Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 22, Number 176, Decatur, Adams County, 24 July 1924 — Page 1

Volume XXII. Number I7fi.

LARGE crowd expected AT FAIR THIS AFTERNOON

SECOND OftY IS I 6BEATLY ENJOYED attendance And Interest At Exposition Growing At Each Session There were between 8 000 and 10.000 paid admissions to Bellmont Park • yesterday and last night, and with I Meal weather for the occasion, all! thoroughly enjoyed the second day of the big Northern Indiana day and I night fair. Spectators began arriving Mr |y in the day and by noon the midway and the various exhibition departments were teeming with life. As on the proceeding day the greatest attendance was in the evening. The days program was brought to a climax with another wonderful display of pyrotechnics. The music for the day was furnished by the Dunbar band of Berne and was excellent. Wherever the band played, a large crowd assembled and complimentary rt marks were heard on every hand regarding their fine playing. The weatbei for today dawned slightly cloudy but this did not seem tc have any serious effect as the streets of the city became lined with automobiles at an ear'y hour, and by | nine o’clock a constant stream of t attic was passing along the road rad ng to the fair grounds. All indications pointed to the usual large Thursday attendance. One local merchant who endeavored to secure a taxi fiom Bluffton for today was informed that none were to be had as they had all been engaged to bring fair-goers over here. Girl Wins Scholarship The judging of the live-tock potiltiy and domestic and art exhibits was in progress yesterday, and with the exception of the cattle and poultry, ail departments were completed at six o'clock last evening. One of the features in the domestic department was the winning of the home economics scholarship by Miss Helen Schenck of Pleasant Mills. Miss Schenck won the prize for having the best cake and apron in the girls contest and will receive a trip to the stale fair school of home economics. Her expenses will be paid by the four Home Economics clubs in the county. The school begins on August 24 anil will last through fair week it being of two weeks duration. The sehoo’ is being held at the slate fair grounds and is In charge of the Home Economic department of Purdue university. o—Poultry Stolen From Wells County Farms Bluffton. July 24.—Chicken thieves continue their nightly raids on Wells county farms. Tuesday night they visited the Nep son Lucabaugh farm home a mile north and a half mile east of Überty Cen,pr. and made away with ducks and chickens— Mr. Lucabaugh does not •mow exactly how many. Bucabaugh was awakened by the sound of a truck pulling up in front of his home about 11 o’clock. In the moonlight he saw one man in charge of the truck while it is supposed the n "cr went after the poultry. Luca--11 immediately telephoned to Bluffton for the sheriff. Btpnty Sheriffs Ach Waugh, and "rman Frauhiger and Chief of Po<e Gehrett and Nightwatchman Shel--11 uH lesponded but they arrived we fifteen minutes after the thieves ■"■'•‘<l The police separatd, follow K <' erent roads to Poneto. Keyand Mont P el,er 1” belief that h '"' Ps Wp nt in that direction. ,p y failed to track them. Bennett Divorce Case dismissed At Ft. Wayne nJt I P I J I1 I VOrCe case of Maude Benof thi K ‘ ,lnst Emerson Bennett, both thia rr <ty w hich was venued from miss t 0 A!,en count y- was <>•»• Wanted in chanKe °f venue was April ■ R ca,le ahortly before the June. ern ' ° f COUrt cto,ed here in

DECATUR DAILY DEMOURA i

I Speeding Auto Kills Valuable Cow Last Night Two young men driving an Over- ■ land car at a terrific speed last evening struck and killed a valuable ; cow belonging to William Lightfoot, of south of the city. The cow was in i the road and the men struck her with the car with such force that she was instantly killed. They drove on and Mr. Lightfoot and the police, who i were immediately notified, were tin- : able to locate them in a several hours I search. OSCAR STEWART RETURNS HOME Former Tocsin Merchant, i Who Disappeared Recently, Has Returned Oscar Stweart. Tocsin ste.rekeeper who suddenly disappeared June 12 has returned as sadden'v as he left. He arrived in Kingsland over an Erie train Friday night, end since has taken up work with the A. H. Perfect company at Fort Wavno. He notified his family immediately of his arrival ! and will arrange to move them to Fort Wayne as soon as he can find a bou«e. Stewart went to Seattle in his trip west. He found business conditions no better there than in Indiana, hence his decision to return. Foreclosure of his store and contents will continue. He has made no effort to gain possession and probably will not do so. Senator And Mrs. Watson To Visit In Bluffton Bluffton, July 24 —Bluffton is to have the pleasure of the presence of Senator James E. Watson and his wife quite a good deal this summer They will arrive in the city n«xt week and lie the guests of Mr. and Mrs. John Mock a greater part of the minimci;. Mr. Watson will transact much of his business while here, but will make frequent trips to Washington and oi't over the ’state campaign’ng. but will make Bluffton his headquarters. Jim is a fine fellow to meet and he and his wife will make many friends in this city and county. < Miss L°e Anna Vance is the guest of Miss Jeanette Clark at Rome City this week. BIBLE CLASSES TO HOLD PICNIC I Classes Os Northern Indiana To Meet At Win- ’ ona Lake August 6 1 The Adult Bible Classes of Northern Indiana are planning an all-day picnic at Winona l ake on August 6. Free admission to the grounds and to the morning and afternoon program have been arranged for the dav. The I program is one of the best ever of- } fared by the Winona management. The Rainbow Orchestra will provide I special concerts that day and address by Dr. Robert Dick Wilson, of Prince ton University and Dr. W. E. Bielderj wolf, who has recently returned from , a trip to the Orient will be features . of the program. The Culver Black Horse Troop will t give an exhibition drill in the after- , noon. For those who enjoy sports baseball tennis golf, swimming, boating, roque and horse-shoes will be available. A great treat is in store for those who enjoy good music. A j big picnic dinner on the grounds will " be part of the program. Bring along a basket of oats and have a good time. , The evening concert by the Cul- , ver Military Academy Band and a recital by Mme Louise Homer, the s greatest American Contralto will be s given in the Billy Sunday Tabere nacle at 7 p. m.. There will be a roti served seat charge for the program by the Culver Band and Mme. Homer.

