Daily Democrat, Volume 1, Number 10, Decatur, Adams County, 22 January 1903 — Page 1

VOLUME 1

AT BIRMINGHAM. Major Allison Writes The Daily Democrat. An Entertaining Letter From the Scenes of the South. Birmingham, Ala., Jan. 19, 1903. Editor Daily Democrat: i When Mrs. Allison and myself left Decatur on the 12th, it was with the expectation of reaching Cincinnati in time to catch the train leaving over the L. & N. railroad at six o’clock p. m., but were badly disappointed and had to remain until eleven o’clock, but fortunately were able to get our sleeper after nine and had a very satisfying sleep, and arrived in this city in the afternoon of Tuesday and found our people in waiting. The snow had almost disappeared after we got as far south as Hamilton, Ohio, and the weather more moderate after we crossed into old Kentucky. We took dinner at Nashville, where we were delayed in waiting for the train from Chicago, it being about one hour late. Nothing worthy of relating occurred on the journey down, unless it was that our train was loaded down with people like ourselves, trying to escape from the extreme cold in the north. Here in Birmingham the weather has been very fine, clear but crisp, the mercury standing about forty-six degrees, until today, when it went up about ten degrees, and reminds me of an April day in Indiana. This city has improved wonderfully since I was here one year ago, both in population and wealth. The new city directory now claims 115,000 inhabitants in Birmingham and the small villages surrounding it. The demand for mechanics is much greater than the supply, as spring approaches, as the builders have contracts that will keep them busy for months to come. Thev are putting up some sky-scrap-ers, one the Woodward, ten stories high, just having been completed. It is now fully occupied and is said to have twelve hundred occupants. Two others in course of construction are the First National bank building on the corner of Twentieth street and Second avenue, to be ten stories, 50x 140 feet, a corker when done. Then there is another one nearly up on Twenty-first street and Third avenue. 40x100 feet and eight stories high. These buildings are constructed of steel, brick and granite and are supposed to be as near fire-proof as can be made. They are and will be substantial and beautiful structures, and would be an honor to any city in the country. Business is not equal to what it was before the holidays, except the iron business, which is booming, the furnaces all having orders ahead to keep them busy throughout the season. The coal mines are also doing a heavy trade and you would think to see the amount of cars loaded with the black diamonds passing through the city, that there was no scarcity anywhere; and if it was not for high freight rates there is no reason why coal should not be cheap, as I understand it is loaded in cars at the mines at from one to two dollars per ton, and even for loss money in large quantities. This part of Alabama is rough and there is not much cotton raised, it being a mineral country. Mrs. Allison and myself expect to leave here for Florida about one week from todav, and it may be that your readers will hear from me down in the orange blossom country. Hoping that the weather has moderated in Indiana and wishing you success in the publication of the Daily Democrat, I am, yours truly, Major. TRANSCRIPTS MADE. The Macadam Road Business on Deck Again. County Attorney Lutz and assistant Judge E. B. Adams have been extremely busy the past few days making transcripts in the Decatur and Preble. West Pleasant Mills and Brushwood macadam roads. These transcripts are a necessary adjunct to the lithographing of the bonds in Order that no technicality, no matter how small, may creep into the proceedings and embroil the county in a law suit. It is also necessary for a correct record which is safely kept at the auditor’s office, and embraces the proceedings from the time the petitions are filed until the last bond is paid, which on some of the roads will be twenty years hence. The transcripts in the three roads mentioned are now complete and an air of peace and contentment has again settled about the law office of C. J. Lutz.

The Daily Democrat.

