Decatur Democrat, Volume 51, Number 48, Decatur, Adams County, 17 December 1908 — Page 2

Tom Railing, of imperishable renown as a ball teaser, who, however, did not play his usual game last summer, bids fair to secure a berth on | the Fort Wayne Central league club > this season unless present plans fail - to materialize. Big Tom has played ' on many league clubs, his services j having been secured by the manage-1 ment of the Springfield Three-I team | fcr the season of 1908. He started the season well and although pitching great games was unfortunate in losing many of them by a single score. After being transferred to Bloomington, 111., he was farmed to Flint, Michigan, by the Springfield management, where he finished the season. Since the close of the season Jack Hendricks, manager of the Fort Wayne club, has been negotiating for Railing’s release. and it is said that he has offered Cantillon a neat sum cf money for the big twirler. Tom is anxious t > get on the Summit City club and his many Decatur admirers predict fcr him a most successful year. Fort Wayne would certainly draw’ patronage from Decatur should Tom be giver. a berth on the team. A dispatch from Lagrange appearing ir the Fort Wayne Jounral-Gazette is to the effect that Dr. C. B. Wilcox, paster of the local M. E. church will, in the near future resign as a minister in the North Indiana conference for the reason that his voice has become affected. Mr. Wilcox is now out of the city, koking after business interests at St. Louis, Michigan, and we are unable to vouch for the authenticity of the statement, although we are inclined to believe that Mr. 'Wilcox is not entertaining such intentions. No one in his audience here has noted that his voice is failing him, and he has never as far as we can ascertain intimated to any Decatur citizen that he would either temporarily or permanently retire from the ministry. Dr. Wilcox was pastor at Lagrange before being assigned to this charge, and it is reasonable to anticipate that the report was made by one who is not in possession of the facts. The friends of Dr. Wilcox and they are innumerable. sincerely hope that he w’ill vigorously deny the report as his services are much in demand by the congregation of the Deeatur M. E. church. It is true that Dr. Wilcox has had many flattering offers outside the ministry and he owns a progressive newspaper in Michigan, but the concensus of opinion here is to the effect that he has never entertained an idea of retiring from the ministry.

Joseph Lcwer and C. S. Mumma went to BerneTuesday morning where they completed arrangements for the Farmers’ Institute, which will be held at that place January 4, 1909. This institute will, according to its promotors, eclipse all former similar events ever held in the county. Mrs. Henrietta Colvin, an instructor at Purdue university, will speak in the morning and afternoon, her first subject to be “Fireless Cookery" and the afternon subject will be “Making of Coking Bcxes and Labor Saving Devices cf the Household.” A. G. Burkhart is also scheduled for addresses in the morning and afternoon, his subjects to be “Duties and Privileges ot the Farmers' Wife” and “Shall We Feed cr Sell Our Grain.” These lecturers are the best in the state on their particular subjects and w’ill without doubt be greeted by large and enthusiastic audiences. Local people will also be called upon for short talks. Messrs. Mumma and Lower will make an effort to engage a room at the Berne school house for the institute and in that event the school children will furnish music. The institute to be held at Decatur will convene during the days of January 27 and 28. 1909, and most interesting sessions are promised. The executive committee will meet next Saturday to perfect arrangements for this meeting, although it is now known that J. B. Burris, of Putngm county, and J. M. Cantley, of Cass county, will be the principal speakers.

MRS. AULT IS NOT SERIOUS As Reports from Unreliable Sources Would Indicate. A report |ias gained cdrcu/lation from unreliable sources to the effect that the life of Mrs. William Ault is despaired of which is not only vigorously denied by the relatives of the afflicted woman who reside in Decatur, but their denial is supported by a communication received by J. Ault yesterday which assured him that the wom?n is and has been constantly on the mend for more than a week and her early recovery is assured. Unless there are developments which would retard her recovery she will be able to eat Christmas dinner with one of her sons. There was nothing in the communication which conveyed the idea that the dread gangrene had set in, reports to chat effect notwithstanding.

