Daily Democrat, Volume 2, Number 245, Decatur, Adams County, 25 October 1904 — Page 1

VOLUME II

AWFUL TRAGEDY Randolph Brown Commits Suicide farmer Living Near Dixon Borns His Hoose and Barn and Then Takes Polson. Last evening's Van Wert Bulletin said: A shocking tragedy was enacted in Union township, this county, Sunday, night, in which Randolph Brown destroyed his home, the barn and other buildings on his farm by fire and then ended his own life by going to a ■corn field and taking a dose of poison. Brown removed from Fayette county to this county, some six years ago and settled on a fortyacre farm in the above named township. Some time after coming here he had trouble with one of his neighbor, Frank Rogers, over the line fence, in which he received a terrible beating. His friends claim that after receiving the beating his mind showed signs of weakness and has gradually failed. Brown sued Rogers in the local courts for damages and was awarded a judgment of 1150. He gradually grew worse and last spring in one of his fits of violence assaulted his wife. They have three children, one of their sons, Perry, living on a farm in Hoaglin township. Mrs. Brown sought shelter and protection at the home of the latter and sued for a property settlement, which was granted, the court making the division and ordering the sale *of the personal property. The sale took place on Monday of last week. Brown claimed that the property was sold too cheap and in his frenzied condition went to the home of his son Perry, where he was so violent that certain members of the family were alarmed and sought a place of safety among the neighbors. On Sunday he returned to his home and made a bed in a corn field At about eleven o’clock last night the neighbors were aroused by the burning of his buildings and went to the fire to assist in saving a part of the property, if possible. Brown was missing and was not found until tihs morning, when his body, stiff in death, was discovered in the corn field where he had made his bed. Evidently he died from the effects of a dose of poison. His age was about sixty years. He had in his possession cash and notes aggregating about one thousand dollars in value. It is feared these were destroyed in the fire.

GIVE IT UP Carp Enterprise at Celina Reservoir Fails to Materialize. The carp catching enterprise which has been so widely exploited in connection with the reservoir ha« some vo an end for the present. By some unknown form of submarine wireless telegraphy the carp muet have learned Mr. Decker's intentions concerning them and In mass convention then and there revived not to be lured by feeding pens and seine nets. At any rate not enough carp were caught to warrant Mr. Decker in shipping them. He claims to have expended one thousand dollars in the establishment of his enterprise, which did not promise the desired returns. Mr. Decker says he will not abandon the enterpirse but will resume the operations in the spring, at which time he hopes to be able to free the reservoir of some of the •tumps and drift wood that at present interfered sadly with his •Bining.— Celina Standard.

The Daily I )emocr at.

BUSY PLACE Is Office of Superintendent of Public Instructions. Very few people realize the great amount of work that is done in the Department of Education at Indianapoils. The State Superintendent is a very busy man. By virtue of his office he is a member of the State board of education which prepares the questions for the examinations which are held each month from January to August, inclusive. The State Superintendent makes the course of study for the public schools and this is constantly being revised. He is the guardian of the school funds, amounting to |10,500,. 000. He outlines and directs the work of the township institutes with the county superintendent and township trustees. He prepares an extended report of the educational affairs to each legislature. He is expected to visit every county during each term of office and to lecture to the teachers. He keeps in touch with the work of the superintendents of the state and attends their meetings. He is, by virtue of his office, a member of the board of trustees of the State Normal School. In addition to these duties he must direct the immense correspondence of the office, dealing with every phase of education in every part of the state. All in all the state superintendent leads a very strenuous hfe. State Superintendent Cotton has just issued the course of study and the township outline for the coming year, and some very practical suggestion" are made in them which if carried out will bring good results. KNOWN HERE “ Mrs. of Fort Wiyne, Dud— Had Brother In This County.

Mrs. Wilhelmina Hiigeman, the widow of Ernest Hiigeman, and api oncer woman of Fort W ayne, died at 8:30 o'clock Monday morning at her home, 1927 Gay street. Her death was dne from cancer of the stomach, from which she has suffered for a period of six months. Mrs. Hiigeman was seventy-four years of age and was a native of Germany. She had resided in Fort Wayne fcr about fifty years and was widely and favorably known in the city She was a member of St John's Reformed church and was one of the most untiring and conscientious workers of that congregation. She is survived by these children: Fred and Louis Hiigeman, of Chicago; William Hiigeman, of Dayton; Mrs Emma Stettler, of Chicago, and Mrs. Minnie Hiigeman, of Fort Wayne. Four children died some years ago. Other surviving relatives include a brother, Henry Kintzman, of Adams county—Fort Wayne JournalGazette. PLAIN DRUNK John Workmtn Taken Ip By Policeman Reynolds.

