Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 20, Number 287, Decatur, Adams County, 7 December 1922 — Page 1

Volume XX. Number 287

CONFERENCE OF I HIGH SCHOOLS FOR FOOTBALL kcatur Invited To Join An Association Os Schools In Wabash Valley ICHEDULE ARRANGED lix Teams Already Favorable To Proposition; Approved By Trester A conference of high school football >ams in this section of the state, to Main six and possibly more teams, as been proposed, tentative schedules lade, and preliminary ors»lllzsti<'JLeL. e( ted. Decatur has been invited to oin the conference and local school ifiicials will likely make formal acceptmce of the invitation in the near fuure, A meeting of the coaches anil a few if the principals from the followng schools was held at Huntington his week: Logansport, ’Peru, Hunt ington, South Side high school, of Fort R’ayne, Marion, and Decatur. Coach I G. Moore and France Conter represented Decatur at the meeting. It said that Anderson and Muncie anil bossibly Rochester may join the con [erence. The conference will likely »e called the Wabash Valley Conference. It is proposed that the championship )f the league be determined each year ay the number of games won and a tup be awarded to the champion. Each learn would be permitted to schedule tames outside the conference but each tvotild be limited to eight games dur ng the season. According to th* ichedule, tentatively adopted, Deca:ur would have three good home games and two games away from home, as follows: Huntington, Marlon. and South Side here, and Peru and Logansport away from home. L E. Singer, principal of the Peru High School, has been made temporary secretary of the conference. Another meeting of the coaches and principals will ge held in about three weeks at which time definite action will be taken. The matter of officials was discussed at the recent meeting. It was decided that each principal should submit a list of names of officials and that all officials to which objection were made by any principal would be eliminated and those left after the elimination would be acceptable to all schools. The proposed conference has the entire approval of Secretary Trester, of the Indiana High School Athletic Association, it is said. Additional Candidates Have Filed Statements Yesterday was the last day for car. didates in the recent election to file accounts of their expenses during the campaign. The report of Menno Burkhalter, treasurer of the Republican central committee, shows that the total receipts of the committee were $330.33 and the expenditures were $306.43, leaving a balance of $23.43 in the treasury. The candidates who have filed since the last list was pub lished are: Dick Boch, for county surveyor, $168.40; Sam Butler, for sheriff. $25.65; L. L. Mason, for constable, nothing; W. H. Patterson, for trustee nothing}- William Arnold, for trustee, $5.48; Samuel E. Beeler, tor constable, nothing; Wilson Gulick, for trustee, $15.00; O. W. Farris, for Justice of the Peace, nothing; Thomas Clements, for assessor, nothing; Christian Hilty. for trustee, $12.45; J. A. Buckmaster, for trustee, $12.60; Charles Arnold, for assessor, nothing; L. L. Mat tax. for coroner, nothing; Daniel A. Studler, for trustee, nothing; Rudolph Weiland, for trustee, $6.00; Louise Kleine, for county treasurer, $209.91; Noah Rich for assessor, nothing; John M. Bollen bacher, for trustee, $20.00; William Zimmerman, for assessor, $130.10: Edward Gallmeyer. for assessor, nothing; D- A. Baumgartner, for trustee, nothing; Frank D. Brewster, for clerk of court, $17.85; Susie R. Bowen, for trustee, $3 23; William Baumgartner, for county commissioner, nothing; August Scheuman, for trustee, $15.00. — o Harry L. Hoffman, of Paulding, Ohio, visited in this city Tuesday* evening and also attended to business. Mrs. Aaron Stevens is in Kalamazoo, Michigan, visiting her daughter, Mrs. John Logan.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Henry Heller Employed As Attorney For Berne Attorney Henry B. Heller has I employed |»y th e board of trustees of the town of Berne, ns attorney for the town, and to lock after the details pertaining to the special election to , be held at that place on Thursday, De- 1 cember 28th for the purpose of voting on the proposed water works plant. Mr. Heller, wso is also county attorney, is well versed in municipal and corporation law and will serve the - town of Berne to good advantage. He 1 will also look after the matter of issu- 1 ing the bonds} for the building of the I Water Works plant in case the ques ' tion carries at the special election. REVEALS PLOT AGAINST U, S. William J. Burns, Chief Os Detectives, Says Communists Are Working _- I By Laurence M. Benedict Washington, Dec. 7. —The communists internationale, with headquarters at Moscow, Russia, is directing a widespread campaign in the United States for overthrow of the American government and its deliverance into the hands of radicals, according to William J. Burns, head of the federal bureau of investigation. Direct statements to this effect were made by Burns before secret session .’ of the house appropriations committee and were revealed today in printed transcripts of the hearings. Burn.; declared that documents obtained by his bureau during the past year "clearly” indicate that the communist internationale is behind a strong movement “among negroes, laborer union and various social organizations and women's clubs, the ultimate purpose being to undermine these organizations with the view of overthrowing the United States government and establishing the dictatorship of the proletariat.” The prevailing sentiment that thi ■ country is secure from the spread of radicalism, Burns said, “is serving t. play into the hands of the Tied leaders who are urging their followers t ; I take advantage of this feeling ami work with greater diligence.” A great wave of radicalism has swept the country since the coal and rail strikes and the Herrin, Illinois, mine massacre, Burns declared, and j “has resulted in the spreading oi thousands of circulars by the commur. ist party urging workers to disregard injunctions issued by the courts and to engage in mass action against the government.” Burns made the startling revelation that the Reds have established regular schools in various parts of the country, where radicalism is taught outright, without interference of the government. There is no law under which federal agents can operate. Burns said, adding that radical schools have already been spotted in Seattle and near Boston and are springing up in other sections of the country. Suit For Divorce Is Filed In Court Here A suit for divorce was (lied in th Adams circuit court today by Hugh T. Vail against Mary F. Vail, throng.i attorney Low’s C. DeVoss. The plain tiff alleges that the defendant abandoned him on October 22 without just cause; that she displayed a dislike for him although he did all within his power to induce to love and respect him; and that she continuously nag-. ged and scolded him. He declares that a reconciliation is impossible and asks that the court grant an absolute divorce. - Get Copy Os English Papes Printed In China Relatives in China recently sent a box of gifts to Mr. and Mrs. E. B.; Adams of this city. Among the papers with which the box was Hacked I was a copy of the North China Star, a four page daily paper printed at; Peking and Tientsin. It has a circulation of 2,922 which they claim is greater than that of all other foreign papers in north China combined. A dispatch from Hankow tells of a strike of men working in a colliery for twenty coppers (ten cental per day The men work ten hours in a, dark hole and are flogged and scold-| ed they claim. Coal miners are also! on strike demanding fifty cents a day I instead of forty. The paper contains j a number of interesting items and is printed in English. I

