Daily Democrat, Volume 1, Number 28, Decatur, Adams County, 12 February 1903 — Page 1

UVOLUME 1

PUBLIC SCHOOLS. — Supt. Brandyberry's Report of Year’s Work. Notes From His Letter to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. We are in receipt of a copy of State Superintendent Jones report of school ' work over the state during 1902. It is a well prepared book explaining fully all details and a great amount of the work was done by W. A. Lower. The various reports from this county are proof of the excellent condition of the Schools, which is better shown bv a letter from Prof. Irvin Brandyberry which says in part: "The past vear has been harmonious and successful. The school officials and teachers were enthusiastic, and put forth every energv o have our schools rank among the best in the state. Teachers' re- 1 ports show a decider! improvement in attendance and scholarship. The compulsory educational law has lieen the means of bringing in a large num- i ber of boys and girls. But few prose- ' cutions were made. In nearly all cases by simply giving notice to the parent was sufficient. Our district library has been a potent factor in gettin g the parents and pupils interested in the schools. We have found from experience that nothing can add more to the usefulness of our schools than good libraries. We have long since learned that the pupils will read something, and why not have them read the best? Many parents read one or more books last year, and in some instances became members of theY. P. R. C. One difficulty we have to contend with is to keep the older boys and girls in school long enough to complete the prescribed course While there are many who do complete the work, yet there are others who should, also. We are making special effort to b ive the work done in a creditable manner. Oftentimes parents, and perhaps a few teachers, become over-anxious, and push the pupils too rapidly, and as a result the pupil is minus in the final examinations and does not become as proficient as he should otherwise. Since the new law has become opera tive. we have been able to secure teachers who arelietter prepared, from a scholastic point of view, to perform their work. and. as a rule, give better satisfaction to all concerned. While we notice improvement in lines mentioned. we also see improvements in school buildings that are being constructed in various parts of the county. Our trustees are quite progressive in this work, and are building school houses which are more sanitary and better in every respect for the pupils. They are giving more attention to methods of heating, ventilating and seating. The older houses are being and improved in many ways. CHANGE OF BASE. John Hessler Sells His Interest in the Page Wire Fence. John Hessler, wlv> for the best end of two years has had the county right and been agent for the Page wire fence, has disposed of his interest in the same to Berger Bros., of Blue Creek township. The general agent of the company was here yesterday and made the proper transfer and hereafi »r the new representatives will have charge of this territory. During the time that Mr. Hessler looked after the business several miles of this i fence was sold and built in the county. It has several meritorious features and is a| creditable fence for anyone to own. Wire fence is becoming a general necessity owing to the scarcity of timber, besides as we understand it, the wire is cheaper. BIRTHDAY PARTY. A Nt Dinner Served in Honor of William Lee. ' William la>e was seventy rears old Sunday, and the ovent was duly colebrated by a number of his friends' surprising him at the home of C. Lee on Winchester street. It was a most enjoyable event and no one present apneare l more happy than the guest of honor. Among those present were Messrs and Mesdames S. E. Shamp, ' ■S. c «, j i Niblick, O. Bey nokis, Miss Freda Loser and Eli Huffman A big birthday dinner was aervi d and the day made an exceedingly bright one for all.

The Daily Democrat.

