Daily Democrat, Volume 2, Number 277, Decatur, Adams County, 2 December 1904 — Page 1

VOLUME II

BABE PERISHED IN FLAMES fatality at Edward Beattv’s Home Last Evening

HOUSE TOTALLY DESTROYED Parents Powerless to Aid Their Child - Left Babe in House While They Did Evening Chores—Origin of Fire Unknown. Attorney A. P. Beatty received a telephone message this morning from his nephew, Edward Beatty, who lives about ten miles northeast of here, just across the County line, stating that their home was I completely destroyed by fire about five o’clock last evening, and that' their thirteen months' old child had lost its life in the flames. Mr. and Mrs. Beatty and the baby had been i to Convoy during the day, return ing home about four o’clock. Itl was late, and in order to finish the , chores Mr. and Mrs. Beatty left the I babe in the house and went to the barnyard, where Mr. B :atty did the feeding while his wife milked the cows. The latter hoard a crackling noise and looking around beheld Jhe heme in flames. With franti-shrieks she hastened to the scene, her hustund at her side, but as they reached the door the roof fell in. Neighbors had noticed the fire and arrived, but it was too lare. The mother and father were wild with grief and could scarcely be controlled. Every article in the house was destroyed. How the fire started will never be known, bat P must have been burning when tin mother and father left the house. They where only ten rods distant and so rapidly did the blaze gain headway that even before they knew, the house was totally stroyed. Only a few charred bones I of the babe were found. Mr. Beatty is about twenty five years old, and was known here. ANOTHER PROPHET Indiana Man Sats We Will Have an Open Winter and Tells Why.

Dillsboro, Ind., Dao. 2 —A local weather prophet, who is not with out honor even in his own country says that we are to have an open winter. This prognosticator is almost eighty years old and for more than half a century he has enjoyed some fame locally because of his correct prophecies. He gives the following reasons for his views: “The doves are hatching out a •eoond brood. The robins arc hatching out a third. The barn swallows are building to hatch out a second brood. This isj unusual. What docs it mean ? If those birds could not raise their young so they would t>e strong enough to fly south before the cold Weather they would not go on with their housekeeping. It means a long, warm, dry spell and a late winter—a winter so late that its like was never known before. The weather department don't know it always, but the birds always know, and they never go wrong. ’’

The Daily Democrat.

I ———— — — _ FIRST ACCIDENT Smash-Up in Electric Plant Cause Damage and Excitement. The Berne Witness said this morning: “Quite a destructive accident happened to our new and model electric light plant on TuesI day afternoon shortly before dusk. J The accident was bn the engine that had not yet been put into service, ■ but was just being put into running order and was given a test by Engineer Rogers. The engine was run on a high speed to give the governor, which is a new patent and located in the large bolt wheel, a test. It seems that a spring in the governor gave way, which was the cause of the destructive smash-up of parts of the < ngine. Parts of the heavy pieces of the governor ' and parts of the belt wheel flew in all directions with an awful force. IT wo pieces went through the roof and one heavy piece of the heavy govrenor was whirled into the northeast corner of the building | with such force tiiat the brick wall : which is about a foot in thickness, i ' was not enough to stop it, but went J I right through, leaving a hole in the | wall about the size of a wash tub. Another piece of iron flew back, ■ striking the aynamo and damaging it slightly. Pieces of the large belt wheel were broken off and other I pirts of the engine are damaged so that the expenses will reach several hundred dollars for repairs on the engine alone. There were five men in the building all standing around the engine, at the time of the accident, and it is almost a miracle that no one was killed or seriously injured. No one happened to stand in line of the flying pieces and fortunately all escaped uninjured. GOOD TIME Knights of Pythian Lodge Entertain Many Brave Visitors Here and a Royal Goon Time Enjoytd

The Knights of Pythias lodge room was the scene of a fine time last evening, when the local organ: zation entertained their brother lodges of Geneva, Berne, Willshire, Ojiio City and Ossian. One hundred and twenty-five members of the above named lodges took advantage us the invitation and were present. Three candidates were given the work, which materially assisted in furnishing amusements for those present, the second degree being conferred upon two and the third upon one. Immediately after the initiation exercises all present were Invited over to the spacious banquet hall owned by the Old Fellows, where the Rathbone Sisters entertained the crowd with a tine banquet, everything imaginable being set before their guests. At a late hour the different organizations deputed for their respective homes, voting the local lodge hero as fine entertainers, and expressing the desire to return soon again.

DECATUR, INDIANA. FRIDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 2, 11104.

