Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 26, Number 56, Decatur, Adams County, 6 March 1928 — Page 1

JJECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

tffATHFR un ,e«led ton „ oh ‘ Wednenday. ProJnb occ«‘ ional ra ' n ” t ou»h and rain or .ow in north part, warmer tonight and *’,outhea S t part.

VELMA WEST GETS LIFE SENTENCE

SAYS EX-OR AGON PROPOSED attack gn OHIOCONVENT Samuel Bemenderfer Gives Deposition At Gdliom s Hearing FYPLAINS HOW MONEY WAS RAISED Inditnapo’is. March 6--(|NS)~ D. C. Stephenson, former grand draeon of il, e Indiana Ku Klux Klan proposed an armed attack on the Maria Stein carbolic convent near Celina. Ohio, i in 1924 ’to rescue a girl ne believed held in the institution. Samuel 11. liemenderfer. of Muncie, Ind,-. former Klaliss of the Deleware county klan x „ 4 testified here today in a deposition hearing conducted by Attorney General Arthur L. Gilliom in his suit to oust the klan from Indian?. •Stephenson who is now a life prisI oner for the Madge Overholtzer rnur•(K came to Muncie to see me to i find out if ‘ would get from 75 to 100 armed men from the Muncie klan and uni the Ohio convent to liberate a girl.” Bemenderfer, testified under i rath. "He explained that lie had re--1 teiteil a letter from a woman in Califirnia who wrote that her daughter «as being held in the convent against her will and who asked him to get her nut.” Investigates Letter "I thought tlie California letter ».ts fishy and so I went to Indianapt'is and did some investigating.” hHnenderfer continued. "I learned that the writer of the letter was an agent of an organization whose purpose was to wreck the klan.” Os the $99,000 collected from prospective klansmen before the Muncie kian was chartered, hot one cent <W back to the local klan, accord Ing to the witness. Klcektokens or membership fees of 510 u head, accounted for $(8,000. Robes sold to members at $6.50 each, hot bought by Stephenson at from USS to $3.70 a piece, cost the initiates $18,200; chair fees amounted to 5-3.000. and the Washington club, a kind of super klan group, cost SO,BOO according to the witness. An alleged important source of tevenue of Stephenson who was repotted to have made millions was renealesl by the testimony of E. R. StilM *n. of Anderson, Indiana, a manufac-t«t-r of regalia. S’ilson testified that he sold ■ f l>henson 48,200 robes under a con,r «t. Stephenson paid $3.70 each for robes delivered and •■•'is each tor all after 10,000. said w witness. The Muncie klansmen paid $6.50 -Piece tor <he garments according to hemendoerfer’s testimony. -—- —o Lindbergh Makes Night Flight To Washington Washington. Mar. 6.- (u.R) - Col. 'wrles A. Lindbergh flew here from in., durlng the n i ght . He “rapped down to Bolling field at 6:30 ■m„ unexpectedly. His presence 1 not become known generally unW around 9 a. m. ' die field it was not disclosed accompanied him from Belleville ]|a »here he went after leaving his davM fam ° U 8 flier 'eft here yester- ■ or the air field near St. Louis and 10 rebtrn me ,H<l ” Ot 8 “ y he planned Rressil^? 11 . is t 0 retelve H'e Condent t° ‘ • . Me<lal Os Honor at PrPH ‘- honor 00 “ KH ’ S hand March 21 - The of hi vote(l Him in recognition ’ Niw York-Paris flight. — o—— doom’s Shoes Sent l r °m Massachusetts To Kokomo Via Air Mail 8h^ k i” 1 ?' ,nd - Mar - 6 —(U.R)—A local Postal er has leanie<l the air mail WevmA a palr of 81loes froni South lllir ?’ MSM ” t 0 Kpk °™- It I* Hho, ’’ Patron was in a hurry for waler m > Wear ' at hiH we(1(li "K- The and m' 1 not have size in stock an ° rder wlth the man “- R hipL nt W th lnstruc tions for ail mail — 0 — Ca| l For Condition Os National Banks Issued raraptmnf 0 ”' Mflr 6 ~ <UR) ~ Th « a can fn/L ° f curi 'eticy today issued banks - he con< t*tlon of all national lIIIH as of Feb. 28.

