Decatur Democrat, Volume 52, Number 24, Decatur, Adams County, 17 June 1909 — Page 3

L* Dfen. er of Mrs. Jacob Butcher, died here this morning at 2:30 o’clock. She came here about a week ago to visit her daughter and soon after her arrival suffered an attack of muscular rheumatism, which affected the heart and proved fatal. For some time she suffered from cancer of the breast and had been operated on several times, this it is believed causing the rheumatic complication. She was aged 71 years, six months and nine days. Her home was at Union City. The funeral will be held Wednesday morning at ten o'clock from the Butcher . residence on High street, the Rev. G. M. Myers of the United Brethren church officiating, and at her request will be laid to rest in the cemetery at this place. Childrens’ Day was appropriately observed at the United Brethren church here Bunday evening, and that ediface was crowded with those who wished to hear the program. It was good, one of the best ever rendered here, and much praise is due the Mrs. F. E. Lindsey and Miss Julia Wegmiller, who drilled the young folks. Special mention is due Miss Carle Lindsey, who rendered “The Old Oaken Bucket,’’ a piano selection, with variations, and it was certainly splendid. The entire service was beautiful and was appreciated hy all. Rev. C. U. Wade, district superintendent of the M. E. church delivered an eloquent sermon here last evening, this being the first quarterly meeting of the year. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Drew of this city are the parents of their fifteenth child born a few days ago. The new arrival is a big bouncing boy, healthy and everyone is happy and Uncle Thomas again able to look after business affairs. Os their fifteen children eight are dead and seven are living, the eldest being a son, aged twenty-four, who lives at Kendallville. The number or children is remarkable, and certainly discloses no evidence of race suicide in this family. Dr. Mattox had charge of the case, and reports every one doing nicely. A fire just west ot the town, at six o’clock Sunday evening totally destroyed the power and engine house owned by A. P. Hardison. The loss was about 3800. Remember the big Fourth of July celebration at Geneva on Saturday, July 3rd. Full particulars later. Albert Prasdorf, the new deputy sheriff Sunday morning at about eight o’clock became a prisoner in the Adams cojunty jail, but not charged with a law violation. He was locked in jail by Sam Bailor, .who made good his escape, while the officer was'secure behind the prison bars. Mr. Prasdorf opened the jail door and went in to administer aid to Isaac Hllty, who is confined there and Bailor was standing behind the big door. The deputy sheriff supposing Bailor to be in one of the other compartments, went to an adjoining cell to see Hllty. He expected to remain there but a minute, but changed bls mind when he saw that Bailor had locked the iron door, making him a prisoner. Prasdorf was compelled to stay behind the bars for about half an hour, thus giving the fugitive plenty of time to make his getaway. The alarm was soon spread and the officers began pursuit for the escaped prisoner. Bailor had been seen near Davis Daily farm and he was making for the Ohio state line with breakneck speed. Officers in all surrounding towns have been notified and without doubt the man who is wanted here to answer to the charge of larceny will be returned for trial. ■■■* J I — NEW PARSONAGE 18 UNDER WAY Will Be Completed Before the Conference Meeting in August. Work on the new United Brethren parsonage, on Ninth street, just south of the church, is progressing nicely. Linn & Patton have the contract and they are pushing the work along, even more rapdlly than was expected. The cellar, foundation and enough of the frame work to show the beauties of the structure when completed an done already, and it is now believed that the new home will be ready for the minister who ¥ is sent here by the next conference which meets in August. For these reasons, those in charge of the work would appreciate it very much if those who subscribed funds for this purpose will kindly hand them to the treasurer, J. 8. Lower as soon as convenient They need money now each day and desire that nothing will prevent them from pushing the work. ; ’ ‘ V L 1 ■■■—♦ 1 ■ Frank Annen, of CraigvlUe, was In the city yesterday afternoon looking after business interests and has returned to his homo.

