Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 20, Number 276, Decatur, Adams County, 23 November 1922 — Page 1

Kliune XX. Number 276

I EOMEN SPEAK ENCOURAGINGLY TODAY

||NE DISASTER JFAKESAHEAVY I TOLL IN SOUTH ■ plosion In Iron Mine Be■lieved To Have Caused Death Os A Hundred ■any ARE INJURED ■ ■veral Huddled Together ■Safely When Found By Rescue Squads Today ■Birmingham. Ala., Nov. 23—Bodies ■eighty-two victims of the explosion ■lieh entombed 475 workers in the mine of the Woodward lion ■npany. near here, had been ■ought to the surface at an early ' today. ■The death toll of Alabama's second ■eatest disaster was expected to be Welled to 100 by deaths of some of ■e 73 workers, who lie in hospitals ■verely injured or burned. ■ The other miners entombed by the ■plosion of mine dust yesterday ■pre huddled together safely when Hund by rescue squads. ■ Birmingham, Ala., Nov. S3—Dawn Hund rescue workers resuming their Hsk of recovering the bodies of the ■ miners killed in an explosion in K, Dolomite mine. No. 3 of the Hfoodward Iron Company near Bes■mer. ■ Alter searching the interior of the Hninel all night volunteers had Hund sixty injured, many of whom K.,y die, and rescued 332 other ■orkers. ■ Crowds of relatives and friends ■mined about the mine rwss-lt- be Hnm so frantic and hysteric as Kodies were brought to the surface ■nd stacked in heaps awaiting under Hkers, that militia was called to conBrol the situation. ■ The armed guardsmen pacing to ■nd fro before the frenzied throngs, ■resented a barrier between the dead ■nd fear crazed relatives, anxious to ■earn the fate of their loved ones. I The first load of dead was brought ■<> the surface at 8 o'clock last night ■he bodies were placed in temporary Structures while awating stretchers ■nd coffins from Birmingham. After ■hat the rescuers brought forth the Hctimp of the disaster at regular Intervals. With each appearance the throngs of wives, children and other relatives milled about the, mine mouth and stormed about the vic tints until the soldiers took up thei ■ posts. Screaming women arid children stood at the flaming entrance of the long slope shaft watching in agony the work of rescue. Rescue squads were still penetrating the farthest recesses of the mine as dawn broke although it was believed all the injured had been removed. The mine was again accessable, with air flowing freely. The disaster probably will cost 100 lives—the greatest in Alabama's history—was caused by the explosion of mine dust late yesterday, tae broken electric light wire was believed to have touched off the dust, and flames flashed throughout the shaft, burst png in a sheet from the tipple. The explosion was caused by an electric, spark igniting mine dust. Sheets of flames swept the mine and opuuted from the tipple, blocking the entrance. The first of the entombed men—125 blackened workers —came °ut of the shaft immediately after the blast and within two hours many others, with terrified faces appeared. After that a steady stream of uninjured and injured and dead was brought out. Crowds gathered at the entrance as word of the disaster swept the little settlement. — • Deformed Baby Recovering From Pneumonia Attack Chicago, Nov. 23.—Baby Leßrasca, •Tippled babe whom doctors decided should not be allowed a scientific death as requested by its father, was recovering today from an attack of pneumonia. The baby, born without arms or legs, was removed with bar mother irnm the hmqrftal to the Leßrasca home.

