Decatur Democrat, Volume 51, Number 39, Decatur, Adams County, 28 November 1907 — Page 2

JUDGE ROBY HERE Splendid Responses to Toasts by Learned Jurists and Lawyers. Tfce last official act of Judge Ervin occurred Saturday evening a: four o'clock, when be wrote the ward "finis” on the coart docket and attasted his dpatme to same. tins eiasing his sir years of honorable service. Judge Erwin deserves great credit for his splendid service daring his term as judge of the treaty-sixth judicial district, taring performed his duties in a manner which proved his ability beyond all question. He has woe the confidence and respect of every attorney in this section of the state. During his term he has conducted court in five districts and in each has established a reputation as a fair, just able and competent judge. He retires from office with the good wishes of the bar of this and surrounding counties and also of every dtisen in this section of the state, i The real inauguaratdan of Judge Merryman occurred this morning a: SlO, the new jurist ascended th« bench and made a five minutes talc stating in a: modest wav that he had no tew rnies to establish, asked f:-r the assistance; of the bar in rendering justice. He j spoke of the gemeral potd feeling, which has heretofore existed among the members of the Adams county bar j and expressed the hop*e that it con- ■ tinse. He p-romioed his best ability i to the serriee and said he would weigh j carefully all matters before him and j decide cases and questions as he hen- 1 estiy se*e-s them. His first official act »ia the appointment of Buber M DeVoss as court reporter and then proceeded to acquaint : himseif with the business of the dock- ! et. calling the criminal docket first j Judge Merryman looked very much a: J tome and his friends, the bar and ail’ others have complete faith in his future services in his present high po- . si lion. Easily the most brilliant affair in [ the history of the Adams County Bar; association was the banquet, given a: the Murray Hotel Saturday evening [ in honor of Judge Erwin's retirement J and the commencement of Judge Mer-. ryman s term of office. Learned judges, brilliant, able lawyers from a half dor- ' et counties gathered here to do honor j to the two popular and eminent judges, and every guest enjoyed himself, every moment of the time. The Fort Wayne bar led in point of members their delegation numbering thirty-five, headed hy Judges O'Rourke aud Heaton; Portland furnished ten; Bluffton Huntington. Geneva. Berne and other places also having representatives j present. It was nearly nine o'clock[ when the guests were ushered into the dining room by the committee. J Jots C Me ran Shaffer Peterson and Dan N. Erwia. The room had beer , tastefully decorated with sir.ilax and : chrysanthemums this work tavmgbeec done by the Emsberrec Bros, and Moses company. The ninety guests more that filled the big hall but all were well cared for and each enjoyed the feast for which Mr. aud Mrs. Murray were givec due credit. The i mens consisted of the following: Blue Points Celery Se* Turtle. Salted Almonds Olives Roast Turkey Dressing Cranberry Sauce Pineapple Sherbet Loin of Lamb French Peas Roast Duck. Onion Dressing. Jelly Mashed Potatoes Escaloped Sweet Com Oyster Patties Sweet Breads is Ttmbles Chicken Salad Mayoffnai.se Was erotica Metropolitan lee Cream Golden Spice Cake Caramel Cake Coffee At the first table were seated Toast, master Daniel D. Heller, the honored and popular ei-jadge Judge Richard K Erwin Judge James T. Merryman Judge Edward O'Rourke, of Fort Wayne, and the Hon. Robert S. Peterson. The other guests were arranged in a manner especially for their eejornean Newspaper representatives from Portland Geneva. Berne and Decatur were present and were weS eared for by the committee in charge. After the first course of the banquet was served Toastmaster Heller announced that as the program was rather long they had decided to sandwich In a few tests as they proceeded and called upon Hoc. Henry Colerick to respond to the toast “The Best Judge." The littie giant from Fort

FOLEYS HDNEYCffiE SSL A htrood the reach of medicine. No medicine can "do more. er THE HOLTHOUSC MU6 COMPANY,

