Daily Democrat, Volume 3, Number 20, Decatur, Adams County, 3 February 1905 — Page 1

VOLUME in

LEONARD W. JOHNSON DEAD County Truant Officer Answers Final Call

SICK FEW DAYS Attack of Lagrippe Developed Into Pneumonia Was About the House Monday Afternoon But Suffered Fatal Relapse That Night. .¶ Leonard W Johnson, truant officer of Adams county, and one of the best known farmers of this community, died at three o’clock this morning, after a short illness, at his home three miles south of town. He suffered an attack of lagrippe about ten days ago, but after a few days he improved and Monday was able to get about. That night however, he suffered a relapse and his illness soon devel [develo]ped inio [into] pneumonia and assumed a serious nature. His family and physicians did everything in their power to relieve him but he sank rapidly and at the hour mentioned death relieved him. Lem Johnson as he was familiarly known was one of the best citizens of this county and his kindly face and hearty handshake carried good cheer wherever they went. He was popular here and whenever he came to town was greeted on every hand by his friends. He was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, Aug. ust 5, 1836, being sixty eight years, five months and twenty nine years old. He came to this county in 1837 with his parents, James and Eliza Johnson. He was reared and educated here and endured all the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. He was married October 23, 1866, to Miss Priscilla Wisner and to them were born seven children, several of whom have preceded the father in death. He was one of the best soldiers sent out from this county. He enlisted August 9, 1862, in Company H, 89th Indiana Infantry Volunteers and was mustered out at Indianapolis, Ind., Sepember [September] 5, 1865, serving three years and one month. He was with the command and participated in the following battles: Queen's Hill, Mississippi, February 4, 1864; Meridan, Miss, Feb. 14, 1864; Fort DuRussey, La., March 21, 1864; Henderson's Hill, La., March 21, 1864; Pleasant Hill, La.. April 9, 1864; Gov. Moore’s Plantation, La., May 7, 1864; Marksville Prairie, Mav 16, 1864; Yellow Bayou, La., May 18, 1864; Lake Chicote, Arkansas, June 5, 1864; Tupelo, Miss., July 14, 1864; Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 15, 1864. and Fort Blakely, Ala., April 9, 1865. In the inontts of October and November, 1864, his command was oa the Missouri expedition leaving St. Louis, Mo.. Oct. 2, 1864, and returning to St. Louis, Mo., Nov. 21, 1864. making 713 miles on foot. As a soldier no better ever carried a gun or marched against the enemy. As a comrade he was good a true hearted one, the night never so dark or stormy that Comrade Johnson wonld not go and do his fellow comrade a favor and when the news of his death came this morning, sincere tears stood in the eyes of more than one of the boys who wore the blue with him Three years ago Mr. Johnson was

The Daily Democrat.

elected truant officer of the county and the tedious duties have been performed faihtfully [faithfully] and well. We offer sincere sympathy to the bereaved ones in their hour of trouble. The funeral services will be held Monday afternoon at two o'clock at the Methodist church in this city. Rev. Payne of the St. Paul church will officiate, assisted by Rev. J. C. White. Interment will be made at Maplewood cemetery.

