Daily Democrat, Volume 1, Number 6, Decatur, Adams County, 17 January 1903 — Page 1

VOLUME 1

RUN A RACE. Well Known Characters Indulge in Athletics. Sprint Through Streets to Settle a Dispute. People on the streets at ten o'clock last evening witnessed a novel race between Peter Willhelm and Peter Russel, two well known gentlemen, sportingly inclined. The contest was the result of an argument which began and ended at Todd.s saloon. While standing around the bar, prior to the event, the two men fell to telling of the olden days when either could outrun a deer. Each claimed his speed to be of the marvelous order and the quarrel waxed warmer. Finally Willhelm said that he still possessed the qualities that would put to shame these ten and eleven second college athletes. Russell went him one better, and to settle the momentous question. Willhelm offered to wager a dollar note that he could beat his friend Pete in a mile race right that minute. Without a moment's hesitation the challenge was accepted and the contestants prepared for the battle. Coats and vests were stripped and when they were ready for the word "go," Russell was barefooted while Willhelm retained his socks, giving his opponent that much handicap. The two men stepped out in front of the saloon, some one gave the word and they were off. People stopped and looked at them, believing them crazy, but that fact bothered the racers not the least and they sped on as far as Hensley's jewelry store, when both men fell exhausted, Willhelm a length ahead. Each had many excuses, the principal one of course being as in all such events, lack of condition. Besides this Russell claims he was drugged, and is trying to arrange for another match. IN NATIONAL POLITICS. — President Roosevelt to be Sider Tracked for Either Hanna or Fairbanks. The newest political story comes from Baltimore, and is printed in the Sun from Washington. It is to the effect that President Roosevelt will be sidetracked as a candidate in favor of Senator Hanna, and if Hanna is not acceptable, Senator Fairbanks, of Indiana, will be the republican nominee. The senator quoted says that the opposition to Mr. Roosevelt is based on the president's frequent manifestations of individuality; his refusal to yield to persuasion of party leaders when questions of party policy arise; his stubborness and his readiness to make public expression at times when silence and diplomacy are required by the needs of the part to meet the situation. AN IDEAL DAILY. Editor Hofer knows a Good Thing when He Sees It. The Decatur Daily Democrat, true to its promise, made its initial appearance Monday evening, with Lew G. Ellingham as editor and J. H. Heller as manager. It is our ideal of a local daily, and if it maintains its present lick, the result will be that Decatur will have two excellent papers—or the parent daily will have to quit. There is no use of a daily paper putting on Chicago airs, and harping about them, in a town the size of Decatur, for the counterfeit is too apparent and the attempt too bum to be regarded as an honest attempt at honest newspaper work.—Willshire Herald. A NEW ONE. High Sshool Inspector may be Named Soon. A bill to create a new state office is being prepared and will be offered for the consideration of the legislature within a few days. The office is that of state high school inspector, and the bill shall provide that the official shall be appointed or elected by the state board of education. A salary of $2500 or $3000 will be attached to the position, making it, in even the bill becomes a law, one of the desirable berths in the state house.

THE DAILY DEMOCRAT.

JUDGE TAYLOR ILL. Suffering from Heart Trouble and a Severe Cold. Judge Roberts S. Taylor of Fort Wayne, is lying critically ill in Boston, and grave fears are entertained by his physicians and friends. This was the disturbing news received yesterday. The patient suffered at first from heart trouble, which followed a severe cold, but within the past few days he had an attack of nervous pros tration. He went to Boston three weeks ago to attend to some business, and was taken ill while staying at Young's hotel. His wife and son were summoned to his bedside last week. The judge had been in ill health for nearly a year but persisted in attending to his law practice and other business. A few weeks ago he slipped on an icy sidewalk and fractured a rib, but apparently had a rapid recovery from the injury. TWO PUBLIC BUILDINGS. Congress will be asked to Shell Out Handsomely. Bills making appropriations for two more public buildings in Indiana will be introduced by Congressman Francis M. Griffith at an early date. He proposes that buildings shall be established at Columbus and Lawrenceburg. He has not decided upon the amounts of the appropriations to be asked but he will be content he says, if the government will appropriate its receipts from the Lawrenceburg revenue office for one day for the building there. The bill for Columbus will provide for a postoffice building only. That for Lawrenceburg will make provision for a building for both postoffice and revenue purposes. Mr. Griffith says that a government building is badly needed in each city. THE PLOT THICKENS. The two Indiana Senators do not always Some Times Agree. President Roosevelt is trying his level best to heal the breach between Senators Fairbanks and Beveridge, and he has offered the white house as a premium to anyone who will help him in the difficult task. An applicant for office was making an earnest plea to the president for appointment today. "I have the united support of Senators Foraker and Hanna," he said: "Good, good," replied the president vigorously, "now go an get Senators Fairbanks and Beveridge to agree on something and I will give you the white house." The president's remark created a sensation among Indiana republicans. GOT EVEN. — How a Montpelier Man got Even with the Gas Man. A story which comes from good authority, says the Bluffton News, and telephoned over from Montpelier last night. It was concerning a little trouble Andy Rapp had with the gas company, of which he is a consumer. The company had sent a delinquent has bill to Andy amounting to $4.10. After reading the bill he sat down and wrote one against the gas company for $4.10 for tallow. The manager of the company became indignant, and knowing that they had never purchased any tallow from Andy he went out to look for him. When he found him he said: "See here, Andy, what do you mean by sending us a bill for $4.10 for tallow? Why, we never got any tallow from you." "No," says Andy, "and I never got any gas from you, either." NEXT TUESDAY. The Indiana Legislature will Elect a United States Senator. At twelve o'clock next Tuesday the Indiana legislature will elect a United Stotes senator to succeed Senator Fairbanks. The republicans having the majority, will succeed in electing the present senior senator now representing Indiana in the United States Senate. The democrats will vote for the Hon. B. F. Shively of South Bend.

