Decatur Democrat, Volume 48, Number 30, Decatur, Adams County, 29 September 1904 — Page 1

all the news ALL TME TIME.

VOLUME XLVIII.

The Decatur horses that are now making the circuit of fairs, will race this week at Mar ion .Ohio, and a crowd of Decatur sports will no doubt attend. The village of Monroe continues to keep up its reputationfor Sunday carousing and fighting. It was reported to officers here Monday that Gus Hendricks and a young man named Longenberger engaged in a lively scrap in Badders’ restaurant last night in which each was slightly hurt. No arrests have been made yet. Surveyor McKean has been busy Saturday and Monday with viewers who were making final ditch reports. the list including the Peter J. Bryan, John T. Kelley, Elizabeth C. Martin and W. J. Hahnert ditches. These final reports were filed with the auditor and closes the chapter in so far as the viewers are concerned. A very pleasant wedding took place at the home of Mr. and Mrs. H. Kohn on Thursday evening, ' September 22, the parties being Mr. John Myers of Adams county and Mrs. Louisa Roop, one of Willshire’s most respected ladies. They went at once to the very nice home about two miles from Decatur that had been prepared by the groom. May they have a pleasant and prosperous life is the wish of their many friends. Albert Carpenter was arrested at Lima, Ohio, yesterday, charged with burglarizing the Baumgartner Bros. & Co., hardware store at Berne Sunday night, and from the present outlook he will serve a term in prison, as the evidence against him appears conclusive. He has been about Berne for some time and his actions have been very suspicious. After the theft he disappeared and no trace of his whereabouts could be ascertained. He was located at Lima yesterday afternoon, where he was selling razors and knives on the streets, and his goods were the same brand as those stolen. Cards had been sent out by Sheriff Butler and a telephone message from the chief of police announced that they had the man. Deputy Sheriff Dallas Butler immediately called up Baumgartner Bros, and they came to Decatur this afterno >n to take action in the matter. They will probably go to Lima to identify the goods. Carpenter refuses to come here without requisition papers and it will be necessary for the sheriff to go to Indianapolis and Columbus to interview the governors of Indiana and Ohio, thus causing a delay of a day or two. The horse and buggy were found at Willshire and have'been recovered by Mr. Gottschalk. Hrn.C. A. Windle of Chicago, one of the most famous men of the west, will speak at the court house in this city Friday evening, October 7th, and no doubt an immense crowd will hear him. Mr. Windle is the editor of the Gatling Gun, a newspaper, famed for its truthful and forceful statements on all public questions. He is one of the most brilliant orators of the day aifri you miss one of the treats of the campaign if you fail to hear him. Indiana is securing the very best orators of the century in this political fight, and Adams county will have her share of them. Judge Ermston, of Anderson, will speak at Geneva, tomorrow evening. He has a state reputation and will explain the democratic position in a splendid way. Geneva is also included in the list of towns where Hon. John W. Kern, candidate for governor, will speak, and he with other men of prominence will be there shortly. C- A. Windle, who speaks here will be followed with n a few days by Senator Joe Blackburn, of Kentucky, whose reputation as an orator reaches to every state of the Union. A number of the good ones are scheduled for this county and will be announced within a few days. The campaign will close with a big old-fashioned rally on the Saturday before election. Much interest is being manifested in the campaign and the contest promises to be exciting before the finish.

