Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 61, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 October 1917 — Page 1

Jasper County Democrat.

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STEAM PIPE STARTS A FIRE

Coal at Heating Plant Ignited Late Saturday Afternoon. Fire in the coal bin at the county heating j plant broke out Saturday evening and but for the quick work of Fireman Griggs a material damage might have resulted, as the bin contained about 150 tons of coal at the time. As it is the damage is very slight. A 3%-inch steam pipe from the boilers to the jail runs through the coal bin. Ordinarily not enough coal is put in the bin to reach this pipe, but last week a larger quantity than usual was thrown in to prepare for a coal shortage, and this steam pipe was covered to a depth of several feet. About 5 o’clock Saturday evening Fireman Griggs noticed gas coming from the coal bin and knew at once that the steam pipe had ignited the coal. He procured several sections of fire hose from the city fire house and for over two hours poured water into the coal bin. Upon investigation is found that but very little coal had burned before the fire was detected.

COAL ADMINISTRATOR NAMED

B. F. Fendig to Take Charge of Fuel in Jasper County. f - At the called meeting of the County Council of Defense Saturday afternoon, B. F. Fendig was named administrator for Jasper county. Mose Leopold will act as his assistant, and it is devoutly hoped that the two gentlemen will devise some way to assure us of an adequate supply of hard coal, which seems to be beyond the power of our numerous dealers. B. Forsythe was named chairman of the food conservation committee. Upon motion the chairmen of all committees were made members of the council proper, and seven members was fixed as a quorum l for each and every meeting. Regular meetings will be held at the court house at 1:30 p. m'. on the first and third Mondays of each month, but special meetings may be called at any time by the chairman. J. M. Sauser submitted a report on military affairs, which was examined and approved. It has been said that Mr. Sauser is being paid for his labor with the local militia, but this is incorrect, as he does not receive a cent. Fifty dollars was appropriated > for the purpose of defraying the expense of a home economics food demonstration to be held here under the direction of County Agent Learning. Mrs. Ora T. Ross, Rev. J. B. Fleming and G. H. McLain were appointed a committee to assist Mr. Learning.

ABE STILL AT CAMP TAYLOR

In a letter written Sunday from Camp Taylor, Kentucky, D. J. Bab••ck stated that our boys who are expecting to go from there to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, did not yet know when they would be sent. He stated that he had received a letter from “Doc” Shumaker, who was recently transferred to Hattiesburg, and that the latter liked it fine there and said he expected to get a motor truck to drive in a few days. Delevan said that Joe Thomas got a big box of candy, cigars and “eats” from home yesterday (Saturday) and that he got in on them. “They certainly were fine, too,” he said. (The boys “divvy up” with their comrades on such things.) Sunday was a fine day at Camp Taylor, although they had been having intermittent rains and it was not very nice under foot. There was quite a heavy frost there Saturday night and it snowed a little one day last week. Most of the boys were over to Louisville Sunday and “Deb” cut his letter a little short as he said Art Battleday had just .come to his bunk and invited him to go to town to the theater, and of course he went.

DR. CATT TO BE MARRIED SOON

Mr. and Mrs. Wayland Clinton Marlow of Niagara Falls, New York, have issued invitations for the marriage of their sister, Margaret Faye Marlow, and Dr. Arthur Galveston Gatt, on the evening of Saturday, November 10, at 8 o’clock at the First Baptist church in Niagara Falls. Mir. and Mrs. Catt will be “at home” after January 1 at Rensselaer, Indiana.

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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 E. B. Sellers of Monticello was in Rensselaer on business Saturday. Cbunty Surveyor E. D. Nesbitt made a business trip to Chicago Saturday. Bear in mind that Monday, November 5, is the last day for paying the fall installment of taxes to avoid delinquency. County Clerk Nichols is afflicted with a large boil on his right cheek, which is not a very agreeable pet, especially during such gloomy weather. Sheriff McColly returned home Saturday night from Martinsville, Indiana, where he had been sojourning for the benefit of his health for several days. Mr. McColly is feeling considerably improved and ready for any law violator that may come along. New suits filed: No. 8848/ —-1. Shapire vs. Joseph J. Miller et al; action in replevin. Plaintiff complains of the defendants and says that he is the owner and entitled to possession of twelve tons of cabbage now loaded on tracks of Monon railway company in Rensselaer, of the value of $250. Later—Case dismissed and defendant Miller turns over cabbage to plaintiff. It is understood that Miller had sold cabbage to plaintiff and that after sale had been made the price advanced considerably, and Miller did not want to deliver the goods. James C. McColly of Wheatfield, who has been down at Longcliff for the past few months, took “French leave’’ of that institution last week and came to Rensselaer Friday on the 10:36 a. m. train. He said he had walked to Delphi and met an Odd Fellow who gave him money to come on to Rensselaer. His son Fred, who lives on the Roth Bros, farm northeast of Rensselaer, was notified and he came here and took his father to his home at Wheatfield, where he now is. it is understood. The hospital authorities were also notified, but at this writing no word had been received from there. It is said that Mr. McColly’s mental condition has not improved.

