Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 August 1908 — Page 1

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Jasper County Democrat.

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DROWNED IN RIVER

David Wheeldon Meets Death Monday. GOES DOWN NEAR PADGETT BRIDGE While Swimming the River at That Point—Body Recovered Iq Short Time But Life Was Extinct. < Ixjavld Wheeldon of Rensselaer was drowned in the Iroquois river just above what used to be called the Walnut trees east of the Padgitt bridge, a half mile west of town, Monday afternoon about 1 o'clock. He was employed by Frank Osborne in a ditch that is being constructed “across lots” to take the water that heretofore has gone down across Melville street south of the Pleasant Ridge road. George Hurley and young Omar Osborne, son of the contractor, and Alfred Bird, were also employed on this work. After they had eaten their dinners Wheeldon remarked to Bird that he was going swimming, and that if he did not see him any more hq would know where he was, not thinking that at that time, he was on the way to the scene of his untimely death a few minutes afterward. There is a deep cut in tie ditch in the bank thrown up by the dredge at this point, and it had been caving some. Wheeldon had been across the channel on the south side to get a log to be used in bracing it to keep it from caving. Young Osborne had gone over first to get the log but hesitated, thinking it too much for him to handle. Both the boy and Wheeldon again went in the water, Whealdon remarking that as he was already wet he would have a swim. The young man was on the south side and was preparing to come over where Hurley and Wheeldon were standing, when Wheeldon jumped into the water and swam diagonally . across toward the boy. When near mid stream the two mfct and Wheeldon swam around the boy and started for the north shore in company with him. When near the shote he grabbed the boy by the heel and began to sink, the boy struggling to get loose and was drawn under three times before he got came very near drowning himself, and was very sick after getting out, vomiting freely. Wheeldon sank from sight. Whether he had an attack of cramps will never be known as he never uttered a sound as he disappeared under the water. Alfred Bird came to town as soon*as George Hurley had told him of the man being drowned, as neither he or Hurley can swim a stroke, and gave the alarm and several men and boys were soon on the scene, and as the place was easily located it was pointed out to Ed Duvall, Jr., and he went over to the south side and dived down in about six feet of water and found the body and brought it to the surface. It was soon conveyed to the other side and taken out of the water, only having lain therein about 30 minutes. In a few minutes 'after this Dr. Wash-

burn came and endeavored to resuscitate the drowned man, but it was of no use, he had been in the water too long. Coroner Wright then came and made arrangements to take charge of the body. It was brought to town and embalmed before it was token to the family residence on Elza street between Clark and Harrison. Monday evening. The wife had been notified, but' not until after her husband had been dead more than an hour. Mr. Wheelden was about 30 years of age, an industrious and respected citizen, and leaves a widow and two sons aged about six and eight years. He has lived in this vicinity for the past few years, but came here from about Noblesville. The remains will be shipped to Noblesville this morning for burial.

POPULAR SONG CONCERT. August 20th.

March Song Napanee Waltz Song. .. .Take Me Out to the .. ...... SUmg • .Stingy Overture Forge in the Forest Walto Song. .Sweet Annabel Song Honey Boy Walto SongSmarty March The Crisis Finale.. Banner Port vt the numbers oa this pro-

gram will be sung by the Band Quartette.

ACCUSED OF ATTACKING YOUNG GIRL.

Goodland, Ind., August 15.—Ben Shetland, a young farmer living one mile west of here, with his wife and two small children, has been arrested psi a warrant sworn out by John Grubb, of Indianapolis, charging Shetland with an attack on Florence, the fourteen-year-old daughter of Mr. Grubb. Shetland denies the charge and has given bond for his appearance for preliminary examination next Thursday.

“THE MAN OF THE HOUR.”

Many of our readers have heard of G. H. Broadhurst’s great and successful play, “The Man of the Hour,” which has had such great runs in the leading play houses of America, while a few, perhaps, have been fortunate enough to witness ttie play while it was running in Chicago. The Democrat has secured Albert Payson Terhune’s story, “The Man of the Hour,” based on this play, and it will appear in serial form in our columns.

