Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 61, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 January 1909 — Page 1

Jasper County Democrat.

*I.SO Per-Tear.

NO DITCH JUST YET

Remonstrators Win Out ' In Iroquois Extension. HAVE 87 NAMES TO THE GOOD On Their Remonstrance—Petitioners Likely to Appear Or Later File a New Petition. / % . Judge Hanley banded down a decision in the Iroquois ditch extension proceedings, known as the Carr Ditch, Wednesday forenoon, lading that the remonstrators had the necessary number of names to their remonstrance with some 87 -to spare. The count found that there were 2,044 land-owners affected by said proposed ditch and that the remonstrance contained 1,463 names. It takes two-thirds of those affected to defeat, and in this case there was 87 names to spare after sifting out a few who were not legal remonstrators. Just what will be the next move by the petitioners will be decided at a meeting which will likely be palled soon. It is probable that a new petition will/ be filed, as there is a general belief that a sufficient remonstrance could not be again secured against the proposed ditch. Many people who signed the remonstrance have openly stated that they would not remonstrate again; that they realize that the increased flow of water in the Iroquois river ditch already constructed must be carried further on, and that there is no use to delay the matter. While the hearing has been going on for some three weeks, the court costs will not be so very heavy, and the petitioners have nad but one Attorney, Mr. Williams. The witnesses heard were parties to the proceedings and were entitled to no fees. Some $450 was paid out on account of the report, and probably the publication, sheriff’s and other costs will reach S3OO to S4OO more. The remonstrators were represented by three attorneys, Darroch, Foltz and Halleck, and with the expense of circulating the remonstrances and their attorneys, it has cost them no small sum.

WANTS GOVERNMENT AID

North Judson Man’s Views About Kankakee River Drainage. The Kankakee Reclamation Company at a meeting held in Knox recently to consider a number of important matters. At the suggestion of Mr. Keller, a member of that company, A. J. Bunnell of this city, an extensive manufacturer and well known to our people, was asked to express his views as he has taken great interest In the drainage proposition that has prlsen, and has been very much considered by the people of the Kankakee pertaining to the rocks at Momence. Ab our readers are well aware, Mr. Bunnell was prominently mentioned for congress by those who were aware of the proposition in which he was so deeply interested, believing that he could bring about results by being honored that would revolutionize all interests especially that of drainage of the Kankakee valley. He then proposed that he would make his principal duty as a member of congress to see that proper aid was given to remove the rock at Momence. The political conditions in the district, however, resulted in the nomination of H. A. Barnhart, but the views of Mr. Bunnell are still maintained that he would have made effectual if elected, and he expresses a hope that the present; congressman may not overlook the same matter now. It was so imbedded in his mind that when he withdrew from the race,. he still pursues, and will until accomplished, use all of his influence and energy to unite regardless of factions to bring about this wonderful future that Is so visible to the many thousands of Indiana. It is a well known fact that the limestone rock at Momence stands a barrier against the successful drainage unless they can be removed. The large amount of money that has been expeneded signifies the absolute necessity to complete this great enterprise that has been so wonderfully" accomplished by the Kankakee Reclamation Co. The facts have proven themselves. The Kankakee Relamation Co., have made it so plain that all of the interests now bordering on the Kankakee from the watersheds on the north to the watersheds on the south that this work should be done to bring about ' satisfactory results. It Is a fact that there is not a 'foot of this land that is not the finest garden spot in America and with its wonderful resources at its command within 400 miles there

can be at least counted ten million people consumers. This will j increase the valuation in land and also increase! the population at least | five to ten fold, increase the taxation that the state will enjoy and should be a party to its development.—North Judson News.

SUPERINTENDENT’S WANT INCREASE.

At the State meeting of the county school superintendents at Indianapolis this week it was de-: elded to ask the legislature to better equalize the salaries of superintendents, which, as asked for, means an increase in practically all the counties. The classification of counties is based on the enumeration of pupils, and the schedule adopted by the association was as follows: Enumeration of 12,000 to and Including 16,000, a salary of $2,250; enumeration from 8,000 to 12,000, a salary ot $2,000; enumeration of from 3,000 to 8,000, a alary of $1,750, and where the enumeration is under 3,000, a salary of $1,400. s It was also decided to ask the Legislature to fix the qualiflications of a county superintendent, require ing him to have a sixty months’ or State life license, or a diploma from an accredited normal school or college, and providing that he shall be actively engaged in school work when elected. Increased powers in the appointment of teachers and the selection of 'sites and erection of school buildings will also be asked.

