Daily Democrat, Volume 1, Number 92, Decatur, Adams County, 27 April 1903 — Page 1

VOLUME 1

FEARFUL WRECK. Eleven Men Killed and Many Injured. CHINA SENDS HER REFUSAL TO RUSSIA. The Demands for the Evacuation of Manchuria will Nol Be Granted. Bpe *ial to the Daily Democrat. 2:30 p. xn. Buffalo, Kans., April 2H.—A north I unit passenger trian on the Missburi Pacific railway crashed t into a I creek train just north of this place this morning. Eleven men were killed, four fatally hurt and twentylive seriously injured." The dead kre all foreigners except one. Peter Frye, a resident of this place. The foreigners names art* unknown. al to Daily Democrat. 2:30 P. M London. April 2S.—lt is officially announced hen- that the Chinese fovernmennt has sent to ►inn government jit St. Petersburg, ii formal refusal to grant the Ruskin demands in regards to the Evacuation of Manchuria. The result is expectantly awaitedjby all' nations of the world. COMMITS SUICIDE. rill Robinson of Bluffton, Slashes His Throat. Will Robison of Bluffton, known to many people here as “Candy led" Robison, committed suicide Saturday evening by slashing his throat from ear to ear with a razor. He was a young man who went to Cuba with the 160th regiment and ifterward served two years in the Phillippines. returning to Bluffton ibout a month ago. While in the Islands he hurt one of his legs ind an amputation was necessary. Since his return home an examination showed that another amputation 6’onld be necessary before he could isc a cork leg. This fact worrit'd Jim considerably recently and is Jelicved so deranged his mind that le. committed the awful act. He Rias found in his room ut his broiher’a home alxnit six o’clock Saturday evening by a little niece who sent to call him to supper. He was Ira wing a p-ntson of forty dollars i month and had recently inherited 15,000. FIRST GAME. daseball Season will Open Here Soon. The printers are always up to late, especially in athletics and contequently it, is no surprise to learn :hey have organized a bull team and will compete for honors on the ilianond Sunday, May 9. The opposing team will lie composed of •arp-nters and the boys have already jegun training. The printer's team oa good one and beyond a doubt the l"'st aggregation in this pirt of the Universe and while we fail to see how the carpenters will have the least show to win. we know it will be well worth tlx* time sp*nt for >’ou to watch the game The sjx>t for tin l famous battle will lie Steele's |Mirkand us it is the first game of the s’lison will no doubt draw u large howd.

The Daily Democrat.

BID REJECTED. Commissioners in Session a Short Time This Morning. Commissioners Doak and Werling were in session at their room at the auditor’s office for a short time this morning. The session was for the opening of bids for making the fill at the Wabash river in Hartford township. But one bid was filed that of Levi Augsburger for |SOO, the limit of the appropriation. The board considered the bid too high and so rejected it, and will probably readvertise another letting at an early day. The improvement is an important one t<? those who use the highway at this point. GREAT MEETING. Knights of Columbus at Fort Wayne. Mayor Coffee and Lawyer Moran Have Important Parts in Program. About fifty Decatur p*ople were at Fort Wayne yesterday to attend the meeting of the Knights of Columbus lodge and a great time is reported. Nearly a hundred new members were initiated into the order and 500 visiting Knights from all jxirts of the country were present. Among these initiated were the following large class from here: D.N. Niblick, Thomas Haefling. John H. Starost. L. F Martin, H. Bremerkamp, E. W. Meyers. P. K. Kinney, A. B Smith, John Smith, John Lose, Peter (-rafter. J. S. Mason. S. J. Hain, J. B. Mason, H. F. Costello, L. Yager, L. A. Voglewede, D. D. Coffee, Ed Blotkamp, J. M. Hayes, Dr. H.E. Keller, C. V. Connell. At the conclusion of the degree work the knightsand their guests were taken to Library hall, where a most delightful banquet had been prepared. It is estimated that 500 people would sit at the tables and every precaution against overcrowding was taken, but the outpouring of knghts was larger than had been anticipated and as a result the full capacity of the hall was called into service. Hon. W. P. Breen presided as’toast master and among those who responded were D. D. Coffee and John C. Moran of this city and who did great credit to the Decatur delegation. MARRIED. Wise-Saade Wedding Was Solemnized. Junies Spade and Miss Rose Wise were united in marriage Saturday evening by Rev. Grether of the German Reformed church. Mr Spade formerly lived at Peterson [ but is now an employe of June of the large steel mills at Marion. Indiana, while the bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Wise of this city. The ceremony was held at the home of the bride and only the friends anil relatives were present. Music, for ti”Hj<>ccasion',was furnished by the Aelian orchestra of string<*d instruments which has lately .been organized and promises to be one of the beat musical organizations m this city. Mr. and Mrs Spade will make heir home at Marion and left for that place this noon. c. B. L. MEETING. The C. B L. will have an important meeting this evening, proinptbat seven o'clock, ut their hall. The memlx-rs arc requested to bo in attendance ut the hour named.

