Decatur Democrat, Volume 49, Number 12, Decatur, Adams County, 25 May 1905 — Page 1

alL thene s ALL THE i iWIE

VOLUME XLIX.

FIVE GRADUATES Commencement Exercises of the Decatur High School Last Friday. The class of 1905 closed their career as members of the Decatur High school Friday evening at the 26th annual commencement exer cises held at the Bosse opera house before an audience numbering at least eight hundred, and their future career now lays open before them, and they must choose their way. Never before was the capacity of the opera house taxed as it was last evening and the crowd, each of whom had some personal friendship with one of the chief debutants of the evening, was a well behaved one. Jjong before the opening number as played by the fristoe orchestra, the opera house ■was a sea of faces, which presented a fascinating picture. At 8:30, promptly, the curtain arose, presenting a parlor soene, but known in the eyes of the stage world as a center door fancy. The stage floor was neatly covered with rugs and carpet, while here and there the stage was decorated with potted palms and ferns and cut flowers. The piano was stationed at the right of the stage. The chairs for the members of the graduating class and professor were arranged in a semi-circle and as the curtain rose the class headed by Prof. Hartman made their appearance on the stage amid thunderous applause, being seated in the following order, reading from left to right: Prof. Hartman, Leota Gilpen, Rose Smith, John Trout, Agnes Krick, and Yada Martin. Mr. Trout, the only young man of the class, being the center of attraction. Prof. Hartman announced that the program would tie carried out in strict compliance with the printed programs. Rev. E. A. Allen pronounced the invocation, which was followed by a piano four-hand inarch and chorus by “Wagner,” by Mrs. Ella Bell and Dassie Berry, and was one of the leading musical features of the evening. Miss Rose Smith in an easy and pleasant manner proceeded to the front of the stage and rendered her oration, her subject being, “The Sunny Side,” during the rendition of which she fully portrayed the beautiful side of life. She said in part that in all lives there was some time when frowns and tears and dark clouds would come, and the future way would seem dark and dreary, but >his must be p ished aside and the individual must always look upon the sunny side for success and hap piness. She spoke of heaven and hell as the dark and sunny side, and clearly demonstrated that those who would live the upright way would forever 'see nothing but the sunny side of life hereafter. In conclusion she in a few well chosen words wished the class of 1905 perfect happiness and contentment and expressed the hope that they would all ever «ej the sunny side of life. Miss Leota Gilpen, whose subject was “Humps, Natural and Acquired,” followed and delivered one of the best addresses of the evening She took np her subject with a vim that oonveyed conviction with every thought and handled her subject in 8 pleasing manner. In part she said: Man was created by God, afterwards was pronounced good by him, but since that time all men were not created alike, as acme had a deformity in the shape of a hump, which although not burdensome to carry, was a deformity not io be desired. She told of the uses and benefits of the bump on the camel and yawk and pressed them as a necessity to Physical nature and then likened them unto the hump that a mam carry throughout his life in paving his way to success “Hump” the trade or business one desires t° follow or take up, and in life 3 very one must assume some hump. To the successful man the followlng elements are essential in maklnß the hump of business life easy: unotuality, system and conscientiousness. She also spoke of the

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political hump and the benefits and bad results brought therefrom, and in the way of conclusion stated that the most essential hump of one s entire existence was religion, which must always be carried or one’s success is United. Miss Clara Terveer then sang a vocal sole, a serenade, “Open Thv Casement,’ which was fully appreciated by the audience, and her effort brought her much well earned applause. Miss Ter veer’s voice never appeared to better advantage and she easily filled the house with her clear soprano. John Trout, whose subject was “The Reward of Labor,” presented one of the best papers of the evening, it being rendered in a clear round tone that could be heard in every section of the hall. He clearly brought forth the fact that the reward of all labor depended upon the individual himself and that if he did not take advantages of the opportunities that presented themselves he would never be able to obtain the redwar of his labor. He brought forth the result of the earnest labor of the great inventor, Edison, which, in the end brought him the coveted reward. This reward, ne stated, was only gained through saorfioes, which is one of the essential things in life the individual must contend with. He must also practice attention and careful thought and must never take any thing for granted, as this generally brought failure. Reason and individuality are also great essentials in the world’s progress and mav be developed by labor, hence its reward, Success is what we all labor for, and n iwhatever line of life is taken up, do not stop when the march is made. Never cease work and never stop at any instance in the game, as the goal is always ahead. Miss Carrie Thomas, music teacher for the public schools, rendered a piano solo from “Beethoven,” which was classic in every respect, and clearly demonstrated her knowledge of music. “The Man on the Fenoe” was the subject of Miss Agnes Krick’s address. Her composure was superb, and she delivered her paper in a clear and concise manner. Her theme, although a unique one, was full of good thoughts, which were brought out by Miss Krick in a nice manner. In part she said. The man who is always on the fence in the eyes of the public in general is no man at all, and is one who can never be depended upon. He is a man who never faces a subject squarely, and is always ready to jump with the majority. Every man should be made to master one thing in life, and should have one goal in view. But the man on the fence never knows which way to go, and is hence lost tc the world. The world today is demanding active young men and women with spirit to fight the propositions of life and tho man on the fence is always passed by and looked on with scorn and pity by his fellow man. The last address of the evening was delivered by Miss Vada Martin, her subject being, “Whitewashed.” Her manner of speech was good and every word she uttered could be distinctly and plainly heard by the vast ’audience. Her subject dealt with the plain and painted side of life in which she clearly portrayed her subject and brought forth many new and fascinating thoughts. She said the desirable man in life in all its phases was the untainted man; the man who went through life with his head erect and could stare lis friend and fellowman in the eye without flinching, and knew that his character was not besmirched with any dirty traits. She showed that the condition of Russia today was brought about by whitewashed and corrupt officials, who oared nothing for the public in general, but desired everything for themselves and that when this condition of affairs failed to exist Russia would again be the proud nation of old. The man with the whitewashed life can always be told by his fellowmen, as he generally shows his real character and make up when forced to the last ditch. This whitewashed life

