Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 22, Number 18, Decatur, Adams County, 21 January 1924 — Page 1

Volume XXII. Number 18.

M’CRAY BRANDED A SPECULATOR TODAY

SEVEN FIREMEN : LOSE LIVES IN Oil PLANT FIRE Scores Also Reported Injured In Big Fire At Lawrenceville, Pa. EIRE SPREADS RAPIDLY Firemen Fell Into Tank Os Blazing Oil When A Ladder Broke Pittsburgh, Pa., Jan. 21. — Seven firemen were reported killed in fighting an oil fire at the plant of the Atlantic Refining company in Lawrencevii.e today. Many suffered from the intense cold. Scores of others were reported injured. The firemen were killed when they fell into a tank of blazing fuel. The fire was still burning fiercely. Starting at a 10,000 barrel lank cf oil. it threatened to spread to adjourning lanks. I All available firemen in the city were called out. Company officials refused to allow' newsnaper men near the scene of the blaze, claiming there had been too much publicity In the million-doll <r fire in the same plan’ a vear ago. Buck Lowrie, fireman of No. 9 company, was saved from death in the | boiling tank when pulled out safely by Fireman Jenkins. Lowrie was bad-, ly burned and taken to a hospital j where it was believed he will recover. Jesse Mercer and Al Stewart, firemen. were both seriously injured when a root upon which they were standing gave away, throwing them 30 feet to' the ground. The firemen, aided by scores of volunteers, were keeping the blaze confined to the one tank. It was not be- i lieved at 10 am., that there was serious danger of the fire spreading. Seven blackened and charred bodies of firemen were removed from the tank of t rade oil at 10:30 a.m. * While several hundred firemen nnd | volunteers fought to keep the blaze from spreading to other tanks nnd buildings inside the great yeards. a group of heroic men rest ured the bodies from a manhole at the bottom of the tank. The seven were thrown headlacg into the burning tank when a lader on which they were standing crumpled beneath them. The tank let go with an explosion shaking the Lawrenceville district for' blocks around. Started With Explosion The fire started with an explosion early today that rocked the Lawrenceville district for blocks. Great clouds of dense black smoke poured from the tank and settled in a pall over that part of Pittsburgh. The blazing tank was located in the midst of 10 other tanks, all of lo.nnn barrel capacity and was joined to a sister tank standing only a few yards away. A runway connected the two tanks and upon thia runway the firemen *ere forced to stand and fight the heat and flames. Several women, wives of the fire fighters, stormed the gates of the oil>ard» alter it was learned Home of i he firemen had been killed, many of the m weeping and s.reumjng. The oil company guards denied them ad niisalon. along with newspaper men and others who sought to go Inside. •he fire spread to a three-story brick building In the yards nnd added hew dangers to adjourning plants in *liich the distilleries are kept. Machinery crumpled, windows cracked *lth the Intense heat and telephone »n<t electric lines were rendered Useb ’s un the fire raged, Strums nf water wore played upon •II buildings and tanks In the yard*, •’“tlngg of ice formed Immediately. Presenting and odd contrast to the Welting pot of thr fire shooting out flame and xmoke. CHICAGO MARKET CLOSE "beat- May ll.fllfe; July $1.06%; *TI 11.06%. Corn: May 7s%c; July ,Sept. nn^ c> OatH . M July 44%c.

