Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 62, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 November 1909 — Page 1

Jasper County Democrat.

91.80 Per Year.

GEO. FATE BUYS GUS GRANT’S BAKERY.

Fate, of the Model restaurant, has bought out the Boston bakery, owned and operated by Gus Grant for the past six weeks. Mr. Fate bought the bakery Monday and took possession at once. He will put in an archway connecting the two buildings, and will use the north room as a ladies’ dining room, and will have the bakery goods in this room for sale. Hevwill move his kitchen from its present location into the rear of the north room-

THE LIST IS APPALLING.

The total casualty list in football this year is greater than ever; the number of deaths is appalling. Most of the fatalities and most of the injuries have occurred in the ranks of high school football players. Boys of tender age, some of them just entering their teens have been victims of the game because of lack of training and proper preparation for the grueling contests in which they have entered. No one knows who will be the next victim. It may be your boy.—Lake County Times.

MRS. LEVI RENICKKER DEAD.

Fred Renicker of north of town received word Monday morning of the death of his brother Levi's wife at North Manchester, where they moved last spring. She died at 2 a. m., Monday, from consumption. Mr. Renicker went last winter to Florida with her and’ she remained there until quite late in the spring, and seemed to be benefitted some by the climate while there. Fred went to North Manchester on the first train and will not return until after the funeral.

ANNUAL THANGSGIVING SERVICES.

Following the usual custom, the churches of the city will give an entertainment at the Christian church Tuesday evening, Nov. 23. An offering of either money or provisions will be received at the door. As all know, the proceeds of this entertainment is to give a Thanksgiving dinner to the worthy in humble circumstances, of our city. Heretofore good, large offerings have been made for this noble and deserving work. May this year be not in the least behind former years, but rather go beyond them. “The poor ye have always with you ” Remember. Tuesday evening of next week, at the Christian church. A committee composed of the presidents of the Young People’s Societies of the various churches have this program in charge and they promise an entertainment well worth a substantial offering, aside from the object for which it goes.

NEW AUTO WHEELS

And a Woman's Hat Floating in the River May Mean a Tragedy. Hammond, Ind., Nov. 15.-* Authorities at Water Valley, near Shelby, on the the Kankakee River, are aroused over an automobile mystery, involving the wrecking of an automobile and the possible drowning of the occupants. Yesterday Joseph Ernest, conductor on the Monon Railroad, while fishing in the river, saw a new automobile wheel with tire inflated floating down the river. He flshed it out and saw that the wheel had been broken from the axle. To-day Ben Fogll, proprietor of a river resort, ‘discovered another automobile wheel with tires all knocked out near the river bapk. John Struble, resident of Shelby. Jound a pair of automobile gloves and a woman's hat in the river near the wagon bridge where Ernest was fishing.

BARN BURNED SATURDAY NIGHT.

Joe Norman, One Mlle North of Town, Loses Bam and Contents * —Origin of Fire Unknown.. "A— The barn on Joe Norman’s place one mile north of town, was completely destroyed by fire at about 8 o’clock Saturday night, together with its contents hay, grain, two buggies, farm tools, etc., entailing a loss of between |4OO and |SOO, with about |3OO insurance in the J. C. Porter agency. X Mr. Norman was in town with the testa of horses or tney, too, would likely have been lost. It is not known how the fire started.. Co. Supt. Lamson had come by the place in his auto perhaps fifteen or twenty minutes before the fire was discovered and saw no sign of any fire. Mrs. Norman stepped out the rear door a few moments before eight o’clock and the building was all ablaze. Several people from town went out in autos to th<> fireand the fire department were also present, but little could be done by them without any water. Mr. Norman will rebuild at once.

The Democ-at for sale bills.

