Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 25, Number 159, Decatur, Adams County, 7 July 1927 — Page 1

WEATHER Cloudy and cooler tonight; probably showers extreme south portion; fri-

WIND AND LIGHTNING CAUSE BIG LOSS

TAX VALUATIONS ARE CHANGED BY BOARD OF REVIEW Valuations Are Increased In Ten Townships, Berne And Geneva BOARD ENDS ITS ANNUAL SESSION The Adams county board <>!' review, which its session Wednesday. made changes in the valuations of personal property in ten of the twelve townships. and the towns of Berne and Geneva. The valuations j placed on the properly in Boot township. Hartford township, the town of Monroe and the city of Decatur by the township assessors were not changed. Although the totals have not been determined, it is thought that after | the increases have been made, the | total valuation of all personal proper . high as the total valuation in 1926 , ty in the county will be nearly as 1 which was $6,147,260. Before the board of review made any changes, the valuations in the county this ' year totaled, $5,210,153, which was $937,107 less than the 192 G valuation I Merchandise In Increased Although there was no blanket in crease on merchandise in any town chip ot other taxing unit, the board of reView increased ‘he valuation on the merchandise of several firms and individuals. A total of $36,000 was added to merchandise in the county, HL’ but the total is still nearly SIOO,OOO ‘ pbelow the valuation of merchandise the county last year. Ty .The county and tor. Martin Jaberg. will certify the valuations (?>’ the state tax board anil that body will review the figures. If they deem it advisable, the members of the state board wdll recommend other changes. Following are the increases made in valuations in the different taxing units: Union township 10 per cent on automobiles and 30 per cent on farm implements. Root township—Unchanged. Preble township 10 per cent on farm implements. Kirkland township—2o per cent on automobiles and 20 nor cent on farm implements. Washington township—lo per cent on automobiles and 10 per cent on farm Implements. St. Marys township—2o per cent on farm implements. Blue Creek township—2o per cent on farm implements. Monroe township—lo per cent on automobiles and 15 per cent on farm implements. French township-10 per cent on automobiles, 50 per cent on farm imE 4COXTIM ll!> ox ’•»<;!’ TV»<>> VALUABLE RAIN BREAKS DROUGHT Heavy Rain Last Night And Shower This Morning Alleviate Heat Wave 1? Rain, for a few limns last night and another shower this morning, broke the long dry spell in Adams county, greatly alleviated the hot weather wh ch has predominated in Decatur and vicinity for the last several days. I ’ Farmers say that the rain was worth thousands of dollars, especially to the corn crop. The rain was general throughout this part of the state, and it is thought that, with a few hot nights, the corn crop will soon be at its normal height for this time of year. -Lawns anil trees in Decatur, which were almost burned up by’ the intense heat, again appeared green toISday, and the heavy dust on all throads was greatly diinin shed. The roads are reported to be in good condition, and the rain was not heavy enough to cause any wash outs. F Olilv a little thunder and light- • '*jUng accompanied the rains, and no damage was reported.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Vol. XXV. No. 159.

New President ■ Os Rotary Club mm Dore B. Erwin Dore B. Erwin, Decatur attorney, will assume his duties jas president of the Decatur | Rotary Club at the regular meeting of the Club tonight. NEW OFFICERIS ~ TO BEGIN DOTIES — Dore B. Erwin To Take Office As President Os Rotary Club Tonight New officers of the Decatur Rotary club will take office at the regular meeting of the club to be held at 6:15 o’clock this evening at the Knights of Columbus hall. Dore B. Erwin, well known attorney of ttiis city, is th enew president of the club. He succeeds Carl C. PumphreyT wTio has Teen presidefir of the, club for the past 15 months. Mr. Pumphrey, by virtue of being the immed'ate past-president, will become a member of the board of directors. The other officers who will assume office tonight are. M. J. Mylott, superintendent of the city light and power plant, vice-president; W. A. Lower, local banker, secretary; James Cowan, manager of the Decatur Castings Co., treasurer, and A. D. Suttles, manager of the Suttles-Edwards Co., sergeant-at-arms. Mr. Lower was re-elected, while I Mr. Mylott and Mr. Cowan, served the club during the past year as scrgeant-at-arms and vice-president, respectively. Mr. Erwin will address the club this evening, appoint committees and outline a tentative program for the year. Besides Mr. Pumphrey the other retiring officer of the club is Herman J. Yager, who served as secretary and treasurer at the club for three years. The Decatur Rotary Club was organized in this "ity in 1916. with 1£ members. It now lias a membership of 48. o Pythians To Install New Officers Tonight At the regular meeting of the local Knights cl* Pythias, at 7:30 o’clock tonight, the recently elected officers will be installed. Each officer will hold office for a period of six months. The installation will follow the regular business session of the lodge and all members are asked to attend. The meeting will start promptly at 7:30 o’clock. 0 . — Postal Employes To Hold Picnic On Bowen Farm The annual picnic of the Adams county postal employes will be held in the grove on the Leigh Bowen farm one-half mile south of the county farm next Sunday, July 10, instead of at Bellmont Park, according to an anninoncement made today by the committee in charge. All postal employes in the county, together with their families are invited. o Altitude Record Broken Washington, July 7. — (United Press Lieut. C. C. Champion, U. S. navy, broke his own world’s seaplane altitude record July 4 when he cl'mbed 37.995 feet. Porter Adams, president of the National Aeronautic Association announced today.

