Decatur Democrat, Volume 46, Number 20, Decatur, Adams County, 24 July 1902 — Page 1

all the news ALL THE TIK’E.

VOLUME XLVI.

Marriage licenses have been issued this week to two couple, their names being Esaiss White and Alberta Krick, Peter Bollenbacher and Minnie Ellen Tinkham. Attorney Sherman Mott of Indianapolis, has been looking up old friends here this week, after an absence of five years. He was formerly a member of the Adams County bar. Mrs. Frank Durkins has been quite ill since last Sunday morning. A little girl baby died after living but an hour or two. Mrs. Durkins’ condition is not considered dangerous. Mrs. S. P. Beatty has been quie ill with symptoms of typhoid fever for two weeks past at her home at Omaha, Nebraska. Word received Tuesday, however, is to the effect that she has recovered sufficiently to be about again. R. J. Holthouse entertained a few guests at a solo party Sunday evening in honor of his father Anthony Bolthouse of Jonesboro, Arkansas. Among those present were B. J. Terveer, H. H. Bremerkamp and William Mersman. Its a sure thing that everyone had a good time. Rev. H. N. Allen who was lately chosen to the pastorate of the Christian church conducted his first services Sunday. His initiatory sermon was instructive and interesting and was heard by quite a large audiance. Rev. Allen comes from Saginaw, Michigan, where he has been in charge a number of years. The home of Mrs. Elizabeth Boyers at Berne was struck by lightning Friday morning and the escape of Mrs. Boyers, the only occupant, seems nothing short of miraculous. The bolt struck the chimney of the house and followed downward, striking the bed in which Mrs. Boyers was asleep and caused considerable damage while she never felt the shock. The Muncie Gas company has exactly 1,200 suits for damages on its hands. That many of its home patrons are demanding their money back which was paid for gas they never got. There are but three justices of the peace in Muncie and should each try a case every day, sixteen months would elapse before all have been heard. • In another column of this weeks’ issue may be found a statement of The Old Adams County Bank, showing its condition at the close of July 19, and if the officials and stockholders are not proud of it, they should be. The total amount of resources reaches nearly a million dollars, the exact figures being $900,000.41. Os this amount $744,188.28 is individual deposits. A number of relatives and friends of the late Mrs. Judd, of Adams county, left here Thursday to attend the funeral, which occurred Friday. Some made the trip by the overland route, while others went by rail. Those who attended the last sad rites were Mrs. Joseph Clark and son Ethan, Mrs. Mary Walters and son David, of this city; Isaac and Solomon Judd, Mrs. George Sheckler and Mrs. George Judd of Tborncreek township; Mrs. Jacob Erne, Elmer Nei and wife, Jacob Keifer and wife, Fred. Gus and Frank Shinbeckler and their families, all south of this city. -Columbia City Post. Tuesday's Berne Witness said: Cesar Hilty, a native of French township, who has spent twentyseven years in the wild West and Alaska as a gold miner, is- here since last week visiting his aged father, brother and sisters in this vicinity and Ghio. Mr. Hilty left here twenty-seven years ago and after roughing it about seventeen years in the mines of Nevada and California, sought the still wilder scenes of Alaska 1892, where he was one of the pioneer miners. He now operates a mine in the Klondike field, where Amos Sprunger, of this place, is now working for him. Mr. Hilty was married abont two years ago and has now accumulated some fortune. He will return to the wilds of the arctic regions after about a three weeks’ visit. He says this country can't keep him here. The excursion through here Tuesday morning at seven o’clock was run hv A. F. Martin of Marion, and was advertised as an excursion conducted “as Christ would run it.” There were six coaches on the train and all were crowded. The train ran to Toledo, the fare being $1.25 from Mariou. It was announced that the follow*ng free dinner would be served on the train before arriving at Toledo: 1 jne ham sandwich, one piece of cheese, one pickle, two bananas, one boiled egg and one cake. The followjag rules were enforced: No smok>ng, no chewing of tobacco or gum, no drinking of intoxicating liquors, no loud talking, no running through the cars. The excursion was for saint nnd sinner who would comply with these rules. Three religious meetWere at Toledo at which H. Kennedy, W. D. Baker and A. I'razier presided. The train arrived here almost an hour later than schedule time. It was marked by an absence of shouting, howling and rowdysm and fully three fourths of the passengers were girls and women.

becATiiit BEMOCR4T.

