Daily Democrat, Volume 2, Number 296, Decatur, Adams County, 24 December 1904 — Page 1

VOLUME II

REV. HUNTER DEAD Was Brother of Mrs. W. J. Myers. Formerly lived Here and Was Well Known. Visited Here Recently. Mrs. W. J. Myers received the sad news by message today announcing the death of her brother at his home in Pleasantville, New Jersey, stating that he had died last Friday evening at seven o’clock. Rev. Hunter was quite well known in this community, having lived here during his boyhood days and having vi-ited here recently with his sister, Mrs. Myers and had a host of friends and relatives residing in this city and county. He was pastor of the First Presbyterian church at the above named place. Mrs. Myers will not be able to attend the funeral, i having received the news too late. GET YOUR MAIL Post Office Open an Hour To-morrow and Two Hours Monday. Uncle Sam always provides a holiday for the pestoftioe employees, and in instances like this year, where Christmas comes on Sunday, the holiday is allowed the day following. Consequently on Monday the postoffice will be closed excepting from eight o'clock until ten during the morning, and no deliv J ery of mail will be made in the city and probably none in the country, though the order for the rural oar tiers has not yet arrived. The office will be open tomorrow at usual Sunday hours, from eight to nine o’clock. WINDOW FIRE Coffee & Mangold Have $l5O Loss Toy Engine Sets Fire to Flimsy Decorations and Serious Fire Was Narrowly Averted. b The first fire loss of the holidays among the merchants occurred today at noon at the Coffee & Mangold bazaar in|thdr show window, where’they had on display a small oil engine, which was running a number of toys for an attraction, and which had been attracting large crowds all day. The window was lined with cotton and in some manner the oil connection on he engine exploded, throwing oil and fire all over the display window, which easily caught the cotton and thi window was soon a mass of flames. The tire was discovered by one of the clerks who immediate y got busy tearing out the engine and getting out several valuable musical instruments, however, not until all had Is'en more or less damaged. t he tire was soon under control and wasconfined sti iotly to the show window, the entire room was filled with smoke. The managers stated that they estimated their loss at nearly |'.6O, which is fully covered by insurance.

The Daily Democrat

IT’S HERE Christmas Eve Has Come Again Christmas eve is here again. How long it seems to have been delayed to the children, how quickly it has come for the parents. Tomorrow is the most sacred of all our holidays, and [tonight the darling babies hang up their stockings for dear old Santa to fill. According to the Amercian custom they will awake early tomorrow corning after a night filled with dr «ms of monster toy shops, mountains candy and nuts, and myriads of stuffed turkeys, cranberry sauce and mince pie. The delight of many weeks of hope are to be realized. Let us all he happy and while enjoying the many pleasures of our own fireside, let us not forget the many who are loss fortunate. Give within your means; choose the presents wisely and your Christmas day will be the realization of your long planned holiday. The day is especially for the children. Help make the-u happy, don’t be too severe and above all teach them what the day stands for, the birth of “He who died to save men’s souls.” COURT NEWS Breach of Promise Case Heard A Knotty Question Raised-Other Business- Deputy Dallas Butler Passes Christmas Cigars. May Harshman's'<s,ooo breach of promise suit against Jesse Chapman, was neard in court this morning. The parties lived at Bobo when the engagement was made, but Chapman has since moved to Texas. He failed to appear this morning and Miss Harshman was the only witness examined. A number of letters containing declarations of love were introduced. An interesting question presented itself during the trial and Judge Erwin will look up the law before giving his decision. Miss Haishman is seventeen and Mr. Chapman is twenty. Could they being under age, make a valid marriage contract? The ques tion i« further complicated becaues Chapman told his sweetheart- that the reason he would not marrv her was because his gnardian would not give his consent. Miss Harshman says she prepared for the wedding three different times. Chapman failing to appear on each appointed occasion. —o--Dcputy Sheriff Dallas Butler was passing out Christmas greetings this morning among the law [ yers and court officials. He sue needed in disposing of a box of San Felice smokes. —o— In the case of William P Bart ling vs William C- Cochran and John Smitley, foreclosure of mechanics’ lien, defendants filed separate demurrers to amended complaint. o Today concluded the fifth week of the November term, being the thirtieth day. The term continues four more weeks. IS IMPROVING. Rov Dutcher, the little boy who was injured last Wednesday evening bv having a heavy oak counter full over on him while p'ming in his father's restaurant, is rejxirted as being some better and resting easier, although he is still far from being out of danger. The blow ho received was a heavy one and injur id him tosom > extent internally.

DEUATUR, INDIANA, SATURDAY EVENING. DECEMBER 24. J 904.

