Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 19, Number 64, Decatur, Adams County, 16 March 1921 — Page 1

Volume XIX. Number 64.

DEFENSE GIVEN A HARD BLOW When Court Refuses to Admit Letters From Jake Hamon to Clara Smith defendant prays Before Going to Court and Deputy Puts on Several Extra Deputies (Ry Carl Victor Little, United Press : staff correspondent) Courthouse, Ardmore, Okla., March | 16—Clara prayed and sheriff “Huck" : Garrett put on extra deputies today. Before leaving her little cottage for the codrt house, where her trial for slaying Jake L. Hamon, miracle man of the southwest, is resumed today. Clara Smith Hamon knelt in prayer with Mrs. Jennie Sharpies, of the world's purity league of Chicago. Mrs. Sharpies is here trying to induce Clara to enter Evangelical work in carl) she is ft ?ed of her murder charge. Sheriff Garrett, determined to keep order in the court today following the riot of yesterday when gun play was threatened, appointed some of his friends to sit among the murder fans —and watch. Love letters written by Jake Hamon to his protege. Clara Smith Ham on, were ruled inadmittable as evidence in Clara's trial for murder, here today. Judge Tom Champion said the let ters introduced by the defense were not competent as evidence. The ruling was a blow to the defense. Clara looked much relieved when she entered the court room today after her, trying ordeal on the witness stand yesterday. She was accompanied by Mrs. Jennie Sharpless, and evangelist. who prayed with her during the. morning before court openetfT Clara’s expression was more complacent and she laughed and was cheerful as she chatted with “Wiki Bill" McLean,’ her attorney. The state closed its case after hearing testimony by a few witnesses. Prosecutor Freeling said he would not ask the death penalty in his closing statement. He feels he has a better chance of getting a conviztion if he asks a lighter penalty. CAN ISSUE BONDS NOW (United Press Service) Indianapolis, Mar. 16 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —The public service commission here today authorized the Linn Grove Light and Heat company to issue $30,000 worth of bonds. The bonds will be ten year gold notes. ELECT OFFICfRS — Decatur Athletic Association Re-elect the Old Board of Directors MEETING LAST NIGHT Signers of Notes Made Members—May Increase the Seating Capacity — The Decatur Athletic association held an important meeting last evening, it being their annual session at which time occurred the election of officers. The old officials, (’. C. Schafer, president; M. F. Worthman, secretary and Cal Peterson, secretary were re-elected and these with Dan Tyndall and J. H. Heller from the board of directors. A resolution was also adopted making the thirty signers of tlie gym note, members of the Decatur Athletic association, the original members, including only nin|e, sufficient, to organize. The report read by Mr. Worthman showed the past year a very successful one and that the gym is more than carrying itself financially. About twenty-five attended the meeting and the extension of the east wall of the building so as to provide a much larger seating capacity was also discussed and this will probably, bo donje during the year. The gym is beyond doubt the most popular place tn town for the young folks and not a signer of the notes but felt the Investment had been worth while. A newborn kangaroo is not much larger than a medium-sized thumb.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

