Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 23, Number 279, Decatur, Adams County, 25 November 1925 — Page 1

DECATUR DALIA DEMOCRAT

Vol. XXIII. Number 279.

CHAPMAN’S FEDERAL TERM COMMUTED

MUMS COUNTY ORGANIZED FOR WAR ON BANDITS C.uns And Rifles Distributed To Members Os Bankers Vigilance Committee REWARD OF SI,OOO OFFERED FOR BANDITS Adams county is now prepared to wage war on bank bandits, should any decide to pay a visit to the county. At a meeting of the county bankers and the members of the newly organized vigilance committee, held in the sheriff’s office in the court house here last night, rifles, revolvers and ammunition were distributed to the vigilantes. Twenty-five Colts automatic revolvers, .42 calibre, and seven Kragg rifles were distributed among the members of the vigilance committee. The rifles were so distributed that there will be one or two in each town of the county where a bank is located. There 'are twenty-live members, of the vigilance committee and all

were sworn in last night. Each has a sheriff's badge and is a member of (he National Riflemen's Association. They have full power to make arrests and shoot to kill bandits. In the near future, the members of the committee will be called together for target practice. Large targets were sent with the guns and ammunition by the war department. The names of the vigilantes will not he made public, it was stated today. The state bankers’ association asked that the names he kept secret and the members of the committee ( also want their identity conceited. 1 Arrangements have been made with j the telephone exchanges in all cities and towns in the county, so that, in case a bank is robbed in this county.! all members of the vigilance committee can be notified within a few minutes and an organized effort made to apprehend the bandits. Signs, offering SI,OQO reward for bank robbers operating in this county and giving the information that the bankers, business men and citizens I of the towns and cities are thoroughly organized and prepared to protect property and resist any effort to burglarize or rob banks, stores or other places of business, have been I posted in the different towns and | cities. —. o Laborer Killed When Caught In Machinery I Montezum, Ind., Nov. 25. — (United Press.)—Joseph Van Seckle. 32, is dead, here today as a result of being caught in machinety at a brick plant here yesterday. Van Seekle’s, legs were beaten off and his right side crushed when the wheen revolved. o BUYS STORE IN VAN WERT, OHIO Elgin King Becomes Associated With Brother In Confectionery Business Elgin King, who recently sold his confectionery store in this city to Gerald Mylott and Herman Ontlor announced today that he would move immediately to Van Wert. Ohio, where he ]>o S bought an interest in the K. and K. Confectionery of that city, from Eugene Kintz, formerly of this city. Mr. King will take possession of his new business at once. Alfred King, a brother, who has been a Partner of Mr. Kintz for several years will continue as a partner of Elgin King. The K. and K. Confectionery has been the leading confection store of Van Wert for many years. I Mr. and Mrs. King have purchased a home in Van Wert and will move there at once. Mr. Kintz, from whom the interest was purchased, has not yet decided his future plans.

I "— Pet Dog Is Blamed For Shooting His Master To Death , Chicago, Nov. 25- An affection ate |>O| dog was blamed today for I the shooting to death of his master. Gustaf A. Johnson, 44. Johnson's body was found in the > cellar of his heme last night After investigation police reconstructed the following scene; Johnson, believing there were burglars In the basement, armed himself with a revolver. As he i opened the basement door the | family bulldog leaped al him in • greeting. The impact, of the dog's , body twisted and discharged the revolver, the bullet ranging up . through Johnson's < best. HUNTERS AND I CUPID ARE BUSY i County Clerk Is Kept Busy Issuing Marriage And Hunting Licenses Going hunting and getting married I will be the favorite pastime for a | large number of Adams county resi-