THE COURT HOUSE

Items Picked Up About the County Capitol. Sheriff L. P. Shirer was in Wheatfield on business Monday. The marriage license buslneess is not starting off good again this month. Only two licenses have been issued thus far, and the month is half gone, too. Prospector Fred Longwell went over to Rensselaer Tuesday morning to attend the opening of the Jasper circuit court; w hich convened on that date. Fred will be likely to have at least one important case to try at this term if there is no change of venue or oher delay, that of the alleged bridge graft case. As far the bridge firms are concerned it is probably dog eat dog, but in the heat of battle there may be a few points slip out that concerns the work nearer home. This case will be watched with considerable interest by everyone.—Brook Reporter. —o— New suits filed: No. 7526. ChasHill vs. John A. Williams; suit for the alleged wrongful conversion of 584 bushels of corn about December 1, 1908. Demand SSOO. No. 7527. Z. A. Cox vs- John W. Horton and Ada I. Horton; foreclosure of mechanic’s lein. Demand s_6oo. No. 7528. Charles E. Osborne vs. Howard G. Gibbs, et al; foreclosure of mechanic’s lein on what is known "as the K. of P. block for painting, papering, etc- Demand $73.65. No. 7529. S. P. Thompson vs. F. M. Lakin; appeal from the commissioners’ court.

In the fees which the expert accountants found to be due from county officers here, past and present, in their report made to the county commissioners last week, the lower courts have held both ways in several instances, it is said. Some judges have held that they belong to the officer and some to the county, so that an officer don’t know hardly where he is at. The accountants say that according to recent higher court decisions these fees belong to the county. In paying them in an officer must pay them under protest if he hopes to recover them back should the courts decide they belong to himNo one can blame an officer for taking the fees that honestly belong to him under the law, but what is needed is some law that can be understood and some court decisions that ag?ee with each other. The lawyers who are sent to the legislature to enact our laws, it seems, never forget their profession, and always leave enough loopholes so it is necessary to hire attorneys and go into court and then wait for a supreme court decision at more expense before they know whether it is law or not.

Circuit court proceedings: The Joseph Nessius ditch case was taken up Monday and was still going on as we go to press. Charles G. Kessinger et al. vs. Harry P. Kessinger, et at; distribution ordered modified on receipt of widow; Demarcus interest ordered paid to Samuel Demarcus of Ordway, Colo. Chas. W. Coen, adm. vs. Evaline Randle, et al; executor files petition for re-appraisement, granted, and E. P. Honan and J. H. Chapman appointed appraisers, who report value |l,200; sale reported to WmE. Moore for $1,200 cash, which is confirmed and deed ordered. Samuel Hartsell vs. Samuel H. Hartsell; commissioner asks for reappraisement, which is granted and Ben Harris, B. Forsythe and E. C. English appointed appraisers. Nancy A. Carr vs. Eleanor MMedworth, et al.; sale of lands reported to J. B. and O. W. Lyons for $2,600 cash, sale confirmed and deed ordered. Heirs receive: Nancy Carr, $1,281.70; Eleanor M. Medworth, $702; Elmer, Oran, Everett and Leona O- Medworth each $144.92. Money of Oren, Everett and Leona Medworth to be paid to guardian. Court costs $6.60; commissioner $5; attorney $25. William B. Austin vs. Wm. S. DeArmond, et al; cause dismissed, costs paid. Otis ditch; Rompke Splkema, Supt. files final report,, showing charges,of $7,763.01, and credits the same. Supt. allowed $221.51; Foltz & Spitler S6O; M. B. Price, S2O; J. E. Alter, $24; F. E. Babcock, $11.50. S. H. Howe ditch; E. Gilmore allowed $2,604.05; M. B. Price $111; Nettie Price. $126; Mrs. Halleck, $1.50; A- Bicknell, $6; Isabel Luers

THE TWICE-A-WEEK

RENSSELAER, JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA, WEDNESDAY, NOV. 17, 1909-

$3; Rensselaer Republican, $8.50; Monticello Herald, $6.70. " Wm. H. Tyler ditch; commissioner files report, showing charges of $3,785.35 and credits of $3,582.48. Commissioner allowed $134.30.

AN INTERESTED OPINION.

