Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 100, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 March 1920 — Page 1

Jasper County Democrat.

$2.00 Per Year.

ROADS ARE NOW QUITE BAD

As Result of Hains anti Receding Frost From Ground. A drizzling rain fell most of the day Wednesday. Thursday was quite warm and pleasant until late afternoon, the mercury reaching 60 degrees in thp shade. Toward niglht, however, it got some colder and set in with quite a brisk rain, w'hich continued all forepart of the night. While the frost has only gene partly out in the more exposed places, the indications are that It will be pretty well out in a few days more. The river was quite high yesterday morning, being sligWly out of its banks in places. The dirt roads are practically tolpassable as the result of the rains and receding frost.

MRS. ROBERT W. BURRIS DEAD

Funeral Will Be Held at Residence Sunday Afternoon. Mrs. R. W. Burris died at her Ibiome in the north part of town yesterday morning at about 1 o’clock after an extended illness from dropsy. Hler age was 70 years. Deceased is survived by her hueband and several children. The funeral will be heW Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock from the late residence, services being conducted by Rev. C. W. Postiil, and burial mtde in Weston cemetery.

HERE’S WORLD WAR ROMANCE

Rensselaer Lad Will Wed Lassie From Bonnie Scotland. Another romance of the world war will be consumated in a few days in Rensselaer when William Doris Crooks of this city, a son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Crooks of Jioselawn, will lead to the altar Miss Sybil Crispin of Aberdeen, Scotland. Mr. Crooks was stationed at a naval supply base at Inverness, Scotland, for about six months during the war with Germany, and while there met and fell in love Cris P in - After his discharge from the service a correspondence was kept up and the young man sent for her to com* to America. She accordingly arrived in New York a few days ago and telegraphed Mr. Crooks that she would reach Chicago Monday night. He went to the city Monday and miet her on her arrival there. They came to Rensselaer Tuesday evening and the young lady is stopping here with the Crooks family and the marriage will take place within the next few days. Miss Crispin’s mother is dead but her father and one brother live at Aberdeen. Mr. Crooks is a graduate of the Rensselaer high school and is a highly respected young man. He is now employed in the Hilliard & Hamill clothing store.

THE EPIDEMIC FOR SPENDING

For Public Improvements at This Time Should Be Halted. It would seem to The Democrat that it would be good business sense to postpone all (public improvements as much as possible until labor becomes more plentiful and prices of building material come down. There will be no improvement in these conditions sv long as we go ahead mortgaging the future by issuing bonds to make improvements that can just as well be put off awhile. The time to make public improvements is when there is stagnation—or about to be—not when there is scarcity of labor and production. In this way things can be more evenly balanced. We notice that in many counties of Indiana and in Illinois they are postponing public improvements wherever possible because of present conditions. But in Jasper county we seem inclined to spend more (borrowed) money than ever before.' As evidence the proposed consolidated school buildings* the proposed community house or memorial, etc. There are also no less than 10 stone road lettings advertised for the meeting of-the county ’ commissioners and IAjH road petitions are still being filed. It Is timie to call a halt on this publie improvement epidemic. The taxpayers and the county commissioners should' use their heads a ' little more. Otherwise we will be uD*&Me to do anything when the slump comes and labor is seeking employment.

COURT HOUSE NEWS IN BRIEF

Interesting Paragraphs From the Various Departments OF JASPER COUNTY CAPITOL Legal News Epitomized—Together With Other Notes Gathered by Us From the Various County Offices. Monday is the last day for filing income tax returns. Hon. W. L. Wood, who has served the people of this representative district very acceptably in the lower house of Ae legislature for the past three terms, has announced that he will not be a candidate for re-election. John Greve and Mr. and Mrs. Jurrin Knip were down from Demotte on business Thursday. Mr. Greve stated that negotiations were under way for a milk pasteurizing plant being established at Demotte in the near future, and the prospects were quite, flattering for securing the industry.