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY, MAY 25, 1905.

exists also in religion as some carry a cloak of piety about them which hides far greater evils than can be disclosed, but in the end all must answer to the Maker of all, w hen the cloak of piety and whitewashed life will be presented in its true light, and each must answer for him and herself. J. A. Ernsberger then rendered a vocal solo, wh ioh was appreciated by ail, and which spoke volumes for his ability as a singer. Prof. Hartman presented each member of the class with their dinloma, with his best wishes for their future welfare and happiness. Rev. Haist then pro nounced the benediction. After these exercises the senior class treated their friends *o a reception, which was held in the Odd Fellows’ hall, and which was attended by a large crowd. Music was furnished by the Variety Mandolin club. Refreshments were served, and at a late hour the graduating exercises came to a close, and the class of 1905 had been mustered into real service. Paulding Ohio, held a local option election Monday, and the town went dry by a majority of 52 votes. It begins to look as though there was going to be a general drouth throughout Ohio. Will P. Schrock, chairman of the social committee, will today send out invitations te the members of the Commercial Club, announcing a progressive pedr o party and smoker for seven thirty, Friday evening. The event will be the first of a series of social entertainments that are already forecasted by this club committee. Decatur is again free of ail negroes, the last of the dark-skinned tribe quietly folded his tent and stole away under he cover of darkness, but not before he had raised considerable disturbance and narrowly escaped being lodged in jail on a charge of larceny. This dark man for some time past had been j in the employ of the Murray hotel, as cook, and during the day Tuesday became entangled with the management of the hotel in some manner and drew his release and pay in connection with which he took a carving knife valued at 13.50. The knife was soon missed by the second cook, and suspicion at once rested on the negro in the case. Marshal Green was informed and started on a search for the fellow, finally landing him near the Ergi depot, where he was awaiting his special train of “empties.” He admitted hs guilt and turned over the knife, and as Mr. Murray desired to cause him no trouble was permitted to go with the warning to leave town at once, and the last seen of him he was slowly plodding his weary way toward Bluffton, the negro haven of rest. The first fire that Decatur has had since last winter occurred Tues, evening aboit five o’clock at the residence of Noah Mangold on First street, but was extnguished before any material damage was done. The fire was first discovered by Mrs. Mangold whose attention was directed to the roof by an explosion, which seeing to occur in the loft of the summer kitchen just over the stove in which a gas fire was burning. She at once hasened to J. C. Patterson’s home and while enroute met Herman Center, whom she informed concerning the fire, and while Mrs. Mangold was sending in the alarm Center hastened to the house and was soon within reach of the small blaze that was creep ing along the cone of the house. Several buckets of water were passed up to him and the fire was soon under control. The tire company responded nobly, but when they arrived on tho scene their assistance was not needed. What caused the fire will probably never be known, as no plausible theory can be advanced. Tne damage done was slight and fully covered by insurance. The prompt assistance rendered perhaps saved the home, as a good start would have made it impossible to at least do a great damage. For this service Mr. Mangold and family are grateful.

