Decatur Democrat, Volume 51, Number 40, Decatur, Adams County, 5 December 1907 — Page 2

AND ITS PROGRESS Three Townships Have Adopted the Method of Using Wagon for Scholars. Prof. Lawrence E. Opliger, county superintendent, has just published his annual teachers’ hand book. The book contains some very valuable information, such as the rules and regulations governing the schools, various laws, reports, list of teachers and graduates and statistics. One fact of Interest to the public is the statement of the consolidation at schools and Its progress. Os this Prof Opliger says In part: Centralization in Adams county is yet in its infancy. However, in French township it has been in successful operation for a few years. It was here that centralization had its birth in the county. All the children of school age within District One of said township are brought to the Linn Grove schools in a comfortable hack provided by the township trustee. Much care is exercised in the selection of a driver. The contract is let out to the lowest responsible bidder, who is under bond to fulfill his obligations, and who resumes due responsibility in promptly and safely conveying the children and returning them to their homes; he also, b contract, prohibits questionable language, undue familiarity, and boisterous conduct in or about the hack. The wagon is provided with curtains lap robes etc., for severe weather. The wagon calls at the farmhouse, the children quietly step into it at the roadside and are soon set down upon the school grounds. There is no tramping through snow and mud, no exposure to the winds and rains, or sitting in the school room from morn till eve with cold, damp feet. It does away with tardiness and the attendance is much increased and far more regular. With children under the care of a responsible driver, there is no opportunity for obscene or indecent language, nor for bullying and terrorizing the little ones as they trudge through the mud and snow to and from the district school. Root township has abandoned three district schools during the past sixteen months. Two of these are now transported to other districts. The maintenance of these abandoned schools including teachers’ hire, fuel and repairs would cost the township approximately 11,000. But by abandoning and consolidating them a net saving of over SSOO is realized. This enables the trustee to prolong the term and otherwise strengthen the schools. Preble township has likewise abandoned two of her district schools and is now transporting the pupils to other districts. One is brought to the graded schools at Magley. o SHE WANTS ALIMONY Wells County Man Lied— His Brother Wanted Here for a Misdemeanor. Mrs. Margaret Markley, of Wells county, has filed a sensational divorce suit in which she asks for SB,OOO alimony, also for an order of court, restraining her husband from disposing of $14,000 worth of real estate and $3,000 worth of personal property. They were married thirty years ago and have two children. Mrs. Markley says her husband has kicked her, threatened her and falsely accused her, made her do a man’s work in the field, complained of her cooking, forbid her leaving the farm and once when she did so he mussed up the beds, tore down the curtains and upset a dresser. As a further allegation Mrs. Mark’ey alleges that once her hushusband's brother, of Adams county, was wanted for a misdemeanor and came to their home and hid. Her husband gave her strict orders, she says, that if officers came to their home she was to deny that her brother was hiding there. The Markley’s are quite well known here and their fami'y troubles are quite surprising.

Local grain dealers have bought but very little corn thia year as it is soft and being cut before it was ripe when shelled and placed in a bin, it heats and molds. There is little corn of any kind, however, and not many farmers have any they wish to sell so no great hardship is worked on them. Millers complain that the grain is so light and chaffy that when ground into corn meal an ordinary ten pound sack hardly holds ten pounds of this year’s crop. Mr. and Mrs. V. O. Silllg. of Portland, were guests of Mr. and Mrs. David Flanders over Sunday and re turned to their home this afternoon.

