Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 23, Number 124, Decatur, Adams County, 25 May 1925 — Page 1

Vol. XXIII. Number 121.

I BEGINS PROBE I OF JURY FIXING I IN“GERM"CASE I States Attorney ‘Crowe Determined To Learn If Rumors Are True CASE MOVES SLOWLY Selection Os Jury To Try W. D. Shepherd Drags Slowly Today 9 Chicago, May 25.—(United Preus.i SI \ reneral investigation to detorm- ■ I hie whether they have been any es- ■ I forts to influence the jury in the SI Shepherd "germ murder" case was tSI slatted today by State's Attorney RobU| ert E. Crowe. st Crowe summoned all persons call■l cd for jury service. j ‘I ant going to qestion every venire- ■ man and "settle once and for all those JI rumors that jtersons interested in the KI defense have tiled to influence the ,1 jury," Crowe said. James C. Callan, S local politician, is held under bond g pending court action on charges that I lie approached a prospective juror in 5 behalf of the defense. fe Selection of a jury to * I). Shepherd on the charge that he •I killed his ward. Billy McClnitork. Bl dragged slowly today. The state has Si | tentatively accepted four more jurp I ors, who may be offered the defense I at the afternoon session. Font jurors II already have been accepted and sworn I in ' Philadelphia, May 25. — Search for Robert White, miss ng witness in the William D. Shepherd, murder trial in | Chicago, centered in Philadelphia torn day. J Postal authorities, co-operating with • police, took up the trial following puiilicat on by a Chicago newspaper I of a letter supposed io have, been ■written by White., indicating- he wmt in hiding here. The letter was mailed in Philadelphia. , -oLegion Committeeman To Speak Here This Evening Earl Merry, eighth district committeeman of the American Legion, will speak at the Legion hall in this city tonight at 7:30 o'clock, at the regular meeting of the Decatur American Legion. The local Commander has urged that all members be present. An interesting program will follow the business session. PYTHIANS STAGE PLAY THIS WEEK Final Rehearsal For Play, “Damon And Pythias,” This Evening The final dress rehearsal for the play, "Damon and Pythias,” to bo given in the high school auditorium Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, will be held in the auditorium this evening. The opening performance of the play will begin at 8 o’clock, Tuesday evening. The story of the' play is one of the best and oldest I

stories of true friendship ever dramatized.. it has not been presented here for many years. Following is the east for the play: Damon, a liberty-loving senator of ancient Syracuse, Freeh Hower. Pythias, his faithful friend, an army officer, W. Guy Brown. Dionysius. commanding general, chosen to be king, Roy Mamma. Philistius, president of the senate and leader of the revolutionary imperial movement, Ed Beery. Procles, captain of the guard and herald of the king, Elmer Chase. The headsman. Frank Peterson Damon's wife, Mrs. Freeh Hower Damon’s child, Martha Ellen Hower Senators, John E. Nelson. Ben Hoagland, John R. Parrish. Marion Hoagland. Millard fiaumgaftner., Jimes Bain, Lee Annen and Fred Stauffer. Guardsmen, Dallas Brown and George Myers. Music w-ill be furnished preceding the play by a Pythian quartet, composed of Dr. J. Q. Neptune Ed Beery, W. F. Beery and Cal Kunkle, and by Mrs. Neptune, who will sing several numbers.

becatur daily democrat

May Indict Teacher For Teaching Evolution Kayton. Tenn. May 25. The Rhea county grand Jury met In special Bosnian today to consider un indictment against John T. Scopes, Dayton high school teacher, who violated the slate law by teaching the theory of evolution in his class room. A dozen witnesses, including sindents taught by Scopes in his science Class, were ready to iell how the defendant went out of his way and purposely spoke on Darwin's theory so as to establish a test case against the states anti-evolution act.

, _ TO BE ORDAINED TO PRIESTHOOD J — Rev. Leonard E. Deininger, Decatur Young Man. To Be Ordained June 6 The Rev. Leonard E. Deininger. son of Mrs. Magdalena Deininger of this city, will be ordained to the holy priesthood on Saturday, June if. at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains, Cincinnati, Ohio, and will say his first mass at the St. .Mary's Catholic church t ' in this city, on Sunday. June 7. The services will consist of a solemn high mass and will be held at ten-thirty o'clock in the morning. Father Deininger will act as celebrant of the mass and solemn and impres- , sive services will mark the occassion. Following the mass, a diner will be given by Mrs. Deininger and family at the Knights of Columbus ball for Father Deininger. visiting priests and a number of guests. Members of the Decatur council, number 8114 of the Knights of Columbs, of which Father

