St. Joseph County Independent, Volume 12, Number 26, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 25 December 1886 — Page 2

THE INDEPENDENT BY Will A. EXBIIY. filtered at the Walxerton Postoftice as aecond-class mail matter. SUBSCRIPTION: For One Year 81.50 For Six Months 75 For Three Months 40 XA blue mark across this notice shows that your term of subscription to this paper has expired. We respectfully solicit a continuance of your patronage, and trust that you will notify us promptly as to your intentions in the matter. We can not give longer time than six months on subscriptions. Those who have not paid in advanue will please bear this in mind. W. A. ENDLEY, PUBLISHER. WALKERTON, IND., DEC. 25, 1886 A HOLLIDAY PEEP INTO OTHER FOLKS’ BUSINESS, AND THE SAME EXPOSED. THE STEPHENS STORE COMPANY. Way back yonder in the dim vista of the past when such a place as the now flourishing and beautiful |own of Walkerton had not been dreamed of by mortal man, and its site a wilderness with but here and there a hardy pioneer’s almost hidden cabin; when the fleet deer capered nimbly through the forest and the festive skunk held sway, an ambitious young man by hard knocks accumulated a few dollars and established a little store at what is now known as West York, a suburb with but few traces of its former greatness remaining. We scarcely need tell the reader that that ambitious and indefatigable young mar. was named C. W. N. Stephens. The subject of this sketch established himself in the mercantile business in a very small way in 1851, continuing there about five years, in the mean time through bis efforts s ’curing a postoffice for the accom. modation of the then few residents he himself receiving the appointment as postmaster and continuing the same until the late change, when Mr. Rogers succeeded the tried, faithful pioneer. He secured the nostoffice in 1862, did business in West York about five years, when he established himself in the now lively town of Walkerton, which he virtually built. He is an untiring worker and as the demand for this, that an 1 the other commodity arose Charley never lost a moment’s time in complying with such demand, and was thus ever ready to accommadote his neighbor. Notwithstanding the fact that Mr. Stephens has labored almost incessantly all these years, through his magnanimity, generosity and disposition to accommodate his fellow-man —for the rich and the poor, the good pay and the bad alike, carried home thousands upon thousands of dollars worth of Charlie’s goods, for he couldn’t say No—he was compelled to make an assignment in ’B3. For the purpose of saving this almost indispensable institution to thia community a stock company was formed, the creditors satisfied, and C. W. N. made the agent for the company. Since that time Mr. Stephens has drawn the reins somewhat tighter, and to-day it requires cash or its equivalent to lug goods from that institution by the wagon load. The upshot of the business is some of the stockholders have beea dropped out of the concern, and the cash sales of this year are about four thousand dollars more than they were last year; the establishment is reported to be in a flourishing condition, and the debts are being rapidly paid off. The stock invoices double the amount it did when the assignment wa« made. Six men are employed constantly in and about the store Mr. Stephens has dealt much heavier in hogs this year than ever before, and is also dealing largely in coal, both hard and soft. While the Independent is no financier, and therefore but poorly qualified to give advice, it docs know that the ciedit system is an imperfect means of furthering the interests of any individual or any community— a careless credit system, we mean. Ami now that our pioneer friend has had an almost life-long and sad experience io that relation he will surely take advantage of the lesson and hereafter be good to himself as well as to others* May success be your rewaid

8. F. Ross & Co. The hardware department of the Stephens Store Company was purchased June Ist, ’B3, by S. F. Ross & Co. Here we have as genial a force as ever sold goods, with Comical Sam at the helm. This firm has a well filled and tastily arranged room of about one hundred feet in depth, carrying a full assortment of the latest designs in stoves, both wood and coaL Tins establishment has in connection a tinware manufacturing department to which careful attention is given. They also make tin-rooffing a specialty. But, you will never see Funny Sam on a roof. They report their sales of this year far in excess of those of last year, and the amount of stock now on band considerable greater than that of the corresponding time last year. Cheerful and apparently happy