Decatur Democrat, Volume 48, Number 21, Decatur, Adams County, 28 July 1904 — Page 1

thE NEWS all THE TIME.

Jijjme xlviii.

■ PETERSON DEAD Kt»ory of the Life of an Adams ■ County Pioneer. ■ Jilhn W. Peterson, died at 1:15 ■el'x-k Tuesday at the home ■ iLrmri.ter Mrs. Sirab «chaf.-r, ■ tit. Mary- township. He was ■jeof the "i'le<t residents of this ■, |intv . hiving came with his ptr- ■ t ,h>r? in th, fall of 183). His d his long life had been ■emarkably good until eighteen ■, nthsag > when he suffered an ■ tt ack of lagrippe. Even this rav- ■ h , n!l disease failed to entirely ■ear "tit tie sturdy constitution of ■L rugged old man who it " e! '‘ unt 'l complications ■finding Bright’s disease, became ■oanifest. For several weeks he ■a< been verv feeble, and during ■nnday night suffered a stroke of ■ppoplexy, from which he never Allied. He was born in Carroll ■untv. Ohio, March 21,, 1819, and ■as eighty five years, three months ■nd twenty-seven days old. He ■as the second oldest of fourteen ■hildren nine of whom survive him. ■is surviving children are Hon. H. ■.Peterson, of Albion, Ind., Hon. ■ S. Peterson and 8. W. Peterson ■ this city. Mrs. Maiy A. Smith, of ■ieasant Mills and Mrs. Maria L. ■chafer of near Bobo, a brother ■aac Peterson resides here. The ■tory of the long life of this pioneer ■ full of interesting incidents. He ■as well known over the county. ■ John W. Peterson was born in ■arroll County,Ohio, March 29, 1819, ■nd died in St. Marys township, ■Adams county, Indiana, July 26 ■1904, aged eighty-five years, three ■months and twenty-seven days. ■His parents were William and Jane ■White Peterson, both of whom were ■natives of Carroll county, Ohio. Ila 1836 his parents moved to Senelea county, Ohio, where they resided ■three years, coming to Adams ■county in 1839. The year following, lon June 4, 1840, Mr. Peterson was ■ married to Miss Hannah Smith and Ito this union were born the followling children: William born August 128,1841, died April 18, 1846; Henry IC. born October 10, 1842, Robert S. Isl ruary 'l, 1845; John H. DeoemI hfl 19, 1846, died February 11, 1853 I Mry A. July 20, 1849, Sylvester W. 100 >ber 5, 1851 and Maria L. Aum -21, 1869. In 1851 Mr. Peter - 180 . moved to this city and pur I chased the Eagle printing office which he owned for three years. In 1840 he was chosen justice of the peace of St. Marys township and served two terms. In 1856 he moved with his family to Benton county lowa. A year later Mrs. Peterson died her few days old ■baby being buried with her anda few months later the family returned to this county. Mr. Peterson married Miss Margaret Smith, a sitter of his former wife, August 21, 1869; she died in March 1892. After returning from lowa Mr. Peterson resided in St. Marys township until February 2, 1895, when he came to this city and made his home with a granddaughter, Mrs. Enos Peoples, until last" August "’hen he went to the home of his daughter Mrs. Schafer. In February, 1903, Mr. Peterson fell from a buggy and sustained serious injury, three ribs being broken. While suffering from this trouble he was attacked with lagrippe and to this was added the ravages es Bright’s disease. Sunday night he suffered an attack of apoplexy, which resulted in death early Tuesday mornlng- Ihe deceased was one of a family of fourteen children, nine of whom survive him, one sister, Mrs. Hannah Whitmore, of Michigan, being eighty-seven years old. The others are D. S. Peterson, aged e ‘ghty, W. J. Paterson aged seventy " L. Peterson aged sixty-one, ait Ada,, Ohio,. Isaac Peterson of this city, aged seventy-four, Jacob Peterson, of lowa, aged seventy--I'De, Mrs. Laura Clevinger, sixtysix, Mary A. Peterson sixty-four uud Mrs. Isabelle Solomon, fifty - six, the three latter living in Michigan. The funeral services will be held Thursday morning at 10:30 o’clock at Bobo.

