Decatur Democrat, Volume 56, Number 21, Decatur, Adams County, 25 May 1911 — Page 4

THE DEMOCRAT BVIHTThCHIBAT MQBNINO BY lIW ELLINQHAM, ffubltahr. U.UO PUK YEAR IN ADVANOK. Mntered at the poatotftce at Decatur, >nd., as second class mail matter. OFFICIAL PAPEROF A BAMS CO.

President Taft is prepared for a long siege with congress, even though the heat becomes unbearable. He lias his desk arranged over the big refrigerator plant, and while the representatives and senators are melting in their shoes, with the thermometer registering around the hundred mark, the president smiles at them when they call, located very comfortably in a room where the temperature is less than eighty. It's a case of let them sweat. A Wash fngtotTiet ter says: Friends of Samuel M. Ralston of Lebanon, always hear of the Ralston gubernatorial candidacy when they get in the presence of Represetaiive Morrison of the Ninth district. Mr. Morrison is confident that the Lebanon man will win the nomination next spring, and that he will be a great force toward carrying Indiana for the democratic candidate for president. The contention is that Mr. Ralston is the type of democrat most needed at the head of the state ticket at this time in democratic warfare. Fort Wayne had a two hundred thousand dollar fire Sunday, when the Mayflower mills, located just across the street from the Wayne hotel, were destroyed. For ten hours or more nine big engines played on the blaze, saving surrounding property. Such a blaze in Decatur would mean our ruin. While the contemplated fire department probably would not mean much toward such a blaze, it would help, and we would at least feel that we were doing something to protect ourselves. There should be no delay in this proposition. The Ball Brothers, of Muncie, millionarie glass manufacturers, have donated SIOOO,OOO for a Y. M. C. A. building in that city. It is a worthygift, one that will stand as a monument for a century, and which will likely save many boys and young men. One who has not had the experience cannot know the temptations a boy has at the time he enters manhood, and the wonder is that the percentage of those who acquire the habits which make their lives worthless is so small. A Y. M. C. A. hall gives the boy a clean place to go, where he can read and enjoy games, use the gymnasium and otherwise pass the time, instead of seeking the places where the environments are debasing.

Decatur needs a boys’ home of this

kind, and while it need not be so elaborate, it seems that we should in some way arrange for a place where they would be welcome and where they can let out their energy amidst surroundings that will help them instead of destroy them. The city hall project advanced another step forward Friday evening, when the city council named the committee and did what they could to further the movement. The building will probably be under way within a very short time and it shows what a few fellows can do If they just will. It was a necessary improvement for our thriving city, and we’re going to have it. The supreme court of the United States has smashed the Indiana twocent fare law so far as regards the crossing of the state. In other words the law is now only good so far as it travel within the borders of the state. The railroads will likely take immediate advantage of the opportunity to raise the edge since the petition filed to secure same was signed by fofty-nine railroads, including' the Chicago & Erie, Toledo, St. Louis & Western and the Grand Rapids & Indiana. We wish to call attention to the act again that scientists say this pill be an unusual year for hydro-

phobia, and that it is the duty of our people to keep the dogs off the streets. The Indianapolis Star today contained a lengthy enditorial on the subject and closed with the following: "Sentimentalists may object to muzzling 'man’s beet friend,’ but certainly there cun be no, valid reasons for opposing the Impounding of homeless dogs. They should be cleared ’off the streetsjind it ought to lie tak- • en as prima facie evidence thin a dog is without owner when not provided 1 with a license tag. The ‘dog-snatch-I er’ thus performs a valuable function in every well-ordered community. He not only is a revenue-producer to the 'city by enforcing the' dog-license or- , dinance, but is an agent for the prevention of one of the most terrible diseases known to mankind, for it seems that it is the homeless, un--1 cai ed-for, unwatched dog that is likelv to work the most mischief in the I J spread of the hydrophobia.” i The lawn-beautifying and the yardcleaning is progressing in a very satisfactory way. Weed cutting has been 'in evidence, but there are many who ( have not yet begun this important duty. If the weeds get the better of you they will keep it. ——— The gas company is boosting a "White Way” through Second street, meaning a gas arc light in front of each business house, and at a cost of about ninety cents a month. It’s a good thing, and will add to the appearance of a lively town. Every business house should have one. Don’t keep in the dark. The right spirit is abroad in Decator, and we have really awakened. Not a day passes but that something new Is sprung that will add to the convenience of our people, their health, their benefit in some way. Some boys are stirred up have not helped before and it looks good. Let 'er go. A progressive and live town is the kind to live in any way. A concrete bridge for East Monroe street, over the St. Mary’s river, is being agitated by a number of our citizens, and it is probable that such an improvement will come within the next year or so. The idea is a bridge that will take away the element of danger that now exists when a heavy load is crossing the old plank bridge and the new one will add greatly to the appearance of that section of the city. ■WArnF*"-** ■ * Representatives Barnhart and Dixon are roommates at a Washington hotel during the extra session. Their ambitions never clash, although both have been mentioned as excellent tim-. ber for the governorship. Mr. Dixon disavows any intention of seeking the nomination. His greatest wish is to make a reco d as a congressman, to which his friends may point with pride, and, after a few years more of public service, settle down in the practice of law in Indiana. With 600 miles

