Pike County Democrat, Volume 24, Number 5, Petersburg, Pike County, 23 June 1893 — Page 1

VOL. XXIV. PETERSBURG, IND., FRIDAY, JUNE 23. 1893. NO. 5.

Boom ’Er Up -5 That is the Project of Drilling for Natural Gas. With the Boom that is Now On the Money Should be Raised. Put Tour Shoulder to the Wheel anfl Help Things Move Along.

manufactories will make Petersburg a Thriving City in a Tew Years. •- “Say Mr. Editor, your tenacity in holding up for the future of Petersburg is equal to that of a Kansas cyclone.” Such was the remark made to us the other evening as we stepped into a certain business house. Well, it may5 be, The Democrat is , always for anything that will advance ? the interest of Pike county, no matter what the project may be. Oui;interests are here, and what helps one per-1 son may also help The Democrat, | hence our numerous articles on the! future of the county and city. _ With i electric lights so The Democrat will be with drilling for natural gas, oil or minerals. There is no disputing ttys fact but what natural gas could be found if a company could be organized to drill for it. You may rest assured that it will not come to the surface unless vou go after it. It will take about $1,500 to drill ond well, and that is nothing compared with the results it would bring the town if gas was struck. 1 he money would return in a single day.

There are a number of citizens ready to take stock in such an enterprise at any time, yet there are a few holding ba-ck who have large property interests that are not very willing to subscribe stock In auy amount whatever. This should not be so. All should have a common interest in building up the city to such an extent that manufacturers would come here and locate aud engage in the work of business enterprise. Pike county is rich iu coal. No better coal territory is known in Indiana than right heye in Pike county, and yet it is only in its infancy, and known but little to the country Jat large. Why? Because the outside world has never heard of it and never will unless the fact is advertised to the country at large. If the people but knew what the real^worth of coal is in Pike county they would be astonished. So it is that if natural gas or oil was brought to the surface jthe country at large would know it within twenty-four hours, ana manufacture ers and others would be swarming to the new Mecca ready to engage in mammoth enterprises. A new impetus would be given the city and county and in a few years we would have one of the best towns in the state. The one great item of fuel is what attracts manufacturers in this day and age of the world. It is not lands and shipping . facilities altogether. This county abounds with cheap fuel aud if natural gas was found then this territory would be noted as the great fuel centre of the world. The gas is here without a doubt, and all it needs is money to bring it to the surface. When will the work commence? Joseph Lewis, a resident of Clay township, died last Saturday and was buried on Sunday, Rev. Crow conducted the services. He was a veteran of the late war serving in Co. I. 42 regiment for three years. He was well respected and a good citizen. Coal—J. B. Borer, at his coal bank on Vincennes avenue, lias nleuty of first-class coal for threshers and other purposes. Call and see him before buying your coal for threshing pur

When iu the city visit Liibs for funch. 5-4 Thomas and Mrs.Road were at Evansville last Tuesday. Mrs. Emeline Thornton is visiting friends at Evansville. Lou Dunning made a business trip to Oakland City last Tuesday. Mrs. D. Q. Chappell is visiting relatives at Vincennes this week. Louis Hisgen has accepted a position on the Washington Gazette. The rain ot last Tuesday was welcomed by the farmers of Pike county. Mrs. Carrie Davenport is visiting her sister, Mrs Pinuey at Princeton. Martin Fleenereame home Monday evening to remain a few days with his family. Gustoff Frank and Sherman Davenport were at Evansyille, AVedncsday, on business. Mrs. E. A. Ely returned home Wednesday from a visit with friends in Spencer countv. » The A. M. E. church has received a fresh coat of paint. The interior has also been repapered. Misses Minnie King and Lou Harris are visiting friends at Littles and Oakland City this week.

J. O. M. Selby attended a meeting of the board of trustees of tho Oakland City’college last Friday. A marriage license lias been issued to' John H. Jones and Miss Katie Willis. The parties are residents of Patoka township. Will Crow returned from Bloomington last Saturday, where he has been attending the Indiana University during the past year. Coronor Wilder was in the city the forepart of the week on business. He is a farmer by occupation, but generally gets there when an inquest is to be held. Rev. Dr. Bain will resume Kunyan’s “Pilgrim” next Sunday evening at 7:30. The attendance fast Sunday evening was good, aud the subject quite interesting. A long-haired man selling patent Indian nostrums was in the city this week trying to induce the druggists to buy. No sales. It is said that he hails from Tell City, All members of| tlie U. R., K. of P. are requested to nieet at their hall on this (Friday) evening at 8 o’clock. Members of tho subordinate dodge are also requested to be present. F. L. Hargrove, of Oakland City, has been appointed Indian agent at the Western Shoshone agency, in Nevada. Mr. Iiargilove is to be congratulated on his appointment to such an important position. ' —- Senator Leland Stanford, of California, was found dead in bed Wednesday morning, at his home in Meulo Park. The senator’s fortune was estimated at $30,000,000, aside from the millions set apart for the university that bears his name.

