Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 20, Number 292, Decatur, Adams County, 13 December 1922 — Page 1

olume XX. Number 292

ADMITS FULL POWER OF A.F.L IS BEING USED American Federation Os Labor Is Interested In Impeachment Proceedings GOMPERS ON STAND Veteran Labor Leader Tells Os His Protest Against Burns’ Appointment Washington, Dec. 13—Frank admission that the full power of the American federation of labor has been thrown into the attempt to impeach Attorney General Daugherty was made before ‘the house judiciary committee today by Samuel Gompers president of the federation. The grizzled labor chieftain said the American federation of labor is Interested in "three phases’’ of the impeachment proceedings. He was not permitted to say what the phases were. Congressman Paul Howland of Cleveland, counsel for Daugherty attempted to get Gotnpers to say that the labor federation was the original "moving spirit” behind the impeachment resolutions introduced last September by Representative Keller, republican, Minnesota. "Your off on the w'rong foot there" said Gompers. “I did not know that the impeachment had been launched until I read of it in the newspapers. ’ Gompers was on the stand relating how he protested to Attorney General Daugherty in 1921 against the appointment of William J. Burns as head of the federal bureau of investigations. Burns “fitness” is under examination in connection with the Keller charge that Daugherty appointed "unworthy" men to high office. Gompers admitted under examination that he had fought Burns for a year. “Mr. Burns was one of the investigators in the case of the McNamara Brothers in California, wasn't he?" asked Howland. "He was," replied Gompers. "You were interested in the bombing and tried to get them off." said Howland. “I believed the men I know," declared Gompers, “but my only interest was in seeing that the men got a fair trial.” Former Attorney General Wickersham took the stand and testified that the letter he wrote to former President Taft in 1921 denouncing Burns as a jury “fixer” in an Oregon land fraud case was based on a careful examination of the facts. Want SIOO In The Good Fellow Club Tomorrow Put the Good Fellow fund over the first SIOO mark tomorrow. That's the desire of those who are working to make it a success. A few contributions will make it as the total is now about ninety dollars. The largest subscription today came from Vance & Linn, $5.00, and is greatly appreciated. The fund now stands: Previous total $84.57 A Friend 35 A Youngster -9® Vance & Linn 5.00 Total SB9 97 Help put it over the SIOO mark by tomorrow noon. Clemenceau Sails For His Home In Fiance New York. Dec. 13 —Georges Clemenceau, the Tiger of France, believing his mission to America on behalf if France accomplished, sails for home on the liner Paris today. He came here with the intention, he said, of making America understand France, of making her understand that France was not militaristic or imperialistic. In his final speech last night to an American audience, he said that he was satisfied; that he had accomplished his errand. o — ♦♦♦♦++«♦♦♦♦**** ♦ CONGRESS TODAY + ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦* + ++ + + + * Senate Debates ship subsidy. Banking committee and agriculture committee hears hearings on farm credits. House Judiciary committee hearing on Gaugherty impeachment. Justice and labor department appropriation bills considered.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Detective Association To Meet On Saturday A meeting of the Adams County Detetive association has been called for next Saturday afternoon. The meeting win be held In the directors' room of the Old Adams County bank, and will start at 2:30 o’clock. This will be the first quarterly session of 1923. A report of the proceedings of the national convention will be given by Mr. Conrad. The new Journals will be given out at this session also. Homer Rodenbush is president of the Adams county detectives. LOCAL STAR ON ALL-STATE TEAM Captain Engler, Os I). H. S., Grid Team, Honored; Gay On Second Team For the first time in the history of the Decatur high school, a member of the high school football team has been placed on the mythical all-state elevon. Never before did a local player receive honorable mention. This year Engler was placed on the first team. Gay on the second team, and honorable mention given to Kern and Myers by Heze Clark, sports editor of the Indianapolis Times. This is a high honor to the local players and coaches. The 1922 Yellow Jacket eleven was a formidable aggregation and tasted of defeat only to two of the strongest teams in the state and one Ohio eleven which is a leader in its district. Those defeats came onlyafter desperate fighting and then only by narrow margins. Gorden "Squire" Engler, captaia and right tackle of the 1922 Yellow Jackets, played in every game and was one of the most consistant players on the team. He was always in vinvible in the line on defense and opened up big holes in the opponent' line on the offense. The honor of be ing selected for a position on tile all state eleven is a just reward fur hi... hard work and diligent, conscientious training. “Hili' Gay, who was placed on th.' second all-state team, played four years on the high school eleven and was a power in the line at guard. H - was always feared by his opponent "Skett" Kern, end. and Bobby Myer:. halfback, who received honorable mention, were consistent players am - were worthy of the honor accorded them. All four of these players will be lost to the team next year through graduation. Following are the selections made by Clark: First Team Left end—Clift (Tech of Indiana polls). Left tackle—C. Gourley (Emerson. Gary). Left -guard—Bartlett I Jasonville). Center—W. Alien (Central, Evansville). Right guard—Floyd (Manual, In dianapolis). Right tackle—G. Engler (Decatur). Right end —S. Ruman t Emerson. Gary). Quarter back —P. Mohardt (Entetison, Gary). Left half—J. John (Elwood). Right half—Parr (Sheridan). Full back— Rodgers (Warsaw). Second Team Left tackle —Anderson (Garfield. Terre Haute). Left tackle — Melsley << entral. Evansville). Left guard—W. F. Gay, (Decatur). Center—Mattox (Richmond). Right guard—Spencer l Emerson. Gary). Right tackle—Painter (Manual. Indianapolis). Right end—V. Sorrels (Kentland). Quarter back—L. Chapin (Peru). Left half—Knee (Wabash). Right halt—Byers (Central, Evans ville). Full back—Laffoon (Wiley, Terre Haute). Third Team I I est en d—V. East (Elwood). Left tackle—Kendall (Logansport). Left guard—Andrews (Greenfield). Center— Kern (Princeton). Right guard-Jolly (Technical, Indianapolis). Right tackle- Stanbaugh (Sullivan). Right end —Pope (Linton). Quarter back-B. Courim, (Manual of Indianapolis). Left half—Walske (Whiting). Right half— Sturtridgo (Emerson of CRirv) • Full back— Kennedy (Richmond). Honorable Mention Ends — Wagner (Continued on page six)