HOLDING ITS OWN. The Indiana Grand Army Not Decreasing in Numbers. W hen the Grand Army encampment meets in Anderson in May, some interesting figures will be presented by Adjutant General Smock. The report for the last six months of the year 1902, shows that the Grand Army of Indiana is now holding its own despite the fact that the middle of the war for the union was forty years ago. The total number of members in good standing Dec. 31, 1902. was 15,188 against 15,366 six months earlier, a loss of 178. It also appears that the number of men mustered in during the six months (264) was larger than the number of deaths (211). Gnly 211 deaths in 15,360 is a surprising small percentage. The greatest loss comes from the suspension of members, many of whom are finally dropped. At the first of the year the Indiana department of the Grand Army had 824,935.48 iu cash and investments worth $10,294.85. The total property of the G. A. K. posts in the state is valued at $28,020.07. _ NEW MANAGER. C. F. Deitrick to Manage the Affairs of the Parks Oil Company. C. F. Deitrick an old timer in the j oil business, was here last night in i consultation with several members of the Parks Oil company, at which time arrangments were made and he went to Wren, Ohio, this morning to take ■ charge of the management of this company’s interests. They own about 1000 acres of leases with three producing wells which give evidence of making good healthy producers. For i the past three mouths no effort has been made to work the wells until within the past few weeks. They are now undergoing a round of repairs and will be in working order in a few days. Mr. Deitrick has about twenty years of experience in oil business and a rejuviuation of the ! company’s affairs is now expected. GET YOU READY. The Mournful Tune of the Township Assessor Will Soon be Heard. Eli Crist is just rounding up his work, began some time ago of listing all the mortgages iu the county. I Each township is made out seperately f and the list are given to the township assessors to refreshen their memories, when at work this spring. The total number in the county will no doubt pass the throe hundred mark. Trie assessments of real estate is included in the labors for this spring, and it is expected that those assessments will lie given a new deal throughout. The excessive price at which farm lands have been selling will materially effect their assessments, and an increase is expected. The first meeting ; of all township assessors will no doubt be held some time next month, when ' County Assessor Crist will call them together, with a view of instructing them and also supplying them with ! the books and other credentials of their office. The first day of April j will see them busilly engaged in pursuing the fellow who is unlucky enough to possess anything from a natural bank to a yellow dog. VIEWERS REPORT. — The Noah Beberstine Ditch Favorably Reported. Viewers John W. Cowan and Lemuel Johnson and Surveyor McKean have filed with the auditor their report of the location of the Noah Winteregg ditch, together with the survey an.l cost of construction. The pro posed drain is confined within the limits of French township, is twenty J five and one-third stations long and j the estimated cost is $121.40. In talking upon the subject of drainj age. it is a fact that Adams county is taking a long lead and at no distant day will lie the best drained county m the state. This, together with series of macad m roads, makes us the envy of our green-eyed neighIxirs. It is also this vast element of improvement that has caused such a wild skirmish for farming land, and which has sent the price soaring sky ward until it is nothing short of a crime to offer less than $75 to SIOO an acre for any farm location in the county.

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 12, 1903.

DEATH IS NEAR. Jacob Bender can Live But a Few Hours. Relatives Summoned to His Bedside Arrive Today and Hope is Abandoned. Jacob F. Bender, one of the pioneer residents of this county, is lying at the point of death at his home four miles south of this city. For a long time he has been ailing but has only - lieen confined to his bed for the last i ten days. The original relapse was i caused by old age but since his siekness, paralysis has set in and he has ' now lost all control over his left side : and the power of the disease is fast creeping over the entire body. William Bender of Lima, Ohio, his son, Mrs. Grace Horton of Geneva, and Mrs. Joe Kizer, Poneto, Indiana, and i Mrs. Martin Kizer of Linn Grove, his granddaughters, arrived today, j having been summoned to the bedside of their dying relative. It is only a question of a few hours and the death iof Mr. Bender is expected at any time. He is one of the best known citizens of the county and the fact of his serious illness is lamented by all. — NEW FEATURE. Registered Mail Delivered By Rural Route Carriers. The third assistant postmaster.gen- | era! has issued a manual of instructions for the conduct of registry business in the rural free delivery service. The instructions provide for the registration of letters and parcels left in the rural mail boxes, the carrier leav- , iug the sender’s receipt in the box. Rural carriers are also required to accept for registration mail matter properl v prepared and offered by anyone that meets them while on duty. Storekeepers on rural routes customarily receive the mail matter of their pa trons. delivering it to them at the first opportunity. Registered mail has not been delivered in this manner in the past, but it is now provided that on the written order which the addresses are required to leave for the dei livery of their mail to the storekeeper, registered mail also will be delivered, except such as is indorsed bv the sender, “deliver to addressjonly.” ANOTHER BILL. The Brewers will Offer a Substitute for the Luhring Bill. A substitute bill forth" Luhring bill, wD.iil ,r pjgidtodc j -,.;th the blanket remanstrauce section of the Nicholson bill, is to be introduced in the legislature by Senator Fleming. The new bill provides that all persons who desire to engage in the liquor business shall pay an annual license fee of SI,OOO, and must be of a good moral character. A number of the restrictions that are now thrown about the liquor traffic in Indiana is to be j included in the bill. The number of places where intoxicating liquors are ■ to be sold will be based upon populai tion, thus limiting the number of i saloons. There shall lie under the provisions of this bill, but one saloon Ito every 1;(XX) inhabitants. It is fig- | tired out that this would decrease the I number of saloons more than one half. HER DEPOSITION. Ada Cochran Put on the Witness Stand This Morning. Lawyer Mock, of Bluffton, was in the city today attending to legal business of importance. He represents Henry Service, the Bluffton saloon keeper, against whom Mrs. Ada Cochran has filed a SS,(XX) breach of promise suit, and his trip here was to take that lady's deposition in order that a line of defense may be determined upon. The cross-examination process was carried on liefore ’Squire James H. Smith, and some very personal questions were asked and answered. The deposition will be used iu the trial of the ease, which will be called in the Wells county court soon.