The ladies of the Baptist church will give an ice cream festival at the court house lawn on next Friday evening. The proceeds.of the evening will go toward paying on the new church building which is in course of erection. Let all attend and help the ladies out in raising the funds. Watermelons made their appearance in this city Wednesday. John H. Viehe, of .the “Gold Mine” grocery placed T%e Democuat hoys under many obligations for one of the largest ones shipped iu. It was fine and the way our satauic majesty stowed it away was a caution to behold. Many thanks. The city school board have hired the following teachers for the coming school year: Prof. A. C. Crouch, superintendent; Prof. Fred Chancellor, principal; Misses Frank Taylor, Sallie Catt, Kate Grigsby, and Serepta Dean. There is still one vacancy and it will be supplied this week. The teachers are the same as employed last year. Local news items will be found on the lourth, fifth and eighth pagesjhis week. The Democuat contains more local news each week than all other Pike county publications combined. The reading public are becoming aware of this fact aud each week new names are being added to its subscription list. For all this the subscription remaius the same, $1.2$ j^r

“W-e’re In It.” tr Petersburg Illuminated by the Electric System. No More Will the Citizens Wade Through Darkness. One of the Finest Electric Plants Operated in Indiana. The Arc Lights Turned on Last Saturday Evening:.

Petersburg is out of the dark and into the new light. That’s the situation of Petersburg at this time, the electric street lights haring been turned on. At 8:05 o’clock Saturday evening Lou Dunning took his post at the throttle of the 10S horse power Russell engine, and at each succeeding turn the mighty engine Increased its speed until it had reached nearly 200 revolutions per minute, when the Brush company’s electrician, Mr. J. B. McKeown, “pressed the button” and a blaze of glory was instantly seen throughout the prosperous little city. Everything worked like a charm at the power station. The ponderous engine moved off without a iar or rattle. The arc dynamo of fifty 2000 candle power capacity, was perfect and was speeded to 900 revolutions per minute. The dynamos cover a floor space of 4x6 feet, and Is one of the very latest patents of the Brush company. It also has the automatic governor. i The boiler and engine are of the celebrated Russell works, Massillon, Ohio. The boiler is 120 horse power while the engine is a 108 horse power. This part of the machinery was placed in position by W. C. Cummins, of Minneapolis, Mninnesota, wtio came direct from Chicago, where he was engaged in similar work at the. world’s fair grounds. The engine was tested to 235 revolutions per minu'e, which will give you some idea of the pow.er needed in an electric light plant. The electrical part of the works was in charge of Alex Henderson, of Cleveland, Ohio, until a short time ago, when he was called home by the death of a son. He was succeeded here by J. B. McKeown,also ot Cleveeland. The Work of putting in wires and connections to the business houses has consumed much time: and the work has been delayed somewhat by not receiving the wire for the incandescent system. The electrical part of the works consists of one fifty ^rc light dynamo with automatic governor, and one 750 incandescent dynamo and exciter. These dynamos run at an average speed of 950 revolutions per minute when in full operation. The switch board is fitted with measuring instruments to show the currents, number of voltage and the regulation of the plant, and also a lightning arrestor. It would take several columns to give the readers of The Democrat a detailed account of the workings of an electric light plant, and a brief synopsis must

suffice at this time. At the present time the company has twenty-two arc lights in operation under the city coutract, and nearly 500 incadescent lights contracted for with the merchants of the city. There are also a few lights contracted for in private dwellings. The trial of the arc plant was a success in every particular. ' . The company is composed of the following gentlemen : GustofFFrauk, president; C. A. Bugger, vice-presi-dent; George King, secretary ; Moses Frank, treasurer, and S. d- Haines, Clay Lemons, \V. V. Hargrove, L. J. Dunning and Sol Frank. These gentlemen organized themselves into a company sometime In December and ou the Gth day pf dipiuary, 1893,