FACTORY PEOPLE WERE HERE.

Expressed Themselves as Well Pleased With the Town and Will Likely. Locate Here. Mr. Price of the Chicago Industrial Company, and Mr. Solomon, senior member of the metal furniture factory which they are talking of locating here, were in the city Wednesday and looked over the ground. Mr. Price represents the company that is engaged in the selling of the lots here to raise the proposed factory tund, and a number of industries seeking locations and bonuses outside . Chicago are listed with them, this metal furniture concern being one of them. In conversation with The Democrat Mr. Solomon stated that his concern was thoroughly established in a good paying business; that it was nb experiment. He was much pleased with Rensselaer, he stated, and the only question about their locating here if given the required encouragement was the matter of securing the necessary labor. They would expect to employ 300 people at the start and they expect the business to increase enough so it will require 500 people ere long. The matter will be taken up with his partner on returning to Chicago and President Robinson of the Commercial Club expects to hear from them in a few days.

THREE COUNTIES VOTE DRY.

Lawrence, Pike and Wabash Held County Option Elections This Week.

The first elections under the Hanly county option law were held Tuesday, in Lawrence and Wabash counties, and resulted in both counties voting dry by decisive majorities, the former returning a majority of 1,505, and the latter 889. The result in Lawrence was no surprise, but in Wabash the wets hoped to win out by a good round majority. Only one township voted wet in Wabash county, that in which* the city of Wabash is located. Nineteen saloons will go out of business in Wabash—all the rest oi the county was dry—and 21 saloons in Lawrence must close at the expiration of the present licenses. Every township in Lawrence voted dry. Bedford is the largest town in Lawrepce county, and 29 of the 34 precincts in the county voted dry. Ptke county, Petersburg the county seat, voted Thursday, and it, too, went dry by 892 majority, the wets 4 carrying Petersburg by only 14. Every township was carried by the drys. There is but on saloon in Pike county now, and it will have to close July 1. Only about 60 per cent of the vote of the county was polled. Hamilton county will vote on county option Jan. 26, and a number of other counties are preparing to file petitions at the meeting of the county commissioners in' their respective counties Monday, so that the elections may be held during the latter part of January or the beginning of February.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The subject of the Sabbath morning sermon of the Presbyterian church will be ‘'The Law of the Harvest.” In the evening the pastor will .speak on the youth of Jesus and will use the stereoptican to illustrate his sermon. A cordial invitation is extended to everyone to attend these services. Get a cup of ntoe hot Millar coffee next Saturday, at the Home Grocery.

THE TWICE - A - WEEK

RENSSELAER. JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA, SATURDAY, JANUARY 2, 1909.

THE COURT HOUSE

Items Picked Up About the County Capitol. Commissioners’ Court meets in regular monthly session Monday. Sheriff Shirer has no regular boarders as yet, but three tourists took breakfast with him yesterday. —<» — Eleven marriage licenses were issued last month against 10 for the month previous, and 14 for December, l»07. —-oi New suits filed: No. 7384. Benjamin J. Gifford vs. Frank Cochran; suit on note. No. 7385. Albert Helsel, administrator, vs. Nancy E. Kessick, et al; petition to sell real estate. / Sheriff O’Connor bade final adieu Ao Rensselaer Thursday morning and is now private citizen once more of Walker tp. His successor, L. P. Shirer, is also a former Walker citizen. He is now installed in the sheriff’s residence and will take care of the wrong-doers who come his way during the next two years at least.

After three or four twists at the matter of electing a county superintendent in Pulaski county to succeed the late J. H. Reddick, the township trustees met again last Saturday and on the sixth ballot elected H. L. Rogers, superintendent of the Monteray schools. Rogers received 6 votes and J. F. Ale of Medaryville 6. County Auditor Ellis Rees then cast the deciding vote for Rogers, who is a democrat.

THE WEEK OF PRAYER.

To Be Observed by the Churches of Rensselaer. Falling in line with a custom which has prevailed in many cities for a number of years, the Churches of Rensselaer will unite in observing the Week of Prayer, which is the first week in January. The meetings will be held in the various churches and led by the ministers as follows: Monday evening, Baptist church; subject, “God’s Faithfulness. Man's Responsibility.” G. H. Clarke, leader. > Tuesday evening, M. E. church; subject, “Missions, Home and Foreign.” O. E. Miller, leader. Wednesday evening, Christian church; subject, “The Signs of the Times.” J. C. Parrett, leader. ' Thursday evening, Presbyterian church; subject, "The Family and the School.” H. L. Kindig, leader.

