Daily Democrat, Volume 1, Number 250, Decatur, Adams County, 29 October 1903 — Page 1

VOLUME 1

BIG DAMAGE SWT BEGINS Mrs. Samantha Cassel Demands Five Thousand Dollars.

JURY IMPANELED Excitement Caused by Affidavit Against Juror. Important Law Suit Against J. D. Beery on Trial in Circuit Court. The famous breach of promise and seduction suit entitled Samantha Cassel vs Joseph D. Beery, in which the sum of |5,000 is demanded began in circuit court this morning before Judge Branyan of Huntington. The suit was filed about six months ago and is of unusual interest, on account of the fact that both parties are well known over the county, the defendant now in business here having formerly’ owned a large farm in Kirkland township. The entire morning was occupied jin selecting a jury, twenty one men being examined re-

HAD A BATTLE. Workmen on Interurban Grade in Fierce Fight. One Man Struck Several Times With Stove Poker and Quite Badly Hurt. A fierce fight ocourod at the interurban camp near Monmouth at six o’clock this morning ami Harry Reed came out very badly hurt and u face considerably bruised and battered. Reed and another workman had decided to quit the job it seems and claim to have given a three days notice of their intention. The road is short of meh and Reed claims that when they demanded a settlement this morning it was refused him, thinking they would remain. A quarrel followed between Reed and a boss named Fitzgerald and in the story is that just as the latter was going to strike Reed, Bison, the quartermaster interfered and said “let me do this job." Picking up an iron stove poker he is said to have struck his opponent several times over the head. Reed anil his friend walked to this city where Harry obtained tnedioal attention. He had several bad cuts about the face and head and his nose was broken, thirteen stitches being necessary to patch him up afterwards he went to Prosecutor Moran and filed an affidavit against both Fitzgerald and Bison and Marshal Uordua and constable Blackburn left at one o'clock to arrest tho men. Roods injuries are very painful lint not bclclvod serious. He is a large, well built

The Daily Democrat.

suiting in the selection of the following who were sworn to try the case. David Hirschy, Fred Scherer, Peter Huffman. Abraham Hahn, Conrad Stopenhagen, John A. Bark ley, John Cline, Charles Fuhrman, Win Bangleman, Frank O. Davis, Paul Stautenberry and August Busick. Os this number only the six first mentioned are of the regular flannel. Among the special jurymen called was Howard Shackley who when asked if he hud ever talked about the case answered no that he had not as he had rememberd. Some excitement was caused by attorneys for the plaintiff producing an affidavit signed by Jacob Johnson which said Shackley had talked about the case to him and Crist Beery and said that he would shoot a woman who would bring such a charge against him. Mr. Shackley said he did not remember such a conversaton but the challenge was sustained and juror excused. After swearing the jury, court adjourned until this afternoon when the trial began in earnest. About fifty witnesses are in attendance and the case will continue several days. Some sensational testimony is looked for. The plaintiff is represented by attorneys A P. Beatty and D. E. Smith and the defendant by D. D. Heller and C. J. Lutz. The ease will be hard fought throughout.

young fellow and looks as though he had ought to be able to protect himself even against a stove poker. The men were tried before 'Squire Smith this afternoon and it was shown that Reed brought on the trouble by his unruly action. Fitzgerald was acquitted, while Sison plead guilty to save time and was fined a dollar and costs. ANOTHER ADVANCE. Indiana Crude Oil is Given Another Two Cents Advance. Crude oil took on another advance yesterday morning, the Indiana product now being quoted at <1.27, an advance of two cents. According to statements of many operators, this advance is to continue until it exceeds the <1.50 mark, and some of the most sangiunejspeak of the price reaching <2. This advance is caused by a falling off in eastern production, and following this is an increase in the demand, the Staandrd who has a monopoly on the production, are becoming somewhat ehurry of tho future of this industry. WORK PROGRESSES. The Allison-Studabaker Building Going Upward. The work on the Allison Htudabaker block is progressing quite ra pidly, tho carpenters having the same ready for completing the brick work <>n the second story. It is hojied to get it enclosed before the weather man interferes with too cold weather, anil it now looks as though they may be successful. As the building goes upward it resembles very materially the old build ing before the fire out such a disastrous caper.

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 29, 1903.