LARGEOEALIN REAL ESTATE CONSUMATED K. Os C. Lodge Sells Business Building To Mr. IL I*. Schmitt TWO STORY BUILDING Price Paid For Building Is Said To Be In Excess Os $10,000.00 Although under way for sometime, one of the most important uptown real estate deals consumated in this city this year was not closed until last evening at the Ohl Adams County bank, when the trustees ami grand knight of the Knights of Columbus council, including E. X. Ehinger, Dynois Schmitt, C. N. Christen and H. J. Yager, sold the two-story brick building of the K. of C. block on Second street to Hubert P. Schmitt, the first floor now being occupied by Mr. Schmitt’s meat market. The exact price was not stated, but it was understood that the consideration was in excess of SIO,OOO, making the deal one of the largest real estate transactions completed in this city for some time. In one sense it sets a new value for uptown real estate. On August 19 the Knights of Columbus council purchased the three-story and two-story brick building, commonly known as the Big Store block, from Mr. and Mrs. Fred G. Macke, of Birmingham, Ala., and in the deal completed last night Mr. Schmitt becomes the owner of the two-story structure. The building has a frontage of twenty-two feet on Second street, while the lot runs west 132 feet. The brick building, two stories in height, is eighty feet deep and the second floor is occupied as a flat. A frame building runs from the brick building to the alley and is occupied by the Schmitt meat market. Mr. Schmitt has conducted a meat market in the building purchased by him for nearly four years. Just recently he improved the interior of the room and erected a cashier’s counter and office in the front part of the building. He will continue to occupy the building as a meat market. The Knights of Columbus took possession of the block on December 1 and next spring a number of improvements will be made on the' building. o SHEFFER TRIAL IS POSTPONED Illness Os Juror Causes Delay In Hearing Os The Evidence At Angola Angola, Ind., Dec. 13. —The trial of Nie Sheffer, charged with the murder of his brother, James W. Sheffer, and his wife, having been postponed yesterday and possibly today, because of illness of one of the jurors, Angola was discussing the question. "Is there an evil nemisis pursuing the actors in the mysterious drama called the Sheffer trial." Myron Geller, whose illness has held up the trial, is reported somewhat improved, and it is expected that the trial will be resumed by tomorrow, if not this afternoon. Those closely connected with the case pointed to a long series of unhappy events which indicated that some unkindly god sits in judgment upon all who touch the case. A total of seven deaths have occurred among persons connected with the case. First among the unhappy events was the quarrels between Jim and Nie. This was followed by the divorce of Nie from Irma Hoes Sheffer, the only woman who ever loved or was loved by Nie. The explosion at the Sheffer home i n which two children were killed was the third tragic episode. S. V. Hoffman, w(io acted as legal counsellor for Nie in his efforts to recover his lost interest in the old Sheffer farm, was claimed by death sodn after. The outstanding act in the tragedy was the murder of Mr. and Mrs. James W. Sheffer. John Sheffer, who has seen his family and money swept away from him in his old age was dealt another blow (Continued on page five)

