Democratic Press, Volume 1, Number 33, Decatur, Adams County, 30 May 1895 — Page 1

THE DEMOCRATIC PRESS.

VOLUME I.

Sheriff Ashbaucher was in the southern part of the county on official business the first of the week. Mrs. Jessie Townsend has a large class at Portland, which she is in strueting in the mysteries of vocal accomplishments. Shemakes week ly visits there to instruct them. This is decoration day and our people are paying tribute to the brave heros who have fought so gallantly in the ranks of life, and have gone to their reward in the world above. Bowers and Christen are looking after the gas plant for the new company, who have taken control of same. It is needless to add that everything will move along just right under their supervision. George Fink, Vance and Jess Buckmaster. Joseph Kinney, J. (’. and Maggie Moran, Jess and UlyssesSnyderall of Jefferson township attended teacher’s examination before Supt. Snow, in this city Satur day. Curryville was the scene of a fire one night the latter part of last week, in which the general store belonging to E. Plank was totally destroyed. It was the work of an incendiary. The loss incurred is about S6OO. The brick and tile industry of Krick, Myers & Co. is becoming quite a noteworthy enterprise. Strangers who visit it, pronounce it one of best institutions of the kind in the state, and that is surely say ing a good deal. Bead and buy of those who advertise in the t ’.kess. You will al ways find there the value of your coin, and also those who will treat their customers just as they advertise that they will. Post up on bargains and then invest. The assessors for this city and township are just now putting the cap sheaf on their labors of assessing the real and personal property contained within the borders of this section described. A. Holthouse and J. H. Stone assisted Assessor Jackson with the work. A shooting bee between Fort Wayne officers and a grang of vagabond tramps resulted in the serious injury of an officer or two. Surely our legislature should take action in such a matter of impor tance, that throws the lives of our officers as well as all our citizens in constant fear of injury. The new cases docketed last week include William H. Shepherd vs Samuel M. Shugart, appeal from J. P.; JohnH.B. Richards vs Margaret Jacobs, et al., partition; John H. Richards vs Margaret Laehot, et al., partition; John 11. Richards vs Margaret Jacobs, et al., partition; Dallas G. M. Trout vs City of Decatur et al., restraining order. Shaffer Peterson and his faithful co-laborers are now busy upon their citationoftheOhio law book, which will be ready for the printer some time the first of June. Instead of a vest pocket edition the size and number of citations have been nu- j mericably increased. It will be a seller without any shadow of human doubt. Shafe is simply in it clear up to his shirt front. The new Clover Leaf passenger went out on schedule time Monday morning, leaving here at 5:10 and arriving back in the eveningat 7:50. Their new time card appears elsewhere, the only other changes being the morning train east which is now due at 5:36 returning at 8:33. Agent E. A. Whinery tells us that some six crews will make this their stopping point after a week or so. This will bring several additional families to the city, all of whom will be welcomed as only our gracious people know how . Frank B. Johnson whom we mentioned last week as being in jail on a charge of embezzlement the charge being preferred by G. W. T. Luckey and other’s, whom said Johnson had in a manner flimflammed by representing himself as being connected with a collection agency located at Toledo. The defendant had his trial before Mayor Quinn last Thursday and was acquitted of the charge after a hard, effective legal tussel between France Merryman and Prosecutor Hooper. He was immediately re-arres-ted for collecting money under false pretenses, and on this charge the Mayor found him guilty and bound him over for further action to the circuit court, under a bond of S3OO. He sleeps at Sheriff Ashbaucher's abode.

