Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 26, Number 260, Decatur, Adams County, 2 November 1928 — Page 1

WEATHER Rain toniqht and Saturday. Somewhat colder Saturday and •outhweat portion tonight. Strong shiftI ing winds-

SIO,OOO PAYROLL STOLEN AT GAS CITY

ILLINOIS FURNACE mystery grows AS VICTIM DIES I Last Words Os Young Sunday School Teacher Contradicts Former Story MYSTERY ONE OF i WEIRDEST IN HISTORY Lak’ Bluff. 111., Nov. 2.—(U.R)— Llfiieda Knaak, 29-year-old Sunday ..■cbool teacher, died in a hospital here early today. Before her death .he strengthened the belie! of authorties that they are dealing with one <f th? weirdest mysteries in criminal history. . . . Authorities were almost convinced I they were dealing with a case of i murder, for the last words of the ' girl. uttered a few hours before she succumbed, were: "I wonder if they did it and why. S 1 didn't do it, they did it.” "Made Peace With God" A moment before she had sighed. ■I have made my peace with God." ' And she died with a smile on her ■ patched, burned lips, maintaining the air of peace she had maintained during the hours she was in the hospital. The inquest will be held at 2 p.m. today, but it is expected to be adjourned indefinitely, for authorities Lave little evidence. Until today, Miss Knaak. had clung to her original story that she was burned in the furnace of the Lake Bluff police station in a rite of selttcrtute, inflicted to "purify" herself and tn satisfy a “spiritual love" she I had said she cherished for the vil-1 lage's handsome night policeman, | Charles W. Hitchcock. But at one time, there escaped her lips what relatives believed to be a reference to a "suicide pact." Alvin Knaak, one of Elfrinta’s five brothers, told the United Press today that he could not believe she had burned herself. He held that it would have been impossible for her to go | through with the ordeat Alvin yesterday expressed a half belief that his sister had sought to keep a pact with some one. He said she murmured "one of us did not go thiough with it.” Alvin said he was the only member cf the family who could get Elfrieda to talk. Ha said she told him that Monday night she went to the ivoiice station to see Hitchcock. There she learned be was home in ted. suffering from a broken leg. Hurrying to the olectric line, she found she had missed a car. so returned to the police station and entered the basement through an outside door. From that time, her memory was a blank until her discovery the next morning. Chief of Police Barney Rosenhagen told the United Press today that he bed been accused of complicity in the case by some unknown person who called hi s home last night. He said his wife received a warning from the person who threatened injury to Rosenhagen if he did not eave town. His wife is in a state of collapse, the chief said. A I tlie time Miss Knaak was in J >e hospital, she had maintained her at ty staunchly, with but few exceptions. Twice she let -drop phrases " u’ch led to the belief she was not teliing the truth, perhaps in an effort (CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO) CAN PAY TAXES SATUWNICHT County Treasurer Plans To Keep Office Open To Accomodate Taxpayers •n order to accomodate taxpayers, e county treasurer's office in the court house here will remain open Saturday night until about. 9 o’clock, -d Ashhaucher, county treasurer, announced today. Monday, November 5, a the last day for paying the fall ini’ aliment of taxes without the 10 per cent penalty for delinquency being added. Practically two-thirds of the fall inhad been paid today, Mr. shbaucher stated. Os the amount Jet to be paid, a large per cent is ow ed by large corporations and firms, ai| d will be paid Saturday or Monday. There has been a rush at the county |p asurer’s office for about a week. e fall installment of taxes this year is *460,794.18.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Vol. XXVI. No. 260.

Where ‘’Love Torture” Occurred ~ B® ’I - » I * IT . ft ' M f'X $ w. . M >’■ JT > - 4 w * H jb - ■ B ‘ IRWf 1* ' > JK ME ■ i ’ I v ■ / B »*r Jff . . - _ > Sheriff Doolittle, of Lake County. Illinois. Is shown inspecting the furnace in which beautiful Elfrieda Knaak, 30-year-old school teacher, is alleged to have tortured herself by burning. The victim, who died in a hospital today, explained that she performed "purification rite” for love of a married man. Inset, Miss Knaak.

