Decatur Democrat, Volume 56, Number 47, Decatur, Adams County, 23 November 1911 — Page 1

Volume LVI

ACTION IS TAKEN ! i School Board Today Arranged to Refund $11,500 Is- i 1 I sue of School Bonds. THE COUNCIL AGREES Controversy is Settled—New Building ImpossibleOther Arrangements. The Decatur school board has arranged to take up the $11,500 issue of bonds, and this will be done at once, the idea being to make SI,OOO due each year until ail are paid. This will settle the controversy which has been on for several months between the board and the city council as to who should take them up under the law. The bonds were issued in 1894 for the building of the South Ward school building and were made due in sixteen years. The school board desired to build a new school building next year, and in fact there is a dire neces-, sity for such an improvement, as with: the annual increase in the number of students, in all the grades and particu- ■ larly in the high school, it is a question that will not be easy to solverthe taking care of the pupils. However, the matter became complicated and concerned greatly both the board and the council, whose only desire was to do the right thing, and please their constituents. The matter came to a focus a few days ago when City Attorney DeVoss tiled a suit against the school board demanding that they take up the bonds. After much reflection, viewing the matter from every point, they finally decided to do so, provided the city council in regular session, should so ask them. Such action was unanimously taken Tuesday night and today the board began the work of reissuing the bonds. The school board seems to have acted wisely, there being several reasons why they should take this action. In the first place a law suit might be a long and tedious and expensive affair, which would be serious to both the school board and council, as well as to the people. The two bodies had agreed on a friendly suit to test the matter, but it might have required the; supreme court decision to settle the matter. Another thing which caused the board to fake the action they did is the fact that they can refund the bonds at four per cent, while the city would have had to pay five, a saving to the taxpayers of $1,250. With the present effort of every one in Decatur to get together, to avoid factions and to do those things for the best interests of all the board decided as they did, and we feel that they are entitled to the support, of the people and taxpayers of Decatur. As to taking care of the pupils for next year, this will be done in some way ajt the proper time. The increase in population is expected to be in the north part of town. The North Ward school was built with the idea that in the future more room might be neces- i sary and it can be doubled in size at a small expense. This will likely be done next year and the schools will be held up to their present high standard. At best if the board were to try to build now' they could only erect a very ordinary building. The present school board believes that when a new building is erected it should be good j enough for ialf a century to come. It will be several yehrs before they can do this, and It will take some figuring to get along until that time and retain our high school commission, but it will be done in some manner or other. Most people will at least rejoice < over the fact that the matter is settled and without a suit in court. - IMPORTANT MEETING. At the regular prayer service at the Christian church this evening, an important matter will 1 be brought up for consideration. The attendance of all members and those interested in the church work, are requested. PYTHIAN SISTERS' DINNER. Be sure to go to the K. of P. <ome tomorrow, Thursday, to get a good chicken pot-pie dinner and supper. See the menu elsewhere in this paper.

Ü b c at dß Q EM 4r.