DECATUR, INDIANA, MONDAY EVENING, APRIL 27, 1903.

NEWS FROM ENID W. E. FulK Tells of the Trip to Oklahoma. AN INTERESTING LETTER TO THE PEOPLE OF ADAMS COUNTY. The Climate, Scenery, Customs and People Described in a Clever Way. Enid, Oklahoma, April 23, 1903. To the folks at home, Adams county. Ind.-We left Decatur via the T. St. L. W. railroad April 21. and : landed at2:2op. m. tixlay. Will say as a preliminary we are all willing to say that we are final and will sjiare no time to lx*at a retreat. to the roost. Our trip enroute was without any particular accident or event The trip from St. Louis was via the "Frisco"’route which travels a long stretch of Missouri and am sorry to state that this section of this great state is very broken, in fact so much that one of the pirties asked for a glass to locate the build- i ings in the valleys. Also whether [ the live contents consisted of “mi.i.ys," jinnies” or mustangs. The place is so broken that Ido not think it a safe plaee to try the merits of an ordinary flying machine, even 1 if the inventor desired, to keep from the hands of civilized humanity. I do not desiii* to insinuate that the ! people of that particular locality are nomads but I believe that they will be better posted after the close of the great St. Louis exposition. Well I have since arriving here been in a quandary why the great meat trust placed the “embargo act’’ on the Missouri hog until the higher courts had to remove the squeeze. The Missouri razor back is a sadly squeezed variety and the wheat trust had ought to be ousted for disturbing the favored haunts of this favorite animal. A wreck occurred on the Frisco line twelve hours ahead of us but the line was cleared when we arrived. The engineer, brakeman and three jiassengers lost their lives in the accident. Our train was well loaded by people from all points of the compass. lowa, Tennesee, Indiana, Illinois, Dakotas, West Virginia, North Carolina were represented at least. I met representatives of these places. Enid is cretainly a hummer of a place of ten thousand population and everything in order, yet only eight years old. It iseertainly a healthy grown city. lam surprised at the citizen ship No profanity, drinks, gambling but everybody seems to have a place and they keep within their bounds. There are numerous fine buildings Ixith public and private. Vegetation is well developed. Fruit trees are fast blooming and indications are that everything will lx* well loaded. I have seen today the finest wheat I Ix-lieve that 1 ever saw. Tixlay I saw the first hay made in 1903 and it is simply immense. 1 had the pleasure of meeting a Mr. Miller, formerly of Lebanon, Indiana, who now owns a fine fruit farm within two miles of Enid. To say the least it is simply out of sight. Thousands of apple, pear, cherry, peach, plum tri*es in fine Ix-aring condition. In addition he has a large acreage of smaller fruits, vegetables, garden product*, etc. The condition of live stock at Enid is but little Inflow the average of that seen in Adams county. Corn is up in the fields and some of it is six inches high already. Enid is well blessed with railroad facilities, only eight lines direct or indirect are building a round house to stall forty locomotives. Hundredsof railroad lalxirers are camps! in and around the town, working ut numerous p lints. I had the pleasure of meeting Newton Burwell, formerly of Bluffton, besides several ether

