Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 20, Number 238, Decatur, Adams County, 10 October 1922 — Page 1

VJameXX. Number 238

HIE SHEFFER WAS INDICTED GY GRAND JURY Auburn Man Charged With Murder of His Brother and Sister-in-Law may venue the case (ase May Be Tried in Another County; Arraignment Date Not Set Auburn, Ind, Oct. 10—Two indictments. returned by the Dekalb county S rand Jury late Monday afternoon, ( harg«Hl Nie Sheffer with first degree murder in connection with the killing O s his brother, James W. Sheffer, and bls »isteM»‘J»w. fora Sheffer, on the night of June 22, last. Sheffer has bMt held in the Dekalb county jail without ball since a few hours after the couple was found murdered in a garage on the Sheffer farm near Auburn. The accused man will be brought into court before Judge Link this afternoon. it is said, at which time the court will explain to Nie the seriousness of the charge against him and instruct him to prepare for arraignment and trial. The arraignment is not likely to take place tomorrow afternoon, as Jadge Link wants Sheffer to have a chance to consult with counsel before he enters a plea. If Nie has his war it la generally believed that he will plead not guilty and fight to the last minute to secure his acquittal Whether a change of venue, from Malb county Is asked depends on the attorneys who defend Nie. In view of the almost unanimous belief in Auburn that the indicted man is guilty the case may be carried to another county. Sheriff 0. L Hoodelmler, of Dekalb county; Christian Seoie. former city marshal of Auburn, and other officers who grilled Nie after his arrest were the principal witnesses before the grand jury. Among the principal facts that were presented to the grand jury Were, that, Nl» Sheffer was not in his tent when the sheriff and marshal first welt there on the night of the murder to arrest him. He pretended to be asleep when the officers returned about midnight and found him there. His socks were muddy and his trousers were wet almost to the waist, indicating that he had waded through the tall grass and weeds which surrounded his tent Two revolvers were found buried by the creek near the tent. The pillow case in which they were burled appeared to correspond to the one found on the pillow on h'ie's bad. N’ie Sheffer was arrested at midnight following the double killing He was grilled almost continually by officers who sought to get a confes&ion for five days. Although he was copfrented with the story that bis brother and sister-in-law made death-bed confessions, stating that be shot them and although he was hold that neighbors had seen him tear the scene of the shooting, the accused man declared he knew all the stories were falsehoods and always maintained that he knew nothing of the killing and that he •as entirely innocent. Since the date ! 't the trial he has never spoken a »ord that w-is incriminating to About a week after the murder ,wo affidavits charging him with murder were filed in the justice of e peace court at Auburn and he ‘us been held on these charges. Sheffer has refused to talk to at"rneyb hired by his father tp de--1,1,1 hint. nis curious mental processes have been a puzzle to all who had followed the case. Ihncing Class to Open At K. of C. Hall Thurs. ( Fred Schurger will open the danc,ri K classes at the K. of C. hall on bursday evening of this week and j CODtlnuo ,lle dances every week g the winter season, except ’ » W6ek dUring the Elk ’ e carnival 'lass win fesl,val - The beginners’ , 111 co ®menee at 7:30 and the 8 45 raßS * Mblj ’ d»nee will start at You v « invited w attea)j ln^ n ! D 9 P * r eent of 0,9 growy ' » h " U 0 Unlte ’ l Btat9S ,S9t us destroyed by the boll weevil

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Two Suits On Notes Filed in Court Friday Two complaints of promisory notes were filed in the Adams circuit court this morning through attorneys Frucbte and Litterer. In one complaint Eugene Runyon demands judgment in the sum of $250 from Frank S. Peterson. In the other case Minnie Spuhler demands judgment in the sum of $250 from Frank S. Peterson. In the other case Minnie Spuhler demands judgment in the sum of $125 from Curt Frftzinger and Mary Frit zinger.

