Daily Democrat, Volume 3, Number 12, Decatur, Adams County, 25 January 1905 — Page 1

VOLUME 111

TO OWN THEIR OWN HOME CitizensTelephoue Company Buy Business Block

BUILD ADDITION Purchased Nichols Building on Monroe Street The Company will Put in Full Metallic System Mere in the Spring and also Make Other Improvements The Citizens Telephone company now own their own home, a deal having been consummated last evening, when they purchased the Mrs. A A. Nichols block, on Mou roe street. The telephone exchange has been located in this block for a num bar of years and the deal to buy the property has been under consideration for several months Mr. Nichols arrived yes terday and a meeting of the parties interested was held last evening at Manager Schirmeyer's office, when matters were satisfactorily arranged. The sale was made through Attorneys Merryman & Sutton, who represented Mrs. Nichols, while the telephone company was represented by F. M. Schirmeyer, manager and secretary. The consideration was not made public, but was large enough we are informed to place a new value on Monroe street proper ty. The telephone company will remodel the building this spring, building an addition back to the alley and improving the basement so that it may be used as a storage loom for their supplies. The ex change will <x>cupy the entire Second floor of the block. The Citizens is one of the strongest independent telephone companies in Indiana today, and that this fact is appreciated is proven by the rapid increase in the market price of their stock, which sold at the time of the recent re-organization at fifty dollars a share, having increased from ten dollars to that amount. The company has arranged for further improvements this spring, when they will change their Decatur lines from the old fashioned one wire sys tern with a common return wire to what is known as the full meta lie system. Under this now plan each patron will have a separate line thus dispensing with the cross talk now so exasjierating. This is but a step toward further improvements, such as the use of automatic telephones, which ring themselves when you take down the receiver or of dispensing with the central office. These changes are a possibility of the near future and the people of Decatur may rest assured that the Citizens is an enterprising company, capably managed by efficient officers, who will give us the liest. and most modern service at all times. Considerable improvement will also be made this spring in the way of adding farm lines and it is the expectation of the company to have every farm house within a radius of ten miles connected with central within a short time.

A marriage license was issued today to Robert Meyers and Miss Emma Jackson. The wedding will occur at six o’clock this evening at the home of the bride's sister, Mrs. Paul Baumgart-er. Rev. Hutchin son, of Augusta, Illinois, will officiate, assisted by Rev. E. A. Allen of this city. The happy couple will leave shortly after the wedding for Columbus, Ohio their future home.

The Daily Democrat.

IN APRIL Ttachtrt Association of Indiana to Meet at Chicago. The exeentve staff of the Indiana Teachers' association met at Chicago recently. This meeting was for the purpose of arranging the details of the next meeting of the association which is to be held lin ( nicago. The date selected was the tirst week in April, the 6,7, and Sh. Teachers from all over this part oft he stats will enter Chicago on special trains and it is expected that several thousand will be in attendance. The association is composed of the teachers in the eight northern congressional districts. I They will hold their meeting in Chicago in the Auditorium, a splen . did place for the purpose and in the three days that they are in Chicago i they expect to near from some of I the leading educators in the Uni ted States schools and the three days will be of the most profitable nature to the teachers of Indiana and to the pupils under their charge. As yet the program has not been prepared. A committee has this feature in charge and they will within a short time be ready to announce the result of their investigations. FROM RUSSIA Turmoil Ready for Another Outbreak No Bloodshed for two Days Although Developments May Bring it About at any T<me St. Petersburg, Jan. 2 4.—The situation is more calm. Business, which had been at a complete stand still, has been resumeu on a limit ed scale. The troop* were not so numerous and a feeling exists in official circles that the measures in auguratid will insure the safety and quiet of the city. Beneath the surface, however, the ferment con tinues, and the public nervousness and apprehension as t > fat .ire developments is still unallayed. The concensus of opinion is that the fu ture actions of the agitators de pends upon what occurs in Mose >w and other large cities of Russia, where the workmen are beginning to strike. Moscow has over 1,000, 000 ]>opulation, two-thirds of which are workmen, and if they should revolt great damage to people and property would result. All kinds of wild rumors are afloat, and proclamations of a sen ous nature are being published and distributed. Great expectancy is felt for the future movements of both the strikers and from the ! official circles.

DECATUR, INDIANA. WEDNESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 25, 1905.