Dbcatilß

L. A. Higdon, representing the O’Dell stock and Grain Co., of New York is in the city and will put in a brokerage in the rooms at the rear of Graham & Lowers insurance office. A special telegraph line is lieing constructed and Mr. Higdon expects to be ready for business within a week Joseph E. Elsworth, the man for whom a warrant had been issued for obtaining money’ under false I pretense on last Saturday cannot be found, he having returned to his | home in Kansas two days prior to ! the issuing of the warrant for his; attest, -and the chances are that he ’ will not be apprehended unless the grand jury takes some action during their session in September and order the sheriff to get the necessary papers and go to Kansas to bring him back. The Fort Wayne & Springfield Traction company did not let the contract for their new 675-horee power ! engine, owing to the fact that several members of the board were attending to other interurban business at Cincinnati, and more so, owing to the death of B. A. Fledderjohann’s father. A notice has been sent out to all the board and stockholders calling for a special meeting to be held here on Friday evening, when the contract will be let, with several other contracts. Work on the line is progressing as finally as possible. The grading is now practically all commenced and further work of hauling ties and steel will be rushed. The company is doing its utmost to complete the line as quickly as possible and are as anxious to see cars as the citizens here are. J- H. White, a former resident of this city and proprietor of the White restaurant, was a welcome caller in the city this morning. This afternoon he left for Warsaw. Mr. White attended the democratic convention at St. Louis and visited other places in the west and is again ready to buckle down to business after a much needed rest. He is to become a business man of Decatur, the thriving little city east of Huntington on the Erie railroad. He has purchased the N. C- Coverdale cigar, tobacco and confectionary store at that place and is to be given possession next Tuesday. I) is really the only place of business of the kind in Decatur and as he has the newspaper rights, as well as magazines and periodicals, it seemst that he has fallen into a nice little business. Mr. M hite will not be long a resident of that place until the residents get next to the fact that he is one of the whitest men they ever met, not in name alone. Asa business man he is experienced in some lines and will soon be at home hustling out newsboys and handing out Ladies Home Journals and other periodicals.— Huntington News-Democrat. Van Wert, Ohio, is to have another daily newspaper which on last Monday made its bow to the public under the name of The Morning Daily Times. As one of the managersand one of the owners the name of W. G. Hoffer appears and this is sufficient guarantee that the Morning Times will be an editorial and local newspaper of good repute. Its typography will be excellent and its mechanical appearance unexcelled. Mr. Hoffer is a bright writer and is perfectly capable of holding his own at any time or place. The new daily will be a democratic publication in so far as its political policies go, and as such will be of inestimable value to the democracy of Van Wert county. The democrats over there should begin with the opening chapter to make the Tinies as a daily paper, a flourishing success; They can do this and they owe it this good will and support. It takes lots of energy and time and , what it more important it takes lots of cash to publish a daily paper . even in a country town, and tor j the first six months they will need the good will and support from every source imaginable. The Md, however, is a good one and the ultimate success of the Morning Dai > Times is assured. We congratulate ?he management of the new born and wish them well

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY, JULY 28. 1904.

