Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 95, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 March 1910 — Page 1

Jasper County Democrat.

91.80 Per Year.

DREDGE AFTER ROCK

Remaining In the Iroquois River West of Town. The Sternberg dredge, having finished the Howe ditch and moved down to the river again, was started up stream Wednesday to, come up and take out the remainder of the rock near the Stott Grant place west of town. When this rock is taken out the Iroquois ditch contract will be completed. There was originally some 1,200 feet of rock to take out near the Graht place, but the most of this was removed last summer, and there is only some 400 feet yet to remove, and that has been drilled and blasted ready for the dredge to lift out.

THE WAY IT WAS DONE

In Keener Township, According to State Examiners. According to the report of the field examiners who have been investigating the township trustees accounts, ex-trustee b. L. Luce of Keener owes his township $775.31 on account of funds lost in the McCoy bank. The examiners’ report says, according to an Indianapolis paper: “In the cause of Samuel L. Luce, trustee of Keener township, Jasper county, from 1901 to 1904, it was found that he took credit for $1,642.96 said by him to have been lost in the McCov bank crash at Rensselaer, but the township claim, when paid ip full by the bank, showed the corporation to have received only $887.65. The balance of $775.31 is charged to Luce, but the examiners report that the former trustee has moved from the state, and that he has no visible assets on which the state could levy in the event of judgment again him for the amount.” _ Practically alj the present trustees of Jasper county have been given “clean bills,” at least ail that have been reported on, except Mr. Karch of Walker, which includes at least nine of the thirteen, as published in the Indianapolis papers.

B. F. FERGUSON DEAD.

Former Rensselaer Man Died In Washington Last Thursday. Word was received here Wednesday by relatives that B. F. Ferguson, a former well known Rensselaer preacher, lawyer and real estate man, had died at his home in Quincy, Wash., the Thursday previous and the funeral would be held the following Saturday. The delay in receiving notice of his death was due to the condition of the lines of communication with sections of that state from snowslides, etc. He suffered a stroke of paralysis a few years ago before leaving Rensselaer, and last fall suffered another stroke. Last week hi was stricken the third time and never rallied, remaining unconscious until death. ' He leaves a wife and three, children, George, Dee and Ethel. Mrs. Ferguson, who was his second wife, is a daughter ot John Coen and a sister of Mrs. J. R. Vanatta of Rensselaer. His first wife was a sister of Mrs. C. L. Harper, Mr. Harper being the present pastor of the M. E. church here. Mr. Ferguson went to Washington, where his sons reside, about a year ago, and last fall his wife and daughter joined him. He was well known in this locality, having been located in Rensselaer for mote than a quarter of a He followed preaching for several years, being a regular ordained Baptist minister. He later took up law and real estate, following that vocation, occasionally being called upon to preach a funeral sermort, perform a marriage ceremony or to assist in' revival work, until he left here. At the time of' his death he was 59 years of age.

What are you paying for coal oil? Buy it at the Home Grocery for 10c a gallon. See the nobby hose in all the latest colors of the Iron Cla<| make for 25 cents. —C. Earl Duvall.

BRIDGE STEAL WAS GENERAL

By Winamac Bridge Ce„ Ab Investigation Discloses. • ——— BADER TAKEN TO THE PEN. Thursday, After Judge Hanley Had Conducted a Little Investigation of Other Bridges Erected In This County By Bader’s Company, and Found Them All Short of Specifications. C. L. Bader, superintendent and general manager of the Winamac Bridge Co., is now a convict in the state penitentiary at Michigan City. Sheriff Shirer took the prisoner away Thursday morning on the milk train via Hammond, and after stopping off at Winamac to see his family and arrange a few brief business matters, he was taken on to Michigan City and turned over to the Warden of the prison to serve an indeterminate sentence of from two to fourteen years.

The final disposition of th£ Bader case was not made until Wednesday afternoon. Judge Hanley was loth to send the man to prison if there was any good reason why he should not go, and felt that if the Milroy tp., bridge was the only one his company had erected here that was short in specifications, and that Bader had gone ahead and put this particular bridge up 1-3 short on an agreement with the commissioners that it would be all right, as he is alleged to have said, and that' he' relied on the commissioners clearing him of the charge of graft instead of partially, at least, throwing him down at the crucial moment, as he alleged, then the court felt the man should not be sent to prison, and would have suspended sentence. For this reason Bader was held here a few days by the court, pneding a little investigation of its own. Judge Hanley secured the services of Devere Yeoman, son of A. K. Yeoman of south of town, who is a Purdue student in engineering, and sent him out Tuesday, with County Surveyor Osborne to assist him, to measure up some of the-bridges constructed in the county by the Winamac Bridge Co. Young Yeoman is competent, honest and thoroughly reliable, and the utmost confidence is placed in his findings.

