Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 April 1917 — Page 1

Jasper County Democrat.

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CONGRESS TOLD THAT WAR EXISTS

President Urges Cooperation With the Entente Allies. WANTS AN ARMY OF 500,000 Based on the Universal Service Plan With the Second 500,000 Held in Reserve. Washington, D. C., April 2.—President Wilson tonight urged congress, assembled in joint session, to declare a state of war existing between the United States and Germany. In a dispassionate but ured denunciation of the course of the imperial German government, which he characterized as a challenge to all mankind and A warfare against all nations, the President declared that neutrality no longer was feasible or desirable where the peace of the world was involved; that armed neutrality had become ineffectual enough at best and was likely to produce what it was meant to prevent, and urged that congress accept the gauge of battle with all the resources of the nation. “I advise that the congress declare the recent course of the imperial German government to be in fact nothfng less than war against the government and people of the United States,” said the President, “that it formally accept the status of belligerent which has thus been thrust -upon it and take steps not only to put the country in a more thorough state of defense but also to exert all its power and employ all its resources to bring the government of the German empire to terms and end the war.” When the President had finished speaking resolutions to declare a state of war existing were duced in both houses of congress, referred to appropriate committees and will be debated tomorrow. There is no doubt of their passage. The objects of the United States

in entering the war, the President said, were to vindicate the principles of peace and justice against "selfish and autocratic power,” Without selfish ends, for conquest or dominion, seeking no indemnities or material compensations for the sacrifices it shall make, the United States must enter the war, the President said, to make the * world safe for democracy, as only one of the champions of the rights of mankind, and would be satisfied when those rights were as secure as the faith and freedom of nations could make them. The President’s address was sent in full to Germnay by a German official news agency for publication in that country. The text also went to England and a summary of its contents was sent around the world to other nations. To carry on an effective warfare

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JURORS DRAWN FOR APRIL

Term of Jasper Circuit* Court Which Convenes Monday. The jury Commissioners met at the clerk’s office Monday forenoon and drew the grand and petit jurors for the April term of court, which convenes on next Monday. Judge Hanley did not make the usual order for calling the jurors before leaving for Kentland Monday, but it is not probable the grand jury will be called and the petit jury will likely not be called before the second or third Monday of the term, as the docket is not large. • Following are the names and places of residence of both the grand and petit jurors: GRAND JURY A. D. Woodin .Carpenter F. Eu Babcock .Rensselaer Joseph Hardman Rensselaer William Kresel u.. .. . Marion Thomff; Redgate .Newton William Walters Newton PETIT JURORS John J. Borntrager Newton Henry C. Myer . Walker G. A. Daugherty . .Marion August R. Schultz Union Harry Brun-nett Kankakee William N. Banes . • . .Carpenter Ransom Halleck .Keener Irvin Lewis Walker John E. Linback ..Barkley Gail Michaels . Walker Joseph Kanne Marion Abram M. BringleFair Oaks

MUCH BUILDING IN PROSPECT

Busy Year for Rehsselaer Contract- , ors Is Indicated. “ Considerable building operations are in prospect in Rdnsselaer this season, and Contractor George Mustard says that he has more work already contracted than be has ever before had at this season of the year. The i Mrs. Swartztell house he has about ready for the interior finishing and Fred Arnott’s new house, for which he also has the contract, is well under way. He also has several other contracts, with more in prospect. Mrs. Benjamin Harris is making very extensive improvements to the old Harris home. A cement street

curb has been put in on the east side, the old barn will be removed, a new garage built, the house thoroughly remedied and a heating system and bath installed, etc. The improvements will amount to several thousand dollars. Mrs. Nelson Randle is figuring on building a modern new sevenroom two-story dwelling just south of Mr. Randle’s present property and they will occupy it when completed and rent their old house. Frank Kresler, who has recently bought of John I. Gwin the former Bert Hopkins lot on Front street, expects to build a modern new seven-room, two story dwelling thereon this season. Elzie Grow, who bought the lot ; ust south of Mrs. Ezra Clark’s residence recently, is planning to build a fine new residence upon same this season. The Democrat is informed that funds have become available from the bequest of the late Benjamin Harris for starting the erection of cottages on the five-acre tract of ground Mr. Harris left for a widows and orphans’ home, just north of the Monon depot, and it is the intention to tear down the large old house now on this ground, open uip a street east a,nd west through the tract and build four new cottages fronting south on this new street the coming season.

LOCAL PLANT GETS $25,000 JOB

Will Furnish Tile for Large Illinois Drainage Project. Roe Yeoman was at Danville. Illinois, last week and was awarded the contract to furnish the material for a drainage project embracing about sixteen square miles. The tile to be used will vary in size from thirty-inch and smaller, and the contract price was $25,000. After being awarded this contract it was necessary for the concern to refuse another at Columbia City, Indiana, amounting to about $30,000. About thirty men were employed by this company last summer, and this number will probably have to be increased this year, which gives: it a place among our industries of considerable note.