A costly display L. Yadtr Sons Have Bed on Display Valued at Seven Hundred Dollars. The Yager furniture store show window is attracting a lot of attention, having in its display a handsome gold-plated bedstead, valued at <7OO. The bed is certainly a handsome piece of handiwork and is without doubt the most expensive piece of furniture ever displayed in this city. This popular firm have also other rare and costly pieces of furniture on display, and are fully ’prepared for a Christmas trade. Those who have not seen this bedstead, it will be worth heir time to stop and exam ine it closely.

DEATH CAME Frank Gessinger Died This Morning Illness of a Year Proved Fatal—Was Well Known Young Man. Frank Gessinger, one of the best known young men in Decatur, died at 10:15 o’clock this morning at his home in the north part of the [city. He had been in failing i health for a year past, being a ! sufferer from lung trouble and a bronchial disease, both following !a severe attack of lagrippe. Unti taken sick he was a fine specimen iof manhood and when a few years ago he became a volunteer in the I 160th regiment he stood second in . the entire regiment on physical examination. He was regimental bugler and was well known by all the members. During the past year he served as colonel and managed the reunion held here last August, though his health, was very poor and he suffered a hemorrhage during one of the mootings at the court house. Shortly afterward he left for Mexico and Arizo- . na, expecting to regain his lost health, but it was too late. His wife joined him about six weeks ago and brought him home three weeks ago. Frank was an industrious, hardworking young man. A i printer by trade, he had worked in the various offices here, and for two years past had conducted a job printing house. He was about thirty years old. His broken hearted young wife, two small children, his aged father and m i ny other relatives survive him.

A NEW FIELD < Oil Well Comes in on Tyndall Ferm—A Good Showing. Well No. 1, Tyndall lease owned by the Auburn Oil Co., was drilled in Friday by C. 8 Bdl, of Geneva, Indiana. A meeting of the stockholders was held Monday and it was decided to shoot the well at once, which was done Tuesday afternoon. There is a great deal of gas in the well, and the showing for oil is very flattering. The well was put to pumping not until last evening, too late for us to learn the output. This company has two more locations on this lease and will commence drilling at once. Mr. Bell will have charge o f the work The discovery of oil in paying quantities on the Tyndall lease opens up a new field tor active operation, as the territory in which it is situated has never undergone development to any extent.—-Will-shire Herall.

HAS AN OFFER Eugene Christen May Sell Patent Milwaukee Company Wanls Information Concerning the New Winuow Shade. Eugene Christen, who recently perfected his patent on a new window shade and who thoroughly tested the same at the Central school building, and on which he received much comment and praise for his ability, received a letter yesterday from the Wilier Manufacturing company at Milwaukee, Wis., stating that they hud noticed i the press comments on his window i ha de and become thoroughly interested in the new patent, and desired Mr. Christen to send to them a detailed drawing of his window shades, with full particulars to its uses and advantages, and if the investment proved satisfactory this company stood ready and willing to make him an offei for his patent outright or make other arrangements that were perfectly satisfactory to Mr. Christen. This company seems very much in earnest, and Mr. Christen will at once comply with their wishes. This patent will no doubt prove to be a readv I seller, as it meets all the require I ments of solving the light question. IS VERY SICK Ex - Postmaster Welfley Operated on In Declining Health for Five Years—Has Rallied and May Recover. John Welfly, former'v postmaster of this city, who now r sides three miles northeast of here, was oper jated upon this morning ar his home by Drs. D. D., and C. S. Clark and J. M. Miller, for strangulated hernia. Mr. Welfly had been suffering from this complaint for five years, and had been given treatment for some time by Dr. C. S Clark. Medicine, tio we ver, seemed to have no effect. Re has been rapidly declining for several weeks, and on yesterday i Dr. Clark came to the conclusion I that nothing would bring relief but |an operation, and that was dansrer|nus. Mr. Welfly was acquainted with the fads, and cwsrn'ed. Th- - was started at 8 o’c'oek this morning and not complied nn. til ten, the doctors findin.r t | la ( hj s bowels had grown together, neons sitating careful smtrioal work. Dr. D D. Clark informed us that the ; n ifi»nt stood the operation well end rallied nicely from the s me. The d tors suy that Mr. Welflr is in a serious condition with chances against him, owing to his advanced age. A trained nnrae from the Hope hospital arrived today and Mr. Welfly will he given the best of care and treatment. DITCH COMPLETED. The Holthouse ditch over which there was so much legal dispute, was completed yesterday by Con tractor David Ritnour, of Portland, and is now ready to answer al) pur poses required of it. The job was a big one, and required six months in which to complete it.

