Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 15, Number 281, Decatur, Adams County, 26 November 1917 — Page 1

Volume XV. Number 281.

j HUNS ARE FRANTIC Picked German Regiments Sent Time After Time to be SlaughteredITALY ON OFFENSIVE Italians Gain Offensive in Last 48 Hours—Petain Strikes from Verdun. (United Press Service) i (By William P. Simms, United Press Staff Correspondent) With the British Armies in the I field, Nov. 28—(Special to Democrat) 1 Picked German troops perished like I flies in the hand to hand fighting | around Bourlon village today. Fighting with almost insane frenzy, I they doggedly advanced in the face I of terrific fire. They were stopped in I their tracks by exhaustion. The BritI ish positions are holding steadily I against the onslaught weilding their I bayonets with desperate effect. The I ruined town of Boulon was a shamble I. of blood, mangled bodies, of smoking I ruins. The small bold which the ■ Germans kept on the town was a fearII ful cost in men. BULLETIN With the British Armies in the field, s Nov. 26—(Special to Daily Democrat) ■ —The sixth day of General Byng's ■ great drive today saw Cambrai and ■ Queant both wobbling from the great I ■ crack in the Hindenburg lines and the ■ everlasting batteries of the British K troops. ■ The Crown Prince Rupprecht’s garH rison at Queant. head of the "switch line” is directly imperilled. The town' ■ is almost surrounded. ■ Cambrai is useless to the enemy. K Today it had been cut off from Queant ■by the British hold on Bourlon village. P The Queant defenders, therefore, had K- only a precarious line of eotnmunications to the north. . The dominating heights of Bourlon have been saturated with German blood spilled in mad assaults to take this promontory. Whoever holds Bour| ■ lon wood holds a constant menaoc Rover the land for miles on either side. ■The wood itself has been literally ■ blasted away. The village is a crumbling powder of ruins. The whole German sector is rocking with the shock I of impact of the British battering ram. i Ottawa, Ont., Nov. 26—(Special to K I|aily Democrat) — The following Americans apear in the week-end cas- | ualties lists today: Killed in action—J. C. Castleman. K Detroit; A. G. Ayres, Great Falls,' Mont.; Hubert Sharp, Detroit; J. M. Adams, Swantown, U. S. A.; Richard . Cox, Los Angeles; Charles Allary, K Adams Island. Ky. Died of wounds—Charles Thompson f St. Louis; W. F. Harrington, Rapid' 'City, S. D. Wounded—A. Tinhart, Chicago; W. F. Harrington, Rapid City, S. D.; Alfred Silvester, Fortuna, Cal.; Ralph ■ (Watkins, Niles, 0.; Thorstein Benson, ■Pembina, N. D.; Riner Larsen, West I Branch, Ta.; and William Kelly, CoK lunibia, O. | Amsterdam. n” _ 26-( Special to II Daily Democrat)— Germany has again j & attempted to detach Japan from tliCj ■ allies and again been refused, accord-, * Ing to word reaching here today. lt| ■ was reported the Germans ottered Kta-j iochao to Japan and announced their, ■willingness to discuss the. future of oc- ( Kcupied islands in the Pacific as tie | price of Japan’s retirement from toe B war. Paris Nov. 26— (Special to Daily Fnemocnm-«•*••• I of all gains over first and second I German lines between Samogneux | and Anglemont in the offensive of Pe- | tain’s troops yesterday, was reported 1 today. All German ™ untP,^ rU8 p . were repulsed. The war office re | ported active artillerytng on bo sides in the whole right Meuse bank i sector, particularly north of Hill 344. I Around Bezonvaux a German raid was repulsed. I Petrograd. to the Daily Democrat)-— Abolition of all titles of nobility was announced in an order by the bolsheviki government today. The same Prodamatlon announced confiscation of all corporate property of nobles, merchants and burgesses Petrograd, to Daily Democrat)—Fraternization of

