Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 24, Number 296, Decatur, Adams County, 16 December 1926 — Page 1

WEATHER Generally fair tonight and Friday, gloly rising temperature Friday.

FALL AND DOHENY FOUND NOT GUILTY

DHL STANDS BY MC DERMOTT IN MURDER TRIAL Sweetheart Os Accused Man Fails To Aid State’s • Case PAT PICTURED AS FEARLESS OF LAW Courthouse, Canton, 0., Dec. IG. (United Press} Th c sweetheart of Pat McDermott today stood by the immaculate auburn-haired youth charged with the murder of Don R. Mellett, the victim of an underworld conspiracy. Petite Peggy Kavanaugh, after being held in the Canton workhouse for three months as a material witness, tripped lightly to the witness stand in common pleas court) today and told of an innocent automobile ride wllich she. McDermott and a friend, Homer Conley, took to Massilon while Pat was hunted nation wide as the “keyman” in the mystery of Mellott’s murder. Then, on cross examination, she declared she had been held in jail because Prosecutor C. B. McClintock thought ishe "knew something I wasn’t tolling." said that today in court was the first time she had seen her “boy friend” since the Massilon trip. The testimony of the girl followed an attempt by the state to show a conspiracy between McDermott, Ben Rudner and Louis Mazer, also indicted for the murder. Witnessed told ■nt a telegram ordering McDermott to the "home office” the chty after Mellett was shot down. Courthouse, Canton, 0.. Dec. 16.— (United Press) —While he was hunted by police of the nation as the "key-man” in the mystery of the murder of Don R. Mellett, Pat McDermott moved' without fear of the law, Mrs. Katherine Barnes testified today in the trial of Canton’s • .’orworld for <ue slaying of the youthful editor. ” when the man-hunt was most intense. McDermott on one occasion invited police into her apartment, when they called to investigate a noisy party, Mrs. Barnes said. He told her he would go to police headquarters in her place if necessary, the witness said. The testimony of Mrs. Barnes, front whom McDermott rented a room the day following thg assassination of Mellett startled the crowded court(COXTIXIED ON PAGE SEVEN)

. CHINESE GET U. S, ULTIMA TUM Guns Os American Gunboat Trained On Chinese Troops Near Shasi London, Dec. 16.—(United Press.lOtins of the American gunboat Eleano were trained today on troops of General Yangsen, entrenched in the town of Shasi on the Yangtse riser, the Manchester Guardian’s Shanghai correspondent reported. Immediate release of three Amer ican river steamers seized Yesterday by the militarist leader Yang Sen was demanded, in an ultimatum from th l ' commander of the American gunboat. Two British gunboats, The Cricket and Cockchafer, were standing along side the African gunboat ip support of the U. 9. ultiipatum. Considerable uneasiness was felt in Shanghai where a repetition of last September's Wannsien incident was feared. At that time seven British naval officers and an unknown number of Chinese were killed after the seizure of British ships also by General Yangsen. The American river steamers were seized- by Yangsen to convey his retreating troops after a defeat at the hands of the advancing Cantonese forces. I »

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT - ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

\ 01. XXIV. Number 296.

Dr. Patterson To Leave Mayo Hospital Friday A card from Dr. Fred Patterson well known uecatur dentist. stated that »'■ will be dlstt issed from the hospital Friday and intends to return home Sunday or Monday. He has been a patient at the Mayo Brother hospital Rochester. Minnesota, for the past ,<>>. eral weeks. He state, tnat he is feeling some better. The weather in Minnesota is cold, it being 20 degrees below on Wednesday. COLT QUALIFIES FOR GOLD MEDAL B. H. Miller, Monroe Township, First To Win Medal In Hoosier Colt Club B. 11. Miller, Monroe township farmer, bears the distinction of being the first Adams county farmer to win a gold medal in the Hoosier Gold Medal Coll Club. His purebred Belgian stud colt gained 722’-2 pounds from December 15. 1925, until weighed again December 15, 1926. According to the rules of the club, farmers who feed colts junking gains of 600 pounds or more in one year are e.igible to receive the gold medals, which aie awarded by the Indiana Livestock Breeder. Association. Those farmers in the club who feed rolls making gains of 500 pounds or more, receive silver medals, and those whose <olts make gain- of 400 pounds or mor receive bronze medals. Another requirement of the club is that the ' olts be shown in smne recognized public show. Miller’s colt weighed 1.4221'2 pounds Wf dnesday. Since it weighed exactl) 100 pounds a year preceding,, the gain it made waa far tan of that necessary to win a medal. The colt was foaled May 27, 1925, his mother being a good-sized purebred. Belgian. Caleb P. Habegger, young Monroe township farmer, aJso has a colt entered in tile club. A report of the weight of this colt has not yet been received. L. M. Busche. county agent, and Otto Gase. of Decatur, witnessed the weighing of the Miller colt.