IN DIRE STRAITS. A City Out of Fuel and Without Light or Water. Because of a fuel famine Montpelier is in a critical situating at this time. Both the water works and the electric light plant are shut down because there is no means of making steam at the plants. The town could get along without lights for a time, but it is taking desperate chances when it has to go without water. There is no water in the mains and in case of fire there would be no protection whatever. It was thought last night that enough wood might be obtained to run the water plant a day or two, but there is no hope of coal before the end of the week. Natural gas played out at Montpelier long ago. A load of coal ordered for the city some time ago I was shipped, but it was probably eon fiscated by some railroad company. It is said that no more coal can he shipped to the town before the middle of next week, and even then there is no assurance that it will reach its destination. OUTRIVAL NEW JERSEY. Alabama Getting Ready to Bid For Capitalization of Trusts. The Birmingham Commercial club, one of the largest commercial associations in Alabama, has adopted resolutions calling on the legislature to enact even more liberal corporation laws than New Jersey now has., These bills are framed after the manner of the New Jersey laws, but arc more liberal. There is a strong feel ing among commercial and business interests in favor of their enactment, not only so that the state will get large fees now going to New Jersey because of the organization of Ala- ! bama companies there, but also to encourage the coming of capital. It is regarded as almost certain that the bills will pass, and Alabama will become a “corporation state.” THAT NEW BARN. Treasurer Voglewede Getting the Heavy Timbers Ready. Treasurer Voglewede is now doing a tall job of hustling getting out the heavy timber for the large bank barn, mention of which was made several weeks ago. It has reached a point i where it is not an easy task to find the timber for such a building. The i lime was when no time would be uec • essarv to look up the timber, but un 1 fortunately that time is not now. ft ;is not expected that the building will be complete before the time for the fall crop of pigs, but we will bet a i new dollar bill that when it is com plete, it will tie about the most handy structure of its kind, and that Henry I will see every stick put in its proper place. LOST HIS LID. Judge Adams Outhatted by a Blufftonite. One of the guests at the dance last evening was Earl Adams, from D, catur, ami lie came out of the social festivities minus a good hut. Some one who went to the hall without a skv piece took the property of some other gentleman home with him, and when all the guests departed the Decatur gentleman found that he had got the worst end of the exchange. He took it good naturedly after he I found a sunbonnet that was several' sizes too large for him, and too ugly to lie worn even to a masquerade. - Bluffton News. A GOOD SALE. Everything Goes at Good Figure at the Lang Sale. The sale at the John Lang residence on the Coverdale farm north of town, was held this morning and was a blooming success. Stock, machinery and everything else went at a good I figure and the total amounts to over SI,(XM>. Fnsl Reppert did the auctioneering duties. A farewell dance will be held at the farm tonight, and a good tune is anticipated by the guests. The Lang family expect to move to this city immediately.

COMPLAINTS ARE IN Only one Objection Filed Last Night. The City Council Meet Again in Continued Session at the Council Rooms. The regular session of the city council was continued last night and more arguments as to the merits and assessments of the Elm street sewer was the result. In fact this is the all absorbing question with that body just now and it is requiring about all their time and attention. At the meeting last night but one complaint to the assessments was filed, showing that about all objections have been filed, or that the property owners have confidence that they will be justly dealtjwitb. Mayor Coffee is authority for the statement that sofar as is within his power both property owners and contractors as well as everyone else concerned will lie justly dealt with and it will not be necessary to resort to higher courts for an equitable adjustment. Friday has beeu set for the review of the ’ entire sewer route after which time something definite may be stated as to the exact manner of this adjustment. The outcome however will not be known to as certainly until the session of next Tuesday evening. ONE OF THE BOYS. Uncle John Shirey Reported on the Sick List. Uncle John Shirey lias been recorded on the sick list for several days, the ailment being confined to the infirmities that grow with age. Uncle John is now eighty-one years old, and for a long period of that’time was one of the hustling and energetic business men of this city and county. For years he bought and shipped horses from here to the eastern markets. He became a proficient horseman, and no

