Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 92, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 February 1915 — Page 1

Jasper County Democrat.

$1.50 Per Year.

Public Sales. The Democrat has printed bills for the following public sales: Thursday, Feb. 25, J. M. Yeoman, 1 mile north of Rensselaer. Stock sale, horses, cattle, sheep and hogs. Friday, Feb. 28, E. E. Burkhart, 5 miles northwest of Wheatfield. General farm sale.

A Near Disastrous Blaze in the G. E. Murray Store.

The fire alarm was sounded about 0:30 Saturday evening and through mistake in transmitting the fire plug number to the light plant, the wrong signal was given—forty-five instead of twenty-five. The fire w T as in the grocery department of the G. E. Murray Co.’s store, and started among some papers in under the counter about midlength of the room. It is supposed that it was caused by matches being carried there by rats or mice. Fortunately the store was supplied with a hand chemical extinguisher and the blaze was put out with slight damage and before the fire company reached the scene, the latter having gone to plug 45, which is on the corner of -Weston “and Angelica streets, near the Fred Tyler property, now occupied by V6rn Robinson. When the mistake was discovered and the fire company had reached the Murray store, the blaze had been extinguished. Had this blaze occurred any other night than Saturday night, it might have caused considerable damage as the store closes 6 o’clock except on Saturday nights. People should be very careful in sending in fire alarms to the telephone office, and give the numbers distinctly, two, five, instead of twen-ty-five, and also designate the place where the fire is. This precaution will greatly facilitate the promptness of the fire company in reaching the scene. During the usual excitement which a fire occasions, people are apt to jumble the numbers together and it is difficult for the telephone operator to understand them distinctly.

City Council Proceedings.

The city council met in regular session Monday evening with all members present and following business was transacted: Petition of Jasper* County Telephone Company to lay cable under ground on Cullen and Susan streets was granted, and city electrician directed to prepare plans for same. City attorney instructed to prepare resolution and city engineer plans and • specifications for the improvement of alley through block 9, original* plat. > City attorney directed to submit petition to public: service commission for a reduction in the minimum light rate in city, from $1 per month to 75c per month, with a penalty of 10c added if not paid by the 10th of month. (There has been some talk of a general reduction in the light rates, it being claimed that the light plant proper is much more than selfsupporting, and the patrons are therefore entitled to a lower rate. This petition for a reduction of only 25b on the minimum rate is a very small matter indeed.) '■ A. Leopold was granted permission to use a part of. Front and Ilutsen streets for building material on filing of proper bond. The usual grist of claims were allowed.

Squire Bussell Slays Bis Seventieth Wolf.

Squire Bussell of 'Hanging Grove tp„ lias added the 70th notch to his rifle stock, he having shot one of the three wolves rounded lip in the big hunt in Hanging Grovq and Monon townships Monday. The drive started in Hanging Grove tp.. near Lee, and the circle was about four miles in diameter, ending in White county. Nearly 500 people took part in the drive and three wolves were rounded up. One of the animals, a large female wolf, was the target for hundreds of shots when they broke through t}ie circle, and it escaped all of them until Mr. Bussell brought her down at a distance of about 400 yards. It was agreed before the hunt that in the event any wolves were shot the pelts be auctioned off and the proceeds go to charity, and it brought $7.75, Bert Lowe of ‘Monon being the° purchaser. A $5 bounty will be paid by White county, where the wolf was shot. Squire Bussell has killed 70 wolves during his lifetime, G 9 of the number having been killed in Jasper county. One large specimen was sent to Indianapolis some years ago and was mounted and may he seen in the state museum in the capitol building.

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. The pair of state accountants who have - been working since Jan. 1 in checking up the auditor’s and treasurer’s offices, have completed same and are now at Work in the clerk’s office. Marriage licenses issued: Feb. 23, Elmer Humphreys : of Rensselaer, aged 42 Jan. 8 last, occupation farmer, to Elizabeth Annie Peters, daughter of Alfred Peters of Rensselaer, aged 27 Sept. 21 last, occupation housekeeper. First marriage for each. E. L. Hollingsworth, who bid off the lots in the “factory addition’ owned by the Rensselaer Home Builders’ Association two years ago for delinquent taxes, has been given a tax. title deed for same. The consideration named in the various deeds totals about $250. In mentioning the trouble that occurred out at the Sage farm in Newton tp., last Thursday, for which Mrs. Elizur Sage had her son-in-law arrested for assault and battery with intent to kill, The Democrat should have said that the son-in-law was David Zeigler, instead of Ralph Zeigler. Both- Mr. and Mrs. Ziegler deny any assault occurred at all.

