Daily Democrat, Volume 2, Number 304, Decatur, Adams County, 3 January 1905 — Page 1

VOLUME II

PORT ARTHUR SURRENDERS The Report Confirmed-—Japs Take Possession

A LONG SIEGE Seven Bloody Months Ends in Russian Defeat Armies Exchange Places Today—May Mean the Early Settlement of The Controversy. Port Arthur has fallen. This time the report is confirmed, and the Russians have actuary suirenderel to the brave little Japs. Many times during the last seven months the report has been heralded over the world until the public ceased to pav any attention to the fact. The negotiations were male Sunday and today the Japs with waving flags and beating drums marched into the fortress. General Nagi lead the Japanese forces while General Stoessel was in charge of the Russians. Associated Press dispatches say: Port Arthur, whose hills have for months run red with the blood of the bravest, two war-like nations, has at last succumbed to the fierce tenacity of the Japanese attack. General Stoessel, most stubborn in carrying out the will of his sovereign, has seen the advance of the besieging army gain in momentum and energy and to hold longer out would be a crime against humanity. The conditions of the surrender are not yet known, but in all quarters it is anticipated that they are such as an honorable soldier may accept from a brave and victorious enemv At 9:45 o'clock last night the commissioners complete 1 the signing of the capitulation agreement Both armies had suspended hostilities five hours earlier The city of Port Arthur will be occupied by the Japanese today. The authorities at St. P-tersburg, in the absence of direct official news from General Stoessel that Port Arthur had surrendered, have not permitted the news t<> beootns public. Emporer Nicholas is in the south of Russia and his ministers uro for the time being in flic dark as to what dikpiifehcß have been sent to him from the front T<>ki > was th A scene of rejoicing, people of all ranks finding in the Otflflpme compenan ion for al 1 the sacrifice of life and money that was entailed in the’ten months’ siege. To what extent the fall of Port Arthur will make for a restoration of peace is an open question. There is an ennmraging note in the expresjon by Biron Inysshi, Jip. anise n i'i!-t'< it. Limim oe the “hop ■ that in sotrte way if • i“ facilitate final peace ” thvigh the pacific note is per h p>s hia | | the later word th-> ”, i. ]■ , v ,nh cal] Htten ,; < nto tlio o ; that the basic pi :g rmy i il! now be free to go norf whi-i if v 11 h an ofTnet to the re-inforoemente General Kuro. patkin has been receiving from Russia since tb<> taitfle of Shakhe. The spirit of Russians may be judged bv the statement of the secretary of the emb issv at London, that the campaign will be renewed with fresh vigor in the spring, and that, the nation will not be content to permit Prot A'thur to remain in the hands of’ the Japanese. Both in London and Paris the opin-

The Daily Democrat.

ion is that the squadron and. Vic? Admiral Rojestvensky, which sorted from Libau for the far east tin ■' months ago, will have to retract its way home, as adheranoe to the original plans would invite disaster without probability of effecting a junction with the warships at present in the harbor of Vladivostok. That Japan will not be permitted to retain possession of Port Arthur without dispute is shown in the fact that Paris newspapers are already reviving the claim made in 1902 that the holding of that port commanding the eastern seas by the Japanese would be a menace to European powers. While this surrender does not necessarily end the bloody war, it gives the Japanese a tremendous advantage, and their ultimate complete victory is conceded an every hand. COURT NEWS Oltis Wells Admits His Crime William P. Bartling vs W. (J. Cochran et al demurrer of defendants overruled. Answer filed. Set for trial Friday, January 13. —o—- • Otis Wells, Howard P. Sells, charged with larceny and concealing stolen goods, were before Judge Erwin this morning. Wells plead guilty andjwill no doubt get a sentence of from one to three years in the penitentiary, though the court has not yet fixed the penalty. Davis and Wells plead not guilty, and their oases wree set for trial next Tuesday, January 10th. —o— The damage case of Margaret Koenig vs John Soheiman, demand ♦BOO, is still in the prorgess, and will go tc the jury about tomorrow noon. The plaintiff’s evidence was concluded at eleven o'clock this morning, and the defense began at once. Attorneys D. B. Erwin and J. F. represent ,the plaint iff and J. C- Moran and Shafter Pet erson tn • defendant. — o— Attorneys D. D. Heller and C. J Lutz are at Geneva, where a controversy is on as a result of a sewer recently constructed, and to the as sessments tn vv Licit some objections are being niude. Mr. Lutz represents the town, and Judge Heller the property owners. —o— On January 16th, one week from next Moi.day, an important case will be called at Portland for trial, in which many of our readers aie interested. It is the school town of Geneva vs The Logansport & Wabash Valley Gas comp my. The case was filed two years ago and was the result of a fire which totally destroyed the Geneva school house and which it is alleged by the carelessness of the Gas company. The sum of *12,000 dam ages is demanded. Several Decatur attorneys arc engaged in the case. —o— Charley Ackerman, who win subpoenaed as a witness in the Koenig Sohn man case failed to app ar this rnornmg, and Deputy Shei di Dallas Butler wsa sent after hi n with an attachment. Het was f- i l near Honduras and brought into court, w lere he begged to be excused, ns it was impossible fur him to wulk so far, his feet 1i .ng frozen.