In a labored article of a half column length, the Rensselaer Daily Republican—it was judiciously omitted from the weekly edition goes to the oeuntry—advances "argument” why the city council should not grant a franchise to the Home Telephone Co- The whole article could easily have been condensed into three or four lines; Two of the ow’ners of the Republican are stockholders in the old telephone company, one quite heavily interested. and what is more natural than for the Republican to stand up for ahd defend its own? This is the whole thing in a nutshell. The fact is, and no one knows it better than the Republican, that the Home Telephone Company was organized because of the “bum” service and exorbitant rates of the Jasper County Telephone Co., to its country patrons and the outrageous toll rates charged in the county. Since this move was started the latter has reduced its rates in the country—or put them back, rather—to the old price. But -it would immediately raise them again if it thought the Home Company could be killed off, and in an effort to do this it is dictating to the council the sort of franchise it shall grant, if any, to the new company, endeavoring to make its path as difficult of travel as possible. The old company, through its officers, stated last winter, when it wanted an extension of its franchise at increased rates of 50 to 100 per cent, that it would gladly welcome the opportunity to sell at almost any old price; that it was continually losing money and wanted to get out of business unless the Increased rate frachise was granted. After the organization of the new company a committee was appointed to wait on the president of the old company and get the price wajited and A complete schedule of it had tp sell. That was about the last of August, and the president talked to the committee about the same as he did when trying to get the high-rate franchise through. He said they were anxious to sell, would sell at a very reasonable price, and that he would present a proposition to the new company within a week or two weeks at farthest. That was nearly three months ago, and no proposition has been presented yet nor has anything been heard from them when, if ever, it will be.

If they are losing money all the time, as claimed, it would seem that an opportunity to unload their junk -*■—to use their own words of less than a year ago—onto someone else would be welcomed, instead of hanging on and inviting competitionThe stories don’t “jibe.” Now, as a matter of fact, no business man is compelled to put in the new company’s phones unless he chooses to. We heard one business man say, however, that he would gladly pay for two phones to get the service he used to get when there were two companies here, and perhaps there are others who feel the same way. However, as the Republican states, there are many excellent farmers behind the new Home company, and we might add that many more mighty good farmers and business men will get behind it. If the business men would rather have the trade of the few people who own and control the old company than that of the scores of men who are behind the new company, they have a perfect right to decide. This movement was inaugurated to give the people more efficient service at more reasonable cost. It would never have come but for the actions of the old company. Now that it has come it |s simply a question of encouraging the company which has already brought about a reduction in rates and better service, or turning it down and giving support to the company which caused the conditions that brought about the organization of the new company. The country can get along without the town, but the latter could not long exist without the support of the former.

It our opipion the council should grant the jiew company a franchise, afid a fair and reasonable one, too. It should not be dictated to by the old company or its stockholders and impose conditions which are unreasonable and hard to comply with. It should pot antagonize the country people by asking anything unreasonable or in refusing to grant a franchise at all as advocated by the Republican. The new oompany did not bring about the conditions which brought it into existence and is in no way responsible for them.\ It •'hQUld not suffer for yie faults of others, and it would be a very shortsighted policy to “hold it up.’

NEW FIRES STOP MINE RESCUERS

Hope of Saving Any Is Abandoned. BODIES OF 100 FOUND Women anil Children Attempt to Leap Down Shaft. DISCLOSURES ARE STARTLING Open Torches Were Used in Place of Electric lights.

Cherry, Hl.. Nov. 16.—Fire still is raging in the St. Paul mine and engines and apparatus were rushed here from La Salle on a special train. By order of the mining experts and Inspectors after a conference with George S. Rice, chief of the field work Of the United States geological survey, the main shaft was sealed again In the hope of smothering the flames suf ficiently to permit of fighting the fire. The fire broke out with great intensity after the rescue workers and inspectors had thrice descended into the shaft to the bottom.

On the first two trips no sign of fire was detected near the shaft and there was little smoke. Then the fans were started in the hope of clearing the galleries that search for the bodies might progress. Suddenly the flames were rekindled, the fire pouring out of the stables, where the fire started. Inspector James Taylor and R. Y. Williams were being lowered into the shaft when they discovered the flames abput 100 feet from the bottom and toward the exit shaft. They signaled for an ascent.

Meager Supply of Water. "The timbers are falling now,” said Mine Examiner A. R. Newsam, as the inspectors gathered around. “We must seal the shaft at once.” Workmen were hastened to the scene, and the shaft covered with iron beams and a thick layer of sand. The water supply here is low and officials of the company ordered tank trains from nearby towns. All hope of further exploration in the mine was abandoned temporarily and experts believe it will be several days before any further effort to reach the entombed miners can be made. “Where we were unfortunate,” said Taylor, “was in that we did not have a barrel of water with us when we were lowered to the bottom the last time. “I believe that a barrel of water could have extinguished the blaze. The fire is now burning fiercely, but I think still confined to the part known as the stable." Shortly after the mine was resealed the officials announced that carbonic acid gas and steam would be forced through pipes to the bottom of the mine. President McDonald of the United Mine Workers, District 12, said if this was done every man in the mine would be dead within a few minutes.