Drs. H. E. Keller and P. B. Thomas performed a difficult but successful operation upon Mrs. Thomas Dewitt, at her father’s home near Monroeville, Monday, and they leport Mrs. Dewitt as getting along nicely. While cooking supper Monday | Mrs. Wilson Lee had the misfortune to upset a large tureen of hot gravy over her right hand, burning it very severely, and it will be few days before she will again be able to use the injured member. Residents along Third street were nearly frightened out cf a year's growth Tuesday, by the appearance of a mad dog, and all houses for a time looked as if they had been deserted. J. W. Robison i iformed Marshal Green, who hastened to the scene with his trusty gun in hand. The dog was encountered near William Fronefield’s meat market and was frothing at the mouth and trying to bite everything it came in contact with. Marshal Green steaded his strong right arm, pulled the trigger and the first shot went home, and Mr. Dog fell over. The marshal then to see that the deed was properly done and that life was extinct fired again, this shot putting the dog beyond all earthly hope Jersey Burkhead was then assigned the part of funeral director, and chief mourner, and carried the dead brute to its last resting place. A Parker & Davis club was org tnized Tuesdoy night at a meetirg held at Democratic headouarters, and the membership list already includes 150 signers, and this number will be doubled within the next two weeks. At last night’s meeting James P. Haefling was chosen as presdent, Charles Ernst vice president, Tone Forbiug, secret ry and Louis Holthouse, treasurer. A committee composed of Calvin Miller, chairman and P. J. Hyland, L. G. Effingham, C. O. France and Charles B. Yobst was appointed to draft rules and regulations. They will report at the next meeting. The club is to be a permanent organization and will hold meetings on Friday of each week, i They will retain the quarters now used by the county committee and the boys expect to- derive many hours of pleasure and profit. Anyone in the county is eligible to membership ana the club has a brilliant future before them. A Marching club composed of the younger members is to be organized and properly fitted out with such uniforms as may be chosen by the committee. They will attend rallies in this and surrounding counties. The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette said t Tuesday: The Hon. John W. Kern, the democratic nominee for governor of Indiana, and the Hon. Henry Warrum, of Indianapolis, will speak at Monroeville next Tuesday afternoon. The democrats of Monroeville are going to have a feast of good things, by the way, for before it was known that Mr. Kern and Mr. Warrum were coming so soon the county central committee had arranged for a meeting there next Saturday night with Judge O'Rourke, of this ’city, and Jugde Richard Erwin, of Decatur, as the speakers. County Chairman Smith thought the two rallies too close together and he and Mr. Aaron Reichelderfer went to Monroeville yesterday to try to have the Kern and Warrum meeting changed to New Haven. The Monroeville democrats, however, insisted upon holding both meetings as they say there is so much enthusiasm among the democrats in the eastern part of the county that if half a dozen meetings were held in a bunch none of them would be failures. Consequently, upon his return last night, Captain Smith announced that there would be no change in the arrangements. It is probable tne Hendricks or Jefferson club, or both, will go to Monroeville to welcome Mr. Kern. Those intending to attend th J rally can have leave the city at noon, or, to ’be more explicit, at 12:20p. m., and returning, leave Monroeville at 6:30 in the evening

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1904.

'Squire James H. Smith donned his ministerial robes again Tuesday morning and united two happy loving hearts. The wedding occurred at the office of County Clerk Gerber, and the contracting parties were Isaac A. Walters, of Van; Wert, Ohio, and Martha C. Hines, of this county Miss Scott, of near Pittsburg, Pa., is in the city in the interest of a negro missionary work that is actually commendable. She explained the work at Sunday’s Methodist services, which in short is in the line of educating the negro race. The race problem can be solved in this way and no other. Educate them, make men and women of them and then they will be come good citizens. It is estimated thar five hundred black babies are born every day, and with this startling increase the problem as a problem will be more appreciated. Besides this on an average of thirty-eight thousand octaroons are born into the world every year, and it is this element that is causing much deep concern to those who are working for the upbuilding of the negro race. Education is the only means and it is to extend these facilities that Miss Scott is seeking aid in the north. Her plan is worthy of support, and Decatur should not send her away empty-handed. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Schulte and Miss Kate Starost Friday night had a very narrow escape from being suffocated by escaping gas, and only the light sleeping of Miss Starost probably saved them. Before going to bed a light fire had been started under a hot plate to take the chill oft the house and on retiring one of the members of the family turned the gas off under the hot plate but failed to turn it off at tne stove connection, allowing the to fill the rubber pipe that connects the hot plate and the main line. During the night the gas came on very strong, causing the rubber pips to burst and let the gas escape into the room. Miss Starost who is a light sleeper, awoke in the night and noticed the I peculiar - odor. She hurried to the room of Mr. and Mrs. Schulte, awakened them and then opened the door and allowed the gas to escape, after which she collapsed, and it beame necessary to send for the doctor, she however, is recovering, and is feeling much better today. All were more or less overcome by the foul gas and had not Miss Starost wakened when she did, there might have been a different story to tell today.; It certainly was a narrow escape. The poor people of Decatur are to be pitied. Just when their stone quarry gives evidence of being a money-maker and the Clover Leaf officials have thought of making a regular stop at the little village, an ordinary-sized show company turns them down because their little old two-by-four opera house is so small that all the members of the company can’t arrange themselves across the stage in a semi-circle. It’s sad, but it’s a fact. The advance man went to Decatur ahead of the Humpty Dumpty show and took just one peep at their little sheep pen of a house. This one peep was enough. He turned and hunted up the manager. The result was the date was canceled and the show-goers in Decatur will have to put up with shows that carry their entire wardrobe in a satchel and travel at the tail-end of a freight train—Bluffton Banner.

Admited true, that our opera house is not large enough for such enormous performances as Bluffton secures, such as “Dorothy, Uncle Tom’s Cabin and the De Lacour Sisters in their funny black-face turns, but still we are prouder today of that opera house than is the average Blufftonite who has a grain of honesty in his heart. Every shingle on our opera house was paid for by honest money, no poor old heart-broken man paces a cell of the Richmond asylum nor no bold-faced, foul-mouth. DeLaoour brags of having flimflammed us out of S3<V,OOO to build a palatial oj>era house. We have better use for our money just at present.

