Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 25, Number 178, Decatur, Adams County, 29 July 1927 — Page 1

WEATHER Mostly cloudy tonight and Saturday; probably ahower* In jouth and central oortlons; not much ch.rnge In temperature.

SINKING OF STEAMER INVESTIGATED

Reports Os Great Disaster In China Are Received

thousands are REPORTED KILLED BY FLOOD. QUAKE Floods In Fukien Provience Said To Have Taken 7,000 Lives 100.000 REPORTED KILLED BY QUAKE Shanghai, July 29—(United Press) Reports received here today said a tremendous disaster had nesulted from foods in Fuken Province. One report estimated that 7,000 Chinese had !**n drowned. Crops valued at $5,000,000 were destroyed. the report continued, and the town of Changehowhsien was said to have been virtualfy wiped out. 100.000 Reported Killed London, July 29— (United Press)— A hundred thousand Chinese were foiled in an earthquake on May 23 in the remote Province of Kansu, China, Monsignor Buddenbrock, vicar apostolic of the Steyl mission of Liangchow, reported in a letter to the Shanghai correspondent of the Westminister Gazette. Broken to’egrapldc communications prevented news of the disaster from reaching the outside world sooner. The bishop's letter gave the first deta is of the catastrophe. The bishop said the cities of Sieang. I.iangchow and Kitlang were viped out instantaneously and at least Ifl.OOfl persona wwe. klLUni in Langchow alone. The city of Tumentse was buried beneath the moving mountain. He sard survivors were living in hills without food or clothing and 'heir misery was indescribable. The quake occurred at Sisiang during mass. Dozens of the congresa'.on. including the mother superior and many children were buried when the church collapsed. Priests attempted to rescue the living and admi. the last sacrament, to the dying. Not a building in the city remained intact and every house contained dead or dying, the bishop wrote. o Bluffton Rotarians Visit Decatur Club H K. Settregen. Al Karr. Jack Monahan, Will Berling and Charles Dailey of Bluffton, attended the meeting < f the Decatur Rotary club in this city last evening. o ALLEGED CHICKEN THIEF ARRESTED

Man Held At Celina, Ohio, Believed To Have Stolen Adams County Chickens Word was received this morning by Sheriff Harl Hollingsworth from the sheriff of Mercer county. Ohio, that a man giving the name of Sterling Delmar had been arrested in Celina and is being held in the Mercer county jail. When arrested Delgar had in iii.s possession more than 100 chickens, which are though to have been stolen hi the eastern part of this county. The chickens were Rhode Island Reds White Plymouth Rocks and Barred Plymouth Rocks and are in the custody of the Mercer county sheriff Sheriff Hollingsworth made inquiries in the southeastern part of the county l °day to see if any farmers nea v the stale line had lost any chickens late'y. Several complaints ot chicken thef s have been received at the local che.'iff s office lately and it is thought that Probably the arrest of Delgar will colvc soma of the thefts. ftelgar was fined SSO and costs at Celina, Wednesday evening, when he Pleaded guilty to a charge of reckless driving. Being unable to pay the fine, he was committed to the county jail.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Vol. XXV. No. 178.

Equal Rights ■L ' ■L '■' XK> ' , .MMBMMNMHMHMMMMMIMNWI Supporting women’s equal rights. Brigadier General Rufus Lane, adjutant of the United Slatis Marine Corps, issued an onki permitting women clerks Io smoke at their desks at headquarters in Washington. His action is criticized by churchmen.

INCREASED TAX RATES PROBABLE Reduction In Farm Valuations Expected To Cause Boost In Rates The action of the state hoard of tax commissioners in reducing farm land valuations in 89 of the 92 counties in the state, including a 16 2-3 per cent, reduction in Adams county, has brought a discussion as to the effect the reduced valua.ions will have on the state, county and township tax rates for next year. The tax rates, payable next year, will be fixed by the different units during August and September. Budgets of estimated expenses will be prepared during August. Estimates for the new state tax run as high as 30 cents on the hundred dollars, an increase of 7 cents over the rate this year. Auditor Jackson, of Allen county, estimated that the state would have to increase its levy 7 cents, in view of the average 5 per cent, reduction in farm land values in the state. Martin Jaberg. Adams county auditor, stated this morning that he did not believe the state rate would be increased over 3 cents, because, with the exception of the state general levy and the levy for the state war memorial, the other rates were fixed by the legislature and could not be changed by the governor or the state hoard of tax commissioners. Mr. Jaberg believes that a three-cent increase in the state general rate will yield the same amount of money as raised this year, based on the lower farm values. It is likely that the rates in every one of the 12 townships in Adams county will be increased next year, if all the townships raise as much money for their budgets as was raised this year it will be necessary to increase the rates. In townships where no road bonds have been issued during the year, a saving will be made in the levy for road bonds and interest, but other levies will have to be increased, on account of the lower valuations. In Washington township, three new bond issues for more than SIOO,OOO will be issued this year and the redemption of these bonds will make it*necessary to increase the levy for township road bonds and interest. It is not known what the levy for school purposes will be in Decatur. The present rat is $1.40 on the SIOO. No budget has yet been made up for the civil city and as far as known, no increases are being considered by the council.

