Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 18, Number 10, Decatur, Adams County, 12 January 1920 — Page 1

Volume XVIII. Number 10

DEAD TWO WEEKS BODY IS FOUND J. F. Spuhier, Missing Since Christmas, Found Dead in His Home Sunday DIED OF SUFFOCATION (aused \\ hile Fighting Fire—Face and Body Mutilated by Rats and Mice Because he had not -eon h.s neighbor for ovei lw , A? eks and prompted by a desire to learn ,>f his w h. |,.. about*, fearing that he might be sick 1 and in need of medic:'! attention and h that he eoiild be of mme assistance to him. Ed Augenbaugh went to the home of John Fred Sp.ililer on Smith Fifth street yesterday afternoon, looked in the window ami seeing that things were "topsy-turvy, worn back home and called Sheriil Seph Mehhi who responded immediate^. Tlu-v. with Mrs. Augenbaugh forced an en-. - trance into the Spuhier home, there to find the body lying on th-- floor, dead, frozen and partly eaten by the rats and mice. The ’.ight was shock- 1 Ing. The face was terribly disfigured and chewed by the font logged pests, the ears, nose and cheeks being eaten away as wall as other parts of the body. The body was in a fair)y good state of preservation, the frozen condition preserving it. Coroner 1). 1). Clark was called io the scene and then the Black w Octting ambulance was called and the bedy removed to the morgue. The supposition of Sii-wkl '.!•■! hi and Mr. Augenbaugh is. that Mr. Spuhier died from -uffo ’ation, there being evidence of a small fire in the house, it is supposed that upon going home one night, lie proceeded to start a fire in the hire laundry --mve in the middle room, which in some , manner exploded. throwing, the ' ii.uhfsb'vt-r the bed and floor, the | bedding being burned in several I places and showed that .Mr. Spuhier had put up an earnest fight to extinguish the flames, while the walls Os the little house were black from smoke and soot wa scattered ovethe floor. It is thought Mr. Spuhier attempted to start the fire in the I stove with some ■ oal oil. which ex-1 ploded when it hit the ft inter there being oil spots on the walls and ceil- • ing am! a small can lid on top ot the . stove which showed that it had contained oil. In his effort to put out the Arc. he more than likely was stutocated and tried to reach the back door but was overcome and there, fell to the floor, his head lighting on ■ n ijtop bucket. With the exceptioi of on,' shoo and the shirt, the body was clothed, which fact leads to the belief that Mr. Spuhier was in the act of retiring for the night when the Move exploded. The last that any one saw ot Mr. Spuhier was just before Christmas. Nathan Beckner stated to Seph Melth! that he talked with him the day before Christmas and on ,his nlgl ’ '' It is believed that Mr Spuhier died. K After the body was taken to the Black & Getting morgue and em-j bujimd it was found that his . I was burned in several places. Eoroner Clark has not as yetgiven his finding in the case but said that She was convinced that he died from, fctXwas wen known in, ' city and county. Javmg Jived here the greater pait o tn ■ wa; born in Switzerland on - July W. 1844. coming to this countiv > i iq-q hp was marnea. i •rr. ill hov In lie ■ *” , three children stirIpX of Branch, Mich., Aaron Spuhier of 11ct^ lt '' nl j iron, «>" 11 Ji »’J- j:* z ji be made in the Maim CHICAGO MARKET CLOSE ‘’ "Tin i Special" to Daily S' Chicago. Jan . $1 .34%; ■democrat)— Corn - » 7f1% $1.33. Oats: May. ■ S Indianapolis market (Vnited Pr ißooo| Cr '“^ ket 50 ■ Hog receipts. t medium mixed. sl4.7sff> < 75 . rattlp re . >14.75; bulk sales. _ lgso . cows gf/eeipts. 1500: Steer - • rPC eipts, and heifers. $30 14 - , 300. Tops. $9iD 1°-

