Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 15, Number 151, Decatur, Adams County, 28 June 1917 — Page 1

Volume XV. Number 151.

ARE NEAR LENS Canadian Troops are Occupying Territory One-half Mile from Lens. REGIMENTAL PRIEST • Carrying Only a Cross Captures 125 German Prisoners in a Cave. (Tinned Presw Service) BULLETIN. (By William Philip Simms, United Press Staff Correspondent) With the British Annies in the Field. June 28—(Special to Dally Democrat)—Canadian troops today occupied the town of Bleu dit Lea vette, one-half mile southeast of I*ns Their patrols shoved ahead of the village. penetrated even further toward the coal metropolis of France. This is the nearest the British have yet come to the city of Lens proper Mention of patrols pushing still further on. indicates a general retreat by the Germans and abandon-1 ment of their positions under the tre-. mendously strong constricting pres sure the British have been applying' to the city. Eleu dit Leavette is located half a mile beyond Lievin, where some • time ago the Germans made a desperate stand against the British advance. Avion, where the Canadians last week made some brilliant advances, is about three-quarters of a mile due south of Lens and about the same distance southeast of Eleu dit Leaubette. Lens is practically encircled on three sides now. (By Henry Wood. United Press staff correspondent)

With the French armies in the field, June 28 —(Special to Dally Democrat) —How a French regimental priest, his only arms a sacredotal cross, single handedly captured 125 German prisoners in the dragon's cave, was the astounding story which came to light here today. Dragon’s cave was part of a series of natural subterranean chambers more than a hundred yards long by a hundred and fifty wide, and underlying the Chemin Des Dames, northwest of Hurtebise. It was in the exact center of the sector wherein the French recently achieved this great gain. The priest accompanied his trooos on the charge and then stopped here and there Itehind them to minister to the wounded and dying. While on this mission of mercy he was astonished to see a German, his clothing aflame, rush out of the small secret opening to the dragon’s cave. The priest beat out the flames on the German. ordered him to march to the rear, and then himself descended through the small opening to the eave. There he found a whole company of Germans. Advancing in the dim light, with his cross held high above his head, the priest ordered them to surrender. With his cross still aloft. < the priest negotiated with the German officers- —and they, too. finally agreed to lay down their arms, but they stiftulnted that the surrender must be to a French army officer. The priest trned and clambored out of the cave. Just outside he found a medical officer rendering first aid. He called on him. Together the sutge-m and the priest—both non-combatants —returned to the dragon’s cave. Then

PROGRAM FOR PATRIOTIC MEETING AT THE COURT HOUSE. FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 8 P. M. Parade will form promptly at 7:30 o’clock p.m., u "' der the direction of R. D. Myers, headed bv the City band. Farmers and others having automobiles will kindly join in the parade. j INE ()F MARCH . Pamdp will form on Monroe street, corner Second, head nJ west; to Fourth street; north on Fourth street to Marshall street; east on Marshall to Second street; south on Second street to Madison street; west on Madison to Fourth street; south on Fourth street to Adams; east on Adams to Second street; north on Second to court house. Residents on line of march kindly decorate. Hon J T. Merryman will be chairman of the meeting. Opening Exercises. Song—Quartet. Address—Rev. Paul Marsh. AddressSev!’ Folsom, Fort Wayne, Ind. Recruiting Officer, Ft. Wayne ReCr S .nSa’-Autiienee.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

the German officers formally surrend ere<| themselves and their men. An Atlantic port, June 28 (Spect-tl to Dally Democrat)- Whether official announcement of tiie landing of American troopr in France will show that the marines under Co. Doyon were. a< ■ tually (he first men to set foot rn French soil was a subject of lively speculation at marine headquarters and recruit Ing stations here today. The marines still at home believe it will be found that Doyen’s 2.700 men representing Uncle Sam’s "first to fight" forces held to their tradition, and were first ashore. The landing of the American troops was exepcted to give recruiting a decided boost. Bands were blaring, flags flying ami recruiting sergeants were going strong her today. Seeing Pershing's troops safely across the Atlantic was looked upon as one of the most serious missions the American navy had ever undertaken. But the navy was ready.

