Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 15, Number 277, Decatur, Adams County, 21 November 1917 — Page 1

Volume XV- Number 277.

BRITISH TOMMIES SURPRISEBOCHES Field Marshal Haig Surprises ' Hindenburg’s Defense LinePIAVE LINE HOLDS Against Strain of Concerted Attacks of Veteran German Divisions. (Uy William P. Simms. United Press Staff Correspondent I With the British Armies in the Field, Nov. 21 — (Special to the Daily Democrat) —The strangest battle in the world's history was that which the British today mashed the Hindenburg line. At a moment when the world was saying “surprise attacks in this war were impossible’’—when the Prussians were thinking the same thing and sleeping soundly without the slightest suspicion there was anything brewing, British tanks leading the British infantry rose out of the ground as if by magic and swung to the attack. General Pershing witnessed the great drive. The tanks prepared the way. They crashed over wire entanglementsand trenches with the Tommies following. Prisoners pouring back of the lines today were still dazed by the attack. Not an officer or man had the slightest idea that the British would attack at that point. Monday night a number of British tanks took their places behind the lines. The Germans did not hear or see them. Early Tuesday the monsters crawled forth. A smoke barrage concealed them. The Germans dod not know they were in action until the tanks rumbled over their heads. The Hindenburg line, therefore, was therefore taken without a single preparatory gun shot- How complete j was the surprise was evinced in the fact that one German division was relieving another at the moment ot attack. London. Nov. 21—(Special to Daily Democrat) —Field Marshal Haig has broken the first defenses of the vaunted Hindenburg line. After smashing the first line of d«senses, the British captured the second, more than a mile beyond. Describing this action. Haig’s report stated: “Our infantry and tanks in accordance with program, pressed forward and captured the German second system more than a mile beyond the firat Bonaires hamlet and Lateauwood were captured after stiff fighting. "East of Epehy. between Bullecourt and Fontaine Les Croisilles important | positions were captured. The total numbers of prisoners and guns and of material has not yet been estimated “After the capture of Havrincourt, | "sapid progress was made at all points “The Masnieres canal was crossed and Marcoing. Neufwood captured. “East of the canal Dunord. the villages of Graincourt and Anneaux were stormed. West of the ( anal. - l( , whole line north to the Bapaume-Cam-, brai road was stormed. "The enemy was completely sniprised. Sir Julian Byng commanded the British third army." He reported today that, his gt>a blow, aimed suddenly yesterday on the Arras-St. Quentin line, had gained | this great victory over the whole front British assaulting waves passu through the German lines to a depth of between four and five miles, tt very wide front. Thousands of prisoners and a grea number of guns were taken. Although Haig did not sped > exad Iv the location of the gs a which his forces so successfully struck, the Gorman of last night -uld seem to “ hart Cftm ? r tX line o' eommunieain the Hindenburg line o tlons as its main objective. | t ', ’ . pose. British troops If * ’ S 'L within sight of this vital raust no w be with center, since be lines were only , 1 °" , the tremendous force of the Brit There has been no fighting of y magnitude on the Arras-St. Quen. n sector since early in the summer. in many circles here today the vie-

