Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 23, Number 223, Decatur, Adams County, 21 September 1925 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Vol. XXIII. Number 223.

begin probe of interurban wreck

COL. MITCHELL IS RELIEVED OF OFFICIAL DUTIES Air Officer Os Eighth Army Corps Loses Job. At Least Temporarily UR probe_ STARTED Aircraft Inquiry Board Receives Ground Work For Investigation San Antonio, Tex., Sept. 21. <'ol. William Mitchell was today relieved M air officer of the eighth army corps. Announcement was made by Major General Ernest Hinds, commander. w ;thout comment. Presumption is the colonel will stand relieved of his office until air craft investigation is completed and his case disposed of. most likely- by court martial. The announcement merely stated that fol. William C. Mitchell would tan drelieved until fiif ther notice. Washington. Sept- 21. — Ground work for its investigation of the administration of the air service, the T. S. army and its policies was received by President oolidge's air craft inquiry board today from three ranking officials of the war department. Acting secretary of war, Davis, Major General J L. Hines, chief of staff, and Brig. Gen. Hugh Drum, assistant thief of staff, gave statements as tn general aircraft policies of the department. administrative objectives to a unified air service and difficulties of operation as experienced by other powers. General John Pershing was placed squarely on record as opposing a unitie dair service such as Coy. Mitchell advocates. Davis admitted to the committee that the equipment of the air service is inadequate and some of it in poor condition but ascribed the situation tn the economy program of the administration and said the only remedy was more money. Major General Mason Patrick, chief of the air service, this afternoon was to present the committee with a detailed summary of the air services condition. —— Q —■in,,,,- _ mil LIGHTS SHE VISIBLE HERE Decatur Residents Witness Aurora Borealis Sunday Evening The Aurora Borealis, commonly call--111 the Northern Lights, was visible ■ a »t night about 11 o'clock. The large l( kering light was fan shaped in the s k) and could be noticed for more ,han an hour. It completely illumin- ■ *ed the sky and bright rays would ap. Pear in the north and then die down "Uhin a few minutes r he base of the borealis was a black 'olor and looked like a dark cloud. rom tlle base shot out bright rays 01 light and frequently a yellow light would shoot upwards and • then die " ut Finally, clouds overcast the enl,e light and the sky became natural, he Northern Lights are noticeable specially | n the spring and fall, just “"the seasons change. Often they are dden by clouds and can not be seen. ( best sight of the Northern Lights ' n t is community appeared about * t years ago last spring. Last ts s Pectre was the first time the gnts were noticeable het -for sevcr al years. Tl ' ey are a common thing in the ~ J antl are Bald t 0 be caused by ricity of the earth. Tn some north'vcLli"" "' r ' eß they a PPear almoaU thl s k » , and are much brl *bter. in | owin . they are difflc u’t to see, g to the distance and also to the the i? nu^inesß °t the north patr of i ’sy at night.

