Daily Democrat, Volume 1, Number 218, Decatur, Adams County, 22 September 1903 — Page 1

VOLUME 1

POLICEMAN FISHER SHOT

[grave Officer Makes a Plucky Fight. Bottles With an Armed Desperado.

round not fatal Bold Attempt to Hold llp John Schafer. Attacked bv Officer Who Follows and Fires Fonr Shots After Being Wounded. Policeman Amos Fisher, us brave an ffieer us ever served in any city is lying at his homo on north Eleventh street with an ugly looking bullet hide in his left side. We are glad to state however that the phy- • Uns look for no dangerous results unless some unforseen complication occur* Officer Fisher last night proved his right towear his uniform and praises for his bravery can be beard today on every side. During yesterday three well dressed stranger- with the api»earance of grafters w>re wen about the city. They were drinking some but while a little fresh caused no disturbance. They claimed to live at Lima. Ohio, but it i- thought this is only a bluff. About 9 15 last night they ’went into J ihn Schafer's saloon near the < At E. depot and bought a drink. They cursed and made fun of John and his hortendir, Pete Frank to ■‘n han extent th it a few moments afterwards when they asked for anther drink Mr. Schafer refused, *aying they were in too l>ad a mood for liquor. They again took comfort in cursing and threats o f fighting but finally went away vowing wngence. They started for the *l"Ver Leaf station and us the 9:2« train west was just due it was sup p'•si they left on that train, but about 9:35 the one who had shown th.' greatest desire to fight entered Schafer’s place again in comjtany with an Erie brakeman. The latter dt| ' a lunch and the former again demanded a drink and was again refused. He cursed and created such “ disturbance that John came “round from behind the liar and demanded that he either shut up or get °ot. Just then the fellow pulled a revolver, pushed it to •h'hn s face and said, “stand right "here you are.” In the meantime • tfticer Fisher had Ixjen summoned “nd was standing just out side the door. When the fellow sprung his ** on Jonas slipped in and dealt him n terrible blow with his club and striking him again as ho fell.Think•ng he had knocked the ruffian out, * isher reached for the arm which be Id the revolver, us he did so the fellow revived and fired two shots, she first landing in the ceiling and fbe second striking Fisher in the est side. Jumping to his feet the "Ilian fired two more shots and ' ashed out, the door. It required ** second for the officer to get his

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I club loose and secure his gun. but wounded as he was he followed the I fellow and fired four shots, the ! second it is Ixdieved taking effect as the fugitive was seen to stagger. He escaped, however, and it is supposed boarded the 9:55 Erie train east which went through a few mo- , ments after. Fisher fell in the ' middle of the street and was placed lin a bus and brought to the office lof Dr. H. F. Costello where the wound was dressed, Dr. P. B. Thomas assisting. It was found the ball had entered the body a half inch below and to the outer side of the anterior superior spinous proI cess of the illium meaning just back and below the hip bone, and i>assed backward under the muscle- about five inches and out three inches from the spine. Hid the bullet struck inward or upward an inch it would have proven fatal. Mr. Fisher was taken home and while the wound is very painful, the patient being unable to sleep last night.it is though the will get along alright. Marshal Cordua and Sheriff Butler telephoned to ail towns and cities 1 about here but no clue as to the i despTadoes whereabouts can be obtained. He is about six feet tall, smooth face, well dressed, rather good looking, anti wears a diamond ring on his right hand. With this description and the work of Fisher's ' club on his face he should lie easily found. John Schafer offers a reward of SSO for the arrest and conviction of the criminal. It is believed that the gang are the same who have committed several holdups along the Erie recently and that this was their intention at Schafers, ' expecting to get away on the 9:27 jor 9:55 train. In the mix-up the 1 fellow lost his hat and Policeman ' Fisher his revolver case and these articles were displayed in the Dem ocrat bulletin window. When in- ’ formed of the trouble the conductor |on the C. & E. passenger and express train armed his brakeman and placed him in the hagagge car with instructions to shoot the first man who attempted to board the car. Not the Ones. Marshal Cordua was summoned to the Erie railway this morning it being reported that two of the gang who caused the trouble at Schafer saloon last night were there. He located the suspects in a box car, pulled them out ami took them to John who at once informed him they were not the men and they were released. COURT NEWS. Routine of Business Transacted Today. In circuit court today the commissioners in the Troy Huey, exparte, ditch proceeding, filed their report. In the case of Sarah Ayers vs Alfred A. Ayers, Lutz., Moran and Erwin entered apjiearanoe for the defendant, Dore B. Erwin was appointed guardian ad litem for the children. Mary Moyer was granted a divorce from Allen H. Moyer and her name changed to Mary Geiger. Ulla Huitz vs Bert Bailey et al, demurrer filed by defendant Andrews.