DECATUR DAIRY DEMOCRAT

Backers Os Ship Subsidy See More Support Ahead M ashington, Nov. 23.—Backers of the ILirding-laiskar ship subsidy bill professed today to see a breaking away of republican opposition to the measure in the house. Action of house democrats in agreeing by resolution to fight the bill as a unit —thus tending to make a strict partisan issue of it—will result, some administration leaders believe, in influencing many midwest and western { republicans to stand by the president. and vote for the bill. The democrats i passed the resolution at a secret par ' ty caucus. MRS.KRATZER BURIED TODAY Resident Os Blue Creek Township Is Victim Os Cancer Os Stomach Funeral services for Mrs. Edward j Kratzer, who died at her home in Blue 'Creek township Tuesday evening, were hold from the Reformed church in Berne at 2 o'clock this afternoon Burial was held in the M. R. E. com letery. Mrs. Kratzer's death was due to cancer of the stomach with which she had suffered for several months. Last spring she underwent an operation for the cancer and since that time he, health had improved to such an extent that she had been able to do tile housework, until about five weeks aywhen she became much worse. Rosa Ann Kratzer was born it Switzerland on February 9th, 1565 She was the daughter of Mr. and MrDavid Erhart. She died on November 21, 1922, at thi‘ age of 57 years. ‘ months and 12 days. i At the age of nine years she cam' •to this country and was raised on ; farm in French township, where he brother, Julius Erhart. now lives. O. November 29, 1890. she was marriei to Edward Kratzer at Vera Cruz. Foi a long time they had lived on a tarn’ i south of Linn Grove. Fifteen year ago they moved to a farm in Bln. I Creek township where they are nov residing. , I Surviving the deceased are her hit ■ band Ed Kratzer, and the followin' ■ 'children: Mrs. Paul McClain of Moi, ■, roe tpwnship; Mrs. Malone of Bin (Creek township; Henry Kratzer o, ■ New castle and Miss Pearl Kratzer ' who has been staying at home. On (child died in infancy. Three brothers also survive. They are Julius and Albert Erhart. both o’ French township, and Emil Erhart o ' Los Angeles, Cal. There are als< nine grandchildren. Mr. W. E. Smith, of Detroit, Mich.. ' was a business visitor in this city today. BAILROADS ARE : BIG TAXPAYERS i i i Five Largest Taxpayers In County Paid $111383.18 , During This Year i The five largest taxpayers in ‘ Adams County, three railroads, a 11 pipe line and a local manufacturing ’{company paid a total of $111,383.18 in r 1 taxes during the year 1922. This tax '; was paid on all the property owned •I by the corporations in the different ’I townships, or towns in the county ’land in the city of Decatur. The largest taxpayer of the five 8 1 were the Chicago and Erie railroad e I company, it paying a total of $29,i 151,.86, while the Holland St. Louis I Sugar Co., of this city is the second largest taxpayer, the 1922 taxes toL taling $27,089.84. The sugar company ‘.'is the largest local tax payer in the 1 county. fl The Grand Rapids and Indiana ’• railroad, known as the Pennsylvania t- system is the third largest taxpayer, the Indiana Pipe Line Company is r fourth, and the Toledo, St. Louis and r 1 Western railroad,, commonly caJM (Continued on page three)

HESSIAN FLY IS FOUND IN EARLY WHEAT Purdue Man Spends Day In Adams County Making Investigations —- LATE SEEDING IS GOOD Insect Causes Great Damage To Wheat Plant In Fall And In Spring Prof. J. J. Davis, of the Agricultural Extension Department of Purdue University, spent Wednesday in the 'county making investigations conce.n ing the degree of infestation of lit- ’ sian Fly in wheat sown at various times this fall. Samples selected from nine different fields located ini six different townships were taken I with the intention of making < tints to I determine the percentage o' infest led wheat plants. Counts wcr -■ made I of throe of the fields and the remainder were sent to Purdue for examinn- . tion and a report will be made in a few days concerning them. A count made in a field sown August 28th was very difficult to make due to the i fact that a majority of the plants hail been killed and were decayed so bad { ly they could not be gathered. The owner stated that, due to the fact i there would not boa stand of wheat in the spring he intended to disc the field in the spring and saw it to barley. In a field sown September 10th 75 percent infestation was found while in a field sown October 10th. no infested plants could be found. In a field sown SepUuuber 25th, the tly- ' free date, considerable search was needed to find one infested plant. The infested plants can easily be detected with a little practice and j if any farmer is in doubt concerning the presence of the fly in wheat sown before the fly-free date it is possible arrangements can lie made with the undersigned to determine the per cent of infestation, as it takes hut a few minutes. Although considerable damage is I done by the fly during the fall in killI ing or weakening the wheat plants to I such a degree that they cannot pass the winter, the most damage will be seen next spring when the wheat ! stalks break due to the work of the iaria in the straw. FORMER GENEVA PEOPLE INJURED Mr. And Mrs. E. C. Arnold And Young Son In An Automobile Accident I . Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Arnold and small Ison, of Indianapolis formerly of Cell nova, Ind., figured in an automobile 1 accident, cast of New Mr. Pleasant Shortly before noon Wednesday in I which Mrs. Arnold and son were seriously injured. Mr. Arnold lost control of his Studebaker machine, which turned over in a sid n ditch. The famI I ily was en route to Geneva from InI dianapolis at the time of the accii dent. 1 Mrs. Arnold was thrown out of the ' machine, alighting face downward I and it is believed by the attending ' physician that she may have a frac- ’ tured skull. An X-ray examination of her bead was to have been made nt the local hospital sometime during 'I tho afternoon. Tito boy, age about 5 years was cut S ion tiie left wrist and with some blunt I I object and the tendons in the arm, in- ’ 'stead of being cut were pulled out. permitting the hand to fall back. Owning to the nature of tho injuries the lad was sent to Dr. Oliver, specialist, 3 ‘at’lndianapolis for treatment, in hopes 3 of saving him from being crippled in ’’ the hand. Mr. Arnold escaped with S slight scratches and bruises. 1 Mr. Arnold formerly was cashier of ?’tbe Farmers and Merchants Brink of j Geneva. >

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday Evening, November 23, 1922.

