Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 25, Number 176, Decatur, Adams County, 27 July 1927 — Page 1

WEATHER Generally «" d continued warm toght and Thursday. Mcominfl cooler .n “ th we.t portion Thursday afternoon.

GRAND JURY GETS HORSE DEAL CHECK

HUMS COUNTY OIL fraud case being tried at DETROIT Promoter Being Tried For Misrepresentirtg Leases Near Geneva (ENEVA MEN AT trial as witnesses Detroit. Mich . July 27 - — (UP) ~ Charging use of the mails to defraud ln a n oil dejl the government attempted today to show E. D. FitzgeraM, 60 year-old Detroit promoter, misrepresented the value of leases on Indiana and Kentucky property, held by hi s Security Oil and Refining com pany and by that method sold a controlling interest in the company to two Kanl&s oil men for a sum ten times greater than the acaial value. The men who the prosecution said were defrauded were Walter Varnes and Charles Eddy, both of Indepen*«iee, Kansas. The leases lit Indiana are located near Geneva, in Adams county. County Records Submitted The second day of Fitzgerald’s trial was taken up by the submission of county records brought from Kentucky describing the properties which the promoters company held under lease. The detailed description of the properties in Kentucky showed it had been oil land but contained only dry wells when Fitzgerald sold out to Varnes and Eddy for S3OOOO cash and a note for $70,000. Varnes testified late yesterday that he and Eddy were attracted to Fitzgerald's offer to sell by an aJjtfXUsement in an oil trade journal. His answers through the mails to their inquiry constituted using the mails to defraud. Assistant District Attorney Gorden Frederick had told the jury shortly before Varnes test!Jed. Defense Plans Outline Attorneys for Fi<gerald said they would attempt to show that Varnes and Eddy knew the property was worthless, but bought the company to gain the privilege of selling stock in Michigan. Fitzgerald's license to sell stock in the state had been revoked at the time he sold out his Michigan company to the Kansans. The trial was recessed this afternam until tomorrow after a juror fainted due to the heat in the court room. Detroit., Mich. July 27. — Leased oil lands near Geneva, Ind., worth only a few thousand dollars were in the summer of 1925 sold to two Kansas oil men for SIOO,OOO, after E. D. Fitzgerald, of Detroit, had fraudulently represented them to be worth many times that amount This is the charge that federal authorities will attempt to prove against the 60 year-old promoter, whose trial for using the mails to defraud opened (COVIIXI ED <>x PAGE FIVE! LODGE WORKERS ARE APPOINTED Committee Chairmen Os Odd Fellows Lodge Named By Noble Grand Fred Major, newly installed Noble Grand of the Decatur Odd Fel'ows lodge, this morning announced the appointment of committee chairmen for ‘he term. Don Teeple will have charge °f publicity and entertainment, and E. Black will head the lodge survey committee. F. Cowan, will have charge of lodge atcndance. and D. L. Drum will head the membership committee. Floyd Acker will have charge of the delinquent member committee Iton Teeple, retiring Noble grand of ihe lodge, recleved the scope and responsibility of committee work during his administration with splendid sue cess. Mr. Majors, in announcing his R *tentions of continuing the policy, Praised the results attained thereby dating Mr. Teeple’s administration.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Vol. XXV. No. 176.

Jackson Asked To Resign Or Disprove Allegations Two Indianapolis Newspapers Editorially Censure Governor For His Continued Silence In Face Os New Charges Os Bribery And Political Corruption; Governor Refuses To Comment By Wallace G. West United Press Staff Correspondent Indianapolis, ln<l„ .Inly 27. I\vo Indianapolis newspapers have gone on record editorially censuring Gov. Ed. Jackson for his continued silence in the lace of new charges of bribery anti political corruption published in the Indianapolis Times Monday. In its leading editorial Tuesday, the Indianapolis News declared Jackson had two courses open to resign immediately, or to disprove allegations that he at- ‘