Mrs. 11. L. Wisner, the wife of Deputy Clerk Wisner of Bluffton, •lied at her home last Friday. The funeral took place from the Baptist Church there on Sunday. J. M. Rice is now owner of an interest in the livery barn owned by E. M. Peoples, and will make some additions thereabouts that will add much to the appearance and con venience of the stable. List of letters that remain in the postoffice in this city are Robt. Moulton. James Miller, Wilson Spitzer, Bert Shrock, Mrs. Louisa Shaffer, Miss Cory Haviland and E. E. Bryan. John Wei.ft.ey, P. M. For the meeting of the Sunday School Association of Indiana, at Indianapolis June 11 to 13th. The G. R. & I. will sell round trip tickets to the above point June 11 and 12th. return limit June 14th. At one fare $3.30. R. S. Peterson is now just able to attend to his law business again, after a lagrippe illness of a month < or more. It would seem to us that he had his ful 1 share and is entitled to a vacation therefrom the remain-| der of his natural life. Fifty-two applicants for teach ers license were before Supt. Snow Saturday, taking the required examination. Among the number were a few from Jay and Allen counties. It would seem that the seekers of knowledge grow in numbers. Memoiial services were held Sun - 1 day afternoon at Concord Church at Monmouth. The address was delivered by Rev. Kain, which was listened to by a large attentive audience. Some fifty of theG. A. R. and W. R. C. of this city were in attendance. The superintendent of public instruction shows that theschoolenumeration of the state is 10,074 less than the number reported one year ago. We don’t presume that this i industry is falling away any, but the last legislature passed stringent laws upon the padding ofenumera tion lists, and this is probably the cause of the shortage. Brenton Barkley, who has been the efficient baker for Line Bros, for several weeks past, severed his connection with that firm Saturday and left on No. 8 for Decatur, where he has secured a lucrative place at one of the bakeries at that place. Mr. Barkley, during his stay here, made many friends among our young people, who regretted very much to see him leave.—Markle Journal. The Eagle Manufacturing Company has recently turned out some patent clover hullers for parties at Ridgeville, which are said to be quite a convenience in the thresh ing of this product. It is a selffeeding arrangement, and that speaks weans in its favor. The Eagle company are doing a nice line of work, bringing customers to their command from quite a distance. Every member of the class who graduate with honor from our public schools tomorrow night, were present at the Methodist church last Sunday evening and listened to Rev. Gregg, who had been chosen todeliverthe baccalaureate sermon. The Rev. was at his best, delivering a practical and well meaning address touching many ideas of usefulness to those who were just step ping into the practical channel of life. The church was crowded to ! its utmost, many people interested in the progression of our schools ! being present. B. F, Foster, the grand secretary iof the Odd Fellows in this state, made this following report to the grand lodge, which was in session at Indianapolis last week: There are 513 lodges now effective in the state—three more than at the time of the last semi-annual report. There are now in effective membership in Indiana 41,888 Odd Fellows | —twenty-one more than six months ago and 707 more than at the same time a year ago. In relief, $51,003.15 has been paid for brothers; $2,410 for widowed families; $225 for educating orphans; $13,960 for burying the dead, and $5,328 for other charitable purposes; a total for the term of $72,868. For the year the total is $155,628. For the Rebekah lodges the total membership was 21,061, against 19,134 for the preceding year. The total receipts from these lodges was $35,702; the total expenses, including relief, $15,519; and the total assets at the beginning of this year, $lB,172.

DECATUR, IXDIAXA, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 1895.