TRIAL OF NIE SHEFFER OPENS State Opens Case Wednesday And Ten Witnesses Are Examined Angola, Ind., Dec. 7.—Five steeljacket bullets chopped from the heart of a sycamore tree which stood near the tint where Nie Sheffer lived will be silent witnesses against Sheffer in his trial here for the murder of his brother, James W. Sheffer. Nie is fighting for his liberty, possibly his life. The steel jacket bullets, which are said to be exactly of the caliber and make of the bullets which killed Janies W. Sheffer, will be introduced in evidence, possibly today, by the ■state. The exact -Hkeness of the two sets of bullets, the state believes will he a strong link in the chain of evidence it is forging. Hiram Mason, farmer, and William Guilford, his hired man, will testify that they saw Nie fire the bullets iirtc the tree a few days before the double Shifter murder. The bullets were cut from the sycamore tree by officers and have been held until now. The trial of Sheffer got fairly well under way yesterday. Ten state wit nesses were examined during the ffilernoon. The entire morning was taken up by the opening statement of Attorney Howard Mounts, of Garrett, I who represented the prosecution. Os the 10 witnesses introduced th? testimony of Henry West, former city marshall of Auburn, was most important. West identified the revolver dug up near the Sheffner tent as the revolver he found under the pillow of Nie when he was arrested after the explosion at the Sheffer home a year before the murder. The two children of Mr. and Mrs. J. Sheffer lost their lives in the blast, which was never satisfactorily explained. West said he could not be ruistHken almut Hie Tevol(Continued on page four) RESIDENCE IN GENEVA BORNS Home Os Forest Watson Destroyed By Early Morning Blaze Geneva, Dee. 7—(Special to Daily Democrat)-—The home of Forest Watson, on South Main street, was completely destroyed by fire early Wednesday morning. The fire was not discovered until the family was awakened about 1:30 o'clock by the sounds made by the roof as it began to fall in and they had only time to escape with their lives, Mrs. Watson grabbing her baby and rushing from the house while her husband caught up the oldest child and did likewise. The alarm w’as immediately sent in, but. due to the fact that W. D. Cross, fire chief, was out of town, a few’ minutes delay occurred before someone was found to ring the fire bell and drive out the fire truck. However, Carl Hollingsworth, night policeman was found and he attended to these matters. The town was hard to arouse, and the fire bell was rung two more times before a large crowd gathered. it was impossible to save the house or much of the furniture as the ( building was a mass of blaze when help arrived. However, good work was done by the fire department, in preventing neighboring houses from catching fire and the Watson garage, which was very close to the house, was saved. The extent of the loss is not known at this time, but Mr. Watson had just painted the outside and remodeled the interior making it into ia cosy little home. The cause of the fire is not known as new chimneys were built this fall. — • Purdue Farm Record Books Are Available A supply of the new farm record bocks has been received at the < unty agent's office from Purdue an I maj be obtained by farmers by calling at the office or writing for them. The books i were obtained in order to make it unnecessary for those who want them Ito write to Purdue. The books ar" being sent out from Purdue upon receipt of 15 cents, which is about the cost of (printing them.

