Daily Democrat, Volume 1, Number 72, Decatur, Adams County, 3 April 1903 — Page 1

YOLUME 1

IT IS APPALLING. i Railroad Accidents Are Numerous and Fatal. I High Rate of Speed Responsible for so Many Railroad Fatalities. Almost every day we hear of a I railroad accident. The causes are ■ many, imperfection of equipment, I ,|'.'regarding of 'signals, or the misI understanding of orders. The aeI cidents are almost every time atI tended with more or lops fatailty I and the immense number of dentils I that are caused by the railroads are I appalling and the American jx'ojdo I are particularly eoneerned when ■they learn that accidents in other ■countries are by far less frequent ■l:m those- on the railroads of this ■country. Yet this can be account H-d for by the fact that the trains Hierc are run three times The rate of ■peed at which passengers are carI ■-!> ,1 elsewhere. The American I Bitands foremost in the matter of I improvements that make | ■ravelling as safe as possible and I ■> we still insist on the lightning J of trains the price must be J in more or less of appalling j Htahistropbcs. I SMELLS BADLY. ■he Postofficc Department at Washington Has a Bad Odor. 1." i' Fourth A's:-',,! • l’i ,-t oia -Ter Bristow, \vh i is imv-tigat the postofficc department, is pay dirt is shown by the Hut that the investigation is 1 icing prolonged tayond the time set for its conclusion. It - arranged when 1 *, .st ma t .• Snul Payne went away on Ins eriuse Cuban waters that he should re ■rn April 1. It was expected that that time Bristow's insjieetnrs have finished delving into department scandals and have rejKirt ready for the postmasterThe inspectors had not ■-< icei-ded far liefore they disci ivermany things not yet dreamed of need investigating. In a few it. was given out that Post-master-General Payne would not until April 10. Whether t r ■ut there will lx- any further postt ■moments of the day of his return to lx- seen. ■ COURT NEWS. I it Was Done in a Legal Way n circuit court today the followbusine** was transacted: Joel tty vs Shaffer Peterson, reply in i lxiragraph was filed. Julius ugk vs Mary Brown et al, Comwionor D. E. Smithh filed his bond ich vvas approved. In probate irt, Abraham J. Sprunger estate aeon Sprunger administrator, inf of publication of sale notice d, sale rej>orted and approvixl and d ordered. Mary E. Tester was pointed administratrix of the esB of Jacob Tester. Tomorrow is 1 last day of the February term I a vacation of one week follows. THE WHIST CLUB. lr. and Mrs. F. M. Sehhirmcyer ertained the Whist Club hist aiing at their home on Mercer Sot. The occasion was of course ightful and tin- usual amount of usure was enjoyed by the mem is. Mrs. H. C. Moses of Fort yno and Miss Bessie Sohrock re visitors. Honors were won Mrs. Arehlxild and Mr. Elling-

The Daily Democrat.

LARGE CONTRACTS. The Railroads will Make This the Banner Year for Construction. The revised returns of railroad construction of 1902 show a total of , ’-02.i miles, the, largest since 1888. Heavy as this is, the probability is that the construction of 1903 will not only exceed it, but also surpass any previous year. Over eighty-five hundred miles to he constructed during the year are actually under contract. In addition to the roads under contract or under construction, some three thousand miles will probably be built, making a total of 12,000 miles in round numbers. The largest part of the mileage to be constructed during 1903 has been contracted for in the south and southwest, and over five thousand miles are being built in the interest of eighteeen companies. St. Louis & San Francisco leads the list with 755 miles, and Roek Island comes next with 450. As the former has been, or will lx-, absorbed by the latter, the proportion of new mileage to be built by Rook Island will greatly exceed that of any other system. A MISTAKE. Barney Kaiver is Taken For An Editor. Barney Kaiver, the Decajur junk dealer, and the acknowlsdged Marcus Hanna of Adams county repub--1 lican politicians, was a Willshire visitor Saturday. He wsa dodging In and out of business houses, rapidly walking up and down the \ streets and chasing in and out of the alleys and by-ways. He kept pawing the air so constantly that he finally attracted the attention of everybody on the streets. Finally he rounded up at the town pump, cooled his parched tongue, gesticulated wildly for a minute or two and then hurried away to a hotel for supper and to await the 9:11 pussenger. As he left the town pump one farmer apparently a newcomer in these parts, confided to the gaping crowd: "That's the editor of the Herald, and lie's a candidate for mayor, that’s the reason he is holding up everybody he meets.” We overheard the burst of confidence and quietly, very quietly, retrea d into our office, nor did we issue forth again until the darkness of night had spread it's mantle over the town —Willshire Herald. LEAVE SATURDAY. Large Indianapolis Party to Go to the Shiloh Dedication. A party of over three hundred will leave Indianapolis Saturday evening at 7:15 o'elix-k over the Pennsylvania for Shiloh battlefields to dedicate the monuments providedfor by the general assembly of 1901, to mark the location wlier the Indiana troops fought. In the party will be Gon. Lew Wallace, the governonr and his staff, J. Whitcomb Riley, Senators Beveridge and Fairbanks and Congressman Overstrwt. When the ]»ir y reaches Danville, Tenn., it will take a fleet of steam bo ts and steam up the Tennesee river to Pittsburg landing, where the great battle was fought, April •'■ and 7, IH«2. The party will liveo nt. he boatst he two days to lx> occupied in the dedication. GOOD MEETING. Prof. It A. Hartman and County Superintendent Brandyberry mine hom«' this afternoon from the teachers meeting at Richmond. They report a large attendance and gixxl convention.