Vol. XXVI. No. 56.

Lutheran Church To Hold, Lenten Service The (lid of a juries of six Lenten services will be conducted at Zion Lutheran church, of this city. Wednesday evening, beginning at 7:30 o'clock. The addtess Wednesday evening will be deliverd by the pastor the Rev Paul Schultz. A hearty invitation is extend ed to everyone. The last service brought an attendance beyond the fond expectations of the pastor, and he hopes to see it duplicated this Wednesday evening at 7:30 o’clock. The sum-total of Zion Lutheran’s preaching is: “Christ and His crucified, the whole Bible and nothing but the Bible.” MRS.BERNADINE FRUCHTE DIES Widow Os William Fruchte Expires Monday Afternoon, Near Magley Mrs. Bernadine W. Fruthte, 78, widow of William Fruchte, died at 4:30 o'clock Monday afternoon nt tile home of her son. Martin J. Fruchte, near Magley. following an illness of heart trouble, which developed after an attack of the flu three months ago. .Mis. Fruchte was a daughter of Mr. and M.s. F. Peters and was born in Germany, January 2, 1850. She came to America when about 17 years old and lived with an uncle in Fort Wayne until her maniage in 1872. Since then, she has resided in Adams county. Mr. I Fruchte died three years ago this month. Mrs, Fruchte was a member of I the Salem Reformed church at Magley. | Surviving ate one son, Martin J with ' whom Mrs. Preuchte resided; one daughter, Mrs. Emma F. Breiner, wife of H. A. Breiner, of Peterson: one giandanghter; one sister, Mrs. August Hildebrand, of near Hoagland, and one brother, Henry Petets, cf Fort Wayne. Fuwernl verrires weft beheht nr the .Salem Reformed church at 2 o’clock Thursday afternoon. The Rev. D. Grether will have charge of the services. Burial will be made in the church cemetery. o— — — Fairer Sex To Shine In Second Part Os G. E. Minstrel Show A visit to rehearsals of "Minstrel Chuckles,” the production being offered by the General Electric Band at the Decatur high school auditor-1 him, March 19 and 20, reveals the fact that the second part of the performance will be given over almost exclusively to the fairer sex. "Saw Mill River Road" is the title o£ the second act and it is featured by a song of the same name. This number, as well as "Barefoot Days,” is sung by Miss Dessolee Chester and M.' Don Farr, assisted by a nimble footed chorus of girls- in rustic costumes. Included in the chorus are: Mary Macy, Mabel Staley, Mildred Akey, Mr. 4. Wm. Simpson, Miriam Myers, Sadie Fisher, Etola Gottshall, Bernice Engle, Cecilia Appleman, Inez Heller, Ina Heller, Helen Gerber, Leia Reft'ey, Mary Colchin, Erna Lankenau and Glennys Elzey. o Large Crowds Attend Revival At Bobo Church Large crowds are gathering every evening at the Bobo Methodist revival. It has been necessary several evenings to place extra chairs in the aisles to accomodate the crowd. On Thursday night, the pastor, the Rev. E. P. White, will give a talk on "The Ten Commandments.” This will be an illustrated talk. Several persons have already expressed a desire to unite with the church. This may be the last week of the meetings. The public Is invited to attend. £ o Decatur Girl Injured In Automobile Accident Two girls giving their names as Miss Geraldine Kohn, 17, of Decatur, and Miss Mildred Zeser, 17. 321 East Pontiac street, Fort Wayne, suffered cuts and burises when the automobile in which they were riding turned over after colliding with another car at a street intersection in Fort Wayne, Sunday afternoon. The two girls were riding with three other persons in a light roadster. Charles Snarr, of Muncie, the driver of the car, said he did not see the approach of the other car. which was driven by George Crist, of Fort Wayne. Miss Kohn was taken to the Methodist hospital. Iler injuries were not serious.