Hoosiers who say that the “woolly west” soil and conditions beats the Indiana mud and provoke of climate changes. I trust dear reader that you will forgive me and my awkwardness for if you know what a task it is to imitate a Shakespeare, just attempt to make a political speech before five thousand auditors and I am confident you will experience a peculiar sensation just above the ankles, which usually extends to that region where the currents of air are likely to be interrupted. The labor question is active both work and workmen. Carpenters get <2.50 to <3.50 per day and other trades people proportionally. The county farm has not had an occupant for three years. Prices on city property and farms are very reasonable, everything considered. Water works, electric lights, sewerage, etc., are in vogue. Everybody seems to be Americanized. Will close for the present. Yours truly, W. E. Fulk. UNLUCKY OPAL. A Peculiar Story Revived by the Death of Hon. Frank Burke. A story connecting the unlucky opal with the death of the late Frank Burke in Indianapolis has been told. Both owners of the stone have pissed away in recent weeks. A magnificent opal was purchased a year ago by Mr. Nathan Morris, a leading citizen of Indianapolis. Hi* was wearing it when he met Mr. Burke and it was commented on by the latter. "Just take it and wear it,” said Mr. Morris impulsively. A few weeks after Mr. Burke's health began to fail. He did not entertain supersticians concerning the opal. His health grew worse and a few week’s before his death he went to Mr. Morris’ office and placed the opal on the latter’s desk. He remarked that he had not had any luck since the opal was given him. His health did not improve and in a short time he died. Mr. Morris was burned to death at Indianapolis a few weeks ago while trying to rescue a nephew in a fire at his sister's home. CAN'T LIVE. < Charley Shackley’s End Almost Within Charley Shackley, who has been suffering for several months with tuberculosis of the bones of the knee and has been growing worst* for the last few weeks, is in a very critical condition today and his death is only the question of a few days. The disease has affected the other organs of the body, the liver and kidneys and has laid a mortal hold on the digestive organs also. His mind is greatly impiired and he has lx*en rendered irrational for the last three days as a result of the inroads made on that delicate organ. Medical aid of every nature hits done [ him no good and his life since the time of the serious developments of the disease has been one of much piin. NEW DUTIES. New Laws Imposes New Duties on County Commissioners. While the county cominissoners find their work increased by the alleged reform law, they will be Inisier now if the new law sticks regarding the clerk and sheriff. It requires the register of all accounts due the county bo kept and repirts lx* made to the connnisisoners every quarter. Over the report the com missioners, must, according to law, inspect carefully and note whoowes an account and the reason why the same has not Ix-en collected. It ih estimated that it will take the three ■ commissioners nearly u week to go over the reports, and with the work they already have iti Mund, and the small salary they get they will certainly earn their money.

