Pike County Democrat, Volume 27, Number 44, Petersburg, Pike County, 12 March 1897 — Page 1

TEE IARGH FLOODS! Tlie High Water Mark of ’75 Nearly Reached. Railroads Badly Damaged and the Train Service Limited. Tke Damage te River Bottom Farmers ft’til Reach Into Thousands. % r The Stiver >ew at a Standstill and Water* May Itvcede.

Last Thursday evening the heaviest rain for a number of years set in and continued untiil Friday morning completely filling up All the little credits and rivulets which flowed ipto the White and Patoka rivers. The risers overflowed and thousands of acres of land in Pike county were covered with the water. Pride’s creek was the highest known for years and the little creek running through the town along the railroad was probably never higher. Water filled the engine room at the electric light plant, but caused little damage. The planing mill and lumbe. yard of J.R. Martin was damaged to the extern of while the damage to other plants and business places and residences were very sliglit. The greatest damage is along the White And Patoka river bottoms. The bottoms are all overflowed for miles and extends some plaoes to the foothills. Hundreds of families have been compelled to move to higher ljuids and to move their stock and personal property for safety. From the Bluffs, the original site of Petersburg, one can gain a good view up and down the river and across on t he "bottom lands of Knox county. Below where Pride’s creek empties ‘iuto White river as far as the eye can reach it is one vast .-ea of water and the river at some points is more than four Jtnvles wide. Along this bottom land nearly J aU the farmers have moved out. The river Monday noon lacked but about four feet of iH’ing up to the high water mark of 11*75, and all indications point to it nearly reaching within a few feet of that great flood. Herman Fulcher, who operates the fluff farm is entirely surrounded by water, and if the water raises two feet more will be even with the floor of his house. Ife has made .preparations for the high water and has bis stables decked so that his stock can be placed in safety unless the unforeseen should happen. Not alone is this section in the great flood, but it extends all over Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois, but Indiana - at present is in the worst condition. The railroads have suffered. Traffic f>r a few days was suspended and at the pres nt trains are irregular. Newspapers were at a premium, and many people m Petersburg were unable to tell whether or not tlie inauguration had been completed at WashIngtou City.

The accomodation train on the h Ac I. fr«m Washington after a big effort managed to get here about ten o'clock Friday morning attd came back from Evansville the same evening; but on batnrday no trams arrived, thus shutting off the iuail service.' Monday the trains between Washington , and Evansville run irregular, but no trains ©u the E. & I. ruu to Terre Haute owing to the road being washed out at Elliston and other (aunts, and it will be several days before trains run through, The other roads in Southern Indiana have suffered in a like ■*'. mamier, and travel in any direction was very uncertain. Neighboring towns have suffered worse than Petersburg owing to their low locations. Latee—The river at this writing (Thursday) is at a standstill. During Wednesday it raised about two iuehes and from 6 p. m. Wednesday to 6 a. m. Thursday it raised only one inch. The present flood lacks thirteen inches of reaching the great flood of 1875, the high water mark. It is now thought that all danger has passed and the waters will now recede unless another heavy rain should set in. The loss to fanners is greater titan stated in the above article which was written Monday, the river having raised about four feet since that lime. The E. A i. trains are still running between Evansville and Washington. The E. «fc T. II. has almost abandoned its tram service and will no doubt run trains over this road as far as Washington from there to Vincennes over the B. & O. and then take their own line to Terre Haute. The wreck at the Pecker bridge necessitating this. Nearly mzr*.......

all the farmers along White river have been compelled to move. Mr. Fulcher still holds the fort, the water almost reaching the floor of his house, and his stock standing on the raise about the big barn, although many of them stand in the water. Thousands of bushels ot corn and wheat hare been greatly damaged in the bottom lands by the backwater, it is hoped that the danger has now passed. Prot W. H. Foreman, superintendent of the city schools for the past two years, was admitted to the bar of the Pike circuit court last Saturday. The professor attended the Ann Arbor, Michigan, law school, and has beec a student of the law fur several years. At the close of the present term of school he will remove to Kokomo, where he has formed a law partnership with Judge James O'Briau, ! one of the oldest practitioners at the Howard county bar. The professor during bis stay in Petersburg has made many friends among the people, who are loth to see him depart. He has been an energetic and uutiring worker to elevate and promote tiie best interests of the city schools, and which under his management has attained to a high degree and proficiency. The school trustees have offered him every inducement to remain her* in charge of the schools. The Democrat and a host of friends wiV wish abundant success in his i chosen profession.

