Daily Democrat, Volume 1, Number 235, Decatur, Adams County, 12 October 1903 — Page 1

VOLUME 1

ASK FOR APPRAISERS

Traction Company Files Two Suits.

WILL BE ARBITRATED SOON. Enable to Agree the Cases Filed Today. The Right-of-Way Damages on the Fonner Farm Will be Settled in a Legal Way. The Fort Wayne A- Springfield railway company filed suit this in rning, though the two are prac-I ti .illy the same and were filed to settle a controversy which has been I on tap for several months as to I how much should be ]mid for the right of way over the old Fonner firm north of the city On account of the trouble was published a few day- ago in this paper and at that tune tlie filing of the suits was a probability. They were filed this in rning by attorneys John H. Koe-. A CLOSE CALL A Fire Loss Narrowly Averted. The Home of E. Woods Had a a Narrow Escape From Fire. A narrow escape from a serious conflagration was exjierienced at the home of E. Woods yesterday morning. When they retired lute Saturday night the gas was left burning, although it was thought to have been turned low. The home got uncomfortably warm and at four o'clock Mr. Woods arose for the purpose of investigating the cause. He foud the heating stove red hot all over and the wood work nearly sizzling with heat. It was with difficulty that the supply of gas was shut off and had it been permitted to run wild for fifteen minutes longer, it is not at all improbable that a serious conflagaration would have resulted and perhaps their home consumed in fire Ixifore aid could reach the scene. As a result they are al] congratulating themselves on a narrow escape. As winter approaches it might not bo out of place t > bring to mind the danger of natural gas with its jtresent uncertain pressure. While the supply may bo more than we conjecture and the service better, yet it will never again maintain that staple standing of several years ago. Oreut cure should be maintained at every home in consequence of this uncertainty.

The Daily Democrat.

ing and C. J. Lutz. In the first case, Adam J. Smitn and his wife are mimed us defendants and the second is identical except Mary Fonner and John Fonner are also made defendants. The complaint shows that the railway company is a corporation duly authorized to ■ build and operate a railway in this anil other counties and notice is given that they desire and intend to enter upon, use, hold and appropriate the fee simple of a portion of the Smith land ; that said real estate is necessary for the use of said company for the construction of the Fort Wanye and Springfield traction railway ; that the company and defendants have lx*en unable to agree on the damages to be sustained by the building of the road. Wherej fore the judge of the Adams circuit I court that heappoint three disinter-1 ested parties. free holders of the county, who shall appraise the damages and report accordingly. I These proceedings are very common in territories where railways are ! built, in fact it is the only legal I way to arrive at the damages where interested parties cannot agree. It is beleived this matter will be settled in a manner satisfactory to every one concerned within a few days. However the suits to not interfere with work on the line at any i other point and the grade is being | constructed as rapidly as possible. DOWN A STAIRWAY. Miss Vernie Johnson Injured by a Fall. Miss Vernie Johnson a daughter of Truant officer Lemuel Johnson fell down a stairway yesterday and 'was badly injured. The accident occurred at the home of Jos eph Johnson, near the county infirmary, and for several hours afterward fears were entertained 1 that her injuries might prove fatal She recovered sufficienly to be taken home, and today is resting easier. Her spine was injured, but to what extent cannot yet lx 1 as ‘ertained. FROM BERLIN. I Japanese Now Occupy San Pho. Storms Still Prevailing on New England Coast. i l Special to the Hally Democrat. , Berlin, Oct. 12—A dispatch from ‘ Shangliai says that the news reach [ ed there from Chefoo to the effect < that the Japanese occupied San Pho, and that official declaration was exf . \ peoted. Special to The Hally Democrat. ’I Patterson, New Jersey. Oct. 12— ‘ There is much water falling here > but the worst of the fl<xxl is believed to lx- over. Conditions at Passaic ( are improved. The storms still prevail on New Ergland coast.

DECATUR, INDIANA, MONDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 12, 1903.

