Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 100, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 March 1919 — Page 1

Jasper County Democrat.

5240 Per Year

O. B. M'KAY IS STILL ABSENT

Ftaancial Difficult!** Believed to Be Cause of Disappearance. O. H. McKay, whose disappearance was mentioned briefly in Wed- ' neaday’s Democrat, had not returned up to yesterday, and financial matters are reported to be at the bottom of bls disappearance. He is said to have been owing several hundred dollars for gasoline, oils and auto supplies, and not being able to meet these obligations, he is supposed to have left town. He is said to have left last Friday, saying that he was going to Ham-'■->nd, and nothing has been heard from 'him since that time. Mrs. McKay is carrying on the laundry and auto service business, and states that the obligations only amount to a few hundred dollars, not enough "to have caused any alarm, but Mr. McKay was unnecessarily worried over them. Mr. McKay has always been a very hard working man and very honorable in his business dealings. He has been located in business here for some 15 years and should have acquired a competency during time time if hard work counted sos anything. Perhaps bad judgment at times is the cause of his present predicament, and may have unbalanced his mind to same extent. Friends think that he has secured a position some place and will return shortly and apply the proceeds of his labor on his indebtedness.

MRS. H. R. KURRIE IS DEAD

Rensselaer Woman Commits Suicide in Chicago Winter Home. Rensselaer and community was greatly shocked Thursday morning to learn that Mrs. H. R. Kurrie, wife of the president of the Monon railroad, had been found dead in the bath room in the winter home of the Kurrie’s in Chicago at an early hour and that she had taken her life in a moment of despondency, by inhaling gas. Chicago dispatches state that she had attached a rubjber tube to a gas jet, and this tube was tightly clenched in her teeth when found.

Miss Ida Milliken, who has been staying with the Kurrie family this winter, telephoned the information here to relatives Thursday morning, and Mrs. Kurrie’s brother. Firman Thompson, Mrs. Ross and Undertaker W. J. Wright went to Chicago on the 10:36 a. ni. train, and "expected to bring the body to Rensselaer last evening. It is understood' that it will be taken to the Kurrie haipe, which is the old Childhood home of deceased, and probably the funeral will be held tomorrow, although this is not known here definitely at this writing, Mr. Kurrie being in New York on railroad business at the time of hie wife’s death and it was necessary, of course, to await his return in Chicago before completing the arrangements. An inquest also had to be held.

Mrs. Kurrle was a daughter of the late Judge Simon P. Thompson and was born and raised in Rensselaer. She was 'married to Mr. Kurrie in December, 1909, and she leaves, besides the husband, two children, Thompson, aged 8, and Harry, aged 6; two brothers, Firman and Simon, and an aged mother. She was Mr. Kurrie’s second wife, her older sister, Grace Thompson, having been his first wife, dying a few years after her marriage. Mrs.. Kurrle was born Sept. 18, 1882, and was therefore 37 years of age at the time of her death. Yesterday’s Chicago Tribune gave the following 'mention of the sad occurrence:

“The ever-ipresent fear that she was losing ‘her mind, with the added burden of suffering which had attended her several years’ illness, prompted MrA. Edna T. Kurrie, wife of Harry R. Kurrie, president of the Chicago, Indianapolis and Louisville railroad, to commit suicide in her home, 5102 Hyde Park boulevard, yesterday, according to the testimony of her brother, Firman Thompson, at the inquest. “Mrs. Kurrie’s body was found in the gas filled bathroom shortly before 7:'30 o’clock in the morning after her 8-year-old son, Thompson Kprrle, had vainly tried to open the locked door. To Deputy Coroner Charles Kennedy Mr. Thompson told of the woman’s fear of Insanity. “ ‘She was very despondent after the death of her baby last spring and feared then that she would give way mentally,’ said Mr. Thompson. ‘She Indirectly told me that if she became convinced that she was losing her mind she would

COURT HOUSE NEWS IN BRIEF

Interesting Paragraphs From tin , Various Departments OF JASPER COUNTY CAPITOL The Legal News Epitomised—Together With Other Notes Gathered From the Several County Office*. Don’t forget that today is the last day for filing your income tax returns. If you have not already sent yours in, do so without fail today. The Democrat was in error regarding the nature of the case of Frank Hill Ivs. Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville Railroad Co.; which was reversed a few days ago by the supreme court. This particular case was for personal injuries alleged to have been received by iplaintiff when loading stock at the Rensselaer stock yards a few years ago, at the time William Washburn and Noble Peacock killed.

