Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 23, Number 96, Decatur, Adams County, 22 April 1925 — Page 1

Vol. XXIII. Number 96,

CITY COUNCIL I WILL INCREASE I POLICE FORCE ■Another Man To Ik* Added E To Day And Night i Forces At Once ■Will. ENFORCE LAWS ■plain-Clothes Man To Be ■ Employed Part Time; Applications Received II As .1 means of cuihlng banditry, ■urglarly. and enforcing the speed jK W s in Decatur, the city council in last evening decideil to in■p. ;i se Decatur’s police fqrce by at Kasl l'"> per cent, and )o use every Knurl to see that all laws are obeyed, f I At request of a committee repLseiitinr the Det »tur Industrial Association, bankers and local citizens, the touiuil. desirous of serving the pub lie and answering a public demand, rated to employ another day policeitan, anothet night policeman and to trnploy extra “plain-clot hen men” whenever the occasion demands. Applications lor the appointment of lay and night policemen were receiv'd by the council last evening. Three wen have applied for the jobs already, hey being, B. W. Womack, Arthur >, Clark and Chauncey Brokaw. The .ouncil has not yet appointed the lolicemen. but will probably do so his week A plain-clothes man will ,lsn be on duty on Saturday night 9r when he services are needed, the ouncihnen stated. - Recently, several hold-ups haveaken place in Decatur and public entiment was created for the entiloving of extra policemen as one of he means of preventing as much law essness as possible. C. A. Dugan, banker, representing the Decatur Inlustrial Association, appeared before lhe council last evening and uUsed that the extra policemen fie employed. W. A. Lower also a member of flu- committee requested that Hitch action be' taken. The extra policemen will also he used in enforcing the speed and traf-, tic laws in this city. , May Change Melchi Sephus Melchi, who is night policeman, will he given the firsuopportunity tn take the day job, if he wants it. members of the cotnmitt.ee on public safety stated this morning. Mr. Melchi is a former sheriff of Adams county and his been on the police force for several years. —o ' ■ J.PLUVIUS MAKES VISIT TO COUNTY Rain Fails In Torrents, Doing Much Good to Crops; Mercury Climbs Tlie annual early spring visit of old J. Pluvius apparently is over —at least for a while. Rain that has been arriving in this community in torrents for the lust several days, appeared its strongest yesterday. At Intervals of a few minutes, torrents of rain continued throughout the day and late in the night. , "It's just what we need to stimulate lhe spring crops,” says the farmer. ' "H's just what we needed to stimulate the spring business," says the Merchant. So, seemingly, everybody is glad Wwt the spring rains came, and as a result mother nature has smiled and decided that the real sign of spring has arrived and, accordingly, has sent her first agents of summer ,the dandelions, to proclaim to the world that ‘‘spring has came." Many trees in the city and neighboring country are blossoming with huds, the grass has become green, early spring gardenerjt are noting small green objects prying through the roof of their garden beds and in general the county has benefited from the proverbial April showers. The cold weather that accompanied the rains early in the week apparently did not do any damage to the crops, according to farmers, and they are very optimistic as to the outcome of the spring crops. The temperature this morning was about fifteen degrees warmer than 24 hours Previous and the sun was out bright and early, attempting to repair the 'dampened damage” of his spring enemy, J. Piuihus .

DEC ATUR DAUA DEMI )CR A T

[Dog Tax Must Be Paid To Assessors At Once County Assessor William Zimmer man stated today that all persons owning dogs, who wish lo pay the tax on them, should pay the township assessor, between now and May 15. The dog lax should not be paid to lhe county auditor, but to the assesor in the taxpayer's township. After May 15, the tax becomes delinlitcnl anil all unpaid taxes will be turned over to the prosecuting atior ney for collection. Owners of dogs are kindly advised to take notice of the payment ruling. —« o - »— BOYS'ELECTION NEXTTHURSDAY / - —- Polls Open At Noon And After School; Three Tickets In Field The polls for the boys’ city election will be opened from 12:15 to 1 o’clock and from 3:30 to 4 o’clock Thursday afternoon. The voting place will be in the Decathr Public Library and the successful candidates will during International Boys week. All boys of the fifth, sixth, seventh' and eighth grades of the public, Catholic and Lutheran schools are urged to vote for one of the three tickets in the field. Last Friday [ nominations for the elective city offices, namely, mayor, ward councilmen, councilmen-at-large, city treasurer and city clerk were nominated on the Red, White and Blue tickets. Inspectors and members of the eLeetlon boards will be selected from the high schools and the election will be in charge of the boys entirely, International boys weke opens neyt Sunday with hoys day in the' churches and will continue for seven' days. Those candidates who win in (he junior city election will run the rtry far- mw trout W Tnewdny- after- ■ noon, April 28. The boys are making an active campaign for the places ami each ticket is confident of win-

