Decatur Democrat, Volume 52, Number 8, Decatur, Adams County, 25 February 1909 — Page 2

Those of the world who lament over trivial misfortunes, financial losses of other matters of little importance can su'bely be convinced that they are not the most unfortunate people living by the relation of the sad experience of James Touhey, who but yesterday suffered an Injury which threatens to cripple him for life. Jim, Is forVtwo years of age. He was reared tn tills city and when attending the St. Joseph school May 14, 1884, his | left eye was seriously injured by a ball from the hands of a schoolmate. The eye went blind shortly afterward. Or February In the following year he fell from the top of B. J. Terveejj’s house and sustained a broken wrist, the bones projecting through the flesh, so severe was the accident. Notwithstanding these sad misfortunes Jim ■was always cheerful and made the best of life. In 1896 while driving a dray at Steele’s park Jim fell from the wagon and as a result his ankle was broken, which for some time caused his confinements his home. To the public it would certainly seem that Jim Touhey had at this time suffered more than his apportionment of misfortunes; it would seem that the pain and worry that attended these accidents would be all that could be withstood by one individual, but the worst was yet to come. Jim was ’ doomed to lose the most precious of hit senses, eyesight In 1904 he and his mother moved to Muncie and in 1906 one evening while stooping in the coal shed at their home, a splin» ter projecting from the door of’the building penetrated his right eye, rendering him totally blind. Jim and his mother returned to Decatur and have since resided here. After being here for some time he learned to go about some of the principal streets unattended and he found great consolation In chatting with his associates and friends. When interviewed this morning by a Democrat representative he did not grumble, but was still far more cheerful than many people who have slight misfortunes, notwithstanding the fact that he may never be able to walk again. Jim is one cf ■ the best posted men on the current events of the day In the city. He loved to have his friends read to him and once hearing anything he never forgot IL He Is liked by every one ' who knows him. He is worthy of the sympathy of the people, more than that, he is deserving of their support In his hour of affliction and profound sorrow. The loalty of Jim’s friends has plainly been shown by the way they have contributed to a fund which Is being raised for his benefit He never asked for it, nor his relatives, but his friends wish in some way to aid in dissipating the gloom cast about his life. 1 MADE A MASON AT SIGHT President-Elect Taft Can Now Meet 1 You on the Square. 1 Cincinnati, Ohio, Feb. 19.—Presi-dent-elect Taft is a Master Mason. ( The Impressive ceremony which j brought him that distinction yesterday ( was conducted by Charles S. Hoskin■on, the most worshipful grand master of the grand lodge of the most an- ( dent and honorable fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons of the state of Ohio. The highest Masonic author- , ities of seventeen states witnessed ] Mr. Taft’s admission Into the order, £ so did a body of men representing dis- r Anguished citizens of Cincinnati and f the members of Kilwinning lodge, of £ which Alfonso Taft, father of the ] president-elect, was a member, and t fa which Charles P. Taft was inducted ] under the auspices of his father, j Scottish Rite Cathedral, an ancient s edifice devoted to the higher degrees , ot Masonry, was the scene of the £ ceremonies. Its main floor and gal- f lery were filled when the distinguish- ( ed candidate arrived. The procedure ( which culminated in the declaration that Mr. Taft was a Mason, occupied thirty-five minutes. j o —— W. EL Bleeke, for many years a resident of Adams county, who some j time ago went to California has writ- ( ten to D. B. Erwin of this city stat- , Ing that he has purchased an orange grove which is the best in the section of the country In which he lives. The t letter is dated February seventeenth j and he says that he made the deal a few days prior to that time. The grove contains ten acres of land and cost the neat sum of $20,000. Mr. Bleeke will be remembered by a large ' number of Adams county people. He lived in the old Bleeke settlement during the most of his life, selling his farm there some time ago to his brother. He was here on a visit a few weeks ago, and returning made the purchase. He has been in California for about five years, during which time he has succeeded well as a workman in the orange groves. Mr. Bleeke got a bargain in the grove which he purchased and he is much elated over the same. His many friends in this county wish for him much success in the business venture. 1 — o ! Frank Bremerkamp returned this morning from Fort Wayne.

