Democratic Press, Volume 1, Number 30, Decatur, Adams County, 9 May 1895 — Page 1

THE DEMOCRATIC PRESS.

VOLUME I.

Miss lantha Gregory was shopping in Fort Wayne yesterday. Note Donovan & Bremercamp’s great coffee advertisement. They are sole agents. The ’Bekahs were at it again Tuesday evening, this time it Iteing a grand old Bekah supper served in their lodge room. The usual good time resulted. J. W. Place was at Mansfield, Ohio, several days the first of the week, looking after his branch factory, which is being operated there under the management of Frank France. Harry Meisse has been at the West Baden Springs for a week or two past, recuperating and resting up. The springs are a great recreating place, especially for Indiana people. Union B. Hunt of Winchester, will Ire a candidate before the next grand lodge of Pythians, for grand prelate. He is well versed in Pythian law and would make a very creditable divine. ('apt. Hill and J. S. Peterson did not leave last week as we stated, to travel in various portions of Indiana selling Shaffer Peterson's vest pocket law citations. They went yesterday, however. Saturday afternoon the north and west ward boys locked horns in a , base ball tussel, which ended in a score of three to nothing in favor of the north ward. Batteries, Andrews and Waggoner. Le Brun, Le Brun and Railing. Bluffton’s artificial ice plant is now in operation, and Bluffton people are taking on a Vanderbilt air over their corporate possessions. The completed cost of the institution is $25,000. Its capacity is estimated at about twelve tons every twenty-four hours.

There has hardly been a day during the last two weeks that Attorney John France hasn’t been down on one side of a suit in court. In fact though, the present term of court has been well represented with the entire bar, they at some stage being interested in a suit. I Night sessions were necessary this week to complete the docket. Kokomo boasts of having an infant which is the fourteenth daughter of the fourteenth daughter of the fourteenth daughter, something decidedly singularly singular. History is bound to rep at itself though. The lucky star is an infant of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Burt. The mother is but thirty-eight years old. Reynolds’ world united shows, : circus, menagerie, .Moorish caravan and royal Roman hippodrome will | exhibit here Tuesday, May 21. The show this year is a wonderful exhibition. More novel and striking features are seldom found under one spread of canvas. The Reynolds shows of 1895 will long be remembered by those who are fortunate enough to witness it. Be on the street early and witness the grand triumphant street procession which leaves the show grounds in the morning of the day advertised. Our public schools close May 21. The graduating glass numbers twenty, sixteen girls and five boys, giving the girls decidedly the majority in point of numbers, but, of course, the boys are all smart. The

following is the class : Earl Adams, Dick Myers, Henry Heller, Willie Thomas, Will Schtick, Sadie Hale, Dollie Schafer, Lulu Helm, Maud Rice, Fannie Rice, Lavina Kern, Te.'sa Barkley, Nellie Winans. Eva Acker, Grace Miller, Bessie Congleton, Gusta Cramer, Sophia Mangold, India Helm, Bee Warner, Nellie Krick. Many interesting things about Francis Scott Key—the author ot the “Star Spangled Banner'’—are contained in a pamphlet, which may l»e obtained free, from the Key monument association of Frederick City, Md., by sending one two cent stamp for postage. This association is raising funds for a suitable monument to the poet, and they suggest that in the schools ami everywhere, upon or before Flag day (June 14) this subject be suitably recognized. Contributions, however small, are asked for. Every one who loves the flag ought to have some small share in building this monument. The governor of Maryland has strongly indorsed the movement. The names of all contributors v ill be preserved in the crypt ot the monument, and published (without amount) in the history of the monument when completed.

