Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 96, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 February 1917 — Page 1

Jasper County Democrat.

$2.00 Per Year

MARRIED FOR SIXTY YEARS

Mr. and Mrs. Norman Warner lave Three Score Years Together. On last Saturday, February 24, Mr. and Mr& Norman Warner concluded three score years of wedded life, and the occasion was celebrated on Sunday with a big family dinner at the 'home of their son Charles. Mr. and Mrs. Warner were married *at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Grant, west of town, and the ceremony was performed by Rev. Isaac Sayler, a well known Methodist preacher of that day. Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Warner moved to Waveland, in Montgomery county, where they lived until December, 1858. They then returned to Rensselaer, and this city has since been their home. Two: years after their return they erected their present home and for fifty-six years have resided therein. For several years Mr. Warner conducted aoblacksmith and wagon shop, and later opened a hardware store, which is still operated by his sons. * Mr. and Mrs. Warner are the parents of three sons, Daniel Q. and Norman H., who conduct the hardware store, and Charles C., one of the . proprietors of the GrantWarner Lumber- company. 'Mr. Warner also has "bne brother living, Marsh P. Warner, also of this city. - - It is indeed a great pleasure for the many friends and relatives of Mr. and Mrs. Warner to extend their most hearty congratulations upon this occasion to this venerable old couple who have for so many years occupied such a prominent place in the social and industrial circles of Rensselaer and Jasper county. And it is the sincere wish or each one and all that they may continue their happy life together and celebrate their diamond wedding fifteen years hence.

CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

The city council met in regular session Monday night with all members present except Councilman Wood. Petition of E. J. Randle and twenty-one others for the oiling of certain streets in the city—r Cullen, from Walnut to* Cornelia; Clark, from Cullen west to College avenue; Susan, from alley in block 17 west to College avenue; Angelica, from same point west to Van Rensselaer; Front, from Angelica north to* College avenue; College ‘ avenue, from Jackson south to river bridge; West South, from College avenue west to Jefferson; Main from Elm north to Walnut; Lincoln avenue, from College avenue west to Jefferson strbet—was presented and city attorney directed to prepare resolution and city engineer to prepare specifications. Ordinance number 178, raising the weekly wage of employes of the light and water plant from $17.50 per week to S2O per week, was passed unanimously under suspension of rules. Ordinance number 179, autnonzing the mayor to execute bond for the purchase of lot 6, block 2 - the old Ralph Fendig property on the corner of Van Rensselaer and (Harrison streets, bargained for a year or more ago—was passed under suspension of rules, the vote being unanimous. The usual number of claims were allowed.

BANK BUILDING BEING RAZED

The work of razing the old First National bank building is now in progress, to make way for the bank’s handsome new building on the site thereof. While it is not generally known, this bank practically bargained for the purchase of the west annex to the I. O. O. F. building about a year ago, at $21,000, but one of the heaviest stockholders objected to the purchase and the purchase was not consumated. Had this deal gone through the bank would have had a frontage of 28% feet, instead of wenty feet, a building three stories in height with two floors for rental* purposes, a steam heated building and the heating plant, -but would have had no basement.

LAWRENCE KNAPP IS MARRIED

The Depocrat is in receipt of the wedding announcement issued by Mr. Henry Hondorp of Erie, Pennsylvania, announcing the marriage of his daughter, Ruth Joanna, to Mr. Lawrence E. Knapp on February 1, '1917. Lawrence is a 'son of Mr. and Mrs. John M. Knapp, now residents of Panama, Nbw York, tut who lived for several* years in Rensselaer, and The Democrat joins Lawrence's many friends tn Rensselaer in extending hearty congratulations.

