Daily Democrat, Volume 2, Number 299, Decatur, Adams County, 28 December 1904 — Page 1

VOLUME II

CHARGED WITH LARCENY Well Known Men Arrested For Stealing

CAUSES SENSATION w Otes Wells, Perry Sells and Howard Davis the Men Affidavits Filed by Josepn MurphyWells Makes Complete Confession. Deputy Sheriff Butler last night arrested Oris Wells of Blue Creek township, and Howard Davis, of this city, on a charge of larceny. The warrant was issued by 'Squire Smith on affidavit made by Joseph Murphy, a well known farmer of Monroe township, from whom a double set of harness, two bridles and other articles were stolen on the night of November 9th. Wells was found last evenng at the home of a sister and ar rested. He confessed his guilt and when arraigned before ’Squire Smith today plead guiltv and was bound over to court. In his confession he also implicated. Howard Davis and Perry Sells two well [known men of his city, against whom affidavits had also been made by Murphy, they hav ing been suspected of knowing something of the robbery. Search warrants were issued immediately ■giving the officers permission to ■search the premises. The stolen bridles were found in Davis’ barn and the harness in Sells’ grainery. The harness were covered with five fly nets, completely hidden from view. Sells claims to have bought the harness and to have paid fifteen dollars for them. A warrant has been issued for his arrest and will probably be served today. The men will be charged with grand larceny, and the officers say the case will have complications that may surprise many people. Wells is about thirty years old and has had some police notoriety. He was convicted about two years ago for stealing horse blankets and served a term in jail, and has been under suspicion several times since. Davis is queit well known and has borne a reputation here of being “poor but honest.” He has a family. Sells has lived here many years, owns some property and has never been accused of crime before. His friends believe him innocent, though Wells' story implicates him deeply. The offictrs were to Id bv Wells just where the harness and bridles were and they went at once to Sells' house and demanded the same. He said, "all right,” put on his coat and immediate!? went with them to the grainery where he de- . livored the goods. A FUNNY SHOW f “Finnegan’s 400” will soon be with us, and they will be sure to tiokle the risibilities of every play goer who appreciates go r d lines and witty talk. Amusing dialogues and queer combinations of circumstances contrive to keep audience in a peal of laughter, from the ring, ing up of the first, curtain, until the last one descends. Conroy and ( Mack, the greatest laugh pullers ever seen on the Ameioan stage and their own company will present this hill here at the opera house Friday December 30.

Lhe Daily Democrat

NEW POSTAL RATE Recommended for Convenience of Rura Route Patrons. In his annual report Postmaster General Wynne recommends the establishment of a postal rate of three cents a pound on packages not exceeding five pounds in weight, at the postoffice at which the rural route starts on which the consignee resides, hut not otherwise. ! That is, it is a special rate for ' merchandise that does not travel through any mail exoep 1 that de- | livered on that route. For examI pie, a resident on rural route ; originating in Decatur couM send i his order to a merchant there, and | pay only the three-cent rate; but j if he ordered it from Chicago, for I example, he would have to pay full | merchandise rate, because the pack- ’ ' age would have to pass through the regular mails from Chicago before j reaching his rural route. The | newspapers generally commend Mr. j Wynne’s suggestion as it would j protcet the country merchants ■against the mail order houses. Bat !if congress shall pass this measure' iit will prove the opening of a camipdgn fora general parcels poet, j that has really been demanded by I many in this country f>r years, be- j I cause it costs too much to send ■small parcels by express. AGAINST SUBSIDIES A Bill Will be Introduced In the Legislature. A body blow is to be given to railroad subsidies at the forth Coming session of the legislature. j At the last session the subsidy law i was broadened by authorizing civil corporations to vote aid to trolly i lines, the old law contemplating only aid to steam lines. This session an effort will be made to repeal a subsidy act, the impression prevailing that the appropriation lof public funds by taxation, for private purposes has gone to extremes. Senator Farber of Frank fort, it is understood, will lead the J fight on the existing statute and he | will have a large following, as there is feeling, among a large element of the tax payers that taxation of this kind should cease. THE BON TON Regular Seislon Held Last Night—Miss Martin Hostess. The Bon Ton club met last even ing with Miss Anna Martin in reg ular social session for the first time in three me nths, and the reunion i was a happy one and the only girl* ' made up for lost time. Whist was f installed as the favorite pasttime, /and for several hours the playing < wis fierce and exciting, Misses Dado Voglewede and Edna Crawj ford, however, captuiing, first - priz es and Misses Mav Rademacher j and Eleanor Albright, of Fort I Wayne, capturing the boobies i During the evening's enjoyment a 9 fine three-course luncheon was t served, and at a late hour the club j adjourned to meet next Sunday evening with Miss Odo Fullenkainp.

DECATUR. INDIANA. WEDNESDAY EVENING. DEC EMBED 2S. 1901.