A new platform and walk from M inchester street to the Chicago <k Erie depot is being constructed. It will be twelve feet wide and 480 feet long and will be built of brick. Miss Amelia Weber was the hostess at a pleasant event given at her home Friday evening. Refresments were served and none of the guests had trouble in finding ample amusement. _Mrs. Charles S. Niblick and Mrs. William H. Niblick entertained about twenty of their lady friends at five o’clock dinner at the home of the former on north Third street, Thursdoy evening. Mrs. H. W. Vitz of Indianaoolis has been the guest of Mrs. David Gerber for several days and on last Thursday evening, a surprise was perpetrated on the two ladies by the members of the German Reformed church. The guests took plenty of delicious reereshments with them and the evening was a most delightful one. Rev. J. F. Horton and family of Wyoming. Ohio, have been the guests of Albert Brittson and family for a week past. Rev. Horton was formerly in charge of the Presbyterian church here and has many friends in the community. He conducted morning services last Sunday and his sermau was a splendid one from every stand point. Messrs, and Mesdames Fred Heuer. Henry Schulte and C. E. Neptune came home Monday afternoon from Clear Lake, situated in the north part of the state. They have been living at that place for two weeks past, and to say that they enjoyed life is putting it mildly. Thev had plenty of exercise and fish and that’s about all there is at any resort. The Decatur Reds seem to be loosing their reputation obtained by good ball playing early in the season. They played at Ossian last Saturday and were defeated by a score of thirteen to four. Railing pitched for the Reds and Wagoner for Ossian. Our boys say they couldn’t get their team together and had to pick up anybody they could get to go. James Harkless and family of Paulding, Ohio, who have been visiting with relatives here for two weeks past will return home today. Mr. Harkless is assistant cashier in the Pauling county bank and is a very popular citizen. He still has many good friends hereabouts, this being his native county. He was connected with the Decatur National Bank for many years. Joseph Wall, the oldest convict in the Michigan City prison and perhaps in any United States prison, died Monday night at that institution after serving twenty-five years of a life sentence pronounced by Judge James W. Worden of Fort Wayne in 1876. Wall was a negro and was seventy-two years old when sentenned, his present age being 102 years. He was given his life sentence for killing a white man named Croukhite, with whom he boarded. He was first sentenced to death but was given a new trial on appeal to the supreme court on account of erroneous instructions to the jury. Last Saturday night was the occasion of one of the social events which take place at the G. A. R. Hall. About eight o’clock the Woman’s Relief Corps, headed by their president, invaded the G. A. R. Hall about forty strong and commanded the members of Sam Henry Post, who were in session at that time, to “surrender”, which they willingly did. Commander G. W. Woodward made a few remarks in behalf of the Post, after which the evening was enjoyed in various amusements. Music was furnished bv Messrs. Will Smith and Roy Wolford. At 9:30 the Relief Corps served a fine lunch which was highly appreciated by all present. It was a complete surprise to the old soldier boys, who say that the Woman’s Relief Corps are always welcome to break into their guard lines on such occasions. About four o’clock Saturday morning people living in the vicinity of the Chicago & Erie water tank in the south west part of town, heard a terrible crash and those who took the trouble to get out found with but little trouble the cause thereof, as a number of freight and passenger cars were piled up along the tracks. Two east bound freight trains Nos. 86 and 78, had been running a short distance apart, No. 86 was ahead and had stopped to take water. As 78 approached the engineer tried to stop his train, but the air brakes failed to work and his train dashed into the rear of No. 86. The train men all jumped except the engineer of No. 78, who stuck to, his post and escaped with only a slight injury to odo of his hrtuds. In spoaking of the accident he said, Im an old man, and when 1 found the brakes would not work and knowing that to jump meant death. I determined to stay with her.” The caboose of the train 86. two passenger coaches that were being delivered to the Lake Erie road, and several box cars were badly damaged, as was also the engine that pulled 78, entailing a loss of about $4,000.