SECOND HITCH. Oliver Reynolds Again on Trial. FAMOUS KIDNAPPING CASE BEGAN THIS MORNING. Jury Selected After Several Hours’ Work and Hearing of Evidence Now On. Judge John M. Smith of Portland, assumed jurisdiction in the Adams circuit court ut nine o’clock this morning and immediately asked the attorneys in the case of the state vs. Oliver D. Reynolds, charged with kidnapping Julia Loser, if they were ready for trial. The lawyers nodded assent and the regular panel jurymen were immediately ordered to take their places. Then began a weeding out contest which continued until two o'clock this afternoon and resulted in the selection of the following men after some twentyfive hud lx*en examined: J. R. Cline, Dan Beiberick, George Roop, L. Tinkham, Dan Lichtle, L. Worthman. Robert Foreman, J. L. Jones, M. Jahn, Samuel Dutcher, Ed Luttman and Anthony Wertzberger. After their final selection the jury were sworn and Prosecutor Moran immediately read the indictment and stated his case. Judge Heller followed with a short statement for the defense and the case went to trial. Freda Moser was the first witness called and gave her evidence practically as at the previous trial. Julia Loser and her sisters were at the trial as was also Mrs. Reynolds. The previous trial of the case during the February term of court continued four days and resulted in a disagreement of the jury after they liad voted six for conviction and six for acquittal for thirty hours. It is believed that the trial this time will continue about the same length of time. Prosecutor Moran is being assisted by the firm of Erwin & Erwin, they having been appointed this morning by Judge Smith. Attorneys D. D. Heller and Schafer Peterson are app*aring for the defendant Already considerable interest has been manifested in the outcome and quite a crowd attended this afternoon. A MAY DANCE. C. Y. M. S. Club will Give a Grand Ball. The Catholic Young Men's social club are arranging to give another elaborate txill which will be held the first week in Muy and which promises to lx* even a more enjoyahle’affair than those of the past which is saying a great deal They have secured (the services of a rag time orchestra from Indianapolis, the lx*st in that city and invitations for the affair will be out in u t'ow days. Its sure to l» a gay society event that, will be looked forward to with real delight by the young folks of Decatur and surrounding cities. A BIG DEAL. A big real estate transfer was placed on the dockets ofJßecorder Gallogly tixlay the same being a transfer of oil least's from J. P. Saumen to the Eureka Oil company and the consideration was <40.000. The land covered by the leases is in the south pirt of the county and has only a few producing wells. No wonder men become excited in oil deals. Attention Decatur Co. U. R. K. of P. All members of Uniform Rank arc requested to meet tonight at 7:31' at the office of Lenhart A Lenhart. Important business will lx* truuucted

NUMBER 92

GETTING READY. — Decatur Horses Are Being Trained for the Season’s Races. Decatur is famed as a horse market for draft and coach horses and in racing circles she is bound to be heard from. The material is here and indications point to the fact that it will be developed to a degree of fast stepping that will be a credit to the city from which they come. Dick Silik, well known to those who understand race horses, as being as thorough a trainer as ever drove on a half mile track, has established a training stable at Steele's park and certainly has a promising string of horses. Among this bunch may be found True Worth, one of the prettiest trotters that ever run a race. This animal is owned by David Flanders & Son and under their management was successfully racial last year in some of the big events of this state and Ohio. Ben H. is showing up in good trim and is destined to outstrip the flattering record which he made last year. Li Hung, Sunday Girl, Hazel Pierce and Domineer look to lx* in first class condition and bid fair to establish a very creditable record. Active training has not yet commenced and Mr. Silick has been conditioning his charges and getting them ready for the track work which will be commenced as soon as the weather p-rmits. The horses show the effects of their care and are not only sleek and fine looking but are strong and in perfect health. The race track at the park is in good condition, though a little soft at present and is is now undergoing the necessary fixing up which will fit it for this season's work. TO BE SHUT OFF. Chicago Gas Service to be Discontinued After December. It is currently reported that Chicago consumers of natural gas have been notified that the service will be discontinued after December 1. 1903. The gas used in Chicago is pump'd from the Indiana field, the pip-line for which service posses through the northeast corner of Sp*ncer park. Although the Chicago Pipeline company holds leases on some of the very best pnxlucing territory in the gas belt, the supply has so far diminished as to make the business of transportation unprofitable. It is surmised that the pip-line will lx* used to carry oil to the Chicago market. The entire gas belt region is developing oil and the pip-line will lx* as serviceable for oil as for gas. REPAIRING JAIL. Work Begun This Morning by Carpenters. Workmen began tearing out floors at the jail this morning and a thorough job of repairing is to be the result. Besides other improvements the building is to lx* fitted for electric lights, the drainage is to lx gone ovi r and improved and other jiatehing done necessary to make the institution sanitary. Mann & Christen have the Contract for the earp*nter work and A. E. Rose the electric work. KICKED BY A HORSE. George Robison, who works m the training stables of Dick Silick, was kicked by a horse Saturday evening and quite badly injured. He started in the stall, where the animal was kiqit and had hardly taken n step when the vicious brute landixl with both feet on his left side. Dr. J. M. Miller was hastily summoned and [the examination showed that two ribs had been broken and a third splintered. Mr. Robison has lx*en in this etiy but a short time and ■ formerly lived at M< nt s'n* hail a lot OtKxt. .Jadi*li<hU Record.