CHURCH OF GOD.

Subject at Church of God, Sunday morning, “The Burning Bush at Mt. Horeb—the Significant lesson, thereby taught.”

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.

Notice for January 3, 1909. Sunday School at usual hour. Classes for all. Come and watch us grow. Morning worship at 10:45. Fifth and last sermon on “Wanderings of Isreal.” t ' B. Y. P. U., meeting at 6 p. m. Evening worship at 7 p. m. Subject—“ Dedicating Ourselves to God.” ■All are welcome to these services.

CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.

The city council met in regular session Monday night with all members present except Councilman Meyers.

There was not much doing except allowing the following claims:

CORPORATION FUND. W S Parks, salary >30.00 E M Thomas, same 25.00 Chas. Morlan, same 25.00 A J Miller, sec. bd health. . 50.00 F E Babcock, pub depos. no. 4.0 u Moses Leopold, post, treas. of 1.00 ROAD FUND. Hqaly & Clarke, pub. notices. 20.00 C H Stacker, tile 23.68 Chester Zea, labor with team 30.00 Cecil Clouse, work on sti*eet. 21.00 C W Platt, same sewer. .... 1.25 John Hordeman, same 2.25 M L Hemphill, blksmlth work 6.45 Fred Hephill, 5ame........ 25.65 WATER FUND. Moses Leopold, tnt. pd b0nd5.288.72 Ed Hopkins, salary. 30.00 Jas. B. Clow & Sons, wat. sup 15.02 Wallace Machine Co., repairs 61.80 C W Platt, work on main. . 2.13 John Hordeman, 5ame...... 4.63 ELECTRIC LIGHT FUND. S C Chamberlain, sal and ex. 52.83 Mell Abbott, same 30.00 Dave Haste, same. ......... 30.00 M L Hemphill, blksmlth work 15.20 Standard Oil Co., oil 45.21 Tom Hoyes, work on line... 17.00 Moses Leopold, freight 125.87

PICTURE FRAMES MADE TO ORDER AT WIORLAND’S FURNITURE STORE. Subscribe for The Democrat.

SENATE AND SECRET SERVICE

Chairman of Investigating Committee Discusses President's Message. Washington, Jan." 1. —That the proposed inquiry by the senate committee into the methods of the secret service will be searching and comprehensive has been definitely stated. The announcement was made by Senator Hale, acting chairman of the eommitttee, and was called out by an intimation that the inquiry might be prolonged until after the 4th of March for the purpose of permitting the summoning of President Roosevelt before the committee as a private citizen to testify. Senator Hale said: "There is very little in the senate investigation that has to do with intimations that members of congress tn either house have been shadowed or spied upon. The president’s message does not bear out the proposition that members of congress were improperly influenced in their votes restricting the secret service because of any criminality on their part, the exposure of which was feared.”

PREFERRED GRAVE TO A LIFE WITHOUT CHILD

Prof. Gordy and Wife Commit Suicide After Girl's Death. New York, Jan. I.—Unable to endure the thought of spending their declining years without the cheering presence of a daughter whom they both worshiped, Professor J. P. Gordy, of New York University, and his wife committed suicide. The girl, eighteen years old, died Friday of pneumonia. The two swallowed the contents of three bottles of chloroform. Two hours later Professor James E. Lough of New York University, who occupies apartments at the Paterno, Riverside drive and One Hundred and Sixteenth streets, adjoining those of Professor Gordy, broke in the door. Making their way to the bedroom of the professor and his wife, they found the couple clasped in each other’s arms and dead.

MRS. HAINS’ CONFESSION

Read to Jury In Trial of Brother-In-Law for Murder of Annla. Flushing, N. Y., Jan. 1. —General Peter C. Hains, U. S. A., and his wife, Mrs. Virginia P. Hains, parents of Thornton J. Hains, who is being tried as a principal in the slaying of William E. Annis, were witnesses in their son’s behalf, and their testimony brought out in full detail the relationship of Mrs. Claudia Hains and William E. Annis that caused the estrangement of Captain Peter Hains and his wife. * ■ / General Hains declared that in his presence, and before his (two sons, Peter and Thornton Hains, the captain’s wife, Claudia Hains, made a full oonfession and that subsequently Captain Hains manifested such poignant grief from the disclosures that his mental condition became affected. The confession was read to the jury. General Hains was permitted to say that his father died from insanity. Justice Crane directed District Attorney Darrin, whose term of office expires tonight, to continue as the prosecutor in the Hains case. Thornton J. Hains will be called to the witness stand Monday.

