Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 14, Number 29, Decatur, Adams County, 3 February 1916 — Page 1

Volume XIV. Number 29.

WOODFIELD SUNK British Crew Valiantly Defended Their Boat With Knives and Guns. HELD FOR RANSOM And Finally Reach Home— Germany Can Never Admit Illegality. (United Press Service) London, Feb. 3, —(Special to Dally Democrat) —Survivors of the British Bteamer Woodfield, sunk by a submarine off the Moroccan coast, arrived here today with a story of a bloody fight with the U boat% crew. The submarine was the newest and speediest of the German undersea boats, overhauled the Woodfield after a short chase and sent out a boarding party. The Woodfield crew attacked the submarine boarders as they climbed on deck and engaged them In a knife and pistol battle. The U boat was unable to bring her guns to bear for fear of killing’ her own men. The hand to hand combat on the Woodfield’s decks lasted for three ’ hours. The steamer's crew, poorly armed, were finally overcome after eight sailors were killed and fourteen wounded. They were put Into small boats and pulled for the Morrocan coast. Their troubles did not end when they reached land, they said, a party of bandit Moors made them prisoners. They were released after the Woodfield Ship Company, of London> the owners, paid ransome. Washington, Feb. 3, —(Special to Dally Democrat) —Ambassador Bernstorff today received a cable from Berlin stating that a memorandum from the foreign office regarding the Lucitania case is on the way to him. lie ‘ believes, he said, the memorandum wiii reach here either Friday afternoon or Saturday, and that he will be able to communicate its contents to the state department some time Saturday. Berlin via Saville, Feb. 3, —(Special tot Daily Democrat) —Germany can never admit that the sinking of the Lucltania was illegal, a leading author-| ity on international law was quoted ■ aS declaring in a statement given out a semi-official news agency today. When asked about the legal aspect of the Lucitania question, said the news agency, this authority answered: “According to reports in the English press the question now is whether i Germany will officially admit to America that the sinking of the Lucitania was Illegal. Germany, to my mind, cannot declare this because in this way she would prejudice herself 'or negotiations about the legal standing of submarine warfare, which is expected to he a subject of discussion after the end of the present war.” (By Carl W. Ackerman) Berlin, via wireless to Saville, Feb. 3—(Special to Daily Democrat,) —The capture of the British liner Appam, bombardment of the English Industrial towns and of Paris by Zeppelins and fresh activities of the U-boats, may be accepted as a prelude to an aggressive campaign on the sea and in the air against Germany’s enemies. Zurich. Switzerland, Feb. 3, —(Special to Daily Democrat) —German financiers have been assured by their government that the German-American controversies are about to be settled, acording to dispatches from Frankfort today. As a result the German Bourse rallied sharply today. Washington, Feb. 3, —(Special to Dally Democrat)-The Appam. brought into Norfolk by a German commerce raiding crew is a war prize, in the official view of the United States, Secretary Lansing anounced today. , ... John A. Fulk, his wife, and their 18-month-old baby, all of whom were found unconscious in their home jn West Wabash street, Tuesday noon, from the effects of coal gas, are reported still very ill today, from the t'sects of the foul gas which they breathed for hours, but tho attending physician declares the belief that all three are out of danger. There still Is the danger, however, of serious complications. Mr. Fulk was unconscious for many.hours before he was aroused from his stupor. The baby appeared worse today than yesterday, ’ ut it is thought it will get along satisfactorily. Mr. Fulk did not regain < t "sciousness until about ten o’clock '.'uesday night.—Bluffton News.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