SERVICES BEAUTIFUL Prayer, Songs, Eulogies— Appropriate Address by H. L. Conter. One of the most Impressive services ever held in the city were conducted Sunday afternoon by the Be nevolent and Protective order of Elks at their lodge room in honor of those Elks whose membership with the lodge has been severed by the hand of death. The lodge room was packed by the Elks and their friends and the beautiful music and eloquent tributes to the memory of the departed brothers, words of prayer and the ritualistic work of the order, made the services one of unusual inpressiveness. The services were opened by Exalted Ruler A. P. Beatty, who conformed with the work as laid down by the grand lodge and the same was listened to in a very attentive manner. The Elks choir then sang “Nearer My God to Thee” which was followed by the opening prayer by Rev. C. B. Wilcox. Miss Beery then rendered a vocal solo entitled “Heavenly Song” which was more than appreciated by the audience. Past Exalted Ruler H. L. Conter delivered the first address of the afternoon, his subject being, "Our Departed Brothers,” and he spoke as follows: Exalted Ruler, Brothers and Friends: This day has been set apart by Elkdom to pay honored tribute to our dead. Decatur lodge has but one brother, who has gone to his final reward and we mourn his loss. Roman J. Holthouse was born and raised in this city and for a number of years was engaged in business with his father. He afterwards became a traveling salesman and was very successful in his chosen occupation. It was my good fortune to know him intimately in the last few years of his life and to know him was to love him. He was always cheerful, charitable and generous to a fault. While a seeker after the good things of life, he never overlooked the misfortunes of others and always extended a helping hand to those in need. We all well remember the sad fate that befell him and the pall of gloom that was cast over our city by his sudden demise. By his death this lodge lost a dutiful and beloved member and his family a kind and loving husband and father. To them this lodge extends the hand of sympathy. The Elks choir rendered another selection entitled “I Can Hear My Savior Calling” which was followed by an address by David E. Smith his subject being “Charity.” This being one of the leading characteristics of the order of Elkdom, Mr, Smith had a broad field to cover and he handled his subject in a most impressive manner and brought forth many new and original ideas concerning the theory | as to what charity conveyed. A vocal solo entitled “One Sweetly Solemn Thought” was beautifully rendered by Mrs. C. B. Wilcox, and the same was appreciated by all her hearers.

“Justice” was the title of Judge R. K. Erwin’s talk and for fifteen minutes he held his audience spellbound, while he extoled the many and beautiful lessons to be learned from this subject, and he carried conviction to all his hearers. The Elks choir rendered another selection entitled “Jesus Savior, Pilot Me” which was followed by an address by Judge J. T. Merryman on “The Hopes of An Elk.” This was the closing address of the afternoon and the committee made no mistake in putting this subject in Judge Merryman’s hands, as he not only did justice to himself, but to the order he represented. He spoke at length concerning the earthly hopes of all Elks and in glowing terms pictured what all good Elks expected as a reward for their many good and kind deeds conveyed to their fellow men. Judge Merryman’s talk fairly glistened with beautiful thoughts and his address more than pleased those who heard it. The Elks choir then rendered another selection entitled “Blest be the Tie that Binds.” after which Exalted Ruler Beatty closed the lodge according to the ritualistic work and the audience was all requested to join in singing the doxology, after which the meeting was adjourned by prayer by Rev. A. B. Haist. The services were enjoyed by all who heard them and many congratulations were bestowed upon those who so kindly took part.

A piece of iron dropping from a freight into a switch on the Clover Leaf at Miami a little station near Toledo, was the cause of train number one due out of Toledo at 12:34 a. m. to run off the track. The engine was smashed considerably, and a baggage car damaged sligntly, but no one was injured.—Delphos Herald. Mrs. L. Wertenberger, of Laketon. who has been the guest of her parents Mr. and Mrs. D. E. Scott for some time, went to Fort Wayne this morning to spend the day with friends.

