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Newspaper
Bluffton Banner
Location
Bluffton, Indiana, United States of America
Date
Sep 28, 1904
Page
8
The growth of Indiana interurban lines prompts talk of carrying mail on all electric cars. A New York syndicate reportedly plans to establish express car franchises and operate mail service across state lines soon, leveraging the extensive electric network for faster distribution and broader reach.
The semi annual Wells County W C T U convention will be held at the M E church Foneto Indiana on Thursday September 29 1904. All welcome and those bringing basket dinners may do so. The evening features a gold medal contest for the young people with no door charge.
J Frank Kelly and Myrtle Palmer obtained a marriage license. The union is documented in the county civil records, signaling formal approval for their forthcoming nuptials.
Friday morning Judge Walbert acquitted William and Rex Cover of assault and battery after testimony from Mrs Rex Cover and Alva Berry. The judge praised the father's duty to keep peace and said Rex, head of the house, possibly had right to take the baby. Rex admitted grabbing wrists. no choking proven. Mrs Cover spoke of potential divorce with father Thomas Miller cited.
Patented by J. K. Putnam the device fits any gas engine and requires no fire. It promises safer operation and easy gasoline transfer, enabling long daily runs in a buggy. Aims to cut fuel costs, cheaper than twenty five cents per thousand, with first cost fifty dollars. Tests show eight gallons can run a well for twenty four hours under favorable conditions.
A Peru telegram reports George Porter died at 4 o clock on Friday, after a bout with consumption. He had lived in Bluffton with Mr and Mrs Lanigan and worked at Relff's cigar shop. He returned to Peru, his old home, where he passed away, with Mr Lanigan present.
Decatur reports that Bismarck the glass eater visited, slept at the county jail, and drank heavily, consuming whiskey glasses and beer as a chaser. Police escorted him to his hotel. He admitted guilt before Squire Smith and received a ticket to Monroe where he will seek work cutting corn.
Conveyed notes show concerted fare changes for World's Fair travel via Clover Leaf. Excursion tickets on sale daily except Friday and Saturday at one cent per mile each way with seven day validity, plus round trips. Longer duration passes include 15 day and 60 day options at elevated fares. Nearest agent Clover Leaf route address appears as Ww. Rowe.
In Walbert's court Mrs. Cover filed in circuit court for a writ of habeas corpus to recover Ruth Cover, three, from William O. Cover Sr. and Jr. The mother contends she has had custody for three years and fears tales from the other household will break the bond. The writ, rare in practice, could force release to the mother if grounds are found. The court will hear merits after the demurrer.
Dowleites form two teams in Zion City with rules that ban tackling and body contact. Fouls for striking or holding. only captains or charged players may speak to the umpire. If a leg is broken the player utters a blessing before returning. Ex tacklers cross fingers and cry Held to stop runners.
The annual Sunday school convention in Poneto concluded with Rev J H String delivering The Soul Winning Sunday School. The Methodist church was full and energized. Rev Holderman led evening devotions with strong commitment. A spring meeting is planned in Bluffton at the Methodist church. the gathering grows stronger yearly with broad representation from local schools.
A girl named Anna prays for warmer weather to ease her grandmother's rheumatism and closes the prayer with a mysterious phrase Bang fallow loation, suggesting a local or family reference. The fragment hints at a weather wish tied to health and a place or term unfamiliar to the reader.
Matthew Mounsey of Marion was arrested in Richmond after getting drunk to celebrate his wife Mrs Mounsey being cured and discharged from Ennsthaven asylum. He was fined $1 and costs, paid with difficulty, and allowed to visit his wife at the hospital after the settlement of the case.
Johns creek just east of the city will gain a new iron bridge after the old structure was torn down. N T Miller and crew are installing the all iron span with a side passage for continuous traffic. A foot walk will be added at Elm Grove cemetery managers request as the board plans a cement walk from the city to the cemetery.
Louis Ludlow reports colored residents plan early next week to challenge Congressman Overstreet with a speakers bureau and independent candidacy by George L. Knox. Knox, ex-slave and Freeman publisher, vows to fight perceived neglect of colored constituents, citing one Washington appointment and urging more representation.
Observers note a regional bias in currency handling with change in the west favoring paper money and the east preferring paper. Elevating demand has reduced the use of silver dollars, and banks report difficulty placing $1 and $2 bills locally, sending them to Cincinnati for silver in return.
A long rural note urges enforcement of an 1897 law requiring farmers to cut weeds along highways. Privilege to do it yourself expired August 20. now supervisors, or the owner, must pay. Neglect prompts grand jury talk and possible prosecutions to restore road safety and order. A separate anecdote questions neighborly chickens and a woman’s push for wives to help husbands earn a living.
A four month bride visits a Harlem butcher for lessons in marketing. She asks to adopt a cat from the shop’s window, but the butcher jokes she must wait until the cat has kittens and sausages grow in strawberry beds. Embarrassed, she leaves and does not return.
The Chicago and Erie road faces a grim record this year with two deaths in the county within a month. Lewis Taylor died after being struck by a night express near Kingsland. Mrs. Luella Shafer is noted elsewhere in this issue as the second victim. High speed of Erie trains is blamed as a contributing factor.
After weeks of deadlock the Decatur city council settled the election of a city attorney. D B Erwin withdrew and the council united to select Judge Heller for the post. Bluffton faces lack of legal services without an attorney.
A large potato weighing about three pounds was delivered to the office last Saturday by Jesa Lipkey. The item appeared in a casual note within local activity.
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