Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 23, Number 157, Decatur, Adams County, 3 July 1925 — Page 1

Vol. XXIII. Number 157.

TWO CHILDREN BURN TO DEATH

THREE MORE QUAKES HIT SANTA BARBARA

FRESH SCARE IS THROWN INTO CITY BY NEW TREMORS Twelve Workmen Injured By Loose Debris Shaken From Buildings REBUILDING GOES ON Today’s Quakes Nearly As Y Severe As Those Os Last Tuesday (United Pfpbs Service) Santa Barbara, July 3.—Three distinct earth tremors threw a fresh quake scare into Santa Barbara residents today. Twelve workmen suffered minor injuries when loose debris was shaken from wrecked buildings and minor damage was done to some homes. The first of tremors occurred at 8:30 a. m. It was brief, but swayed buildings and sent hundreds to the street. The next was at 10:30 and then at 10:36. The quakes caused no further damage. State street, a row of wreckage for fourteen blocks, is closed to pedestrians. Marines picketed the deadlines. Workmen refused to leave their posts, and continued the work of tearing down buildings and clearing debris covered streets The quakes were nearly as severe as those which shook Santa Barbara Tuesday. Residents, however, appeared less frightened. Business in tents and temporary wooden structures was resumed. American Destroyer Is Sent To Yeoung Kong London, July 3 —The Hong Kong correspondent of the Times erports that an American destroyer has been sent to Yeung Kong, in Kwang Tung province, following the non-return of a launch dispatched to bring American missionaries to Hong Kong. The message said that anxiety for the safety of the missionaries caused the sending of the launch. STRIKE THREAT CAUSES CONCERN Government Observers Watching Coal Miners’ Actions Closely By Paul It. Mallon, (U. P. Staff Correspondent 1 Washington, July 3. -Threat of a general strike of the nation’s half million coal miners which would completely tie up next winter's fuel supply, has aroused government observers here, who are watching with anxiety a situation daily growing in gravity. An issue has been drawn between operators and miners which is threatening the life of the union organization and both sides are prepared to fight it out. - For weeks the trouble has been brewing quietly. II had its origin in the northern West Virginia fields where the union has virtually been driven out of the state, as revealed by the United Press in a recent series of articles describing conditions there. Production of union coal represents only about ten per cent of the total production of the region where five years ago the fields were nearly 90 per cent unionized. Weather Showers and thunderstorms probable tonight, ooler in west portion. Saturday fair and cooler.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

MAY TRY SCOPES IN CHATTANOOGA Proposed Move Os Defense Would Take Case Away From Dayton (UNITED PRESS SERVICE) Chicago, July 3—Attorneys for John T. Scopes in his trial for alleged violation of the Tennessee antievolution law, will file a bill for an injunction which would place the case in a federal court at Nashville or Chattanooga instead of the district court at Dayton, Tenn., Clarence Darrow, one of Scope's lawyers, announced here today. Darrow revealed the drastic change in the trial plans in an interview immediately after his arrival here from a , conference in New York City with John R. Neal. Dudley Field Malone | and Bainbridge Colby. , The attorneys definitely decided to file the petition for the injunction, Darrow declared, and this action probably will be taken next Monday or Tuesday. “We have two major reasons for this decision,” parrow said. “We want to stop the 'ballyhoo' now un- ■ fortunately surrounding this trial. It is a serious trial, but the public, driven on by sensational reports, con- ‘ eiders it partly as melodrama, partly as light comedy? “By changing the trial to federal jurisdiction all this would be chang ed. “There would be no witnesses, no vast rowds. Attorneys would simply argue the case on its legal merits be* for a dignified judge. “The second reason for our decision is the conviction that this case is of such a nation wide importance that it belongs in a federal court. A decision by a federal court would have far more importance on a najtional precedent than a decision by ’ a state court. Considering the facts ' that three states already have anti- ’ evolution laws, that other states are considering passing them and that , anti-scientific measures of similar , nature may crop up at. any time, the I importance of establishing a national precedent cannot be exaggerated." — o AT ROTARY MEETING Herman Yager Gave Report On International Convention Last Night; Scouts Gave Program. Herman Yager, secretary of the Decatur Rotary club, gave an interesting paper on the high lights of the sixteenth annual convention of Rotary International, to the Rotarians at their weekly meeting last evening. Mr. Yager attended the convention, being the alternate from the local club. His report was interesting and he gave a splendid account. A patriotic program, in keeping with the Fourth of July spirit, was given by Bryce Thomas, scoutmaster, Harry Dailey and James Burk. Mr. Thomas gave a short talk and Harry Dailey recited the Ten Commandments of the Scouts, while Jimmy Burk told when and how Francis Scott Key, wrote the “Star Spangled Banner.” Forger Says He Didn’t Know He Violated Law (United Press Service) Columbus, Ind., July 3—When Earl Rittinger, 34, a farm hand, pleaded guilty 1 ncircuit court here to forgery he said he did not know his act was against the law. He admitted signing his middle name and the maiden name of his mother to checks and pasing them on merchants to buy supplies for his wife and seven children. The court gave him a suspended prison sentence to five years.