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

EARLTACTION ON NEW STATE ROAD ROUTE PROMISED State Highway Commission Agrees To Select Route For East-West Road PLAN VISIT HERE DURING AUGUST Definite action at an early date in regard to the location of the proposed state highway No. 16, from the India-na-Ohio state line east of Decatur, west through Adams, Wells and Huntington counties to Huntington, was promised by John D Wiliams director of the state highway commission, in a letter received here today. Mr. Wil--I'aiiia stated that he belived the trip to this vicinity can be made be the members of the highway commiwion during tlie month of August. Action Taken In Meeting Diffeient members of the highway commission have promised several times during the lasl several months that action would be taken in regard to the location of road No. 16 soon Al a meeting of the commission held on July 20. Mr. Williams submitted a letter which he had received from a Decatur citizen in regard to the matter. The commission took action on the matter and agreed that at an early date the commission would visit Decatur and, if possible agree upon the location of the proposed route. it is thought that the route will follow the'TTarding TTTJfftway route'west from Decatur to Man'ington, but there are two proposed routes between Decatur and the state line, known as the north and the south routes. It is not known which of the two routes is fav red by the commission. o Locomotive Derailed Here This Morning The locomotive of a Pennsylvania freight train was derailed while switching in the north part of the city this morning. All wheels of the locomotive left the rails, but no cars were derailed. The cause of the derailment is not known. The locomotive was on a switch at the time of the accident and traffic over the main line was not delayed. A wrecking crew from Kort Wayne was called ‘to put Hie locomotive back on the track. —— o — —

MRS. FRANCES COOK EXPIRES Wabash Township Woman Dies Thursday At Age Os 83 Years Mrs. Frances Cook, 83, widow of Jacob Cook, died at her home in Wabash township, at 11 o'clock Thursday morning. Mrs. Cook had been ill only about two we°ks. She was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Abnet and was born at Piqua, Ohio. November 8, 1843. She came to Adam's county when a small child and spent the rest of her lift in Wabash township. In 1867, she was married to Jacob Cook, who died seven years ago. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cook, seven of whom survive. They are Mrs. Joseph Peel, of Jefferson township; John W. Cook, J. L. Cook, Joseph Cook and Jacob A. Cook, all of Wabash township; Grover Cook of Fort Wayne and Mrs. Daniel Heare, of Midland, Michigan. Funeral services will be held at Maple Grove, probably Saturday. 0 Travsling Salesman Drowns Lafayette, Ind., July 28 —(UP) —The body of W. Frank Keefe, 50, of Lafayette a Traveling salesman, was found in the Wabash river here Thursday. He disappeared Tuesday evening and is believed to have committed suicide. A nervous breakdown was believed to have promoted the act.

Decatur, Indiana, Friday, .Inly 29, 1927.

Chinese Boy Writes Balad For Governor In Chinese Language Indianapolis. Ind.. July 29 —(INS) — "The balad c f a lonesome Chinese boy thinking of going home, by Chung Deng Chong, In his native language, was sent by the author, who lives here, to G iverner Ed Jackson. As fur as tr n.slutors have been aide to determine tl.e burden of the long d ■cuinent, which < overs enough paper to decorate tn. wals of a small appartment, is homesickness. Thinking that the message might he i state paper. Pliny Wolford, the governor’s secretary, sought trim lators. That brought diflieulties, because the smith China, and the author from the north. “What’s it all about?” the translator was asked. "Mostly poetry." was the answer.

