Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 January 1914 — Page 1

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PRINCESS THEATRE VAUDEVILLE TO-NIGHT Tuesday and Wednes. Nights Tom Garrity, the Man from Alaska. “Some Singer and Speaker” Joe Roser, the Sensational High Wire Walker. See this clever wire artist walk the wire across the street in front of the Theatre. Free exhibition at 7:00 p. m., tonight. 3 REELS HIGH CLASS PICTURES 3 SUBJECTS “THE CURE,” VITAGRAPH DRAMA. “THE COUNTERFEITER’S FATE.” LUBIN DRAMA. PAIBE WEEKLY REVIEW WITH MUTT AND JEFF. A Performance lasting 11-2 hours. Shows at 7 p. m. and 8:30 p. m. Prices 10c to everybody.

FRED MIDDLETON SILLED IN CALIFORNIA

Oldest Son of Rev. H. M. Middleton Killed Dec. 23rd on Railroad Near Santa BSrbara. r J. D. Allman, assistant cashier of the First National Bank, today received a card from Rev. H. M. Middleton, of Moores Hill, Ind., stating that himself and wife passed a gloomy Christmas for the reason that they received oar Christmas morning a telegram from their son, Boiwman, at Santa Barbara, Cal., stating that Fred Middleton, the minister’s oldest son, had met death Tueday night, Dec. 23rd, on the railroad about 10 miles north of Santa Barbara. The card stated that Fred had made his home with his parents at Moores Hill for some time prior to three months ago when he went to Santa Baribara. He Was about 40 years of age. Rev. Middleton was the pactor of the Rensselaer Methodist church for some time and the pastor of the church at Remington after leaving this city.

G. G. SPITLER TAKES MAYOR’S OATH TONIGHT

Entire New Council Will Also Be Sworn in and Committee Appointments Announced. . 1. ——. Charles G. Spitler will take the oath of office as mayor of Rensselaer this evening. Ray Wood, Prank G. Kresler, Prank W. Tobias, Prank King and Rex Warner will also be sworn in as the counoilmen of the city. Retiring Mayor George P. Meyers will entertain the new mayor, the old and new councils, the elective officers and his own appointive officers at a 6 o’clock dinner this Monday evening. Some toasts are to intersperse the dinner and Mr. Spitler and the eouncilmen will be Sworn in at the home of Mayor Meyers, and Mir. Spitler will make his inaugural speech X that time. City Treasurer Sands will be unable to be present, as he is laid up at his home with the mumps.

City Treasurer’s Books. Being confined to my home by iNness 1 am unable to open up the treasurer’s books until further notice. 0. M. SANDS, City Treasurer. We can save you money on your family washing. We will gladliy refer you to twenty-five that we are doing washings for. Phone 34Q, McKay’s laundry.

The Evening Republican.

MONON MAN KILLED TWO WILD DUCKS

Game- Warden Kent Learned About It and Sent the Ducks to a United States Marshal. The new federal game law is to be given its first test in Indiana and it will be learned soon how expensive it is to kll mgratory game at a season of the year which the federal law has dosed.

Saturday P. H. Kent, of Broofcston, a game warden, was In Monon and a friend told him that he had just purchased a couple of wild ducks at the poultry yard. Mr. Kent went to the poultry dealer, J. W. Taylor, and asked to see the djueks and then confiscated them and sent them to State Fish and Game Commissioner George W. Miles, at Indianapolis, and he will turn them'over to a United States marshal. ;The man who killed the ducks, which were two nice mallard hens, was Ed Raines, who lives in Monon. Raines is said to be a hunter and he had asked Taylor, the poultry dealer, to ship them to Chicago for him. Taylor had not done so but had disposed of them to another party. It is quite probable that Taylor-will also be liable under the federal law for having the game in his possession.

TWO ACCIDENTS AT LIGHT PLANT SUNDAY

Mel Abbott and Dave Haste Injured While Helping to Install the New Engine. The installation of the new engine at the light pliant resulted in two painful accidents Sunday to two of the employes, Mel Abbott and Dave Haste. Mr. Abbott’s injury was the most serious and he will be confined to his home for some time, having tmxr broken ribs. Mr. Haste has the great toe on one food badly bruised. Fortunately the accident to Mr. Abbott occurred when the light Plant was shut down. He' was pulling with four others on a pipe wrench in an effort to uncouple a pipe that had been up for a long time and the 'wrench slipped and Mel fell against the engine? striking on his side. Had the engine been running he might have been killed. •A heavy bffiqck used In raising the engine fell on Dave’s foot and crushed one toe (juite severely.

We have reduped the price on all our remaining blankets. It will pay you, to see ours.hafore you buy.— & VanArsdel & Go,

Entered January l. 1897, is second class matt matter, at the post-oflee at Wf—— A» r the act of harah t. ItTS.

