Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 June 1917 — Page 1

Jasper County Democrat.

$2.00 Per Year

ONE HAIN TOO MANY HERE

We got a very heavy rain in this section of the state Tuesday night, which raised the water in the river several feet, to the highest point reached this season, but yet not out of its banks. Until this rain the ground had absorbed what water had fallen recently, but this was a little too much and in many placed parts of fields were covered with water. The Democrat was informed yesterday that no damage has as yet resulted to the h ndreds of acres of onions in the district, the Pinkamink ditch not having overflowed thus far. Some rain fell again Thursday night, but it was reported to have been quite light north of town. The writer was over to Kentland Thursday afternoon and in that vicinity they seemed to have gotten much more rain than here. Water was standing in many fields and the corn nor oats do not look as well over there as here, the oats not being as good a color and the corn is not as high and the fields seem more weedy than with us. Down in central parts of the state they have been getting lots 'of rain, streams and rivers are out of their banks and much damage has been done to growing crops.

MAY REACH THE JURY TODAY

Defense in Stockton Perjury Case “Rested” Thursday Evening. Scores ■of witnesses have been called to Kentland this week to testify in the state vs. Stockton perjury trial, which has been grinding for the past two weeks. The state rested its case at 11 a. m. Wednesday and the balance of Wednesday and all of Thursday was taken up by the defense, which rested Thursday evening. Evidence in rebuttal was begun yesterday morning, and unless a great deal of time is taken up by the attorneys in arguing the case before the "'jury, it will probably reach the latter this morning or today some time. The evidence of the state is that no corn whatever was bought or hauled from the county farm during 1915 nor from anyone else that was hauled along the road known as the county farm road that year, but that corn was purchased from the county farm in 1914 and was settled for as shown in the reports and records in the auditor’s office. The men jwho are alleged to have hauled the corn—who were driving the teams —in 1915 have testified that they did not haul any corn from the county farm during said year. This is the last week of the Newton circuit court, the term ending tonight, but it can run over into next week to finish up any uncompleted business should it be necessary. Opinion is divided, of course, over the outcome of the case, many unprejudiced people predicting that the jury will disagree. But no one can fortell with any degree of accuracy what & jury will do.

Mr. and Mrs. Elizur Sage of Redwood Falls, Minnesota, were in Rensselaer this week to testify for the defense in the Stockton trial at Kentland. The Democrat is informed that Mrs. Sage testified to having seen four loads of corn hauled hy Makeever’s teams from the direction of the county farm during the year 1915, two loads when she was at home near the turn in the county farm road, and that she met two loads on the road; that Mr. Sage testified that he saw one load being hauled when he was sitting on his porch at home and that in conversation with Mr. Makeever later the latter had told him he was getting corn from the county farm. Some ten other witnesses, The Democrat is informed, have testified that they '’saw Makeever’s* teams hauling corn oh this road, toward his farm, in 1915.

RETURN FROM DAKOTA VISIT

Excessive Rains Have Retarded Corps in the Northwest. Joseph and Adam Nagel and sister, Mrs. John Walter, and Werner Miller returned Wednesday night from their visit with Michael Nagel and family near Mitchell, South Dakota. Mike has been quite

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COURTHOUSE 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. i Trustee Porter, H. H.- Walker and George Hascall were over from Remington Wednesday making their report of conscription registration for Carpenter township. A mortgage for $40,000,000, covering all the rolling stock, all of the lines, rights of way and holdings of the Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville railroad was filed in the office of the county recorder Wednesday. The mortgage is made to the Guaranty Trust company of New York and William Taylor as trustee.

John Rouns (.‘‘Pacing Billy”), arrested recently on the charge of “boot-legging” and released from jail under S2OO bonds and whose trial was set for today, entered a plea of guilty before Mayor Spitler a few days ago, but the mayor withheld judgment until after he has disposed of like cases against Dan and Chase Day, which are set for hearing today. County Road Superintendent Gray has lately purchased iwo more new steel road drags. They are the latest kind and are perhaps the best and most economical machines made for improved road maintenance. One of these drags has been used considerably on the range line road south from Rensselaer this season and this road is in about the best condition we have seen it. County Treasurer Mat J. Brown informed us on Monday that the federal case against himself, Commissioners Black and Schaaf and the Gary officials, originally set for trial on Monday of this week, had been postponed until a laier date and will not be heard until after the cases against the Indianapolis defendants are disposed of. The Lake county defendants were ready for trial on Monday and were considerably surprised to learn that the cases had been Lake County Star.

Nightwatch Critser found a large touring car standing in front of a west side residence Tuesday night bearing a 1916 license plate. Notifying Deputy Prosecutor Sands the two went to the car and waited for the owner to appear. They had not long to wait until Earl Reynolds came and in explanation for his tardiness said that he had not been using the car at all this year, but would procure a license forthwith. On this explanation no prosecution was made. However, it is reported to The Democrat that Mr. Reynolds had his car out and was using it extensively while in Rensselaer soime two or three weeks ago as well as ,in his recent visit.

