Democratic Press, Volume 1, Number 9, Decatur, Adams County, 13 December 1894 — Page 1

THE DEMOCRATIC PRESS.

VOLDIE 1.

Jacob Miller of Geneva, was in town last Saturday. A. P. Beatty went to Van Wert, Ohio, Saturday, being called there on business. George Zimmerman smole on friends at Bluffton from Saturday until Monday last. Horton, Cato & Co., of Detroit, Mich., are manufacturers of a salad dressing which is truly a perfection of culinary art. Donovan & Brem- I erkamp advertise it and keep it in stock. Mr. Alex. Beall of Willshire, 0., made the Democratic Press office a very pleasant call yesterday. Mr. Beall is one of Willshire’s most en- j terprising and popular merchants, and withal has many friends here in Decatur who are always glad to see him. Messrs. Touhey, Hale and Gross, ' o trio of would-be bleeds from all ever town, were run in by Marshal Cowan Tuesday night for conduct unbecoming citizens and gentle men* They were liberated on prom ise of good behavior after serving twenty hours in the county jail* Charley Rosskam, the genial young advance agent for the Graham Earle comedy company. was here the first of the week making arrangements for this combination of stage artists, who hold down the i boards all of next week. The com- [ pany is a good one. Rev. E. T. Gregg goes to Roan-' oak tomorrow night where he will deliver an address upon ‘‘Popular Amusements.” That the people over there will be treated to a lecture brimming over with wisdom and intellectuality, we know full well, and he hope he will be greeted with a crowded house. The Bluffton Chronicle says that immediately after the expiration of Judge Daily’s term upon the supreme bench, he will return to Bluffton and enter into the practice of law with Alte Simmons and his son Frank. The firm will be known as Dailey, Simmons & Daily. It is needless to say that thecombi nation is one of ability from first to last. The cantata “Months and Seasons” will be sung at Meiber’s opera house, January 1, 1895, by singers from the choirs of the different churches of our city. An orchestra consisting of piano, first and second violin, cornet and bass ■mol will assist. The cantata contests of bright, lively music, twelve solos, four trios, seven choruses, 1 quartette and four tableaux, all under the management and direction of Prof. F. M. Falk. Invitations have been received at ‘his office announcing the dedication of thehandsome new Knights of Pythias lodge hall at Winchester, which took place last evening, J. E. Watson of Rushville, lieing the principal orator. Without any degree of flattery we will have to admit that their home is one of the . most gorgeous in this part of Indiana, and their membership are no doubt proud indeed of their home. Charles Lemuel Devault, K. S., of Ann Arbor University of Law, will deliver his most popular lecture, entitled, “Inside the Case,” or “The Glass Reversed,” at the Presbyterian church, Wednesday evening December 19, 1894. Mr. De Vault took first honors three years ago in oratorical contest between Ann Arbor, Chicago University and Madison University. He is a hard student, a logical thinker and an inspiring speaker. Watch for the bills and lithographs Admission, 25-15 c, A very beautiful wedding cere mony was performed by Rev. J. 8 Axtell of Portland, last Tuesday evening, at the residence of Mr. William Andi ews and wife, Portland, which made Mr. Jesse King and Miss Lizzie Andrews man and wife. The groom is well and favorably known in Decatur, where he was ushered into existence some twenty-six years ago. The bride is the beautiful and accomplished daughter of Mr. and Mrs. m. Andrews of Portland. The following gentlemen and ladies were present on this happy occasion : Capt. James Lernle, Wate Baker, Win Griffith, Harry Thomas, T. W. Cring.Mr. and Mrs. J. W. 'Winters, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Parks, Mrs. Eller, Misses Maud Baker, Sadie Hawkins, Mary Huey, Hattie Mossier, and Mrs. Charles Helm and Chas. D. Murray of Decatur, sister and cousin of the giouiu. The Press extends congratulations.

