Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 10, Number 171, Decatur, Adams County, 18 July 1912 — Page 1

Volume X, Number 171

WILLIAM HALE’S SHORTAGE State Banking Department Issues Statement After Thorough Examination

I BANK IS SOLVENT I Stockholders Pay in Twentyfive Per Cent Assessment to Meet Loss. ■ THE SUM IS $14,258.62 B 1 Complete Investigation Reveals Startling Defalcation of Bank Funds. — / 1 i' 1 Geneva, Ind., July 18—(Special to ( Dally Democrat) —William B. Hale, I the assistant cashier of the Bank of Geneva, who committed suicide by hanging himself in his barn Monday noon, was a defaulter of bank funds to j 1 the amount of $14,258.62, according to a statement issued at noon today by Harry Arnold, chief at the state banking department, following a four days' investigation, conducted by he and the bank examiners, Messrs Thomas and n Cravens, assisted by bankers from Decatur. The figures were first arrived at Wednesday evening, and were veri-I fied this morning by a check made by I I French Quinn and C. S. Niblifk of De-I eatur. Besides this Mr. Hale owed the ■ bank two notes, totaling $1,250, secured by a mortgage on his two proper-' ties here, was security on three notes ! for his brother, amounting to $750, j owed A. G. Briggs, the president of the bank, $l5O, secured by SSOO worth ■*’ telephone s'oek, and was $85.00 overdrawn at the bank. It is believed that he also owed considerable outside of the bank, leaving his affairs in a badly demoralized condition. One of the heaviest, stockholders of the bank, when interviewed today, said, | that the greater part of the shortage occurred about six years ago, when Mr. Hale was having a very heavy expense in caring for his wife, who was in a hospital for months, and it is thought that this started the shortage, which grew as he kepi covering. cne transaction with another. During the past year he seems reduced the amount slightly, and he must have suffered terribly under the aw ful strain. Every stockholder of the ' bank spoke in a sympathetic and re- 1 gretful manner of Mr. Hale, whom they regarded almost with a loving affection. The shortage has been made up by the directors and will in no way, affect the bank, except to improve it, as the state banking department will! see that a most competent force is ( placed at work there and that a new and complete set of books is opened. ‘ At 10 o'clock this morning the examiners reported that they had checked the work and were ready to, report to the board of directors, which bad been called to meet at that hour. It was a serious looking little gathering, which assembled in the room at t the rear of the bank, all the directors 1 --but one being present, and a number of the stockholders. The matter was placed before them completely and the following resolution was then , unanimously adopted: j “Resolved, That an assessment of twenty-five per cent be made on all, the stockholders of the Bank of Gene- ( i va, to pay a shortage, as shown by an ( examination up to this time, of sl4.- i 258.62, said assessment amounting to $11,250, and that said amount shall be raised from outside funds and shall not be taken out of the Bank of Geneva, either by check or certificate of deposit and that this defalcation has been caused by W. B. Hale, assistant cashier :and be it further 1 Resolved, That a new assistant cashier and an additional helper be 1 employed in the bookkeeping, and that i a new set of books be opened at once. Signed, A. G. BRIGGS, President. DAN PONTIUS, JOHN BROWN, J. W. WATSON, i ANTHONY GLENDENING, I CHARLES D. PORTER, t • Directors i HOMER PONTIUS, . ISAAC TEEPLE, I

