Democratic Press, Volume 2, Number 54, Decatur, Adams County, 24 October 1895 — Page 1

~ • VOLUME 11.

GRAND RAPIDS FATALITY CEYLOH, 16 MILES SOUTH OF HERE, THE SCENE OF A DISASTROUS WRECK. JAMES GILSON, WM E. BROWN ANO HARVEY MALOTT ARE KILLED. Decatur waa thrown into a tur moil of excitement last Friday evening about tive o’clock, by the telegraphic announcement of a wreck at Ceylon in which three lives were lost. Further news was meager ami unsatisfactory, although various contradictory reporta wen- in rapid circulation. An hour later a Press re|x>rter was at the scene of the accident, where the former horrible revelations were conclusively proven true. Along side the railing on apiece of sheeting was seen the mangled remains ■ f three men, James Gilson, William E. Brown and Ilarve Malotte bridge carp* nters •, 1( | resi dents of this city. Not only were they mangled beyond recognition, but Dangled, bruised, cut, lorn and mashed until but little was left to tell the tale. The laxly of Malotto was cut in two just below the abdomen, there being no piece of him that covld hardly Ire traced a recognition. Gilson was complete ly ground to pieces, there simply being nothing of him but crushed and matted pieces of flesh, bones and clothing. Brown met a letter fate in this regard. His body was saved from a mangled condition, the fatal wounds being plainly vis ible about his head and face. The accident is the direct cause of oneof those fatal mistakes which sometimes occur. It is not one from which any ex planation can lie given, or excuses rendered. It just happened. The three men who lost their lives, together with John Malotte ami James Carpen ter comprise the Ixxly ot bridge carpenters for this immediate sec tion. They were working on the bridge which crosses the Wabash river, one-half mile this side of Ceylon. At the time of the accident they had shoved a “push car” which was loaded with a tew pieces of bridge timber, from the bridge to the Ceylon side track, in order to allow the pay train clear sailing, to pass through. Gilson, who for sixteen years had lieen foreman of this department, and was consid ered the most careful man on the road. He attended the switch, and as a matter of course thought hecloeed it ami then locked it, but instead left the switch open and locked it. The pay train came thundering down at a speed estimated by the company at forty miles an hour. The three men had their backs to the apprroach ing train, leaning against the car. The train dashed into the siding and was upon them in an instant. John Malotte and James Carpenter were standing on the sides, and from some instinct or presence of mind, jumped to one side and was saved. The engine jumped the track and thundered on for half a square, colliding with a tl it car, but fortunately kept standing so the engineer, fireman and passengers were uninjured. After cot.siderabble work the un fortunate wreckage of humanity were carefully gathered together. Coroner Clark was telegraphed and left on the wreck train, which was also crowded with a vast aggregation of friends and others. The coroner reached there about nine o’clock, but as yet has held no foimai inquest, owing to the impossibility at that time, besides it was unnecessary. He was given a statement of the accidental atlair, and will piobably hold a coroners’inquest in a lew days, lhe bodies of the unfortunate men were taken in charge by undertaker Holloway of Geneva, who made them look as presentable as were possible. They were brought here Bator'ay on the afternoon train, being met at the depot by an immense crowd of our citizens, who turned out to aid, sympathize and assist the families who were so suddenly bereft of their main support and protector. Their funerals took place Sab«.*bath, the remains of Harvey Ma lotte being taken to Deerfield by special train. He has been a resident here for some three years, being that long connected with the railroad company. He was thir-

THE DEMOCRATIC PRESS.