Kittle black ' Boris BEING SOUGHT AGAIN Box In Which 1). C. Stephenson Kept Important Documents Is Hunted STEPHENSON FAILS TO TELL “EVERYTHING” Indianapolis, July 7. — (UP) —The "little black box” in which D. ('. Stephenson kept important private documents, accumulated during his reign as grand dragon of the Indiana Ku Klux Klan became an object of official search again today. This time, officials were assisted by Stephenson. Prosecutor William H. Remy, of Marion county, who in terviewed Stephenson In the Michigan City state prison last Tuesday, has obtained a written order from the former political power, addressed to "some of his friends," and will use i. in an attempt to find the box. Documents Believed Intact ’ One of Remy’s aides has the Stephenson order. It is understood that it is a letter to persons who are believed to know where the documents are hidden, and, it is believed, contains directions regarding where to go in the search. Remy’s aides were reticent in discussing it. Stephenson believes that his documents are intact,” said Deputy Prosecutor William H. Sheaffer. "He does not believe they are destroyed or lost." Fo'T'mrne uiirThg the grand jury investigation of political corruption in Indiana last fall, it was believed that the documents, which once reposed in a safety deposit box in Indianapolis had been destroyed. xßemy they may contain the elites to Stephenson's actual hand in state government affairs that he failed to obtain at Michigan City. Remy declared reports that Slephenson had told him “all" were "most violeht assumption.” 0. H.S.GRADUATES ARE MAKING GOOD Seven Decatur Students At Purdue Make High tirades During Past Year The Decatur school board has received a report from Purdue University on the work of the seven Decatuh high school graduates who were students there during the past school year. The report shows that all seven of the students are making a highly creditable showing. Clarence Spuller, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dallas Spuller. of near Decatur, who was a sophomore in the school of Agriculture during the past year, is leading the list with grades of “A" in every subject. The other six students ate Juanita Thomas, junior in the school of Home Economics; Harry W. Sutton, senior in the school of Chemical Engineering: Margaret L. Christen, jun'or in the school of Home Economics; Byron M. Reber, freshman in the school of Agriculture; Rowena L. Miller, junior in the school of Home Economics; <tno Robert Mil's, sophomo:e in the school of Meehan cal Engineering. The Decatur school officials ar» highly pleased with the ujork of ho Decatur students at Purdue. o Fire Destroys Dance Hall West Os Auburn Auburn, July 7. —Lightning struck the Midway dance pavilion, two miles west of here, shortly before midnight last night and started a fire which totally destroyed the building. H. B. Chapel, owner of the pavilion, estimated the loss at $15,000, less than halt of which is covered by insurance. Fire companies from this city and Garrett attempted to extinguish the fire.

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday, July, 7, 1927.

