Democratic Press, Volume 1, Number 4, Decatur, Adams County, 8 November 1894 — Page 1

THE DEMOCRATIC PRESS.

VOLUME I.

Tite Ernst celebrated his 49th birthday last Wednesday. Barney Ford was in town Wednesday looking pleasant, even smiling. That’s funny. Robt. Maloney, ex-marshal of Decatur, was a caller at the Press office Monday, and enrolled his name on our subscription list. Sam Sim son, C. Yoder and Postmaster Michaud, all of Berne, with a number of their friends pleasantly called on us last Saturday. Religious services at the various churches throughout the city Sabbath were largely attended and enjoyed by those who braved the storms of the day. Dick Townsend of the Hotel Randall; Fort Wayne, was viewing his familiar stamping ground here Monday. DicK Ims been on the sick list, but now bears evidence of ultimate recovery. Congressman Martin and wife went home to Bluffton Monday, the former being confined here sick at the Hotel Miesse for over two weeks. They were entertained at the home of Judge Studebaker Sunday. Montpelier, Blackford County, was the scene of a murder last week participated in by RasShields w ho choked to death James Young. The affray occurred in a restaurant. The murderer is in the Hartford City jail under a SI,OOO bond, being held for manslaughter. Our circuit court convened Mon -; day, and after attending to some; preliminary bnsinessadjourned until Wednesday. Deputy clerk' Burt Lenhart is tilling his capacity as clerk of the court in his usual[ happy manner. The docket is exceptionally light this term. You will find elsewheie a list of new cases. Mr. J. C. Peoples, our gentlemanly neighlxrrand popular liveryman, happily surprised his many friends hereabouts last Friday morning on his return from Ohio with a beautiful bride, in the person of Miss Maud Trontner of Willshire. The matrimonial knot was tied at the residence of Mell Roop, near Willshire, by Rev. H. Kohn. The Press extends best wishes. You will find in this issue a statement of the Old Adams County Bank of this city, and of the Bank of Berne, both substantial and monied institutions of our county. It is surely gratifying to find an institution of this kind with individual depc,sits on demand of $106,729.38 and individual deposits on time of $38,305.25, with equal financial abilities all along the line. The especial attention of our readers is called to these statements. Our readers will remember what was known as the Ault case which took up some time and attracted the attention of our circuit court some time ago. A very brief history of the case at that time brings forth the revelations that one Ault was plaintiff in the suit for damages against a railroad company. It seems that the plaintiff was ejected from a passenger train for refusing to pay after offering the conductor a ticket which that official pronounced void. The suit ended with a victory in behalf of* the railway company. It was ap pealed to the supreme court and that tribunal has just sent it back for new trial, which will come off in due time in our circuit court. Mann & Beatty are attorneys for the plaintiff. Rev. William B. Freeland, the Methodist pastor of the Bobo circuit, is now a benedict, he having taken unto himself a bride, in the name of Miss Laura E. Davy one of the accomplished young ladies in that vicinity of Adams. The nuptial knot was securely fastened by Rev. E. T. Gregg of this city, Sunday forenoon, at the home of the bride. The ceremony was witnessed by a fair audience of’her relatives and friends. Immediately afterward they drove to this city and Bev. Freeland occupied the pulpit at the M. E. church that evening, being entertained while in this city by the hospitable occupants of the parsonage. To many of their friends the announcement of their happy’ marriage was a happy sur prise, ami their car load of admirers in that vicinity and elsewhere will join the Press in wishing Mr. and Mrs. Freeland a happy and prosperous march through lite May joy, happiness, pleasure and plenty be theirs in abundance.