is this firm. Not a member of the concern can be said to be in the least selfish. All they seem to want is a fair share of patronage, for which —everybody must agree with us—they manifest a disposition and willingness to render an equivalent. And we may say in conclusion that the bam F. Ross firm not only has but merits its share of patronage. So mote it be. The E. J. Vincent Furniture & Undertaking House. In October, 1876, B 11. & E J. Vincent, father and son, erected a little building on the corner, 35 feet deep, two stories high, and invested about nine hundred dollais in furniture and material lor manufacturing, and went to work. Without blow or bombast, these sturdy gentlemen pegged away from early morn until a reasonable hour at night, day in and day out, week in and week out, etc., etc. The quiet little institution was looked upon by some, as being wot thy of no notice, and was even christened the “Six Months Child.” But dauntless these gentlemen strove on and on and to-day this establishment stands an enviable one. In February, 1882, the senior partner of this house, Mr. B. H. Vincent, departed this life, and the junior paituer, E. J. Vincent, became sole proprietor. The building has been enlarged to a depth of 75 feet and two stories high, the entire upper story being filled to its fullest capacity with goods pertairing to the line. And so likewise is the ground fluor room. Mr. Vincent has added undertaking (this is the |urt of it we have no love for) to the business and has a hearse (it makes us crawl all over to think of it) the value of which is ordinarily estimated at one thousand dollars. When this branch of the business was added it was limited to Walkerton and immediate vicinity, but now does the principal business of ar area of z lB miles in diameter. Upholstering of all kinds is also done at this establishment. In fine, Ed is a sobvr, genial, and highly respected citizen; and so long as he don’t UNDERTAKE us, for aught we know, shall bold him in high esteem. The Philadelphia Store. To simply pass this bou<e with the plain routine notice would do it ru injustice, for it is an establishment our citizens should be and are proud of, one that would do honor to any city in our state. This store was opened April 6, 1885, and consists of dry goods and fancy goods, packed to its fullest capacity, a modern and handsomely finished room, 80 feet deep, beside ware-room, with the very best of dry goods and notions, tastily arranged, every article within one-sixteenth of an inch of its place, is what strikes one on entering this model of a store. You don’t fall into an open barrell ol brown sugar; you don’t step into three gallons of cheap Oileans molasses spread over the floor, slip up and slide twenty-seven feet on the broadest portion of the human anatomy, on entering this, the cleanest, the prettiest, the most tastily arranged store in Walkerton. But, on the other hand, you aie amazed on entering this establishment, when you see the peifect order, the business-like system under which this institution is managed; and still greater is your amazement when you meet the genial Jolly Jake and the Hand some Dave, both of whom stand behind the counter, pass over goods with a pleasant smile and “please call again.” This firm reports their sales as steadily, but gradually increasing, from a light trade in the beginning to that of a very satisfactory trade at this writing. We have not in the slightest particular overdrawn the picture in relation to the Philadelphia Store. Ir is all we claim for it, ami if the proprietors thereof have the grit to stick, success must necessarily crown their efforts, for merit usually reaps its reward.

The Williams & Henderson Company. This Company, dealers in hardware, lumber, lath, lime, coal, sash, doors and blinds, and al) kinds of i uilding material, buggies, wagons, farming implements, etc., etc., was organized April 25, 1885, opening their books on May 7, 1885, ami sailing into business. Mr. Henderson, the inside and outside and up one side and down the other side hallow of the firm, is a young, energetic, thoroughbred business man, and has been in this place about five years, landing here as a ouehorse country school teacher. The firm occupies a well filled business building 114 feet in depth. They report their sales for ’B6 as exceeding the sales of the previous year about six thousand dollars, and attribute the increase in part to the fact that they have been handling a better quality of buggies dining 'B6, than before. There are six men steadily employed with this institution. They claim to be making money, and that they are here to stay. May they continue to flourish and ever be able to make so favorable a report to The