Decatur Democrat, Volume 51, Number 46, Decatur, Adams County, 26 November 1908 — Page 1

MX THE NEWS ' ALL THE TIME

Volatile LI

TO MAKE THE FIGHT Anti-Saloon League Will Not Stand for Repeal of Local Option TO PUSH ELECTIONS In this Way the Sentiment for Temperance is to Be Revived

Indianapolis, Nov. 25.—The Indiana Anti-Saloon League will fight hard to prevent the repeal of the county local option law. This was decided yesterday at the annual meeting of the board of trustees of the league, held in the headquarters in the Claypool building, Illinois and Washington streets, when the members adopted a legislative program for the coming year. Not only that., but the league will also try to get the legislature to adopt a resolution to submit to the people at the 1912 election a constitutional amendment for state-wide prohibition. These two propositions are the principal ones of the program that the league will follow. Probably forty members of the board of trustees were present, coming from all parts of the state. E. S. Shumaker, state superintendent of the organization, read his annual report in which he reviewed the work done during the last year. He showed that eighteen counties went dry bt- remonstrance since the last meeting of the trustees. There are now twenty-seven dry counties.

Twenty-one county-seat towns also drove out saloons during the year. There are now more than 800 dry townships. Mr. Shumaker recited the history of the local option fight, and showed how the law was passed. He expressed regret at the defeat of > James E. Watson for governor, though he said that the people of the state appeared to believe that the good qualities of Thomas R. Marshall overbalanced the good qualities of Watson. In his report Mr. Shumaker recommended that temperance work be kept out of politics and the trustees adopted this as a part of their pregram for the coming year. They will keep it

out of party politics if they can. The report showed that the total receipts I of the league during the last year amounted to more than $27,000. which was $9,000 in excess of what it received the previous year. Hundreds of thousands of pamphlets and campaign documents were printed and sent out through the state. On motion of the Rev. Joshua Stansfield, of the 1 Meridian street Methodist church, the trustees decided to have the affairs of the league conducted during the coming year along the lines laid down in Shumaker’s report. Dr. P. A. Baker, of Columbus, 0., national superintendent of the Anti-Saloon League, was present and made a short speech, in which he advised the trustees to get i busy at once and hold all the county local option elections they possibly can before the legislature opens its next session. “If you hold a number of elections in various counties you will find that the sentiment in favor of local option will be so strong that n party will dare undertake to repeal your law," he told them. “Select the counties in which you know you will succeed, the ones that you feel certain of going dry. Hold all the elections you can before the legislature opena Make careful preparation, however, in each case. Organize your forces in each township and precinct. Have a county headquarters, with a chairman and a stenographer. Let them have telephone communication with the workers in the townships and precincts. Send out speakers and literature that will work up the sentiment. Get everything in good shape, Md then when the election is held

you will find the result as we have found It In Ohio. On September 25 there were seven dry counties in Ohio. In the last seven weeks forty-seven ■note counties have gone dry through local option election. It is much easier to carry a county dry now than it ■was before the election. This is why 1 advise you to begin at once. By the time the legislature convenes you ’dl have accomplished so much that your county local option law will be safe from all attack.’* o ——■ The library will be closed all day Thanksgiving.

MWCATIIn

SELLS OUT AT BLUFFTON. W ' S ’ Hushes Wi " Locate in Californh. c 3 J; J" 81 * 8 ’ ° f Decatur - who haa north Ma- a monument wwk s on ™ J lain , Street for past two Jtars, has closed up shop and sold all the stone on hands. He is the owner or considerable land in California and Florida and with his family wIU m -ve J th t former state to make their fuu-*' °nie. Mr. Hughe s will embark tn the monument business in his new home and will run this in connection with his other business interests. The room occupied by Mr. Hughes has not been rented to any other business. James Hughes and family o t this city, may decide to accompany the Decatur family to thei r new home.—Bluffton Banner.

