davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-08-31
Prominent WABASH
CITIZEN DEAD

William Ellsworth Gibbons was
born in Mercer county, Ohio, near
Wabash, Nov. 8, 1861, and departed
this life, Aug. 25, 1917, aged 55
years, months and % days. He
was born, lived and died on the same
farm and in. the same house.
~On Oct. 2, 1884, he wa united in
marriage to Nancy Caroline Patton,
who p: :eceded him in death on March
IL. 1916. To this union were born
five children, four of whom are now
living Charles. Delbert, James and
John, the other having died in infan-
cy.
Some thirty years ago he united
with the Washington Chapel M. E.
church and has been a faithful and
conscientious member ever since. He
has served the church and Sunday
school in many capacities. Work in
and for the church was one of the
greatest sources of pleasure for him.
Mr.. Gibbons was taken suddenly
ill, Friday night about midnight. He
was probably seized with ptomaine
poisoning, tlthough it is difficult to
say, because of the severity of the
illness, and the fact that So. short a
time elapsed between the beginning
of his illness, and death, which occur
ed the following morning at 8 o'clock.
he was well and in the
best Of health and spirit the previou
day.
He leaves four sons, two brothers
and one sister to mourn his loss.
The funeral services were conduct
ed from Washington Chapel, at 100
o'clock, Monday, August 27, Rev. J..
Carl Flummer, officiating. The re-
mains weer laid to rest in the State
Line cemetery beside those of his be-
loved wife.
The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-08-31
YOUTHFUL FORGER
APPUEHENDED

Ralph Harper, aged II years, was
arrested at the fair grounds here last
Friday on a charge of forgery.
The lad had forged a number of
checks on residents of Mendon, and
OF the north part of the county, dur.
ing the past several weeks, and the
officers had been on the lookout for
him.
During his few weeks criminal
career teh young fellow had purchas-
ed a number of articles from w. F.
Schuuck, Geo. F. Weber, the Mrs. H.
l. Schunck Jewelry store, and the
Celina Auto company in this city, and
passed the bad checks ranging from
IS to SIS. For the signatures on
these checks he used the names of
Gail Watts, a restaurant proprietor
of Mehdon, and John Griggs, a stock
buyer OF the north end of the county.
On Friday the Harper boy entered
the Commercial bank in this city and
presented a check for payment, with
the name of John Griggs for the sig
nature. The amount of the check
was 500, and as the amount was so
large the bank officials told the lad to
wait until they called up Mr.. Griggi
to certify the check, but when the
cashier went to the phone the boy
took the chance and beat it," The
offic rs got on his trail and he was
apprehended the same afternoon at
the fair grounds.
He was taken before Probate Judge
Younger for trial and was sentenced
to an intermediate term in the Boys
Industrial Home at Lancaster.
The boy is of good family, being
the son of Mr.. and Mrs. w. A. Har-
per, prominent residents of near Mer
GER
The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-08-31
CALLED HOME ON ACCOUNT
OF ILLNESS OF PARENT

H. F. Aller, of Salt Lake City, Utah,
a former we'll known Mercer county boy,
who left Celina some twenty years ago,
made The Democrat brief call while in
town yesterday. He has been at Mercer,
his boyhood home, called there by the
serious illness of his father, Hiram Aller.
Mr.. Aller quit the railroad business some
three years ago, but is still fixture in
the west, and is now interested in the
beet sugar industry and connected with
a million-dollar enterprise. While here
he made it known that there was a
splendid field for pushing farmers with
families, who would be given assistance
in getting out there. A giant factory is
being erected by his company and now
nearing completion.
The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-08-31
LOCAL BRIEFS

The gate receipts at the Banner fair
this year are reported as being S., 337. "a.
Last year they we're S.. $50.
The Celina and Coldwater Catholic
church choirs will be combined for a
singing service at high mass at Minis
ter next Sunday.
iThere will be lawn social at the home
of w. R. Thomas, at 420 South Mill ct.
this evening, under auspices of Happy
Helpers of Church of God.
DR.. Frank Ayers, of this city, has no.
tilted his patients and others that he has
received his commission from Uncle
Sam and may be called to service soon.
A few common drunks, who were
handed S. and cost and told to move on,
were about the only street incidents Of
fair week to come to public attention.
Alta meeting of Celina Chapter, O.R.S.,
last Tuesday night, degrees of the order
were conferred upon four candidates
Dr. and Mrs. R. e. Riley and Misses
Helen Langel and Leila Short.
The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-08-31
PERSONAL

