Jasper County Democrat, Volume 16, Number 80, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 January 1914 — Page 1

Jasper County Democrat.

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ROWLES&PARKER STORE BURNED

Fire Damage Sunday Morning of Perhaps $20,000 GROCERY DEP. SUFFERS MOST North End of Store Completely Gutter, While Smoke and Water Does Great Deal of Damage to Dry Goods and Shoe Departments. The most disastrous fire to visit the business section of Rensselaer f<r sever;-! years occurred at an early hour Sunday morning, v hen the interior of the grocery department of the Rowles & Parker store, and the clothing, cloak and rug department directly overhead on the second floor, was completely gutted by flames and many of the goods in the front part of the store in the dry goods and shoe department were badly damaged by smoke and water. The loss is difficult to determine precisely, as the firm does not make its annual invoice until Feb. 1, but it will probably run in the neighborhood of $20,000, depending how much salvage there may be. The fire was discovered by the nightwatch shortly after 4 a. m., and he at once hurried down to the fire house and aroused Chet Zea, and they then tried to get the telephone central to have the alarm sounded? but as luck would have It the drop to that phone had “stuck” on the board and no reply was forthcoming. This occasioned a little delay in rousing the other members of the fire department, as it was necessary to send to the telephone central to have the alarm given. Dr. Hemphill and Harve Moore were just returning from a professional call of the former to the country and they assisted in spreading the alarm and getting a stream of water of fi'teen minutes alter theSFater was turned on the fire was under control, but it was six o’clock or after before it was all out. Flames were pouring from the upper rear windows when , first discovered, and the firemen did an excellent job of handling the fire without its extending to other buildings. The grocery stock was all damaged and a carload of flour damaged considerably from water, while water and smoke damaged practically all the goods in the front part of the store. The firm carried $19,000 insurance, all in companies represented •by R. B. Harris, and it is now thought loss will probably exceed this amount. The building was damaged to the extent of $5,000 or more, which is covered by insurance. B. Forsythe owns the building, and it will be repaired at once as soon as the insurance is adjusted. The fire is supposed to have started from an electric light wire in the northwest corner of the grocery department, and had probably been smoldering for several hours before breaking out.

Regular Vaudeville Entertainments at Ellis Theater.

The vaudeville entertainment at Ellis theater Friday night was pronounced first-class by all in attendance, much above the average, and better than frequently seen in the larger cities. These vaudeville shows will be a feature hereafter at this theater every Friday night, and the talent will be of a class that is seldom seen in cities of the size of Rensselaer.

Week of Prayer Program.

The Week of Prayer to be observed in the Christian churches of Rensselaer January 4th to January 11th, 1914: Monday night, Baptist church, Rev. P. C. Curnick, leader; topic, “The Church Militant.” Tuesday night, Presbyterian church, Rev. W. W. Wright, leader; topic, “Home Missions.” (Illustrated.) Wednesday night, Methodist church, Rev. W. G. Winn, leader; topic, “Foreign Missions.” Thursday night, Christian church, Rev. J. C. Parrett, leader; topic, “Special Work Among the Young in Families and Schools.” Friday night, Christian church, Rev. P. C. Curnick, leader; topic, “Nations and Their Leaders.”

Your attendance upon these services is earnestly desired, your prayers are urged, and your personal support is coveted by those who have this matter upon their hearts. Will you respond? Go to church, Sunday, February 1, 1914. Will you wear a tag?

Celebrate Golden Wedding.

Mr -.and Mrs. E. Pitzer drove up in Walker tp;, Sunday to attend the golden wedding anniversary of the latter’s grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Joel F. Spriggs. Mr. and Mrs. Spriggs are 76 and 71 years, respectively, and are probably the oldest residents of Walker tp., having located there in an early day. They received many presents commemorative of the occasion, and a fine big dinner was served. Others present. in addition to Mr. and Mrs. Pitzer and baby, were: Simon Spriggs and family of Medaryville; David Spriggs and family of WaiKer tp.; Mrs. Holser of Foresman—-the three children of the aged couple; Mrs. Olive Spriggs and son of Demotte; Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Hershman, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Hershman of Walker tp., Mr. and Mrs. Long, Mr. and Mrs. Sanders of Medaryville, and Prof. Phillips of Wanatah. “Squire” Spriggs and wife are among Walker township’s most highly respected citizens, and we hope they may both live to celebrate their diamond wedding twenty-five years hence.