FROM ARKANSAS Mrs. R. J. Holthouse Sends Christmas Greetings by Telephone. The convenience of modern invention was well illustrated night, and it would be difficult to convince Mrs. B. JATerveer that the longdistance telephone, improved as it is today, is not the greatest invention of modern science Last night she was called to the long-distance telephone. You may judge her surprise when she said “Hello,” to hear the voice of her daughter, Mrs. R J. Holthouse reply to her. Mrs. Holthouse and family are guests of relatives at Jonesboro, Arkansas, 700 miles from here. She called up her mother last night to wish her the seasons greetings and to tell her that all wore well and happy. The conversation continued fifteen minutes and Mrs. Terveer says she heard every word as plainly as though she was talking to some one in Decatur. NEW DENTIST Dr. Mangold to Open Office Well Known Young Man Will Complete College Course May 15th and Enter Business at Once. Dr. Bert Mangold, one of the best known young men of this city, will complete a three years’ course in the Indiana Dental college. In dianapolis, May 15th, and will immediately open an office in Decatur. He has arranged to occupy a part of Dr. J. M. Miller's office on South i Second street. His furniture and I appliances will be modern and up i to-date, and as Mr. Mangold has a large circle of friends and acquaintances he will no doubt secure his share of business. During his college life Burt has devoted himself earnestly and his diploma carries with it honors well earned, and his ability is unquestioned. He is the oldest son of Ex County Auditor Noah Mangold, who is known all over the county. Dr. Mangold will have his office ready for business by Juno Ist. OFFICERS INSTALLED Ntw Officials Take Charge of Maconlc Lodge and Chapter. The F. Ar A. M. lodge and the Chapter held a joint installation of officers last night. H. B Heller is the new worshipful master of the Blue lodge, while P. L. Andrews is the Ruler of the Chapter. The usual custom has been to have a public installation of officers, with a banquet, but this was dispensed with this year. A GOOD ONE Pennsylvania Railway (• Spend Thirty Million for a Depot. I The Record-Herald says: “The Pennsylvania Railroad company is prepared to spend 130.000,000 in the construction of a now railway station in Chicago, 120.000,000 of this sum to be spent in acquiring land adjoining the present union depot and 110,000,000 t > be spent in build ings. Plansand specifications for a most elaborate groupof structures devoted to railway piirjMMWS have already been completed."

AWFUL WRECK One Killed and Ten Injured Passenger Train Crashes Into a Freight Near Fort Wayne-No One to Blame. Fort Wayne,'lnd., Dec. 28.—One man was killed and ten persons injured in a head-end collision be- ' tween a pa-senger and a freight train on the Wabash near the Muncie junction, three and one-half miles west of Fort \\’ayne, last night. THE DEAD Albert M. Ballard, engineer of the ■ freight train. THE INJURED. Charles Ernest, of Peru, engineer of the passenger train; leg cut, shoulder dislocated nd arm bruised. W, H. C n x, of Peru, fireman of the passenger train; head cut; injuries slight. Mrs. Roman Zoel- ’ ler, 137 east DeWald street. Fort Wayne; nose broken, face bruised. Miss Anna De Wald, 2032 South ' Calhoun street, Fort Wayne; arm bruised. H. Bishop (colored) of Detroit, Cook on the dining car; shoulder dislocated 'and arm bruised. Robert White (colored), of Detroit; waiter in dining car; head badly cut. C- R- Mcßride, conductor of the passenger train ; shoulder bruised. H. J. Hulett (colored), St. Louis; porter on Pullman car; leg lacerated. E. H. Watt (colored), Kansas Ci tv; leg cut. None of those named was seriously injured, Mrs. Zoeller being the greatest sufferer. Engineer Ballard staved on his engine when he saw the passenger train approaching. In a vain attempt to back his train onto the switch and save the lives of others, he gave up his own life. He was caught in the wreck, both legs cut off and his body horribly crushed, and he died shortly after being placed on the relief train that was bringing him to the city. SAYS IT’S EASY —■ Van Wert Paper Explains the Fish Story For Us. A trick, older than the perpetual hills, employed by residents along the streams and lakes in almost every part ot the country, was put in force at and near Decatur the past week with great results. Men and boys aimed with axes, out holes in the ice of the St. Mary’s river and through the open ings caught hundreds of catfish. The ease with which the fish were captured was a revelation to the “nimrods” and they are now all puzzling their brains tn explain why the fish came to the surface in the particular sp t« where the holes were cut —Van Wert Bulletin. OPEN TOMORROW Charley Dutcher's Restaurant Ready for Business. “’Charles M Dutcher will open his restaurant tomorrow morning at the corner of Monroe and Keventh street, in the Fordyce building. He has put in a new stock of cigars, groceries, etc., and will handle any first-class goods. He will have con stantly on hand all kinds of luuoh, and desires a portion of your trade. He will have a line of pies, cakes, bread, etc. Give him a call.

