Decatur Democrat, Volume 48, Number 27, Decatur, Adams County, 8 September 1904 — Page 1

AU L THE NEWS all the time.

VOLUME XL VIII.

Idehority for congress [Democratic District Convention At Portland Today

I JUDGE ERWIN CHAIRMAN |C. J. Lutz Chairman on I Resolutions IA Rousing Meeting—Speeches by John W. Kern and State Chairman O’Brien. Portland, Ind., Sept. 9.—Edward C. De Hority, the Elwood banker, was nominated for congress to oppose George W. Cromer at the district convention held here today. The meeting was a rousing one, full of interest and the candidate is confident of winning De Hority was nominated by acclamation, Cass White, of Wells county, the only other aspirant forth e office withdrawing and making DeHority’s nomination unanimous. The convention met at the auditorium at eleven o’clock this morning and organized, Judge R. K. Erwin of Decatur, being made permanent chairman and A. E MicKee, of this city, permanent secretary. C. J. Lutz, of was made chairman of the committee on resolutions. The convention adjourned until one o’clock]this aft er neon, when the meeting was called to order by Judge Erwin. H. T. Wilkie presented the name of Edward De Hority and his nomination followed. John W. Kern, nominee for governor, and State Chairman W. H- O'Brien, were present and spoke before the convention. Isham Randolph, who was chief engineer of the Chicago drainage canal, has completed for Senator Hopkins, an inspection of the Cincinnati, Bluffton & Chicago R,y as far as built and of the proposed line betwe en this city and Huntingon. He drove over between here and the latter~city and went over the road from this/rity to Portland. To some of the parties interested in the road at Portland he stated that his report would be a favorable one, and indicated that he would recommend his impressions to the senator when he went back to Chicago. The proposition of Senator Hopkins has been accepted by all but two of the creditors at Portl nd who were out of the city and could not be seen. However, the Banner is reliably informed that the creditors here are disposed to look upon it with disfavor It is reported in certain circles that the Pennville fellows have’joined hands with the Bluffton capitalists, and they are said to have something up their sleeve that will hold up any further progress on the road. This it is believed will result in litigation, and therefore the friends of the road propose to get’under a heavy head of steam before they put the Illinois senator’s plan in motion. The proceedings will be watched with ®noh interest and the receiver will go on just as usual until .there is a turn in affairs. Many believe that Hopkins will invest some of his own money in the road.—Bluffton Banner.

£> fee at UR

During the storm Friday afternoon the barn of Henry Buckmaster, who lives two miles east of Monroe, was struck by lightning, and completely destroyed by fire. The whole transaction occurred so quickly that it was impossible for the members of the family to save anything, and thirty tons of hay, several new pieces of machinery and two valuable horses were consumed, together with the barn, one of the hors s, however, managed to escape, but was burnedt so badly that it had to be killed. Mr. Buckmaster had his property well insured, there being nine hundred dollars on the barn and two lundred dollar on the hay. Still his loss is heavy and is something more than the insurance. The surrounding outbuildings and sheds were saved by the rain while the fire was in progress. Elmer Ault, the youngest son of James Ault met with an accident on last Saturday afternoon, the result of which he is carrying his left arm in a sling and suffering much pain. Elmer was assisting the threshers at the farm of Isaac Weaver and was stationed near the feed board of the machine cutting the bands with a pen knife, and then forcing the grain into the machine, and while performing this duty and in attempting to cut a band the knife he held in his hand slipped and ran into his left arm severing two large arteries and a number of small veins. He was at once brought to the city and the wound dressed by’ Dr. J. S. Coverdale. The wound although a very painful one, is in no way serious, and Mr. Ault will no doubt soon be able to resume his duties. There is only one hope left for Adams county farmers to realize any great benefit from this year s crops, and that is for £a late fall. But with this it will be necessary for a copious supply of rainfall. This is hardly’ probable, for with early rains nearlv always come early frosts. If good fortune should favor the farmers the late corn crop would be a heavy yield. The part of the crop well out in ears when the last rain came was so badly blown down that the matted stalks and heavy ears will not permit it to rise again, and a great deal will not be worth gathering. Late corn was not blown over to such an extent but that it will straighten considerably, and if the frost stays way until late fall, there will be a large crop in spite of the recent storm. Not only did the rains and storm damage the yield of the grain, but cutting will be a difficult task on account of the stalks lying flat on the ground and matting by’ starting on the second growth. Ihe corn-binder can scarcely be used. The situation will be especially discouraging to those farmers who sold nearly all their hay crop depending upon shredded fodder tor their winter’s feed. Anoher change in the plan of the majority of the farmers caused by the rain and storm is that much more wheat will be put out this fall than was intended. The failure of the wheat crop the last few years in this county has discouraged the cultivation of the cereal, but the high price and poor condition of the other crops has turned the sentiment m favor of wheat raising again and hundreds of acres are being plowed which would have been left over for corn ground next spring. Not much wheat will be po|out in oom ground. „

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1904.

