Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 13, Number 288, Decatur, Adams County, 1 December 1915 — Page 1

Volume XIII. Nr.niber.2SS.

ATTEMPT ON WILSON’S LIFE Department of Justice Agent I Unearths Horrible Plot to Kill President. « WITH LIQUID FIRE’ Cleveland Chemist in Jail i and Alleged Confession in Hands of Officials. (United Press Service) ■ Cleveland, Ohio, Dec. 1 (Special to tkuly Democrat) —An attack on the Ute of President Wilson and Secretary Os War Garrison, with liquid fire, was ’ aropoaed. according to information al- ; leg' 'I to have been obtained by County Prosecutor Cyrus Locher, from E. W. Ritter, chemist, under arrest here, it. was learned this afternoon. A court > ,<tei'egrapher's record purported to be Jhai taken while Locher was examin Ing Ritter, stated that the plan was Suggested by “two men high in official life.” Dr. Ritter, held on a fraudulent check charge, denied he had made such a statement to Locher. Charles DeWoody, special agent for the depart t .ent of justice, who has been trailing Ritter for a year, swore to the warrant served on the chemist. DeWoody has’been investigating bomb plots. Ritter admits he invented the original “liquor fire.” This is part of 1 the statement Locher is alleged to have obtained from Ritter. i "Two men high in official life came to me and proposed that my liquid i fire be used to sprinkle President Wilson and Secretary of War Garrison. ‘No! No!’ I exclaimed, ’that would be i terrible! I’lf never do it!' t HBfWell! said the twq men, ‘let us not talk about it.’" This question was then asked Rit ter “Why wasn’t it proper to shoot the president?” “The men said chooting would mean arrest.” “With liquid fire you shoot it from , a rubber ball upon a person’s clothes and go away. In a few minutes — Poof! the liquid fire flames! This alleged record was ordered by . DeWoody, who is to forward it to Washington. Amsterdam, Dec. I,—(Special to the Daily Democrat) —The emperor of Austria today accepted the resignations of his ministers of finance the interior and commerce according to Vienna advices. The three resignations naturally are assiciated in diplomatic circles with reports that Austrian leaders have been discussing a separate peace for their country. The general assumption is that these three favor such a step and were overruled. (By Karl W. Ackerman.) .. Berlin, - Dec. 1, —(Special to Daily Democrat) —A split threatened the socialist ranks in the Reichstag, excit ing caucuses are being held and a week’s recess is likely. In this time the loaders hope to get the faction to gether. They admit it will be difficult as one group are insisting that the government issue a statement of peace terms Germany will accept the others believe fhis would be a confession of weakness. Berlin. Via Saville, Dec. I,—(Special to Daily Democrat)—King Peter of Serbia fled on horseback from I’risrend Sunday afternoon. The day the Bulgarians captured the town, according to a Sofia dispatch received l ore today. Where he is now the Bulgarians do not know; with him in bis flight was prince Troubetzkoy, Russian ambassador to Serbia. The king and his Russian companion were without attendants. Prisrend’s capture by the Bulgarians was reported In an official statement Monday. The fight for the town was short and resulted In a capture of sixteen or seventeen thousand Serbians and a quantity of war materials. HARRY STRAUB PINCHED Marshall Melchi arrested Harry Straub last night on a charge of selling Joe Burdge a half pint of whiskey cn the 18th last. The trial is set for next Thursday. SCHOOL TOMORROW. School will be taken up again at the Central school building tomorrow after a two days’ enforced vacation on ac- ' county of the necessary furnace re-