ty-three years old and leaves a wife' and one child. W. E. Brown bad only been connected with the road for about two months. He rame here atiout a year ago and started a tolmcco store next door to Jesse Niblick & Son. He was past thirty years old and leaves a wife ami two children to mourn his death. After services at the house, his remains were taken to Monroeville for interment. James Gilson has always lived in this county being born in K«w>t township in 1843, being fifty two years old Ht the time of his death. He was a member of the forty seventh Indiana ami served throughout the entire conflict, lieing brave, courageous ami respected by every one. For sixteen years past he has lM*en connected with bridge carpentering on the Grand Rapids. In this position he lx* came known toevery one connected with the road, and had the deserving reputation of being careful and r* liable in every way. The funeral services were held from the house at two o’clock with inter meat in Maplewood under the aus pices of Sam Henry Post. G. A. R. WATER RATES DECIDED. COUNCIL MEET, ALLOW SOME BILLS, AND ESTABLISH A FEW WATER RATES. At the council meeting last Tuesday evening France <& Merry-. man in behalf of the administrator of the estate of W. H. H. France, late auditor of the county, for the sum of $l5O, for putting the city taxes upon the tax duplicate. The claim was referred to the judiciary committee. The purchase of a hose cart was referred to the committee on lire department. The petition of D. D. Coffee for an extension of his liquor license for thirty days to cover the time he was out of business was refused. The major casting the deciding vote. The water works committee weie in- ■ structed to require the water works company to remove the water ' mains from Market street south ' from Rugg street to Oak street and relay the same on Fornax I street. The petition of citizens along Indiana street and Nuttman street for a water main on those streets was for the present refused, ; It being the intention to lay mains next year if the finances of the city will permit. The following claims ' were allowed: Fire Co., $12.50, Chas. Smith $1.50, L. C. Helm $1.50, Journal $3, W. R. Besser sl-75, John Logeman sl, J. T- ’ Archbold $16.80, Krick & Meyers I $154.00, Perry Robison $242.60 and J. Niblick & Son 80c. The water works rates were discussed and some of the rates fixed as fol ' lows: Billiard, aaloon or club room $5.00, blacksmith shops $4, I Dentists 1 faucet $3, fountains 1-16 'orifice $5, 1 orifice SB, I orifices2o, ' stables one cow or horse $2, each additional cow or horse 50 cents, sprinkling street and lawn, 66 foot lot $5, photograph gallery $5, offices $1.50, drug stores $5, soda fountain additional $5, printing officesslo to $25, restaurants with kitchen $lO, one faucet $lO, each additional faucet $6, five percent, off if used in kitchen and by faucet Ixith, saloons two faucets sls, sa loons wash basin sl, meat shop $4, faeuets for drinking $2, banks, street sprinkling and water basin $6, business houses, 25 ft front and under, with one faucet SB, bath I tubs $3, each additional $2, water closet in dwellings $2, water closet in hotels $5, watering troughs sls, water basin in dwelling 50 cents, urinals in dwellings $1.50, urinals in hotels $3, urinals constant flow $6, water rate for railroad $7.50 per 1000 gallons, churches free except baptismal founts. The rate upon dwellings was not fixed but it seemed to be the opinion of the' council it ought to be $5.00 in all houses under seven rooms, with a reduction to the consumer if water was taken for street and lawn sprinkling. The rating has not been completed but so far as they have been adopted they will give our people a general idea of the price which they will have to pay for water. The Decatur Democratic Press devotes two columns of a biograph ical sketch of the late Jesse Niblick of that city, producing therewith an excellent engraving of the deceased citizen.—Portland Bun.

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24.1895.

