Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 19, Number 290, Decatur, Adams County, 8 December 1921 — Page 1

Volume XIX. Number 290

A RADIO CLUB IS FORMED HE Members of American Legion Install Outfit at Headquarters in This City OFFICERS SELECTED A. H. Wehmeyer is VicePresident; Joe McConnell is Secretary-Treasurer. Members of Adams Post, No. 13, of this city, have embarked on a project that in all probability will create a great amount of interest in wireless telegraphy and wireless telephony. Plans for the organization of a radio club have been under consideration for some time, with the result that the club is now a reality, and has equipment installed for the receiving of wireless messages and concerts. Members responsible for the idea met at the Legion hall on Sunday. November 20th and perfected plans for the organization and operation of the dub. The following were present: A. H. Wehmeyer, Dallas Brown, J. L. McConnell, James K. Staley, Miles F. Roop, Leo E. Ehinger, Charles E. Baxter, Charles C. Langston and Joseph C. Laurent. Officers elected are: President—A. H. Wehmeyer. Vice president—Dallas Brown. Secretary-Treasurer—Joe L. McConnell. The name, The American Legion Radio club, was adopted as the title of the organization. A constitution and by-laws were adopted. Membership in the club is limited to the members of the local post of the American Legion in good standing. The equipment installed consists of a receiver, a vacuum tube detector and amplifier, and a clarion, or loud speaker, which enables the club to receive messages and concerts within a radius of approximately 650 miles. Later, the club will install and add suck_additionai catuipmup as wdi be necessary to receive messages, con certs, etc., from any point on the globe. The objects of club, as set forth in the constitution are: The promotion of greater interest in wireless telegraphy and wireless telephony, the establishment of a news service and for the purpose of public and private entertainment for profit, the benefits thereof to be applied to the Adams Post No. 43 of the American Legion. Headquarters are established in the Legion hall in the McConnell building on North Second street. Negotiations are under way to register the club with the United States Navy Amateur Bureau. Much interest has already been manifested in the project which will no doubt will be greatly accentuated as soon as the plans of the club ire in full swing. Watch for further announcements. At High School Also. Several of the boys in the Decatur high school, with the assistance of the manual training teacher, Mr. Garrett. are also working on a wireless apparatus, but at this time the results obtained are not as satisfactory as those interested desire. It is expected, however, that within a few days the station will be in operation, and that messages can be received and sent out at will.

THE COURT NEWS The partition case of Newton D. Henderson vs. Joseph D. Hamm was on trial before Judge Moran ami a jury in the Adams circuit court today. This is the first trial by jury during this term of court. Burk Elevator Co. vs. William Durbin, complaint on note, demand SIIO.OO, and Burk Elevator Co. vs. Frank Smith, complaint on account, demand, $75.00, are titles to new cases filed in circuit court today by Attorneys Merryman & Sutton. Realty Transfers: Henry Steele to Jesse H. Steele, 60 acres, St. Marys tp„ $500; Roy Gaunt et al. to Old Adams County Bank, 93 acres, St. Marys tp„ $4,000; Andrew B. Shoemaker to Adam Egly, inlots 395 and 396, Geneva, $145; Julius Haugk to Holland-St. Louis Sugar Co., 31.83 acres, Root tp. SI.OO. —— — • IS IMPROVING. Mrs. Sam Bentz, who was tal\en to the St. Joseph hospital several days ago, was somewhat improved this morning. Her condition is still very serious, but strong hopes for her recovery are entertained.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

MR. HOFFSTETTER TO PREACH Rev. Hoflf tetter, rtf Fort Wayne will <ouduc ( th.' servkL's at the Presbyterian church this evening for the Rev. A. If. Saunders, pastor. Rev. Saunders was compelled to leave early tills morning lor Gary and Chicago on business and of course could not conduct the meetin-, He was forunate, however., to secure Mr. Hoffstetter, and (he members of the congregation arts urged to attend the meeting this evening.

