Decatur Democrat, Volume 50, Number 44, Decatur, Adams County, 3 January 1907 — Page 1

ALL THE NEWS -» < ■+- ALL THE TIME

VOLUME L.

THE WORK WILL CONTINUE Throughout the Year and Many Interesting Stories May be Looked For. 1 In answer to the request of the State Librarian, the Ladies Historical Reading Club of Decatur, devoted a certain number of their meetings during this club year to the discussion of ..the history of Adams county. The first of these meetings was held on October 9, 1906, and the very earliest history to be obtained of the county and the various townships was discussed. The following facts and reminiscences were produced by the different members of the club. It was in 1794 that the white man first made his appearance in Adams county. In that year the Indian was still on the war path, and “Mad Anthony’’ Wayne of Revolutionary fame, led an army through the wilderness which is now known as Adams county, and “blazed” the trail for a path, which afterwards became a road and is still called the “Old Wayne Trace,” and is one of the oldest landmarks in the county. This road enters Madison township, Allen county, from Union township, Adams county, and is still ■used by people of these townships 'when driving to Fort Wayne. The treaty of Ghent in 1814, confirmed the peace of the Northwesterh Territory, by ending the vy of 1812, between the United States and Great Britain. The spirit of the Indian, with out his ally, the English, was broken, and he accepted the treaties and entered the reservations tendered to him by the white man. It was now possible for the pioneer to enter this Vast wilderness in safety. Yet is was nearly 1818, before the white man again appeared in Adams county. This time he “blazed” the tress and cleared the path for a trail from Fort Recovery to Fort Wayne. This trail ran through the county from southeast to northwest and was made to carry military stores from one fort to the other. It was afterwards known as .the “Old Piqua Road,” and over it many an emigrant toiled through the juud from Southern Ohio to their new’homes in Indiana, which was then said by enthusiasts, "‘Would soon become the •garden spot of the United States.” Along this old military road the first clearing was made of about one acre, around a military camp, close to some springs. This camp was in what is now known as Root township, on what is now called the old Reynolds farm. In 1819 tM’first cabin in Adams county was built by Henry Lowe at the head of what was afterwards calffi Thompson’s prairie in Blue Creek township. The second cabin was built in Root township in 1820 by Robert Douglass at the military camp before spoken of. The third cabin was built by Mr. Ayres on the “old Wayne Trace” in 1821. This place is now known as the old Acker farm and is in St. Marys township. Shortly after a Mr. Green located near the St. Marys river not far from Mr. Ayres. These were aH the settlers known to have located in Adams county before 1826. Four cabins in 336 squar# miles. These first four settlers of Adams county appear to have been merely squatters, as two of them Messrs. Lowe and Douglass soon Removed to ■other parts of Indiana. Messrs. Ayres and Green probably entered their land after living for a time upon their claims'. In 1822-2" he govt'ntrent made a survey of tn? <and of th-s county, into sections ail I>. 1824 tne first’ iand entry wa' made in rhe County by • Benjamin Ke: cbville <n St Marys the second in the same-year oy Benjamin Gently. This comprised a part of the old Reynolds farm, including the improvements made by -. Robert Douglass at the old military camp. The third land entry was made by John Ross in 1829 at the mouth of Blue Creek. Mr. ,Ross remained on his land the rest of his life, dying after the civil war. In 1831 John Reynolds and in 1832 Jerry Rowe also entered land. After this fifth entry in 1832, the settlers came in so rapidly, that in 1838 the lands in the county were almost entirely taken up. In 1833 Peter Sudabaker came to Wabash township. In 1835 Col. William Vance also catoe to Wabash township, and along with him came Samuel Simison, who entered land in Hartford township. In 1836 Robert Simison also came • to Hartford township and is still living. In 1838 Mr. French moved to the township which was named after him. The south part of the county was settled