tempted to bribe former Governor Warren T. McCray by offering him immunity from a prison term and $lO,000 if McCray won't! allow George V. Coffin, Indianapolis politcal "Boss” to name the next iprosecut/ng attorney. Must Mfike Innocnce Clear "The Governor's innocence must be made clear, and put beyond suspicion,” said the News editorial. “Nothing less than this will satisfy the people —or ought to. “Thpre (Wild be no geater mistake than to thing and act on the theory that the peoij’e are not aroused.” the News continued. “Only clods could, be complacent Under present conditions. But the present and immediate issue is sharp, direct and narrowly drawn." The editorial concludes with a note of warning, saying that “silence on the part of the Governor would be the worst policy.” Times Editorial More Emphatic The Times editorial is even more emphatic than the news’. Summing up the case, and asserting it had positive proof Gov. Jackson, then secretary of State, had traded on McCray’s financial difficulties in an effort tn gain preferment for Coffin, who was said to be one of the prime movers in what the Times terms “Stephensonism.” the editorial challenged Jackson to break his silence. “To the Times, the Governor says he has notlx’ng to say,” the editorial says. “To the News, by long distance telephone, he is quoted as saying he wishes to make no answer to a charge made by a prisoner in the penitent iery." The Times continues to take full respons'bilfty for publication of the charges and asserts Jackson should address his reply not to McCray, but to the Times. Star and Post Quiet The leading editorial in the Indianapolis Star the day after the charges appeared pra.ised the triumphs of Johnny Hennessey, Indianapolis Tennis p/ayer, at Detroit. Neither the Star nor the Indianapolis Post made any editorial comment on the matter. Governor Refuses to Talk Mackinac Island, M/ch.. July 27— (UP) —Governor Ed Jackson, of Indiana. here attending the annual conference of Governors, today declined to be drawn into any comment upon the joint demand of the Indianapolis Tmes and News that he resign or deny charges he offered Warren T. McCray $10,009 to allow the repubJican boss of Indianapolis to choose a prosecuting attorney. “In the first place” Jackson told the United Press, “I do not know- the details of this charge and naturally shall not comment upon it or upon this demand until I return and investigate it. if even then. It is not the first time that such demands have been made upon me. When I return and if I find that conditions warrant, I shall probably say something worth whi'e, but. I do not intend to be drawn into a comment upon this matter until that time. — Decatur Odd Fellows To Visit Geneva Lodge The St. Marys lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows will motor to Geneva Friday night where a class of local candidates wil Ireceive their initiatory work. The Geneva team will confer the work, of the second degree. It is probable that there will also be some Geneva candidates i nthe class. The meeting will be held in the lodge room of the Geneva lodge and all local members, transient and sojourners, are requested to attend the Geneva meeting. •

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

DALE PLANS TO RETURN TO FARM I — Arranges To Return To I Penal Farm Saturday With Deputy Sheriff Muncie, July 27- (UP)—George R. Dale, after an unsuccesful attempt to gain admission to the state penal farm Tuesday, returned to Muncie and today arranged for his transfer to the Piitnamville institution Saturday mornj ing. Sheriff Harry McAliley said deputy sheriff Luke Rowan will accompany Dale. The latter, who has attempted for years to avoid the 90 day sentence I imposed by Judge Clarence Dearth for alleged contempt of court, was refused admittance to the.state farm for lack of the necessary committment I papers. On his arrival at the farm he will be granted a parole as recommend ( ed by the hoard of trustees. Dale said'today hfs futile visit yesterday was due to a misunderstanding. He had been informed by Governor . Jackson’s secretary, he said, that it would only he necessary to exhibit receipts for his $590 fine and the court . costs. I 0 MINER’S UNION “STANDING PAT” Union Holds To Policy Os Leaving Local Strikes To District Officers Indianapolis, Ind., July 27 —(UP) — The United Mine Workers of America is continuing to "Stand pat" on the Ohio Coal mine strike it was said at International headquarters. No comment could be obtained from president John L. Lewis as he was not in the city and has not been in the city since last week. This discredited reports that he conferred heie Tuesday witli Lee Mall, of Columbus, Ohio., District chief of the miners. Lewis sped! the week-end at his home in Springfield, 111., and left there Monday, his office said, but it did not know whether he was at Pittsburgh or Columbus. The Union, it was explainI ed, has not altered its policy of leaving the Ohio and other situations to the district officers of the Mine aUnion. , i o Muncie Mayor Saves Girl From Drowning Muncie, Ind., July 27— (UP) — Miss: Sarah Chalfant. 16, probably owes her life to the quick action of Mayor John C. Hampton of tnuncie who rescued her from drowning after she had fallen : in White River. The fall knocked her : unconscious. Mayor Hampton, seeing the mishap as he strolled in the grove, dived into l the river and brought her ashoye safely She wgs revived quickly. ' The girl is in a hospital, her condition reported improved. — o South Bend Attorney Hurt Streator. 111. July 27 —(UP) —Otis [ Romine, attorney, South Bend. Indiana is in a hospital here suffering internal injuries as the result of an automobile accident. I The Misses Mary and Canoabelle 1 Johnson, companions of Romine when the car turned over escaped with slight i injuries.

