Decatur Democrat, Volume 46, Number 43, Decatur, Adams County, 1 January 1903 — Page 1

ALL THE NEWS ALL THE TIME.

VOLUME XLVI.

Write it 1903 for today is the glad New Year. Swear off your bad habits md even if vou keep your resolution for only a short time you will have had some beneiit. TheG.R. & I- railway company are rather out doing themselves in the way of improvements here, having arranged to build a new water tank soon with a capacity of 2,000 barrels. In honor of her birthday anniversary, Mrs. Will Lyman was surprised at her home on Fifth street Monday evening. The participants masquerad,<j and all claim it was a great occasion. The person who premediatedly ireats the publisher out of a year’s subscription to the local paper, would ust as surely lift the coppers from a dead man’s eyes, if loft alone at the wake. Rev. L. A. W. Luckey of Indianapolis was in the city Tuesday evening jn a hurried business trip, returning home Wednesday. He has recently purchased a 160 acre farm near the <iapital city. Christmas was observed here by the usual services and entertainments at the various churches. Besides these events were many family reunions, parties and other events of a happy nature. All in all, it was a very merry Christmas. A holiday dance at the rooms of the Catholic Young Mens’ Society club was given Monday evening and was a most enjyable affair. Quite a crowd was in attendance and the occasion was as pleasant a one as was ever given in Decatur. A progressiva pedro party was given Sunday evening by Miss Bertha Deinninger. First prizes were won by Miss Frazure, of Fort Wayne and Barton France and consolations by Miss Maude Christen and Rex Adams. A number of out-of-town guests were present. Superintendent Brandyberry has oeen at Indianapolis all week, attend ing a meeting Os the State Teachers’ association which has been having an interesting session at the state capitol. Mr. Brandyberry is on the program, which is a mark of honor both for the superintendent and the best county on earth which he represents. The Saturday issue of the Portland Daily Commercial Review said: The luetts tax case, for the collections of taxes on omitted property, which has been on trial before special Judge C. J. Lutz, of Decatur, for three or four daya, was argued Friday morning, taking the entire morning session and part of the afternoon. About five thousand dollarsis involved. There is a new chapter in the Rey-nolds-Loser elopement case this week and as the story nears the close it becomes interesting. Oliver was arrested Saturday night at bis home in Monroe township and lodged in jail. He ischarged with kidnapping and the results may be quite serious. He has been placed under SI,OOO bond for his appearance at the proper time before the circuit court. D. D. Heller & Son will defend him. His trial has been set for next Tuesday. Abner Elzey, the Ossian furniture man, is making arrangements to start a bank. That hustling little city can well support such an institution on account of the amount of business done there. There are several firms located there in the stock business, and with one or two elevators and the other business done, a bank should lie a paying investment. Mr. Elzey will have his plans completed in the near future. Bluffton Banner. Mr. Elzey is a former Decatur boy and has many friends here who are proud of his success in business. A deaf and dumb printer, aged about thirty was found on the street Monday night by a number of young men on their way home from the dance. The stranger was nearly starve?! and suffering from the cold, being unable to make anyone understand him. The boys took the suffering man to a restaurant and gave him such a feast as he had not tasted ii years, then gave him some money, a ticket to Marion, Ohio, and sent him on his way rejoicing. The poor traveler bioke down completely and wept like a child, saying in all his travels he had never met with such kindness. Frederick Schroeder, a well-known farmer, living nine miles north of the city just across the Allen county line, died quite suddenly Monday morning. Until the evening before he had been in excellent health, but at that time liegan feeling rather badly. However ii was not believed his illness was of a serious nature and he retired, expecting to feel as well as oyer the next morning. During the night his wife tried to arouse him and found him unconscious. He was breathing heavily and every effort to arouse him failed, and he died during the morning. He was seventy-three years old and had lived in Allen county more than sixty years. A widow, three sons, tw< daughters, three brothers and two sisters survive him. The funeral services will be conducted by Rev. Huge at 10:80 o’clock this morning from tho Shroeder home, •

