Daily Democrat, Volume 1, Number 298, Decatur, Adams County, 26 December 1903 — Page 1

VOLUME 1

DECATUR PEOPLE IN C. J. Lutz, Wife and Daughter.

MRS. LUTZ INJURED Bruised About Chest and Unconscious. A Pennsylvania Switch Engine Crashes Into Passenger Train at Kokomo. (LATEST REPORT) Just before noou today, Earl B Adams talked to Mr. Lutz over the telephone, and was informed that both he and Mrs. Lutz were considerably bruised and still feel the effect of the shock, but neither had been seriously injured, and that Miss Jean had escaped unhurt. They hid proceeded to Lafayette, enjoyed Christmas and would be home Monday. Mrs. Lutz in falling struck the end us a seat and her side was badly bruised, though luckily no bones were broken. Kokomo. Ind.. Dee. 26—Currying the usual crush of holiday travel, the west lioiind express on the (lover Leaf line due here at s o'clock was struck by a Pennsylvania line switch engine ut. the Madison street crossing of the two roads at 8:20 yesterday morning. The two rear coaches were lifted from the track, after running neirly half a block toppled over on their sides. Both coaches were crowded and in both there were many women and children, but marvelously enough none was dangerously injured. Those receiving attention from physicians were: ANNA M. LUTZ, Decatur, Bruis ed and shaken, was unconscious for time. Injuries not serious. Mrs Jesse Brown, Marion, head ent and back sprained. Mrs. Sidney Bryant, Marion, hand cut and concussions about head. John banders, colored, Mai ion bruised about head und hody. The Clover Leat train, comprising three coaches und a combination buggage and epxress ear, was in ■hargeof Conductor E. Met loud of Frankfurt, the father of Brad Mo Cloud, and employe of the HaynesApperson automobile works in this ■city. It was drawn by engine No. 35, in charge of Engineer. W. N. Van Wesson of Frankfort. The switching was in charge of Conductor B. L. Sitrguesv, engine No. 81«9 o-ing in charge of Bert Berger. The 1 engine was north of the crossing on the main track, and had just pull ed a out of cars from the switch as the Clover Leaf train crossed, west bound. The switching crew were not disposed to discuss the manner in which the accident occurred. The engine was going south ut a slow rate of speed ns the train moved west. Possibly it was thought that the crossing would bo cleared in ample time to permit the switch i. Igne with its cut of cars to pass.

The Daily Democrat.

The target tender says that his target showed the track closed. The switch engine struck the second coach of the train, the impact being merely sufficient to lift the car from the track, the rear coaeh following it. The coaches ran about sixty feet before they toppled over. The first help came from the home of C. A. Trautman on East Madison street, and on the immediate scene of the wreck. There were about one hundred people in the two coaches, and the cries from within gave rise to the belief that many had been frightfully injured, if death had not been dealt. Mrs. Trautman was the first to reach the train with the trainmen who were in the coaches remaining on the track. She grasped the situation at a glance and called to her husband to bring a ladder. This was placed against the top of the first of the overturned coaches and 'he work of rescue was begun, the women being taken out first and the men helping themselves after ward. There was a sigh of relief as passenger after passenger appered, few showng serious effects from rhe tumbling und jamming of the cars. There were twisted scats and broken furniture, but, strangely enough, no broken bones. The rear car a buffet ear, showed several of the seats were bent and broken, and from this a score or more people were taken through the windows. Others made their way to the rear door and reached the outside without aid. Altogether it was a most miraculous escape from what might have been a horrible Christmas day castastrophe. Some of the injured were taken into the Trautman home, where they received attention from Dr. J. (1. Ross, the company's local sur geon. Other physicians were on the ground soon after the wreck, but only in rare instances was their aid needed. Those who suffered but slight injuries and who had reachial their destimCon hurried to the homes they bad come to visit. Mr. and Mrs.C. J.Luiz und daughter Jean of th is city were on the train enroute to Lafayette where they hud planned u happy Christmas and a surprise upon the Dorwin family. The first nows of the accident was received here alxnit three o’clock. Christmas afternoon when Earl Adams received a telegram from Mr. Lutz, dated at Frankfort and saying "mixed up in wreck here. Mrs. Lutz hurt some, will wire you in morning." The news spread rapidly and all sorts of rtirni rs could lie heard. A Fort Wayne paper stated that her chest had been crushed and she was badly hurt but we are happy to state that her condition is not so serious and that no bones were broken. CHOIR ENTERTAINMENT Father Wilken Welcomes the Members at His Home. Father Wilkens delightfully on tortained the choir und orchestra that so faithfully assisted him yesterday morning in his church services at his home lust evening. The evening was whiled away by talking of old times an in telling interesting stories and during the evening a line lunch was served alter Which all present departed wishing Either Wilkens u merry Christinas und u Happy New Year.

