Daily Democrat, Volume 2, Number 112, Decatur, Adams County, 21 May 1904 — Page 1

VOLUME II

COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES Immense Crowd Were In Attendance

ELEVEN RECEIVE DIPLOMAS Four Young Ladies and Seven Young Men An Interesting Program by the Class of ’O4 Who Did Their Parts Nicely. The opera house was crowded to its utmost capacity last evening, the occasion being the annual commencement exercises, always one of the delightful social events )f the year, especially for the class and their friends Lust nights exercises were especially so and no end of credit, is due the class and their instructors. Each graduate conducted himself in a most praiseworthy manner and their friends are all proud of them. The evenings entertainment was opened by the orchestra playing “Navajo” and followed by an appropriate prayer by Rev. Grethers. Bertrand Segur was the first of the class on the program, his subject being "Benedict Arnold,” whom he styled the prince of traitors, yet’ showed in his fearless reckless character much good and many lessons for consideration. Ray Allen told of the writings and life of Washington Irving, of his love of books and his superiority as a writer for the people His life was neither obscure or brilliant. Miss Fanny Hite gave her essay “Cobwebs” in a sweet manner, opening with the old story of the spider and the fly, which is not only poetry but truth. The temptations of life begin with cobwebs but end in debauchecy and shame. By the cobwebs of life we make or unmake our destiny. Miss Gertrude Moses rendered a beautiful piano selection and was encored. Albert Sellemeyer delivered an oration on “Procrastination” which he explained as putting off tomorrow what can as well be done today. It is idleness and lazyncss and like small pox is contagious. His ad-

dress contained much good advice nicely told. Miss Edith Smith gave • the life of Wardsworth, charmingly describing him as a child of nature, fond of out door life, as a man he was solid and knew what ho be lievea. He was the greatest of nature poets and his works prove the mind of poet, prophet and teacher. Charles Merryman's subject was “What Next*’ and included a review of our rapid advance in scientific commercial and religious lines. He said the American people have learned how to accumulate wealth but not how to distribute it. Miss May G. Coverdale, in a grace ful manner and with a confident stylo of speaking gave the only reading of the program, the sad beautiful poem, "Absolution" Iler voice wus 11 modulated, her gestures correct and she hold the closest attention of the large uu dienoe. "The Almighty Dollar” was a subject, cleverly handled by Charles Knapp, (lis oration contained just enough humor to make it good to listen to and his description of the Americans hunt for the

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root of all evil was interesting and full of good sound advice and many witty and appropriate quotations. A cornet solo by Albert Sellemeyer, with piano accompamment by Miss Edith Smith was well rendered. Miss Marie Patterson, an essay, ‘“Visions,” was next on the program. Her paper was well written and her delivery ecxellent. She told of the visions of Columbus, Morse and other great men and their outcome, of the visions of the class for commencement, of their vision of the future, including art, literature and home. Harry Andrews told “ Why I go to school” and his essay was one of the best of the evening. He declared that the student need not necessarily out shine his companion and win great fame, it is enough to know that one has learned something by his study. Argo Brushwiller delivered the closing oration “The Ideal.” Every youth should have an “Ideal” coming impusively from the heart and follow it. Every winner in the worlds battle has had a high ideal. A violin solo by Prof. Withans with accompaniement by Miss Gertrude Moser pleased and delighted the appreciative audience. Superintendent H. A. Hartman made Ja short talk telling the high merits of the class of‘o4 and presented the diplomas. Rev. Pontius said the benediction and the commencement exercise were over.

Immediately atferwards the class gave a reception at the I. O. O. F. hall’where they received the hearty congratulations of their many friends, who between talks and laughs indulged in the pleasures of the punch bowl. Later many of the young people attended an impromptu dance at the C. Y. M. 8. club rooms. FRIGHTENED AWAY Burglar Frightened Mrs. Anderson Last Night. Late last night Mrs. Anderson who lives in the property formerly occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Mason in the west part of town was awakened by hearing someone ‘walking about on the tin roof on the porch. Mrs. Anderson at once thought of burglars and raised her window and immediately called for the police and help. This noise undoubtedly startled the burglar for when help arrived nothing could be seen or heard of him. A close examintation this morning disclosed the fact that the party la I climbed up one of the porch pillars onto the roof and his foot prints could be quite plainly seen upon the porch. FROM HOSPITAL Frank Durkins Returned Today After Second Operation. Frank Durkins who was operated upon ten days ago at the St. Joseph Hospital at Ft. Wayne for an after attack of appendicitis arrived homo today, having been discharged from tho hospital as cured. Os course the wound is not entirely healed yet but the doei rs there think that Frank will need no further care from them, and from now on will be his own <1- tor. He was operated upon by Dr. McOscar anti it was a success in every particular. Frank staled that he is now feeling much bi tter and stronger th in he was prior to the operation and now believes' himself free from the disease.

