Decatur Democrat, Volume 58, Number 9, Decatur, Adams County, 27 February 1913 — Page 1

Volume LVIII

COURT HOUSE NEWS Will Probated in 1880 Recorded for First Time Today. WAS AN OVERSIGHT Petition Filed to Change the Name of Lee & Stults Company. Adam J. Smith filed a petition asking that the will of T. A. Jelleff, which was probated July 14, 1880, but which through oversight was never recorded, be recorded now, and the order was made accordingly. The costs were adjudged against the petitioner. Attorneys C. J. Luts and L. C. DeVoss went to Alliance, Ohio, today on business relating to the taking of depositions of witnesses to be used in the claim of Mrs. Fensler against the John Woy estate. The depositions will be of witnesses for Mrs. Fensler. The claim is for an amount which she alleges is due her for the time Mr. Woy made his home with the Fenslers. _____ A petition was filed in the circuit court asking that the name of the Loe A Stults company be changed to the Lee Hardware company. The petition was filed by Wilson Lee, president, and Martin Miller, secretary, of the Lee & Stults company. They state they were authorized to ask for said change of name at a meeting of the directors of the said incorporated company, held Tuesday. D. B. Erwin is the attorney for the petitioners. Real estate transfers: Wm. Llnnemeier et al. to Gustave D. Koenemann, 80 acres, Preble tp., SIO,BOO. David E. Smih assumed jurisdiction as special judge in the guardianship and approved the final report of Ezra Archbold, guardian of Jonathan C. Archbold et al., whereupon the guardian was discharged from further liability in this cause. — In the matter of the claim of Chas. D. Porter vs. Silas W. Hale, administrator of the John A. Anderson estate, for $1,785.14, Peterson & Moran enter appearance for the plaintiff. The petition of Jessie A. Barkley, administrator of the estate of Curtis Andrew Barkley, to sell personal property at private sale, without notive, was granted. Sale is to be for not less taan appraisement, terms nine months or cash. o THE RECITAL TONIGHT. Many tickets have been sold for the recital at the Christian church this evening, but there is still room for more. The excellent program of readings and music will be given by the Misses Mabel Weldy and Osee Armstrong. The recital is for the benefit of the Ruth Circle of the Christian church. Fifteen cents for adults and ten for children. ATTEND TRACTION MEET. — ■— Albert Scheumann and Edwin Fledderjohann of the Fort Wayne & Springfield railway, are in Indianapolis attending a state meeting. Clarence Fledderjohann is serving as ticket *Bent at the local office during Mr. Scheumann’s absence. COOD GAMME FOR TONIGHT. The Ossian city basket ball team w ill play the Decatur City team this evening at the Porter hall. This will be one of the best games the city team has lined up for the season and it will fie a strong fight between the two teams to decide which one will carry off the honors. The Ossian team has lost only one game this season. Game will be called at 8:15 sharp. — BUSINESS WILL CHANGE. A business transaction, involving the selling of the interest of one of the Partners in one of Decatur’s business houses, Is under way, but as the par-, ties concerned have not yet agreed on the price, it will not be made known to the public until Saturday. At this time the contracts will be brought up an d signed, and the new member will step la.