Tuesday night of this week a reception was tendered the members of the K. M. dub by Miss l»ee McGowan at the home of Mrs. Clarke Whitman, The affair was crowned with success, it couldn’t be otherwise, as Miss McGowan meets every requirement as a lady, as a teacher or as a most charming hostess. The parlors were handsomely arranged for the affair, the decorations 6eing appropriate and pleasing t*» the eye—the elegant lunch served being most tempting. New feature*, of amusement were introduced and indulged inv to a late hour, that of having the gentlemen present “hem'* au apron causing much merriment for all those present.—Petersburg News. Sim Ha&es has a iarge fang in the Pat oka bottoms, and on last Friday mornj iug he concluded that it would be a wise | thing for him to take the train on the E. & I, »south and see about his stock. He got | there on time only to find that about a 100 ! head <st hogs were all huddled together on I a small island. He at once proceeded to ! put thb said hogs in the hayloft of the ! barn, which occupied all of that day. He was tired and sore the next day and went back to the railroad expecting to catch a train, but the trains were all water bound, lie, tame back afoot but the stock were saved, Ob last Friday evening the members of the Degree of Honor entertained their husbands, sweethearts and friends at the A. O. L\ W. hali with a masquerade party. The members of the order were all masqued and i the gentlemen gue>ts were required to guess { correctly each masquer. L. V. Colvin and J Isaac Whitaker carried off first and second i prises respectively, having guessed the greatest number correctly. The evening ! was thoroughly enjoyed by all and vcted I the social a grand success. Refreshments j were served to guests by the ladies of : the order. _, TheSh.-ais railroad bridge Wmisia£i and j trains are not allowed to cross it. The I town is simply hemmed in by water. Peo- | pie cannot got out nor iu. Drift has piled ; up against the bridge until it is looted and a flouring mill on the river hank is being held off the eouwy bridge by ropes. It is expected to give way at any lime. Shoals people are in a sorry plight. The river ! there Monday afternoon had reached the | high water mark and w^s still rising.— | Washington Gazette. : __ : _

lucre Jonathon uowuumi, 01 Matuson 1 township, was in town Monday morning. He represented the people of Pike county : on the board of t»>mmi>sioners for many years and made a splendid official. He is j nuar way along iu years, but Is spry and active and good for many more years. He j wiil be ready for the battle of 1900 and is fur Bryan first, last and ail tne time. Tire loss by the floods iu Pike county will reach over $100,900 and may reach over $200,000. The reports from many parts of the county have not yet come in. The bcardof commissioners are receiving reports of damages to some of the iron bridges. E. K. Turner of Compton, Missouri, writes us that after suffering frura piles for seventeen years, be completely cured them by using three boxes of DeWitt's Witch Hazel Salve. It cures eczmea and severe skat diseases. J. K. Adams A Son. Asa Madison and Joseph Hollowed were taken to the penitentiary at Jeffersonville Monday by Samuel Smith. Madison was sent up for three years for bigamy, and Holiowell for two years for assault and battery with intent to kill Fo* Saue.—Match team of bay horses; 18 hands high; well broke; 3 and 4 years old, foil brothers; terms reasonable. Enquire of Jons K. Paxtsuox.

LOCAL HAPPENINGS! Gathered on the Fly by The Democrat’s Reporters. News Items From Here, There and Everywhere. Coart, City and Personal Items in an Abrey iated Form. Y«m Will Find Thera All I'nder Thin HendiOF. Oo to H. H. Tislow for all kinds of watfeh and clock repairs. 28*

Dr. Corn, county recorder, spent Sunday with his family at Augusta. William VanSickle of near Dayton, Ohio, is visiting relatives in this county. The county asylum contains 34 inmates and the orphans' home 23. Quite a large number. __ There are now nine inmates at Sheriff Ridgway’s hostelry. Several of the iumates are laying out fines. Barney Alexander returned Tuesday from a b^sines* trip in the interests of the Milwaukee harvester company. Good business Jot on lower Main street; good location; lot joins White’s grocery. Address Philip Schlemmer, Cannelton, Indiana. 35tn3 Will Truitt of Window, was in town Monday on business. Mr. Truitt will shortly move to Roekport where he will start a tri-weekly newspaper. Success. Mrs. Kate Brock visited friends at Survant the first of the week. She attended an exhibition given at the school of W. L. Survant which was a success.—Oakland City Journal. Torturing, itching, scaly skin eruptions, burns And eeaids are soothed at Once and promptly healed by DeWitt's Witch Hazel Salve, the best known cure for piles. J.K. Adams & Son. William Fowler, aged 64 years, and an old resident of Madi.»on township, is undergoing a singular experience, that of cutting his third set of teeth. He has'several teeth missing from the lower jaw and which are being replaced by new ones. The town of Petersburg needs sidewalks and needs them at once. The town trustees should act promptly in the matter and proceed at once to do something. Don't put the matter off from month to month as has been done for the past six or seven vears. _ They are so small that the most sensitive ! persons take them, they are so effective j that the most obstinate cases of headache I and torpid liver yield to them. That is | why DeWitt's Little Early Risers are known a« the famous little pills. J. R. | Adams & Son.

