Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 21, Number 79, Decatur, Adams County, 2 April 1923 — Page 1

'Volume XXL Number 79.

CEYLON M. E. CHURCH DESTROYED BY FIRE

buster service lEING HELD AT TIME OF BLAZE All Furniture and Fixtures Saved by Congregation; Caught From Flue an o l dTandmark Building Was One of Oldest Ones in County; Insurance Carried Geneva. Ind.. April 2.—(Special to Daily Democrat) —While the congregation was singing His praises and paying homage to lie who has risen, the cry of "fire" broke out in the peaceful little Methodist church at Ceylon. 1 mile noth of here, while the Easter services were being held Sunday. and although the parishioners were able to save and remove all the furniture and fixtures from the church, the building itself burned to the ground within an hour. The inability of obtaining water to pour on the flames prevented the saving of the building. The dames wore first noticed in the attic and it is thought that the fire started from a defective flue. The building, one of the oldest in this part of the state and probably one of the oldest landmarks in the county, at one time was a school house and later purchased by the Ceylon Mtlhodists for a house of worship. It was stated that the congregation carried insurance on the building sufficient to cover their loss. Ilev. Ezra Glendenaing is the pastor. The church is a member of the Geneva Methodist circuit. ♦ WEATHER ♦ ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦+♦♦♦♦♦ INDlANA—Unsettled weather tonight and Tuesday; probably rain; colder Tuesday. 0 Miss Mildred Railing left Sunday for Fort Wayne to enter the Lutheran hospital for nurse’s training PROMINENT MAN DIES AT GENEVA William Fought, Age 81 Years, Found Dead in Bed at 10 A. M. Today Geneva, Ind., Apr. 2 —(Special to Daily Democrat)—William Fought, age 81, former postmaster, town councilman, harware merchant, editor of the Geneva Herald, a veteran of Civil War, and one of the best known residents of this place, was found dead in bed at his home at ten oclock this morning, by Albert Burfis, death being due to infirmities of age. Mr. Fought had been ill for sometime and his neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Burris, had been caring for >itn. Several times during the mornlnß Mr. and Mrs. Burris visited him ■'mi apparently he was resting as usual. When Mr. Burris went back 0 the house at about ten o’clock he ’mind him dead. Mr. Fought was born in Shelby lounty, Ohio, December 31, 1842, being 81 years, 3 months and 2 days old 1*,.. h* B death. In Novem!S ‘*' he ca nie to Geneva and in was elected a member of the B l>Oar<l ' Froni 1883 to 1 885 he n ' "J aB I >oK tniaster of the Geneva “tofttce. Du r j n g the Civil war he uuteered and fought with the 40th >■o Voluntary Calvary. At one here * con ducted a* hardware store Slighter, Miss Catherine p om „, former Decatur girl, now of ran., Vayne BU fvives. Funeral arm not aR yet been will s Ut '* 18 thought that burial 111 be made at Geneva.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Legion and Auxiliary’ in Joint Meeting Tonight Members of the Adams Post No. 43 of the American Legion and the members of the Ladles’ Auxiliary will hold a joint meeting at 7:45 o’clock this evening in the Legion hall on North Second street. All members of the Legion are urged to bring their mothers, wives, or sisters, no matter whether or not they belong to the Auxiliary. Refreshments will he served by the Legion. PRETTY WEDDING WAS SOLEMNIZED Hensley-Hunsicker Nuptials Was Crowning Social Event of Easter The crowning social event of the Easter season in Decatur was the marriage of Miss Leona Vera Hunsicker and Mr. David J. Hensley, two of the city’s prominent young people, which occured at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. aud Mrs. A. D. Hunsicker. 503 West Adams street, at 8:30 o'clock yesterday evening. The cererony was performed in the presence of one hundred and thirty guests. The Hunsicker home was beautifully decorated with Southern Smilax and Easter Lilies. A number of candles furnished the light during the ceremony. A very pretty altar was arranged at one end of the living room and large ItaSkets of lilies were placed at each side of the altar. Before the ceremony. Miss Veronica Anker sang “I Love You Truly,” and "Because,” and Miss Florence Bremerkamp sang, "In A Lovely Calden." "At Dawning" and "O Promise Me.” witli Miss Celia Andrews at the piano. While Miss Andrews played the Lohengrin and Mendelssohn Wedding March, the bride and her attendants descended the stairs. Little Charles David Ehinger, a nephew of the gtoom. and Little Miss Peggy Morton formed a lane from the stairs to the altar with white silk ribbons. Miss Marcella Kern was maid of honor, and Donald Hunsicker, brother of the bride, was best man- '’’he bride descended the stairs on the arm of her father, Mr. \. D. Hunsicker, who gave her away, while Meusi'S. Hensley aud Hunsicker entered from the dining room. Rev. U. S. A. Bridge, pastor of the First Methodist church, received the vows. The single ring ceremony was used. The bride was dressed in a beautiful dress of white satin crepe dinned with silk Spanish lace, while a pearl ornament adorned the front. The bead dress, of the bridal veil of silk tulle, was of shadow lace and dainty (Continued on page four) o O o Generous Easter Bunny Left Triplets at Home of Homer Raudenbush o —o The Easter Bunny filled the nest set for him at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Homer Raudenbush, living on the Raudenbush farm, south of Decatur, placing boy triplets in It early Sumfay morning, and the happy parents feel that the Easter Rabbit was generous in his blessings. The grandfather. George Raudenbush, was in the city this morning and stated that the triplets, averaging five pounds each and the mother, were getting along nicely. With the arrival of the triplets, the membership of the Raudenbush family, exclusive of the parents, was increased to seven. Two of the four other children are girls. The names of all the children begin with the letter "R” and it took some thinking to select names for the triplets, but finally th?y were named as follows: Raymond Romer, Robert William and Roscoe George, in honor of the father, "Grandpa’’ George Raudenbush and "Grsndpa” William Tague. The mother before her marriage was Miss Olive Tague.