Albine Smith, the plumber, Sunda v had the misfortune to break his left arm, while at his father’s farm south of the city. Albine and his brother, Lawrence, early in the day drove to the farm, and while inspecting th orchard noticed that the bugs were getting very thick iu the trees, and he decided to burn them out. up one of the trees and while reaching out to set fire to the nests, lost his balance and was hurled to the ground, the entire force of the fall being on his left arm, breaking the same just above the wrist. He was driven to town and Dr. C. S. Clark set the injured member, and Albine will be laid up for some time. Yesterday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hoffman on Madison street, occurred the wedding of their daughter. Miss Lila, to Mr. Louis Vndaerlip, of Elkhart, Indiana. The happy event took place at seven-thirty o’clock without the knowledge of even Miss Hoffman’s most intimate friends and the marriage will no doubt prove to be a surprise to all, as she had formally announced that the event would take place this afternoon at two thirty o'clock. The ceremony was performed by Rev. E. A. Allen of the Presbyterian church, being very simple, but most impressive, only the immediate family of Miss Hoffman being present. A wedding breakfast was hastily served and the happy young couple left on the eight o’clock train for a bridal tour throughout the northern part of Wisconsin. Miss Hoffman was one of Decatur’s charming young ladies. A leader in society and popular, wherever she went and had a host of friends, who wish her J a 10-’g and happy married life. Mr. Vanderlip, although not so well known here, is a promising young attorney and comes from one of the best families in Elkhart. His practice is already a very lucrative one, and is rapidly growing. The voung people expect to make their future home in Elkhart, where they will be at home to their many friends in a few weeks, and where a furnished home already awaits them. The Democrat extends congratulations. James Ellison, a rich and respected bachelor of Blue Creek township, was charged with a most se-ious crime in an affidavit and information signed by William 1. Baker, and filed by Prosecutor Moran yesterday. Ellison owns a 120-aore farm in Blue Creek township, which is tenanted by Biker. For several days Ellison has been over in Ohio and there has been talk that he had some serious trouble with the Baker family and was making an effort to settle same. The affidavit filed today says that on Briday, May 12th, Ellison did unlawfully, feloniously and forcibly in a rude and angry manner, touch push and catch hold of Wilma L. Baker, a five-year-old girl, with intent to forcibly ravish and carnally know her. The affidavit is in four counts, two of which alleges intent and two that the old man accomplished his purpose. However, it is said the intent was not accomplished. Mrs. Biker says that on the date mentioned she was upstairs at her home and chanced to look down through a hole in the floor, to a porch below, and there beheld Ellison and her baby daughter in a compromising position. Ellison has boarded with the Baker family and Mrs. Baker says that her little girl had told her of peculiar actions of him, but she had not believed it until she had seen with her own eyes. Mr. Ellison was in town last Saturday and wanted to give himself up to the officers, having undertsood that an affidavit had been filed. None had, however, and he left the city. He has employed Attorney Dore B Erwin and will fight the case. He proclaims his innocence, and those who have known him for many years, fray they cannot believe the story, as he has always been an excellent citizen. The court fixed his bond at |IOOO, which he can give without trouble, and will no doubt be released soon after his arrest, which will likely be made today or tomorrow.

I Miss Carrie Craig gave a most delightful afternoon last Saturday at her home on Fifth street. The guests were entertained in a .charming and novel manner. Much merriment was afforded by each guest trying to match different articles placed on a table, to any title ; given on her card. Mrs. Roy Archbold proved to be She best guesser and was given a pretty potted fern for her reward. The five o’clock lunch was very elaborate, and consisted of all the fresh dainties of the season. Mrs. Craig and Mrs. John Peterson assisted Miss Carrie in serving. The guests of the afternoon ewre Mesdames Flanders,France, Reid. Peterson, Brittson, Tyndall, Heller, Kern, Archbold, Gregg and Misses Schrock, Orvis and Hoffman. Mrs. Fred Zollars of Fort Wayne was an out of town guest. Miss Bessie May Pyle, aged sixteen years, and daughter of Edward Pyle, died Tuesdoy morning, at her home, on Decatur street, in the north part of the city, after an illness of two years’ duration, death resulting from tuberculosis. She was a bright young girl and in the bloom of her life when she was stricken with that dread disease. She was always a patient sufferer and was never heard to bemoan her fate, being a firm believer in Go ll and that His will be done. She was the leader of her associates, both at school and in society, and her place will be hard to fill among her friends. She was always pleasant and had a smile of for everyone and her many acts of goodness and kindness will always be remembered. The funeral services will be held Thursday morning at ten-thirty o’clock from the home. Rev. Luke will officiate, ana interment will be made in Decatur cemetery. The pending telephone war, which promised to develop an ugly and bitter struggle, between the independents and the Bell will perhaps disappoint first expectations. Tne meeting of the independents at Indianapolis, attended by Frank M. Sohirmeyer and J. W. Tyndall of the Citizens’ company, did not reveal a condition in the least discouraging to the interests of the independent companies. Toll line business is protected by long time contracts, and even after their expiration the independent companies will have as good a club for an extension of these contracts as the Bell will have to raise the rates. After all is said and done it is business the Bell are after, and it is no doubt true that they even have profited by the experiences of the past. In this state they have been completely whipped, and we predict now that good service and reasonable rates will guide them in their future business relations. Much condemnation is being heaped upon the head of Mr. Dougherty, who is accused of selling out his friends for a price, but the Democrat refuses at first blush to believe everything it hears. Even if true, you can stand up the fellow who squeals the loudest and place him in the same position with Mr. Dougherty, and the result would have been the same. In so far as the Citizens’ Telephone company is concerned, it outs no articular brand of ice. They will continue to move along in the even tenor of their way, giving good service and making money. The independent concerns represented at the Indianapolis meeting were the Indianapolis New Long Distance company, the Indi anapolia Home Telephone company, tne National Telegraph and Telephone company of Fort Wayne, Home Telephone company of Fort Wayne, Delaware and Madison Counties Telephone company. Citizens’ company of De.atur, the Home company of Wabash, Randolph County Telephone company. Citizens’ of Dunkirk, and the companies of Portland, Greencastle, Pennville, Crawfordsville, and nafontaine. South Bend had no rep resentatives present, but Manager Thorward telephoned that he was in hearty sympathy and vdbuld support any movement the independents began.