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

CLINTON PONTIUS, FRANK PONTIUS, GENE STRATTON PORTER Stockholders. Mr. Harry Arnold, head of the state banking department, gave out the following statement immediately after the meeting: ‘Mr. Hale's shortage as shown by the investigations thought to be complete is $14,258.62. It has been carefully checked. To cover this loss an assessment of twenty-five per cent on the capital stock of $45,000 has been ordered and made. This amounts to $11,250, the balance, $3,008.62 is to be paid out of the surplus of $7,000 on hands. The monky to make up the shortage was all secured from outside sources than the Bank of Geneva, making the institution absolutely safe and solvent While all the stockholders had money in the bank to pay their assessment, they secured it elsewhere. We have also directed that CONTINUED tTN i AGE FOUR WAS dkiTstory Report That Attempt Was Made on President’s Life Was Not True. GIRL SLAYER SUICIDES Seven Women Injured When Floor in Wabash Canning Factory Fell. Wabash, Ind., July 18 —(Special to Daily Democrat)--Seven women were injured, four of whom are in a serious condition, as a result of a collapse of a cement floor at the Wabash Canning company’s plant last night. The women were piling cans, when the floor fell in, and they fell through to the basement with thousands of cans filled with corn and peas, falling on top of them. Rotted wood piling is be--1 Ifeved to be the cause of the accident. i Washington, D. C„ July 18 (Special to Daily Democrat)—A little hazing stunt leaked out Wednesday night to a "green” reporter on the white house “beat” by several veteran newspaper men today resulted in a countrywide scare that an attempt was made ' on President Taft’s life, through an infernal machine. They told him a re- ' markable yarn about the sending of the infernal machine, but when the 1 reporter became visibly excited they I told him it was a joke. The report that an attempt had been made fast and it kept the secret service men and other officers constantly busy denying Hie lepoit. New York, N. ¥., July 18—(Special to Daily Democrat) —After living within several blocks of the police headquarters and passing scores of policemen and detectives who were seeking the murderer of Julia Conners, Nathan Swartz committed suicide by inhaling gas in a tenement rooming house on the east side. His body was found, with a piece of'hose attached to a gas jet in the room and the other end in his mouth. In a letter he left, he confessed his guilt. The body was Identified by the police and other members of the girl’s family. — —o *——— WASHINGTON CHURCH SOCIAL. The young people of the Washington M. E. church west of the city will give a social Saturday evening, July 20th, on the church lawn. There will be plenty of refreshments of all kinds and plenty of fun. Everybody is invited. STILL IMPROVES. Word this morning from the bedside of Mrs. Ben Schrank is that she is doing exceedingly well, and as well as could be looked for by the attending physician. She rests well and with the elapse of several more days her recovery will be mor® speedy.

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday Evening, July 18, 1912.

INSTALL OFFICERS I Rebekah Staff Takes Oath of ' j Office for the Ensuing Term. THE NOBLE GRAND Is Miss Marie Butler—Mrs. Stella Crist Was Install1 ing Officer. The Rebekah lodge installed the following officers for the ensuing I term, Mrs. Stella Crist serving as in- j 1 stalling officer 1 Noble Grand —Marie Butler. 1 Right Supporter—Della Harruff. ' Left Supporter—Nora Butler. ’ Vice Grand —Fanchon Yoder. 1 Right Supporter—Rena Huffman. Left Supporter—Ella Bolinger. Chaplain—Mary Artman. > Conductor —Emma Hunsicker. - Warden —Frances Baker. Financial Secretary—Nell E. Win-; nes. j Recqrding Secretary'—Jessie Win ; L nes. Inside Guard —Inez Coverdale. Outside Guard —Gusta Cramer. r Pianist —Florine Edwards. I Kate I. Nichols, state president of the Rebekah lodge, has sent word to the local organization that she will pay a visit to this city and inspect the ’ lodge on Tuesday evening, July 23rd. The locals are making special arrangements for the entertainment of their guest at this time, and while here will be given the cordially of the L., C. Helm home. Although this is her ! initial call here, since she has been • elected to this office, she is well known here, having visited on| form-1 er occasions when the oppbrtunity I permitted. At this time degree work will be conferred on a class of candidates following with the inspection,' after which a general social mingling ( and entertainment will follow. It is hoped that a good attendance will.be on hand for the evening’s work, anil 5 aid in welcoming the guest at this 3 time. 3 ° ! ’FIRST EXCURSION I r Clover Leaf Will Run Its Initial Toledo Train Next Sunday DESIRED BY MANY! : - : Local Agent Thompson Rce ceived Information and ! r I Advertising Matter, I f g. i I e _ ■ y An explanation greatly wished for t by the public was given out Wednes-' e day by the Clover Leaf railroad, when t they issued advertising matter telling 1 inf tlie initial excursion rate train to be run to Toledo on Sunday, June 21st.. 1 Just how long these will continue lo- ■ cal officials are unable to state, but if - like other seasons will continue all i- during the summer. The fare is as r low as one could expect and for the . - many entertaining features which are j - given at this time of the year, $1.25 j r is the tare charged, the train leaving ' s at 5:19 a. m., early enough in the day 5 to allow arrival there in the middle r of the forenoon, and to enjoy the day > , until evening. Returning, the train i will arrive in Decatur at 10:36 p. mJ • This has been one of the company’s most frequent questions, concerning the Sunday excursion, and since the i word has been received, the crowd on next Sunday, for the first one of the ' > • season, will without doubt be a big < I one. o BABY AT HERMAN HOME. A message came this morning to Mr. and Mrs. John Meyers, announcing the birth of a grandchild, a baby born to Mr. and Mrs. John Herman, : at St. Henry, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. i Herman formerly resided here, but ' some time ago moved to St. Henry, near which place they purchased a i farm. i

Mr. and Mrs. H. R. Molta spent the afternoon in Fort Wayne.