BOUND OVER

Clell tlty of Btrne Must Answer Char i of Larceny. Ulell Eley, who was implicated with Vernon Friend in the stealing of brass from traction engines at Brine, must also answer in circuit court here. Friends' case was tiled at the clerk's office yesterday and Eley's came today. The boys were bound over in the sum of ♦ 100 each. Eley hud his hearing Monday before Town Clerk (’ris Stongle. It is said the proof against the boys is pretty conclusive and the two lads will likely learn a severe lesson. The cost in each case is already quite a neat amount. A WEDD'NG Miss Crabill and Tom Railing Married Groom Is the We II Known League Bal Flayer—Will go to Texas Soon. ■ Last evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Crabill on Adams street, occurred the wedding of their beautiful and accomplished [daughter, Miss Dottie to Thomas Railing. The wedding ceremony was performed by Rev. Luke of the United Brethren church, and was witnessed by only the immediate relatives of the contracting parties, the ceremony being simple but impressive. Both these happy young people are well known in this city, having made this their home since childhood. Mr. Railing has gained a reputation as a basetall player and his name is on the tongue of every one in town, being mostly referred to as “Tom, the pitcher,” having gained his fame in the Texas league. It. is the inten tion of Mr. and Mrs. Railing to re side here until March, when they will leave for Dallas. Texas, where he has signed a contract to again pitch ball this season, and it is hoped by all his admirers that he will this season make a still better record thin last year. The Democrat joins with the many friends in wishing them a long married life. OFFICIAL TRIP Rev. White Visits College as Conference Representative. Rev John C. White left this morning for Jacksonville, Illinois, where he will be the guest of the president of the Jacksonville Female seminary for a few days. Mr. White's visit to the seminary is an official one, ho having been appointed by the North Indiana Conference last April, to make the trip and re port at the o lining session as to the condition of the school. He will return home in time to conduct the usual services next Sunday. RELATIVES HERE Martin Erhart Dies at Camden, Ohio Monday. Sheriff Albert Butler received a mesasge this morning that his tin cle, Martin Erhart, of Camden, Ohio, had died Monday and the funeral services would be held Thursday morning at ten o'clock. The deceased was a brother of Mrs. Jesse sutler, who died u few years ago. It is not likely that any of the relatives here will attend the funeral, as the word was received too late to make arrangements.

PURCHASE CARS Niles Car Company Gets The Contract Fort Wavnt and Springfield Company Order Four Mootrn Cars—First Run June Ist. The Fort Wayne & Springfield Interurban Railway company this morning let the contract for their cars that will be used over their line the same going to J A. Hanna, who represented the Niles Car coinjmny, of Niles, Ohio. The contract calls for four cars of the latest pat i tern and with all modern appliances and to compete with any used by other lines. Three of these oars will lie nsed for passengers and one for express. The coaches will be composed of three conqiartments, including ladies' room, a smoking and baggage room. They will be, finished in mahogany, of the best quality and the twggage compartments will l>e finished in quarter sawed oak. The seats in the ladies’ compartment will be upholstered in plush, while the smoking part seats will be of rattan. The entire floor will be covered with Manila matting of the best quality. The oars are to be patterned after the regular Pullman style, and are to be of the same color The contract calls for delivery in this city not later than June 1, 1905, which time this oom pmy is anticipating to make their tirst run over the line. Thu sohed ule has already been made out and calls for the time of 45 rninut >s between this city and Fort Wayne. There were five car companies rep resented here and the bidding was close, with the Niles company win ningout by a narrow margin. This company has a National reputation, and turn out nothing but the best work. The firms represented here were The Cincinnati Car company, Cincininati. Ohio; St. Louis Car Co. of St. Louis; Jewett Car Co., of Newark, O , Barney Smith Car Co., of Dayton, O ; Niles Car Co., of Niles, Ohio. TRAIN WAS LATE Prof. Ewinß arrived to Late to Organize Lodge—Will Return. Prof. Ewing, who it was an nounced would he here last evening to organize a Knights of Columbus lodge, arrived too late, his train having been detained in a snow storm. He will return some time nex* month to complete the work. In the meantime local knights will secure the class and have everythng in readiness for instituting the lodge. It is believed the lodge will have a membership of 125 to ! start with. Prof. Ewing is ini true ; tor in history and economics at! Notre Dame. He left this morn ing for Chicago to attend to ini portant lodge duties. DINNER PARTY Miss Minehart of St. Louis as the Guest of Honor. Miss Hattie Studabaker enter tained a dozen of her lady friends at a six o’clock dinner party lust . evening at her beautiful suburban home east of the city. The occasion was delightfully pleasant one and was given in honor of her guest, Miss Tillie Minehart, of St. Louis, who will also be the guest of honor nt a six o'clock dinner at the home of Mr. and Mrs. D. E. Studabaker this evening, a dinner at Senator Tyndall’s home tomorrow noon and at Mrs. Morrison’s tomorrow evening

