Decatur Democrat, Volume 47, Number 32, Decatur, Adams County, 15 October 1903 — Page 1

all the news all the time.

VOLUME XLV 11.

y r and Mrs. Charles Colter enter\anied Mrs. P. W. Smith. Mrs A. I Smith Mary Fonner and Midge Smith at dinner Tuesday. Genevive Chronister accompanied bv Mrs. George Chronister went to Fort Wayne yesterday where y iss Genevieve expects to enter the International Business College. A post mortem was held over the Pinains of Miss Kate Breiner who died at her home near Preble Monday by Dr. John Grandstaff of Preble and Dr. Blue of Tocsin and the cause of her death was found to be cancer of the liver. The funeral will be held at the Preble Lutheran church tomorrow at ten o'clock. A box social will be held Thursday evening at the Union school house in district number one, St. Marys township. Mr. Spuhler, the teacher has arranged a splendid program and the evening will be not only an enjoyable one but interesting as well. Better go and enjoy the event. Uncle Daniel Weldy was eightyone years old Sunday and his 1 children planned a surprise upon him which was well executed and was a thoroughly enjoyable affair. About twenty relatives and friends were present and helped devour the good things that were heaped upon the dinner table. It was a happy event and one that Uncle Dan will remember for many days. Mr. Weldy is one of the pioneers of the county and one of the best cit izens in all creation. Lemuel Johnson the truant officer did a land office business placing twenty two scholars in the schools at Oak Grove, Monroe and Berne. This in a measure justifies the needs and necessities of such an officer and Mr. Johnson seems to perform his duty well. Nearly every day he is called upon to place some child in school. The success and attendance of our public schools depends upon the success, independence and prosperity of this whole country and we hope every district school will be filled up to the limit. H. P. Streicher, contractor, who is paving Monroe and Fourth streets informs us that the first two car loads of Metropolitan brick have arrived and are now on the Clover Leaf tracks. This means that no delay will be occasioned in the work of building the streets and work of laying the brick will begin in a day or two, just as soon as the grade is ready. Time is growing short as the streets are to be completed by November 15, only five weeks yet. The grade would have been completed by this time if Mr. Streicher would have secured more teams and even now if more help cannot be secured he will have to work Sundays to complete the job within the time limit. He has spoken to Mayor Coffee concerning permission to do so but up to the present time his honor has not giv- < n his decision. Amid a conglomeration of festoons and other decorations, the Methodist Sunday School Sunday celebrated their annual"rally day. The program was a decidedly entertaining one from beginning to ending. and those who participated carried away glory and distinguished themselves in every way possible. The addresses of Rev. John C. White the pastor and James T. Merryman were especially enteresting and instructive, and of course were well received. The exercises throughout "’ere especially adapted to this one rally day of Methodism in this city, the attendance being large and the Kreises interesting. The Sunday School has divided itself into what 't is pleased to term ‘ ‘ odds and even and a battle royal is now on for an increased membership into its Sunday School. Jeff Bryson is the head “nd moving spirit of one faction ‘nd J. W. Vail the other. The hme limit is January 1, and before hat time the by-ways and hedges "ill be thoroughly threshed with a hew of winning the contest. The looser mis to set ’em up to something ’°°d, and the individual who adds he most new members before that h*ne, will be presented with a hand!o,Me rememberance, for their pride, hgilence and good work.

