Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 October 1909 — Page 1

Jasper County Democrat.

*1.50 Per Tear.

BOY BURNED UP IN BARN FIRE.

Eight-Ymr-Old Son of Bon Smith the Victim. PROBABLY STARTED THE FIRE And Then Hid In Manger, Where His Blackened Body Was Found After the Barn Was Burned to the Ground—Was Feeble-Minded Child and Not Responsible for His Acts. a feeble-minded child, met a terrible death Thursday afternoon in the burning of the barn at his father’s home at the extreme northeast corner of town, which occurred at about 4:30 p. m. Mr. Smith was not at home when the fire started and Mrs. Smith had stepped over to a neighbor’s, intending to get back home before the boy came from school. He got home first, however, and is supposed to have gone into the barn and been playing with matches and set it on fire. He then either hid in the manger or the fire got to burning so rapidly that he could not get out. X The ‘nre alarm sounded and the fire department made a run to the scene, but the building was then doomed and the nearest hydrant was probably 1,000 feet away, so that no water could be thrown on the Sarnes. The chemical extinguishers were used to keep the fire from spreading, and it was not known that anyone was in the building until Jill was over. Then the boy was missed, and, as no trace could be got of him, a search of the ruins was made and the charred and blackened trunk, with arms and legs burned completely off and only an unrecognizable bundle of cooked flesh that had little appearance of once having been a human being, was found. No outcry whatever was heard, and no doubt the bo/ was suffocated before the flames reached him. It is to be hoped so, at least. The funeral will be today at 2:30 p. m, at the M. E. church. There were several tons of hay in the barn, which was a cheaply built affair, and from the building the fencing and fruit trees and grape vines near by were set on fire and killed. Mr. Smith carried some insurance, but we are tinable to say how much.

ANOTHER AUTO FOR UNION.

George Davisson of Union tp., purchased a new Ford auto last week, making the third of the five Davisson boys who now sport autos. Amos Davisson, another brother, also has the fever but thinks he will not buy until spring. This will leave Josiah, the Coal Road agent at Kniman, the only one of the five brothers who will be autoless, and even he may get the fever bad enough by next spring to make it unanimous. tJncle Lewis Davisson of Rensselaer, the father of the Davisson boys, is considerably enthused over the “devil wagons” and thinks they are a mighty fine thing. He is amply able to afford one if he wants it, and even he may not consider his 80 odd years too great to sit behind the steering wheel of a machine of his own one of these days.

OLD BUSINESS MAN RETIRES.

John Vannata, who has been located in the harness business in the Hildebrand brick building near the Washington street bridge almost ever since the building was erected, some 29 years ago, has retired and will devote his attention to looking after his >OO acre farm three miles east of Fair Oaks, the former A. N. Lakin farm, ; and take life easy from now on. He got 11,0 00 insurance on an endowment policy a few weeks agQ which will help to smooth over the rough places. He is now building a barn on the farm and otherwise improving it. He will continue to rent the farm and live in town himself. Mr. Vannata was among the pioneer business men of Rensselaer, locating here in 1865 n the harness business, and except for ten years which he lived in Valparaiso, from 1870 to 1880, he has lived here and been continuously inthe same line of business since that time. The room which he has just vacated was first occupied by R. F.- Priest as a general store. Priest was there only about six months, however, when he

moved to Francesville; where he died a few years ago. Mr. Vannatta then moved into the room and occupied it continuously for 28 years.

ON THE SICK LIST.

The Home Grocery’s automobile delivery has been temporarilly out of commission this week, owing to a severe attack of intestinal trouble which necessitated its hurried removal to the “hospital” for a few days while several pieces of its “innards” were patched up by the mechanical surgeons. It will be on duty again shortly with a new chauffer at the wheel.

DECISION AGAINST HIGHWAY.

