Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 26, Number 158, Decatur, Adams County, 5 July 1928 — Page 1

WEATHER Mostly fair tonight and Friday, slightly cooler tonight extreme northeast portion. Warmer Friday north and central portion. - S

HOLIDAY DEATH TOLL EXCEEDS 200 ' — —e. ■ i 1., i ■ ■ 11. i. , - 111 ■■■— —• • | - -

- ■ Italian Fliers Cross South Atlantic, Setting Record

REACH BRAZILIAN COAST AFTERHOP OF 4,600 MILES Capt. Ferrarin And Major Deprete Continue On Way To Rio De Janerio PLANE IS SIGHTED ON COAST OF BRAZIL Rio De Janerio, Brazil, July 5. —(INS)—Two famous Italian fliCaptain Auturo Ferrarin and Major Carlo Del Prete, this afternoon completed crossing the south Atlantic ocean without a stop, being sighted on the north coast of Brazil on their non-stop flight from Rome to Brazil, a d : ‘snce of 4.600 miles. Their monoplane Savoia, was sighted over the town of Natal, at 3:05 O’clock this afternoon. The plane continued on toward Rio De Janerio. where a tumultous reception awaits them. The two fliets have set a new dis tance record for a non-stop flight. Welcome Awaits Them Rio De Janeiro. July S.—(INS) Driv ing steadily westward through the clouds at nearly 100 miles an hour, the Italian monoplane of Capt. Arturo Ferrarin and Major Carlo Del Prete. which hopped off at Rome on Tuesday night, was nearing the Brazilian coast today. Preparations are under way to give the aviators a tumultuous reception when they arrive here. They are due this evening, barring had weather or mechanical trouble. A fleet of 10 Brazilian army and navy planes will go out to escort the Italian plane to Campo Dos Affonzos, the military air field 10 miles from the city. Representatives of the federal government, the state and the city as well as the Italian ambassador will greet Ferrarin and Del Prete. The Italian embassy annuonced that the yflyers would not accept an invitation to fly to Argentina as Brazil is the official end of the flight. ■' - ■ »—.—• o ■ To Receive Bids On Two Macadam Roads August 7 Bids for the Buuck road, in Preble township, and the Meyers road, in Monroe township, will be received by the board of county commissioners on Tuesday. August 7. The roads will ire improved with macadam. The final resolutions ordering the improvements were adopted by the board at the Tesday meeting. i« - o ■ —- BAND CONCERT HERE TONIGHT Junior Band Makes Second Appearance In Series Os Concerts The second of a series of public band concerts to he given on Liberty Way this summer by the Juionr band, will be given this evening. The concert will start at 8 o'clock. Prof. Dave Rice, director of the band, has announced the folowing program for tonight's concert: March—Southwell March—Bennett Overture —No. 18 , Waltz—Let me call you Sweetheart. Keep the Home Fires- Burning Theie’s a long long trail—Taylor Rosy Cheeks —Whiting Master Joe —Bennett March —Encouragement— Fulton M Zenith—Overtuie— Bennett Finale —Star Spangled Banner. o Former Huntington Flier Plans Trans-Pacific Flight Huntington. Ind., July 5. — (INS) — Russell Hosier, Toledo, Ohio, commercial aviator, but formerly of Huntington, was here today seeking support for a proposed trans-Pacific flight from Seattle, Washington, to Tokio, Japan. Hosier said he planned to assemble his plane in this city. Hosier learned to fly here using an old airplane with a cow pasture for a landing field.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Vol. XXVI. No. 158.

