Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 21, Number 99, Decatur, Adams County, 25 April 1923 — Page 1

Volume XXI. Number 99.

ELKS JOIN SEARCH FOR JUDGE MORAN ~ ‘ „ , i „i, , „ , ■ - -..- ... - _ . - - f mTr . l - .. .. . . ■ ■■ . I I—-I I ■» —... ■ .... „ ■ „ ,

inner secrets OF HOUSE OF DAVID RELATED Score of Children, Legally Married, Testify in Investigation HISTORY IS TOLD All Witnesses Deny Any Wrong on Part of “King" Benjamin Purnell (United Pres. Service) St. Joseph, Mich., April 25 — (Special to Daily Democrat) —Mrs. Helen Couch declared today at the Michigan investigation into the House of David that while she was among the virgins of Shiloh, ministering to the wants of “King" Benjamin Purnell, the head of the cult, had attempted to attack her. Judge Dingeman, conducting the investigation, obtained first admission involving Purnell from Mrs. Couch, a former member of the religious cult. While other witnesses had admitted indiscretion, all had given Purnell a clean slate. St. Joseph, Mich.. April 25— (Special to Daily Democrat)—A score of children legally married tinder civil law, but whose religion teaches they must never live as man and wife today told of the inner secrets of the House of David. Boys with long hair covering their shoulders and a white fuzz as the only proof they abided by the cults' orders against shaving, admitted to Judge Harry J. Dingeman. conducting a "one man” grand jury investigation. that they were not celibate husbands as required by the cult’s 1 teachings. Girls, supposed virgin wives, con ■ fessed they did not observe the regti . lations of purity, either before or after marriage. All, however, denied any wrong on the part of “King” Benjamin Purnell, ruler of the colony who styles himself the "seventh angel, the young brother of Jesus Christ and the Im mortal Prophet. ” Instances of transgressions of the 1 rules of the colony were declared by the witnesses to be isolated instances and not in any manner connected "ith its teachings or ceremonies. Wear Queer Costumes Playing together in an outer room of the city hall council chamber, the boys and girls gave the appearance of any other normal group of school children, with the exception of queer costumes. Boys carried Bibles under their arms and quoted texts to support teachings of their cult with the utmost facility. All wore long trousers although many appeared around 14 ■ years of age and were still in the awkward stage. Voices switched from high to low as they talked. The entire group had been married in one wholesale ceremony last week. Although applications for wedding licenses stated all were over the 1G years requirement of the Michigan law, several appearing before the inquiring judge have admitted more tender years. Andrew Daugherty, attorney general for Michigan, conducting the questioning of witnesses. Is seeking to determine the truth of charges brought in civil suits that leaders of the colony after using the girls for their own purposes, married them to hand picked husbands in order to protect against prosecution. One girl witness was asked by Judge Dingeman: "Have you abided by the rules and bad no relations with your busband? “No,” she answered, blushing, “my husband slipped into the dormitory at night." "Did you break the rule of virginity before your marriage?" “Yes." "With more than one man?" "With many.” Other girls who contended they had observed the rules may be ex amlned by state physicians. History of Colony the testimony, the following (Continued on page four)

