Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 April 1917 — Page 1

Jasper County Democrat

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RENSSELAER BOYS JOIN NAVY

Recruiting Officer Here and Several Willing to Go. H. H.' Smith of Indianapolis, a boatswain in the United States navy, was in the city yesterday and together with J. J. Montgomery, member of the United States Navy league and local recruiting officer, talked with a number of young men concerning enlistment. Several high Svflool seniors expressed a desire to join the navy and the school board then announced that all who did so would be granted their diploma the same as though they had remained /apd finished the full year’s work. It was thought that this announcement would increase the number of recruits, but at the time The Democrat went to press only the following had signed: -.C. P. Serritello, R. C. Dixey, William Tilton, James E. Barber, Edward M. Honan and Wade Jarrette. • Efforts were under way to arrange for some kind of demonstration yesterday evening prior to the departure of the recruits on the 7:30 train for Indianapolis.

WARNING TO WEATHER MAN

We don’t want to appear unnecessarily impatient, but if the weather man doesn’t send us a little warmer weather and a few April showers p. d. q. he may hear something drop with a dull sickening thud as some long-whiskered agriculturist taps him over the head with a p. elm club. Here it is the middle of April and not enough grass has started to feed a ground squirrel. ° Garden making has been going on —the planting of seed, at least —for three weeks, but nothing is growing at all because of the fact that the mercury keeps too low in the bulb and approaches the freezing point every night, and there is no rain. There can now be no pasture for stock before May 1 at nearest, and it’s not starting out favorable for a good hay crop, while oats and wheat are not doing well. Just turn on a little more surishine, Mr. Weatherman, and give us a few .warm April showers and the people will rise up and call you blessed. Otherwise, prepare for the worst.

DIPLOMA EXAMINATIONS NEAR

The second diploma examination •will be held in and for the different townships on Saturday, April 21, at the following places: Barkley—Center school house. Carpenter—Remington school house. ■ Gillam —Independence school house. Hanging Grove, Jordan, Marion and Newton—Rensselaer. Kankakee —Tefft. Keener —Demotte. Milroy—Center school house. Union —Fair Oaks. Walker—Center school house. Wheatfield —Wheatfield s c h o 01 house. Pupils who took the ’March examinations and failed, must take over those subjects in which they made a grade of less than 75 per cent on the March examination. They should take to the examination with them the teport , card of the March examination. —ERNEST LAMSON, Co. Su'pt. Schools.

COUNTY HOSPITAL NEWS NOTES

Mrs. Leslie Clark had her tonsils removed at the county hospital Wednesday morning, and her progress since is quite Atisfactory. Miss Leona Weiss, who recently underwent an operation for appendicitis at the county hospital, is recovering very nicely and will soon be able to return to her home in Newton township. E. P. Lane returned from Mudlavia where he went last week to take treatment for rheumatism. He made no improvement there, and on advise of his physician entered the county hospital yesterday and an operation was performed in the afternoon for the removal of his tonsils.

Join the U. S. Army or Navy Now Your Country Needs You? Yow pestnuster is a qualified recruitiat officer

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. Daniel Tanner of Demotte was in the city on business Thursday. Theodore Phillips, a former trustee of Gillam township, was in Rensselaer Wednesday on business connected with the Ryan ditch. - The Trust & bank has been appointed administrator of the estate of the late Joseph I. Adams. Mr. Adams left no will. Don’t forget that you must file your mortgage exemptions before May 1, and that Monday, May 7, is the last day for paying the spring installment of taxes to avoid delinquency. Bert Baker of Roselawn, who had been in jail here for a week in default of bail of S3OO on the charge of having stolen some chickens from I. N. Best, gave bond Wednesday and was released.