WEAKENS ANTI-BETTING LAW

Appellate Court Quashes Indictments Against Racing Men. New York, Jan. I.—Racetrack interests scored an important victory. It was in the form of an unanimous decision of the appellate division of the supreme court that the selling of advance information concerning the horses, their weights, jockeys and the like, said to be essential to the bookmakers in making up their odds, is not a violation of law.

William Engejngn, Chris Fitzgerald and John Cavanagh, connected with the Brighton Beach racetrack, were indicted for selling such information. “If this decision stands on appeal,” said District Attorney Elder of Brooklyn, “it will have the effect of making racetrack gambling easy and the legislature will have to be asked to pass a law to correct it.”

RETURNS $15,000 SALARY

Philadelphia Commiasioner Refuses Pay for Services Given City. Philadelphia, Jan. I.—Rudolph Blankenburg, who was elected city commissioner in 1905, sent to the board of city trustees a check for >15,000, representing his entire salary for three years as commissioner. Mr. Blan kenburg, whose term as commissioner ends with the year, says that he does not feel that he should be paid for services rendered for the city and the public and he gives his salary to the police, firemen and teach•fb’ pension fund.

Sale Bills at Ths Dcsbochß office.

ISLANDS REPORTED SUNK IN SEA

Belief 28,000 Have Perished. WARSHIP INVESTIGATES Uparl Group In Mediterranean Near Coast ot Sicily. TWO NEW EARTHQUAKE SHOCKS Graves Opened by Messina Tremors and Coffins Ripped Apart.

Rome, Jan. I.—The Vita states that a wireless message from the strait of Messina reports that the Liparl Islands, a group of volcanic Islands In the Mediterranean, near the coast of Sicily, have disappeared. The total population of the group numbers 28,000 and must inevitably have perished. The minister of marine has rushed a torpedo boat to ascertain the facts.

Rome, Jan. 1. —Estimates of the death roll of the earthquake now cease to concern the Italian people. It Is enough to know that the catastrophe la overwhelming. Figures would add nothing to the grief of the stricken nation, nor move to greater efforts those upon whom the work of relief and rescue has fallen.

The latest reports received at Rome state that there have been many intermittent shocks following the first to which the greater part of the destruction is attributed. The British warship Minerva reported by wireless to Malta that two severe shocks occurred at Messina. Of Geological Origin. Professor Ricco, director of the Observatory at Mount Etna, states that hiss instruments have recorded fortytwo distinct shocks after the first, but that during the last fourteen hours, they have been almost motionless. Etna and Stromboli are now quiet, and he is certain that the earthquake was not of volcanic but geological origin, similar to that of 1785. The horror of the situation at Messina and Regaio grows with every fresh dispatch. One of the correspondents places the death roll throughout the entire territory as high as 300,000, but this appears to be extreme. Others make their outside estimate 200,000, but the official estimate as made by the minister of marine still holds to 115,000.

At Bagnara surgical operations are bring performed with pruning knives, but at Reggio even that is impossible. Both Sexes Half Nude. Thousands of half nude individuals of both sexes have gathered along the muddy beaches on either side of the ruins of Messina, seeking food or trying to get away by sea. Many children have died from exposure and the cases of madness are increasing. The warships in Messina harbor are keeping their searchlights on the ruijls to enable the rescuers on shore to continue their work.

A band of Messina refugees succeeded, in getting away from the Sicilian coast in sail boats. After a frightful experience In crossing the they landed on the Calabrian coast? Here they were met by haggard refugees from Reggio nnd the various groups •«f unfortunates joined forces. Together they painfully climbed the hills. At a certain point they all turned to give a last look at the burning cities. They stood on the mountainside, plunged in despair.

A young priest who had escaped from Reggio advanced toward the group, some 2.000 persons in all, and Messed them. Then, turning in the dimotion of Reggio, he solemnly called •own the bleaaingof God upon the desolated city. “Peace to the dying,” he Mod; “Peace to the dead.”