OWCATItR

| Editor Hoffer, wife and daughter of Willshire, were in the city Friday on their way to Chicago, where they are no doubt enjoying a pleasant holiday visit. r Among your good resolutions for New Year’s day don’t forget to include the newspaper man. If your subscription is past due, it’s a good time to settle. Charley Brown, the deputy sheriff, will not move his family here from Berne, for perhaps a month. In the meantime he will secure a house and have it in readiness when the spirit moves him. In honor of their first anniversary, the Entre Nous club are arranging for a banquet to be given Saturday evening. Proper committees have been appointed and a pleasant time will no doubt result. Retiring Sheriff Erwin has moved into his Fourth street residence property, where he will live for the present. In the spring he may build a new home which will contain all the modern improvements and be a model in the way of a residence home. The young society crowd enjoyed the festivities of a watch party last evening at the Dibble home on First street, Miss Blanche Dibble and Miss Carrie Thomas being hostesses. It was a happy closing event for the year and the guests started the new year with merry hearts. Allen B. Porter, of Indianapolis, has been the guest of his parents Mr. and Mrs. H. S Porter several days this week. He has given up his law practice for the present at least and has accepted a position as an assistant manager for the Lesh Paper Co. His Decatur friends hope he will continue to succeed. Abe Boch has sold his livery property’ and feed stables on First street to Homer King who will improve same and at once open an up to date feed yard. The livery stock owned by James Rice has also been sold to Messrs Abe Boch and Elmer Johnson who will dispose of same at a big sale to be held sometime in March. The Presbyterian ladies will hold open house at the home of Dr. and Mrs. J. C. Coverdale on South Third street. While a little old-fashioned, it’s the only genuine wav to extend New Year’s greeting, and the ladies will do this in a heartfelt manner. Everybody invited to call between the hours of 9:00 a. m. and 10:00 p. m. A silver offering will be accepted. A bill to prevent the marriage of consumptives is now being prepared, and it will probably be presented before the Indiana legislature this month. The author of the bill is not vet ready to make any announcement concerning or even to let his name be known. He is, however, consulting with physicians and gathering statistics. The provision to prevent marriage of consumptives will not be based on the old theory of heredity of the disease in offspring, but on asso ciation. The case of Morris F- Connor vs Robert P. Davis estate has been on trial in the circuit court this week, and some interest is being manifested in the outcome. The case was tried by jury and was given into their hands yesterday aftei noon. The parties live in Jay county and the suit was brought here on a change of venue. Attorneys for the plaintiffs are Adair & LaFollette, of Portland, and C. J. Lutz of this city, and for the defense McGriff & Bergman, Charles Swartz, of Portland, and R. S. Peterson of this city. Frank Dickey, a brakeman on the Clover Leaf railroad, was seriously, if not fatally injured near Bluffton, Sunday morning. He was head brakeman on a westbound freight and was walking over the top of the train, going from the engine to the caboose. When about in the middle of the train, and as the train was slowing down, a coupling broke and Dickey stepped off into space. He fell across the track and his left arm was crushed off at the shoulder. The poor man *was otherwise bruised and injured and may never recover. He is forty years old and has a wife and three children living at Frankfort. The report of State Superintendent Jones gives especial attention to the rural schools. The work of weeding out the small and expansive country schools by entering the work in larger district schools, and when necessary, furnishing transportation for the schools is .trongly recomended. Country school reorganization and centralization are declared to be important agencies in reviui' j of the public educational system and the improvement of the social and educational conditions among the people of rural communities. The financial feature of rural school consolidation is considered in detail and figures voted from different communities to prove that a new order is much less expensive to maintain, besides accomplishing infinitely better work. Letters from patrons of the reorganized schoo's are given to show that the change meets with the general approval of the people of the communities where it has been tried.

DEC4TUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY, JANUARY I, 1903.

