Daily Democrat, Volume 1, Number 27, Decatur, Adams County, 11 February 1903 — Page 1

VOLUME 1

ARMY DESERTER. Young Soldier Surrenders to Marsha! Cordua. He Ran Away From the Vancouver Post, Washington, and is Now in the County Jail. Roy Borden twenty-three years old, a deserter from the United States army, gave himself up to City Marihal Cordua last night, and is now a prisoner at the county jail. The fugitive has been at large for over eight months, having deserted on the sth day of July and from the day he left the officers have lieen hot on his path. From Vancouver, Washington Territory, the place where he left the army, he has been driven south and east until his trail has extended into almost every state in the Union. Weary of this kind of lite and realizing the great strain that his aged father and mother are forced to undergo, when they knew that their son is a fugative from justice, he determiner! to yield to the authorities and permit the law to take its course. His fathvr. Andrew Borden, is a contractor at Ada. Ohio, has served three terms as recorder of Hardin county and is a highly respected and influential citizen. The deserter has b»»en in the vicinity of his home for several months and a few weeks ago he spent three days with his parents and it was partly through their pleading that he surrender!. The lad has lieen in the army service for some time, having belonged to the sth volunteer infantry during the late Spanish American war. After being mustered out from that service he enlisted in the regular army at Van Wert, Ohio, and was placed in Co. E, 17th infantry, which was then stationed at Columbus barracks. The 17th was later sent to the Philippine Island and for almost two years was used in the heaviest service that that forsaken land could afford. After his regiment was returned to the United States as the prisoner says, he was driven to desperation with the joy of being in “God’s country’ and did what he did in such condition. The army post at Indianapolis has been notified of his imprisonment and officers are expected to come after him by tomorrow. As in similar cases Borden will be tried before a court martial probably at Indianapolis, and a sentence ranging from one to fifteen years confine ment in a military prison wiil be imposed upon him. Although deserting is generally an unpardonable and dishonorable offense, yet in this case as the fellow’s story goes to show and as his impression makes us believe, some leniency should be shown. SALUTE THEM. Take off Your Hat to the Future Learned Barber. As soon as the barbers' bill becomes a law it will be highly improper to speak of the gentleman who follow that calling as barbers or even tonsorial artists. They will be properly designated as Professors of Tonsorial Sanitary Science and Hirsute Surgeons- professor to cut in short. Under this law the barber has to study and pass and examination in science, and has to know more than the ordinary health officer. SIGNS TWO MORE. Governor Durbin and the Legislature Making Laws. Providing for increase of salary for judges of supreme and appellate courts and reporter cf the court, and exempting the assets of fraternal and Ireneficiary associations from taxation. Bills and laws will now be ground out with f high hand, as the legislative session is speeding down the last half of its allotted time. The first anti-trust bill has died abornin’, and is another measure in which Governor Durbin was interested in and desired pass.-I CHANGE OF HEART. Last night at the Christian church the subject was evidence of pardon. I he text chosen was the Kith verso of the Bth Chapter of Romans, " The Spirit itself Jieareth witness with our t *’ at w ® are t ' l " ''l'ddren of th*' ’’f oß6 °f 11“’ H ermon the ordinance »f baptism was administered. Tonight the evangelist speaks on ”A change of Heart.” All should hear this eernr n. Come and bring a friend.

The Daily Democrat.

