Decatur Democrat, Volume 48, Number 46, Decatur, Adams County, 19 January 1905 — Page 1

L THE NEWS ALL THE TIME

VOLUME XLVIII.

* Russell, the two year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Elwood Stephens, who reside on Line street, died Wednesday, after an illness of only one week’s duration, death resulting from congestion of the lungs. The funeral services will be held tomorrow, the eaxot time having not been set. Interment will be made in Maplewood cemetery. Mrs. D. E. Studabaker had a thrilling experience Saturday after noon with a bottle of liquid stove polish. The liquid caught fire and the bottle fell blazing to the floor. Mrs. Studabaker threw water on it and this caused the fire to spread more rapidly. The hired man came in to take a hand in the fight with the flames and he caught fire from the stuff. Mrs. Studabaker extinguished the blaze that threatened him with her apron. The stuff seemed to have something resembling gasoline in its composition and burned with great fierceness for a short time.—Bluffton Banner. A big deal was closed Saturday afternoon when the Niblick brothers, including James. W. H., John, C S. and Dan disposed of 160 acres of their big farm in Kirkland town ship, just a half mile west of Peterson The farm is one of the best in the county, being the old Robert Niblick land. The farm consisted of 257 acres, leaving the Niblick brothers still owners of ninety-seven acres and all the buildings. The 160 acres was sold to William F. Beineke, William Barger and John Borne, the first named taking eighty acres and the other two buying forty acres each. The consideration was $10,400 or sixty-five dollars per acre. The men who purchased all live in the neighborhood and the land will be added to their farms. James Hurst has been living on the farm for several years and this sale was concluded through his efforts Architect Charles N. Christen is preparing plans for a new barn for the county farm. The new building will tie 40x120 feet, with t wenty two feet siding. It will be fitted with adequate stables for horses and cattle, and the safety and care of machinery, and grain. The plans will be complete by the time the board meets in their regular February term, and at that time bids will be asked upon the structure as designed. Such a building has long been needed at the county farm, and now that it seems a reality, Superintendent Graber is supremely happy. Adequate stable, grain and ujaehinery room is a necessity around any farm of half the business and importance as the county farm has grown to be, and the new addition will be used and utilized to a good advantage. Albert Zerkle has been looking after the big timbers to be used, all of which will be furnished by the board. The familiarity of Commissioner Werling with this sort of work, is of assistance to the board at this time. Councilman Horaces. Porter is ■confined to his bed in a very serious condition, suffering with bowel complaint, the result of a ruptured intestine. He took sick last Thursday with cramps, and great pain, and for 3 while he could not take anything that would give him relief. From Thursday until yesterday he seemed to rest easier, but during Sunday became worse again, and the family becoming alarmed, telephoned for Dr. Miles S. Porter, of Fort Wayne, who came down on the midnight train and made a thorough examination of his condition, giving the above diagnosis of the case. It was at first feared that Dr. Porter would have to perform an operation, but as the patient seemed to rest easier toward morning, Dr. Porter concluded to postpone the same until his patient would again be able to be about. He stated that in his present condition Mr. Porter would always be a sufferer unless operated upon. The doctor also said that at present he did not think his pitient was dangerously ill, (but he would require good care and attention until he became strong enough so that an operation could be successfully performed.

