Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 23, Number 268, Decatur, Adams County, 12 November 1925 — Page 1

Vol. XXIII. Number 268.

“MERCY MURDERER” FREED BY COURT

SENSATIONAL STORY TOLD BY MRS. LANSDOWNE Widow Os Shenandoah Commander Is Star Witness For Col. Mitchell SAYS COLLUSION WAS ATTEMPTED (I*. P. Staff Correspondent) Washington, Nov. 12 A sensational storv of attempted collusion in the navv's investigation of the wreck of the Shenandoah disaster was told io the military court martial hoard today by Mrs. Margaret Lansdowne, prettv widow of •he navy commander, who lost his life in the airship wreck. Leaning on an elbow of the witness chair, she appeared before th° court of army generals trying Colonel Billy Mitchell and charged: 1. That she had received a communication alleged to be from Captain Paul Foley, judge advocate of tite navy court investigating the Shenanodahi which suggested what she should say to the court. 3 That this statement would have the effect of retracting her early criticism of the navy department and making a false statement. 3. That fihis was delivered to her by Mrs. Geore W Steele, wife of the commander of the Lakehurst naval air station, who told her Foley had written it. 4. That it bore no signature or mark of identification and that she tore it up soon after she received it That Foley came to see her before she testified at the navy inquiry and attempted to get her to rehearse her testimony. 6. That she declined to enter into any agreement regarding her testimony and informed Foley she would testify as to matters the navy court had been avoiding, x" Dressed in mourning, she told her story in a straightforward manner, unawed by the board of generals who had made high officers of the army and navy quaver in their boots. o — Sixteen Anderson Men Indicted For Being Lazy Fathers Anderson. Ind., Nov. 12. — (United Press.)—Sixteen Anderson men todayface grand jury indictments charging them with being “lazy fathers." The indictments charge the men failed to maintain their children who! are now wards of Madison county. o Rainfall For Year Is Behind Average Bluffton. Nov. 12—A check-up made nt the local branch of the Federal, Weather Bureau at 10 o'clock this morning, showed that the total rain fall for this year, so far, is 288 inches. The average for this period is 40 inches The greatest Jack of rainfall this year w-as during the months of May and January. The rainfall oi the last two weeks is making up for the summer drought. TRAINS CRASH IN DENSE FOG Three Known Dead In Wreck This Morning At New Brunswick. N. .1. New Brunswick. N. J.. Nov. 12. — (United Press.)—Two Pennsylvania railroad passenger trains —one from Pittsburgh and St. Louis, and the other from Washington. D. C —plowing their way under reduced speed through a heavy fog today, collided two miles from Monmouth Junction. N. J. Four hours after-the collision three were known to be dead, seven others were still imprisoned in the wreckage whll e rescue crews worked fur-1 iously with acetylene torches to cut through the steel coaches and release them. Seven were known to be in hospitals more or less seriously injur-, ed, and this list is expected to swell to twenty when all are accounted for.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Citizens Annoyed By Switching Os Freight Cars On Main Streets Warsaw. Ind., Nov. 12. (United Press) Citizens of this county are ' bringing pressure to bear on the Warsaw e.ty council to force the Interstate Public Service Company to discourse its practice of switching freight and I cattle trains on tlje main streets here. It is suit! that the switching of trains keeps the citizens awake at night. The cty councils in Goshen and Elkhart where tite Interstate operates I have taken similar ac tion. NUMBER OF AUTO , OWNERS CROWING ;l . ■ Nearly 300 More Passenger I Cars In Adams County This Year Than Last ■ An increase of nearly 3()0 was made in the number of passenger automobiles in the local bureau of the state automobile license agency showed to f day. Continuing the same gain. Ad'lams county will have more than 4.mm 1 automobiles and trucks in 1926. DTing 1925. a total of 3.423 license plates were issued for passenger cars. 424 tor trucks and 113 chatteffeur licenses. L. A Graham, director of the local bureau, which is located in the 1 Graham and Walters office, predicted ' that next year the 4.0h0 mark would I be passed and that, if the number of passenger cars were increased correspondingly with this year, the total would be more than 3.700. The government census of 1920 showed the total number of families ( in the county at 3,736 ami if the above figure is reached there wifi l»e one automobile to almost every family in the county. The new number plates for 1926 will lie issued after December 15. The plates run in numbers from 243.001 to 246.001. The plates have a green back- , ground with white letters and figures. Negro “Pales” When Judge Sets Trial For Friday, November 13 Evansville, Ind.. Nov. 12 — (United Press) —McKinley Williams. 27. negro, paled visibly in court here when his trial was set for Friday. November 13. Williams protested against the jinx day but the judge refused to change the date of the trial. ACCIDENT VICTIM MAY LOSE SIGHT Travelling Salesman InjurI ed In Bus Collision Is In Serious Condition Iber A. Milker, traveling salesman, who was injured in the collision of an A. B. fl. bus and a large touring car on state toad No. 21. between this city and Portland last Friday, may lose the sight in both eyes, according to word received from a Chicago hospital, where Mr. Miller is a patient. His condition is reported as serious. • Mr. Miller suffered a broken nose and his left eye was injured. letter it was found necessary to remove h's left eye and now physicians fear that the sight in his right eye will be lost. Harry Flynn, of Fort Wayne, who was driving the bus. and who suffered a broken knee cap, has been removed from the Portland hospital to the Lutheran hospital at Fort Wayne. He will be confined to the hospital for several weeks, it is said. .1. M. T. Wright. Portland nurseryman, who was painfully injured in the accident, is in the hospital at Portland and his condition is reported as satisfactory Physicians say he has a good chance to recover. He was driving the tour- ' ing car. The wrecked bus was pullI ed to Fort Wayne yesterday and it will be torn apart and the pieces used to repair other busses. The bus was damaged beyond repair, the engine being broken and the body badly shattered. The bus and ear collided head-on.

