Decatur Democrat, Volume 51, Number 36, Decatur, Adams County, 17 September 1908 — Page 2

Humiliated and disgraced, suffering untold torture of body and mind, be-| cause his wife and children have been taken from him, his honor dragged in the dust and his home broken up, George E. Paille, the Amishman who several weeks ago collected $l5O from the Home Insurance company for the hiss of his barn, has filed suit against twelve members of the Amish church lu Monroe townsihip. Attorneys Beatty and Cottrell filed the complaint Saturday which asks for $'.,000 for the damages. The defendants are Joseph A. Swartz, also Petti-. Jaccb. Christ and John Swartz. Noah and John Nussbaum, Joseph Hilty, Jacob Eicher. David Wickey. Noah Bacheice and Samuel Beroe. Paille and his good wife Katy were married ten years ago and have always been happy. Two years ago George had his property Insured, in violation of a church rule. Last July his barn burned and he was paid $l5O. The church leaders found it out and demanded that he return the money or they would compel his wife and two children to leave him. He refused. They told his wife if she did not leave him that after death her soul would be cast into hellfire and she would suffer endless and eternal punishment. Mrs. Paille believed it and has since refused to co-habit with her husband. The churchmen also circulated the report that George had set bis barn on fire and ought to be sent to prison, thus ruining his reputation. All i n all the plaintiff thinks he has been damaged $5,000 and demands that amount. The queer notions of the Amish about court will create a great interest for this case by the time it comes to trial. o —i REV. SMITH TAKES BRIDE. Marries Miss Gray, an Orphan Home Worker. Cards were received here Thursday morning announcing the wedding of Rev. Martin L. Smith, formerly pastor of the Lutheran church in this city, and Miss Margaret J. Gray, of Indianapolis, the ceremony being performed Wednesday at 1203 Park aveune, Indianapolis, says the Portland Sun. Mr. Smith was pastor of the East High street Lutheran churdh at this place about six years, and it was while here the death of his wife occurred after a long illness of cancer. He resigned his charge early this spring and soon after leaving here received a call to the Lutheran church at Osborn, Ohio, where he is now located. His bride is well known in this city, having served three years as state district superintendent of the orphan home work, soliciting funds and finding homes for children. Portland was in her district and in her visits to this place made many frends. She resigned this work the first of July of this year, Miss Louise Timmonds being appointed in her place as district superintendent. o An an illness dating back several years from ailments characteristic to old age, Mrs. Rhoda McCullough, of St. Marys township, probably the oldest pioneer of the county, passed peacefully into eternity. The deceased has lived an eventful life. Having been a resident of St. Marys township for nearly all her life, she 'has formed many acquaintances who will with regret receive the news of her demise. A few weeks ago, the aged lady grew suddenly worse. Her condition became alarming and even the nearest friends and relatives have not entertained hopes for her recovery. Her husband preceded her to the great beyond some time ago, and her survivors consist of near relatives and a multitude of sorrowing friends. The funeral services will be held tomorrow and interment made at Mt. Tabor cemetery. Age 80 years, one month and nineteen days. —— o Adam Harker, a well known farmer, residing one mile north of Watt, Ohio, died Saturday at 4:30 o’clock a. m. after suffering for some time from a complication of ailments peculiar to old age. The deceased has been a resident of Van Wert county for many years, was a progressive tiller of the soil and well and favorably known for many miles around. He was taken ill several months ago and has since experienced a gradual decline in health, the spark of life becoming extinct this morning. Hundreds of friends and relatives are grieving over the demise of the most estimable man. Surviving besides the bereaved widoware six children and a multitude cf friends. The funeral services were at 2:00 o’clock, burial taking place preached the sermon. cAccording to news from the w-est. railroads are cutting down their detective forces on account of the scarcity of the “Weary Willies.” In a recent statement an officer of the Pennsylvania said that the company has lost every year since the invasion of Coxey’s army $500,000 because of tramps. “Hoboes” are placed on the stone pile at Kankakee, 111., and few are seen there.