Dwcatilß

A very delighful afternoon was spent by the Methodist ladies and their friends Friday afternoon at the home of Mrs. John Niblick. Miss Minnie Orvis rendered two selections upon the violin with Miss Blanohe'Carroll accompanist, which was much enjoyed, refreshments were served. The large attendance made it possible to add six dollars to the society‘s treasury. French Quinn arrived Saturday from Cardwell, Missouri, where Jhe was attending to business per--1 taining to the Egg Case company. French tells an interesting story concerning his steamboat ride on the Mississippi river, which is now choked up with ice. He is assisting at the Old Adams County bank today during the absence of Cashier R. K. Allison, who is in Texas. | At the home of ex County Com missioner Fred Reppert and wife at Vera Cruz, Sunday afternoon, occurred the wedding of theii daughter, Miss Emma to Mr. Jacob Pfeifer of French township. Rev. O. Vitz performed the ceremony which was a simple but impressive one. Quite a number of relatives and friends were present, including the bride’s brothers, Fred and’Will Reppert of this city. The event was delightful and was followed by a bounte- ’ ous and delicious supper, enjoyed immensely by everyone, including j the happy bride and groom. Mr. and Mrs. Pfeifer will make their future home in Hartford township. Miss Reppert is a popular and well known young lady. Mr. Pfeifer is an Industrious young farmer who likewise has many friends. We join in extending congratulations and sincere good wishes for their future. The invitations announcing the wedding of Miss Emma Jackson to Robert Meyers, of Columbus, Ohio, are out, stating that this event will Ire held on Wednesday, January 25, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Baumgartner on Mercer avenue The ceremony will be performed by Rev. E. A. Allen, and will occur promptly at six o’clock. The happy couple also announce that they will be at home to their many friends after February 26th at 241 Benton street, Columbus, Ohio. MisJackson is one of the best knowr ladies of this city. She is a grade ate of the city schools and for sev eral years has been a popular sales lady at the Boston Store. Mr Meyers is also known here, having worked at the W. H. Nachtriel drug store several years ago. We advance congratulations, to the happy couple and wish them a long life of happiness. Even saloon men have troubh some times and when it starts, i uusally comes in large chunks. Sometime ago Matthias Schaffer so it is alleged, sold his saloon on Madison street to a Mr. Crab’ll The linnia was in Schaffer’s nami and was good until next August According to law a license cannot be transferred, sothedeal was made by contract, whereby Cm bill was t> operate the saloon fur Matt unti August when full possession - wa to be given. Crabill has been run ning the saloon but claims tha* Matt has been coming into'the place helping himself and treating his friends. Crabill objected, but Matt continued, whereupon the former closed the doors a few days ago Matt wanted to go in and get a drink, but couldn’t get the key. He went to sea ala wyer, who told him he had a right to go in anyway he wanted to. Monday afternoon he went to ths saloon and took out a largo pine of glass and was just crawling through the window when Crabill who was on the inside gave him a rap on the knee with a lath With a yell of pain and rage Mati flew to 'Squire Smith's court, when he filed an affidavit charging Crabill with assault and battery, witU in tent to break his leg. Crabill wa? arrested and tried Tues, morning, ’Squire Smith, reserving his decision until tomorrow to allow him t< look up the law. Both men claim the right to the saloon, one of them is certainly violating the law, and further prosecution will no doubt result.

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 1905.