Beveridge's house last night when the campaign which they will wage this week was partially determined. It is expected that this will be one of the most Important weeks of tariff revision in the senate, as the consideration of the bill is drawing to a close and experience has shown that the special interests usually are very alert at this stage of the proceedings. It is anticipated that the discussion will be very spirited until the bill gets through the senate. At last night’s conference it was decided that the progressives shall make a “last ditch” fight on behalf of the newspaper publishers of the country. The finance committee is about to report an amendment to the tariff bill putting a duty of 34 per ton on print paper. The house fixed this duty at |2 per ton. The progressives ard opposed to this Increase, which they consider very unjust, and will exhaust their strategy and energy in trying to have the house rate restored. At Senator Beveridge’s suggestion, Senator Brown of Nebraska was designated as the progressive who will prepare and introduce an amendment to restore the house schedule. On the question of an Income tax the progressives did not find themselves agreed and It is probable that on this matteJ. which will come up Friday, there "Will bd no attempt to bind the progressives, but each will be left free to vote as he sees fit. As the situation stands some of the progressives are in favor of an income tax law and others are opposed to it. Senator Beveridge is one who will vote to refer the question to the senate committee on judiciary, with instructions to investigate and report at a subsequent session of congress. There is a growing feeling among the progressives that th ejudiciary committee, which is the great judicial body of the senate, and made up of its brightest legal minds, should give the subject the depest study and most careful consideration before congress restores to the statute a law which the United States supreme court has declared unconstitutional, particularly since there is no reason to suppose that the court has changed its mind on the legality of the proposb tion. — o— • Judge Merryman late Saturday evening united in marriage Mr. John F. Richards and Mrs. Amanda E. Retsen, and in connection with this wedding is linked a sort of double Enoch Arden* affair. This marriage occurred at the clerk’s office and the records show that Richards is fifty-two years old, has been married and divorced twice and that Mrs. Reisen is thirtysix and has had a similar matrimonial experience. Ten years ago, Amanda Evans was married to a man named Samuel Reisen, of Berne. They lived together for some time and Reisen then disappeared. About two years later he wrote to friends here from Utah that he had been divorced from Amanda. Some time later, that lady, tiring of the lonliness of a single life, and believing herself free, was married to John Richards, and to them were born two little children. eral years passed and then one day, Reisen appeared on the scene and explained that the story that he had been divorced was untrue. This made Amanda’? marriage to Richards illegal, and she left him and again began living with her former husband. However, this union again proved unsatisfactory and last January Amanda was granted a real for sure divorce in the court here and the wedding Saturday evening, united her again with husband number two, and they say, this time for keeps. May they Uve long and be happy.

The mystery concerning the loss of John Fruchte’s pocketbook has been cleared away, and a part of the money recovered. Mr. Fruchte drove to town Thursday mornjng to attend the county commencement When he got out of ills buggy, he dropped the wallet which contained over ninety dollars in cash and some notes. A young man found the pocketbook, and though he knew to whom it belonged, as it contained Mr. Fruchte’s name, the temptation was too strong and the young man immediately resigned his Job and taking a comrade with , him went to Fort Wayne, where they , had a good time. He also bought a new >28.00 suit and paid some debts and when he was taken in charge by Policeman Fisher Saturday afternoon, he had left Just twenty-eight dollars. This and a gold watch and chain he turned over, and on promise to make the loss good, he was let go. He is guilty under the laws of Indiana of grand larceny abd unless i be keeps his word and pays the money back, he will be arrested on ; that charge. He still has a chance to : make good, and if he does it will re 4 ; ceive no farther publicity. To help him do it his name is not made public at this time. Miss Mina Helm and little ,sister Lois, went to Fort Wayne today.

I Huntington, Ind., June 14. The badly decomposed body of Richard McCormick, the Roanoke stave manufacturer, who was last seen on the streets of Roanoke last Wednesday night after he bad spent the day in Fbrt Wayne, was pulled out of the muddy waters of Cow creek, just west of Roanoke at 6 o’clock Sunday morning, after, the entire neighborhood had turned out in a two days’ discouraging search for the missing man. The Huntington coroner viewed the body, which was then prepared for burial and was sent through Fort Wayne last night over the Nickel Plate for the unfortunate man’s, former home at Payne, 0., where the funeral and burial will take place. Comparatively little was thought ot it when McCormick did not at first appear after he was left at Main stret in Roanoke Wednesday night. By Friday morning the anxiety of the family became most pronounced and fears were expressed that the missing man had met death in .the swollen waters of the creek near his home. Searching parties began dragging the waters without result either Friday or Saturday, but early Sunday the body was found some distance from where Mr. McCormick must have fallen into the creek. Richard McCormick was about forty-five years of age and was a partner and manager of the Roanoke stave factory. He went to Roanoke a year ago from Payne, 0., and until recently devoted himself very closely to his business, which thrived under his direction. It is claimed, however, that recently he was in the habit of disappearing suddenly for short intervals. He spent Wednesday in Fort Wayne and on the return trip home met Earl Buckles, a young man employed in his stave factory. The latter saw him off the car at Roanoke and wanted to walk home with his employer, as it was storming, but Mr. McCormick would allow him to accompany him only to Second and Main streets, where young Buckles saw him last. To reach his home Mr. McCormick would be required to go north on Main street to Fourth street and west on Fourth street until he had crossed another bridge across Cow creek. It it supposed that it was here that he met his death by accidentally falling into the swollen creek waters. The dead man is survived by a widow and several children, the youngest, a ten-year-old - daughter, being the only one at home.

