Decatur Democrat, Volume 51, Number 34, Decatur, Adams County, 20 August 1908 — Page 2

M. L. Smith has returned from a business trip to Wren, Ohio. J. D. Stultz, the well known insurance man. was most agreeably surprised last evening by the Modern Woodmen quartet, who called at his home to remind him in a musical way of his fifty-fourth birthday. The quartet composed of Messrs. Walter Johnson, Colonel Foreman. Wesley Hoffman and Roy Wolford rendered many beautiful selections, which delighted not only Mr. Stultz, but the neighbors in that vicinity as well. Mrs. Fred Hostetter died Thursday at Richmond In Easthaven hospital where she had been for the past three years. The remains of the unfortunate lady were brought to Berne today, and thence overland to the home of Noah Beeler near Vera Cruz, She will be buried at that place Sunday at 10 o'clock. Her husband, who survives her, lives on a farm at the edge of Cralgville. Some years ago in the midst of a bitter winter, Mrs. Hostetter wandered away from home early in the morning and jumped from the Clover Leaf bridge at the foot of Marion street in an attempt to kill herself. She was found frozen stiff by section hands on the railroad and although she was resusticated and apparently grew better, she became violent, and persisted in running away. He radmission followed to Richmond, and with her death the last chapter in a saddened life is ended. —Bluffton Banner. Mrs. Hostetter is known by many Decatur people who will regret to learn of her demise. After enduring the ravages of diptheria for a little more than a week, Mildred, the nine-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Bunner, of Rivarre, passed peacefully into eternity Friday night at ten o'clock. The child was taken ill about ten days ago and gradually grew worse each day until the end came. She had reached the age when she was the light of the home and the parents had taken much pride in her, when the grim reaper visited the home. The deceased was born in St. Marys township and has lived there during her life. Her untimely demise has caused much grief among the friends of the girl and her family. o Miss Naomi, daughter of Sheriff and Mrs. Eli Meyer, sustained a painful injury Saturday which will inconvenience her for several days. In company with her two sisters she was playing in the hammock when in some manner she was thrown forceably to the ground and as a result her left arm was dislocated. A physician was summoned and the arm was replaced. Apparently she will recover within a short time.

A marriage license was issued to Marie Wailand, aged twenty-nine, and Rev. Frederick W. Bublitz, aged twen-ty-five, both of this county. Charles A. Dugan et al have transferred inlot 92, Decatur, to the trustees of Kekonga lodge No. 65 K. of P. for $2,250. Sarah Turner sold inlots 567, 568, to D. N. arwin and he to Roy Miller for $370. Pittsburg, August 13. —Harry K. Thaw was formally adjudged a bankrupt by W. R. Blair, referee in bankruptcy. This action was a surprise to those interested in the case, as William T. Lindsay, United States commission, had set August 21 as the date for the adjudication. No explanation of the change of plans and this action has been made, but it is believed here that receiver Roger O’Mara's visit to Thaw at Poughkeepsie yesterday may have had something to do with today's move. O’Mara was hurriedly summoned by Thaw on Monday. No hearing was held before the formal order of adjudication was entered and Referee Blair has not announced the date of the first meeting of Thaw's creditors. Under the law this must be held not sooner than ten days and within jthirty days. The referee will probably announce the date for the meeting of creditors tomorrow. An effort will be made to bring Thaw to Pittsburg for the first meeting of creditors and unless W. T. Jerome, district attorney, of New York, is able to prevent his corning, it is believed Thaw will be in Pittsburg within thirty days. Thaw’s petition in bankruptcy was filed August 7 and Roger O'Mara was named as receiver. The petition sets forth that Thaw’s liabilities are $453,140.43 and his assets $128,012.38. “Brownie" ,Edinger is willing to swear that Ed Carroll is the meanest man in town. Among the Elks base ball advertising schemes was an imitation of Bro. Carroll and how he was supposed to look after the first inning of the big contest. Now really there was something familiar about the imitation and Ed didn't like it very well. Yesterday he loaded up a big pump with whiting and put a plaster on the window that kept Brownie busy for an hour. Today he mixed up a concoction of lamp black and oil and souzed the entire front of the store so thoroughly that Brownie had to miss the first seven innings of the game to clean it off.