Independent, is its ptayer. The Arlington Drug Store. Dr. J. W. Arlington located in Walkerton in October, 187 L for the purpose of practicing his profvssion, to which he has all these years given the most of his attention. During the earlier years of his labors in this place, “dockturin* amongst the people” was not a very desirable vocation. There wasn’t a decent road to be found in this section of the country, nearly everybody was sick, and scarcely anybody able to pay a doctor. But the doctor took the bitter with the sweet, (the latter commodity bring far the lessor) and plodded on and on until he sacrificed his health, and almost his life, and that for a comparatively mere pittance. In ’77, as a matter of convenience in the way of dispensing his medicines, the doctor tastily fitted up a room and put in four hundred and fifty dollais «MTli of dings and called it “The Little Ding Store on the Corner.’’ The Little Drug Store on the Comer, from its iucipiency commanded a trade, and the doctor soon reaiizec the need of increasing his stock, and the once Little Drug Store on the corner has grown to sufficient magnitude to constitute an important “joint” in a more pretentious place. The doctor has one of the most tastily fitted up rooms iu the town, ami has every nook and ciook stuffed with drugs, druggists’ notions, fancy good.-, holliday goods, etc., etc. He is enjoying a better trade to-day than ever before. We have not been compelled to stretch the imagination one iota to be able to give this glowing outline of the rise and progress ot The Little Drug Stole on the Coiner—it’s there. BEHRENS BROTHERS. Next in succession following the Father of Our Country, C. W. N. Stephens, came Claus Behrens, from Chicago, and established himself here iu the lumber business. In 1867 Mr. Behrens conceived the idea that “Charlie” could stand competition, and Therefore established a dry goods and general store in that portion Os town known as Germany. Now, Mr. Behrens, in a quiet way, sold bis wares to whomsoever saw fit to purchase of him, provided his commodities and prices suited, and it not, he pe'rmitted them to “otherwise go to Charlie’s. Claus continued iu business at the above stand about fourteen yeais, when he began to experience a sense of loneliness and moved his store to its present commodious quarters, where he has since enjoyed a lucrative business. In ’B3 Claus admitted as a partner bis brother, J. F. Behrens, and the stock was increased to that extent that they occupy a building 96 feel deep, a well finished room, packed from fore to aft, including midship, with first-class dry goods, clothing, hats and caps, boots and shoes, groceries, notions, etc. The firm of Behrens Brothers is one of the solid institutions of Walkerton. It is not builded on a sandy foundation, but on a huge rock, and will probably never waver and topple because of an insecuie. frail basis. This firm solicits a fair share of your patronage, fur which the Independent feels safe in saying, they will render a full equivalent. Grant and Will will pass the goods over the counter to you. (Continued next week.) SIOO A WEEK. Ladies or gentlemen desiring pleasant profitable employment write at once. We wart you to handle an article of domestic use that RECOMMENDS ITSELF to e:ery one at sight- STAPLE AS FLOUR. Sells like hot cakes. Profits 300 per cent. Families wishing to PRAC--1 ICE ECONOMY should for their own benefit write for particulars. Used every day the year round in every househould. Price within reach of all. Circulars free. Agents receive Ji AMI’RF FREE. Address Domestic M’Fg Co,, MARION, OHIO.

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS. Stillwell Pick-Ups. Reported by the Independent's Correspondent. Stillwell is booming. Mrs. Poflenbarger has fifty scholars in her school. Frank L. Taylor is attending: Prof. Holmes’ business college at LaPortc. EL Hughes sports a fine sleigh bought of the Wiiliams-Hendtrson Co. at Walkerton. B A. Louderback is very near blind, caused iron a cancer on his face. Fied Morran has built a new store at the Junction and commenced business last Saturday. Success to Fred, There w ll be a Christmaa tree at Salem Friday night, and one at the Bethel church Saturday night James 11. Taylor’s smiling coun tenam-e can be seen behind the counter at Louderback’s now and then. Charley Beildef-ldt and Abe Page returned . from Illinois last week. Say they are satisfied with LaPorte county, Ind. Robert Concabe, the coal boss, has gone to Canada to spend the bollidays with his family. Cha-lie \\ iutz sold 80 acres of land io West. Travis f r $5,650 Mr. Tiavis paid tor his farm all in gold, which weighed twenty-three and three quarters of a pound. More Anon. GROVERTOR X.