Sadie and Anna Smith were guests of Nellie and Josie Fox of Fort Wayne, over Sunday. Mrs. G. B Grimmeof Ft Wayne, visited her friend, Mrs. Fid. Ehinger, of our city, several days this week. Hon. S. NV. Hale, ex-marshal Dickerson and Chas. Barber of Geneva, took a survey of our office last Saturday and pronounced everything therein as first class. Monday was the last day for paying taxes ami Treasurer Bolds and his efficient corps of deputies were kept on the ‘yump’ from early morn ’til late at night, taking in the cash and crediting same on the records. But peace is now declared. The election of officers and three: trustees of Sam Henry I’ost, No. 63, G. A. IL, for the ensuing year will lie held at the Post Hall Saturday, Dec. 1, 1894, at 7p. m. All comrades in good standing are expected to be present. By order orT. R. Moore, P. C. A notice elsewhere from County Superintendent Snow will prove beneficial to many of our teachers, who we will kindly tip to look it up, real it carefully and perchance profit thereby. County Superintendent Snow is filling the demands of his office very satisfactorily. The following marriage were granted since our list issue; Wilford D. Hartman and Della J. Captain, William B. Freeland and Laura E. Davey, Peter A. Habeggel and Anna Neuensch wander, William C, Witte and Louisa Werling, * Jacob J. Sprar.ger and Rachael Wittmer, Samuel Helm and Etta ; M. Pearson. This office is now the proud possessor of one ‘‘devil,” a very important and necessary evil around ; any prosperous and progressive■ newspaper office. William Meissel will henceforth and hereafter hold down this important branch of our; business, and as he is a clever young fellow, we have no fears but I that he will do justice to the “pro- ■ fesh.” Bring on your job work. The entertainment given by the scholars of district school number 6, last week, was very largely attended by’ the good people of that neighborhood. The proceeds derived from this entertainment will be expended in buying “colors,” and the same to be placed on the cupalo of that school building during the term. To Prof. John Grandstaff is due a large share of this creditable and patriotic work, and hope that other schools throughout i the county may’ follow suit. Sammy Evans and Gus Ehinger became involved in a two-handed game of rag chewing last Saturday night on our streets, and agreed to go across the river and chew out that portion which was not allowable in public. As they were on their way to the place agreed upon and near the corner of Front and Monroe streets, Sam concluded that time was too precious to waste iu walking and commenced to cut and slash at Qus’ form with a large sized pocket knife. To this Gussy | objected somewhat, but not until Sammy had made many incisions j into the clothes worn by Gussie.l Fortunately’ for both parties, none I of the cuts thus made penetrated I through his garments sufficiently [ to do any injury. The last seen of Sam he was making double quicK time for the Ohio line. Charles Shepherd, Fish White and Jacob Barker of Red Key, ■ were arrested by United States officials on the charge of counterfeit-; ing, and are now in custody at In [ dianapolis awaiting trial. The of ; fleers were successful in fastening ths guilt of these men beyond ques tion. Bogus coins, molds and metal were collected and taken with the guilty parties for testimony when the trial comes up. The former was held in the sum of $3,000 and the latter two $1,500. It seems that the fools are not all dead yet. As well as everybody knows the fallacy of interfering with the business of Uncle Sam, there occasion- j ally’ crops out some individuals who thought they’ were smarter than greased lightning, and any conspiracy they* saw tit toenterinto would be as safe as stock in anatioual ! bank, but later they come to grief and disgrace. Don’t monkey with j the brass works of our government if you care for your liberty, you ■ may conspire against your neighbor’s henroost and come out whole and sweet smelling, but with Uncle Sam “it is a sin to steal a pinhands off.”

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY. NOVEMBER 8, 1894.

