Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 22, Number 310, Decatur, Adams County, 31 December 1924 — Page 1

Q WLATUII daily democrat

'oltimpXXH. Number 310.

■HINGES OF ■ CITY IN GOOD I CONDITION NOW ■ ■ ,( onimittee ( loses ■ ( 'r" Year's Business With 9 Money Ahead ■pl,A\S FOR NEW year ■fitv Administration Plans ■ so Continue Progress--5 ive Program 9 Th „ financ- committee of th- <iiy| ■ ;1 held a short session Tuo-d.iy I BLrnoon a»<l allowed bills, closing ■ , t i j ,. year's business. No meeting ■jti.e council was held last evening,' ■then b'-i"!’. n-gulai' l.nsiii. • I. J ■tfllf-’U i ■ III,) financial condition of ihe ciiv Bmerninmi is in excellent shape at beginning of the New Year All < ■bills are paid and the city treasury • B bs c a sufficient balance to pay the ( Bwpnse of operating the city until ■ th'’nftt tax payment become due in ‘ ■ June I fho water and electric light de-1 1 ■ psttnunt of the city plant are operat i I ing rut a profitable basis and finau-1 j ■ tisl reports of thesse two depart- ( ■ Bents and the city general fund are : ■ M » being complied. The year 192 s I his been one of progress in the way ■es civie and plant improvements ’ ■ During the year the city continued ■Up ornamental light program, erect- i I ing lights on Fourth. West Madison t street from Second to Seventh street, f Second treet and part of Mercer < avenue from Five Points south to the - Erie railroad tracks. The Mercer i arcane improvement will be extend- d rd south beyond the tracks to the ‘.Warns County Memorial hospital o aext spring. v The city administration intends to 1 twtfffiie the program of prc"rn<T't!h(! fi civic improvements as far as fin- J aneial conditions will permit, during « 1925. it Projects under consideration dur- li I ing 1925 Include the continuing of the : impiovements at the city light and v power plant? which includes the in- c stallation of a new 500 ror ie-power r j boiler. The couhcil will also decide < if the city will purchase a second < [ motor truck and pumper, similar to ■ the new American La France truck t purchased, last Februaty. Th" matter * of building or dropping the proposed I ! plans for the swimming pool at the < [ city plant will also be discussed at i one of the early sessions ot the coun- 1 eil (luring the coming year. The ornamental street lighting proPam will be carried on as petitions for these Improvements are filed FIRMS ARE BUSY TAKING INVOICES Clearance Sales Planned By Many Stores During Month Os January With the advent of the new year ' comes the time for the taking of the annual invoice and the holding of •January clearance sales. Within the last week local merchants and manufactures have been busy invoicing their stock of goods and today found several of the uptown concerns engaged in the task of listing every item in the store and lhen looking up its price or the price ‘hey paid for it. Since the government, demands the taking of annual invoice in order to fake out the income tax reports and in order to derive at one's profit or J°ss during the year it is necessary to take an inventory. Several local storse will hold big January sales this month. Two of the clothing stores have announced special sales for the month and other ftorchants are planning to hold sales It was stated. Some of the merchants wait until after invocing time to put on their January sales, while others first hold their annual sale and then Invoice after their stock is reduced. For the special advantages which the local stores offer, watch the advertising columns of the Decatur Daily Democat for bargains.

