Decatur Democrat, Volume 50, Number 7, Decatur, Adams County, 19 April 1906 — Page 1

ULLTHE news all THE TIME

VOLUME l.

earthquake ruins pacific metropolis

FIRST SHOCK FELT AT SJO A. M. fifty City Blocks go Down and Five Thousand Lives are Lost

A FIERCE FIRE RAGES *4* ’ •* >' * Property Loss will Reach Many Millions most terrible in history I . i List of Dead and Loss of Property May be Doubled by Reports From Interior of State ..San Francisco. April 18.—2 p. m.— This city is gradually, but certainly being wiped out of existence by the earthquakes and the unconquerable James. . Fire has destroyed the million- dollar docks unmolested. The lames can be seen thirty miles, but there is no way of reaching here, either by rail or water. San Francisco, April 18.—The area covered by the earthquake covers fifty city blocks, a mile square, in which every building is destroyed. The loss of lives now is estimated at over 5,000 in this city alone. San Francisco, April 18.—3 o’clock. —The last shock was felt at 8:17. The fire is still raging and the city is doomed. It is only a matter of time as there is absoluely no fire apparatus to prevent it, and not a drop of water available. Every vehicle in town is conveying people to places of safety. People are fleeing by thousands. In the panic many fell dead from fright. Old people were jammed to death by the younger and stronger ones. Men. who were millionaires yesterday, are penniless today. San Francisco, Aprl 18. —At 5:13 4 tumbling noise awoke the 1 city steel and stone structures in the beart of the city rocked like ships in a wild sea and thqn tumbled over like so many children’s play blocks, , ' ien they crumbled and crashed into ruins. San Francisco, April 18.—The ? r eatest damage done is east and Sft nth of Market street to the bay. I'bis includes Sampson, Mission. Battery, Front, Davis. Drummond. Montgomery, First. Freemont, Beal. Mann. ‘ I 'ear, Stuart. South and other promi°ent streets, where are located manu‘•euring enterprises and the princif l ®! banking institutions. The $7.-

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I 000.000 city hall building is in ruins. More than 1,000 buildings have been destroyed today. | The gas mains broke and hundreds were asphyxiated and killed from explosions when gas and fire came together. The Bell Telephone building was shattered by an explosion, and the wreck was destroyed by tire. The Mills building is going. It is believed 1 thousands were killed in other cities of the interior from where no news can be received. San Francisco, April 18.—The Lyck house was among the others damaged and the fire is now spreading to ■ the Grand Palace. The city is more , than ever at the mercy of the flames, jas the tire engine houses were all | wrecked. The work of rescue is retarded by the lack of organization and the fear of further quakes. Only the dynamiting of blocks of buildings can save any part of the city, and this is being done now. The St. Francis hotel and palace house have been destroyed by fire. Reports from the surrounding country coining in slowly show the quake extended several hundred miles. All wires are down however, ot Ogden and byway of the Central route where the damage is probably the worst, outside of here. While the police were carting the dead from the building fire broke out in the wholesale district along the water front and the eity is is menaced with as terrible a foe as the earthquake of a few moments before. The quake was felt as far south as South Barbara, but did no damage at Los Angeles. All power lines in this city were wrecked. The Pacific cable was not damaged. Slight earthquake shocks have been felt all day and the danger is by no means over. The greatest number of killed are south of Market street. The better residence district didn’t suffer so severely. Washington, D. C., April 18.—The government is endeavoring to get information from San Francisco by wireless telegraphy. It has been learned the earthquake was the worst ’ which ever oeurred on the Pacific eoast. The eity is burning and dozens of houses have been blown up with dynamite in the fruitless efforts to stop the flames. Washington, D. C., April 18.—An

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY, APRIL ]9, 1906.