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY, JULY 24, 1902.

A. E. Rose was at Bluffton last Thursday and secured contracts for a number of good wiring and plumbing jobs. The residents of our neighboring city may rest assured that the work will be well done. The Bluffton Carnival is on this week and after all their blowing and fun making of the similar exhibitions in other towns they are trying to fool the people with the same thing. They have a lot of cheap shows and thats all there is to it. William C. Reinking of Union township has been trying an experiment in the poultry business. He placed five goose eggs under a setting turkey and in due time they were hatched out and certainly made a peculiar brood. They should be exhibited at the county fair this fall. Dr. D. D. Clark has purchased a new pacing horse and it is a safe statement that nothing in this part of the state can throw dust in her eyes. She was purchased Tuesday at Winchester and will be given a trial work out at Steele’s park tomorrow afternoon. She has a mark of 2:19 and a trial mark of 2:11. It is probable that she will be entered in a number of races this fall. The large barn on the farm of John W. Kelley of Jefferson township, was struck by lightning Friday afternoon. The building took fire and was comdestroyed, together with all the contents, including a large amount of new hay and some valuable machinery. Frank Macklin lived en the farm and is the heaviest looser, as the goods were all his property. A picked up ball team from here went over to Wren Sunday and found out they didn’t know a great deal about the game, being defeated by a score of twenty to six. The Wren team is winning from everyone and claim to have one of the best amature teams in this section of the country and those Decaturites who went over Sunday say they don't doubt it much. The largest yeald of wheat ever grown in Adams county was threshed on A. R. Bell’s farm east of the city. The field has been admired by everyone who seen it, there were twelve acres threshed Thursday and it made 4494 bushels machine measure. It was the old blue stem wheat. Mr. Bell will keep part of it and can furnish anyone with seed wheat that may desire it and he will have very little trouble in disposing of it. Judge John C. Nelson of Logansport, Jias accepted the democratic nomination for congress from the Eleventh district. The decision was made last Thursday afternoon when the notification committee met him in Logansport and officially notified him of his selection at the Peru convention. The decision was made by him. reports of opposing papers to the contrary notwithstanding. He is a strong candidate, and while there is a republican majority of about 4000. he will give young Landis a terrible run for his honors. Judge Nelson is an ex-soldier, an attorney of state reputation and a man well fitted to represent his district in congress. The Grand Rapids railway have profusely blown themselves in their supply of 1902 folders and booklets, which give almost a realistic review of the summer resorts that are reached byway of the G. R. & I. while the printed matter is a rare speeitnan the printer’s art, yet it is no comparison to the scenic beauty and comfort that is found at Petoskey, Bay View. Oden, Mackinac Island, and a hundred other pleasure resorts, with which Michigan so abundantly abounds. The Grand Rapids have a right to feel proud of their service. Solid vestibuled trains making excellent time, and uontain all the comforts and luxuries of the twentieth century, are daily in service. Notwithstanding the fact that travel has been n\ore extensive this year than ever before, yet the un excelled train services of the Grand Rapids, enable them to give all patrons the comforts of their excellent service. The Geneva Correspondent to the Portland Commercial Review said last Saturday. The new building being constructed for a postoffiee room by M. M. McGriff, is rapidly nearing completion and will soon be ready for occupancy by Postmaster Aspy. W. D. Cross has about completed the brick room being erected for his residence and machine shop on west Line street. The lower part of the building will be used at present for his shop. When this is completed another room is to bo built adjoining this one on the west. The new room will be used for a machine shop, while the one now under construction will lie used for a residence. The residence property of Thomas Drew, on North High street, is rapidly nearing completion, and when completed will be one of the finest residences in the city. Mr. Drew is the proprietor of the Geneva harness shoo and as he never does anything by halves, the new home will lie first class in every detail. Work on the new school house has progressed faster by far than was exjiected by the board. The brick work on the first story is com pleted and all is in readiness for the addition of the next.