Newton circuit court items in Kentland Enterprise of interest to Jasper county readers of The Democrat, most of the cases mentioned having been taken to Newton on change of venue from this county: State vs. Ivan Julian, charged with running automobile without lights; set for trial March 24. State vs. Frank Leach, selling mortgaged property; cause dismissed. State vs. Bert Lewellyn, assault and battery; set" for trial March 25. F. W. Rutherford vs. Joseph Putts, suit on note; set for trial March 26. David H. Craig vs. New York Central Railway Co., damages; sent to Jasper county for trial on a change of venue. Noah J. Yoder vs. John Dunlap and M. E. Graves, to recover money; s6t for trial March 27. • , Economy Hog and Cattle Powder Co. vs. .Elmer E. Pullins, suit on note; set for trial March 31. Matilda Dluzak vs. L. D. Franscoviac, damages; set for trial March 31.

According to figures compiled in the office of the auditor of state the net valuation of taxables in Indiana increased $108,809,619 in 1918. The 1918 poll, the count of persons between 21 and 50 years of age, decreased 25,671 below that of 1917. Mortgage exemptions decreased $2,504,069 over 1917. The total valuation of Jasper county for 1918 was $15,942,666; number of polls 2,162. Benton county, valuation $23,643,015; number of polls 1,593. Newton county, valuation $15,416,246; number of polls 1,530. Pulaski county, valuation $10,641,242; number of polls 1,897. Starke county, valuation $9,350,215; number of polls 1,517.

White county, valuation $16,769,450; number of polls 2,674. It will be seen from the above that Jasper county ranks well with its neighboring counties. Its valuation is nearly up to that of White county, which has many more towns of considerable size and a population 4,500 greater. Jasper county has about 200 more males between the ages of 21 and 50 than Pulaski county, which nas a population about 300 greater. Benton county, with a population of but 12,688, has the greatest per capita wealth of any of the five counties mentioned, exceeding that of, White county, which has 5,000 greater population, by $6,000,000.

take this means ot ending it all. She had recently been suffering from an attack of influenza, nut when I saw her Wednesday was much improved and in oetter spirits.’ I “Miss Ida Milliken, a trained nurse and governess for the two small Kurrie children, Harry R., Jr., 6 years old, and. Thompson, was a witness at the inquest. She told of finding the body. “Mr. Kurrie, who is attending a meeting of rail heads in New York city, was informed of his wife’s ■ death by wire, and is nurrying j home. I “Arrangements for the funeral have been deferred until the arrival of Mr. Kurrle, H. B. Crane, secretary to the Monon president, announced.”

For Saturday specials Boy’s raincoats, hats and leggins, ages 4 to 9, $8.50 grade, the combination for SS.7S.—DUVALL’S QUALITY SHOP. • Read The Democrat for live news.

THE TWICE-A-WEEK

BKNSSRLAER. JASPER COUNTY. INDIANA, SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 1919

SAM DUVALL ARRIVES IN N. Y.

Rensselaer Boy and French Bride Reached Port Thursday. Yesterday’s Chicago Herald-Ex-aminer contained the following dispatch from New York relative to Bam Duvall of this city, who has been in the ambulance service in the French army for the ipaat 18 months: New York, March 13.—After four years as an ambulance driver with the French army, Samuel O. Duvall, Rensselaer, Ind., formerly of Oak Park, returned with a Croix i Guerre, two stars and a bride. When Duvall drove his ambulance into Noyon in 1917 after the first German retreat he found Miss Laura Benoist in the cellar under • the ruins of her home. For thirty 1 months she and her mother 'had been prisoners and her mother had died. Her father, a French soldier, had been captured. Duvall gave Miss Benoist food. He helped her get to Paris, where she had relatives. They were married eight months later. Mrs. Duvall, a pretty but frail little woman, said the Germans cast •her aside as unfit for work. Ablebodied women were deported. She was not harmed by her captors, who paid little attention to her, she says. For months she was under shell fire while the French were trying to retake Noyon. French artillery wrecked her home. Duvall was the first American non-combatant to capture a German. One of his citations shows he attacked an armed Prussian with a monkey wrench and captured him. Within a week Duvall and his bride will visit his uncle, Frank Birch, 327 N. Harvey avenue, Oak Park.

