Daily Democrat, Volume 1, Number 143, Decatur, Adams County, 25 June 1903 — Page 1

VOLUME 1

WAS HIT BY AN ERIE TRAIN

jJPerry Sprunger Perhaps Fatally Injured. accident occurred about two O’CLOCK THIS MORNING. Kas Acting as Night Flagman at the C. 4 E. Railway Bridge and Was Struck by Train. P, rrv P. Sprunger, a well known resident of this city, was struck by in Erie passenger train at eighteen minutes past two o’clock this morning. anil seriously, perhaps fatally injured. The accident occured at Ihe st. Mary's bridge which is beng built, and where the injured nan was employed as a flagman or light watchman. He was on duty it the time of the accident and was ntirely unsuspecting the danger chich resulted into an awful hapicning. As the bridge is in a weakli nditi'in all train-are r.'.prr. d If cross it at a very slow rate of I* 1 and thevare .inly]»'niiitlr.| • 9] Ver after an alright -igna! hall ten given to the engineer by the Hivifehman Rial lights are alsu in life enter of the traek displayed Hllur.ng the night time,and not until I: -■ ir.’ removed is tlie train -up I postal to pass. When the west 11- I pa—enger train gave tinviB'. rt whistles for the signal this Hi •' tile flagman started out t>. He-u ,ve the lights, as is pre-umed. He. 1 a- he reach oil for the red lanI 'em the engine struck him The I T.rn wa-quickly hrouhgt t" ;< -T*>p | l 'he trainmen found him on the I ler’h side of the track halt way I 1 \;i the embankment, with hiI r" -ide and hip hadlv bruised He I il l- ■ hartal oil the steps of a ear and I iik- nto the depot where they mi I irevi-tal a lx*il of mail sack- and I lent for medical aid. I)r. Beavers. I -mpany physician. eat le and I lit- mstered to him, and lie was I removed to his home on Tint- | leeiitli -treet Dr Beaver- -fated to 1e Democrat today that the recov--7 of the injured man was very uhtful. No bones were broken, t he was injured internally to a rit us extent, and the shock was so eat that it is hardly probable that ‘can survive. The first twenty-four forty-eight hours will require the rdest light, and if he lives that igth of time, the chances for his ■ >very will greatly increase. Mr. 'finger has certainly been very ifortunate since he commenced ■ the Erie bridge gang. Only Mony his thumb was badly crushed tween two timbers, and it was rough this accident that he was ten tin job of night watchman ace the accident quite a bit of eculation has been going the unds among railroad men as as who is to blame for the accident; bether or not the flagmnan was ckless, or Engineer Butler disre filed the signals. Evidence points Hie latter. When Springer was anil the frame work of both of b red and white lanterns lay by i side but the smashed gltdies ■ rt> in the center of the traek. tue understand by this that ho is in the act of picking up the red item while others maintain that could have been recrossing the t< k after removing the lights >m the traek. How it really was iy never be known. H3O p. m —At this hour Mr. runger is in a very low and al>st dying condition. An injection normal salt was made with the 1» of aiding him to rally which ■ mist lie done soon to make a surI fival possible. I AH KuthUmc Sisters are reque-ted ■io meet next Sunday afternoon to fluke part m the decoration services

The Daily Democrat.

SCHOOL PICNIC TODAY St. Joseph Schools having an Outing. St Joseph picnic, the annual occasion when the school children and their brothers, sisters and parents gather for a whole ilav of enjoyment. is on today at Forbing’s grove, south of town. The day seems to have been especially ordered for the occasion and everyone is enjoying the event thoroughly. ; As early us seven o’clock this morning loads of people, hammocks, swings and other necessaries to make the day one to bo remem tiered 1 began moving to the scene, and the big noon dinner was a gay one.