Jury In White Circuit Court Says Newton Tp., Road Is Not of Public Utility. The Benton Kelly highway case ended in the White circuit court Wednesday after a seven days trial, and the decision of the jury was against the public utility of the proposed highway. This case originated in Newton Tp., Jasper county, and was taken to White county on a change of venue, and there tried, the remonstrators winning out. An appeal was then taken to the appellate court and the case was reversed on error and sent back for a new trial. Quite a bunch of local legal talent was employed in the case and a large number of witnesses testified, so that the costs will reach quite a large sum.

STREET OILING A SUCCESS.

The experiment in oiling streets in Rensselaer to keep down the dust, seems to be a complete success. The first oiling done was on a section of River street, and, while it is a success there, not enough qil was used or it was not put on evenly to make a good job of it. The property owners on South Cullen, from Rutson south to the gravel road, seem to have profited by the experiment on River street, and apparently an excellent job w r as done. There is about 500 feet of this strip, or more than 1 % blocks in length. The roadway is about 30 feet between the curbs, making 15,000 square feet. Ten barrels of oil were used on this, costing, including expense of spreading it on the street, $36.20 all told. The street was fenced off for about a week to allow’ the oil to soak In, and now it is in excellent condition. Besides keeping every particle of dust down it helps to preserve the street and is quite a saving to the city in water consumed, as it was the custom to use the hose to sprinkle before the oiling was done- Perhaps another light coating of oil may be necessary next season, but it will not take near so much as the first time. In view of the success thus far attained it is likely many other property owners and the business part of the city will use oil on their streets next season, as it seems to be much cheaper and better than water.

J. T. RANDLE IMPROVING HIS RECENT PURCHASE.

James T. Randle, who lately purchased the old brick residence property and grounds on South River street, known as the Sears property, has greatly improved same by thoroughly remodeling it and building two more rooms and basement on the rear, putting in new plumbing, painting and papering the interior and making it a very dsirable residence. He has rented it to W. F. Smith, who will move into the property as soon as the repairs are fully completed. Mr. Randle is also building a modern eight-room dwelling on the southeast corner of this block, which was started only three weeks ago and is now almost completed. It has bath and all modern conveniences. The property has been rented to W. O. Rowles, who will move into same as soon as finished. There is a full half block in this plot. Mr. Randle purchased it for about what the ground is worth. There were two houses on the property when he bought it, the brick house and a small dwelling in the rear fronting on the street west, which is also rented. He is cutting out many of the big trees and letting in a little sunshine, as he terms it, and expects next spring to build another good dwelling facing the street running east and’ west and just west of the new dwelling now being built. The Improvements being made to this property add much to the beauty ot River street, one of the prettiest streets in Rensselaer, and in a very desirable residence locality- * Mr. Randle has built three or four new dwelling houses here in the past few years, and they are all good, modern and substantial homes, costing in the neighborhood of $2,50D each, and they are always in demand by families wanting something better than the ordinary rental property. Hia example is worthy of emulation by others of our citizens who can thereby find a good investment for their money and also assist greatly in building up the city.

THE TWICE-A-WEEK

RENSSELAER, JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1909.

THE COURT HOUSE

Items Picked Up About the County Capitol. Sheriff Shirer was in Shelby on business Wednesday. —o— New suits filed: No. 7512. A. R. Jones vs. Ed Oliver, et al; suit on note. Demand $250. —o— W. F. Osborne went to Wheatfield Thursday to look after some matters of the Grover Smith ditch. The first Monday in November, which this year falls on Nov. 1, is the last day for paying the fall installment of taxes to avoid penalty for delinquency. 1 " — o — Newton circuit court will convene Monday, and two of Sheriff Shirer’s Newton county boarders, Fred Brown, the Goodland young man charged with horse-stealing, and the “coon” who cut up a C. & E. 1., conductor a little more than a year ago, will no doubt be tried at this term. o It looks like Jasper county’s marriageable young ladies would have to go over into White county, if they hope to escape old-maiddom. Up to Wednesday six marriage licenses had been issued over there already this month, while here, up to yesterday noon, only one marriage license has been issued this month. —o— The case of Marie Vondersmith vs. the Perpetual Building, Loan and Savings Association of Remington, growing out of the Parker bank failure, which is pending in the White circuit court on change of venue from this county, has been continued for the term, because of other cases taking up too much time, especially the Benton Kelly road case from this county. —o— F. W. Powers of West Lafayette was here on ditch business Wednesday. Some 177 land-owners have remonstrated against the Pow’ere ditch, which is designed to connect the present improvement in the Kankakee river where it ends at the Starke county line, and carry it on to where the Marble ditch begins, and it looks very much as though the petition is as good as defeated now. Later: The petition was dismissed Thursday.

