Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 26, Number 290, Decatur, Adams County, 8 December 1928 — Page 1

WEATHER I Generally fair toI night and Sunday. I Not quite so cold toI night north and ceoI’ tral portions. Rising temperature Sunday.

TWO BANDITS SLAIN AT INDIANAPOLIS

I SOOTH WEST HIT I BY AN EPIDEMIC OF “OIL FEVER” ■ Bringing In Os New GushI ers In Oklahoma And Kansas Causes Excitement Oklahoma city HAS VISION 01 BOOM By Georg; l D. Crissey, UP Stuff Correspondent KiintiM City, Mo., Dec. 8.- ,U.R) A ! ;oii us epidemic of "oil fever" lias brok 'll out in the southwest. Oklahoma City, the capital of OklaI liotna. ami Wichita, Kans , ate the I hardest hit localities Tlie malady affects different per- | sons different ways. Halluclnati ms I of grandeur a. a a common symptom. "Oil fever" is caused by the and- ( den and unexpected gushing of crude | oil from holes drilled into the earth Iby steeMdts. It makes young farm- | cs dream of winter homes in sunny I California and Florida. Landowners are particularly sitsI ceptlule. No one except the hopelessly unimaginative is immune. Royalty ' buyers and small business men often i go wild with the fever and never reI cover. Normal Life Disrupted Wichita and Oklahoma City have | n t been through an epidemic before, I but reports from those two cities toI day indicate that normal life in belli I places lias been disrupted. In Wichita, persons afflicted with [ the "fever" have taken almost every I hotel room in town. They crowd the lobbies with their talk of royalties. [ "the Bartlesville sand", wildcatting, I gushers and "off set" wells. Even on street corners they can be overheard discussing the strike. Five miles from the city limits this week three gusher oil wells wrce brought in witli a total flow of more than 10,000 barrels or oil a day. The ; wildcat drillers had struck rhe Bart , lesrille sand ala depth of approxi . mutely 3,000 feet. The countryside was flooded witli oil for three days be fore the flow could be confined. Even now the “black gold” is pouring over the sides of the temporary storage tanks. Pipelines to carry It away cannot be laid in a day. o — Members Os The GOOD FELLOWS CLUB Os Decatur Previous total $36.65 R. A. Stuckey 1-00 Friend -10 Total »37.7 S 0 Coolidge Appoints Two Indiana Postmasters Washington, Dec. 8. —(U.R) —President Coolidge sent to tile senate today the following nominations: To lie postmasters: Louis XV. Otto, Crawfordsville, 1ml.; William M. Willm: re, Vincennes, Ind. FATHER-SON BANQUET HEIB Even t At Presbyterian Church Friday Evening Is Highly Successful The most successful Father-Son banquet ever held by the Decatur Presbyterian church was the one held last evening. At 6 o’clock, the men and boys started to fill the room and at 6:30 o’clock they sat down to a splendid dinner prepared by the ladies of the church. Paul Saurer led the singing and also sang a special selection. The speaker of the gening was the Rev. Harry Alliurt, pastor of the Huntington Presbyterian church. He gave a most inspiring talk that just suited the occasion. "Your boy will be what you are,” lie said, “if you want a healthy, intellectual and spiritual boy you must guard your health, improve your mind and grow in grace with Him who gives you strength and your son will rise up and call you blessed. The success of the banquet was dm to the untiring efforts of the committee, Judge J. C. Sutton, Paul Saurer, Dr. Fred Pattersen, Roy Runyon and Fred Smith. All decided that'another banquet should be held next year.

DECATUR D AILY DEMOCRAT

Vol. XXVI. No. 290.