Idaho’s New Senator wk 1 '' * John Thomas, Gooding. Idaho, banker and cattleman, has been appointed by Governor H. C. Baldridge to servo the unexpired term of the late Frank R. Gooding, United States senator from Idaho. FARMER DIESON 75TH BIRTHDAY William Joseph Miller, Lifelong Resident Os Adams County, Dies » William Joseph Miller, a retired farmer of Root township, died Wednesday morning,.July. A. 192 Vat a.;4a o'clock. Death was due to a complication of diseases. He spent practically his entire married life on the farm in Root township where he died. William J. Miller was the son of Alva and Maigaret Miller ami was born in Union township, Adams county i n July 4. 1853, his death occurring on his 75th birthday. In 1876, he united in marriage with Miss Elia Hackett. To this union were born six children, two of whom preceded him in death, namely Homer Earl, who dieil at the age of 2(4 years, and Norris Wilford. aged 28 years. Surviving are the widow and the following children: Curtis Miller, of Decatur. Mrs. Marion Stults, Decatur route three; Wallace Ami Miller, iesiding at the home place, and Mrs. Ora Hinton, of Detroit, Michigan. One brother, Steven Miller, resides in Fort Wayne, and one sister, Mrs. Minerva David, also of Fort Wayne. There are six grand-children and two great grandchildren, besides many other relatives and friends. Eally in life Mr. Miller was converted and at the time of his death attended the Union Chapel U. B. church. On April 2, 1926. Mr. and Mrs. Miller celebrated their golden wedding aniversary. Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock at the residence and at 2 o'clock at Clarks Chapel, with the Rev. B. B. Blawelt, of Union Chapel, officiating. Burial in Claiks Chapel cemetery. 0 Blue Creek Township Boy Dies Os Pneumonia Harvey Edward Patterson, age five years, son of Ernest and Cecil Tucker Patterson, of Blue Creek township died at 10:30 o'clock Wednesday night July 4. 1928, following a few' days illness from bronchial pneumonia. The child had been an invalid since birth, and was physically unable to withstand the ravages of the disease. He was born February 22, 1923. The parents and one sister, Fay Patterson, residing at home, survives. One sister, Esther, preceded him in death. Funeral services will be held Friday morning at 1(1:30 o'clock at the Salem M. E. Church, the Rev. A. E. Burk officiating. Burial will be made in the Tricker cemetery. —o New Rotary Officers To Assume Duties Tonight Martin J. Mylott will take office as president of the Decatur Rotary Club this evening. Mr. Mylott served last year as vice-presidenj of the club. He succeeds Dore B. Erwin. Other club officers are Clarence Bell, vicepresident; Charlie Voglewede, treasurer; H. P. Schmitt, sergeant-at-arms. The meeting will be held at 6:15 o’clock at the K. of C. hall.

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

State, National And InirrnntluuMl Nrwa

DECATUR YOUNG MAN IS DROWNED IN WABASH RIVER ■ Walter Bodie, D.H.S. Sophomore, Loses Life In Fourth Os July Accident WOULD-BE RESCUER ALMOST LOSES LIFE Walter Bodie, age 16 years, a Decatu* high school sophomore, was drow.ied Wednesday noon, while swimming in the Wabash river at Markle with his father, Ira Bodie, and Morris Butcher, also of Decatur. Mr. Butcher, who dived into the water to save the youth, struck his head on a stone and was pulled from the water in an unconscious condition, but was revived. The Bodie and Butcher families had gone to Markle, Tuesday evening, for a Fourth of July outing. They had camped on the banks of the river Tuesday night and he had been fishing and swimming in the river. Was A Good Swimmer Walter was a good swimmer. The three men were in the water above the dam at Markle. One of them called to Walter, who was out farther j than the other two, to let down and see how deep the water was at that point. Walter let down and his finger tips still protrudes above the water. He then came up. but apparently lost his balance and fell over sideways, disappearing from view. Mr. Butcher remarked to Mr. Bodie that he believed Walter had been swept over the dam, but Mr. Bodie jjaid he thought the boy |iad just dived under the water. A few seconds later. Walter’s head was seen above the water at the foot of the dam and he cglled to his father to get a fish pole and help him out. Father Runs For Help Realizing that the young man was i in need oi help, Mr. Bodie ran to the river bank and searched for a fish pole, but could not find one. He picked up a small tree that had been broken off and handed it out to his son. Walter caught hold of the tree, but apparently was too weak to hold to ft and he disappeared from view, again. "I'm not going to stand here and (CONTINUED ON FMiK FIVE. LET CONTRACT TO PAVE ALLEY Yost Brothers Successful Bidder On Miller Alley; Council Meets Yost Brothers, of this city, were the low bidders on the Miller alley improvement in this city and the street and sewer committee of the city council was instructed Tuesday night, to enter into contract with them. The council selected a concrete wearing surface for the alley. The bid of the Yost Brothers for -this material was $1,630.80. Their bid for a brick alley was $3,753.20. Other bids filed were, Julius Haugh, brick only, $3,004.80; Phil Sauer, concrete only $2,119.20. The preliminary assessment roll on the Knapp sewer improvement was adopted and the resolution fixed August 7 as the date ou which objections would be heard. Orval Harruff, superintendent of the water department of the city plant, filed a list of delinquent water accounts and. upon motion, they were referred to the water works committee. The accounts will, in all probability, be turned over for collection and service discountined where settlement is not made. M. J. Mylott, superintendent of the electric light and power department, reported the completion of the Fifth street light improvement. The ornamental lights were turned on last Saturday. The electric light committee granted the petition for au overhead street light on Winchester street, between the Nickle Plate tracks and the South Ward school building. Bills were allowed by the finance committee and au informal session followed during which time the council discussed city matters, including the Nuttinan avenue improvement, the city ordinance pertaining to gasoline curb pumps and other matters.

