Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 25, Number 131, Decatur, Adams County, 3 June 1927 — Page 1

J WEATHER i nw ttlfd tionlght Saturday showitorrns- Not much ng e m tempera-

M AMBERLIN PLANS TO HOP OFF TOD A Y

1 0RL WIFE TELLS I HOPE DETAILS OF fpoiSONIHI? PLOT I g.L she Poisoned Her I ■’(tn-in To Save Life Os [ Her Baby Shads that her If |';\lD BE RETURNED ! Bii'ii'iiin. I ml., -June —G IB — mm. plea that she poisoned her „ to save the life of her was made today by Mrs. I jlrnthea Walser, 16, held with I X husband in the death of ChfA"il Cox. 12. I K yirl wife, grief stricken RHHH, a;i: ;e the baby was taken m her in the Grant county here and placed in the care of father at Fatrmount, wept as she 1 prosecutor Edward (’. Hayes, ■ ils of the poison scheme. | Tells Os Husband’s Threats made me do it,’ she cried, ■•hen Arthur first mentioned poisJ inK Clifford, I wouldn’t hear to it, I he said It was either Clifford or hahv and i couldn’t bare to have baby killed. He threatened to do away with and the baby if 1 didn’t obey him. i see. 1 had taken out a small inmre policy for the baby, but not the same reason that I took out for Clifford, and Arthur sjjid it n’t matter if Clifford or the baby U, we would get money any how.” Asks For Her Baby etween incidents of the month-old •dec plot to poison the cousin with is green dissolved in lemonade realize on the $445 insurance icy, Mrs. Walser kept asking for baby. Back in her cell in the nan’s ward of the jail, she inqnlrof Mrs. Jacob Campbell, wife of woman’s ward of the jail. 6<ES E sheriff, if the five-month-old ln- ■ was receiving proper attention, i want my baby back," were often sated words. The fact that she ad the most extreme charge that s'ate can bring against a person not appear to fret her. To friends ) called at the Jail, she expressed line that no Jury would convict of an act to which she had been ivii \iy tear for herself and ' d, hut she said she “didn t care it happened to her husband, wsecutor Hayes revealed that one r ago. Walser was charged with tributing to the detinqnincy of ■othca and that the charges were pped when they were married. To Codify Corporation Laws ndianapolis, Ind., June .3 —(Lnited ssi—Frederick F. Schortemeier, retnry of state today is preparing heg’n his survey and codification Indiana corporation laws, lie minced. Yesterday, the secretary ■cted a commiss'on of 11 persons, en of whom are at'ornevs to serve b him in the work. AYS RIVER CAN BE CONTROLLED ‘orpfarv Os War Davis lavs Mississinpi Can And Must Be Controlled "’liicago, June 3—(UP)—The Missippi river can and must be controlland plans for this control must be ady for submission at the next sesm of Congress, Secretary of War right F. Bavis told the flood congas today. Secretary Davis was sent to the ngress as (lie representative of Prelent Coolidge and is considered the okesman for the President cn the itter of flood control. Hasty action would be extreemly advised," the war secretary said, will take weeks to collect the data, d no unnecessary delay will be periled. Plans must be submitted at 6 next congress at the time it eeta."

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Vol. XXV. No. 1.31.

Build New Embassy ' P", * "sits F.L’KE 'krOWAlibC'

Sip Fsiik* Howard, British Ambassador, who hits been on a lour in (lie West is returning to Washington shortly to let the contracts for a new British Embassy in Washington, which will be one of the finest embassy buildings in he, national capital.

