Decatur Democrat, Volume 51, Number 32, Decatur, Adams County, 10 October 1907 — Page 2

CHARGE OF BIGAMY Hugh Hite Causes Arrest of the Criminal Who Escaped but Was Recaptured. Henry Hite has received word from Buford, North Dakota, announcing the fact that Harry D. Scott, the alleged bigamist had been captured and was safely locked in the jail at Williston, North Dakota, wnere he would be detained until some word to the contrary was received from this city. For some time past Mr. Hite has been making an effort to effect the arrest of Scott and now that he has the gentleman safely in the arms of the law the charge of bigamy will be pushed to the limit and from all appearances Scott is due to take a nice quiet little trip over the road to Michigan City, where he will not in the future molest innocent young girls. Requisition papers have been asked for from Governor Hanly. and are expected to arrive in this city by tomorrow and Sheriff Meyers will then make the trip across the continent to take charge of his prisoner and he will be returned to this city, where he will be forced to stand trial. The case has attracted considerable attention in this city owing to the fact that on last June he was united in marriage to Miss Madge Hite at the Presbyterian parsonage by Rev. Alfred Fowler, the marriage proving a surprise even to Miss Hite s parents. On the same evening of their marriage the young couple left for Alva. Okla., where they remained for several weeks, returning byway of Chicago, where they parted. Mrs. Scott returned to this city to her parent s home and Scott went on west, where he was supposed to get their future home all arranged and was then to send for his wife. In vain Mrs. Scott waited for some message from her husband, telling her to come and as the time grew longer, and longer, and no message arrived, the fond parents of Mrs. Scott became suspicious, and began to make Inquiry as to his whereabouts, and in some manner received the astounding news that Scott had another wife living in Buford, North Dakota, where he was making his home. Mr. Hite then determined to learn the truth of the entire affair, and ten days ago he sent his son Hugh Hite on a trip through that section of the country with instructions to pick up all the evidence possible so that the marriage might be annualled, and if possible effect the arrest of the criminal. Hugh left the city very quietly and made his way to Williston. North Dakota, as fast as the steam cars could carry him and there found in the clerk's office the record of a marriage license issued on October 31, 1906, to Harry D. Scott, of Indiana, and Miss Grace Smithwick, of Buford. North Dakota, of which record he secured a certified copy and now has the same in his possession. Upon inquiry he learned that Scott was at Buford and he left on the next train for that place and upon arriving at that city he looked out of the car window and saw Scott standing on the depot platform. Knowing that Scott would recognize him, Hite got off the train on the opposite side, went up street to the bank, where he told his story and made known his desire to cause Scott's arrest and the banker sent for a justice of the peace and the deputy sheriff and the necessary papers were made out in a few moments and the arrest was made. The town of Buford, however, had no jail and the deputy sheriff was compelled to place his prisoner in his own home from where Scott made his escape, stole his father-in-law's horse and made his way into the hills. Mr. Hite then went to the Smithwick home and informed these people of his purpost and that family was grief stricken over the terrible turn of affairs and informed Mr. Hite that the matter was news to them and that they would do everything in their power to capture Scott and see that justice was done. The deputy sheriff was severely critlzed by the people of Buford for permitting the prisoner to escape, and that gentleman got together a posse of cowboys and went on a still hunt for Scott. Mr. Hite secured further evidence in Williston so that if the prisoner was not recaptured, the marriage could be annulled at once and on the next day he started for home. After the message oame announcing Scott's capture, Mr. Hite immediately wired to hold the prisoner until requisition papers could be secured and Scott is now lodged in jail at Williston, North Dakota. Mrs. Scott number one comes from a highly respected family, is a very beautiful, young woman and is held in high esteem by all who knew her. Mrs. Scott number two. namely Miss Madge Hite of this city is one of our most popular young ladies and Is held in the highest esteem of all and she is forced to pass through trouble of this kind is unfortunate indeed. The bigamist Harry D. Scott is also well

known here, having made this city his home for years and during that time always conducted himself in a gentlemanly way and was well respected. He was engaged as an operator while here and was considered an expert in his line. However, since the true facts of the case have developed as they now are, he is branded as a criminal of the deepest dye, and is entitled to every penalty the law can inflict. In committing this crime he has wrecked the lives of two estimable young women. Blame of no description can be attached to either Mrs. Scott number one or Mrs. Scott number two. That Scott is a criminal of the lowest type is the concen-. , sus opinion of every one who is acquainted with the true state of affairs and their sympathy goes out to the women whom he has so wrongfully injured and deceived. However. Mr. Hite, the father of Mrs. Scott, is content to let the law take its course ( in the matter and is confident that justice will be. done. .