A DITCH HEARING Surveyor McKean Holds a Large Seance. The Henry Myers Ditch in Jefferson and Blue Creek Townships Allotted. The circuit court room was brought into use today to accommodate what is reputed to have been the largest ditch hearing in the history of the county. Under the law passed by the last legislature the manner of proeeedure in cleaning ditches has been changed, placing j the allottment for this purpose in the hands of the surveyor, who calls those interested together and makes his alottinent. This in a manner is final, although appeals to j court can ix* had, hut a reduction of ' twenty ix-r cent, is necessary to sustain said reduction., The ditch today is what is known as the Henry H. Meyers ditch, which begins west 1 of central Jefferson township angles down into little Blue Creek for an the main ditch and branches I being about ten miles long. There J were over 200 land owners assessed in its construction and the largest end of this number were here today. Surveyor McKean read and explained the allottments, anil after that peace almost universally prevailed. The allottment sheet will perhaps lx-ar a few slight changes, but generally speaking those interested had nothing hut words of praise for Surveyor McKean for the fair and impartial way he hud disposed of an ugly looking job. It is no secret to say that to sutisfactor--1 ally conduct the ditch branch of any county government, it requires ' a diplomat of no mean skill. It is one of the trying elements of the county surveyor’s office, and causes that official to many times sweat all | xinds of hlood. The Henry Myers | ditch is one of the largest enter prises ever attempted of its kind in the county, hut its benefits have long ago been apparent, so the ordeal today was softened by the fact that ditches projierly constructed mean so much t<> those benefited. MAKING FLOWER BEDS. Workmen arc busy this afternoon at the water works station lawn I completing two large flower beds I that will add to the beauty of that | place considerably hihl give it all the appearances of a city park. The Us Is will each be twelve feet in 1 diameter and will U* immediately set with beautiful flowers from the eitv green house and even by tomorrow the person who jiasscs by the city plant will be surprised to notice the very decided improve- ! ment.

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY EVENING, JUNE 25, 1903.

HAD BUSY SESSION Council Orders Streets Macadamized. CHOOSES METROPOLITAN BRICK FOR FOURTH AND MONROE. Contractors Claim Price of Paving Block Has Been Raised Five Dollars Per Thousand. Streets, sewers and alleys were again the all absorbing question at the continued meetings of the city council which lasted until after ten o’clock last evening. All members were present, as were also various contractors for city improvements anti salesmen for different grades of brick block A resolution was adopted for the construction of the Meyers, Irvin and Miller branches to the Marshal street sewer, with hut little opposition. A resolution ordering the construction and advertising for bids for macadamizing South Tenth, Line, Elm, Niblick and east Elm streets was adopted. Engineer McKean was ordered to prepare plans anil specifications for macadamizing Fornax and Rugg streets and to report same at the next regular meeting. Then came the all-absorbing question of bricking Monroe and Fourth streets as ordered recently. A heated argument followed on the kintl and quality of brick to he used and a motion was made to nse Culver block, resulting in a tie vote. Mayor Coffee refused to decide the question unless given time to investigate the merits of the brick and the motion was laid on the table. Another motion was then made to adopt the Metropolitan brick on its equivalent and this curried. The contractors made vigorous objections on the grounds that since they had been awarded the contracts the Metropolitan company, who are members of the trust, have ruist>tl the prices four to five dollars jier thousand, making it impossible for them to build the street of that block at the bidding price. However they have the privilege of buying other brick just as good and a representative of another firm agreed to have prices and samples here by next Monday. The discussion between contractor Miller untl a representative of the Metropolitan company was very heap si. Council adjourned to meet in continued session Tuesday evening when if is believed the pavement question will lie settled one way or another.

A SURPRISE WEDDING Popular YounS People Married Last Nigh!. Will Dorwin, a popular young man of this city, who is commonly known as Wid. was united in marriage, at ten o’clock last evening, to Miss Maud Thompson, an estimable young lady of near Monroe. The ceremony was performed by Rev. J. A. Sprague of the Monroe M E. church at the home of the bride and only the immediate friends and relatives were present. Mr. Dorwin is an employee in the freight department of the Erie railroad at the Decatur office, and the newly wedded couple will reside in this city. They have the best wishes of their many friends, and the Democrat joins in extending congratulations. Those present were Mrs. Clayton Dorwin, H B Heller, Miles Pillars and wife, Mrs. J. A. Braden, Guy Dorwin, Mrs. Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Hendricks, Mrs Charity Hawley, Rolla Longen U-rger and Miss Maude Walton of Marion, Indiana.

