Decatur Democrat, Volume 50, Number 24, Decatur, Adams County, 16 August 1906 — Page 1

ALL THE NEWS ALL THE TINE

VOLUME jB

BIG FIRE AT GENEVA ' -.-r—; ;?V .< Destroyed House And Two * Big Barns •.’ - - ■ -"• ■' S' 1 OTHER BUILDINGS WERE FIRED , Northeast Tart of Town Was Threat- , ened for a Time, But Was Saved by Heroic Work. I *■' * most disastrous fire that has occurred here sinee the big fire of several years ago, when the business part of the town was destroyed, came Tuesday afternoon, when a spark from a passing G ,R. & I. engine, at least it is supposed that* was ■the cause, - -set X: wfire to the Frank Sullivan bam, in which were stored four tons of hay and a ton of straw. Tn less time that it takes to tell it, the whole bam was a mass of seething, roaring flames and before the Are department could reach the scene of the conflagration, 0. C. Fink’s bam, which was built alongside of the Sullivan barn, was afire and doomed to destruction. The Fink bam contained a large quantity of hay, too, .and the intense heat from the flames set the Sullivan home, a large frame residence, to burning. . The firemen put forth .all their efforts to save the house, but despite their hard work, the fire fiend proved to be their master and by this time -the Fink residence and the Al Bliss home, on each side of the Sullivan residence, were afire. All the househeld furnishings from both these hotSes, and most of the goods from the Sullivan home were removd by the citizens who nobly responded to the firemen’s aid. It was only by the hardest work that the Fink ana Bliss homes were saved. The SulITVan house was reduced to ashes. For awhile it loked as -though the whole northeast part of town was in danger of destruction, for. a high wind carried the burning embdrs in» all directions. Fortunately, the wind • soon died down and no other serious fires were discovered, though’ several different buildings were on fire at times. ■ ;': v " The contents of both bams were destroyed. In Mr. Fink’s barn, besides his winter’s supply of feed, was a fine rig and two horses. The horses were all that were saved and it was simply a miracle that the animals were safely gotteh away. In Mr. Sullivan’s bam a big stock of turf goods, together with the hay, straw and other feed, a good rig and many other articles were burned. Up until two weeks ago, “The Judge,” "a.; fine stallion, and “Anderson Mack,” a race horse, were kept here. The former is now in .Van Buren, and the latter is in training, at the Portland track. >. Mr. Sullivan’s loss is roughly estimated al $2,000, but may go above that, and he has $1,500 insurance. S3OO -will probably cover Mr. Fink’s loss, with $l5O insurance. No damage to speak of, was done to the Bliss house, except that resulting from the removal of the goods. The fire department deserves great credit for the manner in which they '* ! so successfully combatted with the flames and many of the townspeople are to come in for a share of the praise, too. This is the second big fire here this week, and the are thinking that, for' the present, at least, we have had enough. The ball game between Winchester and Geneva was not played Tuesday, for just as the teams were going onto the field, the fire alarm was sounded and the boys were needed there. NEW CASE WAS FILED TODAY Attorneys A. P. Beatty and Schurger & Smith filed a new case entitled Delma Teeple vs Theophilus Phillips and a number of other defendants, complaint to quiet title to land in township. The return is made foi\ •‘tober 22.