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

MILWAUKEE CLUB SOLD. (United Press Service) Milwaukee. Wis . Jan. 12 (Speciu 11 in Daily Democrat) —* Milwauksi bast* ball club of the American ohsg I elation today was sold by < larenc ! Rowland, former manager of the Chi j ( ago White Sox, to a company of loc i men. consisting of Joseph O’Brien. I secretary of the New York Giant Otto Borchert, prominent in sportin circles as fight promoter, and W. II Parks, former publisher of the Mil waul.ee News. Rowland owned m) pel cent of the club's stock', which lie pur chased from the Timiiie interest. ML jSITED i Ernest tech Leaves Large Estate, Real and Personal to Wife, Elise Isch FARM IS INCLUDED Real Estate, is Valued at $53,200 —Mrs. Isch Named as the Sole Executor — The will of the late Ernest Isch. v- ho died last week leaves tile entire property to Ills widow Mr-. Elis, Isch. His real estate amounted t <53,200 besides personal property of great value. The following item ire set out in his will: Item 1. Provided that all just debt 'and expenses of his late illness and 'funeral expenses are to be allowec nit ot the estate. Item 2. Leaves all of his estate, bot [ real and personal to his wife. Elis Isch. to have use of and e ntrcl of r lie deemed just. She is given all this to enable her to properiv rear and educate their children. .1; Sophi; Ella. Bertha. Joseph, Clara. Elmer i Amelia, Harrold and Dorothy and t | provjde for them and hers, If a i on , sortable home and living from the 2S acres in French township. Item 3. He nominates his wife, Eli« Usch, sole executor of his last whl I authorizing her to settle all claim ow i ing him, and all just indebtednessowed by him at time of his death. CALL FOR MEETING (United Press Service) Washington. D. C.. Jan. 12—(Special to Daily Demo, rat) —President | Wilson’s call for the first meeting o’ the league of nations, in Paris next : Friday, is expected to he issued at the j white house today or tomorrow. It is understood the president ha ■ prepared the call whi'h is very brie land will make it public as soon a-. [ !te gets the official word from Ambas--1 sador Wallace that pirns are comnlet[to have the league meet Friday. Th, United States will not participate the session. Wilson is to Issue the call, despite the fact that this country is not a member of the league, because it wa* agreed when the peace treaty was b*-' ing drafted, that he should perforr that duty. [ ANOTHER EARTHQUAKE (United Press Service) Mexico City. Jan. 12 (Spccial to Daily Democrat) A i new earthquake in Vera Cruz today was reported to have killed more than 100 persons. A message IToni the governor of Puebla declared refugees had reached here reporting that six villages on the slopes of one mountain disappeared in the earthquake. The minister of war has sent an ultimatum to rebel bands in i the devastated areas that unless they cease harrassing relict parties and cooperate with workers seeking to aid the sulfering population he will order a concentration of federal troops against them. to demand kaiser Paris, Jan. 12—(Special to Daily Democrat I—The supreme council wa: - scheduled to send a note to Holland early this week demanding suirend. i [of the former kaiser for trial by the allies, it was understood today. The [ W three," which was to resume its conferences over unfinished matters was expected to arrive at a definite agreement, for disposition of Fiunu p before Wednesday. M. DAMarcillv Tiai ’ een appointed French charge d as s tgirj in Berlin and will leave Satur (,j|ny f,,r Germany to resume diplomatic Mentions.

Decatur, Indiana, Monday Evening, January 12. 1920.