Following is the conscription registration in Jasper county by precincts as shown by the official returns made to the registration board Wednesday: Barkley, East 58 Barkley, West . ... 48 Carpenter, East - 39 Carpenter, West . . 56 Carpenter, South 69 Gillam 37 Hanging Grove 43 Jordan 67 Kankakee 41 Keener 81 Marion, No. ,1 . .... ... .. -. . . 68 Marion, No. 2 .j, .....100 Marion, No. 3 .............. 73 Marion, No. 4 80 Milroy ....... . ... . .......... 19 Newton ........ . . -•■•.•- - • 52 Union, North 48 Union, South 46 Walker 5 ...... 54 Wheatfield ;■'■■■ H Total for county 1,155 Following are the proceedings of the board of county commissioners for Tuesday, the closing day of the June session: . > Contract for a new culvert in Wheatfield township was awarded to A- S. Keene, trustee of Said township, at |1,399. In matter of joint bridges in Jor-

THE TWICE-A-WEEK

RENSSELAER. JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA, SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 1917

dan and Union townships, on the Newton county line. Auditor presents record of joint meecingwith Newton county commissioners on May 11. Plans and s-ecifirations of same examined and approved and notice ordered given for letling contracts on July 3, : Plans and. •specifications examined and approved and notice ordered for letting contract on July 3 r for seven other bridges in Union township. Plans and specifications examined and approved for two new bridges in Kankakee township and causes continued for additional appropriations. • No bids were.. recieited:;'in:':.tl»e'-. B. Forsythe. B- W. Ellsworth or John H. Rusk stone roads, and re-adver-tisement for bids was ordered. G. B Parkisson stone road contract awarded to Johnson A Salrin at $5,799. Roy Blue allowed $l9O attorney fee. Bonds ordered issued. Contract for John F. Payne stone road awarded to Harry E. Gifford at SB,OOO. Bonds ordered. Williams & Dean allowed SIOO attorney fee. Contract awarded Harry E. Gifford for Judson L. Adams stone road at $9,900. Bonds ordered.

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WIND AND LIGHTNING DAMAGE

Barn Burned I ►own. Horses Killed and Residence Damaged. A large bam on the Charles Guttrich farac, a mile southwest of the Egypt school house in Jordan township, was struck by lightning early Wednesday morning and burned. In the barn were three good mares and young colts, and these, together with some hay. grain and harness, were . burned - The loss will be about s2,with s*oO insurance. The Minnier brothers, who live on the Cleve Eger farm south of town, had a horse killed by lightning Tuesday night. A dwelling house about one-half mile east of Newland, occupied by Arthur Cavindish and owned by Mrs. Caroline Altfellesch of Mazuoketa, lowa, was struck by lightning Tuesday night and damaged to the extent of about SIOO. A barn belonging to Mr. Siketna of near Demotte was demolished by wind Monday night.

STREET OILING IN PROGRESS

Work Will Probably Be Finished Early Next Week. The work of oiling a number of the streets in Rensselaer has been in progress the pas% few days and will probably be finished early next week. All macadam streets one block in every direction from 4he brick streets are being oiled at the expense of the city. Parts of several other streets where abutting property owners wish it are being oiled, and the expense will be borne by such prorerry owners. Six petitions were presented to the city council asking for street oiling on the following thoroughfares: Angelica street from alley in block 17 to Front street. Clark sti&el from Cullen street west to College avenue. College avenue from Jackson street south to the river bridge. p Cullen street from Walnut street south to Cornelia street. Front street from Susan street north to College arenue. McKinley avenue from Elm street north to Walnut street.

FARMERS' CLUBS AND THE BETTER FARMING ASSOCIATION

Following is an article read by P, «H. Hauter, secretary ofthe Jas-| per County Better Farming association at the recent picnic of the farmers’ club officers, and which caused such favorable., comment by the authorities at Purdue university that it is reprinted:- i The farmers’ club has a three- : fold purpose: to improve its mem-, bers, their farms and the community. First, it endeavors to give to each member a new inspiration, make of him or her a more able man or woman and a better citizen, make him more satisfied with life and experience a greater joy in living. It endeavors to place the farms on a higher plane, make them more efficient arid thereby; yield greater returns. It endeavors to improve the community by beautifying the countryside, improving the educational and social facilities, improving the facilities for marketing and means of . securing farm supplies, securing better roads and better service or conditions in any other line which-- will make the community a more desirable place' in which to live. Compared with the city the farm has many advantages and many disadvantages. The healthy physi-