The Citizens Telephone Company has a new alphabetical list of their patrons, which they aredistrihuting among them for their convenieee. The ’phone business is just now in the prime of its, life. ‘•What is home without a mother’ ’ was the inscription on a finely ex- ' ecuted picture John T. France was : lugging home the other evening. The subject is a very sympathetic one,so we wont dwell longer through this veil of tears. Letters from Monroe, Michigan gives meager accounts of Frank B. Johnson’s presence and methods of I collections there. Newspaper ac- i counts have found him also at St. i Mary's, Wapakoneta, Ohio, as well ' as many other places. 1 Tom Auten is fixing up his room just south of this office, and will • put in a stock of furniture, under- 1 taking establishment, &c. A new I glass front will be put in the build- : ing and the up stairs all fixed up ' and arranged for business. Decatur's driving park is becoming a thing of beauty and with the proper care will last forever. The track is just now being completed j , and is indeed a good one. The season for racing is now here, so look | for some fast speed to distinguish itself. Mesdames Nachtrieb, Moffatt, Patterson, Bell, Devilbiss, Schafer, , Keubler, Locke and Allison formed a party that drove to Berne last . Friday. They took dinner at the 1 famous Berne hotel, guested with friends and enjoyed the day- as only women can. John Maccabee, an old resident of Wabash township, died very suddenly last Friday from heart disease. He was a brave soldier in . union army, serving well his country during and since those perilous times, and leaves behind him many pleasant remembrances of his earthly career. The funeral took place Sunday with interment in the Snow I cemetery at Ceylon. Comparatively few people west of Omaha have ever seen a genuine wild Indian. Beveridge’s Montana Wildest West has the only ones, now on exhibition. Please compare 1 : their number, splendid proportions, j commanding presence, fearless feats of horsemanship and savage free dom of action with the part and; performances of the shiftless shams, I heretofore beheld with commingled | feelings of disappointment and disgust. An exchange givesout this receipt. for people who own a temper that | is dangerous- Don't get angry, it makes you look old and produces [ wrinkles. If you are hopping mad and yearn for a ten-penny nail with an idea of biting it in two, j ust stop where you are and count a I hundred before you speak. If you are still mad count a thousand, and when that is done if your temper is I still carrying 400 pounds pressure | to the square inch, count a million.l If that don’t cool you down to a nor- ■ mal temperature count two million I slowly and count one million backwards. You will be all right then. The Methodist Church last Sab-I bath morning was an attractive < pointfora largenumberofDecatur’s 1 loyal people. Especially those who with arms and haversack, plodded ! ■ through the now historic period of j I '6l-5, and loaned their life and ! . i strength towards the preservation of this glorious American union, j Sabbath was memorial day, a time j j when the surviving vets, their f wives, sons and daughtes do honor ■ to an occasion that marks the dedication of peace after a four years j struggle for liberty. Sam Henry | | Post, No. 63, were out enmasse to Ido honor to the occasion. The j church was beautifully decorated; with the much cherished stars and stripes and other tokens of “peace j lon earth, good will to mankind.” | I Not a vacant seat was there in the i vast auditorium and lecture room, | ’ besides the aisles were filled, many standing throughout the exercises, 1 and still others failed to gain ad- ■ mission at all. The serman by Rev. Vitz of the German Lutheran Church, was an able,eloquent patriotic discourse, filled with many wordsof wisdom, which were extremely gratifying to the many gray hairs who risked their lives in those perilous hours. As time travels on in its mad flight, and the ranks of the blue coats grow numerically I less, the patriotism of our people ; seems to increase instead of dii ■ minish. This fact speaks volumes in ■ behalf of loyalty, and we hope it ; may ever be so.