CIRCULATION 2800 WEEKLY

NUMBER 12

Mr. and Mrs. B J. Ter veer were manied May 7. 1872. Tney were engaged several years prior to that 1 time, and while sweethearts each gave the other a gold band ring which marked the date of their engagement, April 8, 1869. Thirty vears ago, Mrs. Terveer let her little daughter Minnie, now Mrs. R. J. Holthouse, have the ring to play with. It disappeared in some mysterious manner and though the house was searched for days no trace of the ring could be found, and long ago all hopes of ever finding it were given up. A few years after this incident the old house was sold, the main part being moved to Fourth street, while a small addition was moved into the garden lot where it stood until this spring, when it was again moved. Recently Mr. Terveer spaded the plot whereon the old kitchen had stood and made it a part of his garden. Little Arthur Holthouse is employed by Mr Terveer to keep the garden paths clean, and Thursday while at work found a ring, mud-covered and tarnished. He carried it to the house and applied some polish, and a beautiful gold ring soon came to view. He showed it to his mamma who realized that it was her mother’s engage ment ring which she had lost for her so long ago. It was a remarkable incident and caused no little joy in the Terveer home. The city council met in a special session Monday afternoon at one o’clock, and for an hour and a half battled with the proposition of extending the franchise of the Fort Wayne <fe Springfield Railway company from thirtv years to fifty years. All ooupcilmen were present, with the exception of Gaffer, who was unable to attend, owing to other urgent business. Mayor Coffee presided, and called the council to order. The ordinance committee, including H. S. Porter, Albert Buhler and S. B. Fordyce then filed their written report, in which they recommended the passage of the new ordinance, which report was adopted by the council. The ordiriance was then advanced to its first reading, it being adopted by an unanimous vote of the members present. The rules were then suspended and the ordinance advanced to a second reading. All voting in favor of this suspension. The ordinance wns then advanced to a third reading, at the conclusion of which the yea and nay votes were called. Porter, Teeple, Fordyce, Buhler and Kirsch voted yea. This being a majority the ordinance was ordered spread of record. Attorney Koenig then on behalf of the interurban railway company in a few well chosen words thanked the council for their favor and the meeting adjourned. This new franchise was asked for by the rail wav company, owing to the fact that in extending their line to Portland it will be necessary to issue fifty year bonds, and in so doing it would hardly comply with the commercial law, owing to the fact that only a thirty year franchise existea in this city. The company also desired this or the reason that if the extension of the franchise was granted that they had ample assurance of the money with which to construct the southern division, and bound themselves with council to so construct the line to Portland, and have the same in running condition by December 1, 1909, thus giving them nearly five years. The new franchise is iu all respects like the old one, only that instead of giving the company a thirty year franchise it now has a fifty year franchise in and through the city of Decatur. The line from this city to the city of Fort Wayne according to the new franchise must be in running order by July 1, 1906. Tue individual members of the city council acquiesced in the demands of the business men, who wisely urged them to the action taken. The building of the line to Portland means so much for Decatur that justification is ample in giving the Fort Wayne & Springfield company any reasonable legislation they may ask.