Decatur Democrat, Volume 47, Number 3, Decatur, Adams County, 26 March 1903 — Page 1

all THE NEWS ALL THE TIME.

VOLUME XLVII.

Surveyor McKean Thursday inorni , begins the Adams county survey tor the Springfield electric line which luts hick of it some St. Marys, Ohio, promoters. It comes through Rockford, Willshire, to this place, on to Fort Wayne, and is a good route through a very desirable portion of this county. From all appearances Decatur and Sam Henry Post will be represented at the dedication of the Shiloh mon numents on April 6 and 7. Quite a number have the fever and will probably make the trip, which will contain many features of interest, especially to those ‘ ‘ who have been there before.” (tert Reynolds has recently installed a large new hydraulic barber chair in his shop on Second streeet. Re is fast modernizing that place of business and will very probably put in a system for the use of compressed air by fall. The shop is up to date in every particular, including the shoe shining department and is avery attractive barber shop. Will Phillips is home from Chicago and is busy completing arangements for the Phillips Bros.’ short order house which will open on Monroe street just east of the Winnes Shoe Store about April Ist. Stock and necessary furniture and supplies have been ordered and are expected to arrive any day. The new lunch room will be strictly up to date and a place where you can order any dish desirixl. Will, senior member of the firm, has had several years experience in the business and is well qualified. J. F. Bublitz, teacher of the St. Johns church in the north part of this county, was surprised Monday evening by the members of the Singohoe and the event was a very enjoyable one for everyone there. The guests were Misses Hannah Hockmeyer, Dora Scheiman, Dora Zivick, ; Louise Schreoder, Marie (iethner, Marie Gallmeyer, Emma bcheieman, Edith Wichnaier, Julia Scheiman, and Messrs. Clark Mailand, . Martin Scheiman and Keno Droege. Games, music and refreshments were among the pleasures which continued until a late hour and the occasion will certainly be long remembered by the teacher and the Singahoe. The Peoples Press, a third ]»ajx'r that has for several years eked out an existence in Bluffton, has turned its toes to the daisies and suspended. The reason assigned for suspension is that business does not justify the continuance of the paper. It has lieen a costly experiment to ’limy newspaper men, but it will have to be admitted that cities the size of Blutffon or Decatur or evenlarger will not afford a field of suffinent size or magnitude to justify the publication of more than two newspajx>rs. One feature of the newsjiaper business seldom taken into account by either the public or "ne who has an extreme case.of’iewsp:qxT fever, is the enormous '•xpense entailed in the successful management of the average newsl*'l»T. It takes money to make die mare go, and especially in the 11 'Wsjxiper business. Jacob Tester, who fora quarter of “ , **ntury has resided in Jefferson ’ownship, died very suddenly luesday noon. He had been in usual '"‘alth and as none of his friends '"■re knew that he was subect to li'Mrt trouble the news came as a ' 'ere shock. Our information is that he hud just seated himself at ’’“•dinner table shortly after eleven '"lock when he beame unconscious Jll| l liefore any help could be ren- ' ,r, ‘<l he had expired. He was ' l °ut sixty.six years old and was in Allen county, Ohio. He l lllu ’here in about the year 1877, i 1 "' hiiseda farm in Jefferson town'J’P and has ri sidl'd there ever since. wife and two children, Mrs Hu Fetters and J. Jacob Tester "tvive, one son, Alfred liavingpre--1 1 "'1 the father in death. He was ' unek of Jacob A. Tester of this lf .V and well known here, having friends but a few days ago. ' v “s an ex-soldier in the civil having enlisted in 1862. The I '‘""’’“l services will tie held Thurs- | 1 ■ morning at 10:3 0 o’clock from 1 - it. Carmel church. I

