When Hurshtown Was a Town

Bad Work at Hurshtown.

To the Editor of THE SENTINEL:

There is a small village in the northern part of Allen county, by the name of Hurshtown, which is the ruination of many of our promising young men. They meet at a certain place in the village for the purpose of gambling, smoking and drinking. The liquor which curses them, is sold principally without a license, and contrary to law, is kept and disposed of in the same building where the postoffice is. Let this be a warning to the liquor dealer. If such practices are not discontinued the officers will be notified.

AN EYE WITNESS.

BY THE WAYSIDE.

Notes Taken by Rawsby All Along the Line—Situation in Cedar Creek.

"There wanst was three cats of Kilkenny,
'Nd aich cat thought 'twas one cat too many,
So they quarreled 'nd they fit,
'Till exceptin' their nails,
'Nd the tips of their tails,
Instead of three cats there wer-rent any."

This melo-dramatic history of Kilkenny has been paralleled in the fight of the Democratic bosses in old Cedar Creek.

* * *

The fight here had its origin at the primary held in Leo early last spring for the selection of the Democratic township ticket, when by some means inexplicable except to the tellers, Barve, the choice of the majority of the Democrats present, "was relegated to the rear," and Mark Mowdy, the boss of the Hurshtown gang, placed at the head of the ticket. Metcalf, the candidate for assessor, is also a "Hurshtown hoodlum," and it is the insolent boast of the Hurshites that "Hurshtown is on top this year and running things to suit herself and that Leo and Cedarville can either like it or lump it, for all the good it will do them."

* * *

The Democracy of the southern part of the township felt pretty sore at being counted out, as they believe, of their choice of candidates for trustee and assessor, but probably most of them were too loyal Democrats or else hadn't courage enough to oppose their party's ticket, had the Hurshtown crowd not "added insult to injury" by bringing out McCroy as candidate for commissioner and thus defeating Treace, of Cedarville. This last was "the straw that broke the camel's back," and now these southern Democrats declare they will follow the example set by the law and order faction of the Fort Wayne Democracy in last spring's election and help defeat a ticket which they believe to have been nominated by unfair means.

* * *

That Mowdy, the nominee for trustee by the anti-Barve faction, is a "good enough fellow" as far as that term goes, no one denies. But that his education or habits mark him as a man exceptionally well qualified for the place, even his best friends do not claim. They say, however, that "if Mark is elected he will do the best he knows how, and that no matter how bad that may be it will be an improvement on the past administration of affairs." But of his election there is little danger, for although Barve may not have nerve enough to come out as an independent candidate, his friends and Treace's friends are numerous enough and angry enough to defeat the ticket, just to show the Hurshtown gang they do not own the township.

* * *

Barve, the defeated candidate, owes his present position as trustee to appointment, and is, therefore, eligible to succeed himself. He is a fair scholar a shrewd politician and can invent more opprobrious terms for his Republican neighbors than any other Democrat in the township. That he is a man of courage is proved by his frequent appearance in justice courts in the role of a defendant in assault cases. In fact he is a man morally and physically, excellently well qualified for a leader of the untamed Democray of Cedar Creek, and when the Cedar Creek Democrats refuse to be led we must say it is opposed to the eternal fitness of things and more their misfortune than Barve's fault. Barve was entitled to the nomination and worked hard to secure it, and now to find himself knocked out and another fellow standing in his shoes is more than flesh and blood can stand, especially flesh and blood of the Barve type, so war is declared—"war to the knife." "Lay on McDuff," etc.

RAWSBY.

A BASE SLANDER

IS THE STATEMENT MADE AGAINST CANDIDATE M. L. MOUDY.

The Falsehood is Secretly Circulated That His Management of Cedar Creek Township Leaves it in Debt Various Sums—Instead He Wiped Out an Indebtedness of $5,800 and Built a New School—An Honest Man in the Highest and Best Sense of the Word.

Some one, it is impossible to trace its origin, is telling, when he thinks the falsehood is safe, that Mr. M. L. Moudy has placed an indebtedness of sums all the way from $7,000 to $12,000 on Cedar Creek township, where he is now serving as trustee.

When Mr. Moudy was elected trustee of Cedar Creek township five years ago he found an indebtedness of $5,800.

To-day Cedar Creek township is free from indebtedness, a handsome new school house has been added, making twelve in all, and he is ready to step down and out of office with the township levy as it has been—a record that bespeaks not only a competent and painstaking public officer, but as well an honest man.

Mr. Moudy is the candidate on the democratic ticket for county commissioner from the second district. His modest country home is situated on the banks of the St. Joe river, at Hurshtown, where Mr. Moudy owns and operates the Urbana flour mills, and a saw mill adjoining, operated by steam and water, as the river is dammed at that point.

Not only in an official way but in a business way Mr. Moudy enjoys the respect of the people of the northern part of the county where he is best known, in fact his neighbors speak of him as "Honest Mart Moudy."

The last report as township trustee filed by Mr. Moudy, September 1, last, shows outstanding orders for all purposes amounting only to $59, and this was because they were not presented promptly, for the cash on hand, according to his sworn statement, is $2,114.31, and the report is approved by the Cedar Creek township council, Jerry Klopfenstine, Eugene Cook and Frank Moss.

Mr. Moudy's management of the affairs of Cedar Creek township is above and beyond criticism, and if the parties who are circulating the falsehoods about him will disclose their identity, the Journal-Gazette will not hesitate to denounce them as unworthy of the votes of honest men, for they must have some political purpose in libeling a good citizen and an upright man.

Mr. Moudy is not in the city often, and they hoped the slanders would escape him and his friends.

Mr. Moudy's record is an open book and the Journal-Gazette will gladly pay for an investigation by any committee the republicans will name if every word uttered above is not absolutely true.

