Daily Democrat, Volume 5, Number 29, Decatur, Adams County, 2 February 1907 — Page 1

Volume V

A VERY PLEASANT MEETING C. H. Rittenhouse and Co!. Hall Met Our People Last Night

GAS ENGINE PLANT Largest Industry in the Country PERHAPS WE CAN LOCATE THEM The Commercial Club Proposes to Raise a Fund of Fifty Thousand Dollars. The Commercial Club had the pleasure last evening of entertaining Col. Marvin E. Hall of Detroit, and C. H. Rittenhouse of Jackson, Michigan. Both are genial gentlemen and the few social hours were enjoyed to the limit. They came here partially as guests of Mr. T. M. Ried and partially to meet our representative people to look Decatur over as a probable point for the location of a factory. They have an unusually good proposition for any city and will have no trouble to locate any place they desire, and get well paid for it, besides. They have the capital subscribed, $300,000, half of which will be paid up at the time they begin the erection of their plant. They will manufacture large gas engines from fifty to three hundred horse power, and the output of that plant is at this minute contracted for and sold. This makes a pretty safe proposition, both for those financially and otherwise interested in this proposed plant, and for the town or city who gives the financial aid to secure them. The gas engines manufactured is not a natural gas or gasoline project, but is one which extracts from the coal, the gas to operate the engine. Government statistics show that the same power can be extracted from two and six-tenths tons of coal as can be had from ten tons of coal used under a steam engine. This being true, the steam engine will soon be relegated to the past and their places taken by the large gas engines such as will be manufactured by this proposed company. Mr. Rittenhouse is known by many of our people who, during the past several years, have watched with pleasure his progress and advancement in the manufacturing world. His specialty, of course, has been gas engines, and he is credited with being the most practical gas engine expert in the country. He will have charge of this new industry, which would be a double assurance to the people of Decatur, that it would be everything and more than it is now represented. Col. Hall now' resides in Detroit, although at one time he lived in Hillsdale, and was among the enterprising men there that took up the first crude engine that Mr. Rittenhouse furnished the trade. This was an experimental engine, made by experimental men and given to the public as an experiment pure and sin., . since have perfected their engine, and now employ more than one hun re men —with a weekly pay roll o. > 000—all of whom live in Hi & e ' many owning their own homes, and in five years property values from twenty to fifty per cent This is the history of all substantia! factory towns. Mr. Hall is now a financ er and through his close connect ’.°“ I m men of money and their confidence i his ability, as -H as his honesty and integrity, the capital o. enterprise has been taken. - ■ and Mr. Rittenhouse are both prac thp one wltn tical business men, the wjth manufactured product, the o “ the cash, a necessary requirement Those who have taken the stock know to a certainty the per de will receive upon the investme The capital for this compai. • from the city of Detroit, and goes to a small town in order to. avoid <the serious handicap ot uuiO“ . hies that infest every large city the land. . se - It is probable that Decatm can se-

The Daily Democrat.

cure this industry, but if we do, we will have to pay the fiddler. But the payment of the fiddler will be absolutely nothing as compared to the direct benefits achieved therefrom during the first year of life with this factory. Every property and lot owner will be richer by twenty-five per cent, the minute the first nail is driven in this structure. Every merchant will be likewise remunerated. Did you ever calculate upon the benefits of an industry that employed from one hundred to two hundred men? In less than twelve months Decatur would be an entirely different Decatur, and its closest friends would fail in recognition. The Decatur Commercial Club has decided to raise a factory fund. They have not decided to try to raise this fund, buVthey are going to raise it. The total fund must be approximately fifty thousand dollars in order to accomplish what they desire. In order to do this they must have the united support, influence and assistance of every man, woman and child in the city. It will take money and hard, persistent work, but success can only be achieved by laf>or and lots of it The plans for raising this fund is now being worked out by the factory committee of the Commercial Club. They will have the plans ready in a few days, and after that time the fireworks begins. • o SOME TRACTION LINE NEWS First Car Made Run to Fort Wayne in Good Time. After three years of trials and tribulations, which has been undergone by the stockholders and officials of the Fort Wayne & Springfield interurban line, the first link in the electric line that will eventually be constructed from this city to Springfield, 0., was opened for regular traffic this morning. The first car to make the entire run from Decatur to the interurban station in this city arrived at 10:30 o’clock, having made the run of 21.01 miles in one hour and fifteen minutes. On board the car was C. Sheldon and Elmer Fledderjohann, of Decatur, officials of the road. They expressed themselves as delighted with the fine showing made by the first car to be run on the regular schedule. Upon its arrival in this city the car was boarded by Frank J. Kleekamp, the compan’s attorney and one of the principal stockholders of this city, who witnessed the operation of the car with satisfaction. On board the car, besides the officials, were a number of passengers who were picked up along, the route. Returning the car left here at 11 a. m., being thirty minutes late on account of some trouble experienced with a cross-over switch near the corner of Main and Calhoun streets. The cars will come in on Calhoun street, running to Main, thence from Main to Clinton, north on Clinton to Columbia, and to the Interurban station on Harrion street.—Fort Wayne News. oFARMERS’ CONGRESS TO MEET At State House on Thursday and Friday of Next Week. Scripps-Mcßae Special. Indianapolis, Feb. 2.—The Farmers' state congress of Indiana will hold its annual meeting in the state house Thursday and Friday of next week. Joshua Strange, of Marion, is president; A. E. Swope, of Evansville, vice-president;William H. Newsom, of Columbus, secretary, and Ellis House, Bicknell, treasurer. New officers will be elected at the coming meeting. The officers of the congress have decided to dispense with the usual program, and instead there will be a general discussion of the measures now before the legislature in which the farmers are interested and also of the measures which will be introduced later in the session. c KING AND QUEEN GO VISITING (Scripps-Mcßae Special.) London, Feb. 2. —King Edward and Queen Alexandria started for Paris today, traveling incognito. |