GUARDED CABIN Evidence in Decker Case Shows Fred Was Guard At Murder Cabin FARMER SEES HIM And Talks With Him-Hear-ings Continue in the Columbia City Court. Columbia City. Ind., Dec. B.—(Special to Daily Democrat). —Evidence Intended to show that Virgil Decker guarded the Tippecanoe river murder cabin which his brothers killed Leroy Lovett in a $24,000 insurance murder plot was introduced today in the trial of Fred Decker. Richard Funk, a farmer living near the Fred Decker farm testified he was rowing on the Tippecanoe river on the day of the murder and that he saw Virgil loafing outside the cabin which is on the rear of the Fred Decker farm. He said he rowed on down the river about three quarters of a mile and that he saw Virgil again sitting on a stump there apparently watching him. “Why aren’t you hunting ducks" Funk is alleged to have asked Virgil. The boy repleid he had seen only a few ducks that year. Funk said he saw Virgil run out of the Fred Decker barn as he pulled abreast of the cabin and run down tc the cabin. He said Virgil stood in front of the cabin all the time ho was nearby, hiding Funk’s view of the door,. Two members of the crew of the train which uncovered an accident roost framed to hide the murder testified at the trial. The state attempted by the railroad man’s testimony to prove that a con spiracy existed between Fred, his two brothers Virgil and Cal and their mother to collect $24,000 life insurance Virgil carried identifying Lovett’s body as that of Virgil. Two Elkhart boys, Andrew Hagerty 16 and Harold Kimes 16 told the court that they were at the Lovett's home on the night Leroy left on his fatal trip in company with Virgil Decker. Hagerty said he was in the automobile when Leroy and Virgil started to Alboin to visit Lovett’s sister and that Virgil asked him to get out of the car because they were going to slop at Fred Decker's home for the night.

PROGRAM AT MONROE SCHOOL DISTRICT 8 Educational Week was well observed Tuesday evening, at District No. 8, Monroe township. Mary Callow and Merit) Poling, teachers. Both rooms were crowded and many standing. Nearly 150 present including patrons, pupils, citizens of Berne, etc. The program was as follows: Song—America. •Cornet Solo—Paul Lehman. Two songs, Berne high school Boys' Glee Clubs. Address—Prof. C. O. Lehman. Song Berne—High school Glee clubs. The Glee club consists of Paul Lehman, Leonard Whitehurst, Howard Lehman, Emil Nagel, Dale Brown, Brown, Dale Eley, “Jimmie" Clauser, August Nagel, C. O. Lehman, pianist Gladys Schlinder.

0 THE WEATHER FORECAST « Indiana: Cloudy tonight and Friday, unsettled in south portion tonight, slightly colder tonight. Lower Michigan: Cloudy tonight and Friday, probably snow Hurries near Lake Michigan tonight, not much change in temperature. Upper Michigan: Cloudy tonight, Friday fair, not much change in temperature.

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THEMESELECT Decatur Royal Arch Chapter Named Men Who Will Serve as Officers DURING NEXT TERM Catholic Ladies of Columbia Also Select Officials— Two New Members. The Decatur Chapter, No. 112, Masons, elected tho following officers at tlie meeting on Tuesday evening: 11. L. C. Helm. King Cal E. Peterson. Scribe—Arthur I). Suttles. Secretary—Roy Archbold. Treasurer—C. A. Dugan. C. of H.—W. P. Schrock. P. S.—C. C. Ernst. R. A. C. —Levi L. Baumgartner. G. A. First Vale—Earl B. Adams. G. M. Second Vale—Daniel Sprang. G. M. Third Vale —Harry Fritzinger. Guard—Barney Kalver. The installation of these officers will take place next Thursday evening, Judge D. E. Smith, of Fort Wayne, being the installing officer. The Catholic Indies of Columbia at their meeting on Tuesday evening elected the following officers for the next term: President—Agnes Costello. Vice President—Christena Schurger. Recording Secretary—Miss Winifred Witson. Financial Secretary—Edith Miller. Treasurer—Ruth Keller. Trustee, One Year —Mrs. Neering. Trustee, Two Years —Mrs. Joe Lose. Trustee, Three Years—Margaret Brown. Spiritual Director—Rev. J. A. Seimetz. Monitor —Agnes Weber. Inner Guard—Mary Alberdine. Two members, Mrs. Esther Myers md Edith Ervin, were obligated and the meeting was an unusually interesting one. The local order has been prosperous during the past year, and ts one of the live orders of the city.