! dents on Thanksgiving. The county . clerk, John E. Nelson, and his aides. ■ I were kept busy today issuing mar- ' riage and hunting licenses. J Thirty-one hunting licenses were issued on Tuesday and forty-three ! had been issued today at 2:15 o’clock ■ this afternoon. Indications were i that the total for today would be i sixty or seventy before the office was closed at 5 o'clock this evening. With . each, hunting or fishing licenses is■sued, Mr. Nelson gives a heavy en I velope in which the sportsman can i carry his license without danger of | having it destroyed in his pocket'. The envelopes are paid for by Mr. Nelson and on the back of them are the woidr., “Compl'ments of John E. ■•Nelson, Clerk Adams Circuit Court, Decatur. Indiana." , Four marriage licenses had been issued today up until 2:15 o'clock this afternoon. It was rumored that others would apply for licenses before the office closed. One license was issued yesterday and one the day before. The licenses issued today were, Albert Zimmerman, farmer, to Lillie May Guyot, both of Hartford township. ' Perry Everett, farmer. Monroe, to Bessie Irwin, Decatur. Edwin C. Bieberich, assistant cashier, Fort Wayne, to Luella Young, Adams county. | Theodore Miller, farmer. Berne, to Ruby Wyant. Geneva. | o - TRAIN KILLS THREE I •—— t Two Men And Woman Fatally Hurt; When Auto Is Demolished At Grade Crossing. Toledo. 0.. Nov. 2.i.—(United Press) -—Two men and a woman were killed and another woman perhaps fatally injured when their automobile was demolished by a train at a Michigan Central grade crossing near here today. The dead: Julia Novak. Harold Arndt. Richard Ward, all of Toledo. Miss Pauline Berwat was brought Ito a hospital here in a dying condiit ion. | To Bring Hoile Child Home From Toledo, 0. Otto Hoile, Union township farmer, left today by motor for Toledo, Ohio, to bring home his three-year-old son. Paul, who has bene confined al 0 hospital in that city for several weeks, following operation for removal of a carpet tack from his windpipe. The child is getting along nicely now, it is reported. His mother has been with him continually since the operation. ——o — Grand Jury Adjourns Until Next Saturday 1 The Adams County grand jury adjourned Tuesday evening until Saturday morning. It is thought that the jury will finish its work in one two more days.

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday, November 25, 1925.

THANKSGIVING TO BE OBSERVED HERETOMOfIROW Church Services Thursday Morning To Make Opening of Annual Holiday — OTHER ATTRACTIONS ARRANGED FOR DAY Observance of Thanksgiving Day will be held by all churches in De-1 catur. A un'nn service of Protestant (-hutches will be held tomorrow morn ' 1 ing at G:3O o'clock at the First Chris-1 I tian church. A Thanksgiving massi also will be held at 7:30 o’clock at i , | the Catholic church. | The day is a national holiday and i I is one of the few truly American holi-1 i days. All banks close and most of the Decatur business houses will close ■ tor the day. There will be no nmT delivery. Several family reunions will be held in and near Decatur and others will celebrate the day with reunions in other towns. There will be a football game on Ahr's Held in the afternoon and both motion picture l houses will ran special matinee shows. There will he no public ation of the | Daily Democrat Thursday, but those I persons having reunions and sped 11 1 1 Thanksgiving dinners are urged to I call or send the details to this office ; Friday morning in order that they might appear in Friday's paper. Thanksgiv'ng clay is th,, oldest American holiday. It first was observed by the Puritans, who, after spending an almost fatal winter and then having a'good harvest the follow ing fall, knelt in solmn prayer, thus . showing their thankfulne-s. Afterwards a feast was held to celebrate the good harvest. The American turkey and cranberry sauce, two strictly American commodities, were used that first Thanksgiving day for Conner and they have since become famouse as Thanksgiving day necessities. — o— — STABBER MAKES ATTACK ON GIRLS Work Os “Phantom Slabber” In East Resembles That of Toledo Clubber • Bridgeport. Conn., Nov 25 —Drastic action was cons.dered here today | to capture the "phantom stabber,”j whose attacks on young girls bear; striking resemblance to those of the Toledo "clubber.” The entire city has been aruosed by a series of attacks extending over two months which culminated Monday night with the stabbing of Catherine Dillon. 13, and Rose Kerensky, 12. Both girls were recovering today. A*t in other instances. Rose and Catherine were attacked in the early evening as they were on their way home. All the stabber's victims have been under 16 years of age, and all have been stabbed in the breast. “Strangler" In Philadelphia Philadelphia, Pa, Nov. 25- With | two attacks on women so far this' week apparently marking resumption of "the strangler's" activities, police were increasing their efforts to I arrest the num. believed responsible for two murders in the last month. I Two negroes, detained in connec-1 Ition with an attack yesterday on Mrs. Mary Kasner in her home, prob-) ably will he released: today, police' having failed to, connect them with the al tack. A dozen suspects, rounded up in the last fortnight, have been dis -I charged because of lack of tangible evidence of identification. Taleno Rests Easier Toledo, O, Nov. 25—Toledo breathed easier today in the belief that the "clubber" who has struck down nine women in night attacks, has left the city. For the first time in a week, women went unescorted on the streets last night and no reports 'of assaults were received at licadI quarters.