Over at Petersburg they are boring a hole j in the ground in anticipation, of striking | oil: and they have succeeded in so far as j the puncturing the earth j? concerned for a depth of 1.014 feet with nothiug but shale j in sight.—Vincennes Suu. And the boys have the *'sand” to keep on | boring until they have punctured the earth ■ 2,000 feet or more. They want gas or oil, i instead of salt water, just what you’ve got. The notion school east of town, closed I Thursday, March 4th. The patrons Of the ' school surprised the teacher, Mr. W. n. | Ault, by their presence and the well filled j baskets which they brought with them. At the noon hour there was a bountiful dinner spread and a very enjoyable time spent by all present. The patrons would be much | pleased to have Mr. Ault teach their school j for the next year. A Patron. We recently heard that the janitor of (one of the secret societies in town was j accosted by a lady (whose husband is a j member of the order) and asked to see the ' goat that the members kept there. She : explained to the janitor that she had often found long, silken, amber hair on her hus- ; band’s coat when he had been to lodge meeting, and thought she would like to see | the animal The janitor (who is a married man and a faithful custodian of the property and welfare of his brother) was sorry he could not produce the animal, bat he described it «• “the color of an Irish setter, with extra Jong hair. .1

Monroe Fettinger of August*, was in town Monday on business matters. H. H. Tislow, jeweler and watchmaker Petersburg. All work guaranteed. 38* Squire Capehart of Velpen, was in town over Sunday attending quarterly meeting at the M. E. church. | Dr. C. E. Bacon, presiding elder of the Evansville district, conducted services at the M. E. church Sunday night. The E. & I. railroad offers a rate of one cent per mile to Richmond, Indiana. May 10, 11 and 12, good returning May 14th. W.B. Lewis has moved his family from Ireland to this city. Mr. Lewis, is employed at Dering Bros.’ saw mill as head sawyer. One Minute is all the time necessary to deckle from personal experience that One Minute Cough Cure does what its name implies. J. R. Adams & Son. Fog Rent—To a man with a small family I will rent my house at my mineral springs and eight or nine acres of good ground for corq, potatoes, etc. T. C. Milbcrn. Miss Mattie Gray of Otwell, and Mr. Allen Barr of Algiers,were united in marriage at Ireland Sunday evening at 4:30 o’clock. Rev. J. I. Gregory officiating.—Huntingburg Independent.

Friends, if you are in need of job printing of any description call in and see us at once. The Democrat does all classes of work in the latest styles. Call and see us before going elsewhere. Don't allow the lungs to be impaired by the continuous irritation of a cough. It is | easier to prevent consumption than to cure | it. One Minute Cough Cure taken early : will ward off any fatal lung trouble. J.K. Adams & Son. J. A. Whitman and John Condor of near Ayrshire, were in town Monday on business. They “report Patofcn river spread out all over the township bearing the name of that river. The waters are still raising and mneh damage has been occasioned in that locality. Many casks of “Grippe” have lately been cured by One Minute Cough Cure. This preparation seems especially adapted to the eure of this disease. It acts quickly thus preventing serious coinplieations-and bad effects in which this disease often leaves the patients J. R. Adams & Son. William A. Braden, the bridge contractor. started out on a week's trip Monday. but after getting as far as Washington concluded to come home and wait until the waters subside. There was no way of getting out of that water bound city, the trains op the B. & O. road being abandoned. Noah Burkhart, who was stricken with paralysis a few weeks ago, still remains in a critical condition at the home of his son-in-law, Joseph D. Barker, in Madison township. Uncle Noah is 64 years of age. a splendid citizen, and his many friends will regret to learn of his serious condition. He is perfectly helpless ami has to be waited on at all times. P. G. Smith of Danville, Illinois, is visiting friends near town. Mr. Smith was foreman while the building of the old canal aequeduet over White river was in process of construction. He was employed in the construction of that job for over three years, coining here to take the foremanship in 1848. The stone used in the building of the aequeduet was quarried near Highbanks. He tells of many interesting happenings during the time he was employed on that work.

