Jasper County Democrat, Volume 16, Number 95, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 February 1914 — Page 1

Jasper County Democrat.

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FORMER JASPER COUNTY BOY

Is Candidate for Democratic Nominaiton for Prosecuting Attorney. George /E. Hershman, of Crown Point, was in the city today on business matters, and while here informed his Hammond friends that he would be a candidate for prosecuting attorney on the democratic ticket, subject to the decision of the primaries. Mr. Hershman is a promising young attorney of the county seat and has already acquired quite an enviable legal practice there. His ability is not questioned, and he is a clean man worthy of the honor the party and people can bestow upon him. He promises, if nominated to make a most vigorous campaign for his election.—Hammond News.

Telephone Hearing On as Democrat Went to Press.

Charles J. Murphy, of the Indiana Public Service Commission, came in on the 10 o’clock train yesterday and was holding a hearing in the court room on the proposed increase in telephone rates by the Jasper County Telephone Company, as The Democrat went to press. The meeting was quite largely attended, but the proceedings were rather dry, consisting of the reading of itemized reports by Delos Thompson, the president and general manager of the company, which had been testified to by Miss Gertrude Hopkins, the bookkeeper of the company, as having been prepared by her and being correct.

The statements or reports gave an itemized account of the different receipts and expenditures for the years 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912 and 1913, and showed that during some years the expenditures exceeded the income, while in other years there was a small balance left over. Mr. Thompson testified that during the past five years the company had paid a dividend on its stock of only 3 per cent; some years nothing at all and other years 6 per cent, making the average 3 per cent. E. B. Sellers, of Monticello, and George A. Williams and W. H. Parkison, of Rensselaer, were attorneys for the company and presented their side of the case, while John A. Dunlap and A. Halleck appeared for the remonstrators.

Purtelle Sued Inter Ocean for Helf a Million.

A typographical error in Wednesday’s Democrat regarding the amount Eugene Purtelle, the notorious swindling traction line" promoter, had sued the Chicago Inter Ocean for, made it read $50,000, when the proper amount is $500,000. Of course our readers know that Gene never does anything on a small scale, and they were no doubt surprised that he had only asked for $50,000 damages from the Inter Ocean in 'his suit for libel. It is indeed surprising that he did not sue for $2,000,000, as he could get that just as easy as he could get two cents damages for almost anything that might be sdid about his reputation, judging from what is known of him down in this section of Indiana.

Old Land Mark Destroyed by Fire.

The farm house occupie ( d by Gilbert Lewis, on the Stockton farm, on Givens Hill, just west from Alf Donnelly’s onion farm, north of town, credited by old residents with being one of the very oldest structures in the county, was destroyed by fire about 2 a. m., Wednesday, during the absence of the family. The fire was discovered by Emil Johnson, a neighbor, but had gained such headway that nothing could be done to save the building. The wind being from the south, prevented the fire spreading to the barn. The house, which was constructed of logs and had been covered with weatherboarding, is said to have been built prior to the civil war, and formerly stood directly west of the tile mill, until moved a few years ago. The entire contents, on which there was but little or no insurance, were lost by Mr. and Mrs. Lewis. The family was away for the night, and it is presumed the fire started from a defective flue.

W. A. McCurtain Sale Dates. W. A. McCurtain, auctioneer, has booked the following sales: Saturday, Feb. 28, Robert Timmons, near Wheatfield. Tuesday, March 10, Joe Davis, Union tp.

NEW TRACTION LINE PROPOSED

This One to Run Frem Kankakii to Logansport. NO SUBSIDIES ASKED FOR Line to Touch St. Anne, Hl., Morocco, Mt. Ayr, Rensselaer, Monon, Royal Center and Logansport.

M. A. Peoples and O. L. Brown, of Chicago, were in the caty on business connected with the proposed building of a traction line railroad starting at Kankakee, 111., and running thence to St. Anne, 111., and Morocco, Mt. Ayr, Rensselaer, Monon, Royal Center and Logansport, the latter place to be its terminal. This is nearly a direst east and wets line and will open a section of territory untouched by east and west rail facilities.