I>bcatilr

Bluffton records the usual number of Saturday night brawls which , ended in four fights, several draws j and a countless number of plain drunks. Bluffton post's as moral, highly polished jxipulation, one that it is safe to measure up to, but if tile newspaper records are true, one would want to be dressed in a pair of brass knucks and be ready to stand up and knock down on a moment's notice. The Clover Leaf will change time soon and the new grade is being made now. Some important changes in the service are expected and it is said that the two through trains are to lie better equipped than ever before. Two fine combination coaches 6.> feet in length are being built at Frankfort and no one knows to what use they are to be put unless they are to lie placed on trains 5 and 6 between St. Louis and Toledo. Judge Branyan has refused a new trial in the case of state vs. Mabel Evans, against whom judgment was recently rendered in the sum of forty dollars. Attorneys De Voss and Moran argued the case several hours Monday afternoon and after the decision Mr. DeVoss promptly asked for an appeal to the appellate court. The appeal was granted and twenty-four hours granted to file bond, the time to close at 3:30 this afternoon. Nancy A. and Jerome B. Carter were in court Saturday airing their family troubles and asking for a decree of divorce. The case was filedsome time ago by Mrs. Carter, vflio claimed her husband had threatened to kill her by feeding her strychnine and had beaten her and driven her away from home. Jeromedenied the charges and claimed to be a good and obedient husband. The plaintiff also asks for 1200 alimony but the defendant put up a fight. The case lasted until two o’clock and the arguments were postponed until the attorneys can look up the Fleming divorce law passeed by the recent legislature. Erwin and Moran represented the plaintiff and Smith and Heller & Son the defendant. The pike question is being discussed by the farmers of this county new alxiut every time they meet and the peculiar part of the business is that they agree that every road in Adams county should be macadamized. This would certainly be a good time to hold an election in the communities. Where roads are at all passable there is a sentiment to leave them alone. Can any farmer who lives along a mud road or has to travel over one to reach his market place say now that the old roads are good enough. A few years ago Adams county could scarcely boast of mile of pike but now we have a number of good roads. This is all right as far us it goes but in this twentieth century every mile of good roads in Indiana should lie a gixxl one. which with a few days rain wouldd not become a mud hole through which it takes four horses to pull an empty wagon. Lets make every nxid a good one and do it right away. The issues in the famous divorce case, William S. Liken, a wealthy oil man vs his wife, Elizabeth J. Liken have been completed and the case has Ix'en set for trial April 14, second day of the April term of court. The charges in the case are serious ones and the defendant denies them and asks for a large sum of money as alimony. Other business of importane transacted Tuesday was as follows: School town of Geneva vs. Lognasjxirt & Wabash Valley Gas company, demurrer was argued and submitted. Troy Huey, ditch prix-ceilings, time extended for commissioners to make report until Juno 8. John C. Glendenning vs. David Wheeler, demurrer filed to answer and overruled. Samantha Cassel vs. Joseph Beery demurrer to complaint overruled. Probate matters taken up were as follows:; W. H. Niblick, administrator of the I. J. Miesse estate, filed a petition to settle as insolvent and notice was ordered. In the General B. Cottrell estate, i Amanda Cottrell, administratrix, C. i J. Lutz and Frank Cottrell were allowed twenty dollars as attorney i foes. I

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY, MARCH 2G, 1903.