Some 20 bidders were here Wednesday after the Barnard ditch contract in the north part of the county. The estimate was 11 cents per yard for the excavating while the lowest bids received were 16 cenlts. It was therefore necessary for Superintendent C. J. Hobbs to refuse the selling of the ditch. It is now time to file mortgage exemptions, and if you have a mortgage on y«ur real estate the filing of such will materially .reduce your taxes. Remember that it is necessary to file with the county auditor where such real estate is located in order to secure the exemption and that youi must file each year during the assessing period. ? Emmet Laßue, Mose Leopold and George A. Williams are all the Rensselaer attorneys who have thus far officially shied their hats in the ring for the Republican nqmtination for judge, but it is understood that at least two more are to get i n —John A. Dunlap and A. Halleck. It is rumored that Newton county is likely to have three candidates for the place also. The Tenth district Democrats wih hold an organization meeting in Rensselaer on Saturday afternoon. Meh. 20, in the circuit court room in the court house. This will be a joint meeting of the men and womeiT of the district, and good speakers, both men and women, will address the meeting. As many Democrats as can possibly do so are urged to attend this meeting.

Dr. Fred F. Hatch, superintendent and attending physician of the Sunnyside tuberculosis hospital, located a short distance out from Indianapolis, will be in Rensselaer today, Saturday, and will 'hold clynics in the ladies’ waiting room of the cchirt house, the clynics to be private of course. Dr. (Htatch comes here until the auspices, of the Jasper County Anti-Tubercm-losis society. The rush in the recorder's office is subsiding somewhat, but Recorder Scott is not quite caught up with the work yet. The total consideratiqns named in the deeds that have been filed for record during the first 11 days of March was $1,786,340, and for the transfers published in The Democrat for the past three weeks, $2,426,792*. This is withill less than $75,000 of the total consideration of all deeds filed during the entire year of 19 Ib. ' Newton circuit court items of interest to readers of The Democrat. The jury is not called till the third Monday of the term: G. A. Williams, administrator estate of Noble Peacock, vs. C. I. & L. Ry.- Co.; cau.se dismissed. Kate Hansson vs. John Hansson, action for divorce; set for hearing ■'Meh. 24. Arthur B. Cavendish vs. T. F.

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Remember the big disipersion sale next Tuesday at the Otis ranch, 2 miles east of Roselawn: —87 head of horses, 205 head of cattle, lots of farm Implements.—Advt.

THE TWICE-A-WEEK

RENSSELAER, JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA, SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 1920.

A NEW AUTO SALESROOM HERE

Kirk A Thompson Lease Gayety Theater Building. Dr. Horton has leased the Gayety theater to Kirk & Thompson for an automobile salesroom and is tearing out the hardwood floor /put down last summer, getting more for the flooring than it cost him for the lumber then and expense of laying it and tearing it out again. There was already a concrete floor underneath, so it is all in , good shape for garage or auto salesroom purposes. He will also build a brick wall on the east side of the building, it is understood, next to the Leek hitch barn.

ROADS AWAIT A PRICE DROP

Illinois Director’s Ruling Holds Up About 1,100 Miles. Springfield* 111., Meh. 11. —No contracts will be awarded for stale bond issue roads until prices are reduced, Frank L. Bennett, director of the department of public works and buildings, has decided. Mr. Bennett said, ‘he would Issue a statement later regarding the 1920 road building program. The announcemeivt, it is believed, practically will mean abandonment of the plan to build 1,100 milee of hard roads this year.

STILL PROSPERING IN KANSAS

A. M. Clark Buys Fine Farm and Pays $54,000 for Same. A. M. Clark, formerly of Milroy township, Jasper county, and who will be remembered as a former clerk in the grocery department of the old B. Forsythe department store of this city, and for the past decade has been* living on a farm near Gardner, Kan., has purchased the farm on which he has resided for the past 12 years or more, paying $225 (per or a total of $54,000 for same. The farm was owned by James Irvin, who ’had purchased it in 1869 from tne original owner w*ho entered it from the government. In speaking of the deal the Gardner Gazette says: The relations between Mr. Clark and Mr. Irvin as landlord and tenant, have been ideal. All their relations have been represented by the spoken word—never a contract in writing—but there hasn’t been a word of disagreement and always has there existed a fine relation of friendship and faith. When Mr. Clark rented the farm, he had as about his only capital, character, health and courage. Two other things he had. He knew how to farm and he knew how to work. Now, after a dozen years, he is the owner of this splendid farm—one of the best in this part of the state. He will make it pay, as he ’has in the past and will have a real home. Meanwhile as the years go by, the increase in land values will go on, returning him a substantial sum upon his investment, for such land is going up to S3OO per acre or more within a few years. We find that we have made quite a story of this simple transaction. But so muc/h lay behind it, so much of friendship, faith, honor and industry, that we have felt moved to record it as something more than a cold business transaction. Alva writes The Democrat under date of Meh. 8, and says that he is done sowing oats and has all his corn ground plowed. “Have TOO acres of wheat in and 40 acres of oats, and will have 70 acres of corn. You can see by the clipping enclosed that I have been hustling since I quit clerking in dear old Hoosierdom. Farming beats it all if a fellow will hustle. it was sure a lucky move for Clark.”

