Decatur Democrat, Volume 48, Number 13, Decatur, Adams County, 2 June 1904 — Page 1

aLL the news all the time.

fOIUME XL\ 111.

Th e board of directors of the Old Adams County Bank held an im'ortant meeting Saturday which R B Allison was appointed ‘ oe president to fill out the unexiredterm of David Studabaker, deceased. Mrs. M. J. Niblick offer- . hcr resignation as director which was accepted, and John Niblick and \V J. Vesey were elected on the board to fill out the unexpired term of David Studabaker and M. J. Niblick. Sunday night was a holiday for the children as well as for some of their older sisters. It was ioe cream opening night and every soda parI ior in the city was crowded from ,even o’clock until their supply of cream was exhausted. The season is on now to a certainty and if you failed to attend that; night's event you will have to buy your cream. It was good to hear the boastings of the children as to how many dishes they had indulged in and many a man smiled as his mind wandered back to his boyhood days. One little girl claims to have eaten sixteen dishes, many can be found with a record of ten or twelve, while the one who let the opportunity slip without partaking of at least five was considered easy. Squire John C- Moran this Saturday rendered his decision in the case of Mrs. Lucy Gregory against Mrs. Ada Simcoke on an ejectment proceeding, deciding that Mrs. Simcoke was entitled to the possesison of the property and holding that the lease was a yearly one and could only be forfeited as required by law, thus virtually stating that Mrs. Simcoke’s time will not expire until next Muy. The case was one that was well tried, every point in the same being hotly contested and thoroughly gone over by the attorneys. David E. Smith, attorney for the plaintiff informed the court that he would undoubtedly appeal the same. Dore B. Erwm represented the defendant. Elmer Johnson Friday evening without doubt shipped one of the finest car loads of high class horses that ever left Adams county, for Pittsburg Pa., where he will hold a special sale on May the 31st and June Ist and 2nd at the Riverside sale stable. There were twenty six head in the bunch consisting of speed horses, mated teams, drivers, coach and cob horses. Among this number being the famous Ralph K., with a mark of 2.16%; Guy E., with a mark of 2.29%, and a full half brother to Indiana famous pacer Dan R who is as yet unmarked. Elmer is certainly being kept busy buying and selling horse flesh, and is reaping a nice harvest from the same. This car was acoompained by his son Guy who handled them while enroute. The most interesting forgery case in the criminal history of this country closed Thursday at Portland when Robert J. Knox, king of Jorgers, was found guilty by a jury in the circuit court. He will be committed under the intermediate sentence act, with the maximum calling for fourteen years’ imprisonment. The case against him was worked up by the Pinkerton agency, under direction of the American Bankers’ association,’and the conviction was clinched by John Schoonover, bis accomplice, becoming a witness for the stateSchoonover admitted that the American Bankers’ association had promised to be easy with him, in the event of his confession. Knox comes of one of the famous families of America. He is a lawyer by profession, society man and a graduate of Hamilton college. He is a nephew of John Jay Knox, former comptroller of the currency and president of the Bank of the Republic; a brother of Emma Knox, former head of the Emma Willard school at Troy, N. Y. and grandson of the Rev. Dr. John Knox, the famous Scotch preacher. This will make his third prison sentence. John Schoonover, alias H. B. Gordon, was released shortly before noon today by Judge Vaughn, on motion of Prosecutor Wheat, his liberty coming as a recompense for testifying against Knox. He will return to his home in New York.

