Daily Democrat, Volume 1, Number 82, Decatur, Adams County, 15 April 1903 — Page 1

VOLUME 1

A MILLION. Terrible Fire at Beaumont Today. A Labor Riot Occurred at Cleveland and Three People Hurt. Special to The Dally Democrat. 3:30 p. m. Beaumont, Texas, April 15.—A disastrous fire occurred on Spindle Top, starting at one o’clock this morning. Two hundred and sixtyfive derricks were destroyed of which number 200 were rigs on producing wells. The damage is estimated at from SBOO,OOO to $1,000,000. Special to the Daily Democrat, 2:30 p. m. Cleveland, Ohio, April 15.—Three men were badly hurt here today in a fierce battle between union and non-union firemen. The fight occurred at the docks. DIEDTHIS MORNING Henry Myers of Blue Creek Tp. is Dead. He Was an Enterprising and Successful Well Known Farmer. Henry Myers of Blue Creek township. died at nine o’clock this morning, after a long illness with kidney trouble. The deceased was one of the most progressive residents of Blue Creek township. He was also generally known throughout the county and as greatly admired and respected. Mr. Myers was native of Hanover, Germany, being born there December 24, 1838. He emigrated to America in 1854. and afterlanding in New York City, remained there for a year and a half. He came to this county in 1858 and for five years operated a grist mill at Pleasant Mills. He was married to Barbara Schrank in 1860, and to this union then* were Ixirn ten children, eight of whom are still living. Since 1865 he has been a resident of Blue Creek township, where he owns a fine farm of 120 acres. He was always active and public spirited and put into practice that enterprise that was successful. The funeral arrangements had not lieen made when this was written, but will be some time this evening. SPECIAL MEETING. Important Business Meeting of Masons. A special business meeting of the F. & A. M. lodge will be held at their hall tomorrow evening at 6:30 o’clock sharp. All master Masons are urged to lie present as the matter is of the utmost imjxirtanoe. JBe sure and be there. George Kinzle, W. M. INTERESTING PROGRAM. The Ladies’ Missionary society of the Baptist church will meet with Mrs. Beardsley tomorrow afternoon. The subject is Japut and the program as outlined is devotional by Mrs. Beardsley, song number 220, rending by Mrs. Walters, )wi|X‘r by Mrs. Miller, poem by Eva Brandylx>rry reading by Inez Coverdale. Refreshments will be served.

The Daily Democrat.

NO TICKET. The Berne G. 0. P. Leave a Clear Field to the Democrats. As it now stands the democrats of Berne will have smooth sailing at their town election which is due the first Monday in May. They nominated a ticket Monday, and later the Cromer, anti-Cromer and other g. o. p. leaders there met in convention and undertook to go through the ordeal of naming an opposing ticket. They failed to reach a satisfactory agreement and also failed to make any nominations and now the limit of time has expired for them to file the same. I’liis is rough sledding at the home of that stanch and only Cromer organ, the Berne Witness, who forgot his religion long enough to print sweet scented stories about the moral worth of George W. Cromer' PROSPERING. Report of Two Young Men Well Known Here. Dallas Blossom and George Smith Making Money in the Philippines. The following from the Indianapolis Sun shows how two young men well known here, are prospering in the Philippines. Mr. Blossom is an old Decatur bey and both he and Smith were members of company B during their trip to Cuba. Dallas has many relatives in this county: ’ Manila is certainly a great place for a young man," said George R. Smith, who has just returned from the Philippine Islands. “The island of Luzon has now a large white population. The city of Manila has a population of over 250,000 and beween 5,000 and 8,000 of this number are Americans. The Americans are revolutionizing things in every way. We will soon have a sewerage system, as well as trolley cars. There are few American women in the city and a fell ow gets homesick at times, but if he will stick to it he can make lots of money.” Mr. Smith is in partnership with Dallas Blossom another Indiana boy, in the plumbing and sheet metal business in Manila and they are flourishing. Both have learned to speak Spanish fluently. He intended to bring a yonng native born Filipino with him to have him educated in this country, but the friars advised the Ixiy that the climate would lie too severe for him and he postponed his trip until July. WILL BUY LOT. Masons Invest in Building Lot. The Masonic lodge will purchase a building lot on Second street and the deal will very probably be closed this week. The property in view and which they will no doubt buy is the Dr. J. S. Boyers property just south of Hensley’s jewelry store. At the regular meeting of the lodge last evening a committee who had been previous y appointed for the purjiose reported on a nninIwr of lots located within two squares of the court house and which were for sale at various priceg, but the Boyers property is said to have lieen the favorite. The deal is made as a matter of investment, although the lodge expects to build a handsome home for themselves as soon asp ossiblo. A special meeting of the lodge has been called for tomorrow evening when a report of the trustees will lie made and the deal closed.