' ;V‘ Warned Against Hitching Sleds To Autos t'htof Os Mice Joel Reynolds to I day Issued a warning to boys and to ihe parents of boys against the prac lice of n,e i a ds in hitching their sleds on behind automobiles on the city streets. Mr. Reynolds Mated i hat he has been bnsy the list few days In an effort to keep the boys ; ..ut of danger, hut it is impossible for him to keep them off the streets. The practice is extremely dangerous I and it is feared that serious acciI dent* will occur If tie* boys are not restralhffd from hllchlnv thler sleds I bphiad automobiles, — — COUNTY AGENT TELLS GF WORK Interesting Data Contained In Annual Report Os Agent luiormation which will be of interest to farmers and to those generally, who are interested in the agriculture of Adams county, is contained in the annual report of the county agent of Adams county, recently submitted to the Director of Agricultural Extension at Purdue University. Although it has been impossible to list all information relative to the work during ths year, daily records makes it possible to summarize a good share of the work. Some statistical information follows: Number of farm visits made, 425; home visits, 129; number of office calls, 1232; telephone calls received at office. 485; number of days spent in the office or in work relat- ( ing to office records, 197; number of days in the field, 109; personal letters written, 1215. Twenty-eight result or method demonstrations meetings were held with total attendance of 1647. Seven farmers institutes were BORT with”toTal attendance of 318 T ' Miscellaneous meetings totaled 52j with total attendance of 3804. Special- i Ists from Purdue assisted in the work in the count hy nineteen days. Demonstrations visited numbered 178 while 41 visits were made to club one circular letters, wltha total of members during the summer. Twenty--6,204 copies were written and sent out. Due to the fact that no funds are available for office assistance, no outside help has been used in the county agent's office. This condition has existed for several years, making it impossible to spend as much time in the country in direct contact with farmers as would be possible if an assistant could have charge of the general office work. o New Front Installed In Second Street Building ■ ■ ~ i The new front in the Smith build-1 ing on the east side of Second street, first door south of the First National Bank, has been completed. A center entrance with show windows on both sides of it has been installed. The newly remodeled room will be occupied by the American Store after January 16. The Morris Store will occupy the room in which the American store is now located and the rear half of the north building, formerly the Terveer block. The front half of the building will be leased to a local concern, it was stated. t —o Bluffton Blackmail Case Is Delayed Again Bluffton. Dec. 31. -Special Judge E E McGriff, of Portland, here Tuesday io hear a motion for a new trial iu the case ot William C. Slusher charged with conspiring to blackmail Robert Campbell, continued the case until March 2, when it was discovered St Slusher went to Florida for the W Slusher was found guilty February 1923 and furnished bond pending a ruling on the motion for a new trial. The late Judge John - of Decatur, heard the case as special "but’died without having ruled on the motion for a new triaL Since the trial the prosecuting ness also died. was men indicted, and Ar aCqU ‘ tted SeTe Mr Ivan a trial. They were indlctea

NEWYEARTO I KE USHERED IN TONIGHT Several Watch Parties To Re Held In This City Tonight TO OBSERVE HOLIDAY Business Houses To Be Closed Here All Day Thursday Write it 1925 after today. The New Year will Ito ushered in I without any special program in this city, with the exception of wake services in several of the churches.) watch parties in the homes and a ringing of the bells and blowing of whistles proclaiming the arrival of the new year. Watch-night services will be held at the Christian and Baptist churches) tonight, and tomorrow, the feast of I the Circumcision will be celebrated . in the St. Marys Catholic church three masses being held, at five, sev ' en-thirty and nine forty-five. Church and school bells will ring I and factory whistles will blow at midnight, signifying that the n*w year is here. Banks, retail stores and offices will be closed tomorrow. The Postoffice will also be closed and there will not be any mail deliveries either in the city or on the rural routes. The Decatur Daily Democrat will go to prses at noon and a half holiday will be enjoyed by the printers and employes of the office. Several parties have been arrang ed for tonight. One of the social events is the annual charity ball to be given this evening by the Tri Kappa Sorority at the Masonic hall. The Woman's Club of this city will hold an open-house program at the) Library tomorrow and the first day , of the new xyU- Whicji we hope will; 'be a happy and prosperous one for) everybody, will be welcomed. Several county officials will begin their new terms tomorrow and one or two will assume office for the first time. o 1 Joe McConnell To Enter Firm Os McConnell & Son Joe McConnell, who retires tonight as Recorder of Adams County, will enter the firm of Frank McConnell and Son, wholesale tobacco house of this city. Mr. McConnell has served as county recorder for more than five years, being first appointed to serve the term of Mr. Case, who died before jhe assumed office, lie was elected to the office four years ago last November. o— JUDGE APPOINTS COURT REPORTER Mrs. Cecile Moser Appointed To Succeed H. M. DeVoss Jan. 1 Judge Jesse C. Sutton today announced his appointment of Mrs. Cecile Moser of this city, to the position of official reporter of the Adams circuit court, to fill the vacancy creat ed by the resignation of Huber M. DeVoss, who resigned a few days ago to enter the practice of law with his father, L. C. DeVoss. The appointment of Mrs. Moser becomes effective tomorrow, January 1. the date on , which Mr. DeVoss’ resignation becomes effective. Mrs. Moser has been pract.cing and learning the duties connection 1 with the position for the past month • and already has become acquainted i with the work. She has had conMder- , able experience in stenographic wo k. Mrs. Moser is well known in this city. . The court reporter is required to ; tade down in shorthand the evidence ;Liven in cases tried in court, make transcripts of cases and, serve as [ stenographer for the Ju<i g e m transacting business connected with the X The court reporter must be present in the court room each day court is in session and whenever the court so desires during the va«- , tion The official reporter of the Adams circuit court has * salary of $1,500 per year for the last several years,

