Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 26, Number 93, Decatur, Adams County, 18 April 1928 — Page 1

WFATHER Rain probable tonight and Thursday. Warmer tonight and colder by Thursday afternoon.

INTERNATIONAL AUTO SPEED RACE ON

HOOPENGARDNER RELIEVED TO BE ALIVE AND WELL Missing Decatur Man Told Brother-in-law He Was Going To Michigan said he had JOB offered HIM THERE Belief that Join! I loopenganlntr. missing Decatur num. was safe and at work in Michigan, probiblv at Centerville, was .open credence today by Clyde While, of near Ossian, a broth-er-in-law of Mr. Hoopengardner. Sheriff I lari Hollingsworth and ( liiof of Police Sephus Melchi went to the White home yesterday evening, after learning that Mr. Hoopengardner had been there visiting last Tuesday liefoore mysteriously disappearing that night. Mr White staled that Mr. Hoopengardner came to his home Tues-1 day afternoon and told him that he I feared that he could not continue to make a living in the gasoline filling stat on business in Decatur and had i decided to leave. Promised Job In Michigan He also told his hrvther-in-la w that he was assr.rred of a job in Michigan ami that he was going there to work. He asked Mr. White to look after iome business matters for him. Mr. White stated that he believed that Mr Hoopengardner took the early morning train Wednesday, for Kalamazoo, Michigan. lloopengai.lner was last seen in Decatur Tuesday evening. Fear was first expressed that the man had become temporarily deranged and had walked into tl.e river. Some held to the ‘theory that the nmn had met with foul play and possibly had been killed. Police Chief Gets Call Tuesday morning, Chief Melchi received a telephone cnll from a Mr. Slobe, at Centerville, Michigan, asking that members of th«* Hoopengardner family come to that town at once if they desired information concerning the missing man. Members of the family went to that t wn yesterday and reported to local officials that there was nothing to the report. Police officers, however, believe that the mysterious call was from Hoopengardner and that he l| ■>>“ sons to know that he was <<'ovn'»«rp ox eu;n <:v> o .— NINE PERSONS BURN TO DEATH Seven Children And Two Adults Lose Lives In Three Fires Sistersville, W. Ya., Apr. 18.—(U.R) -I - our children were burned to death and two others burned seriously when following a gas explosion destroyed the Denton Tennant home near here today. Ihe dead are Brooks, 111; Vonda ‘kll, 8; Garnet, 7, and Betty Lee, 3, a 'l chidren of Mr. and Mrs. Denton Tennant. 'Marie Tennant, 23, and Dennie •ennant, 17, were injured. '■as, leaking through a defective stove hoge connection, ignited from an oil Lamp and and caused the blaze. * . small children were in bed and Perished despite frantic efforts of Ihe parents to save them. Gasoline Explodes Presque Isle, Maine, Apr. 18.—(INS) 1 hree children were burned to •eath and their mother and a half u other of their parents were serious- ■' injured here today when gasoline "as mistaken for kerosene in kindllllß a fire in the kitchen stove. An explosion rocked the country side, shattered the house afld set it afire. The dead: Beth Farley, 6; Phyllis •alley, 3; an( j Georgia Farley, 1. 1 hose in the hospital, Donald Far- ">■ 5; the mother, Mrs. Hazel Farley and her half brother, Archie Farley. Two Men Lose Lives Philadelphia. April 18.—(INS)—Risk's 8 by entering a burning ■ 'ack firemen today c arried out the 'harr>(l bodies of James Lindsey, 32, i orld war veteran, and Andrew Gornlpy. 35, of Maple Shade, N. J. The wooden structure in which the men had been trapped while asleep "as burned to the ground. Origin of the blaze is unknown.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCR AT

Vol. XXVI. No. 93.

HOTEL MAGNATE DIES SUDDENLY tnT'— 7 -’"a f I / r Ttar »i / V J ■■ | , ' rHTF - ■ilk '**' ’, / K Kj v J Ml**’ j 'The man who rose from the position of bellboy to millionaire chain hotel i proprietor, Edward M. Statler, (left) is dead in New York. Mr. Statler is shown above with ins son.