HAWKINS, FOUND GUILTY,PLANS TO APPEAL CASE Mortgage Firm Head Convicted Os Fraudulent Use Os Mails SENTENCE ON MONDAY .Jury Deliberates Less Than 10 Minutes; Maximum Penalty Is Heavy (United Press Service) Indianapolis. July 3 -Attorneys for Morton Hawkins, former president of the Hawkins Mortgage company ol Portland, Ind., today prepared to carry their fight for Hawkin's freedom to the United States circuit court of appeals. Judge Baltzell wil sentence Hawkins at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon for fraudulent use of the mails. Jacob Henny, chief defense attorney, an nounced a motion for a new trial, writs of error and supersedeas would be filed. Hawkins was found guilty of independent counts late yesterday by a jury in federal court after less than ten minutes deliberation The maximum cumulative sentence for all the counts owuld be seventyseven years imprisonment and a fine of slo,oou. if he is sentenced on more than one count and tre sentences run concurrently he would serve not more than five years. Operation of the Hawkins Mortgage company and its one hundred subsid iary loan societies in adozen states (CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO) TWO MURDERERS OIE IN "CHAIR" Negroes Pay For Crime With Lives In Dallas, Texas, Today Huntsville, Tex., July 3. — (United Press.) — Frank and Lorenzo Noel, Dallas “black terrors,” paid with their lives in the electric chair here today for the confessed murders of two men and assaults upon their women companions several weeks ago. Shortly before the march to the chair both negroes mqtje confessions to Dallas county officers and state rangers. Frank Noel in a signed statement admitted the slaying of W. L. Millstead, Washington, D. C., and attack upon his companion. Mrs. Mabel Berry, on the outskirts of Dallas. Both negroes confessed complicity in the slaying of Ryan Adkins and assault upon Mrs. Mary Steer.

Elephant Rock and Gene Stratton-Porter An Editorial Contributed By A Reader

It |is heartening to know that the movement started in this county to bring in to the County Seat of Adams County, what is known as “Elephant Rock” and place that great boulder on the Court House yard with a suitable plate thereon and dedicated to the memory of the works of Gene Stratton-Porter, is meeting with such universal response. f Such action upon the part of our people honors our people and in executing such a proposition betokens an appreciation of noble work nobly done and an ability upon their own part of sensing the finer aud more glorious phases of life. None, of course, will deny that Mrs. Porter was a national leader in presenting the glories and beauties of nature to all the folk of the world. That in her leadership she brought to the thought of the little child as well as all the elder people those marvelous ‘‘close ups” of nature’s so-called mysteries that drew aside the obscur-

Decatur, Indiana, Friday, July 3, 1925.

Chicago Negro Convicted For Deatli Os Watchman Chicago, July 3. —(United Press. Campbell McCarthy. 19, negro, today faced death on the gallows for the murder of a negro night watchman two months ago. The jury deliberated only twenty minutes, reaching its decision on the third ballot. McCarthy, paroled convict, appeared nonchalant when the verdict was read. He is the same age as Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, who were spared from the gallow by Judge John R. Caverly because of their y out It. ARRANGES FOR AN EDUCATIONAL DAY Sunday School Inundation For The Blind Plans Canvas Here Claron L. Shafer, senator of the thirty-second district of Ohio, and assistant field secretary of the Sunday School foundation for the blind, a wonderful man to meet and one who has advanced successfully, notwithstanding the fact that he is totally blind, was here yesterday arranging details for an educational day in this city. The foundation is an organization for the purpose of raising a fund which will be placed at interest and the revenue thus derived used to defray the cost of sending free to every Blind person in America the Internal ional Sunday school lessons and other religious data, printed in revised Braille or raised type. It is a very creditable movement, as there are tn Indiana alone 3,500 bright and worthy people who are totally blind. The movement has the endorsement of many officials of the government and of Indiana and of all those engaged in religious work. Mr. Shafer has arranged for speakers to come to Decatur on Sunday, July 12, at which time talks before the various Sunday schools will explain the proposition and a canvass will be made on Monday. July 13. Miss Grace Maxwell, of Anderson, Indiana, field representative of the Sunday school foundation for the (CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO) o FARMER IS INJURED Phillip Scheiferstine, Os Root Township, Badly Hurt In Accident While Making Hay. Phillip Scheiferstine, of Root township, was badly injured yesterday afternoon when he fell from a load of hay in the barn and alighted on a cement floor. He was unloading hay when the rope broke and he fell headlong. Throwing himself to protect his head and neck, lie landed on his shoulder. His right arm was broken at the wrist and he received a num her of severe bruises.