DECATUR, INDIANA, SATURDAY EVENING, MAY 21, 1904.

THE REUNION Old 160th Regiment to Meet Here August II Enthusiastic Meeting Held Last Night, and Officers and Committees Named. There was a very enthuastic meeting of Comvpany B. held last evening at the council chambers at which time the date of holding the 160th reunion was decided upon, the same being Thursday, August the 11th, 1904. Almost every member of this old company who now resides here was present and if hard werk and enthusiam will make the meeting a success the boys will certainly enter-ain their out of town guests as thav were never entertained before. The meeting was open for discussion by each member and each proposition was argued both pro and con, and all for one purpose the entertainment of their comrades Several committee’s were appointed the principal one being the committee to raise funds and upon this committee Robert Peterson, Amos Fisher, Will Hearst and Frank Gessinger were named and the pur pose of this committee will be to wait upon the business men and ask of them to subscribe for this fund, and to assist them in defraying the exepenses of this renuion. This meeting will insure the coming of nearly seven hundred young men, who on one occasion of this kind are all out for a good time and it will be to the business men’s interest to encourage this project along with a liberal subscription. Charles Kitson was elected as treasurer and Fred Vaughn as secretary to attend to the business affairs of the company during this reunion. The company will meet again some time next week when the financial committee will report what success was had and then other business of importance may be transacted.

WANTS DIVORCE Suit to be Filed Here in Few Days Bluffton Attorneys Preparing Papers for Mrs. Elizabeth Sovine of This County. Special to the Dally Democrat. neys Mock & Sons of this city are prejMiring a sensational complaint for divorce for Mrs. Elizabeth Sovine who wants a decree of sepera tion from her husband John Sovine a weatlhy citizen of West Adams county. The suit will be filed at Decatur within a few days. Mrs. Sovine says her husband has been an habitual drunkard for ten years and charges him with beating her and otherwise treating her in a cruel and inhuman manner. She will ask for |3,000 alimony.

ARE REPAIRING Telephone Co. Mending Cables Which Have Been Used as Targets. The telephone company is today busily engaged in splicing and repairing their cables through the alley between First and Second streets. It seems that some miscreant who has had nothing more to do, and undoubtedly looking for trouble, took it upon himself to walk along through this alley and use the cable for a target to shoot at, and in several places the cable has been completely riddled with bullets. Most noticeable was this in the rear of Coffee & Baker’s restaurant and in the rear of Mrs. Alice Peterson’s millinery store,which was occupied last winter by the shooting gallery. The repairs are being made by Skinny McCarthy, of Ft. Wayne, and hereafter when completed a careful lookout will be kept and if the guilty party should be caught he will be given the full extent of the law. The damage has not only added an expense on the company, but has also injured the service of several phones. WANT SALOONS Berne Business Men Vote on the Question Open Saloons Instead of Under the Blanket System Carries by a Big Majority, Friday the climax was reached in the famous Berne saloon war, when Editor Rohrer, accompanied by Sam Kuntz, made the rounds among the business people of the town to find out the sentiment towards the saloon busi ness. The agreement made between I the above named gentlemen, the ! first part of the week, to see the business people about the saloon question. If the majority should prefer the open saloon, to the way the business has been carried on for the last fewmonths, then the temperance people would not file their remonstrance against the four applicants for license, is the general belief of the public. Accordingly Messrs. Rohrer and Kuntz laid the matter before the business men individually and the sentiment proved to be for the open saloon. The list showed 123 to be for the open saloon and 33 for the way the business has been carried on in the past for sometime. The applicants for license are Sam L. Kuntz, Sam Sprunger, George Nichols and Jacob Hunsizker and their troubles will bo taken into consideration at the next meeting of the county commissioners. —Berne News. LOOKS GOOD TO THEM Delphos People Jubilant Over New Time Table. The Clover Loaf has announced ; its new time card which will go into j effect next Sunday, Muy, 22. The i new time curd hus boon watched with much interest by Delphos I people us well as the people of i Decatur and the new schedule of < transit is anything but encouraging ' to Decatur and their hop s I r the < Clover Lo if division point. Th-re I uro some radical changes in the I time of tho trains and besides t ujs there will be change • in the run ( ning of trains that will greatly ls-n-, I eflt Delphos and be a convenience I to travel us well. An a-l lition-d ■ ’ fust freight is put on betw> n Tolu ! I do and St liOUis and between st. I Louis and Toledo. This will give tho company thrtc fast freight per i day each way.—Delphos Herald.