George Lichtenwalter has sold his interest in the People's Bakery to his brother. James Murdock was here yesterday from Lafayette, his business being to look over the Trenton Rock Mining Co. property, of which he now has some control. R“v. Horton, the Presbyterian minister, has been granted a vacation until June 1, at which time be will move his family here from Columbus, Ohio, and prepare to re main permanently. Thirteen weeks vacation follows the present term of court, next coining is the August term. This gives the jurist and the bar of attorneys a breathing spell through the hot sultry weather of July. Lon Batson and Fred Plessinger of Bluffton, were in the city Tuesday afternoon. The former is city civil engineer, and planked down , the necessary lucre for the Press and all of Adams county news for one year. A hobo printer was taken up before Esq. Smith Monday evening, the charge not being intoxication but scaring children. His trial was continued until Tuesday morning at nine o’clock, when the case was dismissed and the fellow given sufficient time to leave town. Attorneys Bosworth, Adair and Williamson of Portland, were here attending court Monday. When the latter alighted from the train, his benedictional appearance was a fooler, for he was accosted and even 'asked if he were a minister of the ' gospel. Surely something is decidedly wrong when such a mistake as that is allowed to occur. The final test of the Portland water works has been made, and it showed itself up to the specifica tions and contract, and pleased every one interested in the new addition. Water was thrown over the court house with as much ease as one might expect. The next meeting of the council will decide i whether or not they will accept them.

The question as to who should receive the honors of the class that will graduate from the High School the 31st of this month has been decided. Nellie Winness and Grace Miller are a tie for first place, and as a result there will be two vale- : dictoriaus. It is not often that ! there is such a result. Both young • ladies,we understand, have worked very hard and their standing is very high. Fannie Rice will be the salutatoriau.

Don’t lick postage stamps, cries a British medical authority. They pass through many hands, from the manufacturer to the office boy. They are torn off, folded and carried about through postoffices in disease stricken localities and some times carried in mail bags dirtier than anything. They may give you diphtheria, smallpox or scarlet fever. They have on tap any kind of disease that you call for. Therefore don’t lick them. Moisten them with a wet sponge. It is believed that the number of people in Indiana who will make income tax returns will reach 2,000. One of the income tax collectors expresses the opinion that those who come within the scope of the law are making honest returns of their pronerty and incomes. The names of those who make the return are kept on record, but are a profound secret with penalties for anyone who divulges the name of the payer of the tax or for any one who tells that he pays the tax. There were about an even number of corporations and individuals who made the return. Auditor France has completed his annual report to the state auditor. the same being sent in last Saturday. The report shows there having been collected from all sources, including old and new delinquencies, 886,826.28. Os this amount the state will receive 819,995.92. The balance will be distributed among the various townships. This distribution will be made in a few weeks, which will then be published, and which will then show how much will be retained in the county fund, over which the commissioners hold jurisdiction. The auditor informs us that the taxes are paid up better this year than they have ever been known to be before, which shows that our taxpayers ate financially all right. Auditor France’s report is the first one sent in to the state auditor, and this fact shows that his work is right up to date.

DECATUR. INDIANA, THURSDAY, MAY 9. 1895.

J. S. Niblick is repairing his stable, making improvements that fairly speak out loud. Mesdames Dell Locke and H. H. Rice will attend the May festival at Indianapolis next week. J. C. Moran and brother of Jefferson township, were here Monday, the former planking down the lucre for a year’s advance Presses. They report Jefferson township as being all right. A. Holthouse is appraising the real “state in the city, and requests those so fortunate to own same to drop into the shoe store of R. J. Holthouse & Bro., and there interview him on the subject. The Beavers ditch case which was appealed from commissioners court, was adjusted in the circuit court Tuesday by the same being returned to the commissioners with orders to have same constructed. Mis. Nicholas Yager, an old pioneer of Adams county, died in Ft. Wayne Monday. The funeral took p ace Tuesday with interment in the Zion cemetery in this county. Surveyor Fulk and wife attended the funeral. The editor who succeeds in fill ing his paper with news these days lis a daisy. Farmers are too busy ,to talk and other people are so : taken up with their business that they don’t have time to be born, get married, commit suicide, break their necks, or do any acts for the sake of the news column. On April 26 J. A. Hendricks and wife, now living near Berne, had i been married just twenty-seven i years. The event was not allowed |to pass unnoticed as their children and grandchildren gathered in and spent the day. Joe has just moved I into a bran new home and is fixed up as nice as any one might want to.be.