TRACTOR RUNS OYER BOY'S LEG Clarence Smith, 13, Injured By Same Tractor Which Injured His Brother Clarence Smith. 15. son of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Smith, -res Wing rt-*hort distance south of tiie Adams county infirmary. was seriously injured this morning by tho same tractor that caused serious injuries to his brother, Lawrence. age 12. just one month ago today. Tho accident happened about 11 o’clock this morning, at .almost the same hour that Lawrence was injured a month ago. Clarence was operating the tractor this morning when it became stalled in mud. He climbed,off the tractor and was standing just back of one of the large drive wheels, when, apparently, the clutch slinned throwing the trac- • into reverse. The large wheel pass- j ed over the hoy’s left leg. inflicting I a compound fracture of both hones in the leg. Tho injured boy was brought to the Adams County Memorial hospital in this city, where physicians dressed his injuries and set the fractured bones. The fractures were very had ones. A month ago today. Clarence and Lawrence were operating the tractor, when the motor was "killed". 1-aw-rence climbed off tho tractor and startP ,l to crank tho motor. Tho motor backfired, tho crank sti iking the boy ln the face, just below his left eye. with such great force that the hones in his face vote crushed and lie was rendered unconscious for several hours. Bo v Orries OuanHty Os Nitro-Glvcerine In Pocket Os His Coat Wabash. Juno 3.-A nunnlity of 1 nltroftlvcer’ne big enough to blow „p the city hall, was found in the peek pI of t welve-vear-old Maxwell Clevenger, who evidently thought lie ■ had a precious possession. The fuse is now in the possession of Chief Bnlte, to whom it was brought by the fad's father. Ed Siders, one of the young lads • who broke into Billy Brown’s bicycle • repair shop and stole some bicycle accessories, sold a cycle meter to voung Clevenger. After Riders was ' rmght he told about the meter and • Clevenger’s |father searched MaxI well's poekeis for the cycle meter. , He found the nitre glycerine and fuse and brought it to the police station. rv To Attend Kiwanis Meet Elmore Sturgis, ex-president of the - Bluffton Kiwanis Club, left today for t Memphis, Tennessee, to attend the int ternational Kiwanis convention as a delegate from the Bluffton club.

ONLY DAILY NEWSP AP E R IN ADAMS COUNTY

DULL ENTERS A PLEA OF GUILTY TO CHARGE HERE i f 1 Wiltshire Man, Caught At Marion, Admits Obtaining ; Goods Through Fraud v SENTENCE DELAYED UNTIL SATURDAY i -x 1 Mini Dull, 3u, of Wiltshire, tliio, | wanted here since March 25, on a charge < f obtaining goods under false I pretense, and who was brought to Dc- I catur from Marion last night by Sheriff Hurl Hollingsworth, appeared in the Adams circuit court nt 11 o'clock this morning and peladed guilty to the charges preferred against him. ] Dull, who escaped a few days ago from the Ohio hospital for tiie insane, at Toledo, was taken into custody at Marion. Wednesday, when he was caught selling cigarettes to Marion , retailers and could not furnish information as to where lie secured the cigi arettes. ( To Bo Sentenced Saturday ( The court ordered Dull taken back to the Adams county jail and to ap- j peat again Saturday morning to re- ( reive a sentence. The law provides that he may tie sentenced to from 1 , to 7 years in the state prison or from v 10 days to li months In the county Jail. , A fine, also, is provided in the law. f After tlie court had explained the ( details of the case to Dull, he unties- ( itatingly entered a plea of guilty. Dull ] who formerly conducted a moving pic- ) turn theatre in this city, was held re- . rentiy at Van Wert. Ohio, where pf- < forts to connect him with the Payne, t Ohio, Hank robbery failed to material- 1 ize. He was declared insane and com- t mitted to the state hospital at Toledo, i Dull escaped from the hospital twice i within four weeks. At the time of his second escape, authorities at the hos- t pita! were preparing to turn him over t to Paulding. Ohio. Officials who want- c ed him in connection with the Payne 1 hank robbery, it is said. The hospital 1 physicians had declared Dull sane fob t lowing a month's observation, it was 1 said. o CHAPLIN ANSWERS' GHARGESOF WIFE 1 ‘ i Movie CornedWn Files CrossComplaint For Divorce; Seeks Children I,os Angeles, June 3. — (TTP) —Attorneys for Ufa Grey Chaplin today were preparing her reply to (lie comedian's charge that slip was a "Butterfly’’ wife who neglected Her husband and children for the company of unnamed young men. Chaplin's long-delayed answer to her suit for divorce was filed yesterday. The comedian denied ail her charges and made some of his own. In return, her attorney, Lyndol Young said, she will file an answer next week in which she will refute his charges and insist on her fitness to lie custodian of the two Chaplin children. Chaplin's reply to her divorce complaint allegations was that he was a loving husband and kind father while she was an extravagant, and undignified wife and neglectful mother. In a 72-page answer he denied all of her charges of cruelty and in a 22page cross-complaint charged Mrs. Chaplin with associating with at least two other men, drinking liquor to excess, and planning the divorce which, both are now seeking. He asked that the complaint he dismissed and that he he granted a divorce and the custody of their two children. An automobile salesman, unnamed, was specified in his complaint. Auto Breaks Boy's Leg Deverl Quakenbush, 6, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Quakenbush. of Yod-j er. sustained a fracture of Ills right, leg, Wednesday night, when run over| by an automobile. The lad ran in front of the car.