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday, December 81, 1924

YOUNG ENGLISH EVANGELIST HERE

■ ■ ... ''‘A ~A if*"-

Mr. Bennett has been in Am.-rlca only three months and expects to return ito England next September. Decatur people arc urged to hear this talented I young preacher. Following the service a watch night service will be conducted The I message will be presented liy Howard Brumley, Decatur young man who was graduated from Decatur high school lest spring and who now is a classmate of Mr. Bennelt in the Moody Bible Institute at Chicago. Mr. Brumley will speak on ihe subject. “Frdrn a Cripple's Couch to a King’s Chair.” The first service will start at 8 o'clock. A short intermission will be hold al 1'1:20 o'clock and the watch night service will continue until about 12:15 a. in. Refreshments will be served.

Sheriff Baker Takes Wagoner To Prison Sheriff John Baker took Fred F. Wagoner to the state prison at Michigan City, today. Wagoner was sentenced to serve a term of from two to fourteen years in the prison late Saturday after entered a plea of guilty to a charge of check forging. o INSTITUTIONS WANT BIG SUMS Indiana And Purdue Universities Ask for Increased Appropriations (UNITED PRESS SERVICE) Indianapolis. Ind. .Dec. 31. —(Special to Dally Democrat)—lncreased , approgriations of many millions of dollars are being asked by various state institutions and departments in their budget request of the legisla-' ture which convenes next month. The departmental requests were made public today by the state budget committee. The committee has not passed on the request and radic-l al cuts are anticipated before they j are included in the appropriation bills. Indiana university is asking $1,000,000 additional a year for new buildings. Purdue university is asking for $1,320,000 during the next two years for similar purposes. The total request of Indiana University for each year is $4,223,889 as compared with $3,233,889 spent during the past year. The Purdue budget for the next! two years calls for $3,192,000 as compared with $2,475.00 during the previous two years. 0 Two Youths Sentenced For Automobile Banditry (UNITED PRESS SERVICE) Marion, Ind., Dec. 31—(Special to Daily Democrat)—William Bohrene, of Monticello and James Robbins, of Lebanon, Ind., today were under sentence of ten to twenty-five years imprisonment for auto banditryThe two men pleaded guilty in the Grant county court late yesterday to robbing the State Bank at Upland on December 23 and were sentenced i immediately. A third man, Marion Smith, 22, of Springfield, 111., was arrested in Indianapolis in oonnectfon with the ' robbery and was brought to Marion last, night. Weather Mostly overcast tonight and Thursday. Probably snow In south portion; colder in southwest portion tonight.

Meet Mr. Vin Bennett, young English evangelist, yho will take the leading <ari in a series of services o be held for young people it the Baptist church here beginning tonight and con‘inning until Sunday. Mr. Bonnett made n good start last evening at the Baptist church by giving the young people who greeted iltn a message in which ho mphasizod cooperation and ndividual responsibility in ervlco. Tin- message was rented in such away that le gained the affection of he young people and also mined their pledge of sup >ort during the meetings. Everybody is welcome to he meetings. especially hose who are able to attend onight. which is New Year's Tve, when all are thinking of making resolutions for I the new year. r The subject of Mr. BenJ nett's talk tonight will be. “Life's Supreme Resolution."