J. H. Stone celebrated his 69th birthday Thursday with a family reunion. Dr. L. W. A. Luckey and wife, Indianapols, Ind.; Frank Stone and wife, Fort Wayne, Ind.; R. C. Stone and wife, Muncie, Ind., and Victoria Stone. He was the recipient of several elegant pesents. M.r Stone is one of the old citizens of Decatur, coming here in the year of 1864. Leo Miller, the young barber on Madison street, was arrested Weanesday afternoon by Constable Will Smith on a charge of provoke, the affidavit being sworn to by Miss Lavina Delhi. She alleged that Milller provoked her by whistling at her. The case was tried before 'Squire Smith, there being two witnesses for the state, Miss May Todd having witnessed the same. The evidence disclosed nothing more than that Leo had whistled at Miss Deihl. We were unable to learn what tune he was whistling, wheth er it was “Good Morning Carrie,” or “Teasing, ” but we would imagine the later, as it did annoy her and she had him arrested. ’Squire Smith after listening to all the evidence, decided that in his opinion Miller had committed a provoke and fined him a dollar and costs, which amounted to $9.80. Miller stayed the docket. This will no doubt be a lessen to a great many young men who have made it a practice to whistle at young ladies, and will make them cautious as to what tune they use. Oil men say there are less than 25,000,000 barrels of high grade crude in the stock tanks of the Standard Oil company. Should the wells be shut in for six months the stock would be wiped out. Oil tperators say that they must do something to protect themselves from heavy losses, and there is no better time for them to start than now. The trade says it cannot ifford to produce crude oil at the present figures. Report from across the continent is that a 20,000 barrel well has been drilled on Borneo is land, in the South Pacific ocean, md that the product is a high grade me. Kansas oils have declined so <hat many prospective drilling wells lave been given up. An even doz•n big wells were completed in the Muncie district this week. The rew well near Cicero is attracting nuoh attention. Ohio had only hree gushers, one in northwestern md two in southwestern Ohio. Kentucky failed to show a new 'usher. West Virginia had five, three in Marion county and one jach in Wetzel and Harrison counies. One well near Mannington, m Maron county, did 960 barrels. The city council were in regular iession Tues night, Mayor. Coffee and members Kirsch, Jaffer, Teeple, Buhier and Fordyce present. Clerk McFeeley read the ninutes of the previous meeting md they were approved. The peition of Mr. Hanna, of Fort Wayne, vas filed and referred to the com nittee on streets and alleys. The petition asks for the vacation of he Nuttman addition to Decatur vhioh was formerly platted. Mr. Hanna’s idea is that the 66 foot lots md streets as laid out are too large, naking them expensive to keep up md he desires to plat them into ifty-foot lots and streets with foureen foot alley. Street Commisuoner John Coffee was ordered to take charge of the street cleaning. \ petition for the extension of the water mains to the Krick & Tyu--1 ill factory was referred to the water works committee. The following bills were allowed: George M. Jones, coal. $41.35; J. M Jeffrey, labor, $6.90; James Ross, labor, $11.85; George Deiner, labor, $5.85; Citizens Telephone Co., supplies, $16.20; 8. Spangler, rent, $10; City Trucking Co., drayage, $7.07; M. J My loft, expenses, $14.85; Chas. Woodward, labor, $4.50; L. C. Helm, pay roll, $46; Fred Spuller, labor, $2.25; H. Botthoff, labor. $7.50; Alex Birnett, labor, $5.40; {enry Hankins, labor, $1.75; Ed Fulton, labor, $1.80; Dan Bailer, labor, $4.00; James Ross, labor, $9; Mike Gaffer, labor, sls; William Parent, labor, $36; Frank Davis, labor, $13.35; J. R. McFeeley, ex pense, sl.

