Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 15, Number 251, Decatur, Adams County, 31 October 1917 — Page 1

Volume XV. Number 251.

AIR RAIDS MADE RY THE BRITISH Series of Air Raids Have Been Made in Past 48 Hours—Von Bertling REFUSES TO ACCEPT German Chancellorship — “Sammies” Will Soon be in Big Battle. (United Fresn Service) London, Oct. 31—(Special to Daily Democrat)—Dispatches from Amsterdam this afternoon asserted that Count von Hertling had refused to accept the German chanoellorship, ‘'because of his inability to secure a majority in the reichstag.” (United Press Service) Rome, Oct. 31—(Special to Daily Democrat)—The Italian retreat to prepared positions continues in an orderly fashion today’s official report asserted. Bravery of the troops permitted the redispositfon of the Italian forces according to plans. (United flow Service) London, Oct. 31—(Special to Daily Democrat)—ln the past 48 hours British naval plains have carried out the greatest series of air raids since the start of the war. according to authoritative information obtained late today by U. P. It was said that two hundred or more bombs have been dropped. (United Press Service) Paris, Oct. 31 —(Special to Daily Democrat)-French and British armies are rushing to the aid of the Italians. Paris expects one of the greatest battles of the war to be fought on the plains of Italy. Duals Cambon. minister of foreign affairs, expressed his firm conviction that the Italians with the allies aid, would succeed in stopping the AustroGerman invasion. An Atlantic Port. Oct. 31—(Special to Daily Democrat)— Twenty-six survivors of the torpedoed American Keamer Lewis Luckenbach arrived here today on a French steamer and brought a gripping story of the sinking of a German I’-boat and told how |heir ship was torpedoed three hours after their success. Describing the event a sailor said: “We first sighted the U-boat about a mile off our port bow. but she submerged before we could get the guns in action. She reappeared only a short time later dead ahead and this time our gunners were ready for her. The first shell from our five-inch gun struck the submarine squarely between the two periscopes. A column of water shot up from the submarine and she disappeared. A few minutes later when we passed the spot the water was still boiling and a film of oil was plainly visible. “We were proceeding with a small French trawler as a convoy three hours later and making for a French port when, without the slightest warning, we were attacked and torpedoed." (By J. W. T. Mason, written for the United Press.) New York, Oct. 31—(Special to Daily Democrat) — The American army in France may have to begin its full participation In the war sooner than has generally been anticipated, if there proves to be no other way of creating a sufficient diversion to preJvent the Germans from over-running the northern Italian plains. Indications now point to a slowing down of the Teutonic advance in Italy but if later developements threaten to cause a major disaster to the allied cause along the Tagliamento river, the United States probably will not be content with trying to save Italy for the allies by money contributions alone. Germany has consistently pone to the relief of her Austrian allies with military help whenever they were threatened with defeat. The Entente powers have been unable, for various reasons, to do this. The United States, however, may be destined to fight its first battle in Europe primarily to assist a faltering ally rather than in strict accord with pro-arranged strategic objectives. The British offensives in Flande-s has not prevented the Germans moving forward in Italy, nor have the French offensives along the Aisne. The success or failure of German de signs in Italy perhaps will rest on