INFORMAL RECEPTION Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Dugan Entertain a Number of Friends. Another pleasant society event was that of last night at the home of Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Dugan, the same being in honor of several out of town guests who have been visit ing in the city during the past week. Those enumerated at last night’s event were Mesdames Vesey and Bears and Winch of Fort Wayne, Mrs. Reynolds anti daughter of Joliet, 111., and Mrs. Harry Deam of Bluffton. Progressive peanuts was the principal role of amusement, in which R. K. Allison proved an expert and came out victorious. A delicious luncheon following by a genuine round of social enjoyment closed the evening. It was a delightful bccasion. HE SENDS WORD Roosevelt Decides on Russian Policy. Will Transmit Bnai Brith Petition Regarding Treatment of the Jews. Special to the Dally Democrat. 5:30 p. m. Washington, June 25—President Roosevelt has decided to transmit to the Russian government the petition presented by the Bnai Brith regarding the treatment of the Jews in Russia.

WILL WED TONIGHT r Sister of Rev. White Will Marry Rev. Woodruff. A card from Rev. John C. White who is attending the Epworth League district meeting at Ossian says they an* having a fine convention. He states that he will leave there tixla.v for Upland, where Mrs. White went Tuesday, anil this evening will perform the marriage cere mony of his only sister. Miss Grace M. White to Rev. John C. Woodruff. He will return to this city Saturday noon anil will ussist pressing Elder W. H. Daniel of Fort Wayne in eonduetcing communion services at the Methodist church Sunday< MISS WEMHOFF ENTERTAINS. Miss Kditli Wemhoff, last evening entertained the Bachelor Maids at her home tit progressive euchre The Bachelor Maids are never slow at entertaining themselves, and lastevening was no «appeption. In the euchre contest,’ .Miss Rose Confer and Anna Walsh pulled the plums, while Misses Mayaue Confer and Nettie Smith, who .were weighed in the txilanee and found wanting were given a booby. A two course luncheon was served to the guests, who declared the hostess unequaled in prewiring delicacies. Musical selections by Miss May Niblick and Bessie Pillicxl addl'd to the program. Out of town guests were Misses Anna Walsh, Newport, Ky.„ Bessie* Pillod, Grand Rapids,Ohio, and Stella Wemhoff of Fort Wayne. WILL ARREST THEM. SJierift Butler left this afternoon for the south |»art of the county where he will arrest five parties on charge of gambling. Among them arc* Hose & Stiaxl of Geneva, a saloon keeper at Linn Grove for o]x*rating a slot machine and two well known councilmen.

PRACTICALLY SURE Mr. Van Camp Believes Trees Co. Will Come. 0 Looks as Though all Arrangements will be Completed Within a Week. “There is only a difference of a very few doljars between the present owners of the Trees Manufacturing plant and ourselves, and it is j practically assured that within a week at least, all arrangements will be completed for removing the gas engine factory here. If we are suocesful.as we no doubt will be, it will Tie the greatest help Decatur ever had anil certainly means much,” so spoke A. Van Camp, who has been working incessantly almost for several months to land this industry. The factory will be located in the Lynch addition, and will employ from one hunderd to three hundred men, which means a pay roll of from <2,000 to ss,oooper week. Certain it is that this amount of cash distributed in Decatur means that it will be felt by every citizen. One factory of this kind also helps to bring others, anil if we do not miss our guess badly, within another year our city can boast of several concerns equally as good. This means plenty of work for everyone at good wages. The city owes Mr. Van Camp anil those who assisted i him in his efforts, and the Trees factory, sincere anil appreciative * thanks.