TEACHERS COMPLAIN Want a Remedy for Chalk Dust—Dr. Harty Investigating. Many inquiries are received at the office of the state baord of health from Indiana school teachers, regarding the ill effects of chalk dust in the school rooms and asking fur a remedy. A letter was leceived from the principal of the Houston (Ind.) schools, in which the writer said that the chalk dust from the blackboards seriously affected the throats of himself and his pupils. Dr. Hurty, of the hoard, said the ohalk dust nuisance was not a trivial matter, and that thousands of children and teachers had been helped to acquire serious throat and lung troubles from the dust. He said that in the hot, dry atmosphere of the average school room the throats of the children were usually dry, and that when th dust was breathed when the blackbaords were erased, coughing was caused which irritated the membranes of the throat, plowed them up and made them ready for the planting of disease microbes. The secretary for the board said that there was a chalk made with a quantity of glycerine Which diminished the dust, but not completely, and that a pan was used on some blackboards, which tended to decrease the dust. He said nothing had been discovered to eliminate the dust. When the boards were erased, Dr. Hurty said, all the windows should be opened, or when a small section only was erased on the board and the windows were not opened, the eraser should be used with a slow downward motion, to let the dust fall.

AT THE BOSSE The Gus Sun Minstrels All Right The Show One of the Best—Th' Attendance Rather Chilly. Gus Sun ard his bunch of fun makers, lived strictly up to all ad vertisements last evening, whim they appeared before a large audience at the Bosse opera house and showed to the crowd that tiny weie the best minstrel company traveling today. The first part “A City of Splendor,’’ was the m 'st gorgeous ever seen on the local stage; the electrical effects being be.iond conception. The costumes were beautiful and attractive and the chorus developed many line voices. The jr.kes by the ilack faced artists Mere new aid catchy and nothing stale appealed throughout the entire pet i formanoe. The work of Crawford & Finning in their musio.il turn i kep‘ the house in an uproar, and 1 wus a leading part of the program. Tim work of the acrobat, Sp milling Bros, was above pir, and their during deeds evoked loud apphuse from the audience. It fact every act was a feature in itself, and the large crowd passe I out after the last act more than pie isod. The hand and orchestra were fine. They rendered some c.ithoy and up to date music. Gus Sun and his ministers are certainly entitled to a good house wherever they go. A song by one of the artists in which the oloisng verso boosted the Clover Leaf division and the Elm street sewer which made the hit of the evening. Herman L. C. Thiel returned to Fort Wayre last evening. Ho was here attending to Aetna Life Insurance business.

NUMBER 277

THEY REPORT The Grand Jury End Their Session They Labor Eight Days and ReTurned Twenty-Three Indictments. The grand jury completed their work at eleven o’clock his morning and reported immediately to the court. The report says: “We have been in session eight davs, have examined 111 witnesses, inI quired’into all the violations of the criminal laws of the state and return herewith twenty-three indictments. During our session we visited the poor farm. We found everything in good condition, inmates receiving the best of care and attention, have good beds, clothing and plenty to eat. The stock on the farm are in good condition and the farm bears evidence of being tilled by an experienced, careful and competent person. Mr. Graber’s care of the inmates and his management of the farm meets our hearty approval. We com mend him very highly for the faithful performance of his trust. No better superintendent could be had and we recommend that a fur ther continuation of his services be secured. We recommend that a new barn be erected on the farm at the earliest possible convenience. We also visited the county jail and we report the management as firstolass in all respects. One of the most distinguishing features about the jail is its condition as to cleanliness, every department being perfectly kept. Mr. Butler’s management is worthy of oommenda- . tion and he is worthy of the trust > bestowed upon him. We recom mend that the stone foundation of the jail be pointed up with Portland cement, inside and out. The fences about the jail premises need some repairing, as do also the sidewalks. We have done our werk as expeditiously a s we could, and now ask to he discharged. Peter Ame piugh, foreman.’’

IT’S ALL OVER Bill World s Fair Closed Yesterday hi B'a»e of C o y. The St. Louis world's fair is now a thing of the past. The monster celebration closed yesterday in a blaze of glory. The day was known as Francis day. in honor of the president of the fair committee. A|] the business in St. Louis was susp nded [and everyone took a chance at the fair for the last time. All school children under the age of sixteen were admitted to the grounds free of cost and a big parade was held. The estimated attendance since the open ing day has been over nineteen million people. The association will just about break even on the matter of ex pense. COURT NEWS Dtmurtr A'tjuel in ihe Union Tiust Ccmpany Case. Judge Erwin was busy about two hours this morning hearing argu •nents on demurer in the case of the Union Trust company, receiver ot the Mu'u >1 L.f i I c o moo U unpan y of 1 i liana vs By I vaster and Eliza J. Peterson. Tue demurrer was overruled. The plaintiff was represented by 1). E. Smith and Linn liny, of the firm of Jamison, Joss <fc flay of Indianapolis and the defendants by Suaflci l\tuin<,u.