Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 18, Number 19, Decatur, Adams County, 22 January 1920 — Page 1

Volume XVIII. Number 19

KILLS FAMILY AND HIMSELF ( razed Man, of Harlan, Murders Family and Then Sends Bullet THROUGH HIS HEAD I. —i Terrible Tragedy Committed by William Spindler —Note to Daughter A terrible tiadegy was committed by William Spindler, of Harlan. Indiana. sometime Tuesday night when in a crazed state of mind he murdered a family of five people as they lav in bed and then tired a shot through hiown head, making the joh complete. Spindler who was seventy years old killed his own son. wife. Mr. and Mrs. Christ Spindler and their tnree chil-| dren. Herschel, age 6. Marian are I and Blain Spindler age two and a half years. It is the belief of the Allen county authorities and neighbors of the Spindler's that Mr. Spindler was crazy, he having been worrying about his financial affairs. The Journal-Ga-zetto has the following to say of the! horrible tragedy: ■'The murder and suicide took place I some time Tuesday night but it was) not discovered until six o'rlock last [ evening when the daughter. Mrs. Werts, became alarmed because she had not seen neither her father nor brother about their premises. With her husband and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Smith, neighbors, they went to the Spindler home and forced a loci:.[ The aged man was lying on the floor with the revolver he had used still clasped in his hand and his five victims were in their beds. In his pocket was his farewell not. addressed to Mrs. Werts. which read as follows: "To Jennie Werts: — "Tonight ends it all with np’self i/nd Christ and his family I In.v. more of a burden than 1 can earn. Take out letters of administration and pay all expenses. There is plenty of i money in my box in Harlan bank Forgive me. Your father." Worry Unhinged Mind The aged man had resided in Hu land and vicinity for years ami twelve' years ago went to South Dakota to , Jive, bis son. Christ, who followed him. taking a wife while in that state. The father returned to Indiana last spring and his son and family followed him in the fall. A few months ago Mr. Spindler purchased a farm north I of Harlan, paving $3,000 down. It-! had Iteen unable to fulfill his expectations to pay the ballance and he >•■•! ; worried constantly over his inability to do so. He had made threats on several occassions and there was no doubt in the minds of his friends that he was mentally unbalanced by his constant worry. Os the story of the tragedy nothing - is known beyond what the condition ; in which the bodies were found , would indicate. The surroiim’ine- in- i dicate that the family retired as us-; ual on Tuesday evening and that the old man sat up and waited until they were all sound asleep before he put his maniac designs into executin' The son Christ Spindler, and his eldest boy. Herschel, were found in one bed, and Mrs. Spindler and the two younger children were in the o het.. All of them died from bullet wounds i in the bead. The condition of the I bodies made it probable that the shooting took place sometime between midnight and GOO ant. Coroner Charles J. Rothchihl. Deputy Coroner Gaylor Morton and Sheriff Gillie went to Harlan last evening to investigate the case. The surviving relatives of the aae< man include four sons and three daughters, namely: Sam Spindler. 4 miles west of Harlan John 1’? 1,11 ' s west of Harlan: William Spindler, ot South Dakota; David Spindler tn Canada; Mrs. John Werts, Harlan. Mrs. Frank Harlan, ant Mrs. William McMadne". of Anderson. Indiana. , His wife has been dead tor -> >■■■ - None of the bodies had been moved hut all were lying in the bet - w lete they had died, apparently instancy, gs one by one the crazed father deliberately placed the revolver close to their heads and took their lives. The only evidence of struggle was that ot Ute mother o£ It appeared that the old me took the life of bi« non. Therepoit of the shot may have aroused the ~ started to leave he young Wife, "ho sta attacked he The old man then attacked the wife, before she had time to leave