GOOD SHOWING. Some New Oil Territory Looks Good. I The Rupright Oil Well Measures L'p Eight Hundred Feet of Oil Before the Shot. A letter is at hand from Trustee Rupright of Preble township, which imparted the information that after careful measurement, eight hundred feet of oil was standing in the well recently drilled on one of his (arms. It is thought that the well will be “shot " some I time next week. The well was i drilled some two weeks ago, and then without ceremony or any light on : he probable worth of the well, operations ceased. The fact that members of the company immediately got busy leasing additional territory, gave color to the thought that something good was being concealed. This information would indicate that such was the ease. After a proper shot the well may i start out with a lively production. 1 and if so will be the means of open- , ing new territory, that is now several miles from any stated production. With crude selling on the market at f 1.27 a barrel, the openiug of new territory is all the more important. Several thousand acres surrounding the well are now under lease, and we will soon know whether the well is good or is simply a fake. ONE KILLED. Several Hurt in Accident Near Monroeville. Awful Accident Marks the First Oil Strike in New Field. An awful accident occurred near Monroeville Tuesday night in which one man lost his life and several were bully hurt. A dispatch from there says: Tuesday evening at S o'clock a well drilled by the National Oil and Supply company of Lima, Ohio, on the Davidson farm, in Jackson township suddenly belched forth oil and gas which was ignifi-d by the flame in the pumping station, and with a flash there was a terrific explosion. C. D. Service was so badly burned that he died at 5 o'clock this merning, after a night of agony. A.R.Rhodes was badly burned about the head ami upper portion of his body and Orrin Dickinson was painfully scorched. They were all working around the well, and as soon as their wounds were dressed they were taken to Lima, Ohio, where they reside, and the doctors say they will recover. The remains of Mr. Service were brought to this city and taken in charge of by Wil. tun Erwin <fe Son, the undertakers. Later they were ship]ied to Utica, Pa., the home of the dead man. The explosion was followed by a lire which sent the derrick and adjacent woodwork up in flames, and the blaze aroused the neighbors far anti wide.

CHIB BOYS READY. Society Ball at Club Rooms Tomorrow Evening. Tomorrow evening will occur the much anticipated event, the Columbian Club boys Hallowe’en dance. It will be their opening formal ball though they have successfully given several informal dances that have proven the most enjoyable of events. Over a hundred invitations are out for this affair, and a number of out-of-town guests have sent word that they will lie here to enjoy the function. The Columbian toys are a popular set of fellows, and we predict they will be even more so after their Hollowe’en; dance. IS MARRIED. Decatur Boy Weds Marion Lady. Mr. Frank Rice and Girl of His Choice Married Last Evening. Cupid has again worked its way into Norton’s Gold Mine groceries. A second marriage of a cashier and clerk will take place this evening. Frank E. Rice a clerk, and Maggie I Herring, a cashier in No 5. Gold Mine grocery will be wedded this evening at 7.30 o’clock. Justice David Weesner, an uncle of the bride, officiating. The announcemen t of their marriage will come as a surprise, indeed, they had planned to make it a surprise. Both are popular young people and their friends with join in congratulating them. They will continue to reside in Marion, but Miss Herring will no longer handle the cash of a grocery store, but will begin the duties of a I housewife.—Marion Leader. Mr Rice is the son of Mr. and Mrs, Joseph Rice of this city, and until a few months ago was employed at Coffee & Baker’s. He is a popular here and has a host of relatives and friends. His marriage occurred last evening.and we wish him well. SAD ACCIDENT. Little Boy at Huntington Meets Awful Death. George Scherer, a nine-year-old Huntington lad, attempted to climb 'onto a wagon loaded with turn tor I while on his way home from | school. He missed his hold, fell I under the wheel and was crushed ,to death. The accident is a sad one and should be a lesson to Decatur I youths. How often we see fellows attempt to climb on a vehicle, and sometimes fall. Offen they oscajie serious injury but the practice is a dangerous one. and the toys should to taught not to indulge in it. WANTS OPTION. Clothing Store May Open in New Block. Paul Kahn of New Jersey, has asked for an option on the corner rooms of the new Alilson-Studaliak-er block, and may open a clothing store there. If is stated, however, that he has not fully decided whether to locate hero or at Now Castle, Indiana. He is an exper fenced clothing man having, traveled for years, and is a brother of Solly Kahn, the hat salesman, who lias come here for many years.

