Decatur Democrat, Volume 46, Number 49, Decatur, Adams County, 12 February 1903 — Page 1

ALL THE NEWS ALL THE TIME.

VOLUME XLVL

George W. Passwater and Miss Emily Isabelle Bashaw were Monday * morning granted a license to marry at County Clerk Johnson’s office. Dan Shackley went to Indianapolis i Monday to act as juror on the United |, States circuit court. Mr. Shackley has been summoned twice before to act as juror. - Since Decatur, Bluffton. Hartford City and Marion are to have military -I companies. Montpelier wants one. If there is any town in this part of the state that needs a company —one that will stand guard duty all the time it is Montpelier.— Bluffton News. Harry R. Moltz left this morning for New York where he will buy the spring stock for the Boston Store. We learn from him that this will be a banner year for spring buying and that soon after his arrival the counters at the Boston will groan under the weight of everything late and fashionable for spring wear. It is their yearly habit to semi annually visit the wholesale districts in New York and personally super visethe buying of their stock, and the trip now is in conformity to that established preceedence. He will be absent two weeks. . In about two days from date the annual invoice at the Niblick department store will be complete. This is a task that yearlv forces itself upon every retail store which fails to have i any prepossessing qualities, but it has .. to be done just the same. Between ’• sales the employes there have labored _ faithfully and well, and now the end of the nightmare is in sight, and when it is over a long breath of re lief will ensue from one end of the building to the other. Nearly all the stores in the city have now completed their invoices and will settle down to real business for another twelve months. The report gaining circulation that nd mail would be delivered on the rural routes where boxes were not put up before February 1, is erroneous. The prime object of the service is to accommodate the greatest possible -' number through this medium of delivery, and instructions are given to encourage every one living along these routes to supply themselves with boxes. It does not make any difference when you put up these boxes, whenever you do, your mail will be delivered. We suggest that this be done without delay, so all the benefit there is going will be received. Every patron owes encouragement to this undertaking, and if you buy a box your neighbor will not Ire long in following suit. The full benefits of a free rural mail delivery can not be realized until a mil box adorns the front es every house along the routes. The death of Charles Geimer occurred at half past twelve Monday morning, after a brief illness of but two days, He was on the streets Friday morning but went home some time that day. While not feeling wall yet at no time was he considered dangerously ill, until about midnight Sunday night, when an attack of heart failure caused death in less than an hour afterward. The deceased was born at Ottweiller, Germany, April 4, 1868. and come to Adams county in 1886. He was married to Anna Gross of this city in 1892. and the wife and four children remain to mourn the loss of a father and husband. He also has two sisters and one brother living near here, Mrs. Paul Miller, Mrs. Garet Kohn and John Geimer. The funeral services were held Wednesday morning at nine o'clock from St. Mary’s Catholic church which was followed by interment in St. Joseph cemetery. The Chambers (hl company is another new corporation that will invade the Adams county field and root for their share of the valuable crude. They have leased something like 2,4(40 acres within a radius of six or seven miles of this city, and as soon as the weather permits, will begin actual development. This means that within to or three months they will begin drilling. The company have the wherewithal of unlimited capital and if their word is reliable they mean business with the bark attached. The now own valuable leases in Grant and Huntington counties and are heavilly interested in California and the southern oil fields. Their headquarters are in Chicago and Indianapolis, and a glance at the blue book shows them to be rated up in “G.” C. A. Chambers is secretary, and has already spent several days here and wilt l>e back soon with a view of adding more territory to their holdings and make further arrangements relative to beginning their work here. With the advent of so much foreign capital it iscertain that during the coming summer the extent of the field surrounding Decatur will be fully tested. Three different companies are now ready for the drill and as soon as winter subsides they will begin. The success of their energy means much to the business interests of this city. An extensive oil field means the distribution of lots of capital the most :»■» of which will find its way into the business channels of trade and the result of the new industry can not be easily estimated. Muy they all make a ten strike.

