Decatur Democrat, Volume 47, Number 36, Decatur, Adams County, 12 November 1903 — Page 1

al l the news all the time.

VOLUME XL VII.

Contractor D. I. Weikel will competed the big coal shod near the G. j, & I. railway Wednesday It is about thirty feet and nearly eight feet long and considered one of the best buildings , t the ki nd any where alon 8 that ay. A large hay barn is also to be constructed at the same place and work may begin on it within a ff eek. The office is ready and busiuesswillbe opened up in a few days. The Union Dramatic company are again to make their appearance before the theatre going people of our city on Thanksgiving night when they will present their new play entitled” A Midnight Charge.” The piece is full of thrilling scenes and narrow escapes also with the laughable side. The company has been thoroughly reorganized and the new people that are taken into the cast are actors and actresses all the way through. They will certainly give the people their money's worth and are worthy of a full house. Dont’ forget the date. The Munice Star of last Saturday ■ contained a large two column picture of Harry A. Hart, better known here as Adolph. The article is bearded, “Did Efficient Work at Montpelier Fire.” Below the picture are these words, Hart is an Adams county fireman who did ; good work, helping to save twenty three horses and twenty buggies in the McDonell livery barn fire at Montpelier on the morning of November 3. Three men lost their lives and seven horses were cremated. Hart is a barber.” He is well known here where he resided until two or three years ago and has frequently proven himself a fearless fire-fighter. : The fiftieth anniversary of the founding of St. Mary's Catholic church at Avilla, will be celebrated on December 9, and the congregation is making preparations to observe the occasion in fitting man ner. The Rev. Father Duemings, the pastor, is preparing a history of the congregation for the occasion. He will undoubtedly be the central figure in the celebration, because of his long service, wide acquaintance and the esteem in which he is held. He has been pastor at Avilla for more than thirty years and is without a doubt the best known clergy Banin northern Indiana. Bishop Alerding and a large concourse of ws,and there will be a great agther’•ng of Catholics from all over this part of the state. John W. McKean as chairman of the Democratic County’ Centra] Committee, has issued the official Mil for said committee to meet in [this city on Saturday November 2s. At this meeting the time for lioldln" the democratic primary election will be determined, and rules and R "uktions governing same, will 0. As as tUv Dciaopt has been able to ascertain, there will be nominated at this tiffle a county auditor, sheriff, surTe yor, prosecutor, two eomimssionrasand a county council. After the meeting of the committee and the time is set, the candidates wil I Jeeome active in their canvass of ‘•he county. It is thought that the Primary will be held some time the ®rat of January, the usual time in “te years for holding it. At the home of ex-justice of the ?race J. tv. Merriman near Steele, Sunday at noon occurred the marof his son Mr. Bert G. Merrito Miss Stella Smith of Berne, s- v - J. A. Sprague performed the which was very’ beauti | uod was witnessed by’ about W guests immediate relatives of the bride and groom. 0 owing the wedding a supnnous ®®er was served and everyone proceeded to enjoy the feast a real hospitable manner. Mr. is a hustling young * f!!ler and for the present the newWded couple will reside with grooms parents. The young wple are well known in the ®ty and our good wishes for fu- . , happiness are confirmed by J '• hundreds of friends.