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday, July 27, 1927.

Bluffton’s Population Is 5,862, Census Shows Bluffton, uly 27 According to a census taken by Postmaster Ralph Thomas and the lacal post trice employes, ihe population of Bluffton is 5,862. This Is a slight decrease compared to last yearis census ri ported, but still shows a big gain over the 1920 government census. , —o STOVE EXPLODES, STARTING BLAZE Considerable Damage Caused At Residence Os Elias Sudduth This Morning Fire, caused by the explosion of an oil co k stove, at 9:30 o'clock this morning, did considerable damage to the Elias Sudduth home on Elm street. The explosion occurred in the kitchen of the home, and the flames spread rapidly to all parts of the house, destroying all of the clothing in the clothes closets and most of the furniture. The roof was burned badly and the kitchen and dining room were compltely gutted. Some furniture was salvaged. of it was either partly or completely ruined. Mrs. Sudduth was working in the kitchen, when she noticed the flames around the oil stove. She went to the stove to turn it off. but the explosion occurred before she could reach the stove. The explosion thred oil all over the gitchen and flames gained considerable headway before firemen leached the scene. Neighbors assisted in saving par, of the furniture and valuable papers. The roof over the rear of the home was burned off, and the fire gained ac -css i every room. Mr. Sudduth was in the country working at the time of the fire. Mrs. Sudduth stated that the loss was only partly covered by insurance. The f:'enieti made a quick run to the fire, and it was only a few minutes after their ar: val until the fire was under control. They remained on the job, however, about an hour, playing water on the house, where the flames had eaten into the walls. Poisoning Os Children At Bicknell Investigated Vincennes, Ind.. July 27—(UP) — An inquiry was under way at Bicknell today into the sudden deaths of (wo children and the critical illness of a baby, believed to have been poisoned by beets. Fred Oliver Blakely. 8. and Orene Blakely. 5. are dead, and Waller Alvin Blakely 2 is seriously ill. The mother, Mrs. Charles Blakely, cocked the beets Tuesday. When Blakely came home fi om work he found Mrs. Blakely and the children scattered about the house, suffering agony. Although a physician was called. Opal Irene died at 4 p. in. and Fred Oliver at 5 p. m. Nellie 16. was also made ill. Mis. Blakely said they ate only a few of the beets. >— . * — Indianapolis School Job Offered To C. F. Miller IndianapoTs, Ind., July 27. (UP) — Indiana will lose one of its state officials if Superintendent of Public Instruction Charles E. Miller accepts appointment as Superintendent of Public Schools, given him by the Indianapolis school hoard by a vote 3 to 2. Miller, it was understood today,! will consult Gov. Ed Jackson upon lus return from the Governors' Conference at Mackinac Island. Mich., before accepting or rejecting the offer. Three board members voted for Miller and two for W. W. Borden. South Bend Superintendent of Schools. Supt E. U. Graff was dismissed several months ago. — 0 . Dr. Miller Speaks To Members Os Lions Club Dr. J. M. Miller, secretary of the c'ty board of health, was the speaker at the regular meeting of the Decatur Lions f'lub. held in the basement of the First Christian Church last night.