2.-—(U.R)—

DAILY DEMOCRAT TO GIVE RETURNS Speedy And Complete Election Service To Be Given Public Tuesday Night Arrangements are being made by | the Daily Democrat to give speedy and complete election returns to the people of Decatur and Adams county next Tuesday night and Wednesday. The service will include up-to-the-min-ute returns on the county, state and national election. Arrangements have been made with the Citizens Telephone company, of this city, whereby an open circuit will be maintained throughout the county on Tuesday night, tnat is, all toll charges on calls from over the county will be prepaid by the Daily Democrat. Anyone wishing to call this newspaper to learn the latest reports may do so without cost to them. The total of each local candidate's vote at the time of the call will be given to anyone calling in. The Dally Democrat telephone numbers are 1000 and 1001. The inspector of each election board in the county has been asked to telephone the results in his precinct to the Daily Democrat as quickly as the votes have been tabulated. The votes from the various precincts will be totaled as quickly as they are received here. Speedy and complete returns on the congressional, state and national election will be furnished the Daily Democrat by the United Press. As usual, the Daily Democrat will issue an election extra early Wednesday morning, containing returns from the county, stale and national elections as near complete as possible. In addition to the telephone service and the extra, the Daily Democrat will post bulletins in the Second street windows, showing the results of the election and those who care to are in vited to spend the evening in the Daily Democrat office, providing, of course, they get here early enough to get in. o — Inspectors To Receive Election Supplies Saturday The inspectors for the general election next Tuesday will receive the ballots and supplies at the county clerk's office at the court house tomorrow. Each inspector must call for and receipt for the packages and tomorrow is the day designated by law that they are to be given out. —— _____ o__ 0 __ —- Ball Teachers College Holding Home-Coming Muncie, Ind., Nov. 2 ——The annual homecoming of Ball Teachers col lege opened today to continue through Saturday. A bon fire, freshman sophomore “battle” and the Ball-Hanover game comprises the program.

State, National And lulernntlounl New.

Receiver For Tocsin Bank To Make Another Payment Bluffton, Nov. 2.—(iSpecial)—Judge A. W. Hamilton, of the Wells circuit court today granted the petition of the Old Adaut* Count y bank, of Decatur, receiver for the Bank of Tocsin, to make a fourth ten percent dividend. The court also approved the fourth current report filed by the receiver. The report shows credits of $9,925.45 and a cash balance of $10,941.17. The report sets out that the 10 percent dividend will amount to $10,205.12 and that there is available in cash for this dividend the sum of $10,317.03. The 10 percent dividend granted will be distributed as follows: $4,173.73 on claims on checking accounts; $5,587.76 on claims on certificates of deposit. HOOVER STOPS IN KENTUCKY Speaks At St. Louis Tonight On His Way To Home In California By Thomas L Stokes (United Press Staff Correspondent) Aboard Herbert Hoover's special train enroute to Palo Alto—Nov. 2— (U.R) —Herbert Hoover tarried far awhile today in the Blue Grass state in an effort to obtain the support of the far-famed Kentucky Cononel whose political inclinations this Presidential year are puzzling both parties. Tlie Republican candiate will make a bid for the state's 13 electoral votes today in ,a speech at Louisville, one of the four he scheduled on this trip home to California to cast his vote. Ohio, known as “The Mother of Presidents," will catch only a fleeting glimpse of Hoover before his entry Into Kentucky. He is scheduled to make two stops on the outskirts of Cincinnati, at Winton Place, a suburb, shortly after 7 A. M. at Storres, an operating point, 10 minutes later. Local Republican leaders arranged a welcome celebration at Winton place despite the early hour. Hoover will be welcomed officially to Kentucky by Governor Sampsou at Louisville, wheie the train is scheduled to arrive at 10:10 A. M. He will show himself to the crowds in Kentucky's Metropolis in a street parade of an hour, his visit culminating in liis speech from the courthouse steps. Mrs. Hoover, meanwNle, will be the guest at a reception given by Republican women. The Republican candidate's day will come to a climax after brief stops in Indiana and Illinois during the afternoon, at St. Louis tonight. There in the coliseum, he wll make what is regarded as the most important speech of his campaign, a final appeal for support. He will begin to speak at 8:30 P. M. over a National Radio hook-up.