HOME BLOWS UP

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Mis Will am Neina.s of Chili. Wis., struck a match w Hie her husband was hunting a leak in the carbide gas' lighting system. The next instant a terrific blast wrecke I the house. Fortunately no one was seriously hurt.

TEN KILLED IN BUS STRUCK BY SPEEUINGTRAIN New York Central Train Hits Bus Loaded With Picnickers SEVERAL ARE INJURED Survivors Say Driver Stopped Bus And Scanned The Tracks — Oak Harbor, Ohio, July 24—(Special to Daily Democrat I —Just as the state of Olftn Completing its first i big step toward eliminating grade | crossing accidents at a “safety first” | • conference of state county and city officers meeting in Columbus, ten 1 homeward bound picnickers were hurled to death near here last night : when the bus in which they were rid- • ing was crushed by a speeding west- • bound New York Central passenger i train. I The party had been to Lake Erie.' 1 Ail were members of Seneca county • farm clubs. Survivors said the driver had stopI ped as he approached the crossing, got out and scanned the track. A train, easthound, on a far track, had just passed. He stepped back into his seat and drove onto tlie track in front of the train speeding toward the west. There was a tremendous crash. Residents living near the crossing j heard the moans of the injured and ■ dying. Broken little bodies lay i strewn from *he crossing almost to the point where the engine finally ', came to a stop. o | Mennonites Will Hold Convention Berne, July 24 —At the semi-annual business meeting of the Mennonlte • church of Berne, on Monday morning the following members of the congregation were selected as delegates ito the Middle District Conference that will he held near Pandora. O.: Rev. P. R. Schroeder, Rev. C. A. Van , der Smlssen. J. E. Ixdiman. J. P. Habegger and J. F. Sprunger 1 The- convention wll convene during the latter part of August ami will ho hold at St. John Mennonlte church near Pandora. Ohio. The local Mennonlte church at their meeting on Monday decided that it is in favor of pensioning the missionaries of the General Mennonlte Conference. The question of pensioning the mis“ionarios of the denomination is being presented to all the Mennonito churches in America. If the denomination decides on pensioning her missionaries, all those who have been in service for forty years and all the missionaries over sixty years of age will be given permanent pen- • sfon, it is said. o — Dan A Johnson, of Hartford City, former resident of Monroe, is visiting Relatives and comrades -of the 89th Infantry of Indiana. Mr. Johnson has heen a resident of Blackford . County for the past fifty years.

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday, July 24, 1924..