fAVOR INCREASE •1 ~ County Council Appropriates $600.00 to Increase Salary of County I SUPT. OF SCHOOLS Reduce Bond Issue—Every Meinber of the Council Present at Session r : t ■■ .. The county council, composed of d. Kirsch. A. G. Briggs. Wm. BaumI partner, Ernest Conrad. Henry EitI ng, Frank U. Wechter and John O. Cramer, in special session this mornng. went on record as being in fav-i (’ >r of raising the salary of the county ichool superintendent, they appro-: >riating $600.00 for that purpose. Mr. Christen, the present superinendent is new receiving only $1408.- > 0p r year, out of which he must pay is expenses including (he keeping t >f an automobile and (raveling ex>enses. With the increase, it will tivc hint a salary of $2,008.50, out of vhich he will pay his expenses. The council's action is the first to • be taken by the several parties a teeded to authorize the increase, a 1 >etiticn signed by at least two bun-; Ired property owners, (he consent ' f nd petition of the township trustees ’ net then the board of commissiones ' o pay it being necessary before the ; icrease can be granted. Bond Issue Reduced An ordinance was passed repealing i former ordinance to issue $20,000 worth of bonds and changing the i .mount of the issue from $20,000 to 810,000. This former issue was autli-; >rized several months ago but the ’ >onds were never issued. 1 The council appropriated the sum f $3,184.50 to pay outstanding war-; ants, the funds for which had been ransferred to the general fund the [ ■st of the year. FACTORY DOPE Steel Workers Arrive and Work Begins—Will Lay Brick Before Saturday 1 j MR. MUELLER IS HERE Looking Over Proposed Sites for Foundry—lndustrial Board Tonight Twenty-five steel workers reported or duty this morning and began the vork of stringing the girders at the iew factory plant under construction ,y tile Ferguson company. The snow las been cleared away and the work ’ .till go on steadily. It is expected he bricklaying will start within thveek. Thfe south half of the Also plant has been partitioned off and | nachinery is being stored there, pre-, paratory to testing it. The switch is being constructed and will be ready for use within a short time. Mr. F. G Mueller, archetect andil t consulting engineer for a large found- , r ry company was here today, looking ] ’ over the groottnd and taking data for his company. It is expected they • will soon determine on a site for the 1 location of a large foundry here. I The Industrial Association will I 1 ' meet this evening at 7:30 at the city | I hall at which time reports will lie I heard from the committees named at 1 the meeting last Monday; night, on s 'lights, rooms and board, permanent organization. It is said that rooms i for 300 have been secured and that it , necessary this can be in creased to j 500. showing that there is so far no I alarming conjestion in Decatur. A committee of city officials and business men will go to Indianapolis y tomorrow morning where they will anpear nt the hearing to be held before it [the state tax board at 1:30 and the PiPttblic service commission at 2:30. i e ' concerning the granting of permissioni p to build a new power plant in this city, | ft 'itnd to issue bonds in the sum of s7a ( - , s.| 000 ’ + <.++++++ + + + + + + + + ° + THE WEATHER FORECAST ♦ IS + ♦*♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦! fGenerally cloudy tonight and Tues-' ic day and probably rain or snow ex(trerne north portion, warmer. |

OLD FASHIONED REVIVAL Tlie revival now in progress at the jt'hurcli of God on Cleveland street is still growing. Bev. W. ('. Gray ol Huntington lias arrived to assist tlie Rev. Mercer. Last night ll.*v. Gray preached to a house lull of eager listenrs. After the sermon four came ito the alter of prayer and obtained a i genuine experience of salvation. ' Meetiilg will continue all the week lit you are interested in your soul. ; come and hear the pure gospel, if yo t I are a Christian, come and enjoyo a [feast to your soul. POLITICS IS HOT In Old Louisiana Where Democrats Have ii AU Their Way as Usual SAYS JOHN FRISINGER Former Decatur Man is Deeply Interested in Race for Governor Now on. John M. Friaingcr. (ormer prominent business man and politician here, a leader in republican state politi s land now a resident of Louisana. ; where he is engaged in operating his ranch, writes us from that southern [state and encloses some interesting |information on the detnocratic primary now on there He wiites as follows: Fairview, La., Jan (i Mr. John Heller, Decatur. Ind. My Dear John: —As you are aware, there is but little politics down in my ■section but'democracy, but it is quite iinteresting and at, times ami: ing to the voter, especially the writer. As you will note by tlie enclosures [we have John M. Darker and a Mr. •Stubbs, a soldier of the late war. on [tlie democratic primary ticket for govjernor. Mr. Parker "as our sU.t» fuel i('omntfssicmor durfhg the war'and quite a business man, but 1 think the young colonel will win the nomination on tlie 20th. There are four votes i : my ward this year—just sufficient to hold the election. We are having line winter weather to date, only four or five frosts thus I far: beginning to plow for crops, etc. Witli kindest regards to you and al! the boys. I am Yours truly, J. M. FRISINGER. DIEDINIyTTLE Airs. Flo Spencer Gardner Died Saturday Afternoon After 3 Months’ Illness j WAS REARED HERE Daughter of Late William Spencer—Funeral Service [ at Seattle Tomorrow [ — Mrs. W. L. Gardner, sister of Wil [ ilium and Charles Spencer of this; clfy. died Saturday afternoon at fieri home at Seattle. Wash.. (!>»■ sad nc s being received here in a message Sunday morning. She had been ill for three months past with inflamatory rheumatism and it is believed that j death was due to that She |was known here as Mrs. Flo Spencer[ Gardner, was born in the old Spencer [ homestead on north Second street in ■ 1852. As a girl site was very popular [ here and will be. remembered by 11 the older citizens. She was 67 years/ 5 months and 25 days of age at tlie time ot her death. Her last visit to [ Decatur was in 1901 when she attend-[ [ed the funeral of her father. William Spencer. Mrs. Gardner was educated -in the schools of this city and took a musicil course in tlie Fort Wayne Conservatory. She was married to Mr. Gardner in 1886 and they lived at Rapid Citv Soouth Dakota until 1901 when they moved to Seattle where they have [since made their home. She is survived by the husband and two broth-j ers. Will and Charles of this city. The funeral services will be hold j from the home in Seattle Tuesday, afternoon and internment at that citv. Miss Etta Malonee and Ruby Sheets went to Fort Wayne yesterday to vis-! i" Miss Helen Sheets at the Hope j Methodist hospital. j

