Daily Democrat, Volume 2, Number 289, Decatur, Adams County, 16 December 1904 — Page 1

VOLUME II

COLLINS FOUND GUILTY

Jury Returns Their Verdict In The Case

read this morning Defendant Taken to Jail to Await Sentence Made No Demopsfation—His Attorneys Will File Motion for New Trie I’ The jury in the Lather (’ illin-ca-e returned a sealed verdict at i two o’clock this morning and same was read in open odurt at nine o’clock. The verdict was as follows: “We the jury find the defendant Luther Collins guilty us charged and find his true age to be thirty-two.’’ It required about eight hours for the jury to reach an agreement. The penalty is a term of from two to fourteen years in the Michigan City prison. Collins was present when the verdict was read and his face showed no surprise. His attorneys immediatelv notified the court that they would tile a motion for a new trial and Judge Smith will return some day next week to hear same. Mrs. Collins was not in the court room when the verdict was read, but was anxiously awaiting for the news at the hotel. Mr. Collins was imme diately taKen to jail where he will remain until the motion for a new trial is acted upon. Miss Smitley died February Ist last after a short illness. Her physician Dr. Wilson of refused to issue a death certificate and reported facts to the county Coroner C. F. Schenck, which led to a post mortem examination and a report that the girl had been the victim of a terri ble operation. Collins was suspect ed at once, was indicted by the grand jury and soon afterwards arrested. He has been out on <I,OOO bail the greater part of the time. Mrs. Collins is a sister of the dead girl and strange to say has stood by her husband through everything, as have also the girl's parents. Collins has been conducting a hotel at Chattanooga, Ohio, just over the line for some time. The Smitley family live in Jefferson township. FIERCE BATTLE Adams County Boys Should Remember Fifty Year Aifo. An old Civil war veteran calls onr attention to the fact that forty years ago yesterday and today oc Curved the battle of N ishville, Tennessee, one of the decisive battles of that great war and one in which four companies of Adams county boys took pirt. The 89th and .»l-t infantry and the Kith and 11th cav alries, in which Adams county men were enlisted, took a prominent part. General Thomas an I Gen oral Hood commanded the opposing armies, and the battle is s lid t 1 have been the real break of the eon felerate backbone. The day was a oojd one, very similar to today.

The Daily Democrat

A DECISION Supreme Courts Curtails Powers of Town-hir Trustees. An imjiortant decision has just been handed down by the supreme court, which affects the business and duties of townships trustees, i According to its provisions a trusi tee has no right to issue a warrant i before its approval by the auditing i board or township council. The .opinion is that: (1) A township 1 warrant is due by the trustee with out legal authority, under circumstances making it void, does not become valid by being indorsed with the approval of those officers whose approval was necessary before it could be legally issued. (2) A plaintiff suing on a township warrant has the burden of proving that all the conditions existed which gave the trustee power to contract that debt in that form. (3) A township trustee had no power, under Acts 1897, page 223, to warrant issue without first obtaining the approval of the auditing board. SMALL CROWD Greet Loop the Loop CompanyGood Show. The “Looping the Loop company that showed last evening st the Bosse opera house, were greeted by only a small sized audience, who however were given a fine entertainment for their money. The production was of the farce musical comedy order, there being action and fun in every part. The characters of Foxy Grandpa. Happy Hooligan, Lady Bountiful and Mrs. Katzenjamer were well represented. and the chorus of five aoing exceptionally well and presenting new and catchy spsoalties The plav had no plot and was merely written to amuse people, and constructed in a hap-hazard way. The company is one of the best funmakers that have been here this season and deserve a good house wherever they go. JUMPED TRACK Erie Freight Has an Accident Rails Spread and Two Car Jumped Near Transfer House— Trains Delayed Last night about eleven o clock a fast freight on the Erie railroad had two cars jump track near the transfer house, caused by the rereading of the rails on account of ‘the cold weather Th" train at the time of the accident was moving slowlv. or in all probability no more'cars would have followed. The wreck train was sent out from Huntington to clean up the right ol wav so that traffic might be reHumed. wheh took three'hours I H rowing all the night trains off | their running schedule three hours. Tlio datnir’e however, will be small, several hundred hollars While the Etto has hid .i ‘Er of small freight accidents, "h,!v have been of sma 11 ''’■""'‘'Yhu.'TT"',. efnl roads in ' ';. " I their shows their b.ock system to be a good one.

DECATUR, INDIANA, FRIDAY EVENING, DECEMBER ID, 1904.