The Adams and National Banks are closed today, this being a legal holiday and no time for you to sign a check tor Press subscription. Business houses in general close from ten o’clock until two. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Schafer gave a dinner party Saturday evening to a small number of their friends, who were delightfully entertained during the few hours devoted at the pleasant home of the host and hostess. The Press this week wanders to F. W. Fuelling at Bingen, who knows a good thing when he sees it, and dont stand back on ceremonies. It is needless to add that he will receive all the news, fresh and to the point. Bro. Ed Walkup of the Delphos Courant, was here last Thursday, the severe illness of Grandmother McGunnegillcalling him here. We j are indebted for a -social call, at which time he pronounced the hustling town of Delphos as progressing in its usual mystic fashion. Last Friday was the ninety-fifth birthday of Grandmother Farell, a resident of Fourth Street, where she lives with her daughter, Mrs. Me- ’ Lain. She is strong, bright and happy, and unless something en tirely unlocked for occurs she will ■ reach the one hundred mark withI out any trouble. It is a good old | age and but few people ever reach it. Joseph Swain, LL. D., president of the Indiana university, will give the class address at the high school commencement which takes place at the Methodist church tomorrow night. His address will contain many things of interest and should be listened to by everybody who can make it convenient to attend. Supt. Moffatt will present the diplomas. Charles Harding, of Decatur, was in the city Saturday looking for his thirteen-year-old son, William, > who disappeared from his home on May 16. The boy had shown no indications of being dissatisfied with his home surroundings, and Ino reason is known for his action. , He wore a new suit of clothes, has ! light hair and blue eyes. He issupj posed to have came to this city and the police are looking for him.— Fort Wayne Journal. The following is a game law that ; ought now to be in effect. “Book agents may be killed from September Ist to October Ist; spring poets March Ist to July- Ist; scandal monj gers, any time; whales August Ist j to January Ist; the man who waits j till the editor- has gone from home and then sneaks in and throws half I a cord of elm slang in the editorial woodhouse in payment for a year's subscription, as well as the antiquarian, two penny business man ; who thinks it does not pay to adi vertise may bekilled from January 11st to December 31st, without re I course or any relief from valuation j or appraisment. Few folks need a second bidding to a feast of fat things, and the one of wonder and fun suggested by the Montana Wildest West I bill of fare, which Beveridge & ' Davenport will spread afield, in this city on Thursday, June 6, is both ' sufficient ample and varied to surI prise and delight the masses, while i very much will be included in the ! way of historical and ethnological ' object lessons of instructive value and strikingly novel entertainment. I The unparrelled number and savage I characteristics of the participating ■ tribe of Canadian Cree Indians far : exceed the limits of an ordinary i show, and assume the proportions jof such an exposition of truly wild j aboriginals, in wildest illustrations of war and wilderness life, as, until ' this season, no civilized community : has ever seen. In appropriate asso i ciation will also be given a most . complete and realistic representation of that reckless and romantic j border life, of which in the course 'of a few years advancing civiliza- | tion will leave no trace. The rough ■ rider, cowboy, scout and crack shot | will appear in the dare-devil feats and sports, and the extraordinaryillustrations of singular dexterity ■ peculiar to the plains. The scope Jof the new enterprise is also big enough to include h’ppodromatic, Arabian and ancient races and performances in lavish variety and of the highest order, and the huge street pagent will be a popular sensation and surprise. The emulaI tion to obtain the S2OO prize by riding the Belgrade Bucking Bull promises to furnish a world of uproarious amusement.

“KILT’’ DEAD. The Waterworks Waylaid by a Snag. That Snag Nothing Less Than an Injunction. Individual Waterworks Will Now Have to be Greased up for Action in Case of Fire. Two weeks ago this newspaper was authority that plans, specitiI cations, contract and price had been agreed upon between the members iof the common council and the Howe Pump & Engine Company of Indianapolis, for the construction • and completion of one of the best waterworkssystems now in use anywhere within the broad area of Indiana. That was then the facts, cool and clear, and so remained until Tuesday of this week, when the j air castle was crushed to naught, ■ right before the very eyes of its ' fond loving projectors. The cause thereof was simple but effective. I As a matter of fact the financial condition of tae city 's finances are not in shape to be bonded for the I amount required in the erection of this plant. In order to evade this part of the law, the council and school board agreed between themselves that the latter should loan a | corporation $19,500, that amount to be used by that corporation as part payment for the plant, the council! agreeing to refund that.amount tv the