The suit of the Geneva school trustees against the Logansport & Wabash Valley Gas company is grinding along slowly before jury in the circuit court. The case is dry and uninteresting except to the individuals interested and consequently the court room has few visitors. A. G. Briggs the company’s Geneva manager, was on the stand a good share of the day. W. A. Aspy, M. T. Atwood and J. H. Reiff were the school trustees at the time the suit was brought.—Portland Commercial Review. The Foreman house on Third street was sold Saturday, Dr. J. Q. Neptune being the purchaser, his bid being $351. The property was purchased a few days ago by the Library committee us a site for the Carnegie SIO,OOO library building, and the house was advertised for sale. Col. Fred Reppert acted as auctioneer, and the bidding was spirited, Dr. Neptune being the most persistent. He agreed to remove the house by March 15th, at which time work is to begin on the library. Dr. Neptune will remove the house to the Bippus property, which he recently bought, and located just south of the Fullenkamp lots. He will make two tenant houses out of the building. Walter, the fourteen year old sonof Mr. and Mrs. Harry Wilkenson, who reside on West Monroe street, had the mi.-fortune Tuesday to scald himself in a frightful manner, as the result of which, he is suffering untold agony. Walter got up this morning, and as usual started to do his morning’s work of feeding the chickens, which necessitated the use of hot water to thaw the feed. He had nut water on the stove and when it reached the boiling point emptied the same into a bucket and started for the chicken park, and while going to the same his foot slipped on a piece of ice, throwing him down and causing the bucket of scalding water to fall on his left hand, neck and ear, burning the members in a frightful manner. Dr. J. S. Coverdale was immediately summoned and in a few minutes gave the boys’ injuries prompt attention. The skin was completely burned from the back of his hand and from his neck. His ear received the least injury. Although there is nothing serious in the burns, still Walter is suffering much pain and will lie forced to stay in the house for several days. Prosecutor Moran Tuesday filed in circuit court an affidavit and information, charging Elmer Johnson and Ed Touhey with assault and battery with intent to kill and murder one Ed Machand. Sheriff Butler arrested Touhey five minutes afterward and brought him before Jud e Erwin, who fixed his bond for appearance at SSOO He gave bond and was released Johnson is in Pittsburg, but will be placed under arrest upon this charge as soon as he arrives home, which will probably be the latter part of this week or the first of next. He is under SSOO bond to appear before Mayor Coffee February 2nd, on a charge of assault and battery. This and his other financial interests in Decatur will guarantee his return home by the date men tinned. The affidavits filed today are the result of the fight which occurred at the Riverside Feed barn last Friday evening. It will be remembered that the story told then was that the men h i I so ii’ trouble up town and that Machand and Waggoner went to the feed yard to get. their team and start for home. Whle there Johnson and Tuhey came in and while the former had hold of Maohand’s hand, presumably to make up, Touhey struck the former on the back of the head, knocking him unconscious, whereupon Johnson kicked him unmercifully. Several witnesses including Nick Waggoner, Will Bohnke and John Scheiman saw the affair and some statements made by Johnson md Touhey, just after the’*trouble may make bad evidence. Machand was unconscious until four o’clock the next morning, but was able to go home Saturday. While he has not yet fully recovered, it is believed his injuries will not prove serious.

At the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bender at Pleasant Mills last evening at eight o’clock occurred the marriage of their daughter, Miss Anna, to Mr. Earl Thrailkill. Rev. Graves performed the ceremony, which was witnessed by about 200 guests, including a number from a distance. Many valuable presents were received by the bride. The happy young couple left today for a month’s visit with friends near Kokomo, after which time they will be at home at Pleasant Mills. The Democrat congratulates. Mrs. Margaret Coffee, who has been an invalid for twenty-twos years, is suffering a relapse, which makes her condition very serious. Her illness is the result of rheumatism, with heart trouble and other complications. For several days the end was almost momentarily expected but her condition is reported slightly better today and friends have taken hope again. She is the mother of Mayor D. D. Coffee, Jerry and T. S. Coffee and for several years has made her home with her only daughter, Mrs. George Brov n. Robert Reef, a young man living near Steele, in Blue Creek township was arrested Tuesday afternoon on a charge of petit larceny. Prosecutor Moran filed the affidavit against him in circuit court this morning upon information of Robert M. Andrews. Reef is charged with having stolen a buggy whip and this offense what puts the young man on trial and may land him in the jail or reformatory. Though this crime of itself seems rather trifling for so serious a charge,it is said smilar offences have become so numerous in that neighborhood that the citizens deemed it high time to teach some one a lesson. It is said that for several months whips, robes, etc., have mysteriously disappeared and a plan to catch the culprit resulted in the affidavit today. The names of five or six witnesses appear on the papers, and it looks as though the detective work was well executed. A work of magnitude and of great historical interest and value has been initiated and is about to be carried forward by Bowen & Slocum, of Indianapolis and Toledo. This work is to include a history of Adams county, as an integral part of a general history of the Maumee River Basin, representing years of careful research and painstaking labor on the part of the editor-in chief, Charles E. Slocum, M. D.. Ph. D., LL. D., of Defiance, Ohio, whose name is well known throughout this territory. Around ths field centers a vast array of historical information which has never before been collected and given to the public, and the edition, to be issued on the subscription plan, will appear in a form harmonizing with the scope and importance of the work and representing the highest type of modern book printing and illustrating. The prospectus issued by the publishers speaks as follows: “Dr. Slocum has long been recog nized as an authority upon archeological and historical subjects. Hi has sp’nt many years in the preparation of this work, his researches being based upon authoritative records and exhaustive personastudy and investigation. No man living is better equipped forth preparation of his work than is Dr. Slocum.” In the section of th work devoted to Adams county the same care and discrimination wib be maintained and the residents of this section may be assured of a com prehensive, authentic and original exploitation of the annals of th< county, as the ablest local talent will be retained to assist in editing this particular depirtment of th< work The publication is one which merits and undoubtedly will receive the strongest local endorsement and support. Our citizens are advised to bear the title of the work in mind, together with the name of the editor, that they may not be led to confound the “ History of Adams County,” as an intregal part of the history of the entire Maumee River Basin, with any inferior work , which in the meantime may be I taken up by others.