Deininger is a member, are planning to march to the church anti attend the services in a body. Mrs. Deiningen daughters Maymi* and Adalaide Deininger, of this city. Mrs. Edward Kilbourne, of Ft Wayne and Richard Deininger, of South Bend. ■ w+W-the ordination ■ceremonies at Cincinnati. It is not known who will officiate at these services, hut it is thought that the Bishop of Covington. Ky.. will be in charge. Rev. Deininger after completing his eighth grade education at St. .Joseph Catholic school, in this city, entered St. Joseph’s college. Collegeville. lml„ completing a live year preparatory course at that institution. He then entered Mt. St. Marys Seminary. Norwood. Ohio, where he took up his theological studies. In all he has completed elevon years of higher education in college and seminary, in preparation for the holy priesthood. He is an excellent young man of manly qualities and his many friends join in congratulating him upon reaching his high and noble purpose in life. Rev. Deininger will be ordained in the fieculai order amt will not be assigned to a charge until after Monsignor John F. Noll, is ordai I Bi shop of the Catholic diocese of Fort Wayne, which will not be until .lune 30. — o — Information About Deimer Familv Wanted The Daily Democrat has an inquiry for the information concerning the Deimer family. The party who desires the information says there were two men by that name who lived here a few years ago. They were Frank, a baker, and Henry, a mattress maker. They had a sister and she had a son, Walter. Information is desired con cerning the whereabouts of the sister and her son and assurance is given that there is nothing embafressing about the matter, but that they will learn news which will surprise them wonderfully. If any °m' here knows about the family ami can furnish the information, it will be forwarded to the party making the inquiry.

Start Rum Blockade From Detroit To Port Huron

Mount Clemens, Mich., May 25 (United Press)—The first step in the announced plan of federal and stateahthorities to blockade the river front from Detroit to Port Huron against rum smuggling started today when the state cruiser Aladdin moved to the mouth of the Clinton river and cast anchor. Simultaneous with this action, four speed boats, using the cruiser as a base, took up patrol work along Lake St. Clair, two patrolling north to Port Huron and two patrolling south to Crosse Point, near Detroit.

TEMPERATURE TAKES SUDDEN DROP SUNDAY Crops Damaged By Frost And Freeze; Mercury Falls 53 Degrees DAMAGE FROM STORM Rain And Hail Precede Cold Wave; Snow Falls In Parts Os State — Tourists, who started away from home Saturday afternoon on weekend jaunts, dressed in their straws and palm beach suits, received the 'tirprise of their lives when they awakened Sunday morning. The sweltering sunshine and the balmy mid-summer a’tmospherci had disappeared amt a heavy coat of frost encompassed this part of the state. The frost appeared again last night. The thermometer dropped from 89 degrees Saturday to 36 degrees Sunday. Weather predictions are that the sun will warm the air considerably during the next few days, and last night's frost probably will be the last heavy frost of the year. The extent of damage is not known, but farmers in this vicinity fear that the fruit trees and some tender plants have been at least partly ruined by the frost. Rain, hail and thunder storms accompanied the passing of the warm spell and winds did severe damage in several parts of the state. Many brunches of trees were blown down in this city and the county suffered slight loss from the rain Saturday slight. The crops in Adams county were badly in need of rain, but it is feared that the cold weather that has followed has destroyed the benefit derived from the rains'. The -air was still full of frost at a late hour this morning, but the sun was throwing bright rays on the dampened ground and gave forecast of warmer weather before tonight. Garden plants were nipped to a considerable extent and it is probable that much replanting will have to be done. It can not yet be determined whether the frost was sufficient to