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

I her bed shooting her through tho I head, It Is thought Either this hup- | pencil, or the woman had moved al out ■ the bed in her death struggle. The i bed clothes indicated this, as did also tho amount of blood on the floor beside the bed. The family hnd undressed and pro- » pared for bed downstairs, as all their clothes were in one room on the first floor. The old man had not removed !:i 1 clothes, and from all indication had c waited until he thought th- other I members of the family were sound • asleep, before he entered 'heir room to commit the awful crime." WIN BOTH GAMES Local Hiffh School Basket Ball Team Defeated the ' I Monroeville 11. S. — FINAL SCORE 39 TO 15 I ___ Visitors Came with Record of Eleven Straights—The Second Team Wins The Line-up: Decatur-39 Monroeville-15 Myers F Reynolds Kern F.... Lauenherger Keller-Linn C Alleger j Baltzell G Mclntosh Teeple G Youse Field Goals—Decatur: Myers. 4; Kern. 7; Keller. 1; Linn. 5; Monroeville, Reynolds, 1; Lauenbe-ger, 2; ’Brower. 2. Foul Goals: Decatur. 5; Monroeville. 5. Second Team ■ Decatur-13 Monroeville-8 Meyer F Rhebaddes I Snyder F Ainsworth Fruchte-Peterson ,C Grabill Costello G Gresley Daniels-Ahr G Reynolds Field Goals—Decatur: Meyers. 2; Snyder. 1; Fruchte. 1; Peterson. 2; Monroeville: Grabill. 2; Reynolds. 1. Foul Goals>—Decatur: 1. Monroe ville. 2. The Monroeville high school varsity basket ball team, a squad of huskies, coming to this city with a record of winning eleven straight games, not suffering one defeat this season, and with many thoughts of making it twelve straights, received the surprise of their lives when they were given a real drubbing by the •local varsity at the Athletic hall last evening the final score resulting 39 to 15. The locals were bent on getting revenge on their opponents, as they lost their first game of the season io them. The game started off with the usual rush, both sides working for I several minutes before a basket could be registered when the locals dropped the pill through the ring ami started things going. During the first half the score ran even, and ended 11 to 8 with the locals leading. I In the last half the locals showed the ' visitors what they could do. showing I some real speed registering baskets iin quick succession and only letting I their opponents make one field goal. The game was full of pep at all . times, both sides playing rather a rough game. The preliminary was played between the I). H. S. second team and the Monroeville second team resulting in a score of 13 -to 8 in favor of the locals. The game was interesting, the score being nip and tuck I th "oughout. On Friday night, the local varsity will journey to Hartford City where they will clash with Coach Stonebreaker’s outfit. The Hartford City boys will play in our district, and are considered the strongest contenders for the district honors. PALMER AT WHITE HOUSE Washington. Jan. 22—(Special to ; Daily Democrat) —Attorney General Palmer today conferred at the white • house on the sedition bill. The conference delayed his appearance beI fore tho house rules committee to in- . sist on passage of this legislation. DR. ARCHBOLD BETTER 1 ? Dr. Roy Archbold who has been . confined to his home the past few - days with a severe cold hopes to be a out by tomorrow. sl****«*4>* + «****** i.|» THE WEATHER FORECAST ♦ I I e' Generally fair in north, probably - I rain or ice storm tonight and Friday d south portion: no decided temperae tilth change,

