Daily Democrat, Volume 1, Number 137, Decatur, Adams County, 18 June 1903 — Page 1

VOLUME I

POSTPONED. Council Has Not Yet Contracted for Streets. Members Argued for Several Hours Last Night Without Reaching a Conclusion. The contract for the improving of Munroe and Fourth streets was not let at hist night’s meeting of the city council. Teeple moved that the matter he deferred until next Tuesday evening, and his motion was sustained by Corbett and Fordyce. with Peterson, Weaver and Stetler opposing. The vote thus re--ilfing in a tie the mayor voted with the motion and it was carried. Tie brick street question seems to he an all-absorbing one. At last night's session the councilmen debated. contended, and argued for several hours without making any progress and the meeting was a feature of opinions, sentiments and ideas. The different grades of curbing stone were considered and after much discussion the B»*dford curb was adopted. It was not determined what kind of paving brick to be used as the opinion of the council varied to big extent. The Logan Hock and the Metrojxditan paver are loth excellent makes anil either no doubt will stand the wear that the traffic of this city can offer. The former which is made at Logan. < >hio.of lighter color than the Canton brick, is said to show up in the water test to be the best. City Engineer McKean filial revised specifications for the macadamizing of - >uth Tenth. Elm and Line streets, but no action toward their construction was taken. Council will not meet again until next Tuesday

CAUSED A STIR. Ordinance Proposed at Maron Against School Treasurers. In council meeting nt Marion Tuesday evening some excitement was caused by one of it' members reading anil asking the adoption of an ordinance which stated that whereas the treasurers of the Marion school board for several years have been accustomed to loaning money entrusted to them as public officers and to retain the interest for their own individual gain, notwithstanding the fact that they were jxdd salaries for their services, the act being against the law and punishable by fine and imprisonment, the practice should at once be abolished and the school board lx? notified to the effect. The ordinance was read by Councilman John T. Strange but „h, r it drafted and by whom was not stated The scene in the council chamlwr for a tew minutes after the reading was one of confusion, nearly all taken by surprise. DENIES IT. President Norton Says Clover Leaf Was Not Sold. . The Toledo Times has the following concerning the Clover Is*af and Grand Trunk railroads: President Norton, of the Clover Leaf, who returned home from New York late yesterday afternoon, said that if the Grand Trunk had almorbed the Clover Leaf, he knew nothing of it. The story comes from Chicago, where it was printed in the Chronicle. It sounds very reasonable owing to the close relations lie tween the roads during the past year. The fact also that the Clover Leaf and the Grand Trunk have entered into a close agreement in connection with the purchase of the Short* Line, has added strength to the story in the minds of some.

The Daily Democrat.

TEXAS KID. Personage of Note Serving Time in Jail. I rank Butcher, of Texas, a real live thoroughbred from that land where men are shot for less (‘rimes than opening a jack pot on a pair of sevens, is in jail for nine days. He was brought up last night by the Geneva marshal, and turned over to Sheriff Butler. Frank is known, at least says he is, as the "Texas Kid.” He got drunk at Geneva yesterday and became so unruly that he had to l>e cared for by the authorities. He ought to feel better after a nine days rest in the bastile. FROM LONDON. Factory Explosion Kills Fourteen Men. Thirteen of the Number Injured and Six Are Missing. Special to The Daily Democrat. 30 p. tn. London. Eng., June Is—‘Fourteen men were killed and thirteen injured by an explosion in the Lyddite factory at Woodwich arsenal today. Several of the victims were literally blown to pieces. The building was wrecked, six people are missing and may lx* killed. WEDDING TRIP. Don and June Given a Merry Farewell. Mr. and Mrs. Don Quinn received a shower of congratulations, in the form of cereal fixxl. before they left the city. A row of incandescents from the dejxit to the ear steps, were lighted at the opportune moment to prevent any misstep on the part of the newly married couple. A retinue followed the bride and groom into the coach, each one carrying a band box. telescope, hand twig or some sort of a grip. A row of placards were stretched along the car to inform any whom it might concern. A bird in a gilded (-age was presented them, and Don will doubtless appreciate the joke if the Erie charges him for excess luiggage. On the way to the train they were escorted by a crowd of friends who sang, "Don and Junie are nuirrii'd. it's a fact you can t deny; they're going to live together, we hojx l . until they die."