PROPERTY DEAL Business Houses to Have Additions Messrs. Rice, Hooper and Bain, Buy Lots and Will Build this Sprint A real estate deal wis consummated last evening which means the building of addition to several Monroe street business houses. The deal has been on for several months and was finally closed in time to get the buildings completed in the early spring. C. W. Boknecht sold a slice of his Third street property between the Robinson hotel and the rear of the buildings which front on Monroe street. The property was divided into seven lots each, about eighteen feet wide and twenty-six feet in length. The lots wore taken by M F. Rice, C. W. Boknecht, P. G. Hooper, James Bain. Each of the men who own buildings on Monroe street, Messrs. Rice, Boknecht, Hoojier and Bain will build additions to extend back about twenty feet. To the south of them a private alley, eight feet wide will be allowed. The Monroe street buildings are occupied by the Journal office, Boknecht'a saloon and Bain's meatmarket. Ths Hooper building is to be occupied by a wholesale commission house. The lots so’d at a fancy price. MUSICAL FARCE Greatest Hit of the Opera Season Booked For Tuesday. The latest in musical farce, “A Trip to E;yp\” by C. Herbert K err, who is re«p msible for “The Beauty Doctor," “Over the Fence," “Papas Biby.” and othvr notible successes, will Ye seen for the first time in this city at the B >sse opera house on Tuesday, evening February ~ "A Trip to Egypt” is reported to be the funniest play of the season. It has played to a sne cession of crowded houses ever since its first presentation, and the critics are unanimous in their praise of Mr. Kerr’s latest effort. Among the principals in the east which contains over forty names are Jack Vincent and others, Eddie Craven, Daily King, Phoebe Csrdownie, Pearl* Revare. The most popular tong hits are entitled “The Girlie With the Wink.” Rose. Sweet Rose,” “That Little Black Girl of Mine,” and a sextette, “Stroll Together.” The scenic plant carried by the cotnapy is very elaborate and many new and novel elect ioal effect* are introduced. Carson A Willard the funnies* of comedians, are also included in the east.

DECATUX INDIANA, FRIDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 3, 1905.

DIVORCE EVIL A Difficult Thing to Remedy -It the Marriage Vow Sacred? I Louis Lulow, special oorrespon dent for the Indianapolis Star, says: Congressman Crumpacker is receiv ing many letters complimenting him on his’resolution, now pending 'in congress, calling for the statistics of marriage and divorce for the since 1887 with a view to bringing about uniform 'laws on these subjects throughout the country. President Roosevelt is so favorably impressed with the movement that he has done the unusual thing of sending a 'special message to non gross indorsing it. Congressman Crumpacker, after a careful exarui nation of the legal aspects of the question, said today: “Congress can not jiass a law governing marriages and divorces. Su'h an act would be unconstitutional, and prior to anv congressional legislation on this line an amendment to the constitution would be necessary, which is quite‘out of the question. The benefit to come from my resolution, however, will be to build up a sentiment throughout the country that will lead to more uniformity and more stringent provisions in the state statutes governing mar riages and divorces. Now the statutes are of the widest variety from the one in vogue in South Carolina, where divorces are granted on grounds of adultery alone, to others that are lax in the extreme. I do not believe that, generally speaking, there is a diminishing regard for the sanctity of the marriage vow. Some disgusting examples of immorality in high society are apt to create the impression that widespread disregard for the marriage relation exists among our people, but I am inclined to believe that the people generally are as good in this respect as they ever have been.” EDITORS MEET Indiana Editors in Annual Session L. G. Elila<ham of This City Elected President of Indiana Democratic Editorial Association. Indianapolis, Feb. 2 — The mid winter meeting of the democratic Editorial association of Indiana was held here today with about fifty members present, many of them accompanied by their wives. The afternoon session was devoted to discussions of various phases of the newswpaper business The speak er* were J. O. Bchymer, of Tipton; J. C. Williams, of Anderson; W. 8. Chambers, of New Castle, and Frank Haimbaugh, of Muncie. A. J. Dipboye, of Columbns. president of the association, presided. A committee of six members was appointed to assist a committee of members of the Indiana Republican Editorial association, which will meet in Indianapolis next week. After a dinner, the editors and their wives attended a theatre party. The officers elected for the ensuing year are: President , L G. Eilingham, of the Decatur Democrat; first vice president. E. E Cox. News and Telegraph, of Hartford City; second vice-president, A. B Crampton, of the Delphi Citizen; secretary, W. 8. Chambers. New Castle Democrat; treasurer, A. D. Moffett, of the Elwood Record. Thirteen members of the executive committee were elected and seven delegates to the national convention were chosen

THE LEGISLATURE Nicholson Amendment Passed by Senate Session of Hoose and Senate Are Getting Busy—Child Desertion to be Made a Felony. Indianapolis,(Feb. 2.—The senate today passed senate bill No. 86, the Moore bill, to amend the Nicholson law, so as to make remonstrance good for two (years. The eyes of thousands in the state have been centered on this bill and its house counterpart, the Guirl bill, since the day if its introduction. The vote on passage stood 29 to 18. It was called up as a social order shortly after 11 o’clock. There was no debate and no delay preceeding the roll call. The last determined stand that those who opposed the bill were expected to make was not taken., and the victory for the teml*erance forces and for the administration which was back of the bill, was decided and complete.

