Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 15, Number 10, Decatur, Adams County, 11 January 1917 — Page 1

Volume XV. Number 10.

WENT FAR AHEAD County Sold 36,000 Red Cross Christmas Seals , This Year. REPORTS ARE ALL IN County Retains Sum of $270 for Fight of the Plague Locally. Th n Rod Cross Christmas seal sale in Adams county this year went far ahead of all previous years. Thirtysix thousand seals were sold this year, whereas, about twenty-eight th'onsand. last year's sales, were the highest prior to this time. This makes the sum of $3(10 gained for the anti-tuberculosis work by the sales in this county. As seventy-five per cent remains in the county for the fight of this plague, two hundred seventy dollars is the count’y share from the seal sale this year. All reports have ben made and the money's In the hands of the county society treasurer. Dr. Roy Archbold. Berne, which sold 3,000 seals, went far ahead of Geneva, which reported nine hundred. The society considers this a small number, in view of the fact that one of the fresh air cottages was put up by- the society for the use of a patient at Geneva. The Decatur schools and the schools in general did good work in the campaign. The following additional sales were reported by the sxx iety, besides those heretofore published: Number sold by West Ward.... 931 Number sold by North Ward.... SOO Number sold by South Ward.... 950 Number sold by library 290 Sevcnts and eighth grades 1097 High school 533 The South Ward led in selling the greatest number of stamps. Qlyde | Wws srtlri the highest individuallium ber, which was 302 stamps. St. Joseph's school 300 Monroe school 1050 Linn Grove 440 Berne 3091 Geneva 933 John Moran 100 Mrs. Pat Hyland 100 Mrs. F. Quinn 100 L. O. Davis 100 Cliff Stricker 100 Mrs. D. Longshore 100 K. of P. Lodge (Geneva) 214

QUIT LEAK PROBE House Rules Commitee Brings Leak Probe to an g Abrupt End Today. LAWSON IS CLEARED * • Os Contempt Charges by Committee's Action—No Further Action. (United Wess Service) (By J. I’. Voder) Washington. Jan 11 — (Special to Daily Democrat) Investigation of the leak to Wall street of advance information regarding President Wilsois” note to beligerenls came to an abrupt end today. The house rules committee defeated g a second Wood resolution providing for a probe of Thomas \V. Lawsons charges and refused to take up his first resolution for a general probe. By a strict party vote the Campbell resoldtion for an investigation by a select committee was defeated Thomas W. Lawson was purged of contempt by the committees action. Democrats voted adversely on every proposition to investigate the leak. WILL START TOMORROW The Pre-Inventory January sale at the Niblick store will start tomorrow r.nd the page advertisement which will appear in tomorrows issue will contain a message worth reading. At tbia,time when prices are advancing each week and month it is to the interest of every body to read and study the announcement of Niblick & Company. They will tell you the plain unvarnished truth and it will be to your interest. Watch for it.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

DIVORCE NOT GRANTED i If Ait Smith. world-famed avitator, has been quietly granted a divorce he does not know it he says. Further, I more in- has not received official noil ice from his attorneys that his wife, Mrs. Aitnee Cour-Smith, has decided not to contest the' case. Smith says he ext>ecls the divorce to be settled after he returns to San Francisco, whl< h may he several weeks. Developments in the project of organizing "The Art Smith Aviation company." for the manufacture of f’ Ing machines, will govern his action, he says. He thinks the company will be formed. His manager is in NewYork in an effort to interest eastern capitals!?, in the plan at this time. Smith says. Probably the manufacturing plant will be located in Chicago or Detroit, Smith thinks. Smith will go to San Francisco in a few weeks. He wil make several test flights there. He expects to leave for Japan about the third week in February. He will be in Japan ‘.wo months, he says. Then he may return and quit ti e flying game, he repeated. His future will depend on the success of the proposed aviation company.—Fort Wayne Sentinel.