Jasper county paid in a total of $6,079.80 in state auto license fees last, year and received back $6,691.96, or $612.16 more than we paid in. And this, too, without one penny’s expense to the county proper. Marriage licenses issued: April 13, Raymond Boersma of Demotte, aged 27 December 29 last, occupation farmer, and Maggie Hamstra also of Demotte, aged 24 October 3 last, occupation housekeeper. First marriage for each. G. M. Frier of Purdue, who spoke at the meeting of the South Marion Community club last night, remained over and will have something to say regarding city gardening at the meeting to be held at the court house at 2:'30 this afternoon. Delegations of farmers and interested citizens are expected from every township in the county and this meeting will no doubt be one of- the largest and most successful ever held in Rensselaer.

- County Superintendent Lamson urges all the teachers and pupils of the county not to lose sight of the necessity of making an effort this year as never before for greater food production and conservation. Especially production of those foods which can be stored for transportation or for winter use. He also suggests that President Wilson’s wonderful message to congress be used for reading material in every school of the. county and. our national song be sung at every opportunity. New suits filed: No. 8752. James L. Smith vs. Mary Smith estate; claim. Demand $2,485.71. No. 8753. M. V. Brown vs. George H. Hammerton et al; suit on note. Demand $1,401.86. -No. 8754. E. S. Welsh, proprietor Mt. Arbor nursery, vs. Charles Halleck; suit on account. Demand $130.95. Nol 8755. Charles A. Jones vs. Ransom E. Edwards; suit on injunction bond. Venued from Newton county. No. 8757. Charles T. Otis et al. vs. Clifford E. Fairchild, trustee of Keener township. Action to enjoin the issuing and selling of $5,500 school bonds of said township for building a new high school at Demotte. No. 8759. Lillie L. Ruffing vs. Pepcy L. Coon, et al. Action to foreclose mortgage. Demand sl,100. .. No. 8758. Goodland Garage Co. vs. William Hamilton. Suit on note. Demand $230. State ex rel Francis Gorbet vs. Clyde Yeagley, charging defendant with being the father of two children born April 29, 1915, and Janjuary 28, 1917, respectively, to the jrelatrix. Witness is 23 years of age and resides with her mother in i Demotte, she testified in the proceedings held February 17, 1917, Ibefore Squire Spitler, in which de-,

THE TWICE-A-WEEK

RENSSELAER. JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA, SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 1917

fendant was bound over to the circuit court.

ABIJAH J. ABBOTT OBITUARY

Taps were sounded for Abijah J. Abbott at 1 o’clock Tuesday morning, April 10, 1917. His had been a long, useful life. As a soldier he served his’ country with distinction and as a citizen his life was full of honor and usefulness. Mr. Abbott was born in Ohio, in the city of Newark, May 28, 1839. In 1&52 be- mdvetjL to McLain county, Illinois, where he lived until 1861. On May 12, 1861, he answered the call of the great Lincoln for volunteers to defend the Union and was assigned to company D, Eighth Missouri infantry. He was mustered out of service on July 12, 1864. After the war he returned to Bloomington, Illinois, and on January 26, 1870, he married Angeline Licklider of Rensselaer, Indiana. He arid his good wife moved upon a farm which he had purchased near Lexington, Illinois. In 1595 they moved to Rensselaer and have since that date lived.in their home at the corner of McKinley avenue and Cherry street, surrounded by their children and neighbors. Mr. Abbott was one of nine children born to Abijah and Elnoria Abbott. Two of these are still living, Mrs. Mary Ogden and Mrs. Margaret Chadwick, both of Tawando, Illinois. Mr. arid Mrs. A. J. Abbott were the parents of four children. The eldest, a son, died in infancy. The other three, Mell and Bert Abbott of this city and Mrs. Lee Matheny, who lives on a farm near Rensselaer, survive. There are nine grandchildren. - Mr. Abbott was a member of the honored order, Grand Army of the Republic. He was also a member of the Methodist church. His loving comrades, whose ranks are so fast diminishing, lay his body to rest with, the solemn rites of that order, and his pastor, Rev/ E. W. Strecker, preached the funeral sermon at the Methodist Church at 2p. m. Thursday, April 12. **