Decatur, Indiana, Friday, June 3, 1927.

Birthday Celebration Proves Too Exciting For Woman, Age 100 t " Greensburg, Ind., June 3—(United Press) Mrs. Anna Itannon. a guest ut the stale I O. O. F. home, is suffering no ill effects today from the excitement inc dent to the celebration of her 100th birthday yesterday. Lnst night she was guest of honor at a birthday party at the home chapel, when a special birthday cake with 100 candles was cut in her honor. Mrs. Hannon was born near Greenv lie, ()., and moved to Indiana when 15 years of age. For many years she I ved nt Kingman. Parke county, and later at Crawfordsvtlle. H. J. MURTAUGH DIES IN WEST Former Decatur Man Dies In California W hile Serving W ith U. S. Army Harry J. Murtaugh, 35. son of Mrs. William Murtaugh, 434 Morver avenue. died at 3:40 o'clock this morning, at Eetterman hospital. St. Francisco, Californ’a. He was serving in the 11th Cavalry, U. S'. Army, at the time of his death. Relatives hero have not received word as to the cause of his death. Harry J. Murtaugh was a son of Mr. and Mrs. William Murtaugh and was born in Woodruff. West Virginia, May 13, 1892. He received his education In St. Augustin's school, Grafton. West Virginia. Mr. Murtaugh came to Decatur In May, 1913, with liis father, and was employed as a brakeman on the F.rip railroad for a few years. In 19TG, lie enlisted in the TT. S. army and served with the 03rd Infantry on the Mexican border. During the World War, he was stationed at Camp Meade, Md.. as a sergeant training recruits, with Company G. oft Tie 63rd Infantry. On December 15, 1919, Mr. Murtaugh sailed with the Siberian Benlacement detachment, A. E. F., for duty at Vladinostoch, Siberia. Upon his return to the United States, Vic was stationed at different intervals at Manilla. P. I. Honolulu, P. 1., and Ft. McDaniel. California. Surviving are the mother; three sisters, Marie. Jean, and Ann, at home; and three brothers, William. Jr., and Joseph, at home, and James A. of I.os Angeles. His father and one brother, diaries A., preceded h'm in death. Funeral arrangements have not been made, as the body will not arrve in this eitv before Tuesday or Wednesday, of next week. “LINDY” READY TO START HOME Flyer Returns To Paris To Say Farewell Before Starting Home Saturday Bv A. L. Bradford, (IT. P. Staff Correspondent) Paris. June 3.—(UP) — Capt. Charles A. Lindbergh returned today to the city of his original triumph to say farewell before leaving tomorrow for Cherbourg, where lie will board the TT. S. light cruiser Memphis to return lo the United States. The American airman landed on Le Bourget field at in a. m., after maneuvering over the field and performing a few stunts in the air. He had flown from London in two hours and 22 minutes of actual flying time, including two takeoffs and two landings. The extixi takeoff and landing wore caused by the fog over the channel which compelled Lindbergh to drop down at Lympne, on the Kent coast, and wait an hour and 15 minutes for the fog to lift. The trip across the channel was negotiated in fast time. The weather was good from 4be French coast, to Paris. It was not known when he arrived i here today whether Lindbergh would 1 fly or go by train to Cherboug toinorI row, where another reception awaits him beforo he boards the cruiser Metn(tOXTlNliED ON I'AUE FIVE)