Decatur, Indiana, Saturday Evening February 2, 1907.

TODAY IS GROUND HOG DAY His Eminence Had no Need of Sun Glasses. This is the fateful day which, according to folklorists, decides the coming of spring. It is the proverbial ground hog day which tells of the advent of spring. Unless the ground hog has been exceedingly regular in his habits it is likely that he has been out several times this winter and probably he has enjoyed such good nourishment that he is not so poor that his shadow will cause any unusual alarm. The traditional story is that the ground hog hibernates for the winter and that on February 2 he appears for the first time after his vacation season in the underground resort. It is said that after the months of sleep and rest he comes out so poor that in case the sun shines he always becomes frightened at his shadow and he immediately returns to spend six weeks more in the underground resort. It matters not then what the weather man may have to say, spring does not come until the ground hog again peeps from his winter quarters. He needed no sun glasses today, so the winter is practically over. o COURT HOUSE NEWS Petit Jury was Selected Today FOR THE FEBRUARY TERM Which Begins Next Monday—Jury to Report in Two Weeks— Marriage License Issued. The February term of the Adams Circuit court will convene Monday and a continuous session of eighteen weeks w’lll follow, there being no vacation between the February and April terms. The jury commissioners met at the clerk’s office this morning and selected the following men to serve as petit jurors for the February terms; Henry Haugh, Union; William M. Dillman, William Fleetwood, Wabash; Christ Marbach, Union; Albert Bracht, Kirkland; August Worthman, Preble; Charles Helm, Washington; Henry Barkley, Washington; William Jaebker, Preble; William Bieberioh, Preble; A. J. Reynolds, French, and Isaac Teeple, Jefferson. They will report for duty two weeks from Monday on February 18 A marriage license has been issued to Roy Ellis Heller, aged nineteen, and Louise Alice Scherry, aged eighteen, both of Kirkland township. Judge Erwin has been conducting court at Bluffton this week, acting as special judge in a sensational divorce case. JOINS THE HARRIMAN CROWD Frank Robison Accepts Position in Engineer Corps. Frank Robison, for some time a resdent of this city, left this morning for Salt Lake City to take a position in the engineering corps of the Harriman lines. Mr. Robison will make the trip byway of Fort Wayne and in all probability his location in the west will be permanent. While for some time Mr. Robison has not been engaged in this sort of work, yet he is perhaps better equipped for it than any other for many years this was his profession. He started into railroad engineering from the ground up, spending six months in charge of a section crew and going from that work by slow degrees to the very highest grade of work in the business. His experience will fit him to cope w’ith any problem that may confront him in his new position. Mr. Robison’s family will remain in the cjty for the summer at least and will not make arrangements to leave until later.—Bluffton Banner. — MEETS DEATH IN ELEVATOR Indianapolis, Feb. 2. —Mrs. C. S. Price started to get off the elevator at the second floor in Wasson's department store today, changed her mind, got back in car and then again tried to get off after car had started. She was caught and crushed to death.

