Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 April 1915 — Page 1

Jasper County Democrat.

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DIXIE HIGHWAY THROUGH CITY

Our Citizens Should , Get Busy ancf Try to Secure Great North and South Automobile Route. H. C. Ostermann, council at large for the Lincoln highway, and another gentleman, driving a big Stutz car, stopped over night in Rensselaer Friday. They were on their way to Chicago, and Mr. Ostermann while here, mentioned the advisability of Rensselaer people getting busy and trying to secure the “Dixie Highway.’’ He said that it would be of great value to our city and that we were on the logical route for it. Lafayette and Hammond are working to secure the highway through their towns, and our public spirited citizens should get busy and join with them. South Bend is pulling for the highway through that city but Lafayette and Rensselaer make a more direct and therefore a more logical route and we have the advantage in this. 7 The proposed Dixie highway is a national higihway across the\country similiar to the Lincoln highway, but running north and south, and it will be traveled greatly by tourists, in fact, will be the official automobile route between the North and South. These tourists spend a great deal of money in the way of automobile supplies and for board and lodging, and it would mean the leaving of several thousand dollars each year of outside money in Rensselaer, if we could secure the highway through our city. It will cost us nothing to make the effort, and we should get busy and pull every string possible to secure it.

A Little Early for Roast Chicken, But—

Marion I. Adams came very near losing his chicken house by fire one morning last week, caused from a lamp used in a brooder setting fire to the straw in same. There were about fifty small chickens in the brooder at the time_ and all were prostrated from the heat. About two-thirds of them were revived after being taken out but have since been dropping off quite rapidly. Smoke was seen issuing from the building by Mr. Adams when he got up in the morning, but by prompt work only slight damage was done except to the brooder and small chickens.

Easter Rain “Sign” Failed Last Sunday.

Last Sunday, the second" Sunday since Easter, the old adage regarding rain, failed to connect, but proving the truth of another adage, however, that “all signs fail at a dry time.’’ The day was bright and very pleasant; ahd every one possessing an automobile was out taking advantage of the balmy atmosphere. Our recent rains did a great deal of good, but they moistened the earth to a depth of only a few inches, while beneath that it is still dry as a bone. We need several inches of rain soon to insure good grass and grain crops.

Carpenter Gets Bad Fall.

L. D. Mauck, the carpenter, got a bad fall Thursday afternoon while ■working on one of A. Leopold’s new houses on Front street. He was standing on a plank placed over the stairway opening, when the plank tipped with him and he fell to the floor below, a distance of nine feet, bruising him up considerably but fortunately breaking no bones. He struck on his right hand, knee and head, and was quite badly stoveup. He was taken to his home at the north side of town in an automobile, and will be unable to work for several days, although he is now able to be up and about. iHis right wrist was quite badly sprained and he is still lame in the injured knee.

Winamac People Attend District Oratorical Contest.

Bros. Ned Gorrell of the Pulaski County Democrat and F. W. Riddick of the Winamac Republican, drove over to Rensselaer Friday evening with Co. Supt. Robbins and County Auditor Menchenburg of Winamac, to the district oratorical contest, and all made The Democrat a brief but pleasant call that evening. It was the first visit of all or nearly all of the gentlemen to Rensselaer, and they were much pleased with the appearance of our city. They especially complimented our boulevard lights, and thought them the finest street lights they had seen.