DECATUR, INDIANA, TUESDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 22, 1903.

MADE HIM WILD. An Old Man Finds His Wife in Bad Company. An old German who has been about here for a month created quite a sensation Monday evening by going into a fit of hysterics in front of the Peoples’ restaurant He said he went home about nine o'clock and found his wife who is fifty-three years old in the embrace of another man. He carried on at a terrible rate and when last seen was still going over this troubles to himself berailing the fact that a man of his age should discover the fact that his wife was untrue. GREAT SHOW. Howard-Dorsett Co. a Good One. — Big Crowd Saw "The Street Singer” Last Might and Wert Well Pleased. The Howard-Dorset Co., last evening tested the seating capacity and standing room space of the Bosse opera house. "The Street Singer” proved to be a bill that was more than entertaining according to the generous applause during the even ing. Mr. Howard portrayed of Felix O'Paff was splendid, he not only being funny but his acting was of a finished order, standing as an artist as are seldom seen at Decatur. Miss Flora Dorset as Rita in the title role was all that the most ex acting critic might expect. She was dainty charming and bewitching. In the first act prettily dressed as the gy]>sy girl with tambourine in hand sang a ballad that was heartily appreciated. Mr. Jerome Anthony is desirving of some credit for the ; manner in which he invested the Dago, Gavoni Conti. To sum the matter up it might be said this 1 stock company is the best Decatur lias ever had and therefore should receive a liberal patronage in order that more companies of the same order may be secured. The c.m]>any will be here during the entire ■ week, a change of plays will be put on nightly together with change* of specialties moving pictures and illustrated songs. On Saturday afternoon a matinoe will be given Tonight the famous 'Man From Mexico” will be produced. Many of our old amusement lovers no doubt have liad the pleasure of see- , ing Willie (Jollier in this piece, he having played it in one night stands all over the United States. Mr. Howard will be s«*en as Benj. Fitzhew this part being so especially adapted to Mr. Howrd's style of ! comedy that we shudder td think how funny he will be. Remember tonight the funniest of the great funny plays “The Man From Mexico.” Prices 25 and 35 cents, seats on sale at Holthouse drug store. Real Estate Transfers. Samuel R. Kuco to Charles E. Nice lot 305 Geneva |SOO. Martha A. Dutcher to Oscar Fritz, inger pt sec 22 tp 2s rg 14 41 acres ♦2500.

TO HOLD MEETING —" a Important Session at Berne Tonight. Citizens Will Consider the Question of Town Owning Light Plant. Attorney C. J. Lutz will go to Berne this evening to attend a meet ing of the citizens of that busytown. called to discuss the advis ability of submitting the granting! of an electric light franchise to. William Sheets, to a vote of the people. The general impression of the business men and people in general from what we can hear is that the town should own the electric light plant and especially if there is is a possibility of making it paying as the plant owned in this city. What action will lie taken remains to lie seen but the out-look is that an election will be held. Mr. Lutz is attorney for the town of Berne and his presence is therefore necessary when advice us the rights and liberties of a corporation are- to be discussed. TO MARRY SOON. Miss Zwick and Mr. Sievers Will Wed. Cards Announce the Ceremony Will Occur Tuesday, October 6th. Invitations are out for the wedding of Miss Anna C. Zwick to Mr. Henry W. Sievers, the event to occur at the St. Johns Lutheran church at three o’clock, Tuesday afternoon, October 6. A reception will be held immediately afterward at the beautiful country home of bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs Curl Zwick. The bride is well known in this city having conducted a millinery store on Monroe street for several years, disposing of same last spring She is a sister of Mr. Wil Zwick the well known furni ture merchant. Mr. Sievers is a native of Whitley county but has for I several months held a lucrative position at Fort Wayne. Both young ’ jxsiple arc exceedingly popular and their many friends join us in advancing good wishes. IS SUCCESSFUL. Prof. Fred LaDelle is Home for a Rest. Prof. Fred C. LaDelle the marvelous magician is home for a ten weeks rest. He has bum putting on a now act this season that attracts attention wherever he goes. He appears on the stage in a full dress 1 suit with no other parophanalia than a wooden bottom chair, before leaving he produces rabbits ducks, chickens, lighted lamp, bowl of fish, flowers, plants, flags and numerous other articles. .That ho is clever and one of the greatest artists in his line is shown by the press notices he receives and the attention ho attracts among actors wherever ho goes. He is a Decatur resident and we feel justly proud of him and the success ho is having. He will go to California this fall.

