Democratic Press, Volume 2, Number 87, Decatur, Adams County, 11 June 1896 — Page 1

Q PAGES JHISWEEK,

VOLUME 11.

UPTAIH ADOHIRAM JUDSON Hill. r t in with i» deep feeling of w , th ,w that we give publicity to thin of th<* <lviith of Vloninui' Judson Hill, whose lite b»,l slowly Iwen ebbing away. Monday evening twenty minutes until seven o’clock the last breath of life wits extinguished, and our lay prone in death. It was a bitter blow to the wife, family and many frienda who hovered alHtut him alumst constantly dur iug hiu illness, ami administered to, hit wants and comfort, with hearts filb d with sadness. His afflictions were of a nature wherein medical science could do nothing further than to releive momentary sutler ing. This was done ami everything else possible for his relief. The ailment was a chronic one and has caused him much suffering for years, and wheu this last sickness 'befell him he, himself, had no hope of recovering. Mr. Hill was a rare man, intellectually ami every other way. He was a student ] of history, ancient or modern, a student of government and its policies, and a student of humanity. He wasa man whose opinions were eagerly sought ami relished. He never guessed at anything. Coming here away back in 1852, and identifying himself among the people, he soon became an important factor, and his knowleige and assistance ad led much to the growth and prosperity ot our city. He was married to Miss Victoria Simcoke thiny-six years ago last Wednesday. To them were born four children, two of whom died many years ago. The two remain ing daughters Margaret, now the wife of Rev. C. G. Reynolds pastor of the First Presbyterian Church at Joliet, Illinois, ami Mrs. Fred V. Mills of this city, together with their husbands and children and the grief stricken widow, conclude the family who mourn the reaiities of death. The deceased had four sisters, Mrs. J. R. Pigman of Huntington, West Virginia, Mrs. John Beahine of Union Mills, Mrs. Thus, Addlesbergerand Miss A. E. Hill of South Bend, Indiana. All were present except Mrs. Addlesberger who was unable to come. Lewis Hill, the only brother of the deceased, died from the effects of a gun shot wound, while in the army. From the biograpical history of Adams county, we find the following more concise record of Mr. Hill’s life. Adoniram Judson Hill was born in Herkimer, New York, October 9, 1832. His education was obtained in the common and select schools and completed by an academic course at Little Falls, New York. In the winter of 1848-9 he emigrated with his father to Virginia, settling in the Shenandoah Valley, near Front Royal, where he remained until after twenty one years old. In the fall of 1852 he came to Adams county, which has ever since been his home. In 1859 he purchased a half interest in the Decatur Eagle, and a little latter the entire interest in the paper, which he conducted until 1862, when he enlisted in the eightyninth Indiana Volunteers, and was elected captain of company 11. He took with him the enire force of the printing office including the “devil” for a drummer boy. He continued in command of his company until 1864 when his health failed, and he was compelled to return home, lie resumed control of the Eagle after his return, but in 1865, at the solicitation of John McConnell, then clerk of the Adams circuit court, he liecame a deputy in this office in which position he served until 18(17, when he was elect*t to till the office ot clerk. Four years latter he was re-elected, serving two terms ot four years each as clerk of the Adams circuit court. His first presidential vote was for James Buchanan. lie has always been an aggressive and ardent democrat. He was chairman of our county central committee for some ten years, and was always identified with the party. 1874 he disposed of the Eagle, and re purchased it in 1881, having charge of it for two years thereafter. 11l health, the result of exposure in the army, has since kept him from any active business pursuits. He held the position of clerk on the. pension committee, at Washington, some three years while Congressman Martin was chaiman of the committee. BAR RESOLUTIONS. The undersigned a committee appointed by the bar association oi

THE DEMOCRATIC PRESS.

