Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 15, Number 283, Decatur, Adams County, 29 November 1917 — Page 1

Volume XV. Number 283.

iTALIANS SMASH German’s First and Second Lines —Enemy Suffers Tremendous Losses. SEVERE FIGHTING Wrecks Cambrai and Bourlon Wood—Best Men Fed to British Steel. (ITnltert Press Service) (Ry John H. Hearley, United Press Staff Correspondent)

Rome, Nov. 28—(Special to Daily Democrat)—Within the last 24 hours Italian troops, assuming the offensive, have smashed German first and second lines inflicting tremendous losses on the invader. The announcement was made here today. Details of the victory are withheld for the present. The news was cited as evidence of the growing strength of the Italian army, its complete rehabilitation and as an illustration that the enemy’s most powerful efforts to break the Piave mountain line have been utterly fruitless. With French and British aid now rapidly approaching the front, Rome looks for a decisive strategic step of vast importance. (Ry William Philip Simms, United Press staff correspondent.) With the British Armies in the field, I Nov. 28 —(Special to Daily Democrat)! —Crown Prince Rupprecht fed th< usands of his best men into the reeking maw of the British lion today.

The Prussians seldom fought with such desperation as they battled last night and early today—vainly, blood ily, frantically striving to wrest Bourlon wood from the British. The wood is a mere bundle of sticks now. Its great trees have literally been splintered by high explosives, smashed down by tanks, uprooted by shells. What used to be a pleasant grove, of grateful shade, is now a bare, scrawny hump. 3,000 by 2,500 yards out of the saliant, shoved forward into the very vitals of the German line. Its very base must by now be soaked with the blood of fighting that has raged over its top. This dispatch is written just after my return from a sight of Cambrai. The buildings of the prize city are visible pven in today’s thick weather, from where the British line stocks its steel menacingly forward. | As this great artillery duel roared, there was a sudden cyclone blast of rattling. We peered over No Man's Land to see six British planes swooping, swerving and careening, it seemed almost touching the heads of the Germansj just aerbss. "flheir machine guns spat venomously while they raked the lines. They were far too low for the German anti-aircraft guns to touch them —and they moved too fast for the surprised Germans to twist their machine guns upward and fire at them. Down along the line they zig-zagged, like angry hornets. Then j came more —three together, a couple —half a dozen — one lone one. Throughout tho late afternoon they kept it up until darkness erased the line of the enemy trenches. Near midnight the Prussians flung themselves on the wood —then firmly held by the British. At the precise moment of their attempt, British flares illuminated every man in their massed ranks —transfixed them momentarily by the brilliance of the light Then came the roar of machine guns - literally as one voice of death, that sliced the massed shadows into quivering, twisting, groaning groups while

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

other knots ran bark, vainly trying to outspeed the searching shower of lead. bulletin I London, Nov. 28-(Bpeclal to Dailv ( n*>mocrat)- Artillerylng was all Field Marshal Haig reported from the Cambrai front today. "In the neighborhood of Bourlon wood." he said, "there was hostile artillerylng at night, but no infantry actions. "East ami north of Ypres there was hostile artillerylng.’" BULLETIN Tokio, Nov. 28—(Special to Daily Democrat)—The Pacific Mail steamer I hor, bound to Vokohoma from Stn irancisco, has been sunk, according to word reaching here today. No details were given. BULLETIN Washington, Nov. 28—(Special to Daily Democrat)—Sixty-three men ini throe lifeboats are still mising from' the torpedoed American steamer Ac-' taeon, according to navy department messages today. Ono boat load of 20 was landed at Cape Finlsterre. i’ress dispatches previously repotted 21 survivors landed in Spain nut did not state how many were in the three missing boats. The crew of the

I Actaeon, formerly the German steam- ’ ship Adamsturm seized at the opening ■of the war. was unofficially reported j to consist of 58 men including 31 Amer leans. There was a naval gun crew of 13 men aboard and possibly others.

London, Nov. 28—(Special to Daily Democrat)—"The Italian crisis is pas--1 sed," declared Gen. Maurice, director of operations today. The credit is i due to the Italians alone. I "The Cambrai attack." the general continued, "resulted in our capture ! of 11.000 prisoners more than 100 guns ' and about 70 square miles. The enemy was forced to use many more of its divisions, we had no definite objective but merely intended to go as ! far as possible. We gained more than Haig expected. So far there have been no appreciable withdrawal from the Russian front. Jerusalem will not fall without another battle. We must bring up scattered forces. | fresh guns and munition, there are difficulties in the advance and the sur ( rounding territory which will delay the division, to enable the enemy to bring up their rear guard and make a , stand.”