The cause of Henry Meyer vs. Andrew Meyer, for the appointment ot a guardian was heard and though it wag shown that the aeiendant, who is past the three score year and ten mark was not feeble mind, it was decided that he needed a guardian. He is deaf and has never spoken to any one but his son and is unable to attend to any kind of business. He has a life estate in a sixty acre farm. Edward L. Arnold et al ex parte, drain, demurrer filed by the C. & E. railroad company to the petition. Charles Thompson, of Geneva, charged with assault and battery with intent to kill one Squire Armantrout, and who has ben in jail about four months, was released on S2OO bend furnished by himself. His cause has been continued.

The Houk divorce case is being heard in court this afternoon. Julius Johnloz, charged with perjury, filed an application to defend as a poor person. Frederick Troutner et al transferred to John Yant et al, 20 acres in St. Marys township, $2,500. Sarah J. Steele, guardian for Morse E. Steele and others, filed final report as to Morris and current report as to others. E. Burt Lenhart, guardian for John L Jones, filed his final report nad was discharged. B. W. Sholty, guardian for Harry and T.ula Poling, filed current report, which was allowed. Fred Braun, guardian for Maria L. Brown, filed a current report which was allowed. E. F. Hoffman, of Van Buren, has filed the letters patent to the Ira T. Bobbitt churn and ice cream freezers at the county clerk’s office here, giving him the full right to sell them in Adams county. Mr. Hoffman has the county right for Adams and Jay. A MUCH TRIED LAW SUIT New Trial Granted in Whaley Case at Bluffton. Judge John F. LaFollette, sitting as special judge in the Weils circuit court, at Bluffton, granted the petition cf the defendant for a new- trial in the case of Joseph L. Whaley, against his wife, Ellen Whaley, suit to set aside a deed to residence property on west Washington street in Bluffton. This will make the third trial of the case. The first trial of the Whaley case was heard before Judge Sturgis, and his decision was i n favor of the defendant, Mrs. Whaley. A second trial was then granted as a matter of right under the law in cases involving real estate, and this time the plaintiff asking for a jury trial. The verdict of the jury was in favor of Mr. Whaley, but Judge LaFollette never entered judgment on this verdict and Wednesday granted the new trial on the grounds that the jury’s verdict at the last trial was not sustained by the evidence in the case. Tn the last trial there was a list of interrogatories to answer and the attorneys for the defense claimed theste were answered in their favor. At the same time he granted the new- trial Wednesday Judge LaFollette refused to sit further in the case, and Judge Sturgis appointed J. W. Macy, of the Randolph circuit court, as the new special judge in the case. o WON A RACE AT DETROIT. Bluffton Horse Alacer Made Mile in 2:11 and Won Three Heats. Alacer, the fast trotting stallion owned by the Bluffton Horse company, won the 2:16 trot at the Detroit races yesterday in three straight heats. His ime wag phenomenal, 2:11, 2:12 and 2:13. The purse w-as S6OO. Alacer is to start at Fort Wayne at the fair next week. This is one of his performances nearest home and a large crowd of Bluffton horsemen will attend to see him work. Alacer is ow-ned by Abe Hesher, Amos King, John Gilbert, Charles Bentz, Frank Randall, Sylvester Mills and George Brickley and he is the • fastest horse ever owned in Wells county. His owners are jubilant over his great' record at Detroit and have great expectations for him in the SI,OOO stake race in which he is entered at Fort Wayne next week. The horse was.bought by the Bluffton Horse company at the Wabash sales two yeans ago, and it is said they paid about S9OO for him. He probably would bring $3,000 to $5,000 today. He is a six year old. Alacer is a fine looker and last week in addition to going i n the races at Portland took some sweepstake prizes. —Bluffton News. o — Mrs. David Werllng is spending a few- days at Preble with friends.

We left St. Paul Sabbath afternoon at one o'clock on the Canadian Northern Special which was to convey us to Duluth and the Canadian northwest. The country through which we passed was comparatively uninteresting, but we cccupied the time pleasantly getting acquainted witih our car neighbors. who were to be our traveling companions for two weeks. Near us were Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Moffett, who are well known to many Decatur people. We arrived in Duluth about dusk, and went immediately to the Spaulding. From the top of this hotel one gets a fine view of the harbor. A neck of land, six miles in length, called Minnesota Point, runs out into lake Superior, making a natural breakwater. The harbor tfhus formed is one of the finest in the world, including the navigable St. Louis rivejwhich empties into it, it could ac conijnpdate all the vessels on the Great Lakes. A canal, spanned by an aerial bridge, the second in the world, divides Minnesota point from Duluth. It might be well to explain that Minnesota point is a summer resort, but if the weather we had on the twentyfourth of August is a sample of the good old summer time in this country, a summer resort seemed superfluous to those of u s who live farther south.

