Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 14, Number 88, Decatur, Adams County, 12 April 1916 — Page 1

Volume XIV. Number 88.

USE 11811111 FIRE Germans Use Liquid Fire In Attacking Caurette Woods Today. MAKE NO GAINS Fifty Second Day of Fighting Gives Germans But One Fort. (United Press Service) (By Ed L. Keene) London, April 12—(Special to Daily Democrat)—With a heavy liquid fire attack against Caurette Woods, the crown prince early today resumed the attack to crush the northwest defenses of Verdun on the 52nd day of the battle for the fortress. A narrow sector of the French front from a point northeast of Dead Man r hill is under attack. Severe fighting is still in progress but the Germans thrust apparently lacks the power of the Saturdays night’s offensive. The French war office announced today the repulse of all German attacks. Berlin, April 12 —(Special to Daily Democrat)—A lengthy personal message from Ambassador Gerard is accompanying the German communication on the Sussex and other cases to Washington. Gerard forwarded the statement from the German foreign office at noon yesterday The message he sent with it is a confidential report on the German attitude. BULLETIN. Athens. April 12 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —Greek newspapers annou"'“J tcday that the Germans have l.< un an offensive movement in the Greek frontier capturing the Deve Tepe fortifications from the Allies. A violent cannonade has been resumed north of Salonika. The allies batteries apparently are numerically .superior. WILLETT IS PARDONED. (United Press Service) New York, N. Y„ April 12 —(Special to Daily Democrat)—The tall, iron doors of Great Meadow prison swung open at dawn today and out walked William Willett, the New York polity ian, who went to the penitentiaryon conviction of buying a New York state supreme court judgeship nomination from Joe Cassidy, former-po-litical leader of the Borough of Queens. Willett is out on, parole. During the part of his sentence he served in Sing Sing Willett was the star model prisoner, once winning the Lewiston S2O prize for being the most ideal prisoner there. THE LURE OF HEART’S DESIRE. Edmund Breese, the eminent dramatic star, who was seen in the “Shooting of Dan McGrew,’’ a recent Metro Screen Masterpiece, will again make his bow to the screen under the Metro banner, when he will be seen here at the Crystal on Thursday, in “The Lure of Heart's Desire,” a five-part wonderplay produced by the Popular Plays and Players, Mr. Breese will have an excellent supporting cast including Arthur Hoops, Jeanette Horton. John Mahon, Evelyn Brent and other well known stage and screen stara. davis’death (United Press Service) New York. Aprill2—(Special to the Daily Democrat)—Richard Harding Davis, noted war corespondent and author is dead-. Davis dropped dead from heart failure while talking over the telephone in his home at Mount Kisco at 9:30 o’clock last night, it was learned today. Davis was receiving a telegram over the phone when stricken. He died before medical aid could be summoned. The author was about his home throughout yesterday, apparently feeling fairly w-ell, though lie had been in poor health for two weeks. GASOLINE TO TAKE DROP. The indications now favor a reduction in the price of gasoline, and one writer has issued the prediction that by June 1 the fluid will be retailing at fourteen cents. This was also indicated in maps in the Sunday papers which showed the hikh mark touched at 24 cents and the steps probable on the down trend. Oil has already tumbled and it is believed that within a short time the gas and oil so greatly in demand will have reached a normal price.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