Mr. and Mrs. D. V. Steele left today for Wadsworth. Ohio, where they will make a visit with their cousin. The consummation of a business deal occurring Friday afternoon conveys the ownership of the C. A. Dugan property located directly north of the Murray hotel to the Decatur K. P. lodge, the purchase price being $2,250 and as a consequence thereof the above stated organization will inaugurate a movement at once to build a modern home upon the new site. Negotiations have been under way for several weeks for the purchase of a property contiguous to the main part of the city and in consideration of the fact that the Dugan property is well located the selection was made. Not only will the location be ideal but the building to be erected thereon will by far eclipse any lodge home in this section of the state if the plans now considered, materialize The building will be constructed of brick, two stories in height with all conveniences and equipments »rs modern times. The first floor will be artistically arranged a smoking room, dining room, ladies parlor, gentlemen’s parlor, bath rooms, etc., to be installed therein. The second floor will be occupied by the lodge room and paraphernalia. The construction of this beautiful home will cause the expenditure of about $9,000 and from present indications same will be completed before snow flies. Bids for same will be let In the near future. The K. P. lot located north of the Hensley jewelry store has been purchased by Edwin Fledderjohann, individually and a modern office building will be built thereon.

A few days ago a suit was filed by the Bank of Berne against M. L. Lehman and William Lehman, demanding $125 on two promisory notes. M. L. Lehman is a well respected young man, living near Geneva and William Lehman is his father, a farmer of the same community Recently an attorney called upon Mr. Lehman, Sr., to try and effect a settlement without trying the case and was surprised to learn that the father had no knowledge of the affair and declared his son had forged his name to the notes. He also said that this was not the first offense of this kind and that he had fully determined to let his son take the consqeuences. Accordingly an affidavit was filed and Sheriff Ell Meyer went out Saturday to make the arrest. The young man is twentyeight years old and is married. The notes were given June 19th, 1907, for $26.10 and September 14th, 1907, for $50.00. The notes, if forgeries, were rather cleverly executed. Is Thomas R. Marshall mads of presidential timber? That is what prominent Indiana democratic politicians are wondering. It *s virtually conceded he will have no trouble nt the polls this fall and he has many influential admirers in his party who assert he will prove himself capable of being the tenant of the while house four ; years hence. —Garrett Clipper. Word has reached the city conveying the glad news that Charles Hammel formerly of this city, now located at Los Angeles, California, successfully withstood a serious operation Wednesday, which, if blood poisoning does not develop, will free him from the ailment from which he has suffered for tw’o years past. In 1906 while working in Nevada, Charles was struck by lightning. His skull was fractured and since that time he has suffered untold pain. His case was submitted to Los Angeles specialists, who removed his right eye from its socket and extricated a protruding bone which had lodged beneath his brain and which has caused the pain to the young man. The eye ball was replaced and the former Decatur boy whose parents and brothers and sisters still reside here, will soon fully recover. The many Decatur friends of Mr. Hammel are elated over the successful operation and express their sincere hopes for his early and ultimate recovery.

The members of the county republican central committee met here Saturday in answer to a call from F. L. Litterer, secretary, the purpose being for preliminary organization. A few of the faithful were also allowed to partake of the advice as handed out by several distinguished visitors, ordered here for the purpose, by the state committee. The session was held at Mr. Litterer’s office and among the distinguished guests were Fremont Goodwine, candidate for lieutenant governor, Judge Quincy Meyers, candidate for judge of the appellate court; Judge J. F. LaFoliette, of Portland, and Ed Murray, clerk of Fulton county, who is a real organizer, serving under the state committee. Just what transpired seemed to be private, at least Mr. Litterer refused to thaw very liberally when inerviewed, but among other things it was decided to hold the republican county convention here on August 29th, the same date as the senatorial convention. The county ticket will be chosen at ten o’clock a. m. and the senatorial meeting will be held at 2:30 p. m.

Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Majors and daughter have returned from a short visit with eiatives at Monroe. Lincoln, Neb., Aug. 14 —The prophecy of State Chairman W. J. Conners of New York that W. J. Bryan would carry that state, the sending out from Chicago ot a number of speakers to various sections of the country by the Democratic national committee, and the receipt of a number of telegrams and letters of congratulation on his speech, al! served to put the Democratic nominee for the presidency in a happy fgrame of mind today. On account of the threatening weather there was only a handful of visitors who rode out to Fairview, and this fact afforded Mr. Bryan a rare opportunity to continue work at a lively pace on his speeches to be delivered at Indianapolis and eiswehere. No .such day of quiet has been experienced at the Bryan home for some time. Mr. Bryan is awaiting replies to letters sent to different parts of the country in response to invitations to speak before announcing the several dates and places which will be included in his forthcoming tour. It has practically been settled, however, that much attention will be given to Ohio, the native state of Mr. Taft, and that the speeches which Mr. Bryan will make will be in the centers where it is deemed they will do the most good. This part of the program, it Is I said, is in the hands of Chairman Mack of the national committee.

The accident which occurred near the Old Adams County bank Saturday in which Howard, the sen of W. H. Foughty, was run over by the wagon belonging to John Sprague, should serve as a warning to the boys who persist in riding about the city in wagons where they have no business whatever. The Fcughty boy had climbed on the wagon for a pleasure ride and just as the driver was making the turn near the bank the wheels which had caught in the rail grove of the interurban track, slipped from their position with such rapidity that the youth was hurled to the ground and the rear wheel passed over his body, badly bruising his hips and abdomen. The boy was carried on the sidewalk, where he soon revived and was able to walk home. It is thought that he is injured internally, as he has suffered much since the accident. Parents could avoid many accidents, some of which prove fatal, by requiring their children from climbing on vehicles.

In a brilliant and exciting contest, the local Elks lost their first ball game to the Fort Wayne Elks at Steele’s park, Friday afternoon, before a crowd of about 300, Bart France ana ms brother, the mayor, started as the battery and for five innings the game was a battle, every inch, -with chances favoring the home boys, but at that stage Bart’s right arm failed him and he gave way to Eo®e r , who lasted one inning and wilted, Tom Haefling going the last round, in an exhibition of rainbow drops, that equalled Mike Conner’s a decade ago. For the visitors. Mr. Sites who has gained a reputation as a star on the Comer Rod and Gun Club, did the twirling, with Eggerman behind the bat and they aided their team materially in winning. Among the features of the game was a triple play in the second. The visitors had a runner on first and one on second, when Hutzell hit a fly to deep short, which Confer got after a sensational run, threw to Linn at second, who sent it on to Neptune at first, retiring the side. In the sixth inning Umpire Nick Miller dodged a throw to second and saved Lehne at least a part of his offer for two black eyes. There were more good plays, too numerous to mention. The visitors scored two runs in the first inning when Sites and Eggerman got on base through errors and were scored by a clean single by Senator Steve Fleming. They got another in the third, and in the fourth one, twq in the sixth and three in the seventh. Decatur made two tn the second, one in the third and two in the sixth, the game ending by a ; score of 9 to 5.

Summary—Two base hits, Pape, Minsky. Double play, Linn to first base; triple play Center to second base to first base. Hit by pitcher— B. France, Smith, Sellemeyer. Hits off B. France 4 in 5 innings; off O. France 2 in 1 inning; off Haefling 2 in 1 inning; off Sites 6. Struck out —By Sites 4; by B. France 4. Time 1:40. Attendance 300. Umpires Nick Miller of Decatur, and Davy Eckert of Fort Wayne. Lagrange has another claim to fame among the towns of the earth. Ephraim Harter, in his eighty-second year, is actively engaged in draying and carries the mail, daily, rain or snow, from the postoffice to the trains and from the trains to the postofflee. Moreover, he has performed the official duty under the watchful eye of your Uncle Samuel for thirty years or more. But the principal part Is I that Mr. Harter l s the nMest mail carrier in active Berries in the United States and probably in the world. —Albion Democrat.