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday Evening, December 7, 1922.

Andrew Brewster Arrested On Grand Larceny Charge Andrew Brewster, age 21 years, was arrested here about noon by Sheriff Sephus Melchl, on a charge of grand larceny, in connection with the theft of about $69 worth of clovei seed from the elevator at Chattanooga, Ohio, on Monday night. Brewster Ims been working .at the Holthouse garage, it is said, and living with his brother in Linn Grove, who also works at the garage here. A charge of grand larceny has been filed against him in the Mayor’s court and he will be given a hearing either this evening or tomorrow morning, It is thought. Brewster denies any knowledge of the theft. COMMUNITY TO GIVE MUSICALE CHRISTMAS DAY Musical Department Os The Woman’s Club Taking Lead In Movement HAVE CHRISTMAS TREE Dramatic Section To Give Play; Children May Get Sacks Os Candy Plans are being made by the Music department, in cooperation with the Club for the holding of a Community the other departments of the Woman’Musical Christmas and the having of a municipal Christmas tree and program at the Athletic hall on Christmas evening. December 25th. The public is cordially invited to participate in the program, gather at the gym in joyous holiday mood, and join with the children in the singing of the age-old and beautiful Christmas carols of joy which for centuries have pro claimed the birth of Christ in a manger. Sister M. Odelia, of the St. Joseph schools and Miss Cordelia Riesen, of the High School, are teaching the school teachers the Christinas carols and it is the desire of the committee that everyone who attends the Christmas program, join in the singing. A big Christmas tree will stand la the center of the floor of the Athletic; hall and around it, young and old. will play ami sing and have a general good time. Supt. Mylott of the electric light department has volunteered his (Continued on page four) ROTARY OFFICER IN CITY TODAY Frank Hatfield, District Governor, Delivers Address Here Frank Hatfield, of Evansville, district governor of the eleventh district of International Rotary clubs, which includes all of Indiana, is in the city today, the guests of the local Rotarians. He arrived in the city at two o'clock, accompanied by C. E. Bell, president of the Decatur Rotary club, and Hugh D. Hite. This afternoon be made a talk to the high school stu lints on the importance of going to school, and at five o’clock will meet the directors of the local club. At six-fifteen he will attend the luncheon meeting the the club and will make an »ddress to the members. Mr. Hatfield is well known throughout the state and is an excelleiiu speaker "lid the 1 ir-al Rotarians are proud of the opportunity ot' having Liu: with them f t a few hours. A number of Bluffton Rotarians will escort him to that city tais evening. He will be the guest of Bluffton club at luncheon Friday noon o ++++*+++ + + 4- + + + + •> WEATHER * ♦+++ + + * + INDlANA—Probably rain in south and rain turning to snow in northern portion tonight and Friday; colder Friday. daijscto gWW ♦W r 11 /