f THE ECLIPSE ARRIVED. 1 Those who are interested in astronomy did not forget that an eclipse was due here between the hours of nine and eleven o'clock this morning and many clerks and business men of the city came to work prepared with a piece of smoked glass, through which they saw the partial eclipse of the sun. It was a partial eclipse in all the world excepting the small regions of the orient where it became total. ST. BLAISE DAY. - " Today the feast of St. Blaise was observed in the Catholic churches. The day is signified by the blessing of the throats of the members of this congregation. Services were held at ’ 7:30 o’clock this merging and at 2:30 , this afternoon. REVIVALS ACTIVE Eleventh Day of United Brethren Revival Gives Results. CHORUS OF FORTY Under Excellent Leadership Furnishes Inspiring Music. Revival meetings have been in progress for eleven evenings at the United Brethren church here and last night one conversion and several re- . quests for prayers marked the culmination of the successful work this congregation is doing. A chorus of over forty voices, led by Miss Zelma Stevens at the piano, furnish the music. The attendance at tho meetings Is all that could be ■ desired. Excepting Monday and Saturday there will be afternoon services each day, commencing at two o’clock. The afternoon meetings are inspirational, and add greatly to the value of the evening services. Echoes of the great tabernacle revival of a year ago can plainly be seen in the Christian work this church is doing this revival season. Every department of this church is I doing its work and is actively enI gaged in the revival success. o ; PRESIDENT AT ST. LOUIS. (United Press Service) Coliseum, St. Louis, Feb. 3, —(Spec-, ial to Daily Democrat) —President Wil-j son declared here today that in order to protect adequately this country's coast line “our navy should be the greatest navy in the world —it should be unconquerable.” There is not a better service in the world than the United States navy’ he said, “ but they must have ships enough, and we are going to give them ships enough. We must get down to business and do it systematically. There is nothing novel about the program.” America has never been jealous of armed men at sea,” he said. The president said he Intends the record of bis administration to be one of genuine neutrality and not pretended neutrality. There were several thousand in the audience of German lineage. They applauded thl sstatement until the coliseum rang. “I am ready to make allowances to both sides”, he said, ”1 know how my own heart would burn and how my head would whirl If I saw my own country in danger. Nothing has encouraged me more than the realization that America has awakened to the need of national defense,” the president said, 'there is no politics In national defense.’ Pointing to the danger from the European conflict the president said: ‘the comander of a submarine choos- , Ing to put his own interpretation on [ international law might commit an act that would set the world on fire.” and . again:—“there are cargoes of wheat . and manufactures on the seas and . everyone may be conbustlble.” WILLARD TO MEET MORAN. 1 I raojAjag osajd vwirtrru Chicago, 111., Feb. 3—(Special to ’ the Daily Democrat) —Heavyweight Champion Jesse Willard this afternoon 1 signed articles to fight Frank Moran r ten rounds in New York March 17. > Wilyliard, his manager, Tom Jones, ■ announced, will receive $457,500 for 1 his share of the battle and Moran c will receive $20,000. The proposed Willard-Dillon bout is abandoned.

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday Evening, February 3, 1916.

MOOSE INITIATE p _ • f K Eight New Members Initf » iated Into Moose Lodge 1 f Last Night. 1 S PLAN FOR ELECTION Os Officers on First Meeting Night in March— Installation. 3 t > Eight candidates were initiated into the order at the regular meeting of ( Adams lodge number 1311 Loyal or- , der of Moose last night. Following , the degree work a banquet was served and newly initiated members and the other members of the order, prominI ent on the menu being chicken and oyster dressing. The details concerning the series of dances to be held by the order were talked over and some additional plans made. The second dance of the series will be held in the asembly room of the lodge quarters tonight commencing at eight-thirty o'clock. A , dancing class will commence study at seven o’clock under the direction of Fred Schurger and will continue their work until time for the dance. Election of officers for the order will be held the first meeting night in March and installation will be held Sn the second meeting night of the same month. Only three more meeting nights intervene until the annual election is held. editorsbWet Democratic Editors of Indiana Hold Winter Banquet Tonight. NATIONAL SPEAKERS Scheduled for Addresses— New Primary Law Pamphlets Sent Out. Indianapolis, Feb. 3, —(Special to Daily Democrat)—ln addition to the . other features of the winter meeting |of the Indiana democratic editors, ini eluding the banquet at the Denison hotel Thursday night at which Goveronor Major of Missouri and John A. M. Adair and Leonard B. Clore will be the principal speakers, the Indiana Democratic club has arranged a luncheon at the club rooms at noon Friday. Bert Hendren, George A. Bittier and Frank Woolking are the members of ' the committee and the luncheon will be for the editors and their wives. L. Ert Slack, the new United States District Attorney will make a short ■ talk. The democratic club house has re- , cently been greatly enlarged and , made more attractive and is now jne of the most attractive club houses in the state. The membership has been growing rapidly and before the campaign of 1916 is over efforts will be made to more than double the number of members, all democrats in the state , being eligible. Indianapolis, Feb. 3,—(Special to Dally Democrat)—The interpretation 1 of the new primary law has been ' printed in pamphlet form and State ■ Chairman Bernard Korbly has sent a ' liberal supply to all county chairmen ' with instructions to at once see that 1 the precinct chairman aniLe'ection > fficials in each county are supplied. The pamphlet contains the original law and the interpretation by the com- ’ mission of lawyers named by the gov--1 ernor. This interpretation is agreed - to by the democratic, republican and I progressive state central committees - as the basis upon which to work ’n 1 the March primary. PASTRY SALE. The April dfection of the Evangelical Ladies’ Aid society will give a ’ pastry sale Saturday at tho gas office. The sale will open at nine 1 o’clock and all kinds of delicious ' home-baked and homemade dishes ’ and pastry will be sold. , The Presbyterian Christian Eni deavor social announced for next Fril day evening at the church has been postponed until some time next week.

