Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 15, Number 180, Decatur, Adams County, 6 August 1917 — Page 1

Volume XV. Number 180.

HUNTING "SAMMIES” FOR THE U. S. ARMY

THE CONSCRIPTION BOARD BEGAN BIG JOB TODAY WILLIAM FIELD BURTON OF NORTH BLUE CREEK. FIRST TO PASS ANO NOT CLAIM EXEMPTION OR TO APPEAL.

+ ORGANIZATION. ♦ ♦ + + Ed Green, Chairman. + + C. N. Christen, Clerk. + + E. G. Coverdale, Examiner. + ♦ —. + + W. E. Smith, Asst. Examiner. + ♦ J. M. Miller, Re-Examiner. + ♦ , - +| + CLERKS. + + H. B. Heller + + E. B. Adams + + H. M. OeVoss + + Will Hammell + + L. 0. Jacobs + +++++++ + + + + + + + Up to three o’clock 35 had taken the ' physical examinations. Os these 18 passed, 13 were rejected, 2 were held for conference and 2 were held up temporarily. Only one passed who did not ask exemption or file notice ' of appeal. Failed to Answer Call Orval Wells was called this afternoon but failed to respond. It is said , he has left the country after enlist- 1 ing with company A. He will be reported to federal authorities. Under 1 the law he now becomes a member of the regular army without any chance ' for exemption. I The Adams circuit court room presented an unusifal proceedingntyciou sented an unusual appearance this morning. In the room heretofore used for dignified court proceedings today were held he examinations of the young men. called for army service and the interest shown by the spectators which almost filled the big audi- ; torium was just as keen as was ever 1 displayed for any trial in the past decade. I Doctors, dressed for the occasion, i worked all day long at their impor-1 tant duties, clerks filled out sheets showing the results, men summoned to appear went through their task with an occasional joke, but a general feeling of the importance of the occasion, kept the work moving in a very businesslike manner. The library and counsel room are used for dressing rooms today, the examinations take place in the jury room and the court room is occupied by clerks, the board and the men ready to be called. The work started at eight o’clock and the men were examined at the rate of five an hour. Under the plans worked out by the board, all the men will be examined first for physical disabilities, the matter of exemption to be taken up later, probably the latter part of this week. Second Cail Tomorrow Clerk E. B. Adams has completed (the list of 301 men subject to the next call and this will be made tomorrow so that the work of examining can go on without a break. These men will have to appear after five days notice, bringing the first in Monday. The list will be printed tomorrow. The Examinations Up to noon today twenty men had been examined. A recess was taken until one o’clock and up to the hour of going to press the following were results: Walter Reinking. Decatur, rejected because of teeth and weak ankle. 2— William Rodenbeck, R. R. 7, Decatur, passed. Claims exemption because of dependent parent. 3— Ralph S. Krill, R. R- 7, Decatur, rejected. Stiff arm and shoulder. 4 — Martin Meschberger, Berne, passed. Claims exemption because of dependent wife and child, is 24 years old, lives in French township. 5— Ralph T. Mattox, First street. De eatur. Passed. Claims exemption be