The boys of the Holy Grail left this morning for Winona Lake, where they will enjoy an outing of several days. The boys are going with the Intention of having one of the best times in their lives. John Winters, for many years a resident here and a brother of George, ters, was instantly killed Friday ters. was instantly killed yesterday afternoon, while at work in the engine room at Cartwright & Headington’s elevator at Portland. His ifeless body was found but a few minutes after the accident occurred by Emory E. Shepherd, manager of the establishment, where :t was laying on the stairway leading from the engine room to the upper floor of the building. No one witnessed the accident and just how it occurred will perhaps never be known but It is generally believed that he was struck with a short gas pipe which he sometimes used in throwing the governor belt of the engine on or off the pulley. A large and ugly hole was inflicted just above the heart, pentrating the chest deep enough to produce almost instant death and the bloody gas pipe laying near the engine lends color to this theory. Mr. Winters had been engaged *n grinding grain at the establishment and other employees were busily engaged with their regular duties. Mr. Shepherd first noticed the absence of the aged miller while he (Shepherd) was waiting on a customer. As soon as the customer left he went to the machine room and saw that the burrs were running empty and thinking that probably something had gone wrong in the enginee room, started down stairs to ascertain conditions. The stairway upon which the body was found is quite narrow and he was compelled to take ta different course to get to the body. In the engine room he noticed blood in large quantities over the floor and thought possibly Winters had been stricken with a hemorrhage and called to him but received no response. Investigating he found that life was already extinct and other employees were summoned who later informed the Winters family who reside just west of the elevator. Physicians were called but could render no assistance and County Coroner Dr. George L. Perry was summoned. He conducted an investigation of the surroundings and after the body was examined it was removed to the Baird & Hardy morgue on north Meridian street, where an autopsy was held.

The deceased was sixtrinine years old and had held his job at the Cartwright mill for twenty years. He was highly respected, beloved by all who knew him, a member of the First church of Christ. In 1860 he married Miss Helen Quinn, who died thirtytwo years ago, leaving six children, who still survive. They are A. J. Winters. Huntington; Mrs. Molly Neal Elwood; Mrs. C. H. Holland, Shillandburg. Texas; Thomas M. Winters and Mrs. Addie, wife of Ray Hammitt of this city and John B. Winters, of Sheffield, Pennsylvania Six years ago he married Mrs. Jane Lewis, of Allen county, who survives him. The authorities at Fort Wayne have ordered the Fort Wayne and Springfield railroad to remove from their cars, running into that city the signs advertising the Great Northern Inliana fair, thus again proving their hoggishness. Any old amusement to be given at Fort Wayne from a base ball game to a circus, is announced not only on the city cars, but on every interurban. Not satisfied with that, they visit all the surrounding cities and plaster the windows full of posters. but when there is a chance of a dollar going out of Fort Wayne, its quite different How long are these towns going to submit to Fort Wayne's milking process? The Great Northern fair people are indignant over the treatment and the act will prevent many from attending the various attractions in that city. The Decatur business man who fellows anybody from the Summit City to use his store front for a billboard hereafter, should remember that he is aiding them in an effort to take trade from Decatur, but never return a dollar s worth, and not even allow us the courteousness of advertising in the same methods used by them. It’s an outrage that should do more injury to Fort Wayne than any one act they have openly committed. They have certainly showed their hand. John Gilbert, of Friend, Nebraska, arrived last evening for a visit with his cousin, W. H. Ward, and other relatives in this locality. He will also visit at Greenville and other places in Ohio. Mr. Gilbert moved to Nebraska in 1865 and this is his first visit here for twenty-five years. He owns 570 acre of SIOO land in Nebraska, 160 of which he uses for a private park, and which is stocked with a herd of seven buffalo, seventeen deer, seventeen elk, angora goats and other animals, and his beautiful farm is visited by people from far and near. He is a very pleasant, common gentleman and his conversation is most interesting.