“Stevey” learns To Ride A Horse While Living In Black Hills How a former Decatur boy is learning to become a real "cow-boy is the story told about Francis Stephen on, Washington corerspondent for the Associated Press with President Coolidge in South Dakota, in an article published tecently in Editor and Publisher. I runcis. who was graduated f'om Decatur high school, has been with the Associat ’d Press for several yws and is holding one of the most important posts m that news gathering organization. Tiie article is as follows. “Francis M. Stephenson of the Associated Press, who lias a little cabin in the woods, a short distance from the President’s lodge, beat it into Rapid City to get boots, riding trousers and a < hamoiskin jacket. A few days later ‘Dakota Slyde Jcnes.' cowboy champion In three states, came down with a saddle horse for ‘Two-Gun Steve' to ride. He told ‘Stevey’ he would act as his guide. ‘Stevey’s’ last mount was r hobby horse in the nursery, never having been able to afford an electric horse in the gym. “ ‘Dakota Clyde’ helped him into the saddle. The Cowboy jumped <>n the back of his wonderful sorrel. 'Come on, let's go,’ he shouted to the tenderfoot, and a half mile up the mountain road, he looked back. ‘Stevey's’ horse was standing just where he had left him. “ How do you get this horse started?’ called out 'Stevey'. ‘Jah your heels i nhis ribs,’ yelled ‘Dakota Clyde’. “ 'Stevek' barely touched the flank of his mount. “Hit his neck with your bridle strap said ‘Dakota Clyde’. “ ’Stevey's’ blow was a caress. horse did not move. "Oh, I guess I've ridden far euoiigh for one day,’ concluded the newspaper man, dismounting." UPTOWN STORE CHANGES HANDS John Baker. Former Sheriff, Buys A. N. Anker Cigar Store Today A business deal has been closed | whereby John Baker, former Adams county sheriff. purshased the cigar and magazine store of A. N. Anker, on Second street. Mr. Baker will assume the ownership July 18. The Anker Cigar store has been in this city for many years, it formerly being located where the American Variety store is now located. Mr. Anker stated this afternoon that as yet, he was undecided as to what lie would do, but that he probably would enter another business in this city. Mr. and Mrs. Anker have recided in Decatur for many years. Mr. Baker stated that he was undecided whether lie would continue the business wholly as a cigar store or would add another line of merchandise. He stated that he would make a definite announcement in the next fewdays. Tile Frank Young barber shop, which is located at present in the Anker Cigar stere, will remove to a new location, but as yet no location has been secured for the shop. Mr. Baker will use the entire store room, he said. Mr. Baker was sheriff of Adams county for two terms, retiring January 1 of this year. Prior to that time lie was engaged in the restaurant and meat market business. o Ornamental Lights On Monroe Street Turned On The new ornamental lights on Monroe street were turned on for the first time last night. The posts have been installed from the Monroe street river bridge, west to the Pennsylvania railroad crossing between Seventh and Eighth streets. Two Italians Slain Chicago, July 7.— (UP) —Two Italians believed to be members of gangs of alcohol distillers were found by police today murdered in different parts of the city. Both had been shot several times.

IROBBERS BREAK INTO TWO TOCSIN BUSINESS NOOSES Small Amount Os Loot Obtained At Elevator And Lumber Yard Office AUTOMOBILE TRACKS OFFER ONLY CLUE Two robberies at Tocsin last night faileit to net much of a haul for the thieves. Entrance was gained into the Tocsin Elevator company's elevator and the Tocsin Lumber company building by breaking through the front doors of the two nlar-es. Safes in both establishments were broken in'o. but no money was found in either safe. The thieves took a new Remington portable typewriter from one of the buildings and also a foun'ain pen. No clues have been found, except the tracks of a baloon tire automobile, near the two buildings. It is thought that the robberies did not occur until after the heavy rains last night. Sheriff Forester McClain, of Wells county, made an investigation of the robberies this morning. Child Killed By Auto Marlon. Ind., July 7 —(UP) Paul Korporal. ID. son of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Korporal of Marion, died at the Grant county hospital today of injuries received Wednesday night when he was struck by an automobile while running across the street in a game of hide and seek. Merrell Love, driver of the automobile, was severaly JmrneA .by hot water from the radiator His car overturned and pinned him beneath. —; O . Bus And Auto Collide Ypsilanti, Mich.. July 7.—(United Press I—Twenty persons were injured today when a Sunline bus out of Chicago for Detroit collided with an automobile near here and turned over on its side. Witnesses said the bus crashed into the smaller car when it tried to pass a large truck. FORMER BERNE MAN PROMOTER Ellis H. Sprunger Made Associate Membership Secretary Os Y. M.C. A. Ellis H. Spt Inger, former resident of Berne, has been appointed associate secretary of the Membership D.partment of the National Counc.l of the Y. M C. A., with offices in New York City. At present Mr. Sprunger is membership secretary of the Central Y.M.C.A., in Detroit, Michigan. The National Council is the executive department of the Y, M. C. A.s of the United Ctates r.nd Canada. More than £OO different city associations throughout America are organized under the National Council. Tn his new position, Mr. Sprunger will serve largely in an advisory capacity to the membership department of these SOO city organizations. Mr. Sprunger will also be respoasible for much of the publicity and advertising matter issued by the executive offices at New York. During the last three years, Mr. Sprunger has been president of the National Secretaries’ Conference. He will serve on the faculty of the Southern Y.M.C.A. summer school, at Blue Ridge, North Carolina, during the latter part of this month. Mr. Sprunger is a son of Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Sprunger. of Berne. After being graduated from Oberlin college in 1916, he became editor of the Adams County Witness, at Berne. He resigned that position in 1919 to become membership secretary of the Fort Wayne Y.M.CIArj wtfiCh potyi- ! tion he held until 1925, when he became membership secretary of the Detroit Y.M.C.A. He will assume his new duties on August 1.

