Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 24, Number 91, Decatur, Adams County, 16 April 1926 — Page 1

Vol. XXIV. Number 91.

PROBE OF DR. ROSS’ FLIGHT ORDERED

■SHIIRCH COUNCIL gfIfESTESTIMONY I AT BEER HEARING ! I Witnesses Describe Con- | ditions Before Advent I Os Prohibition I W ARN AGAINST MODIFICATION Est Wushit.gion. April 16- — (United Liquor traffic before prohi9>.h„in was allied with political corMn'pii<n. .lime, gambling and prostiMtiuion and for that reason 45.000.000 li m -ntbers want it kept ex Bstinrt. Dr. W. H. Haven, representaMtive of ihe federal council of H <l,iir< lies told the senate prohibition ■ committee today. B Haven presented the report of the ■ ccttneil’s administrative committee ■ which said; HI "The social perils of alcoholism M becoming of growing concern to ■ th- statesmen of the world. If ser- ■ lulls evils have sprung up since proMhibition. they are far less than the ■ evils which arose from the liquor !■ traffic prior to the amendment. "It meant! the wreckage of men |B;a)<l the degradation of families. It needless inefficiency in gS| ‘‘Methods of control short of protWliibiton. such as taxation, regulation jßand tii- governmentally controlled ■ systems of some of the Canadian and Norway and Sweden ■ all have proved inadequate. Consider Statement / Washington, April 16.- The legis•Blative committee' of the anti-saloon ■ league went intd executive Session ■ today to consider Assistant Secre- ■ tary of the Treasury Andrews’ stateBment that he believed legalizing ■ light beer would aid law enforcement. [ Wayne B. Wheeler, counsel for the ■ league, told the United Press that (CONTINUED ON PAGE. FIVE) 0 ■ILLINOISHANGS I THREE KILLERS ■ Two Men Executed At Chi- | cago and One At EdwardsAnile This Morning Chicago, April 16.—(United Press) —Two men were hanged here today —punishment meted out for the murI ders of which they were convicted. Raymond Costello, convicted of atI tacking and strangling pretty MadaI line White to death, and Charles B Hobbs, negro, convicted of killing his ■ landlady, were the victims Traps on the two were sprung at ■ 9:20 a. m., Costello was pronounced I dead in three minutes and Hobbs in J® 11 minutes. Costello’s repeated moves for apI peals from the hanging sentence have I been of no avail and last night he I was taken to the death house of the I Cook county jail,. His family visited I him there but he was -able to talk I with them for only a few minutes as I he collapsed in the midst of the visit ■ and was carried Hack to the death B chamber. rhe young gangster contended he I was being hanged on a “bum rap.” Murdered Two Men Edwardsville, HI., April 16.—(UnitI ed Press)—Emil Frlcker, a once wealI thy farmer, went to his death on the I Ra U°ws here at. 9:11 a. m., today. h ricker was hanged for the murder of John Nungesser and Robert Kenr.i, husbands of a dairy maid, whom Pricker loved with a passionate jealousy. — o Berne Seniors Postpone Play Until April 27 Berne, April 16 —The annual senior cas splay of the Berne high school V - be !" P° st P°ned from April 20 to - Pril 27, on account of conflicting ”' ents ‘ The seniors will present, weedies,” by Booth Tarkington, ■uicipal Webb, assisted by Alisses 11 ag and Reist, is coaching the cast.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Lyriads To Begin Illumination Os The J Sky This Evening Chicago, April 16.—(United Press.l I The periodic swarm of meotors | known as the Lyriads will begin their annual Illumination of the sky tonight. The phenomon occurs each , year between April 16 and 22, with th e greatest amount of light on April 21. The Lyriads receive their name from the fact that they appear to radiate from the direction of the constellation of Lyiia which contains the Inilliant star Vega. j The best view of them may be obtained by watching the northeastern sky in the evening hours. o_ —. > REV. MILLER IS I ROTARY SPEAKER k . Baptist Minister Gives Interesting Talk; Boys • Week Plans Made > The Rev. O E. Miller, pastor of the ’ Baptist church in this city, gave an inspiring ta k to the Rotarians at their regular meeting last evening, h's subject being, "The Value of the 1 Church to the Community." Rev. Miller opened his talk with the re--1 mark, “if tiie church fails, your business will fail.” He then showed the value of the church from the commer--1 cial standpoint; the social side; the ' moral side and the spiritual side. His ' talk was very instructive. 1 Preliminary plans for carrying out | the beys’ week program. May 1 to I May 8, were made by the club members last evening. Committees have 1 been appointed and the programs for 1 the different days are being made. As has been the custom, a boys’ political convention *'ll be held and ' nominations made for the various ' city offices. The election of these 1 boys who will hold city office during boys’ week will be held again tins year. Preliminary plans call for a parade on Sunday morning to the different churches, where the boys will attend services in their respective churches ;a tour to the principle industrial plants in the city and an out-door program on Saturday. Plans have been completed for bird day. to be held in this city next Thursday. when Mr. Joseph H. Dodson, president of the American Audubon society, will be the speaker. He will address the school children Thursday morning at the Cort theater and in the evening will talk to the Rotarians. oPoison Liquor Claims Life Indianapolis, Ind., April 16. (I nited Press.) — Poison liquor was held i responsible today for the death of i Philip Smith, 50, who died in the city hospital. Police sai, i he had been drinking denatured alcohol. I PLEASANT MILLS GRADS TO MEET I Annual Banquet Os H. S. Alumni Association To Be Held April 23 Plans for the annual banquet of the alumni association of the Pleasant Mills high school were completed at ’ a meeting of the alumni last Sunday afternoon. The banquet will be held 1 in the Pleasant Mills school building on Friday evening, April 23, following the senior class play. Eighty pupils have been graduated ' from the Pleasant Mills high school since it was founded twelve years ago. Sixty per cent of the graduates have continued their studies in various colleges and universities. Among the Pleasant Mills alumni are graduates of Indiana University. Purdue Uni- ■ versity, University of Missouri, MunI de Normal, Tri-State College Man- , Chester College, Taylor University and ; Ohio Northern University. In addi- ’ tion, several graduates are now attending school at Univeri sity, Canton College and several of the schools named above.