WITH GRIEF Rev. J. A. Ruphert Bears a Sad Heart. Telegram Announces Death of Child and Sickness of Wife. Probably one of the saddest j scenes ever enacted in this city un der the existing circumstances, occurred today at the Clover Leaf ‘ depot, when those ■ occupying the room noticed a man bowed down in grief and crying as if his heart was breaking. When questioned by a reporter as to his troubles, he ■told the following story between I the sobs of grief: His name was I Rev. J. E. Ruphert, and his residence was Delphos, Ohio. He came here on yesterday to attend i the funeral of Mrs. Thomas Beaber, a very near relative of his, and this morning when getting ready to accompany the funeral train to 1 Zanesville, he was presented with a telegram that foretold him bad ! news, disclosing the fact that his i little child, whom he left at home lon yesterday in the best of health, had suddenly died last evening, and that his wife was lying at the point of death. As he told the story the crowd in the depot was silent and many handkeichiefs were put into use by those who were in sympathy with the griefstricken man; and many were the words of comfort extended to him. Before leaving on the 11:37 train, he stated that he could hardly realize the situation, and could not enlighten anv one as to the cause of his child’s sudden demise, as the message failed to disclose anything except what is stated above. His coming from home was certainly a sad mission, but his going home is certainly a sadder one. SOCIAL EVENT Reception was Held this Afternoon Popular Laaies Entertain Friends at an Elaborate Reception—Many Guests. One of the prettiest social events that was ever held in this city was given this aftrenoon by Mrs. Belle France, Mrs. H. L. Confer and Mrs. C. O. France at the beautiful home |of Mrs. 11. L. Confer on North Fifth street, in honor of Mrs. C. L. Kinmel, of Da ton, 0., and Mrs. 1 Frank Christen, of Chicago, 111. ' Over one hundred invitations were extended, and nearly all respotied eil, and the reception lasted froth two o’clock until five. The guests were received in three sections, the first between the hours of two and three, the second between the hours of three and four, ami the third between the hours of four and five, i The house was beautifully decorated for the occasion, the parlor with potted palms and the dining room artistically decorated with green and red ribbon. Mrs. H. L. Confer. Mrs. Belle Fiance and Mrs. (’. <). France received the guests, assisted by Mrs. George Flanders, Mrs. B. W. Sholty, Mrs. W. E. Lower and Misses Grace Peterson and Rose Confer, while Mrs. John S. Peterson presided over the coffee urn. Refreshments were daintily served in the dining room, after which the guests made their departure. and the same routine was carried out until all guests had uppe.ired and made their departure.

RAILWAY TALK Another Big Merger is Planned Erie to Become a Part of the St longest System in the United States. The latest gossip in railroad circles isthat the owners of the Rock Island are behind a new move to consolidate the Pere Marquette and the C., H. & D. lines and that Hollins & Co., are working in their interest, it being the determination of the powers that be on the Rock Island road to make it the strongest system in this country, striking the vital points for business. These roads in connection with the ChinaL’o, Rock Island & Pacific, would make a system larger than that of any now existing, and a glance at a map will show that it can be a le-xucx among the large systems of the country to obtain business. The Chicago & Rock Island in the West and Southwest has a very strong hold, and in connection with the Erie and the C., H. & D. lines would become a formidable competitor of the Vanderbilt and the Pennsylvania lines. A railroad official who suggested this yesterday’ as the outcome of the deal now pending, recently overheard a conversation between the high officials of the roads named and their program as outlined above was spoken of with a good deal of positiveness. In such a combination there would be thousands of miles of railroad passing through the best business territory of the United States and reaching out into the West and Southwest in a manner to develop in time an immense business. IN JAIL Joe Elzey Was Abusive to His Wife Plead for an Opportunity to Reform Which was Granted. Joe Elzey was arrested last evening on Monroe street by Marshal Green on a charge of public intoxication, and on the request of his wife. He was lodged in jail until this morning, when he was brought before Mayor Coffee and allowed to tell his story. Ho told such a pitiful tale about his children, having no other visable means of support except by his own efforts and promised never to again get into a like trouble, and also promised to go home and make humble ap tlogy to his wife for his notions, if the mayor would only leave him go and not fine him. After due consideration Mayor Coffee oatne to the conclusion that Kiev had already been punished enough, and if he performed the promises he made above, justice would be satisfied, an I he discharged him. From whit we could learn Eley has lived up to his promises. COURT NEWS Chailes and Homer Parrish to be Tried Wednesday. The cases of the State vs Charles Ault and Homer Parrish, each of whom is charged with forgery, are set for trial next Wednesday. —o— Andrew Wejfley. administrator of his father's estate, filed an inventory. —o — The Ohio Farmers Insurance company vs Jarnos Wagner, is set for trial Monday and Della Fetzer vs B. W. Sholty, administrator, is set for Thursday.