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

I tory was hailed as perhaps the most' important military stroke achieved I by the allies since the battle of the Marne. Actual penetration of the Hinden-| burg line, which Germany has boasted was completely impregnable ami which her militarists have led the people to believe would forever bar the allied progress, may be expected to have a powerful effect on German mor ale in uie field and at home. Copenhagen, Nov. 21—(Special to; Daily Democrat)—A stale of siege has been proclaimed at Zurich on recount of “disturbances" according to word received here this afternoon. With the Italian Armies, Nov. 21 — (Special to Daily Democrat) —All preconceived ideas that the Teutons are husbanding their resources of man power are refuted in the great battle along the i’iave river. The same tactics of seeking to smother their objectives in a flood of packed humanity which Germany used early in the war, are those which the German and Austrian commands are pursuing today. No attack is made except with overwhelming masses of troops. They are likewise specially picked and trained men and are perfectly equipped, in splendid condition. They are slaughtered by the Italian defensive fire—but always it seems there remain plenty more to take their places. . At one spot on the lower Piave it was estimated the German assaulting wave outnumbered the Italian defend- . eds by at least two to one in men and four to one in guns. But the Italians drove them back. When the wave re- . ceded the enemy dead literally damdd ( the river. Further up stream the same terrible toll of life was taken in 1 another attempted crossing of the Piave. London. Nov. 21- —(Special to Daily . Democrat) —Russia may be angling ' for peace, according to dispatches received today from Scandinavian sources. They reported the bolsheviki, minimalist, socialist and moderate parties of the nation almost united in the belief that only complete with- | drawal from the war and concentration of all effort on international affairs, can restore order in Russia. The tangle still continued at Petrograd, according to latest advices. A’.l endeavors for a compromise or coalition government have failed. Kerensky's whereabouts are still unknown. Scores of reports were received at Swedish cities about him—one that ' he had committed suicide. None were 1 authenticated. ' I (By John H. Hearley. United Press , staff correspondent.) i Rome, Nov. 21—(Special to Daily , Democrat)—Because of the disadvant- ; ageous battle ground offered along j the Piave river a further strategic re- ; tirement of Italian forces may be nec- , ! esssary. according to reliable informa- , , tion. 1 ■ As yet none of the French and British reinforcements have gone into , action. The Italian troops singlehandedly, are bearing the full burden of the Teuton assault. They are holding firm and inflicting terrible casualties Son the enemy. Their morale is the best probable it has ever been. So also is the spirit here in Rome. The public supports the war as never I before. All fruits of Italy’s two years jof strife have now; been swept away; a dread enemy reaches forward seeking her most treasured possessions of ! art and indistry. But the internal dissension which Germany craftilyhoped to start has never appeared. The enemy won his first blow bv treachery in the array and in the civilian population-then the sudden overwhelming spectacle of the perfectly equipped Teutonic armies made the Italian officers lose their heads. Germany planned for a revolution in Italy like that she aided in Russia. She will never attain that hope. Petrograd. Nov. 21-(Special to Daily Democrat)— Prince Yusupoft anti M Purishtevitch. reputed to have slain the monk, Rasputin, were both arraigned today, charged with I having corresponded seditiously with General Kaledine, presumably ' in a conspiracy against the bolsheviki 1 government. _ 1 GER MArYAGENTS IN MEXICO (United Press Service) Washington, Nov. 21— (Special to, ■' Daily Democrat)— Felix Diaz has been 1 offered $300,000 personally by govern“'went agents in Mexico for a counter • I revolution against Carranza, it was y learned r.utboratatively today. Adn'ditieuai sums were promised for his I followers. Diaz is reported to be in hiding. L

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday Evening, November 21, 1917.

FUND IS GROWING Y. M. C. A. Fund from This County Will Exceed Seven Thousand Dollars. WABASH MAKES GOOD — By Reporting S7O5 —Sugar Co. Subscribed SSO to Root and Decatur. Though the drive for funds for the Y. M. ('. A. army work closed Saturday night, contributions are still coming in and reports from the various precincts are showing slightly more than the totals given in. The Holland-St. Louis Sugar Com | pany last evening subscribed fifty dollars for the Root township quota and fifty dollars for the Decatur quota, the local office receiving confirmation from the Holland office. This increase the Decatur subscription to about three hundred dollars more than the allottment and Root township goes over handsomely. From Wabash township comes the good news that the SSOO allotted ' > that part of the county goes over $205, their total being $705 for the township and town. The state which was assessed a million dollars will exceed that amount by over $300,000 according to figures from state headquarters.