Dbcatilß

Farmers who have an eye to business will put in their spare time next summer working into stove wood all the waste timber about their places. There will be demand for it at good prices next winter. A horse belonging to William Butler ranjaway Monday morning, start ing from the Scheiman meat market on Madison street, where he was hitched, and running down Second street turned in at Meyers’ livery barn. A broken buggy shaft was the amount of damage done. The governor Tuesday issued his first veto of the session, the victim being senate bill No. 5. which was to give East Chicago power to raise the per capita tax for school purposes seperate from the city debt. The veto indicates the death of simular measures. The governor also vetoed senate bill No. 4, incorporating the town of Shirley. The title of the bill included Shirley in both Hancock and Marion counties, and the body of the bill referred to it as being in Hancock county alone. The fact that rural free delivery of mails is as yet a novelty in this country, and may be said to be in its experimental stages, naturally invests the work of the carriers and the organization of the system with more than ordinary public interest. In five years rural delivery has grown from a service requiring an expenditure of 825 (X)0 a year to a system embracing 14,000 actual working routes operated at a cost of 88,000,000. That the department now regards it as a demonstrated success is indicated by the fact that it has asked congress for half as much more next year to provide for the extensions of the system. It is reported that the Clover Leaf is back of the deal to build the Kokomo, Marion and Wabash traction line and that it is being done to head off the road which is being promoted by Bundy & Clark of Marion. For several years the Clover Leaf has been threatened with electric lino competition between Kokomo and Marion and sometimes the “paper lines” have projected to run as far east as Delphos, Ohio. At one time the Clover Leaf announced that it would put on motor cars but it gave that scheme up partly for the reason that Edison has never developed the storage battery and partly for the reason that the compet ing lines have laid quiet for some time. Now that the Bundy & Clark road is getting franchises for a line from Kokomo to Marion it is supposed that the Clover Leaf is trying to head off the competition. Word reached here Sunday of a very serious acoident that befell Levi M umma, who for the last two years has worked tor the plumbing firm of A. N. Steele & Bro. He left here Friday for his home at Montpelier, and while there was helping a friend paint a factory smokestack. When at a heighth of tw’enty feet a rope that supported him broke and he fell with a sickening thud to the ground below. His skull was fractured and internal injuries were for a time greatly feared. Medical aid was quickly summoned, and after a careful nursing he was this morning reported to have again become conscious. The extent of his injuries, however, are not yet known, aud while his family and friends hope for the best, fears are prevalent that the worst is not known. Mr. Mumma was quite well known, being a nephew of A. N. Steele, and since his residence here has made many friends who learned of the accident with more than regret. A. N. Steele went to Montpelter Sunday night«and will perhaps remain there a few days. The city council was in assembly Monday night but did not consider that sewer. All were present except Councilman Weaver. It was decided to remove the old city safe to some secure place and then send the door to the Hall Safe company of Cincinnati and have it repaired. This will be done at once. Upon call from the mayor for findings of the judiciary committee in regard to the petition for damages by Fred Sievere, that body stated that they were not ready to report. The fire committee then reported on the recent petition of the Decatur fire company for an increase in pay and asked the adoption by the council of the following scale: One dollar for the first hour of service and fifty cents for each and every additional hour. They also moved that one dozen rubber coats be bought for hose company No. 1 and the purchasing committee was authorized to do the buying. It is possible that Deca tur will again Im* protected by a thorough fire department and steps were taken at last night's meeting to make that department more complete. It is proposed and a committee was appointed to make some arrangements with Sylvester Spangler, whereby the city could get the use of his entire building ou Madison street, where they are located at present and fix it up fora fire house and all city offices, in fact a veritable city hall. Such a place is just what is desired as it is centrally located, the equipment would lie more secure, the offices of the water works superintendent, electrical engineer and city clerk’ would lie grouped together and it is to be hoped that they are successful.