Surveyor Fulk spent hist Sunday j with friends at home. Johnny Bober of Fort Wayne, I visited hereabouts with friends for a few days this week. Charles H. Murray went to Portland Tuesday evening, where he attended the marriage nuptials of a relative—t woof them now. He reports a very nice time with the ad-; di ional fact that he is kind’er in the notion himself now. “Jinks” France is said to have I made a very creditable appearance on the stage, taking some leading role with Kelley & Angell, which combination displayed themselves here last week. They are at Spencerville this week. Officers for the ensuing year have been selected by the members !of Decatur Lodge, No. 571, F. & IA. M., as follows: L. C. Miller, W. M.; Willard Buttles, S. W.; D. j F. Quinn, J. W,; T. J. Merryman, i secretary; W iliam Baughman, Treas., and B. W. Sholty, trustee. i Invitations are out announcing the marriage of Elizabeth Neff to Edward 8. Goodrich, the same to take place Decemlier 17, at the bride’s home in Winchester, where tx»th reside. The bride is well known in this city, having lived here in the days gone by. Both are highly respected young people, and we’ll take time now to wish | them sweet unfermented bliss fresh l from the fountain of joy. If all signs don’t fail in dry I weather, this will be a real genuine open winter, our designating point being the three ruling days of December. The three first days of this month are supposed to be a guiding star of what Hicks will furnish us in December, January and February. It was warm with some rain and some mud, with no indication of zero weather any where about it. So it will be. We haven’t been saying a word about big editions and the like, but if you will peruse our extensive ad vertising space, you will find that we are strictly in line with not only large displays of advertising, but more news than ever, and that’s saying a good deal. All the news makes an ad. beneficial to our merchants, and we are here to do you all good. Our motto is, first of all the news. Come and see us. L Yager’s triple column add which appears elsewhere in today’s Press, stands perpendicular before the public and directs them to where they can select furniture of the very best manufacture and of the latest design. Mr. Yager has l>een doing business in Decatur for the past quarter bf a century, and has built up a trade second to none anywhere. His large: and commodious business building is chuck full of every kind of furniture, and is just the place to goto when buying holiday presents. Charley Bone was acquitted of the charge of arson by a jury in court last Saturday. Our readers will remember the case as coming from Ceylon, where he was charged with attempting to burn the only store building in the town. The charge was a serious one but he was able to prove himself innocent as this short and pointed verdict indicates : “We, the jury, find the defendant not guilty.” Naturally Charley feels pretty good over the final outcome of the trial, and no ! one can blame him for that, for to be mixed up with such implicated seriousness isn’t a funny* thing to 1 contemplate. The Odd Fellows again tore up the earth .Monday night at their lodge home. This time the ’Bekahs j took a hand, for you know that I nothing can successfully* succeed i without the ladies, so shortly after j the regular lodge work opened, a committee awaited upon the brethI ren in charge and demanded in Italics that business suspend and give way to something more social. So the goat was caged, business stopped and in marched about forty : ladies all laden down in smiles and I what’s better, something to eat. Coffee and cake was served to the hungry brothers, then came a solo sang by Mrs. Dolph Huffman, followed by a duet by the Misses Kate Jackson and Grace McConnaha. Then came very timely* addresses by* Brothers Gregg, Thomas Archbold and J. Frank Maun, which i commingled with a goodly sized portion of social fun, made the evening pass away* very pleasantly. Odd Fellows are a queer mix and I we guess their is no one who enjoys j IHV liiv ! more than they do.

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1894.

Gust Sellmcyer made Hou land citiz ns a brief visit today*. Ehinger & Meyers are out this week in a bran new ad explaining • to yon the fact that they are in business and can do you good. Peruse their holiday offering. By the kindness of County Superintendent Snow we have l»een favored with a program of the fortyfirst annual meeting of the Indiana state teachers’ association, which will be held in Plymouth church, Indianapolis, on December 26, 27 and 28. Dr. H. F. Costello is the newly selected secretary* of the county board of health, succeeding himself in this official capacity, which he has very satisfactorily held down for the post three or four years. , He is a bright, young physician,' d< serving and that is reason sufficient why he should be selected. Charley Tucker is wearing a[ broken shoulder blade as well as several other small fractures, that just now are more painful than pleasant. It happened Monday | evening while he with several others were erecting an ice house, | when a heavy piece of the structure I biffed him with above results. It will lay* him up for some time, another thing not very pleasant to contemplate. Jim W. Place left Sunday night and is now at Hot Springs, where he will remain until relief relieves j him from a conglomeration of colds I that wouldn’t permit him to speak above a faint whisper. For the past three winters he has been similarly affected, each time perhaps a little worse, and this time he will; put himself through a Hot Springs process, and we hope with him that the relief will be permanent. It don’t always take money to make the mare go, f<*r one of our enterprising enchanges positively asserts that delinquents can settle, same at his office with “cordwood, pumpkins, turnips, cabbage, eggs, butter, milk, canned goods, green apples, dried peaches, corn, oats, wheat, a nice piece of pork, beef or mutton,possum, coon, rabbit, squirrel, anything that grows on the farm, or that a man can eat with a fork and with impunity.” The school board of the city* are contemplating the construction of a high school building at a cost of about 818,000. The present build ing although it is a good substantial structure is wholly unfitted to the present condition of our high school. It was built no doubt upon the idea that the city* had reached its limit in population. The trustees have a scheme of their own for getting the money, and should not leave another year pass without action.

