Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 23, Number 121, Decatur, Adams County, 21 May 1925 — Page 1

/01. XXIII. Number 121

BRIBERY RUMORED IN SHEPHERD TRIAL

IMANSLAUGHTER CHARGE LOOMS FORATTENDANT ■Claude Williams Blamed I For Death of Laudy .Jackson At East Haven ■CASE BEING PROBED ■Coroner And Prosecutor At I Richmond Probing Death Gs Local Man I K (United P-nss Service) Richmond, May 21.—Charges' ■ol' involuntary manslaughter ■will be placed against Claude ■Williams, former attendant at ■the Eastern Indiana hospital for ■the insane it was indicated tnIdav. Williams is charged with ■icing responsible for the death ■of Laudy .Jackson, of Decatur, ■an inmate who died Monday af|t< r being placed in a bath of hat mvater. Coroner Bond and Pros■ecutor Stanley are making an in. ■vesti Ration of the case. U Williams was discharged by Dr. L. ■ l-I Ross, superintendent of the insii■tiltion, when the man was found to »>' in a serious condition as a result Be,: the hath. Williams' whereabouts ■are unknown. fl Jackson is the third inmate from ■Decatur who dged at the institution ■diiringthe -past year under peculiar ■i ireuni- tan, es. I —- o—— jMaine Girl Believed To Have Been Ktd mapped I Winthrop. Maine. May 21 (United ■Press) —Authorities and hundreds of ■citizen volunteers up to early today ■had found no trace of Miss Aida Hay■ward, believed to have been kidnapled yesterday. The supposed kidnaping followed ■the wounding of Miss Hayward's ■mint, Mrs. Emma M. Townes, who ■was shot in the cottage at Lake Marliinacock, where the two were living. I lAn unknown man appeared at the cot-! Ilage, shot Mrs. Townes in the neck; land arm and then burned down the ucottage. He is believed to have tablet! Miss Hayward with him as he Isled. ! Bloodhounds were put on the trail lias: night at the request of Fred M. ■ Moulton of Lexington. Mass, a broth-|er-in-law of the missing girl. Monition offered a reward of SI,OOO for the ■rescue of Miss Hayward and the capII ure of her kidnaper. ANNUAL CLASS DAY EXERCISES I 1). H. S. Classes Give Stunts During Program Held Wednesday Afternoon Class Day exercises were lield at Decatur high school yesterday afternoon from 1:30 to 3:30 o’clock. Each class presented one or more stunts as their nart of the program. The freshman class presented several numbers, Robert Caylor played several selections on an accordian; Kenneth Hofstetter and George Kinzle played a mouth harp duet; the freshman girls' quartet sang and a dog Promenade was held. In the dog prom enade. Miss Helen Schroll's dog won first prize for good conduct and also first prize in the beauty contest. The sophomores presented a short class play, entitled, “Sophomores at War". The play was entertaining and provided much fun for the audience. The juniors presented the short play which they gave at the junior reception last week, it was an imitation of a country school. This play also pleased the audience greatly. For the Seniors, Miss Mildred Alley played a piano solo, the senior girls quartet sang, and the senior prophesy was read by Carrol Cole. The seniors presented two silver candle sticks ami a beautiful large silver fruit bowl to their class guardian, Misi Agnes Sellemeyer.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Ginley Appeals Case To Circuit Court Today -lames "Mickey" Ginley was found guilty of illegal possession of intoxjicntin'g liquor in Mayor’s court this morning and was sentenced to thirty days in jail and assessed a line of slmi. This is the minimum sentence j mid, r the Wright Bone Dry law which i was recently enacted in Indiana. Ginley. through his attorney, R. C. , Parrish, of For.’ Wayne, will appeal the case to Hie Ad tins circuit court. |. His appeal bon I was fixeu at $25(1. Ginley was undec ded as to whether he would furnish the cash bond or would return to the jail until his appeal was hoard. His attorney, however, stated that bond probably would ; be tarnished. o_. 0 _. DAVIS IS FREED OFBRMARGE Jury Exonerates Former Governor of Kansas; Four Ballots Taken Topeka, Kun., May 21 iUnited Press) —Jonathan M. Davis st I exonerated today of charges that he solicited a bribe for the parole of Walter Grundy, convict. The lormer dirt farm-governor was found not guilty by a jury late last night of conspiring with Carl Peterson, former hank commissioner to sell the parole for $2.50n. The verdict was leached on the fourth balot, just three hours and Hl minutes after the jurors had begun their deliberations. Davis, who was in the courtroom . WIVPh the v.TtYYtq was ffTtrrnod. Winked each juror personally. “I just didn't feel guilty at all of these charges,” he remarked. Today Davis and his wife are going back to their Bourbon county farm. Davis was arrested during the last few days in office last year after an alleged expose by the Kansas city Journal Post of so-called “pardon sell ing.” Fred Pollman. former convict, planned with representatives of the newsI papers to set a trap for Davis and Peterson. PoPmun was given $1,250. in marked money by the newspaper and arangod to meet Russell Davis, the governor's son. in a hotel room here. Concealed in the adjoining room were newspaper men and other witnesses. Pollman offered the money to young Davis for a pardon and the witnesses entered the room, they charge just as the money changed hands. Hail Storm Does Damage At Hartford City Today Hartford City —A severe hailstorm hit this city about 2:15 o’clock this afternoon and did considerable damage to trees and crops. The storm started about 2:15 and lasted fully ten minutes, during which time hail stones, probably the largest ever seen here I fell. o EXAMINE AFFAIRS OF TOCSIN BANS Condition Os Bank, Closed Recently, Better Than Expected The condition of the Bank of Tocson. which recently closed Its doors and decided to go out of business and into the hands of a receiver, is not as bad as was first thought, according to C. M- Dailey and Virgil Simmons. Bluffton .attorneys, who met today with officials of that bank. The Old Adams County Bank of Decatur, recently was appointed receiver for the defunct institution. Examination shows, the attorneys say, that the assets of the bank are about $154,337,82 and that the liabili(CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO) Weather Partly overcast tonight and Friday, cooler in extreme northwest portion tonight.

