Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 March 1917 — Page 1

Jasper County Democrat.

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CHARLES W. SPINNEY DEAD

Former Treasurer of Newton County Died in Hospital Monday. Charles W. Spinney, a former well-known resident of Goodland and who' served two terms as treasurer of Newton county, died in a hospital at Chicago Heights Monday following an operation about two weeks previous for the removal of ulcers of the stomach. It was thought that he was on the road to recovery, but’ Monday it was deemed advisable to perform a second operation and the patient died before recovering from the anaesthetic. Mr. Spinney was born in Kankakee county, Illinois, but most of his life had been spent in Newton county. He served one term as* postmaster at Goodland and was also engaged in the mercantile business there for some time before his election as county treasurer. For the past few years he had been employed as a traveling salesman, and resided at Madison, Wisconsin. February 6, 1890, he was married to Miss Daisy Green of Goodland, who, with two daughters, Vera and Helen, survive him. The elder daughter holds a government position in Washington. He also leaves one brother, Shyiff Arthur J. Spinney of Kentland, and three sisters, Mrs. Wililam Banes of Goodland, Mrs. J. W. Cones of Rogers Park, Illinois, and Mrs. William Mills of Wenatchee, Washington. (His age was 50 years, 5 months and 25 days. The remains were taken to Goodland Tuesday and the funeral held from the Presbyterian church in that city at 2:30 o’clock Thursday afternoon and burial made in the Goodland cemetery.

COMMEMORATES ANNIVERSARY

Mrs. Robert Kepner Was Eightynine Years Old Thursday. Grandmother Kepner was eightynine years old Thursday- and the occasion was celebrated with a big family dinner at which four generations were represented. Mrs. Kepner is one of the oldest residents of Rensselaer, she and her busband, Robert Kepner, coming here forty-one years ago. Since that - time she has been a continuous resident of this city. Mr. Kepner died about fifteen years ago. Mrs. Kepner is the mother of nine children, five of whom still suryive, namely:, John Kepner of Sheldon, Illinois; Isaac Kepner, Mrs.*. John Schahlaub and Mrs. Abe Wartena of this city, and Mrs. Caroline Turner of Crown Point.

MRS. JANE ELDRIDGE DEAD

Mrs. Jane Eldridge, widow of Henry Eldridge, who died several years ago, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Hattie Arnott, in the northwest part of town Thursday night, aged 74 years, 7 months and 4 days. She had been in poor health for some&Jittle time but the precise nature of her ailment baffled the doctors. She was born in Ohio, but most of her life had been spent in this vicinity. The funeral will be held this afternoon at 2 o’clock from the home of Mrs. Arnott, the service to be conducted by Rev. McDaniel of the Christian church. Burial will he made at the Nauvoo cemetery in White county.

WEATHER RECORD FOR MARCH <7 " Was Much Better This Year Than * Is Usually the Case. This is the last day of March, and it has not been a had month at all, contrary to custom. The month came in bright and pleasant and is going out apparently the same. There were no bad local storms during the month and few real raw days. In fact the month of March 1917 will go down in local history as one of the finest March months we h,ave ever experienced. Following is the official temperature as recorded at St. Joseph college for the twenty-four hours preceding 4 p. m. of the dates given: High Low Tuesday ............... 47 32 Wednesday 61 Thursday ... ... 60 35

DEATH OF FORMER RESIDENT

Word has been received in Rensselaer of the death on March 2 at Yukon, Oklahoma, of Thomas Knight, a former resident of Rensselaer and an uncle of Sarah Platt. Mr. Knight and family left here in 1903 and have since resided in Oklahoma. He is survived »y the widow and eight children.

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. .. w ■ Commissioners’ court will convene Monday in regular April session. Sheriff B. D. McColly and W. V. Porter were Chicago visitors Wednesday. Attorney John of Demotte was in the city on business Wednesday. M. V. Sands of Tefft, father of Attorney C. M. Sands, was in the city on business Wednesday. -The Newton county grand jury, after a session at intervals for three weeks, brought in eight indictments before adjourning Wednesday night.

