Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 12, Number 119, Decatur, Adams County, 20 May 1914 — Page 1

Read By 15,000 Each Evening

Volume XII. Number 119.

ARE INDICTED |: FOR MURDER: *■—■■■ -» 1 Mercer County. 0.. Grand Jury Charge Dennis and '' * LeVan Baker ' * 1 AT CELINA, OHIO If Found Guilty They Face Death in Electrical Chair t or Life Imprisonment i LeVan Baker of Cciina, 0., and Dennis linker, son of .Mrs. Jam. - Hannon I of near Bobo, were both Indicted by the .Mercer county. Onto, grand jury, and they stand charged with murder in attempting to perpetrate robbery, their victim being Wilbur E. Phillips of Lima. Ohio, whose death occurred in a hospital at Portland on the night of November 29, last, after he had been taken aboard a freight train. If found guilty they will face death in ' the electrical chair or imprisonment for life. The two boys have been held in the . jail at Celina, Ohio, for several months having been taken there from Portland when the Jay county grand jury found the crime had been committed in Mercer county. Ohio. LeV&n Baker was arrested near Rockford. Ohio, and Dennis Baker was taken in charge at Ills home near , Boho, this county and brought to the | jail In Decatur where he was confined several hour* before taken to , Portland. At Portland the two boys > made confessions concerning the crime. However each laid the strik- , ing of the fatal blow on the other. A dispatch continues: "The grand jurors were excused ( temporarily. Os the forty witnesses < xamlned during their session, nearly j all were called relative to the Phillips , murder. The mysterious murder of , David Berry, of Celina, about one , year ago, was also Inquired into with j the idea that the two Bakers might have been responsible for his untime- { ly demise. Beery was found with his throat tut several hours after he had , expired. It la believed by some that ■ he was assaulted and rendered un- , conscious in the Baker home and Ist- , er carried to the pla. <■ where hir body was discovered then to make sure of their deed the murders had -• v ered the jugular vein in the thre ■ Not enough evidence, however, was I found to warrant the return of in I dietments against the two prisoners for this crime. "During the examination of the two Bakers the opinion prevailed among jurors and conrt attaches that Dennis Baker, whose home Is at Bobo, Indi ana. near Decatur, did not cling to the truth of his narrative of the crime LeVaa Baker. It is believed, told thtruth but just what bis account <' the murder as detailed to the grand jury has not been given out. Dennis Baker continues as from the time when he was first brought here from Portland to permit himself to go untidy. He cares little for hir appearance as to clothing or toilet while on the contrary LeVan Bakf: • is the exact opposite. Os tate. it t said. despite the nature of the crime charged against him. LeVan spends much of his time before the mirror In his cell, even going to the extent of ix'nciHng his eyebrows While be suffered a nervous breakdown recently end It was rep« >r< ed that only last Saturday night he had hung himself In his sell by his suspenders, this rumor proved false when investigat’d The story of the murder Is still fresh In tho minds of many Adams ••ountv people. It took place on a freigli’ • rain on the L. E. * W- railroad be tween Limn and Portland. When tin train reached Portland, 8. D. Green, traveling companion of PhllHpu. *•"’ himself had been struck down and robbed of 130 and a cheap watch, re gained consciousness *”■! Inform'' trainmen of the condition of his 1 11111 ner. Phillips was tetCated from th<' train and rushed to the Jay < ounty Hospital where he soon afterwards ex pl red. Green was held there for some tin • in hopes that the murderers of I’hilllp* might be apprehended but when th' could not ie» found he was turned loose. He agreed to keep In tou- h with local officers hut from the timhe left Portland. Intendin'? to s" Lima. Ohio, wbero ho hoped to be a