The first serious fire that Rensselaer has had since the destruction four years ago of the Babcock & Hopkins elevator, occurred at an early hour Sunday morning and resulted in extensive damage to Rowles' & Barker's department store and to the 'building it occupies. Prompt work by the fire department saved the stock and building from compelte demolition and it is really remarkable that the fire was conquered without greater damage. The fire, to all appearances, was caused by defective electric wiring, and seems to have started in the grocery department in the partition between the grocery and the flour room. When discovered by Niight Officer Critser at about 4 o’clock Sunday morning the flames had broken through the windows on the west side of the grocery department. Mr. Critser ran to the fire engine house and Chester Zea responded instantly and had the fire team hitched and hose strung in less than two minutes. There was some delay in giving the alarm, owing to the fact that the shutter from the fire house phone failing this delay was not very serious. Only a moment or two after Officer Critser discovered the fire Harve Moore and Dr. F. H. Hemphill, the latter having just returned from a trip Jo the country, discovered the fire and hastened to assist Chester Zea and his son and Officer Critser. Dr. Hemphill also went to the central office but the operator was then Calling the firemen, and it was only a few minutes until all members of the company were on hand and three streams of water were playing on the fire, which was still mainly confined to the grocery department, but was shooting up the elevator shaft and stairway. The heat -was very intense and this made it a hard fight for the firemen, but their work was carried on in a manner that marks the efficiency of the department. Two strings of hose were sent in at the rear and as soon as another could be laid it was taken in the front way. The grocery department was already quite completely ruined and the most stubborn fight was in the grocery room and about the elevator shaft on the second floor, where rugs and cotton batting were on fire. Rolls of rope In the grocery department near the elevator shaft were on flare and made a vast amount of smoke. The fire had not gained any headway in the front part of the store, where drygoods, shoes, and gent’s furnishings are handled, but the intense

“Man On the Box” Company Best Show For a Long Time.

Ellis Theatre was packed to the doors Saturday night to witness the play “The Man On the Box,” and the performance proved to be the best that has been here for a long time and the audience wias very much pleased. Every player was equalto the demand of the part taken and it wa seasily a dollar show. We take pleasure In recommending this performance to the people of Monticello, where it is to appear next Saturday night.

W. R. C. to Install Officers. At 2 O’clock P. M. Tuesday.

The Womans Relief dorps will Install its new officers at 2 o’clock Tuesday afternoon at the G. A. R. hail In the court house. Mrs. W. F. Powers is the Installing officer. A full attendance of members Is desired.

RENSSELAER, INDIANA, MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 1914.

FIRE DAMAGES BIG DEPARTMENT STORE

Early Morning Blaze Causes Damage to Stock of Rowles & Parker That Can Scarcely Be Estimated

FROM $15,00 TO $25,000 Fire Company Conquered Flames That Had Big Start But Grocery Department is Entire Loss, While Loss Extended to Every Part of the Store and Smoke and Water Damage is Extensive—Building, Which Belongs to B. Forsythe, Suffers Damage Estimated at s6,ooo—Store Will Be Closed Until Insurance is Adjusted.

The. larger and dirtier they are the better I like them.— McKay's Laundry.

heat had cracked the doors at the very front of the store, while every article that Was exposed was damaged by smoke and considerable of it from Water. It was not to exceed fifteen minutes after the water was turned on until Fire Chief Montgomery felt certain that he had the upper hand of the fire, but it Was am hour and a half before it was entirely out, while the fire cpmpany remained on duty for about four hours. ::::::: :::

When first discovered sheets of the metal ceiling in the grocery department were hanging from th,e ceiling and plastering was falling upon the floor, and the balcony bad fallen from the side walls of./the grocery. Officer Critser reported that he heard an explosion when he discovered the fire, but it is probable that the noise was caused by the falling of the balcony. While every precaution wajS exercised not to needelssly damage goods with Water, there was more or less damage from this catose, while the steam mixed with the smoke put a layer of black over everything in the store. Practically every window, except the large plate glass ones irt front, which were protected by the partitions, were cracked. The woodwork is blistered, the stairway almost ruined, <and mirrors that were not broken were ruined by the melting of the quicksilver. Rowles & Parker take invoice each year on February Ist and are unable at this time to make a close estimate of the value of their stock, but it is probably in excesp of $40,000. The grocery stock, which is a complete loss, was valued at about $4,000. The extent of damage to the lout is difficult to determine, depending much on the effect the smoke has on it. The rugs, which were suspended by eeiling hangers from the second: floor, were a total loss and much clothing was damaged. The chief loss to the goods carried in Other departments is from smoke and water. The firm carried but $19,000, which is doubtless less than the Occurred. Added to the direct/ fire loss is the loss from loss of business, for the firm was juert starting to make its annual January cleanup sale, and The Republican was in this issue to have a 2-page advertisement for this sale W. O. Rowles, senior member of the firm, was early at, the scene of the fire and he approved the work of the department. Oren F. Parker, the junior member of the firm, is just recovering from a mild case of diphtheria, and did not venture from his home, although Mrs. Parker, and Mrs. Rowles, also, went to the store and witnessed the fire fighting. Mr. Rowles estimates that the loss is in the neighborhood of $25,000, although he says that it may exceed that sum. This will depend upon the amount that can be rear lized by a sale of the damaged goods. The local agents for the companies in which the insurance Was carried telegraphed for adjusters and as soon as the loss is adjudicated reconstruction work will begin and a fire sale will be inaugurated. The store, however, will probably be closed all of this week and perhaps for a longer time.