TO DREDGE RIVER Meeting Held at Ft. Wayne This As ternoon to Consider Proposition. THROUGH COUNTY Improvement Will be Made in Future No Doubt But Might be Opposed Now. A meeting will be held at 1:30 oclock this afternoon in the office of the board of public works by members of that board, the board of county commissioners and Attorney Abe Simmons, of Bluffton, and 0. J. Meyers, of Celina, Ohio, for the propose of discussing the proposed dredging of the St. Mary’s river from the Ohio state line to the Allen county line. Messrs. Simmons and Meyers are representing a number of farmers near the Ohio state line, who claim that’each spring and fall they suffer heavy damage by reason ot the high water. It is proposed to dredge the rvier to the Allen county line if proper arrangements can be made, and farther into Allen county if such a thing is possible. The county commissioners are interested in the conference by reason of the fact that through th en the dredging will be done in the county. The board of works would, of course, have supervision over the dredging through the city. City Attorney Guy Colerick will also attend the conference. — Ft. Wayne Journal-Ga-zette. While there has been talk of this kind here for some time, so far as known no one from here attended the meeting. That such an improvement will come in the near future is most probable but there seems to be a feeling here from what w’e could lehrn today that this is an inopportune time to consider such a work which would mean a vast outlay of money at a time when every one is being taxed to the limit. SENDS HOLIDAY “GREENS" Bob Meibers, at Camp Shelby, Miss., sent a large box of holly from the woods there, to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Meibers and sister, Tonk. He also plans on sending mistletoe and a “Spanish web," which grows on trees there, to be used on the Christmas tree here. The web glitters like silver, and is said to make a very pret- • ty adornment. -O ■ . ! A BOX SOCIAL Miss Nell Winans, teacher at the Deßolt school, two miles south of the Washington M. E. ehurch, invites the public to the box social Friday evening, November 23.

< TT— -X h ? H v \ >|AMtRICAN REQ CROSSJg J The above is a ra<-simile of the Red Cross Christmas Seal that will brighten your letters and Christmas parcels this year, as well as raise funds to fight tuberculosis. The Decatur high school has the agency for the sales in this county and asks the help of the public in sustaining Adams county's record in work of this kind.

A SUDDEN DEATH I Comes to Mrs. George Houser, Aged Seventythree Years. DIED AT NOON TODAY Os Apoplexy — Was the Mother of Mrs. Monroe Besser. Death came suddenly today noon to Mrs. Aley Houser, wife of George Houser, residing in an apartment at the old court house building on First street. The aged couple resided alone in their apartment and Mr. Houser, on going into the house after spending a few moments outdoors, found his wife sitting at the table in the room, with her head on her arms, holding a hatchet in one hand, having attempted to cut some wood. He found her dead and the coroner, Dr. D. D. Clark, who was called, gace apoplexy as the cause of the death Mrs. Houser’s maiden name was Aley Laughrey. and she was a very highly respected lady, well liked and esteemed for her many good qualities. She was seventy-three years of age at death. Mr. Houser, who is aged and in feeble health, survives. A daughter. Pinkie, wife of R. C. Drummond, lives at South Bend; a son. Jesse, at Huntington, and a daughter. Mrs. Monroe Besser, lives on First street, this city. The Bessers had left only this morning for Hammond on business relating to their probable removal to that place. Mrs. Houser was a member of the Christian church for very many years and was a lady of great excellence.

MRS, H. LEE DEAD Nancy Niehl Lee. Wife of Henry Lee, of Eleventh Street DIED THIS MORNING Was 111 Many (Months of a Complication of mentsMrs. Nancy Diehl Lee, wife of Henry Lee, died this morning, between five and six o'clock, at the family home on Eleventh street. Mrs. Lee had been ailing a long time of heart and kidney trouble and other complications, but death came very suddenly at the last. The husband and seven children are living. The children are: Cort Stetzel, of Markle; Bessie Marquardt, of near Monroeville; Mrs. Will Ohler, east of Decatur; Flossie, at home; James and Ross, of Fort Wayne; Will, who has entered military service and is at Camp Shelby. Mrs. Lee was fifty-tw T o years of age. Q 00 YOUR

KICK ON THE HEAD Little Elzey Boy, Residing at Ossian, Died from Injuries. WELL KNOWN HERE Was Cousin of the Aaron DcVinney Family—Funeral Friday. Aaron DeVinney received a telephone call this morning from his wife, who has been visiting with a brother-in-law, Joseph Elzey and family, at Ossian, telling of the death 01 the four year old grandson, of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Elzey, the deceased b•ing a son of James Elzey and wife of that place. The little fellow’s death resulted yesterday afternoon in the hospital in Fort Wayne to which place he had been rushed following the kick on the head in the morning, by a horse. He had run into the barn to prevent seeing a chicken being killed by his moth er, who was preparing it for dinner. The body of the little boy was taken to the Joseph Elzey home in Ossian from the For Wayne hospital and the funeral will be Friday.

