Daily Democrat, Volume 1, Number 214, Decatur, Adams County, 17 September 1903 — Page 1

VOLUME 1

HIS HEAD CRUSHED

Manlev Brown Meets an Awful Death.

AT A BARN RAISING Accident Happened jn Jefferson Township. Forty Foot Jim Pole Falls With Fatal Result.—Accident on Dr. Ralston Farm. Manley Brown of Jefferson townshipdied about four o'clock yesterday afternoon, the result of a terrrible accident which occurred about nine o'clock yesterday morning. Mr. Brown lived on the Smith ShoeniaT er farm and yesterday w;th a num her of the neighbors gathered at the Dr R. O. Ralston farm nearby to assist in raising a barn. Ignite a crowd was present and the work was progressing rapidly. As is

A SURPRISE. St. Vincent DePaul Society Event. Mrs. John Mason Called Upon by Thirty Lady Friends. The ladies of the St. Vincent de Paul Society were in session last night, the occasion being one of the happiest ones in their history and thats saying something. The event was a surprise ujx>n Mrs. John Mason one of the members, being a fare well event prior to her departure tor Jonesboro, Arkansas where the family will move in about two weeks. The ladies met at the home of Mrs. J. 8. Colchin about seven o'clock and proceeded from there to the home of their victim. As will be remembered the night was dark and rainy and as the ladies waded over the muddy crossings of Monroe street, their shrieks were audible several squares away. They finally reached their destination however and Mrs. Ma.-on was duly "fooled"and then followed a happy evening. At progressive pedro honors were won by Mrs. Alphonse Kohn and Mrs. Ben Knapke and boobies by Mrs. J. B. Holthouse and Mrs, Joseph Smith. Afterwards a bountiful luncheon was produced and as suddenly disappeared. Then came another hour or two of music, dancing 'and a general good time and it is safe to say that neither Mrs. Mason or the society will soon forget tho event. Alxjut thirty ladies were present, notwithstanding the disagreeable evening. Mrs. Mason was presented with a beautiful table cloth by the society.

The Daily Democrat.

I usual at barn raisings a jin pole about forty feet high was being used to draw up the heavy timbers. This was held in place by guy ropes fastended to stakes driven in the ground. Manley was standing a few feet away when one of the i stakes pulled out. The jin pole tot- , tered and fell with an awful crash, catching Manley Brown and crushing him beneath. His head was pind to the earth and when the heavy pile was lifted off by the frightened comrades they beheld a terrible sight, the man's head and shoulders being crushed and the skull frightfully fractured. The injured man was still breathing however, he was carried into the house and Dr. Haggerman of Chattanooga and Dr. Franz of Berne hastily summoned. No physician had power to save the life however I and he never regained consciousness, death ending his suffering during the afternoon. The deceased was ; about thirty-five years old, an honest, Christian gentleman A wife and one son, eight years old. both ' of whom are heart broken composed his family. He was a hard working farmer but leaves but a small estate and the family have the sincere synqiathy of all who have heard of the sudden death of their supporter. The funeral arrangements | could not be ascertained.

WON THE PENANT. Fort Wayne Leads the Ce ntra League. The central base ball league closed the season yesterday and Fort Wayne wins the’penant over South Bend by the narrow margin of nine jioints and a contested game to be decided may cut it down to two points. But they won and the penant is to be unfurled at the Fort Wayne park Sunday when president Mantener will make his usual after dinner speech and a game between the Greens and Railroaders will follow. FIFTEEN DROWN. Wreck Off Maine Coast This Morning. — Sir Thomas Lipton is Better and Operation May Not Be Necessary. Special to The Dally Democrat. Damariscotta, Me., Sept. 17— Schooner Sadie and Lillie of Prospect Maine, and Maekeral Seiner, George L. Edwards wore] wrecked on Prinquid Point early this morning. Fifteen lives were lost. Special to tho Dail/ Democrat. Chicago, 111.. Sept. 17—The condition of Sir Thomas Lipton who has been very ill here is improved and an operation for appendicitis may not tie necessary.

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 17, 1903.

