Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 23, Number 110, Decatur, Adams County, 8 May 1925 — Page 1

/01. XXIII. Number 110.

BUDGET FOR FAIR FIXED AT $12,000.00

[ANOTHER MAN OR WOMAN SOUGHT IN DOUBLE KILLING ■Detectives Abandon Suicide Theory In Death Os Fort Wayne Couple ko CLUES ARE FOUND ■Officers Believe Murder Was The Result Os Revcnp;e Or Jealousy [ .lystery til siiromxl-, the death of Howard Fisher and Kathryn llerbers. ] l»f Fort Wayne, who were found dead, i yesterday morning, in a Ford Coupe ' »l>ottt fourteen miles northwest of ' Ibis city, on th? 1 lesson Castle road, west of the Wayne Trace. Police authorities of Fort Wayne are still Investigating. The suicide theory has been abandoned, for the piesent at least, and pr> lice are searching for "another man" I »r •‘another woman” whom they believe may bt“ able to solve the mys-( lery. lieports are current that jeal-i Misy might have been the motive for' the double murder, while other re-1 ports hold that robbery was th-- mo live. Efforts are being made to trace (he route of the couple after leaving the llerbers home at nine o'clock Wednesday night. Il has been ascertained that neither of the young couple had a gun i when they left th n ir respective homes, and both families as ert that theyi never hal a gun, like the one found ! Some ray that the murdered couple; both had been in the colhpany of ( other persons recently atoJ 4* w thought possible that either a jealous man or woman murdered them. Several persons have r?(>orted that they have heard shots a.ong the Hessen Castle road on previous nights and this statement leads authorities to believe that a moron might be implicated in the case. Investigations will continue tor some time, it was said today and an effort will be made to trace the deaths. Neither Miss Herb- rs or Mr. Fisher had any known enemies. They had never really had a quarrel, according to the statement of a younger s*sler of Miss llerbers, except a few miner ones. They had left the Berbers home about nine o'c.ock, saying that they were going for a ride and that they (CONTINUED ON PAGE THREE) ELKS TO SEEK NEW MEMBERS To Conduct Drive For At Least 100 Additional Members Soon F. E. France, chairman of the membership committee of the Elks lodge, announced today that plans are practically complete for the opening of the membership drive, which will be conducted by the lodge within the next few days. At least one hundred new members are wanted by the lodge, and the membership workers will seek to interest all of the city. Between twenty-five and the prominent and influential men of thirty applications have been received already. Mr. France stated that there will be ten sub-committees, composed of about forty workers, to conduct the drive. The lodge recently purchased the beautiful residence and grounds ol (’. Cj SMiafer, on North Second street. The interior of the spacious building will be remodeled to make it. more appropriate for a lodge chib house. The home will be made especially attractive for young people and is expected to become a popular place tor social functions. o Wife Os Ex-Senator G. M. Hitchcock Dies Washington, May B—Mrs.8 —Mrs. Gilbert M. Hitchcock, wife of the former United States senator from Nebraska, died at the Hitcheck home here shortly before Id a.nt. today.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Ben Hur State Congress At Evansville Next Week i The twenty-third annua' State ('on- | press of the Hen Hur bulge will be .held ut Evansville on May 13 and 14. | I The folowlng delegates were elected I j to represent the Decatur court at the meeting: Ruby Hater, delegate-.-j 1 large, ('ora Burk. Ro . a Vents. Emma , Smith and Mary Artmail. Mrs. Art man is a stage officer, hohllgn the office of State Scribe, this being the third year she has terved In that capacity. I Mrs. Art man and Mrs. Baker wll. leave II .Monday for Evansville. HOSPITAL OAT I NEXT TUESDAY Public Invited And Urged To Visit Hospital And Make Inspection Although hospitals have existed in one form or another for hundreds of years, until four years ago no one ! ever thought that it would be a good I idea for persons to get together with | their communities and become better , acquainted. The vast majority of i the people knew nothing and cared I less about hospitals, and the hos- ; nltals running on a 24-hour, 365-day-year basis, had too much to do trying to take care of the sick, to worn tier what the public thought about them. in 1921, however, the National Hospital Day Movement, originated j and that year 15.000 hospitals threw I open their doors to their communi- | ties, held demonstrations of apparat- ; us. nursing profession graduation I exercises, and in other ways tried to I show the public wbat they were tryTe&r ah®nT3.(W har pitals observTT! this day and this year about 5.u00 wul be in the move meat. The Adams County Memorial Hospital is among the progressive institutions which will observe National Hospital Day and will cordially invite every one to come and see how the sick and unfortunate are cared for . The attendants are trying to multiply their efforts to attain higher goal* during the coming year. "The Hospital, in its truest sense, is an ideal of service, conceived and dedicated to combat disease, Including within its operation, all the facilities known to humankind, for the alleviation of suffering. Its operation is/predicted upon a group of community problems and an inclination on its part to meet the demands of community service that may be made upon it.” National Hospital Day Is purely a “get acquainted day.” There will be no donations solicited, for Adams County Memorial Hospital will feel well rewarded for its efforts if it wins new friends and if it gives new people a better idea of what it is trying to do. The doors of the hospital will be open to the public Tuesday, May 12. The public is invited to become better acquainted with the hospital, its importance and services rendered to suffering humanity. Miss Etnilfe C. Christ, superintendent. of the Adams County Memorial Hospital, today learned from the National Hospital Day committee. Chicago, that President Coolidge has given high praise to the hospitals which are cooperating in observing (CONTINUED ON PAGE FOUR) — o U. S. Navy Sailing On Southern Waters Today Honolulu, May B—(United Press)— The United States navy was sailing southern waters in battle formatiou today, bound for the Island of Lahaina and three weeks of minor maneuvers. The fleet is engaging in various drills enroute, deploying in different battle lines. It Is due at Lahaina tonight. Wlb that point as a base, the ships will steam to various quiet seaS among the Islands during the day for torpedo practice, force firing and other drills. The fleet will reassemble at Honolulu about May 27, after which it will divide, part going on to Australia and the remainder returning to the United States.