VELMA THIEME DIFS TUESDAY Union Township School Girl Dies Os Acute Neuritis; Age 13 Years Velma Thieme, 13, died at her home in Union Township, at 11:30 o’clock Tuesday evening, Api 11 17, 1928. She had been ill f.r about three weeks and death was due to acute neuritis. Velma Thieme wan the daughter nf Mr. and Mis. Martin Thieme, and was a pupil at the Immanuel Lutheran parochial school. She would have been con firmed next year, had she lived. She was born in Union township, February 22, 1915. Surviving, besides the parents, are one brother. Herman; one sister, Paula and the grandparents, Mr. and Mrs.i Herman Hockemeyer, and Mrs. Fred Thieme. Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 1:30 o’clock, Standard Time at the residence, and at 1:45 o’clock at the Immanuel Lutheran chinch. Rev. Frosch will conduct the services. Burial in the church cemetery. The pall heal ei s will be chosen from among the classmates of the little j girl o French Ouinn To Speak At Fort Wayne Friday Fort Wayne, Ind., April 18 — (Special)—French Quinn, prominent! business man f Decatur, will speak at the Fi iday morning chapel service at International Business college April 20. He will speak on "The Spirit of Lincoln." Mr Quinn is being brought to the International Business college by J. C Tritch, principal of the school, formerly cf Decatur. Edward Koeneman Accepts Position In Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, April 18—(Special)-— Edward Koeneman, of near Decatur, has accepted a position with the National Cash Register company’s branch office, at Fort Wayne. He is a graduate of the general business course at Fort Wayne. o FORMER LOCAL RESIDENT DIES Mrs. Robert Boyd, 83, Dies At Home In Mt. Vernon, Ohio, Monday Night Mrs. Robert Boyd, 83, widow of Robert Boyd and sister of Fred V. Mills, of this city, died at her home in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, Monday night at 11 o’clock, it was learned here today. Mrs. Boyd had been in failing health for some time and her death was said to have been due to infirmities. Pneumonia was said to have been the immediate cause of the death. Mrs. Boyd was well-known in Decatur, having resided here many years ago. No children survive. Funeral services will be held Tuhrsday afternoon at Mt. Vernon.

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

State, National And Interniillonul N rna

Bulletin El Reno, OkTa., April 18.—(INS) —Elwin F. Allen, 28. held in the county jail here on a burglary charge, has confessed to the HallMills murder in New. Jersey, Sheriff T. C. Shacklett, announced here today. In a detailed confession implicating himself as the murderer of the couple. Alien said he receded $5,000 and an automobile for the crime, but refused to say who hired him to do the killing. Sheriff Shacklett said. Efforts to check the confession of Allen, who says he is a citizen of Mexico, were being made by Oklahoma officers this afternoon. Sheriff Shacklett said he could not be sure Allen was sincere in his confession, but that the mar. had reiterated his statement. I * l 1 o Favors Extension Os Limit Sullivan, Ind., Apr. 18. — (U.R) — Extension of the time limit of the statute of limitations to at least five years or perhaps its total repeal," was advocated by Thomas H. Adams, republican gubernatorial candidate, in a speech here. o OPUGER GIVES : HIS PLATFORM — Decatur Congressional Candidate Issues Statement To Public * Lawrence E. Opliger. of this city, today tested his first statement concerning his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for congressman from the Eighth congressional district. Mr. Opliger will make an ac- ! tive campaign and Aaiti today that already he was perfecting organizations in each of the counties in the district. * He issued the following platform in connection with his official statement "My duty is to support the U.'S. Constitution, federal laws and Monroe doctrine and its principles. "I favor economy, law enforce, ment, and clean, sound just government. "I favor laws for the relief of the farmers, favorable to labor, flood relief and just representation. "I believe in free speech and free press; equal suffrage and,proper relief for all our war veterans. "Opposed to enter League of Nations. to political corruption and vice. “Not, in sympathy with legalized murder, life imprisonment in preference ” > Mr. Oipliger is making his campaign on the slogan "The office belongs in the north.” He contends that in the last 100 years, the northern part of the congressional district has never been represented in congress and he feels that Adams county is entitled to the office for four years. Methodist Bishop Dies Louisville, Ky„ Apr. 18—(INS)—After an illness of several weeks Bishop James Edward Dickey of the Methodist Episcopal church south, was dead in a local hospital today.