EDUCATIONAL LAWS Centralization of Schools is the One Great Hobby of the State Officials. Fassett A. Cotton, state superintendent of public instruction, has just issued the first of his series of winter bulletins to the schools of the state. This makes the fifth year that the bulletin system has been in use and the superintendent in the current issue calls attention to the advantages of the plan. "The degree of success with which the buTetins have met," be writes "is the justification lor their continuance. The primary purpose has been to keep the department in close touch with the teachers of the state. This has been done and the department has constantly kept before the teachers its Ideals, principles and policies. The department has sought to exalt the calling and to attract to it the best men and women. It has always had the largest interest in and sympathy for beginners and has tried to encourage them and point them along correct pedagogical ways. It has attempted to make the work practical and to suggest concrete problems.” Mr. Cotton also calls attention to the educational laws enacted by the last legislature. "If the real spirit of these laws were realized," says the bulletin, “the school system of Indiana would deserve to rank with the best systems in the world. But the passage of the laws is at best but half the battle. The spirit of the laws must be wrought in the people and in the schools. The weakness of the laws must be found and must be eradicated.” The bulletin makes special mention of the law providing for the centralization of schools, which already has caused some discussion in different parts of the state. “The law providing for centralization,” says the bulletin, "may be made effective in the hghest sense or it may become a dead letter. If selfishness and narrowness and lack of foresight are to prevail, then no step forward can be taken. If the needs of the children and the desire to make opportunity equal for town and country are to determine, then the next decade may witness tremendous educational progress. So this is no time to sleep. Indiana expects every teacher and every citizen to do his duty.” o — People who are in the custom of using soft coal for fuel during the winter are very apt to experience considerable difficulty in getting a supply which will last through the season. The reports which come from the mines are to the effect that a strike is liable to take place at any moment and that the supply of coal which will be shipped will be smaller than usual on account of the poor condition of the motive power on all the railroads. The engines are in bad shape and with the coming of cold weather very few cars will be handled on the eastern roads if the engines are not attended to. The closed hunting season began Tuesday, October 1, and until Nov. 10 it will be unlawful to kill anything but wild duck wild geese and woodcock. Not even a rabbit or squirrel may be killed within this period, without being liable to a penalty. It is alleged that some farmer in southern Indiana was instrumental in getting this section passed, as he claimed that during corn cutting time that teams were liable to be frightened by gun shots, or some one might get hit by the bullets of hunters. The coroner of Allen county has just given his verdict in the case of the mysterious death of the late David Speer, which occurred the first of July. He is of the opinion that the deceased was a victim of arsenical poisoning but does not implicate any person. Ina L. Speer, wife of the victim. Is under arrest awaiting the action of the grand jury.

