Decatur Democrat, Volume 51, Number 10, Decatur, Adams County, 9 May 1907 — Page 1

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■ yORK SITUATION CRITICAL H en t Desires to Help Governor ■ hes _A Report on the Rural ■ , service has Been Made. ■bins'" l ’. Ma - V 7.—The venerable ■ f. Edmunds, who represented ■nt in the United States Senate ■ an y years, who was a member ■ electoral commission in 1876, ■bo has been one of the wheel- ■ o f the Republican party since ■th, is spending a few’ days at the ■al' capital. Asked by the corKdent of the News if he thought ■nt Roosevelt would have to ac■another nomination, he said: “I Kt think Mr. Roosevelt can be perKd through any amount of what ■be called popular emotion to alKimself to be a candidate for, and fce a third term election, for that Kat it is, although they may say ■as only been elected as presi- ■ once. President Roosevelt is a lof wide and patriotic views, lever much he might be demanded

irry on the government for anfour years, he would see what ormously big precedent it would Jy and by the man who might go r a third term might take a maof the voters of the country him, and it would then require a to get rid of him or else, some of our southern republics, HBvould have to take him as presi■■t for life, just as Diaz is in MexBBthe supreme ruler. Diaz is the ■Mute master of the situation in Htico, and has been for years and

May 7. —The New York n- Republican situation was under at the White House Hi'. The president had with him „ Parsons, chairman of the Refeablican committee in New York city, land congressman Bennett, of that city. “ B|e chief executive is anxious to do ... that will assist Governor 5. to get his reform legislative r: |prc jii through the legislature, but I hoi to proceed without offending the ■wernor, who has shown a dlsposiItion to resent interference from Washseems to be the problem. ■ the president dismissed the inFal revenue collector at Rochester weeks ago, it was announced that action was taken for the purpose helping the governor. A commisfor a successor to the deposed ofwas made out, but Governor let it be known that he had not for any such action on the part the president, and the appointment I held up. May 7. —The report on Me operations of the rural delivery I (t: vice up to May 1, last, made public the fourth assistant postmastershows that the total number petitions for the service received > M> to that date was 54,837, upon which adverse reports have been made, are in operation 37,597 rural served by 37,447 regular carA balance of $1,340,478 remains the appropriation for new services Spring the current fiscal year. ~ o — ■nqther boom in parlor city

asphalt Plant Closed and Electric Light Plant Losing Money. Bluffton, Ind., May 7. —(Special.) he municipal asphalt and lighting lants of this city have proved so exensive an experiment that there is o money in the general fund of the reasury and the council has ordered etrenehment in every branch of the tity government with the hope of Warding off municipal ruin. Three fears ago the city built an asphalt repair plant of its own, issuing bonds for $22,000 for the purpose. This proved too costly and the bonds have not been paid, nor has the plant earned even the interest on the money in vested. The electfic lighting plant has been no better investment. It is believed that the only way in w hich the city can recover its lost ground is to dispose of its municipal Plants and use the money for paying °ff its bonded indebtedness. o— TWO THOUSAND ON A STRIKE. Chicago, May 7. —Two thousand hod carriers today joined the bricklayers °n a strike and as a resfft building is at a standstill. The outlook for a settlement is anything but bright. Chicago is the worst labor union city in the country except San Francfsce, and as a result many factories are leaving