ATTENDING CLUB ROUND-UP AT PURDUE Tk —■ Wi wl < The three youths pictured above are representing Adams county at the annual farm club round-up being hold at Purdue University, Lafayette, this week. They are, reading from left to right. Herbert Hawkins, Noah J. Schrock and Albert Davison. They artTved at Purdue Tuesday and the program started that afternoon with an attendance of 2.000 boys and girls. The expenses of the three Adams county hoys are being paid by the Bank of Berne, us prizes in the one-acre corn contest held in this county. Herbert Hawkins is a son of Mr. and Mis. W. W. Hawkins, of Washington township; Albert Davison is u son of Mr. and Airs. M. Davison, of St. Marys town-hip; and Noah J. Schrock lives in Monroe township. Hawkins won first in the county contest, Davison won second and Si-brock placed third.

Sing Language Too Vile Sioux City, la.. May 8 -(United | Press! Christian Jenson is deaf and dumb but nevertheless his wife, Mrs. Hattie Jensen hail a divorce today because he is alleg- ■ ed to have caoed her vile names. Mrs. Jensen proved to District Court Judge C. ('. Hamilton that her husband abused her ‘‘verbal;y" by means of the sign language. She said his cursing" was done equally well with either hand. ROADHOUSE lU RAIDED TODAY Officers Find Whiskey In "The Tavern” On Deca-tur-Fort Wayne Road (Cnilf-d Press S 1 Fort Wayne .'lav B—GeorgeB—George Kearns proprietor of The Tav.-rn, a rdadhouse near here on the Decatur road, was arrested in a raid today by D. puyt Sheriff-. The o.Yicers a ’eged they found a man drinking whiskey. The whiskey was in a bottle carrying a government label, "for medicinal purposes". JOHN H. MUMM A DIED LAST NIGHT Pioneer Resident Os Union Township Dies At Monroeville John H. Mumma, a pioneer of Adams county. died at the home of his son, Wesley Mumma, in Monroeville, at 3:40 o'clock last night. Mr. Mumma's home was in Union township, but lie had been at his son’s home for some time. He bad been ill from complication of old age for the past several months, being 87 years of age at time of death. Mr. Mumma was born in Ohio, but came to Adams county more than seventy years ago. He is survived by two sons, Wesley, of Monroeville, and C. S. Mumma, of Union township and two sisters, Mrs. Rebecca Harkless and Miss Permilia Mumma, both of Decatur. W. A. Ixiwer, Roy and George Mumma. of Decatur, are nephews of the deceased. Funeral services will be held from the Pleasant Grove church in Root township, at 10 o'clock Sunday morning, standard time. The services will be conducted by the Rev. Thomas Weyer, former pastor of the church, assisted by the Rev. G. F. Spyker, of Spencerville, Ohio, the present pastor. Weather Partly overcast in north. Showers probable iu south portion tonight or Saturday; not much change In temperature.