• PLAYS HERE TONIGHT. ■ "Pennington’s Choice," a gripping story of the Canadian northwest, will be the next release on tho Metro pro- , gram. This masterly five-part picture production features Francis X. Bushmall and Beverly Bayne, the two screen favorites, who in future will be seen together in Metro pictures. An excellent cast will be se*ffi in support of these two stars, including Helen Dunbar, Lester Cuneo. Wellington Playter, Morris Cytron and William Farris. A novelty will be ■ the introduction of J. J. Jeffries, in a boxing scene with Mr. Bushman. The photodrama fairly teems with thrilling episodes and affords Mr. Bushman and Miss Bayne an exceptional opportunity to appear at their , best. It will be shown at the Crys- . tai theater to&ay, 5c and 10c. COSTjDiFjCRIME In Dollars and Cents—lndiana Spent $318,123.82 to Operate HER COUNTY .JAILS In the Past Year—The Prisoners Sentenced Numbered 14,644. Indianapolis, Ind., Feb. 3 —lt cost $318,123.82 to operate the various county jails and the Marion county work house for the year ending September 31, 1915, according to the report made yesterday by the Indiana board of state charities. Os this amount $109,084.92 was for maintenance: $204,887.91 for sheriffs’ fees, and $4,150.99 for permanent improvements. The average cost per day for each prisoner was forty cents. Tramps and drunks cost the county institutions $1,276.75, or an average to each county of $557.36. Forty-four jails, including the Marion county work house, showed a decrease in the numher of prisoners for the year. The total number imprisoned during the year in all the county institutions was 45,750, and of this number 2,971 were women and girls. There were 1,347 minors. Os this total, 14,644 were imprisoned on sentence or to lay out fines; 5,062 were vagrants; 820 were insane, and 25,124 were there for all other causes. On the last day of the year, September 30, the jails of the following counties were empty: Brown, Crawford. Martin, Newton, Ohio, Pulaski, Ripley, Steuben and Whitley. On the last day of the year 1,193 prisoners were held in all these jails. This was 266 less than the number on the same day last year. The males numbered 1,039 and the females 104. speciaTsession Os Kekionga Knights of Pythias May be Necessary to GET CLASS READY For Work in Third Degree at the County Meeting Here on the 24th. Initiation of five candidates in the first degree and action m six applications will be the important business to come before the Knights of Pythias lodge at their regular meeting which I commences at seven-thirty o’clock tonight. On the tenth of this month six candidates will also be given the second degree in order that the class may be arranged for the third degree on the twenty-fourth when the county meeting will be held here. On that ddte twenty-five local men will be lifted to the highest rank in this order. Berne and Geneva lodges} will be here with large delegations and a number of candidates for the third degree on this date. A parade will probably be arranged. Special meetings of the local lodge will be necessary to bring up all the ■ candidates for the third degree on • this date and announcement of the i special meetings will probably be . made at tonight’s regular meeting.

