Star-Democrat, Greencastle, Putnam County, 8 January 1909 — Page 1

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Year

STAR-DEMOCRAT

Kst.'ihlivhrd I HAN

till

V<>1. "»(*, No. AH.

OKEKNOASTLE, INDIANA, I I.IDAY, .I t\l \lO H. |»o».

N>W Series. Vol. A, No. 20.

utnam county orders a local option election

vice the Number Necessary to Call an Election in Putnam County Sign the Petitions—Some Townships Show Eighty Percent of the Voters upon the Petition.

yT TOWNSHIP^ show great interest

II Pranklin and Jefferson Vie With f-ath Other as to the Number of Voters Who Attach Their Names to Petitions.

»utnara County will hold a local jon election. Practically forty cent, of the voters of the county , e signed a petition praying that ,)) an election be held. Roughly L si.cne: were necessary to call election. Roughly again twice j t DU mb* or more than 2,600 ually p it their names to the peions. >he court houfle Saturday was ) U sy pla. e at 10 o'clock when the Viers of petitions appeared to turn papers over to the executive

❖ ❖ •> •> *> •> •> •x* •> ❖ <•

Local Oi)Uon Statistics.

Votes for Secretary of State in Putnam County at last election, 6816. Number of petitioners necessary to secure election, is 20 per cent, of vote cast for Secretary of State at last election, 1164. Number of signatures on petitions filed Saturday, 2654. Temperance forces will ask commissioners to set election ♦ for January 26. ❖ Number of saloons in Putnam County, 7: (all of these are in the First Ward in OreencaEtle.

imittee At that time there were ........................ ........................... two hundred people crowded <

will vote on the 2oth Each petition, as it was handed

/as evidenced by the carrier, who are that the names upon the pawere signed in his presence and i the names of legal voters. Geo. tna was the secretary of the com(tee and Harry Drown acted as asint T. T. Moore was chief of the il forces that attended to the notpart of the work and was assist■y F M. Lyon and C. T. Peck and

jp Burnside.

The work has been done within a ,k. Dec. 26 in the afternoon the 'utive mmittee appointed at a meeting the previous Monday, for organization. Charles ges was made president and irge Hanna secretary. The presi|t was empowered to select men the c minty to carry the petitions with tic*' aid of workers in each jnship the carriers of the petitions appointed and set at work eara the wi ok. In some sections the k of g Mug signatures was very In Monroe township fifty men of fifty 'no seen signed the paAnother bearer of a petition rteci eighty signatures from

ty-fuar persons approached.

0 the other hand some communiwere difficult to approach and percentage of signatures was ill. Franklin Township sent down signatures. Jefferson reports ty per ent. of the voters upon paper and Russell and Monroe

(almost if not quite as well,

itter dinner a mass meeting was pi to consider the time of holdthe elu tion. On motion of Dr. 'Eland it was voted the sense of J 1 "' 'hat the election be held pc 2Cth of January. The execuIcommittee was instructed to file Petition with the auditor of the T' Sat and on Monday at the bag of the county commissioners f , l ||, '.‘'t them to fix the above date

Ta tum f ( , r |jj t , election.

*as moved and carried that the In ttee that had served In securjthc signatures to the petitions 1 "ue as a campaign contJ' ■ election is over. There t" an active campaign in each j • fore the election. I the champion township,

The fact that the commissioners were to pass upon the petition for an election under the county option law on Monday morning drew a large number of persons to the court house The added rumor that the wet forces had a surprise in store in the form of some technical objections to the calling of the election brought out many more. The petition was to be heard at 11 o’clock, and long before that hour the court house was well filled with both wets and drys. It was rumored that an injunction would be filed to prevent the county council from appropriating the money necessary for the election. At once the dry forces "became busy and declared that they would see to it that election boards were elected who would serve without pay, and declared that such an injunction should not prevent the election. Discussion of the political side of the situation was common, and the possibility of the coming session of the legislature repealing the county option law .was the center round which the 'political debate revolved. It was generally conceded that the fight for repeal would be a hard one. Those who had opposed the petition on the ground that it should not be called till the legislature had acted are now declaring that since the matter has been brought up and so many have declared for the election they will come out and vote. There will be no on-the-fence people at the election. Sentiments will be voted for or against without any thought

as to outside issues.