Mrs. J. W. Place visited Huntington relative this week. Michael McGriff of Geneva, was smiling among friends here last Thursday. Peter Hollh<wse spent Monday at Geneva looking after his busim*ss interests. Lew DeHaven wheeled over from Bluffton and spent yesterday afternoon in a real live town. W. IT. Shepherd of Hartford township, will hold a sale of personal property next Saturday. Mrs. Lide Collins of Marion, visited in theeity over last Sunday, the guest of her niece, Mrs. J. F. Mann. The services at the Christian church continue under the direction of the able pastor, Rev. Vaugh. Everybody invited to attend the Young People’s convention to be held at the Evangelical church Decatur, Ind., Oct. 29 31. We are glad to report to you this week that Miss Jennie Bollman has somewhat recovered from the serious condition reported last week. Esq. Bryan of Jefferson township, wascirculatingamong friends here Tuesday. He reports the legal business in that section as booming. Mrs. Anna Droppieman of Louis ville, Ky., and a reader of the Pri-xs, retnnud to her home last Thursday after a pleasant visit with relatives in this city. Will Kimsey arrived here from Nebraska a few days ago, and is visiting relatives. He is an old Adams county production, this being his first visit here for many years. J. A. Hemiricks, while in town Monday renewed his subscription to the Prens, the l>est and newiest newspaper in Adams county. He reports everything thriving in his neighborhood. The twin boys Imm to Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Bobo Tuesday night, diet! a few hours afterward. We are sorry to make such an announcement, but the hand of providence is supreme. The Mandolin club of Decatur, drove over Bunday ami spent a pleasant evening with the family of L. B. Hale. The boys discoursed some verj’ choice music and an early return would be ap predated.—Willshire Gazette. H. C. McLean, an employee of the government printing office at W sshington, is home on a vacation. His parents and oceans of friends reside here. He is a first class, up-to-date printer for which knowlj edge he receives SIOO a month in Uncle Sam’s gold. On Oct 26, Nov. 5, 15, and 25, ’ Dec. 5 and 16, the G. R. & I, will 1 sell excursion tickets Decatur to ; Atlanta, Ga., at $15.60 each. Re turn limit 10 days from date of sale. The distance from Decanr I to Atlanta ami return is 1262 miles, and it only takes 30 hours to travel it each way. Campbell & Ervin of Berne, will give a “cloak opening” on next Thursday, October 31. You will find their advertisement elsewhere in this edition, which you must be sure ami look up. The ladies around Berne want to paste this date in their summer hats, and attend this opening. The array of cloaks will be something marvelor s. Postmaster Herr is now doing' business in his new room with the; handsomest furnished office in this section of the country any place. It is all bran new, up-to-date and i every citizen go after their mail with a feeling of pride, for all of which Martin is to be commended. His next door neighbor, B. W. Hale, is also nicely located with ; his grain office and retail store of I seeds, salt, lime, cement and var ions other commodities. Asa S. Fred of the Marion Morn ing News, and Miss Josa M. Malotte of this city, were united in marriage at the bride’s home last Monday evening They had intended being married at Ridgeville where they went Sunday, but when they arrived there they found themselves minus a license, a necessary document when one intends taking unto himself a wife. But the immediate relatives were present. They left at once sot Marion, where they will make their future home. The Press congratulates.

E. J Wisrhaupt of Bluffton, was attending to business here Monday. Richard K. Erwin was mixed up in legal business at Portland yesterday afternoon. Mi is Anna Yager came home Saturday from a week’s visit with relatives at Fort Wayne. John Mayer now handles hot metal on the Press. He beginning that duty Monday last. Mrs. William Fitzmaurice of Winchester, returned home Monday after a visit with relatives. Mrs. Frank Stepenaon of Bluffton, Suudayed in this city, ami was pn-sent at the Freel-Malotte wedding. The Methodist ladies will serve turkey on Thanksgiving Day in their church parlors. They hereby serve notice on the public. Be sure to hear Rev. Carl D. Hazelton at the Baptist church next Sunday morning st 10:30 ami also in the evening at 7:30. A new slate roof on the Erie depot is improvement enough to talk alxmt. It kx»ks lietter, and is Ix-tter than their former spring style covering. Henry McLain is wearing a , sprained ankle which makes navigation somewhat difficult. It will be some little time before Henry ;cau walk with ease. Don’t fail to ponder the large cloak opening advertisement of Simistm & Soldner of Berne, Oct. 29, 30 and 31. They intend giving their customers some immense bargains. Rev. Carl D. Hazelton of Richmond, Ind., a graduate of Franklin college, will preaeh at the Baptist church next Bunday morning and evening. All are cordially invited to hear him. Will Sheets of Berne, is again iu the restaurant business for all it is worth, and will serve warm meals, lunch ami the like both day and night. When at Berne don’t for get this fact. Postmaster Weiflej’ has on hand unclaimed letters belonging to Sarah Hunter, Globe Hotel, Mrs. Fred Roth, J. J. M. Miller, Albert Lacy, Harvey Lee, Stephen Kestler, Hanna Hanley, 1-. P- church and Ada Clevenger. W. A. Nichols Grand Rapids agent at Portland, accompanied by Roadmaster James Levy and Mr. Wright, all employees, were here Sunday paying their sympatethic respects to Mrs. Gilson, whose husband was one of the unfortunates in the Ceylon wreckage. The preliminary hearing of Forger Evans came up in Esq. Hill’s court Tuesday. After hearing the preliminary evidence the court bound him over for further investigation by the grand jury, which will convene in two weeks. Not being able to furnish the required S4OO bond, he is again an inmate of the county bastile. We are pleased to state to our readers this week that the three cornered riddle that has been traversing our city for a few days, to the effect that the Erie officials in tended to make through trains of i the 2:13 west and 8:08 east, is a canard. Agent Delong informs us that advice from the superintendent says this was never their intention. Good. John W. Coffee, ex marshall, while <1 riving on Monroe street had the misfortune to break a leg of one of his horses. The accident was caused by one of the embankments thrown up over the water mains, and the contractors immediately investigated the matter and settled with Mr. Coffee by paying for his horse. The contractors throughout the entire work have shown themselves to be fair and honorable and disposed to do what is right. Indiana will take a forward step in the direction of remedying exist ing conditions in connection with the management of its penal institutions. The special committee appointed at the last session of the legislature has completed an exhaustive inquiry into the manage ment of penitentiaries and the result will be the introduction of a bill abolishing the present system of hiring convicts to contractors. It is proposed to employ the state’s charges on the public highways, the only exception being made when long time and life prisoners are received for confinement. The object is to force convict labor from the field of competition with free labor.