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Mate, \nt hum I I nirrnni hiiiiii

THIRTEEN LIVES LOST WHEN FIRE DESTROYSHOMES Mother And Two Children Die In fire At Bedford. Indiana, Today TEN BURN TO DEATH IN FIRE IN QUEBEC’ Bedford, Ind., Mar. 6.— (INS) —A mother and her two children were burned to deatli when fire started from the explosion of kerosene poured in the kitchen stove destroyed the Lloyd Stewart home at I’atton Hill, four miles west of here today. The dead were: Mrs. Pearl Stewart, 21. lola May, 5, her daughter. Rex Albert, 3, her son. Mrs. Stewart got up about 5:30 a. m. to prepare breakfast for her husband, Lloyd Stewart, who is a stone cutter. Kerosene Explodes To hasten preparation of breakfast, Mrs. Stewart poured kerosene on the smouldering embers in the kitchen stove. An explosion followed immediately which hurled liquid flames throughout the room. Enveloped in a sheet of flames Mrs. Stewart ran into lite bedroom where her husband and three children were sleeping. Her husband was awakened by his wife’s screams. He grabbed up a year-old baby and smashing a window climbed outside with the child He deposited it safely out doors and then turned to attempt to rescue his wife and the other two children. The flames, however, had made the whole house a roaring furnace in the few moments consumed in the rescue of the infant. The frantic husband was unable to re-enter lhe house. The charred bodies of the mother and of the two children were later found in the ruins of the home. Ten Die In Canada Gitebec, Que.. Mar. 6. — (U.R) —Mrs. Thomas Cliche, her eight children and her father-in-law, Charles Cliche, were burned to death last night when their home near Valley Junction was destroyed by fire, caused by an overheated furnace. LEVINE STARTS FLIGHT TO CUBA Bellanca Monoplane Columbia Winging Its Way Southward Today Mitchell Field, N. Y., March 6—(INS) The Bellanca monoplane Columbia, in which Clarence Chamberlin spanned the Atlantic to Germany, was winging its way southward today on a non-stop flight to Havana, Cuba. In the cockpit, when the plane left hete at 11:36 o’clock last night, were Charles A. Levine, first trans-Atlan-tic air passenger, Wilmre Stultz, the pilot, and Miss Mabel 8011, of Rochester, N. Y.. known as the "Queen of Diamonds." Levine planned the flight some two months ago. but weather conditions tnd mechanical trouble delayed the top-off until last night. The distance from here to Havana is about 1.600 miles. The plane ear ried 250 gallons of gasoline and 20 gallons of oil. Weß'jher conditions were perfect for the take-off. Stultz had no trouble in lifting the plane from the ground and after circling the field twice, healed due south in front of a south wind. Before leaving he said that with the aid of the tail* wind, he expected to average between 110 and 115 miles an hour, arriving in Havana in about 13 hours or less. Miss 801 l occupied a t.iuy compartment behind the main gasoline tank. Levine and Stultz sat side by side in the main compartment ahead of the gas tank. Disregards Doctor’s Orders New York, March 6.—(lNS)—Miss Mabel 8011, the blonde "Queen of Diamonds,” hopped off for Hanava with Cliarles A Levine, in violation of her physician’s orders, her mother revealed today. She had been suffering from a severe cold and her physician explicitly warned her against possible consequences if she exposed herself by making the fight. Mrs. 801 l also revealed that her daughter had shipped her expensive green automobile to Cuba for use while she is there.