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Judge Erwin has appointed Henry Lankanau of this city and Amos i Hirsohey of Berne as appointive members of the board of review, ; who with the county assessor, auditor and treasurer make up the personal of the board to begin active work the first Monday in June. The labors of such officials are usually very laborious and require great care and accuracy in making up the assessment of each and every individual in the county. The assessment lists as returned by the several township assessors have been bound and are now ready and waiting for the board of review to begin their labors. Charles Smith the horse trader as he is known, established a precedent yesterday which, if followed up, might result in much good in Bluffton. As near as the Banner can get at the facts, Smith was at the Sam Keller barn where a crowd of fellows had congregated. Ed Morgan was in the crowd and was making some rather slighting remarks about a lady. Smith stood it for a time and then walked over to Morgan and knocked him down. It is said Morgan went after a club but was prevented from using it by bystanders. If it is true that Smith made an honest effort to protect the name of some lady, he is to be . commended for his actions.—Bluffton Banner. Miss Carrie and Ida Gerke entertained the young ladies’ society of the St. Peters Lutheran Church five miles north of this city on Sunday afternoon last. The feature of the afternoon was progressive pit in which Miss Clara Hoile won first prize which was a very handsome vase and Miss Emma Kuekelhan received booby prize, a red handkerchief. At 6 o'clock a sumptuous snpper was served. The remainder of the evening was passed in vari ous games, those present were Misses Anna Melsher, Risa Christian. Rica fleer. Minnie Foudelling, Clara Hoile, Christina Hoile, Paulina Boevger, Bertha Boevger, Emma Fuelling, Minnie Fuelling, Tillifi Domseif, Lizzie Wietfeldt, and Emma Kuckelhahn. Dr. J. S. Boyers is in receipt of a letter from his brother, Rev. Simon L. Boyers, pastor of the Tabernacle M. E. church at Dallas, Texas, which says that he recently called on Tom Railing, the Decatur Ball player and found him slowly recovering from his illness of six or seven weeks. He has been very sick but is being well oared for, has a good physician and will be taken to a health resort this week some time. His fever is all gone and he has a good appetite, though not allowed to eat much. He has a good constitution and it is believed he will soon recover his health. When the article concerning Tom’s illness ap peared in the Democrat a few days ago Dr. Boyers sent a clipping of same to his brother who immediately hunted the sick boy up. Nearly one hundred students in the schools of Adams county have been successful in passing the examination conducted by counl y superintendent Brandyberry and have received a diploma which admits them to any high school in the state. Miss Etta Brandyberry of this city received the highest grade 95 and was awarded a free scholarship at the National Normal University at Lebanon Ohio. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Simon Brandyberry and the honors she has achieved is by no means a small one for a girl of her age. Miss Leia Myers, also of this city was second in the county, her grade being 93 per cent. In Decatur thirty of our students took the examination of which number nine failed. The successful scholars in the city were Frances Dugan, Jesse Christen, Pansy Bell, Willflammell, Ette Brandyberry, Francis Bryson, Nellie Suellen, Fauchien Magley, Carl Smith, Maud RuSsell, Ray Teeple, Ethel Pillars, Gladys Bowers. Grace Weaver, Emma Cowan, Waldo Brushwiller, Jessie C. Bentz, Lucile Gillig, Leia M. Myers, Bennie Houck, Fannie McConnell, Clara Boknecht, Emma Huffman. Gyp Dor win and Irene Myers. Tiffs class as well as others who hold diplomas will enter high school next fall and will graduate in four years.

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1904.