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

decisions that may shortly have to bt taken in Washington. I London. Oct. 31—(Special to Daily Democrat)—Field Marshal Haig’s great gains in Flanders during the Rfst month were attained at less cost in men than during the fighting -of September, according to casualty lists published today. The total ot all casualties for the month was 83, 558. In September it was 105,450; in August 60,373; in July, 71,899. The detailed October figures are: ’ Officers—Killed. 1.498; wounded, 3.864; missing. 338; total, 5,700. Men—Killed, 15,618; wounded, 57,578; missing. 4,662; total, 77.858. Totals—Killed, 17.116; wounded. 61,442; missing, 5,000; total. 83.558. The figures show, however, that the number of officers killed and wounded is higher than for the past three months. POC A H ONTAS^MASQU E R A DE. Twenty-six were present at the 11 Pochahontas masquerade party given at the home of Mrs. Joel Reynolds Tuesday evening. The home was decorated with grinning pumpkin faces, witches, black cats and flying bats. The lights were hooded in yellow. As the masqueraders arrived they were turned over to the ghost, with whom they were to shake hands before registering. Much fun was derived from guessing who was who. Mrs. Geore Steele guessed the greater number correctly, and Mrs. Will Kist the least. Three judges were appointed and the masqueraders marched through the house in front of the judges who were to decide which was the best masqued. Mrs. George Steele also carried oil’ this prize. Then came the games and stunts. At 10:30 an oyster supper was served, after which music byMrs. George Steele and Bereneta Reynolds was much enjoyed. FELL FROM SCHOOL BUILDING Herman Johnson, of Chicago, carpenter foreman for Contractor W. F. Peterson, was quite badly hurt when he feel nine feet from a scaffold at the new school building at eleven o’clock this morning. He is now at the home of Mrs. D. D. Heller on Fifth street where he has been rooming since he came here. He was inspecti ing a wall and stepped backward on a I board which gave way and he fell *□ the ground, alighting on his shoulders and back. He was unconscious for a short time and it was feared was bally injured. A physician was called and he was removed to his room where it was found that no bones were broken but that he was suffering I from a severe concussion of the shoulders. Another examination will i be made this evening but it is believed he will get along all right. —o . -———— LOAN “SLACKERS" TO BE PUNISHED. (United Press Service) Indianapolis, Ind., Oct. 31 —(Special to Dally Democrat)—District appeal boards ot Indiana were today authoried by Jesse Eschebach, state conscription agent, to revoke, the discharge from army service granted any farmer, farmer’s son or any other man who had been exempted if the father or son had refused to give “reasonable financial aid to the Liberty Loan, Red Cross and other war work." Echbach states that his attention had been called to cases, especially by the Fort Wayne board, where farmers whose sons had been ex empted, refused to give aid to other war work. The same principle will be applied to men in other lines of business. COAT AND~SIBT SHOWING Mr. Frank Gass received a long distance call this afternoon, telling him that a representative of one of his I best houses will be here from 8:30 to noon tomorrow, with a complete line of the latest coats and suits. He asks i that those who wish to see this I splendid line bear this notice in mind. , This is also an excellent time for ■ those desiring suits or coats made to ■ special measure. ‘ SKATING RINK OPENED r , The grand opening of the new roller r skating rink at the corner of Monroe j and 4th streets will occurr tonight r under good management, courteous treatment for every one. Everybody s invited and a good time assured. Rink i opens at 7:30 and closes at 9:30. Good 5 music. 1 band’wiliT'be out. a The Decatur band will furnish mur- sic this evening at the democratic e meeting at the democratic headquar s. ters. Members of the band are re B- quested to be at the hall at 7.1 f n prompt.

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday Evening, October 31, 1917.