B. S. FENDIG CORNER IS SOLD

Talk of Erecting Large, New and Modern Hotel on Site. Negotiations were completed one day this week by which Charles P. Moody of Barkley township becomes the owner of the old B. 8. Fendig corner on Washington and Front streets, occupied at present" by the Rensselaer Creamery and Produce company. This property has a frontage of 100 feet on Front street and 120 feet on Washington street, and is ideally situated for a modern hotel, for which purpose Mr. Moody has purchased the property. Whether or not the building will be erected on the site the coming year has not been definitely decided at this time, The Democrat understands, but it is Mr. Moody’s intention to ipaut up a $50,000 to $75,000 hotel there and plans are being prepared for the building, it is stated. The price paid for the property wks $4,400 and the purchaser assumes a few hundred dollars indebtedness, making the price in round numbers $5,000. There is a very good dwelling house situated on this ground, but the old building on the corner, which is perhaps one of the very oldest business buildings in Rensselaer, is of practically no value except for the lumber thht may be salvaged. There is business enough in Rensselaer for two good hotels, many people assert, and everyone would certainly be much pleased to see a good building go up on this corner. Mrs. Moody for several years successfully managed the Makeever hotel and enjoys a large acquaintance with the traveling public. It is understood that she will have charge of the new hostelry if one is built on this corner.

NEW MANAGER MAKING GOOD

The new manager ofr the Makeever hotel, Mr. Jay WX Stockton, is making numerous improvements on this old and popular hostelry and expects to put in an electric I elevator, equip several rooms with rprivate bath and make other im- ' provements that will add much to the convenience and comfort of its guests. The Democrat has heard many complimentary remarks of the new management during the short time Mr. Stockton has been in charge, and the menu especially is said to be the best ever. \

NAVY BEANS FOR SALE A little off color, but good to eat. We eat ’em. 5 cents per pound in 10-pound lots or* over, —E. P. HONAN, phone 334. ts

GENERAL AND STATE NEWS

Telegraphic Reports From Many Parts of the Country. SHORT BITS OF THE UNUSUAL Happenings In the Nearby Cities and Towns—Matter* of Minor Mention From Many Place*. SEVERAL OF THE NEW LAWS Made by the Legislature, Which Adjourned Last Monday. Following are some of the bills of general interest passed by the late legislature during its closing hours and which go to the governor for his signature or rejection, also the action of the governor on bills of Interest to country readers. At this writing not all the bills have been acted on by the executive:

SENATE BILLS PASSED IN THE • HOUSE 8. B. 162—The new registration bill drawn up under the direction of the state committees of the two parties. 80 ayes, 6 noes. 8. 3. 343 —Munton. Providing for the creation of joint high school and elementary school districts and prescribing their powers and duties. 62 ayes, 5 noes. S. B. 208 —Van Auken. To eliminate the German language as one of the required studies in commdseloned high schools. 71 ayes, 7 noes. * S. B. 139 —Self. To amend the law concerning publication of legal notices, so as to allow 8 cents a line Instead of 5 cents for legal notices of trustees’ reports. 61 ayes, 17 noes. S. B. 109 —Ratts. Making it unlawful to have in one’s possession any bicycle or motor vehicle from which the manufacturer’s serial number or any other manufacturer s trade or distinguishing marks have been removed to conceal the identity of the vehicle. 83 ayes, 4 noes. 8. B, 74 —Negley. Requiring mufflers on automobiles and motor-

(Continued on nag* two.)