MRS.ANTHONY VOGLEWEDE DIES Decatur Woman Dies At Hospital This Morning After Short Illness Mrs. Anna Voglewede, 65. wife of Anthony Voglewede of this city, died at the Adams County Memorial hospital at 9 o'clock this morning, following a short illness. Death was due to liver trouble. Mrs. Voglewede was taken to the hospital a few days ago. Anna Meyers Vogleweda was born in Washington township. Adams county. July 3, 1862. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Meyers. She spent practically her entire life in Adams county. In early life, she was united in marriage to Anthony Voglewede, who survives. Besides the husband, an adopted son, Raymond Voglewede, of Washington township, a sister, Mrs. Tliresa Block, of Fort Wayne, and a brother, John S. Meyers,of Adams county, survive, besides a host of friends and distant relatives. Six brothers and sisters preceded her in death, as did one son. Mrs. Voglewede was a faithful member of St. Mary's Catholic church and of St. Mary’s Sodality, in which organization she was always active. Funeral services will be held Monday morning at 9 o'clock at ff.. Mary’s Catholic church, witli the Rev. J. A. Seimetz in charge. Burial will take place in the St. Joseph Catholic cemetery. Boy Kilted By Auto Vincennes. Ind.. July 29— (UP) — Struck by an automobile driven by Miss Mary Alice Hill. Marshal Deisher 9. son cf William Deisher. owner of a printing plant here, was killed Thursday. Police said the accident was unavoidable and did not hold Miss Hill. 0 JONATHAN ROTH CALLED BY DEATH Life-long Resident of Hartford Township Dies Os Pneumonia Linn Grove, July 29 —Jonathan Roth, 61, lifelong resident of Hartford township, died Wednesday, afternoon at his home near here. Two weeks ago Mr. Roth suffered a stroke of paralysis and later, pneumonia developed. Five years ago. Mr. Roth was seriou'ly injured in a run-away accident at Geneva. Mr. Roth was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Roth and was born in Hartford township. He was never married. He and a brother, Noah, and three sisters Rosa, Mary and Sarah, resided together on the old homestead. Another brother Christ, resides near Geneva. Funeral services will be held at 9:30 o’clock Saturday morning at the Linn Grove Missionary church, of which Mr Roth was a member. The Rev. A. M. Clauser will officiate.

CORN BORER IS DISCOVERED IN FIFTH TOWNSHIP Government Scouts Find Pests In Washington Township Thursday RAIN CAUSES A HALT IN SEARCH The European corn borer, which was found to have infested four townships of Adams county, was" discovered in a fifth township late yesterday afternoon. Following the discovery of the pest in St. Marys townsh p. the government crew of four men continued the search in Washington township where more of the borers were found. Bain late yesterday afternoon put a stop to the search and the men returned to thoir headquarters at Monroeville. Because the fields were wet this morning, the search in this county will not be continued until late this afternoon, but it is thought the men will start work later this afternoon or tomorrow morning. To Visit Jay County Next The entire county will be investigated before the crew moves into Jay county, it was learned from George Gould, foreman of the crew working here. The name of the farm where the borer was found in Washington township was not learned, but it was in the southern part of the township. Farmers say that the restrictions on sVipo-ng will not effect Adams county farmers much because a great majority of the corn raised here is used for feed. The fodder must be burned, however, and that will be a loss to the farmers. The restriction on shipping corn is limited, and corn from this county can be slipped to any other quarantined counity. The government men will remain , COXTIM El> OX I’IGE TIIKEI'.I Layman’s Retreat To Be Held August 11-14 The annual Layman's retreat will be held at Notre Dame uinversity August 11 to 14. Several men from St. Mary’s Ca'holic parish are planning to attend. Last year, 12 men from the local congregation attended the retreat and several hundred men from over the state will be in attendance this year.

DROUGHT BROKEN DY HEAVY RHIN Crops Greatly Benefited By Rainfall Late Yesterday And Last Night Rain, for several hours last night and early this morning, broke the drought and made prospects for a good crop in Adams county this fall look brighter. Farms were badly in need of lain, and the down-pour, which lasted more than seven hours, greatly benefited the e ops. The rain started yesterday afte’Toon about 4:15 o’clock, accompanied by some wind. The wind did no damage in ;’iis countr, however. Severe storms were suffered in neighboring counties. The rain stopped l.ir a while early las', evening and started again about 8:15 o'clock and continue;! most of the night. The rai nwas sufficiently heavy to thoroughly soak the ground, and. at many places i ’ the county, water was standing on the roads and in the fields The weather forecast of fair and warmer, also. wa„ accepted by farmers today as a great benefit to crops in general. The rain yesterday and this morr'ng was the first heavy one in tne last three weeks. q be rain forced a del'.7 in ite work of wheat thrashing nnl oats cuttiue but little damage Is expected to result to those crops providing it docs nci continue rainy for several days.