Arthur D. Suttles was admitted as a member of the Adams county bar, after being recommended by a committee including D. E. Smith, Dore B. Erwin and C. L. Waiters. He passed the cigars and was welcomed as a full fledged attorney and his name ordered placed upon the roll. A cause entitled State of Indiana ex rel Attillia Ryf vs. Otto Green, paternity proceedings, has been filed in circuit court on appeal from the court of Justice Liddy at Berne. E. P. Reed & Co. vs. Fred B. Tague, plaintiff files a demurrer to the counter claim of defendant. Anson B. Cunningham vs. Chicago & Erie Ry. company, damages, defendant ruled to answer absolute within five days. In the Sylvester Tinkham et al. petition for drain. Hooper & Lenhart attorneys, were allowed $lO as additional fees. The bill of costs w’as also allowed. In the guardianship cf Warren and Savetta McQuiston, the report of appraisers was filed. Guardian ordered to sell real estate at private sale. John F. Haene, guadian for Oscar and William H. Hoene, filed his final report, w’hich w’as approved. John Weaver, administrator for the Eldridge Weaver estate, filed his inventory which was approved. In the Joseph Schroll estate an amended petition was filed. Finding that personal property is insufficient to pay debts and real estate ordered sold. Grover Bucher, aged 21, a farmer from near Geneva, and Emma Kuntz, aged sixteen, of near Geneva, were granted a license to marry; a license has also been granted Edward T. Pusey, aged 26, of Hartford township, and Bertha Blanch Snow, 22, of Wabash township. Hunters' licenses have been issued to W. B. Martz and William Badders. Paul G. Hooper has given Bessie I. Davis et ala commissioner’s deed fcr 66 acres in Blue Creek township for $34.50.

The Indianapolis Star said Tuesday morning: Fred Rohrer, of Berne, Ind., who has probably had more exciting adventures in campaigning against liquor forces than any other man in Indiana, took part in the Anti-saloon League field day services Sunday. Mr. Rohrer will speak this morning at the Second German M. E. church, Spruce and Prospect streets. Three times Mr. Rohrer’s home in Berne has been dynamited, and he has been handled roughly and threatened with violence by mobs of men who did not take kindly to his expressed views on the licuor question. Mr. Rohrer weighs very little more than 110 pounds. Last night he had a new experience to relate. While in Archibald, 0., he attempted to hold a street meeting in the interest of the “dry’” element ol the town. He was warned that trouble might be expected if he attempted ar. outdoor meeting. A number of salocns flourished in the town as well as a large brewery. “I stood in a wagon,” said Mr. Rohrer, in relating the story to a number of other antisaloon workers, and was about to be introduced when a big man pushed his way through the crowd and told me if I attempted to deliver a speech he would arrest me. He was the town constable but he w’as bluffing. Seeing that I would net agree to defer my speech, the constable ordered some of the boys in the crow’d to take hold of the wagon and pull it down the st eet. They took the wagon and me about a block from where I was announced to speak and backed the. wagon up to a saloqn entrance. ‘Take him away from here!’ the saloon keeper shouted and ran out into the street waving his arms. ‘I don’t want him around my place.’ ‘Take the Hoosier down to the brewery!’ some one else yelled. But they spared me that pleasure.” said Mr. Rohrer in finishing his story, “and as they let me get out of the wagon and go away I told them I believed they had made more dry votes by their little stunt than I could have made if I had spoken. The county in which the little town is situated went dry at the election by more than WO."

Harry Deam came home Saturday and spent Sunday here with his family. Mr. Deam is still in partnership with Price, the gentleman who located the piano factcry in Bluffton and one of Mr. Deam’s reasons for coming heme was to meet a manufacturer of Chicago who will be here this afternoon for the purpose of looking ever the old clay pot building with a view to locating his plant there. —Bluffton News.