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday, April IK, 1928.

Lindy Sees Aid To Aviation In Bremen’s Flight — St. Louis, Mo. April IS (INS) Colonel Charles A. Lindbergh was warm in his praise hero today for the achievement of the Irish-Ger-man Bremen aviators in making the tit st east to west flight across the Atlantic. America's flying ace said that unquestionably the westward flight was more hazardous than an eastward one. Lindbergh ctassifled the feat of the foreign aviators as another notch in tile advancement of aviation. Co). Lindbergh was back home here following his flight from the Pacific, as uncommunicative as ever in regard to his future plans. DAYLIGHT SAVING PETITION TABLED BY CITY COUNCIL Councilmen Vote To Defer Action On Petition Signed By 165 Persons —■ - I REFERENDUM IS DISCUSSED The petition, signed by 165 individuals and business fiigis, asking that “daylight saving time" be established in Decatur this summer, was filed with the city council last evening and motion, tabled until a further date. The petition asked that the c uncil place the city of Decatur on daylight saving time to conform witii Fart. Wayne and the cities in Ohio, which operate on eastern time. As Fort Wayne has net definitely decided on the matter, Councilman Joe Hunter moved that the petition be tabled. The Fort Wayne city council passed the daylight saving time ordinance, but Mayor William Geake lias not yet signed it and sentiment exists there to have the voters express their opinion on the matter at the primary electitn on May 8. Small Minority Signs Petition Several of the Decatur councilmen expressed the opinion that if a majority of the people did not want the daylight saving time here, that a minority should net be permitted to change the clocks. The petition with 165 names represent only a very small patt of the minority, councilmen state, and unless som sots cf an expression from the majority can be obtained it is doubtful if the otdinance will pass here. Questioned as to the legality of the proposition of having the voters vote on the question at the primary election next month, City Attorney J. Fred Fruchte expressed an unofficial opinion that the voting would have to be done outside of the regular election booths. Voters going ta the polls on May 8, would be presented a ballot outside of the election booth and then they could vote their sentiments on the matter and the ballots would be placed in a booth outside of the election booth. However, Mr Fruchte has not given a definite opinion in the mat ter. It is not known what plan the city of Fort Wayne will use, in case the matter is placed before the voters on election day. o Decatur Aviator Flies Plane Over City Today A new Eaglerock airplane, in which Verne Boh tike, Decatur aviator, is believed to have been the pilot, passed over Decatur this morning and headed toward Fort Wayne, after circling over this city a few times. Mr. Bohnke, who is flying for the StoneyCity Airways. Inc., of Bedford, hid., was scheduled to fly from Bedford to Fort Wayne this morning in a new Eaglerock plane, to join the Indiana delegation of fliers to attend the All-American Aircraft Exposition, at Detroit this week. He was to be accompanied on the flight by the president of tho Stoney City Airways, Inc. Panes from many Indiana cities were to meet at Fort Wayne this morning, before departing for Detroit this afternoon. o Train Kills Motorist South Bend, Ind., Apr. 18. —(INS) — Robert Harfiman, 17, son of a prominent local coal dealer, was instantly killed here today when his automobile was struck by a Grand Trunk train. Hartman's death was the twenty-first automobile fatality here since Jan. 1.

MORE PAVING ORDERED BY CITY COUNCIL Nuttman Avenue Petition Granted; More Ornamental Lights Granted — (TTY WATER PASSES STATE HEALTH TEST — In tlie absence of Mayor George 1 Krick, who is confined to his home on account of illness, Councilman O. L. Vance presid'd as mayor at the regular meeting of the city council last evening. The petitjbn of property owners for the Nuttman avenue improvement. in connection with the building of tile Wemlioff road, was allowed by the street and sewer committee. The street will lie improved with sidewalk and curb and three additional I feet, on each side of the main track. I making the street from Fifth street J west to Twelfth street. 27 feet wide, i Engineer Orval Hat-ruff was instruct- ■ ed to prepare plans and specifications for tlie street. Bids for the furnishing of electric , | light, posts on West Adams street and Fifth street will be received by the I council on Tuesday, May 1. The I Fifth street improvement was ordered by tlie council last night and, as no bids for posts on Adams street were received by the council last night, it was moved that notice to bidders on both improvements be given. City Water Good Engineer Orval Harruff filed a report from tlie state Ixiard of health which showed, after examination that he city water is good. Tlie report -ead, “that sample of water is of sat'sfactory quality for drinking purpose.,.’’ A. contract between the city of Decatur and John M. Barnett, for furnishing water and street sprinkling. •as filed with the council and approved. Mr. Barnett agrees to pay the city S3O a month for the water furnished and the city is to pay Mr. Barnett $lO per month for sprink’•ng the street and alley intersections, ■“he contract runs for 5% months ’uring the year. A contract from the Indiana PubMe Service Corporation, agreeing to remove the old interurban ties and rails from North Second street and place the street back in good condiicnvnvi rtn ov vagi- ftvk> o