On April 1 the Standard Oil company will retire many employes who have been continuously at work for i over thirty y-'ars in the oil refiner- • ies of Long Island City, Greenpoint and \\ ilamsburg. All will lx* retinal on half pay. It was learned that not only the men who have drawn i salaries will be retired on pensions, ; but all the men who have been in the company’s employ for over i thirty years' will be jxmsioned. > M hile the order jx'rmitting the retirement of the old hands is not comj pulsory, it will prolmbly mean that about 500 of them will lx* affected in Long Island City, Greenpoint and Williamsburg. Dr. (). T. May, one of the best known citizen of Monroeville, Indiana, died Tuesday morning at a little past twelve o’clock. Death was due to an attack of lung trouble and rheumatism with which he ■ had Ix'en ill. but for two weeks. A widow and a daughter survive the deceased who so unex]x'ct«'dly passed away. He was well known and highly respected here, having been a frequent visitor to Decatur, as for a long time he practiced medicine at the neighboring town of Willshire. The funeral will be held Thursday at two o’clock in the afternoon, and a number of people from this city will possibly attend. A happy crowd of thirty-five unceremoniously took the home of W. H. Meyers by storm Friday night,and had a good old time. The event was originated and carried out for the purpose of assuring Mr. and Mrs. Myers that there long residence of seventeen years in their present home had made friendly ties that will lx» remembered several times seventeen years. The crowd was composed of neighbor and friends all of whom testified in an assuring way of the friendship existing. Mr. and Mrs. Myers will move to the south part of the city this week and this event was intended as a farewell. A most enjoyable evening was spent and many were the regrets that Mr. and Mrs. Myers intended to seek a new home. Albert Theodore Lang of this city is a deserter from the United States navy and an effort to apprehend him is being made. He is a well known young man and served two years in the Phillipines returning home about a year ago. Shortly afterwards he enlisted at Fort Wayne in the navy and was made a seaman on the famous battleship Maine. A few days ago he and a comrade named Diedrick Rosener deserted and the officers are now in search of them. The Fort Wayne police have been notified to lx' on the 1 kout for them and if found the sentence may be a severe one as Uncle Sam shows no mercy. Since the Maine entered the service she has been named the ’•Dutch Mad house,, and it is difficult matter to keep her manned as a superstition attaches to the vessel by reason of the connection of the original Maine with the Sjxinish-Amcrican war and the belief that it is due to meet with some big disaster. ’Squire Sims has the following to say of a wedding in his neigh borhood: A quiet wedding took place at the bride’s home on Saturday night at 6:30 o'clock, two and three-fourth miles south of Pleasant Mills 'Squire Joseph Sims officiated and the contracting ]»irties being Frederick C. Myers and Mary E. Teeple. The wedding was kept very quiet until a latx* hour in the afternoon and then news was sjxxl over the country. Then' was none present except the family and the grooms jx'rsonal friends. After the wedding was over sup|XT was served and after the supp r music was furnished by the family circle but very shortly there was music furnished from other quarters by boys throughout the neighborhood and a very lively belling took place. This marriage is something not very often seen or heard of in one family. Thereari' two brothers with both wives names thing Mary, I Weddings are Ix-eoming very num- j i crons around here then l being quite ’ ■ a number of weddings in this vicinity during tlw hist few months.. I Their many friends join in wishing . | them all the happiness possible.

I County auditors are in receipt of ’ a ruling from the attorni y general ion the question of the filing of morfi gage exemptions and according to ; this ruling people may file at any time after March Ist. Heretofore it has lx>en understood that people could not file except during the month of April, but this year those who have mortgaged proper y on which they expect to get the benefit of the tax exemption can file at any time before the last of April. A special telephone message from Geneva this morning said: E. M. Beard, an oil driller, met with an extremely painful injury at nine o’clock yesterday while working on the Bolds lease, six miles west of the city. Board was assisting in making what is known among oil operators as a “hook off" when the heavy sucker rod slipped and caught his thumb between the casing, completely tearing that member from his hand. The. injured man was promptly taken to Geneva and an examination showed that part of the hand would possibly need to be amputated. Assessor Crist, of Adam county, was in the city yesterday and he and John French, assessor of Wells county, made an agreement on the assessments of lands along the Wells-Adams county line. This year the real estate as well as the personal property is to be assessed, and it is desired by the officials that the assessments shall be as near equal as possible. There are some low lands along the dividing line and such land, it was agreed, should not be rated as high as the lands that are better drained. The assessors also talked of rates for business blocks in Decatur and Bluffton. The township assessors will hold a meeting in the city on April first and will be given their instructions from County Assessor French.— Bluffton News. Three witnesses who failed to appear in court Thursday in answer to subpoenas issued in the ease of State vs. Shannon were brought in Saturday by Sheriff Butler and asked for a statement. George Bolds of Portland, explained that he was detained by important business and had sent a telegram to that effect. He was fined five dollars and costs amounting to #19.96, which he paid. David Gixxl said he was sick and unable to come and was also finial five and costs which he was unable to pay but is making an effort to stay the docket. Norman Me Donald had no excuse to offer other than he was broke and had no way to come. He was given a three days sentence with costs and went to jail smillingly a veritable" Happy Hooligan." Recently there has ix'en a disposition by witnesses to ignore subpoenas and in doing so they are liable for contempt of court. The outcome of today's hearings should lx* a lesson to others. The case of the state vs. Thomas Shannon, cliargixl with stealing chickens, was called Thursday but that witnesses were absent. Judge Erwin immediately ordered attachments issued to bring into court David Goixl, George W. Bolds and Norman McDonald and the ease was continued until next term. Business as noted on the docket was as follows: State vs, Thomas Shannon, petit larceny, pleads not guilty, jury impanelled trial continued. Uriah Gum vs. G. 11. I. railway company, cause dismissed and costs paid. Otto Bolds vs. Genova Oil company, case began but ]x>sptoni>d and leave granted to file amended complaint. Schrxil town of Geneva vs. Logans]x>rt & Walxish Valley Gas company, answer tllixl in four paragraphs, rule to answer. Benjamin Emerine vs. Maria Emerine, motion by plaintiff to strike out part of defendant’s answer. Julius Haugk vs. Mary Brown et ul, motion by Mary Brown to stay prix'ixxlings to cancel mortgagee. Della David vs. Zera David, divorce and S2OO granted in default and plaintiff’s name changed to Della MetJlure. In prohite court Linthe Gregory, guardian for A. Gregory Hied her bond for |B,OOO whii h was approved and letters issued.

