Decatur Democrat, Volume 49, Number 2, Decatur, Adams County, 16 March 1905 — Page 3

| DR. CANADA J I Ophthalmic Specialist. (i l ■ practice limited to the correc- B tlon of defects of the eye. Glasses B fitted to relieve strain, with its gs numerous functional symptoms: Eg ■ to improve vision and for loss of M B accommodation due to a«e. , . B REFERENCES the best. H At Dr. Coveruale’s office, at ■ ■ Decatur, Ind., >j B TUESDAY. APRIL 4, 1905 g

We are requested to state that flps Myrtle Emery returned home Friday night from Flora, Indiana, where she has been visiting Mr and Mrs. Ell Presho for some jKe and that she will open a dress making shop here on April Ist. Jay County taxpayers are fight|S the payment of a $54,000 subsidy voted to the C. B. & C. railroad One hundred and two reWjßstrators have filed suoh a petition alleging many thing in support of repudiating the deht made. Th Indiana state board of health have just issued their monthly bulletin and from it we note that were twenty-eight deaths reported from Adams county during»he month of January this year. Out of this number two were still birth two died from typhoid fever, five from pneumonia, two from influenza, two from cancer, one from small pox. Barney Everett was arrested Wednesday afternoon by Marshal Green on a tebarge of carrying concealed IHjßons, the affidavit having been fil«®darQh 4th, and this wily gentleman hiving avoided arrest 1 until!yesterday, when he walked I into the arms of the m irshal. fie was taken before Mayor Coffee where he at first denied the charge, hut after being presented with a little conclusive evidence, Mr. Everatt concluded to plead guilty and was assessed fine of five dollars which in all amounted to thirteen dollars and thirty cents si||ttll amount being at once paid and the defendant discharged. The seventh annual oomtnenoemen&xeroises of ths Geneva high will be held on the evening of Wednesday, March 22nd at the M. EL.church in ’that place. The classes composed of seven young Quite a number of invitations have been received by resi dents of this city. The program is as fo»ws: Carrie Church, American Universities; Bertha Snow, The Oity of Seven Hills; Effie Reichsfleffer, Beyond the Alps lies Beautiful Italy; Bertha MoWhinney The LAnplightar; Jeanette Porter. The Revival of Handcraft; Saaie |^B The Race Problem; Gene Sattodßc otton, its influence on his tory.BThe baccalaureate sermon will be|given at the M. E. church on the evening of March 19th. Quite a number of Decatur people are making preparations to be in attendance at the commencement The |L idies Shapkespeare Club met in extra session Thursdav night, at the home of Mrs. Morrison. Business of importance was discussed. The line of work for next year was decided upon, and the (■mmittees .appointed. The Second and third parts of Henry VI, in Shakespeare’s English Historical plays are to be studied during September and October, then for flftee’ weeks. Famous women and their contemporaneous times are to be studied, beginning with Bible t|mes. Following will be nine weeks. on social problems and events. The committees are as Bellows: On Shakespeare Mesdantes Moltz, Niblick, Allison ; Famous Women, Mesdames Hooper, Holloway, Crabbs and Niohtrieh. Snoinl ■nhloms and Current Topics. Mesdames Blossom, Patterson ‘nd Darwin. It. was noted that astead of publishing a year book ‘t the end of the study year, each ady give one dollar towards the lew public Library which will nake |2l They also voted to give 1 *ociaßtowßrds the Library fund n * gßpl' b® held at Senator lyndall’ajn the near future, the 'xact date not yet determined. It hoped, that other organizations in e °‘*7Bill also see their wa v to 0 B °™®thing for the library. It is "M|sn ter prise in which every ’L’ydnal should be interested “ feel that it is his library.

