Jasper County Democrat, Volume 8, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 December 1905 — Page 1

Jasper County Democrat.

Si.oo Per Year.

BIG FIRE AT PARR.

W. L. Wood’s Big General «• Store Destroyed. LOSS 89,0001 INSURANCE 53,800 W. H. Meyers’ Residence Also Burns And He Has No Insurance.— Latter Loss S7OO. The little town of Parr, north of Rensselaer a few miles on the Monon, suffered a disastrous fire at an early hour Thursday morning, and as a result W. L. Wood’s big general store, office, buggy and implement business and blacksmith shop was completely destroyed and Wm. H. Myers’ residence east of the blacksmith shop was also burned. The fire was first seen by Mr. Wood and his wife at about the same time, they noticing a reflection of the fire in their bedrooms, add when the alarm was given the whole store was a mass of flames. By persistent work the Wilcox store, east of Myers’ residence was saved, but the goods were all removed in expectation that it too would go. Mr. Wood’s stock of buggies was low, but he had a large stock of harness on hand and the store stock was also large. The blacksmith shop he had owned only a short time, paying S6OO for it. He had no insurance on the latter, but on the store building and contents there was 13,800 insurance. He estimates his loss at about $5,000 over and above the insurance. Mr. Myers’ loss is about S7OO, with no insurance. All bis goods saved. '• ~ The safe of Mr. Wood’s is still too hot to handle at this writing, but be thinks his books and papers, which are very valuable, are intact. The origin of the fire is unknown, but it is supposed to have been caused from mice at work among matches in the store. While the loss is a heavy one, Mr. Wood is taking it as philosophically as possible and states that he will rebuild an office at once, but will probably not rebuild the store until spring, when he will put up a brick or cement building of the same dimensions as the one destroyed, 50x100, two story.

BOY SHOT BY TARGET RIFLE.

While hunting with some other boys Saturday afternoon, down by the river, Harry Hickman, the eleven year old son of Aaron Hickman of.thie city, was accidently shot in the left leg by a target rifle in the hands of John Hildebrand, the twelve year old son of Henry Hildebrand. The bullet, which was 22-calibre, entered the leg below the knee, striking the bone and flatening out and lodging in the calf of the leg, from which it was extracted. The boy will be laid np for some time.

WAS STATEMENT INCORRECT?

Trustee Thinks His Affidavit Did Not Infer That Nichols Notes Were First Mortgage. Trustee Chapman of the McCoy bankrupt estates, took exceptions to The Democrat’s remarks last week about that affidavit he made just a day or two before the last county election regarding the indebtedness to the McCoy bank of S. R. Nichols—republican candidate for re-election to the office of county treasurer —and which affidavit together with the “attest” of the Rensselaer Republican was used all over the county in efforts to secure votes for such candidate. Mr. Chapman gave The Democrat to understand that he didn’t want this paper to say anything about him whatever, and f said that, while the remarks made last week might be within the law, he wanted it understood that the moment we stepped outside the law in anything said regarding his * acts, fit wouldn’t be any ten cent show.” He was politely and. firmly informed that as trustee of the McCoy estates he was acting in a semi-public capacity; that his acts as such trustee were of public con-