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slowly and mostly by immigrants from Ohio. The families of Studabaker, Simison and Vance were the only inhabitants , within eight miles for quite a while. When Indiana was admitted into the | Union, the State was first organized into 13 counties. Knox county was afterwards divided into thirty counties. From Knox county, Randolph county was struck off and when organized i Included Allen within its limits. Allen • county was separated and organized j in 1823, and Adams county formed a ■ part of it. In 1833 some of the most' public spirited of the pioneers who had i located and entered land around the particular spot of ground upon which Decatur now stands, petitioned the commissioners of Allen county to organize a township up the St. Marys, the petition was granted and the honor of naming it was given to Mr. Samuel Rugg,- who named it Root after the Governor of New York, which was •Rugg’s native State. An election was held and Samuel Rugg and Ezais Dailey received a tie vote for Justice of the Peace. The candidates then cast lots for the office, and Mr. Rugg was declared elected, and became, therefore, the first Justice of the Peace in Adams county, and the first in Root township, and also making Root township older by three years than the county of Adams. An act passed the General Assembly in 1836 to separate from Allen and organize the county of Adams. The first record in the court house, in Decatur, pertains to the first meeting of the county commissioners. The first election was held in April, 1836, and this meeting of the commissioners was held in May of the same year. John S. Rhea, Samuel Smith and William Heath were the first commissioners of the county, Samuel Rugg, clerk, and David McKnight, sheriff. At this first meeting, much business was transacted. A treasurer for the county was appointed, also John R. Evans was made seminary trustee. Constables, assessors, inspectors of election, fence viewers and road supervisors for the township were appointed and duly sworn into office until the next January, 1837, when the next election was to be held. Grand jurors ahd petit jurprs were also chosen, the site for the county seat selected and then the commissioners adjourned, and Adams county was duly organized and ready for party organizations, political strife, public Improvements, and —taxes, all of which are still going forward, especially the taxes. - As the county was originally organized, it comprised only the two townships of St. Marys and Root. To St. Marys belonged about three fourths of the southern part of the county; to Root the remaining fourth towards the north. All the legislation of the first commissioners court was for these two townships. In 1836, at the June session, Wabash township was created out of the southern part of St. Marys township. Their first election was held in August. In 1838 three new townships were carved out of St. Marys—Blue Creek, Jefferson and Washington, with elections appointed for April, 1839. One justice of the peace, one constable, two road supervisors, two overseers of the poor, two •' fence viewers and one inspector of elections, seem to have been the requisite number of official dignitaries necessary for the peace and safety of each township. At the first meeting of the commissioners in 1839, Preble township was cut off from Root and an election authorized. At the May session, 1839, French township was defined and election of officers appointed. In March, 1840,. Monroe township was set off and duly organized. The following September, Union township was created and about two years later, Hartford and Kirkland townships were organized, thus completing the twelve townships comprised in Adams county at the present time. As the organization of every township began with an election, it follows that the most prominent men of each township were chosen by their fellrws to take charge of the official affairs. Those pioneers who came first and “came to stay,” entering their land to make a home for themselves, extending a hearty welcome and such help as they were able to give, to each newcomer, soon acquired the leading influence in their respective localities and each did his share in helping to build up their part of the commonwealth. o Rev. and Mrs. White came home today from Cincinnati, where they were at the bedside of Mrs. White’s father, whb’is’veryTl and whose recovery is doubtful.

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 1907.