MINISTERS MEET Laymen’s Missionary Movement to Have Ministers’ Council at Muncie. FOR THREE DAYS Twenty-two Northeastern Counties Urged to Send Delegations. In twenty-two counties in northeastern Indiana preparations for the ministers’ council to be held at Muncie January 15, 16 and 17, have been going on for weeks. Delegations from every church in the district have been asked for. The Layman's Missionary movement is behind the council. The ' purpose of the council is that the pafstor can: Consult with many concerning common problems. Learn valuable lessons from others' experiences. Hear of methods that have been ■ blessed with large results. Get a new vision of the world’s missionary need. Store up a new supply of intellectual and spiritual power for carrying on the work to which God has called him.

Some as the loading speakers are Fred B. Fisher of New York, general secretary of the Layman's Missionary movement; Herbest S. Johnson, for sixteen -years a successful Boston pastor; Ozora S. Davis, president of Chicago Theological seminary; Frederic A. Agor. author of “Church Finance,” and many others equally wel lequipped to be helpful. Tenative program follows: Monday Afternoon —Theme, “The -Minister as a Spiritual Force.” Purpose of the council. The minister’s 'spiritual equipment. The minister as a spiritual leader. Monday Evening—Theme: “World Conqering Forces.” Releasing the spiritual energies of the church. The adequacy of Christ to meet the world's need. Tuesday Morning—Theme: “The Minister as an Educational Force.” His preparation. His plan. Tuesday Afternoon —Theme: “The Minister as a Recruiting Force.” In evangelism. In world service. Tuesday Evening—Theme: “Making Our Country God's Country.” Christianizing the Social Forces. Can America keep Christ?

Wednesday Morning—Theme: “The Minister as an Organizing Force.” Policies, plans and programs for community betterment. The larger Christian statesmanship. Wednesday Afternoon — Theme: “The Minister as a Financial Force.” Staking the claim. Digging the ore. Wednesday Evening—Theme: “A World with the Doors Off.” Missions and world peace. The new era in world conquest. AS FORD SALESMAN. Jim Halberstadt, the well known resident of St. Mary’s township, will act as Ford salesman for the KalverNoble Garage company of this city, in Washington and St. Mary’s townships, He began work today.

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday Evening, January 11, 1917.

HE AGAI£ LOSES I). D. Studahaker Loses Out in Higher Court—Refusal is Sustained. IN GRANTING LETTERS As Executor of Estate of Catherine Faylor—Will Case Tried Here. The appellate court, on Tuesday, handed down another decision in the celebrated Catherine Faylor will controversy, in which decision the court affirmed the Wells circuit court, in refusing to grant letters to D. D. Studebaker to act as executor of the | i estate. The appellate court minutes on the • 1 case read as follows: “Studahaker vs. Faylor et al. Wells I C. C. Appellant's petition forcer - tiorari is denied and judgment affirmed. Felt, C. J. (1) This is anotherap- | peal of the controversy over the es-■ tate of Catherine Faylor, which has I j been considered on appeal several I I times. The appellant filed application to be appointed executor under' the will in substitution of the tempor- i ary administrator, alleging the pro- ‘ bate of the will (from which an appeal was taken and the probate since I reversed). The appellees which appellant demurred, which was over- , ruled, appellant refuses to plead over 1 and judgment was rendered on the | demurrer, from which he appealed. | On appeal he has sought to bring into the record on this appeal matter of record in the will contest which was tried in the Adams circuit court on change of venue since this proceedings was commenced and in which the will was commenced and in which the will was probated. This being a different suit, the record of the will contest suit is in no way a part of the record in this case. The matter of what does constitute the record is discussed. (2) The court holds that the matter contained in the objections of the appellee's contanis such a showing that it was not error on the part of the trial court, but was within its discretion, to hold that the appellant was not a proper person for the appointment as executor.”