• TODAY’S ODDEaf STORY. ■ (United Prvsi Service) Portland, Ore, Sifrli 12 (Special to Dally Democrat) -Thousands of gorgeously plumed Chinese pheasants ™ infesting the highways and byways of this city today are making life a burden for Portland housewives and property owners. Apparently they belong to no one in particular. Game laws and anti-firearm city ordinances ’ prevent their slaughter. So the birds continue to rip out spring gardens, fly through windows into the bosoms of families and to play hob generally. Mayor Albee his refused S. J. Claridge and other citizens permission to shoot the pheasants, but has instructed the police force members to “shoo” the critters away as much as possible. INTO MOUNTAINS General Obrigon Announces That Villa has Escaped Into Mountains WITH 150 FOLLOWERS Movements of Carranza Troops Is Causing Anxiety At Headquarters Washington, April 12 —(Special io Daily Democrat)—A cablegram from General Obrigon to the Mexican embassy today said Villa, acording to his report, had gone into the mountains wounded, with less than 150 men. The message stated: “The bandit Villa has lost almost all of his followers during the recent battles forced upon him by our troops, and it is confirmed that he was wounded in the battle of March 30. General Luis Huerrera informs me that Villa has gone in the mountains, wounded, and with less than 150 men. I have given orders for such necessary movements as will completely destroy the men who are taking care of him and which will cause h:s capture.” San Antonio, Texas, April 12 — (Special to Daily Democrat) —Movements of the Mexican military forces in northern Mexico and the activities of various Mexican political leaders are causing anxiety at General Funston's headquarters it was learned on the highest authority here today. Army officials and consular agents were perplexed by Carranza troop movements from east to west across Chihuahua state in northern Mexico. It can be stated on the highest authority that the unexplained Carranza movement coupled with the sudden activities on tne part of influential Mexicans is causing keen anxiety at headquarters. In order to save nearly one hundred i miles in the line of communications Funston's staff today had prepared detailed plans for moving the American terminal to a point near Ojinaga opposite Presidio, Texas. Funston does not intend to more the line immediately. (By E. T. Conkle.) El Paso, Texas, April 12 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —A battle was reported today to have been fought between Jiminez and Parral, but qn account of the Carranzista censorship the forces engaged were not made known. A Mexican Central train ran into the fight, later returning to Jiminez from where the censored report was sent to the border. It is not known whether American forces engaged in , the fighting. El Paso, Texas, April 12 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —Five million dollars worth of loot taken by the late Villista general Tomas Uroina has been recovered by the Carranza military forces, according to official announcement by consul Garcia here today. The treasure was buried on a ranch in Durango. It comprized 23 boxes of gold coin and jewelry, 20 bars of gold bullion, considerable silver bullion aiid loot from Mexican churches besides SBOO,OOO in bank notes. El Paso, Texas, April 12—(Special to Daily Democrat) —Slight traces of cyanide were discovered in water all along th& southern route token by the , United States expedition in Mexico acording to unconfirmed reports rc- , ceived here today. A deliberate Villa poison plot is suspected. No illness . to the American forces resulted as , precautions were taken before the I troops or horses were allowed to use ' the water.

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday Evening, April 12, 191 G.

ANNUAL_MEETING Annual Convention of the Woman’s Franchise League Opens. THREE DAY SESSION Much Comment and Speculation Over Election of Officers. Indianapolis, April 12, —(Special to Daily Democrat)—The fifth annual state convention of the Woman’s Franchise League of Indiana opened a three day session here today with headquarters at the Hotel Claypool. Mrs. Ovid Butler Johnson, vicechairman in th absence of Miss Eleanor P. Ba.ker, General Chairman, will be in charge of the meeting. A banquet on Thursday evening will be the main social affair of the convention. The big fight of the convention will come Friday with‘the election of president, when a strenuous effort will be made by the faction opposed to President Amelia Keller to defeat her and elect Mrs. Margaret J. Gill of Muncie. The controling factor in this will be a ruling on whether 400 members of the league who have organized the Congressional Union of Indiana, shall bo allowed to vote. If they vote they will vote for Mrs. Keller, it is said. fatheOenTes That He Signed Note for His Son —Melvin Meyer is Charged I WITH FORGING NOTE For Fifty Dollars —Cashed it at Bank of Berne This Morning. Melvin Meyer, who gave his age variously, as nineteen and then again to ; another party, as twenty-two, a son of > Jacob Meyer of Wells County, residing in the vicinity of Newville, is in the toils of the law. i A charge of forging and uttering a note will be made against him this afternoon by Sheriff Ed Green upon information, and filed in the circuit court. The note was for fifty dollars and was purported t obe signed by the young man’s father, Jacob Meyer. It seems that the young man went to the ; bank of Berne yesterday and asked | for the fifty dollar loan, stating that he would give his note for security. He said that his uncle would probably go on the note and went out to get his signature. He (Returned in about an hour and stated that his uncle was out of town and that he would get his father to go on his note. He returned this morning with the note bearing his father's signature; was given the cash and left on the 7:00 o’clock train for this city. Later his father happened into the bank and Mr. Winteregg mentioned the note, whereupon the father stated that he knew nothing of it and had never signed it. He I stated that he had paid sums for the boy before and would pay no more, and seemed inclined to let the boy take care of the matter himself this time. Sheriff Green was notified and sometime after the train had come in, lie found the boy around the courthouse lawn and took him into custody until bank officials arrived here, when information was given him and he made 'the affidavit. The boy had with him $46.40 of the fifty dollars given him by the bank on the note and this he I ■ turned over to Mr. Winteregg., cash- ! ier o fthe band. ASSEMBLY DANCE TONIGHT. The regular weekly assembly dance will be given at thi» Masonic hall this evening and you are Invited. Admis- ' sion is fifty cents, ladies free, good . music and a good time. Come.