blemish, no matter how small, could 'escape the shrewd and experienced i eye of Uncle John Even of late years men actively engaged in the business would take counsel with him upon the qualities of a horse. He is widely known and much regret will be expressed at the present illness of this old landmark, and hope will be universal that he may yet live many years. ANOTHER SICK ONE. Rev. C. G. Hueson, Pastor of the Methodist Church, is Sick. Information from the bedside of Rev. C. G. Hudson, pastor of the Methodist church, finds him on the high road to recovery. He was taken sick mere than a week ago, it being brought about by too much exertion during the protracted services recentIv held at his church, and also a severe cold contracted at the same time. Symptoms of pneumonia became evident and for a day or two there were fears of a genuine attack, but now the clouds have cleared somewhat, and at least a slow recovery is expected. Rev. Hudson is one of those ministerial persons who preaches the gospel because he believes in it, ami in addition is a pleasant and entertaining gentleman. We hope his recovery will lx» speedy and lasting. NOW IN COURT. The Pitts Transcript Filed In Court this Morning. As stated ves terday the transcript in the John Pitts liqu< r license case was completed, and this morning the same was deposited with the clerk of the circuit court. It was immediately docketed and perhaps when the case is called at the opening of court tomorrow, a summons will be issuixl and the case be put in motion for action later on. As the case now stands Pitts has n license dating one year from February Land the contention that will likely lx< made by the remonstrators is that the license expires the first of next month. This being true the case will probably be tried some time yet this month.

NUMBER 28

GOOD TEST. A Genuine Diamond Can Easily Be Distinguished. Any one can tell a genuine diamond or precious stone even from a very clever imitation. There are a few household tests that are practically infallible. The diamond expert, after long experience with gems, can detect an imitation, as a rule, at a glance. The layman in such matters, with a few simple tests, takes more time to solve such problems, but his judgment in the end is scarcely less accurate. An imitation diamond is never so brilliant as a genuine stone. If your eye is not experienced enough to detect the difference, a very simple test is to place the stone under water. The imitation stone is practically extinguished, while a genuine diamond [ sparkles even under water and is distinctly visible. When possible place a genuine stone beside the possible imitation under water and the contrast will be apparent to the least ex- ' perieneed eyes. ASKED TO RESIGN. 1 Reorganization of the Jeffersonville Reformatory Management. The resignation of John R. McDon- ’ aid of New Albany, as a member of • the board of managers of the Indiana j reformatory has been asked by Governor W. T. Durbin and the fight which precipitated the introduction of the now famous “ripper bill” in the legislature is up again. McDonald is 1 the member whose resignation was demanded by the governor several weeks ago, but it was not forthcoming, Mc- > Donald claiming that the governor had no authoritv to demand his removal or cause him to resign. After [ an interview with the chief executive with reference to the matter, McDonald gave to the public the details of ' the conversation which was held. The , original “ripper bill” was amended by I a compromise and’passed both houses s under it the governor being given the . authority to control the boards of the ’ state institutions absolutely. : AUDITORS PROTEST.

I 1! Q ■» ■i The Raising of Salaries is rerninst the Auditors. 3 The county auditors have a strong >’ lobby at the legislature to protest against Senator Gard’s salary bill. The auditors have figured that the bill raises the other officers and in T many counties decreases their salaries. ' This is especially true of the smaller [counties. Under the present law the i county council may allow the auditors not less than S2OO nor more than f S'iOO a vear for extra work, but the Gard bill provides that the extra allowance shall not exceed S.'MXt. The auditors will agree to the bill if the f provision of the old law regarding the i' extra allowance is not changed. B 1 i ■; HAVE GIVEN IT UP. 1 , Advocates of Another Normal College j Abandon the Project. s ; The friends of the proposed bill to > create another state normal which would Im» located in Anderson, have j finally given up their intention to > , have the bill presented to the state 1 legislature. After the vote against ! the proposed bill in the recent meet I ing of the state teachers’ association, the friends of the bill did not give up at once and announced that they would keep on advocating it. But they have had time to take a sober view since then and have decided to give up the plan for the present at j least. ONE SEASON. * I 'I Consolation Can Be Had in the Thought i it Might Have Been Morse. The Indianapolis News kept a list 1 of corn shredder mishaps in Indiana this season. The record shows one num killed; eight men each lost arm; two men crippled in the leg f. - ‘, life; seventeen hands ground off; six ■ teen fingers cut off; one eve put out; 1 | one horse had its tail pulled out, and a dog had its head mashed.