THE FIGURING ACT. Deputy Auditor Dee Lewton to Remodel His Home. Deputy Dee Lewton is now doing an expert job of figuring with contractors with a view of building an addition to his North Second street home. As now outlined the increase in size will add greatly to the appearance and comforts of an already convenient home. If his present plans are carried out the change -nd additions will be made during the coming summer. It now seems probable that contractors and carpenters will have a harvest this year, and many residences will receive a new style of architecture and be beautified. It is well known fact that Decatur already possesses more handsome and costly homes than any citv of its size in this neck of the woods, and this fact is a source of unenviable pride. ASSUMED NAME. Mrs. Mohn Was Formerly Mrs. Baer. Filing of Divorce Suit Against Her Discloses Her Real Identity. | Oscar Baer filed suit this morning , in the Wells circuit court asking for a I divorce from his wife Elizabeth Baer and charging her with abandonment, adultry and other offences which | came within the statue. Baer has i always been known about Bluffton I as Oscar Mohn and his wife as Mrs. Mohn and though they have lived there for some time, no one has ever I known any different until todav. Mrs. | Mohn ami her three daughters moved ' here several months ago, located on Sawdust avenue and their home has been considered a “dive” until a week I ago when they were driven out of ; town by the police officers. Mr. Baer : certainly has just cause for securing a divorce and his wife will probably I not object, though a fight may be ■ made on the custody of the children as the husband asks the court to give , him the two younger age respectively eight and thirteen. There is a mystery about the family somewhere and the principals in the case may be asked to explain why they have lived so long under an assumed name. AN APPEAL BOND. A Geneva Liquor Case to be Aired in Court. An appeal bond was yesterday i filed at the Auditor’s office, which will take the John Pitts liquor case to the I circuit court. The bond was signet! by William Drew, John Brown, Jacob T. Burley, Lafayate Rape. W L. Thornhill, John Banning, J. S. Cain W. A. Wells, G. W. Pyle, John H. Barr, Tom Drew, Nathan Shepherd and D. B. Linton. A transcript of j the case will at once be filet! in the circuit court, where a great legal struggle will ensue. The defendant' was granted a license at the last season of commissioners court to retail liquor at Geneva. LEAVE MONDAY. Excursion to Oklahoma will Go Over the Clover Leaf. C. F. Walters informs ns that his party of excursionists to Perry, Oklahoma, will leave here at 9:27 next Monday evening over the Clover Leaf, going to St. Louis, thence to Wichita and then to Perry. About twenty people have already signified their intentions of going, and it is quite probable that even a larger number will form the party. It will be a jolly crowd, and along with their business of looking up cheap farming lands will be various forms of amusemauts to make the trip pleasant. MEETING POSTPONED. The annual mite-box opening which the Women’s Home Missionarvisoeiuty of the M. E. church intended to hold at the home of Mrs. W. H. Nach-' trib tomorrow evening, has been postponed until Monday evening, February 16.

DECATUR, INDIANA, WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 11, 1903.

AFTER TEN YEARS Brown-Gemmell Case is Finally Closed. Judge R. S. Peterson Rules on a Motion to Retax Costs. In the Adams circuit court this morning Robert S. Peterson acting as special judge in the case of Ola Brown vs. Grier F. Gemmell ruled on a motion to retax costs, sustaining in part and overruling in part. This is the closing act of a case which was filed in 1893 and has been on the docket ever since, a period of nearly ten years. When tried here the case caused considerable interest, being a damage suit for $5,000 and was very sensational. The case was tried twice and Miss Brown secured a verdict each time. A lion against her judgment was fil«»d by lawyers. A motion to retax costs and other complications followed. Included in Judge Petersons decision was an order for the clerk to pay to Templar & Templar, Muncie lawyers, the sum of $337.20, which has been held by the county clerk awaiting a court order for some time. The clerk was given a schedule by which to retax the costs. Deputy Haefling will devote about two days work on the records after which the famous case will be erased from the docket for good. BUILDING BOOM. An Entire Block of Buildings to be Erected at Willshire. According to present indications the little town of Willshire will experience a wildcat building boom this summer that promises to surpass the record of any previous year. Since the oil field has opened up about Willshire the little town has enjoved an unusual amount of prosperitv, and the increase of business demands an increase in accommodations. A number of merchants have banded together and will construct an entire block of two-story brick buildings. Those interested in the movement are: ■J. W. Chillcoat & Cohne, clothiers; W. Parks, druggist; Willshire Bank: C. F. Cornell, groceryman: S. S. Buchanan, furniture, and A. & J. Brown, 'dry goods. Arrangements were completed among the different parties, Monday, the plans havelteen ordered, and in a short time Willshire’s build I ing boom will be on. NEW PARTITION SUIT. Commissioners Asked for in the Scherry Estate. Attorney 1). E. Smith, representing! the plaintiff, has filed a suit entitled I Margaret Scherry vs. Rosa Werling, Alliert W. Werling, Lucy Kintz. | Charles Kintz, Emma Scherry and Sarah Scherry. The parties are the I heirs of Daniel Scherry, deceased, who at the time of his death owned eighty [acres of land located in Kirkland township. The plaintiff in this case is the widow of the said Daniel | Scherry and is therefore the owner of' the undivided one-third interest in said estate. As two of the heirs are minors the estate cannot he partition ed without injuries, wherefore the court is asked to declare the parties owners of said real estate in common and that a commissioner be appointed to sell the land. TO PHOENIX. W. D. Rinehart Will Spend the Summer in the West. W. D. Rinehart one of the Irest known |citizens in the county, will hold a public sale at his farm on Tuesday February 24, and on the 7th of March will leave for a summer’s absence in the west. He will g<> dir ect to Phoenix, Arizona, and liefore returning will see California, Kansas, Nebraska and in fact the entire west, being gone during the summer and perhaps longer. Relatives and acquaintances live in all the western states and he will enjoy the summer looking them up.