The next morning at 7 every one was ready to take the steamer Newsboy for a trip up the St. Louis river to Fon du Lac. • It would be impossible to describe in a short newspaper article all we saw as we passed through the harbor. Grefp.t coaling docks, docks for loading iron ore taken from the low hills of the Mesaba range which surround the head of lake Superior; mammoth elevators for storing and shipping grain, fleets of vessels loading and unloading, hundreds of freight cars ready to carry the produce of this wonderful region to the markets of the world. Golden grain, golden butter, yellow pine and red iron ore. Senator Proctor’s speech made in derision in 1871 has been literally fulfilled. Duluth is the greatest shipping port in tibe world. During the eight months that navigation is open more freight is handled by water at Duluth, Superior and the sub-port of Two Harbors, which is included in the Duluth district than in any other port in the world. Our nineteen mile trip up the river proved to be full of interest. A kind of toboggan slide built on the brow of a hill on the water's edge attracted our attention. An explanation proved it to be used in the Norwegian sport of ski jumping. Men with skis strapped to their feet start at the top of this incline and as they come down they work their bodies back and forth to gain velocity. When they reach the bottom they jump as far as possible. Sometimes they go more than five hundred feet.

The soil along the river bank is dark red, due to the iron deposits in the hills through which it flows. Arriving at Fo n du Lac we found a small village at the foot of a high, sandy forest crowned hill. Here we were shown the timbers of a trading post supposed to have been established by the Hudson Bay Co. in 1646 or thereabouts; also a little log cabin, headquarters of John Jacob Astor’s early fur-trading days. On our way back we disembarked at a pleasant little resort belonging to a Duluth fishing club, where we were served with an excellent lunch. The captain of our boat took us through the canal out into lake Superior, where we had a fine view cf Duluth lying as it does fifteen miles along the lake shore, with a background of solid gfanite rising high, above it. We found on our return to Duluth autos, carriages, tallyhos, in fact an Y kind of conveyance one might chose, ready to take us on a fifteen mile ride around the most wonderful boulevard in the world. The magnificence of the homes and public buildings prove the wealth centered here more conclusively than miles of statistics, also its cosmopolitan character. The most perfect type of colonial architecture copied from old Virginia, along side those modern in every particular, all however, surrounded by beautiful lawn as green and smooth as velvet, broken onlyjiy beds of exquisite flowers. Strange as it may seem, in what thirtyfive years ago was considered a bleak uninhabitable country, flowers and vifies grow to splendid perfection. Duluth claims the finest high school building in the world. In fact, Minnesota has everywhere the very best school buildings. And well she may.

Her school fund is raised by a tax on iron ore. The state gets twenty-five cents for every ten of ore that is mined. This is put into a fund and only the interest used. Eventually Minnesota will be able to give every boy and girl in the state not only a > common school education, but a uni-1 versity course as well. AY. M. C. A. | building erected by the women at the cost of SIOO,OOO is one of the finest in the country. Our drive took us over the brow of the hill back of the city. As we drove along swarms of foreign children ran beside the tallyho crying penny, penny. It was great fun to see them grab for the pennies as

