Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 23, Number 28, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 31 December 1892 — Page 1

Vol! 23.—No. 28

TOWN TALK.

A FEW THOUGHT8 CONCERNINS SWEARINQ OFF AT THIS TIME.

Tbe World Is Always Better for Good Resolution*, Whether Kept or 'ot—What the Year Has Done for Terre H»nt«—Fees and

Salaries and the Everlast 1 ng Oas Question.

This is tbe season of the year for new resolves. To-morrow tbe average man will make an entry in bis diary—a brand new one—and be resolves to keep an ao\ curate account of bis doings during tbe year Just begun. In nearly^every instance he will resolve to do much better in many ways than he did during the year which has just taken its departure. During tbe next month the papers throughout the country will contain many alleged funny allusions to the man of good intentions and reform reso lutions, reminding him occasionally of tbe road to hades and the material witb which it is paved. His diary will be found and tbe continually lessening entries will be recorded in a playful mannerl He will be pictured as looking in the snow for the bottle which be rashly threw away on tbo first of tbe month. He will return to his tobacco after a yearning absence from the same—in fact will engage In all his old habits with a vim indicating a determination to make up for lost timo. Thes*items we have had for lo! these many years, and there is nothing visible in the heavens, on tbe earth or under the earth which would lead us to hope, even remotely, that we might escape tbem this season. This kind of fun has become very stale, and is evon a greater chestnut than tbe good resolution of a very weak man. The people who crack these jokes are generaithpse wbp can notiunjj commendable in a good resolution. To them thero is nothing laudable i» turning over a new loaf, nor are they roady to ackuowl-* edge that it is a step in the right direction when a man admits to himself that he has not lived as woll as ho might have lived or should havo lived. They aro not the kina of people to assist man in a struggle against his baser nature and help him place himself upon a higher plane.

There Is everything commendable about the making of a good resolve, oven if it is-mot quite lived up to. To turn ovor anew leaf is laudable, even if it unfortunately becomes as black as tbo one turned under. When any man admit* that hi" life has not been what it should havo been he has taken a stop in the right direction. An old English writer says: "The man who does not propnso to himself to be better this year than ho was hint ftiust be either very good or very bad, Indeed. In fact, to propose to one's self to do woll is in some sort to do well positively for thero is no such thing as a stationary point in hu man endeavor ho who is mrt. worse today than ho was yesterday is abetter he who is not better is worso."^ There is nothing funny, but something very pathetic, in a man's resolution to quit bad habits and his failure to do so. There are few who havo nothing to be sorry for in a year that is gone. This is so universally the ease that the wonder is that Now Year's Day is not a solemn festival of regret, rathor than a day of national rejoicing. Tbo day is really a record of the Tact that wo are one year nearer our fate, whatover that may be Charles Lamb said: "Of all sound* of all bolls, the most solemn and touching is the peal that rings out the old year. I never hear it without a gathering up of my mind to a concentration of all the images that have been diffused over the j.snt twelvemonth all I have done or suffered, performed or neglected, in that regretted time." There is nothing to be "done about what is "reg re table" in a year that is past, That l« settled and done Tor and all the wishing tu the world will not change a single incident. But the future can always bo regulated by the paat, and the man who will not profit by experience is not fit to live. It is, then, becoming that every man should resolve to do better and be better, and there is no better time for such a

resolu

tion than the open lug day of the year.

The year just closing has been one of the most prosperous which this community has ever experienced. The farmers were favored with bounteous crops of all kinds* and tbe merchants have been generously dealt with. The olty, too, has witnessed greater improvement than in any previous twelve months of its existence. From theopeaing till the closing of the year the music of the hammer and the «aw has been heard in every portion of the city. New building* havesprung upon ©very hand, and every mechanic who wanted work has exjwsrienced no trouble in finding It, Not lew* than a thousand new homes have been erected within the city limits during the last twelve months. Many of them aro fine once, but most of them belong to those in humbler walk* of life —the mechanics, clerk* and laborers— men who have saved money enough to purchase a lot, And witb tbo assistance of the various building and loan associations have been enabled to provide themselves with comfortable home*. As the

year progressed the value of real estate baa steadily advanced desirable building lota for reaidence purposes have become so scarce and valuable near the bnsineas portion of town that intending builders are compelled to go long distances to find room and reasonable prices —in fact the town has grown too large for its limits and has taken to the woods. The year, too, has witneaaed. the inauguration of street improvements which were much needed. -The pavingof Main, Sixth and 8eyenth streets has demonstrated the desirability of such improvements, and the wonder is that the work was not commenced long ago, or why It Is not continued without a^y further delay. The railroads have given the people one of the handsomest union stations id tbe west, and the eleotrio railway system has been extended in every direction until it is almoat perfect. Terre Haute can certainly view the works of tbe old year with a feeling of self satisfaction. .»

