Jasper County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 June 1907 — THE COURT HOUSE [ARTICLE]

THE COURT HOUSE

Items Picked Up About the County Capitol. | Auditor Leatherman was . a Kentland visitor Thursday. —o — Insufficient applications having been made for bonds in the Howe, ditch, no bonds will be issued and assessments must be paid at once in installments as provided by law. —oMarriage licenses issued: June 5, William Francis Antrim of Gifford, aged 27, occupation farmer, to Laura Beaver Steel, also of Gifford, aged 17, occupation housekeep r. First marriage for each. Frank Babcock, the much prosecuted, or persecuted, editor of the Rensselaer Democrat, wks in Kentland Monday ready to defend the libel suit instituted against him by the one time editor of the Monon News, and brought to this court from Jasper county on change of venue, but the prosecuting witness was conspicuous by his absence. Attorney Will Isham of Fowler was appointed special judge to try the case. Mr. Babcock insisted on a trial of the case, or its dismissal, but the state asked for a continuance and Judge Isham granted the same. There are no merits in this suit whatever against Editor Babcock, and the Court would have been within its rights in dismissing same.—Kentland Enterprise.

—o—f New suits filed: No 7169. State of Indiana, ex rel. Sarah Brownfield, vs. George W. Steele |t al; suit for damages, transcrip from Nekton circuit court. I No. 7170, Same, vs. William T. Bright; same kind of case, transcript from Newton circuit court f No. 7171. Lucinda Roe vs, John Noland; action to quiet title- to W 1 estate. No. 7172. August Eckert vs. James Bobson and James Whited; action for damages for alleged fraud in selling or recommending a horse which plaintiff purchased of said defendants. No. 7173. John Finn vs. Winifred Finn, May Izetta Kays, Anna Frances Kays, Louella Kays, Vera Matilda Kays; action to recover possession of certain real estate conveyed to Winifred Finn, by John C. Kaupke and wife, wherin plaintiff paid part of said purchase price and the first named defendant furnished him the balance ($1,000) with the agreement that when he repaid her such loan she should transfer said lands to plaintiff, so the complaint alleges.

— o _ Special Judge Reynolds has rendered his decision in the Newton county court house furniture case, wherein Auditor Purkey refused to issue his wasrant in payment for said furniture, alleging irregularities in the letting thereof that would make him liable on his bond should he do so. Judge Reynolds refused the writ of mandate and holds witn the auditor in every point and holds the whole thing was illegal, basing his opinion on the county reform law which sets out how contracts shall be let and which has been upheld in every case the supreme court has had a whirl at. No one contends that the fufniture is not worth the contract price or that any crookedness was done or intended, but it was simply not let according to the letter or spirit of the law and therefore illegal. Attorneys say that it is questionable whether the contractor, M. C. Ulrey of Brook, can be paid at all now, which is certainly a great injustice to him, although the law seems to persume that a contractor must know that the proceeding have been regular before he does the work. Following is a report of the proceedings of the oounty oommissionen’ June term: Pan-American Bridge Co., were awarded contracts for two new bridges in Barkley tp., at $749 each. / Contractors on Marion stone road system allowed $3,176.37. The auditor was directed to correspond with the* various stone companies and get their interpolation of what is meant by "one inch

atone” under the specifications in the Carpenter-Remington stone road matters. Bids for grade for Hebron bridge being more than appropriation, they were rejected and cause continued. John Lawler et al, petition for highway in Marion tp.; Elizabeth Gangloff files motion to set aside assessment of damages, and Andrew Gangloff remonstrates against proposed highway, both overruled and John Martindale, James Parkison and Omar Morlan appointed reviewers to meet June 19. Jerry Hess et al, petition for highway in Gillam tp.; viewers report vacation will be of public utility and same is declared vacated. John J. Lawler et al, petition for highway on county line between Jasperand Newton counties; ordered established.

Thos. Dayis, et al, petition for ditch; drainage com. requests more time, and matter continued ;o July term, • - Poor farm contracts awarded for next three months as follows: John Eger, groceries, 9104.50; Porter & Kresler, shoes and clothing, $24.08: Roth Bros, meat, $18.25. E. L. Williams petition for ditch;request for more time to report given and matter continued to next term; petitioners move to strike out appeal bond of Delahanty; overruled and bond approved. John W. Humes petition for ditch; ordered established and Leslie Alter appointed superintendent.

James L. Babcock, petition for ditch; cause docketed. Omar Day and Rufus Knox appointed to scholarships at Purdue University. Chas. E. Sage et al, petition for highway in Jordan tp.; L. Strong, Warren Robinson and R. B. Harris appointed viewers, to meet June 25. A. M. Ludeman et al petition to drain into Garrison ditch; granted on payment of SSO by petitioner John Trachsel and $25 by A. M, Ludeman to county treasurer to be applied on Garrison ditch bonds. Contractors on Iroqnois ditch were allowed $1,022.97 and Moffitt ditch contractors $950.41. A. L. Book resigns as trustee of Walker tp., and Fred Karch appointed to fill out unexpired term.

Contracts for3oo tons coal awarded to Shirley Hill Coal Co., at $2 per ton for mine run; $2.20 for 1| inch lump; $2.45 for domestic lump, all f. o. b. Rensselaer. Fees collected for past three months as follows: Auditor, $56,85; sheriff, $83.29; recorder $795.80; Clerk $244.50. Report of poor farm superintendent shows expenses of quarter $602.87, and receipts of $1,426.14, leaving a net surplus of $823.27. The receipts were from the following sources: L.... >

Babcock A Hopkina2s3l bu. oats .$1,012.52 A. J. Harmon, one bay mare 142.50 J. H. Yeoman, 9 hogs 96.00 John Knapp, hay 48 50 Wm. Murray, same.... 61.00 Roth Bros., cow hide ~ 5.00 Wm.AuKspurrer.oate .. 1.80 Cream sold during quarter........... 54.90 Chiekens sold *. 3.72 There were 14 inmates of poor asylum at end of quarter.