The county commissioners at their special meeting Saturday let the contract for removing and replacing the Faylor bridge, over the Dexter ditch in Union tp., to John Daniels for $l6O. It -was intended to also let contract for removing the bridge near B. D. Comer’s, in the same township, but an error was made in the notice, giving the wrong description, and same was continued. In reality, it is said, the latter bridge requires some repairing, and this will now be included in the letting. John MeClanalian of the east part of town, was arrested a few days ago on; the charge of beating bis wife and son, Leland. The cries of the alleged victims aroused the neighbors, and the niglitwateh was called to quell the disturbance, but ...MeClanalian denied that there was anything wrong when tlie latter got there. lie was placed under bond of SIOO and took a change of venue from Squire Dean, who sent the case to Squire Bussell .of Hanging Grove tp., where it will be called up on March 8. New. suits filed: No. 8375. Thomas M r . Ward vs. Thomas A. Vernon et al; action to declare deed a trust. No. 8376. Arthur 11, Hopkins vs. Edward L. Nicholson et al"; suit on note and chattel mortgage. No. 837 7. American Agricultural Chemical Co. vs. Harry Cochran; suit on account. Demand $l2O. Returnable March 6, No. 8 378. Chicago Rawhide Co. vs. George Worden; suit on account. Demand $70.88. Returnable March C. No. 5379. John A. Dunlap vs. ( harles E. Walters; suit on account. Demand SSO. Returnable March G.

The approaches to the new Work street bridge are being filled in and the bridge will probably be in condition to use in a few weeks. Material for the filling in being taken from the basements for A. Leopold’s new houses on,Front street, and the. haul I ■* therefore very short. The east approach was practically completed Monday, except for the.stone dressing on top. For filling the west side, the haulers will drive across the bridge from the east and dump the material at the west end. The expense of making the fill is being divided between the county and the city, The Democrat is informed.

Keeping Dan Cupid On the Jump in Southeast Marion.

The neighborhood over in southeast Marion is keeping Dan Cupid busy these days, no less than a half dozen, marriages having taken place there in the past month. The latest

THE TWICE-A-WEEK

RENSSELAER, JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1915.

is that of Elmer Humphries and Miss Elizabeth Peters, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Al Peters, which took place yesterday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hemphill, in Rensselaer, at 10 a. m., Rev. J. C. Parreti officiating. This is the second marriage in the Peters family in a week’s time, their son, Lyman, having been married just a week to a day previous. Mr. and Mrs. Humphries left on the 11:05 train for. Terre Haute, where they will visit relatives of the groom for a few days, after which they will return and. take up their residence on tlie J. A. "%a.rsh farm west of town, now occupied liy Joe Brenneman, who will move ofl the N. A. Hendrick’s farm just across the road, Mr. and Mrs. Hendrix moving to Rensselaer. The Democrat joins the many friends in extending hearty good wishes, v

Representative Wood’s Subsidy Bill Passes House.

Hon. W. L. Wadd’s subsidy election bill passed the lower house of the legislature Monday by a vote of 121 to 2. The Indianapolis Star of yesterday, in speaking of the bfli, said: “Promoters of steam and electric railroad lines of the J. Rufus Wallingford variety, are made the subject of attack in a bill passed by the house yesterday morning. The meas ure provides that, where an election is held to determine whether a 2 per cent tax shall be levied to aid these promoters to realize their dreams, the petitioners shall give bond to pay all expenses of the election and other proceedings in the event the tax is voted down.” Now let the senate do its duty and perhaps we will not have a subsidy election called In Jasper county every thirty days.

St. Joe Wins From South Bend Team

It is a strange coincidence that the team which played the last basket ball game on the old gym floor should be the first to play on the new one. The Holy Name squad of South Bend, defeated the St. Joe boys last year when they played here, but the tables were turned on them Saturday night when they were defeated by the St. Joe aggregation with the one-sided score of 50 to 11. The game started out with tha teams apparently pretty well matched, hut the local quintette soon forged ahead, and at the end of the first half the score stood at 18 to, 8. The second half was -simply a runaway, for when the whistle blew tlie scorebook showed that the visitors had only 11 points to St. Joe’s, 50.