cern, and that at any time The Democrat considered any of such acts deserving of criticism it would not hesitate a moment to criticise. This paper has been threatened too often in the past by those whom it has justly and fairly criticised to be bluffed out of saying anything or covering up the public acts of any one by threats of lawsuits, and it will continue right along the path that it has ever pursued in that direction. No man has ever had just cause to complain about the treatment accorded him by this paper, and we do not intend that he ever shall. Now, let’s consider this matter of this affidavit: Mr. Chapman did not think anyone would necessarily infer that the mortgages alluded to were “first” mortgages. Now this affidavit, as published and sent broadcast all over the county, was preceeded by a lengthy editorial from the editor of the Rensselaer Republican in which, in closing, it was said: “Moreover, this indebtedness to the bank is fully covered and secured by a mortKaffe 0n340 acres of good land. Thus neither Jasper county nor the creditors of the McCoy bank will lose a dollar through Mr. Nichols.” The editorial also stated in backing up its argument, “as is fully attested,” etc., by Trustee Chapman. Here is the affidavit, verbatim. State of Indiana. ) • County of Jasper, J James H. Chapman, being duly sworn upon his oath, says that he is the Trustee of A. McCoy and Company, Bankrupt, that from an examination of the Books of A. MeCoy and Company. Samuel R, Nichols is indebted to said firm, in the sum of (12,748.56, secured by mortgage.that said Nichols is also indebted to said firm as evidenced by notes and over drafts in the sum of 13.062.95. and that the above amounts, aggregating (15,811.61 is all of the indebtedness of Sa mu el R. Nichols that has come to the knowlege of said Trustee. James H. Chapman. Subscribed and sworn t , etc. Now, would not the public naturally infer, and did they not infer, in view of the statement of the Republican that it “was fully secured by a mortgage on 340 acres of good land and no one would lose a dollar,” and the affidavit of the trustee that $12,748.56 was “secured by mortgage,” that such mortgage was worth one hundred cents on the dollar, instead of thirty to forty cents, as they must now believe? The Democrat stated last fall and has since reiterated and will no doubt reiterate again, that when said trustee made the affidavit above he went outside his duties as trustee for the estates and inten tionially or otherwise used such office for political effect. The trustee admits that if these notes could be collected in full that it would be much better for the creditors than this compromise, and we submit that the affidavit made, together with the statements published in connection therewith, left no room to doubt but these notes were first mortgage notes and as “good as old wheat in the mill.”

POLICE COURT DOINGS.

Monday was quite a profitable day in Squire Irwin’s court, a total of $36.55 in fines and costs being gathered in in good old coin of the realm. The two Williams’ were each fined $5 and trimmings for assault and battery on Walter Porter and son Rice Saturday evening, and later in the day Alva Brohard, an amorous young man from Fair Oaks, contributed $11.55 to the pot. Brohard, it seems, had filled up on Rensselaer whiskey and then started for Madame Brown’s “boarding house” in the east part of town. Not being very familiar with the route he apparently was not sure of the house when he arrived there, as he found it closed against him. He then went snooping about in the yards and at the doors of several residents of that locality, scaring the wits out of the women folks. A telephone message was sent up town and Christie Vick went down and gathered in the young man and be was given a fine of $1 and trimmings, $11.55 in all, for a plain drank. He pulled out a wad large enough to choke an elephant and paid the bill. Had the Madame got sight of that wad and seen what a profitable “boarder” Brohard was likely to have been, it is hardly probable the doors would have been closed against him on his initial visit. —.—.— » Absolutely the best thing of the age—clothing and underwear prices at Murray’s big sale.

Rensselaer, Jasper County, Indiana, Saturday, December 9, 1905.