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

- cause of wife and child, 26 years old. ' 6 —Richard Longshore, Decatur. Rejected because of tubercular trouble. 7 —Clarence Drake, Decatr. Passed. Claims exemption, wife and two children, 23 years old. ' B—Otto8 —Otto Wefel. Magley. Rejected be cause of teeth. j 9 —Wilbur Lehman, Berne. Passed. Claims exemption for dependent wife' and two children and for religious be-, lief. 10—Gilbert Lehman. Berne. Temp-' orarily suspended because of ulcer on leg and nasal trouble. Must be examined in six weeks. | 11 —Norm Parr, Berne. Passed. Claims exemption, dependent wife and two children. ' I 12 —Lester Robinson, Decatur, member company A. Passed. I 13—Rufus A. Boze, Berne. Passed. , Claims exemption because of dependent wife. Married June 28th. 14 —Kenneth R. Pontius, Geneva. Re-, jected. Chronic ear trouble. | 15—Daniel Falk. Decatur. Rejected. l i Verioeile. i 16 —Edgar W. Mills, Decatur. Rejected. 17 pounds under weight. | 17—Ernest Edlerding, Decatur. Pass ( ed. Claim exemption because of de- ■ pendent wife. 18 — Hubert Sprunger. Monroe. Passed. Claims exemption because of de-, pendent wife. No children, 25 years old. 19 — Jack Freidt, Pleasant Mills. Passed. Claimed exemption because of dependent wife. No children. Married January 3rd. , | 20 —Sylvan Sprunger, Berne. Temporarily rejected because of artery being cut on right arm. Ordered to re--1 port Sept. 10. for further examination. I 21 —Lawrence Heckman. Decatur, R. R. 7. Rejected. 22—Chauncey Deßolt, Berne, Rejected. | 23— william Fred Barton, Monroe, R. R. 2. Passed. Asked no exemption. Born at Bluffton No. 11, 1895; employed by Wilbur Barton on Geo. S. Morris farm. Registered in North Blue Creek, No. 126. 24— Hugo Bitler, Berne. Passed. Exemption; wife and children. 25— Troby Cramer. Rejected. Bad teeth. 26 — Dick Peterson. Rejected. Bad teeth; re-examined; rejected. Held up for conference because of differ- 1 ence in examination. ' 27— George Yager, Decatur, R. R. 3. Rejected. Hearing bad. [ 28 —Sim Burk. Decatur, Rejected. Bad hearing and teeth. 29 — Adolph Hannie, Decatur. Pass- ! ed. Claims exemption. Dependent . parents. 30— Cover McClure, Decatur. Pass- ’ ed. Claims exemption account dependent wife. 31— Hershell Whiteman, Berne. Rejected. Fifty pounds over weight. ’ 32—Earl Barkley, Monroeville. Rejected. Re-examined. Held for conference. I 1 33—Byron Hart, Geneva. Passed. I 1 Exemption claim, wife and child. i t 34 —Chris Macke, Decatur. R. R. 4. . Passed. Will appeal on ground of ag-! ricultural pursuit. i 35 —Henry Sroitley, Befrne. Passed. Asks exemption, wife and two cliildren. YaNCeTjEXT THURSDAY — As the boys of Company A will probably leave for Fort Harrison at the 5 . end of the week, their farewell dance ». will be given at the Masonic hall on s Thursday night. The music will be under the direction of True Fristoe 0 . and will be as good, if not better than 0. at the last dance.

Decatur, Indiana,Monday Evening, August 6,1917.

THE SWIMMING POOL FUND I The campaign for the public swim ming pool fund will open Wednesdij morning when members of Decatui M Rotary club will start out on a citj canvass in an effort to raise alxiul I eight hundred dollars. This addition al sum will be needed in order to build the pool. The city council has agreed to build the basin proper without the filter and dressing rooms. FROM HOLTHOUSE DRUG CO. The Victrola given Company A was a present from the Holthouse Drug Company, made through Albert Sellemeyer, secretary of the company. It was stated in Saturday’s paper that Mr. Sellemeyer presented the Victrola and he therefor asked for a correction. The boys of Company A appreciated the present very much. JAW FRACTURED S. Budd, Steam Roller Op- • erator, Tried to Stop Runaway—Knocked Down. PAINFULLY INJURED Overcome by Faintness, He Fell and Fractured His Jaw. • S. Budd, residing in the Sholty apart ments on Line street, employed on the steam roller now operating on Thirl street which is in the course of being | bricked, suffered painful, but not serious injuries Satrday afternoon at 3:30 o’clock while attempting to stop a i runaway horse. The injuries consist of a fracture of the lower jaw. which fs split down the middle; a gash | across the chin; and bruises across the back and at the left side. He suffered much pain over Sunday, but he being of an exceedingly cheerful and vivacious nature, his recovery is very rapid and the consequences of th? accident will not be serious. j The horse and buggy were hitched near Monroe and Third streets when the horse frightening at an automobile broke loose and ran south on Thir l street. It leaped over obstructions, even jumping across the radiator of an automobile in its way and dragging the buggy over it. When the horse reached a point south of the library it had nearly stopped and Mr. Budd, working on the steam roller nearby, got off to catch it. The horse suddenly lunged forward, the buggy striking the man as it did so. and knocking him down, inflicting the bruises across his back and side. He got up and while talking to others who came up, he suddenly felt faint, as is customary with him when injured. He walked to the curb to sit down, when he became so faint that he fell over. In the fall his jaw and face struck the curb, inflicting the most serious of the injuries, including the gash and fracture of the jaw. I A physician happened to be near at ' the time and the injured man was given the best of care. SCHOOL TRUSTEES MEET County Schools Will Open Monday, September 24. At the county meeting of the county board of education in the office of the county superintendent, E. S. Christen, today, the trustees of the schools made their annual financial and statistical report. All trustees were present and all schools represented except that of Berne. | At this time also, it was decided to open all county school terms on Monday, September 24. I The time of the county teacher's tn- [ stitute was designated as from September 3 to September 7, and this will be held in the city of Decatur. I The annual picnic of the trustees ; and their families will be held August 23 in the Graber grove “On the banks .’of the Wabash.” o COMMISSIONERS IN SESSION ' . i The county commissioners met this 1 morning, it being the August meeting ! of the board. The morning was devoti ed to the allowing of bills and look ing after detail work.