earthquake of miniature proportions occurred in Washington and throughout the country this morning, the only serous results being reported, the district between Sacramento and San Francisco. Details from there can not be obtained, as the telegraph offices were destroyed. San Francisco, April 18. —A disastrous earthquake oeurred here at 6.30 this morning, wrecking the postal Telegraph building, breaking the water mains. A terrible fire followed and all power to fight it being shut off, the results were disastrous. Many people are reported killed in the many buildings wrecked. The greatest confusion exists the city being panic stricken. A dozen skyscrapers came near toppling over and thousands of people fled to outlying districts. Frequent shocks have been felt all day. The Postal building is in the heart of the business district, surrounded by newspaper and railroad blocks. Owing to the fact that business here never begins until nine o’clock, the streets were deserted and this fact saved many lives. All telegraph communication with this city is shut off, as the employer from both the Postal and Western Unon offices have been driven out. San Francisco, April 18.—At nine o’clock it is estimated that the loss of life is 1,100. The work of rescue began at seven o’clock, but there is no organization, owing to the panic. The dead are being carried from the buildings by the scores. The first rumble was heard at 5:10 o’clock. Several buildings toppled soon after and fell in every direction. Chicago, April 18. —The following message was received here by the Postal officials. San Francisco, via Ashfork, Ariz., Au earthquake at 5:13 this morning wrecked this building and our office. No water and we lost our power. I am going out of office as it is ready to topple. They are carrying out dead from fallen buildings and fires are raging all over town. Fearful panic. Manager. Sacramento. Cal.. April 18. —1 he earthquake did some damage here, occurring at 5:15 and lasting three minutes. Panics occurred at hotels. Plaster fell in many buildings and telegraphic communication with the east was broken. Great anxiety is | felt for towns in the interior. No J news here from San Francisco. I ’ The Whist Club held an enjoyable j session Tuesday evening with Mr. and : Mrs. J. H. Heller on Third street. High score winners were Mrs. C. A. Dugan and H. R. Moltz. the play being sixteen boards an I the high score 215. Delicious refres’imenis were seived and an e :,>oy;.ble social evening devoted to the science of whist.

1 IN AN ACCIDENT AT BLUFFTON Boy Formerly Lived Here —Son of the Man Who Predicted End of _ the World. , ... Willie Whittridge lost his right leg under a Clover Leaf freight at Bluffton Saturday. He formerly lived here, being a son of the Rev. Whittridge, who, some two years ago, set a date for the end of the world. The Saturday evening Bluffton Banner told of the accident as follows: Willie Whitridge, aged six years, son of W. M. Whittridge, living on West Market street, fell under the wheels of a moving freight ear in the Clover Leaf yards at ten minutes of three o’clock this afternoon and had his right leg almost completely severed from his body, the wheels passing over his leg at the thigh, it small boy by the name of Switzer, who saw the Whittridge boy slip and fall under the ear. ran to the boy’s mother and told her of the horrible accident. The mother, screaming, ran to the scene where she gathered her son in her apron and carried him to her home. The Whittridge boy thinks that another of his little playmates pushed him under the car, as it passed, but all the boys who were with him at the time deny this. Dr. L. H. Cook was called to care for the injured youth and at three o’clock was preparing to amputate the limb just above the knee. The train was No. 44. east bound meat train, in charge of Conductor Strickler. The engineer was Will Coxon. It was due here at 12:45 ami was late an hour at town. It was just pulling out of the city when the gueident happened. The crew was unaware of the accident.

AGREED ON IN COMMITTEE Marion Gets One Hundred Thousand Dollars for Postoffise Site and Building. Washington. D. ('., Aprl 16. —Ten Indiana cities will profit through the omnibus building bill, which has been agreed upon in committee, and under agreement will be rushed through congress in a few days. The cities named in the bill are, Marion, building, $100,000; Peru. site. $15,000: Greencastle. site, $10,000: Columbus, site, $15,000; South Bend, addition, $lO.000; Michigan City, building and site. $70,000; Crawfordsville, betterments, $15,000; Kokomo, site. $20,000; Bloomington, building and site. $60,000; Connersvlle, site and building, about $60,000. Muncie had been previously provided for. Representative Zenor is still trying to get an appropration for a site at Jeffersonville, but it is believed he will >at succeed. The omnibus building bill will be reported to the house within a few days. Speaker Cannon will open the doors for its early consideration and it is expected to pass the house with a rush.