the rtcii •an

DECA FUR DATLY DEMOCRAT

Alleged Mrs. Phillips to Fight Extradition (United Press Service) San Salvador. April 2&-(Special to Daily Democrat)—A woman giv- | ing the name of Mrs. R. M. Young, I arrested In Teguciagalpa, Honduras, in the belief that she was Clara Phillips, escaped "hammer murderess,"! will fight extradition to the United States, it was learned here today. I The woman denies she is Mrs. Phillips an<l will oppose extradition I on that ground, basing her claim also on a treaty between Honduras and the United States. ——o— JUNIOR PLAY FULL OF FUN Three-Act Farce Comedy at High School Auditorium Friday Evening I• ■ - Pleasing combination of comedy ami mystery will be found‘in the play "And Iloine Came Ted," the threeact farce comedy to be given in th? high school auditorium Friday evening by the junior class of the high i school. There is an abundance of fun without any taint of impropriety lor anv element of offense. Thi thril- ■ ling story is cleverly written and the t interest is great from the beginning to end. The action of the comedy occurs in I the Rip Van Winkle Inn in the Catskill and the plot hau to do with the struggle for supremacy in a furniture factory between Ted. the rightful heir, and one Ira Stone, , an unscrupulous adventurer, who is trying to gain control of the business. During the first act everybody i.i wondering what happened to Ted, who was supposed to attend a meeting of the stockholders of the furniture factory the next day, but failed ■ to show up on the preceding evenin • as was necessary. A burglar scene 'takes place during the seconod act. |in which a quantity of stock in the I factory is stolen from the office safe of the hotel. The last act takes planon the morning of the schedule meet ing of the stockholders and the mys tery of Ted’s whereabouts is solved Aunt Jubilee, a colored, has a very comical roll and her lines are guaranteed to prodine laughter throughout the play. Other comedians and comediennes are Skeet Kelly, the hotel clerk; Miss Loganberry, the spinster and Henrietta Darby, the widow. The cast has been bolding rehearsals for the past three weeks and the 1 characters are rapidly mastering theh rolls. Specialities will be given by little Miss Kathryn Sellemeyer and a chorus composed of Mildred Butler. Ruth Castle, Mary Patterson, Juanita Thomas, Lucille Engle. Florence Mag ley. Neoma Stultz, and Marie Burnett. ' Following is the cast of characters: Skeet Kelly, the Clerk-Don Farr. Diana Garwood, tin- Heiress - ■ Margaret Zwick. Miss Loganberry, the Spinster Josephine Suttles. Ira Stone, the Villan—Niles White. Aunt Jubilee, the Cook—Glennys Elzey. Mr. Man. the Mystery—Deane Dorwin. Jim Ryker, the Lawyer—Howard Brumley.' Mollie Macklin, the Housekeeper— Helen Kocher. Henrietta Daily, the Widow — Jesteen Hocker. Ted, the Groom —Earl Chase. Elsie, the Bride—Harriet Myers. Senator McCorkle, Elsie’s father- - Don Lammiman. •———o > WEATHER ♦ ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ Generally fair tonight and Thurs; day; not much change in temperature. o — Lecture at Bobo and Clarks Chape) There will be a stereoptican lecture at the Bobo Methodist church on Thursday evening and at the Clark s Chapel Methodist church on Friday evening on, “Making America Christian.” The lectures will be free to the public and a cordial invitation is ex-| tended to everybody, to attend. |

MOOSE INDOOR I FAIR OPENS AT 6:3OP.M.TODAY Large Hall on Monroe St. Ready for Entertainment of Guests I . STOCK MANY BOOTHS Valuable Prizes Given Away Each Evening; Dancing Each Evening I The doors of the Moose hall will | be thrown open to the public at 6:30 i p.m. this evening and the big fun! i frolic and indoor fair will be started. The hall lias taken on an appear-! ante resembling a market street, there being about a ■ dozen prize booths erected around the room. All partitions have been removed, and the entire upstairs will be turned over to the visitors and guests. The Moose members, assisted by others, ■ have decorated the hall and within! the past few days have been busy i unloading the articles and prizes to be given away at the booths. The - different booths are stocked with blankets, candy, cigars, ivory goods, . ahiminumware, dolls, china, novelties and Refreshments, and at each booth men and women will preside. i The indoor fair and fun frolic is . being given as a means of raising funds for the - furnishings of the ■ Moose home on Third street, and the committee has gone to great expense in arranging for the event. The local order of Moose lias about three hundred— members and suffice to say that every member will appreciate the patronage ‘of those who attend the indoor fair. At 10:10 every night, a big prize will be given away and on Saturday night, three grand prizes; namely; a parlor suite, a 100-piece dinner set and a ladies or gent's suit of clothes will be given away free. Attractions will be plenty, and later in the evening, dancing will be enjoyed. The Jewbo orchestra furnishing music. It you want to enjoy a few hours of fun, attend the Moose Fun Frolic. FA RM WOM EN- TO ME ET Purdue Lady to Conduct Dress Form Demonstration Here Thursday Ladies from the variou townships of the county will meet at the Decatur library tomorrow for a demonsration ' of the making of dress-forms. Miss Nell Flaninghani, of Purdue, will conduct the meeting, whicji will last throughout the day. All ladies arc • invited. i — o — BEEKEEPERS TO i MEET SATURDAY C. 0. Yost, State Inspector, to be Principal Speaker at Meeting Here — Ou next Saturday evening, April I 28, beekeepers of the county are invited to meet at the county agent's office in Decatur whe.n the Beekeeplet's association will be addressed by |C. O. Yost, State Bee Inspector. It is also plaipted to reorganize the association in tile north half of the county at this time. Beekeepers from the south half of the county met at Berne some time ago and perfected the organization of that local. Efforts are being made to obtain 1 motion picture films from the U. S. ‘ Department of Agriculture, showing ' the various tasks involved in caring 1 for bees. All those owning bees should plan to attend the meeting. - It is also advisable that those wish 1 ing to have their bees Inspected place their names with one of the officers of the organization in order that they 1 may receive inspection promptly. t eroding to information which has been t received the inspection wty'll begin early in May. Arrangements for the meeting are 1 ! being made by W. A. Fonner, presiJ dent of the beekeepers association. 1

