Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 26, Number 35, Decatur, Adams County, 10 February 1928 — Page 1

WEATHER Cloudy tonight, |OnieW h,t warmer ' extreme pjrt Saturday fair.

WIDE SEARCH MADE FOR TWO OFFICERS

IW, HELD SANE, I FACES CALLOWS I OS LIFE TERM II counsel For Kidnaper-Slay- || er Plans Series Os ApI peals And Motions II sentencing SET I S I'OR TOMORROW I Los Angles. Calif., Feb. 10 - II (l |>) William Edward Ilick- ■ held bv a jury to have B been sane when hi’ kidnaped II ,| l( | murdered Marion Parker, ■ i, Itv faeed an almost certain ■ . .t* nee of death, with .a posB sihle alternative ol Ide nnpns- ■ trial 011 another mur- ■ dei charge. and the long trail of an ■ appeal or- constitutional grounds. H still stret.’ I I between him and the I gallows or the penitentiary. | To Get Sentence Saturday I Judge J I Trabucco set tomorrow ■ tn anncitnu the sentence he would B impose. but motions for a new trial, B and notice of appeal if the re-trial is B denied. may force indefinite delay. | Judge Trabucco said Hickman ■ v’otild be "given all the consideration ■ Ute law allows" but gave no indica- ■ i ii of what the sentence would be. I Hickman was scheduled to go to ■ t al later in the nicnth with Welby Hunt, his confessed companion in crime, charged with the murder of Ivy Thom, druggist, in a holdup. District Attorney Asa Keyes said Hick-in-in wmild not be tried on this charge if he were sentenced to death for the Parker murder, but would be tried if his sentence were life imprisonment, hi either case, he presumably will be an important witness in the trial. . The jury deliberated only 4ft minutes yesterday before returning its sanity verdict, which was reached on the first ballot. Hickman, the ’ Fox.'’ as he chose to be known, greeted the verdict with a flippant "the state won by a neck." But his jeer turned to another tiend when he said: "The jury was fair. So was District Attorney Asa Keyes. It was the only verdict they could reach —I deserve to die.’’ 111 die like a man,’ he continued. "I won't break, I’ll walk up the thirteen steps without faltering.” While the court has the alternative I of sentencing him to life imprisonment Judge Ttabucco has the privilege of reviewing (lie evidence anil it was considered almost certain in i view of Hickman’s confessions the death penalty would be inflicted. If the court rules Hickman must die, and if the defense attorneys fail to win favorable action on a move i to delay execution, the youthful shyer, at the most, has Imt 90 days ! to live. Tomorrow, when sentence is to be i Imposed, defense counsel will file oral motion for a new trial. They then must file written notice within This would arrest sentICONTINUED OV PACE SI'IEM — o REBECCA MURPHY DIESTHURSDAT Resident Os Decatur For Many Y ears Dies At Fort Wayne; Age 92 Years •'lrs. Rebecca Murphy, 92, a resident of Decatur for more than 75 years, died al Hl:30 o’clock Thursday morning at [he home of Mrs. M. V. B. Archbold MS East Uwis street. Fort Wayne. Mrs. Murphy moved to Fort Wayne 1 m Decatur a few years ago. ■'lt's. Murphy was horn in Tuscar,l"s county, Ohio, but came to Adams cottnty, Indianai when a small child, “he was married to William H. MurJ"-'. Mr. Murphy who was a veteran of • ivil war, died four years ago. Mrs Phy was a member of the Metho--1 ,sl Episcopal church of Decatur. -mviving are one daughter, Mrs. J. D p 80n ’ of f ' ort Wayne; cne son, J. ... .° 98 ’ of Indianapolis, nine grandchildren aiUl U ' ree great sran(ici'il<icic?w eral servlces wil Ibe held at the a 'ant funeral chapel in Fort Wayne Th °’ c l°ck Saturday afternoon, lai**' >o 'n Wi '* 156 brought here for burfnn i e Decatur cemetery and the hMo\ a , corte & e ‘ s expected to arrive kN wii 3 and 4 °’ c,ock - The cns- .. .. be °Pened at the cemetery, it " as stated today.

DECATUR DA 11Y DEMOCRAT

Vol. XXVI. No. 35.

