Daily Democrat, Volume 2, Number 37, Decatur, Adams County, 23 February 1904 — Page 1

VOLUME 11

TO BUY NEW EQUIPMENT

Officials of Telephone Company Go to Chicago

LARGER SWITCH BOARD NECESSARY Present System is Already Overtaxed The Decatar Plant the Most Successful In all the Country.

Frank Schirmeyer and George Kinzle, president and superintend ent of the Citizens Telephone Com , pany left today noon for Chicago where they will purchase a new switch b<>ard and a full new office eqipraent. This purchase is a much needed one for this company as ihe old switch board is now practically full and in a few more days they would have been compelled to turn away new , applicants for telephones, as the the company is starting on the five hundred section at present. It hardly seems creditable but such is the fact that this city now has in actual service over four hundred phones in good working order, and new applications made every day, which record stands unex celled by any other independent telephone system in the country for a city of this size. Reports from the oast state that the company that is now in control here was the first company in this nature ever established in the United States. The company are now on a nice paying basis having a complete toll system to almost any point that a person should desire to reach, and at a cheaper rate than the Bell system. This company is also growing very fast in the city of Berne, the boys yesterday putting in the one hundred and twenty-first phone, thereby giving that little enterprising city a complete telephone system to the outside world. The company’ is, striving to its utmost to give to the public a perfect system and the ■way the people of this community are taking hold of the same show that they certainly merit their good work. — NEW POSITION John Crawfoad Will Serve « Shipping Clerk for Lyman Bros. •John Crawford who has been in ihe employ of Klalver & Freidnnn for some time has resigned from this position to accept one with Ly taun Brothers. In this new work John will have full charge of the •hipping and mailing department. * n 'l also the crating of all pictures, •M in this new place ho will have h'* hands full, as this firm are now <)Vt ‘run with orders and are turning these pictures at the rate of ovei ° n * hundred per day. .John is a * Or thy young fellow honest, and in everything that he J 0 *’at and wo peridot a bright fu ar " f or him if he will stay with this ne * firm. !

The Daily Democrat.

WILL MOVE Mrs. Peterson’s Millinery Store to Change Location. Mrs. Alice Peterson is busy completing arrangements for moving her millinery shop from the room she has occupied on Madison street to the Niblick building on Second street formerly occupied by the News office. Work of fifing up the new room was begun today and she will probably open the store in the new rooms by March Ist. She will carry a larger stock than ever and will be prepared to show a fashionable and newest display of spring styles ever shown in Decatur

TRIPLE MURDER Terre Haute Man’s Awful Crime A Montana Murderer Handed This Morning at city of Butte.

Special to the Daily Democrat. TERRE HAUTE, Ind., Feb. 23— Jerry Dugan, a section hand, murdreedMrs. Ben Ramsey ana her two children this morning with a razor. BUTTE., Mont. Feb. 23—James Martin was hanged here this morning for the murder of J. R. Williams in 1902. The execution took place in total darkness. WANT ROUTE Mr. Case of Magley, Here Today CscertalnJ Best Method of Securing Same and Will Certainly Succeed. Robert Case of Magley is in the city today endeavoring to get a rural route mail service established out of Magley. Ho is holding a private interview with Postmaster Brittson us to the best mode and plan to set at the same and will then petition for the route in the proper manner. Mr. Case spates that this section of the country is entitled to this rural route and can readily till all the requirements that are deemed necessary by the government to establish one and is going to do his utmost to have the government comply with the pub- , no’s wants and demands. Mr. Case is postmaster at Magley and i is in a position to know what the 1 wants of that community are.

DECATUR, INDIANA, TUESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 23, 1904.