AN AFTERNOON PARTY Mrs. A. Kohne Pleasantly Entertains Her Lady Friends. Pedro parties will ever be popular anil all the more so with an entertaining hostess. So say we, and such was the unanimous opinion of the fifty ladies who gathered at the home of Mrs. Alphonse Kohne yesterday afternoon. Thatthey ‘ ‘ had the best time otjtheir lives,” though a trite phrase, best expresses to an absentia* the merriment of those present. Os course pedro was the chief attraction and ’till 4:30 the ladies played the popular game. Mrs. Henry Schulte and Wm. Harding proved themselves the artists however, anil were awarded first prize. And as a recognition of their brave efforts Mrs. Harry Helm and Mrs. Curly Rademaeher were given a hooby. At 4:110 Mrs. Kohne served a delicious three-course luncheon to her guests, and they all showed their appreciation by the least of oeremonyjin disposing of the same. It was a most enjoyable affair and Mrs. Kohne certainly surpassed herself tn extending hospitality. Out of town guivt: WIT. Mrs. Henry Uhl of Toledo, Mrs. Frank Christen, Chicago, and Mrs. John Wilkie of Delphos THEY WERE TOUCHED A Decatur Man Was Robbed at Fort Wayne. Two men, one from Decatur, Indiana, and the other living in this city, reported to the police last night that their ] Rickets had been picked in the crowd on the street loading to the carnival grounds. Neither of the men would give his name, hut one stated that he was walking with his wife in the crowd when someoneibrushed against him and he missed his watch a moment later. The other man hail his |x»cketlx)ok stolen, hut there was very little, if any, money in it. Jlu* detectives and several jattrolmen were on watch at the carnival grounds last night, but failed to see anything crookod.—•Fort Wayne Journal Gazette,

NUMBER 143

ARE ALL READY NOW Lights and Billiard Tables Complete Club Rooms. The Commercial Club rooms are ready for occupancy and from now on will be ready for the convenience of its members and friends. The electric fixtures are in place and the billiard tables were put up today, a representative of the Brunswick company, Chicago, being here to superintend the work. As fre-» quently stated the rooms are a dream anti the gentlemen expect to pass many happy hours there. Various presents in the way of books, pillows and pictures have added to the charming appearances. HAD LUCKY ESCAPE Boy Falls Twenty-Five Feet and is Unhurt. Leslie Meyers Fell From Barn Ceiling and Alights on Head and Shoulders. Leslie Meyers of Union township escaped serious injury in rather a miraculous manner at noon today. He is a son of Adolph Meyers and was helping his father store hay in I the mow. He hail climbed up to the rafters to place a pulley in posiiton when he lost his hold anil fell. The hay mow floor gave way and ho fell on through to the barn floor a distance in all of about twenty-live or thirty feet, alighting on his head anil shoulders. He was picked up unconscious and carried into the house, recovering within a few minutes and was apparent y alright. No lx mi's were broken and unless he is inured internally he will lx- as well as ever within a day or two. His parents were greatly frightened however and cannot understand how one could fall such a distance and escape unhurt. To make sure ! a physician has been summoned I from Dixon, Ohio. — HER SKULL FRACTURED Sixteen-Year-Old Girl Thrown From Load of Hay. The sixteen year old daughter of Henry Dirkson was thrown yesterday from a load of hay. Miss Dirk son had climbed on the load to ride to the burn when the horses started suddenly, throwing her to the ground. Her head struck heavily, causing concussion of the brain. Dr. Covertlale was summoned, and reduced the fracture. She was resting easy this afternoon, hut lit r condition is quite serious. TRAMP IS MAYOR. Amesville, Ohio, a town of a thousand population, has a tramp just out of the work house at Cincinnati for its mayor. He was elected by the town as a joke, and to make it possible for the old mayor to hold over for another term. The tramp, whose name is Tweed, was hired by the promise of a gallon of whiskey ami gtxjil 1 m ll l until after election to allow himself to be made the butt of a joke. After the election he was to be impeached and fired by the governor. But when the charges against him were preferred after the election the governor refused to tire the tramp for the reason that all of his acts tending to make him unfit for the office were committed before and not after he became nm.vor and could have no effect. He is still holding the job and has not taken a drink since ho made the bargain. Furthermore he gives promise to making a good mayor.