Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 100, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 March 1917 — Page 1

Jasper County Democrat.

|2.00 Per Year

FIRE AT B. F. FENDIG HOME

Entire Upper Story of Handsome Residence Ruined. About S o’clock Saturdays morning •re broke out at the home of B. F. Fendig on McCoy avenue that for a time threatened to destroy the handsome residence. As it was the entire third story was destroyed by the fire and the lower floors of the house considerably damaged tjy •water. Just how the fire originated is not known, but it is the opinion of Mr. Fendig that sparks on the roof from the kitchen chimney started the Waze. Miss Wright, who is staying ■with Mr. and Mrs. Fendig, had just finished with the morning meal and as Mr. Fendig passed through the kitchen he remarked that she had a pretty hot fire. She answeredhim and said there was a sort of roaring in the chimney which seemed to add to the draft of the stove. Mr. Fendig surmised that the chimney was burning out and thought no more of the matter, coming on down town. About this time some of the neighbors saw the roof on fire and after some little confusion an alarm was sent in. The fire company responded promptly but the fire had already gained considerable headway over the roof and it required time and much difficult work to subdue tile flames.

The work of removing the furniture was accomplished with dispatch and very little damage by the large crowd that had gathered and practically everything on the first and second floors’ was removed to a place of safety. A billiard table valued at about S6OO and some bedroom furniture on the third floor were destroyed. Little Josephine Washburn was asleep in the -third story bedroom and was awakened by the excessive heat and went downstairs to announce the fire at about the same time it was discovered by the neighbors. Had the fire been a little earlier or the girl not awakened before the room became filled with smoke, it is horrible to imagine what might have resulted as Josephine’s position was indeed a perilous one. The house was formerly owned by Thomas McCpy and following the bank failure was dynamited. It was later purchased and repaired by Earle Reynolds, who owns it at the present time. Mr. Reynolds is now at Victoria. B. C., but Mr. Fendig stated that he carried $6,000 insurance On the house. The house has probably been damaged to the extent of $1,500 or $2,000. During the work of repairing the same Mr. Fendig and family will reside with ’ Mrs. Fendig’s mother, Mrs. Kate Watson. " Mr. Reynolds was notified of the fire by his mother, Mrs. S. R. Nichols, and replied of his intention to return and see to the repairing as soon as he could arrange to do so.

TELEPHONE LINES ALL DOWN

Sleet Storm Yesterday Morning Does Much Damage. Another devastating sleet storm visited this section yesterday morning and wrought damage to telephone lines and electric wires that is difficult to estimate because of inability to communicate with the, surrounding territory. Word was received from Remington during the forenoon that the electric wires of the Public Service company and practically all telephone wires were down. Later in the day communication was <mt off and it was impossible to learn anything further regarding the extent of the damage. In the vicinity of Rensselaer many telephone lines are down and Mr. ? Bott, proprietor of > the exchange, at noon estimated his loss at between $5,000 and $6,000. The new line recently built and extending four piles north from town and carrying thirty wireswas all down, as were also many branch lines and lines in other directions. ./ ■■ . ‘ The electric lines in Rensselaer ' had apparently escaped damage np to noon, and indications at that lime were not such as to cause any among the city engineers. All efforts to communicate with towns in any direction were futile, and whether the damage is local dr. general it is Impossible to say. However, the sleet had every appearance of being general and that telephone r and '1 electric lines throughput northwestern Indiana have suffered considerable is a wafa presumption.

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., New suits filed: No. 8744, Samuel N. Price vs. Barnet Daywitt et al; action to quiet title. Thomas W. Ward of Walkertom who was here several days last week on court business, returned home Saturday.

The Wheatfield schools have been closed temporarily because of the serious illness of Superintendent Sterrett’s mother. Mrs. James Jordan received a letter the ? last of the week from Dr. Fred W. . Terflinger of Longcliff, in reply to her inquiry regarding the condition of her nephew, R. J. Kaster, who was taken to that institution a few days ago, saying that he was in practically* the same condition as at the time of his admission to the hospital; that he was quiet and obedient to hospital discipline and causing no trouble whatever. The Doctor stated that he could not tell anything about how long Mr. Kaster would have to remain at the hospital.

Last week The Democrat reprinted an item from the Medaryville Journal concerning the arrest of Miss Vesta Brown, teacher of the Gifford school, for the alleged illtreatment of a child of Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Hanking. The article aS it appeared stated that the case was tried before Squire Bussell and resulted in the acquittal of Miss Brown, with the costs being thrown on the plaintiff. According to later advices the ease has not yet been tried, and will probably not come up for hearing until the return of Mr. Hankins from a visit in Tennessee with relatives. At least, Mrs. Hankins writes The Democrat to this effect.