Unclaimed letters are at the postoffice for Ray Nosker, P. H. Riley, Grover L. Biskof, Mrs. Phoebe Kirkland, D. F. Gunter, Mike O’Harrington, Mrs. N. S. Emis, Miss Lena Armenter, Bernard J. O’Rourke. A letter from J M. Blossom, better known here as “Mun” has been received from the National Soldiers’ home at Mario**, where he says he is comfortably quartered. He says he is well pleased with his surroundings. He will read the Daily Democrat. The schools of Blue Creek township wil] hold a contest in the Salem church March 21, for the purpose of deciding which school has dene the best in an examination previously conducted in the several school rooms. There will be an exhibit of some of the 1 work from each school and a good program will be rendered on the above date. The winning school will lie presented with a beautiful bunting U. S flag. County Superintendent Brandyberry will make the presentation speech. All friends of education are cordially Invited to be present and help arouse an interest and enthusiasm in the cause of education. A custom probably as old as the common law that of allowing three days of grace on all commercial paper, is abolished in Indiana by a bill introduced by Senator Roemier and signed by Governor Hanly. The bill contained an emergency clause, so it is now a law and the question arises to puzzle the man with notes outstanding as to whether or not he has days of grace. There is a difference of opinion among lawyers as to whether or not the law applies to notes already given but not matured. There was little discussion of the bill when it was up in the house and senate, Mrs. Charles Meyers died at her home on North Second Street Saturday evening at 10:45 after an illness of a few days. Her many friends can scarcely believe that the end of her bright young life has come, and though the sad news had been expected several days, the shock was none the less hard to 'ear. Her husband and a baby boy but a few days old mourn their loss as do her father, George W. Patterson, and her brother Charles Patterson, the latter of Terre Haute. There are numerous other relatives and an almost innumerable number of friends. Grace E. Patterson was born April 9th, 1880 and would have been twenty 11 v« years old next month. She was reared and educated in this oity. She was married on her birthday four year ago. A little son, Robert, proceeded the mother in death about a year ago. Mrr. Meyer had been ill about two weeks but was believed to be recovering until Thutsday evening when she suffered an attack of paralysis and weakened rapidly until death came, never regaining consciousness. The funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at two o’clock from the church, Rev Allen officiating. Mrs. Sarah Cramer wants the city of Decatur to pay her the sum of $5,000 und through her attorney, C. J- Lutz Saturday, tiled suit in circuit court to that effect. The complaint is in two paragraphs, the first alleging;* that on the twelveth day of August, last Mrs. Cramer a lady eighty years of age was walking along tho east side of north First street when the’side walk broke down, allowing’the loose boards to strike her feet in ■meh a manner that she was thrown down with great violence, fracturing her hip and bruising’and crushing her limbs and body that since that day she has been confined to her bed and by reason whereof she will be permanently crippled, that she has been compelled to expend for phyisoians and surgeons, $400; for medicine and appliances S4OO for nurse, hire and attention S4OO. The complaint alleges the acci lent occurred on account of the dangerous, unsafe and weak condition of the side walk which had been constructed over ten year and the '.city knew of this unsafe condition, that Mrs. Cramer’s injuries were received without any fault or negliganoe on her p art. Toe ‘second paagraph tel's the same story in a slightly different manner and demands judgement for $5,000 and all other proper relief. Mrs. Cramer has been demanding a settlement from the council offering to settle for SI2OO but no compromise could be effected.

Grandpa John Bixler, 76, received a stroke of paralysis Tuesday evening and is since in a critical condition and it is very doubtful whether he will recover, considering his old age and the serious condition he is in. The left side of his body, his left arm and leg and even his throat and tongue are nearly totally paralyztd. He is lying on his bed in a semi-conscious condition and is not able to speak.—Berne Witness. On Sturday, March 25th the lola Knights of Pythias of Diyton, Ohio, will , confer the third rank on twenty candidates at Richmond, Indiana, and the Decatur lodge is arranging to attend. The exercise will he held at the Richmond Auditorium to accommodate the many hundreds of visiting Knights who are expected to attend. A special train will probably be run from Fort Wayne for the occasion. The lala team is perhaps the finest in the country and carry a SSOOO equipment. The Dewey slot machine confiscated by Sheriff Butler some time ago when [he arrested Albreoth Reber, for conducting same, is now a mass of ruins. It is said the machine cost $350 You may take it along while the tire sale is on, for $1.98. Some days ago Judge Erwin decreed that the maohim be burned* that order was carried out by Sheriff Butler Wednesday night at 7 o’clock. Thehour had been previously announced and about a hundred people were at the jail yard when he blaze started. The machiney was stuffed with combustible material, saturated with oil and made a right respectable fire. The machinery, music box and the wh<de works went down in ruins in a few minutes, and the court's orders had been executed. Superintendent Houlhaan of the Clover Leaf was in the city Thursday. His contemplated arrival nor his presence here were not an nonneed in any partiouii way and with the the exception perhaps of one er two of the company's employes, no one knew who he was until after his departure. However, it is known that his business here was official and that he wa* planning for the work on their improvements here this summer. T« one of our citizens who expressed a doubt as to the work being done this summer he said: “The improvements will be made exactly as the company has promised, just as sure as tho sun sets tonight.” The cold weather and heavy snows oi the past two months have made it mpossible for the company to dr any work on the ground here, but it is known that the blue prints and plans have been completed and there will be no delay when wort commences. During the past tw< days a crew of five engineers havt been busy surveying the round house site and adjoining ground and it was rumored that they werr Erie men but there are now be lieved to be Clover Leaf force. Mr. Houlahan further stated that actual work would, begin in a short time, just as soon as weather wil’ permit.