IS HERE TO STAY Meat Inspection is Working Fine RAILROAD LEGISLATION COMING At Last the Paper Trusts Are to be Taken to Task by Congressional Investigation. Washington, Feb. 2. —It is evident that the new system of meat inspection provided for by the legislation of the last session of Congress is here to stay. Members of the house committee on agriculture who were opposed to some features of the legislation of last year are now ready to admit that the law is working admirably. So well satisfied is the house with the law that no changes were suggested by the house committee. Washington, Feb. 2. —There is now full confirmation of the report that the president is preparing to enter on a new railroad legislation campaign. Within a short time he will send to the Interstate Commerce Commission a letter in which he will outline in a general way his idea of the research the commission shall make with the view of laying the foundation for legislative action at the next session of congress. This letter will be made public. It is authoritatively stated that no one except the spectacular need take fright at the program the president is working out. Washington, Feb. 2.—Once more the paper combinations of the country are to be placed on the grill by the federal government. The judiciary committee of the house will report favorably the resolution of Representative Williams directing the commissioner of corporations to make a thorough investigation of these concerns. The investigation will not only affect newspapers which pay $26,000,000 annually for the paper they consume, but book publishers and boxboard, writing, and other paper manufacturers who consume at least $71,000,000 worth of paper. o WANT AN ELECTRIC Chatanooga Men Here to See Officials THEY MAY MEET THE DEMANDS Controversy Between Rockford and Chattanooga For the Fort Wayne and Springfield. Dr. P. T. Walters, T. Leininger, S. E. Evans, Frank Hisey, and A. Bebout, composing a committe representing the citizens of the community in and about Chattanooga, 0., were in the city today, holding a conference with W. H. Fledderjohann and other officials of the Ft. Wayne & Springfield Interurban company in regard to the extension of the line on. south, and what the company would expect of the people in that community, in relation to having the line run through the town of Chattanooga. Mr. Fledderjohann intimated to the committee what the company would expect and the committee seemed favorably inclined toward the same and stated they thought they could meet the demands. Under the present condition of affairs the company now’ have two proposed routes south. One goes through Pleasant Mills, Willshire, Rockford, Mercer and Celina, while the other goes through Pleasant Mills, Willshire, Chattanooga, Mercer and Celina. Which of the two routes they will decide upon, Mr. Fledderjohann is unable, at present, to state. However, the fight for the line among the southern towns is getting warm. o MRS. GOTTSCHALK IS IMPROVED Berne, Ind., Feb. 2. —The condition of Mrs. Andrew Gottschalk is very slightly improved today. Sh' has rallied enough to take some nourishment and her friends are a little encouraged. However, she is not entirely out of danger.

COMPILES CHURCH STATISTICS Miss Stubbs’ First Report is Rather Interesting. Indianapolis, Feb. 2.—The first official statistics compiled by Miss Mary A. Stubbs, chief of the Indiana bureau of statistics, concerns the churches of the state. The compilation shows that the six-ty-two denominations, or sub-denomi-nations in the state, have a total church membership of 930,855. In all there are 6,808 congregations, 6,740 of which have churches of their own. The church property in the state was valued in 1906 at $24,221,860, and the amount paid to support the denominations was $4,011,255.66. The amount paid to the support of the Sunday schools was $301,838.17 and the amount paid for the support of home missions was $195,581.23. The number enrolled in the Sunday schools was 578,015 and the number enrolled in the parochial schools was 42,571. The salaries paid out to the ministers in all the congregations or meetings amounted to $2,236,480.79. This amount, taken with the number of ministers given, 4,519, would show the average salary a year to be just about SSOO. o READY FOR TRIAL Thaw Case Begins Monday Morning THE EVIDENCE WILL BE SPICY Believed the Jury Now Selected Will Hear the Case —Names of the Men. Scripps-Mcßae Special. New York, Feb. 2. —Harry Thaw expects to see his case go through speedily now'. He said again today that he would certainly go on the stand. He realizes that his whole life will be ’laid bare but at that he is confident of an acquittal. Unless the district attorney, Jerome, gets cloudy reports from his detectives concerning the jurors now in the box, the case will be started Monday morning and hurried to completion. New York, Feb. 2.—The Thaw jury as completed late today, follows: , Foreman —Deming B. Smith, 55, retired manufacturer, married. No. 2. —George P. Pfaff, 64, hardware, married. No. 3.—Charles H. Fecker, 45, shipping agent, married. No. 4.—Oscar A. Pink, salesman, married. No. s.—Henry C. Harney, 50, pianos, married. No. 6. —Harry C. Brealey, 35, advertising agent, married. No. 7.-—Malcolm S. Frazer, 40, salesman, married. No. B—Charles D. Newton, 65, retired railway official, married. No. 9.—Wilbur S. Steele, 60, manufacturer. married. » No. 10. —John S. Dennee, 38, railway freight agent, unmarried. No. 11. —Jos. B. Bolton, 57, clerk, married. No. 12. —Bernard Gerstman, 36, manufacturer's agent, married. The selection of the twelfth juror came at the end of a long and tedious day—the eighth of the trial—and immediately after this last member of the trial panel had been sworn in Justice Fitzgerald ordered an adjournment until 10:30 o'clock Monday morning. — -O INVESTIGATION OF STATE LIFE Was Began Before State Auditor This Morning. (Scripps-Mcßae Special.) Indianapolis, Feb. 2. —State Auditor Billheimer overruled the objection of the State Life officers to the auditor having James Noll act as attorney in the investigation before the auditor and the examination then began. Billheimer read a statement saying that Noll was conversant with. the. State Life affairs and for this reason he intended to keep him. Walter Howe,, cashier of the State Life, was the first I ..Laeos, Null u. ><•: ' i-i b.. trying to ( show where certain money went that didn't appear, according to Noll, as entered with vouchers on the comIpany’s books.