There was no "send off" for the troops and jackies. Nor will there be for others to follow them. War has changed since the days *of the skirmish with Spain when troops marched away with drums beating and flags flying. Paris. Junt 28—(Special to Daily Democrat)—?! violent artillery engagement today succeeded the infantry fighting in the Hurtebise and Cornillet sectors of the French front, said an official statement. A German attack directed against the Watt Willer salient failed. Lisbon. June 28 (Special to Daily: Democrat) —A wave of tremendous en-1 thusiasm swept over parliament to-I day when forman announcement w ts: made that a battalion of Portuguese troops "somewhere on the fighting! line in France" had destroyed a G'-r-1 man patrol and taken a number of prisoners. Paris. June 28—(Special to Dallvi Democrat) —Paris was flooded with American naval officers and bluejackets today—men from ships that accompanied the American expeditionary army on its voyage to France. They were feted and cheered and patted by adoring crowds everywhere. Some of the men were granted four full days leave.

BULLETIN Paris, June 28—(Special to Daily Democrat)—An American army aviator has been in active service, flying over German lines at Verdun and elsewhere during the past week. He is Major Mitchell. The announcement was made at American army headquarters today. Major Mitchell was one of the first regular army officers to reach Fran e after the United States war declaration. Two weeks ago he started a tour of the various French flying squadrilla and was recently reported with the Americans in the Lafayette escadrille. He has the distinction of being the first American regular army officer to "get into action" on the western front in the air. Preeumably he acted as observer with a French army officer as pilot. . —o— ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH. Members are requested to take note that there will he a German service next Sunday, the first of July. The Rev. H. Wehmeyer, former pastor of the church, will conduct the services. ARTHUR W. HINZ, Pastor. meeting at "west ward. The boys and girls of the West Ward school fre requested to meet tonight at the school building at 6:30 o’clock. Everybody be present. M. F. WORTHMAN. Supt.

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday Evening, June 28, 1917.

GREATEST EVER 1 1 Was the Eighth Annual Rotary Convention Held at Atlanta, Georgia. J AVON BURK RETURNS — Decatur Has Worthy Distinction—Leslie Pidgeon Elected President. Avon Burk, president of the Decatur Rotary Club, the smallest but mightiest organization of its kind in the country, has returned from Atlanta. Georgia, where he attended the eighth ] annual convention of the Internation- ' al Association of Rotary clubs, June ' 17th to 21st. The Atlanta convention was without . a doubt the biggest affair in the his- ! tory of International Rotary. Just ai j this time when the American heart is filled with red-blooded patriotism and ' the thoughts of the people are center ! ed on the world war. programs and j speeches were given and delivered j I with a great deal more effectiveness] Prominent men. including leaders of industry, military affairs and diplomats from England, and Canada, as well as from all over the United States were in attendance at the convention. The city of Atlanta was given over I to the Rotary club delegates, which numbered altout three thousand I strong. The daily papers featured the convention with special, editions dedi- ' cated exclusively to Rotary. In con- ! nection with the convention and busi- : ness session pleasure trips were also (Continued on Page Two) 0 PIONEER IS DEAD

John Simison, One of Oldest Residents of County, Dead at Linn Grove. WAS 76 YEARS OLD Dennis, Son of Ben Gay, Former Resident Here, Died Near LaGrange. John Simison, aged 76, representative of one of the oldest families in the county died at his home at Linn Grove. Tuesday afternoon at two o'clock. Seven weeks ago Mr. Simpson fell and dislocated his hip, aad this injury, coupled with old age, caused his death. He was a life-long resident of California. He is survived by the widow, who was Miss Sarah Chrisman, and by the following brothers and sisters; George Simison and Mrs. Eugene Morrow, of Bluffton; Sam Simison, of Berne; and Mrs. Catherine Slawson, of Marion. A foster son lives in California. The deceased was a son of Robert and Rebecca Simison who were the first white couple to be married in what subsequently became Wells county.