GLD CITIZEN DEAD Henry Feusse Died Monday After Long Illness. I Monday at one o'clock Henry Feusse, an old and respected citizen, of this county, departed this ■ life at his home five miles north east of this city, after an illness of several months’ duration. Death resulted from yelluow jaundice. He was seventy years of age and came to this county, when but a mere boy and when this surrounding country was nothing but a wilderness. Funeral services were held this afternoon at one o’clock at the house, the Rev. Domsife conducting the services, and interment was made in the Fuelling cemetery. COURT NEWS Mary C. McCollum Granted DivorceOther Business Andrew Miller vs Grand Rapids & Indiana railroad company, damages, S4OO. Appearance by A. P. Beatty for defendant. —o— Henry Kiney vs Toledo, St. Louis & Western railroad company, dam ages,s 200. Appearance by A. P. Beatty for defendant. Ruled to answer. —c— M try C. McCollum vs John R. McCollum, divorce case. Evidence heard, divorce granted plaintiff | who was given the custody of the 1 children. Judgment against de-1 fendant for costs. LEAVE FOR WEST Union Township Boys Off For Cali fornia. Otis Shiffer]v and Francis Miller, two well known Union township young men, left Monday for Los Anfeles, California, where they will remain during the winter, at least, and perhaps longer if the climare and other Conditions suit them. The boys will visit enroute at Whiting, Indiana, Chicago, and j Reno, Nevada. They are young ■ hustlers and will make their own way wherever they land. HAD A PARTY Miss Mary Erwin Hostess—Assisted bv Sister and Papa. Miss Mary Erwin gave a partv to her little friends last right, assisted bv her sister, Ireta and papa Dore B Erwin. It was a delightful [occasion, and an evening of fun and pleasure for the children. The guests included Misses Mary Stults, Lvdia Kirsch, Vera Rademacher, Naomi and Dorothy Dugan, Martha leisure, Fanny Heller, Ireta, Mary and Dore B Erwin. The bail weather failed to pre vent Tire guests from having the finest kind of a time. A NOVEL SCHEME Geneva Women Adopt a New Street Lighting Scheme. Geneva, Ind., Deo. 28.—The women of Geneva have organized a “dark night" society. Each member of the organization pledges her self to place a lighted lamp in herfront window between dark and nine o’clock. Tire town is without street lights and tho women have adopted this method that they may get homo safely after dark falls Tho gas lighting system was used hero until tire town council and the I gas company disagreed on terms, when the meter system was adopted.

NUMBER 299

THE FIRST Father Valentine Talked About Ghosts The Lecture Last Night was Attended by a Magnificent Audience. The first of a series of lectures was given last night at the St. Mary's Catholic church bv Rev. Father Valentine, a favorite among the people of this citv, irrespective lof church or creed. The missionary I was in fine form and gave an ex- | haustive and comprehensive as well !as instructive review "of the teachings of the Catholic church. The speaker had every right to feel honored with the presence of such a magnificent audience, the 'arge and stately church 1 ling tilled almost to the limit. Many questions were answered, some of them conveying information heretofore unknown to non-Catholics. The series of lectures are for the'purpose of better informing the public as to not only the mission of the Catholic church, as a church, but also their beliefs and conception of the bible Rev. Valentine is a bright and shining light in the priesthood, and is also deserving of the ft me achieved He is both brilliant and ab e and during the week will no doubt bo hoard by tho greater part of the population of this city. BOYS CONFESS Placed Rails on G. R. & I. and Caused Freight Wreck. Perry Ruffing, fourteen, the son of Pennsylvania Section For. man Martin Ruffing, of 1137 Hayden street, and Phinley Ireland, eighteen, the son of Mrs. Nancv Ireland, a widow, who lives at Wallen, are under arrest on the charge of having placed two steel rails on the G . R. &I. tracks near Wallen, and caused the wreck of a freight train last Thursday night. Prosecutor Ronald Daw’on will prepare the affidavits against the youthful prisoners and they will be arraigned this morning. According to tire officers, the two have confessed, giving as their reasons for the <lia bolical act that thev merelv wished to see the engine knock the rails from the track. They say, it is alleged, they had no thought of robbing passenger train No. 8 which was due shortly after the freight, nor did they wish to see anyone killed. The officers believe it was simp y a thoughtless boyish prank —Fort Wayne Journal-Ga zette. TOUGH SEASON This Wind and Snow is Hard on lhe Reporter. Did it ever ooon • to you that this news gathering bu«in'«e at this time of year is not the most pleas ant way on earth of enjoying one's self? Aside from the fact that news is rather scarce and those who know anything seem frozen up, there are other troub'es; that nor«h wind cuts through [thinjolothos like a black-make whip. The ice is slippery and the snow flakes slip down onr collar, hnt we are not grumbling and are only too glad to brave tire storms if we can only please you. If we don’t know, let. us and we will try to do so anyway. It's blamed disagreeable weather, and that’s what we've been trying to say all the time.