MAY LOCATE Dry Goods Men May Open a Store Here Two gentlemen were in the city this afternoon seeking a location for a dry goods store but have not yet decided whether they will stop here or not. They had their eye on a room in the new Allison-Stu-dabaker block and if they open here that will be their place of business. In an interview with a Democrat representative they said “we will locate either here or in some near by city. We are favor ably impressed with Decatur.” AT IT AGAIN Port Arthur Attacked by Japanese Russian Officials Believe War Will End Within a Year in Their Favor. Special to The Dally Democrat ST. PETERSBURG, Feb., 33— Reports are current here that the Japanese squadron made another attack on Port Arthur. One rumor states that the assault began by torpedo attack followed by a bombardment. No hint as to the result is given. High Russian officials believe that the war will be ended by next fall with victory for the Russian arms. CAR TRANSFER To be Operated by Erie and Clover Leaf Will Build “Y” for Use of the Two Roads.—The Benefits of the System. It is rumored in railroad circles that the Chicago & Erie and Clover Loaf railroads were contemplating moving the car transfer from Ohio 1 City to Decatur, the reason being that in this city the two roads have to do a great deal of maneuvering to transfer their oars from one road to the other, and in case a transfer has to be made at present the Erie is oompled to throw their cars on the Grand Rapids “Y” and then the Grand Rapids moves it onto their tracks and puts it on the Clover Leaf “Y” and visa versa thus virtually throwing the two roads at the mercy of the Grand Rapids and kicks are registered against both companies daily on account of delay. But if the pres ent rumor is carried out then the Erie and Clover Leaf will each have a private and individual *' Y” connecting their respective roads and much perishable goods will thus be saved and all delay will be avoided. Tom Miller, agent at the Clover Leaf, said he would know positive in a few days whether or not this project would be curried out, and wo will keep our readers posted.

HOME DESERTED Zera David Finds Wife Missing Left in Morning for Work and During Absence His Wife Departs for St. Louis. In last evening’s issue appeared a local to the effect that Mrs. Della David had left for St. Louis to visit relatives for several months and thereby hangs a story. She is the wife of Zera David, a hard working young man employed by P. \V. Smith & Co., as a teamster. So fai as he knew there had been no trouble between them for many months and their domestic life was as serene and happy as could be wished. Zera left home yesterday morning as usual, giving his wife five dollars with which to buy groceries. When he returned last night, tired and hungry, the house was dark and scold, and deserted. No groceries were in sight, the usual meal was not prepared, no note or letter was at hand and Zera could not fathom the mystery until he noticed the local in the Democrat. Today he informs us that he is positive his wife has left for good and he wants it understood that hereafter he will not he responsible for any debts contracted by her. About a year ago Mrs. David secured a divorce from her husband but after a few months they decided to again try married life and were untited last fall. Since then it was supposed their domestic happiness was complete and Mr. David supposed it was. He says so far as he knows neither he or Mrs. David have any relatives in St. Louis and he believes she has gone to Michigan. COURT NEWS Case Against Bayes Dismissed Other Business of Today’s Session.— Smith Divorce Case Set for Trial. John Ewry vs Michael McGriff complaint for alleniating affection of wife, api>earanoe by Shafer Peterson for defendant, rule to answer. Ada Emery vs Lawrence Emery, ap]>earanoe by Jacob Butcher for defendant, rule to answer absolute within five days. — o— Fannie Smith vs Barclay Smith, general denial filed by defendant, set for trial March I. —o — State of Indiana vs O. J. Bayes, embezzlement, cause dismissed and defendant discharged. —o— State vs A. E. Herrick, judgment rendered judgment rendered on verdict, ne <35.

DON’T KICK Duly of Officials to Keep Rural Roads Clear. On account of the heavy snow drifts which have obstructed the highways this winter there has been much complaint because rural route mail carriers have not been able to make their rounds every day, and others who have had occasion to use the roads have found it almost impossible to do so. Now, it may not be generally known, but the last legislature passed a law on this subject that it would be well for the proper officers to heed. The law provides that it shall be the duty of boards of commssioners, township trustees and road supervisors to keep in repair and in passable condition all roads over which mail routes have been established, and the township trustee is required to set aside at least 5 per cent of the road fund as an emergency fund for such purpose. They must see that such highways are properly drained, and kept free from obstructions of every kind, including snow drifts,and that they are at all times in such condition as to be readily passable to ordinary travel. A fine of from fl to <25 a day providing for each day such officer shall neglect to perform this duty after having been notified. The law was approved March 9, 1903,and is found on page 223 of the Acts of last legislature. THE DUNLAPERS Good Audience at the Court Room