FLAPPER BANDIT ARRESTED AGAIN Arson ( harge Filed Against Girl Who Is Accused Os Holding Up Bank Austin, Tex., Dec. 16. — (United Press.)—The troubles of Mrs. Rebecca Bradley Rogers, 19-year-old alleged flapper bandit had been added to today with the filing of a charge of arson against the young woman. Th- arson charge was brought against Mrs. Rogers a few hours after she had been released under bond on a charge of holding up the Farmers National bank of Buda last Saturday. Mrs. Rogers was re-arrested as she sat at the bedside of her youthful husband, Otis M. Rogers who was hurried to a hospital yesterday suffering from bronchial attack. She was released on $2,000 bail following arraignment. According to officers, Mrs. Rogers was in Roundrock, a small town near Buda last Friday. She was said to have loitered about the Farmers State bank there and to have asked employes of the bank what they would do in case of fire. later in the day. Mrs. Rogers was said to nave rushed into the bank shouting "fire." A small unoccupied house near the bank was in The young woman was reported to have been seen entering the house a fe w minutes before the fire was dmbelieve she had plannd to ro b the bank in the excitement at- ....«• ployes of the bank upset Mrs. Rogers Lns bv refusing to become alarmed and the girl left Roundrock a short while later.

SMALL APPOINTS SMITH SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS Smith Silent On Matter; Fight To Keep Him Out Os Seat Is Opened COMMISSION IS MAILED TO SMITH Springfield, 111., Dec. 16 —(United Press) Senator-elect Frank L. Smith today received his commission to represent Illinois la the United States senate as successor to the late senator William B. McKinley. The commission, signed by Gov. Len Small after 9 o’clock this morning, was mailed to Smith at his home in Dwight. Announcement of the appointment was made early today through Chicago sources, and was confirmed at the Executive. Mansion at 2 A. M. State executives were silent on the matter this morning until after the Governor had affixed his signature to the commission. The Governor then left the State House to attend a session before the Master in Chancery hearing the civil suit against him in the state tax case. Smith Is Silent Dwight. 111.. Dec. 16. (United Press) —Senator Elect Frank L. Smith, appointed to fill the unexpired term of the late Senator William B. McKinley, today declined to make any statement regaiding the appointment until he is officially notified of it by Governor Len Small. "1 have nothing to s.cy," he told the United Press. “In the first place 1 know nothing about it. I had a conf,.r«nce with Governor Small yesterday 'but [ was not notified of my appointment at that time.” Washington, Dee. 16. — (United Press)—The fight to keep Frank L. Smith from taking the seat in the senate to which he was appointed by Gov. Len Small of Illinois was launched in the senate today. Senator Ashurst, Democrat, Arizona, introduced a resolution denying Smith the right to receive the qualifying oath of o f fice because of excessive primary campaign expenditures, it also asked the Reed elections invetstlgatloa committee to advise the senate at “the earliest convenient date" such recommendation as may be warranted. Almost sim iltaineously concerning the campaign expenditures by Smith was submitted to the senate by the Reed committee, so that immediate action could be taken on the appointment. The report made no recommendation as to whether Smith should be ousted. — o 'Hot Iron, Used As Bed ' Wanner, Causes Blaze Wabash, Ind. Dec. 16.—(United Press)-—-A hot flat iron, used as a bed warmer, started a fire here and did damage estimated at $250. Mrs, E.anora Jadkson heated an iron to wann her feet during the night and later awakened to find the bed afire and the room filled with smoke. o Good Fellows Club Contributions' from several individuals today swelled the Good Fellows Club fund to $180.56. Much more is needed to provide a merry Christmas for the poor children and families of the city, according to the Delta Theta Tau sorority, sponsor of the club. As the time is growing short, the sorority urges that I'l donations be made as soon as possible. The total to date is: Previous total $173.19 Anonimoua, •! I-®® Dr. J. S. Coverdale 100 John H. Schug 100 Mrs.. 1. Bernstein 100 Mrs. Mary E. Woodward LOO Delt Friend l -00 Betten Bettenberger -25 Friends I Tptals $180.56