DECATUR. INDIANA, WEDNESDAY EVENING, APRIL 15, 1903

THE COUNCIL. Continued Session Held Last Night. Will Contract With E. Woods for Construction of Marshall Street Sewer. The entire body of the city council, presided over by Mayor Coffee, were in continued session yesterday evening. The Marshall street sewer was considered and it was moved by Peterson that the sewer committee he instructed to enter into a contract with E. Woods, the assignee of Doervhaemer & company of Fort Wayne. The motion was carried and the Marshal street sewer will be constructed at the folowing prices. Twenty-four inch pipe laid complete for $1.65 per foot; twenty inch pipe for $1.30 per foot; eighteen inch pipe for sl.Ol perfoot; fifteen inch pipe laid complete for $.85 per foot. The entire price for the completion of the sewer will amount to very near $7,000. The Fourth street improvement was discussed and the street committee was auI thorized to make a report at the next meeting. It was moved and carried that the G. A. R. be furnished with electric lights free for use in their assembly rooms. Council then adjourned and will meet again in regular session next Tuesday evening. FIRST MEETING. — The Decatur Commercial Club to Meet Friday Evening. Those who signed the credentials of preliminary oragnization for a commercial club, will hereby take notice that on Friday evening at the court room, a meeting will be held, which has for its object the making of their initial undertaking, a permanennt organization. We have previously explained in detail the objects to be obtained by giving life and sustainance to such a commercial and social organization. The steps now to lie taken is in the direction of making practical what seems so feasible, and which has lieen demonstrated elsewhere. This is intended as a personal invitation to every one who signed the agreement to present himeslf at the court room Friday evening. It is now down to a business proposition, that of realizing the fond hopes of a long and patience waiting. Let’s proceed and carry into full force and effect the decree as written. The time of meeting is seven o’clock sharp. SEEKS DIVORCE. Mrs. Elizabeth Waldron Files Suit in Court. Elizabeth A. Waldron |vs. James A. Waldron, complaint for divorce, is the title of a new case filed in circuit court, this morning. They were married November 24, 1900 and lived together one year, when no account of cruel treatment of the defendant, the plaintiff was compelled to leave him and return to the home of her father, where she has since resided. During this interval the defendant has failed to provide in anyway for his wife and has signified no willingness to do so though he has held several good positions. Wherefore a divorce is asked for and the court is also asked to return .plaintiff's maiden name of Elizabeth A. Patterson and to grant all other proper relief. The suit was filed by attorneys Todd & Gordon of Bluffton.