IT’S NEW TO THEM Philippines Surprised at Rapidity of American Surveyors WORK THROUGH RAIN Bert Segur Writes Another Interesting Letter of Our Possessions Tagabalaran, P. 1., Sept. 26, 1908. Dear Father: —Sunday again and a great day it is after the rain that we have had this last week. We have

now returned to Lobok and will return to Camp 6 next Thursday. We have been making the people here open their eyes by the rapid surveying that we have been doing. They are not used to American swiftness, as they are in the roads department, but I think by the time that they start the read through here that they will get used to it. We certainly had some tough surveying to do last week. We ambled up to Carmen and had to live in a tent that happened to be leaky and it started some of the worst rains that X have ever seen and as we were in a hurry we were compelled to survey in the rain. Luckily I had a rain coat with me and so I fared better than the rest of the men. I am at Tagabalaren today. I did not have anything else to do today and so 1 got a horse and came over here to see one cf my friends that came over with me on the Mongolia.

I hardly know what 1 have not described to you that we see out in these provinces, unless it is the dirt of the Philippines and I can say to start in that no description of the Philippines is complete, as it does not take in the smell. Nearly every Philippine has a good crop of lice, and it is a very common sight to go along the road and see the Philippines looking over each others head for lice. They all use cocoanut oil and that smells just what It is, rotten cocoanuts. They never clean up anything and you can smell a house long before you see it. They all have a greasy appearance. When they stay with us a little while we make them clean up and be a little mite decent In their personal appearance, as far as washing is concerned, but if I had anjthing to do with it I think I would make them and some of these Americans go farther than that. I have nothing good whatsoever to say for the morals of the Americans over here. There ia nothing to say. lam going to stay here in the quarters of the contabulary over night and go back in the morning. So long. BERT ’

AERONAUTS LAND SAFELY The Balloon United States Makes a Voyage of 250 Mi*es. Los Angeles, Cal., Nov- 24— 'P® balloon United States, which ascended in this city at 10 o’clock yesterday morning for a test of the i currents, landed at Ehrensberg. Ar z„ 'on the Colorado river, nearly 2ao mdtes from Los Angeles. This advice received by telegraph today. « loon landed yesterday afternoon about 4:30 o'clock. Joseph King’s New ' in a grand revival of will appear at the Bosse ope.a house next week, on Wednesday.

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday, November 26 ©OB

CAUSED A BIG STIR Mrs. John Witte Traveled Eight Miles Over Public Highway WITH BABY CAB Was Running Away from Her Husband— Parents Took Her Home The Bluffton News said: Ossian was thrown into commotion at dusk last night when Mrs. John Witte, wife of a farmer in the Freidheim neighborhood in Adams county came into the village wheeling a baby buggy in which were her two little sons, aged four and five years. She had pushed the go-cart with the children therein a distance of eight miles on foot. The

woman was running away from her husband, who had taken a load of grain to Decatur. Taking advantage of his absence she had leaded her boy s in the buggy, put in some eggs and butter, which she sold on the road to a huckster, and was trying to get work in Ossian. The telephones were put to work at once and in a few hours three carriage loads of her neighbors, members of the Lutheran church, came to Ossian and tried by all means to get her to return. They had finally come to the point where they thought it best to use forcible means, when her father, William Hockemeyer, arrived with her mother and she finally consented to go to the parental roof with her children. In a conversation with various persons she said she was tired of her husband and would never return to him. He had net mistreated her, she said, but she would never live with him again. The family have a fine farm and are surrounded by every comfort, and the impression prevails that Mrs. 'Witte was slightly unsettled mentally. She is a fine looking woman with two handseme and healthy children, and her actions could be ascribed to no other cause. Her husband did not get back from market until ten o’clock, and found his home deserted.

THE FIRST MEETING Boys of the Holy Grail Met Last Night and Elected Officers A SPLENDID TIME Was Enjoyed by All Present —More Debates and Socials this Winter The Knights of the Holy Grail met Tuesday night for the first time since their summer meeting and the session was of unusual interest. A goodly number of the members were present and after pursuing the usual routine, it was announced that the election of officers would be in order. As a consequence the following young men were presented and elected to the positions as follows: Knight commander, Harold 'Wilcox; vice K. of C„ William Conrad; knight of scroll, Joe Hunter; herald, Marion Watkins; esquire, Sherman Beery; page, Frank J. Mills. The boys are anticipating a great time this winter and it is probable that several debates will be indulged in by the local and surrounding castles. Since the organization of their order, the Holy Grail boys have had a great time. They have learned much about parliamentary law and discipline and the public will hear from them this winter in various contests.