Qbcatilr

GOES TO MARION, OHIO. i D. M. Hensley, who was prevented from leaving sooner, left this afternoon at 3 o’clock for Marion, Ohio, to be at the bedside of his mother, -Mrs. J. L. Hensley, wife of Dr. J. L. i Hensley. A telephone message last I evening brought the word that her condition remains about the same. On account of her great age, and the fact that she has undergone three operations in rapid succession, it is thought the chances for her recovery are slight. This morning, Mr. Hensley received a telegram from his sister-in-law, announcing that his brother, Dr. |G. B. Hensley of Bellaire, Ohio, underwent his operation successfully and is doing weell. SMOOTH GRAFTER Real Estate and Loan Dealers Warned to be on Lookout for a Grafter. BORROWED MONEY ' I ' On Forged Deed for Farm in Michigan—Reward of S4OO Offered for Him. Rea lestate dealers and money loaners are warned to be on the lookout for a sharper, a ’ man, but a smooth talker, represent-I , ing himself as a farmer, who is work- . ing a neat game. The one he pulled off near Kalamazoo, Mich, netted him the sum of $3,500, which he borrowed on a forged deed. He passes under 'the name of John H. Klein, and many other aliases, including John O’Brien, John Martin, John L. Butler, John ■ Hoover, H. G. Fisher. John Snyder, and others. The warning was receiv-, ed this morning by Sheriff Durkin and, Deputy Jesse Kelly, and also offering' the sum of S4OO for his capture and conviction. The man is about fifty-five years of ■ age, is five feet and ten inches in ■ height, and weighs about 190 pounds., I He has brownish eyes, is slightly hoi- ] 'low-chested, giving him the appear-, ance of being stoop-shouldered, has, dark hair streaked slightly with gray, i and when he wears a mustache, it! matches his hair. All efforts are be-! ing put forth by Ralph W. Chapman,. sheriff, of Kalamamazoo, Mich., to sc-. cure him. The way he works the game is this: He appeared at a little town twelve, miles from Kalamazoo, where he knew , there was a bank and also a notary public. He said he wanted to buy a farm for about SIO,OOO, and upon recommendation of the banker, selected one. He then asked for a notary public, as he wished to confer the power of attorney upon a person in his home town. He had his signature sworn to this effect, thus getting the signature of the notary and the notarial seal, and then asked the farmer to sign it as a witness, thus securing the signatures of all interested. He then got an old deed from the fanner, stating .that he wished to use it in looking up the abstract When he accomplished 'this it was very easy for him to forge the deed to himself. With this deed, he called on a money lender, to get $3,000 loan on the land, with which to make improvements. So impressed was the money lender that he finally agreed to loan him $8,500. This was secured by a mortgage. They then all 'went to the register of deeds, taking I the forged deed, the mortgage, etc., to 'get them recorded, after which the jcrook went to the bank, got his money and skipped out, to be seen no more. — APPLE BARREL STANDARD. Is Fixed by Congress—Becomes Effective July L ■ City sealers have received a copy of the new national law setting forth the dimensions and the requirements for a standard barrel of apples. The law, which becomes effective July 1 this year, says that the standard apple barrel shall be 26 inches between the heads, 64 Inches in circumference about the middle, outside measureament and the heads must be 17% 'inches in diameter. Such a barrel of apples, if hand-picked, may be labeled "standard,’’ but a fine of $1 and costs >ay be assested against anyone so marking a barrel that does not coniform with the law’s requirements.

STILL UNKNOWN Is Identity of Aged Man Found Paralyzed Along G. R. & I. Railroad. A MONTH AGO Is Helpless at Infirmary and Unable to Say Who He Is —Swears In English The aged man who was found paralyzed along the G. R. & I. railroad In this city a month ago, and was taken to the county infirmary for treatment, remains there still helpless and unidentified. His entire right side is helpless, both leg and arm being useless and it is nesecessary to feed him. The paralysis also affects his speech and his mind, and while he is able to speak a little, his talk is so rambling that nothing can be made of It. When asked what his name is, he does not seem to know the meaning of “name” and no defnite answer can be gotten from him. It is thought he is a foreigner of some kind, probably Polish. While very little can be understood, and be can speak very little English, he is able to swear in very plain English. No papers were on his person, 'that might lead to his identity, and (reports of his condition, and a description of him, printed in newspapers have failed to bring any clue as to his indentity. He is undoubtedly the man who came to Portland . from Ft. Recovery, Ohio, and who stated his home was near Detroit or ; Grand Rapids, Michigan or Milwaukee. ,It is said he also told some he had a son in Fort Wayne. As there is also a Fort Wayne near Detroit, it ( may be probably that that is the place. Martin Laughlin, superintendent of | , the county infirmary who was in the 1 city yesterday afternom, stated that l the man seems to be improving, and lit is quite likely that he will regain his faculties and be able to give an account of himself. COLD WAVE DUE Drop of Ten Degrees Above Zero Promised for Tonight and Tomorrow. A MEXICAN REBEL Leader Reported on Way to Capital to Sign a Peace Agreement. Indianapolis, Ind., Feb. 26 —(Special to Daily Democrat.)—-A cold wave covering Indiana is predicted for tonight and tomorrow by the weather bureau. A drop to ten degrees above zero is to be looked for. Washington, Feb. 26.(—Special to Daily Demcorat)—Beginning today on his last seven days as chief executive , of the United States, President Taft faced the most arduous official and social program of any tin\e of his term. His engagement book has been filled and every minute of his time has been allotted in advance. Two problems of importance face the president: , the re-organization of the customs ser- . vice and action which must be taken by Thursday on the Webb bill prohibiting illegal shipment of liquor into dry territory. Mexico City, Feb. 26 —(Special to Daily Democrat.)—General Zapapa, rebel leader is enroute today to this city to sign a peace agreement, was the report given out by the government. Should he agree to support the Huerta government it will be considered as a great step taken toward the pacification of the country, but on the other hand should he refuse he will probably be arrested and executed. ■ - r -1 Chicago, 111., Feb. 26—(Special to Daily Democrat.) —That Beatrice Ryall will turn state’s evidence against her husband, Charles Conway, who is being tried for the murder of Sophia Singer here October 28, was a possi-