TAX BOARD TO HOLD HEARING HERE JUNE 17 To Seek Information Fo. Use In Adjusting Real Estate Assessments TO MAKE BLANKET ADJUSTMENTS A member of the state hoard of tax commissioners will conduct a public hearing in the Adams county court house here at 10 o'clock Friday morning. June 17. for the purpose of obtaining fiiflormation cfonderning tfio true cash value of real estate in Adams county, to enable the board to adjust the assessed valuation thereon fer the year 1927. according to a letter received at the county auditor's offioe today. Information as to individual assessments will not tie heard at this hearing, as the 1927 law under which the | hearing will he held, gives the state j hoard power to make blanket horizontal adjustments to the entire county, applicable to various classes of real estate. Tentative plans had been put under way here to circulate petitions, asking the state board to make a dacrease on farm real estate. The hearing announced) by the state board may answer ajl purposes for which it was proposed to circulate the petitions for a hearing. The notice received from the state hoard reads as follows: “To tile Taxpayers of Adams county, and of the several Taxing Districts therein; “You are hereby notified that a public hearing will lie held by the State Board of Tr.x Commissioners of Indiana at the Court House at th<* county seat in voitr county on Friday, the 17tli day of June 1927, at 10 a.m. for the purpose of obtaining such information concerning the true cash value of real estate in your (CONTIN'I El) ON l*A«iK FIVE) BANKERS MEET AT BLUFFTON Groun One of Indiana Bankers’ Association Holds Annual Meeting Bankers of group one of the Indiana Bankers' Association, meeting in their eighteenth annual session at Bluffton, Thursday, accepted the invitation of the Columbia City bankers to hold tfieir 1928 meeting in that city. Three hundred bankers and their wives, including ail officials and most of the employes of the three Decatur banks and the other banks of Adams county, attended the meeting at Bluffton yesterday. The following officers were elected yesterday: Chairman, Bolin N. Walter, La. Grange, re-elected; secretary. K S. Crouch, Columbia City; George Waldschmidt, of Fort Wayne, member of the state nominating committee, and R. S. Walter, /Lagrange; J. D. Winteregg. Berne; L. E. McCartney, Kendallville; F. J. Tnngman, Blummton. and O. J. Lombard. Auburn, members of tiie executive committee. The bankers were guests at a noon luncheon served in the aduitorium of the community building, where the convention was held. Tiie luncheon was served by the women of the Presbyterian church. In the afternoon, the bankers listened to a program at tile auditorium, while the women visitors were entertained at the Country club. 1 F, J. T.angemnn, secretary of the . Union Savings and Trust company, of ' Bluffton. gave the address of welcome. Hollo N. Walter, of Legrnnge, presided 1 over the meeting ns chairman of the • group, while the principal addresses were made by Wayne Hummer, o' LaSalle. Illinois, former president of 1 the Illinois Bankers’ Association, and 1 Hugo C. Robert, of Huntingburg, pre.-d- --' dent of the Indiana Bankers’ Assoctn--1 tion. Thomas D. Barr, deputy stale ‘ | banking commissioner, also gave an j address.

COMING HOME , ma I

, AIvANS’ONf B HOUGHTOVI Ambassador Munson B. Ilouglilon, who is cornin'* home from I.tuition on lltc I .win limn, stnles his business is “purely personal." However he is said to he seheduled for a conference with President Goolidge before the President leaves for his summcr vacation in Ihe west.

