Decatur Democrat, Volume 52, Number 24, Decatur, Adams County, 17 June 1909 — Page 4

THE DEMOCRAT YVBRYTHUMDAY MORNING BY LEW G. ELL’NGHAM, Publisher. —■ ' ""• v ~ n.OOPBH YEAR IN AD VAMOS. —————— Entered at the poetoffice at Decatur, Ind., as second class mail matter. wi ■> i r i-eturf-" ■■« aea—a—gsgzr OFFICIAL PAPER OF ADAMS CO. GRADING BTUDENTB The Times has occasionally called attention to some of the evils found in our public schools. Most of them grow out of a false conception of the objects of education. The fault is not entirely in school boards, superinten-. dents and teachers. It is in the public ideal of what the schools should do. / From this false ideal naturally arise mistakes of method, both in teaching and in demonstrating the work accomplished—in other words, in the course of study and in the tests of scholarship. The late superintendent of public instruction in the state, in his last official bulletin, thus distinctly sets forth one of these evils: “One of the unfortunate features of School work is the use of a system of marking to indicate the standing of pupils. Probably its only justification lies in the fact that many teachers are not big enough men and women ’’to teach without it. Certain it is that the real teacher does not need it The per cent system, if used at all, should not be made public. The matter of a grade should be sacred between teacher and pupil. No basis for comparison between pupils should be given by the teacher. No pupil should be encouraged or permitted to compare his standing and that of another pupil. The only proper basis of comparison is that of the pupil’s present self with his ideal self. Has he measured up to the best there is in him? What possible defense can be made of the teacher who, in the presence of the whole class, says to a pupil: ‘lf you make four more failures in your recitations this term, I will give you D?’ The proper theory is that the teacher neither punishes nor rewards; that what a pupil does, he does to himself. It is only upon ” this basis that manly men and womanly women can be developed, and only large-sized men and women can put this theory into practice.”

True it is that only the incompe- ' tent teachers need the marking sys- ’ tern, and the unfortunate thing is 1 that they most abuse it. The nervous ' (.strain which injures the health of so * many children is due chiefly to their 1 anxiety to pass the examinations and 1 stand high in the “tests.’’ This stand- ’ ing, too, is no mark of efficiency, but 1 only an indication of arbitrary memory. It were a blessing could they be ■ abolished and the energy of botn teachers and pupils directed to the development of the faculties of the latter and their preparation for useful lives.—South Bend Times. That man Judson Harmon is making a most excellent record as governor of Ohio. He proceeds cautiously yet without fear or hesitation. When he has satisfied himself that acer- , tain thing ought to be done, he proceeds to do it, whether it pleases or not. Gubernatorial records thus made reflect honor and credit upon the party responsible for his being in office.—Sount Bend Times. A movement is on foot in G. A. R. circles to dispense with memorial addresses in decorating the graves of the soldiers of 1861-’65. In lieu there of it is proposed tos.have read, from year to year, the Immortal speech of President Lincoln at Gettysburg. One of the reasons assigned in favor of the proposed change is that some of the speakers have wandered too far from the subject in which the veterans feel really interested.—South Bend Times. The Inter-State Medical Journal raises the very pertinent question as to whether our school course is not unwisely attempting to force a cultural education upon brains totally unfitted for it. We make poor doctors, lawyers and,, preachers out of material that would furnish excel-

lent farmers and mechanics. The trouble, Is that ambition is stimulated in the wrong direction. A farmer or a carpenter needs education as much as does a lawyer or a doctor, but along different lines. Let the school work be adopted to the future life work. Judge Merryman yesterday sent a man to Jail.who, though working almost every day, has provided only fifteen dollars during the last year toward the support of the child that he should father. The Judge has done similar things before, and has the backbone to keep on doing it until these fathers who disregard an order of court learn that they really mean something. It is a disgrace that at this age of civilization a court must make a man keep his own child. Next Monday is Flag Day, an occasion that is each year becoming more and more a holiday. In a quarter century from now it will be as devoutly observed as are the others nowadays. It is a day when we are supposed to honor the birth of this flag which has grown more beautiful and more powerful with each succeeding year for a century past Decatur should at least be patriotic to show that we know the day and what It means. While it will not be observed specially here, we can display the national colors, without’great effort. Let’s do it