ARREST GENEVA MEN FOR THEFT Two Adams County Men Taken to Connersville Last Saturday Chief of police George Koch, of Connersville, accompanied by C. A. Craig, manager of production at the Indiana Lamp company, of the same city, were in Portland Saturday afternoon investigating thefts of lamp.v and various materials which has been taken from the lamp company’s plant. They reported that several hundred dollars worth of goods have been taken this summer, and as a result | of their investigations conducted at Geneva the earlier part of the week two Geneva men are under arrest, charged with being implicated in the theft. These men. Erwin J. Butcher and Roscoe M. Hough formerly oi Bryant, but now residing in Geneva, are detained in the Hagerstown jail, awaiting the hearing to be held Tuesday or Wednesday of this week. Several Portland men are employed in the lamp company’s shops, and it was with the intention of questionIny these men that the chief and the production manager visited Portland The Portland men arc not in any man ner implicated. Chief of Police Harry Huey stated. The questions asked them were for the puprpose of learning if they had seen any one leaving the plant with materials belonging to the company. It is thought that the Geneva men are but two of a gang which has been systematically robbing the company, and that possibly a clearing house for the stolen property might be located In the vicinity of Portland. The following clipping from the Connersville News-Examiner of Sat jrday gives a bit of the story of the theft: "Roscoe Hough and Ervin Butcher were arrested at the Indiana Lamp factory this morning and placed in tail after some property belonging to the factory had been found in their lunch-pails. A quality of spotlights, tail lights and part of headlights sor | tutomobtles was confiscated when heir rooms were searched by the authorities. Charges have not been | filed, but probably will be later in i he day. "Factory officials state that considerable property has been lost in •he past few months. An effort is' being made to stop the practice." o German Marks Take Another Drop Today — London, Oct. 10. —The German mark 'ell to new low levels on the Lon-' lon Exchange today being quoted at 11:30 a. m. at the record low of 13>OO to the pound, or approximately j 1,054 to the American dollar. Mrs. Fred Lichenteiger and daughter Dorothy, of near Wren, Ohio, tpent the week-end with O. T. Johnton family.

MONROE RESIDENTS DISTURBED BY “SPOOKS” IN NEW BUILDING

Monroe, Ind., Oct. 10. —(Special to j Daily Democrat) —For some time there has been mysterious noises coming from the uncompleted Homo Store brick building which was begun about two years ago. A few, nights ago a lighted lantern was no- ‘ ticed in the rear end of the cellar, by some passersby Marshal Andrews secured the lantern which is still in his possession awaiting the owner to claim IL How the lantern came to be there, and who placed it there Is a mystery. On last Wednesday sounds were heard as though carpenters wore, at work on the first floor, upon Inves tigation no one could be found in the ( room. On Friday night at 11.10 ;

THIRD MAN IN CONTEST FOR CONGRESSMAN Henry C. Becker, Elwood Socialist, Enters Race in Eighth District BIG DISCUSSION ARISES Diffierence of Opinion As to Whether Name Can (Jo on Ballots Another candidate is in the race for congressman from the eighth congressional district. Henry C. Bekekr, of Elwood, has filed his name with County Clerk John T. Kelly in this county and with other clerks in different counties in the district as being the Socialist candidate for representative from the eighth district, his certificate of nomination stating that he was nominated by the Socialists in convention on June 18, 1922 at Anderson. Indiana and that his name should be placed on the county ballot. There is some difference of opinion as to whether his name can be placed on the official county ballot and voted upon at the November election, due to the fact that the legislature of 1921 passed a law prohibiting any independent candidate or other (candidate'* name for city, county, judicial or congressional office to be placed on the ballot if that candidate was not nominated at the regular primary election. Another circumstance which may prevent Mr. Becker’s name from going the county ballot is the fact that the Socialists cast only 2500 votes at the last general election for secretary of state and County Clerk John T. Kelly states that the law says that a party shall east at least ten per cewt of- the wwaf vote of the last election. before the name of the candidate can be placed on the ballot. The election commissioners in the different counties will have to decide tho matter. IS MAKING GOOD IN NEW POSITION

John H. Stewart Doing Good Work for Christian Publishing Co. John H. Stewart, former city editor of this paper, and now manager of the Christian Publishing company plant, at Dayton, Ohio, writes that he is getting along splendidly. The past week has been a busy one, closing the fiscal year for the company. Mr. Stewart took charge May 1 and since then the business has shown sufficient increase to create a credit balance in place of a loss which has been shown for a year or two past. The report of the auditor commended Mr. Stewart highly for his efforts and for the splendid co-opera-tion now manifested among the thirty employes. In the five months under Mr. Stewart the plant has done a business of more than $50,000 and the outlook is very good indeed. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart will leave Monday for Burlington, N. C., to attend the quadrennial meeting. They will go with 150 delegates on a special train from Cincinnati. The many Decatur friends of the family will be pleased to hear of their success and the splendid outlook for the future. _• Attorney C. J. Lutz, is acting as special Judge in a liquor Jrial at Portland this week.

