Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 21, Number 123, Decatur, Adams County, 23 May 1923 — Page 1

Volume XXI. Number 123.

fine address WAS DELIVERED TO GRADUATES Dr. Roscoe Glimore Stott Gave Address At High School Commencement FIFTY-ONE GRADUATE I Fine Program Was Given; Year Just Closed Was Very Successful One Likening life’s journey to a baseball game, Dr. Roscoe Gilmore Stott, noted Redpath Chautauqua lecturer, appealed to the 1923 graduates of the I>e<atur high school, to “score and [not die on third,’’ while making the i lass address at the forty-second annual commencement exercises in the high school auditorium last night. The auditorium was filled with relatives and friends of the graduates. Fifty one pupils, comprising the second largest class in the history of the local high school, received -diplomas. The class of 1923 held the distinction of being the first class to be graduated in the new high school [auditorium. The graduates, led by | Superintendent M. F. Worthman and jtheir class sponser, Miss Martha Alice [Tyner. marched into the auditorium [and took their seats on the beautiful [stage. The first number on the program was a selection by Miss Helen Braun, [violinist, and Mrs. Josephine Albert Horton, harpist. This was followed | by a few vocal solos by Mrs. Dan TynIdall. after which Rev. 11. F. Dotson [gave the invocati<%i. Mrs. Horton played and sang "An Irish Love [Song.” Owing to the inability of SuperinItendent M. F. Wort liman to speak [clearly since he was forced to have |his teeth extracted, Principal Paul W. Linton presided, and in a few well[chosen remarks he introduced the [speaker of the evening, Dr. Scott. Dr. Stott immediately won the attention of his audience with his humorous and witty remarks and then [began his wonderful discourse on the subject, "Dying on Third.” Dr. Stott is a forceful speaker who drives home his points with great skill. He compared life to that great American i game, baseball. He told how many I baseball players advanced as far as [third base on the diamond, but for [various reasons failed to cross the [home plate and score, and thereby i win honor for himself and the home [ team. Several reasons were gvien by Dr. jStott why so many players in the game of baseball and in the game of life, died on third and failed to score. The first reason was self congratulations. He declared that as many players congratulated themselves on reaching third base in the baseball game, so did many people in life congratulate themselves on reaching a certain point of vantage and they died there before going farther. “Many die on third because they are not alert.” declared Dr. Stott. They are not alert to their physical ability, that is, they do not keep their bodies in the best of physical condition; they are not alert to the rules of the game: and they are not alert to the coaches on the side lines, argued Dr. Stott. Mothers and God were declared to be the greatest coaches in the game of life. A third reason why so many die on third is that they lack nerve, the speaker said. To reach the home plate and score, they must have nerve. The fourth and last reason why many fail to score, as given by Dr. Stott, is that they do not know where the home plate is located. In other words, many people in life have no goal and they appear to be merely "on there way.” He urged the graduates to dream ahead twenty years, and picture themselves in a certain position in life, and then begin to work toward that end. Dr. Stott a Great Speaker The address was greatly appreciated by the large audience. Dr. Stott has had many years of experience on the platform and his services are in great demand. He is the son- of the late W. T. Stott, who for many years from the time of the Civil War until early in the twentieth century, was president of Franklin College. Dr. Stott has been president of a normal college in Kentucky, but at present is devoting his entire time to lectur(Continued en page four)