"MERCY MURDER" ADDED Man Confesses He Shot Fellow Employe Who Said He Wanted To Die Bulletin Washington, Nov. 12. (United i Press)—Another “mercy murder'' was i added today to the swelling number in the wake of the Blazer case in Colorado. Joseph A. Packard. 25, confessed to police that he had shot Joseph F. Stein, a fellow employe at a hospital here, to accomodate him because I, Stein wanted to die. having “wrecl ed his life." I ickard said Stein had wanted to ’ die for some months because of despondency but lacked courage to kill himself, and finally asked Pickard to shoot him as a favor. , Stein was shot through the heart and died instantly. Sandusky. O„ Nov. 12. — (United Press.) —Mrs. Mai'y Keller, who con- . fessed she slew her seven-year-old , daughter. Mary, to “protect her from a life of poverty." pleaded guilty to a charge of first degree murder when arraigned here today. The middleaged mother who was determined “Mary would be permanently fortified against the sufferings I have gone through." was returned to the Erie county jail to await trial. A special grarnl jury will be empaneled and the trial held at an early ’ date, authorities said. I o : RED CROSS FIELD WORKER IS COMING i'Onenimr Os Annual Roll; • Call Here Is Held Up Pending Her Arrival Miss Williamson arrived in the city this afternoon and a meeting will be held this evening with , members of the Civic Section of ’ the Woman's club and officers of the local Red Cross chapter. Plans for the annual Red Cross Roll call will be completed as soon as Miss Dorothy Williamson, field worker, of Davton. Ohio, arives in the city and I meets with the Civic Section of the Woman's Club, which will have charge of the campaign in this city. Miss Anna Winnes, secretary of the local ‘ chapter, stated today that she expected Miss Williamson today or Friday and that the meeting with Mrs. B. F. Farr, chairman of the Civic Section, and her committee would lie held immediately. , Attractive window placards and posters have been p'aced in the store windows by the women of the Civic Section and plans are being made for an active and effective campaign in this city. It is hoped that every fam1 ily in the city will enroll in the local chapter this year. i Membership in the Red Cross can • be renewed for $1 a year and new members can enroll at the same pric. I . : O J. IL Heller Made Director Os Old Adams County Bank At a continued session of file board of directors of the Old Adams'County ' i bank, held last evening. John H. Heller [was elected a member of the board to •f ll tlie vacancy caused by the death ' of tlie late Charles S. Niblick, presi--1 dent of the institution. The election 1 of a president was postponed until next Monday evening, so that the entire I membership of the board could act. 1 The other members of the board are’ ’ I G. T. Burk. L. C. Waring. Judge W. .1. I Vesey. C. J. Voglewede, Samitel Hite. ' John W. Tyndall. John Niblick and C. N. Christen. ■ j oErie Railroad Engineer Meets Death in Chicago ) Chicago. Nov. 12. — (United Press.) i —Marion Wilbur, 60. Erie railroad en- • gineer of Huntington, Ind., was kill- • ed here last night by a taxicab. The I cab skidded and struck Wilbur, causing almost instant death.