Decatur, Indiana, Tuesday, March 6, 1928,

Surrenders ■ ' DR LOI’IS CLEMENT (lnf»rn»'lon«l lllumrai»a Dr. Louis Clement, sought by jMtlico for questioning in connection with the Killing of Miss Margaret Brown, governess. who was burned to death on a New Jersey toad, recently, surrendered to police last night. TRUSTEES TO - ’ PAY CLAIMS Claims Against Dog Tax Fund To Be Paid In New Way In Future County Auditor Martin Jaberg has turned over unpaid claims amounting to $2,029.45 against the county dog ’ax fund to the township trustees, who now receive the dog tax and pay the claims, as granted them under the new law. These claims were filed with the county commissioners by property owners who had sheep, fowls or other livestock damaged by dogs, the losses being paid out of the county dog tax fund. The dog tax fund was depleted sometime ago and the claims could not be paid. Beginning this year, the dog tax collected by the township assessors is to be turned over to the township trustees, who will pay the claims. The old law, prior to the law which made the property owner file his claim before the county commissioners, gave the trustees the same right. Claims were turned over to ten of the 12 township trustees. Preble and I Rc.ot townships did not have any tin paid claims. The claims turned over to Hie township trustees in the It) townships were, French $147; St. Marys $322; Hartford. $100; Washington, $116; Monroe, $29: Blue Creek $528; Union, S3O; Jeffeison. $403; Kirkland $42.95; Wabash $11.50. o— —■ Cast Eor Mt. Pleasant Play Is Announced “The Path Across the Hill" is the name of a play which will be given, Friday and Saturday nights, March 9 and 10, at the Mt. Pleasant school building by the Bible Class of the Mt. Pleasant church. The Zimmerman orchestra will furnish music for the entertainment. The cast for the play is as follows: Samuel Crawford—Bill Jones Robert Post—Norval Fuhrman Walter Conrad Frank Singleton Dr. Jimmie Reed—Charlie Barnhouse Salamander Alexander, John Henry Jones—Jess Singleton Mrs. Davis—Lois Fuhrman. Ruth Conrad —Esther Fuhrman Flo Gray—Mae Sumann Lutie—lva Fuhrman Zuzu—Fay Barnhouse o Warning Against Wearing Dyed Shoes Issued Today Terre Haute, Ind., Mar. 6. —(U.R) — Warning agalyst wearing dyed shoes went out to citizens today from Dr. C. N. Combs, Union hospital superintendent, who witlt other physicians has won a hard fight to save the life of J. C. Hicks, Jr., 6, poisoned by dye. Five days after a pair of shoes had bee t dyed, the Hicks boy wore them to school and in a few hours poison spread throughout his system. He was rushed to tile hospital where physicians worked through a night and finally conquered the poison. — 0 Lost Diamond Recovered Evansville, Ind., Mar. 6. — (U.R) — Mrs. Hubert Arnold lost the set from a diamond ring in East high school library. Today, a week later, she again possessed it. Darwin Martin, a student, found the set in a magazine he was rending and returned it to the owner.

PETITIONS FOR NEW HIGHWAYS ARE FILED HERE Commissioners Asked To Construct Several New Macadam Roads PLAN IMPROVEMENTS IN COURT HOUSE Petitions for the improvement of several roads in Jefferson, Preble, Monroe and St. Marys townships were filed today, witli tlie county commissioners, by Attorney ,1. Fred Fruchte. Tlie petitions asked that tlie roads be impioved with macadam. The improvements would lie from a half mile to a mile in lengtli. Tlie petitions filed were, t lie Homer Charleston, William Adang. William Weaver, Lon Weaver, in Jefferson township; the Herman Buttek, in Preble township; the Reuben J. Meyer, in Mpnroe township: the Charles Nyffler. In St. Marys township. A petition was also filed for the Charles 11. Lehman road in Berne, and one for the Julius Reichait road in the town of Monroe, tlie later being a hard surfaced road running east from the brick street to the township line. Bids For Coal Julius Haugh was awarded the contrait to furnish a carload of coal for the county iirtlrmary. His bid was $4.65 per ton for White Ash. f.o.h. cars in Decatur. Bids For Fertilizer The contract for furnishing 7% tons of fertilizer at the county farm was awarded to Fred W. Busche, at his bid of $330, tlie same to be delivered at the infirmary. To Improve Rest Rooms Specifications were adopted by the ,board of commissioners for the improving of the men and ladle's rest rooms in the Ttmrt house. The old fixtures will be removed and new ones installed. Much trouble and expense has resulted from the old toilets and the •commissioners decided to install new fixtures. A new floor will also lie laid in tlie men's toilet room in the basement of the court house. Bids for doing the work and furnishing all the material will lie received by the board on Tuesday, April 3. A new drinking fountain will also lie installTWO MORE TOSS HATS INTO RING Indiana Gubernatorial Race Now Has Total Os 14 Entries Indianapolis. Mar. 6. — (INS) —The gubernatorial race became more intense today when two more candidates swelled the total entries to fourteen. They were Secretary of State Frederick E. Schortemeier and former Attorney General U. S. Lesh, both « republicans. Frederick Landis of Logansport was expected to becolme the 15th candidate soon. L. L. Bomberger, Hamtnond attorney, also may enter. Eight republicans and six Democrats now are competing for the republican and democratic nominations for governor in the Indiana primary election May Sth as follows: Republicans — Arthur Hynims, of Linton; Charles W. Jewett, of Indianapolis; Alvah J. Rucker, of Indianapolis; Harry Leslie, of Lafayette; Char'es Ewry, of Portland: Thomas 11. Adams, of Vincennes; U. S. Lesh, of Huntington and Frederick E.' Schortemeier, of Indianapolis. Democrats — Frank C. Dailey, of Bluffton; Samuel Wells, of Scottsburg; George E. Hershman, of Crown Point; Earl Crawfords, of Milton; John E. Frederick, of Kokomo and Olin R. Holt, of Kokomo. '■■O Sen. Reed Appeals For Stand Against Corruption Salt Lake City, Utah. March 6—(U.R) —•Speaking before an audience of mote than 5,000, Senator James A Reed of Missouri, Presidential candidate made a stirring appeal last night to both Democrats and republicans to unit in a supreme effort to save the government from destruction at the hands of corrut politicians. The Senator was greeted here by a reception committee of prominent Democrats and was the guest of honor at a dinner given by party leaders.