Has Position On Faculty Os Valparaiso University Anna Winans Kenny, a former Decatur resident, has accepted a position in the educational department of Viilpnrniso Univroslty and will ?■ • a member of the university faculty dur ir.g the ensu’nr school yea-- M ss Kenny v ris graduated from the I nivorsitv of Chi mo September i ’V.I nartuso ’’niversiiv was ptirrluised bv the Lutheran church, recently, and is under the superivision of that body now. OFFER NEW PLAN FOR PROHIBITION V V Beer Brewers Offer To Aid Enforcement If Dry Law Is Liberalized (Ry Herbert Little, United Press Staff Correspondent) Washington, Sept. 21 —A now plan to enforce prohibition through liberalizing the Volstead act and a renewal of the controversy over the success or failure- of prohobition today stirred "wet." "dry” and church circles of the nation. Brewers of beer are advancing the liberaVsatlon idea, which is viewed askance by the anti-saToon league and has encountered much opposition among the brewers themselves. The plan, which will be discussed at a convention of the United States Brewers’ association in New York Tuesday, provides that the brewers in return for liberalization will throw their powerful influence squarely against the bootleggers and other He sal purveyors of “hard booze ” Wayne B. Wheeler, general counsel of the anti-saloon league who disclosed that the brewers had brought their plan to the league for discussion, said today that his organization has little hope that the brewers will he able to agree on a plan which includes law enforcement but that if they do, congress and the people ought to give the plan a thorough hearing. o Will Introduce Bill Aimed At Shipping Board Washington. Sept. 21. — (United Press.) — After a conference with President Coolidge. Senator Walter E. Edge, republican. New Jersey, announced today that lie would introduce a bill in the next congress, empowering the president to reorganize the administrative departments of the government. Abolition of the shipping board and absorption of its present function in the commerce department would he the chief purpose of ills bill. Edge declared. o Chapman Files Brief In Support Os Appeal Hartford, Conn.. Sept. 21. — (United Press) —Gerald Chapman, "prince of bandits," who now is under death sentence here, today filed through his attorneys, his brief in support of the rppeal from his conviction of having murdered a policeman at Nbw Britain, Conn. The brief cites 12 instances of alleged prejudicial errors in Chapman’s trial, practically all of which are technical. The allegations include claims that the state failed to connect its chain of evidence in accordance with promises made in court, that the state’s attorney was guilty of prejudicial conduct and that irrelevant testimony was permitted. The brief will probably he argued next month — o— More Earth Shocks Are Felt In Southern Indiana Evansville, Ind.. Sept. 21.—(United Press)—Residents of Southern Indiana and western Kentucky today were discussing their third earthquake scare In five months. Many were aroused Sunday when three distinct shocks, accompanied ,by a low’ rumbling noise, jarred this territory. The quakes occurred at 2 a. m., 3:10 and 5 a. m. Windows were shaken aud dishes rattled on shelves, but no material property damage was reported.

RELIEF FROM HEAT ARRIVES Summer Comes To An End As Rain Brings Lower Temperature Indianapolis. Ind.. Sept. 21. —(United Press)—Relief from the heat wave through Indiana arrived today following a rain last night and the weather bureau promised continued cool. An area of high pressure coming to Indiana from the northwest is expected to ho’d tiie temperature much lower than it has been during the past week. • ——— Chicago, Sept.-21. (United I‘ress) —Summer came to an end today with freezing temperatures in southern Canada and a wave of cold air rolling down over the central states Today's weather contrasted sharply with the equinoxial freaks of the week end. The snow storm that struck a section of Montana Saturday and the new seasonal heat marks recorded in midwestern states gave way to much lower temperatures throughout this forecast area. Topcoats were worn with comfort in Chicago, where the mercury dropped to fifty degrees shortly before dawn. Continue! cold, increasing cloudiness and showers were forecast for today in Indwiana. Illinois, lowa and Wisconsin. GIRL BANDIT HELD Red-Haired Girl Known As ‘‘Dangerous Gunwoman" Behind Bars In Chicago; Makes Confession. Chicago, Sept. 21. tUnited Pressg —The little girl with the flaming red hair and the hazel eyes who has been reported as a “dangerous gnnwoman" by so many taxi drivers recently, is safely behind the bars. In a confession obtained by detectives, the little girl said iter name was Mrs. Elizabeth Casselman, 16. and that she had been helping her husband aud two other men hold taxi cabs. "We were trying to raise enough money to go to California." she said. 'We always used a big butcher knife. When we pressed it against a taxi man’s back he always turned white and shelled out. Guess he thought we had a gun.’’ Mrs. Cassellman's husband and the two other men are said to have partially admitted participating in the holdups. o President Coolidge Almost Hit Bv Auto Washington. Sept. 21. — (United Press) — Even the president of the United States is not immune from the dangers of crossing streets in front of automobiles. Last night the president was enjoying his evening walk when, as he stepped Into a street intersection, an automobile bore down on him. John J. Fitzgerald of the secret ser. vice, grasped the president by the arm and shoved him to safety. Then Fitzgerald jumped on to the running board of the car and arrested the driver, Nathan D. Smith of Baltimore, for “cutting corners and failing to give way to pedestrians." Because this particular pedestrian whose safety he had endangered, was the president of the United States, bail was placed at $3,500. Mr. Coolidge’s experience duplicates that of Mrs Coolidge a month ago at Swampscott. Mass., when she was nearly run down by a motorcycle and was saved by a secret service man who thrust her from the path of the speeding machine. — o Child’s Foot Caught In Hole In Sidewalk Considerable excitement was caused Saturday evening when the two-year-old baby of Mrs. Bert Shady of Preble got a foot fastened in a water-hole, from which the cap had been kicked off. in front of the A. & P store on Spcond street. Dr. Rayl finally succeeded in freeing the child and it was found that, a bruised ankle and a bad fright were the only injuries.