They first went to Keener tp., where they inspected four bridges across .the Tyler ditch. These bridges are supposed to be all alike, the same plans and specifications covering each, and are supposed to be 40 foot span, 16 foot roadway. The first bridge they measured was up near W. H. Tyler’s farm. It was a fine piece of work, every part right up to specifications, a smooth, workmanlike job from start to finish. Even the planks were laid heart side down, as they should be, and not a thing could apparently have been done to better it. They were “stumped,” but in investigating further found, that this particular bridge was erected by the Attica Bridge Co., instead of the Winamac Co.

Three other bridges over the sanne ditch were put up by the Winamac Co,, and in<«-each of these*they found about the same general scaling down that had been done on the Milroy bridge, and a “bum’’ job on all of them. Practically all tfie structural work was short, where a 3 inch piece was called for a 2 inch being substituted, etc. Besides, the workmanship was rough and ugly. None of,the bridges were 16 feet wide, except one which was 16.8 at one end and 16 feet at the other. The other two were 15.3 ’and 15.8. The bridges had been cheapened 30 to 40 per cent, it is probable, although the amount they were short in

THE TWICE-A-WEEK

RENSSELAER, JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA, SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1010.

actual weight was not figured out. z M\r. Yeoman and Surveyor Osborne then went out south of Rensselaer to the Jacks bridge, across the Howe ditch. This bridge was put up by the Winamac Co., but after the protest had been made about the Milroy bridge, we are informed. This bridge was practically up to specifications, as was surmised. In the other bridges they found parts that should have been riveted that were bolted, and in some places such a thing as a % inch bolt-hole had a % inch bolt, etc., and in one where they examined the planking, 17 of the planks were turned heart side up, instead of the opposite as they should have been to insure the greatest wear. Messrs. Yeoman and Osborne finished their invetigation ana reported to Judge Hanley Wednesday afternoon, and after bearing their report it was all up with Bader, and he was taken away next morning to begin his sentence.

WILL START CREAMERY.

H. Wasson Will Engage In Butter and Ice Cream Making. Harrison Wasson, who recently quit farming and moved to town, has* concluded to engage in the creamery business, and has rented one of A. Leopold’s rooms on South Van Rensselaer street and expects to have his machinery installed and be ready to begin business by April 1. He will also manufacture ice cream as well as make butter, and will have an experienced man in charge of the business.

“THE FOURTH ESTATES."

Our next serial story will be “The Fourth Estate” a thrilling and realistic recital of modern newspaperdom, novelized by Frederick R. Toomes. Perhaps no other play of recent years has attracted so much interest as “The Fourth Estate,” now playing at the Studebaker theater in Chicago. You must read this story, how the power of the press may be weilded 'in behalf of the people. A story of an editor’s sacrifice of love on the altar of principle. The opening chapters will soon appear in The Democrat. Don’t miss it.

MORE STONE ROADS IN BENTON.

Fowler, Ind., Mlarch 9.—The county commissioners’ court yesterday afternoon refused to accept one gravel road on account of inferior quality of gravel having been used in its construction. Contracts were let for fifteen new roads, valued approximately at $150,000. The following were the successful bidders: Ed Johnson, $11,698; W. W. Evans, $6,190; Ed Johnson, SB,638; Jones Construction Company, of Muncie, $9,500; Maloney & Allen, $4,409; Homer Teeter, $8,100; W. F. Smith & Co., $8,290; Janes Construction Company, $8,226; Glynn & Van Natta, two roads, $8,932 and $7,000; T. H. Bennett, $2,974; W. W. Evans, $2,785; J. P. Farrell, $7,787; Glynn & Van Natta, $25,367.

MAY REACH AGREEMENT.

Meeting Held to Discuss Continuation of Early Closing. A meeting of business men was held at the court house Thursday evening to discuss the proposition of continuing the early closing of business houses which has been in force since January 1. While no definite and binding agreement has been reached, the following schedule seemed to meet with the most approval and an effort will be made to have all the business houses agree to this plan:. To keep open to 6:30 p. m., from April 1 to Dec. 1; Wednesday and Saturday nights all the time, and during December unlimited; Jan. 1 to April 1, close at 6 p. m., except on Wednesday and Saturday nights. It is believed that practically all the business houses will agree to the above schedule.