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BUILDING A RAILROAD GRADE In the Panhandle—Work is Slow Eight Ton Steam Shovels are Being Used. Spokane, Wash., May B.—Steam shovels, carrying eight tons, every time the scoops are filled, have been pitted against a timber covered mountain in the panhandle of Idaho, in a battle to remove the earth faster than it is shoved into the excavations by the tremendous pressure, and provide a grade for the Cui de Sac extension of the Northern Pacific railway. Engineers have been at work on the cut more than a year and the company has expended hundreds of thousands of dollars, but at present the bottom of one side of the excavation is six |to eight feet higher than it was befor the first spade was dug into the earth, while on the other side it is from 12 to 15 feet above the level it is desired to lay the rails. The slide is peculiar in that while the earth rolls down the mountain side, it is unlike a landslide. It appears to be loose and soft underneath, so much, in fact, that the pressure ot the mountain forces it upward into the cut faster than ordinary shovels can scoop it out. The mountain is covered with a growth of heavy timber, some of the trees being 100 feet to the crown, and as the slide undermines the roots, they topple over and obstruct the work of the shovels. The side of the mountain shows great crevaces, running across the face of the side, instead of from apex to base, and this suggests a hundred or more washouts. Some of the cracks are so deep a 30-foot box car could be hidden in them. The cause of the slide is not known to the engineers, though various theories are advanced. The formation is different to anything in this part of the country, the slide not being more than 100 feet wide. The earth consists of a conglomeration of broken shale, mixed with a peculiar kind of clay. At one time the side of the mountain was uniform in shape, but ages ago, the engineers say, the side of the mountain gave way and millions of tons of broken rock and clay slid down into the valley in which the town of Cui de Sac is built, forming what is called a ‘‘Missouri hogback.” It is through this that the shovels are working their way in an effort to conquer the slide. A mile and ahalf beyond this point, another slide has been encountered, which threatens to be more serious than the first one. Already an area of five acres of tillable land in a wheat field has broken away and settled two feet. The second slide occurs where a cut is being made on the north side of Papwai creek, at a point where the road begins to enter the canyon which it follows for miles to reach the prairie on the way to Grangeville. When the first steam shovel was half way through the cut about a ear ago the earth started to push upward in the excavation, as a small crack was noticed up the hillside. Little or no attention was given to it, but as the crevasse became larger and deeper investigation showed that other cracks had occurred further up the mountain. As the excavation progressed in the cut the cracks travelled further, until now they are more than a quarter of a mile back. Scores of these crevasses are from 10 to 50 feet in length, some of them shaped like a crescent, varying in depth from five to 20 feet. They increase in width as the earth is removed in the cut and the mountain slides down, having nothing to hold it back. The big steam shovels have been placed in the center of the first cut, where a "shoe-fly” track is laid, and upon this will be operated a series of flat cars to haul away the earth dug out by the scoops. If the shovels work faster than the slide, it is expected to complete the work in a year. It is not practical to run the track around the slide, so the shovels are used to wear put the mountain by digging at it until there is nothing left to slide. How long that is going to take no one will make even a guess. If the worst of the sliding is over, a grade may be reached in four or five months. On the other hand, if the entire side of the mountain has to slip into the cut, it may require a year before the extension can be used for the transportation of freight and the operation of passenger trains. Jacob Buhlef received another let : ter from his wife, who is at Chattanooga, Tenn., in search of health, stating that she is getting along fine.

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday, May 9, 1907.