A NOVEL TEST. Safe at Ohio City to be Attacked Tomorrow. A curious test in which men in linking circles and business men generally are much interested. will be made at the Farmers' Link of Ohio City. It will lx* remembered that the safe of this Imnk was wreckiwl by burglars. A safe claimed to lx* burglar proof was placed in the bank by the National Safe conqxtny of Cincinnati. The Manganese Steel A; L<x-k company of New York challenged this claim and the National conqmny will allow them to test the safe tomorrow evening. They will attack the safe in a burglarious way. and the com |Hiny*s agents think they can o]x*n it. This is the first test of this kind ever tried near here and will lx* eagerly watched by those interest <*<l. S. G. Sheller of this city, is president of the Ixmk and will go to (»hio < 'ity tomorrow.

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

SILK CULTURE. Miss Dora Steele Makes Study Interesting. Now the Valuable Cocoons Are Manufactured by the Industrious Silk Worm. Silk culture is generally understood to be confined to France.ltaly, Spain or Germany. Perhaps it is when we consider that raised for commercial purposes, but the silk worm can be raised successfully in other places as is attested by the efforts of Miss Dora Steele of this I city. Miss Steele, who is a teacher in i the public schools, thought it pos-1 sible to study the nature of the silk worm through itself rather than j dull hooks, and started to work on the idea. As a result of her efforts she now has over two hundred silk worms which are in all stages of development. Some are still feeding, others are just commencing their cocoons and some have completed their efforts as the silk worm and are awaiting the time whim they are to be turned into the moth or butter fly. The little animal is certainly very interesting and a more comprehensive idea of the growth of silk can not lx- gained than to watch it in its development. About last September Miss Steele sent off for a number of eggs and just about one week ago they first began to hatch. It had lieen her intention to have them during the school season but they were received a little too late. After the hatching process the worms began to feed on white .mulberry leaves and the usage orange or hedge, and within four weeks are developed into a worm, white anil transparent and almost two and one half inches long. It is at this stage that the cocixm spinning process begins and within two days time the worm wraps itself up into a quarter of mile of unbroken silk. After six weeks imprisonment it is changed into a moth. The moth then issues from the cocoon and in fromtwo to four days lays several hundred eggs and then dies. There is on exhibition at this office a species of tlie animal in the cocoon state and the actual raw silk in the four natural colors, yellow, orange, pale green and white can be plainly determined.

BIG TIME. Maccabee will Banquet Tuesday Evening. There will be a meeting of the degree of the Maccabees this evening and those in charge wish every 1... tuber tbe team to lie present. At this meeting arrangements will be made to go to Decatur on next Tuesday evening. As the Bluffton team will give the degree work at that place it is the desire of all that they will b»* well drilled and in shajie to exemplify the work in the best possible manner. The meeting to Is* held at Decatur Tuesday evening is for the purpose of rejnvenat ing the Decatur l<xlge which has been allowed to get lax in its work. They are exjieriencing a revival something like the lodge in this city underwent and want a g<sxl team to show the work. There will Is* visitors present from all the hxlgcs in tin. part of the country «nd a big time is anticifxited After the initiatory and degree work hue been given the Decatur hxlge will entertain all the visitors ata big banquet to lx* served expressly for them. A good sized crowd is cxjx*tcted to go from here. They will probably drive over, as this will furnish flu* lx-st means of getting home early. If they go on the train it will lx* necessary to remain in Decatur until morning.—“Bluffton Banner