A FINE MAM Was Given by Pupils and Patrons at Brandyberry Schoo! South of City TEACHERS IN CHARGE Messrs. 0. L. Vance and .1. Q. Neptune Assisted in the Entertainment. The patrons of the Brandyberry school, south of the city, enjoyed a splendid program Wednesday evening, the entertainment being a part □f the educational program as outined and urged by the National Sducation association and the American Legion. Miss Ethel Potts and Miss Thelma Burkhead, are the teachers at this school, and the school year has been very profitable for the pupils and patrons under their direction. O. L. Vance and Dr. J. Q. Neptune of this city assisted. Mr. Vance giving a speech, and Mr. Neptune, helping with the musical part of the entertainment. The pupils gave songs, readings, etc., and there was Victrola music, besides talks by the school patrons, in which they praised the effort of the various organizations in boosting educational matters, and they also praised the teachers in their school for the earnest efforts they have made and are making for the success of the school. The spirit of the meeting was fine, and every attendant felt that the time had been unusually well spent. The school building, which contains two large rooms, was crowded to capacity. AUNT DIES SUDDENLY Mrs. J. H. Stewart this morning was informed by t lephene of the sudden death last evening of her. aunt, Mrs. Alice Ruggles, at Huntington. Mis. Ruggles expired suddenly after an attack of heart trouble nt the horn? of her daughter, Mrs. Annie Burris, on fcaet Market street. She was about seventy years old, and ha I been a resident of Mt. Etna, in Huntington county, many years. Mrs. Ruggles visited at the Stewart homo here a few days tills fall. Funfaral services will be Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock at Mt. Etna. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart will probably attend.

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday Evening, December 8, 1921.

HEAR MR. STUMP. Through Mr. O'Brien of the Gas company, Hon. Albert Stump will speak at the Decatur Industrial rooms this evening at 8 o'clock. Every business man and every citizen should attend He will give an instructive and helpful talk from the utilities standpoint and you should hear it. Those attending other meetings should plan to come as soon as they can. FOUR ARE GUILTY I — Jury in Muncie Cases Returns Verdict Against all the Defendants OTHERS PLEAD GUILTY General Stampede This Morning by Defendants to Change Please. I ulh-d I’rewH stall ('orr<-»|N>ii<lriii Indianapolis, Ind.. Dec. B—(SpecialB—(Special to Daily Democrat) Four defend ants in the Muncie booze conspiracy cases were found guilty iu federal court today. The verdict cleaned the slate, all of the remaining forty-one having pleaded guilty. The four were Timothy Owens, justice of the peace, L. Scott, negro policeman, Maggio Lampkins and Carrie Brown, negresses alleged to have operated blind tigers. There was a general stampede of defendants to change their pleas to guilty when court convened. Four more of the more than forty defend ants changed their pleas. They were George Fox, night captain of police, Ora Pogue, private detective John Sullivan, said to be the pro prietor of six blind tigers and Maggit Logan, said to be a blind tiger opet ator. District Attorney Fred VanNuy: nulled the case against Thomas V Miller, attorney, at completion of the state's case. Pogue and (.'apt. Fox took the stand and material!) ! strengthened the state’s case tc prove Ute existanoe of. organized graft in connection with bootleg ging in Muncie. FLOOD FALLS DEAD Washington, Dec. B—(Special tc Daily Democrat) —Representative H B. Flood. Virginia, dropped dead her< today. Heart trouble was given as the cause. Flood had been ill about a month. For years Flood had been prominent in democrat national politics having herved as chairman of the democratic congressional committee. He had been a member of the house twenty-one years. GUESTS OF ROTARIANS The members of the High School *■ atball term and coach Moore will be guests of the Decatur Rotarians at their regular luncbcon meeting thn evening. The meeting starts at 6:IE o'clock and a good program has (beet arranged. TO GRANT POWER Commission to Be Given Authority to Select Site For Reformatory BILL IS PREPARED For Presentation When Legislature Convenes at Indianapolis Wednesday. United rress Stuff Correspondent Indianapolis, Ind., Dec. B—(Special to Daily Democrat)—The commis sion for removal of the reformatory from Jeffersonville will be given the power of eminent domain in selecting a new site under the bill to be presented to the special legislature next Wednesday, it was learned today. The purpose of tills will be to prevent owners of land from charging the state an exhorbitant price. The bill was being drafted today at a conference of members of the commission with Gov. McCray, trustees of other reformatories and other interested in the removal. A sub-com-mittee was appointed to draft the bill for which the special legislature was called. It was understood the bill will provide that the trustees shall superintend the building of the new institution wheih will likely cost about $900,000. This will include the $450,101 to be paid by Colgate & Company for the present reformatory site.