Women Storm Liquor Hearing to Fight Booze I These women headed lhe ‘’roup which presented petitions at tin Senate liquor investigation being held at Washington, t hey all are ardent dry .. Lett to right Mrs. Jessie \\\ Nicholson. Mrs. \V. J. Goodman, of Chicago, president of the Woman's American Baptist Foreign Mission I Society; Mrs. Haynes Lippincott, of Camden, N. J.; Mrs. H. W. Peabody, Boston, national chair-; I man of Law Enforcement League, tm<l Mrs. Sam k 1 Bens, who led the dry envoys. I

Slashes Wrists In An Attempt At Suicide . Goshen, Ind., April 16. — (United Press) —Luther Girton. 25, of Bristol, I was still in a serious condition here today from his attempt at suicide by slashing his wrists. Arrested for robbery, Girton was taken to his home to recover the loot, and w’as permitted to climb in a window to open the door, which was locked While officers waited outside. Girton slashed his wrists and was found unconscious when the officers entered the house. FARMER DRINKS CARBOLIC ACID Charles Sheets, Well-known Wells County Farmer, Commits Suicide Bluffton, Ind., April 16. — (United Press)—Charles Sheets, 44, wellknown Rockcreek township farmer, ended his life early this morning by drinking three ounces of carbolic acid at his home west of this city. No cause for the suicide has been ascertained. Sheets was not involved in any financial tangles, and his death remains a mystery He arose this morning about 5 o'clock and went out to the barns, on his farm, presumably to care for the stock. His wife found his lifeless body more than an hour later. The widow and three children survive. Several relatives, including Sheets’ mother, live in Bluffton. He was a prominent farmer and was said to have one of the most modern farms in the township. Yesterday, he had purchased a new automobile, tractor and plow, for which he had made large payments, Sheets’ father died a few' weeks ago and had left him considerable money and the farm on which he reskied. He had appeared despondent at times since his father's death and this theory is advanced as the cause for the suicide. o Boy Who Shot Father Is Freed By Coroner Brazil, Ind., April 16. — (United Press.)—Truman Brown. 19. w’ho shot and killed his father. James Brown, Clay county farmer, was given his freedom today. The grand jury which investigated the shooting failed to return an i”. dictment following the verdict of Coroner Palm that the shooting was in self defense. Brown shot his father when the fater in a drunken rage threatened to kill the boy and his mother. —o — Notifies Undertaker Before Ending Life Logansport, Ind., April 16. —(United Press.) —Calling an undertaker and asking him to take care of an affair he would soon learn about, Mrs. George Lenon, 49. took her life here late yesterday by aspyxiation. She had been in poor health and had threatened suicide before.

Decatur, Indiana, Friday, April 16, 1926.