MRS. JOHN HORTON ASSAULTED

Robbed of $5 After Being Knocked Down and Bound. Sheriff Spinney was called to Roselawn Monday to investigate-; an assault case. A barber living there by the n-ame of Horton was at a nearby town Saturday night attending a dance. When he returned home he found his wife lying on the floor almost exhausted. A handkerchief had been stuffed in her mouth and a napkin was tied over her face. Her arms and feet were bound with rope, and $5 in money was missing from her purse. Mrs. Horton had been out during the evening and when she returned home she was knocked down by a man she found hiding in one ot the rooms. She could give no description of her assailant, and there sdems to be considerable surrounding the whole affair. The above is the story told to the sheriff, and he could gain no further particulars. Mr. Spinney was accompanied to Roselawn by Prosecuting Attorney Hess, Clerk Hosier and County Assessor Downing.— Newton County Enterprise.

50,000 AMERICANS IN FRANCE

Many people have argued that the United States could noh procure an army for any other purpose than to defend this country against a foreign invasion, but such statements are instantly refuted by the fact that there are at this time more than 50,000 ciizens of the United States fighting with the allied forces in France.

TO HELP THE YOUNG PEOPLE

Is One of the Objects of the Better Farming Association. The Jasper County Better Farming association has an interest in the boys and girls. It believes that the world faces a permanent food shortage and that more and better farm men and women are needed. Good farmers are usually born and reared in the country. The boys and girls who drift to town and theti go back to the farm are not as a rule the most successful. One of the great problems of rural community building is to interest the wide awake and progressive boys and girjs in their surroundings enough to prevent their leaving the farms, „ The industrial club work carried out under the direction of the BetFarming association has for its

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GENERAL AND STATE NEWS

Telegraphic Report? From Many Parts us the Country. SHORT BITS OF THE UNUSUAL Happenings in the Nearby Cities ano Towns—Matters of Minor Mentioi from Many places. BANKS TO HELP THE FARMERS Will Purchase Seed Potatoes for Use in Starke County. Two Knox banks have decided to help the farmers of Starke county purchase seed potatoes this spring. The plan is to have J. E. Osborn, an expert seed man, represent the banks in purchasing two or more carloads of seed potatoes for distribution among the farmers. The potatoes will be sold at absolute cost to the farmers, payable in cash or note. Seed will be scarce and the plan taken by the banks to help the farmers is one certainly deserving of commendation.

MANY NEUTRAL SHIPS SUNK

German Submarines Have Killed 250 Americans. Washington, D. C., April 11. — German submarines have sunk during the war a grand total of 686 neutral vessels, including nineteen American, and have attacked unsuccessfully seventy-nine others, including eight American, according to an official tabulation given at the state department and complete pup to April 3. Since the German ! war zone went into effect, on February 1, more than one-third of the ' vessels sunk have been neutral, 'and a large number of other neutral vessels have been terrorizd into staying in port. No estimate is available of the number of lives lost on neutral .vessels, but it is known to have (been large. Official reports show that about 250 Americans have been lost on neutral and belliger- , ent stea'riier's together.

BARREL OF WHISKEY FOUND

Stolen From Freight Car at Monon and Hid Near Creek. A fifty-gallon cask of whiskey was found in a clump of bushes near the creek, a short distance fromi the depot Sunday evening. Its discovery was reported to Agent Gwin and watchers were sent to learn if possible Who had charge of the stolen liquor. While this was being done the cask was removed some distance from where first discovered, but there was no trace of the guilty parties; they had discretly made themselves scarce. Detective Winehart was placed in charge of the case and the whiskey shipped on No. 5 to Lafayette. The barrel hud been partially relieved of its contents when found. The shipment was destined for Chicago and was stolen from a car here. Certain boozers are under suspicion.— Monon News.'