. 1 it led Shop Girl I XlC"."' V 1 r rZX iJuttEl IwW if I "t V ■ ill ■ tn I h kaR Lady Doria Hope (above), daughter of Lord Francis Hope, wealthy British peer, hired out as saleslady in Fifth avenue department store and was doing nicely until she was discovered. Now she's hiding in the national capital. GENEVA C, OF C. ELECTS OFFICERS Decatur Men Speak At Banquet Held Bv Organization Friday Night Geneva, Dec. B.— (Special) —Officers for 1929 were elected by the I Geneva Chamber of Commerce at a Iranquet ami meeting held in the Masonic banquet ball last night. Fifty-three persons attended the meeting. Eli Stucky was elected president of the organization. Other officers elected are Luther Martin, vice-presi-dent; L. L. Neal, secretary; Kenneth Shoemaker, treasurer. Mr. Martin was re-elected. The retiring officers are A. R. Farrar, president; Joseph Ahiderson, secretary, and E. B. Gauker, treasurer. The members of the Order of Eastern Star served the banquet at 8 o’clock. Speeches were made by the Rev. Harry W. Thompson, Avon Burk and French Quinn, of Decatur, and W. D. Cross, Jr., of Geneva. Mr. Cross spoke at length on the proposed Gene Stratton Porter memorial in Geneva. Tlie meeting last night was partly a farewell reception for Mr. Cross, who left today for California, where he will spend tlie winter and possibly make his future home. William Heater gave a talk in whicli lie expressed tlie regret felt by Geneva residents upon losing such a fine citizen as Mr. Cross. A committee, of which Dr. Norman McKean is chairman, was appointed last night to investigate a proposal to floi d a vacant lot in town to provide an ice skating rink for the youths of the town this winter. o Bluffton Kiwanis Club Holds Annual Election Bluffton, Dec. 8. — Dilliom Myers was of the Bluffton Kiwanis Clhb Thursday evening. Other officers elected were: Compton OHo Rider, vice-president; George DeHaven, treasurer; C. 11. Mead, district trustee A board of directors, composed of M. S. Smith, Miles Houser and O. G. Hamilton, was elected. , o— — “ Multi-Millionaire Convicted Hammond, Ind.. Dec. B.—(U.R)— Louis Goodman, multi-millionaire merchant of Gary, was found guilty by a jury in federal district court today of receiving stolen interstate freight shipments Sentence -will be passed December 26.

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

RtatUiml 4u,| laO-roMluuul

STOCK MARKET BREAK SPELLS RUIN FORMANT Big Traders, However, Say Break Is Forerunner Os Boom In New Year STOC K VALUES DROP BILLIONS OF DOLLARS Nek York, Dec. S U.R) Attempts of tlie bull element to resist pressure in the slock market tailed utterly today as foi two days previous. It was mothe. frolic for tlie bears who trained their guns on every weak spot until tlie last half hour when values I crumpled from sheer momentum. Prelimina.y estimates showed tlie aveiage for 30 representative Industrial stocks bad dec'ined $2.15. Yesterday, Ute average fell $8.74 and on Thin.sday $10.89. New York, Dec. B.—(UR)—Wall street in preparing for 1929. Today, traders who had the luck to be out cf tlie marklei in tlie break of tlie last two days expressed the belief that the shakedown was placnt tlie stock market in a position for i boom in tlie new year, which will break all rt cords. Backing u;> this prediction, these observers pednt out prospects for record business progress; greater dividend disbursements by large companies and mergers of gigantic proportions. Thousands Are Ruined Nevertheless, this optimism was small sympathy to tlie thousands of little traders whose paper profits have been wiped out in the las* two days when tlie average for 30 representative industrials declined nearly S2O per share, actual losses to stockholders aggregating $100,000,000. Tliis leaction. greater than any in years, lias brought down tlie market value of stocks billions of dollars. Its 17,400,000 shares of slock, the two-day loss of 17% points in General I Motors has reduced its market value $308,850,000. United States Steel valuation lias declined $80,057,644; Standard Oil of New Jersey witli the enormous capitalization of 24.342,443 shares, lost $139,969,547; General Electric sllO,876,588; radio witli only 1,155.400 shares outstanding, declined 42 points to bring down its stock valuation $48,526,000. Montgomery Ward lost $48.50 a share in two days or $55,350,673 on Roebuck dropped 16% points for a its 1,141.251 stares of stock. Sears loss on stock outstanding of $69,825,000. In view of the loss in stocks ranging from one to 28 points yesterday, brokers clerks worked into the night scanning their books. As a result of this scrutiny, hundreds of margin calls went out to clients who only a few days ago were making money faster than they ever had. WARREN BANK CLOSES FRIDAY National Bank Closes Voluntarily Following Gradual Withdrawals Warreig Dec. 8. —John F. Utt, national bank examiner, was in charge of tlie First National bank of Warren today following a decision of the board of directors of the institution on Thursday night to close the business for liquidation. Mr. Utt, when gsked if tlie assets would meet the liabilities, said it would be difficult to say at this time, and if lie knew it would be against the rtt'es of tlie national bank department to issue any statement as to possibilities. Mr. Utt said that the closing of the bank would be permanent, and that no attempt would lie made for reorganization. He attributed tlie closing of tlie institution to the fact that within the last year there lias been a gradual withdrawal of accounts from tlie bank, endangering the cash reserve that such banks are required to keep on hands. The directors, at their meeting Thursday night decided that the conditions were beyond their control, and that It would be better to start the liquidation at once. A receiver appointed by the controller of the currency will be put iu charge of the liquidation of the bank, Mr. Utt said Friday.