Every one seems to have a ready welcome for Graham Earle, who is to open a week’s engagement at the opera house Monday evening w ith a refined repertoire of new comedies. Mr. Earle holds a reputation through the central states of having the best company of the kind traveling and Decatur people all agree it is the best attraction ever making our city. It has been impossible to get this excellentcompany here for several years and now Messrs. Falk & Erwin feel justly proud in announcing it as the closing attraction of the opera house. So let all secure your seats early, as the Earle company always has a crowded house. Through the kindness of Nick Miller we were shown through the inner beautifulness of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in this city, which by the way, has just gone through a complete course of painting, until now it looks like a paradise, sure enough. The walls from floor to windows are oiled, and from that up to and including the ceiling is decorated in color, of blue, cream and rose, making it simply* grand to behold. Biblical representations many of them life size, simultaneously attracts your attention, and to say* that the artist who designed and painted same, knows his business, very slightly expresses the truth of the matter. The work has been under process for the past seven weeks, scaffolding being erected in order to do the work. O. J. Kover & Son of Fort Wayne, are the contractors and they tell us that this is the nineteenth house of worship they have taken through a similar process this year St. Mary’s Church is a complete nest of beautifulness, that being as near as we can come to expressing the truth about it. so we will let it go at that.

John L. Sullivan at Meiber’s opera house, December 26th. Surveyor Fulk was at Geneva Monday on business relating to a circuit court petition by Smith Shoemaker and others. Freedman Voigt, a well known farmer living near Honduras, contemplates moving to this city some time in the near future. There is plenty of room for many* people like Mr. Voigt, and we now extend to him a welcome hand.

Two bright little cherubs—male and female—made their appearance I at the home of H. M. Besser and wife last Friday night. That they ' will be well taken care of was evi-! denced by* the way Harry* was set- j ting up the cigars to the boys last Saturday; the Press not being overlooked in the setup. On account of the holidays the G. R. & I. R. R. will sell tickets from and to all stations on their line, also to Cincinnati and Indianapolis, at one and one third fare for the round trip. Selling days as follows : December 24, 25 and 31, 1894 and January 1, 1895. All tickets good for return until January 2, 1895. No tickets sold to adults for less that 25c., children 15c. Since last week there has been David B. Burn and Lizzie Sturgeon, Solomon Neuschwander and Elizabeth Gerber, Joseph Selser and Myrtle Stopher, Charles G. Bregham and Minnie Culley, James W. Miller and Mary Ethel Payne, Marion H. Tablet and Allie McLaughlin, Clarence C. Shepherd and Emma Miller, have been licensed to marry since our week’s issue of news. The marriage record shows that Charles G, Bregham and Miss I Minnie Culley have secured the license. They both reside at Geneva and were married Wednesdayevening at the bride’s home. The ceremony being witnessed by* a large number of their most intimate relatives and friends. The Rev. Ballinger of Fort Wayne performed the ceremony and made the twain one. The Press displays a fist for congratulations. Deputy Sheriff Erwin went out into Kirkland township Monday and nabbed Harvey Deihl on a grand jury indictment which charged forgery in cold blood. It would seem t hat he has been at the business for some time, making notes, getting them cashed and paying same when they* became due. But it’s only a question of time, you know. He was brought into court, put up a satisfactory b >nd of 8500, and is being held to await the action of our circuit court, when next it convenes. You will please note the many news “adds” in this issue. You will find among them a few words from A. Holthouse, the old reliable boot and shoe dealer; Coffee Bro’s, the leaders in confectionaries for the holidays; Simisou & Soldner the Berne merchants; Yager Bro’s, the druggists; Myers & Middleton commission merchants; Fulk & Erwin music dealers; Moser the photographer: Stengel & Craig the Berne druggists; E. C. Coffee, in surance; Peoples restaurant and bakery for a square meal or lunch; and a host of others. Don’t fail to pay each and every one of them special attention. They say lots and mean a good deal more. “The attendance at the opera house last night was large, and represented our best circles, while the hearty* reception given Mr. and Mrs, Earl showed they had lost none of their old-time friends nor popularity. The drama was “Life for life,” and many pronounce I it the best comedy ever presented in our city. The characters were all good, especially Mr. Earl as Guidon Chandler and Mrs. Earle as the falsely* accused wife, with whome the sympathy* of the entire audience rested, and became that interested that we fairly* imagined ourselves in the Sunny* South during the slavery days, and when the story* is finally drawn to a close through that mighty power of love we fin our verdict reiterated by the entire audience, that the play was grand. It is just the kind of drama we need to provide clear and healthy* amusement in this period of relaxation and furnish food upon which the sentimental side of our natures may feed.” The above is copied from the Winchester Herald and refers to the same company* and play that will be at the opera house Mondayevening.