All members of the Democratic City Central committee are requested ( to meet Friday evening at 7:30 o’clock < at the surveyor’s office. Important < business. < Harvey Stevenson of Aaron Ste- ' vens who lives in Cooktown, on ( Friday received a very severe cut on his right arm which will lay , him up for several days to come. Harvey is employed at the Krick & ( Tyndall tile mill and is stationed at what is called the pug mill, the place where dirt is forced into the press to make tile, and in performing his duties run his hand and arm too far into the press and became caught and the weight of the press cut a gash three inches long and so deep that the arteries and , tendons of his arm were clearly ex- j posed. He was immediately taken I home where his arm was dressed. | Warren comes next Sunday and j from all reports are coming heavily loaded and expects to carry away the long end of the money. They have the renowned Tom Irvin who has pitched in many leagues and who has had vast experience in the base ball line, to do the twirling for them and there will be something doing. Ted Coburn who formerly lived in this city and played ball a great many years here with the locals, is with the Warren team and he will do the catching, thus giving Warren a star battery, they are also very strong in every other department of the game and a fine game may be looked forward to. The Rosenthals are endeavoring to give the fans a run for their money and are booking good attractions. Those who witnessed last Sunday's game were well pleased and all future games will be much better. Come out and witness a red hot game. The prohibition leaders .are to ! do some big stunts in Indiana during this campaign. Charles E Newlin, their state chairman, looks through optimistic spectacles and predicts as follows: “We hope to elect our candidate for congress in the Eight district and retire George Cromer. Our nominee—Aaron Worth, of Jay county—has the respect and confidence of everybody, i We also think that we shall elect | Sumner W. Hays, our candidate for judge in the Jay circuit court. We expect to carry Richland township in Jay county without fail, and Sims township in Grant county. I “We will make the hustings ring with our speakers. Felix T. Me Whirter, our candidate for governor, accompanied by two otheI speakers, probably M. W. Harkins, of Muncie, and E. G. Shouse oi Chistman 111., formerly of Kokomo, will spend five days every week out in the field and will visit three or four points a day. From the outlook Friday evening Decatur is going to have a real live band and our city will once again be able to brag of a fine organization. A meeting was held in the city council chambers with a large crowd of enthusiastic bandmen present, and all eager and willing to assist in any material way to make the same a howling success. Without doubt, Noah Loch, above anyone else, is entitled to all the credit that is due in working up and getting the enthsuiasm for band starting, he having gone ahead and prepared arrangements for music, hall and lights, the latter two being donated by our city dads. The organization was thoroughly completed and a band for our city is now an assured thing. Mr Loch has secured the assistance of the veteran band leader, Harvey Hart, and under his skilful! guidance the band cannot be other than a success. The young men who have signed their willingness to join are ail good musicians and experienced band men with one or two exceptions. The following will be the make up of the band: Harvey Hart, director: Orval Harruff, tuba; Jesse and Albert Sellemeyer, True Fristoe and frank Johnson, cornets; Noah Loch, baritone; Frank Kern, Fred Bell and Walter Kauffman, frombones; Charles Loch and Dr. P. L. Fritz, clarinets; Falk and Kintz altos and Weaver and Miller drums.

The committee’ on state of the | •hurch of the Methodist genera 1 lonference, after a spirited debate, iecided that domesti c infidelity shall be the only ground for divorce ( recognized by the church. There . was an effort to have cruelty and i iesertion included as grounds; the . 1 majority of the committee was, i apposed to this. This committee !! will also present a resolution asking |: congress to enact a constitutional. i amendment that will make impossible certain practices of mormonism in any part of the United States or in any country subject to its jurisdiction. Thursday was macadam sale day at the commissioners’ room, ten contracts being made, the total of the same approximating to exceed 465,000. The lowest bidder on the Pleasant Valley & Oak Grove number one was L. O. Bears & Co., 47,500, Decatur & Bluffton number two, Calvin Miller 47420, Decatur & Monroe, Michael Miller 47825, West Washington number three to Cal Miller 43659, Monroe Township Central number one to L. O. Baars 47374, Pleasant Valley & Oak Grove number two to D. N. Gottschalk for 45374, East Washington number three, Julius Haugk 48800, Geneva, Ceylon Wabash Township to L. O Bears 412,529, East Washington No. 2 to Julius Haugk for 43600 and the Decatur & Monroe to Michal Miller for 45090. Contracts were immediately signed and work upon some of the contracts will begin soon. The home of Mr. and Mrs. D. E. Smith, West Monroe street was the scene of a most delightful social event Friday night when the Young Matron’s Club gave their annual dinner, their husbands being the guests of honor. The dinner was a feast of all dainties in season, and the guests left no doubt in the minds of their entertainers which would lead them to believe the same was not appreciated. In fact we learn with regret, that some have nor even yet recovered from the bad effects of an over laden stomach. After the dinner had been disposed of the gentlemen smoked while the ladies elected officers for the ensuing year. A spirited contest wtih four candidates resulted in the election of Mrs. C. K. Bell as president Mrs. H. R- Moltz was chosen vice-president. Afterwards the crowd indulged in guessing contests in which M. T. Reid and Hiram Gregg were successful and were each awarded a bunch of carnations. The closing meeting was certainly a success and it was rather late when one of the gentleman present moved an adjournment and the motion carried over the objection of the various ladies. The Allison-StndabaXer block is nearing completion and will be ready for occupancy by about July Ist, and the old Big Store corner will again assume activity after a year of quiet caused by the disastrous fire of last June. The north room is now occupied by Fred Scheiman’s palace meat shop. The second room which extends from second street west 132 feet and thence south to Madison street has been leased by Charles F. True who will remove his dry good, notions and grocery store to that location within a few weeks. He will also occupy a part of the second floor and will open one of the biggest and most modern stores in the city. He has been in business here for twenty years and it is needless to say that his new store will be one of which Decatur may well feel proud. His announcement for his removal and a clearance sale which begins Saturday appears in this issue. The corner room of the new block was today leased by theß. Kai ver & SonJDompany who will as soon as possible remove their Hub clothing store to that place. Their new location will give them a great advantage in the way of light and other conveniences always noticeable in occupying a corner room. A new and much larger stock will be added and the Hub with the genial Jaoob Kalver as manager will use every fair effort to increase their already splendid trade. They will make the formal announcement of their removal within a few days.

