Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 May 1915 — Page 1

Jasper County Democrat.

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BUSY SESSION OF CITY COUNCIL.

College Avenue Improvement Ordered, Alley Ordered in Block », Etc. At the regular meeting of the city council Monday evening all members were present except Councilman Mr arner. In addition to allowing the regular grist of bills, the following important business was transacted: The petition of Fred Phillips and others for the improvement of College avenue from Washington street south to the city limits, a distance of 2,745 feet, by curbing and bricking same, and making a 15-foot roadway, was granted, and four sets of" specifications presented by the city engineer, one for brick, one for concrete, one for asphaltic and one for macadam. The specifications provide for a cement curb, of course. The city engineer filed plans and specifications for the improvement of the alley in block 9, running east and west in the rear of the I. O. O. F. and other buildings on Washington street, and June 14 was set as the date for hearing objections. The specifications are for four different kinds of material, as provided by law, brick, concrete, macadam and asphaltic. The city attorney was instructed to prepare contract and the mayor authorized to sign same with Sherman. White to oil the street intersections of Washington street, and Washington street west from the river bridge, as agreed with the merchants’ association, said White to be paid 4c per gallon for the oil used and placed upon streets on such contract. The superintendent of the light plant and the'light committee were instructed to investigate the cost of material to extend the boulevard lighting system east on Washington street to Division street, and west on Washington from the river to College avenue. An ordinance apropriating $l5O toward the support of band concerts was passed under a suspension of rules. J. M. Shafter was granted permission to use a part of Front street for building material in repairing the roof on the K. of P. building, and Fred McColly the right to use a part of McCoy avenue for the same purpose in building a new house for Mrs. Stella Ketchum. Frank Critser was re-elected nightwatch for another year, receiving the unanimous vote of the council. In the petition of Jacob Wagner for a sidewalk on Plum street, the street committee reported unfavorable and the petition was tabled. In the matter of the sidewalks around the old B. S. Fendig poultry house, the city engineer was instructstructed to prepare plans and specifications for same and the clerk to give notice of letting contract on May 24.

WILL VISIT RENSSELAER TODAY

Thos. Taggart and Carl G. Fisher of . . Dixie Highway Inspecting Routes. For the purpose of determining what route shall be taken for the Dixie highway through Indiana, Carl G. Fisher and Thomas Taggart left Indianapolis Tuesday morning on a tour covering a large portion of the state. They spent yesterday looking over the route betv*?en Indianapolis and South Bend. Petitions and' communications received by Fisher and Taggart indicate that a great deal of interest is being taken in Indiana in the proposed route. Scores of meetings have been lield in cities and towns that desire to be included In the highway that will lead from Miami, Fla., to Chicago or to some point near it on the Lincoln highway. Fisher and Taggart will start in at Dyer today and go over the route from Chicago to Indianapolis, via Rensselaer, Lafayette and Lebanon. They will visit the southern Indiana routes the last of this week.

Suicide at Roselawn.

Edward Lavelle, aged 57 years, who lived with the family of his sister, Mrs. Irving Best, and husband at Roselawn, committed suicide some time during the night Saturday night by shooting himself in the heart with a revolver. Despondency over ill health is supposed to have been the cause of the rash act. An account of the matter will be found in our Roselawn items. Undertaker W. J. Wright was called up there Sunday forenoon to care for the remains, which were shipped to Illinois for burial.