— | With the British Armies in the field.' Nov. 28—(Special to Daily Democrat) ' —The Germans uncorked a country full of gas, asphyxiating vapor was distributed by German guns over a wide area immediately back of the .British position. No damage was done 1 and the. shell gave them no advantage . As this dispatch is cabled the British . line has aparently shifted west cf Fountaine Notre Dame but positions in Bourlon wood are standing secure despite the enemies most desperate efforts. BULLETIN Amsterdam. Nov. 28-Peace demon I strations have occurred in Berlin and Budapest, according to reports reaching here today. Police in both cities. | ' it was declared, had clashed with the peecc advocates. II ~ bulletin ' (By Joseph Shaplen. United Press staff correspondent.) . Stockholm. Nov. 28— (Special to .Daily Democrat)— Six hundred killed . a t Kieff and 150 Russian army officers | slaughtered at Moscow were additions , t 0 the bloody deeds of violence by , which the bolsheviki gained control . in Russia according to word brought out of Petrograd by a credible Russian citizen today. The noting at Kieff lasted over six days It was a veritable reign ofter- . ro r. The bolsheviki now have comi plete control of the city. -

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday Morning, November 29, 1917.

IN FULL SWING Is (he Bazaar Being: Conducted by Ladies of St. Mary’s Church AT THE K. OF C. HALL VV ill Close Tomorrow— Many Attractions Delight Bij? Crowds.

The bazaar is on in full swing at the K. ot C. hall and great crowds are In evidence, enjoying the many pleasures | of the country store, the fishing ponds, ■ the doll, candy, refreshment booths, the fancy work displays, and the music and many other attractions. The bazaar opened last evening! with a record breaking attendance! and the stocks were sold out rapidly to be replaced with other attractive things from the great supply on hand." Today is children’s day. when the school children, in charge of the tea 'llers, visited the hall, and its many I attractions.

Supper will again be served tonight and tomorrow night. The refreshments were so delicious last night, and so great was the demand, that more could have been sold. A bigger supply will be prepared for today and tomorrow. The doll popularity contest will close tomorrow, when a fine doll will be given to some little girl. Last evening several gifts were distributed. Richard Miller was given a quilt; Frances Deininger a knitting bag: a traveling salesman, some towels; Albert Colchin, a teddy bear combination suit. Several will be distributed tonight also. The parcels post department is a popular one, and another big "mail order" will be on for tonight. The public is cordially invited to come. There, is no charge for admittance.

ELECT OFFICERS Mrs. Ralph Miller is Elected Noble Grand of THE REBEKAH LODGE Staff is Named for the Half Year—Take Chairs First of the Year. Officers to serve for a half year were elected last, evening by the local Rebekah lodge. They will take the chair the first of the year. Other officers to be appointed, will be named later by the noble grand. Those elected last evening are: Noble Grand —Mrs. Ralph Miller.

Vice Grand—Mrs. Olen Baker. Financial secretary— Miss Della ! Harruff. Recording secretary— Miss Nell Winnes. Trustee —Mrs. Amos Yoder. Treasurer —Mrs. Burt Hunsicker. —o— — DR. HOFFMAN VERY ILL Dr. S. P. Hoffman who has been very seriously ill since Sunday, is rest ing somewhat easier today, but 's still very weak from the subsiding of his high fever, his temperature, registering one. hundred four and threefifths at one time. His attending physician gives as his opinion that he is suffering from sepsis poisoning, the ; result of an infection. Mrs. Searenger is the nurse in charge. FUNERAL FRI DAY. The funeral of Mrs. Oscar Dankenau will be held Friday afternoon at two o’clock from the home on South Third street. Rev. F. F. Thornburg, of the Methodist church, will officiate and burial will be in the Decatur cemetery. The pall bearers will be selected from the Birthday club. THANKSGIVING VACATION. The public schools will dismiss this evening for the Thanksgiving vacation which will extend over the remainder of the week, school taking up again next Monday.

