Decatur Democrat, Volume 51, Number 46, Decatur, Adams County, 3 December 1908 — Page 6

The Decatur men who are inclined to pillage the possessions of another have, ostensibly, taken it for granted that a continuation of their dastardly work would not lead to their identity, inasmuch as petty thieveries have been successfully pulled off here during the past few months. The old adage “murder will out” however, was proven true Friday morning early, when John Coffee, an employe at the Haugk quarry caught a prominent resident of the north part of the city stealing corn from a shed where a large quaitity w-as stored. Mr. Coffee, a teamster, arose early yesterday morning, starting for the barn to feed his horses long before daylight. He stopped at the com shed, threw open the door and was about to enter when the intruder jumped from the elevated floor and started on the run. Rays from Mr. Coffee's lantern cast upon the visage of the intruder revealed his identity and Coffee started on a pursuit of the man. The form soon disappeared in the darkness and Coffee returned to the shed to find a large fertizer sack filled with corn. Assuming that the burglar would lose no time in fleeing from the premises Coffee went to the barn to do his work and upon his return was completely astonished to find that the thief had the effrontery to return and get the corn after the (chase. It is quite likely that the man thought he was not recognized by Mr. Coffee. Mr. Haugk has been missing corn and ofher things for some time, and irremissive as he is for the bold acts, he has not, as set infetituted charges against the unwelcome visitor of Friday morning. This is the second revelation of petty thieveries at the hands of men who have been held in the esteem of the people, within the period of a short time, the men in both cases being caught in the act, and it seems that drastic measures should be resorted to in effecting a riddance of such a disgraceful and lawless practice. Decatur has been visited by more pillagers during the past three months than ever before in double that time,and the indignation of the people has arisen to the extent that they will demand rigid enforcement of the law in case the intruders are captured.

Mrs. Dr. McMillen has received copies of the century edition of the Tacoma Daily Tribune. The paper is a live appearing forty pager, in five sections, showing the many attractive features of the Liverpool of the western coast. The papers were sent by Col. Ferry, who is Mrs. McMillen’s brother, and well known here. On the first page we note this interesting item: At a very large and renresentative meeting of the presidents and officers of all the women’s clubs of the city, called for this morning by the president of the Woman's Club, Mrs. Horace G. Scott, it was voted that an entertainment should be given under the direction of Miss Page to raise funds to be applied to the support and housing of the Ferry museum. It was the sense of the meeting that the movement should grow into one resulting in the building of a large and commodious clubhouse of at least three stories, the upper part to be used as a permanent home for the museum and the lower rooms as a home for the women’s clubs of the city.

The first arrest on an indictment re- ; turned by the recent grand jury was < made Friday afternoon, about three : o'clock, when the deputy sheriff, Ed Green, went to the home of Noah Yoder, in Hartford township, and arrested the head of the family on a charge of forgery. The crime for ; which Yoder must answer, was committed on March Ist, 1907, when he signed his own name and that of . Emanuel Wanner to a note for SIOO and sold it to Christian Gerber. The note remained unpaid, becoming overdue and one day Gerber met Wanner and reminded him that the note was . due. Then it was discovered that the 1 paper had been forged and a conference was held, the parties all belonging to the same church. It is said the matter was partially arranged and had been somewhat forgotten when the recent grand jury were informed and returned an indictment. In the note the word hundred is spelled “Hundered” and the word Emanuel is spelled “Emaul” and these facts are set out. Yoder was brought here and spent the night in jail, appearing in court at nine o’clock Saturday. Yoder is a man of about thirtyfive years, apparently, is married and has a family of several children. It is said he has had a good reputation, but has been hard pressed and unfortunate. He was placed under a bond and was finally released, to await trial. Two new cases have been filed .ggainst the C. B. & C. at Huntington. One is that of the climax Stock Guard Co., who have a judgment for $1,057 in the Chicago courts and want it put in force in Indiana. The case goes to Jay county. Ditzler, May & Co., of Markle, have filed claim for $1,500 for lumber and ties furnished, which they say is unpaid.