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. Judge Johanus Kopelke of Crown Point, was here Friday on business in court. Not man ji were Out to the “Dixie highway” meeting Saturday night, and it was decided to postpone same until 2 p. m., Friday. Twelve marriage licenses were issued last month, the same number as for the preceding month, against eight for' the corresponding month of 1914. “ Fred Putts, son of Joseph Putts of southwest of town, went to Culver Monday to attend the free camp military training, to which he had been appointed by County Supt. Lamson. Special Judges J. W. Hannan of LaGrange, and George Marvin of Monticello, who have court charge of the construction of the Borntrager and Marble ditches, respectively, were here Saturday in connection with same. Marriage licenses issued: May 11, John Elverson Daniels of Rolling Prairie, Ind., aged 28, occupation school teacher, to Carrie Ellen Short of Kersey, aged 23, occupation school teacher. First marriage for each. Coroner C. E. Johnson was called to Gillam tp., Saturday morning to look into the death of the 2-months-old babe of Mr. and Mrs. Bert Mitchell, which was found dead on their getting up that morning. The babe had been accidently smothered by the covers of the bed, and Dr. Johnson so found. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have three other older children?\. The May term of the New’ton cir cuit court convened Monday and the following jurors were drawn to serve: Charles White, E. S. Steele, Chester Loughridge, Ambrose Williams and Joseph Bower, Sr., Jefferson tp.; Charles Gladfelter, Grant, W. P. Archibald, Washington; William Cooper, John Alexander, John Pence, Earl Corbett and Chris Barton, Iroquois; Andrew J. Bower, Charles H. Traverse and Charles Shriver, Beaver; Mann Spitler, Jr., Lincoln. John McCurtain of Barkley tp., was arrested last week on surety of the peace proceedings brought by his wife, and was placed in jail. He was arraigned before Judge Hanley Saturday and the court found that the facts set out in the affidavit were true and fixed the peace bonds at SSOO. Being unable to give the required bond, McCurtain was returned to jail. Monday evening his attorney, A. Halleck, went on his bond and he was released, leaving the jail with no occupants at present. The McCurtains have had eleven children, eight of whom are still living.

James Fisher Dead.

James Fisher, formerly of Rensselaer, but who moved to Hammond about three years ago, died at his home in that city at 10:45 Sunday night, aged 59 years. Mr. Fisher had been in failing health for the past two apd a half years and had been able to work only a very little during that time. For three or four weeks prior to his death he had been confined to his bed. It was generally believed that he had lung trouble, but it was his desire that a post-mortem examination be made, and such examination disclosed a complication of diseases but that his main trouble was enlargement of the liver. The remains will be brought to Rensselaer this afternoon on the 1:57 train and the funeral will be held at once, at 2 o’clock, from the Methodist church, conducted by Rev. P. C. Curnick and burial made in Weston cemetery. Mr. Fisher was a carpenter by

THE TWICE-A-WEEK

RENSSELAER, JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA, WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 1915

trade and had spent most of his life

in Jasper county. He leaves a wife, three daughters, Mrs. Harry Murray, Clara and Ethel Fisher, all of Hammond; one brother, Joseph Fisher of Shelbyville; three sisters, Mrs. Louis Worland ,of Jennings county, Mrs. M. C. Mills of Newpoint, Ind., and Mrs. Mary Nichols of South Dakota, and many other relatives and sorrowing friends.

Death of Aged Rensselaer Lady,

Mrs. Ruth A. Phillips, aged 87 years, widow of Fleming Phillips, who died some 21 years ago, passed away at 10 a. m., Monday, at the home of her only daughter, Mrs. A. R. Rishling, in the northeast part of town. Mrs. Phillips suffered a stroke of paralysis about fourteen years ago, and five years ago broke her hip as a result of a fall, since w’hich time she has been bedfast. She was the sister of Mrs. Norman Warner and Alton and Shelby Grant, and Mrs. Rishling was her only living child. Her fatal illness w r as only of a few days duration. The funeral will be held at 10 o’clock this forenoon from the Church of God, conducted by Elder Williams, and burial made beside her husband in the Osborn cemetery in Hanging Grove township.

Many Sheep Slaughtered by Dogs on Kelly Ranch.

Monon News: The sheepfold of B. B. Curtis on the Kelly ranch and that of D. H. Friend were entered by dogs some time Sunday night and 111 lambs were slaughtered. Of this number the ranch lost 100 and Mr. Friend 11. The mauraders were not trying to satiate hunger, as a throat ■wound was all that appeared to mark the destruction of life. Those who saw the dead animals next morning say it wasgrewsome sight. No one had knowledge of the tragedy at the time it happened and the offending curs are not known. The law provides a penalty for each sheep killed by dogs to reimburse the owner. In this instance Monon township will have a bill of $666 to pay from the dog fund. F. A. Youngs and Lee De vault were appointed appraisers. This is probably the most extensive destruction of sheep by dogs in a single instance on record. Later —-Mr. Curtis’ sheepfold w*as again invaded by dogs Tuesday night and 26 lambs were added to the above number, making 137 his total Joss.

