Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 06.djvu/53

* DECAPOLIS. pie in the Times of Jesus Christ (XeAv York, 1885) ; G. A. Smith, The Historical Geography of the Holy Land (New York, 189G). DE CASSAGNAC, de ka'sa'nyak', Paul Gbaxiek. See Graxieb. DECA'TTJR. A city and county-seat of Mor- gan Coimty, Ala., on the south bank of the Ten- nessee Eiver, about IS miles above the JIuscle Shoals, and on the Louisville and Xashville and the Memphis and Charleston railroads (Map: Alabama, B 1). It has ^charcoal and iron fur- naces, bridge and car works, foundries, engine works, and manufactures of lumber, sashes and blinds, furniture, agricultural implements, flour, leather, cotton, cottonseed oil, etc. Population, in 1800, 27(j.:5: in 1900, 3114. DECATUR. A tovn and county-seat of De Kalb County, Ga., six miles east-northeast of Atlanta; on the Georgia Railroad (Map: Georgia, B 2). A fine climate and a beautiful situation make the town popular as a residential place. It is the seat of the Agnes Scott Insti- tute (Presbyterian) for Girls and the Donald Frazer (Presbyterian) High School for Boys. Here, on July "20. 1864, the battle of Peachtree Creek (q.v.) was fought, the Confederates, under (ieneral Hood, attacking unsuccessfully part of Sherman's army under Generals Thomas and Sehofield. Decatur was settled and incorporated in 1823. Population, in 1890, 1013; in 1900, 141S. DECATUR. A city and county-seat of Macon County, 111.. 38 miles east of Springfield and 173 southwest of Chicago ; on the Sangamon River, and on the Illinois Central, the Wabash, and other railroads (ilap: Illinois, D 4). It con- tains a public library, Fairview and Riverside parks, and Millikin University. The city is in a fertile agricultural section, and, owing to its exceptional railroad facilities, has large trade and shipping interests, particularly in grain, live stock, and coal. It is also an important indus- trial centre, manufacturing iron, agricultural implements, furniture, flour, carriages and wag- ons, coffins, etc. The government, under a char- ter of 1886, is vested in a mayor, elected every two years, a city council, and administrative offi cials, the majority of wliom are appointed by the mayor. The city clerk, attorney, and treasurer are chosen by popular vote. The water-works and electrie-lislit plant are o-mied and operated by the municipality. Decatur was settled in 1830 and incorporated six Tears later. Poptila- tion. in 1890. 16,841; in 1900, 20,7.54. DECATUR. A city and county-seat of Adams County, Ind., 21 miles southeast of Fort Wayne; on Saint !Mary's River, and on the Toledo, Saint Louis and Kansas City, the Erie, and other rail- roads (Jlap: Indiana, E 2). It has several fine stone-quarries, and manufactures of lumber in various products, machinery, tiles, etc. Decatur was settled in 1840 and incorporated in 1882. The government is administered by a mayor, elected every two years, and a city council. The city ovns and operates its water-works and elec- tric-light plant. Population, in 1890, 3142; in 1900, 4142. DECATUR. A town and the county-seat of Wise County. Tex., 2.t miles north by west of Fort Worth ; on the Fort Worth and Denver City Rail- road (Map: Texas, F 3). It is the seat' of the Northwest Texas Baptist College. The city is 39 DECAZES. the centre of a corn .and cotton growing section, and has cotton-gins, a cottonseed-oil mill, a roll- ing-mill, a canning-factory, etc. Limestone is extensively quarried in the vicinitv. Population, in 1890, 1746; in 1900, 1562. DECATUR, Stephen (1751-1808). An .American naval officer, born in Rhode Island. He early adopted a sea life, and during the Revolution had command of several privateers. In 1798 he became a captain, and was put in charge of the Delaicare. 20 guns, with which he captured two French privateers. On the declara- tion of peace he went into business in Phila- delphia. His son Stephen (q.v.) attained great distinction in the na^'j'. DECATUR, Stephen (1779-1820). An American naval officer, born in Sinnepuxent, Md., January 5, 1779. He entered the navy as mid- shipman on board the United States, in 1798. In November, 1803, he had command of the Norfolk, and afterwards of the Enterprise. On Feb- ruary 16, 1804', at the liead of a small party, he made a dash into the harbor of Tripoli and burned the frigate Philadelphia, which had fallen into the hands of the Tripolitans. In recognition of this act, which Admiral Nelson pronounced "the most daring of the age," he was made captain, and was presented with a sword. Decatur had much more hard fighting in the harbor and neighborhood of Tripoli, and in all cases showed the utmost daring and bravery. In 1812 he was in command, as commodore, of a squadron oft' the Atlantic coast, and on October 25, in the United States, captured the English frigate Macedonian. From 1813 till the summer of 1814 he was forced by a British blockading squadron much superior to his own to remain in the harbor of New London. In .January, 1815, he attempted to get to sea from New York with a small squadron. His flag-ship, the President, was injured by striking on the bar at Sandy Hook, lie had not proceeded far when he was pursued and forced to engage in an unequal fight. He was finally overpowered and compelled to sur- render, and was taken to Bermuda with his frigate. He was soon paroled, and in May, 1815, sailed from New York as commander of three frigates, one sloop, and six brigs and schooners, to operate against Algiers. He cap- tured two important vessels; but the war was soon concluded by a treaty abolishing the demand upon the L'nited States for tribute and giving up all prisoners. He made similar arrangements with the rulers of Tunis and Tripoli, and thus put an end to the enslaving of the Americans by the corsairs of those countries. In November, 1815, he was made navy commissioner, with Conmiodores Rogers and Porter, holding the office until his death, which occurred, March 22, 1820, in a duel at Bladensburg. near Washington, with Commodore James Barron (q.v.). Consult the Life by Mackenzie (Boston, 1846). His nephew, Stephen (1815-76), was commodore in the Unit- ed States Navy. DECAZES, dc-kaz', EuE, Duke (1780-1860). A French statesman. He began his career as a lawyer, became a judge in Paris, and in 1806 was called to Holland by King Louis, who esteemed him highly as his tnrsted counselor. Afterwards he became secretary to Napoleon's mother. Letizia Bonaparte, joined the Bourbons after the Restoration, and won the favor of