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. Mrs. Sophia Headley, an aged Remington lady who was brought to the hospital Thursday in a very serious condition, died Sunday night. Attorney George E. Hershmah came down from Crown Point Friday evening to look after thd interests of som? clients in the Ryan ditch matter Saturday. Miss Riley, assistant day nurse at the hospital, returned Friday evening from Ottawa, Illinois, where she had been to attend the funeral of a brother. Charles Pierson ofx- Wichita, Kansas, clime Saturday to visit his brother, Henry Pierson, who is taking treatment at the hospital, and his sister, Mrs. Henry Wood. -—2—2—- i Deputy Sheriff John Robinson of Rensselaer and Mrs. Renipper of Demotte took Mrs. Henry Frame of the latter place, who was declared insane last week, to cliff yesterday. The township assessors will meet tomorrow at the office of County Assessor Thornton to agree upon a schedule for assessing personal property this year and to secure their .supplies. On Monday Treasurer May sold the A. R. Clark stone road bonds, an issue of $2,000, bearing 4% per cent, to Peter Geib of Remington for a premium of S7O. The Fletcher-American bank of Indianapolis bid $22, and B. A. Dickson of Monon bid s'2o. County Commissioner Welch of Carpenter township selaer Monday in company with his cousin, L. D. Moulton, of Syracuse, New York. Mr. Moulton is a dairy and produce farmer and this was his first visit to the Hoosier state. He was much -Impressed with all he saw and thought Rensselaer an ideal country city. A Mr. Learning, whose home is south of Lafayette but who for the past five years has been at St. Teter, Minnesota, in school and county agricultural work, has recently been employed as count}' agricultural agent for Jasper county and was expected to reach Rensselaer either yesterday or today. He is a married man an<T will move here.

Former County Treasurer A. A. Fell of Carpenter township has practically recovered from his recent attack of pneumonia, but is not able to be out at this writing. Mrs. Fell, who is taking treatment in Indianapolis for cancer and is receiving some benefit therefrom, at least to the extent of holding in check the ravages of the disease, went to Indianapolis -yesterday for another treatment. New suits filed: No. 8740. First National bank of Rensselaer vs. Ira O. McCullough; suit on <note. Demand S6OO. ' - The note sued upon was really not due until next July, but the complaint set forth that the defendant had disposed of his lands and chattels in Indiana and was preparing to leave the state, hence this suit. Defendant came in and paid the note after service was had, on him and the cause will be dismissed, The Democrat is informed. John Guss was down from Virgie Saturday, carrying the index finger of his right hand in a fin-ger-stall, the result of getting too near a buzz saw Friday and having the end of the finger amputated just below the nail by the saw. For all this, however, he was feeling qjjjie good, as, he had on Friday secured possession of the office of road supervisor in which an attempt had been made to keep him out of on a technicality, but which the attorney gen-

* RENSSELAER, JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1917.

eral had given an opinion had no valid grounds. County Assessor Thornton, Ben Welsh, George E. Collins, C. B. Steward, County Treasurer May and S. H. Cornwell attended the Remington I. O. O. F. lodge meeting and banquet Monday night and witnessed work in the third degree. Grand Chief Patriarch Allison was present and made a very nice talk. The visitors report a splendid time. The Rensselaer I. O. O. F. camp team go to Remington Friday night to put on camp work, and about a dozen candidates will be initiated. Marriage licenses issued: February 24, Clarence Buche of Momence, Illinois, aged 25 June 6 last, occupation farmer, to Mabel Elvise Nelson of Tefft, aged 20 January 7 last, occupation housekeeper. First marriage for each. February 24, Logan Finley McCoy of Winamac, aged 33 November 8 last, occupation farmer, to Martha Matilda Casto of Rensselaer, aged 33 September 27 last, occupation housekeeper. Second marriage fw male, first marriage dissolved by death in 1916. First marriage for female. Married In the clerk’s office by Rev. Strecker.