A man giving his name as John Workman was arrested last night by Night Polioemao Joel Reynolds on a oharge of publio intoxication, and was lodged in jail until this morning, when ho was given his hearing before Mayor Coffee and allowed to tell his tale of woe, which was pitiful. Policeman Reynolds ihen told his story, telling where he found him and in what condition. After hearing all the evidence the court concluded that Workman was guilty and fined the usual dose, which in all amounted to nine dollars and thirty cents, which he promptly paid.

DECATUR, INDIANA, TUESDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 25, 1904.

HEATING PLANT Plans Prepared for Burt House Improvements Every Room to be Well Buted-Mr. Humphreys, the New Manager, Adds Modern Equipment. In the course of two or three weeks, improvements will be made on the Burt hotel, which will make it one of the most modern and up to date hostelries in the state of Indiana. Plans “and specifications are now being drawn for a complete system of steam heating, the plans calling for a radiator in every I room, and to be one of the best' systems on the market today. For years Mr. Townsend has been trying to solve the heating problem and has at last oome to the conclusion that steam heating is the only one that will prove satisfactory in every respect. S. G. Humphreys, the present manager, stated this morning that he would as< to have this work hurriedly pushed to completion before the severe cold weather set in so that he could look after every interest of his guests and make them at home and comfortable. Mr. Humphreys is also putting in a new large coffee urn and a large steam heating table, and men are setting the same up today. It is also his intention to re-arrange his kitchen to make it more convenient for his help. Mr. Humphreys is a thorough and competent hotel man and one who fully understands the demands of the traveling public, and is now laying plans to meet every obligation from his trade. Work on the heating job will be commenced as soon as the plans are finished and the contract can be let. ERIE WRECK Thirteen Loaded Coal Can Piled up la Huuilngton Yards. As a result of freight train breaking in two and coming together again north of the city between the overhead bridge and the tower on the Erie railroad Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock traffic was blockaded sometime and thirteen loaded cars were piled up. The train was a double-header westbound and the engines were in charge of engineers Dan Beck and Ed Schoepper. As a result of the pile-up trains 13 and 4 were compelled to run over the Wabash to Wabash and over the Big Four to Bolivar. The wreck - ing crew was soon at work and this morning traffic was resumed over the scene of the wreck. Section men from Bippus and Huntington were called out to relay track.— Huntington Democrat. IS VERY SICK

Jacob Schlegel Suffering From Lung Congestion at Bluffton. Jacob Schlegel has been confined to his room at the Henry Fritz rooming house since Sunday morning and his condition is serious. His physician, Dr. S. A. Goodin, said this afternoon that he was Buffering from acute congestion of both lungs, but that he thought he could prevent it develojiing into pneumonia. The Epworth league of the M E. church, in which Jacob is an earnest worker, is oaring for him, and he is receiving the most careful attention and best of nursing, thanks to which he will likely soon recover.— Bluffton News.

COURT DECISION Judge Vinton Says that Divorce Law as to Prosecution Fee Is Bad. Attorneys will be interested in the decision recently rendered in the superior court at Lafayette by Judge Vinton, the basis of the decision being the granting of a divorce to Mrs. Ida Del Lester from her husband John H. Lester. In connection with this case a point was raised on which the judge declared that a law. passed by the last legislature referring to the appearance of the prosecuting attorney in divorce oases is unconstitutional. This point was raised by Frederick O. Evans and he was sustained by the court. The law in question provides that the prosecuting attorney shall enter his appearance in all divorce oases where I the defendant is not represented in court and shall receive the sum of 15 for his service. This fee is payable before the prosecution of the oase. The old law was to the effect that the prosecuting attorney should appear for the defendant who was not otherwise represented, and, on the successful prosecution cf the suit, should receive |5 for his services. This fee was taxed with the costs against the party losing the suit. WANTS DIVORCE Dee DeVinney Files the Papers Alleges Abandonment By Ills Wife and Seeks Legal Separation—Nave Nad Other Troubles.

Marion DeVinney vs RoseDeVinney, petition for divorce, is the title of a new case filed in circuit court this morning by Attorney L. C- Devoss. The plaintiff is the well known ball player, known as Dee. According to the complaint this is by no means their first trouble and some of their cares have been rather serious ones. They were married October 25, 1900 and lived together until the following November when Mrs. DeVinney left, leaving a three months’ old babe for her husband to care for. She went to Peru, where she remained until Maron 16, 1903, and was then forgiven and given a home by her husband. Shortly afterwards a child was born and Mrs. DeVinney soon left again, remaining about two months when she again returned to her hearthstone and was taken in. She is accused of infidelity in various degrees, and her husband asks for a decree of divorce and the custody of his child Barton DeVinney. THROUGH HERE W. J. Bryan Passed En Route to Kendallville This Morning. The Hon. William J. Bryan I*assed through our city this morning over the Grand Rapids railroad enroute from Hamilton Ohio, to Kendallville, Ind., where he speaks this morning. The car was completely darkened and the only sign of life on board was the negro cook, who was pre]>aring breakfast. Mr. Bryan and those aooompanying him were sound asleep and possibly never knew they passed through this city. Quite a numtier of sightseers were at the depot to see the train, hoping to get some glimpse of the great Nebraskan, but were greatly disappointed, as he failed to appear. •• ■■ ■■ i» ■ •*. .