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday December 16, 1926

“Daddy” Browning Is Sued For $500,000 By Other Cinderella Girt New York, Dec. 16.—(United Press) —“Daddy" Browning’s other Cinderella girl wants $500,000 for the “mental anguish” of being adopted by the millionaire real estate man. Edward W. Browning, who already is paying S3OO a week to his third Cinderella girl and present wife, the former Frances "Peaches” Heenan, pending trial of their joint suits for separation, conferred with his busy legal staff toda yabout the newest suit. i Mary Lop iso Spas, adopted by Browning nearly two years ago, has served notice of a suit for $500,000 damages, charging assault, threats, coercion and mental anguish. Browning, who has been much in the news through his advantures as a foster parent, announced through .his counsel that he would tight the newest suit to the limit.

RELIEF FROM COLD DUE SOON Rising Temperatures Forecast For Tonight Or Tomorrow Morning Chicago, Dec. 16.—(United Press.) —Held for three days in the grip of the coldest weather of this winter, the middlewest today faced at least twelve more hours of frigid temperatures. Relief from the mid winter cold which was brought down from Alaska on a northwest wind to spread over almost the entire United States is not expected until tonight or tomorrow, the weaher bureau said in ia prediction. Today dawned clear and cold in most sections, but, according to the forecast, a slight cloudiness is expected to spread this afternoon and begin a moderation of the weather. By tomorrow afternoon the moderation will be well under way, tbe prediction said. .

ROCKNE “DOITS" IRISH SCHOOL Famous Football Coach Reported To Have Signed With U. Os California South Bend, Ind., Dec. 16.—(United Press.) —Coach Knut K. Rockne, famous Notre Dame football coach, has “quit” the Irish institution again, according to a rumor current on the local campus. This time the noted grid tactician has “signed” with the University of California and will be succeeded at the Irish school by “Slip” Madigan of St. Mary's college, California, former South Bend high school star. Rockne is expected to issue spring football call here in February or March.

Dry Forces Concentrating Efforts In College Towns Indianapolis, Dec. 16. — (United Press)—Federal dry forces are concentrating on college towns in their effort to stamp out liquor traffic and Bloomington, seat of the state university, has been found no worse than the others, A. R. Harris, deputy prohibition administrator said today. The present grand jury investigation in which numerous’students have been called at Bloomington resulted from investigations there of D. R. Sturgeon, accompanied by other agents,* Harris said. fry * Christmas //Jya

