Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 21, Number 4, Decatur, Adams County, 4 January 1923 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT'

Volume XXI. Number 4.

GOTTSCHALK NAMED MINORITY LEADER

Man Kills Wife and Three Children; Ends Own Life DEMOCRATS PICK

INSANE MAN AT MUNCIE ENACTS TRAGEDY TODAY Shoots Wife And His Three Children While Sleeping Early This Morning BODIES IN SAME BED Neighbors Find Lifeless Bodies Os Man And Victims; Doors Locked (United Press Service) Muncie, Ind., Jan. 4.—Apparently suffering an attack of tem porary insanity, William Miller. 30, today shot and killed his wife and three children and then committed suicide. The tragedy was discovered by the mother of the murdered woman, who visited the home and found the door locked. She called neighbors and the door was broken down. Miller was lying on a bedroom floor with a 20-gage calibre revolver by his side. Mrs. Miller and the three children evidently had been shot while sleeping. All were in the same bed. the corpse of the baby lying on its mother’s arm. A dinner pail packed with food indicated the man had been preparing to go to work and had been seized with insanity. Mrs. Laura Davis, a sister of Mrs. Miller, declared the man had seemed in fear of someone for several days and last Sunday night she took his wife to her home for the night. This fear is thought to have been imaginary and indications of a dis eased brain. There had been no do mestic trouble in the family. The wife. Pearl, was 30 years old. The three children were Evelyn 5, Williams and Robert 11 months. ■ — - ■ o New Trustees Learn Os Their New Duties Ten newly elected trustees of Adam county received their first instructions as to their duties, yesterday at the first meeting of the county board of education of the present year, held in the office of E. S. Christen, county superintendent of schools. Most of the time was spent in acquainting the new trustees with their duties. The two trustees who were reelected in the November election, gave manypointers to the new members. The new trustees asked a number of questions which were answered by Mr. Christen and Messerg Felty and Dettinger. Every member of the board was present at the meeting. o Turkey Calls All 2<bleBodied Men To Colors Constantinople, Jan. 4.—(Special to Dally Democrat)—Turkey today call cd to the colors all able bodied men in the so-called liberated territories of the near east. The Angora government issued th? mobilization decree. After waiting two days for word from LausannS as to the allied intentions, the Kemalists answered Greek mobilization and British fleet movements with a war like gesture of their own. With. everything dependent upon Lausanne, the conferentne there remained inactive, awaiting outcome of the rentier’s parley on reparations. ■■ ... ■ • SCHOOL BOARD MET TODAY The city school board held a meeting in the office of the Superintendent of the city school, M. F. Worthman, this morning. Little business was transacted outside of the routine business of allowing bills and the like. . t—. —a ROTARY CLUB MEETING The rettlar meeting of the Rotary club will be held in the club rooms on Madison street at 6:15 o’clock tonight. All Rotarians are urged to be present.

