Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 53, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 October 1917 — Page 1

Jasper County Democrat.

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MOTORCYCLE RIDER BURNED

Gasoline Leak Caught Fire and Burned Lacy Alter. Lacy Alter, 18-year-old son of Lewis Alter of Carpenter township, was badly burned about the lower extremities Sunday afternoon when his clothing caught fire after having been saturated with gasoline from a leak in the supply tank of the motorcycle he was riding. The accident occurred near Moody and but for the quick action of Joe Pullin, who accompanied Alter, the latter might have burned to death. Pullin tore the burning clothes from Alter’s limbs -and thus prevented more serious injury. Alter was brought to the county hospital where he will be obliged to remain for several days. It is toot thought that the burns about his limbs will cause any permanent injury, notwithstanding the fact that he was severely burned.

GO TO ENGINEERING CORPS

Jasper County Men Are Transferred From the Infantry. According to orders from the war department made public Saturday, the national army men from Jasper, Newton, Benton, Pulaski and Warren counties were transferred from the infantry to the 309th engineers. The change was made Monday and additional men going from the above counties today will also be assigned to the engineers. The engineering corps is generally considered a preferred position and the men from Jasper and neighboring counties are to be congratulated on being thus assigned. While the work is at times quite hard, yet it has many advantages over the infantry work. According to a dispatch from Washington the men transferred will remain at Camp Taylor as heretofore, but their company and battalion number will be different.

CELEBRATE GOLDEN WEDDING

Mr. and Mrs. Ancel Woodworth Married Fifty Years. Mr. and Mrs. Ancel Woodworth celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at their home on Park avenue Monday, which day marked their fiftieth year of wedded life. Both Mr. and Mrs. Woodworth are enjoying excellent health, and the. occasion was filled with genuine pleasure for each. Mr. and Mrs. Woodworth are the parents of six children, all of whom are living and were present at the celebration, excepting one son, Rev. Vaughn Woodworth, of Shirley, lowa. Among those from out of town who were present were Mrs. O. C. Chamberlain and daughter and Mrs. R. H. Over and son of Chicago; Mrs. Howard Dutcher and eon of Columbus, Georgia; Mr. and Mrs. John Brannon of Michigan City, and Mrs. Alice Dunlap of Chicago. About sixty-five guests in all were present or called to pay their respects to the bride and groom. Mr. and Mrs. Woodworth were married at Monon October 1, 1867, and came to Rensselaer within a short time. They have resided here continuously since then excepting two or three years spent in Kansas, when they made the journey in a covered wagon. » The house was prettily decorated in gold and whjte for the occasion, and the same color scheme was carried out in the refreshments and the dresses of the little girl waiters, all of whom, excepting two, were granddaughters of the honored couple. Several presents of gold and beautiful cut glass were given the aged couple by their friends and relatives, and the same is appreciated to the fullest extent. The many friends unite in wishing Mr. and Mrs. Wood worth a continued happy journey throughout the eventide of life.

NO BAND CONCERT TONIGHT

Because of previous inroads made in the Rensselaer band by reason' of draft and enlistments, and the;' further fact that E. W. Hickman is now employed in Lafayette apd Tom Padgitt has gone to Detroit on business, both of whom were members of the band, there will be no band concert tonight as had been intended. i

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. Attorney R. K. Bedgood of Lafayette was in the city on business Monday. A. C. Stauffenburg of Manhattan, Illinois, and Fred Lyons of Brook were in the city Monday on business connected wtih the recent sale of the former’s farm southeast of town to Mr. Lyons and J. D. Rich. Francesville Tribune: A petition has been filed with the county auditor providing for the construction of a road on the west side of the Monon tracks at the Starke county line and extending southward to the White county line. This road will be built partly by government appropriation to the state. Township Trustee Albert S. Keene and J. L. Smith were down from Wheatfield yesterday on business, the former to look after his macadam street contracts in Rensselaer. Both Home avenue and Grove street have been rolled and are ready to receive rock, and Mr. Keene stated that the rock spreading would begin today. Mr. Smith informed us that the recent frost did much more damage in the north end of the county than he had thought until Monday when he husked out a load of corn from his own field.