THE FOURTH DEATH. Luther Shetterly Succumbs to Small Pox. Luther Shetterly the fourth victim of smallpox died at his home in Winchester at an early hour yesterday morning, and a few hours later was buried by the few permitted by the stringent health laws, to perform and be present at such a sad and trying time. Luther Shetterly was a wholesouled, whole-hearted, as well as one one of the substantial citizens of Winchester and his untimely death is a shock to his friends who are counted without number. He will be remembered here upon several occasions with J. M. Hagerman, wnen they were bidders upon public work and the acquaintances then formed were of such a character that time itself will fail to erase. The smallpox situation is however. under control and there is not the faintest chance for a further spread of the disease. This is made possible by the strict quarantine as provided by the health rules and laws of the state and which is adhered to by those in charge. GOOD SESSION. Interesting Meeting of the Ladies' Shakespeare Club. The regular weekly meeting of the Ladies’ Shakespeare club, a literary society of merit, was held yesterday afternoon at the home of Mrs. R. K. Allison, and the meeting was interesting and entertaining. Mrs. A. J. Vesey and Mrs. W. J. Vesey, of Fort Wayne, were present as visitors The paper of the day was read by Mis. Allison, and contained many good points. Mrs. Ellingham rendered a piano solo from the opera “Aberon.” The occasion, as usual, was a pleasant one for every member. TWO WHOPPERS. New Cases Venued Here from Huntington Court. Within the next few days two new cases will be filed in the Adams circuit court, both of them on changes of venue from Huntington county. Both are damage cases and are brought here on change of venue, by agreement of parties. In each case it was the desire that Judge Erwin hear them at Huntington, but the Judge deeming that impossible owing to business of importance here, declined, whereupon the venue was immediately asked for. The cases are entitled Philip Simon vs. The Fort Wayne & Southwestern Traction Company; and James Lawrence vs. the same corporation, Each is a damage suit in which the sum of $5,000 is demanded. In one case thecause alleged is ejectment from a car, and in the other the plaintiff got tangled up with one of the cars and was badly injured. The suits are brought by Attorneys Brayan & Feightner. of Huntington, and who will be assisted in the trial by C. J. Lutz. Old & Daughman, of Fort Wayne,will appear for the defendants. A FINE ONE. Best Jail in Indiana to be Built at Marion. At the regular meeting of the county commissioners of Grant county at Marion, Tuesday, it was decided that a new jail should be butlt and the plans of the Champion company from Kenton, Ohio, were accepted. The jail will cost $92,559.89; will be built of brick, and though its exterior appearance will be anything but a thing of beauty, it will be the finest jail in the state. The work of constructing the edifice will be completed within one year. A LIVE ONE. Tbe Daily Democrat is the Best that ever Happened. The Decatur Daily Democrat is on our table. Lew Ellingham, formerly of the Democrat of this city, is editor. The new daily is a fine one, full of live locals and other good reading matter. Success it. —Winchester Journal.

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY EVENING, JANUARY 22, 1903.

Marion.