TRIP TO CAMDEN Entertained in Good Old Country Style. Some Items Picked Up While On an Inspecting Tour of the Gas Field. John S. Bowers, W. R. Cochran and J. H. Heller returned today from a two days inspection tour of | the gas fields which supply Decatur, Geneva and Berne. Some new arrangements are being made there ■ and something about the prepara- i tions for gas supply for this winter ; will lx- given our readers in a day or two. The trip was an enjoyable ’ one, including a trip to J. S.Bowers' new farm known as the Jerome B Hopkins land, near Camden and ■ where we were treated in a hospitable manner. On this farm which j was purchased only a few days ago! is located one of the largest and ; most valuable gravel banks in Indi i ana. covering an area of six acres , 1 and reaching to an unknown depth. Several former Decatur families including those of Millard Cowan. James Woodward and Michael Meibers now live a few miles west of Camden near the pumping station where the men are employed. Mr Cowan has been foreman at the station for five years but ex]>ect6 to leave soon having tendered his resignation yesterday. He has not decided on fut ire arrangements but mav return to Decatur. RALLY DAY. Methodists Enjoy Their Annual Rally. An Odd and Even Contest for New Members is Now Raging. Amid a conglomeration of festoons and other decorations the Methodist Sunday School yesterday c ‘lebrated their annual"rally day." The prorgani was a decidedly entertaining one from beginning to end ing. and those who participated carried away glory and distinguished themselves in every way possible. The addresses of Rev. John ('.White the pastor and James T Merryman were especially enteresting and instructive, and of course were well received. The exercises throughout were especially adapted to this one rally day of Methodism in this city, the attendance being large and the exercises interesting. The Sunday School has divided itself into what ' it is pleased to term "oddsand even” and a battle royal is now on for un increased membership into its Sundiay School. Jeff Bryson is the head and moving spirit of one faction and J. W. Vail the other. The time limit is January 1, and Ix'fore that time the by-ways and hedges will bo thoroughly threshed with u view of winning the contest. The Itxjser has to set 'em up to something good, and the individual who adds the most new members before that time, will lx- presented with u hand some rememberanoe, for their pride, vigilence and goixl work.

SURPRISED HIM. An Anniversary Party of Yesterday. Uncle'Daniel Weldy was eightyone years old yesterday and his ■ children planned a surprise upon I him which was well executed and was a thoroughly enjoyable affair. About twenty relatives and friends were present and helped devour the goixl things that were heaped upon the dinner table. It was a happy event and one that Uncle Dan will remember for ni.iny days. Mr. Weldy is one of the pioneers of j the county and one of the best citizens in all creation. BEGINS TOMORROW — i New Heating Plant at the Court House. ( Thomas G. Sheid 2nJ a Force of Workmen Begin Tomorrow. — Thomas G. Sheid is expected here tomorrow with a force of men who ‘ will begin work upon the heating plant to be installed at the court ' * . I house. Most of the material has alreadv arrived and is awaiting -1 the workmen whose business it is to place it in position to heat the offices, court room, corridors and in ' fact the entire building, no Jmatter what kind of weather may be "on j tap. The contract for this work ;' was let some two months ago, and 1 it was then agreed that the same; would lx- installed before cold weather began. If a sufficient number I of men go to work tomorrow that I contract will be filled to a letter Thomas G. Scheid is a well known contractor in this Tine, with his place of business at Bluffton, Ohio, i He built the heating plant at the . county infirmary, and so far as we know did satisfactory work. It is hoped that such will be the result on the court house contract, as they were sorely in need of a heater and more staple quality or heat thereabouts. STOCK BREEDERS. Indiana Proposes to Show Some Good Stock. Ch lirman Stevens of thi; committee on live stock of the St. Louis Expo , sition commission Iris received word from Thorntown that stoel raisers of that vicinity propose to off< i many 1 prize animals in the live stock de-j partinent at the coming exposition and beleive that they can capture many premiums. The greatest in i terest is Ixdng taken in the coning i exjxisition by breeders in that lo- 1 Oality for the reason that Charles ] Baker, of Thorntown, has been < chosen by the Indiana Swine Breeders association to assist the fair live : stock commission in collecting the i exhibit of swine from this state. Charles F. Elliott, of Vincennes, < has txjen named as the other repre- | sentative of the association. Mr. i Barker, is one of the largest and best known breeders in the state, is confident that it will be ]x>ssihle to secure an Indiana exhibit in this department that will be sure to carry ofl' the honors. He will show his own herd of Berkshires, which has captured many first places at county and state fairs. Marley Riley, another breeder of this locality who recently captured alxmt all the prizes in sight at the Illinois state fair with a largo herd of has promised that they will lx> at the disposal of the Indiana fair commissioners to be exhibited at St. Louis.

