Decatur Democrat, Volume 47, Number 27, Decatur, Adams County, 10 September 1903 — Page 1

5 ALL THE NEWS all the time.

volume XLVH.

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JOSEPH OSBURN MURDERS JOHN BUSENBARK.

(Wcdne-dav’s Dispatches .) At 4:15 p. m. Mrs. Elijah Walters telephoned to this office that Mr. Busenbark W as dead. The end came at four p. in. At 3:45 p. m. a represen tative of the Democrat sent the following message from the Busenbark home: “The patient is sinking rapidly. It is not realized how bad he really is. There is not the leasthopes for his recovery.”

Joseph Osburn, thirty.five years old assaulted his father-in-law John Busenbark an old man sixtynine years old at four o’clock Tuesday and as a result it is believed the victim will die. His condition is terrible, his nose being broken and mashed into a pulp, his jaw broken, teeth knocked out and his whole face cut and mangled. Dr. C. S. Clark is attending the injured man and says his condition is certainly critical. The only eye witness to the affair was a son too young to understand the terrible crime and a hired hand named Richards who so far doesn’t seem I inclined to talk. The two men had quarreled several times about the farm which they own jointly ha ving purchased the land, located four mies northeast of town in Union townhsip of Julius Haugk last March. Osburn wanted to sell and Busenbark didn’t. They met in the branyard last evening and Jthe trouble broke out afresh. After a few words Osburn knocked the old man down and beat him in the most terrible manner imaginable and inflicted the injuries as stated above , and which will very prboably prove fatal. The general belief is that the deed was committed with a heavy club as one was found near the I scene, covered with blood, though Osburn insists he did it with his, fists. The hired hand Richards least, and took Osburn off, is badly. frightened and doesn’t seem to be : able to tell his story. Sympathy! of the family and neighbors appears ' to be with the old man and say the > assault was uncalled for, that Mr. , Busenbark was a kind and courteous gentleman. Mrs. Osburn is quoted as saying that she wants nothing more to do with her husband. After the assault the victim laid on the ground for half an hour until neighbors ar-: rived and helped to carry him. to j the house. Immediately after the trouble Osburn went to his cellar, changed clothes and without saying a word to anyone came to town. He went to prosecutor Morals office and said he had fought with his father-in-law and wanted to plead guilty to assault and battery. An affidavit was sworn out and a subpoena issued for Busenfivrk and constable Blackburn sent out to get him. Arriving there he and Homer King who accompanied him soon realized the seriousness of the case an q returned at once. Osburn was placed in jail to await ft® condition of his victim. Should he die the charge will be murder. If he recovers the charge "improbably be assault with intent to commit murder. At ten o clock this morning Dr. Clark visithis patient and reported his qonition very serious. He said “Mr. usenbark had no perceptable pulse and his labored breathing shows he is injured internally. My can°pinion is he cannot live through ‘‘ day. it i s reported that while , '* rn lived in Grant county he some trouble wtih an old citi p ll , assaulted him and nearat him to death with a blackna e whip. The victim recovered

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however and Osburn escaped pun. ishment. Osburn has an uncontrolable temper and says from the time he struck the first blow until the affair was over he never knew what he was doing. Some people think his mind was unbalanced owing to his worrying over business and say he acted very queerly at the ball game last Sunday. A representative of the Democrat called on Osburn at the jail early yesterday and he told his side of the story in plain and simple manner. He said: "Until a few months ago myself and family were living happily together in Grant county. My wife's father also owned a farm there and lived alone. He kept asking me to sell out and form a partnership with him, buying a farm large enough for both. After some time we agreed to buy the Julius Haugh farm in this county, and did so, paying seventy-five dollars an acre for same. We moved here last March and took possession, and it was soon apparent to me that we could never agree. We quarreled continually and I soon began to urge that we sell the farm and buy two pieces of land close together where he he could farm his section and still live with us. He refused to listen to this, then we tried dividing the land, but I couldn’t take the half with no buildings on as I had no money to put up new ones and he wanted SS6CO for the other half which was also more than I could stand. We talked and quarreled about the matter all summer and he kept continually asking me what I was going to do and I finally threatened to take the matter to court. Tuesday evening at four o’clock we met in the barn yard and the old question was immediately brought up. I told him I ! believed we could sell for what we i paid and I thought we could never i agree. He refused and I insisted. ' One -word brough on another until : he said “why don't you take it to j court, you said you wanted to.” I ' him knocking him down. I became Iso angry I didn’t know what I was ! doing and struck him again and (again. When I first realized -what ■ I was doing the old man was uncon- | scions. I immediately came to town 1 expecting to plead guilty and pay my fine but the officers would not do so and I came to jail. I am sorry I abused the old man but he aggravated me so I lost my mind 'completely for the time. 1 was worried anyway for fear I ecuidu t meet the payments and would lose what I had. I was never in trouble but once before and he got me into that. I hope he gets well. lam thirty-five years old and Mr. Buseubirk is sixty-nine.” The terrible happening is a shock to the community as both men were well thought of, though it vas known they did not agree. Osburn is thirty-five years old, dark complexion, with black hair and eyes, sandy moustach. He is about five feet eight inches high and weighs about 150 pounds. He claims he gave Bust nbirk the terrible beating with his fists, though his hands show no marks. Osburn has employed attorney D. E. Smith to defend him and if the victim dies several other attorneys will assist. Ira Richards the hired man told the story of the fight as he saw it, this afternoon, saying, “Mr. Busenbark was sitting on a wagon arguing with Joe (Osburn) when the latter became angry and struck him knocking him off the wagon on to a pile of manure. Osburn stuck the old man five or six times before I could get him away. lam a friend of all parties and would rather not take any part in this affair.