Anton Nader, of st. Henry, was
among our business callers while in town
Wednesday.
Mrs Sam Schuyler and son Donald, of
Cincinnati, are the guests of Mr.. and
Mrs. J. o. Schuyler.
Earl Halbeck and wife and Al Schuerer
of Salem, ILL.,, are here for visit with
Newton Taylor and wife.
Lowell May, of Detroit, Mich, for
mer Celina boy, and son of Mrs. Ella
May of Brookside addition, spent fair
week here the guest of his mother and
sisters.
Mr.. and Mrs. id. Hedrick and daugh-
ter Marie, of Ft. Recovery, who spent
few days here last week, attending the
fair and visiting relatives in and about
Celina, returned home Monday.
Mr.. and Mrs. G. w. Struckman left
Tuesday for visit to the Pacific coast
states of California and Oregon, expect
ing to be gone several months. In Ore
gon they will visit with Judge and Mrs.
F. L. TouVelle. the latter sister of
Mrs. Struckman.
Mr.. and Mrs. Grant Karr, of Carey,
O., who spent fair week with friends and
relatives in Celina and vicinity, were in
town Monday on their way home. Grant
is engaged in the realty and insurance
business and has few other irons in the
fire, enough to keep him out of mischief
and to add to his income.
Walter Carmack, who has been prin.
cipal in the schools at Franklin, o., has
been appointed to fill the vacancy re-
sulting from the resignation of Superin-
tendent E. G. Knepper of District No. 4.
Prof. Knepper has rendered his services
to Uncle Sam in the fight against Prus-
sianism.
Mrs. ]. M. Anderson, a former well
known Celina lady and daughter of the
Senator Godfrey, is visiting this city,
the guest of Mr.. and Mrs. J.P. LeBlond.
She was accompanied here by her son
Bruce, who has been training in avia-
ton work at Akron, o. The Andersons
now reside in Florida.
F. U. Brookhart and family, of Stock
ton, Calf. who left here a few weeks
ago for tour of the east, are back again
at the home of his parents, Mr.. and Mrs.
]. c. Brookhart, on the Celina- Mercer
pike. BY this eastern trip they have
completed their tour across the country
and this far on their return. They will
remain here some time before resuming
their journey homeward. The entire
trip is being covered by automobile.
The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-08-31
WILSON REJECTS
PEACE PROPOSAL
Peace With German Rulers Would Be
No Peace at All.

OF peace is this: Is II basel upon
the faith OF all the peoples involved
OF merely upon the word OF an ambt
tious and intriguing government, on
the one hand, and OF group OF free
peoples on the other? This is a test
which goes to the root OF the matter.
and II is the test which must be ap-
piled.
"The purposes OF the United States
in this war are known to the Whole
world-to every people to whom the
truth has been permitted to come.
They do not need to be stated again.
We seek no material advantage Of
any kind. We believe that the intol'
erable wrongs done in this war by
the furious and brutal power OF the
imperial German government ought to
be repaired, but not at the expense OF
the sovereignty Of any people-rather
a vindlcation OF the sovereignty both
of those that are weak and those that
are strong. Punitive damages, the
dismemberment Of empires, the estab-
lishment Of selfish and exclusive eco.
nomic leagues, we deem inexpediert
and in the end worse than futile, no
proper basis for peace Of any kind,
least OF all for an enduring peace.
That must be based upon justice and
fairness and the common rights Of
mankind.
1--WE can not take the word Of the
present rulers Of Germany as a guar.
antee OF anything that is to endure,
unless explicitly supported by such
conclusive evidence of the will and
purpose Of the German people them.
selves as the other peoples OF the
world would be justified in accepting.
Without such guarantees, treaties Of
settlement, agreements for disarma.
ment, covenants to set up arbitration
in the place of force, territorial ad-
justments, reconstitutions of small ma
tions, II made with the German gov.
ernment, no man, no nation, could
depend on. I'VE must await some new
evidence of the purposes Of the great
peoples of the central powers God
grant It may be given soon and in
way to restore the confidence OF all
peoples everywhere in the faith Of ma
tions and the possibility Of a cove
nanted peace"
The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-08-31
COMMISSIONERS