ANOTHER BLOW AT THE MEN Houston, Texas, March 16.—1 t isn’t' the “bald headed” row anymore. i “Men don't have a chance to get the I front row of seats at vaudeville shows these days," said Manager Eddie Grender. Majestic theatre. “The women reserve 'em a week j ahead of time for every show." THEY DISCUSS IT Electricians’ License Was Brought Up at Council Meeting Last Evening — WANT A CONTRACTOR I Will Not Permit Dan Straub to Build a Fish Stand on Second Street A short session of the city council was held last evening during which time routine business was disposed of. D. W. Spencer appeared before the council and asked for an explanation of the ordinance pertaining to the electrician's license. Mr. Spencer wanted to know if the ordinance applied to corporations of partnerships or merely to individuals and whether every man employed by a partnership or corporation had to have a license or be a licensed electrician. The city attorney contended that they did not. A few of the councilmen argued that the purpose of the ordinance was intended that every man doing electrical work should have a license. The question however was not settled. The bond of Arthur Miller as a I licensed electrician was tiled and referred to the electric light committee. As a number of property owners signed waivers in the matter of the I Frank Bosse sewer improvement, the I resolution was passed ordering the city clerk to issue $550.00 worth of improvement bonds. Councilman Martin made a motion i that the eterk advertise tor iiida for I a city contractor, he to build sidewalks and other such work ordered by the city. Dan Straub appeared before the council and asked if the council would grant him the right to build a sheet iron shed on the Ehinger lot. on North Second street for the purpose of selling fish. Fire Chief Dellinger spoke up and stated that such a building would be considered a fire hazard. The councilmen after I discussing it refused to grant permission to Mr. Straub to build the fish house. Other buildings on this same lot were ordered removed by the council last year. The finance committee allowed the following bills and the meeting adjourned : Council Bills. St. Commissioner pay roll. $62.40: I Police pay roll, $105.00; Orval Har- | ruff, $337.50; Thos. Dowling $50.00; I City firemen, $145.00; American Ry. Exp. $1.63; Citizens 'Phone Co., j $12.00; Citizens Phone Co., $23.35; I First National Hank, $2.40; Fisher & Harris. $1.00; J. S. Peterson, $153.70; IF. S. Webster Co., $6.69; J. F. Arnold I Co., $79.18; John S. Myers, $20.25; M. JJ. Mylott pay roll. $301.10; Hauling [coal $81.00; Turbine pay roll. $124.50; A. C. Foos pay roll. $481.17: Nelson Valve Co., $415.77; Water Works pay 'roll, $155.10; Shanahan-Conroy Auto Co., $8.53; American Ry. Express Co., $2.13; Pittsburgh Meter Co., $32.21; Thompson Meter Co., $33.03; Buffalo I Meter Co.. $4.32; Fort Wayne Oil & ! Supply/To.. $185.40; National Meter Co., $46.32; National Meter Co., ■5392.84; P. & H. Supply Co., $93.00; National Mill & Supply Co., $15.35; I Pennsylvania System, $031.97; Ross Harden, $19.92; Burk Elevator Co.. $5.10; City of Garrett, $66.00; General Electric Co., $117.6G; Fort Wayne Oil & Supply Co., $28.38; Central Electric Co., $20.00; Wayne Belting & Scpply Co., $121.67; Southern Coal & Coke Co., $586.64; Aetna Coal Sales Co., $235.13; National Mill & Supply Co.. $68.03; Lorain Coal & Dock Co., $141.60; National Mill & Supply Co., $149.91; Sanitary Supply Co., $7.90; McDonough Coal Saving Co., $70.30; ' Johns-Manville Co., $32.40; Carlock Packing Co., $8.19; Consumers Rub- ' I ber Co., $4.53; Standard Oil Co., 1 $9.95; Protective Electric Shop, 1 $623.95; American Ry. Express Co., ’ $8.15; Porter & Beavers, $54.60. » _________________ —— 1 DAMAGE WAS SMALL J t Sparks from a chimney caused a ■ five-dollar damage at the Mel Butler home at 1 o’clock this afternoon. The department made a quick response to i the alarm, and the blaze was soon extinguished.