DECATUR DAILY I )EM( )CRAT

Legion To Hold Special Meeting This Evening —- At a special meeting of the Adams Post, No. 43, of the American Legion j this evening, plans will bo made for the membership drive which begins this week. The present membership will be divided into two teams and I special efforts will be made to enlist I a large number of new members. All - members are urged to attend the meet- i | Ing this evening. o MAKES REPORT OF CATHOLIC CHURCH — Annual Statistical Report Oi Local Congregation Read Sunday The annual statistical report of the < i St. Mary’s Catholic church was read Sunday at the masses by Rev. Father J. A. Seimetz, and Rev. Father Otto Peters. The report shows that during th<year 1923. fifty-four children were baptised. 30 being boys and 24 girls, i There were twenty-three deaths in j the congregation during the year, id ■ being men over 50 years of age and 6 ' women over 50 years, of ago. one infant. Eight of the death* were sudden. Twelve marriages were performed 'during the year. School Enrollment Increases On December 31st the enrollment in i | the St. Joseph and Catholic high schools was 386. the boys leading. The , figures were boys 214. girls, 172. This | is an Increase of 151 in the last ten! years or since time Rev. Seimetz be-' caste rector of the local congregation. During .the year 43 duldreu. 20 boys and 23 girl. 4. made their solemn • Holy Communion. The last confirm•ation service was held in the church! on May 7. 162!. 130 children. 66 boys' 'and 64 girls being confirmed by the Rt Rev. Bishop Herman J. Aldering. During the year 38.712 Holy Cotnintunions were distributed, this being an increase of 4.845 over the previous year. Society Membership Including the Knights of Columbus and the ('. L. of C.. eight societies or sodalities are formed within the membership of the church the societies and their membership being, St. Joseph j society 93; St. Marys society, 257; St. Agnes society. 113; children of Mary boys 85. girls 68; Holy Name Society. 367; C. l_ of C. 98; Knights of Coluin-I bus 261; Third order of St. (■'rances. 563. A census of the membership of the congregation will be taken within the near future, Father Seimetz stated today. ft will show a notable increase over the last ten, years, it is believed • o ( One Highest In Primary May Not Get Nomination Indianapolis. Ind., Jan. 21. —Candl ; dates for the republican nomination for governor are not expected to agree that in case the contest goes Into < 'invention the highest man in the pri mary be given th r nomination. Such an agreement was suggested by Ed Jackaou. prospective candidate, but the possibility of a deadlock In the convention la expected to prevent any agreement to give the nomination 'To the high mat in the primary. I). C. H. S. Giria To Play In Huntington Tonight The girls' basketball team from the Decatur Catholic high school will go tn Huntington thia evening to play the girls* learn from the SI, Mary’s school of that city. They will be accom pan led by Father Peters nnd a few local fans The n. C. H. 8. hoys* ( team does not play tonight. I • —| Auto Causes Divorce —( Kokomo, Ind.. Jan. 21. An auto wracked the matrimonial bark of ( Clarence Chandler and Itia wife. She was granted a divorce because hr , “pent money on the upkeep of an auto , Instead of supporting her Mra , Chandler la 1* year* old. They ware married two year* ago, _ o i -1. ■— Mlsa Anola Frnnk spent today tn i Fort Wayne. 1

MANY LAW SUITS DISPOSED OF IN NOVEMBER TERM Term Just Ended Was A Busy One In Adams Circuit Court 117 CASES ENDED — 20 Criminal Cases And 97 Civil Suits Disposed Os And 1 Jury Trial — The November term of the Adams ! circuit court, which came to a close ‘ Saturday evening, was a very busy j lone. A total of 117 cases were dis-j , posed of during the term, a summary 1 of the docket shows. Os that number 20 were criminal case and 97 were civil cases. There were 22 criminal cases filed since the September term of court and of that number. 15 were disposed of. either judgment rendered or disI missed. Os the criminal cases pendI ing at the close of the September | term, five were disposed of during the November term. A total of 56 civil cases were filed since the September term of court and 22 of those were disposed of during the term just closed. Seventy-five cases which were pending at the close of the j September term of court were disposled of during the November term. Only One Jury Trial There was only one jury trial during the November term, that being the case of the state vs. Alfred Foun taine. for violation of the prohibition law. Tiie jury the defendant guilty in that case but the case Is still pending, since the defendant fil- ! ed a motion for a new trial, and his ! attorney. L. C. DeVoss. is ill. The next term of court will be the February term, and it will open on Monday. February 4. The coming term promise* to be another busy one, as there are nearly a dozen criminal cases and a large number of civil cases pending. Several of the criminal cases pending are on grand jury indictments. Judge Jesse C. Sutton will leave tomorrow afternoon ! for Buffalo, New York, where he will ! visit his slater, Mrs. Grace Penny(Continued on Page six) GENEVA PLANS FOR INSTITUTE Annual Farmers’ Institute i To Be Held On Friday, January 31 Announcement has heen made to the effect that the Geneva Farmers Institute, which ha* been an annual affair for some time, will be held at Geneva on Friday. January 31, Committees which will be in. charge of arrangement* for the Institute ure a* follows: Program. Don Collum, all teachers of Wabash township; Membership. John Felty. Alva Fenstermaker, Geo lnelch-n. Mr*. John Miller; Recep Hon. Mr* Cha*. Pontius. James Barr; Domestic Science. Leona Long and teacher* of Wabash township; Corn. | Alonza Long. L. M. Husche. Promluma, Harvey Inelchen. Fred Pyle. Purdue Speakers Coming Two apeakere representing Purduej will attend the institute and give talk* during the day. Il la planned to have the gentleman speaker discuss. "The Dairy Problem for th* Average Farmer." nnd "Meeting New Con dltiona In Agriculture." The lady speaker will use the subjects. "Poultry Keeping for Profit," and, "Econ- j omy. Efficiency and Enjoyment In | the Home." A corn show for boys of the town ship will be held In connection with the institute and all eligible person* are urged to get busy and select to ear sample* of white or yellow seed corn, as well *» single ear entries. Attractive premiums will be offered. Further Infoirnat'nn concerning the institute or corn show may he obtained from Alonzo l-ong, R. R 3, 1 chairman. j

