Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 78, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 January 1911 — Page 1

Jasper County Democrat

$1.50 Per Year.

SPINNEY JUDGMENT $4,208.31

Ex-Treas. of Newton Co. Agrees to Settle Shortage FOUND BY FIELD EXAMINERS In Employ of State Board of Accounts.—Judgment Is Entered By Agreement and Amount Will Be Paid In a Few Days, Says Kentland Paper—Spinney Declares He Got None of the Money. Ex-county treasurer Charles Spin ney of Newton county has cofessed judgment for $4,208.31, in the case brought against him for an alleged shortage in his office. Three sets of experts had gone over the books since he retired from office, and while the set employed by himself is alleged to have reported to him that he owed nothing but instead the county owed him a small sum, the experts employed by the county found about $3,700 against him and the field examiners employed by the state board of accounts —which report is probably reliable—found $4,208.31, the amount he has confessed judgment for. Regarding the settlement reached the Kentland Enterprise says:

The suit of Newton County against Charles W. Spinney, former county treasurer, to recover a shortage charged against him during his four year term of office, came to a speedy termination Tuesday afternoon. Judge Darroch, E. B. Sellers and H. L. Sammons, counsel for Mr. Spinney, proposed a settlement of the case* by confessing judgment to the full amount returned by the State Accounting Board, which sum is $4,208.31. County Attorney Higgins, Judge Wiley and Frank Foltz, representing the county, called Commissioners Skinner, Dickinson and Deardurff into conference and an agreed judgment was entered of record against Mr. Spinney and. his bondsmen for the amount noted above. The amount charged agaiust Mr. Spinney hy Wallace and Sutton, experts first employed by the county, exclusive of the special assessments which the Court held were not collectable under the present suit, was $3,669.94. In view of all facts surrounding the case we believe the settlement made was’ 1 a wise procedure. We are advised that the judgment will be paid within a few days.

When Spinney went in office he was so anxious to have everything run straight that he employed exauditor- Harry Rank of Benton county-—a republican and an expert book-keeper from Expertville—to look after the clerical work of the office. Rank seems to have looked after it with a vengeance, as he went over the books after the first set of experts had reported and told the writer one time when he was in Rensselaer, while traveling for the Burt-Haywood Co. of Lafayette, that there was nothing in the reported shortage; that the county really owed Spinney. As Spinney declares that he got none of the money it would be interesting to know who did. In this connection the remarks of The Democrat soon after the shortage was first discovered, under the heading, “Was Spinney Buncoed?” are of interest. The Democrat has always contended that no man has any business to taek a public office unless he gives it his personal time and attention, and from reports, we get from Newton Mr. Spinney did not do this to the extent he should. It is reported that the settling of this shortage will take Almost every dollar he has in the World.

BAND BOYS QUEEN CONTEST.

Its Up to You, Boys, Who Shall Be Queen. —Girls Get Busy. The committee in charge of the Rensselaer Indoor Fair and Society Circus are going to present a handsome diamond ring to the young lady receiving the largest number of votes for Queen of the Indoor Fair and Society Circus. The voting places will be arranged in a number of leading business houses of the city where ballots may be cast at any hour of the day. Votes will be counted each day and published in newspapers and on circular?.'> Three prominent business men, members of the Rensselaer Band will be the judges of contest. The contest opens Monday, Jan. 16 and closes Saturday night, Jan. 21

at TO p.m., at the booth in the Indoor Fair and Circus held at Armory, and the winner, whoever she may be, will be crowned. Watch for the-standing of the Contestants each day. If your favorite's name does not appear on the list vote for her. All ladies are eligible. Remember the most popular lady in Rensselaer or vicinity will be presented with the beautiful diamond ring on exhibition in show windows of Jessen’s jewelry store. Votes one cent each, Standing of contestants will be given out each day until contest closes. Vofie for your favorite? • ‘

WANTS TO SEE SOME “DOUGH.’

