Decatur Democrat, Volume 48, Number 9, Decatur, Adams County, 5 May 1904 — Page 1

AL L THE NEWS ALL THE TIME.

VOLUME XLVIII.

DEATH OF JUDGE STUDABAKER

Close of Long and Active Public Career End Came at 10:35 Last Night

STORY OF HIS LIFE Adams County's Foremost Citizen Illness of Two Weeks Proves Fatal — FuneraliServices to benjlield ZD Saturday. '■Judge David Studabaker is dead. His busy careerjof more than three score years is ended, and Adams county's foremost citizen has crossed the river to the great beyond. Peacefully and without a struggle so gently as to be almost imperceptible ; surounded by the loved ones of his now sorrowing family the end came at 10:35 Tuesday night. Though for more than a week it has been known that the spark of life was fading and the end near, the close of so good a life is a great shock to the community and the many grave faces in this city today show the high esteem in which the venerable Judge was held. It has been said that he had not an enemy in the world an’webelieve it a true statement. Kind hearted, conscientiously honest, true to his friends, public spirited, a noble Christian, his life has been an open book, which' should be an inspiring lesson to everyone. His duty to his family, his church, his busine.ss_a.nd his country have been fulfilled and it would require many pages to recount an accurate story of the nearly seventy seven years of life. His healh has been unusually good until the past winter, when he failed slightly, still when the spring breezes came it was believed and he did recuperate About two weeks ago he'made a visit to one of his farms to look after arrangements for the season work. When he returned home in the evening he complained of a severe cold, which gradually grew worse and the week following the complication of heart and kidney trouble made his condition serious. The skilled physicians were summoned and with aid oPthe family did everything possible {to prolong life, but the outcome was inevitable. For several days the end has been almost momentarily expected and only the use of the strongest stimulants known to the medical science kept him alive. Though at times he would rally slighiy there has been no time within a week when reliable hopes for recovery could be extended. He was conscious during nearly all his illness until four o’clock Tuesday afternoon when be apparently sank to sleep and from which slumber he failed to awake. It will seem strange indeed to not have Judge Studabaker’s counsel in the various public projects and his familiar form and kind old face will be sadly

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missed, but he has well performed his duties, perhaps even more than should L have been allotted him and profit by the

splendid advice he has already given. JUDGE STUDABAKER’S CAREER. The name of Studabaker is one that has long been conspicuously identified with tie history of this great state and is one in which each successive generation has produced men of honor and sterling worth, men who have honored and been honored by the nation which has given them birth. The story of the life of him whose name initiates this paragraph is not one into which enters thrilling episodes and naratives of adventure but is one which tells of sturdy and honest character, strong native ability and a constant adherence to the line ofjluty and to the ideals which opportunity and ability rendered accessible. David Studabaker was born near Fort Recovery, Ohio, August 12th, 1827, his parents removing to this county when he was but seven years old, and settling on a farm in Wabash township. His parents were Peter and Mary (Simison) Studabaker. the story of whose pioneer life in this locality is of rare interest. When David was but thirteen years old his father died and as he was the eldest child the burden of aiding his mother in the maintenance of the family fell upon him, a burden which he assumed with that devotion and willingness which has since been one of his chief characteristics. He received his early edu-

cation in the district schools which he was enabled to attend through the winter months, he having been a pupil in the first school ever > taught in Wells county. Later Mr. | Studabaker attended high school at I Greenville, Ohio and a seminary at | Portland. He taught school until 1851 when he became a law student in the office of James M. Haynes of Portland, who died but a few years ago. In 1852 he was admitted to i the bar and opened a law office in | Decatur. His energy and ability ' soon gained him recognition and in due time he retained a clientage of wide extent. He aealt extensively in real estate and his operations in that line have yielded him large returns, until for many years he lias been known as the county’s wealthiest citizen owning a vast amount of city and country property, oil lands, bank stock and other inter.