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday February, 27 1913.

blllty today. The state is said to have obtained evidence that Conway and the Ryall woman were never legally married and on the strength of leniency offered her she will undoubtedly turn state’s evidence. o ANOTHER SCHOOL HOUSE. For Blue Creek Township—Two Erected by Mr. Wechter. i Oscar Hoffman, architect, is preparing plans for a new school house to be erected by Trustee Frank Wechter of Blue Creek township, in district number one, in the near future. It will bo just like the jchool house for which the contract was let last Friday by Mr. Wechter. for district number five. Mr. Hoffman also made those plans. The contract will probably be let some time during March. MUST HAVE GATES The Ordinance for Gates and Watchmen at Every Crossing Soon in Effect. WEEK FROM TODAY ——T Provides Heavy Fine for, Each Day—Absolute Protection in City. According to an ordinance which passed third and final readings at the, ( last session of the city council and | ’official notice of which appears elsewhere in this issue, each of the railroads passing through this city will after two weeks’ notice has been given ■ by publication, be required to place gates at every crossing in the city and , to maintain at each place a watchman, whose duty it will be to lower | the gate as a train approaches and ( . raise it after train hits passed. The ■ , ordinance provides that this must be done from 6 o’clock in the morning/ until 10 o’clock at night and further provides that a fine of from ten to twenty-five dollars for each day they i refuse or fail to do, shall be imposed. The final notice will be published in , this paper, one week from today, and as the ordinance privides, it will then be in full force and effect. While it. will be an expensive improvement for .the railroads, it will guarantee safety to the travelers to and from this city and will no doubt prevent many accidents. O__ NEW MOVE MADE Van Wert, Ohio, Feb. 24—Everything now indicates that the trial of Ralph Hoover, charged with murder: in the first degree—the slaying of his young wife—will be one of the greatest legal battles ever fought in the courts of the county. The counsel for the defense is not losing an opportunity to strengthen their case, making every objection and taking every exception that the law permits, so that in the case of defeat they may ask for a new trial dr carry the case to a higher court fortified by every protection the law affords. The defense fileda motion in court that they be furnished with the evidence taken in the case before the grand jury. This action is without precedent in the courts. Hoover’s attorneys claim that the recent grand jury made a further investigation of the case, after having returned an Indictment for the gravest crime on the calendar, without the warrant of the law; that witnesses were summoned, and evidence secured after the investigation was legally at an end so far as the grand pury was concerned. - IN MEMMORY OF JAMES HUBER SMITH, (By Mrs. J. D. Hale) My baby’s dead: And is that all? Will I not in a fair land, Feel again the touch of his loving hand? Oh! tell me. Will I not sometime, somehow, know And love him as I loved him here below? Speak, oh, my soul?* That I may hear, will he know me In that great Beyond we cannot see? Oh, Father God, We wait and trust mid hope and fears, Leaving all with thee while we dry our tears. Feb. 25, 1913.