DEATH OF JESSIE A. DUTCHER Baby Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Dutcher. Jessie Olean Dutcher was born at Decatur, August 7th, 1905, and died at Bloomington, Thursday. April 12, ISIO6, aged eight and five days. Jessie was the youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Dutcher, both of whom resided here until a few years ago, when they moved to Bloomington that Mr. Dutcher might finish his education. During the winter, their three children suffered with the whooping cough and the attack proved fatal for the babe, though the other children. Vernon, aged six years, and Juanita, aged four are recovering. Baby Jessie was a sweet little girl, the pride of her parents and the favorite of”their many acquaintances. Her future was an object of speculation on the par} of her parents and the place left vacant by her sudden death can never be filled. She has been transformed into an angel ami the only comfort to her parents is the knowledge that her garb of purity and innocence was unsjiotted during the brief time alloted her here. She was buried at Rosehill cemetery, at Bloomington.

CUPID SNARES OLD COUPLE Mrs. Short, Aged Sxty-nine, Weds Henry Schmidt, Seventy-four. Ar. ..... .it Sunday evening, at seven o’clock’, Judge R. K. Erwin, at his home on jiorth Fourth street, united in marriage. Mrs. Elizabeth Short, aged six-ty-nine, of this city, and Henry J. Schmidt, aged seventy-four, of Preble, Ind. The wedding was a quiet affair, not even the most intimate friends of the contracting parties being aware of the event, and the only parties present were Judge Erwn, who tied the knot and his family. Both of these parties are well known in this city and expect to make their future home here. They have each been married three times before and are fully aware of all the joys and troubles of married life. The Democrat extends congratulations

THEY GAVE A LINEN SHOWER Miss Vera Patterson is the Honored Guest Mrs. E. B. Parker of Wakarusa, and Miss Carrie Thomas delightfully entertained a dozen of their ladyfriends Saturday evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. I). Hale on Fifth street in honor of Miss Vera Patterson. The event was a linen shower and Miss Patterson was the recipient of many beautiful gifts. Six o'clock dinner was served, it being in five courses, after which the evening was spent in numerous games and music, and at a late hour the guests departed, voting Mrs. Parker and Miss Thomas charming entertainers and with kindly wishes for Miss Patter son.

A MUSICAL OPERA EVENING The Class of Miss Carrie Thomas to Give Recital. Miss Carrie Thomas, the bright and accomplished daughter of Dr. and Mrs. P. B. Thomas, will give a recital at the Bosse Opera House on the evening of May 8. The recital will be given by the twenty musical pupils of Miss Thomas, and the entertainment will be high class in every particular. Miss Thomas is a musical instructor of ability, but her accomplishments are well known in this city and need no especial mention. Her class has been working with this recital in view, and the music-lovers of Decatur want to keep the evening of May 8, in mind.

ACCIDENT AT MARION TODAY W. R. Miller of Frankfort, the Victim—He Was Well Known in Decatur. Marion. Ind., April 16. —\\ . R. Miller, of Frankfort, a brakeman, was caught under a Clover Leaf train between 1 and 2 o’clock this morning :,t the belt in South Marion and was Killed instantly. Miller was on the engine and it was the intention to stop and put off a cut of cars on the belt. Miller jumped from the engine to make the cut but he slipped. The front end of the first car struck him and he was thrown under the car. The engineer succeeded in stopping when five car lengths had passed. The crew went back to pick up the brakeman but his body was so mangled and cut that the engine was run down to the passenger station and Diggs & Son's ambulance sent to the scene to pick up the man’s remains. On account of the delay in getting the engine into town, the ambulance did not get started to the scene until about 2 o'clock and the condition of the remains is not known. A member of the crew stated, however, that the body was in such condition it could not be put on the train by the crew and brought in. The death, it seems, was due entirely to an accident. In the dark Miller sipped and was struck by the ear and thrown beneath the wheels. Miller was a married man about 28 years of age. He has five children, besides a wife, depending upon him. \V. H.'Murry was engineer; L. Doolittle was the conductor, and A. D. Alexander uuS fireman.