MET IN THIS CITY Splendid Program Was Given and Was Appreciated by Every Teacher. The Adams county teachers’ association met in its annual session Saturday morning, Nov. 30. at 9:30 in the Methodist church of Decatur. The first number on the program was indicative of the kind of program we were to nave throughout the day. This was the musical number of the Monroe township orchestra. Their numbers throughout the day were highly appreciated by the institute. Their performance was of a high order. One remarkable thing about the Adams county teachers is their punctuality. Only six teachers were absent, and this, coming at the Thanksgiving re- ; cess( makes it the more remarkable. ; The superintendent, by a few well ■ chosen remarks, impressed all with I the seriousness of the teaching profession. He spoke briefly of the highI er plane on which the profession has been placed by the last legislature. In his discussion of “Trodden Paths” we think that Mr. Hornady said some very truthful things. He did not point out all of the old ruts in which some teachers travel, but undoubtedly he did make some of them clear. Mr. Beery's discussion of the above subject was very forceful. One of the strongest papers of the day was that of Prof. O. E. Fraze. science teacher of the Decatur high school. Its discussion by Prof Huff, superintendent of the Berne schools was equally strong. These two men are valuable additions to the teaching profession in Adams county. Rev. Wilcox’s lecture on “Modem Evidences of the Flood” was a scholarly address. All were impressed with the wide range of historical study and research shown in the lecture. The afternoon session met promptly at 1:30. The superintendent announced as the first subject, "Township High Schools.” Mr. Weldy discussed the 'history and development of the township high school during the course of his paper. Mr. W’eldy pointed out the defects of the township high schools of Adams county. His paper also brought out the remedy, for to every defect he had a practical remedy. In the discussion of the above subject, Mr. Robt. Mann, principal of the Monmouth school, developed the idea that as most of our teachers have come from the country, so in the future the ranks of the profession must be filled from the country. Hence the township high school must furnish the great opportunity for equipping these recruits. He pleaded for recognition by the commissioned schools of the township high school graduates. Mr. Jesse N. Snyder, of Jefferson township, developed the idea that lack of parental authority was largely the cause of the juvenile offender in his subject, the “Parental Condition of the Juvenile Offender.” The discussion of this subject by Mr. Milton Miller, of French township, was exceedingly good. After the afternoon recess and music by the orchestra. Miss Mamie Baily favored the institute with one of tier inimitable readings. The last subject of the program, “Does the District School Fulfill its Mission? If Not, Why Not?” was ably discussed by Mr. W. H. Miller. His standpoint was that from the parent. Mr. Melvin Mallonee discussed the subject from the teachers’ point of view, and Mr. Martin Jaberg discussed it from the pupils standpoint. The music was of a high order. The vocal duet rendered in the forenoon was highly appreciated by the institute. On the whole it was one of the best institues ever held in Adams county. o v A general order by Department ComI mander W. A. Ketchum to the G. A. R. posts, issued yesterday from the office of the adjutant general of the Indiana department, calls upon the I veterans of the state to contribute ■ Christmas cheer to the soldiers’ and ' sailors’ orphans, and especially those at the Soldiers' and Sailors’ Orphans’ Home at Knightstown. The order ur- ! ges the G. A. R. posts at the coming annual election to elect men “who have the welfare of the organization at heart.” The final result of the filing of the remonstrance and the filing of withdrawal cards in the Churubusco saloon fight, showed 298 names on the remonstrance and 163 names on the document representing the withdraw-

al cards. The antis claim a victory by 18 or more and the saloon men, think that they may have been beaten by 6, although others are not willing to say that they are beaten at all. This week will see the final disposition of the fight.—Columbia City Post. Miss Emma Terveer will entertain the embroidery club tomorrow night and a good time is anticipated.

HE STOLE A FARM Also Embezzled $1,250, According to a Warrant Recently Filed. Hon. John C. Graves, an attorn y from Warsaw, popularly known over the state as Jack Graves, and who has transacted considerab e business In this city, is under arrest for em bezzling a forty acre farm and $1,250 in money. There is some system to that and when a man has the ability to smuggle goods of such proportions be is certainly entitled to all the med Is. Graves several years ago secured contracts in several counties in the state to investigate the books and records of township trustees. He landed such a job in Wells county, but failed to make his suits stick and in turn was sued for the costs. Such a case against him is set for December 16th .at Bluffton. Now he is having more trouble as told in the following dispatch sent out from Warsaw: “Charged with embezzlement of funds of his client the Arbuckle Ryan Harvester company, Attorney John C Graves, of Warsaw. was arrested today. Unable to furnish a bond of $5,000 fixed by County Clerk Aaron Rasor, he appealed to Judge Lemuel