NEW BOILER AT G. E. PLANT Addition Being Built To Boiler Room To Accommodate New Boiler An addition is being built to the holler room at the local plant of the General Electric company. Work on the addition was started this morning A new boiler will be installed in the addition as soon as It is completed. So far there has been but one boiler ’at the local plant and the new one is being installed as a safeguard, so that in case the old one is incapacitated in any manner, the new one can be usetf and the factory will not be forced to close while the old one is being repaired. The addition to the boiler room consists of a room about 20 feet by 30 feet, and is being built of same kind of brick as the remainder of the factory. o NEW YORK MAN TO SPEAK HERE General Electric Publicity Man To Make Interesting Address January 16 Arrangements for the public meeting to be held at Athletic hall on th'* night of January 16, at which time C. M. Ripley, of Schenectady, N. Y.. will speak on subjects relating to electricity, are progressing nicely. Mr. Ripley is the head of the publicity bureau and education department of th.. General Electric company. Other entertainments at the meeting will be furnished by the General Electric orchestra and a male quartet frt>p< Fqyj Wayne. Mr. Ripley’s talk will be illustrate I with over ninety lantern slides contrasting the conditions of labor in ticearly centuries with the mortem manufacturing methods in which electrnity is the chief motive power. For instance. he shows the methods of th ancients in building the pyramids, of irrigating the deserts, early navigation, transportation, the development of steam, and then how contrasted with these crude methods the more modern methods of today in which electricity, through the medium o: light, heat and power, has revolutionized the progress of the human race. Mr. Ripley points out that, in the early days, not only was the use of slaves follow’ed extensively in performing work for mankind, but also, that it took hundreds of years to do anything on a large scale, such a ; build a pyramid, and no record what soever was kept of the large number of lives that were lost in accomplishing this work. In modern times small electric motors will accomplish the work of hundreds of men without apparent effort or loss of life and in a minimum of time. Mr. Ripley also touches upon wireless telephony and the electrification of battleships and shows some most interesting pictures of the development of the electric locomotive. An interesting photograph shows the Grand Central terminal in New York before and after the electrification of the railroads. In one case, its tracks were spread over a large area and the station filled with smoke. In the latter picture, th? electrified terminal was shown in which the open spaces were covered by the structures of modern hotels, streets, etc., making a wonderful change in the skyline. Mr. Ripley tells something of his early experience in the trial of the battleship New Mexico, which is electrically operated, and also how efficient was the electrified collier Jupiter. The talk is illustrated throughout with littlg comic sayings and interesting statistics on the modern increase of production due to electricity. ———— — n - Arthur Hyland left this morning for South Bend to re-enter Notre Dame, ++++++ + + + + + 4> CONGRESS TODAY * « + + + *4> + + **4>*4>** Senate: Senator Robinson speaks on bill to give America official membership on reparations commission. Subsidy debate continues. House: Considers appropriation bill.

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday Evening, January 4, 1923

COLLAPSE OF I RIVER BRIDGE KILLS EIGHTY ‘ —— Heavy Toll Taken In Accident At Kelso, Washington, Late Yesterday J FORTY ARE RESCUED Witnesses Say Approximately 150 Were On The t Bridge At Time Os Fall (United Prcffifii Service.! Kelso, Wash., Jan. 4 —(Special to Daily Democrat) — Authorities in charge of rescue work today declared the dead as a result of the collapse of the Kelso bridge across the cow , litz river here may reach as high as i eighty. All sources were of the opinion, however, that it will be impossible to r establish definitely how many persons lost their lives, owing to the impossibility of determining the exact number on the bridge when the cables snapped and the great struc ■ ture with its human freight went ■ lurching into the turbulent muddy ’ river waters. Witnesses agreed that the number • on the bridge was approximately 150 . although some thought higher. Forty are known to have been res- ■ cued. An additional number rushed to > safety from the bridge approaches when the first warning came that the t bridge tottering. Eleven names are listed as “known I to be missing.” One man died in a hospital today. On a basis of 150 persons having . been on the bridge, authorities believed that these figures accounted for all but approximately eighty. Most of the persons, on the bridge .. when the collapse -came were transient workers, many of them foreign- , ers engaged in constructing a new i town to bo named Longview across the river from Kelso. They were employes of the Long Hall Lumber company of Kansas City. For two weeks the bridge has been subjected to the pressure of a jam of logs which had broken loose and piled up against the piers. Officers had been stationed at the approaches to regulate traffic Wednesday evening when the bridge was crowded to ca- ’ pacity by men returning from work GIRLS'NIGHT AT ATHLETIC HALL L » Three Basketball Games Are Scheduled For Tomorrow Night By Girls I Tomorrow will be girls’ night at the Athletic Hall. Three games will ' be played by girls teams. At 7:15 o’clock <the girls from the Central schools eighth grade will play the St. Joseph eighth grade girls. Fol- , owing that game the D. H. S. girls' . second team will play the St. Joseph high school girls, and the final game of the evening will be a,contest between the D. H. S. girls and tlte Berne high school girls. No boys’ games are scheduled to be played here this week-end. The Decatur high school boys will go to Kendallville tomorrow night to play a return game with the high school team of that city. The D. H. S. five opened the season this year with a victory over Kendallville here in a closely fought contest. The Catholic high school team was scheduled to go to Warren for a game tomorrow night but the game was cancelled owing to a disagreement over ex- ' penses. As a result the local C. H. ’ S. five will remain idle this week- ' end. On next Thursday night the Decatur high school boys and girls 1 will play the Pennville high teams in this city. Pennville has a fast team this year and holds a victory over the Portland high five, which defeated the locals at Portland recently.