Attorney Marsh, of Celina, dropped dead Thursday afternoon while transacting business in one of the law offices of that city. His death was due to an attack of heart trouble. He was well known here and was one of the ablest lawyers of Ohio. His son Loree Marsh was i guest of Noah Loch and family here over Sunday. The Decatur friends of the family extend their sincerest sympathy. Work will begin this week and the oil well to be drilled on the farm of Judge R. K. Erwin, four miles north of town, the work to be done by the Shepherd Oil Company or rather by Mr. Shepherd himself. The money has been raised and all arrangements completed for the first test well ever put down north of the city. It is probable that another well will be drilled as one well would scarcely be a test of the field. Farmers in the community7 are becoming interested and it is believed that no further trouble will be had in raising the necessary funds. Many oil men and Decatur citizens who have spent more or less time in the scientific study of the oil business are confident of the fact that oil in paying quantities is north of town and more interest will be manifested in this well than any drilled near here for some time, as the development of a field means much for Decatur. The Memorial services Monday were marred to some extent by the heavy rain that fell all the night before-and part of the day, still the program was carried out in full. The exercises commenced at ten c’olook with a meeting all the Old soldiers, Sons of Veterans and Woman’s Relief Corps at their lodge room, and the street from then on until late in the afternoon was filled with old familiar strains by the martial band. At one thirty o’clock assembled at the court house where Judge R. K. Erwin the speaker of the day delivered a rousing address reviewing the lives and past-deeds of the honored dead. The different committees then headed by their band proceeded to the old cemetery and the old Catholic cemetery and then adorned the graves of their dead comrades with flags and flowers. The same course was then pursued at the new Catholic cemetery and also at Maplewood cemetery. From one o’clock until four all business houses were closed and all were in some manner decorated in the National colors in honor and in respect of those who died and shed their bloodjn the preservaton in our glorious union. Contrary to belief tne search for the murderer of Sarah Schafer will not be permitted to end because of the adverse verdict in the McDonald case. The officials of Bedford and Lawrence county admit they are temporarily baffled, but will put forth renewed efforts to apprehend the man who struck down the popular Latin teacher that bleak January night. Judge James B. Wilson, at the adjournment of court stated that he would cause a special grand jury to be summoned today to take up the case and further probe into the mysterious tragedy. “I propose,” said Judge Wilson,” to give Mr. Palmer McDonald's attorney an opportunity of informing the grand jury and prosecutor of the character of the evidence he alleges is in his possession. I firmly believe that Judge Palmer will not hesitate to submit this eviddence and I will as the presiding judge of this judicial district clothe Mr. Palmer with the proper authority so as to enable him to assist Prosecutor Miller in the grand jury room. The case will be taken up so that only the representatives of the best citizenship of Lawrence county will be selected for this jury service. The reward for the apprehension of the murderer or murderers, of Sarah C. Schafer, on the night of January 21, was increased to 43,250 this morning. Judge Wilson intimated that he was the presiding officer of the Lawrence circuit court would probably increase the amount by an additional 41,000.