Lewis P. Fulk, younger brother of Surveyor Fulk, is slowly recovering from a prolonged attack of congestion of the lungs. The commissioners closed a verybusy* session of commissioner’s court yesterday, after eleven days hard work inspecting gravel roads, bridges, allowing bills for road im provements, hearing petitions of various natures, and attending to all sorts of business the like of which generally comes to life before that working body Street Commissioner Frank Dibble assumed the duties of his office last Friday morning, and put to work a large force of men cleaning up where cleaning was necessary. If there is a weak spot anywhere on our streets that needs strengthening, Frank is the surest man in the ; city to know w here it is, having traveled over same more than any one man in it during the past few* years. John L. Sullivan, ex-champion pugilist of the world, with an excellent troupe of performers will appear at Meibers opera house on Wednesday evening, December 26. This will be the greatest attraction that this play hotis ■ has ever been booked for, ami that the house will be packed from center to circumference “is no lie either;” and we w*ould therefore advise those who desire a good seat to early secure same, as only standing privileges will be in sight when the curtain rises for the first act. The following is said by those who claim to know to bea first class recipe for the manufacture of a pure article of scandal: Take a grain of falsehood, a handful of run about, a sprig of hard back bite, a spoonful of don’t you tell it, six drops of malice, a few* drachms of envy. Add a little discontent ami jealousy and strain through a bag of misconstruction; cork it up in a bottle of malevolence and hang it up in a skein »f yarn; keep it in a hot atmosphere and shake it occasionally for a few days and it will be fit for use. Let a few drops be taken before walking out and the

desired result will follow. It is now believed that the failure of Neal Bros., is the largest in the history of Portland. Nearly every* wealthy farmer in the county was caught for from one hundred to one thousand busheis of wheat a d the liabilities will reach prob ably 840,000 if nor more. Grain dealers at Decatur, Berne, Geneva and Ridgeville are all ci editors for amounts ranging from 8300 to 82,000. Many denounce lhe fail are as a deliberate swindle. Creditors have so far failed to find any property of the firm. The largest creditors in Portland are the People’s Bank, 85,000, secured by mortgage on the mill; Cartwright & Headington, 82,100; Jay Grain Co., 84,000. The batchelors of the Shamrock hotel at Geneva gave a hall, a reception, a luncheon and a good time to about one hundred of their friends, the same taking place within the spacious apartments of that hotel on Thursday* night of last week. Such an effusion of handsomely attired ladies in even ing gowns, genteel looking gentle men with boiled linen and a pleas ant look, i orgeous florvers and the like were never before visible in Geneva all at one time. At exact nine the sweet blending strains from a Fort Wayne orchestra pro traded from the dancing hall, and it was then that the march began, the same being very gracefully lead by John and Miss May Fitzgerald, closely followed by at least fifty couples who marched in single and double tile, forming squares, angles, tri angles and everything els? that was just right. After that came dancing and dancing and dancing, interspersed with Stciai fun and one of the most delicious lunches that the mortal eye of hungry min ever gazed upon. Sandwiches, turkey, quail on toast, coffee, ice cream, strawberries, mixed nuts, and the Lord only* knows what all It was a gay, gay* time am’ every, body ha l more than their share of the fun. Generally speaking, a batchelor is a selfish, dried up, wafer, of no particular significance or importance, but with' those Shamrock “batchs,” oh, how different. They are ideals of perfec tion, a fact that was fully demonstrated by this upheaval. Many from a distance were present, among whom were Miss Hawkins of Portland, Mr. Black of Bluffton. Miss Kitty Miesse and Lew Ellingham Ui lliia Cil j .