Decatur, Indiana, Monday, January 21, 1921.

Suspects In Springport Bank Robbery Are Freed Newcastle. Ind., Jan. 21. Three suspects held in connection with the investigation of the robbery of a prii ■ vate bank at Springport last week were free today after having estab- | lished a, complete alibi. Three men, David Sheets, Sr., David ! Sheets, Jr., and Cleveland Maupin, were arrested Saturday at the request of Harry Webster, of the protective department of the Indiana Bankers’ Association, who was in charge of the investigation. ONE INJURED IN AUTO ACCIDENT I Harold Andrews Suffers Severe Injury To Face Saturday Night Harold Andrews, son of Ed Andrews. suffered serious injury to the right side of his face when the automobile in which he and three other young men were riding overturned on the Monroe road, four miles south of Decatur about 6:30 o'clock Saturday night The young man was taken to a physician's office in Monroe and later brought to the Adams County Memorial hospital where an operation was performed and a small piece of the cheek bone removed. The side of hi* face was hadlly crushed. Andrews together with Jules Roop. Homer Fisher and an army recruiting officer who is stationed in this city, were enroute to Bluffton when the accident happened. Roop, owner of the car. was driving, and he says that the steering gear broke, while others say the car skidded into the ditch The car struck a telephone pole and turned over in the field at the side of the road, landing about eight feet inside the fence. None of the other occupants were seriously injured. The Fisher youth suffered bruises about his arm. The car. which was badly damaged, was brought to the Durkin garage for repairs. —■■ O " Pound And Franc Fall Sharply On Market Today London. Jan, 21 —The pound sterling slumped badly today, falling io 14.21. The decline was attributed to the national reil atrlke and the unsettled political situation. French franc* were quoted at 95.25 and lire at 67%. Puri*. Jan. 21—The French franc was slightly lower today. cbing quoted at 22. 80 t<> the dollar ut noon. French financlere were amazed ut the new decline of the franc, saying it I* inexplicable In view of the govern inent'a financial measures. The franc slumped from the opening. which was at 22 47 to the dollar' 57 centime* lower than Saturday's close. MOTOR IST HITS MAN; DISAPPEARS Andrew Zeser Struck By Unknown Auloist; Severely Injured Andrew Zeaer, who reside* on High street, was struck and run down hy an ! automobile on Mercer Avenue about 5 o'clock Saturday evening. He suffered severe bruise* about hi* hea<| and left l*g. but none of the InJurioawlllproveaerloua.lt I* thought The driver of the ear which struck ' Mr. Zener did not stop and his Ideally I has not been learned. .Mr. Zeaer anil a Mr Htevena, who I* vllating here, wyre walking south on I ' Mercer Avenue, gtting t'» Mr. Zener's home, an were u*-ar th” Intersection of Ruga street The ear struck Mr Zeaer but mi wed Mr, HtsveM The In Jared mao was carried Into the Jam** N. Frlstoe home an later taken home j Ho wa* suffering from a cut off hl* head, bruised- about hl* ear* and * badly braised left leg. Eye wilneaoea 1 state that the car which strack Mr. | Zeaer was an old model Ford sedan.