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

| j Russian and enemy troops south ol | Narotch lake, near the villages ot Skrobovu and Obokhovscht. him- was announced in Sunday's headquarters' . st “' ( 'ment received here today. " ith the Italian Armies, Nov. 26 (Special to Daily Democrat)— The crucial battle across the 11 mile gap between the Brenta and the Plave livers was swinging in Italy’s favor ; today. I he fighting is indescribably bitter. Ihe armies have been locked in a death grapple almost continually for days. The Italians are not only winning defensive; but in the past 48 hours have assumed the offensive. I heir great guns have poured an almost ceaseless rain of shells on the German and Austrian lines. In two weeks it is estimated the enemy has lost fifty thousand men. So far there has been no diminution in his attacks. Reinforcement after reinforcement has been hurried up and flung into the line. One ridge in the. mountainous line changed hands three times yesterday, its rocky contour blasted away by the terrific artillery fire of both sides. Italian aviators fluttering close over the enemy's lines have performed won derful service in locating German and Austrian batteries. Their ranging has given the Italian guns an opportunity for deadly accurate shooting. Over one position behind the ridge today Italian troops swarmed over ;o discover many of the enemy guns blasted out of their emplacements. No effort is made to disguise the fact that the situation for Italy in the enemy's drive is still serious but the morale of the army, officers and men is' perhaps the best it has ever | been during the war and the most complete confidence is expressed of ultimate victory. Ijondon, Nov. 26 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —The most vital week of the war began today. On the outcome of events in the next seven days may depend whether the allies shall triumph before the spring of ISIS or the war drag further along. This week marks the first really practical determined effort at general unification, coordination and intensification of allied war making to cope with Germany's advantages of geoi graphical location and supercentralized control. 1 London, Nov. 26—(Special to Daily Democrat)—General Retain backed up Field Marshal Haig today. While Germany was desperately combing her lines for reinforcements to stem the tide of the British advance on Cam brai, France struck a sharp, sudden blow out of Verdun. First and second lines of enemy defense positions and 800 prisoners captured were the net results of this mighty localized attack over a front of more than two miles. The ground taken was in a ' highly important sector of the enemy lines between Samogneaux. north < f t hill 344. Strong fighting was -eported in progress today. Along the British front, Byng’s war machine was still forcing the fighting around Cambrai. Spurred by Hindenburg’s demands that the all-important high ground around Bourlong be retaken at all costs, Crown Prince Rupprecht was violently counter-attacking the British advanced lines. Positions has been taken and retak en a dozen times around here—but the British grip in Bourlon wood itself was unshaken. The less important village of Bourlon was half Ger--1 man and half British with desperate 1 fighting progressing over its ruins. Field Marshal Haig reported today that since utter failure of the German attacks at midday yesterday around I Bourlon the enemy had not repeated 1 the assault there. ""fuTn ER A L SER VICE - For the Late Benjamin P. Rice Conducted Today. The bodv of the late Benjamin I Rice was laid to rest this afternoon in the Decatur cemetery following a service at two o'clock at the Methodist church, when the Rev. F. F. Thornburg gave a sermon of sympathy and comfort. The musical service was given by a quartet, comprising Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Walters, Mrs. 0. 11. Odell and W. F. Beery, with Miss Celia Andrews organ accompanist. Pall bearers were A. H. > Sellemeyer, James Fristoe, Dan Er1. win, J. H. Heller, Dal Hower and F. 1 F. Mills. Many from out of town at- • tended the funeral. ’ "a THANK OFFERING ’ A special thank offering was taken yesterday by the local U. B- church, 3 raising the sum of 1140 to be applied f on a church debt.

Decatur, Indiana, Monday Evening, November 26, 1917.

• RED CROSS WORK V - Mrs. Daniel to Have Charge 0 of Christmas Drive in Adams County. r TO LEAVE TONIGHT 4 1 For Indianapolis — State 4 Red Cross Wants Marsh Three Days a Week. Mrs. Emma Daniel of this city has 5 been selected to take charge of the ’ Christinas' Red Cross membership cam ’ paign and has accepted. She will leave tonight for Indianapolis to at--1 tend a meeting of the county managers from over the state, to be held ! there tomo< row. The job is a big one • and is a part of the national drive to ! secure fifteen million members. Mrs. Daniels will do every thing possible and with the cooperation of the wo--1 men of the county the campaign will I be a big success. The work is to bo • done by the women who will organize ■ similar to the plan used by the mon a few weeks ago. Mrs. Daniel has ' done a big service in her work as ' chairman of the “socks for soldiers" committee and she will leave nothing undone to make this drive a winner. With your help she can do so. A. F. Bentley, director of Red Cross for Indiana has written the Decatur chapter, thanking them for suggesting the service of Rev. Paul Marsh, who has already done a great service that is appreciated by the state organization. They ask that the local chapter aid them in securing the services of Rev. Marsh for at least three days a week during the winter. The local chapter has also sent Miss Marie Connell to assist in outside work and the recognition shows that the Decatur chpater is making headway in the great work. TO HIGHER COURT H I I “ • ’ ' ■ ’ The Case Against Julius ■H - Haugk Will be Taken to the APPELLATE COURT Defendant Excepts to Having New Trial Granted the Plaintiff. The Portland Sun says: “‘The suit on bond and accounting brought here from Adams county and tried . some weeks ago, in which the First National bank of Fort Wayne sought judgment for $16,600 against Julius Haugk, will be carried to the appellate court. The jury before which the case was submitted held for the defendant after several days’ trial. On Saturday morning Judge McGriff' sustained a motion of the plaintiff for a new trial on the cause and later passed on a motion of the plaintiff to dismiss the suit, sustaining it ' also. Exceptions were immediately ' filed by the defendant and a prayer ’ for an appeal to the higher court was granted. During the trial of the case when attorneys were waxing warm i in their legal fight, Judge Vesey, one 1 of the plaintiff concern’s counsel, irriI fated by a remark of counsel for the defense, moved the court to dismiss the case. The statute gives any plaintiff this right at any time during the progress of the trial. The court understood the motion to be one to withdraw the case from the jury and . overruled it. No exceptions were i taken at the time by the plaintiff i bank and not until a motion for a new - trial was made, after the jury had '. found for the defense, was the alleg- - ed error of the court again mention--1 ed. Attorneys for the defense coni’ tend that the fact that no exceptions i, were taken and that the attorneys ', for the plaintiff bank went ahead •- with the trial of the case, finally arI. guing it before the jury, constitutes •- a waiver of the error. The question of costs will arise in the case also." “wedding PARTY HERE After the wedding of Edwin Bauer and Clara Lehrman, well known parti ties residing northeast of the city, i, yesterday, the wedding party came to d this city where they had their pictures taken at the Erwin studio.