OFF TO COLLEGE The Democrat Furnishes Two College Students. Messrs. John Gillig and Charles A. Will Attend School. The Democrat loses two members of its rep ortorial staff John Gillig leaving this morning for Ohio State University nt Columbus 0., and Charles Adlesperger tomorrow goes to the state university at Bloomington. Both are accomplished and praise worthy young men, being industrious, studious and faultless in what they do. They are both made of the right stuff to succeed in college and also succed after they have passed all the final tests and are again on their own resources and responsibilities. To their credit lie it said that ambition is rankling in their bosom and they propose to gratify it, and fit themselves for a staticn in life which will reflect credit to them and credit to those who have stood by them when they could scarce stand alone. Durimr the time they have been connected with this paper they have shown i the mettle that is in them, and we have no hesitency about their fuI ture. They have friends to burn, 1 and they all wish them the best that any college school of learning can give. AFTER 30 YEARS Mrs. Thomas Woodruff Wants a Divorce. Case Filed Today by Attorney Teeple, and SSOO Alimony is Asked. Through attorney J. W. Teeple Mrs. Melissa J. Woodruff has filed suit in the Adams circiut court for | a decree of divorce from her husband Thomas M. Woodruff to whom she was married Februrary 2, I*7o. just a third of a century ago. The | complaint alleges that the defend ant has been a habitual drunkard for the last twenty years, with the exception of three years during which time he never touched a drop of liquor, that he again began drinking inH*97and kept it upcontinually since that, and when intoxicated he curses hjs wife and calls her vile names. That for many years Mrs. Woodruff has had to make her own living by keeping boarders, her hus hand failing to provide any snpixjrt for her whatever. Tho complaint further says that defendant has some personal property and she asks for <SOO alimony and [all other relief. The summons was made returnable Sept 28.

DATE CHANGED. Root Township Schools Open October sth. L. H. Boknecht, trustee of Root township; asks us to announce that the aohools of R<x>t township will ojien Monday Oct. 5 intsead of Oc tober 12 as was formerly announced. Everything is in readiness for a good school year and parent* and scholars should take due notice of this change.

WAS ACQUITTED. Charles Haviland of New Corydon Not Guilty of Theft. • Charles Haviland was acquitted | on charge of having robbed Patrick Fahey of near New Corydon,of <lls. After hearing the (witnesses' testimony the judge 'ordered the jury to bring in a verdict of acquital as there was not evidence to warrant conviction. The arrest of Mr. Haviland a few months ago on the above mentioned charge created great surprise here on account of the excellent reputation of the accused. Fahey lost his money in a saloon at New Corydon and in all probability those who were instigators of Mr. Haviland’s arrest, know more | i of the whereabouts of the lost money ■than they have yet told —Geneva Herald. ARRIVED TODAY. W. 11. Fletterjohann is in the City. I — Documents for Subsidy Will Be Signed Tonight. I MH. Fletterjohann arrived in the city at noon and at once tried 1 to make good the Springfield Tracj tion Company in regard to subsidy. 1 The absence from the city of C. A. t Dugan and French Quinn made ♦ this impossible so bv agreement all t parties concerned will meet at the Commercial Club rooms at seven o’clock this evening where all legal! documents will be signed and attested by seal, and the transfer in reality be made. This will end all formality about the transfer of which so much has been said. In the meantime Mr. Fetterjohann was chaperoned along the line where the work « of grading is under way. Everything is moving like clock work, and when the sub-contractor gets to work next Monday, it will not be long thereafter until a good sized chunk of the gradirg will Im* complete. It if a fine grade, showing that an experienced head is direct- ' ing the work underway AN OLD TRAGEDY. Event That Happened September 17, 1885. While making our morning calls today in search of nows, the fact was called to the attention of our reporter that, eighteen years ago I this day a startling and horrifying | tragedy oocured in this city when Frank Hiskey a furniture dealer committed suicide by hanging himself in a stall at the old fairgrounds. Desi»ondencj over the loss of money and the inability to meet the creditors was said to be the cause. * The occuranoe will no doubt be recalled by many of our readers. MEET TONIGHT. ■ Euterpeans Will Hold Session at Carrol Home. After a rest of several months the Euterpean fraternity will resume their studies this evening the first meeting being held at the home of Miss Bancho Carroll. The society held several delightful meetings last spring and it is to be hoped the same interest will be shown and for this reason the attendance of every memlier is desired at tonights meeting.

GRAND JURY IS BUSY

Just Fifty-Two Witnesses Examined Todav.