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

mined to the county infirmary there he Ims not been heard from. There are many who believe that lie fell a victim of the murderers of Phillips who killed him in hopes of closing the eyes of the only witness to the tragedy. Die case against the Bakers was followed out by the local officers and 1 . E. Gerdemann, chief detective of 'he L. E. & W. railroad company, with tlie result that evidence sufficient to warrant their arrests was made. The Bakers are not related. o— — IS A PROUD PAPA -A Louis Rice of the Callow & Rice drug store is the proud father of a fine boy baby that arrived at tltelr home this morning. The mother was formerly Miss Lillian Harris. The babe has been named Marion Joseph. AT THE CONCLAVE Miss Rose Colchin Represents Decatur C. B. L. of I. at Supreme Meet IN FORT WAYNE Two Hundred New Members Added During the Year —Four New Councils Miss Rose Colchip represented the local council ot the Catholic Benevolent League of Indiana at the supreme conclave held in Port Wayne yesterday. Tiie 1915 convention will be held in Fort Wayne May 18. Michael Kinder of Fort Wayne was elected supreme president of Indiana to succeed. T. J. Mclaiuglilin who has served for ten consecutive years. Other officers elected are: supreme chancellor. T. J. McLaughlin; vicepresident, George B. Frits, Tipton orator. Leonard Konerier, Hammond; trustee for three years. Louis Tegtmeyer. Fort Wayne; T. A. McLaughlin. Columbia City, trustee for one year; marshal, A. Goeke, Ft. Wayne; guard, Mrs. Ceceila Gaiiand. Ft. Wayne. Jacob Hartmann was re-e’.bct-ed supreme organixer, Rev. Edward Mungovan of Arcola, supreme adviser, delivered the principal address of the The convention voted to have a committee appointed to consider the matter of adopting the Mobile plan of insurance, and to report st the 1915 convention. Tills committee will be appointed later by President Michael Kinder. Nearly all of the delegates returned to their homes at 8 o'clock last night over the Nickel Plate and Pennsylvania railroads. Fort Wayne members bf (Continued on Page 3) BIG DAMAGE CASE Venued Here From Huntington—Adelbert Sparrow Asks For SIO,OOO For PERSONAL INJURIES Sustained While in the Employ of the Erie Stone Company \ fiO.iWO damage case has Peen received here on change of venue from Huntington county. It I* entitl'd Adelbert E. Sparrow vs. Tlie grle Slime Company, snd is brought to recover for persons! injuries received by Sparrow while In the emniov of the company as a laborer, nt L branch plant in Huntington untv They were engaged in mov- ' m a bridge work. «ros. a r-ilrrod. ' The bridge works suddenly shot for ■rd md knocked a crow bar which “ iX used in raising it. with Lent force against Sparrow's body, it »ws hurled a gr'»i distance and 1 u collar bone broken In three places. . u left hip broken and hl. bowel, par L The casa was venued here by ; -«. - •»- ““ unusual change a. the rose. arc ’ usually sent to counties adjoining.

Decatur, Indiana. Wednesday Evening, May 20, 1914.

BUY STORE STOCK Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Baughman Buy Five and Ten Cent Store AT LEBANON, IND. ■ a Will Pack Household Goods Next Week to Move to That City Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Balghman have purchased a stock of goods for a five and ten cent store located at Lebanon, Indiana, and expect to move there to take charge. The stock was purchased from Tait, Hutton & company. and is the only five and ten cent store in tlie city of 6.000 inhabitants, though there arc two other minor racket stores, one being a twenty-five cent store, and the other a miscellaneous store, and tlie prospects are very good. Mr. and Mrs. Baughman will pack their household goods next week, preparatory to going to Lebanon, and will invoice the stock week after next. They will classify it, and make a number of improvements on the store, and will have a very up-to-date place. They engaged in the business her" for several years, having disposed oi their store here to tlie Morris Company. Igiter they were located in Michigan, returning here several months ago. They are practical business’ people of integrity and will make a success in their new location. BUT LITTLE TO DO Only a Few Business Matters Were Up Before the Council Last Evening ADJOURNED EARLY Property Owners Petition For the Improvement of Cleveland Street. An early adjournment of the city council was called last evening at their regular session there being only a few business matters up before the bouse and these were disposed of in quick order. Every councilman answered to roll call and tlie session opened with the filing and placing on record the proof of publication to hear objections in tlie matter of the Floyd Acker sewer. There being no one present with any objections the final resolution ordering the construction of same was passed and adopted. The resolution also called for sealed bids these to be filed hy the next council meeting which will be held on the second of June. Tlie waiver signed' by property owners along Market street asking the council to grant them the right of paying their assessments In ten equal installments, payable yearly with interest at six per cent, was passed and adopted. A resolution ordering the city clerk to issue street improvement bonds for same was also passed. A petition signed by Rev. J. A. Seimets, pastor of the St. Mary's Catholic church asking that tlie curbing along the church property nnd priest bouse be put out In line with tlie rest of curbing along the street was granted. Street commissioner Isanc Chronister filed hia report of the number of poll taxes that had been worked oat during the month of April. This was approved and spread on record. The street and newer committee was Instructed to locate the line of tlie Waring sidwnlk. Property owners nlong Cleveland street filed a petition asking that the above named street be graded and that a sidewalk also be built. A motion was passed referring Hie mutter to the street and sewer committee. Tlie finance committee then allowed the following bills and tho session adjourned. 8. Melchi I 70.00 W. G. Nagel Electric Co 8.38 G. R. A I. Ry. CO 171.50

