Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 16, Number 31, Decatur, Adams County, 5 February 1918 — Page 1

Volume XVI. Number 31.

SAMMIES FORCE GERMANS BACK Six Attempts to Rush Americans Prove Futile—Barrage Met by Barrage. BIG STRIKE IS OVER Military Forces Win Victory Over Working Class— Dittman Gets 5 Years. (United j-res* Service) (By J. W. Pegler. United Press Staff Correspondent) With the American Armies in France. Feb. s—(Special to Daily Democrat) — Repeated German attempts to raid the American front today were defeated by crushing barrages from the Yankee artillery. The Germans are willing to pay heavily in men and material for its information regarding the width of the American front and the fighting strength of the Sammies. Attempt to approach the Americans’ defense made officers believe the enemy is very apprehensive. Six timesthe Germans were reported pre paring to rush American posEvery enemy activity resul in another crushing Amer ’barrage. Paris. Feb. s—(Special to L p Democrat) —Eeight German aeroplanes were destroyed completely and five others brought down in flames in air battles over the German line Sunday it was officially announced today. BULLETIN Zurich, Feb. s—(Special to Daily Democrat) —The war has cost Germany alone 1,200,000 in dead and as many more. have been wholly or par j tially incapacitated. Socialist .Mem her Segitz declared in the Bavarian diet, according to dispatches received here today. (By Henry Wood. United Press stall. Correspondent.) With the French Armies in the, Field. Jan. 24 (By mail)— (Special to | Daily Democrat) —The most which. Germany can possibly attain by a big offensive on the western front thi- | spring is merely to produce in the * French lines a salient, more or lessj deep and more or less extended, whicn ++*++ + + + + * HOLIDAYS' CONTINUE. * + * + Washington. D. C.. Feb- -- (Special to Daily Democrat) - + + The Workless Mondays will be + 4- continued indefinitely This was 4- + the unofficial admission of the + + fuel administration, following a + ♦ conference between Secretary + 4- McAdoo and Fuel Administrator + + Garfield today. The outcome + * was largely the result of the + 4- demand by thirteen state admin- + 4- istrators who have been in eon- + 4- ference for two days with Gar- + * field. They insisted that the + ♦ saving in fuel and the assistance + 4- rendered to the overworked rail + 4» roads, justified its continuance. + 4- With this backing. Garfield held + + to his position not to dismiss + 4- his workless day orders. 4.4. + + + + * + + + + + + +

'. ' ' THE EVENING PROGRAM. ku attend the sectional meetings of If you were unab ♦ ’ ‘ n 0((n _ voll certainly do not ♦he War Conference th is alte magg meeting this evening, want to miss the big I > ( a lent in the counto be held in the court ro . |r(an( sub jects of the war. try will address y» u tn ittend- Following is the proIt is to vour benefit that Rram: tm p : m. Chairman Community Singing Music Br i.' r ed Patterson. I) llC cto-. Dr. rieu Rev . w s Mills Prayer Community Choir Music Rev. C. L. Debow Address—Thrift Stamps Community Singing. • Address—War Condition. • poweU , Washington D C. turned from the French and Italian Who has just return Major W. G. Gidley ‘ Address ... Battalion, Canadian Army ■ Community Singing- ••• •; • 1' ’ n r General Patriotic Address . Glo(hlin , Washington, 1). C. «• ‘ America Song