DEATH CLAIMS AGED HUSBAND AND HIS WIFE John Sphar, Civir War Veteran, Dies in Few Hours After Wife’s Death nO UB LE FUNERAL Funeral Services at M. E. Church at 1:30 O’clock Tuesday Afternoon A double funeral will be held from the First Methodist church at 1:30 o’clock Tuesday afternoon for Mr. and Mrs. John Sphar, well-known and highly esteemed elderly people of this city. Only a few hours separated the deaths of this husband and [wife, who had spent, more than fiftytwo years together. Mrs. Sphar died at 11:30 o’clock Thursday night and Mr. Sphar passed away at 5 o’elolk Sunday morning. Mrs. Sphar’s funeral was to have been held this afternoon but was postponed following the death of her husband. Mr. and Mrs. Sphar were both natives of Ohio. John Sphar was born in Harrison county, Ohio, March 17, 1849. He was the son of Mattern and Margaret Sphar. In August 1864, Mr. Spahr enlisted in the United States army for service in the Civil War. He served for one year in Company F, 191st Regiment of the Ohio Infantry, receiving his discharge on August 27, 1865. He was a member of the G. A. R. post in this city. On August 17. 1872, Mr. Sphar was married to Miss Margaret Ann Sphar in Auglaize county, Ohio. Mr. Sphar was a farmer by occupation. Twentyeight years ago they moved from Van Wert to this,city and had made their home here since that time. Mr. and Mrs. Sphar took sick about three weeks ago. Mr. Sphar suffered with bladder and kidney trouble. itfftMTr-c Sphar was troubled with asthma and flu. Both suffered with infirmities of old age also. Three sons survive the departed couple- They are Orphus, at home, Dale, of Wabash; and Clark, of troit, Michigan. Mr. Sphar has one (Continued on page three) —————o — ■ - — CUT EXPENSES AT POSTOFFICE No Over Time to be Paid This Quarter; May Drop Auxiliary Carrier Owing to a deficit in the Postoffice funds. Postmaster-General Harry S. New. upon taking office, inauguarted a conservation and curtailment policy, which In many cases will seriously affect the service of certain postoffices throughout tlie country. The deficit arises during the last quarter of the government’s fiscal year, beginning with April 1 and ending June 30th. During these three months the postmasters have been ordered to "cut expenses.’’ Postmaster Hairy Fritziuger received notice than no overtime would be paid to clerks in the Decatur postoffice and that the department would not allow for an Auxilliary Carrier. The overtime pay amounts to about $400.00 a year and during the next three months no ixtra time will be allowed the clerks. However, Postmaster Fritzinger believes that it is absolutely impossible to give good service and deliveries expected by the patrons of the local office without the service of the one auxilliary carrier who also acts as the Parcel Post carrier and he has petitioned the department for the right to keep him in the payroll. The auxilliary carrier also collects the mail on Sunday and yesterday was the first Sunday that the mail was not collected, ther& being no funds available for his pay. It is thought that the department will act on Mr. Fritzinger’s petition at once and if} action is unfavorable, the services of the auxilliary carrier will be dispensed with, thua greatly affecting the service rendered by the Decatur postofflee. The parcel post packages would then have to be delivered by the regular mail carriers, which seems next to impossible, they being "loaded” with first class mail and could not, it Is thought, deliver the parcel post mail.

