Daily Democrat, Volume 3, Number 14, Decatur, Adams County, 27 January 1905 — Page 1

VOLUME 111

FORNAX MILLS IN RUINS Destroyed By Fire This Morning

LOSS IS $20,000 Fire Caused by Explosion of Gas in Basement Several Employes Have Narrow E’tape —One of the Oldest Mills In Indiana The old Fornax mill, owned by Henry H Bremerkamp and located at the foot of Jefferson street, is in rains, the result of a fierce fire which broke out at 10:45 this morning The fire started in the base meat and was caused by a gas explosion. The mill w s| ict running as the gas had been too low to run the engine. The men had been working all the morning, thawing out the meter and pipas with the hopes of getting gas enough to run. Raymond Bremerkamp and a young man named Gillig were working with the pip** ' n basement when suddenly an explosion occurred, caused it is presumed by the accumulated gas forcing its way through the thawing pipes. Ray rnond was hurled a distance of fifteen feet. His right hand was bad ly out and his body severly bruised Gillig was not injured by the explosion, but both boys had difficulty in escaping from the basement, which almost instantly became a mass of flames. Both hoys were slightly burned as was also William Burdg, another employe, who harried to the basement, when the explosion occurred. The old mill b irned like tinder and in less thin an hour was in ashes. Within a halt hour after the explosion the east end of the building had fallen and practically all the contents were destroyed. A Horne wind was blowing at the time of the fire and only the location of the mill saved Daoatur from one of the worst fires in her history. The fire department responded quickly when the alarm was turned in, and soon had three streams at play, but it was like throwing oil, so far as any effect could be noticed. The stable sheds south of the mill caught and were soon destroyed. A west wind was blowing and consequently the other surrounding buildings were not damaged. At the time of the fire the safe in the office was open and the books and papers strewn about on the desks. Several of the fireman managed to enter the office when the building was wrapped in flames and it is said saved the greater part of the valuables. The building is practically destroyed, although the west wall still stands. THE LOSS A conservative estimate of the loss fixes it at *20,000. The building and machinery were valued at from 110,000 to *12,000. The stock included 4,800 bushels of wheat, two car loads of Hour, besides the corn, oats, meal, etc. The wheat was worth *5,500, the flour *2,500, while the other stock on hands was worth fully *2,000, making a total of *IO.OOO. The machinery was all new and the mill one of the best equipped in Northern Indiana. The loss falls heavily on Mr. Bremerkamp, who has spent the best years of his life in working up the

The Daily Democrat.

business to a money making jioint. THE INSURANCE. The net loss to Mr. Bremerkamp will reach nearly *15,000, as he car ried but *5,000 insurance as folows: Indiana Millers' Mutual, *4,000; Ohio Millers' Mutual, *2.000; total I *6,000. AN OLD MILL. Th? Fornax was one of the oldest mills in Northeastern Indiana, having been built in 1860. It was still in good condition, however, and it is said Mr. Bremerkamp recently refused an offer of *15,000 for the plant. Mr. Bremerkamp will probably not rebuild. BETTER THAN EVER Indiana Look' to iohn Lose Since Returning From Arkansas. Join Lose, the barber, who has been traveling throughout the wilds of Arkansas for the past two weeks, arrived home this morning hungry, tired and sleepy and not much taken up with the beauties of that state. John states that he made a thorough examination of the condi tion of the state and found that ! with the exception of two months there was no cold weather and that the general climate was good. Ho also discovered the fact that farms I could not be bought for a song as thas been reported around here, [ and that the value of land was in creasng daily. He found the cities in the northern part of the state iin a flourishing condition, and up ; to date in every respect, but found that the man who did not go there with money had as hard a time of getting along as ho had iu Indiana. Mr. Lose states that excursionists are arriving there every day all with the same intent and purpose of buying cheap land in which respect they are being disappointed. He found tne general health of the Decatur colony located here good, and stated that ull were making money hand over fist and living like kings. It is indeed probable that Mr. Lose will not return, but will content himself with his present lot among the Hoosiers. WATCH FOR THEM A Gang or Grafting Grafters Are Headed This Way. lit ports have reached the city that there are a gang of grafters working in and near Continental, Ohio and are working toward this cty. There are two men who go through the country and stop at each and every farm house, wishing to place grafts of pear, apple and plums on various orchard trees. One lady near Continental gave them permission to place grafts in some of her trees. They went to work, placed 110 grafts in one tree makinir a total of? 50 grafts in the orchard. They charged her at the rate of five cents a graft which amounted to *3 7.50. She had to pay them because the work hud been done. Many more orchards were stripped the same way. It will be well forth- farmers in this section to be on the lookout for these men for they will no doubt put in their appearance soon.

DECATUX INDIANA, FRIDAY EVENING, JANUARY 27, IW>.