PLANS ARE MADE FOR OBSERVING MEMORIAL DAY . I .Memorial Services Planned For Next Sunday At Methodist Church SERVICES MAY 30, TOO Veterans And Auxiliary Organizations Plan Ceremonies At Cemeteries Decoration Day will be appropriately observed in this < ity, the graves of deceased soldiers in the various cemeteries decorated and r,< rviees j conducted in memory of those who offered their lives in any of the wars, that this great country might live. Tile Memorial services will be conducted at the Methodist church, next Sunday morning. May 24. with the ! Rev. Somerville Light in charge. All veterans, members of the W. R. C. I and others interested are invited to | attend and organizations are urged tn attend in bodies, if possible. Members of the (',. A. R.. W. R. C . I Spani; h-American war veterans anil j members of the American Legion are I I requested to assemble at th* Legion 'hall. North Second street, at S:3n o'clock. Sat in day morning, may 30, Decoration Day. Those desiring to offer their cars are also requested to have them there al that time, when the soldiers and the Women’s Relief Corps will drive to the old cemetery in the south part of towfl. St. Joseph MmV Decatur --y*-'*.,-. :I ml dueiol'ate the glaves, with dowers, provided by the W. R. In the meantime the Boy Scouts, school children and all citizens. deI siring to take part in the day services are asked to meet al Liberty Way and I headed by the Neptune drum corps, man h or ride Io the Deetaur ceme(CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO) .—o PRESBYTERIANS OPEN ASSEMBLY Open Break Looms Over Principles Os Moderism And Fundamentalism By Earl J. Johnson, (IL P. Staff Correspondent) Columbus, 0., May 21.— Facing an open break over the principles which have given birth to the modernistfundamentalist controversy, the 137th annual assembly of the Presbyterian church in the United States of America. opened here today. Leaders declared the present crisis to he the most serious of any since that which split the denominatoin into north ami south during the Civil war—a breach which has never been healed. On one side were the militant fundamentalists, led by William Jennings Bryan ami bent on throwing out 1 of the church all ministers who decline to ascribe to the old Presbyterian creed, including belief in such Biblical miracles as the changing of water into wine and I lie raising of Lazarus from the dead. On the other side stood the modernists, outnumbered by their opponents but determined, nevertheless, to fight for authority to remain within the church and teach what they call a saner and more liberal view of biblical supernaturalisms. The first session of the assembly opened this morning with Dr. Clarence Edward MacArtney, retiring moderator, delivering his annual sermon, keynote of the fundamentalist battle and a bitter arraignment of modernist in religion. The nomination and election of a new moderator this afternoon was expected to bring the first open break I on the floor of the assembly between modernists and fundamentalists.

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday, May 21, 1925.

