Decatur Democrat, Volume 56, Number 19, Decatur, Adams County, 11 May 1911 — Page 1

Volume LVI

THE LOSS. p I. Weikel barn, loss, 1100, contenth, including carpenter tools worth 1350, automobile and feed, 1500. No Insurance. p [, Weikel residence, occupied by himself and family, total loan, S2OOO, insurance SSOO. Contents practically total loss, SSOO, with $50.00 insurance. p I. Weikel, dwelling, loss $750, totally destroyed. Insurance, $450. This property occupied by George Lkhlger, of Ward Fence Co., loss S3OO. No insurance. p. I. Weikel, dwelling, lo<m $250, no insurance, occupied by Clem Knoff, loss $50.00. No insurance. Frisinger & Sprunger, dwelling, east side Fourteenth street, loss SSO. Occuped by Lew Sampson, 1< is slight. p, ]. Weikel, barn on above lot damtgel. loss $25.00, no insurance. John Steele, dwelling, loss $25.00. James Hurst, dwelling, Monroe street, loss $2600. Amount of insurance unknown. Occupied by T. W. Holsapple, loss SIBOO, with SSOO insurance. CAUSE OF FIRE. Believed by Mr. Weikel to have been from a bon-fire built in the barn by children. One of the greatest fire disasters that has visited this city for a number of years was that of this noon v aen a blaze of unknown origin was discovered at the D. I. Weikel property on Fourteenth street, and owing to the high wind which was raging from the southwest, the flames spread to a number of nearby residences, bams and outbuildings. The signal was sounded at 12:45, the firemen responding as soon as the apparatus could be conveyed to the scene. In the mean- : >ne residents o* the entire neighborhood and from other parts of the city ran to the conflagration and did what they could to' aid the grief-stricken people who had almost become wild from the spreading of the mad flames. Such headway had been gained before iht arrival of the department that nothing could be done to save what had already’ caught fire, as the three homes occupied by D. I. Weikel, Clem Knoff and the George Lichiger, were all ;. mass of flames, and were so far gone that nothing could be done to ctieck the flames. The contents of the Knofi home were carried out the best way they could be gotten out, but a good portion were destroyed. People from the entire neighborhood in the direction toward which the flames were spreading began caryryiug out their household goods, carrying and throwing water and affording protection, should the blaze reach them. A barn belonging to D. I.

V,':>ikel, a half block away, cauge on fire from the flying embers, but was soon put out with several buckets of vater, as were other nearby buildings. The origin of the fire is unknown by Mr. Weikel unless, he says, a bon-flre had been started in the barn by the children, which spread to the house. He carried insurance on his housebo.<l goods to the amount of five hundred dollars, while the loss to his home and barn will amount to three thousand dollars. In the barn he had tools valued at 1350, with no insurance, which were all destroyed. The John Steele property, Just east of the Weikel home, was damaged to the extent of SSO. The James Hurst propertv on the corner of Monroe and Thirteenth streets, occupied by T. W. Holsapple, took fire from a flying ember, which damaged the home to the extent of fifteen hundred or two thousand dollars. Firemen were in the stairway landing of the building when the chimney and a portion of the roof caved in, and the men were missed 1 by only a rew feet. The run from the city to the Weikel home was made in eight minutes, and that to the Hurst property, two blocks away, in four minutes, the firemen doing everything Possible to prevent the flames from spreading further. At 2 o’clock the other chimney at the Holsapple home fell from its position, and with the roof, made almost a complete loss to the property. After much effort an old family Bible, valued at SI,OOO was saved. A piano and other furniture "ere gotten from the house, but most of the goods were destroyed. Shortly after 2 o’clock the flames at the other properties on fire were under control, and the worst of the conflagration was past.