THE COURT HOUSE

Items Picked Up About The County Capitol. New suits filed: No. 6976. Jacob Francis vs. William Volker; appeal from J. P. court. —o — There were 7 marriage licenses issued last month against 7 for the previous month and 19 for December, 1904. —o — Stewart & Son, the Hanging Grove gravel road contractors, were at McCoysburg this week we understand and settled up with the help employed by them on this contract. —o — Marriage licenses issued: Dec. 1, Charles E. McCarthy, of Beaver City, Ind., aged 21, to Jennie Cobus, of Carpenter tp., aged 19. First marriage for each. , Dec. 2, Leonidas Myerd, of Parr, aged 20, to Mabel Madge Yeagley, of Demotte, aged 20. First marriage for each. The Monticello Herald has the following mention of the McCoy cases, sent to White county on change of venue: “The following order was entered in nineteen cases against Alfred McCoy et al sent here from Jasper county on change of venue. Defendant, Alfred McCoy, surrenders himself in open court; cash deposit heretofore made in lieu of bond ordered to be paid to Addison Parkison, and Thomas Robinson, who enter into recognizance with said defendant in open court in sum of S3OO in each case for appearance of defendant Alfred McCoy.” —o— Charles Garling has made application for a saloon license in the room now occupied by the Garling pool and billard hall on South Van Rensselaer street. This application may determine whether or Rensselaer is to be a “dry town” after the expiration of the licenses now in force. It was generally supposed by those who had heretofore signed remonstrance cards in the first ward that remonstrance would be filed at the December term of Commissioners’ court but these cards, it seems, were all left in the hands of one man and have never been turned over to the parties to whom the Sower of attorney was delegated, ust what will now be done remasns to be seen. —o— The commissioners finished their work for the December term Tuesday, and adjourned. Following is a report of the proceedings. Contract for new bridge in Newton tp., was awarded to the Pan American Bridge Co., at $797.50.Petitions for gravel and stone roads in Jordan, Carpenter, Marion tps., and Rensselaer; continued. Letting of contracts for stationary supplies to be on Dec. 23, at 12 o’clock M. A. R. Kresler was appointed secretary of the board of health for the ensuing term. D. W. Waymire was appointed comifiissioner of drainage for the ensuing term of two years. Contracts for poor farm supplies were let to B. Forsythe as follows: Groceries, $143.31; dry goods, $8.82; clothing, $21.95. Liquor licenses were granted to Willie F. Granger and to Thomas F. Stanton to operate at Kersey, licenses to issue Dec. 4. William Shirer et al, petition for highway in Walker tp.; R. B. Harris, Sylvester Gray and Robert Michal appointed viewers. The following fees were reported collected for the quarter ending Nov. 30: J. N. Leatherman, auditor, $81,75; John’O’Connor, sheriff, $188.92; John W. Tilton, recorder, $573.20 ; 0. C. Warner, clerk, $241.25. —ol— is the last week of the present term of circuit court here and the jury was dkfcharged yesterday forenoon, after sitting all week in the case of Buntin vs. the Three-I railroad company J for damages to a trotting horse that was injured while being shipped over defendant’s road. The case begun Monday forenoon and con-

tinued until yesterday, when a compromise was agreed upon and plaintiff was given SSOO, the amount that is alleged to have been offered before entering into trial. The case was beard by Judge Palmer and a jury. Judge Hanley has been at Monticello this week, sitting for Judge Palmer, while the latter performed a like service for the former here. William Schleman vs. Edward Leach: judgment for plaintiffin the sum of $106.10. Theodore Hurley vs. Emmet L. Hollingsworth administrator of the estate of Mary A. Hurley, deceased: administrator reports sale of lands to John Renicker for $1,500 and same is approved by court. W. H. Parkison allowed S4O attorney fees which is taxed as costs. James H. Chapman, trustee, vs. Albert S. Keen et al; change of venue taken by defendant, and case sent to White county. The Connecticut Life Insurance Co., vs. Mattie M. Rinehart et al; change of venue asked for by defendant Rinehart, and case sent to White county. In the motion for a new trial in the case of State vs. Jasper Guy, motion was overruled by special Judge R. W. Marshall, who also denied an appeal to the higher courts. This proceeding is said to be rather unusual, and it is stated that defendant will take the matter of this ruling to the higher courts.

PORTER-WILLIAMS FEUD.