Following is the report of the county commiasioners’ doings at their Monday session, except claims allowed, which latter will appear in Saturday’s issue as well as the proceedings of yesterday: Fees collected for the quarter by the various county officers were, reported as follows: Auditor, $36.60; clerk, $205.40; recorder, $348.35; sheriff. $64.25. Fred Popp was appointed superintendent of construction of the Judson I. Adams stone roads and Harry E. Reed superintendent cf the William Folger and W. H. Gratner stone roads, all in Barkley township. John Parkison was appointed superintendent of the John F. Payne stone road. W. V. Porter, contractor, was allowed $2,600 on the C. L. Carr stone road, S6OO on the James Lan© stone road and $1,600 on the D. H. Yeoman stone road, all in Newton township. Contractors Johnson & Salrin were allowed $584 on the Joe Hallagan stone road and SSBO on the G. B. Parkinson stone road. Contractors Moneyhun & Son were allowed $2,600 and $1,056 on the W. L. Wood gravel road system in Union township, and road No. 2 and road No. 1 from stations 294 plus 90 to station 453 plus 30, was accepted as completed and made a part of the free gravel road system of Jasper county. In the petition heretofore filed for the sale of 240 acres of school lands in section 16, Keener township, petition was granted and land ordered sold for not less than appraised value and on terms and notice as provided by law at public auction at court house door on November 2 at 2 p. nr.

NOTES FROM COUNTY HOSPITAL

Mrs. Marie Middelkamp, who has been confined in the hospital for the past several weeks with a broken hip, was able to be taken to her home at Kniman Sunday. Miss Marie Ritchey was taken to her 'home Sunday. Leon Bailey, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Bailey of near Pleasant Ridge, underwent a major operation Monday evening. .1’ Miss Nile Britt, who was so badly injured in an automobile accident recently, was able to be taken to her home in Barkley township yesterday.

GOODRICH’S RECOVERY SURE

Indianapolis, October I.—Continued improvement in the condition of Governor James P. Goodrich, ill of bronchial pneumonia and typhoid, was announced tonight by his physictan. The governor was able to take nourishment during the day. His recovery now seems assured, the physician said.

THE TWICE-A-WEEK

RENSSELAER, JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1917.

MEMBER OF COMPANY M DEAD

William Hughes Died Suddenly While Enroute to Southland. William Hughes of Brookston, a member of Company M of Rensselaer, died Sunday at Bowling Green, Kentucky, where he was removed from the troop train bearing the Indiana soldiers to Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The cause of death was pronounced to have been uremic poisoning. was found in an unconscious condition on the train, and when he was removed at Bowling Green he was quite serious, and death resulted soon after. The body has been shipped to Brookston for burial. Prior to enlisting in Company M, Hughes was employed as a telegraph lineman on the Monon, and was well known to several people here who regret to hear of his untimely death.

DEFENSE MEETING HELD HERE

Stirring Speeches Warn People of Seriousness of the War. The seriousness of the war with Germany was brought home to the people of Jasper county Friday afternoon a.t a defense meeting held at the Gayety airdome. Addresses were made by Attorney L. C. Embree, one of the ablest lawyers of the state; W. L. Wood of Parr, and Rev. J. Budman Fleming and Mose Leopold of this city. Frank Welsh, chairman of the Jasper County Council of Defense, presided at the meeting. Mr. Embree, who mftkes no claims as an orator, had a wealth of knowledge of the situation that enabled him to drive home some pertinent thoughts that should cause each and everyone of us to realize the seriousness of the war and to put forth our utmost efforts to aid in every way possible. Loyalty to the administration is essential, and he who is not loyal at this time is no better than the most arch traitor. Whether among the ranks of soldiers or at home, on farm or in city, each one of us has an important duty to perform in connection with the war, and we should perform that duty cheerfully and with alacrity. Hon. W. L. Wood of Parr, state representative from this district, next took the platform and made an impassioned appeal for loyalty and whole-hearted service to the nation. Mr. Wood arraigned the kaiser and Prussiapism with an array of historical facts that left no doubt of the arch fiend’s intentions to rule the world by this might. - Rev. Fleming, pastor of the First Presbyterian church of this city, was next presented and made a patriotic speech calculated to enthuse any latent individuals with a greater purpose of assistance to the country. And there is no doubt but that his speech will have the desired effect.