Decatur Church Holds Note-Burning I I 1,1 ■■ ■■■ ■ I. - | ■BII Jb Altove is a photograph of the trustees and pastor of the Decatur Evangelical Church burning the last note of indebtedness on the church and parsonage. The note-burning was celebrated by an all-day service at the local church last Sunday, Feb. 5. Immediately after C. E. Hocker touched the match to the last note of indebtedness, plans were made for an addition to the church. The increasing niemlMnship in the last few years has made an addition necessary. The church is located on Winchester street. Those in the picture, reading from left to right, are: Orval Harruff, E. It. Macy, Henry Barkley. Henry Fuhrman, C. E. Hocker, Earl Butler, Eugene Runyon and the Rev. Ralph W. Loose.

Don f t Choose To Run In 1928, ” Jokes Hickman

OHIO YOUNG MAN ARRESTED HERE Van Wert Youth Confesses To Stealing Automobile In Lima. Ohio Rwhert ii«*Kjee+k>-«iipv(. lft> oi Van Welt Ohio was taken into custody last night in Decatur by night policemen Burl Johnson and Burg Womack, and placed in the Adams county jail cn a vagrancy charge. This morning, the young man confessed to having stolen a Buick automobile at Lima, Ohio. Roggerkemper drove the car to this city where he abandoned it and was wandering along the street when taken Into custody. The young man told officials today tf.iat he went to Lima fiom this city a few days ago and that he wanted to get back here. He said that he was standing in the uptown district of Lima when he saw a man get out of his automobile and leave it unlocked. The lad said he got into the car and drove to Decatur. He said that he abandoned the car near Elberso nService station. Unia and Van Wert officials have been notified and will call here for the young man. It is thought that he also can be connected with a series of robberies and hold ups in Van Wert and neighboring counties. He was question-1 ed again thiq afternoon by local officials concerning the charges. Washington-To-Cuba Plane Is Damaged Key West, Fla., Feb. 10 —(UP) —The sikorsky amphibian plane, enroute from Washington, I). to Havana, Cuba damaged a wing in attempting to take off from here today. Pilot Arthur Gavin and officials of the PanAmerican "airways said repairs' would be rushed to permit departure later today. ? Mrs. Coolidge Suffering From Throat Irritation Washington, Feb. 10— (jUP)—Mrs. ' Calvin Coolidge was reported improved ' today after a cold kept her from a White House dinner given last night 1 in honor of Speaker and Mrs. Nicholas • Longworth. She is suffering irritation of the throat. o — Baby Daughter Os Rev. Roscoe F. Wilson Dies t i Shirley Ann, youngest daughter of - the Rev and Mrs. Roscoe F. Wilson. pastor cf the United Brethren church . at Columbia City died last night at. a . hospital in Fort Wayne. The child tin- - derwent an operation yesterday even- - Ing and failed to rally. She was IS months old. Rev. Wilson has been as5 sfsting in the revival servies at the » United Brethren church in this city . and is well known by many Decatur - residents. The Rev. Cecil R. Smith, j pastor of the Decatur United Brethj ren church, and Mrs. Smith went to - Columbia City today. Rev. Smith will t be home in time to conduct the service at his church this evening, however.

ONLY DAILY NEWS PAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

State, National And luivrnatlvuul Nma

“Fox,” Facing Gallows Or Life Imprisonment, Is Light-Hearted Los Angeles, Cal., Feb. 10 —(INS) I -"They tell me thefre are thirteen steps up to the rope. And I don't choose to inn in 1928,” joked William Edward Hickman in the Los Angeles county jail today. With the words of the jury verdict, laying the responsibility for the kidnaping and trilling of Marion Parker upon hts shoulders, still ringing in the cars of a nation, the convicted youth in his cell, awaiting sentence, evi-1 denied light heartedness that verged on the facetious. “All that I can say,” commented Hickman somewhat jovially, "is that it's better to be dead than to have ail I those things the matter with you that the doctors and lawyers said I have. ' Why should I want to keep on living?” he said, repeating a question asked him. Enough Os Life “I've had all of life I want.” he replied, "I'd just as soon be on my way wherever I'm going." Then, reverting to a thought with which he has played since he was p'aced in his cell in the hall of justice, the thought of providence and fate, he said: “All of this was predestined. That’s what I had to think about when those (CONTINUKD ON PAGE TWOt o ADAMS COUNTY PASTOR HONORED Rev. E. P. White. Os Bobo, Chosen To Supervise Music At M.E.Conference The Rev. E. P. White, pastor of the Boho Methodist Episcopal circuit, has been chosen to have charge of the music at the annual session of the Northern Indiana conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to be held in Fort Wayne, during the week cf March 28. This selection is considered an honor for the Adams county pastor Rev. White has had wide experience in the evangelistic field, both as a singer and preacher. His wife assists him in the music. Rev. White has been chosen to have charge of the music at the district conference of the Fort Wayne district of the M. E. Church, which will be held at Montpelier, February 28 and 29. o Defense Springs Surprise In Trial Os Harry Hill Ottawa, 111., Feb. 10— (INS)— The defense sprang a complete surprise in La Salle county court here today when it rested in the trial of Harry Hill, 22, of Steator, 111. charged with matricide by not placing upon the stand one other witness. The state, taken aback by this sudden move, asked for a court recess for a few minutes. The prosecution then tentatively decided to place Coroner L. D. Howe on the stand as a rebuttal witness. The action of the defense definitely set at rest rumors that Harry Hill would testify in his own defense.