TONIGHT’S SHOW I One of Ihe Greatest Plays Ever Produced on Any Stage. Monte Cristo, tbe play billed for the ojtera house tonight has a great reputation, it has been played by many celebrated actors. Mr. James O'Niel, whom everyone knows by reputation, will always be connected with the play, his rendition of the pait of Edmund Dantes ranking very high in the estima tion of every American theatregoer, and his memory will live forever on account of his connection with this great play. The iemrve<! in-at sale to this has lieen ecxellent and a crowded house will greet the per fortnance. You still have time to secure seats. NOT ACUTE Situation In Russia Not Alarming A London Dispatch Says That Japan Is Putting on the War Pdnt. St. Petersburg, Jan. 27.—1 n a few sma 11 towns the strike j* is‘'extending, but at no place is thesitua tion acute. The Russian capitol presents an almost normal appear anoe and the authorities are confident the backbone of the strike has; been broken. They ’also expect that the failure there will have a discouraging effect elsewhere.|. The : release of several prominent news paper writers is expected. London, Jan. 27.—The Daily Telegraph's Tokio correspondent says that Japan is making enormous war preparations. Besides immdiately laying down a battleship of 19,000 tons nt Yokosuko and. the contemplated bi.>,i;ing in Japan of a 12,000 ton cruiser, large additions to her topedo und submarine flotillas and two Cruisers have already Is-en started building nt Knre. All fu ture ship, will be heavily ' armed, but the guns below the ten inch size will be discarded. AT COUNTY FARM Party of Decatur People Enjoy Themselves. An enjoyable event took place lust night at the county infirmary, when a sled loud < f our people took advantage of the fine sleighing to ( spend the evening with Mr. mid Mrs. Graber. It is needless to say that everyone had a good time. Various games, and an all round evening of pleasure was indulge in. Music was furnished the Variety Mandolin club of this city, and was highly appreciated. An elegant supper was served, a feat- ! ure not out of the ordinary at that place. As host and hostess Mr. and | Mrs. Graber stand’on the topnytch. Those present weie. J. R. Parrish and wife, Samuel Doak and wife/j John Bollinger and wife, Al Graber and wife, D. M Hower and wife, ‘ Harry Wilkenson and wife, John . Mayer ana wife, and the Mandolin club.

TO SELL P. Poyneer Organizing a Company Will Pat up Bu.ld.ng and Employ a Large Force of Hands-Manufacture Seperators. P. Poyneer, the manufacturer of the noted seed and grain separator, informed us today that he was busy unloading a car load of separator material that had just arrived from Oxford, Ohio, and was storing the same in his present place of business on North Second street. Another oar loid of the same material will arrive in a few days from Kai lamazoo, which will lie used in the constiuction of these machines. The material in these two cars alone he values at *3,705 and from which he expects to construct 1,020 machines during the coming year, and that the largest numlier of these machines would be sold and shipped to various points outside of this county The proceeds will come to this city as this is where Mr. Poyneer is making his home, and the amount will reach in the neighborhood of *35,250, which is a very low figure. He stated to a representative of this ]>aper that a numlier of business men had already coma to him asking him to organize a stock company, as they desired to interest themselves in this and run the same on a much i larger scale. To all these men, he I has turned a deaf ear and is now (laying his plans to oragnize a large : stock company. he himself to take the same amount of stock as the other business men. so that he will 'be no more interested than other (members. After this comp my is organized and fully launched he expects to make the move of having the company build a plant of their own, which will he a building of only one story, but of considerable dimensions. He would also induce the company to manufacture several other articles that he has had fully protected by patents, and which he knows will be ready sobers and money makers. It is his intention to turn this separator out by machinery, which can be done much cheaper than the way he is now now turning them out land have electricity as his power which he says ho can arrange for with the city and which would answer the same purpose as steam. If everything turns out in the shape that Mr. Poyneer has arranged and the business men see fit to take a hold and push this enterprize to the front and assist Mr. Poyneer in every shape and form the new enterprise can be in full running order in sixty days, and ti number of men who are now out of employment will be given steady work the year round. GOT LICENSE | Former Marshal of Berne Takes Adams County Bride. — G. G. Barry and Miss Katie Liechty called at the county clerk's 1 office here this morning and pur chased a marriage license. Mr. I Barry is now a resident of Pandora, Ohio, where he is engaged with his j brother in the well drilling busi-' I ness. He was marshal of Berne a (few years ago, and is well known in this county. Miss Liechty is the daughter of Emanuel Liechty of I near Berne. The wedding occurred . today and Mr. and Mrs. Burry will leave tomorrow for Pandora, their future home.