The scene as the women of the locality realized that their homes were destroyed, was rather panicky. Several had to be cared for, as they

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I bordered on hysterica. The Lichiger family had moved into the Weikel residence only last Saturday and did not have a dollar insurance, all their clothing being destroyed. There are three little children in the family and outside help may be necessary in caring for them. While the fire was raging at the Hurst dwelling, Mrs. Holsapple, who occupied the house, suddenly rememj bered that she had left her purse coni taining valuable papers and seventyfive dollars in currency in the house and rushed in to save it. She secured ’ the wallet, but was almost overcome by smoke and saved herself only by pluck and cool-headedness, though she dropped the purse and the contents were probably destroyed. The need of a fire depart/nent in Decatur was again in evidence. -OOue of the prettiest weddings witnessed at the St. Mary’s church for some time was that of Wednesday, when Miss Minnie Sether and Henry V'an were the contracting parties. The bride was charmingly attired in a pretty suit of net over white silk and wearing a hat to match, presented a very attractive appearance. Her attendant. Miss Hernardine Vian, of St. Henry’s, Ohio, a sister of the groom, was handsomely gowned in a suit of pink silk, and also wore a w’hite hat. The groom and his attendant wore the usual black. Father Wilken officiated at the service in which the beautiful ring ceremony was used. Immediately following the ceremony the wedding phrty repaired to the family home of the bride in the west part of the city, where a wedding breakfast was served, only a few taking part. Wednesday at the Catholic church at Bascom, Ohio, also took place the wedding of Miss Veronica Sheeters of that City aim Jir. Joscpn V, o.pc: t ut this place. Catherine Wolpert, a sister ot the groom, and Joseph Appleman, also of this city, were the attendants, as well as a brother and a sister of the bride. After several days’ absence they will return to this city, where they will make their home. Mr. and Mrs. Vian expected to leave at noon for the home of his parents at St. Henry’s. Ohio, but owing to the arrival of his mother and sister before the time set for their departure, the trip was postponed and they wilt re’main here for a time at least. At 5:30 o'clock this evening a wedding supper will be served to a number of the friends and it was a most happy gathering. Congratulations and best wishes of the many friends presentwere extended and the bridal couple were recipients of many beautiful and useful presents.

Lafayette Ellis, who a week ago today was taken to the St. Joseph hospital at Fort Wayne for treatment and an operation, if necessary, the latter being deferred until he had gained sufficient strength, was operated upon Tuesday evening, between 5 and G o’clock, for complications with which he bad been suffering for many mouths. That the operation was performed Tuesday evening because of his strengthened condition, was not the cause, as since his stay at the hospital he has become weaker, and at the time of the ordeal it was thought that he was dying, and that the operation was all that was left that might bring relief. In spite of his rapidly sinking condition he withstood the ordeal remarkably well, and this morning was holding his own, and should he live for twelve hours his chances are favorable. At the time of going to press no more word was received from the bedside and the members of the family stated that unless he had taken a turn for the worse they would have received word, and believe he was holding his own.

Emma Terveer, who Wednesday, with her fatne-. B. J. Terveer, sister, Clara. Charles Voglewede and William Dowling, went to the St. Joseph hospital, Fort Wayne, and later underwent an operation for several growths was last evening reported as still being under the influence of the anaesthetic, but that she withstood the ordeal very well. The operation was performed by Dr. McOscar, and he was assisted by Dr. H. F. Costello of this city. The growths had been noticed coming for some time and was doomed by the physician best to undergo the operation now before they had gained too much of a start. It is now thought she will get along all right, but several weeks will be required before she will be able to re-

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday May. 11, 1911

turn home. Additional information concerning the meeting to be held by the commlssionere, property owners and farmers of the four counties in which the head-waters of the St. Mary's river lie, in relation to the matter of dredging the river as far as the state line. Is at hand. The meeting is to be held in the open air at the scene of the junction of the L. E. & W. R. R. and the St Mary’s river near the spot where the canal crosses the river, and the gpot where the lock will have to be constructed if the project is carried through. At the meeting the advisability of asking the government or the state of Ohio to undertake the completion of the work will be discussed and some definite action will be taken. At a cost of half a million dollars this improvement can be consummated and a paying proposition for years to come firmly established in our midst, giving to us trade from the various boats which will use the river as a conveyance to reach the New York and Chicago canal. This cost may have to be bourne by the taxpayers, but if the government can be prevailed upon to undertake the work the cost will be bourne by it. Just what action will be taken cannot be determined until May 16th. and the outcome of the conference will be watched with interest by the many merchants along the line who are affected by the improvement.