Mrs. George Timer and son Robert, came home Sunday morning from a visit in Fort Recovery, Ohio. Mr. Ulmer also was home from Portland to spend Sunday. He has not decided definitely yet to have his family move to that city —Bluffton News. Dr. J. N. Hurty, secretary of the state board of health has returned from Parke county, where he visited the site for the new tuberculosis hospital. He is enthusiastic over what he saw. “I regard the site as almost ideal,” he said. ' About one-third of the 500 acres is woodland, another one-third is rolling pasture land and the remaining one-third is bottom land. Raccoon creek flows through the western edge of the reservation. This is an unfailing stream of beautiful. clear water. Conditions exist for making a fresh water lake of considerable size. The ground water supply is good and abundant as shown by wells specially driven and by the examination of other wells in the neighborhood. The commission did wisely in accepting the Parke county site. It may not be as accessible as might be desired, "but this is not a condemning condition. Rockville can

be reached in a little bit more than (wo hours from Indianapolis. The doctor thinks that it would be good business and true economy for the General Assembly to make a healthy appropriation for the new institution. He said: “I think the appropriation for the necessary buildings and supplies should not be less than $300,000. An act appropriating this sum would be a good piece of business and a decided economy. Unlike the insane and the feeble-minded a large proportion of consumptives are returned to health cured and strong, and more than this, competent to teach others how not to have consumption and other diseases. For fear that some might think that the expenditure of this sum is not warranted. I will say that if one hundredth as many lives were lost through poisoning with arsenic as are lost through the poison of consumption the people would not hesitate at any expense to combat it. There is no economy like that of protecting and furthering the public health. The taxable property in Indiana increased in value about $200,000,000 from 1904 to 1907. This showing is made in figures just compiled by the Indiana Bureau of Statistics. In 1907 the total value of the taxable property in the state was $1,767,815,487. The increase is apparent in every kind of taxable property assessed either by the state board of tax commissioners or by the county boards of review. It is regarded as an indication that general values have increased throughout the state during the past four years. The counties having the largest total valuations are Marion, Allen, Vigo, Lake, St. Joseph, Vanderburg, Madison, Tippecanoe, Grant, Delaware, Wayne and Laporte. Ohio county hafk the smallest valuation. Brown county had the next lowest The total taxable property in 1907 was valued as follows: Assessed by local boards in counties —lands and Improvements, $660,172,175; lots an dimprovements, $480,428,775; personal property, $428,450,338. Assessed by state board of tax commissioners—Telegraph, pipe line, telephone, express and sleeping car property, $23,776,414: railroad and interurban property. $224,987,785. Total taxable property, $1,767,815,487. The assessed valuation of the land areas in the state increased in the last four years also. Not only was there a slight increase in the total number of acres assessed and an increase in the total valuation of such lands, but there wa sa jump in the average land value per acre of $1,59 per acre. According to Mrs. Mary Stubbs Moore, chief of the Bureau of Statistics, the increased valuation of lands may be traced to two causes: First, the state board of tax commissioners, between the years 1904 and 1907, reassessed the value of the lands. This reassessement comes every four years and usually results in an increase; second, the growth of the cities in the state has caused land that was formerly farm land, assessed on the farm land basis, to be annexed to the cities and thus assessed on the basis of city lots. The total number of acres of farm land assessed in Indiana in 1907 was 22,403,502. That in 1904 was 22,335.629. The increase snee 1904 is 67,873 acres. The total valuation of farm land in 1907 was $550,184,796. That in 1904 was $513,094,456. The increase since 1904 is $37,090,340. Berne, Ind., Aug. 14.—Grandfather John Wanner, living two miles northwest of this town, was given a surprise party last Wednesday in honor of his eighty-eighth birthday anniversary. The party included Mr. Wanner’s children and the families of C. E. Stuckey and Levi Moser, who went to his home in the afternoon, taking with them baskets filled with delicious supper. A jolly god time was enjoyed by all. The old gentleman received several valuable presents as birtlbday glfths.