RELIEF FROM COLD PROMISED FOR TOMORROW Rising Temperature Predicted For Tuesday; 15 Below Today TRAFFIC IS AFFECTED Garage Men, Coal Dealers And Plumbers Do Big , Business (T’nited Press Service 1 Another intense cold wave today swept the middlewest, east , and south, some points registering new low temperatures for the winter. Central Canada also reported intense cold, White River reporting 46 below zero. In Minnesota and Wisconsin the thermometer ranged between 15 and 30 below zero. Ohio reported 12 below with 3 dead due to the cold. Illinois and Indiana reported ' from 12 to 15 below zero, i The weather man predicts ■“continued cold tonight, but rising temperature Tuesday.” Following the snow storm Saturday the mercury began to go down and down, reached the zero mark and kept on sliping dur- ' ing Saturday night and Sunday morning, reaching a low mark of six below, according to the government theremometer at Blufftfip. Local theremometers registered as low as 15 to 17 degrees Sunday morning. 15 Degrees Below Today It continued to get colder Sunday afternoon and during the night the . mercury dropped to 15 below accord- - ing to the official report. Thermoi meters up town showed (he temper- . attire a* low a.-t 18 below early this morning At 2:39 this afternoon it i registered zero according to the i government report. Yesterday was tone of the coldest days In years, the cold snap of a week ago the mercury going down to 12 degree* The Local Survey (Continued on Page slzi CITY MAY LOSE ATHLETIC MEET Location Os Pennsylvania Athletic Meet Still Uncertain M. A. Kenworthy, local/telegraph operator at the G It & I office*, but who, In the reorganization of the Pennsylvania system, will go to Fisher. Michigan, a suburb of Gruial Rap ■ id*, will leave this week for hl* new j !>ost. Hi* wife anw family will not | move to Michigan until amnmer, the three boy* being in school st present. Mr. Keuworthy wrote tn the chairI' man of the Northwest Regional Ath letlc event and In reply received the following from him. "I'ntll we are i able to have the altilelk movement I ristrxanlzed. It Is impossible tn state whether we will hold nur outdoor ' meet ut Decatur next fall nr nnt. I expect tn hold a meeting nf the Regional Committee In the near future when the question* you raised will Ite taken up for settlement." Mr. Kenworthy and other local Pennsy men. backed by the cltlxvn* nf Decatur were trying to get the big outdoor event for thl* city, but In view of the change* In the Penneyl vania district and organization It I* ! doubtful If Decatur will have a "look In." Decatur I* now in the southwestern region and before the change wap Included in the northwestern region Os the pennsv. — Weather F»*r tonight and probably Tues day; continued cold tonight ;*risingi temperature Tuesday.

Bank Os Redkey Property Is Sold Redkey. Jan. 21 —Lite old llnnk of Redkey property on'the corner of High and .Meridian streets was so'il f at receiver's sale Friday to the I nion State Hank for $8,200. The fixtures and equipment were sold for SBSO to the same bank. The property was tip ptaisi (I ut $6,000. o PRESBYTERIAN SERVICES END Rev. White Closes Successful Series Os Evangelistic Meetings A two weeks series of evangelistic meetings dosed at the First Presbyter ’ lan church last evening when Rev. B. Frank White, evangelist, said his thank you speech and hid goodbye to I the many good friends he has made I here. Rev. White's messages have been of the kind which make men think and we are more than ever convinced that i the people are hungry to hear the word of God preached All who listened to this goood man are enthusiastic ov»r , his manner of conducting the service-; as well as his powerful sermons. Already there is talk or securing his service for a union services here next At the Sunday morning service a committee which had selected D B. Erwin as chairman without any preliminary organization and in a few , minutes talsed a good will off -ring of over ssi«o which was added to by ;• , plate collection in the morning and evening and which was given in a’ spirit of gladness and pleasure Rev White has done much for the church as well as for all others who have heard hi* words of chavr and hope and helpfiillnen*. He is aide and courteous and fair and there was a feeling of regret last evening among the hundreds gathered that io- could not remain longer. Rev. White left this morning for Waliash anil lndiana|>olis where he will attend to business affairs a few days. Hi* next appointment is in Pennsylvania, then Arkansas a.id Missouri and at Hlootnlniflon. Indiana early in March laist evening he thanked all who had assisted him. uarticularly Dr. Fred Puttereen. who had charge of the music and made so good that Dr. White has offered him an opportunity to go with him during > hi* campaigns, but which »t cour-i Dr. Patterson cannot do bei-aune of his professional business Rev White said in all experience be had never found a local man so well qualified tn direct l music. Saturday evening Rev. White preach ed from the subject ”1 am readv;" Sunday morning. "A »ireless for i Everybody ;" Sunday afternoon to ! men and hoy*. “What's a man worth' • nnd last evening "My Big Sin l-knh • service was well attended and each ■ sermon drove home truth* that will ' leave a lasting effect on those *ho 1 heard him. Hi* sermon l*-t evening ’ wan to prove that the biggest ii was I - that of omml*lon. (allure to do the ' thing you are qtiullfii'il to do. whli h i* expe, ted from you u sermon that ' made every one think many times. Ferry Loaded With Train Freezes Fast In The Ice tC P Staff t'orrvspimden’ i Marquette, Mich.. Jan. 21—(Special tn Dailv Ihmmirat) Seventy-five person- were held prisoner on board the cur ferry Chief Wnwuton, on a South Atlantic passenger train, until early today, The rar ferry was strut k In th« Ice all dav ye*terday with the thermometer registering 15 below zero. The paMKi-nxera reui’had St, (gnar* shortly after the car ferry was re l«ui*od from the lie. No suffering, despite the Mttbzero temperature, wax reported The ,ar ferry beianu- leelwiund ahout 9 » m yesterday, two mile* from the city of Muiklnar. The t'hli-f Wawaton operate* between Mackinac and Mt Ignace. —- - - — - — ;| Guy Kohler, of Huntington, visited I friend* here yesterday.