DECATUR, INDIANA, FRIDAY EVENING, APRIL 3, 1903

DIED ON TRAIN. Sad Death of Baby Margaret Spies. Was Near Toledo on the Way Here to Visit With Relatives. With the train dashing along at a rapid rate, with not an acqaintance near to cheer or comfort her, Mrs. Lena Spies held her little four-months-old babe in her arms and watched her breathe the last, watched the little lips quiver and close in death. How sad the story and how hard to depict with pen the sufferings and tortures in the mother’s breast. Only a fond mother herself can realize the feelings of the heart broken woman. Mrs. Spies was formerly Miss Lena Bartliel of this city and she was on her way here for a visit with ‘ relatives, the family physician having advised the trip, believing it would be beneficial to the baby who had never been real stong. Mr. and Mrs. Kuebler went to Toledo yesterday to meet her and help her here, and it was well they did. Mrs. Spies and little daughter left Cleveland at one o’clock yesterday afternoon and were within 5 miles of Toledo when baby died. Mr. Kuehler at once took charge of affairs and after hasty arrangements they came here at j 9:27 last evening, the reemains being taken to the home of Mrs. Spies I mother, Mrs. Coffee, on Fourth street. The little one's name was Margaret Katherine Spies and she was four months old yesterday. A bright little baby, her parents adored her and fondled her carefully on account of her apparantly weak constitution and the trip here was made that her health might he benefited. Mr. Spies arrived at eleven o’clock this morning. The funeral services will lx- held at the St. Mary’s church at nine o’clock tomorrow morning. FOR THE HEALTH. Expectorating a Bad Habit and a Mighty Unhealthy One Too. In New York City if a man on a street, ear expectorates, the conductor presents him an "anti-spit, card" which informs him that he has violated the law and is liable to arrest. This is a sanitary law which the board of health caused to lx- enacted. The “habit,” for it is a liabit, of expectorating at any time and anywhere is not only tad manners but it is unsanitary. The expectorating habit, in doors and on the street, spreads contagions diseases. The spiltlte drys and is blown into the lungs of the p.xlcstrian. The man who is constantly expectorating has much trouble and is a great annoyance to his companions. LARGE ATTENDANCE. The Teachers' Association Having a Good Session. The twenty first annual meeting of the Northern Indiana Teachers' association began at, Richmond yesterday and the city is filled with visitors. More than two thousand teachers had registered before noon and were assigned to homes or hotels, at which they will lx- entertained until Saturday evening. Beside* the teachers who are members of the association there is a large delegation from the southern Indiana association and fully two hundred visitors have registered from cities and towns in western Ohio.

SMALLPOX VICTIM. Mrs. Ida Hill, Formerly of This City, Dies at Columbus, Ohio. Mrs. Ida Hill, formerly Miss Ida Daughtery of this city, died at her home in Columbus, Ohio, this week. Her death was due to smallpox, with which she had been suffering for some time, and a burial of the body was made the same day she died. The deceased was quite well known here, being a sister of Mrs. George Meihls, Mrs. Sam Ross, Mrs. Charles Fisher and John Daughtery of this city. Mrs. Meihls went to Columbus yesterday and will visit with her mother, Mrs. Daugherty, who will possibly return and make this city her future home. WANTS A DIVORCE Dan Straub Says He is Abused. Charges His Wife With Cruel and Inhuman Treatment. Attorney L. C. DeVoss filed a suit in circuit, court thig morning entitled Daniel A. Straub vs Sarah J. Straub, divorce proceedings. The complaint says that they were married December 17,1882 and livae five children, all living. Their family cares have been many and the home unhappy, especially during the juist year, when Mrs. Straub has called Dan tad names frequently, accused him of stealing her money and rej fused to have naything to do with him. As a result of this cold treatment he left March 27 and has not since lived with her. He asks for a plain, simple divorce and nothing else. Dan says the filing of the divorce proceedings was made known to his family last Saturday and when he went out to get some of his property the wife and son took advantage of him and gave him a licking which resulted in his arrest. NO ACTION. The K. of P. Building Committee Made No Report Last Night. At the meeting of the K. P. lodge last night no report was made by the appointed building committee, which have in charge the prosper-; tive 4 building of aK. P. block. The ! matter is as yet, in the stages of possibilities only, the outcome of which is hardly ripe for conjecture. The committee are business men of the most pronounced type and what hhey do will lx* strictly along the lines of a conservative business ]xilicy. They have a chance at the postofficc site, hut whether they can manage to nail it,, is uncertain. Time will be given them by the insix'Ctor to make their calculations. PRIMARY TODAY. Fort Wayne Democrats Making Their Nominations Today. The democrats of Fort Wayne are holding their primary election today for the nomination of candidates for tht> city council. The campaign has been raging ml hot for two weeks or more and the contests today arc* the finishing touches to that exciting tattle. Fort Wayne will have several public questions such as street paving, franchises and other questions of public interest that will figure conspicuously in their city election, which will ta held later.