Although it has only been in operation a very short time the new fee and salary bill has already demonstrated its unpopularity. By a singular provision it doesn't affec', any county officers who were elected previous to its passage, and under that clause tbe only official in this county who is now under its baleful influence is the sheriff. Thus far he has made no audible complaint, but the chances are he is doing some hard thinking. The law doesn't make any reduction in fees, consequently it is of no beneflt to the people who are compelled to resort to law to settle disputes. It places a price on the work of tbe auditor, recorder and sheriff, which those who require their services must pay, and then provide that these officials must "divvy up" with the county. It says that "I he laborer is worthy of his hire," and that the people must pay him, but when be is paid it proceeds to make him stand and deliver. There iB no justice in this thing. It is a good deal like a man who is'placed in charge of a concern to manage it, with, say six clerks at $1,200 a year each he selects his men agreeing to pay them #1,0.00 a year each on pay day they sign the voucher for the full amount and he .pockets the difference. That i£ what each county is now doing under the working of the new fee and salary law. If the law provides that for certain speo1 lied services a county official must be paid fivo dollars by the person requiring those sorvlces it says plainly that the service rendered is worth five dollars, and being worth It the officer should be allowed to retain It instead of being compelled to stand and deliver half of it or more over to the county. If the serylces are not worth the amount paid the fees should be cut down, but should never be turned over to the county. When a citizen p«ys his taxes bis financial obligation to the commuri'ty ceases, and the monopoly of running office for the money there is in it should not be owned by the county, but by the men who run for offioe.

At Its speoial meeting last Tuesday evening the city council granted the Consumers' Gas company a charter on its own terms. The amendments that the company be required to extend its mains to any block adj icent to one whore mains were laid, when a demand should be made by four subscriber*, and the other stipulating that the price should never exceed fifty-cents per thousand feet, were reconsidered and voted down. The ordinance was then passed by an unanimous vote. The only string which the charter has to it is one which allows the city td purchase tbe plant at any time by paying the cost price and six per cent. Interest, and If it over becomes necessary to pull that string it is possible that a leg will come off. If the new company can make gas at a profit at 86 cents a thousand, with a daily consumption of 250,000 feet, it should commence work immediately. It has 1,400 subscribers pledged to patronise it at 50 cents, the price now charged by the old company Thes© 1400 subscribers could not average less than a thousand feet each per month, which would represent a daily consumption of 486#000 feet but the real figure would be fully double that, consequently tbe profit would be that much \arger. The consumers are ready for any change which can be brought about. So far as the quality of the gas is concerned mattern could eeiiainly be Improve!, and the parties who will do It will be met with open arms. Now that the old company has advanced the price It Is but fair to assume that in a short time the Citizens Fuel Gas company will do likewise, which will aSord the new company a fine opportunity to demonstrate what it can do. At auy rate it is scare!y possible that there win be any high priced g&a here forborne time to come*

tn the Superior court this week Mary Prelle brought salt agais& Frederick* Miller, claiming $3,000 damages for alienating the affection* of her husband, John Prelle. The plainUfl seta forth in her tele of woe that she has been married to John Pretle for over thirty yeaw and thai the defendant has caused him to neglect her. The parties reside in Riley township.

-DIPHTHERIA.

A Summary of the Progress of the Disease Daring the Tear Just Closing*

During the twelve months ending today there have been reported to the board of health 453 cases of diphtheria in the city. The following table shows the number reported each month, and by whom reported: jSjff

Reported by

Gerstmeyer S Moorhead S McClaln Thompson Jenkins Staudacher Mattox Bpaulding Cavens Askren Larklns ,... a vi Welnsteln Sbaley Stunkard Zimmerman Swafford Glover Crapo, JR Young el Wllllen "Baker Elder&Baker Armstrong Roberts Crapo. W Balarldge Waters Payne Caldwell Burris Mason Willis Smith Anna Woods Haues Pike Mason Mann Palspg

•3 a

a a

Total 28 24

Reported by

T, |Dec.