ASKS A DIVORCE. Well Known V/inchester Young Lady Sues Foreigner. Mrs. Jessie Ixiuise Carver-Rude-mann, sister of Mrs. E. E. McGriff, of Portland, and well known locally, is plaintiff in a suit for divorce from Johannes Bodemann, instituted thia week in the Randolph circuit court at Winchester. Judgment for alimony in the sum of $5,000 is also asked will the rtstoration of her, maiden name. In her complaint, i Mrs. Bodemann sets forth that she was married February 9, 1910, and fo)' more than two years prior to thein separation in March. 1912, she charges that tier husband wholly failed, neglected and refused to support her or make any provision whatever for her maintenance, although amply able to do so. Mrs. Bodemann is.one of Winchester’s most talented' young women. She possesses a beautiful soprano voice and has sung in many of the large cities of the country. Some years ago she went to Europe an 1 studied music under some of the greatest masters in German. After completing her course there she went to England, wheie she continued her studies. It was while there that she met Bodemann. After a courtship of some weeks Bodemann came to America for the purpose of securing certain patent rights on a German invention. The wedding took place at the home of the bride and the couple took an extended honeymoon through the eastern states. They resided in Detroit for some time. , Bodemann is now said to be in Germany, while she is doing vocal work in New York City, although she makes her home in Winchester with her sister, Mrs. Margaret Kennon. Mrs. Bodemann is quite well known in this city.

D. I. WEIKEL GETS CONTRACT. Will Finish Carpenter Work on Sugar Factory. D. I. Weikel, the well known car- ' penter contractor, lias been awarded, the contract for the carpenter work on the new sugar factory. This includes all the work of finishing I in the carpenter line and is a big job. There are five hundred doors and win dows to be put in and this part alone is a monster task. Mr. Weikel went to Pleasant Mills today to see about 1 getting some men to help, and in another part of this paper has an advertisement for carpenters to assist him in the great work. THE STAR THEATER. Two feature films will be shown at the Star theater this evening, entitled i “Called Back," a drama of exception- ' al Interest, and produced by the famous Thanhouser. It is the first produc--1 lion in this city and comes highly recommended to Mr. Stonebiuner. The > second film will be a comedy, cne of 1 the good old live ones that, yoi are I looking for and to make you iaugh 1 from start to finish. Five cents to all. j On Friday evening the performance ; win be given under the auspices of the Pocahontas lodge, which has se- ! cured for that date “David’s War With Absolom.” The film is as real , as though it occurred in our own day, and wherever shown nothing but the highest, praise is given. It was to . have been shown on this evening, but bn account of misshipment had to be deferred until tomorrow evening. Admission, 10 cents to adults and 5 cents to children. 0 TAKE SECOND CHILD.* Mrs. John S. Colchin and Mrs. Will Colchin returned home Wednesday from Fort Wayne, where each secured another orphan child sent out by the New York Catholic orphanage to be placed in Catholic homes to be reared. This is the second child to be fostered by both ladies, arid the children are greatly welcomed In the homes. The one secured by Mrs. Will Colchin is a boy, and that of Mrs. John Colchin is a girl. — THE FIRE ALARM. A spark from an Erie train which was passing set fire to one of the dry rooms of the Elick tile mill in the west part of the city this afternoon at 2 o’clock and caused the department the first run in the past three weeks. The spark lodged under the tin roof which covers old shingles and caused considerable trouble. The firemen tore off the tin and quelled the fire with the chemical. Small damage was done. The mill has not been running tor nearly a year.

WED IN WINDSOR Mrs. Eulalia Drage and Francis Shores Married at Windsor, Canada TUESDAY, JULY 16TH Moving Today to Farm cf Bride in Wells County— Surprise Friends.