school trustees, and then bond the city for the remainder, which , could have been done han no om interfered to the contrary. But I alas, at the last moment Dallas G. M. Trout allowed his name to be ( used to a complaint and restraining order, which in substance and fact ; is as follows: . State of Indiana. ' In the Adams Circuit Adams county, f Court. Aujust Term. l' < Dallas G. M. Trout. The City of Decatur. Jonas S. Coverdale. William H. Niblick. Judson W. Teeple. Injunction. George W. Patterson, > John Buhler. John W. Vail. Albert Britson. I Barton W. Quinn. M iyor. | Dalias G. M. Trout, plaintiff intheai>ove entitled cause of act ion. complains of the de- » fendants. the city of Decatur, and her corn- , mon council, saief Jonas >. Coverdale.U illiam H. Niblick. Judson W. Teeple. George W. Pati terson. John Buhler. John W. Vail, who an 1 the duly elected and qualified common coun- , ell of said city. That said Barton W. Quinn is the mayor of said city, duly elected an<l qualified, and that Albert Britson is the duly elected and qualified clerk of said city. That 1 the defendant, the city of Decatur, is a corporation organized and duly incorporated under the law* of the state of Indiana, that such corporation has has listed for taxation personal property of the valueofS and real estate of the value of t That the bonded indebtedness of said city amounts to the sum of * . and that the floating indebtedness of said city amounts to the sum of # That »aid <-itj by reason ot r said indebtedness is already indebted more ’ than the two per cent. as provided for by iaw: that said city, by her officers, the common coilncii thereof, made defendants hereto, are tlireatening to issue, and unless restrained, will issue. Ixinds of said city to the amount of $29,501). for the alleged purpose of erecting. ’ constructing and building an addition ton certain school building already constructed • within our city. That said city lias now under consideration a proposed construction of a | system of waterworks in said city. That owing i to the present indebtedness of said city afore- , j said being already in excess of the amount limited and fixed by law s.«id city is unable > to negotiate bonds for said improvement, that it is the purpose of these defendants to issue the said jejy.soo of bonds, as aforesaid, ami » a PPD’ the proceeds of the sale of the same, in part, to the construction and improvement of a certain school building in said city, to-wit the sum of JIO.IKM). and the balance thereof. ! the sum of $9,500 is to be loaned to some per- , son or corporation, to this plaintiff unknown. • and is to lx? unlawfully applied to the con- • structiou of waterworks within and for the said city of Decatur. Indiana. That said ’ scheme lias been entered into and consumated ! for the sale and unlawful purpose of evading ' the law. and thereby placing upon this plaintiff and the taxpayers an unjust and burdensome tax. in all thingscoutrary to law. That 1 all of said above named common council will vote for said proposed issue of bonds, ami that mayor and clerk, said defendants afore- ■ said, will sign same when issued and drafted by said common council. That said defend- I ants, the common council of said city of De- j . j catur. Indiana, meet thi» evening, to-uit: at ". ;3u o'clock. Tuesday, the 2*th day <>f May. . I 1895. in session regular and lawful, and at said session are threatening to issue and negotiate ‘ bonds, unless restrained therefrom That k said plaintiff has been informed and believes ‘ that said common council have already ne- . gotiated and contracted with persons to the j plaintiff unknown, for the sale of said bonds. I and unless they are immediately restrained . I from selling the same, the sale thereof will Im? ■ consummated as aforesaid. That said plaintiff is informed that some person to him unknown. will be ready to purchase said bonds, and is uow in said city of Decatur. That the . school trustees of the said city of Decatur have made no contract aud incurred no in»l debtedness toward the building, repa .ring, ali tering or enlarging said school building, nor have thej r any under contemplation that is generally known to the public of said city, or ’ I the taxpayers of said city. . Wherefore, plaintiff asKs for an injunction J and that said defendants be restrained from I ! issuing, selling or negotiating said pronoseti 3 i issue of b«»uds. or any part therei>f. until said “ court can hear and determine said cause, said _ defendants be permanently enjoined therefrom and for all other proper relief. " I The State of Indian i • L’ Adams County. < 1 Dallas G. M. Trout, being first duly sworn. 1 upon liis oath swears that the above and i. foregoing complaint is true in substance and fact, as he verily believe*,. DALLAS G. M. TROUT.