AN ACCIDENT. Peter Helmerick of Near Peterson, Receives Serious Injuries. Peter Helmerick, a resident near Peterson, had a narrow escape from dentil yesterday. He in some man ner got tangled up with a pair of frisky horses and a land roller. He was run over by the latter and received several severe injuries about the head and face. A gash above the eye took five stitches to close. Dr. Grandstaff of Preblt* sewed up the injury and otherwise administered to the wants of the injured. He is getting along nicely and all fears of internal injuries are abandoned.. It was a close call and ter initiated better than might have been expected. GOT BAD. Junk Dealer Pays Fine For Assault. Struck Frank Schumacher Last Night and Was Landed After a Chase.

Albert King and brother with their families struck town yesterday. They are junk dealers and camjx'd east of town, the men coming in last night to punish a few glasses of beer. Albert got Ixid when the liquor began to work and while walking down the street gave vent to his feelings by striking Frank Schumacher on the ear. He was immediately knocked down by Charley Woodward and jumped up and ran away. The story is that Frank and Wai Wemhoff were talking in front of Martin's and. had never seen or spoken to the junk men, when one of them came up and struck Frank. Policeman Fisher got after King and finally captured him near Ed Phillips residence on First street. Tile officer fell down while running ufl.-r this man and this started the report that he had lx*en assaulted, but such was not the ease. King was tried before Mayor Coffee this morning on charge of -assault and battery on Frank Schumacher, found guilty and fined a dollar and costs. He had but ♦■l.Xs and his brother one dollar which they offered with a chattel mortgage on their horse and wagon, promising to pay the balance in a few days and with this understanding Allx*rt was released. STILL PENDING. Negotiations for the Trees Manufacturing Company. Messrs. New and Gant, representative' of the Trees Manufacturing company, left this morning for their home at Greenfield. The proposition is still pending here, but we are informed that the chances for De. catur securing the gus engine plant is still very favorable. A meeting was held last evening but negotiations were not concluded. It is believed that matters will be settled within a week and plans complete for moving the concern. If such is the ease, the work would begin at once and the factory in O|»*ration here by September I. PICNIC IN GERKE GROVE. The Fuelling ehuruch is making extensive prejiarations for one of its picnics, which have liecotne somewhat famed during the past few years. The date for this year is next Bunday in the Gerke grove and if the weather Ix'haves itself, one of the largest crowds will lx* present to enjoy the same.

THE STORY. Edith Oliver Writes of Flood Scenes. NARROW ESCAPES OF FORMER DECATUR CITIZENS. All Are Now Safely Housed in St. Louis and the Waters Are Receding. We are in receipt of a letter from Mrs. Edith Surratt, formerly Edith Oliver, of this city, which tel s of the awful flood which drove them from their home at Venice. She says- “It is true that we have experienced the suffering and witnessed one of the most terrible floods ever known in this country. We are safe now at 1425 Bremen Avenue, St. Louis. When the floods came we were living in north Venice and supposed it was impossible for such an accident to occur, and felt safe as you people do in old Decatur. The floods in this locality in I 1882 were very severe hut in Venice the grass was never even covered ' and even in low places about town i the water was not over two feet deep. Property owners therefore ■ felt safe this year, even though it rained incessantly for many days. The levees were strengthened by the work of 500 men who worked hard and the citizens felt safe, until one night when the whistles began blowing and screechnig. bells rang and men shouted the warning over town. The panic that followed was terrible and strong men lost their reason. People fled to the highest buildings as the water came surging through the city. Many familes were parted never to meet again, some running one way and some another. So many people gathered at our house that we could scarcely move. Houses and churches and other buildings were swept past and we gazed atthehavix- with fear and surprise. The M. E. church was torn loose and swept away, tearing and breaking down lighter buildings. It rushed against the street ear sheds and wrecked them completely. We were taken away in a boat after the water had raised so high that esca]X‘ seemed impossible. After crossing several bridges that were hanging loose in the water, held in place only by ropes, crawled up sandy and dangerous embankments’ and were finally met by a train which landed us safely in St Louis, where we have since lieen cared for. Many of our friends met death in the awful flood. The homes in the highest places still stand but the contents of all are ruined. My husband owned a barlx-r shop which was lost together with all our household goods, making the loss quite heavy on us. As the waters recede now, one can see the roofs of the houses