Max Romberg and family Sundayed in Fort Wayne, the guests of John Weber ami family, parents I of Mrs. Romberg. Dr. G. E. Fulton and Mrs. Elizabeth Muth of Bluffton, were married Wednesday morning of last week. The former is known to some extent at this place. Hicks has dressed himself up in his winter clothing, ami in consequence its a mighty chilly breeze that trinkles down one’s spinal col umn and demands flannel to warm up the shivering bones. John S. Peterson and wife are the proud and happy parents of a mighty nice looking heir and son. since hist 1 hursday morning, which is sufficient to make any one smile. Its name should l>e christened Cleveland Hale Peterson, but then we don’t expect it will l»e. Miss Ella Locke of Waterloo, Ind., and Oscar Sigfreid of Toledo, Ohio, came Saturday and were guests over Sunday of Mr. and Mrs. Dell Locke of the Burt. The latter returned Sunday’ night while the former devoted several days to the company of her brother and wife. The Decatur public schools have been closed by reason of an epi deiuic of di-.htheretic croup in that place. All children under a pre-i scribed age are prohibited from be- ; ing on the streets at any time. The disease usually proves fatal and several deaths have resulted.— Portland Sun. D. E. Studebaker ami Charles Spencer have fixed up rooms in the Studebaker block, Second street, above the gas office. Both are chin deep in the insurance business, Dade does mostly farm work while Charley takes only the city. While they are in no wise connected with each other’s business, yet y r ou can safely’ bet that they will make it comfortably warm in this line of business. Success to the boys. The Journal office at Markel was raided some time ago and “pie” was the only article then on the bill of fare. Their nerves were normal, however, and they now say • “It may be well to state that the Journal office is thoroughly prepared to prevent another raid o i its type. The door has been provided with a new patent, nonpickable lock, the windows have been securely nailed down and a sleeping berth putin the back room for a night watchman. With all these preparations it feels reasonably safe.” The following nimrods of our city and county took leave of their friends and firesides last Wednesday for wild and wooly’ northern Michigan, where they will sojourn until Nov. 25. Their mission to these remote parts of civilization is to hunt the wild deer and bear which abound there and to sharpen their appetites on other game of smaller dimensions. That a wayup good time will be had by them one has only’ to look at the names herewith given of the gentlemen who comprise the outfit: H. S Porter, Dr. J. Q. Neptune, John M. Frisinger, David Mumu, and the Gideon Bros. The Press will follow them and keep them posted on matters here at home, in return for which we have been promised a f‘pleasant look” at the bear and deer they’ will return with. Nothing of importance was done by our city dads at the last meeting of the council, except that the marshal was ordered to purchase half a dozen spittoons for the use of the republicans. They are going to liquidate. A resolution was passed authorizing the finance committee to make a temporary loan of $2,000 from the Decatur National Bank. Side walks were ordered along a number of lots. Among others were lots owned by John Starrost, Sherman Mott, NV. J. Archbold, Flagg Estate and Sarah E. and Belinda Ellsworth. The Sipe fence controversy of Cook town was again before the council. No action was taken upon the employment of a water works engineer. Mayor Quinn declared he was “forninst” corporations and; demanded that the Clover Leaf railroad stop obstructing the side i walk in his end of the city. The I street commissioner was insructed to shake his list a t lha railroadl and tell them to stop. No doubt | bills will be presented at the next meeting of the council for the re I rags the republicans are shaking at the democrats over t he election, and ; the erape the democratic members jure wearing.

Alexander Gilmore of near Berne, and an old soldier of the late war, was in the city Saturday and or dered the Press to be sent him from this time on. John S. Bowers took the early morning train for the gas fields of Jay’ county, last Tuesday, where he will remain until Saturday , overseeing the work of sinking several new wells for the Trenton Rock and Mining Company. The Democratic Press, of Decatur, is a new exchange wmeh reached our table this week. It is a handsome sheet bearing evidence sofa master hand at the helm both in the mechanical and editorial departments. The Journal wishes it success.—Markle Journal. S. NV. Hale, George NV. NVatson, Sacratus Cook, Andrew Idlewine, Abe Shoemaker, George R. Dickerson and Charley Barber, all old soldiers of Geneva, were attending the Martin meeting at the court house Saturday night. It was a glorious meeting largely attended and enjoyed. The Genava Herald is authority for the statement that John Blakeslie of this city, has fits. Oh well, the low price of sugar and the increased price of wool is quite likely to cause most any republican to bite their tongue occasionally. Don’t distress Ihe poor things by ■ 1 such publicity. The Misses Rademacher very pleasantly entertained a number of; their lady and gentlemen friends j at their pleasant home last Sunday ; evening. The following were pres- i sent: Misses Flora Smith, Celia Russell, Emma Effinger, Maria McDonald of Bluffton, KateTouhy, [ Flora Confer, Rose, Anna and Lena ! Rademacher; Messrs. Carl Shober I of Fort Wayne, George Keller of I Chicago, Burt Lynch, Frank Bar thol, Sam Acker, Pat Highland. An exchange says that a single page in a single issue of the Century, taken for advertising, costs $500; Harpers $490, and other magazines SIOO to $350. A yearly advertisement of one column in the Chicago Tribune costs $28,550 for the lowest and $86,000 for the highest rate. The New York World costs $46,200 for the lowest and $59,000 for the highest price 1 column. These figures will prooably somewhat astonish men who spend ffom $lO to S4O a year with a paper for advertising space, and seem to think they are libera! advertisers. To the election board of precinct “A” of the Third ward of our city must be given great praise for the expeditious manner in which they counted the ballots polled in this precinct Tuesday. As early as 10 o’clock the work of counting the entire ballots of State, county and township cast iu this precint was completed and the report thereof hung up for inspection at democratic headquarters. The time oc copied by’ them in counting the ballots of the state ticket, —149 in number, was 40 minutes, au average of nearly 4 ballots to the minute. The following are the names of the gentlemen who performed this very swift work, and who deserve special scats upon any occasion of this kind: A. P. Beatty, A. C. Gregory, Q, D. Carr, Erastus Fritsinger and Matthias Kirsch. Our people will remember 11. R. NVardell, the spiritualistic fraud who appeared in our city a few ■ weeks ago, and for the nominal: price of twenty-live cents agreed to expose spiritualism in all its forms. He has been heard from at Ander sou, and the following from the Bluffton Chronicle shows him to be a graceful liar and a fraud of whole cloth : “H. R. Wardell wasn’t the gold sheet swindler whose arrest was detailed last week. Instead of being under arrest NVardell is as free as the wind that blows and is located at Anderson where he is practicing his old tricks of spiritualism to a large and credulous following. In order to make himself square with his brethern for deny-; ing the faith in Bluffton he signed ■ and published an affidavit to the effect that being in danger of arrest and without money he had like Peter of old denied his master !in order to save himself. His alii- ; davit further stated that those ex-; posures of slate writing, etc., were ; only tricks by which he had de- j iCeived the anti spiritualistic elementof Bluffton, but that trueslate writing was the work of spirits. Is there anyone in Bluffton who be-j lir-ves Wardell to be anything else; j than a liar?”