FAKE ACCOUNTING SYSTEMS Indianapolis, Nov. 28- The Indiana State Council of Defense Ims In on asked by the federal farm loan board ’o warn farmers of Indiana against the latest graft being attempted In various parts of the country It is a fraudulent enterprise attempted by publishing houses, to sell the farmer "accounting systems" which are said | to have the indorsement of the federal farm loan board.’and to be required in cases whore farm mortgage are carried. "Some of these systems are elaborate and their execution would be useless and expensive to the farmers" says the federal hoard. The Indiana State Council of Defense will assist in the prosecution of any one caught attempting the sale of tiny accounting system to farmers, on the assertion that such system is officially required.

HAD FINE TRIP Hattiesburg Excursionists Returned Yesterday Afternoon FROM CAMP SHELBY Spent Four Delightful Days W ith the Boys in Camp. Mrs. John Christen, Mrs. Anna McConnell, Mrs. Joseph Andrews, Mrs. Dan Beery, Mr. and Mrs. Joel Neuen schwander, Mr. and Mrs. 1.. H. Bailej and Ben Smith, who went from here Tuesday, November 20, with the 145 people on the Hattiesburg special out of Fort Wayne, returned home yester day at 3:22 on the G. R. & 1., after spending four days with their sons er other relatives who are in training at Camp Shelby. They all report a very pleasant visit, with not an accident to mar the happiness of the trip. They found all the boys well. They do not know how long they will be stationed at Hattiesburg. nor where they will go if the) are to leave there, hut many, it is said are getting ready, that they may bo prepared at any time they might re ceive a call.

The special which left Fort Wayne Tuesday of last week, picked up the passengers here at 1:05 in the afternoon. They arrived at Hattiesburg the following Thursday morning nt 7:30 o’clock, having stopped a day at Chattanooga. Tenn., on the way down, where they visited Lookout Mountain Missionary Ridge, the National cemetery and other places of historical interest. At Fort Oglethorpe another stop was made and the members enjvy ed an auto trip through the big camp also visiting the battlefields of Chickamauga. From here the train went direct to Hattiesburg. Four happy days were spent here for the boys were given freedom and were allowed to go to the city for a short time to visit their relatives. They enjoyed their meals together in the dining cars and some stayed overnight in the sleepers. This short but happy association ended Monday morning when the special started on its return trip, leav ing Hattiesburg at 10:43. The train made a record run from Chattanooga to Cincinnati, leaving the former place two hours late and arriving in the Ohio city two minutes ahead of time, passing three different trains on the way up. Ticket Agent J. E. Ross, of the Pennsylvania, at Fort Wayne, was in charge of the train. ~DI ST RI CT~ CONVENTION Arrangements have been completed by the local Knights of Pythias for he district convention to be held here Friday. The afternoon opening session will be for the public a cordial invitation being extended to all. The evening session will be closed, when the regular business of the convention will be attended to and initiatory work given.

SAY! , t ? SHOPPING o 7WI ftctfev S-tuAH-i -

THE CHAIN LETTER System Not Endorsed by Red Cross Nor the War Council of Defense. NEFARIOUS METHOD Os Obtaining War Funds a Crime Against Postal Regulations. Indianapolis, Nov. 28 —Chain-letter requests for donations for war purposes are frauds. This unqualified statement is authorized by the Indiana State Council of Defense, based upon tho official statement from the potoffice department that this form of solicitation is in violation of the postal regulations, ami invariably is attended by some marked waste, or graft. The attention of the American Red Cross recently was called to a chain letter solicitation of funds in its behalf. Officials of the organization immediately branded the letter as a fraud, without any official sanction, whatever. No chain letter projects ever have had or ever will have 'he approval of this organization. The Indiana State Council of Defense in endeavoring to co-ordinate the solicitation of funds for all war purposes finds in the chain letter system the most discouraging obstacle. Seldom can the responsibility for starting the "chain” be fixed and isually those who continue it are innocent of any purpose to disobey the federal laws. The state council says: ! "The person who gives at the re-, quest of a chain-letter is giving blindly i and unintelligently. In such times as these our people can well afford to be' generous, but at the same time they: should give wisely and where their I gift will do a maximum of good. They, can prevent waste and graft and : t •he same time assist the over-burden-ed postal service if they will ignore, and discourage all chain- letter schemes.