Commissioners Hold A Meeting Here Today County commissioners Ernst Conrad. Frank Breiner and Geo. Shoemaker held a meeting this morning with the Van Wert County board in this city relative to the Meyers road on the state line. The matter of the Van Wert board paying their proportionate share of the cost was taken un and discussed. FEW VIOLATIONS OF LAW IN CITY — Police Reoort That Fair Crowd Has Been Orderly So Far There have been very few violI ations of the law this week, Joel Reynolds, chief of police stated at noon today. The crowds hive been orderly and with the exception of the ) arres’/bf the man who broke into the Baptist church and the theft of the automobile at the .Fair grounds last evening no serious violations have > been reported. Tt was stated that an ' affidavit was being made out at noon for the arrest of a man who comimltteed an offense last evening. The • city has seven men controlling the . traffic at the principle corners on the ■ way to Bellmont park and Frank Peterson is assisting Seph Melchi 1 and Sammy Franks on the night patrole of the city. The police do ! not look for much trouble throughout the week. The rumor that 18 or 20 thugs, bandits and thieves from the ■ Toledo district were headed for this ' city this week was unfounded, the police say. No word to that effect 1 had been received here, it was stated and the appearance of such men | has not materialized as far as known NEW OIL WELL GIVES PROMISE Mesel Brothers Get Good Well On Bergman Lease Near Bryant Mesel Brothers drilled in oil well No. 4 on the Bergman farm, one mile east and one mile south of Bryant Tuesday. The well proved to be one of the best wells drilled in the last few years in this locality. Immediate ly after the well was shot, the oil raised to within 300 feet of the top of the well and one hundred barrels were pumped out Wednesday afternoon without any sign of it being lowered. The pump was shut down owing to lack of tank room. Well No. 1 on the Bergman lease came in at. about 15 barrels while, wells No 2 and 3. are not as good as the new one. The last three wells drilled on this lease are among the best wells ever drilled in this oil field, it Is claimed. Weather Mostly fair Thursday; possibly local thunder showers in north portion; J cooler in north portion by afternoon or night; Friday generally fair.

JUDGING OF EXHIBITS IS IN PROGRESS Judges Announce Winners In Sheep, Swine And Fruit Departments COMPETITION KEEN .Judging Expected To Be Finished Today; Local People Winners Judging of the livestock and other exhibits at the annual Northern Indiana Fair is progressing nicely. I The sheep and swine have been judged and the cattle are being judged. The fruit exhibits have been judged also. ; Competition was keen in all departments. The exhibits are higfh class ,and the ribbon winners receive much honor. The judging Is expected to he completed today. Follow'ing are a lit of the winners in the Sheep. Swine and dairy products exhibits. Sheep Department Millett & Sons, of Portland. Ind., swept the Shropshire and Oxford down class ia the sheep exhibit, bytaking first and second prizes on all six entries. They also took six firsts and four seconds in the Southdown and Horned Dorsett class, and first premium in the best flock con- ■ sisting of one ram, one year old and over, one aged ewe and one yearling ewe lamb of any breed, alo first premium for the hast ram of any age. and first premium for the best ewe of any age. The Angus Home Stock Farm of Davison. Mich., captured five firsts and five seconds in the Blackfaced Highland class; six firsts and i four seconds in the Karakule class. ; and four reconds in the Shsviot Horned Dorsett class. W. C. M<*Geath of Montpelier. Indiana, seetir- ' ed three firsts and one second in the Sheviot Horned Dorsett class. Swine Department I Carmen Alexander, of Portland, Ind., was awarded three first in the Poland China class of the swine exhibit. and W. C. McGeath, Montpelier, secured four firsts and six seconds in this same class. E. C. Mosier, of Van Wert, Ohio, won seven firsts and six seconds with Ills display of Berkshir"s. In the Hamp-hire class. Robert Dunlap ft Sons of Ft. Jennings, Ohio, received seven firsts and three seconds: Farr Brothers, of l iberty Center, three seconds, and W. A. McKee. of Huntington. one second. Diiroc Jerseys, Wier L. Schaffer, Warren, Ind., six firsts and two seconds; Fred W. Busche. Decatur. . one first, two seconds. Spotted Poland China. C. Leonard St Son. Port- . land, seven first, five seconds. Best t herd consisting of one boar and four • sows any age and breed. First C. Leonard & Son; Carmen Alexander, ■ second. Best four pigs under six months, any breed; first C. Ix>onard Sr Son; second. Carmon Alexander. Fruit Exhibit. I Mrs. W. A. Fonner won the following prizes for ' the best plates of (Continued on Page Seven)