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. Attorney W. H. Parkison and John A. Dunlap were in Morocco on business yesterday. Joseph Lane of Newton tp., was summoned to Hammond Monday as petit juror for the April term of the U. S. district court, which convened yesterday. Attorney Delos Dean and F. B. Ham went to Winamac yesterday, it being “call day’’ in the circuit court there and Mr. Ham having a case pending. ‘ The county stone crusher has completed the cleaning up of the stone taken from the river ditch at the south side of town, and was moved Friday and Saturday to out west of town, on the Kanne land, next to the river, where there is enough stone to keep the crusher busy for a couple of years, it rs thought. Marriage licenses issued: April 17, Otto E. Cagwin of Evanston, 111., aged 38 Feb. 24 last, occupation motorman, to Myrtle Estelle Gerrirsen, also of Evanston, aged 35 Feb. 29 last, occupation housekeeper. Second marriage for each, first marriage of male having been dissolved by divorce April 10, 1915, and first marriage of female, by divorce Jan. —, 1909. Married by Rev. J. P. ] Green in the clerk’s office. April 17, Elbert Edward Shoemaker of Rensselaer, aged 20 Oct. 19 last, occupation chauffeur, to, Verna May. Holder, also of Rensse- j laer, aged 20 Jan. 19 last, occupa- j tion housekeeper. First marriage for each. Male being under age, mother filed written consent to issuance of license.

New suits filed: No. 8423. Eva Myers vs. Everett Myers; suit to replevin one bay horse of the value of $l5O and one set of double work harness valued at S2O, and SIOO judgment for the unlawful retention of said property. Returnable April 29. -No. 8424. John Werner vs. Harvey J. Dexter and Emmet L. Hollingsworth, suit on contract. Returnable April 29. No. 8425. Cleveland Co-operative Stove Co. vs. John Greve; suit on note. Demand $4 70. Returnable May 3. No. 8426. Harry E. Reed vs. John Callahan and Lawrence Sheetz; suit note. Demand SIOO. Returnable April 29. No. 8427. The Trust & Savings Bank of Rensselaer vs. Ida M., and Frank Corn; suit on note and mortgage. Demand S9OO. Returnable May 3.

Hollings wortli-Fox Nuptials.

The marriage of Miss Dorothy Fox to Donald H. Hollingsworth took place on Saturday, April 17, in the parlors of the Woodlawn Para Presbyterian church in Chicago. The bride is the daughter of Mrs. Gertrude S. Fox of Malvern, Pa., and the groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. George K. Hollingsworth of Chicago, but formerly of Rensselaer. The double ring ceremony was performed by Rev." Edward H. Curtis assisted by Rev. Asher G. Work, formerly of Rensselaer, but now of Detroit. The 'wedding was informal, only relatives and a few close friends were in attendance. A wedding supper was served at the home of the groom’s parents, after which the happy young couple left for a motoring trip in the south. They will reside in Chicago at No. 64.21 Harper avenue.

Many Petitioners Will Not Vote for Subsidy in Newton Tp.

A prominent farmer of Newton tp., informed The Democrat Monday that seven of those who signed the petition for a subsidy election in

THE TWICE-A-WEEK

RENSSELAER, JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 1915

Newton tp., had experienced a change of heart, after considering the matter more carefully, and will vote against the subsidy when the election is held. And there are more to follow, he stated. At a previous subsidy election held in Newton, a few years ago, there were fewer votes cast in favor of the proposition than there were signers to the petition, and it will be so again, this farmer states. He also said . that but very few people of Newton tp., knew on just what line the proposed road was to run—if built—and requested The Democrat to enlighten them. The blue-print of the proposed road, which must be followed, shows that the road comes into Rensselaer over College avenue, running north to the south side of the Monon tracks. It leaves the corporation line of Rensselaer at the west side of the center of section 19, ancf thence runs directly west through the center of sections 24, 23, 22, 21, 20 and 19, the last four sections being wholly in Newton tp. It passes nearly through the center of the Jasper county poor farm, and crosses but two north and south highways in Newton tp., one at the northeast corner of Elizur Sage’s farm and one at O. C. Halstead’s. It parallels the highway near Benton Kelley’s for about a half mile. It will thus be seen that a great many of the residents of Newton tp. would have to go farther to get * car on the proposed line to come to Rensselaer than they would to come to town in the first place. The only farm improvements that the road comes within one-fourth mile of, are those on the I. N. Makeever farm and those of O. C. Halstead. All others are from one-fourth to one-half mile or more distant from the proposed road at any point, so that the “conveniences” mentioned are not plainly decernable. The opinion seems to be growing that the proposition will be voted down there by a decisive majority.