MOTHER IS DEAD Mother of Louis Mailand Died at Home of Daughter at Fort Wayne FUNERAL SERVICES Will be Held at St. John’s Lutheran Church at 3 O’clock Tomorrow The mother of Louis Mailand of . this city and Charles of the north part of the county, died at the home jof her daughter, at Fort Wayne, j The Journal-Gazette gives the fol-1 lowing account: “Mrs. Wilhelmina Mailand, 77j I years of age, died at 9 o’clock yester-1 day morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Ferdinand Droege, 1001 West Creighton avenue. Death was caused by pneumonig and fol lowed an illness of three days, Mrs. Mailand had been a resident of this city for six years, having moved here from Adams county where she had lived for G 9 years. “She is survived by six sons. William, of Nebraska; Christ, of this city; Louis, Decatur; Charles, of Adams county; Fred and Theodore, both of this city; two daughters. Mrs. William Zwick, of Nebraska; and Mrs. Droege, of this city; two brothers, William Scheumann, of this city and Ferdinand, of Logansport; 28 grand-children and 11 great grand-children. “Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 12:45 o’clock at the residence and at 1 o'clock at the Emmaus Lutheran church. Rev. Wambsganss officiating. Services will lie held at 3 o’clock at the St. John'r, Lutheran church at Bingen. Burial will be made in the cemetery there.” YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER Cuero, Texas, March 16. — Your Thanksgiving dinners getting started carliof fft fs sprtnr. Suero turkeys—known by the annual Cuero Turkey Trot—are starting their families earlier this year. Mild weather is given as a reason by turkey growers. There’s going to he a bumper crop of Thanksgiving meat according to growers. FOURTHJIISTRICT American Legion Drive for New Members Will be Launched March 28th PRIZES ARE OFFERED For Post Making Largest Per Cent of Gain —Twen-ty-four in the District North Vernon, lnd„ March 16. — Plans were completed for the big 4th district service ami membership campaign of The American Legion, which starts March 28th and continues for j two wfeeks, ending April 10th, at a i meeting of the post commanders and representatives of the 24 Legion posts | in this district, Sunday afternoon, I March 13th at the club-rooms of the Jennings county post No. 91. North Vernon. State headquarters has announced that prizes will be awarded the post making the largest per centage of increased membership during this drive and has appointed Scott Shields of Brownstown, as chairman of tliis awards committee. ' On this committee are the following: Ray Joliuson, Lawrenceburg; J. K. Danglade, Vevay; C. D. Cook, Columbus and R. A. Tripp, North Vernon, The campaign is under the direction of Phillip B. Stapp, 4th district executive committeeman and Earle V. Hitch, campaign director, with campaign headquarters in room 6, 3rd National Bank Bldg., Greensburgh, Ind. The district has been divided into two divisions, one headed by Oscar V. Abel of Seymour, and the other by Wm. B. Taylor of Batesville. This campaign is the forerunner of other district campaigns for membership in the American Legion. Starting with the campaign recently made by the Marion county council which was very successful, It is the purposa L of state headquarters to make the . campaign along the lines of each > congressional distret, so as to be bet- > ber able to concentrate all efforts on i a smaller area, rather than make one big state wide drive.

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday Evening,March 16, 1921.

♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦<>♦♦♦♦♦ ♦ THE WEATHER FORECAST ♦ Indiana—lncreasing cloudiness followed by rain- late tonight or Thursday; rising temperature Thursday. Lower Michigan—Fair tonight with freezing temperature; Thursday cloudy and somewhat warmer. Upper Michigan — Fair tonight; Thursday cloudy and somewhat warmer. LET DS HOPE SO Group in Congress Will Insist That Poor Man’s Taxes be Reduced WITH THOSP: OF RICH Democrats Announce They Will Lead Fight—More Exemptions Promised (By Herbert W. Walker. United Press staff correspondent) Washington, Mar. 16 —(Special to Daily Democrat) Reduction of the federal taxes that “the average man" must pay will be demanded by a bipartisan group in congress when proposals are submitted for the lowering of the rates which affect big incomes. Democratic leaders in the house have informed the republicans that they will oppose any reductions of the taxes the rich must pay. Unless it is accompanied by a similar decrease to the people who earn less than $3,000 annually. The democrats claim that in this they will be backed by a large number of republicans. The proposals for tax reductions submitted thus far call only for the elimination of the excess profits levy and the surtax rates, the latter applying only, to incomes above $5,000. The counter proposals will provide for a reduction of the normal income tax which at present is four per cent. Democratic leaders point out that this was reduced from 8 to 4 per cent in 1919 but that no subsequent de creases were authorized. Some of the democrats favor reducing the tax that affects the average man from four to two per cent while others believe it should be reduced only to three. Other suggestions will be that a greater exemption be allowed such as $1,500 for a single man and $2,500 for