A. MESHBERGER DIES THURSDAY Aged Man Dies At County Infirmary After Eight Months’ Illness Abraham Meshberger, 77. died at the Adams county infirmary Thursday. following a eight months' illness due to senility. Mr. Meshberger had been an inmate of the infirmary for several years. Abraham Meshberger was horn at Linn Grove, December 25. 1849. Ife was a son of Jacob and Rose Reese Meshberger. Mr. Meshberger never was married. Five brothers and one sister survive. They are John nml Ben. of Linn Grove; Sam, of Berne; Jacob, of Upland, California; Fred, of Fori Wayne., and Mrs. Sarah Barber, of- Decatur. Tiie body was taken to the home of John Meshberger, nt Linn Grove. Funeral services will he held at the Evangelical church at Linn Grove at 1:30 o’clock Saturday afternoon, with the Rev. F. J. Stedcke officiating. Durtal will lie made in the Greenwood cemetery, Linn Grove. — (i FRENCH Oil INN TO ADDRESS GRADUATES County Eighth Grade Graduates To Have Picture Taken In Front Os Limberlost Cabin One of the features of tho annual county eighth grade commencement this year, to tie held at Geneva next Wednesday morning, will lie tiie taking of a picture of the graduates In the lawn of Limberlost Cabin, former home of the late Gene Stratton-Porter beloved writer of nature stories Tho picture will lie taken in front of the cabin, whieli is located in tiie west pnri of Geneva. Following tho taking of tho pioture French Ottinn. well-known Decatur citizen, will give a short talk to tiie graduates on the life and works oT M,s. Porter. The commencement exercises will he held in the Methodist church at Geneva, starting nt 10 o’clock. Diplomas wPI he awarded to 249 pupils Decatur Musicians On Air This Afternoon A concert by three Decatur musicians was broadcast this afternoon, at 2 o’clock over radio station WOWO Fort Wayne. Harold Teeter and Roland Reppert played cornets and Miss Vid’et Sqtiier was the pianist. — —o — Probe Mysterious Murder Chicago. June 3—(United Press)— Investigation of the mysterious murder of Mrs. Mary Sietsema. who was garroted in a manner similar to the one used by the “strangler" who is responsible for almost a score of murders In the middlewest and west, w r as underway today. A piece of piano lamp wtire had been hvound around her neck and there were numerous blood stains on her body.

Price Two Cents.

BELLANCAPLANE IS READY TO TRY FLIGHT TO BERLIN American Flyers Expected To Hop Off Late Today In Trans-Atlantic Flight BACKERS SILENT ON THEIR PLANS Roosevelt Field, N. A., June UP) —In the face of unfavorable weaiher reports from Newfoundland and the northern Atlantic, work on the Columbia Aircraft company’s plane, Columbia, continued briskly at 3 :30 p. m. today, with every indication that a take-off within a few hours was planned. Tlu* plane was partly refueled in its hangar at Curtin field, adjoining Roosevelt field, and it was learned that a truck had been ordered to tow It to Roosevelt field for the take-off between 4 and G p. nt. Wants Start Supervised j Washington. June 3- t DIM Charles i Levine, hacker of the Belianca plane Columbia, telephoned tiie National aeronautic association today from New York that Clarence Chamberlain would take off on his attempted flight to Berlin at 6 o’clock tonight. He requested that an official of the association he in New York to supervise starting records. Carl F. Schory of the national Aoronaughtical association, unable to obtain an airplane for an early hop to New Yotk. Left early this morning with a Raroghaph and instruments which will lie sealed aboard Chamlierttn’s plane when it takes off from Roosevelt field. According to the telephone conversation between Schory and Levine. Chamberlin will take the most direct route to Berlin, a distance of 4.200 miles, or approximately GOO miles farther than that covered by Captain Charles Lindbergh on his New York to I’aris flight. Refuse To Confirm Reports Roosevelt Field, N. ~ June 3, (United Press)—The Belianca airplane Columbia is ready to attempt a non-stop flight to F.ttrope. mechanics at I lie Columbia Aircraft company's hangar hero today sa-.d. They refused to confirm reports ihal un attempt would be made L> start the flight tonight, however. Officials of the company could not be readied. Increased activity around the hangar substantia 1M reports that file fight would start tonight or early tomorrow. Clarence Chamberlain, pilot of tho plane, was advised by the weather <ro\s rvi Kt> ov pack kivei CATHOLIC PUPILS START VACATION Sf. Joseph's Grade School And Catholic High School Close Today The St. Joseph’s grade school and thp Decatur Catholic high school closed at noon today for the summer vacation. On Monday evening. June G. class day exercises will be held in the school auditorium, at 8 o’clock. The program will consist of exercises by the high school students and class histories, prophesies and music selections will lie , given. On Tuesday evening, June 7 the I annual commencement exercises will he held in the auditorium. The Rev. Charles Girardot, pastor of fit. Joseph" parish. Bluffton. will deliver . the commencement address. Members of the congregation and the pupils 5 are invited to both the Monday and > Tuesday night programs. 3 Nine pupils will he graduated from f the high school and six will be graduated from the commercial departs ment. Eighth grade graduates will reI ceive their diplomas also. A musical . program will lie given in connection with tho class exercises on Tuesday.

CLEAN UP AND PAINT UP