The gentlemen informed The Democrat that they did not expect to ask for any subsidies. They figure that the business, both freight passenger, will make the building of such a line a good paying proposition. They stated that they would handle freight, including corn, oats, cattle, etc., and the numerous north and south railroads their line would cross would bring much passenger business off those lines in addition to that secured locally. They stated that they intended to drive over the proposed line this week, but the drifted condition of the roads prevented this. While a north,and south roa dconnecting both the north and south ends of the county with Rensselaer is desireable, and we hope to see such a line some of these days, this east and west project looks mighty good to us and it is hoped that it will go through. Concerning the project, Saturday's Logansport Journal says: For some weeks past M. A. Peoples and O. L. Brown, traction line promoters, have been w’orking in the interest of an interurban line which the yseek to promote from this city west to Kentland. Yesterday the men returned to this city from Kentland, where they had been in conference with parties there and at other points along the proposed route. Peoples is an interurban man of experience, being at present associated with the Northern Illinois Electric Company. He built the Ft. Wayne & Northern Indiana line, then the Ft. Wayne & Wabash Valley line, from Wabash to Peru. Later he helped promote, and construct the St. Joseph Valley electric line from Elkhart to Angola and managed it for a time. Neither Peoples nor Brown would admit that there is anything definite as yet in their proposition.

“We believe it is a good proposition,” said Peoples, “but that does not necessaryily mean it can be built. If we could build this road under conditions that would make it a good investment we will built it. if not the time for it is not ripe.” Asked if he did not consider the territory a good one. Peoples »said: “It is. particularly for this city, but that does not indicate that it can be built on a bhsis making i a sound business enterprise at this time. However, the need of such a line, I believe, is greater in towns west of here than it.is here. There is a demand for such a line and has been. Whether or not this demand is great enough is what we are trying to discover.

Two possible routes are considered by the promoters. One route, the direct “state line” route through Monticello, Kentland and up to Watseka, and the other through Monon, Rensselaer, Morocco and up to Kankakee for Chicago connection. Peoples was informed that Logansport people had frequently been called upon to discuss paper railroads and such discussion always ended in bonus talk. He said: “Well, in times past that plan worked well often, but things have changed in the traction business. A bonus is a bad proposition for two reasons. If the road is a good thing and can be build from right-of-way to time table at the right figure a bonus is unnecessary. If there is no real field for the road the bonus is a bad thing for the ocmmunity giving it. If this proposed line on Which we are working materializes I assure you there wall be no such thing as a bonus figure in it.” Peoples declared the widespread opinion that steam roads are hostile to interurban lines is largely a mistaken one: that it was so when the traction business was new, but tbat now the business is developed to a point where steam lines have abandoned fighting opposition and concern themselves with promoting efficiency of their own ilhes..

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THE TWICE=A=WEEK

RENSSELAER, JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA, SATURDAY, FEB. 28, 1914.

BURGLARS IN NORTH JASPER.

Fendig's Drug Store at Wheatfield Robbed —Also Rob Cash Register at Demotte. The Fendig drug store at Wheatfield was broken into Wednesday night and the cash register and a few quarts of liquors, some cigars and other articles taken. The thieves pried open the front doqr and made a clean get-away. The cash register was found next morning at the C. I. & S. railroad station. It is also reported that a cash register was robbed at Demotte, but only a few pennies were secured at each place. It is said that the robbers stole a ‘speeder” at Demotte and rode to Wheatfield on it. By some it is though to have been the work of a couple of tramps who were released from custody in Wheatfield for drunkenness Wednesday evening, and who went west on the C. I. & S. railroad track. There was talk of securing bloodhounds, if possible, to put on the track of the robbers, but we were un?>le to learn whether this had been done or not.

CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS

For Postmasters for Fair Oaks, Parr and Wheatfield. Civil service examinations will be held in Rensselaer on April 18 for postmasters at the following points in Jasper county: Parr, Fair Oaks and Wheatfield. Also for neighboring offices as follows: At North Judson, April 4, for San Pierre; at Monticello, April 18, for Lee, Seafield, Reynolds, Idaville and Chalmers; at Kentland, April 18, for Mt. Ayr and Roselawn.

Return From Extended Visit in Alabama.

Mr. and Mrs. Marion I. Adams returned Wednesday from a nearly two months visit with their son, Ray, near Deniapolis; Ala. They stopped over for a day at Chatanooga and visited Lookout Mountain, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, etc. They had very nice weather in Alabama, the coldest during their sojourn there only 20 above zero, and Sunday, when we had the worst storm of the winter here, they were sitting out on the porch and flowers were in bloom in the yard, and peach trees were fragrant with blossom.

During their stay there Mr. Adams assisted in building a new barn and repairing some of the cabins occupied by the negroes on the plantation. They have all told some thirty colored people on their plantation. The men work for Ray while the women folks and children of each family cultivate about five acres of cotton each season.

Ray has just finished sowing more alfalfa and now has about 70 acres out. He got three cuttings from his last year’s sowing and this year expects to get four cuttings from the older fields. Sam Sparling is putting out about 75 acres of alfalfa this year. S. S. Shedd, who with his wife has been visiting down there with their daughter and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Sparling, was to leave there Thursday and would reach Rensselaer yesterday. Mrs. Shedd will remain indefinitely. She has gained considerably in health, but had one poor spell a few days ago. She had recovered from this, however, and the attack was but temporary. Marion says that the country abobt there is improving quite rapidly and both he and his son and Mr. Sparling were well pleased with their investments. • The first saw on the way home was down in Kentucky.

The Democrat has printed bills for the following public sales: JWonday, March 9, Arthur Mayhew, 5 njiles southwest of Rensselaer. General sale of , horses, cattle, implements, etc. Saturday, March 7, Joe Hallagan, at Leek hitch barn in Rensselaer. Sale bf 20 head of Durham and Hereford milch cows.'

Union Services Sunday Evening.

The churches of the city have decided to hold a union evangelistic service on the first Sunday evening of each month. On, Sunday evening. March 1, this service will be held in the Presbyterian dhurch, and Rev. P. C. Cnrniek, D. D., will preach the sermon Everyone most cordially invited.

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Public Sales.

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. Sheriff Hoover was in Monticello on business Tuesday afternoon. Commissioners’ court meets Monday for the regular March session. The township assessors were in Thursday getting their supplies, and Will begin making their annual rounds Monday.

Elzie Grow has invested a little of his surplus money in a farm over in Milroy tp., having bought of Thomas Tarvin the latter’s farm of 80 acres in section 10. The price given in the deed is $4,800. Five different grades of legal size typewriter paper kept in stock in The Democrat’s stationery department. Also abstract and legal document backs, printed or blank. Don’t pay fancy prices for your typewriter paper when you can buy it here of as good or better quality for much less money. Our typewriter paper is put up in boxes of 500 sheets, but will be sold in smaller quantities if desired.

Marriage licenses issued: Feb. 24, William Grover Lods of Monticello, aged 21 October 125 last, occupation farmer, to Cora Murtal Robinson, daughter of Paris T. Robinson of Gillam tp,, aged 21 April 19 last, occupation housekeeper. First marriage for each. Feb. 24, James Bernard Thompson of Morocco, aged 27 December 1 4 last, occupation farmer, to Carrie Elsie Pierce of Rensselaer, aged 24 June 6 last, occupation teacher. First marriage for each. Mortgage exemption time is now here and persons whose property is mortgaged may secure tax exemption on the same of one-half the amount of the mortgage up to $1,400 or S7OO exemption, by filing an exemption with the county auditor. Property held jointly must have the exemption signed by both busband and wife. Tax exemption on mortgaged property may be filed any time between the first day of March and the last day of April of each year.

Democratic Congressional Convention at Hammond March 16.