Decatur, Indiana, Friday, February 10, 1928.

Fire Destroys Truck Inside Warehouse But Building Is Undamaged A fire of unknown origin, in fact the fire itself wus unknown to anyone until this morning, occurred at the Everett and Hite Wholesale company's warehouse and garage, just east of First street near the C. E. Hocker residence. some time last night. One Ford delivery truck was almost completely turned up and damage estimated at about |3o<) was done to the stored

contents of the warehouse. How the whole thing happened no one will ever know. The four Everett and Hite trucks were placed in | the building at 6 o'clock last night ' and the doors were closed and locked ! as usual. This morning when truck drivels went to mount their motored steeds, one truck was almost completely consumed by the flames. Gasoline Tank Explodes Evidence was present that there | had been considerable smoke during I the tire and considerable damage was ! (lone in l.he warehouse by the smoke The gasoline tank on the automobile hud exploded and had thrown flames to ether parts of the building, which had caught tire and then died out. No one residing near the warehouse saw the fire or heard the explosion and no one could account for the peculiar action of the flames. Offi.lia's of the Everett-Hite company were at a loss to explain the cause of the fire. The truck had been outside in the cold aliout an hour before being placed in the garage and the motor was not hot when the driver left the building. The doors of the garage had not been opened and no evidence was apparent that anyone had been in the' building'. Several cases of glass cans were partly damaged by the smoke and a little repair will be necessary on the building. The truck was almost completely destroyed with the exception of the motor, it was stated today. Old time residents of this city were racking their memory today and no cne could recall a similar fire, where it started and was extinguished without the aid of the fire department. WANT PROPOSED DREDGING PROBED Bluffton Organization Asks Probe Os Proposed Wabash River Dredge A resolution demanding an investigation* of the proposed dredging of the upper Wabash river basin, from a point near Fort Recovery, Ohio, so a point near Berne, was adopted at the annual meeting and fish fry of the Bluffton Izaak Walton league, held at Bluffton Wednesday night. The resolution will be forwarded at once to Indiana’s two U. S. senators, James E. Watson and Arthur R. Robinson, and to Albert H. Vestal, congressman from the eighth district. The resolution read as follows: "Resolved, That the Izaak Walton Teague of Bluffton. Ind., respectfully requests that you interview the proper officers of the Department of the Interior relative to the purpose of drainage of the upper Wabash basin to determine if this proposal is for the best interests of the people involved not only in the Wabash Valley but in its relatioif to proposed flood control of Hie Mississippi river.” The question was first raised by one of the speakers of the evening, Prof. Sink, of the Ball Teachers’ college at Muncie. Other speakers commenting were Arthur Trier, Fort Wayne, state vice-president of the league; Charles Beiderwolf, of Indianapolis, state president of the league, and Harry Hilgeman, Fort Wayne, president of the Fort Wayne chapter. The general thought brought out by all was that the league would stand for all drainage matters that were reasonable but would oppose those projects that would give relief H’ONTINI l'l> ON PAGE SEVEN > c ’ Bailiff Slashes Out Trial News From Papers Given To Jackson Jurors Courtroom, Indianapolis, Feb. 10 — (UP) —The Jackson trial has an official censor. While Judge Charles M. McCabe was instructing prospective jurors in the proper demeanor they should observe while locked up over night, bailiff . Clarence Clegg interrupted and explained that, before he permitted the talesmen to read newspapers, he I slashed out all references to the trial. “Not much left” Clegg remarked