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Married at the residence of Rev. E. H. Pontius at 1? o'clock noon, Sunday, Oct., 11, Mr. John F. Barkley and Miss Ada L. Gibson both of Allen county, J. H. Fuelling one of the prosperous farmers of the north east of Adams county has just finished cutting twenty five acres of as fine corn as ever grew in Indiana and that is saying considerable. In court Friday evidence was concluded in the ease of Wisley S. Iliff et al, a suit to set aside a conveyance, trial here on change of venue from Jay county. Troy Huey, ex parte, ditch proceedings amended complaint filed. John W. Brown was appointed guardian for Bessie A. Deihl, sale of property ordered, reported and approved. Frank Railing is lying dangerously ill with intermitant fever at his home in Lima, Ohio. He has been ill several days but grew worse Sunday and his son Tom was summoned Sunday evening and Charles received a telegram stating the condition of his father was worse. He will go to Lima this evening. Mr Railing lived here many years and is known by nearly every citizen of Decatur He moved to Lima only about a year ago. Sheriff Butler has received several complaints from parties living north of town concerning a halfwitted fellow named George McDonald who has been about here for several years. At present he is said to be living in a woods near Monmouth and has several times frightened children and school teachers in that community by appearing sudenly and talking ugly. Before he can be placed under arrest however it will be necessary for some party to make affidavit before a justice of peace. This will probably be done and an effort made to catch McDonald, the wild man of the woods. A pretty wedding occurred at two o’clock Thursday afternoon at the home of Mrs. and Mrs. Joseph Mann four miles north west of the city, when their daughter Miss Nettie Mann was married to Mr. Jesse Singleton. The ceremony was performed by Rev. McCarty of Hoagland in the presence of about a hundred guests. A big dinner was served immediately afteward and the event was very happy one. Among the guests were Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Butler, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Arohblod, Dallas Butler and Miss Arbye Loch of this city. Miss Mann is a well known young lady, one of the most popular cf her unity. Mr. Singleton is an Adams county young men, a throrough gentlemen and straight forward fellow who will succeed in life. The young people start in life with bright prospects for a happy future and the Democrat joins their many friends in sincere congratulations. Chairman Stevens of the committee on live stock of the St. Louis Exposition commission nas received uoro from Thorntown that stock raisers of that vicinity propose to offer many prize animals in the live stock department at the coming exposition and beleive that they can capture many premiums. The greatest interest is being taken in the coning exposition by breeders in that locality for the reason that Charles Baker of Thorntown, has been chosen by the Indiana Swine Breeders association to assist the fair live stock commission in collecting the exhibit of swine from this state. Charles F. Elliott, of Vincennes, has been named as the other representative of the association. Mr Barker, is one of the largest and best, known breeders in the state, is confident that it will be possible to secure an Indiana exhibit in tins department that will be sure o carrv off the honors. He will show his own herd of Berkshires which - » B tywb O r«»n ll all the prizes in sight a nois state fair with a large heno Berkshires, has promised that they ana fair commissioners to be ex hibited at St. Louis.

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1903.

P. W. Smith, A. J. Smith and John Fonner left Monday night for Mackinaw where they expect to spend a few weeks fishing. Adam promises to send us some good fish stories Robert Blackburn has filed an application in circuit court for the appointment of a guardian for John M. Burns. The complaint states that Burns is a habitual drunkard and demented, that he draws a pension of eight dollars a month and is incapable of taking care of same and squanders the money. Wherefore a summons for defendant is asked for and such further proceedings as are provided by law. The defendant is better known here as Pat Burns. The Thirtieth Annual Convention of the Indiana Woman’s Christian Temperance Union will be held in Hartford City, Oct. 16, to 20. This has been a very prosperous year for the W. C. T. U. in many parts of the state and the convention will doubtless be an inspiring one. A diamond contest will be held Saturday night. On Sunday afternoon Mrs. Stanley will recite a thrilling temperance story, “At the Mercy of the State.” Monday night Mrs. Lenora Lake who is well known in Decatur and one of the most eloquent speakers in America, will deliver the convention lecture. Several delegates have been appointed from Decatur. The Euterpean franternity held a very pleasant meeting at the home of Miss Genevieve Hale on Fifth street Thursday evening. It was the eighth program and one of the best yet rendered. The study of Gomod, Goethe and Van Dyke formed the work and the study of those famous subjects was well prepared and nicely given by the various sections. Among the events of the program were, piano solo, Mrs. Clark Lutz; reading jMiss Hale; piano solo, Miss Gene Lutz; descriptive reading, Miss Blanche Carrol papers on Van Dyke were given by Mrs. D. E. Studabaker and Miss Myrtle Watts; reading, Miss Agnes Schrock. The fraternity are having splendid meetings, instructive as well as enteresting and the members expect to gam much knowledge and pleasure from the sessions during the coming year. The next meeting will be held at the home of Mrs. H. A. Fristoe and the atte 'dance of every member is desired. Stockholders of the Great Northern Indiana Fair Association met Wednesdayand were so enthusiastic in their discussions and plans for the improveuivi,v vi tuv.* nesfe '**<«• tion that the actual business of the day was barely begun when evening came. Consequently it was decided to call another meeting for Wednesday, 0ct.14 to complete the work. Among the many things decided on in rhe hopes of improving, was that entries close on Monday evenng of fair week in order that the books may all be made up and 'the work of jaSgmg began promptly on Wednesday at 10 a. m. Another matter discussed and decided by the vote was that no return pass be allowed. That is that persons if they leave the ground will not be admitted again that day without paying the usual gate admission of twenty five cents. This is the customary way of the majority of fairs, however, the association ed considerable objection as the former years passes have been freely given. But the Association feels that they have been imposed upon and have determined to cut this free return entirely out. Feeling grateful for the many comments on the manner of conducting and general success of the fair the question of spreading the influence of the society and extending the interest of the same led to the suggestion of taking in more members from the vicinity as far distant as possible. There being so many near by applicants for membership and so many of the members feeling that the present membership is sufficient to engineer the affairs of the society it caused much lively discussion and remains to be decidetf at the coming meeting. These discussions occupies! the time and the real business was postponed.