Iwe threw them to the side of the i road. At the highest point we got i a bird’seye view of the city and har'bor, which enabled us to appreciate the supremacy Duluth now enjoys and the magnificent future before her. Looking out over the blue waters of lake Superior, as far as eye can reach vessels of all descriptions coming and I going, hundreds Ks them lying htj ■ anchor in the harbor, miles upon miies of railroad track spreading out like a net work to tbie docks, saw mills as far as one can see along the shore, activity, hustle, hurry everywhere. An ayakening to the marvelous resources of the great country to which Duluth is the gateway. Nellie M. Ellingham. ■ o 1 Miss Frances Merryman gave a linen shower Friday evening in honor of Miss Marie Berry, a September bride-to-be. The guests were entertained by a darning contest, Mrs. Jesse Dailey winning the prize, which she presented to the bride. As each guest arrived she placed her gift in a large paper bag and the bag was then suspended frem the grill work in the doorway. The guest of honor was seated under the bag and as a string was pulled, the gifts were showered upon her. At six o’clock the gjuests found their places in the dining room by descriptive place cards, the bride being seated at the head of the table in a chair beautifully deccrated in white with a huge bouquet of white asters tied with white ribbons and a threecourse luncheon -was served. The guests were Misses Pansy Bell. Lucile Hale, Edna Huffman, Fanny Frisinger, Winnfred Johnson and Mesdames D. W. Beery, Jesse Dailey, Dyke Frisinger and Dan R. Vail. The 11th of September is a date leng to be remembered by the families of D. M. Rice and John R Evans, it being their wedding date, also the latter’s birthday. As lhas been the custom they spent the anniversary together, and this year, while at the Evans’ home, quietly indulging in reminiscences the peaceful calm was broken by an unearthly din which proved to be their friends giving them an old-time belling to celebrate their 25th anniversary. The following with their families were present: Mr. and Mrs. S. Fuhrman, W. A. Fonner, S. Magley, L. J. Houk, C. E. Magley, C. D. Kunkle, J. C Houk, O. E. Fritzinger, Francis Fuhrman, Earl Bennett.

AN IMPOSTOR. Collecting Money from Friends of Allen County Orphans' Home. A smooth impostor has been operating with considerable success ‘or sevarl days in Fort Wayne appealing to people in the name of “the orphans’ asylum near the poor farm.” He >s evidently familiar with local conditions and by citing the well known fact that the county commissioners do n ot make adequate provision for the home, be gives the color of plausibility to his appeal and hag collected considerable money. He is an imposter and it is requested by the officers of the orphans’ home that those upon whom he calls will promptly report the matter to the police. o COTTON MUST FACE TRIAL. Motion to Quash Was Overruled D y Judge Sturgis. In circuit court this aftemcon Judge Sturgis overruled the motion to quash the affidavit in tlhe case against Frank Cotton, charged with issuing a fraudulent check and the case will go to trial in circuit court next Wednesday. A hard fight is being put up for Cotton and his father has employed two firms of attorneys, Simmons & Dailey and Sharpie * Sturgis, to defend him. Frank is probably in the closest box at present he has ever been placed.—Bluffton News. Miss Dessie Kinsey, employed as stenographer for the Ward Fence Co., at Decatur, left Friday morning to resume her werk after a two weeks’ visit at the home of her parents. Mr. and Mrs. W, D Kinsey, of east Main street. —Portland Sun. The trial of Roy Massena, the young man who stands charged with having embezzled about $1,600 while serving in the capacity of deputy treasurer of I'isciusko county, under Treasurer Pabcock, will begin at Warsaw, Thursday, September 17.

W. L. Ray recently visited David Eckrcte and family, former Berne people, at their truck farm a short distance west of Fort Wayne. Mr. Ray says Dave has a 48-acre farm that's hard to beat for growing truck and ' that prosperity is with them. He has | a 9-acre field of corn that’s the best I Mr. Ray has ever seen.—Berne Wit--1 ness. THE ELZEY-TODD WEDDING. Ira C. M. Elzey and Miss May Todd were united in marriage at 7:30 o’clock last evening, the ceremony being performed by Squire James H. Stone. The parties are quite well known young people of this city.