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Dan Haley 60.00 Standard Oil Co 10.12 Bourdon, Copper & Brass Works Company 17.45 Westinghouse Electric Mfg. Co. 16.56 Ft. Wayne Electric Works .... 62.03 Isaac Chronister, pay roll .... 182.30 John Coffee 23.22 City Firemen 62.50 Van Camp Hardware Co 42.98 Geo. Amspaugh 4.00 Western Gas Co 60 Orval Harruff 37.50 W. T. Whie 9.1 S M. J. Mylott, pay roll 150.00 Smokeless Fuel Co 41.81 A Foos, pay roll 152.00 Water Works, pay roll 36.10 fl TENSEJELING Is Evident Among the Entrants for the Five Hundred Mile Race READY FOR TESTS Which Will Start Next Monday—Thirty Fastest Cars Will Start Indianapolis, May 20 —(Special io Daily Democrat —Elimination trials for the next five-hundred-mile race on the Indianapolis motor speedway will start Monday, May 25, instead of tile Wednesday following, as originally announced. Tlie extra two days have been added to give some of the contestants time to readjust their machines for endurance, after they have been especially prepared for speed. Only the thirty fastest cars surviving, it is imperative that each entrant be accorded the utmost leeway . Contestants generally, save a few, such as Goux. Boillot, and Dawson, are worrying their heads ass as to whether they will be able to qualify or not. including even such notables as De Palma and Barney Oldfield, whose cars, though remarkably consistant. are not as fast as some of the others. Every effort will lie made to impregnate machines of this class with the necessary dynamite to put them over, and afterward to restore them to their original condition. A tenseness of feeling is evident on the course unlike anything ever experienced in five-hundred-mile racing. All of the entrants with work to do are laboring in closed garages, despite the heat. Only speedway officials and a few attaches are permitted within. A grim determination to keep his se crets locked up inside hint, lest his upponent profit thereby, • seems to possess everybody. The chance to survive is t«o slim to Impart any gratis Information. ■ OHERE FROM INDIA Rev. Mohn, German Lutheran Missionary in India, Is Here Today TO TALK TONIGHT At Zion's Lutheran Church in German—Ascension Day Thursday Bev. Mohn, a German Lutheran missionary who has been located In India as a missionary for ten or twelve years, and who Is now In the United States on a visit, will be here today to lecture. He will give ale- lure in German this evening at 7:30 o'clock at tlie Zion's Lutheran church on West Monroe street, and an Interesting talk is anticipated. * Rev. W. H. U I'hmeyer announces that services in German will be de livercd nt the Zion's Lutheran church Thursday evening at 7;30 o'clock, the day lieltig Ascension Day. Rev. L. Rl' limos Schuntm, Ob',a. who has been in ministerial service at Baltimore, Md. stopped off here for n visit with tlie Rev. H. Wehmeyer. He is enroute homo from Chicago where lie attended tlie general Lutheran »ny <>d.