Reported by the Sndependent'N Cei-rcsponth-nt. Mr. Levi Williams is again a happy man. It is al2 poun 1 buy this time. While out gunning the other day near this place Mr. E. Davis through some carelessness of his partner, got shot, six shot entering his body in different place-, but he seems to be getting along nicely. BSE.AXD ITEMS. Reported by theEndependent s CorreMpon dent. Items are kinder scaice at tbir. writing. Frank, son of Dave Gould, spet I Sunday with relatives on the Isi and. Unde jolm Lindsley is taking a ramble through Michigan. John Snell is kept (jnile busy pressing hay for differenT parties. John Taylor talks of going into the agricuii oral business at Stillwell in the spring. John is a bus iness tcllow. Cbariie Russ and Jimmy Tay Im attended the Institute held at Mill Creek Satuiday. They lode ovei and back on foot. Dennis Stowe, the organ selh r, of WalkeiTon, is making bis rounds on the Island. Dennis is handling a fits T-class music box. Tyler. LA PAS. Reported by Use Independents Correspondent. Mr. Fred Myers was ovei to Chicago last week. Whole families have become converted at the Gilied church since the revival. Mr. Cole, ”ight operator at LaPaz, is occupying W. L. Johnson's new residence. Miss Rhoda Waner is going to have a Christinas tree at her school house. Miss Waner is an energetic teacher. That beats LaPaz all hollow. It can not afford a tree. Mr. William Richardson, of Tyner City, is an honorable member of the Seybold . band. He is a boss boy and a fine musician. A surprise party was tendered M'-s. Gonsor Friday evening, in honor of her 59th birthday, 63 friends and relatives being present- A most bounteous supper was served and a general good time prevailed. The Seybold band furnished the music for the occasion. SANTA CLAUS. “O, Santa Claus! O, Santa Claus! The time has almost come For you to visit us again From out your northern home. Bring something for the children, Yes; something for us all; We’re always ready to receive you, O; come and give us all a call.” —_ Gen. Fremont has taken a house in Washington for a year, and he and his wife are now hard at work upon his memoirs. Mrs. Fremont is nominally Gen. Fremont's secretary or amanuensis in the work, but the burden of memory, arrangement, and composition is rather evenly divided. They found it necessary to go to Washington, where Gen. Fremont could have access to the old papers and reports, and meet his old comrades in scenes that would alone recall many things hy association. Mr. Andrew Carnegie dedicates his book on “Democracy’’ “To the beloved Republic under whose equal laws I am made the peer of any man, although denied political equality by my native । land;” but he errs iu supposing that he I feels for the Republic “an intensity of I gratitude and admiration which the | native-born citizen can neither feel nor । understand.” It is said that Carnegie j has never been naturalized. He owns the controlling interest in a dozen afternoon English dailies, and talks of returning to his native Scotland to “run” j for Parliament.

LAPORTE LETTER. — FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT. A NOTED CONVICT. Peter McCartney, the oldest and most daring counterfeiter in the United States, is an inmate of the Northern prison. His present sentence, which was for fifteen years, expires next June. During his life he has been the source of more trouble to the government officials than any private money manufacturer the country ever knew. It is said that he was an engraver by profession, and that he dropped into counterfeiting in that way. His title of king of the Nuomackers was gained many years ago, receiving it as a tribute to the extent of his deals and shrewdness in eluding capture and conviction. It was years before anything could be fastened upon him. Then he was followed from state to state, but he always managed to elude arrest. At one time he was arrested in Cinciuati, but secured his liberty by buying up the station house keeper. This same thing oc< tired a number of times but he at last came to grief at Richmond, Ind., where he was arrested by a constable. Being a glib talker and a smooth fellow generally be had about impressed Uie < ffi :ers that a mistake had been made, when unfortunately’ for Pete he changed bis tactics. Taking from his pocket an immense ro i oi