1 1 2 4 2 1 4 0 3 1 8 1 2 1 "1 1 7 7 .. 1 2 1 1 3 .. 2 1 6 1 1 1 4 5 5 4 *2 '3 1 1 5 3 6 7 4 '2 1 1 3 0 4 3 1 •3 1 2 5 1 1 8 1 1 1 9 7 1 1 1 *1 5 3 2 1 1 2 4 1 6 7 1 2 1 1 14 1 4 3 1 1 1 *4 10 18 7 1 1 4 2 2 1 1 2 1 2 4 2 1 1 8 3 1 1 1 1 1

I 2 '2 *3 1 '2 1 2 3 *5 5 1 1 1 1 4 2 .2 1 4 2 1 5 2 8 2 1 2 *1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1

12 18 1 11 36 134 05 52 24

For tbe same time 85 deaths were reported as follows by. the physio^us named:

3 (Total.

2 eg 0.

a a

••a

Zimmerman 1 2 Moorhead t. 2 2 Welnsteln 1 1 Payne 1 1 2 Moore .1 1 McClaln 1 1 Moorhead 1 *8

1«

Mattox 1 1 *8 a 9 Spottewood 1 2

Bwafford 2 1 2 1 1 2 9 Elder ... 1

I 1

Crapo, J. 1 1 1 1 1 1 a

Stunkard 1 1 2 Askren 1 1 Larklns 1 1 1 2 1 1 S ha 1 1 2 1 1 Bell 1 1 2 4 1 Oeistmeyer 1 1 1 8 Young .. 2 1

1 1 4

Wllllen 1 1 a Davis 1 1 Staudacher. 1 1 Laughead 1 1 Crapo, G. W 1 1 1 1 .-pauldlng 1 1 Willis 1 4 5 shlckel 1 1 W at 2 2 a 11 6 5 6 3 1 3 5 12 12 14 7 85 lo the first table there are doubtless'a large number of cases reported which were not diphtheria at all, at least such is the opinion of physicians, while on the other baud there have doubtless been many cases of diphtheria in tbe city which were never reported to the health board by the attending physicians, or which never had any attending physician, consequently could not be reported. In the second table it will be observed that in several instances physicians have reported more deaths* in a given month than they have reported cases during the same time, which is accounted for probably by their having been oalled in after the cases had been reported.

The average mortality^ for the year was abeut 18 per cent. The death rate was largest in April, when it reached 50 per cent., though in January it came within a very small fraction of it, and was lowest In August, where out of 134 cases reported nearly 91 per cent, recovered. The death rate does not include a number of cases which were returned by physicians as "membranous croup," "croup," "throat trouble" and "bronchitis," some of which were doubtless so closely allied to diphtheria that they were cases of distinction without difference. At auy rate it is gratifying to know that the board of health, witb tbe assistance of the physicians, has tbe dreaded disease under control, and in its endeavor to strictly enforce sanitary measures it will have tbe hearty cooperation of the community generally.

Frank Stone, jr., a former resident of this city, and son of ex-Councilman Stins, was kiiled in Birmingham, Ala., last Saturday night. It appears that he had gone into a saloon witb a friend, wh »re they got into a dispute with a tough named Tom Cole, who struck Store on the head with a beer glass, felling him to titie door. The injured man was removed to the hospital, where he died on Sunday evening without recovering consciousness At latest Accounts the murderer was still at large The body arrived here o» Wednesday morning, and the aame'wternoon the funeral took place from the residence of his father, 904 south Fourteenth street.

Otto Best, wife and daughter Katharine,, of Nashville, Tenn., have been •pending the holidays with tbe family of Peter Best, of south Third street.

TERRE HAUTE, DSTD., SATURDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 31,1892. Tweniy-third Year

WOMAN'S WAYS.