MRS. ELI MERRIMAN Placed Arsenic on the Meat in Her Cooler —Evidence Said to be Strong. Waiting until a chemical analysis completed a strong chain of evidence, Police Sergeant W. F. Pappert and Detective Georfce Soliday. last night arrested David H. Randall, a saloonkeeper at 134 west Main street, on a charge of recently poisoning Frances Steele, nearly causing her death. The affidavit against Randall was filed by Miss Steele and charges Randall with “unlawful poisoning with intent to kill.” When the warrant was read to Randall at police headquarters. Randall said: “Boys, that gets me. I don't know anything about this. The fact is I came nearly getting some of the poison myself.” Randafl was denied bail last night and was forced to submit to being placed in a cell. The crime with which Randall is charged took place on September 8, at the rooming house of Randall, at 635 east Wayne street. Miss Steele who is the divorced wife of Eli Merriman, lives in the basement of the house and Mrs. Emma Felhelser occupies the apartments above. Randall occupies a room in Felhelser apartments and while he says he does not board there admits that he takes a meal there occasionally. On the morning of September 8. Miss Steele went to a refrigerator used jointly by herself and Mrs. Feldheiser, and which stood in an outhouse. Miss Steele noticed when she went to the outhouse that it was locked as usual and she took out some beefsteak which she fried and ate for her breakfast. Several hours later. Mrs. Felhelser went to the refrigerator for a chicken for her Sunday dinner and she noticed that the meat was covered with a white powder. Going to the apartments of Miss Steele to ask her about the presence of the powder, she found her neighbor stretched out upon the floor, scarcely conscious. Doctors A. H. Macbeth and Morse Harrod were called and they found Miss Steele in a precarious condition. Several hours were required to revive her and she was violently ill for several days. Mr Macbeth states that the woman owes her life solely to the fact that she ate too much of the poison. As soon as the poisoning case was reported to the police Sergeant Pappert and Detective Soliday set to work upon it and they at once suspected Randall. It was alleged that Randall was in love with Mrs. Feldheiser and the officers proceeded upon the theory that Randall was jealous of her and that she was the intended victim of the poison. The clerk who sold the arsenic was located and the officers state that he identified Randall immediately as the man who bought the arsenic, though he was accompanied on the errand by a second man. An arrest however, was not deemed advisable until the analysis of the poison found on the meat was completed. The analysis of the powder was made by Drs. A. H. Macbeth and B. W. Rhamy. and was not completed until late last evening Both physicians pronounced the stuff undoubtedly arsenic and Sergeant Pappert and Detective Soliday determined upon an immediate arrest. Miss Steele was at once sent for and readily assented to the filing of an affidavit. The warrant issued, the officers sought Randall and found him near his saloon on west Main street. He made no resistance but when the warrant was read to him at police headquarters he stoutly denied his guilt, asserting that but for the fact that Miss Steele had been poisoned first he himself might have eaten some of the stuff. The arresting officers assert that they have a strong chain of evidence against Randall. —Fort Wayne JournalGazette. - -o FINDLAY NASH TAKES BRIDE. Ball Player Wedded to an Indianapolis Lady. The Workhouse parlors were a scene of gaety yesterday afternoon for the wedding of Miss Lulu Steffen to Finley Nash, of Garrett, Ind. Miss Steffen was assistant matron at the Workhouse. Her husband is a conductor on the G. and O. railroad The .Workhouse parlors were banked with flowers, and after the ceremony, which was performed by the Rev. W. V. Wheeler, of the Rescue Mission, the 1 guests, about two score in number, were seated for the wedding dinner. Superintendent A. D. Shaw acted as best man and Miss Maud Hutto as bridesmaid. Mr. and Mrs. Nash have been acquainted for several years. They ipft for Garrett, Ind., at 4 o’clock. —lndianapolis Star. ... /

HE BUYS ANOTHER FARM. Governor Hanly Invests a Little More erf Hie Surplus. Governor Hanly has again launched a business eaterprise. Last Saturday the governor made a trip to Seymour and inspected a farm of 223 acres, five mile® east of that city. The farm suited him and he has bought it Associated with the governor in the deal are CoL Fred Gemmer. his private secretary and R. Harry Mi.ler. The farm was bought primarily as a timber investment. There are 100 acres of fine timber land. Several months ago the governor bought the timber on a farm near Indianapolis. The sawmill on this farm will be removed to the farm near Seymour and the work of making the timber into lumber will be begun at once. Mr. Miller will have charge of the cutting of the timber. “Even after the timber has been removed the land will be valuable for grazing,” said Colonel Gemmer.