LIKE A_BUBBLE The Impeachment Threat Against Mayor Johnson of Gary Has Bursted. TOOK TWO MINUTES Expected Stormy Session of Council Fizzled —No Foundation to Charge. The impeachment proceedings | against Mayor R. O. Johnson of Gary ■ have fizzled. The charges were to have been filed Monday night but nstead the chairman of the committee ! introduced the following resolution which was adopted, the crowd yelled and the meeting adjourned: “The committe which was instructed by the council to investigate and prepare charges against the members of the safety board and Mayor John-! son, has made an investigation and has found that the safety board has j concluded to give Captain Nestorovich a public hearing. Since that is! all th- council has been asking for, i the committee has come to the conclusion that, there is no foundation for the charges at this time.” The Gary Tribune says: It required just two minutes by the wrist watch last night for the ten membefs of the council who, on the Friday night before, decided to throw Mayor Johnson out of office for having mistreated George Nestorvich, then police captain, to back and fill, retreat, lie down, abdicate and scatter in utter rout. Thus ended the city hall “Balkan war” in what the Bucharest war office i said when Germany wiped Roumania i off the map, was a "masterly- retreat —the same being complete rout. More than 200 people, most of whom wore fierce moustachios, jammed into the council chamber, witnessed the unconditional surrender of

I the heroes who were to lead them to I sweet revenge for the dismissal <.f Captain Nestorovich and Louis Kriko vich, member of the board of safety. The whole affair started over the dismissal of Nestohovlch by Mayor Johnson, who declared fit was for 'he good of the service in that Nesto •<>- j vich had defeated some of the < ndq to- | ward which the administration was : working in the cleanup of the city. I Grokovich's dismissal followed on the grounds that lie had hacked NestoroI vich. B ROTHER°Ts _ DE AD. A telephone message from Bluffton to Mrs. Stella Crist this morning a! vised her of the death of her brother. Richard, who was found dead in bis chair by friends. The deceased is a brother of Mrs. Crist, and also of Mrs. John D. Wisehaupt of Kingsland formerly of this city, and an uncle >oj Homer Knodle and Mrs. Penn Robinson of this city. Mrs. Crist left for Bluffton at noon.

THE COURT NEWS . - Jury Failed to Agree in the Skunk Hide Theft Case Against Jay Snyder AND WAS DISCHARGE!) Robert Andrews vs. Della Andrews Divorce Case on Trial Today. The divorce case of Robert Andrews vs. Della Andrews, of Monroe, is on trial in the circuit court todaybefore Judge D. E. Smith. ManyMonroe residents were here as witnesses. At 2:00 o’clock the coart dismissed the case on the grounds of in-sufflcient evidence. After deliberating nineteen hours, the jury in the case of the State Vs. Jay Snyder, or Marcus Coons, as his real name was given, in his testimony , failed to agree and the jurors were discharged about noon today. In the estate of Mary Draper, petition to sell real estate to pay debts was filed by John Draper, administrator. Affidavit of non-residency of a part of tlie defendants was filed and notice was ordered given returnable March Bth. Relinquishment of Caleb Sprunger as to right to serve as executor of the estate of D. Sprunger was filed and Joshua Sprunger qualified as admin istrator with the will annexed. Inventory number one in the es | tate of Malinda Martz was filed by C. W. F. Davis and approved.