DECATUR, INDIANA, SATURDAY EVENING, JANUARY 17, 1903.

WILL OVERRULE. Council will Refuse to set Aside Proceedings. The Elm Street Sewer Question will be Settled Tuesday Night The action of the former council in accepting the Elm street sewer will not be rescinded or in other words the objections of the property owners as filed Tuesday night and so vigorously demanded will be overruled, at the regular meeting of the city council next Tuesday evening. An executive session of the council members was held last evening. City Attorney Schafer Peterson, who carefully took each citation of the attorneys at the previous meeting and has thoroughly gone over the questions, has decided that according to law the council has no right to rescind an action of a former council and at last night's meeting the council decided that the only thing they can do is to override the objections. This leaves the affair practically in the same condition as at present. As to the assessments however, which question will be taken up Tuesday evening there will no doubt be a clash. Mr. Colerick who repaesents the contractor, insists that the assessment of $2,000 is invalid, because of the city being beyond the two per cent debt limit and that same must be changed and placed upon the property holders. Whether or not this is the law has not been decided upon by the council and a hitch is very likely to occur when the question comes up. The only resource for the property owners now who believe that they have been wrongfully assessed is to refuse to pay. A separate suit against each would no doubt be the result and each would then be allowed to produce evidence that said assessment is beyond the benefits; he can also introduce evidence that said sewer was not built according to plans and specifications, and if such fact can be proven in court, then amount of benefits and assessments may be reduced accordingly, so say the lawyers. The case is one of the utmost importance, especially to the residents of the south part of town and no doubt a number of law suits will be the result. At the meeting Tuesday night a number of attorneys will again be present and as at the previous meeting a warm contest may be expected. SWELL AFFAIR. —— Young Ladies Enjoy a Pleasant Social Event. Miss Harriet Burns and Miss Cook entertained last evening at the home of the former, and the occasion is reported one of the most delightful possible. The guests were the members of the Friday Night club and Miss Tribolet, of Stamping Ground, Kentucky, Mrs. A. E. Rose, Mrs. W. F. Brittson and Misses Emma Jackson, Kittie Christen, Edna Crawford and Minnie Orvis. At progressive pedro Miss Tribolet won first prize, a beautiful cup and saucer, and Miss Orvis the booby, a small deck of cards. A delightful part of the evening was the lung, served in two courses, and as the guests partook thereof they used their best efforts to untangle the menu card and guess the meaning of the various delicious viands thereon written in puzzle. The cards read as follows: "Pigs in blankets, stuffed," meaning oysters in bacon, on toast; "engagements well filled," stuffed dates; "bean extract," coffee; "divorced curds," cheese; "the best of the whole," cream; "difficultties," pickles; "essence of sweetness," sugar; "chit-chat," social tea; "spludgums," olives; "from beneath southern skie," oranges bananas, grapes and lemons; "Pom de baum ale," cider. Miss Bessie Congleton proved herself the best at the guessing game and was awarded a hand painted pitcher. The affair was certainly enjoyed from the verdict of ladies who were present. Miss Burns will leave next week for Huntington to attend business college. ENTERTAINS THE G. A. R. Anderson citizens are already busy with committee work preparatory to the proper entertainment of the Grand Army Eecampment, which later meets there. Anderson is one of the greatest city in the state, being chuck full of enterprise, push and sociability, and it is therefore needless to say that the G. A. R. boys are in good hands, and after the date of the next encampment will never have occasion to forget the exact location of this lively city.

