Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 13, Number 162, Decatur, Adams County, 7 July 1915 — Page 1

VoImueXIIL Number 162.

ASSAILANT OF MORGAN DEAD Second Attempt of Frank W/wMT-w.. Holt to Commit Suicide Proves Successful. LEAPS FROM CELL Door to Corridor and Fractures Skull—Said to Have Put Bomb on Ship. Mineola? N. Y., July 7,—(Special to Dally Democrat)—With his skull fractured and lying in a pool of blood, Frank Holt, the would-be assassin of J. P. Morgan was found dead in his cell here last night, he having been successful in his second attempt to committ suicide. Jail authorities claim that Holt climbed to the top of his cell door and leaped through a small opening to the corridor below. A conflicting statement is made by the keeper however, who stated that he was within fifreen feet of the ceil when he heard a loud report and upen opening the cell found Holt lying in a pool of blood. Owing to the great amount of excitement due to the suicide, the statement of the authorities is considered the most likely. No official statement will be given out until an autopsy is held. This was the second attempt of Holt to take his own life, the first being made yesterday morning when lie gashed his wrist with a lead pencil, only the quick arrival of a physician, having saved him. Mineola. L. 1., July 7—(Special to Daily Democrat) —The body of Frank Holt was today identified positively as that of Erich Muenter. the missing Harvard wife murderer, by two Cambridge witnesses. One of the witnesses took the Bertillion measurements of the body. They tallied exactly with those of Muenter. Holt was further identified by means of a gold tooth filling which was one of Muenler's distinguishing marks. Following an autopsy today it was announced that Holt killed himself by jumping from the top of his cell door head first to the corridor. Washington. July 7, — (Special to the Daily Democrat)—All the ships which sailed from New York, July 3rd. have been reached by wireless it was learned on good authority this afternoon. This was considered as insuring a thorough search for the bomb which Holt said he had hidden on one of them. A wireless from the captain of the Philadelphia stated that the bomb was not aboard his vessel. Every piece of baggage had been indent ified. The Cunard officials admitted this afternoon that they had heard nothing from the Saxonia in response to the warning. New York. July (Special to the Daily Democrat) —That Frank Holt hid a bomb on a steamship now bound from here to England was feared by the authorities here today. Before his attack on J. P. Morgan he sent a letter to the authorities saying aves sei which sailed from New York July 3rd, would be blown up July 7th. Much secrecy was observed concerning the letter, but it was known the authorities here and in W ashington wet e informed concerning it. Washington, July 7, —(Special to Daily Democrat) —The navy department sent wireless messages to the Steamships Philadelphia and Saxonia, warning them that Frank Holt had declared a ship which sailed from New York would be sunk July 7. This was confirmed today. The department expected the warning would be picked up by any other boat which sailed the same day. Washington, D. C„ July 7—(Special to Daily Democrat) —Veiled insinuations in a Carranze statement here today that Red Cross agents are deliberately exaggerating conditions in Mexico caused a stir in official circles. The apparent inference was that these agents, by accepting unquestionably the stories of starvation, are furthering the wishes of foreign and native interests, who want armed American intervention. Even the Carranzistas and Villistas agreed that the food shortage is not serious.