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday Evening, December 13, 1922.

CHANCE FOR SANTA Will you donate a Christmas I tree for (ho Community Musical Christmas celebration to bo gtv- ' 1 en at the Athletic hall on Christ- ' mas night, in this city. The Music department of the Womans I club, tinder whose auspices the Christmas program will be given, will be more than grateful to the Good Fellow or person who plays Santa Claus and donates a tree for that night. If you want to help call Mrs. L. A. Holthouse j and tell her you'll see that a tree is donated. O o TWO LOCAL MEN GET PUBLICITY Photographs Os Thurman Gottschalk And J. H. Heller In Indianapolis News The pictures of two local men appeared in the edition of the Indian apolis News received here this morn ing. On the front page of the paper. Thurman Gottschalk, of Berne, democratic representative of Adams and Wells counties appeared with Walter S. Chambers, of Newcastle, democratic state chairman and state senator from his district. The caption below the cut says of Mr. Gottschalk: “Mr. Gottschalk is mentioned as the probable minority leader in the house. H? is a manufacturer and served in the last house.' On another page the picture of John H. Heller, publisher of tile Decatur Daily Democrat and president of the Democratic Editorial Association appeared. Mr. Heller was in Indianapolis making arrangements for the annual mid-winter meeting of the Editorial association. TO RATSE MONEY FOR NEW BANO Roy Mumma Chairman Os Committee Appointed By Industrial Association Roy Mumma was appointed chairman of a committee to raise funds for the new Decatur General band, at a meeting of the Decatur Industrial Association last night. Mr. Mumma is to select the other members of his committee. Approximately $350 must be raised by subscription for aiding the band, which was organized last fall. The band, although it has not appeared in public many times, has been holding regular rehearsals and by spring is expected to be a worthy musical organization. Rehearsals are held in the club rooms at the General Electric plant. Four new members were reported at the meeting of the Industrial Association last night. Although there was not a large attendance, the meeting was interesting and enthusiastic. o — ■ — Mr. Wine, of Ft. Wayne, was a business visitor here today. MASONSELECT NEW OFFICERS Annual Election Held Last Night; O. L. Vance Is Worshipful Master Tile annual election of officers of the Masonic Lodge was held last evening in the lodge rooms and officers for the ensuing year were elected. Those elected were; O. L. Vance, Worshipful Master; Bob Shirk. Senior Warden; Fred Elzey, Junior Warden; E. B. Adams, Secretary; A ,D. Suttles, Treasurer; and Daniel N. Sprang, Trustee, he succeeding John T. Myers. The installation ceremonies will take place at a later date and on next Friday evening. December 15, the fellowcraft degree will be conferred on a number of candidates and the members are urged to be present. The other two trustees of the lodge are Cal Peterson and R. D- Myers. $ DAijscro &. * <&CHRISTMAS?y