PULL A FEW OF THESE BIRDS

Who Have Evidently Never Heard of the Auto Speed Limit. It might have a salutary effect for the city marshal to remind the drivers of some of the new cars going through here that there is a state law on the statute books of Indiana fixing a limit to the speed cars can be driven on the streets of cities and towns. A fleet of a dozen or more Lexington cars pulled into Rensselaer at 12:30 yesterday afternoon at a speed of not less than 40 miles per hour, and it is the rule for most of these fellows to go through here at a speed of 30 to 40 miles regardless of life, limb or law, God, man or the devil. The school fund should have been increased at least S3OO by those “birds” yesterday.

Peacocks were regarded by the anciecmt Romans ae one of the table's greatest delicacies.

OVERLAND TRIP TO THE COAST

Remington Girl Writes of Their Journey In Detail. 4,032 MILES WITHOUT MISHAP Have Many Interesting Experiences and Meet Hoosiers and Former Remington People. Long Beach, Calif., Meh. 1, ’2O. Mir. F. E. Babcock, Rensselaer, Ind. Dear Sir: No doulbt you think I have forgottemi the promise 1 made you .the morning of our leaving Rensselaer on our western trip In regard" to writing you some letters concerning It. I ’hadn’t forgotten it, only neglected it. One doesn’t have much time while traveling, and since being here we are gone so much, however 1 will endeavor to fulfill my promise. We left Remington Thursday, Sept. 11, at 10:30 a. m. Got a late start as there was eo much to do the last minute, and the neighbors all very good indeed in helping us. We got along fine until reaching Chicago. There we had a little trouble getting out of the city as we missed- the street we were intending to take. Nevertheless wo got out of the city limits and camped on the forest reserve, a fine camping place, but it was then dark and camp-life being new we had soime troulble in pitching our tent and getting our gas camp stove to burn. But we soon got our supper and wore ready for a night’s rest, having made 121 miles the first day, thinking we could do better the days following. Well, we saw some we did and some we did mot. The next day we got along real good until one of the old tires blew out, which, we were expecting to go any time. Had started with twp old ones on the car and were carrying two extras on the rear of the car for we were sure of nepding them soon. After fixing that we proceeded, having some other trouble with the generator leaking oil. We saw some fine country and roads that day, and camped a few tulles this side of Wis. Stoptped a while in Oshkosh, Wisi, which is quite a place. The country thereabouts is slightly rolling but very pretty. We camped that night in a farmer’s barayard and put our cots in his wagon shed as it was a very cool night, and slept much warmer than we had been. \ In through here nearly every farmer was filling his silo and each seemed to have his own outfit, usin'g a gas engine for power. This is a great cattle country. Land was selling at $l3O an acre and up. We passed through St. Paul and Minneapolis Sept. 15. The Mississippi river was m’uch smaller than what we expected to find it—that is where we crossed at. We camped that night 4 4 milep west of Minneapolis and saw the (northern lights for the first time and they were very iplain. The next day we passed through Willmar, Minn., and stopped a iwhile there. Russell located a friend living there whom he met at Lee Hall, Va., while in camp. They' had a great visit, renewing camp-life they had spent together. We then came to Moorheaa, Minn., Fargo and Breckenridge, N. D. This is a great i»otato country, the land is nearly level and slightly sandy. roads being in good condition we made good time. We were following the Red trail to Valley city and then the Green trail to Minot, N. D. We lost onehalf day when near Jamestown, N. D., on account of rain. The roads being black dirt we were most afraid to travel with our load, w'hich was 400 pounds besides the car a/nd ourselves. PeAple through here have quite large farms. The