STILL IN THE THROES OF THE PANIC.

Rees Clinton .returned last week from a month’s visit at St. Louis and surrounding towns. Rees says that the people of this vicinity do not know what hard times are, but in the factory districts it is something frightful. Big machine shops and factories that formerly employed hundreds of workmen are now down to a few dozen, and while they are beginning to re-employ help, it will be a considerable time before they are back to the old standard. —Brook Reporter (Rep.).

MRS. H. O. HARRIS DEAD.

\pirs. H. O. Harris, who has been inf Chicago for some time taking treatment in a sanitarium, died at 1:45 p. m., Saturday and the remains were brought here Sunday evening ana taken to the family home at the east end of Washington street The funeral was held yesterday at 2 p. m., from the residence. conducted by Rev. D. J. Huston of Goodland, and burial made in Weston cemetery. X Deceased was abom 70 years of age and leaves a husband, one son and two daughters, all of Rensselaer. She had been in poor health for many years. A complete obituary will be published later.

APPROPRIATIONS MADE.

At the meeting of the various committees of the Rensselaer Home Coming Saturday morning the following amounts were appropriated for different amusements and expenses: Advertising > 50.00 Decorations 150.00 Horse Show. 50.00 Music 250.00 Fire Show’ 100.00 Street Amusements 500.00 Miscellaneous expenses 50.00 Postage 12.00 T0ta1>1,162.00 We understand /the subscriptions thusjar aggregate a little over >825. Tuesday, Sept. 1, is to be “Home Coming Day,” with Mrs. C. A. Roberts and C. C. Warner as committee on entertainment.

LANDED THE “HOME COMING.”

The Brook Band landed the contract for the. four days Rensselaer "Home Coming,” yesterday afternoon. They have been employed for the four days, and competed against a number of other bands for the contract. The committee having the matter in charge made no mistake when they decided to employ the Brook band for the entire week of amusement and entertainment. The band will have fourteen pieces. We do not believe there is a better band in the State of the same number of pieces, not even barring professionals, than the band at this place and there is no question of their failure to give satisfaction. We believe that the music loving people of Rensselaer will appreciate our band.—Brook Reporter.

Delicate full cream cheese. Something extra —Home Grocery. No drag, everything moving, everything fresh and new—Home Qrocery. Those having clover to thresh are requested to drop me a card at Alx, Ind. ANDREW RQPP. Rensselaer for a rousing Home Comihg and the Home Grocery always for fine, fresh grocertoe.

RENSSELAER, JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1908.

'MOST 109 YEARS

Of Age Was “Grannie” Wilkins WHO DIED AT REMINGTON MONDAY Was Probably Oldest Person In Indiana—Burial Made at Remington Yesterday. “Grannie” Wilkins, probably the’ oldest person in Indiana, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Watson, in Remington at 8 a. m., Monday, s.ged fOB years, 10 months and 18 days. She had been sick about a week, and gradually failed until death came. She died from no particular ailment, we understand, except old age. The funeral was held yesterday at 2:30 p. m., from the home of her daughter in Remington, and burial made in the cemteery at that place. Mrs. Wilkins was a native of Ireland and was probably the oldest person in the entire state. She has enjoyed very good health and retained most of her faculties td a remarkable degree, notwithstanding her great age. She was for a time an inmate of the poor asylum near Rensselaer, but was later taken by her daughter and cared for. Many Rensselaer people met the old lady when she was at the poor farm and will recall her cheerful though somewhat childish disposition.

A FAMILY REUNION.