STATION WANTEE 's e The Town of Rivarre Will s g Fight to Retain Railroad Station. " PETITION IS FILED With the Public Service Service Commission— Hearing November 9. I, •J - The little town of Rivarre, or 5 "Bobo" located a few miles east on the Chicago & Erie railroad, will not relinquish its railroad station at that place without a fight. ’ It seems that the patrons of this i station were notified that the station i would be closed on October 15, and a I petition was filed by T. O. Clements and others, with the Public Service 1 Commission, against the railroad relative to the closing of the station. The Public Service Commission has set Friday, November 9, ten o'clock a. m. as the date for the hearing of the petition, according to notice issued by Carl Mole, secretary of the commission. Rivarre was laid out and the plat recorded October 13, 1883, at about the time that the railroad was built. SMALL FIRE THIS MORNING... Fire that caught in a barrel < f straw in the furnace room in the interurban basement, made a lot of smoke, and a bright blaze, that was soon extinguished when the blazing mass was carried out and extinguisners at hand applied. The fire department made the run, but the blaze was so insignificant that it was out before they came. DAUGHTER IS BORN. Mr. and Mrs. Homer Raubenbush are rejoicing over the birth of a babydaughter, bom recently. The infant lias been nqmed Ruth Irene. The mother was formerly Miss Olive Tague. TAKES THE COOKY I Ed Yahne Likes the “Cooked Cookies” Sent to Him at Camp Shelby. A BREEZY LETTER Written by Decatur Boy— Will Do Away With Candles Soon. Camp Shelby, Miss., Oct. 24. Hello, Ercie: I will write you a few lines again to thank you for those cookies, or I mean baked. Ha! I don’t know who cooked the cake, or 1 would thank them, too! How is everything in the kitchen? Do you have a very hard time keeping it clean since we boobs are gone? I was going to come home tomorrow. All that kept me from coming was that I asked the captain about it, and he said “No.” Ha! Ha! Say, you will have to excuse my bum writing, because I am propped up on my cot, and my arm is as high ' as my head, swinging around like an 1 elephant’s ear. Then Joe is perched i upon his cot kicking mine every now > and then. » Laying all jokes aside now, and i getting down to real facts, you sure i can cook the cookies. We have a stove in our tent now, and that s sure r fine biz! i The fire went out last night and (Hugh Hitchcock woke up. and I guess he was almost frozen and could not get warm. He began to hallo at every one in the tent, and finally he ' said “Bogner! Bogner! Do you want B a good bed partner?” We were all I awake, but we let him hallo for s about ten minutes, and one of us got ■’ up and lighted the candle and built k a fire. Then he crawled in bed with II Weber. That was the funniest thing that ever happened. Joe has been writnig all morning and 1 wrote some, and now it is abou 1- 2 o’clock. Everything is lovely ant c the goose hangs high. Ha! Ha! r- just happened to look down th< s- street and they are putting in elec 5 i trie lights. That will be “Jake.” Si |jn your tent by the stove and rea<

I the Democrat, and write letters. Hu! Ha! Almost like home. lint not quite. Well, 1 am just as big a dunce at I ever was, and a little bit bigger, 11 and would like to write more, but I can’t steal any more paper like this and I guess 1 will close, wishing t<; thank you once more for the cookies you cooked. Good-byqt Remaining always your friend, and a lover of cooked cookies. * EDWARD F. YAHNE. Camp Shelby, Miss. I*. S.—l don't know whether I an swered your other letter or not. I did not have anything to do, so I thought 1 would write to you and thank you for those Cooked Cookies. Ta. Ta. :PIER BLOWN UP t •— ■*—' Baltimore & Ohio Piers Were Blown Up Today, .11 3 Causing Loss of I FIVE MILLION DOLLARS d r Steamship Kerry Range j Was Damaged and Sunk in the Harbor. > (United Press Service) Baltimore, Oct. 31 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —Twelve men ire unaccounted for and it is certain the damage will run higher than $3,000,1 . 000 in the fire that swept Baltimore A'- ■ I Ohio piers early today according to 1 the latest reports. 1 | All doubt as to the origin of the fire : . was removed by statements from the ' , Baltimore & Ohio's guards and firemen stationed at the pier. A few sec- ’ onds before the flames broke out in “; five sections of the pier, these men saw what appeared to be rockets going up from half a dozen places. These were follower by muffled explosions and the flames came imme.l- --' iately. Officials of the Baltimore & Ohio this morning fixed the loss at $5,000,900. This is covered partly by I the railroad's replacement fund and I insurance. | Later today the steamship, KerrjRange, which was badly damaged. j sank and is now resting on the bottom 1 of the harbor. Explosions punctuated efforts cf ‘Baltimore's entire fire fighting force. Piled on the piers waiting steamshins were, many cases of ammunition. . which detonated as the flames reached \ them. Foodstuffs went up in smoke — i food that was to have gone to the armies of America and France. Secret service agents and the poi lice are combing the city and its >n- . viorns today for men seen running from the piers. They are believed to have started the fire. Only by heroic work did the firemen save huge elevators of the Baltimore & Ohio railway which are laden to their capacity I with grain. HINDENBURG BUYS BONDS (United Press Service) O’Neil, Neb.. Oct. 31—(Special to | Daily Democrat)—Gustav Hindenburg . I first cousin of the German general of ;, that name, is the owner of $25,090 1■ worth of liberty bonds. He is 74 :' years old. “A few years ago I saw two Belgian children in Wyoming ' with their arms severed just below 1 the elbows," said Hindenburg. “I ask- • ed them who did it. They said ‘The Germans did it so that we could not take up arms against Germany.’ I 1 can’t bear arms against Germany, but 1 ! I can buy bonds like sixty.” > I4.++++++ + + + + + + + + GO TO CHURCH + * SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11* I 4 -[ ♦ It is of the utmost importance + 11 4 that the people of any commu- + ’! * nity recognize their obligation 4 4to Almighty God. His church is + 11 * organized on the principles of + ii 4 the gospel of the Lord Jesus 4 t 4 Christ, and these are for the 4 t j 4 good of all men. + e * Since this is true all men 4 t1 * should feel their high privilege 4 1 4 in the church services. This as 4 r■ 4 fords an opportunity to hear 4 't + God's word read and expounded, 4 It + and also to give an expression 4 h 4 to the joy of our hearts in song. 4 g ♦ and to mingle our prayers to 4 4 God for the good of others. 4 g. 4 Into this Holy exercise we in 4 it 4 vite ail the people of Decatur on 4 id 4 the day mentioned above. Pro- 4 I 4- grams of interest will be put on 4 m 4 in each of the churches and you 4 c- ♦ will not only be entertained but 4 it 4 profited by these services. 4 id 444 + + + ******’*’ 1 *