Friends of big Cecil Gray will be| glad to learn of his rapid rise in the i base bail world since leaving Portland. He started the season with ( Van Wert in the 1.-O. league and la-. ter went. 10 Sharon in the O. P. league | and at the close of that league led , the list of batters. He has been ’ drafted by Boston and will report there next spring.—Portland Commer-cial-Review. Frank Burns and family have moved into their new home on Adams street, which was recently completed. Next week the campaign will open in ’ earnest in various parts of the county. Monday. Sept. 14th, organization of thirty-cent club at Democratic headquarters; Tuesday, Sept. 15th. speaking at court room by Sam Small. Every Democrat should attend. T. W. Dellinger, of this city, is taking races with big purses at Detroit this week. On Wednesday he• won the 2:30 trot with Bob Riley, i the bay gelding which made such a ! nice showing at the fair here. The ! best time was 2:13’4, in the second heat The purse for the race was I SBOO. On Thursday Dellinger took the 2:16 trot with Alacer, the fine black stallion and captured a S6OO purse. The best time in the latter race was 2:11%. —Portland Commer-cial-Review. Fred Neodeifliouser just closed a ; deal with L. E. Vanßuskirk, widower,| of near Lima, Ind., by which he comes j into possession of a nice farm near said city. Mr. Van Buskirk is an ex-! perineced meat marketer and takes | in part payment for the farm the meat; market business at the Central gro- j eery, a stock of shoes at Linn Grove and Fred's interest in the old Missionary church building. Mr. Van Buskirk and his two daughters intend to move to Berne in about two weeks. —Berne Witness. Miss Grace Dailey, daughter of John Dailey, past president of the Federation of Labor, won the contest for queen of the labor carnival last night j in a whirlwind finish. Her rate was ; 14,650 against 12,537 for Miss Ussle-' man, who was second. When the re- I suit was announced a carriage was sent to the home and she was brought to the carnival grounds to receive the prize of the contest. The formal crowning of the queen and presents-, tion of the diamond ring, which was offered took place in the center of the carnival grounds at 9:30. Miss Dailey is quite well known in this city, having visited here several timeg ■with Mrs. Rose McLaughlin. Maggart finally belongs to a pennant winning team, and it was largely. through his hitting that this pinnacle i was reached. The Springfield, Mass., i team closed its season September 5 ' in the lead, being third when Maggart joined the team after being discarded by the Waterbury management. It was his long and timely hitting and fine base running that won the pennant in the Connecticut league, and after the post series games he will be back in Bluffton for a short visit. — Bluffton Banner. Grandpa Meyer quietly celebrated his ninetieth birthday Friday at the home of his son, John Meyer, on north Fourth street. Grandpe- Meyer, Although not quite as spry as he was a I number of years ago, is still well and ' hearty. He is a native of Germany i and has lived here nearly a half a ' century. Dyke Frisinger, who makes a spec-1 laity of raising Shropshire sheep, has 1 shipped four rams to Nebraska, Ind. ' Dyke has a bunch..of these high grade sheep for sale and if you want them, see him quick. REUNION OF PYLE FAMILY. Four Brothers and Sister Whose Ages Total 374 Years. At a family gathering and dinner j Sunday at the home of Mrs. Martha I Millette and her son, William, on Eaton avenue, there were present I about fifty members of the Pyle family and their descendants, but the special j guests of honor for the occasion were I four patriarchs of the family and their ' sister, the five having a combined age of 374 years and all in good health that indicate many more years of this life< These five, Jour brothers and their sister were Andrew Pyle, of Geneva, aged 72; Robert, of Barbers Mills, aged 77; Mrs. Martha Millette, of this city, aged 75; George Pyle, of Geneva, aged 72; and John Pyle, of New Corydon, aged 71. They were born in Wayne county, Ohio, and moved with their parents to Jay county, Indiana, on November 7. 1838, and have been residents of the Hoosier state 70 years. Besides these five I there were gathered at the reunion 1 Grant Pyle and family, H. E. Lyons and family, Mrs. Jane Ellingham, Willias Asby and family of and George B. Johnson and family. This was the first time the entire family had been together ?a nine years. — - — The Barkley family will hold their annual reunion at Steele park tomorrow. Quite a number from out of town will attend: I