The Decatur Knights of Pythias arrived home Friday morning from Hartford City where they attended the district meeting held yesterday. It was the tenth annual convention of the fourth district including Adams, Blackford, Jay and Wells counties. The meeting broke all previous records and the crowd was almost too large to handle satisfactory. Over 1000 Knights attended and the big -parade, one of the principle features included 826 members and eight bands. During the March the bands united into one, making a monster musical organization of eighty-four pieces Following the parade there was a public session in Grace church. Here Charles Reeves, of the local lodge, delivered the address of welcome. There were speeches by other members and addresses by Grand Chancellor George W. Powell and Grand Instructor Union B. Hunt. A business meeting was afterward held in Castle hall. In the evening there was a secret meeting at which there was an ex amplification of secret work by U. B. Hunt, and the conference of the ranks of page and esquire by Portland and Redkey lodges -espec tively. One hundred new members to the order were taken in. There were fourteen lodges in the district in the towns of Decatur, Berne, Hartford City, Roll, Dunkirk, Bluffton, Ossian. Geneva, Mont pslier, f|»lkey. Uniondale, Toes n, Pennville and Portland. • —-

Miss Laura Marker has gone to Cardwell, Missouri, to visit her sister, Mrs. Mendenhall. From there she goes to Indiana Territory for an indefinite stay, and it is hinted by her friends that a former Decatur bachelor now there, is seriously considering the advisability of taking unto himself a bride. This is in no way authortative, but we must admit that circumstantial evidence is against the accused. One week from Tuesday the fishing season opens, as on that day R. K. Allison, and perhaps Bob. and L. C. Waring will leave for Arransas Pass, Texas, where tarpan fishing is raging in the heighth of its glory. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Deam, of Bluffton, will go with them and at Birmingham they may be joined by Major Allison. Tarpan fishing is great sport, they weighing f rnm fifty to tvo hundred pounds, and make ’ every fisherman earn his money before landing them. The district conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, which was in session for three days at the Wayne Street churh Fort W ayne, came to a close Thursday with an impressive service, the meetings having been most successful in evary respect. The principle business of the last session was the receiving of reports from different committees ind the examination of candidates for license to preach. Those who passed the examinations were Hrebert H. Deam, Albert B. Kine. Alva R. Gillian, Ross Stokes, and Charles B. Dougherty, of Bluffton, ind John W. Metts, of Ossian. The lommittee recommended for admis don to the annual conference as ■raveling preachers Charles B Dougherty, of Bluffton; Herberi Boase of Ashley, H. H. Hooker, if Monroe; F. P. Johnson, of Oak Grove; C- B. Sweney, of York, and C. G Nelson, of Ceylon. The Rev. Salem: B. Town, field agent of Depauw University, made an earnest appeal for support for this great educational institution conlucted.bythe church, which prao ically closed the business session The question of a meeting place for next year's district conference vas then taken up, and the Rev. Mr. Merz extended an invitation in behalf of Ossian, Wells county, which was accepted.