WILL GET BIDS FOR BUILDING STRIKER ROAD County Commissioners Advertise For Bids On Concrete Road January 2 TO HEAR OBJECTIONS Will Hear Remonstrators To Construction Os Other Roads, Also Legal notice is given in today’s. Daily Democrat to the effect that sealed bids will be received by the board of county commissioners on Tuesday, January 2, 1923, for the construction of the Warren M. Striker concrete road in Wabash township. A year ago this month this proposed improvement was petitioned for under the name of the George Shoemaker concrete road and at the hearing before the county commissioners a remonstrance was filed against the ( building of the road. A few months, later in February a petition was filed ( for the same improvement under the name of the Warren Striker Concrete road. No objections were filed against the improvement at that time and bids were received a month or ( two later for the construction of the ( road. The contract was awarded to ( Brinneman and Gordon of Bluffton and property owners in that district affected by the improvement filed a remonstrance with the state tax board, against the issuing of bonds with which to build the road. Action' therefore was stopped. Petitions for the building of the Dave Zimmerman macadam road in ' French and Hartford township, the John Ludy road in Monroe and Blue Creek townships; the Badertscher and Braun road and A. N. Sprunger road both in Berne and Monroe township. were published last Saturday and the county commissioners will hear objection* again’ the gratnint of the two improvements on January 2nd. MORE JOBS UNDER REPUBLIC Berlin. Dec. 13. —A new demand for economy in government circles has brought out the fact that in Prussia alone there are 80,275 more office holders and employes than in 1914, under the monarchistic regime. Among the great army of employes on the Prussian government pay roll are 61,574 police employes. FIRST LICENSE ISSUEDTUESDAY A. V. Yost First Auto Owner To Get License At Local Issuing Office A. V. Yost. 201 South Third street, Decatur, was the first person to obtain a 1923 automobile license plate at the local issuing office in the Schafer Hardware store. The office was opened yesterday morning with Miss Nova Yost in charge. It was located here through the efforts of the Hoosier State Auto Association in order that motorists of Adams County might obtain their license plates at home without sending to Indianapolis for them. A total of elevn automobile pas senger car owners obtained licenses at the local office yesterday. The big rush is expected to begin within a few days. The office is open for issuing licenses from 8 a. m. until 12 o'clock noon, and from 1 until 5 p. m. Several automobile owners have been having their application blanks filled out and sworn to before a notary public before going to the issuing office. The owners are urged to discontinue this practice as there Is a notary public in charge of the office and the fee charged for this work should go to her and the Hoosier State Auto Association since it was through the efforts of that organization that the local office was established. - . MONEY MARKET New York. Dec. 13— Foreign exchange opened firm. Sterling, 4.66%, new high; French francs, 7.11%; Italian lire, .0501%; German marks, .0127; Belgian francs, .0657.

Just One Big Round Os Trouble After Another| Goshen, Ind., Dec. 13. —Declaring that dating from the start of their honeymoon their married life of five weeks has just been one round of (rouble after another, Lavinia Clouse, has filed suit for divorce against William Clouse. In her complaint she charges that her husband deceived her in that previous to the ceremony he told her he had provided a furnished house for her and that he had ssot) in a bank. He had neither, the complaint recites. 0 WEBSTER DAVIS TO SPEAK HERE Noted Statesman, Orator, Lecturer, Coming To Decatur Dec. 19 Webster Davis, Secretary of the Interior in the Cabinet of President MeInley and one of the greatest orators of the country, will deliver his inspiring lecture, "The Square Deal,” in the Athletic Hall on Tuesday night, December 19, as the second number of tile lyceum course being given under the auspices of the high school seniors. Mr. Davis is widely known as a statesman, orator, and lecturer. In addition to serving in President McKinley's Cabinet, he was mayor of Kansas City at the age of 28 years and even yet is referred to as the best mayor that city has ever had. Prominent critics everywhere have been generous in their unstinted praise of Webster Davis. Big men, big newspapers and the nation's leading periodicals alike iiave acclaimed him one of the finest speakers on the American platform. While Mr. Davis was in President McKinley’s cabinet, he was selected as Administration Orator. Steubenville. Ohio, was making preparations for the celebration of her centenniol land sent a committee to Washington to previal upon the President for the purpose of securing him to deliver the oration. The President sent them to Webster Davis, saying he regarded ilis young secretary as one of the greatest orators of his time, and those who heard his message on that occasion, appreciated the President's judgment. He was accorded a perfect ovation. But there's a lot more to Webster Davis than mere eloquence. He's done things. For twenty years he has i been a power for good in American politics. He has never been a demagogue or a blind partisan. He used to be a farm boy and a country store clerk and lie worked his way straight through to a college and law school degree. He became mayor of Kansas City, threw bis hat in the ring, and staged the now famous battle with the gas trust. He whipped them, too, and reduced gas some 200 per cent in price to the consumer. He fought for municipal water works and won out in his scrap for a beautiful park and boulevard system which is now a reality. Webster Davis brings to the platform his dynamic personality and enthusiasm, and be gets results as few speakers do. He inspires men to the better things of life in his lecture. "The Square Deal." His eloquence is inspiring in the highest degree. He is a man of exceeding charm of manner, splendid appearance. and possesses oratorical and platform gifts second to no man in the country today. He is a real lecturt’ celebrity and one of the kings of the Lyceum platform. - -• ■ Rumored That New H. S. At Fort Wayne Is Unsafe Fort Wayne, Dec. 13. —Declaring that he had heard numerous rumors that the New South Side high school is unsafe Councilman H. B. Grafmiller, at the meeting of the city council last night, through a resolution, asked that a council committee of five members be appointed to investigate the rumors and. If found advisable, employ a structural engineer to go over the building and make a report to the council. The resolution was passed and President Schramm appointed Councilman H. B. Gratniiller, Catherine Ulukluge. Alvin Bullerman, Albert Pence and Philip Wyss as members of the committee. o Mrs, Steve Longenberger, of Pleasant Mills, was here today shopping. Mr. and Mrs. Omar Breiner, of south of the city, were here today on business.

