Daily Democrat, Volume 1, Number 133, Decatur, Adams County, 13 June 1903 — Page 1

VOLUME 1

awful scenes. J. H. Hall Tells of St. Louis Flood. SAW A MAN DROWN ON THE ROOF OF HIS HOME. Spent Many Hours in Working His Wav Through the Stricken City. ,J H. Hall is at home from a several days trip through Oklahoma, i He returned byway of St. Louis and says the fl<xxl in that great city is p isitively the worst sight he has ever witnessed. Thousands and thousands of people driven there | from Venice, Madison, East St. Louts. Granite City and other places are living where they can find u place, in ware houses and box cars, public buildings and private homes that have been thrown open. The city has furnished a number of tents which have lx*en located on rhe heights and many have temporary homes there. Business is dead us it is contrary to a city order to allow anybody to enter or leave. Mr Hall had quite an experience in getting through but finally secured a passing by working a little strategy, successfully passed the police guard and reached a suburban street car line going to an Illinois town twenty miles distant, where he boarded a Clovre Leaf train for home. The Clover Leaf tracks are under water for ten miles out of St. Louis and it will probably be two weeks before trains can enter the city. It is said that six miles of Clover Leaf cars that had been backed up on the switches during the flood were swept away at one time. Mr. Hall says the scene at east St. Louis is simply awful and one he will never forget. Hundreds of h >mes anil buildings of all kinds are standing or floating in the water While watching these he noticed a man upon the top of one. He says that while he watched the scene, a life saving steamer went to the house three times insisting that he seek safety, but he refused that he would stay with the property which belonged to him and which represented the savings of many year». Shortly aftrewards Mr. Hall saw the house totter and fall, the man sinking out of sight, never to appear again. While it was an appalling sight to one unused, citizens there seemed to lie hardened to such sights and paid but little attention The six men who accompanied Mr. Hall to Oklahoma each bought a quarter section farm and remained there. — resolution adopted. Claims of Giain Dealers to be Referred to Board. A resolution was adopb-d by the State Grain Dealres association yesterday approving the refering of all 'Ttinis of shippers against railroads f >r delays and damages to the board of managers of the organization for collection. The report of the biard of managers was adopted >mil John McCardle of New Richmond was selected to fill the place on the board made vacant by the resignation of Mr. Branch of Martinsville, Ind. A general and '■onlial invitation had been sent out t° all farmers of this district to at tend this mectang, hoping thus to create a feeling of confidence lx>*we n the grain (dealers, which has not been the condition heretofore. Bros. a. T. Wumcko of Purdue t dked upon “The Possibilities of Improvement of Wheat in this State.

The Daily Democrat.

WILL MEET. County and City Health Boards to Meet at Anderson. The state board of health have decided to call a meeting of the secretaries and representatives of the county and city boards of health to the state under the authority granted in section six of the law enacted by the last legislature to provide for the restriction of dangerous communicable diseases. The meeting wil lx- held in Indianapolis, June 25 and 26, and the attendance will lx* large. At the meetings papers will be read by eminent medical men of the state on contagious and infectious diseases and precautions that may prevent their spread. The city and town health officials will also be instructed tn their duties by Secretary Hurty, of the state board. FATAL FIRE. Five Lives Lost in New York Blaze. Heavily Laden Steamer Norwegian is Aground at Cape Cod. Special to the Daily Democrat. 2:30 p. m. New York, June 13.—Four children antUone man were burned to death in a flat building at 347 east 115 street today. The victims were all foreigners. The fire was of incendiary origin as the police found the hallways saturated with oil and a bundle of rags saturated with some stuff was found scatterd about the place. Special to Daily Democrat. 2;:j0 P. Ni St. Johns. New Foundland, June 13.—Allen line steamer Norwegian, Montreal to Glasgow, loaded with general cargo and cattle is ashore <aix‘ Cod today. It is likely that it will be a total wreck. The crew are throwing the cargo and cattle overboard. WINGATE HERE. Member State Tax Board Here Last Night. The Valuation of Real Estate Over the State Increased. John C. Winagte, a member of the state tax board, was here last evening holding a council of war with the members of the board of review.; who are holding their sessions in the commissioners room at the court house. He made a seven thousand dollar roar on the average ass)*sment of real estate in the county and insisted on it being increased to beat the band. A new feature he unfolded was the assessment on real eataste owned bi charitable institutions. According to his theory that part of such a building as is rented and from which the lodge or society receives a revenue, is as-essable. For instance the ()dd Fellows Lodge of this city, will have to pay taxes on two-thirds of the valuation of their propiety. the first and second floors being rented. The Grand Army and Odd Fellows of Geneva will also come in tor taxtation. Next year the Masons of this citv will be included in the list, it. six-ms to be the object of the state board to radically increuse assessments on real estate.