In the estate of Frank Lord, petition for sale of real estate was filed. , Mina Reppert was discharged as dministratrix of the estate of Oswald Reppert upon the approval of her fiinal report. Real estate transfers: John M. Wheeler to Joseph M. Pease, et al. 33.55 acres of Wabash township, quit i claim deed. SSO; <’. Rich to Charles E Sullivan, lots 454-455(, Berne, $000; G. i S. Gottschalk to W. A. Schlagenhauf, j quit claim deed to Linn Grove property, S4O; Harvey M. Shroll to Arilla Burkhart,; lot 895 Decatur, $2,000 John W. Parrish to Joseph V. Pease. 40 acres of Kirkland township, $5800; j Cornelious Rademaker to Charles S. Clark, lot 3, Decatur. S3BOO. Certificate of the election of Abraham Egly, trustee for three years, of the Missionary church at Linn Grove, was filed with the county recorder. County Assessor William Frazier went to French township today where he will appraise the estate of John Wagoner for inheritance tax purposes. The case of Osw’in F. Gilliom vs. Cliffton E. Striker, was continued. BABE IS DEAD Son Os Mr. and Mrs. Frank Barthol Passed Away. John Paul, -two days old son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Barthol passed away last night at 9:30 o’clock, from exhaustion resulting, from a weak heart. There is one surviving child, a thirteen months old daughter. A Ihort funeral services was held for the babe this afternoon at 2:30 o’clock at the ISt .Marys’ Catholic church. Miss 01l lie Zellers, of Mansfield, 0., sister of j Mrs. Barthol, arrived to be with the I family.

MORE DRAINAGE Was Advice of Prof. Stevenson of lowa to Corn Growers of Indiana. AT SHORT COURSE Interesting Talk by One of Greatest Experts of the Western Corn Belt. Local drain experts and tile men who have returned from the short course at Purdue say that the lecturI ers impressed the idea or better ! drainage in a forceful way. One of the speakers was Prof. W. H. Stev-1 onson, famous agronomy expert of the lowa state college, al Ames, lowa. 1 who spoke before corn growers and who said: “Ev’ery acre of wet land in the state should be drained. It will pay, and pay well, to do it. Thousands of farmers in Indiana, Illinois. Ohio, lowa and j other states have made fortunes that would make the average business man I or hanker rub his eyes in astonishment and they have done it simply - by draining waste land and turning. it into productive and valuable; ground. Every' owner of wet land may drain his soil and reap the re i ward. “This drainage convention should give drainage a big boost in Indiana. ; Why? Because we are discussing im portant facts about drainage, clearing up the farmer's problems and • showing him how to drain peat and ; clay and gumbo, teaching him the drainage laws, about open ditches and I tile drains. Let us all get together and work for adequate laws and the I reclamation of every acre of wet land j in the state.” At today’s meeting a report was I read by a committee which has been I at work compiling the drainage laws j of the state and it has been decided j to ask the legislature for whatsoever revisions are necessary to aid the cause of drainage in Indiana. BASKET BALL GAME"’ The Decatur High School boys and girls basket ball team will play the Fort Wayne Boys and Girls at Weber hall in this city on Friday evening. The contest promises to be a hot one.

SCHOOL REPORT Scholarships for Seventh and Eighth Grades of Decatur Schools. FOR PAST SIX WEEKS — Show Large Number to Have Secured Average of More Than 80. The scholarship report for the see-: ond six weeks of school has just been j completed for the seventh and eighth grades. The following is a list of the ! names of the students who were able j to make an average grade of 80 per |,cent or above: Seventh Grade —Verva DeFrance. 93; Gretchen Smith. 91.7; Veronica ! Anker, 92; Edith Glendening, 91.4; i Esther Burkett, 91.3; Robert Kalver. ! 89.9; Mabel Bess, 89.3; Mildred Liddy, 888.8; Dorothy Walters, 88.5; Margaret Kinzle, 88.2; Pauline Reynolds. 87.8; Christian Macy, 87.7; Hazel Hofstetter, 87.2; Esther Mclntosh, 87.2; John Teeple, 86.5; Geraldine Everett. 86.4; Gerald Cole, 86.3; Orene Schultz. 86.3; Mildred Leonard, 86; Myron Frank, 85.9; Ruth Aurand. 85.8; Irene Russell, 85.7; Pauline Hite, 85.6; Lois Peterson. 85.5; Chester Mclntosh, 85.4; Florence Fisher, 85.2; Dorothy Durkin, 84.6; Leona Hunsicker, 84.5; Fred Kinzle. 84.4; Merland Ross, 84.1; Chalmer Hamrick, 84; Lois Hammond, 83.6; Genevieve Lichtensteiger, 83.6; Mary Suttles, 83.6; Opal Robinson, 83.5; Winifred Smith. 83.4; Gretchen Graham, 83.3; David Hensley, 83.3; Arthur Breiner, 83; Mar- ’ garet Christen, 83; Melvina Butler. • 82.7; Velma McClure, 82.6; Maud ’ Cooper, 82.5; Lawson Lenhart, 82.5; Walter Lister. 82.4; Beatrice Peter- ' son, 82.4; George Cramer, 82.3; Ver- > non Burger, 82.2; Alton Hower, 81.7; • Frieda Sprague, 81.7; Earnest Fore- ' man, 81.6; Charles Fike, 81.6; Francis Eady. 81.5; Earl Ritter, 81.1; Robert Krick, 80.5; 'Herbert Foreman, 80.4;