Interest In Revival Continues To Increase An increasing element of enthusi ( asm and spiritual power characterized the revival meeting at the Church [ jot God last night. The Rev. Bragg i delivered a good old-time sermon that aroused much interest. The church was well-filled with people. The Rev. Langley has charge of the song service which begins each evening at 7:30 o'clock prompt. A male quartet will { sing a special selection this evening, entitled "The Lost Landmark." The i { evangelistic workers' who are aiding ' in the meeting here, recently closed a big revival meeting at New Castle. I Ind. The public is invited to attend tho meetings. BESSIE JOHNSON EXPIRED TODAY ■—— Former Resident Os Adams County Died In Fort Wayne Early Today Mrs. Bessie Johnson, age 34 years, died at her home in Fort Wayne, at 3:28 o’clock this morning, following ' an illness with inflamatory rheuma- ! tism, with which she has been suffering since November 4. The body I was brought to the home of a broth er in this city this morning. Mrs. Johnson was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William A. Bowman and was born in French township. July 9. 1888. Her father was killed recently when the automobile in which he was riding was struck by an Erie train west of the city. Mrs. 1 Johnson lias been living in Fort ' Wayne for the past two years. She 1 is survived by her husband, Elmer D. - Johnson, and two children by a for ‘ mer marriage, Dale and Lloyd Myers, besides her mother and seven broth- ■ ers and sisters. The brothers and 1 sisters are Earl Bowman, of Stur- • bis, Michigan; Edward. Charles, | i Russell and Lloyd Bowman, all ofj . Decatur; Mrs. Edith Barger, of I > Craigville; and Mrs. Viola Melchf, of i Decatur. Funeral services will be held from i the Methodist church in this city at { 2:30 o'clock Saturday afternoon.’ The Rev. Glendening, of the Geneva { ( circuit, assisted by the Rev. V. S. A.; Bridge, -of Decatur, will have charge 1 of the services. Burial will be held 1 in the Decatur cemetery. 0 Grand Jury Adjourns Until Tuesday Morning The Grand Jury adjourned at 3 ! o'clock this afternoon until next j Tuesday morning. It is thought that I i it will require a little mot e than one I day more for the jury to complete its work. This forenoon an inspection of the county infirmary was made. I The jail was inspected by the grand 1 I jury on Tuesday. No indictments ■ have been returned yet. Several I witneses have appeared before the 1 | jury. B 0 Huntertown Bank Case Up For Trial Tomorrow — ! i The trial of the Huntertown State; Bank dgainst the Fidelity and Casualty Compahy of New York will come ' up for trial in the Adams circuit] ’• court tomorrow morning. The bank. . is seeking to recover a loss accussioned through a robbery of the bank some time ago, in which a number of bonds were stolen: Much interest has been shown in the case which ’ was sent io this county on a change ' of venue, and it is likely that several 5 spectators will be on hand when the •I trial opens tomorrow. II • o—- ;] + WEATHER * !♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦! t ] INDIANA—Fair tonight and Friday; t I cooler Friday and in north and cen- ■ j tral portions tonight. , efJ/IOPWZ I; '( \ -