ALFRED THOMPSON REJECTED

On Recent Examination Was Found to Be Under Weight. Alfred Thompson, who has been engaged as an ambulance driver in France since June, has written his parents that all Americans in the service were recently taken over by the government, at which time they ■were given a rigid physical examation. He was found to be under weight and was rejected, and will probably be discharged soon. However, he desires very much to continue in the service and if unable to get in some other branch in France will try for a place in Italy.

RENSSELAER FOOD-SAVING PLAN

The fact that you paid SSO for a Liberty bond, thus throwing SSO more into the treasury, does not in itself change the course of the war. It takes millions like you to do that —however, the fact that your conscience is back of the government does help a great deal—helps both the nation and yourself, , ( It is just so with the food sav-< ing plan. The fact that you might do without beef and pork one day each week and wheat another day and your neighbor continue to eat them would not only seem unfair but of little avail except to ’ your own good feelings. However, taking Rensselaer as a unit, were twothirds of our people to do without these articles it would undoubtedly save some beef, pork and wheat to

-Watch for Fendig’s Rexall i Cent Sale, Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week.-

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THE TWICE-A-WEEK

RENSSELAER, JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1917.

COUNTY SUBSCRIBES $234,000

Second Liberty Loan Allotment Exceeded by Good Sum. The second Liberty loan was a success in every way and exceeded the fondest expectations of all. The grand total subscribed, while detailed figures are not yet available, will be in the neighborhood of $5.500,000,000, half a billion more than asked. Jasper county, along with the rest of the nation, exceeded her allotment by a good sum—s44,ooo. 'While asked for $20t,000, our allotment should have been but $190,000, but figures already available indicate that the total will reach if not pass $234,000. Figures 1 for each township have not yet been turned in for but two—Carpenter and Wheatfield. The allotment for the former was $48,000 and they subscribed $69,200, while Wheatfield’s allotment was $15,000 and they turned in SIB,O 00. It is hoped to have the detailed figures for the other townships for Saturday’s Democrat.

LETTER FROM VERN DAVISSON

Further Details of Experiences at the Battle Front in France. Harvey Davisson is in receipt of another letter from his son Vern, who is engaged in ambulance work On the battlefields of France. Because of the strict censorship rules he is unable to tell many details of their daily life and many of his most interesting experiences, but can write enough to give us some idea of the awfulness of w*hat is common sights to them. We publish the letter in full, which is as follows: At the Front, October 8, 1917. My dear Father and Mother: Am getting along fine, feeling good and enjoy the work, although we are having terrible rainy and dark, cold weather now. Yesterday While coming from the front out “Poste de Secours” with wounded it came up a terrible storm, we .could only see a few feet ahead of the car, “very dark” and the road filled with long strings of heavy trucks loaded with ammunition, etc., continual stream of soldiers going to the trenches and the horse wagon outfits who can never hear us “honk’’ the horn, so we had to drive slow. Cannot use lights. Everytime we hit a bump the blesses (wounded) yelled. It made rather a trying trip. We pulled up at the hospital finally and they took the wounded in and began working on them l ; one of them lost one arm and both legs and part of his head; but this is only one of the many cases. Two weeks ago they had a gas attack near us while we were unloading at the hospital; we saw section No. 70 hauling them in so we stayed a while and looked them over. Another terrible sight. The soldiers dread the gas more than the guns. At this writing things are tolerably quiet, except artillery duels. We call ambulance work “hauling back the fodder” because the soldiers we like they had went through a shredder? I heard today that our section will go back on six weeks’ leave from the front, but don’t know for sure.

I received your letter containing the souvenir of Rensselaer boys who were called to the colors, also got the Climax tobacco. It was a great treat. I wish you would send a carton of Bull Durham or Duke’s Mixture smoking tobacco. All we can get is the tobacco the French government issues to us and it is so strong and musty we cannot smoke it. We get stuff from the States in about twenty-four days after it is mailed there. I hope this letter finds all well and feeling fine. Tell Sam’s people he is O. K. and getting fat. There is lots of news , here but it is war news and we cannot mention it. Your loving son, VERN C. DAVISSON, S. S. Y. 72, Convois Aptos, per B. C. M., Paris, France. P. s.—We are going to eat Xmas dinner in Berlin.