The * will of the late Cynthia A. Barnett of Remington, who died recently while spending the winter in Florida and whose body was brought back to Remington for. burial, was filed for probate a few days ago. The instrument was executed in Rensselaer January 19, 1912, and was witnessed by Benhart N. Fendig, Jesse D. Allman and Charles H. Mills. After providing for the payment of all just debts and claims against the estate the will provides that SIOO shall be paid to the Remington cemetery trustees, the income to be used for the care of the graves of testatrix and her deceased husband, John Barnett; to three sisters of testatrix, Alice Fellows, Phoeba Davy and Maggie Wright, is bequeathed each one-fifth of remainder of all property left by testatrix; to the four children of testatrix’s deceased brother, Josiah Nagley— Frank and Arthur Nagley, Myrtle Hill and Ruby Johnson —each onetwentieth; to the two children of testatrix’s deceased sister, EllOn Weaver—Winnie Wilkinson and Gladys Black—each one-tenth. Judson J. Hunt is named as executor of the will, which states that it is the wish of the testatrix that all property belonging to her jbe reduced to money and the bequests paid.

DEDICATION ON NEXT FRIDAY

Of Marion Township New Consolidated School Building. The fine new consolidated school building in south Marion will be formally dedicated on Friday, March 15, iat which time an interesting program will be rendered by pupils of the township, to close with an old-fashioned spelling school. Patrons of the school are cordially invited to come with well filled baskets and spend the day and enjoy a basket dinner with the pupils.

LATE BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Friday, March 9, to Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Yeoman of Newton township, > daughter.

THE TWICE-A-WEEK

RENSSELAER, JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1917.

EXTENSION MEETING CALLED

County Development Association to Be Organized Saturday. A meeting of the people of Jasper county interested in its development called by the county agent, to be held in the court house Saturday afternoon, March 17, at 1 o’clock, for the purpose of forming a county development association. The meeting will be addressed by C. Henry of Purdue, who has had a great amount of experience with such organizations. The object of such an organization is the establishment of proper machinery for carrying out any plan of county-wide development. The merchants are doing .good work through their various /commercial clubs in the county, 'but unfortunately the largest and most important class has thus far been unorganized so that the farmers have not been in a position to lend the assistance that they might in developing matters of general concern.

In many other counties of the United States the formation of such associations has greatly assisted prosperity and there is every reason to think that the same effect would be produced here. If plans materialize officers will be chosen and the best talent of the county will be directed to devising methods of promoting the general good of the people of the county. A general invitation has been extended to all people of the county to attend and it is especially desired that the farmers and businessmen be well represented as the stimulation of the friendly relations between them means much towards the establishment of an effective organization.

CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

The Rensselaer common council met Monday night in regular session with all members present, except Councilman Kresler, and transacted the following business: Remonstrance of I. N. Hemphill et al against oiling of part of Front street —from Angelica street to -Susan street and Angelica street from Van Rensselaer street to Front street—was sustained, and above streets ordered left out of resolution. Price for hauling coal from railrdfld to light plant was raised to 40 cents per ton. Council adopted resolution for oiling certain streets of the city as petitioned for heretofore by E. J. Randle et al, and fixed April 9 as date for hearing remonstrances. Ordinance No. 180, appropriating S6OO to the Rensselaer band for summer concerts was passed. City engineer filed amended plans and specifications for west Washington street sewer and estimate of cost. Council directed clerk to give notice of adoption of the same, and fixed March 26 as date for hearing remonstrances. The usual number of claims were allowed.

SCHEDULE OF DEMONSTRATIONS

County Agent Announces Time and Places for Pruning Trees. March 12, 9:30 a. m., George Parker. March 13, 2 p. in'., Thomas Walter. March 14, 2 p. m., C. W. Postill. March 15, 2 p. m., B. F. Lefevre. March 16, 9:30 a. m., pruning and spraying for San Jose scale at S. A. Brusnahan’s. March 16, 2 p. m., John E. Alter. March 19, 10 a. m. s John Rush. March 19, 2 p. m., Nefiemiah Hopkins. During the week of March 26 J. F. Pipal of Purdue will be in the county conducting a series of oat smut demonstrations. Farmers desiring such work on their farm may secure demonstrations upon application to the county agent.

PRIMARY CHANGE MADE LAW • ———————— . The governor signed the Chambers bill changing the date of the primary election from March to May and eliminating second choice ballots. He also signed the Mason bill allowing continuous registration from April to twenty-nine days before the election. ' “Frenchy’’ Deechand has changed his headquarters from the Central to the Rensselaer garage, and all taxi calls should be made to phones No. 365 or 410. Careful attention given all calls. m-24 Subscribe for The Democrat.