The talks by Mr. Wood and Rev. Fleming were especially complimented by the perhaps 1.000 people who heard them. The closing talk was made by Mose Leopold, captain of the militia, and he sought to impress those present with the necessity and importance of this branch of our military organization. He appealed for increased enlistments and urged every able-bodied man between the ages of 17 and 4 5 to enroll at once.

CHARLES THOMPSON IS DEAD

Remains Brought Here From Chicago Yesterday for Burial. Charles Thompson, a former resident of Rensselaer but for some time of Chicago, died at the latter place early Sunday morning of pulmonary tuberculosis, with which he had been afflicted for some time. Deceased is survived by one brother, Terrence Thompson, of Detroit, Michigan, and one sister, Mrs. Charles Bowers, of near this city. The remains were brought here yesterday on the 11 o’clock. train and taken at once to St. Augustine’s church, where funeral services were held. Burial was made in Mount Calvary cemetery.

NOTICE TO MODERN WOODMEN There will be a meeting of Rensselaer Camp, No. 4412, M. W. A., at the camp hall on .Wednesdav evening, October 3. Business of importance.—JOHN MERRITT, Clerk.

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. •

“HIGHER CIVILIZATION"

Washington, D. C., September 29.—“Not a young girl in Belgium above 17 years old has escaped misuse by German authorities,’’ according to Baron Van Der Noot de Moorsei, in a report to the Red Cross today. “No one can imagine the sufferings of the Belgian people,” said the Belgian nobleman. “They watch, week by week, for the American relief ehips to bring tlhem supplies. They kneel before the Stars and Stripes and pray to it as they would to the flag of a church.’’

FEDERAL FUNDS FOR ROADS

The secretary of agriculture has announced the apportionment of $14,550,000 of federal funds to be used during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1919, by the several states in the construction and maintenance of rural post ,roads. Indiana will receive $406,230.18 of this amount, which will be spent on our rural post roads during the year beginning July 1, 1918, and ending June 30, 1919.

WILL VISIT INDIANA SCHOOLS

And Talk to Pupils on War Issues Now Confronting the Nation. That the school pupils of the state may be acquainted with the importance of the war and the real situation now confronting the nation, Mr. Asa J. Smith has been appointed State High School Organizer by the State Council of Defense, and will visit all schools in Indiana and talk to the teachers and pupils. The plan has been ratified by Horace Ellis, state superintendent of public instruction, who has sent the following notice to all county and city school superintendents and all principals of high schools in Indiana: This is the hour for bold men who —fearing not criticism but disdaining those who condemn but refuse to act —heroically forge ahead toward the accomplishment of the im-: portant tasks confronting them. It is in this spirit that we should face every issue and lend our co-opera-tion to every suggestion which comes from the National and the State Councils of Defense.

Therefore, today every high school platform should ring forth the nation’s call to the youth of America for mental alertness, unflinching courage, self sacrifice and intensified 'S'Pblication to productive employment in those hours after school and during vacation which formerly were wasted. Such a message will be brought to the boys and girls of all the high schools of Indiana by Mr. Asa J. Smith, who has just been appointed as State iHigh School Organizer for the State Council of Defense. Mr. Smith is now preparing his itinerary which will include every high school iff the state. All of the school superintendents and high school principals will kindly co-op-erate with each 1 other in arranging a schedule and providing transportation via automobile in order that wherever practical Mr. Smith can reach all the high schools in one county in one day. You Will be advised by him later just what day he expects to be in your county. When he arrives at the school it will be your duty to dispense with the classes for the next period, assemble all the students in the assembly hall and give him a fullperiod for the- natr’otie c-iess'’"? which he will bring to them. He will place particular emphasis on the U. S. Boys' Working Reserve, but will have an important message for girls as well as boys. It will be advisable for you to invite the parents of the children to attend these meetings in order that they may also be aroused to the important part that the youth of America will play in helping to win this war.