Milo Erexson, who four years ago I moved from this city to Van Buren, who for many years was a realden of Berne and vicinity, was killed al- ' most instantly Wednesday afternoon while assisting in cutting timber near ‘ Van Buren. Accompanied by his ' brother-in-law, John Rumple, who is also known here, the deceased proceeded to the thicket where they engaged in cutting logs. While operating the saw, a large limb broke from the tree and fell with great force upon him, death resulting ten minutes later. The deceased was in the employ of James Sullivan, who defrayed the expenses of the funeral which was held at Van Buren yesterday. A subscription was taken in Van Buren and last night more than S2OO was placed in the bank to the credit of the bereaved widow. The obituary of the unfortunate man appears elsewhere in this issue.

W. H. Stults of this city has just returned from Terre Haute, where he purchased the highest priced horse ever brought to this city or county. It is the famous stallion, Harley Axtell, and cost Mr. Stults the very neat sum of $5,000, besides the cost of bringing him here. He was exhibited on the streets this afternoon and attracted no little attention. Harley Axtell is a trotter, number 45222 in the registry book, and was purchased from E. E. Miller, a well known horseman of Terre Haute. Though driven in but two races, Harley Axtell won them both and made a mark of 2:26*4 and has a trial mark of 2:11%. His sire, Axtell, he by William L., and he by George Wilkes. His dam was Playmate J., by Jersey Wilkes, by George Wilkes, certainly a breeding that will please the most exacting. The horse stands 16% hands high, is a dark brown in color, seven years old and a most beautiful animal. Mr. Stults will keep this horse and will stand him in this city, announcements to be made later.

James E. Moser vs. Peter Frank et al, note and chattel mortgage, $1,500, seperate motion filed by each defendant to compel plaintiff to separate his causes of action into paragraphs. The ease of Martin W. Walbcrt vs. Levi and William Kohler, note S2OO, set for trial Wednesday, January 6, 1909. Hunters licenses have been granted to- Floyd Rinaker, Norod Parr, Albert Mutchler, John Thompson, Ed Hurst, Clifford Downey, Harve Smith, Joe J. Tonnellier, Frank Gessinger, Thos. F. Ehinger, W. R. Dorwin, Oscar Sprague, Kenneth Pontius, J. C. Glendenlng, John T. Myers and E. M. Wiswell. Jerry Swank, guardian for Droxey Heiriberger, filed his final report,which was approved and he was discharged. Clayton H. Love has been appointed administrator of the estate of Lusetla Love, and filed bond for $3,000.

A very delightful party was the one given at the home of Mr. Charles Hearn on north Second street Friday evening, Misses Hortense and Beatrice Hearn of Portland, nieces of Mr. Hearn, being guests of honor The evening was pleasantly spent in games and music, after which all did justice to the home made fudge. At a late hour they all departed, wishing each other the privilege of enjoying many more such happy events. Those present were Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hearn and son Vergil, Miss Hortense Hearn, Portland; Miss Beatrice Hearn Portland; Misses Bertha Smith Blanch Smith, Orpha Smith, and Eva Mayer, and Messrs. A. Clark Sphar, Dale Spbar, Floyd Acker, Russel Acker, Alonzo Dutcher.

Otto Mumma, for many years a resident of Adams county, recently of Tiffin, Ohio was in the city Friday and announced the fact that he had become a benedict. He married a popular young lady from Tiffin and they expect to make that city their future home. Decatur friends extend cangratulatlons. o The new Elks’ bowling alleys at Fort Wayne are to be thrown open in about three weeks and one of the features of the occasion is to be a contest betwen two teams, all Elks, one from that city and the other from Decatur. It will be a great battle, as may be imagined from the local club, who will include such renowned champions in this line and other sports as Nick Miller (winner of seventythree prizes at the recent stock show); Kornie Confer, originator of the spit bowl ball; Beecher Meibers,the champion violin player; Johnny Rieter, he cuts ’em in two; and George L. Maddy world’s only bowler who has made a 300 score backwards. Besides these there will be a bunch of substitutes foi the new alleys may be slippery, and the delegation of rooters will charter an extra car. Miss Effie York has resumed duties at the new Star theater after being ili for a few days from a severe cold.