E. W. Johnson returned Sunday morning from Douglas, Arizona, where he was visiting with his brother, for several months. He states that Ross is doing well and enjoying good health and also relates numerous stories of the western country. Mr. Johnson will return to Arizona in several months. At her home on sth street Friday evening Miss Carrie Criag entertained the Friday Night Euchreclub, and a most enjoyable time was had. The house was beautiy fully decorated with Autumn leaves, and gave forth a most pleasing effect. Tire score cards given as souvenirs were "each adorned with a large Autumn leaf. The playing for the prize was spirited and exciting, Mrs. George Flanders capturing the honors. Refreshments were served and the club agreed to meet with Mrs. George Flanders at the next meeting. Mrs. John Tyndall and Mrs. D. M. Hensely were the outside guests.

Tuesday night at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Rex, on Ninth street, occurred the wedding of their daughter, Miss Elva, to Charles Bonham, of Fountain City. The oeremony was performed by the Rev. John C. White, and was quite simple but impressive, the bride being dressed in white and the groom in conventional black. Only the immediate relatives of the contracting parties were present. The affair will no doubt prove to be a surprise as but few were aware of the engagement. Miss Rex is quite well known here, having resided in our city for a number of years and for some time had been in the employ of Smith & Bell as stenographer. Mr. Binham, while not so well known, will be remembered as an operator ein ployed in this city for several years by the Grand Rapids railway company, having only a short time ago been transferred to Fountain City, where he is now the acting agent for the same company. He is a son of Mrs. Sarah B inham who resides in Briant. Daring his short stay here Mr. Bonham made a host of friends, who are all interested in his welfare and extend to him congratulations. The happy young couple left last evening for Briant, where they will visit for a few days with Mr. Bonham's mother, and will then go to Fountain City, where they expect to make their future home. They were the recipients of many costly and beautiful presents. The Democrat extends congratulations

A rumor was flying about the streets Tuesday to the effect that Fred Richards, who was con victed twenty years ago for the murder of a man named Amos Backestoe, was in our city, and was at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Blazer, who resides on Sawdust avenue. A representative of this paper as «oon as possible hastened to the residence of Mrs. Blaszer and inquired whether or not her father had arrived home from the Michigan City prison, and received the information that he had not, and that the report circulated was not true. Still she admitted that she had gone to the Grand Rapids train that is due here at 1:16 o’clock Monday afternoon with the full expectation of seeing her father, as she had received word from some one that her father had been pardoned and would arrive on that train, and when he did not get off her disappointment was keen. She further stared that a short time ago she received a letter from her father in which he told her that he had been promised by the leading state officers that he would soon be free, and from the letter she received, thought that her father’s wishes had been realized and that he would be home. Mrs. Blazei is at a loss to understand why anyone should write a letter of this description, and has decided to make a thorough investigation of the case. But as to the effect that Fred Richards is here, the rumor is and the chances are that he never will until the governor takes some action and pardons him. which act he has not as yet committed.

The announcement that E. A. Vail proposes to start a stave factory in Ossian has brought enthusiastic endorsement from business men. The fact that the proposition is already well under way, with the machinery on the road, and workmen putting up necessary structures on the old factory ground in West Ossian, will be a matter of exceeding interest to everybody in this community. Mr. Vail has had men at work for several days on the old yards where part of the old sheds and buildings will be utilized for the new enterprise. The boilers for the new plant are here and the other machinery is expected.— Ossian News. Without any doubt Jacob Omlor, who lives south of this city took the fastest ride behind his old gray mare Friday that he ever took before, or will desire to take in the future. Mr. Omlor was driving into the city and was just passing the residence of Dr. J. M. Miller when his horse took fright and started to run, and win that horse did, coming down Second street' at a gait that would cause “Lou Dillon” to turn her head in shame. The street at this time was lined with wagons and buggies, but Mr. Omlor by skillful maneauvering managed to steer the frightened animal through without hitting a solitary obstacle, and finally stopped the horse in front of the Old Adams County bank. It certainly was a very wicked-looking runaway and Mr. Omlor may be thankful that nothing serious resulted therefrom.