DECATUR, INDIANA, SATURDAY EVENING, JUNE 13, 1903.

WAS FUNNY. Deestrick Skewl a Howling Success. PLAYED TO A CROWDED HOUSE LAST NIGHT. Home Talent Presents the Comical Situations of the Old Time Schools. There are as predicted, hundreds of people in Decatur today with aching sides the result of their having attended the ••Deestrick Skewl” performance at the opera house last night. The audience, perhaps the largest ever in the Bosse theatre, were in an uproar of laughter from the rise of the curtain on the first act to the final drop, and everyone who attended qieak in earnest when they say “it was the finest production ever witnessed in Decatur. The show was in three acts, the first being the meeting of the committee to select a teacher for the distreit school. Homer Sowers as Dr. Perkins was president of the board and distinguished himself as an actor of more than ordinary ability as did also his co-hi borers for the good of the Huckleberry school, Fred Patterson as Jacob Billaker and Will Schrock as John Smith. There were four applicants for schools, Miss Dashaway. Belinda Sharp. Sally Simple and Mehttable Pendergrass, who had taught successfully for forty years, these personages being represented by Misses Blanche Carroll, Eva Acker, Genevieve Hale and M. Zeola Hershey. The second act was the first day of school and the third the closing exhibition when the visitors were admitted. Among those who did credit as scholars were Miss Fay Smith, Agnes Schrock. Eva Acker, Nora Smith, Blanche Can-oil, Genevieve Ha’e, Minnie Orvis, Mrs. Ernsberger. Mrs. James Fristoe, Mrs. Charles True, Will Schrock, Charles Helm, Hugh Hite, Mr. Ernsberger, Barney Kalver, Charles Colter, Gus Rosenthal, True Fristoe, Fred Patterson and Will Rieter. The visitors were Homer Sowers, Mrs. Edith Dicer and Mrs. D. B. Erwin. Each character was so uproariously funny and so well portrayed and executed that it is simply impossible to make special mention. They were all goixl, Barney Kalver, while slightly emliurrased did well and was presented with a beautiful floral emblem by his lady admirers who attended in a body, occupying several rows of the opera chairs. Mr. Fred Patterson had perhaps the most difficult part of the play, that of a stuttering boy nnd did his work like an old fhor ough-bred stager. Every character found in the old fashioned district school was well portrayed and we, at any rate had more laughs to the minute than ever before. Specialties by Misses Jean Lutz and Blanche Carroll Mr. Ernsberger, True Fristoe, Misses Niblick, Terveer and Mylott, and Miss Hershey were excellent. The “Deestreeck Skewl” was a great performance and if you didn't get your money’s worth you are certainly hard to please. Miss Hershey will always lx» a favorite here. The jierformance was given for the benefit of the Ladies Aid Society of the Presbyterian church and was a financial as well as a social success. A marriage license was issued last evening to Frederick .1, Mae Whin nery and Eliza J. Habeggor of Gen evu. Mr. MueWhinnery is one of the Is-st known citizens of southern Adams bounty and a prsminetnt merchant at Geneva. His in-ide is a popular lady und the Democrat joins their many friends in extend ing congratulations.