A LaGrange dispatch says of the death of D. V. Gay, cousin of James L. Gay, of this city, son of Ben Gay, former resident of east of Decatur: "Dennis Gay, a well known farnitr of Greenfield township, died Wednesday morning, after several months illness, his death being caused by cancer of the stomach. "He was forty-five years old at the time of his death and was probably one of the best known men in the county. He was a graduate of the LaGrange high school, class of 1890, and will be remembered as a member of the baseball team organized here about that time which won the championship in this part of the state. For the past several years he had been engaged in farming in Greenfield township, being one of the well to do farmers of the county. He is survived by his widow and one son, Paul Gay. Funeral services will be held Friday morning at 11 o’clock at Brighton. HARD ON SPUDS (United Press Service) Indianapolis, June 28 —Leaves of many potato plants in Indiana are be-

| ing rlddlbd by the work or a small, black beetle, about one-sixteenth of tin Inch in length, according to a state ment issued by Frank N. Wallace, state entomologist today. "Some of the leaves are being to badly eaten that they look like lace work," said the statement. "Do nyt wait until your plants are badly damaged but spray now with bojdemix mixture and add arsenate of lead, one ounce of powdered form to two gal Jons of bordentix mixture. "This year the pest Is causing more damage than the large striped potato bug but the spray will control both pests.” MUCH INTEREST IS MANIFESTED At Meeting Called to Discuss Plans for Financing New High School AND PROVIDE “GYM” Committee at Work Today —Guarantors Will Meet at 8:15 Tonight.

There was more interest manifested at the meeting held last night at the city hall for the purpose of planning for a complete high school building than at any of the meetings so far held C. A. Dugan, the chairman called the meeting to order and told the purpose of the call. Oscar Hoffman, architect announced that bids would be received Friday for the new building complete and also without the auditorium and gymnasium. Mr. Worthman then reported having interviewed a number of people both in the city and countiy and that all favor the building complete, and that several had offered to loan money for the proposition. A general discussion followed, the chairman finally designating. H- B. Heller io prepare organization papers for a corporation to handle the proposition, Mr. Heller being authorized to secure the assistance of other attorneys and to prepare papers as early today as possible. The chairman also named a committee consisting of John W. Tyndall, ('hairman. Dr. S. D. Beavers, ('. C. Schafer, M. F. Worthman and John T. Myers to proceed with the securing of guarantors. This committee agreed to begin work at three o’clock this afternoon and sooner if possible. The meeting then adjourned with the understanding that those who sign the guarantee and organization list, shall meet at 8:15 this evening to permanently organize and complete the plans. It is believed that if the proper sun port is given the men on this cimmittee. the deal can be put over. Several plans for securing the money were discussed and it is the hope of those interested that the financing can be accomplished.

DROWNS IN WESTI r Harry, 34, Son of Alex LeBrun, of Decatur, Was Drowned Yesterday AT PARAGOULD, ARK. Body Will be Brought Here to the Home of Brother, Ollie, Tomorrow. Harry Leßrun, unmarried, aged thirty-four years, who has been working in Paragould, Ark., for the past year or more, was drowned yesterday, according to word received here at 10:30 o’clock last night by his youngest brother, Ollie Leßrun. No details were given. The message came through a brother, Jesse, residing at Gas City, who telephoned to the Isaac Chronister family. The body will be brought here for burial. It will probably arrive tomorrow night and it will be taken to the home of the brother, Ollie, at 1008 Patterson street. The father, Alex, of this city, and two brothers, Ollie, and Jesse, and a sister, Mary, wife of Walter Low, of Gas City, are the immediate surviving relatives. A brother. Ezra, and the mother died several years ago.

ST. JOHN S PICNIC Will be Held Sunday in Grove Near Church on Traction Line. THE DECATUR BAND

Will Play-Children Will Give Open Air Concert —A Fine Program. — Announcement of the annual picnic | of the St. John’s school for next Suni day, July first, in the grove near the | church has been made. This is on the Decatur-Ft. Wayne traction line, stop 13, and many will take advantage of the earline to go. Everybody is invited to come and hear the good program. the music by the Decatur band, tiie oj>en air concert by the children, and to enjoy the games and tiie refreshments which can be had at the stands. The program begins at. 2:15 sun time, and will he as follows: Song—School. Welcome — Florence Scheumann, Norbert Koenemann and Maria Grebvr . Solo and chorus, “We Hope You’ve Brought Your Smiles Along"—Milda Scheumann and School. Action song, “We are Jolly Blacksmiths."