IS DEAD. Life of Well Known Character is Over. John Dosenback, a well known character about this city, died at four o’clock last evening at the county infirmary whre he had been an innite for two years past. He has lived here for many years and was known by everyone as “Black Jack,” but few people knowing his real name. For years he conducted a cooper shop in the hollow where Holthouse & Beery’s livery stable has since been erected, the lowlands there having been filled up. Since the growth of the city has driven him from there he has had his shop at various places in the city until two years ago when he became unable to work and was forced to live at the infirmary. While he seemed a little rough to some, those who knew him best know that he was kind hearted and had many good traits. His death was due to a disease of the liver. The funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at the St. Marys Catholic church at two o’clock. WILL HEAR IT. Judge Erwin to Try Famous Case. Disbarment Proceedings Against Attorney Henrv Morgan at Huntington. Judge Richard K. Erwin of Decatur, judge of the twenty-sixth judicial circuit, today assumed jurisdiction in the ex parte proceedings brought in circuit court for disbarment of Henry C. Morgan. Judge Bernethea of the Fulton circuit court, declined to hear the case on account of work and ill health and the case was assigned to Judge Erwin who arrived today. Judge Watkins entered the appearance of himself and Attorney G. W. Stultz for the defendant in the case and the court ruled that the defendant should make answer Thursday morning at 10 o’cock, ruling that the statutory provision allowed the defendant twenty-four hours to make answer. The case’s number on the court docket is 8713 and much interest is being taken in the matter by the general public.—Huntington News-Democrat. COURT NEWS. Civil and Probate Affairs of Today. The Anderson Trust company vs. Washington townsliip et al, motion in writing to strike out second, third and fifth paragraphs of answer. J. W. Hill vs. Florence E. Warner, udmx.,set for trial Saturday, May 2. A. L . Gillispie vs. Ernest A. Gillissie, set for trial Monday, Juno 8, interrogatories filed and plaintiff ordered to answer same by Juno 8, set for trial Monday, June 8. Emanuel Woods vs. Hannah Elzey, rule as clerk to answer complaint. James P. Haefling admr., of estate of George M Huefl ing, fihxl final rejKirt which was up prowl, distribution filed and ad ministrutor discharged. In the Nancy Lyons estate, Mark A. Hilton, admr., written objection to confirmation of final rejxirt filed. William M. Kerr, guardian for Rolx-rt Earl Smith, filed filial rcjxirt which was approved and guardian discharged. Benj. Shrank, guardin for Douglass Dudgeon, filed petition to sell personal projxTty.

LAST RITES. Harry B. Knoff Laid to Rest Today. History of a Long and Useful Life, Many Years of Which Were Spent Here. The funeral of the late Harry B. Knoff was held this morning at ten o’clock at the M. E. church. Rev. Hudson delivered the funeral oration and interment was made at the Decatur cemetery. The city officials served as pall bearers. The deceased was born December 11, 1839 at Coshocton, Ohio. His father, John Knoff was born in New Jersey in 1810 and his mother, of Scotch decent, was born in Berks county Pennsylvania in 1813. He is the member of a family of nine children, four of whom are living. There are three brothers, William Knoff of Williams county, Ohio, John Knossos Coshocton, Onio, Samuel Knoff, formerly a barber in this city, but now of Sturgis, Michigan, and one sister, Mrs. Kate Roderick of West Lafayette, Ohio. Mr. Knoff got his early education by going to school whenever an opportunity was offered and at the age of twenty he commenced the teaching profession. He was an instructor during the war of the rebellion and being unable to go to the front on account of his badly crippled right arm, he taught the people in military tactics as well as in book learning. In 1862 he commenced the study of -photography and worked at that profession whenever he had the time. His school work in Wood county, Ohio, was finished the same day that President Lincoln was shot, on April 14, 1865. Mr. Knoff arrived in Decatur in the same year and May 16 opened a photographer’s studio in a frame building that was situated where the present J. H. Stone building now stands. In the fall of 1865 he was asked by Jesse Butler, then of Root township, to teach the Elzey school which he did, leaving ! his gallery in charge of C. T. Dorwin. He was forced to return to his business, however, when upon returning to the gallery one evening he read a note signed by Dorwin, that read like this: “Gone to join the regular army.” In 1866 he was elected as city clerk and served in that cajiacity for two consecutive terms. In 1868 he was married to Mrs. Eliza Welty and to that union there were born four boys, Benton W. Knoff, a barber of Chicago, C. E. and Ralph Knossos this city and Raymond Knoff, a member of the high school. In the late sixties he was elected county surveyor and served in that position for two terms. In the year 1874 hewasan indejiendent candidate for county clerk, owing to a political upheave! but was defeated with a very narrow margin by his opjxment, Byron Dent. During the seventies he whs in u partnership with M. S. Elzey in the jewelry business and lost heavily during the financial panic of 1873. In 1875 he left Decatur for Pemberville, Ohio, and remained at that place for thirteen years. While at I’emlx‘rville he served as justice of the ]ieaee for eight years, was twice elected as city clerk and served as secretary of the school board. One year after he returned to this city in 1889, he was appointed to the position of city civil engineer but only served a short time ns he moved outside the city limits and was thus forced to resign. In 1894 he ran for the office of county recorder but lost by ten votess. He again tried for the same office in 1898 and 1902 but was unsuccessful at Ixith elections. In Muy of 1896 ho whs elected to the city council from the first ward but resigned Ixiforo the expiration of his term and was appointed city civil engineer, which office he held up to the time of his death.