| CONVEYANCE FURNISHED. I For Those Who Wish to Attend Fu neral of Mrs. F. F. Freeh. Those neighbors and friends, hv ! eluding members of the Women’s Relief Corps, who wish to go from here to attend the funeral of Mrs. F. F. Freeh in Union township, will have conveyances furnished for them. They will start from the Gay, Zwlck & Myers undertaking establishment at 12 o'clock, by automobile, Thursday, providing the weather is fine. If is rains, cabs will be furnished and they will leave at 11:30 o’clock, to provide for the longer time it takes to drive with horses. The services will be held at one o'clock, standard time, at the home. Pall bearers are selected from the G. A. R. and are: Simeon Fordyce, D. K. Shackley, Sam Chronister, George Cline, B. W. Sholty and W. H. Myers. A KJliffi Will be Given by Children in Cast of “A Sick Baby” Thursday. ALL THE CHILDREN Os Legion Will Also be in it—Play Will be Given Tomorrow Night. There will be a big parade Thurs day evening at five o’clock. Watch for it. All the twenty tiny tots who will give the play, “The Sick Baby,” at the Methodist church Thursday evening, will take part in the parade. They will be in costume and with them will be all the children of the Loyal Temperance Legion. Ail members of the legion are requested to be at the church by 4:30 o'clock, to join those who are practicing for the play, in the pajade. . The parade will march east to Second street, from the church; thence south to Adams, thence west to Third and ei.d at the library. The tickets for the play are selling fast, but those who have none, may get them at the door < n the night of the play. Fifteen cents foi adults; ten cents for children under fourteen. COURT HOUSE NEWS. Squire Lenhart officiated this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock in the clerk’s office at the wedding of Elmer Clayton Byrd, pool room man of Geneva, born March 4, 1886, son of William A. Byrd, and Zella Winifred Goff Affolder, bom December 17, 1887, daughter of William Goff. The bride was divorced from her first husband in 1910. A /marriage license will be issued late Saturday evening, it is P is presumed that the groom will be a well known former Ford salesman. A petition was filed by Lavina Kern, administratrix of the estate of Rachel Kern, asking for order to divide certain personal property among the heirs and to sell the remainder at private sale. This was granted. Report is to be within thirty days. The personal estate is valued at about $1,128.50, of which $1,003.05 is notes, certificates of deposits, accounts, etc., and household goods valued at $125.45 Inventory number one was filed and approved. In the case of Barclay Smith vs. Samuel SUnison, for judgment, all depositions and examinations on file were ordered published. Separate demurrer to each paragraph of complaint was overruled; exceptions by 'defendant. The case is set for trial for May 22 Patterson M. Hearn vs.' Nathan C. Crampton. Demurrer sustanled; exceptions by the plaintiff. Cause set for May 11. Real estate transfers: John Pfister et al to Java V. Banta, 100 acres. Kirkland tp„ $12,500; Ed F. Berling to Helen Berling, south half of lot 326, Decatur, $350; Victoria S. Hill to Edward F. Berling, quit claim deed to lot 326, Decatur; $1; Levi Augsburger to Francis Marion Tinkham, I lot 454, Berne, $1800; A mos Hirschy et al. to Christian O. Liechty et al., tot 252, Berne, S9OO. CHICKEN DINNER The regular fortnightly chicken dinner will be given Friday noon by the Evangelical ladies in the old laundry | building.