H. TEAM WILL PLAY RICHMOND Basketball Squad To Seek Revenge From Downstaters Friday Night On Friday night the Decatur high school basketball team will go to Richmond to play the high school team of that city. Encouraged by their victory over the fast Kendallville five in the first game of the season here last Friday night, the local eagers are working hard to defeat the Richmond quintet and get revenge for the defeat which the downstaters administered to the Yellow Jacket foot-1 ball team a few weeks ago. Local fans are jubilant over the fine showing made by the local five in the Kendallville game. The first game was played without the services of Bobby Myers, star forward from last season's five also, which makes the victory appear greater. Myers, who received an injury to his right hand in the last football game of the season, will be able to take his place in the line-up Friday night, it is thought. Coach Moore’s men have been handicapped somewhat in practice this week, it is said, on account of the fact that the faculty play has been rehearsed in the gymnasium each evening at the regular practice hour, making it necessary for the team to practice at 6 o’clock and it has been difficult for several of the players to report for practice at that hour. However, several good practice sessions have been held and the team will bo in condition to give Richmond a hard battle Friday night. The Richmond five, due to a shorter football schedule, opened the basketball season two weeks earlier than the locals. THE BIRTHS Mary Alice is the name given to the eight-pound daughter of Mr. and Mrp. John Kintz, born November 29. Mother and babe are getting along fine. MANDAMUS SUIT WAS DISMISSED Case Against Trustee In .Root Township Is Withdrawn As School Opens The suit for mandamus, filed by George W. Cramer and Charles Martin against Martin Gerke, trustees of Root township, on October 17, was dismissed in the circuit court this morn ing. The suit was filed for the purpose of obtaining an order from the court directing the trustee to open and maintain a school in the Dent School in district No. 1 of Root township. Last week an agreement was readied whereby the trustees agreed to open the school. The school was opened on Monday morning of this week and L. L. Baumgartner, of Decatur, is the teacher in charge. The building was repaired during the summer but a difficulty arose over the issuing of bonds to pay for the improvement and Mr. Gerke refused to accept the responsibility of opening the school and accepting the building without visible means of paying the contractor who did the work. Mr. Gerke furnish ed transportation for hauling the chil dren in that district to the Monmouth school but a majority of the patrons refused to send their children to Mon mouth, and the result, was that from fifteen to twenty pupils in District No. I, of Root township, were not in school from September until last Mon day. _o — Indiana Miners Will Strike Again, Is Said Terre Haute, Ind., Dec, 7. —A call for a strike of Indiana coal miners December 10, except in the BrazilLock field, “will likely be issued soon,” T. I. Roberts, district vice-pres-ident ot the United Mine Workers, declared today. “Action on the matter will await the return of President Hessler from the Chicago conference of miners and operators,” he said. Many operators have refused to check $4 off the miners wages at the request of the union as a payment of losses sustained by the union in the recent strike, Hessler has declared if they don’t check it off by December 10 there will be a state-wide strike, involving 30,000 miners.

Peace In Goal Industry . As Far Away As Ever. (1 nllrs! Mm !«•*•) Chicago, Dec. 7. (Special to Dally Democrat) —Pence in the coal Industry was as far away ns ever today followiny the sudden adjournment of the joint operators-miners reorganization committee here. The conference broke up when the opposing forces realized it was impossible to get together on the “triple clause" plan submitted by operators for reorganization of the industry. The matter will be brought up again at the miners-operators regular meeting January 3, when the reorganization committee makes its reports. BANKERS GIVING ' TALKS TO PUPILS Educational Campaign Os Bankers Is Meeting With Success The educational campaign by the banks in the county, in connection with a nation-wide campaign, to educate the public in banking matters, is making splendid progress. Already several talks have been given before school children. French Quinn, representing the Old Adams County bank, delivered a talk before the pupils of the Catholic high school this morning and tomorrow morning a speaker from the Peoples’ Loan & Trust company will speak to the students of the Decatur high school and the Central school. The First National Bank of Decatur will send a speaker to the Monmouth schools tomorrow afternoon and the Peoples’ Loan & Trust company will send pne to the Pleasant Mills schools tomorrow. The banks in other parts of the county are assisting in the campaign. Talks have been delivered in several of the schools and others will be given| soon. The banks in the southern part of the county were the leaders in giving talks. W. A. Lower, of the Peo-; pies’ Loan & Trust company, of this city, is chairman of the campaign. He is mailing report cards to the different banks and the banks are to report the dates of the meetings and the number of pupils at the meeting. In speaking to the pupils of the Catholic high school this morning Mr. Quinn told of the organization and founding of the first bank tn Adams county, by J. V. Nuttman. This bank was known as the Nuttman bank and ’ was a private bank. It was organized in 1872. Later is became what is now ; the Old Adams County bank. Charles I Niblick attended the meeting this ‘ morning with Mr. Quinn. , Ku Klux Klan Creates Excitement In Chicago Chicago. Dec. 7—Chicago and other, lake shore towns are aflame today over alleged activities of the Ku Klux , Klan. A committee of five was appointed by the Chicago council to investigate the situation here following charges of Aiderman Robert J. Malcahy that the organization was using city baildings as meeting places. Following the appointment of the committee more than 200 spectators in the galleries silently rose and left the council chambers. At Waukegan, hand bills were distributed on the streets bearing the names of 100 prominent citizens alleged to be members of the klan. S. J. Bowers, of near Peterson, was a business visitor here yesterday.