.o’clock people were sftartled by a ! loud noise resembling that of a large boulder being thrown on the floor, | and some of the more courageous who heard the noise ventured to see what had happened, but could not find anything wrong. On Saturday at midnight la number of people who were watchling for a like occurence were reward!ed by hearing a still louder, and J cracking noise which resembled that ! produced by throwing planks on the J floor./but could not see that any i loose planks were in the room This -Jis a mysterious problem which many of the people are trying to solve, and ■ they say they will watch until they |can unravel the mystery.

Decatur, Indiana, Tuesday Evening, October 10, 1922

♦++♦++♦+ + ♦♦ + ♦, + + 4- ANOTHER FISH STORY + + 4 <• Tacoa, Wash., Oct. lit. —Eleven 44- fish frozen in a block of ice for 4 4> six months are now swimming in 4 + an aquarium in a case here. They 4 <• are ehindagalts, abundant in the 4 4- shore water near Nlshigak, Alas- ♦ <• ka. The block of ice was kept ♦ + in a refrigerator room of a hall 4 F but warehouse at Nlshigak and + + sent here with a shipment of + 4- iced salmon. 4 ++++++++ + + + + + + + RETURNSSHOW REGISTRATION WAS VERY GOOD Number Registered Expected to Equid or Exceed Figures of 1920 FEW WERE TOO LATE Several Who Failed to Qualify Yesterday Tried To Do So Today + + 4- + 4- + + + + + 4> + + + 4 + ITS ALL OVER .♦ ♦ 4 + Some people are destined to + +be late. This morning several 4- + of them called at this office and ♦ 4- at the county auditor’s office + 4 and wanted to know if it were + + too late to register. They were + 4> answered in the affirmative. 4 4 Those who failed to register by ♦ + last evening cannot vote at the + 4- general election on Tuesday, ♦ 4- November 7th. ♦ + + + + + 4+ + + ++ + 4- + 4 County Auditor Martin Jaberg, assisted by Mrs. Jaberg, were busy throughout the day today receiving the registration returns from the clerks in the thirty-three voting precincts in the county and indications are that the total number of registered voters will reach, if not exceed the number who registered in 1920, the total two years ago being 9,342. At three o’clock this afternoon twenty-three of the precincts had reported to the county auditor and although the exact totals could not be obtained, the clerks of the boards stated that they thought the total of the September and October registration would easily reach the total of 1920. At the September registration a total of 3,903 people registered, or more than one-third of the total registered voters in the county in 1920. At the general election two years ago 7,997. the total vote cast for president was An extensive campaign was made in this county by the democrats to register the voters and within the last two weeks headquarters was opened with Miss Agnes Costello in charge, during which time hundreds of people registered by having their application sworn to by a notary public. These (Continued on page five) — ————— MANY GIFTS FOR FIRS' CARNIVAL All Merchants Subscribe Gifts to Make the Big Event a Success Many handsome gifts will be given to those who attend the Elks’ carnival here next week. The committee that solicited from the business men yesterday report 100 per cent results, every business man subscribing to the success of the event. The returns from the week will be used by the building committee on the construction of the proposed new home and every one will help them make the week a real one. The various gifts will be exhibited at the big tent and a card showing by whom given will be attached to each. Many surprises in the way of entertainment will be provided and it is predicted that the crowds will be large. The various committees in charge are working hard and you are most cordially invited to get in the game and help create a week of tun and frolic. + + + + * + +44-+4- + + 4- + * WEATHER ♦ + + + + + + + + 4-++ + + + + INDIANA—Rain tonight; Wednesday probably fair: not. much change in temperature.