HAS TAKEN THE FORD AGENCY. I John H, Stewart, the well known linotype operator at this office, has eccepted the agency for the Ford automobile for this section of the county. The Ford Is without doubt the best car on the market for the money and Mr. Stewart expects to dispose of a number of them during the next year. The five passenger car, complete, with top and windshield, and all other accessories, sells for S7OO. If Interested see or write Mr. Stewart. COURT HOUSE NEWS 1 Today is the Second Anniversary of Hon. J. T. Merryman's Judgeship THE GRAND JURY Still Grinding—Action Taken in Several Civil and Probate Matters. Monday was the 2nd anniversary ot the day Judge j! T. Merryman took the bench of the Adams circuit i court, his term Peing thus just half ; expired. | Inventory number one of Fred C. ; Buuck, administrator of the Ernst s Buuck estate, was approved. — j The case resulting from claim of money in the guardianship of Perry F. , Miller, has been set for trial Friday, November 24th. The Kalamazoo National Bank vs. Coppock Motor Car Co., on note, demand, $450. Demurrer, separate and several, overruled. Separate and several exceptions by plaintiff. Henry Bittner vs. Christian Bittner, appointment of guardian. Answer filed by prosecuting attorney; answer filed by clerk. Elizabeth A. Nix vs. Daniel P. Overhulser et al., cause dismissed and costs paid. The grand jury, which entered into session Monday morning is still grinding away. It is thought it will finish its work this week. x Edward A. Kirchner vs. Bertha Kirchner et al., possession and damages, S2OO. Motion by plaintiff to ■ strike out part of defendant’s crosscomplaint overruled. Exceptions, and ten days granted plaintiff to file said exceptions. Demurrer to cross-com-plaint filed. Rebecca Eady, administrator, vs. City of Decatur, damages, SIO,OOO. Answer in one paragraph filed. True & Runyon vs. William Worden, on note, $l5O. Judgment on note for $141.25. Costs against defendant. In the matter of the receivership of I the Adams County Publishing company, an intervening'petition was filed by J. Bruce Patterson, by J. C. Patterson, his next friend, asking that his claim of $150.70 against the company for labor peiformed by him be allowed as a preferred claim. Marriage license: Grace Lindsey, born November 7, 1890, daughter of John Albert Lindsey, of Linn Grove, to wed Herman Breininger, farmer, born August 9, 1889, son of Lewis Breininger, of Wells county. Real estate transfers: Nelson S. Fuhrman to David Fuhrman et al., realty in Monroe, $100; Hattie D. Reddout to Michael J. O’Hara et al., lot 404, Geneva, $850; Evans J. Price et al. Almira R.Price, lot 170, Geneva, quit claim deed, $L “WOLF” WAS A DOG. The party of hunters who organized to go out and shoot a “wolf” that had been terrorizing the east vicinity, after a delayed trip, went out Tuesday and shot the beast, which proved to be somebody’s old gray dog that had roamed away from home, sleeping n the corn fodder and other wild places far from the "haunts of men, until it became almost wild. It was found the chickens and other poultry killed recently were killed by a skunk, which had been later rundown under a barn, and that the wolf-dog was innocent of the blood of the poultry, as at' first charged against him.

TAKELARGECROWD j m ■» a < Yeomen Are All Prepared to Confer Degree Work I Upon Ft. Wayne Class. 1 ON MONDAY EVENING ' ■ Many to Accompany Team and a Special Car May be Chartered. i Not for some time have the Yeomen enjoyed a more sociable as well as profitable evening as the one of Tuesday, when they met for the purpose to complete arrangements for their going to Fort Wayne on next Monday evening, November 27th, when they, will confer work upon a class of candidates of the Fort Wayne lodge. If a' sufficient number can be secured they will charter a special car and if not they will leave on the 6 o'clock car over the interurban, so as to be in I good time for the evening’s entertain- j ment. The Fort Wayne lodge, which j extended to them the invitation to. confer the work has conferred upon the home lodge a favor, and for which they greatly appreciate. Ever since they received the word they have been putting in a great deal of practice and are in a better shape than ever before, fend expect to merit the esteem of the neighboring lodge in which they are held. A number have already responded, that they will attend and they will be largely represented on the occasion of the happy event. o ATTEND EVANGELISTIC SERVICES I Rev. J. M. Dawson, G. T. Burke and E. H. Shoemaker of the Christian church went to Huntington Tuesday noon, remaining for the evening evangelistic services conducted there by the Fife Evangelistic company. They report a very good meeting. AFTER MANY DAYS > . Steamship Michigan Lands in New York—Mr. J. M. Frisinger on —, M HIS NATIVE SHORE' I Again—Ship Came in Last Night—Twenty-two Days on the Water. ■ The anxiety of several days felt by the members of the firm of Frisingbr & Sprunger, the well known importers of Belgian horses, over the nonarrival of the ship, “The Michigan,” on which J. M. Frisinger left October 31, with twenty-two fine Belgian horses for the company's stables here, Was relieved here Wednesday, when M. Bowen of the local office, received a telegram from B. B. Teeple, from New York City, announcing that the steamship arrived in New York harbor Tuesday night. The voyage has been a long and stormy one, the vessel having been twenty-two uays on tne water, whereas the regular trip under usual circumstances, requires but seventeen. Mr. Frisinger has been several months in Belgium, buying the horses for importation here, and left Antwerp, Belgium, instead ot Hamburg, Germany, as stated Tuesday, October 31st, sail- ' ing for the United States. Mr. Teeple, one of the company’s men, has been in New York City a week, anxiously awaiting hourly and daily, the arrival of the ship, which was due here November 14th. , TAKEN ILL. ’ I Josh Krick, an employee of the Krick & Tyndall tile mill, was suddenly taken ill at the factory while at work the other day, and it was necessary for his companions to assist him home. A physician was called and ( he became better, being able to resume his work the next day.

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday Nov, 23 1911.