DEGATU K DAILY DEM< K 'RAT

TAKE AUTOMOBILE AGENCY J. J. Baumgartner, the auctioneer I and Sam Shamp have formed a partnership and taken the agency for the Crow-Elkhart automobile, a handsome popular priced car that ought to sell. 1 They have the agency for Adams and Wells counties and their demonstrating car will be here next week. Tire car is made in three styles, the roadster selling for $675, a five passenger car for $658 and another for $725. The cars are equipped with starter, electJ ric lights, demountable rims and are modern in every way. The boys expect to do a good business in these • two counties with this machine. o A SUDDEN^ DEATH 1 Comes to Dwight Wilder, Well Known Root Township Farmer. DIED OF APOPLEXY Was 11l Only a Few Moments—Funeral Will be Friday Afternoon. Dwight Wilder, aged forty-nine, one of the well known farmers of Root township, died suddenly last night about nine o’clock, of what was probably apoplexy or cerebral hemorrhage, his death causing a great shock to the community where he has spent practically his entire life. He lived only fifteen or twenty minutes after the attack. Mr. Wilder had been in apparently the best of health yesterday and had spent the day cutting wheat. In the evening he attended to the regular farm chores, making and assisting in separating and caring for the milk. He had just come up out of the cellar when he became suddenly blind. He remarked to his wife that he was very sick and believed that he would never be any better. When Mrs. Wilder reached her husband he was lying on the porch, but whether he fell or whether he lay down as he felt the blindness coming over him is unknown. Mrs. Wilder was alone at the time, except for her five-year-old son, Ralph, who was in bed asleep. She succeded in getting Mr. Wilder to the couch, while she ran huriediy to the nearest home, that of Charles Johnson, about a quarter of a mile south, where she got help and telephoned for a doctor. When she returned to her home, Mr. Wilder was unable to speak, having lapsed into unconsciousness. He passed away only a few moments after the doctor arrived, the attack having been fatal from the beginning and beyond any possible aid. Mr. Wilder was practically a lifelong resident of Root township, where he was born July 31, 1865, and where he lived all of his life except for a few years in Fort Wayne, when he was quite young. Practically his entire life was spent on the farm where his death occurred. He was the son of Edmund and Sarah Thompson Wilder. The father was one of the early residents of the township, coming with his twin brother, Edwin, and a brother, Alvin, to that township from New York in 1845. The father died many years ago, but the mother passed away only about seven years ago. After the death of his mother, the deceased purchased the old homefarm, where he continued to make his home. Had he lived until next July 31 he would have been fifty years of age. He was married October 28, 1908, to Miss Cora Krill. The widow and a son, Ralph, aged five years, survive. The deceased was the oldest of a family of nine children. One brother, Emile, resides south of this city, and a sister, Belle, wife of Burt Dietelbach, lives in Findlay, Ohio. Deceased brothers and sisters are: Guy, who died in infancy; Ida, wife of Fred Bohnke, jr.; Carrie, Cora, Barrence, Matie, all of whom died within the past twelve years. Mr. Wilder was a man thoroughly • liked by all, being of a quiet, unas--1 Burning nature, and a diligent work- ■ er, t The funeral will be held Friday - afternoon at 1:30 o’clock from the 3 Decatur Methodist church, in charge 1 of the Rev. A. K. Mumma of the Con--1 cord church. The procession will b leave the home northeast of Mont mouth, at one o’clock. Burial will be ih the Decatur cemetery.

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday Evening,July 7, 1915.

. THE BRICKER ROAD f’ 1 ■' 1 Will he Built—Bids to be I Received August 3rd— Commissioners » • ARE STILL IN SESSION Will Meet Again Tomorrow to Conclude Business for the July Ternt The commissioners concluded their work this morning and adjourned until tomorrow when they will return to finish the work of the session. The Albert Schroeder et al petition for a drain was acted upon, the notice being found sufficient and the Jpetition ordered docketed. The petition of George W. Pond to rent the old fair grounds, was dismissed after being given consideration. A change in the specifications for the J. A. Fuhrman macadam road allowing the installing of pipes and (bulkheads as needed and ordering the stone placed in the middle of the highway, was made. The changes will not effect the consideration of the contract. In the William H. Lehman et al petition for vacation of and establishment of a highway the notice was found sufficient and according to law and Frank Coppes, Peter Rich and Jacob Roth were appointed viewers to meet at the office of Frank Foreman at Berne. July 16th. The Aaron Bricker road was ordered constructed, the report of the viewers . and engineer being approved and the auditor was ordered to advertise for bids to be received on August 3rd. o lUDGES_ NAMED For Nasturtium and Mixed Flower Contest Friday Morning AT THE GAS OFFICE Bouquets Must All be Entered Before 12 O’clock I of That Day. Much interest is being taken in the nasturtium and mixed flower contest which will be closed with the annual show at the gas office next Friday. The school children of the city have been raising the flowers and bouquets will be shown Friday morning for the prizes. All entries should be in by 12 o’clock. The committee in charge includes Miss Annie Winnes, Mrs. C. V. Connell, Mrs. Engene Runyon and there will be assistants' also to care for the flowers. The judges have been selected and prizes will be offered in several classes. The judges are: Rev. J. C. Hanna, L. D. Adams, Mrs. Helen Berling. Mrs. D. D. Heller, Miss Grace Coffee. The Woman’s Civic League which is doing much to beautify the city and has done much in the way of planting flowers ana shrubs and caring for them, is having assistance* from many of the younger people of the city also. Yesterday afternoon, three young girls Hallie Leonard. Florence Bremerkamp and Lois Connell went to the Waterworks park and spent the afternoon weeding the flowers beds there, doing the work in a most excellent manner, that should have results in an increased growth and beauty of the flowers. o FREE LECTURE TONIGHT Messrs. Stratton & Praig of Portland, with James Rupel as local rep- • resentative have arranged for a free , lecture at the court house at eight i o’clock this evening with steroptican . views and moving pictures of the Yell low Stone park and the wonders cf - the great northwest. It is absolutely > free at the court room. Don’t miss it for you will enjoy every minute of it.