Decatur, Indiana, Monday Evening, April 2, 1923.

WILL SPEAK HERE Charles M. Neizer, of Fort Wayne, who will speak ut the Industrial Association Banquet Tuesday evening. ■ MAYOR JOHNSON VISITS DECATUR Mayor of Gary, Convicted of Conspiracy Saturday, Denies Charges Mayor ROswell O. Johnson, of Gary, visited here over Sunday and called on Decatur friends this morning. His father, Joseph Johnson, of Monroe, celebrated his seventy-third birthday yesterday and the children all came home to assist. Besides Mayor Johnson the children are Chester, ol Gary; S. V., of Farmland and Indianapolis; Walter and Mrs. Charles Hocker of this city. Unde Joe, as h is familiarly known, was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio. April Ist, 1850 and came to this county when two years old with his parents. He resided on the Jerry Andrews farm thirty-five years and for twelve years I past has lived at Monroe. Mayor Johnson who was among the fifty men convicted in the federal court at Indianapolis Saturday tor conspiracy to defeat the prohibition laws, again declared his innocence, ltl|>s morning and announced that lie would, through his attorneys, ask a new trial April 20th and if that Is refused will appeal his ease to the United States court of appeals. He said he had done every thing in his power as mayor to make and keep Gary dean and was willing to allow the ministers and best citizens of that town say whether he had made good and to rest his fate upon their decicion. During his first year as mayor he has made a vigorous campaign against the bootleggers with more arrests than any other dty in the state, has taken more stills than were confiscated in all tile stale outside and has aided the government officials in every possible way. He denies every charge in every honorable way so long as he can. He has put over a number ot splendid improvements in Gary the past year and wishes only to be permitted to continue his work for the Calumet district. Mayor Johnson was born in this township April 23rd, 1872 and was reared here. o BULLETINS (United Press Service) Waukeegan, lit.. Apr. 2—(Special to Daily Democrat) —The grand jury Investigating alleged tampering with the jury acquitted Governor Len Small, today returned an indictment naming three mon including one member of the trial jury. Edward Courtney and Edward Kauffman, Chicago police characters and John 8. Fields who served on the jury which freed the governor, were charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice. The indictments were voted last. Gary, Ind., Apr. 2—(Special to Difly Derrtocrat) —Attorney for the 55 officials and citizens of Gary and the Calumet region, who were convicted Saturday in the Gary liquor fraud case, today were planning strategic attacks upon the jury’s verdict. Former Sheriff Lew Barnes speaking for himself and Mayor Roswell Johnson, declared they would ask for a new trial, then a story of sentence and if these plans are overruled an supeal will be taken to the court of appeals at Chicago. Others of those convicted of conspiracy to (Continued on page two)