A family reunion of marked Interest occurred at the well known home of O. K. Ritchey five miles southwest of this city, on Sunday last. It was a meeting of the long and favorable known Ritchej/ family. It is useless to say that it was a pleasurable success, for everybody knows that O. K. is a skillful entertainer, and his wife, the generous hostess, is noted for her good cooking. The dinner was elaborate and bountiful and' the hungry multitude to the number of 33, were filled to the point of uncomfortable repletion. The family was pained to know that one sister, Mrs. Dowming of Little River, Kansas, and their son Grover of Lisner of Oklahoma City, were absent, bon, N. Dak., and Mrs. Albert Farmer of Oklahoma City, were absent, posed of in part, the time was spent in playing various games. All know’ that O. K. don’t believe in palling down the amusement lid too tightly. Near the close of the day the guests were loathe to leave the home whence they had spent the day so happily. BY A FRIEND.

SILLY CLAPTRAP.

The “boiler plate” political matter sent out by the republican state committee devotes considerable metal to Louis Ludlow’s false and silly articles in the bankrupt Indianapolis Star on the local - option planks of the democratic and republican platforms. Among this “rot” published .in the last issue of the Rensselaer Republican we find a sentence, alleged to have been uttered by a “temperance worker” named Rohrer of Berne, Ind., in which he favors the county unit local option and says that the township and ward unit, as proposed by the democrats, “requiring an election to be held in every ward and township would be a costly burden upon the taxpayers.” The democratic plan, as stated in the platform, is to retain the present remonstrance laws and enact a local option law, allowing the people of a city ward or township to vote upon the question at a special election or to remonstrate, as .they choose. No doubt some wards and townships would prefer to use the remonstrance and thereby there would be no election held therein, but under the county unit plan an election would have to be. held in every voting precinct in the entire county. Now what do you think of Rohrer’s logic or of Ludlow, the Star editors or of the editors of the “boiler plate” who give out such silly buncomb as this? What do you think of the\ intelligence of republican editors, of the Rensselaer Republican, for instance, who win publish and such clap-trap as this? The proposition that the democratic ward and township plan of remonstrance or election, as the people choose, will be more expensive than the w republican county unit plan, where an election mast

be held in every precinct of every township and city in the county, is too plain a falsehood to even talk about. The readers of republican papers are not all fools and these editors are making a mistake in assuming that they are.

MANY TRAGIC DEATHS HERE.

Rensselaer is certainly having her share of tragic deaths this season. Only a few months ago Tom Moody was killed by a tree falling on him. Next came that of John Roche, a Monon brakeman, being cut to pieces by falling under the cars at the depot. Then came John Yates being ground up under a train here only afcout three weeks ago. And now the drowning of David Wheeldon, making the fourth tragic death here in the past few months. Going back a little further and we have the death of Joe Miller, who was crushed to death in a steel plant at Hammond, which occurred ■ last October, and the killing ,of W. O. Moore’s little son in being thrown from a horse.

RETURNS FORM EXTENDED TRIP

Mrs. W. J. Imes has returned from a six weeks visit in /»Jew York and at other points in the east, which fncluded a trip by ocean to Canada and up the St. Lawrence river to Montreal. She and a party of friends left New York August Ist and a big British steamship, and the first landing was at Halifax, N. S. On this trip a terrifflc storm was encountered lasting thlrtyfsix hours and everyone on the boat including a number of the crew became very seasick. Mrs. Imes was taken sick in the evening and after she had managed to get to bed, about ten o’clock, did not get out until the next day late in the forenoon. The path of the ship did not lay in the direction of the wind, and was going at an angle across the waves and the waves were running over the cabins, at times, the various motions the ship made made it impossible to count them. Alt the tenderfeet could do While the seasickness lasted was to lay flat on their backs and keep their eyes closed tight, and as soon as any other position was assumed they would commence to “heave up Jonah” again. Finally the ship got out of the track of the storm and then things got better, and at last got to Halifax and Mrs. Imes had her first look at real British people and a real British town. The storm had made it impossible for this party to get to Quebec for the centennial doings in that city, so they took all the time allowed them at Halifax, going sightseeing for a day or two. The next landing was made at Chstrtuttetown, Prince Edward’s Island. This country is much better for agricultural purposes than Novia Scotia, and being in sight of land all the time the party had a good chance to see the country. The country houses were all white and looked as though they had been planned and built by the same man. Here the party went sightseeing and visited many of the places where the scenes of Longfellow's immortal Evangeline are laid, and some of the people here still use the French language. From Charlottetown the run was made to Quebec, but they were too late to see the Prince of Wales.