FRANCE WO lil.il POOL All DEBTS I < Assurance From France *i That Debt Will Be Paid Is Expected, However By Ludwell Denny, (UNITED TRESS SERVICE) I Washington. Dec. 31.—More diplomatic assurances from France that j 1 she means to pay her $4,000,000,000 j j debt to the United States rather than i a definite refunding agreement or , payment, are expected to be the next , results of a week’s effort by admiuis-1 , t ration spokesmen to get action , from France. While the conflict between the two governments is regarded in diplo- ■ matie circles here in the nature of | 1 a tempest in a teapot, the utter | . I diveigence of opinion In the two. countries on the debt question and i *he mutual district which this en- , 1 genders has caused serious appre(CnntinnpH An Pqtrp Pour —O OAUCHTERS TO BE CLUB GUESTS. Excellent Program To Be Given At Ooen House Os Woman’s Club The members of the Woman's Club i will hold their annual open house at I the Library auditorium Thursday | afternoon from three to five o’clock. I The daughters of the club members will ho special guests and those who do not have daughters are requested: to bring a friend. It has been customary for the past three years for the, to hold open house on Now Year's day. A chorus, composed of daughters lof the club members, of eighth 'grade and high school age, will sing a number of Christmas carols. The following fine numbers will be a part of the program, also: Piano Duet—Charlotte and Margaret NiblickPiano Solo—Patsy Holthouse Vocal Sole —Louise Haubold Heading—Mary Neptune Plano Solo—Mary Catharine Schlig Vocal Solo —Lee Anna Vance I Plano Duet— Margaret Voglewede and Winifred Arnold. The room will be attractively decorated for the occasion and a committee from the Civic department will preside at the refreshment table. In the receiving line, will be the members of the executive committee, which includes Mrs. Faye Smith-Knapp. Mrs. John Tyndall. Miss Marcella Kern. Mrs. Henry B. Heller. Miss Della Sellemeyer, Mrs. Fred V. Mills, Mrs. Arthur R. Holtj house and Mrs. John Carmody. |

Escaping Gas Kilk Six People In St. Louis' (UNITED PRESS SERVICE) St. Ixiuls, Dee. 31—(Special to Daily Democrat) —A new drend has spread over St. Louis in the form of escaping gas which in the last 48 hours lias taken nix lives and cans ed 16 persons to be taken to hospitals. In some of the canes of asphyxiation the persons wore overcome in rooms where all tho gas Jets had been closed. Officials of the Laclede Gas Company announce that workmen have been busy ever Since the recent storm repairing gas mains over the city, but that they can in uo way account for tho large number of cares of asphyxiation. Q SCHAFER CO. GIVES BANQUET Wholesale Company Entertains Salesmen, Employes And Other Guests The Schafer Company, of this city, entertained for its twenty salesmen, office and factory employes, and several invited guests, including factory representatives, at a banquet served by Joe Lose at the Masonir Hall at six-thirty last evening. Sixty-eight persons were present and C. C. Schaf-