The Indiana board of state charities have just issued their report for 1908 t it being a large volume of 240 pages and treats of the county farms In all the counties in the state. In July last year Mr. A. R. Charman visited the County infirmary here and the following report was wlrtten after that visit: Adams county poor asylum, located I two miles southeast of Decatu r Vlsite’d July 15, 1908. J. R. Graber, superintendent, receives SI,OOO annually for his services. The commissioners hire one man and two women. The superintendent’s family consists of himself, wife and five children. There are 270 acres of latid in the farm valued at SIOO per acre. Os this, 250 acres are tillable and 20 acres are in timber. The garden is good and there is an orchard and some small fruits. The estimated annual expenses, besides products, is $1,400. The stock consists of 40 head of cattle, 12 cows, 11 horses and 27 head cf swine. The capacity of the poor asylum Is 150, with a population of 37 at this time. One Insane woman it 'it necessary to keep locked up at night There are separate quarters for the insane, which are light, airy and clean. The sexes are well separated, being in different parts of the' building. The house is remarkably well kept and the inmates are very clean? There are five bath tubs and the inmates bathe weekly. There is plenty of good, clean'clothing for the inmates, made by the matron. The bedding, consisting of straw mattresses, blankets, comforts and white spreads, is in excellent condition. Wooden chairs and rockers in the women’s sitting room, compose the furniture. The poor asylum Is lighted by kerosene lamps, heated by steam and the ventilation comes from the windows. Plenty of good, wholesome food, well prepared, is served and the health of the inmates is generally good. A physician is employed at a salary of $l5O per year.. Religious services are held regularly every two weeka and an efforts is made to furnish such reading matter as the inmates desire. The records are in good shape. The building is constructed of brick, iron and wood, with a slate roof. The walls are of brick throughout, but unplastered. The main buildings are in excellent condition. The farm buildings have recently been repaired and are in good condition, also the fences and door yards. The fastitution is a splendid example of its kind. It is well planned and well built to meet in an efficient way the needs of such an institution. To improve conditions a baking oven and laundry machinery are needed. The superintendent and his wife and daughter are much interested in the work, and the people agg contented and show high regard for those in charge. — o ■—" Julius Haugk vs. James W. Place et al, a demurrer was filed by the plaintiff to the defendant’s counter claim. v E. P. Reed & Co., vs. Fred B. Tague cause continued by agreement. Attorney J. W. Teeple has filed a divorce complaint, Mary Knavel vs. Edward Knavel. Complaint filed and summons ordered returnable March 3. The complaint recites the fact that they were married September 20, 1901, and lived together until December 10, 1908, when they separated and have not since lived or co-habited together. Before the last named date, the plaintiff says the defendant has been guilty of cruel and inhuman treatment, and many other cruelties that are too obscene to print The plaintiff asks for the custody of their two children, a divorce and five hundred dollars alimony. Samuel Stahl as guardian of Henry B. Stahl, filed an account current '<s William F. Blakey, guardian of five Blscoff minor heirs, filed an account current, and also a petition which was granted. James M. Archbold has filed bond in the sum of S6OO and has been appointed administrator of the estate of Mary J. Mletz, deceased. ’ M A marriage license has been issued to John Taylor, a resident of Jay county, and Henrietta Byerly. Real estate transfers contain the transfer of real estate in Monroe township, Dayid Schindler to Joseph L Graber. The consideration was $7,000. > o Montpelier was the mecca for a number of Bluffton people Saturday night and as a result the last cars in here were filled with people more or less under the weather. As the saloons in that place will be out of business within’ a short time the people of Bluffton will soon have only Fort 1 Wayne, Marlon and Decatur to go to. I Should the election at Marion go dry then that city will also be eliminated.—Bluffton Banner.