Nearly two hundred teachers, nearly every one in the county was here Saturday in attendance at the meeting of the Teachers’ Association of Adams county. The day was a profitable and interesting one, and the program was carried out as announced. County Superintendent L. O. Opliger presided and conducted the day’s work in his usual efficient manner. The program opened with music by the Decatur school, followed by devotional exercises conducted by S. C. Cramer. After another selections of music Miss Nellie Winnes gave a well prepared paper on “Phonics in the lower Grades.” Miss Mindwell Case discussed the subject The next subject was “The Young Man of Today,” by William G. Teeple with a discussion by G. W, Warner. The Misses Mutchler gave a piano duet that was thoroughly appreciated and Noah B. Gilliom addressed the teachers, his subject being “Dream Life, Its Place in Our Public Schools,” and the mornings program closed with a reading “A Visit to the Cliff Dwellers.” This afternion’s work was looked forward to with pleasure and includes music, “The School Ideal” by O. G. Brim, with a discussion by W. P. Merriman, a recitation by Miss Goldie Fink, and educational quiz, a vocal solo by Robert Poer and then the prncipal lecture, “The Book of Job, a Literary Study,” by Prof. Wiliam E. Smyser, of Ohio Wesleyan, Deleware, Ohio. SECRETARY’S REPORT.

The midwinter annual teacher’s institute convened at 9:30 a. m., Saturday, November 27, 1908, in the parlors of the First Presbyterian church, Decatur, Indiana. Opened by singing by primary pupils of Decatur schools. Devotional, S. C. Cramer, principal of South Ward school, Decatur. Reading of a portion of Proverbs, followed by prayer. Song, Decatur schools.

Address by county superintendent Opliger, giving a hearty welcome to the teachers of the county. The first educational subject of the morning was that of “Phonics in the Lower Grades,” by Miss Nellie Winnes of the West 'Ward school, Decatur. She insisted that teachers should strive to be free from false statements in their language so that the child learn the right use of language. Words must be mastered by drilled work. It does not take as much time to do this as some think it would. Diacritical marks should be taught little by little. Discussion of the subject “Phonics” by Miss Mindwell Case, of the Preble schools. Her discussion was on the same line as that givefi by Mlsfs (Winnes. Both were well taken. Miss Case called for the method of teaching “Phonics” in the Decatur schools. Miss Acker and Miss Ccngleton responded. Also many other teachers helped in the discussion of the subject. Mr. Warner, of Peterson, asked the question “How to teach pupils to use the dictionary.” Mr. Kelley, of Hartford township, answered the question. Mr. Opliger asked “When should Phonics be taught?” Miss Winnes said in the first three grades. The subject of the morning was that of “The Young Men of Today” by Wm. G. Teeple, of St. Marys township. He says that the young man must be honest. This is a thought that every young man should take to himself. Always do your best. Set perfection as your standard. Lose yourself in your work, and make it a pleasure. The young man should be economical. He must be industrial. This paper was filled with good thoughts which should be taken by all young men. Discussion of the subject by G. W. Warner, of Peterson. He says what was said in the paper should also apply to girls. The three important phases of life are: "Self reliance, formation of proper habits, self restraint.” Everybody should stand for the right and do the right without showing political preferment. The third subject was that of “Dream Life” by Noah B, Gilliom, nf Monroe township schools. Mr. Gilliom gave a great flow of oratory on this subject. He discussed “Dream Life” from the standpoint of the home and the school.