DECATf’t, INDIANA. TUESDAY EVENING. JAM AKY <905.

THE LECTURE Rtv. Valentine on "Love, Marriage and Divorce”—Closes Tonight. A large crowd was again present at the St. Mary’s church last evening to take advantage of Father Valentine’s discourse on the subject of “Love, Marriage and Divorce.” As usual he took up his subject and delivered the same in a clear and concise manner, and brought out many plain and forcible arguments in behalf of the subject, fully and ably, setting forth the facts as to why the Catholic church is opposed to divorce, backing his arguments up with scriptural passages, wh< ein it states “What God has joined together, let no man put asunder,” thereby claiming that divorce is indirect violation with the laws [laid down by God, and that no state or constitutional law has a right to set aside the marriage vows. A number of questions had been plaed in the query box, which he answered, discussing each question at length and producing argument with his answers. The subject for his lecture this evening will be “Lead, Kindly Light, Whither,” this being the close of bis series. WANTS REFORM Congressman Robinson Makes Suggestions Wants Primary Elections Regulated by Law—Advises Use of Voting Machines., Washington, Jan. 3.—Congressman James M. Robinson came out squarely for some Reforms in state matters which he hopes the coming legislature will initiate. In a statement for the Indianapolis Star, he said: “Indiana, so far in advance of other states in many things and for years in the vanguard politically, is behind in a reform that strikes at the heart of representative government. She should have a primary regulated by law. Strength comes in politics from a knowledge on the part of the citizen that he can oast a ballot, that it will be counted and that corrupting influence and manipulation will not control its effect. It is just as important that these results shall be accr mplished in nominations as in elections; a vice in the former cannot be corrected in the latter. In the recent election under normal conditions, and without a landslide a republican governor would have been defeated in the republican state of Michigan and a democrat would have been selected because he represented primary reform. Indiana is behind inmany states. California has a good system and New York has strong features. In each of these states the primary of both p .rties is held on the same day and safeguarded by the Australian ballot system. Tn the former the parties vote at different voting places, but in the latter at the same place, which is preferable. Expense has ceased to be considered This is settled by states that have it and are less able to hear it, lut no moderate expense is, or should be, a factor in this inteligent iige, when it hings honesty and fair nomin tions and elections to the citizen. Another reform In diana must take hold of or bo left in the gloaming is elections by voting machines. They are practical, safe and wise. The experience ot other states and municipalities has tested their efficiency i.nd Indiana, so far abend in politics, must nd vanoe them rapidly or be found wanting.’

HIS STATEMENT Fred Richards Calls on Democrat Says Attorney Colerick and Jadge O’Rourke Assisted in His Freedom. Fred Richards called at this office yesterday for a friendly call. He is feeling excellent and says he expects to do some work yet this winter. He asks us to publish the following: » Jan. 2, 1905. Editor of Democrat: I would like for you to rectify a mistake in the Democrat in regards to my release. You stated that I owed my release to Robison and Colerick, when I procured my release through Robison and O’Rourka I owe it all to them, for they are the ones that got me out and would like for them to have the credit for it. Yours, FRED RICHARD. A letter which he prizes very highly is one he received some time go from Attorney Colerick, and which reads as follows: Fort Wayne, Ind., April 22, 1903. Frederick Richard: Yours of the 19th inst. at hand. As you know, I have written several times strong and sincere letters to the governors, asking your pardon, because I believe that you never intended to aid or assist any one in the commission of murder. Your conviction was brought about, as I look at it now, to a great extent by the perjured evidence of the witness Smith, your step or adopted son. I will write you for the u«e of your attorney, Col. Robertson, a long and strong letter giving my reason in full why you should be j pardoned, and as lam the only lawyer living, that prosecuted you, it ought to have its weight. I will write this letter for you as a duty that I owe God, feeling as I do, in and more sedate judgment, that your conviction was wrong. lles'y yours, HENRY COLERICK. TO CENTRAL AMERICA Bluffton Boys Go With 11. S. Scientific Party. Bluffton, Ind., Jin. 2. —E. B Williamson and Charles C. D >am of this city today left with i scientific expedition for Central America. They ttouompinieiL’ ; party of scientists from Indiana University ana Ohio Stata University. The party will makes llections of the ■fine insects of the countries they will visit and will also gather specimens of the fish found in the Southern waters for the United Statesgovernment. The expense of the party will he shared between the uni versifies and the United States government. A TRAIN LOAD Seventeen Cars of Pa nt to *o Through Here Tomorrow. At 1:17 tomorrow afternoon a seventeen cur freight train loaded with nothing but Sherwin Williams paints and varnishes will puss through Decatur over the Chi ■ago I'g Erie railroad. The paint is being shipped into Texas, and is the second train load sent th s year. L’iio company claim to do the biggest paint business in the world. Ihieii' agents here are Blackburn & Christen.