| Dempsey’s Kin Tragic Suicide w /fl William H, “Jack" Dempsey's training camp has been plunged into gloom by the suicide of the lighter's brother. John. I'he latter (above) killed his wife in Schenectady, N. Y. then turned the gun on himself. BYRD ASPIRES TO SEVERAL FLIGHTS Trans-Atlantic Flier Wants To Explore Four Remote Regions Os Earth Paris, July 7.—(United Press)— Commander Richard E. Byrd today expressed a desire to explore four of the most remote regions of the earth. « Only the speed of an airplane could enable man to visit the spots JudL cated by Byrd and scientifically to explore them within the space of the next seven or eight years. Which Byrd has dedicated to the task. In the order of their proposed visitation. Byrd said he would seek permission from the -navy | department to go to the south pole, the interior of Brazil, to Arabia and finally to Mount Everett, sentinel of the Himalaya’s from whose top no man has returned alive. Just now, howevVr, <|fremon:es and functions have worn out the American flyers and all they want is a few day’s rest. Commander Byrd has asked Herbert A. Gibbons, John Wanamaker’s personal representative, to end the receptions as soon as possible. But a heavy program faces the fliers up to Saturday, allowing them few free hours until then. Wilbur Withdraws Objections Washington. July 7.—(United Press Secretary of Navy Wilbur today withdrew his objections to the proposed south polar flight of Commander Richard E. Byrd this fall. “I hate to see Commander Byrd risk h's life on such a flight.’’ Wilbur said, “but if he wants to carry it out. the navy will not object." The secretary said that with a plane of a- cruising radius of from 2.400 to 4.000 nrles, Byrd would be able to make an extended trip over the south polar regions and could take pictures and make observations that would add greatly to scientific knowledge. o Ammonia Poured Over Baby Causes Its Death Detroit, July 7. —(United Press) — A victim of ammonia which was poured down his throat and over his body while he slept. Alfred Cocking, Jr., ten months old, died today in Children’s Hospital. The baby was left alone for a few minutes yesterday and when the mother returned she found him strangling. The mattress in the crib was saturated with ammonia, and the baby’s body soon became a solid blister. Dr. Milton D. Yokes said ammonia also had been poured down his throat. ■ ..ex ■ . . . Falls From Cherry Tree Logansport, Ind., July 7.—(United Press) —Nathan Bechdol, 76, was in a critical condition today from injur■jies suffered in a 15-foot fall from a i fcherry tree late Wednesday. His i head struck a concrete sidewalk and his skull was fractured.

Price Two Cents.

NORTHERN PART OF INDIANA HAS SEVERE STORM Many Buildings Struck By Lightning In And Near Fort Wayne Last Night STANDING CROPS DAMAGED BY HAIL Fort Wayne, July 7. — (Cniied Press) —Damage running into lens of thousands of dollars was counted in northern Indiana today, following a terrific wind and electrical storm Wednesday night and early today. A flour mill, a school building, farm houses and other buildings were struck and damaged by lightning. Great damage also was done to standing crops, which were beaten to the ground by hail. The storm lasted five hours. Flour Mill Damaged The greatest single damage was done to the Moellering Flour Mills plant near here, which was struck by lightning. Fire, that followjed (Wd • SIB,OOO damage. Mel Trotter To Speak At U. B. Rally Sunday Portland. July 7 —Mel Trotter of Grand Rapids. Michigan, one of the headliners r the Ice.ure field, will be the principal speaker at the Eastern Indiana U. B. Rally, which will be held at the Jay county fair grounds, Sunday, July 10 The first meeting will bo held at 11 o'clock in the forenoon. Following a basket dinner, ’he second meeting will begin at 1.30 o'clock in the afternoon. The closing services will be held at Hie Portland U. B. church, and the dinner will be served ia the basement of the building. Gov. Ritchie To Address Indiana Bar Association French Lick. Ind., July 7 —(UP) — Gov. Albert C. Ritchit of Maryland arrived here today as guest of the Indiana Bar Association, which meets in annual convention today and tomorrow. Governor Ritchie will make the keynote address at tomorrow’s session on the subject: “Which shall it be, a government of law, or a government of men.” The second largest enrollment of new tuebbers in the history of the association will be reported by Henry Walker of Evansville today when he will show that 257 new members have been added during the year. o Air Tour Planes In South Louisville. Ky., July 7—The national air reliability tour was resumed here today when the 13 airplanes took off for Memphis. TO FORM “40 ET 8" CHAPTER HERE State Officers Os Organization To Help Local Veterans Organize All local American Legion members interested in the organization of a local chapter of the “Forty and Eight" are asked to attend a meeting a Legion hal in the Graham and Walters building, at 7:30 o’clock tonight Several state officers of that organization wil be here tonight to foster an Adorns county organization. “All Veterans, who have belonged to the Legion for one year or more are I eligible to become members of 'be i “Forty and Eight". Thie is a chapter of this organization in practically every town and city in the state where there is a Legion post, and local LeT gion men are particularly auxions to 1 organize In this city. All ex-service men interested in the i new organization are asked to attend s the meeting tonight and hear the state 1 officials explain the functions of the new organization.

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