Mrs. Alice Roosevelt Longworth now wants only the consent of her husband to have the last requisite of a long voyage in a balloon; she has the cordial invitation of a man who has the balloon and the nerve for the responsibility. Theodore, the junior, made a balloon trip. Kermit is killing cheetahs and things in far-off Africa’s clime, Archie and Quentin have performed various stunts becoming in precious strenuousness, father—well, none of them work at it like father. Nicholas should be willing; it is her right that he should be. —Fort Wayne Sentinel. A class of one hundred and forty? six bright, happy young men ana women, perhaps not just that exactly, but very near it, were launched Into the arena Thursday when that num-

ber received diplomas at the hands of County Superintendent Opliger, which shows that they have made the necessary grades that graduate them into the high schools. This is a very important day for them, for this concludes the work of the elementary education, this is the foundation upon they must educate themselves in a business way, professional or otherwise. If they have builded well, they will succeed, if not they will pass into every day, commonplace ruts and remain there. Young man, young woman, which is it to be?

Time will tell. Now that the government has begun it must be hoped it 'will pursue the Black Hand criminals with such rigor as that any who survive the crusade or escape its consequences will have left no heart to brood on vengeance. It is a great task that is undertaken and one that involves in no small degree of peril those courageous agents of the government who are performing it But it is no less possible to destroy, root and branch, the Black Hand than It was to extirpate the dreaded Molly Maguires in Pennsylvania some two score years ago. The Black Hand is a more diffuse organization, i( indeed it is a definitely bodied purpose, but for that reason may prove the easier to deal with. At all events, the terror It has created and the course of shocking crimes it has run should be brought to a close. The United States of America should be the most inhospitable soil on the planet for transplanting an alien cult of extortion, revenge and murder.— Fort Wayne Sentinel. Did you ever notice that the boy who loafs, makes a business, of It. i never amounts to much? The habit . grows on him and when he becomes a man he continues to loaf, only ■ when he has to work a little to keep soul and body together.- Such a man] ■ never amounts to anything. He has| no purpose, no aim. He does no

I world is concerned he might just as well never have been born. Decatur has no more of .these loafers than any other city of her size, but we have too many, and they are the kind of boys who are not looking for work, who are content to play pool or ball or idle their time away. When they get a little older they will sit around and whittle and talk about hard ,times, while the fellow who gets a move en him, has work, whether times are hard or soft, and when the rainy days come has the money to buy a great big umbrella. Young man, go to work, do anything honorable, whether you get a big salary or not

The city of fiecatur ha? a well of water at the city plant which is almost equal to a small gold mine, in that it really saves the city several hundred dollars each year. It is the last well drilled and is the deepest of all the wells at that station. It was drilled about two years ago by Jesse Smith, and in putting it down the contractor lost a string of tools which remained in the well. The men at the plant have noticed that when the water from this well was used in the boilers they did not have the trouble they did when they used water from the other wells, in fact the boilers seemed to Improve from the use pf it At a recent meeting of the council the superintendent was ordered to send a sample of the water to the state board of Chemistry for analysis. He did this and the reply shows that the water is as near pure as can be found anywhere in the state. The report which is signed by the state chemist, Harry E. Barnard, shows the following: Odor, none; turbidity, none; sediment, none; free ammonia, .0240; nitrates, .0006; chlorine, 1.5; total solids, 88.6. Mr. Barnard adds, “This water is in good condition.” While using water from the other wells in the boiler, it was found necessary to clean the boilers every two weeks, costing each time about fifteen dollars. Now they will use only from this well and thus save the city each year about three hundred dollars, and this saving alone will pay for the well in about two years. ■ o ■ At their regular meeting last night the Royal Neighbors successfully perpetrated one of the most prominent social events occurring in the city in many months in connection with the usual routine of lodge work. Mrs. E. E. DeWitt, who has efficiently served ’ as recorder of the local camp for several years, tendered her resignation last night on accqpnt of the intention of leaving for her new western home today, and Mrs. Yahne was chosen to succeed her in this capacity. Mr?. Yahne is succeded as marshal of the order by Miss Flora Fiedderjohann. A royal banquet was given in honor of Mrs. DeWitt following the business session and the Neighbors presented to her a beautiful signet ring which is emblematic of the high esteem in which the lodge held her. Ice cream, cake and lemonade was served to the delight of all. Mrs. DeWitt has also served as district