County Auditor' Hammond has received a small supply of the constitutional convention act and anyone wishing one may obtain same at the auditor’s office so long as the supply lasts. Lake County Star: Attorney George E. Hershman was at Momence and Kankakee, Illinois, on Tuesday of this week procuring right-of-way for the extension of the Singleton ditch, which will have an outlet in the Yellow Head drainage district in Kankakee county. Clerk Nichols and wife moved Thursday from the John M. Knapp property on Park avenue to the John Remelv property on Vine street, which they recently purchased. William Burch, who occupied the Remley property, has moved to Fair Oaks. Th% Knapp property is unoccupied at present. Local retiring Deputy Oil Inspector E. P. Honan has the laugh on his successor, at any rate, as the latter only got to hold the job a day or two before the federal court knocked the oil inspection law out. had held the position for six years and disposed of his paraphernalia to his “successor” and got the money for it.

Frank J. Miller’ of Oxford, who was appointed a deputy oil inspector to succeed E. P. Honan, was in Rensselaer Wednesday receiving the supplies and instructions. However, his tenure in office was very short-lived, a federal court decision abolishing the department having been made the day Mr. Miller was here. He was to have the entire territory , covered by Mr. Honan except the cities of Fowler and Rensselaer, which were to be under Charles Mauzy of Fowler. Newton circuit court items of interest to readers of The Democrat as reported by the Kentland Enterprise: N. C. Shafer & Co. vs. the C. I. & L. Railway Co., suit for damages cause continued for term. George A. Williams, administrator of the estate of Noble Peacock, vs the C. I. & L. Railway Co., suit for damages, cause continued for the term. , ' , William L. Wood vs. Edward Shindler and James Prohosky, suit on note, judgment entered for $97.37. , Edward Jessup vs. Interstate Public Service Co., shit for $35,000 for personal injuries, change of venue granted and cause sent Jasper county for trial.

SENTENCED TO PENAL FARM

Charles Collins was arrested Wednesday evening on a charge of drunkenness. This was the third offense for “Shorty,” and when he was taken before Mayor Spitler Thursday morning he was promptly sentenced to 140 days at the state penal farm. - Collins has been a familiar charin Rensselaer for about three years, when he came here from Kentland to serve a mil sentence for a similar offense. He is a good worker at all sorts of odd jobs and when he is not drinking is a mo3t agreeable person.

TUB TWIOE-A-WEEK

RENSSELAER, JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA, SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 1917

DISPLAY’ FLAG ON SCHOOLS

County Superintendent Makes Suggestion to District Teachers. County Superintendent Lamson has just issued instructions to the district teaeheVs of Jasper county to display the United States flag on all school houses. Mr. Lamson also suggests that there be some form of patriotic instruction made part of the school w-ork, together with giving flag* drills, salutes, singing patriotic songs, etc. These suggestions were made in a letter sent to all district teachers yesterday and which we reproduce in full, as follows: “These are trying days in American history. They are days that call for the best there is in every citizen. As teachers we should take a firm stand for all that is truly American. Not only should we live truly American lives, but we should let the remainder of the world know exactly where we stand.i Those in whose hands the destiny of the country rests should know that they have our firm support. Above every school house, be it large or small, Old Glory should wave. If a flag is not provided for your school, get one in some way, and let it be so placed as to be before the children and the patrons- of your district. If possible have the flag raised each morning and lowered in the evening. Such is giving it due respect, and it is considered an act of disrespect to the flag to let it fly over night. Making some child responsible for this work only helps so increase his patriotism. If your children or the ‘district provides a flag pole', it only makes them more loyal. Teach something of the history of the flag and its true significance. Give flag drills, salutes, patriotic songs, etc., so that each and every child may become thoroughly filled with the true American spirit. Truly patriotic deeds may be done here at home just as well as in the army or navy, and every child, man or woman should do their part, however small it may be.”