]. H. Gels presented his bond for
the construction of the Sten and Mil
Ter bridges, in the sum of $17OO.OO,
and same was approved by the board.
John Now presented his bond as
County Commissioner for the term
of TWO years, beginning Sept. II,
1917, which Bond is approved as to
surety and amount and ordered lied.
r. Z. Morrison presented his bond
as County Highway Superintendent
in the sum of 100000, which bond
was approved by the Board.
John F. Kinzle, contractor on Sec
ton NO. 1 of the Bollenbacher ditch
equosted the Board to extend the
time fr completion of said ditch to
Nov. 1, 1917, which request was
granted.
In the matter of the Barker ditch
No. 642, the County Surveyor, re
ported the sale of same to Chas.
Haines for the sum Of $764.00, same
to te completed by Nov. 1, 1917.
The Commissioners of Darke
County meeting with the Commission
ers of Mercer County, in the matter
of the Livingston Joint ditch, agreed
with John Arnold to furnish material
and construct protectiin walls on the
Branch No. 1 of the above named
ditch for the sum of $25.00.
The following bills were allowed
last Friday and are now payable:
S. S. Scranton, cost bill State
VS.. Jno. Myers. :. ...... 81 SO
P. A. Ellis, humane officer. 25 90
Columbia B. B. Co., supplies
for Co. officials. =. ..... 9 SO
The Johnson-Watson Co.,
supplies for election bd.. 16 90
Gilberg & Co., election notice 8 46
F. A. Snyder, same. f. 80. 2 75
american Surety Co., Of N.
Y, bon dior Treasurer. 81 so
(cOn4lnUOd on EInheh PanOl
The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-08-31
VENERABLE WOMAN
PASSES SUDDENLY

Mrs. Louise E. LeBlond, the venerable
mother of Mrs. Emma Kloeb, was fatal
ly injured by fall from the steps at the
rear door of their home on North Main
street last Monday evening. The daugh-
ter was in the front part of the house at
the time and was not aware of the acci-
dent until neighbors near the rear of the
building, who heard the aged woman's
scream as she started to fall, came on
the scene and were bearing her frail and
almost lifeless body into the house. DR..
Langel was Immediately summoned, but
life he'd ebbed before his arrival.
Mrs. LeBlond had long been afflicted
with infrmities due to age, but for all
that her sudden passing was a shock to
the family and community.
Mrs. LeBlond was past four score
years and three, being born at Elyris,
this state, June Is, 1884. Her maiden name
was mckinley. She was welded to the
late F. c. LeBlond, then a promising
young attorney and man of affairs, and
during the civil war period a member of
Congress, September 6, 1888, and her
married life and declining years was
spent on the site of her demise almost
since that time, broken by short sojourn
or two abroad and season at Washing
ton. Three children were born them
Hon. Chas. M. LeBlond, lawyer and
at one time member of the Ohio House
of Representative, now dead; DR.. Frank
LeBlond, of San Francisco, Calf. and
Mrs. Emma Kloeb, with whom the aged
parent made her home. The husband
passed away fourteen years since.
During her long and eventful life the
deceased played no small part in the
various activities of the community that
tended to it's betterment, and a contem-
porary well says, the LeBlond home was
center of social and religious interest,
where the democratic spirit always pre-
dominated and the poor in purse and the
we'll to do met on equal terms under a
most hcspitable roof
Funeral services were held from the
home she loved so we'll yesterday after
noon and her remains laid to rest by the
side of those of her husband in beautiful
North Grove.
The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-08-31
HART, BAKER AND
MORRISON TAKE
JOBS ON MONDAY

While the first change in the county
Offices resulting from the election of last
November took place the first Monday
of this month, when Clerk of Courts j.
B. Haslinger succeeded himself after
two years of clean and efficient service,
next Monday, the 3rd, will see three
more Democrats taking mp the work laid
down by their predecessors.
On this date County Recorder Henry
]. Stelzer, who has honored himself as
well as his party by clean and able con-
duct of the Recorders office, will be
succeeded by Teacher James r. Hart, Of
Gibson township, splendid citizen and
staunch Democrat. He will have asso-
ciated with him as. deputy Albert Wolf,
of Ft. Recovery, young man who en-
joys the confidence of his friends to an
unusual degree.
Monday will also see County Treas
urer Frank Benke make way for Drug
gist Perry Baker, who has a habit of
leading his Democratic brethren a merry
chase when it comes to corralling votes,
and County Surveyor Noah Hinton turn
ing his keys over to Civil Engineer R. B.
Morrison, who turned the trick of beat
ing his opponent out of a nomination for
a second term. Treasurer-ele Baker
will have as his deputy Joe Kohnen, a
popular young Democrat of St. Henry.
The retiring Treasurer and Surveyor
have both served the county faithfully
and we'll, and The Democrat hopes their
future activities will fall in pleasant
places, and believes their successors will
render good account of the trusts put
into their hands.
The next change in officials at the
ourt-house will occur the third Monday
in September, the 18th, when the pres
ent boaril of County commissioners
Evers, of Marion; Behrens, of Dublin.
and Brunewick, of Granville-will be
succeeded by another trio of Democrats,
George Hill, of Blackcreek; Robert
Steinbrunner, of Recovery, and John
Now, of Hopewell.
The last change in the courthouse
circle occurs the third Monday in Octo-
Der, when Auditor Steinbrunner will
turn the affairs of his Office over TO Aud
itor-elect E. G. Ungerer.
The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-08-31
WEEKLY WAR REVIEW

