Daily Democrat, Volume 1, Number 253, Decatur, Adams County, 2 November 1903 — Page 1

VOLUME 1

SENSATIONAL DIVORCE CASE Ayers Divorce Case in Court Today.

ALIMONY SETTLED Mrs. Ayres to Receive Property Worth $5,000 Seventy-Five Witnesses Attend Adams Circuit Court Today—Defendant a Prominent Man. Seventy five witnesses were in court today being summoned to appear in the ease of Sarah Ayers vs Alfred A. Ayers, a sensational divorce suit in which alimony to the sum of 15,000 is demanded. The entire morning was devoted to an attempt at a settlement of the alimony and custody of the four minor children and which resulted

FOR DEFENDANT. Jury Return Verdict in Cassell-Beery Case. Required But an Hour to Agree and Only Three Ballots Were Taken. •Inst an hour the jury in the case of Samantha Cassel vs Joseph D. Beery deliberated and then'returned a verdict as follows: “We, the jury in the above named case find for the defendant.' Peter Huffman, foreman." The case occupied three days beginning Thursday morning and going to the jury at 3:30 Saturday afternoon. At 4:30 the bell rang calling attorneys and others interested together to hear the result. It was a hard fought legal battle and the quick return of the jury was rather a surprise to everyone. The first ballot resulted ten for the defendant and two for plaintiff; the next ballot one vote changed and the third all were in favor of the defendant. The suit was one wherein the stun of $5,000 was demanded for breach of promise and seduction and owing to the popularity of both plaintiff and defendant quite an interest was taken in the out come. Commercial Club Meeting Tomorrow Night. It is earnestly requested that all members attend the regular month ly meeting Tut s lay night. Matters of importance are to bejbrought before the club and are such as ought to have the earnest consideration of the entire body. French Quinn, President.

The Daily Democrat.

in an argeement that Mrs. Ayers should have the old Louden farm where the family has been living, eighty acres; also some live stock, machinery and grain, the total settlement amounting to about the amount demanded J. $5,000. Mrs. Ayers title to the farm however is to be only a life estate and is to go to the four minor children at her death. She is also to have the custody of the children. The title to the land teems to have been rather complicated and the settlement outside of court saved a long and tedious trial to determine.the same. The trial of the case proper to determine whether or not Mrs. Ayers should be given a divorce began at two o'clock this afternoon and was still in progress as we Jgo *to press. A number of the witnesses subpoened will not be used as they were to testify as to the land question. Mrs. Ayers was the first witness to testify and told the story of twelve years of marriage, where in, bliss seems to have been an un knonwn quantity. Mr. Ayers is a justice of the peace of Blue Creek township, is quite wealthy and well known. The paintiff is represented by A. J. Teeple and D. D. Heller & Son Jand the defense by Erwin & Erwin, J. C. Moran and C. J. Lutz.

COUNTRY WEDDING. Sunday Event at the Johnson Home. The marriage of Miss Mae Johnson to Mr. G. A. Hahnert occurred Sunday noon at the home of the brides parents westof Monroe, Rev. J. A. Sprague officiating. An elaborate dinner was served and the young couple received many- valuable presents. About sixty five guests were present including Messrs and Mesdams, F. Hanert, J. S. Johnson’and family, J. D. Andrews, S. Johnson, Burkhead, Watkins. J. Hanhnert, C. T. Lee, Jacob Urick and family, William Bull and family, Frank Urick and family, Levy- Johnson,. Miss Lavine of Bluffton. Mrs. Urick and family of Montpelier and Mr. and Mrs. HarryBarthold of Fort Wayne. WAS ASSAULTED. Telephone Cashier Robbed at Nashville. Burglars Secure s3,ooo—Two Men Are Held Pending an Investigation. Nashville,Tenn., Nov 2.—Nieville Wheller assistant cashier of the Cumlierland Telephone Company was assaulted in his office this morning and the safe robbed of $3,000. Wheeler was not seriously hurt. Two arrests have been made.

DECATUR, INDIANA, MONDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 2, 1903.