NUMBER 33

Tm . >f Indiana ■ AG.ams < ounty. • ' !»• Il xi. Trout vs. City of Decatur. We i t.e undersigned, hereby undertake that , Dallas G. M. Trout, w ill pay "all costs or damage> t t rnay occur to the defendants in the above . ntitled cause of action, by reason of tiie writ of injanction issued therein. DALLAS G. M. TROUT. I l’>. HOLTHOUSE. R. S. PETERS* >N. Exai ....‘■•i and approved by me this da > of M .v. 1--X. b. h. HELLER. Judge ••>ith Judicial Circuit. Subs E >'*d and sworn to In-fore me this sfeth ; day of M• y. 1 "’G. E. BL KT LENHART. Deputy Clerk. Th.-S. • .f Adams County. • ' Paul G. Hooper, being first duly sw ,rn upon oath. >wears he is the plaintiff's attorney I in this cause of action: that all the fads set I out in said complaint as amended, are true ( as he verily tieiieves. PAIL*.. HoOPEK. SubscriN-d and sworn to before me this *>th I day of May. D.G. J. A. M. ADAIR. Clera. The d fondants are restrained from issuing, st ring arifi negotiating the bonds mentioned in tin {<.■•••_' dn_' complaint, until *aturday. , the Ist day of June. 1595. at 7o’clock p. m. and until the further order of the Adams Circuit j Court, or the Judge thereof in vacation. Witness my hand and seal this *>th day of May. D ’ D. D. HELLER. Judge Adams Circuit Court. I The State of Indiana i aa . Adams County. < ‘ , 1. Joi.ii H. Lenhart. Clerk of the Adams Circuit Court, in and for said county, hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true. 1 full and complete copy of tin complaint tiled in tie cause <»f Dallas G. M. Trout vs. ( ity of Decatur et al., and the order of the Judge of I said <‘ourt endorsed thereon. In Testimony W hereof. I have hereunto subscribed my name and hereunto [SEAL] affixed the seal of said court at my office in the city of Decatur, this >th day of May. IsiG. JoIIN 11. LENHART, Clerk, by E. Burl Lenhart. Deputy. When our readers get through with all of the above complaint and restraint they will readily see that iit is sufficient to kill any waterworks enterprise ever inagurated in this or any other city. Tuesday afternoon Attorneys Hooper for the plaintiffs and Mann aud France for ; the city, appeared before the honorable J udge with a view of arguing the matter, out the result was in|evitable, so the council members met in their star chamber and passed this glaring resolution which | they dedicate to the memory of the I fatal objectors: RESOLUTION. I Whrhea<. On the evening of May 15. 1895. the contract for putting in a waterworks plant in tic- city of Decatur, was awarded to I the Howe Pump and Engine Company, upon certain <• aiditioiis anti I \\ HEKiA--, Thorsv conditions can not be comi plic<l - tii ■ ilher upon the part of the city or th< lid II -we Pump and Engine Company, on account or the strong opposition on the purl of some of our enterprising citizens. Therefore Im- it ' Resolved. That the said contract lie ami 1 j the vihi- -* declared off. and our city left to i the ii r -of the elerm-nts and to the help I of the - aid enterprising citizens. It isn’t necessary to comment to any vxteu upon this outcome aud re-uli Uhe majority of our people could bite a ten-penny nail in two, their indignation being keyed to that extent by this outcome. That we need a . ood system of waterworks for our protection in case of tiie no one will deny. That we need it too for our convenience and enterprise can not be denied. It is also true that by the specifications aud contract agreed upon, the conconstruction of this system need not to have worked a hardship upon any of our taxpaying people, be they ever so humble. If any town would have waited until they had finance on hand to erect any enterprise of this kind, they never would have it. It is the same way with Decatur. If we sit until doomsday we will have nothing but corns, and no money to build a waterworks system with which to protect our city’s interests. The vote upon this question was almost unanimous in its favor, and now that the idea for the present will have to be buiieJ, is galling in the extreme to tiie larger majority of our people. Everybody will now please bow in humble submi>s : on to the will of that complaint. The comnum council in session assembled Tuesday evening, let the contract for macadamizing West Monroe street to Robinson, Gillig & Co. forsl 1 spercubicyard. Abond ordinance was passed ordering the finance committee to sell bonds for Fifth Street improvements in the | sum of sl. 245,02. The finance com--1 mittee reported the sale of Jefferson and Third Street improvement bonds, which were taken little above par. This isnt so bad for a city that can’t support water works. At this juncture Deputy Sheriff Erwin appeared on the scene and read a restraining order document that was as long as the moral law. This scared the dog water out of the city j dads, and the meeting broke up i without any red tape whatever. ■j Two promising young sons were i' born Monday afternoonat thehome ji of Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Romberg, i Such an addition as this is surely - an over dose of joy, but Max is equal to the emergency, and is setting ’em up to the boys with a degree of pleasure not noticeable every i day. All concerned with the happiness are recovering nicely.