Decatur, Indiana, Monday, September 21, 1925.

OPEN LETTER To the People of Decatur ami Adams County: We desire to express our heartfelt appreciation for the wonderful co-operation am l the many fuvors that we have received during our stay in your beautiful city while puttfog on the Northwestern Indiana Fair. Although the handicaps wore many, we tried our best to give you the kind of fair that would meet with your approval. We I hope to be with you again next year as plans are now under way for a bigger and better Fair in | 1926MR. AND MRS. E. B. WILLIAMSON. —— 0 FOUR MILES OF ROAD IS PAVED More Than Half Os Pavement On State Road 21 Is Completed Now Four miles of the pavement on state road No. 21, between Decatur and Fort Wayne, has been practically completed and the seven mile strip, extending north from this city to the Allen county Hue. will he completed within the next four weeks, providing the weather is favorable. Ray Harris, the contractor stated today. All of the stone and tar have been placed on the road for a distance of four miles, extending from the Allen county Hue toward thin city, and all that remains to he done to that portion of the road is the placing of a top coat, which will require only a short time. Mr. Harris stated today that he neded several more men to work on the road and push the improvement to completion. It is probable that (he road will he completed and open to traffic before cold weather. o- . OFFICERS NAMED BY DETECTIVES Don Teenle Elected President Os Adams County Detective Ass’n The annual election of officers of the Adams County Detective Association was held at the Old Adams County hank building last Saturday afternoon. Don Teeple, of this city, was elected president of the detectives. The other officers elected were: Ralph Rabbit, vice-president: J. D. Stulls, secretary: James Hurst, treasurer; and Harlo Mann, captain. C. S. Niblick, of Decatur, was elected delegate to the national convention of the Horsethief Detective Association. to he held at Frankfort. Indiana, October 6 and 7. James Hurst was selected as alternate delegates. o APPROVES SELECTION Superintendent Os Anti-Saloon League Thinks Appointment Os Harris >' Is Wise Step. Angola, Ind., Sept. 21.— (United Press) —Appointment of A. R. Harris as the Moses of Indiana dry’ forces was hailed today by E. S. Shumaker, superintendent of the Anti-Saloon league, as a wise step. Harris succeeds Bert Morgan as federal prohibition commissioner for Indiana. “Although 1 have no criticism of Mr. Morgan. I feel this is a well advised part of Mr. Yellowley’s plea for building a strong enforcement organization of picked men,” Shumaker Baid in a statement issued here. Morgan was summarily dismissed and Harris was appointed his successor by E. C. YeTlowley. group chief for Wisconsin. Illinois and Indiana. Weather i Increasing cloudiness with probably showers in south portion tonight and I Tuesday and in north portion TuesIday. Not much change In temperature-