“ goes' 1 orer t^EriTlta 111 ’ a “ d 1 Crown Point. Prof. Christie of the y Purdue university experimental sta--1 tion will be with the train and will . give a forty-five minutes lecture at the Erie station on improved corn 1 ' cultivation. The train will be in I charge of Lewis Jackson, industrial 1 commissioner of the Ere lines, and the run to Crown Point will be one ot the most pleasant of the entire ' f round, which is being made by the agricultural experiment station at * Purdue. The forty-five minutes lec--3 ture in this City will be well worth - hearing, and we expect that many 5 Adams county* farmers will hear it, ’ and by so doing, get the benefit of * the speakers vast experience and 3 knowledge in the line of improved 3 farming. We do not. know another 1 industry in the land whore greater * Improvements are being made than in the agricultural lines, and as Adams r county holds, an enviable reputation as being not only the best spot for ' agriculture, but they also, have the L best farmers, a good audience should - greet Prof. Christie when he comes 1 to 'Decatur. We will make further announcement in a few days. —o " ! Friends and relatives here have received the sad tidings of the death es [ Gladys Mann, daughter of Mr. and ! Mrs. J. Frank Mann, of Muncie. The , Mann family have the genuine sym- ( pathy of Decatur people, since they were so well known here, Mr. Mann , formerly having been the junior partner in the firm of Mann and Beatty. Annie Gladys , Mann was born seventeen years ago, 1892, at Decatur, where the family resided till about ten years ago, when they moved to Muncie, where Gladys died at the family home, 402 Sutton avenue, Riverside. The girl had been a sufferer from spinal trouble since she was five years old, and never could play as much as other children. The disease gradually grew worse until she could walk but little, and during the last four months she became helpless. However, the patience and cheerfulness with which she bore her suffering was remarkable, and made her dearer than ever to the family and friends. Sometimes tit takes great suffering of body or grief of mind to show us the worth of those who un- , dergo such trials, and are the higher , and nobler for it Such was the life ( of Gladys, her friends all tell of her cheerful and happy life. K 1 "?"*—" ■■ o— Lima, 0., Feb. 19.—Prosecuting Attorney Benjamin F. Weldy has re- ; ceived an anonymous death’s head let- : ter threatening him with peril, if he ' persists in prosecution of certain prisoners now in jail. John Henderson, > James Martin and Thomas Dillon, held for the Yoakum farm robbery, are be- : lieved to be the prisoners in whose behalf the letter was written. Weldy j has turned the letter over to his se- : cret service officers, and it is be- : lieved a clue hae been found. i As Mr. Weldy is a son-in-law of Andrew Gottschalk and is otherwise ■ well and favorably known here, the . above dispatch is of interest to many . of our readers. Mr. Weldy has had ■ some Varied experiences since his , inauguration as prosecuting attorney 5 of Allen county. He is a fearless officer and has prosecuted some big cases in which official graft figured ( against some prominent and powerful ■ people. This fatt had no terrors for , him, he just wading right in and making them come across. It has all made the prosecutor some staunch friends and some mighty bitter ene- ( mies, and some people will resort to , most anything to save their own hide. ■ We will bet on Mr. Weldy, for he seems to be full ot the backbone and : whatever he undertakes he does thoroughly and well. The fellows that wrote those letters stand a chance of walking the plank. — » i < Decatur, Ind., Feb. 20, 1909. Editor Democrat: You have done the right thing by starting a “Jim Touhey” fund. Here’s mine. I wish I could give more. Jim Touhey is one ofthe biggest hearted boys in all the/world and no more loyal, true-frlend hand than grasped any man’s* I know whereof 1 speak. I have known him for many year, and *in better days, The matt, who has not known Jim Touhey, and has. not had many good laughs at his quaint way of fcayin® things, has missed a good deal, and he who has known him, ought not forget him in his dire affliction. And now let me say, Come on, boys, get in on this. Do as much for Jim Touhey as he would have done for you in his better, more fortunate and happier days. DAVID E. SMITH. I 0 Mrs. Margaret Coffee, of south Fourth street, who recently underwent an operation for the removal of a cancer, is quite sick, lagrlppe having set in, making a serious complication. >

