Decatur Democrat, Volume 56, Number 22, Decatur, Adams County, 1 June 1911 — Page 6

THIS MAY DAY FEST. One of ahe very prettiest of school exercises ever witnessed in this city was the May Day fest at the Central school lawn yesterday afternoon by the eighth grade pupils. Large numbers of spectators thronged the grassy green and witnessed the pretty affair. A throne, with green and pink streamered settings, with flower decorated throne, received Miss Geraldine Cross, the pretty Queen o' the May, as she was brought to her place, in a gayly flower-trimmed carriage drawn by a little pony, gay with decoration and rosettes or green and pink, the May-day colors, followed by a train of minds and courtiers, with green wreathes and gayly flying ribbons of pink and green. The coronation of the queen and the march following was very pretty as were the drills and songs, and the winding of the May-pole, from which were suspended its myriads of gay-colored streamers. Miss Olive Perkins presided at the piano and dispersed sweet music for the marchers. A vocal solo by Dwight Peterson and several choruses were well received. The many who attended the May-day fest also lingered long in the art exhibit rooms following this, where were shown the excellent work of the pupils in all departments of art and manual training.

The class plays presented Wednesday evening at Bosse's opera house by the senior class of the Decatur high school were decidedly novel as well as excellently portrayed. The fact that this is their first presentation, having been written by Miss Nora Del Smith, a member of the high school faculty, and the books not yet having come fro mthe press of the publisher, makes this their initial appearance. The first one presented was “The Cave,” the setting being in Truit’s cave, near Bloomington. The stage w-as very effectively decorated with branches of boughs to give a realistic setting sot the first and third acts which represented the field before the cave, the second act showing the interior of the cave. Four college girls and four college men are on a trip of exploration. A girl in the party influenced by ambition has pronounced friendship better than love-making. The man thus relegated to the role of friend is one of the party. His seeming devotion to an enthusiastic freshman makes the situation intense and leads to a reconciliation. Mac Payne, a senior, an economist, who hates poetry, was enacted by Clem Steigmeyer; Howard Hines, a senior geologist, tolerant of poetry, Roy Jahn; Gifford Grime, a junior geologist, Lewis Adler; James Milford, a medic, Harry Hoffman; Harriet Helen Moore, a senior, whole hearted (?), Ruth Hammell; Mame Eldridge, an enthusiastic freshman, Ruby Parrish; Lucile Payne, a senior, twin sister to the economist, very poetical, Ruth Gay; Grace Brighton, a sophomore, interested in zoology, Edwina Van Camp.

The play is a comedy of the first water, abounding in many witty lines, and the parts were enacted by each to perfection. The second play was “The Woman’s Masquerade,” the setting being a woman's gymnasium. A sympathetic “good fellow” girl tries to patch up a lover’s quarrel by assisting four men into the forbidden circle of women masqueraders, and to their delight the masked boys are received w’ith the glad hand, but with consternation later, when it is discovered that they are men. The boys leave in a hurry but one lingers long enough to find forgiveness. This was one of the most laugh-provoking plays ever witnessed on the local stage,, and one which evoked applause with every line. The characters were varied and the costuming appropriate, the following varied characters being represented: Arthur Eaton as Captain Bunny, a foot ball hero, Carl Smith; ’William Percival, as the catcher, 'Lawrence Archbold; Chester Hardison, as the widow, Earl Colter; Howard Capley, as the spinster, Martin Hoffman; Mary Dickerson, as Queen Elizabeth, Bernice Dailey; Hazel Heady, Eaton’s cousin, as Gretchen, Matie Chronister; Sara Nelson, secretary of the Woman’s League and Hazel’s roommate, as Priscilla, Hulda Bauer; Anice Coombs, Alice Brandyberry; Helen Greatheart, Dessie Mann; Little Red Riding Hood, Marie Daniels; Little 80-Peep, Edwina Van Camp, with others cleverly representing the Gold Dust Twins, Buster Brown, Chief Corn-cob, Pocahontas, ’Tother and ’Taint. The comedies are very clever little sketches and Miss Smith is to be highly complimented upon the excellent results of her literary ambition. Between the acts and plays, excellent music was furnished by a double quartet, comprising Gregg Neptune, Gladys McMillen, Ruth Patterson. Stella Perkins, Crystal Kern, Charles Brodbeck, Sim Burke, Sherman Beery. There were also two duets by Gladys McMilien and Gregg Neptupe.