iA SUDDEN DEATH $ < i T-— Mrs. J. O. Manley, of Kirkland Township Expires as n She Attempted to Arise • I AFTER WEEK’S ILLNESS •[ _ Had Suffered from Neuritis but was Improving and ! Planned to Sit up Today The sudden death of Mrs. J. O Mau 1 ley, well known and beloved woman of Kirkland township, occurred’ at 1 11:20 this morning, causing a terri I bit shock to tlie family and inaui ‘ friends. Dr. 1). 1) .Clark was summoned and | will return a verdict of “death due :• 1 l.eart, lesion, following neutritis.’' Mis I I ' Manley had been suffering more ci I less for some weeks with neutritis. i ’ flammation of the nerves of the leg and for a week past had been confined to her bed. She had planned to sii up today and was just rising on t:ie . edge es tlie bed when she fell back dead. She was forty nine years old and c sm vived by the bori aved husband ami three sons and two daughters. The family came here from Wren. Oh ; o. about seven years ago. Her maiden name was Hurless. Funeral arrangments had not been announced (hi afternoon. Mrs. Manley was well known and had many friends in this citv and in the surrounding country who will be shocked to hear of he: sudden death. BIRTHS. Paul George is the name of an eleven pound boy horn- to Mr. and Mrs. Jpe Krick of Washington townsh'n yesterday. This is the eleventh child WILL MAKE PLAN? For Mid-Winter Editoria' Meeting to he Held at Indianapolis Next Month MR. PALMER COMING Governor Cox of Ohio am? i Others of National Fame will be on the Program I Officers and members of th-' exec [tive hoard of the Indiana Democrat. Editorial association will meet at 1' '(lianapedis Thursday to comple; [plans for tlie annual mid-winter mee i ing of tlie association to lie held i | that city February 5 ami (i j Invitations have been forwarded I a number of national men and wome |aml tlie program will lie an excellenl one. Attorney General Palmer. < l Washington; Governor Cox of Oil" land a woman of national repiitatio' las a speaker and worker will, it i | believed, he on the program. Arrange i ments for taking care of several him [dred guests will lie made and this | year's event promises to h" a most in iteresting one. | George L. Saunders of Bluffton i- ■ president of tlie association and J. 11 Heller of this city is secretary. T'j< association is recognized as one of th-' strong editorial organizations of th- - west. — TO BUSINESS MEN. — I The Industrial association will meet at 7:30 this evening nl the city hal' to proceed with plans for a greater Decatur and every one interested should [be present. Reports of committees will be heard and a discussion of matters of interest. Pleast he present. J. H. HELLER. Temporary Chairman. A LIST OF RESERVATIONS (United Press Service) Washington. Jan. 12 (Special to Daily Democrat)—Coal operators today submitted to President Wilson’s coal commission a list of reservations | which they asked be passed upon beI fore they will agree to accept the i commission's award Miners agreed ■to accept the commission wage award without reservation. The stale [ rnenl of both miners and operators were presented to the commission appointed to bring about settlement of (h ecoaj controversy as the inquiry [ opened.