iww epreptmi us tiiwpeupw i of the eighth congressional district, > hA been repeatedly proven, the latest evidence of his devotion to the interests of Decatur, citizens being fa the . fact that he has been instrumental in causing the pension of Henry Epke, the cigar maker, to be raised from $8 to sl2 per month, a very noticeable increase, and one greatly appreciated by the recipient The notice received by Mr. Epke from the pen of Mr. Adair is as follows: Dear Sir—l am pleased to enclose herewith notice from the pension department of the allowance of your claim at the rate of sl2 per month. I am very glad to see you get this,’ and whenever I can be of service to you in the future, feel free to command me. Mr. Adair is representing all the people and especially is he interested fa the welfare of the veterans who so nobly fought end who endured so many hardships to preserve the freedom so essential to the progress of a people. The eighth district is proud ot John Adair. -o , After for several years being unable to see the light of day or his surroundings, totally blind as a consequence of an accident which cast a gloom over his life, which human hand cannot alleviate nor mind contemplate, James Touhey, familiarly known and universally beloved has been doomed to taste further ot the sore misfortunes of life. Feeling his way with his trusty cane, he was walking east on Madison street toward the Sprague barber shop Friday a. m. at 11:30 o’clock when without warning or apprehension he stepped from the sidewalk into the cellar door of the Murray saloon which had been left open by a deliveryman, his body was hurled against the opposite side ot the cellar way and as a consequence his hip was dislocated and the ball of the femur bone broken badly. Bystanders hurriedly rescued the unfortunate man from the perilous position and carried him to the Sprague barber shop where he remained until a cot was secured upon which he was conveyed to the home of his sister, Mrs. P. J. Hyland. The injured man was suffering untold agony and when rescuers appeared upon the scene he deplored the idea of being taken home on account of his dear old mother, whose heart, he well knew, would be broken over the sad affliction. The pathos of the scene at the home when Mr. Touhey was carried there helpless and moaning was indescribably pitiful. As only a mother can, Mrs. Touhey wept bitterly, and the intensity of the grief of those near to the man cannot be reckoned when the statement was given out that he probably could never walk again without the use of crutches. Sorrow I and mjbfortune never came so forcibly to a Decatur family as did it this morning to them. Mr. Touhey had learned to walk about the city without a guide. In a small way he was enjoying life by the association of his friends, and they are innumerable, but that he will never again be able to walk to and fro as before is awful to contemplate. The sympathy of all go out to him and the relatives in the hour of bereavement The Democrat believes there are times when the public should hot only be sympathelc but charitable. Their charity should reach down into their pockets and help Jim Touhey, who is not only blind but Is also a cripple, and will be perhaps for the remainder of bls life. It is a sad story of a moqt unfortunate man. Every one likes Jim Touhey and he. deserves better, but such is fate. Through it all, he needs your sympathy, but let’s show him that we are charitable as well. The Democrat is going to start a fund to help Jim Touhey through these dark hours ot trial, tad the Democrat readers are invited to subscribe thereto to any amofnt you may feel disposed. All monied will be rereceipted for and your name added to the list below. —. -o— —• BUT LITTLE COURT TODAY. A New Ctae Was Filed by Attorney F. M. Cottrell. F. M- Cottrell filed' a new case entitled Thomas Ireland vs. Harrison Hakes and J. P. Hilyard, suit on note, demand $125. The summons is returnable March 4. The circuit court was not working overtime today, but a few entries being made. • A demurrer to the complaint was filed in the divorce case cf. Lena Runyun vs* Daniel Runyun. Henry Tindell Sarah Tindell vs. Jacob Fogle, a sgit in partition is set for trial on Friday; March 26. A marriage Icense has been issued to Moses E. Richer a farmer of Allen county,tad Judith Steiner, daughter of Peter D. Steiner of Monroe township.

