Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 20, Number 290, Decatur, Adams County, 11 December 1922 — Page 1

Volume XX. Number 290

large amount ASKED FOR IN DAMAGECASES Total Os $15,000 Demanded In Two Suits Venued To Adams County OTHER COURT NEWS Judgment Granted; Guardian Appointed; Four Cases Dismissed Judgment for damages totalling $15,000 Is demanded in two cases vended to the Adams circuit court. One case, venued from Wells county, is the result of an automobile accident. Judgment for SIO,OOO is asked in this complaint. The other case, in which judgment for $5,000 is demanded, was venued from the Allen circuit court. In the case venued from Wells county, Paul Smaltz, administrator of the estate of his wife, Olive Smeltz, seeks to recover the sum of SIO,OOO for the death of his wife, which he alleges, was due to the careless and negligent driving of the defendant, Robert Werling. It is stated in the complaint that the plaintiff, accompanied by his wife, was driving his automobile on a street in Fort Wayne on March 12, 1922, and that when he was crossing a street intersection, the defendant, Werling, drove his car onto the intersection striking the Smeltz car and throwing the two occupants to the pavement. Mrs. Smeltz suffered injuries which resulted in her death a short time later, it is stated. Macßeth & Hogg are attorneys for the plaintiff. The other damage case venued to this county today, is entitled Myrtle Snyder vs. Dallas A. Branstrator. The plaintiff seeks damages in the sum of $5,000. It is stated that the plaintiff and her husband. Cliffton Snyder, on February 27, 1921, were in lawful possession of a farm containing one hundred acres in Pleasant township, Allen county, commonly known as the Branstrator farm. On the date mentioned above, it is alleged, the defendant, Brandstrator, without invitation or rights, entered upon the premises of the farm and charged the plaintiff and her husband with committing a crime, namely, mortgaging property which belonged to another. The plaintiff alleges that the defendant threatened to prosecute her and her husband and if possible throw them into the penitentiary. Mrs. Snyder states that Branstrator so frightened her that it caused her to give premature birth to a chifd. Attorney R. E. Peters is counsel for the plaintiff. In the case of John Scheiman vs. Jacob L. Kreutzman, suit on an account, the court rendered judgment in the sum of $292.50, in favor of the plaintiff. The defendant was ordered to pay the costs of the action. In the petition for a guardian, filed by Magdalena Christener against Gottlieb Christener, the court found that the defendant was a person of unsound mind and incapable of managing his own affairs. William Christener, brother to the defendant, was appointed guardian and he gave bond in the sum of $2,000. The cases of Vernon Pontius, Ely Campbell, Clyde Kramer and Frank Derickson, against Robert D. Denner and others, suits to foreclose mechanics liens, were dismissed in the circuit court this morning and the costs paid. In the case of John W. Meibers against the city of Decatur, a written motion has been filed by the defendant to dismiss the appeal. o WITH THE SICK Little Audra May Johnson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Johnson, who has been on the sick list, is slightly better. Kenneth Zerkel was a Fort Wayne visitor today. ♦ CONGRESS TODAY + +++++ ++ ++ .|. + + + + + SENATE—Begins consideration of ship subsidy. HOUSE—Takes up bill making 1923-24 appropriations for state and Justice departments. •Judiciary committee to make final Preparations for starting hearings tomorrow on Keller resolution of impeachment against Attorney General Daugherty.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

