of his merits. That Mr. Moser is a leader in his line of work has neser lieen doubted by the people of Deca tur and vicinity and this notice of his artistic abilities at a state meeting, while not surprising to his admirers here at home, is nevertheless highly appreciated. His success de serves the more credit when it is known that his prize was awarded on his everyday work, not a single sitting being made for the purpose of exhibition at the convention. Further more he was in competition wiih artists from etery city and town in the state who not only ' made special efforts to secure a prize but had the advantage of having frequently completed at previous meetings. The cabinet picture is the most popular the world over and our citizens may well fell proud of the fact that their photographs are made by one of the best artists in the state. Mr. Moser’s exhibit consisted of photographs taken during the past six months and were respectfully those of Misses Lucile Bryson, Hose Forbing. Genevieve Hale, Marie Patterson. Mabie Erwin, Reba Quinn. Gertrude Forbing, Celia Smith. Gertrude Rademacher- and Marcella Kuebler. Mr. Louis Holthouse and Master Ralph Moser.

All kinds of climate changes are promised by Prof. Hicks for July. The 4th and sth are to be stormy thunder, wind, rain and hail. Warm weather follows, with reactionary storms from the 11th to 13th. More storms on th£ 17th and 20th. The 22nd to 24th inclusive will bring a reaction from high to a lower barometer, the temperature will rise and the last week of the month will be excessively hot. Civil Engineer W. E. Fulk has just completed a number of blue prints of the grounds of the Great Northern Fair association and neatness and accuracy of the drawings prove be-; yond a question the ability of Mr., Fulk. The sheets contain the exact) location of every building on the) grounds, the driveways, lake, racel track, ball grounds, privilege stands, i gardens and in fact every thing of | interest in the big fair grounds. The drawings will be used for various pur-1 poses by the association and will come in handy many times. Charles E. Shepherd, convicted of murder in the first degree was brought into the Jay circuit court Friday afternoon for sentence. When ordered to stand up by Judge Smith and asked if he had anything to say, Shepherd replied: "I am not guilty; I have no recollection of what has occurred.” Judge Smith then did his sole duty in the case, and that was to sentence Shepherd to spend the rest of his days on earth behind the grim walls of the Michigan City penitentiary. After sentence had been pronounced Shepherd was removeci to the cell in the county jail which he has been occupying. Recordei T. M. Gallogly has completed his annual report to the Indiana Bureau of statistics, which includes a complete account of his offi cial duties up to June Ist, 1902. The same shows that during the year past 866 deeds have been filed, the aggregate consideration lieing $1,069,250, Real Estate mortgages 411 in number amounting to $333,030 have been filed while the releases 431 in number amount to only $267,455. Chattel mortgages. 133, were filed with a total amount of $50,197. with 43 releases, total $13,904 The grand total of all mortgages filed is $383,227; releases $281,362. From this it may readily be noticed that notwithstanding the great prosperity howl, the mortgage business in Adams county has increased $101,865, during the past year. Officers of the Indiana state prison at Michigan City are investigating a scheme, under pretention of securing paroles, to extort money from prisoners. The method followed is to call on relatives of convicts and tell them he has a friend on the parole board but that it is necessary to have a little cash. The relatives often furnish money, it is asserted, and in many instances the funds come from the prisoner, who has saved from his earnings for overwork. The brokerage in paroles, it is alleged, is going on extensively, and some attorneys in different parts of the state are said to be getting fees from convicts for their services. It is declared that doctors, detectives and even chiefs of police have a hand in this kind of work, and that some noted criminals, who were in prison under assumed names, have been released after police officers vouched for them and signed contracts to give them employment. At the meeting of the city council Tuesday evening an ordinance was adopted which grants to the Fort Wayne, Dayton & Cincinnati Traction company the occupation and use of the streets of Decatur for the purpose of building a street and interurban electric railway. The question has been before our citizens for two years past and the general opinion is in favor of such a road. According to the ordinance the franchise is good for thirty years, permission being granted for them to construct the railway with all necessary switches, etc., upon Mercer street from the south corporation line, to Adams street, and on Second street from Adams street to the north corporation line; also on Adams street west from Second to Third street, and thence north on Th.rd street to the city limits. It is further provided that no freight cars shall be run on Second street, all such cars being run over the Third street route. The railway must be completed through the city by .1 uly 1,1904, and to Fort Wayne by De cember 21, 1904. The company must keep the tracks in such shape that they will at no time be an impediment to the ordinary uses of the streets Thev shall leave the streets in as good condition as they were before the laying of the tracks. Any person entering with cars purposely or delaying them in any wav shall be liable to a Hine of fifty dollars. Before begin i mng the work the company shall give a bond to the city in the sum of SIO,OOO, as a protection of the city from damages, judgments, etc. The I fare over the road from any point |to any other point within the city 1 limits shall be five cents. Policemen ' and city marshal while on duty shall have free transpoatation over the lines within the city limits. The ordinance shall lx* in force as soon as accepted by the said traction company.