If it rains, young lady, you must get in out of the wet instantly, be cause if you don’t your lovely sleeves will collapse, and that flour sack which is used for stiffening will wilt. We would advise you to carry two umbrellas, one for each sleeve. It might be advisable for you to carry a red light at dark, and avoid a collision by warning people to clear the sidewalk. Terveer vs. The City was the title of a case in court this week. It is one that has been agitating the minds of the council for many years, but never until the present board has anything been done to- ■ wards it outside of mere wind. It | has in contention the opening or' extension of Sixth street, which runs north from Madison street to the second alley and here stops. The city wants the street extended. Terveer don’t, as it badly conflicts i with his property interests at that ■ place. It is currently reported here that j C. H. Baldwin, a former resident of Ceylon, this county, but of late years living at Loomis, Washington, had drowned while crossing a ford of a river there. His wife has been here since some time last October and it is from her that this j sad intelligence began circulation. | Telegrams in her possession receiv- | ed last Friday conveyed the news. They have property interests at Ceylon which brought her home at this time. Not knowing whether or not this report is correct, we simply give it to you for what it is worth. Our readers will remember our mention of the girl triplets, born to Air. and Mrs. Albert Zerkles who live near this city. They were born several weeks ago, and are now bright, sparkling images of womankind, and were named Ruth, Esther and Frances in memory of the family names indulged in by President Cleveland. Later on the president was notified of their birth and ordination. Last week the father received a draft for SSOO, which the president designated should be used for their education should the children live. The father and mother of these children are surely the proudest people on earth, aud will no doubt save the amount of that draft and use it as the president directed. We don’t ■doubt either, but what ninety-nine families out of every hundred wish they were able to sport such a luxury. A dispatch in yesterday’s dailies “kinder” knock that story e'ean into a cocked hat. It said that scarcely a day passes but what an announcement of this kind occurred, and in return a courteous letter, but no checks, ueje sent the family.

John Weblier shipped a car load of horses to the I’hiladeldhia horse market Tuesday. Attorney E. E. McGriff and ExTreasurer Hayes of Portland, were here several days this week, being interested in a case in court which was brought here on a change of venue from the Jay circuit. The phonograph show at the Baptist Church Tuesday was good and the only fault to lie found was the little hand full of people who were present. Those who failed to attend missed the best show of the season. Peter Braun ami Rose Lichtle, Henry Bolmahu and Minnie Berning, Joshua C. Tindall and Cireathy C. Miller, William F. Busick aud Louisa M. U. Reaper, Otto Boerger and Frederick Reichert comprise the list of those who have secured license to marry. Many visionary allusions are devoted to the Bluffton nitroglycerine explosion, among them being that the victim Ulmer had just reached earth again, being blown so high into the skies that considerable ■ time was necessary’ for the return. The neighbors of that vicinity may be expected to see ghosts for years to come. The last will aad testament of Peter Hess was admitted to probate in the county clerk's oflice yester- [ day. It gives to his surviving wife, Amelia Hess, the use aud ; controll of his lauds consisting of ■ IOS acres, as well as all chatties thereon. At the death of the wife the property is given to the then surviving children, share and share I alike.

Decatur is in the list of show. towns this season, although there I was some doubt about it at first. I On Tuesday, May 21, Reynolds’ | greatest renowned united railroad i shows, with the elephant and all' such menagerie curiosities, will be ; here in all their glory. Their ad- I vertising paper now decorates our i bill boards, so prepare yourself to i see all that is going from the street' parade to the ten cent concert. “Everthing is very quiet in our city this week,” wrote the editor of the Spiketown Blizzard, in a double leaded burst of confidence. “Nobody hasSundayed here. No body has gone to the county seat to see his best girl. Items have been scarcer than ever. Not a shingle has been put on a smoke house anywhere in town, the sap in the soft maple trees has not began to run yet, and for two days there has been nothing in our midst worth mentioning except dried apples. ’Will some kind friend please send us a ham on subscription?” The law suit in court last week, Cashius M. Clay vs Linton, was decided in favor of the defendant, after the jury had deliberated upon the matter of a verdict for some fourteen hours. The plaintiff had made his home with Linton most of his life, and after being carefully taken care of through his tender years, thought he deserved more than a pleasant ■ look after he reached the majority ; mark. To this end suit was brought J against Linton for the sum 0f52,500. Lutz & Butcher were attorneys for I plaintiff, and France <Jt Merryman for the defendant. Every one in town, with but few exceptions, knew Bob Klein, the German tailor who has held down a sit in Pete Holthouse & Co.’s establishment since last September. He run into his employer’s debt to a comfortable amount, as well as several other business people about town, aud not being able to see above water, skipped out one night some three weeks ago, taking with him a bran new suit of tailor-made garments. This was more than Pete’s conscience would tolerate, so he invited the officials to nose| around a little. Sheriff Ashbaucher I smelled him over at DeGraffe, 0., ■ a little town on the Big Four near Bellefontaine. Communications be tween the officials substantiated the fact, and Sheriff Pete went there Tuesday, returning yesterday, with the incumberance, who was broken hearted at his sudden collapse. He begged for mercy, and offered everything within reach of a spiritual father to right the wrong if given an opportunity. The stolen clothes is what caps his opportunity of gaining liberty, unless he works upon the sympathies of those who were hurt in the deal. It was a plain case of steal. He is boarding with Sheriff Ashbaucher at the present writing.