SUES JAY COUNTY Ex Shrriff Whipple Asks For Interest on Hls Fees. Former County Sheriff Whipple purposes to permit the county to enjoy no game of solitaire in the practice of suing people, Two weeks ago suit was brought against him on his official band of the county commissioners tofcolleot the sum of 2*,500 alleged to be dun the county from him. He now comes back at Jthe commissioners with three suits aggregating nearly a thousand dollars |The first two suits, *560.75 and *1 vely are for interest on which were held up by the county commissoners for a long time, while the third is *256.40 for/'committing and discharging prisoners at the county jail.—Portland CommercialReview. IS MARRIED Miss Zerkle Wedded at St. Paris Yesterday Well Known Stenographer Becomes Wife of a Wealthy Oil Operator. Cards were received this morning by a numlier of Dicatur,(people from - St~ Paris. Ohio,_ announcing that “Miss Carrie Florence Zerkle was yesterday united in marriage to Mr. Henry' Joseph'; Hopple, the wedding occurring at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. 8. F. Zerkle. Miss Zerkle was quite well known in this city, having for nearly a year and a half been in the employ of the interurban company as stenographer, and while here made a triends who will no doubt lie surprised to learn of this happy event. The cards further announce that Mr and Mrs. Hoppie will be at home to their many friends after March Ist, nt St. Mary’s, Ohio. The Democrat joins with Miss Zirkle’s many friends here in wishing her a long and happy married life. The groom, Mr. Hopple, is a wealthy oil operator who owns valuable leases in the <lhiojfleld. WILL STANDS Hartford City Masonic Lodge Will Receive Inheritance. (Considerable interest has been manifested in this part of the state inthe trial of the state vs Wolverton case which has just been completed at Hartford City. The jury return ed a verdict in the case for the defendants and by this vredict the Masonic lixlge of theat city is the richer some *IO,OOO or *12,000. Wolverton, who died some time ago. left a will which provided that his brother, Dodge Wolverton, should inherit *SOO from his estate. His housekeeper was giv-m *1,500 and the Masonic lodge the balance, amounting to the amount above stated. During his lifetime Wolverton lived a life of a con-

firmed bachelor and his greatest interest in life seemed to be in his lodge. Since his death, his brother. Dodge Wolverton, sought to break the will, He brought suit to have it set usde on the ground that his brother was a man of un sound mind at the time it was drawn. The trial of the case was assigned to Special Judge J. 8. Dailey of Bluffton and occupied a week

NUMBER 14

PIONEER DEAD Mathias Miller Succumbs To Lagrippe Camt to This County Sixty Years Ago— Was Elghtv-three Years Old. Matthias Miller, sr., died at the borne of his daughtor.’Mrs. Charles Kurher, four an I a half miles east of the city, tn Union "township at 12:50 o'clock this mornng. Though his health had been declining fur several years, due to the infirmities of old ago, he was able to be about the house until last Sunday when he was stricken with lagripjie and paralysis and he sank rapidly from that hoar Mr. Miller was one of the best known citizens of Northern Adams county, having came here in the early forties I when Decatur contained, but a half dozen houses and the surrounding country was a wilderness. Aftei a tew years he returned to Germany, but came to Deca tar again in 1851. The year following he moved to Monroeville. Ohio, where he stayed until 1857. when he came to this county and purchased a farm three miles south of this city, where he lived until 1888 when he moved to Decatui. He was born in Boston county Saarlouis Prussia, June 28, 1821, and was eighty-three years and seven months old. He was married at New York in 1851 to Miss JBirbira Hoeltn, of Prussia, who died here only a few years ago. Sevenjchikiren were born to them, all of whom are living excepting two daughters, Mary and Barbara The surviving children are Margaret Kurber. Michael, Matthias and John B Miller, all of this county and Mrs. Elizabeth Willhelm, of Lima, Ohio. Besides these are many other relatives Mr. Miller was a member of Company K., 89th lailianu.Jand was one of the bravest soldiers of his regiment. Robert Blackburn, a comrade gives the following account of his army record: “Matthias Miller, enlisted August 15. 1862, at Decatur, Indiana, was discharged December 1864, on account of wounds received in action. The subject of thi * sketch was anl exceptional soldier. At Munfordsville, Kentucky, his compiny was on duty outside the fort on the morning of the 14th of September."lß62, The battle was brought on by a general attack his companyfwas or le el into the Fort, Matthias Miller being overlooked wus’left on guard in an isolated place. Instead of deserting 'his post of duty he remained there until in the night when he was relieved and brought into the fort. At Memphis, Tennessee, he was detailed as forage master at the post quartermaster s department, and discharged his duties without fear or f< vor. When the regiment was ordered in to’active service he joined his company and went with them on the Meridian, Miss., expedition, being in skirmishes and battles that occurred on said expedition in February, 1864. His next was the Red River campaign in March, April 'and 'May,“lß64. On March 13, 1864, the capture of Fort Scurry, La., near the month of Red River. March 11, 1864, the 89th Ind. charged the captured*!; Fort Deßussey, La. March 21, 1864. captured Henderson s Hill, La. April 9, 1864, battle at Pleasant Hill, La., at this last named battle he was wounded in the left shoulder, said wound disabling him for life. He was in the hospital nine months. As a soldier he was a grand one; us a comrade kindhearted and affectionate. The funeral services will be held from the St. Mary’s church *n this city at 9:30 o’clock Monday morning. In'e-ni rs t I’ l ' p'i’x ecneh rv.