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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 1 from Many Places. NEW CO. SUPERINTENDENTS Chosen in Many of the Counties Over the State. The election of county superintendents in neighboring counties last Monday, not previously reported, was as follows: Benton county, Millard F. O'Rear, Democrat, of Oxford. He had as opposition present superintendent, Charles H. Dodson, C. W. Steele and S. N. Geary. Henry J. Reid, Democrat, was re-elected in White county, where he has held the office continuously since 1*903. The trustees stand six Democrats and five Republicans. In Starke county J. A. Barr, Republican, was elected to succeed present Superintendent C. W. Cannon, who has held the office for the past six years. The election was brought about by the votes of the Democrat and Bull Moose trustees, and he did not receive a single Republican vote. The Democratic support went to Superintendent Canndn, who- is a Democrat, in the first four ballots, and „ one more vote would have elected but this he could not get, it seems, and his supporters then threw their strength to Mr. Barr, who is at the head of the Knox schools and is said to be a very able man. In Pulaski county J. F. Ale, connty clerk, was elected over W. E. Tennell of Francesville. The vote of the trustees was a tie, but the auditor cast the deciding vote for Ale, who will resign to accept the office of county superintendent.

GOODLAND MAN’S NECK BROKEN

When He Lost Control of Auto and it Overturned. Ernest Handley, a restaurant man of Goodland, was killed in Brook Saturday afternoon when he lost control of his auto and It overturned. He was caught beneath the funning board and his neck was broken. The accident occurred on east Main street in front of the residence of Laban Lyons. He was accompanied by his little son, who was thrown clear of the machine. When help arrived the little fellow was crying and frantically trying to lift the ear from the prostrate form of his father. Handley had been drinking heavily, it is said, and was in no condition to drive a car. Handley came to Goodland about four years ago from Sheldon, Illinois, where the body,was taken for burial. He is survived by his w’ife and the little son.;'- »

COAL PRICES UNWARRANTED

a Drastic action to relieve the coal shortage in Indiana was recommended to Governor Goodrich by the public service commission following the investigation throughout the stalte. After a thorough investigation of the coal situation in Indiana, which has extended from conferences with mine operators and the railroads to examinations of local conditions in approximately 100 towns and cities, the commission says that there is no excuse whatever for the hign coal prices and the action of operators .and dealers in boosting prices is outrageous, to put it mildly. The commission suggested that the governor might appoint a coal distributer to have powers similar to those of a food dictator, or might call a special session of the legislature to enact laws to relieve the conditions.

NEWS OF COUNTY HOSPITAL

- Mrs. Henry Wood is a patient at the hospital, being treated for tonsi litis. Dr. C. F. Neu of Indianapolis, a brain specialist, was here Wednesday conferring with Rensselaer and Remington physicians.

- y~ Advertise in The Democrat.

ACTIVE IN RED CROSS WORK

On Thursday afternoon the committee on hospital supplies of the Red Cross met in theif headquarters and prepared garments for making. At present they have material only for making hospital garments, but in a few days will fake up the work under instructions, of making bandages and surgical dressings. The headquarters are in the Schafer building with the Comfort committee of the Navy League, and hereafter will be open every “afternoon from 2 to 5 o’clock with ladies in ; , charge to direct the work. The rooms are light and well furnished and through the kindness of those Interested are fully equipped with every convenience for sewing. All ladies in town and in the country are invited to join In the work. Everything is done under Red Cross regulations and the chapter is endeavoring to bend its efforts in the direction for the most good. Rensselaer ladies are indeed doing some commendable work, having abandoned all sew clwbs and devoting all their time to this work.

ELEVEN RECRUITS REJECTED

Bad Teeth Caused Several to Fail in Enlistment. Major Chittick of Frankfort, medical examiner for the Indiana national guard, was in Rensselaer Tuesday afternoon and examined forty-eight of the new recruits to Company M. The result of this examination reduced the total strength of the company to ninetytwo, eleven applicants having been rejected. The chief cause of fajlure to pass the physical test was bad teeth, and it is probable that some of the young men will have their teeth attended to and apply again. Fourteen of the new recruits were unable to appear at this examination, and If these should all pass it would bring the strength of the company up to JO6.