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday Evening, April 25, 1923.

Weeks Approves Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Washington, April 25—(Special to I Dally Democrat) Secretary of War ! Weeks today approved the alloti ments of approximately $40,000.1)1)0 |of the }56,000,000 appropriation for i rivers and harbors work throughout I the country. The larger allotments include: Ohio river, lock and dam construe ; tion $5,000,000. ' Ohio river, open channer improve mm $376,000. i Illinois river, Illinois, $175.0<i0. , Indiana Harbor, Indiana, $217,1)00. Survey of Tennessee river SIOO,OOO, Calumet harbor and river, Illinois, I and Indiana, $160,000. Michigan City harbor. Indiana, | $23,800. Mississippi and Teach rivers, MinI liesotu $250,000. MRS. ELIZABETH WAGGONER DIES Former Resident of Adams County Died at Daughter’s Home, Ft. Wayne Mrs. Elizabeth C. Waggonet age SO years, former resident of Adams county. died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Adam Drown, in Fort Wayne, at 10:15 o'clock yesterday morning, following an illness of four and one-half; months with heart trouble. Mrs. Waggoner had been in failing health for the last seven years, however. Mrs. Waggoner was the daughter of Itenjamin and Elizabeth Rice and was l>orri in Root township. Adams county. December 30, 1842. On February 20, 1866, she was united in marriage to Dewii Clinton Waggoner, who died thirty years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Waggoner resided in Root township until Mr. ■'Waggoner's death. Mrs. Waggoner continued to live on the farm until fifteen years ago when she went to Fort Wayne to make her home with her daughter. Mrs. Wag goner became a member, of the Methodist church when twelve years old. Later in life site transfered her mem-! bership to Die Presbyt-rian church | and was a member of the Bethany Presbyterian church in Fort Wayne< at the time pf her death. Five children, one sister, two brothers. eleven grandchildren, anil three great grandchildren survive. The children are: Mrs. Brown of Fort Wayne; Benjamin J. Waggoner, of Decatur; Mrs. Edward Luttman, of Sturgis, Michigan; W. A. Waggoner, of Astahula, Ohio; and David Waggoner, of Decatur. One son, Charles, died twenty-six year years ago. The sister is Mrs. Jonas Cline, of Decatur, | and the brothers are James and David i Rice, of Decatur. I Funeral services will be held from the residence of Mrs. Brown in Fort j Wayne at 1 o'clock Thursday after ! noon, aud from the First Presbyter- | ian church of Decatur at 2:30 o’clock, • the Rev. C. O. Shirey, pastor of the Bethany Presbyterian church of Fort Wayne, officiating. Burial will be made in the Alpha cemetery in Root township. COMMECEMENT OCCURS TONIGHT Eleven Seniors Receive Diplomas at Monroe; Baccalaureate Last Sunday Eleven young people will receive diplomas from the Monroe high school at the annual commencement exercises to be held in the Monroe Methodist church at 7:45 o'clock this evening. The Rev. S. J. Zechiel pastor of the church, delivered the sermon. "Bond ed Slaves" was the theme used by I Rev. Zechiel. The class this year Is one of the largest ever graduated from the Monroe high school. The names of the graduates are as follows: Roxie Kessler, Arzie Crist, Robert Meyers. Ruth Llby, Veda Andrews, Lucile Heffner, Josephine Heffner. Margaret McKean, Alice McKeah, Rhoda. Lehman and Viola Reinhard.