AUCTIONEERS TO MEET Sale-Criers Os Adams And Wells Coen- 1 ties To Meet Here Next Saturday Au important meeting of the auctioneers of Adams and Wells countiewill be held in the rooms of the De catur industrial Association, over Graham and Walters offices on South Second street, at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon, Januar v 6. it was announced today. Special invitations have been sent to each auctioneer in both coun ties to attend the meeting tfnd a good I attendance is exerted. Ixical auctioneers. who are in chage of the meeting, urge every auctioneer in both counties to attend the meeting as there will bo important business to transact. D. M. Leonard made a business trip! to Fort Wayne today. KOHLER CASE IN BLUFFTON COURT Fred Kohler, Adams County Farmer, Being Tried In Bluffton City Court The case of Fred Kohler, Adams county farmer residing near Berne, charged witli violation of the liquor law, came up for a hearing in the Bluffton city court today. The case was tried in the circuit court room owing to the large audience. Five attorneys were engaged to fight the case for the state while former Judge David E. Smith of Fort Wayne, a[>peared for the defendant. The defense objected to the introduction of the evidence on she grounds that it was obtained in Adams county and that Sheriff Frauhiger, of Wells county acted outside bis jurisdiction when he came into (Ul ams county and made the raid on Kohler’s farm. The court took tjie objections under advisement. Special Judge Vaughn is hearing Hie case. It was intimated by the defense that the case would be appealed to the Appellate Gourt of Indiana if the court finds Kohler guilty. Only four witnesses were sworn this morning, all for the state. They were Sheriff Frauhiger, Chief of Police, Garret. Frank Seegar, and Mosea Mart;: The defense announced that they would not produce any witnesses. Seear was on the witness stand this afternoon. Indications were that the ease would not be completed before late this evening. ———o PREACHING AT ANTIOCH Next Sunday is the regular preaching day at Antioch. It is also Missionary day and all members are urged to bring their offerings. There are many in need of the help, i» is said, and the members are urged to lend assistance. The pastor. Rev. Jacob Hygema will preach Sunday. o G. E. GIRLS PLAY GARRETT TEAM Local Girls Go To Garrett Tonight For Net Game; Games Next Week The girls’ team from the local plant of the General Electric company will go to Garrett tonight for a game with an independent girls' team in that city. The girls who will make the trip are Florence Fisher, Melvena Butler, Arville Hendricks, Alvene Dibble. Beatrice Peterson, Verena Miller, Mamie Krick, Bernita Tanvas, Marie Jones and Mabel Walters. Their coach, Bryce Thomas, will accompany them. Tlte G. E. men’s team has no game for this week. On Thursday night of next week, the men's and girls’ teams from Ossian will come to Decatur for games with the G. E. men and girls. In games played at Ossian recently the G. E. men lost to the Ossian Independents by a close score and the G. E. Girls won from the Ossian girls. The games here next week should prove to be very interesting.