A report became current on our streets Tuesday that a real old fashioned Kansas cyclone was due here at two o’clock in the afternoon and as a consequence quite a little excitement prevailed. How the report got started no one seems to know, still at the time everyone believed it to be authentic. However its another case of an ill wind doing some one good for the cyclone insurance men did a land office business, over $50,000 being written by the various agents duringthe day. Residents of this locality who were up at six o’clock Sunday morning beheld a miniature snow storm, a sight, i probably never before witnessed in j this section so late in the summer, j quite a little of the frozen fragments ) having fallen according to the story l'of several we have talked with. This | certainlv breaks all records and the ) old timers who tell of that snow which occurred May 24th some twenty I years ago will have to go way back i and sit down, while us younger “fel- ' lers” tell of the snow storm of June 29, 1902. Tonight marks the closing of the 1902 street carnival, and judging from the financial and other beneficial results of the undertaking, it will be 2002 before Montpelier is the scene of another such. With the last meal of selected snakes by “Snake Oid,” a last peep at the “Fairies, ’ a farewell view of the eruptions of Mont Pelee, an unsatisfied desire to know the mysteries of the Palace of Delusions, another trip with the divers to the bot- - tom es the ocean and a final spin on > the merry-go-round, the lights will be put out, the stakes pulled and the tent folded, and all that will remain to remind the citizens of the four days of carnival will be a jail filled with pickpockets, drunks and com- , batants. Just what benefit the citv has derived from the week’s doings would be hard to determine. Friday Montpelier Herald. 1 Another pioneer who assisted in • the upbuilding of Decatur and Ad--1 ams county has gone to his final re- • ward. Andrew Barkley died at his 1 home on Chestnut street Friday even--1 ing at 7:30 o'clock. For several years ' he has been in very poor health, suffering with a complication of diseases. J At times he would improve slightly, ' but his old age seemed to make re- - covery impossible, and he finally suc3 1 cumbed to the inevitable. He was ' born in Ashland county, Ohio, in 1829 and had reached the age of seventy- ! three years. When a young man he , came to this county and with the r exception of the time spent in the ' army has since resided here. For i many years he has lived in Decatur j and was known as a conscientious, t honest, upright and Christian man. j His aged wife and three children surj vive him. The children are Henry . and James Barkley and Mrs. Lavina . Pummell. He was a member of the s G. A. R. and was held in high es- . teem. Rev. S. I. Zichiel . the funeral services which were held t from the Evangelical church at two , o’clock Sunday afternoon. The regular meeting of the city 3 council was held Tuesday evening with Mayor Beatty presiding and members Peterson, Stetler. Fordyce, 1 Weaver, Corbett and Teeple present. Clerk D. M. Hower read the minutes r of the meeting of June 17, which were ’ duly approved. The treasurer was authorized to collect from H. M. RomI berg $12.00 rate for water used at his 3 livery barn. The appointment of city t commissioners was filed. Mr. Fordyce i moved the electric light bill of Air. f Elliot be compromised at S4O, which j Mr. Elliot agreed to and motion cari ried. Mayor Beatty appointed Jonas s Fisher and Jacob Mangold night po--3 1 iceman and upon motion the said api pointments were approved by the j council. Bills were allowed as fol- ! j lows: J. D. Hale, coal, $23.32; Thos. ' i Buckmaster, police, $4.50; Blackburn U A Christen, goods, $3.94: Cal Forei, man, labor, $3.00; J. S. Peterson, l» labor, $23.37; A. E. Rose, labor, $33. s 11: A. Stoneburner, guard, $9.00; W. II Drummond, guard. $9.00; Clover Leaf i Ry Co., freight, $285.67; F. Bissel X i Co. supplies, $7.13; Central Electric e Co., $1.50-. United Chemical Co., i. $42.20; National Carbon Co., supplies, t $48.50; R. B. Whitsett, supplies, $52.1 13; W. A. Zelincker, supplies, $9.15; 1 Smith, Yager A Falk, supplies, sl2. a 42: Ft. Wayne Elec. Co., $103.65; i Elmer Johnson, labor. $1.25; W. J. Archbold,express,ss.3s; Peter Kirsch t labor, $3.20; John Tisron, labor $2.25; t A. E. Huffman, labor, $21.00; Delma t Elzey, police, $40.00; E. M. Peoples, i livery. $6.00: Phoenix Oil Co., supI plies. $20.50; H. B. Kuoff, pay roll, • $23.70; Thos. Baker, salary, ssso; - David Myers, salary, SSO; Jacob ; Eady, salary. S4O; Thomas Haefling, a salary. $lO:’.M. J. Mylott, salary, $65; - H. B. Knoff, salary, $11.66; Howard II DeWitt, salary, SB. The question of f) piping water in the north part of y i the city was deferred until the next e . meeting. Mayor Beatty appointed a t committee composed of Corbett. For y dyce and Stetler to investigate the ii C. A E. proposition of putting in an 1 alarm bell to take the place of a s wateinnan. An finance concerning e the building of the Jorl Wayne. .1 Dayton and Cincinnati! traction road was adopted on suspension of rules.