BELL CORD TO HANG A MAN

Abuse of United States Causes Near Lynching on Train. Monon News: The treasonable talk of a German sympathizer caused a stirring scene on passenger train No. 14, John Pangborh conductor, shortly after leaving Lafayette for Michigan City Friday evening. The stranger who created the disturbance was seated in the smoker and had evidently quenched his thirst with something stronger than Wabash river water. Failing to heed the admonition of the war department to "keep his mouth shut,” his ,abuse of the United States soon became violent and obnoxious. A man went to him and warned him to cut it out, but this seemed to make him all the, more voluble and unpatriotic. Then came the thrilling £cene of the incident. All in the car arose as one man and seized the wretch., It was decided to take the bell rope, tie it around his neck and throw him from the car window to suffer ignominious death by being dragged with the swift moving train. While the effort to cut the bell rope was going oh the train crew after some difficulty rescued the follow and gave him quieting orders that pre-

vented further outbreak. The man, whose name wo have not learned, left the car at Francesville, but he was reported to Conductor Panghorn to a deputy United States marshal at Michigan City and has probably been arrested by this time.

COURT NEWS

The April term of the Jasper circuit court .convened Monday, but because of several ditch cases coming up at? this time and a light docket otherwise, not many cases were set down for trial on call day, Tuesday. Special Judfee George F. Marvin of Monticello came over and took up the hearing on remonstrances of the Ryan ditch case Tuesday it was expected that this cause would continue for two weeks or more, but on the convening of court Thursday morning, after a two days’ grind, the petitioners filed an affidavit for change of venue from the court, which was granted and the cause went back to Judge Hanley to suggest the names of three Judges from which the parties are to each strike oft one and the remaining judge will hear the cause. This action will delay the hearing probably until after the present term of court, and our next term does not convene until the second Monday in September. However, It is probable that an arrangement will be made between the petitioners and remOnstrators for th case to be set for hearing at the present term of court, and the hearing be held some time during the summer vacation, either in the latter part of May or early in June. The petitioners are represented by George A. Williams and Frank Foltz of this city and E. B.* Sellers of Monticello, and the remonstrators by A. Halleck, M. Leopold, John A. i Dunlap, W. H. Parkison, E. P. Honan, A. 11. Hopkins and S. C. Irwin of Rensselaer, George E. (Hfcrshman of Crown Point and William Guthrie .of Monticello. Judge. Hanley Thursday afternoon suggested the names of the following attorneys to hear said cause: Elinofe Barce of Fowler, L. D. Carey of Monticello and George Parks of Lafayette. Today one each of these" will be stricken out by the parties, it is expected. There is some prospect of a compromise being reached by which the main ditch will be established, it was reported Thursday evening, and the attorneys were- to hold a conference last night to discuss the matter. That drainage relief is

! badly needed in the locality of the proposed ditch is conceded by all, I and it is to be hoped that they I will get together and agree upon 'the matters in controversy without i furher delay or litigation. Claude May ditch petition. About fifty remonstrances were filed in thia cause. Max Weller dismisses remonstrance heretofore filecl. William Large ditch. Court finds that Charles Bussell, third commissioner, is disqualified and appoints George L. Parks in his stead, to meet April 11 and report April 23. State causes dismissed: State vs. George Gorham, State vs. Marion Cooper, State vs. John Bowen (two .cases). State vs. U. 11. Cottingham (four cases), State vs. W. McI Connell, State vs. Clair M. Rice, State vs. Milton Gundy, State vs. P. O. Coleman. I State vs. Frank M. Walters. Continued by agreement. Emma York, admx., vs. Emma York et al. Dismissed- by plaintiff. Jesse C. Gwin et al. vs. Mary S. G reiser, et al. Dismissed at plaintiff’s cost. A. Sachtlehen vs; A. B. Frame and Luther Frame. Dismissed as to A. B. Frame. WilliamX I. Cullen vs. Alfred H. Maguire. Cause dismissed. W. J. Wright vs. Inter-State Business Men’s association. Dismissed by plaintiff. William T. Hankins vs. Town of Gifford. Dismissed at cost of plaintiff. Mossman, Yarnell & Co. vs. Ben Rice. Dismissed ,at cost of plaintiff. Rumsey & Qo. vs. Garland T. Morrow. Continued for term. James IH. Chapman vs. Evert Burns et al. Dismissed by plaintiff, costs paid. ■ i.. ■ i. y ...» i ' The following cases have been set down for trial: Tuesday, April 17 —Barnard ditch. . ’ * Monday, April 23 —Grant-War-ner Lumber Co. vs. Gates et al; Allis vs. Allis; Jones vs. Edwards. Tuesday, April 24—State vs.