money McCartney offered the constable SI,OOO to say nothing about his business, but the constable thinking be had made a good “catch - placed a revolver muter ihe counterft iter's nose and mar died him ofl to jail. On the following day he was recogniz ’d and taken io Indianapolis, whe.e a little later he was given fifteen years. Since bis incarceration he his made several attempts to escape, in all ot which he lai! d T h'- 1 following taken f;om the M. C. Di-patch shows the daring spTit the man possessed. One night Guard' Rodgers, while alone in the cellhouse. heard what he thought was . a door being unlocked. Ileslipped i around easily ami caught MCARTNEY UNLOCKING Til!-: DOOR leading to the yard. “What, aie you doing iln-re, Pell ?” a-ked Rodgers. “Trying to unlock ibis door” was the i ai her multi I of-fart reply. “Where me you going?' “ W ell. I gu< ss I am going b o-k to my cell now, ’ ami, with uiamthing further to say, he walked back to bis cell ami was locked up He had on that time a emupl. H suit of clothing made from his cell room. Ni Xl day a search 1- verj d the tact that Pete bad in his possession a key to his c. H, and one to the dour leading to lb? towers on the Wall, reaching which escape would have been an easy muter Pete was then lak< n m ami searched. It was known that he passed around S2O bills promiscuously and it could not be h-aniru where the money came Horn. ILwas undressed am] eveiy inch ol his body searched, but nothing was found. This completely knocked the guard out. The then ward, n, Charles Mayne, however, settled the matter. Pt te had for \ears suffered from a rupture. Fur ibis he wore a pad. Every time that he had been searched he bad un loosened the pad ami thrown it aside. Warden Mayne picked up the pad, and taking out a pocket knife, start- d to cut it npm. “Please don’t do that,” pleaded Pete, “I am badly luptmtd, ami need that pad.” “I will get you another just like it, responded the wardt n, ami nt on with his work. All stood about with eyes bent on the pad. At last an opening was made ami sl7 32 were taken out and placed upon the table. It was known that he bad paid out a great deal of money, but no more was ever found, and how the money got out of the prison is to this day tl mysteiy.” When at Michigan Cirv recent!v your correspondent saw McUaituey. His prison life has told on him in some respects. His description is as follows: Scotch-Irish, age 46 years, 5 feet 11 inches in height, (lark hair, hazel eyes, dark complexion, beard long ami full. Three sc: is on the scalp. The question L whether he will remain straight and test upon bis dubious honors as the oldest coney man living or go buck to the “shoving of the queer and end his days in prison light ami be buried in the convicts’ field. We would relate many more interesting incidents of mJ. Cartney s life, but space foi bids. Additional Local News. Try the “Stormer” 5 cent cigar. Sold at Kneisley’s tousorial pallor. Cheapest place in town to buv presents is at J. 11, Garrett’s. J. H. Garn-TT has just received a fine line of Christinas goods. Go and see before you buv. i

Bankrupt stock 1^ Having bought (of the creditors) the entire stock of Clothing, Hats I * Caps, Gloves, Mittens, Jewelry; satchels, and Gents’ Furnishing *»> Goods, recently owned by Dr. H. A. Woodworth, and sold by the UNITE STATES-MARSHAL * in Walkerton, October the - 9th, I will sell the same at •* fl 25 Per Cent. ; fj Discount! : Come with CASH, and get bargains, as I will trust noTnan. » !T. J. Wolfs. ' — . P’ J c Willis Cotton* ■ WALKERTON, IND., | SILLS t jia-i I . 5 08309®* " : jtui bouaeoaker One and Two-Horse h WAGON’S II and I Iw BO u g g i e s. IW Hi ■ A vv “ US’ -x z | ir. ' l»lw Bissoll Improved Chilled and Steel Plows | Fairfield and Toledo Chilled and Steel PlowsHOLLER GRAIN DRILLS, SUBER!OR HOE AND SHOE DRILLS, PICKET WIRE FENCE i ■ sS^ MADE TO ORDER, AND READY MADE, FROM 40c to 65c PER ROD. j i Sewing Machines S ■ i»a AND SUPPLIES. it lit Machine Oils, (HAypIGN iVOWERS, Kcaprs and £ BINDERS. WHEELBARROWS & ROAD SCRAi EliS. _ L So F. Ross & Co., ‘ S ~ Si, dealer in B ” on GENERAL HARDWARE, | Stoves, Glass, Sash, Door Blinds of all kinds, Wood and Iron s Pumps, Tinware, Oils, ? *H| PAINTS I Os all colors and shades. In fact every thing found in a first-cass Hardware Store. PRICED Lew as the Lowest. (;