Horse Stolen From Hitch Rack at Medaryville Saturday.

A telephone message was received from MedarywHle Sunday morning stating that a horse and buggy bad been stolen Saturday night from the hitch reck in that town. The horse was black with white star in the face, and one white hind toot. The top boggy was practically new and had red running gears. Marshal Bheasier has been unable to get any trace of the stolen property over this way.

The Stork Special Born, Friday, Jan. 2nd, to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur DeWltt, of Fair Oaks, a son. IBorn, Sunday, Jan. 4th, to Mr. and Mrs. Bert Overton, of Rensselaer, a son. Homo Missionary Society. The Ladies Home Missionary Society of the M, E. church will meet with Mrs. D. W. Waymire Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 6th, at 2:30 o’clock.

SHELBY MAH HELD ON PIRACY CHARGE

Joseph Laramie figures in Sensational Case That Reads Like a Dime Novel San Francisco, Jan. 2.—A sea rover; and Arctic trader turned pirate, Andrew B. Nelson, himself a master mariner and one time owner of the schooner Hera, was brought to port today in irons, locked in the brig of the steam lumber schooner Willamsette, and turned over to the federal authorities, who held him in $10,900 bail on a charge of assaulting Captain Reiner on the high seas with intent to murder.

With him was brough Joseph Laramie, a bricklayer, who says he is from Shelby, Ind., charged with be ing an accomplice in the crime. He was held on the same bail. Neither man will admit that he knows the other. Nelson was arrested Wednesday night, after a hand to hand fight, in the captain’s cabin, Which he had entered mnifflil in a towel, wearing a brown wig, a false mustache and carrying an automatic pistol In his hand. Though a Smaller, lighter man, Captain Rainer took the pistol away from the grotesque pirate, Who immediately drew a double section revolver. He was getting the better of the captain when two sailors and a waiter rushed into the room, overpowered Nelson and ironed him. Laramie was standing outside the door while the fight was in progress.

The Willamette carried $1,500 in cash to pay her crew of twenty-five and there were twenty-five passengers quartered aft. A launch followed the vessel, keeping distant about half a mile for some time and Captain Rainer believes the pirate intended to rob his safe and hold up the passengers for their cash and valuables and make his escape to shore In the launch. A member's card m the Masters, Mates and Pilots association of the Paciflt, California Harbor, No. 15 f Idund in Nelson’s pocket®, was the clue that led to his past history. Although admitting his identity and hitsory, Nelson says he is a private detective and that he took passage on the Willamette to arrest Captain Rainer for whom a reward of SIO,OOO had been offered. Of course the reward is mythical and be many crimes, none of them specfled, which Nelson said the captain had committed, are 1 unknown to the police

Squire Joel Spriggs and Wife Celebrate Golden Wedding.

Mr. and Mrs. Joel F. Spriggs, a venerable couple of Walker township, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary Sunday, surrounded by many relatives and friends. Squire Spriggs is 76 years of age and his good wife is 71 and they have spent their entire married life in Walker township. The reunion of the family on this happy occasion brought good cheer to bese old people And the day was enjoyed by all. Mr. and Mrs. Spriggs received a number of presents, all in gold. Those present were: Mrs. Birl Holser, of Foresmtan; Simon Spriggs and family, of Medaryville, and Oavid Spriggs and family, of near the old home place, the three being children of Mr. and Mrs. Spriggs. Also a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Ollie V. Spriggs and sonfl Orvine, of DeMotte; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Herahman, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Herahman, of Walker township; Mr. and Mrs. Long, of Medaryville; Prof. Phillips, of Wanatah; and Mr. and Mrs. Sanders, of Medaryville. A splendid dinner was spread for the guests.