| HAS DESERTED HIS BRIDE And Took with Him all Her Cash Valuable Papers—Warrant Issued for His Arrest. The mystery concerning Frank Johnson, alias Robert Branam and his roll of money was cleared up considerably when his wife appeared before Mayor Coffee and filed an affidavit against him for wife desertion. Bob or whatever his name is, left here Monday night on the 9:30 car, dressed in a painter’s suit and saying he was bound for Monroeville. He took with him $375 of his wife's money, a deed to her property, the insurance policies and about everything else of value which he could put in his pocket. He is no doubt a smooth crook, but in some way he gained the confidence of Mrs. Longacher, married her and got possession of her little stake, saved for a rainy day. He induced her to borrow money on her property and told her they would move to Terre Haute. As soon as he got her money he passed her up and began going the twentieth century through service pace. Marshal Green started today on a search for this man and if captured, he will probably be made to pay a severe penalty. ON THE NORTHERN PACIFIC At Welshes Spur near Butte—Kill the Engineer—Fourth Attempt at Same Place in Three Years. Butte, Mont., May 7. —The Northern Pacific crack flyer, North Coast Limited, was held up at Welches spur, fifteen miles east of Butte, shortly before daylight and the engineer was killed. It is presumed the robbers sought the contents of the express safe, carrying assignments of money from western banks to eastern cities. A heavy armed posse, headed by the sheriff, left here for the scene at once. The first reports from scene gave no details, and it is not known whether or not the robbers were successful. The scene of the holdup is near the spot where the robbery of the Burlington flier took place two years ago, midst a wild and rough bit of country. Today’s attempt makes the fourth in the last three years on this train. There were five men in the party. They placed a danger lantern in the center of the track and when the train stopped two men with rifles dashed at the engineer and fireman and the other three started for the safe which contained SIOO,OOO. o THEN FLASHED FIVE HUNDRED Had Money Hidden in His Sock — Romance and Mystery About this Pipeliner. Frank Johnson, alias Robart Branam, who was arrested, tried and acquitted of horse stealing here a month ago, and who a few days later was married to Bell Schlegel Longacher, and the same week “pinched” for plain drunk and went to jail, was released last evening. When given his liberty he coolly reached down into his left sock and produced a roll of greenbacks which sheriff Meyer estimates contained not less than SSOO. He then came down town and made an effort to secure the liberty of Ed Touhey, who is serving a sentence in jail and who became Johnson's intimate friend while the two were thus strangely thrown together by the hands of fate. This morning Johnson's wife was on the search for him, and it was whispered that he had left town. There is a mystery unexplained where Johnson got his huge roll. He came here with the pipe line gang. In court after his arrest he stated he had no relatives and now he claims to have inherited S7OO from home. Usually estates are not settled so promptly and some developments are expected that may clear the mist away. o— A large number of members of the local council of the Knights of Columbus will go to Decatur next Sunday to confer the degrees upon a class of candidates. The local Knights will give a card party on Wednesday night of this week and on May 23 they will give a reception.—Fort Wayne Jour-nay-Gazette.

A BUDGET OF BERNE NEWS Condensed Milk Factory a New Concern and a Busy Place—A Wedding on Tuesday. Berne, Ind.. May 8. —The entertainment given last night in the Miller & Yager hall, by the Arenas and Alphas, two literary organizations of our high school, was a grand success. The hall was well filled and the two societies cleared about $75. The program consisted of speeches, declarations, instrumental music and singing. A debate was also afeature of the evening, the question being "Resolved that the right of citizenship should be taken from the negro in the United States. The affirmative side won. Noah Gilliom, one of the high school graduates this year, who made such a hit as an orator at the commencement exercises, again delivered an excellent oration. The high school male quartette, however, made a hit and were called back again and again. Last night's program will long be remembered by all present. A Michigan farmer, hailing from the vicinity of Mendon, accompanied by his family, drove through town this morning with three covered wagons, containing his household goods. The family is on its way to Portland,where the man says he will buy a farm. Several farmers from the vicinity of Berne moved to Michigan last fall and early this spring, where they bought farms, but from the report that this man gave of the Michigan lands, prospects cannot look very flattering. The Berne Condensed Milk factory which was recently started here in the old canning factory building on the north corporation line of Berne, is now in full operation and Messrs. Zook & Miller, the owners, receive several thousand pounds of milk from the German farmers around Berne daily. Messrs. Zook & Miller have all the necessary experience to run a factory of this kind successfully, having conducted a factory at Topeka, Ind., for several years. On account of the many Germans, who keep only the best of cows, in this vicinity, Messrs. Zook & Miller were induced to move their plant to Berne and it is hoped that they will do a thriving business. Yesterday morning, at the home of her sister, Mrs. A. J. Moser, on west Franklin street, occurred the wedding of Miss Mary Lehman to Mr. Louis Reiff. The bride is the popular music teacher who has taught music in Berne for over 15 years. The groom is a Bluffton business man, he being the owner of a handle factory, at that place. We congratulate. _o — - FIRE IN HARTFORD TOWNSHIP Valuable Dwelling Completely Destroyed Monday Evening. The farm dwelling on the Jacob Shoemaker homestead, located in the southern part of Hartford township, was burned to the ground Monday evening, the loss being quite large. The property was owned by George Shoemaker and occupied by Emil Falber and family. The blaze originated from a defective flue and when discovered was under good headway. The household goods on the lower floor of the dwelling were saved, but everything upstairs was a total loss. HORSE AND BUGGY STOLEN. Marshal Green has received a notice from Randolph county that a horse was stolen from the William Ellis barn near Lynn, May 2nd. The animal is a roan mare, 12 years old, weight 1,200, blind in right eye, a steel tired buggy, red running gears and set of harness was also taken. Notify Ed Green, marshal, if you know anything about the outfit. o — ELIAS PARKER IS VERY SICK. J. D. Hale received a message Tuesevening from Wakarusa, Indiana, saying that Elias Parker, oldest child of Rev. and Mrs. B. Earl Parker, and a grandchild of Mr. Hale was much worse and asking Mrs. Hale to come at once, and she left for there this morning. The child had been ill for about two weeks, but her condition was not considered serious. Mr. and Mrs. McCombs returned to their home at Leo this morning after making a pleasant visit here with Mr. and Mrs. Charles Elzey.