Price: 2 Cents

BITTER ATTACK MADE AGAINST THE GOVERNOR Hearings Open In Bankruptcy Suit At Indianapolis ATTORNEYS ARGUE Governor’s Attorney Argues That He Was Primarily A Farmer — |<’’nlt<''l Staff Cnrrp«pnnd«'nt) Intiiantipolis, Jnn. 21 (Speiciiil Io Daily Deinoctat) A vitriolic (ienunciatitrn of Governor McCray, bolli as a slate executive and as a business man was voiced by B. F. Healon anti Earl Peters, attorneys in arguments in the McCray , bankruptcy case before Harry ('.. Sheridan, master in chancery today. Heaton find Peters represent the three ForS Wayne banks which are seeking Io have the Governor tleclared bankrupt. They branded McCray a* a "land 1 1 and grain gpe<-ulator and a gover- . nor who dominated and disrupted the ; various departments of state." It was the most bitter attack made ! on McCray in public since his finanI dal crash last August. Referring to the two-name paper used by McCray in securing loans i Heaton said: "The names on that paper meant nothing. McCray was slick. He knew 11 that as governor he was entitled to i Yiave his word accepted and that hi* transaetion* would not lie quMtloned. Turning his attention to the state -1 board of agriculture loan. Heaton d<- ■ I dared that I. Newt Brown, secretary • j treasurer of the board at the time i! the loan was negotiated was "com- ; pietely dominated by McCray.' I ■ "The governor knew there was I sl.<tou.(M>o In the funds of the board • lof agtlcuitlire and he went after it." > I Heaton said "His powerful persoli- ' ality dominated and disrupted the , I department*. I ' "The state banking department per- ! ! mitled him to operate hi* scheme b«- . I > ause it knew he was boss " Heaton said McCray would have I about $4 000.000 ( >f HahiHtle* and ( about $2.6M).00g of asset*. Heaton argued that McCray was , not primarily a farmer, a contention made by the governor* attorneys in an effort to establish that he is not i 1 subject to the law* of involuntary I bankruptcy. 1 Q i 'Want Subsidiary Os Hawkins Uo. Held Intact Kokomo. Ind. Jun 31 Mio; khold- ' er* «f the Welfare loan eodety of K«e homo have brought suit to have a receiver appointed •»» that the receipts of the society imn be kept intact. The Hawkins Mortgage company of I I’or'land. the N B Hawkins company, and the National Welfare and Mortgage <«»mpuny. of New York, all stock holding < ••mtuinlvg of the local organization, are named a* defendant* to prevent withdrawal of fund* from the ■ i ompany. Howard county lnve»tor* hold |l!.000 worth of stock in the loun sodety. Officials nf the (lawkin* company are under Indictment In the federal i court In IndiMnaputl* for alleged use of the mail* In a at heme tn defraud Two Arrested On Charge Os Public Intoxication , I Fred Ingle wa* lodged In the county ! JmII Sai unlay nlaht on a < hara -of .! public Intoxication and disorderly con ! du< t. after he had been picked up on i •he street* by night polheman. Hephu* , Mr|« hl r He gpent the night in jail and «»« released yesterday morning, with f ••rtler* tn appoar tn city mart at 8 mt | n'dn, k this evening Dan Death was . hnoked nt ih>- jail thl* morning on the i seme • Irnrgr. by Chief of Police Joel Reyn'dd* lieath was to lie given n I h'-arina thl* evening, also, provided | he wu* sufficiently 'sobered up."