County recorder, Hervey S. Steele, was at Craigville Friday on a hunting trip. The boys thought this a good joke but Hervey turned the tables when he came in last evening with a string of eight fine rabbits. A few more trips like this and he will be in the professional class. Attorney J. B. Merriman of Bluffton, was here Saturday attending to legal affairs. Mr. Merriman is the represen-tative-elect from Wells county, and is arranging to attend the session. He is a clean cut young fellow with plenty of ability and will serve his people well. He says that the voters of Wells are practically unanimous for Kern for senator and he will cast his vote that way. Mrs. Orange Hill, of Kendallville, has just located her father, William Longyear, who Is now living at Twin Falls, Idaho. Thirty-four years ago Longyear left with a party of goldseekers for the Black Hills, and no word was heard from him until a few days ago. The late Abe Goldsmith, of Ligonier, who died in Philadelphia, carried life insurance policies aggregatng $25,032.60. They were taken out from 1882 to 1904. In all Mr. Goldsmith had nine policies and they were all in the New York Life. The largest was for $5,000 and the smallest for SI,OOO. Allen county, Ohio, of which Lima, is the county seat, held a local option election yesterday, the wets winning by sixty-six votes. It was the warmest election ever held in that county, and it is alleged that the two sides spent more than $25,000, each having an inexhaustible fund. Martin Laughlin, the county commissioner, who has been ill for several days at the home of J. C. Moran, in this city, was considerably improved today and was able to be taken home this afternoon, leaving on the afternoon train. His wife accompanied him. His many friends beleve now that he will be as well as ever within a few days. Chris Meyers, the tailor, is enjoying a constantly increasing trade. An addition to his shop has made it much more convenient and furnished space for more workmen. Three tailors are now employed besides the ccat and pants makers, and more help will be added in the spring according to present indications. The Adams County Medical Society met at the ofl.ee of Dr. J. S. Boyers last night and the officers for the coming year were chosen, they being Dr. D. D. Beavers, president; Dr. C. S. Clark, vice president, and Dr. W. E. Smith, secretary and treasurer. Dr. Smith read a paper on an important medical question. Mrs. Hannah Ellen Barker, pioneer Huntington county woman, collapsed suddenly from heart trouble Thursday and expired in the arms of her son-in-law, Jacob Bruss, who rushed to her aid when he heard her calling strangely. Mrs. Barker was 78 years of age and resided south of Huntington a shert distance. Fred Crosbie, living near Bluffton, is a grandfather, though but 37 years of age. Mr. Crosbie was married when he was sixteen years of age. Minnie, his first dughter, was born when he and Mrs. Crosbie had been married a year. His daughter was married when she was sixteen, and a year later her first child was born. WANTS NEW RECEIVER NAMED Cooperage Company at Monroeville Airing Troubles. W. W. Tackaberry, secretary-treas-urer of the Monroeville Cooperage company, which went int'o the hands of a receiver in the circuit court Saturday, asked in a petition filed today that Frank Gebert, who was appointed be removed, and demands, if it is found that the company’s affairs are in shape to demand a receivership, that an experienced man be named by the court. He also states that the application was filed surreptitiously during his absence from the city with the statement that he had left permanently-, which was known to be untrue at the time the proceedings were placed upon the docket. He says the company was formed to take over the business of the Monroeville Heading company and that after he had taken twenty shares of the stock and been made an officer he ascertained for the first time that the company was indebted to W. K. Noble in the sum. of SII,OOO, which was secured by a mortgage on Alvin Pettit’s farm and that as soon as Noble became indebted to the company in the sum named he turned in notes for the sum that had | been given him and this was followed 'by cancellation of the mortgage.— j Fort Wayne Sentinel. —o I As a result of the finding of the court in the suit of David H. Miller against the C., B. & C. railroad, several suits have been forestalled. If the suit had ended in favor of the plaintiff several other cases would hav e been filed immediately.