£ Wayne was in his usual good form and began by saying that he would have preterrea to spear on a full 5 stomach. He told several good stories in his usual happy manner, the* became serious and eloquent and told of the high esteeem in which he held the just judge. John C. Mara, chairman of the arrangement committee, then read a lett ter from Hoc. J. J. M. LaFollette. of r Indianapolis stating his regret in not i being able to be present and his best wishes for Judges Erwin and Merry. q ?1,& I- ■ ~ After another course of the banquet > was served. Judge John F. LaFoliette. ; cf Portland responded to the toast The Letter and Spirit of the Law ” ; He told a story or two spoke of his : high regard of the Adams county bar, ; of Judges Erwin and Merryman. and . said he was sorry we couldn’t retain > the one and receive the other and pre- - dieted greater future honors of Judge i Erwin. He then read an interesting

: able response to his subject. Judge Edward O'Rourke of Fort ; Wayne, was next on the program and . ‘is his polished manner expressed pieasi ere for the privilege of being present j gave a short account of the past his- . lory of the judicial district and spoke of the manv able Judges who have “ served and of the lotc and respect felt, for Judge Erwiu. He then delivered ' a most interesting response “The [Bench and Bar" delightfully interesting and appropriate. While the last course of the supper was served Frank 3. Robey, judge of | the appellate court. Indianapolis, responded to the toast. “The Front of I the Battle.” His was a we” said talk, j perfectly delivered and full of many ; good thoughts that will remain in the ! memofy of those who heard him. He j closed by saying: "Judge Erwiu comes back to his clients; his clients come back to him. Those who know him as he is. not as !he seems his own people, grasp his [hand and say: Wed done' I do not | know what further distinction awaits' 1 birr . He is a leader and will be at ] J the front. Those who follow him are . neither mercenaries nor conscripts, but ! j friends serving in confidence and in love Such service- goes far and does much, bat the acclaim of multitudes. ■ when won, the luster of the highest, 1 place when achieved win be worth I less Thar the hand c.asp. the hearly greeting and the affection which is h-s , tonight here at home." Judge Sturgis, in response to “Hn- | (Dtceaett of the Law." said some mighty good things in a mighty clever! manner. He spoke of the unlawful t speculations is stocks as laws EO *. et> i forced aud the result of which is Tery I vivid at t v -s time. He believes there t is a great improvement in many of the \ new laws which however, mast be , ' enforced if they are to become beue- j ! ficiaL He expressed his high regard j [for Judge Erwin and bis faith in Judge . Merryman. Hon- D. E Smith gave the closing -espouse on the program his subject! , being “The Citixeuship cf the Law-! : yen' His remarks contained many! happy, well said thoughts, proving the . lawyer * necessity and a good etdxen. ■ His response- was c-ne of the best of the evening and was listened to a ties- \ lively notwithstanding the fact that the Fort W»yne delegation knew their . car was due to leave. His response , in bill will be published tomorrow. This concluded the regular program but the guests insisted upon hearing from others. Judge Erwiu was called and though plainly affected by having beard the many words of praise, he - a.-tu timely, appropriate talk, thanking the tar of th:» and adjoining couatleg for their assistance daring his term. Judge Merryman aiso spoke interestingly acknowledging the weighty responsibilities be was assuming and declaring his policy would be to decide the problems as he believed right and honest. Others who were called upon tad who delighted the meets by their tap py remark* were Hon. Levi Mock of ■ Bluffier.: J Fred France, of Hurtingl toe; E E McGrtff, Port Led. and Jacob Butcher Geaeva It was late when the affair was over, but every i one was glad to have been there. It was oee of those happy occasions when • good fellowship aad the renewal of ’ acquaintances intermingle in a delight- » ful way. Tfce committee who had charge of ■ the affair certainly deserve great cred- • jit for the success thereof. Mr. and - j Mrs. Murray conducted the banquet la : a manner which won the praise and >, congratulation of the committee and - from every guest. > e JUDGE MERRYMAN. t - Judge James Thomas Merryman.