ABOMINATION WHICH SHOULD BE DISCONTINUED.

mm .v*", -v*

Do Women Dress to Please the Men or is it for Kach Other?—An Enjoyable Restful Interval—Hoarding House Gossip—Those

Who Never Have a Christmas.

A large hat at the theater is an abomination, and a small one becomes only a not always pretty headdress. When all Is said and done, therefore, wouldn't it be better for all women to give up wearing hats altogether when at places of amusement and appear with uncovered heads, as they do in English theaters?" It is argued by a great number of ladies that they cannot take tlieir hats off owing to the arrangement of their hair, which is fixdd in some way that looks well with a hat on, but is not becoming when it is off. If this is tbe case let them wear a lace scarf, whioh will protect them from taking cold, yet, being light enough co rest Over the mostelabqrateooiffure with no danger of mussing it, will not appear at all unusual when once it beoomes the custom to arrange the hair and not the hat for evening entertainments. There are many who now either come to the theater, with this simple head covering or rerndye their hats after they get there, holding them in their laps, but this is awkward, and if managers of theaters want thi« custom to prevail let them provide oloak rooms such as are found in ail Li^don theaters, and there ia Cain to b«fL quick adoption of a plan that only needs leader tu make It a success. a, (S#

WonilMl* the world Over enjoy good clothes, but whether the pleasure they take in the pretty finery is because they look well In It or owing to the admiration a well-dressed woman always wins from both her own and the opposite sex is a question, ^Whatever induces them to array themselves in all that is becoming and, coster will forever remain in doubtfutobscufiiy, but from a feminine point it would,-seem that though w»men are the best judges of thetr well-gowned sis'tea's' attractions, a man gives bis admiration in an unstinted degree, owing to ^Jae £enew4 pleasing effeot rather than analyzing tbe style, the trimmings or the material. A man, however, appreciates a good fit with the keenness of eye that comes from long years of well-made tailor clothes, and likewise revels in a dainty ensemble with an artistic delight that a woman mars by picking its integral portions to pieces and criticising the cost of the lace on it rather than the charming effect it produces. Now, whether it pleases the dresser most to be admired in the critical style that marks one woman's appreciation of another's get-up or in tbe pleasure she can give a man by the general effect her appearance produces brings us back to tbe question with whioh we started. Judging, however, by the essentially correct and stylish, but frightfully unbecoming, gowns that are seen every day, it Is reasonable to suppose that it is to women rather than 'to men that the feminine adornment caters. •,

Is there anything more enjoyable than that little restful Interval between daylight and dark known as "blind man's holiday?" It is the one space in the span of twenty-four hours when tbe busy housewife feels at liberty to lay down the endless sewing that is part and parcel of ber dally life, and sit wfth folded hands to-listen to tbe talk of children and friends or indulge in the twilight reveries that belong to this shadowy interval. Apart and parcel of this restful period is the tea table, the hissing of tbe kettle as the water bubbles and boils over the spirit-lamp and the little click of silver tongs or the faint clatter of fine china. Tea and talk are two of the requisites of womanhood and never are they enjoyed to fuller extent than during tbe brief hours before lamps are lighted and the masculines of tbe household return from their labors. At this neason of the year the children coddle down on the large fur rug before the gloWing open fire and whisper of Santa Claus and his mysterious visit which promises so much in the way of presents and future enjoyments. The elders dream of the holidays of yore or lay their plans for those so near at hand. Laughter Is subdued, voice# are hushed, the mellowing influence of the twilight hour is over mil, and for the time being all the world is centered in the shadowy room where the flames leap and play, throwing dark silhouettes into the remote corners or cast their lurid glow over the faces which are ail softened and made to low the look of care, the wrinkles of time or the perplexities

of the houso that holds tbem and the doings" and sayings of the inmates are the staple topics of conversation. In tbe morning they gather inv each other's rooms and the oonversazlone opens with a discussion of at what hour the next door neighbor arrived home the night before, the business and income of tbe new«txarders in the second-story front, the quarrel between Mr. and Mrs. Soand So, Which, by the way, they never would have known anything about if one of tjhe members had not glued her ear to a convenient crack in the adjoining door, and many other topics of a like interestingand elevating character. Now it is a perfeot wonder to a busy woman how these ladies find the time for such lengthy discourses. Surely, the reading of a course of standard literature would be a much more worthy and instructive pastime and not lead to the mischief that such gossip always results in. Oh, women who board, take care! Take care lest your judgment be too harsh and your conclusions too hasty. Surface observation tells you nothing of the real life of men or women, and unless you desire the boomerang of your venom to recoil upon your own charao ter watch the tongue qarefully lest it lead to gossip and scandal that has no foundation in actual fact. *r