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

in the end. the French would agah reduce. This is the unanimous opinion <>i competent French military aiithoritie bas' d on three and a half years oi present day warfare on the French front. The premises on which theii opinion is founded are very simple. In the three years and a half that Germany has launched gigantic as saults against the French front, she has never yet succeeded in piercing the lines in the real military sense ol the word—namely, to speh an extent as to enable her armies to pass through and encircle the broken ends. This, competent French military authorities declare, is all that can possibly result from the great spring offensive which the Germans declare they are now preparing. Three years and a half warfare have I demonstrated that the western front 'cannot be pierced. In addition there , never was a time when the French | front was more strongly fortified and defended than now. Still more, there never was a time when the French front presented less vulnerable points of attack than now. For this reason, the many rumors which Germany is now circulating rel- , alive to the big western offensive she is nreparing arousing nothing but calm coi. Idence and attentive expectanc .'i the western front. va. Feb. s—(Special to Daily P rat)—German strikers threw a 1 against the imperial palace in in. according to dispatches reed from that city today bj* the arnad de Geneve. No details were iven. London. Feb. s—‘“Many Germans were killed.” and prisonesr and machine guns were taken in successful' British raids south of Fleurbaix and, in the neighborhood of the YpresStaden railway region. Field Marshal. Haig announced today. (By J. W Pegler. United Press Staff Correspondent With the American Army in Franco, Fob. 4—(Delayed)—The American army is hungry for revenge today, i The batpistn of big shells the Bami mies received Saturday night just i whetted their appetities for more. I Those who were wounded in the artillery duel are most anxious for more fighting. Many of them after they had been hit during the height of the encounter, refused to leave j their places on the trench firing step. They waited there in eagerness, hopI ing the boches would come over No t Man's Land. They remained on the i tiring step until certain the enemy had given up all hope of attacking. This brand of heroism was apparent all during the engagement. When German shells cut the communication wires, American dispatch runners repeatedly attempted to penetrate the enemy barrage. With splendid disregard for their awn safety they took their lives in their hands again and again in their efforts to fight their way through the rain of shells. One New York Sammy was knock ed from a ration wagon by a direct hit. His wagon was demolished, his mules were hurt and the soldier was sent spinning. As soon as the New Yorker was sure he had no wounds, he rounded up the frantic mules and ( . a lmly shooed them on to headquarters. (By Ed L. Keen. United Press staff correspondent.) London. Feb. s—(Special to Daily Democrat)— German militarism is still supreme in the Central Empires. Its iron heel today had crushed out practically the last vestige of resist(Continued on Page Two)

Decatur, Indiana, Tuesday Evening, February 5, 1918.

IN FRONT LINES Reports Indicate Adams Adams County Members of Rainbow Division Are IN FIRST TRENCHES Eergeant Arch, Lafayette, ' Said to Have Fired First Big Gun of Fight. The dozen Adams county men who « are with the Rainbow division are no , doubt at this time realizing for the first time what war is for, it is believed that they are engaged in defend- ~ ing the Lorraine sector. The men from here tire members of the headquarters - company of the 150th United States , field artillery and when they took position Saturday night it was announced that ihe first shot from the heavy guns of American troops was fired by Setgeant Arch of battery C, of Lafay- I ette, Indiana. The 150th field artillery is composed of about. 37,500 men. all from Indiana and news of real parts in the great war may now be expected at any time. For several weiks a spirited contest r was held, it is reported, to ascertain which battery for speed and accuracy, the prize to be the honor of firing the first shot when the division should be sent to the front. It is claimed that this honor was won by battery C of LafAyette and this is confirmed by the report sent out from “over there” that the first shot was fired by Sergeant Arch. Reasoning from that word it is r not a far jump that the dozen Adams p countv boys are now in the front lines, p MR. COLCHIN DEAD: t Nicholas Colchin Succumb- t ed at the Age of Eighty- r two Years. i A WELL KNOWN MAN t f v Was a Veteran of the Civil j] War—Native of t France. a In the death of Nicholas Colchin. which occurred at fifteen minutes be- e fore midnight, at the family home, j corner of Fourth and Adams streets, I the county and city lost another one f of its esteemed pioneers: Born —wFrance, the son of Nicholas Colchin, the subject of this sketch came to this country with his parents when but ten years of age. They came to this county and settled here, becom- j ing active factors in the development thereof. Mr. Colchin had reached the ma- ] ture age of eighty-two years, his birth anniversary being September 21. Death was due to infirmities of age. He was a veteran of the civil war, enlisting in the 32nd Indiana regi- , ment. and was stationed much of the time on guard duty at Indianapolis, serving for nine of ten months at the close of the war. Surviving of the immediate family are the widow, who was Miss Theresa Meyer; a daughter, Mrs. Frank Heimann, and five sons George, Thomas, Otto, at home; Ed and Clem of south of the city. : The funeral will probably be held Thursday morning at nine o'clock from the St. Mary's Catholc church, the body to be placed in the vault at the Decatur cemetery until interment. NEW SUPERINTENDENT. D F. Milne has been appointed superintendent of the Clover Leaf railroad. He formerly was superintendent of car service and H. H. Holmes will take his position and C. E. Vorpis who was formerly chief dispatcher has been appointed assistant superintendent. These changes were made after C. H. Hunkle, formerly superintendent of the road, had been commissioned an engineer in the American army in France. He has been commissioned a major in the National army and will take up iiis duties immediately for the country. He has been given a leave of absence from the railroad until the war is over.—Bluffton News.