Breaks Out Again Saturday Night and Former Get Worst of It. The trouble between Walter V. Porter and J. A. Williams, out on the former McCoy land in Jordan tp.. was again brought to public notice Saturday night when the elder sVilliamsand one of his sons met Porter and his son Rice on the road near Williams’ residence as they were going home from town, and hammered them up considerably. Walter was driving in a buggy, it seems, while his son was driving a team and wagon loaded with coal. The stories of the Williams’ and Porters’ of course, do not agree, the latter claiming that there were five of the Williams’ who attacked them, while the former say there were but two, the elder Williams and his son, the former taking care of Walter while the latter looked after the son. The Williams’ also say that both admitted they had not treated their adversaries right in the past, but promised to treat them right in the future; and that all then shook hands and agreed to bury the hatchet. It is said that both were quite severely punished, the elder Porter much more so than his son, and when seen in town here Monday he look like he had been run through a threshing machine. The two Williams’ came to town Monday forenoon and affi davits having been filed by the prosecuting attorney, charging assault and battery, they were arraigned before Squire Irwin and fined $5 each and costs on pleas of guilty, amounting in all to $12.50 each. Later the Porters came in and seemed to be much incensed at the proceedings, as they had not been summoned or notified in any way of the matter. They were told that they could have the other three, who they allege were concerned in the assault, arrested if they chose, but at this writing they have not done so. It was rumored that they would file complaints in the circuit court and that the former proceedings would then be set aside, but at this time nothing has been done to that end so far as known. The trouble between the parties dates back about two years, when Williams is alleged to have had trouble with weights of corn over Porter’s scales. Since then there has been one or two lawsuits and the assault of young Porter on the elder Williams, in town here the Saturday previous to this latest affair, is the cause of this assault by the Williams’. The general opinion seems to be that both better cry quits now before something more serious occurs.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Dec. 2, to Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Sullenberger, north of town, a daughter. Nfeet your friends at Murray’s big sale, beginning Dec. 4—they’ll all be there.

JUDGES CHOSEN

Who Will Count the Votes And Award Piano. TWO WEEKS MORE OF CONTEST. • Three Prominent Citizens of Rens* selaer Have Consented (to Act In This Capacity, and Their Standing Assures a “Fair Deal.” The Democrat has secured the services of Mr. B. Forsythe, proprietor of the Chicago Department Store, Mr. E. L. Hollingsworth, cashier of the First National Bank of Rensselaer, and Mr. U. M. Baughman, of the law firm of Baughman & Williams, to conduct the count and award the piano in The Democrat’s Popularity Contest, which closes at 6 o’clock p. m., Thursday, Dec. 21, 1905, The standing of these gentlemen is a sufficient guarantee that all votes will be honestly counted and the instrument awarded to the organization that has in the greatest number of votes at that time. We publish below the vote as it stood at the hour of goina to press, but shall not publish the standing of the contestants after this publication until after the contest is closed. Remington K. of P. Lodge 935 Mt. Hope Church, Jordan tp............... 935 Parr Baptist Church 340 Rensselaer Christian Church 340 Rensselaer Court, C. O. F 280 Wheatfield K. of P. Lodge 220 Gillam M. E. Church 190 Barkley M. E. Church 180 St. John's Court, C.0.F., Remington.... 160 Milroy Baptist Church ;. 125 Gifford United Brethren Church .... 110 Gillam Christian 5.5..... 70 Rose Bud Church 50 McCoysburg Sundav School 65 Barkley Christian Church 40 Remington Christian Church 40 West Barkley Sunday School 30 Virgie Sunday School 30 Kniman M. E. Church 20 Shoshone Tribe, 1.0. R. M. (Gifford) 20 The result of the contest, together with the vote of each contestant, will be published in The Democrat issued Dec. 24, 1905. While the time is short, a “whirlwind finish” may land this elegant instrument to some contestant now well down in the list, and it behooves the friends of any of the organizations to get in their work at once. Procrastination is the thief of time, and if your organization should be but a few votes short of securing this expensive and most desirable prize, you would then wish you had put forth a little more effort and secured the few votes that may mean so much. Remember, every person voting gets full value in a year's subscription to the foremost paper in Northwestern, Indiana, and that the votes are free and merely to assist their favorite organization to secure this fine S3OO Chase piano without the expenditure of a dollar. Remember, that each dollar paid by old subscribers, either arrearages or renewals, entitles them to 10 votes, and each new subscriber, paid in advance for one year, gets 20 votes; each new subscriber paying two years in advance, 50 votes. In case of a tie vote, the value of the instrument will be divided between the tying contestants. Get busy now, and show what you can do toward rolling up votes for your favorite organization. In order to announce the name of the fortunate winner of this elegant instrument in its issue of Dec. 24,1905, The Democrat has decided to close the contest promptly at six o’clock on the evening of Dec. 21, and after that no votes will be received. Contestants will therefore govern themselves accordingly, and see that every vote ia in before that hour. Remember this and do not delay the matter of getting in every vote for your organization that you possibly can, and before 6 o'clock, p. m., Dec. 21, 1905. If you are not already a subscriber to The Democrat it behooves you to get in line and become one, and thus help the organization of your choice to secure this valuable instrument. Only two more weeks, remember.