SUBWAY STRIKE IS HELD UP BY FLAG OF TRUCE New Yorkers Ride To Work As Temporary Peace Delays Strike MAYOR WALKER INTERVENES New Vork., July 27 —((UP) New Volkers rode to work today under a flag of truce. The threatened subway strike, set for midnight, was postponed through the last-minute intervention of Mayor Walker. It was regarded as only a temporary peace, however, and the issues involved were not settled. The workers and the transit companies agreed to postpone their showdown pending the outcome of the City’s efforts to unify the subway systems. Both Sidss Claim Victory Both sides claimed "victory" in the outcome. "Amalgamated has won a swapping victory." said J. H. Coleman. General organizer of Amalgamated association of stieet and electric railways employees. “We consider that amalgamated has scored a victory,” said P. J. Shea, member of the amalgamated board. “A sti ike has been aveited and 1 want to say it is the happiest moment of my life," said Mayor James J. Walker. The newspapers were unanimous that the credit for averting the strike belongs to Mayor Walker; that the victory is his. and that neither the amalgamated nor the Interborough won or lost. Possible Vilolence Averted It was believed the peace agreement averted possible violence. * A five pound bomb placed in the Subway tUHiiel under the east river and found by a workman caused the (CONTIXI ED OX PAGE FIVE! O—WADE SENT Id STATE HOSPITAL Young Man Who Tried To Poison Foster Parents Has Mental Disease Thomas Wade. 21, a graduate of the Wren, Ohio, high school, who is charged with attempting to poison his foster parents Mr. and Mrs. Dorce Morehead, of Van Wert County, Ohio, is suffering from a mental disease, according to the verdict of two Van Wert physicians who heard the evidence introduced during a sanity hearing held at Van Wert. The young man was committed to the Ohio state hospital for the insane, at Toledo. He was taken to Toledo yesterday by Sheriff Anthony L. Fleck, of Van Wert Ceunty. Last week, Mr. and Mrs. Morehead filed a charge in Squire Gilpin’s court at Van Wert, alleging that Wade, who had been with them for eleven years, had tried to kill them by putting rat poison in their food. The next day, they asked for a sanity hearing. At the hearing testimony was offered by Mr. and Mrs. Morehead, Irma Kreischer, Martin Kjrelscher, Perry Sprinker and Maude Springer, neigh hors and by C. C. DeLong principal of the Wren high school. Call Him “Queer” Witnesses testified to “queer” actions on the part of Wade and Mr. DeLong said that he was unusually bright ip some school subjects but at other times seemingly did not have the intelligence of a 14-year old boy. The physicians decided that Wade is suffering from a mental disease called dementia parecox. which they say is frequently found in young people and often becomes more acute with ag£. Some cases are permanently cured, however, they state. Wade’s parents once lived in Van Wert. The mother died and the father a city patrolman, was dismissed from the service. He advertised for a home for his son and Moreheads took him to raise.

Educator Rises ST , / V > ■ ■ V. jf 7 ■ ■> » i Oberlin College, in Ohio, one of the oldest colleges west of Ihe Alleghanies, now has one of the youngest presidents in the country. He is Dr. Ernest 11. Wilkins, forty-seven, formerly of the I'niversitv of Chicago. RETIRED FARMER CALLED BY DEATH Dan P. Shoemaker Dies Os Cancer At His Home West Os Geneva, Tuesday Geneva, July 27 —Dan I’. Shoemaker 73, retired Adams county farmer rtfed at liis home three miles west of Geneva at 1 o’clock Tuesday afternoon. Death was due to cancer. He was a brother of George Shoemaker, Adams county coni missioner. Mr. Shoemaker was born in Hartford township, Adams county, and spent his entire life in this county. He is survived by his widow and the following brothers an dsisters: Noah, Abe, George and John Shoemaker, and Mrs. William Glendening. Funeral sei vices will be held at Domestic, at 1 o'clock Thursday afternoon. o Liberal Soldiers Slain In Skirmish In Nicaragua Managua, July 27. — (UP) —Several Liberal soldiers under General Sandino were killed and a score of more wounded in a skirmish yesterday near San Fernando with a mixed column of Marines and National guardsmen under Major Oliver Floyd. One American Marine and several of the Nicaraguan guardsmen were wounded. The Marines and guardsmen quickly routed Sandino’s troops after narrowly escaping being ambushed. The Marines, after the skirmish, were more determined than ever to capture or kill Sandino and disperse his troops. American fliers in bombing planes fitted with machine guns were expected to join Major Floyd's forces today. o County Assessor Goes To State Board Hearing County Assessor Jay Cline went to Indianapolis this morning to attend a hearing before the state board of tax commissioners. Today was the date set for Adams and several other counties and the state board will take up the assessments of personal property as made by the township assessors and the changes ordered by the county board of review. It is not known if the state board will make any changes. o ■ Paul Whittenbarger Takes Civil Service Examination lit was Paul Whittenbarger, instead of Walter Whittenbarger, who took the civil service examination for rural mail carrier at the Decatur postoffice last Saturday. Paul is a sou of Walter Whittenbarger and the names were confused when the list was turned over to tb.t newspaper.

