Decatur Democrat, Volume 51, Number 47, Decatur, Adams County, 10 December 1908 — Page 1

JBX THE MEWS ALL TIT TIME

Volume LI

SCHOOLS PROSPER County Superintendent Opliger recently sent the following report to the state superintendent showing the splendid condition of the Adams county schools: State Su- t F. A. Cotton, Indianapolis, Indiana: Dear Sir—The schools of Adams county are in a very progressive condition, as shown by visitation and the reports of teachers and patrons. The educational spirit Is good and seems to be growing with each year’s work. While the total enumeration has been gradually decreasing the total enrollment and the average attendance have been increasing gradually. If the first month of the present school year is indicative of the close of the term will eclipse all previous years in the history of the county. The high schools have been improved very much during the past two years. Their courses have been strengthened, laboratory equipment addd, and the length of term made more uniform Every township high school in the county, with but one exception, is maintaining a minimum 1 term of eight months. Their course of study is arranged so that it conforms with that of the certified and •commissioned schools. As a result of which, students completing their course in the township high school ar e privileged to continue their work in the town and city schools, with full credit, without a break or loss of time in their educational career. The Geneva school is now commissioned. The Berne school has strengthened its course and laboratory so as to be certified and will soon ask for a commission, making then, a total of three commissioned schools in the county. There has not only been growth in the material development and organization of the "high schools, but also a marked growth in numbers, in the spiritual development. The Jfor the current year show an approximate enrollment of 253 students, which is a large Increase over previous years. Last year we enrolled 202 students and the year previous 183, a gain in two years of more than 25 per cent. Our teachers, on the average, are well trained, enthusiastic and interested in their school work. They have been encouraged to seek special training in their profession by the school patrons, the school officials, and. especially, by the enactment of the new law favoring those who possess such training.) At the beginning of this year, we enlisted ahout twelve first term teachers, who are graduates of high school and have had. in some cases, more than the minimum professional training. These teachers, on the average, are more mature, more reliable, dignified, command greater respect, show greater intellectual strength, are more thorough in their work and utilize better methods of presentation than the beginner of former years. As a result of their high school and professional training, these teachers are able to take a very active and intelligent part in the township institutes and thus enhance their interest and ■ lusefulness. One condition, about by the effects of the new law, which I consider unfortunate for the . public schools, is the fact that we are obliged to accept and fill our district school* largely with lady teach- 1 ers. Young men consider the invest ment too great for them to enter the 1 teaching profession. However, I trust that the immediate effect may not be permanent. That young men i in the future, may be attracted by the greatest of all professions. "Not so 1 much for myself as for others.” <

Educational sentiment has been strengthened, in part, by the annual county commencement, which was inaugurated last year. These are held in different parts of the county for the convenience and enthusiasm of both pupils and patrons. The graduating class of 1906 had 104 members; 1907, 128 members and 1908 147 members. We think that this plan has also favored the high schools, increased their enrollment and in general is bringing about many good results. School house construction has received some attention, but more attention is given to the lighting, heating and seating; to the school rooms, outbuildings, and beautifying the school premises. An effort is made to keep the rooms and grounds sanitary, comfortable, cheerful and a suitable place for healthy endeavor,

WCATIte

« the same time, keep conditions avorable to consolidation. Th e road improvements, recentlv Dlade in the vari ous townships, are faTOrable school consolida. v han ever before - Three truses ave tried transportation of pn . • J W, ' h good success. In one town‘and the"' 6 T°° 1S aban <ioned •e pupils transported in com|fortable hacks. The people are now more favorable to such a plan and the Present outlook is very good toward complete consolidation in several , townships.

■ Nearly every school in the county has a splendid little librarv of its own. ranging from a few volumes to .many hundred. These are cared for .by teacher and pupils, and have become a means of stimulating a readpng habit among pupils a nd patrons, j A great interest in Y. P. R. c. books , was manifested last year. The schools I added to their libraries a number equal to 100 per cent over the prejvious year. A majority of the trustees are contributing liberally to the purchase of these books. In some cases a special levy is made to meet I the additional expense. Adams county has more than 14.000 volumes in per libraries with promise of many , gtore valuable books. Music is taught in each school of the county. Teachers a r e required to possess a valid license for this subject as for those already authorized by law, and are duty bound to teach it by a resolution passed by the county board of education. A uniform text, has been provided and adopted and a special outline suggested for the teacher’s guidance. A course in agriculture has been suggested to teachers. As yet, very little has been accomplished along this line, because of the inadequacy of our teaching force to treat such a subject as it should be presented. In some of our graded schools, excellent work is being done in nature study. We hope to see this work grow until it receives the recognition it deserves.