Price 2 Cents

CHILD TELLS OF MURDER OF ITS RELATIVES Three-Year-Old Boy Implicates Woman In Brutal Murder At Anderson CANNOT TELL MUCH Unable To Give Description Os Woman; Thought She Was His Mother New Castle, Ind., Dec.' 13—Picking up the clew furnished by three year old Billie Huffstickle that a woman was in the house where Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Shaffer were slain with a hatch, et, the sheriff here today said the arrest of two women was imminent in connection with the case. As the result of the anticipated arrests the sheriff said more important clews will be involved leading to the murderers who killed the couple pre sumably to steal $4,900 worth of jewelry and some money in hte Shaffer home. Little Billie, a nephew of Mrs. Shaffer, was in the death house since the crime was committed last Tuesday. Ben Brookshire, farm hand, discharged by Shaffer shortly before the murder who is held for investigation in connection with the crime, employ, ed an attorney this afternoon and refused to talk further. Previously he has pleaded innocent. The death house where Shaffer and his wife were hacked to death with a hatchet was looted some time during last night. Several small pieces of furniture were taken from the place and papers and private records of the family in an upstairs room were disturbed. Muncie. Dec. 13—Little Billy Huffstickle. who saw his uncle and aunt murdered and slept near the corpses for five days, Implicated a women Tn the crime today. "Mamma, there was a woman in Uncle Billy's house." he repeated aain and again. “I thought it was you and I cried, the lady went up stairs to get me some jelly." This statement sent investigators on a new trail in their effort to find the slayer of Mr. and Mrs. William G. Shaffer whose hatchet hacked bodies were found at their farm home twelve miles south of here. “Mamma. I thought it was you. Who was it?” But the child was not able to give any description of the woman. He couldn’t tell much about the murders. Authorities hope that, they will be able to draw the story from him as time goes on. because Billy is only 3 years old and cannot tell it in a straight-forward manner. Billy says the murder was committed last night but his “last night” might mean any night and it is believed the couple actuallywere slain a week ago shortly after they were last seen. For four days and nights, the child and his poodle dog endured unknown torture. Their food shared between them was said to consist of a piece of apple pie and a glass of jelly. Four chickens cooped in the kitchen had starved to death. Other chickens and live stock in the barn lot were emaciated from starvation and thirst. Billy was rescued from the housa of torture clad only in his underwear. The dog was lying beside him on tho bed where the body of Mrs. Shaffer was found. "I found jelly and pie.” he said after he had been taken to the home of Howard Brown, a neighbor and was colthed and fed. “Lollie and me et it all up and there was not any more. We was hungry, we was. I cried for mamma, but she did not come." His tiny feet were blue with cold. There had not been a fire in tho house since the crime was committed and the temperature was low. "Aunt Susie was asleep and wouldn't wake up," was all the child would say. “Uncle Bill was gone. I couldn't find him.” Little Billy was at the home of his parents here, Mr. and Mrs. William Huffstickler, being treated for recovery from his experiences. ■ o ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ + WEATHER ♦ Snow tonight and Thursday; probably turning to rain by Thursday night. Rising temperature.