Fred Mills has resigned his position with Druggists Blackburn & Miller, and is working at Place's. Three good producing oil wells were added to the Bolds oil property’ in the Geneva fields last week, making their production in oil quite extensive.

Miss Lena Barthell gave a party to a number of her friends Sunday evening, which was most thoroughly enjoyed by all present. The guests of honor were the Misses Bernadete and Lydia Schnelker of New Haven, and Mr. Rose of ChiI cago. William Reppert, Anna Reppert and Ida Newcommet, living near Vera Cruz, were mixed up in a run-; away Monday in Bluffton that was somewhat serious. Will was thrown out, bruised up, and hurt internally to some extent. The girls were more fortunate ami escaped 1 with but a good frightful scare. The buggy was badly demoralized. Do you w’ant to make $5,368,909.13? Its dead easy. Just deposit one penny in the bank on the first of January, on the second day deposit two pennies, on the third day four pennies, and so on every day in the month, doubling your deposit each day. On the 31st of ■ December you will be surprised to find that you have over five million dollars to your credit. Last Sunday at St. Mary’s Catholic church twenty-three boys and sixteen girls, thirty-nine all told, took their first communion, and Rev. Father Heffrier read his first mass. The Reverend is an Adams \county production with many friends who rejoice to note his elevation and success. The German | brassxband furnished some of the j music, in all it was a day highly enjoyed by the members of this I church. \

The town ofGeneva is one of the I many republicaetowns that elected j democratic officers Monday. By a strict party vote the republican ma- ■ jority is somethingy like forty, I Charles Arnold for clerk, Dr. MatI tox for treasurer, C. Hi Bell and j Joseph Pease for trustees, ;H1 democrats, were elected by about thir-| ty-tive majority. Eugene Barnes I republican, was a winner for mar-I shal by two votes. Gene is such a j popular son of mankind that it ■ would take a blooded roadster to i lay him in the shade. It was a ' decided victory for the demmies, and is an indicator that they mean business from now on. Portland now owns water works and electric light plants and the ! cost approximates $65,724.05. The available funds of the city were | but $16,129.36. The purchase! price is to be paid with six 20 years ! bonds and five 10-20 years bonds ■ on water works, $ 10.500; eleven I notes payable $2,000 May 1, 1896, aud SI,OOO annually thereafter, se- I cured by mortgage on electric light : plant, $12,000, cash $10,000; cash in sixty days, $1,584.05; and cash | when sixteen lights are up, $1,640; total $65,724.05. That is doing! business with a vengeance. Hav- • ing $16,000 in cash and buying ■ therewith $65,000 worth of prop erty. They expect to make the | plants self sustaining. We very briefly mentioned last week the death of Mrs. Daniel j Sprang of this city, which occurred i at an early hour Thursday morn | ing. She was an estimable lady i having resided in this city since! ISBO, and was known as an ardent, faithful worker in church circles. Kind and affectionate to her neigh bora and friends, and respected by every one who knew her. Her ' maiden name was Alice Lichtenwalter, being born at Williamsport, September 14, 1857; aged at the time of her death, thirty-seven years, seven months aud eighteen i days. In May, 1875, she was married to her present bereaved husband who, with their accomplished i daughter Ellen, still survives her.l The family was quite a devoted one,! and the sorrow that has befallen cannot be expressed in words. The funeral services took place from the Methodist church last Saturday afternoon, the services being a beautiful commemoration to a life that was useful as well as ornamental. The church edifice was crowded with her many friends who sought to pay their respects to the useful life that had fulfilled its mission on this earth, and had gone to its just reward in the world above. Rev. Gregg’s discourse was a pleasing reminisence of her Christian life. Interment in Maplewood.