The length of term has been in creased until we have an average of over seven months for the county and funds sufficient to insure a longer term for 1908-1909. In conclusion, I am pleased to say that in almost every respect, there is evidence of a healthy growth. However. I realize that much remains to be accomplished in Adams county, and it shall be our earnest effort to work toward the expressed goal. Very truly, - LAWRENCE OPLIGER. County Superintendent. o Misses Bessie Baumgartner and Lilah Lachot gave a spread at the county surveyor’s office last night in honor of their guest, Miss Jessie Simison, of Berne. A general good time was enjoyed by all present.

At a meeting of the Knights of Columbus held Monday night officers for ensuing year were elected as follows- G. K., C. S. Niblick; D. G. K, Ben Kohne; Chan.. H. J. Yager; Rec. Sec., Joe Lose; Fin. Dr. H. F Costello; treasurer, Dyonis Schmitt; advocate. U. Deinluger; warden, Nick Miller' inner guard. Albert Colchin, outer guard, Fred Colchin; trustees Frank Herman, William Harting and John Baker. A good time was enjoyed. The meeting of the Shakespeare Club to be held at the home of Mrs D. D. Heller tomorrow afternoon will be delightful. The social club of the W. R. C. will meet tomorrow afternoon with Mrs. pnrdv The election of officers w.ll \ it is hoped that evtake place and it us uupt ery member will be present. The Historical Club will hold their regular meeting at the home oI Mrs. W A Lower this evening. Mrs R. S Peterson will read the principal paper of the evening. AWAIT PRESIDENT CASTRO.

i n ic Said to Be Bound for i Venezuelan is Berlin. Santander. Spain, Dee B p^ sl ‘ r a t m CasUo a i eI a UP p e as S °enger, was not dent Cast o XuneTOUS represented 7>^ v X"elan govern- ' ‘“Tare here awaiting the arrival of . ment are here expe cted to ’ Te steamer at this port, instead that Castro is bound for Berli

l )ec atur, Indiana. Thursday, December IO 1908

rummy McNulty, the good wholep°«led Irishman who during the course | forty-five long years, has been a familiar character about Decatur, is pap idly nearing death’s door, and ev--rt indication evidences his early deiiflSe'.i.A hard workin S man all his ‘ the aged man is knocking at the < cor of death’s chamber, while quartered at the county infirmary and with a consciousness that the remuneration for his life’s work has drifted from his hands and now that he is unable to toil he is forced upon ’ne mercies of the county. More than forty-five years ago Mr. McNulty went to Fort Wayne, where he was employed to assist in the building of the canal, which, at that time, was under -construction. By chance he came to Decatur, where he engaged in working as an assistant to masons, which avocation he followed since. For forty years he was a boarder with Mrs. Mites at the Indiana House, leaving there two years ago. His health has declined rapidly during the past two years until some time ago he was taken to the county infirmary. The formation of an abcess on his knee has been the cause of much pain, and it has been pronounced necessary to amputate the member. His early death is expected by all who know of his condition. The only living relative of the aged man is Mrs. Frank Hodges, of Fort Wayne, who is a niece and who has invited Mr. McNulty to make his home with her. The Hodges are well to do people, but “Tommy” preferred not to inconvenience them, he said, and declined the generous offer.

FIFTEEN YEARS AT HARD LABOR Given Ned Darnell, Self Confessed Rapist. Ned Darnell, the self-convicted rapist, and wretch that he is, appeared before Judge Matthias yesterday to receive the sentence of the court, to his plea of guilty to "assault with intent to commit a rape.” The judge evidently felt in this case in the same way as the general publip. Had it been in the power of the court, it is probable that the brute v.ould have gotten a life sentence. As it was the law only permitted a sentence of fifteen years, and the ccurt didn't show any hesitancy in giving the prisoner the full extent. Fifteen years at hard labor in the penitentiary seems like a heavy penalty, but when it is considered that the victim of the inhuman wretch was but eleven years old, no citizen however considerate, would hesitate to sanction anything that would forever bar him from society. It may be that the sentence will be the srme as a life sentence, but think of the time when he may again be turned out of the grimy walls and away from the watchful eyes of the guards. It might be that he would be a good citizen —it is to be hoped that he could, but it is extremely doubtful as to whether this man will ever be worth anything to society again—Van Wert Times.