CIRCULATION 2800 WEEKLY

NUMBER 46

The Decatur Order of Eastern Stars met Friday night at their lodge room and installed he following named officers for the ensuing year: Worthy Matron, Mary Stoneburner; worthy patron, L. C. Miller; associate matron, Lettie Ernst secretary, Anna Winnes; treasurer, Monta Hensley; conductress, Nellie Blackburn ; associate conductress, Ethel Smith; Adah, Nora Parrish; Ruth, lanthe Townsend; Esther, Mary Tyndall; Martha, Maggie Teeple; Electa, Jennie Archbold; warden, Lina Smith ; sentinel, Barney Kalver; organist, Eva Orcutt;. After the installation refreshments were served and a most enjoyable even ing spent by all present. .Marshal Green was summoned to the Erie depot yesterday noon, where two tramps were raising a disurbanoe, and was forced to use a little physical culture on one to show him his superiority, as he endeavored to resist arrest and fought back. The marshal’s club soon madq a peaceful prisoner out of the “weary” gentleman, and he allowed himself to be taken to the jail without further trouble. They will be arraigned tomorrow morning beforeJMayor Coffee and will get what is coming to him. These are the same two men that were given a place to sleep last night by the police and in turn tried to show their appreciation of their kindness. A few days’ work on the streets will make them wiser men. A new and third bank for Decatur is promised, and with this end in view W. T. 8. and E. E. Black burn, t vo active bank cashiers of Kentucky, are in the city. These are the same gentlemen who were here several weeks ago, but who at that time preferred nothing said about the venture until a deoisio n had been reached. That decision has now been recorded and its decree is favorable to the establish ment of the Farmers & Merchants’ National Bank, capital stock fifty thousand dollars. Besides the two Blackburn's above mentioned, other foreign capital will be furnished by J. Glasscock and E. D. Webster, two wealthy and influential citizens of Williamstown, Kentucky. It is the desire of those in charge of the orgar ization of this bank, to have half or even moie of this capital furnished by Decatur and Adams 'aunty people, and to have it maniged by a board of nine directors, also all home production. E. E Blackburn expects to make Decatur his future home and to become interested in the bank, either as cashier or president. They have with them the plans and specifications for a bank building, and ex pects to build a three-story building modern and complete throughout. The entire building will be heated with steam. The first floor will be used for the bank, the second floor for offices and the third floor for secret orders or societies. The Blackburns are two of five brothers, all bank cashiers. W. T. S. Blackburn is the oldest in the family, and, according to his own statement, is a director ia more lifferent banks than any other person in this part of the United States. E. E. Blackburn has lately organized the First State bank of Carbon, Indiana, and the First Narional bank at Trafalgar, Indiana. He is also a director in a dozen or more banks. They also hear credentials from the leading bankers of Cincinnati and Louisville, that ’hey are a yard wide and all wool. The organization of the Farmers’ & Merchants' National Bank of Decatur, is expected to be completed by the end of the week. The books for stock subscriptions will close at that time and its future lecided noon. Whether they will ’pen in temporary quarters or iwait the completion of their new building will he decide I by those chosen to direct its ass Hrs. Several important conferences are and will be held during the week at the Murray House, arranging the details for this now financial institution. They also have in mind for the near future the organization of a Loan and Trust company, which will be controlled and managed in connccton with this bank.