The St. Vineent DePaul Aid Society will meet nt the residents* of John B. Webber, Wednesday, Oct. 30. Christ Hocker and family left the first of the week for a short visit with relatives in Nebraska. They will be absent two or three weeks. Ehinger& Meyers have a change of advt. for you this we»-k, which especially emphasizes the fact that they are the people for overcoats. Read up. Sat unlay morning from St. Marys Catholic church tx-curre! the funeral services of Mrs. Joseph Steigmeyerand infant child. Interment in St. Joseph cemetery. Justice Hill heard the case of the State \s. Howe for obstructing Winchester street, and fined Mr. Howe $5. An appeal was immediately taken to the circuit court. The office of Frank M. Schirmeyer is being enlarged by the annulling of numerous petitions, all of which verj’ matctially improves its appearance and conven ience. The I’kixs knows of 278 acres of the best laud in Adams county, within one-half mile of Decatur, that can lx* purchased on reasonable terms. Call at this office ami ; make some coin. B. J. Terveer and family last week entertained A. Korte and wife of lafayeite, ami C. A. Rikers of Fort Wayne. The former was a resident of this place many years ago. Auditor Brandbyberry has apJ pointed Rudolph Schug as assessor of French township to till the vacancy caused by the death of John Klopfenstein. The appointment . is a g<xxl one and entirety satisfactory to the inhabitants of French. Fred L. Burtran, an old Bluffton boy, but for tive years past a resident and attorney at law in Idaho, is back in the arms of his friends. He will not return to his western home until next «nmmer. He visited this city Saturday and renewed old acquaintances. Circuit court easeaiileu since last , week, ar • Frank M. Schirineyer vs. Elizabeth Numliers el al., attachment. William Mersman vs. Peter I Wilhelm »t al., note; demand S2OO. State vs. Herbert R. Howe et al., suit on forfeited recognizance. John F. Herbert et al. vs. John 11. ! Runyun et al, to forclose me'chanies lien; demand $925. Thursday evening Gctober 17, 1895, Mr. Thomas E. Dickerson and Miss Sadie E. Pontius both of Geneva, were united in marriage by Pastor H. H. Smith of the Bap tist church at his residence in this city. Mr. Clem I) Kennedy and I Miss Alma Stillwell accompanied ; the bride and groom and acted as groomsman and bridesmaid. The Press oougratulat<s. Three new brick business rooms just north of the Press office, are now under construction by Amos Foreman. The new additions will be neat, tasty and just the thing for ordinary business. We suppose he already has them rented, as soon as they are completed. As a | matter of news we want to inform you that this part of the earth is fast coming to the front. We are th<‘ people. For the proposed Corbett Fitz-' simmons contest the (’lover Leaf route will issue one fare excursion tickets to the “World’s Banitar ium,” Hot Sprint's, and return, from all stations, Oct ix-r 20 to MO inclusive. Ample ictiirn limit. Clover Leaf trains make direct connections in new Union station. St. Louis, with Hot Springs trains via Iron Mountain route. For further particulars call on nearest agent ('lover Leaf route. When thej’ light, remember. The Adams county W. C. T. U. convention will be held in Decatur on Fi itlay, October 25, commencing at 2p. m. The afternoon session will consist of devotional exercises, minutes of Isst convention and election of officers, after which sev eral papers on subjects connected ' with W. C. T. U. work, will be read and discussed. Miss Ella Schenk will be with us and dr liver an address, which with appropriate recitations and music will occu py the entire evening. The con vention will be held in the First I Presbyterian church. A cordial invitation is extended to all to be; present. Entertainment will be provided for visitors. Mrs. R. B. Allison, Pres. .