- FROM SISTER’S BEDSIDE. ' L. T. Brokaw, who on Saturday last, was called to Indianapolis on account of the serious illness of his sister, L Mrs. Sarah Williams, who suffered a stroke of paralysis, returned home Tuesday evening and stilted that he found his sister just as the telegram read. Her entire left side Is afflicted and she Is helpless, and at the leaving of Mr. Brokaw she still remained in . a very low’ condition, and the physl-1 cian stated that she might live six | months or she may pass away at any j moment. , ONCE A PUPIL I i I Os Ed Christen in the High School Near Petersburg Was Edward Stibbins WHO IS NOW held! i I i Near Vincennes for Probable Implication in Murder of Father. — " i (United Press Service.) Vincennes, Ind., Nov. 22 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —Edward Stibbins, the Indiana university graduate, accused of the killing of his father from ambush, with either revolver or rifle, Wednesday made a statement regarding the case since he has been arrested and in prison here. “Though , things now look decidedly against me, I am not guilty of the murder of my father,” said Stibbins. "The newspa- ( per accounts have greatly exaggerated things, and when I tell them what I know I am sure that things will appear in an altogether different light.” Slater Edward Stibbens, aged 31, of near Vincennes, who is in jail charged with Implication in the murder of his father, George W. Stibbins, the wealthy farmer living near Vincennes, who was found dead Saturday evening with a bullet wound in his head, and whose funeral was held Tuesday, was at one time a student in a country high school near Petersburg, taught by Ed Christen, now a teacher in the Decatur schools. After St'jbbins’ graduation from the school taught by Mr.. 1 Christen, Stibbins attended the state | 1 normal at Terre Haute and also the, state university at Bloomington, and | ’later became'a high school teacher at, ; Elwood and Montpelier. Ray Stib-' I bins, his brother, was also a pupil of 1 Mr. Christen. The father was murdered* Friday night in his horse lot, aiid I the bullet wound in his head, it is said, | was not made by the revolver found near the scene. It is said conditions! I , i show that tne shot was fired at a distance of no more than two or three feet. Foot-prints were shown, and it is said will be used in trailing the murderer. These foot-prints, it is said, correspond to those of Edward Stibbins, the son, and lead apparently from the direction of his home. He is in jail, held until an investigation leading to the apprehension of the • murderer can be made. An Elwood dispatch says: “Edward Stibbins, the alleged patricide, now being held at Vincennes and charged with the murder of his father, was employed as science and history teacher in the local high school for several years, leaving here in the middle of the 1909 term to take charge of his father’s farm near Vincennes. The news of the murder and his arrest has aroused one of the greatest sensations the Elwood schools have ever experienced. While here, Stibbins was known for his morose temperament, and is said to have been one of the most unpopular teachers the school has ever had, yet he was prominent in church work.” DR. HOLLOWAY BETTER. i A card received by Mrs., C. J. Weaver, Wednesday, from Branson, Mis-j souri, from Mrs. Bertha Winch, 1 brings the good news that her mother, J Dr. Marie L. Holloway, until three years ago a resident of this city, who has been dangerously ill with Bright's disease, has rallied and is very much better. Dr. Holloway is, however, still bedfast, and it is thought the improve- ! ment is only temporary, and that there are no hopes for a final recov- ' et ’y- ®