SPECIFICATIONS FOR BRIDGES Union and Kirkland Township Divided into Two Voting Precincts—J. D. Hale Gets Coal Contract. The board completed the business of the session Tuesday. L. W. Lewton was appointed superintendent of construction for the Reiter & Buhlman macadam road. Henry Koeneman was given the use of the old fair grounds upon his bid of $53.40 rental for one year. Mr. Koeneman will use it for pasture purposes. Plans and specifications were adopted for the repair of the Dan Beeler bridge in Wabash township, the William Kuklehan bridge in Root township. J. W. McKean bridge in Monroe township. Jay county line bridge, George Jacobs bridge in Blue Creek township, concrete arch on French township line, arch at John Hirschey's in Hartford township. The auditor was ordered to give notice for June 3. Specifications were also adopted and bids ordered for June 3. for the furnishing of material for macadam road repair. The contract for eight cars of coal for use of the court house, jail and county infirmary was given to J. D. Hale. The contract calls for five cars of Hocking Valley, two cars of Pocahontas and one car of washed egg coal. The last legislature enacted a law whereby townships having a voting population of two hundred or more could divide the township into two voting preceincts. In accordance with this enactment of law, petitions were presented from Union and Kirkland townships, casting respectively 224 and 233 votes at the last general election, for such a division. The petitions were granted. John Herman was granted a license to retail intoxicating liquor at his present place on north Second street. Bonds were ordered sold for the building of the Winchester macadam road, which was sold to Julius Haugk Monday. The viewers’ report on the Otto Reppert macadam extension in Kirkland township was approved, and the road ordered sold June 3. o ■ — TO BE TRIED NEXT TUESDAY Comes Here from Wells County— Judges Erwin and LaFollette to Exchange Benches Thursday. Two claim cases entitled Barclay Smith vs. Clara D. Sheets, admx. of the estate of William Sheets, have been set for trial Wednesday, May 22. The case of the State vs. John Wilson, perjury, brought here on change of venue from Wells county and which was mentioned several days ago, has been filed here and set for trial next Tuesday, May 14th. Eli Crist and Noah Mangold, appraisers of property in the city of Decatur are sending out notices of the amount of said appraisement and notifying property owners that if not satisfactory they may appear before the county board of review which meets June 3rd and will continue in session forty days. Judge Erwin will go to Portland Thursday to act as special judge in a case to enforce the forfeiture of a lease. On the same day Judge Lafollette, of Portland, will be here to try the case of George A. Bohrer Brewing Co., vs. Harry Cordua et al; suit on bond, demand $650. o NO COMPROMISE AS YET. The Taft and Foraker Forces in Ohio Still Wear Hatchets. Columbus, Ohio, May 7. —Nothing in the form of a compromise has come from the visit of Senator Dick to Cincinnati at which place he was in conference wish Senator Foraker and Boss George B. Cox. It is thought that an effort will be made to bury the hatchet, if such a thing could be possible. The politicians throughout the state are becoming thoroughly frightened.