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 11)03.

■ , l V i have been mailed to all subscribers who owe sub- 3 ij scription and those whose time expire now. The Democrat is S ! ? t ne dollar a year, if paid in advance; and one dollar and a half a year, 2 ; if not paid in advance. ... ... ... ... ... i Liuiru uxnjuutnjuuiivu teiAruuuihjOiriruijmhjiJUTJtnj LujtXj uvnaarjuirtl

Ben Schnepp and Miss Isabel Barrone were quietly married last Wednesday evening at the bride’s home east of this city. The newly married couple will reside on the old Barrone homestead. Invitations were issued Tuesday for the wedding of Miss Marie Geathner to Mr. Louis Mailand, the event to occur at the Lutheran church at Bingen at three o’clock p. m., Sunday September 27. After the ceremony a reception will be given by the groom’s parents Mr. and Mrs. Fred Mailand at their home. Both the bride and groom are well known in this city and have numerous freinds who join us in advancing best wishes. The last inventory shows that but four negroes remain of the nine who came to this city to work on the streets. Five of the colored visitors returned from whence they came Monday partly of their own accord and partly at the direction of thier employer H. P. Streicher. The four who reaimned are ex- ! perienced workmen and are indis- | pensable to the contractor. At the present time they are working at common labor but can soon be used in curb setting cushion making and paving. Mr. Streicher states that he is not looking for trouble but must protect his rights and so long as he does not infringe on the contract by which he is bound he cannot be blamed. By the courtesy of Father Wilken and the trustees of the St. Marys church property we were shown the heating plants being installed in their church, school, residence and Sister’s home. The system is the best known and as being constructed not a flaw exists. When completed it will make a five thousand dollar bill look like thirty cents, yet when you inspect the plants and note the magnitude as well as the magnificence of the equipage, you will readily argee that the contractor will never grow rich upon such contracts. It is immense and not a point of vantage was allowed to escape in corralling all the heat and distributing it over all the buildings. Those who regularly al tend’ the ''tßnWSl’SiHiiis ■CiiuVin' can do so the coming winter in comfort, no matter what improper curves in the weather man may be cutting. Those who do not regularly attend can never again justify their absence by cold feet. Those in charge of installing this heating plant are to be congratulated upon their good judgement and upon its completeness in every detail. The .all h - ready forjthe cqjl t man in a very few weeks. When Fred Roherer returns to Berne after his little outing in this city where he is hot on the trail of Joe Hocker, who wants to engage in the saloon business at Monroe, there will be something doing. During the past several weeks the anti-saloon element there have had their detectives doing some hot turns and as a result they have harvested a load of evidence against those engaged in the retail saloon business in Berne. It may be news to them but the claim is made that they have sufficient evidence to warrant thirteen cases against Samuel Kuntz, eleven against John Reineke, and nine against J.M. Ehrsam. These cases they claim will be made up for violating the law in the obstruction of the view in front of their saloons after legal hours for selling liquor, for allowing persons in the saloons on Sunday, for selling to minors and for allowing minors to play pool. The first cases will come up in ’Squire Frank Foreman’s court and he will sit in judgement upon the righteousness of their cause. If he gives a pretty good evidence of justice he may be continued in a number o< their cases that will be called on account o(this crusade.