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COMING PUBLIC SALE DATES ■Wie Democrat aas pr nted bills fol the following public sales: Tuesday, Mdb. 16, Wm. Sage, manager C. T. Otis ranch, 2 miles east of Roselawn, Big dispersion sale, including 87 head of horses, 205 head cattle, a large lot of farm implements, wagons, etc. Tuesday, Meh. 23, T. Z. McMurray, 3-4 mile south of Kniman. General sale, including (horses, cattle, horses, hogs, chickens, farm tools, etc. Wednesday, Meh. 24, Randolph Wright, 7 miles west of Rensselaer, bn Mt. Ayr road. General sale, including horses, cattle, hogs and implements.

Remember the big dispersion sale next Tuesday at the Otis ranch, 2 miles east of Roselawn —87 head of horses, 205 'head of cattle, lots of farm implements.—Advt.

HUSBAND AND WIFE BOTH DIE

Of Influenxa-PneunionlH Within Two Days of Each Other. Lewis Reprogle, aged 58, for 44 years employed in the mechanical department of the Monticello Herald and most of which time he was foreman, died of iqfluenza-pneu-(nijonia at his home in that city Tuesday night. His wife had died from the same disease only two days previous. They leave no children of their own, but had unadopted daughter, 'Mrs. Mae Frettinger, of Logansport. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Catherine Warden; two brothers, Henry D. Reprogle of 'Monticello and Cloyd Reprogle of Michigan City and two sisters, Mrs. S. A. Condo and Mrs. Jennie Fording, of Monticello.

NOTES FROM COUNTY HOSPITAL

Mrs. Ida Ricks of Francesville entered the hospital Thursday for medical attention. Bueie Chamberlain of Mt. Ayr entered the hospital Wednesday for medical attention. Mrs. Oliver Wagner and babe returned to their (home at Conrad Thursday. Lawson Eldridge entered the hospital Tuesday for medical attention. Dr. C. Johnson wm a patient in the thoapltal Tuesday night and Thursday, suffering from lumbago. 'Mre. Cope Hanley returned to her holme Wednesday evening.

RENSSELAER LADIES’ NEPHEW

A Victim of Grade (’roaslng Accident at Buck Creek Thursday. Raymond 8. Eastburn, a prominent younfl farmer of east of Lafayette, aged 29 years, was struct and instantly killed by a Wabash passenger train at Main street crossing at Buck Creek Thursday afternoon at 4 o'clock. Young Eastburn was driving a closed car an«Y did not see nor hear the approaching train. The young man was a nephew of Mrs. Fred Wayimlre of this city. J i Yesterday’s Lafayette ‘Journal gave the following account of the tragic accideht: Mr. Eastburn attended a public sale near Buck Creek Thursday afternoon and stopped at the Crider general store to get candy 'for his little daughter, Frances Lee, 2 years old. The unfortunate nun went to the store, made his purchases and was just starting for his home when 'he was killed. The passenger train, w’hich was about 20 minutes late, was traveling at a high rate of speed. Mr. Eastburn was in a Ford car with the side curtains up. It is thought the noise made by the engine of his car prevented him hearing tihe warning whistle of the train. The crash of the train hitting the autanuobile was heard for several blocks. The automobile was carried a distance of 100 feet and thrown clear of the right of way. Mr. Eastburn was buried beneath the wreckage. When rescuers reached the scene, life was extinct. The force of the blow struck Mr. Eastburn on the left side of the head, which was crushed, causing death. The unfortunate man was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Eastburn, who reside at 401 North Salisbury street, West Lafayette. He was born 2 9 years ago on a farm near Brookston. About seven years ago he was limited in marriage with Miss Lottie. Clevenger, who with a little daughter, Prances Lee, survives. He is also survived by ’his parents and three brothers, Homer and Garfield Eastburn of Pleasant Lake and Walter Eastburn of Brookston. He was a member of the Kniglrts of Pythias lodge at Brookston and was an industriouw and highly respected citizen.

