Daily Democrat, Volume 2, Number 262, Decatur, Adams County, 14 November 1904 — Page 1

VOLUME II

KEPT BUSY Kit Cowan Arrested Three Times. Malicious Trespass, Obtaining Money Under False Pretenses and Stabbing a Negro the Charges

Kit Cowan, a well known citizen of Bobo, certainly had his troubles Saturday afternoon, settling several cases tiled against him, and only the clemency of one of the parties interested, saved Mr. Cowan from a trip to the penitentiary. The first case against Cowan was filed before Mayor Coffee by Mrs. Mattie Roop, alleging that on Saturday night .November sth, Cowan, together with several other parties, came to her home on Eighth street and maliciously destroyed a number of flower pots. Mayor Coffee, after hearing the evidence, decided that Kit was guilty, and fined him 11.00 and costs He stayed the docket and was discharged. The other case was filed by B. W. Sholty befo/e ‘Squire Smith on a charge of obtaining money under false pretenses. The affi lavit cited she fact that a year ago Cowan went to the office of B. W. Sholty and desired the loan of ten dollars, giving his own personal note for the same, at the time statng to Mr. Sholty that he had in his own name a horse and buggy and valuable piece of real estate situated at Bobo, Ind. Upon these statements Mr. Sholty gave him the money, and Cowan left. In th • meantime, however, Mr. Sholty looked up the

r 'Cords and could find no place where Cowan owned any real estate or personal property. A short time after he met Cowan and demanded payment, Cowan nutting him off, stating he would pay it in a few days. This statement he made several times, never paying the amount, until Mr. Sholty got tired and filed the above affidavit. Cowan was arrested by Marshal Green and brought before ‘Squire Smith, where, after begging hard for a settlement and telling how

sorry he was, a settlement was effected, whereby Cowan gave to Mr. Sholty a note with good security., and paid the costs in the case, and Was given his release. Had Mr. Sholty pressed the case, Cowan would undoubtedly have been sentenced to prison, which would have meant from one to seven years. Cvwan was certainly lucky to escape in such a manner, and it should learn him a giod lesson. Cowan also claims to be the man who stabbed the negro near W ren a week ago and says he was fined J 13.50 for that, though we can find no record of such a case.

A ROUGH HOUSE "* - Costs Harry Ehrsman $9.30 to Break Flower Pots £ Harry'■Rbrsman, a young omvployee of the Murray House, was arrested Saturday afternoon by Marshal Green on a charge of maI lioious destruction of property, the affidavit being sworn to by Mrs. Mattie Roop, who stated that he had completely destinyed a dozen flower pot! for her The C**® tried before Mayor Gotten, who upon hearing the evidence pro and con, decided that the young man was guilty, and assessed a tine of ♦ 1.00 and costs against him. which amounted to 19.30,which ho prompt ’ ly paid and was released The offense was committed on No'em l>er sth.

The Daily Democrat.

HE LIKES IT Charles Gage is Enthusiastic Over liis North Dakota Farm

Charles Gage, whoa few days ago returneed from North Dakota, where he purchased 320 acres of land, gives a glowing account of that great climate and country, and states that he win return to that place in March and push the interest of his farm. The land he says is fast becoming settled, and day after day Easterners are going to that country and entering a homestead and in connection buying up a tract of land, and all with the intention of returning at the required time and working their claims. The land in that state is of the black soil and very rich, pioducing great wheat and flax crops. He states that those who have proceeded him to that country have built themselves sold houses and barns for present use, until they have time to construct other buildings of a more desirable nature. M ater is found there in great abundance, and good wells are produced by digging not deeper than seven feet, getting nothing but spring water. One man can do as much work in that country as two can in this, thereby saving much money. Mr. Gage stated that he would not sell his land for three times the money he invested, and expected in the future to make that his home and devote all his time to farming. “It is the greatest op-m---ing for a young man thf.t I ever saw," says Mr. Gage, “and 1 am surprised that not more of them take advantage of the offers presented." ARE YOU READY?