SERIOUS INJURY 1 , ISim P. Beatty Patient in Des Moines Hospital, Result of a Fall. I _ BROKEN KNEE CAP i i Be Laid Up Two Months or i Longer and May be Permanently Crippled. George Kinzle is in receipt of a letter from his brother-in-law, Sim P., 1 Beatty, of Des Moines, lowa, telling , of a,very serious accident, which occurred January 25, and as a result of: which Sim is now a patient in Mercey hospital of that city. On the morning of the date mentioned, Sim ran out of his house to catch a car, slipped and fell on the porch, with such force that the right knee cap was broken squarely in two, half of it being forced above the knee and half below. It was a very painful and | serious injury and the following day he was taken to the hospital where he has since been a patient. An operation was recently performed, requiring twenty-three stitches and the physicians extend some hope that they can prevent permanent stiffness. He will be at the hospital ten days longer and it will be two months before he can return to work, though he expects to operate his office by telephone from his home as soon as he can be removed there. HE IS SURPRISED Rev. "Stephenson Lingered at Service to Shake Hands in Farewell. HE GREETED THEM Later at His Home—They Hurried Over to Surprise Him on His Birthday. Rev. D. T. Stephenson of the Methodist church has lived forty-six years but he is not yet accustomed to surprises. Surprises await one at every turn of the road it seems, and also at the milestones in life. Yesterday marked another milestone for him and his congregation arranged the surprise. Not even his wife and family knew of the plans. The pastor and family were the last ones to leave the prayer service and they found on arriving at the parsonage that the large assembly at the prayer meeting had hurried over and taken possession of the parsonage, and the pastor had the pleasure of saying “Hello” to the very ones with whom he had shaken hands in farewell, only a few moments before, lingering to do so, having delayed his leaving until the others could assemble at the parsonage. There were ninety present and the surprise was ' complete. The assembly made it encumbent upon the pastor to do the 1 entertaining and he performed many ' amusing stunts, under protest, and 1 also under the. table, where he was I obliged to crawl, ministerial dignity : scattered to the four corners of the i earth. Later lie was set upon the : table and ordered to stand thereon and deliver an address. He did. Re- < freshments of pop corn and apples , were later provided. SON IS BORN. I Mr. and Mrs. Fred Smith are rejoicing over the arrival of a son, born last night. The babo has been named Clark William, for its two grandfathers, Clark J. Lutz, and William Smith. The mother was formerly Miss Jean Lutz. WOMAN’S CIVIC SOCIETY. • ■■ The Woman’s Civic Improvement society requests that all ladies interested and especially those of women’s organizations, attend the meeting at . the library this afternoon at three o’clock. The election of officers and [ other business will be attended to. . o BRING IT BACK, BROTHER. ) In the hurry to get home last night : some member exchanged coats with i John Shuey at the Moose hall. Mr. J Shuey’s coat has a plush collar and s the present holder is requested to bring it back an dexchange.

I TODAY’S HOOSIER ODDITY. (United Press Aervice) Hartford City, Ind., Feb. 3—(Special to Dally Democrat) —Humiliation by the fact that he had been held for I hours suspended in a wire fence, vainly struggling to release himself, the English beagle owned by Ira Elzy, disappeared when released. Efforts to find the dog failed, and Elzy believes it starved to death, having , been weakened by iti experience. AT KOHR SCHOOL There will be a social at the Kohr school house in district three, Union township, two miles north of the Dent School, and two miles east of the Arber school, Saturday evening, February 5. Miss Nellie Barkley is the teacher. Everybody is invited to attend. A good time is assured. abwFtOck Mrs. Studebaker Obenauer Much Better, Though Still Very 111. MANY GRIP VICTIMS Changable Weather Causes Much Illness—Notes About the Sick. Miss Catherine Christen, teacher at St. John's, is ill of tonsilitis and is at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. S. Christen in this city. John Niblick has word from his wife at West Palm Beach, Florida, that Mrs.‘Hattie Studebaker Obenauer is much better, but is still very ill. Dr. Boyers arrived Saturday evening and is caring for her, and while she has been very ill, he extends hope for her recovery. Mrs. William Zimmerman arrived home yesterday from the Hope hospital, Fort Wayne, where she had been a patient four weeks. She underwent a serious operation, but is getting along nicely. Naomi, seven-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Nyffler, is ill of a severe case of tonsilitis, instead of scarlet fever as at first thought. Little Helen Swearengen, who has been ill, is much better. Mrs. Dan Link, of Eleventh street, is quite ill of a severe case of the grip. Mrs. William Blackburn of South Third street, who has been ill for over ] four weeks has improved and is able to be out again. i Mrs. Mary Eley is ill of the grip. ’ Miss Irene Gerard is still confined to the house on account of having the t grip. 1 — o— 1 COURT HOUSE NEWS. t The meeting of the assessors from s several counties of northern Indiana ‘ with the members of the state board ‘ of tax commissioners in the assembly room of the court house in Ft. Wayne, yesterday afternoon was a successful one. County Assessor William Frazier and several township assessors from Adams county, attended. They had explained to them the ruling under which all personal property is to ; be assessed at its actual value, with i a deduction of 25 per cent for equalization. The decision was made in 1913 and has been in vogue since. Those present of the tax commission were E. H. Wolcott, Indianapolis; Dr. T. D. Scales, Boonville; James A. Herrick, Indianapolis. On motion of William Blackburn of Decatur, William Eggemann, Allen county assessor, was selected chairman of the meeting and the motion was carried by unanimous vote. Real estate transfers: Edwin Heller and David Heller to Adam Neuenschwander, 20 and 117 acres of Root township, $16,166. C. C. Beer of Monroe township and William Baumgartner of Berne have filed intention to become candidates for election as delegates to the state convention. o SALE ON FEBRUARY TENTH. On February 10th Everett Bros. & Steele will hold a public sale at the John H. Everett residence on what is known as the W. C. Martz farm, two miles south of Monroe, and eight miles south of Decatur. Cattle, horses and a big line of farming implements will be sold. Everybody is invited to attend the sale.