THE CLOSING WORK Various Reports—No Provision for Revision of the Constitution and Bylaw. Indianapolis. Oct. 2. —The grand lodge. Knights of Pythias, adjourned this afternoon without making provision for a revision of the grand lodge constitution and by-laws. It was decided to hold the matter of revision over for another year. Neither did the grand lodge act favorably on the resolution of Robert A. Brown to abolish the office of grand instructor and place this work in the hands of tne grana vice chancellor. This question will also go over until the next annual meeting of the grand lodge The judiciary committee, to which the resolution was referred, held that it could not be acted on at this session because it had not been properly introduced. During this morning’s session a handsome jewel was presented to Past Supreme Chancellor C. E. Shively, of Richmond. Ind. The principal presentation speech was made by Union B. Hunt, who represented the grand lodge. H. P. Brown, of Texas, supreme vice chancellor, made the presentation speech in behalf of the supreme body and James E. Watson, who placed C. E Shively in nomination for supreme chancellor m San Francisco in 1902, also addressed kind words to the past supreme officer. The grand lodge was pleased with the report of Harry Wade, grand keeper of records and seal, touching the business of the Pythian building commission. The first rooms in the new building in Indianapols were let the first of January, 1907. There are 303 office rooms in the building and of his number 187 are now occupied. Before retiring from office today Grand Chancellor Monyhan appointed the following committee to audit the books of the Pythian building commission: Captain Aaron Jones, of Anderson; John M. Lewis, of Seymour, and Leonidas Wagner, of Orleans.

A GOLDEN WEDDING Was Duly Celebrated Today —Several Decatur People Attended the Event. Today at their home eight miles west of the city, Mr. and Mrs. William Hilgerman celebrated their golden wedding in a royal manner. Friends and relatives from far and near gathered at their home to enjoy the pleasures of the day. This aged couple have resided in this county for more than fifty years and are widely known. Inasmuch as they have had dealings with the Fulenkamp store for more than fifty-two years, Mrs. M. Fullenkamp and Mr. and Mrs. E. F. Gass were recipients of invitations to the event. An elaborate dinner was served the large number present and all enjoyed a day of pleasure. Two beautiful rockers were presented to Mr. and Mrs. Hilgerman. beside a number of other presents from various guests. Those from this city who were in attendance were Mr. and Mrs. B. J. Terveer, Mr. and Mrs. E. F. Gass. Mr. and Mrs. Earnest Schlickman and Mrs. M. Fullenkamp.

FOIHJ KDNErCURE M S Will cure any case of Kidney or Bladder Disease not • beyond th»Teach of medicine. No medicine can do more. or Diabet£i THE HOLTHOUSE DRUG COMPANY,

bride accompanied Will Be Home October 15th on Adams Street—Wedding Occurred Monday. Simeon J. Hain, the popular proprietor of the Madison street meat market, whose engagement was announced in a prevoius issue of the Democrat, was married last Monday morning in the Catholic church at Jamestown, N. D-, to one of the most popular girla in that enterprising town. Mr. Hain, while travelling through the west about three years ago. became acquainted with his fiancee and since that time he has made several visits to her western home. He left last Wednesday for Jamestown to claim his bride, and after their marriage they immediately started east, stopping at several cities enroute to pay short visits with friends. The happy couple arrived in the city Wednesday afternoon from Chicago, and will be at home at their newly furnished home on the corner of Line and Adams streets after Oct. 15. Mr. Hain has lived in this city for many years and is popular among his multitude of friends. He is a hustling young business man, and is enjoying a good patronage from the fact that he is not only conducting one of the best and neatest meat markets in the city, but is also courteous and accommodating to the public. The bride, whose maiden name was Miss Anna Bertell. is the daughter of a prominent business man in Jamestown. She is a graduate from the St. Johns academy, one of the best educational institutions in the west, and she is thoroughly accomplished in every respect The many friends of this couple wish for them an abundance of success in their matrimonial career. —o — . THE LADIES MITE Their Society Meets Tomorrow—Many Other Social Events. By Perle Burdg. Miss Leota, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wash Gilpin, of Ninth street, became the charming bride of Edwin Berry, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Berry last evening at the home of her parents at six o'clock in presence of a few choice friends. Rev. Wilcox performed the ceremony which was short and very impressive. Immediately at the close of the ceremony the guests found their places at the beautifully decorated table in the dining room, where an elaborate dinner awaited them. One main feature of the dinner was a large wedding cake which was baked by the bride’s grandmother, who is seventyfive years of age, and is well and hearty and still able to do her part in such affairs. The bride was a graduate from the Decatur high school in the year of 1905 and was a leader in her class through the many happy years. She is accomplished in many ways, and is an earnest church worker of the Methodist church. The groom is well known young man and is employed as a motorman by the Fort Wayne and Springfield traction company on the interurban and has many friends wherever he goes. The happy couple are at home to their many friends on Fifth street. The Democrat extends congratulations. o Interest in a crusade against the saloons of Warren, conducted by the women of that town, is increased by the efforts made to bring John T. Crabb, a saloon keeper, to trial for selling liquor to John Little. Mrs. Little gave notice to saloon keepers not to sell to her husbaa dand Crabb was arrested for selling to him. It was found the notice was not made out in lega iform. An affidavit was then, filed charging Crabb with seling liquor to an intoxicated man. Little was at first willing to give hs testimony, but Monday he failed to obey the summons to appear in court. An attachment is out for him and a constable is on his trail in Howard county.—Bluffton News.