2,948 PUPILS ARE ATTENDING COUNTY SCHOOL Large Enrollment Shown in Schools Outside of Decatur and Towns ENROLLMENT IN CITY Large Number of Pupils Also Enrolled in Decatur This Winter According to the attendance figures just compiled in the office of E. S. Christen, county superintendent of schools, there are 2.948 pupils in the Adams county schools this year outside the towns of Berne and Geneva and the city of Decatur. This total includes the enrollment in the six con solidated township high schools, which is 323. Monroe township has the largest (n---rollment of the townships, wit it a total of 514 ppupils in school, while Washington township has the smallest with 148. Splendid work is being done in all of the county schools this year, according to the reports coming into Mr. Christens office and through other sources. The teaching corps Is made up of able instructors who are showing a great interest in the pupils. The attendance figures for Berne and Geneva have not been received here. Following is the attendance in each township not including the towns of Berne and Geneva and the city of Decatur: Union 186 Root 205 Preble 257 Kirkland 251 Washington 148 St. Marys 243 Blue Creek 207 \ • Monroe 514 French 172 Hartford 283 Wabash ............... *253 Jefferson 231 (Continued on page five) minerToppose IMMIGRANT LAW Start Organized Movement to Test Law; Blamed for Labor Shortage Cleveland, 0., Oct. 10. —First rumblings of an organized movement among mine operators to test the immigration restriction of the United States were heard here at today’s session of the annual convention of the American minings congress. The western metal division drafted resolutions ascribing the cause of the labor shortage in the mines to immigration restrictions and asked for the appointment of a committee to probe conditions. The resolutions are to be presented to the parent body and are expected to be the basis of a hot debate on the floor of the congress during the week. Similar action was taken by the division at Salt Lake City convention earlier in the year. A. BANANA GETS SENTENCE Denver, Colo., Oct. 10. —A sentence of from one to three years was meted out to A. Banana, convicted for the second time of bootlegging. Banana is a Greek fruit merchant.

NO SCHOOL IN COUNTY FRIDAY BECAUSE OF TEACHERS’ MEETING f I :

All schools in Adams county, includ- 1 ■ ing the Decatur city schools will be i dismissed on Friday of this week to ■ permit the teachers to attend the con ■ vention of the Northeastern Indiana i < Teachers' Association, to be held in ' i Fort Wayne on Friday and Saturday.! Every teacher in the county is expect ed to attend the convention and it! was stated today that there would : likely be a one hundred per cent at- ■ tendance. The Fort Wayne-Decatur interurban company has offered a reduced fare of 70 eents per round trip, for all people wishing to attend the convention on either or both days. The public is invited to attend the con-j

Newcastle Defeated Portland High 12-7 Portland High school was again de , seated by a narrow margin lust Sat I unlay, when they were overpowered by the varied attack of the Newcastle • High School team, 12 to 7. Portland High, however, put up a fight all the way through and were leading at the of the last quarter 7 to 6. The game was played in a drizzling i rain and both teams experienced dis- , ficulty in displaying their more open f style of football. ■ SWINE DAY WAS J A FINE SUCCESS , I f ■ 250 Farmers From Adams and Surrounding Counties Attended Meeting I" ■ Two hundred fifty people attended ’■ the “Swine Day" meeting held at the C. W. R. Schwartz farm north-west of I ‘, Berne yesterday. Delegations of '■ farmers headed by the county agents of Jay, Well, Dekalb and Van Wert 1 (Ohio) counties were in attendance. ’ The litter weighed 3040 pounds. B At the afternoon meeting held in ? the Schwartz barn Mr. Schwartz was 1 the first speaker on the program, tell s ing of how tlie sow and litter had been s fed and cared for. He emphasized the necessity of good breeding stock, 1 stating that the sow had been a con sistent producer of large litters. The sire lias also been a good producer in the Schwartz herd. Mr. Schwartz stated that the sow received plenty of protein material during the period of pregnancy, as well as after the litter was farrowed. Corn skimmed milk and sweet clover were the feeds fed. Lime was used in the milk in small amounts. The milk was furnished by the Schwartz herd of pure bred Holsteins. Mr. Ralph A. Hayne, of the Agricultural Extension Department of th< international Harvester Compan; gave a talk on hogs, illustrated witl charts. Mr. J. R. Wiley told of how the Hoosier Ton Litter Club had been or ganized by the Purdue University Agricutural Extension Department and Indiana Livestock Breeders Asso ■ elation. I; Mr. E. H. Palmer, of Jamestown, N. Y.. agricultural representative of the Erie Railroad told why that organization is interested in occasions of I tho nature which prompted the meet I ing. ELKS MEETING WEDNESDAY An important meeting of the Elks will be held on Wednesday night. ! There will be initiation and the offi- ■ cers of the Portland lodge will be s present. Meeting at 7:30 p. m. t D. M. HENSLEY, Exalted Ruler *; _ o Wayne Peterson Suffered ! Injuries in Fall Sunday Wayne Peterson, 16, of Decatur, was badly injured at three o’clock ’ Sunday morning near the L E. Shultz ! home, nine miles northwest of Port- ! and, on the Pennville road, when he ■ toppled from the seat of one of the ■ Cloverleaf Creamery trucks. The rear i wheels of the heavy machine passed ) over his legs, crushing the flesh of the calves of both legs. No bones - were found to be broken but the ini juries are very painful. The boy had accompanied the driver of the truck .o Albany and Dunkirk for a load of | cream and they were enroute to this city when the accident occured. ' It is thought lie fell asleep and lost I his balance. Dr. Ara Badders was ■ called and after medical atten i tion to the injuries he brought the hoy 'to his home in Decatur.