NUMBER 54

James Kizet and wife of (’leveland, Ohio, were visitors in the city this week, the guests of old acquaintance. Mrs. ChtrlcH D. Murray of this city, and Mrs. Carpenterof Preble, visited relatives and friends at Waterloo over Sunday. Hiram Pine of Wabash township, touches the button for a years subscription Io the Press, aril will endeavor to know all that s turning up in this neck of the universe. The town council at last gtve Auditor Brandyberry S6O for making out their tax duplicates. That bt ing by far tbecheapi st ami best way to get the corporate taxes on the duplicate ready for collection. Gillig & Mjers were the purchasers of the Robison, ( : illig & ('o. stone quarry, leaaeand ground connected therewith. The purchase [>iie<* wast #6,000. It was sold by David Eley receiver, who was appointed at the hist term of court. Marriage licenses I ave been issued the past week to Thomas E. Dickerson and Sadie I’ouiius, Asa S. Freel ami Josa M. Malotte, Judson S. Wertsbaugher and Rosa I. Brothers, Jacob Debolt and Nora Walters, John R. Rixlabaugh and Lydia E. Briggs. Another wreck on the Grand Rapids lines <x-curred Monday night. The wreck train jumped the rail at Portland ami with three cars attached were ditched. A young boy by name of Fohner, who was stealing a ride, was killed, lhe boy lived at Portland. The G. R. & I. will sell excursion tickets to the Atlanta exposition ami return, Sept is to Dec 31, as follows: For tickets limited to 20 days $20.30; for tickets good until January 7, 1896. $27.70. For further information call at G. IL & I. depot. All question- cheerfully answered. Yesterday at Geneva occurred the marriage of ?diss Ella Briggs and J. A. Radabangh of Celina, Ohio. The former is a native of Geneva, but for several years past has la*en a teacher in the Celina *ehoois. After a short honey moon at Kentlaml, Ind., they will take t p their residence in Celina. Jacob Wegtniller, the proprietor of the “Oak” at Geneva, is about the most eleverdutchman we know of, and is doing a land office business in his handsome new brick room. The room is finished up in the latest styles, and Jakes winning smile does the re«t. He is courteous, accommodating ami treats his customers just right. Miss Rose Rademacher, whose serious illness we have menti 'tied for the past week or two, died at nine o’ehwk last Friday night. She was twenty three years old, an c<'ompLsh<‘d young lady with a h >f warm ixosonal friends, who f -el sorely grieved at her death. i lie funeral was held from St. Mar's church Monday morning, followed with interment in St. Joseph eemetery. The tire company was called out last Friday afternoon to suppress a blaze that originated in Smith A: Bell’s lumber yard, and which sue eeeded in destroying a few him dred dollars w» rlh of lumber. It is supposed that a lighted cigar stub originated the blaze. It was wimly ami < Iml day for a fire, ami it was mighty lucky that no further damage was done. The fire company went gallantly to the scene of action and sueceedtd in drowning all indications of a fire. At the annual meeting of the stock-holders of the Bank of Bert e held at their banking house, October 19, the following persons were elected directors for the ensuing year: David Studabaker, Rufus K. Allison ami W 11. Niblick, of Decatur; A. A. Springer, (’. A. Neuenschwander, ('. A. Augsburger ami Peter Soldner, of Berne. Mr. R. B. Allison, who was one of the organizers and has served as a director since, declined are election and his son, R. K. Allison was ejected iu his place. The business of the bank has always been satisfactory and for the last six months under the management of Rudolph Lehman, its efficient cashier, the earnings have been considerably increased. The lank has always been conducted in a conservative and business-like manner and we congratulate the citizens of Berne and vicinity in having such a splendid institution, which we feel they duly appreciate and back up with their business and influence.