TIME FOR PLOWING Mr. Wagner Urges the Farmer to Get Busy on Beet Ground at Once. —1 IT WILL PAY YOU Tile the Low Spots—Agriculturist Offers Few Suggestions to Farmers. In an interview with a representative of the Democrat Tuesday evening Mr. E. M. Wagner, field manager for the Holland-St. Ixiuis Sugar company, said: “The prospects for a big crop of sugar beets in Adams county during 'the year 1912 certainly looks bright. I The acreage will be large and the interest already manifested by the farm--1 ers assures a good crop. There are, however, some suggestions I would I tike to make at this time, that if followed. will save them much work next ‘ spring. The most important thing 1 just now is the plowing. This should be done at once, especially on sod 'grounds that you expect to put in beets. Plow deep. You can’t get too deep, and the labor thus spent will come tack to you when you harvest. Along the low lands, open the farrows so the water can get off and so the ground will warm more quickly in the spring. If there are any low spots in the field you intend to plant in beefs you should if possible put in shor rows of tile to the big tile, thus preparing for a season similar to the past one when we had so much rain. 'You can do much now to make your first year’s crop of beets a success, and you should remember that in the beet crop the same as in all others, the farmer who farms in a systematic manner is the successful one. I expect to return to Decatur within a month to remain permanently and will from time to time be glad to offer any suggestions that will aid the farmer in raising a big crop of beets.” ' Q " ■■ ■ ■ DRY VOTERS CALL I Convention to be Held at i Tomlinson Hall, on Tuesday, December sth. I I OPPOSE THE SALOON Will Demand That Party Organizations Express Themselves. Notice of a ’ Call for a non-partisan convention of temperance voters” has been received here, the meeting to be held in the form of a mass and delegate convention at Tomlinson hall, Indianapolis, on the afternoon and evening of December sth. The call says the convention is not for the purpose of organizing a new political party, nor for embarassing the old ones, but to enable the people to devise ways and means for making an effective demand that the parties shall express the convictions of the great body of the people of Indiana on the saloon issue. Delegates and alternates are to be selected from each county in the state. The call was issued as the result of a meeting of about 200 temperance workers and is signed by several hundred Indiana men, including from this county, J. N. Parrish. Decatur, and Fred Roher, Jesse Rupp and E. A. Luginbill of Berne. The call says this convention will be the most important one held in Indiana since the civil war and calls upon every enemy of the saloon, men and women to be present. FRACTURED RIBS. I Fred Bauman, an employee of the Krick & Tyndall tile factory, had the misfortune to slip while at his work, falling against a hay rack in such a way that three ribs were broken. He will’ probably not be able to work' until February Ist. Mr. Bauman was married quite recently, and is now living in this city, until spring, when he will move to his farm southwest of Monroe.

TO SOLDIERS’ HOME. Lewis Brighton, a veteran, was tak en to the soldier's home at Marlon and placed in the hospital for treatment '; for Bright’s disease. Robert Blackburn accompanied Mr. Brighton to the home and saw him properly cared for. Mr. Brighton has been making his .home for the past year at the Park house in this city and is well known to many here. He lived at one time in Geneva, and was also a druggist in several Ohio states, during his life. THE TOLL OF DEATH Joseph A. Meyers Succumbed I -j This Morning After Six t . Weeks’ Illness. f MR. HENRY BERNING n '' Was Also Called to Reward i- >. —Jacob C. Johnston And i- other Victim, t .... , . „ I .1* ' d After an illness of nearly six weeks, the last two of which he was continu- " ously bedfast, Joseph A. Meyers, one o >1 of the prominent farmers of the connt. ty? residing three miles west of the s city, answered to the summons of e deat at 6:45 Wednesday morning, p after enduring an iimeas, which since n o I Sunday, had been a most baffling one, and the end since then had been expected. The first dawn of his illness e was in the taking of chills, and he, not ( thinking of the seriousness at the time came to this city for medical attention. He was at once advised to re e pair to his home, he already having a high fever, and shortly afterward ty- .’ phoid fever wended its way in, his I condition becoming worse fronj day to „ day and the assistance of a nurse it I] made necessary. Although his condiy \ tion was serious he did not take to .. his bed until two weeks ago. and since X I then the closest attention was neces sary both day and night. On Sunday last he took a turn for the worse and a second nurse was necessary. For a • while on Sunday he rested much eas ier, and stated to those caring for him ! that he felt better than for some j- time. On Monday he still continue: serious, and in addition to the high I fever which he had, pneumonia set in, ( and it was at once seen that there was. | no hope for him, as the condition of I his heart was also very weak, and i death relieved him at the above stater I i hour. He was born in this county fifty ' four years ago the thirtieth of last Aui gust, and his whole life was spent in i this county. Four years this coming ! February he was wedded to Miss Eli/. ; abeth Spuller, who with two brothers and three sisters survives. They are i Bernard H. and John S. Meyers. Mrs. i John Tonnelier, Mrs. Anthony Voglewede, all of this county, and Mrs. n \ Theresa Plock of Fort Wayne. The s | funeral will be held Saturday morning at 9 o’clock, standard time, from the St. Mary’s church. Interment will be »- I made at the St. Joseph cemetery. i-; '-1 Jacob C. Johnston, for many years s ■ a well t.nown far ier of the county, e ; but who has beer, living a retired life for some time, being until three or t four years ago a resident of North s , Tenth St., this city, died Wednesday morning at 7 at his home in Pleass 1 ant Mills. Mr. Johnston had been ails ing with heart trouble, but had been ti up and around until Monday, when he o became worse. Mr. Johnston was e near the age of four-score years, and leaves a wife, Eleonore, and > three children. The children are y s Frank Johnston of this city, Florence I-! Starkweather of Newark, Ohio, and !-! Lee Johnston of Columbus, Ohio. The P j daughter arrived today noon, but the II funeral arrangements will not be made t until the son, Lee, is heard from. e- - Henry Berning, one of the promin nent farmers of Adams county, resid ing a mile and a half west of Bingen, passed dw'ay at 11 Wednesday, after a long illness from dropsical compli i cations. He has been ailing four or e i five years, but became worse Sunday, e | since when his decline has been rapid, t, He was about seventy-five years of a age. Mr. Berning is survived by his e widow and the following children: i- William Berning of Hoagland, John s Berning, east of Williams; Mrs. Henry ,- Rodenbeck, of near this city; Mrs. e Lawrence Koenemann of Preble townif ship; George, at home, and a son, Fer- ' dinand, residing in Wisconsin.