W. Royse, who reduced the sum to $2,500. It is charged in the affidavit filed by Prosecutor Anglin that Graves feloniously and fraudulently appropriated a check for $1,250 belonging to his employer. A second case on the same charge is based on the allegation that Graves secreted and feloniously appropriated a certificate of purchase to forty acres of land. It is hinted that others may be implicated.” NEW DEPUTY CLERK Dan Roop Begins Duties at Court House—Gerke Warranty Case Dismissed. Dan Roop, of Blue Creek township, reported at the clerk’s office Monday morning for duty. He will devote a month in learning his work and on January Ist will begin his term as deputy clerk, under James P. Haefling whose term of office begins at that time. He is an affable young man. who will soon become popular among the patrons of that office. The drainage commissioners in the ■petition of Henry I. Teeple et al for a ditch, filed their report. The case of Herman Gerke vs. Christian W. Boknecht and Frank Dibbl 1 , suit on the warranty of a horse, demand $l5O, was dismissed in motion by plaintiff, the costs being paid. In the case of J. H. Voglewede, guardian vs. John Gluting et al, partition, a demurrer was filed by Mr. Gluting. A marriage license was issued to John F. Morningstar, aged twenty-one of Berne, and Effie Jane Teeter, aged nineteen. B. Frank Kern has tendered his resignation as justice of the peace of Union township, he having removed to this city. To Deputy Sheriff George Haggard belongs the credit for getting a confession from Fred Wilson that cleared up the mystery surrounding the robbery of the Clover Leaf depot at For'est a few weeks ago and for which crime Fred Wilson, of Indiana Harbor, and Don McMahan, of South Bend, were under arrest and held as prisoners at the county jail.—Frankfort Crescent

Last Saturday evening Squire J. H. Smith said the words that made J. F. Morningstar and Miss Effie Jane Teeter, both of Hartford township, one. The ceremony was quite impressive and after being performed, the happy couple went on their way rejoicing. The Christian Science congregation at Warsaw dedicated their church at Warsaw on Thanksgiving day. It cost $5,000 and was fully paid for before being dedicated, as it is a rule with them never to dedicate a church until all obligations against it have been fully met. This sum was raised in a year’s time, and considering that the congregation is a comparatively small one, the showing is very creditable.

FOLEYS HO W W ■ Cures Coughs, Colds, Croup, La Grippe, Asthma, Throat The Genuine i» *“ Jb and Lung Troubles. Prevents Pneumonia and Consumption THE HOLTHOUSE DRUG COMPANY,

OVER STONE ROAD Petitioners for Macadam Improvement on Wells County Line to File Suit. Bluffton. Ind.. December 2.—Another mandamus suit against the commissioners of Adams county will likely be filed by Attorneys Eichorn and Vaughn, who are attorneys for the petitioners for the imrpovement of the Lobsiger road on the county line between Adams and Wells. Saturday was the date named by the Wells county commissioners for the joint meeting between the boards of the two counties and the Adams county board had b en notified, but they failed to appear to sit with the Wells county commissioners. After waiting until afternoon the Wells county board adjourned. Judge Vaughn said that he could not yet state positively the next proceeding. A telephone message Saturday morning was to the effect that the Adams county board would not be here. This is the second time that the same petition was presented and at the first time the Adams county board got out of taking action on the ground that one of their townships affected was above the debt limit. The local attorneys now dec'are that this condition no longer exists.

MANY GOOD THOUGHT Large Audiences at Both Services —At Indianapolis Next Sunday. Dr. Charles Preston Foreman D.D., of Winona, who is delivering a series of sermons at the Presbyterian church again pleased large audiences Sunday morning and evening by able addresses on themes that were most absorbing. In the morning service the subject "The Church, It’s Great Law,” was taken up and handled in a manner that appealed to all present. Vital points to the members of the church were discussed in this discourse and it proved beneficial to all. The subject for the evening service was, if possible, the most Interesting, and instructive as well, that the reverend has delivered in this city. "Christ the Language of His Cross" furnished the theme and thoughts were revealed and pictured which possibly have never before been placed before the church going people of Decatur. Dr. Foreman dwelt for some time in a general way on his theme and then proceeded to furnish reasons for Christ being the language of the cross upon which he was crucified. “The sen tence, Jesus Christ the King of the Jews,” was written upon the cross above Christ, in Hebrew, Latin and Greek, said the speaker. “The fact that these superscriptions were written thus” he continued, “was evidence that Christ should be the center of thought in religion, social life and business, as the three different classes, that existed at that time represented each of these.” The discourse was most interesting and was exceptionally pleasing to all who were in atetndance. Dr. Foreman will not preach here next Sunday for the reason that he has been engaged to talk in Indianapolis for‘the Anti-Saloon League of Indiana, who are centralizing their efforts in Indianapolis, but he will be here one week from Sunday to resume his work.