AGED WOMAN IS KILLED

Mrs. J. Louthan Struck by a Train.

ACCIDENT AT MONROE. Within a Step of Safety When Killed. G. R. A I. Switch Train Runs Down a Victim Sunday Morning. Sarah J. Louthan met almost instant death while crossing the G R. & I. railroad tracks at Monroe Sunday morning at nine o’clock. Mrs. Louthan was sixty three years old and has lived in this county all her life. For a number of years her home has been in Monroe, where she lived with a son, Ed Knavel. Yesterday morning she started over to visit another son Howard Louthan who also lived in Monroe just across the G. R. &I. She wore a sun bonnet and failed to see an enA SAD DEATH. —— Little Boy Dies Very Suddenly From Fall. Was Apparently Unhurt at First, But Died Within an Hour. Fred, the little son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Johnson of Sheldon. Ind., died a few days go in peculiar manner. He arose in the morning apparently as well as ever, lie had finished a hearty breakfast and was playing in a chair, when a cousin came into the room. The baby jumped up saying “I'll cutch you,” in childish gloe, he made a mis-step and fell striking his head on a table. He cried a moment and then seemed to be alright, but shortly- afterwards sank into unconsciousness and within an hour was dead. A physician hud been summoned immediately but could do nothing for the little one. A post mortuni examination by Dr. Wyburn and Deputy Coroner Vanßreskirk resulted in a verdict that was death was due to a blood clot which had formed about the heart. The remains were brought to this county and the fun eral Her vies conducted by Rev. H. Kokne at the Steele M. E. church. The boy was a grand son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Cook of near Steele and is the third child of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson which has died. The fact that he was the last of their children makes the case |>articularily sad.

NUMBER 235

gine and caboose that was running south on what is termed a switch run. The train was tuning backwards and the engineer could not see the lady until his engine was almost upon her. She was walking across the cattle guards in the south part of Monroe and was nearlyacross within a step of safety. Had she noticed the train even an instant she could have easily- saved he rj self. The rear end of the tender struck her in the right side hurling her a distance of nearly twenty- feet. 1 She was unconscious when found a I moment after but still breathing. Life was nearly extinct but Dr. Parrish was summoned with hopes of saving her life, but impossible, the end coining within a few moments. She was carried tenderly to the home she had left but a little while before and Coroner Schenk of Berre summoned to hold the inquest. Mrs. Louthan was one of the best known ladies of Monroe township. She was a sister of Jesse Brandyberry of this city. Five children survive her. ; The funeral services were held this afternoon at Monroe, Rev. J. A. i Sprague officiating. The accident ■ cast a gloom of sadness over Monroe. A_telephone message from Dr. Schenk this afternoon said that his examination of the victim disclosed that the spina] column was crushed, several ribs and the left arm broken , and a few bruises, only- a slight mark disfiguring the face. ORGAN RECITAL. One of the grandest treats of the season for every one and especially those for whom music hath charms will be the organ recital to be held at the new Presbyterian church Thursday evening by Prof. Down--1 ley- of Indianapolis The new <3,000 organ, one of the finest made will be used for the first time and the program will be as good as it can be made. It is possible that the Hatyden quartette of Fort Wayne will have a part in making the evenings entertainment a delight- ! ful one. The ladies are selling tick- > ets. INJUN’ FIGHT. Seven Killed and Two Injured. I The Blackfoot Indian Reservation the Scene of a Bloody Contest. Special to Dally Democrat, Browning, Mont.. Oct. 12—Seven • persons were killed and two wound- ’ ed during u fight on Black Foot In--1 t ' dian reservation in Montana. Among i the dead are the last wife of 5 Up and her three children and Mrs. Susan Bigroad. Mrs. Little Plumes ■ was wounded, Alice Bigroad was I shot in leg but will recover, ,1. LitI't.e Plumes's arm and throat was ■ badly cut and his recovery is doubt- ( ful. A good grade of fighting whiskey caused the Indians to go wrong.