Decatur, Indiana, Friday, November 2, 1928.

MRS. RIGGS TO SPEAK TONIGHT C. J. Lutz To Preside At Final Democratic Meeting Os Campaign Here Hon. C. J. Lutz, well known attorney of this city, will preside as chairman at tiie Democratic meeting to be held in tills city tonight, in the court room of the court house, when Mrs. James R. Riggs, of Sullivan, Democratic national committeewoman from Indiana, will make an address. Mrs. Riggs met with the women’s organizations at Monroe, Berne and Geneva tills afternoon and her final meeting will be the big meeting in this city this evening. The Democratic committeewoman will be the guest of several Decatur women this evening at a dinner at the Rice Hotel. The meeting tonight will be the final one of the campaign. Two big Democratic meetings have been held at the court house so far, they being the Governor Parker and Richard Cleveland meetings. The Cleveland meeting was the largest political meeting ever held in the court house. Mrs. Riggs is an able speaker and will address the gathering on tlie issues of the campaign and give a personal view on Gov. Alfred E. Smith, Senator Joseph T. Robinson and the state candidates. At 6:45 o’clock, the General Electric band will give a band concert in front of the court house. The meeting in the court room will convene at 7:30 o'clock, and a coidial invitation is extended to everyone to attend. To Speak at Kirkland Following her address in this city Mrs. Riggs will speak in the Kirkland township high school building. Tlie meeting is scheduled for 9:30 o’clock and Hansel Foley is in charge of ’he arrangements for the meeting. Tlie public is invited to attend. o NEW YORK PAYS TRIBUTE TO SMITH Presidential Nominee Rides Down Broadway Amid Great Reception New York, (Nov. 2. —(U.R) —The boy who came up from the sidewalks of New York to become the presidential nominee of the Democratic party will ride down Broadway today like an emperor. Plans have been made to give Gov. A'.fred E. Smith the greatest of the gieat receptions this town has showered upon returning war heroes, aviators kings and princesses. The brown derby has been carefully brushed for the occasion which will climax the home town boy’s 15,000 mile campaign parade over the nation. The parade is to start at noon at the Battery, that tip of Manhattan island where the immigrants land. Through the canyon of skyscrapers on lower Broadway it is to proceed o the city hall where the governor's friend. Mayor James J. Walker is to climb aboard. Walker will dead Smith’s procession over its five mile Broadway route to Columbus Circle, through the wholesale clothing district, the department store colony and the 1 theatrical area. At the famous cross irovnvrßu <»v vaoe five, o German Press Thinks Air Stowaway Stunt Was Publicity Scheme Berlin, Nov. 2.— (U.R) —Still the ■ center of attraction as the youthful ■ stowaway of the Graf Zeppelin, Clar--1 ence Terhune found today that the 1 attitude of the German press had changed. When he arrived on the airship 1 early yesterday, he was received with wiki acclaim. Today, one newspaper ( said that "Clarence is a bluff.” t No definite statements were made, but stories were printed saying the , young caddy was under the supervis- , ion of an American newspaperman who also made the trip on the Zeppelin, and it was hinted that the stowI away was part of a publicity scheme j Clarence wandered about the city . today and motored into the suburbs ) to buy clothes, but found shops clos- . ed because of a holiday. i The United States lines today offer i- ed him free passage home on the liner I) Republic which sails from Bremen Nov. 8.