“Booster” Editor May Now Change About.

It has been generally understood that the proposed Lafayette & Northwestern Traction Co., would run its line into Rensselaer, if built, down Cullen street, and. we believe that the Republican has so published. In the blue print filed with the clerk of the circuit court, as provided by law, and mentioned in the petition filed for an election in Rensselaer and Marion tp., the line comes in at the west side of town on the College road and College avenue, it seems. The “booster’’ editor of the Republican, who has been so anxious to have the line come down his own street, because it would advance property values to such an extent along the line, has possibly not noticed the official survey, and may now turn against the proposition altogether.

President Bryan of I. U. to Speak in Rensselaer Friday Night.

Dr. William Lowe Bryan, president of Indiana University, will speak at the high school assembly hall in Rensselaer next Friday evening, on invitation of several of the local alumni of I. U. His subject will be “The Trap.’’ Together with the lecture will be a program of several musical numbers, including a piano solo by Miss Bel Laßue and vocal solos by Mrs. Alice Shedd Randle and Mrs. John A. Dunlap. The object of the entertainment is to create an interest in university work and to take preliminary action toward the organization of a college club in Rensselaer. A cordial invitation is extended to the* public to come out and hear Dr. Bryan Friday evening.

I wish to urge all to come in as early as possible to pay their taxes. So far there has been a marked delay. It will be impossible to take care of all the last few days and the longer you put it oft the longer your delay. The penalty will be added after Monday, May 3d. —A. A. FELL, County Treasurer.

We heartily wish to thank the many friends and neighbors for their many favbrs and acts of kindness shown us iin our (bereavement.— MRS. D. M. PEER AND CHILDREN.

If you want to see a fine lot' of quality buggies, call on C. A. ROBERTS, Front street, Rensselaer.

Notice to Taxpayers.

Card of Thanks.

A Car Just Received.

First Honors Go To Whiting.

In the district oratorical contest Jield at the high school auditorium Friday evening, five contestants took part. The judges were County Supt. Robbins of Pulaski county; Attorney L. D. Boyd of Delphi, and Prof. R. M. Tryon of Chicago. They awarded first honors to Albert Gavit of Whiting, a son of Senator Frank Gavit of that city. Howard Grady of Lafayette was q close second, in fact,- had it been left to the audience to decide, it is probable that Grady would have won out by a large majority. Young Grady made a good appearance on the stage, used the best of English, his sentences were well rounded out, and with his strong, rich voice presented his argument in a splendid manner. He is a fine orator and it is probable the tenth district and the state of Indiana will hear more of him as the years go by. Young Gavit also put up a strong argument and drove his points home with marked ability. His voice, although not quite as good as Grady’s, was strong, and he was not at a loss for wmrds at any time. He Is a very bright young man.. The judges awarded Grady second place; Paul Woiiand of Rensselaer, third place; Miss Fay Bending of Monticello, fourth place, and Harley Jones of Williamsport, fifth place. The -question discussed was “How May We Secure Greater Administrative and Economic Efficiency in County Government in Indiana?” The contestants all agreed that Indiana was receiving poor and wasteful service. The majority of them, including Grady, Miss Bending and Jones, argued for the commission form of govenment. Young Gavit argued for the retention of our present form, strengthened by the recall of officers. Young Gavit’s father is a bull mooser, and it( is presumed the young man had been reading up on T. R. literature.

Young Worland argued for more care being taken in selecting candidates for office and that the term be for six years, and they not be eligible for re-election. There were many theories advanced that were worthy of earnest consideration and the debate was quite interesting indeed. Unfortunately the attendance was not half what .it should have been for an affaiir of this kind. The winner in the contest will contest with the winners in the other twelve districts of the state in the state contest at Bloomington next month. Vocal music was furnished by both the boys’ and girls’ high school quartettes.