COUNTY HOSPITAL NEWS NOTES

Ross Benjamin, who entered the county hospital about a week ago to receive treatment to his injured limb, is again able to be o<ut. Mrs. Simon Thompson was operated on Wednesday at the county hospital by Dr. Johnson, assisted by Dr. Leslie Sharrer of Francesville. U Forg. Moore of Missouri, who has been here visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Moore for the past three weeks, was operated \on yesterday at the county hospital for gall bladder trouble. His wife died only about three months ago with a similar disease. B

DIED WHILE SITTING IN CHAIR

Mrs. Nathan Hancock of near Monon, a steter of Albert Witham of this city and J. M. Witham of Parr, died very suddenly at 10:30 Tuesday night from an affection of the heart. Mrs. Hancock was 60 years old, and for several years had suffered from rheumatism. Tuesday night she was in apparently as good health as usual and was sitting in a chair while her daughter was unlacing her shoes preparatory to retiring when the end came. Funeral services were hpld at Monon Thursday afternoon.

LATE BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

March 26, to Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Culp of Gillam township, a daughter. March 26, to Mr. and Mrs. A. L. McCurtain of Rock Springs, Wyoming, a son. March 28, to Mr. and Mrs. Sam Perkins, on the Jay Stockton farm, a daughter. March 28, do Mr. and Mrs. 1 Harry Dewey of south of town, a daughter.

On Tuesday evening, April 3, at our wigwam reservation of Rensselaer, our great chiefs —Clifford Crawford of Frankfort, Great Sachem ; Archie Hobbs of Indianapolis, Great Keeper of Records, and Thomas ,H. Jeffries of Atlanta, Georgia, Great Incohonee, will be present and speak on Redmenship. A special request is made to all Redmen and former Redmen to be sure and be present on this .date and bring a pale-face with you. Refreshments will be served and an enjoyable evening is in store for you. Don’t forget the date and come.—By Order of Sachem.

Swellest line of suite in town — novelties, mixtures, all colors in plain and all sizes; Kuppenheimer, Collegian And Frat makes. Be sure and see these lines. — C. EARL DUVALL.

NOTICE TO REDMEN

GENERAL AND STATE NEWS

Telegraphic Reports From Many Parts of the Country. SHORT BITS OF THE UNUSUAL i . Happenings in the Nearby Cities and Towns—Matters of Minor Mentioz from Many Places. MONTICELLO MILLER IS DEAD Albert W. Loughry, vice-presi-dent of the Loughry Brothers Millpng and Grain company, Which has been engaged in flour milling and grain buying in Monticello for the past forty-five years, died in a Chicago hospital Tuesday, aged 7 0 years. The cause of his death was uremic poisoning accompanied by pneumonia. Deceased was a native of Pennsylvania, and was a member of the Masonic and K. of P. lodges of Monticello. The funeral was held at Monticello Thursday. He Is survived by a wife and three children, Captain Howard K. Loughry of Fort Totten, New York; Maynard A. Loughry of Monticello and Chester Loughry of Chicago.

BELGIAN PRIMATE GETS PRIZE

Paris, March 25.—The Academy of Moral and Political Sciences yesterday awarded to Cardinal Mercier, primate of Belgium, Its grand prize of 15,000 francs, destined to recompense "the finest and greatest acts of devotion of whatever kind.” The academy made the award in these terms: "In awarding this prize to Cardinal Mercier the academy desired to honor his noble patriotism, his respect of right, his zeal for justice, his firmness in the face of oppression and his devotion for the poor and oppressed. It desired also to render homage in his person to the nation which in so many ways is dear to France.’’