separating them from Washington Indianians can hardly appreciate the high esteem in which Mr. Dixon :s held by his co-workers on the ways and means committee —the big committee of the house. Coming as he does, from the most typical middle western state, he is looked upon as a true representative of the trend of political and economic thought of the millions of people of that section of the country east of Pennsylvania, north of the Ohio river, west to the Rockies and south of the Canadian line. Mr. Barnhart is actively interested in progressive legislation, and has attracted a great deal of attention from the eastern press by his advocacy of a children’s bureau of the department of commerce and labor. It is a measure that appeals strongly to the mothers of the country. He Is silent on the question of future preferment. He knows his friends will attend to that —" ■ POLICE COURT NEWS. The case against Hugh Daniels, which was slated for trial at 'Squire Stone’s at 7 o’clock Monday night was held, Daniels pleading guilty and was assessed a fine of SI.OO and costs, making a total of $11.70, which was paid.

At the same session another affidavit against Daniels was filed by the state on the same charge and the trial was set for the 27th al 7 p. m. Two more affidavits on provoke charges were tiled with the 'squire at the evening session and they are entitled the State or Indiana vs. Louis Schlickman and State vs. Oliver Schug. Schlickman will stand trial on the 26th at 7 p. tn., and Schug on the same date at 7:30 p. in. - -o— DIVORCE TRIAL NEARS END. Minnie Shady Begins Paternity Proceedings. The divorce trial of Martha A. Btiffenbarger vs. Henry fluffenbarger. which has been on before Special Judge D. D. Heller since Monday morning, is drawing to a close. The evidence was practically all in at the time of going to press. Prosecuting Attorney Parrish went to Jackson, Mich., Tuesday afternoon, where he will take the necessary steps for the arrest and prosecution of Grover Pope of Elkhart, Indiana, on paternity charges filed by Miss Minnie Shady of Kirkland township. He will return Wednesday evening. — o RESERVED SEAT SALE. The reserved seat sale for the class day exercises Wednesday evening will open at S o'clock Wednesday morning at the Hottnouse drug store, and for the commencement exercises on Thursday morning at 8 o’clock.

Burglars entered the office of the Decatur Produce company’s plant Monday night and opening the safe, robbed the firm of exactly S2OO, making a getaway, but leaving several good live clues by which they are being trailed today. The robbery occurred sometime between 10 o’clock Monday night and 3 o’clocjc this morning, and entrance was gained through a cellar window opening into the ammonia machinery room. Through this window pass four high tension electric wires, a touch of which would have sent the burglars to the floor, dead. The current was turned off the machine and the danger existed only near the window, but with 2,600 volts of electricity guarding a window the three burglars exhibited considerable nerve in attempting to gain an entrance at that window, when three windows of as easy access were open. The entrance to the building effected, a stairway opens upon the office floor from the cellar and the office being in a rather deserted quarter the robbers feared no interruption The desk belonging to Harry Moltz, president of the company, was pried open with a broad-edged jimmy, and the peculiar edge of the jimmy may lead to some startling clues being unearthed.