ENTIRE FAMILY IS WIPED OUT

Granddaughter of W- R. Nowels, Husband and Two Children Die. Mention was made in Wednesday’s Democrat of the death of Mrs. Lawrence Nickel, a granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Nowels of this city, and her Infant daughter at Longmont, Colorado, from Influenza, and on Thursday morning Vern Nowels received another telegram telling of the death of Mr. Nickel on Tuesday, and the 4-year-old daughter on Wednesday. Thus the entire family were victims of this disease in lefts than a week’s time. The funerals were held Thursday afternoon at Longmont and all four buried in one grave.

NOTES FROM COUNTY HOSPITAL

Z. L. Swaim entered the hospital Wednesday for medical attention. John, Daugherty, who 'had been making his home with his daughter, Mrs. Sherman Thornton, of near Surrey, was brought to the hospital yesterday for medical attention. Miss Maggie Gleason returned to her home Wednesday. Owing to her weakened condition an operation was not thought advisable at thia time. Edward Schwager, pneumonia patient, is improving. Miss Dora Daniels, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Horace Daniels of Barkley township, entered the hospital Tuesday to take training as a nurse.

COMING PUBLIC SALE DATES The Democrat has printed bills for the following public sales: Tuesday, March 18, Chauncey Wood, 2 miles south and 4 miles east of Rensselaer. Sale of 22 head pure-bred Shorthorn cattle. Friday, March 21, John G. Culp, in east Barkley. General sale, including 25 head of milk cows. NOTICE TO DISCHARGED SOLDIERS AND SAILORS. Discharged soldiers and sailors desiring to apply for the S6O bonus pay recently authorized by the congress should apply for the same through the local !Red Cross. Bring your discharge certificate along.— J. B. FLEMING, Sec’y Home Service Section. | An armload of old papers for 5c ,at The Democrat office.

CAN ONLY BOND FOR $2,000

Question of Building the Line Now Confronts ML Ayr. Some fifteen citiaens of ML Ayr met with the city council Tuesday evening to discuss the matter of extending the electric current line to Mt. Ayr from the Rensselaer plant. The Mt. Ayr people are very anxious to secure electric current for their little city and several farmers between Rensselaer and Mt. Ayr have signified their willingness to Install lights. ’ The line will probably cost about SB,OOO which must be built by the Mt. Ayr people, and Rensselaer will furnish them the current which will be measured by a meter installed in the plant here. The only question remaining to be settled, apparently, Is whether the people of Mt. Ayr can raise the money to build the line. The town can only be bonded for $2,000, and it is probable that a local company will have to be formed there to build the line, If It is put In. It is said that some 60 people along the line and at Mt. Ayr have agreed Ao put In lights, but when It comes to a show-down and they find that the cost of wiring and putting in the fixtures will run from $25 to $l5O per house, many of this number will no doubt "renig.”

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE TO OPEN

Next Week to Unite Constructive Forces of Jasper County. A membership drive, to enlist the support of every family in the county for the Jasper County Betterment association, will be started in every .ownship Monday morning, March 17, according to plans made at the directors’ meeting of the organization held last Wednesday evening. This association, which has for its purpose the organization of all the constructive forces of the locality and the co-operation with similar organizations In other parts of the country, was established two weeks ago under the most favorable circumstances. it has developed a plan of action designed to promote the prosperity and Improve t’he good citizenship of the people and in order to put this plan In action It requires the united support of the people whom It serves.

The following committee chairmen will be in charge of the drive in the various townships: Carpenter; . Harvey Williams Jordan..'. John Kolhoff Milroy C. L. Parks Newton. . . » Jofon* Rush Marlon Charles Postill Hanging Grove George Parker Gillam S. C. Robinson Barkley John R. Parkison Union George Hammerton Walker Wm. Hershman Wheatfield Simon Fendig KankakeeM. J. Hohner Keener. . Charles Enz These chairmen will appoint their committee members and maije a personal canvass of every person In the county for membership. The drive will be concluded Saturday, March 22.

President Moses Leopold, who is acting as county chairman of the drive, states that tie movement is being strongly supported by unso'ited memberships, a number of persons bringing or sending their 'memberships d'reetly to the secretary, and that the outlook for a complete success of the drive is *ry bright, the value of such an organization being generally appreciated throughout the county. Preliminary arrangements were also made for a county-wide picnic to be held on July 4/ Harvey Williams and George Putt were appointed to determine whether or not Fountain park could be obtained for the event. The association will suggest that, insofar as possible, communities forego their local celebrations this year and everyone come together at one place for a great get-together day, entertainment being provided by games, addresses and amusements. Com’mittees were appointed to. investigate sites and (plans for a community building, to be used as a livestock sales pavillion, a place for holding public meetings, games,, and‘as a center of recreational activities.