Another fishing party left Decatur Monday bound for the lakes and northern resorts. They .will be gone a week, and will spend most of their time at Wawasee. The party was composed of Charles Patton, John Falk, John Spuhler, Al Gerard, Hairy Beery, Norman Lenhart, of this city and Dr. Grandstaff of Monmouth. A. P. Beatty was at Frankfort Sunday to see his cousin A. B, Prescott, the injured Clover Leaf brakeman. Mr. Beatty consulted physicians there and they state that Prescott’s death is a question of hours. He is unconscious half the time, and his terrible suffering has wrecked his wonderful constitution. When thrown from the train Prescott’s kidney was mashed, and it is that is causing his death. Frankfort physicians say that an operation immediately after the accident would have saved Prescott’s life, but now it is too late. The unfortunate man has many friends and acquaintances here who have been hioping against hope for his recovery. The program for a one day missionary convention has been arranged for this the Fort Wayne district. The object and purpose of this feature of benevolent and church work is to invite and extend the warm arm of charity to the places needed, as well as to cultivate a spirit of freedom in giving to the funds used for this great and good work. It is of course necessary first to maintain the church in all dignity and liberality, but while this is true the mind should not be permitted to forget those in need and want of prime necessities of life itself. It is to promote this chartable industry that these convent ins are held. The dates and places as arranged are Bobo Septebmer 14, Decatur September 15, Monroe September 16, Geneva September 17, Hoagland September 21. Monroeville September 22. Rev. John C. White, of this city is chairman and has these meetings in charge. Others on the program are A. S. Preston, L. A. Retts, A. O. Spencer, Lewis Rehl, W. E. McCarty, J. A. Sprague, J. S. Cain, A. D. Wagoner and their The meetings all deserve a large and enthuiastic attendance. The annual election of five directors for the Citizens’ Telephone Company was on tap Monday night at the office of F. M. Schirmeyer. The meeting was largely attended and spirited throughout. The reports of the secretary and treasurer were first read and approved. These reports certainly displayed a grati■"lying condition,-.-shswra ■ ; valuation to exceed $23,000 and a revenue for the lust- year’s business that should make every stockholder feel the importance that is fast being attained in the business and telephone world by the local Citizen’s Telephone Company. The report of Manager Bryson showed a phenominal growth and an administration of thrift, enterprise and economy. The election was a close and interesting contest made so by the adopted rule that the one elected must receive a majority of all the votes cast. The board as eleced is John W. Tyndall, F. M. Schirmeyer, E. X. Ehinger, Henry Hite and John Baker, all mighty good business men and who will proceed to put into full force and effect the same business methods that has made the Citizen s Company a strong local oragnization, and the plant one of the best telephone systems in the country. Owing to the absence of Henry Hite who is at West Baden, the newly elected board have not yet met for organization and the election of officers. They will no doubt attend to this within a few days and then the administration of the newly elected will begin. What changes, if any, they will inaugurate are not at the present time knoxvn.

In commissioner’s court licenses to retail liquor were granted to John Weger of Linn Grove, Edward Johnson and C. W. Boknecht of this city. Requisition was made of record for supplies at the county asylum, and an acceptance of the West Jefferson macadam road, which was completed sometime ago. The balance of the day was taken up in allowing bills. Attorney Shafer Peterson filed a naw case in court, a divorce' suit, the parties thereto hailing from Union township. The case is entitl- ‘ ed Florence R. Schnepp vs Lenard ' W. Schnepp and the complaint says i they were married February Ist, ! 1902 and lived together until April 27, 1903; that on that day Mr. Schnepp gave his wife $1.60 and sent her to the home of her foster father, Lafayette Gaunt two miles distant presumably for a visit, promising to call for her three days j after. He failed to appear and Mrs. Schnepp went home anyway. She i found her household goods heaped I in a bed room and was ordered by her husbands relatives to move. Her husband had gone to Michigan. { He returned after a time but refused to soe or speak to her and to furnish anything toward her support. She asks a divorce and that her former name, Florence R. Horshman be restored and for all other proper releif. Another evidence of the worth and stability of our local bank was demonstrated when the Old Addams County Bank bagged the bonds for both St. Marys township macadam roads, the same being offered to the highest bidder by Treasurer Voglewede. Bids were recordered by Campbell,Wild & Co. of Indianapolis, First National and Old Adams County banks of this city. The latter’s bid was $14,280 and $164.22 premium on the south roads, and $15,240 the $17,526 premium on the notrh road. This was the best bid and Treasurer Voglewede awarded the bonds on this bid. We have before spoken with considerable pride about the ability of our local banks in handling such blocks of business, and we feel that we can reiterate these statements without fear of their becoming chestnutty. It is seldom now that outside bond brokers can or do offer as much for this kind of paper, as does our local bankers. It shows their strength and gives them a stability they could get in no other way. It shows well for the business interests of our city in which every one is interested. The September term of the Adams circuit court convened promptly at nine o’clock Monday with Judge Erwin looking pleasant and genial on the bench. The first day as always rather tedious one and especially after a vacation of two months. This morning was devoted to going over the docket and getting same ready for setting down cases fortrial which will be done tommwov morning. Nearly every attorney was present this morning and appeared ready and anxious to again engage in a legal battle. While there are no real importar t criminal cases on the docket there are a number of civil cases that will keep the attorneys busy and a number of them promise to develop intricate questions of law and equi- I ty, the kind a real lawyer relishes. ( Among the important cases on the docket are the following which will t probably be tried during the present term: State ex rel Noah Mangold vs Perry Robinson, suit on bond. Henrj’ Patton vs Fort Wayne and South Western Traction company, damages SSOOO. James Law- . rence vs Fort Wayne and South Western traction company, damges $5,000. Samantha Cassel vs Joseph D. Beery, damages $5,000. Adam Cupler et al vs John J. Block, demand SB,OOO. School town of Geneva vs Logansport ano Wabash Valley Gas Company, demand $12,000. Sarah Ayers vs Alfred Ayers, divorce and alimony. Jason Wilson et al vs Old Adams county bank, demand S9OO. Besides these are the saloon remonstrance cases appealed from commissioners court and a number of other cases of more or less importance. The term promises to be a busy one.