jwno assumed his Tery responsible position this morning is well prepared I for the high honor and his friends have every confidence in his ability smow- , ing that he win serre the district in a most creditable manner. Born in this township, fifty-three years ago. October Ist. he has bean a continuous resident of Adams c-Xmry. K:s life has been a model one his habits exemplary and for nearly thirty years he has been a most industrious student and practiekwer of the law. His parents were Charles Wesley and Mary Archbold Merryman. who settled in the Hresie.r state in ISSA. The present judge was educated in the schools of Decatur showed remarkable ability arf when hat sixteen years cf age began teaching schorl. He followed that avocation for six years or until IST A when he was appointed clerk of the Adams circuit court is vhi-efc capacity he served until 18S3, when he accepted a position wiifc ihe Adams county bank. In lbs! he was elected mayor! j of this city and served two years. For i : sometime prior to this time be had

teen a devoted student of Blackstone and other law texts and in ISS3 farmed a partnership with the late John T. France, which continued until 185-5 Since that date he has been the senior , member cf the firm of Merryman and j Sutton until a few months ago aud since his election to his present high office when the firm dissolved. Judge Merryman vas married August fiS IST* to Mis« Louise P Albers of Willshire Ohio who with four children Mrs. Don I- Quinn. M;ss Frau res Charles. of Paragon!d Ark. and Master Robert, share the popularity of the honored jurist. Judge Merrymau has every qualification for a su-rcess- ! ful judge and his term will be one of JUDGE ERWIN. Few men in public life in Indiana have endeared themselves more to j those he sevred than the jurist. Richard K. Erwin, who mires from the tench of the twenty-sirth judicial c:rI eniu His record is one to which hi* many admirers point with pride and . his popularity has b« increased during . his six years service in the highest ! office in the county. He was born in old Union township, tfcu county, July 11. 15*1 his parents being David and Mary Ellen Erwin. Jndge Erwin was educated in the county schools with cue term at the old M E. college at ; Fort Wayne, and one term at the ccunity normal at Decatur. He taught [ school and farmed until April 1, 1887 ! when he came to Decatur and began i the practice of law forming a partnership with J. Fred Francs, of Hunting too. In 1554 he was elected as justice of the peace of Union township aud I served one year. Is 1899 he was nominated and elected representative to the lower house of ‘die Indiana leg islature and was re-elected in bS! serving four years with great credit to himself and his cmstitaeccy. Duri ing the session of 1892. he served on a number of the most important committees and as chairman of the dem> crane caucus, being at acknowledged leader of the Democratic side c-f the : house On January 12. 197« C. he was nominated for judge of this judicial : circuit and elected by a handsome majority the following November. He assumed his robes of office NoTembe* 123 iK'l, and ha* prove* his ability as a jurist beyond any question of doubt. In ISrOffi Judge Erwin was nominated at the democratic state eonrestioe as the party's eandiddie for judge of the supreme court aad his vote was far im excess of the rest of his ticket thus again demonstrating his ability as a vote getter January IT. 18*2. at Monroeville, Judge Erwin was united in marriage to Miss Lad* A. Was*, a daughter of W J. B, Wass of Union township, this county. Three sons and two daughters now complete their happy family and torse. Judge Erwin has. daring his term of six years, disposed of a great deal of business AH members of the Sages are requested to be present Tuesday evening at seven o'clock at the lodge room. Five candidates will be given the de gree work and all officers will be nominated for the ensuing year. Every ■ member should be present. B. W. Douglass. State Entomolipisi ' say* the indications are for an unusually good yield of fruit of all kinds 1 is Indiana next year. Only weathet conditions, he says, will prevent s 1 good fruit yield. An early freexe os [ warm weather next spring followed by a freexe might play havoc with the fruit, bat unless there are some suet weather conditions the yield will like ly be above the average This year - the fruit was a failure.

OF JOHN WEGER Former Adams County Man Killed in Oklahoma —Creditors Want Their Money. Fred Debach an d Albert Rabe* of Linn Grove, were in the city Saturday to see George Matlack. An unusual story was the cause of their visit and maty people win remember the incide*ts connected with itSeveral years ago John Weger was j running a sa.oos in I urn Grove. He ' lived there with his family and »m weii thrught of when suddenly he disappeared, leaving his wife and numerous debts behind Mr. Dabach and Mr. Rarer were two of the creditors When Weger left he took about J: 0» with him on his person and n.-.thing was heard of him for a long t~inw3u