WANT PLENTY. Muncie Lawyers Demand a Ton of Docket Books. “7 — Adams County Clerk Ordered to Take Part of His Office to Portland. A letter was received at the office of I County Clerk Johnson this morning from Attorneys Templar & Templar, of Muncie, which states that their case against Ola Brown for foreclos- | ure of lien on her judgment against Grier F. Gemmell will come up for trial in the Jay circuit court a week from tomorrow. The letter farther states that they will expect either the ] clerk or his deputy to be present and have with him all papers, receipts, receipt records, order books, judgment ; dockets and all books containing any 1 , record of the court proceedings of this ] case which was tried here. This would mean the taking to Portland of about fifteen of the large books used in the clerk’s office besides other papers; connected with the ease. Mr. Haef-1 ling, deputy clerk, informs us that he is perfectly willing to go to Portland as a witness if properly subpoenaed, and will no doubt do so, but ac-1 cording to law the court dockets and [ record books are not supposed to be I taken out of the county, as they might |be wanted here at any time. Lawyers , Templar & Templar will probably have to adopt some other plans to get this evidence if they deem it necessary to win their case. It seems as though they could make a copy of such part as they need in evidence as easy as the documents could be removed, and this they will have to do ' no doubt. NEW MAIL SERVICE. — An Invention that May Soon Come Into Use. An unknown Italian announces I that he has perfected a machine for the rapid transportation of the mail. He suggests, and is taking steps to make his plans materialize, that large cities be connected with an overhead cable railway that will closely resemble telegraph wires in its construction. On this miniature cars, propelled by electricity at the rate of two hundred and fifty miles an hour, are to be run for carrying the mail. Smaller lines will radiate from the] main to smaller towns and at convenient places intermediate stations will he established. To mail a letter you simply drop it in a slot at some sta- I tion, the stamp is automatically canceled and at the proper hour it is carried to the top of the post and delivered to the cars which are continually fiying past. The line will be doubled so as to permit the passing of ] cars running in opposite directions. All cars pass to the district central, ] where the mail is distributed and sent out out over the proper routes. Os course this may be branded as visionary, yet when we consider the marvel ous age that we live in and its possi- | bilities it does not appear improba- > ble. FOR GAMING. Geneva Man Pleads Guilty to Running Gaming House. Harry Steed and Edward Hose of Geneva, were in circuit court today to answer to an indictment returned by the grand jurv for running a gambling room. Steed plead guilty and was given the customary dose for first offense, twenty-five dollars, which he promptly paid. The case against Hose was dismissed on motion of Prosecutor Moran. This is the twenty fifth grand jury indictment to which the defendants plead guilty, leaving but four cases for trial. IS CRITICAL. Judge Taylor’s Illness Assumes a Serious Aspect. The news this morning from the bedside of Judge Taylor at Boston, was not encouraging to the many anxious ones. The tone of the information leaves no room for doubt that but scant hope is left for those who are breathlessly awaiting a change for the better. His condition is admitted to be critical and all that is left is to hope for the best.

A NEW FACTORY. Glove and Mitten Factory May Locate Here. — Employment given to One Hundred Girls and Several Men. Mr. Lawrence C. Warring one of the most pleasant, agreeable and careful business men of Bluffton, was in the city tocay, leaving on the north ] bound Grand Rrpids for Fort Wayne. His mission here was not altogether premeditated, but after landing in town he fell into the hands lof several business men and to them he announced his intention of starting 1 a glove and mitten factory, and was badly needing a location. The propoI sition previously made to Mr. Sixby was finally accepted by him, and now it is up to the business men here to 1 get a glove and mitten factory which would within a few months employ a hundred girls and several men. Ne- ] gotiatious have been pending between Mr. Waring and the Commercial Clubof Huntington, but at the last minute they failed to agree and the prospective glove and mitten manuracturer began to look elsewhere for a location. W’hile these negotiations were pendings eventyfour machines were purchased j andjthis fact makes a location much more desirable to Mr. Waring. The new institution will be known as The Waring Glove Company and the minute the business men of this city guarantees them suitable factory facilities for five years they will deposit in one lof the banks here $20,000. This will lie done as a matter of good faith on | their part and also for the purpose of i doing their business here. They will move here and immediately become ] one of us. They wrnt a two story i building 90x120 with no partitions. ■Judge Studabaker will build such a ; building on tbe vacant lot near the I Erie railroad and all it requires now is a guarantee to satisfy the rental. The business men will now get together and formulate their plans and in a day or two will give Mr. Waring their ultimatum. This ultimatum will be to come, as the business men are alive to the lienefits of such a manufacturing institution. Mr. Waring is a thorough twentieth century business man and his word is as good as old wheat in the mill. RECEPTION LAST NIGHT. A Society Event al the Home of Mrs. Morrison. One of the most delightful social events during tbe history of tbe Ladies’ Shakespeare club was the reception and entertainment last night at the pleasant home of Mrs. A. B. Morrison, who resides on Fourth street. Those responsible for an evening of uninterrupted pleasure were Mrs. Morrison, Miss Hattie Studabaker and Mrs. Crabbs. The principal amusement of the evening was tbe red letter game, many features of I which contains plenty of fun and is I instructive. It ended with Mrs. P. G. ] Hooper, Mrs. J. W. Tyndall and Mrs. | L. G. Ellingham tieing for the ladies’ I capital prize, which was later given to i Mrs. Hooper, while W. H. Nachtrieb I carried away the winner far the geni tiemen. Boobies were captured by Mrs. John H. Mougey and Jeff Bryson. All the prizes, even the boobies, were handsome souvenirs of a very memorable occasion. An elegant . luncheon was served, and the remainder of the evening and until the wee’ sma’ hours was devoted in a decided social way, to the enjoyment of of the many present. The out-of-town guests werelMesdamesW. J. and A. J. Vesey, of Fort Wayne, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Deam and Mrs. Ernest Wiecking, of Bluffton. GOTA PLENTY. Fort Wayne Judge Hands out a Good, Big Dose. The penalty far using dynamite or other explosive in the waters of this state for the purpose of killing fish is very severe, the minimum fine being $250 and the punishment of 30 days in jail. There is a good deal of disregard for game and fish laws in this state and they have been transgressed quite generally. For that reason Judge O'Rourke of Allen county, made an example of a young man named Andrew Beekner for using donamite in the waters of that county. The fine and penalty, if laid out in jail, will keep the offender behind the bars for over 300 days.