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday, July 5, 1928.

Mrs. Sarah Cowan Burned When Oil Stove Explodes Mrs. Dan Weilder, and. Mr.s Dallas Goldner and son Richard, visited. Wednesday, at the J. P. Gephart home in Garrett. Mrs. Sarah Cowan, mother of Mrs. Gephart. is slowly recovering from severe burns which she received when an oil stove in the Gephart cottage at laike James exploded a few days ago. The burning oil was thrown clothing anil inflicting very severe ovei .Mrs. Cowan, setting fire to her burns about the face, arms and body. Mr. Gephart, in an effort to tear the burning clothes from Mrs. Cowan's body also received painful burns about the arms and hands. Mrs. Cowan is well remembered in this vicinity having resided just east of the city for several years. HICKMAN LOSES ON HIS APPEAL California Supreme Court Affirms Death Sentence Os Young* Slayer San Francisco, Calif.. July 5. —(INS) —The California supreme court today affirmed the judgment of the Los Angeles superior court in sentencing William Edward Hickman to death for the slaying of Marion Parker, Los Angeles school girl. The Los Angeles court now probably will re-sentence Hickman to death, as the former execution date of April 1, last, was stayed by appeal. CENTRAL INDIANA SWEPT BY STORM One Os Worst Electrical And Wind Storms In Years Causes Damage Indianapolis, Ind., July 5. —(INS) — Central Indiana today was recovering from one of the worst electrical and windstorms in years which swept Indianapolis. West field, Fortville, Richmond, Knightstown, Kokomo and other cities in the central counties. ■ The storm mo.wed down telephone I poles and trees virtually cutting off I certain communities from the out-1 side world and interrupted interurban I and steam traffic. Property damage was estimated to total many thousands of dollars as the stricken areas were digging themselves out of the storm debris today. In Indianapolis alone more than 250 telephone poles were reported down, 2,000 telephones out of commission, street car service crippled, hundreds of trees snapped off or uprooted, basements flooded and the city cut off from outside communication in two directions. At noon today the Indiana Bell Telephone company reported it had , 350 linemen in the storm, area in the Indianapolis city limits rushing temporary repairs so that service might be restored to points east and nortn of Indianapolis. The telephone company repotted “no service" on the following long distance circuits out of Indianapolis: Lebanon, Lafayette, Frankfort, Anderson. Fort Wayne, Marion, Muncie, Richmond, Newcastle, Hartford City, Bluffton, Decatur, Logansport, Kokomo and South Bend. Hundreds of holiday motorists caught by the storm which descended suddenly at nine o’clock here last night, were forced to abandon their cars in the streets when,the motors stalled. Trees and poles blown across the tracks brought street car traffic here almost to a standstill. In one four mile stretch from Fall Creek to Keystone avenue, nearly every pole was reported blown down. Thousands of merrymakers at Broad Ripple park, Riverside park and at other amusement resorts were drenched.. The downpour was so terrific that nearly an inch of rain fell in twenty minutes after the storm broke. The total precipitation during the storm here was about an inch and a half iu an hour. The near cloudburst caused creeks, streams and rivers to rise suddenly. Clogged sewers caused water to back up in streets and flood many basements. Traffic along the Indianapolis-Nob-lesville state road was still closed at (CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO*