One of the most novel and beautiful and perhaps the first of its kind in the city, will be the May Day festival carried out about May 24th by the pupils of the eighth grades, who are now in the course of preparation for this celebration. The pupils are those taught by Glen Warner, Mrs. E. J. Bailey, Matilda Sellemeyer and Ella Mutchler, and it is with the assistance of the teachers that the drilling is being carried out. The May festival will take place on the lawn of the central school house, probably May 24th, though this date is not definitely arranged. The boys will give a military drill, together with the unwinding of the May-pole, and other pretty features that go with the May festival that has been celebrated for many hundreds of years. Miss Geraldine Cross has been chosen Queen o’ the May, and will make a most beautiful one. o With the changing today of the hour and a half schedule to two hours, on the Fort Wayne & Springfield railway, making nine runs instead of eleven as heretofore, came a reduction of the crews of the cars, making three crews instead of the four, besides the freight car crew, which remains unchanged. The announcement of the change was made at a meeting of the interurban employees held Tuesday evening at the interurban building, by John Koenig, president and general manager of the road. The change to the two-hour schedule was made because of the greater time that it takes in making the round trip from here to Fort Wayne byway of Broadway street, Ft. Wayne, since the closing of Calhoun street on account of the improvement being made there. The round trip byway of Broadway takes two hours and fifteen minutes. To aid in making the reduction of fifteen minutes, crew two will take their car from this city to Monmouth to meet the incoming car from Fort Wayne. Crew two will then return with the passengers from the Fort Wayne car met there, and the Fort Wayne crew will return to Fort Wayne from Monmouth. It is thought that this will succeed in making the trip within the limited time.

The crews are as follows: CrewNo. 1, Henry Kruel, motorman; C. L. Meibers, conductor; crew No. 2, Ed Beery, motorman; Edgar Gerber, conductor; crew No. 3, Homer Ruhl, motorman; Ed Green, conductor. Th? freight crew remains unchanged, Louis Sheiman and August Greisinger being in charge. The car that will operate between here and Monmouth will be manned by Ed Beery and Edgar Gerber, who will make the runs the entire day. They will not be obliged to work the entire time, however, as they will be given about an hour at the car barn between each run. The morning crew, running between Fort Wayne and Monmouth will comprise Henry Kruel and C. L. Meibers, while the afternoon crew, beginning at 1:30 o’clock, will be Homer Ruhl and Ed Green. D. H. Hunsicker, who has been serving faithfully and well, has asked and been granted a thirty days’ leave of absence.

Rev. H. T. Wilken, Dan Niblick, Charles Niblick and Dr. H. F. Costello, the last two being delegates from the local council of the Knights of Columbus, returned Tuesday evening from the tenth annual state convention which was held at Richmond Monday and Tuesday. They report a most excellent meeting. Indianapolis wae chosen as tne place of the next meeting, practically without opposition. One of the chief matters of the closing was the election of officers as follows: William Fox, Indianapolis, deputy: William V. O'Donnell, Columbus, secretary; Lewis F. Miller, Vincennes, treasurer; Father J. W. Cronin, Rushville, chaplain; Charles B. Cronin, Peru, advocate. ’ Delegates to the national convention to be held at Detroit August Ist, Charles Dunn of Richmond, John J. Johnson of Kokomo and Dr. E. J. MeOscar of Fort Wayne.

•FATHER GEORGE WRITES. We are in receipt of a letter from Father George Angermaier of Auburn, former assistant to Father Wilken here, stating that he is well and enjoying his new charge very much. He is kept very busy at present as he is preparing a class of twenty children and nine adults for their first holy communion, which is to take place on Sunday, May 21st, beginning at 8 o’clock. In addition to his charge at Auburn he has two others, one much larger than where he resides, and which keep his time well occupied. He states that owing to the fact that there is no parochial school his task is made much harder, but in spite of his heavy labors is has)py under them all. o WILL HELP CELEBRATE. Huntngton, Ind., May 10 —To pjepaie for a grand Fourth of July celebration. in which Kil-so-quah, the famous Jackson township Indian woman, will be the principal figure of attraction, Red Men of this city will hold an important meeting Tuesday evening. An effort will be made to induce the venerable Indian dame to come to Huntington on Independence day of 1911 that the celebration here may be made as big and even bigger than the memorable event of 1910, when the eyes of the entire state were upon Roanoke. Though Kil-so-quah will then be well toward the 100 year mark, it is thought her infirmities will not be so great but that she may again participate in the gala festivities to which she and the day of Independence will be jointly honored. Inventory number one, in the Samuel Shell estate, was filed by William Hoffman, administrator, and approved oy the court.