Gary Successor? i 1 J I j I J I I Pierre <lu Pont, senior member of the family which dominated General Motors and the great Du Pont de Nemours enterprises, is expected in Wall Street to succeed Elbert 11. Gary as chairman of the United States Steel Corporation, the greatest industrial organization in the work!. GENEVA MAN IS WITNESS TODAY William Mesel Testifies In Oil Fraud Trial At Detroit Detroit. Michigan July 29 —William Mesel testified he sold a half inof Geneva, Indiana denied today in Federal court that E. B. Fitzgerald, of Detroit, charged witli using the mails to defraud, had paid him for oil leases near Geneva, which are an Issue in the case. Fitzgerald is charged with misrepresentation of the value of the leases to Walter Vaines and Charles Eddy, of Independence, Kansas, in order to sell the property to them for SIOO,OOO in 1925. The deal was made. Messel testified he sold a half interest in the leases to Fitzgerald, but received only SI,OOO of the agreed $7. 000. To avert foreclosure by Messel in 1926. Fitzgerald deeded Detroit real estate to him, but .Mesel reposed the oil lands anyway contending that Fitzgerald owed him $17,000 for drilling expenses. Frank Kelley oil accountant for the Indiana pipe line company of Huntington, Indiana testified that the leases never were entered on the company’s records as being those of Fitzgerald. The trial adjourned at noon until Tuesday. Church To Hold Annual Picnic September 4 And 5 The annual picnic of St. Micheal’s Catholic chinch. Waterloo, Indiana, will be'held on Sunday. September 4 and on Laborday Monday September 5. The Rev. Otto A. Peters, former assistant pastor of St. Mary's Catholic church in this city, is pastor of St. Michael's church. On Sunday, a chicken dinner will be served at noon and on Labor day a chicken supper will be served in the evening. Friends of Father Peters in this city will more than likely attend the picnic and reach n. » ' o County Clerk Speaks At Rotary Club Meeting John E. Nelson, clerk of the Adams Circuit court, delivered the address at tha regular weekly meeting of the Decatur Rotary chib at the K. of C. hall last night. Mr. Nelson old of the various activities under the heading of the Clerk’s office and told of the functions of that office. He explained the various duties, such as issuing licenses and his work as oferk of the court when It is in session. Several guests from Bluffton attended the meeting. Following the usual business session the meet ing adjourned.

Price Two Cents.

2/ PERISH WHEN EXCURSION BOAT SINKS IN LAKE Four Separate Investigations Into Disaster At Chicago Begin Today MOST OF VICTIMS WOMEN AND CHILDREN Chicago, July 29. — (United Press) Four separate investigations began today into sinking of the excursion steamer Favorite which cost the lives of 27 persons. 26 of them women and children. Fred J. Meno, superintendent of Federal steamship inspection service was ordered from Detroit to Chicago by Dickerson Hoover, chief steamship inspector in Washington to conflict the federal probe. He arrived todav. Sheldon Clark, farmer commodore of the Chicago Yacht club, was to lie called as foreman of the coroner's jury probing the wreck. Other investigatjions were started by State's Attorney Rol>ert Crowe and Michael Hughes, chief of police. Chicago, July 29 —(United Press) — Twenty-seven bodies of victims of the excursion tug Favorite had been recovered today as officials sought to fix responsibility for sinking of the small steamer. Fifteen of the dead were small children,. ten were women and one man was drowned. Divers today searched’the bottom of Lake Michigan near 'lie plaee where the vessel went down for additional bodies. The latest body to lie recovered was that of Mike Citra, 7, which was found floating near the beach today. The 1 t(fe boat on which some 75 persons embarked yesterday aflternoon had been raised early today by derrick crews who worked throughout the night to bring it to the surface. The small steamer capsized in a squall midway o its “run” of half a dozen mles between the Chicago municipal pier and Lincoln Park. Mostly Children and Mothers • The crowd aboard was composed almost, entirely of children and their mothers who paid a quarter for the rde in the cooling lake breeze —a brief respite from the intense heat which gripped the city. The puffing little boat skirted the shore line less than a mile from the beach, going smoothly. A sudden cloud burst driven by a hard wind hit the vessel. All of the crowd on deck (COXTIXI Illi OX PAGE THREE) FARM BUREAU TO HOLO PICNIC Plans For Labor Day Event To Be Formulated At Meeting Saturday Night A picnic for all farmers of Adams county and their families wil be hold on Labor Day. according to an announcement made today by David J. Schwartz, of near Berne, who is president of the Adams County Farm Bureau Federation. The Farm Bureau w'll sponsor the picnic. A meeting of the Farm Bureau will be held in the Industrial Association rooms in Decatur at 8 o'clock Saturday night, at which time plans for the picnic will be made. It has not been decided yet where the picnic will be held. Members of the Farm Bureau are elated over the reductions ordered bv the state tax board in the valuations on farm land throughout the state. The Farm Bureau took the lead in the movement to have the valuations reduced. and a petition, signed by several hundred farmers In Adams county was circulated by the Farm Bureau and filed with the tax board. The board ordered a reduction of 16 2-3 per cent in the farm valuations in Adams county.

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