' Newark Radio Message Is Heard In London , U Press Service.) London. Dec. 11.-(Special to Dally Democrat)—Broadcasting from Newi ark l,y wireless telephone was picked I up here and plainly audible today. H. Ridley at his residence In Surrey hoard Newark’s regular program between 2:30 and 4 a. m. Greenwich time. Around 3:15 a man sang some lively syncopation to piano accompaniment, he reported. At 4 a. m. a deep voiced man with a Yankee accent, he said, stated: “We are meeting again at 12:30" Ridley also heard other American stations calling. British, French, Dutch and German amateurs announce they will endeavor to pick up United States broadcasting this week. D.C.H.S. LOST TO PORTLAND HIGH Large. Floor. Handicapped Local Team Greatly; Score Was 17-11 Handicapped by a much larger, playing floor than they were used to practicing on, the Decatur Catholic high school net players lost a closely contested game to the Portland high team at Portland Saturday night by , the score of 17 to 11. The extra large floor was too much for the endurance of the local players. A large ' crowd witnessed the game. Portland had things pretty much their own way during the first half which ended in a 12-5 score. Both teams were somewhat weakened by I playing a game on Friday night. In ■ the second half the Decatur boys showed improvement and scored six points while the most Portland could count in the second period was five, i C. H. S. braced and brought thej score to 14-11 at one time in the last 1 period, but their defense weakened and Portland scored three more points. Myers, with seven' points', was the leading scorer for the C. H. S. five while Hirons scored six points for Portland. Following is the lineup and summary of the game: Decatur Portland Holthouse F Hirons Myers F Clark Wemhoff C Curry. Christen G Blowers Schneider G Farris Substitutions: Decatur—Schulte for Holthouse. Applemail tor Wemhoff; Bortland—Brubaker for Hirons, Hirons for Clark, Bowman for Farris. Field Goals: Schulte 1, Myers 3, Appleman 1, Hirons 2, Brubaker 1, Clark 2. Blowers 1. Foul Goals: Myers 1 out of 2; Hirons 2 out of 4, Brubaker 3 out of 4. | Referee: -Shepherd. o , Good Fellows Club Total Nears SIOO Mark The contributions in the Good Fellows club is nearing the one-hundred-dollar mark and should reach that figure by tomorrow. Over Sunday, $6.97 was contributed by the Good Fellows, bringing the total to $78,85. The Delta Theta Tau sorority girls are sponsoring the worthy movement and with' the money contributed by the Good Fellows will buy gifts for the needy on Christmas. Help make the kiddies glad by giving toward tne, fund. • | Previously reported | A Friend George Dixson Phil L. Macklin 2.00 Earl Conner | ■Joe D ur [ 100 I A Friend - • „ Mrs. Dan Erwin r " I A Friend Total *' B ' Bs 0 . Mississippi Governor Wins Victory In Suit , !• Oxford. Miss., Dec. 11.—Lee Russell scored a victory today In the SIOO,OOO, seduction suit on trial here when ( Judge E. R. Holmes ruled as admis- ( sible testimony introduced to attack the chastitfy of Miss Frances Burkhead, the plainntlft’. —o — Cold Wave Is Forecasted | Within Next Few Hours Washington, Dec. 11.-A cold wave or marked intensity will grip nearly th e entire country within the next 30 to 48 hours, the weather bureau st.it ed today in special bulletin. The northwest and Canada are now experiencing an extreme cold wave.

PROGRESSIVES MEETTOFORM FUTURE PLANS More Than 200 Delegates From Various Organizations Attend Meeting TO DRAFT PLATFORM Chairman Declared Formation Os Third Party Is Not To Be Considered (Inlted Service.! Cleveland, ()., Dee. 11.—(Special to Daily Democrat)—The republican national administration was denounced by William Johnson, president of International Association of Mechanists and chairman of the conference for progressive political action in the I opening session in the conference hero today. Johnson declared that the Harding administration had been “discredited." “Election results this year," Johnston said, "rank second only to the declaration of independence." I “The conference will fight any attempt by politicians to do away with primaries the report showed. The committee advocated a change to allow voters to take part in primaries 'without declaring their party affiliations. “Political action through primaries I rather than the formation of an. in'dependent party will be the course decided upon by tile conference which represents the nation's progressive.” Cleveland, 0., Dec. 11—More than 200 delegates from Farmer-Labor, CoI operative, Socialist and single tax organizations were here today for the (Continued on page six) 0 CARS COLLIDE NEAR MONROE Three People Injured When Automobiles Meet On Bridge Late Saturday Two Fords, one a touring car, driven by Amos Habegger, and the other a coupe, driven by Miss Lavon Mattax, of Geneva, 'figured in a mix-up at the first small bridge just a few hundred feet west of tile corporation line of the town of Monroe, on Saturday evening. I The touring car was going west ' and tiie driver was fortunately the only occupant of the machine, as it 1 turned over in the ditch and was badly smashed up. The coupe which , was driven by Miss Mattax. had three passengers, Miss Vera Kinfh and Harold Mattax. proprietor of the Geneva Herald, who were enroute to Ft. Wayne to the Majestic theatre. The machines approached the small bridge in opposite directions and being blinded to some extent by the lights of the Habegger machine, Miss Mattax states she slowed down her car to nearly a stand-still hut the drivers became confused in some manner and they met at the bridge. The lone occupant of the touring car 'escaped uninjured although his car I was thrown in the ditch to the north ' side of the road and badly smashed I up. The other machine was knocked 'over on its side and with some difficulty the occupants managed to ex 1 iricate themselves with the assistlance of the driver of the other mn chine. Miss Mattax received several cuts and bruises about her head and face and Mjss King received injuries about her back and shoulders. Mr. Mattax as less fortunate and sitsI tained a broken wrist in tiie mishap and will likely be of no assistance in his office for some time. Tiie coupe ' was not damaged to a very great ex 'tent although it had to be taken to 'Monroe for temporary repairs aftkr ' which it was taken to Geneva. The occupants of the Mattax machine were taken to Geneva by Dr. Mattax who had been summoned to the scene. Mr. ' Mattax was brought to Decatur Sun■day morning where an x-ray picture 'was taken of the’ broolten wrist. 0 ' *-•“ August Selking,- Jr., of St. Johns, was here today on business. . —Q—**' 1 Mr. and Mrs. M. G. Garard of Ft. Wayne visited with Mr. and Mrs. Robert Garard in this city Sunday.