Epon petition for change of order of sale, the order for private sale of real estate in the partition suit of Laura A. Van Camp vs. Charles VanCamp et al., was vacated and the sale ordered to be public, at not less than two-thirds of the appraisement, after four weeks' notice by publication and posting. Terms, one-third cash, onethird in one, and one third in two years, with mortgage and personal security, privilege given purchaser to pay all cash. A petition for order to pay sewer lien on the real estate known as the Lynch property, filed by the commissioner, was sustained, and he was ordered to pay the same. Martha A. Buffenbarger vs. Henry Buffenbarger, divorce, appearance byPeterson & Moran for the plaintiff. Catherine Schneider vs. Catherine Schafer, partition, proof of publication and posting filed, also appraisement. Report of sale of real estate filed, approved, sale confirmed, deed ordered, reported and approved. Edward A. Kirchner vs. Bertha Kirchner, possession of real estate and damages, appearance by Peterson & Moran for defendant. Rule to answer. Minerva A. Meyers et al. vs. George Chronister et al., partition, appearance by D. E. Smith for George Chronister. An interesting case from the Allen superior court on change of venue was received today in the Adams circuit court, being entitled Samson and Allan M. Hirsh vs. Mary Maloley, Elizabeth and Lizzie Boshara and Antorius Arider, on account for merchandise, demand S6OO. It will be remem-

bered that Mary Maloley is the foreign woman, whose traffic and catering to the underworld of F*ort Wayns was uncovered during the recent rale upon and wiping out of the red light district of Fort Wayne. Chauncey F. Lautzenheiser of Berne filed a new suit in the Adams circuit court, entitled Studebaker Bros. Co. vs. Julius C. and Charles C. Schug and Everett-Metzgar-Flanders Co., on account, S2OO. A marriage license was Issued yesterday afternoon to Henry Vian, 28, cigar maker, son of John and Agnes Vian, to wed Minnie Sether, 32, daughter of Mathias and Margaret Sether. Letters of administration were granted to Rebecca Eady in the matter of the estate of her late husband, Jacob Eady. Real estate transfers: Trustees Reiter encampment, No. 214, to Wn:. D. Hoffman, lot 23, Decatur cemeterv quit claim deed, S6O; Elizabeth McBarnes et al. to Frederick Render. 20 acres, St. Mary’s tp., quit claim deed, $1; Lyman R. Blossom to Frederick Bender, 20 acres, St. Mary’s tp., quit claim deed, sl. o - — Funeral services for Mildred, sixteen days old. daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willard Chronister, whose death occurred Tuesday, were conducted today. A short service was held at the home by tne Rev. D. O. Wise of the Evangelical church at 10 o’clock this morning, after which interment took place in the Alpha cemetery. Obsequies for Rudolph, five monthsold son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hoile, of Root township, will be held Thursday morning, tne procession leaving the home at 8:30, sun time, for the Bleeke Lutheran church, where the Rev. Dornseif will officiate, and the body will be laid to rest in the Bleeke cemetery. The death of the babe occurred Tuesday afternoon, following illness resulting from the measles. The babe had apparently recovered from the measles, when complications set ni, and a sudden turn for the worse resulted soon thereafter in its death. The child next older is also sick with the same thing. TEN MILE RUN. 1 Made in One Hour and Twenty Minutes. The trip to Preble, Which was made Monday evening by several young men of this city to see what time the distance of five miles could be made in, and upon which several small bets had been posted against the time which had been stated that it could be made in, was finished in one hour and twenty minutes. Frank Lose, Fred Scburger and. Charles Lose were the contestants who took part, and they started shortly after 8 o’clock. The former kept on a steady trot, and completed the course in the time stated, while the other two failed to keep up and required thirty minutes longer to make the trip. They entered Preble, signed at the appointed headquarters and immediately returned. The distance of ten miles was made in an average of eight minutes to the mile, which is considered by local time keepers to be a pretty good gait, but an effort will be made in the near future to make it in better time still.