1 1 1 • 1 i Hl+'Hl'H'l'W' ■ t ” y • • ii: The Birth of Time ;; A New Years’Poem •• «• When chaos ruled the universe with the silence !! *’< < ■ of the tomb, < > «> ' ’ ~ And the Spirit rode the waters in the midnight J J j ■ • of that gloom, II No fleeting years were freighted then with •• < ■ human hopes and fears, * * •• ■ ■ • • For ruthless Time was then unknown—un- «• J ‘ born recurring years. • • < > But when the Eternal spake the word and I * • • •> ' < > ” placed the’ stars on ,high, •• * *’ * • ~ And suns and moons were set adrift a cycling ** •• < ■ • ■ the sky, ~ :: . Young Time sprang forth with keen-edged blade • • , J ' * ’ , a at dawn of world’s first day, J ’ 11 a a And with a giant’s mighty tread has held a • • !; tyrant’s sway. J ‘ < • The new born Year tho’ cradled on the wings ’J of sunny morn - •• IB • ■ a, Pursues its flight through darkest night nor ~ ;; * rests midst wildest storm. a a !; The joy of song and sweet acclaim ascend from J J • » SB ■ > templed walls, «, J J And yet, he tarries not at shrines, nor mercy’s ' • ~ pleading calls. ** <> a a <• Midst shadowed vales, where Sorrow rests and a, .. . ~ J * Gnomes of Anguish dwell, , V a, His meteoric flight proceeds unanswered by H • • wails from hell «• But God shall slimmon back to Him these ’* aa , , a > unrelenting years a a ab a , ** Enwrapped in shrouds of chill and snow and ** aal a a a a laved with human tears; ~ ;; While Time all panoplied iilth Hope, the World «• ' ’ his mantle flings, J * aa , , a a And thus through Hope is Earth led up to ■ ■ •>• a a • ’ Life’s eternal springs. < 1 « • Y ■ I » a * Soffin L. Goode J J ♦<■»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ »♦< Illi ‘

BROUGHT FROM MANSFILED, O. Sheriff-Elect Myers Performs First Duty by Going After Him. Will Waggoner is in jail awaiting trial on a charge of horse stealing. He was brought here Sunday night from Mansfield, 0., where he was serving a sentence for a similar crime, Sher-iff-Elect Eli Meyers performing this as his first service. Waggoner who was reared in this county, came home for a visit about two years ago. A few days later, he wem to Brown Bros.’ livery barn at Borne and hired a rig, saying he wanted to drive to Linn Grove. Instead he drove here and sold the horse at the Robinson feed yard and escaped.' The police searched for him several months and finally he was nabbed at Delaware, 0., where he had stolen another horse. Officials here put in a claim for him, and after servfng a year or more he was given over to the officials here with the understanding that if not convicted, he is to be returned. He will likely be tried soon. o » DURING NEXT THREE MONTHS Usual Rule Again Goes Into Effect Among the Merchants of Decatur. The season of early closing for business houses is here again and the rule has already gone into effect. From now on until spring, practically every store, excepting groceries, drug stores and restaurants will close at six o’clock each evening excepting on Monday and Saturday evening. The clothing, dry goods, shoe stores and hardware dealers have already agreed to this rule and other businesses will fall in line. During the next three months there is practically no business done after supper and the expense is greater than the profits. This system of early closing gives the merchant almost a holiday as it permits him, as well as the clerks to enjoy social affairs and to get better acquainted with his family. The rule has been observed at this season for several years and has proven very satisfactory.

. MISS ARBYE LOCH IS CHOSEN ; Popular Young People Married at Berne on New Year’s Day Morning. Miss Arbye Loch and Mr. Grover Hoffman, two popular young people of ' this city, were united in marriage 'New Year’s day morning at ten o’clock at • the home of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene i Runyon at Berne. The wedding came as a surprise tl the many friends of the young couple, as they were not aware that they were contemplating marriage immediately. The happy young couple left morning on the early train for Berne, and at ten o’clock at the Runyon home in the presence of only a very few friends were united in marriage by the Evan-, gelical minister of that city. A quiet wedding dinner was served at noon, and the young people left on the northbound train on their wedding tour. Miss Loch is the beautiful and accomplished daughter of Mr. and Mrs. N. A. Loch and has a host of friends who wish her a long and happy life. Mr. Hoffman, the groom, is the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hoffman of this city and among the most popular young men of this city and like his father is engaged in the contracting business. Cards were received today by a number of Decatur people, announcing that the young people would be at home in two weeks at the home of the bride’s parents, on North Second street. The Democrat extends congratulations. o Some English scientists are said to be about to establish a weather bureau the apparatus of which shall consist of some sensitive plants imported from California, announces the New York Press. It is well known that the various varieties of these plants are affected by changes in atmospheric conditions; but then, so is the rheumatism in grandpa’s knee; and the fur on pussy’s back is a sure indication of the electrical condition of the circumambient ether., Perliapq pussy and grandpa willrbe added to the scientific apparatus of the British weather bureau when it fairly gets going.