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Glen more, Ohio, Visited By Bi}? Fire Yesterday Fire , which broke out In the hardware store of Walter Schaadt, at 1:30 o'olock yesterday afternoon, threatened to wipe out the entire business i section of the little town of Gilmore, Ohio. This store, a grocery, a barber shop and a bakery were destroyed and other buildings were damaged by the flames. Inadequate lire lighting equipment and a strong wind made the flames extremely dangerous. o JUNIORS WON CUSS MEET . Don Farr Elected Next Year’s Captain; Letters Awarded To Ten By scoring a total of 43% points the juniors won first place hi the in-ter-class track meet held at Bellmont park yesterday afternoon by the D. H. S. pupils. The seniors were second with 26 points, the freshmen third with 6 points, while the sophomores finished at the bottom of the heap, with a total of 5% points. No state records were made in the meet yesterday, although the meet, was very interesting. Don Farr was the high point man of the meet, winning first in the broad jump, pole vault and 220 yard dash. Ten track athletes received the coveted “D” yesterday, in recognition of their work during the track Beason. Those who received the award were: Captain Clyde Myers. Don Farr. Richard Frisinger. Gordon Holmes, William Gay, Niles White, Lloyd Beal, Dean Dorwin. Clarence Merriman and Paul Castle. Farr Elected Captain At a meeting- of the letter men yesterday evening, Don Farr, a junior, was elected captain of next year’s thinly clads. Farr developed into a fine track athlete this spring and next yeqr should be a sure winner. When he began pole vaulting this Spring, he was not able to clear much more than 8 feet. As the season advanced he improved his form and at the close of the season was vaulting near the 11 foot mark. He tied for first in the sectional meet at at Fort Wayne and went to the state meet where he vaulted 10 feet 3 inch, but failed to win a place. He also performs in the broad jump and high Jump and yesterday won first in the 220 yard dash in the interclass meet. Os the ten letter men this year, only two were graduated, Captain Myers and Gay. Myers was a big point winner this year and showed great endurance. Gay was the best shot putter in school, heaving the, lead ball more than 40 feet. With the other eight letter men back in school next year and several promising freshmen, the Spring sport should be good here next year. o —— Miss Agnes Conklin of Bluffton was the guest of friends in the city last evening. o— THINK WHITFEID WAS IN DECATUR Alleged Slayer 01 Cleveland, Ohio, Policeman Said To Have Been Here i John L. Whitfeld. alleged kidnapper and murderer of Patrolman Dennis Griffin, of Cleveland, Ohio, and his sixteen year girl paramour, Martel Price, of Fort Wayne, who have been sought for ten days, are believed by several people to have visited Illis city last week. A dark skinned man answering his description, traveling with a young woman in a roadster stopped here an hour or two, ate supper and shopped a little. The man stopped at the Lose barber shop evidently wanting some work done but the chairs were filled and he said he would return later which, however, he did not do. Both Charles Ixtse and Forest Elzey say the man resembled in every way the pictures published in the JournalGazette and they believe it was Him. as do others who saw him. The man and girl were found in Madison. Wisconsin last evening, the girl being held while Whitfeld escaped, according to early morning dis patches. Whitfeld is believed to be half negro and halt Indian. |

SEARCHING FOR FIRE VICTIMS ■■ I'” 1 -- - ' ,nr T : <-■ * , - s <(W , W' • iff Asr Vflr jm Searching the ruins of the school house at Cleveland, C. C„ in which seventy-seven persons lost their lives last week, when fire broke out during the presentation of a play by the students of the school. (Pacific and Atlantic Photo! Cleveland. S. C.—Relatives, sadd >ned by loss of loved ones, search tha ruins here of the schoolhouse where seventy-seven persons lost their live) in a blaze which also destroyed the schoolhouse. Charred bones of many of the victims made their identificat on impossible, and they were burie 1 in a group while the highest officials of the state —from governor do wn —stood with unbared heads.