Among the pleasant events of Christmas day was a family reunion at the home of Judge D. D. Heller. The big dinner was of course the important part of the day’s program and was a Christmas feast in every respect. It was a happy occasion. A social club was entertained in a charming manner last evening by Mr. and Mrs. D. F. Quinn. Progressive pedro was the principal attraction and was indulged in for all it was worth. Delicious refreshments helped to make the evenings success complete. When subscribers order a change of address from one postoffice to another, they should please bear in mind that it is necessary to give both addresses. If this is done it will avoid much time and trouble in looking over the subscription book to locate the subscriber’s postoffiee address. Unde Sam has decided that Joseph Hamilton, postmaster at Eaton, Indiana, shall make good S2,(MX) worth of stamps that were stolen from that office sometime ago. Postoffice officials, who investigated the matter, decided that Mr. Hamilton had not ' taken proper precautions to protect the stamps. Over two hundred dollars were collected at the St. Mary’s Catholic church’s Sunday morning services, as an offering for orphan children. The exact amount was $204,50, and this is the largest amount ever raised for this fund in this city and was the largest orphan fund raised in the diocese excepting at the Fort Wayne cathedral. An enjoyable partv was given at the home of Henry H. Myers, south of the city, Friday evening, and the affair was all that could be asked for in the way of enjoyment. Dancing, games and refreshments formed interesting parts of the program. Among the guests was Mr.' Homer Myers of Tennessee, who is here on a visit with relatives. Marriage license were issued this week to the following parties: Samuel Bailer and Edith McConnehey Wilfred W. Wishaupt and Clara A. Scott, Charles Hill and Minnie Beatty Webster Miller and Sadie Darwaehler. William E. Western and Pearl Hiestand, Daniel Huser and Sarah F. Mosser, Robert Stopher and Daisy May Noe, Fred Fox and Mary A. Yoder, Alfred Sprunger and Robertina Liechty. Mrs. R. J. Holthouse entertained Monday evening in honor of Miss Agnes Holthouse of Jonesboro, Arkansas. The evening was a happy one for all concerned, the always popular game of progressive pedro being indulged in. First honors were won by Miss Mayme Wessel of Fort Wayne and Miss Rose Voglewede, while the “boobies” were carried away by Misses May Holthouse and Amelia Weber. Refreshments were served and other forms of amusements indulged in to make the hours most happy ones. Armour & Co.’s calendar for 1903 is a highly artistic achievement, and will suffer no rival among similar holiday productions. In it is embodied the work of six of the foremost illustrators of the world. All are Am ericans. The illustrators of the United states dispute claim to supremacy with the graphic artists of any other land, and the development of fine arts applied to illustration has been one of the most striking factors in the recent progress of the United States. We acknowledge receipt of a copy of this beautiful calendar. The Kerlin Brothers’ gas pumping station, northwest of Hartford City, caught fire at 1:30 Monday afternoon, and in an hour and thirty minutes nearly .§20,000 worth of property was consumed or ruined. Leaking gas from a compressor was ignited in the gas engine room by a red-hot exhaust pipe. Gas that bad accumulated under the roof also was ignited and almost instantly the entire roof of the building was in flames. It was seen at once that it was impossible to save the building and the attention of the men on the premises was directed to the boiler room, fifty feet away, and that part of the plant escaped damage. Bob Ehinger arrived home Sunday morning, and has since been busy greeting hie many friends, who seem more numerous than ever, and that’s saying something, for old, genial, good natured Bob. always was popular. He left here in May, 1899, going to Toledo, where some three months afterwards he enlisted in the regular army. He was sent to New York and soon after left for the Phillipine Islands where he served three full years. He seems to have been as popular in the army as out, and rose from pri 'ate to sergeant and for a year and a h di Laa been serving as an assistant in the quarter-master's office. During his actual service he was in one skirmish but came out untouched, but he saw daily worse horrors than battle his comrades dying off from all kinds of diseases, including cholera, small pox and the bubonic plague. He loft his company in September, landed at San Francisco early in Decemlier and was discharged December 16. He has not decided on his future intentions, but it’s a safe bet he will not re-enlist.