Will Oil Several Streets.

At the special meeting of the city council Thursday night to act on the petition of J. C. Gwin and others on street oiling, the council granted said petition and will oil Cullen and Forest streets from Cornelia'street north to the first street running east and west north of the railroad. Vine, Elm, Clark, Angelica and Susan streets will also be oiled for one block east and west of Cullen and Forest. The city is also to oil at its own expense, as we understand, on agreement with the business men on the flushing and’ garbage contract, Washington street from the bridge west and from Cullen, one block east; also Cullen and Van Rensselaer streets one block north, and Front street one block north and one block south from Washington • also Corneila street between Van Rensselaer and Front streets.

Christian Church Notes.

The bible school had an attendr ance of 230 Sunday. The men’s class still has a large attendance and seems to be growing each week. Rev. W. H. Thompson of Lansing, Mich., preached and sang a solo at the evening services. There is to be a meeting of all the young people of the congregation on Wednesday evening at 7 p. m. The ladies are to give another of their splendid cafeteria dinners on Friday of this week. The convention of the Jasper county Christian churches will be held in the church on Wednesday evening and all day Thursday of this wfeek. Excellent addresses by C. W. Couth, Gary L. Cook, A, L. Mortin and Mrs. O. H. Greist. They are all experts in church work, and you will hear some great messages from them. These services are open to the public and you are urged to attend.

GENERAL AND STATE NEWS

Telegraphic Reports From Many Parts ot the Country. SHORT BITS OF THE UNUSUAL Happenings in the Nearby Cities and Towns —Matters of Minor Mention From Many Places. TRIP TO NORTHERN INDIANA. Democratic Editors Plan Summer Outing Program Jaunt - Lasting Four Days. Indianapolis, April 17.—The special committee of the executive committee of the Democratic Editorial Association, which has charge of the plans for the summer outing or the organization, Friday arranged the final program for the outing at a meeting in the office of Dale J. (’rittenberger, auditor of state. Meeting with the members of the committee were Sam Murdock, the traction magnate; S. E. SwaU», a Hammond,. Ind., editor, and Senator John B. Faulknor of Michigan City. Members of the committee included Lew M. O’Bannon of Corydon, president of the organization; Mr. Crittenberger and A. B. Crampton of Delphi.

The time for the outing Jias been fixed for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 2,3, 4 and D. The program is believed to be the most elaborate yet proposed by the editors. At 11 o’clock in the morning, June 2, the editors and friends and families from southern and central Indiana will leave Indianapolis for South Bend on board special interurban cars, making the trip by way of Wabash, Winona, Elkhart, Goshen, and other cities. The cars are scheduled to arrive in South Bend at 0 o’clock in the evening. A banquet and theater party at South Bend will be held that evening. The next morning at 10 o’clock an automobile ride over Soutu Bend, Mishawaka, Notre Dame university and surrounding places Is promised. At 3 o’clock Thursday afternoon the party will leave South Bend for Hammond over the South Shore Railroad. The principal banqbet of the trip will be staged at Hammond, whicn is to be the objective point of the entire trip. There a program will include addresses by Mayor J. D. Smalley, Mr. O’Bannon, Governor Ralston and Joseph H. Conroy, who will speak on “The Calumet Region.’’ A musical program also has been arranged for that meeting. Friday morning at 10 o’clock an automobile trip about Lake county cities will be taken. During the afternoon of Friday the party will leave for Chicago, taking any route each may choose. Entertainment at Chicago for that night is yet to be arranged, but several plans 'are being discussed. Saturday morning at 9:30 o’clocK the entire party will leave the Gra-ham-Morton docks at Chicago, aboard a steamship, to go to St. Joseph, Mich., where they are to be the guests or Sam and Charles Murdock, the traction magnates. On the trip across the lake lunch will be obtained at a counter on the boat. The party is to spend approximately two hours in St. Joseph. At 3 o’clock Saturday afternoon the same special cars, which take the editors from Indianapolis, will leave St. Joseph, Mich., for the return trip, a box luncheon! will be provided by the Murdock brothers. Editors and invited guests may join the party on the way from Indianapolis at any point, President O’Bannon said. t...