Decatur, Indiana, Friday, May 8, 1925.

AUTO BANDITRY IS DISCUSSED f. P. A. Delegates, In Con* vention, Discuss Means Os Preventing Crimes I The question of auto banditry was th? thief topic of discussion at the first session of the Indiana convention of T. P. A., which opened this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the I Elk’s Temple at Fort Wayne. One -th on son 1 1 ctrtrgatea and their wives ( arrived at noon in the convention city and registration was held .it 1 t o’clock. At the opening session Mayor Hosey presented the delegates with the key to Fort Wayne and invited them to make themselves at home while guests of the Fort Wayne chapter of T. P. A. E. ('. Miller, president of the Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce. delivered th>' opening address, and Charles M. Niezer also addressed the afternoon session. Charles Cassell, president of the i Fort Wayne chapter of T. P. A., pre-‘ sided at the afternoon session. The chief problem that was discussed al 'be opening session of the delegates was the highway banditry problem and methods by which the highways could be made safer for travelers. There is a national move on foot by all state T. P. A. organizations to carry on an intensive campaign ' uguinst robbery and banditry and each state organization is sending a plan to the national organization in an effort to formulate one standard plan for the prevention of highway crimes. A shopping tour by delegates' wives was planned for late this afternoon. and a banquet aud dance will be given tonight at the. Anthony hotel and the Minuet Hall. Tomorrow, officers will be elected and installation will be held in the afternoon. Delegates also will be selected for the national convention later in the summer. The local delegates left this morning for Fort Wayne by automobiles. Most delegates arrived at Ft. Wayne on a special train that started at Evansville and wound around through most of the principal cities of the state, taking on delegates and their wives. The state conclave will close tomorrow night. —o J Communists Are Blamed For Cathedral Disaster Vienna, Ml.iy B—(United Press) — Evidence has established that Moscow communists engineered the entire outrage at Sveti Kral cathedral, where a bomb killed more than 200 persons, the prosecuting attorney in the trial of four suspects at Sofia, told the court, yesterday. Russian communists Ulso organized Isolated terrorists for a frontier fight, hoping to stir up general discontent and arranged the attack upon King i Boris, which was intended as a sig- ’ nal for a revolution, the prosecutor - maintained, according to SofUa dis- | patches.