A fire originating in an outbuilding at the Dallas Butler property on Market street Friday night, th. -atened destruction to several houses in that vicinity and it was only the timely arrival of the fire laddies that prevented what would have been a heavy loss. The origin of the conflagration is a mystery, which no one has yet attempted to solve. Mr. Butler, a short time after eleven o’clock retired, and it was but a few minutes until he heard burning timber. Arising he was astonished to see his outbuildings a mass of blaze. The alarm was sent in and it must be said that the laddies arrived at the scene in double quick time, just eleven minutes elapsing frem the time the whistle blew until they were throwing water. The Colchln barn was but ten feet from the burning structure and was not scorched, although diligent work was required to save it. The Colchin house and several othet dwellings were in danger for a time, but the fire department did their work efficiently and they are deserving of credit for the run they made. About S2OO worth of tools were burned in the woodshed, together with a quantity of coal and ether supplies. A divorce suit venued here from Adams county was disposed of this morning, says the Bluffton News.when Mrs. Carrie Shoemaker was granted a decree from George E. Shoemaker upon the payment of ccsts. Some of the allegations were pretty severe against her husband but he did not appear to make a fight and Mrs. Shoemaker got the divorce without much opposition, the prosecuting attorney only appearing as required by law. Among the things to which Mrs.’ Shoemaker objected was that her husband charged that she did not know how to cook or to do housework and he told her that "she could not cook like mother used to.” He also treated her cruelly, she said, in that he did not provide with sufficient foed or clothing and went away at times for several days leaving her with nothing in the larder, with eight head of horses to take care of and part of the time she even loked after his engine when he was a pumper in the oil field, as he would go away and leave her alone. He also struck her and frequently left her at home alone at night. Adams county folk are glad that the difficulties between these parties are at an end. o Five dollars and costs was the package Mayor France presented to ent George Bowers Saturday after lie had entered a plea of guilty to the charge of public intoxication and the man in question will partake of the hospitalities of Sheriff Meyer for fifteen days, hence, Christmas day included. Bowers, who for some time has been employed at the Decatur Furnace factory., suspended duties Friday that he might devo<e h’s undivided attention to the art of “boozing.” In this he did well, and before midnight he had on board all he could carry without a jug. Entering the Smith and Parrish restaurant he caused a disturbance, and Policeman Fisher started him toward jail. Bowers offered resistance but was easily taken care of by the officer. Bowers is also wanted by M. A. Ham, proprietor cf the Park Hotel on account of $10.75 for board. It is quite probable that Mr. Ham will file an affidavit against him at the expiration of his present sentence and he will then be permitted to remain in the county bastile for New Years also. T O— A bitter controversy has followed the death of Great Commander S. B. Corden, of the Indiana Maccabees, in the effort to fill the vacancy caused by his death. The vacancy is to be filled by the vote of W E. Mowbray, lieutenant commander, and J. W. Repnogle, of Goshen, great record keeper. After being in session all night the two officials were unable to agree upon a successor to Boiden. The candidates considered were Edward Gildersleeve, of Laporte; Milo Meredith, of Wabash; M. A. Clapper, of Hartford City, and W. H. Keyes, of Indianapolis. The position is for two years and pays a salary of $2,400 a year. fnSiana corn is king. In the list of prize winners at the world’s corn exposition now being held at Omaha, Nebraska, which was published in the Chicago newspapers today, Scott R. Walker, of Galveston, carried away first prize for com raised in the north central zone, which is the highest coveted honor sought at the exposition. Indiana farmers also captured the third, fourth, eighth and ninth prizes in the above class, practically taking the grand sweepstakes. The exhibits were entered in competition with thousands of others from all sections of the world. At the sale of prize winning corn, which usually fellows the exhibition, the blue ribbon product brings from $5 to S3O an ear. —Bluffton News. Chris Strebe went to Fountain City this morning to look after business pertaining to the G. R. & I. railroad company.