After an illness covering a period of four or five yearn, Lucy, wife of Willard Kelsey, a prominent young man, residing south of this city, succumbed to death a half hour past the midnight hour. For some time Mrs. Kelsey has been suffering from a complication of diseases, and quite recently In a consultation held by Dr. E. J. M cOscar of Fort Wayne and Dr. H. E. Keller of this city, Dr. McOscar diagnosed her case the same as Dr. Keller—that of gall stones, empyema of the gall bladder, with disease of the pancreas, stomach and spleen, and stated than an operation would be no benefit and would have been of no benefit had it been performed a year or more ago, as the complication of diseases was too great. If the ailment had been gall stones alone, an operation would have been performed with success. It was thought that perhaps her condition would be such that she could be taken to the hospital at Fort Wayne for treatment Wednesday, but at that time she was too weak even to make the trip, and it was postponed, her death coming last night. The deceased was formerly Miss Lucy Miller before her marriage, she being a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Miller. She was born in Van Wert county, Ohio, April 28, 1884, and at death was twenty-seven years and twenty-seven days of age. She was married in young womanhood to Willard Kelsey, who survives, with three children —Frances, Mary and Dorothy. She also leaves her heartbroken parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Miller, five brothers and four sisters, who are: Will, Addison, Mich.; Wilson, Fort Wayne; Lewis, Howard and Ralph, at home; Mrs. Della Jones, Ft. Wayne; Pearl, Mary and Frances, at home. The funeral was held Saturday afternoon, the procession leaving the house at 1 o’clock for the St. Paul church, where the Rev. C. T. Payne will conduct the services. Burial In the Decatur cemetery. —o — ■ ■ POLICE COURT NEWS. The four parties who were arrested on.suspicion of being the burglars of the Decatur Produce company's office were arraigned in the police court this afternoon and a change of venue was desired. The case was sent to Justice of the Peace Kern of St. Mary's township, and was set for trial on June 2nd. About 12 o'clock Thursday Night Policeman Melchi made a hurried trip to the southeast part of town where he secured a boy by the name of Harry McGill on a charge of theft. It seems that the boy was going along Second street and in front of the Hensley jewelry store he got on the wheel belonging to David Henslev and rode rapidly south. The boys who witnessed the act notified the police and the McGill boy was trailed and brought back to the mayor's court, where it developed that' he tried to get a wheel in the same manner yesterday, but had failed. A good lecture w-as given to the boy by the mayor and he was allowed to go on his promise to behave hereafter.

Avery quiet but beautiful and sacred wedding was solemnized Wednesday night at 9:30 o’clock at the Presbyterian church, when Dr. E. G. Coverdale, son of Dr. and Mrs. J. S. Coverdale, and Miss Estella Ellis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lase Ellis, plighted their troth, the beautiful ring ceremony being performed by the bride's pastor, the Rev. J. M. Dawson, pastor of the Christian church, assisted by the Rev. Gleiser, the new minister of the Presbyterian church; who has not yet been ordained. The wedding was witnessed only by the immediate family of the bride —her mother, Mrs. Lase Ellis, and children, Dr. and Mrs. J. S. Coverdale, the bride’s grandmother, Mrs. Ellis, of In-' dianapolis, and Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Holthouse. The bride, a very lovely young lady, as beautiful in nature as in appearance, was very lovely in a tan traveling costume, with brown shoes, hat and gloves to match. The groom was also attired in a traveling suit, the newly married couple leaving at 10:20 o'clock for a trip to Indianapolis, where they will be guests of relatives, expecting to be gone ten days or two weeks. The groom is a well known young physician of this city, having been engaged for some time with his father in the practice of medicine in this city, and the bride is a very lovable young lady, the favorite of a large number of the younger social set.

Little did the friends of Charles Dirkson, Henry Kruel, Fred Schaub and Will Zwick think when they left Wednesday morning for St. Mary's, Ohio, in the Dirkson auto, that that would be the last time they would ever set eyes on this well known conveyance, but such was the case. The boys, who departed happily Wednesday, as by a winged Pasasus, returned home sadly this morning at 4 o’clock over the railroad, the SI,OOO