BLUE TICKET WINS ELECTION HELD BY GIRLS; Has Majority Os 30 Votes Over Red Ticket; Harriet Wallace Mayor 207 VOTES ARE CAST Winning Candidates Meet Tonight To Select The Appointive Officers Ainid all the conditions of a real election the Blue ticket, headed by , Harriet Walace, yesierdaj won the. I girls' city election, that was sponsored | by the civic section of the Woman's club of Decatur. The election polls al the Decatur library assumed all the angles ofa hot election and the Blue ticket, piled up a majority of 30 votes over its nearest competitor, the Red ticket. The official count was Blue. 110; Red 80; and White, 17. Miss Francis Schultz, Miss Anna Winnes and Miss Francis Foreman were elected eouncilmen' from the three wards and the Misses Fiotilda Harris and Marcella Gerber were elected as councilmen-at-large. Miss Helen Koos will act as city clerk and Rose mary Orulor was elected lo serve as city treasurer. The officers and the council will meet tonight after school to select the appointive officers for their one-hour reign in this city next week. Tho-e i ncharge say that the election was a spirited affair and the young girls • diil more "Politickin'' than their mo Ihrrs ever did. . I Air-. H. F Farr, chuirtm.r ■ i civic section. Mrs. Ben Devon Mrs. Raymond Keller, Mrs. ('. L. Walters and Mrs. A. L. Burdg had charge of the election, assisted by Guy Brown. I principal of the Central school, and Attorney 11. B. Heller . A total of 207 votes were east in the election. The two leading tickets worked hard at lhe pols an dthe outcome was in doubt until the count . Ing of votes was completed last night. It is said tltat the organizations of the | two leading mayora y candidates were | perfected several days ago, and both ■tickets worked hard to curry th election. The day on which the girls will rule the city for one hour has not as yet. been deknitfly decided, but it , is probable that ii will he Monday of next week. Guy Brown will have charge of the winning ticket when they assume the reigns of the city. o MOTHERS GUESTS OF ROTARY CLUB Excellent Tribute Paid To Mothers At The Regular Meeting Last Night The Rotarians, at their meeting last evening, were honored by the prseence of several of their mothers, and an appropriate program, in keeping with Mother's Day, was given. ; Twelve of the mothers of the Rotarians were present, and Rev. Abner | Elzey, of Ossian, former Decatur resident, delivered an excellent tribute to the mothers and to motherhood in general. Mr. Elzey spoke for about half an hour and his talk was one of fine sentiment throughout. He expressed heartfelt semi- , ment for the mothers and paid a loving tribute to the word Mother and wbat it meant to mankind. | Eulogies upon eulogies were delivered by the speaker to mother, and , his talk was inspirlug and greatly appreciated. Words of welcome ( were extended to the mothers by ■ Arthur Holtbouse, president of the I club, and Dr. Fred Patterson led the I ■ club in singing. Miss Mildred Butler . acted as pianist. Dr. L. E. Somers - and M. J. Mylott were in Charge of ; the program and a chicken dinner • was served. t. Last night’s program was the sec- ■ ond annual observance of Mother’s I Day by the local Rotary club.

Carl Cotton, Wanted At Bluffton, Is Arrested Bluffton, Mt;j 8 Carl Cotton, wanted here on a charge of failure to pro- ■ vide and contempt of court, was arr<r.ted in Marion yesterday and was I returned to this city last night by Deputy Sheriff Arch Waugh. Cotton was arrested in Indianapolis three weeka ago but was released le fore local officer.- could go to IndiunanoHs and get him. Cotton's case is in the hands of Judge Jesse ('. Sutton, of Decatur, who is special judge in the case. TOCSIN BANK I CLOSES DOORS I Plan Is To Liquidate And Quit Business; No Losses Expected A report received here this afternoon was to the effect that stockholders in the Bank of Tocsin, which closed its doors yesterday, will lose i their entire investment. The bank of Toesin. located at I Tocsin, Indiana, ten miles west of Decatur in Wells county, closed its doors late Thursday afternoon for the purpose of liquidating. It will quit business. The decision to quit business was made following a conference with the board of directors and State Bank Examiner J Clark Mills ami Thomas O. Barr. Several Decatur people own a few hundred dollars worth of stock in the haul,. Those who are acquainted with the affairs of the bank believe that the bank can liquidate without loss to the stockholders, the bank having a surplus of about st»,uuo, in addition to the capital of *IO,OOO. A meeting of the stockholders has been called for Monday afternoon at which time a social sanction of the decision to quit business will he given. Within the past few years it has been difficult for the small rural banks to collect farm loans and, in many instances, they are operating at a loss or on a c lose margin. Several years ago the bank paid good dividends, it was stated. Notice posted on the door of the bank conveyed the information to stockholders. The action was due to the large amount of uncollectable patter on hands, she bank examiners said. Jesse N. Dailey, president. said that it was the wish of the directors to liquidate and quit business, but on the advice of tlte bank examiners they were leaving the future course to a meeting of stockholders at 1 o’clock next Monday afternoon. Liabilities are given as $178,000. President Dailey said lie did not think that more than SIO,OOO of the mortgage paper held was uncollectable. Depositors will not lose anything by the action, the stockholders being forced to make up any shortage. Mr. Dailey was elected president last August, succeeding Irvin Wasson, who resigned because of ill health. Donald Garton is cashier of the bank. The integrity of the bank employes is not questioned, the books of the institution being in fine condition. Mr. Mills, the state bank examiner, ■ was in charge of the Farmers and Merchants State Bink at Geneva, sometime ago, when that institution was closed for several days, pending action of the stockholders. o Interesting Program Given At I). H. S. Today Au interesting program was given this morning at the regular Friday I morning chapel at Decatur high school Mrs. Iletty Boyers Matthews, of Ari- . zona, a former pupil and teacher in I the local high school, gave an inter- , esting and instructive talk on her . experiences In Arizona. She described • the desert region and other features > of her state. Piano solos were played > by Miss Helen Haubold. Miss Mildred r Akey and Miss Betty Erwin. Miss 5 Josephine Anderson and Miss Isabelle f Cloud each sang a solo und Mitts Lee r Anna Vance sang a group of three numbers. Miss Gertrude Teems gave ■ au interesting reading. This was one s of the most interesting chapel programs of the present school year.