MORE CLUBS ARE ORGANIZED

Jasper County Farmers Preparing for Aggressive Season. In accordance with the plan of the Jasper County Farming association’s Plan of benefiting all the people of the county, eight farmers’ clubs have been formed in as commodities in the last ten days with the hope that they will all work together to develop the resources of the county. In addition to the clubs already mentioned, the Bowling Green Farmers’ club was organized last Tuesday evening in the school house five miles northwest of town. John Zimmer was elected president and Erhardt Wuerthner was elected secretary. The next meeting will be held in the school house on the evening of April 24. On Thursday evening at the Parr school house a meeting was held at which the Parr Community club was organized. Trustee George Hammerton presided and introduced County Agent Learning, who spoke briefly upon the purpose and benefits of such C. E. Lakin made a few well chosen remarks in which he stated that other communities were making headway and thought that the people Of the vicinity of Parr were as progressive as any and that they should organize by all means. Joseph Kosta said that he, for one, was not too old to, learn and he felt that the people should mingle together and benefit each other as much as possible by their experiences;. Several others also expressed the sentiment of the meeting as desirous of having the community in the foremost rank of progress.

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THE TWICE-A-WEEK

RENSSELAER, JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 1917

COURT HOOSE NEWS IN BRIEF

Interesting Paragraphs From the Varioes Departments OF JASPER COUNTY CAPITOL The Legal News Epitomised—Together with Ocher Notes Gathered from the Several County Offices.

Among the Remington people in Rensselaer Saturday Were former County Treasurer A. A. Fell, George Besse and W. C. Smalley. All candidates in the recent city primary who do not file a statement of expenditures with the city clerk before tomorrow night will be subject to prosecution. Eighty-one applicants for teacher’s license took the examination here Saturday. Among the number were five young men from Tefft, comprising the senior class of the high school there. Deputy Sheriff Harry JfcColly took Charles Collins to the penal farm near Greencastle Friday, where the latter will serve a sentence of lOfgtayb, recently imposed on him for drcnkennees. Trustee Porter was over from Remington Monday attending the county board of education meeting. Nearly all the oats over in his section were sown last week and Saturday night’s rain came just in time to start them to growing.

Roscoe Reeder of Jasper county, charged with the desertion of a wife and child at Morocco, was arrested at Lacross and taken to Kentland Monday by Sheriff MeColly where Judge Hanley assessed him $5 per week for the support of the child. Marriage licenses issued: March 31, George M. Meyers of Rensselaer, aged 51 October 9, retired farmer, to Anna Caroline Best, also of Rensselaer, aged 42 October 17 last, occupation housekeeper. Second marriage for each. First marriage lof male dissolved by divorce In 191,7, first marriage of female dissolved by divorce in 1914. April 2, Jesse Franklin Arbuckle of Benton county, aged 29 October 19 last, occupation farmer, and Adelia America Trueblood of Jasper county, aged 32 March 16 last, occupation housekeeper. First marriage for each. Married in the clerk’s office by Rev. J. B. Fleming of the Presbyterian church.

Trustee A*.. S. Keen of Wheatfield was down Monday to attend the county board of education meeting. . Mr. Keen has two or three uncompleted stone road contracts still on hand, including those in Rensselaer and a three-mile strip of road running east from Roselawn. He stated to the writer that he did not expect to bid on the Marion township contracts to be let by the county commissioners yesterday for the reason that he thought the estimates were too low; that stone roads could not be built as cheaply now as they could a year or two ago because of the higher cost of both labor and material.

J. Warren Smith, a plumber who had been in the employ of Somers & Cornwell for the past few months, was arrested Friday on an affidavit from Daviess county charging wife desertion. W. E. Gibson, a deputy sheriff from Daviess county, came Saturday and took charge of the prisoner. Smith stated that his arrest was purely a piece of spite work on the part of an uncle, who is a police officer at Washington, the county eeat of Daviess county. He admitted that he no longer lived with his wife, but said he had receipts showing that he had sent her money regularly. He wished to return and work here but Somers A Cornwell feel that they nO longer need him. Newton circuit court items from the Kentland Democrat: Case of Jacob Ochs. Jr., vs. William 7inil|ifi uura, for slander, Judge B. B. Berry of Fowler circuit court wan appointed special judge and cause continued for term. George A.- Williams, administrator, VW. C. L .A la. Ry. 4X, and

NL C. Shafer & Co. vs. same, damage suits, continued for term. Alfred Stakley vs. David L. and Everett Hilstead, for damages, continued. The grand jury adjourned Wednesday after returning eight inidietments. Information as to the indicted in. seven of the counts has not been made public, but on one a bench warrant was issued for service on Schuyler Cox of Lincoln township on charge of theft, and .he was arrested and brought into court Wednesday where he was placed under bond for <3OO, for which Dr. Claire M. Rice of Roselawn went surety. The board of count/ commissioners met m regular April session Monday amd were still “grinding” as The itemocrat went to press Tuesday afternoon.