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ENTENTE CHIEFS ARRIVE IN U. S.

British and French Leaders at Washington for Conference U. S.TO PATROL OCEAN LANES. Allies* Craft Will lie Replaced by - American —Daniels an-1 Admiral Benson at Meeting. Washington, April 13.—Vice Admiral Browning of the British ftavy and Rear Admiral de Grasse of the French navy conferred with Secretary Daniels and Admiral Benson, chief of operations, on co-operation between the allied navies for the conduct of the war. Both foreign commanders came to the United States on their flagships. The first step by the United States navy in taking up its part of the war operations will be to take oyer the Atlantic and Carribean path patrols hitherto maintained by British and French ships. No announcement of the results of the conference was made. Eventually American ships probably will relieve those of the allies in all north and south Atlantic waters on this side of the world. ; Protection wonk! be furnished under that plan for the Canadian coast and also for British oil tankers plying to porta on the Mexican and South American coasts. There are indications, however, that the United Slates does not now contemplate any hard and fast agreement as to the measures of co-operation. What is done will be determined by the needs of the situation and the ability of the navy to cary out a particular part in the program. • Will Act as Fleet Grows. As the strength of the American fleet increases in small craft, submarines, destroyers and other lighter units, the portions allotted ’to that fleet In the joint task of making certain the freedom of the seas against German submarines will lie increased. It is assumed the visiting officers furnished much first-ihand information as to the steps the entente powers have found most effective in dealing with the submarine peril. / Plots Open to Warships. American'’ ports as a yOsnlt of the meeting are opened to whatever entente war vessels find nec<'ssion to call, and. in pursuance of Its |mt rol, the United States is givenphe use of Bermuda, Jamidea, the Bahamas and other British naval vases in tin- Atlantic. Eventually, it was disclosed, the American navy also will take Over Halifax as a base and extend its patrol to guard the Canadian const. U. S. Blockade Expected. It has been expected that Germany would formally announce a submarine blockade of Boston, New York, the mouth of 4he Delaware, the mouth of the Chesapeake, Charleston and Savannah. These are the arteries through which flows the main traffic in foodstuffs and war supplies for Europe. A plan under which the United Slates and Greet Britain will exchange naval officers from time to time, to promote co-operation of the joint naval forces, was approved. Mexican Question Up. The conferees also discussed the supply. of oil from the Tampico oil fields and the threats of Carranza to impose an embargo on the exportation of the fuel. The foreign officers were assured that (lie United States will permit no interruption of the supply. warships are now stationed in the vicinity of Tampico. The navy will be charged with the duty of safeguarding the 1,000 wooden steamers it is proposed to construct to keep'a constant and unfailing supply of munitions and food going to the ailies.

U. S. TOLD SLAVS ARE LOYAL

American Ambassador Notifies Washington Conditions in Russia Are Improving. _• Washington. April 13.—Steadily improving conditions in Russia were reported by Ambassador Francis, who indicated that the army was making vigorous efforts to end the strike in munitions factories and prevent further curtailment of the already insufficient supply of ammunition. The dispatch follows: "Conditions here generally improved. Soldiers returning to regiments and passing resolutions calling upon workmen to return to munition shops without insisting on an eight-hour day, and thus help soldiers, who themselves work 24 hours." J This' message quieted, rumors that had circulated earlier in the day, to the effect that Russia had decided to abandon the allies and to conclude a separate peace With Germany. These rumors had caused alarm in diplomatic Quarters.

Vol. XX, No. 5