Catholic Order of Foresters Install New Officers.

Willard Court No. .418, C. O. F„ installed the following officers Sunday evening: Thomas M. Callahan, Chief Ranger; Joseph Moosemiller, V. C. R.; John J. Eiglesbach, P. C. R.; Louis Ramp, Rec. Sec.; J. M. Healy, Fin. Sec.; Ed. P. Lane, Treas.; John Healy, Joseph Scheurich, Arnold Luers, Trustees; James E. Walter, S. C.; Frank Putts, J. C.; John Moosemiller, Sr. I. S.; Frank Trqely, 0. S. ■ _ The installing officer was Joseph Nagel. Music was furnished by Healy orchestra. Refreshments were served after the installation.

I. O. O. F. Installation.

The Odd Fellows installed the following officers Thursday evening: F. M. Norman, N. G.; Walter Lee, V. G.; Charles Platt, R. S. N. G.; Fred McColly, L. S. N. G.; Frank Moore, R. S. V. G.: Korah Daniels, L. S. V. G.: Fred Tyler, Rec. Sec.; Will Coen, Fin. Sec.; Ivan Ellsworth, Warden: Team Supporters, Frank Osborn, Mel Griffith. Osa Ritchey; Inside Guard. Will Platt; Outside Guard. Benjamin Welch. Refreshments were served after the installation.

Keeps Marriage Secret From Rensselaer Friends Five Weeks.

A secret of five weeks leaked out Friday when it became known that Miss Charlotte E. Grey of Hobart, but formerly of near this city, and Mr. James L. McCord of Pine Village, Ind., were marired at Crown Point, Nov. 29. The newly married couple will take up their Residence in Pine Vallage, where the groom conducts a bakery. Her Jasper county friends extend congratulations.—A FRIEND.

Public Sales.

The Democrat has printed sale bills for the following public sales: Wednesday, Jan. 7, C. W. Spencer, 3v, miles south and % mile east of Rensselaer. General sale of horses, cattle hogs, implements, etc. Thursday, January 15, John and Ray Akers, y 2 mile east and 1 3-4 miles north of Lee. General sale of horses, cattle, hogs, farm implements, etc.

A Large Audience Pleased With “The Man on the Box.”

“The Man on the Box” at the Ellis theater Saturday night was greeted by one of the best houses of the sea- 1 son, and the company was an exceeding good one, presenting this popular play in a very pleasing manner to the satisfaction of the big house in attendance.

Birth Announcements.

Dec. 31, to Mr. and Mrs. Max Kepner, a son. Jan. 2, to Mr. and Mrs. Lester Schreiner of west of town, a daughter. Jan. 4, to Ml? and Mrs. Carl Carpenter of Fair Oaks, a daughter. Jan. 4, to Mr. and Mrs. Ray Overton, a son. Jan. 5, to Mr. and Mrs. John Robinson, of southeast of town, a son.

THE TWICE-A-WEEK

RENSSELAER, JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA, WEDNESDAY, JAN. 7, 1914.

R. R. SUBSIDY ELECTIONS FEB. 10

County Commissioners Organize -Transact Much Business. HERSHMAN PRES. OF BOARD Monday’s Session Was a Busy One and Several Politcal Appointments Made by the Board—Nichols Retained at Poor aFrni.

THE BOARD APPOINTS Dr. F. H. Hemphill, County Health Officer. Jesse Nichols, Supt. Poor Farm. Sylvester Gray, County Highway Supt. B. J. Moore, Drainage Commissioner.

At Monday’s session of the county commissioners. D. S. Makeever of Newton tp., presented his certificate of election as commissioner-elect from the second district to succeed Charles F. Stackhouse. The board then re-organized, making Wililam H. Hershman, the senior member, president. Quite a good deal of business was transacted at Monday’s session. Subsidy elections to vote a tax of 2 per cent, on the assessed valuation, of Carpenter and Marion townships, including Remington and Rensselaer, in aid of the Indiana North-Western Traction Co., were set for Tuesday, Feb. 10, and Walter Porter, William Coen and G. H. McLain were appointed election inspectors ‘for Marion tp., and George Putt and Jacob May in Carpenter tp. The township trustees, of course, will act as inspectors in their own respective precincts. Dr. F. 11. Hemphil, of Rensselaer, was appointed county health officer in place of Dr. E. N. Loy. Sylvester Gray, of Rensselaer, was appointed county highway superintendent under the new law authorizing such office.