Following is a report of Monday’s proceedings: County auditor allowed $250 for ("making plat books. Bond of C. J. Hobbs as drainage commissioner was examined and approved. Plans and specifications approved for redecorating interior of court house and advertisement ordered for bids on May 8. | County officers reported the fol-, lowing fees collected for the quar-‘ ter ending March 31: Auditor, $73.45; clerk, $420.83; sheriff, $804.25; recorder, $763. Interest on county funds for the month of March was reported by the various depositories as follows: I First National bank, Rensselaer, I $136.57; Trost & Savings bank/ Rensselaer, SB9-26; State bank, Rensselaer, $95.22; State bank, Remington, $75.48; Bank of Wheatfield, $17.85. I

The letting of seven stone road contracts in Marion township was taken np yesterday afternoon. These roads and the estimated cost of each are as follows: D. H. Yeorrmn road, commencing at the north Marion township line and running south one mile through the center of section 36, thence west one mile to Newton towhship line. Estimated cost $7,275.50. Contract to W. V. Porter at 16,498. Henry Amsler road, beginning at the south side of section 36, where the Yeoman road turns west, and extending south one mile, thence east one mile to stone road leading north from Rensselaer. Estimated cost $8,432.56. to Orville Salrin at $7,£53.38. H. W. Jackson road, beginning at northeast corner of section 19 and running west one-half mile to 'stone road leading north from Rensselaer, at Norman corner. Estimated cost $2,596.15. Contract to Evans & Vannatta at $2,287.

Granville Moody road, commencing at north side of center of section 21, thence east to center of section 22. Estimated cost $4,451.80. Contract to H. E. Gifford at $4,200. Joseph Hallagan stone road, commencing where the Granville Moody road ends and running south one and one-half miles to Pleasant Ridge road. Estimated cost $6,686.40. Contract to Johnson A Salrin at $6,263. Fred Tyler stone road, commencing at Pleasant Ridge and running one mile south, thence east one and one-half miles to Hanging Grove township line. Estimated cost $16,327. Contract to Evans A Vannatta at $9,921. Frank Hoover stone road, beginning at stone .road running east and west past the Catholic- cemetery, west of Joe Putts’ farm, and thence south one and one-half miles to the W. V. Porter stone road running west from the Kennedy farm. Estimated cost $7,009.21. Contract to H. E. Gifford at $6,700. E. P. Lane goes to Mudlavia,, today to take treatment for rheumatism, from which he has been troubled for some time. «

HAS IT NOW COME TO THIS?

Press dispatches yesterday stated that Paul Hopkins, aged 18, a student at the Marion Normal institute, refused to wear a small American flag given him. Other students at the institute promtply decorated him in red, white and blue paint. An employe of the Ruthenher Motor company at Marion, whose name is being kept secret, called the flag a “dirty, thieving, lying rag." Other workmen attacked him with hammers and he was rescued with difficulty.

22ND ANNUAL EASTER SUPPER

The ladies of the Christian church will give their twentysecond anrfual Easter supper in Gundy’s hall at Fair Oaks on Saturday night, April 7. The entire proceeds will be used for the benefit of the church and everyone 'is cordially invited to attend. General supper and ice cream. Purchase your calling cards, correspondence cards, correspondence stationery and envelopes from The Democrat's fancy stationery department. we carry the most complete fine to bo .fiownd outatdo the large

' Subeerfbo riw The . Democrat. ’'

GENERAL AND STATE NEWS

Telegraphic Reports From Many Parts of the Coootry. —--v- -- .... .” ... L SHORT BITS OF THE UNUSUAL Happenings in the Nearby Cities and Towns—Matters of Minor Mentioi from Many Places.

. DEMOCRATS ORGANIZE HOUSE Champ Clark Elected Speaker—Five Republicans Did Not Vote. Washington, D. C.» April 2. The Democrats, with the aid of four of the. five indeperidents, organized the house when the new congress assembled today, re-elect-ing Speaker Champ Clark of Missouri and sweeping into office with him all the other Democratic caucus nominees. Mr. Clark received 217 votes against 205 for Representative Mann, the Republican choice for speaker, who not only failed to receive an independent vote but lost the support of five of his party colleagues.