SELECTION OF ! JACKSON JURY MOVES RAPIDLY — Defense Expected To Ask For Instructed Verdict In Favor Os Governor FOUR TAILSMEN ARE EXCUSED THIS A. M. Indianapolis, Feb. 10—(INS) —An instructed verdict in favor of Gov. Ed Jackson who is on trial in Marion criminal court for alleged conspiracy to bribe former Gov. Warren T. McCray in 1923, probably will be asked of the court by the governor’s attorneys it was indicated today as the selection of the jury moved with rapid pace. The probable line of defense action was believed disclosed when associate defense counsel, Silas ('. Kizett. addressed the following question to tailsmen Ferdinand L Hollweg, “would you vote a verdict of not guilty if so instructed by the court in application of the statutes of limitations.” Four Tailsmen Challenged Four tailsmen were challenged and excused during the forenoon session i which adjourned at noon. There was an indication from the defense, during the forenoon, that a vigorous resistance will be offered to any attempt by the prosecution to I emphasize the allegation that Governor Jackson and D. ('. Stephenson. | imprisoned former Gland Dragon of i the Indiana Ku Klux Klan, were dose 'associates. * Expect Jury By Night Indianapolis, Ind., Feb. 10. — (INS) -—Although there were predictions from attorneys for both sides that a jury would be selected today to try Governor Ed Jackson for alleged attempted bribery, the forecasts were made with fingers crossed. One defense attorney was so optimistic as to say that the last talesman would be found before noon tint (CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO) JUNIOR RED CROSS FORMED Committee To Assist With Activities In County Is Appointed The appointment of a Chapter school committee of the Junior Red Cross for Adams County is completed with two exceptions and comprises the following: Chairman, Mrs. D. W. Beery; Secretary, Mrs. Bryce Thomas; City School Superintendent, Mr. M . F. Worthman; County School superintendent, Mr. Clifton Striker: Catholic School, Sister Roberta; Lutheran Schools, Mr. Oscar Lankenau; Berne Schools, Supt. E. W. Jeffery; Rotary Club. Mr. Dore Erwin; Lions Club, Mr. Leo Kirsch. This committee is to help with all Junior Red Cross activities, it is the permanent medium of relationship between schools ami active Red Cross chapters, inspring active cooperation between them in the Junior Red Cross enterprise and in all Red Cross activities that affect the schools. The Chapter school committee is essential to safe-guard the interest of the Red Cross and cf the schools. It insures continuity of the Junior Red Cross from year to year, and sees to it that each school re-enrolls annually. Re qulrements for enrollment of a school are: (1) Subscription for at , least one copy of “Junior Red Cross , News” magazine at 50c a year, for , each room in the enrolling school in j elementary schools, or one copy of “High School Service” at $1 a year for , each 100 pupils or fraction thereof in , the high schools, (2) participation by the school in some phases of Junior (CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO)

lly The ÜBl tert Preaa anrt Inleruattuual Nema Mervica

New County Agent I ' I FERD CHRISTEN Ferd Christen, Adams county young ! man. was elected to succeed L M. Busche. tesigiKil, as Adams county agricultural agent, at a recent, meeting of the county board of education. Mr. Christen probably Mjill\ assume his duties on February Hi. REVIVALORAWS RECORD CROWD Another Conversion Reported At United Brethren Services A record attendance filled the United Brethren auditorium last night and the service were pronounced one of the best of the revival services. Another soul took a definite stand for' Christ last night when the invitation was given. The music was in tune with the spirit of the revival and the special, numbers by Mr. and Mrs. Parlee were well received. The smile song brings the smiles to the folks and brings real sunshine. The explanation of the song is in the following verse of song: Yon can smile when you can't say a word, You can smile when you cannot be heard, You can smile on a dark day or fair, You can smile any time, any where. And where the word smile appears, the folks just smile instead of saying the word. The pastor spoke last night on the “Doom o( Delay” using the text found in Genesis 19:16, “He lingered, and drew from the text and context some striking applications to live ttoday. Among the thoughts considered were, that Lot knew his duty and yet lingered. So folks do the same today. The pastor discussed the reasons that might be attributed to Lot that caused him to linger and made the applications to the folks today. Some interested is material things; some have no place for God in their lives; some hiding behind the other fellow, and while others just are putting it off and lingering. And Lot's lingering, like your own lingering from doing the right thing dooms other lives for our influence goes out all the time. Men are warned today as was Lot in various ways and methods that Golf uses and there is no excuse, said the speaker. In closing, Rev. Smith* gave a sketch out of the life of Torrey, where his mother had told him in the darkest hours that came to him to “call sincerely upon his mother's God and he would get help.” And one day when he was about to end his life, liefell to his knees and called upon his mother’s God and was saved. “Te'l Mother I'll B? There In Answer to Her Prayer,” was sung during the invitation call, and eyes were dampened with tears. But re- ■ joicing was evident when one person renewed his life for Jesus Christ. Service tonight at 7:30 o’ilock.