4- GROCERS ARE EXEMPT. + <• 4- + Indianapolis, Ind.. Feb. s—As5 —As + + a -result of a conference between 4- + Dr. Hurry E. Barnard, federal 44> food administrator for Indiana, + 4- end Evans Woollen, federal fuel 44- adiuinisMrator for Indiana, Dr. 4- + Barnard today issued an order 44- exemitting all wholesale and re- 4« 4- tail grocers from the effect of 44- th' "heatless Monday” closing 44« order. 44- These businesses may bo nov 44- '■'perated without reference ti 4* 4> 'ho heatless regulations except + 4> that they cannot sell tobacco 44- and non-essentials. The county -F 4- food administrators will be gov 44- erned by this announcement, 4" 4- which is held sufflcien' forth • 4- effectiveness of 'the new ar 44- . angement on Mopday. February 44- -»th. It supercedes aU other or- -P 4- decs. Dr. Barnard announces. 4- — I TODAY'S SESSION: J Commissioners Grant Trus- < tees Permission to Extend Aid to Poor. TIME WAS GRANTED i i i To Viewers and Engineer » to Make Reports on Ma- ’ cadam Roads—Bids. The county commissioners had much to do on the second day of the 1 February session. Commissioner Rep- t pert was prevented from attending the r session on account of the serious ill ness of his wife, she Iteing critically ill of pneumonia. ; Joseph L. Graber, .trustee of French township was granted authority to ex tend aid to Jacob F|lb. Trustee Phil L. Schieferstein, of Root township, was granted authority to give additional aid to the John Lahey family. Trustee John Eicher, of Monroe township, was empowered to extend ] financial aid to Grace Steiner and William Sutliff. Ed L. Auglienbaugh trustee of Wasn- ] ington township, was given authority to extend additional aid to Thomas Jacobs. Fred Shafer. Anna Morehead and Harry Straub. The viewers and engineer on the Arnold. Jacob Steiner. George Ineiehen. John W. Brodbeck, Martin Reiff, Charles Pusey and the Bernard 4 Beckmeyer macadam roads were 4 granted until February 21st to file and make their reports. The viewers on the John B. Antler- . fContinueff on Page Two) ANKLE IS BROKENi Miss Clara Boknecht, a . Teacher at the South Ward School WAS BADLY INJURED In Fall—Mrs. Henry Hite Taken to the Lutheran Hospital. Miss Clara Boknecht, teacher at the south ward, sustained a severe fracture of the rtgnt ankle this morning, about 8 o'clock, when she slipped as she was leaving her home in the north part of the city to go to her school work. The fracture is what is known as a Potts’ fracture and is very severe. The ankle is dislocated and possibly an ankle bone broken; while both the . large and small bones above the ankle . are broken. An X-ray will be taken ; tomorrow of the fracture to determine . just the exact nature of the same. Mrs. Henry Hite who has been ill of stomach trouble for some time, was taken to the Lutheran hospital, Fort Wayne yesterday, where a complete diagnosis of her case will be made, to 1 determine just what procedure will be taken.

The Harve Baker home was released from smallpox quarantine yesterday. Miss Bessie Ketchum, sister of Mrs. Baker has recovered from the small pox.