COMMISSIONERS HOLD REGULAR SESSION TODAY Routine Business Transacted Today; Busy Session for Tuesday ROAD AND BRIDGE DAY Six Petitions for Roads Up Tomorrow; Two Bridge Contracts to be Let The county commissioners, Ernst Conrad, B. F. Breiner and George Shoemaker, met in regular session this morning and transacted business The forenoon was devoted to rechecking and allowing of bills and hearing arguments for the different makes of road graders, a number ot /representatives being present. Tuesday the commissioners will purchase two graders to be used by the highway superintendent and his force of men in the repair of Adams county’s 790 miles of macadam roads. The commissioners also will award the contracts tomorrow for the furnishing of supplies at the county infirmary. A Busy Session Tuesday will be road and bridge day lor the eommisisoners. Although no roads will be ordered sold, six petitions for macadam roads will be presented to the board for action. The petitioners have already been published they being: Henry Buettner road, 2 miles, Union township; Fuelling-Bakley road. 1 mile, Root and Union townships; Armstrong road, mile and half, Ed Gerber road, one and half, both in Wabash township; Barkley Burk, one and half miles, Jefferson township; Schenck toad, 1 mile, St. Marys township. These proposed road improvements are petitioned for under the three mile road law and will be constructed this year or the first of next year, if the new, "holiday road bill” passed by tlie last legislature does not prevent action on them. In order to build the above roads the road levy in a few of the townships will be increased from three to four percent as pro-

(Continued on page four) EASTER SUNDAY WAS HAPPY DAY Church Services in Decatur Were Well Attended; Weather Fair and Cold As the saying goes, "any Easter is a good Easter that does not put new millinery under the umbrella,” Easter Sunday in Decatur and community yesterday was a happy day. Although the weather man lived up to his promise of providing "fair and cold” weather throughout the day, the fair sex did not venture out in throngs in their finery and new wraps, the breezes being a little too brisk. The coincident of Easter falling on "April fool's day,” however due to the fear that possibly the weather man would send rain, that kept back the promenading crowds Services in Churches Hundreds of people were seen going to church on Easter morning. In every church in Decatur and throughout the county special services were held and in tlie St. Mary's Catholic church in this city an Easter mass was celebrated at five o’clock in tile morning and was largely attended. Beautiful and solemn services marked the observance of the anniversary of Christ's glorious resurrection from the tomb and in every church the services held were in keeping with the holy day. A number of the churches held ’’Sunrise Services." Easter Weddings Several weddings took place on Easter Sunday in Decatur and in the county, the ceremonies taking place in the afternoon and evening. FORMER MINISTER HERE Rev. J. IT. Rilling, of Van Wert. Ohio, a former pastor of the Decatur Evangelical church, will address the Mens Club of the local Evangelical church at the church at 7:30 o’lock this evening •. —. Archie Smith visited at the homo of Ezra Hahegger Sunday evening.

HOSPITAL TRUSTEES RECEIVE BIDS TODAY

Complete Records of Social Service Work One ol Hie most .-omplele records of social work to be found in the country is that of the social service department of the Indiana University at Indianapolis’, covering 11,500 cases. These cases have been followed up after leaving the university’s hospital, the Robert W. Lonf hospital, of Indianapolis, and the Indianapolis city dispensary, conducted jointly by the university and the city, and constitute a laboratory covering every problem known to tin service worker. DISTRICTMEET OF CLUB WOMEN # Decatur Women Going to Annual Convention at Muncie on April 10 Several Decatur club women are planning to attend the sixteenth annual convention of the Eighth District of tlie Indiana Federation of Clubs, to be held in the Ball Room of the Hotel Roberts in Muncie on Tuesday, April 10. The programs for the convention were received here today by Mrs. John S. Peterson, Adams county chairmanDecatur clubs are always well represented at these conventions and it is thought that this year will be no exception. Delegates from the different clubs will be chosen this week, very likely. A few Decatur ladies will appear on the program. Mrs. Frank W. Downs is a member of the committee on Resolutions and Mrs. Paul Hooper is one of the judges for merit flag. Mrs. Peterson will; give a report of the work in Adams county during the forenoon session of the convention. Tlie presidents ot the different clubs are requested to give a one-minute report of club work in line of civic and educational work and social activities. The reports may be written and handed to the district chairman. Mrs. E- W. Barrett. of Muncie, is the district chairman, and Miss India Brumfield, of Winchester, is the district secretary and treasurer. Mrs. W. J. Torrence, president of the Indiana Federation of Clubs, and Mrs. 11. I). Hinkle, first vice-president will speak at the convention. Following is the complete program for the convention: Mrs. M. Louise Cassady—Parliinentarian Registration American Creed Prayer—Mrs. Sayers Welcome—Mrs. Jump for Fed. Club of Clubs. Mrs. J. W. McMillan foi Delaware county. (Continued on page three) — n O— — o I April Fools’ Day Is a Holiday of a Wide Reputation o — —o All Fools Day or April Fool's Day as it is known in our country is an important day to many. However it is not signified enough to become a legal holiday. The day is observed in France, England. Scotland and Germany. It used to be the custom for every one to play some practical joke. A pigeon was once found in New York, supposed to have been sent by a North Pole explorer which created great excitement, when some < One suggested that since it was April first an investigation be made, ; perhaps someone had been fooling ; them- it was found later that such was the ease. It was all a hoax. It doesn’t often happen that so many are fooled as were fooled in Chicago about twenty-five years ago. A man inserted an advertisement to buy cats and dogs. Those who wished to sell were to appear at six o'clock the next day at a certain number, just around the corner of a well known street. The next morning the corner was crowded with all kinds of human beings with dogs and cats under their arms and adding to the noise. Os course there was no such houae. Now the children take the most interest in the day.