It finally that he had drifted into tfce oil fields of the southwest and was for some time in Cleveland Oklahoma Next fce went to Oklahoma City, am vug there without any mmey at all. He aud a partner soon opened up a saloon aud they did well, accumulating considerable money. ’ He was prospering and getting along well til! last March when in a fight between a bartender in his saiocn and aa outsider Weger was shot in the left knee though be was j not a participant in the trouble. He was taken to the hospital aud died there several weeks later. After his death it was learned that he had left & wQL leaving his wife in Linn Grove *IOO. and the balance was to go to his mother, wfco lives in SpeneernUe, Ohio. An administrator was appointed and the claims of several creditors in Oklahoma City were being settled with when the friends tack in Indiana, that he had left holding the sack accidentaHv, le&r-re-d of his death and the property left, and began action a: once to have their claims recognixed. Mr. Matlack was the attorney for the wife and mother while fce was in that city and learning of his trip back here. Mr. Du bach aud Mr. Rater wished to see what he knew of their chances. At present there is between *1 51>© and S2.©OC to be divided between the creditors and while it will not nearly cover the indebtedness it win pay a large per cent. As it is the last chance they will ever have to realise on their paper the Linn Grove preopie are especially anxious to win their case.—Bluffton Banner. — - ■ ■■*— ■ ■ ATTENDED BY MANY Senior High School Class Attended in Body—Many Floral Contributions. The funeral of Benjamin Houk. son ot John C. and Mary Houk. was held on Sunday morning. A short service was held at the house at ten o'clock, after which tfce funeral cortege passed to the Antioch Lutheran church at Hoagiand. The ftmera; s-emce was conducted ty the Rev. rteury C. Roeh*er. of Grand Rapids. Mich_, a former poster of the decedent. The funeral was amended by a large cumber of persons, who came from sear and far attesting the high esteem in which the young man and his family are held by the community at large. The funeral was cm* of the largest in the history of the community. The *ym- • pathy of sear friends and others was expressed hy the many beautiful floral ! designs and cut fow*rs which were sext to the home cf bereaTeme*:. The - senior class of the Decatur high school . of which Mr. Houk had been a former member attended the service In a body. Members of the Sunday school - claes of tfce Ccmeord Lutheran church • of which Mr Houk was a faithful mem- . her acted as pall bearers and flower ■ boys. The pall bearers were Lewis - 'Houk. Chas. Houk. Rollo Houk Clifford f Houk. Sherman Kunkle and A1 Fritringer. The flower boys were Francis t Fuhrman. Win Evans, Calvin Magley r Chas. Fritxinger. Curtis Fritxiuger 5 Milton Fritxinger and Josie Fuhrman r The obituary noted that Mr. Houk i had reached the age of 19 yearn, 2 • months and 22 days. He is survived i by fcis parents two sisters. Erma and » Thelma and his grandmother, Mrs. - Ridenour. “ - - or Billy Harden, base ball player and masher, sends tew;paper clippings to r Hartford City friends from Celina. 0.. is which his latest experience on the matrimonial sea is ralated. Billy was this week granted a decree of divorce from his wife, and her name is Maud. The divorce was given on the ground that Maud had bee® extremely neglectful ot her duties &ea wife inasmuch aa she often departed for farta ankamnt. tearing Billy hy bfe kaevome—Hartford CKy New*.

DECEMBER THE FIRST Addresses to be Made by Brothers Erwin- Merryman and Smith. On Sunday. December first, the local order of Elks will hold their annual Memorial services at the lodge room and for this event a special program has been arranged. This Is a day that is observed by the Elks all over tfce United States, and in some orders Is called a lodge of sorrow. The committee who has had charge of completing the program reported to the lodge last evening and the folj lowing routine of work will be carried I out: Music Quartette Invocation Be v - Wilcox Music Quartette Our Departed Brothers.. H. L. Con ter Music Quartette Chacitv h. E, Smith Music Quartette