C. B. LAMM IM AN DIED SUDDENLY THIS MORNING Well Known Resident Os Adams County Fell Dead At Work In Curryville WAS BORN IN DECATUR Spent Entire Life In Adams County; Funeral Services Held Sunday Charles 11. Lammimam age 67 years, well-known throughout Adams county, fell dead about 7 o'clock this I morning while performing his labor as manager of the beet weighing station of the Holland-St. Louis Sugar { Company, at Curryville, nine miles southwest of this city. Death was] : aid to have been due to apoplexy. Mr. Lammimam whose home wasi in Montoe, went to his work as usual this moraing and apparently felt no} worse than usual, although he has been complaining for some time. Ho had picked up a fork to move a few beets, it is said, when suddenly be fell to the ground. He lived only a few minutes after other workmen picked him up. A physician was] summoned, from Monroe who sain | dc,.th was due to apoplexy. Tlie| Wells county coroner was called to: investigate the death. Charles H. Lammiman was born in Decatur, September 6, 1855. He spent much of his life in this city and has always resided in Adams county. For the last three years he has had charge of the beet station at Curry ! ville. Mr. Lammiman served as Justice of the Peace of Monroe township, for a period of eight years. His I youngest daughter, Ada Lammiman and a son, Charles Lammiman, lived with him, his wie being deceased. , Besides the two children mentioned, 1 the following children survive: Har l vey Lammiman and Mrs. Roy Run ] yon, of Decatur; Mrs. 11. C. Parkin ; {sin, of Ossian; Mrs. Hugo Perner, of Omaha, Nebraska; Nellie Lammiman, ; of Warren, Ohio; John D. Lammiman. |of Bay City, Michigan; and Lewis | Lammiman. of Toledo. Ohio. Funeral services will be held from I {the Methodist church in Montoe, at! ( 1:30 o’clock Sunday afternoon. Mr. Charles Passwater, of Blue Creek township, was in this city today on business. DEATH DUE TO HEABTTBOUBLE Milard Weimer Died Suddenly In Fort Wayne; Funeral Saturday 1 ■ A post-mortem examination lieu' | yesterday morning showed that the i sudden death of Milard Weimer, age 70, of Fort Wayne, was due to hardening of the arteries and heart ! trouble. Mr. Weimer, who formerly resided near Pleasant Mills and Willshire, Ohio, had gone to his work n' ] the Perrin-Armstrong Lumber , vom 1 pauy's yards, and be was found dean {by fellow employees. ! Mr. Weimer was born on Septi iu ber 15, 1852 and spent most his life near Pleasant Mills. Fort the last two years, he has been making hi., home with his daughter Mrs. Samuel Boner, 1313% Ohio, street, Ft. Wayne. He was a member of the Baptist church at Pleasant Mills. Surviving are the widow. Mrs. Hazel Weimer, i tho daughter at whose home he lived at the time of his death; one sen i Glenn, of Indianapolis; and one half {brother, William Daley, of Fort Wayne. Mrs. Jooseph Helm of this city is an aunt. Funeral services will lie h.WI from {the Baptist church in Pleasant Mills at 10 o'clock Saturday morning and I burial will be held in the Mt- Taber ] cemetery. The funeral' procession will leave the home in Fort Wayne at 8:30 o'clock Saturday morning. No word has been received tTom the son in Indianapolis, but be is expected to arrive in Fort Wayne sometime this levelling.

Orville Stewart Must Serve Penitentiary Term Van Wert, 0., Nov. 23. —Orville L. Stewart, who was found guilty of asI saulting with intent to kill Ross Connor, a Harrison township farmer neighbor, more than two years ago In the Van Wert county common pleas court, was taken to Columbus Wednesday, where he will serve an indeterminate sentence in the Ohio pent- ; tentlary. Tho state supreme court. ' after having had tho case since Junu- { ary, 1921, a few days ago affirmed the { finding of the local court. The court i of appeals had previously made a sim- | ilar ruling. BBYANTMANWAS EATALLY BURNED James Wooten Burned To Death In Fire Which Destroyed A Residence — James Wooters, age about 50 years, was burned to death in a tire that destroyed the house on the Frank Itqckinghani farm, one-half mile southeast of Brynnt about 9 o'clock Wednesday morning. While it is not definitely known, it is conjectured the origin of the fire was the result of the explo- ' sion of an oil stove in the kitchen of | the home. Wooters and Buckingham I bachelors, lived together at the Buckingham hornet where Wooters had 'been since last September 4th. The dead man was born and spent practically all of his life in Jay county, with the exception of a short time when he resided in Michigan. i The head and both legs were burned {from the body when it was found by JEd McCroskey, of near Bryant, who .{was the first among the searchers, called to the Buckingham home after the, fire, to reach the body. The en'tire body was badly charred and al Iniost unrecognizable. The remain-' : were taken to the Metzner morgue at I Bryant, where they were viewed by a j morbid crowd. Coroner Hiatt, of ' Pennville, conducted an inquest into the, death shortly before noon, ex- . aniining a number of the farmers, liv- ‘ ing near the Buckingham home and ; those who reached the scene of the {fire and were there when the charre-l remains of Mr. Wooters were found. The body was lying as if on the back, evincing tile possibility that Wooters had been overcome by the smoke and fumes of the explosion and fell over backwards while attempting Ito leave the kitchen of tlie hcu::e. His I charred remains were found at a spol lin the kitchen near where the oil | stove stood, according to Mr. HuckI ingham and it is the supposition that the oil stove exploded l en Wooters attempted to light it, resulting in tho fire that destroyed the home and . burned to death the unfortunate man. 0 1 ELKS INITIATED FOUR CANDIDATES District Deputy Brouchman Os Marion Made Inspection Os Local Lodge i , Four candidates were initiated into 1 the Elks' lodge last evening. Exalted Ruler I). M. Hensley and the Decatur degree team being in charge. District Deputy. A. C. Broughman. of Marion, was present and made his inspection of the local lodge and expressed satisfaction over the way the local order of Elks was conducted and I congratulated the lodge members in j the steps taken towards the building Ij of a new home. The four men who ■ were initiated were F. E. Franz, ■ 'Vaughn Murray, Ralph Krill, of Decaj tur, and Mr. Lantz, of Berne. i { Following the inflation a social sesII sion was enjoyed and the committee in charge served rabbit and other good things to cat. Charles Crum, exalted ruler of the Fort Wayne lodge of Elks and deputy in the Fort Wayne district, i and the exalted ruler of the Portland i lodge and a number of EUra trofla i Bluffton and Portland were also presi ent at the meeting last evening and a very enjoyable time was had.