C. D. PORTER, ADAMS COUNTY PIONEER, DIES Husband Os The Late Gene Stratton Porter Dies At Fort Wayne FUNERAL TO BE HELD IN DECATUR Charles Dorwin Porter, 75, pioneer citizen, banks r and business man of Adams county, died at 11:05 o'clock Wednesday night, at the home of bis brother. Dr. Miles F. Porter, Sr.. 2326 South Fairfield avenue Fort Wayne, following m tlln-ss of only one week and a general breaking down of his health. The relatives, including his only daughter. Mrs. Leo Meehan, of California, were at his bedside. Mr. Porter was born in Decatur. April 3, 1851, and was reared and educated here. When only seventeen years old, h<* entered the drug business as a clerk in the Dorwin drug ijtore. In 1975, he located in Geneva, where, for many years, he operated a drug store. In 1893, he assisted in the organization of the State Bank at Geneva and became the cashier, operating the institution until just a few years ago. He was later elected president of the bank and held that position to the present time, being recognized as a careful and able financier in April, 1886, Mr. Porter was married to Miss Gene Straton, of Wabash. They resided here a shoit time ajid then moved to Geneva, where their home later became known as Limberlost cabin and where Mrs. Porter gained fame as a writer of nature stories. One daughter, Jeanette, now Mrs. Leo Meehan, of Bel-Air, California, was born to them. Mrs. Porter met an accidential de.ath in California. December 6, 1924. Surviving relatives be sides the daughter, are the brother, Dr. Miles F. Porter and three grand children. The funeral services will be held from the home of Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Dugan, on Monroe street, Decatur, at 10:30 o’clock Saturday morning. The funeral party will arrive here early during the morning and the casket will be op«.-n at the Dugan home until the Lour of the services. The Rev. B. Covert, Pastor of the Decatur Presbyterian church, will conduct a brief service and two favorite songs of the deceased will be rendered'by relatives. Pall bears will be Dr. Miles Porter, Jr., Dr. Ben Beaver, Dr. Ralph Yarnelle, of Fort Wayne, and Mr. Dugan and Mr. French Quinn of this city. Imterment will be in the Decatur cemetery, beside the graves of Mr. Porter's mother and father. It was Mr. Porter’s desire that the remains of his wife the late Gene Stratton-Porter, also be returned here and placed in the family lot. and this will be done later. Honorary pall bearers for the Saturday services will be Dr. C. R. Price, Geneva; A. G. Briggs. Geneva; Jeff Ijehman, Bernet John W. Tyndall, Judge J. T. Merriman and F. M. Schirmeyer, Decatur.

O I). H. S. Class Os 1921 To Hold Reunion Dec. 26 Invitations have been issued for the fifth annual reunion of the class of 1921 of the Decatur high school. The banquet at the Murray Hotel at 1 o’clock Sunday afternoon, December 26. An unusually fine program has been arranged for the meeting and all members sweethearts, wives and husbands, are urgently requested to attend. The committee in charge of the reunion includes Francis Costello, chairman, Harold Daniels, and Charles Downs. City Os Rushville Is Sued By Former Mayor Rushville, Ind., Dec. 16. —(United Press) —A suit for $7,000 was filed by Walter R. Thomas, former mayor, against the city of Rushville. By ordinance the city abolished the office of city judge, joining it with that of mayor, paying a total of sl,200 a year Thomas cites state Jaw providing $2,600 for the two offices and has filed suit for the back pay he says is due him.

•'ood Inspector Probes Death Os Young Child Terre Haute, Dec. 16. — (United Press)—lnvestigation into the death of three-year-old Arthur Morris, und the Illness of his sister, Wilma, 9, was called off here today by Deputy StaNe Food Inspector Stratton when the physician attending the children announced that death was not due to poison candy. The parents had believed the tragedy was caused by candy purchased at a neighborhood grocery. . . -I ■l—.l.l■

GOTTLIEB SAURER DIES AT BLUFFTON ''ormer Resident Os Adams Countv Dies At Age Os 93 Years , Gottlieb Saurer, 93, former resident of Adams county, died of senility, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. L. A. Linn, in Bluffton, at noon. Wednesday. Mr. Saurer had been ill for several months. Mr. Saurer was a son of Christian and Barbara Saurer. and was born in Berne, Switzerland. October 4, 1833. His parents immigrated to America when he was five years old. Mr. Saurer was married to Eliza Moser. May 19, 1860, at Vera Cruz. Mrs. Saurer died March 12, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Saurer resided in French township. Adams county for several years, moving from that township to Bluffton about 30 years ago. Mr. Saurer had lived in French township since coming »o America from Switzerland. The deceased was a member of the First Reformed church of Bluffton. Surviving are the following children: Edward Saurer, Robert Saurer. Mrs. L. A. Linn and Alfred Saurer. nil of Bluffton; and Mrs. F P. Hocker, of Elreno, Oklahoma. Twelve grandchildren and three great grandchildren survive, also. — o