automobile having gone up in a cosily blaze at Celina, Ohio, where they stopped about 9:30 o’clock Wednesnay night to get the gasoline tank refilled. They stopped at the garage and the gasoline hose from the garage tank was turned Into the auto tank. Instead of the five gallons which the tender supposed It to hold, it held but three and a half and was soon filled to overflowing. The overflow ran onto the engine, which must have been very hot, and an explosion resulted. A dozen or more fire extinguishers from the garage were called into play, as it was feared that the garage tank, which must have held ten gallons or more would also explode from the great heat. The chemical fire wagon from the Celina Are department was also called out and excitement ran high When the blaze was finally gotten under control, nothing but the Iron frame of the auto remained. The loss is a very heavy one, as the auto was comparatively new, being not over two years old and costing at least a thousand dollars. Albert Kauffman was granted a divorce from Florence Kauffman. The defendant was given SIOO alimony, the plaintiff also to pay court costs. William T. Waggoner, executor of the Martha E. Cook estate, filed inventory, which was approved. The foreign will of James Q. Neptune of Van Wert county, Ohio, was probated in this court today, real estate in this county being affected by the will. The will was written January 22, 1892. The real and personal estate is bequeathed to his wife, Isabelle Neptune. A marriage license was issued Wednesday evening to Earl G. Coverdale, born November 11, 1879, physician, son of J. S. and Catherine Coverdale, to wed Estella V. Ellis, born November 5, 1885, daughter of Lafayette and Bertha Ellis.

Quite a serious runaway occurred Thursday on the form of Charles Fuelling *in Union township, when Joseph Baker, employed by Mr. Fuelling as a farm hand, received serious injuries. He had gone to the woods to secure a load of wood and was returning to the house when one of the lines became loose and Mr. Baker stepped between the two horses, when they became frightened and started to run. He was dragged for quite a distance before he freed himself and he lay there in the field for some time, the team scattering the load of wood around a twenty-acre field, and upon returning nearly ran over him. He w’as at once conveyed to the house and Dr. C. S. Clark summoned. Upon an examination it was discovered that he had received a broken collar bone, a dislocated shoulder, a broken toe and a number of bruises. The injured man is in a very serious condition and much time will be required before he will be able to be about. o Marshal Peterson is in receipt of a letter signed “A Citizen,” which seeks to convey the intelligence that a party whom he wants for an immoral charge can be found somewhere between Mhe south end and the water tank. No name was signed to the letter and it is suggested that the “Citizen” make a proper affidavit on the information which they seem to have and cause the arrest of the party and thus settle an affair which seems to give trouble to a large section of the city. o ATTENDS SISTER’S FUNERAL. Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Bryson of North Pleasant street left on the Tuesday afternoon train for Washington C. H., Ohio, called there by the death of his sister, Mrs. Louisa Cupp, whose death occurred Monday, following an illness from pneumonia and paralysis. Funeral services took place Wednesday. —Portland Sun. O T Gne ot most horrible deaths imabinable, and one whose terror seems as yet a dream to the griefsttick&n famines, was that which came upon Mrs. cressle Nidlinger McClure, wife of Clyde McClure, residing northeast of the city, whose body was burned to a crisp Thursday afternoon at 4:30 o’clock after an attempt to build a fire, in which her clothing became ignited and was totally burned from her body, leaving injuries which proved fatal, her death occurring four hours after—about 8:30 o’clock. Mrs, McClure, though burned so badly, remained conscious to the last, though she was able to give only a part of the particulars surrounding her fatal injury. Mrs. McClure was at home alone at the time of the accident, with her five-months-old son, Vergil, her husband being away a mile and a half plowing ground for corn. When the hour for supper drew near she began to prepare by building a f fire, and got some shavings and chips and put them Into the range. She

used no coal oil, it is said, and struck a match to the kindling, when in some unaccountable way, her clothing burst into a flame, and frightened at the horror of It, she ran screaming into the yard. John Robinson and Mr. Morrison and other neighbors, who were at work nearby, shearing sheep, heard her cries and with their wives and other neighbors, rushed to the McClure home. There they found the woman lying on the ground in agony, her clothing burned entirely from her body, with the exception of her shoes and stockings. Her body was one mass of seared flesh, except that protected by the unburned shoes and stockings, and except a spot on her bead under the coiffure, the knot of hair forming a sort or mat or protection. Dr. Smith was summoned at once from this city, and he made the trip in record-breaking time, reaching the scene even before the husband, who had been working away from home, had time to reach the scene. So piercing were the cries ot she woman in her agony that their sound pierced even to the ears of the husband a mile and a half away. Upon reaching the scene Dr. Smith found the injuries so much worse even than he had anticipated that he summoned Dr. Beavers from this city, and the injured ■woman was given the best care possible, her body being wrapped in cotton and soothing remedies administered to ease the pain as much ss possible. Theagony, howover, soon lessened as the injuries were so great that the nerve sensibility was destroyed, and the touch of the fingers to the seared flesh produced no sensation. She remained conscious to the last, expressing the occurrence as seeming like a dream. She made all arrangements for the care of her little son, giving it to her mother-in-law, Mrs. John Thomas, this city, to care for until she got well, or, she stated to rear always, in case she did not recover.