File Case of Goorge E. McKean vs I the city of Decatur was resumed in the Superior court, Fort Wayne, Monday morning, but was postponed until Friday owing to the fact that several witneses whose testimony is very necessary, were not present. The case will probably lie concluded on that day £ A new case filed in court is entitled Jesse C. and Isabele G. Sutton vs Binjamin Ferrel suit to quiet title to the new Sutton home recently purchased in the Gerard sub-division, being lot 886 on Mercer street. The land was formerly owned by Benjamin Ferrel who sold it to Charles H. Gerard. For some reason the deed does not appear on record and this suit was brought to clear the title. Joe Hocker, of Monroe is undoubtedly the first man in Adams county who bears the distinction of having forced the government to move an office. In many cases the state of affairs is generally reversed, but upon this occasion Joe seemed to have got the upper hand of Uncle Sam, and it was his time to move. For several years past Mr. Hocker has been renting his store room to Shelby Ray to be used as a drug store and after McKinley’s second election Mr. Ray became postmaster and the government effects were moved into the building. A few days ago Mr. Hocker and Mr. Ray got into an argument which resulted in Hocker ordering Ray out of his building, postoffice and drug store and all. Mr. Ray finally rented another room where he moved his effects and is still waiting upon people who have business to transact with Uncle Sam. Portland, Ind., July 2—After the shooter had agreed to stand responsible for the almost certain loss of $3,000, the crowds had been warned to stand at a safe distance and all the live stock had been driven away, the driller at oil well No. 1 on the George Mortimore farm yesterday lowered the heavy tools upon a 160-quart shot of nitro glycerine which had lodged 500 feet above the sand. To the agreeable surprise of all the shot was successfully added in the bottom of the well and the go-devil was dropped. Had the shot been discharged, as would happen in suck case ninetynine out of a hundred, there would hardly have been a splinter of rig or machinery left and the chances would have been greatly against the drilers escaping with their lives. The well is owned by J. W. Matthews. The Beine Development Co. has been organized to develop 100 acres of land in the vicinity of Berne. One well has been drilled and the contract has been let for twenty more. J. W. Matthews is the principal stockholder. If all the preliminary arrangements are carried out that are now being talked of Decatur will be the scene of a fierce base ball struggle between the Van Buren—Warren Oil Giants and the Delphos stars for one hundred dollars aside. A few Sunday ago Van Buren-Warren defeated the Delphos Stars by a score of one to nothing which bitter pill of defeat did not go down very well with Delphos who issued a sweeping challenge Van Buren Waren offering to play them for the above amount and on neutral grounds Decatur being preferred. The fans of this city would certainly welcome a treat of this kind and would be willing to donate the ground to the clubs for an exhibition of this kind. Both cities ’support good teams, Delphos probably having the better field team and Van Buren-Warren the best battery, the latter team’s main strength lying in Tom Irwin who won considerable fame when twirling for the Wheeling team of the Western association three years ago. M.t. Iwrins work will no doubt also be remembered by the local fans who saw him work here a few weeks ago when he materially aided his team in defeating the Rosenthals. If these games can be arranged Decatur will give them a warm welcome and the winner will no doubt be challenged by the Rosenthals on the same terms. It is hoped that these two teams will clijse negotiations at once.