Adams county, Indiana, to druf resolutions upon the death of Brother Captain A. J. Hill beg to report the following as the sense of the association: Rehoi.veii, That by the death of our Bro. A. J. Hill, we have lost an honest and courteous, industrious and upright memlier; the lieloved family a kind, indulgent, loving and sympathetic husband and father; the community an honorable, solier, law abiding ami patriotic citizen and man, and Is* it further Resi »j.v t:t>, That a copy of these 1 resolutions be spread upon the oc- 1 der book of the circuit court of Adams county, Indiana, and a copy la* furnish«sl to each of the papers published in the city of , Decatur for publication, and a copy . la* furnished to the family of the de<-eased. We his brethren la-g to tender to his family our sincere condolence in this great bereavement. R. S. PETEMON, J. T. France. Th< funeral services were held from the family residence yesterday afternoon at four o’clock. The house lawn and street for blocks

away were crowded and packed with a mass of humanity, all neighbors, friends ami comrades of the deceased, who were eager to pay their respects to their well known and highly respected friend. The funeral discourse was delivered by Rev. E. T. Gregg pastor of the M. E. church, who dwelt long and earnest upon the intellectual light that lay lifeless before him. The services weie in charge of the Sam Henry grand army post ami St. Mary's Lodge of Odd Fellows, of which orders the deceased had long been a member. Ritualistic services were indulged in by both orders. The long funeral prises sion was nearly a mile in length. Interment took place in Maple wood. Sheriff Ashbaucher took James Kirkendall to the Eastern Insane Hospital at Richmond. During his short incarceration at the county jail he amused the inhabitants therebouts by a daily, nightly and hourly exhibition with his lungs, which to all outward appearances are perfect. Mr. Moran, a native of Jefferson township, ami a recent graduate from the Indiana law school at Indianapolis, was a visitor here yesterday, on his way to Huntington where a sister resides. He hasn’t fully determined when* he will hang out his shingle. He is a mighty fine boy and will make a success of the profession. At a special meeting of the city council Thursday night permission was granted the school board to is sue bonds for the erection of a first ward school building. 'I he school hoard later accepted bids and the contract was awarded J. Wilson Merryman. The contract price was about SB,BOO. The building will be completed by the time school begins this co ning fall, and it will be a handsome building. Six bids were received on the work. A practical woman remarked the other day that the most interesting things in thenewspapers to her are the advertising columns. “And long ago,” said she, “I quit buying of those who do not advertise. It always seems to me that the merchant who advertises invites me to trade with him, while the one who noes not advertise impresses me with the idea thot he doesn’t care enough for my trade to ask for it. Then, too, I have found that the merchant who advertises has fresher goods for the reason, I suppose, that he sells more.” Superintendent Moffatt reports the enrollment for the school year past was 421 boys 411 girls, making a total enrollment for the year of 835. The per cent, of enroll inent was 96.98. There were 121 pupils not absent during the year, and 136 accessions after school began. The visitors during this time numbered 1254. The reports show an attendance of a larger number of boys than girls—the boys lead in everything. The enrollment has increased eleven, a gain of nineteen hundredth per cent., and a gain of 24 not absent during the year. We feel proud indeed of the report and of our public schools. They rank with the very best—none excepted. For all this we are perfectly willing to confer credit to whom credit is due, and rejoice over the superior advantages and excellence of our pub lie schools.

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY, JUNE 11. 1896.

The Allisons are making all necessary preparations for their Michigan absence. When Rufe returns he will give lessons upon the many arts of suecettsul fishing. Herman Yager came home Hat urday from a ten days’ absence at Fort Wayne and other points, lit* was resting up and recuperating, and he now feels as flue as silk. Harry llupman of Springfield, Ohio, was a Sunday, Monday, Tuesday,&c., visitor in tin* city, and during his short stay was the exclusive guest of Miss lantha Gregory. Elijah Mann and wife are the parents of twin boys, Is>th of whom came smiling Tuesday' at about the same time. It was one more than Elijah bargained for, but he smiles just the same. Clerk Lenhart issued marriage licenses to William J. Heath and Vina Shoffcr, Charles Sullivan and Lena Reisen, Oatus Strickler and Lellie Bremstetter, Amos Linton and Ora Engle. The excursion to Marion last