| TO NAME A SECRETARY W.i.-hingion, D. c., Jan. 1" (Speei i ito Daily Denua nit) Secretary of ;>j. “1 Treasury Glass will confer wilh I'l.- i ; dent Wilson late today in regard ( his resignation mid tlie naming of I.; successor. Il was said al tlie whit, ([house that the secrota: vship would ie settled today. R. C. Lertingwell. assistant secretary under both McAdoo and Glus . ilooked upon as the favoritt Candida’of tlie [nisi. Glass is to take his sent n u senator Iroin Viieinia January I.*. 1 _ ’ NEW GRADE ORDER Public Service Commission i will Permit an Overhead Cossing (her THE ERIE TRACKS At Bobo—Former Order , Modified—Commission- ' ers in Session Today ( ill: public service commission binode a new ruling relative to th, -uilding of the Erie crossing at Bobo i iltich < hange will -a-.e the county ■ -evera.l thou.-and dollar.- and a triple imount to the Erie railroad company ' flic commission lias sent a, copy ■ t ts order to the hoard of county com nissionots. which rulMig was spread • n the docket at its special session t > lav. The case date.- back as far n 914 when a petition was made > "red . Hilpcrt and others to hav- ih 'rio cha-igo ils crossing at Bobu *-v outing il overhead. Tlie public serv i’o commission approved this change nd since that tiin<> the matter h ioen opposed liv the county and th--trie railroad company, who would •ave to pay the costs of the elevation "'ider the old order it would have I -ost at least $11)0.0'10 to build tile rolling, while under th-’ new order he cost will be about twenty-five hotisand dollars. Adams count" pay ng a one-fourth share The service oinmission rules that the highway •rosing bo routed in a differ' nt way md that (lie course of the road !>•■ milt above tlie Erie tracks. The El e "ill not raise <,r move its t l acks, bn! vill pay few three fourths of the- im’roveniont The present crossing is mW consider ’d a very d iirarii’e one nd under the new order it will be u’lt to a better advantage. Tho comiiii' Sioners authorized Cou" v Snoerint'ndent Christen to emnl"" ■ n assistant not to exceed 120 days in he year. The auditor was authorized to nd erti-e for bids for the rornisbing •' now truck to ho used bv tho county ighway superintendent. Q N NEWBERRY CASE W. H. Ficlihorn arrived homo Fat ’’’ ' t-’v to snend the week end with lii ; , amity and incidentally meet his many [ riends. He states that he lias be -n msily engaged in his new work. th:u if assisting Frank U. Dailey in the; irosecution of lite alleged Michigan | ■lection frauds. Mr. Eichhorn stat’s i 'hat an opinion of the presiding judge ■ will bo returned tlie first of the coming week, that there is little doubt but that the indietmens will be su ; 'ained. and in this event the ca-e "ill! be called Monday. January 26. which limo Senator Newberry •mw than a hundred other politi- ian= • vill be tried for election frauds, la-' •use has attracted nationwide alien- ' lion and the two Bluffton attorney--are confident of victory in spite el thia et that they will battle the foremost legal minds of the country Bhifftoa Banner. MUNCIE MAN KILLED. (United Press Service) Muncie. Ind.. Jan. 12-(Special to Daily Democrat) George c. Driscoll, of Parker, was instantly killed today when he was run down by a Mund-'-Winchester interurban car which ho was about to board to return to bi« home. He walked directly in front ol Hie ear lie had boon employed sine' Saturday as night watchman at a |oe,:l packing plant. A combination oil motor and steam : turbine power plant has been pat- ■ enter! for ships by a Swiss engineer, ' permitting the vessel to use the • cheapest obtaniable at he port it happens to b-* trading.