G. BAND MAKES HITINCONCERT New Musical Organization Pleases Large Audience In Initial Concert I The band from the General Electric . 1 plant of this city more than fulfilled I the expectations of the large audi- ' ence which heard its initial public concert at the high school audito-ium last night. The band has been practicing since last September under the direction of Prof. Cafaro, of Fort Wayne, and the musicians have made i rapid progress. The auditorium was well-filled for the concert last night. No admission price was charged. It was announced today that the G. E. band will give another concert on May 25, for the benefit of the Decatur Junior band. Prof. Cafaro Is directing the Junior band. also. The boys and girls have been practicing since last fall and will soon be ready to make a public appearance, it is said. — 0 — Lineman Is Electrocuted I - ■—— Fert Wayne, Ind.. April 16.—(Uniti ed Press.)- A coroner’s inquest was i held today alter the accidental death of Milford Grafts, 32, lineman of the , Traction and Light company, by eleci trocution. Gratts was almost instantly killed. 1 _ 0 BULLETIN Indianapolis, April 16.—(8y i U.p.)—Two bandits this afternoon held up the paymaster of the Duesenburg Motor company and escaped with loot estimated at $4,000. , — —0 — COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER NAMED H. A. Hartman, Former Head Os Decatur Schools Accepts Invitation Mr. H. A. Hartman, superintendent of the public schools of Sidney, Ohio, and a former superintendent of the Decatur public schools, has accepted an invitation from the Decatur school board to deliver the address at the annual commencement exercises of the local high school, May 28. Mr. Hartman's acceptance was received yesterday. He was superintendent of the Decatur schools from 1899 to 1906. Plans for the commencement week activities are well under way. This year’s graduating class is the smallest one graduated by Decatur high school for several years, there being not more than .38 members. Last year, there were more than 50 graduates. Weather Fair tonight an<> Saturday. Slightly warmer tonight in extreme south | portion. Cooler Saturday.

President Returns To His Desk After Illness I —— 1 Washington, April 16. — (United Press) —President Coolidge returned to his desk (oday entirely recovered from his slight cold and indigestion ‘ lie suffered yesterday. The president was at his desk for a few minutes late yesterday after taking a stroll around the white house : lawn [ He spent a few hours in bed, but feeling improved In the early afternoon. he arose and ate a light luncheon. i _ READINGS GIVEN - I • DURING CHAPEL 1 1 ’ Purils Os Public Speaking Classes Give Program At 1). H. S. Today » ■ I The pupils and faculty of Decatur ' high school enjoyed an interesting chapel exercise this morning, when 1 members of the public speaking classes, under the directions of Miss Verneal Whalen, instructor in public speaking, had charge of the exercises. The participants performed i in a creditable manner and. judging from the applause they received. ' their efforts were appreciated. Readings were given by Mary ' Jane DeVor. Katherine Kauffman, Helen Haubold, Ruth Clayton, Don Miller, Juanita Baumgartner, Geraldine Andrews, Virginia Hite, Thurman Elzey, Richard Clem, Vivian Thomas. Edna Ruth Johnson, Josephine Smith. Cathdrine Eady, Har- ; old Zwick, Leia Reefy. June Miller. , Melvina Smitley, Evan Kek, Robert Strickler, Chester Reynolds, Audley I Moser. Melvin Thomas, Joseph Bebout and Robert Fowler. All of the readings were greatly enjoyed. They included comic sketched, spetecjies I recitations and a German poem, rendered by six boys. The program was presented as the regular Friday I chapel exercises. o Bridge Being Built On State Road At Monmouth Work has been started on the con- ’ | struction of the new bridge on state ' road 21. north of Decatur at the south edge of Monmouth. The old 1 bridge was left standing last fall 1 when the road was paved as it was ’ too late in the season to build the new bridge at that time. While the new bridge is being built and the J approaches paved, traffic will be detoured east in Monmouth to the first ' road and then south to the pavement • again. The detour is only about a ' half mile in length. 1 o , Fire Marshal Asked To Probe Fire At Warsaw Warsaw, Ind., April 16. —(United Press)—The state fire marshal's • office today was requested by O. W. Werntz to investigate the fire which last night destroyed a portion of the Werntz Found) y here with a loss of ’ SB,OOO. According to Werntz threats had been made against the plant. '