> o Child Burns Legs On Heat Register ■ I'W« 1 Nancy Marie, little two-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold ' Daniels, Mercer Ave., suffered painful [ injuries this morning when she fell 1 on a hot register and severely burned 1 her legs from the keen to the ankle. A ' physician was called and dressed the [ burns. Later reports are that the child is resting easier.

Price Two Cents

DEPUTY SHERIFFS REPORTED FOUND CHAINED TO TREE Posses Search For Lafayette Deputy Sheriffs In Two States PRISONERS REPORTED SIGHTED IN ILLINOIS Frunkl’orl, Fib. 10. (INS) - Depul v sltti'ills and posses iTisheil to it woods :t lew miles Imiit here this afternoon upon receipt of an unconfirmed report that deputies, John Grove and Wallace McClure, of Lafayette, who mvstei'iouslv disappeared while enroute to the state reformatory with two prisoners, h:i<l been £oun<l chained and padlocked to a tree in a Clinton county woods. Prisoners Seen In Danvdle Danville, Hl., Feb. 10.— (INS) — Posses are scouring Danville and vicinity today in search of Dan Baxter and John Burns, two of the missing quartet who left Lafayette, Ind., Tuesday, for the Pendleton state reformatory. Baxter and Burns, the prisoners who it is feared have done away with their guards, John P. Grove and Wallace McClure, were seen in Danville yesteiday. John Smith an uncle of Burns told police his nephew and Baxter were at his house Tuesday noon. Deputy Sheriffs Grove and McClure left Lafayette with the two prisoners eaily Tuesday in Grove's automobile. That was the last seen of the deputies. Police fear they were caught napping and killed or tied up in some out of the way place. Although Otto Smith, uncle of John Burns said his nephew and Baxter were' at his home only from Tuesday forenoon until Smith came home that night and ordered them to leave, the impression prevails that the two men still are in this vicinity. Handcuffs Found Chicago, Feb. 10 —(INS) —Search for two Lafayette, Indiana, deputy sheriffs and their two prisoners who have been missing since Tuesday centered in Chicago today* with the finding of a pair of mutilated handcuffs. The cuffs which hud been filed open were picked up in South Chicag oand led authorities to believe the prisoners had eluded their guards pei haps killing them. The missing deputies are John P. Grove and Wallace McClure. They left Lafayette early Tuesday in an auto with two prisoners. Sam Baxter and John Burns, both cf whom were sentenced to the state reformatory at Pendleton. Quarries Are Searched Kokomo, Feb. 10. —(INS)- —All quarries here are covered with ice ten inches thick Sheriff John Spearman reported today after a return from an exploring trip which exploded the tip contained in an anonymous letter that the two missing Lafayette, Ind. deputy sheriffs were slain and their bodies hidden in the Kokomo quarries. PYTHIANS PLAN COUNTY MEETING Meeting To Commemorate Founding Os Order Planned For Feb. 16 Plans are being made for a county meeting of all members of the Knights of Pythias lodge at the Decatur Pythian home next Thursday, February 16. The meeting will start in the afternoon and be concluded Thursday night with an initiation of several candidates into the ledge. Representatives from the Geneva and Berne lodges as well as delegates from other nearby lodges will attend the meeting in this city. Several local candidates and also initiates from Berne and Geneva will be taken into the lodge next Thursday. The county meeting is to commemorate the founding of the national order.

A banquet will be served at the Pythian home Thursday night after the lodge'work and plans are being made to use all available space of the large dining room for the occasion. All local lodge members, as well as all members in the county and nearby towns and cities, have been invited to attend the meeting which will start Thursday afternoon and last the remainder cf the day. A complete program will be announced as soon as all committees have reported.

YOUR HOME PAPERLIKE ONE OF THE FAMILY