UWCATUft ÜB^

The kiss. The kiss is a peculiar proposition. Os no uie to one, yet absolute bliss to two. The small noy gets it for nothing, the young man has to steal it and the old man to buy’ it. The baby’s right, the lover’s privilege, the hypocrite’s mask. To Hie young girl, faith; to a married woman, hope; and to an old maid, charity. The commissioners have appointed L. W. Lewton, R. E. Smith as viewers, and Surveyor McKean engineer on the two west Washington and east Washington and macadam road extensions. They will likely make an estimate of the cost and report the same at the regular meeting of the board the first of the coming month. An order was made for the sale of the Decatur and Monroe road, which will be advertised for December 7. The radiators were ordered painted, which will add somewhat to their appearance. It is expected that within two weeks the heating plant will be completed and ready for use. The progress I thus far has not been very rapid j caused by’ delays in getting fittings, | but this feature is about overcome, and the work will proceed more j rapidly until completed. Mrs. Fred Heuer was most agreeably’ surprised Friday evening i when thirteen members of the i Sennho club and their husbands ; burst in on her unawares. After the excitment of the occasion had subsided they proceeded to enjoy themselves by playing pedro and numerous other games. Mrs. Dee Lewton and John Kern won first prizes and Mrs. Miles Pi lars and Martin Mylott were the two unfortunate ! ones received the booby and it is reI quested by the club that if any one desires to know what the booby’ was to ask Martin Mylott. The club furthermore to show their appreciation of the membership of Mrs. Heuer their organization presented her with a fine and handsome decorated fruit plate. During the progress of the evening's entertainment a fine two course luncheon was served, to which all did justice and at the eleventh hour all adjourned after expressing themselves as having a good time. Dacitur is to have a new lumber yard and at once and Harvey’ H. Hart will be sole owner and proprietor. He returned Thursday from Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he has been for two days, purchasing his first supply of stock. He will ’’^erv. as possible and will begin work at once to remodel his stable into a building convenient for the lumber business. He will also build necessary sheds and building at the rear of his large brick main room and will begin work immediately, expecting to be ready’ for business in a very short time. He will put in a complete stock and expects to make every’ honorable effort to secure his share of patronage. His lumber yard will be located on Monroe street near the G. R. & I. railway, where he has been engaged in the livery business for several years. Mr. Hart is well known in the city and county and will undoubtedly’ secure a share of the lumber business. M. Burns is at home from a three weeks trip to Missouri and Kansas. He visited his daughter Mrs. L. A. Voglewede at St. Paul, Kansas and says they are getting along nicely, Mr. Voglewede being engaged in the grocery business. He stopped a few days with his brothers at Jasper City, Mo., and Belton, Kansas, also extending his trip to Parsons, and other western cities. On his way home he devoted a day at St. Louis and took in the World’s fair buildings. Work at that place is progressing rapidly and an army of men are pushing the big building to completion for the greatest fair ever held in the world. Mr. Burns was treated very kindly and was given twofcrge maps of the grounds showning everything exactly as it will appear when finished. One of these maps Mr. Burns kindly pre sensed to this office*»md may be viewed by the public for reference any time. The entire trip was a delightful one and was thoroughly enjoyed

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1903.

R. O. Jackson of Ohio City was in this city Tues, and if he is successful in his mission that of obtaining a suitable room Decatur will again lie blessed with a bowling alley and the lovers of the game can again awake from the dreamy spell they have been in for so long and develop their good right arm into making strikes and spares. Mr. Jackson is a young and entergetic fellow and he means business in giving to this town that long needed want. He informs us that he has in his possession two as fine alleys as a person ever rolled a ball over and that he is going to run an up to date place. In connection therewith he will have a cigar stand. This news will be hailed by all lovers of this game as a good thing and he will certainly do well here. Pat Wilhelm is lying near the point of death at his home in the west part of town, from a complication of diseases and with but little hope of recovery. The trouble at first was blood poison caused by breathing the fumes from white lead and known as painters colic. He first became sick Friday evening and has steadily grown worse. Tuesday, strong symptoms of appendicitis were apparent and he is suffering the most excruciating pains. Dr. D. D. Clark and Dr. J. Miller are attending the sick man an unless some signs of improvement wre apparent .Wednesday, an operation will be performed as a last resort. During Tuesday he had several spasms anol the pains were so severe that he lost consciousness. During these terrible convulsions his life was dispaired of each time but today the physicians extend slight hopes of recovery. At 3 o’clock Dr. Clark called on his patient and reports that there are no signs of improvement. Last Friday evening the teachers of Preble township met with the people of the vicinity of school district No. 6at the graded school of Magley for the purpose of organizing a literary society. A large attendance was present and they j elected the following officers: Mar tin Worthman as president, Jesse Kelley, principal of Magley schools as vice president; Martin Jayberg as secretary; and Ed Fruchte as treasurer. The house decided to have a meeting every Friday but on account of so many box socials in the neighborhood it was postponed to Friday, Nov. 20 at 7 o’clock. The program for November 20 is of tions, orations, declamations recitations dialogues, music and a dei bate. The debate for the evening I under the discussion is as follows: ! Resolved that Compulsory education is just.” The members on the affirmative are F. D. Annen, Fruchte and Iron Case. On the negative, M. Jaberg, M. F. Worthman, and Ralph Case. A good warm debate is expected. For a good time come one and all. Passenger train numbar three on the Toledo, St. Louis & Western railway was wrecked a half mile west of Frankfort a few minutes after nine o'clock Saturday morning. Fifteen people were injured, several of them quite badly, though it is believed none will die as a result. Conductor Huntington was perhaps the worst injured of any but will Iraely recover. The baggageman was also quite badly hurt. The passengers were all considerably shaken up and a number received serious bruises. Details as usual in such accidents are very meagre and at the Clover Leaf station here it was simply known that a wreck had occurred. From the best information obtainable the wreck was caused by’ the axle of the baggage coach going down, throwing every car into the ditch, only the engine and tender remaining on the track. The train passed through here at 5:25 this morning but so far as is known no Decahft passengers were aboard the train at the time of the accident. ~The names of injured parties could not be obtained. The east bound train due here at noon was delayed only a short time,showing that the track must have been cleared. The wreck is said to have been a bad one financially.