Decatur, Indiana, Monday Evening, December 11, 1922.

A TIP TO SANTA Deiatur is to ohnve a community Christmas celebration at the Athletic hall on Christinas night and a tree is needed Thinking that someone would be glad to donate a tree, Mrs. L. A. Iloltlioiise, chairman of tiie Music Department of the Woman's club, under whose auspices the celebration Is given, kindly asked the Daily Democrat to mention that if anyone wants to donate a good-sized . tree for the Christmas Day party to notify her not later than Saturday of thia week, so that in case a tree is not donated, other arrangements can bo made. The Community Mucil Christmas celebration is given for all, and the public are invited to attend. , > FARMERS HEAR FRENCH ‘TIGER’ Clemenceau Urges Enforcement Os Versailles Treaty In Last Address Today Chicago, Dec. 11. —American farmers must see that the treaty of Versailles is enforced if they want a market for their wheat, Georges Clemenceau declared today in his final address in America. Speaking before the American farm bureau the Tiger, former premier of France, declared that America must have foreign markets for its crops, but will not have them if isolated. “Russia, Austria, Germany and France are hungry, but can't eat,” he declared. "We have no money because our friends did not do what was necessary to make Germany pay. We need American whwat. Only about one year in ten do we produce sufficient grain for our needs. We would like to buy from you the other nine, but of course, whether we will or not. is not for me to say. Peace in Europe will bbe insured if the treaty of Versailles is enforced.” o O — O UNAVOIDABLY DETAINED Milwaukee, Dec. 11 —Rev. Or- l nald Buttin, pastor of Grand | March. Wis.. wrote to his congregation on October 20 saying he would be “unavoidably detained" ] in Milwaukee for three or four months. A search started for the minister resulted in finding him today in the house of correction where he was serving a 90 day sentence for vagrancy. He had been picked up on the streets of Milwaukee without funds, and : gave the name of “Bull Butler.” O O o PROMINENT LADY SPEAKS TONIGHT Mrs. Demarcus Brown, Os Indianapolis, To Lecture To Woman’s Club Mrs. Demarcus Brown, prominent club woman, lecturer, and educator, will give a lecture at the Library at 7:45 o'clock this evening, coming here under the auspices ot tiie Literature department of the Woman’s club. Mrs. Brown is an excellent speaker and is known throughout the state for her activities in club circles. She is one of the instructors in French at Butler college, Indianapolis, and tiie Women of tiie Womans club are to be congratulated in securing such a prominent personage and capable speaker as Mrs. Brown to address the clubwomen of this city. In order that those outside of the Woman’s club might have the opportunity to hear Mrs. Brown, the members of the Literature section are selling tickets for the lecture this evening and the women of tiie city are urged to hear Mrs. Brown.