AUTOMOBILE RACE CALLED OFF

Memorial Day Classic Cancelled Because of Threatening War. The annual 500 j mile automobile race, scheduled for the Indianapolis motor speedway on Memorial day, was declared off Friday by James A. Allison, because of threatening war conditions. “Racing means taking away from the government the service of skilled mechanics, whose service can be used by the government to better advantage in time of war than by a speedway campaign as means of entertainment,” said Mr. Allison. “Furthermore, many materials and accestsories used in racing will become absolute necessities in times of conflict.” Mr. Allison also announced that the plant constructed at Indianapolis for the manufacture of racing cars would be turned over to the government for manufacturing aeroplane mptors. Several foreign and . American cars had already been entered for the 1917 race. '

CRUMP JURY AGAIN DISAGREES

After being out for nearly twenty hours the jury in the second trial of Jesse Crump of Benton county, charged with the murder of his neighbor, Donald McGregor, failed to agree and was discharged by Special Judge Wason Tuesday; The jury stood eight to four for acquittal. In the former trial, whidh also resulted in a disagreement, the jury was equally divided. It is doubtful if the defendant will ever be brought to trial again. The killing of McGregor was the result of a quarrel between the neighbors over a dog which belonged to Crump and which McGregor is alleged to have killed. Crump struck McGregor over the head with a club, in self defense he alleged, and McGregor died in a short time as a result of the blow. The evidence during the trial was practically the same as that of the previous trial and the only new evidence of importance was that of Mrs. Crump and Miss Alta Crumnp, the 18-year-old daughter of the defendant, who testified they saw the fatal combat. Their stories varifled Crump’s own version of the tragedy. \

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FUTURE PUBLIC SALE DATES

The' printed hills for the following'public sales: Thursday, April 5, Eger & Flesher, big stock sale, to close up partnership account, at the John Eger farm, 12 miles northeast of Rensselaer .and 3 miles south of. Gifford; 130 head of live stock, including 100 head of cows, calves, yearlings and two-year-old steers and heifers; 28 head of hogs, including 6 brood sows and 22 shotes, 2 horses, etc.

GILLAM FARMERS ORGANIZED

Officers Elected at Meeting at East Vernon Wednesday; Evening. At a meeting held in the East Vernon school house Wednesday evening, the Glllam Towhshlp Farmers’ club was formed. County Agent Learning presided and after he had outlined the object of the meeting J. P. Deselms took the floor and stated that an organization In which the people of the community could meet and mingle In a social way at stated intervals would fill a much needed want. In the course of his remarks he brought out the Idea that the people of a township are not as well acquainted with each other as they might be and that a club would help them to be more neighborly. He gave the idea hla, hearty endorsement^ J. H. Guild was the next speaker and emphasized the fact a club could he of great value In an educational way. Farmers meeting together could convey to the "other club members Ideas that they had worked out on their own farms. They could also co-operate to take better advantages of the help offered by the state and county agricultural extension forces. He stated that the farmers of Pulaski county had been co-operating with their county agent for five years and in that time Pulaski comity had made more real progress than Jasper had in the last twenty. He was heartily In favor of such an organization and asked to help form it.

A committee upon constitution was appointed and the following officers were elected:' J- H. Guild, president; J. J. Shea, viqp-presi-dent; J. P,. Deselm®, secretary; Mac Goppess, treasurer. Program committee —Mrs. Cramer, Mrs. Deselms, Meade Rayburn and Carl Toyne. F. J. Pipal was introduced and gave a practical demonstration of the value and methods of treating seed oats for smut. ‘ Four men In the locality were selected who will treat part of their seed oats but will leave a part untreated as a check and meetings will be arranged at the proper time before cutting that the*neighborhood may observe the results. The next meeting of the club will be held in the East Vernon school on Wednesday evening, April ]B. Everyone in the township is invited to attend. Women and children are expected as well as the men, 1 "

MEASURING THE DIFFERENCE

a thirty-three word dispatch from London presents the entire issue which has brought the United States to the verge of war with Germany and left the United States and Great Britain friendship and peace: London, March s.—The American schooner John G. McCullough has been captured on the charge of attempting to run the .blockade. She was taken to Falmouth, where iher cargo is being removed for the prize court. Now/it may be that the schooner was well within her rights and that the charges are wholly false. But whether so or not, there is due process of law on»the part of the Britislh admiralty. The schooner was not sunk. The crew were not murdered. The cargo was not destroyed. The ship and her cargo go before a prize court to be judged according to law, and if injustice is done, the United States government can intervene. . The difference between a prize court and a torpedo measures the difference between British and German treatment of American citizens, commerce and rights in this war, says the New York World.