Mr. Ed. Krebs, formerly of Duluth, Minnesota, is in the city for a few days as the guest of his uncle, Mr. Thomas Eaton, in Oak street. For several months past Mr. Krebs has beeu stationed at a point in Old Mexico as telegraph operator and wilt accept a similar position at Indianapolis in a few weeks. Mr. Krebs* brother, Mr. C. ! M. Krebs, was formerly editor and propriei tor of the Petersburg (Ind.) Press. Mr. 1 Krebs says Mexico is a delightful country and the opportunities for a young man are j many and varied, lie says there is plenty of work to be obtained at good wages.— Evansville Courier. The residents tn and around Arthur engaged in a deer hunt last Sumlay, *at least < a portion of them. Sometime ago two of tlie deer owned by Hardy Beatty of Mon- : roc township, escaped and it is supposed j that this one seen Suthiaj was one of those that escaped. The boys and their dogs were out all day but the fleetfooted deer escaped into the backwater of the Patoka ; river and made good its escape. Monday a large number turned out to run the deer , down, but with what results are not known. Mr. Beatty has fourteen deer in bis park on his home farm, and they are heauties, | They are the attraction of that part of the ootinty. They are tame and quite docile. The children are much amused by their antics and the deer family afford much ! amusement. Mr. Beatty has had many 1 offers to sell bis pets, but he is keeping | them for his ova fancy.

TRAIN GOES DOWN! Through ail E. & T. H. Bridge at Decker's Station. Five Men Drowned and Killed and Several Badly Injured. Trestle Undermined bj the Bark Water Caused the Wreck. Conductor George W . Scares One of Number Killed.

! One of the most disastrous wrecks thAt has occurred in Southern Indiana in a number of years occurml at Decker Station on the E. & T. II. railroad Wednesday j morning about four o'clock. The Nash- j ville “cannon hall’’ train was going south when the trestle gave way and the engine, baggage car and slpoker went down into the waters of White river, leaving the coaches and the sleepers standing on the bridge proper. It was reported that five persons were killed and several badly injured. Among the number killed was Conductor George Sears, who for many years] was conductor on the E. & I. road through^ this place. The baggage car and the smoker are reported to hare went down with the current of the stream. From persons who were on the train at the time it is thought that only five persons were killed, that number being in the smoker at the time. The list killed are as follows: Conductor Sears, Fireman Boleman, Robert Allen and two unknown men. The injured were: Brakeman Baldwin, W. F. Henderson and one or two others whose names could not be learned. Wrecking trains were soon on the scene and commenced work. None of the unfortunate men have been found yet. The engineer and baggage man jumped from the train aud swam to the dry land. Others had a miraculous escape from being injured. During the day before several trains had passed over this part of the road and it was thought to be secure and trains were moving along nearly on time. The passengers on the - ill-fated train were brought back to Vincennes and transferred over the B. & O. to Washington and then took the E. d: I. to Evansville. There were a number of Evansville people on the train at the time, several of whom were members of the legislature. The accident created a great deal of excitement in Petersburg and reports were fiyiug all day. It will be several days before trains will be able to run over that portion of the E. & T. H. road, as the waters are too high to accomplish any work. The reports from the wreck are very meager and very conflicting and it is very difficult to form a very correct report at this time.

Town Trustees Meet. The town trustees met in special session ; February 27th for the purpose of amending | tin ordinance for the taxing of transient . merchants, who peddle goods about the j city. The ordinance was so amended. A penalty clause was added making it punishable by a flue not to exceed $10 for not securing a license to peddle goods. On motion the trustees voted to not charge for their services at this! special meeting. Ti.e board met in regular session last ! Thursday night with all members present except Druf. The minutes of the previous meetings were read and appro veil. It w*s ordered that Joseph Vincent was retained as uight watchman for the present month, A committee composed of Coonrod, Whitman and Hammond were appointed to look after securing rock for the purpose of placing on the streets, and to «mploy the time of the prisoners confined in the county jail. The following claims were read and allowed: Shawhan a Boonsbot. supplies.9 5 4* Henry Mar-ee,clerK . .. *33 J<>e VlaCMt, nlghtwatchman. )2 US Joe Kiuman. marshal . .... UUfiO V. H. Greene, attorney .. — . S 3S W. T. Wooox, haniiug. 5 50 t»n\ M Dustin, rent . 12 50 Electric Light Co., lighting . —, 1KJ 50 Bering Bro*-, lumber .. . 213 92 Total ... . . H9363 On next Sunday evening at seven o’clock the woman’s home and foreign missionary society of the Presbyterian church will bold their annual praise offering service. . All are cordially invited.