ing veil and revealed God-given beauty in all its purity. She therefore, is worthy of honor. She would nut care for honor of herself but rather that her works should have that honor. Such is the thought that Adams county has in mind. And why not Adams county? Are we as a county presuming when we wish to be first in such a memorial? Who or where has better right, might be asked, than Adams county to assume to lead in memory of this woman’s works? On April 21st, 18S6, Gene Stratton came to Decatur, the county seat of Adams county, Indiana, the bride of Charles Dorwin Porter. Mrs. Porter was then 23 years of age and for 25 years she was a loving wife and mother and an inspiration in Adams county. In 1887 at the old Porter homestead within a stone’s throw of the Court House, her only child was born. A year later the little family moved to Geneva upon the banks of the Limberlost, 16 miles from the county seat and still

STEPHENSON WINS DELAY IN HIS TRIAL Gentry Scheduled To Go On Trial Monday; Other Two Later ALL SEPARATE TRIALS Defense Attorneys Lose Fight To Have Klenck Tried First (UNITED PRESS SERVICE) Noblesville, Ind July 3—Earl Gentry will go o»t trial Monday tn Ham ilton county court charged with the murder of Miss Madge Oberholtzer, Judge Hines ruled today. D. O Stephenson, former Indiana klan grand dragon, and Earl Klenckalso charged with murder for the death of Miss Oberholtzer, will be given separate trials later. Judge Hines overruled a motion by defense attorneys that, Klenck be granted a separate trial starting Monday. Defense attorneys then filed a motion asking for a separate trial for Stephenson and the motion was granted. Judge Hines then ruled that as the joint trial of the three defendants had been scheduled to start Monday, it was up to the court to say which of the three separate trials should be called then anti ordered Gentry's trial for Monday. Definite decision that Gentry will he the first of the defendants to face a jury followed nearly a week of legal jockeying by attorneys in the case. ANOTHER QUAKE VICTIM FOUND Body Removed From Wreckage Os Building In Santa Barbara By Lincoln Quarberg, United Press Staff Correspondent. Santa Barbara, Cal., July 3—The ruins of Santa Barbara gave up the body of another quake victim today In the wreckage of a rooming house (he body of Charles Knudson was found, bringing the toll of death in the recent earthquake to 14. Aside from one more slight shock at 10:03 a,m. Thursday Santa Barbarans have enjoyed respite from the tremors since the last severe one early Tuesday and all efforts are bent upon reconstruction. The walls of condemned buildings were to be dynamited and pulled' down today. The green uniformed marines still were in charge of policing the stricken area.

in Adams county. At this place for more than two decades they lived and moved and had their being. Here in Adams county, youth and middle life was spent and the daughter grew to womanhood. Here in Adams county came to this wonderful woman the call of an inspiration that has blessed a world. Here in Adaihs county, under difficulties that would have hopelessly discouraged one less endowed, she unfolded beauties that have enriched and 'influenced millions upon millions of the plastic minds of the little children of America. During all these years of toil and effort answering that urge that spurred her on in her God-given mission, no neglect of home duties was evidenced, no mother responsibility was ignored, no wifely symapthy and encouragement was disregarded. Adams county does not presume when she rises up and calls this child of genius her own. (CONTINUED ON PAGE FOUR)

TRAGEDY OCCURS THIS MORNING NEAR BERNE DOROTHY AND HAROLD BEITLER, C HILDREN OF MR. AND MRS. FRED BEITLER FATALLY BURNED WHILE AT PLAY IN HOG HOUSE ON FARM—MOTHER UNABLE TO SAVE CHILDREN WHEN SHE FOUND BUILDING ENVELOPED IN FLAMES—BODIES BURNED BEYOND RECOGNITION. (Special to Daily Democrat) Bern?, Indiana. July 3—Dorothy Beitler, age 5, and her brother, Harold, age 4, children of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Beitler, residing about two miles southwest of Berne, were burned to death near their home at about eleven o’clock this morning. The two children had been playing in the yard near the barn of ihe Beitler farm all morning and had made a plaj house in an old discarded hog house about one hundred feet from the house.