FALSE RUMORS. Dr. Miller Says City Water is Free From Disease Germs. During the past few days a rumor has been curent upon the streets that the water from the city water works cisterns used in the various mains over town is foul and contains disease germs. I wish to state through these columns that I have made a very careful and complete investigation and test of said waters and find them absolutely pure and free from disease germs of any kind. The people of Decatur may feel safe in using this water as there is no truth in the -statements that they are foul. Dr. J. M. Miller, Secretary County Board of Health. BOUND OVER. Erie Train Robbers Have a Hearing. Are Charged With Burglary and Larceny and will be Prosecuted to Full Extent. Last evenings Huntington Herald in speaking of the Chicago and Eric train robbery said: Handcuffed together, the two robbers were escorted to the circuit court room at convening of court by Sheriff McCarty. Before Judge Branyan, the taller of the two men gave his name as Marion Jones, twenty-nine years old, and said he is a boiler maker by trade. He gave Marion, Ohio, as his stopping place, although his home was anywhere His relatives, he said, were all dead. Jones is the man found in the car, and he expressed the wish for an early hearing. The little fellow, who jumped from the car and made his escape, but was later found and arrested, demanded a preliminary hearing at once, saying that he was innocent of any wrong doing. He gave his name as Cyrus B. Gillem, age twenty-five years, and his home at Piqua, Ohio. He is a sheetiron worker and for the last three months had been employed at Hammond, Indiana. When asked if he knew the man to whom he was handcuffed, he replied that he did not. Never saw him before this morning. Jones said the last place he worked was at Evansville. The men wen- placed in jail on a chare of larceny, burglary and committing a felony, and their bond fixed at 1500 each. It is believed the men boarded the train at Ham mond. Between Rochester and Huntington over three hundred pounds of merchandise has been re covereil. WORKED OVER. Some Proposed Rural Delivery Routes will be Inspected Again. The proposed rural free delivery routes insjx-cted and recommended for establishment under the Machen administration, and held up following the discovery of the large deficit in the appropriation for free delivery service, will be reinspected before final action is taken. There are a large number of these routes. Many of the southern representatives in congress are making inquiries regarding the plans for the rural free delivery service, and protesting against, delay in the establishment of routes already recommended und against, any possible curtailment of existing service. The foregoing apixiared in flu- Washington Post and is reproduced for what, it is worth. In the meantime Congressman ('romer assures tile Berne Witness that the Adams county routes will Im- estabished in accordance with provisions formerly made.

ALL OVER. Court Closed April Term Today. VERDICT IN THE TRACTION RAILWA CASE SET ASIDE. Other Important Business as Transacted in Adams Circuit Court Today. Today is the fifty-fourth day of ! the Adams circuit court and marks the closing until September 7. The business, as transacted today, is recorded as follows: State vs Deborah S. Wall et al, children restored. cause dismissed. JohnS. Bowers vs Calvin Miller et »1. by agreement of all parties the restraining order is modified to allow the contractors to finish building the road of blue lime stone as good as that found in Decatur quarries, subject to the approval of the Iwurd of county commissioners and the engineer in charge. The case was heard by Judge Heller. Peter Holthouse, ex parte, still pending on motion to retax costs. Henry Patton vs The Fort Wayne Southwestern Traction Co., verdict and judgement set aside and new trial ordered. Joel Welty vs Shaffer PeterI son. finding for defendant, judgment against plaintiff for costs. ; Otto Bolds vs Wiliam and Minerva Shoemaker, costs ordered retaxed. George Hain vs Louisa Hain et al, motion to retax costs overruled, judgment on verdict and against i plaintiff for costs. Althea Gillespie vs Ernest A. Gillespie, apjx-algrant-ed to the api>ellate court. John B. ; Holthouse, guardian for Bertha and Theresa Nix, filed report of sale of real estate which was approved, I deed ordered, reported and confirmed. Emanuel Wocxls appointed : guardian for Hanna Elzey and orI dered to give bond of 1500. During the term just dosed forty-six civil cases and three criminal cases were disposed of. Twenty-two new civil and three criminal cases were filed, making twenty-four less cases on ; the docket at the present time that ■ at the beginning of the term. ENTERTAINED. Mr. and Mrs. Stalter at Home to Many Friends. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Stalter, who live three und one half mies wot of Decatur, entertained a large number of their friends last evening. The guests, twenty-nine in number, arrived at eight o’clock. The evening was sjx-nt in games .and music. Prizes were awarded in three contests. In the first contest J. H. Weldy was the victor and recieved the prize, in the second J. D. Brown, in the third Walter Steele. At eleven o’clock the guests were escorted to the dining room where a dainty three course luncheon was served At a late hour the guests diqiarti-d declaring Mr. and Mrs. Stalter ideal entertainers. Those present were: Misses Leota Hower of Decatur, Lena Adler, Sadie Weldy. Rachel Beavers, Dossie Beery, Nora Andrews, Bessie Fisher, Dollie Bright. NellieStalter, Lfaurie Gault, Lisma Stalter, und Eva Gault and Messrs. D. Brown, K. D. Beery, Douglass Mills, J. H. Weekly, Joo Beery, Andrew Stalter, James Beery, Cup. Wormouth, Samuel Welty, Jesse Hurst, Geo. Wolf. Homer Andrews. Walter Steele, John Baker, and Harve Beery. Mr. and Mrs. Stalter are young people who wen- recently married, and Mrs. Stalter was formerly Miss Garner of West Cairo, Ohio.