IS WELL PLEASED LH —'■ .■ ■ ■■ « r, 1 Food Administrator Ap- * predates Work Being Done in Drive for if - FOOD CONSERVATION 1 Is Grateful to Council of ’ Defense and Individuals Who Helped. I Indianaoplis, Oct. 31 The national ’ food administrator. Herbert Hoover, is well pleased with the preparation made in Indiana for Food Conservation week and the enrollment of wom-i ’ en in the voluntary saving orginicition. Mr. Hoover expresses his satisfaction in the following telegram just received by Dr. Harry E .Barnard and ' the Indiana State Council of Defense, I through which organization the big 9 drive in Indiana is being conducted: "As family enrollment week opens I wish to express to you and to the ' thousands of volunteer workers helping you in your state, congratulations for the effectiveness of preliminaiy preparations and our gratification over the prospects of the immense success of the pledge card campaign ■ , in all parts of the nation. Please as- ~ sure them that in my opinion no effort exceeds theirs in patriotism or in effectiveness for world civilization, for , our success and that of our allies in the war, or for our own national welfare. Every day brings added evidence of the truth that food will win the war and of the dire need of our allies for food. If we Americans by a < ! voluntary Democratic effort, all as in- 1 ! dividuals doing our small part under < the government's direction, save this ; food to ship to them we shall assure 1 victory for world democracy against t autocracy and be in a position to t ameliorate price conditions in the t United States and prepare ourselves I , to. cope succetjsfully with th- iimv’f- < , able economic pressure that will fol- ; low the war." ] THE COURT NEWS Recent Snow Causes Rush on Clerk’s Officeffoer e V Hunting Licenses. V a AN ORDER OF SALE c a li Os Personal Property in c the Martz, Guardian- r ship. h V r The snow of the past day or two i has caused a rush of business in the f hunting license department of the ‘ county clerk, Will Hammell. Those c taking out licenses in the past day ar two are: Dallas and Byron Buck- ( master, John Niblick, Jr., W. S. Sutton, Ed and Harvey Beer, Fred Rick- ( ford, John H. Bennett, Levi Gross, William Hobrock, Shauncey Brokaw, ( . Henry Decker, Albert A. Augsburger. The report of J. F. Lehman, guard- ' oan of Clarence Sprunger et al., as to sale of personal property was approved. 1 In the estate of George M. Martz, the petition of the executor, Jesse C. Sutton, to pay expenses of the former guardian, was sustained. A private sale of personal property was authorized, the same to be for cash-or on three months’ time at not less than p appraisement, report to be made within thirty days. i* Real estate transfers: August Kneuss to Robert Gerber, 80 acres, *■ $8,000: Wilma Dull Emery et al. to William Speakman, 20 acres of Blue * Creek township, quit claim deed, $1; * Anna E. Smith, et al to George Thatch- * er, lot 1, Williams, $1; John J. * Schwartz et. al to Peter E, Schwartz, * 40 acres of Monroe township, $7,000. <• NEW OVERLAND BUS x Wash Burrell veteran bus driver of «. the Holthouse Fireproof Garage Is J 4. “sportin’’ a new ton passenger Ovt-r-| 4. land bus which was turned out by thej; 4> Holthouse garage the first of the 4 week. The bus is enclosed and will * be used in making all trains and + ' answering city calls.