A full anil nobby line of Easter shirts in all grades and styles —C. Earl Duvall.

THE COURT HOUSE

Items Picked Up About the County Capitol. The March term of the Newton circuit court will convene Monday. —o— New suits filed: No. 7317. Ray D. Thompson vs. Milton D. Noble, et al; action'to foreclose tax lein and quiet title. Arrangements are being made in Kentland to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the organization of Newton county, which falls on April 21. —o— The transfer of Geo. P. Ketchum’s 160 acre farm just east of town, to John Q. Puffer of Livingston county, 111., was placed on record a few days ago. The deed was executed Nov. 30, and the consideration stated in the deed is $16,000, or SIOO per acre. George’s mother, who had a lile estate in the farm, joins in the deed. —o— All this talk about Bader having been “Jasper county’s benefactor,” because we have been getting bridges for less price since his company entered the field, is the veriest rot. If they had cheapened their bridges another one-third they could have “benefacted” us some more, and still have made a greater profit than any firm could that complied with the contract and specifications.

Field examiners Davis and Salmon have completed their work in this county, so far as the township trustees’ offices ate cencerned, we understand, and up to date have filed the following expense vouchers which have been reported to the auditor, who draws warrants for same and charges the amount up to the respective townships. The amounts given include all expense and per diem of the accountants : Barkley tp t $2025 Marion 61.25 Jordan ... 50.75 Hanging Grove 25.75 Wheatfield 40.75 Kankakee 40.75 Walker 103.40 Gillam 40.75 Newton 40.75 Milroy 40.75 Keener 50.75 —o—- * F° r y ear ending Dec. 31', 1909, Jasper county expended $15,876.53 for new bridges, and $2,070.27 for bridge repairs, outside of township expense. Most of the contracts went to the Winamac Bridge Co., the head of which is now in the penitentiary at Michigan City for his part in the graft game that has been played on the tax-payers in bridge deals. If the scaling down process has been practiced all along by this company—(with or without the consent of the board of county commisioners—in the manner that the few bridges inspected have shown, the county has been robbed of a great many thousands of dollars. As heretofore urged by The Democrat, the tax-payers should take this bridge graft matter up and sift it to the bottom.. Every bridge erected in the county for the past several years should be inspected by a competent engineer, one whom the people are confident can neither be bought off or scared off, and the bridges as erected be compared with the original specifications, and a complete report be made of the findings. This matter can only be done by the taxpayers themselves to have any' assurance of corectness, and The Democrat suggests that the matter be taken up in each township and the necessary money be subscribed to pay the cost of such an investigation'—it need not be Very expensive—and The Democrat will head a subscription list of this kind with a $5.00 contribution. It would seem to us that one man should be selected from each township, on a sort of taxpayers’ league, and let

such committee meet in Rensselaer and formulate plans for going ahead with the investigation. If there are others connected with Mr. Bader who are as guilty or more so than he, let them be ferreted out and punished. To-day is the last day of the February term of court, and a number of cases will have to go over to the April term because of several cases taking up more time than anticipated. The Lawler case against the C. & E. I. railroad for some SB,OOO damages by fire from defendant’s road done to the Lawler lands south of Fair Oaks a couple of years ago, was taken up Tuesday and was still grinding yesterday, and it was intimated that the jury would be asked to go out to the ground burned over, which, if correct, the case will still be on to-day. The out-of-town attorneys in this case are ex-Appellate Judge Wiley, and Darroch of Kentland for the railroad company, and Sellers of Monticello for the plaintiff. Other proceedings of the court since our last report follows :