The Fuelling church will have Mission service next Sunday. Rev. Martin Fuelling of Chicago, will preach in the morning and Prof. Dorin of Fort Wayne and Rev. Clansing in the afternoon. The latter will preach in English in the Barger Grove. Drilling began Monday evening on the seventh well for the Decatur Gil & Gas company, k which is located on the Brittson farm, northwest of the last well drilled. By the latter part of next week providing no bad luck ensues —the fate of the well will be known. Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Kizer of this city and Peter Kizer of the southern part of the county left Monday for Oregon, where they expect to make their future home. They have not decided as to just what they will do but expect to engage in some business or find lucrative employment. A severe thunder storm visited the south part of the county Saturday night and some damage is reported. A large barn on the August Reinhard farm was struck by lightning and burned to the ground. The contents, including a lot of grain and some machinery were totally destroyed, making the loss about $2,000, with insurance for but about SSOO. The death of Mrs. Henry Sherry of Kirkland township occurred Sunday evening about eight o’clock, of dropsy and old age. She had been a resident of this county for half a century or more and was as well known as any resident in her township. During the past few years she has resided with her son, Henry Sherry jr., and her death occurred at his home. She has been afflicted with dropsy for some time and her death was not unexpected. Rev. Snyder of Magley conducted the funeral services which were held at Magley Thursday afternoon at one o’clock.

The exodus of hay fever victims will begin soon and a good many peoI pie who think they are afflicted but I really are suffering with another ma- ; lady will leave this city for northern Michigan not later than the middle of August. The expression of suffer- ! ers who don’t know the real cause of the disease is that their is more hay fever in the gas belt than other parts of the state but doctors who are posted on the subject say there is no rprobability of this being the case. I One reason for Adams county having so many patients is the fact that it is one of the most fertile places in the state. Hay fever comes with the I ripening of vegetation when the poli len of-plants is carrier! by the winds Iso that it becomes irritable to the nostrils of persons suffering from hay j fever. The McLean Schumacher feud that ! has existed for a year is still on, I though it came near ending Sunday, i About two o’clock on the afternoon of the above day the two men met near the corner of Second and Monroe streets and Schumacher called Henry some ugly names. The latter stood it for a minute but then Frank continued until Henry lost control of his temper and drawing out a red bandana handkerchief, in the folds of which was hidden a stone or some other heavy article struck him over the head. Frank almost collapsed but was able to go to the office of Dr. D. D. Clark, who dressed the wound. His head was badly cut open and the skull slightly cracked. Henry was arrested oh a charge of assault and battery with intent to kill. He was given a hearing before ’Squire James H. Smith Monday morning but waived examination and was bound over to the circuit court. His trial will no doubt come up next September. At the continued session of the city council held at their rooms at the court house, Mayor Beatty presided, and members Fordyce, Weaver, Stetler, Peterson Teeple and Corbett were present. On call of the finance committee the following bills were presented and allowed: Henry Peters, labor $7.20; Christ Boese, labor $1.00; Daniel Colchin, guard $1.50; P. J. Hyland, labor $65 00; A. C. Gregory, labor $22.1X1; G. Christen, labor 822; Garlock Packing Co., supplies $11.69: Sunday Creek Coal Co., coal $21.83; Standard Oil Co., oil $14.04; Fort Wayne Electric Works, supplies $193.08; Brooks Oil 'Co., oil $17.49; H. R. Worthington, supplies $4.20. The report of the sewer committee on the Gregory sewer was made and adopted, the same being that said sewer is deemed a necessity and should be built, and on motion of Fordyce it was decided to build said sewer on north side of Marshall street. A petition was filed for the construction of a sewer in the north part of town to empty into the Gregory sewer, said sewer to lie known as the M. V. B. Archbold sewer, the petition was approved. A favorable report was filed by the water works commit tee and approved for the piping of water into the north part of town. The jietition of L. S. Wagoner and thirty-one other citizens asking that the water meter ordinance be repealed was laid on the table, upon motion of Councilman Corliett. The matter of increasing the salary of Dr. A. G. Holloway, secretary of boaud of health, was referred to the judiciary commit tee. Council adjourned.