WILL CASE IS STARTECTODAY S IN LOCAL COURT Suit To Set Aside Will Os Late Henry Wefel, Os Preble Twp., Begun SEVERAL WITNESSES Case Is Expected To Continue For Two Or Three Days; Jury On Case Proceedings were started in the circuit court this morning in the suit brought by Louis Wefel, Aldine Wefel, and Justine Wefel, through their next friend, Nova Wefel, against William i H. Wefel and others, a suit to set aside the will of Henry Fefel, late of Preble township. The case is Iteing 'tried before a jury. Much of tlte forenoon was spent in (obtaining a jury to hear the case. Four I member:* of the regular jury panel were objected to and other jurors selected. Taking of evidence was not begun until about 11:30 o'clock. The ease will likely continue for two or • three days, it Is said. , A large number of witnesses and . spectators occupied seats in the court , room during the day. The will was . probated in the circuit court on Febi ruary 4. 1922. Attorney R. C. Parrish. ■ of Fort Wayne, is representing the plaintiffs and the law firm of Fruchte and bitterer, of this city, are appearing ■ Uu- the, defense. _____ ■ Cases Dismissed The case of Joseph Mazelin against ■ Louise Mazelin, suit for divorce, was 1 dismissed in the circuit court today. The case of Racheal Hanni again t | Jacob J. Srunger and Silas Sprunger. ! suit on a note, was also dismissed and costs paid. Baptist Revival Will Continue Till Sunday | I Revival meetings at the Baptist church will continue through tonight, Friday and Sunday nights. A fine spirit prevailed last night, and several people were converted. Both Rev. Lantz and Rev. 11. D. Clarl« preached splendid sermons. I.arge crowds have been attending. Meetings start promptly at 7:30. COMMUNITY CLUB HOLDS MEETING R. E. Glendenning, Os This City, Spoke At Union Township Meeting About fifty people attended the regular monthly meeting of the Union Township Community club last evej ning at the Kohr school in that town | ship, that being the regular meeting place. Mr. R. E. Glendenning, of the I First National bank, in this city, gave an interesting talk on banking, one of a series of talks being given by the banks of the county before various organizations for the purpose of acquainting the public with the workings of banks. ( A short talk was gven by the county agent on rations for various kinds of farm livestock, especially relating to including protein in the ration of fattening hogs and laying hens. The annual reorganization took place after the program and the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, C. S. Mumma; vice-president, Ross Harden; sec-retary-treasurer, Xariffa Barkley; chairman program committee, Dallas Spuller. Mr. Murnma was commended by the assembly for his splendid work for the organization during the past two years. It was agreed to have the, regular meetings the first Tuesday evening of each month. o Mrs. ('. H Elzey attended to business at Fort Wayne yesterday.

JOINT MEET OF DOCTORS i Wells And Adams County Physicians Held Meeting At Bluffton Tuesday — A joint meeting of the Wells County Medical society and the Adams County Society was held at the Bliss Hotel in Bluffton Tuesday evening. Eight doctors from Adams county were present, and also Doctors D. R. Rhamy and E. M. Vanßuakirk, of Fort Wayne. The Fort Wayne doctors read articles on X-ray work. Plans were made to hold a joint meeting the first of every month and the place of the meetings will alternate between Decatur and Bluffton. Henry Gallmeier, of Proble township, was a business visitor here yesterday. STATE MEETING OF AUCTIONEERS Officers Os Auctioneers’ Association Os Indiana Elected Monday The Auctioneers’ Association of Indiana held their regular semi-annual meeting at the English hotel, Indianapolis. on Monday night of this week. This association has only been organized one year, and already a large number of the auctioneers of the state have affiliated themselves with the organization. The Association has in mind to do many things for the up-building of tlte auction profession, to the end of making it a fore serviceable means of exchange in all kinds of property. The election of officers was held at the meeting Monday night, the following were elected: i’resident. Col A. A. Figg, of Danville, Ind.; VicePresident, Everett Button, of Knightstown; Secretary-Treasurer, R. C. Polland, Noblesville; Directors, Tom Vin ( nedge, Indianapolis; Orin Jessup. In i I dianapolis; Clarence Farr, Glenwood, | Art Probst. Broad Ripple; Jim Evans,! of Nabbs; A. A. Barnes, Indianapolis; and W. A. Miller, of Sheridan. The retiring officers were, Earl Gartin, of Greensburg. President; Tom Vinnedge, Indianapolis, Vice-President. R. C. Foland, of Noblesville, was re-elected, for Secretary-Treasurer. The retiring j directors were W. A. Miller, Sheridan; L. F. Clime, Burlington; Frank Moore, of Cynthiana; Cap Saylor, of New Market; Everett Button, Knightstown: Joe Flescher, of Dunkirk; and Ed Bowers, of South Whitley. Some of these succeeded themselves for tlte ensuing year. The auction business in all lines has been developing very rapidly for the past decade, and it is commendable indeed on the part of the auctioneers that they are co-operating to the end of placing the profession on a high elevation, any topics of common interest were discussed at this convention. Plumber Not Seriously Injured Here Yesterday Reports from Fort Wayne today stated that Edwart Eyatt. Fort Wayne plumber who was injured in an automobile accident here yesterday forenoon. was not seriously injured. He was taken to the Lutheran hospital where physicians stated that no bones were broken although he suffered severe bruises about his right leg. o RUMMAGE SALE SATURDAY AT METHODIST CHURCH A rumage sale will be held Saturday, beginning at 12 o'clock, noon, by tlte ladies of the Methodist church. The sale will be held in the basement of the church and some excellent values will be offered. o ♦ WEATHER 4 *♦♦♦♦+♦♦♦+ + ♦ + ♦4 > - INDlANA—Probably fair tonight, mostly cloudy Thursday; probably snow or rain by night in north por t.ion, somewhat warmer; Friday fair and colder.