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

SNOW, SLIP, BANG! Without chains, the Ford driven by Andrew Artman this morning attempted to climb the curb at the Old Adams County bank corner when he paused slightly to see if the crossing was clear. The snow under thi tires let the machine slip against the curb before he was able to stop or to control the machine. Aside from the breakage of one lamp shade on the light post no damage was done. O „ THE PRAYER MEETING The prayer meeting service at the Methodist church tonight at 'seven thirty o'clock promises to be one of the most interesting yet held. Rev. I). T. Stephenson will lead the service and W. F. Beery will lead the singing. TO closT deal Mr. Worden of Fort Wayne Expected Here Tomorrow to Close Deal. THE FINAL EFFORT Being Made by Old Stockholders to Secure Road— Letters Are Sent Out. Word has been received from Mr. Charles H. Worden of Fort Wayne, who yesterday purchased the Fort Wayne & Springfield traction line, that he .will come here Thursday prepared to close the deal. No further announcement has been made as to the future plans of the new owners con I corning the road. The following is a copy of the letter which has been sent out by Mr. Dirkson.* mention of which was made yesterday: “Decatur, Ind., Nov. 30, 1915. “Dear Stockholder, Bondholder or Claimholders of the Fort Wayne & Springfield Railway Company: “You are hereby notified that all of the property of the above named company was this day sold to Fort Wayne bankers and receiver certificate holders for $75,000, who do not desire to be permanent owners of the road, but only bought it to protect their interests. “They want the Fort Wayne, Decatur and Southern Railroad company to make them a proposition, which we think $30,000 in cash will buy the road from them, giving the balance in first mortgage bonds for two years with 6 per cent interest. “Now, gentlemen, there are six hundred thousand dollars cash invested in this railroad this day sold for $75,000. If each man would pay in five per cent in cash of the amount of the actual cash he has invested in the Fort Wayne and Springfield railway, this would make $30,000, which would bring the necessary funds to buy the road, for the new company, which would issue stock for the exact amount of your cash invested in the old road. “1 am expecting a reply from each of you by return mail, after which I will call a meeting, fixing the date therefor. “You will find at the bottom of this letter a vote for you to sign, either yes or no, whether you will accept the proposition by voting yes or no in the square thereof. “CHARLES DIRKSON, “Vice President of the Fort Wayne, Decatur & Southern Railway Co.” BANK SAFE CRACKED (United Press Service) Kendallville, Ind., Dec. I,—(Special to Daily Democrat) —Four expert cracksmen robbed the Milo Thomas Exchange bank at Corronna, DeKalb county of $3200 in cash and stamps last night. The robbery was discovered today. Tracks in the snow indicated the number of men. The robbers used an electrical appliance to blow the outside door of the vault. Most of the banks money was in the strong box which they could not open. This is the third attack in eighteen months. MAY CONBINE ISSUES • (United Press Service) Indianapolis, Dec. I,—(Special to the Daily Democrat)—All issues against the Jones primary law may be joined before the supreme court and the whole matter of the constitutionality of the law may be threashed out at one time. This was the opinion (of attorney general Stctenberg.

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday Evening, December 1, 1915.

SETTLEMENT DAY Program for Settlement Day Work to be Held Tomorrow is Given. REV. PATTY’S PARTY Will Conduct Evangelistic Services in the Morning at 10:30. The program for the settlement day i work of the Fort Wayne district of the Methodist Episcopal church to be held here December 2nd, is as follows: Forenoon—9:4s. Devotional Services —C. M. Hollopeter. Value of the New Financial Plan — W. H. Fledderjohann. How Make the Every-Member Canvass?—J. Orr Powell. Evangelistic Service—Rev. John C. Patty and Evangelistic Party. Reports of Pastors and Stewards Luncheon. Afternoon —1:30. A Christian’s Attitude Toward Tithing—John Phillips. Reports of Pastors and Stewards. The Relation of the Forward Movement Program to Church Efficiency— J. F. Lutey. Finance and Its Relation to the Spiritual Life of the Church —H. C. Powell. Open Parliament. Adjournment. AUTO DEMOLISHED Frank Distel Struck by Westbound Erie Light Engine. NOT SERIOUSLY HURT But Machine Shows Evidences of Being Hit by Some Heavy Object. Suddenly faced with the proposition of going on, with a bare chance of getting across before being struck, or in slowing up and crashing into the side of a westbound light engine on the Erie, Frank Distel, driver of an automobile for the creamery, chose to beat it across and as a result was struck by the engine as he crossed the Mercer avenue crossing of the tracks last night at 5:30 o’clock. The engine, westbound, running at what is said to have been twenty-five miles an hour, caught Distel in the machine as he was squarely on the tracks and carried him a distance of five hundred feet before it could be stopped and Distel removed. Distel was not seriously injured and today is sitting up in a chair. The automobile was demolished. A mass of tangled wreckage it required twelve men to tear it from the pilot and to release Distel, who lay unconscious beneath it. Distel was rushed to his boarding house directly opposite the Central school budding, where Dr. W. E. Smith dressed his injuries. He was not taken to the hospital as rumored shortly after the accident. Distel had been in the country gathering cream for the creamery company and was just returning after his day’s work when he was hit. He came t» Decatur with the company and has since resided here. o MUNCIES’ BIG FIRE. (United Press Service) Muncie, Ind., Dec. 1,— (Special to Daily Democrat) —Fanned by a high wind and inadequately combatted, the flames gutted the Surber block here early today, causing one hundredthousand dollars loss and resulting in the serious injury of four firemen, The oregin of the fire is unknown. They swept almost unhindered all through the store cf the Atlantic and Pacific tea company and the Kresge five and ten cent store and drove the guests of the Paris hotel from their rooms. r> —- TO HAVE BOX SOCIAL. Wildus Dailey, teacher at the Ealcm school, will give a box social and mu* ■ sical combined on next Wednesday evening, December 3.