Auditor Brinneman was here from wells county Monday, and with the auditor of Adams county the congressional school fund for Hartford, Kirkland and Preble townships was re-adjusted. In that re-adjustment Hartford township apportioned to the Adams county fund $645.61, Wells county $294.39, French gave Adams $1198.06, Wells $521.94, Kirkland gave Adams $721.0 Wells $562,.91, Preble gave Adams $629.30; Wells $524 3.0. The total for Adams is $4194.06, Wells $1903.54. This di vision becomes necessary owing to the fact that the two miles along the eastern border of Wells county belongs to the district of the Adams county congressional school fund district. Orville Dehoff, verging on 34 wants to use the columns of the Standard to secure for himself a good wife. Orville prefers a wife of good character, and if the right kind of a female makes known her desire to reeive Orville’s heart and hand he will bestow SISOO upon her as a wedding present. The lady he would be willing to espouse must not be over 35 years of age and must be willing to accompany him to California. Maiden fair and duly endowed with respectability you may learn more of this illigible youth if you will address Orville Dehoff, Celina Ohio. The Standard hereby introduces him to your tender and careful consideration.—Celina 0., Standard. Mr. Dehoff formerly lived near Geneva in this county. While attending to legal business at Geneva Monday afternoon Attorney L. C. DeVoss before coming home was deputized by the city marshal of that place to act for one day as his regular deputy and gave into Attorney De Voss’ hands the care of a prisoner named James Snyder, who had been arrested on a charge of public intoxication, was tried, found guilty, and fined one dollar and costs, amounting in all to eight dollars and eighty cents. Not being able to pay, the officer at that place was forced to bring him to Decatur, and seeing Mr. De Voss there he acted on the impulse of the moment, deputized him and forced him to bring the prisoner to Decatur for safe xeepng. De Voss gave perfect satisfaction in handling the prisoner, and on arriving here at once escorted his man to the jail where he was turned over to Sheriff Butler. De Voss says that the office of deputy marshal carries with it too many dangers and he at once sent in his resignation to the marshal of Geneva,n >t caring to act in that capacity’ any longer. The death of Mayor Samuel M. Jones, of Toledo, 0., recalls the fact that a part of his fortune was made in Indiana. He was among the first oil operators to make a rich strike in the Indiana field. He came to Geneva, early in the ninety’s as a stockholder and director in the Northern Indiana Oil company. He had an office in Geneva and gave personal attention to his interests. While there he attracted much attention, because although known to be wealthy he always attended evrey service in the M. E. church and never missed the mid week prayer meeting. His oil interests increased rapidy, and with conisderable salt water in the wells, it was a serious matter to avoid pumping on Sunday. But Jones was a strict Sabbatharian. For several months the wells were pumped on Sunday and all the profits from the Sunday pumpings, amounting to thousands of dollars, was turned into the missionary fund. But on thinking it over, the good man decided that it was wrong to run the wells on Sunday on account of cheating the pumper out of the rest due him, and the privilege of attending religious services on Sunday, and, although the loss must have been heavy, the oil company was never again operated on Sunday when Samuel M. Jones remained a stockholder. It was while operating in the Indiana oil field that Jones conceived the idea of the Acme sucker-rod, which made him $1,000,000.

The case of Mrs. Henry Erhart against Fred Koenig on an account of fifteen dollars for labor due and performed was tried today before Special Justice E. Burt Lenhart at Squire Smith’s court. A number of witnesses were used by each side and some sensational evidence was introduced. L. C. DeVoss represented the plaintiff, while Dore B. Erwin looked after the interests of the defendant. The case was quite a legal battle, both attorneys putting forth heir best efforts to win. The court decided that Mrs. Erhart was entitled to some compensation for her services and allowed her six dollars for paying the costs on Koenig. The case may be appealed. A party of Decatur people rs turn ing from Rome city Sunday evening had the privilege of riding on a special train from Fort Wayne, here the run of twenty-two miles in twenty-six minutes. It is usual for the train which arrives at 8:46 on Sunday to wait a few minutes if necessay on a train which runs from Rome City to Fort Wayne and is due at the same time at which the south bound train leaves. A mistake was made however and when the passengers from Rome City and in Fort Wayne they discovered that they were just four minutes late. J. S. Peterson proceeded to interview Superintendant Hunter and Train-Master Casey, with the result that a special was ordered and the passengers brought home. In the party were Mr. and Mrs. T. M. Ried, Mrs. A. R. Bell and daughter Pansy, Miss Frances Bryson, A Steele, J. W. Tyndall, J. S. Peterson,’’and J. H- Heller. The accommodation granted by Mr. Hunter was a very clever one and was duly appreciated by the travelers. Preparations are being made for a great exposition this year, people are patiently awaiting the date of the great event. The first fair was held but three years ago. It is a matter of history that the G. N. 1. F. has become a greater success year by year. The people of Adams county and members of the association may well feel proud of it. It is because of this that effort will be made to make the coming great annual exhibition eclipse any former event that has ever been held. “Progress is the watch word of the present day.” Adams county is progressing and it is the purpose of the managers to make the fair keep pace with the progress of the county as well as with other fairs. The annual fair is not only an educator for one single class of people, but it reaches out and instructs all of the masses, whether it is the farmer or stockman, the merchant, the mechanic or the workingman of fine arts, the best of man's ingenuity, workmanship and industry that will secure the premiums at the G. N. I. F. The fair this year will be separated into twelve different departments, and over each of these departments three will be a competent superintendent with a corps of assistents in charge, with the already improved grounds and the well equipped buildings. There will still be other improvements added for the convenience of the peopl iin attendance. The magnificent park will become a city teeming with thousands of people to enjoy a week’s outing. Everything that can lie reasonably desired will be found upon the grounds whether it be horse, cattle, sheep or swine, in the poultry, farm or garden departments or good racing, those interested will find the best that will be exhibited any place. The amusements and special attractions will be the best that can be found and strictly moral in every respect. There is alraedy a scramble for space in every department. While the G. N. I F. results in great benefits to the people of Adams County it cannot be called a county institution, because it reaches out and is open to the world for exhibits for which the people of Adams county are proud to compete with. This great exhibit, will be opened the 30th and 31st of Atigust and Ist and 2nd of September, 1904.