harm the corn, according to several farmers this morning,. The warm weather has made it very dry ami the rain that came Saturday night was much needed. It is thought by some farmers that the rain preceding the cold wave will save most of the corn. Snow Hurries for a few minutes in Fort Wayne and other parts of Allen conty early Sunday morning, and a like teat has been reported at other Indiana points. Yesterday's weather is said to be the coldest for this time of year, with the exception of 1902. when the thermometer regis(CONTINUED ON FACE FOUR) ! YOUNG MOTHER DIED SUNDAY Mrs. Russell Merriman Succumbs To An Attack Os Appendicitis Mrs. Nora Merriman, ago 24. wife of Russell Meriiman, 104 Oak street, died at the Adams County Memorial hospital at 7 o'clock Sunday morning, following an illness of appendicitis. Mrs. Merriman was taken ill a week ago last Friday and was removed to the hospital the following day. which time she ItniWrwent an operation. Mrs. Merriman was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fennel. of Monroe. She was born in Ohio, June 26. 1900. Three years ago, she was married to Mr. Meriman. She was a member of the Methodist church. Mrs. Merriman is survived by her husband: one daughter, Annis May age two years; her parents; and the following brothers and sisters: John, of Monroe; Heber, Doyal and Delmas, of Fort Wayne; and Vilas, and Marion, at Monroe. Funeral services will be held from the home at 1 o'clock and from the Salem Methodist church at 2 o’clock Tuesday afternoon, the Rev. F. A. Shipley, of pleasant Mills, officiating. Burial will be made in lhe Tricker cemetery.

Decatur, Indiana, Monday, May 25, 1925.

Young Bride Dying From Injuries Suffered Sunday Indianapolis, Ind., May 25. Mrs. Catherine Maier, 15-yeur oht bride, of five days, wart In a eying condition to 1 day at a hospital here front injuries received when ait auto driven by her husband. Otto Maier, 21. was struck by another machine yesterday, Mrs. Maier was hurled through the windshield, suffering concussion of the brain. | Abe Black, driver of the other auto, was arrested. Persons who saw the accident said ho was driving at a terrific speed. Mrs. Lena Vincent, 54, (tied after being hit by an auto driven by Mrs. Elizabeth Johnson on a downtown i street. Mrs. Johnson was charged I with involuntary manslaughter. 1 A dozen or more of persons were ■ slightly injured tn week-end traffic . accidents in Indianapolis. ( ' o MEMORIAE IS HELD SUNDAY Beautiful Services Held At Methodist Church Sunday Morning Very filing and beautiful memorial services were held at the Methodist church in this city yesterday morning for the living members of the G.A R. anti its auxiliary organization, the W.RiC. These organizations delivered their ritualistic memorial ceremony and the Reverend Somerville Light, pastor of the Methodist church delivered an impressive and interesting sermon, commemorating the Civil war and its dead ami living soldiers and their wives. Yesterday's program was the first of the memorial services arranged for this city by a committee of citizens headed by R. D. Myers. The remainder of the memorial will be held in Decatur on Decoration day. Saturday, May 39, at which time the graves of all the soldiers will he decorated for the occasion. A complete program for next Saturday will be published by the committee at a later date, it is said, because final arrangements have not yet been completed.. For many years Memorial day has been observed here wilh filing ceremonies and it is the desire of Mr. Myers and his com mittee to continue that plan in

(CONTINUED ON PACE FOUR) o— CONVENTION IS WELL ATTENDED Sunday Schools Os Wabash Township Hold Annual Convention Sunday Special to Daily Democrat i Geneva, May 25 —The evening session of the Wabash township Sunday I •* school convention was held at the Geneva M. E. church Sunday evening A good crowd attended. Mr. Ig*e Walters. of Decatur, gave a splendid talk on "Look Up and Hook Up”. The Geneva orchestra gave several selections The Berne Ladies quartette and also the Geneva Ladies quartette furnished very good music. Mrs. E. B. Canker entertained the crowd with a splendid reading. I Mr. Beerie, of Berne, county superintendent. gave a talk on the work of the Sunday schools and asked that Wabash township send a delegate to the state convention at Winona. 'Kenneth Shoemaker was nominated and elected to go. Mr. Fred Lindsay, township superintendent, was elected alternate. The afternoon session of the con vention was held at the Apple Grove church an dwas well attended. PLENTY WARM IN TEXAS New heat records for May were established yesterday in Austin, Tex., where It was 104 and San Antonio, Tex., where it was 101. Rain brought relief to Austin today. California’s weather lived up to chamber of commerce claims of perfection with moderate temperture ranging from 65 to 53. Weather Fair tonight and Tuesday. Slowl; rising temperature. Frost prohabl in lowlands tonight. r

CORONER FILES HIS REPORT ON JACKSONDEATH Insane Inmate Os Hospital Detailed To Bathe Man M ho Was Scalded RULES ARE VIOLATED Grand Jury Expected To Meet This Week To Probe‘The Affair Dr S. Edgar Bond, coroner of Wayne county, who has been invest! gating the death of Laudy A. Jackson, 36. Adams county man, which occured in the Eastern Hospital for the Insane, at Richmond, a week ago after Jackson was scalded in a bath tub. filed hiu official report Saturday The coroner charges that Jackson died as a result of the criminal carelessness of an attendent, Claude Williams, who is charged with having inflated fragrantly the rules of the hospital. The inquiry brought out the fact that Williams had even left another Inmate of the hospital to bathe Jackson, he Williams, went to another room, several feet away.