ROOT TOWNSHIP FARMER EXPIRES William Hockemeyer Dies At Home In Root Township Early Today William Hockemeyer, .aged 7C years, well-known farmer of Root , township, died at his home six miles northwest of this city, at 7:19 o’clock ; [his morning following tin illness of | infirmities of old age. Mr. Hock- ' emeyer was horn on the farm where he died. November 9, 1857. Mr. Hockemeyer was married to Miss Wilhemiae Macke, January 21. 1875. To this union were born ten children, one of whom. Minnie, died ' in childhood. T he wife and following children survive:William Jr., of Fort Wayne; Herman at home; Mrs. Wm. Bulmahn. of Root township; Mrs. C. L. Scheuman, Mrs John Witje and Mrs. Adolph Stoppenhagen. all of Preble township; Mrs. V. Lu Murray and Mrs. F. E. Franz, of Decatur; and Miss Emma, at home. There are twenty-four grand children, also. Funeral services will be held from the St. John’s church north of Decatur at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon, interment in the St John's cemetry. Walter Johnson has returned from a visit with his brothers at Gary. BRYAN FIGHTS FOR HIS CAUSE Commoner Renews Fight Against Evolution In Presbyterian Assemblyy (United Press Service) Indianapolis, May 23.— (Special to Daily Democrat)—“You dare not refuse to hear me. It was because you' didn’t dare to suppress me that I have been allowed to speak.” William Jen nings Bryan thundered in the Presbyterian general assembly today when he suddenly rose to renew his fight against evolution and Dr. C. F. Heed, of l»s Angeles, who suggested that the convention had spent enough time on that subject. The Commoner threw down the gage of battle while the report of a special committee on seminaries was making a report which had been ex-1 petted to pass without opposition. | "Our religion must be a real one, I not a scientific one," he pleaded with the assembly. “We will soon reach the climax when we decide that a preacher may call Christ a son of Joseph and not the son of God." The assembly adopted resolution ! endorsing President Harding’s world court plan as the most Important step toward world peace. Closer relationship with other nations was asked in the resolution. The committee on selection of a meeting place for next year has under consideration Grand Rapids, IMich., San Francisco, Atlantic City and Baltimore, #

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday, May 23, 1923

FIREMEN NAME COMMITTEES Pick Marshal Os Day And Judges For Firemen’s Convention June 21 The marshal of the day, members of the parade committee, contest j and music judges for the big North- ' ern Indiana Firemen's convention to |be held in this city on Thursday,] (June 21, have been appointed and I nlans are being made and completed for the event. L. A. Holthouse has, been appointed marshal of the day. Mounted on a spirited steed, Mr, Holthouse will be in complete charge ’ of the event and will see to it that the events of the program are carried out on schedule time. Judges of the big parade, in which prizes will be awarded for the largest and best dressed company of, firemen, the best decorated automobile and other prizes are as follows: R. D. Myers, John Lenhart. Orvil Brentlinger. Dallas Brown. Joe McConnell and Joe Laurent. The contest Judges are: Dan Beery, Ed Carr, Dr. J. M. Miller. James Hurst, 1.. G. Hammond and O. B. Wemhoff. The music judges are: Albert Sellemeyer. Dr. J. Q. Neptune. True Fristoe, Mrs. L. A. Holthouse and Mrs. Dan Tyndall. Tile firemen have covered considerable territory and distributed advertising for the big day. Entry blanks have been sent to the different firemen organizations in the associations and each mail brings a list of entries in the sport events of that day. Several hundred firemen will attend and the day promises to be an interesting one. Weather | Fair in north and east, unsettled in southwest portions tonight and i Thursday, probably showers; not much change in temperature. Will CONSTRUCT BAIL DIAMOND I i Rotarians To Turn Out At Ahr’s Field Tomorrow Evening For Work Ahr’s field has sufficiently dried off to permit the Rotarians to comI mence work on the junior ball diaI monds to be placed there, and ' France Confer, chairman of the Boys’ Work committee of the Rotary club urges every Rotarian to be on the grounds by six o'clock Thursday evening with spades, shovels and rakes. | Three or four diamonds will be laid ’ out for the school boys of Decatur and Mr. Abr bas donated the use of the field for this purpose. Following an hour's work out on the field, the Rotarians will bold their weekly I luncheon at the Eats restaurant. Tbe painters and paper hangers have not ( as yet completed their work in tbe' Rotary rooms in the Beery building/ and therefore the meeting cannot be. held there this week.