OLD SQUAD NINE — Getting Along Just Fine and the Boys Enjoy Doing Their Own Washing. PLENTY OF AIR Boys Don't Know What a Bad Cold is—Anxious to do Their “Bit." The following letter is from Squad Nine of battery A, and with it came a picture of a bunch of the boys busy over the wash tub: Camp Shelby, Miss., Nov. 14 Dear Old Daily Democrat: — Expect this picture will interest you. Mike Hower said he never dreamed he would have to wash his own clothes, while Pete Oallogly replies, “That’s what maktts a man out of you" But the people back in Decatur should not worry about our health down here. We have plenty of fresh air. can sit in our tents and look out of the top and can feel the wind blow in the sides. We wake up in the morning and rush to the bath house whore there is ice on the floor. Talk about health, the boys don't know what a bad cold is and are all eager to get a crack at the kaiser. Time for retreat and will have to close.

SQUAD NINE, Battery A, 139th F. A. ERIE~R~ rTmEN^In' U. S. SERVICE The Erie Railroad magazine issues with its December number a supplement beautifully printed in red. white and blue, containing the names of •■mployes of the Erie who have joined the colors. The list contains 974 names. The cover page is in imitation of a service flag and contains a star for every Erie employe in Uncle Sam’s service. As the war progresses new stars will be added to the flag in subsequent editions. BAND W?LL PLAY The Decatur band will play Friday afternoon at the K. of P. home. All members are requested to be at the hall at one o’clock Friday.

A COLLEGE MAN’S VIEWS The Internalionul Is the stock man's school of efficiency. Never has there been a time when there was such need of efficient methods in meat production. Never has there been auch need of a marshalling of all resources and all forces for production on the farms of the United Slates. The International will impress lessons of cons tvation and etfich ncy in production of incalculable value. These lessons will have a special significance in view ot the unusual conditions now existing. No man engaged in a great enterprise such as fanning and food product! »>, at a time when the best results are vital to the nation’s existence, can afford to fail to secure information that will add to his efficiency and strengthen tho service that he can render. This is the meaning of the Internation al Live Stork Exposition at Chicago the first week in December.

WAR ACTIVITIES To Take Governor’s Attention First Upon Returning to OfficeVACANCIES IN ROSTER To be Secondary in Executive’s Program—Fuel and Food Work First. Indianapolis, Nov. 28 —With the return yesterday of Governor James Goodrich to the executive office, after lan absence of three months. All (phases of war activity are expected |to feel a new inspiration. Although no feature of the work has been per- . I mitted to lag in the absence of the (governor, his absence in the state 'house will serve to bring a new vigor; land enthusiasm to every line of acI tivlty. I One of the first inquiries made by the governor upon his return related to war preparations. During the long' ; weeks of ids sickness and convalescI ence, except for the short period of I semi-consciousness, the governor eith-! ler read the daily newspapers or had them read to him and in this way kept 1 in touch with what has been going on : in the state house and over Indiana.! However, there are many important details lacking in these accounts and 1 it was upon such matters that Cover- 1 | nor Goodrich immediately made n ' quiry and requested full information ' Members of the Indiana State Council of Defense, committees and sections engaged in war work welcomed Governor Goodrich's return. Bei'i re his serious sickness he was the fountain of inspiration for every war preparation and lie was sorely missed in many of the activities that had felt the

magnetism of his presence, the wisdom of his counsel, and the example of his energy and enthusiasm. Notwithstanding existing vacancies in tho roster of state officials are call-1 ing for immediate consideration from the chief executive. Governor Goodrich has let it be known that it is bis I purpose, at once to familiarize himself j with the work of war preparation, ineluding tho control of food and fuel, to the end that he can encourage and cooperate wherever possible. And those familiar with the governor’s activity

and accomplishment, prior to his sick ' ness, whicli were directly responsible fcr his breakdown, understand just what this attitude means. They know the entire state will immediately respond to the least suggestion of the executive, so happily restored to them and to the nation. — ■ - ...» --O- - - ■ — DR. NEPTUNE RETURNS ) Dr. J. Q. Neptune arrived home this 1 l morning from a three weeks hunting trip to northern Michigan. The party | included besides the doctor, frank Gideon and son, Glen, and Hemy Mumma of McGill. Ohio. Noah Poling of Convoy, George Nettle of Union I township and Dr. Henry Redenbaugh of Payne, Ohio, the latter serving cook. But six of the party had license and under the Michigan laws this cn titled them to but six deer, which they secured and they were dandies Dr 4 Neptune brought, one home with him H and it is exhibited today at. the Muts 11 4 ler butcher shop on Monroe street They secured a lot of smaller game ' 4 and enjoyed the outing, though it was 4 a rather tough hunting month. One] 4 purty of nine located near them secur 4 ed but two deer. 1 *1