RETURNS FROM SOUTHERN TRIP Dr. Luther M. Boyers Visits Here On Return From Research Work Dr. Luther M. Boyers, son of Dr. [ and Mrs. J. S. Boyers of this city, ' stopped off here yesterday for a i twenty-four visit with his parents and friends on his way to his home in i Berkley, California, after a several weeks trip through Cuba, Panama and South America on an intensive study of tropical diseases. Dr. Boyers, with two California scientists, left the United States on a research trip May 16. The three have been engaged in the study of , tropical diseases for seven years and [in order that they could make a I further investigation of this subject they were sent on the trip just corni pieted by the University of California j and the United Fruits company. ! The United Fruits company and the | University of California very kindly did all in their power to make the trip pleasant and profitable. The close co-operation of the hospitals, notably at Havanah, Colon. Cristabel, Santa Marta and Colombia, South America, was enjoyed by the three | men. Free access to all the hospitals was given the United States party. During their stay in the tropics j they examined more than 600 patients i and held several autopsies of individ- | uals who were infected with tropical diseases. Several cities on the At-j lantic seaboard, also, through their l medical men, have kindly and readily 1 been giving aid in these investigations. The three men returned to the United States by boat to New York City, and they continued their investigation in the east. The weather during most of the trip was intensely hot. Dr. Boyers and all members of the party lost considerable weight. The men enjoyed the trip and, through the close co-oper-ation of hospitals and physicians in I the tropics, they were accorded the best of accomodations. o— FINISHES INTERNESHIP. Dr. Roy E. Goldner Visiting With Parents At Preble Before Taking New Position. Dr. Roy E. Goldner, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Goldner, of Preble, arrived home yesterday from Detroit, Michigan, for a two week’s vacation. He and his parents will spend the Fourth and next week at Crooked Lake. Dr. Goldner has just completed his internesbip at Harbor hospital, Detroit, and has accepted a position as resident physician at the Sparrow hospital, Lansing. Michigan. He will assume the duties of his new position on July 15. Dr. Goldner is a graduate of the Indiana University school of medicine.

Price 2 Cents.

I'hey had taken straw from a nearby pile and had lined the inside of the playhouse, then they crawled inside and built a door out of straw. One of the children set lire to the straw, it is thought, and the little playhouse becaine a mass of flames. The father, who is employed by a Berne Stone company, was not at home when the tragedy occurred and the mother was busy in the kitchen. Mother Heard Screams The screams of the burning children caused the mother to run out of the house amt the playhouse was entirely in flames. She was unab’.e to gef near the huil.ttftg and rtf» down the road to the home of John Hendricks. Mr. Hemtricks hurried back and helped in quenching the b.aze before it had damaged the straw stack or the barn. The straw stack had already begun to burn but the blaze wqs soon extinguished. The playhouse was totally burned and the charred bodies of the children were taken from the debris, lifeless find almost burned to a crisp. Jr is not known how the children obtained the matches, because Mrs Heit.er .aid that she never placed any matches where the little tots - could reach them. It is thought that one of the children either found a match in the yard or that some one had slept in the hog house one night and had possibly left some matches there It is not known whether the children set fire to (CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO) — ——

EXCURSION RATES FOR DECATUR FAIR Traction Line Offers Special Fares For Entire Week Os Fair The Fort Wayne-Decatur interurban line will offer excursion rates during the entire week of the Northern Indiana Fair, to be held here September 15 18, inclnsvie, according to word received today from E. B. William son. of Goshen, secretary and manager of the local fair. The fair will be advertised strongly in Fort Wayne and many residents of that city are expected to visit the local exposition and race meet during the week. The Indiana Service Corporation, which operates the Fort Wayne Decatur line has volunteered to co-operate with Mr. Willlamosn in making the fair a big success. One of the methods of advertising to be used by Mr. Williamson in advertising the Decatur fair, is an exact duplicate of the old liberty bell now in keeping at Philadelphia,, which is mounted on a truck. The bell is also advertising the Sequi-Cen-tennial exposition, to be held in Philadelphia on June 1, 1926, celebrating the 150th anniversary of Independence The liberty bell replica will be exhibited at the local fair, also. The bell created a big sensation at Kendalville, recently, when it was exhibited at th Elks circus.