After nine hours’ deliberation, the jury in the case of William G. Smith vs. Muri Laisure, returned a verdict at 1 o’clock Saturday morning, giving the plaintiff judgment for SIOO. The case went to the jury a few minutes before four o’clock Friday afternoon and the verdict was read in court at nine o’clock, a sealed verdict being returned. Attorney Dore B. Erwin filed a new case Saturday entitled. Wisconsin Lumber Company vs. Cardwell Bex Company, suit on drafts, demand $l,lOO. The suit demands payment of four drafts accepted but unpaid. A marriage license was issued to Solomon Massier. 32, a farmer from near Geneva to Velma E. Burley, 23, also from Geneva. Hunter’s licenses have been issued to H. S. Steele and Sherman Watson, Real estate transfers: Angelina Schlegel to Mhry E. Steele, finlot 477 Decatur. $471.39; U. S. Drummond et al to Charles W. Yager, pt. outlot 71, Decatur, $1,925. The last will rnd testament of Andrew Striker, late of Berne, was filed for probate Saturday. Mr Striker died November 29th last. The will was written September 22, 1905, and witnessed by Matthias Striker and .William J. Rawley. After providing for the payment of debts and funeral expenses, he bequeaths all his real and personal property to his wife, Eliza, if she survive him. for her to use as she finds necessary for her comfort. It'is his further will that at the death of his wife and after the payment of her debts and funeral expenses that his granddaughter. Effie Wagoner first be paid $l4O. The remainder of the estate is to be divided equally among his legal heirs, Mary E. McCarty, Anna A. Schug, John H. Striker, Clara B. Hendricks and Effie F. Wagoner. He appoints his wife Eliza Striker as executrix and asks that she be not required to give bond or take out papers.

Political bees are buzzing in the ranks of the state G. A. R. in preparation for the state encampment, to be held in Crawfordsville, probably the latter part of May. Candidates- names are flying about thick and fast, and already six veterans are said to be aspiring to the place of department commander. Capt. M. N. Lacey, of Fountain City, and a member of the Vicksburg monument commission, is In the race by virtue of an indorsement made at the regimental reunion a few months ago. Captain Lacey has not formally announced his intention to be in the race, but the understanding among the veterans of the state is that the captain will be one of the most formidable candidates when they get together. John W. Dyer, of Hammond, is a candidate by his own an nouncement, made at Kokomo, last year, at the annual encampment. Mr. Dyer said at that time that he believed the office should go to the north part of the state, and that he would like to have it. Among the other names mentioned for the place are O. A. Somers, of Kokomo; Judge Dan Waugh, of Tipton; Captain A. R. Tucker, of Noblesville, and Col. C. G. Thompson, of Lafayette. Judge Waugh’s friends are said to be making an active campaign in the interests cf their candidate. A large delegation of Indiana G. A. R. members will go to Vicksburg for the dedication of the Vicksburg monumrffit, December 29.

Contrary to the opinions of the attending physicians and nurses, Mrs. William Ault, confined at the Hope hospital, Fort Wayne. Is recovering rapidly, the crisis having been passed with prospects very encouraging for her early and ultimate recovery. Her hip badly mangled and suffering Intensely from internal injuries, which suggested inevitable death, the aged Indy has battled vigorously against the grim reaper. Hopeful as she has been, she has been unsupported in her belief that she would survive the serious injuries inflicted by the iron monster until the change for the better came. Grieving the loss of her beloved husband, contributed to the heartache of the trying situation, but all this did not avail against her wonderfully strong constitution, which did not fall her in the hour of profound sorrow and untold agony. Mrs. Ault will have sujfflciently recovered, it is said, to be able to be taken to her home before Christmas and this news [will be gladly received by her many .Decatur friends who have feared the J worst since the aged woman was afflicted. It is hoped that nothing unj forseen will develop which in any manner will blight the hopes fostered by the many friends of the estimable woman. o— _ Frank Gass made an important business trip to Fort Wayne yesterday in the interest of the Fullenkamp store.