AWFUL SUICIDE. Celina Woman Burns Herself to Death. Mrs. John O. Miller, a resident of Black creek township, chose a most terrible method by which she attempted to end her life on Friday last. After completing her household woik, Mrs. Miller took a can of coal oil and went to a nearby fieldwhere a straw stack was standing. She saturated her clothing with oil, poured the remainder on the stack and then deliberately set it on fire. She was horribly burned before help reached her and died a few hours after. Before her death she told her family she done the deed, but had she known it would have hurt so much she would not have done it. Mrs. Miller was about forty six years of age and was the wife of a well-to-do farmer. It had been noticed for some time that her mind was not well balanced but no fears had been apprehended that her dementia would assume so tragicial a form. —Celina Standard. QUIET WEDDING/ Miss Harriet Porter Married Saturday Evening. The Groom was J. W. Shank and the Happy Couple are Now Enroute to the West. A quiet but very pretty wedding occurred Saturday evening at eight o'clock at the home of Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Porter, when Miss Harriet, their eldest daughter was united ; in the solemn bands of marriage to Mr. John W. Shanks of Minneapolis. Minnesota. Only the immediate ' relatives and Miss Edna Gilmore | of Indianapolis and Miss Katie Henneford of this city witnessed the I beautiful ceremony which was perI formed by Rev. J. C. White of the Methodist church, the ring service i being used. An elaborate wedding ! dinner was served and the occasion was delightfully happy. The home was tastily decorated with flowers and autumn leaves. A number of valuable presents were received. Mr. and Mrs. Shank left Saturday evening for Chicago where they will enjoy their honeymoon, going from there to Minneapolis where they will reside. The bride is well known here and has hosts of friends who join in future good wishes. BIRTHDAY DINNER. Joseph Smith is the Guest of Honor. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Christen entertained at three course dinner at their beautiful homo on West Monroe street Sunday in honor of the birthday of Mrs. Christens father, Joseph Simth. The event was a real enjoyable one, as is affirmed by everyone who partook’ of the bounteous hospitality. The guests included Mesrs and Mesdames Joseph Smith, Albright Christen, B. J. Smith, Lawrence Smith, Fred Vaugh and their families. The dinner was delicious and the company a happy crowd. BADLY BURNED? Dan Widler was quite bully burned at Fritzingcr's quarry yesterday. He opened the door of the furnabe to see how the fire was under the limo burner, when the gas blew out burning his hands, hair oyelirows and his mustache. He says ho will Ixi more careful the next time.

LOTS OF BUSINESS The Commissioners in Regular Session. Contract for the Peterson and Praiaie Extension Awarded to Calvin Miller. The commissioners met in their regular monthly session and were confronted with a docket chuck full of business, and all during the day their room at the court house was filled with spectators and others interested in business of a public nature. They began their work by approving and signing the contract with John S. Bowers for the construction of the north Preble macadam road. Bids were opened for the extension of the Peterson <fe Prairie macadam road in Kirkland township, with two bids filed, one by Samuel Butler and the other byCalvin Miller, the amount of each bid being $3,749. The former withdrew his bid and the contract was given Mr. Miller. The resignation of Homer Charleston as superintendent of the south Jefferson township macadam road was filed but not accepted. Louis Goldner was appointed superintendent on the Peterson & Prairie extension. As viewers on a road petition filed by Jonas Neuenschwander of French township, John W. Cowan, David Steel and Homer Faust were appointed and will meet November 10, to begin their work. As reviewers on the E. W. France road petition William Adler, Henry- Holbrook and William Hoile were selected and they will meet November 10. This is also ditch day, and as usual there are many interested in the proposed drainage. Upon three of the ditches prayed for reviewers were appointed at the instance of several of the interested parties. On the E. B. Booth ditch the reviewers are James Archbold, Jacob Johnson and H. F. Scheiman. On the Peter ’Aumiller petition, Herman Reinking, John Hessler and John P. Spooler. On the William Whitefcldt petition Hsnry Eiting, Henry Foreman and Joseph Johnson. An effort with some show of success is being made to throw out the Christian Zehr petition. As pei titioned for it is to be a tile drain and the proceedings are different I than with an open drain. Prosecutor Moran is looking after the interests of the remonstrators, and th■ absence from the city of the county attorney prevented a decision from from the board, ft will likely be I decided in a day or two. Besides the above the reports on the W. H. Parr. J. P. Crist and J. H. Blakey . ditches were approved. The Miles W. Hannick petition was granted I and Frank Hisey, John Meyer and John Bogner appointed viewers. TAFFY PULLING. Surprise on Mr. Harrod and His Mother. Mr. Harrod was the victim of a very- pleasant surprise which occurred at his home on Hallow'een eve and being in honor of his birthday. He was presented with a beautiful watch fob. It being also his mother’s birthday she was presented wjth a lovely black shawl. The event was partaken of by quite a number of the employees of the shoe factory. A taffy pulling was the leading feature of the evening and each one departed at a late hour after wishing Mr. Harrod many more birthdays.