On the central Russian front a Ger
man battalion penetrated the Russian
lines on the Oginsky canal, northwest
Of Pinsk, but later the Teutons were
elected by a counter attack. In the
Caucasus the Russians are showing
greater activity at several points
Turkish positions on the heights In
the region of Mount Tenevredag have
been occupied by the Russians, the
Turks retiring under pressure.
Premier Kerensky opened the ma
tional conference of Russian factions
at Moscow. Military and political
problems confronting the nation are
being discussed.
Russia's provisional government an
nounced on Aug. 27 that It had decid-
ed to ignore Pope Benedict's peace
proposals, in view Of the fact that no
mention Of Russia was made in tho
pope's note.
Rome reported that the Italians are
breaking down the resistance Of the
Austrians in the region around Monte
Santo, north Of Gorilla, and making
their way eastward toward the border
Of upper Carniola.
In the Verdun sector the French
put down heavy counter attacks
launched by the Germans.
Russian positions near Jacobstadt
near Riga, we're captured by the Ger,
mans.
London reported on Aug. 29 That the
Russians in southern Mo1davta, from
Folkshani northward, quit their
trenches and fed northward. This
announcement followed the report Of
the falling back by the Russians in
eastern Bukowina toward the Russian
frontier. Positions OF vantage guard
ing approaches to the Sereth river in
Moldavia we're abandoned by the dis
loyal Russian troops. The enemy by
reason Of this detection has material
ly bettered his positions for an ad-
vance eastward, and at last accounts
continues TO deyeloR his SUCCESS
The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-08-31
MONEY YCOMING FOR
AUTO FIRE TRUCK

At the meeting of Council last Tues
day night steps assuring an auto fire
truck for the Celina fire department was
taken, when a resolution authorizing the
issue OF a certificate OF Indebtedness for
its purchase was passed. The action was
taken none too soon, for the department
has beon seriously handicapped since its
last horse went bad.
Bids for printing Clerk Winnters an
nual report of the receipts and expendi-
lures OF the city government for the fs-
cal year was referred to the committee
on printing. The Mayors report was
read and accepted, but the proposition to
load up on lungmoter was turned down.
Then the dads adjourned.
The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-08-31

Declares That to Deal With Present
Rulers Of Germany Would only Let
Them Recuperate For a Renewal
Of Strife For World Domination
Adds German People Must Have
Word In Settlement Of the War.
Washington, Aug. 29.-President
Wilson has rejected. the peace pro-
posals OF Pope Benedict In a note
dispatched to Rome, the president
says that while every heart not blind
ed and hardened by the terrible war
must be touched by the moving ap'
peal OF his holiness. It would be folly
to take the path of peace he points
out If it does not in fact lead to the
goal he proposes.
To deal with such power as the
present rulers of Germany upon Pope
Benedict's plan, the president de-
clares, would involve a recuperation
OF the strength and renewal OF the
world domination Of that power, now
baked but not defeated, after sweep
ing a continent with the blood of In
nocent women and children, and the
helpless poor as we'll as OF soldiers.
Permanent peace must be basad
upon the faith of all the peoples and
upon Justice and fairness and the
common rights of mankind, he adds,
and I'VE can not take the word of the
present rulers of Germany as a quail
antee OF anything that is to endure
unless explicitly supported by such
conclusive evidence OF the will and
purpose of the German people them
selves as the other peoples OF the
world would be justified in accepting
The president, among other things,
raid:
ITO deal with such power by way
of peace upon the plan proposed by
his holiness. the pope, would, so far
as we can see, involve recuperation
of its strength and renewal OF It's
policy; would make it necessary to
create a permanent hostile combina'
tion of nations against the German
people, who are its instruments, and
would result in abandoning the new
born Russia to the intrigue, the mani
fold subtle interference, and the GER
tain counter revolution which would
be attempted by all the malign intiu-
ences to which the German govern
ment has of late accustomed the
world. Can peace be based upon a
restitution Of its power or upon any
word Of honor it could pledge in a
treaty Of settlement and accommoda-
ton?
Purpose of United States.
.'T.ha test. therefore, Of every plan
The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-08-31
LUTHER LEAGUES
MEET MONDAY