) GOES TO JAIL Harvey Eckroat Os Geneva Assaults His Wife • Marshal Winship of Geneva came down this morning bringing Harvey Eckroat whom he commlted to jail tor nineteen days. Eckroat was found guilty in the court of 'Squire Charles Shoemaker of assault and battery on bis wife. There has been more or less trouble between the Eckroats for some time, and this has increased since Mrs. Eckroat brought a divorce suit several weeks ago. Eckroat is said to have committed the assault and battery yesterday. Yesterday the court granted an order to the wife restraining the husband from visiting her, interfering witli her or the children, or swearing at or talking with them until further order. o

EFFECT_£ UNION City and Rural Carriers and Postoffice Clerks of the State Form Union. HELD JOINT MEET National Officials Speak— The Convention a Splendid Success. At the joint business meeting of the three organiations of the state at the convention held in the high school building at South Bend this week, affiliation of the Indiana division of the National Association of Letter Carriers, National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association, and the United National Association of Postoffice Clerks was accomplished. This year’s state convention was the first in which the three have held a joint meeting and this move to affiliate marks an innovation which may extend to the other states of the union none of which holds joint conventions. Muncie was chosen for the 1916 meeting July 2, 3 and 4. The convention was called to order by Carrier W. S. T. Bassett, and addresses of welcome were given by Mayor F. W. Keller and Postmaster C. W. Zinky. An auto tour through South Bend. Mishawake and the University of Notre Dame, with an open air band concert by Elbel’s band at Howard park, were features of the first day. The South Bend Times says: "The convention went on record at the afternon meeting as favoring affiliation with the United Association of Civil Service Employes, which has for its object the binding together of all employes of the post office department, and the securing of a retirement law that will provide for the pensioning of superannuated post office employes. “Edwin J. Gainor of Muncie, national president of the N. A. L. C., presided at the afternoon session. In a short address, he praised the local postoffice employes for their work in making the convention the greatest success of any yet held. “One of the principal speeches of the afternoon was given by Frank T. Rogers of Chicago, who is national president of the U. N. A. P. O. C. Mr. Rogers called attention to the fact that the Indiana associations had established a precedent in meeting in joint convention, indicating the splendid co-operation that exists between the three organizations. “Rev. H. L .Bowsley of Boston, general secretary of the Lord’s Day alliance, spoke concerning the work of the alliance work in all businesses. He told of what has been done toward lessening the Sunday work of postoffice employes, as well as workers in many other trades and professions. He is at present on his way to San Francisco to attend the international convention of the alliance. “The remarks of Mr. Scully, president of the Pittsburgh branch of the Letter Carriers’ association, were mainly answers to the fun made of him by Mr. Rogers in the speech of introduction. Mr. Scully admitted the truth of the statement made by Mr. Rogers to the effect that he recently ■ christened his thirteenth child, calling ■ him Finis. He also brought many . stories of the service at Pittsburgh, where he has been a postoffice emi ploye for the past twenty-seven years. “Short talks were also made by L. f E. Swartz of Chicago, president of r the Chicago branch of the Letter Cart riers’ association, and W. G. Stahl of . (Continued on Page 3.)