’ Delores Bulkhead. 80; Marie Lichten 1 Steiger. 80. Eighth Grade-- Katherine Kocher, 94.i1; Annette Bylsma, 93.3; Florina Michaud, 92.3; Victoria Mills, 92.1; ' Edwin Foerst, 90.6; Donna Parrish. 90.5; Leo Kirsch, 8,9; Max Williams, 88.7; Mary fallow, 88; Marcella Kern, 88; Hugh Hitchcock, 88; Marie Gehrig. 87.9; Alice Lenhart, 87.5; Leah Porter, 86.8; Victor Baltzell, 86.6; Marie Hili, 86.4; Lucile Butler. 86.1; Eleanor Reppert, 86; Mae Baker. 86; Helen Archer, 86; John Kiess. 85.4; Harold Eady. 85; Homer Betz, 84.8; Kenneth Eady, 84.7; Marsha Helm, 83.8; Ruth Smith, 83.5; Albert Hamrick, 83.1; Romaine Murray, 83; Frank Brent linger, 83; Everett Hitchcock, 83; Glennie Smitley, 82.7; Roy Baker. 82; Winfield Maddy. 82; Bessie Raynolds, 82; Charles Downs. 82; Irene Zwick, 81.8; Cal Peterson, 81.7; Doyle Amspatlgh, 81.3; Burton Andrews, 81; Ima Leo. 81; Fred Ahr, 80. n NET INCOME LARGER (United Press Service) Washington, Jan. 11 -(Special to Daily Democrat) —The net operating income of the 185 larger railroads of the United States jumped $63,000,000 I during the four months period ending November Ist over the corresponding ! period of 1915 according to figures ; by the interstate commerce commission today. A. D. MOFFET DEAD Former Superintendent of Decatur Schools Died in Indianapolis. WAS THE EDITOR And Owner of Elwood Record for Twenty Years— Funeral Held Today. — Alonzo D. Moffet, of Elwood, one of the leading Democratic editors of the i state, former superintendent of the j D< catur public schools, died Tuesday. I night at the Robert W. Long hospital, Indianapolis, after an illness of several weeks. He was taken to the hospital about a week ago from his home in Elwood and two days later submitted to an j operation. Physicians say complications resulting from the operation , caused his death. Mr. Moffet who for the past I wen y

years was editor and proprietor of the Elwood Record, was born in Owen county, near Spencer, in 1859. After attending the Spencer high school, tie entered Indiana university and w: s graduated from there in 1883 in the class with William Lowe Bryan, now president of the university, and David Starr, Jordan, another noted educator. He later attended Johns Hopkins university. Following the completion of his college work, Mr. Moffet taught school for a number of years, and held educational offices of trust. For several years he was superintendent of the schools. After leaving Decatur in 1897, lie went to Elwood at once, where he !» ■ came owner and editor of the Elwood Record. He was well known throughout the state, and had served as president < f both the state and national Democratic Editors’ Association. He was a member of the Masonic lodge, Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows and Elks. He is survived by his widow, a former president of the Indiana WonWn's Press club, and three brothers, Webster V. Moffet, Plainfield, Ind., and Mark H. Moffet and Earl E. Moffet of Kansas City, Mo. Funeral services were held this aitemoon at the Christian church at Elwood, Rev. Sellers in charge. Friday morning the body will be taken to the old home at Spencer where interment will take pace. The Masonic, Elks Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias orders will attend in a body. Mr. Moffet at the time of his death was esteemed lecturing knight in tne lodge of Elks and is the third officer of the lodge to die within the past ten months. He was also president of the Indiana University Alumni Association which he organized here three years ago. The Foundation Day banquet to have been held here Fridiy night, will be abandoned this year because of the death, Mayor F. M. Harbit issued a procamation asking that all business houses be closed during the hour of the funeral.