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 12, 1903

Since Winchester has raised the quarantine, the G. R. & I. railway officials are greatly relieved as they expect Ridgeville aud the other affected towns along their line to do the same. It has been a great trouble for the railroad company to comply with the restrictions and not allow a passenger to get on or off of their trains, and they can be justly happv j when such responsiblity ceases. Grover Hoffmann is taking an involuntary vacation from Rosenthal’s j clothing store on account ot a sore ) arm. More than a week ago he was ! vaccinated, aud ever since that time ;he has been complaining more or less. The pain was very acute last i evening, and this morning his arm ) was in a black and swollen condition. ! However nothing severe is feared, al- ; though in some cases the means of prevention is more deadly than the ) disease which it is supposed to counteract. Mrs. J. J. Todd for many years a prominent and useful resident of Bluffton, died at her home there late Saturday evening after suffering two years from the fatal effects of cancer. Her husband the Hon. J. J. Todd who was prominent and extremely popular and influential in all walks of life, died some three years ago, and since then life lost its charm for Mrs. Todd. The deceased was a daughter of John Studabaker the wealthy banker and land owner and who himself is critically ill and can not live long. The funeral services took place yesterday from the Methodist church of which she has been a devoted member. George Kiuzel and Irve Pyles went to Berne Saturday morning where they will make some improvements in the local ’phone system of that place for the Citizens’ Telephone company. The very rapid increase in the number of ’phones used in Berne, which now amounts to eighty-six, has awakened the Citizens’ company to a sense of appreciation, and the people of that town are to get the best of everything, including a night service. In order to do this it is necessary to move the central office from Stengel & Craig's drug store, and the same will be done before Monday noon. The new office will be located above the drug store. It will require thirty-six hours or more to do the work, and from Sunday morning to Monday morning all communication to or from Berne was shut off. The through lines to Linn Grove and Geneva, however, will not be affected. The following dispatch has been received from Jefferson City, Missouri, and will explain itself: ‘ The supreme supreme court has affirmed the sentence of “Bud” Taylor ot Kansas City who is to hang on March 6, for the murder of Ruth Nollard at Kansas City on March 2, 1901. Taylor is a base ball player, 23 years old and married. He became infatuated with Ruth Nollard, who reciprocated his affection for a time and then transferred her love to another. Taylor rented a room in Kansas City and for three days laid in wait for the woman with $a repeating rifle. She passed one day with her sister and Taylor shot and killed her from a window. He tried to kill himself but the weapon would not discharge again. He tried to hang himself in jail and offered a plea of insanity as a defense of the murder.” Taylor, it will be remembered, was a player in Place's Creams, a base ball club of this city | in 1900 and committed the crime for [ which he will now pay the penalty ! with his life, a few months after leav- | ing here. Word was telegraphed hero Thursday morning that James Waldron.Sr., father of Mrs. C. S. Niblick, had suddenly died yesterday at 6 p. m., in Chicago, at the home of his nephew, I Fred Jaycox. The news came as a i severe shock to the citizens of Decaj tur, as Mr. Waldron was in our city ! not more than three weeks ago, and j apparently in as good health as ever. | The cause of his death was hemorhage of the lungs, aud he had been sick I but two days when death came. Mr. Waldron was a former resident of Decatur, having located here in 1886. He continued his residence in this city for seven years, during which he gained the respect of his fellow citizens, and provt*d himself a true and honest man. In 1893 he went to Chi cago and run a train as conductor on the Chicago & Eastern Illinois railroad until he was maimed in a wreck to such an extent that he was forced to give up that position. Later he became a ticket collector for the Met ropolitan West Side Elevated railway of Chicago, and he held that position up to the time of his death. The children are Mrs. C. S. Niblick of this city and James A. Waldron, Jr., now of Indianapolis. Owing to the fact that the heavy storm had broken down the telephone and telegraph wires, the relatives and friends here did not even know that Mr. Waldron was ill, receiving a letter nt the same time as the telegram, which conveyed the information of his death. The remains arrived here Friday afternoon over the Chicago At Erie at 3:15 and the funeral services were held from the home of C. S. Niblick, on north Third street, at ten o’clock Saturday morning.