Mrs. Smith Not Worried Over Election Outcome

“Whatever Happens, I Will Be Content,” Says Prospective First Lady New York, Nov. 2 —(U.f& —A calm, smiling woman who has completed 11,000 miles of strenuous campaign travels and whose future home and future plans will be dictated by the American people next Tuesday, is awaiting the outcome of the election with undisturbed serenity. “Whatever happens,” raid Mrs. Alfred E. Smith, "I will be content.” She is neither confident that her husband, the Demociatic candidate for the Nation’s highest honor, will be elee’ed Piesldent of the United States, nor is she anxious over his possible failure. She is even undaunted at the prospect of moving a large household from the executive mansion in Albany to tin. White H ruse. "1 don’t care much where we live” she says to her friends, “so long as the Governor is there." In her final interview of the campaign, Mrs. Smith gave evidence of tir> calm which she feels toward the political situation, her future plans, and life in general. She bears no trace of the strain she lias undetgone the Jast few months at her husband’s side. o L. W. Stucky Becomes Head Os Oil Company Berne, Nov. 2 —(Special)— L. W. Stucky, manager of the Eastern Indiana Oil and Supply company's filling station in Berne, lias succeeded W. D. Cross, Jr., as president of the company. Mr. Cross, who is the largest stockholder in the company, will remain on the board of directors in an advisory capacity. He resigned as president of the company to devote bis time to other interests. —— o Citizens Os Jefferson Township Donate Fruit Jefferson township failed to get their hospital canned fruit and vegetable contributions in in time to have them tabulated In the general report cf goods received by the Adams County Memorial hospital, and acknowledgement and an expression of thanks to that township is made for: 72 quarts of fruit, 11 glasses of jelly, 15 heads cf cabbage, % bushel of red beets; 3 squashes; % bushel pears; 1 peek of onions; 1 jieck of sweet potatoes; and 1 bushel of Irish potatoes, U bushel Carrots. MTHCLICS HOLD SOLEMN SERVICE Beautiful Service Marks Close Os Forty Hours Devotion Last Night Beautiful and solemn services marked the closing of the Forty Hours at the St. Marys Catholic church in this city last evening. The services were ( attended by a congregation which more than filled the seating capacity of the church and many were forced . to stand. The services consisted of the chant- , ing of the Litany of the Sacred Heart, ! a sermon by the Rev. Father Charles i Girardot, of Bluffton, procession with the Blessed Sacrament" and Benediction. Following Father Girardot’s instruc- • tive and inspiring sermon on the holy sacrifice of the Mass, the procession with the Blessed Sacrament through the aisles of the church took place. Besides the five piiests, the altar boys, small boys and girls dressed in white, 3 strewing flowers, the older school boys 1 and girls and the school choir march-

ed in the solemn procession. The priests participating in the services, besides Father Girardot, who acted as celebrant, were Rev. Father J. A. Seimetz, rector of St. Marys church; Rev. Father Joseph A. Hesqion, assistant to Father Seimetz; Rev. Father Charles Marr, pastor of St. Rose church, Monroeville, ami Rev. Father Leo Frantz, assistant at St. Paul’s, Fort Wayne. The services concluded with congregational singing of "Holy God we Praise Thy Name.” Today, the feast of AU Souls was observed in the Catholic church. On this day, the poor souls are rememberer by prayer and spiritual devotions before the Blessed Sacrament by the faithful. Six masses were celebrated this morning, each priest being privlledged to say three masses each on this day.

Furnlahed Ily United Pre»»

Kissed Zeppelin Hero w ■ 5 w * y i e ft. ' I r V / I 1 X ' Friends dared Doris Horwitz, of New York, to kiss Knut Eckener, son of Germany's "iron chancellor of the air,” when she visited the big ’drome at N. J., and thereby caused her to become the heroine of a pretty little side episode as the Graf Zeppelin was being readied for transAtlantic trip. For Knut, Jr., undaunted, took pretty Doris in his two big hands, planted a large smack upon her lips and similingly told her goo’bye. (International Newsreel)

SEN. ROBINSON PRAISES SMITH Vice-Presidential Nominee Gets Great Reception At Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, Nov. 2. — Alfred E. Smith, Democratic candidate for president, was lauded as the champion of tlie plain people of tlie United States, in a brillant address by Sen. Joseph T. Rob ason of Arkansas, Democratic candidate for vice-president, before a large and enthusiastic audience last night at the Shrine auditorium. “No one has been in such close touch and sympathy with the masses since Andrew Jackson led them in a struggle against plutocracy and class arrogance” Sen. Robinson continued. This and other tributes to the Democratic standard-bearer were greeted with deafening applause. Then the senator turned to a discussion of the support which the New York governor has given to the causes of education, labor and social pro-