Vocal solo, Robert Poer, superintendent of Geneva schools. "A Visit to the Cliff Dwellers” by Miss Grace E. Burke, of Geneva. This was a very interesting description of the Cliff Dwellers of southern Colorado. Miss Burke also exhibited some pictures and curios of the cliffs. Attendance 97 per cent. Noon. ———. o Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Hendricks entertained at Thanksgiving dinner Mr. and Mrs. E. K. Thompson, of Van Wert, Ohio; Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Thompson, of Lincoln, Neb,; Miss Frances E. Thompson, of Spokane, Wash.; Mrs. Battie Mook, of Morrison, Okla.; Mr. and Mrs. Wid Dorwin and family and Katie Thompson, of Decatur. Turkey and oysters were the principal menu. A good time was had by all present, as you know Jim is an entertainer. The coal men of the city are doing a big business at present and they are all wearing broad smiles.

The Elks memorial services to be held Sunday, December 6. at Bosse opera house will be of much interest. The program has been qompieted, which represents the very best talent obtainable and without doubt a large audience will join in paying respects to the deceased brethren of the order. The program as it be rendered is as follows: Organ Voluntary. Opening by Exalted Ruler. Music Quartet Ritualistic Work by Officers. Opening Ode. Invocation Chaplain Music Quartet Address—" Tributes of the Ocasion Judge James T. Merryman Address —“Our Associates” Hon. A. P. BeattyMusic Quartet Address —“Immortality” Judge R. K. Erwin Closing Ode. Benediction. o A pleasant surprise was perpetrated upon Mrs. Albert Butler Thursday ii; commemoration of her forty-seventh birthday anniversary and the event was one of many felicitations. Covers were spread for many friends of the honored guest and the dinner, consisting of all mentionable delicacies was an attraction of no little

importance. During the afternoon sociability played its part as well as cleverly executed musical selections and Mrs. Butler and her surprisers will long remember the event. In the evening a theater party was formed as a closing feature of the day of jollity. In the party were Messrs, and Mesdames William Butler, Ben Butler, Harvey Butler, Mel Butler, Joseph Mann, Dallas Butler and Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Butler, of Fort Wayne; Mrs. Jane Butler and daughter Ethel, Mrs. Mary Elzey, Grandfather Butler and Samuel Richard. o —— Indianapolis, Nov. 27.—Fassett A. Cotton, state superintendent of public instruction in his November bulletin to the teachers of the state issued yesterday, discusses the organization and operation of Indiana’s school system. In treating of the strength and weakness of the system Mr. Cotton says that the schools of Indiana are sill suffering from the blight of partisan politics. He says that the constant progress of the schools of a county depends upon the “energy, intelligence and sanity of the county superintendent.” Mr. Cotton says further that the schools of Indiana appear to suffer most from politics as encountered in the township, cities and towns. Mr. Cotton asserts that the hope of education in Indiana lies in a divorce from politics. As the system’s greatest strength Mr. Cotton points to its unity of purpose. He also commends it for encouraging ability in teachers, for leaving individualism unhampered and the right of initiative unquestioned. In so far as it xnerely seeks to place its teachers in the treadmill of mere mechanical routine. Mr. Cotton says, the system is to be condemned. The dual nature of the work of the embers of the state board of education. Mr. Cotton believes, is another weakness. In part Mr. Cotton says: “Perhaps the greatest weakness of our system is incompetency in school officials and teachers. With one exception practically no legal requirements are prescribed for school officials. With incompetent officials, incompetent teachers are more or less common. Probably this defect may be accounted fo r by the fact that the school offices are political. Education in the state still feels the blight of partisan politics. But Indiana is not an exception, as this condition exists in every state in the Union. With the exception of the state hoard of education and town and city superintendents, practically all the school offices are political. And sometimes politics decides who shall be city and town superintendent and even extends to the choice of teachers. Party politics should be absolutely eliminated from all school affairs. The qualifications of the state superintendent should be the qualities and scholarship by the best educators the world over, and neither place of residence nor politics should be a bar to choice. Furthermore, the salary should be sufficipntly large to secure the best man. Os course, any change in the way of choosing a state superintendent would necessitate a constitutional amendment.” The state superintendent also enumerates a number of things which he believes should be regarded a s qualifications for county superintendents. —o — A. number of Decatur citizens left Friday night for Louisiana, where for several weeks they will hunt fo r wild game. The gentlemen went prepared to have a good time. Some of those in the party were Messrs. Ed Johnson, Frank Maples, Lafayette Ellis and Charles Zeser.