Cot oner Bond charges that Williams is guilty of involuntary manslaughter, and recommends that the Wayne county grand jury investigate the case. Williams, who was dismissed from the institution immediately after the incident, has disappeared, and is believed to have left Richmond. The coroner has lieen unable to locate him to secure his testimony. Report of the Coroner Coroner Bond's report, in part, follows: "1 was called to the Eastern Hospital so rthe Insane by the medical superintendent, Louis F. Ross, about 8 p. m. Monday, May 18. who raid he had at the hospital a case whulj should tome under the supervision of the coroner. After a preliminary investigation 1 orderde the body to a firm of undertakers, where f viewed the remains. I found a comparatively young man in good flesh, but of anaemic skin, whose body had been burned into a secondary degree over the entire body except his bands and face and a few spots over the body. ”1 then examined witnesses tit the hospital and found the ward on this (Sunday) evening was in charge of Frederick R. Sherman, night attendant. There were present also as atendants T. G. English. day attendant, and Claude Williams. The time was bedtime for these inmates and they wore being put there by the above thrqe when a bath was ordered for Laudy A. Jackson. He was detached from a line going to bed and at the same t me. another patient.. Charles Lud wig. was taken along by Attendant Williams to assist in bathing him.

(CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO) ; CHURCH OF COD OPENS SERVICES * Series Os Special Meetings Opens Sunday; Clennie Smitley Preaches A series of meetings started yesterday morning at the Church of God in this city. The religious gatherings will be held each night this week and a cordial invitation lias been extended to the public by the pastor, the Reverend E. A. Ball, who w.ll have charge of the meetings. Clennie Smitley. Penecostul evangelist of tills city, who has been attending college at Springfield. Mo., for the last two years, delivered yesterday's sermon His subject was the "Second Coming of Christ," The sermon was very inspiring and Mr. Smitley urged everybody to be prepared, because the date of Christ's coming is not to be known by anybody. Several other local people will assist the pastor in conducting the services this week and it is desired that a good crowd attend each night. The meetings will be of interest to everybody, whether a member of the j Church of God or not. A religious I topic will be d scussed each night.

Election Os Attendance Officer Postponed Today At :i meeting of the county board rd education, held this morning forth. purisise of electing a county attendance officer to succeed Frank S. Armantrout, who resigned recently, the board decided Io postjione the election until aft<r another examination for attendance officers Is held. E. S. christen, county superintendent of schools, will hold an examination in the m-iir future. The questions must come from the state board of education and the manuscripts must be returned to that body to be graded. SELECTING JDRY FOR LIQUOR TRIAL Trial Os Fred Kohler, Ad- * ams Co., Farmer, Opens In Circuit Court Up until the middle-of the afternoon today, a jury had not been secured for the trial of Fred Kohler. French township farmer, who faces a grand Jury indictment charging him with violating the prohibition law. The Indictment was returned by the grand jury December 12, 1923. Kohler was first arrested a few months before that time, following a raid on his farm by Sheriff Noah Frauh'ger. of Wells county, and Bluffton police officers. The officers claim to have found liquor on his farm. A charge of violating the prohibition law was filed against Kohler in the Bluffton city court, but that court held it had no jurisdiction in the case, since Kohler resided in Adams county. The case was then sent to the Adams circuit court and later the grand jury indicted Mr. Kohler. When the case was called for trial this morning, before Special Judge William N. Ballou, of Fort Wayne, the court over-ruled a motion by the defendant to quash the affidavit. The defendant then tiled a mot on to suppress certain evidence, but that niplion was overruled, also. The de fendant waived arraignment ami entered a plea of not guilty. At 2 o'clock this afternoon, only six of the regular panel of jurors remained in the jury box. Several other prospective jurors bad been examined and excused, also, and a recess was tailed while the sheriff rounded un more talesmen. Prosecuting Attorney John T Kelly is being ass’sted by "Henry It. Heller in prosecuting the ease, while Attorneys David E. Smith and R. C. Parrish, of Fort Wayne, are defending Mr. Kohler. , o Hawkins Reports For Removal To Indianapolis