The Adams county man or woman contemplating a June wedding will have to read up on Indiana law as it stands since adjournment of the legislature. If you hurry, you can get married before the lew provisions go into effoot, but if ter May 1, look out! The bill which was signed by Governor Hanley and is now a law —is a combination of Senator Smith’s bill md Representative Boyd’s bill. The bill has no emergency claust ind will not take effect until abou* May. 1 when the acts will be published. It is much less stringent than many proposed measures considered by the legislature, but is not nearly so lax as the present law. Applicants for license shall set out their parent’s names, color, iccupation, birthplace, residence ind ages whether the marriage con ■emplated is the first, second or >ther marriage. Records of this shall be kept by the clerk. No license shall be issued where either of the parties is an imbeoie, epileptic or of unsound mind, nor to my male person who has been an inmate of a poor asylumjwithin five years unless it is shown that applicant is able to support a iamily. Nc license shall be issued when one jf the party is afflicted with an incurable transmisable disease or at the time of application is under the influence of intoxicating liquor. In case a clerk shall refuse to issue the license he shall certify the fact to the circuit court ana the judge of that court shall at the earliest practicable time hear evidence on the question of issuing a license and affirm or reverse the decision of the clerk. If a couple to avoid the provisions of the Indiana law go into another state to be married, it is provided that the marriage shall be declared void on their return unless they all have taken up a bona fide residence in the state where married. The penalties provided are a miximum fine of SSOO. for whoever procures the issuance of a license by false statement and a fine in the same sum for any presons who have not compiled with provisions of the act. Any clerk violating the law shall forfeit any amount that a jury may decide and a docket fee of S2O is provided for prosecuting attorneys for the prosecution of such oases. •£*

The Muncie Star of Wednesday contained a tine cut of the famous Rosenthal base ball club of last season, which is a correct likeness throughout. The out is accompanied by a write-up disclosing the merits of the different members and the number of games won and lost. It also states that the same team will defend Deoaturs’ reputation again this season only under a different name. The members of the team xre all puffed up over this article andj.would'oongratulate the correspondent if they only knew him. Judge R : ohard K. Erwin went to Fort Wayne Friday to hear the arguments for a new trial in the Godfrey murder case . A message from the court room at noon said that the arguments were not heard as attorneys for the defense filed written affidavits, giving reasons for a new trial, Attorneys for the state asked for time in which to till counter affidavits and the hearing will be some time during week after next. While in Fort Wayne Judge Erwin arranged with Judge O'Rourke to act as special judge in the case of the state vs Elmer Johnson and Ed Touhey for assault and battery with intent to kill in which a change of venue as to judge was taken yesterday afternoon as mention in this paper, and if Judge O'Rourke can so arrange his business he will accept the appointment. This case will no doubt oreite much interest.

An eleven page typewritten com plaint was filed in the Adams circuit court Saturday entitled The state of Indiana ex rel Washington township, Adams county, Indiana, Henry Hite township trustee and John Hessler, E. Homer Faust and John Meyer constituting the township advisory Board of Washington township, Adams county, Indiana vs Timothy S. Coffee, Rufus K. Allison, William H. Niblick, George Tricker, Jere •niah R. Coffee, Elmer Johnson. Irvin Brandyberry, Elias Crist, complaint on bond demand SIOOOO. The complaint relates that in November 1900 Timothy S. Coffee was duly elected trustee of Washington township and during said month tiled his bond in the sum of S2OOOO bearing the signature of the other defendants in this case for the faithful performance of his duties ind that he would pay over to his successors and account for all monies th it might come into his hands; that said Coffee continued to serve as trustee until January 1, 1905; that during his term said Coffee re reived from the various funds sll. 100 as follows: In township fund, $4500; tuition fund, $1000; special school fund, $2000; road fund, sl,000; additional road fund, $2000; log fund, SSOO. Henry Hite was de-ted and qualified as Mr. Coffee’s successor last fall, and his term of office began January 1, 1905, and the complaint alleges that ever since that date Mr. Hite has been md is still acting as trustee; that said Coffee has not p lid over to him any part of said sums and that said Coffee has not in any way paid out or expended or aooounted for said sums of money according to law but has held the same and con verted same to his own use. On March 8, 1905. the plaintiffs herein demanded of Coffee that he pay over to and account to said Hite the sums of money then in his hands and belonging to said township but said Coffee and the other defendants have failed to pay or account for same. The complaint, further states that there is dne the township the sum of SIO,OOO with ten per cent damages and judgmen’ for that sum is demand ed. A second piragrsph of the complaint allege l , that Coffee while acting as such trustee expended large sums of money be longing to the several funds of the township upon illegal and unlawful debts which were contracted by Mr. Coffee without any authority of law, which amounts are shown in an itemized statement attached to complaint, that during his term of office Mr. Coffee paid out of the various funds the following amounts, from township funds: $3500; special school fund, $3500; road fund $1000; additional road fund, S2OOO. A copy of Mr. Coffees bond is attached to the complaint as exhibit “A” and a statement of the illegal orders as exhibit “B”. The total amount of illegal orders as set out in the exhibit ”B.“ is $8307.48. The summons is made returnable March 23. i •