NEWS FROM HURSHTOWN

(Special to the Journal-Gazette.)

HURSHTOWN, Ind., July 22.—The elements in bringing almost daily rains, have given the farmers rather a serious problem to solve. They have considerable hay yet to be made which should have by all means been in a week ago. Their wheat, which should have been harvested a number of days ago, is still to a great extent standing, and is dead ripe. The weather, however, the later part of last week would have permitted them to cut wheat, but the soil was too soft to bear the heavy machinery necessary. With all these essentials, in the "fire," as it often is termed, and a great many minor calls the farmer certainly has a problem to solve, as something must be done soon to prevent total damage or nearly so to the crops.

Mr. and Mrs. Amos Witmore and children were the guests of Mr. Witmer's sister and family, Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Klopfenstien [?], Sunday.

Mr. David Smith is making preparations to build a new house. He has partly torn down the old dwelling where he intends to place the new one. He is making a list of the rough lumber, which will be furnished by the Spencerville lumber people.

The Misses Leona Hay, Minna Bear and Ethel Vanzile walked out to Sunday school at the Defenseless Mennonite church Sunday.

Miss Buella Vanzile and Miss Martha Schlatter were the guests of Miss Elsie Klopfenstien Sunday.

Last Saturday Mrs. H. A. Schlatter was called to the home of her mother, Mrs. John Koble, of DeKalb county, who was seriously ill with heart trouble. Mrs. Koble is again slowly improving.

Mr. Lester Vanzile has for several days been assisting Mr. Shambaugh in hay-making. Mr. Vanzile and Mr. Shambaugh are exchanging help during haying and harvesting.

The Misses Emma and Sarah Witmer took dinner with Joseph J. Schlatter and family Sunday.

Mr. Simon Klopfenstien, of Fulton county, O., who has been in this vicinity for several weeks, left Monday for the west, where he expects to visit a great many places of interest and recreation.

Last Sunday while returning to their home from the funeral at Leo, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Witmer, who reside south of Grabill, met with a misfortune. While driving east from the Leo bridge their horse took fright at some white sewer pipe piled in front of the Conrad Cement Block mill. The animal turned around and broke the shaft, otherwise the buggy might have been overturned and some of its occupants injured. After the horse broke from the buggy, it ran into the wire fence, but was captured. Mr. Witmer borrowed a shaft, attached it, and drove away from the scene.

Miss Caroline Rupp, who is attending the International Business college at Fort Wayne, Miss Georgia Hannah, of the same city, and Mr. and Mrs. Souders, of Grabill, were visiting Rev. Gerig and family Sunday.

Mrs. David Nofzinger, daughter Ilva, and Mrs. Weber, who were visiting friends and relatives of this vicinity, also in Grabill, returned to their home in Pettisville, O.

On Sunday was held the funeral of one of the twin children of Mrs. Eli Amstutz, at the St. John's Reformed church in Leo. Mrs. Amstutz was but several months ago made a widow when her beloved husband preceded their child to the better world. The child was little over two months old when it breathed its last. Rev. Eric, pastor of the Lutheran church at Spencerville, preached the funeral.

THE NEWS OF LEO AND VICINITY

(Special Correspondence of the Journal-Gazette.)

LEO, Ind., Feb. 1.—The old grist mill at Hurshtown, another landmark, about one and a half miles north of this place, was bought and is being torn down by a Mr. Walters. The mill was formerly owned and operated by the late County Commissioner Moudy for a number of years.

Mr. Frank Muller, of this place, has purchased machinery to place in his mill here, which he expects to use for the purpose of grinding buckwheat.

The M. E. revival efforts here have been discontinued, after resulting in a number of converts and accessions to the church.

The Rev. A. D. Buck, of Noblesville, Ind., began a revival meeting at St. John's Reformed church last Saturday evening.

Mr. Elmer Hollopeter, who has been a patient at the Lutheran hospital for about six weeks, was brought home last week and stood the trip fairly well.

C. W. S.

HURSHTOWN SCHOOL DESTROYED BY FIRE

The Hurshtown district school, located in school district No. 1, in Cedar Creek township, was totally destroyed by fire yesterday afternoon. The building was of brick and was erected more than twenty years ago by Thomas Howey. The building was valued at $2,000 and there was insurance. No cause has been assigned accounting for the fire.

PUPILS ARE TRANSFERRED.

The pupils of the Hurshtown schools, the building of which was burned last Wednesday, will now attend the school at Leo, three miles distant, being transferred each day by wagon conveyance. The schools at Leo are graded [?] and there is one room which can be used by the Hurshtown pupils. There are thirty of them and the teacher is Albert Waters. There was an insurance og $1,000 on the Hurshtown school building, which was valued at about $2,000. It caught fire from the furnace in the basement.

WILL PUT HURSHTOWN DRY

SALOON KEEPER FRANK DISLER INDICTED ON SEVEN COUNTS.

Furnishes Bond in the Sum of $100 in Each—Convictions Will Mean License Forfeiture.

The little trading point, Hurshtown, in Cedar Creek township, will be dry within the next few weeks if Frank Disler is convicted on three or more of the grand jury indictments returned against him. He is charged with selling on Sunday, selling to minors, keeping open on Sunday and allowing minors to loiter in his place of business. The true bills were returned on evidenced adduced before the grand jury when residents of the little place appeared of their own volition and testified against the saloon man.

Disler came in this morning with William J. McNaab and furnished bond in the sum of $100 on each of the indictments, saving Sheriff Reichelderfer's force a trip after him. Feeling is running high in Cedar Creek township against the Disler place ,which the farmers claim is run without any consideration of law or order. Grabill and Leo, both in Cedar Creek township, have saloons and the township is normally wet, but is at the same time insistent upon an observation of the liquor laws.