By 't in- I illicit Pri-Mx nnil I (Kerimi hiunl Nrrvlre

Warrant Issued For Robert W. Stewart Washingion, .VJirili (• — (U.R) —A bench wairant foi arrest of chairman Robert W. Stewart of the Standard Oil Company of- Indiana, signed by Chief Justice McCoy of the district of Columbia supreme court, will be mailed to Chicago today. United States Attorney Peyton Gordon announced. Under tlie warrant tlie Rockefeller company head will lie required to plead to the recent indictment charging him with contempt of the Senate in refussing to answer questions of the Senate Teapot Dome committee in connection with the Continental trading company investigation. CHISHOLM TO PLEAD INSANITY Horrors Os Vimy Ridge And The Somme To Be Blamed For Slayer’s Act Grown Point. Ind., Mar. 6.- (U.R) — Attorneys for George Chisholm. 35, Canadian World War veteran, who confessed to drowning his two small sons, today planned to begin preparation of an insanity defense to save the father from the elect.ic chair. Chisholm was brought to the Lake county jail here last night after lie had waived examination and had been bound over to the Lake criminal court grand jury on two charges of first degree murder. Defense attorneys Josepli Conroy and Attorney Filipiak announced Chilsholni would lie examined by physicians today. The attorneys indicated tlie examination would have bearing on an attempt to prove tlie two written confessions which Chisholm made wsre obtained under duress. Attorney Conroy, chief of defense counsel, said a plea of not guilty probably would be entered in the slayer’s behalf. The insanity defense, attorneys indicated, would be based on the contention that Chisholm suffered from shell-shock and wounds as a result of his service with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces in the World War. o Sullivan Bank President Escapes With SIOO,OOO Sullivan, Ind., Mar. 6 (U.R) —Despite his years. James M. Lang, 73 missing president cf the Citizens Trust Company of Sullivan, has succeeded in eluding police and escaping with $l(>0, 006 of the .bank’s funds, it was believed today. Chief of Police Dozier returned to Sullivan from Ponca City, Okla., with word that Lank had stayed there for two weeks after his disappearance from Sullivan, but had left without a clue to his destination. At Ponca City, Dazier said. Lang lived at a hotel operated by Mrs. Peak Cozart, formerly of Sullivan. o Six Persons In Bus Overcome By Gas Fumes South Bend, Ind., Mar. 6. — (U.R) — Six persons overcome by monoxide gas in a Chicago-Detroit Ims today were under treatment here. All are expected to recover. Tlie six are William Moore, Loies Yiatoests. William Clemens and Albert Lee, all of Chicago; J. R. Brewster, of Detroit, Mich., and Mrs. J. A. Schaffer, of Haven. Kansas. o Lone Elk In Park At Muncie Is Killed Muncie, Ind.. March 6 —(U.R)—Susie lone elk in McCollough park here died before a firing squad today. She was > killed when city officials could not find for her a mate to take the place ct Big Bill, Park-Elk. who died last summer. The body was taken to a storage plant where it was prepared for use at a dinner to be held by local Lodge April 3. Big Bill died suddenly last summer after he tried to kill a keeper who was attempting to quiet him when he became excited because a group of childten threw sticks and stones at him. ■»