Important changes in road laws were made by the last legislature. There will be no more dispute alxiut wages for teams and men. Supei - visors will get #2 a day for time atcually worked; men will he paid $1.50 a day and teams $3 a day. The law provides for the election of a supervisor of each road district on the second Saturday after the first Monday in January, 1905, an every two years thereafter. It defines road districts as not including any part of incorporated cities or towns in a township. Upon taking effect of the act each township trustee will divide his township into not less than two nor more than four road divisions and appoint supervisors therefor. Any further change in boundries of the districts must be made only on petition of six freeholdes. The Waring Glove company is now one of the real industries of Decatur and within another week about a hundred people will be employed at that busy place. Monday alxiut twenty-five girls are at work learning their duties and the new force is being taken on about twelve to fifteen a day, each girl being given a half day instructions before actually beginning her duties. On account of the gas shortage Monday it became necessary to shut down as there was not sufficient amount of gas to run the big engine. The metier was disconnected and arrangements made to prevent another suspense of this kind. The Waring comijiny will soon be a great coneerp and the best industry in the <*ity by long odds. Even now the appearance is business like and the managers are pushing things in a way that proves them hustlers. They already have a sufficient num her of orders to run them several months. Business in court yesterday was as follows:; Lemule B. Stevens vs. Archie P. Hardison et al, bill of exceptions number three, by defendants, filial and made a part of the record. Otto Bolds vs. William Shoemaker et al, now on trial. W. H. Niblick vs. Peter Frank, dismissed and costs paid. Julius Haugk vs. Mary Brown et al, finding that Julius Haugk is owner in fix' simple of two-thirds of real estate and Mary C. Brown is the owner of one- third, partition Jrdered and report ordered for March*. 30th. John C. Glendenning extr, vs. David Wheeler, reply filial to answer. In probate court James P. Haefiing administrator of George M. Haefiing estate, fiial report. J. C. Glendenning executor of Eliza A. Whiader estate, filed an inventory which was approved. Charles Ross guardian for John, Mattie and George Thrift, filed final report. David Lehman, guardian for Elizilx'th Moser, filed current report. Willis C. Glendenning guardian for Lake, Bertie and Willis Glendenning. fill si inventory which was ajqiroved. J. Morgan, the president of the interiu-ban syndicate who is contemplating arrangements to build the Toledo-Indianapolis railway, will be in the city in a few days, according to the latest reports. W. E. Fulk is in rt'ceipt of a letter from the famous promoter - which says the line is assured and that they will Ix'gin the survey in a few days or just as soon as the roads are jiussable. He also says he will reach Decatur in a few days to have a jx'rsonal talk with Mr. Fulk and with the Decatur ixxiple in general. We feel that these gentlemen mean business as they go to the project in away that proves they are far from novices in the work. Mr. Morgan's home is at Toledo and he is nt the head of a syndicate with many millions behind it. They already have several elcctriic lines and the fact that they have plannei'd this route through a country now unconnecttxl by steam railways provesthat they ure wise. The line will run from Van Wert here and thence to Linn Grove and thejx'oplc of Adams eonunty are in favor of the road, so fur as we can ascertain and if the do as they now claim, build their centarl jx>w>. r house here, Decatur should ccr tainly make every possible effort to encourage them.