Julius and Philip Shugg, Ed Engeler and George Simison, of Berne were business visitors in this city yesterday. They made the trip from Berne to Bluffton, a distance of eighteen miles in, forty minutes in a machine owned by one of the gentlemen. —Bluffton Banner.

FIGHT ON TRACTION CAR Whites and Negroes, Who Were Drunk, Have Melee. Princeton. Ind., Nov. 24. —Drunks, both white and colored, took complete possession of an E. & S. I. traction car betwen Haubstadt and this city last night, and fought all the way from Haubstadt here. A negro local talent .company had been giving a minstrel performance in Haubstadt, and while there it is said white men from Fort Branch and Princefon tried to get the negro women drunk. This was the cause of the trouble which broke out on the car. Several were severely beaten and cut, windows were broken out, and it was not until the police met the car here that the trouble was stopped. A number of arrests were made. COURTHOUSENEWS A. B. Cunningham Files Case for Damages Against C. & E. Railway

FOR LOSS BY FIRE Assault Case Filed on Appeal—A Marriage License —Other Items Through his attorney, C. L. Walters, Anson B. Cunningham, a well known farmer of Root township, has filed suit against the Chicago & Erie railroad, demanding SSOO for damage caused to the said Cunningham farm by fires. The complaint is in three counts and alleges that on September 10th and October 6th and 13th, sparks from a C. & E. engine set fire to grass and weeds along their right of way which spread to the 138 acre farm of Mr. Cunningham and caused a loss of several hundred dollars, by burning hay, grass, grain and fences. Attorney Beatty will look after the interest of the railroad company.

In the Mathias Miller et al drain, an additional allowance of $75 was made to Peterson & Moran as attorneys for petition. Superintendent of construction ordered to pay same. Henry A. Tindell et al vs. Jacob Fogle, partition, demurrer filed to complaint. The case of the State vs. Henry Roth, assault and battery, appealed from the justice court in Wabash township, has been filed in court here. The case is the result of the collision of two buggies and is a rather peculiar one. John A. Cook, guardian for Jessie Cook and others filed a report which was spread of record. Eli W r . Steele, guardian for Andrew J. Robison, filed a petition for an allowance and an order to keep ward at guardian’s home. He was allowed sls per month until further order of court.

Philip F. Luley, 30, a machinist from Fort Wayne, and Anna Wolpert, 36, of this city, were granted a marriage license. Real estate transfers: Decatur Cemetery Association to W. D. Drummond lot 434 Decatur cemetery, >32. Clerk Haefllng has sent a fee bill to Bluffton, calling for >1,405.23, the costs in the Studabaker-Faylor case. This is the largest fee bill ever prepared in this county. A marriage license was issued to Otto B. Lehman, 23. a bridge carpenter of Berne, to Hulda Habegger, 21, of Berne. Another couple to secure a lioense were William Schenbeck 22, a stock buyer, of Wabash township, to Mary Hawbaker, aged 20. A license to wed was al bo issued to William G. Neuenschwander, 23, a Wells county farmer, and Lizzie Swartz, aged 21, of this county. —————— The union church service at the Methodist church tomorrow morning will be well attended. The sermon will be by the Rev. Richard Spetnagle and there will be special music for the Theire bvlll aJfcp ibe services at the St. Marys church and at the German Reformed church.

MR. BORDEN DEAD Well Known Geneva Man Breathed His Last at Noon Today ■ I ILL MANY MONTHS Suffered from Stomach Trouble—Formerly Lived in Decatur Geneva, Ind,, Nov. 25.—(Special to Daily Democrat)—Charles Borden, one of the best known citizens of this place, died at his home at noon today after an illness of several months. He was about fifty years of age, and for a great many years had served as night policeman in this town. He formerly lived at Decatur, where he will be remembered, being known there as Chill Borden. He was an efficient officer and an industrious and well respected citizen. About a year ago he began suffering from stomach trouble and within a few months he was reduced from a man of two hundred pounds to almost a skeleton. He finally gave up his work and went to the home of his son in Illinois, but the rest failed to restore him to health and he came home about two weeks ago, desiring to spend his last days at this place where he has lived so long. He is survived by the wife, and ■ three children, Carl who lives at home and O. V. Borden and Mrs. Mary • Barrett, of Westfield, 111. The funI eral arrangements have not been com--1 pleted, awaiting the arrival of the 1 children.