J OPERA HOUSE WAS CROWDED » I » I - ■ ■ - 1 1 * J' Over Three Hundred Dollars Netted • for the Elks’ Charity a Fund. • Over five hundred people witnessed a the first annual minstrel show of the I Decatur Lodge No. 993 B. P. 0. Elks, J at the opera house Tuesday evening , and have pronounced it, as advertised, J a screaming success. The proceeds • will go to the Elks’ charity fund and . over S3OO will go to enrich that worthy cause. The Elk boys never do ’ things by half and they certainly gave > the best home talent performance ever given in Decatur. To Prof. Fred La- ’ Delle and F. E. France is due unlimit- > ed credit, for it was due to their unI tiring efforts that the performance J was staged and the two hours’ per- • formance pulled off without a hitchI The big’ event began with the millionI dollar noon day parade, led by Mose ; and Earl, the biggest and smallest, > and followed by the entire line-up of I Elks. At promptly 8:15 last evening ( the curtain rang up presenting a • chorus of thirty voices and with Prof. I , LaDelle in the center as interlocutor. J Two ladies, Miss Marie Beery and • Miss May Niblick took part in the > chorus, the* others being all gentlemen. J The men wore white shirt waists, ’ black trousers and blue Elk ties and • as the curtain went up there wai a ! shout of approval from the audientfe. i During the singing of the > ; chorus, “Alice, Where Art Them?” ! by the company, the four end men,' C. J O. France, H. L. Conter, C. E. Neptpiie • and E. G. Coverdale, entered and the > fun immediately began. No better seI lections could have been made and the ; funny boys in black kept the audience • screaming with funny, jokes . and J songs. The roasts were good-natured J and harmless and were taken in the • right spirit by those for'whom liiteridI ed. C. O. France- sang “I’m Wise” and ’ started the show- off with a-hit.- -He • surprised his friends .and.proved, him- • self a clever black face article. H. L. ’ Conter followed with “Be What You • Is,” and his rich contralto voice filled > the big opera house. Ballads by Miss ; Beery and Mr. Hugh-Jitte. • ful musical selection, and C. E.-Nep-" tune followed with “When Mose With His Nose Leads the Band.” Dick has 1 on previous occasions proven his ability, but he was at his very best last night. In his turn he was assisted t in the chorus by Mose Krohn. A quartette composed of Messrs. Walter Johnson, Harvey Lee, Colonel Foreman and Hugh Hite gave two catchy selections, J. A. Ernsberger sang “On the Deep,” and was forced 'to repeat. . Dr. E. G. Coverdale then made the hit ■ of the evening with song and imitation . of “Bill Simmons,” a “coon” who had t a feelln’ like St. Vitus dance in his j feet. He proved a good singer and a > clever dancer. In fact he was so ’ good that we hardly believe he was : entitled to the “unkind cuts” from his ; brother end men. Miss Mae Niblick ■ sang a beautiful solo, “Spoon Time,” : and the first part of the program concluded by the company singing “Good Old U. £'. A.” The second part of the ; entertainment began with a unique song and dance turn by the clever little LaDelle Sisters, put up express,ly for the Elks’ show. They are sweet little girls and were "perfectly at home on the stage. They were forced to respond three times. Papa William Mersman gave two beautiful solos on his accordion and pleased the crowd with the sweet music he furnished. M. J. Krohn and E. B. Adams did an original comical turn, their appearance on the stage being all that was necessary to make the audience howl. The entertainment continued with a fortyfive minute turn in magic by that King of the Mysterious, Frederick C. LaDelle. He was assisted by his son Clifford, a chip off the old block and their work.was as good as was ever put on any stage. Chickens, doves and other fowls were produced at will and at the close the stage resembled a poultry show. It was a great event : and the boys have certainly set a good pace with their first annual minstrel. A social session was held ; at the Elks’ club rooms after the per- : formance. < 0 The Commercal Club of Terre Haute i will make a systematic canvass for < subscriptions to a $150,000 guarantee 1 fund to be used in bringing indus- j tries to that city. When such a fund j was suggested a few weeks ago doubt t was general about raising the amount, i but unsolicited subscriptions amount- 1 ing to $40,00 reassures the club offi- i cials. <