HELPED FIGHT COSTLY FIRE Adolph Haul Gives His Version Os Disastrous Decatur Fire Os 1882 The foliowin glet'er was received recently, by the Daily Democrat from Adolph Hart, formerly of th's city, who now resides at Montpelier. Mr Hart was one of the volunteer firemen in Decatur during the year of IJS2, when the big fire occurred September 10 of that year. Mr. Hart, who threw the first bucket of water on the big blaze, says the following regarding the fire: "As to the big fire of Decatur on Sunday night, September 10, 1882, very few persons knew how it was. I put the first bucket full of water on the fire and as you probobalv know, we had only a bucket hrigad fo> the boys to fight the fire with. "As it was Sunday night about 8 o’clock, the people did not at first volunteer to help the few firemen that were there or we could have won out. I sent word to Char’es Spencer, who was helping me save goods and merchandise. that the row was doomed to go. "Now as to the fire, it started about ten feet back of the only brick building in the row. and that was a onestory structure with a flat roof Back of the brick building was a frame building, used for a bowling alley, where Holthouse and Schulte are at present. Some one threw a lamp out of the window of the Hanston building and it lit on the frame structure. ThuK the largest fire Decatur has ever had started.” Opinions as to how the fire started differ, but Mr. Hart claims that he was the first person at the blaze and it is probable that his version is correct. There were about fifteen volunteer firemen on the job that night, ac. cording to those who witnessed the blaze, and later about fifty or one hundred Decatur citizens aided in controlling the blaze. — —0 Mrs. John Borse, Os Fort Wayne, Dies Here Mrs. John Borse, of Fort Wayne, a former resident of Geneva, died at 5 o'clock this morning at the Adams County Memorial hospital after a short illness. Mrs. Borse was brought to the local hospital front Fort Wayne several days ago. The deceased was a daughter of George Miller who lives at Geneva. No funeral arrangements have been made, but it is thought the body will be taken to Fort Wayne for burial o Federal Grand Jury Opens Two-Week Session Indianapolis, Sept. 21. — (United Press.)—The federal grand jury met today to open a two weeks “clean up’’ session preparatory to opening the November term of federal court and the holding of court at Terre Haute. Evansville and New Albany. Approximately eighty cases will be presented to the grand jurors, according to District Attorney Albert Ward. They will be about evenly divided among postal, auto theft, white slave, prohibition and stealing from interstate shipments. o Mr. And Mrs. William Weiler Visiting Here Mr. and Mrs. William Weiler, of Handley, Texas, which Is a suburb of Fort Worth, are enjoying a visit with Mrs. Elizabeth Morrison and other relatives here. This is their first visit here since they moved from here forty-eight years ago. Mrs. Weiler is a daughter of the late Dr. (’hamper, prominent physician of Monroeville, and is a cousin of Mrs. Morrison, Mrs. Phillip Obenauer and Mrs. John Niblick. Mr. and Mrs- Weiler have been visiting in California and stopped here enroute home. X o Premium Awards A Hst of awards made to exhibitors at the Northern Indiana fair her elast week may be found on page 3, of this issue of the Daily Democrat.

Death Os High School Youth Puzzles Police Attica. Ind., Sept. 21—Authorities were still at loss today to explain the mysterious death of Ixivell Peterson, 19, whose body was found on a pile of rocks at the foot of a Wabash river pier of the G. A. k S. railroad bridge near here. The youth, who attended high school here, had sustained a severe scalp wound and one ear was torn away. o COUNTY W.C.T.U. MEETS THURSDAY All-day Program Arranged For County Convention In This City ■ ■■ • The Women’s Christian Temperance Union County Convention will be held at the United Brethren church Thursday. September 23. Pans have been made to entertain the convention all day at the church. A pot luck dinner will be served at 12 o’clock noon- The following program has been arranged: 10:00 a. m— Song Devotionals, Mrs. Jolin Hill Reports Election of officers Discussion of plans for the coming year. 12:00 m. —Pot Huck dinner 1:30 p. m. —Song Devotionals by Mrs. A. R. FlddderJohann Music, Berne Address “God’s World and Man’s Work.” Mrs. O. D. Garrett, of I.iberty Center. Reading, Geneva Voval Solo, Mrs; Clyde Butler All members and friends are invited to attend. —, — I MURDERERS EXECUTED Two Italian Soldiers Os Fortune Pay For Crime In Pennsylvania With Their Lives. Rellefont, Pa.. Sept. 21. —(United ?ress) —Tony Pezzi and Michael Bassi. convicted in the Cambria county court of the murder of John Garman in a holdup, were electrocuted at Rockview penitentiary today. Bassi was electrocuted at 7: OS a. m . and Pezzi at 7:17. Pezzi and Bassi, Italian soldiers of fortune, were members of a gang of seven which held up a train on the Cambria and Indiana railroad on Oct. 11. 1924. which resulted in the theft of a $33,000 payroll of the Ebensburg Coal company and th edeath of Garman, an express messenger. Six’ weeks later, four of the gang were arrested in Terre Haute. Ind., and $6,000 was found in possession oi Pezzi and Bassi. Taken to Cambria county. Bassi was convicted on Dec. 12. and Pezzi on Dec. 16 At the trial, evidence was brought out implicating the two men with the gang which held up a Laurel train at Moosic. Lackawana county, on July 30. 1925. In that holdup Edward Murphy of Lockhaven, a passenger was killed, and a $75,000 payroll of the West End coal company stolen. Two of that gang. Tony Bnrchanti and John Torti, were convictel and electrocuted j at Rockview on June 1. o Six Members Os Family Killed Bv Traction Car Dayton. 0.. Sept. 21. — (United Press)—A one-year-old baby Is the sole survivor of a family of seven. The father, mother and four children were killed when a traction car smashed an automobile in which they were riding in a rain storm near New Lebtnon, eight miles east of here. The dead; Noah Rutraugh, 36. Elizabeth, 34, his wife. Virginia, 12 Robert, 10. Paul, 9. Clinton, 6. Rutraugh, farmer living near the scene of the accident, was taking his family out for a Sunday and failed to notice the approaching .car.