Shortly before eleven o’clock the commissioners signified that they were ready to take up the matter of the petition for an election in Putnam County under the county local option law. The petition was presented by the secretary of the executive committee of the dry forces, George Hanna. T. T. Moore as counsel for the committee was present and F. M. Lyon also acted as counsel. It being shown that there were 2654 names, or forty-five per cent, of the vote cast at the last election for Secretary of State, the board ordered

| r of signatures in those | that the election be held, and fixed Creencastle, is Franklin the 20th of January as the day upon ’ Signers. T. D. Drook-j which the votes should bo cast. The • !,, d more signatures than wots made no objection to the ruling. ■ 1 canvasser. I Attorney John James, representing

tor 8e if the commissi 1 >nei ■

_ lion r.x 11; y,,!,•.■. ■ 1 I tllosc \M ! ■ 11'- - _ . iiis to onlt-r til'-

■

■ ' total number, un--c t. thus more than ‘ order the election ■ ' la< kad but a little -Ity of the vote upon

h probable, however.

■ oed win vote wet.

■f t> to have tho election ■. , v '“ i t> n the other hand ■ vote* 18e ' 5 t0 SigD Wl11 T >rob '

tlie selecting of judges and clerks ea h side name their men in each precinct and the commissioners would pass upon them and appoint them. Tills suggestion was accepted. It was suggested by F. M. Lyon that the county council be called together to appropriate the funds necessary to cover the expense of the election. Mr. James stated that the form of the call was already drawn ready for signatures. The council was called to convene on January the 16th. On that day, also, the county commissioners will meet in special

session to appoint the election inspectors and to go over the list of appointees furnished by the two sides for judges and clerks. Election commissionesr were appointed, Charles Bridges being the commissioner appointed to represent the drys and John Maloney to represent the wot forces. Attorney James was instructed to prepare the entry for the commissioners’ record. Thus enued in quietness the work begun two weeks ago, and pushed so furiously by the dry forces. Some opposition had been looked for hut none appeared, and now the interested parties will take up the task of organizing for the election. Can Not Withdraw Names. A peculiarity of the new county lo-1 cal option law is that it does not give a man a chance to change his mind, i Once he has signed his name to a petition and that petition has been filed with the auditor it is safe and sure, for the signer cannot withdraw it. One or two men who had signed the petition reconsidered and withdrew their names Saturday, but this was before the petitions had been filed. Now that the papers are with tho Auditor there is no side-stepping the situation.

GETS $10,000 DAMAGES

Jury Dives William Yemni Verdict in His Suit Against the Vandaliu Coal Company After All-Night Session.

ARE FOURTEEN SIMILIAR GASES

NEW OFFICERS TAKE PLACES

New Sheriff, New Commissioner and New Coroner Receive at the Court House, While Prosecutor Sueceeds Himself.

THEY RECEIVE CONGRATULATIONS

It was a time of apples and cigars at the court house Friday, being the time for congratulating the new county officials who take up the burdens of office now. The new men on the job are Frank Stroube, who will fill the office of Sheriff for the coming two years, James E. Houck. Commissioner from the Third District and R. J. Gillespie, Coroner. James P. Hughes, Prosecuting Attorney succeeds himself, and Jasper Miller, treasurer and George Raines, Commissioner from the Second District, though elected last November do not take office till next January, At that time Mr. Raines will succeed himself. Friday morning a arge number of the friends of the new officials called at the court house to offer congratulation. It was open house and apples and cigars were on tap, and wishes for a happy new year heartily dispensed. Nor were the out-going men forgotten. Sheriff David Maze, who for four years has so well served the people of the county was not forgotten, and many a hand shake and word of appreciation for his excellent work were received by the whole hearted custodian of the county bastile. D. V. McCammack, who for two terms has watched over the business of the county as commissioner, though not present that morning was not forgotten, and his work on the board was highly spoken of by all who dropped into the court house during the day. E.B. Lynch, who has been coroner since the resignation of Dr. Cbas. O’Brien, filling in an excellent manner some months of the unexpired term, was also present during part of the morning. The in-coming officers are all good men, and the county has no fear but that the offices under their administration will be more than well-cared for during their terms of office.