PARR COMMUNITY CLUB MEET

Following is a program of the community meeting to be held at Parr tomorrow evening: Song—“ America” “Community Building,” L. H. Hamilton \ Song “What Practical Benefit Learned from the Last Stock Show at Rensselaer,” O. S. Bell Song Recitation “Food Conservation by the Housewives,’’ Miss Cecil Jordan Song Recitation, L. L. McCurtain Closing song.

LATE BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sunday, October 28, to Mr. and Mrs. Ralph O’Riley, a son.

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FURTHER NEWS OF COMPANY M

Dismemberment Seems to Have Been for a Purpose. Clarence B. Harms of Goodland, company clerk of Company M when it left Rensselaer, has written to Goodland friends and gives further details of the dismemberment of the local company. From his letter it would appear that but very little is left of the original organization, and he also intimates that spite had something to do with the action of those in command. It is not altogether improbable that the conduct of those members at the Morocco banquet had no small part in the latest moves of the superior officers. We publish below some extracts from the letter giving details not heretofore published, beginning on their arrival at Camp Shelby: But here is the worst of my story, when we arrived at the place they out our company all to pieces and Casey, Burns and I will be all that stay. The Goodland boys were

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MAY RELIEVE FUEL SHORTAGE

Coal Administrator Fendig Takes Immediate Action. A meeting of the coal dealers of the city was called yesterday morning by Coal Administrator B. F. Fendig, and the situation confronting the consumers discussed from every viewpoint. Based on the statements of imine operators and wholesalers it was the opinion that ■plenty of coal was to be had at the mines if cars could be procured to ship same; in fact, the mine op-' erators had assured the dealers on this point. Taking this as a basis to commence operations, Mr. Fendig, accompanied by his assistant, Mose Leopold, went to Chicago yesterday forenoon to confer with President Kurrie of the Monon on the car situation, and see if It would not be possible to secure some cars for the immediate transportation of coal. Mr. Fendig and Mr. Leopold also intended to confer with J. J. Lawler and see if some of his vast quantity of wood hereabouts could not be secured for local use. There was plenty of this wood until just recently when according to report, he contracted all of it to Chicago dealers. It would appear that Mr. Fendi? is going about the matter in earnest and in the right way, and if results are Lv, be obtained at all he will no doubt accomplish them.

GOOD BYE, BAD ’CESS TO YE

October leaves us today and no one will be sorry, as the weather has been the most unpleasant during the entire month that old settlers ever remember October to have been in this section of the country. Usually it is one of the finest months of the year, and we have often thought that no state in thi union had such pleasant fall weather, a a rule, as Indiana. This October, however, has been in keeping with the entire season, which has been a freak —-a season without a summer —as we -did not have over a week or ten days of real warm summer weather during the entire season. All during the present month, for most part, we have had “nasty” weather and for the past couple of weeks there has been more or less rain every day or every night. Practically all of .Friday night, Saturday forenoon, a part of Sunday afternoon, all of Sunday night and all day Monday the rain was almost continuous, and during the early hours Monday morning there was considerable lightning. Monday evening the mercury dropped below the freezing point and the rain turned to snow, the ground being 0 covered with about two inches of “the beautifpl” yesterday morning.

NOTES FROM COUNTY’ HOSPITAL

Mrs. Joseph Francis of Rensselaer had her tonsls removed Monday morning. H. J. Bartoo, editor of the Remington Press, who had been in the hospital here for a couple of weeks, during which time he underwent an operation, returned to his home Saturday evening. He was feeling considerably relieved and it is hoped that he will soon again be .enjoying robust health.

GENERAL AND STATE NEWS

Telegraphic Reports From Many Parts of the Country. SHORT DITS OF THE UNUSUAL Happenings in the Nearby Cities and Towns—Matters of Minor Mention From Many Places. WOMEN ARE DENIED BALLOT Indiana Supreme Court Holds Suffrage Law Invalid. In an opinion rendered Friday the Indiana supreme court held the suffrage law enacted by the last legislature to be unconstitutional and Invalid, thus preventing thousands of Indiana women from voting at municipal elections next week. The decision was written by Chief Justice John W. Spencer, and was concurred In by Judges Myers Lairy. Judge Lawson Harvey dissented. The decision upheld an opinion rendered some time ago by Judge John J. Rockford in the Marion superior court, who declared the suffrage law to be unconstitutional. The decision also declared that the legislature has no right to enfranchise women, which leaves but one avenue open for them to secure the ballot —that of a constitutional amendment.