NUMBER 9

M’ill e Fulk, living near Honduras was seriously injured by being hit with a stone above the left [ eye, and as a result will weara scar on this portion of his anatomy for the remaining days of his life. Stones, in most any form now a days, are dangerous things to run against. Night perator Waggoner of the Grand Rapids, with his nerve and a stove poker gave a few disturbing bums the grand bouncing l»>unee the other night. They endeavored to take charge, going to sleep with their boots on, something that is distinctly against the rules of the house, hence the bouncing process. The many relatives and friends of Mrs. Samuel Moses learn with sorrow of her sudden il.rh. A i heart affection made itself visible Saturday about noon, which too was beyond the control of all medical aid, and at ten o’clock t hat night she passed peacefully* into t he world beyond. The funeral services took place in the Presbyterian church in this city, Tuesday, which was attended by* a large and sympathetic number of her many friends. The services were conducted by* Rev*. Alien of Indianapolis, with interment in Maplewood cemetery. J. R. Graber, Joel Roe, Solomon Swank, Dan Yager, GeorgeM. Haefling, George M. T. Houck, J. W. Meyers, Benjamin McLaughlin, John Robinson, John Magley, Howard W. Thompson and R. E. Smith, sen., were allapplicants before the board of commissioners for superintendent of the county infirmary. After carefully going over j the list of bids the commissioners gave the contract to Mr. Graber, w*ho after next March will take charge and control. He is a resident of French township, being a progressive farmer and who will manage the affairs at the infirmary to the very best interests of the county as well as the inmates. Re- | tiring Mr. Haefling has always conducted the institution with care and retires amid a host of friends, j T e council met in regular session last Tuesday evening. All councilmen were present except Teeple. Bids were opened for the | construction of a sidewalk along that part of in lots No. 49 and 50, i owm-d by the Flagg estate and N. Blackburn. It was sold at 73c per lineal foot. Theeontract was awarded Middl ton & Drummond. The I construction of brick side walk [along in lot No. 715 on Line street I was awarded to Jno. J. Tonnellier. The construction of a brick walk on [ Line street running south from the T„ St. L. & K. C. R. R. to the south line of their right of way was awarded to Abe Flickinger. A resolution was introduced and adopted requiting B. J. Tetveer to remove his fence and dwelling out of Sixth street north of Madison. Those voting in favor of the resolution ere Coverdale, Buhler and Vail. Those voting against it were Patterson and Niblick. A resolution was adopted ordering a brick side walk constructed on VVinches- ' ter stre t along the property* of the |T., St. L. &K. C. R. R. This is | the walk recently constructed out of plank, but as the railu nd com- : pany didn’t comply with the order of the council and city ordinances, anew brick one was ordered. A resolution was passed referring the question of opening Grant street to a special committee consisting of Vail, Niblick and Buhler. This proposed street will extend from Russell street near the G. F. Kintz property, to the mud pike near the old fair grounds, and is 1 adly needed The clerk was instructed to sign t- e agreement of G. W. Gilbert to pay her piopnrtiou of the cleaning of Second street. A claim was presented by the board of county commissioners for the flagstone pur in at the court house square, which should properly have been pa d by the city, and the claim was allowed. The city engineer reported the completion of tne Phillip Sheets side walk by tbecontravtor, Abe Flickinger, and an estimate was made to him for the cost thereof. The council ordered the school board to furnish the report to the council required to be made in October by our ordinance, and which they failed to make. A number of claims were | allowed including the street commissioner’s pay roll. A careful reading of the names contained in the pay roll will indicate the poi litical change that recently took i place in the office of street commissioner.