CITY COUNCIL MET • Bill ' It is Up to the School City to Issue the Matured School Bonds. ORDER WATCHMAN I 3el : Uf_d on Clever. Leaf do Not Give Required Service —Allow Bills. A brief but interesting session of the common council was engaged in Tuesday evening by the city officials, allall members responding to the roll call and the meeting was presided ' over by the honorable mayor. The 1 most important work of the evening 1 was the matter calling tor the refundII ing of the school bonds of the South 'Ward school building, which matured |on July Ist, and since which time ■ there has been considerable dispute as to who was to reissue them. The ■ council, which some meetings previous j had taken steps for the refunding of '; same, and which was vetoed by the 1 ! maj’or, saying that it was not a city e ! debt but a school city debt, and owi- ■ ing to the controversy which arose e ' therefrom was taken to Court by the ( city, and asking the school city to suing of the bonds, would pay the in- ’’, Councilman Hale made a motion that e | the city, in consideration of the is- >, suine of the bonds, would pay the in- :- terest from the time of maturity which s ' was July Ist, until the date of sale, t. which will be within a short while. A i: ' petition signed by a number of propi- erty owners asked that a sewer be s ' constructed in the south part of the t city and which would be of great benefit to a large number of people. This s was placed in the hands of the street j and sewer committee, which will report at the next regular meeting. Another petition with the names of many . citizens attached, asked that the Clover Leaf railroad be ordered to place a watchman on Thirteenth street, as the bell signal which they now have I in use does not give the necessary i protection which they wish and is to a certain extent a menace to Aie traveling public. They claim that the automatic bell, which is being used at the present time, sounds the alarm if switching is being done in the yards, and at numerous times they are forefed to wait, and not being able to see a train, have to get out of their rigs II and look where it is, and cjuite often the trains do not intend to pass the .crossing. Councilman Chronister deemed that while the bells were In i use on several other streets and were ; t not giving the best of service, he be- ' lieved he would make a motion that s would include the different strfeets. . The motion was that the clerk notify . the, Toledo, St. Louis & Western railroad company to take down the bells which are now in use on Eleventh and Thirteenth streets and that they place ; a watchman on these two streets and the Erie one on Eleventh street, the ? latter to serve for both roads as the crossings are near enough for one man to care for the business of both - roads, the same to be done within , thirty days. The interurban company is to be notified by the clerk to look i after their right-of-way along Chestnut and Russell streets, and to fill ■ with gravel or stone the holes which ; have come there since the last repairs were made. The purchasing committee was authorized to buy a claim and allowance docket to be used •’ by the clerk. Sam Franks, who is .’ serving as merchant policeman, filed i the names of thirty-eight business men who had signed his petition to ‘, serve as watchman, which were order--1 ed to be placed on record as was the one which he previously filed with the -; city council. The following bills were then allowed: John W. Coffee $ 16.99 Lucy J. Gregory 40.00 National Mill & Supply Co. ... 12.20 ,' D. F. Teeple 9.41 1 : John Sprague 13.50 ■ | Lewis Hammond 14.50 1 Wesley Hitchcock 20.00 W. J. Archbold 3.25 First National Bank 11.25 U Ft. Wayne Electric Works.... 26.62 - Protective Electric Supply Co.. 43.84 O. E. Bakdr 50.20 Electric Appliance Co 25.25 > i Dominion Coal Co 16.16 Victoria Coal Co 42.04 i Wm. Burford 37.50 ■ Ft. Wayne Oil t 0.... 4.75 1 Lacbot & Rice 3,70 ) V .

Number 47