NUMBER 82

When hut eighteen years of age Mr. Knoff united with the M. E. •hurch at Coshocton, Ohio, and was ever afterwards an earnest worker and believer in that faith. IN SESSION. Knights Templar Meeting at Fort Wayne. The forty-ninth annual convention of the Commandery of Knights Templars is in session at Fort Wayne. It is the largest gathering of Knights ever held in the state, thirty-six commanderies being there. The committee in charge expects 2,000 swords in the annual p trade and twenty-four bands will furnish the music. Besides the Indiana commanderies, two from Illinois and at least five from Ohio will he in attendance. The city hasput on gala attire for the reception of the Knights. Calhoun street is lined with bunting and the flags of the Templars, while along the line of march there are more than a ; hundred electrical emblems with I the cross and crown of the order as the central figure. At the Masonic Temple, where the convention will be held, the entire front is covered with multi-colored lights, the central figure being a Knight Templar in full armor’, mounted. SENT UP. City Clerk of St. Marys Goes to the Penitentiary. J.H . Rowe, until a short time ago city clerk of St. Marys, ()liio, ■ and an honored and respected I citizen yesterday plead guilty to embezzlement of public funds and was sentenced to three years in ! the penitentiary. Judge Mathers, i Ix-fore pronouncing sentence, stated that it was likely that Rowe’s misdeeds were begun without the intention of committing the great wrong which he must now answer for, and that the first teptation was no doubt followed by other and greater ones; that while he was entitled to and received the sympathy of all not only on account of his own unfortunate condition but of family sur | roundings, yet his duty must be ix'rformed. TO GENEVA. Masonic Will Go Next Wednesday. A Masonic celebration at Geneva :is scheduled for next Wednesday and at a meeting of the Decatur kxlge it has lieen decided to attend the grand blow out in a Ixxly. I Several other hxlges have lieen | invited and a regular old fashioned love feast is looked for. Then* will I Ixi four candidates for the third [degree and each visiting lodge will |do the work for one of them. The [Geneva boys certainly know how to entertain and the event will !»■ a bright spot in the memory of those who attend. Quite a delegation will be present from here. Tim entertainment includes a banquet of no small dimensions. BANK STATEMENT. The Old Adams County Bank Shows Up. The Old Adams County Bank comes to the front with another of their rosy bank statements which finds them comfortably located lx>hind a lino of deposits that mens tire up to the gigantic sum of SBOI, ■ 099.97 and with a total resources and liabilities of $950,208.31. This sum of money sounds like a dream, but the sworn signatures attached thereto makes the pipe real. The Old Adams has an enviable reputation in banking circles and do a business that is safe, conservative and profitable.