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THE BIG SHOW COMES FRIDAY Cole Brothers Will be Here in AH Their GloryHave you, who patronize tent shows ever considered the important part •the hand fills. Most likely few if any of you ever gave the matter a though;. Yet what would the performance be were it not for the men who play the brass t As dismal a failure, you remark, as would grand opera be without an orchestra. Quite correct. There’s something magical about a tent show band, too. Whether one stands upon the street corner as the parade passes or sits within the huge canvas ampitheatre listening to the musicians, there is awakened an unknown something within one’s sytem which sends the,blood tingling through one’s veins as nothing else can. There are-bar>ds..an<i-b4uids,,but-never'has' a single one approached the perfected excellence of the superb organizations for which Cole. Bros. ’ United Shows have long been noted. This season Messrs. Cole have especially engaged one of the foremost band masters and concert bands before the public, Prof. Tinney and his own company of carefully selected and finished musieians. The men are skilled intrumentalists who have been educated to a high degree of proficiency. Director Tinney is, furthermore, a past-master of program making, catching the passing fancies of the people, mingling popular selections with classical music. This is a rare taent but an invaluable one for a leader. When in England a year ago, Prof. Tinney’s band gave one of its choice musical recitals in Windsor Castle, “by command” of King Edward, thus adding to its international reputation. It is claimed that 1 while in America thrs organization will be heard only in Cole Brothers’ United Shows which will be seen at Decatur, afternoon and evening, Friday, August 17. For forty-five minutes preceding the two performances, the band will occupy the cfenter stage in the “big top” from which it will render a high-class concert. That you will miss no part of this rare treat it will be advisable for you to reafih your seat earlyCAUSES ARREST OF MR. VAIL I I J —- For Employing a Boy Under Sixteen * Years of Age—Will Enforce the Law Strictly. State -Deputy Factory Inspector Thomas Williamson, is in Decatur, looking after the various industries, including factories, bakeries, printing offices and all other places where help is employed. He advises as to the safety of various appliances, also looks after proper fire escapes, the provision of water for employees and a hundred other details. One provision of the state law upon-which He is very strict, is the one providing ■ that no child under sixteen years of age shall be employed in any factory ; or about any machinery. While in-j specting the Decatur Filler factory, he discovered that one of the em-. ployees, Bart Schraleker was but thirteen years of age, and he promptly' filed an affidavit against John W.' Vail, the owner of the plant. Mr. Vail was arraigned before ’Squire Smith and fined one dollar, which he promptly paid. Inspector Williamson says he means to enforce the law and will cause the arrest of anyone employing child labor in Decatur. ' i While police officers were losing sleep and working like beavers to complete a chain of evidence which, they declare, would send Bill Smith, ■ of Decatur, to t(ie penitentiary, Police Judge B. W. Skelton yesterday went to the county jail and at the instance of Smith’s wife and attorneys took his little hammer and knocked, the efforts of the officers to bring about justice by opening the prison doors and turning Smith loose. The attorneys for Smith, the Messrs. Strurim & Kinncrk,. arp not to bl blamed for attempting to free their cfient and the poor wife is to be less blamed than pitied, but on the part of Judge Skelton the action is not wholly able and wholly without precedent, ■ but highly improper.—Ft. Wayne-Jourdal-Gazette. i •'

DECATUg, INDIANA, THUfeaDAT, AUGUST U. IW.,

COUNCIL SESSIONS ' ’ . • •» ' Ordinance Passed ton3 - ■ ,y l .t L -3J 4 renttag Refuse Removal ELM STREET SEWER DISCUSSED Question Referred to City Attorney —Clerk Ordered to Issue Licenses. The City Council met in continued session Tuesday evening, Mayor Cotfee presiding and every councilman answering to roll call. An ordinance to secure the removal of dead animals from the corporate limits of the city, prescribing by whom the' same shall,..be removed, providing’-.penalties • for a violation thereof, and declaring an emergency, was read and duly passed by the council. This ordinance makes it unlawful fojr persons to permit the dfircass of a dead animal to remain within the corporate limits of the city and prescribes I ha: they shall be removed in a covered wagon so that no part of the animal can he seen by the public and that the fine for any violation of the same shill not be less than one dolar. The council then proceded to enter into contract with Isadore Kalver and William Hurst, granting them the exclusive privilege to gather up and haul away and consume in an odorless manner all such dead animals, the said Kalver and Hurst giving i.o >,i;e city a bond for the faithful performance of their part of the contract. The bond and entrant were approve! by the council and duly signed by the proper city authorities. D. D. Heller than consumed an hour of the council’s time in citiig the law governing, the question, of reviving city commissoners in the Elm street sewer matter, the council, howfiyef, taking no action at the present, but instructed the city attorney to look up the, citations given and render his opinion. Christen then moved that the City Clerk' be instructed! W issue licenses according to the Law, and that the Mayor sign same. The Mayor refused to put the question to a vote, stating that it was out of order. Christen appealed to the council and the question carried over the Mayor’s veto. Upon motion the coun-~ cil adjourned to meet next Tuesday evening. NOT SURPRISED AT DECLINE Oil Men Were Looking for Prices to Drop. What effect the decline in the price of credit balances will have on operations in the Indiana field remains to Ibe seen. With so much oil in sight i in the new Illinois and mid-continent fields, there is little surprise at the j decline, the surprise hr ’-g ' hrt t* 1-1 j price did not take a dowuwai l coutao long ere it did. The Illinois field is ’ yet an unknown quantity and looks as . though it would make a field superior ( to any yet opened up in the country and is growing in size each day. There is no activity to speak of in any portion of the IncShna field, and most of the development work is confined to leases that require work to hold . them; otherwise but little outside .work is doing in the field proper: (but in the southern part of the state there is destined to be considerable work ■done before the winter months j set in. i : 1_ The City Improvement Society js today distributing the large cans about the city in which is to be placed waste paper and other rubbish. The scheme is a good one and every citizen should make it his or her business to throw any waste paper they mfty see along the' street into these eai *. The cans have cost the socte u v a goodly sum of mbney and they hope to leap the benefit by keeping the streets clean . Help the cause along, as it is a good one and costs nothing. i ’ A marriage license was issued to William Jackson, aged thirty, and ; Ella Berger, aged twenty-two.