, justice Judge R. K. Erwin [Music Quartette • The Hope of an E'.k 1 Judge J. T. Merryman The services will open promptly at two o'clock and the public in general is invited to attend these services. The lodge room will be open at one o'clock and seats will be furnished all that attend. CLAIMS RELATIONSHIP TO JUDGE Bluffton Man Proud cf the Name Merryman. Speaking of ancestors and family trees last evening. Attorney J. B. ; Merriman told of the distant relationship the Adams county Merryman and jtfce Weils county Merrrimans believe [they hold to one another, although the ' spelling of the names Is slightly difjferenL The Wells county family is ; afcie to trace their ancestors as far jback as the early part of the sixteenth i century when two brothers by the ! name erossed from England and seij tied in Baltimore. Their ancestors be- ! came lost from the brother and never i (heard from him again. The Adams J county family believes that its first j ancestor was the missing brother. Three hundred years have passed since then and it is not odd that the spelling of a name should be altered during that time. —Bluffton Banner. There has been no new affidavit prepared and filed against Frank Cotton to replace tfce one declared void yesterday by Judge Sturgis and it seems there will not be one unless some one appears who Is willing to affix their signature to the paper. Cotton is still held under the old bond jail he will not be permitted to leave and while he has been released from the city until it can be seen what action tfce prosecution intends to take in the matter. If no new affidavit is made Prosecutor Dailey will simply let the 1 grand jury take tfce case in hand and return an indictment against the young man. —Bluffton Bauer. The committee of E.ks in charge ; of the drawing of tfce King piano are [ yet unable to set a date for that important event but think that it will be held tfce latter part of next week. There are a large number of stubs for tickets that have not been turned is and until tfce list ie completed tfce drawing will not be held for the reason that every one who had purchased tickets should have a ehaaee at the prtoe.—Bluffton Banner,

' I W. B. CORSETS aV.B.Fedun ideal g>r® eot sloped £f ures } r *L d restrict. H fl" -er the aed is to g" v « ■*' sedotn of racvenww. zrvpj&i rhite or drab. iiaes y ofl REDL'SO STYtfff ts>£Z*gt ssr*^ CORS^ nOt bypeiJje^H*^ aes are r '"L'V at of your ilte a bad ngu.'* g 0 0" ■ re better. J_E AT ALL PEAl®^ 44 (i^.-) tfs£> «£- : / s— 1 •£? J- { V . ■ 0 CuZZ's (iST) •'*■*“ , .ntwmnw B»fta„ mam, rrr— r» a*«A»w*l>

PAY THEIR jjjj ' And Dec ide on a Two Q Vacation on Account, Thanksgiving Day The school board held their monthly meeting last night j err member P r «*nt and soJJ tant business was transact* usual routine of affairs such a, „ ing the teachers' salari« B ans bills against the board we re & and acted upon. At this was decided that the different,!! of the city be dismissed Deit , nesday afternoon and win not' vene until the following M ocdl !! will, as it always has. prove ml to the students, who have pi J observe Thanksgiving a PP ’ and the teachers win a , so ver; *j approve tfce action. Alreadv the,, planning for the holiday and good times are assured. Other! ters of importance w ere talked by the board who are using every, sible effort to improve the high standard of our public BC |a WIFE UNFAITHFU He is Now Trying to Fin a Home for His Six Months’ Baby. George Miller, the man whotsdn rumor says attempted to commit« cide Saturday morning by hangitgd nies the allegation, although he si he did make a bluff in the pretee of his wife that he expected toll himself unless she mended her q He is under the Impression the rsjt got circulated in this manner h interview with the police vestal Miller alleged that his wife had 4* j ed him and that from what he a i learn had taken up her abode 1 Mrs. Watkins, stating that she as expected to return to her hush* When she left his home she left! months' old baby and the care i custody of that infant now falls | him and he is endeavoring to flu home for the infant. He says i his wif« is not faithful and hast untrue to him and that In one s of the word he is glad she has | Miller is an oil worker and has 4i the past few months been in tie ploy of the Standard Oil compatj often he is called out and does return for four or five days and during these trips that numeross ports concerning the actions d wife have reached him. He ex? to file an affidavit some time today if he does some very sensational dence will be heard at the trial. PNEUMONIA FOLLOWS A COI but never follows the use of Foil Honey and Tar It stop* tie ca heels and strengthens the .w l * B prevents pneumonia THE HOLTHOUSE DKPG «

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