as no tool of the kind was used around the plant. The desk was searched thoroughly, the papers being torn from the pigeon holes and the drawers being rifled, the various records being strewn over the floor in an indiscriminate mass. The typewriter desk was also rifled, the blank papers and forms being thrown over the office floor in the search for currency. It has been practically determined that three men were implicated in the affair and with that suppo sition it is probable that one stood guard outside while two entered the office, one giving his attention to the desks and the other breaking the safe. The safe is one of the old models, being once the property of the loan association, and its lock is a set lock a lock which is arranged to allow of the door being closed and to all appearances locked, but affording those who do not know the combination a means of entering the safe by turning the combination a certain way, while turning it the other way would lock the safe securely, necessitating the combination to open it. On the morning of the 16th the office force was surprised to find this safe locked, as it was the custom to leave the safe in condition to allow the driver, William Meyers, to get cash with which to buy the produce which he gathers throughout the county, and at 3 o'clock in the morning, his usual hour of starting, he found the safe locked and was unable to get inside and help ha<f to be called to open the safe to secure him the cash to make the trip. It is possible that the burglars entered the office that night with the intention of robbing the place and by accident locked the safe, and were unable to finish the job, so returned Monday night, when they were successful. The doors of the safe stood open this morning when discovered by Mr. Meyers at 3 o’clock and a hasty investigation proved that a drawer had been forced and »200, the amount needed for today’s trip, was missing. The books and papers in the safe were intact, as was the private drawer tZ Mr. Moltz, which was locked and untouched. Another drawer, con-

mining a bag with several dollars in small change, was overlooked or despised by the burglars and the sum above stated was all that was taken. All the police officers were called and were soon on the scene ot the robbery, where they soon gathered several good clues, and all are confident that before dark tonight the guilty parties will be apprehended. When interviewed this morning Manager Moltz offered a reward of SSO for the arrest and conviction of the burglars, and it will remain el fectlve until the men are caught and proven guilty. That the work Is home talent Is evident from the bungling manner in which they gained entrance to the various drawers and locks which were in the way, and by the superfluous work performed in searching the drawers which contained nothing but records. Mr. Moser, the other member of the firm, residing at Rockford, Ohio, was notified by wire this morning and his arrival is expected hourly. No stone will be left unturned by the officers to find and prosecute the burglars and the country for miles around wag searched by ’phone and person before daylight this morning. On Tuesday a special trip was taken up the river by the four officers and about three miles out of town at the Sycamore Springs they found four parties in a shanty which had been erected there, and on the strength of evidence picked up at the scene of the robbery they arrested Harry Straub, “Hosey" Knavel, Dent Spencer and Charles Straub. Upon the person of the latter they found a revolver, and the others were not armed. They were brought to town in a boat by Sheriff Durkin and Deputy Sheriff Merica, while Marshal Peterson and Policeman Melchi came by buggy. The parties were placed in jail and will be brought before the court this afternoon. ——o Jay V. Elzey, a former Decatur resident, who met death early Monday morning in the Crestline yards, while on his way to work, will be brought here for burial. At the time of the accident, about 1 o’clock in the morning, he was about to take his locomotive for the return to Fort Wayne, where he had expected to spend the day w-ith his wife. His engine, No. 7101, was standing on the track and engine No. 7455 was backing up to couple up the train, when he attempted to pass between the engines, and the draw-bars caught and crushed him terribly about the bowels. Brother trainment rushed to his assistance and he was taken to the hospital, where every energy was bent to save his life, but to no avail. His wife was summoned to his bedside and made the run on a special train, but reached the hospital an hour after the death of her husband, which occurred rt 4:10, three hours after the accident.