I NOW OPEN FOR BUSINESS Sharp studlp* open for business under new 'management, and will appreciate a share of your patronage. Sincerely—A. BEASLEY. Read The Democrat for live news.

Vol. XXI, No. IM

EARLY PEACE TO SAVE THE WORLD

F.A. Vandarllp, New York Banker Asserts All Europe Is Facing Chaos. CALLS SITUATION APPALLIH6 Declares Great Productive Machine of Europe Must Be Started Soon to Prevent Another lUdgn of Terror. Paris, March 14.—“1 America has begun to comprehend the seriousness of the appalling situation which confronts Europe and the wreck which the whole fabric of civilization Is now facing,” Frank A. Vanderllp said to n correspondent here. lie ha« been investigating conditions in England and France and will continue hla Inquiry in Switzerland and Italy. "America was once told there might, be peace without victory," he said., "What we have is victory withoutj peace. Production has ceased and unless production can be speedily re i mimed one's imagination cannot comprehend the chaos which may ensue. “There la nothing to be gained by, stopping to question who Is to blame or by finding fault with the way events have been guided. The great pro* ductlve machine of Europe must be started or the world will be confronted with a disaster such as no experience has recorded. Here in France everything waits on the settlement of the question of Indemnity and the progress of events In Germany. Each, day makes the prospect of Indemnity leas possible. War Zone an Utter Wreck. "I have seen something of the utter, wreck which the central empires ln-< fileted throughout the war zone. It ha complete—no words can picture trulyi how complete It Is. That wreck, how-; ever, covers only a strip from that channel to the German border. There Is possible a wreck that wfll cover all Europe. If production Is not resumed, the horrors of war may be exceeded by the horrors of this after period, which Is neither war nor peace but a breakdown of the machinery of. civilization. In the face of such appalling disaster, every partisan consideration, every unessential difference or opinion, and every personal ambition' should be Instantly forgotten.

"Unless terms of peace can be speedily agreed upon and unless these term* are such as will permit the resumption of something approaching normal Industrial life, there is not merely at chance, there is a strong probability of Russian bolshevism overrunning, Germany. What bolshevism Is can, never be really pictured by a normal. inlnd. No description of it has been overdrawn. One may say that the temperament and psychology of Germany is not such as to lead that country to bolshevism. Hunger can lean any country to bolshevism and hunger lb what central Europe Is facing. Food Control Breaks Down. ' “The stories which our soldiers tell of apparent ample food supplies on the Rhine should be taken only as" indicating how completely governmental, power over food control has broken, down and how food stocks that ar® essential are being recklessly con-, mimed. Pictures that I have received! from highest quarters relative to foodl conditions in central Europe, both In, and out of Germany, are sensational. They are sensational because the facts 1

are sensational. “Whatever is belngsdone In the way of alleviating conditions of starvation is necessary, but that is merely alleviation. It does not get at the root of the thing. That root runs down Into the ground of production. If the situation is to be saved every effort must be bent toward solving the problem and again starting production. Must Look Facts In Face. "What can America do? There is certainly one thing that It cannot do nno that is to withdraw itself to rest In the belief that this chaos is remote ond that America can avoid taking her part in international responsibility. We must think in international terjps as we never thought before. There is no time for narrow or provincial views. “The first essential is to look facts in the face, and they cannot be looked ir. the face until the terms of peace are known and the available Indem-, nity measured.”

ENGLISH FELL 8,000 PLANES

British Aviation Chief Asks $332,500,000 for Development. London, March 14.—During the war 8,000 enemy airplanes were shot down by the British air forces, while 2,800 British machines were missing, Brig. Gen. J. E. B. Seeley announced in ihe house of commons in Zntrodudng th® army’s air estimates of $332,500,000. General Seeley said that if. the war had continued the estimate would have been $1,000,000,000.