While J. B. Workman, of old tax-payer investigation notoriety, was not directly successful in getting the contract for making th ting the contract for making the here at the letting in August, he seems to be having a finger in the pie anyhow, and is assisting with the investigation being made. Higgs & Workman's bid at that time was $2,000, the full amount of the appropriation; Wm. E. Heal, $1,900; and John W. Coons, $1,700. The commissioners awarded the contract to Heal, evidently thinking that sl,700 was too little for a county like Jasper to pay, although Mr. Coons had some excellent recommendations as to his ability in that line of work. It would appear now that perhaps there was some connection between Heal and Workman, as the latter is here at work. The people of Jasper county have not forgotten Workman’s investigation of the taxpayers—or a part of them, rather—here some eight or nine years ago, and if we mistake not will have little confidence in any investigation with which he is connected, in view of the manner in which the so-called investigation was made here at that time and the total abandonment of the work after the easymarks had contributed their quota.

Following is the report of the proceedings of the board of commissioners, in addition to that published in Tuesday’s Democrat. Bids for the Pullins and Burke bridges rejected becausS in excess of appropriations. S. P. Thompson petition for highway in Union tp.; established 50 feet in width Edward W. Culp ditch; commissioners file report and cause continued to November term for objections. S. P. Thompson ditch; remonstrance filed by F. M. Lakin and cause set for trial Nov. 2 at 2 p. m. John W. Nowels ditch; viewers report favorable, and no remonstrance being filed, ditch is ordered established and D. S. Makeever appointed superintendent, to file bond for $2,500. On estimate of engineer, $2,418.24 was allowed on J. M. Ott stone roads in Carpenter tp. Petition of Home Telephone Co. for right-of-way along public highways of Jasper county for erecting telephone poles and stringing wires; petition granted. Marion I. Adams, et al. petition

for highway in Marion tp.; Everett Halstead, A. C. Pancoast and R. J. Yeoman appointed viewers, to meet Oct. 15 and report on or before November term. Thomas Davis, et al. ditch; commissioners file amended report as per order of board and cause is docketed and set for hearing at 10 a. m., first day of November term. Mainias Zimmer, et al. ditch; continued for objections. Specifications approved for supplies for county officers for 1910. Bonds ordered in Grover Smith ditch for $6,476.86; in Rengeisen ditch for $5,616.70; in Hellscher ditch for $6,934.01. Notice ordered for letting contract for new bridge in Barkley tp., on first day next term.

This is the last week of court, and to-day is the last day of the term. Cases had been set down for trial every day this week, but some of the attorneys connected with them being employed in the Kelly road case in White county necessitated their continuance. The damage case against the Knickerbocker Ice Co., brought here from Hammond was set for Thursday and the jury came in to hear it, but the sickness of one of the important witnesses caused a continuance of ft also, and the jury was discharged for the term. Other proceedings of court since our last report follow: Petition for ditch by Francis W. Powers, et al; cause dismissed at petitioners’ cost. Abner C. Pancoast, petition for ditch; set for‘docketing Nov. 8. Mary A. Bowers, et al. vs. B. F. Ferguson, et al; dismissed, costs paid.