STUDENTS TESTIFY IN FRANKS MURDER TRIAL

W heat Yield Was More Than 30 Bu. Per Acre I Phillip Gephart, one of the old time farmers of St. Mary’s township, threshed this week and his wheat, of the finest quality, averaged better than thirty bushels to the acre. He , had twelve acres and the yield was 367 bushels. Mr. Gephart says his oats and hay are fine and will yield good crops, but the corn is very poor and will perhaps not result in much of a crop. The season as a whole, however, will average good. FORCED CHECKS AT LOCAL STORE Bluffton Man’s Name Used By A Wily Forger In This City A wily forger pretending to be a I Charles Shafer, of exce'lent repute , and sound financially cashed checks, supposedly written in his favor by Gene Kyle, well known Bluffton man in the sura of s7l in this city last ‘ Saturday The forgery was not discovered until yesterday when th“ . checks were returned to the Wells County bank and were pronounced forgeries. The John T. Myers C’othing com- | pany of this city, cashed one check i for $49.50 and the Elzey shoe store cashed one for $21.50. At the Myers store the man purchased a suit of c’othes for $27.50 and gave the check in payment The clerk at the store questioned the validity of the check and turned it over to Mr. Myers. The man called Mr. Myers by name and asked if he knew Mr. Kyle of BYtrffton. Mr Myers stated that he did. The man then said that he was a far mer residing east of Bluffton and that lie knew Mr. Myers, himself. Mr. I Myers finally authorized his clerk t%» accept the check. The man left the store with the suit of clothes and the $22 in change. At the Elzey shoe store, the man who (ashed the checks. The man who about sl3. Mrs. Elzey had heard of Mr. Kyle of Bluffton also and believed the check to be good, althouh she hesitated before cashing it. Mr. Kyle was in Decatur yesterday and ca'led upon the local merchants who cashed the checks. The man woh forged tlie checks is described as being of large build, dark complexion ed and about 35 or 40 years of age. Tlie offie'als of the Weils County (Continued on Page Eight) AGED RESIDENT Os DECATUR DIES Blood Transfusion Fails To Save Life Os Mrs. Josephine Malley Mrs. Josephine Malley, age 79 years, well known and beloved resident of this city, died at her home at 715 North Third street at about nine o’clock last evening, following a six months’ illness from pernecious anemia. Mrs. Malley suffered from an an I emic condition for several months land last April she underwent a blood transfusion, her graindson. Thomas I.ichtle Os this city .giving bis blood in the hope of improving her condi- i ' tlon. Another transfusion was held •about ten days later and the third one was held in May. The benefits were only temporary and as time passed her condition gradually grow weaker. Mrs. Malley was born in Aenta, Pa. February 28th, 1845. In 1870 she ; was married to Thomas Malley and until sixteen years ago lived in Chicago and Pittsburgh. The family moved here in 1908 and Mr. Malloy’s death occurred six years ago in this city. Mrs. Malley is survived hv two children. namely, Joseph P. Malley and | Miss Josephine Malloy, the latter beting a well known business lady and (Continued ou Page Eight'

Price: 2 Cents.

STATE MAKING FINE HEADWAY Trial Expected To End Some Time Next Week; No Cross-Examination (By Edward C. Derr) (U. P. Staff Correspondent) Chicago, July 24. — students of Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb when the confessed murderers of 14-Year-Old Robert Franks attended tlie University of Chicago were called by the state today in an attempt to draw the noose tightly about the necks of their erstwhile friends and companions. Howard Ollendorf, Lester Abelson, Maurice Shamberg and Arnold Maremont—and possibly other students—will take the witness stand before Judge John R. Caverly, who is sitting as judge and jury in the hearing of evidence to determine whether I>>opold and Loeb shall hang or go to jail. The students will testify to the fact that Leopold owned a portable typewriter. like the one on which the $lO.000 ransom letter was written. They also may lie asked to testify that the young murderers were "rational and sane" in their college life. State’s Attorney Crowe, who is making rapid headway in presenting his case, largely because Chief Defense Counsel Clarence Darrow does not bother to contest the state's testimony and waives cross-examination of witnesses. prepared to place a score or more witnesses on thg stand today. He will complete the state’s case by the end of the week, he said. Darrow will take three days to present the defense, he told the United Press, indicating that the entire trial will lie ended some time next week. I o— LaFollette Followers To Organize In State tynt'ed Pre<s Service) Indianapolis, Ind., July 24 —District Chairman will be named at the state meeting Sunday night of the Conference of Progressive Political Action, according to L. V. Hart, LaFollette’s leader. An intensive campaign for “Fighting Bob,” wil lie staged in this state according to Hart following completion or organization work. About one hundred delegates are expected to attend including J. A. Leschler, Ft. Wayne, secretary of the conference, and G. G. ?4ausey, chairman. Al Gordon. T 'rre Haute. LaFolletter’s manager in Indiana is also expected to attend. All details of the Wisconsin senator’s campaign, including presidential electors wiH ho worked out. La Follette leaders express confidence that their candidate will poll a tremendous vote in Indiana and that his strength in the nation will be sufficient to deadlock the electoral college. — -o Automobile Stolen At Fair Ground Last Night A Ford coupe automobile, belonging to Richard "Dick" Smith, of this city, was stolen from its parking place at tin l fair grounds last night. Mr. Smith parked his car at the left of the main entrance and when he returned to the place about 11 o’clock the car was gone. The car was insured against theft, hut the owner will lose a small amount anyway. > Nearly All Stores Close Here Today Practically all stores in Decatur closed this afternoon for the fair. Dur Ing the week they have all closed one or two afternoons and so far as we know this was done of their own initiative, no request tor closing on specific days being made. Every merchant of Decatur is a loyal and faithful booster for this community, every day, week month and year.