Fireman E'.zey was nearly twentv- s six years old, having been born in this j city on June 5, 18S5, and had been in , the employ of the Pennsylvania lines t since, October 23, 1907, and made his j home at 1307 Buchanan street in Fort ) Wayne. He was highly esteemed by ] bis fellow workmen and during his ( ' residence there had made many friends. He had left Fort Wayne Saturday evening for the run to Crestj line, and would have arrived in Fort ‘ Wnyne Monday t ’-nning. The remains were brought to this 'city Wednesday, arriving over the G. R. * 1., and will immediately be tak!cn to the Evangelical church, where services were heli at 2 o'clock, the burial being in th- Decatur cemetery. TO TAKE WESTERN TRIP. Miss Frances Merryman, daughter oft Judge and Mrs. J. T. Merryman, will leave Monday for Chicago, where she will meet her brother, Charles, of Cardwell, Mo., and after a few days' , visit there with their sister, Mrs. Don , Quinn, Charles and Frances will ’ leave on an extended western trip of ■ about six weeks’ duration. Among j the places of interest which they ex- • pect to visit are Yellowstone Park, ] Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, , Yosemite Valley, the Grand Canyon, • and many other places of interest in > the northwest and southwest, making their trip a very interesting and instructive one. Charles is auditor of the Paragould and Memphis railroad, with headquarters at Cardwell, Mo. o — The investigation conducted by the joint boards of commissioners of several counties desiring a dredged channel in the St. Mary’s river was coneluded with the arrival of the party at Pleasant Mills to investigate the mill dam at that place as they heard lhe dam held back the water, and offered an obstruction to the project. The trip was completed in much less time than the most conservative estimate, and it is now causing discussion as to the real distance that ; ' will have to be dredged. At several.' places the found sand-bars which ; obstructed the way, and at another n

eighty acres of tan 1 t each spring so t*u' he uxeg J produce enough ’ ial oplnWhen approached for P® ions the comtnistaoners we icent and would say nothing concern inn the results of the trip. “ M. “ a when they will thatAlme hop.- to do someth ng definite Once the near the head-waters start up to Indiana to finish the ] the possibility of a ship canal through X p „,.y ». V.n " I- w-'" »«*°.' these counties will recognize the value and profit to be obtained through the completion of such a canal l an that they will not delay In bringing the matter to their state and do their part in opentag up the waterway Aside from the better drainage facilities they will secure a channel of trade which will mean many dollars yearly. Rest assured that once they begin In earnest Indiana will not be found a laggard. ATTENDS UNCLE’S FUNERAL. Kate Henneford was at Ver Cruz Tuesday attendin the funeral o her uncle, Emanuel Biberstine. which was held at the Vera Cruz Reformed church, at two o’clock this afternoon. Mr. Biberstine’s death occurred Sunday morning at 8 o’clock, from injuries received Saturday forenoon by a blow from a fragment of a flying stump which- was blasted by dynamite. The deceased was a brother of Mrs. Michael Henneford. geneva lass' lS PLAINTIFF. Portland, Ind., May 23-Charging that the defendant took advantage of her innocence and lack of knowledge of worldly affairs, to steal her virtue and shamefully mistreat her, Miss Pearl Landers of Geneva has filed suit, through her mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Landers, as best friend, against Joseph A. Hamma, a Jackson township young man, demanding $5,000 damages for seduction. In May, 1910, at the time of the wrongful act complained of., Miss Landers recites in her complaint that she was but fourteen years old, while the defendant was twenty. The defendant, it is alleged, is the owner of forty three acres of land in Jackson township, this county, and this is attached, pending the trial of the suit. Hamma, it is said, has left his home, and his present address is not known.

The May day festival to be given Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock on the lawn of the Central school building will be a charming and novel event for this city. The festival will be given by the pupils of the Eighth grade and Miss Geraldine Cross, a young girl of beauty of appearance as well as character, has been chosen as the May queen. Drills, songs, the May pole, and other features will make the fete a glorious one, the following program to be carried out in detail: Song—“ Come Gentle May.” March. Song—“A-Maying We Will Go."

Coronation of the May Queen. ( Song—" Flower Song” Queen’s Proclamation. Song—“ With Hearts So Free.” Song—“ Clink! Clink!” Wand Drill. Song—“ Dancing Song.” Garland Drill. Solo —Dwight Peterson May Pole Drill. Song—“ln the Woodland." I PLAY AT FORT WAYNE. ” I. The base ball team of the St. Joseph’s schools are making arrangements for a game to be played at Ft.! Wayne with the Cathedral team next 1 Tuesday. A good line-up is being arranged by the locals and they will go with the expectation of winning. They also have several other: games scheduled, with Muncie, Hunt- 1 ington and Kokomo, to be played during the season. o~ — GOES AS DELEGATE. D. E. Smith left Tuesday for! Indianapolis where he will attend a two days' session of the grand lodge of Masons. He goes as a delegate from the local lodge and will represent the home members in the vari-| pus functions and business sessions which will take place during the two days. — * DR. LINDLEY’S LECTURE. The lecture of Dr. E. H. Lindley of Indiana university, at the commence-! ment of the Decatur high school Thursday evening, will be one of great interest. The public should make it a point to hear him