er, general manager of the big wholesale concern, presided as toastmaster during the evening. Attorney C. J. Lutz, of this city, gave the principal talk during the evening. Mr. Lutz, In his excellent way, talked on co-operation between employe and employer and his address was filled with many good ‘thoughts. Talks were also made by G. H. Wehmeyer, salesmanager of the company. Mr. Schafer and several of the salesmen and office and factory employes. A ch cken dinner was served In fine style and following the dinner a general "family reunion” and good time among these Interested In the success of the Schafer Company was enjoyed. Dancing was also enjoyed. The annual conference of the Schafer Company's salesmen opened Monday in this city and continued until this evening. With the exception of the Michigan salesmen all the representatives of the company were present at the banquet last evening and everyone felt optimistic as to the busines outlook during 1925. The Schafer company Is one of the leading wholesale houses in the middle j west, dealing in hardware, electrical, radio, paint, wooden ware and automobile supples. The company’s salesmen travel over four states and more than 75 people are employed by this progressive concern. The salesmen are also assisting in the taking of the annual inventory at the local (office. Progressives In Congress Would Make Bread Cheaper (UNITED PRESS SERVICU) Washington. Dec. 31—Progressive in congress today moved to secure early action in their campaign to reduce the price of bread. Stimulated by introduction of the Capper bill which would prohibit the sale of 12 ounce loaves for the same j price as 16 ounce loaves, the profgressive group planned to press the federal trade commission for early conclusion of the bread investigation authorized months ago. The federal trade inquiry was undertaken as a result of the charges of Senator La Follette that the public was paying $300,000,000 more than necessary each year for bread on account of the activities of a "bread trust.” — o Youth Fatally Hurt In Hunting Accident (Special to Dally Democrat) Kendallville, Ind., Dec. 31—Basil Stead, 18. is dead and Reginald Mosier. 30. Is at the point of death today as the result of two separate accidental shooting near here late yest°rdnv. The Stead boy accidentally discharged a shotgun while hunting the charge practically blowing his head off. Mosier was shot by a younger brother who was playing with a | pistol.

Price 2 Cents.

ASYLUM DOORS CLOSED BEHIND WOMAN SLAYER — Logansport Woman Who Killed Four Relatives Enters Asylum AIR OF COMPOSURE Woman Maintains Air Os Indifference As She Enters Institution (UNITED ritESA SERVICE Logansport. Ind.. Dec. 31—(Special (o Dally Democrat)—Tho doors of the Northern Indiana hospital for tho insane closed this afternoon on Mrs. Emma Hobough. who confessed to authorities yesterday that she murdered four members of her family “because they treated her wrong.” With the same air of composure and Indifference that characterized her attitude from the time she admitted the killings the woman entered the asylum "It don't make any difference what you do with me." she told Sheriff Bowyer as he led her to the institution. "I just want a place where I can rest. 1 am very tired." Mrs. Hobough has showed no grief or remorse over the death of her father and mother and brother and three year old daughter, whose heads were blown off by a shotgun Saturday night. Logansport. Ind.. Dec- 31—(Special to Daily Democrat)—Unremorseful and sullen, Mrs. fimma Hobough confessed slayer of her father, mother. brother and daughter, today was held in the Cass county jail awaiting transfer to the Longcllff hospital for the insane near here. The murderess will be taken to the insane hospital as soon as room can be made for her admission. Sheriff Bowyw announced. Evidence In the quadruple killing will be placed before the grand jury when it meets next week but no effort will be made to press criminal charges against her. according to Prosecutor Wall. Mrs. Hobough was found Insane by a sanity commission yesterday shortly after she had admitted that she blew the heads of her four relatives with a shotgun at the home of her father. Henry Bassler, one of tho victims. Only once after her confession did the woman show any emotion. When two distant relatives called at the ail and asked to see her she broke 'own and wept for a few minutes. "I don’t want to see them,” she said. “They never meant anything to me." In her confession Mrs. Hobough told how she shot the victims and ' spent almost the entire night clean- ' ing up the gruesome evidence of the killings in the lonely farm house. --■o — JURY'S VERDICT FAVORS FRICKE Defendant Is Winner In $3,000 Damage Suit Tried In Court Here A verdict in favor of the defendant was returned at 6:45 o’clock Tuesday evening by the jury in the case of Gottlieb Kroemer vs. E. J. Fricke, [ suit for $3,000 damages. The Jury begun its deliberation at 3:55 Tuesday afternoon and returned aver--1 diet about three hours later. The defendant today filed a motion for judgment on the verdict. Mr. Kroemer alleged that he had "! been damaged in the sum of $3,000 as the result of an automobile acciI dent which occured on the Decatur--1 Fort Wayne road last May. Cars ■ driven by Mr. Kroemer and Mr. • Fricke collided at a point near the subs-stntlon eleven miles north of this city. Another damage suit resulting from the snme accident is still pend- » Ing against Mr. Fricke. Hugo Wen--1 gort, a minor, who was riding In the Kroemer car. is demanding Judgment r for SIO,OOO for personal Injur es altt leged to have been sustained in the accident