Richard Smith has moved from Winslow to Petersburg. S.G. Davenport was at Evansville Tuesday on business. Will Corn of Augusta* was in town Wednesday on business. R. M. Craig of Otwell, was in town^ Wednesday on business. Daniel Davis of" Augusta, was in tow* Wednesday on business. William Bottoms of near Ayrshire, was in town Wednesday on business. Mrs. S. H. Fettinger, matron at the county asylum, is suffering from lagrippe. A1 Maat-k and wife of Princeton, are the guests of jN. V. Hargrove and family this week. Aaron Anderson of Ireland, was in town ?' Wednesday and ordered the Democrat to his address. There will be services at the Presbyterian church next Sunday morning by Rev, William Oinelvena. President McKinley has issued his first proclamation, calling congress to convene in extra session March loth. H. C. Haymond. representing the Indiana bridge company, was here last week interviewing the board of comraissoners. Hon. Jacob Harlem of Mt. Vernon, was in town Wednesday on business. While here he was the guest of A. H. Taylor and family. .r.

Warner L. Barrett left for Cincinnati, Tuesday, where he will lay in a large stock of dry goods and notions for the spring and summer trade., It is surprising what a “wee bit of a thing” can accomplish. Sick headache, constipation, dyspepsia, sour stomach, dix~ ziness, are quickly banished by DeWitt's Little Early Risers. Small pill. Safe pill. Best pill. J. R. Adams & Son. “Has the mail come in yet?” has been a familiar cry during the past week at the postoffice. A large amount of Friday and Saturday's mail arrived Wednesday. The mails throughout the country have been delayed by the washouts of the railroads. Have you ever seen a child in the agony of croup, you can appreciate the gratitude of the mothers who know that One Minute Cough Cure relieves their little ones as quickly as it administered. Many homes in this city are never without it. J. R. Adams & Son. Rev. James Thomas and family will ar* rive from Beudan, India, sometime next week. They landed at New York last Sat unlay. Air. Thomas has been in India for the past eight years, being sent there as a missionary. He will visit his father and family here and other relatives. Gaines Farmer had a little experience all by himself Saturday morning. Gaines is working for the McCormick harvesting company, aud when the waters began to rise concluded to come home, but as the . trains on the roads were alt pulled off he was compelled to carry his baggage and hoof it nearly all the way from Washington. Hon. J. S. McCoy, who lives below town on the Sand road, informed the PsjlociUT man Wednesday morning that the loss to the farmers of Enos county would be very heavy. He is the largest land owner in Knox county, having about 3,200 acres and about half of which is covered by water. Nearly all the bridges along Pond creek are washed out. An entertainment of unique and attrac* tive feature will be given Friday evening, March 10, at the M. E. church. Among the things to amuse, instruct and entertain | will be azobodrill, living picture, serenade, | tableaux, the gospel ship, musical surprise, i bill of fare, freckled frog, etc. No one can ‘ afford to miss it. Admission, adults 25 I cents, children 15 cents. Tickets on sale I at Adams' drug store.

Th* Pntoka river is still on at rampt^p. The banks are overflowing, it being higher today than it h*s been sitiee the uieniorabU freshet of August, 1875, aud is still rising, ■ <Juiie a number of the people living in the ! bottoms are bring compelled to move them* ! selves ami goods to higher grounds by j means of boats, A great (lea] of live shook ' and **ther property have already been destroyed. D. A Baker & Son’s lumber j plant and yards are entirely submerged by : water.—Winslow Era. The hoard of commissioners last Monday granted a franchise! to the Cumberland ; telegraph and telephone company to erect poles and maintain a long distance tele* phone through this county. The main line j will extend from Nashville to Indianapolis and then connect with New York. Chicago and all other large cities, Pines will extend | from Petersburg to Jasper through tHwell, I and to Winslow and other points, When | the lines are completed the peopled Pike | county can talk with their neighbors in the adjoining towns. It will be a great benefit ' to the people, and Commissioners Robin** and Whitman will have the thanks of lb§ people for granting the franchise,