* The jury in the case of William Yemm, after being out all night and the forenoon reached a verdict and found for the plaintiff shortly after noon Friday. Yemm will receive $10,000 as damages for personal injuries received in an explosion In the Rosebud mine In Vigo County in 1S9C. The case was brought in Vigo County, taken to Clay and finally venued here. The plaintiff asked for $15,000 and received twothirds the amount. The plaintiff contended that the explosion was due to coal dust that was allowed to collect through the carelessness of the mine owners. The company contended that the explosion was due to the collection of gas in the mine and to several carelessly fired shots of giant powder. They held that the gases generated by these shots, mixed with the natural gas of the mine became highly explosive and caused the explosion. The jury held with the plaintiff s theory. Eleven of the jury were together on the damages on an early ballot, it is understood, and one member stood out most of the night. A verdict was reached Friday morning but the answering of the interrogatories delayed the men till after dinner. Fourteen other cases are to be tried in which men injured by the same explosion ask damages. Should ail receive the same verdict, the indemnity company which Is behind the ro*U company will suffer heavily. Judge Rawley was not here today and J. P. Allee acted as Special Judge to receive the verdict.

left a stick of dynamite in the stump. Mr. Brackney took an ax that morning and started to chop the stump out. At. the first blow of the ax the explosion occurred. Mr. Brackney was struck in the face and body by splinters and larger pieces of the! stump. His face was badly cut and j his body bruised. His injuries, how-• ever, are not considered serious by I his physician, Dr. Moore of Clinton Falls. Mr. Brackney was taken to the home of Hiram Heady, where he is boarding. He probably will be confined to the house for several days as a result.

MILLIE MODLIN TO HOSPITAL

FORMER POSTOFFICE EMPLOYE SENT TO INSANE HOSPITAL IN INDIANAPOLIS DEC. 81, FROM HER HOME IN ROACHDALE— HAD BEEN GRADUALLY GETTING WORSE FOR MONTHS.

BONDSMEN NAMED IN SOIT

Mike Malioney V'ks That Court Require .lames and Ed Mahoney to Pay Him SIM! He Alleges is Due on Work Done for Them on the H. G. Brown Road.

INSANITY CAUSED LOSS OF WORK

lie* ame So Obnoxious to Postoffice Employes And Citizens That She Was Discharged From the Service Several Months Ago—\n Inquest Held At That Time.

LOCAL MEN MAGE DETENOANTS

IS FRED GUILLIAMS DEAD?

Putnam County Man Disappeared September 80, l!MM> and Has Never Been Heard of Since—Action For Division of His Estate Started In Circuit Court.

Mike Mahoney has filed suit in the circuit courf in which he asks that James and Ed Mahoney and their bondsmen on the H. G. Brown road be ordered to pay him $96 he alleges is due him for work done for the Mahoney Bros. Janies and Ed Mahoney were the contractors' in the construction of the Brown road. Their bond for $11,000 was signed by T. B. Farmer, J. W. Thompson, Frank Cannon, F. L. Ume and Ed Lynch. Mike Malioney alleges that he was employed to do some of the work on the construction of the road and that the contractors have refused to pay him $96 which is due him for the work. He sues to recover the $96.

BRYAN & HAMRICK SUED

Indianapolis Funeral Director Alleges That the Local Liverymen, Who Have a Stable in That City, Refused to Furnish Him Carriages Because He is Not in the “Trust.”

Miss Millie Modlin, former stamp clerk in the Greencastle postofflee, was taken to the Indianapolis hospital for the insane, from her home in Roachdale Thursday. Miss Modlin had been insane for months. Irately she has gradually grown worse and it was finally decided to send her to the hospital. An inquest was held in Roachdale last week and the woman was declared insane. Admittance papers for her admittance to the hospital were received yesterday and she was taken to Indianapolis today. Miss Modlin, it will be remembered. was discharged from her duties at the postoffice several months ago because of complaints filed with the Government by other employes at the office and by citizens. Her actions there became unbearable and finally action for her discharge was taken. An inquest as to her sanity was held at that time on an affidavit by a member of her family. Later the relative withdrew the affidavit, however, and nothing resulted of the Inquest, Since her discharge sihe has grown gradually worse and it was derided to send her to the hospital.

HE ASKS DAMAGES OF SI,000

NO MANAGEMENT FOR PROPERTY

On the 30th day of September in 1900, Fred P. Guiiliams, a resident of north Putnam County, left his home. He has never been seen nor heard from by any of his relatives since that date. When Guiiliams left Putnam County he left without arranging for the management or control of his property. Wednesday action was filed in Putnam Circuit Court in which Charles G. Guiiliams, Carry G. Guiiliams, Effie A. Jack and Bessie M. Modesitt are the plaintiffs and Fred Guiiliams is the defendant. The action is filed as a preliminary step in an action to dispose of the missing man’s property. A publication is made in a newspaper this week instructing Fred P. Guiiliams to appear in the Putnam Circuit Court on February 15, 1909.