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday, November 12, 1925.

Fight Blue Laws % Be ' r ~ .. Wk si X-\ s r w cl WB &1 JI ' ***" ' sSk ' ■ ’ —l MRi? XARIGK URBAWSYI |MrsyAgNTES C. JcftJEg Mrs. Marion Urbanski and Miss Agnes C. Jones, elected to , the New Jersey Assembly, are anti-Prohibitionists. They want the State Blue Laws abolished. It is their belief that prohibition exists only for the poor man. r. o - REACH ON ITALIAN DEBT Plan For Funding War Debt , To U. S. Is Satisfactory To Both Nations i <C. P. Staff '•orreH’ioil'tent) I Washington. Nov. 12—Agreement. for funding tlje Italian debt to the United States was reported between | the Italian and American debt com- j missions today. Announcement was made by the , treasury department by Under Sec-|, rotary Winston, secretary of the American commission. |. A formal statement of the terms of , the settlement will be issued by the commission at 4 p in. -o — Notorious Gangsters Get Sentences Os 14 Years Chicago, Nov. 12.—(Unitd Press) — Albert Ansolmi and John Sea'.isi. notorious gangsters, who killtd two policemen in a revolver bailie several weeks ago. early today were found guilty and sentenced to 14 years in prison Tli jury brought in its verdict at 3:30 a. m„ after nearly ten hours of argument The state had demanded death, arguing it was a plain case of murder. The defense claimed the men had a right Io resist arrest. Fallen Electric Wire Causes A Small Blaze An electric wire fell from Its hold on a cross arm attached to the i Mntsehler Packing company building , in the south part of the city, at about . 10 o'clock this morning, and caused the ( toss arm to catch fire. Ao alarm was seut tn and the local fire department answered the call. The blaze, was extinguished and the electric wire repaired. Weather Indiana: Rain and snow and somewhat colder tonight. Friday fait.