MOTOR CARRIERS I Tor Mail in Rural Communities Will be Inaugurated is the Word FROM WASHINGTON Old Carriers Will be Given Preference—Survey of Roads Being Made. Washington, July 6,—The United States civil service commission an-

Inounces that it will immediately begin holding open competitive examinations in various parts of the country for motor rural carriers. The department plans to introduce the automo- | bile on rural routes as rapidly as it can be done, and with this end in view it proposes to establish county eligible registers. The salaries, it is announced, will range from $1,500 to SI,BOO a year. Each appointee will be required to ' provide, maintain and operate a modern automobile with a carrying capacity of not less than 800 pounds and , a cubic capacity of not less than eighty feet. The examination is to include spelling (10 points), arithmetic (20 points) letter writing (20 points,) penmanships (20 points,) copying from plain copy (20 points), reading addresses ' (10 points). Men now in the rural * service, it is announced, are to have preference, provided they take the oxamisation. The department is now making a survey of the rural system in Indiana with a view to the introduction of automobiles in many counties in that state. One carrier with an automobile will be expected to do the work of two and possibly three carriers with horse drawn vehicles. 0 KN ADVANCE MAN Mr. Knox of Redpath Chauqua Association is Here Advertising. FOR THE BIG WEEK Says This Year’s Program is Best One Ever Offered by This Company. W. K. Knox, advance manager of the Redpath Chautauqua has arrived in the city to make final arrrangements of the opening of Chautauqua on Tuesday July 13th. The people of Decatur are receiving the same program which was given in Jacksonville, Fla. early in April. There is something in each days program which will be of interest to every one. This year Alice Nielsen, prima donna of the Metropolitan and Boston Opera Co. will give a recital on the closing day. This is the first time that so noted an artist had d.‘voted her summers work on the Chautauqua platform. On the third night Win. Owens and company will present “The Servant in the House’’ This is . a play presenting truths of a life which by the influence of a higher ideal is [ brought to realize the need of purer and better influence which we all i should bring to hear on our surroundings where we have only a shattering i influence. There are six lectures on the I program and each man has rightfully the name "lecturer”. Each brings a . message which sums in a hour what j they have made a life study. > The streets of the city have been f decorated with pennants. The chauf tauqua program has been placed in 3 every home. The ladies of the Civic . League who are conducting the sale of / tickets are making a personal canvass 5 of the city so that every one will have y the opportunity to secure a $3 season ~ ticket at the reduced price of $2.50 i- During Chautauqua week a nursery i. will be conducted by the kindergarden teachers in the Central School builds Ing. This will make it possible for '■ mothers who other wise could not en--2 joy the Cliautanuqua, to avail themselves of this opportunity.

I BIG SHOE SALE ON At nine o'clock this morning the doors of the Winnes shoo store were thrown open to the public for the annual July clearance sale and in spite of the threatening day, a large number of people took advantage of the first day. The store has tastily decorated and arranged, each section being plainly marked with price tickets and with numerous American flags adding their attractiveness. From all indications, this promises to be one cf the greatest sales ever held by this firm, ami a glance over the advertisements published in this paper proves without a doubt that many big bargains are being offered. A JOINIJEETINfi

I Root-Union Township Sunr day School Convention to be Held. AT UNION CHAPEL Next Sunday—Good Program Announced in Full —Afternoon and Night. A good program has been announced for the Root-Union township Sunday school convention to be held at the Union Chapel church, Sunday, July 11, as follows: Afternoon —2:30, Sun Time. Song—Convention. Devotional —Rev. C. E. Chupp. Soiig—Convention. Welcome Address—Bert Wolfe. Response—Rev. A. C. Powell. Song. Address. "The Pastor’s Place in the Sunday School”—Rev. T. H. Harman. Discussion —Convention. Song. Temperance Speech—Mrs. Sprunger. Address. “Uses of the Home Department” —Rev. W. J. Johnson, Berne. Discussion—Convention. Reorganization. Offering. Benediction—Tev. Harman. Evening—B:oo O'clock. Song—Convention. Devotional—Rev. E. E. Roberts. Song—Convention. Address, “Class Organization”—E. C. Bierie, Berne. Questions—Convention. Song. Recitation —Mildred Bauserman. Address, “The Young Man of Today”—Rev. E. E. Roberts. Linn Grove. Closing Song—Convention. Benediction. The tabernacle song books will be used. All those having that book will please bring them along. BUSHMAN BACK AGAIN Manager Parent of the Crystal theater desires to announce that he has 1 returned to the old circuit and that the theater goers of this city will again have the privilege of seeing the famous Francis Bushman, the great picture star. For tomorrow evening a three reel Bushman feature entitled "The Great Silence” has been secured. This evening’s program consists of two reel feature Kalein entitled “The Diamond Broker" featuring Cleo Ridgley in one of the episodes of "The Girl Detective” series. Also a Kalem comedy entitled “Si and Sue, Acrobats” The price of admission is as usual, Five cents to all. o BILLY CARLSEN WAS KILLED Billy Carlsen, one of the famous automobile drivers, and who appeared at the fair here last fall, when he drove against Tetzlaff, was killed on Monday at Tacoma, when his Maxwell overturned and he was pinned under the car, fracturing his skull. His mechanician was also killed in the accident. o EVANGELICAL CHURCH i : This evening at 7:30 is the time for t the mid-week service at the Evangelis cal church. These services are very 3 important in making the Christian life i a blessing to our selves and to others. D A cordial invitation to the public y to attend. a o I- DISLOCATES ELBOW r )- A little son of Mrs. Henry Dierkes 1- fell from a bicycle last evening and dislocated both bones of his elbow.