Her one greatest wish, that of spending the closing days of her life in Decatur, fulfilled, and completely resigned to a fate which chronic and Incurable affliction had months ago foretokened, Mrs. Amanda Schirmeyer, eighty years of age, and one of the best known and most widely beloved Adams county* pioneers passed peacefully into the eternal world at 2:15 Monday at the home of her Stepdaughter, Mrs. Joseph Rice. Sorrow in its utmost poignancy has thus ben signaled on every hand and the many loving friends of the departed estimable woman will mourn as only can they who knew of the really true womanhood which manifested itself in the being of the late Mrs. Schirmeyer. Humanity has suffered a loss for the busy, useful life of the deceased has been an inspiration to the many who knew her. With ideals as lofty as human mind can reach, mindful of her every obligation worldly and spiritually, the value of the companionship t>f Schirmeyer could not be reckoned nor can her many kind deeds of charity be counted by even those who best knew her. The cold hand of death has torn asunder the loving ties of friendship and motherhood, leaving naught but the sweet memory of her noble life to assuage the anguish of the bereavement of- Innumerable devout friends and grief stricken children and other relatives. However well can words descriptive of this woman’s truly great character be spoken, they will fall far short in estimating her value to a community, to humanity. Uncomplainingly she sank into the sleep of the just leaving at her bedside those who had been dear to her during the walk of a long life. Mrs. Schirmeyer was bom at Redding, Pa., eighty years ago last October tenth and in the early fifties she, with her father, came to Adams county, and took up their abode on what is now the C. -C. Cloud farm. Later she was united in marriage to Mr. Schirmeyer, and to this happy union were born six children, two of whom have preceded their mother to the great beyond, they being Miss Ella, who died in 1884, at the age of twenty-four years, the other dying in Infancy. The surviving children are Mrs. A. C. Young, Belt, Montana; William Schirmeyer, Fairbanks, Alaska; Mrs. John R. McConnehey, Fargo, N. D.; and Mrs. William Keene, Richmond, Ind. Three stepchildren, F. M. Schirmeyer and Mrs. Joseph Rice of this city and Lew Schirmeyer of Richmond, also survive as does one brother, C. C. Cloud. Fifteen years ago, subsequent tn the death of her husband, the deceased together with her

daughter, Mrs. Young, went to Nortn Dakota, where Mr. Young had located. After remaining there about one year they went to Belt, Montana, where the remainder of the fifteen years was spent. After the Infirmities of old age and a complication of ailments peculiar thereto had enveloped the system of the aged woman, she expressed the one greatest desire of her heart. She wanted to spend the closing chapter of her life in Decatur. In compliance with this desire she and her daughter, Mrs. Young, arrived in this city one week ago last Friday. Following her arrival she was entertained royally and on Thursday of last week she enjoyed a day at the home of her brother, C. C. Cloud. The next day she was taken suddenly and seriously ill at the home of her stepdaughter, Mrs. Joseph Rice and from that time until this morning her death was momentarily expected. The funeral services will be held from the home of Mrs. Rice Wednesday afternoon at three-thirty o’clock and Interment will be made at the Decatur cemetery. o The Indiana Democratic Editorial Association enjoyed one of the most pleasant times of their association life at Bloomington, June 10 and it. The hospitality and entertainment afforded them by the good people of Bloomington and especially by the Indiana University, was of the sort that would tickle the vanity and please any visitor —especially an editor. There was not an idle minute from the time the ball opened until the curtain was rung down on the last act. The association sessions were also splendid, and proved profitable to those engaged in the newspaper business. Bloomington is a city of 8,000 or 10,000 people, located in the hills of Monroe county. They show considerable progress, but perhaps not as much as do the cities of northern Indiana of like size and population. The newspaper stories about the "hitchrack war” have not been overdone. Every one is mad through about it, and at present writing those wanting the hitchracks have won out. The courts have dissolved a restraining order and injunction, and the county commissioners are going ahead with the erection of these racks.