ARGUMENTS ARE PRESENTEDTODAY Stephenson Murder Trial Expected To Go To Jury Early Saturday Noblesville. Ind.. Nov. 15. —(United Press)—Mis Malge Oberholtzer's dying statement still stands untarnished despite repeated efforts to destroy it. Prosecutor Remy told the jury today in the murder trial of D. ('. Stephen son. Earl Klenck and Earl Gentry so her death. ' Remy began the closing argument ) for the state atter the defense had completed Its sur-rebuttal testimony. ; The defense evidence. Remy de-1 dared, failed to undermine Miss Ober-1 holtzer’s dying statement at a single I vital point. The dying statement is the foundation of the state's case. It told of her alleged abduction and assault by Stephenson and his two aides. Remy was followed by Ira Holmes, one of the defense staff, who took up arguments for the trio of accused. With each side allowed eight hours for closing arguments, the case is expected to go to the jury early Saturday. The courtroom was crowded hy hundreds of persons as Remy opened the state's closing argument. “I don't know of any case in the history of Indiana where the defense has had a fairer trial than in this case." (tovrivi ia> ox rua-: tmo> o NO JURY SECURED FORWOLFE'STRIAL Special Venire Os Talesmen From Adjoining Counties May Be Called Muncie, Ind. Nov. 12. — (United Press) With 226 talesmen examined and with 11 jurors tentatively selected. Judge Clarence Dearth in circuit court here today announced that in all probability another special venire would lie called from adjoining counties in the trial of Charles “One Arm" Wolfe. Wolfe is on trial in the local court on a charge of murdering Ben and Mary Hance. The state charges that Wolfe was a companion of Dutch Anderson, slain bandit, in the double murder. A sixth special venire was present when the trial was resumed this after-1 noon, after the morning had been spent in questioning the members of the fifth venire, without obtaining a jury. Unless a jujry is made this afternoon, a i call will be sent to the sheriffs of Blackford. Henry. Grant and Jay counties to have talesmen atailable tomm , row. o Fire Raging In Railroad Tunnel Following Wreck Alexandria. Ind.. Nov. 12.— (United Press.) —Artests tire expected today ns a result of an invest'gation of a $25,000 fire at the Lippincott Glass company plant. Representatives of the state tire fire marshal’s office have been here for several days gathering evidence. Will Make Report On Alleged Election Frauds — Evansville, Ind, Nov. 12—Tite final | report of the Vanderburgh county grand jury on alleged election frauds in Evansville was expected today. Henry Hardin, prosecuting altor-' ney, indicated that several indictments would be returned, o Credit Men Meeting At Indiananolis Today Ind'anapolis. Nov. 12. — (United Press.) — Credit representatives from, all parts of Indiana .were in Indian-i spoils today to attend tlie annual conference of the Indiana Association of I Credit Men. Irvin L. Lenroot. United States senator from Wisconsin, will be the principal speaker at the banquet today.

i Attempt To Escape From Detention Home May Cost Woman’s Life Akron, 0., Nov. 12. I United Press.) —Attempting to e«cape from the women’s detention home here, may cost the lite of Alma Beatty, 20.'West Baden. Ind. In a break for liberty, Miss Beatty, who was held on a statutory charge, leaped from a third floor window of the home and landed, crushed, on the [lavement bolew. She suffered a fractured skull, two fractured wrists and internal injuries. CATCHY SONGS IN PLAY,“CHEER UP" Clever Dances And Airs Abound In Revue To Be Given By Elks Snappy songs and clever dances will abound in the musical revue. I “Cheer Up." to lie iven hy the Elks lodge next Tuesday and Wednesday, nights. Persons who chanced to pass the Elks home last night heard strains of catchy airs floating from the ttjird floor of the home, where rehearsals for the play were in progress. under the direction of Miss Lillian Forgey, a director for the Boek Producing company, of Chicago. _ In addition to the many chorus numbers, there will be many solos comedy acts and other forms of entertainment. There is no plot to the production, but a group of musical numbers and other acts have been assembled into a proram of entertainment that is guaranteed to please any audience). The proceeds to he derived from the production will be used by the Elks in providing their usual Christmas cheer to the needy. Tickets are ! being sold by Elks at fifty cents each. Fourteen Steel Mill Workers Hurt In Crash Gary, Ind., Nov. 12.—(United Press) —Officials of the Gary Street Railwas today sought to determine the cause of a collision in which fourteen ■ steel mill workers were injured. A ear jammed witli steel workers crashed head-on into another car. Panic resulted and several men were trampled as the workmen fought their way out of the car. The cars are operated under block s'gnals. o MANY ARE JOINING FAIR ASSOCIATION I — J | More Than Sixty Members Secured For County Agricultural Association More Gian sixty memliers have been I secured for the Adams County Agri cultural Association, which s being | organized for the purpose of linying , Bellmont Park, east of this city, and conducting the annual Northern Indi-, ana Fair. Members are being obtained in ail parts of Adams county and indications are that tlie membership will be greatly increased within the near future and organization formed. Stock in tlie association is being sold for $25 per share. The stock is non j assessable and non-taxable. One year's time is given the purchaser in which' to pay for fit" stock in quarterly pay- I ments. E. It. Williamson, who was man ager of the fair here last September, | is in charge of tile organization work.! i It is planned to have a capital stock I of s3o.mm. disti llmtod over tlie entire I county. II is (lie belief of those back of :tlie muvemont. that a county agricultural association and a county fair moans a closer affiliation of all groups for the common good. With tlie fair hacked by Intereated stockholders' I throughout the county, it will have ' j better support, than the privately operated fair and, consequently, will be bigger and better. Bellmont park is ■ an ideal fair ground, with its beauti- ■ ful shade and drives and its first class race track.