Price, Two Cents

CITI DDTS LOT Finance Committee Reports on Purchasing Lot Back of the City Hall. A FEW PETITIONS For Street Intprovements Tabled—Market Street Approved—The Bills. After the minutes of the last meeting were read and approved the first

matter of importance to come up before the city councilmen who met In regular session last evening was a petition from Krick-Tyndall Co. asking for the right to extend a railroad track and of running a ton engine across 13th. street. The petition was find and upon motion was granted. The street and sewer committee was instructed to enter into a contract with them. A petition to extend the water line in the south part of the city was referred to the street sewer committee. The finance committee then reported as having purchased the lot back of the city hall from W. A. Kuebler for the sum of SI,OOO. The report was accepted and a resolution passed ordering the clerk to draw his warrant on the city Treasurer payable to W. A. Kuebler in the amount of SSOO, it being half the purchase price of the lot. Further steps were taken in the matter of getting ready to sell electric power to the town of Monroe by the passing of a resolution approving of the plan and requesting the Public Utility commission for the right. The maintainence bond of Michael Miller for the upkeep of 10th street was filed and approved. A resolution adopting the assessment roll after changes had been made in the 10th street improvement was passed and adopted. The proofs of publication giving notice to prospective owners to appear or present any objections against the Cleveland street and Dierkes street sidewalk were filed and placed on record. As no one objected, resolutions were passed adopting the assessment roll and ordering the Treasurer to collect them. The Mayor’s quarterly report was filed and approved. The street and sewer committee reported on the petition of F. V. Mills for the Improvement of Market street approving same and also recommending 1 the building of sidewalks and the placing of a curb. The petitions of Vernon McGonagle, H. F. Linn, Mr. Briener and Jesse Seilemeyer for the improvement of certain streets and sewers were upon motion tabeled. The City Attorney was instructed to notify Bill Franks the contractor of 10th and 11th street to remove all dirt placed on streets that were not being improved. The matter of installing i lockers and bath at the electric light plant was referred to the Electric light committee. After some talk a motion ’ was passed requiring a man to work one day on the streets or to pay $2.00 for his poll tax. The following bills were then allowed and the meeting adjourned. Citizens’ Telephone Co $ 4.32 Wm. Linn Orval Harruff 37.50 C. C. Pumphrey 2.00 Steel & Mumma 103.60 T. St. L. & W. R. R. Co 119.90 Elmer Miller Coal Co 140.00 Loraine Coal & Dock Co 237.16 I Roy C. Steele 10.00 '■Chicago & Erie R. R. Co 870.83 i F. S. Webster & Co 2.75 Garlock Packing Co 25.51 Central Rubber & Supply C 0... 2.03 M. J. Mylott pay roll 182.50 Decatur Volunteer Firemen .. 15.00 City Firemen 62.50 1 Decatur Fire Department .... 5.40 ' Citizens’ Improvement Co. .. 1212.50 1 Police pay roll 82.00 ■ G. E. Burslev & Co Jno. W. Coffee ISB.OIS Adams Express Co. 1-23 A. C. Stone & Lime Co 48.26 Democrat Co 15.57 r National Mill Supply Co 20.90 i-' A. C. Foos pay roll 156.00 y' Citizens’ Telephone Co 6.00 e Waterworks pay roll 69.12 I Isaac Chronister pay roll .... 172.00 c National Meter Co 167.40 Kimble Electric Co. 2.05 Electric Appliance Co 4.00 Standard Oil Co 20.24 Marion Machine Co 14.83 s Pittsburgh Meter Co 8.25 1 Ft. Wayne Electric Works ... 43.45 (Continued on Page 2.)