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esls. He has ever been a stalwart advocate of the principles of the democratic party and as will be remembered at the democratic county convention held only a month ago made a strong and convincing speech. In 1852 he was elected prosecuting attorney for Adams and Alien counties, in 1854 he was chosen as representative in the state legislature from Adams county and was re-elected two years later. In 1858 he was elected state senator for the district composed of Adams, Jay and Wells county and in 1868 he was selected as Judge of the court of common pleas of Adams, Allen, Huntington and Wells counties. In each of these public offices he won distinction and high honor by discharging his duties in a most capable manner. In 1869 Judge Studabaker became identified with the building of the Cincinnati, Richmond & Fort Wayne railroad, now known as the Grand Rapids and Indiana, he was elected as a director of the road and has held the position continously since. In 1871 he became a stock holder in the Adams county bunk was made a directoi and vice president in 1874 and president in 1883, holding the latter position until 1894 when he retired but was again chosen vice president. Judge Studabaker was married October 26, 1854 in Fort Wayne to Miss Harriet Evans, a daughter, of Continued on pager four, column 3

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 1904.

Miss Lillie Lewton went to Berne Wednesday to open up a dress making establishment. Miss Lewton is well qualified in this line and we predict a fine business for her at that place. IThe Willshire Herald says: Mr. abd Mrs. Jas. M. Willey, a mile w|st of town, are making decidedly caivenient and handsome improveui nts to their already comfortable hi me. They are remodeling their w icle dwelling house, adding two i r< ams and putting in a modern bath rflom. And, in order not to be inconsistent they will finish up the improvements and will have the chicken house plastered, and rumor has it that they will have the hennery fitted out with plushlined j nest boxes. J. P. Detter is doing | the carpenter work and Hunk Weimer the plastering. A deal was consumated Tnesday ; wherein Hugh Hite the popula young business man who has been working at Ft. Wayne for the past year was sold a one third interest in the grocery store of Everett & Hite, the transfer and deal to take effect at once. Hugh is thoroughly

competent to take care oLhis business having had lots of actual experience and well knowing how to handle and wait upon a customer the art of keeping a set of books having graduated from the International Business College at Ft. Wayne and in all respect will be able to handle his end of the business. The new firm will be known as Everett, Hite & Son. We certainly wish Hugh much success in this new’ enterprise. A R. Miller, of the Toledo stamping company, met several members of the Commercial Club yesterday and to them he stated his proposition covering the removal of the plant from Toledo to this city. They either want to sell their plant to a company, they taking stoek to rhe amount of 150,000 and $50,000 to be placed in this city which amount of capital will enable them to employ 150 men and increase the output from one hundred and fifty dozen shovels to two hundred fiflty dozen per day. In the event that no one cares to in vest at this end of the line, they will furnish all capital and put in the same kind of a plant employing the same number of people for a bonus of $15,000. The proposition will be thoroughly discussed by the club and an answer given Mr. Miller in a few days, as to whether an effort will be made to locate them. The nature of the business of the Toledo Samping Company has previously been given in these columns.

Rev. H. Theo. Wilkins, the popular pastor of the St. Marys Catholic church met with quite a painful accident Monday and as a consequence is housed up today with a dislocated shoulder. He was coming down stairs at his residence and was wearing a new pair of shoes. When three or four steps from the bottom he slipped and received an ugly fall. His left shoulder bone was dislocated and thrown clear around on his breast. Drs. H. E. Keller and J. M. Miller were called and attended the injured man who stood the pain and annoyance in a calm, matter of fact manner, through an anesthetic was necessary while the physicians were reducing the fracture. Dr. Keller informed us this morning that his patient was getting along nicely and there is nothing whatever serious about his condition, the only 11 effect other than the pain will probably be the incon vience which awlays accompaines such an acci dent..

A number of Decatur gentlemen were at Wayne Tuesday attending the third annual convention of the Indiana state council, Knights of Columbus which convened there at ten o’clock Tuesday and continues until Wednesday evening when a pedro party and smoker will be an enjoyable event. The convention was called to order at 10 o’clock by Prof. John G. Ewing, of Notre Dame, state deputy, and Mayor Henry C. Berghoff, who is a member of the order, delivered the address of welcome. Prof. Ewing responded. The convention then adjourned and after dinner the visitors were taken in hand by the local knights and driven about the city to view all points of interest. In the evening at 7 o’clock the second and third degrees were conferred upon a class of sixty or more, fifty one of whom are residence of Ft. Wayne and the others from surrounding cities. The 'Toledo degree team had charge of the work, under the direction of the Hon. Daniel E. Reagan, of Terre Haute, deputy for the fourth Indiana district.