RESIGNATIONS ARE DEMANDED

Two Colonels, Major and Two Captains of I. N. G. Fired. Indianapolis, March 30.—Resignation's of two colonels, a major and two captains of the Indiana National Guard have been demanded by Adjutant General Harry B. Smith “In the interest of higher efficiency.” Those asked to tender their resignations to the governor are Col. ’ Aubrey L. Kuhlman of Auburn, commander of the Third Infantry regiment; Col. Leslie R. Naftzger |of Indianapolis, commander of the First Infantry regiment; Major Gustav C. Groll, Elkhart, commander of the third battalion, Third Infantry regiment; Captain Charles G. Davis of Winchester, commander of Company F, Second Infantry; Captain Harvey E, Dalnes of Vicennes, commander of Company A, Second Infantry.

INCREASE VOTING PRECINCTS

Tippecanoe County Women Cause Purchase of More Machines. Lafayette, April 2. —At a special meeting of the board of county commissioners, held Saturday, an order was given for sixteen additional voting machines. The county already owns thirty machines, but the law recently passed giving the women the right to vote has so increased the number of voters in the county that the commissioners at a recent meeting redistricted the county, making forty-six voting places. The new machines are to cost SBOO each, SSO more than the other thirty cost. It is understood the machines will be delivered for the election of constitutional delegates to be held in September. It is quit probable that similar action will be necessary in Newton county, where the county commissioners recently purchased ten new machines.

MANY WILL SEE BIG GAME

When the Red Sox and Dodgers Clash at Lafayette Today. Quite a number from Rensselaer and vicinity are planning to go to • Lafayette today and witness the •ball game between the Boston Red .Sox, world’s champions, and the Brooklyn Dodgers, champions of the National league. 0 The batteries will probably be Ruth and Cady for Boston and Marquard and Meyers for Brooklyn. At least, that is the present prospect, as the battery candidates named are leading in the voting contest conducted for the fans by the Lafayette papers. “Rube” Marquard won over Larry Cheney by a slight margin, with Jack Coombs a strong third, and all three will nrobably have a share in the mound duties before the conclusion of the local representation of the 1916 world’s series. “BAbe” Ruth is the big favorite for the Red Sox twirler to start the game, with “Dutch” Leopard second and Shore third. < Meyers is practically a unanimous choice of the catchers to receive iMarquard’s twisters, while Cady is

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FUTURE PUBLIC SALE DATES ——— , ~y. The Democrat has printed bills 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 23 shotes, 2 horses, etc.

HUNCHBACK KILLS PARAMOUR

Then Turns Gun on Self and Blows His Head Off. Undertaker W. J. Wright got a call Friday night through his Morocco store to go up in nprthwest Newton county near the Kankakee river where apparently a murder and suicide had taken place. Mr. Wright sent his assistant, Zern Wright, to look after the bodies. It seems that Henry Bruns of Momence, a hunchback, had been living for the past couple of years with a woman who went by the name of Gertrude or “Babe’’ Harkes. Bruns was a familiar character the Kankakee river, having been raised near "Six Mile’’ grove northeast of Momence, and where his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Bruns, and three brothers and one sister yet. reside. For a number of years he had conducted different resorts along, the river, and for the past few years had been at what is known as the State Line resort, which is just this side of the state line and across the river in Lake county. About two years ago the Harked

woman came from Terre Haute to this resort. It had been generally known previous to this time that Bruns was illegally selling liquor, but he was crafty and was never caught. But Boon after bringing the (Harkes woman to the river the authorities became more energetic and about a year and a half ago be and Miss Harkes were forced to leave Lake county and took up their abode on the Peterson ranch in Newton county, about five miles northwest of Conrad and near the state line. Here Bruns leased, or is supposed to have leased, a large acreage of pasture land and made , a pretense at making a livelihood by this land. However, this was nothing more than a blind, it is believed, and Bruns and the woman with him continued same kind of a nefarious business they were engaged in on the river. It was here that the tragedy took iplace and where Mr. Wright was asked to come. Upon his arrival there he found every indication of a most terrific battle having taken place. Bruns and the woman were both dead, each having been killed by the discharge of an automatic shot gun. They were last seen alive about noon Thursday and the bodies were found late Friday. Their state indicated that the tragedy occurred some time Thursday afternoon. Three empty shells were found on the floor, showing that three shots had been fired. Investigation disclosed that Bruns had probably shot the woman and then killed 'himself. Ho is said 'by those who knew him to be of an insanely jealous disposition and the tragedy probably followed a quarrel. In a bed room in the east wing of the house were found two beer bottles about half emptied setting on a trunk, and it is presumed that the two were sitting on the bed drinking beer when the quarrel started. When found Miss Harkes was wearing a sweater coat, in one pocket of which was found an open pocket knife, the handle of which had been wrapped in a handkerchief. That she used this knife with telling effect in the fierce fight was sijown by the condition of Brune’ body, which was cut in several places, especially about the arms and chest. Broken beer bottles and furniture were strewn all

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Join the U. S. Army or Navy Now Your Country Needs You? Year postmaster is a c qualified recruiting officer ,

Vol. XX, No. 2