What if Wimer has Crme to Stay?—Have You Coal Bin and Cellar

Have you prepared for the winter? Are there enough provisions stored in your cellar to keep the wolf from your door for the next five months? Probably you think there is time yet to store away, but ■ remember last year real winter came November 17th and he staid too. That date last year the ground > froze hard and the grass never !turned green again until April. Next Thursday is November 17. , Wouldn't it be s surprise party if Winter would repeat its tricks of i 1903? The weather man says he is to give us a hard and long winter. It's no use coaxing him. H»'s mad about something and placed in an I early order for Indiana's snow and frost. He ordered it shipped early too, so look out. What if winter, a real old-fashioned winter, should come within the next two or three days? How L your coal bin? Ten to one you haven't fixed a place for your coal if it shonld be delivered.

COMING HOME Mrs. Gtssin<er Leaves New Mexico With Her Invalid Husband. Lew Hughes yesterday received a telegram from his danghter, Mrs. Frank Gessinger, who has been at the bedside of her husband at Rosswell, New Mexico, stating that they Ipft that place for home Saturday evening, and would arrive in Chi cago some time today. NN bile in Chicago Mr. Gessinger will be attended by Dr. Lawrence Hughes who will assist in geting them started for his city. Mr. Hughes is not absolutely certain whether Mr. and Mrs. Gessinger will arrive here this evening or tomorrow afternoon, as the telegram did not convey anything certain. Mr. Gessinger s condition is in no manner improved, and he is very sick, in fact it is feared that he will never again 1m» any better, and foi this reason he is coming home.

BECATUK, INDIANA. MONDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 11, 1904.

COMPLETE SERVICE Ten New Routes Start December 15th Makes Total of Twenty-six Routes— Twelve From Decatur—Service Best in Indiana.

When complete rural route service has been established in Adams county we will have twenty-six routes, besides four or five from other counties, which come into the county, making a total of thirty. Postmaser Brittson received word | this morning that the new service will go into effect December 15th. At the present time there are sixteen routes in the county, divided as follows: Decatur seven; Monroe one; Berne four and Geneva so ir. With the complete service there will be a total of twenty-six routes as follows: Decatur twelve; Magley one; Pleasant Mills one; Monroe three; Berne four and Geneva five. The entire system is to be changed, every old route being re-arranged to give the best service everywhere , over the county. The routes will average twenty-five miles each and | each will reach 100 families. Ac- ■ cording to information from the department, the service in Adams county will be the best in Indiana, reaching all the people in as satisfactory manner as could be ex- ■ pected. Ten new carriers will be i necessary, as that is the number of I new routes, and half the number i will drive from this city. This . completes the service and no future ’ changes of consequence are expected. i RUSHING THINGS Portland Paper Says New Officers Will Begin Business Thursday.

Three changes brought about in the county be the recent election will occur next Thursday. Judge Smith is disposing of some unfinished business and will vacate the bench next Thursday in favor of his successor. JohnF. LaFollette; Samuel H. Barr, who for the - past four years has performed the duties of deputy sheriff will take the keys to the county jail now held by Joseph C- Andrew, and Joseph R Silvers of New Mount Pleasant, will assume the office of county surveyor, succeeding Jay Griffith. Judge Smith has not d upon his plans for the future. While it is probable that he will return to the practice of law in this city, he ' has not definitely determined to do so. He has a great deal of business to dispose of in other courts. Some of this is in Fort Wayne, Bluffton, Decatur and Hartford City. Charles W. Dunn, who was '•onvioted for a second time before Judge Smith of the murder of little Alice Cothrell of Wallen, has never been sentenced, and there are matters in connection with a number of cases in the courts mentioned that must be settled. While judge he has tried a number of big oases. Charles Shepherd of Redkey, was convicted of wife murder before him; Mary O'Donnel was once convicted and once acquitted nf killing Frank Whitsei; James Ertel was acquitted of the murder of his wife; John W. Terrell was convicted at Bluffton of the murder of Melvin Wolfe and Charles W. Dunn was also covicted of second degree murder.—Portland Commercial-Review. The republi.! cans seem to be hurrying things in Jaycounty.es the law says the terms of county officers shall begin January first.