TO COMPLETE TOUR I Mr. Ellingham Joins Bryan Party - Meets Special Train at Rochester and Will Attend Many Tallies Today and Tomorrow. I I L. G. Ellingham left at noon to- 1 day for Rochester, where by special invitation he joins the W. J. Bryan party and will complete the tour of the state with them. The party will travel in Mr. Bryan’s private oar “Kemble.” Tte party includes beside the famous Nebraskan, Hon. B. F. Shively, Gen. J. B. Weaver, [A. J. Hunter, Henry Warrum, S. M. Ralston, [Frank E. Hering, Mayor David [B. Rose, of Milwaukee, John S. Beard of Florida, H. H. Smith and Joseph H. Shea. From Rochester the party goes to Plymouth, thenoe to South Bend for a big night meeting. Tomorrow they will attend the Bryan rallies at Logansport, Monticello and Rensselaer, closing with a monster celebration at Hammond. There the party wil 1 disband, Mr. Bryan going to Chicago and from there home to campaign his own state. The train is in charge of Dale J. Crittenberger, managing editor of the Indianapolis Sentinel and Anderson Democrat. WAS SOCIALIST Hobo Arrested Today Said He Didn’t Believe In Work. John Laisure, weary Willie, was picked up early this morning and lodged in jail on a charge of vagrancy . He was given a hearing this morning at nine o’clock before Mayor Coffee and t stated that he was enrote from Kansas City east and was looking for work or rather work was looking for him, as he was a socialist and didn’t believe in locking for work. The mayor then reprimanded the gentleman from Kansas City and gave him a nice lecture on laziness and accordingly fined him a dollar and costs, amounting in all to nine dollars and thirty cents. His failure to pay the amount forced him to return to jail where he will lay out his u flne.

NO COURT TODAY Judge Erwin at Fort Wayne to Continue Murder Trial. The Adams circuit court had a vacation today, there being no cases set for trial and Judge Erwin having been called to Fort Wayne on matters jiertaining to the GodI t rey murder trial, which was asssigned to him. The case was to have been heard this week but as attorneys and jurymen are just at present interested in election business, the trial will not be called until next month. SHOOTING MATCH Fred Bell Announces Another Teurmmint at Bell View. Fred Bell announces another shooting tournament to be held at Bellview farm just east of town, Thursday afternoon from two to six o’clock. Fred is a royal entertainer and amusement is plentiful at these shooting matches. The public is invited to participate in this event. Go out and capture a few of the honors.

NUMBER 245

WAR SPECIALS British People Excited Over Attacks on Fishing Fleet. London, Oct. 25, 5 a. m — Tha feeling of the British people over the attack on the North Sea fishing fleet by the Russian Baltic squadron was shown by a hostile demonstration at Victoria Station last night on the arrival of Count Benkendorff, the Russian ambassador to Great Britain. A crowd gathered and hooted him and attempted to break the windows of his carriage. London, Oct. 25, sa. The steamship Esjjeranza. whioh is due to sail from Barry with provisions for tha Russian Baltio fleet, was found yesterday to be in a sinking condition, (her hull having been pierced below the water line. It is suggested this is the act of some men employedjon the ship in revenge for the North Sea incident. WILL OPERATE. Mrs. Charles Mumma was taken to the Fort Wayne hospital this afternoon, where she will be oper-

ated on [ for appendicitis, with which she has suffered for a week past. Dr. P. B. Thomas of thia city accompanied her and will assist in the operation. Her condition is critical. OPENS TONIGHT ~ Prof. Pitts’ Athletic Class Will Start ta Work. P. J. Pitts’ Athletic class will ojien tonight in hall 127 North Second street, over Gus Rosenthal's clothing store. Only pupils will be admitted. Mr Pitts has secured over twenty members and his class are anticipating the lessons with keen appreciation. Mr. Pitts is one of the best physical culture instructors in the country and a diploma from him means something. FREE HOS Run to Preble This Evening Double Pole Raising and Big Democratic Demonstration Good Speeches and Music. A monster democratic meeting will be held at Preble tonight, when two big hickory poles will be raised, with fifteen foot banners, heralding the winners of the coming election, Parker and Davis. The sjieakers for the occasion will be D. E. Smith and John C Moran. The,Decatur Glee club will also be present and assist in the program. Free hacks will be run to Preble, leaving this office at 6:15 sharp. You are invited to join the push. Preble never does things by halves and it is a safe guarantee that tonight's celebration will be a hummer. Good music will help enliven the occasion and old Preble will be a strictly democratic spot tonight as well as on eleoti on day. Joseph Bucher of Geneva, was a business caller here today. Jacob Butcher, of Geneva, was attending to legal business here today.