CULT ATTORNEY IS SUBPOENAED Ordered To Appear In INvestigation Os House Os David Activities (United Service) St. Joseph. Mich.. May 23 —(Special 'to Daily Democrat)—H. T. Dewhirst, attorney for the House of David, was I subpoenaed today to appear before the investigation of tlie cult and explain “irregular” affidavits placed before Judge Harry Dingeman, “one I man" grand jury. The- summons was issued after I Olaf G. Brewitz. notary publie. was ' called to the witness stand. Brewitz was declared to have given testimony conflicting with that of a week ago in connection with affidavits from a colony doctor and nurse that i Ettadorpha Smith, "girl bride" mother at the colony, was too ill to testi- ■ fy. The girl later tied the colony. Brewitz said a week ago that he acknowledged the affidavit at the request of Dewbirst. Later, authorities said, he claimed Dr. L. B. Estes, the physician and Florence McCaslin, were present. Sheriff George Bridgeman and oth er authorities threatened cult members who tell cffclfcting stories under oath, with charges of conspiracy to obstruct justice. — o WILLIAM WELTY DIED TUESDAY Former Adams County Man Died In Bluffton; Death Was Sudden Bluffton 1,:.' May 23—(Special to Daily Dem rat —William S. Welty, age (13 years, former Adams county I resident, died suddenly at 10:45 i Tuesday evening at the home of Mont I Harden. 219 S. Morgan street. Al I though Mr. Welty had been in poor health for several months with kidney trouble, he seemingly was no worse than usual and was able to | walk down town Tuesday afternoon. When he retired last night, members of the Harden family heard a noise jin his room and rushing upstairs I found him on the floor. It was apparent that he became ill and upon getting up from the bed fell over dead. The body was taken to the home of the daughter, Mrs. Earl Nidlinger, in Union township, Adams county. Funeral services will he lield at two o'clock Friday afternoon from the Pleasant Grove United Brethren church and burial will be made in tbe Antioch cemetery. Hoagland. | Mr. Welty came here a year ago from Adams county. He lived in the M. and M. addition doing farming on a small scale until poor health forced him to give up his work and then Went to live at the Harden home. Born in Adams County j Mr. Welty was born in Union townI ship, Adams county, the son of Abra(Continued on page four)

Police Have Charge Os Board Os Education (Vnltril Press Servh-e) Chicago. May 23.— (Special to Daily Democrat!- Police were In possession of the headquarters of Chicago’s Board of Education today pending .eating of seven new trustees. | Mayor Dever ordered the polite to take over the offices to prevent ousted trustees from remaining in control. The new officers are to be seated late today. COSTLY FIRE AT ONIO CITY Blaze Early Yesterday Morning Caused Damage Estimated At $25,000 Fire of unknown origin which started in the rear of a building behind the Hosea Birt grocery In Ohio C.ty at 2 o’clock Tuesday morning destroyed property valued at $26,000. The motor truck of the Van Wert fire department was rushed to the scene within an hour after the alarm was given and prevented a far greater loss. Other losers in the blaze besides Mr. Birt were Bert Mihm. W. W. Robinson, Mrs. John Tipple. McMillen and Brubaker, Mrs. Frank MeSlurg. J. E. Pennell and J. O. Yalin ami Ralph Brubaker. A Clover Leaf engineer whose train was standing on the track first noticed the blaze when it started In the back of the Birt grocery where oil was kept and a truck stored. The alarm was given and the residents quickly turned out witli the town's hand pump and other fire fighting equipment. The flames spread rapidly to the W. W. Robinson livery barn in the rear, facing on Carmean street and this building was suon in flames. However by rapid work the six horses and practically everything else in this barn was saved. The alarm for an out-of-town fire was sounded, the Van. Wert men quickly responded, hopped on the truck and were in Ohio City within a few minutes. Upon their arrival, the workers at the Ohio City hand pump were almost completely exhausted. They dropped their handles and cheered the Van Wert boys as they attached the hose to a large water plug near the tracks and started a heavy stream of water on the blazing frame buildings. Although many surrounding buildings were threatened, the hard work of the forces of the two towns with the aid of the added equipment saved them. George L. Moore of Ohio City, had $5,200 worth of insurance on the various buildings and stock and a slightly larger amount was carried through the agency of Purmont Bros. Insurance men, losers by the fire and others who knew the value of the property, estimated the building loss at from SIO,OOO to $15,000 and store stocks, furniture, etc., at from SB,OOO to SIO,OOO. WILL OBSERVE MEMORIAL DAY Plans For Local Observance Made At Joint Meeting Os Veterans I At a joint meeting of the G. A. R-. W. It. C., Spanish American Veterans, American Legion and Auxiliary to American Legion, in the American Legion hull last night, plans were* made for tile annual observance of Memorial Day, next Wednesday. All of the organizations had repre- ; sentatives present at the meeting last night and all will take part In the observance. The observance this year will be 1 on the same order as last year. In the forenoon the veterans will deco--1 rate the graves In the cemeteries. |ln the afternoon a program will be given on the court bouse lawn by the monument and also In the circuit court room. A committee is at work on the program obtaining the speakers and music. The program will be announced in a Lew days, as soon as all arrangements have been completed . o —■— . A. E. Finkbousen. of Fort Wayne, was here on business today.