DECATUR, INDIANA, SATURDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 26, 1903.

A WRECK GOOD ENTERTAINMENT A Good Time at Concord Church Christmas Eve. Perhaps one of the best Christmas entertainments 'hat the Concord church ever held was this one Christmas eve. A fine program had been arranged and speaking by children and music by double quartette were some of the leading sea tures. One and all were treated alike and in fact Concord members of the church never enjoyed themselves as well. Class number seven over which L. N. Grandstaff pre sides furnished that distinguished gentleman with a surprise that took him oft his feet when they presented him with a fine Bible to show their appreciation of his faithful services. Rev. Groehner made the presentation speech and Dr. says it was the first time he ever found himself that he could not reply, but he says he appreciated the gift nevertheless. CUT TO PIECES. Young Lady Crushed by Clover Leaf Train. Iler Body Cut into Nine Pieces Found by Trainmen Last Evening. Special t<» The Daily Democrat Continental. ()., Doc. 26—At 5:50 last evening while number forty-two on the Clover Leaf was making a car delivery to the Nickel Plate, trainmen found a young woman by the name of Vesta Demgcrs forty five feet east of Main street corner lying on the truck under a car which was the third from the engine. Her body was cut into nine pieces, cause of the accident not actually known, but supposition is she was trying to crawl under the train to go to her home. She was prominent in society und her family is one of the best known here. Special to Pally Democrat, Paris, France, Dec., 26—It is learned in anthoritive quarters that Japan is about to send large military force to Corea for purpose of restoring and maintaining order at disturbed ports. Dojmrture of force imminent: will probably con sisist of 15,000 men. Japan has been assured that Russia will not consider sending of troops to Corea to be unfriendly act or Casus Ix-Ui. CHRISTMAS MARRIAGE LICENSES. Will F.lzy to Mary Ellen Schlegel. Robert A.Aspy to Lizzie E.Grace. John Young to Eliza Lord. Will Ernst to Nettie Moyers. Edwin G. Suter to Theresia Neu enschwiuider. B ■njamin F. Jones to Murv Steve iy.

SEVERE STORM. Wind Does Damage at Geneva. Christmas Blizzard a General One and Much Damage Reported. Christmas day came in bright and green but closed with one of the roughest blizzards ever witnessed in this section. Until afternoon the weather was pleasant, but about three o'clock the wind began t« blow, snow fell and in a few moments a tierce storm was in progress. Several inches of snow fell and within an hour real Christmas weather was on. At 7 o'clock the snow ceased to fall, the thermometer showing almost zero weather and the wind howled dismally for several hours. At Geneva a large plate glass in the Glendenning building was blown out und some goods were damaged by the snow. The room was occuped by Alice Anderson, milliner. No other damage is reported in this county but the storm seems to have been general as damaging reports are heard from al] over the state, as well as at Washington. Indiana a five story building was blown down, entailing a loss of 120,000. A LONG WALK. Young Man Who Says There’s No Place Like Home. A young man named Ault who ■is an inmate ut the county farm ; came to town Thursday evening to spend Christmas. He failed to return and Mr. Gralier telephoned to Marshal Corduu last evening to hunt the fellow rp take care of him I The officer made a thorough search about town but could find no truce of the young man. Today noon Mr. Graber telephoned in that lie arrived (). K. und the first thing he said was "Mr. Graber. there's no place like home and I'll spend Christinas | after this right here." An investigation proved that the floor fellow had started to the county farm yesterday afternoon, 1 nt got on the wrong road finally si eking shelter ut a farm house until nine miles west of town, where he remained al] night and then walked back to day. A GOOD TIME. A Family Reunion at the People Home. One of the many happy family reunions on Christmas was at the homo of Mr. und Mrs. J. R. Peoples of Root township. A six o'clock dinner was served of which all partook heartily. Later in the evening a Christmas tree was unveiled and Santa Claus hud not forgotten one <>f the many present. As the hours passed speedily by they were spent in singing songs and greeting of friends long parted. At n lute hour the crowd dispersed and every one felt that it hud been a Chritsmus evening b>ng to tie re membered with pleasure. The guests from abroad were Mrs. I). J. Aber, Tecmncuri, New Mexico.; Mrs. Naomi Hursh, Wabash, Ind., Frank Hawk and family Marion, Ind., J. Brown and family. Fort Wayne. Miss Eva Peoples. Upland, Mrs. S. E. Brown and children. Fort Wayne.