OIL FIELD BOOMING. One Contract for Six Hundred Wells in the Indiana Field. George Decker has commenced work on one of the largest contracts for drilling oil wells ever let in the Indiana field. The contract is with the Indianapolis Trust company and is for 600 wells. The work was commenced some time ago and being pushed rapidly. The Deckers have five strings of tools working day and night. Three and four wells are being brought in each week. Other gangs will be put to work as rapidly as possible, as it is the intention, if possible, to push the work to completion inside of a year. These wells are now being drilled east and southeast of Summitville, Madison county, and as fast as they are brought in are being capped. The company owns leases on land all around Alexandria and the additional gangs of men will be put to work in that territory. It is not the intention to put the wells in action until the proper arrangements are made which will hardly be before the contract is completed. The wells so far brought in show a good flow of oil, but the gas pressure is very week. It is said that it will nor run more than forty or fifty pounds. AS OTHERS SEE US. The Berne Witness Pays its Respects to The Daily Democrat. The first number of the Daily (De catur) Democrat appeared Tuesday morning for the first time on our table and we need not condescend to the stereotyped hyperbolical “boost” to say it is a neatly gotten up sheet all around, nearly all home set. The first page is attractively filled with the more important news headed with eye-catching headlines, as is also the second page. Local and personal mentions are reserved for page three. The sheet is liberally dotted with ads on the second, third and fourth pages. Here's wishing success to you Bros Ellingham and Heller. Berne-Wit-ness. FINE AS SILK. Success to The Daily Democrat, Congratulations to Adams County Democracy. The Decatur Daily Democrat, Vol. 1, No. 1, has reached this office. Democrat is one of the staid demo cratic organs of nothern and eastern Indiana, and under the direction of Lew Ellingham has prospered. The daily edition has been thought advis able and starts out under most aus picious circumstances. The appear ance of the paper is of the very finest and the sheet, which is a six column folio, is filled with breezy news items of both local and general interest. All success to Mr. Ellingham and his venture and congratulations to the democracy of Adams county.-- Hunt0 ington News-Democrat. GETTING BETTER. Eddie Boyd Improving Rapidly and out of Danger. Dick Boyd of Pleasant Mills, was in town today and reports that his son, Eddie, who was injured New Year's day, is improving nicely and it is believed he will soon be entirely recovered. His mind is as clear as ever and he remembers the accident distinctly. His recovery seems almost a miracle to those who know how badly he was injured, his skull being crushed until the brain was exposed and it was necessary to remove several pieces of bone. He was able to be taken to the supper table last even ing and while a serious turn may yet come, it is scarecly probable. BELGIUM HARES. E. H. Lebrun & Son are proprietors of the Decatur rabbetry and are dealers in genuine Belgium hares. Talk about rabbits, if you have never partaken of this kind of meat you have missed the best dish known to mankind. LeBrun's rabbits are the real thing and we claim to be judges thereof for the reason that not longer than last evening we were permitted to indulge in a meal, the attractive part of which was a Belgium hare prepared according to instructions from the doctor. Its the real article and we recommend it to our readers.

A DEAD BEAT. Board Bill Jumper Wanted at Bluffton. A Man with a Weakness For Playing Cinch. A traveling man registered at the Bliss house, Bluffton, Sunday night, remained four days and left Thursday night over the Clover Leaf, pre sumably for this place. He register ed as J. C. Wright, Indianapolis, and sold electrical supplies to physicians. When he left the Bliss he neglected to settle his board bill of eight dollars and Mr. Locke wants to see him. He sent out postals yesterday as follows: “I am looking for a man forty to forty-five years of age, light complexion, light mustache; weighs 160 to 165 pounds, rather squint eyed and wears nose glasses; he is five feet, eight inches high; registered as J. C. Wright, Ind. He carries a small medium-sized grip, like groceryman's grip. Any information you can give me either by 'phone or letter will be reciprocated and appreciated.” No returns seem to have come in from this for today our hotel men received another card reading thus: “Since addressing you yesterday concerning J. C. Wright, I find that he is a first-class dead-beat and his real name is C. H. Webber, of Indianapolis. He calls on doctors and sells them electrical instruments at $7.50 each. Look out for him and wire me for he is coming your way. Inquire of your doctors. He has a weakness for playing cinch for money. REPORT FINISHED. The Commissioners’ Annual Report now Ready for the Printer. The commissioners' annual report is now complete, it being the handiwork of the county auditor. There is no particular change from the synopsis as given in the news colnmns of Thursday's Daily Democrat, at which time the total receipts and disbursements were given. The total net liabilities as given in the report is $57,665.57, and the amount of county revenue on hand at $19,775.64. The amount of cash paid out during the rear for every source of expense to which a county like Adams is liable was $55,557 99. while the receipts including cash on hand is $75,893 73. The Theatre. The “Tide of Life” was presented very satisfactorily to a large audience at Bosse's opera house last night. The show was on the melo-dramatic order and while far from classic yet was full of pathetic tragedy and that human comedy which is so true of life. The different members of the troop played their parts very good and the scenic effects was well presented and for that kind of a production It ranks with the first class. One of the greatest electrical effects that was ever undertaken on this stage was where the vilain leaped from the second story of a building and alighting on live wires and was shocked to death. “The Eleventh Hour” which comes to the opera house Tuesday, January 20, is, without doubt, Lincoln J. Carter's best play. It is a melodrama of the most pronounced type, but without any of the usual attendant explosions and "gun" plays. In fact there is only one life lost in the play, thought the audience continually hopes that fate will overtake several of the participants, but the villians are kindly spared until the last act, when the "arm of the law" gathers them in in a very satisfactory manner. Marie Nelson, Camille D’Arcy, Frank Wee and Vera Hamilton are among the familiar names in the cast. WANTS OUT. Bert Webb, who is in jail for assault and battery, is tired of life behind the bars and today sent word to the prosecutor that he would like to arrange for his liberty. He will probably get out Monday. QUITE SICK. Joseph Smith, who has been suffering with liver trouble for two weeks past is reported as worse today. Should no improvement be manifested by Monday he will be taken to the St. Joseph hospital, Fort Wayne, and placed under the care of Dr. Maurice Rosenthal and an operation probably performed.