The Geneva lodge of Free and Accepted Masons gave a public installa- ! tion of officers last night, at which | time Fred J. MacWhinney was clothed with the honor of worshipful master. Many from this city were invited to the installation services. The Geneva lodge have some fine working talent and a warm place in the hearts of many neighboring lodges. The Ben Hur lodge officers recently elected for the year ISO 3 will be installed with due ceremonies at their hall tomorrow evening. They are as follows: Harvey Harruff, past chief; G. H. Laughrey, chief; Mrs. C. J. Weaver, judge; Mrs. Artman, teacher; Mrs. Mary Dailey, scribe; Mrs. Charles Bottenberg, treasurer; Mrs. Millie Wise and Mies Irene Weaver, gatekeepers. While the terms of several county officers begin today, not many new faces will be seen around the court house. Prosecutor Moran, Treasurer Voglewede and Surveyor McKean succeed themselves. Sheriff Albert Butler, Coroner C. H. Schenk and Commissioner Werhng are new officers who took the oath of office and begin their official duties, while in one year from today Clerk David Gerber, Recorder C. C. Cloud and Commissioner Miller will take up their office work. Adolf Lorenz, “the great Austrian i surgeon with soft, strong hand,” is ' the subject of a very welcome paper iby John Swain in the January Mc- | Clure’s. It is a story that will be | read by many thankful parents, rich ; and poor, the country over—the story 1 of the great-hearted benefactor of little children, wno began life as a poor farmer lad. There is an excellent explanation of Dr. Lorenz’s famous operation, and of just how he performs it, with the aid only of his own mighty strength, when other surgeons have to rely on specially devised apparatus. The Indiana legislature will convene a week from today and already much interest is being manifested in the organization. The vocation of the various members has been ascertained and it developes that there will be in the lower house thirty-three lawyers, twenty-four farmers, ten merchants, six doctors, three miners, three contractors, two bankers, one lone editor, one cigarmaker, one glassmaker,’grain dealer, a teacher, a civil engineer, a machinist and an author. In the senate will be nineteen lawyers, nine farmers, tour bankers, two real estate dealers, two manufacturers, two editors, three doctors, a lodge organizer and a miner. Michael Dailey, an old character who has been familliar about here for many years, died at thecounty infirmary Saturday night. He has been in poor health for five years past and was subject to spasms of a serious nature which would come on him about once a w»ek, except at times when he would have as many as half a dozen in a day. These serious attacks would effect him about once a month and continue for several days. He took a spell of this kind Friday and his death came as a result. He went to bed Saturday night as well as he had beeu for two days past. Sunday morning he failed to appear at breakfast and Mr. Graber going to his room found him dead, having strangled durrng the night, no doubt while in a spasm. The records show that Mike went to the infirmary December 19, 1889 and was then fifty-five years old and has since been an inmate there. There are many who know bis history who say he is Lt least twenty years older than the racord shows and this may lie true. He claimed to have been a member of the English army for nearly twenty years and fought in the Crimean and India wars fifty years ago. Funeral service were conducted from the St. Marys Catholic church Monday afternoon, interment at the Infirmary cemetery.

A }- ■ .1,. WffEPiMK T toßf New First Presbyterian Church, Decatur, Ind., under construction, al cost of $15,000.

A new case of smallpox on Riverside avenue, Ft. Wayne is attributed to two dogs. A short time ago there was a case of smallpox on Riverside avenue, and two dogs that had been harbored in the house broke out and caused a panic in the neighborhood. At the time health officers were notified that the canines were spreading contagion broadcast. Some of the residents in that vicinity think that the new case is due to the meanderings of these two dogs. The Bluffton News says: “Dr. John Merritte Driver, formerly pastor of the Methodist church at Marion, is again trying to become an orthodox minister and may soon leave the People’s church, of Chicago, to take the pastorate of some Methodist congregation. The People’s church has no creed. They have long held services in McVicker’s theater, but the playhouse will probably be leased soon by Dr. Gunsaulus’ church and Driver’s congregation will have to find another place of worship. Porter J. White in David Caruth at Bosse’s opera house was perhaps a little disappointing to his many admirers who had seen him in Faust, I but it should be remembered that he is comparatively new in the role of I David, while he has played the part of Faust so long that it has become second nature. By this we do not mean that the Monday night performance was of the rank order, but was far above the average. The stage settings were the best ever put on at the Bosse and the acting of Mr. White and his leading support was excellent. That there is a band of stock thieves in northern and central Indiana is well understood by those who have been trying for some time to get on the tracks of persons committing sundry depredations. For several ' months horses and cattle have been stolen and no one has ever been able to get any trace of them. Persons over whom suspicion has hung have, been watched and if they ever left home on any nocturnal raids they kept their tracks so well covered that the officers have not as yet been able |to land any one, or so much as get hold of what seemed to be a promisI ing clue. Professor Hicks says January will begin in the midst ot unsettled threatening weather, with rain and snow in several localities to change to cold with northwesterly winds following close behind these reactionary storms. About the fourth a change to much warmer will start from western sections. As this change moves westward, falling barometer will attend it. General rains, with winter lightning and thunder southward early in the period are on the program. These rains will turn to sleet and snow with snow blockades and a veritable blizzard over northern, western and central sections need not surprise any one. Following that will come a reaction to higher temperature, falling barometer and a return of very general and violent snow and sleet storms, central on the 12th and I.3th accompanied by very high winds with several blizzards probable, followed by extremely cold weather. About the 16th a change to warmer may be expected, bringing cloudiness and storms both of rain and snow, from the 17th to the 19th these storms will run their course eastward, being followed by clear col 4 weather and cold northwesternly winds. On the 22nd 23rd and 24th the barometer will again fall, the cold will relax, winds will shift to easterly and southerly and more cloudiness, causing frequent squalls of rain, and snow will pass eastward across the country. Following that will come a change to fair and much colder up to the 27th when it will moderate with two or three nice days just before another storm strikes in.