(lilig, the 0 WOLFINGER SET FREE BY COURT .f Man Who Terrorized Passengers On Erie Train Is Released Today Jack Wolfinger, who startled passengers on a west bound Erie 4rain several nights ago by assuming control of the passenger coach and who was shot after an attempted escape from Decatur police officials, was tried on a charge of assault in mayor’s court this morning. The case was continued indefinitely and Wolfinger was sent on his way. Arriving at the court room al ten o’clock the prisoner bore only a scuton his head and a slightly sore shotil der as rememlFrances of his |l;lit and atempted escape several days’ ago. He was clean shaven and appeared anxious for the trial to proceed, in which he assorted ije would try his own case. After a conference between the pros-, ecutor, Mayor DeVoss and Night Policeman Melchi, Wolfinger was asked where he was going when freed. He replied that he was going to return to his wife and start over as soon as tlie first train left Decatur. He also claimed that he had some money coming from several places where he had worked and that he desired to wire these places before he deft. After a short inquiry, Mayor DeVoss continued the case indefinitely and released the man. Erie defectives who hav been working on tho case during the last several days reported that they were unable to find any relatives of Wolfinger in Gary of Fort. Wayne, but neither were they able to trace him down as an escaped ward of any state institution. They did not care to hold Wolf'nger any longer and local authorities were of the opinion that the sooner he left this city the better. After sending his wires to Milwaukee and Toledo, Wolfinger departed for Fort Wayne where he claims to have an adopted daughter living, and where he also claimed he would get a job and settle down

WEEK OF MAY 4 IS DESIGNATED CLEAN-UP WEEK ('ouncil Fixes Date For Annua! ('lean-up Throughout The City OTHER COUNCIL NEWS Matter Os Having Romberg House Removed Referred to Fire Marshal The wee); of May 4 lias been designated us Clean up week in Decatur. The city council in session Inst evening decided, in keeping with the annual cleanup program, the first week in May would be designated as Clean-up week and the cooperation of every citizen is asked. Citizens are asked to clean up the alleys, back yards and their premises in general. Old tin cans, bottles, crockery, brush and other debris should be gathered up and placed in a pile or in boxes or barrels for the men who will load it on the trucks and wagons and haul it away. Several trucks and wagons will make the rounds throughout the city during the week and the winter's accumulation of cans and other unsightly objects will be hauled to the city dump. The season for the anuual cleanup wash-up, spruce-up and spring bath of the alleys, back yards and streets is here and in order to make the week effective every citizen should do his bit in tryjng to get the rubbish and junk hauled away. The Civic section of the Woman's chib appeals to the citizens of Decatur to help in the cleanup program. Sewer Plans Adopted J.

Plans and sprrfftratlons for the William Suddutli sewer improvement in the west part of the city between Tenth and Eleventh street, were, adopted by the coiincll last evening and bids for its construction will be received at the next meeting of the council. The council instructed the city attorney to notify the Nickel Plate railroad to remove a hand car shed from Brush street. Permission was given Clyde Fugate to construct a driveway from Adams street and Thirteenth, to the lot at the southwest corner ot the Adams and Thirteenth street intersection.' Mr. Fugate is planning on building a service station at this point. I The matter of having (he ruins of the old Kornberg house on West Monroe street removed has been referred to the State Fire Marshal and the city council expects action in the matter within a short time. TO GIVE PLAY AT SL JOHNS Young Peoples Society To Present Comedy Play, May 2 And 3 “Aaron Slick From Pumpkin Crick,” is the title of a three-act comedy play to be presented by the St. John's Young Peoples’ Society at the St. Johns Church at 8 o’clock p. | m„ May 2 and 3. The play opens on an Oklahoma farm, where the “city, slicker,” who is working a graft , game, meets resistance. Later the scene of the play shifts to Chicago and after some intense moments, in which the Oklahoman is almost trapped, the play goes back to Oklahoma and everybody is wiser and happier. The cast has been rehearsing for the play for several weeks and it is certain that a good program will be in store tor those, who attend. The St. Johns orchestra will pro-, vide .Special music for the show and also will present a newly ‘arranged musical program between the acts. ( The public is cordially invited to attend the presentation. The characters are as follows: Aaron Slick Herman Bulmahn Wilbur Merridew ...Herbert Mailand Clarence Green Edgar Koeneman , Mrs. Rosey Beery Ida Reiter Gladys Merridew Adalaide. Trueisch The Girl in Red Alvina Koeneman 'Little Sis Riggs Marcella Hobrock