HELP IS ASKED Adams County is Asked to Raise a Thousand Dollars for Fund for WORK AMONG WOMEN Fund Being Raised by the Young Woman’s Christian Association. Adams county's quota of the Young Women's Christian Association wat fund is SI,OOO and the campaign here will be launched by Mrs. Mary E. Artman, secretary of the Adams county council ot defense and leader of the woman's war work in the county. The need of this fund is explained in the following issued by a paper <:l the Y. W. C. A.: “The war work council of the na tional board of the Young Woman’s 1 Christian Association has voted to raise a budget of $4,000,000 for work among women and girls in communities adjoining United States training camps and mobilization centers, in munition factories employing girls and in foreign countries affected by the war. “The attention of the officers of the army and of the Y. M. C. A. is center ed on the men within the camps. It is essentially a woman’s problem to safeguard and protect the girls outside the camps. “The organization, which in times •>)' peace and under ordinary circumstances is able to carry out a program, is naturally the one to which the com munity may turn in time of emerg ency. “The Young Women’s Christian Association has the machinery, the equip ment and the motive to make this work effective. “Copy of letter to the chairman of the national board from the chairman of the war department commissions, on training camp activities: "War Department Commission, on Training in Camp Activities, “Washington, D. C., June 1, 1917 “Dear Mrs. Speer: "In behalf of the Commission on Training Camp Activities appointed by the Secretary of War. I want to ask the Young Women’s Christian Association to furnish, if it will, expert women workers with girls to act as advisers to committees representing local communities in the neighborhood of training camps and to help train local workers. The exact number of such experts that will be needed and their several locations cannot be stated until other resources have been ascertained, but we shall probably call upon you for not less than thirty. "Yours very truly. “(Signed) JOSEPH LEE."

VISITS IN CHICAGO. Mrs Al Burdg has returned from Chicago, where she visited with her son. Dick, and his wife. Dick holds a fine position there In the offices of the Vacuum Oil company, being assistant manager. Mrs. Burdg also visited with Mr. and Mrs. Bart France. Earl Burdg and family and James Mills and family. THANKSGIVING BAZAAR. The Ladies’ Aid society of the Methodist < hurt h at Pleasant Mills will give a Thanksgiving bazaar, parcel post sale and lunch or supper at Boner's garage. Wednesday evening, November 28. Every one come and enjoy yourself.

TO LOCAL FIRM Council Awards .Jackson Street Improvement to Fisher & Butler. TO BUILD A FENCE Around Swimming Pool— Third Street Improvement Taken Care of. The city council in regular session last evening received scaled bids f.n the construction and improvement of Jackson street, from Fifth, east to the intersection of First street, with ce went curb and sidewalk. Fisher Butler, a local contracting firm were the only bidders present and upon motion the contract was awarded tr them. The street and sewer committee was ordered to enter into the regtt lar contract with them. Upon the petition from (property owners the electric light committee was ordered to look after the erectior of an arc light at the corner of Indiana and Seventh streets. The clerk was ordered to draw nis warrant on the city treasurer for $15,000 payable to the secretary of the school board. The street and sewer committee re ported as having entered into a con tract with Henry Stevens for the builc ing of the Lehrman sewer. Their re port was approved and spread or record. Dr. Thomas presented the counci’ with a petition asking that some act ion he taken in the matter of the Third street improvement. The stree and sewer committee together witl the city engineer were ordered t< look after the improvement. Owinf to the fact that stone cannot be obtained at this time the improvement cannot be completed this year. The electric light committee was ordered to build a fence around th< public swimming pool at file water works park. The matter of deriving at a settle ment of certain water and light bilb was discussed, followed by the allow ing of the bills by the finance commit tee. Adjournment was then in order. D. F. Tee pie $ 5f L. L. Baumgartner 37.5 f M. E. Hower 3.64 John Meyer 28.(10 Henry Schultz 8.7 r O. Heller 5.14 Isaac Chronister 32.5( J. I). McFarland • 2.00 Street Com. pay roll 151.“ T Polise pay roll 70.00 City Firemen 67.>0 Decatur Steam Laundry .... 1.7( Waterworks pay roll 48.t’6 M. JI Mylott pay roll 162.50 L. W. Franks 439.9’ Wayne Belting Co 8.37 A. C. Foos pay roll 270.50 , Ft. Wayne Oil & Supply Co. .. 13.30 D. F. Teeple 4 ‘ 3 i D. F. Teeple 10.1" National Mill Supply Co 28.52 ' Wells Fargo &Co 513 Protective Elec. Supply Co. .. 24.50 i Adams Express Co 1,1 I Board Election Com 36 , G. R. &I-RR- Co 4501 , 7 . Otto H. Hedrich &Co 507.01 T. St. L. & W. R. R. Co 479-23 ; Power Coal Co 114 ’’ ■ Croul Co 389.62 Edwards & Brodford Co Adams Express Co Alberger Pump Co 347 00 John Thomas 160.41 Ed L. Kintz 40.90 Emerson Beavers 37.90 F. V. Mills 39.15 Fred Hancher 34.40 O. L. Vance 37.90 Herman Ehinger 38.80 Central Rubber & Supply Co. . 12.64