BUSINESS CHANGE W. H. Lee Buys Interest of W. H. Stults in Lee & Stults Hardware Co. TWO NEW MEMBERS In Firm—Messrs. Miller and Amspaugh Purchase Stock in New Company. After pending for several weeks, a business deal was consummated Tuesday evening whereby W._H. Lee, of the Lee-Stults Hardware company, purchased the interest and stock of his partner, W. H. Stults, who entered the firm shortly after the death of Mr. Laman, a, year ago. During the short time that Mr. Stults has been connected with the firm he has made manv friends who will greatly regret to learn of him disposing of his business relations in the city. Just what future course he will pursue has not been made public at this time. After the dissolution of the firm of Lee, Stults & Co. Tuesday evening, Mr. Lee then sold stock to Martin Miller and Peter Amspaugh. Both Mr. Miller and Mr. Amspaugh have been connected with the company in the capacity of darks for some time and are thoroughly versed in all the details of the hardware business and will add greatly to the competence of the firm. Mr. Lee, ’the senior partner, has been connected with the hardware business during his entire business career, being employed by the original company, J. S. Bowers & Co., which was organized in [l9Ol, and no business man in Adams I county is better known or better liked than is Mr. Lee. A petition has been ‘ entered before the court to change the name of the company from the Lee & Stults company to the Lee Hardware I Co., under which name the firm will ! probably be known in the future. j o 1 L. W. Tague and daughter, Hazel, 1 of Willshire, Ohio, went to Ft. Wayne ’this morning. THE HOME TALENT . “All a Mistake” Will be Presented at Willshire Under Auspices of I. O. O. F. TUESDAY, MARCH 4TH Was Presented in Decatur Last Month and Made a Decided Hit. The production of “All a Mistake,” : which was presented in the city by a cast of local talent and which made a ' decided hit several weeks ago under the auspices of the fire department, has been secured by the department to give the play at Willshire on Tuesday, March 4. The I. O. O. F. lodge of that city has accepted the proposition of the firemen to give the play under their auspices and it is sure to make a big success. The play is considered the best local production ever presented in the city, every member of the cast being a favorite in home talent productions. Remember the good cause, the firemen’s convention, here next June; then boost it along to the best of your ability. Many of the boosters in Decatur will accompany the cast to Willshire next Tuesday. o MAKING MAPLE SYRUP. Spring is here Sap is beginning to run. Ed Macy, one of the postal clerk force, was off duty today, spending the day at the home of his brother-in-law, Mr. Lewellyn, near Monroe, where the making of syrup is in order. Milt substitute clerk, was working in his place. o - NOTICE TO RED MEN. All members of the Improved Order of Red Men requested to meet at the hall at 7:30 o’clock this evening. Business of Importance Is to be transacted.

WILLIAM BAUGHMAN WILL. The last will and testament of William Baughman was filed for probate this afternoon In the Allen circuit court. The document provides that Judge iR. K. Erwin, asexecutor, sell all the stock held by the deceased in the Decatur telephone company, and the cash received, with the cash on hand, shall be divided among the children, one-half to a daughter, Mary Pittman, and the other half to be divided between William and Irene Tague, Lucy Douglas, Adelema Weaver and the children of a deceased son, Arkinson Baughman. All personal property goes to Mary Pittman, and she is to pay funeral and other expenses.—Fort Wayne Sentinel. ABOUT THE SICK —. . . ..... - Ed Fulton Falls Off Lumber Pile and Dislocates His Ankle. SLIGHTLY BETTER Is Mrs. Dan Railing—Jesse Christen Brought from t Fort Wayne. Mrs. Aaron Devinney received a card Tuesday morning from her niece,' Mrs. Charles Ault, of Ossian, saying that if she wished to see her little daughter, Christine, alive to come at one. The baby had had the measles, which developed into double pneumonia. The child’s father died from the same ailment about a year ago. ■ The baby is two years old, and iff the youngest of the four Ault children. A (telephone message was received about 12 o’clock Tuesday afternoon from another niece, Mrs. Nettie Leppers, saying that the babe had rallied, and was , holding her own fairly well. — Ed Fulton, in the employ of the Smith & Bell Lumber company, fell : , from a pile of lumber at the yards (Tuesday afternoon at 3 o'clock in such away that his ankle was dislocated. ■ j Dr. C. S. Clark made him as comfort- i (able as possible, but the injury is a I painful one and he will be confined to ; his home on Thirteenth street for some time. . ,' Dr. S. K. Christy, James Sapp, B. i Baumgartner of Willshire, Ohio, and Mr. and Mrs. O. M. Stewart of east . of the city went to Fort Wayne th'.s morning to be with Mrs. James Sapp, who was operated upon this morning at the Lutheran hospital for the removal of a fibroid tumor. Dr. Christy i had charge. Mrs. Sapp is a sister of Mr. Baumgartner and Mrs. Stewart. John Christen went to Fort Wayne Tuesday evening to accompany bis son, Jesse, to this city. He became ill Tuesday with stomach trouble and suffered a slight hemorrhage of the (stomach. He was brought here last .evening on the 8 o’clock car and this ' morning was reported as being better, being able to take and retain nourishment. He has been employed at ; the drug store of his brother, Harry Christen, at Fort Wayne. ji 'i Mrs. Flo Straubinger Passwaters of Willshire, Ohio, well known here, is recovering from a three weeks’ siege of appendicitis. She has had several attacks and it may ultimately be nec- ] essary to undergo an operation. j, — Mrs. Dan Raliiing, who was stricken with paralysis last week, at the home . of her daughter, Mrs. John Vail, is i slowly ismroving. She is able to sit up at times, but is in a semi-helpless condition. j i Mrs. F. E. France called on her bus- : band In the Fort Wayne hospital Ahis ; morning. She reports that he is getting along very well and is now able to sit up a little. |i _o j1 HUNTINGTON VS. DECATUR. — Central College Team Coming Over To Play Friday. The Huntington 'Central College basket ball team, a “classy” team of clean and swift record, will come over Friday evening to play the Decatur high school team. They expect to turn Decatur’s good luck into their own channels, and the local boys are prepared to put up a stiff fight I