DIVORCE LAWS Rtv. Watts of Winchester Will Present His Views The Rev. Isaac P. Wats, of Winchester, will represent Randolph county in the lower house of the next legislature. He is going there with facts and figures, it is stated, to resist in pushing legislation looking to reform in the state’s marriage and divorce laws. The people of Randolph county are expacting much of Representative Watts in the way of advocating reform for the marriage and divorce law s. A considerable sentiment in favor of radical reform exists in Randolph county, and Watts is expected to voice this sentiment in the coming session of the legislature. Representative Watts himself has advanced views as to the methods to pursue in checking the divorce evil. Instead of applying all the remedy to the divorce laws he believes that a large share of it should be applied to the marriige laws. To prevent hasty and illadvised marriages is of more importance, he says, than to enact laws that will make it difficult for unhappy and dissatisfied couples to become legally separated. Representative Watts would prevent he marriage of men who, it is certain, would be unable to support a family. Men are permitted to marry, he says, who at the time of their marriage are unable to support themselves, much less a wife. To prevent this the law should have a provision making it compulsory on the part of mon to show that they are financially able to become benedicts. During the year 1903, J,592 divorces were granted in Indiana on the grounds of failure to provide and abandon ment. FALSE REPORTS Statement that Clover Leaf Will be Exempt from Taxation is Untrue. Certain rep >rts are being circula ted to the effect that if the proposed aid is voted to the railroad, that the railroad comiiony willjjnot have t< pay any taxes for twenty years This is the worst kind of “rot.” The railroad company must con tinue to pay their taxes each {year from now on, and in addition <IOO,OOO of property, which they must locate in Washington town ship before they can get on> cent cf the tax voted—in other words the railroad company must locate every item mentioned in the petition, whion amounts to the sum of SIOO,OOO, and have it completid before they will bf entitled ti the ail voted. Vote for the railroad proposition A BIG REWARD Sum of $4,000 Offered for Capture of Robbers. Sheriff Butler has received a bulletin from Detective James A. Dur dan, of Columbus, asking him to bi on the lookout for the partv who st >le the money from the Forep nigh A- Sells’ circus at Tirhon. N. (!., on November 19th last The sum of $4,000 is offered us a re ward. The amount stolen was $27,100, all in currency and including SIO,OOO in hundred dollar notes; $1 - 000 in fifty'lol|ir notes; <9,000 ir twenty dollar notes; $1,500 in tei dollar notes; SSOO in five dollai notes. This amount, $25,000, whs in one package. Th* balance, $2, 100, w as in Ulis of different denorn inations, small and large. Mr and Mrs. G. Strickler weir to Pleasant Mills today to visit witl his brother.

NUMBER 289

THAT SUBSIDY The Election Only Four Days Off One Hundred Thousand Dollars in Improvements are Promises. The carrying of the subsidy election means improvements to be made next year to the amount of one hundred thousand dollars. The making of these improvemen ts means much for the laborer, the merchant and everyone else. The agreement entered into specifically sets out that the imnrovementms to oe made will amount to this sum. Do not loose sight of the fact that it will cost lots of money to make improvements that amounts in cold cash to one hundred thousand dollars. After they are made they will have to be maintained and the railroad company will have to pay tax<s thereon. Do not overlook any favorable point, as the enterprise is one worth considering, and above all become a champion of the projeet. Decatur is favorably located, and may become an important point for both the Clover Leaf and Erie roads. The election next Tuesday should show a favorable consideration for this worthy project. Begin personal worit «nd never let up until the last man has voted in its favor. SPRAINED ANKLE Chester Buhler Slightly Injured a Transfer House. Chester Bublei, who is employed as general overseer at the transfer house, had the misfortune last evening to sprain his [eft ankle in i severe manner. He was moving number of heavy boxes and other freil ht about the transfer house vhen his left foot turned under him, caused by stepping on a small iron roller. H ■ was taken home in the Murray ’bus and his injured leg given prompt attention. It will’b some days’ before he will be able to resume his work. TWO CASES Esq. Smith’s Court Dockets Increased Both are State Cases for Assault and Battery and Other Things. Two new casus were tiled in ’Squire Smith’s court this morning entitled the State of Indiana against Joseph I) Martz, and the State against Caroline Spuller. The first nuse against Martz resulted from the trouble had several days ago, when the Durbin boys were moving a house, the progress of which was •(topped by Martz. When they attempted to take up his mail liox Martz procured corn knife and threatened to kill any one who touched his proprety. The affidavit illeges that Martz attempted to lonimit a violent injury on the person of John T. Durbin, and they isk redress in court. The case will >e heard tomorrow afternoon. I’he one against Mrs. Spuller is for issnult and buttery in which it is illegedshe maliciously (hove her terse an buggy into that of her leighbor wrecking the entire outfit, ind doing injury to the occupants, ler case will be heard tomorrow normng. The parties in both eases mil from Monroe township, the .••it < f all r 'i’’l> .