The grand jury will be sworn In on Monday, and will immediately proceed to work. The members are James M. Piokens, Riley township William K. Elliott, Prarie Creek William R. Meyers, Riley §Levi Diokerson, Lost Creek Walter H. Denny, Otter Creek Thomas J. Kennett, Prarieton.

A night school to instruct several Terre Haute preaJjers In the "mysteries of penmanship is muoh needed, and to encourage it the legislature should pass a law forbidding any person from performing a marriage ceremony who cannot write. This remark is made after the laborious task of deciphering a score of marriage returns in the clerk's office.

Anton Mayer yesterday filed for record a deed to himself from Henry Robinson for the building occupied by Leeds the jeweler, adjoining tiio opera house, and the one across tbo street occupied by Ross, th^ ^n^ideratlon, bsing $22,000. He also recorded a deed from Samuel McKeen and wife to himself for the MoKeen residence on north Seventh street, the consideration being $13,000.

Paul Revere Lodge No. 374, Knights of Pythias, eleoted the following oflicars Thursday evening Chancellor Commander, F. W. Hertwig Vice-Chancel-lor, Henry Kauize Prelate, John Web echt Master-at-Arms, John Kadel Keeper of Records and Seals, N. R. McNabb Master of Finance, George Wolfe Master of Exchequer, Dan Fasig Trustee, Charles lloff Representative to Qrand Lodge, N. R. McNabb. The Lodge was instituted just seven weeks ago with si^ty members. It now has nearly .one hundred and fifty.

The following

the weather lay out

for January prepared by Rev. Irl icks: "The 1st to 5ib, storms of rain, sleet and snow. Prepare for blizzards north, rain and heavy sleet south. A bitter oold wave will appear behind thi storms up to about the 8th and 9th. On and near these dates temperature will raise and storms return, followed by great cold. Warmer in west about 13th, culminating in hard winter storms from 14th to 17th. Be prepared. A cold wave, wide and extreme, will spread south and east, lasting to next period except, possibly, a raise in temperature, with storms on and next to 20tb. From 24th to 27th look for return of rain and snow, and after a few days of warmer weather, look for very hard freezing up to the 31st. Upon the whole, January will bo very c«Jd and trying. Be ready for it. Remember your

Btock."

youth while they linger after the activity of the day In that peaceful, heart-restful period we call the gloaming.

The Ability to mind one's own bnsineas is a most commendable and beautiful virtue, but alas! there are some women who board who have so few affairs of their own with which to occupy their time that the greater portion of the day and many hours of the nightaa well are spent in talking about what does not concern them in tbe lent. Their entire world ia encompassed by tbe four walla

Lemuel St utbard, member of the council for the Ninth waid, died at his home at Fifteenth and Locust streets on Wednesday evening, surrounded by the members of his family. Last December he had an attack of la grippe, which was attended with other complications, causing his death. He was born in Parke county, June 22,1828, and most of his life was spent on a farm. About twelve years ago he came to Terre Haute to take charge of the T. B. Johns farm of 3,000 acres, north of town, of which he had charge till the owner's death, when he rented it. Forty-two years ago he married Miss Martha N. Adams at Rosedale, who bdre him ^nine children, six of whom, with their mother, survive him. The six living children are Mary E. Ingle, of Fontanet, Sarah E. Webster, of Coal Blufl, Mrs. Neely French, Samuel Stutbard and MIm Isa Stuthard, of this city. Deceased was a brother-in-law of Unus A, Burnett, who died just three hours befcr% him. Mr. Stutbard yean ago by appointment filled ont an unexpired term of township trustee in Kevins township, and last spring was elected to the council, but wa* never able to attend but one meeting. Be was a member of the Christian church at Fontanel, and his remains wera taken there yesterday afternoon for burial. The council held a special meeting on Thursday evening and took suitable action concerning his death. Jz&g* df

THE DYING YEAR.