B. J. Moore, also of Rensselaer, was appointed drainage commissioner in place of L. Strong, democrat, whose term had expired. Jesse Nichols was re-appointed as superintendent of the county farm. Commissioner Hershman declining to sign the appointment because of much opposition to Nichols’ re-ap-pointment over the county, he stated? and let his colleagues shoulder the responsibility. In the Irwin stone road improvement, A. S. Lowman, supt., filed his report and the board found that it will be necessary to collect the full, amount of assesments as made.! Bonds were ordered issued for $7,-' 896.10. Tn the C. R. Peregrine petition for highway in Kakankee tp., viewers report was favorable and the road was ordered established to be 40 feet in width. Tn the Frank Hill stone road in Jordan tp., contract was let to Frank , Teach of Crown Point, at $30,725.29 I his being the only bid filed. Martin Cain was appointed supt. of con-, struction. The following amounts of interest on county funds for Dec. was reported, the Trust & Savings bank of Rensselaer and the bank of Wheatfield not filing their report in time for action by the board: First National bank of Rensselaer, $68.28: State bank of Rensselaer, $53.22; State bank of Remington, $3,7.30. The board was still in session yesterday.

Al Robinson Loses Big Lawsuit at Lafayette.

Judge Isaac Schoonover, of the Fountain county circuit court, who has been occupying the bench of the Tippecanoe county superior court in the case of Alfred C. Robinson of Rensselaer, vs. Cornelius M. Horner, of Monon, yesterday decided the case in favor of the defendant. . The suit originated in the White county circuit court in 1899. Both Robinson and Hormer were living at Monon at that time. Robinson was engaged in the real estate business. He bought a farm and paid SSOO with the understanding that he was

to pay the balance within a .certain time. He could not raise the money and interested Horner in the deal. The latter bought the farm and took the deed. There was a written agreement that Robinson should raise the balance of the money within ninety days. He failed to do so and Horner held the land for several years and then sold it. After he sold the land, Robinson claimed a half interest in it, insisting that there had’ been a verbal agreement that extended the limit that was set in the written agreement. Robinson brought suit at Monticello and the case went to Logansport. When the court indicated that he would decide in favor of Horner. Robinson dismissed the suit and it was sent to the Tippecanoe county circuit court. After the evidence for the plaintiff had been submitted Robinson again dismissed the case. ; ■

Suit was filed for the third time and the case was sent to the Tippecanoe county superior court. A demurrer was sustained and an appeal was taken to the appellate court. The local court was reversed and the case was sent back for another trial. This ended yesterday in a verdict for the defendant, t>e judge holding that there had been no verbal agreement. Mr. Robinson was represented by Charles R. Pollard and nephew, Robert Pollard, of Delphi, and Thompson & McAdams, of this city. Horner was represented by Emory Sellers, of Monticello, and Stuart, Hammond & Simms, of this city.— Lafayette Journal.

All Kinds of Weather Promised This Week.

Washington, January 4.—lndications are not favorable for any extended period of fair weather over the United States during the coming week, the weather bureau announced today. “Rainy weather will continue in the Pacific coast states, with storms,” said the bureau’s weekly forecast, “and considerable snow an# rain is also probable in the plateau region, except the extreme southern portion. “The weather will be generally fair for a few days over the central and eastern portions of the country, except Monday, w’hen snow will continue from the lake region eastward. It will be somewhat colder in the east, and comparatively low temperatures will continue in the southwest. The storm now on the Washington Coast will move eastward, accompanied by rains and snows and rising temperatures, reaching the central portion of the country about Wednesday and the eastern states a day later. It will be followed by rising pressure and falling temp ?ratu res for a day or two, but probably not of marked character, beginning about Tuesday over the Canadian northwest and reaching the eastern states by the end of the week. “Another disturbance will reach the Pacific coast shortly after the middle of the week, and probably will extend eastward and southeastward over the plateau region, crossing the Rocky mountains by the end of the week, but probably without precipitation east of the mountains by that time. “In the south the weather ill ’ e mostly fair except Monday, when local rains are probable in the east gulf states.