Dr. Martin of Mt. Ayr, who had been attending physician, and Drs. Hemphill and Loy of Rensselaer and Squire W. I. Spitler, held an inquest Monday to inquire into the sanity of Ransom Frank Raster of Walker township, who has been in jail here for the past week in default of peace bond and default of payment of a fine and costs imposed upon him in Squire Spitler’s court for beating up Mrs. Raster, mention of which was made last week in The Democrat. The inquest disclosed that Raster had been a very heavy drinker prior to an illness in December, 1915, at which time he was supposed to have had a stroke of paralysis; that except for his drinking he had been prior to that time of good moral character and of kindly disposition and dependable; that he now had frequent spells of violent outbreaks of temper and did not seem at himself at times. He was found to be of unsound mind and application has been made to send him to Longcliff, to which place he will be taken as soon as the necessary acceptance is received.

ONE KILLED IN MONON WRECK

Freight Car Leaves Track Near McCoy sburg and Tram Killed. A tramp giving his name as John Hartman, without any address, was killed Friday night at 6:15 o’clock in a freight wreck on the Monon railroad near McCoysburg. The trucks of a box car on an extra south bound freight train jumped the tracks and caused three cars to pile up. 'Hartman was riding in one of the cars. The unfortunate man was badly crushed about the hips, but was conscious when found by trainmen. He asked fop a drink of water and told his name. He said he had no The train crew started with him to Monon for medical aid, but he died on the way. The freight train was in charge of Engineer Jesse Miller and Conductor C. J. Pierce. Traffic on the road was delayed for several hours, the southbound evening trains being held here until near midnight and the northbound trains being held at Monon a like time.

Many of The Democrat’s subscribers are moving to new locations this week and in order that they may receive their paper promptly they should notify this office at once, giving both their OLD and NEW address. Do not forget this, please.

Mrs. Mary E. Vick and Miss Emma Vick, wife and daughter of Charles C. Vick, desire to express their sincere thanks (through the courtesy of this paper) to their many friends in Rensselaer for the many kindnesses during Mr. Vick’s illness and death.

Anybody wanting trees, ornamental or fruit, see Charles Pefley, Reiisselaer, Indiana. Every tree or shrub guaranteed to grow and true to name From the Guarantee Nursery Co., Rochester, N. Y. Trees replaced fall free of charge if they die this spring. ts A new supply of vegetable parchment butter wrappers just received at The Democrat office, 30c per 1,00.

THE TWICP-A-WEEK

NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS

CARD OF THANKS

SCHOOL HOUSE BURNED DOWN

Deputy State Fire Marshal Here to Investigate Cause PATRONS DISLIKED TEACHER And Indications Are That Fire Was No Doubt of an Incendiary Origin—No Arrests Yet Made. The Oak Grove school house in Walker township burned to the ground jat an early hour Saturday morning, and the books and other property of the twenty-seven pupils, together with the school furniture and supplies, were all lost. The fire was said to have been caused (by a defective flue, but existing conditions in the school district were such as to cause some to doubt this and the state fire marshal was asked to make an investigation. Miss Eva Noland of Routs, a daughter Of Dr. Noland, has taught the school since its opening last September. She was not satisfactory to all of the patrons, hut when the matter came to a critical test eight of the twelve patrons petitioned that she remain. However, complaints were so general that County Superintendent L&mson asked for a court of inquiry, which was conducted at Wheatfield by Superintedent Schanlaub of Newton county, Superintendent Cole of Porter county and Superintendent Cannon of Starke county. These ‘three gentlemen held a preliminary hearing at Wheatfield, where school patrons were questioned, and then visited the school without announcing their coming. There they interview the pupils, who were almost unanimous in favor of their teacher.