Price 2 Cents.

TRACTION CAR IS OVERTURNED BY AUTOMOBILE One Man Killed; Several Persons Injured In Accident Near Ft. Wayne ANOTHER MAY DIE Mr. And Mrs. John F. Laehot, Former Decatur Residents, Are Injured (United Press Service! Fort Wayne. Sept. 21 An official investigation into the wreck at Waynedale, near here Sunday night, of the Hoosierland Flyer, fast interurban car. was begun today by company and county officials. Hurt Wilson, of Peru, was killed instantly and 37 others were injured, one possibly fatally, in the wreck. Wilson, driver of an automobile in wh’ch his wife rode, was killed when the interurban car struck the machine. demolishing it. Mrs. Wilson escaped serious injury. The interurban car. thrown from the tracks by the cci'llsiion, turned over throwing its 75 passengers into confused heaps, many receiving cuts and bruises. Only five, all of Fort Wayne, suffered broken limbs or serious injuries. The fact that the Interurban ear was of steel costruction prevented a heavy loss of life in the wreck, the officials said. High tension wires torn down when the car struck a pole after leaving the track menaced rescue workers. Mr. and Mrs. John F. Laehot. former residents of Decatur, were injures when the Hoosierland Limited interurban car travelling between Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, on which they were passengers, struck an automobile at a crossing in Waynesdale. four miles south of Fort Wayne, at 8:45 o'clock Sunday evening, was derailed and overturned. Mr. Laehot. who was treasurer of Adams county for four years, was reported to be seriously injured, suffering from a large laceration of the left shoulder Mrs Laehot suffered a laceration on (CONTINUED ON PAGE FIVE) a PLANS ARE MADE FOR COLT SHOW Interesting Program Prepared For Event At William Patterson Farm Plans for the colt show, to be held at the William Patterson farm in Blue Creek township on Tuesday of next week, indicate that an interesting day is in store for all those who attend. According to the program which has been worked out by Mr. Patterson and the county agent, the judging of colts will begin promptly at 1:00 o’clock. A we.’l qualified juudge has been secured to carry out this phase of the work. Mr. Patterson has a-range<) lor the awarding of cash premiums to the men showing the winning colts. Professor R. B. Cooley, of Purdue University, will give a lecture on the Judging of the horses, especially referring to colts. This part of the program will repay anyone who attends. Dr. Alspaw. a veterinary from Willshire, Ohio, lias been asked to speak on the subject of “Colt Diseases." Mr. P. T. Brown, wha has recently joined the Extension Deparment at Purdue to work with the horsemen of Indiana, will speak upon "The Future of the Draft Horse Industry.” Mr. I. D. Murphy, of the “Indiana Farmer’s Guide” has written that he will be present to represe it this loading farm magazine. The "Ladies’ Aid" of the Salem Church will furnis hrefreshroents on the grounds. The Pattereon home is located one-half mile north of Salem. Mr. Patterson extends an invitation to every one interested