Program for the May Musicale by Monnett School.

The students of Monnett School will give an operetta in the high school auditorium, Tuesday evening, May 11, at 8 o’clock. They will be assisted in the program by Miss Wolf, a violinist from Chicago. Miss Wolf comes highly recommended and the entertainment promises to be an excellent one. Following is the program: PART I. a. Canzonetta d’Ambrosio b. Bouree in A MinorGoldblatt c. The Swan. Saint Saens d. The 8ee.... Schubert Miss Wolf. PART 11. The Fairies’ Festival. Introduction and Chorus—“ Gather, Gather, Fairies All.” Solo“ Hark! Hark! I Hear” Dorothy Kernohan Chorus. . . .“From Afar Across the Ocean.” Duet“ Hand in Hand” Edna Sutliff and Esther Kile Choral Recitative“ Behold the Queen.” Fairy Dance—Concerto No. 3 A Major Leonard Miss Wolf 8a11ad.... “If Hearts Could Speak” Doris Nicholson Chorus. . ."Hail to the Queen” Ar ia“ The Shades of Night” Doris Nicholson Solos and Chorus. .."Away’ A wav” Tableau. Admission 25c and 15c.

Special until June 1, The Democrat will give a reduction of about 20 per cent on all orders received for engraved cards, up to above date. Engraved copper plate and printing therefrom 100 linen finish cards, script style, only $1.25, either “Mr.”, “Miss” or “Mrs.” size, name only. If address is wanted, 50 cents extra. This is the same that we have formerly been getting $1.50 for. The plate goes with order, and can be sent in for more cards at any time. Other styles of engraving at proportionate reductions to June 1 only. Mall or bring in your orders and they will have prompt attention. Cards and plate will be mailed postpaid to any address on receipt of price.

Engraved Calling Cards.

BIG OCEAN LINER TORPEDOED.

The Lusitania of the Cunard Line Sunk Friday Afternoon Off the Irish Coast. The British ocean liner Lusitania was sunk by a German submarine off the Old Head of Kinsale on the Irish coast about 2 p. m., Friday afternoon and over 1,100 lives lost, more than 100 of which were American. Accounts-differ as to the number of torpedoes fired by the submarine, some giving it as twq while others say there were three that struck the big boat. Notwithstanding its strong construction, it went down in less than 30 minutes, carrying more than 1,000 people with it. Only 764 of the nearly 2,000 on board, including passengers and crew, were saved. Of the saved 487 were passengers and 274 crew. The passengers on board numbered 1,251, of which 188 were Americans; 956 British; other nationalities, 107. The crew' numbered 816. Among the prominent Americans lost were Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, Elbert Hubbard, Justus Forman, Herbert Stone, Victor E. Shields, Herman A. Myers and Chas. Klein.

The boat was struck without any warning whatever, just after the noon luncheon, and many of the passengers, believing it impossible for the ship to sink so soon, made little effort to leave the boat until too late, and were carried down with it. The Lusitania was one of the finest vessels afloat. She was declared “unsinkable” by builders from fire, wind and water. On her maiden trip in 1907 she made a new world record for speed, an average of 23.01 knots per hour. Her length was 785 feet, width 88 feet and gross tonnage 32,500. It is said that posters had been printed and distributed in New York and advertisements of warning made in the New York papers, that the Lusitania would never be permitted to reach its destination on this trip, and that unsigned telegrams of warning were also received on the pier before it set sail by many of the prominent Americans, yet they disregarded these warnings and w’ent to their death. The sinking of this huge ocean liner with the hundreds of men, Women and children passengers thereon has aroused a storm of indignation throughout the neutral countries of the civilized world, and it is probable that strong and emphatic protests will be made to the German government over its action.

A Pleasant Gathering of Young Matrons in Newton Tp.