Song—School. Action song. "The Merry Shoeblacl ' Song—School. Nursery Rhymes—Little Folks. Patriotic acition song, “Unfurl Old Glory”—School. Farewell, “We’ll Have to Say GoodBye", solo —Esther Reiter and school. All are invited. LEFT FUR GARRETT Decatur Firemen, With the City Band, Attending Convention Today. GOOD TIME EXPECTED Decatur and Berne Companies Left This Morning in Special Car.

About sixteen members of the D-J---catur Fire Department accompanied by Captain Dellinger, left this morning for Garrett to attend the twelfth annual convention of Northern Indiana Firemen to be held at that place today. A special car was chartered on th" interurban to take the men to Fort Wayne and from there they will proceed to Garrett. The car left this morning at six o'clock. The Decatur band accompanied the boys and will help along with their music to enliven the day. Six or eight members of the Berne fire department also left on the same car. Special rates were given all those who went on this car. A good time is anticipated by all as these conventions are usually accompanied by great enthusiasm and excellent programs. As is the usual custom there will be many contests of all kinds. The Decatur company however, did not enter in any of the contests this year. The convention was held in Decatur in 1914 and in Berne last year. — —o BICYCLE RECOVERED Herbert Foreman has recovered his bicycle and the one that was left in its place has been returned to its right owner. Henry Heidemann, of the Burk Elevator Company took (he Foreman boy's wheel by mistake and after some investigation (he exchange was discovered and the matter straightened out. -o WILL TIE TAGS TONIGHT The Tri-Kappa girls will meet this evening at 7:30 o’clock at the libraty for the purpose of tying tags and making arrangements for tag day, Saturday, June 30th. The proceeds will be given to Company “A” o —— COMPANY A, ATTENTION You are ordered to report at the armory Friday evening at 7:30 sharp for parade. All new recruits report also. C. R. DUNN, Captain.

CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR MEETING (Unltud Press Servtrel Hammond, Ind., June 28 The an nnal meeting of I lie Indiana Christian Endeavor society opened here today, l.eading Christian Endeavor workets of the state will make addresses during the four day session. The convention headquarters has been established at the First Christian church. FIREMEN TO GARRETT A delegation of fifty or more loft this city this morning at 6:15 on the fireman’s interurban special for Garrett to attend the district convention in session there. The Decatur city band accompanied the delegation of Decatur and Berne firemen and their friends. The special will leave Gtrrett this evening at seven o’clock. RECRUITING DAY Strenuous Efforts Are Being Made Today to Secure Fifty Recruits

FOR COMPANY A Eight Machines Started Out This Morning to Cover the Entire County. Today is recruiting day in Adams county. This morning at nine o’clock eight machines, each containing four Company A men left from in front of this office to work out of four different points in the county in an attempt to swell the ranks of Company A. Today has been selected by the chairman of tiie military board, Mr. John 'l'. Myers, as the one in which every effort should be made to secure fifty i - cruits to make up the amount needed to bring Company A up to its full enlistment. The boys have the names of aU those of military age who register'd in the county. An effort will l>e made to see each of these men personally and pursuade them to enlist rather than be drafted which step is only a matter of a few weeks off. It is thought by appealing to the register-! ed men in this way tltey can he induced to go wilh the home boys rather than be drafted and sent away with men who are totally strange to them. Thirty-two boys were appointed from Company A to do the work and these boys will devote the entire day to the cause. In each machine that left this morning there was a squad of four men. with one of each squad acting as captain. The four towns the men will work out of are, Decatur Monroe, Berne and Geneva two squads working out of each place. An effort

will be made to cover every square | mile of territory in the county and see| every registered man. The men making up these squads, and working out of Decatur are: I Lieutenant Peterson, privates Bacon i and Sheets; Laurent, Captain; pri-l vates Ehinger, Keller and Dull. Can-1 tain Dunn has supervision of the men working out of Decatur. Working out of Monroe: Brown, captain; privates, Gerard. Watkins, and Andrews; Elzey, captain; privates Darwechter, Gould and Sprague. Working out of Berne: Beery, cantain; privates Venis, McConnell and Yahne; Merriman, captain, privates Ward, Emery and Brill. Working out of Geneva: Flanders, captain, privates Miller McCrosky an I Uhlman; Gay, captain, privates Haag. Lord and Weldy. Machines were furnished for the work by J. W. Tyndall, James Arnold. .1. W. Bosse, Fred Heuer, 1. A. Kalv»r. Murray Scherer, Captain C. R. Dunn and G. F. Brown.