Pioneer Business Man of Goodland Dead.

Word came to relatives in Goodland on Friday, April 9, of the death of Hiram Burgess at his home in Los Angeles, Cali., on Thursday. Mr. Burgess was one'of the pioneer merchants oMGoodland, having come to that from Will county in 1879. He was a native of New York and was born near the shores of Lake George on July 9, 1832. He moved to Will county, 111., in 1867, and' 1 came to Goodland in 1870. He was a farmer by occupation and fol

Vol. XVIII, No. 4

EUROPEAN WAR IN BRIEF

* South of Zillebeke, Belgium, a ? hill which dominates the country * north and northwest, has been f captured and consolidated by the * British, says London, after a san- * guinary engagement with the " Germans. * According to Paris, a further " advance in the Vosges by the * French has been made on both " banks of the Fecht river, the Ger- * mans evacuating Eselprucke and * abandoning large stores of war ’ materials. A German counter at- ' tack at Les Eparges was repulsed. * Vienna characterizes as unimportant the only fighting that * has been going on in the Carpath- * ians, while the latest official " communication, issued in Petro- * grad, deals with battles which " occurred Sunday and earlier. ‘ Enver Pasha, the Turkish minister of war, in an Interview spoke * optimistically of “Turkey’s fu--1 ture, declaring that Turkey would * emerge from the war “truly ‘ united and stronger than ever.” ’ Irritation in the Netherlands, * due to the sinking of the Dutch ’ steamer Katwyk, has greatly ‘ subsided, owing to Gejmany’s de--1 duration that she would apolo--1 gize and pay for the steamer If it were found that she was sunk 1 by submarine. Reports received in Copenhagen say great concern is felt in Vien--1 na regarding the Trentino nego--1 tiations with Italy; that the 1 Italian Embassy is prepared to leave Vienna, and that war with 1 Italy is imminent. A German submarine has sunk 1 the British trawler Vanilla. All l of the crew was lost, as the trawler Fermo was driven off by the submarine when it went to its rescue.

lowed that business arter coming to Goodland until 1873 when he entered the drug business. He was one of the prominent business men of that place until his health failed him several years ago when he moved to California where lie has since resided; • Mr. Burgess was a man of strong personality, an active worker In the Methodist church, of which he was a member,, and was superintendent of the Sunday school for 19 years. He was one of the oldest business men of the county when he retired and was well and favorably known to many people of this section. lie leaves a wife, one son, Elmer and a daughter, Mrs. Hunter, all of whom reside in Los Angeles.—Brook Reporter.

Torre Haute Election Conspirators in Federal Prison.

City Mayor Donn M. Roberts and all the other convicted election conspirators of Terre Haute sentenced to federal prison, were taken to Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., Sunday, they having been unable to secure appeal bonds. In fact, most of them seemed to realize the futility of an appeal and, after reflecting over the matter, decided that It was best to get busy serving their sentences at once. The federal prison at Fort Leavenworth is said to have been packed to over-flowing before the sentencing of this crowd of conspirators, and it is probable that many will now have to sleep two in a bed, thus proving the truth of the old saying that "politics makes strange bed-fellows.” Those given jail sentences, 82 in number, will serve out same in the Marion county jail.

COURT NEWS

The petit jury, which had been called for the third Monday of the term, was called in Monday to hear the case of Lopp tvs. Speck estate, brought fiere from Newton county, but a change of venue was taken and the jurymen were excused when court convened Monday morning, until Wednesday, today. The grand jury will return next Saturday to take up Some uncompleted matters, we understand. At this writing we are unable to' state how' many indictments were returned last week, as only one has been I/ed with the clerk. It is the general belief, however, that there will be quite a number of them, with perhaps more to follow.