Purtelle’s Hammond Lawyer Asks Traction Line Promotor to “Cough Up.” Attorney J. K. StinSon has notified Eugene Purtelle, of the Northwestern Indiana Traction company, that he will not proceed farther as the local attorney for the company until some arrangement is made for the payment of the attorney’s fees that are now due him. Purtelle called up Stinson a few days ago and asked him to look after some right of way matters, but Stinson refused to do an}’ more work for the company until he has been paid for what h« has already done. Dr. William D. Weis, who has interested himself in the reorganization of the company, left Saturday night for Hot Springs, where he will be for ten days.—Hammond Times.

SCOTTEN-HERSHMAN NUPTIALS.

A very pretty and impressive home wedding was solemnized Sunday evening, January 8, at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Hershman, of Walker township, when their daughter, Florence Marie, was united in marriage to Mr. Benjamin Miles Scotten, of Sedalia, Missouri. Promptly at 8 o’clock the bride and groom entered the parlor to the strains of Mendelsohn’s wedding march played by Miss Martha Finney of Valparaiso. The couple were attended by the bride’s sister, Miss Dolly Hershman, as maid of honor, and Dr. C. E. Hershman of Chicago, as best man. The bride was beautifully attired in a gown of rare selection, imported from Manila. It was an exquisite creation of pale blue hand-embroidered Housa silk over cream messaline. She carried a large boquet of carnations and narcissus. The groom Wore the conventional black. A large concourse of relatives and friends witnessed the ceremony, after which all repaired to the dining wedding supper. room and partook of a delicious Among those present from the immediate vicinity were: Mr. and Mrs. Walter Hershman; Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Hershman; Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Stalbaum; Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Record; Mrs. James Hershman; Mrs. John Stalbaum; the Misses Nellie Stalbaum, Clara and Sada Gulbransen, Celia and Bertha Hershman, and Messrs. Fred and Harry Stalbaum. Among those from a distance were Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Linton, Mr. and Mrs. James Linton, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Prevo, John Sebring, Rev. C. E. Sebring and the Misses Emma and Georgia Linton, all of Medaryville; Mrs. C. E. Hershman, Mrs. E. Gates and Miss Miss Viola Gates of Valparaiso; the Misses Bertha and Margaret Tofte of Kouts; Atty. G. E. Hershman and wife of Crown Point. The bridal couple were the recipients of many beautiful gifts. Mr. and Mrs. Scotten will spend a few days visiting relatives and friends after which they will depart for their future home in Sedalia, Mo., where the groom is one of that city’s most popular pharmacists.

METHODIST CHURCH.

The Rev. W. W. Spehr will preach Sunday morning, subject “Ready Harvest.” The pastor will preach at the evening service, subject “The Holy Spirit as a Revivalist.” Sunday School, 9:30 a. m. Preaching , 11:45 a. m. Epworth League, 6:00 p. m. Preaching, 7:00 p. in. Childrens meeting, 2.30 p. m., conducted by Rev. Speef. Prayer and conference meeting conducted by the pastor at the same hour. Our meetings have been growing in interest. Rev. Spger is showing himself a master in conducting the' singing. Song service 7:00 p. m., sermon 7:30. Come and enjoy the services. All are welcome. Meetings continue enuring January.

Read every item in our Great January Pre-Inventory Sale. We can save you money on anything you need.—ROWLES & PARKER- 1

the twice-a-week

RENSSELAER, JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA, SATURDAY, JNT ARY 14, 1911,.

THE COURT HOUSE

items Picked Up About the County Capitol The marriage license business has been quite brisk since the holidays, seven licenses having been issued so far this month. —o — Sheriff Hoover had a couple of ho-, bo lodgers Thursday night, pickedj up by the nightwatch and started on their way to the “Windy City” with full stomachs yesterday morning. > f*AJarriage licensesTssued: Jan. 10, G. Layman of Remington, aged 28, occupation farmer, to Coriene Roy, also of Remington, aged 28, occupation dressmaker. First .marriage for each. S/Jan. 10, Dennis Patrick Healey of Parr, aged 23, occupation farmer, to Minnie Henrietta Makus, daughter of August Makus, of Parr, aged 22, occupation housekeeper; First marriage for each.