Merriman & Dailey, attorneys of Bluffton, filed a new case in court here, in which Elizabeth A. Savine demands a divorce from John Savine. The complaint recites that the parties were married May 7, 1869, and lived together until October 3rd of this year. They have eight children, ranging in age from sixteen to thirty years. Mrs. Savine says that for twenty-five years her husband has treated her in a cruel and inhuman manner, frequently threatening to shoot her, has even placed a revolver against her breast and said he would shoot her heart out. At one time he drew a revolver to shoot his son Jonathan but was prevented from doing so by another son, Ames. At another time while intoxicated he carelessly discharged a revolver, the bullet just missing a daughter, Caroline. Again in 1902 the defendant secured a pitchfork f:om the barn, brought it to the house and drove his wife and children from the house and then went to the barn and made belief he was hanging himself. Drunkenness and failure to provide are also alleged. With the exception of one calico dress each year Savine has bought his wife only one piece of clothing in their nearly forty years of married life, Mrs. Savine keeping herself by selling butter and eggs. Among other allegations is the one that Sovine has frequently accused his wife of intimacy with her own sons, and has driven two of them away frem home. These accusations being untrue and made for the purpose of tormenting his family. Mrs. Sovine says that in 1870 she loaned her husband $450 and in 1875 loaned , him $135 which he has never repaid, that he owns real estate in Adams county worth $10,500 and personal • property worth $3,000, which she has helped to earn, after working in the - field as a hand. Mrs. Sovine has no s money and asks an order of court for -a sum sufficient to bring this action. , A divorce decree and judgment for . $7,000 alimony are asked. Judge Meri ryman granted a temporary restrains ing order to prevent defendant from : disposing of any of his property. The > case is the most sensational filed here in years. *

Indianapolis, Dec. 12. —That it Is the plan of the liquor interests in Indiana to fight county local option elections by means of the injunction has developed in the counties where the new law is to have its first tests. In Whitley county the liquor men have secured a temporary restraining order against the commissioners preventing them from calling a local option election before February 4. when the final hearing for permanent injunction will come up. According to F. S. Shumaker, superintendent of the Indiana league, county local option elections have been called in Lawrence and Wabash counties for December 29, and in Pike county for December 31. The Anuti-Saloon league is counting on putting out ot business within the next month 379 saloons in the counties where election agitaticn has been started. The number of saloons in each of these counties as given out by Superintendent Shumaker, is as follows: Delaware. 107; Fayette. 29; Gibsen, 23; Hamilton, 22; Hendricks, 3; Jay, 15; Lawrence, 14; Marshall, 11; Martin, 11; Ohio. 4; Pike, 1; Porter, 7; Putnam, 10; Randolph, 4; Switzerland, 4; Wabash, 20; Wayne, 57; Whitley, 11, and Huntington, 26. Petitions for county local option elections are being circulated, according to Mr. Shumaker, in Hendricks, Marshall, Huntington. Wayne, Porter and Switzerland counties,and movements looking toward option elections have been .inaugurated in Putnam, Randolph, Jay, Whitlay and Hamilton counties. There is also seme agitation in Fayette, Martin, Delaware and Ohio counties. January, Mr. Shumaker says, will see a large number of local option elections.

While In Indianapolis yesterday the Hon. Levi Mock talked to his cousin, James E. Watson, the defeated republican candidate for governor. Mr. Watson told Mr. Mock that he did not think that he would quit politics. Watson had just returned from the whitecapping trial in the southern part of the state, where he, as chief counsel, got the men accused of white capping acquitted. Mr. Mock also learned that his uncle, Enos Watson, is seriously ill In Winchester—Bluffton Banner. The county commissioners will not get through with their meeting today. Owing to the fact that the Adams county board of ciminissioners met with the local commissioners to consider the viewers’ report of the county line road, coupled with the fact that there has been so much other business the commissioners were unable to get through with the regulai routine of work. As a result unless the board decides to meet again tomorrow the work will have to go until the middle of the month when al special session will be called anyhow.! —Bluffton Banner. 1 J. H. Tucker, on the old Niblicj farm is advertising a public sale. Rea® his advertisement in another column®