TEN YEARS IN BED “For ten years I was confined to my bed with disease of my kidneys.”writes R. A. Gray, J. P. of Oakville. Ind. “P was so severe that I could not movo part of the time. I consulted the very best medical skill available, but could get no relief until Foleys Kidney Cure was recomifiended to me. It has been a Godsend to me"

WANT A Relatives erf Pirl Runyan rw_ Funeral Expen.ee. Today relatives of Pearl R un who was killed by a gas engine ’ Albany, in Delaware county, a * weeks ago, or on September 24 w "? in the city trying to get a settienZ out of the Rumley Oil company flrm he was working for when he met wit hhisf atal accident, but up to | ing to press had not succeeded The company had instructed them to gather all the accounts of expense’ ! incurred in his funeral, and they would send a man here today to settle the bills. The bills presented to the company for settlement amounted to J 214 while the oil company only agreed* so pay the sum of $lO5. Just what action I will be taken in the matter could not be learned this afternoon, but more 1 than likely an administrator will be appointed to make settlement.—Bluff, ton Banner. —o OFFICERS GOOD WORK Decatur Reduced Seventy. Two Cents—Nearly Every Township Reduced. The tax rate for 1907 and which will be in effect in 1908, shows a favorable reduction. By townships and corporations compared with 1906, is as follows: 1907. 1906. Union $1.90 $2.22 Root 2.06 l.jj Preble 2.00 2.46 Kirkland 1.78 1.82 Washington 1.48 2.02 St. Marys 2,00 2.14 Blue Creeks 2.14 2.32. Monroe 1.64 204 French 2.04 2.10 Hartford 2.16 2.14 Wabash 1.80 IJJ Jefferson 1.52 1.68 ] Decatur 4.02 474 : Geneva .. 3.14 3JO . Berne 2.44 2.89 Monroe not reported. Reductions have been made in nearly every township and corporatinn. and where no reduction occurs, ercessive macadam road building is the cause. The most notable decrease comes to the lot of Decatur, and while the rate Is yet high, another year of good business administration will see the tax rate further reduced. As it is, seventy-two cents on every one hundred dollars -valuation is an ‘achievement worthy of praise. Reductions in the townships are also of the noticeable kind, and the officers having the levies in charge have Jone commendable work.

WERE ENTERTAINED Visitors from Geneva and Linn Grove Present—Degree Work and Banquet. One of the events of the season in lodge circles in Bluffton took place last evening when the Bluffton lodge of the Daughters of Debekah entertained the Decatur. Linn Grove and Geneva lodges. The guests, about forty in number, were first entertained at a supper at the Oyster Bay. Fifty-five were placed at the table which extended from the front entrance of the C ster Bay back through to the private dining rooms in the rear of the restaurant. An elegant supper was served. Later the guest, assembled in the lodge rooms with the Bluffton members where the Bluff ton degree team gave work to a clas» of five candidates, composed of Mrand Mrs. John Dougherty. Mr. Mrs. Harry Baunt, and Mrs. Harry Stegkamper. After the degree "° r a two-course banquet was served m the banquet room of the lodge ters. Speeches were made by y i- 1 ing members and by M. M. Justus Frank Wisner, Albert Sunier an George Rinear, of the Bluffton 1 A recitation was delivered by--of Linn Grove. The a . was an exceedingly pleasant one passed off smoothly. It was one I the first lodge gatherings in the ci this fall and an opener to furthe - tivities of that order. The was one huge success. —Bluffton 0 KI A GTaHAXTFED CVRB F £? ol rud , a« Itching. Blind. Bleeding- Pg* ■Rian. Druggist e are f.O» Xuad money if PA3O '