Vol. VIII. No. 36

PUBLIC SALES. The Democrat has printed bills for the following public sales: Monday, Dec. 11, Isaac Lemna, 4| miles north and 1| miles east of Rensselaer; general sale, horses, cattle, hogs, farm implements, etc. Tuesday, Dec. 12, Horatio Ropp, 5 miles north and 2| miles east of Rensselaer; general sale, horses, cows, hogs, farm implements, etc.

LIBRARY LECTURE COURSE.

Following are the five numbers of the Public Library Lecture Course yet to be given: Dec. 12—Dr. Ernest Oneal. Jan. s—Lula Tyler Gates. Jan. 26—Wallace Bruce Amsbray. Feb. s—Montaville Flower. April 16 —Dr. John Driver. Season tickets may be bad until Dec. 12 at $1.50; on sale at the drug stores and library. Single admission 50c; children, 25c.

MOFFITT DITCH CASE DECIDED.

Court Finds Plaintiff Has Forfeited Contract, But Must Be Paid For Work Done. Judge Palmer has rendered an exhaustive finding of facts in the Moffitt ditch case, which summed up, is to the effect that the plaintiff Moffitt has forfeited his contract, but that there is due him, in equity, from the county the sum of $2,108.96, which the auditor is directed to draw a warrant for and the county treasurer is ordered to pay, and that such payment shall operate as a full release to all parties in this cause. All parties are bound by this order, and the costs of the action are ordered paid out of funds available for the payment of costs and expenses of construction of said ditch. The opinion and finding of facts covers 33 type written pages.

A SPECIES OF EXTORTION.

There is one system of “hold-up” in Rensselaer that ought to be discontinued or broken up, and that is the buss rate to and from St. Joseph’s College. The distance is about one mile and the road is always in good condition. When there were two bussmen here the rate used to be 25 cents for the round trip. JSow, with one man controlling the whole thing, it is 25 cents each way, or 50 cents for the round trip. At Monday night’s entertainment at the college there were two full buss loads, twelve people in each, packed in like sardines in a box, and the round trips, which did not take over an hours time, brought the buss owner sl2. One don’t mind paying a reasonable price for a thing, but such a system of extortion as this is simply an age,and it would seem that the' college people ought to be interested in breaking it up. See Murray’s big sale ad pn another page.

DIES SUDDENLY.

W. E. Forker, Monon Conductor, of Chicago, Dropped Dead Here Saturday Morning. W. E. Forker of Chicago, passenger conductor on the Indianapolis division of the Monon, died here very suddenly last Saturday morning of heart disease. He was in charge of the north bound early morning train which after leaving the station run up near the Coen & Brady elevator to take the side track for the south bound train. Conductor Forker opened jthe switch and stood thereby talking to the engineer and fireman, when suddenly, uttering an exclamation of pain, he fell forward on the rails and ties, cutting and bruising his face somewhat and causing the blood to flow freely.- He was at once picked up. and the company’s local physician called. He found the man dead and thought he was probably dead when picked up. The train was held here about an hour while the coroner held a brief inquest, then went on to Chicago with the remains of the dead conductor in the baggage car. Deceased was over sixty years of age and leaves a wife and daughter in Chicago. He bad been with the Monon some fourteen years. You’ll find it easy to pick the best dressed men whereever you So —you’ll find them in a suit of (urray’s clothing. Attend the sale. •