The L. B. Root company of Terre Haute, formerly of Fort Wayne proprietors of the largest department store in Indiana, have made an assignment. Their assets are 175,000 and their liabilities 1100,000. The store had been in existence fifty years. Mr. Root’s store in Fort Wayne was succeeded several years ago by the Rurode Dry’ Goods company. R. J. Holthouse left Thursday for Columbus, Ohio, where he has contracted with the E. & C. Wolfe Co. to sell their line of shoes. He has been appointed an agent, his territory being the states of Mississippi, Louisiana 'and Arkansas. He will secure samples and leave Columbus Friday for his new territory, where he will remain three or four months, or until his work is completed for the season. His family will leave here in about a month for Jonesboro, Arkansas, where they wi'l be the guests of Mr. Holthouse’s, pirents until about Christmas. He has proven himself an able salesman, and the splendid position given him at this time proves that his ability is recognized. The board of commissioners are in county business up to their eyes, the September term being a busy time for them. They opened up by appointing R. D. Leimenstall as superintendent at the Peterson bridge, and James Steele superintendent at the Marky arch. The report on the John J. Hoffstetter ditch was approved. By’ agreement the French township macadam road was continued to the next regular session of the commissioners. Rules and regulations weie adopted governing the county infirmary, which includes the conduct of the inmates in particular. The rules are a necessary part of the management of such an institution and will be followed to the letter by Superintendent Graber. The ditch report on the ditch petitioned for by David S, Manlier was also approved. The time of the board this afternoon is being taken up in hearing evidence on the reviewers report on the Chris Amacher ditch, ahout which there has been more or less dspute for some time. The annual meeting of the county council begins tomorrow, at which time all the appropriations will be made, and levies adjusted to meet the same. Sheriff Butler, accompanied by Mrs. Leota B. Hilpert, drove to the home of Milton Hilpert, Monday evening ,where the latter was served with notice that he is defendant in a divorce suit in which some ugly charges are made. The six months-old baby, William Frederick Oliver Hilpert, which Milton forcibly took from his wife when she left “home Monday morning, was recovered and is now in possession of the mother who has returnedjto the home of her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Hilpert lived in last winter, and are quite well known. They were married April 26, 1903, and were happy until last spring when the defendant's love suddenly turned to hate and according to the complaint he has been busy since convincing her of the fact- It is alleged he carried a revolver and once pointed it in a threatening manner at his young wife. He refused to secure a physician when baby was born, saying that he didn’t want any doctor fooling around his wife. He has beaten her on several different occasions, the last scrap being Monday morning when he choked and kicked her because she neglected to milk the cow when he ordered her to do so. Mrs. Hilpert grabbed her baby and started to leave the home, but the child was taken from her. She came here poorly clad and filed her suit. The court Jissued a restraning order to prevent Hilpert injuring his wife or from selling his personal property or preventing her from getting her clothes and other personal effects. Hilpert was ordered to give up the child and did so without trouble. The case was filed by Attorney Fruchte and Erwin & Erwin. A divorce, $2,000 and custody of the child is asked for.