LOWER RATE NEAR Says Interstate Commerce Commission in Its Annual Report to Congress GENERAL REDUCTION Will Follow Comprehensive Rate Inquiry Now Being Conducted by Body. By James T. Koiberl. United Press Staff Correspondent Washington, Dec. 8- (Special to Daily Democrat) Lower railroad ates in the near future were foreseen >y the Interstate Commerce Commistion today in its annual report to congress. After a general.declaration that the general railroad situation is showing teady improvement the commission laid: “We are hopeful that with an improvement in the volume of traffic and with a further adjustment of operating costs in harmony witli prevailing endencies a substantially lower level jf rates and fares will be compatible with the rule of rate making which has teen prescribed by congress and at he same time permit an adequate naintenance of the properties.” This is taken to mean a general reluction in rates will follow the com trehensive rate inquiry now in progress under the direction of the comnisslon. The cut is expected to come ;arly next year. The report reveals that the rail•oads have dropped from their payoils a half million employes within he last year. This has greatly aided the railroads in making a financial recovery. In addition the report said: “With the reduction in the level of vages effective as of July 1, 1921, net warnings in July, August and Septem ter, 1921, again showed substantial ncrease, although not reaching a rate ts six percent, on the value of rail properties so determined for the Uni ed States as a whole.”

A BANDIT CHASE Across Michigan from Grand Rapids to Detroit is On at This Time ROB EXCHANGE BANK Killed Policeman—Posse ol Hundred in PursuitBandits Car Wrecked. United Press Staff Correspondent Grand Rapids, Mich., Dec. B—(SpeB—(Spe dal to Daily Democrat)—Bandits who ■ebbed the Michigan Exchange Bank lere of SIO,OOO and killed a policenan are still at large today. Accompanied by a woman they are believed to be headed toward De roit in a stolen automobile. While fleeing here the bandit cat tmashed into a freight train, and th* occupants were uninjured. Stealing mother car, which was passing, the obbers managed to escape. Patrolman Brandsma who attempt ed to halt the robbers as they were leaving a dwelling here was shot hrough the neck and twice through he heart. A posse of more than 100 men are conducting the search but no trace has been found. Rumors that the bandits had been captured in Pine Lake after a run ning gun battle, in which several persons were wounded, lacked confirmation. Reports from authorities there declare that the robbers have not been teen. e TO IMPEACH THE SHERIFF (United PreMN Service). Richmond, ind., Dec. B—(Special 10 Daily Democrat)—An effort to ini peach Sheriff Carl Wadman was fairly under way here today. The grand jury cited Wadman on charges of neglect of duty in permit ting the escape of W. H. Coleman from the Wayne county jail. Coleman was charged with passing fraudulent checks. He formerly was night police sergeant here. Attorneys for Sheriff Wadman said he was not guilty of intentional misconduct and asked an early hearing. The hearing was set for December 21. Mr. and Mrs. Joe Rotch of near Berne shopped in this city today.

TESTING CATTLE Dr. Brunsln, of Indianapolis, Is in the county, assisting County Agent Busche, In the work of testing cattle herds for ttibwctilosls. Twentythree herds, or a total of 202 cattle were injected on Tuesday and Wed nesdtty. and the tests will be read Friday and. Saturday. Mr. Brunson will also be here next week, and with County Agent Busche will be engaged in the same work. RELEASE* PASTOR Congregational Meeting at Presbyterian Church Accepts Resignation of REV. A. H. SAUNDERS Minister Expects to Leave Soon After January 1 for Denver. Colorado. At the congregational meeting of the Presbyterian church held Wednesday evening folliwing the revival meeting, the resignation of the pastor, the Rev. A. H. Saunders, which was announced on Sunday morning, after the morning service, was accepted. Oscar Hoffman, as chairman of the session, presided. The Rev. Saunders again told bis people of the necessity for his decision to go to a ■hurch near the home of his brother. and that he had concluded to go iftar several weeks of prayerful thought and consideration. A motion that the body accept the resignation. carried without a dissenting vote, every member of tho church expressing regret that the minister must go. but believing It to be the best under the circumstances. The chairman then appointed C. J. Lutz, E. S. Moses and C. D. Teeple as a •ommittee, to go with the Rev. Satinlet’s to the meeting of the Presbycry at Fort Wayne on Friday. Rev. and Mrs. Saunders, with Baity Ruth, expect to leave soon after January 1, for Denver, Colorado, .where Rev. Saunders will become tastor of the Corona church. Charles launders and wife are located at Joulder, twenty-five miles out of Denver, and the brothers and their families will thus be very close. MR. MOSER'S BOOKS. In mentioning the approval of the ounty records yesterday by the state board of accounts, we mentioned that ~r Jaberg's books had been approved, when we should have stated lie records of ex-Auditor John Mosure wore approved. Only the school funds handled during the first five months of Mr. Jabergs term were checked by the accountants, and they were of course found to be O. K. The records of Mr. Jaberg will not be examined intil after he has served his first year as auditor. THE G. A. R. OFFICERS. The following have been named as □ fficers elected for Sam Henry Post, No. 63. for tho year, 1922: Post Commander, W. 11. Myers; Senior vice ommander, S. B. Fordyce; Junior vice commander, Daniel Kitson; adjutant, B. W. Sholty; quartermaster, G. B. Cline; surgeon, Benjamin Pillers; chaplain. R. A. Drummond; officer of the day, D. K. Shackley; ifficer of the guard, Samuel Citron ister; sergeant major, John Edwards; patriotic instructor, M. J. Wertzberger. The above officers will be installed on the 7th day of January, 1922. SPECIAL TO FORT WAYNE A special car bearing the members ;f the high school basket ball team-, md many rooters will leave here Ft’!la." evening at 6:15 over the iriterur□an for Fort Wayne. Both the boys md girls’ teams will battle with the Fort Wayne teams at the library hull, corner Lewis and Calhoun streets, md they expect of course to bring back the laurels. A great crowd is assured for the special, and many of the local fans expect to attend tho game. The fare for tho round trip s SI.OB.