—(_-.-^-—-.— - received their charter to do business under the laws of the State of Indiana. The company at once proceeded to accept the contract as made by the city council, after which negotiations were opehed tip with electric light companies tor a plant, and finally a contract, was made with-the Brush company, of Cleveland, Ohio, for the above described plant. The company next went to work and secured an acre of ground at the foot of Tenth street near the E. & I. railroad track and commenced the erection of a brick building for the plant. The building is substantial and roomy. The entire works is the best that money could buy, and without doubt one of the most complete plants in operation to-day, and cost nearly 115,000. And, again, as on previous occasions, The DeMockat wishes to remark that Petersburg is on the right road to a big boom in the way of improvements and the luture growth of the town and county. With this public spirit it will be but a short time until Petersburg will be one of the busiest little manufacturing cities in the great coal belt of southern Indiana. “On to the front,” should be the watchword. Ladies who do a great deal of sewing frequently, suffer a great deal from soreness of the mouth and lips, and are often at a loss to ascertian the cause of the trouble. Half the time it is the result of biting ofT the thread instead of using a pajr of shears for cutting. In the case of silk thread danger is quite marked because it is usual to soak the thread in

acetate of lead. Andrew Drybrongfc, manager of the Lincoln institute, lectured to a very large audience at Monroe City las Saturday evening. The institutelias several uew patients lor the cure and should have a much larger number of those who are so .unfortunate as not to be able to govern their appetites for strong drink. The editor is placed under special obligations to Mr. J. B. MoKeown, the electrcian, who is placing the electric light plant in operation, for many points of interest in connection with electric lighting. Mac is a very pleasant gentleman and by his genial way has made many friends while in this city. .The Democrat would deem it a great favor if someone In each township would take it upon himself to send in the news from their respective neighborhoods. Don’t be backward about the matter, but send in the news. It will be appreciated by the editor and by the people. Miss Christena Stihvell, daughter of Jarrett Stilwell, has been appointed postmistress at Stendal. The appointment will give general satisfaction to the patrons of that office. The Democrat wishes the young ladysuccess in the performance of the duties devolving upon her. . W. J. liidge, of Xoxid, Charles Carlysle, of Petersburg, S. P. English, of Arthur, Moses Earnst, M. A. Jones and Miss Nora Scales, of Winslow, spent Thursday with M. L. Woolsev’s family arid took in the oratorical contest.—Oakland City Journal. The grain market is still dull. Wheat is worth 53c and corn 40c. The live stock is falling off some, but the buyers are still buying and shipping. Two car loads of cattle was shipped on Tuesday. The Sunday school convention at Union Tuesday and Wednesday was not largely attended. The program was an excellent one, and a large attendance should haye been present each dav.

The fire company will give an ice cream festival at the court house lawn Saturday evening. The money thus raised will be used in buying suits and other Supplies. There will be a lawn festival given by the Y. P. S. C. E., Tuesday evening, June 27th, 1892, in the courtyard. Come and have a good time. One week from next Tuesday and the eagle will scream iu Petersburg and don’t you forget it. Mrs. Milton Mitchell is visiting relatives and friends at Washington, this week. Milk-shakes, lemonade and pop at Liibs’ bakery, 5 4

Sakes ’Live. Slimy Serpents of all Sizes and Shapes, A Party of Hunters Eun ThenGame into an Abandoned Goal Mine. The Boys Rou for Their LiTes When the W riggling Serpents Make War. Several of jthc Large Ones Captured and Will be Kept as ITtemeutOK.

A story comes to us of the finding of a serpents’den in Patoka township. While a party of hunters were out looking for game a short time since a fox was run from his lair, and awav ’ ! went ihe sly reynard, hunters, dogs and all. As it by magic the fox disappeared iii the sideliill, as also did the dogs, which were hot on the trail. When the party of hunters came up to the place where the fox and dogs disappeared, they noticed a hole similar to that made when mining. Not hearing any noise inside save that of hissing they concluded to make an investigation. One of the party procured a lot of shelf-hickory bark and lighting it began the exploration of the old mine with a view of finding out whether the dogs had miule the capture. They had;not ventured into the mine over 150 feet before they were horrified to see hundreds of snakes, wriggling around over the ground and about the dogs and fox, which had been killed by the serpents. There were all sizes and all kinds, from the .rattler and copper-head down to the common garter and house snake. They began ta dart their tongues out as the parties approached and soon had the bojs surrounded, and then the battle commenced in royal style. The hunters were soon made aware of the fact that that they could not cope with the army that was coming on. They had killed a large number and had emptied nearly all their cartridges, and one or two of the party were using their guns as clubs to keep out of danger, and finally gave up the fight and made for the entrance. After leaving the abandoned mine they sat down to rest after their hard battle, when on looking around they discovered several very large snakes coming out of the entrance. The boys concluded to make a capture of several of the larger ones, and were finally successful after a great deal of hard work in securing some very flue specimens of the oviparous family. It was the greatest battle of their lives and to the longest day they live will they remember the fight hey had with the reptiles in Patoka township. The dogs killed were valuable as game hunters, and it is supposed that as soon as they had entered the mine they were set upon by the numberless reptiles which coiled themselves about the bodies of the dogs and lit-erally-squeezed life out. The snakes secured will be killed and stuffed and no doubt will be kept for many years. Among them is one which measures over nine feet and eleven inches in, circumference, the others being smaller. Several of the snakes are curiosities and those who have seen them are unable to identify them as belonging to any of the spefies commonly seen in this part of