The McCoy Jury Finds a Decision Difficult.

Frankfort, Feb. 23.- At 2 o’clock this morning the jury in the case of the state of Indiana vs. William AleCoy was still deliberating and it is the general belief at this time that there will be a disagreement. It was rumored about the court house that the jury had taken eight ballots and that it stood nine to three for acquittal. Although Judge Combs announced, when the jury was about to retire that he would not receive a verdict after 10 o’clock last flight, many people spent the night in the court room, hoping to hear the result, should the twelve men arrive at an agreement. Judge Combs told the jury should they reach'a verdict to seal it and present it in court this morning. •. ’ : •

Many Farm Jobs, but a Lack of Applicants.

Chicago, Feb. 22.—Jobs for one hundred men on farms near here are going begging, according to Mrs. Leonora Z. Meder, superintendent of public welfare. “The farmers are offering .'transportation and in some cases board and washing,said Mrs. Meder, “but the men refuse to go to the farm. Last week an average of six hundred men a day visited this office a lid demanded work of any kind.

“The farmer's are willing to pay good wages in addition to lodging,” Mrs. Meder,said, “and the men would be better off than in working in the city, but we have not been able to. 'supply the men.”

Birth Announcements. Feb. 20, to Mr. and Mrs. George H. Healey, a son. • Feb. 22, to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith of Barkley tp., a son. ' Feb, 22, to Mr. and Mrs. Ed Jenkins, southeast of town, a daughter; Feb. 22, to Mr. and Mrs. Harry Brown of north of town, a son. Subscribe for The Democrat.

TAPS FOR “BALLY" POWERS.

Another Old Soldier Mustered Out In Rensselaer Saturday Evening. William F. Powers, who had been in poor health for several months and was confined to his home on River street, died suddenly at 6:45 o’clock Saturday evening of acute heart disease. Mr. Powers had been confined to his home all winter with an old injury to liis limb, caused from a gunshot wound in the civil war, pnd other ailments, but was apparently getting along nicely and the fine weather tempted him out of doors Thursday, when he told Airs. Powers that he wanted to go out and look at the river. He was a great fisherman, and the call of the fishing season was too gieat for him to resist, and lie had to have a look at the old Iroquois anyhow. Sir Mrs. Powers got, his crutches for him and assisted him down to the river bank, in the rear of their home Thursday afternoon.

Friday, he came up town, John Robinson bringing him up in an an tomobilo. and he walked back home on his crutches. About 6 o’clock Saturday evening he was taken with a severe,pain jn bis side and although doctors were hurriedly summoned, ho passed away in a very short time. There were three doctors at liis side, hut nothing could he done to stay the hand of the Great Commander. Air. Powers was born in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1841, and came to Rensselaer in Alarch, 1845, with his parents, Air and Mrs. Henry Powers, v r ho moved here from near Ft. AVayne with Air. and Airs. Amriah Tharp. All drove through from Ft. Wayne by team, and Rensselaer was a sorry looking “town” at that time, there, being less than a half-dozen buildings ihere in all, while the Indians were still about this locality and wild game was in abundance. Except for a few years spent in the west, this has since been his home. Except for his cousin, “Aunt” Ma.-y Jane Hopkins, who came here at the same time he did, he was the oldest pioneer resident of Rensselaer. 'Be is survived by a widow and a step-son, Fred Cissel, who was more like a real son than a step-son to him. He also leaves two sisters, Mrs. Joseph Hemphill of Onarga, 111., and Mrs. John H. Brown of near Lisbon, N. D. Both were notified of his death and Mrs. Hemphill and husband came Sunday, while Airs. Brown notified them that she .would come and to hold off the funeral until her arrival. Her telegram was received Sunday evening, and it was expected that she would reach here yesterday. The funeral was held at the house at 3 ]>. ni., yesterday, conducted by C. Parrett of the Presbyterian church, and burial made in Weston cemetery, the old soldiers having charge of the burial ceremonies. Air. Powers would have been 84 years old in April. He served in the 1 •‘th Indiana regiment in the civil war.