Their court house is a beautiful structure, and is built of Monroe county stone. The ground floor is used entirely by the city, and all their offices are located there, including the mayor’s office and council room. The county officers occupy the second floor and, on the third floor is the court room, library, jury room and offices for court officials. The Indiana University is magnificent, and is located upon as beautiful a spot as one might wish to see. Their buildings are good, and in all the institution is a credit to Indiana. Mbre than 2,400 students compose the student body of this great educational institution, and its growth in late years is but a tribute to the faculty and management of the Indiana University. Most of these students come from Indiana, but many of them also come from a dozen other states located both east and west, north and south. Adams county farmers would not be much impressed with the agricultural possibilities here. In fact for any one to distinguish himself as a tiller Os the soil. There is nothing but' hills, and the most of them are barren and unprofitable to farm. Their greatest and in fact only industry here is in the quarrying of Atone, and they claim to be a strong competitor of Bedford in the production of fine building stone. They have in Monroe county twenty-nine quarries, employing from seventy-five to one hundred men each. While in Bloonsington the Ellingham’s were entertained to dinner by Miss Fanny Frisinger, a student in the I. U. . e The plaintiffs in the case of Faylor vs. Studabaker rested at noon Monday and immediately after dinner, the defense began, the first witness called being Abe Hesher, who was on the stand for two hours. ♦ ♦ ♦ Real estate transfers: Mary Schaupp et al to Harry Meshberger, tract in Hartford township, $1,000; Auris Dykeman to Henry Meyer et al, tract in Union township, $2,900; John A. Peoples to John D. Bowers, 19 acres in Root township, $700; Henry Myers et al to Freeman Walters et al, 40 acres Union township, $3,$00; K. B. Lenhart to Freeman Walters, same tract, guardian’s deed, SB9O. ♦ * ♦ The Faylor vs. Studabaker case was resumed this morning and will continue until the case goes to the jury some time next week. Mr. Lower was able to. be in court and the case began promptly at nine o’clock. The week promises to be a hard one for

those Interested in the trial, and the evidence will be about concluded by Saturday. The vacation began today, and no other business in the way ol hearing cases will be on until September. * * * A marriage license was Issued to John F. Richards, plasterer, aged 52, to Amanda E. Reisen, 36, both of this city. Each has been married and divorced twice. ' O' - The Childrens’ Day services at the Presbyterian church were beautiful and Impressive beyond description Rarely is a service so brief, filled brimful of choice, spiritual power and uplift. The church was beautifully decorated with a profusion of the season’s flowers, filling the beautiful house with their fragrance and sending their silent message of love and good cheer to every heart Loving hands had made all ready for the enjoyment and encouragement of our little people. At the hour appointed the classes assembled in their places. Then for a brief hour and a quarter they rendered a program which was intensely interesting from beginning to end. The large audience filling the entire first floor of the church awaited breathlessly each number. At the close of the program in a few chosen words the pastor spoke of the value of our young people, thus closing one of the most beautiful and sublime services ever given by the children of our church. The same interest was manifest at the evening service, when a large audience again greeted the C. E. society. The entire evening hour was given over to them. A number of very practical talks were given, interspersed with suggestive readings and sweetest music. The men’s chorus delighted the audience by the clever way in which they took care of the musical program. A boys’ quartet sang “Let the Lower Lights be Burning.” The program was brought to a happy culmination when Miss Marie Patterson sang a beautiful solo. Thus ended a day long to be remembered, because of the spiritual uplift which it gave.

The Methodist church observed Childrens’ day with a most appropriate service Sunday night, and the big house of worship was filled with the friends of the little folks, who had entire charge of the occasion. It was delightfully uplifting, good to hear, and pleased everyone who was there, both old and young. Such occasions tend to draw everyone closer together, an dlt is most wonderful how the little folk cap inspire us. The church was nicely decorated, the music was good and the children who took part each did splendidly. The children of the Church of Christ will give their Children’s Day exercises “The Centennial Call’’ next Sunday evening, June 20. The children are now practicing and the entertainment is promised to be one of the best. The two main features are “The Clock Drill” and “The Rose Drill.” Everybody is cordially invited to attend. .Q ’ ' I. " A commendable precedent has been established in the annals of Decatur history that of joint celebration of annual Decoration services by the lodges of the city, and the people’s loyalty to the principles incorporporated in the sacred occasion were indeed devout An invitation from the I. O. O. F. order to the other societies brought out large delegations of representative members Sunday afternoon, and at two-thirty o’clock a line of march was formed on Second street. Headed by a brass band they marched west on Monroe street to the Decatur cemetery, where the graves of departed loved ones were decorated. After ritualistic work the large crowd gathered to hear an address which was delivered by Attorney D. E. Smith. was the Subject and the speaker spoke eloquently on the advantages of union. He inspired his every hearer by a discourse replete witu beautiful thoughts. At the close of the address the participants in the exercises returned to the city. GETS DIPLOMA; THEN DIES Tipton Girl Would Have Received Highest Honors; Illness Prevented. Tipton, Ind., June 14. —Miss Gladys Patton, 19 years old, died Saturday morning of consumption at the home of her mother, Mrs. Mary Patton of this city. Although unable to attend the commencement evercises at the high school, May 26, she received a diploma. She received unusually high grades in her classes, and would have received the highest honors of her class had it not been for her illness. — -a • — IN CHEWING GUM MERGER Six Largs Factories Combined With 36,700,000 Caoital. New York, June H—Organisation of the Sen Sen Chicle company, with a capital of 3«.7#0»000, which will take