1 WAR TAX IN EFFECT NOV. 1 (United Press Service) Washington. O<t. 31 (Special to Dully Democrat I War taxes will begin new drains on the American pocketbook tomorrow. These changes |to into effect after midnight tonight. Five cents on all phone calls, telegrams or radiograms costing more than 15 cents. Eight per cent on water or rail passenger fares for trips more than 40 in Iles. Three per cent on freight charges. Ten per cent on pulltnan tar seats or berths. Ten per cent on club dues exceeding sl2 a year. One cent on each 20 cent express charges or 25 cents parcel post charge Tobacco taxes go into effect but thrifty dealers have been making :t I little on the side by imposing them! for several weeks. Three cent postage for letters and two cents for postcards begins Friday, November 2. THE DEATH TOLL Death Angel Garners Relatives of Decatur People. MRS. LEROY PLACE Died at Scott, Ohio—Thomas Roth Succumps to Apoplexy. Relatives received word of the death of Lavina Zerkle Place, wife of Leßoy Place, which occurred at Scott O„ last night at eleven o’clock. Mis. Place was about sixty-live years -,f age and was a daughter of Zerman and Elizabeth Zerkle, and lived here at an earlier period of her life. Details of the death are unknown here, but it is supposed that she died suddenly. She was a half sister of J. X Zerkle of east of the city and of Mrs. David Fuhrman, of Monroe; and a stepsister of Mrs. Michael Wertzberger, this city. The funeral will be held Friday. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Everett have returned from Van Wert. 0., where they attended the funeral of Mrs. Ev ,- ett's brother, Thomas Roth, aged .76. which was held yesterday. The death of Mr. Roth occurred very suddenly Saturday night tr im I apoplexy. He had been in Van Wert' on business Saturday; went home and I attended to his chores; then studi'di his lesson for his Sunday school class 1 of men, which he teaches at the Chris- ; tion Union church; and had retired for the night, in his usual state cf| health apparently. Not long afterwards, his wife was awakened by the! peculiar snoring which is characte--! istic of apoplexy, and investigating.; found him ill. Before she could minister to him. he had passed away. The wife and five sons are living,' one other having died in young man-j hood. Surviving brothers are Henry, l of Fort Wayne; William, of Monroeville; Herman and Theodore of Allen county. There are also four sisters. Among other relatives who attended the funeral, was Randolph Everett son of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Evere't. who came from Camp Custer, Mich. Mr. Roth was prominent in church work, and served for four years as superintendent of the Bethlehem Sunday school, as well as being a teach -r at the church of which he is now a member. The notice of the death awaited Mr. and Mrs. Everett Sunday morning on their return from church and was a great shock to them. BIBLE "STUDY The Training for Service class will meet at the home of Mrs. Geo. Steele on Fifth Street at 7p. m. this evening. The choir will meet at 7:45 1>- m. .‘t the same home. Mr. J. E. Anders nt wishes that all members of the choir and those that.’wish to be members would make a special effort to attend this meeting. O ROTARIANS BRING MAGAZINES Members of the Decatur Rotary club are requested to bring with them this evening a hunch of magazines which jwill be boxed up and sent to the A lams county soldier boys at Camp Shelby, Hattiesburg, Miss., and at Camp Taylor. Louisville, Ky. The meeting will be held at eight o’clock at the Martin-Klepper office.