TO GET SWEATER Local Chapter of the Red Cross Will See That Sweater IS SENT DIRECT To Jay Tceple, Decatur Boy, Now in Trenches in France. The local Red Cross takes care of the boys from its own community, whenever their needs are known, as well as contribute to the needs of the soldiers in general. A few days ago there was published a letter from Jay Teeple, a Decatur boy who is in the trenches in France, 1 in which he asked his mother to send • him a sweater. The letter was noI sooner read in the paper than O. L. Vance, chaiman of the Adams county chapter of Red Cross sent word to E. C. .Miller, of the Fort Wayne chapter, also in charge of the district Rel Cross warehouse, asking him to send a sweater at once to Jay. The matter will no doubt be attended to at once and Mr. Teeple, who now in the thick of the fighting, will be kept warm with garments made by his own friends, and his home friends in turn will feel that they are taking a more direct and active part in helping win the war. o LIBRARY CLOSED TONIGHT On acount of the war conference the library will be closed tit six o’clock this evening for the remainder of th night. IN ACTIVE SERVICE Fifteen Men Pass Examination for Military Service—Seven for Limited. FINISHED AT NOON Il Majority of Men Are Passing as Result of Modifi- ] cations of Rules. 4- FOR MILITARY SERVICE. 44" Frank Aumiller, Berne. 4 1 4- Peter Stuckey, Berne. 4- {• John R. Wemhoff, Decatur. 4- Ivan W. Baker, Decatur. 4- . 4- Daniel L. Jack, Geneva. 4*' ’ ] 4- Ira H. Sprunger, Berne. 4 1 <• Noah N. Soldner, Berne. 4> 4> Roger C. Gipe. Alexandria. 44- Peter J. Spangler, Decatur, •h Harvey H. Nussbaum, Berne. 4- •>> Samuel Mailer, Monroe. 44> Alva F. Smith, Monroe. 4> 4> Fred Walchle, Berne. 44- Adolph Reichart, Berne. 4> 4* Ross E. Duff, Berne. 4* 4- FOR LIMITED SERVICE. 4Menno Augsburger, Geneva. 44- George J. Erhart, Monroeville. 4> 4> Harvey H. Hoffman, Decatur. 44- Irvin L Merry, Decatur. 44- Perry Smith, Decatur, 44- Herbert C. Kirchner, Decatur. 44« Otto A. Pett, Decatur. 44. REJECTED. 44« Sam Bollenbacher, Willshire, O. 44- Wm. F. Glaus, Geneva. 44> UNDECIDED — REFERRED TO + 4. BOARD. <• 4- Albert H. Heckman. Decatur. 44. 4. 4. 4. * * 4. 4* 4- 4- 4- 4* 4- 4- — The examining board finished the j task of examining twenty-five men at noon today. Os the total examined, fifteen were found tit for military service, seven for limited service, two were rejected on account of physical disabilities and one case referred to the military board for final decision. According to instructions received . this morning from the adjutant gent eral and the war department the ex- ' attaining of the men will be curtailed ’ after the men are examined that no--1 tices have already been sent to. This includes all those who have been no- • tided by the board to appear either ■ this week or next tor the physical f examinations. New instructions will s be sent to the board before more men are called.

! THE WAR CONFERENCE IS IN SESSION TODAY SPEAKERS OF NATIONAL AND STATE REPUTE ABE HERE—ZERO WEATHER FAILS TO SLACKEN ENTHUSIASM OF THE GREAT OCCASION.

VETERAN CALLED — Thomas E. Fisher. Well Known Veteran of the Civil War PASSED AWAY TODAY At an Early Hour—Death Was Due to Heart Trouble. Thomas E. Fisher, for seventy eight years a high esteemed resident of the county, a veteran of the civil war. passed away this morning at 1 o'clock at his home on South Tenth street, from heart trouble. Mr. Fish ! er had been in frail health for sever j al years, having been a sufferer iron heart trouble. His death, however came quite suddenly. He had been in his usual health yesterday and had eaten supper with the others. In the evening he got. the paper to read but stated he coilld not see. During the evening he complained of unus ual chilliness and extra attention was given him on retiring in the way of lu?at applications and coverings. Dur ing the night he called to the mem (hers of the family and they again ministered to him. he again com plaining of chilliness. He asked them to place another pillow undei his head to ratse him, and as they did so. he passed away without a struggle. Had he lived until February IS. he would have been eighty years of age He was a son of Louis and Rachel Fisher and was born in Clinton conn ty. Ohio. His parents moved to tl.ii county, however, when lie was ’ut two years of age, and all the remain der of his life, except that spent in 'servile he the—civil—war was lived here. He was married in young man hood to Ruth Mallonee. who is still living. They settled on a farm ii Root township, where they lived un til moving to this city seven or eight years ago. Os the eight children born to them five daughters are living. A son Will, died in infancy, and a son. the Rev. James Fisher, of Bluffton, and a daughter. Maggie Chronister, died a number of years ago: The daugh ters who are living are: Mrs. Anna Buhler, Indianapolis; Mrs. L. L. Syphers, Fort Wayne; Mrs. J. W. Rabbitt. Decatur; Mrs. Martin Stal ter. of Near Peterson; Miss Bess, at 1 home. i Mr. Fisher was one of a large fam 1 ily of children, but the only one liv ! ing. is a brother. Clinton Fisher, of 'this city. The funeral will be held Thursday ■ morning at ten o'clock at the home i on Tenth street, and will be private. : The Rev. F. F. Thornburg of the ( Methodist church will officiate. I Friends may view the body until nine o'clock Thursday morning. The body will bfe placed in the vault at the Decatur cemetery until interment. His War Record. Robert Blackburn has contribut'd the following war record of Mr. j Fisher: Thomas E. Fisher, the deceased : soldier, served in Company I. 51st 1 Indiana Infantry. He entered the service in the tall oi 1864 • and went to the front with I j its colonel. On his arrival they were put into action. They fought theii ' way back to Franklin, where one of 3 the main tights was participated in. ' They took an active part in the two r days' fight at Nashville and again at 1 Duck River, and continued in active 1 service till the close of the war, when 1 he was mustered out and returned to j bis home.