J GIRL IS BORN L A girl baby was born this morning at six o'clock to Mr. and Mrs. Will Berling, of Bluffton, nt the St. Joseph I hospital. Fort Wayne This is their second child, tho older being a boy. Mrs. Borling was Miss Edna Ehingcr and is the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. X. Ehinger. J EXAMINATION FOR POSTMASTER Clyde Zimmerman'Jipplieant for the post mastership at Hwgland. took the ' examination here Saturday of tin- local branch of the eivif service commission, of which Georft Everett is secretary. HER THREE SONS I ■ — Hattiesburg (Miss.) American Pays Tribute to Decatur Mother. I MRS. ANNA M’CONNELL Who is Visiting With Her Three Sons at Camp Shelby. The Hattiesburg (Miss.) American of date of last Friday, says: "If all the mothers in the United States were like Mrs. Frank McConnell. of Decatur. Ind., the United States would never haan Dad to draft any men for army eel-vice. Mrs. McConnell is here now. having come down on the Fort Wayne special, which brought nearly a hundred and fifty Indiana men and women to visit the camp and the boys. But Mrs. McConnell had more to attract her here than the most of them, for her three sons, Joseph L., Fred and Edward, all are members of Battery A. 139th field artillery. “ ’I am glad to have my boys do their bi|.’ she said yesterday. 'I have three more boys at home, the oldest being thirteen years of age. and all of them' are'Rnxioc.s to go.' ■ “Mrs. McConnell is the proud i>ossessor and wearer of a service pin. adorned with three stars. She stated that there is another family, neighbors of hers, who have three sons in the same company with the McConnell three. They are Frank. Carroll and Cass. Bacon, all of Decatur." o . - . .. - HIT THE BULL’S EYE. • The big Thanksgiving shooting match will be held in the Sether building on North Second street, beginning in the morning and continuing until sundown. The public is invited to attend. Chickens and other “fine feathered birds” will be given the marksmen who hit the bull’s eye. Join the crowd in the Sether building and win one of the prizes. OFFICERS~NAMED A. E. Harbin, Superintendent of Geneva Schools, Heads THE ORGANIZATION Monroe Selected as the Next Meeting Place for Teachers. A. E. Harbin, superintendent of the Geneva schools, was selected as the president of the Adams County Teachers’ Association for 1918, at the close of the institute held here, Saturday afternoon. Prof. J. D. Sarig, principal of the Decatur schools was made vice president; and Miss Elizabeth Peterson, of the Decatur schools, secretary. . The next annual meeting will be at . Monroe the last Saturday before i Thanksgiving. i Resolutions commending the teachl ers now in U. S. military service; com- - mending the unity and harmony » among the members of the teachers’ association; and thanking the instructors of the institute for their excellent instructions, were adopted. County Agricultural Agent Overton r gave a fine talk in the afternoon relafive to the way that the teaching of ’. agriculture may be made interesting o in the public schools; and Prof. Rette ger gave a talk on "Wanted: A | Teacher.”