Fred F. Johnson, day clerk at the Clugston House and his sister, Miss Flossie Johnson, who has been visiting him, left Saturday noon for Antwerp, 0., where he will visit their parents, Mr. and Mrs. James L. Johnson. He will return to this city Wednesday and will leave the following day for Korea with the other five young men, who have signed for a three year stay in the Orient. He bad signed conditionally with a base ball club at Pueblo, Colo., but thinks that his base ball days are over. —Columbia City Post. Fred played in Decatur during the past season. A new show will be given this evening at the Pictorium, the film being in two subjects the first “A Spring Gun” and the second “Indian May.” These films are extra fine and have never been shown in this section of the Mr. Stoneburner ks making an extraordinary effort to please the public and is succeeding in excellent shape.

CAUCUSES ARE ■■ ■ Party Leaders Selected the Lower House of Congress. Washington. December 2 Joseph Benson Foraker’s ment that he is a candidate fop presidency while not the political topic m the d a . ’ ing as it does at a time when k & didacy, o f William H. Taft is J still, it presents to the pJ? many possibilities for consider It is an unusual thing tor oße 7 to have two candidates of the ’ political faith for the prevailing view here is that the st tiin will make it impossible foi national convention t 0 think serin of taking its candidate from Ohfo Washington, December 2-Cm. of both the republican and dema congressmen were held and ofis for the coming session nomina. John Sharp Williams, of Mississi was chosen by the democrats | speaker and thus again become floor leader of his party The licans renominated for the third th Joseph G. Cannon, of Illinois, »]», be elected Monday. Washington, December 2.-s enii Beveridge will reintroduce next week, his child labor bill aaih bill providing that the meat pa4f , shall pay the cost of inspect!® a requiring that the date of packing on the can. The important nevbii he will Introduce will provide fatk appointment of a tariff commit, He may not introduce this bill it after the Christmas holidays uj desires to work out the details tn fully, PROGRAM WAS GOO' Chorus from Berne Surpris the Delegates in a Very Pleasing Manner. The Christian Endeavor Convent! of the Fort Wayne district adjourn last night at the conclusion oft evening program at the First Frei terian church. Announcement i made before the adjournment that had been decided at the executives sion to hold the next convention the district at Decatur, in .Voveulj 1908. The closing session of the com tion was one of the best of the ti days’ session, and a most interest! and enjoyable program was presa ed. An especially pleasing num! not down on the original program I therefore an unexpected treat was l val singing by a male chorus f:i Berne, members of a large choral about fifty voices belonging w i Berne church. Their singing wasp nounced exceptionally fine and ti won merited applause. The regular song services were a ducted by C. R. Willson and th? tional services were in charge of 8 H. B. Dietenbach, of the First I formed church of this city. b ham the state secretary gave anol pleasing address on the subject Big Opportunity” and the state P> dent, C. J. Orbison, was present I this session and gave his only add! before the convention. It was at teresting and instructive addre»J was helpful in the new ideas it veyed to the Christian Endear* in their work. There was a ’ solo by Miss Chloe Kiester, and closing address was by J- R- ’ of Berne, who spoke on the “The Radiant Life.” The «> DV was closed with consecration se —Bluffton News. Judge Vaughn, of Bluffton.* here Friday with a photograph; together with Messrs. Burns an, the other attorneys for Bober ; man, who is preparing to E. and W. R. R- Co. for <” growing out of the killing o and two children at the crossing last summer, took 71 the company’s right of way, taking photographs of the 3 crossing and its surroundings. ( torneys had Surveyor H r measurements of the right o These views and me«3 ureme ' be used as evidence when comes up for trial in the c rc —Hartford City News.