a married man. Representative Rodenburg. Illinois republican, claims that the exemption for children is i too low, the average child causes a | greater reduction than S2OO a year j from a man’s income, he believes. ! Exemptions for S4OO and SSOO will be proposed. Representative Claude Kitchin, N. I Carolina who expects to be democrat .ic leader, if his health permits, is planning to hold a series of confer- ; ences between now- and the meeting of the special session of congress to frame the position which the minority will take on fiscal legislation. He plans to resume his seat on the ways and means committee. Kitchin is a tax authority, in the main having been responsible for the present revenue act. A SPUING DANCE Delta Theta Tau Sorority Girls Plan Enjoyable Social Affair for April 21 WATTS’ ORCHESTRA Will Furnish the Music— Tickets May be Had of Any Sorority Member The girls of the Delta Theta Tau sorority have made plans for their spring dance, and it promises to be one of the most enjoyable social affairs of the winter and spring. In former years it has been the : custom of the young ladies to give a . valentine dance, but this- year it. was ■ thought advisable to call it a spring I dance, and give it a little later in the season. And then another reason for I setting the date for April 21, the op- , portunity came to get Johnny Watts' , five-piece orchestra from Ft. Wityne, and this happened to be an open date. This orchestra is one of tlie f best to be had, and many have danc- ' ed to the wonderful music played by them, and knowing Decatur dancers would enjoy the best, contracted for 5 them to appear here on that date. 1 The valentine dances of the soror--5 ity in past years have always been 3 looked forward to with a great deal 1 of pleasure, and the announcement today is delightful news to the young i people who like to dance. Tickets 3 may be hud from any of the sorority j girls.

-MONTHLY REPORT Electric Department Earn--1 ed More Than the Water Department Lost DURING FEBRUARY I Supt. Mylott’s Report Filed I With the Council —Cost is Lowered ■ Supt. Mylott of Hi - Decatur Light and Power Plant filed his report for February with the city council last evening. Tlie report showed that 145,899 KWH. were manufactured at tlie city I plant, that 3.877,190 pounds was generated and that 347 tons cf coal al $6.99 per ton ware used. After charging off depreciation ami adding the cost of manufacturing, the report showed that the electric light depart- ! ment made a gross profit of $2,341.93, , tile gross revenue being $6,540.02, , while the operating expenses were $4,198.09. The gross receipts in tlie water de . partment for tlie month of Februari were $109.41, the operating expenses for the same period. $2,528.94. makin1 a deficit of $1,435.53. Tlie gain in tlie electric light department off set tlie loss in the water deportment and leaves a net balance of $906.40. Witli cheaper coal last month than previous month for a year tile cost of 1 manufacturing a KWH. of current was cut to two and three-quarters cents ' per killowat. Consumption of electric current in February fell off 4".54" KW. against tlie record in January which topped 187.430 KW. in January CLAIMS JAPAN IS PERSECUTED Tokyo—(By Mail to U. P.) — "ThWhite Peril and Japan's Future" is . the title of a book recently published in Tokyo by one Hidka, who tries to show how Japan is being persecuted . by Am.qiica and Europe. He claims that Japan lias been placed in a difficult international position by tlie ambitious white nations which will not be. content until they have driven her i into a corner, and cities as evidence i the allegation that they regard the 1 alienation of China and Japan as one 1 of the most important means of ac--1 complishing this aim. WOULD POSTPONE I Kinsman Trying to (Jet Out of the Game Here Friday Night of This Week REPLY IS FORWARDED 4 Game Will be Considered Forfeited Unless Team ' Comes for Return Game They hesitate and those who hesitate arc lost, it is said. • 1 B. H. Smith, principal of the Decatur high school, yesterday received a letter from the principal of the Kingman high school, telling him that ’ one of his forwards had a thumb dislocated in the game against Decatur last Friday evening and that it would therefore not be convenient for them to comle to Decatur for the return game next Friday night. The Kingman aggregation tried to get out of signing the contract but were held to their agreement and it is the opinion of some fans now that this is but another plan for doing 1 j just that. r Mr. Smith promptly replied that s the contract was made in good faith and that it would not be convenient to postpone the game as requested ’ until April Bth as by that time the basket ball season will be over and ’ interest will lag. He also informed ’ the Kingman principal that unless ~ they keep the engagement, the game will be considered forfeited. A reply is expected this evening or tomorrow and it is hoped they will i decide to come on and show their 3 speed. In case. Kingman forfeits the game v they must also under their contract s pay a casli forfeit of $75.09 to Deca r tur. MEETING AT MONMOUTH a 1 The Hampshire Swine Breeders t will meet at the Monmouth school g house Friday evening at 7:30. Col. s Reppert will be present unit every y person interested in Hampshire hogs is requested to he at the meeting.

