ADAMS COUNTY, INDIANA
NEWS
3-29-1899
Decatur Indiana March 21-
N. Blackburn publisher of the
News in this city was brutally assaulted last night by ex-county
treasurer Dan P. Bolds. The
past two weeks the News has been publishing articles charging Bolds
with
dishonesty while in office. The two men met last night in front of
Blackburn's residence, on Third Street, and Bolds attacked Blackburn
with a club beating him almost to death. Blackburn's cries soon
brought a crowd, who picked him up from the sidewalk and removed
him to his home. Blackburn's head was badly crushed from the blows, and
he is yet bleeding profusely. His condition is serious. Bolds made his
escape and has not yet been arrested. Both are prominent Democratic
politicians. Bolds is a wealthy oil producer.
Decatur, IN. Dec.
10, 1899, The public
school building in district #5, Monroe township,
was
destroyed by fire last night. No one in the neighborhood knew of the
fire until
this morning, when the loss was discovered. It is generally thought
tramps
lodged in the building, and accidentally set it a fire
Decatur,
IN. Oct.6,1897. Forest fires are raging over the entire
northwestern portion of this county. Entire fields of shucked corn have
been burned. In several instances it was difficult for farmers to save
their barns. Thousands of dollars’ worth of property has already been
destroyed. The city is enveloped in dense smoke from the fires tonight.
Stock is suffering and there will be a big loss.
Decatur,
IN. 1899. Oct. 12,1899. The Diphtheria situation in this city remains
about the same today. No new cases have developed, although there are
quite a number of cases considered dangerous. This afternoon a case of
genuine scarlet fever was discovered in the family of L.D. Eutsinger,
whose home was at once quarantined. Both public and parochial schools
are closed. At a meeting of the city board of health last night it was
the consensus of opinion, that the burning of dead leaves was largely
responsible for the presence of the Diphtheria in the city, and the
municipal officers were ordered to prevent it.
Decatur.
Ind., June 12.—An attempt was made to destroy Adams county's
court-house last night by applying the match. The fire was discovered
about 10 o'clock, and before extinguished several hundred dollars
damage was done. It was started in the auditor's office, among the
books and records, which are almost a total loss.A number of the
auditor's books were also destroyed by water. This is the second
attempt within the last few months to burn the courthouse, and the
officers are at a loss to get even a clew (sic) as to the incendiary
One night several months ago fire was discovered In the hallway of the
second floor, but was extinguished with little damage. This
second attempt has caused the people to become incensed over the
matter, and no doubt a detective will be employed to Investigate.
Source: Indiana State Journal June 17 1898
POISONED
MEAT FOR DINNER. One Dead and Mother and Child Dying at Decatur,
Decatur, Ind., July 24.—As a result of eating poisoned meat the
four-year-old son of John Burke
is dead and Mrs. Burke and an eight-year-old son are dying. Mr. Burke
bought beef at a butcher shop to-day and it was served for dinner. Mr.
Burke and a six-year-old daughter did not eat any of the meat and thus
escaped being poisoned. What caused the meat to be poisoned is not
known, but It is being thoroughly investigated.
Date: July 26, 1899 Location:
Indiana Paper: Indiana State Journal
Decatur,
Ind., July 9.—As a result of the work of the board of review, Miss Leil Segur, ex-superintendent
of the city schools, was to-day arrested for refusing to list with the
assessor a lot of taxable; property and for refusing to swear to the
assessor's list of her taxables. She was fined $18.
News Of the Week Current
Events (News Article) Date: 1897-07-14; Paper: Indiana State Journal
Decatur,
Ind. Jan. 7. Adams county
The various Protestant churches of this city have all united In a war
against sin and vice In Decatur, and expect to revolutionize the morals
of this town during he present month. They have naming posters out
announcing revival services at all churches. The town is flooded with
invitation cards and small biIls and the pastors are making a house-to-
house canvas, urging the people to attend the meetings. The services of
noted revival Ists have been secured to assist in the work.
The Evening Democrat came out the other day with a leading article
attacking the saloons and drug stores and condemning the city officials
for allowing gambling dens and houses of ill repute to flourish. There
is considerably excitement and the "war" is about the only topic of
conversation.
Indiana Journal January 15,
1896
Decatur,
Ind., Sept 27.—About a year ago Charles
Peterson and wife arrived in
this city, where he secured employment at the electric light works. He
was Industrious and. they were considered good citizens. Yesterday a
woman from Miamisburg. O., appeared before Mayor Beatty with two little
daughters and informed the mayor that Peterson was her husband. She
swore out warrants for the arrest of Peterson and his supposed wife and
Peterson pleaded guilty and was fined $25 and given a thirty-day jail
sentence. The woman, who gave the name of Hull, pleaded not guilty, and
her trial is now in progress. The woman with the two little girls soon
gained much sympathy. She says Peterson is an assumed name, that their
real name is Phillippi; that they lived happily together near
Mansfield. O., until her husband met the Hull woman, when they both
disappeared, over a year ago.
Source: Indiana Journal Oct 5, 1898
Amish
Ministers on Trial.
Decatur, Ind., Jan. 27—The cases against the Amish Church members were
begun in the Circuit Court here today. Three cases were tried, two
against Jacob Swartz, for
solemnizing the marriages of first cousins
and marrying couples without a license, and the third against
David Swartz, for unlawfully
solemnizing; marriages. They were tried
before Judge Heller, who will not render a verdict for several days.
The court experienced great trouble with the witnesses, as they refused
either to be sworn or affirm, and said they would violate any
laws contrary to those of Christ. Twelve other cases will be tried by
jury.
Weekly Indiana State Journal January 29, 1896
Decatur,
Ind., Jan. 27. -At Ceylon, a small town six miles south of this city,
last night, a neighbor woman called at Jacob
Bansting's and found his ten-year-old daughter in a horrible
condition. The child was tied to a wash tub in a back room, where she
was compelled to wash her own clothing. She was taken to the home of
Township Trustee Brown and a physician immediately summoned. The flesh
on the child's left hand was nearly all eaten off from a sore of some
kind, the bones of the fingers protruding, and blood poison had set in.
The girl's body was covered with bruises and badly swollen from
lashings. The girl was compelled to sleep on the barren floor of
a cold kitchen during the winter nights, never being allowed any
supper, and would be cruelly beaten when It told its own father that it
was hungry. It cannot live long, and when the facts became known to-day
a crowd of Ceylon citizens was about to take action against the child's
parents, but Trustee Brown arrived, and by an earnest appeal dispersed
the crowd. Officers here were notified. It is said the Banstings have
left the neighborhood. The Indiana State Journal, (Indianapolis,
IN) Wed., Feb. 1, 1899 - Submitted by Candi