A DISASTROUS FIRE Wolfe Bros.’ Large Store in Ruins.

LOSS IS $150,000 Big Fort Wayne Clothing Store Destroyed by Fire This Afternoon. Special to The Daily Democrat. Fort Wayne, Sept. 22., 2p. m.— Wolfe Bros., Clothing house, big gest concern of the kind in northern Indiana is practically a total loss, a fierce fire having been raging there since one o'clock. The loss will reach |150,000. No one seems to know the cause of the awful conflagation but it is presumed to have ON THE TRAIL Mrs. Lase Ellis Hunting Dp Evidence. ■ With a Determination Borne of Long Suffering She Pursues Her Course. The Marion News-Tribune says: Mrs. Lase Ellis, Redkey, the woman who has made a name for herself by suing another married woman for alienating the affections of her huslmnd, demandinfg $5,000 damages, was in Marion yesterday look ing for evidence. She found several Marion people who can tell stories that will interest a jury in her damage suit, or that will induce the Court to hearken in the action already instituted for divorce from Lase Ellis. Pretty Mrs. Garrett, a neighlxir of the Ellis family at Redkey, is sued for damages, and the matter hinges upon a jaunt tn Marion by Ellis and the Garrett woman September 10. Mrs Ellis found on the register at the Barrier hotel the signature. “L. Brown and wife, Portland, Ind.” She recognized Ellis’ hand writing at glance. She traced her huslxtnd and the woman in their meanderings through Marion and down to the minutest details followed their course after they left the Pennsylvania passenger train in this city September 10. Mrs. Ellis' excursion to Marion was one to give her greatest satisfaction. She expressed herself yesterday morning as being well pleased. She is a comely woman of 40. She wears an air of determination. She has not been idle in pursuit of the woman whom she charges with destroying her happiness. She declares it to be her determination to follow the matter to the end. She is relentless. Pretty Mrs. Garrett is 37 and her husband, like Lase Ellis, is in the sal<x>n business. The families are prominent. The Ellis family especially, is one of the leading houses of Redkey. Ellis is 50 or thereabouts and it seems is gay to

NUMBER 218

started in the 4th story. The store is located on Calhoun street just opposite the court house. It is beleived the fire is under sufficient control to confine it to the Wolfe Bros, building the loss of which will be total. Ft .Wayne 3 p. m.—Fire is under control, loss as heavy as first estimated. The blaze started on the fourth story, cause a mystery. The third and fourth floors were gutted and goods on first and second were ruined by smoke and water. The dry goods store of M. Frank & Co, and the clothing store of Reuben , S. Patterson were each damaged by smoke and water to the extent of $15,000 The building destroyed was owned by Chas. McCujlaugh, : of the Hamilton National Bank. a lamentable extent. Mrs. Ellis got word September 10 that her guilty husband and the (Jarrett woman had been seen on a Pennsylvania train west bound, She surmised that Montjxdier was their destination, and went there. On her way home she came upon the derelict husband and his companion. Ellis leaped from a moving train to escape, and Mrs. Ellis calmly sat beside the shivering Mrs. Garrett and opened her heart to her victim during the ride to Redkey station in the presence of a large crowd and the affair caused an immense sensation. Then followed the unique suit of damages. Mrs. Ellis's trip here yesterday was taken in the interets of the action. APPOINTMENTS. United Brethren Conference Closed. The Glad Hand is Being Freely Given Rev. E. H. Pontius Over His Return Here. By the action of the conference of the United Br< thren church, which closed its sessions at Warsaw Sun day, Rev. E. 11. Pontius returned to this city, as was stated in our issue yesterday. There is much self satisfaction as Mr. Pontius has made many friends here who arc welcoming his return He is an exceptional able minister of the gospel and his social qualities are of the kind that lasts and even grows better with age. Under his 'guidance his church has prospered and thrived as it never did before, and in all he has done much good. The official ap]X)intment for the Fort Wayne district are Presiding elder, A M Cummins; Fort Wayne, G. P. Byrer Decatur, E. H. Pontius; Monroeville, J. L. Powers; Ossian,C. L. Richart; Tocsin. J. W Borket; Roanoke, J L. Goshert; Pleasant, W. A. Thomas; Huntington, C. H. Bell; Uhuru bunco,L. A. Stangle; Colubmia City, L. L. Shaffer; Clumbia City circuit, M. Hill, South Whitley; Gobles ville, J. A. Farmer; Manchester cir cuit W. S Simons; Pleasant Mills, G. 11. Hutchinson.