The deceased was a very popular young lady, being a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elijah Nidlinger, of east of the city. During the residence of Mr. Nidlinger here a year or so ago. she lived in this city, and was well known here. She was born in this county on the Nidlinger homestead, east of this city, and her whole life has been spent in the county. She was born March 12, 1893, and was but eighteen years of age at death. A year ago May 28th, she was united in marriage to Clyde McClure and had she lived until next Sunday they would have celebrated their first wedding anniversary. Besides the heart-broken husband and the infant son, she leaves her griefstricken parents and one brother, Roy, a sister, Ireta, at home, and another sister, Mrs. James Sprague, of this city. A sister, Mrs. Aurie Dykeman, passed away several years ago. The funeral services was held at the Methodist church Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, with the Rev. Imler of the United Brethren church officiating. The cortege left the house for the church at 1:30. Interment ook place in the Maplewood cemetery. oThe week of commencement festivities that has been one of unusual interest and pleasure for the eighteen members of the senior class of 1911 of the Decatur high school was brought to a fitting close Thursday evening with the exercises of the commencement proper at the Bosse opera house, the class address being delivered by Dr. E. H. Lindley, head of the department of philosophy of Indiana university. A verys enthusiastic audience, strained with pleasureable anticipation of a happy evening, greeted the rising of the curtain at 8:30 o’clock and their expectations were fully realized when the large class of eight boys and the ten girls, each attired in regulation cap and gown, and occupying seats in a semi circle on the stage, burst into view, presenting a very pleasing sight. The exercises were opened with a song, “The Spring is Come,” by the girls’ high school glee club, comprised of many harmoniously blended voices, rendering this beautiful song the more beautiful in its perfect interpretation, and after the invocation of the divine blessing upon the class by the Rev. L. C. Hessert. pastor of the German Reformed church, which inculded the prayer that every member might “see the halo in the commonplace things of life and to strive to do their best therein,” the glee club sang another appropriate selection. So great was the appreciation of the audience that they were forced to respond to the encore by singing a parody of “Coming Through the Rye,” abounding In quips for the seniors, one of the cunning little turns being "Every lad has his lass, in the senior class.” The dignified and scholarly gentleman that had been quietly occupied the chair at the left of the large class, with the Rev. Hessert, was then introduced in a very appropriate way by Professor E. E. Rice, superintendent of the city schools, as Dr. E. H. Lindley, the speaker of the evening, - — ——

an old teacher and friend of bis. | •" h •’"? xrx. t s th, proml.e ’ when he announced as his sub] for the evening, “The Hidden Power of Men.” , He opened by stating that at a re cent convocation was considered «he question of the stoppage of the grea waste greed and thoughtless devastation of the mineral, forest and other natural wealths, but very little consideration is given the greatest waste -the supression of human talent. He stated that we have a wrong idea of wealth—that wealth is not only potential wealth, such as gold. Then followed the story of the man who had worked a life time for gold and carried the whole fortune of a lifetime in a belt. He was aboard a ship and when the call came that the ship was sinking, he, in a hurry, donned his belt of gold instead of the life belt, and sank, weighted down by the weight of that for which he had given his life. "True wealth,' he said, "is all that contributes to life.” Natural resources rest through many years. Wealth is due to the application of somebody’s mind—if not yours—then somebody’s else. Brains, mixed with potatoes will yield a larger crop. Use brains in the growing of potatoes and you will save enough of what would otherwise be waste, to pay the entire cost of the making of the Panama canal. The best farmer mixes brains with soil. W ealth is social. Social demand makes the product. The automobile sales in the wilds of South America or Africa will not be very heavy. Therefore, cultivate the social expansion. Wealth is moral. Land in a good neighborhood is worth more than in a bad neighborhood. Moral value has money value, therefore cultivate the moral nature. The greater the city is in morality, the less need of giving bonuses to factories; they come without. He further defined wealth as “something useful in the hands of someone who knows how to use it.” It takes men to make wealth and men to preserve wealth. Otherwise there is no wealth. Wealth means the intensive production of man. Justice has been given to the growing and preservation of corn, but not to man. There is no difference in natural power, but the diffculties lie in getting the opportunities. There is greater talent in the cities, be stated, because the opportunities are better —the competi-