Price Two Cents.

CHECK GIVEN TO GOV. JACKSON BY STEVE RECEIVED Other (’hecks Given To Indianapolis Times Turned Over To Grand Jury MUNCIE MAN TELLS ABOUT HORSE DEAL By William E. Ilallherg I’. I’. Stall Correspondent Indianapolis, Ind.. .July 27 'I he $2,500 check that Gov. Ed. Jackson explained was not a received from D. C. Stephenson campaign contribution, but was in payment lor a saddle horse and equipment was laid before Ihe Marion county grand joury today as it resumed its investigation of Indiana political corruption. It was among 31 checks that the Indianapolis Times, a, Scjiti®ps-How-ard newspaper, received from Lloyd O. Hill, attorney for Stephenson, at the latter’s express direction. All Checks Given to Jury Boyd Gurley, editor of the Times, had the checks given into the custody of the grand jurors. Each check was accompanied by a pencilled notation in Stephenson’s handwriting, explaining its purpose. Some of these notations never had been made pubfic. The Tinies, however, published each and every one of Stephenson’s comments. Isstes Signed Statement Muncie, Ind., July 27. — (UP) — CleU Maple, Muncie manufacturer and former candidate for Mayor of the city, in a signed affidavit to the Muncie Press, today declared D. C. Stephenson had admitted to him the purchase of a saddle horse and equipment from Governor Ed Jackson for $2,500. Maple fixed the time and place of the conversation at some time in the summer of 1923. when he, Stephenson and others were on their way to a klan meeting in a fileld near Muncie. Tlie affidavit was sworn to in the presence of Frank R. Wilson, Muncie attorney and notary public. Maple said he marie the affidavit without the knowledge of Jackson in order that the public might know it is not a political move. Indianapolis. Ind,., July 27. — (UP) —Before it on investigation limited only by its own wishes, the Marion county grand jury today got down to business in its inquiry into political corruption. It. could beg’n calling witnesses immediately or it could take its choice of two sets of documents—one the transcript of evidence heard by the two previous grand juries; the other, the papers in the two “little black boxes" of D. C. Stephenson, which are ■n the hands of Prosecutor Wii’liam H. Remy and his staff. ■Special prosecutors John W. Holtzmann and Enisley Johnson were closeted with the grand jury Tuesday after it had been instructed by Crii:i> <IX I’AGK FIVE) CHILD HEALTH BOARD TO MEET County Organization To Meet In Decatur Library Friday Afternoon A mass meeting of the Adams county Health Board will be held Friday afternoon, at 2:30 o'clock, in the Decatur Public Library assembly room. Representatives of all clubs, churches and civic ogranizations of the countv have been invited to attend, as wel' as the township committee chairmen. Plans will be made to take up a definite work for the month of Augr.st and the school year. A constitution has been drafted and will be presented by the executive committee and recomnei’.ded for adoption. Anyone interested in th,? work of the child health for all childre neniermg and attending school, is invited to attend.

YOUR HOME PAPERLIKE ONE OF THE FAMILY