CIRCULATION 2800 WEEKLY

NUMBER 17

IT’S A GASSER. I THE CLIFFTON WELL SHOWS < STRONG TENDENCIES OF HAVING GAS TO BURN. The Decatur Oil A Gas Company now possess two blooming gas wells, either 'one of which make a i good showing, and the two combined ' cheer the hearts of those whose memi ory dates back to that ancient period ’ when the coal skuttle played an im- . portant part in the daily life of downtrodden man. The last well came in • last Friday and is located on the Cliffton farm seven miles east of the i city, juct across the state line. At the depth of twenty feet in trenton 3 rock the pressure ot gas was so strong that drilling was discontinued, but 3 . after earnest consultation the board 1 of directors decided to drill a few feet . deeper with a view of increasing the volume of gas and at the same time ) testing the probability of oil. Tues- ■ day the drill went down six feet , more, and yesterday morning the ? well was given a light shot, thus r vastly increasing the volume of gas. , Eighteen feet of “gas pay” was pene- ' trated, and it is no story to say that r the well is a double-jointed corker, * with gas sufficient to supply all the - manufacturing institutions here for J the next hundred years. Horace j Porter, a member of the board of directors of the Decatur Oil A Gas v Company, and a man of vast experi- | ence in the gas business, stakes his i, reputation upon the well. He says ' he never saw a better example of a s r 3 long lifed and vigorous well. An--3 other well will be drilled at once, 3 thus completing a series of three 7 wells, and making five in the territory. The finding of gas in such a volume 1 has put new life and interest in the g affairs of the company. A crowd of men are in the county j we are reliably informed who are rep - resenting the St. Louis Stove and . Range company, of St. Louis, Mis--1 souri. They are canvassing the - farmers for orders for their ranges , and charging sixty and seventy dollars each. They are smooth talkers and no doubt take some orders, but if f you get beat by buying one it is your c fault. These same ranges as at least 3 ranges of the same grade can be ~ bought here for from twenty-five to i, thirty dollars. \Ve know this, for - within the past two weeks a repre- ; sentative of the company was here and canvassed the hardware dealers, ; offering to sell them these goods at . from twenty-one to twenty-three dolj lars each. When these men call on ; you tell them you buy your goods i from home merchants, who are not a , thousand miles away in ease you are - not satisfied. A few years ago the , same fake was worked in this county ; and since that time scarcely a person j who purchased has failed to call at a f, hardware store to secure some part ; for the stove which has already worn I out. Os course the merchants can't f supply them and when the party f sends to the factory for the part, he is t charged an exorbitant price. Farm a ers, take our warning and don’t buy; ■- they are thecheaiwst range on the e market and if you pay more than a twenty-five dollars for one you are a getting the worst of the bargain and g they are dear at that price. Patron >, ize your home merchant and youfet .1 a fair, square deal or have an oppor- ). tunity of making it so. a