, FORM GIRLS GLOB ! , Miss L. M. Gaddis of Purdue University Will be e Here Friday. L k tTO HELP KIRKLAND ls 1 Farmers Offer Prizes—- :) 3 Boys’ Club Organiza3 i tion in Hands. B j County Agent A. J. Hutchins is in . receipt of a letter from Miss L. M. Gaddis, of Purdue University saying that she will be here ncjft Friday to 1 undertake the organization of a girls’ 1 club in Kirkland township as planned ' previously. Miss Gaddis takes an active interest in the formation of these clubs and her 1 sole duty is the organization and helping of these clubs.. The meeting is scheduled for school house number 4, two miles south of Peterson for one-thirty o'clock Friday afternoon. At that time every girl in Kirkland township and her mother is urged to be there. The older ladies are wanted to assist in the organization and the younger ones are wanted in the organization. Be there. Aim to earn one of the prizes the farmers institute offered. The farmers of that township are live and progressive. They proved it when they offered prizes for 'lie boys and girls. Don’t fail to be at, this meeting and become a charter member in the first girl's club in tiie county. SBOUTTHEirCK Mrs. Hannah Sudduth Recovering from a Slight Stroke of Paralysis. MRS. HENRY MARTZ Suffers Heart Attack— Is Very Bad—Others Who Are 111. Mr. and Mrs. D. B. Erwin were called to Pleasant Mills this morning by the serious illness of Mi’s. Erwin's mother, Mrs. Henry Martz who suffer-I ed an attack of the heart. Her phy-| sician stated that another attack ■ would probably prove fatal but that if ■ she survived the day, there was a • chance of her again recovering sufficiently to be up and around again. A. W. Cron of Hot Springs, Ark., who was called to Celina, Ohio, by the critical illness of his mother, returned home last evening. He is a son-in-law of H. H. Bremerkamp of this city Mrs| Etta Rinehart went tg Fork Wayne this morning to visit with relatives, he will also call on Mrs. J. C. Grandstaff, who is recovering from an operation at the hospital and on the son of Mrs. Rachel Paulison, who had a leg crushed when a pile of lumber , on which he was standing toppled, the accident happened some time ago but the physicians have been unable thus far to set the fractured leg so badly it was crushed. This will be done soon, it is thought. Mr. and Mrs. D. B, Erwin went to Pleasant Mills this morning on account of the illness of Mrs. Erwin’s mother, Mrs. Martz. Mrs. Lase Swygart and babe of Monmouth were here this morning for medicine for Mr.. Swgart who has bean ill of grip for some time. He is somewhat better. Mrs. Hannah Sudduth of the west part of the city who has been ill for three of four days, quite seriously, is somewhat better. It is thought she suffered a slight stroke of paralysis. Earl Sudduth, sixteen year old son; of Elias Sudduth, is ill of a severe cold on his lungs. o • — REBUILDING BARN. Andrew Miller is busy rebuilding his large bank barn which burned down recently. The masonry work is about finished and just as soon as the ’ roads will allow heavy hauling the - heavy framing timbers will be haul- ’ ed and construction of the barn will commence. |

! COLLEGE AT THE FRONT (UrtlH-4 Preus Service) Udine, Italy, April 12 (Special to Daily Democrat)-American university students who complete their academic courses by delivering papers, waiting table, etc., are gone one better by the medical students of the Italian universities at the front here today. Although mobilized and actually at the front, the medical students of the * fifth and sixth years have installed at General Headquarters here a medical school where they complete their ' studies between battles and graduate on schedule time. The school is called Castrense university. This novel undertaking is possible because in all Italian schools and universities the cur riculum is uniform. 11 ■ o . | GOOD ADDRESSES Along the Line of Civic Improvement Given Last Evening at Meeting AT THE LIBRARY Representative Speakers Tell of Work in its Various Phases. The exchange of many good ideas in the civic improvement line was | made last evening in the meeting of the Woman’s Civic Improvement so- , ciety at the library. A number of speakers, representing different departments. were on the program, and Mrs. J. W. Tyndall, president of the society, presided; Mrs. E. B. Adams, ' secretary, was present. Dr. J. S. Boyer stold of the laying I waste of the forest trees, and told of ■ the great change in the country peo-| pie and climate, rendered through ' their cutting, and the failure to re- i store them. -He spoke of the good to future generations that would re-1 suit if each person on arbor day j planted some good tree, emphasizing < the importance of choosing the right; kind. He spoke of the present bar? . surroundings of many country school-; houses and churches, and the mark-j ed absence there of trees that were the delight of the community many years ago. He advocated securing the services of a forester for this community and the proper trimming of. trees. Professor Charman’s address dealt; much with the trimming of the trees. He deplored the awful butchering of the trees that is a marked characterI istic here. He stated that a tree, j might just as well be cut down firs'.. ( ■as to have its top, its heart, lungs | I and vitals taken out. If people really i loved the trees as they should they would not deal so harshly with them. He also advocated the securihg of a forester or a specially trained tree surgeon. He told of the great work . that tree surgeons are doing. He I spoke particularly of the work in this . line that was done in a park recently, with which he was connected. A 1 very valuable mulberry tree, the only ! ' one of its kind in the park, and val- : < ued because of that was given a ■ course of surgery, at a cost of S3O. i The operation it underwent was much j. like that of a human, except for the I, anaesthetic. Its vitals were taken out., the trunk being hollow, and this . filled with cement, leaving practically . only the bark of the tree, living. At 1 i last reports is was “getting along ' nicely” and was "doing well,” and it i was fully expected that it would live j many years 'to be a delight to the | park. ■ j An address of interest was that giv-' en by Mrs. John Niblick, who spoke i of the beautifying of cemeteries and parks. She told of those, particularly at St. Augustine, Fla., where she spent several days during her stay in the south this winter. The cemeteries there have beautiful walks and shrubbery and trees. The flat headstones have been turned over the giaves and the monuments taken from their high bases, giving them more the appearance of monuments than’ “tombstones,” the work being carried out with an eye to artistic beauty as. well as mere “usefulness.” She 'spoke of the opportunities that lie in the old fair grounds here and of their natural features that would lend themselves so well to civic improvement and beauty, with the planting of shrubs and trees and the [ making of flower beds. . I The work for the children in civic , 1 improvement was taken up by Mrs. ,' F. W. Downs. The opportunity of . j arousing them to better citizenship iin this way was emphasized. The . (Continued on Page 4)