Price: 2 Cents.

GIRL IS HELD ' BUT WHITFELD , MAKES ESCAPE Alleged Slayer Os Cleveland Policeman Is Found in Wisconsin GIRL TELLS OF GLIGHT Couple Were To Have Been Married Today; Found In Case Last Night Madison. Wis., May 23.—(Special to Dally Democrat >—Marie Price, Fort Wayne, Ind., white and 21. wept in the police station here today for the loss of lift lover. John Whitfield. 4<> years old Mitllatto who made a sensational e-cape from two Madison policemen a few minutes after he bad been captured. Officers trom Cleveland. Ohio, where Whitefield is wanted for the minder of a policeman, ate on their way here to help hunt for Marie’s companion. with whom site has Jived since last September. They were to have been married today, Marie said. Madison, Wis.. May 23— John L. Whitefield, alleged slayer of Dennis Griffin. Cleveland .Ohio, policeman, was sought throughout Wisconsin today following his capture and escape from authorities here last night. Whitefield, in company with a woman giving her name as Marie Price, Fort Wayne, Ind., submitted quietly to arrest when recognized by a restaurant proprietor who summoned |>olice. Once outside the case, however, he jerked loose and dashed behind a street car and up an alley to liberty amid shots from police revolvers. As Whitfield fled, the woman who accompanied him slipped from the. restaurant and induced a passing student to walk with her. Her ruse was nnsHcessful, however, and she was taken to the police station where she gave a brief account of her travels with Whitfield. The two were to have been married today, she said, in asserting that she had been with the fugitive ever since his flight trom Cleveland. ' o Ben Hurs Hold Big Meeting At Bluffton Bluffton, May. 23. —The Ben Hur lodge held one of its biggest meetings in several years when Monday evening it entertained delegations from tlie Fort Wayne. Decatur, Hartford City and Muncie courts. The Fort Wayne lodge came in a special car and the ladies' drill team from that city conferred the degrees on a number of Bluffton candidates. Muncie members came by transit and the others came overland in autos. P. O. Bowers and Mr. Steele, state organizers, were present and had charge of the meeting. o True Fristoe’s Orchestra To Play For Dance Here Dancing circles in Decatur and surrounding cities and communities will be given a treat on Friday night, June 1. when the Gamma Xi chapter ( of Phi Delta Kappa fraternity, of this city, will give a dance in the Masonic hall. A feature of the dance will be the music which is to be furnished by True Fristoe’s Syncopating Eight. Mr. Fristoe. son of Mr. and Mrs. James Fristoe. of this city, is a noted orchestra and and director who has l>een travelling over the country directing the orchestras for ‘opera companies for a number of years. At present he Is making an extended visit with his parents here and has organized an orchestra of high class musicians in this city and Fort Wayne. Mr. Fristoe’s ability as a director is known from coast to coast and the fact that his orchestra is to play for the Phi Delt dance will be a big drawing card. The dance will be known as the Phi Delt's annual June Jamboree. o — — WILL GIVE RECEPTION FOR THE REV. R. W. LOOSE The members of the Evangelical church of this city will give a reception for their new minister, the Rev. R. W. Loose and family, on tomorrow evening at the church. All members and friends of th# church are invited to attend.