Seventeen Goodland K. of P.’s Receive Veteran's Jewel.

The Good land Herald says tih at there are seventeen members of the ■Good-land’K. of P. lodge who have been members of the local order for t wen tv-five years and were presented with veteran’s jewels at their anniversary celebration last Friday night. The presentation speech was made by W. E. Mitten, and the response for the veterans was made by A. E. Hartley of Fowler. Continuing the Herald says: those receiving medals were M. L. llumslon, Geo. B. Fox, C. X. Rumston, Z. F. Little, Henry Butler, .1. AV. Baer, C. L. Constable, E. R. Brlngham, A. E. Hartley, F. E. Babcock, A. F. Gravel, E. 11. Strubbe, E. E. Marsh, till as. Wellington, E. E. Constantine, L. W. Le. Master and Garrett Mead. The jewel is very beautiful and consists of a gold pendant one and one-quarter of an inch in diameter, this is suspended by two five link chains from a gold bar pin. On the bar is the open Bible across which is laid the sword. The pendant contains tb© lodge’s coat of arms. Across I he pendant is a gold bar upon which is inscribed “K. XXV P.” v . Underneath this bar is the shield with “F. C. B:,” the letters are in gold —the with a blue background; The “ r "’ with a yellow background, and 1 ” “1!” underneath with a red backgrounds, Across the extreme bottom • the jewel are these words,/‘Pythian Veteran.” r

Notice to the ladies of Rensselae! and surrounding country that you will now find on display a large assortment of little fellows’ wash suits in Oliver Twists, Hutch suits, Middys and rompers. All combinations.—C, EARL DUVALL.

GENERAL AND STATE NEWS

Telegraphic Riports From Many Parts of the Country. SHORT BITS OF THE UNUSUAL Happenings in Distant and Nearby Cities and Towns.—Matters of Minor Mention From Many Places. BACKED I P BY ATTORNEYS. Elilily Commission’s Order Is Disregarded; Lafayette; lud., Feb. 19. Two hundred and fifty Benton 'county farmers in the vicinity of Boswell, have declined to abide by a ruling of the public service commission of Indiana, and are proceeding to build a co-operative telephone line despite the fact that they liava been forbidden to do so by the commission. Several weeks ago the farmers, dissatisfied with the servico given by the Boswell Telephone Company, undertook to organize a co-operative company and build a lino of their own. Tlio public servico commission decided there was no occasion for a second telephone system in Boswell, and, after ordering the old company to make certain improvements, the commission refused to give the new company the right to operate. The farmers, however, proceeded to form their company with the Intention of building their line outside the town of Boswell, and wait for some future opportunity to get entrance Into the town. They organized the company and Issued stock. When the public service commission became aware of the fact a notice was sent tne farmers to discontinue selling the stock, and the farmers were threatened with prosecution if they violated a certain section of the public utilities law, which prohibits the selling of public utilities stock until a franchise has been granted by thb public service commission. Under this section of the statute the farmers are liable to a fine of $lO to SI,OOO a day for every day they engage in the selling of stock; but their attorneys have advised them to ignore the commission’s warning, and proceed with the construction of the line. Their attorneys contend that this section of the public utilities law is unconstitutional, and that the ■Minnesota courts and the supreme court of the United States have both decided the question. 'I he erection of poles and wires for the farmers’ co-operative lino is now in progress. In a letter front Burt New, attorney for the public servico commission, received yesterday, the commission signifies its willingness to avoid prosecution provided the farmers will disband their company.

KANKAKEE BILL GOES RACK.

IfraitiHge Measure Met With Much Opposition at Public Hearing, Indianapolis, Feb. 20. The Kankakee drainage bill was recommitted to the committee on drainage by the senate Thursday and will probably remain there indefinitely, because stoat opposition was voiced against i't at a public hearing Wednesday night. The bill was introduced by Senator McCormick, who r aid he had understood that there was a demand in the Kankakee district for such a measure. it. provides fqr the creation of a Kankakee sanitary and drainage district, and provides methods whereby the rock ledge in the Kankakee river at Mornence, ill., •: fay• be removed. The bill was . recommended for passage by the special senate commission on drainage, and was ready for third reading when the public hearing was called on the initiative of Senator McCormick. Many large property owners and others came from the northern part of the; state to protest against the bill at the hearing. Senaor McCormick said he.had no purpose in introducing the bill ex cept to comply with the Wishes of the people of the district and if there were serious objections to it he panted to know them. Senator Faulk nor produced a large number of written protests against the measure by the people of La porte and St. Joseph counties. There were many speakers -in op-

Vol. XVII, No. 92

position (o the bill, and only speakers for it were a couple of attorneys. In light of the development, (lie drainage committee decided that the bill should be subjected to recall, and this was done.