tion more spurring. Adversity, according to his opinion, does not bring the greatest power, in spite of many “stories with morals” to the contrary, that adversity dwarfs instead of nourishes. He gave some statistics showing that nine out of ten great men came from well-to-do families, where the opportunities were more abundant. Too much adversity stunts. Ninety-eight of one hundred great men are the product of systematic education, stimulated with the love of a great vocation. Every man has genius, but this is too often destroyed by ancestral traits which cancel each other; he is restricted by unnecessary obstructions. The service to society consists in discovering the hidden power and binding isbakoacouTp den power and bringing it forth; turning unskilled labor into skilled. Nearly all of us live below the level of our best efficiency. The supreme hour comes when we are lifted out of ourselves by the force of a great power, a great anger, or a great ambition, a great love. A great longing creates strength that becomes many times greater. Nature shifts equilibrium to suit responsibility. We grow to meet the demands, and are given greater : power to meet greater responsibili- . ties. But we need the spur of incentive —then will come the opportunities, or we will make them. Opportunities are rich beyond dreams. Anyone can go as far as he wishes. Another powerful factor in bringing forth the hidden power of men is the loyalty to the individuality of our children —do not force them to do that : for which they are unfitted. Al ■ low them to expand according to their 1 individual ways. Do not think we ■ must all be alike. Hostility to “disference” is barbarism. Some man has 1 to be different. We can never tell • how a new type will spring into pow- ■ er and leadership. A sour, puckery » apple, may spring forth into a fruit ‘ of the richest flavor. Burbank grew ■ the best and most luscious “white” i blackberries from the bramble and 1 turned the thorny cactus into the ; richest of cattle foods. Christ knew ■ the possibilities of mankind and work . ed everything to end for the best de- ( velopment. He closed showing the , great influence of the teaching of the Christ in the bringing out of hidden powers of men. ( It has been long since a Decatur audience has had the opportunity to . hear an address of so great depth, r wisdom and strength. Vocal music rendered by a quartet, . comprising Dr. J. Q. Neptune, D. A. .Baumgartner, E. E. Rice and J. c.

Trltch, was a’ pleasing p art of I after service, this quart being summoned by encore. I Then came the presentation of ploraas by Professor E. E. Ri ce who supplemented this event with a Wel! I worded talk, congratulating the cUu upon having completed a very tant epoch in their lives, and their entry- into a new one but w . I pressing sorrow that the ties of a elation so pleasant, were about to be broken. The diplomas were in the new book form, with the high school colors of purple and gold finding ir . tistic suggestion in the covers. Then came an annual event of Importance, the presentation of "the spade,” with its suggestion of "dig," the presentation being made by the graduating class to their successors—the juniors of this year who will be seniors next year. The presentation was made in behalf of the seniors by their class president, Roy Jahn, in a neat little address, the spade being received by Charles Brodbeck, vice president of the juniors, who responded with an excellent talk. The benediction was pronounced by the Rev. D. O. Wise, of the Evangelical church, and thus the curtain went down upon the final chapter of the students in the life of the Decatur public schools, as students, to be carried out later, in what in every instance promises to be a rich and interesting sequel. After the exercises at the opera house, the invited guests repaired to the K. of P. Home, where the seniors tendered a reception to their many friends. — o— —— Adella, fourteen-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Ewel of Preble township, underwent an operation this morning for appendicitis, from which she has been a sufferer since last March. The operation was performed by the Drs. Clark, assisted by Dr. McOscar of Fort Wayne In itself the operation was a success, but several days will be needed before much encouragement can be given to her relatives and friends. Miss Emma Terveer still continues to improve and her condition is nowbecoming more encouraging and hopes for her recovery are more confidently believed. She is taking a little nourishment and her fever is more near the normal stand than several days previous. Mrs. J. E. Gresiey of Hoagland is gaining strength each day, and although her recovery is somewhat slow, she will regain her strength more speedily from now on. That Mr. Ellis will now recover to his former good health is becoming a more realized fact with the betterment of his condition shown each day. Thursday and today he was able to be up and around so as to witness the vanous Elks' parades and is feeling much stronger. It is thought that in ten days or something near that time he will be allowed to return heme.

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