• HEAVY COST OF NEGLECT Washington, March 16. — Disease | largely dm- to neglect, takes a direct annual toll of $200,000,000 worth of ■ livestock, government reports showed today. The indirect cost may be more. Damp, poorly-ventilated stables are a , I chief cause, experts said, being con-: ' i tributory to tuberculosis. ' WIFE GETS DECREE Sarah Williams Granted Divorce From Arthur Williams by Moran IS GIVEN ALIMONY In Sum of $650 —Also $l5O Attorneys’ Fees and a Part of Furniture * _________ The divorce case of Sarah Williams vs. Arthur Williams, tlie colored folks from F ort Wayne, came to a conclusion ■ Tuesday evening in tlie Adams circuit ’ court. Attorneys for tlie contestants in tlie case made a short argument, and Judgo Moran immediately gave his decision, finding for Mrs. Williams ! giving her tlie divorce, the sum of $650, and $l5O attorney's fees, and 1 also giving tier a part of the household goods. The cash becomes due 1 >ind payable immediately. The defendant had tiled a cross-complaint. 1 and the judge found against him in every particular. Quite a large crowd heard the evidence submitted, and 1 “colored folks" in the Adams circuit ■ <ourt was quite a novelty. Thos. G. ' Moorehead appeared for Mrs. Williams. and Attorney Aldrich, of the firm of Ryan, Ryan & Aldrich, repre sented the defendant. The entire party left for Fort Wayne on the 7 o’clock car. The case of the State of Indiana vr. Jeff Jones, set for trial Friday, has ' been postponed until the next term ’ of court by agreement of attorneys 1 for the state and defense. A new case entered of record to-j day is that of the State of Indiana vs., William W. Ayres, charged with child 1 neglect. A bench warrant is ordered returnable forthwith. Bond is fixed in the sum of S3OO. In the matter of the estate of Elizazetb J. Crandall, petition is filed by administratrix for order of court fixing time when court will determine! cash value of ths estate for inheri-, ! tance tax purposes. The court fixes , , | April 8,- 1921, and notice is ordered given to all proper officials and interested persons, returnable April 8. H Charles 11. Lammiman vs. estate of Elizabeth J. Crandall estate. Administratrix is authorized to compromise and settle claim against estate for the stiin of $lO, and the claim is ordered paid oat of the assets of the estate. A motion for a now trial in the case of Victor Graber vs. Myers, dam- ■ ages, will be argued by the attorneys tomorrow. Tlie case was heard two I weeks ago. and the jury brought in a . verdict for the plaintiff. VISITED PRINT SHOP 1 The chemistry class of the Decatur > high school, with the teacher, Mr. t Otis J. Briggs, visited this office to- . day, and were taken through the varr | ious departments, starting with the I i linotype, make-up, job department, i bindery, pressroom, and basement i where metal is handled and remelted for the linotypes, and where small > stereotype plates are made for use in the advertising columns. Many of the j class members had not seen the op--1 erations of a print-shop, and seemed > surprised at the amount of work really I required to get out a newspaper. We I were somewhat handicapped today, j ! owing to the rearrangement of the t! office so as to give us more room. THE MID-WEEK SERVICE 1 The mid-week prayer service of the ' Presbyterian church will be held this ; evening nt the church, and the par-tor ■desires a good attendance of the church members from all of the eight ’ districts of the city where the pre--1 Easter meetings have been held dur--1 ing last week and this. The meeting this evening at the church comP bines the district meeting of members 1 who reside in the vicinitv of the ' church and the regular weekly service. Rev. Saunders will lead, and he has a program of interest, talking on the Easter service. The last of the disa trict meetings will be held Thursday ,1 evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. I Lawrence Biggs. 104 North Eleventh y . street. Mrs. F. E. Render and Miss h Wells will sing a duet at tin service tonight. i