tl The arguments were made fa the 5 and the court found for the defen-; I dant, and he was discharged. i Special Judge Peterson rendered s his decision* in the Bremerkamp guarl dlan case making the findings for the I defendant, giving her the pension now . being paid by the government ■ ) William Drew as attorney for Louis ■ Evans estate, appeared in court, and ■ with the proper showing, the entire . estate was’set off to the widow, the amount of the same being less than > five hundred dollars. -David E. Smith appeared for Alfred • Miller and made a showing in the I Jacob Reppert estate, and as a result ' SIOO was paid to Alfred that 1 amount to be kept by the father for hint'until he is twenty-one years old. William Drew as guardian for Matilda! Young,l filed an account current, whiqji was allowed. i - Charles Dutcher appeared in court and plead guilty to permitting minors tu play pool.' The court imposed a fine of ten dollars and costs. A transcript was filed in the circuit court in the -case of Keubler, Moltz Co vs. L. B. Brokaw, judgment for ' $38.21 having jtteen rendered by agreement in the court of Esq. J. H. Stone. o OBITUARY. John Haggard, son of Martin tad Katie Haggard, was born in Green county, Ohio, September 13, 1832, and died at his home in Michigan, January 27, 1909, aged 76 years, 4 months and 14 days. He was united in marriage to Sarah Jane Allen February 17, 1858. To this union was born six children, four sons and two daughters. The wife and mother pre-, ceded him to the better world March 7. 1869. He was again united in marriage to Nancy Straits June 25,1870. To this union was born eight children, two sons and six daughters. On : March 19, 1884,''he was again bereft of the wife and mother. On January . 8, 1885, he was agalii united in marriage to Almefla Mix. To this union was bom two children, one son and ' one daughter. He leaves the wife and mother, five sons and four'daughters, < two brothers and one sister, 28 grand- , children, two great-grandchildren, with a host, of other relatives and friends to mourn their loss. Almost ( his last words were “I am resting in Jesus.’* How comforting these words are to us. • —' —o- — The sorrow and sympathy of innu- ( merable Adams county people will < be enlisted by the hews of the demise of John Brown, late of Monroe township, who for thirty years has held a place in their esteem attained only by , those of lofty ideals and • able character. He died Thursday as- , ternoon at two o’clock. John Brown was a truly desirable citizen, a loving ( husband and a devout father. His , career of usefulness has been an in- , ■plration to many who saw in him an example pure and simple Os manhood in its real meaning. He n was bom in Germany and at the age of thirty-five came to America, settling in easterp Ohio. With his family he , came to Indiana and located in Adams ( county thirty years ago, where he has , since resided. Six months ago the wife of the deceased passed into eternity, after they had walked side by side in life’s pathway for more than fifty-one years. The infirmities of old age had dawned upon the life of the aged man and this, together wlth4he attendant sorrow of the loss of his , dear companion caused his case to assume a seriousness which foretokened early and inevitable death. Surviving to share in the hour of sore bereavement besides a multitude Os friends are six children, George, John, Peter and John P. Brown, and Mesdames Mary Heiman and Margaret Miller. The funeral services were conducted from the St Marys church ; Monday morning at ten o’clock. The decedent was seventy-nine years of ege last October. — o Mrs. Ira Hendricks visited relatives in this city last week. Evangelist Miller will sing “Abide With Me” tonight. This song is highly illustrated with twenty-three : beautiful views. “Tell Mother I’ll Be , There” will be sung Wednesday night. 1 This pathetic song will be Illustrated ’• with nineteen beautiful slides. Thursday night “The Holy City” will be sung and highly illustrated. You surely won’t miss thi sene. Friday night . “Where is My Wandering Boy” will , be given with twent-five heart stirring I views.-' The above songs are the most beautifully Illustrated songs in the 1 world, and you cannot afford to miss : seeing them. Cut this notice out and pin it on the-wall for reference.