Hons. Theodore Shockney and Frank H. Snyder Address the Multitude. The Dunlap meeting at the court room last evening was a happy affair, being attended by a crowded house, the most of whom were in accord with the sentiments expressed. Hon. P. L. Andrews presided, and introduced the Hon. Theodore Shockney who made the principal address, and while not abusive he spared no one in his statement of his side of the case. He made the explanation of the injustice accorded the republican party in the manner of calling a primary election, the short time allotted opposing candidates, the tactics of the well oiled Cromer machine and the record of Congressman Cromer in congress. The speech was much the same as heard during the last campaign with the speaker a democrat, and is a vindication of them. This coming f rom one high in the councils of the g. o. p. adds color to the argument and increases speculation and interest in the contest now at hand. Mr. Shockney scored some most excellent points and poured , many a hot sea shell in to the camp of the enemy. He was followed by Hon. Frank H. Snyder of Portland, whose schollarly utterances were attentively listened to and greatly admired. Mr. Snyder has many personal friends here and they’ are always glad to bear him and pay him honor. It is thought—and ’ we expect it is true—that this meeting done much good in Adams county for the cause of Dunlap. In this connection we might add that they are making a very game tight, not only here but all over the district, and no matter what the outcome may be, it can well lie said that every inch of the ground will have been thoroughly and systematically contested. The election (likes place next Tuesday and the places of voting in this county has been previously set out in these columns.

NUMBER 37

NEW BOILERS Council Better Equips the City The Waterworks Plant to be Given Two New Boilers. The purchasing committee of the City Council met last evening and opened bids for two new boilers to be placed in the water works plant in the place of the two old ones which are practically worthless as far as this plant is concerned, and on opening the bids and figuring up the totals of each the contract was awarded to A. Van Camp of this city, his bid being the lowest. The price he made to the council for the two new boilers was <2200, but in this bid he allows the city a rebate of <425 he taking the old boilers in with the deal thereby making the boilers actually stand the city the sum of <1775. Mr. Vancamp represented a boiler company from Indianapolis and the new ones will be made by this company at that place. The boilers are supposed to be here within one month and will at once be placed in position and ready for use, thereby granting to the city a much needed thing, as the old boilers had become in such a bad shape that it was practicaly impossible for the men to hold up a full head of steam, and causing a poor water system and an inferior lighting system, and the power of the plant was unable to pull the heavy load asked of it. With the new boilers here and proper care taken of them the city should have a water plant and electric light system that will not be equaled in the state.

ANOTHER CLUE Young Lady Gives Information to the Bedford Police. BEDFORD, Ind., Feb 22.—Mrs. Nettie Hagenwald, of Terre Haute, called at the mayor’s office today and requested that the detectives and members of the board of inquiry, who have charge of the investigation of the Schafer murder mystery, be summoned. When they arrived she told of the visit of a tall sandy complexioned man to her home, several days after the murder. The man said his name was Wellington and that he was a pinao tuner soliciting work. The murder was mentioned and he said he was acquainted with the murdered girl. The detectives refused to speak further of the information received from Mrs. Hagendwald but it is known that they are paying a great deal of attention to it. Before going to Bloomington tonight, Prosecuting Attorney Miller intimated that the grand jury would not consider the Schafer case. The court of inquiry will resume its invesitagtion of the mystery tomorrow. The members will not give a reason for this action. FAILING FAST Condition of Murderer Terrell Continues Serious. John Terrell had a very bad night last night says the Bluffton News. He does not walk so much as formerly but tosses abont on his cot continuously. His physical condition is failing rapidly. Judge i Smith will not take further action • in the case until he is advised by < attorney general and attorneys in < the case. Terrell is receiving the i best care it is possible to give him . in the jail.