WENT INSANE The Sad Story of Miss Anna Boehnke Came From Germany Six Months AgoTaken to Richmond Asylum This Morning. Sheriff Butler left this morning for Richmond, having in charge Miss Anna Boehnke, whom he will place in the East Haven home. The girl’s story is sad according to the records to be found in the county clerk’s office. She is but twentytwo years old, fair of face, 'and apparently in perfect health. Six months ago she left her home in Germany to visit her uncle, Fred Boehnke, her brother, cousins and other relatives who live in this county, and are well known citizens. Soon after her arrival here she began to act queerly, talk peculiar, and it soon became evident that her mind was affected. Everything possible was done for her, Dr. S. D. Beavers treating her, but her condition became constantly worse until he recommended that she be sent to an asylurn. An inquest was held by Drs. J. S. Boyers, W. W. P. McMillen and ’Squire James H. Smith, the result being her recommendation to East Haven. BOY IS HERO. Llohd Summerville, Principal Witness Against Mrs. Krauss. / Lloyd Somerville, the lad who delivered milk to the Krauss family, was 'responsible for the arrest of the murderess who afterward confessed the crime. It was his story about being sent to a drug store after poison that led the coioner to abandon the theory that Crystal Krauss had committed suicide, and it was his evidence before the preliminary conrt that led to the suspected woman being bound over to court. There is a man in Dunkirk, a baker, who has a great admiration for young Somerville, and he has expressed that admiration by making Lloyd a Christmas present of a suit of clothes. The Dunkirk baker followed up the cise from the beginning and he seems to consider Lloyd Bonier'i lie the real heroin the case. His name is Waldniiller, or something like that, and he is said to derive much satisfaction from the presentation of a suit of clothes to the boy —Hartford City News. XMAS PROGRAM Special and Beautiful Services at St. Marys Church. Beautiful and appropriate services will be held at the St. Mary's Catholic church tomorrow, beginning with solemn high mass at live o'clock. The illuminations and floral decorations will be es pecially attractive at this service. The sermon will bo delivered by Rev. H, Theo. Wilken. Services will also be held at six o'clock, sixthirty, seven - thirty nnd eight o'clock and at ton o'clock solemn high mass with sermon by Rov. Valentine, C. P. At three o'clock in the afternoon solemn vespers will be held. The collections taken tomorrow will be used for the orphans of the diocese of Fort Wayne.

SCHOOL NOTES Xmas Entertainments Yesterday—Trustee Boknecht Remembered. The entertainment at the Decatur High school yesterday was interesting and well attended. The program was carried out as an nounced in the Daily Democrat. The Peterson schools, G. W. Warner, teacher, gave a Christmas entertainment yesterday afternoon and the many patrons who were present report a splendid time. A concert and Christmas tree were the crowning events. The teachers of Root township met at the home of Trustee Boknecht, who retires from office January first. An oyster supper and a splendid time is the report of every one present. To show their high appreciation of Trustee Boknecht, the teachers presented him with a handsome rooking chair. A very pleasant event occurred at the home of Trustee Fred Koldewey Thursday evening, December 22, when his present corps of teachers, with other invited friends, gathered at his home in Union township. It was an enjoyable evening for all present. One of the principle features of the evening was the presentation of a beautiful rocker by the teach ers, as a token of their apprecia tion of the kindness shown them by Mr. Koldewey, their trustee, during his four years of office. Those present were Supt. Brandy berry and wife, John Miller, C. DJ Spuller, Norah Ahr, Bille Nettie Miller, Willis Spuller, Lucy Fruchte, Louis Koldewey, May Spiller and Martha Koldewey. TRACTION NEWS Inter - State Company Elects Officers Postmaster Sharp, of Bluffton, Is Presi-dent-Road Will Run From Marion to Lima. Ohio. There was a meeting at the office of County Treasurer Amos G. King last night of the stockholders and directors of the Interstate Traction company and an organization was jierfeoted by the election of officers for the ensuing year as follows: Postmaster A. L. Sharpe, president; John C. Curtis, vice president; Cuno Kibele, secretary; Amos G. King, treasurer; Fred M. Caldwell, general manager; Daniel O North, chief engineer; and John E Clark, of Marion, is the company’s chief attorney. The Interstate Traction Company is one of the two companies in the field with the avowed purpose of building an interur ban line from Marion to Lima, Ohio, Warren, Bluffton, and Decatur. As shown by the above list of officers the Interstate is composed largely of Bluffton stockholders, and they seem from all indications to be in on the ground floor and to be in advance of the other slump iiiy. President Sharpe said tans morning that they had already been granted franchises through (Trant and Wells counties and petitions for franchises have been filed with the town conn oils of Van Buren, Warren and other points along tbe line. He says that eight miles of right of way have already been secured in Grant county east of Marion, paralleling the Clover Leaf. President Sharp) says that a syndicate composed of Boston, Chicago and New York capitalists lias been organized to finance the road anil that the construction wo r k will tin started within a few weeks, Tile coin pany will build the coming summer from Marion to Bluffton, nut prob ably will not extend the line on east before next year. At Marion they will connect with the Marion, Kokomo & Western and at this place with the Muncie line. The other company in the field has not even asked yet for franchises.—Bluffton News.