Y'LZ ffigßW

Hippity hop to the Christmas shop To buy some Red Cross Seals, With one on each letter Os course you feel better, For heeding a brother’s appeals.

PLACING SEALS Miss Leah Hensley Perfecting Seals Organization in South Part of County. RED CROSS SEALS Brisk Sale Already Begun —40,000 for Adams County is Slogan. “Forty thousand Red Cross Seals sold in Adams County is the slogan of the Adams County Society for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis this year. And the sales are starting off nicely, with promise that they will more than reach the objective point. Miss Leah Hensley, general ( sales manager, is perfecting the organization for their sale in the south part of the county at present and every nook and corner will be reached. Besides the fact that your Christmas parcels will carry a more cheery greeting than otherwise, if adorned with a seal, comes the knowledge that you are practically helping in the fight against tuberculosis in ycur own locality. A portion of the proceeds of the sales is used locally. The local society will assist any local tubercular case that may be reported to them, and moreover their ultimate aim is to establish a permanent sanitarium in Adams county for the treatment of tuberculosis. The local society is less than one year old. having been organized after last Christmas, but it is already doing very effective work in the study of prevention and cure of tuberculosis. Get your seals of your local merchants. The interest in the sale of the seals over the entire nation is greater this year than ever, according to reports that are already coming in. Fort Wayne has already sold 90,000 seals this year. ELECT OFFICERS e Rebekahs Held Their SemiAnnual Election of Officers Last Evening. MISS FRANCES BAKER Is Noble Grand—Mrs. Sarah Venis Elected Trustee for Three Years. The Rebekah lodge held its semiannual election of officers last evening. Miss Frances Baker heads the list as noble grand. Other officers are: Vice Grand —-Miss Gddie Gay. Financial Secretary—Della Harruff. Corresponding Secretary—Miss Perl Purdy. Treasurer —Mrs. Sadie Miller. Trustee for three years,—Mrs. Sarah Venis. The officers will be installed the first of the year. Announcement Is made that the Three .Link Club, which is an auxiliary of the order, will meet next Tuesday evening after the lodge meeting. Mrs. A. D. Artman and Mrs. Angelinc Archbold will entertain, W. R. C.°NOTICE. The W. R. C. Will hold a meeting Thursday evenings at the G. A. R. hall.