CIRCULATION 2800 WEEKLY

WARM WELCOME IN FT. WAYNE Regular Service May be Established by January 10—The Decatur Party Feast. The Fort Wayne & Springfield Traction company has made its initial bow to Fort Wayne and has been warmly welcomed. The first car from Decatur 4o Fort Wayne made the run yesterday ahd by January 10 it is believed regular service will be established. The run yesterday was a test to note the condition'V’f the roadbed. For a distance of seveh. miles out of Decatur the car, ah express coach, was operated by power from the company’s plant at Decatur. At the seven-mile point the connections made up to date cease and the car was pushed to the city limits by a steam locomotive. At the city limits power connection was made and, piloted by officials of the Fort Wayne & Wabash Valley Traction company, the car proudly 'Tirade its way down Calhoun street, around the Clinton street loop and wound up at the interurban freight yards. Several things were demonstrated by the trial run yesterday, chief of which is the fact that the Fort Wayne & Springfield company has a road over which cars can run and an unusually good road, too. The roadbed was found to be in fine condition for a new line and as quickly as the overhead wire work is given its last touches the road will be in ship-shape. The delay in starting, however, is not due to the roadbed or the wire work, but to the equipment of the cars. Two coaches yet remain to be equipped but the Westinghouse experts say they will have 'them completed by January 10. - The test oar -left Decatur yesterday iporning. at. 9 o’clock and at 11:30 was at the city limits. Some delay was met with in adapting the car to the use of the current on the city lines and it arrived down town about the noon "hour.' The car was met at the city-limits-by General Manager C. D. .City. , Superintendent Tony Lintz. Chief of Power M. J. Kehoe and Master Mechanic J. Lee Jacques, of the Wayne & Wabash Valley Mr. F. H. KleeKamp; locrn attorney for the Fort Wayne. & -Springfield company, who wished those aboard a happy New Year and extended congratulations upon the completion of the road. After arriving down town, those who made the trip from Decatur were tendered a dinner at the New Avellne Hotel by the officials of the Fort Wayne & Springfield company. The start back to Decatur was made at 3:10 p. m. Those who composed the party from Decatur were Mr. W. H. Fledderjohann, president and general manager of the road; Mr. Edwin ’ Fledderjohann, treasurer; Mr. John Koenig, chief counsel; the Messrs. Charles and Henry Dlrkson, directors and heavy stockholders; Mr. T. W. Shelton, general superintendent; Mr. Clarence Fledderjohann, a son of President Fledderjohann; Mr. George Dusenberre, manager of the Cleveland office of the Westinghouse Electric company, and the following Westinghouse experts: The Messrs. D. L. Kaiser, G. W. Brown, T. E. Tynes, W. C. Hughes, I. J. Dickson, H. H. Rushbridge and John Wessell. The Westinghouse men have put in some hard work in their efforts to complete the equipment of the road and cars and the officals of the company are loud in their praise of their faithfulness and competency. The officials, themselves, feel elated at the accomplishment of their hopes and were highly pleased at the warm welcome exhibited by Fort Wayne in the advent of the road.—Fort Wayne Jour-nal-Gazette. o ARE FIGHTING HIGH LICENSE Indiana Prohibitionists Are Against Increase of License. Prohibitionists of Indiana are already busily engaged in organizing a legislative lobby to fight the high license bill. The lobby will work outside the legislative halls as well as inside. Edward W. Clark, secretary of the Prohibition State committee, said that the State organization plans to hold debates in all parts of Indiana during January and February and to have Prohibition orators argue against high license with ail comers. In addition to this the State committeee will send out pamphlets containing speeches of well known Prohibition workers against the high license proposition. Every legislator will receive one of these pamphlets. •;

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