Canning peaches this week at Rhoads’ grocery, at $2.25 and $2.50 per bushel. Phone 71. —Advt.

NEGRO KILLED AT MOROCCO

Jumped From Auto in Front of Approaching Train. Harry Hannigan, a negro, aged 33 years, was instantly killed at Morocco Friday evening when he became frightened and jumped from an automobile directly in front of an approaching train. His head was crushed and both legs and both arms severed. Hannigan was married and with his wife worked on a farm north of Morocco for Fred Bencke. Han* and Bencke went to Morocco Friday afternoon to do some trading, making the trip in the latter’s auto. They started home about 4 o’clock and as they started across the C. & E. I. tracks they saw a southbound passenger train almost upon them. Hannigan thought the locomotive would hit the auto and jumped, alighting squarely in front of the train. Bencke remained in the car and just cleared the track in safety. The unfortunate man was buried in the Morgan cemetery north of Morocco Saturday afternoon.

REV. STRECKER IS RETURNED

Few Changes Made Among Methodist Ministers of Indiana. I The annual session of the Northwest Indiana M. E. conference, held at Valparaiso, closed Monday with the reading of tlhe appointments for the coming year. Owing to the unsettled condition due to the war, and also the fact that large numbers of changes were made last year, many of the ministers were returned to the charges held by them for the past year. Rev E. W. Strecker, pastor of Trinity M. E. church of this city, was returned here for another year, to the satisfaction of the entire congregation. > Other appointments made in this, the Lafayette district, are as follows:

W. E. McKenzie, district superintendent, Lafayette; Ambia and Talbot, E. M. Kounen; Barkley, G. F. Cramer; Battle Ground, H. H. Cannon; Boswell, H. C. Riley; Brook, J. J. Wilson; Brookston and Chalmers, Halford Wilhelm; Buck Creek, Ira Baldwin; Dayton, Roy J. Hicks; Delphi, R. O. Kimberlin; Fowler, A. L- Miller; Francesville, W. C. Henslee; Goodland, W. B. Servies; Idaville, H. Carleton Allen; Kentland, C. L. iHarper; Kewanna, George S. Reedy; Lafay-, ette, Congress street church, A. L. | Brandenburg; Lafayette, St. Paul’s, church, O. T. Martin; Lafayette, Trinity church, U. G. Leazenby; Lafayette, West Side church. H. O. Enwall; Lee and McCoysburg (to be supplied); Leiters Ford, Alwyn J. Atkins; Lowell, C. A. Browns Lucerns, W. L. Allen; Medaryville, F. F. Margrave; Monon, J. B. McNary; Monticello, F. L. Hovis; Montmorenci, T. J. Reder; Morocco, O. B. South; Mt. Ayr, O. B. South; Otterbein, A. A. Dunlavy; Oxford, S. A. Bender; Raub (to be supplied); Remington, W. R. Warriner; Rensselaer, E. W. Strecker; Reynolds, Earl Heim burger; Richland Center, S. R. McAlpin; Rochester, A. B. Warriner; Roselawn and Shelby, M. H. Cloud; Royal Center, and Burnettsville (to be supplied); Star City, J. Fred Clearwater; Stidham, G. W. Switzer; West Point and Shadeland, Lloyd Montgomery; Winamac, J. J. Rankin- Wolcott, D. A. Rodgers; Yeoman, C. O. Smock. Rev. P. C; Curnick, former pastor of Trinity M. E. church in this city, has been returned to Indianapolis as field secretary of the Methodist hospital.