HIS REPORT Sheriff Butler Has Admitted 456 Prisoners to Jail. Sheriff Butler has completed his records for his first term of ooffice whjch ended Dec. 31. »uring the two years he admitted to the county jail 456 prisoners. Os this number ten were taken to prison, two going to Michigan City and eight to Jeffersonville. The other 446 prisoners served jail sentences for misdemeanors or were acquitted on trial. The greater number of charges were drunkenness and vagrancy. Mr. Butler’s record shows any knowledge one might desire, including name, age, size crime and sentence of each prisoner. The prisoners have all been well cared for, and have words of praise for the sheriff who while he did his duty treated every prisoner as a man. ORGANIZED Martin Laughlin President of the Board — An Inventory at the County Infirmary Reteah a Healthy Condition. The board of commissioners began the business of the new year by acknowledging the certificate of election of Commissioners Laughlin and Werling, Auditor Lewton and Surveyor Baumgartner. The board organized by the election of Martin Laughlin as president, a place held by this member during the past year. A remonstrance was filed to the Russell and Lewis Long ditch petition, and W. V. Buckmaster, L. N. Grandstaff and Henry Blakey were appointed reviewers. The viewers' reports on the J. L Hook, Noah Moser and J. F. Snow ditch petitions were approved. H. O. Green, as exparte. was continued. The board celebrated the first day of the vear’s business by a visit to the county infirmary, where an inventory was taken, and which showed something over fsnoo worth of personal ptO]>>rtv. The inventory discloses a rattling good i business managemi nt on the part |of Superintendent Graber, who sustains that magnificent instituj tion by good and practical business management The board is considering plans fora large grain barn and horse stable, a much needed addition to the convenience and safety o'' rhe many value s there. KILLED BY TRAIN Thoma; Sal Death NiwYears Homin’. A letter from Mrs. C K Hiveiy tells of the death of her brother Thomas Biggins, killed at Tecumseh, Mich., New Year’s eve. The d( tails of the accident will probably | never be known. He was struck by 1 a fast express train and was not found unti th< next miming. I Evon after the injury and hours of exposure he was still alive, death relit ving his sufferings at eight I o'clock New Y’ear's morning. No j doubt had he received help soon he would have recovered. He leaves In wife and eight children besides n number of other relatives. The fun oral services were held thia afteri noon* Denenaed was a also brother lof Miss Catherine b ggins of this o lice.

NUMBER 304

BUY NEW BLOCK Schafer & Son Purchase Patterson Building Deal Closed Last Night—Consideration sß,soo—One of the Biggest Stores In Indiana. Fred Schafer and son Chalmer last night closed negotiations whereby they became owners of the R. D. Patterson block located between the Schafer Hardware score and the Democrat office. The consideration was SBSOO and the new owners took immediate possession. At present th’ room is occupied by the Economy store, who will retain possesson until the expiration of their lease, when the Schaler Hardware company will use the same for their rapidly growing business. The Schafer Hardware company are branching out considerably, and they already have one of the biggest stores of th? kind in the state. Besides the big Second street block, their buggy and machinery [department occupies as big a j block on Madison street. The | company is making some splen!did improvements m the interior of their store. A handsome and convenient elevated office is being constructed, a new steel ceiling added and the basement refitted for a business room. Another improvement is an immense lighting plant for their own use. and which will furnish light for all their departments. It is oer tainly a great store and does credit to Deoatun ANNUAL REPORT Union Chaptl Suiday School Rec rd for I9OJ. Number of sessions during the year, titty-one; number of private, official subsidiary sessions, three; number cf scholars enrolled for the year, eighty-six; number of teachers and officers, fourteen. Average attendance per Sunday, forty six. Total penny collections from the various classes during the year, ♦10.16. Special collections during the year, *7.84. Other amounts received, *44 52. Grand total for the year, *92.52.T0tal amount of expenses for the year, $11.59. The young rn< ns’ class, Burt Wolfe, teacher, proved to t>e the banner class for the year in the contribution, it being *12.25. The Sunday school in general has greatly appreciated the faithful and meritorious s'Tvi ie- rend icd by th' ir capable corps of teachers and officers during the past year. All feel assured that the report for 1905 will be just as good. They are determined to improve it. Jesse Swartz, Supt. Miss Jessie Bauserainn, Sec'y. Benjamip 1 illars, treasurer. . ALL week H’ethodists Holing Heeling This w k „ '*• ''’The atendanoe at the Methodist church last night was large in num her. and the service such a one that inspires the soul. The subject of Pastor White’s discourse tonight is “The Visible Church of Christ.” Such a subject is worthy ’of a most (excellent sermon, and Rev. White I will no doubt gratify the wishes of the many who will attend. TheserI vices vvill continue thr< i.ghout the week, and indications now point to In rotisit g Mt thi (list meeting, su h jns v ill begin the new yvir with a confidence < f the goisl th.it will U, ■in Coni] ’ .shed.