From Quebec the party drove into the country to a little town named St. Anne, and to the falls of Montmorency, which much resemble the Niagara of our own country. From Quebec the party went to Montreal, which Mrs. Imes thinks is a very beautiful city, and from a of it as shown in a photograph •it certainly is. Here the party drove out into the country and were treated to a surprise. Acres and acres of muskmelons could be seen as far as the eye could reach, and they were thick on the ground and large as one’s head and fine, Oh, but they were good; had 'em every time a meal was served and between times when they got hungry for them. And think of it, 'way up close to the north pole, too! Mrs. Imes had eaten them in New York where they cost |1 apiece, but now she could see them growing and smell them too. From Montreal the party took a train and were soon in the land of the Stars and Stripes, and were fast approaching Utica, N. Y.. from whence,* after a day’s visit with a nephew, Mrs. Imes came home, arriving here Sunday afternoon, having had one of the most enjoyable visits of her life.

Fine cigar*—Home Grocery.

THE COURT HOUSE

Items Picked Up About the County Capitol. Only two marriage licenses have been issued thus far in August, and the month almost tworthirds gone, too. No surplus school funds accumulate in Jasper county, there always being applications months ahead. —o— Werner Miller has been appointed administrator of the of the late Joseph J. Miller,' his son, who was killed last October in a st6el mill near Hammond. —o►— TJie bond of Robt. A. Mannan as superintendent of the Grover Smith ditch, in the sum of >5,000, with A. S. Keene and R. H. Morehouse as sureties, was filed in the clerk’s office Monday. A transcript of judgment was filed in the clerk's office Monday of Hibben, Holweg & Co., for >117.68, against Gamaliel G. Garrison and Tirzah A. Garrison, taken before Squire Hemphill of Remington July 27.

CLOSE CALL FOR TELEPHONE WIRES.

Saturday when the dredge attempted to pass under the Jasper County Telephone Company’s cable across the river on the south side of Washington street, the dipper handle came in contact with it and came near tearing the cable, wires and all in two. The whole business had been raised a considerable distance to avoid this contingency but they were not nearly high enough, it requiring the combined effort of the telephone force to lift them over the dredge.

A NEPHEW OF GIFFORD’S.

A said-to-be nephew of Gifford, the big land owner, arrived In town yesterday and proceeded to set the real estate agents, who did not know him, crazy by wanting to buy or rent town property. Later he starved in to find a place to board with some private family and scared a bunch of women and children into duck fits, almost, before Marshal Dobbins was notified and before he was able to find him. The man is somewhat deranged and is supposed to be harmless but people would be better pleased if he would stay away from their homes.—Monticello Journal.

SLOW PROGRESS BEING MADE

Several breakdowns have occurred sin.ce the dredge started through the Washington street crossing. Saturday, while trying to dig up the bottom, a .tooth was broken from the dipper and that caused some delay, then a cable was torn in two, causing another delay. Monday and Tuesday a few stops were caused by minor breaks, all of which go to show that dredging in rock cuts isn’t fun by any means. The rock is not blasted deep enough where the water mains cross and must be drillelf and blasted deeper, which will cause further delay. It does not look now as if the bridge would be replaced for a week or more.

EARNING HIS SALARY NOW.