DISTRIBUTION OF TAXES MADE County Auditor Completes November Distribution; Total Is $450’232.63 The November distribution of taxes was outlined and a statement was completed for the state auditor, by Martin Jaberg, Adams county auditor, yesterday. The distribution includes a total of $450,232.63. Mr. Jaberg announced today that the township checks would be ready Tuesday, December 21, at which time the trustees may secure same at the auditor’s office. Mr. Jaberg has been working on the distribution sheets the last several days. Os the $450,232.63, S7O was paid out for special judges; $314.07, for treasurer’s 6 per cent fee, and $165,36 for erroneous taxes. This leaves a total of $449,683.20 to be distributed to the I various funds, according to tbe state laws and regulations. Os the above mentioned amount, the state gets, $36,128.28; benevolent Institutions get $2.15; state schools receive $14,179.02 ami only 8 cents goes to vocational education. The state soldiers’ memorial fund receive $1,153.35 from Adams county and the state teachers’ pension fund gets $3,459.74 Adams county will give $384.49 to the Dunes park fund, according to law, and the agricultural board tax for Adams county will total $480.77. The state forestry department will draw 96.16 from this county. The county tax totals $59,498.03. The gravel road repair fund will receive $38,444.34 from the November distribution and the county road bond and interest fund will be swelled to the amount of $87,389.58. The township tax totals $15,314.22. The special school tax amounts to $76,345.94. The road tax totals $4,328. 49. The township poor fund will receive $1,613.63 and the general fund tax will amount to $40,838.38. The 11 brary tax will be 1t.811.40. This includes tbe total distribution of the November installment, Mr. Jaborg stated today.

Price Two Cents,

DEFENDANTS IN OIL CONSPIRACY CASE ACQUITTED Youthful Jury Returns Verdict At 10:07 A. M. To- • day; Defendants Happy OTHER C A S E S NOT TO BE PUSHED Washington, Dee. 16. — (United Press) —Albert B. I’all and E. L. Doheny were acquitted today of conspiracy to defraud the government. The youthful jury, which received the case at 2:48 p. njWedesday. returned its verdict at 10:07 o’clock today. Both Fall, the white-haired 65-year-old secretary of the interior under President Harding, and Doheny. 70-year-old multimillionaire were in the courtroom when the verdict was read. Both had born up well under the strain of the trial. bus the strain of the long wait while the jury deliberated told on them. The women of the Doheny family broke into a hysterical laugh, causing the bailiff to rap loudly for order, when the verdict was announced. The courtroom broke into a hubbub as the 'scores of attorneys and friends crowded about to congratulate the men who were exonerated of the grave charges. Roberts Makes Statement Owen J. Roberts, prosecution chief, said: “We have to be satisfied with the verdict. The case was fairly submitted to 12 men. We wHI hot proceed to push the other eases.” A ballot of the jury taken half an hour before the decision was announced was 10-2 in favor of “not guilty." At 9:30 the two dissenters gave in to the majority' and the jurymen marched into court to give their verdict. The first vote of the jury, taken shortly after the case was submitted at 2:48 pm.. yesterday, was six to six. Doheny and Fall, crying and laughing together, walked to the front of the white stone courthouse and posed tor iheir pictures. Fail hud his ; arm around the oil man's shoulder. Doheny wore a new white scarf as a sling for his infected arm, which ■ was operated on twice during the i trial. Ten minuter after the verdict was announced the little courtroom was (COXTIMED ON PAGE SEVEN! 0

w POULTRY SCHOOL ■ HELD AT GENEVA r I Purdue Representative Un- ' able To Attend On Account Os Illness 3 * I In spite of the fact that E. D. Gris3 fin, of the extension department of 3 Purdue university, was unable to attend, the poultry school held at Gened va Wednesday was a big success. L. y M. Busche., county agent, received a d telegram from Mr. Griffin yesterday B morning stating that It would he impossible for ihm to attend the school 1,1 and deliver his lectures as scheduled. II on accotmd of illness. Mr. Busche endeavored to obtain another speaker. I bust this was impossible, so he took *' charge of the school and gave some 1 very interesting and instructive points “1 about poultry farming. <1 The school was held in the Masonic st hall at Geneva and about fifty persons f attended. The afternoon session was dispensed with, owing to the absence 2- of the speaker, but the forenoon aaso sion lasted from 9 o'clock until noon, i. —C ' s- Cable Station Flooded d London. Dec. 16—(United Press) — 11- The Eastern Telegraph company announced today that a tlta! wave bad >n flooded the coble Station at Funchal, r. Madeira Island, interrupting communication with South America. OS' -...UBS® ’ ’

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