BANK PROTECTION FULLY DISCUSSED Elkhart Man Is Sneaker At Meeting Os County Bankers And Vigilantes Jay G. Wallick. of Elkhart, was the chief speaker at a joint meeting of the Adams County Bankers' association and the Adams county vigilantes organization at the Industrial rooms in this city last night. About 50 men were In attendance and all reported a very successful meeting. Mr. Wallick explained that a sham esting points concerning bank protec. tion. He told of the plans of mustering airplanes into the vigilante service to trail bank robbers. Mr. Wallick explain® dthat a sham robbery was traced a few weeks ago at Gary by means of an airplane and that the robbers were caught in very little time. Every bank in the county, with the exception of one was represented al the meeting. Several other persons also spoke few words following the chief address. Herman Ehingen manager of the Citizens Telephone company, a special guest at the meeting pledged his concern’s co-operation in the matter of aiding the banks in case of a robbery. He explained the value of the double alarm system, with the Telepin ne com pany. A county shoot will be held April 27 at the Fred Schurger farm, west of Decatur, and all vigilantes will receive practice for the annual state meet which will be held at Fort Benjamin Harrison, in Indianapolis, June 11. A new system of competition at the state meet will be started this year. Sharpshooters will not be permitted (o win first individual prizes two years in succession. This gives each shooter more opportunity to score points. Recognition will be given the 10 highest shooters in each event.

Uy The United l-reaa n»d liiterniilloiinl Nena Service

New Arkansas Chief »' • - 'll ■ W Vi I V “A i 2 ... w-.w Succeeding Governor Jo h n E. Martineau, who accepted an appointment as Federal District Judge fori tne eastern district of Arkansas. I Lieutenant Governor Parnell (above) j assumes Hie gubernatorial ch ur. D. H. S. PUPILS TO STAGE CARNIVAL Annual Event To Be Held Thursday And Friday Nights This Week On Thursday and Friday nights of this week, the students of the public s.gh school will hold their annual Carnival, which is given each year to help in financing the high school an- . nual, Raveliugs. Thursday night's features will be -Id in tlie gymnasium. No adcission -e wil’ be charged, but small charges will be made for those who part'd--ate in the various features. There will be booths, confetti, dancing, for-‘une-telHng, bingo stands, a Court of ’ustice, side shows, a den of horrors. •Thing pond, country store, “hit your ‘avorite teacher” booth, and eat. > stands of all kinds. There will be I ntertalmnent aplenty for both young . and old and anyone desiring an even-' ng full .of fun is invited to attend. On Friday evening, the entertainI -tont will be held in the high school auditorium. Starting at 7:30 o’clock, each class of the high school will

t)resent a stunt program. The Freshmen are planning a fashion allow; 'he Sophomores, a song and dance stunt; the Juniors, a revue; and the Seniors, a doll show. Following these 'our numbers, the Royal Family will be crowned. Each class, for the past several weeks, have been getting votes at one cent each for their royal family, which consists cf a King, Queen, Prince and Princess. The class having the largest number of votes will be the one whose Royal ’family will be crowned. The class also will receive a purple and gold hono ibanncr and each member of the winning Royal Family will receive an individual gift. Following the program, dancing will be enjoyed in the gymnasium. Mujdc for the dance will be furnished by Don Farr s orchestra. An admission fee of 15 cents will be charged ’or the entertainment and crowning. Admission for the dance will be 35 cents each or fifty cents per couple. The high school carnival is a big event in the school year to which every pup 1 ! looks forward from year to year. The patronage of the public is solicited. LIONS ENJOY TRI KAPPA PROGRAM Young Ladies Present Playlet Entitled, “The Fatal Necklace” The program at the weekly lunch eon meeting of the Decatur Lions Club held in the basement of the Christian church last night was furnished by the Tis Kappa sorority. Herman Myers was chairman for the evening. A group of Tri Kappa girls present a playlet entitled, “The Fatal Neck--1 lace." Members of the cast were; i Kathryn Doi'win, Gretchen Schafer, • Mildred Llddy, Marcella Hower, Jose- ■ phine Myers and Mrs. Herman Myers, : The entertainment was well given and greatly appreciated by Uie Lions.