I Marsh Burdge left for Berne ■ Monday where he is working in the > interest of the Safety Perfecting i Self heating iron. Marsh says i that he is meeting with all kinds of success and on last week took more orders best sales man, Newton Lyons. John S. Peterson, who has been ! very sick with kidney trouble for nearly a month, made his first trip down street Tuesday. He is very weak and shows the result of the siege, but believes the recovery of his former health will be rapid from now on. The case of Samantha Cassel vs Joseph D. Beery in which $5,000 damages is demanded for breech of promise was calledr Tuesday. Judge Branyan was on the bench, the jury in their place and a hundred witnesses, expectingly awaiti ing the trial to begin when a tele- ■ gram summoning Judge Heller, one ' of the counsel, to eastern Ohio on account of the very serious illness of his wife’s mother was received. Attorneys and parties interested agreed on a continuance and Judge Branyan set the case for trial. Thursday October 29. The case is rather sensational as may be imagined and will be a hard fought legal battle. The cases of glanders among horses at Middletown, was found to be almost exclusively among the horses owned by Contractor Tubman, and were used in the construc- , tion of the electric line between this city and Fort Wayne. Dr. Wili liam F. Meyers a well known veterinrian of Fort Wayne, made the investigation, and found seven horses and two mules belonging to Mr. Tubman to be in bad condition, and he orderd them killed. In addition i he ordered thirty one placed under . quarantine. Seven of the animals had previously died from the conta- . gion. This deathly contagion was first discovered by Dr. Connell of I this city and who notified the Fort Wayne authorities. It is said that . A. W. Bitting the state veterinarian ; of Lafayette will soon arrive on the scene, and effect a strict quarantine. , This disease is not alone contagous among horses but the human family , is also susceptible to it. It is dangerous to health and it is hoped the proper authorities will succeed in extricating it. The Fort Wayne & Springfield railway company filed suit Monday morning, though the two are practically the same and were filed to settle a controversy which has been on tap for several months, as to • thright of way over the old Fonner farm north of the city. On account of the trouble was published a few days ago in this paper and at that time the filing of the suits was a probability. They were filed this morning by attorneys John H. Koeing and C. J. Lutz. In the first case, Adam J. Smitn and his wife are named as defendants and the ynd-ss>... Mary Fonner and John Fonner are also made defendants. The complaint shows that the railway company is a corporation duly authorized to build and operate a railway in this and other counties and notice is given that they desire and intend to enter upon, use, hold and appropriate the fee simple of a portion of the Smith land ; that said real estate is necessary for the use of said company for the construction of the Fort Wanye and Springfield traction railway; that the company and defendants have been unable to agree on the damages to be sustained by the building of the road. Wherefore the judge of the Adams circuit court that heappoint three disinterested parties, free holders of the county, who shall appraise the damages and report accordingly. These proceedings are very common in territories where railways are built, in fact it is the only legal way to arrive at the damages where interested parties cannot agree. It is beleived this matter will be settled in a manner satisfactory to every one concerned within a few days. Howfprer the suits to not in- ! terfere with work on the line at any j other the grade is being as rapidly as possible.

Albert France, son of Crist France living east of town was mixed up in an ugly looking runaway Tuesday morning. He was on his way to town driving a team to a heavy wagon and the runaway followed. Fred H. Bohnke made an effort to stop the horses and they shied over into a ditch the wagon overturning onto the horses. One of them was scratched slightly but the damage was small. The boy jumped before the smashup came. The Eagle Oil Company of Berne has a dry hole on D. C. Sprunger’s ; farm south of Berne. This is the company’s first well on their leases and considering the location and the producing territory around it, the company as well as those interested in their venture is very much surprised to find their first well as “dry as fiddle sticks.” There is not a drop nor a smell of oil and nothing is so plenty as salt water. The well came late Thursday and the news spread about as quick as it could, had it been a gusher. That there is oli in their territory is no question at all. Whether or not the company will continue to search for it will be decided at a meeting of the members this week.—Berne Witness. Considerable business was transacted in court Monday according to the record which shows the following : Juia A. Wagoner vs Shannon Headington et al suppemental final report filed and approved. Susanna Nedry et al vs Nathan Beckner et al, and report filed and allowed. Samantha Cassel vs Joseph D. Beery, change of Judge allowed and assigned to J. C. Branyon for trial. Nicholas Gasser vs L. W. A. Lucky et al rule to answer, seperate demurr filed by defendant Lucky. Melvin Davis vs Matilda J. Davis, divorce granted,’plaintiff given , custody of children and prohibited from marrying for two years. Ulla Huitz vs Bert Baily et al, change of venue granted to Jay county. Elizabeth Linken vs William Liken change of venue granted to Jay county. A. W. Carpenter vs W. S. Linken defendant ruled to answer absolute in five days. In the partnership affair of Busenbark and Osburn the receivers bond was “filed and approved. Erma Scholder vs John Soho Ider, prosecutor ruled to answer. Sarah J. Louthan met almost instant death while crossing the G. R. & I. railroad tracks at Monroe Sunday morning at nine o’clock. Mrs. Louthan was sixty three years old and has lived in this county all her, life. a ntjinber of.vears her home has been in Monroe’"where she lived with a son, Ed Knavel. Yesterday morning she started over to visit another son Howard Louthan who also lived in Monroe just across the G. R. &I. She wore a sun bonnet and failed to see an engine and caboose that was running south on what is termed a switch run. The train was runing backwards and the engineer could not see the lady until his engine was almost upon her. She was walking across the cattle guards in the south part of Monroe and was nearly across within a step of safety. Had she noticed the train even an instant she could have easily saved herself. The rear end of the tender struck her in the right side hurling her a distance of nearly twenty feet. She was unconscious when found a moment after but still breathing. Life was nearly extinct but Dr. Parrish was summoned with hopes of saving her life, but impossible, the end coming within a few moments. She was carried tenderly to the home she had left but a little while before and Coroner Schenk of Berne summoned to hold the inquest. Mrs. Louthan was one of the best known ladies of Monroe township. She was a sister of Jesse Brandyberry of this city. Five children survive her. The funeral services were held this afternoon at Monroe, Rev. J. A. Sprague officiating. The accident cast a gloom of sadness over Monroe. A telephone message from Dr. Schepk Monday said that hisl examination of tIW» victim disclosed that the spinal column was crushed, ' several ribs and the left arm broken , and a few bruises, only a slight mark disfiguring the face.