THEFT OF FURS I IS CLEARED UP BY CONFESSION Rov Reichard Tells Officers Who Stole $1,700 In Furs At Bluffton CONTINUES TO DENY BANK ROBBER CHARGE — Tile theft of furs valued at approxi mately $1,700 frm the Wells Prduce I company, of Bluffton, last winter has been cleared up by a confession made local officers by Roy Reichard, Adams county fartnei arrested last week in connection with the jobbery of the Linn Grove bank and other banks, according to a statement made today by Sheriff Harl Hollingsworth. Reichard said, according to the sheriff, that Hatty Smith, of St. Marys and Otis Custer, of St. Mdrys Ohio, stole the furs and I>roitght them to his house in Hartford township, where the furs were divided. Reichard received sls from Smith and Custer for permitting them to in ing the fuf& to Ms house, according to the sheriff. Both Serving Sentences Smith was sentenced at Celina, Ohio I recently, to serve 20 years in the Ohio state prison for robbing the Chickasaw Ohio bank, and Custer is serving a term of several months in the Ohio state reformatory, having been sentenced at Wapakoneta, Ohio, recently. In.his confession. Reichard is said | to have admitted that the Makley gang I of bandits congregated at his home befoie and after they robbed several banks, but he denies having any part in the robbery of the banks. Local officials are undecided as to what action will be taken against Rei- [ chard. Ne can hw brought to trial here on a charge of receiving stolen goods, harboring criminals or some similiar charge or he can be turned ever to officials at Celina, Ohio, who would try him on a charge of being an accessory to a hank robbery it is said. The latter charge is tile most serious officials said. Reichard has asked for an attorney and he may he arraigned in circuit court after he has held a conference <CONTINUED ON PAGE TKKEE) FEW ACCIDENTS REPORTED HERE Fourth Os July Passes Here Without Serious Injury To Anyone Few accidents from the discharge of fireworks were reported in Decatur and vicinity as a result of the Fourth of July celebrations. Several local citizens are nursing burned hands and fingers today, but the accidents in most instances are slight and no serious injuries have been reported. Auto accidents in which local people figured were all reported as slight and the day was passed with few accidents and mishaps in Adams county. The local fire department spent a lazy day and not a tire was reported throughout the day. The shooting of fireworks yesterday and last night was under control according to city police officers. Rain cut short the day about 9 o'clock last night, and for several hours the down-pour continued. The rain was general throughout northern and western Indiana and in many places roads were flooded by the heavy fall of water. Wind and lightning accompanying Ihe storm, failed to do much damage. Some trees were torn down. Hundreds of residents of Decatur and Adams county spent the holiday at lakes and resorts returning last night in the rain, but no serious accidents were reported. In some parts of the county the rain flooded fields and forced the farmers to take another day’s rest besides the regular holiday. The sun was out bright and early this morning and farmers say that they will be able to get back in their fields in a day or two. Chief Os Police Starts Vacation Sephus Helchi chief of Decatur police, started a two weeks vacation Wednesday. Mr. Melchi expects to spend part of his vacation at home and part of it on a motor trip. During his absence, Roscoe Elzey will substitute foi him on the day foice.