The Luther Leagues of Mercer County
and Salamonia, Indiana, will hold their
fifth annual convention at Zion S Church
at Chattanooga on Labor Day, Monday,
September 8. The program follows:
Morning session, 10 am.
Opening Hymn, page II, S. S. Hymal,
"Oh, Bless the Lord My Soul.
Devotional services.
Hymn, page AZ S. S. Hymnal, "Glori-
GUS Things of You Are Spoken"
Address of welcome, lions League.
Response, Ft. Recovery League, Thur
man Graf
Election of officers and other business.
Anthem, Ft. Recovery Choir.
Essay, THE Meaning of the 95 Thes-
is" by Elizabeth Yaeger, Salamonia
Hymn, page 128, S. S. Hymnal, My
Church, My Church, My Dear Old
Church"
Noon, basket dinner and social hour.
Afternoon session, 2 pm.
Opening hymn, page 122, S. H. Hymn
nal, Zion Stands With Hill Surround
ed"
Essay, The Young Peoples Society
in It's Relation to the Congregation,
Mary Siebert, Hopewell League.
Essay, "The Quadrieentennial, Its
Purpose and Spirit, "Clara Schroeder, st.
Paul's League, Washington township.
Anthem-Celina choir.
Essay, Team Work and the Cause of
Christ" Theodore Weinmann, st. Paul S
Leauge, Liberty township.
Hymn, page 126, S. S. Hymnal, A
Tower of Strength Our God Is Still"
Lunch and social hour.
Evening services, 1880 pm.
Devotional services.
Selection by Zion choir. Male quar-
tet, with soprano obligate.
Lecture by Rev. Hugo G. Schmidt, of
Middletown, o.
Soprano solo, Miss Rosa Bethel.
Closing services. Hymn.
The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-08-31

The week witnessed the develop
ment of further brilliant successes for
the Italians along the Isonzo front.
General Cadorna's men, who, at the
beginning of the offensive, effected
new crossing Of the river north OF
Gorizia at point where the AustTians
believed such a feat was impossible,
have won another spectacular victory
by scaling Monte Santo, 2,245 fees
high, and placing their flag there. Tho
mountain top, seven miles north OF
Gorizia, dominates the plain to the
east of the city, and the Austrian
forces there have been able to hold
up the Italian advance since Gorilla
was taken. The Austrian line Of de-
tense was broken at several points
and the Italians are pursuing the re-
firing Austrians. Further south, on
the Carso, fighting violently and inces'
sanity, Austrian efforts to win back
lost positions were defeated. The Ital.
fans report the capture Of 10000 men.
New gains have been made by the
French on the Verdun front. Posi-.
tions held by the Germans have been
recaptured after severe engagements.
These included famous Hill 304. Heavy
counter attacks launched by the Ger
mans were put down.
On the British front sharp local en-
gagements featured operations. The
British captured trench position
west Of Lens and post near Lom'
baertzyde. The capture OF Lens, cen
ter of the French coal fields, appears
imminent.
The situation on the northern end
Of the Russian front remains obscure.
Oficial Russian reports earlier III the
week made 1t appear that German
offensive, with the capture Of Riga
presumably as It's object, was under
way. The German communications
have not borne this out, except that
an advance to the River Aa at several
places was reported.
The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-08-31
DRYS ORGANIZE
TO FIGHT BOOZE

At meeting last Monday of the Mer-
Ger county dry federation at the Evan
gelical church in this city, at which they
were addressed by r. II. Curtis, one of
best known temperance workers in the
state, an organization for the county
campaign in behalf of Statewide pro-
hibition was effected. Rev. w. Z. Tur-
ner, man of ability and energy, was
chosen to manage the fight. The town
ship chairmen were in attendance and
eager to open their batteries on the in
sideous foe of mankind.
Miss Mayme Vordenfeld has been re-
tanned for the Office work which she
handled so efficiently in the campaign
two years ago. The headquarter are in
the Richardson building, Rooms and 7,
and will be open at all times.
The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-08-31
Aerial Doings Scheduled
for To-MOrrolU Night

Secretary Dibsdall, of the Beam
Aviation School in this city, has ar
ranged to give the people of this city
and surrounding territory touch of
what the aerial warfare means in
Euror.. With over a hundred dol
lars worth of aerial fireworks and
bombs. etc., Aviator Lestere Miller,
will make one of his spectacular and
daring night flights, cutting capers in
the air, dropping bombs, and having
a regular Fourth of July all by him