A throe days' illness of pneumonia claimed the life of Henry Egley, the blacksmith, at 3 o’clock Sunday morning. He resided with his wife and six children at 1217 West Harber street and was employed at the shop of 8. B. Shultz on South Jefferson street. Mr. Egley was born amid the mountains of Switzerland in. October, 1868. Following his brother, who preceded him in 1882 he migrated to America tn 1883 and Joined a number of other Swiss people at Berne, Ind., where he lived for several years. He was married while at Berne and on the death of his first wife he was married to Miss Emma Ansufe, who survives him. He later moved to Millgrove and was employed as a blacksmith. He also worked at his trade at Trenton. He moved to Hartford City about three years ago and has been employed in the Shultz shop since that time. He was a member of the Reformed church. He leaves a wife and six children, the oldest being fifteen and the youngest three. He leaves two sisters, Mrs. Aled Strom of Dunkirk and Mrs. Soprie Miller, who still Ilves in Switzerland, and two brothers, Emil Egley, of Decatur, and Fred Egley, who was last heard from at Fort Wayne, but whose present address is unknown. The funeral will be held Tuesday morning at 10 o’clock at the late residence. Rev. J. J. Howard will preach the funeral sermon.—Hartford City Journal.

A recent dispatch from the statistical department shows that Adams county is not alone in the decrease of children of school age in the past year, this condition prevailing generally. A comparisop ts the United States census returns from 1900 to 1910, with the school enumeration statistics from 1901 to 1911, shows a less gain in counties where there are gains and a greater loss where counties show losses on the part of school enumeration than on the part of population statistics. The following table shows statistics for northeastern Indiana counties: Adams county—l.7 per cent gain in population; 9.5 per cent loss in enumeration. Allen county—2l per cent gain in population; 6.8 per cent gain in enumeration. DeKalb county—2.9 per cent loss in population; 7.5 per cent loss in enumeration. Lagrange county—2.6 per cent loss in population; 8.4 loss in enumeration. Noble county—2 per sent loss in population; 2.8 per cent loss in enum eration. Steuben county—6.2 per cent loss in population; 15.2 per cent loss in enumeration. Whitley county—2.s per cent loss in population; 13.1 per cent loss in enumeration.

Huntington county—o. 3 per gain in population; 6.6 per cent losin enumeration. Kosciusko bounty—4 per cent 1 > in population; 14 per cent loss in enumeration. Wells county—4.3 per cent loss in population; 15.5 per cent loss in enumeration. o i - — —-— For the first time in six years the members of the John A. Mumrr. family, northeast of the city, gathei ed together on last Sunday for a day of social pleasure and to once moie gather around the family table for a good old fashioned dinner. The dav was spent in various ways, and was one of the happiest enjoyed for years. The children included Mr. and Mrs Amos Lewton and children of Monmouth, Mr. and Mrs. James Stewait of Monroeville, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mumma and children. Mrs. Pntri'k Wilhelm and two children of TerHaute. The Decatur party that were guests over the week-end of the stag pat'.v given by D. M. Hensley and 1 1 Reid at Rome City have returned and i report an excellent time. Rome 1 it - | they say, with the high clear lake, free from weeds, never looked so beautiful as at this season. ■ I’"' ■ ! guests were L. C. Waring and ( I Dugan of this city, James Chapman The Salem Evangelical Ladies' Ari ; society will meet ail day Thursday next week at the church, where the will have an old-fashioned horncleaning. They will take their diners and expect to have a good social time as well as work. 1 Rome City, Mr. Weatherhog, Charl< McCullough and Judge O’Rourke Fort Wayne. While there the De<-’-' | tur party had the pleasure of mee ' ing Dr. Spencer, now of In ianapo..--i formerly one of the meat inspecto at the packing plant here His pai , went to Rome City a week ago S day. On Thursday he sent home hundred pounds of bass which thcaiTght and on Sunday when they turned they took with them ( ' f eight pounds. _