Wednesday, Miss Oka Pancoast, at her home in Newton township, entertained at dinner the following young matrons and their children: Mrs. Charles Downs and daughter, Elizabeth; Mrs. Roe Yeoman and daughters, Barbara and Eileene; Mrs. Arthur Arnott, son, Lawrence, and daughters, Carol and Susie May;

Mrs. Walter Smith and daughter, Helen; Mrs. Elmo Thomas, daughter, Vivian, and son, Stanley, anu Mrs. Everett Halstead, son, John, and daughter, Oka Jane. The six young mothers grew to womanhood in Newton township and attended the same schools, making their reunion with their eleven babies a very happy one. The day was spent in music and conversation. Following dinner the guests gathered on the lawn where Miss Pancoast took several “snap-shots” of the group, after which Mr. Pancoast and Mr. R. J. Yeoman delighted the little folks with a ride in Mr. Yeoman’s new car. Mrs. Elmo Thomas and children are here from Minneapolis, but leave shortly for their new home in Montana. xx

The Ford Will Take ’Em There and Bring ’Em Back.

Rev. George E. Deuel and his good wife are planning quite an extended vacation trip through the east this late summer. The trip will be made in their new Ford automobile.— Goodland Herald. Rev. John McCall and wife autoed through from Ohio Tuesday and on Thursday afternoon he and his family with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. D. S. McCall of this place, started for Denver, Cojo. They expect to make the entire trip in John’s Ford, taking their time and enjoying the sights along the way.—ldaville Observer. W. I. Hoover is the local agent for the Ford automobile, Rensselaer, Ind.

GENERAL AND STATE NEWS

Telegraphic Reports From Many Parts of the Country. SHORT RITS OF THE UNUSUAL Happenings in the Nearby Cities and Towns—Matters of Minor Mention From Many Places. i SPEAKS TO CROWD OF 15,000. President Wilson Says Alan Should Be Too Proud to Battle. Philadelphia, Pa., May 10. —President Wilson gave to a gathering of 4,000 naturalized Americans tonight the first intimation of the course which the United States government probably will pursue in the situation resulting from the loss of more than a hundred American lives on the British liner Lusitania. He spoke by implication, but his hearers interpreted his remarks as meaning that while the United States would remain at peace it would seek to convince Germany of the Injustice to mankind of the tragedy of last Friday.

“America,” said the President, “must have the consciousness that on all sides it touches elbows and touches heart with all nations of mankind. The example of America must be a special example. And must be an example not merely of peace, because it will not fight, but because peace is a healing and elevating influence of the world, and strife Is not. “There is such a thing as a man being too pro”d to fight. There is such a thing as being so right that it does net need to convince others by force that it is right. “Let me beseech you,” he said, “to be Americans first, last and all the time, no matter what may happen in the world at large.” These remarks precipitated a tumult of applause and patriotic enthusiasm, attended by a waving of thousands of small American flags. The President made no direct reference to the Lusitania tragedy, but the audience did not hestitate to read the application of his statement. Introduced by Mayor Blankenburg, who spoke in distinctly German accent, a welcome and an appeal for a single allegience to the United States, the President carried forward the idea of the welding of foreign blood in the makeup of America by pointing out the true goal of right American citizenship to be a loyalty not to the country of one’s birth, but to the land of one’s adoption. Mayor Blankenburg, in introducing President Wilson, saftl: “No matter what our personal feelings for the country we left behind, our first allegiance is to the country of our adoption. 1 can not impress this too strongly on account of the occurrences of the last eight months. Thank God, we have a man in the White House who knows, who is just, a man who knows what to do.” The crowd interrupted with a tumult of cheers, arose en masse from the balconies and floor and waved the Stars and Stripes. It was a remarkable demonstration of applause.

Parroled White County Man Is Rearrested.

Oregon Eldridge, who was paroled last year from the Michigan City penitentiary where he had been committed for forgery, was brought before the court this afternoon on a second indictment charging forgery, which had been pending since 1912. He is accused of having forged the names of John H. Shafer and Mr. Beeman, farmers, to a note for $536. He was released on his own recognizance until the court could determine whether a man out on parole could be prosecuted for an offense similar to that for which he was committed.—Saturday’s Monticello Journal.