SHOULDER STRAPS 1 Eli W. Peterson Commissioned First Lieutenant— Ordered to ('amp Travis. BOARD OF PHYSICIANS Named as Advisory Organization for This County— Three Attorneys. The commissions will be presented to the successful candidates at Fort Benjamin Harrison tomorrow for the second officers training school. So far the official list of winners has not been announced but semi-official statements show that among those who won out were Ed Jackson, secretary of state, who gets a captaincy; Eli W. Peterson of this city, who will be made a first lieutenant and orders to Camp Travis; Lewis U Rupert, of Fort Wayne and well known here is made first lieutenant and ordered io Fort Dodge, lowa. Dr. Joseph R. Eastman, chairman and Dr. Charles P. Emerson and Dr. Elbert E. Stern as the appointive board have recommended to E. 11. Crowder, provost marshal-generaa) at Washington the names of three physicians for each county in Indiana to serve as medical advisory board for the local national military board, selecting for Adams county Dr. J. S. Boyers, chairman and Dr. H. F. Costello and Dr. S. D. Beavers. The appointive board of attorneys in Adams county who will name the committee to include a large number of professional men who will assist the drafted men in filling out the Qutstlonaire incites Judge D. E. Smith, chairman. J. C. Moran and D. B. Erwin. INSTANT “DEATH -fi; - ii Met by Samuel Jones, Sey-enty-nine, When Struck by Train. ON C. & E. RAILROAD Was Serving as Watchman at the Mercer Avenue Crossing. Samuel Jones, 79, well known man about town, was instantly killed Saturday evening about five o’clock at the Mercer avenue crossing, when he was struck by a freight train on the Chicago & Erie railroad. His neck was broken and lie suffered the fracture of many bones of the body, his body being thrown some distance. Mr. Jones, it is said, had been serving several days as watchman at the Mercer avenue crossing in the absence of Thomas Teeple, who is ill. At the time of the impending accident he had stepped from the track, on which a passenger train had gone, stepping onto the other in the way of the freight. The body was taken to the Yager Brothers’ & Reinking morgue and prepared for burial. A son, Freeman Jones, of Bryant, came Saturday evening, returning to his home at eleven o’clock that night, with the body, from which place the funeral will be held. A sad feature is that Mr. Jone’s son-in-law’, the husband of a daughter living at Pennville, was dead at the time, the funeral being held yesterday Mr. Jones was well known about the i town and county, having been agent for a fence support for many years. • At one time he made his home with - the Joe Hower family, and at the time ' of his death, had been staying with ’ Albert Hudson, on Sixth street. Mr. Jones was seventy-nine years, t four months and twenty-seven years of age. He has a number of sons and i daughters. Mr. Jones several years ago was r employed in the hoop, mill at Louis- ; ville. Ky.. in which 0. A. Christen, of - this city, had an interest, and it was . at that time that he suffered (he ampuj tation of a hand.

BAZAAR OPENS TUESDAY The three day bazaar to be given under the auspices of the St. Mary’s sodality of the St. Mary’s church w'll I open Tuesday evening at the Knights of Columbus hall, and a general invitation is extended to everybody. Supper will lie served each evening b< ginning at five o’clock and during the j balance of the evening attractions will be plentiful. There will bo doll baby j booths, country stores and stands of all sorts. Thanksgh ing day dinner will be served for the small price of thirty-live cents. During the day n shooting match will be held in the Sether building on North Second street. INCREASED PRICE In Meat Substitutes Warranted in Some Cases, Says Dr. Barnard. GOVERNMENT REQUEST For Sailors Takes Many from Fishing Boats— Wages Soaring. Indianapoli:,. Nov. 26 —Reports of alleged "profiteering" in meat substitutes, including oysters, lobsters and all sorts of fish shipped from eastern points, have reached the office of the state food administrator. Dr. Harry E. Barnard. Many of these indicate .in advance of as high as twenty per cent over recent quotations, and it is suggested that steps lie taken by the food administration to prevent this additional charge. Investigaiion by the food administrator has disclosed, however, that the advance in these prices is justified, in some instances, at least in a measure. As always happens a fewdealers have seen a chance to add to their personal gains because of circumstances over whicli they have no control, but for the most parttherela tives have simply added the increa-L-d wholesale price to the retail figures ; j'Because of the government’s demand for sailors, fishermen who are naturally the first seamen available, are beinft taken from the fishing boats and fleets along the Atlantic. The re suit is that many fishing boats have gone out of commission and many more are insufficiently manned. Wagbs have leaped upward very sharp ly and deep sea fishermen say that th'ejr margin of profit is smaller even with the increased wholesale prices they have been privileged to charge than gvfore the wage advance. Dr. Barnard, state administrator, emphasizes this truth, however: Even with the increased price, fish are cheaper than meat and it is the patriotic duty of every citizen to substitute for beef, pork and fats. The Indiana State Council of De sense has directed county councils to report in excessive prices for any com modifies, and will promptly bring facts before officials of the department of justice where there is proof cf profiteering. Advances in the price of shipped fish, oysters and lobsters, at this time, however, cannot be so described, Dr. Barnard says.