CHANEY TAKES STAND TODAY IN SHEFFER TRIAL Nie Sheffer’s Defense Seeks To Break Alibi Os William Chaney CHANEY IS COMPOSED Smiles As He Gives Account Os His Actions On The Night Os Murder Angola, Ind., Dec. 11. —The defense In the trial of Nie Sheffer, charged with the murder of his brother, James W. Sheffer and his wife, were to try today to break the alibi of William Chaney. That Chaney is the real murderer of the Sheffers has been the contention of the defense since the beginning of the trial. Chaney had been a resident of the Sheffer home for several years. He smiled when he took the witness stand alone. He is a small red faced man of 55 years and a bachelor. He testified that he had been staying at the home of Eli Walker before the murder because the Sheffers had been quarantined with Cora, 12-year-old daughter of the Sheffers recovering from diphtheria. He.testified that he had been to a band concert on the night of the murder and returned to the Sheffer home afterward. When he arrived he sat down on the porch to finish smoking his pipe. While sitting there he heard firing. Upon investigation he said he found Jim Sheffer lying in his automobile in a dying condition. Chaney is believed to be among the first on the scene. In fact, it is said he mingled with the crowd that night and seemed much excited. o FATHER DIED IN FORTWAYNE Parent Os Miss Angeline Firks Expired On Friday; Funeral Today Albert Firks, age 78 years, father of Miss Angeline Firks, of this city, died at his home in Fort Wayne Friday morning. Funeral services were held from the home at 2 o'clock this afternoon. Those who attended the funeral from Decatur were Mr. and Mrs. Milton Girod, Mr. and Mrs. Earnest Slickmau, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Slickman, Mr. and Mrs. August Slick man and Miss Angeline Firks. Mr. Firks was born in Germany in 1844 and came to America forty years ago. He settled in Fort Wayne upon his arrival in America and for a period of thirty-five years, worked for the Hoffman Lumber company in that city. He was forced to retire on account of his health. Death was due to a stroke of para) ysls. His wife died twenty-two years ago and since that time he and three daughters have been living together. The following children survive: Anna, Bertha and Grace, all at home; Angeline, of Decatur; and Mrs. Milton Girod, of near Peterson. The deceased is a brother-in-law to Earnest and Fred Slickman, of this city. A beautiful floral offering was sent to the Firks home in Fort Wayne by the teachers of the Decatur schools, where Miss Angeline Firks is employed as secretary to M. F. Worthman, superintendent ot the city schools. o Industrial Association Is To Meet Tuesday Evening The regular monthly meeting ot the Decatur Industrial association will be held Tuesday evening and important business will be transacted. Every member is urged to be present and take part in the discussions of the important matters to be disposed of. President Dan Niblick would like to have a one-hundred-per-cent meeting and L. F. Conter, secretary of the association, has mailed out cards to the members calling their attention to the meeting. The meeting will be held in the Industrial rooms at eight o'clock Tuesday evening. o ■ i Dan Meyers, of Wren, Ohio, was a business caller here today. Miss Geraldine Smith returned today from a several days visit in Ft. Wayne.

Monroe High Won And Lost During Week-End The Monroe high school basketball learn won and lost during the last week-end. On Friday night the Monroe boys played at Hamilton, Indiana, where they were defeated by tile score of 27 to 24 in a hard fought contest. The Monroe team had not lost a game this season prior to the Hamilton game and it was only after a hard fight that they went down to defeat before the Hamilton high outfit. On Saturday night the Monroe team was more successful when the Hudson, Indiana, high school five was met at. Hudson, anil when the game ended the Monroe quintet was leading 25 to 13. The Monroe boys had things pretty much their own way in this contest. REVIVAL DRAWS LARGE AUDIENCE Church Os God Crowded To Capacity Last Night; Nineteen Conversions An excellent spirit was felt in the levival meeting of the church of God last evening. Long before the scheduli d time for the service the house was crowded to seating capacity in so much that over seventy-five extra chairs were crowded into the aisles and on the rostrum. Even then it became necessary for a number of the men to stand up. The song service was started ten minutes early to relieve the monotony of waiting. Old familiar hymns, sucn as were suitable for the occasSion, were selected by the song leader, E. D. Langiey, who later rendered a spiritual selection, “Somebody Knows.” The song service was followed by a real live testimony service and the preaching. The evangelist. E. Bragg, took for his subject, “The Closed Door,” making mention of the destruction of Sodom and Gsmorsh. and relating the incident of the. flood, and '•ommenting on the parable of the ten Virgins. He then pronounced a sentence of doom on those of this eny who reject the proffered mercies .if Christ. An invitation was then given to the unconverted to confess and immediately nineteen pressed their way to the altar, and professed their faith. Meetings will continue all this week. A hearty invitation is extended to all to come. Services commence at 7:30. — o Erie Fireman Killed In Wreck Last Night (United I*re.* Service.) Binghampton, N. Y., Dec. 11. —Special to Daily Democrat) —Fireman Ed Storrer, of Port Jervis, was killed and Engineer Donald Regon. probably fatally hurt, when Erie passenger train No. 5, west bound, was wrecked forty miles west of Port. Jervis shortly before midnight. Engine and tender crashed over a bank beside the roadbed, pulling two coaches, two sleepers and a baggage car from the rails. Relief trains, doctors and nurses and railroad officials were sent to the scene ot the wreck. So far as reported no passengers were seriously hurt. Bryan Proposes A New Way To Elect President Washington, Dec. 11 —A new method of electing the president of the United States was proposed here today by William Jennings Bryan in announcing ills opposition to the plan of the. progressive bloc in congress to abolish presidential electors and the electoral college. The man wh ohas more experience than any other American in running for the presidential office, claimed that the plan ot the progressives was little Improvement, because it maintains the present system of voting for president be taken with the congressional district, instead of the state, as a unit. At present, if the democrats carry a state by a narrow margin, they obtain all the electoral votes of that state. Under Bryan's plan each candidate would receive one vote tor every congressional district he carries, instead of a big block ot votes for every state. CHICAGO MARKET CLOSE Chicago, Dec. 11—Wheat: Dec. $1.21%; May $1.20*4; July $1.10%. Corn: Dec. 72%c; May 71%c; July 70%c. Oats: Dec. 46*4c; May 44%c July <l%c.