NEW BOX CARS Erie Put on Five Hundred—Great Increase in Freight Traffic The uallion, Ohio, Leader said Saturday: The Erie railroad will today get the first installment of five hundred new box cars, which have been manufactured by the Pressel Steel Car oompiny, of Butler, Pa. The shipments will re - lieve a situation which was rapidly getting serious. The demand for cars in this territory has been strong, and beyond supply at times. The railroads have not been able to cope with the need, or if able, have succeeded with difficulty. The call which made box oars short has been for the movement of general merchandise and coke. The railroads report that the movement of merchandise freight has been increasing tremendously so as to cripple them at times in their supply of cars. The big belt at the Erie shops which gave way Wednesday afternoon had been in service even longer than we supposed. An oldtimer who is now a foreman in the shop informs us that the belt was put in service in September, 1872, and thus has been in continuous service on the fly wheel for thirtytwo years and two months.

WILL CARRY

Petition for Clover Leaf Election Has Bren Signed bv Half the Voters. That the election for a 128,000 subsidy for the Clover Leaf improvements will result in an overwhelming victory in favor of same is evidenced by the fact that over 700 voters have already signed the petition asking for an election on same. Ar the election week there were oast 1.50 Q votes in the city of Decatur, and 333 in the township, a total of 1,483. It is probable no large vote will be cast at the special election, and according to these figures the signers of the petition are enou"h or nearly so to carry same, and there are still many to see. It looks like nearly a unanimous vote. Dick Townsend has secured 500 of the signers alone.

MEETS SATURDAY

Annual Session of Teachers' Association of Adams County.

The annual meeting of the Teachers' association of Adams county will be called to order by County Superintendent Brandyberry next Saturday morning at 9:30 Practically every teacher in the county will be present, as they receive regular pay for that day. An interesting program has been arranged, including papers and discussion by various Adams county educators, and a lecture —‘ The Hero of Babylon" by Rev. L. H. Seager, of Cleveland, Ohio. The programs have been sent out to the teachers, and Prof. Brandyberry adds a special request to help him make this the geatest educational meeting in the history of Adams county.

POULTRY SHOW Will be Held in This City December Sth and 6th. C. D Kunkle, president of the Adams county farmers’ intitute, informs ns that he has secured the rooms formerly occupied by Woodward * Ball's furniture store, and will conduct a p ultry show during the instiute, December sth to 6th. This new department will no doubt prove an interesting one.

STOLE A WATCH Confessed and Told Where He Hid It An Employee of Citizens Telephone Company Secures Liberty and Agrees to Leave Town. Ben Sohroerluoker, who has been working as a lineman for the Citizens Telephone company, owes 1 is present liberty to Frank Oldiges. About two weeks ago the men were working at Berne, when Oldiges missed his watch. He kept the fact a secret, expecting to find a clue. He did so, and this morning secured a search warrant and had Sohroerluoker taken in charge by an officer. They started to the home of Bert Dibble, where the man has been boarding, but before they reached the home Ben confessed, and said the watch had been hidden in Stengel & Craig's warehouse at Berne. A telephone message revealed the fact that the watch was just where he said it was. The man begged hard and Oldiges agreed not to appear against him if he would leave town, which he agreed to do, He is a nice appearing fellow, dressed well, and it is said owned S7OO slock in the interurban company.