Price 2 Cents.

JURY IS UNABLE TO AGREE UPON VERDICT IN CASE Dr. Harold Blazer,Who Killed His Imbecile Daughter, Is Free Man Now RELEASED ON MOTION OF STATE (U. I’. Staff Correspondent*) Whitten*. Littleton, Colo., i Nov. 12 Dr. Iltiroltl Blazer is i now a free man. Dislriet Attorney Stone presented a motion Io Judge Sainind Johnson at 1 p. m. today, asking that Blazer Iw released I'rom all further responsibility for killing his imbeeile daugh- ' I er. Judge Johnson immediately I ’ttssed on the motion and r was released. ■ In making his motion to thi* court Stone said, "although I believe the ey'id -nde introdufVd in this trial showed that murder had been committed. the defendant was given a fair trial and I believe it would be impossible to find a jury that would ir'ive at any other verdfet” The jury failed to agree after 15 hours and 15 minutes deliberation and was dismissed by Judge Johnson at 12:07 o'clock today. — —o Fire Marshal Probes Blaze At Alexandria Howling Green. Ky.. Nov. 12. — (United Press) —F're is raging in tlie milelung Louisville and Nasliville railroad tunnel between Gallatin ami Nashville. Tennessee, following a wreck in the tunnel in which a passenger train crashed into a caboose and string of I freight cars, according to information received here this afternoon. | Scoies of men were rushed to tlie scene and ar attempting to fight the I Idaze which is virtually inacccssable, due to the wreckage and smoke, advices- said. No one was reported injured. t The passenger train was enroute to I Cincinnati. Timbers in the tunnel have l»een burned away, reports said, adding that the passenger train was pulled to safety. o Indiana Rivers Rising; No Danger Os Flood Now i Indianapolis, Nov. 12 Although the I rivers of Indiana are rising, officials lat tlie official weather bureau here today saw no immediate danger of flood in this state. White river, in its lower reaches, ! is rising rapidly but flood stage has [ not been approached. It was saiil there was little danger lof flood in tlie Wabash and Ohio j rivers. ■ o Farmer's Auto Struck Bv An Interurban Car i Warsaw Ind.. Nov. 12. -Clyde Jeffei >es. 50. promin -nt farmeis lying ■at the point of death toijuy from injuries received when his automobile was struck by an interurban ear near here. PRECIOUS PAPAL RING RECOVERED I Most Precious Ring Os Its I Kind, Lost Since 1775, Is Found Bulletin Hy Thomas H. Morgan <C. I’ Staff Correspondent) Rome. Nov. 12. (United Press) — Tlie papal ring of Pope I ins VI regarded as the most precious of its kind in history, has !><*en recovered after being lost since 1775. The United Preus learned today from unquestionable soirees that the ; National Catholic Women of America • have succeeded in obtaining this imi mensely valuable relic and will present it to the present pope soon.