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Newspaper
Bluffton Banner
Location
Bluffton, Indiana, United States of America
Date
Mar 16, 1904
Page
6
Reporters describe the Pittsburg Oil company dry hole at Holthouse well near Curryville with claims of eighteen feet of oil causing dispute over funding. Farmers accuse secrecy and question test results while company persists drilling across Kingsland and Tocsin leases, hoping for a paying find.
The Faylor heirs sue D. D. Studabaker to set aside a deed made by Aunt Katy Faylor. This fourth Decatur trial follows a hung jury after three weeks of evidence and argument. Costs are rising, with an estimated 1500 needed for the current proceedings. Witnesses from Bluffton and Wells county will travel to Decatur, with likely three weeks of testimony and expenses prepaid.
Sunday morning the death of Katy Nixson occurred at her home south of the city after a period of illness. She suffered from heart trouble and dropsy. Funeral arrangements are incomplete with Poneto mentioned as the burial place.
The Improved Order of Red Men in this region plans a district meeting in this city on April 29. A grand council of Indiana will confer the great council degree, then unwritten work will be demonstrated. Evening street parade then formal adoption, warrior, and chief degrees at Harmony hall by tribally designated groups. District tribes span Montpelier to Huntington and beyond, with reports showing strong turnout. Local committee leads are Major J. E. Miller Captain Bierley and C. Hostler.
A damaged horse and buggy were found at the bottom of the Limber Lost embankment near Geneva. The horse was entangled in harness and strangled, with blood stains on the buggy seat. Sheriff Butler planned an investigation, and locals speculated on theft or foul play.
Four boys taken for stealing a chicken faced juvenile court disposition. Swartz boys sent home with a warning, Nesbitt and Rich to Plymouth Work Training School with probation, while Huffman risks contempt for taking his son to Summitville. Judge Vaughn endorsed the new probation law as beneficial for idle youths.
A special St. Josephs Classis meeting at the Re formed church in this city convened Monday p m to arrange for immediate pastor changes at Detroit Green River and Athens Michigan and Plymouth Ind. Delegates present included Dr Hartman Rev L W Hillis Rev String Rev Welker and Ben Ashbaucher. The body also set the date for the state meeting this summer and handled minor matters.
Workers began removing old engines at Bluffton water works this Monday. The aging dynamos for the electric light plant will be replaced with new Florid or models, tests and adjustments ongoing. If delivery and setup proceed, the plant could be running within ten days and ready to couple to the turbines once installed.
Delegates met in Studabaker's hall for a Prohibition nomination. A full ticket was listed for the coming election with Representative H. S. Hocker as candidate, B. I. Starr as Treasurer, Herber Shesler as Sheriff, Wm. McElhaney as Surveyor, Dr. Goodin as Coroner, John Stroud as Commissioner Second District, and Jas. W. Wilson as Commissioner Third District.
T W Harsh, then a Murray High student now a teacher, penned a memorial poem for Stafford's old mill long torn away. The verse lauds the structure as a Murray landmark, describing its square form, high profile, and autumn foliage as a silent sentinel of the town's past.
A trunk heavily loaded with email boxes stood in the Wabash Lake Erie area as authorities investigated a cache discovery. The odd scene suggests contraband or misused parcels amid urban disorder. Investigators reviewed the items for possible connections to a wider trafficking operation.
The idea proposes a set date after the new opera house opening, with special invitations to likely attendees, followed by a dinner and entertainment within the committee funds. Discussion has stalled on how to host the visitors that day, and there is concern the plan may fade unless pursued for the city and local business men who would bear the costs.
I A B Line trustee of Jackson township Wells county Indiana will receive sealed bids for a one room school building to be erected on the present site of District No 7 Jackson township Wells county Indiana per plans and specifications on file in the office of Cuna Kibbe architect Bluffton Indiana and the trustee's office until 1 o clock p m April 9 1904 at which time the contract will be let at the trustee's office Alva B Sine trustee
Merchants in Pennville doubt the town will celebrate Pennville Day. A committee has delayed meetings, failing to assemble enough members to plan details. A business leader says general invitations won't draw a sufficient crowd, making a successful event unlikely. Solomon Stine to Miss Holna Ee. The proper plan, according to Tella Gorrell, remains undetermined.
March 24, 1904, Thursday, the Reformed church in Bluffton hosts a Sunday school convention with state president and general secretary in attendance all day and evening. County workers are urged to attend for inspiration and a full program promises many good things.
Judge Vaughn appoints John Lea as ditch commissioner for Jackson township ditch. Tuesday morning sparse court, concluding the February term with little other business heard.
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