OPEN HEADQUARTERS. The Lyman Picture Company Are Established Here. W. H. Lyman, who has been engaged in the picture enlarging business for several years, has opened an establishment in the front room, second floor, of the Stone block. With Mr. Lyman is also his brother, Joe Lyman, and several other assistants. A glance at their wares is enough to prove to an inexperienced eye that the gentlemen mean business, as they have now on hand several hundred portraits on which they are at work, getting them out as soon as possible. The Lyman Brothers have worked about here for two years past, and have had their work finished in New York City. Now,however, they havesesecured expert workmen,the best in the land, and will turn out all their work from their Decatur headquarters. The boys are clever and honest business men with whom it is a pleasure to do business, and their word is as good as their bond. Their industry will grow no doubt, and their business become a flourishing one and a benefit to our city. SOUTHERN ENTERPRISE The Pensioning of Ne£ro Slaves a Graft. Asa consequence of the introduction by Senator Hanna of the bill to pension ex-slaves, the postoflice department has trouble on its hands. Local parties of an enterprising disposition, upon the introduction of this bill, at once organized a company to profit by the wide advertising’ the proposed legislation has been given, j Circulars were printed by the thous- ' and for circulation among the negroes of the south. These tell the provisions of the bill, pointing out with seductive tables the profit that would accrue from its provisions once made a law to all colored persons born or who had lived under slavery. A roseate outlook is pictured for the legislation, fur has it not been introduced by the all-powerful Senator Hanna, whose influence with the national government is well known south of Mason and Dixon's line. MAY CAUCUS. The Legislature Again Building a Statue. Opposition is developing among republican members of the house to the senate bill appropriating $5,000 for a statue to Gen. George Rogers Clark for Memorial hall, Washington, and unless it is made a caucus measure, some strong speeches may b*» made against it ou the floor. It has not yet came over from the senate. R< pres I entalive Kirkman, caucus chairman of 1 the republicans, said today that a | number of members have suggested a I caucus on the bill, but he does not ■ know weather he will issue a call i Some of the democrats have suggested that the name of Robert Dal< i )wen should be substituted, but the minor ity members of the house committee, to which the bill wiil be referred, will report in favor of substituting the name of Benjamin Harris hi. The democrats of the senate tried to get Harrison’s name inverted in the bill.

SEE THE PRESIDENT. Indiana Speculators Ask the Good Offices of the Government. Harry S. New, Thomas Taggart and Dr. Henry Jameson, representing the owners of a copper mine in Sonora, Mexico, Monday saw the president, secretary of state and the solicitor for the state department, and asked them to assist the Indianapolis men interested in the mine in securing absolute control of the property. Three months ago, L. Lindsay, one of the stockholders in the mine blocked the transferor the property to Phelps, Dodge & Co., of New York, who took an option on the property. It was charged that he forcibly took possession of the mine. At that time the embassador to Mexico interceded and the property was turned back to the majority stockholders. A few weeks ago Lindsay made certain representations, it is alleged, had some of the former proceedings set aside.

JOHN A. FETZER. Life of a Well-Known Citizen Closed. Death Came at One O’clock This Morning After a Long Struggle. The death of John A. Fetzer occurred at one o’clock this morning, and a life of usefulness is finished. For four weeks he has struggled with the ravages of disease, and until a few days ago it was believed his sturdy body would be successful and that he could live. He was first taken sick with lagrippe. which developed into lung fever and pneumonia.' Even these dangerous diseases did not appear to be seriously affecting John’s splendid constitution until last Saturday, when he failed perceptibly, and Dr. Dinnen, of Fort Wayne, was sent for. Every thing possible was done for him and for four days his life hung in the balance, his friends gaining and loosing hope hourly. Yesterday typhoid symptoms appeared and the last hope for recovery was gone. Though the loved ones and many friends knew it was but a matter of hours, the announcement that death had actually come was a severe shock He was admired by all who knew him as an honest and conscientious man and loved by his family for his good qualities. He was born in Wells county August 4, 1870 and was thirty-two years, six months and seven days old. He has resided in Decatur about six years, having been engaged in the bicycle business until a few months ago, since which time he has been working in the oil field until he took sick. He was mar ried in 1892 to Miss Lida Sawyer of Wells county, who died five years later. In June 1899 he was married to Mrs. Katie Shively of Uniondale, Indiana, and who with three children survive. The funeral services will be held at the Methodist church Friday morning at ten o clock, Rev. E. H. Pontius of the United Brethren church officiating. The casket will not lie opened at the church but the remains may lie viewed at the home on North Tenth street from two to four o’clock tomorrow- afternoon and from six to eight o'clock tomorrow evening. WANT HOSPITAL. Decatur Citizens May Make an Effort to Establish One. Several prominent citizens are agitating a hospital for Decatur and it is probable that such an institution may soon be added to the city. There is no question but that a home of this