NEED MORE ROOM The Decatur Furnace Company Needs More Room LOTS OF BUSINESS They Could Employ Twice the Number of Men In one respect the management of the Decatur Furnace company are in a pleasant frame of mind. Their contracts for furnaces and foundry sup-

plies are greatly exceeding their capacity. They are now discussing and figuring out some way to double the capacity of their foundry. At present thirty-five men are employed, and if they had the necessary room twice that number could be employed. This state of affairs makes the stockholders feel good; but if thirty-five more men could be employed, the decks should be cleared for their employment. We hope that the neceesary building room can be supplied, and that without delay. The Decatur Furnace company has grown rapidly, and its growth has been substantial. It will be one of our leading industries, especially if permitted to grow In size as the demands grow. —— o————— SPECIAL DOINGS AT THE GRAND The Grand theater will make a special effort to please Its .patrons on Thanksgiving day. In addition to the two high class reels and the other attractions, the new song, “Decatur, ’ composed especially for the occasion by Prof. True Fristoe. will be rendered and with it will be shown a number of views from this city. The matinee begins at 1:30 o'clock and the show will continue during the afternon and evening excepting at the supper hour. G. R. Burk and wife, of Decatur, will the guests of Rev. Theo. A. Cooper and wife on Thursday and will remain to attend the lecture at the Reformed church in the evening.— Berne Witness.

OIRCULATIOH 2800 WEEKLY

MR. WELLS WANTS HIS BOY Who Left Home Recently With Floyd Martz. ". B. Wells, of Monroe, writes us to publish the fact that lie is very desirous of securing information concerning the whereabouts cf big son, Orvil, who left home Sunday night with a neighbor boy named Floyd Martz. The boys took Mr. Wells’ horse and are supposed to have started for Michigan. Mr. Wells asks us to say also that if any one sees the lads to have them arrested and notify him. Martz is eighteen years old, five feet four inches in height, and of light complexion. The Wells boy is but fourteen, is tall and sli m and sickly looking, and is also of light complexion.

UNCLEJOEONDECK Trying to Make Agreement With New Administration NOW IN CONGRESS The Liquor Question Will Be Given National Importance Washington, Nov. 25. —Speaker Cannon arrived here last evening. His friends expect him to lose no time hi getting to the bottom of the talk about President-elect Taft taking a

hand in the organization of the newhouse of representatives. A voice from the Cannon wing of the party says the president-elect is making a grave mistake if he really is planning to oppose the re-election of Cannon to the speakership. The Cannon supporters are unable to see how Mr. Taft can accomplish anything in view of the fact that Cannon for two weeks has had pledges of more than enough votes to elect him. It is apparent that the Cannon people do not know just, what to say or do until they have more light on the attitude of the president-elect. Up to this time Mr. Taft has not said that he intends to oppose Mr. Cannon, but he has permitted friends to say as much for him. Representative Burton's announcement of the intention of the presidentelect is the most specific yet made. The general expectation here is that before Speaker Cannon has been here many days statements will be forthcoming from both sides to the effect that Taft and Cannon understand each other, and that there will be no contest over the speakership. According to white house information. President Roosevelt deprecates the Burton interview intimating that Taft might go after the speaker's scalp. A knowing Republican remarked today: “If some one else does not pull Taft off Rocsevelt will. There wil be no fight between the new president and Mr. Cannon.”

Washington. Nev. 25. —The recent victory of the “wets” in the state elections of Indiana, Ohio and ok where has given a national setback to the temperance movement and has rejuvenated the liquor forces mere than any other event that, has happened within the last two decades. Emboldened by the belief that the socalled temperance wave is receding, the lobbyists of the brewing and distilling Interest of the country are turning toward Washington and are concocting plans to use the advantage gained by the recent elections in a campaign to secure legislation fn m congress that will put permanent handicaps on the ants-saloon crusaders. Some of the leading liquor lobbyists of the country are now- here and quartered at the Willard hotel. They are elated over the elections, and are devising several interesting scjhemies which they hope to work out at the coming session of congress. o ; TWO MORE COUNTIES DRY Futton and Miami, in Ohio, Vote to Abolish Saloons. Columbus, 0., Nov. 24.—Fulton county today voted dry by 945, and Miami county dry by 1,350, in the former there are twent-four saloons and in the latter sixty.

Number 46