WHO IS A GOOD CITIZEN? The good citizen is necessarily a man who pays his debts, contributes generously to tie moral uplifting of the town, lives a clean life and sets an example to h's followers. A good citizen is one who does not regard himself the hub around which every act is not dictated by pure self Interest. A good citizen ought also to be anxious to advance the material welfare of his neighbors; he ought to take pleasure and pride In helping to build up the community in which he lives, otherwsie he is unworthy of the confidence of the moral, business of political support of such a community. A man is entitled to the esteem of his fellows only In the portion he has enriched them morally and mentally. That is the only proper criterion by which to judge of the value of men.

The talk was about the proper time to wind the watch. “It’s the last thing T do before I my downy,” volunteered the Hartford City man- “Where I live that wouldn’t do “ t all,” said the man from Dunkirk We seldom get to bed until our las white has gone into the jackpot. We wind our watches first thing when we "tup and we are nearly always soher in the morning. 1 ne^ r 7> T mi ne,” said the Montpelier man. To bacco tags?" Queried the Hartford City man. “Waterbury?” asked the City man - No birthday man from Dunkinr. present,” replied the man rom Mont pelted. “Its exactly right twice day.”

The pupils of the Academy of Music of the Sisters of St. Agnes are preparing for another of their popular musical recitals, which in all probability will be given a few days after Christmas. Although the date and place have not as yet been decided upon it is known that thirty-eight will be given grade diplomas at the .time of this musical. Os these Miss , Agnes Kohne deserves special mention for the reason that she has com , ■ pleted the first, second and third ■ grades in a little more than a year’s ■ time. Miss Naomi Niblick has completed the third and fourth grades . and Miss Genevieve Berling hascom- > pleted the second, third and fourth i grades. Thre pianos will be played at one time at the recital which proml ises to b e a glorious affair. Those who will be given grade diplomas are as follows: t First grade diplomas—Catherine Keller, Louisa Teeple, Frances Gaffer, i Omer Niblick, Emma Kinney, Dreda > Parent, Eva Stein, Frances Burrell, > Naomi Baker, Norbert Holthouse, Es- . ther Corbett, Electa Caltzell, Etta Elj zey, Irene Eady, Effie Johnson, Mari cella Kuebler, Edith Erwin. Grade Two —Stella Brown, Matil- . da Herman, Agnes Meibers, Gene--1 vieve Berling, Francis Schmitt, Laur rine Keller, Agnes Kohne, Glen Tague, 3 James Sprague, Effie Johnson, Edna ~ Ehinger, Rose Colchin, Rose Egan. 1 Grade Third —Marie Kintz, Agnes i Kohne, Josephine Lange. i- Grade Four —Naomi Niblick, Geneo vieve Berling, Mary Deininger.

The commissioners opened blds for the furnishing of supplies for the county asylum. The following bids were accepted: Niblick & Co., dry goods; T. R. Moore, oil; Niblick & Co., tobacco and groceries; Winnes Shoe Store, shoes; W. H. Nachtrieb, drugs; Holthouse, Schulte & Co., clothing; Schaffer Hardware Co., hardware. The board appointed Dr. J. M. Miller as secretary of the board of health for another year. The doctor has served in this capacity for several years and has faithfully discharged the duties thereof. Fred Bussick, Sr., was appointed superintendent of the William Tieman macadam road, and will have charge of its construction. The remonstrators on the Decatur and Monroe No. 10, have filed an appeal bond to the circuit court. The original petitioners are already framing up with a view of fighting the case on its merits in the circuit court. The board goes to Bluffton Friday to meet the Wells county commissioners and take official action on a joint macadam road, which it is proposed to build on the Wells-Adams line. ■ - o The motion for a new trial in the $4,000 damage case, Daniel B. Ford vs. Smith Shoemaker and William Anderson, in which a verdict was returned for the defendants, was argued yesterday, Judge Merryman overruling the motion. An appeal was prayed by the plaintiff to the appellate court, ninety days was granted to file bill of exceptions and the bond for appeal fixed at S6OO, to be filed within 60 days. A hunter’s license has been granted to Sherman Watson of Geneva, rural route number one.