vr—While we do not wish to appear impertinent, will the Republican; please inform an anxious public just when those suits are to be instituted to recover from the Winamac Bridge Co., the amounts it has swindled the taxpayers of Jasper county out of on its contracts here? In an eleventh hour confession just before the election the Republican thought such action should be taken, but it has been conspicuously silent on the subject ever since. W. H. Parkinson returned Tuesday night from Valparaiso, where he had been on matters connected with the Lewin attachment case. The parties attempted to compromise; but could not agree and the matter will be threshed out in court. In the meantime the horses held here by Sheriff Hoover are eating their heads off, and when the case is finally adjudicated it will very likely be found as usual that the lawyers are the only winners. —o —■ Attorney W. H. Parkinson received notice yesterday from the appellate court that the case of the C. & E. I. Ry. vs. Coon, appealed by the railroad company from the Newton circuit court, had been affirmed. Mr. Parkinson and Frank Davis of Brook took this personal injury case on a contingent fee and recovered judgment for SI,BOO. The railroad company appealed with the above result. Together with interest the attorneys will get about SSOO apiece out of the judgment. New suits filed: No. 7691. BurtHaywood Co. vs. Board of Commissioners of Jasper county; action to cancel stationery contract recently awarded to Levy Bros, of Indianapolis, alleging that the bid of that firm did not conform with the law relating to the letting of public contracts in various ways, and that the Burt-Haywood bid was the only legal bid on file in this particular class of wprk. No. 7692. Louis Paulsen vs. William M. Turner; action in attachment. Demand $l5O.

No. 7693. Edna I. Powell vs. Eva Greenlee; suit on notes. Complaint in two paragraphs, first on note for S4OO given Sept. 22, 1910, and due Nov. 1, 1910, demand S4OO, and .second paragraph on note given same date for $350, due Jan. 10, 1911, demand $350. These are the notes given by defendant for the purchase of the Nowels House furnishings, and a suit by the present defendant to recover possession of the notes was dismissed by order of the court at bast term, the court holding that such ' suit would not lie; that the claims of Mrs. Greenlee of misrepresentations, etc., must be brought up when collection of the notes was attempted. —O— In the detailed report of the State Accounting Board the cost of examining the township and municipal and school offices in Jasper county was $1,190.43. and as a result of the examinations there was found a total of in direct charges against former officers, of which $1,017.56 has already been recovered back to the respective treasuries. As every officer found deling quent W’as a republican the opposition of the Rensselaer Republican. to the accounting law—and the Republican, it should be ‘remembered, draws its inspiration from Abe Halleck —is hot at all strange. Now The Democrat wants to see a little

more work done in Jasper county under this law, and that is a full and complete examination made of the county offices. The examination made a couple of years ago by J. B. Workman, et al. was unsatisfactory to officers and people alike, and we believe an examination by ’the accounting board’s field examiners would at least result in satisfying everyone, no matter what their anding might be.

PUBLIC SALES. The Democrat has printed bills for the following public sales: Monday, Jan. 16, Vincent Eisle, 3 miles south of Rensselaer- General sale, horses, cattle, hogs, sheep, farm tools, etc. Wednesday, Jan. 18, J. U. Iliff, 6 miles south and 2 miles west of Rensselaer. General sale of horses, cattle, farm tools, etc. Thursday, Jan. 26, Joseph Sheutich, 1 % miles east of Rensselaer. General sale of horses, cattle, farm tools etc. Saturday, Jan. 28, A. M. Sands, just northeast of towni on the Amsler farm. General sale of horses, cattle, farm tools, etc. Wednesday, Feb. 1, Geo. E. Heu,son, 3 miles west of Rensselaer, on the old Saylor farm. General sale of horses, cattle, hogs, farm tools, household goods, etc.