On next Thursday evening the Woman's Relief Corps will entertain the G. A. R. boys at the G. A. R. Hall. Refreshments will be served and a good time is assured. All members of the Post and old soldiers are earnestly requested to be present. Also the husbands of members of the corps who didn’t “fit” in the civil unpleasantness. The sale of Malleable steel ranges at the Schafer Hardware store last week was a most successful one and that enterprising firm very wisely attribute the success to newspaper advertising. During the week they sold nineteen ranges, nine of which number were disposed of on Saturday. Besides this they interested many people some of whom at least will eventually purchase Malleables, several no doubt this week. Hundreds of people accepted the invitation to lunch at the store and were thus shown the advantages of one of the best ranges ever put on the market. The sale was conducted by a representative of the factory who thoroughly’ understood every feature of the stove and who explained every’ detail to the saisfaction of any inquirer. Besides the ranges the Schafer Hardware Company sold a large number of heating stoves and the week was one of the best in their history, notwithstanding the fact that the warm weather during most of the week was not exactly conducive to stove sales. According to the Berne Witness S .turday the last day of grace for the Berne saloons, and that Sunday morning they will waken up in a dry town. The Witness has dug up some law that requires a saloon keeper whose license is questioned and is in court to close his place of business after the clcse of the term of court following the time said license was granted. In the case of the Berne issue, the licenses were granted and the remonstrators appealed to the circuit court. Later change of venue was asked and granted to the Jay circuit court, where they still remain untried. Several legal lights were asked as to the propostion advanced by the Witness, and they in accord declared it contrary’ to all usages and laws and contrary’ to the constitution. The saloons in Berne will continue unmoletsed until the cases are tried in the Jay circuit corut. Should that tribunal annul the licenses, then they will fold their tents and quit business, but 11 is 11' H Jll u hI'HP, (Mil un > < ±ll do so, until compelled by the court. When the cases will be tried is not known, as yet they have not been set for trial.

The Eastern Indiana Grain Dealers' association held a meeting Thursday at Fort Wayne and the members discussed the new corn crop. Reports show that the yield varies in different localities through this section of the state but generally sneaking the crop is fair. It is estimated by’ the dealers that fully seventy five' per cent of the corn is not yet fit for shellingand shipping. Corn on the stalk is still green and it was only the last frost which had any’ considerable effect in drying the grain. One dealer said that ■ new corn now marketed can scarcely be: shelled at all. The dealers feel that in view of these conditions that the farmer should hold his corn until colder weather sets in and the grain becomes thoroughly dried. It is thought by that time that the farmer will get a good price for his crop. Last year a large part of the new corn shipped early spoiled and eastern Commission men are shy about accepting consignments now, fearing that last year’s experinoe will be repeated. One of the grain men speaking of conditions said: “You can say that the grain dealers of eastern Indiana wish to pay’ the farmer the highest price possible for his corn, when it is fit. We are having considerable trouble now shipping oats and wheat, on account of the car shortage, which we can already feqj. Some of us have orders ahead as far as ten days or two weeks and cannot get cars. This congested condition prevails on all main lines.”

In the parlor car of an Erie train dashing out of New York at the rate of sixty miles an hour, Mrs. John L. Stanninger fought desperately’ with her husband for the possesion of her baby which had been kindnapped by the father. Grappling with each other up and down the aisles of the serving coach for , ten minutes, both man and the woman made every’ effort to get possession of the child, a boy of two years. The mother was finally victorious. Snatching the babe from her husbands arms she shouted to the other passengers who looked on the struggle with awe that he was a kidnapper. Stanninger was held by several of the passengers and members of the train crew until the mother with the babe for whom she had fought was safe in another car. The father was made to leave the train. According to the mother’s story’ Stanninger called at the home while she was in another room ran from the house with the child in his arms. She followed him to the Erie station and boarded the moving train. Jury commissioners Harry R. Moltz of this city and David Manlier of Union township met at the county clerk’s office Monday (everting and selected in the regular way provided by law the grand and petit jurors for the November session of the Adams circuit court. The grand jurymen who will divulge the secrets of the wicked and return indictments against the lawbreakers of Decatur and Adams county are as follows: Chris J. Stuckey, French township; Jacob Kreps, Hartford; William Sellemeyer, Preble; Jacob Drake, St. Marys, Emanuel Hart, Union and Andrew Jackson of St. Marys. The petit jury who will decide the rights and liberties of parties who appear for trial before them in the next nine weeks of court were chosen as follows: Orlando Springer, St. Marys township; John W. Cook, Wabash; William Custer, St. Marys; Levi D. Miller, French; George Gay, St. Marys; John T. Kelley, Jefferson; Reuben Beery, Kirkland ; Jesse Schwartz, Root; James Foreman, Blue Creek; Casias Andrews, Washington; J. J. Hofer, Monroe and Adam Bentz of Union. The jury is a well selected one, the members being good and true men and every township in the county represented. They’ will report for duty the third Monday’ it is supposed, that being the usual cusroifi*' liie'£Yinu jlifcy Win likely convene, one week from Monday. The petit jury will likely have some very’ important questions to consider. John B. Stoneburner, w’ho for several years has conducted one of the best music stores in this part of the state, last evening made an assignment of all his property’ to attorney David E. Smith. The papers were filed at the county’ recorders ; office this morning and the assign-1 ment reads practically as follows: j That John B. Stoneburner owes) divers persons sundrysums of money j and is unable to pay said accounts ! in full. He is desirous of provid-; ing for same so far as in his power ■ by an assignment of all his property for that purpose. He has therefore assigned and transferred to David E. Smith all his goods, chattels, stock, notes and bank accounts, debts, claims, demands, property and effects of every description; also inlot number 559 located in the west part of the city of Decatur. He will probably save the home where he lives as the law allows him S6OO. Attorney Smith is instructed to sell the property will all reasonable dispatch and convert same into money, collect all debts and pay and distribute to creditors alike, under and by virtue of the laws of Indiana.” Mr. Smith has not determined whether or not a sale of the goods will be necessary as a settlement with the creditors may ! be made in some other manner, j The assignment will be a surprise i to many of Mr. Stoneburner's friends who supposed he was doing a prosperous business. Tins exact amount of liabilities is not yet known.