NUMBER 133

STATE FAIR. Catalogues Were Issued Yesterday. The Indianaoplis Sentinel says: Secretary of the board of argiculturial Charles Downing received the new catalogues for the state fair yesterday and will begin the mailing of them at once. He had 15,000 printed and of these 10,000 will be distributed over the state, the remaining 5,000 kept for use during fair week. There is a general increase of nearly ten per cent in the value of premiums offered for the best exhibits this year over last and there is about the same increase in the value of the racing purses. Mr. Downing says indications are that the exhibits will far exceed those of any previous year both in quality and number. RETURN THEM. Bentz Children Are Brought Home. Happy Reuniting of a Mother With Her Two Little Sons, Ralph and Ray. Mrs. Joe Bentz is happier than she ha s been for many months for her two boys Ralph, aged twelve and Ray, aged ten, were returned to her yesterday. The boys are bright, manly looking chaps and seemed as : their mother when they jumped off theh train. One of the boys was living at North Vernon, in the south part of the state and the other at Auburn in the north. Mr. Streeter himself arrived with one of the boys, while the other was accompanied by an assistant matron of the Marion Orphans home. The children were recovered through the efforts of attorney L. C. DeVoss, who when all other means had failed filed tlie necessary papers to have Mr. Brother, srate secretary, Mr. Streeter, state agent and Mrs. Wall, Matron of the orphans home at Marion appear in court here on June b and answer why they should not. be punished for contempt of court. Before that day arrived, Mr. Streeter, with his attorney made a trip here and seeing that Mrs. Bentz was in earnst and that they were liable to become involved in serious trouble agreed to bring the children home within eight days. They iierformed their part of the agreement and the case against them will of course be dropped. The case is a new precedent in Indiana law and the State authorities have been taught they can he forced to obey Ila order.'of tile court,. NOT EXEMPT. Gravel Road and Street Bonds Liable for Taxation. We are in receipt of a postal card from E. M. Campbell Co., bond dealers of Indianapolis which reads as follows and explains itself. On the 23d of last April wo sent you a notice of the adoption of the tax exemption law, stating that Gravel Road Bonds of Counties and Street improvement Bonds of Cities were included in the exemption. We were wrong. We have the opinion of Hon. W. H H. Miller former At-torney-General of the United States, and also the opinoin of Hon. Chas. W. Miller, Attorney General of Indiana, that Gravel Road Bondsand Street Improvement Bonds are NOT exempt from taxtation. All other itonds issued by counties, cities and towns are exempt. Very truly yours, E. M. Camplxjl & Co.