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He Succeeds Calles y• ■ ' ■ -4 "1/ A I k / General Alvaro Obregon, who was ' succeeded as President of Mexico by I’. Elias Calles, the incumbent, will again take office on December 1 as tile result, of the recent elections. He will serve six years. REV. SEIMETZ IS WELCOMED HOME — Members Os Catholic Congregation And Friends Attend Reception Words of welcome, messages of good cheer and felicitations from members of the congregation were extended to the Rev. Father J. A. Seimetz, beloved pastor of St. Marys Catholic church, at the informal reception accorded him Tuesday evening, in the auditorium of the Catholic school building. Piano selections and songs also interspersed the program. Several hundred persons, including outside friends, attended the reception, which was held for the purpose of welcoming the esteemed pastor back to the congregation and community after an eight month's leave of absence. Father Seimetz took a leave of absence last fall and took up iiis residence in the Bishop's cottage, north of Fort Wayne, where he sought rest due to a breakdown in health. His health lias improved sufficiently for him to take up his pastoral duties again. M. J. Mylott acted as chairman of the meeting. The meeting opened with the audience singing “America.” Adrian Wemhoff, grand knight of the Knights of Columbus, in behalf of the local council, extended greetings to Father Seimetz. Miss Winifred Kitson sang a group of three songs, followed by a short talk by Frank Heiman, who welcomed Father Seimetz back to the congregation in behalf of the Holy Name and St. Joseph societies. Mrs. L. A. Holthouse and Mrs, J. Q. Neptune then sang a duet, accompanied by Mrs. Carrie Haubold at the piano. Mrs. Holthouse also sang later during the program and True Fristoe accompanied at the piano. Rev. Father Frank Sheridan, temporary assistant at the local parish, gave a talk, greeted the pastor and commended the members of the congregation for their loyal spirit and launched a movement for giving a home talent play sometime laten in the summer. Father Sheridan is a student of dramatic art and has directed several plays. With the assistance of the members of the congregation and out-side dramatic talent, Father Sheridan would like to give a home talent play sometime in August. He will meet with members of the cast this evening and on Friday evening will meet with members of the chorus. Many persons, including men and women, not members of the Catholic congregation, have volunteered to take part in the play. The exact date and the name of the play has not yet been decided upon, the selection being left partly to the cast. Father Seimetz was asked to come to the stage. He was given a great ovation when he arose and took his place on the stage. He told of amusing incidents during his vacation, ex- ' pressed his happiness over getting back to Decatur and how he waited ’ for the day to come when he would (CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO)

Price Two Cents

NUMBER OF DEAD ; IN JULY FOURTH MISHAPS IS 201 Unusually Large Number Os Drownings Occur Through The Nation TOLL IN INDIANA REACHES TWENTY-NINE (By United Press) More, than 200 persons were killed in Fourth of July accidents in the United Stales, a United Press survey revealed today. The number of known dead stood al 201. Hot weather which blanketed almost the entire country on Independence Day, sent countless thousands to the sea shores and Inland water ing places and was responsible indirectly for an unusually large number of drownings. The United Press has accounted for 93 lives lost while bathing or boating. And twenty-one persops died of heat prostration throughout the country. Fireworks Kill 17 Seventeen deaths were attributed to the explosion of fireworks, despite most stringent laws against the sale of violent fireworks now in effect in most localities. No check could be made on the actual number of automobile accidents but 49 persons were known to have been killed in traffic accidents. Reports of persons injured in automobile accidents indicated that the total for the whole country’ would run well over two thousand. Four hundred persons were injured in St. Louis alone. Only four persons were added in airplane accidents. Indiana's Toll is 29 Indianapolis, Ind., July 5 --(IMS) — Twenty-nine persons fost their lives in Indiana while celebrating the Fourth of July a survey of the state showed today. Os the 24 victims thirteen were drowned. Scores of others were injured in automobile accidents and by fire works, some probably fatally. It was one of the bloodiest independence Days the state has ever known. The Holiday's automobile toll was five. Fireworks killed one youth. Two others were slain and there were three suicides. Lockjaw developing from injuries caused by fireworks probably will swell the 1928 Fourth of July death toll. Last year near a score died in Indiana from lockjaw in the week fol(CONTINUED ON PAGE THHEE) o THREE MISSING FLIERS RETURN Three Russian Aviators Return From Search In Arctic Regions Virgo Bay, Spitsbergen, July 5— (U.R) —Three of the 24 men who have been trapped within the bitterly cold Arctic wastes have come out alive and reports reaching here said three others —missing since May 30 —had been seen. The three men who came out were the Russian aviator Babushkin and his two aides. Friday Babushkin started an airplane search for members of the crew of the dirigible Italia. He was working in connection with the Russian ice breaker Maligin. Four days passed without a word of the Russian hero. His radio was of small range and signals were not picked up. A fog held over the territory. The soviet government expressed the hope that Babushkin had landed because of the fog and that as soon as it lifted he would rejoin his mother ship. Yesterday Babushkin flew back to the Maligin. He told how he had. been forced down in open water because of the fog and how he and his two companions had battled for hours to prevent the floating ice bars from crushing the fragile seaplane. Virgo Bay, Spitztiergen, July 5. — . (U.R) —The giant Swedish seaplane . Uppland made ready today to start ; for the Northeastland coast to estabI lish a new gasoline and supply base i only nine miles from the ice camp of -a part of the crew of the lost dirigible Italia. ,

YOUR HOME PAPERLIKE ONE OF THE FAMILY