THE SOCIAL EVENTS Numerous Affairs in Decatur Society DINNER PARTIES PREDOMINATE Out of Town Guests are Honored by Their Friends —Church Societies Held Meetings. BY PEARL BURDG. Many invitations were issued for an afternoon party to be given by Mrs. Daniel Sprang and Mrs. Ella Bell at the home of the former on Tuesday, February 5, in compliment to out of town guests. Mrs. John Peterson was hostess at a twelve o'clock dinner yesterday noon at her home on Winchester street. The dinner was served in three courses. The guests were: Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Bell, Mrs. Cole, Mrs. R. S. Peterson, Mrs. DeVilblss, Mr. and Mrs. John Magley, Misses Pansy Bell, Lucile Hale and Dora Magley. One of the most unique social occasions of the winter season was the dinner given by Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Smith of Second street, in compliment to Mrs. J. Torence of Marion. Pink and white was the color scheme and was carired out by cut flowers, while the same colors prevailed throughout the dinner, which was charmingly served at six o’clock in three courses. The guests were: Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Bryson, Mrs. J. W. Torrence of Marion, Misses Mae Niblick, Frances Bryson, Midge Smith and Miss Fonner. The Ladies’ Aid Society's Mite Barrel opening which was held last evening at the parsonage of the M. E. church, and was in every way successful. Every number of the musical program was rendered except one. The collection amounted to twenty-six dollars. The ladies were more than pleased with the large audience. The committee, consisting of Mesdames F. V. Mills, John Rex, C. D. Lewton and Daniel Sprang, served a delicious two course luncheon, and then a social hour was enjoyed. The meeting of the Ladies’ Aid Society of the Christian church yesterday afternoon at the home of Mrs. Henry Laughrey on Second street, was marked with unusual success. The afternoon's program consisted of business of the society, after which dainty refreshments were served by Mrs. Laughrey, assisted by Mrs. Jacob Eady. The next me«ting will be with Mrs. C. J. Weaver on Fifth street, in two weeks. Mr. and Mrs. Will Smith entertained a smal company of friends at a 12 o’clock dinner at their beautiful country home, three miles east of the city, today, in honor of Mrs. J. W. Torrence of Marion, Ind. Dr. and Mrs. Roy Archbold will entertain a few friends at a six o'clock dinner Monday evening, in honor of Mrs. Cole of Lancaster, Ohio. - o GILLMAN IS FOUND GUILTY In the Goodland Bank Wrecking Case. (Scripps-Mcßae Special.) Kentland, Ind., Feb. 2.—The jury i.c the Fred Gillman bank wrecking case, returned a sca'ed verdict at five o clock this morning, finding the defendant guilty of embezzl’ng the funds of the Home bank, Goodland in June, 1904. The sentence was withheld until next week to allow defendant's attorneys time in which to prepare a motion for a new trial. —■ -o THE REAL COLD WAVE IS COMING It is Said the Mercury Will Drop Fifty Degrees Tonight. (Scripps-Mcßae Special.) Indianapolis, Feb. 2. —The ice men can get ready for business, for a real I cold wave, one of the kind that makes ice is on the way. The weather man ' predicts a drop in the thermometer of * fifty degrees between this and Sunday 'morning, and this may continue for I several dajs.

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