AN ASSIGNMENT Bluffton Shot Merchant has Liabilities of Nearly Twenty Thou and Dollar, Bluffton, Ind., Jan. 24—C. D. Snider, a well known shoe merchant here, has made an assignment for the benefit of creditor". The liabilities are ♦ 19,934.84, assets estimated at forced sule, 18,500. The largest creditors are Studabaker l>ank. ♦••.700; Wells County bank, ♦4,545; Lane &• Co., rubber goods dealers, 11,809.31; G. F. McFarren, *1,642. The assets include the stock and Mr. Snyder’s new home. A meiding of creditors was held and practically all of them have agreed to accept twenty five cents on the dollar. The banks have their claims secured by jiersonal security and will lose nothing. MRS. KINNEY DEAD Well Known Lady of Jefferson Township Wat Eighty-eight years Old—Molher of P. K. Kinney of this CitySick One Week. Mrs. Mary Kinney, mother of P. K. Kinney, of this city, died at her home in Jefferson township this miming, after an illness of one week with lagrippe. She was one of the best known women of the county, being about eighty years old, and had lived in this county over fifty years. The old homestead has been known for half a century as Kinney on the hill, being thus designated from the several other Kinney homes in that locality. Her husband, Michael Kinney, died about two years ago. P. K. Kinney, of this city, was with his mother when she died. The other surviving children are Peter and M’chael Kinney, who live on the home place., Edward Kinney, of Geneva, and Mrs E J Kinney, of New Corydon. The funeral servi oes will be held Friday morning at the Jefferson township St. Mary's Catholic church A GRAFTER President Eractv of C. B. & C. Railway Charged Wiih Fake Pretense. Portland, Ind., Jan. 25. — Smith H. Broaey, of Chiago. president of the Cincinnati. Bluffton A Chicago Railroad company, now in the hands of a receiver, was arrested today on a warrant issued at the in stance of County Surveyor J. J Griffith, who charges Bracey with having obtaned money under false pretenses. Griffith alleges that ho has loaned to Bracey various sums from ♦7OO to |5,000, which were to have been used in the construction of the railroad. No sooner was the road completed, according to the complainant, than the road was thrown into the hinds of receiver. Bracey, who was president of the Bracey Howard Constructtiun company, of Chioag?, subsequently filed a mechanic’s lien against the railroad for ♦ <’>oo,ooo. Matthas Miller, sr., a pioneer of this city and county, is very sick at the home of his daughter,Mrs. Kurber, in Union township, and it is feared he cannot survive more than a few days. For several years he has been very feeble, being eighty three years old. Recently he stiff ered an attack of lagrippe, which has brought on a slight stroke of paralysis, making recovery prnoti Call? impos'd*)]**.

NUMBER 12

THE STORY Sam S. Steele Commits Suicide 111 Health Momenlarilly Affects the Mind of a Bright and Useful Man—Details of the Sad Story James A. Steele came home this morning from Norwich, Kansas, where he went immediately after receiving the message announcing the death of Sam S. Steele, men tion of which has previously been made. He left here Wednesday night, and arrived there two hours before the funeral party started for this place. He stayed with the family, they being unable to leave there, owing to the illness of a daughter, Ida Steele, whose i lungs seem affected, and for whose health as well as Sam a they went west. The daughter has been sick for three years, and while reported as somewhat better now, is far from being well. They located m Norwich, Kansas, which is a growing little western town. The trouble that affected Sam's mind, and caused him to commit the terrible deed that ended his life, was brought about by a land deal. He had contracted with John J. Norris, a real estate dealer, for the purchase of four hundred acres of land, two miles from Norwich An optional contract and one hundred dollars had been paid, both contract and money being in the hands of the bank After this contract was given Sam began to worry about it, and several times tried to have it cancelled. Some hot words passed between him and Mr. Norris, and on the fateful day, Sam came home complaining of not feeling well. He went into his bedroom to lie down and rest, and shortly theivafter the report of a revolver was heard The bullet penetrated the right temple and after a gasp or two he was dead. This note was left ; by him: 'John J. Norris threatened to kill me if I didn't lave my wife Sarah J Steele, sign contract in the Norwich bank. Rather than to have him butcher me, will take my own life 1 want the courts to save the money that she has deposited in the Norwich bank, and do away with the contract. June have Dive to see after things. Good bye to all. Sam S. Steele.” The coroner's inquest returned a verdict that the deceased had shot himself during n period of tempoI rary insanity. The family which consists of the widow and six ohildren, five of whom are with her, i will remain at Norwich for six months at least, and then may return here. Mrs. Steele has been appointed guardian of the minor heirs, by the court at Kingman, the county seat of their now Kansas home, and their financial mat ters will be straightened out before they leave there. Mr. Steele was a successful business man, and had i.coummulatcd <• msiderable money. In the bank at Norwich is 16,300, and 1100 in nis name. Besides that he had a note of ♦SOO, and three houses in Fort Wayne. During the last year or two he has spent considerable money, trying to better the condition of his health. He was a man of good address and had many friends here who will regret. of this sad ending of the life of a useful man. ' James A. Steele, who returned this mornng reports the family as being as comfortable as circumstances will permit. They are nice" ly located, have formed some very pleasant associations, who will prove comforting during such dark hours. They were all devoted to ' tb«’ir h’is’vi nd in i f i th'”-, and the