A battery washed out and fitted with new insulation at this time of the year is the best insurance against trouble during the coming season. The Vesta station does this at city prices. We have city equipment. — RENSSELAER GARAGE.

HOLLWEG SAYS U. S. IS TO BLAME

Kaiser Never Planned to Attack America ' h WILL FIGHT IF FORCED TO German Chancellor.. Tells the Keiclistag That the U-Boat Campaign Is Necessary for Their Defense. Berlin, March 30. —“Germany never* had the slightest intention of .attacking the United States of America, and does not have such intention now. Its never desired war against the United States of America, and does not desire it today,” was the declaration made by the German imperial chancellor, Dr. von Bethinann-Hollweg, in a speech in the reichstag. The chuucellor made important declarations concerning Germany’s policy toward the United States und Russia. “Bow did these things develop?” asked the chancellor In speaking of the relations with the United States. He then proceeded to answer the question by reviewing the cause which led up to the German use of .submarines In unrestricted warfare. Declares U. S. Responsible. Declaring that Germany had undertaken unrestricted submarine warfare* for its defense, Dr. von Bethmann-. Hollweg said: “If the American nation considers! this a cause for which to declare war against the German nation, with which it has lived In peace for more than one hundred years; if this action warrants an Increase of bloodshed, we shall not huve to bear the burden of responsibility. for it." Concerning German relations with the United States the chancellor, whose speech Is reported by the Overseas News agency, said: “Within the next few days the directors of the American nation will bo convened by President Wilson for an extraordinary session of congress in order to decide the question of war or pence between the American and Germah nations.

Never Intended to Attack. “Germany never had the slightest intention of attacking the United States of America, and does not have such intention now. It never desired war against the United States of America, and does not desire it today. “How did these tilings develop? More than once we told the United States that we made unrestricted use of the submarine weapon, expecting that England could be made to observe in her policy of blockade the laws of humanity and international agreements. “This blockade policy—this I expressly recall—-has been called ‘illegal and indefensible’ (the imperial chancellor here used the English words) by President Wilson and Secretary of State Lansing.“Our expectations, which we maintained during eight months, have been disappointed completely; England not only did not give up her illegal and Indefensible policy of blockade, but uninterruptedly Intensified it. “England, together with her allies, arrogantly rejected the peace offers made by us ans? our allies and proclaimed her war aims, which aim at our annihilation and that of our allies.

“Then we took unrestricted submarine warfare into our hands; we had to for our defense. "If the American nation considers this a cause for which to declare war against the German nation, with which It has lived in peace for more than one hundred years; if this action warrants an increase of bloodshed, we shall not have to bear the responsibility for It. “The German nation, which feels neither hatred nor hostility against the United States of America, shall also hear and overcome this/’ Denies Plan for “Czardom." 7- Dealing with Russia, the imperial chancellor said that the Russian emperior had not listened to the German emperor's advice no longer to oppose the justified wishes of his nation for reforms. * " . Dr. von Bethmann-Hollweg emphatically denied that the German emperor or Germany was desirous of restoring “czardom.” “Had Russia’s attention beep concentrated on internal reconstruction,” said the chancellor, “there would have been no room for the restless policy of expansion which finally led to this war.” China Also Coerced. With reference to Chinese relations the chancellor said : “Our relations with China had always been of the most friendly nature, and if these relations have actually been terminated by the Chinese government, I need not tell yon that this

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VoJ. XX, No. 1