All the hoys of Company A are requested by Chairman J. T. Myers to turn out tomorrow and make the patriotic parade a big one. If enough enthusiasm is shown no doubt many more recruits can be secured tor the company. Good speakers and music have been secured and the indications are that there will be a big time. Everyone should boost and help the hoys of our home company. D. V. GAY IS DEAD James Gay received word yesterday of the death of his cousin, D. V. Gay, of Mongo, which occurred yesterday morning at 2:30 o’clock. The deceased was forty-five years of age and was a son of Ben Gay, formerly of east of this city.

Price, Two Cent!

TD EXEMPT WINE I" I) r For Use in Churches is the H Move Taken by Luther* an Synod in Session IN MILWAUKEE, WIS. Committee Will Go to Washington — Higher Salaries Are Sought. The Milwaukee Sentinel says of the triennial convention of the Lutheran synod in session there: A move to exempt wine to be used for sacramental purposes from any prohibition legislation was started at Monday’s se.sion of the Missouri Lutheran synod, which is in convention at the auditorium. A committee consisting of tiie following was named to watch legislation: William Schoenfeld. H. Schroeder, Washington. D. C.; A. Deletzke, Adair, la.; K. Kretzscher, Hastings, Neb.: Valentine Kern. Hanover. N. D. This committee will probably go to Washington to urge that provision be made for wine for use in the churches. A resolution was passed looking toward increases in tiie salaries of ministers and teachers in the employ of tiie synod. The resolution follows: "In view of the high cost nt living, resolved, that the board of governors of the colleges and seminaries look into the needs of all professors and grant increases of salaries as needed." A movement in the same direction was begun at a meeting of lay delegates, who also named a committee to formulate a plan by which the laymen agree to liquidate the indebtedness in the synod's general treasury and building fund. Another meeting will be held Tuesday morning. A gift of a new recreation building -cost inn SIB,OOO at Concordia college. Fort Wayne, Ind., was announced. The donors are Fort Wayne Lutherans. An appropriation of SBSO per annum for the academy in New Orleans was voted. The teachers’ seminary at Seward. Neb., received SI,OOO toward a pipeorgan, after a gift amounting to $2,000 from unknown donors for the same purpose had been annouunced.

The committee announced a budget of $35,000 for repairs in all educational institutions during the coming triennial. The budget was adopted. Dr. F. Pieper, president of Concordia college. Concordia, Mo., noted Lutheran theologian, addressed the synod. Following the recommendation :f the synod in a unanimous vote, President Pfotenhauer appointed five delegates to the committee on army ami navy chaplains. The committee has full power to act in the matter of offering the services of the synod body to the government as its share of army and navy chaplains. Foreign missions in India was the subject of discussion at the Monday I afternoon session. This work has been i seriously crippled since the beginning of the war by the difficulty of securing passports for new workers to enter the foreign field from the United

States. The Rev. R. Kretzschmar of St. Louis, Md., chairman of the foreign Emission board, made a plea for the ’ support of the missionary work in W--1 dia. He was supported by Prof. Zucker of Fort Wayne. Ind., who tor many years was a missionary in InThe committee on missions in North America reported that the synod through it twenty-three districts has conducted an extensive home mission work in the English and German languages and that the districts during 1916 had expended $217,540 in this work. To this the general body added $37,220 making a total of $254.ib0. It is the policy of the general bodv to support those districts that are weak financially, but have large mission fields in their territory. About. $60,000 is appropriated for this work each year. In order to secure the collection of this fund it was resilvml that the mission board request every district to pledge itself for a certain part of the amount. A special convention service will be held Tuesday night in Trinity Lutheran church, Ninth and Prairie streets, at 8 o'clock. The sermon will be delivered by the Rev. M. J. von der An, of Ft. Dodge. la. His subject will bo “Education and the Parochial School.” (Continued on Page two)