Howard C. Parks vs. Everett Halstead, et al.; defendants file motion for new trial, which is over-ruled and an appeal to the appellate court granted. James N. Leatherman vs. Rachel Call, et al.; title quieted. Emma E. Worland vs. Jacob Coeman, et al; title quieted. William Hershman vs- Michael S. H. Good, et al.; title quieted. Simon J. Straus vs. Mary E. Spitler, et al.; title quieted. <■ H. H. Tubbs vs. Edmund Miller, et al.; judgment for $825.06. Ed. W. Lakin vs. Thomas Cain, adm.; defendant files motion for new trial. Phoebe A. Yeoman, et al. vs. Alma J. Hammond, et al.; commissioners file report, showing partition of all lands except w% nw 27-29-5, which lands are confirmed as reported indivisable; ordered sold and proceeds of sale distributed to the following: Chas. R. Yeoman, 1-5; Effie M. Wade, 1-5; James N. Yeoman, 1-5; Grace G. McColly, 1-5; and Alma J. Hammond,’’ 1-5, widow, Phoebe A. Yeoman, having her full share value set off to her in partition and does not participate in distribution of sale of 80 acre tract. J. J. Hunt appointed commissioner to sell. Myers and Harris appointed appraisers show value $1,600. Sale ordered after 30 days notice by posting, 1-3 cash; 1-3 9 months; 1-3 18 months. J. J. Hunt, attorney, allow’ed $100; commissioners $lO each; White & Hickman, livery, $3; J. M. Knapp, same, $2. Adm. directed to pay costs of partition action out of funds of estate.

ED CUMMONS OF REMINGTON KILLED

Well Known Carpenter Falls From Roof of Corn Crib and Breaks . His Neck. pEdward Cummons, the elder of the well known firm of Cummons Bros-, carpenters and contractors of Remington, fell from a corn crib on which he was at work at Corey Price’s in Carpenter tp., Wednesday afternoon and broke his neck. "IS As near as we can learn thenacts at this writing Mr. Cummons was at work alone' on a big double crib at the Price farm northwest of Remington, and at about 3 o’clock in the afternoon Mrs. Price went out to the barn to hitch up a horse and 1 found Mr. Cummons lying on the ground, dead. He is thought to . have had an attack of heart failure and slipped off the roof. Mr. Cummons was in the neighbor- ■ hood of 50 years of age, and for many years was associated with his brother George in carpentering and building, and was an excellent mej chanic. He leaves, besides a wife . and one son, a host of friends in Remington and vicinity.

EXPECTS TO PAY TEN PER CENT MORE.

Fowler Leader: W. H, Cheadle, the receiver of the Parker banks, was in Fowler Tuesday afternoon. The affairs- of the Kouts bank have been closed. The depositors were paid in full. But ten per cent has been paid the creditors of the Remington bank. The bank examiner who gave the order for the closing of the bank said that he was surprised that that much had been paid- There are several suits pending. There remains 2,700 acres of land in Arkansas, 160 in Oklahoma, 240 in Wisconsin and 80 in Jasper county. Mr. Cheadle rather expects to pay another divident of ten per cent. The great part of Mr. Parker’s stock of trade was confidence and he had too much of that.