Price 2 Cents

SAY THIS CITY STANDSHIGHIN LIST OF SITES Declare Many Other Cities Would Like To Buy Decatur’s Chance TO VIEW SITES TODAY Visiting Officials Visit Different Sites And Obtain Information “A hundred cities in America would like to buy Decatur's chances to land the Yeoman home and school if you wish to sell" was the response to our inquiry this morning as to whether or not we were still in the running, made by Mr. A. N. Farmer, secretary of the locating committee who is here again to ascertain facts and information as to the proposed sites. The work of selectng a site, ami some job it is, is slowly narrowing down and Mr. Farmer expects the decision to be made early in the new year so that actual work on the home will start in the spring. Though hundreds of cities have been visited perhaps not more than a halt dozen are being seriously considered. Mr. Farmer will report to the locating committee and their decision will then be referred to the board of directors who will have the final responsibility. Mr. Farmer arrived here this morning, coming from Winchester where they looked over sites yesterday. Accompanying him were Judge N. E. Carter, president of the Indiana Yeomen, and one of the leading citizens of Indianapolis; State Manager Erwin of Indianapolis; and S. E. Brown of this city, district manager. Mr. Parker, manager of the Fort Wayne district is also here. Mr. Mark McKee, chairman of the locating committee and a member of the board of directors arrived at noon via Fort Wayne where he was met by a committee including Dan Niblick, president of the Industrial Association, and Carl Pumphrey and W. A. Klepper of the Rotary club. With several local men they had dinner at the Murray hotel. This afternoon they were given such information as desired and visited the. sites proposed near here. east, north and south of Deeatur. This evening they will be guests of the Rotary club and at nine o'clock will be entertained by the Decatur Yeoman Elomestead. There is no doubt but that Decatur is being very seriously considered as nossible site for the home and school The men say that this city has beam more talked about than any other and is the only city visited by the entire board. The state of lowa however with twenty cities trying for the home is putting up a real scrap to keep the home and with >l state committee organized and headed by such men as Senator Kenyon, the governor and other leaders are making it hard for the. committee to see other cities. It has been suggestI cd that Indiana should select a committee to visit Des Monies and to sell the directors this state. Decatur has an excellent chance to land the home and the visitors today congratulated • our people on the splendid campaign i they have waged—high grade power- . ful and positive argument. The local committees are co-operating with the visitors today to secure for them all the information desired. o Local Veterinarian At Fort Wayne Meeting — i Thirty-five veterinarians, members ; of the Northeast Medical association • attended the regular monthly men’- , ing of that organization held at the Fort Wayne Y. M. C. A. last night. Dr. E. A. Cahill, director of pathology • and immunology at tae Pitttnan-Mooio 3 laboratories, at Indianapolis, was tho 1 principal speaker. He talked on hog 1 cholera and other diseases of swin«. s Dr. L. E. Northrup also spoko briefly on hOEj cholera and E B Haskins, I in charge of eradication cJf tubmena loisa of tattle throusbout the state, i- told of the worlf being done along that a line. Dr. C- V. Connell, of this city, attended the meeting.