Price Two Cents

IT LOOKS BETTER : FOR THE TREATY S' I'he Treat\ Situation Looks (i Better Today than it has for .Main Months y RENEWED EFFORTS '[To Bring About Ratification -- Senator Owen | Held a Meeting '.United Press Service) : Washington. Jin 12 'Special to Daily Denioc’at) Senator Lodge’s 1 I '> emand lor a (li'iny i atie “show I down" on treaty eoini'romis'- was i answered today when word was sent I him through republican mild re ■ -i v.i- --' tiiinisls that ‘:i mhstn itiul number ' if demounts nu ■ ii.an twenty in ill." wii! sir, no t n a onabl' n-.- rvu•i i.ms thill do .mt "s-utih the treaty. Lodge on Satti: lay demanded that [before any furthei consideration lie •give), democratic cmnpnnnisc prvqiosals some definite assurance must be - ; given him concerning tlie number ot detiKM "atic votes behind the proposal. Wa liin;,ton Jun. 12. jSp-.ial to I Daily Deniaciatl «-d i lforts I bring al.nut a treaty emryomise with interpretative re m' vations that lb : -iI lent Wilson wii: cecepl v. . today whin it I- am.- known that 2b • democratic 'eaaiors met at midnight i it tile residence of Senator Oweti, . Iklahoma, and received to do eve’y . thing possible to bring ab-att qui. k ra i ification. | Senators pt’" eat. :a ii tn Senaii r Owen, incl-aiu.i Hitchcock, adiui.l- --! bt: ation lem’mr in t!:i’ treaty fig?:’; . ; I’ndcwood. ci'ndidi'te , tlie de.t) neratic,.loadersiiip. Hole Smi’i). Georgia. and McK ’l’ar am’ K-’iidri- ks. v. b.o recently diew up a s-t of d-moerutic ' resei vations as a inisii of compromise. The meeting was (railed a fe v hours after Senator l.cdge. republic, -t leader, made a move to :i-certain imv. nmny demo- rats would follow the :■ ivieo of William J. Brian ami ace-'pt any kind of a <omproniise. In the maneuver, Izidge demanded that d.mtoci'atic leaders inform him hew many democrat.; would vi.t-' tor the »i; Kel lar-Kendrick re eivat. iv which w■ re bas' d on tlie Lodge reservation which tin pr • idem r-fused to accept. Senator Owen then invit' d the democrats o bis lieus" to “talk it over." The r" suit was that tlio-e present, i’ll I’l.it.m th" adniinistratiO"’ spokesmen on the floor of the senate, agreed to make every effort to obtain a com promise on the basis of "ir-tnrpre' ’.- five reservations" which Wilson won't! :ici ept. No program of reservations was drafted at the meeting it was stated, but Hie senators determined to co •ilmad and try to get a compromise on •tlie basis of interpretative reservations acceptable to tlie president "The treaty situation looks better I iiian it has for months." it was stated todony at tlie whit'’ house. Th: re • was no disposition to In eiincrned at itlie meeting of senators’ l:i"t night at Senator Owen’s residence That mc-et-I ing was net considered a lireaklaway from th- president’: leadership. DODGE IS RECOVERING 'T’nlt-a Pr»ss S-rvleel Nev- York. N. Y. Jan. 1’ (Special [to Daily Democrat) Horace Dodge. ! millionaire automobile tnnnnfaettirer. hl! with pneumonia at the Ritz Carlton hotel, was t-’pert-d out of danger to day Hi- hrollu i. John Dadge. sufi'-r ing from grippe at tho same hotel, w.is said to bo in a serious condition bn* confidence was expressed in his recovery. ’Die brothers cniim lo ; c from Detroit a week ago to attend ’he a,l tomobile -how. Both were taken ii! Wednesday. They are under til" ca "0 of Dr. Ira L. Hill, formerly of Detroit. Dr. Hill said today that Horace had safely passed tlie erisis and that lie believed John would do so within i dur or fw'i. f OREGON RATIFIES SUFFRAGE I I (H-.iti’-l Press Service) Salem. Ore.. Jan. 12 (Special to i Daily Democrat) The Oregon aen- - ate today unanimously passed a joint , resolution ratifying the federal s frage amendment less than thirty minutes after Hie convening of th< [ special session of the legislature.