Price, Two Centfl

THROWN UNDER CAR WHEELS Mrs. S. I). High, of Thirteenth Street, Met Instant Death AT AN EARLY HOUR Buggy Tipped and Threw Occupants Under Approaching Car. Mrs. S. D. High, of S. Thirteenth street, met instant death this morning about five-thirty o’clock when tho buggy in which she and her husband were driving to the sugar factory, where he is employed, tipped and threw both occupants under the interurban car as it was coming in from the car barns to leave soon thereafter on its first run to Fort Wayne. Mrs. High was thrown directly under the cAr and one wheel had partially run over her body before it was backed off, freeing her. Instant death undoubtedly ensued. The body was cut nearly in two across the abdomen; the right arm was crushed half way to the elbow; the left leg crushed from the ankle to the knee; the he:t<l •rushed, the scalp hanging by a mere shred and the coroner, Dr. D. D. Clark, said nearly every bone in the body >vas broken. The remains were taken to the Murray Scherer morgue and prepared "or burial. The car was in charge of motorman, C. L. Meibers and was being backed • from the car barns to the interurban Ration. At the rear of the ear, or the ront end of the reversed car. which was headed toward the station stood p lnk Ball, night man at the car barns. He saw the approaching disaster, and zavo the alarm to the moforman at he back end of the car. who stopped t as soon as possible. Il happened oo suddenly, however, to prevent t l io lisaster. Mr. and Mrs. High were driving torth on Second street and were ju v -t tpproaching the bend at the north nill. Mr. High, it is said, drew one of ‘he reins of the horse to turn the buggy aside, from the track on which ■ante the car. but evidently pulled the wrong one. drawing the horse and buggy onto the track. The buggy tipped over, the car striking the top and breaking it off. As the buggy tipped, Mrs. High either jumped or was thrown onto the track in front of the ■ar. Mr. High was also thrown on the track, striking his head on the rail tnd indicting a cut. He received minor injuries but was not badly hurt. Mrs. High was about thirty-seven years of age. She and her husband have resided here a number of years, Mrs. High being a native of Virginia. They resided on a small tract of land on S. Thirteenth street at the edge of tlie city, and were engaged in gardening. There are no children. FORCED FALSE CONFESSION (Unlti-d Press Service) Chicago. Nov. 21 —(Special to Daily Democrat)-— John Henry Langman who baited a coroner's inquest by declaring policemen had forced him to confess he had poisoned his foster father and mother by "beating him t|> was expected to lie formally charged with murder today. Langman denied that the admissions made in his confession were true. In it, he had implicated his present foster mother, Mrs. Margherita Langman; John Kigas. the latter's son by h t first marriage and Philip Kaufman, a boarder at the lomgman home. Mrs. Langman is under arrest and warrants are to be issued for the others. TELEGRAPHER FOILS YEGGS. (United Press Ser-'ce) Dexter. Mich. Nov. 21—(Special to Daily Democrat)—ln Nick Carter style. Telegrapher Hart at the. Michigan Central Depot here, foiled a gang of yeggs in their attempt to rob the Dexter bank early today. He threw a semaphore, stopping a train after all wires out ot tho city had been cut. The bandits escaped without entering the bank. DR. BURNS ON VISIT Dr. Elizabeth Burns has gone 'o Minneapolis. Minn., for a visit and will not be in her office until December first.