. KILLED BY ERIE TRAIN y u * 'i Charles Wertzherger, Aged 11 Thirty-six, Meets Instant Death When Train „ STRIKES THE CARRIAGE g| t .Which He Was Driving— Three Companions EsI cape With Bruises, i Charles F. Wertzherger, aged thirtvIsix, was instantly killed Saturday evening about eight o’clock, when the carriage in which he was driving to th's city on the Preble road, was struck . by the rear of an Erie freight train at the crossing two miles west of this city, near the Philip Baker farm. His wife, Zona Wertzherger; her mother, Mrs. Alice Harmon, or Alice Baker; and their second cousin, Frank Smith, a teamster residing in this city miraculously escaped with only a few sight bruises, by jumping from the , carriage. The horse was also instantly killed and the carriage reduced to wreckage. Coroner D. D. Clark was called to the scene at once, where he attended to preliminaries. The body of the dead man was taken to the Gay. Zwick & Myers morgue, where it was prepared for burial, remaining there until three o’clock this afternoon, when it ’ was taken to the United Brethren church where the funeral services were conducted. Mrs. Harmon, who became unconscious in a few minutes after the accident. was brought to the Decatur hospital, where she remained until yesterday morning, when she regained consciousness and was able to leave. She is suffering from a wrenched or strained hack, but her injuries, it was feared at first might be more severe, are very slight. Mrs. Wertzberger is able to be out again. The body of Mr. Wertzherger was probably thrown, or dragged, some , thirty feet from the point in the road where the carriage was struck. Both ' legs and an arm were broken; the chin was split, and the entire body bruised and bursted open. He was born December 28, 1880, in this city, being a son of t.he late George Wertzherger. The mother resides in Hammond at this time. At time of death the unfortunate man was (Continued on Page Two) atft.jarrison Raymond Gass and Joe Johns Prefer Infantry Life to Commissary. ARE TRANSFERRED Fullenkamp and Kortenbrer Remain With Com- » missary at Ft. Thomas. Mrs. Frank Gass this morning re- ’ ceived an interesting letter from her son, Raymond, who enlisted with several other Decatur boys at Ft. Wayne commissary department at Fort a month ago and were assigned to the Thomas. Raymond and Joe Johns have left that department and are now in, the infantry and stationed at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis. Herb Fullenkamp and Clem KortenI briar remained in the commissary department. Raymond likes the infantry much better and says he and Joe will stick to it as it furnishes much 1 more experience and pleasure. They s drill eight hours a day and have plenty of good food to eat. He says there are between 18,000 and '25,000 soldiers stationed there and they are a johy s bunch of fellows. He sends regards g to all his Decatur friends and wants t his folks and others to come down and t- look him up. His address is Y. M. C. A., No. 3, Ft. Benjamin Harrison.