:iIS RECOVERING ft Miss Harriet Wertzberger of This City Operated on at Methodist Hospital r l IS OUT OF DANGER ! Message was Received at Neon—Tumor Removed —Sister With Her Mr. M. J. Wertzherger received a message at noon today that his daughter. Miss Harriet, who was opI crated on al the Methodist hospital iat Indianapolis yesterday, is getting along nicely and will recover within • a short time, it is believed. Miss Wcrtzberger had been feeling badly for some time and was advised to undergo an operation. She went to Indianapolis Monday and was operated on Wednesday afternoon. a largo tumor being removed. He- sister. Mrs. H. S. Walters, of Marion. Indiana, accompanied her j and a message from her to their father this morning gave the glad news that Miss Harriet is now on the way to recovery. PARKER IS NOMINATED New Orleans. Jan. 21.—John Parker, progressive candidate for vice president in 1916. was apparently nominated on the face of the returns us governor of Louisiana on the democrat ticket by yesterday’s primaries HAS NEW PLANS A. F. Hines, of the Pacific Steamship Co. Presents Proposition That Looks LIKE IT WOULD WORK Insures Future of American Mafine and Obviates Need of Another Loan (United Press Service) Washington. Jan. 22—(Special to Daily Democrat) —A plan designed to insure the future of the American merchant marine and at the same time obviate the need of another liberty loan was. to be presented to the senate commerce committee today when it resumed hearings on formulating a permanent merchant marine policy. A. F. Haines, general manager of the Pacific Steamship company, was scheduled to present the proposition known as the “Pacific plan.” His recommendations include legislation creating a federal merchant marine corporation with authority to issue $3,000,000,000 five per cent 20-year bonds in small denomination to be sold to the public like liberty bonds and with a limit of $5,000 on the holdings of one person. This bond issue is designed to enable the corporation to take/ over the affairs of the emergency fleet co-poration including ships, ship yards, terminals and all other property. The corporation under Haines' plan, would be authorized to sell the ships on long term payments, enabling American capital to absorb them. UNDERWENT OPERATION Miss Lydia Smith, fourteen year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Smith, of Derkes street, was operated on this morning at the home of Mrs. Frank McConnell for the removal of her tonsils and adenoids. The operation was performed by Drs. Miller and Burns. She is reported ' to he getting along alright, and will he able to bo up within a few days. i CHICAGO MARKET CLOSE (United Press Service) 1 Chicago. Jan. 22—(Special to Daily Democrat)—Corn: Jan. $1.42%; May $1.33%; July. $1.31%. Oats: May, 'B2c; July, 75c. t f . INDIANAPOLIS MARKET 3 (United Press Service) Indianapolis. Jan. 22—(Special to ► {•Daily Democrat) —Hog receipts, 11,- ► 000; best heavies. $15.75; medium ► j mixed. [email protected]; common choice [email protected]; bulk sales, sls.2stfi> y'15.50; cattle receipts, 1000; steers, y' sl3ffls.F>o; cows and heifers, ss@>l4; i- sheep receipts, 400, market steady; Tops s9tfDlo.

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday Evening, January 22, 1920.

| | HERE ON VISIT Kenneth Kern, of (he U. S. S. New York, is visiting in this city with friends and relatives this week He joined the navy last October and is now in third class radio service. He likes the life fine, and is now located at Seattle, Wash., where his ship ( is being overhauled preparatory for k future orders. REVIVAL TO CONTINUE The revival at the Church of God now in progress will continue over 11 Sunday. You are invited to attend. ‘ | PRIZES AWARDED Five Adams County Boys Win Awards at DurocJersey Scoring Contest FIRST ANNUAL SALE J. R. Wiley, of Purdue, the Judge—Hogs are Selling at Fair Prices In the scoring contest conducted in connection with the first annual public sale of the DurocJersey Swine association being held in this city today at the Breiner feed barn on Monroe street, five Adams county boys, members of the DurocJersey Boys' club won awards. The awards went to the following: First prize, Dan. D. Hoffman. Linn Grove; second prize. Wilbur Hawkins, Monroe; third prize. Ferd Christen. Decatur; fourth prize, L. Reuben Schwartz, Berne; fifth prize. Albert P. Sprungr, Berne. The first prize was $5.00 and ten dollars was divided among the other four winners. These awards were made upon the recommendation and final judging of the pigs by J. R. Wiley, a representative of Purdue Agricultural Extension department. Fifty-six head of Duroc Jersey hogs were offered for sale by the Duroc Jersey association today. Bidding was fairly active and the prices paid for the hogs were fair. In some cases it was remarked that the pigs sold would have brought more on the market. At two o’clock one of the highest prices paid was seventy dollars. A. H. Morris is the auctioneer and W. A. Lower, of this city, is the clerk. ARE ORGANIZING Berne Men Agree to Form a $50,000 Company to Build Telephone Plant HAVE THE SIGNERS Which They Claim will Secure Franchise —Committee to Draft Constitution At the business men's meeting called Monday night, prospects for a new telephone system were considered and the question thoroughly discussed. It was found that more than enough signatures had been received for a new franchise and that more than threefourths of the number of telephone patrons of town have expressed a willingness to patronize the new telephone company when in operation. The discussion Monday evening suggested that a new telephone company be formed and capitalized at $50,000. with stock selling at SIOO per share. The five hundred shares should then be sold to as many parties as possible and it was considered advisable to limit the number of shares to five for each individual. A committee of five, consisting of E. M. Ray E. A. Luginbill. J. F. Lehman, E. C. Bierie and F. G. Eichenberger, was appointed to draft articles of incorporation. The general trend and feeling was one of optimism concerning the undertaking and the prevalent idea was to go ahead with plans forth eundertaking.—Berne Witness. HOYER FUNERAL Funeral services for Alexander Hoyer well known resident of this city ’ who died Monday evening were conducted at 2:30 O'clork this afternoon ''from the house. Rev. Saunders, ot >,'the Presbyterian church officiated and burial was made in tlw Decatur cem- . The local K. P’s. of which ; Mr. Hoyer was a member was in charge of the services.