Prof. Charles NVilson, who is well and favorably known by many of our people, has accepted the mix , ologistic management of the Shafer house of call at the C. & E. rail road, where he will be pleased to have his friends call. The boys in this office have hardly had time to say their prayers for a week or two past, on account of the rush of job work that has steadily crowded upon us. NVe do work in away that suits people, and we do it at a price that fits their pocket-books which is all the explanation needed that we do lots of it. Bring your work along, we’ll find away to get it out on time. Coffee Bros, have now moved and are cozily domiciled in their new j quarters where business is progres- ■ sing iu theiroldtimehappyfashion. They are prepared to accommodate i their trade in all its branches, and will lunch you, board you, or satisfy the inner hankerings of man in ■

any way satisfactory. NVhen perambulating around with a hungry’ look on yonr face, just drop in and give their lunch counter a fair trial. contractor Ernst has just completed repairs on the west ward school building, which will now make same reliably safe iu every respect. The foundation on the west wing had settled some four inches and every one can conceive what that would mean. A network of iron rods securely wound up and fastened has braced the wing up to its normal condition, and will be from this time to some indefinite point in the near future safe and sound. The school board acted wisely iu making tne repairs, and making them substantially firstclass. Our public schools opened Mon - day morning in accordance with ' proclamation No. 2issued by Mayor Quinn on Saturday, which in sum and substance was as follows: “Having been no new cases of diphtheria this week, and after a consultation with the board of health, it is deemed safe am] advisable to open the public schools Monday, Nov. sth. Sunday schoolsas usual at the different churches throughout the city tomorrow, Nov. 4th.” Everybody will now breathe a free and happy’ breath of relief, and hope that never again will diphtheria stop the progress of life in our midst. One of the most promising signs as to the future of the Geneva oil field is the persistent drilling in the territory northwest of town. Several wells have already been drilled, nearly’ all showing oil but to no large amount. The well on the Farlow farm, drilled by the Ohio Oil Co., is perhaps the best and is a fair producer. Several experienced producers have expressed their convictions that a posl would ultimately be found in the east and the field will ultimately be thoroughly’ tested. Pittsburg parties have contracted with S, A.Shugert to drill a well on the J. NV. Barr farm, one half mile east of town Drilling will probably’ be begun next week. Black & Haskell's well on the G. NV. Lucas farm, Jay county, was shot last week. It is said to rank among the first in pro ductiveness, making at present about 250 barrels daily.—Geneva Herald. Election day passed off quietly, no outward distinction of rebellion being anywhere distinguishable. Saloons were all closed in accordance with the law on this subject, and in all everything was peaceable, sober and quiet. The Australian system doesn’t permit of any hilarious display and the improvement over the old “blocks of five” way of easting our rights of suffrage is quite noticeable, and likewise ia a blessing to all those states enjoying same. The vote was well canvassed, polled and voted and the results are of course highly satisfactory to those interested and who were successful in possessing the longest pole that knocked the persimon. “It is all over now,” and it will be two long years before our people will need ito again bedeck themselves with Iwarpaint for campaign purposes. That is plenty soon enough too, for I the interruption of a campaign and au election are, to an extent, rteI mora’izing to business, as well as void of any intellectual good to the public indulging iu same. Now that the war is over and peace is [declared, let’s all settle down to ! business on one common, everyday, I mutual and -friendly plane. ; “Don’tchcr knock dat chip off my [ shoulder.”