CIRCULATION 2800 WEEKLY

NUMBER 32

Miss Emma Byerly the new teacher of the seventh grade here who begins her duties next Monday is considered one of the best instructors in the county. During her two years work in the Berne schools she has made many friends and proven her ability. She was chosen as teacher of Berne seventh grade over a number of applicants and will undoubtedly give satisfaction here. The Berne schools are excelled by none in the country and too much credit cannot be given to Prof. B.A. Winans the superintendent. Miss Byerly's place was supplied within two hours after her resignation was handed in, and too by a teacher of merit who will keep the standard up to the high position heretofore attained. Fred, the little son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Johnson of Sheldon, Ind., died a few days go in peculiar manner. He arose in the morning apparently as well as ever. He had finished a hearty breakfast and was playing in a chair, when a cousin came into the room. The baby jumped up saying “I’ll catch you,” in childish glee, he made a mis-step and fell striking his head on a table. He cried a moment and then seemed to be alright, but shortly afterwards sank into unconsciousness and within an hour was dead. A physician had been summoned immediately but could do nothing for the little one.A post mortum examination by Dr. Wyburn and Deputy Coroner Vanßreskirk resulted in a verdict that was death was due to a blood clot which had formed about the heart. The remains were brought to this county and the funeral servies conducted by Rev. H. Kokne at the Steele M. E. church. The boy was a grand son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Cook of near Steele and is the third child of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson which has died. The fact that he was the last of their children makes the case particularily sad. Mrs. Joe Moon of Michigan arrived in this city Monday afternoon expecting to take her six year old daughter home with her, but in this she has so far been disappointed. She was detained by Marshal Cordua upon an order from Prosecutor Moran and was informed that through an order of court the custody of the child had been given her former husband and that if she left she would be liable for kidnapping. Mrs. Moon and her husband separated several years ago and afterwards Joe went back and secured the child a baby daughter and brought her to LaGrange where she was cared for by Mr. and Mrs. Ora Moon until a lew weeks ago when'''Mr's. Moon died and the child was brought here and has since lived with Ness Moon and family. On September 20, 1902 Joe Moon was granted a divorce in the Adams circuit court, Judge Erwin prohibiting him from marrying for two years, and giving him the care and custody of the child. Within a few months afterwards Joe violated his orders and married again. Mrs. Moon knew of nbne of" these facts until yesterday when she arrived here, but she did know that her baby was being cared for by Mrs. Ora Moon at LaGrange and had received several letters from her. After the death of that g?od lady the mother decided to come and get the baby and hence made the trip here. She concluded arrangements with Ness Moon, the childs father, Joe, being out of the city, but before she got away the grandfather, William Moon complained to the prosecutor who took steps at once to prevent the stealing of the child. It is said that Joe does not provide for his child and from the story told by the mother that she is able to care for the baby it is quite probable that she can appear in court and have the order modified, giving her the custody and it is believed this will be done. Mrs. Moon has the appearance of a prefect lady and her daughter is a bright and pretty little child of six. While there is some question as to whether or not Mrs. Moon could have been convicted of kidnaping even had she went away with her child, still the safe way is to obey the orders of court which until modified in this case gives Jo»Sj Moon rhe right to care for the child.