j Joseph A. Lower, delegate from ! this county to the United Brethren conference for the St. Joseph district has returned home and describes it as a very successful event. The conI ference met at Bourbon, Ind., under 'supervision of the pasror there, Rev. . G. E. Leeke, formerly stationed here. The appointments were read Sunday, Rev. Isais Imler, being transferred from Plymouth to this city while Rev. Stangle goes to Burkett. Rev. Imler is one of the leading ministers of the district, a fine gentleman who wil] be remembered here, having served as pastor twenty years ago. A n important event of the conference was the abolishment of elders and the placing of the entire district under one superintendent, Rev. J. E. Grimes being chcsen. The appointments were as follows: Adamsville, F. Grow; Albion, G. E. Luke; Angela. A. M. Cummins; .Bremen. J. W. Lake; Bremen circuit. In. L. Stambaugh; Brimfield. Noah McCoy; Butler. W. P. Parker; Butler circuit. O. B. Wells; Elkart Castle, C. S. Parker; Elkart Second. I. S. Cleaver; Faw r , River, W. F. Pellet; Indian 'Village, R. G. Upson; Ligonier, D. Robinson; Nappanee, J. C. Albright: Newville, M. V. Higgs: Pleasant Lake. J A." Davis; Solomon’s Creek, A. F. McCloe; South Bend, C. V. Mull; Syracuse, J. W.~ Delong; Tyner, H, G. I Pence; Walkerton. J. T. Heesey; Waterloo; F. P. Overmyer; Churubusco. M. M. T r eCount; Clunett. O. L. RichI art: Columbia City, T. L. Shaffer; I Collins, J. A. Kek: Decatur. I. Imler; Donaldson, S. Simons: Bourbon and Etna Green, W. H. Fetro; Burkett, L A. Stangle; Fort Wayne, G. F. Byrer; Laketon, S. M. Roll; Ossian, S. A, Rhoades; Monroeville, J. L. Powers: North Manchester, Edgar Green; Plymouth. S. H. Yager; Silver Lake, C. A. Spitler; South Whitley, W. R. Rittenhouse; Tocsin, W. V. Mullikin; Warsaw, J. L. Goshert; Warsaw circuit. S. Snyder; Washington Center, W. C. Johnson; Zanesville, J. A. Farmer: Colburn, S. O. Goodrich: Dayton. |A. F. Knepp; Deedsville, C. J. Miner; ' Erie, W. A. Thomas: Frankfort. J. 'W. Lower: Franfort circuit. H. E. Butter; Futlon. J. W. Hindbaugh: Galveston, C. A. Syckafoose; Coblesviile, J W. Eby; Grass Creek. J. D. Coverstone; Huntington, L. O. Oyler; Lafayette, J. A. Groves; Logansport, J. N. Martin; North Judson and Knox, E. If. Pontius; Peru, D. B. Kessinger: Pleasant, L, W. Love: Prairie Grove, William Simons; Rich Valley, J. W. Berket; Roanoke, B. F. Thomas; Rochester, I. N. Shilling; Young America. J. L. Ickes; Bishop Ameritus, Nicholas Castle; Bishop Pacific coast, William IM. Bell; evanjrelists-at-large, E. C. I Avis and R. J. Parrett ; conference I evangelists. C. H. Bell, J. Cummins; I treasurer, Indiana Central university. J. A. Cummins; J. F. Smith, student in Otterbein university; Joseph Cosand, missionary in Japan. o Rev. C, B. Wilcox delivered the first of a series of lectures Sunday night. He took as his subject, "Sarah, the Princess<’ The history, customs and conditions cf the time in which Sarah and Abraham lived was draw n in a vivd. concise manner so that a clear picture of the woman and her surroundings formed in the hearer's mind. From I this he drew lessons well worth the attention of every woman who has j the responsibility of a home and chilI dren. In speaking of Sarah’s natI ural beauty he took occasion to give I the powder, puffs and rtfts with which .the women of today adorn themselves ' a humorous little dig. In a more serious vein be spoke of the extravagance and lack of domestic knowledge among girls as responsible for the rapid decrease in marriages. These lectures are valuable from a historical . as well as a moral and religious standpoint. Every one who can should ■ hear them. The subject next Sabbath 1 evening will be “Esther, the Star of j the Orient.” FOUGHT FOR GRANITE BARGAINS Exciting Scenes at George Morris Store in Bluffton. The George Morris five and ten cent store was the scene of considerable excitement this morning on the occasion of one of the famous granite ware sales. The window full of assorted granite ware was advertised to sell for a nominal sum per piece and a crowd which completely filled the front of the store was assembled in hopes of securing one of the choice pieces. The big prizes were dishpans, of which there were a few in the window and there were several controversies over the ownership of these. As the last one was handed out it was grabbed by five women and one man. The latter i was soon brought to see that a mere man has no show with five women and he retired hastily with a much battered hat and several articles of clothing much rumpled. The tussle finally narrowed down to two women, a big and a little, and a girl. All were determined and the battle raged back and forth for several minutes. Finally the little woman was shaken off and the big woman turned the pan over to her small opponent, who carried it in triumph.—Bluffton News.