Price 2 Cents

SURRENDERS TO GRAND LARCENY CHARGE TODAY Volonui Heller, Os Linn Grove, Appears At Jail And Admits Guilt MORE] LOOT IS FOUND Two Youths Arrested For Theft Os More Than SIOO Worth Os Seed Volonui Heller, age 18 years, of Linn Grove, rode into Decatur on a freight train from somewhere in Ohio, this morning, went to the county Jail and surrendered himself to Sheriff Sephus Melchi on a warrant charging grand larceny. He was locked in jail and is now awaiting a hearing. A warrant for Heller's arrest was issued on Friday, but when Sheriff Melchi went to his home in Linn Grove he found that the youth had disappeared during the night. His parents did not know of his whereabouts. Heller has confessed to taking part in the theft of more than SIOO worth of clover seed from the Equity elevator at Chattanooga, Ohio, last Monday night. He'is the second one arrested for the theft, Andrew Brewster, age 21, also of Linn Grove, having been arrested on Thursday. After young Heller appeared at the jail this morning he told the sheriff that a quantity of the seed was hidden in a barn on the Frank Brewster farm in Jefferson township, a short distance west of the Steiner store. Sheriff Melchi went to the barn described and found about five bushels of clover seed in bags in a manger, covered with hay. This makes about ten bushels which have been found already. Approximately five bushels were emptied out of the sacks along the road, three miles west and a short distance south of Berne, some time Friday night. A farmer found the seed the next morning and called the sheriff. About half of this seed was picked up and saved. The elevator company values the seed at $13.25 a bushel. The exact amount taken is not known. Officials believe that more seed may be found. Brewster, following his arrest. told the sheriff that the seed had been thrown into the river near Bluffton, but a search of the river at the point indicated failed to reveal any seed. The thieves entered the elevator through a window and hauled the seed away in Brewster's automobile, it is said. A small amount of seed was found in Brewster’s car previous to his arrest. Both of the young men being held on the charge, admit their guilt, according to Sheriff Melchi. Heller said this morning that someone sent him word that a warrant for his arrest had been issued, so he thought he had better surrender himself instead of endeavoring to evade arrest. A peculiar fact about the affair is that young Heller holds stock in the elevator at Chattanooga. Friends of young Heller came to the jail this afternoon and obtained his release after furnishing bond in the sum of SSOO. o — Doesn’t Want Husband To Even Speak To Her Warsaw, Dec. 11. —Mabel A. Keim, wife of a farmer, residing in Tippecanooe township, Kosciusko county, has tiled a petition in the Kosciusko circuit court, asking au injunction against her husband to restrain him from speaking to her or molesting her in any way pending tiie trial of a divorce case brought by Mrs. Kiern coincident witli requesting the restraining order. The divorce action is based on cruelty, Mrs. Keim alleging that her husband ejected her from his home. o Man Killed By Trolley Wire At Hammond, Ind. U nited Preaa Service.) Hammond. Ind.. Dec. 11. — (Special to Daily Democrat) —Daniel Mclntyre was killed and Frederick Paul seriously injured when they came in contact witli a high voltage wire while posing for a photograph on top of a box cur here. Mclntyre as from Nova Seotia and Paul from Hammond. The two men were sitting on top of the car while two companions focused the camera. As they rose to their feet their heads touched an overhead trolley wire.