DR. BOYERS TO TEACH Dr. J. S. Boyers will instruct the First Aid class tonight at the office of Di‘. W. E. Smith. Dr. Smith, who is out of town on account of sickness and death will be at his office Tuesday Dr. Smith has been attending the funeral of his brother-in-law, Sinton Grosse, of Marietta. O„ whose death resulted from septic poisoning following an injury. He was a young mnn and was a graduate of Ohio university. Details of, the death were unknown here at this time.

LARDLESS BREAD ' According to a statement made yea- . terday by A. H. Perfect, wholesale grocer, no more lard will he used In bread by any bakers after December , 10. This is one of the conservation , movements of which the government has taken charge in an effort to save fats as much as possible for the allies and for the manufacture of munitions. —Ft. Wayne Journal Gaette. PILGRIM'S PROGRESS Fine steroptican views, showing Bunyan’s ’‘Pilgrim’s Progress", accompanied by a fine lecture by the [ Rev. W. Pau! Marsh were given at the Christian church last evening to tin 1 appreciative audience.

Price, Two Cents

DISTRICT K. OF P. ! i Pythian Knights oMhree Counties Will Meet Here ON NEXT FRIDAY The Ninth Annual District Meeting Will be Held— Good Program. Decatur Knights of Pythias, will next Friday, November 30, be hosts to the K. of P. ot the distiict, at th. ir ninth annual meeting. This district includes the ten lodges in the counties of Wells, Blackford and Adams, which are located at the following places and with the following membership: Wells county—Bluffton, 368 members; Tocsin. 104; Ossian, 146; Uniondale. 85. Blackford county— Hartford City, 167; Montpelier. 165; Roll, 120. Adams county—Decatur 207; Geneva, 120; Berne, 365. Frank J. Heller, of Columbia City, who is grand chancellor, and his district deputy. O. E. Lesh, of Bluffton, will preside at the two sessions. Tito afternoon meeting will be an open one, to which everybody is invited. The evening meeting will’be a closed session. The second rank will be conferred at this time, on two candidates who will be given the first rank at the meeting held here Wednesday. The Blackford county lodges will give the work. < The various committees on arrangements are preparing to entertain a large number of visitors. The program follows: Afternoon Program, 1:30 (Open Meeting( Frank J. Heller. Grand Chancellor, presiding. Invocation —Rev. J. G. Butler. Quartette— Pythian Quartette t Decatur. Address of Wolronie— D. B. Erwin, Decatur. Response— ttev. W T Arnold, Bluffton. Appointment of Committees. Reading—Mrs. Fay Smith Knapp, Decatur. Address —Mrs. Florence Bain, Decatur. Insurance Address —Harry Wade. In dianapolis. Address— Monroe. Wiley, Warren, Indiana. Adjournment. Evening Program, 7:00, prompt (Closed Session) Opening of Special Convention. Kekionga Lodge. No. 65. Decatur, O. r’., Lesh, D. D. G. C., presiding. Exemplification of Secret Work. Roll Call of Lodges by Grand Keeper of Records and Seal—Robert A. Brown. Quartette— Pythian Quartette of Decatur. Address—Grand Chancellor. Frank J. Heller, Columbia City. Report of Committees. Conferring Rank of Esquire—Blackford County Lodges. Closing in Due Form—Kekionga Ixtdge, No. 65, Decatur.

SCHUG DRAIN SOLD The contract for the building of the Rudolph Schug drain in Hartford town ship was awarded Saturday morning by County Surveyor Orvall Harruff to Harry Meshberger. on his bid of $2700. Other bids filed were W M. Strickler, $2739.00: Bieberstilie & Son. $2925.00. Work will commence on the construction and Surveyor Harruff will be the superintendent of construction. ELECTION IS HELD The United Brethren Sunday school

elected the following officers yesterday: Superintendent. Ross Hayes; assistant superintendent, Roy Mumma: superintendent primary department, Mrs. C. E. Baughman: treasurer Isaac Nelson: secretary, Earl Hoagland: pianist. Zelma Nelson; chorister Zelna Stevens. <stop-— -55 Only 29 J? More Days TO SHOP