Indianapolis, March 7.—Mrs. Lydia J. Geisendorf, widow of the late Capt. George W. Geisendorf, the one-time wealthy woolen goods manufacturer of this oity, has created no end of consternation in the Rome City district of Noble county by laying claim to a large amount of land and lots in that pretty little town ‘and [its immediate vicinity. Not only has she announced hero hum of ownership of the valuable properties, but also is preparing to carry her contest into the courts. The real estate in question comprises large and valuable tracts surrounding the village, many of the best residences and business properties and about one hundred lots of the Island Park Uuiversalist assembly grounds, including the site of one of the large summer hotels. Inasmuch as Captain Geisendorf is dead [his widow is asserting her claim to the property in question. Some of the owners of the land ’are now negotiating a settlement, while others are preparing to resist any action taken by the Geisendorfs looking to a recovery of the property. As several of the parties live in other states, the whole matter may have to be threshed out in the United States court in this city. The oity Friday was filled with a throng of strangers who represent the great order of the Pocohontas lodge, who are holding their special district meeting in the Odd Fellows’ hall. By a fair estimate of one of the reception committee the local organization are today entertaining nearly three hundred guests and giving special degree work for their benefit All of the leading officers of this organization are present and are giving special instructions to those who desire tho same. Among the high officials ire Mrs. Kate Calhan, of Bedford, Ind., who is the Great Pocoho^tas; Mrs. Florence Bain of this oity, the Great Wenonha; Mrs. Rosella J«. Brady, of Warsaw, Great Keeper or Records; Mrs. Marguerite Sapper, of Noblesville, the Great Prophetess;. Mrs. Jennie Montros, of Marion, Great Minnehaha and Mrs. Jessie Cornell, of Hartford City, the Great Second Scour, who will have the meetings in charge. The first session was held this afternoon at 1:30 •/clock, which was devoted to giving the p ist officials of this order ‘he Great Council Degree work. At three o’clock a school of instructions was opened to which anyone was admitted who was in good standing and was in the possession of the proper pass word. At and during this council meeting the Great Chiefs exemplified the unwritten work and answered and explained all questions relative thereto. After which the session for the afternoon closed. This evening at the same place 100 candidates will be given the degree work, which will be handled by the Bluffton and Decatur teams, and which promises to be above the average work, as the candidates will be given all that is coming to them, and a little more added. At the close of the degree work a large banquet will be served, and the guests amused in many other ways until they take their departure. The state of Indiana at present leads all other states in the Union in the way of membership, which reflects great credit upon the different lodges in this shite, the total membership at present being 14,000. Since last October fifteen new councils have been organized in this state, and are now in fine running shape. Mrs. Kannie Fristoe of this city, has had charge of all the arrangements for the entrtainment of the guests, who will be furnished to a rare treat this evening. This meeting today is the third one of ten similar district meetings that will be held during this month and next, and the two proceeding meetings have produced great enthusiasm and has been the cause of bringing a num ber of new members within tho fold. Among the different lodges represented in our city today are the Neonia lodge, of Bluffton, the Manitowoc lodge of Garrett, the Joesinah lodge of Marion, the Mimrewa lodge of Fort Wayne, the M ijolla lode of this city, the Tallawanda lodge' of Gas City, the Peoonda lodge of Maron, the Totem lodge of Hartford City and the Equa lodge of Montpelier, all of which turned out exceptional large crowds, owing to the fact that thia district is one of the smallest in the state, but what was lacking in numbers was made up in enthn siastn. „