Cincinnati, 0., May 25 —(United I Press)— Having failed to obtain re-, versal in United States supreme court. Morton S. Hawkins reported to United Slates district attorney's of- I fice here at 11 a. m. today for removal to Indanapolis in accordance with the ruling of United States circuit court of appeals. Hawkins, indicted president of the defunct Hawkins Mortgage company. ' was turned over to a United States marshal. He (ought removal from Ohio where he was captured after a long search. \ { i Hawkins arranged to give $20,0001 bond tomorrow for appearance at In- j dianupolis when his trial is called. 1 ; avoiding a trip to that city with the I, marshal who is waiting here for him. 1 — _—O — St. Louis .Judge Named To Succeed Sen. Spencer Jefferson City Mo., May 25 (United iTess) Judge George H. Williams, St. Louis, today was appointed United Slates senator from Missouri by Gov. Sam A. Baker to succeed the late Selden P. Spencer. Judge Williams is a native born Missourian and is 52 years of age. He served on the circuit bench in St. Louis county for years. He is amrried and has two sons. Pennsylvania Fireman Killed At Terre Haute Tore Haute, Ind.. May 25—Fred C Muench. 24. Pennsylvania railroad fireman, was instantly killed here when his head was crushed between ■ the cab post on his locomotive and a I freight car on an adjacent track. The accident occurred early Sunday, less > than two week-, after the death of » George, a brother, in the fatal wreck < of a Pennsylvania passenger train No.. c, west of Martinsville. 111.

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PUBLICATION OF INCOME TAX FIGURES LEGAL Supreme Court Holds Publication Os Figures In Newspapers Is Legal DECISION IS FINAL Indictments Against News- % paper Owners Quashed By The Court (I'nitod prism Survive*) Washington, May 25 (Special to Daily Democrat) Publication of income tax returns by newspapers was upheld as legal by the United Slates supreme court today. Newspapers can pnLlisli lists of names of taxpavers and the amount of lax paid the court held. The final doclsion wan rendered on the publicity clause of the 1924 revenue act which permitted publicity of the returns tint failed to specify whether or not they might lie published by periodicals. There was no dissent, the nine members all voting for the decision. In its decision the court quashed the indictment returned against the Baltimore Post, a Scripps-Howard newspaper, and Walter S. Dickey and Ralph Ellis owner and editor, re spectively, of the Kansas City Jour-nal-Post. The decision affirmed the verdict of the lower court Justice Sutherland read the decision. Tlie income tax law made a “list of the taxpayers and the amount of tax paid” open to “inspection," but an old clause forbidding the publication of any part of "income tax returns” was left in the statue. The internal revenue bureau issued orders that newspapers were not to be allowed to pu'lfll h the IWtrt and these two news- - papers and many others were indict ed at once under the revenue a. t — o — Portland Youths Held To Federal Grand Jury Indianapolis. May 2,5 William Eltzrdth. 18. and Ernest Clegenlieimer. 16 of Portlarid were held to the federal grand jury charged with passing connterlit money. The two youths waived preliminary arraignment. It is expel led their case will ge before the grand jury at an early date. Elzroth's bond was fixed at MRS. JOHN PORTER CALLED BY DEATH

Dies Os Apoplexy While Sleeping Saturday Evening; Funeral Today Mrs. Sarah Isabelle Porter, age 6S years, widow of the lute John Ross. Porter, died suddenly at her home on Mercer avenue. Saturday evening. Death was due to apoplexy and was sudden. Mrs. Porter, although having been in ill health for some time, apparently was improved Saturday and had spent part of the day out doors. Lato in the afternoon she said she was feeling tired and she laid down on a bed to rest. She fell asleep and later when her daughter, Mrs. Velma McGiil, and her niece. Ada Davis, went to awaken her they found her dead. Mrs. Porter was a daughter of William and Nancy Davis, and was horn in Guernsey county, Ohio. Juno 22, 1556. On February 17. 1577. she was married to Mr. Porter, who preceded her in death one year and seven months. To this union were born eight children, only three of whom are living. They arc Mrs. Valina McGill, of this city; Thurman Porter, of Parker. Indiana, and Chalmer O. porter, of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Porter were life-long communicants of the Methodist Episcopal church. In addition to the three children named above. Mis. Porter is survived by six grandchildren, one great grandchild, one brother and a host of other relatives and friends. ' Funeral services were held from the Methodist church lit this city at i 2 o'clock this afternoon, the Rev. Somerville Light, pastor, officiating. . Burial was made in the Decatur cemetery.