The democratic congressional convention for the Tenth Indiana District, will be held on Monday, March 16, at Hammond. It will be a very tame affair of course, as there will be no opposition to the renominatlon of Mr. Peterson. The convention two years ago was held at Lafayette, and two years before at Hammond, therefore as it seems to be the idea of the party leaders that proper places for holding these conventions is at the two larger towns in the district, it is Hammond’s turn for it this year. The convention will have 112 delegates. as follows: Benton county. 9; Jasper, 8; Lake, 32; Newton, 6; Porter, 9; Tippecanoe, 29; Warren, 7, and White 13. The convention is to be held at the Jefferson Club rooms in Hammond.

Notice. Those persons who know themselves to be indebted to me are re- 1 guested to call and settle or at least to call. This is the second request. If a third is necessary it w’ill be made by an attorney.—l. M. WASHBURN. Card of Thanks. Through the columns of The Democrat we wish to thank all friends and neighbors for their kindness and thoughfulness to our dear brother, George Reusch; also friend sending us papers.—William Reusch, Fred Reusch, Mrs. Armstrong, Mrs. Seaman, Rosa Reusch. The Barkley Comic Entertainers will give a comic play at the Newland school house, Saturday, Feb. 28, at 8:15 p. m. Everybody invited. —COMMITTEE. j

MISSED BY THE MOVIES.

Wheatfield Butcher Goes On Rampage and Is Lassoed by Harvey Keene. Special to The Democrat. . Wheatfield, Ind., February 26 - • Wheatfield had one of her periodical wild west shows Wednesday afternoon. George Hohen, the butcher and one of his hobo friends went on a tear. The former wanted a place for his friend to sleep and demanded that the lock-up be opened. The marshal refused and then the show commenced. In less than five minutes the doors of the lock-up were smashed in and George had his hobo were in possession. George then informed the town officials of what he had done and they proceeded to try to place him under arrest, but were emphatically informed that they were not men enough in town to take him, and he came near proving his words true. He proceeded to take a nip at the marshal’s finger, and the latter went to the doctor. He kicked out the glass in the saloon door, and the crowd, after running him over town, managed to lasso him like a wild steer, and with eight or ten men lending a band they led and drug him to the “cooler.” Trustee Harvey Keene Is credited with having hurled the lariet th/t brought George to his knees. The doors had hardly been closed when he picked up a lamp and hurled it through the grates of his cell. Oil, glass and a few cuss words bespattered the crowd who had come to see the show. George next to break up housekeeping. Tearing up the bunk, he secured a short piece of plank which he used as a battering ram, and rained blow after blow aginst the narrow window of his cell, which soon began to give way under the terrific ranting. The frame gave way and one iron bar fell out, then another one, and in a few minutes more he and his friend would have been at liberty. But the marshal, after being armed, stood guard, and on threats of being shot the hobo weakened and George became calmer.

The sheriff was telegraphed for, but did not show any inclination to take a hand, thinking, no doubt, that as Wheatfield was an Incorported town, she must look after her own drunks or take them to the county seat for safe keeping. At 5 p. m., the ante-room to the jail was full, also the sidewalk in front, while the hobo and George were harranguelng the crowd with a plea of justification when the writer left for the peaceful and quiet of the country. Hohen was released about 9 p. m., under SI,OOO bonds. He is all right when sober, but a perfegjU when under the influence of liquor.

Rensselaer Public Schools.

The visiting day in the public Schools Thursday was a great success and was very much beyond the expectation of the teachers. People began coming a little after nine tn the morning and continued all day; some rooms having twenty and thirty at one session. Ushers were stationed in the different halls to conduct people to the different rooms and departments. Attempts were made to have each visit in the different rooms recorded but in the middle of the afternoon there were so many in the room that many names were missed. The registers showed four hunderd and twenty-five visits, which is perhaps about two-thirds of them. However of this number most people had two or more visits to their credit. One pleasing feature of the day was the fact that so many men came in, some for a few minutes, while others stayed longer. Another very gratifying feature was the statement that many were heard to say: “I am coming again and stay longer.” Everything considered it was a very profitable day for pupil, patron and teacher, apd it is the plan to make it an annual affair. The teachers and other school authorities great* ly appreciate the visits made and ■hope it will be the beginning of a closer relation between the home and the school.