Thuisday was quite a success. The numlter who went exceeded all expAstations, ami as a result the Ladies Mite Society male some money. God bless the women. The Isrealites who conducted the “heavy failure” sale last week in the building opjmsite Hiatt’s drugstore left last Sunday for Decatur. They managed to slip away without paying the ’icense. - —Ridgeville News. The commissioners paid the' county infirmary a visit of inspection Tuesday morning, and after a can ful investigation of the com forts and business management of I the concern, they very fre-*ly report that everything is in g<»od condition. For the St. Louis republican national convention the G. R. & I. will sell excursion tickets to St. Louis and return June 12 to 15 at rate of one limited fare for the round trip or $lO, making return limit of all tickets June 21. Jeff Bryson, Agent Jacob C. Miller has now moved and is all fixed up in his new bus iness home ij the Foreman brick. The new home is mighty nice. If you think the northend of ousineiss Decatur isn’t looming up in a n ost satisfactory manner, then your prejudices overrule your goal judgment. Mr. and Mrs. George P. Flanders arrived in the city last Thursday, and will go to housekeeping in a cozy home on Fourth stnet. The Cincinnati Tribune in mentioning the grand affair says ot the bride: The bride, a petite brunette, looked exceedingly lovely in a gown of white organdie over white taffeta, garnished with lace and satin ribl ons. She wore a veil which enveloped her slender form, held in its place by a bandeau of orange blossoms. She carried bride roses. The apportionment of monies due the various township trustees and corporations has been made. Accordingly Union township will get $1,779.93, Root $2,849.09, Preb1e52,138.77, Kirklad $2954.69, Washington $4,357.23, St. Mary’s $1,993.30, Blue Creek $1,728.23, Monroe $4,713.73, French $2241.-! 27, Hartford $3,923.09, Wabash $3,915.68, Jefferson $2,397.33, De catui carporation $7,505 43, school $8,263.32, Geneva corporation $1,165.22, school $1,655.95, Berne corporation $1,631.37, school $2,-| 103.27. The total figures $56,637.85. The commissioners dismissed the petition of John T. Kelley which asked for two voting precincts in Jefferson township. John I). Nidlinger was appointed election inspector in Union township, Isaac Brown and L. W. Lewton in Root, William Heckman and Lewis Fruehte in Preble, George W. Brown in Kirkland, John Hessler and John Steele in Washington, David Manlier and William W. Smith in St Mary’s, Jacob Wechter and Neeley Deyo in Blue Creek, M. V, B. Simcoke, William F. Bchug, and Daniel L. Schelley in Monroe, C. E. Stuckey in French, Peter Huffman and William Hall in Hartford, Martin L. Smith, Silas W. Hale and John Brown in Wabash, Vance Buckmaster in Jefferson, John Lose first ward Decatur, A. Holthouse and Henry Stetler second ward, Mat Kirsch and Jonathan Fleming in the third ward.

The board of education or school trustees for the school year of 1896 7 met last Thursday evening and organized by making A. J. Smith president, J. E. Kern sec rotary and R. K. Allison treasurer. Trustee Stuckey of French town ship, was in the city Monday transacting business. He told nsi of a serious run-away the day be fore which resulted in the serious injury of Fred Schafer and family. No fatal injuries however. The Rathbone Sisters had an easy victim Monday night in the; name of I. J. Meisse. If all reports are true they made him ride the bald face goat in all conceivable fashions. He is not disfigured however, and can be found at the old stand. The picnic in Burger’s grove, Root township, last Sunday was •he biggist kind of a success. A large attendance and a big time was reported. A wagon load of Place’s soft drinks and ice cream were taken out and all sold. Agent Whinrey of the Clover Leaf, sold 150 tickets for the St. Louis excursion Saturday evening. Eighteen coaches concluded the train and with all these it was a riff, ram and a jam. The fare was $3 which was such a strong drawing card no one could find room to refuse going. A fine <1 riving mare belonging to Jacob Schafer broke out of his stable Sunday night and took to flight. Not a hair has tieen found of her since, although Mr. Schafer has tramped the country over. He bought the horse at Kokomo some time ago and he thinks perhaps that is where the horse has gone. In our wiite up of commence merit exercises last week, it momen tarially slipped our adverse prog nostieator to say a word about the Florence Mandolin Orchestra who furnished music for the occasion, The boys are not old stagers, but they do a pretty good job of tnnmping music, and are doomed to become stars. They play well, their music is first class and everyone who attended commencement took occasion to compliment the boys. The Berne correspondent to the Fort Wayne Journal said: Newton Ray, formerly of Adams county, but of late years livi. in Missouri, was found dead in a field where he was plowing corn some days ago and was brought here for burial I’he Rev. Vaughan of Decatur, Ind., conducted the funeral services at the Oak Grove church and the body was laid to rest in the Back ens toe cemetery, five miles northwest of Berne. The dead Vian leaves a wife and children and an aged mother ami brothers. The beautiful new home of Syl vester Miller, four miles southwest of Geneva, was destroy ed by fire last Sunday evening while Mr. and Mrs. Miller were gone. The house had been built but a few months and was handsomely and expen sively finished and furnished. A fine piano, almut S3OO worth ot carpet and a variety of other new household furniture was destroyed. Mr. Heater and Jake Morric.il were the only persons who knew of the fire and they broke open the doors but were too late to save any thing but a sewing machine and a few unimportant articles. It is supposed that the fire was caused from the gas. Loss $4,000 with an insurance of $2,000. —Geneva Herald.