MAY RECEIVE A PROMOTION

A dispatch from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to. yesterday’s Lafayette Journal said; “Col. Emmet F. Branch, Martinsville, in command of what was the- First regiment, and LieutenantColonel Robert P. Youngman of Crawfordsville of what was the Fourth regiment, have been ordered before a medical board and the indications are that they will be put on the retired list because of their physical, condition. If this is done, it is understood that LieutenantColonel George H. Healey of Rensselaer will be made colonel of the First and the senior major, whoever he may be, made liedtenantcolonel of the Fourth.”

WANTS®—TO HULL BEANS with regular huller, guaranteed not to crack beans. Make arrangements immediately.—E. P. HONAN & SON. Sale bills printed while you wait at The Democrat office.

VERN DAVISSON WRITES OF WAR

Tells His Parents of Interesting Experiences in France BIG GUNS BOOM CONSTANTLY After Losing Way Were Almost Inside the German Lines Before Biscovering Their Mistake. Vern Davisson, who left here some time ago and is now at the battle front in France, has written to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Daviseon, of his experiences as an ambulance driver. Vern and Sam Duvall are together much of the time and have made trips to the hospitals at the front together. Some idea of life and activities at the front may be obtained from the letter, which we print below in full: Front in France, Sept, t, 1917. Dear Father and Mother —I hope everyone at home is O. K., as we are. The weather has been fine; had a nice warm rain last night. The American officers came Ln camp last Sunday and examined all of us, signed us up. and now we are “Sammies” (U. S. soldiers). Our pay is $33 or $36 per month, we are not certain which. Although we have been taken over by the U. S. government we remain with the French section, and will be issued uniforms, shoes, socks, overcoats, blankets, steel helmets, gas masks and underwear, as I understand we are entitled to the same protection as any U. S. soldier which makes us feel better. There were five rejected. They could not pass the physical examination and will have to go back to the States. Sam and I just got back from twenty-four hours work at the “Poste de Secours.” We hauled eight “blessa” to the hospital under fire. Our “Poste de Secours’’ is the post farthest out to the trenches. Qn our way to it we are obliged to drive in plain sight of the German trenches for one kilometer (5-8 mile). The big shells come in about everyTthree minutes, so we wait under cover on the road until a shell explodes ahead of us, then we drive like “L” across the open place where the Germ ansi bombard the. road all the time day and night. On our first trip to the “Poste de Secours’’ we left at 5 o’clock in the morning. Sam had been over the road once but I had not, so I

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YOUNG MARRIED COUPLE SPLIT

Mr. and Mrs. Devere Zea who, -since their marriage more than years ago, have occupied one of the honeymoon flats over Warner Bros, hardware store, have divided up their personal belongings and separated, Mrs. Zea returning to the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Marion Cooper of this city. It is said that they have'not been getting along well together for the past year. They have no children. The young couple were married June 28, 1915, and were barely 18 years of age each.

DISTRICT BOARD STILL BUSY

The district exemption board at. Laporte is still busily engaged in going over the list of names submitted by the various county boards. Jasper county was taken up Monday and it is expected that yieir action regarding the claims from this county will be made known in a day or so. In the decisions from Benton and Pulaski Furman A. Pampel of Remington was granted exemption on industrial grounds, as was also Albert Busch of Medaryville, while Oscar Pulaski of the latter place was held for service.

MEETINGS OF FARMERS’ CLUBS

The usual farmers’ club meeting will be held- at the Virgie school house next Saturday evening. Miss Esther Wiseman reports a very good program, which will be given as follows: Son? . Quartet r>n C ifntj on Eleanor Gasaway Round table discussion —“Storing Fruit and Vegetables for Winter Use,” led by Mrs. Lewis Todd Song. ~.Nora and Eleanor Gasaway Discussion —“Why Jasper County Only Produces Half a Crop” . .H. J. Dexter and Mr. Learning Port Arthur Wand Drill ...... School CMldron Music Quartet 'Help the interest of the cm o . / being present. Everyone invited.

Vol. XX, No. 53