The many friends of Mrs. Eulalia Drage of North Second street will be surprised to hear of her wedding to Mr. Francis Shores of this city, which took place last Tuesday morning, July 16th, at Windsor, Canada, the minister of the Central M. E. church officiating. Mr. Shores has been a resident of this city since last February, when he came to this city to engage in work as one of the carpenters on the new sugar factory. For some time, since the death of her Imshand, James M. Drage, a motorman ’on the Fort Wayne & Springfield railway, who died from pneumonia some time ago< Mrs. Drage, who resided with her mother-in-law, has kept a boarding house, and M?. Shores was one of the several boarders at that place. Their acquaintance grew into a warmer friendship and on last Monday both left for Windsor, Canada, where their marriage took place, they returning here Wednesday morning byway of Fort Wayne. Mr. and Mrs. Shores are moving today to her farm in Wells county, where they will make their home. For some time past, since Reaving the sugar factory construction force, Mr. Shores has been employed as one of the Linn & Patton carpenters. He has made many friends during his stay here, and is receiving many congratulations on his excellent choice of a Nife, as the bride is a lady of many fine qualities. Mr. Shore’s home was in Michigan prior to coming here. — O— Miss Prances Deininger went to Ft. Wayne today for a week’s visit with her sister, Mrs. E. H. Kilbourne. COURT HOUSE NEWS Harold Snedeker and Erma Hock Stricken by Cupid’s Darts. LICENSED TO WED Court House Quiet —Emanuel Tricker Wants to be Naturalized. Licensed to wed: Erma Mary Hock, born March 2, 1891, daughter of John Martin Hock, of Coshocton, Ohio, to wed James Harold Snedeker, born May 19, 1891, decorator, son of Joseph McCoy Snedeker, of Coshocton, Ohio. „ Real estate transfers: Julius C. Schug and wife to C. E. Sullivan, onethird east part of lot 6, Berne, *3000; Lee L. Kintz et al. to Gabriel F, Kintz, lot 1012, Decatur, $150; Samuel A. M. Butcher to Daniel Beeber et al., lot 264, Geneva, $3000; Samuel Schindler et al. to Albert P. Smith, realty in Monroe tp„ S6OOO. Very little is doing about the court house, except routine work. Emanuel Tricker has declared his intention of becoming an American citizen, at the age of eighty years. He is a native of Hughsufick, England, and came to this country in 1832. ICE CREAM SOCIAL. There will be an ice cream social held at the Washington church, four miles southwest of the city Saturday night, July 20th. Plenty of icecream and refresuiaents. A good time for all. Come get a breath of fresh air. POLICE COURT NEWS. Edward Berling was brought up In ’Squire Stone's court on a charge of exceeding the speed limits and pleadIsg guilty was assessed the usual flue.

THE BEET SCAB. E. M. Wagner brought in a beet this morning taken from the Henry Koeneman farm which was affected with beet scab, a similar disease to potato scab, and caused from the identical conditions. The beet was covered with a black scab and the top had been rotted oft It weighted about a pound and as usual was sending forth the second sprouts, which would have made a small top. Under good conditions, the beet could have been harvested, but would have been small In size. The cause of the scab was ton heavy an application of humus in the spring. The beet company doe net reconirnemr a heavy application <>. humus when it is plowed under ;i, the spring for that summer’s beet crop. o TALKED WITH GOVERNOR. Dan N. Niblick, the merchant, who was absent for several days, being at Indianapolis buying goods for his store, returned home Wednesday evening, feeling fine and reporting a fine trip. While at the capital city he called on all of the Decatur people, and also had the opportunity of personally meeting Governor Marshall, and enjoying nearly nn hour’s conversation while at breakfast. He thinks the world and all of the Indiana executive, and feels greatly favored to have had a Italk with him, which he enjoyed. ABOUT THE SICK Mrs. Fred Heuer ImDrovine’ —Arm Dislocated at the Shoulder in Fall. ON CELLAR STEPS Joe Harris Able to Sit UpPlaster of Paris Cast Removed from Limb. ✓ Mrs. Fred Heuer is recovering from a painful injury in which her arm was dislocated, and it will be some ' time before she can have the free use . of the member. The Heuer cellar, : with others, was filled with about j three feet of water at the time of the I recent storm, and while it went down j as rapidly as it arose, the lower steps were covered with a coat of slime left. by the water. Mrs. Heuer had occa j sion to go to the cellar and in de-I descending slipped on the slimy steps , and foil the entire distance below. Throwing her arm out to break the fall, she fell with full force on the right arm, dislocating it at the shoulder. The dislocation was heard to immediately slip back into place, but the strain oh the tendons and muscles has left the arm in a bad condition, and Mrs. Heuer is unable to use the member. Joseph Harris of West Monroe street, who suffered a fracture of the leg six weeks ago, is now able to sit up, the plaster of paris cast which encased the member, having been removed. Mr. Harris, who is an emI ployee of the tinning department of the Schafer Hardware company, Wa? working on a roof at Rockford, Ohio, when he slipped and fell to the ground, the fracture ensuing’. .— o PROPOSE CHANGE OF UNIFORM. A proposal to change Ihe style" of uniform of the Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias, will be the most important to become before the supreme assembly, which is being held this week in biennial session in the Pythian building. Members of the assembly say that the uniform has lost much of its distinctiveness during the last few years, due principally to the fact, they assert, that many ot the smaller orders, founded at a comparatvely recent date, have copied it to a greater or less degree. A special committee has the matter in charge, but it is not known just what will be thrashed out by the convention before being formally adopted. There will be no encampment of the Uifotm Rank at the supreme lodge in Denver, August 6th to 16th, this year, because the change to that city from Fort Worth, Texas, came too late to allow time for preparation. The Texas city had been selected for the meeting, but on account of climatic and other considerations, it was redded to hold it in Denver.