Harvey J. Dexter ditch; cause remanded to drainage commissioners with directions to make certain changes in assessments, etc., and report first day of April term. State, ex rel. Benjamin F. Alter, et al. vs. Barney D. Comer, et al; submitted to the court by agreement and judgment for plaintiff rendered in sum of $220.03 and costs. Wm. Darroch special judge. George E. Kessi vs. Samuel M. Laßue; affidavit filed for change of venue from county. D. R. Miller vs. The Home Insurance Co.; demurrer to complaint sustained, and plaintiff granted leave to amend same. Joseph C. Borntrager, et al. ditch; commlssionera granted until last Friday of next term to make report. H. Berry, et al. ditch; cause referred to W. F. Osborne, W. V. Porter, and M B. Price in place of D. W. Waymire, to report first day of April term. Following is a report of the proceedings of the county commissionersj later than that given in Wednesday’s Democrat: Notice ordered for letting contract for new bridges in Walker tp., on first day next term. Bonds ordered issued for $5,300 in C. J. Fox stone roads in Carpenter tp., denominations of $265 each and to bear 5 per cent interest. Tunis Snip petition for highway in Keener tp.; John O’Connor, John E. Myers and Asa Brown appointed viewers. W. J. Reed ditch; final report approved and superintendent discharged. Lewis Dunker ditch; ordered established; Frank Osborne appointed superintendent; atty fee of $35 allowed. Tilden J. Prouty ditch; D. W. Waymire declines to act as drainage commissioner and A. K. Yeoman appointed in his stead. Stephen Kohley appointed third commissioner, Frank Osborne engineer. Directed to meet March 14. E. C. Maxwell ditch; same entry as above. Contract for stationery supplies for 1910 in classes not heretofore awarded te made with the BurtHaywood Co. of Lafayette. The following fees collected for the quarter ending Feb. 28 wars reported: Auditor, $93.30; Recorder, $684.45; Sheriff, $304.74; Clerk, $253.15. Chas. Henderson was appointed supt. of the Gillam gravel road. Interest on public funds for the month of February was reported as follows: Trust ft S. Bank, Rensselaer.s34.3o Firet Nat. Bank, Rensselaer. 89.54 State Bank, Rensselaer 43.89 State Bank, Remington 20.77 Bank of Wheatfield 6.81 ' Transcript- from the circuit court in the Thomas Davis ditch; amended report referred to M. B. Price and Daniel Waymire to insert land and assessments and corrections and file report pn or before first day of April term, and that notice be given new parties.

New goods at cost, old goods at half retail price, to close out. —Chicago Bargain Store. If you are thinking of a nobby I top coat, be sure and see my : line from $lO to $16.50.—C. Earl : Duvall.

RUT WHY ASSAIL MR. MARSHALL?

No Contractor Who Wanted to Be Honest Could Meet Such Competition As That of the Winamac Bridge Co.

Wallace Marshall, head of the Lafayette Bridge Co., has been fiercely assailed in certain quarters here because of his exposuie of the bridge stealing graft that was going on in this countv. The Democrat has refused from the start, after having a talk with Mr. Marshall, who was sure of his ground, to join this hue and cry of the politicians who run the business affairs of Jasper county. Mr. Marshall told the writer before he made the charges, that his company wanted to do business,. and an honest business, but if it was compelled to meet such opposition as it had here it would have to go out of business. He had sent men here time after time, at considerable expense, to bid on bridge contracts during the past few years, but in every instance he had been underbid by the Winamac Co.

Mr. Marshall’s investigation of the Milroy township bridge disclosed how this could be done, and he was naturally warm about it. Who wouldn’t be? But for his looking into the matter and making it public >these steals would still be going on. If his own company’s skirts were as dirty as the politicians here intimate very broadly, it is scarcely probable that he would have made these charges against a business rival, for the latter would retaliate if it had any grounds.

But, no matter what they say about Mr. Marshall and no matter what he is or has been, the fact remains that no effort at all was made by the defense to impeach his testimony, and it may be assured that if his measurements were incorrect the defense would have attempted to so show.

In The Democrat's humble opinion the taxpayers of Jasper county owe a vote of thanks to Wallace Marshall for exposing the steal that was. going on for no one knows how long nor for what period it would have continued but for him, and with all proper sympathy for My. Bader, his family and friends, yet unbiased investigations show that his company has been guilty of a sytem of graft in this county—and perhaps others—that ought to send every member thereof who had guilty knowledge of what was going on to the penitentiary along with their superintendent and general manager.

PAY YOUR DOG TAX.

At the meeting of the trustees Monday the question of the payment of the dog tax was quite generally discussed. The law requires that the township assessors collect the tax at the time of making assessments and turn over to the township trustee on May 15. The assessors are also to report to the trustee the names of those who have not paid not paid and they have to turn this list over to the prosecuting attorney who must begin action against the owners at once. This would mean that each owner would have an extra cost of from $5 to S2O to pay. Heretofore the trustees have been lenient in this matter and have been bothered 'with the collection of this delinquent tax all summer, they have also thrown themselves liable for the whole amount that was delinquent, while in many cases they were not able to collect near all of it. This year they have decided to go according to law and turn .over the names of those who have not paid their dog tax on or before the 20th of May. to the prosecuting attorney. Dog cjwners should therefore thke warning amTsee that their taxes are paid to the assessor or hustle around and pay to the trustee in the time between May 15th and 20th. Get your Easter togs at the Big Store. We can fit you out complete. Stylish goods at the most reasonable prices.— Rowles & Parker.

Vol. XII. No. 98.