deputy for the Neighbors, and in this capacity she has instituted a number of camps. She was a faithful worker in behalf of the organization, and her efforts have been highly appreciated. She left today to join her husband at their new home at Madllla, Okla., and with her will go the well wishes of her many Decatur friends. The Royal Neighbors certainly know how to entertain. *. o - - That Judge Cook, while exercising the greatest lenience toward confessing criminals, does not intend to' be imposed upon or to have his judgments taken lightly, was evidenced Monday afternoon by his treatment of Frank Cotton, the story of whose guilty plea and light fine was told Monday. The judge assessed the line of |IOO and costs, which will amottht to about |250. In the court room his father expressed his willingness to pay the amount, but did not sign the docket at the time and the boy was taken back to the Jan to await such action. On the way over to the jail the boy told McCarty that he did not object to staying in jail a while longer and he guessed he would just lay out the whole fine and costs. The sheriff immediately got into communication with Judge Cook, who ordered the {prisoner brought back to' the court room. He told the boy some things that were mighty plain and pointed out among other things that when he assessed a fine it meant a fine and not so many days in jail and a default on the costs. He said that he would hold the docket open for five days and that if his father did not come tn and make arrangements to pay, the case would be reopened K tried and he would probably get sentence to the penitentiarywhlch u C iWs so many times so narrowly escapeiL— Huntington Herald. 4

ooper nar ave a new case entitled Joseph D. Beery vs. Stephen and Sarah Wilken et al, to quiet title to 1(10 acres in Kirkland township. There are sixty defendants, besides all their unknown heirs, mentioned in the complaint, the title alone requiring five typewritten pages. The summons is returnable on Monday, September 6th, being the first day of the next term. ♦ ♦ ♦ A marriage license was issued to Clarence Smith, aged 24, a Mercer county, 0., farmer, and Katie Ault, aged 23, daughter of John F. Ault, of Wabash township, this county. * ♦ * There have been no deeds recorded in this county for two days past, but the list includes eight mortgages and four mechanic liens. ♦ ♦ *

Mrs. Lizzie Miller, who is said to have witnessed the making of the contract between Catherine Faylor and D. D. Studabaker and the signing of the deed, was the witness who occupied all morntag in the big case now on triab The case will probably be completed within the next week. o- i. — The Bachelor Maids will hold their i meeting next Thursday evening at the home of Miss Ida Kohne. They will be entertained at euchre, and the evening promises to be a very pleasant one. At Ralph Tyndall’s birthday party yesterday the little folks had a dandy time, and report that they enjoyed every minute of the event, which was devoted principally to games and contests and eating. In a contest in which the children were each asked to draw the picture of some animal, Richard Archbold was given first prize and in the contest as to who could tell what the most of the pictures Represented, Fanny Heller was successful, each being presented with a bunch of roses. ♦ ♦ ♦ Mrs. T. M. Reid entertained the Young Matrons yesterday afternoon, and a very enjoyable time was spent by the guests. * * ♦ ♦ Another dance was. held at the Elks’ hall last night and as usual, a most enjoyable time was Im order for those who attended. * * l '* The evening party to be given tonight In honor of»Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Heller promises to be a very ♦enjoyable event. A large company of friends of Mr. and Mrs. Heller, who have just arrived home from their wedding trip, will be present.