The election passed off quietly and peaceably as most elections do in this city, and the result is accepted by most every one in that philanthropic way, in which our people, as a whole, accept the sacred results of elections. There was thorough and efficient work done by both sides. We hardly know’ of an election when so many people “got busy” on election day, and they labored zealously for their favorites. While close, the result favored the democrats, and they came out of the battle with flying colors, electing the mayor, clerk, marshal, treasurer, and four of the six councilmen thus giving the republicans but two councilmen for their pains in making the election interesting. The result means that Mayor Coffee will succeed himself, that Jack McFeeley will succeed D. Hower as city clerk, that Edward Green will succeed Harry Cordua as marshal, and that W. J. Archbold will succeed himself as city treasurer In the first ward Albert Buhler will take the place S. W. Peterson, while Charles Teeple will continue as a councilman. In the second ward Horace Porter steps into the shoes of Henry Steller, while Simeon Fordyce will hold on for another two years. In the third ward, Peter Kirsch and Peter Gaffer are favored. In all those elected have every qualification and wo think will prove eminently satisfactory to every interest they are expected to represent as a city official. The members of the council take their offices at once, while those of mayor, clerk, treasurer and marshal will not be vacated until September. One thousand and five votes were cast for mayor, a larger vote than was ever polled at a city election. As usual the Democrat received returns the office being crowded with interesting spectators, the result being known at sn early hour. The new council meets tomorrow evening for organizatirnj Elsewhere will b#i' found a tabulated statement of the vote cast.

CIRCULATION 2800 WEEKLY

• NUMBER 9

DROWNED Little Robert Meyers was Drowned Had Been in Water an Hour When Found and Efforts to Revive Him Proved Futile.

Robert Meyers, two and one half year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Meyers, living on North Second street, met death yesterday noon by drowning in a cistern at the rear of the residence of Robert D. Patterson. The child was in the Pattreson home at eleven o’clock and played about a few moments, then ran out into the yard. This was the last the boy was seen alive. His mother supposed he was at Pattersons and it was about twelve o’clock when she began looking for him. He was no where to befound and finally after inquiry had been made at all the neighbors the cistern was thought of. The cover a light wooden one had been removed but the water appeared so calm that it seemed impossible! the child had fallen in and the search was continued about the premises. In the meantime Ray Patterson had secured a long handled rake and was dragging the bottom of the cistern. In a moment the rake caught in little Roberts dress and he was lifted out. Drs. Boyers, Beavers, Clark and Miller were hastily summoned and every means to resusitate life known to science was used but to no avail. It is believed the child must have been in the cistern at least an hour and ‘he spark of life was gone. The mother and father are distracted and their grief is shared by hundreds of sincere friends w’ho knew and loved the bright and happy little boy. Mr. Meyers was absent from home at work several miles in the country, when the accident occured and did not reach home for an hour after the body was found. The cistern was an open one with only a loose cover on, which was easily removed by little Robert who possibly reached to catch his shadow in the water and loosing his balance fell in.

Mrs. J. W. Tyndall was at home to the members of the Young Marons Club also Mrs. A. E. Rose, S. S. Acker, C. O. France, C, A. Dugan, D. C. Townsend, Roy Archbold, D. L. Quinn, Jeff Bryson, H. E. Bell, Mrs. DeVilbiss of Lancaster ’and the Misses Rose Christen, Mary Myers, Minnie Orvis and Bertha Heller. After a few games of Pit had been indulged in, a guessing contest took place in which Mrs. D. L. Quinn came out best and was given a lovely bunch of roses. At five o’clock Mrs. Tyndall served an elegant lunch. The next meeting of the club will be a business meeting Monday night at Mrs. John Hellers on North Third Street. Revillo Scherer, wno until re ceiitly was a resident of Monroe township is now located in Denver, Colorado, where he has been offered and will no doubt accept a position as a teacher in a normal college of considerable fame in that state. There is nothing in the least mysterious in Mr. Scherer leaving his home, nor nothing to gossip over in which there is any truth. He is a gentleman in every respeet, morally and intellectually far above the average. He simply decided that he could do better in the west and accordingly left for Colorado as any one has a perfect right to do. Ht*. left home Saturday and telegraphed home Monday since which time he has written a number of letters home one of which was published ten days ago in these columns.