1). H. S. COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER of < 'raw r<!--» ill**. 1,:,'. ,<r author ami )»•<• turi-r. will <!-liver f * , eriri, iis.l - tin Ip annual cmmneneemeiit <-x<n isf-s ol' Decatur >. f..... ■ hi-.h s--h«„.l. In b>- held ■ LaAlfe Mjk ye 'io I Jk? m •I'-ning. al X o'clo, I, Tin* sub 'W*' - j»-< t of his address will W be, "Who Are Yun and A Where Are You ing'.'" The dominant m i'- oi In-

AOOITORIUMIS NEARLY FINISHED Assurance Given That Room Will Be Ready For I). C. U.S. Commencement Assurance has been given by the contractor that the auditorium in the new Catholic high school building on Fourth street will be ready for the holding of the annual commencement exercises at that place on Wednesday. June 3. The lights and shades will tie shipped from Indianapolis today and work on installing them will begin Friday I or Saturday. As soon as the lights have been installed the scaffolding will be removed and the place made ( ready for the commencement exercises. The auditorium cannot be completed by that date, but as-nrance has been given that the room will b-- in condition for use. Rev. Father Seimetz. pastor of the St. Marys Catholir- Church, will deliver the address at tile exercises and six young men will receive their diplomas from the high school. Graduation exercises for the commercial and eighth grade graduates will also he held on June 3. i The new high school and grade building will be completed som'time during the summer. The plastering work will be completed this week and the windows are now being placed in the building. VALUATIONS MAY SHOW INCREASE Personal Property Assessments May Show Gain; laand About Same I Unofficial totals of the personal property assessments us reported by he township assessors to County Assessor William Zimmerman, indicate that the total will be higher this year than last year. All of the figures have not been compiled, the county assessor listing only such items as called for by the state board of tax commissioners. Personal property, such as hay and grain and olher items called for in the personal property assessments, with the exception of cattle, horses, automobiles, farming implements, household goods, merchandise, money and notes, diamonds and similar classifications,, are not included in the county assessor's totals. The state assessments ,re not included, either. The books of the real estate appraisements have been filed with, the county assessor but have not been added yet. Indications are that city real estate will not be any lower than a year ago. In some cases farm values have decreased, while improvements have kept them at about the same figure.

Man Found On Erie Tracks Near Markle (United Pri-ss Service I \ Bluffton, May 21- C. L. Burns, 45. i who claims Noblesville as his home town, was found unconscious on the Erie railroad tracks about two miles east of Markle this afternoon. The man soon regained consciousness and I said that he hud been without fooil ' for three days. I , He was immediately taken to the | Wells County infirmary where he was I questioned. It is not thought that he ; is mehinuy 'deftuigetl. but he is very ' , weak from lack of food and wa- unable to tell much about himself He will be held for questioning lat- , }er. The man was lying across Hie . track and would have been killed had 1 a train passed before lie was found ( He had no money when discovered by l ( some railroad laborers. PYTHIANSPLAN 1 FOP, RIG MEETING Committees Named for Anniversary Meeting; Senator Watson Coming I Preparations are going on for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the. organization of Kekionga Lodge, Knights of Pythias, on August 2ft. Last night, Chancellor Com-1 mander Howard Weller appointed the j foilowing chairmen of the various committees, who will constitute the 1 ' executive committee for the event: ! General Chairman. Howard Weller; Program. John R. Parrish; Invitation, Dore B. Erwin; Music, Dr. J. Q. Neptune; Initiation. Roy Mumma; Reception. James Bain; Decoration, John E. Nelson; Refreshments. F. V. [ Mills; Grounds. A. R. Ashbaucher; ! Registration, Jos. A,. Hunter; Finance! W. A. Lower. | It was decided to make it an all-1 day affair with a chicken dinner. The Pythian Sisters will be invited to participate and a committee will be appointed to confer with the local • temple regarding the same. This is one of four large K. of P. j meetings to be held in Indiana and | Will be participated in by the lodges in northeastern Indiana. The Grand lodge officers will be present and other men high in the grand lodge' I and the supreme lodge will be pres-' ent. United States Senator James E.' ■ Watson has replied to an invitation I from Grand Chancellor Dore B. . win, that lie will be present and ~' speak. Senator Samuel M. Ralston ■'will be invited to he one of the speakers. | The chairmen appointed last night ■ are asked to name the other memi bers of their respective committees. i Another meeting of the committee ' • will be held June 10, at which time ' the full committees will be announci ed No pains will be spared to make • this the one big day for the Knights (.land Ladies in (his section of the I state.

Report Shows Amount Os Assessments On John Ditch Figures have been compiled at the office of County Treasurer Ray Sawyer, showing that Wells County landowners assessed on the John ditch have paid in cash asses, nients amounting to $24,850.81. The total assessments against Wells County land owners was $5(1,275. ur.d there is left n balance oi' $25,424.19, for which bonds will be issued. Assessments against Adams County landowners on this ditch amount only to $302.68, while Jay County assessments amount only to $70.58. and it is likely that the total amounts In those counties will be paid in cash, although reports from tin- treasurers of those counties had not been received today.