Citizens’ Telephone Co. vs. Fort Wayne & Springfield Ry- Co., plaintiff < having struck off name of Judge La- 1 Follette and defendant having struck 1 off name of Judge Sturgis, the court < appointed Hon. John W. Macy, of ] Winchester as special judge to hear « the cause. David E Scott vs. L. A. Graham. , cause set for trial for Monday, Decern- , ber 28th. Charles D. Krick vs. Julia A. Elliott er al. partition, final vouchers filed and commission discharged. Arguments were heard on motion for a new trial in the case of Daniel B. Ford vs. Smith Shoemaker and William Anderson. A bench warrant was Issued in grand jury number four, ordered returnable forthwith. The name of defendant was not placed on the docket. Ex-Judge D. D. Heller, of Decatur, one of the counsel in the George E. Faille vs. Joseph A. Swartz et al suit in which the plaintiff seeks damages in the sum of $5,000 for the alleged alienation of his wife’s affections, was in the city Wednesday to argue the issues in the case but on account of the inability of Attorney A. P. Beatty to attend, the postponement of the case was made necessary. The case was sent to this court on change of venue from the Adams circuit court. All parties ’to the suit are residents of near Berne. —Portland Sun. A marriage license was issued Wednesday evening to Lawrence Johnson, 21, of Van Wert county, Ohio, to May Workinger, 24, of this county.

Real estate transfers—Albert Smith to Peter J. Eicher, 63 acres in Wabash township, $3,500; Daniel Brewster to Edwin Kocher, 40 acres in Monroe township, $2,600; John F. Snow et al to Albert Smith, 20 acres in ■Wabash township, quiet title deed, $1; Wm. Mersman to H. L. Conter, lot 852 Decatur, $250. o ■ — MAY HAVE PIE TO SLICE UP Proposed Bill Would Give Adair Some Appointments. If Congressman Crumpacker’s bill goes through Congressman Adair mayhave a nice slice of pie to cut. Crumpacker. who is a republican, wants the appointments for the coming census to be made by the democratic congressmen elected over the country. In the counties of the eighth district there will be over a hundred and fifty census takers to appoint, besides a district supervisor, a position held by A. L. Sharpe at the last census taking. Besides there will be six clerical positions at Washington, one for each county. The clerical places at Washington will pay an average of one hundred dollars a month and transfer to the permanent civil service is possible at the end of the one to three years period of service in connection with the census of 1910. The bureau will be reorganized for the census of 1910 about July Ist of next year. The local enumerators are paid on a per capita basis. The compensation is unusually good, a s the allowance is liberal.

The Bluffton Banner of Tuesday evening said: This morning Sheriff Lipkey received a fee bill fo r the famous Studabaker-Faylor case. The bill amounts to something like $2,100 This amount will have to be paid by the plaintiffs in the case before the suit can be retried, having been reversed by the supreme court and sent back for a new trial. Owing to the fact that Simmons & Dailey, one of the firms employed by the plaintiffs were out of the city, It is not known what will be fione (with the suit. Thomas Faylor. who wn g the principal man in the suit, has made an assignment of hi s property at his home in Pennsylvania. Whether the trustee who was appointed by the court will decide to take up the matter and continue it is unknown. This suit is probably one of the most noted ever tried in the local courts and owing to the number of trials it has had has created considerable discussion. It was first tried here and then a new trial granted. Studabaker got a change of venue to Adams county The first trial there ended in a disagreement. The second trial ended in favor of the plaintiffs. The case was then appealed and reversed by the supreme court. Should the fee bill be paid by the plaintiffs then the case will probably come up for trial again in a few weeks. Many girls are employed at the glove factory at present and much is being done in supplying the demands of the people for the product of the factory J- B. Stoneburner has a new sli m for tonight s show that is a hummer. Many people visit hi s popular amusement place each evening and they are al *eys pleased.