Oxygen Exhausted Completely. Of 310 men who were in themine none escaped death. This conclusion* voiced by searchers effaced the last hope of relatives of the victims who surged about the opening of the shaft to hear it. Two trips into the tomb, in which fire still rages, convinced those who had gone to rescue any who might be alive that their mission was useless. That every bit of oxygen, or lifegiving air, had been exhausted many hours ag<>, was declared certain. The searchers declared that no life could exist for hundreds of feet beyond the shaft entrance. One hundred bodies were found early in the afternoon. When it was learned that the bodies had been located women and children attempted t 6 leap into the shaft and fought the guards. • , Work of taking out the bodies was begun immediately. Seven- special funeral cars wero brought to Cherry. These cars were backed up near the mine. Open Torch Cause of Fire. The inquiry into the cause of the mine disaster disclosed startling conditions. It was declared that the fire

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WANTS P. M. AT NEWLAND.

The postoffiqe department announces that an examination will be held at Pleasant Grove on Saturday, Dec. 4, for the position of postmaster at Newland. The compensation of the postmaster there for the last fiscal year was $97. The age limit is 21 years and over on date of examination, except that women 18 years of age on the date of examination are eligible. Applicants must reside within the territory supplied by the above named postoffice The examination is open to all'citizens of the United States who can comply with the requirements. Application forms and full information can be secured from the postmaster at Newland or from the U. S. Civil Service Commission, Washington, D- C. Applications should be properly executed and filed with the Commission at Washington within seven days before the date of the examination, otherwise it may be impracticable to examine the applicants.

RED CROSS STAMPS.

The Ladies’ Literary Club of Rensselaer has taken up the work here of assisting in the sale of Red Cross stamps to build a tuberculosis hospital in Indiana. Mrs. E. P. Honan, Mrs. A. J. Bellows and Mrs. J. M.Wasson are appointed a committee to look after the work here, and the stamps can be had from either them or from either of the drug stores. This is for a charitable cause and the ladies ask everyone to buy the stamps and use them on their Christmas packages.

PUBLIC SALES.

Thursday, Nov. 18, Abe Aery, 2 miles east and 1 mile north of Parr. General sale of horses, cattle, farm implements, household goods, etc Thursday, Dec. 2, W. S. Newberry and A. H. Hopkins, at the latter’s farm 1 mile southeast of Virgie and 3% miles“ southeast of KnimanGeneral sale of horses, 35 head of cattle, hogs, farm -tools and household goods.

EXCURSION RATES TO CHICAGO.

$2.25 for round trip, Rensselaer to Chicago, Nov. 20 and 24, account I nited States Land and Immigration Exposition. Also Nov. 28, 29, 30, Dec. 1, 5 and 6, account International Live Stock Exposition. W. H. BEAM. Agt-

UNION THANKSGIVING SERVICES

The annual Thanksgiviing service will be held at the Presbyterian church on the evening of Thanksgiving day. The sermon will be preached by Rev. C. L. Harper, pastor of the Trinity M. E. church. All are most cordially invited to attend. This, as usual, will be a union service of all the churches-

WILL OPEN A BRANCH STORE.

Owing to my crowded main store, I will open a branch store in the Chapman building on the south side of Washington street, Nov. 20, and continue till Jan. 1. A fine line Of holiday toys.—E. V. RANSFORD, proprietor of the 9Si Cent Racket Store.

HARDWARE STORES TO CLOSE.

The undersigned hardware dealers wish to inform the public that from November 15th to March 15th their stores will close at 7 p- m., except Saturday. E. D. RHOADES & SON, WARNER BROS. EGER BROS.

STOCKHOLDERS MEETING.