* * * One of those big picnics which a large number of people will enjor will be given next Sunday at Preble by the German Lutheran church of that vicinity, and the event promises to be one of the most pleasant For several weeks the big picnic has been planned ,and June 30 was the day decided upon. During the day the Juvenile Band will play, and they will furnish some excellent music. The woods is generally an attractive spot on a warm summer day, for it is more cool and pleasant and many will attend. With the music and speeches the program will be exceptionally good. Everybody will be welcome. # ■ . ♦* * - ■Mrs. C. C. Enos entertained a few of her friends at six o’clock dinner last evening at her home in the north part of the city, and a very pleasant time was had. The event was in honor of Mrs. E. E. DeWitt, who leaved in a day or so for Medilia, Okla.,where she will make her future home. , — ' ,■ The fourth annual convention of the Northeastern Indiana Firemen’s association will be held at Hartford City June twenty-fourth and representative companies of this vicinity will be in attendance, local fire department will undoubtedly be well represented at the big meeting and the Berne boys will go in gala attire. It has been hinted that Berne will make a fight for the 1910 convention and by those who know something about it, It is said that she has a chance to land the meet. The Berne fire department band will compete for the prize, as will the company for the honors. The Hartford City News has the following to say In regard to the affair: - Arrangements for the fourth annual convention of the Northeastern Indiana Firemen’s association, to be held in this City June 24, are nearing completion, and the meeting gives promise of being the largest and most enjoyable held since the birth of the organization. Hartford City will be in gay attire on that date for the reception of the visitors, who with their families and friends are expected to number nearly 1,000. Besides the m«botb horn —

the ceremonies ind festivities attendant upon the dedication of the new temple of Blackford lodge No. 106 F. and A. M. ; u ■ The Eagle will scream at Pleasant Milla .July third as it has never screamed before. The residents of that enterprising little village have arranged to have a gala time in celebration of that glorious holiday, and the advertising is already being distributed ‘announcing the great attractions. The celebration will occur Saturday, July third. Excellent music will be rendered in the afternoon and a ball game will be played between the Chicago Bloomer girls and the Pleasant Mills team. A boys’ tub race will be Indulged In and a high dive will be made in the evening—a dive of fifty Jeet. There will be a number of other attractions of equal magnitude and the day will be one of pleasure. SSO wonn of fireworks will be displayed in the evening as a fitting climax to the days’ enjoyment The promoters of the celebration invite every one to partake of the festivities and arrangements are being made to entertain as many people as are in attendance. — — J. M. FRISINGER IS QUITE 81CK Is a Patient at Hope Hospital—Had Slight Stroke of Paralysis. ——— « The firm of Frisinger & Sprunger is considerably disabled at this time. Mr. Sprunger has been taking treatment at Martinsville for a week or ten days past, and recently Mr. Frisinger suffered a slight stroke of paralysis, and is now at Hope hospital at Fort Wayne, under the care of physicians. His son Dyke, visited him last evening and reports that he is some better, and is able to sit up a pan of the time, though still very weak. It is probable that the illness will detain him from starting on his European trip as planned, and the voyage may be declared off for the season, i o , KENDALLVILLE SUN IS SOLD Fred Mayer Had an Interest In the - Plant. Kendallville, Ind., June 16.—The Kendallville Sun makes the announcement that the office of the Kendallville Sun and Standard has changed hands, which will tase place on Thursday, July 1. The present own era have sold their interest to John D. Rerlck, of Chicago, who is well known in this part or Indiana. Mr. Rerlck was formerly a resident of this city and was associated with Mr. Conlogue under the firm name of Conlogue & Rerlck. The firm was dissolved in 1892, when Mr. Rerick left the city to take up business elsewhere. The change will mark the, disappearance df the Conlogue family, which has been .connected with the business for over twenty-seven years. It is understood that Mr. Reeve will devote his time to his book publishing business, wigeh he has been connected with for a number of years. Mr. Fred Mayer Will take a rest before entering on other work.

RAY LAMPHERE 18 DYING. ' ... 1 / ' ' Was Convicted of Burning Home of ' Mrs. Belle Gunnees. Laporte, Ind., June 16.—That Ray Lamphere, convicted of burning the home of Mrs. Belle Gunness, Laporte's arch-murderess, is dying at the Michigan City penitentiary, was the information brought here today by Mrs. James Finley, his sister. Lamphere recently wrote to her stating that he had had four hemorrhages and that death was imminent She hurried to the prison but was denied admittance, a deputy warden stating that her brother was very low. An effort will probably be, made to obtain Lamphere’s immediate parole. 0 DICKINSON WILL MAKE TRIP Secretary of War to Inspect Defenses on Atlantic Coast. Washington, June 16—Secretary of War Dickinson intends to‘make a personal inspection of the Atlantic coast defenses and the principal military posts in the east during the next few months. He will accompany Maj. Gen. Wood on a tour of inspection of the defenses of New York, Long Island Sound, Boston and the New England coast He will begin the inspection trip June 26. — ■'■-<> " NEW INCOME TAX PLAN Washington, June 16.—Senator Nelto the tariff bill providing for the son today introduced an amendment submission of amending the constitution of the United States so as to give congress the right to levy a tax on incomes. The amendment Is similar to tjmt introduced by Senator ’