FINE WRAMS Will be Given Thursday and Friday Evenings at Presbyterian Church. AT ANNUAL BAZAAR Conducted by Ladies—No Charge for Admission— The Programs. The Presbyterian ladies who will conduct their annual bazaar Thursday and Friday afternoons and evenings in the church parlors, will have special musical and literary programs for the I evenings, beginning at eight o’clock. Mrs. Jessie Deam is in charge of these and fine talent has been secured. There will be no charge and the public is invited. The programs follow: Thursday—B:oo p. m. Piano Duet—Mrs. Jesse Dailey, Mrs. Carrie Haubold. Solo —Mrs. L. A. Holthouse. Reading— Lowell Smith. Piano Solo —Miss Gertrude Moses. Vocal Solo—Elmo Smith. Trio—Mrs. L. A. Holthouse, Mrs. W. P. Schrock, Miss Gertrude Moses. Solo —Betty Erwin. Friday—B:oo p. m. Selection —Men's Chorus. Reading—Margaret Bell Atz. Solo —Ruth Hubbard. Selection —Men’s Chorus. Reading—Alta Teeple. Selection—Men’s Chorus. MR. ADAIR TALKS Candidate for Governor Because He Wants to be Governor—Work Hard. OPEN HEADQUARTERS At Denison—Lew Effingham Mentioned as Probable Manager of Campaign. This morning's Indianapolis Star said: “ ‘I am a candidate for governor because I want to be governor and because 1 believe the rank and file of the democratic party is for me,’ was the declaration yesterday of John A. M. Adair, representative in congress from the Eighth district, whose formal entrance into the governorship contest has changed the entire democratic aspect. Adair was at the Denison hotel yesterday afternoon and conferred with a few democratic party workers. “He departed last evening for his home in Portland, Ind., and on Friday will start for Washington to be on hand for the opening of congress. He expects to return to Udianapolis in about ten days or two weeks and will open headquarters at the Denison hotel. It is not known who will look after Adair’s affairs preceding the primary, but it is expected the name of the manager will be announced in a few days. “It is understood, however, that Lew G. Ellingham, former secretary of state, and a personal friend and supporter of Mr. Adair, will manage the campaign. It is probable that Ellingham will take entire charge of the headquarters here. Sure of Support. “Adair said last evening he expects to keep in touch with affairs in Washington throughout the campaign for the nomination and will be prepared to return to his seat at any time that administration measures or other questions of importance come up. “ 'I have attended a large number of democratic political meetings in different pars of Indiana and I feel confident that the men on the farm, in the shops, and others who make up the rank and file of the party are with me and will support my candidacy.’ Adair continued: 'I am not the candidate of any faction or of any person ; 1 am seeking the nomination because 1 believe I can be nominated and elected and because I want to be governor of Indiana.’ “Adair recalled his activity in behalf of the soldiers’ pension bill in the house and declared that his stand on that measure has insured him the (Continue. 1 an Page 4.)

AG MEETING TONIGHT. Tonight the agricultural meeting planned for Magley will be held at the school house a mile north of Magley and the local chairman in charge has arranged an interesting program. County Agent A. J. Hutchins will go to the meeting. Tomorrow night a similar meeting will be held in number five school house in Blue Creek township. o ———— BOX SOCIAL. A box sociay will be held at the Aber school house a few miles north of the city, on Friday evening, December 3, at which time a program of especial interest will be given for the public. The young ladies are to bring boxes of lunch and the fellows the price to , buy ’em. A GOOD LAUGH In Store For All Who Attend the Comedy, “Don’t Lie to Your Wife.” ON THURSDAY NIGHT At Bosse Opera House— Many Musical Numbers —Cast a Big One. It is very seldom that such a splendid musical comedy as “Don't Lie to Your Wife" makes its appearance in Decatur and no doubt the people of Decatur will greatly appreciate the chance of seeing this popular play at the Bosse opera house on Thursday night. The cast is one of the biggest of any show staged here. Besides the three-act comedy the program will consist of fifteen musical numbers. The cast and program is as follows: Pansy, the Maid Miss Ruth Southwell. Leslie M. Craft, the press representative —Harry P. Kennedy. Amos Doubleday, an architect —Jas. Barrett. George Benedict, a coal dealer — Burt Hall. Arthur Pringle, a physician—Arthur Holloway. Mabie Doubleday, the daughter— M’lle. Carlita. Mrs. Doubleday, the wife —Miss Mary Parkinson. Mrs. Benedict, the other wife —Miss Josephine Matthew. James Dillon, the owner of “Never More”—George Arnold. David Coates, the “Man from Australia" —Emmet Grout. La Belle Amaze, a "Horrid Chorus Woman” —Miss Helen Stratton. Tottie Twinkletoes, another one— Miss Marie Rose Redd. Goldie Vere de Vere, Once More— Miss Pauline Hall. Dottie Dimples. And Again—Miss Ella Vickers. Kittie La Velle, Still They Come — Miss Lillian May. ACT I —Amos Doubleday’s Fifth avenue residence, New York City. ACT ll—Same as Act. 1. ACT lll—Same as Act 11. Musical Program. Opening Chorus. "Carlita Waltz, by A. E. Ruff— M lle. Carlita. “When Sunday Comes to Town" — Mr. Holloway and Chorus. “Pve Been Floating Down the Old Green River” (comedy trio) —Messrs. Barrett, Holloway and Hall. “The Comes a Night”—Mr. Barrett. “How Would You Like to be My Sweetheart” —M’lle. Carlita. "It's Tulip Time in Holland” —Miss Parkinson and Chorus. "Down Home in Tenness” —M’lle. Carlita and Chorus. “The Travesty Sextette” —Messrs. Barrett, Holloway and Hall and the Misses Stratton, Vickers and Redd. “The Arabian Moon” —-M’lle. Carlita and Chorus. “Every Road is the Right Road" — Mr. Holloway and Chorus. "The Midway Girls”—Chorus. "Cabaret” —"Pauline" — Miss Hall and Mr. Hall. “The White Way”—Mr. Hall and Chorus. Finale —Company and Chorus. ■ o ERIE ROAD’S INCOME INCREASE. New York. N. Y., Dec. I—Erie's October statement more than confirmed record estimates of the increased tonnage carried by that road. Gross revenue increased $1,028,409, and a decrease of $186,776 in operating expenses and taxes increased the operating income to $1,215,185.