Unclaimed letters this week hi lo g to Miss Pearl Minger, Francis E Meier, Mrs. Daisy Kohlmeier, E. S. Kindly, W C. Aslueger. Dr E B. Burns, \V. R. Clavson, Dayton Adies perger, D. M. Younce, Miss Maggie Wherly, Mrs. Elizabeth Waitts, Lon J. Thomas, Miss Barbara Schroll, Mannon Sheets, Mrs. Cora Sears Meyers. Fred Fullenkamp entertained a I number of his friends at his home on Adams street Monday evening. Progressive pedro was the principle amusement, and prizes were awarded to the following: Agnes Vogelwede and Tony Confer, first prizes; Lawrence Ehingerand Georgia Meibers, second prizes. The affair was in j every way enjoyable, and all present got their worth of merriment to the full extent. Judge Richard K. Erwin, w’ho re- : cently sold his farm just east of the I city for a handsome sum, has reinvestted his capital in Adams county soil, jHe closed a deal Friday evening whereby he comes into possession of 160 acres located in Preble township ! and knownas the Lewis Reppert farm, j The laud is of the very finest i quality and is considered one of the best quarter setions lin the great state of Indiana, i Judge Erwin does not expect to reside on the farm but will remove his 1 family to this city within a few weeks, jHe will improve the buildings on his new farm the coming summer and the property will soon be a model one. Representative Adair has introduced a bill in the legislature for the separation of girls’ industrial school and woman’s prison. There is much merit in the bill, as it goes on the theory that the principle evil to be remedied lis the imprisonment of innocent but I unfortunate children, boys and girls alike. It provides for an independent industrial school for helpless children. A board of managers is to be appointed by the governor, to consist of three women and two men, the latter to represent two political parties. This board, acting in connection with the governor, is to purchase a suitable site for the new institution, being limited to no section or specific surroundings. The bill provides that no member or relative of a member shall be interested in any way in the sale of a site, and that no contract of more than 81,000 shall be let without advertising in the papers. J. F. Bennet, acting under instructions from Grand Rapids, completed arrangements last Monday, whereby the new depot is taken off the bauds of the contractors, Mann & Christen, and is now in possession of the Grand Rapids railroad company. All effiet fixtures, books, papers and telegraph ou'fits will be moved tomorrow, from the old to the new depot, and Tues day evening they will be doing business in their new quarters. As soon as the weather permits, the old shell that has served as the station for Decatur since the construction of the road will be moved across the tracks and utilized as a freight storage room. The new station, though small, is as neat, convenient and clear cut as could be desired. It is absolutely fire proof, being constructed entirely of brick and stone and has a slate I roof. The building is lighted byelee i tricitv and heated throughout by a hot air furnace and contains a complete j I lavatory. Contractors Mann &(. hrisitendidthe work and the thorough-) ! ness with which it was compl« ted adds Ito the already broad reputation of the | above gentlemen as artistic building constructors of the first class. George Aumiller of Wabash township, refuses to be arrested and the ' tnan who serves the papers on him I I will have to be strictly onto his job. I : Aumiller refuses to send his his child- i I ren to school and a warrant for his) ) arrest was sworn out several weeks Ligo upon information furnished by | Truant Officer Johnson. An officer was sent to Aumiller's house in Wabash I township to arrest him. He was cap tured alright but after going a short distance he ducked and got away. I Finally his father sent in the necessary amount of money to pay the fine i and with the assurance that the children would Ire sent to school. George said that the reason he had not sent his children to school school was be I cause he was afraid his wife who had ) left him would steal them. This matter was arranged by the teacher’s | promise to not let her have them, and | it was believed the children would go Ito school. Reports, however, to the truant officer were to the effect that such was not the case and another warrant was sworn out for his arrest. Constable Herbert Bennington went to Wabash township to get Aumiller. He found him at home but when George recognized him ho grabbed a club and showed fight. Pennington waded in but the hunted man succeeded in getting up to the garret and when the constable attempted to fol low he was beaten back by Aumiller. after several attempts he realized the uselessness of the attempt and came home without his man, Aumiller's father is very low and the officers will perhaps not make any attempt to secure their man at present at least, but the constable says the next time )he goes after him he will bring him I back. .