Price: 2 Cents

GET BIDS ON CONTRACT FOR FURNISHINGS Contracts Not to be Let Until Tomorrow; Bids Being Tabulated NURSE NOT SELECTED * Trustees Postpone Selection of Nurse Until April 20; to Pick Janitor Tlie board of trustees of tlie Adams County Memorial Hospital met at the i office of Smith and Bell today, witli IA. J. Smith, chairman of tlie board, presiding. The other members ot the board who were present were, Mrs. Clara B. Anderson, secretary, Frank Heiman and Ed M. Hay. Architect Oscar Hoffman and Attorney Henry 11. Heller also attended the meeting, the former tabulating the bids for tlie board. Bids from a. number of manufacturers and dealers were submitted and it was stated at throe o'clock this afternoon that they would not be tabulated until late tonight and that the contracts probably would not inawarded until tomorrow. Will Not Select N-.irse It was stated that the board of trustees would not select the supervising nurse for the hospital at the m<etii\g today, postponing tins action until about April 20th. Tlie board may before adjourning, select a jauit, r i f the building. Several applications have been filed with tlie board for • luposition of supervising nurse and several men have applied for the janitor's job. Bidders for Furniture At least six hospital surgical furniture manufacturing companies have filed bids for this equipment. A number of furniture and bed manufacturers have also filed proposals. Only one local bidder. Gay, Zwick and Myers, filed a bid on tlie hospital furniture. Other nearby bidder.- were the Biere and Yager Furniture stole, tlie Berne Supply company and tin I’rogress store, of Berne, and tin Hie. tar company of Bluffton. The Simmons Bed company and tlie Smjt h-Davis company were also numbered am nig tlie bidders. BUSINESS MEN PLAN BIG TIME Banquet Tuesday Evening Promises to be Fine Affair; Neizer to Speak Members of the Decatur Industrial Association are looking forward to a delightful time tomorrow evening when the first of a series of business banquets will be given at the K. of P. home at 6:30 o’clock. Hon. Charles M. Neizer. president of the Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce, head of the First National bank of that city, and one of the big business men of Indiana, will be the principal speaker. The program will include a number of other features witli solos and piano music and u fine dinner. At a recent meeting of the association President Dan Niblick appointed a committee consisting of Wai Wenthoff. IL J. Yager, Lawrence Kleinhenz. John Carmody and Herman Ehinger to have charge of tlie program for the next three months and it is expected to carry on these events during Hie year. Tickets for this dinner were sold at one dollar each and'more than a hundred will be on hands tomorrow evening Matters of interest will be discussed and the new plan ot holding dinner meetings is expected to produce real progress for the association and the community. o _ Garth Hoover spent Sunday in Ft. Wayne visiting friends.