NUMBER 6

THE W. R. C. Officers Installed and Report of Year's Work Filed. The annual installation of officers of the Women’s Relief Corps for the year 1903 was held last evening at the G. A. R. hall on East Monroe street. Those who put on the official garb are as follows: President, Helen M. Lamar; S. V. P., Carrie Doak; I. V. P., Eliza Peterson; secretary, Lou Kennedy; treasurer, Zeruh Malott; chaplain, Mollie Gilson; conductress, M. Cutting; assistant conductress, Minda Russell; grand, Margaret Louthan, assistant grand, M. Kitson; color bearers, Mrs. Case, Mrs. Mayer, Miss Poling and Mrs. Hay. After the officers were installed the report of 1902 was read by the ex-secretary, Mrs. Ezra Cutting, which showed the following expenses of the order: Other than money, $37.50; funeral expenses, $8; funeral flowers, $5: number of visits to the sick, 240; bouquets for the sick, 110. Besides these home donations the Women's Relief Corps also contributed freely to the old peoples’ home at LaFayette, orphan’s home at Knightstown, feeble minded home at Fort Wayne, and have answered many other calles during the past year. Immediately after the business portion of the evening short addresses were given by Revs. E. A. Allen and J. W. McKean and others. Recitations were given by Misses Russell and Durr and a solo by Miss Grace Purdy. Mrs. Mollie Gilson, the outgoing president, delivered a very impressive address to the members of the relief corps thanking them for their kindness toward her during her term of office and pledged herself to still continue in the good work of the order. Mrs. Helen Lamar, the new president, then made quite a lengthy talk in behalf of the W. R. C. This order is one of the most charitable in this city and have done a great deal of good work in relieving distress and want among the poor and needy. May they have a successful and prosperous year. NEW MAIL ROUTE. Part of Jefferson Township to Receive Their Mail Every Day. W. V. Buckmaster of Jefferson township, was in the city today. He informed us that a new rural mail route out of Geneva had been ordered and would go into effect in February 2. The route makes a good sized circuit through Jefferson township and passes the front door of Mr. Buckmaster's home every day. He with many others along the route are highly elated over the prospects of receiving mail in this way. IT’S NOW FREE. The Treasury Department Sends the Good News. The treasury department of our national government has telegraped the collectors of customs throughont the country to admit, duty free, all imported coal. This is in compliance to an act passed by congress Thursday, and is significant owing to the storm of indignation that is sweeping over the country and which is 'ferninst the coal barons in their effort to hold up the shivering masses. This is significant also from the admission by the g. o. p. that the tariff is a tax. UP AGAINST IT. —— Davy Gunn Gets a Snug Little Jail Sentence. Davy Gunn, quite well known here, made his appearance again yesterday, after an absence of several months. He was picked up about eleven o'clock last evening so drunk he couldn't tell his name, and take to jail. Even a night in that peaceful domicile failed to make his mind work right and he couldn't be tried until this afternoon. He was taken before 'Squire Smith where he plead guilty and was given a fine of $9.80. The last heard of him he was rustling for the necessary funds to pay up with. Miss Mabie Erwin, who is attending school at the Sacred Heart academy of Fort Wayne, arrived home this afternoon and will spend Sunday with her parents east of the city.