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Newspaper
Bluffton Banner
Location
Bluffton, Indiana, United States of America
Date
Apr 13, 1904
Page
5
State statistician B. F. Johnson reported a poor to very poor wheat outlook in Indiana after polling 1 015 township trustees. Only 20 responses showed one good, two fair, five poor, and four very poor conditions, with damage linked to unfavorable weather in November and February.
An interurban car became stuck for about thirty minutes on South Johnson Street this afternoon near the Harmon Frees residence between Wiley and Central avenues. A soft spot in the track sank the rails, forcing the car to back up and gain momentum before finally pulling through the mud. Residents noted the area as the worst spot along the line and urged repairs.
The coming summer should witness general gravel road building throughout Wells county. The Banner knows of three or four petitions being prepared by residents along roads to be graveled. Many of these roads will be built, creating substantial work for laboring men.
Semi official telegram from Port Arthur says the Russian battleship Tropodnoski struck a mine in the channel while going out to meet the Japanese fleet and was blown up. Estimated loss is six to seven hundred men including Vice Admiral Marohoff. Only four officers were saved.
Henry Mann about 70 years old and a Poneto Grain Co director died at his home in Poneto at 11:30 due to dropsy. Funeral set for Friday at 10 am at Poneto Baptist Church with Stahl cemetery burial. Wm Stahl, age 70 plus, in poor health at near Poneto, later died at 3 pm. He was an uncle of Commissioner Joseph Stahl. Rev W H Daniel of Fort Wayne honored by Fort Wayne district ministers at Muncie.
The city school board elected Curtia Merriman of Crawfordsville as principal of the high school for the next year. A Wells County native, he is the son of Merriman of Liberty Town and studied philosophy under Dr. W. L. Bryan, president of the institution. Merriman began teaching in Union township about eleven years ago and has since taught in Gosport schools.
Hartford City reports say the Muncie Hartford and Fort Wayne line provided little extra service during a heavy turnout for polo, Chinese Honeymoon, and the M BCE conference. Passengers were forced to stand as only one car ran, leaving many unable to board for the return trip despite known heavy traffic.
Voters in Bluffton received mail blanks to name delegates who will recommend resolutions pledging independence for the Philippine islands on terms similar to Cuba. The committee doubts many blanks will be returned as prospects say conventions will handle the resolution matter as they see fit.
Charles alias Windy Clark was returned from Columbus by Humane Officer John Golding. At 5 pm he appeared before Judge Paulus and pled guilty to receiving stolen goods, receiving a sentence of one to fourteen years in the Michigan City penitentiary. He admitted participation in raids by the Curly Edwards group.
Today at Fort Wayne the state meeting of the Horse Shoers association took place with broad delegate attendance from the Bluffton branch and other regions.
The American Mechanics lodge of Bluffton is organizing a trolley party to Muncie next Monday. Cars depart Bluffton to arrive in Muncie at 8 o clock with return on the same special service. Members will hold a meeting in Muncie and Bluffton lodge members will attend. tickets cost one dollar round trip.
Asa Brown and Wesley D Woodruff completed a city swap with Woodruff buying Brown’s four city lots for 7000. Brown acquired Woodruff’s old Parrott farm in Adams county at 70 per acre totaling 12000 and plans to stay city-based, renting back a former Brown house. Wells county property remains strong in value.
Superintendent J. W. Carr of Anderson was elected president of the Northern Indiana Teachers Association. Other officers include J. W. Dunn of Knox as vice president W. A. Willis of Crawfordsville as secretary and treasurer and W. A. Wirt of Bloomington as executive committee chairman. Prof. Collicutt of Alexandria also serves on the committee. Carr and Wirt will travel to Chicago soon to arrange the next meeting.
The work on the unfinished business rooms at the opera house and the Elks quarters is being pushed rapidly. The manager wants full completion to improve access and appearance, though the opera house remains structurally sound.
Elmer Walters presents a seven character comedy with a strong cast. Notable scenes include a ghost scene, a darkey porter in act three, and a church setting in act two. Scenic mounting and novelty opera house in act three emphasize originality.
George Barcus, employed at the H. H. Barcus store, was arrested by a Danville detective on a paternity charge. The suspect used aliases Bailey and Bareng, with adoption changing his name. Extradition papers were used to secure his removal from the state. He was held at the store under guard while authorities proceeded.
In circuit court Mrs Oran Bowman files suit for support against her husband Oran Bowman and four defendants including his mother Frances Bowman, Jacob Johnson and William Wright. She alleges repeated adulterous conduct, desertion on April 5 1904, and seeks $250 yearly support plus control of finances to recover property she says he has disposed of.
Fans at the usual gathering spot discussed the season outlook and the push to equip a professional level team. They hope to join a state league or form an interurban league, with several still optimistic about turning the proposals into action despite doubts.
Notice to contractors bids sealed proposals due April 26 1904 at 2 pm for furnishing materials and labor to build the Bliss hotel per plans by architect Cuno Kibele Bluffton Ind. Secretary Abe Simmons oversees.
The Buzzards form a purse to buy a suitable present for Charley Pierce’s new baby. The trolley party bound for Hartford City expects the largest city outing yet, with many tickets sold and plans to use multiple interurban cars. The G A R will also visit the Montpelier plat, making the station busy tomorrow evening.
A. W. Butler secretary of the state board of charities praises Architect Cino Kibele and requests plans for the Adams county infirmary. The board has chosen the Adams county project as one of two plans to be exhibited at the World’s Fair in St. Louis. The honor signals Kibele’s top standing in the state.
High winds caused unease in St Marys as the reservoir level dropped under a foot in a week and the main body shifted east. Guards stood watch overnight and residents near the lowlands stayed awake for alarms. Citizens plan to seek state and local funds to repair damage and reinforce the banks.
A social gathering was hosted yesterday at the pleasant home of Mr and Mrs G F McFarren on South Me street. R C Lester and family were honored guests as friends and the pastor attended. The event ran from evening until late, with a large turnout.
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