The gravel road petition of David Steele was granted by the commissioners last week, ami W. 11. Shepherd and Henry Miller were appointed viewers, with Stir veyor Fulk engineer. The road runs west from Maplewood ceme tery on the Bluffton road to the Wells county line. An election was also ordered on the O. P. M. Andrews gravel road, which runs from Monroe to Berne. The date of election has not yet been determined upon. The ditch petition of Alex Bell was granted and Fred Kuklehahn, Henry Kohn and William Yorkson appointed viewers. The petition of E. B. Smith was granted allowing him a scholar ship in the Perdue university. The petition of J. D. Hale for a cottage at the La Fayette soldier’s home, was dismissed. Penn’ssion was given to the signers of the J. B. Holthouse and John W. MeyI ers gravel road petition to withI draw their names.

Some of the St. Ixiuis excursion ists report the wreckage even Im* yond the horroi depicted by the newspapers. They claim that it i» simply beyond human description ■ to describe the wreckage done. Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show will be at Fort Wayne, June 29, and the G. R. <X: I, will sell exciir-, sion tickets to Fort Wayne, in-, eluding admission to the show at rate of $1.15 for the round trip. Return limit June 30. Children under nine years half fare. Jeff Bryson, Agent. Recorder Harruff reported at this quarter of commissioner’s court, fees to the amount of $410.60, which exceeded his salary $85.60; Clerk Lenhart rejmrted $193.19 which fell short of his allowance $26.81; Auditor Brandyberry collected $100.65, which lacked $474.35 of paying amount due him; Treasurer Bolds didn’t collect anything ami wasn’t allowed anything; Sheriff Ashtiaucher’s collections amounted to $235.16, making $264.84 still due him. The assessors for their work this year will get the following amounts; William May, Union township, $108; Frank McConnell, Root, $150; William Conrad, Preble, $104; Jesse Stoneburner, Kirkland, $95; Joshua Parrish, Washington, $110; John R. Parrish, deputy, $108; Peter Jackson, deputy, SB4; A. N. Acker, St. Mary’s $110; W. J. Edwards, Blue Creek, S9O; John J. Soldner, Monroe, $142.30; Rudolph Schug French,sloo; Lorenze Dun bar, Hartford, $120; P. A. Macklin, Wabash, $204; George W. Brewster, Jefferson, SBS. The special season of extra at tractions at the Zoological Gardens op ned Sunday, May 29th. On that date, the Gardens were thrown open with an aggregation of attractions, such as were never bej fore gotten together in the Ohio Valley. In addition to the collection of birds and animals, which is unquestionably the largest and i finest in the world, includingspeci mens from every quarter of the globe, representing nearly every species, both zoological and ornithological, two grand entertain ■ meats, introducing specialty art ists famous both in America and I Europe, were given. They are I now being repeated daily, the one at 3 p. m., and the other at 8:30 p. m. When in Cincinnati don't j miss it. Sam Evans made a leap from justice, was successful in not over reaching himself, and is now safe, a fugative from justice and the law. It all took place in Esq. Smith’s curt Tuesday evening where Sam was arraigned for the theft of a revolver and watch, the propeity of John Smith. The charge was proven and it had reached a point wherein he was doomed for a trial trip to theeoun ty jail. The boy went to the win LI >w to spit, saw something down below he wanted, so he just went after it. The jump was made from a two story- window but he found the earth without any* trouble or injury. His sudden elopement is not considered serious at all, for Sam will soon be back. When he comes they will try it over again. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Kunkle whose residence is known to every man, woman and child in this part of Adams celebrated their fift eth wedding anniversary at their com sortable ami commodious home Tuesday. Cut flowers and potted plants formed the decorations foi the occasion. Guests began arriving at two o’clock and continued in I almost a constant stream until four. , Grandfathers, fathers, sons, giand sons and great grandsons wen there. The supper was served in the ancient style of fifty years ag •*, all of which added pleasure to the occiusion and re kindled pleasant memories Io the aged couple. Mrs. Kunkle was presented with a'leau tiful arm chair. John S. Peterson and little son Robert being the oldest grandson and great grandson, were conferred the honor of presenting Grandfather Kunkle with a pair of fashionable gold spectacles. Games and music were hugely en joyed after supper, and a real good time enjoyed. The aged couple are enjoying the best of health, ami biil fair to live twenty-five years hence, when they can enjoy a similar outburst at their seventy fifth anniversary. Those present besides the relatives weie Mr. Winch ami Fanny, Rev. Kain and wife of Monroeville, Sampson Pillars and wife, and John T. France and family of this city.