BOLD BURGLARS. Attempt to Blow Egg Case Company’s Safe. I They were Arrested at Fort Wayne this Afternoon. An attempt was made at one o’clock this morning to blow open the big safe in the office of the Decatur Egg Case company on Adams street. That it was unsuccessful is due to Policeman Fisher’s timely arrival in that neighborhood. The burglars meant business alright but were certainly amateurs, judging from the manner in which they bungled the job. There were three of them, two on the inside attending to the work and one on guard outside. They entered by breaking the lock on the south door and lighting an oil lamp found in the office, at once proceeded to business. Before going to the place they broke open the little shop used by the C. A E. car inspector and stole a pick axe, crowbar and other tools with which to work, and their first act was to knock off the combi nation, which they succeeded in doing after damaging the front of tbe safe considerably. They moulded a cup out of a piece of soap and in this it is supnosed they intended to place the glycerine. The office floor was stewn with fuse, showing that they intended to run a line outside the building, touch it off and thus escape any injury. Just about this time Night Policeman Fisher happened along on his wav from theG. R. & I. depot to the C. & E. The guard saw him, signaled his comrades and the first thing the policeman knew three revolvers were pointed at him, with an order of “hands up.” He obeyed the command and the next one also, which was to move on up the track. He went to the home of Newton Parrish, secured his revolver, stopped on his way back for the target man and Paul Wooten and then went to the Egg Case office determined to stop the burglars. Arriving there they found the marauders gone and their tracks proved they had traveled west. Three men supposed to be the same parties stopped early this morning at the home of Jacob C. Keefer and asked for breakfast, going from there on west. The men were far from professionals or Policeman Fisher would no doubt have been made a captive until their work was completed. There was but a few dollars in the safe as the company deposits their receipts each evening. At first it was feared the big safe would have to be sent to the factory to be opened but Harvey Segur succeeded in arranging a temporary affair which made it possible for Mr. Vail to work the combination. The cost of repairing the damage will be about ten dollars and the company consider them selves lucky. Word received this afternoon was to the effect that three men answering the description of fhesw three had boarded a train at Ossian, going to Fort Wayne. At four o’clock this afternoon tieywe-e arrested at Fort Wayne, and Sher ff Butler, Marshal Cordua and Night Policeman Fisher left to identify ai d bring them here. ROADS STILL BAD. Teams get Stuck in Snow Drifts East of Town. People who came to the city yesterday from Union township tell of bad roads caused by the big snow drift of a week ago. Until a day or two ago a crust of ice which had formed over the snow made the roads pretty fair for teams but with the recent thaw the crust has softened and the wagons go through with the result that it is next to impossible to get out. At one place this morning a wagon got stuck and it was necessary to attach a pully to the fence through which a rope was placed, one end fastened to the wagon tongue and to the other end a team was attached. In this manner they got out greatly to their satisfaction no doubt. Richard Croker to Pay a Visit to New York City. It comes red hot from the w’iresthat Richard Croker is to come out of his retreat and pay a visit to his old friends in New York City. It is said that he will spend a few months in New York and during all of this time he will take but a passing interest in political affairs. It is to be hoped that this is true. If Croker is bound to come back he should pass up politics, far he is a Jonah of the most pronounced type.