Township Agricultural Meetings for February.

Tuesday, March 3, at Center school house, Union tp. (A postponed meeting.)

Birth Announcements.

Feb. 24, to Mr. and Mrs. John Hayes, of Barkley tp., a daughter. Feb. 26, to Mr. and Mrs. Ben King, of near Parr, a son.

VoL XVI. No. 95.

GENERAL AND STATE NEWS

Telegraphic Reports from Many Parts of the Country SHORT BITS OF THE UNUSUAL Happenings in Distant and Near, by Cities and towns—Matters of Mint* Mention from Many Places. It's an 11l Blizzard, Etc. Lafayette, Ind., February 26.—The fact that the big snowstorm of Sunday and Monday kept many democrats away from the Jackson Club annual banquet, meant much to a number of poor families in Lafayette. The banquet committee had provided for three hundred diners and only two hundred attended. That left one hundred uneaten, and the committee yesterday turned the food over to the Charity Organization Society for distribution among the poor. The society used automobiles and distributed the food to the poor.

Old "Doc” Olser to the Contrary, Etc.

Washington, D. C., February 26. Harvey W, Wiley, former chief chemist, was a proud papa again today. John Preston Wiley arrived at 7:30 a. m., weighing ten pounds. Mrs. Wiley and the doctor, who is 70, were married in 1911.

HOW FARMERS SHOULD COMPUTE THEIR INCOMES.

Incomes Under $3,000 Not Affected by Income Tax, Method of Computing Net Income Explained—Returns for Last Year Must Be Made to Internal Revenue Collectors by March 1. Washington. D. C., February 28. If a farmer is so fortunate as to have a net income of over $3,000 a year in case he is a bachelor, or $4,000 if married,* he is subject to the income tax, and undo the law each individual must make return to the Internal Revenue collector of his district on or before the first day of March if he has a net income of $3,000 or over ($2,500 for the ten months of 1913). While the interest of most farmers in this subject is purely academic, the department of agriculture has teteived inquiries indicating that some wish to know just what is required of them underthe new law. '

The income tax law of October .7, 1913, places a tax of 1 per cent upon all net incomes of over |3,« 000, with an additional tax on incomes of $20,000 or more. The first question arising in the minds of most people is what contsltutes a net income. For a man receiving a regular salary, or a business man with a good system of booking, it is easy to determine whether or not his income is taxable. But for the farmer who receives no stated income, and who often fails to keep accurate account of receipts and expenditures, it is more difficult to calculate his net income.

In order that farmers may be posted on the income tax as it may concern them, the following information has been furnished by the Internal Revenue Bureau of the Treasury Department:

In general, an income consists of amounts derived from salaries, wages or compensation for personal service, paid in any form; also from professions, business, sales or dealings in property, or from rents, interest on bonds or mortgages, diVidends on stocks, or other income from investments. These items constitute gross income, from which there should be deducted the expenses of carrying oln the business; interest paid on indebtedness; worthless debts charged off; losses by fire, storm or shipwreck, not covered by insurance; exhaustion, wear and tear of property, and any income upon which the income tax has already been deducted at the source, as, for instance, dividends on the stock of a corporation which has already paid the tax on its earnings. v .

The provisions regarding net incomes of $3,000 apply only to Unmarried or to married persons not living With Wife or husband. A husband and wife living together are entitled to an exemption of $4,000 on their aggregate income. This means that in case the wife has a separate income, if this added to the husband’s income amounts to $4,000 the total is subject to the tax: or, if the wife has no separate income, the husband’s income is taxable only in case it reaches $4,000. But a return must be made if the aggregate income of both is $2,500 for the year 1913. The joint exemption, however, would be $3,333.33. In arriving at his net income the farmer should start with his gross

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