James \\ kite, a Berne citizen, came to town Thursday for a two weeks stay with Sheriff Butler at the county j til. He will remain thirteen days, having chosen that manner to pav off a fine assessed against him by a Berne justice of the peace. White had hie fun yesterday when he imbibed a little too much fire water and forgot that Berne had reformed and no longer has use for he who looketh on the wine cup. The result was his arrest, conviction and a fine of 812.50, that had to be paid or stayed. In the recent issue of the Educators’ Journal, the leading school paper of Indiana, and one of the best in the country, we noticed the following complimentary and deserving notice of an Adams county educational worker: County Superintendent Irvin Brandyberry, Decatur, Ind., read a most interesting paper before the recent Indiana State Teachers’ Association upon the subject of “Methodical and Business-like Promptness in Official Duties of County Superin tendents.” His work in Adams county has received the approval of teachers, trustees and school patrons. The factory of the Waring Glove and Mitton Co. is fast being equipped and by the first of March Decatur’s new industry will be moving its wheels along with the rest. Sixty-five rapid stitch, power run, Singer sewing machines airived over the G. R. & I. Ry., yesterday afternoon. These are now being placed in position and by the time or before they are arranged satisfactorily the cuting and other machines will have arrived. The initial output of the factory will require the services of 75 enployees and that force will be gradually added to until as large a number is employed as can be worked comfortably in the building that it now- occupies. A large quantity of raw material has already arrived and no time will be lost in getting out the first bill of goods. Decatur is, and should be justly proud of this new industry, which at present is but an infant and will in a short time be as large as any in the state. Jesse Coffman, wife and son, of Kansas, are the quests of relatives and friends here for a few davs. Mr. Coffman formerly lived near Pleasant Mills, he being a son of David S.Coffman, still remembered by the old pioneers as the auctioneer. Mr. Coffman left here in 1869, thirtv-three years ago, going to Moran, Kansas, where he has been located since. About -a year ago he sold his farm for the snug sum of 836,000, and after investing in some safe property proceeded with his familv to see the country. They went to California for five months, then to Washington,D C., for a month, since which time they have been visiting in Ohio. After ten davs here thev will go to Chicago, and after a month or so will go ♦o Erie Kansas, where thev will make their future home. Mr. Coffman is a brother of Mrs. Henrv Steele. Mis. Basil Andrews and Mrs. Abe Beery. He also has a number of other relatives here. He says he can see many changes in Decatur, in fact about the onlv places he recognizes is the office ) of Dr. Trout on First street and the | Closs buildings on Monroe street. When he left here Decatur couldn’t j boast of a single railroad nor of scarcely anv other improvement. He is enioving life after manv years of hard work and savs that at no place in his travels has he enjoyed life better than at Decatur. About six weeks ago a real estate firm published the following notice to the farmers of Adams county: “Bring in your corn. The following cash premiums will be paid by J. H. Hall,) Ac Son A; Fulk, Real Estate Agents, rooms Nos. 1 ar 12, Studabaker' Block, for Adams county coin brought to their office. For the best six ears of yellow corn, 82; for the second best 81, For the best six ears of white corn, 82; for tire second best 81. Premiums to be awarded Feb. 7, 1903. We have three men to judge this corn, their names in an envelope, sealed aud deposited in tho National Bank.” Shortly after this notice the corn began to come in and the exhibits at their office last Saturday proved conclusively that old Adams county is one of the best cotn countries on earth. There were thirty-three exhibits by the following farmers: Davis J. Foster, Jasper Wable, Isaac L Babcock, W. F. Fulk, David Lah-1 man, James C. Moses, Harvey L. Smith, T. W, Bess. Charles E. Mag- 5 ley, Logan Wolfe, John Malston, .John Baker, C. Bryan, Peter M. Fulk, C. M. Steimen, D. L. Noffsinger, Wilson Movers, Frank Roop. Martin Miller, J. H Railing, Wm. Rinehart, .1. Andrews, W. I. B. Wass aud R. K. i Erwin. The judges met at two o’clock on Saturday and proceeded to work. They were E. Carroll. Joseph Helm and J. D. Hale, all well known grain dealers of this city. It was indeed a big job to arrive at a conclusion as the corn was all of a first-class grade. John Wabel had on exhibition six ears which averaged 13.1 inches in length. The winners were announced at three o’clock and are on yellow, James C. Moses, first; C. E. Magley, second; on white Jasper Wable. first and John Malston, second.