over the business of six of the largest factories of chewing gum in the United States and Canada, was completed in New York tonight. The companies and interests merged are: The T. B. Dunn company, of Rochester, N. Y.; the Frank H. Fleer company, of Philadelphia; C. R. Somerville, of London, Ont.; the After-Dinner Gum company, of Salem, O.; and the George B. Curtis company, of Portland, Me. T. B. Dunn, of Rochester, N. Y., was elected president. Whether the new company is to be affiliated with the American Chicle company, sometimes called the chewing gum trust, was not announced. q ; Geneva, Ind., June 14—(Special to

Daily Democrat) — William Henry

Harrison Briggs, a pioneer of this part of Adams county, and known to every one in this section, died at 6:30 o’clock this morning at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Ella Raudebaugh, at Lima, Ohio, where he went about ten days ago for a visit Shortly after his arrival there he contracted a severe case of pneumonia, and this coupled with his age, caused him to decline rapidly, death occurring this morning. The remains were brought to this place this afternoon, coming over the Erie, byway of Decatur, and accompanied by the relatives who were with him at the last moment body was conveyed to the late home on Shackley street, where he had lived so long. Mr. Briggs was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, October 15, 1836, and had lived in Geneva since 1872. He was the father of five sons and one daughter, they being Rev. A. T. Briggs, of Hammond, a district superintendent of the Methdist church, John E., Andrew G., W. W., of this place, C. J. of Sidney, Ohio, and Mrs. Ella Raudebaugh of Lima, all of whom will be here to attend the funeral, the arrangements for which have not been completed. Lewis Dolch, of Monroe, has purchased a half interest in the Anderson restaurant and bakery and he assumed duties in the popular place of business Monday a. m. Mr. Dolch has been the owner of a livery barn at Monroe for some time, and disposed of same last week. He and Mrs. Anderson at once began negotiations for the restaurant deal and ft was consummated Saturday. The new member of the firm needs no introduction to the people of this vicinity. He is a prosperous young man, who 4s known by many Adams county people. His courtesy and honesty with the people has won for him many devout friends who will extend their wishes to him for a prosi perous future in his new venture, i Mr. Dolch and family will move to this city this week and Decatur folk will be glad to learn that they will : make their future abode here. The firm will hereafter be known as A»- ; derson and Dolch, and these gentlemen ask the public for a share of their patronage. The consummation of a business deal Monday a. m. transferred to th® possession of Dallas Hunsicker a half interest in the city bakery and restaurant, he having become a partner of his brother, A. D. Hunsicker, who has owned the place of business for several months. Hunsicker Brothers are now arranging to install an up-to-date ice cream parlor and candy kitchen in connection with their bak • ery and within two weeks they will be ready to serve these delicacies to the public. The senior member of the flrm went to Fort Wayne this , morning to negotiate for the purchase of a fountain and this will be installed as soon as it arrives. John Joseph who recently disposed of his business will be employed to make candy and do other work about the business place. The new partner is a well known Decatur young man, and has had much experience in business. He recently moved back to Decatur from Angola, and will now make this city his permanent home. The boys expect to conduct a thoroughly up-to-date place of business and ask the continuance of the patronage of their many friend?. A social success from every viewpoint was the picnic hrid at St. Johns Sunday, where about a thousand people from all parts of the county gathered to enjoy the hospitalities of the St. Johns congregation hi the beautiful grove contiguous to the church premises. The affair was indescribably delightful and those who were fortunate in being present were greatly inspired by the clever program which was rendered. The Sunday school class entertained the vast assemblage by recitations and songs and the Decatur Juvenile band contributed to the interest of the event by the rendition of well received musical selections. The St John people know how to entertain. They are hospitable to a fault and no one attends their functions without going away well satisfied with treatment they received. These folk believe in giving their visitors the best they have and all events which are conducted under their auspices are dispatched to the delight ot all who at-’ tend. ~ J . ;