CIRCULATIOR 2800 WEEKLY

WOODMAN INHERITS A FORTUNE Letter Carriers' Place on Official Census—Northern Pacific Claim Biggest Division Office in World. Spokane, Wash., May 7. —Edward W. O'Brien, a shopper in the Watt’s logging company’s camp on Pack river in northern Idaho, northeast of Spokane, has come into his own, having been advised by the British consul that his uncle, Patrick O'Brien, who died at Sydney, Australia, recently, left his a legacy of $120,000 and several parcels of land near the Australian city. He also received a letter, supposed to contain $2,000 as a first installment, but the money was missing, the envelope having been rifled in being transferred from the coast to Sandpoint, Ida., where mail for the camp is received. The postoffice department is making an investigation. O'Brien announces he will establish a camp in the north woods, also that hew ill send for his sweetheart, Katherine Harney, now at Hammond, Ind., and invite his fellow workers to a big wedding in Spokane. Officers of the Letter Carriers’ Association of Spokane are not satisfied with the estimate of the population of this city, made by Director North’s experts, and to prove to the postoffice department that it is more than 75,000, or nearer to 96,000, claimed by the directory makers, than 60,000, the expert’s figures, they are planning to have an official census taken, bearing part of the expense of the work. The matter will be presented to the city council and chamber of commerce at meetings called for next Thursday. If the contention of the association is proved the pay of th carriers will be raised to the first class, 30 of them being advanced from SBSO to $l,lOO a year and 10 to SI,OOO. Officials of the Northern Pacific Railway claim the Spokane division of that system is the largest in the world, 22 operators and a night chief being employed under the direction of Harry Lantiy, chief operator, to handle 425 miles of track, extending from Trout Creek, Mont., to Ellensburg, Wash., and including feeders to Sandpoint, Ida., Ritzville and Pasco, Wash. Th edivision it is officially given out by President Howard Elliott, leads all others in tons pr mile of freight traffic, the tonnage amounting to 1,304,351,530, against 1,572,191,439 the year before. The importance of this becomes apparent when it is understood that the entire tonnage was handled on a single track line between the points mentioned. o AFTER A YEAR IN MICHIGAN En Route to Portland —Attracted Considerable Attention Here —Tell of the Many Hardships Endured. Silas Saxton and Jesse Weible and families and Levi Saxton went through here Tuesday noon enroute from Manton in far northern Michigan to Portland, their former home, where they expect to reside. They went to Michigan a year ago, but Silas Saxton says that twelve months winter is just a little too much for him. He has no use for northern Michigan and Indiana looked like paradise to all of them. They had been on the road three weeks, traveling in movers wagons with a stove in each wagon and the first week they traveled through ten feet of snow, making only eight miles a day. There were thirteen in the party, one of those who went with them last spring, a daughter of Levi Saxton, died in the northern country, and her remains w r ere shipped home sev'eral weeks ago accompanied by her mother and husband. The trip has been an expensive one, filled with many hardships, but the men of the party were in good cheer and said they had enjoyed parts of the year exceedingly well. They say about the only crop raised in that country is potatoes and they sold for from sixteen to twenty-two cents a bushel. o Mrs. Cal Miller returned to her home at Decatur last evening, having spent the past two weeks at the home of her brother-in-law, Tom L. Miller and wife. Mrs. Miller has been in a rather serious condition but is now recovering nicely.—Bluffton Banner.

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