Real estate transfers: Charles E. Suttles et al to C. L. Walter pt. inlot Suttles et al to C. L, Walter to 380, Decatur, $2,000; L. E. Baxter to 1,. C. Lenhart, a tract in Root township, quit claim deed; Henry Krick et al to Krick, Tyndall & Co.. 63 acres In Washington township, $18,445.75; In the petition case of Henry and Sarah Tindall vs. Jacob Fogle, partition, the court overruled the demurrer to complaint Catherine M. Christen vs. A. T. Lynch et al, partition, submitted, finding for plaintiff and that mortgage has been paid and clerk ordered to satisfy same of record. Judgment against plaintiff for costs. . _ - -—— —o ~ Saloon men at Wabash secured an order from court restraining the county commissioners from calling a county option election on the ground that the county council had made no appropriation for the election. The restraining order was not served upon the board until five minutes too late, however.

"If I thought Charles Dunn was | guilty of this murder I’d help to hang him as high as I did a felow once j down in Texas," said William F. De-, Vilbiss, one of the special veniremen): summoned in the Dunn murder case,, i in the presence of a number of other ' talesmen. This remark was reported | to the prosecution this afternoon and) at the opening of the session Mr. De-I Vilbiss was called to the jury box I out of his turn, to which there was an objection on the part of the attorneys for the accused, who insisted that the men be called as they appear on the list. The prosecutor objected to stating his reasons in the presence of the other eleven men and all were excused and sent to the jury room while Mr. DeVilbiss was put under examination and the fact that he had made this statement was brought out. “If I'd known there was any law against talking about the case,” said the talesman, “I certainly wouldn’t I have done it. I made the statement | and didn’t think I was doing any harm and I’m sorry that this thing occurred.” “There is no law against your talking as you did.” answered Judge Watkins, “but it was highly improper to discuss the case after you had been summoned as a juror. You may step into the room and I hope you will not talk more about it.” "Am I excused?” asked DeVilbiss. “No, you will be called in your regular turn,” said the judge. This closed the only interesting incident in the hearing during the day.—Fort Wayne Sentinel.

Tuesday afternoon was quite a busy one for the members of the Woman’s Relief Corps, but every minute of the time was enjoyed by those who participated. At three o'clock the ladies at the hall and procedeed to pack a Chrismas barrel of fruits and jellies and preserves, etc., that will brighten the hearts of many an old soldier, as it was sent to the home at Lafayette. After concluding this duty, the degree team of the order, consisting of twelve members went to the home of Mrs. James H. Smith and gave her the initiation work and that good lady is now a full fledged member of the lodge. This proceeding is of course out of the regular mode and was permissable only after receiving special permission from the state officers. After the lodge work was over, a most delicious repast was served by Mrs. Dorsey Hoagland, daughter of Mrs. S|nlth and closed an afternoon of genuine pleasure. There is in all of Decatur no lodge or club of which the members enjoy themselves more, yet do more for the needy than the W. R. C. and that’s why they are happy—they help others.

DOES NOT AFFECT THIS DIOCESE Recent Collapse of Funding Company Discussed. Last evening’s Fort Sentinel said: Rev. Father W. C. Miller, secretary to Rt. Rev. Bishop Alerding, of the diocese of Fort Wayne, said today that so far as he is aware none c.f the Catholic churches or other Institutions in the diocese of Fort Wayne are in any way affected by the recent collapse of the Fidelity Funding company, of New York. "I do not believe the company operated in Indiana at all.” said Rev. Father Miller, “though it appears to have been active in some of the surrounding states.” Much local Interest was manifested in eastern dispatches which declared that the affairs of the company. organized in 1889 to finance the building operations of Roman Catholic churches and allied institutions, are in a badly tangled condition. According to Receiver Gilroy, the company’s liabilities will aggregate not less than $4,590,000, with practically no assets. Its creditors include at least fifty churches, seminaries, colleges and many priests and nuns. These are located all over the country, from the New England states to Oregon.