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POWERS ACCEPT NEW AGREEMENT To Take Place of AngloJapanese Alliance it is Authoritatively Stated WILL MEET TODAY Delegates From Japan, England, France and United States in Session. (United Press Service) Washington, Dec. 8 — (Special to Daily Democrat) —All the powers have accepted the new quadruple agreement to take the place of the Anglo-Ja-panese alliance, it was learned authoratively today. It was expected that a meeting of the delegates of the four powers — United States, Great Britain. Japan and France—would be held late today at which acceptances would be formally presented. The agreement probably will he signed soon some of the delegates in Washington stated. They stated Secretary Hughes was anxious to secure a final agreement at the earliest possible moment. The quadruple agreement is now expected to be made public by Hughes almost immediately. It is understood that the agreement contains a preamble and about five clauses. WOMAN GANG LEADER NOW DOES FANCY WORK ( I lilted I’rcmi *»rr\ !<•«»». Canon City, Colo., Dec. B—(Special to Daily Democrat) —Fancy work, flower making and china painting occupy the time of Colorado’s best krtbwn women criminals serving sentences In the state penitentiary here. Eva Lewis, black-eyed vlxem of the famous Lewis gang, is- making fancy work in the “big house.” She is the last of the band that engaged in many a g’tn battle. Besides her. mumbling to herself, sits Mrs. Garrsmone. former pro prietress of Denver's only "murder farm," where the aged Italian woman slew her victims and burled them. She is making artificial flowers which are rent to Italy to be sold on the streets of Rome. May Jones, former queen of Denver's underworld in its hey-day, paints china. They have few words for visitors, these women, as they work at their aobbies behind the gray walls. MANY ARE REFUSED United Press Service. Mishawaka, Ind., Dec. B—(Special to Daily Democrat)—Cox is president of the United States. Henry Ford is the "head man” of the United States. Harding was eiected by the democrats. No, theee are not some answers to Edison’s Queries. They are just a few bits of valued information gleamed by immigration officials of Mishawaka in the naturalization examinations. Only twenty-seven of sixty-nine applicants passed the examination. BORAH STARTS FIGHT <1 ntlrd Service). Washington. Dec. B—(Special to Daily Democrat)— Europe will go to smash and America will face serious trouble unless the Versailles treaty is completely overhauled and rewritten. Senator Borah, Idaho, declared today, in launching a campaign which he hopes will lead to revision of the pact. Bora): urged the calling of ar. international conference of Great Britain. France. Japan anti Germany to rewrite “title treaty io Europe can live." BETTER FEELING NOW (Copyright' 1921, by United Press) New York, Dec. B—(Special to Daily Democrat) —A deeply rooted cause of misunderstanding between the British empire and the United I States has been removed by the Irish settlement, Premier Lloyd Geo-ge declared in a message to the United Press today. Lloyd George also said that while he could not attend the Washington arms conference he looked forward to visiting the United States later.