CHIEF DEHORITY’S REPORT

On Rejjort of the State Accounting Accounting Law Is Made to the General Assembly. William A. Dehority, chief of the state board of accounts, has prepared to lay before the general assembly a report of , the field operations of the board since the beginning of actual field work in January, 1910. The report shows a total of 1,711 examinations made at a cost of $145,552.30 to the municipalities examined. The total charges made by the examiners against officials and former officials who were found to be short was $741,735.92. Of this ambunt, $50,967.11 has been paid back by the officials and former officials. Of the examinations made, seven were of state offices or institutions, 314 were of county offices, 1,342 were of township offices, ninety-sev-en were of civil cities or town offices, and fifty-one were of school cities or towns. Of the total cost of the examinations, $143,575.07 was for per diem pay of examiners, while $1,977.23 was for railroad fare. These expenses are paid by the state, county, city, town or township whose officials are examined. Of the total charge made $439,868.62 was for direct charges, and $301,867.30 for constructive charges. By a constructive charge is meant a charge that an official did not observe the provisions of the law, but in which there was no evidence to show that the municipality had not received full value for the money paid out. A direct charge is a charge that an official was found to have retained money not legally allowed him. , The per diem cost of the total examinations made was distributed as follows: Stat a cffices and institutions, $6,480; counties, $49,145; townships, $68,139-70; civil cities an towns, $16,081.42; school cities and towns $3,727.86. The direct and constructive charges were distributed as follows: State, direct, $7,268.81, constructive $925.50; counties, direct, $82,998.30, constructive $74,035.48; townships, direct, $282,264.50, constructive, $176,016.39; civil cities and towns, direct, $66,227.28, constructive, $40,736.08; school cities and towns, $129.70. The total cost of maintaining the central office of the board since its organization, including salaries, office expense, total furnishing, was

CHURCH OF GOD SERVICES.

Eld. Joseph Williams of Frankfort, Ind., will hold the following services at the Church of God: Saturday evening, Bible lesson, subject “Salvation:” Sunday morning sermon subject, "The Gospel Mirror.” Sunday evening subject* “Night and Morning.” You are cordially invited to all these services. "

“i , Get our January prices on Overcoats, it, you need one, that’s where you save money.— Rowles & Parker.. , , . ■ •/ ' < We are now going to sell what, cvercoats we have left at the sale cost of them. ' V C. EARL DUVALL.

FRAUGHT WITH GOOD PROMISE

Present Session of General Assembly Will Do Things. f . . ABLE DIRECTORS AT THE HEAD With Governor Marshall’* Notable Message as a Guide and Inspiration, the Legislator* Have Settled Down to Give a Faithful Account of Their Stewardship to the People, and Much Is Expected. Indianapolis special: “Let It be not only the proud but the justifiable boast of every member of this general assembly to be uttered at Its adjournment : ‘I can say upon my honor as a gentleman and in the face of high heaven, that, unawed by influence and unbought by gain, I have sought in all my deliberations to keep a people’s government.’ ” The high note thus sounded by Governor Marshall as the parting thought of his notable message to the legislature promises to serve as a guide and an inspiration to the majority members of the sixty-seventh session of

GOVERNOR MARSHALL

the General Assembly of Indiana. Accepting these inspiriting words as their slogan, the Democratic members have already gone far toward fulfilling the pledge of faithful serivce, and much of good to the people is expected before the closing days of what promises to be a memorable session. With wise and able leaders and with high determination “to keep a j>eople’s government.” the- majority—upon whom must rest the resi>onsibility for the acts of the present assembly—has pushed forward the work of the assembly in the way of organization and preliminary’ service to a point unprecedented at this stage of the proceed ings. In the first week of the assent bly the somewhat complicated machin ery of this big organization is moving as smoothly as though it had been running weeks instead of merely days. All of which gives augury of large performance and Intelligent and beneficent service, To Whom Honor Is Due. With Governor .Marshall’s fine executive recommendations and his skilled counsel and advice In times of need and with trained legislators at the heads of the important committees of both houses, there is every reason to expect prompt action on the many important matters which this assembly is called upon to consider. With the proper power of naming bis own committees restored to him —a power which the Republican majority ruthlessly deprived him of in the last session—Lieutenant Governor Hall as president of the senate is in a position of much wider and more positive influence this session and the experience gained in the previous session is being turned to most excellent account in his skillful and Vigorous manner of presiding over the deliberations of the upper house. The wisdom of the majority members of the senate in selecting for floor leader the ever alert Senator Evan B. Stotsenberg of New Albany and for caucus chairman Senator Robert E. Proctor of Elkhart, is being manifested as the days go by. Both are trained in parliamentary usages and their active services promise well for the expeditious dispatch of such matters as shall come before the senate. Much praise is also being given the senate majority for picking on Dale J. Crittenberger of Anderson for secretayr of the senate. Mr. Crittenberger is one of the best known newspaper men in Indiana, and his fellows of the press over the state are mighty glad to see him thus seated In this position of honor and trust - Over in the house. Representative Albert J. Veneman of Evansville has already given ample proof that the house majority made no mistake when

Continued on Fifth Page.