- . Dry Sleuths Are Told To Watch For “Bootleg Turkeys” Washington. Nov. 25. (United Press.l — Assistant Secretary of the Treasur.v Andrews has warned prohibition sleuths to keep a close watch for Thanksgiving “bootleg turkey." Bootleggers, It was learned, have adop'ed a novel method of disposing of hoiday wares. They take a dressed tin key and put a quart 1 bottle of liquor inside the bird, i The customer gets two for one —a turkey and a botte--but the price is double. Heretofore rum peddlers and 1 smugglers confined their cantonI flage activities to hiding bottles in dressed fish and attempting to dispose of "wet goods" In this manner. Turkey season opened a new avenue for them. Goshen Man Killed When Hit By Auto Goshen, Ind.. Nov. 25 —John Vander Reyden. 63. of Goshen, was killed today when he was struck by an auto driven by Earl Hostetler, of Middlebury!. The aged man was crossing a street when he was hit Hostetler is held pending investigation RENEWAL OF WAR | IN CHINA LOOMS Renewed Hostiities Among Some Os Army Groups Appear Imminent Peking. Nov 25 Renewed hostilities among some of China’s army groups appeared imminent todayReports here indicated that Mukden forces were about to take the field against the forces of the "Christian" general. Feng Yuh Slang, the latter supported by General Wit Pei Fu. Persistent, though unconfirmed reports from Mukden, speak of a coup by the "peace faction” which is said io be withdrawing the chieftain. Chang Tso Ling, and asking his 25 year old son, Chang Msuch Liang, to act in his father’s place.. Ixtndon, Nov. 25 —The. Tien Tsin correspondent of the Central News cabled today that Honaa troops had occupied Tsinanfu in Shangtung province, thereby violating an agreement made between General Feng Yuh Slang'and the Manchurian was , lard. Chang Tso Lin. SHERWOOD VISITS LOCAL ROTARIANS Governor Os Indiana Rotary Clubs Is Guest Os Decatur Club Today Benjamin Sherwood, of Bedford, governor of Indiana Rotary clubs. ' was the guest, today noon, of the Dei catur Rotary club at a luncheon ; served in the Industrial rooms. Pat ' Mallonee, of Columbia City, group representative and Festus Rhoten, a member of the Columbia City Rotary club, accompanied the Rotary governor to tbit city | The regular Rotary meeting was held. A. R. Holthouse president of i the club, presiding. A talk wms mad'r |by Henry Heller on Rotary fellowI ship, and a report on boys’ work.! ‘ made by M. F. Worthman. superintendent of city schools. Mr. Sherwood gave an interesting talk on : Rotary activities and the carrying out of the program as outlined by . International Rotary. He and Mr. Mallonee will go to Bluffton this as1 ternoon where they will attend a meeting of the Bluffton club this evening. Weather Partly overcast tonight anti Thursday; somewhat unsettled in extreme' south portion. Slightly colder in northwest portion tomoriow.