JARE NEAR DEATH : J Mr. and Mrs. Sam. Roop, •' of Near Pleasant Mills in Precarious Condition RELATIVES CALLED Mr. Roop 111 With Blood Poison, Mrs. Roop From Tumors, Unconscious One of the saddest stories reported in this county for some time is the very serious and probable fatal j illness of both Mr and Mrs. Samuel Koop of near Pleasant Mills. A nies-; sage dicing the night summoning two of the children from this city.! ' said that Mr, Roop could live but a few hours and that Mrs. Roop is also very low. The former, one of the best known men in the county lias been suffering from kidney trouble i for some time and a few weeks ago a breaking out on the ankle added to ■ his discomfort. Blood poison followed and his condition soon became serious. Mi’s. Roop is ill witli tumors. Both have been unconscious for several days and the small children in the home have had a very difficult time. A trained nurse is in charge now and every thing possible is being done for their relief. A son. Rufus Roop, returned from Germany a short time ago. after many months in the service of his country. Mr. Roop is a brother of Mrs. Samuel Acker, of this city, and Mrs. Roop a sister of Mr. Acker. AT ADVANCEDAGE — William Weiland, Prominent and Retired Citizen. Died Last Night WAS 76 YEARS OF AGE Was Resident of County Seventy Years—Funeral Sunday Morning Suffering from complications and 1 infirmities of old age. beiny bedfast 1 for over fifteen weeks, death relieved William Weiland of West Monroe 1 street, prominent reired citizen cf this ( city of his suffering at 5:3-i last evening. Mr. Weiland was seventy six years old and for more t.ian 20 years suffered from rheumatism. Within the last year his health declined rapidly ' and since last fall he gradually !>■•- ( came weaker until forced t > t ike to ( his hed. , The deceased was one of the early , residents of this county coming here seventy years ago. He was born in ( Germany and came to this country when a boy of six ears of age ami , located in Union township .this conn- ( ty. There he grew to manhood and was later married. He was a very successful farmer t and was a hard worker. When lie , reached the sixty year mark be de- ( cided to retire from active work and , in tlie year 1904 moved wit!: his fami- . ly to this city, purchasing a home at , the corner of Monroe and Eleventh streets. i He was well and favor:'l.|y known | over the county and his many frit nds t will be grieved to learn of hi., death | A loving wife and two children sur- , vive, the children being Clara and p Martin Weiland of this city. < Tho funeral will be held Sunday morning at ten o'clock from the Zion , Lutheran church in this city and burial will he made in tile Bleeke , Cemetery north of Decatur, it being' the request of Mr. Weiland that ho be buried there as he had in his early ' days helped to clear the hind and i plat the cemetrey. MRS. BASS IS BUSY (United Press .service) Chicago. Jan. 22. (Special t.i Daily > Democrat) —The day of slang In ; politics is past. Mrs. George Bass. , chairman of the women's hureait of the democratic national i■ouimitlen, declared today. A reporter quoted Mrs. Buss as ■ saying the women “are going to pit* ‘pep’ into the campaign. “The women are going to put slang out of politics rather," said Mrs Bas.-'. j'T never use slang and I can't see that I it is at all necessary in polities.! language can he forc“ful without slang." i Mrs. Bass has opened headquarters for the women’s bureau here. 1