HARDING SETS CAPITAL AGOG BY HIS SPEECH Political Washington at Fever Heat of Excitement Today AWAIT LODGE’S VIEW Statement by Senator Lodge Expected to Give (’ue to Republican (United Press Service) Washington. April 25 —(Special to i Dally Democrat)—Political Washingj ton was at fever heat of excitement j today over President Harding's New j York speech tying to his 1924 candidacy and to his party’s fortunes, the j world court issue, Mr. Harding returned from New York early this morning. Senator Watson of Indiana also came back from New York and hupted up Senator I-odge to talk with him about the | president's speech. Ixidge was expected to call at the White House. Republican politicians were waiting to hear what he would say after meeting Mr. Harding. For Lodge's statement of his position on the court issue, which he has I promised to issue after he has discussed the matter with the president, will give lesser republicans their cue, and notify them whether there is a split in the party. Mr. Harding returned calmly to face the opposition here. He knew it would come and was prepared for it. What he whs more interested In, he told members of his party on th»- return journey, was the reaction of the country at large. It is too soon to appraise that reaction, but Mr. Harding indicated he would not be much disturbed by what laidge, Watson. Brandegee or McCormick said until he had Jearned whether the people at large sided with him or with his republican critics. The president feels that his ca. e and that of the Watson group is now before the people. The verdict prole ably will determine the president's course. If the country shows that it agrees with him, lie will vigorously continue to urge that the " United States become a party to the court. If the other side prevails with the public he probably will yield gracefully by letting the court issue slip quietly into the back ground. Watson, who went everywhere yesterday that Mr. Harding went, but who did not confer with the president —even walked past him at the (Continued on page four) o VIEWERS MAKE ROAD REPORT File Reports on Seven Proposed Roads; Commissioners Meet in May The engineer's and viewer’s reports ■on seven proposed macadam roads have been filed and will be presented to the county commissioners at the May session. The roads on which the repots have been made are the Samuel Fetters and Bartley Burke, Jefferson township; Charles Schenck, St. Marys; F. S. Armstrong and Edward Gerber, Wabash; Fuell-Ing-Barkley and Henry C. Buettner, Union township. It is not known what action the board will take-on the i proposed roads, except that the plans will in all probability be approved o Apoplexy Is Fatal to Monroe Township Lady Monroe, Ind., April 25. —(Special to Daily Democrat) —Mrs. John Richards, age 57 years, residing east of this town, who suffered a stroke of apoplexy last Thursday, died at 7 o'clock last night. Her busband is deceased Two childWn survive. Funeral arrangements (have >not been made. • W

Think More wiU Pass Second Examination Although the exact number who took the second examination for eighth grade diplomas held fu the county last Saturday has not been ascertained, it is believed there were a few more than took the first exam ination one month ago. A few manuscripts have been graded so far. and indications are that a much larger number will make passing grades this time than on the other test. Only 19 out of 217 passed the first examination. Teachers say the examination held Saturday was much less difficult than the first one. MORE SOYBEANS WILL BE GROWN Survey hy County Agent Shows Crop Gaining in Popularity in County According to preliminary surveys ! made recently by county agent . ißusche covering representative parts J of Adams county the soy bean acreage will be increased this year by many • hundred per cent. Tills phenomenal 11 crop which is causing Indiana farmers 11 to make radical changes in their ! methods of farming is gaining in poje ■! ularity throughout the middle west ‘, ami will soon be a staple crop. The ■' agricultural extejtiou department is >! especially gratified that results to sev- •! eral years work along this line of 1 promotion of soybeans are finally getting results. > When asked for what purpose the 1 beans were being sown the county agent stated that many were intended * for hay, due to the fact that a large per cent of the clover in the county! r was winter-killed. Soybean hay isi preferred to clover hay by dafryffien ' and ranks next to alfalfa. Local! idairymen state that dairy cows show' i a preference for soybean hay. ft also produces heavy yields of hay, I ranging from one to three ton per j acre, depending upon the season and ! the soil. Since Purdue has been trying out I | beans as a substitute for tankage and have found them equal to tankage 'when a mineral mixture is added, farmers are sowing them with tlie intention of threshing them and using them to balance their corn in fatten-1 ing hogs. One of the litters which , won a gold medal for its owner in the Hoosier Ton iLtter Club Contest last ! year was fed on corn and soybeans with a mineral mixture added. The I . mineral mixture consists of 10 pounds acid phosphate (fertilizer). 10 pounds . wood ashes, and 1 pound common . salt. This is seen to be economical and was found in experiments at Purj due to be superior to other mineral I mixtures. Beans sown in corn for i hogging down is also becoming more I popular since that way the protein | is provided without cost and the hogs '(feed themselves. This method was | used by Adams county farmers last year with good results when the minleralIeral mixture as described above was I used. No decrease in the yield of. corn was noted. j Others are sowing beans in the j I corn aud cutting the combination for ! silage This gives more silage per acre aud makes it of better quality. Late beans are used with corn and early beans for hay or seed. Ask the county agent for free bulletins on the subject. . TWO RESIDENCES SOLD Judg* David E. Smith, of Fort , Wayne, was here this morning and concluded a deal for tho sale of his modern residence on Madison street to Mrs. Elizabeth Gregory, who will ' move there as soon us posessiow is given and will make that her home. | Mrs. Gregory has sold her property on South Fourth street to William Bowen, of this city, who expects to secure possession of the same wtthln a few weeks The latter deal was made through the Leonard Andrews real estate firm, while the deal between Mrs. Gregory and Judge Smith was made direct. Both properties are modern and of excellent value. o It's the law which usually helps those who help themselves.