REUNION. Uncle Johnny Reed 104 Years Old. Members of the Family Gather at His Home and Celebrate the Event. Today was the anniversary of the birth of Uncle Johnny Reed who has the proud distinction of being the oldest man in Adams county. One hundred and four years ago, on April 3, Mr. Reed was horn at Plattsburg, New York, and even at this day his health is comparatively good and he can get around with as much cast* as can many men who are forty years his junior. Mr. Reed was an early resident of Cleveland, Ohio, and when he first came to that place he found that there was but one hotel, a small tavern, where visitors could he accomodated. For over half a century he lived in the forest city and then he came to this county and bought a farm five miles northwest of this city, where he has since resided. A family reunion was held at that place today and a number of Mr. Reed’s children, brothers and sisters and other relatives were present and a most enjoyable time was had. The reunions have been held annually for some time past and are very happy and important events in the history of the Reed family. MORE HENCH. The Twelfth District Jokers Are Abroad. An Approaching Campaign Without Hcnch Would Seem Unreal. Samuel M. Heneli, a one-horse politician of Fort Wayne, is again being systematically groomed as a candidate for congress in the twelfth district. Heneli goes through the grooming process regularly every two years, and every time he scarcely reaches the swabbing pole. He makes a good stiff to dig up from the dry Ixmes to rattle around with, but when it comes to getting in the running he isn't one two. It is pretty safe to conclude from this distance that Jim Robinson, the present congressional statesman, will be returned to congress, as he ought to be. His record during the last two sessions, and esjx'oially the last one, smacks of genuine statesmanship He has reached the stage of citizenship in congress that makes him a useful member, and the voters of the twelfth district arc likely to hold on to him. Os course for a little kiting Hench will do as well as anyone else, hut he is actually a political joke and is getting a trifle stale. SERVICES CHANGED. Butler Funeral to be Held at the M. E. Church. The remains of John Butlei' will arrrive here this afternoon some time and will ta taken to Sheriff Butler’s residence. The funeral services will lie held toinorro.tr afternoon from the Methodist church at two o’loock. Mr. Butler died at VunWcrt Wednesday night at twelve o'clock.

NUMBER 72

FOR THE FOURTH TIME Golden Rule Jones a Candidate for Mayor of Toledo. Without a party, without an organization, and in the faro of an agreemennt among the newspaper of the city not even to mention his name except when absolutely necessary Samuel M. Jones, the socalled “Golden Rule” mayor of Toledo, is conducting his campaign. He publicly announced his candidacy for the fourth time from the steps of the Government building to a large crowd. Some of his auditors cheered him, some hissed him, and some were—or at least affected to lie—stolidly indifferent. Pitted against him tire John W. Dowd, perhaps the best educated man in Toledo, a rattling campaigner and a good fellow, as the republican nominee of an oldfashioned delegate convention, and Charles M. Edson, cashier of the Dollar Savings Bank, the democratic nominee, nominated also in a delegate convention. The politicians hate Jones, and are working harder than ever for his retirement. That Jones is a clean man none has ever disputed or questioned. Ho is an extremest in some things. In others he is decidedly liberal. When he announced his candidacy for the fourth term not a newspaper in the city would print his procla mution as a matter of news, and only one, a democratic daily, would accept it as advertising matter, and others refused to print it even though paid at double rates, unless it should be scheduled us advertising. At that some of the papers refused. HOSPITAL INADEQUATE The Eastern Insane Hospital is Too Small. The Richmond insane hospital district, comprising sixteen counties, is entirely too large for the present capacity of the Eastern Hosp ital. The population in this district has almost doubled since the institution was established, yet the capacity of the hospital has not been iniTeased proportionally. In Wayne county, with the insane hospital within its borders, there are from one to three persons in the jail at all times awaiting admission. The poor farm at the persent time has at least a dozen inmates that should bo in the hospital for the insane. The relief lies with the General Assembly to provide means for the care of these unfortunates now in jails and poor houses. The care of epileptics is one of the greatest pro blems that the management of the state's insane hospitals have before them. Epilepsy is the mildest form of insanity, yet the care of inmates afflicted with this form of mental disease requires as much attention us do other inmates. WHEAT SUPPLY. Argentina will Break the Record for Wheat Shipment This Season. The attention of the wheat buying people is now directed toward Argentina whose great, graneries are now supplying England and the coast countries of Europe with their breadstuff's. Yesterday over 2,500, 000 bushels of grain was exported from that oountry, and then* is a sufficient supply on hand for another or two similar shipments. The visble supply in that country is enough to alarm buyers were it not for the fact that the markets are steady, a s 3,680,000 bushels are in sight. The immensity of this amount on hand cun ix'rhaps lx; tatter understood to say that at the same time lust, year the visible supply only reached the 1,536,000 mark.