Calling caras. the correct sizes both plain and linen finish, constant iy 1E stock in Tho Democrat’s sane? stationery department

Vol. XVIII, No. 10

EUROPEAN WAR IN BRIEF

• The sinking of the Cunard • line steamer Lusitania by a Ger- • man submarine and the situation ’ that has arisen by reason of this •act continues the chief subjects •of the war in the interest of • Americans. • Germany has expressed regret • to the United States for the loss 1 • of American lives in the disaster, ' • but it is declared that Great • Britain, by reason of her “star- ' • vation practices against the Ger- 1 • man civilian population, and be-' • cause her merchantmen are arm- ' • ed and carry contraband of war, ' • is responsible for the sending of ' • the liner to the bottom. ' • A coroner’s inquest at Kinsale 1 • has rendered a verdict finding■ •that the destruction of the liner' • was contrary to international ' • law and the conventions of all ' • civilized nations, and charging the 1 • “officers of the submarine and • the Emperor and Government of 1 • Germany, under whose orders ' • they acted, with the crime of 1 • wholesale murder before the tri- • bunal of tho civilized world.” 1 ' The Washington Government,' •so. far as is known, has not yet' • decided upon the specific repre- ' ’■ sentations it will make to Ger- ' 'many' concerning the loss of' ' American Ilves in the disaster. ' • President Wilson, by inference, ' ' in a speech at Philadelphia, told ' ' a gathering of naturalized Amer- ' ' leans that, while the United ' ■ States would remain at peace, an' ' endeavor would be made to show ' 1 Germany, from the American' ' viewpoint, that her action was' ' wrong. < ' Tn the land campaign in France ' 1 and Belgium thero are intima-' ' tlons of a strong movement of' 1 the allies against the Germans, ' ' with heavy re-enforcements. The ' 1 French war office reports the cap- ' ' ture of many prisoners and guns ' ' during the last two days, and ' ' German headquarters admit that ' 'in the neighborhood of Carene ' ’ the allies have succeeded in oc-' •copying the foremost German 1 • trenches. ' • The British line remains tho' ' same to the east of Ypres as it ' ‘ was on the night of May 3-4, ' 'when the British troops were' • obliged to draw back a little. ' ' In the Carpathians the Ger- ' ' mans are reported to be making ' ' preparations for a further move- ' ' ment against the Russians in their ’ ' new positions, while in the Baltic ' ‘ provinces the Russians have sue- ' • ceeded in inflicting upon their' • adversaries a check near Mltau. ' • While all advices indicate that ' • Italy is ready to take decisive ac- " • tlon, and that the time limit for ' • Austria’s reply to the Italian de- ’ • mands hag just about expired, no ' • word hag come of a break be- ' • tween the Austrian and Italian ' • governments. The final movement 1 • of both countries are being veil- ' • ed in secrecy. '

SAYS THAT HE IS THE OLDEST SETTLER

Now in Newton County—Ransom Elijah Makes Claim —Helped Divide County. Morocco Courier:— Editor Courier: I claim to be the oldest settler in Newton county. I was born in the state of New York, February 3, 1835; and in June of the same year my father started for Indiana in company with August Bingham. My father owned a yoke of oxen. My father and mother also had four boys and four girls. They unloaded their goods the 6th day of October near where James Roberts’ house now stands, close to the Roberts bridge. We lived there one year then moved to Jordan-towp-ship, Jasper county, where we lived three years, then we moved to Jackson township which was then included in Jasper county, in which township I have lived ever since. I was just old enough to sign a petition to divide the county. In 1 864 1 went to Montana on a bold hunting expedition and was there two years and six months. My wife and children remained at home in Jackson'township as I never went with the intention of making my home there and I have never voted any place else but here in Jackson township. We always had plenty to eat, such as it was. My folks always raised a good garden and we never had to buy bread stuff but always had some to sell. Our clothing was all made at home, in summer they were made from flax and in winter from wool off the sheeps back, therefore, we were out no money only to buy needles. I am writing this by lamp light and as it is getting late I will tell the rest some other time. Must say my little prayer and go to bed. i- J V RANSOM ELIJAH.