Price, Two Cents.

The War Conference for Adame county is on today. Each sectional meeting this afterneon is being well attended, the enthusiasm is genuine, the speakers are in earnest and great good is sure t 1 come from the event. Chairman Myers and his assistants leserve hearty congratulations and "raise for their untiring efforts in preparing the program and planning for ’t. Not even below zero weather (ireventing it from being a wonderful day. hough of course not as successful as ’t would otherwise have been. Many came from a long distance btaving the tierce south winds, the almost impossible winter weather, proving that the spirit of '76 is alive toiay in Adams county. The severe veather coupled with the fact that many trains have been taken off and he others are running many hoii's 'ate, prevented two of the speakers arriving as scheduled but the rest were all here and they gladly volunteered 'o double up, so that every meeting his afternoon was a success. Major Iridley. the Canadian soldier. W. J. McGlothlin of Kentucky. Dr. Lyman Powell of Washington. Rev. Debow, as LaGrange, Mrs. Ella Shirk. Frank Übion of the Red Cross. Charles E. Watkins. Edgar D Maples of the Boy's Reserve, and others tire here and are 'aking part in the eventful program. Dr. Horace Ellis, state superintendent; and Prof. B. F. Moore were the only ones on the program who failed 'o appear before noon today and they may arrive during the afterpoon. Purpose of Conference. Thepurpose of today’s meeting is best explained by the following explanation given by Chairman Myers 'n his announcement: “This War Conference is a part of 'he plan of the Council of National Defense which is headed by Secretary f War Baker, and they are indorsed 'nd supported by the Committee on Public Information as necessary to a 'roper enlistment of popular support 'n all War Activities. “The recommendations that iiinio to your County Council of Defense are o all interests and purposes the order if the commander in chief of the military and naval forces of the United States enlisted in battle against e owerfui enemy and to disregard even the least suggestion is a form of insubordination that will serve only to defeat the cause and bring aid and comfort to the enemy. “This War Conference will be an educational patriotic propaganda. “If there be persons in this co , t”(y vho are not interested in the war h re Is a tine opportunity for them to rind themselves and learn bow essentia' it Is that all American work in the. same efficient harmony that has rerdered autocratic government so formidable “The speakers assigned on this program are responsible men select' <1 for their tasks because of their preeminent authority in the matter.-, ''uy will discuss. Many of them are .1" sufficient reputation to justify the'.r assignment to state or national programs Remember that this is our first concern TO WIN THE WAR. "Those who will not help are in 'he way, they must get out.” Dinner at Murray ' At twelve o'clock the speakers were ' taken to the Hotel Murray where ’hey were the guests of the Adams ('< unty ( Council of Defense at dinner. .Chairman R. D. Myers and practically I every member on the council was pies--1 ent ’ p Singing a Feature. r The singing by the Community f Choir with Miss Rackstraw, instructor ( of music in the public schools, was o an enjoyable and entertaining feature t of today's program. ( . I Genera, conferences :il Various chairman met this morning i at 10;30 in the rooms over the Di.ily f- (Couttnued'onT’agelfwor -