THE BEGINS TdDAY Ibys of" the Old 160th Gaiter at r. *’€' ? ’• v < •• -■ • t Winona. | t A number of members of Co.'B> <*£ 4 ie old 160th regiment left yester- < ay for Winona to attend their ani ual reunion in session there today £nd tomorrow. Arrangements are t ompiete and one of the best meetings in the history at the organisation is anticipated. The order df exercises - * A ■ j Wednesday a. m., registration at leadquarters, Entrance building, WlDona Lake. I 12:30 p. m. Mess, Winona Lake. Quartermaster Sergeant H. Kehler snd cooks from Coifipany H will be detailed for these respective duties to prepare megs in accordance* with the jjhitedf States army regulations. There qf A' ‘ cbm.e : ” ’ flor all. guards and men on special duty. p. m. Entertainment. The Kilties band at the auditorium, Winona Lake. 5:00 p. m. Business meeting in. the court house at Warsaw. 6:30 p. m. Parade at Warsaw. 8:00 p. m. Campfire to be held In the Warsaw opera house. 9:00 a. m. Thursday. Excursion on Che lake, Winona Lake. ho COMPLETE ARRANGEMENTS Ticket Sellers and Collectors are Appointed—Two New Members Take in. The stockholders of the Great Northern Fajr association met at the office of County Sheriff Butler yestermorning to complete arrangements tor the big fair to be held week after next. A good attendance was present and everyone showed keen interest. Two new members, Chris Boknecht and Thomas Perkins were taken into the association. George Brewster will have entire charge of the gates and under him will be the following ticket sellers and collectors: W. F. R. Schug, Simeon Bowers, W. T Waggoner, H. G. Edwards, Mike Miller, Henry Eiting, P. A. Macklin, John Steele, Calvin Teeter and Chris Boknecht. The grandstand will be cared for by John D. Nidlinger and M. A. Ripley, with J. S. -Lower as . usher. Conrad Gillig was appointed superintendent of water. Superintendent o.f Horses John P. Stiener, will report for duty on Saturday before the fair and the other superintendents on Monday. Everything has been completed to make this year’s fair a banner one and the biggest crowds in . the, history of the Great Northern are expected. SUCCESS OF LEE EfiLSWORTH From a Fort Wayne Errand Boy to a Star. I stud",’ a strong will, pleasing personality, a goodly amount of that Indiana “git up and’ git,’.’ and the ability to stand the hard knocks which are dealt out to all aspiring theatrical folk is accountable for Mr. Lee Ellsworth’s phenomenal rise in his chosen profession. It is not so very many years ago since Mr. Ellsworth was errand boy in L. O: HulUh Calhoun street store, in Fort Wayne, and it will not be long until he has reached the top notch. PARADE WAS a SOLEMN ONE --II II . ■ i G. A .R. Boys Hobbled by—AU Show Their Age. Scripps-iacHae Special. MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., Aug. 15.— Impressive and solemn was the fortieth grand parade of the G. A.a b. today. The realization came to thous- . aads of the spectators as the veterans hobbled by, that the end of,this grand feature, of encampments was not far distant. Many were pitiful i sights as the line displayed in a ] straggling fashion down the streets. The weather eruditions were ideal. Mrs. J. B. Bentz and sort left tips : morning for Kimball, after making i a pleasant visit, here with relatives.

DR. J. N. NURTY f -..Tr- 3 ifLto * Will Lecture Jere Next IN AFTERNOON His Talks Will be of Especial Interest to Teachers, Trustees and Physicians. ’4 ■ ‘ .• ’ <. > ' -* •' It should be remembered that the Adams County Teachers’ Institute convenes here next Monday and that on that date, Dr. J. N. Hurty win deliver two lectures in this city. Dr. Hurty is secretary of the state board of. health; of Indiana, and holds ■ a high rank over all the United States. . His - lec t ures will be of espec ia I interest, not only to teachers, but to every physician in the county, every township trustee and every person interested in the heath of the children and in the driving' but of tuberculosis, the great white plague whieh causes more deaths in Indiana than any other disease. Everyone should hear these talks by one of the best posted men in the entire! country. Dr. Hurty’s subject for the afternoon will be, “What Can Teachers Do to Benefit the Health, of School Children?” and in the evening, “The Prevention and Cure bf Tuberculosis.” (Illustrated.) < The rest of the ■ Institute program is high class and you dan learn many things of interest by attending any or all sessions thereof. BERNE WITNESS SPEAKS UP Says a Word About Teachers Who Violate Their Contractst We say again as we said last winter, there is a “screw loose” regarding the contracting of teachers, ai least for the Berne schools, and presumably for all schools in the state. Teachers who have contracted for schools seem to bear no,resjgpnsibility whatever, either legally <sr morally, for keeping their side of the contract. Repeatedly the Berne schools have been made to suffer' heavily through the irresponsible resigning of teachers in the middle of a term, simply for a “better position” elsewhere, and school boards have lacked the moral or legal’ backbone, to make these regenades suffer through an adequate forfeiture of earned salaries. This summer one indvidual has twice accepted a position in the Berne schools and twice ‘resigned.” This, we understand, happened without the fault of the school board, but simply through the seeming fickleness of the applicant. If the law in regard to the binding engagement of teachers to contracts is inadequate, as it seems to be, now is the time for the school boards all over the state to get ready to memorialize the coming legislature to the effect that that body remedy the evil. A school teacher should certainly be bound as firmly by contract as any other individual. —Berne Witness. MRS. ALBERT CLARK IS DEAD Former Adams County Lady Died at Midland, Michigan. A telegram received yesterday afternoon announced the sad news that Mrs. Albert Clark had died at Midland, Michigan. She had been sick for some time with lung trouble and the end came yesterday morning. Mrs. Clark lived in this county until a ( year ago, when her husband bought a farm in Michigan and moved there. Her husband and two young'children survive her. Mrs. Clark was a sister of Samuel Paulison. The family lived on the Fred Schafer farm south of town for a nuipber of years and Mrs. Clark was Wfejtt known .and much be-i loved. ; > j The infant child of Mr. and Mrs. James Hahn, Who reside in the south part of the city, was buried this morning in the Ray cemetery flear Monroe. The child died last evening.