A SAD CHRISTMAS DEATH An Old Citizen round Dead in Bed.

ON HOLIDAY VISIT John Smith of Near Monroe, the Victim. Was Guest of a Daughter at Fort Wayne.—Found Early Yesterday Morning. ■ John Smith, an old, well known und respected citizen of the county, ■ who for many years has resided > about four miles south east of I Monroe died early Christmas mornl ing at the homa of a daughter in Fort Wayne. He left home, Wednesday evening, expecting to enjoy ■ a happy holiday, but instead the day was the saddest Christmas the daughters ever known. The Fort Wayne Journal tells of the sad event as follows: John Smith, a prominent farmer who lives near HE ATE TURKEY I! i Park Hotel Sent Christmas Dinner to Osborne. Motion for a New Trial Will be Presented Some Time Next Week.

Joe Osborne, convicted of murder in the second degree rested well in his apartment at the jail last night and slept well, so he suvs. No doubt the strain of the trial was noticeable by him and the fact that it was over, even it decidedly against him was a relief. The Christinas day was a sad one and he spent as he has previous days [ for nearly four months in his dreary cell at the jail. Mrs. D. j W. Myers, while enjoying her Christmas day, did not forget those less happily situated and sent the condemned man a delicious Christ mas dinner. There is nothing new in the murder case and will not lai fur several days. The prisoner’s attorneys informed us today that they would prepare a motion for a new trial as soon us ysissible and i this will ho presented about the ' middle of next week when u day will bo set to hear arguments on i same. Until a decision is reached ' lon that Joe will not Ih> taken to , Michigan City, and this will prob ably b<> ten days or two weeks. Fail ing in securing a new trial an appeal will lx> taken to the supreme court. The big ease which held the interest of the public so long is over and the result has been genet ally accepted by all e ineerned. at I least for the present.

NUMBER 298

Monroe, Ind., was found dead in his bed about 9 o’clock Friday morning by his daughter, Mrs. C. E. Holzwarth, at the latter’s home 836 Walnut street. Deputy Coroner J.Van Buskirk was summoned and a post mortem examination held by him revealed the cause of death to be a blood clot in the left, ventricle of the heart. Mr. Smth I came to Fort Wayne Thursday to spend Christmas with his children ! who reside here. He was in unusually good health and spirits and he sat up until 1 o'clock Friday morning chatting laughing with the members of his daughter’s family. Aliout 9 o’clock Christmas morning Mrs. Holzwarth went to her father's room to call him. She received no response, and, enI tering the room she found him i lying in bed, stiff and co’d. Death | had occurred probaby several hours before. The deceased was seventy nine years of age. He resided on a farm near Monroe, and he was widely and favorably known in that section. He leaves a wife and the following children : Mrs. C. E. Holzwarth and Mrs. Matthias Berghold, Fort Wayne; Mrs. Fred Blickswedel,, Richmond, Ind.jWill, Simon and Daniel Smith. Adams county. The remains will |be shipped today to Monroe where | burial wilj take place. TO BURFORD. Stationery’ Contract Awarded by Commissioners Today. The board of commissioners 'awarded the contract for stationery to W. B. Burford of Indianapolis. The board met at ten o'clock and the bid of Mr. Burford being the only one, the contract was signed and awarded. The Ixiard imme diately bcg>n signing the bonds for the extension of the Peterson and Prairie macadam road, the contract for the same having already been given and the extension constructed and completed. The bonds have been sold to the Old Adams County Bink, and as soon us they are signied and delivered the money will be paid into the couny treasury and

settlement made with Calvin Miller the contractor. The other accrued exjiensc will also be paid. The stationery for several years has been furnished Adams county by Bur ford, and up to this time has 1 eon very satisfactory. CHRISTMAS GIFTS. 'Squire Smith Hands Out a Couple of Fines. 'Squire Smith yesterday had a very busy day settling up with dr links und fighters, the candidates that were initiated into the mystcr ies of the court were Clyde Webb und Joe Ely, the former being a prize fighter und assaulting Ha vey Andrews, and the latter for trying to consume all the booze in town. The court utter hearing all the cvi ence and knowing the law well on both cast's precede to hand out a nice* little Christmas present to both men it dollar mid costs apiece amounting m all to eighteen dollai* and sixty cents, both men stayed the docket satisfying to the opinion of the court and were allowed to go. both I ring win r n.< n than 1 < fori'.