While at Decatur last Friday we called at Krick & Tyndall’s tile and brick factory, considered the largest plant along the G. R. & I. railway. We were also shown through the newoffice building that is very handsome, and has all the latest improvements for convenience etc., so that when their new office furniture has been placed there can be nothing nicer.— Geneva Herald. This winter there will be no long rows of well-filled fruit jars in Adams county cupboards, and the house wife will have to buy her canned goods in a grocery store this winter. Just now the market should be loaded with blackberries but instead of that there are but very few- blackberries to be had for canning. In fact, there has been but a shy crop of all small fruits, strawberries, raspberries, cherries, etc. The drought last year is responsible for this condition of affairs. C. Francis Knowlton, is planning a unique attraction for Dunkirk during the two weeks beginning September 8. His idea is to have constructed a corn and grass palace, this being a building fifty feet long, divided into apartments which will be let out to merchants, preferably those of Dunkirk, Redkey and Pennville. The building will be surrounded by three acres- of land, all fenced, and within this enclosure is to be erected a large tent, one sparing two thousand five hundred persons, in which entertainments are to be given. These will consist the first week of concerts twice each day, afternoon and evening. There will also be a democratic day, a republican day, old soldiers’ day, Knightsof Pythias day and baby day. On Sunday the palace, which is to have three shows, a merry-go-round and ferris wheel, will be silent except for two sacred concerts. , Tony Brazier, the blind man who i plaved a grind organ on the streets i Friday and Saturday owns a little i dog which illustrates the devotion of I that species of animal to a kind mas- | ter. Tonv is totally blind but is I guided around nearly as well as j though he possessed good eyes by I the little old dog which has been in the same service for thirteen years. As long as it walks on pavement it keeps the chain stretched tight but on nearing a curb or building it hangs back and warns Tony by the slackness of the chain that he must step with care. The animal knows just where the best places for his master ito play can be found and leads him to a shady spot at a street corner. 1 While he, plays the dog lies quietly in a little box and never makes a whine but when he speaks it is ready to lead him on again. It understands him and if Tony says “postoffice,” “restaurant” or any place where they have been before, the dog knows where to go. The funeral services of Mrs. Alonzo Holmes, of Gas City, will be held from the Methodist church in this city this afternoon at two o’clock. Her death was the result of one of the sadest accidents which ever occurred in the city. About a year ago the I family moved from here to Gas City, where Mr. Holmes held a good position and the familv were getting along prosperously. When they heard of the Norton excursion from Marion to Toledo, Mrs. Holmes decided to come to this city for a few davs visit with her many relatives, supposing, of I course, that the train would stop here, I and expecting to return home the | same evening. She boarded the train | at Marion Tuesday morning, happy in the thoughts of a pleasant day and thinking of the surprise of her aged mother at seeing her. When the crowded train reached here, it foiled to slow up for the station and Mrs. Holmes realizing that she w-ould be carried through to Toledo and thus miss her visit it is believed determined to get off the moving train. She hastened out to the platform and stepped off. The train was running aliout twenty miles an hour and the poor lady was whirled through the air a distance of several feet, alighting on the brick street. With such force was she thrown that car inspector Charles Irvin, who saw the terrible accident says her body slid entirely across the street. She was carried to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Foreman nearby and medical aid summoned, but she was lieyond help and died at eight o’clock, just one hour after the accident. Her face was badly bruised and the back of ,her head terribly crushed. Her husband was notified at once and arrived on the noon train. He is heartbroken and the shock of the awful news was almost too great for him. When Mrs. Holmes attempted to alight from the train she had sevoral|bundles in her arms, containing presents for her loved ones here. After her death the remains were taken to the home of her aunt, Mrs. Asa Engle on Rugg street. Mrs. Holmes was thirty six years old and had resided here nearly all her life until a year ago, when the family removed to Gas City. She was a kind, christfan lady and her influence will lie sadly missed in her home. She was the mother of ten children, four of whom have proceeded her into tlie brighter land. She was the daughter of Mrs. Jane Crandal.