STUDABAKER IS BETTER. Harry Studabaker, who motored to South Milford to the bedside of his I brother, Frank Studabaker, who was Injured in an automobile accident, telephoned to the parents, Mr. and Mrs. D,. E. Studabaker, today that the injured man is better, although he is injured too seriously to talk. He is Conscious at all times. Mr. StudaTbaker, in the accident,- was thrown across the rail of a fence with the i automobile on top of him. He was injured in the kidneys. He was not strong enough to be taken to a Kendallville hospital, as was planned. Word from Mr. Studabaker late this afternoon was that he now has no fever and will be taken to a hospital in Kendallville Sunday morning. —Bluffton Banner. REMOOEUOROPE New Allies’ Peace Terms Announced Today Alter Map After War. THE FIGHTING SPIRIT Os Russian Troops Has Been Relived—Are ReI sisting Germans. 1 (United Press Service) 11 (By Carl G. Gdoat, United Press staff ( corerspondent.) , ■Washington, August 6—(Special to Daily Democrat) —The allies have’ l come to full agreement as to the re-, 1 modeling of Europe’s war map after 1 tile war. A sketch showing the peace aims of these countries was shown the < United Press today at one of the em-. ( bassys. > First in the allies proposal is the ( J restoration of Belgium. France, ac- < cording to plans is to have Alsace- < Lorraine. Constantinople will be in- i ternationalized and the Turkish gov- « ernment’s grasp in Europe loosened ' The Grecian boundary will be shov- s ed northward while Greece will also f get some of the islands near her i.i' the Mediterranean. j < Italy will have Trent and Trieste t and a small slice of the territory r across the Adriatic. Croatia and Bo- ' hernia will be made into independent f states, while it is proposed to divide Austria-Hungary into two states. The allies do not propose to yield up Ger- f man African colonies in view of Ger- f man abuses. • 8 These are the allies’ terms. Ameri- i ca has not lent itself to them. All this 1 government says on the subject is— 1 let us beat Germany and the lines I will take care of themselves. « t New York, N. Y„ Aug. 6 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —A message of ( the revival of the fighting spirit of the Russian army came from Berlin ( today. | ( The war office declared the Russian army was preparing for battle between the Dneifper and Pruth riv- 1 ers, on the east front and reported | resistance to German attacks near > Czernowitz. There was little activity on the western front today, despite improv- j ed weather conditions. Berlin claim- j ed the destruction of twenty-five , British tanks to date on the field in. (front of the German positions. Field Marshal Haig and the French government reported scattered Ger man attacks without result. Petrograd. August 6 1 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —A democracy that has created within itself a rule of absoluteism. approved by the people was Russia’s latest contribution to “war ■ governments" today. Given a vote of confidence by councils representative of all Russians, > Premier Kerensky is in a position to i proceed with his work of regeneration ■ with absolute power. The portfolios of ■ all cabinet ministers are again in his hands. He may endeavor to form a > new cabinet or continue with the present ministry as he chooses. The Workmen's and Soldiers’ Council, the i peasant’s council and other bodies, look to the dictatorship of Kerensky | to save Russia. A great improvement ( I (Continued on Page Two)

COMPANY A PASS FROM fiUABDSTOREGULARS LOCAL MILITIA NOW MEMBERS OF REGOLAR ARMY-DRILLING BEGINS -0. J. ROLLISON IS THE SECOND LIEOTENANT.