DEATH OF ISABELLE RAGAN

STRUCK DYNAMITE WITH AX

Miss Isabelle Ragan died at her home in Marion Township, just north of Delmar, Thursday at 2:10 o’clock. The house was the old Ragan home in which the deceased was born May 2, 1843. She was one of a large family most of which survive to mourn her. The father and mother, Ruben and June Ragan preced-| ed tlie daughter to tho grave. There survive her Win. H Ragan, of Washington, I). C’.: it. M. Ragan, of Fillmore; J. S. Ragan of Pueblo, Col., and H. H., of Salem. Oregon. Four sisters also survive her, Mrs. Mary Rosebro, of Oakland, Cal.; Mrs. Harriet Moore, of this city; Mrs. Welch, of Lena, and Mrs. Amy Nicholson. The funeral was held at the house on Saturday morning at 10 o'clock. The interment was in Fillmore Cemetery.

D. 4'. I truck nc,v, lliiililing Coil ructnr Of the S. II. JikIy Road in (Tinton Township, is Radiy injured in Accident Last Wednesday—Face Radiy Cut and Bruised.

STARTED TO CHOP OUT STUMP

I). C. Brackney, the well known Putnam County farmer, was badly injured in a dynamite explosion in Clinton township last Wednesday at near 8:30 o'clock. Mr. Brackney is the contractor on the S. H. Judy road now being built in Clinton township. The explosion was caused by striking a stick of dynamite with an ax. Some time in the past some one had

On the allegation that the members of the firm of Bryan & Hamrick, liverymen, refused to furnish him carriages for hire for funeral services because he did not belong to the “Undertakers’ Trust,” John C. Wilson, a funeral director, yesterday filed suit in the Superior Court to collect $1,000 damages. Wilson says he made an oral contract with the livery firm to have carriages at his place of business at a certain time to take a funeral party to a cemetery. The arrangements were made, he says, but when the time came for .the carriages to be on hand the liverymen sent word that he was “not a member of the Undertakers’ Trust” and they could not serve him. Tiiey offered him his money back, lie says, but refused to perform their part of the contract.—Indianapolis Star.

The Bryan & Hamrick firm consists of Fred Bryan and Arthur Hamrick. They own barns in this city and in Indianapolis.

FUNERAL OF T. H, PATEE

The funeral services of T. H. Patep, who died last Tuesday at his home, 32 Butler Avenue, Irvington, was held at 2 p. m., Sunday at the family residence. He leaves a widow and an only daughter, Miss Ellis Patee, a teacher of German in Shortridge High School. Mr. Patee was seventy-four years old and had lived in this city for six years. He was the patentee of a number of electrical devices. He came to this city from Greencastle, this State. Death was due to heart disease. The body will be placed in a valut at Crown Hill cemetery and later will be taken to Peoria, Ills., for burial. -Indianapolis News.

THE COMMISSIONERS MEET

Pass on Claims and Knud Mutters And AcceptProitosulsfor Receiving Deposits of Public Funds Prom Tlie County's Bunks.

COMMISSONER HOUOK'S 1ST DAY

The County Commissioners met in regular session In the commissioner’s room at the court house Monday. There were a large number of claims passed and the petition for an election under the county option law was acted upon and the election ordered. Several road matters came up. The Conrad I>‘hman road petition, calling for the location of a highway was passed upon favorably by the viewers. In the case of the John W, Wysong road the viewers asked further time and it was granted. Joe M. Allen et al. filed a petition for the cutting down of the hill north of the water works station on the Crawfordsville road. The surveyor was ordered to make a preliminary survey. The matter of proposals for receiving the depotlts of the county’s funis was next taken up. The following banks made proposals for the following amounts: Central National Bank $67,000 Central Trust Company .... 16.500 Roachdale Bank 20,000 First National Bank 50,000 Russellville Bank 20,000 Bank of Cloverdale 5,000 Bainbridge Bank 3,184 The funds will be prorated among the banks according to their capital stock.

ARMY DESERTER ARRESTED

SUIT FILED IN COURT

Suit has been filed in the Circuit Court In which Oscar Sheppard seeks to collect $250 he claims is due from John T. Cline and Clay Cline.

t al Morgan, a former Putnam County man, who deserted the 99th Co. of the Coast Artillery, at Fort Morgan, several weeks ago has been arrested and sent to Fort Harrison to await trial. Circulars telling of the desertion were received here by the officers several weeks ago. The officers were instructed to keep a lookout for him. Constable Crawley and J. M. Woods made the arrest near Stllesvllle.