WENT TO JAIL Willshire Boy Played Buffalo Bill. John Royston Cleaned Out Depot With Revolver—Was Fined. Marshal Green last evening made a hurry-up run to the Erie depot, being called there by Agent Tredway, who had captured a young desperado named Joen Royston, who hailed from Willshire, Ohio, and who was causing considerable trouble. This young man had on board more booze than he could carry, and had wandered into the depot just before the 4:40 train was due, and at once became noisy, and tried to run the whole concern. He was politely called down by the agent. This seemed to anger the fellow,'who nulled a revolver from his pocket and made all the occupants of the depot got out, threatening to kill them. He could not. however, bluff Agent Tredway, who came out of his office, walked up to the young man and took his revolve: from ..im, forced him to set down and then culled np Marshall Green who at once proceeded to the jail with the young fellow, where he was thoroughly searched, being relieved of nine extra cartridges and a wiokid-looking knife. While on the way to the jail he informed the Marshal that he meant no harm and merely pulled his gun to have a little sport. He said he had been out with several of his ftiends who forced him to drink against his wishes, stating that he ’ would never have committed the. offense had he not been intoxicated. Roystan was tried this morn ing [before Mayor Coffee on a charge of intoxication and allowed to tell his tale of woe, being bv this rime completely sober and able to realize his position. He how ever, plead guilty and threw himself on the mercy of the court. Mayor Coffee immediately fined him one dollar and costs, which in all amounted to nine dollars and thirty cents, and gave tile young man a severe lecture on carrying concealed weajions. Young Royston stayed the docket and was discharged. During his hearing he informed the mayor that he was not yet 21 yars of age and that his father was a section man. and a respectable citizen of Willshire. ARE THEY POISON? Various Theories as Io Why Fish Are so Easily Caught Now. A great many different theories have been advanced during the past week concerning the number of fish that have been caught in the St. Mary's river, some arguing that the fish come to the top to breathe, others claim the oil in the water forces them to the surface, while others claim that the fish are dead and naturally come to the surface, has ing their theory upon the fact at St. Mary's Ohio, there is a strawboard factory which empties its re fuse into the St. Mary's river and has so polluted the water that the fish cannot survive. If this latter theory should prove to be the case, and is true, it is high time the officials were taking some action nnd not permit those fishermen who make these big hauls to dispose of their wares on the street and take chances on the whole community, becoming poisoned and sick. If the fish are poisoned, why would not the individuals who partake of the lloah tie likewise poiaoned? ’hTT

NUMBER 290

FINAL SETTLEMENT Schell Estate Pays Only Ten Per Cent to | Creditors. H. G. Keegan, trustee of the J. F. Schell estate, will made his final report today to Referee Harris. This trust began in 1898, when the . J. F. Schell Mortgage and Investment company became bankrupt, with losses to investors anti clients of nearly <IOO,OOO. The trustee said today that, the total of claims proved up against the company was nearly <40,000 .and on this 10 percent. was all that was or can be paid. The balance of the losses were sustained by the stockholders in the company. Schell was arrested on a grand jury indictment, but i with the usual indifference of local ! officials, the defendants was allowed to give a bond and disappear. No I' attempt was ever made to bring him to trial, and no reason ever given the public. Schell had used the company’s money to build a costly home in Lakeside and had , misappropriated funds paid to him to reduce mortgage indebtedness. —FortW ayne News. This famous grafter will be remembered here as several Adams cotintv people wre caught iu his clutches. Thev are , happy to get even ten per cent NEXT WEEK 1 The Fifty-First AnnuK Meeting • The Indiana Teacher’s Association tn Meet in Indianapolis Next Week. The fifty-first annual session of the Indiana Teachers' association will be held at Indianapoils, December 28, 29 and 30. All the sessions will be held in the Claypool hotel, whose gorgeous rooms ha ve been placed at the disposal of the association. It is likely that several Adams county teachers may be present during at least a part of the three days. It is hardly necessary to predict that much valuable information will be gleaned from the many valuable addresses and discussions that will there he heard In order to take advantage of the reduced rate, one fare plus twenty - five cents for the round trip, it is necessary to have a delegate certificate which is furnished by the association secretary, Mr J. R. Pearcy, of Anderson, Indiana. The first meeting will be held at nine o'clock on Wednesday, and we hojie Adams county wll be well represented. It is such occasions that widens one’s kn owledge of a profession, and better enables them to excell. OFFICIAL VOTE A Half Million Less Votes Cast Than Foor Years Aso. The official vote '>r the various candidates for president at the re cent election lias been rinvassei’, and made public. Rouavelt re wived a total of 7 027,032 votes, Parker 5,080,054; Watann 114,037; Swallow 200.303; Debs 391,587; C.irregon. 33,433; Holcomb H3O; The total vote cast was 12,508 490, a ilecre'isc over 1900 of 400,078. Roosevelt received over all 1,740,708, and over Parker 2 547,578. In 1900 McKinley had 467,040 more than all the other candidates and 859,984 in ire than Bryan. The vote for Roosevelt was 409,823 more than for Mninlev. w bi’e that for Parker w as 1,277,772 ess than for Bryan,