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday, April 22, 1925.

LEADING “LADY” Xi' ■ ■ •***■ iwii' i&A , -b ySmKH IF w? t* A /&A . * BYRON F. RIVERS Louisville, Ky. This picture presents Byron F. Rivers of Louisville, Ky., who appeared in the leading role of '‘lvan Ho," the anuual musical comedy of the llaresfoot club of the University of- Wisconsin. given on Monday evening, April 13. at the Eighth street theater. Chicago.

HORSESHOE FANS BEINGCANVASSED Plans Made To Reopen Pub lie Courts If Enough Interest Is Shown — _ At a- recent meeting of the playground committee of the civic section of the Woman’s club, it was decided, to reopen the horseshoe courts at the corner of Monroe and Fourth i streets itnediately, provided snfliI cient interest was shown to merit , the necessary work and expenses. The committee in clulg*<. of (1)* ei'iii.s, which is composed of Mrs. John ’l'. Myers, chairman, Mrs. M. F. Worthman and Mrs. Henry Schulte. •is at present taking a canvas of the situation and a-k.-, lhal all horse.-.hoe players in the city, who are interest- | ed in the reopening of the courts, re port at the Daily Democrat office or 'to Herman Myers at tlie J. T. Myers Clothing store. If a sufficient number of players ie)>orl, tlie courts will lie opened immediately and play wil-1 continue throughout tlie summer. No plans have been made as .vet for a tournai inent, awaiting the decision of those interested as to whether they want I the courts reopened. For several years tlie courts have been a source of great pleasure and amusement. They have been maintained by the civic section of the Woman's club and each year electric lights have been erected so that games 'could be held in Hie evening as well as during the day. Several tournaments have been held in the past. The courts are of standard size and have always been well-kept. Putting them into shape would take considerable money and time, but Mrs. Myers stated this morning that her committee was ready to start tile work at once if it is the will of Decatur horseshoe players. The game became prominent, of rather was revived here, several years ago when the Decatur firemen built a court on the vacant lot across the street from the fire station. i Later the present public courts | were constructed and leagues were organizd. Games were played every , for several weeks and at the lend of the season a tourney wffs held, I the winners receiving awards from tlie Woman's club, it is probable that another tournament will he held this , year if the courts are opened, but as yet tlie plans are awaiting tlie approval of players. —— o —— 99-year-old Man Is Afflicted With Smallpox Columbus, Ind.. April 22 —(United Press) Smallpox may cheat Milton Potteroff out‘of reaching the goal of 100 years. Jle is seriously ill with 'the disease today at his home at Hartsville Potteroff is more than 99 years old. Weather •' Partly cloudy tonight and Thursi day. Probably local thunderstorms i in north portion. Warmer tonight In : east and south portions.