Price: 2 Cents.

LOCAL LODGE SENDS NOTICE TO OTHER ELKS Search Continues Without Any Word As to Location of Misaing Man SEARCH IS EXTENDED Radius of Search Is Increased; Two Theories Generally Advanced j Decatur lodge No. 993, B. P. O. E I today sent out fiVe bundled placards bearing the picture and a thorough description of Judge John C. Moran, of the Adams circuit court, who lias been missing from his home in this city since last Thursday night. The placards were sent to every lodge in Indiana and in the surrounding states of Ohio. Kentucky. Illinois and Michigan. Meanwhile the search for Judge Moran continues. Unable to find any valuable clues in Fort Wayne, the searchers have increased the radius ot their activities to one hundred miles of that city. Judge Janies Moran, of Portland, brother of the missing jurist, is in Fort Wayne directing the search. Police in every city in Northern Indiana and In NoHb western Ohio have been asked to aid in the seas h. If no results are obtained within the next tew hours, the search will take on a national scope. Sevfral . Decatur citizens,. Lu addition to th* local officials, bare taheu I part in the search for Judge Moran. I Everybody who was acquainted with ithe judge stands ready to lend whatlever assistance is in his power to locate him. Few Activities in Court Very little business has been transacted in the circuit court this week. I The court room is deserted most at' I the time and an air of gloom prevails I about the court house. Everybody is anxious for some word Dorn the highly esteemed judge. ! The theory that Judge Moran is suf;fering from ill health and possibly amnesia continues to be accepted by 'many friends. Others fear that h* met with foul play. However, the fact remains that Judge Moran has been In ill health for the p;<st few weeks and attorneys at Huntington, where lie occupied the bench as special judge in a case last Thursday, say he was pale aud nervous during the trial. Suicide as a theory is out of the question according to the police and practically all of hLs rela lives aud friends. A Plausible Theory A theory that is believed by many is that the judge must have been jdaced in the automobile which stood in front of the restaurant . Not more than three of four minutes elapsed from the time Mr. Parrish aaw the judge at the lunch counter until he i had returned and was talking to the I proprietor. in the meantime the I Judge had disappeared completely. Half of the time which elapsed Mr. Parrish was going toward the restaurant and would have noticed had anybody come out. Either it seems the judge was placed in the automobile or taken out the back way or bidden about the building. At least there seems to be enough plausibility to the story to cause a thorough examina tion into who had the car and who was iu the restaurant at the time. Communication with Toledo aud Detroit today failed to bring forth any clues aud the police seem to bit completely baffled. Dr. Mark Moran went through here lute last night, on his way back to Portland, Miss Margaret Monln. daughter of the judge, accompanying hiru to tliis city. Dr. Moran returned to Fort Wayw. today to continue his tnveeitgations. Judge James J. Moran U in charge of the work at Fort Wayne. BIRTH Tbs son born to Mr. and Mrs. Al® bert Sudduth, of Fifteenth street, has been named Walter Nelson. Mother and babe are getting along Sne.