North Sixth street, which was recently paved with bnca. is now open to the public, and same presents very marked improvement. The con" tract was done by Julius Haugk and was completed in record breaking time. Decatur can now boast of many miles of paved streets. The bonds for the Elmer Cook, w L. Breiner. W. H. Teeple, E w Bneche, Jacob Wullimann. Adolph Scbug and John Berning macadam roads have arrived from the Fv-rr Wayne Printing company, where they were prepared and are now in the hands of Auditor Lewton. Lena Yager, guardian for Viola Yager, filed her final report, turning over $1,378. Peterson and Moran were the attorneys. The original guardianship papers were filed April 22, 1890, when Albert Yager was ap. pointed guardian. New complications are coming up in the gravel ro&J business in this state. The new law, so called, authorizes townships to issue bonds for the building of gravel roads under this law to extent of 4 per cent of tho valuation of the- township taxables and that is supposed to be the linflt. Some counties have granted all roads applied for without any regard for the limit of taxation. Many commissioners have kept tab on them and refused to grant roads in townships where the number granted have already reached the limit. Jay county has turned down some, owing to the limit having been reached. Other counties have gone on the theory that when money has been paid on certain roads other bonds could be Issued hut this is said to be a doubtful procedure. Some townships In this county have already reached the limit and if this rule holds good it is possible that the end of the gravel road business will soon be in sight—Portland Commercial-Review. » Indianapolis, August 14.—The Independence party is making arrangements for its Indiana state convention to be held in this city Saturday, August 30. It was the intention to hold it August 25, but the date was changed because that is the date of the Kern notification meeting, and it was regarded as inadvisable to have a Hearst convention on the day when Bryan is to make a speech here. W. R. Hearst is to be in the city, and so is Thomas L. Hisgen, of Massachusetts, Independence party candidate for president. John Temple Graves, of Georgia, candidate for vice president, will also come if he is able to make the trip. He underwent an operation a few days ago. The convention will be held in English's opera house. The Methodist reunion- to be held at Robison park August 27 promises to be the greatest gathering of members of that church ever held in this part of the state Methodists will be present from all over northern Indiana, and some of the most noted churchmen in the country will take part in the program. Bishop Joseph F. Berry, of Buffalo, will preside at the special services and will deliver a sermon at the park in the morning and will lecture in the evening at the First M. E. church. The Hon. James E. Watson, republican- candidate for governor, and the Hon. Thomas R. Marshall, democratic candidate for the same high office, have both been invited. The Claflin University male quartet of Orangeburg, S. C., will sing both in the morning and afternoon. Rev. Charles Rowand. Dr. W. M. Enslen and J- W. Wis-h-art form the committee on program. Rev. Frank Lenlg, D.D., Rev. Loren M. Edwards and Rev. C. M. Hobbs constitute the committee on advertising. Rev, C. A. Rowand and Dr. W. M. Enslen will have charge of arrangements at the park, and are also members of the general committee of arrangements, which includes Dr. C. V. Wade, district superintendent, H. <* Schrader and J. W. Wishart.

Clark Fairbanks, one of the best known citizens of Fort Wayne, and who had hundreds of friends in this city and county, died at three o'clock Friday afternoon, at his cottage at Rome City. He had been in poor healh for a year and his death had been expected several weeks, but nevertheless caused a shock to his many acquaintances. Mr. Fairbanks moved to Fort Wayne in 1869 and soon after became a part owner of the Journal. In 1878 he became agent for the Penn Mutual Life Insurance company and has perhaps written more insurance than any other man in this P art the state. Os his life the Journal-Ga-zette said: Mr. Fairbanks was married May 29, 1880, to Miss Carolyn Randall, daughter of ex-Mayor Frank lin P. Randall and a cousin of Frank M. Randall, the present city engin eer. She survives him, with one daughter, Agnes. The family re '’ ed in the old Randall homestead. « Berry and Lafayette streets. Jr ' Fairbanks was a man of quiet habits, of genial disposition and possessed M unfailing good nature that made 1 liked by every one who knew 1 He was a republican in politics an for several years past had been member of the Wayne township visory board.