SEN. WHEELER DENIES MISUSE OF HIS OFFICE Senator Takes Witness Stand In His Trial At Great Falls, Montana TELLS ENTIRE STORY Defense Strikes At Testimony Os Geo. B. Hayes, Prosecution Witness (t!n(V«i S* rvi<•) Crept Falls. Mob.. April 22—(Special to Dally Democrat)—Senator Wheeler today took the witness stand in his trial on a charge of misuse of office. He entercll a categorical denial of all evidence submitted by the government to connect him with illegal handling of oil permit matters. Great Falls, Mon . April 22—Pounding at tlie prosecution's star witness in the trial of Senator Burton K. Wheeler, for alleged misuse of his office the defense set out with the sole pm pose today of breaking down (he testimony of George D. Hayes,] eastern lawyer, who says Wheeler, tried to involve him in a deal to make millions out of oil permits. | Wheeler himself will go on the stand to tell the complete story of his employment by Gordon Campbell, 1 Montana oil man, and deny that he ever aw Hayes in regard to any kind of deal. The basis for the defense case was laid by the introduction of two letters signed by Hayes after tlie time lie aid he saw Senator Wheeler in a' New York hotel lobby? in both of which lie aid he had sound financial backing for ('ampbell, client of Wheeler. It is the defense contention that this was the only point in lhe negotiations undertaken with Mayes, through Edwin S. Booth, former solicitor of the department of the interior, to whom the letters were addressed. o — Retail Dry Goods Dealers Plan Annual Convention X|r. Dali M. Niblick, of the Niblick i and Company store here, who is presi- 1 dent of the State Retail Dry Goods Dealers Association, attended a meet ing of the board of directors of tlie association at the office of the manager, in the Merchants Heat H Light building. Indianapolis, yesterday. Mr. Niblick called the meeting of the directors for tlie purpose of making arrangements for the annual convention of lhe association, which will he held during the latter part of .June. The program for the convent ion'was outlined and other arrangements necessary were made. o CHAUFFEURS ARE WARNEO BY AYERS State Motor Policeman Warns All Chauffeurs To Procure Licenses A warning has been issued from the district office of State Motor Policeman C. H. Ayers, of Portland, regarding the new law requiring all automobile drivers, driving other than their own cars, to have chauffers’ licenses. The Attorney Central has ruled that al! persons driving automobiles, whether, driving as a salesman for a grocery, tire company or an automobile company or for anyone else except himself and under hi* name and license, is regarded as a chauffer. Mechanics, working in garage:,, because ot their v ork of testing Uh"” persons' cars, do not have to I'.u’O licenses owing to the fact that they are not driving for their employers. However, men working in garages who drive service trucks and cars ht'onging to the garage are regarded as chauffers and must procure licenses, according to the new laws. | The laws are in effect at present, and it is said that.state police •t il: be on a shiv. p look-out for violators of the law. The violation car- .'. s a fir-e and jail sentence which c: n be suspended tor 'lie first offenie. I; is not. h »W( ver, i; lieved necessity f- r persons driving cars belong,'g to 'heir own family to p.ocure 'lcemen

11. S. Marines Withdraw 1 From Honduras To Ship Washington. April 22— (United Press)—United Stubs marines landed at Lu Ceiba, Honduras, to protect American lives ittid property elldangeied by revolutionary activities there, have been withdrawn to tlie U. S. 8. Denver, Hie state department announced today. The Denver, however, will remain off shore until quiet lias been rentorrd, it was said. Reinforcements have arrived to aid the federal troops, which ate reported to have defeated the rebel bands on the outskirts of La Ceiba. ORDER ARREST OF GABY MEN | Immediate Arrest And Imprisonment Os Thirtyone Persons Ordered (UNITED PRESS SERVICE) Indianapolis, April 22—A mandate I for the immediate arrest and imprisonment of twenty seven men and four women whose appeals were lost in the Gary booze case were received today by William Kappes, clerk of the federal court. ! Prison warrants were being made unit and given to United States Marshall Meredith who wil serve notice ' for the 31 to auuear at once. All are out on bond. Roswell (). ( Johnson, former mayor, will he taken tn tlie federal prison at Atlanta for IS months. I Others to go to Atlanta and who I will serve a year ami a day each: !>>wis E. Barnes, president of the Gary Board of works; t'iydo Hunter. . former Lake county prosecuting attorney; and Blaz A. Lucas, attorney. The remaining defendants will serve sentences ranging from 30 days to six months in the Marion county jail. Fifty-fiive Gary persons, including Mayor Roswell O. Johnson, Dwight M. Kinder, prosecuting attorney; W. H. Olds, sheriff; W. .XL Dunn, judge of the city court, and other minor, (Continued On Page Four) CLUBS HONOR MRS.PETERSON Decatur Woman Elected Vice-President of District Federation Os Clubs — Bluffton, April 22. — Mrs. John S. Peterson, of Decatur, was elected vice-president of tlie Eighth district Federation of Womens' Club here this afternoon. The federation is I holding its annual all-day session in | this city. | Other officers elected are: Mrs. A. 11. Taylor, Pendleton, president; Mrs. , Evangeline Lewis, treasurer. These 'officers will conduct tlie affairs of lhe Federation for one year. ( 'At. tonight’s meeting a site for lhe 192(1 convention will be selected, and several lecturers are scheduled to be given. The morning session was given over to reports of county chairmen and arranging for plans to attend the state convention later this spring. Mrs. Cora Downs, is the Adams county chairman. o Rebuilding 100 Homes Destroyed By Cyclone Griffin. Ind., April 22.—Rebuilding of all but fifty of tlie 159 homes destroyed by the cyclone here last month is in progress, Red Cross officials announced today. To prevent profiteering, tlie Red Cross officials are requiring contractors to furnish bids on all buildings, no matter how small. 0 Young Englishman Hanged For Murder Os Sweetheart London, April 22 —(United Press) —Despite intervention of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in his behalf. Norman I Thorne, u young chicken farmer of ('rowborough, was hanged today at Wandsworth prison for the murder of his sweetheart, Elsie Cameron. Thorne went to his death with the familiar, cheery smile he has wore while a l England stormed and flood- ' ed newspapers with contrary opinions i as to whether or not he should be executed.