'J Price 2 Cents

BERNE MAN FOR LEADER OF HOUSE Lower House Os State Legislature Nearly Evenly Divided This Year McCRAY GIVES TALK Raymond C. Morgan, Os Knightstown, Is Elected Republican Speaker (United Press Service) Indianapolis, Jan . 4—(Special to Daily Democrat) —Both houses of the legislature adjourned until 2 o’clock Monday afternoon after hearing Governor McCray outline his legislative j program today. Thurman Gottschalk, democrat, of Berne, was appointed as democratic ■ member of the house rules committee today. Indianapolis, Jan. 4. —With the house nearly equally divided on party lines and with the democratic minority in the senate much larger than usual, the seventy-third general assembly convened today for a sixty-day session which leaders predict will be one of the most active in recent years. Each house was called to order shortly after ten o’clock and preoeeded to organize immediately along lines laid down at party caucuses last night. Then they went into joint session to hear Governor McCray’s message. Republican leaders were watching their ranks in the house where they hold a 52-to-48 margin over the democrats. There was some fear of friction as a result of the caucus last night which elected Raymond C. Morgan. of Knightstown, as speaker Party chieftains had polished the seat for Lemuel Pittenger, of Selma, but Morgan took the lead when balloting started and they were forced to swdng over to him later. Senator James J. Nejdl, of I county, was president pro tem of the ! senate. He was chosen at a caucus ! of republican senators last night without much opposition. Joe Cravens. of Madison, veteran legislator, was named democratic leader in the senate and Thurman Gottschalk, of Berne, was elected minority leader in the house. Governor’s Message Following is a summary of legislation asked for by Governor McCray in his message at the opening of the seventy-third general assembly today. An appropriation of $2,000,000 to complete the construction of the Indiana reformatory. A tax on gasoline used in motor driven vehicles and increased motor vehicle fees, the proceeds to go to the highway funds. A law making the county instead of the township as a unit in school administration. An amendment of the absent voters’ law to prevent its abuse. An amendment to the constitution j to provide th-t n majority of the votes , cast in a referendum shall be sufficient to carry a constitutional amendment I rather than a majority of all the elec- ' torate. Au amendment to the constitution I providing that the legislature shall I convene in the second and fourth years of the governor’s term instead ' of the first and third. I A law giving the tax board power to 1 review assessments and reassess any i property. A law giving the tax board power to make horizontal increases or decreases within counties. 4 A law clearing up the present provision concerning the review of bond ’- issues by the tax board. y A law providing a penalty for faili. ure of officials to make public a budt get. t The establishment of only two state funds, the tuition fund and the general fund, instead of many funds as » at present. ♦ Reduction of the membership of tha * ir<ustrial board from five to three. Combining the offices of the clerk t, of the supreme court and the rey porter of the supreme court. A law making the board of agriculture a state department.