kind for the sick is needed anti is of untold benefit to a city our size, would very probably be self sustaining from the first and would undoubtedly be so in the near future. Several people are willing to assist in establishing the hospital and if necessary donate for its support each year until it is on a paying basis. A little more encouragement will assure the success of the project. PAID HIS FINE. Samuel Aumiller Again Puts Up for Violating Truant Law. Samuel Aumiller, who successfully combatted with Constable Pennington yesterday and evaded arrest, is again free to do as he pleases if he will send his children to school. His brother George A unmiller. came to town last evening, and this morning appeared before 'Squire Smith and entered a plea of guilty for his brother. | A tine of $5 and costs, amounting in all to sl7 was assessed and promptly paid. While it may seem like persecution to arrest the same party several times for these offenses, it is the only way the truant officer can do his duty. MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE. A new case was filed in the circuit this afternoon entitled the Decatur Loan association vs. Alliert Schurger and others, the same being a suit to foreclose a mortgage of SSOO and interest. The demand is S7OO and an order of sale for the property in question. The suit was filed hv Attorney A. I*. Beatty.

NUMBER 27

SWORN REPORT. The Decatur National Bank is Chuck Full of Business. Through their cashier, C. A. Dugan, the Decatur National Bank presents their first sworn report of 1903, which shows the financial condition of this well known banking house. The total amount of resources and liabilities figure in excess of a cool half million, and is a condition which should cause several degrees of pride and satisfaction to trinkle down the spinal column of its stockholders. The Decatur National is a sturdy financial institution and in the last ten years has had a remarkable growth and business, ind is even destined to greater things. During the time mentioned it has several times doubled its show ing of deposits and spread out with equal rapidity in the other avenues of its business. CLOSE FINISH. Senator Fleming’s Bill Has a Close Call. The closest fight in the senate Monday afternoon was on Senator Flemming’s bill providing that non-resi-dent holders of mortgages shall be taxed where the mortgagors fail to pay the taxes. The opponents of the bill fought it on the ground that it would drive out of the state much cheap capital that is now taken advantage of by small borrowers. The supporters of the bill contended that foreign mortgagees should enjoy no privilege not enjoyed by resident mortgagees. There were twenty five votes for the bill after the roll-call, and after five minutes spent in skirmishing, Senator Matson was prevailed on to change his vote, thereby passing the bill. MAKE IMPROVEMENTS. Chicago & Erie Railway Will Be Rebuilt. The Erie is to spend a large amount I of money in betterments this vearand , not a small part of it will be spent in i Indiana. The Chicago *fc Erie, which | is a part of the Erie, runs from Chicago to Marion, Ohio, and has large i shops at Huntington. The entire I amount appropriated for improveI ments, it is said, is about $25,000,(XX) | and in addition to enlarging the shops at Huntington, the line between this | city and Chicago will be practically rebuilt. The Erie is doing the greatest. business in its history and I’resi- ' dent Underwood, in addition to making betterments on the road, will buy ; a lot of additional equipment.

NEWSPAPER CHANGE. Charles E. Lovelace Sells the Wabash Times. Charles E. Lovelace has sold the Wabash Times and will go to Huntugton where he will branch out with 'an independent newspaper, which ! will be edited along the lines of news paper work as he sees it. While Mr. Lovelace sis a newspaper writer with considerable ability yet the venture ia speculative and will lack that s financial charm which is so necessary !to success. Huntington possesses two newspapers which for high class ' ability and aggressiveness are hard to i beat. Besides they are well estabi fished and it will be time wasted to ’ attempt to get their business. THEY FLOURISH. Old Adams County Bank Makes a Record-Breaking Statement. The regular statement of the Old Adams County Bank will appear this week and the figures are enough to cause the officers and stockholders of that great institution to swell up with pride. The deposits on time and demand aggregate the enormous sum of $781,772.3(1, or more than three quarters of a million. The total resources reach $925,083.58, thus reaching dose to the million mark. The other fig ures are correspondingly marvelous ati<l prove the splendid financial condition of this great money institution which is undoubtedly one of the best iu thia groat commonwealth.