HALLOWE’EN PARTY. The Misses Lutz and Hughes En tertain. Saturday evening Miss Gene Lutz and Miss Margaret Hughes entertained about 60 of their young lady friends at a Hallow'een party at the home of W. S. Hughes on Fourth street in honor of Miss Hazel Byers. It was a masquerade paity and there were all kinds of make up« there, old women, military boys, gypsies, tramps, and every thing imaginable to make one look hideous. At eight o’clock all unmasked and the rest of the evening was spent in fortune telling and manyother games. The house was beautifully decorated with autumn leaves and pumpkins cut into fancyfigures. At nine o’clock the special house and the feature was the lighting of bon fires in front of the house and the wasting of marsh mellows. After which the guest all departed for their respective homes, each i and all voting Gene and Margaret great entertainers. ARRESTS MADE. Gas Inspectors Get in Their Work. Oil Field Forced to Shut Down and Put in New Gas Mains. A dispatch from Porland say: Consternation has been created I among oil operators in the Jay and Adams county oil fields by- the sudden app-arnce of deputy gas inspectors and their subsequent rigid action looking to the enforcement of , the gas-waste laws. Harry L. Miles and Leslie A. Starbuck, pumpers in the Jackson township field, were arrested last night and brought to this city- on the charge of maintaini ing flambeaux and both were heavily fined. It is said that a dozen more arrests are to be made in that field alone. These arrests were made at the instance of Deputy Inspector Stephens of Muncie. The Geneva field of the Illinois Oil company, which opreater seven leases, was compelled by Deputy Inspector John L. Paskiers to shut down com I lately Thursday and Friday until complete new gas mains were laid on all parts of the company- s hold ings. The expense of the company jby this action of the official was ‘ $2,000 and twenty-five other operat(ing companies are therefore holding their breaths in suspense, wonderI ing who he will visit next. COLONIAL PARTY. Van Wert Ladies Were Guests of Honor. On last Saturday afternoon ami evening Mrs. F. M. Schirmeyer entertained twenty four of her ladyfriends at a Hallow'een party at her home in honor of Mrs. Wilkin son and Mrs. McConnehey of Van Wert. The dining room was beauti . uly decorated with lighted candles ' and jack o-luntrens, the parlor with 1 autumn leaves and at five thirty o'cock a lunch was served in colonial style the dishes being trimmed in red white and blue. The lunch was served in three courses. Afterwards the guests adjourned to the pirlor where by the fire light from the grate they amused themselves by fortune telling and by telling ghost stories.

NUMBER 253

WAS HELD UP. Jesse Rice Battles With a Bold Robber. Escapes After a Struggle, with Clothes. Badly Torn—Occured at Railway. Jess Riot', of Fort Wayne was visiting realtives here over Sunday and started for the G. R. &I. station about midnight to return to his home. He was in the north part of ! town and to save time, walked up the railway track to the depot. As he was passing the Van Camp foundry, man jumped out in front of him and without saying a word struck at him viciously. The blow j missed, Jess side stepped and tried I to get away. The fellow made a grab for him and succeded in locating his watch chain and giving it a fierce yank. At the same time Jess pulled the other way and managed to get away. A race followed for half a block but Jess maintained his head and came under the wire an easy winner, though pale and badly frightened. His vest was badly torn and his clothing showed unmistakable sign of a struggle. There is no doubt but the attempt at holdup was for the purpose of robbery and Jess was pretty lucky. A RUNAWAY. Henry Berning’s Team Goes Many Miles. Ran From Monmouth to South of Peterson No Damages to Wagon. Henry Berning, a well known farmer living north of town had a serious looking runaway Saturday 'evening. He was going home with : a Wagon load of shingles, lumber and lime and when near Monmouth i a bunch of shingles en which he was sitting gave away and percipitated him to the ground. The team became frightened and ran awaydistributing the cements of the wagon along the road for several miles. The horses turned west, ran several miles, then turned south and kept up their mad pace until south of Peterson. They were not recovered until Sunday morning. The wagon and harness were tin broken, strange to say and the horses were not injured in the least. The runaway over so many miles with no damages seems miraculous and in the long dash they certainly did not pass many rigs. Mr. Berning was not hurt badly by his fall. COMPLETE TO HESSE CASTLE. The grading along the right-of-way of the Fort Wayne & Springfield interurban line has been completed to a point near Hesse Castle, a town six miles from Fort; Wayne. The company is rushing the work and all the farmers who are now at. leisure, have licen culled in to help and they have many teams on the ground. Judging by the progress made so fur on the road from Decatur north, it is safe to presume that the laborers will reach the city limits in a short time. The newline will enter the city on South Lafayette street - Fort Wayne Jour-nal-Gazette.