RENSSELAER HORSE SHOW.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday of Next Week. PROGRAM AND PREMIUM LIST. Three Big Days’ Events That Will Take Place In “The Best Town On the Monon”—Names of Those Who Have Contributed Cash and Merchandise to Make the Show a Success. Thursday •June Henkle Standard-bred Trotter, X-Ray, first, $lO cash; second, service fee. •Lewis Muster Standard-bred Trotter Buff Kip, first, $lO cash; second, service fee. Lot No. 1, Time of Event 10 a. m. For the best road stallion, standard bred, trotter or pacer, 3 years or over, First, $5 pair of horse blankets given by Scott Bros.; Second, $2 box of cigars given by Klplinger & Harmon. Lot No. 2, Time 10:30 a- m. For best road mare, 3 years or over, First, $5 Stetson Hat given by Rowles & Parker; Second, $2 box of cigars given by Kiplinger & Harmon. Lot No. 3, Time 11:00 a. ni. For the best road mare or gelding, any age, First, $5 pair of pants given by C. Earl Duvall; Second, $2 box of cigars given by Kiplinger & Harmon. Lot No. 4, Time 11:30 a. m. For the best colt, 9 months or under, First, $7 buggy pole given by C. A. Roberts; Second, $4 sweater coat given by G. E. Murray Co.; Third, $2 leather halter given by J. C. Carmichael. Lot No. 5, Time 12:00 M. For the best road colt, 1 year and under 2, First, $3 hat given by Rowles & Parker; Second $2 shirt given by Rowles & Parker. Lot No. O, Time 1:00 p- m. For the best road colt 2 years and under 3, First, $5 pair of shoes given by G. E. Murray Co.; Second, $2 worth of coffee given by E. S. Rhoades. Lot No. 7, Time 1:30 p. m. For the best pair drivers, owned by ofie man, First, $5 pair of shoes given by Samuel Fendig; Second, $2 watch fob given by G. J. Jessen. Lot No. 8, Time 2:00 p. in. For the best carriage team, owned by one man, First, $5 ornament given by E. V. Ransford; Second, -$2 cap given by Rowles & Parker. Lot No. 9, Time 2:30 p. m. For the best single carriage horse, mare or gelding, any age, First, $5 picture and frame given by E. V. Ransford; Second, $2 cap given by Rowles & Parker. Lot No. 10, Time 3:00 p. in. For the best lady team driver, First, $5 hat given by Mary Meyer; Second, $2 pair gloves given by Rowles & Parker. Lot No. 11,, Time 3:30 p. m. Shetland Pony Class—Best pony stallion, 3 years and over, First, $3; Second, $1- Best pony mare, 2 years and over, First $3; Second sl. Best pony colt under 6 months, $3; Second, sl. Best pony colt 1 year and under 2, $3; Second, sl. Best pair double drivers, $3; Second, sl.

Friday •D. S. Makeever—Jack, name Lucera; First, H 5 cash; Second, service fee. *O. J. Kenton—Jack, Henry Clay; First, 110 cash; Second, service fee. Lot No. 1, Time 10:00 a. in. Best mule colt, 9 months and under, any size, $6 chair given by D. M. Worland; Second, |4 hat given by Boyd Porter; Third, $2 worth of coffee given by E. S. Rhoades. Lot No. 8, Time 10:80 a. m. Best mule colt, 1 year and under 2, $5 vase given by E. V. Hansford; Second, $2 worth of flour given by J. A. McFarland. Lot No. 8, Time 11:00 a. m. Best mule colt, 2 years and under 3, |5 pair pants given by G. E. Murray Co.; Second, $2 wbrth of coffee given by E. S. Rhoades. Lot No. 4, Time 11:80 a. m. Best mule colt, 3 years and over, 85 lamp given by E. D. Rhoades & Son; Second, $2 worth of coffee given by E. S. Rhoades. Lot No. 8, Time 12:00 M. Best team of mules owned by one man, any age, $5 pair pants given by G. E Murray Co,; Second, 75 lbs. flour given by J. A. McFarland. Lot No. 6, Time 1:00 p. m. Best.general purpose team, owned