CIRCULATION 2800 WEEKLY

NUMBER 7

COURT HINTS OF A PAROLE Says the Pubic Sentiment Would Favor Such Action —Weston Goes *- to Jeffersonville. yjg ■* K- ti & Judge Branyan explain'd iiis position in these words: “If it were possible I would allow him a new trial, but I have given the defendant good chances in the trial and I must take no nterest in the matter except to see that he is given a fair trial. This I think I did. giving him every point of advantage. “Passing judgment and pronouncing the sentence is not a matter of option with me,’’ continued the court, ‘ ‘ but the court is bound to do these things. The evidence warrants me to refuse a new trial. ’ ’ In passing judgment on the verdiet of the jury, the court stated that as t*he defendant is of the that requires him to be sent to the reformatory at Jeffersonville, he would, as is the custom, send to the prison authorities a statement of facts setting out that no one believes that Weston intended the blow to be fatal when it was struck. He also stated that he would immediately recommend that the prison authorities parole the defendant at the expiration of the minimum sentence of two years. The court then hinted that a petition would receive the signatures of all the jurors and the court for a parole because of public sentiment being in the defendant ’s favor.—Huntington NewsDemocrat. Why the court and other citizens of Huntington feel so badly over Weston’s sentence and go to such ends to excuse a criminal of his kind is beyond any explanation we can offer. The murder of R. J. Holthouse by Boston Weston, a drunken cab driver, was as cowardly- cruel and brutal as can well be imagined. Whether he intended to kill or not is entirely outside the question, for the man was only charged with murder in the second degree. Weston does not deny his guilt, but like a school boy, offers the excuse, “I didn’t mean to,’’ though his threats at the time lead many to think different. His conviction of manslaughter was a lucky- one for him. and should be so consdered, for it should not be forgotten that he killed a man. Now the court, the jury who convicted him, and others, are so sorry that they are already planning to secure Weston’s pardon. Surely such justice is a mockery. The appeal of Lawyer John Branyan for a new trial for his client on the grounds that the wife and babies of the murdered man appeared in court and thus affected the jury is so disgusting as to need no comment. His standard of brotherly love has certainly not advanced his reputation among Decatur people. Huntington citizens should turn their minds about and think how they should feel if one of their best citizens was invited hereand then killed, as was Mr. Holthouse.

THE END HAD BEEN EXPECTED Had Been in Poor Health Several Years and Seriously 11l a Number of Weeks. Mrs. John R. Peoples, one of the oldest residents of this county, and a well known lady of this community, died Sunday morning at her home, four and one-half miles north-east of this city, after an illness of several years' duration, death resulting from cancer of the stomach. Mrs. Peoples was sixty-three years of age and was born and reared in Virginia, remaining in that state until Mr. Peoples met her and they were united inmarriage. They at once journeyed to this county and set up housekeepng on a farm and have ever since that time made Adams county their home. Several years ago, Mrs. Peoples commeneced to decline in health and the cause was at once attributed to cancer of the stomach. Everything possible was done for her, but medical assistance seemed useless and yesterday. after many days of suffering death relieved her. The funeral services will be held Tuesday morning at. ten o'clock at the M. E. el.inch in this <-ity. Rev. J. ('. Wht officiating, and interment will be made in the Decatur cemetery. Shi- : -iv<s a husband, four daag'der - - s to meum the’:-' 1-. s.