A Ghastly Record Indeed.

Lake county, or the Calumet region thereof, had 313 violent deaths during the year 1913, or deaths, rather, that were investigated by the coroner. This was an increase of 51 over the previous year. Of this number 14 were murders: 21 suicides; unknown causes. 5: auro killings, 6; drownings, 31; steam railway killing, 48; interurban killings, 2; other causes in which the verdict was natural death, 113; mills and factories, 73. This is an average of one for each working day in the year, and is surely a ghastly list.

Notice to All Woodmen. There will be installation of offlcer? f as Woodmen Hall, Wednesday“eye, Jan. 7, 1914. Ltmch will be served.—JOHN MERRITT, Clerk. Notice— All persons knowing themselfs indebted to me will please settle on or before Jan. 10th, or same will be left for collection. No further notice will be given. H. B. BROWN, Kniman, Ind. Subscribe for The Democrat.

COURT HOUSE NEWS IN BRIEF

Interesting Paragraphs from the Various Departments OF JASPER COUNTY CAPITOL The Legal News Epitomized—Together with Other Notes Gathered From the Several County Offices. County Agent Barrett will be at Remington, at the, State bank, today as usual. Trustee May, James A. May and Attorney Jasper Guy were among the Remington people in town Monday. ■' Mrs. Maria Baker, the widow, has been appointed administratrix of the estate of her husband, the late William P. Baker, who died intestate. Russell Van Hook has registered his 15 acres farm just west of town, the former Irwin tile mill property, under the name of “Riverside Dairy Farm.” County Treasurer Fell sold the $5,200 bonds ,in the Walter V. Porter stone road in Marion tp., Monday, to Edward O’Gara of Lafayette, at par, accrued interest and $37.00 premium, this being the highest bid received. Jan. 5, Ellis 11. Spurgeon, son of William H. Spurgeon of Jasper county, aged 24 March 3 last, occupation farmer, to Rosa Helen Snow of Jasper county, aged 24 March 8 last, occupation housekeeper. First marriage for each. County Agent Barrett announces the following agricultural meetings, all at 7:30 p. m.: Wednesday, Jan. 7, Price school house. Carpenter tp. Friday, , Jan. 9, Center school house. Union tp. Monday, Jan. 12, Wasson school house, Marion tp. Tuesday, Jan. 13, Center school house. Walker tp. Wednesday, Jan. 14, Demotte. Thursday, Jan. 15, Bluegrass school house, Newton tp. Friday, Jan. 16. Center school house, Gillam tp. - ”

Marriage licenses Issued: Jan. 3, Carey C. Williams, son of James W. Williams of Virgie, aged 25 Sept. 23 last, occupation farmer, to Etta Olive Cooper, daughter of Scott Cooper of Virgie, aged 18 April 4 last, occupation housekeeper. First marriage for each. Married by Rev. W. G. Winn, pastor of the Christian church, in the clerk’s office. Jan. 3, John Havens, son of Geo. Havens of Milroy tp„ aged 24 June 21 last, occupation farmer, to Gladious Grouns, daughter of Joseph F. Grouns, also of Milroy tp., aged 18 April 21 last, occupation not given. First marriage for each. Married by Rev. J. C. Parrett at the Presbyterian manse, J. C. Borntrager, who recently purchased the former M. I. Adams farm of John 11. Newman of Cissna Park, 111., at sllO per acre, has n)ove<l from the Lawler ranch, east of Pleasant Ridge, which he has occupied for the past 3% years, onto his recent purchase, and is succeeded on the Lawler ranch by Fred Feldhous. Earnest Maxwell, who occupied the Newman . farm, moved last week to Kirklin, Ind. Mr. Newman had held the Adams farm at $125 an acre, but having an opportunity to purchase a farm adjoining him in Illinois that had been held at S2OO per acre, Tor $l9O per acre, for the reason of rather poor crops last season, he sold the Adams farm to Mr. Borntrager at sllO in Consideration of getting all cash Jan. 1, so that he could apply same on the farm he bought near Cissna Park.