Price 2 Cents.

LARGE SUM SET ASIDE TO MAKE FAIR A SUCCESS Plans Already Well Under Way; Several Concessions Are Booked DATES ARE SEPT. 15-18 I - —• Many Inducements Offered To Exhibitors; Features Are Assured The budget for the Great (Decatur Fair, to be held here September 15 to 18, inclusive, is $12,000, E. B. Williamson, mantiger of the fair, stated today. This budget will be used in providing prizes for awards in the various exhibition departments, purses for the horse races, obtaining high class free attractions and fireworks, and meeting the many other expenses which will be necessary to make I the local fair one of the greatest in the history of this city and this part of the state. Mr. Williamson.' whoso home B; in Goshen and who is secretary of the great Elkhart County Fair at Goshen, was in Decatur Wednesday making preliminary arrangements for the fair. He was accompanied by his wife, who is his first assistant in the fair work. Work has been started on preparing material for the premium list, advertising has been started, at least twenty-five -concessions have been howked ,<ud many attractions have been obtained already, .’dr. Willlemson announced. The premium list will be ready for distribution sometime in July. Prizes will be offered for a much more varied list of exhibits than ever before. In the agricultural department. prizes will be offered for every kind of grain, fruit or vegetable ever grown in Indiana. Mr. Williamson declared, and there will bo a class for every breed of livestock. A feature of the fair will be the exhibit of the public amt parochial schools of Decatur. The pupils will display their work done during the (CONTINUED ON PAGE FOl'Rt GIVE MOTHERS DAY PROGRAMS Public Schools Os City Hold Special Programs Honoring Mothers Appropriate Mothers Day services were held at all public schoois in this city today. Musical programs, talks and singing were combined in the various commemorat'on services. The programs varied ut the different schools, some being held in the morning and others in Lite afternoon. The Mothers Day program was combined with a meeting of the Par-ent-Teachers club tathe South Ward. The Reverend II W. Thompson delivered an appropriate address. The Reverend It. N. Covert talked to the pupils at the Central school. Fitting services also were held a' lhe high school, North ward and the Riley building. Schools all over the country joined in the commermoration of Mother's Day today. The last school day before the official Sunday is set aside an- . nua ly for the memorial services, i Churches and lodges all over the ■ United States will hold their services • Sunday, I All Decatur churches will have ser- < vices, especially adapted to the oc--1 casiou, aud Mothers and their chil--1 dreu have been asked to attend their < respective churches. Several Decatur ? | lodges wil either join with the chura ‘ ches or bold separate services in the e afternoon of May 10. e The red carnation should b- worn e Mothers Day if the mother is living >- and the white should he worn of the mother is deceased ,