Sheriff Albert A. Butler is in receipt of a letter from B. H. Brainerd, sheriff of Springfield Sangamon county, llllinois, saying that Up. Renshaw, the farmer for whom Chauncey Miller worked would like to have him return if he is out of his trouble and will pay him S3OO per year and board. He says Miller who went by the name of McMikesell was the best hand he ever had, Miiller will probaby not do any farm work for a year or two. A few days ago Mayor Bergoff of Fort Wayne received a letter from a New Orleans bank asking for information about Jeremiah F. Shell, formerly of Fort Wayne, and South Whitley, who is now engaged in promoting a big irrigation scheme in Louisiana. The writer also said he was contemplating the investment of a large sum in Schell’s $6,000,000 scheme. Mayor Berghoff replied with a description of Shell’s operations here. Yesterday he received an effusive letter of thanks from the New Orleans man, who said that but for the mayor’s information he would h ive taken a large interest in the irrigation scheme. “The gang of cloth peddlers who recently visited this city and canvassed the county seem to have been very successful in fleecing the people. It appears that they not only got the peoples’ notes for the amounts of their purchases but they also have the goods. For example an example of their success in“skin ning” the unsusp acting, one resident of Jackson towshihp, Frank Shirk, says that he gave his note for $49 and that when it came to taking the measurement he found that it would take SB4 by the time the suits were lined. He bought two suits for himself and one for his daughter, but the worst of it is that he has given his note the peddlers have cashed the note and received their money and he is without the goods, which he was supposed to get. There are many others who had similar experiences with the strangers and the amounts which Jay county people have lost are incalculable it is said. A young man by the name of Ruple in Jackson township, however, fared better than the others. He has the goods and still holds his note. It is not likely that the peddlers will ever come back to try to get possession of that note.” Charles DeLacour and wife and little son came home at noon from Decatur to spend Sunday in a good town. Mr. DeLacour says that his show will go to Rochester next week and that the company was never in a town from which they will be happier to escape than is the case at Decatur. The entire company is sick of the town and hope never again to strike it or it’s like while in the show business. In reference to the trouble in the tent Thursday night of which the News gave an account last night Mr. De Lacour says he was obliged to forcibly eject eight toughs who were insulting his company and trying to start a rough house. Mr. De Lacour had taken a seat in the audience and was near the gang when one of them made remarks to the effect that one of the girls would give a “ hoochie coochie” dance after the performance He was knocked down for his insolence and w’hen he and his seven companions were fired under the canvas Last night there war good order and a better crowd than ever.—Bluffton News. While Mr. DeLaoour is a very poor actor he is a first-class juggler of the truth. A represen tative of this office was at the tent show on the night mentioned, and all the trouble that he noticed was some loud talking by three Bluffton drunks who arrived late. The company were well treated here and well patronized considering the fact that there was a First-Class repertoire show at the opera house. Mr. DeLacour’s interviews come with poor grace, but it’s just as well, for we don’t know of any weak-minded people in this locality that he could inveigle into any of his self-eftriching opera house building schemes, which he features in his advertising. For our part we are ghid the likes Bluffton better than Decatur.

Secretary Kunkle informs us that the sending out of premium awards bv the fair association is teing attended to as rapidly as possible and within a few days every winner will have his check. It is not necessary to call as you will receive your money as soon as your name is reached. The association will quit the year even at least, but it is not believed the bank roll will be very large after all expenses are paid. Within twenty-four hours after having been sworn in to protect the dignity and general welfare of the city, Marshal Ed Green was called upon to make his first arrest and well he did his duty, landing his man without any apparent struggle. The victim was Charles Hendrickson, and the charge filed against him was public intoxication. The arrest was made Monday Tuesday .morning Hendrickson was brought before Mayor Coffee and plead guilty, bejng fined a dollar and costs amounting in all to $9 30 which he promptly paid and was discharged. The gang of Standard Oil employees who have been searching for the leak in the main line that runs through this city from Lima to Chicago have located the same, and are busily engaged in mending the leak and to stop the awful drain and the loss the company is sustaining. The leak was found near Dr. J S. Coverdale’s residence, caused by the bursting of the pipe, this being the head of the France sewer, the oil had found an open drain, and run into the sewer and through the sewer into the river hence the discovery of oil on the St. Marys. The leak is a bad one, and has undoubtedly been caused by the heavy pressure of oil that has been forced through this main line. The loss as estimated by the foreman of the gang is two hundred and fifty barrels of oil, which means two hundred and twentv-five dollars at the price oil is now. It is stated from reliable sources that John D. Rockefeller, a heavy stockholder, in the Standard Oil Co. has not slept any for two days or nights since the filing of the account of the leak here. A small piece of tin in a box of salmon caused the death of Peter Zeigler, a well known old gentleman, who for nine years past has made his home with his daughter Mrs. J. W. Teeple’of this city. Mr. Zeigler owned a large farm just east of Bobo, and his death occurred at that place at four o’clock Tuesday morning. A week ago he was in excellent health for one of his years, and attended the fair here. Last Friday he went out to his farm to attend to some business, and took some provisions with him, including some canned salmon. While eating his dinner he swallowed a small piece of tin which lodged in his throat and which he was unable to loosen. He went to Willshire and consulted a physician, but the tin could not be located. Gradually it worked down until it located in the stomach. Mr. Zeigler felt the cutting sensation, but suffered but little, continuing at his work until ' Monday afternoon about three o’clock, when he became sick. At six o’clock last evening he suffered a severe hemorrhage of the lungs. Mr. and Mrs. Teeple and Dr. J. S. Coverdale were summoned to his bedside immediately. Everything known to medical science was done for the stricken man, but to no avail. The piece of .tin had severed a blood vessel in the stomach and five hemorrages followed, causing death at four o’clock Tuesday morning. Mr. Zeigler was seventy-four years old last February. He was a native of Wayne county, Indiana, having lived near Cambridge City until 1895. During that year his wife died at the home of Mis. Teeple in this city while here on a visit and since that time he had made his home here. Besides the daughter one son survives, L. H. Zeigler, of Marion, Indiana. The funeral services will be held at the Teeple home in this city Thursday afternoon and the remains will be taken to Wayne county for interment.