ONLYI.SO PER YEAH

NUMBER 87

BERNE'S SENSATION. OR. ITONIIUWNIR TANIN HIS OIRARTURI WITH HIM NO AOORIBS. Much sensational commotion is now going on in and around Borno over the sodden flight and mysterious disappearance of Dr. Stoneburner, a successful practitioner at that place. So little is known iilsiut the affair, all of which adds sublime mystery and makes the tale short to relate. To begin with the Dr. is a physician of more than passing note in and around Berne, and had a lucrative practiie that would net some $3,000 or SI,OOO annually. Such a practice as that is not to t»e sms-zed at and will make some of the less favored doctors have the bone spavin shakes. Monday night during the wee sma’ sle<‘ping hours a knock came at the d<M>r of the Dr’s. home. He answered it, reported to his wife that it was a professional call, ami it seems to be an extended one, as he has not returned yet. His absence the next morning would have caused no alarm had not Mrs. Stoneburner accidentally diecovered that all his clothes were missing also. This caused alarm as it materally would, and she set aliout to satisfy herself that he was gone, Iwtrayed her, and perhaps would never again return to resume his place in her affections, their home or his position in the profession, of which he was eminently proud ami successful. She soon discovered that what money he had, and there was considerable, was withdrawn from deposit, ami that he had left lin company with another gentleman on the midnight Grand Rapids ' psvssenger, all of which showed conclusive proof of flight, premediated. She came to this city yesterday to consult her brother in-law, George W. Woodward, but anything that developed itself at this meeting is not known. It is not probable, however, that anything that would throw a grain of light upon the cause or reason of the Dr's, sudden flight, developed itself. The most forcible thing known is that he is gone, vammoused as it were. Public rumors has lieen busy, as it always is over such sensational gossiping affairs. It has la*en said that domestic trouble is the prime and evil cause, but people who know them well, refute this statement by admitting that the Dr. and wife always seemed pleasant, loving and harmonious with each other, and if anjthing of this kind existed they kept it pretty well tamed down in the skeleton closet, and never permitted it to leak out upon their countenances when in public together or in the entertainment of their friends at their home. Other reports circulate the fact tl at there is a woman in the case—these women are bad pills. It is said by some that he went to m»*et her at some place foreign from his Berne home, and that they w ill then emigrate to Kansas together and settie down upon pastures green, with the bars down. Still

others say that he was in love with some feminine beauty around Herne ami she failing ami refusing to return the love thus thrown carelessly at her tent, had distracted the Dr., made life a wearisome but den and he sought this manner of seeking a place of refuge to forget her. Another side of the story is that there "as a real intimacy between the Dr. and this same sweet girl at Berne. That the intimacy became somewhat public, and in surging through the various channels it reached tie ears of Mrs. Stonebiirnner, as a result she made it decidedly warm for him. This warming continued ami became more frequent and hard to swallow, so he picked up his rattle-box and left for parts unknown. To the people who have intimately known Mr. Stoneburuer, all this seems idle ami nonsensical, as he was a man of good business ability ami devoted himself ami his time almost exclusively to the practice of the medical profession. Yet, with no certain knowledge on the subject it gives room for all kinds of conjestures; and it also gives consideration to all kinds of white winged rumors, that otherwise would not be considered. A wife is the only member of his ' family left to mourn. Where he went is also unknown, but the opinion prevails that he took a 'straight shirt tail shoot for Kansas, but why he should go there in I preference to some other spot on ' this greeu earth isn't known to us. But he is gone. Good bye, Doctor. We would throwaboquet after you | if we khiew which way you drifted.