FIRST MEETING ' Moose Lodge Held Session ' Last Evening and Took ' In Number of Members i i MORE NEXT WEEK I Charter Closes Next Tues- , day—Believe Membership Will Exceed 200 The Moose lodge held their first meeting last night since tlie order was instituted a w«>ek ago. The attendance was large and there was much interest and enthusiasm, insuring the success of the lodge in Decatur. Mr. Mangus gave a splendid talk, instructing the members as to their duties and their moral obligations. A number of new members were initiated and thirty were balloted in to take the work next week. The charter closes next Tuesday at which time the new lodge will have a member ship of over two hundred from the present outlook. The boys are busy and are securing new members each day. Mr. Mangus will return from his home at Indianapolis Monday and plans will be made soon for arranging a home for the lodge. They hope to have their own building and they will not quit until they have the strongest lodge in point of membership in the county. ONLY TWO MEN In County Were Granted Divorce Last Year—Wives Abandoned Them SEVENTEEN WIVES Get Decrees—lßl Marriage Licenses Issued—Report For Year Adams county was overlooked when the state statistician sent out th* blanks the first of the year for the annual statistical report of tlie Adanii county clerk. Hence County Clerk Ferdinand Bieeke and his deputy, L L. Baumgartner have made it out now i.nd it is now ready to lie mailed away. During the year 1913, 181 marriage licenses were issued. To off set this, nineteen divorces were grunted Os this number aeventaen were to the wife and two to the husband. Nine were granted to the wife for atamd onment, and the two husbands secured theirs also on those grounds. Two wives were granted divorces for cru< I treatment: three for drunkenness; and three others for various othet causes. Tlie total number of divorce cases filed was 31. and five were de nied or dismissed during the year. Relating to civil cases, there wore filed during the year 193 cases; la: were disposed of; 8 venued to other •ountiro; and 11 venued here from other counties, Letters of administration grunted number 57: guardianships. 20; fore closures entered, 3; sheriff's sales held. 16. Fifteen were adjudged of unsound mind. Huntlag Hi enscn Issued number 535. Ten Austrians nnd four Germans declared Intentions of becoming nntur aHxed, nnd one German was admitted to full cltUtenship. There were 27 criminal cnees filed; g dismissed; 21 disposed of; 9 convlc tions for felonies; 1 for misdemeanor; 3 cases for violation of liquor laws; 1 conviction for violation of liquo: taw. There were 22 arrests for felonies and ten convictions. One was sent lo Ind Inna prison for burglary; seven to Jail for petit larceny; one fined and sent to jslt for forgery. One ar rented for rape, two for ombenatdenent and nine for other felmiles. In the misdemeanor list, two were arrested for adultery; throe for liquor law violation. One ot the tnat named was convicted and Imprisoned.

PEG O’ THE MOVIES. That wonderful interesting two reel feature Edison Drama entitled , "Peg O' Tlie Movies lias been secured by Manager Parent of tlie Crystal theatre for tomorrow night's entertainment. Tills show Is one of tlie beet pictures cn the road and shoes the actions not only in front of the camera's eye but also the inner workings. Wlien Peg becomes a moving picture actress, Stephen in disgust goes west. Peg developed into a star and is made leading lady of a company which is sent west. Hero Stephan chances upon her and rescues her from a band of property “Indians and races madly off with her in his arms.” Tonight’s show comprises a two reel Vitagraph feature entitled “Caught with the Goods" and also an Edison entitled "A Treacherous Rival." OFFiCETBURNED Clover Leaf Suffers Heavy Loss When Fire Destroys Offices at Frankfort FIRES STILL RAGING In Upper Peninsula of Mich. —Stage is Set for Media- ’ tion Conference (United ITess Service.) Frankfort, May 20 —(Special to Dai iy Democnii) —Tlie general offices <> the Clover l«eaf railroad were destroy ed today liy fire and wn:ch was caused by defective wiring. The ions is es tituated at 175,000. Most of the records in all the depan meins were lost. Tht entire interior of the two story brick building was gutted. Petoskey. Mich., May 20 —(Speeia. to Daily Democrat) —The forest fir situation in Emmet county is still un improved and a strong west wine which rose early this morning did much to offset the work of the fin fighters. At noon today the flame, were again approaching Fort Bliss Nearly a score of fires are reportei today in Ute famous hard wood district of Wexford county. The fires are sail to be burning fiercely and are gettini beyond control. Big lumber companie* are suspending operation in order tha the men employed mny aid in fir> fighting. (By Fred I'erguson.) Niagara Falls. May 20 —(Special t< Daily Democrat)—Preliminary cere monies having been dispensed with the stage was set this afternoon so: the first session at the Mexican con ference. Justice laimar and F. W (Contlcuen on Page 3) fIWHEELON FIRE Lester Stanley Had a Thrill ing Experience Testing Out Motor Cycle LOSS WAS SLIGHT Gasoline Lint* Broke and the Blaze Caused Some Worry and Excitement IxMler Stanley, (uipulnr young oper atur mid messenger for tho Western Union had a thrilling experience thl> afternoon while trying out n motoi cycle, which lie nntii Iputed buying providing lie could make It go just t> suit him. He made aeverai trips ovet town and wna enjoying himself Im mensely, milking a record lireiiuint trip west on Monroe street. When jU‘ t in front of the Wemlioff Monunienta shop the gaa line on Ute auto l>rok> nnd the ganiltno took fire, jumped off and act tliu machine ui against a post where tt proceeded t< chug at a apeed that proved It could Joe Kortenbrler of the fire department tho fire ami attempted to put It out with a band citcmlcal but a: he put it out on one aide it leaped ui ■ on the other. The blase wan finulli outened hy tlie use of dust. The ma , chine can la> repaired at a stuall cost. |