Price, Two Cental

GROUND TO DEATH I Frank Reffe, Forty-five, Falls Under Wheels of B. G. & C. Car. MEETS INSTANT DEATH . — Was With Contractor Wesley’ Hoffman and Other Decatur Men. Linn Grove. Ind.. Nov. 28--(Special to Daily Democrat) Frank Retie. 15, well known man of Linn Grove, was instantly killed last evening between

four and five o’clock when he fell, or I jumped from the rear of the Wesley Hoffman automobile truck, under the I wheels of a freight car on the Bluffton, Geneva Celina traction line, as it was backing down without a rear light, about two miles south of Linn Grove. The car ran over the body, cutting it in two across tho lower abdom. n, breaking his neck, cutting off his loft i leg and inflicting other wounds on the body. Mr. Reffe was employed by Wesley Hoffman, of Decatur, on the new school building two miles south of Linn Grove, near the point of the accident. He, with other workmen, including Wesley Hoffman. Curley Elzey, Mr. Eckrote, Lew and Will Baker, of Decatur, were on the automobile truck, returning to their boarding place at Linn Grove, when the accident occurred. They

had just crossed the interurban track, when the freight car was seen backing down the track. Reffe, with another workman, was sitting in the rear of the truck, with their feet hang- ' ing down, and it was not known wheth 'er Reffe. who had probably seen the approaching car. and feared that the auto would be struck, became excited r.nd decided to take chances by jumjsiitg or whether he fell out under the | wheels of the car. The body was removed to the Noah Schindler morgue at this place, where .it was prepared for burial. It was lati er taken to the home of Reffe’s aunt, I Mrs. Tena Young, who kept house for i him. The deceased was unmarried. He I was a son of the late Frederick Reffe. A brother. Emanuel Reffe. of near Ge- , neva, is the only surviving member of j his immediate family. Coroner D. D. Clark, of Decatur, came out this morning, and viewed the body, and will hold the inquest , the first of next week. The time of the accident is evidenced from the dead man’s watch which i seems to have stopped at the time of the accident, registering 4:32 o’clock.

C.4ILD BREAKS ARM Josephine, aged six. daughter of Deputy Auditor and Mrs. Martin Jaberg. was placed under the influence cf an anasthetic this morning, for the setting of a fracture of the left arm. a portion of the lower bones having been chipped off in a fall sustained Sunday evening when the little girl | slipped as she was leaving the Re--1 formed church The full extent of tho 1 injury was not known until an X-ray ; examination was made, showing the fracture. ’ I.

.j. 4. + + + + + + + + + + + + 4. THEY READ IT IN FRANCE. + + ♦ + Somewhere in France, ■j. November 4. 1917. ♦ 4. Dear Mr. Heller: — + 1 certainly want you to know + •> my appreciation for the Demo- + <• erat. I have received every + 4. copy since you started sending + 4. and yon can bet it’s well worn + + out after we ali read it. There ♦ + are several boys from close + around Decatur. Clelland Ball ♦ + isn’t with me any more. He was + 4. sent to a different base. + 4. If it won’t be any bother to 44- you, Ms. Heller, please send me 44- Glen Neptune's address. We 4* 4. came from Texas together, but 4« + were separated when we landed 4> 4- and it’s been five months since 1 4* 4- heard or saw anything of him. 4* 4- Well. 1 will close. Thanking 4« 4. you very much for the papers. 4> 4- and hoping to do you ss great 44- a favor some day, I am 4< 4 1 Yours respectfully, ♦ 4- PVT. JOHN D. CORBETT. 4> 4* American Forces. Depl I. M. C.. 4» 4- Paris. France. + 4 , 4-4 , 4*4*4 , 4 , 4 , 4 , 4 , 4 , + 4 , +