Price, Two Cents

GOES MERRY PACE - * 1 Harry Menefee Leads Fast Life, Although Awarded $12,000 Damages FOR PARALYZED LIMBS From Injuries Sustained in Ft. Wayne-Decatur Interurban Accident. Harry Menefee, the Fort Wayne man, who about two years ago was awarded a verdict for $12,000 damages by a Wells circuit court jury on his claim of permanent paralysis in his lower limbs from injuries subI tallied in an accident on the Fort Wayne-Decatur line, and who made a "remarkable" recovery as soon as he had compromised with the interurban company by the payment of the major portion of the judgment, continues his merry pace at Fort Wayne, where ho probably has spent most of his money. Clippings from Fort Wayne papers tell of his latest escapade, as follows: "Harry had a little fairy in his home last night for an hour or so. and as a result, Mr. Menefee, of jitney and accident fame, is going to be provided by the state of Indiana with another little home for nearly a year—2B9 days, to be exact. It seems that Harry has been running a sort of blind tiger and roost a( his residence on Oliver street for weeks, but not until last night could the police actually fix it on him. "Harry Menefee knows how Caesar must have felt when his friends j pounced upon him. even Brutus, that ' dark day in March. “Menefee was chained in police court Tuesday morning with selling liquor illegally. “His every attempt, while his trial was being conducted, to side-step telling thrusts of the prosecution, was ' thwarted by counter stabs from the woman and two men who were taken from the Menefee home early Tuesday morning, when police raided the place. “The woman who had given the name of Bessie Brown, latlghed Menefee's attorney to scorn, when lie suggested that she had visited the house in order to be treated for epileptic fits. “ ‘Who ever heard of such stuff?’ she giggled. “The two young men, Charles C. ibuiuiiuetl <•<. ragr Z. >

X WU VAU HI 'I ' '• • < ' k FOR SUFFRAGE I • I Bill Introduced in House Today for Woman Suffrage in Indiana. I PREVENTS FOREIGNER II prom Voting Until He Has >i Third Papers—Bill for Prohibition Entered. Indianapolis, Jan. 11 —(Special to Daily Democrat)—-Votes for women 1 ! by a constitutional amendment is pro- ! vided for in a resolution introduced 1 ; by senator Beardsley of Elkhard to- ’ day. The bill will also prevent for- ! eigners from voting until they have procured their third papers." ’! Senator Porter of Washington introduced a resolution providing for prohi--1 bition by constitutional amendment. 1 i This is not the dry federation bill which did not,come up today as exI pected. Senator Negley of Indianapolis in- ’ troduced the administration bill pro- ’ viding for easier means of impeachi ing public officials. The bouse held a I brief session during which the bill <spJpropriatnig SIOO,OOO for the expenses of the legislative session was passed I under suspension of rules. Twenty bills were introduced the most import- ! ant being a measure providing for the creation of a highway commission fathered by representative Hartke c'.’ Jasper. CARD OF THANKS. We wish to express our gratitude j and appreciation for the kindness and ’ sympathy extended to us by our ’J friends during the sickness and at the death of our beloved mother and 1 grandmother, Mrs. Nannie Miller. THE FAMILY.