the country. It is a wonder that the boys ever escaped alive from the snake den. rhis is undoubtedly the biggest snake dory of the season. Nest. The report that a man had been apen shot five times and killed near [fosruer is a pure fake. There is lpthing in the rumor. At Liibs’ bakery you will find the *est ice cream m the city. 5 4

Fresh bread, pies and cakes every day at Lhbs’ bakery. 5-4 J. G. Nichc-Is and wife are at French Lick Springs this week. Rev. A. W. Freeman and wife returned from their eastern trip li. it Thursday.! Charles Boon shot and wife returned last Monday from a week’s sight string at the world’s fair. James Williams,Madison towushp, rejoices over the advent of a big boy at his home Saturday evening. Frank White and Walter Bur<;er have returned from Hanover whore they have been attending school during the past school year. Mrs. Fanning, the former matt on of the orphans’ home, left for Noi i lt Manchester, Tuesday. On her ws.y home she will stop off at MartiusviLe for a few days. Claudie, the seven-year-old grandson of William II. Miley, of Washington township, died Wednesday evening. The funeral occurred yesterday afternoon. The citizens are called to meet it the Methodist church this evening at 7:30 to hear a proposition made by the Lincoln institute to the people of Petersburg aid Pike county,

About fifty persons are picnic: ng near the Patoka river today. Col. John Whitman is general manager > of the affair, which insures all participants of having a splendid good time. Hunting and fishing will be-, the order of the day. Sylvester a il Mrs. Thompson are •attending tlio big lair at Chicago this week. Prom there they go to Valparaiso to attend school this sum- *, tner. The professor lias “catched on”, to the Oakland City people. Tie Democrat wishes them success. - i An old man by the name of Wimberly, commccly known as “Old Pi- - rate,” of Oakland City, was run down on the E. & I. road at that place last Saturday anfi had one leg cut off and was otherwise badly mashed a ad bruised, from the eflects of which he died ou Sunday. The grain dealers have asked us to say a word in regard to cleaning wheat for market. Tftere will be considerable cheat, rust and epecis in the wheat this year, and if it is not thoroughly cleaned a low price will be the result. Farmers will hear thig in mind when threshing. Anthony Stevenson, of Rockpcrt, Ind., has secured the appointment as examiner of federal courts for southern Indiana through the influence of congressman Taylor. “Sam” Keic rival, the republican incumbent, has been ordered to turn liis office fixtures and books over to Mr. Steyensoi op July 1. - (1

Samuel W. Little, who recenftly bought the Posey coal mines, V ill work them on a large scale. A u?‘w shaft will be sunk and operations'in miuing will be commenced earljhin September. The machinery will li ve a capacity of taking out forty chrs per day or 8X> tons. A large number of men will lie employed in the nines after it is worked a few months. The Democrat will open up a “Kicker’s Column” with next week’s issue. All those persons who think that they have a “kick a combi” Will send them in early in the week. They can be mailed, dropped in the box or handed to the editor. In all oases, your name must accompany the communication as a guarantee of good faith. Send along your “kicks.” In the an ieal register of the Purdue University we find that . Pike county has four students at that school. William B. Anderson, of Otwell, and G. C. Davidson, of Union, being in the junior pharmacy yea ',aiid fiVed B. Alexander; of this city, and Clement E. C aig, of Otwell, are taking a special course in agriculture. There were 677 students at this s chooi last year. The boys about the court bouse have a great taste for watermelons. Wednesday afternoon one of the boys handed Sheriff Kinman fifty cents with the remark “to go to V el e’s and get a melon.” The sheriff also, has a taste for melons and he proceeded at once after one. A! me heartily anti the sheriff was about to. pay for his part of the affair, when, he was reminded that he had piiidj for it once. The sheriff took the jrke. good eat u redly, and at no distatiltia^wiUgel even. i < *