NUMBER 4

1 All the news of Adams county f will be found in the columns of The Democratic Press, Are r you a subscriber, and if not 1 add your name to our list at once > and take advantage of our excursion rates, fifteen cents to January’ . 1, 1895, or the Indianapolis weekly Sentinel and this paper one year for $1.50. Drop into the office and see us. The chrysanthemum show, conducted by’ the Presbyterian ladies, at Meiber’s hall has attracted large crowds all during the week. Their display’ and the neat way they have of making the gentlemen open their ; hearts and pocket books does their | womanly skill justice, but a triangular promenade throughout the beauties there displayed will repay’ any’ one for the amount of change | they will forfeit in the deal. To- [ day’ is the closing and if you have tailed thus far, pinch yourself and | go see, be seen and show’ y ourself.

Isaac Smith, of St. Mary’s township, and Hilbert Walters, of the same neigborhood, engaged in a regular Donnybrook Fair battle after meeting was out at Rivare Chapel, last Tuesday night, and in which Smith received a stroke on I the forehead that nearly laid him . out for good. He was taken to the ■ home of Ezra Cowau where he re ; mained until the next day, and where his injuries received proper i surgical treatment. The cause of the affray had its beginning several months ago, when Smith raised an objection to NValters keeping company with his (Smith’s) daughter. Union township is represented in j our communications this week. NVe want correspondents in every | township in the county, and want them badly. As a friendly tip to I those whomay beconnected without bureau of news we want to impress you with the fact that the news only is what we want. NVe, nor the public, care not whether “Amos Perrick broke one of Viola Orangeblossom’s ribs in a hugging bee,” but items of interest the public does want to know, and that is just what we want. The line is straight and there is no necessity for breaking down the bars of this rule adopted by us. Spell all names in full especially proper names, sign your own for reference by us and let it go at that. The members of the Decatur literary’ club were given a literary treat last Friday evening by’ Judge i James R. Bobo. He presented a paper entitled “The Rock.” The J udge seems to be as well versed in , scientific subjects as in the law, and his reasoning that all that we see, eat, smell and enjoy is but rocks, was complete and convincing. His theory that the earth is solid rock not heated was upheld by Rev. Gregg, R. K. Erwin, Dr. Boyers and J. T. Merryman, and denied in arguments by’ Dell Locke, Prof. Moffett, Dr. Trout and J. F. [ Mann. He believes that to rock is j given the custody of life, and that ‘ the soil is but the siftings of rock, | hence what we eat is rock. The j Judge occupied about a half hour [ in delivering the lecture, and it is [intimated that the club members ; were still throwing “the rock” at each other at midnight. The Decatur literary club is a decided sucI cess. Last Thursday the football 1 am [ from Portland came to the city’ to to contest for honors with au equal number of enthusiasts in this city. NVhile this game is the most brutal of any sporting fun we could mention, and should by all means be wiped oft the roster, yet we will dwell upon the subject long enough to say that our boys were overshadowed by a superior hand, and ; bit the antagonistic dust of defeat I by a handsomely’ made score of 50 for the visitors to a well developed goose egg for “usins.” ’Tis sad to relate but only too true. The Sun of Portland, iu mentioning the cold-blooded fact to its multitude of readers, stated that their boys were extremely’ loud iu their praise of | the uniformly’ courteous treatment ; accorded them, which fact is unnecessary’ for us to mention, for we [always treat every one just all ■ righ , no matter who they are, [ where they’ come from or whither they are going. Hospitable treat- > j ment comes only’ from a hospitable -; people, and that is what we are all ■ made out of. Our advice to our > young foot ball enthusiasts is to > blow up your muscle, roll up your , trousers and wade iu and give ’em . —well, give them halifax if ever ; you cross swords in another foot j ball game.