MARIE BOWSER’S DEATH A Letter Said to Have Caused Her Rash Act

WAS A BEAUTIFUL GIRL Engaged to Martin Moran of This City Their Wedding Was to Have Occurred Next Month, and Iler Suicide Has Snocked Many Friends. .Miss Marie Bowser of this county who killed herself at Marion yesterday was’the fiancee ofMartin Moran, also of this city, but now working at Fairmount and living in Marion, They were to have been married next month. Martin is the son of Thomas Moran of this city, and brother of Prosecuting attorney John C. Moran. In addition to our story of last evening the Marion Leader tells of the sad event as follows: Influenced by a letter which she is said to have received last evening but which has not been found, Miss Marie Bowser a beautiful west side 1 girl who has been living at the home of T. F. Goldwin, Twelfth and Maple streets, committed suicide this morning by drinking a quantity of Joarboho acid. She left no word to her friends telling the cause of her rash act and when found was too far under influence of the drug to make a clear statement. Her mouth was terribly, burned by the acid and although the physicians did everything in their power to save the life of the young lady, the poison had its effect before it was known that she had attempted to end her life, The affair is surrounded with mystery and is being investigated by the friends of the young lady and by the officers. It is believed when the letter is found which was received by’ Miss Bowser last night that the entire matter will be cleared up and the reason known for the girl wishing to end | her hfe. Miss Bowser formerly lived in Mercer county, Ohio, but it is said when her mother married a ! second time she could not agree with her step father and left home. She went to Adams county, Indi-

ana, and lived for a time with some relatives of Mrs. (foldwins. Last summer Martin Moran a well known young man of this city, brother ot Mrs. Goldwin went to 1 Adams county for a visit. While ' there he became acquainted with Miss Bowser and the two became 11 warm friends. After the return of young Moran to Marion he corres- ’ ponded with Miss Bowser until her 1 removal to this city. After her ’ visit in Adams county she returned ) to her home in Ohio whore she re. , mained for a time and then, influ- i enced by her acquaintance with Mr. 1 Moran of this city, she decided to ' come to Marion and make her ( home. She arrived in this city , three weeks ago last Saturday and wi n* to the home of Mrs. T. F. Goldwin on Maple street whore Martin Moran has been living. She brought her clothing with her and 1 stated that the Intended to remain for a time, and it was thought at first she would take a posit rm in Marion. Later Mrs. Goldwin learn ed that her brother and Miss Bow- ’ ser were engaged and a week ago

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it was rumored that the two were to be married in June. Mr. Moran has been employed at Barley’s store in Fairmout for some time and it was understood that after his marriage to Miss Bowser the two were to remove to Fairmout, where they would make their home. The two have been together a great deal since the arrival of the young lady in Mt.rion, but it is asserted that there has never been any trouble between them. Yesterday afternoon Miss Bowser appeared to be in the best of spirits and was about the house during the afternoon singing to herself and in no way causing Mrs. Goldwin to think there was anything troubling her. She stated about 6:30 o’clock that she was going to the post office and see if there was any mail for her. She dressed and came down town. She was absent from home for about an hour and three quarters and when she returned went at once to her room and retired. Mrs. Goldwin feared she was ill and called to her asking if she was sick. She replied that she was not, and so the rest of the family retired, little thinking of the sorrow in store for them. Miss Bowser arose this morning about 6 o'clock and seen.ed to be as well and cheerful as usual. She ate breakfast with the family, but from time to time it was seen that she was thinking intently upon some subject. i Her lover went to his work at an early hour and Mrs. Goldwin after clearing away the breakfast dishes, went into the yard to look after some work. When she returned to the house she found Miss Bowser standing near the corner of a fence, apparently deathly sick. Mrs. Goldwin approached her and asked what was the matter. The girl did not answer and then Mrs. Goldwin asked if she was sick. The girl still refused to reply, but as she raised her head the lady noticed that her lips were very blue. “Have you taken something, Mary?” asked Mrs. Goldwin, but the girl shook her head and turned i and walked into the house. The lady followed her and Miss Bowser went at once to her bed room and threw herself on the bed. “I have taken poison and am going to die,” exclaimed the girl. Mrs. Goldwin I ran from the house calling wildly for help and soon a number of neighbors had gathered at Hie [ house. Drs. Black and Baldwin were I summoned and were soon on the scene. They did everything in their power to save the girl but the

poison she had taken had taken effect and at 8 o’clock the young lady died. Martin Moran was summoned from Fairmount and upon arriving home and finding his sweetheart cold in death refused to be comforted and his cries could be heard a square away. The young man stated that there hud been no troutile between Miss Bowser and himself and he could not understand why she should wish to die. Word was sent to the young lady’s mother in Mercer county and it is expected that the lady will arrive in Marion this evening. A hottie having no laltel on its sides hut giving off the unmistakable fumes of carbolic acid was found on the dresser in the bed room of the girl, showing the way she had taken to end her life. A search was made for the letter which it is believed she received last night, but. at noon it had not boon formd and it Is thought she burned it ■ before taking the drug. It is a 'most niysterions affair ami young Moran is as deeply mystified us the others. There appears to be « difference regarding the girl s last name, Some saying it is Banssor, but Mrs. Goldwin suid it was Bowser.