Price, Two Cents.

REPORT IS MADE I The Adams County Sunday School Association Has Money in Treasury. THE TOTAL RECEIPTS For Year Were $257.94— Miss Gilliom Makes Report. Miss Martha Giiliom, treasurer of the Adams county Sunday School association has completed her report for the year, and has had copies therof made for distribution, the sama having been carefully audited and approved by the auditing committee, comprising Rev. J. R. Knipe, A. D> Buckmaster and H. P. Ray. > The total receipts for the year from November 4, 1914, to November 3. 1915. were $257.94. The total expenditures were $217.05, leaving a balance on hand of $40.89. The report in full, which was given at the annual convention held recently at Linn Grove, follows: Receipts—From Nov. 4, 1914, to Nov. 3. 1915. Balance on hand $ 24.66 Offering 1914 convention ..... 29.94 Blue Creek Township Schools. Mt. Hope, 1914 1.86 Union, 1914 2.79 Mt. Hope. 1915 1.92 Union, 1915 3.75 Salem M. E 3.75 Mt. Hope 1.95 French and Hartford Schools. Hartford M. E 3.00 Christian 4.47 Defenseless Mennonite 7.00 Evangelical 5.31 Missionary 8.25 French and Hartford Assn. ... 16.00 Jefferson Township Schools. Mt. Carmel. 1914 3.33 Blue Creek S. S., 1914 1.50 Bethel Brethren 5.31 Maple Grove Christian 1.68 Mt. Carmel, 1915 3.72 Blue Creek S. S., 1915 ........ 1.50 Kirkland and Preble Schools. Salem Reformed 2.94 Beulah Chapel 2.10 Church of Brethren S. S 2.00 Christian Union 1.47 St. Luke Reformed 1-80 Monroe Township Schools. Pleasant Valley 3.45 German Reformed 7.50 Friends 1-86 Winchester U. B 3.13 M. E.. Monroe 8.31 Missionary 4.05 Evangelical 8.10 Mennonite 30.54 St. Mary's Township Schools. Calvary Evangelical. 1914 .... 2.25 Baptist, 1914 1-50 M. E., Pleasant Mills 1.00 Calvary Evangelical, 1915 .... 2.25 For livery hire 1-50 Union and Root Township Schools. Union Chapel 2.50 Evangelical 1-25 Concord Lutheran 2.25 Wabash Township Schools. U. 8.. Geneva 6.66 Union M. E 196 Washington Township Schools. First M. E., Decatur .. .* 12.00 Reformed, Decatur 4.25 Antioch, Brethren in Christ .. 1.50 Presbyterian. Decatur 4.20 U. B. Decatur 3.00 Washington, M. E 1-89 Total receipts I. .$357,94 Expenditures from Nov. 4, 1914, to Nov. 3, 1915. Rev. W. D. Samuel, convention speaker 5.00 Pearl L. Weaver, convention speaker 2.55 Berne Witness Co., printing and stationery 16.75 Postage 12.00 County Secretary, traveling expenses to Indianapolis 4.25 O. F. Gilliom. livery hire 1-50 Indiana S. S. Assn 175.00 Total expenditures $217.05 Balance on hand $ 40.89 : • — i — FINE CLASS MEETING. The “Winners’ Class” of the Evangelical Sunday school had a fine class meeting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Burdge on Mercer aveuue last evening. Some business questions and contests and fine, tasty refreshments were some of the good things. Messrs. H. Burdge, Ed Whltright and Ollie Heller served. The next meeting will be held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Simon Moore, the last Tuesday evening in December,