The annual meeting of the Stockholders of the Rensselaer Commercial Club, will be held Wednesday, December 8, 1909, at 7:30 p. m„ at the East Court Room, in Rensselaer, Indiana, for the purpose of electing nine directors for the ensuing year. —RENSSELAER COMMERCIAL CLUB. By Order Board of Directors.

WARNING TO HUNTERS AND TRESPASSERS. There will absolutely be no hunting or trespassing allowed on the John Makeever lands or the lands cared for by J. W. Stockton. Fatten your hogs by feeding them tankage. MAINES & HAMILTON. The barrel of home made sauer kraut at the Home Grocery is fine. 7c a quart or 25c a gallon. All grades of coal promptly delivered. MAINES & HAMILTON. • * New asparagus tips just received at the Home Grocery, 25c t can. We carry in stock a very large variety of feeds for cows, horses and hogs. MAINES & HAMILTON. Good cow feed, |1 a hundred. MAINSB & HAMILTON.

ADVISES INDIANA HARBOR OUTLAY

War Department Engineer Recommends Improvements. ESTIMATED COST IS $62,000 Report of General Marshall Mentions the Calumet River, Michigan City and the Wabash and White Rivers. Announces That Money Appropriated For the White Has Been Converted Into Surplus Fund of the Treasury. ■Washington, Nov. 16.—The report of General W. L. Marshall, chief of the war department engineers in charge of river and harbor improvements, sub; mits a plan for the betterment of Indiana harbor at an estimated cost of $62,000. The chief of engineers looks with favor on the development of the Calumet river in northwestern Indiana. The anqual commerce on that river has now reached six million tons, the principal items being iron ore, grain and coal. It is steadily increasing and new manufacturing plants are steadily occupying the river banks as fast as the twenty-foot depth is carried upstream. It is proposed to apply the funds now available and those asked for the year ending June 30, 1911, to continue the enlargement of the channel progressively upstream, according to the project adopted in 1905. Turning basins are also to be put in. The annual commerce in the Michigan City harbor now amounts to a little over 33,000 tons and consists principally of lumber and salt. In 1909 $40,500 was appropriated with which to improve this *harbot, but owing to the extensive damage done by the severe storms of last winter it was necessary to divert $39,500 of this amount toward urgent repairs. The report devotes considerable attention to the Wabash and White rivers. It announces that, in view of the fact that no appropriations for the VS abash river have been made since 1902, no further reports for the sections of the river “above Vincennes” and “below Vincennes” will be submitted until additional appropriations become available for work on the river. The funds available during the last ixtcen years, the report says, have o: been sufficient to maintain the • r< ihrt was done prior to that time ■ t ■ keep the river free from snags id bars. Sinking of White river, the report ■ that at present-there is no comIr<’e- si ce project for the improvenl “t of ■l;!s river. In view of these •. together with the repeated recommendation that the river is not worthy of improvement, the balance of a former appropriation has been converted into the surplus fund of th© treasury, and no further report will be made on this river unless congress shall authorize its improvement.

STATE TREASURER’S WIFE SEEKS DIVORCE

Oscar Hadley Is Charged With Being Cruel and Inhuman. Danville, Ind., Nov. 16.—Suit for absolute divorce, maintenance and alimony in the sum of $20,000 has been filed in the Hendricks circuit court by Emma Hadley against Oscar Hadley, state treasurer. Cruel and inhuman treatment are the causes alleged in bringing the action.

REGRETS COME FROM TAFT

No Visit in February Is Word to Indianapolis Organization. Indianapolis, Nov. 16.—John A. Mortality, president of the Marion club, has received a letter from President Taft stating that the president would not be able to come to Indianapolis on Lincoln’s birthday, Feb. 12. Some time ago the officers of tho Indiana Lincoln league suggested to Moriarity that he invite the president to come to Indianapolis on that day and said that if he could come the Lincoln league would hold its biennial convention in this city. Xe invitation was forwarded a"! etter received is the answer.

Kern to Speak In Grand Rapids, Mich.

Laporte. Ind., Nov. 16.—Harry B. Darling, representing the National League of Democratic clubs, has received the acceptance of John W. Kern, late Democratic candidate for vice president, to speak at the 1.500 p’aty banquet to be given by the Michigan Democrats at Grand Rapids on Jackson day.

Vol. XII. No. 62.