Price 2 Cents.

HOME OF MISS OBERHOLTZER'S FATHERGUARDED Mysterious Group Seen 1 Loitering About Horne; Foul Play Feared I CLOSE WATCH KEPT ; Fire Chief Makes Report Os 1 Fire At Stephenson Home. To Fire Marshal (United Service) Indiantipolis, April 22 (Spcfitil to Daily De/iiocnil) A close walch was being kept by police today over the home of George Oberhollzt r. lather of Madge, whose death lead to indictment of D. ('. Stephenson tint! his two aides on a murder charge. Police Inspector White ordered palrolnieii Io keep watch on the house following reports that a mysterious group was seen loitering about tlie home. White directed the police to arrest mW suspicious chtiracter found in the neighborhood. Nciglibors of the family said they saw several men piowliug about the house last night. The Obei-holtzer house is only a few blocks from ‘the StepheuHon house which was damaged last week by a fire said to have been of incendiary origin. I’rosecutoi Remy assisted by Q'lias Cox. former supreme court justice, was preparing arguments which will ) be heard next Monday on the plea of Eph Inman, defense attorney, tor release of Stephenson and his two aides. A repan of Eire Chief O’Brien on tlie blaze at Stephenson’s home was. ‘'turned over to the state fire marshal today. O'Brien said a bed in the garage at the home was occupied at tho time the blaze was discovered or iiad been a short time before. The .overs were tossed back as if the ; occupant iiad left in a hurry and the bed was still wa.in. it was said. Indianapolis, April 22 — (United Press) A move lo force lhe prosecution to reveal its hand was seen today in, the plea for release on bond |of B. C- Stephenson, one time head of the Indiana klan, and his two aides. Earl Klelick and Earl Gentry. SPEAKER CHOSEN FOR FMM MEETING Andrew G. Burry, Ft. Way no, To Speak At Meeting Here Thursday Night Andrew G. Burry, general manager of Hie Fort Wayne Box Co . a fluent speaker and an earnest worker among the boys and girls, will be the principal speaker at the Junior l-’arm club meeting to be held at the old gymnasium on First street, Thursday evening. April 23. W. A. Klepper. general manager of the Cloverleaf Creameries. Inc,, of this city, induced Mr. Burry this morning to deliver the principal talk of tho big meeting. The Cloverleaf Creameries is one of tlie active organizations which are cooperating in sponsoring tlie junior farm clubs, and Mr. Klepper was determined to secure one of the highest class men in this part of tlie state to deliver a talk of interest to the parents, hoys and girls and Mt. Burry was selected as the man. Mr. Burry is affiliated with many of the organizations sponsoring boys' and girls’ wfork in Fort Wayne and his talk tomorrow evening will no doubt be of great interest and benefit to al!. Two years ago Mr. Burry de livered a wonderful talk at the state conference of the Rotary clubs. Fanners and their children from all over (.he county are invited to the meeting. County Agent L. M. Busche ; •,'.-!!* “how several interesting films I and talks will be made by local men. Following tlie program a luncheon of Ice cream, sandwiches and milk will he served, free of charge.