++++++++++++++ + COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. + + + + Captain—Charles R. Dunn, + + First Lieutenant — Robert H. + + Peterson. 4= + Second Lieutenant —C. J. Rolli- 4- + son. + +++++++ + + + + + + + (United Press Service) BULLETIN. Indianapolis, Ind., Aug. 6—(Special to Daily Democrat) —Colonel Root today announced the. tentative assignment of Captain Charles G. Davis to muster in companies at Decatur, Huntington, Fort Wayne and Warsaw. Company A. comprised of 121 young men from this and Wells county automatically entered the regular army of the United States Sunday morning, under orders from the president. They are now subject to call of the commander in chief and his subordinates and will answer to orders as received through proper authorities. The men reported for duty at eight o’clock Sunday morning, at the government lot, corner Third and Court streets. The roll was called by First Sergeant Lloyd Beery and showed every man present but Lynn ShoemaKer, who is working at Akron and will report today. The men were dismissed until five o’clock in the evening when dress parade was given, many spectators watching the boys in their i first official service. i The roll was called again, the men divided into spuads, corporals assign- l ed and the men from out side were di- I rected where they were to sleep. They i were then turned over to three ser- ' geants who took them to supper. Second Lieutenant Reports. C. J. Rollison, who has had a great experience as a soldier, was promoted from sergeant in the regular army cc ' second lieutenant of company A, by Adjutant General Smith and reported here for service Sunday morning. He looks good, acts like a soldier, knows his business and has a record that easily establishes his ability to serve as a commissioned officer. He first enlisted with Battery B, 3rd field artillery serving from 1906 tc 1909. From 1909 to 1912 he was with Co. 20, coast artillery and from 1912 to 1915 with Co. 77. From 1915 to 1916 he was a member of Co. G, 12th infantry and from April 29th to June 16th. 1916 was an instructor of cadets at the University of Kentucky, Lexing [ton. From that time until last May he was a member of the 3rd displinary ■company at Fort Leavenworth. Kansas 'and for three months past has been 'one of the instructors at the officers training camp at Indianapolis. He was given an honorable die ' charge last Saturday, August 4th an 1 immediately appointed second lieutenant of company A. He is thirty-two years and ten months old. was married last December to a young lady from his old home at Vicksburg, Miss. He has had a wide experience as a soldier and will prove a great help (. company A. Today’s Schedule. The program for the first days service began with reveille at 5.30. , At 6 o’clock the boys went to break- , fast At 6:45 they went through the , setting up exercises and at 7:15 made | the first road march to the Lutz farm , south of town and back. They drill- , ed from 8:30 to 11 in the Ahr field , east of town and then went to the , Steele park, where they enjoyed a ' swim, returning here for dinner at 12. [ This afternoon from 1 to 2 was officers' school, from 2 to 3, non-com-' 'missioned officers' school, from 3:15

Price, Two Cents

to 5, company drill, and 5:30, mess. At 6:15 tonight will be guard mount, at 7:30, officers’ school, and the day closes with taps at 9:30. From now on recruits will not be admitted to company drill until proficient in school of soldier squad. Uniforms Come Soon. The men are drilling without uniforms or equipment but according to information from Indianapolis the fourth regiment will be equipped within a few days, arrangements being made now. Whether this will come before the boys are called to Fprt Harrison Is not known but every member is pulling that way. May Remain Here a While So far no orders for moving have been received. Lieutenant Rollison believes Company A will not be ordered out for ten days as they are short of tentage at Fort Harrson. However, he says the work of laying out the camp for the guard began last Thursday and he believes that orders to report there will come within a week or ten days. However, a story published in an Indianapolis pai>er Sunday was to the effect that this might not be done for two or three weeks. To Muster in Soon. Indianapolis, Ind.. Aug. 6 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —Indiana guardsmen—ll.ooo strong—were under arms today, bound to their country’s cause until the end of the war. Work of mustering the troops into tlie federal service was proceeding in all parts of the state. Col. Edwin A. Root. U. S. A., chief mustering officer for Indiana, directed this work from headquarters established today in the house of representatives’ chamber at the state bouse. Fifteen officers of the Indiana brigade were detailed to assist him. Colonel Root estimated that the mustering process would require eighteen days. Selection of Col. Edward M. Lewis, U. S. A., as brigade commander with the rank of brigadier general brought relief to military officials of the state. Formal notice from Washington of Lewis’ appointment was contained in the following telegram received by Governor Goodrich: “Your wishes in relation to Colon--31 Lewis will be complied with at the earliest possible date." Colonel Lewis, now in Boston, is expected to arrive here in a few days. Mobilization of the various units of the national guard at their home stations was accomplished without a hitch yesterday. The troops probably will be held at their home cities tor a period of ten days and then proceed to Fort Benjamin Harrison, Date of departure for the permanent training eamp at Hattiesburg, Miss. is still uncertain. “K” IS A REAL HERO Erwin Walser had a narrow escai'O from drowning in the Erie quarry soutli of Bluffton Friday evening and he probably owes his lige to Kenneth Kunkle, son of W. A. Kunkle who went to the rescue. Walser had gone to the quarry, a popular swimming pool, with a number of other young men. and he had swam across the quarry and had started back when he became exhausted and realizing his danger cried for assistance and Kunkle res]x>nded quickly and helped him to shore. The quarry is thirty to forty feet deep and had Walser gone down a rescue would have been difficult. o Hunting and fishing licenses were issued to C. E. Hocker, John W. 1 Schindler, George Schaefer and Herman F. Ehinger.