2,000 Start—soo Arrive. The band then took up it» broken •ad toilsome, march to Palmi, where the refugees arrived ten hours later In * torrent of rain. Two thousand had ■at out in the beginning, but only 500 ragged and emaciated wanderers reached their destination. The commander .of .the. Russian

cruiser Admiral Makharoff, which brought refugees to Naples, says: “It is impossible to give even a faint Idea of the desolation at Messina. Every now and then we heard the crash of falling floors and walls. This constitutes the greatest danger to the rescuers. It is not safe to approach any standing masonry. “The tidal wave lasted much longer than the earthquake. During all the time we were in the harbor of Messina our vessel shivered intermittently, as though shaken by some huge marine monster.

“Under some wreckage inclosed in a kind of little cubbyhole, and protected by two heavy beams, I discovered two little babies safe and uninjured. They were laughing and playing with the buttons on their clothes. We could find no trace of their parents, who undoubtedly lost their lives.” A naval observer of the destruction of Messina says there were four tidal waves ranging in height from twelve to thirty feet. Thirty minutes elapsed between the rolling in of the first and the destructive onslaught of the last. The weather in Calabria continues abominable. Heavy rains are falling and the thermometer is below the freezing point. Two priests have arrived at Messina from Scylla on the Calabrian coast. They conlrm the reports that this town of 5,000 people has been completely annihilated. They escaped because at the time of the quake they happened to be in the vault of the church, a portion of the building that resisted the general collapse/, The priests say alee that the disaster on the Calabrian coast was greater than on the Sicilian side. The coast has been ravaged for a distance of thirty miles, and Scylla is not the only village to be wiped out of existence.

Weather Abominable. More appalling than the destruction of the towns and villages,themselves, is the terror of the survivors. The spectacle is horrible. The wounded, bleeding, ragged refugees are human skeletons who stagger here and there, dragging their bruised feet with effort and staring vacantly In all directions. Dr. Castellino, who is charged with the direction of relief for Reggio, deela.es that the question of the survivors is more harassing than the question of the dead. The government army and marine, mighty as are their efforts, remain Impotent before the Im mensity of this misery. Money is without value. The indispensable need is food, clothing and tents for shelter. These must come quickly. Each day’s delay only rolls up the list of dead. The experiences at Reggio were practically the same as at other towns. For two entire days the survivors were cut off from the outer world. Looters took possession of the mins and respectable citizens were forced to arm themselves and fight for food to escape starvation.

Survivors Attacked By Dogs. The station master of Reggio says that immediately after the first shock a chasm eighty feet wide was opened In the earth. From this there gushed forth a flood of boiling water, some jets rising to the height of an ordinary house. Many injured persons who were in this region were horribly scalded by tl. > flowing steam.

The rescuers ire ferced to guard themselves agait.-t the onslaught of hundreds of dogs riging with hunger which spring upon .11 comers. They are being shot as fast as possible. The dead in Reggio are mutilated and distorted, their faces set in expressions of infinite terror, and their poor bodies shattered and mishapen. Many of the injured surely will die. They appear demented. Some laugh while others cry. At Messina and at Reggio graves were ripped open and the coffins—some of them shattered—added to the general ghastliness. Paolo Rizo, the mayor of Capriolo, has reached Rome. He was in Messina on a pleasure trip. He was precipitated into a mass of rubbish. His body lodged in a niche in a wall, his face being covered by a carpet that threatened to suffocate him. He managed to move the carpet with his teeth until he made an opening in the folds through which he could breathe. The man lay in this position for five hours, expecting death at any moment. Had it been possible, he says, he would have committed suicide. Another earth tremor loosened the big beany which held him and Rizo escaped. Heavens Filled With Light. In Messina immense quantities of quicklime are being scattered over the ruins to prevent as far as possible the outbreak of a pestilence. This makes it impossible to identfy the bodies, as also does the fact that in thousands of eases the clothing and other articles, which might have helped In the work of recognition, have been burned from the victims. . Survivors say that for half an hour before the quake the heavens Were filled with a gorgeous display of light resembling the aurora borealis. It is declared that an army of no less than 25,000 men will be needed to rescue the living who are still entrapped In the ruins aud to bury the dead. In spite of the efforts of the troops, who are for the most part actively engaged in rescue work,looting continues and also crimes worse than looting. Fight With Knives for Food. Ab the British steamer Ebro was

Continued an Pase Five.

Vol. XL No. ei.