CIRCULATION 2800 WEEKLT

NUMBER 13

BEDFORD, Ind., May 31—Judge Wilson shed tears today when he instructed the special grand jury in the Sarah Schafer murder case. He insisted that nothing be left undone in an earnest effort to discover the brutal murderer if the Bedford school teacher. Attorney Palmer who made the sensational declaration in his speech to the jury in defense of James McDonald, recently acquitted of the crime, that he had evidence that would lead to the apprehension of the real murderer, has been appointed deputy prosecutor by Judge Wilson. Palmer was fishing when the jury was called. A deputy sheriff was sent after him at noon. It is now known that Palmer will accuse a prominent Bedford man of the crime. Considerable excitement was caused luesday at the Erie railroad tracks near the cars owned by the Buckskin Bill's Wild West Show. It seems that two of the showmen got into trouble among themselves early that morning and a fight occurred in which one of the men was badly beaten up, who at once came up street and asked Deputy Sheriff Dallas Butler to arrest the man for assault and battery and in attempting to search the cars to find his manj a number of show men interfered with the deputy and refused to allow him to enter. Dallas at once telephoned up street for his father who hastened to the scene and when he arrived they politely allowed him access to the tiain. No *race of the man however has yet been found. Later. At eleven o’clock the aforesaid gentleman was caught and brought up before Squire Smith where he plead guilty and was fined a dollar and costs amounting in all to nine dollars and thirty cents which was promptly paid. The trial of the first of eight damage cases, aggregating in the demands the sum of 445,300 began before a jury in the Adams circuit court Tuesday and will occupy several days. The cases were filed by attorney Theodore Shockney of Union City several months ago and it is said several very nice law questions will come up during the trial. The case now being heard is entitled William Mager vs William Glendening, James H. Hardison, Archie P. Hardison, Charles D. Porter, Elmer Schindlerl and George Shoemaker action, for damages, demand 45,000. The facts as alleged in this case are the same in the other seven and the complaints are all against the same defendants. And the outcome of this trial to a great extent depends on the other cases. The complaint in the Mayer Case, now being tried says that he with the defendants and with A. J. Judy, O. O. Judy, E W. Evans, A. S. Duttan, W. S. Small, C- R. Small and Alexander La Crove, who are now plaintiffs in seperate cases, on February 19, 1903 organized the “Col. Drake Oil Company” with home offices at Geneva and a capital stock of 4100,000. William Glendening was general manager of the company and James H. Hardison treasurer and had full control of the business. They leased 1656 acres of land in Jay county and drilled in fourteen oil wells and one gas well,all of which were prior to August 24, 1903, produces but one oil well. The complaint says that at that time the property was worth 472,000 and that the plaintiff owned 44500 of the stock that the true value was misrepresented and that the wells which properly handled would have produced 100 barrels of oil per day were so manipulated that they showed less than thirty barrels daily with this false understanding the property was purchased by the defendants for about one third the true value, and said Mayer received only 41428 for his share when he should have had 44500. The question of recovery in this kind of a case is a new one in Indiana and the outcome will be watched with interest by oil men all over the country. The defendants have filed a general denial. The plaintiff is represented bv Mr. Shockney and C. J. Lutz and the defendants bv Daily, Simmons & Dailey of Bluffton and D. D Heller & Son.