I TWO SOLDIERS KILLED ) Washington. Jan 22 Sneclu' to I Daily Democrat) Two U. S. Soldiers were killed and one seriously injured in a fight with Sentenoff's cossucks in Siberia January Ift Secretary Baker was advised today According to u cablegram to Baker from General Graves cotntmr'di r of the U. S. forces in Siberia (he ci w of an American armoured < . r cinsiieii willi (lie crew of one of SemeiioiT s! armored cars live Russi in v ■•re k;fi i! and one injured. The Vm ricuns captured one General, six o'iiceis ami forty eight men. SHOT HIS FRIEND! — Then Fired Bullet Into His Own Brain—James Port/. , of Portland Ends Life JEALOUSY IS CAUSE Kills Mrs. Geesaman Who Had Been Keeping Company With Another (United Press Service) Portland. Ind. Jan. 22- (Special to Daily Democrat) -Jealousy today was assigned as the motive for the death of Mrs. Emma Geesaman. age 3'. a widow who was shot in !u r room last night by James Bortz. 38. ".'ho 'inn Tired a bullet in his own brain, dying a few minutes later. Th ■ tragedy occurred when Mrs. Gees naan entered her room after completing tier work ■ at a restaurant. It is said that Mrs. Geesaman had i ! been going with Bortz Um - > .me titii-- | | but of late hail been seen in company I with another man. It is •e’ie v. d I •Bortz was secreted in her rinmi behind , the door and that he tired on her as ! she attempted to enter, one shut' struck her on the right side of th' neck, just below the ear. and tlie other pierced her heart She staggered out of the room and fi II part of the way down the stairs at the side of the building. Bortz die ! , a the floor where he fell after tiring the sh >t | that, entered his skull. Mrs. Geesaman's husbind. Iter: Geesaman. died about a year ago. ALCOHOL FOR FLU Washington. Jan. 22. (Special 10l Daily Democrat) Amendment to ti e i Volstead prohibition enfoi■ einent l.iwj to allow the sale of beer with 3 per! cent of alcohol and 9 n.-r < en: wine j were proposed today by representat iv ’ Saboth. 111. Another amendment Sa, Hi prop is ! ed. increases the inv'iint of li<p<r; physicians may subser'l 0 from a pint I every ten days to a quart every fifteen . days. Under recent decisions of tlie! supreme court congre.-s has tlie power j to decide the quantity of alcohol that i makes the beverage intoxicating under the prohibition law therefore wets argue tlie enforcement m t can be I amended to legalize almost any quantity of alcohol. Because of the pr 'vaience of in | 1 fluenza representative S.’.b::th. 111., in- I troduced tlie resolution in the hons.'! that the provision of the Volstead prohibition enforcement mt allowing opiv| one pint of liquor everv ; m days for 1 sick persons be suspended for ninty ‘ ' days. I < Whiskey is the only effective rem- ( , edy against, the disease he claims. _ . REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS 1 Mathias Miller to .1. S. and Daniel 'Falk, lots 245 and 256, Decatur. $3,500 i 1 Olive ('. Black, et al. to Charles A. ' 'Haviland, tract in Jefferson township quit claim. $1; ('. L. V. Sheets to ' Sfauss Bros., tract in Union. $16,000, ! Amos Liechty to Albert W. Liechty. 40 acres Monroe. $10,000; John Rich to Albert W. Liechty, 10 acres, Mon-, roe. $2,000: John Rich to Amos Liechty, 50 acres. Monroe. $10,000; Albert Rich to Amos Liechty. 40 acres, Mon roe. $8,000; Minerva Kritgh. et al. to Jesse H. May, lot 84 Decatur. $600; Henry Hite to L. 1). Adams. 348 Decatur. $800; Sarah A. Larue, et al., to Q. L. Hall, lots 87, 88, 54. 55, 56. 1 57. Ceylon, $400; Fred Lindsey to Sarah Lame, tract in Hartford town'ship. $500; Albert D. Hunsicker. to > James M. Ross. 171. Decatur. $2,000; I'lyses Gfeller to Nettie C. Bowman 20 acres. Washington. $6,000; Alber' M. [.aiming to Fred Dubach, tract ' Hartford township, $2,000.