gress "If any statesmen of our time has earned the support of women voters by his advocacy of the measures which usualy interest them, that statesman i is the Democratic candidate for presl- , dent of the United States.” Again the building shook witli applause. A new vein of enthusiasm was tapr ped when the vice-presidential candi- : date predicted Democratic victory on i November 6. Sees Party Gains "My campaign," he said, "which has

lasted more than 65 days and carried me into 35 states, leads to the conclusion that in many of the states of the west and middle west large numbers of electors, who usually vote Republican, are pledging their support to the Democratic national ticket in the election just ahead." The address was broadcast over radio station WOWO. Sen. Robinson was presented to the Shrine audience by Samuel 1). Jackson. Democratic candidate tor congress from the Twelfth district. C. R. McNabb, Democratic county chairman, presided at the meeting. Charles A. Greathouse of Indianapolis, secretary of the Democratic national committee, spoke briefly. Tlie Robinson special arrived In the city at 6:15 o'clock over the Wabash railroad from Logansport where the candidate spoke yesterday afternoon Tlie special made stops at Peru, Wabash and Huntington where crowd: gathered around the rear of the train

Price Two Cents

BANK CASHIER ROBBED: THREE SUSPECTS HELU Three Unmasked Bandits Holdup Cashier En Route To His Bank TWO HARTFORD CITY MEN ARE ARRESTED Hartford City, Ind., Nov. 2. — (U.R—Harold “Archie” Bookout, 25, local cigar store clerk, and Clarence Shatto, 37 also of Hartford City, were arrested shortly before noon today by Hartford City, Marion and Gas City officers, as suspects in the SIO,OOO payroll robbery at Gas City, this morning. They were taken to Gas City, leaving here at 12:30 o’clock, where an effort was to be made to identify them as the bandits. Roy Bobo, of Gas City, was also placed under arrest. He was first brought to this city and later returned to Gas City. License Issued To Bookout The license number on the bandit car was the number that had been issued to Bookout, according to the records of the state license bureau. Bookout explained that his license plates had been stolen two or three weeks ago and that he had reported the theft to local police. The police substantiated his statement. However, when arrested, Bookout appeared very nervous. The officers did not tell him what they wanted him for, but he remarked. "1 didn’t do it.” Shatto owns a Buick sedan similar to the one in which the bandits were said to have escaped. The motor of Shatto's car was still warm when he was arrested, and there was consider-

able mud on it. Holdup Occurs On Street Gas City, Ind.. Nov. 2—<U.R>—Three unmasked bandits today robbed J. W. Ball, local bank cashier, of SIO,OOO in currency, which was to have been used in local industrial payrolls tomorrow. Ball was on his way from the postoffice to the bank when he was accosted by the bandits. The money had been sent from Chicago. The bandits, riding in an automobile, pulled alongside Ball at the busiest local street corner. Two men jumped from the car, one placing a gun against Ball's side, and the other grabbing the money bag. The third bandit remained in the ear, speeded away immediately after the robbery was accomplished. The license number of the automobile was obtained and posses immediately gave chase. Local residents said that three strange men had been seen here on three consecutive Fridays previous to today. Most of the money obtained by the bandits was believed to have been shipped here for the Illinois glass factory payroll.

St. Joseph County Democrats Cleared South Bend, Ind., Nov. 2.—(U.P.) - The Democratic party of St. Joseph county was cleared today of charges that vote frauds were planned for Tuesday’s general election. A special grand jury reported it had been unable to substantiate the accusations. The grand jury reported it had questioned officials of the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel and South Bend Tribune and had not obtained any evidence of corruption. o ANTIOCH CHURCH TO HOLD REVIVAL

Evangelist From Kalamazoo, Michigan, To Conduct Special Services A series of evangelistic meetings will open at the Antioch M. B. C. church, four west and one-half mile south of Decatur, Sunday, November 4, and continue until Sunday, November 25. The Rev. W. H. Johnson. of Kalamazoo, Michigan, an expel ienced and successful evangelist, will conduct the special meetings. There will be preaching each evening, starting at 7:30 o’clock, and twice each Sunday during the special services. The public is cordially invited to attend.

YOUR HOME PAPERLIKE ONE OF THE FAMILY