Price, Two Cents.

HEARD MR. SCOTT f! i J More Than Hundred from Here Attended Lecture at Fort Wayne - » * AT PALACE THEATER : — Famous Catholic Layman Plead for Unity and Spirit of Brotherly Love. | More than twenty-five hundred people, representing every religious creed taxed the capacity of the Palace theaI ter last evening, and heard a I ful address by Mr. Joseph Scott, L. D. 'of Los Angeles, California. Mr. Scott | is recognized as one of the great men lof the west, a wonderful lawyer, a i leading Catholic of this nation. His i popularity in his home city can best I lie told from the fact that he has serI ved five consecutive terms as president of the Los Angeles school board. iHe is a broad, talented and delightfully entertaining speaker and for two hours held his immense audience spell > bound, controlling them at his will. M. J. Mylott of this city Grand I Knight of the K. of C. lodge led a j delegation of 105, from Decatur, a 'special car at 6:45 being crowded with men and women anxious to hear the lecture and they were in no wise disappointed. Mr. Scott’s subject was “Patriotism vs Prejudices' and the theme was hand led in a broad and sincere, man to man way that ought to appeal to the public. Judge O. N. Heaton presided as | chairman of the meeting and his talk ’ was indeed a fitting one for the oc- , casion. He introduced the speaker and in a few minutes the noted westerner had captivated the big crowd. He intermingled with ills serious thoughts a number of funny Irish stor- ’ ies and the two hours seemed like only 1 a few minutes. Mr. Scott first discussed the pre- ' judices against the Catholic church and the Knights of Columbus order ’ and breathing the spirit of brother- ■ hood and neighborly friendliness, plead for a unity that would make this nation a stronger and greater. He denied in terms that will not be disputed the truth of many statements given i out and circulated, including the sup- | posed oath so widely distributed a j few years ago; he referred to the in- ' sinuaticns against his church and showed upon what flimsy foundation most of these Feports start; ho told of 1 the spelndid work of many Catholics | during the years since the first white man set foot on American soil, of th® wonder work of the Catholic evangelists in the great west and south-west and told some history that we ought not was unknown to most of those who heard him last night. After discussing prejulices, Mr. Scott turned to the other part of his subject that of patroitism. He told of patriotic deeds of members of his church as well as members of other churches, both in times of war and times of peace. He remined his hearers that in every country in Europe Catholics are fighting for their flag and then he said: “If a Catholic will fight for his flag in those countries and under those conditions what do you suppose he will do if called u"on to defend the stars and stripes. Why its pure folds have guaranteed to him the greatest asset any religion would want—that of a religious freedom. But surely we don't need to get to--1 gather only when war demands. Let , us here in this country take the right hand of fellowship and give to each other our assurance of believing inthe sincerity of each other’s convictions. We may have sonje misunderstanding in religion, difficulties in politics, but only the man with bitterness in t’is heart can consider anything but the utmost charity and cordialty towards his neighbor.” This was Mr. Scott’s only appearance in Indiana and was one of a half dozen lectures he is delivering on his way home from the east where he attended a meeting of the "Commission on Religious Prejudices.” It is a great and a good work which we hope will accomplish the high purpose Bo unselfishly sought and we appreciate the invitation of the local Knights of Columbus which gave us the privilege of being present. Felix Holthouse. Raymond Hartings. Norbert Holthouse, Herman Ehinger and Arthur Holthouse were among those who attended the Scott Lecture at the Palace theater last evening.