CTRCULATION 2800 WEEKLY

Frank Durkins, one of the most popular young men of this city, and who is employed by T. C. Corbett, [was taken very ill Tuesday, afternoon about two o’clock with severe cramps. He was taken home and after using home remedies until five o’clock sent for Dr. J. S. Boyers, who at once informed him that he was affected with a very severe east' of apixmdicitis and advised an operation as soon as possible,* He was taken to Fort Wayne, St. Joseph hospital, at midnight, being also accompanied by his wife and sister. Dr. M. Rosenthal performed the operation at one o’clock yesterday and a telephone message received at 2:30, said:‘‘l found the appendix very much enlarged, perforated and escape of pus into the abdomen, outer end gangrenous; he is doing splendidly thus far and will probably get through alright." Two weeks ago today Frank had a similar attack but did not call a physician and rallied in three or four days, though not completely of course and the ojx'ration should have Ix'en performed at that tiime. Tin* next thirty-six hours will deter mine whether or not Frank will recover. The charter of the Decatur National Bank expires in July, and in anti qxition of that event the comi ptroller of currency was asked and lias granted a renewal charter with the privilege of changing the style of its name to the First National Bank of Decatur. A national liank charter is gixxl for twenty years, and in July this bank will have lived that long, and in the meantime enjoyed a growth that is simply marvelous to contemplate. Its original capital was $50,000 and now it is SIOO,OOO. Its dejiosits along in first years of its infancy was a beggarly few thousand and now they figure $500,000 or more. And so it has grown and prospered and thrived until today it is one of the solid institutions and wields a weighty influencee in the promulgation of business transacted in this city and county. Careful banking methods by those in charge is in a large degree responsible for the growth and stability that is now enjoyed by the First National Bank of Decatur. The change in name sounds and is better than the simple staid old name and we congratulate the bank upon the change and congratulate them too for the enterprise they have displayed in making the bank a landmark of pride and an institution of merit. A beautiful little girl of six with brown curly hair and laughing dark eyes and a handsome little boy of four, are the subjects of litigation in a big law suit now on trial in the Adams circuit court. They ure the children of Otto Bolds, brother of Dan P. Bolds, ex-treasurer of this county. The case is a habeas corpus proceeding cntitleil < )tto Bolds vs. William and Minerva Shix>maker, the latter part*es being the grandparents of the children. Otto Bolds is alxiut thirty years old. and his first wife was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Shoemaker To them were born the two hi hies, Ina and Darrel, now causing so much controversary. The young mother died November 17, 1899, and by her re-qu-set the babies were taken by her pirents. Last September Otto married his present wife who is twenty years old. They at once Ix-gan hou ekeeping and then made an effort to secure the children, but the grandjxirents had by this time learned to love them as their own and refused to let them go. The halx-as corpus pnxx'edings resulted and Mr. and Mrs. Shoemaker claim that neither Mr. Bolds or his wife are fit jx’rsons to care for the babies as the former has u violent temjx'r and the latter is unaccustomed to the care of children. The case Ix 1 - gun this morning and will no doubt occupy several days in tlu trial as alxiut eighty witnesses have Ix'en subpoenaed. D. D. Heller & Son are attorneys for the plaintiff and the defendants are represented by <’. J. Lutz and D. E. Smith. Tho parties are all jx'ople of prominence in tho part of the county, Mr. Bolds Ix'ing an oil man and worth about $15,000.

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