GENERAL AND STATE NEWS

Telegraphic Reports From Many Parts of the Country. SHORT BITS OF THE UNUSUAL Happenings in the Nearby Cities and Towns—Matters of Minor Mention from Many Places. TORNADO SWEEPS NEWCASTLE Many Killed, and Property Loss Reaches $1,000,000. Newcastle, March 13.—The toll of the worst 'tornado ever known in Indiana, which struck this city at 3:05 o’clock Sunday afternoon, was nineteen known dead this motnlng with a possibility that later developments will increase the death list. Although reports are not yet definite, it is believed the list of injured will reach 100, some of them seriously and many slightly. It was impossible early today to estimate the property damage but a conservative estimate is close to $1,000,000. Fully 200 houses were destroyed and a large number of buildings damaged. Many persons who were uninjured are homeless and many have lost all they possessed.

The severest blow of the tornado was felt in that part of the -city where lived the poorer class of people, many of whom were employed in factories and were paying for their homes on the installment plan. Soldiers are guarding the wrecked property, but martial law- has not been declared. A large corps of physicians from Indianapolis, Muncie, Greenfield, Richmond and Anderson are in the city assisting in the work. There also are mdny trained nurses on duty here. After a sleepless night, Newcastle faced realization today that it is indeed a windswept Verdun. Roses and rooftops were kindred debris, and the rich man’s heavily tufted divan was as much a wreck as the high chair of the humble man’s baby. The belongings of all in the stormswept district were scattered over streets and commons, and there were many incidents that proved that men are hind w'hen sorrow comes. After sweeping through Newcastle, the tornado whirled about

TContinued on page two)

MANY RILLS BECOME LAWS

Without Governor’s Signature After Having Been Rejected. Among the bills introduced and passed by the recent legislature, which were rejected by the governor and permitted to become laws without his signature, were the following of interest to readers of The Democrat: . ' The Harmon bill,,to make township trustees eligible to serve eight years in any twelve years. The Dynes bill to appropriate $25,000 for a memorial monument to Indiana’s pioneer women, and creating a commission to take charge of the erection on statehouse grounds. The C< rry bill, to require county councils and commissioners to appropriate S2OO for coiinty corn growers’ associations in counties where no agricultural fair or association exists The McCray bill, to provide penalties for receiving, selling or having in one’s possession automobiles on which marks of Identification have been removed The Chambers bill, to extend the general law concerning the publication of legal notices to apply to notices of county commissioners, sheriffs and drainage commissioners.

GALLERY WILL NOT BE USED

Tickets to High School Play Will Be for Main Floor Seats Only. Because of the fact that some people are skeptical as to the safety of the gallery in the Ellis opera house, the same will not be used for the high school play, “A Trial of Hearts,” to be given Thursday and Friday nights. This change also necessitated a change in the admission price, which has been fixed at 35 cents to all for general admission to the main floor. Tickets for the play were put on sale at Fendig’s drug store yesterday noon and present indications are that there will be a full house both nights.

Subscribe for The Democrat.

FUTURE PUBLIC SALE DATES

The Democrat has printed bill* ,'for the following'public sales: Wednesday, March 14, W. M. Garvin, 2% miles south of Crockett cemetery. General sale, including horses, cattle, farm tools, etc. 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. Thursday, March 15, B. H. Geesa and Gorman, at Geesa farm 5 miles west of Surrey, Joint sale of 14 horses, 19 cattle, timothy seed, hay, seed corn,, potataoes, poultry and farm tools. Friday, March 23, Frank W. Fisher, 2w, miles east and 1 mile south of Wheatfield. General sale, including 11 horses, cattle, hogs, chickens, 400 bushels of corn, 500 bushels seed oats, hay, farm tools, etc.

MONNETT SCHOOL BANQUET

A Very Enjoyable Affair and Interesting Program W’as Given. . About 100 Rensselaer men and women attended the Monnett school banquet at the Presbyterian church Monday night and enjoyed the splendid dinner served by the Presbyterian ladies as well as the talk by Mrs. Juliet V. Strouse of Rockville’, Indiana, who has gained considerable literary fame through her writing for several years in the Indianapolis News under the name of “The Country Contributor’’ and also through her regular contributions to the Ladles* Home Journal. Mrs. Strouse owes a her literary success to the fact that she writes about home topice, home life and woman’s work. She is strictly feminine, has a pleasing voice and manner, and she was listened to with rapt attention during her entire talk—and it was a talk more than dn address that she gave. -Mrs. Strouse Is the wife of Isaac R. Strouse, editor of the Rockville Tribune, the Democratic organ of Parke county.