by one man, $5 lamp given by E. D. Rhoades & Son; Second, $2.50 rifle given by Eger Bros. Lot No. 7, Time 1:30 p. in. Best lady driver, single, ladies’ $5 hat; Second, ladies’ $2 hand bag. Lot No. 8, Time 2:00 p. m. Best lady rider, $3 pitcher given by P. w. Clarke; Second, $1 pair ladies' gloves. Lot No. 9, Time 2:30 p. m. Best girl pony rider, under 15 years of age, $2 ring given by P. W. Clarke; Second $1 pair gloves given by Boyd Porter. Lot No. 10, Time 3:00 p. m. Best pony in harness, $2 gloves given by Rowles & Parker; Second, $1 pocket knife given by Eger Bros. Saturday •Elizur Sage—lmported Belgian, name Nelson; First, $25 cash; Second, service fee. Imported Percheron, name Dagobert; First, $25 cash; Second, service fee. *D. S. Makeever—lmported Percheron, name Marengo; First, sls cash; Second, service fee. ♦Ben B. Miller—Registered Percheron, nime Dornblaser; First, sls cash; Second, service fee. Registered Percheron, Interest; First, sl2 cash; Second, service fee. Lot No. 1, Time 10:00 a. m. Best heavy draft colt, horse or mare, under 9 months, any sire or breed in Jasper, Newton, Benton, Pulaski or White counties, $32 set double work harness given by the association; Second, $7 Morris chair given by D. M. Worland; Third, $3 worth of horse-shoeing given by Frank King. Lot No. 2, Time 10:30 a- m. Best fllley colt of any age or breed, under 9 months, $lO set of buggy harness; Second, $5 pair of blankets. Lot No. 3, Time 11:00 a. m/ Best heavy draft colt 1 year and under 2, $5 pair of shoes given by B. N. Fendig; Second, $2 cap given by Rowles & Parker. Lot No. 4, Time 11:30 a. m. Best heavy draft colt 2 years and under 3, $5 razor given by Warner Bros.; Second, $2 tea-pot given by Eger Bros. Lot No. 5, Time 12:00 M. Best heavy draft mare 3 years or over, $5 carving set given by Eger Bros.; Second, $2 worth of coffee given by E. S. Rhoades. Lot No. 6, Time 1:00 p- m. Best heavy draft gelding any age, $5 pair of blankets given by Boyd Porter; Second, $2 worth of sugar given by Home Grocery. Lot No. 7, Time 1:30 p. m. Best heavy draft team any age, owned by one man, $5 suit case given by C. Earl Duvall; Second, $2 worth of coffee given by E. S. Rhoades. Lot No. «, Time 2:00 p. in. Best heavy draft stallion, 4 years or over, $8 mattress given by D. M. Worland; Second, $5 pair of blankets given by Scott Bros.; Third, $2 worth of good tea given by J. A. McFarland. Lot No. 9, Time 2:30 p. m. Best heavy draft stallion, 1 year and under 4, $5 carving set given by Warner Bros.; Second $2 worth of coffee given by E. S. Rhoades. ♦ Individual prizes by stallion owners. Note—No one connected with the Horse Show will have any horses on exhibition or have any interest in any stock exhibited. Special Events FOR Thursday and Friday Mule Race, 300 yards, best two in three, $3 case of peas given by Home Grocery; Second, $3 case of canned corn given by Home Grocery. Fat Men’s Race, 50 yard dash, limited to men weighing 200 lbs- or more, $3 cap given by G. E. Murray Co.; Second, $1 pair gloves given by G. E. Murray Co. Foot Race, 50 yard dash, for boys

Continued on Last Page.

BRING IN YOUR EXHIBITS.

Farmers are urged to bring in their stock for exhibition at the Horse Show next week. Don’t hold back because your horse or colt is not fixed up for show purposes—nobody else’s is either. You stand as good a show as anyone, and the committee urges that you bring in your best stock and get it in early for the show.

ELIZUR BUYS AN AUTO.

Elizur Sage of Newton tp., a |50,000 beneficiary by the death of his uncle, Russell Sage, the noted New York millioniare, a few years ago, has just entered the automobile ranks, and Wednesday purchased the new Buick “10” which Chas. Chamberlain brought down from Chicago last week. The price was $1,050, and Mr. Sage enjoys the distinction of being the only auto owner in Newton tp., at present. 'Nuff sed, when I say I sell the Hygea Guaranteed Bed Spring. If you ever slept on a Hygea you would have nothing else. Sent to your home on approval.— Worland, the Furniture Man.

Vol. XII. No. 51.