CIRCULATION 2800 WEEKLY

I Monroeville woman is draw Longsw"rth Dies at a Ripe Old ■ •- —--.... MONROEVH.E, Ind., Mrs. Harriet Longsworth died' at her'' home on Allen street Monday night About 10 o’clock, aged seventy-five She was-born in Delaware 6 county, 0., in 1832; was married to David Leterer in 1851, who lived but one week, and was again married to Jackson Lpngsworth in 1855. Her husband was killed in the civil war, j leaving her With four small children ' to provide for, which she successfully 5 i raised, besides paying off a heavy int debtedness on her farm. She moved 1j to Indiana in 1882 and purchased a . I farm, now belonging to John Castle, 1 ( near Monroeville. She had resided in 1 Monroeville since 1892. While resid- . ing in Ohio she was a member of the - United 'Brethren church, but finding > no class of that kind on moving here ir she joined the Lutheran church and 1 remained a member until her. death. - The following children survive her: - Mrs. John Morgan, of this place; 1 Mrs. Steele of Dixon, Ohio; Mrs. Hen--1 ry StelbaUm of Paulding county, D.; 1 and Mrs. Rev. Edward Taylor of Odt en, Daviess county, Ind. The funeral •. services will be held Thursday at 1 1:30 p m. from the house and 2 o’3 clock at the Lutheran church, Rev. - J. L. Powers officiating Burial in the 9 I. O. O. F. cemetery. A BLOW TO THE STATE - LIFE 1 y Was the State Agency Company Rer .• ■ cently Started. Many policyholders of the State Life Insurance company who were in- > duced to take insurance in consideration of stock in the State Agency company, have written the company to cancel their policies and return the _ unearned portion of the premium to - them. They are doing this because of 1 the misrepresentations made by the - company through its agents. The . stock was talked, up to the skies and, r j as the Agency company is now in the (i J hands of a receiver and the stock will , ’ never draw the Standard Oil size div- - idends as were so beautifully pictured 5 by the agents of the State Life, the 1 policyholder believes the insurance j company which “fathered” the , cy company ought to return the mo - ney wrongfully obtained. 1 It will be many years before the s . State Life recovers from the bad ef--’fects caused by the State Agency (company. As long as there are any > stockholders of the Agency company 5 living they will always remind others , ■ that it was the State Life that asi sisted in the promotion of the delectr able Agency company. k — »■ 11l ■ ! . .. 11. , . ' BRYAN TO VISIT AUSTRALIA. h 1 'REFORMED PICNIC HELD TODAY Members From Six Churches Hold Reunion. 1 I ft The annual picnic of the Reformed churches, German and English, of Decatur, Bluffton, Vera Cruz, Berne, IMagley and Honduras is being held 'today in the Arnold grove,'West of Peterson and an immense crowd Is in attendance. A happy crowd of young and old people, also middleaged, left here this morning for the picnic grouhds, and their beaming faces told of the good time they anticipated. These picnics have been annual affairs for several years and have proved most enjoyable affairs for the church members and families. 1 When his term of office expires on September first, Marshal Crosbie will sever his connection entirely with the city police force and has no intention of trying to secure a place as a merchant policeman, a job he looked after at one time. He has about tjvo and one-half miles of gravel road in Jackson township which he will superinitend and he will also get out of the pit about 1,000 yards of gravel tp ( be used in road repairs. After his road work is off his hands he expects, to give most of his time to buying stock. ' —Bluffton News.

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