in most places just rising alxtve the great sea. The home of Mr. Barnet and D. F- Oliver, my father, still stand but of course greatly damaged and almost worthless. We are all very nervous yet and can hear the awful rush and roar of the water ak it swept upon us. Miss Adda Barnet is here with us and in tends to return to Decatur Saturday or Sunday. She will return in the fall to teach school again, having been very successful at her work here. We are very thankful for the many letters of inquiry from our friends at Decatur and you may ali feel sure that they helped to cheer us very much. My little ten months old baby stood the shock and expos ure ni'oly. ias did all of us consider ing the terrible dangers we have gone through Miss Barnett will bring home many relies of the flixid. With love to all, 1 am. Yours lies]M‘et fully, Mrs. Edith Oliver Surratt.

NUMBER 137

TRYING TO SAVE SCALPS Governor Durbin Visits Washington in Behalf of Congressmaa Cromer. It has leaked out from reliable sources that Governor Durbin's real purpose in going to Washington was to save the scalps of Congressman Cromer’s postmasters, who collected cacmpaign money from mail carriers last summer in violation of the letter and spirit of the civil ser- ' vice law. He is especially interested in James Brenaman, the postmaster at Alexandria, whose removal has been recommended by Postoffice Inspector Fletcher on the ground that he levied and collected money to be used in behalf of Congressman Cromer. About the time the Sentinel made public the charges against the Eighth district postmaster Robert Grimes, postmaster 1 at Anderson, he came to Indianapolis to induce Governor Durbin to use his influence in behalf of the accused postmaster. Mr. Grimes, it is reported, was at the head of the organization that had charge of levying and collecting campaign assessments from postoffice employes throughout the district. He had intended coming to Indianapolis for a second interview with the governor, but the publication of the Sentinel about his first visit is said Ito have scared him off. What, if any, assurances were received by | Governor Durbin in Washington cannot be learned. The press disi patches say that he had an inter--1 view with Postmaster Payne. If iany living mortal is capable of ■ securing relief for the terrifled posti masters Governor Durbin is the man. As a member of the national committee he established close relations I with Mr. Payne and the two are I very intimate personal friends. The postmasters who are under tire do not deny that they collected money for campaign purposes from the men employed in their offices, but they insist that they have done nothing for which they can be held morally culpable. — Indianapolis Sentinel. NEW SWINDLE. Smooth Grafter is Working Express Companies. Local express agents are receiving letters stating to be on the lookout for an individual who is swindling the express companies out of considerable money and valuables. The confidence man goes into the town,, registers at a leading hotel under the name of one of the foremost jewelers of the place and in some manner gains possession of business stationary used by the jeweler. He then orderes a stock of jewelry and at once informs the express agent thtat he is ex]x‘ting a consignment of stock from a certain t stabpishment. He admits his name is the same us one of the city ’s business dealers and pleads as an excuse I for calling. When the package ar* ‘ rives he becomes the possessor amt lull well until tin arrival of the bill, charging the jewelry dealer with I the articles purchased. MANY IMPROVEMENTS. Kirkland Township Rightly Boasts of Many New Buildings. Kirkland township is coming gallantly to the front and is prospering along the lines that count. Esq. James H. Ward tells ns that any number of handsome, costly and magnificent homes are being erected, to say nothing of an equal number of immense barns and other improvements They are also making an effort for an additional mile of macadam road, which | would make a clear stretch to Fort j Wayne, and Ix'sidcs give them ti good road in every direction in the township. It is no joke to say that Kirkland has many progressive ]x«ople and is coming down the pike al n very merry clip