THE JURIES Men Who Will Serve the Court Grand and Petit jurymen Chosen By Commissioners This Afternoon. Commissioners Harry R. Moltz and D. S. Manlier met at Clerk Gerber's office this afternoon and selected the juries for the November term of court, which convenes next Monday. They are as follows: Grand jury—Amos Lindsey Jefferson township; Henry Berning Root; John R. Clendening, Hartford; John A Mumma, Root; Benjamin Miller, Wabash ;P. E. Amspaugh, Washington. Petit jury— John Yoder, Hartford; Shelby L. Vance, Blue Creek; William E. Young, Blue Creek; George E. j Snider, Hartford; Adam Beherstine, Hartford; Ernst Blomker, Preble; Emanuel Lehman, Wabash; Jasper L. Graber, French; Peter F. Mazeln, Monroe; Jonas Neuenschwander, French; Isaac D. Booher, Jefferson; Andrew J. Briggs, Wabash. WEDDING ANNOUNCED Mr. Glutlns to Marry Mri. Freang— Announced Yesterday. At yesterday morning's services at the St. Mary's church, Rev. ; Theo. Willien announced for the i first time the approaching wedding of Mrs. Caroline Freang to Mr. 'John Glutting. Both are well known in Decatur and have numerous friends who join us in advancing congratulations. The Jwedding will occur the latter part of this month. John Entzminger, a former Decatur lad, who is working at Niles, Ohio, will visit with friends in this city for some time.

NUMBER 262

SUNDAY SURPRISE Noah Merica’s Seventieth Birthday Was Remembered. Noah Merica, formerly a resident of this city, bat now living in the country, was most agreeably surprised yesterday, when about fifty of his immediate relatives burst in upon him to remind him that he had reached his seventieth milestone. The event had been most successfully planned and the victim was taken unawares, and the surprise was complete. A large table was spread and a sumptuous repast served, to which all did ample justice. Among those present were all of Mr. Merica 1 s brothers, sisters and grandchildren. Mr. Moser, the photographer, arrived early in the afternoon and took a picture of all present, and at a late hour all departed for their respective homes, wishing Mr. Merica many more such happy occasions. Those present were: Mr. and Mrs. Shannon J >hnson, Mr. and Mrs. John Merica, Mr. and Mrs. S. D. Merica, Mr. and Mrs. L. J. Cliffton, Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Gepbart, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Zerkle, Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Merica, Mr. and Mrs. F. H. Merica, Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Baxter, Mr. and Mrs. Jonas Fisher, Misses Pearl Merica. Nota Wolf, Elva Zerkle, Grace Lewis, Elma Merica, Mertie Merica, Apla Merica, lola Fisher, Grace Baxter and Messrs. Cnrtis Lewis, Charley Baxter, Harvey Lewis, Floyd Baxter, E. Merica, Ollie Cliffton, Wm. Cliffton, Otto and Samuel Sheets ana Cornelius Merica.

RECEIVE BIDS I For Modern Steam Feit Plant at Burt House. S. G. Humphries informed us today that the plans and specifications for the steam heating of the Burt hotel were completed and that on Wednesday of this week he would receive sealed bids for the construction of the same. The plans call for a first-class and up-to-date heating job in every respect with a radiator in every sleeping apartment in the hotel, and the others arranged so as to bring the best results, and further stated that the successful bidder must give bond for the completion of the contract not later than December 25th. Bidders from Fort Wayne, Delphos, Ohio and all surrounding places will he present and the lowest bidder will receive the contract. The task of heating this hotel has been a problem that all former proprietors were unable to sdve, but Mr. Humphries is bound to give his guests the benefit of everything, and nothing but the best is good enough for them, hence the l«tting of this heating job.

GOLDEN WEDDING Big Social Event at the Heiman Heme Today. Today at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Heiman, who live three and one half mi Ids* southwest of this city, is occurring the golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Casper Heiman, and the event is proving a gala day sot the Heiman family. A largo crowd was present to join the festivities, and the day is being pleasantly spent. The services of Loch's City band is assisting in making the day pleasant by rendering some very classical music A big family dinner was served and

the festivities will run well up into the evening. Mr. and Mrs. Heiman were the recipients of many beautiful and costly presents. The Democrat will give a fnll account in tomorrow's paper.