I Indianapolis, June 16,-Robert J. I Comer, file clerk in the office of the I Marlon county clerk, was arrested I late tonight charged with embezzling I county funds. Comer confessed to I the police that he had appropriated I 11,000 in fees paid him by litigants. I According to County Clerk Quill,who I made the affidavits, the fees appro- I prlated by Comer w|ill amount to I $2,500. Comer is in jail. I — o —— EIGHT BRAVE TYPHOID GERM I Army Men, Inoculated with Serum, I Test Qualities of Vaccine. I ■ Omaha, Neb., June 16.—Maj. Gil- I chrlst, Sergt. Puller and Privates I Schmidt, Ingram, Harrison, Goodman, I and Dowler and Acting Cook Dally I of the United States army were this I afternoon inoculated with typhoid' I fever,„ serum and will test the quail- I ties of the vaccine. It is anticipated I that the seven men who voluntej’ed I for the experiment will be sick for I forty-eight hours, with high fever and I nausea. In ten days, if no alarming I symptoms arise, they again will be I inoculated. A third Injection will be I made at the end of .twenty days. I ' "■ 1 ■ O — WILL PAY DENTAL BILL I Patrolman Threw Club at Speedy I Boys—Struck Woman Instead. I New Albany, Ind., June 16.—Miss Mayme Weidman is suffering from' a S badly bruiSed mouth, the result of being struck with the club of Patrolman William Martin, which he had thrown at a gang of fleet-footed boys, who had been annoying residents. The stick glanced from the sidewalk and struck Miss Weidman, who was sitting in her yard. Besides a split lip several teeth were loosened and the officer agreed to pay the young woman’s dental bfll.

CHICAGO COUPLE WEDDED HERE Floyd Eugene McClimaus, aged 26, a traveling salesman, whose home is S at 348 W. Madison street, Chicago,and Edna Florence Moore, aged 21, of 349 E. Ohio street, Chicago, were granted a license and were married at two o’clock yesterday afternoon at clerk’s office, Squire J. H. Stone officiating. o — COURT ADJOURNED THIS P. M. Court adjourned at three o’clock this afternoon, Judge Merryman and several members of the bar, acting as pallbearers at the funeral of Mrs. Amanda Schirmeyer. Buried beneath a tremendous weight of sand, Herbert Sellmen, or Elkhart, 12 years of age, lost his life in a landslide in a gravel pit Sunday, afternoon, where he was at play with his companions. Mrs. Carrie McCormick, formerly Miss Carrie Foster of this city, is here visiting her sister, Mrs.' R. K. Allison and other friends. She Ilves at Boulder, Colorado. She Is accompanied by her two children. Pleasant Mills is to have a Fourth of July celebration and a committee i has already made arrangements to advertise the event. They will celebrate royally and the exercises will no doubt be attended by many people. - Mr. and Mrs. D. F. Gage, of Tipton, county passed througn the city this morning enroute to Ohio City, where they will remain for sdme time as the guests of their daughter, who Is quite ill. George Syphers wishes It understood that he is not going to be married at the present time, for his In - tended has gone to Ohio for a visit Anyway, he does not believe in being hasty about such serious matters. 4 As yet Samuel Bailor has' not been apprehended by the officers, and it seems that he has made good his escape. However, the police will not give up search for the man until they have landed him safely behind prison bars. . ...4 >3 It is reported that Homer Bennett, the engineer who was quite badly injured in the Brie wreck of yesterday, Is recovering nicely and will soon recover. It is fortunate indeed that no fatalities resulted as a con- < sequence of the disaster. J. B. Stoneburner had a clever show at his theater last night and good sized audiences witnessed the very ; i Interesting films. Mr. Drake, the well known vocalist and trap drum expert, has resumed duties at the popular amusement place. There are many beautiful gardens in the city at present and there are some that are not so beautiful, for instance those which weeds play the moat important part In. The recent rains while being of great benefit to the -vegetables has been equally an ’■ .• ■ ■ ■to•