Price Three Cent®

MYSTERY CHIME CLEARS SLOWLY Virgil Decker Arrested at Marion for the Murder of Leroy Lovett HAD $28,060 INSURANCE And Motive Seems to Have Been to Collect It— Uncle Makes Statement (United Press Service) Warsaw, Ind., March 1G —(Special to Daily Democrat. —Virgil Decker, 19. was under arrest at Marion, Ind., today, charged with murder in one of the strangest crime mysteries that ever came to the attention of Indiana police authorities. His mother, Lydia, was held by Bourbon, Ind., authorities in connection with the ' crime. Leroy Lovett. 19’year old chum of Virgil Decker, was tlie victim of the murder, Lovett and Decker were “Doubles.’’ one often being mistaken for the other. Lovett’s body was found Saturday night after a Pennsylvania train had struck a buggy standing at a crossing. The body was identified by members of tlie Decker family as that of Virgil. Both Decker and Lovett had disappeared. Decker carried a $14,000 accident insurance policy with provisions for double payment in case of accidental death. Insurance investigators, working with local authorities, discovered that no horse had been hitched to the buggj’ standing across the tracks. Authorities .claim Decker killed Lovett so that his family might collect the insurance. After identifying the body as that of Virgil, a coroner’s investigation was called and it was decided that death had been caused by gunshot wounds instead of by the train striking the buggy. ; Lovett's relatives identified the ■ body positively as that of Leroy. I The body was clad in clothing belonging to Virgil Decker. Virgil was taken into custody at the home of his uncle where he went for a visit on Sunday. Decker appeared at the home of Lovett in Elkhart Friday and asked i the youth to accompany him to his - home over Sunday. Decker told - Lovett that his folks were away. |Lovett left and that was the last time he was seen alive. The actual murder, authorities claim, was committed in a cabin belonging to Fred Decker, brother of the accused youth on the banks of the Tippecanoe river. Blood stained clothing was found in the shack. Lovett's coat was found there. Outside the cabin, buggy tracks were found leading to the , railroad (Continued on page two) INDIANA FAIRS Dates Are Set for the Various County Fairs in This Section of State OUR FAIR IS FIRST In This Section—Middletown Has Same Date, But Will Not Conflict The dates fcr the various fairs in I this section of the state have been announced. These dates are first selected by tlie local associations, and ■ then submitted to an association of fair boards lor consideration, and if I there are twe fairs for the same date ■| in any one locality, the dates are rejarranged so that one will not detract from the other. The dates tor the Northern Indiana fair in this city have been advertised the past few days as August 2, 3. 4 and 5, and the fair will closely follow thta dates of Reppert’s School of Auction': ring, which comes off during the month of July. The various fairs will be held as fellows: Northern Indiana (Decatur) —August 2 to 5, inclusive. Middletown—August 2 to 5. Muncie —August 9 to 12. Newcastle —August 16 to 19. North Manchester —August 15 to 20. Greenville —August 22 to 26. Converse —Sept. 12 to 16. Connersville —September 23 to 26. Portland —August 29 to Sept. 2. Bourbon —October 4 to 7. The state fair will be Heid early in September.