NOT EXCITING. M. E. Church Election Yesterday. John Niblick Lav Delegate and Jeff Bryson Reserve Lay Delegate. The lay delegate election held by the Methodists at their chruch yesterday, while not a spirited affair, was the means of showing a number of favorites. The vote was not large, perhaps a total of fifty and these were promiscuously scattered among about eight members of this church organization. John Niblick was the fa> orite for the lay delegate and Jeff Bryson for the reserve lay delegate, and it will be the duty of one of them to attend the sessions of the delegate conference, at which time the rules, regulations and other business interests of the Methodist . church are discussed and action (taken. The said conference will take place in the city of Muncie some time next spring. Both Messrs. Niblick and Bryson are active members of the church and cajiable of takeing a hand in fixing the policies that will govern the future of this great church. MANY INJURED. Railroad Wreck on the Santa Fe. Mrs. Booth Tucker Died This Morning From Effect of Injuries. Special to Dally Democrat. Kansas City, Mo., Oct. 29—Mrs. Both Tucker wife of Commander Booth Tucker, was killed in wreck lon east bound California train on the Santa Fee railroad, near Dean Lake, Mo. Col. Thomas Holland in charge of the army at Amity, i Co)., was fatally injured, and fif- < teen others were more or less injur!ed or seriously hurt. The accident i occurred last night. Mrs. Booth I Tucker died early this morning. MANY THERE. That New England Dinner a Glowing Success. The reputation of the Methodist ladies was fully sustained today, especially so after a hand to hand conflict with the Now England din nor which began promptly at half . past eleven and lasted for two solid hours. A constant stream of hungry looking people passed in, met the enemy and came out again, a marked contrast then being noticeable. It was certainly a good dinner with all the luxuries the land affords, and credit is due the entier prising Methodist ladies in furnishing their money's worth. Lunch eon will to served this evening (or fifteen cents.

NUMBER 250

BIG DANCE. * The Schurger-Kurber Wedding Cele- / brated. The dance at the home of John Schurger a mile west of town yesterday afternoon and evening was a great occasion The event was a celebration of the wedding of Miss Louisa Schurger to Mr. Frank Kurber. In the afternoon about two hundred people, mostly married folks, attended, and in the evening three hundred younger guests participated. All kinds of delicious refreshments were served, and the big barn dance afforded endless amusement. The Aeolian Club furnished music last night. ARE IN LINE. Monroe to Have a Lecture Course. Rev. Sprague Arranges Good Entertainments for Next Month. Rev. J. A. Sprague, Monroe's faithful, earnest and untiring Methodist minister, has succeeded in arranging a lecture course to be given in his church during next month. Tickets will sell for twenty-five cents, and the people of that vicinity will be jrivileged to hear three good entertainments. The course opens Tuesday evening, November 10th, with Rev. J. S. Cain of Geneva, whose subject will be “Fact and Fiction in every day life.” On the following Thursday evening, November 12 the entertainment I will be given by the Fort Wayne : district preachers male quartette, consisting of Revs. White, Wagner, Re hl and Sprague. On Monday evening November 1(5, Rev. J. C. White of this city will lecture on the well chosen subject, “The Tie I That Binds.” The three events are sure to be of unusual interest, and through Rev. Sprague's efforts the people of Monroe will be given an opportunity to attend three good entertainments at a very nominal price. LIKES THE WEST. Eli Sprunger Has Big Farm in Nebraska. A letter was received this morn- | ing by John Frisinger, from Eli Sprunger who is in Nebraska, stating that to would leave for homo Friday, arriving here Sunday. Eli is out there inspecting his (arm and writes that he has harvested 3,000 bushels of barley and that his other crops bear out accordingly. He speaks very highly of the farming produce around there, also states that he will bring two or three men who are interested in the horst> business, to look over their line of Belgian stallions. All in all Eli says he is quite taken up with the west. A FIRE AT WARREN. The Philip Somethnrst flour mill at Waren was burned to the ground at about 3.30 o'clock yesterday morning. The fire originated in the engine room and when discovered the flames hud such headway that thert 1 was no hope of saving the mill. The loss is estimated at about ♦12,000 with only 11,000 insurance. A REPORT. A rumor was current today that the brick on the Monroe street pavement now being built would be '■hanged and Logan instead of Metropolitan block used but Mr. Streicher says he will not consent to such a move.