Youth Steals Auto In Chicago Loop; Chase Ends In Lake Michigan Chicago, April 16. —(United Press.) stealing an automobile >n Chicago’s loop today. John Ignoff, 17, sped out Michigan Boulevard disregarding all traffic signals and attracted attention of police who gave chase. Finally Ignoff crashed into a telephone pole, jumped from the car into the lake and swam beneath a pier. Not to be outdone motorcycle policeman Werner dove in behind him, swam under the pier and brought the boy out. o 24 ENROLLED IN BEET CLUB Boys And Girls In Adams County Enter Contest For Valuable Prizes Twenty-four boys and girls in Adams county will compete for the premiums to be awarded sugar beet club members this year by the business men of the county. Several of them were entered last year and with their previous experience will give the new entries a spirited race. According to the rules of the contest. the members will contract individualy with the Holland-St. Louis Sugar company for the growing of cne acre of beets. Record books will be furnished the members In which they will record the labor and other expenses enterin’ into the production of the crop. This will enable them at the end of the year to ascertain the exact cost of producing each ton of beets. Last vear a few of the contestants grew their beets with a cost of less than three dollars per ton. seed, labor, rent of land, cost of fertilizer and everything else qonsidered. The members will measure off their respective acre plots wherever they desire. The measurements will be checked by a committee consisting of a member from the farmers’; sugar beet club committee, a representative of the Holland-St. Louis Sugar company and a third member to be appointed by the county agent. It is likely a sugar beet show- will be held next fall, when every member will show six beets grown on hir or her acre. Contestants will receive final grades arrived at on the following bases: Tonnage of beets, twenty points; pounds of sugar per acre, fifteen points; record book, thirtyfive points; show of six beets, fifteen points; lowest cost of producing each ton of beets, fifteen points. One hundred dollars will be awarded members of the contest from the fund being raised by business men of the county. o DEMOCRATS HOLD DISTRICT RALLY Frederick Van Nuys Gives Keynote Address At Fort Wayne Meeting Fort Wayne, Ind., April 16—-(Unit-ed Press.) —An appeal to the democratic party to adopt a platform of “virile fundamentals,” was made by Frederick Van Nuys, Indianapolis attorney, in the keynote address of the Twelfth district rally here last night. Van Nuys demanded that the party "stop pussy-footing and get down to business.” He praised the stand of Attorney General Gilliom in his treatment of the case of Dr. E. S. Shumaker tor criticizing the state supreme court. “The people are tired of having our courts stigmatized by paid professional reformers.” Van Nuys said. W. E. Eickhoff, of Fort Wayne, who is unopposed for the democratic nomination for congress from the district came out for modification of the Volstead act to permit the sale cf light wine and beer. The Volstead law, he said, has created a nobility of bootleggers whose evil influence stagers the itnaginj ation.

Price Two Cents.

SOURCE OF FUND WHICH ENABLED ESCAPE SOUGHT President Os Pardon Board Intimates That He Has Good Information DR. ROSS BACK IN PRISON TODAY Indianapolis, Ind., April 16. — (United Press) —An early investigation by the Marion county grand jury of the flight, of Dr. Nelson Ross, parole violator from the state prison, was assured today. The investigation was ordered today by the state pardons l>oard. The Rev. George Henninger, president of the pardon board, said he would go before the grand jury and give it the facts concerning the source of funds which enabled Dr. Ross to leave the state. Henninger indicated that he has definite information as to the donners 1 of Dr. Ross’ travel money, but refused to reveal the names of the persons suspected. Back in Prison Michigan City, Ind., April 16. —(United Press) —Dr. Nelson Ross, lifer, who broke parole, was returned today to his cell i nthe state prison here. Dr. Ross was brought back to the prison by two deputy wardens, who >| aided in his capture at St. Ixtuis yes- | terday. He was working as a nurse , | in a private home when taken. Ross, serving a life sentence for murder, fled from the state when his parole to visit his sick mother, exf pired, April 1. t -—— o Set Dates For Hearings Fort Wayne. Ind.. April 16.—(United Press.) —Hearing of remonstrances on a proposed bond issues for the construction of three bridges was docketed with the state tax board today for April 26. The proposed issue includes $150,000 in bonds. FOREST FIRES RAGE IN NORTH Strong Winds Fan Blazes In Minnesota And The Two Dakotas St. Paul, Minn., April 16. — (United Press) —Fanned to alarming proportions by strong winds, forest fires today swept through Minnesota and North and South Dakota. More than 1,000 volunteer workers were busy throughout the affected area attempting to check the flames while fanners worked feverishly to save their buildings. The fires started simultaneously in all three states Thursday and by nightfall were tinder control but daybreak found many raging through the valuable timberland. | In Emily township, near Brainerd, I Minn., Mike Brochite, a farmer, died of heart failure from strenuous efforts to stop the largest fire near his home. S. A. Londakker, Braddock, N. D.. is in a hospital at Bismarck suffering from serious burns and Robert Twaddle, 56, is in a Duluth hospital also in a serious condition. There are 20 known fires in the three northwest states. Some are dangerously near villages and towns but as yet have not made inroads to the settlements One of the worst blazes was reported today within five miles of Pierre, capital of South Dakota. 1 In some localities farm buildings • have fallen prey to on-sweeping flames. Livestock perished before • rescue from buildings was possible ■ on some of the victimized farms, it is impossible yet to estimate the total ) damage. The fires are estimated to • cover 15,000 to 20.000 acres. t & o — PROMINENT REALTOR IS DEAD t Indianapolis. Ind.. April 16 -(United Press.)- Wiliam H. Mo r-so]>. Sr., - 77, prominent for many years in the e printing r.nd real estate business in i- Indiana, died at his home here late yesterday after a long illness.