Price Two Cents

FRENCH CAR IS LEADING ENTRY FROM AMERICA Speedway Record For Stock Cars At 100 Miles Broken At Indianapolis LEADER AVERAGES 85 MILES AN HOUR BULLETIN Indianapolis Speedway, April I£.—(lNS) —At the end of 125 miles the Freich car’s average speed was 85.03 miles per hour. The Stutz s average was 79.73 mi'es per hour. In<ii:in:i|>olis, April 18—(INS)—The Iwenty-lour hour speed nice lor tt $25,000 purse, between :i Stutz Black Hawk roadjsfer and a Hispiino-Stuza speedster, to determine the worlds fastest stock car got ttmlerwav (■.I t o'clock this afternoon at ib<’ Indianapolis speedwayThe French ear was enteied by Charles Wevinnnn. noted body builder. who claimed for it the speed record cf Europe. The day was sunny and warm and a large crowd of spectators was present. The weather man forecast rain for tonight, however. The race will end at 1 p.m. Thursday. Gil Anderson was driving the Stutz entry. C. T. Weymann drov•he French machine. At the end of ‘be 20th lap, the Hispano car was 1 minute in the lead. Averages 85 Miles An Hour At the end of the 30th lap, which a distance of i’s miles, ‘he Hispano speed average was 85.31 mMes an hour. The Stutz average at ‘to.s was 82 52 miles an hour. On the 29th lap the French ntt--hine travelling i'O miles an hour ‘-nod the American entry. At the completion of the 100th mile, both car., had broken the speed--ay stock car record. The French -ach nc was still leading. , o— Spencer Man Convicted On Charge Os Blackmail - Spencer, Ind.. Apiil 18. —(U.R) —Ralph Meek, 30, today faced sentence on a 'blackmail” charge as the result of he verdict of a jury, which found him -uilty of writing a letter to Mrs. Moris Haltom. of Cataract, threatening

•o "steal the body of your husband om its grave if you don’t place '.200” in a designated spot. Ora Turner, also arrested in conlecticn with the case, was exonerat'd because of "lack of evidence." o— RECITAL PLEASES LOCAL AUDIENCE Meredith Stewart, Former Decatur Boy. And Verne Rothaar Win Praise After the audience had been delighted with an hour and a half program given al the Decatur high school auditorium last evening, they refused to leave until Mr. Meredith Stewart, violinist, and Mr. Verne Rothaar, pianist rendered an extra selection, the finest tribute of appreciation that could have been given. The concert, under the auspices of the Woman’s Club, was one of the most pleasing ever given here, due prehaps to the fact that Mr. Stewart, formerly resided here for many years, and it is felt that a return engagement at some future time, would pack the auditorium. Mr. Stewart is the eldest son of Mr and Mrs. John H Stewart, residents here prior to moving to Dayton Ohio, Meredith has taken violin lessons in Cincinnati, Dayton, Chicago | and other cities and is planning to complete his educatio nabroard. Last night’s conceit was dedicated to the memory of Mr. Ralph Moser, who was Mr. Sewart’s first violin teacher. The program was wonderful, opening with Sonata, F. Major, in three parts by Beethoven, followed by three selections )>y Mr. Stewart, three by Mr. Rothaar and concluding with three ! by Mr. Stewart. The attendance was - not as large as the club had hoped for : but everyone there was impressed with , the gbility of the artists, who received - many sincere congratulations. These i, young men are stars in their prosesI sion and their friends predict many successes in the next few years.

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