New suits filed: No. ‘8149. Clint Brown vs. Granville Moody, Charles P. Moody and Robert A. Parkinson; action for an accounting. The complaint alleges that. in April, 1909, plaintiff and defendants entered into a partnership for the purpose of breeding horses, and purchased a stallion at a cost of SI,OOO, each party paying $250 except plaintiff, to wh’om each of the defendants

Vol. XVI. No. 80.

advanced $83.33 as a loan; that plaintiff fed and cared for said horse and was to have one-half of all service fees; that plaintiff was in charge of said horse 34 months, which service was worth sls per month; that defendants collected some of said service fees, and there are still outstanding accounts of $405 of which plaintiff is entitled to 1?-S; that said horse was taken, without consent or knowledge of plaintiff and turned over to defendants Parkison and Granville Moody; plaintiff asks that an accounting be made by defendants of all moneys collected and paid out by them during the time plaintiff had charge of said horse; that the partnership be dissolved and a receiver be appointed to collect the service accounts now outstanding.

Writes From Washington State.

In a letter received a few days ago from George M. Babcock, of Tacoma, Wash., he tells something of Portland, Ore., which he visited three days during the holidays. He says: “Do not remember about card I sent you from Portland; think, though, it had a picture of the business section of the city, which is certainly a hummer. The business buildings are all clustered together and one can tranact business with very little walking there. In Seattle so many small “dumps” are sandwitched in between the large business blocks. Portland is about five or six miles from the Columbia river, being connected with it by the Willamette, a good-sized- stream. The ocean-going vessels can only come up part way on account of the shallow water. “As for weather, Portland has the best of it. when compared with the Puget Sound country, judging from what I saw while there. The sun shown warm and bright all the time until the train got about half way back to Tacoma, when the dark, murky weather came upon us again. But today leaves nothing in Tacoma to be desired. It is grand to see the sun here in the winter time, when fog and cloudiness are usual each day.

"The 3 newspapers in Portland, the Journal, the Telegram and Oregonian, the first two evening and the latter a morning publication, have very modern plants. The Journal has recently moved into a new building where, everything for the health and convenience of its employes has been installed. One thing I noticed especially was an automatic passenger elevator for the employees, who enter the building from a side street, and by pressing a button on the door jam opening to the elevator shaft, the elevator lowers or raises to that particular floor. One then opens the door and enters the elevator and by pressing one of the several labeled buttons on a board inside the cage, they are raised or lowered to the desired floor. The composing room is well lighted and ventilated, contains about 20 machines, including two Intertypes, the new linotype now on the market, and a slug easier. “One of the noticeable things of Portland is the absence of hills, and as a result the streets are very dirty, as compared with hilly Tacoma and Seattle. But, nevertheless, it is a town where things are doing. Building is going on in great abundance. “I just got a letter today from a fellow employe of the Tribune in which he says there is nothing in the printing line doing/at Portland now, and that he will come to Tacoma if he can set some of us fellows to come and board and room with him. I had one meal with him in Portland, so will tell him he can depend on me for one. Anything to get away from the alleged hash joints of this place.

Oh, yes 1 a’most forgot to tell you I had lost my situation. But I expected it would not last long. I am now first"on the “sub board” again: may get the regular situation back in a short, time, so the foreman says. It has been quite common talk that the Tribune would take over the Ledger and publish both morning and evening papers. ’ If this takes place I will undoubtedly get well tip on the regular “board.” I am now getting five days a week. "There are more unemployed printers on the coast now than ever before and they are still coming from the east. Our union will pay traveling expenses of :* number who have sojne chance of a job, which now seem all to be in the east. Tn San Francisco, it is said, there are 1,200 printers who are averaging possibly one day a week. Hundreds of printers and ' linotypers have drifted to the coast country on account of the coming exposition.

“The Tribune had a big community Christmas tree on Christmas day at the state arm dry. It helped greatly to advertise the paper, which hatT doubled its circulation In the last year. It seems as though working conditions are the main subject of conversation here on the coast now. “The striking job printing here are still out, and something has got to happen soon to relieve the situation. Expect a bunch of the “subs” will start east soon. Most of them want to go to New york. "Have been thinking some of taking a trip next year to San Francisco, late enough to see the grounds and buildings of the exposition Frisco is only S2O by boat from here. There is a fine railroad trip now being advertised from here. It includes firstclass passage, everything included, for $93 to Los Angeles and return limit three months.”