CIRCULATION 2800 WEEKLY

NUMBER 3(i

Sunday Mrs. M. S. Venis was the victim of a very’ pleasant surprise, held at her home on south Eighth street and planned by some of her friends. Fifty one guests were present and all of whom en-» joyed themselves hugely. The out of town guests were George Venis and family, Ray Venis and family, from Bluffton, Tom Venis and John and their families from Craigville. At noon al! enjoyed and partook of a sumptuous dinner at the Venis home. After dinner Mr. J. E. Moser the photographer, was called and took a picture of the crowd present. All departed wishing Mrs. W. S. Venis many more such happy occasions. John K. Evans, a tourist, somewhat under the inuflence of strong drink, visited the Auditorium Monday’ and endeavored to secure contributions from the workmen on the strenght of a traveling card issued by a labor union at Kokomo, Ind. He accosted an electrician who decLned to lend a mite toward continuing the liquor traffic. Evans then decided to make a tour of the building. The entrances to the lower floor are barricaded, therefore, he mounted a ladder and started to climb into a window in the upper story. When about twelve feet from the ground he accidently lost his hold and fell head first onto the sidewalk. He was assisted to a seat and latter taken to the office of Dr. C. B. Reid. A drunken man’s luck was with Evans for it afterwards developed that his only’ injury was a small scalp wound. Evans is a life sized package of nerve and he has traveled long enough to take on the airs of professional beggars. After Evans fell on the sidewalk the workmen, who had refused to give him money became sympathetic and loosened his purse strings. After receiving the contribution Evans very calmly offered to bet that he could find a surgeon who would dress his w’ound free of charge. There were no takers and in order to make the proposition more inviting he dug down deep into his pockets and brought out several silver dollars, which he placed in a pile with the contribution made by the workmen. Evans claims his home is in Decatur, Ind. —Van Wert Bulletin.

Were you Monday evening at the pedro party given under the auspicies of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of the St. Marys Catholic i church and held at the C. Y. M. S. Club rooms, and given for the benefit of the poor? If not, .you can hardly realize what you missed. The ladies had spared no expense for the amusement of their guests, and if a person left the room that evening without getting his money’s worth, he is certainly’ a hard customer to please. At exactly 8:30, as a curtain rises, the great contest took place, to see who I could capture the prizes at playling pedro, and just one hour and a ; half was consumed in this amuseI ment, and the last game had been i played, showing as prize winners, with six games apiece, the cutting 'of the cards took place to see who was the lucky’ ones, and Isadore Kalver and Joseph Smith proved to have the highest card, and therefore captured first prizes, which were a pair of kid gloves and a pair of socks. The winners for the ladies prizes were Miss Bertha Fullenkamp and Mrs. John S. Peter son, and prizes were a ladies head scarf and a pocket book, while Rosa Colchin and Fred Schurger were compelled to content themselves with the boobies, little cream pitcher and a rattle box. After the prizes were drawn a fine lunch was served to 150 guests present, which everyone did justice to. Then followed the dancing which lasted until the wee small hours of the morning. The music was furnished by Miller and Fristoe’s rag time orchestra, and you know what that meant. The whole affair was a success,not only’ socially but financially, and everyone voted the ladies a? great entertainers. They repeated| the performance Tuesday, when an elderly crowd enjoyed the festivities. •