CIRCULATION 2800 WEEKLY

NUMBER 2]

John B. Dutcher returned Sunday morning from the cement works that are situated in Eastern Ohio, where he was thoronghy acquainting himself with the cement block and roofing business, as a great manufacturing concern is established there. The work there is all done by expert German laborers who are all skilled workmen • and one of the men arrived here today from that place and will assist the company here in getting everything in readiness to start work this afternoon and the roofing and cement block material will be turned out as rapidly as possible to fill the order now on hand. Work of turning out the cement block has been in progress for several days and the company is already doing a nice business, and is firmly estab lished. The marriage of Miss Effiie V. Brokaw, the fair and accomplished daughter of Mr. and Mr. L. f. Brokaw, of this city, to, Mr. Robert Morris Johnson, of Philadelphia, Pa., was solemnized at Covington Ky., at the Methodist parsonage on the morning of April 13th last, Rev. J. W. Mitchell pastor of the Methodist church of that city officiating. The wedding has been kept a close secret the bride’ sparents not being aware of the same until a few days ago and the news of the happy event will be a surprise to the bride’s many friends. The marriage is encircled with a tinge of interesting romance. Eight years ago Miss Brokaw graduated from the International Business College at Fort Wayne and her marked ability as a stenographer secured for her a position in the Chamber of Commerce building at Cincinnati. In that offee she first met Mr. Johnson who one day sought her services to copy a survey report on timber and mineral lands which he owned and which were located in the south. This duty done Mr. Johnson and Miss Brokaw forgot each other entirely, without a thought one for the other. Six years later Miss Effie went with her sister Mrs. L. G. Cole and family of Garrett, for an outing at Syracuse lake. While there a gentleman who proved to be the same Mr. Johnson sought the services of a stenographer and was directed to Miss Brokaw. While taking the dictation she remembered the similarity to the one taken at Cincinnati and spoke of it, with the result that a happy friendship was formed which ended in love. This was two years ago and after arrangement by letter Mr. Johnson met Miss Brokaw last April at the home of one of her numerous friends at Cincinnati. A party, including Miss Sarah Mitchel and Etna Johns who were the only witnesses, went to Covinngton, Ky., where the marriage was duly solemnized Arpil 13th, all returning to the home of Miss Margurite Fetus of Walnut Hills where an elaborate dinner was awaiteng thorn. Miss Brokaw returned to her home the day following, while her husband proceeded south to attend to his business duties. The notice of the issuance of the license appeared in the Enquirer of April 14th but escaped the eyes of the bride’s friends here. Mr. Johnson is engaged extensively in the mining business, owning valuable mines and leasesjn Kentucky, Virginia, Georgia and Arizona. Miss Brokaw is a talented young lady and has for two years past been engaged as stenographer at the office of Hooper & Lenhart in this city. During the time she was employed at Cincinnati she attended night school at the Bartlett University graduating with honors. They will leave here next week for Chattanooga, Tenn., where they will attend a family reunion at the hqme of Jay Johnson, a brother and train master on the C- & S. Railway, and while the future arrangements are not complete, they will probably live at Philadelphia during the winter and in the South during the summer. When interviewed by a Democrat reporter Miss Brokaw admitted the facts and blushingly added that she was the luckiest and happiest girl in Decatur.