When it was considered that this was Miss Noland’s first experience as a teacher; that the school was taught by a new teacher last year, and the year before that & a teacher had been dismissed, the board decided that Miss Noland had been handicapped and recommended that she be retained. - The fire following so closely upon the occurrences recorded above seems to have aroused the of some people that the fire was of incendiary origin, hence the request for an investigation by the state fire marshal. Deputy Fire Marshal Hoover came to Rensselaer Saturday and immediately went put to the scene of the fire to investigate matters. He questioned all of the patrons of the school and people living in that vicinity and considerable evidence of moment wa® procured. In fact, Mr. Hoover stated after returning to Rensselaer that there was no possible doubt but that the fire was of incendiary origin. Greeley Comer, who lives some distance from the school house, was the first to see the fire and thinking it was the house of V. M. Peer, the Watkins medicine man, who lives near the school, he called the latter on the telephone. Mr. Peer investigated and ascertained that it was the school house. Several residents of the vicinity told Mr. Hoover that about the time of the fire a light rig drawn by two horses passed hurriedly along the road, but they did not know in which direction it was going. Mr, Hoover also found some unusual tracks leading to and from the scene of the fire, one made by a rubber boot and the other by a shoe, and it is asserted that he also found the owners of the footwear making the tracks. However, with all the information obtained there is none sufficient to warrant an arrest, and, it is quite probable the matter may be investigated further, or it may be investigated further, or it may be dropped, as the fire marshal has left the county and did not say what he proposed to do. The pupils living in this district will be transported to neighboring schools, and 'the matter of erecting another building decided later. The’ trustee is thinking some of establishing a consolidated school. ■ Mt. Hoover went to Goodland to investigate a recent fire there.

FUTURE PUBLIC SALE DATES

The Democrat has printed bill* for the following public sales:’ Wednesday, February 28, J. W. Phares, on the H. O. Harris farm, 1 mile south and 1% miles east of Mt. Ayr, 6 miles west of Rensselaer. Stock sale and some implements, Including 7 horses and mules, 20 head of cattle, 14 head of hogs. Monday, March 5, J. B. Reea and F. E. Hooper, at residence of the former, 1 % miles south and 1 mile west of Virgie. Joint sale of horses, qattle, farm Implements, etc. ' • Tuesday, March 6, John L. Daniels, administrator’s sale, at the residence of the late George Daniels, 8 miles north and 3% miles east of Rensselaer. General sale, Including 6 head of horses, 5 head of cattle, hogs and farming implements. Thursday, March 8,, Roy Torbet, 7 miles north and 2% miles east of Rensselaer, 2 % miles east of Aix. General sale, including horses, cows and farm tools. Wednesday, March 14, A. M. Yeoman, 4 miles west of Rensselaer. Stock sale, including 4 head of horses, *66 head of cattle, some hogs and a few other articles.

FACTORY DEAL IS UNDECIDED

Some Minor Matters Yet to Conclude Before Final Action. A. Roth of Chicago, of the firm that proposes to move their gar-ment-making 'plant to Rensselaer, was in the city Friday and Saturday, and together with B. J. Jarrette and Sam Fendig looked at the several probable locations under consideration here. One thing that impressed Mr. Roth was the high class of help he cou/d secure here, and being satisfied on that phase of th© matter, a suitable building wa® all ihat was left to find. When he saw tbe old implement building, owned by Miss Marjorie Loughridge, at the corner, of Van Rensselaer and Cornelia streets, he signified his willingness to accept same. The building being occupied as a buggy repository by Kellner & Callahan, it was then necessary for the business and professional men taking an active part in the matter to open negotiations with them to secure the building. This was soon accomplished, Messrs. Kellner & Callahan consenting to use the Gayety airdome temporarily until they could erect a .building on their premises on Cornelia street. In the event that the concern comes her© It is their intent*©* t» improve the building to suit their needs. Mr. Roth expected to come here again yesterday afternoon or today when the minor matters not yet concluded will be taken up. At this time it looks quit© encouraging that Rensselaer will eventually secure this establishment. And if they do come it will be soon for they are quite anxious to get located and get to work as they have orders in that must be taken care of.