INTERESTING ITEMS GLEANED FROM A NUMBER OF SOURCES.

Some figures and Facts of 1801 which are Not Only Interesting, But Which Will Afford Food for Reflection and Texts from

Which Sermons Might be Preaohed.

Circuit court jurors ooet $3,350. The insanity expenses were |4,500. Tbe county clerk issued 637 marriage license.

The police made 3,425 arrests during the year. Tbe iten\of inquests cost the county $1,436.60.

Four cases dffeuioide were reported to tbe polloe. The Harrison township poor expenses were $3,490.75,

The cost of maintaining the police force was $28,450. It cost the county $8,000 to care for the prisoners in the jail.

Twenty-seven persons were declared insane in this oounty. The number of eleotrio lights reported out by the police was 8,100.

The city olerk issued 144 olty liquor licenses, whioll paid the olty $36,000. There were two murders in the oounty, and three attempts to commit murder.

There were forty-four aooidents in the olty, in nineteen of whioh death resulted. The board of county commissioners granted 177 liquor licenses in thecounty.

Elections cost the oounty $3,908.85, of which $3,958.85 was required for Novem* ber.

The patrol wagon and Paddy Burke made 2,Aft runs during the twelve months.

There were sixty-six convictions in the orlmlnal court on evidence furnished by the police.

One hundred and fifty-fi Jioonsea were issued to peddlars by tlin olty olerk, for which they paid $714.

There were 706 interments in the ceine» terles, as follows: Highland

L&vvu,

394

Woodlawn, 152 Cathollo, 161. The olty expenses were ahm ?:JU3,000, whioh inoludes tbe city's shore of the expense of paying Main »trett.

Four hundred and fifty-nlno cues of dlphEheria wererxep6rted dlivl li 3 year and 85 deaths from tho tlUoa^o.

The Wabash Lumber company d, a thousand car loads of lumber, ail of whioh went into new houses In this locality.

The value of property repor od as stolen to the police was $2,490, of whioh $1,660 was recovered and returned

thjB

owners. Its poor cost the oounty $11,500. TMs doesn't include the expenses of tbe }'ior asylum, which wore $8,600 more, making a total poor expense of $20,100.

The records of the health office show 717 births and 769 rieaUiH during the year. Evidently 80u»e the doctors are not doing their duty in the matter of making returns.

Two hundred building permits wore taion out, tbe aggregate value placed on the structures by their owner* being $315,000. No permits have bee.j taken out since October 31st.

The city treasurer oollected In taxes $206,288.95. This doesn't inolude the the liquor license, miscellaneous license, sale of cemetery lots, etc., which are stated in other items.

During the year 103 lots were sold in Highland Lawn cemetery, for which the purcbasors paid $3,858.40. In addition 152 single graves, at one dollar 4acb, were sold. In Wootj ^wn tbe city has sold all Its lots, and tni Catholic ceme« tery is the property of the church.

George Faber •«.«. buried alive on Tuesday afternoon, mid when taken out was dead. With man named Adam Hook he was engaged by Henry Hahn, of 123 Main street, to dig a hide from the cellar of his premise*, under ground, to tbe sewer connection at the edge of the sidewalk. Tbe hole was dug Wanting downwards, and was so small that a man working in it was in a cramped position. While Faber was at y.' rk In the hole the earth caved, burying him in about six feet of sand, and leaving only a portion of a foot visible. His companion commenced to shovel away tbe sand, but it fell faster than he could remove it and he called for help. A rope was placed around the protruding foot, and the body was dragged out dead. Deceased was better known around town as "Saturday Night George." Ho was about 45 years old, and bad been married, but his wife left him some years ago to go with a circus. His only known relative is an uncle who lives in Convlngton, Ky. The body was taken in charge by Undertaker Ryan, who embalmed it and gave It burial.

The city settled with Contractor Klrser on Wednesday for it* share of the expenses of paving Main street. He we* paid $25,245,16 under the terms of his contract, and $&S3 for extra work, making a total of $25,800.16. In addition be waa given order* for $13,037.04 on 47 Main street property owners who prefer paying the cash to having tbe expenses taxed up against them, bearing Ax per cent Jn« terest from the time the work was accepted until paid for,