Price, Two Cents.

SWITZER FREED I 1 : ’ Ora Switzer Turned Loose by the Celina Police— No Clues IMPLICATING THE MAN Were Found — Wife and Sister Must Have Had Pipe Dream. Muncie, Ind., Feb. 3—Attorney Gene Williams received an official notification from Celina, Ohio, last night that Ora Switzer, the Muncie man who was arrested here recently on a charge of having aided in the murder of David Berry, an aged Celina man, will be released from custody today. Williams, who is Switzer’s attorney, filed a habeas corpus proceedings in the common pleas court at Celina, attacking the constitutionality of a section of the new Ohio constitution which provides that depositions of witnesses living in other states may be used against the defendant at trial, and Judge Miller of the common pleas court held this section was in violation of the federal constitution that every defendant has the right to meet the witnesses against him face to face. Indicates Lack of Evidence. Attorney Williams then agreed with the prosecuting attorney that further action would be postponed until February 3, during which time the prosecuting attorney would carefully investigate all the evidence against Switzer. The notice from Celina last night indicates that there is no evidence against Switzer and that he will be released today by the Celina authorities. David Berry was murdered in April. 1912, and his body was found in a small traction waiting station near Celina. Investigation at that time proved that Berry had been robbed of about SIB,OOO, which he carried wrapped in a handkerchief. A sister-in-law of Switzer recently told Celina authorities that on the night of the murder Switzer left his home in Celina and was gone about half an hour. When he returned he had mud on his coat, she said. On this statement the Celjna officials caused Switzer's arrest. This seemed to be about all the evidence against Switzer and it was the contention of his attorney that in the half hour he was absent from home Switzer could not have had time enough to go three miles in the country, murder Berry and return home. It was also set up by Williams that at the ’ time of the murder Switzer had fifty-two acres of land in Delaware county and about $2,000 in the bank and there was no motive for Switzer murdering Berry. Switzer contended that he did not know Berry and never to his knowledge had he seen him. If he is released today Switzer will return to Muncie with Attorney Williams. o DECISION UPHELD. (United r-tess Service) Chicago, 111., Feb. 3—(Special to Daily Democrat) —The United States court of appeals today upheld the conviction of the Terre Haute conspirators. The decision written by Judge Samuel Alshuler rejected as immaterial most of the please of the defendants, who included former Mayor Don M. Roberts and ten others. "The court only considers the charges of conspiracy,” said the decision. "It was needless to consider the rest, as the conspiracy charges provided for a longer sentence than any of the others involved,” “In the absence of a bill of exceptions we are conclusively bound to presume that there was evidence to warrant the jury verdict on which the judgment was based, and the records disclose no error, the judgment of the district court is affirmed.” — o “MANIPULATION”—LANE. (United Press Service) Washington. I). C„ Feb. 3—(Special to Daily Democrat— “Manipulation” is the reason why gasoline consumers paid an average of 13c a gallon on January 1, 1915, and 21c on January 1, 1916, Secretary of the Interior Lane today reported to the senate. He cited a fifty per cent stock dividend by the Standard Oil company of California and a one hundred per cent stock dividend by the Imperial company of Canada as probably having effect.