HERRIOT ACCEPTS CALL TO ORGANIZE FRENCH CABINET Radical Socialist Asked To | Form New Cabinet i When Others Fail jDOUMER REFUSES TO FORM A MINISTRY <!'. I*. Stuff Correspondent) Paris, Nov. 25 Edouard llerriol, former premier and a radical socialist, tonight accepted from President Doumergue a mandate to form a new cabinet to succeed the Painieve government. Herriob it is assumed, will seek a combination chiefly of radical socialists and socialists.: Paris, Nov. 25—Senator Paul Don mer late today notified President Doiimergue that he could not form a| cabinet in succession to the fallen Painieve regime Paris. Nov. 25 —Senator Paul DotiImrr. asked by President Doumergue 110 try to form a cabinet in succesi sion to the fallen Painieve regime today seemed likely to fail in the mission. He continued to consult political leaders in his search for a combination which could face the chamber without defeat But he tolu the United Press be- , | fore noon: ‘1 am trying to see whether I can meet iinmirmoiintzble obstacles in orming a cabinet." This remark was taken to mean that he did not have much confidence I in the success of the task set for him after Aristide Briand had reported his inability to accomplish , 1L The socialist and ladical socialist ■ groups met this forenoon and dis-1 cussed the probability of formation if a cabinet from their own forces. CHURCH BAZAAR ATTRACTS CROWD Many Attend Opening Os Event Being Held By St. Mary’s Catholic Church A large crowd attended the open- ; ing night program at the St> Mary's church bazaar, given in the new Catholic high school building lust evening Suppers were served to several hundred persons and a delicious menu, consisting of chicken and, other good things to eat. was served • by the women. The plate charge is -nlv thirty-five cents and supper will be served every evening, beginning , at 5:30 o'clock. The meals are home-, cooked and served hot and those who attended the supper last evening vouch for their goodness The big auditorium on the second floor is filled with many useful art!-, cles and gifts which are sold during the evening.. Fancy work anil other i line things are being sold. Each evening, a door prize Is given' away mid on Saturday evening the I'ei tore prizes, a Ford automobile and two cedar chests filled with linens and other fine household articles, will he given away. The public is invited to attend the bazaar, the pro/ cecils from the event being applied on the payment for the new school : building, which was formally dedicated lust Ocotber. The menu for tonight's meal is as follows: meat loaf, escalloped potatoes. baked beans, pickles, coffee and ■ pie. Sandwiches and coffee will be served nil evening. John E. King Resigns From Indiana Dry Force Indianapolis, Nov. 25 Ansel R. Harris, deputy district administrator of prohibition iu Indiana yesterday announced l,lie designation of John ' E. King, effective Nov. 30. King has served four years on the dry forces.

t Ex-Kaiser May Become One Os Europe’s Rich Men Berlin, Nov. 2" -(United Press) - Former Kaiser Wilhelm will become one o£ the richest men in Europe if an agreement between him and the state of Prussia for settlement of nis claims against ( I the state is ratified by the Prus- : ! siau diet. I Not only will Prussia turn over I i to him thirty million marks cash, i 117.500,000) but also rich prop- I j erties including six out of eighty | cast les and 190,000 acres of land I I and forest. This settlement has been reached i after a series of negotiations cov- | ering the better part of six years. i membersoflaF ATTEND FUNERAL j —n ’ „ i Resolutions Os Resnect Passed In Memory Os Attorney L.C. De Voss ' The Adams County Bur Association I met this afternoon to attend the funeral of Attorney I* C. DeVoss, who died Monday morning at his home on Marshall street after an I extended illness. Mr. De Voss was a pioneer in the Adams Couhty asso I elation He was a member of the Randolph county Bar Association ■ before coming to Decatur. | The Adams county association I passed th? following resolutions of : respect in memory of Mr. DeVoss: | "The Adams County Bar has lost , , one of its oldest and most active members by the death of Lewis C | DeVoss, who died at his home on i Marshall street. Decatur. Indiana, at 4:3i) o'clock Monday morning, the 23rd day of November. 1925. I "Mr. DeVoss had been in ill health I for the last two years, but with couri age and determination that called forth admiration, continued the pursuit of his frofession until his death. "Mr. DeVoss became a citizen of-' I), catur and a practicing attorney and member of the Adams County Bar mote than forty years ago. and at all times was active, aggressive and energetic in behalf of all his clientI <<<>xrixi in ox pvge seve.X) o ■ — Alice Rhinelander's Mother On Witness Stand Today ■White Plains, N. V . Nov 25 \ little, middled aged mother, her face lined with care but her spirit not broken and whose only comment on the troubles of her daughter has| been "I love her," calm to court to | day to add her bit to the fight of Alice Jones Rhinelander to prevent j I.eon: id Kip Rhineland) r annulling his marriage to Alice . With just a trace of defiance in her manner. Mrs George Jones, mother of Alice, answered the call of Attorney Lee Persons Davis to the ' witness stand. She was ready to tell all she could ; of the affairs of her daughter. There was quiet in the courtroom' and all seemed to realize that for. Mrs. Jone: this was a climax In her 1 1 once quiet life Before Mrs Jones was called, three I witnesses —Dr. Caesar McClendon, a I negro physician; Mrs. Emily Brooks’ 1 and Mrs. Albert Miller, sisters of i Alice - hail testified. Dr. McClendon told of treating Alice tint! said her skin was "about i as dark as mine." f Youthful Slayer Is Forgiven By Widow Os Man He Killed i Noblesville, lud. Nov 25—Edward Prater, youthful Indianapolis slayer.' today was forgiven by the woman he made a widow. Mrs Forrest Mandiver visited Pra:i‘t in the county jail here to tell him she held no malice against hint for killing her husband "I could not repeat the Lords Prayer at night without telliug you 1 have forgiven you,” she said. Prafter will go on trial next MonJay for the murder of Vandiver, a street car conductor, who was killed during a holdup