THAT WHEATFIELD TELEGRAM

Governor Wrote “Not,” but the Telegram Read “Now.” The cause of the turmoil at Wheatfield over the recent local option election therd, at which women voters carried the election for the “drys,’’ it being discovered later that the women were not entitled to vote, apparently was discovered today at the offices of Governor Goodrich. The governor, in response to a telegram from C. P. Clager at Wheatfield May 29, telegraphed Clager that the acts of the 1917 cgSneral assembly were “not” in force. The copy of the telegram that reached Clager made the word “not” read “now,” according to Clager’s letter received today by the governor. The duplicate of the telegram sent by the governor shows the word was written “not.” The acts were not promulgated by the governor until the next day and so the woman suffrage law was not in effect and the women were not entitled to vote. The “wets’’ will carry the election, it is reported, under these conditions. —Wednesday’s Indianapolis News. ■ ’

DEXTER R. JONES IS DEAD

Former Commissioner of Jasper County Died Thursday Night. Dexter R. Jones, one of the county commissioners when the new court house was built here, died at his home in Remington at 8 o’clock Thursday evening, aged about 80 years. /He leaves one son, Howard Jones, of near Remington and three daughters, Mrs. Wilbur Kay of Washington, Pennsylvania; Mrs. Wade Greene of Staten Island, New York, and Miss Alice, who lived at home with her father. Mr. Jones’ wife, who was a sister of A. J. Bellows of Rensselaer, died a few years ago. He had been sick, we understand, only about a week or ten days. Mrs. Kay, the daughter from Pennsylvania, came Tuesday and was at home when he died. At this writing the funeral arrangements had not been made, but it is probable the funeral will be held tomorrow.

LATE BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

June 6, to Mr. and Mrs. Ross Dean, at the county 'hospital, a 'nine-pound son. ,

STATES SLOW IN MAKING RETURNS

Draft Total Will Be Under 10,200,000 Estimate. OHIO EXCEEDS ITS QUOTA Ix>cal Boards Will Be Appointed for Each 30,000 Pouplation to Pass Upon Claims lor Exemption. Registration Totals States completing their registration] tallies reported us follows: Alienl State. Registered. Aliens. Enemy. Wisconsin ....211.161 5.558 28,709 Connecticut ... 159,761 58*519 1,120 Arkansas 147.522 fc so6 98 Rhode Island.. 53,478 15,043 120 So. Carolina... .128,039 447 58 Vermont 27,058 3,487 72 Delaware 21,864 2,883 92 California 297,482 f

Washington, June 8. —Registration returns continue to come in slowly from Tuesday’s great military census, preventing Anything approaching a conclusive estimate as to the number of men actually enrolled. An official statement, however, said! such partial returns as were at hand] indicated that the 19.290,000 estimate of the census bureau fur the number of men within the prescribed ages woqld not be equaled. A feature of the few complete retdrns Is the high percentage of the Indicated exemption,, averaging approximately 50 per cent of the total registration. Officials said that this did not mean actual exemptions, as the indicated figures Include all married men and those In executive, judl-i dal or legislative office. To pass upon claims for from military service under the con-i scriptton law, local boards will be appointed for approximately each 30,000 population. This was announced by the provostmarshal general’s office, hr a statement saying: “The local boards will have to do| especially with self-executing exemptions —those In which exemption de-1 pends only upon the determination of| facts. “In each federal judicial district 1 there will be at least one board of' review to which appeal may be taken| from local boards, and which will have also original Jurisdiction In the exclusion of discharge from the selective draft.” 266,370 In Indiana. Indianapolis, June B.—Complete un-t official registration figures for Indiana are 266,370, it was announced. Ohio Exceeding Quota. Columbus, <)., June 8 With registration continuing in Cleveland and other Ohio points and figures already reported in excess of 530,000, indications are that Ohio’s military registration will reach 550,000 or more, a| figure far in excess of the original estimate. Figures available aggregate 533,454. Michigan Expects 350,000. Lansing, Mich., June 8. —Officials at the state capitol announced that Michigan’s registration figures probably vVIl! exceed 350,000. They based their estimate upon totals received from about three-fourths of the state. Kentucky Runs Behind. Frankfort. Ky., June B.—Eighty-four of the 120 counties in Kentucky and two of the four cities of 30,000 population today reported a total of 114,673 registrations under. the selective, draft law. Federal estimates exceeded it by 1,101. Kansas 40,000 Short. Topeka, Kan., June B.—Official registration figures for Kansas, With 28 counties and one city of more than 30,000 yet to report, are 89,682. The returns indicate that Kansas, will fall about 40,000 short of the government’s estimate of 180,183. ( Minnesota Figures. St. Paul, Minn., June 8. —Minnesota Registrations are running slightly below government estimates, according to official reports received by Governor Burnquist. Returns from 51 out of 86 counties and the city of Duluth to&il 90,713, against the government estimate of 97,735. To Rescue of Signers. Provost Marshal General Crowder does not want the impression to be created that these of exemptions are due to wholesale claims of exemption on the part of the young men of the country. Lest this impression might gain credence he Issued a statement on the subject as follows: “Some published reports are to the effect that figures received in the office of the provost marshal general indicate millions of claims for exemption. These reports consist of conclusions erroneously drawn and unjust to the •young men of the country. As a matter of fact no claims whatever hav®

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Vol. XX, No. 21