CIRCULATION 2800 WEEKLV

NUMBER 27

The Amacher, ditch the principal attraction at the commissioners’ court, the remonstrance to said ditch by R .O. Johrson being vigorously fought. In fact it has developed into a real trial and the board has been hearing evidence today. The petitioners are represented by Attorney Devoss and the remonstrators by Heller & Son and Hooper & Lenhart. The board has granted liquor licenses to Ed Johnson and C. W.Boknecht. The furnishing supplies to the county infirmary was granted to the following: H. A. Fristoe, tobacco; Holthouse Drug Co., drugs;Niblick & Cj., groceries; T. R. Moore, oil and gasoline; Niblick & Co., dry goods;. A petition for the Mauller ditch was filed and approved. The stockholders of the Citizens’ Telephone Co., met Monday evening at the offices of the secretary, F. M. Schirmeyer, it being the annual meeting. The reports of the secretary and treasurer were read and approved, the statements showing that the company has made a good profit during the past year. The 'oilowing board of directors who have se-ved during the past year were re-elected: John Baker, E. X. Ehinger,F. M . Schirmeyer, Henry Hite and J W. Tyndall. The board will meet tonight to choose officers, the probability being the present incumbents will be reelected. It is said that another meeting of the stockholders will be held soon to arrange plans for improving the system and branching out with the lines. The Citizens has a succesful history and a bright future, and a few more years wi’l find Decatur with a perfect telephone system. J. W. Gick, of Portland, a brakeman on aG. R. I. freight train, was fatally hurt in this city Saturday night about twelve o’clock, and died as he was being removed from the train to an ambulance at Fort Wayne an hour after. He had been on duty torty-two hours continuous and was worn out. Train No. 5 is due at here 11:09 o’clock and was to pass Gick's train at this point. Gick did not know that No. 5 was being run in two sections, and after the first section had passed sat down on the ties along side of the main track, and, it is presumed fell asleep in this position. He was struck by the engine of the second section and his skull was literally split open from ear to ear. The fracture extended from a point about one and onehalf inches from the base of the right ear to within an inch and a quarter of the base of the left ear and the wound opened so that the brain was exposed. He was still alive when picked up by the train crew, and he was taken to Fort Wayne for treatment at the hospital, and, though he was still alive when the train reached Fort Wayne, he died before he could he r jmoved to the ambulance. Gick was a young man, twenty-three years of age and unmarried, his parents residing at Portland. He was the son of Henry Gick, section foreman at that place. His parents were taken to Fort Wayne to see the boy before he died, and after his death the boy, in charge of the grief-stricken parents, was returned to Portland on a special train, consisting of an engine and combination baggage car and coach. Gick had only been in the train service a shoit time. He had been a member of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen but three months, but the organization require's a year’s service before it will admit an applicant to full membership. He carried $1,350 insurance in the brotherhood. The G. R. &I- will run a special train to Portland on Wednesday and provide free transportation to all members of the Trainmens’ lodge who desire to attend the funeral, which will be held Wednesday afternoon. Dr. J M. Miller was called to the station and did what he could to aid the wounded mao, but the poor fellow was beyond medical help. Gick was quite well known here, and was very popular at Portland, as well as Fort Wayne, where he made, htadI quarters-