NUMBER 30

M. N. Lenhart, a brother of our county’ clerk, is lying quite ill at his home east of town. Effect of lagrippe which settled on his kidneys is what is causing the derangement. He is reported some better, but is y et seriously’ sick. A progressive pedro party was given at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. 11. Keubler Monday evening. A gay company’ of young people were present and enjoyed the hospitality of the host and hostess. Miss Al Touhey’ and John Moutey carried off the honors and the capital prize, while Miss Julia Fitzgerald and Dr. Clark were awarded the booby. William Gloss, an old resident of Marshal street, was stricken with a paralytic stroke Monday’ evening that has very’ closely confined him ever since, and some doubt is yet expressed as to his recovery. He is some fifty-seven years old, and this advanced age has something to do in retarding recovery. He died yesterday morning at two o’clock. Funeral today with interment in the new cemetery. Among the countless attractions offered by the big Reynolds circus and menagerie that exhibits here Tuesday, May 21, are a pair of enormous elephants known as “Baldy” and “Queen Jumbo.” These beasts were for years the pet and pride of juvenile San Francisco, being stationed in the zoological department of Woodward’s garden. They were brought to this country by the celebrated traveler, J. B. Gaylord, and were once the prop- ■ erty of the king of Siam. The intelligence displayed by’ these huge quadrupeds warrant the statement that they are beyond question the j finest performing elephants in I America. It is a fact, so Alex. Bell tells us, ■ that the Clover Leaf division will !be moved here from Delphos. The ’ ground has been secured and all arrangements carefully’ sealed up to ■ this end. The superintendent cf j this division has given his everlasting approval, so it is the intention ■ of the company to make the change. ! Tire ground has been leased them I for an unknown period of years, given free as asouvenirof the city’s best wishes. The passenger Relcom modation will then stop here | instead of Bluffton, and one more local freight will be given us, so ! you see the additions are worth talking about. Our people, who I have been devoting their time and ! patience in working the thing up, | are deserving of commendation. The annual banquet of the Decatur Literary Club was spread last : Friday evening at the Burt House. Prof. Moffatt presided ami propo-ed j the toasts. Each member respond- ; ed in a three minute talk upon the subject of the paper presented by , him during the year. The follow

iug toasts were given by the president and respomled to by the parties named: "The Birth ai.d Growth of Mvth.” by J. F. Mann; “Miracles,” by Rev. E. T. Gregg; “Go-1,” by R. K. Erwin; “The Suu,” by Dell Locke; “Hie Expense of Glory,” by D E. Smith; “The Effect of Euv ronent upon Mankind,” by Dr, J. S. Boyers; “Phrenology,” by Prof. Lee Walters; “Old English in our Common Schools," by Prof. A. D. Motiatt: “Is Genius Hereditary?” by Prof. J. F. Snow; “Protaplasm,” by Dr. D. G. M. Trout; “Eclipses,’’ by Prof. C. A. Dugan, and “Mind” by’ J. T. Merryman. After the the banquet each member of the club was again required to air his views upon the past success amt future prospects of the club. J. D. Hale and wife, and F. M. Sehirmeyer and wife, ami Mesdaraes Mann, Gregg, Erwin, Locke, Boyers, Moffatt, Snow, Trout, Dugan aud Merryman, and Miss Cora Meisse and Miss GraceMcConnehey were present to enjoy the occasion. Some one suggested that it ought not to require a “Miracle” of “God” to let in the light of “The Sun” upon the minds of those present to show that there was no “Myth” about the banquet, but that their “Environments” and 1 “Protoplasmic” “Phrenological” j bumps should show those present | that the banquet would “Eclipse” i anything they had before partaken ’ of, and for ‘ ‘Hereditary Genius’ ’ to attempt to surpass it would be but another example of the “Expense of Glory,” which would be describable only in “OldEnglish.” After such a suggestion of course dissolution took place, and those present wended their way homewards.