vention and hear the lectures as well as the teacher. Tickets can be obtained at Fort Wayne. A number of noted educators of the country have been obtained to deliver lectures during the convention. Fcotball Game Thursday Tlio football game with Portland | high school which was scheduled to be played Thursday afternoon on acj count of the convention in Ft. Wayne. Coach Tommy Moore's Yellow Jackets I are practicing hard for the game at Portland and they will endeavor to j duplicate the 15-7 victory over the Jay county lads, which they won here | two weeks ago.

Price 2 Cents

PEACE OR WAR DEPENDS UPON TURKS' REPLY British Add More Troops in Strategic Positions Pending Reply DISSENTION GROWING English Labor in Widespread Demand That Premier Resign Mudania, Oct. 10 —Peace or war in the near east was put up to the Angora government today, while Great Britain quietly sifted more .troops into strategic positions in preparation for any eventuality. Ismet Pasha, Kemalist representative at the conference here, was presented by General Harington with al-' lied proposals for evacuation of Thrace, on condition the Turks did not further violate the neutral zones. The Ottoman delegate forwarded these to Angora, promising a reply from Mustapha Kemal’s government by this afternoon. Limitation of a permanent neutral zone around the straits, and the number of Turkish gendarmerie which is to be permitted in Thrace were also mentioned in the allied note. British Fortify Positions Meanwhile the British went unostenstatiously about the business of fortifying a strong line of defense east of Scutari for the protection of Constantinople. More guards have irrived, a detachment of the Coldstreams joining the grenadiers. Field artillery is in place. Airplanes whined busily overhead. If the Turks should decide for war, the curtain will roll back to disclose strong British forces, ready for battle ilong a line of defense that cuts off Kemal's troops from Constantinople and the straits. The Mudania conference is tenipor arily adjourned, pending the Turkish reply. Allied representatives forced this state of affairs, the French threatening to lead a bolt 'rom the parley if Ismet Pasha did lot secure an immediate answer. Opposition to Premier Grows London. Oct. 10 —Lloyd George’s critics are giving him no peace in the crisis. Labor today had joined a wideipread demand among opposition parties that the premier resign. Resolutions calling for immediate resdgmtion of the government and elecion of a new parliament were adopted by a joint council, representing trades congresses and the labor >arty. The situation in the near east furnishes a useful lever for evicting Lloyd George, his enemies believe, independent liberals and unionist ‘die hards” started tne attack. The prime minister is not saying anything. It was announced he will issue a statement, ou tl.e near east after hearing directly from General Harington. Meanwhile he is giving his critics as few pegs as possible on w.,ich to hang their political animosities.

Lloyd George’s defense of Us policies regarding the Turkish trouble -.ill be made in a public speech. Ihe cabinet which is backing the prem’er, turned its attention tc home as a’rs today, pending receipt of word from the nea’ curt, which was not or .r-cted until after the Angora g< v etnment replies to the all o I pro-p.ji-'S regard* ng exacnatton <f Thrt ce. Cab'ret Meets London. Oct 10—The British cabinet was summoned to meet at 5 o'clock this evening to consider the near eastern crisis. Lung Motor Used in Effort to Save Baby The fire department was called to the home of Otto Pett, on South Winchester street, at 1:30 o’clock this afternoon to use the lung motor in an attempt to save the life of a newborn boy baby. The lung motor was used for several minutes but the baby died. SCALDED AT WATER WORKS Martin Brunnagraf, an employe of city water works, was painfully scalded while at work at the plant last Sunday. His entire back from the neck down was scalded. While the injury was painful it was not serious and Mr. Brunnagraf is able to be up and around.