AMERICAN SOLDIERS AT FRONT

London and Paris Newspapers Feature the Announcement. American soldiers aro actively engaged in fighting on the front In France, according to announcement made Sunday. Paris and London newspapers featured the news in their Sunday editions, and the word was welcomed throughout both countries. The Americans are in good condition and anxious for more active service. While they are actively engaged at the front, yet they are in a quiet, sector and it is felt that they are there more to complete their training for future service than for any real aid they can render now. This contention is also borne out by the following extract from a dispatch by a correspondent of the London Weekly Dispatch: “The allies are extremely fortunate in having American troops take a place in the line at a comparatively quiet time of the year. During the winter they will have ample opportunity of mastering the intricacies of trench warfare which never can be taught satisfactorily behind the lines. Within four or five months they should become seasoned troops and the allies confidently look to a great display when they ‘go over the top.’ ”

ONE MORE FOR CIVILIZATION

Brazil Government Declares War on German Autrocracy. Rio Janeiro, October 27. — War against Germany was formally proclaimed late yesterday. The vote in the chamber of deputies was 140 to 1. The senate unanimously approved the step, and President Braz immediately sanctioned proclamation of a state of war. Action followed the president's message to the congress Thursday, saying that in view of the continued sinking of Brazilian merchant ships, the nation could no longer fail to recognize the state of war that the German government was forcing on Brazil. The action by the chamber of deputies caused great enthusiasm in the capital. The tribunes of the chamber were filled to capacity when the members assembled to. take up the grave question. After a debate on the opportuneness of proclaiming martial law. the president of the diplomatic commission spoke in favor of a Istw worded as follows: “A state of war between Brazil and Germany is hereby acknowledged and proclaimed. The president of the republic is authorized to adopt the measures enunciated in his message of October 25 and to take all steps tending to insure national defense and public security.”

ITALIANS MAKE FIRM STAND

Germans Sweep Ahead but Meet * Determined. Resistance. The fierce Austro-German onslaught into Italian territory continues unabated at latest reports, but he Italians' shattered forces are being reassembled and are making strong stands before the advancing foes. While the situation is critical, the Germans claiming to have captured 1H.900 men and 700 big guns, U. S. experts can see nothing but a political significance in the move, as only the utter annihilation of Italy could have any vital consequence, and to prevent this allied armies are being rushed to the aid of the hard-pressed Italians. As a result of the Tuetonic offensive internal conditions in Italy have been unified and when the shattered forces once again get on their feet it is predicted that the invaders will be repulsed with overwhelming losses.

WHO SHOULD CONSERVE FOOD?

The Common People Must Not Be Expected to Do It All. One cannot pick up a newspaper or magazine nowadays but what he is confronted with the advice to “conserve food.” This is good advice anji strictly proper, and the common people are doing their full part, but they must not be expected to do it all. The common people, because of high prices, are prohibited from using more than is absolutely necessary, and the advice to conserve food should bd-. given to those wealthy classes whom prices do not affect. It is really amusing to note the effort on the part of some wealthy ladies to impress others with their self-sacrifice when they piously announce that instead of fifty new gowns this year, they shall content themselves with thirty-five. And, perhaps, likewise instead of giving fifty banquets, they shall reduce the number to thirty-five, and then go forth and preach conservation to the washer woman across the block whose children are happy and thriving on bread and molasses. And in the same class are those societies and gatherings at which banquets are served with double and triple portions for each participant. As we said before, conservation is right and proper, but the necessary consumption of the masses is not creating and fostering high prices, while the needless waste of the idle rich and others who are wont to make a show, are far more a direct cause. Apropos of this comes a letter from Ann Isabella Emmons of Lebanon, published in an Indianapolis newspaper, which places these need-

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IS THERE A CAR SHORTAGE

Except That Existing in the “Reasons" of Coal Barons? Another thing that gives us a sickening pain in relation to reasons set out for there being no coal • to be had for the consumers is tho "shortage of cars*’ by coal barons. Sunday afternoon we drove along near the Monon tracks in Rensselaer and counted ten empty coal cars, and have no doubt that there were some behind the buildings on sidings that we could not see. As no coal had been received here for a week —or perhaps two or- three weeks—one must infer that these cars had been lying on track here several days. We’ll venture the assertion that therg are now at least calculation 500 empty coal cars on the Monon between Rensselaer and Louisville on the sidings at the several stations. With a capacity of twenty tons to the car this would mean 10.000 tons’ Why not get these empty cars to the mines, if they are short of cars and stop this everlasting and deceitful “yapping” about car shortage. Of course, if rs> effort is made to gather up the empties there is bound to be a shortage in time.

LADIES BUY LIBERTY BONDS

" Members of the Chicago chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, have subscribed $50,000 to the second Liberty loan. Mrs. William B. Austin, the regent, announced Friday. The chapter also has raised money for an ambulance to be used in France, as well as contributing to a similar fund for the state.

Vol. XX, No. 61