Price, Two Centi

AT CAMP SHELBY I Donald Patterson, of Daily Democrat Stall’, Gives Some Facts — ABOUT HATTIESBURG Camp for 50,000 Men Built in Ten Weeks—Greatest Record Ever Made. Camp Shelby. Miss., Oct 28 ; Dear John: — Just a few lines to give yon tho I data of Camp Shelby. Camp Shelby was built at less erst 1 than any other camp in the United | States, in a period of ten weeks or I seventy days, by the Engineers Corps War Department and T. S. Mouny Co. As originally designed, camp was planned for 35,000 men. but th • capacity is so great that it will be made to accomodate about 50.000 or more before the enlargements are finiehed. The work was started July 2’’ and was completed early in October. The troops in camp are Indiana. Kentucky and West Virginia, which number about 25.000 and will be increased as soon as transports can bo obtained. The construction work was under snperivision of Col W. J. Howard and A. K. Twombly. a New York engineer. That is why the camp was built so cheap. Every plan was so well laid that the construction moved like clock ; works. The camp has about 14< l 0 I buildings, with about 25,000.000 feet of yellow pine used. The camp is supplied with water in i a modern way. It has six storage tanks with a capacity of 500 900 gallons. The water is controlled through the mains by valves that can bo shut off for repairs with out interfering with the supply. The camp is connected to Hattiesburg with two railroads, the M'ssi-tsip-pi Central and the Golf and Ship Island railroads. The land was furnished by the 1 J. I Newman Lumber Co., free of charge I and in command of Gen. E. jA. Lewis, who is putting the soldiers through their short rapid course of training to be transported to France soon The commissary department is in charge of Major G. H. Weller anti it is his duty to see that the soldier is . well fed and I hope he knows his i business. The ware houses include more than i 40 acres and have more than $1,000,000 ' worth of supplies in them not including ammunition. The ammunition has a strong guard around it and no smoking is allowed, so you see Gen. I Lewis has not overlooked any preI cautions. The camp has 25 miles of grevrl ! roads running through, and the camp 'is built in a horseshoe shape. It has ; a remount built on the south side with ! a capacity of 9.000 head of horses and I mules for the artillery and cavalrv. i It also has a telephone system, mail and electric lights, modern theaters as good as big city play houses with good, clean plays, Y. M. C. A. build.lings, a large K. of C. hall and one of ■ the best base hospitals in any camp with real Red Cross nurses. The camp was located in the best II position by the government survey < map made in 1810, the land mark was [.I found by Mr. Twombly in the heart r lof an old pine tree made by governa Intent surveyors 87 years ago. Well. J. H. it is 2:30 and the , | show starts at 3. so will close-for this 1 time, to see it. PATTIE. r s.—Saw Ruth Law fly yesterday it was great she made five successive loop the loops and two good dives. political" meeting. Every voter in Decatur is invited to attend the meeting at democratic headouarterstonieht when .ludire Smith will preside and speeches will be made by several well known local menThe campaign is nearly over. You should have the interest of your city at heart. Come out. A SMOkYnf TONIGHT. The democratic meeting at headquarters tonight will he in the form of a smoker. There will be plenty of cigars, good speeches and a good time. Come up and talk over the election of next Tuesday. It is to your interest.