. * . . A / 1 brother, who had been the victim of a stroke of paralysis. Mr. Tlsron left immediately after receiving the mes- 4 sage, but arrived too late to see , his * brother alive, the spark of life having become extinct while he was enroute. A sister of the deceased was delayed several hours sad she, too, arrived after the death of the man. The fan- 1 j era! services were held Wednesday. ; The departed man. was suddenly I stricken with a stroke of paralysis, | which rendered him unconscious immediately, and he did not regain ra- 3 penality. He has visited in Decatur on several occasions, and while here made many acquaintances who will regret to hear of his death, which ’ psme so suddenly. The family of the decedent are inconsolable, as are the brothers and sisters w'ho survive over the sad death of the esti- / mable man. > .o — | The remains of the late Mrs. Jane Ainsworth, which a few days ago , were buried at the county farm ceme- , tery, ‘ were disinterred Thursday and transferred to the Clarks church l cemetery, where they wre laid to fest The aged • lady, it will be remembered, was an inmate at the county infirmary for three years. <Bhe ’ became ill some ■ time ago from a . complication of diseases peculiar to old age and died as a consequence thereof at the ripe old age of 75. Two well-to-do sons, William and Henry, survived, and were fa attendance at the'funeral services which were conducted at the chapel fa the infirmary by Dr. C. B. Wilcox. The remains were interred at the infirmary cemetery. Subsequent to the burial the sons decided that they wanted the remains of their aged mother buried ekewhere, and they at once made application to the secretary of the state board of health for a permit for removal which was granted. It is a tribute paid to the memory of the departed woman, which by her life’s toll she surely deserved at the hands of those who were to her from infancy to maturity. O 1 ' The prospect of the Bluffton, Geneva & Celina traction line begins to look brighter every aay, according to the promoters of the road. Last night a trip was made by local stockhold- < ■*** V'' **■■»•* j. •' '' ''/f'P ere of the road to Linn Grove, where an enthusiastic meeting was held. The crowd made the trip from here fa a sled, driven by Chris Seabold. The 1 purpose of the meeting at Linn. Grove was to get the people there interested enough fa the road to assist in the building of it They will help subscribe for' the $75,000 worth of _ stocip which the Bluffton people ask the people of Adams county to purchase before the road would be built The school house in which the meeting was held was packed. There were twenty people present from Geneva, They are very enthusiastic , about the road an dclaim that there > has been one-third of the $75,000 subscribed in the town of Geneva alone. Linn Grove people said they would assist also. Abram Simmons, of thia city, made one of the principal talks before the meeting, fa which he explained the legal phases connected with the building of the road. / Those who went from here were L. C. Justus, D. W. Brown, W. Al Kunkel, Del Lccke, R- F. Cummins, Merle Williamson, Ralph Morrow, Cady Montgomery, Isaac T. AJlen and Abram Simmons.—Bluffton Banner. r IS VISITING RELATIVES HERE William P. King Is a Member of the United State* Infantry. .Wm. P. King, of Detroit, Michigan, arrived in the city Tuesday morning for a week** visit with friends and , relatives in this vicinity, having spent the early part ot hl« lite here. Fourteen years'Sgp he left for Arkansas, where he resided several year* and in the year 1991 he enlisted with the United State* infantry at Jonesboro, Arkansas, making a trip, early in the service, to the Philippine fa" lauds, where he remained for fourteen months, after which he returnd to the United States. He re-enlisted one years ago and has been located with the 7th U. 8. Infantry at Fort “Wayne” Detroit, Michigan, and came to the home of hl* boyhood day* to spend hl* a furlough, and says that this 1* the first time during eight years fa the Service that he has seen one that he had formerly known. There are eight regiments stationed at the Fort “Wayne" quarters, at Detroit, who will leave there on April 26, and sail from San Francisco for the Philippine Islands to releave the 26th U. ' S Infantry. o— — — ./■ Pension Agent L. L. Martz this morning received notice of. facreas* of pension for Franklin Boyer, from sl6 to $24 per month. Joseph Church received an Increase from sl2 to sl4 per month.—Bluffton News. ' • — ■ .• .. '■ ‘ IT • £