MISSING POUCH FOUND

Bag .Stolen from Peru Looted by Thief and Letters Opened. Peru, Ind., Jan. 13.—The pouch containing first-class mail stolen from a transfer wagon at the Union railway station Tuesday night was found in the Miami County Lumber company's yard, ripped open. More than 200 letters had been taken from the bag and after being examined, cast aside. A register card found among’ the” letters shows that the pouch contained two registered pieces of mail. The empty envelope of one was found, but the other package is missing. Its contents are unknown here. The Peru woman, to whom the registered letter Was addressed, is positive that the contents can be of no value to the robber.

LETTER TRAVELS 25 YEARS

Mailed In Colorado Quarter Century Ago, I* Delivered in Kokomo. Kokomo, Ind., Jan. 13.—A lettet mailed from Telluride, Colo., twentyfive years ago, written by Richard Hucheon, dead now a year, to A. F. Armstrong, a wealthy Kokomo man, concerning mutual mining interests, •was delivered in Kokomo, at the office of the firm of Armstrong, Landon & Co., frith which Mr. Armstrong was identified. The letter was turned over to his son-in-law, Thomas Howe, president of Butler college, Irvington, Ind. It is supposed the letter had been lost in a mail car. Mr. Armstrong has been dead seven years.

FLASHES BOLL; ROBBED

Farmer Says Comrade Lured Him from Saloon and Took Money. Ixigansport, Ind., Jan. 13. After flashing a roll of bills containing $2lO In a local saloon Joseph McCune, a farmer residing near Flora, Was lured to the outskirts of the city and robbed. Following the robbery McCune hurried to police headquarters and charged William Dillon, formerly of Flora, with the robbery. McCune said Dillon urged him to leave the saloon and take a walk while they discussed some business. When they reached the outskirts of the city McCune says Dillon knocked him down, robbed him and escaped.

SAYS WIFE ABUSED HIM

Muskegon Dancing Master Starts Suit for Divorce. Muskegon, Mich., Jan. 13. —Jonathan H. Shores, a prominent Muskegon dancing master, has begun suit for divorce, alleging infidelity and that his wife continually abused him and called him bad names. He asserts that she was wont to entertain strange men at their home in regal style and then send the bills, some of which amounted to SIOO, to him for payment. Mrs. Shores, a few weeks ago, left the city and Is said to be living in Grand Rapids.

SIMPSON BOUND OVER

Man Who Shot Another on Traction Car Under SBOO Bond. Princeton, Ind., Jan. 13. —Toney Simpson, of Massey, who shot Albert Waters of Buckskin, in a brawl on a train recently near Oakland City, was arraigned before Justice Sprowl on a charge of assault with intent to kill and bound over to the circuit court under SBOO bond. He was taken back to jail, where he has been held on a lighter charge, • awaiting the outcome of his victim’s wound. Doctors say Waters will recover from his. injuries.

DAIRIES WARNED

Richmond Health Officer Says Laws Must Be Complied With. Richmond, Ind.,’ Jan. 13.—Acting upon the report of the bureau of research, City Health Officer Davis ordered seventeen dairies, which were condemned, at once to conform to the law, or else close up. Of the forty dairies inspected twen-ty-three received the passing grade. Of all the dairies that at the Eastern Indiana Hospital for the Insane made the best grade.

SHERIFF STARTS ROCK PILE

Wayne County Official Intends to Get Rid of Petty Offenders. Richmond, Ind., Jan. 13.—Albert Steen, who has just taken his office as sheriff of Wayne county, says he will try to rid the county of petty offender's, and to this end. he has ordered a large quantity of stone, and will put the prisoners in jail to cracking stone ten hours a day. He has also announced a oread and water diet for habitual offenders.

Wanted Stock Hogs—-From 40 tq 100 lbs. to run after cattle. Write me what you have.—BOX,4B, R. F. D. Ko. 3, Brook, Ind.

Vol. XIII. No. 7».