CIRCULATION 2800 WEEKLY

NUMBER 20

A Decatur believer in the old ad- ' age, “See a pin and pick it up and that day you’ll have good luck,” saw a pin in front of the postoffice last evening. Bending down to get it, his hat tumbled .off, and rolled into the gutter. His glasses fell and broke on the pavement, his suspenders gave away behind, he bursted the button hole in the back of his shirt collar and lost his new false teeth. But he got the pin. Some person who deserves aterm in the penitentiary got in his work in the north part of town Sunday night by distributing poison to a number of dogs. Two fine hunters, the property of Charles Meibers were found dead the next morning, as were also valuable canines belonging to John Gerard and Mr. Hendrickson. A reward of twenty-five dollars has been offered for the arrest and conviction of the party and an effort is being made to ferret out the fiend. A number of other dogs were poisoned but recovered. Ellen M. Stone, the famous missionary, whose name appeared in nearly every paper in the world recently on account of her thrilling experience with the Bulgarian brigands passed through this city last Friday afternoon, she came from the west and was on her way to U rbana, Ohio, where she lectured in the evening. She did not get off the train here but nodded pleasantly to one or two people who recognized her from having seen her photograph so often. Had it been known that she was to pass through Decatur, she would no doubt have had some visitors. George W. Beers of Fort Wayne, one pf the most prominent independent telephone men in America, re* cently prepared, at the request of the editor of Finance, a Cleveland publication, an article reviewing the independent long distance telephone situation of the central west. It is doubtful i. any man is better qualified than Mr. Beers to speak upon this subject, and few men are better known in the telephone world than he. He says: In the fall of 1894 the first independent telephone exchange in this state, and, so far as I know, the first in the United States, was put in operation at Decatur, the capital of Adams county, about twenty miles south of this city. The success of that exchange was immediate and in rapid succession exchanges were constructed in the county seats surrounding this city, both in this' state and in the western edge of Ohio, so that by the end of 1895 exchanges were in operation in all of northeastern Indiana and the adjacent counties of Ohio, including the cities of Lima and Fort Wayne.—Fort Wayne Sentinel. A sensational elopement is reported from Monroe township this week and on account of the prominence of everyone concerned has caused considerable interest. The parties are Oliver D. Reynolds, a young married man and Miss Julia Loser, fifteen years old. The latter is the daughter of Jacob Loser one of the best known farmers tn Monroe township. She is an attractive looking young lady and has always been to her parents an obedient child. For some time it has lieen noticed however that she and Reynolds have been quite intimate but as she was scarcely more than a child and Reynolds a married man nothing was thought of it. A few weeks ago the barn on the Reynolds farm was burned and a few days ago the insurance money amounting to about S9OO came. The farm belongs to Mrs. Reynolds and consequently the insurance draft was payable to her. Oliver planned the building of a new barn and Mrs. Reynolds signed the draft over to her husband, who said he would get the money and put in the Berne bank. He came to this city one day last week and got the money and at the same time sold a piece of land belonging to his mother for SIOOO, getting the amount in cash. He also' endeavored to get a check of deposit cashed but failed here. He must have gathered up something like $2500. He left home Friday saying he was going to Montpelier to visit a brother but was seen in the neighborhood of his home Saturday night. Miss Loser left home Saturday evening telling her parents that she was to spend the night with neighbors. She failed to return and Sunday it become evident that the two had eloped. It is supposed that they met by agreement and drove to some surrounding town, lioarded a train and are by this time living hapily in some distant city. The relatives came here Monday notified the officers and are making every effort to obtain information as to the where abouts of the guilty pair. Reynolds leaves a wife and three small children. Cards were sent out by Sheriff Erwin offering a reward for information and describ the couple as follows: Reynolds is tall like, medium weight man, black hair and wore heavy black moustache; smooth talker, well dressed, drove small roan horse to plain top buggy with side lamps. Julia Ellen Loser is 15 years old, well developed, round faced, rosy cheeks, dark hair, natural curls, looks much older, has first finger end off at first joint, dim scar on upper lip from cut, wore dark gray clothes and straw hat.