J. C. Borntrager Has Bought Former Harion Adams Farm.

J. C. Bomtrager has moved to the former Marion I. Adame faun, which he has purchased of J. H. Newman, of Cisna Park, 111, and on which Ernest Maxwell lived prior to his departure for Dunkirk, Ind, where he has purchased a farm. Mr. Bomtrager has been the foreman on J. J. Lawler's big ranch near Pleasant Grove for the past three years, Fred Fefthaus will be the tenant of the Lawler ranch at the headquarters house, while Walter Felthaus will live in the house at the Ridge and Young Jim Walters, son of Tom, will occupy the new house on the ranch a mile north of the Ridge The Lawler ranch contains 1,700 acres and has been divided into smaller farms, two new houses having been erected. Mr. Bomtrager plaid 3110 per acre for the New farm, which is only 50 cents per acre more, we believe, than Mr. Newman paid for it when he bought it at auction a year ago.

COAL. , We have Just received another ear of the celebrated White Ash ooaL J. C. GWIN & GO.

STOLEN MOTORCYCLES RECOVERED NEAR BERK

Young Man Named Smith Believed to Have Stolen Both Machines ■' From Indianapolis. Two stolen motorcycles, ope of whkb was recovered without protest and the other after the supposed thief had taken to his heels and succeeded in dodging three bullets fired after him by Night Officer Critser, have caused Indianapolis officers to believe that they have rounded Up one or two motorcycle thieves, although so far neither one has been apprehended. About two weeks ago two young men, Clifford Jenkins and Hubert Smith, of Atlanta, arrived at the home of Clyde Burris, about 7 miles northeast Of this city. Jenkins was riding a Harley Davisson motorcycle and Smith was riding an Excelsior. Burris had formerly lived near Atlanta and was acquainted with Jenkins and Smith. Jenkins did not remain long but went away, leaving the machine at the Burris home. Smith secured employment ditching.

It seems that some person, probably some one living at Atlanta, where Smith and Jenkins live had reported to the losers of motorcycles at Indianapolis ffoat these boys had stolen wheels and almost two wefeks ago a young man came here and went to the farm where JBurria lives and laid claim to the Harley Davisson machine. Smith said that he knew nothing about it and the Owner of the Wheel took it away. He saw the Excelsior machine also and after his return to Indianapolis reported to Robert H, Strum, secretary for the G. H Westing Oo„ that there was another wheel at the Burris home. Mr. Strum came, to Rensselaer and in company with Marshal Shesler went to the Burris home. Mr. Strum bad lost a machine, but his was an Indian and not an Excelsior. He returned to Indianapolis and learned that a man named Lewis Benjamin had lost an Exeelsior machine and that the number on it was 45270, the same number that was on the machine tftafSrofth had at the Burris home. When he returned he notified Benjamin.

In the meantime, so Clyde Burris reports, Smith had received a letter from his mother, who stated that Benjamin had been at Atlanta looking for his machine and hod told her that he knew Hubert Smith had taken it. She informed her son in the letter that Mr. Ben-' Jamin had said that if he would send the machine home he would not be prosecuted. Monday of last week Smith left, the machine In the bam at the home of John Burris, in Rensselaer,, and Saturday evening, accompanied by Clyde Burris, he went after the machine and took it north to the Norman comer and asked John Clouse if he could put the machine In a shed there saying that it was disabled. Clouse thought that Smith acted very peculiar and decided to inform an officer and walked to the R. H. Grow residence and turned in a call from there. Marshal Shesler and Officer Crltser responded and arrived at the Clouse home just as the motorcycle Was being placed In a shed. When Smith saw the offlecrs coming he took to his heels and Officer Critser commanded him to halt and then fired at him three times. Burris stated that he knew nothing about the machine and the officers took him at his word and he went to the home of a relatives near by and remained over night. When he went to his home Sunday morning her learned that Smith had reached there Saturday night at about 1 o’clock and had remained until 5 o’clock Sunday rooming, when he left, informing Mrs. Burris that he was going to Indianapolis. The Republican interviewed Cayde Burris over the telephone. He stated that Smith had said that he was going to leave the motorcycle 80me place and then write to Beat Jomin, the owner, where he would find the machine It was for this purpose that Smith was leaning the machine at Clouse’s house. (Mr. Burris stated that he was coming to Rensselaer to make a complete statement of aU that he knows about the motorcycles and Smith and Jenkins, the young men who brought the machines to his place.

Notice to All Woodman. There will he installation of officers at the Woodmen Hall, Wednesday eve, Jan. 7,1914 Lunch will he served. —JOHN MERRITT, Clerk. ••••* '-v*# ■ - COAL. We have Just received . another ear of the eel disrated White Ash coal. J. C. GWIN A GO. We want to do your family washing. We have expended lots of money preparing to do It Phons

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