CIRCULATION 2800 WEEKLY

NUMBER 27

* Nine negroes arrived in this city • Sunday and were put to work on the Fourth street improvement. They are all experienced men in 1 street work some of them having ■ been in the employ of contractor 1 . Streicher for several years. It was rumored on the streets this morning that a number of white employ- . eeshad been discharged but the construction foreman who have the job i under supervision deny this and i claim that they have work for all men who are capable and willing to jdo a day’s work. The negro workI men they claim are good for all j kinds of street work and can be used both where experienced and inexperienced men are required. Time keeper Barthal said that severval more white men were put to work this morning and that more would be required as the work progressed. The street committee has j made an invetsigation and do not see how the contractor has infringled on the stipulation in regard to i the importation of labor. It is said that today will end their career in this city, as they are not disposed to work jvhere so much antagonism is expressed. We are informed by E.L. Carroll, one of our up-to-date grain merchants that with the assistance of the Niblick Grain Co., and the Berne Grain and Hay Co., they have secured than exhibit of grain and seeds as established by the Toledo produce exchange which the chief inspector has promised him he would furnish. He requests that every farmer see the samples which will make them better judges of the requirements of the different grades. Having spent his life since boy-hood in buying and raising grain Mr. Carroll states that from experience of seed wheat especially, to produce a half better quality and a fourth better yield. Having a made a study of the raising of grain and thedifferenoes raising between the farmer and elevator man’s understanding as he feels their interests are mutual and also states that he has a at considerable expense placed in his elevator a large machine for recleaning grain for sowing for market and that it is the only machine in the country so arranged. Since Mr. Carroll takes this interest in the welfare of our produce we think his efforts worthy of the assistance of every farmer. The second day of court convened at the regular ho ir Tuesday and quite a little business was transacted. The first case of the term 'V. i'il n'; U ' "'. i. -, "l il." * Ol " CH'Sl.' Vi Sarah Largent vs Joseph Largent, no decision being rendered as Judge Erwin will consider what disposition to make of the children. Cases were set for the trial as follows: State vs Mathias Shaffer, Monday, Sept. 28. State vs Otry Bolds and George W. Boids. Monday Sept. 28. State vs Robert M. Pelham,Monday Sept., 28. Milwaukee ave., State Bank vs Anson Van Camp, Tuesday Sept. 29. State Life Ins.. Co., vs R. O. Johnson, Monday Oct. 19. Decatur National Bank vs Steve Longenberger et al Wednesday, Sept. 30. Joseph Ellsworth vs Clover Leaf railway, Monday Oct. 12. Jacob E. Martin vs Mary B. Fravel, Friday October Ist. Samantha Cassel vs Joseph D. Bee’-y, Tuesday, Oct. 13. Adam Cupler et al vs John J. Black, Friday Oct. 9. Preston E. Warner ex parte, Thursday, October 15. F. E. Feltz vs W. S. Smith, Wednesday October 21. Asa S. Brown vs Empire & American Glycerine Co., Monday Oct. 26. Alfred Baumgartner vs Cora Baumgartner, Monday, September 21. Phillip Koos vs Phillip Koos, adm’r,Friday Sept. 11. Other business was transacted as follows: Sarah E.Largent vs Joseph Largent, divorce, submitted and taken under adivsement. Troy Huey, ditch proceeding, commission ordered to make report September 14. William Deering & Co. vs Harry Imboden et al, finding for plaintiff for SB7. Grace Haughton et al ■’s Israel Bender et al appearance of Teeple for .defendant and waiver of issue. Charles M. France vs Louisa R. France, demurer filed. Michael Mcßrien vs George H. Kelley, motion that plaintiff separate complaint into paragraphs.