Supt. Chamberlain is preparing to put in elbows in the city water mains on each side of the Washington street bridge as soon as same is moved back in place and then carry the main across on the bridge, between the Joists in under the sidewalk. The main will be boxed and covered with a heavy asbestos covering to prevent its freezing, and two flexible joints put in to prevent breakage to the main from the bribe’s swaying. Water patrons on the* west side have been supplied with water by the connecting of a hose with a hydrant near Judge Thompson’s residence on the east side, and one on the west near the John Jones residence. Light patrons have beeh supplied with “juice” from the College line during the passage of the dredge, the wires at the bridge having to be cut to allow the dredge to go through. All this has caused considerable labor and expense to the city, but it is not likely to have to be done over again for a long time to come.

The Monon is offering a round trip rate to Denver, Colo.. Sept It, 17 and IS. final limit Sept fit, at IBI.SK. W. H. BEAM. Agent.

OBITUARY OF MISS ANNA LANE.

Anna Justene, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lane, was born in Newton township, September 25, 1881, and died the home of her sister, Mrs. E. E. Pierson at Sioux Falls, South Dakota, August 10, 1908, where she had gone the 2nd. of June with the hope of regaining good health. She had been in poor health for the past two years, and all earthly aid was given her in vain. She was chosen from among those who love her so dearly here on earth to glory His Holy name. As death drew near, she became resigned to the will of God, and as her bodily strength began to fail, she seemed spiritually strengthened, and her last days were spent in prayer. Often ejaculations like, “O, Jesus help me,” left her lips and with. “I am happy,” she passed to eternal happiness.

Anna was one of Jasper counties most prominent and successful school teachers, having taught for six years in the district schools. She was beloved by her pupils and patrons, for to know her was to love her. She will be greatly missed by her large circle of friends, whom she leaves to mourn her early death with a father, mother, five sisters, namely: Elizabeth, Kathryn, Lucy, Mrs. E. E. Pierson of Sioux Falls, So. Dak., and Mrs. Harvey Messman, of Brook, also two brothers, Stanley and Louis, and a devoted fiance in Mr. Bart Grant of this place. She was preceded to her Heavenly home by one sister, Mrs. Joseph Rajal, and three brothers, two who died in infancy, and Charles who was called away some three years ago. Although, we miss her sadly, we trust that God has called her to eternal happiness, and as a flower that withers and fades on earth, is refreshed and blossoms again in Heaven. A FRIEND.

CARD OF THANKS

We wish to express our heart-felt thanks to the many kind friends of our daughter, Anna Justene, for their most appreciated kindness and floral offerings.—Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lane apd Family.

CHEAP RATES ON MONON

$8.25 round trip to Toledo, O.» August 28 to 31. Limit Sept. 15. On account of G. A. R. Encampment.

CARD OF THANKS.

We wish to extend our sincere thanks for the kindness shown by our many friends and neighbors through the sickness and death of our little daughter, Irene Gladys. Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Harshberger. A. W. Jackman will speak on prohibition at the court house Monday night, August 24, at 8 p. m. All are invited to hear him. E. S. THORNTON, County Chairman.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS.

August 14, to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Peregrine of Hanging Grove tp., a son. August 14, to Mr. and Mrs. E. L. McFadden of Chicago, a son. The mother was formerly Miss Zacher of Newton tp. August 16, to Mr. and Mrs. C. D. Shook of Barkley tp., a son. Don’t forget Robertson’s next sale of horses and mules, at Wolcott, Saturday, August 29.

The Ohio Farmers Insurance Company has been doing business 60 years, writing fire, lightning and cyclone insurance, on both city town and farm property, also on live stock, and hay in barn or in stock. It will be to your interest to see me before placing your insurance. J. C£ PORTER, Agent.

CONTINENTAL INSURANCE CO.

The largest and one of the best American companies writing fire and wind-storm . insurance on city and farm property. Farmers, before renewing your insurance see the Continental’s most liberal contract. Any limit you wish on horses and cattle. In case of loss we pay on adjustment without discount, all at the same price that smaller companies will ask you. See that your insurance is written in the Continental. Call at my office any time and let me show you. The same office the Continental has been represented in for years, Room 4, 2nd floor, I. O. O. F. building. A. J. HARMON, Agent. Successor to J. Pl Bruner.

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