NUMBER 10

QUICK TRIAL. ! Union Township Law Suit Over in Fifteen Minutes. The case set far trial before ’Squire Worden vesterday afternoon wan dismissed fifteen minutes after court opened. The title was J. R. Shotwell vs Robert Stephenson, account, demand $l5O. Shotwell is mayor of Scott, Ohio, and dabbles some in the sale of real estate. In his business circuit he found a buyer for the Stephenson farm in this county, and he made a proposition to Mr. Stephenson who said he would sell if his wife would sign the deed. Shottwell got his mau alright but Mrs. Stephensoa refused to sign away her rights and the deal was off. Shotwell claimed his fee anyway and brought suit, and while he may be posted on Ohio law. he is away off on Indiana statutes, or he never would have acted so foolish. When the case was called yes terday Judge Heller representing the defendant read section 91 of the 1901 acts which say: “That no payment of any sum of money or thing of value as a commission far finding or procuring by one person of a pur chaser for real estate of another shall be valid, unless same be in writing, signed by the owner of such real estate or his legally appointed and duly qualified representative.” As this was not claimed by the plaintiff. ’Squire Worden at once dismissed the case. DINNER PARTY. Another Pleasant Society Affair for This Evening. The home of Mr. and Mrs. John Niblick, corner of Third and Jefferson streets, will be the scene of a pleasant dinner party at six o’clock this evening, the guests of honor being Mrs. W. J. Vesey and A. J. Vesey, of Fort Wayne, and Mrs. Ernest Weickiug, of Bluffton. The event will undoubted jy be one of the most pleasant of the kind ever given. The Niblick’s home is known for its society events, and a thoroughly enjoyable occasion is an assured fact. The invited guests are Mesdames E. J. Bailey. A. B. Morrison, David Studabaker, D. E. Studa baker, A. R. Bell. W. W. P. McMillen and Miss Hattie Studabaker. BACHELOR MAIDS. Their Regular Meeting a Very Pleasant One. Miss Rose Confer entertained the Bachelor Maids’ club at her home on First street. Progressive pedro was played, in which Miss Lizzie Hines and Miss Mary Voglewede were awarded the best prizes and the Misses Tina Radamacher and Margaret Center the boobies. Elegant refreshments were served and the Maids departed, declaring Miss Confer a jolly entertainer. BIG SALE. Stock Goes to a Top Notch Price at Wetsell Sale. The sale of Peter|Wetsell & Son,two miles west of town yesterday was a most remarkable one and brought $»00 more than was expected. Stock was sold at almost increditable prices and so was everything else and the entire sale figured' up $2,100. A three year old colt brought $193 and its mate SIBO. This was a match team and a handsome one at|that, known as one of the best in the county, A mare sold far $175 and a yearling colt for $lO3. Hogs and other stock soared so high that even the auctioneer, old, steady Col. Fred Reppert became a little nervous. It was a great auction and everyone seems well pleased. TWELVE PER CENT. Millionaire Bass Cashes Out a Life Insurance Policy. John Bass, the millionaire manufacturer and banker, of Fort Wayne, is negotiating for a cash settlement with a big life insurance company of his $90,000 policy. Tbe flfteen-year time limit is up and he chose the cash option. He estimates that the amount to be received figures 12 per cent, ou the premium paid.