SLOT MACHINES GO Much Interest Manifested in Jury Report. Mrs- Osburn, Ira Richards and Others Examined. -Berne People Here. I Not a slot machine of any description, unless it is a peanut or chew-; ing gum contrivance can be found i in Decatur. Within an hour after ; Judge Erwin read his charge to the special grand jury every machine, 1 penny,nickel, surething or otherwise ' had mysteriously disappeared, van- 1 ished as it were, into the cellar or 1 back room, whether or not this ae- 1 tion will check the grand jury from : returning indictments remains to be t seen, but nevertheless there are » many of the business houses who i will never again adorn their coun- i ter with a slot machine or anything I that looks like one. The fact is 1 that many of the merchants were 1 TO MOVE SOON. [ I John Mason and Family Go to Arkansas. Joe Mason Has Resigned From National Bank to Accompany Them. John Mason, the well known ! lumber dealer who has lived in Dei catur for many years is completeing ■ arrangements to move his family to Jonesboro, Arkansas, where they will make their future home. Mr. | ; Mason will look after the lumber ■ I interests of his firm, a brother and P. W. Smith being connected with him. Their mill in that section was opened but recently and they already have more lumber on the yards than could be obtained here in months, in a few days having 1 500,000 feet of logs on the ground. I Joe Mason who has been a book- | keejier in the First National Bank l for several years has resigned and will assume duties in his father’s office. Mr. Mason writes that he I has purchased a modern home and I has everything in readiness for his family to arrive the first of the coming month. Real Estate Transfers. Daniel N. Erwin to Charles M. France, lot 162, Decatur <llOO. Amanda E‘ Stotler to Charles M. Githens,, pt sec 34 tp 29, rg 15. <3oo* Emanuel Haecker et al to Emil Erhart, pt sec 33, tp 25 rg 14, <I4OO. i Daniel Gilliom to Win. B. Tucker, I lot 311, Borne <4O.

NUMBER 214

not aware that a machine which gave a cigar for every nickel was a gambling device because it some times gave more but it has been so held. Today has been a busy one at the grand jury room and even an idle observer can see that there is something doing. Yesterday morn- . ing the jury organized and a list of witnesses as long as your arm was i given to the sheriff with orders to subpoena them to appear forthwith During the afternoon several witnesses were examined relative to the murder of John Busenbark. This morning train on the Grand Rapids from the south brought a whole train load of Berne citizens in tor the ordeal, probuby being called on the dynamiting affair. In, the meantime quite a number of school boys and other local witness'es are being used, we presume for various reasons. Baliff ’Squire Worden informs us that over fifty witnesses have taken their turn before the jury today. It is beleived the session will continue until next Tuesday, though they may conclude by Monday. Not in years has there been so much interest shown as to the result of a grand jury session and the report will be anixiously awaited. Among the witnesss examined today presumably on the murder case were Mrs. Joe Osburn and oldest son, Ira Richards, the hired man and neighbors Roop and Walters. At three o'clock just fifty two witnesses had been examined. HAD BAD LUCK. G. R. & I. Passenger Train Lp Against It. The north bound train on the G. R. & 1., due here at 5:22 was over two hours late last evening, the delay being due to an accident at Ridgeville. The engine broke down there and a freight engine was borrowed for the occasion and word sent to Fort Wayne to have another engine meet the train here. The I passenger got here about seven I o'clock and a few moments after No. 77 a big yard engine came puffing slowly in from the north. The engine had struck and killed a cow at Hoagland and the blow so disarranged the air pipe of the engine the brake could not be handled and it was necessary to run very slow. It was deemed impracticable to try to pull the passenger train with the disabled 77 and the old freight engine had to proceed with its irksome | task. MADE A FIND. Dan Straub Has a Box of Pocket Rnives. Early one morning about two weeks ago Dan Straub who lives in the south west part of town was ‘ out in front of his Louse, when he noticed a box lying near a telegraph pole a few feet away. He walked I over leisurely and picked it up and at once became aware that the box was not empty by any means. The box was not labeled and Dan decided to investigate. According ly he carried it into the house and pried off a piece of the lid. It proved to lx* a shipment of pocket knives and is quite valuable as there are several dozen in the package. Dan has informed the police of his find and asks us to announce the fact 1 that the owner may claim same. Anyone who can identify the goods , and prove his ownership can recover the goods.