Number 9

DOINGS IN SOCIETY Rev. Rilling Entertains the Members of His Sunday School Class. THE ORIENT CLUB i — And Husbands Royally Entertained—Frances Willard Day. Cease to lament for that thou canst not help, Anti study help for that which thou | lament’st, —Shakespeare, The Two Gentlmen of Verona. WEEK’S SOCIAL SALENDAR. Wednesday. St. Vincent de Paul —Mrs. Joe Tonnelier. Shakespeare—Mrs. D. M. Hensley. Thursday. Presbyterian Aid —Mrs. Jacob Atz. FRIDAY Eastern Star Anniversary—Masonic Hall. ' One of the best times in many , months for the Rebekahs was enjoyed Tuesday evening when the officers .who recently entered upon duty, entertained the other members of the lodge. A portion of the time was given over to drill work as an invitation has been reveived by the Decatur Rebekahs from the Fort Wayne lodge to be their guests and to exemplify the work there. The local order recently entertained the Fort Wayne lodge here, and the invitation from them is an exchange of hospitality. Then several contests were given. In a recollection contest, in which twen-ty-five objects were brought in and placed on a table for inspection, then removed and a certain time given for writing a list from memory. Miss Nina Wagner won honors in remembering the greatest number. Partners for the luncheon which was served at the little tables in the dining room, were gotten in a unique way. Slips of paper on which were written names of prominent or well known people and their wives were passed, and the pairs thus formed were partners for the luncheon. Among the names given out were those of Mr. and Mrs Tatt, Mr. and Mrs. Roosevelt, Mr. and Mrs. George Syphers, and others. Speeches were made by several characteristic, characteristic of the person he or she represented. The officers who served as hostesses were: Mrs. Amos Yoder, Mrs. Emma Hunsicker, Mrs. Dr. Miller, Mrs. Mel Butler, Mrs. E. M. Wagner, Mrs. John Lenhart, Mrs. John Bolinger, the Misses Iva Teeple, Florine Edwards, Nell and Jessie Winnes. ! The Frances Willard Memorial service by the Woman's Christian Temperance Union at the home of Mrs. C. S. Colter Tuesday, was of great interest to the forty ladies attending, a splendid meeting resulting. The service had been intended for Miss Willard’s birthday anniversary, February 17th, but was postponed from that date on account of conflicting things. At this time a sum for the morial fund was raised, also. Miss Ruth Baltzell gave a very good paper, a biography of the life of this wonderful woman. This was follewed by a talk by Mrs. Mary Eley, who had the pleasure of visiting Miss Willard’s home last spring. The home is in Evanston, 111., and is named "(Rest Cottage.” This was willed iby Miss Willard to her sister-in-law, and to a life-long friend, vice presi-dent-at-large of the W. C. T. U. She personally conducted Mrs. Eley over the home and minutely described it to Mrs. Eley, who had one of the most , charming visits she ever enjoyed. Mrs. Dr. Neptune and Mrs. Eugene Runyon each sang appropriate solos, and a fine temperance talk was given by Mrs. T. W. Holsapple. Mrs. John Niblick, who is president of the sojciety, outlined the work of the order (and rallied all to the cause, and urged an adoption of the city’s motto, “We Can and Will.” Mrs. Harry Helm and Mrs. M. P. Burdg united Tuesday evening in a very hospitable entertainment of the Orient club ladies and their husbands. Other guests were Dr. and Mrs. Fred Patterson and Mr. and Mrs. Herb Lachot As 7 o’clock a dinner in three courses was served a(id with the removal of the very appetizing repast, I (OMittoaei. as Page 3)