Mr. Graber of the county farm, was a business caller in the city today returning to his home this afternoon. Saiem Bashara, earliest leader of the Syrian colony in Fort Wayne, long a power among people of his nationality in this city, but later dethroned as his fortune dwindled, died yesterday. Mr. Bashara was 54 years old. For many years Salem Bashara was a unique figure. He was born in Beyruth, Syria, and came Ito Fort Wayne twenty years ago. At one time Bahsara supplied half a hundred or more of his countrymen with the merchandise which they in turn retailed about the country.

CIRCULATIOW 2800 WEEKLY

Number 47

New York, Dec. 9—The New York Vvorld, to which Delavan Smith, editor of the Indianapolis News, referred in his reply to President Roosevelt's attack upon him, as the authority for the article on the Panama canal which appeared in his paper and called forth the president’s letter, says: “In view of President Rosevelt's deliberate misstatements of fact in his scandalous personal attack upon Mr. Delavan Smith, editor of the Indianapolis News, the World calls upon the congress of the United States to make immediately a full and impartial investigation of the entire Panama canal scandal. Th e investigation of 1906 by the senate committee of the interoceanic canals was blocked by the refusal of William Nelson Cromwell to answer most pertinent questions of Senator Morgan of Alabama. Since that time nothing has been done because after Senator Morgan's death there was no successor to carry on his great work of revealing the truth about Panama corruption. The Indianapolis News said in the editorial for which Mr. Roosevelt assails Mr. Smith: ‘lt has been charged that the United States bought from American citizens for $40,000,000 property that cost those citizens only $12,000,000. There is no doubt that the government paid $40,000,000 for the property. But who got the money?' Pres- . ident Roosevelt’s reply to this most proper question is for the most part a string of abusive and defamatory epithets. But he also makes the folt lowing statements as truthful information to the Americas people: ‘The United States did not pay a cent of the $40,000,000 to any American citi-

zen. The government paid the $40,090,000 direct to the French government, getting the receipt of the liquidator appointed by the French government to receive the same. The United States government has not the slightest knowledge as to the particular individuals among whom the French government distributed the same. So far as I know there was no syndicate; there certainly was no syndicate in the United States that to my knowledge had any dealings with the government directly or indirectly.’ To the best of the World's knowledge and belief each and all of these statementp made by Mr. Roosevelt and quoted above are untrue and Mr. Roosevelt must have known they were untrue when he made them. As the detailed distribution of the Panama loot only one man knows it all. And that man is William Nelson Cromwell. The two men who were most in Mr. Cromwell’s confidence are Theodore Roosevelt, president of the United States, and Elihu Root, former secretary of war and now secretary of state. It was they who aided Mr. Cromwell in consummating the Panama revolution; arranged the terms of the purchase of the Panama canal; made the agreement to pay $40,000,000 on the canal properties, and an additional $10,000,000 for a manufactured Panama republic, every penny of both of which sums was paid by check on the United States treasury te J- P- Morgan & Company —not to the French government, as Mr. Roosevelt says, but ti J. P. Morgan & Company. The natural query of the Indianapolis News as to ‘Who got the money’’ was based on the World's historical summary of Mr. Cromwell's connection with the Panama canal. The inquiry was originally the World’s and the World accepts Mr. Roosevelt’s challenge. If congress can have all the documents in the case as Mr. Roosevelt says, let congress make a complete investigation of the Panama canal affair, and In particular of William Nelson Cromwell's relation with the French company, with Panama and with the government of the United States. Let congress officially answer this question: ‘Who got the money?'”

BANK ROBBERS GET $16,500. Masked Men Pull Off a Bold Job at Portland, Ore. Portland, Ore., Dec. B.—The East Side bank was robbed last night by three masked men, who got about $16,500. The president of the bank, Henry H. Newhall, and his son, Roger Newhall, were just closing the day’s business when two men armed with pistols entered. Newhall and his son were ordered to hold up their hands, and while they were thus under the cover of the robbers’ revolvers one man crawled through the cashier’s window, passed out the money and crawled back into the foyer through the window. Another man guarded the entrance. The three made their escape.