Price Two Cent*

LABOR AGAINST SEDITION BILL Samuel Gompers Appears Before House Committee and Objects to Passage THE PEACE TREATY Effort is Being Made to Keep It From Going Back to the Open Senate (United Press Service) ! Washington. Jan. 22 (Special to ! Daily Democrat) Republican senat--1 ors attending the by partisan treaty ! conferences at Senator Ixidge's office ! appealed to mild r.-servat ionist s to refrain from throwing the treaty fight once more into tlie open senate. Senators Lodge and New made tlie appeal. They told Senator McNary and other mild reservationists that much progress actually had been made toward a compromise and that nothing could lie done which would render further efforts of the confer ees useless. McNary was not greatly impressed witli the report of progress and in formed Lodge and New that unless they show better results very soon he and his group will reopen the debate in the senate. Washington. Jan. 22 (Special to Dail) Democrat)- Organized labor today threw its force and influence against the sedition hill pending in congress witli tlie declaration by Samuel Gompers before the house •ule committee that the measures are veiled attempts to pass anti-strike laws effecting all industries. Gompers charges brought denial from several members of the committee who claimed the legislation [effects only those seeking to over- ! throw the government by force or i violence. But Gompers claimed the word "force" could be construed to Uieiui "moral force" thus making the law applicable to peaceful efforts to change tlie government. Attorney General Balmer after a conference at the white house sent a letter to the committee declaring be supported neither the Sterling or Graham sedition bill and making no direct recommendation that any messtires be passed. It hail been generally believed he would tight for passage of the measure. TO GROW BEETS Jay County Fanners Contract to (Jrow Beets for Holland-St. Louis Co. A GOOD ACREAGE Realize That Crop is One of the Most Profitable — Others To Do It. Tlie Fanners of Jay county have contracted to raise sugar beets for Holland St. Louis Sugar company of this city. Tlie Portiand-Uommercial Review says: The raising of sugar beets as a specialized crop in .lay conntv was decided at a meeting of farmers, held witli County Agent Hoffman at the courthouse Tuesday afternoon. While the attendance at tlie meeting was not as large as was expected, an acreage sufficiently large to satisfy tlie de mands of tlie Decatur sugar company was pledged, and it is likely that many more farmers in the county will con ceive the profit from siu li a crop and will join in the raising of sugar b‘-<-ts before the time for planting arrives The price of beets has been around twelve dollars a ton and farmers who have been disposing of such crop tn tlie Decatur plant have been receiving from SIOO to $225 an acre gross during the past year for the beets. The I contract of the Decatur plant for the beets was explained by a representative of the company who was present at the meeting here. The Decatur plant officials will he pleased no doubt to hear that .lay county farmers have decided to help contribute sugar lie'-ts to their plant. The company has been securing beets from about twenty counties of instate and they are desirous of cutting down tlie wide range of territory and have, beets grown in counties in closer proximity to the factory.