Price 2 Cents.

COMMUTATION IS REFUSED BY BANDIT PRINCE President Coolidge Opens Wav For Execution In Connecticut Prison MAY BE FORCED TO ACCEPT COMMUTATION Washington, Nov. 25.— (Unitled Press.) — President Coolidge | has signed an order commuting the unexpired portion of Gerald Chapman’? 25-vear federal prison sentence, White House officials said today. The commutation, which turns the famous robber over to Connecticut authorities, who wish | to carry out a sentence of death I bv hanging Chapman, is under- ; stood to have been delivered to authorities at Wethersfield state prisonn In Connecticut last n'ght. Hartford, Conn . Nov. 25. — Gerald Chapman today refused the commutation of his federal sentence issued by the president. When the commutation of sentence was delivered to Warden Scott at Wealherstield state prison here .he notified Chapman's attorneys. Joseph Freedman and Charles Murphy. associate i-onsel for the bandit, went io the prison and in their presence Warden Scott read the order to Chapman. Chapman listened quietly until the i warden had finished and then refused to accept it. There is some doubt as to whether Chnpmftn can carry ont the refusal to accept the commutation which makes him a state prisoner and liable to hang for the murder of Policeman Skelley of New Brittain. The bandits attorneys will take the matter into the federal courts nt once to see whether Chapman lias to accept his freedom. _ —. . Making Search For Bodies Os Drowned Fliers Honolulu. T H , Nov. 25- Fifty enlist -<i men today continued the careh for the bodies of Captain Karl II Gorman and Lieutenant Howard C. Brandt, army flyers who drowned when their Martin bombing plane was downed off Cahn Monday. The beach is being patrolleu hy men and airplanes. Rain and high seas have interferred with the search. Q Drunken Drivers To Get No Leniency At Capital Indianapolis. Nov 25 No leniency lis to be shown persons arrested on •charges of driving automobiles while intoxicated by Judges in the Indianapolis courts This was the substance of an ultl- • inaUim issued todav In Judge White, in ei:y court. “AIRPORTS’' PLAN ! TO AID AVIATION Cornelius Vanderbilt, Jr., to Equip Main Air Lanes With Landing Fields Detroit. Mich.. Nov. 25. It'iilted Press.) Development of commercial aviation along national passenger and freight lines received added iinpetiis here with announcement by Cornelius • Vanderbilt. Jr., of New York, that I plans li ive been perfected to equip i princquil air lanes with, standard | terminal facilities, to be known as I "the Vanderbilt airports.'' I Following conferences with leaders lin the airplane industry here. Vandar- ! hilt authorized a statement through i the I'uiterl Press that a national airport program had been launched. In addition to ports already established at Jacksonville and Daytona. Fla . Vanderbilt said, tour new fields will be ready within 30 days at Palm Beach. Fla.. Tampa and Orlando. I Later, he announced. "Vanderbilt (COXTIXt HI) OX PAGE SEVEN)