After a vigorous debate which lasted two hours. Senator Barcus' bill regulating the manner of hold ing primary elections wnd pro vid ing for secrecy in balloting at such elections was lost on third reading on a motion of Senator Mock to postpone indefinitely and the consideration of the measure. The vote for pistp moment was 27 to 17. The senate adopted favorable committe reparts on senate bills Nos 238, 181, 200, 201 and house bill No. 30. Senate bill No. 168 was killed. Senate bills Nos. 200 and 201 are directed against the printing “combine,’' said to con trol public printing over the state. That the senate may have no opportunity to change its mind on the Moore bill, Representative Guirl, author of the similar house bill, which was to have been considered as a special order of business tomorrow morning, will endeavor to have action taken by the house on the senate bill first. The McCormick anti treating bill, introduced in the house by Representative Agar, will be reommended for passage by the committee on morals, according to that committee’s present intention. Members of the committee opposing the bill say they have found that six of the nine members favor it The committee decided at last night's meeting to report favorably the Milburn bill, which makes optional with the judge the imposing of jail penalty for 'violation of the law against selling tobacco. This bill has passed the senate. The house committee on elections will tomorrow favorably report t he branch bill to compel the nse of voting machines in every county in Indiana. The same committee will report to pass the Kean bill to place the penalty on the vote buyer instead of the vote seller. The only change that will be recommended in the Branch bill will be to raise the maximum amount to be paid for voting machines from |3OO to |SOO. The rights and privileges committee of the house decided (tonight to reoort for passage Senator Lyons’ bill for the preference of soldiers and sailors in positions that pay |uo or leas a month Representative LHusman today introduced a bill to make child de sertion a feloay. He proposes when the criminal code bill of the oodifi cation commission is called to offer an amendment to make wife desertio* a felony alee. ; 9

HAY MEN MEET Eas’ern Indiana Dealers-Mr. Egley of Berne Receive Praise. - Every one of the firms composing the tnemltorship of the Eastern Indiana Grain Dealers’ and the East ■ern Indiana Hay Ilealers' associations was represented yesterday in a meeting of the organizations at the Randall hotel. In addition there were a large number of visitors, which included Mr. H. C. Morgan, of Pittsburg, national pres ident of the Hay Dealers, a number of railroad freight agents and com mission men from various parts of the country and several members of the Western Ghio Dealers' ass<> ciation. The principal business before the association was the election of officers, which resulted as follows: Grain Dealers—President, Ed Wasmuth, of Roanoke; vice president, C. E. Bash, of Hunting ton; secretary treasurer, W. N. Doane, of Ossian; executive <x>m mtttee, J. W. Sale, Bluffton ; Maurice Niezer, Monroeville and Max Kraus, Columbia City. Hay Dealers— President, C- F. Davison, Bluffton; vice president, C. G. Egly, Berne; secretary treasurer, CD. Reed, Pierceton. After e election of officers on the part of the grain dealers, Mr. C. 8. Bash praised the retiring officers and paid a pretty compliment to Mr. C. G. of Berne, who did highly efficient se vice for two yeais as the secret ary of the-] association. Mr. Bash said the president of the association should draw for Mr. Egly the best set of resolutions he oould prepare, that he should write it on palter as good as parchment and that oe should bind the document in gold. Mr. Egly responded to the compliment in a short speech.—Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette.