Thanksgiving day at Washington church was one that will be remembered for several generations with pleasure bv the many who were there. On this occasion the ladies served a big dinner and supper and they are delighted with their success, having cleared a little over fifty-five dollars. As advertised the people from this city were given an opportunity to attend, and about a dozen took advantage of same. It was immense i g the only way we can express jt. When we arrived we were met by a bevy of ladies who were loaded down with such articles as aprons, bags of clothes pins, handkerchiefs, etc., which they proceeded to pin upon us with’ dire threats if we dared to remove them before they were settled for. Os course we paid the demands, and we were not the only ones for even the Reverend Jones of Monroe, was forced to do likewise. At noon we were ushered to the basement where a dinner —a feast of all the delicacies of this season of the year was served and we eat and eat, then took another bite or two. After a pleasant afternoon a supper no less • inviting than the dinner was served. ' Then the ladies proceeded to carry ■ the remnants of foods and the linen r ware on hands to the auditorium of t the church. There Emerson Beavers - was selected as auctioneer and so well • did he perform his duties that it is - rumored his advertisement may soon s appear in the papers. It required an s hour and a half to dispose of the 3 goods, but the time was happily spent - every one joining in the spirit of tne affair. It was a great day and had the Joshua of old been there Instead I- of the Joshua who was.be would have i, commanded the sun to stand still that y the day might be longer, but then we Decaturites wouldn’t have reached home with a cent in our pockets. At h a late hour Mr. C. B. Poling drove up i- t> the door with a vehicle that remind- ’■ ed one of the boyhoods happy days n down on the farm, and we climbed in v and started for home. The only exn citement on the way to town was ; caused when the writer announced t the disappearance of a large portion of his stock of bananas, suspicion resting strongly upon Mesdames Shamp and Cress, who, however, deny the charge vigorously. The ladies of the e church are very thankful to all who assisted them.

Laporte, Ind., Nov. 26. —Ray Lamphere, charged with the murder of Mrs. Belle Gunness and her three children, by setting fire to the Gunness house April 28, was this evening found guilty of arson by the jury, which had the case since 5:30 o’clock Tuesday night. Within five minutes after the verdict was reported Judge Richter had sentenced the defendant to the state penitentiary at Michigan City for an indeterminate term of from two ot twenty-one years. Lamphere will be taken to Michigan City tomorrow to begin his sentence. The verdict was reached within an hour after the jurors had returned from supper. Word that an agreement had been arrived at was conveyed to Bailiff Matz, who telephoned to Judge Richter and the attorneys. The lights in the big court room were turned on and within fifteen minutes the room was packed. Lamphere was brought from the jail and at 7:20 o’clock the jury filed into the court room. Deputy Sheriff Anstiss sat directly back of Lamphere and three baliffs watched him carefully. When Judge Richter asked the jury if a verdict had been reached Foreman Henry Mill announced the jury had agreed, and with that he passed the white piece of paper to Judge Richter, who, after making the entry on his docket, read the verdict: “We, the jury, find the defendant guilty of arson, and that he is 38 years old. Henry Mill, Foreman.” There was no demonstration from the crowd, the people having been warned to keep quiet. Judge Richter thereupon asked each juror individually if this was his verdict and the answer in each case was “Yes." Previous to the handing of the verdict to Judge Richter Foreman Mill said he wished to make a statement to the court, but Judge Richtier informed him that he could not hear any statement until after the verdict had been received and read. After it had been read Judge Richter asked him if he cared to make the statement, but he said that it would do no good now.

The two boys who stole the blind horse and rig from near Decatur, passed through this county during the early part of the week, but they were gone before the people who saw them notified the sheriff. The boys who are but eighteen years of age, entered the barn of a farmer near Decatur and took a blind horse and an old huggy from it and started off They have been wandering around over the adjoining counties since then, but the officers have been unable to locate them. They were at the Shady school house Tuesday night, but the sheriff did not know of it until yesterday.—Bluffton Banner. Mrs. T. W. Watts went to F° rt Wayne today for a visit with friends.