MULLENDORE IS FREED.

Second Trial Lasting Six Weeks Ends in of Slayer of Cleveland Cook. Delphi, Ind., Feb. 20.-—Cheers and waving of hats greeted the verdict of 'not guilty,” which acquitted Riley Mullendoro of the murder of (trover Cleveland Cook in the circuit court here this afternoon. The noise could be heard for blocks around the court house, and it was some time before court bailiiTs could restore orfer. The defendant jumped to his feel, shook the hands of the jurors in turn and then was submerged in a rush of hundreds of his iTjends to congratulate him.

The ’jury deliberated four ana three-quarter hours. When the court boll announced a verdict the court was crowded to the doors. The enthusiasm clearly indicated tho popularity of the verdict. The trial lasted six weeks. The struggle which* resulted in Cook’s death occurred at. the home of Itiley Mullendoro near here on Christinas night, 1913, and Mullendoro has been in jail sinco that time. The first trial of the case at Lafayette resulted in a disagreement of the jury. The case went to the jury at ll o’clock this morning. Exhaustive Instructions given liy Judge F. J. Vurpillat of Winamac, consumed two hours and a half. In the Instructions Judge Vurpillat gave a scathing reprimand to Harry Tucker, one of tho chief witnesses for tho state. The court declared Tucker had been impeached in every way possible to impeach a witness by other witnesses and by his own testimony, that In the opinion of the court his evidence was absolute perjury and that the matter should he taken up by the next Carroll county grand Jury.

Recalls When Tenderloin Was Worth 1 Cent a Pound.

Frankfort, Ind., Feb. 18.—Alfred A. Uayleßs, a pioneer of this city, yesterday observed his ninetieth birthday anniversary. Assisting at the reception last night were his wife and two daughters, Miss Laura Bay> less, of this city, and Mrs. C. B. Sines of Indianapolis. Mr. Bay less was born in Butler county, Ohio, Feb. 17,1825. In 1833 be came overland to Lafayette. The family settled on a farm seven miles from Lafayette, the edler Bayless buying eighty acres of land for $250. Alfred Bayless Worked at the carpenter trade. During the winter he worked at a porkhouso in Lafayette, heading barrels and for his day’s work he had liis choice of $1 cash or 100 pounds of pork tenderloin. Cork tenderloins now sell for 35 emits a pound in the cities, lie left Lafayette ami lived at Dayton a few years, then moved to (fans county, operating a aw mill. Later he moved to Logansport and began contracting, lie came here in 1877, this first contract luting the Coulter Hotel. lie also built the Coulter opera -house and the Third Ward school building. He is a master Mason and the oldest member of the Frankfort lodge, lie hns. attended Sunday school since ho was eleven years old and during that time has seldommissed, a Sunday.

American Merchant ship sunk By Mine in North Sea.

The American stea niter Evelyn, bound from New York to Bremen, c. ' rrii a n y, », ith . a cargo of cotton' valued at was destroyed by a mine near Borkum Island, in the North Sea, Friday morning. The vess"i slink but her captain and crew of i weqty-sc ven it Is thought were saved, although yesterday’s despatches stated that a part of the crew had not yet .be< a located and they might have been drown d after taking to the bout;-, “Dispatches also state that the ''vessel bad been guided by the British into the mine, as Its cargo was intended or Germany. The British hoarding officer is said to have given the Evelyn the" wrong .course, purposely, it Is inferred, 7 he r. S. gdvenjAent Is investigating tile matter and it is likely .1. B. wjU be asked to “come across” with damages if he is found guilty.

Box Social. The Pocahontas Council will give a box supper oil March -4th in their hall in the I. O. O. F. building, to which they extend a cordial Invitation to the Red Men, their friends and the friends of the council. A short program will be„given.—Advt. * ’ .