LOCAL PEOPLE RESPOND GENEROUSLY TO GOOD FELLOWS’ CLUB MOVEMENT

The people of Decatur are respond-! ing to the call for membership in the Good Fellows' Club, a plan to raise! money by popular subscription to fur-; nisli a merry Chritsmas for every kiddie and every needy person in this community. The boxes for donations have been placed at the Lose Cigar Store, at’ this office, at the Old Adams County Bank, Fisher & Harris Grocery and 1 in the clerk’s office at the court house. The boxes were placed last evening I and many have contributed already.) It's a simple, easy matter to join the! club. Place a coin or a bill in an envelope provided for the purpose,! write your name on the back of the envelope and drop it in one of the| boxes. The ladies in charge will make! all plans for providing the youngsters with gifts and candies for the glad Christmas day, |

Price 2 Cents

STILL FOUND IN RAID NEAR BERNE TODAY Frank Seeger Arrested And Placed In Jail By Wells County Officials ON THE KOHLER FARM Owner Os Farm Claims To Know Nothing of Presence Os The Still — A whiskey still, five gallons of whiskey, and five barrels of mash were taken by Bluffton and Wells county officials in a raid on the farm of Fred Kohler, three miles west and one mile north of Berne about 9 o’clock this morning. Frank Seegar, who was in the room with the still at the time of the raid, was arrested and is being held in the Wells county jail. The raid this morning was a sequel to the arrest of Hosea Martz and Plavtiis Billman, of Berne yesterday, near Bluffton, on a charge of bootlegging. The raid was made on a warrant filed in the Bluffton city court charging transportation of liquor. Sheriff Frauhiger, deputy sheriff Alfred Frauhiger, and chief of police Henry Gehrett, made the raid. The still was located on the second floor of an old log cabin. One corner of the upstairs, about 10 by 10 feet, had been partitioned off and the still located within. The sheriff tired two shots as he neared the cabin to let the occupants know Jie meant busi- ( ness. The still was not in operation at the time but Seegar was in the room working with it. Seegar does not live on the farm. Kohler lives there and he told the authorities that he had given Seegar permission to use the room, bet he did not know what he was doing there. Seegar has a wife and two children in Hart, Michigan, it is said. A few Decatur people say Seegar was seen recently hauling a load of potatoes from Michigan through here. The Wells county sheriff called Sheriff Sephus Melchl, of Adams | county yesterday, and asked him to 1 make a search of the premises about Mart 's blacksmith shop and home in Berne. Sheriff Melchl searched the ; premises but could find no evidences of a still. He was not asked to make any further raids. Since the still ' was located in Adams county, Seegar I cannot be prosecuted in Wells county except on the charge of transportling liqubr, it is said. Martz wav fined $l5O and sentenced to serve ninety days in the state (penal farm, in the mayor’s court yesj terday. Billman pleaded not guilty and is still held in the jail at Bluffi ton. o Clothing Stolen From Clothes Line Tuesday A dozen nice white handkerchiefs, freshly laundered and a few other small articles of clothing, were stolen | from a clothes line in the back yard (at tile home of W. J. Myers on North Fifth street early Tuesday evening. Tiie articles were laundered early in 'the afternoon and when Mrs. Myers (went to bring them in about 7 o’clock, all were gone. The owners have no clues as to the identity of the thieves.

' The following subscriptions wero taken up from the box at the court house at noon today, excepting the - first two items: Delta Theta Tau Sorority, $25.00 Woman's Club 5.00 Judge J. C. Moran 4.00 Jonathan Rian .25 Charles Magley 1.00 Clarence Herber 1.00 Santa Claus 1.00 John M. Bollenbacher .50 i William Schamerloh . .10 A Friend 25 Helen M. Gass 1.00 Fruchte & bitterer 1.00 . A Friend 1.00 L. C. DeVoss 1.00 i J. C. Sutton 2.00 Total $44.10 i The subscriptions will be collected .! each evening starting today and the ■! total published from day to day. Give i: any amount you wish. It’s the spirit I! more than any thing else. Be a “Good | Fellow.”