William A. Wisner, one of the best known pioneers of the county died at his home m the west part of this city a‘ 10:30 o’clock Friday morning, after suffering for several months from a cancer of the mouth. He first noticed his affliction about eight months ago, but did not realize what it was for a few weeks. For six months he has treated constantly, but without result, the deadly disease growing steadily worse. During a week or two past his condition has been known as serious, but the announcement of his death came as a shock nevertheless, to his many acquaintances. Mr. Wisner was sixty-four years and nineteen days old, having been born in this county, September 4, 1840. His parents came to this county in 1836 and located in Washington township, where they lived until the father died in 1868. When a young man, William Wisner learned the carpenter trade and that trade and farming have been his principle occupations since. In April 1861 he enlisted in Co. F., 12th Indiana Infantry, and was assigned to the army of West Virginia under General McClellan. He participated in the famous battles of Bull Run, Winchester. Antietam and others of less importance. He was discharged in July 1862 and soon afterward enlisted in Co. H., 89th Indiana. On May Ist, 1864, he was commissioned second lieutenant, and February 15, 1865, as first lieutenant, being mustered out July 19, 1865. He served during tne entire war and his record is a brilliant one. He was a very brave soldier and a grand officer, always ready for duty, no difference how arduous. His bravery at Nashville, Tenn., December 16, 1864, he leading in advance of all caused a eulogy from the commanding others. The same could be said of him at Blakey, Alabama, April 9, 1865, he being in command of his company. More than one of his company comrades can call to memory the kind traits of Lieut. Wisner while on long marches. It was a common occurrance for him to carry a soldier’s Knapsack all day. He was a favorite in his company. He was married February 4, 1864, to Mrs. Adeline Booth whose maiden name was Lemasters This companion and three children survive, they being Mrs. Oliver, of Monroe, Mrs. Markley and William T. Wisner of this city. Mr. Wisner has served as assessor and in other public trusts and his career has been an honest and faithful record.

CIRCULATION 2800 WEEKLT

NUMBER 30

“We, the jury, find the defendants, John Jones, Bert Webb, Bert Votaw and Marion Winstead guilty of riot and fix their punishment at ninety days in jail and a fine of fifty dollars each.” This is the verdict returned against the Geneva young men in the riot case in. which they were charged with beating an old nun named Fenton who was attempting to take his wayward daughter home with him. A crowd followed the man and his daughter and the defendants together with Tom Haviland and Clark Votaw are accused of having assaulted the old man. All were arrested and tried before ’Squire Armfield at Geneva, who aquitted the two last named and bound the other four over to court. The case began yesterday morning and went to the jury at 11:30 this morning, after a strong argument by Prosecutor Moran, who insisted on a verdict of guilty and punishment that would make the boys remember the lesson. The jury were unanimous in their opinion and a quick conviction followed. Jones and Winstead were in court when the verdict was read and the latter sobbed as he told a reporter that he had never spent a day in jail. Reports of frequent riots and fights have been coming from Geneva, and Jones and Votaw have both served time here for like offenses. The defendants were taken to jail immediately.

An incident in connection with the death of the little one-year-old babe of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hawkins, Monday, is reported by the police and shows just how inhuman, a man can become, who allows the whiskey habit to get him in its clutches. The babe had been sick several days, growing continually worse Hawkins went home Saturday night, gave his wife one dollar out of his week’s wages, came down town and spent the rest of his money for liquor. He was under the influence Saturday night and Sunday. Early Monday morning, the faithful wife and mother who for days had nursed her dying babe, watching its every move and symptom, realized the child was sinking rapidly. She gave her husband the enly dollar she had in the world and begged him to buy medicine and secure a physician. Hawkins came down town and with that money given him by a broken hearted mother, with a hope that it would save their child’s life, bought whiskey and became beastly intoxicated. About 8:30 o’clock a neighbor lady tele phoned to Marshal Green, asking him to hunt up Henry Hawkins and send him home, for “baby was dying.” A half hour later the sufferings of the little bright faced girl baby had ceased. She was dead. In the meantime the marshal had found the father, informed him that his babe was dying and asked him to go home. He refused. The officer threatened to take him to jail, and Hawkins finally agreed to go home, and started. Marshal Green followed him several squares and believing the man would certair ly go to his distracted family, came back to his beat. An hour or two after, came another message that he had not arrived. A search followed and the man was finally located asleep at the rear of George Schlegel’s blacksmith shop, near the G. R. &I- railroad. Before the officer reached him he staggered off home. It is said he was nearly sobered when he reached home. We should think he would be, so sober that every time in the future; when he should attempt to take a drink of liquor, the half closed eyes of his little dead child would stare him in the face and her piteous moans of pain ring in his ears forever. Marshal Green says the scene at the Hawkins’ home was one he will never forget. The dead child lay as though asleep on a chair. The poor mother, siok and worn out from care and devotion to her child was moaning upon the bed, two or three children stood about crying and begging the mother in piteous tones to get we(| while a neighbor woman or two did their best to sooth the grief stricken family. Mrs. Hawkins is an estimable woman and has the sympathy of everyone in her sad hours.