COUNTY EDUCATIONAL NOTES

(By M. L. STERRETT, Co. Supt.) The schools of Jasper county are nearing their closings in a number of the townships. The schools in Milroy, Barkley and part of Union will be closing in about three week? These townships are maintaining a seven-months term. Jordan, Carpenter, Newton, Hanging Grove, Gillam and Walker maintain a 7%-months term. Wheatfield, Keener, Kankakee and Marion maintain an eight-months term. The (high school at Fair Oaks also has an eight-months temh. Those corporations maintaining the eightmonths term will not close until the latter part of Aipril. Newton county on our west, un-

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The barking of a dog on the earth can, it is said, be distinctly beard by balloonists at an elevation of four miles.

Vol. XXII. No. 100

MINERS' WAGES; GOAL PRICE UP

Commission Recommends 25 "|. Increase, But Labor Objects. AWARD IS NOT RETROACTIVE Inion Member Dissents anti Will Submit Minority Report—Operators l‘re<Hct Higher Coal I’rlces. I —• * Washingtou, March 12. —A 25 per cent wage increase for bituminous coal miners is recommended in a majority report of the commission appointed by President Wilson to settle the coal strike. The wnge Increase proposed will absorb (he 14 per cent grunted when the miners returned to work Inst November, so that tlie actual increase Is 11 per cent over present wages. The majority recommended that the checkoff system, by which the operators collect from the miners dues to the unions, be retained. It also recommended that the question of differentials be referred to a special commission to be appointed by the Joint wage scale conference and to report in two years. The wnge Increase would not bo made retroactive. The commission did not nsk that the powers of the fuel administration be conferred on it.

Sought Big Increase. The miners originally demanded a GO per cent Increase in wagos and a KO-hour week, but after conferences here with Secretary Wilson and the operators* they modified their demands to a 45 per cent Increase. When the strike was called off the miners were granted a temporary Increase of 14 per cent until the commission could meet and hear all the facts. This Increase was that held out for by former Fuel Administrator Barfield, who insisted that this advance added to those received during the war brought the miners’ wages up to the level of the cost of living. No change In working hours or conditions was recommended. John P. White, representing the miners, Tield out for a higher wnge Increase, It was said, and will submit a minority report. The majority made no recommendations as to price increase to cover the advance In wages. Its statement that it did not ask for fuel administrator powers was taken to mean that It held that the question of Increased prices was one for Bn; fuel administration to decide. Rembrandt Peale, representing the operators, Joined with Henry M. Robinson, representing the public, in signing the majority report. The report was submitted to the president only after the commission had labored for several days tn an effort to compose Its differences and make a unanimous report, as It was requested to do in the letter from President Wilson creating it last November. Anthracite Workers Begin Parley. New York, March 12.—The subcommittee of operators and miners appointed to negotiate a new wage agreement for the anthracite coal miners held Its first conference here. The sessions are expected to continue for several weeks before a definite decision Is reached. . The high cost of living will figure largely In the arguments of the mine workers for a GO per cent wage Increase, it was stated. Volumes of statistics have been gathered by the statisticians of the United Mine Workers to show that their wages have not kept pace with the cost, of living. These Will be presented early in the subcommittees conferences. Operators to Raise Price. St. Louis, Mo., March 12. —Thomas T. Brewster, chairman of the coal operators’ scale committee in the central competitive field, asserted the price of coal would be raised If the 25 per cent wnge Increase be granted, as recommended by the commission appointed by President Wilson to settle the coal miners’ strike. Mr. Brewster refused to approximate what the price Increase would be until he has received an official copy of the commission’s report.

SEEKS RAISE FOR U. S. MEN

Poor Pay Impairs Customs Service, Congress Told. Washington, March 12.—Declaring that the efficiency of the United States customs service is being linpuired by wholesale resignations of experienced employees because of insufficient pay, the Chicago Association of Commerce submitted a petition to congress asking an appropriation of $1,000,000 for Increasing salaries in the service. Investigation by the chamber shows that the employees have received no in.crease In ten years, according to the petition which was presented to the [senate by Senator Sherman.