0. H. S. GRADUATES TO OFT DIPLOMAS TOMORROW NIGHT Annual Commencement Exercises To Be Held In H. S. Auditorium TO OPEN AT 8:00 P. M. Address To Be Given By Emerson E, Ballard, Os Crawfordsville Decatur high school commencement exercises will be held tomorrow night at eight o'clock at the high school auditorium. Emerson E. Ballard, author, lawyer and public lecturer us note, of Crawfordsville, Indiana, will deliver the commencement address. "Who Are You Ami Where Are You Going?" will be Mr. Ballard's topic. An interesting program has been arranged for the annual event, which concludes the commencement week exercises that started last Friday light with the Junior reception at the Masonic hall. Immediately following the commencement program, a reception will lie held by the Seniors in the high school gymnasium. An orchestra will furnish music for dancing at that time. About fifty seniors will receive their d plomas as members of the class of 1925. Superintendent M. F. Worthman will present the diplomas. Music, for the evening will lit- furnished by Chambers Music Players of Fort Wayne. This musical company is said to have one of the finest orchestras in the state. The program is as follows: “Blossom Time," SchubertBiete Quintette Invocation Rev. A. R. Fledderjohann Prelude and Sic liana from the Opera, Cavalieria RusticanaMascugni Quintette Address—" Who Are You And Where Are You Going?" Hon. Emerson E. Ballard Presentation of Graduating Class Principal Walter J. Krick Presentatio not Diplomas (CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO)

CENTRAL SCHOOL ANNUAL PRINTED “Deeds And Misdeeds” I Ready For Distribution Tomorrow | "Deeds and Misdeeds", the yeari book being published by (he studtnts I and faculty of the Central school, will I be off the press Friday. The annual is a 28 page bound book, and will be sold I by pupils of the Central school. The book contains, the social, athletic and scholastic activities of the 1 pupils during the year just closing. It | also contains several feature photographs and some announcements that : will bo "startling" when published toi morrow. The book also shows the tine literary work that the f'entral pupils have done this year. W. Guy Brown, principal of the Central school, has been in charge : of the publication of the hook, be n;’, i assisted by Ihe rest of the fiiviilly and | by file pupils.

Price 2 Cents.

LITTLE PROGRESS MADE IN EFFORT TO OBTAIN JURY First Panel Os 100 Prospective Jurors Exhausted With None Chosen 200 MORE ARE CALLED Search For Robert White, Missing Witness, Is Becoming Intense

Chicago, May I. — With the atmosphere charged with ruj mot s of plots ami counter plots to bribe and tamper with jurors and witnesses, 200 new veniremen were called today in attempts to secure a jury to try William D. Shepherd on- the charge that he murdered Billy McClintock. The first panel of 100 prospective jurors neared exhaustion and still no juror was permantly accepted. The second panel was summoned at once in order to prevent delay. Most of the Jurors were dismissed because they had formed opinions as to Shepherd's guilt or innocence through the wide publicity given to the case. Many others were excused by the state because they objected to giving the death penalty. Search for Robert White, missing star witness for the prosecution, became intense today. Detectives returned" from St. Joseph. Mich., with informutiou that u couple had registered at a hotel there under the-name of Mr and Mrs. ft. W. Olson of Topeka, Kall They have since left, their destination unknown. Authorities sail they believed this couple was White and his wife. o —

Fair Manager To Attend Meeting At Berne Tonight E. It. Williamson, manager of the Great Decatur Fair to be held here September 15 to is, v ill be here this afternoon and will attend the agricultural meeting nt Berne this evening. He will lie given a , bailee to present his idans to the people of that community and to meet a number who are I interested in the variou clubs now ■<:»>•*' .. A I tni conn ty. Plans for the big fair are going forward rapidly and Mr. Williamson expects to make the ev< nt the biggest ever held here. He can do it if given propr so-opratlon and support. o COUNTY TRUANT OFFICER RESIGNS

j Frank S. Armantrout Tenders His Resignation; Has Left The City Frank S. Armuntrout. of this city, has resigned as attendance officer of Adams county, the resignation to take effect at once. Mr. Armuntrout gave no reason for his resignation and IC. S. Christen, county superintendent of schools, is at a loss for an explanation of Mr. Annantrout's action. The county board of education has been called to meet next Monday at which time a successor to Mr. Armentrout will be elected. Mr. Armantronl has been out of the eity for several days and it was impossible to interview him in regard to his resignation today. The resignation was handed to Mr. Christen by Mrs. Armuntrout last Friday and was dated May 8. Mr. and Mrs. Armuntrout formerly resided at Geneva but have resided on Thirteenth street in this city for the past year. They moved their household goods to Portland last week, it ' is said, but Mr. Armantrout could not be located iu that city. Mr. Armantrout was first elected to the office :• year ago and was reelected at the first meeting of the county board of education the first of May.