The girls of the Monnett school also entertained th© banqueters with a song or two and made a very favorable impression as Indicating the careful training and splendid work being done at the school under the superintendence of Miss AlVerta Simpson. Gordon Taylor, a 11-year-old lad of Lafayette, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Taylor, entertained the banqueters with several songs. This lad has a beautiful voice and is one of the sweetest singers ever bear'd in Rensselaer. He was encored time and again and practically closed the evening’s entertainment with a song just before leaving with his mother to return on the 11:10 train for Lafayette.

Dr. Switzer introduced Mr. J. M. Davis of Lafayette at tije close of the program and the latter made a few brief remarks on co-opera-tion in the plan to raise |25,000 here this week in the campaign for a greater Monnett school, which campaign started yesterday noon with a luncheon to the field workers and assistants at the headquarters room in the K. of F. building, at which the plans were fully explained. Dr. Switzer and Mr. Davis are to have charge of this campaign and witn the aid of their assistants hope to raise the amount required of Rensselaer within the next few days.

“APRIL SHOWERS” IN MARCH

. A couple of “April showers’* came early Sunday morning, and the day was warm and balmy, the temperature reaching the highest point thus far this spring—67 degrees. One oft the showers was accompanied by quite a bit of hail, some of the haitetpnee being as large as walnuts, but there was no wind and consequently little or no damage done. Monday night the mercury, got down to the freezing point and a light rain and sleet fell which covered trees and sidewalks when morning came. At 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon the mercury stood at 38 degrees. Following is the official temperature as shown by the government thermometer at St, Joseph college for the twenty-four hour* previous to 4 p. m. of the dates given: High Low Friday . ............... .45 26 Saturday ..... .......... .64 32 Sunday .. .■>67 48 Monday , .51 30

Fine correspondence paper on sale in The Democrat’s fancy stationery department in dozens of different styles and at prices ranging from 10c to 75e per box.

Vol. XTX®®IS

PRESIDENT ARMS MERCHANT SHIPS

Congress Called to Mm on Monday, April 16»| ACTION IS BACKED BYShI —— ’ 'Wf' Matti President Adopts Armed Neutra®tyBut Wants Congress PresentWO Render Support and Counsel. , 9K|. •H Washington, D. C., March IO'.W President Wilson yesterday ordered that a policy of armed neutrality be pat into effect immediately by th® arming of American merchant vee* seis and called an extra session of congress to meet Monday, April 16, fn order to have its support and counsel “in all matters collateral to the defense of our merchant marine." ‘ .

On the mature advice of the government’s highest legal authorities, the President decided that the failure of his armed neutrality bill at the last session left him with sufficient authority under existing statutes to issue naval guns to merchantmen. He is expected, however, to ask that all doubt on the point be removed by passage of a specific authorisation as soon as congress meets. It was . learned definitely that some American ships sailing for the submarine zone will be armed by the government at once. Preliminary arrangements have been completed and it is expected that vessels will be ready to sail in the near fixture. Mr. Wilson has the backing of the entire cabinet in taking the step. Guns for arming merchantmen have been assembled at navy yards along the Atlantic coast and everything is ready to carry out the policy announced by the President. The President signed the proclamation for the extra session while lying in bed with a cold. Orders for carrying out the President’s decision to arm ships were.immediately sent to the navy department. The’ President decided to arm ships after getting formal opinions from Attorney General Gregory and Secretary Lansing that he had such authority in spite of old statutes, which, some believe, forbade it.

NEWS FROM COUNTY HOSPITAL

Mrs. Ocie Brusnahan of Parr, underwent a slight operation at the county hospital Sunday morning. She is reported to be getting along very nicely. The operation was performed by a local physician. Mrs. Calvin Cain, Who underwent an operation at the county hospital recently and whose condition was quite serious for several days, is showing marked improvement and every indication now points to her ultimate recovery. Lois Morrow, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Morrow of five miles sbuth of town, was operated on in the county hospital Saturday for the removal of her tonsils, Dr. Besser of Remington and a local physician performing the operation. The third death to occur at the hospital since it was opened about Hix weeks ago was that of John Allen Berche, the six-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. John Oliver Berche of Newland. The little fellow was suffering with pneumonia and died at 3:15 Saturday afternoon. The body was taken to Bellevue, lowa, Monday morning for burial.

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO TELEPHONE PATRONS

WORK HAS STARTED ON A NEW DIRECTORY, which will be in book form. Any changes in ybur name, number, or location, changes of 'firm names, parties changing lines, parties contemplating having ' ’phones put in during next few months, those wishing to hold or have the |1 service on party lines; in fact, any changes wanted made, must be reported at office. Our desire is to get this directory correct. There will be a limited amount of advertising space. No soliciting for advertisements will be made. Call 636 for space. Home pnieMlH will be given preference. This information must be in office before April 1. —JASPER COUNTY TELEPHONE CO.