f , Young Man Is Buried In i Suit Bought For Wedding i i- Bicknell, Ind., March 6 —(U.R)— f George Maddox. 24, nephew of Mrs. Anna Swan, of Bicknell, was buried in a a suit which he had bought to wear !• at his wedding. He was killed by a fall t of slate while working in a mine at Powderly, Ky.

Price Two Cents

FLAPPER SLAYER SENTENCED FOR KILLING HUSBAND Young Ohio Woman Pleads Guilty To Charge Os Second Degree Murder ELIGIBLE TO PAROLE AT END OF 10 YEARS Paynesville. <)., March (i (Mi Garbed in a knee length black silk dress and her slim iorm rembling, Velma West, llapper slaver of her husband stood before Judge J. I). Barnes, today ! iikl heard herself sentenced to I life imprisonment. Vc’tua swayed as sentence was pronounced. Her attorney gently escorted her to her chair. Then when her father, Bert L. Van Woert, came over to console her, broke down and wept. Her slim form shook like 1 leaf in the wind. "Oil Daddy. Daddj—( don’t know what to say." she moaned. Agreement Is Reached Tlie question of how Velma was to n’ead was cut and dried, it bad been threshed out in ail day conferences yesterday by attorneys for both sides, in tlie judge’s chambers, with Judge Barnes present. Attorney Powlson motioned to Velma to stand up. She came over beside him and both stood directly before the bar. Addressing the trembling, palefaced Velma, tlie court said: "Is that your decision —to plead guilty of murder in the second degree?” “It is,” she said in a barely audible voice. "Have you anything to say at this time as t/> why the court should not. now pass sentence upon you?” askud the siljerthaired kindly-faited judge in lines a father would use in addressing his daughter. "No sir, I have not,” replied Velma, her hands nervously clasping and unclasping a handkerchief. Then with Velma and Attorney f’onlgon standing before him, t.he judge launched into an explanation ol his position before lie announced I>»R sentence "This matter of you being allowed to plead guilty to murder in the second degree did not come up suddenly.” Judge Barnes said, speaking to Velma. ■ If had been discussed liy lawyers for both sides in chambers yesterday. Th s court came to the eoi.clusi -i that in view of the evidence the state could not expect to get a conviction of higher than murder in the second degree. I lie law says that tlie punishment for second degree murder shall be coniinement in the reformatory for women tor tlie rest of your natural ,ife. That is the sentence the court, imposes upon you.” A flush mantled Velma’s neck, her iips twitched and she seemed to colla _ psi '' _ B (’ e returned to her tI OXTIXHKD OX PAGE SIX> O Athletic Program To Be Given Here Tonight An athletic program, sponsored by the civic department cf the Woman’s Cluli, will lie given in the Decatur high school gymnasium this evening. The program will consist of eight short wrestling matches between local high school boys; exhibitions of tumbling, pyramid building and ealesthentics by girls from the physical training classes of the high school, and a basketball game between tlie city teachers and merchants. The program will begin at 7:30 o'clock. The proceeds from the event will be divided between the civic department of tho Woman's Club • and the Junior band. o Refuse To Confirm Nomination Os J. .1. Esch Washington, Mar. 6—(U.R)—The Senate Interstate Commerce committee today voted 10 to 7 against confirming the nomination of John J. Esch for re--1 appointment to the Interstate commerce commission. An unfavorable report on the nomination will be sent to the Senate.

0 —, Issues Call For Condition Os State Banks In Indiana Indianapolis, March 6—(U.R) —State . Bank Examiner Lewis Symons today • issued a call for the condition of ail I Indiana State Banks as of Feb. 28, the same date referred to in a National Bank Call, isued today.

YOUR HOME PAPERLIKE ONE OF THE FAMILY