Price, Two Cents.

ELKS’ GRAND MEET Mrs. Sophia Mangold Taylor of Portland. Ore., Sends Interesting ACCOUNT OF IT Elks from all Parts of World Pi esent at Greatest Reunion Ever Held. Mrs. Sophia Mangold Taylor- of Portland, Oregon, sends to her sister. Miss Kathryn Mangold, of this city, papers containing an account of the Elks’ grand lodge reunion held at Portland, Oregon, last week, in which Elks from' ail parts of the world parireipated. The account will be of especial interest to Decatur Elks. Portland, “The Rose City,” which is also a great convention center, has already had twenty-eight great conventions held there this year, and expects to have many more, making in all thirty-eight from February first to December first. Among those to come are the national W. C. T. U. reunion. A great feature of the Elks’ reunion was the grand parade, in which fifteen to twenty thousand Elks toek part. The parade was five miles long and it took two- hours and twenty minutes to pass the review stand. In the parade were the long ranks of uniformed Elks, scores of bands, and magnificent floats of artistic design, : many coming from far distant cities, : and al! in all, the spectacle was a ! most glorious one. Elaborate enteri tainraent w r as provided the thousands lof visitors, and the convention was conceded as the best ever held. Elks , from Alaska, Porto Rico, Manila, and , other distant points, as well as from j every city from coast to coast in the United States, were present. The magnificent Elks temple was a blaze I of glory at night, with its fine electric light displays, and special decorations. , A lovely feature of the parade was the i “blizzard of rose petals,’’ millions of i the petals being showered from a roof on the passing Elks, who were obliged to wade in great depths of the fragrant and pretty colored petals. Mrs. Taylor was Miss Sophia Mangold of this city before her marriage and for some time has been living at Portland, Oregon, her husband moving ids family there from Seattle, Wash., and i Los Angeles, Cal. Mr. Taylor is a member of the Elks’ lodge and the I convention was of special interest to L them. Miss Kathryn Mangold visited at Portlpnd during the past winter, and was delighted with the city and country. FACTS ABOUT OSTRICHES. The female ostrich lays about eight eggs a year and only one in five eggs is fertile. It requires forty-one days for an egg to hatch, and during that time the mother birds sits on the eggs in the day time and the father at night. On the large ostrich farms, however, the majority of the eggs are now hatched by an electric incubator. The baby ostrich is a foot higii when hatched and they grow at the rate of about a foot each month until they reach nm urity. They are very delicate when hatched and during the first week are not permitted to eat or drink. An ostrich lives to forty or fifty years and some have been known to reach the age of 100. Every eight or nine months they produce plumes which are cut off and the stubs will drop off of their own accord. One ostrich will produce during one year plumes, worth from S4OO to SSOO. The bird eats principally alfalfa and corn. They have no teeth and swallow everything whole. They are very fond of diamonds and jewelry and will eat anything that sparkles. Each ostrich has two toes and these they use in defending themselves. They kick forwards in a very rapid and powerful manner. They can run with the speed of a horse and are dangerous, when angry. The birds, however, will never attack a person unless he first abuses them. The ostrich is valued at from SSOO to SB,OOO. Q. HAVING FINE TIME. Leon Gass, the hustling little newsboy, Is a visitor at the News Boys’ City at Fort Wayne this week. He reports that he is having a time but ot sight.