Reachei Every Nook Os County

Price Two Cents.

STILL ARGUING . Republicans and Bull Moosers Insists That the Other is Faking I » - MR. BEVERIDGE TALKS • Democratic Editors Arc Planning a Delightful Midsummer Outing (Democratic News Bureau.) Indianapolis, Ind.. May 20O(Spocia! to Daily Democrat) —Al’.iert Jeremiah Beveridge, tlie Bull Moose nominee ;or tile U. S. Senate intends to make n very hard fight against the Democrats in the coming campaign. He has concluded— mid wisely that tlie Republicans haven't a chance of electing their candidates and that tlie only hope of tlie future for his party i . to heat down the Democratic candidate, Beveridge indicated one of his linos of attack at tlie Progressive club dinner here Monday when lie made a strong speech flaying President Wilson on his Mexican policy. Beveridge has been informing his friends generally that lie regarded tlie Wilson poll'-y towards Mexico as being very weak. It seems that lie proposes if possilbe to make it an Issue during the campaign—probably with the idea of arousing some degree of war spirit that will help him in ills own race. Beveridge is vigorously opposed to the President’s demand for repeal of the free tolls bill. In fact there seems to lie very little about Hie Wilson mill tin ist rat ion that suit.*, ilcveridge. At any rate he has indicated that lio proposes to shoot at it as hard as he can. The Bull Moose leaders like Beveridge and Fred K. uimiis are trying to show that President Wilson has ‘stollen their thunder' and the enactment of progressive measures by the Democrats ta due entirely to the agitation made by tlie Bull Moosera. Later on Beveridge expects to hit the President as hard as possihlo n the new tariff law. . Tlie position of Beveridge and his cohorts is that there is nothing sincrely progressive about the Democrrtc administration. By making tlie attack under the leadership of Beveridge the Bull Moose organization hop•s to get a lot of Democratic votes. Beveridge is fraak with ills friends in discussing the present situation in Indiana. He does not think there Is a remote chance that Hugh Th. Miller, the Republican senatorial nominee will run second although Chairwin Hays and other Republicans leaders maintain tliat Beveridge Is I not more than 5,000 votes stronger ! than iris party ami that he is going •r> be 'left nt the post’ by Miller at once ’hr campaign gets well underway. The Democrats are getting a great leal o* fun out of the Bull Mooser* and Republicans here now because of v controversy as to whether ths betting is going to favor Miller or Beveridge for second place. Tlie Republicans are accusing the Indianapolis Star—the Bui! Moose organ of liuhltaliing a 'fake* story that a big bet was posted that Beveridge would run second. Tlie fact that Tim Star lias confirmed the entire story showtig where tile liet was put up him not dented tlie IlvpuhllcnnH leaders who Insist that Tlie Star ought to print a den lai. The Star Is accused of faking In behalf of Beveridge and is called upon hy the Republicans tn recant although tho story it printed was n mutter of fact. However there Is very little betting at this time. One or two large offers have h»'en made that Beveridge vs ill run second but (tie liepulill< atm produced n man wlih a roll to cover them so It appears vlint tho controversy Is not stirring up n tremondiioitn amount of intor<*at among tho hund--1 rods of men a Ito do gamble on the elections, Tho impression of tho lu-tt ing fra--1 ternlty now Is that Beveridge will Is* i favorite ever Miller for smond place, Tim program for the mid-sumni' r I mooting ot tlie l><'tiiocratlc editorial ' uasoclatlnn nt Evansville nnd Mt. Vernon Is Iwlns arranged A committee will moot here tomorrow to nrrance Ifc r a spc'lnl train whick prnbnlily will run from hero by the way of Um (Uoattnueu oa ‘’mo 1)