DATE BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

February 24, to Mr. and Mrs. Roy Watson of near Surrey, a daughter. February 24, to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Taylor of Hanging Grove township, a daughter. February 25, to Mr. and Mrs. Carl Somers, a son; this was the first child born at the new county hospital. February 25, to Mr. and Mrs. Paul A. Overtop in the west part of town, a son. February 26, to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith of Virgie, a boy. February 26, to Mr. and Mrs. Alfred K. Moore, southeast of town, a sitll-born babe. A premature babe was born to Mir. and Mrs. James Snedeker Monday morning and was buried in the Barkley cemetery Monday afternoon.

WEATHER OF PAST FEW BAYS We have been enjoying some very pleasant spring-like weather the past few days, with a promise of the same continuing. However, a cold wind prevails a great deal of the time and with a good stiff freeze each night. * Following Is the official temperature as shown by the government thermometer at ‘St. Joseph college for the twenty-four hours previous to 4 p. m. of the dates given: Hirh Low i Friday Saturday ... •■ 'Monday .....> 56 .3*

Vol. XIX, No. 96

WILL ARM ALL MERCHANT SHIPS

President’s Address to Congress - Gets Quick Action $100,000,000 BOND ISSUE I __ Authorized to Cover Emergency Expenditures In Taking Such Steps As Are Deemed Necessary. Washington, February’ 26.—Authority to place the nation in a state of "armed neutrality,” as requested by President Wilson in his address today before a joint session of congress, will be granted immediately, according to administration leaders in the senate and bouse. Resolutions providing for the supplying of guns and trained crews for merchant ships, for a special bond issue of >100,000,000 to cover necessary emergency expenditures and general power to take such steps as may be considered necessary by the President probably will be passed without delay. Continued invasion of the plain rights of neutrals oh the high seas, further sacrifice of American lives and Alps and a practical blockade of American commerce, almost as effective as if the nation were at war, have taken the place of th© "overt act” and lead the President to take the step which brings the country nearer an actual declaration of war. Th© President again made it plain that he desired peace, but not at th© price of American rights and lives or by driving tbe American flag from the seas. Hardly had the nation’s executive left the somber gathering of senators and representatives than steps were taken to frame resolutions acceding to his request. When Mr. Wilson was at the Capitol he gave Chairman Flood of the house foreign affairs committee a complete draft of his idea of what the resolution to be adopted by congress should be. The resolution was broad and .embodied exactly what the President proposed to congress. ” A copy of the draft was also given to Senator Oliver. It would authorize the President to supply and man guns for merchant ships, give general authority “to employ any other instrumentality that may be necessary" and provide for a special bond issue of $100,000,000. At a brief meeting tonight, the senate foreign relations committee determined not to take up until tomorrow President Wilson’s request. Chairman Stone said there had been no debate in committee and that adjournment had been taken until tomorrow morning to permit members to. give the, request careful consideration before acting. After conferences with Democratic and Republican leaders. Chairman Flood of the house foreign affairs committee introduced a bill authorizing the President to arm merchant ships and use such "other instrumentalities as necessary’’ to protect them on the high seas, and providing a special bond issue of >100,000,000. The bill wa® referred to the committee which will meet tomorrow morning to consider it.

Seven Dutch vessels were sunk by a German submarine Saturday and the Hollanders i;e very wrath over the matter, but dare not take 'a precipitate action because of their proximity of the kaiser’s sword. • The big Cunard liner Laconia, bound from New York to Liverpool, was torpedoed and sunk off the Irish coast Sunday night. There were six Americans among the passengers on board and twenty members of the crew were Americans. Two hundred and seventy-eight survivors have been landed at Queenstown. Some are mi wing The Laconia carried 1.060 bars of silver, 40,000 bushels of wheat and other war supplies.

WAR PRICES!

War prices will not affect my painting and paper hanging. Let me do your wort now. Phone 416. —LEE RICHARDS, Painter and Paper Hanger. m-3