CASE WEAKENS Defense of Accused Murderers is Strong Evidence of Miss Love Taken in Schafer Case— Defendant Evans Conducts Himself Well. .¶ Bedford, Ind., Feb. 2.—Justice McLahlan, the attorneys and the prisoners, Elmer Browning and Frank Evans, charged with the murder of Sarah Schafer, went to the home of Frank Love to get the testimony of his sister, Eva Love, a close friend of Miss Schafer's. Miss Love has been confined to her bed for several weeks by a fever, but she holds her place as teacher in the public schools. To the court, she said she did not know who murdered Miss Schafer, nor why she was killed. Miss Love said she had never taken a buggy ride with S. B. Lowe and had had no secret meetings with him. The court went to the home of Elmer Browning and took the testimony of his father, mother and sister. They said that Browning was at home sick the night of the murder, but next morning he was able to go to the cab shed, where the body of Miss Schafer was found. .¶ Frank Evans, one of the defend ant's took the stand. He denied killing Sarah Schafe [Schafer], knowing who did kill her, daiving [driving] a horse and buggy to the Hall saloon, being in the alley with Browning and all the other allegations made by the Cook woman. He said he left the stone mill, where he was employed at 4:30 on the afternoon of the murder, stopped at a meat market on his way home, got suppsr at home and went down town at 8 o’clock. He said he never wore a mustache and did not know Browning until after the two were arrested. He said he was in the Hall saloon the day after the murder and took supper with Rachel Kelly the same day.

NUMBER 20

MRS. COFFEE DEAD Well Known Lady Died Last Evening Had Suffered Over a Score of Yean With Rheomatlsm and Heart Trouble. Mrs. Marguerite Caffee, aged eighty years, and one of Adams county 's oldest residents, died last evening at her homo three and onehalf miles south of this city, after an illness of twenty two years, death resulting from rheumatism and heart trouble Mrs. Coffee was born September 10, 1825, in Carrol county, Ohio, her parents moving from Ohio to this county in the year 1841. Three years later she was married to Daniel Coffee, then owner of the home at which Mrs. Coffee died. Thirteen children was the result of this marriage, eight having preceded her into the great beyond. Twenty two years igo Mrs. Coffee was stricken with rheumatism, which rendered her helpless, she not being able to walk or do anything and being confined to her bed the entire time. During all of these years she was a patient sufferer, never benioaing her fate, but always having a pleasant word for all whom came in contact with her. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic church and a firm believer in its teaching and work. Three weeks ago she suffered a severe attack of lagrippe, which in her already weakened conditu n she was unable to battle with, and last, evening at ten o’clock death relieved her of all her sufferings. The funeral services will be held Monday morning at ten o’clock, sun time, at the St. Mary's church, Father Wilken conducting the ser vices, and interment will be made in the St. Joseph cemetery. She leaves one daughter and four sons to mourn their loss, they l>eing Mrs George Brown, Mayor D. D. Coffee, Jerry Coffee, Timothy Coffee and John C. Coffee. Her husband and eight children preceded her.

SLEIGHING PARTY

Decatur People Had Good Time as Gueiti at Beery Home. A sleighing party Wednesday evening drove to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Berry, who live five and one half miles southeast of this city, and from all reports had a most enjoyable time. They left this city at ,6 o'clock last evening and when they arrived at the Berry home found a most sumptuous sup]ier awaiting them, which alone was well worth the long ride in the cold. After supper was served all repaired to the parlor, where they played numerous games and listened to music furnished by different members of the party, and at a late hour departed. Those who made up the party were Mr. and Mrs. Charles Colter. Dr. and Mrs. D. D. Clark. Dr. and Mrs J. 9- Neptune, Mr. and Mrs J. C. Patterson, Mr. and Mrs .Jesse Ernsberger, Mr. and Mrs. D W. Berry, Mrs. Chris Berry, Mrs. T. H. B’o*8(r, Misses Bessie Parker and Dessie Berry and Messrs,. J. D Daily and A Frisinger. WILL PROIATEB. The will of Matthias Miller was probated at the oonnty clerk's office this afternoon Hi» son, Michael Miller, was made executor and th • will states that after the aettlement of funeral expenses his money and estate shall be divided equally among the five children, namely, Mrs. Margaret Knrlier, Mrs. Eliza beth Wilhelm and Michael, Matthias and John Miller. The will •<r •« «»»*.( t Hl? v 1[ <- >* >y K, F,. wwwy .’C 14.16