CIRCULATION 2800 WEEKLY

NUMBER 43

Lehman Vantassel, who lived two miles west of Monroe, was buried Friday morning at 10 o’clock. The funeral was held at the home and interment was made at the Ray cemetery. Mr. Vantassel was a widely known resident of this county, and has lived near his late residence for many years. Death came Wednesday morning at 6 o’clock, and resulted from old age. He had heen complaining for nearly a year He was 82 years of age and leaves a family.— Berne Witness. Twenty nine criminal cases were filed in the circuit court this week, all charges being misdemeanors and a result of the work of the recent grand jury session. Among the cases recorded on the docket are: State vs Bert Webb, assault and batterv. State vs Edward Hose and Harry'Steed, keeping gaming house. State vs John Wager, assault and battery. State vs Alvin Wood, assault and battery. State vs H. Fred Bohnke, assault with intent. State vs Frank Abnett, disturbing meeting. State vs Carl Burley, assault and battery. The other twenty two cases are against various saloon keepers for keeping gaming devices, these cases arising out of the running of the Dewey slot machines operated all over the county last fall. The U. S. Civil Service commission reports that for the year ending June .10, 1902, there were 14,983 persons appointed from its registers. This was 4,692 more than was ever before appointed in a single year. Anyone wishing information about these positions can secure it free by writing for the Civil Service announcement of the Columbian Correspondence College, Washington, D. C. The commission will hold examinations to secure young men and women for these places during March and April, at Evansville, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis and Terre Haute. Many people do not know that these appointments are made without political influence and that a large share of them are filled by those having only a common school education, but such is now the ease. The story of business transacted in the Adams circuit court this week is told by the docket as follows: State vs Charles Jacobs, nolle pros entered and defendant discharged. State vu Lorenzo Jacobs, nolle pros entered and defendant discharged. State vs Oliver D. Reynolds, appearance by Heller & Son for defendant, set for next Tuesday. State vs H. Fred Bohnke, information filed and warrant issued. James D. Penticost vs Interstate Oil <k Gas Co. et al,dismissed by agreement of parties at cost of defendants. John Creamer vs McKinley C. Smiley, dismissed at cost of plaintiff. Decatur National Bank vs Nellie B'ackburn, administratrix, et al, judg rnent for plaintiff for $137.16, against Gideon Longenbarger. John W. Voglewede vs Toledo. St. Louis & Western Railway Co., dismissed and costs paid. Susan R. Connor vs Robert P. Davis estate, continued by agreement. Morris F. Connor vs Robert P. Davis estate, tried by jury and argued yesterday. Joseph Smith vs City of Decatur et al, injunction, set for trial January 19. E. Burt Lenhart et al vs Gideon Longenbarger, judgment for SIOO. Christian Brown vs Joseph Brown et al, rule to answer. Rosy Blazer vs James Richard, dismissed at cost of plaintiff. Lemuel B. Stevens vs Archie P. Hardison, separate motion filed by each defendant to require plaintiff to separate paragraphs of complaint and same overruled. State on relation of Mertie Tombleson vs John E Jack, bench warrant issued. Sarah C. Studabaker vs Samuel Studabaker, rule against prosecuting attorney to answer. International Harvester Company of America vs William R. Smith, judgment for $88.07. Old Adams County Bank vs Solomon Swank et al, dis missed and costs paid.