The regular business and social session of the Presbyterian Christian Endeavor society was held Tuesday evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Lutz, about fifty being in attendance. Reports from each chairman of the various committees were heard and the chairmen spent a profitable time discussing their plans with each other. Following this, a musical program was given, including an instrumental duet by the Misses Nellie Nichols and Florine Edwards, a vocal solo by Miss Mary Erwin, an instrumental solo by Miss Gladys Graham. The party was then taken out into the yard to the rockery, where a bon-fire was built and a happy time passed in toasting marshmallows, the delightful weather contributing to the pleasure of the out-door fun. Refreshments were served later from porches and dining room and all in all the evening was one of the most delightful spent by the society. Miss Towles, a representative from Oxford college, was one of the guests. Mrs. Votaw and son, Francis, of Not th Platte, Neb.. Mrs. John Falk and daughter, Mary, and Mrs. Charles

CIRCULATION 2800 WEE< ' 4

Teeple of this city were entertained Tuesday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. James Moses, north of the city. The programs for the Purdue uni versity commencement weeik have been received, showing the following order of exercises: Sunday, June 11 — Baccalaureate Address, 3 p. m. —Rev. Joseph A. Vance, Hyde Park Presbyterian Church, Chicago. Church, Chicago. Vesper, song service. 6 p. m. Monday, June 12—Base Ball Game, Purdue vs. Waseda, 3 p. m. Senior Dramatics, 8 p. m. Tuesday, June 13 —Class Reunions, Annual Meeting of Alumni Association, 10 a. m. Campus Luncheon. 12 m. Aviation Exhibition, 3 p. m. Faculty Reception, 7:30 p. m. Senior Hop, 8:30 p. m. Wednesday, June 14—Graduating exercises, 9:30 a. m. Abstracts of Thesis by Members of the Graduating Class. Address by Hon Joseph W. Folk of Missouri. Conferring of Degrees. Senior Banquet, 8 p. m. True Daugherty, son of Mr. and Mrs. Boyd Daugherty, of Berne, is one of the graduates from the eleettrieal engineering department of Purdue. Mrs. Aurand has been quite sick at the home of her daughter, Mrs. John Bolinger. Dr. Simpkins and family of Berne enjoyed an automobile trip to this city Tuesday’ evening and were entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Runyon. Mrs. C. D. Lewton, Mrs. R. L. Semans and Mrs. G. H. Myers were guests, who with the Sewing club, were entertained Tuesday afternoon by Mrs. P. B. Thomas. Needlework and conversation busied them until the supper hour, w’hen a delicious repast was served and the ladies lingered during the evening, delighted by the music of the Thomas phonograph. The Entre Nous club girls will leave Sunday morning for Linn Grove, where they will be entertained during the day and remain over night as guests of Miss Bess Baumgartner. Miss Dessie Matin was a pleasing hostess to the girls of the Priscilla club Tuesday evening, sewing and several contests, with refreshments, completing the entertainment. In both a shortwaist contest and the wordguesing contest, Miss Irene Garard won the prizes. • Forty members of the Young People’s Alliance and their friends attended the regular monthly business meeting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Linn ov! Mercer avenue Tuesday evening, after the business session, enjoying a social evening. There were three contsts to try the skill of all, one being a fish contest, in which Mrs. Howard Burdg won the honors; another a flower contest, in which Miss Vernia Smith won, and the third an historical contest, honors going to Earl Butler. Refreshments closed the evening’s entertainment.

The Christian Endeavor society of the German Reformed church will hold its regular business meeting this evening at the home of the Misses Ella and Huldah Mutchler. The Ladies’ Aid society of the Christian church will meet Friday afternoon with Mrs. G. C. Steele. o IN LAST RESTING PLACE. Were the Remains of the Late Albert Presdorf interred. Albert Presdorf, who passed out of this life on March 3rd, and whose remains had been kept in the vault at the Decatur cemetery, were yesterday placed in their last resting place. A special vault had ben ordered and was placed in the German Reformed cemetery at Honduras. The vault has been completed but a few days and placed in position, and the remains were interred by Meyer, Scherer & Beavers this morning. o— — - CITY OF JAUREZ IS CAPTURED. (United Press Service.) El Paso, Texas, May 10 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —The city of Jaurez was captured by the rebels just before noon today, being reinforced by 300 men under General Blanco. The loss of life was heavy. The city is in ruins, having been burning for twentyfour hours. Medero will establish his headquarters in the wrecked city.

Number 19