CIRCULATION 2800 WEEKLY

NUMBED 49

The Adams circuit court was in session a short time this morning and only a small amount of business was transacted. A new' case entitled State of Indiana ex rel James P. Haefling, admr., vs. D. D. Coffee, mayor, et al, a mandamus proceeding was filed. The following business was then taken up and disposed of regularly: State vs. William Cavault, motion for new trial overruled and exception by defendant; State Life Insurance company vs. R. O. Johnson, reply to ; fourth and sixth paragraph of answer filed; Christian Brown vs. Joseph Brown et al, answer filed by Hauger; Edward J. Kinney vs. Continental Insurance company, demurer to answer filed and overruled; Benjamin Emerine vs. Maria Emerine, appearance by DeVoss for defendant, rule to answer. In probate matters the following business was transacted: William P. Mallonee estate, James P. Hoagland, administrator, proof of publication and posting filed, administrator discharged. Charles Carpenter, inventor of the fuel that promises to make bis name famous will leave tonight for Lafayette, on business of the utmost importance to himself and others interested. His object is to present to the scientists of Purdue University his new fuel and to allow them to make a thorough test, making to him an accurate and specific report, together with their opinion as to whether or not it is superior to coal. Mr. Carpenter has sold an interest in his patent to M. P. Burdge and they expect to sell enough county rights to furnish them with revenue to build a plant that will turn out thousands of tons of the fuel each week. A gentleman was in the city last evening and agreed to purchase the rights for the city of Dayton as soon as the patents are received. Other people are after the privilege for various cities and counties and if the fuel stands the Purdue test the future of Carpenter & Burdge is an assured success. At the opening of court Thursday morning two new cases were filed with the clerk and immediately placed on the docket. The first was entitled Bernard J. Kohne vs. Catharine E. King, Nellie Blackburn, admr., and W. S. Hughes, same being a suit to foreclose a mortgage of 8600. The | sum of 8800 is demanded and the case ) was filed by P. G. Hooper, attorney for plaintiff. Another case was entitled John C. Glendenning, administrator, vs. David Wheeler and was i filed by Merryman & Sutton. Eliza I \\ heeler died in 1900, leaving a valI liable estate. For some time prior to ) her death she made her home with I her brother, David Wheeler. Afterwards John C. Glendenning was appointed administrator and in looking up affairs he discovered that SI,OOO in gold, silver and paper money and other valuables to the amount of 8500 were missing. They were known to be in possession of David Wheeler, the defendant in this suit, but to the repeated demands of Administrator Glendenning ho has paid not the slightest heed. After using every es fort to secure the property belonging to the estate ami as a last resort be left the matter with his attorneys who filed the suit this morning. He demands that said \\ heeler either produce the missing property or that the court render judgment in the sum of 81,500. Through tho kindness of Deputy Auditor Lewton we were a few days ago allowed a glimpse at the first record of business in Agams county, aud it may interest s> me of our readers to uive the contents of the first few pages. The record was made by the county board of commissioners at their first regular session held May 9th, 1836. The first few lines show that the act establishing Adams county was passed January 23, 1836; that an election was held the first Monday ot the fol lowing April, at which time John S. Rhea, Samuel Smith and Wm. Heath were elected commissioners. Samuel Rugg clerk, and David MeKnight sheriff. All these officers were present at the fust meeting on that eventful morning, sixty-seven years ago, and their business of course was to organize, which they did, by electing Mr. Rhea as president of the board. The first official business was the adoption of ’Squire Thomas Ruble’s report of fees received by him, amounting to 85. The county sheriff was allowed 81.50 to pay the Fort Wayne Sentinel for advertising notice of th<* establishment of the county. The board then appointed John K. Evans as trustee, Joshua Major constable, each giving bond for twenty five dollars, and then adjourned until the following day. Each member was again present and the board proceeded to business at once. Jeremiah Roe was appointed county treasurer, David MeKnight assessor, and John K. Evans as collector of county and state funds. They also appointed township ofliI cers for Root and St. Marys, made up I commissioner districts and road districts, and drew the petit and grand juries, and adjourned to meet May 18th. The commissioners received two dollars per day when in session! and each gaje bond for performance of his duties.