Decatur, Indiana, Saturday, December 8, 1928.

iGeneral Electric Company Buys 2,000 Christmas Seals Here T w o thousand ■ Christmas Seals were purchased, Friday, by Hie General Electric comtpany, in behalf of its Decatur plant, W. Guy Brown, chairman of tlie Christmas Seal Sale in Adams county, announced today. This is the Incest individual purchase made so fur. Miss Edna Borne, teacher of disI;lit school. No. 6. in Preble town ship, reported to Mr. Brown I ><l ay that her sriiool had gold it s qii'ta of 500 seals, also. This is Hie second school in the county to report its quota sold Each school was given a bum h of seals to sell. FIRE DAMAGES RESIDENCE HERE Blaze At William Beimke Residence Causes SBOO Damage Damage, estimated at SBOO, was done by fire at the William Reineke residence, 424 North Fifth street, al xliout 3 o'clock this morning. The fire started from sparks from the chimney. Investigation by firemen showed a brick in the chimney had fallen out directly below the roof, where tlie blaze originated. The fire was not noticed until it had gained eonsjderabj- headway. Wai Wemhoff, who lives near the 1 Beineke residence, was driving home on Fifth street and noticed tlie roof on fire. He turned in tlie alarm and ■ the firemen responded immediately. Fanned by a good wind the blaze i spread quickly over tlie entire roof The firemen, handicapped hy the cold, fought gallantly to control the blaze 1 to the roof. They also tried to put I out tiie fire without damaging tlie ■ upstairs of Hie house by water any more Ilian was necessary. This they i succeeded In doing. Firemen got up on the roof and applied the water di- ■ rectly on tlie blaze and got it under control. 0 INBIANA HAS “FLU" EPIDEMIC — ■ Disease Is Spreading At An Alarming Rate; Several Deaths Reported Indianapolis, Dec. 8. — (U.R) Influ1 enza is increasing at an alarming rate 1 throughout Indiana, according to reports from various sections of Hie state. Anderson.—There have been seven deaths of influenza and pneumonia here in the last week, according to reports. School attendance has been ' hampered seriously. Evansville. — William Barnes, city health officer, and Dr. (’. A. Hartley, county health officer, have reported an epidemic of la grippe and many ' cases of influenza. They estimated there are several hundred cases In the city and Vanderburgh county. Gosport. — A severe influenza epidemic here lias been reported by E. G. Dorsett, city health officer. Schools, ’ theaters, and oilier publie meeting 1 places have been closed, it was re > ported. Dorsett lias been instructed by the state health board to place

: IWM My Cousin’s So {ouch l< <OOK THREE CYCLONES <0 | knock his hat , _J| OFF ' //ft 1 <3 v . J • > C, J *r 1 ~37

PLANS MADE TO OPERATE ON KING GEORGE SLINDAY Five Physicians Confer At Length Over His Majesty’s Condition TEMPERATURE IS STILL HIGH London, Dee. 8 <U.Fi) it was said reliably late today that tlie king’s doe ! tors p'an to operate on him tomorrow if bls strength permits it it said that the operation would be similar Io the one performed last Sunday when Hie pleural cavity was punctured with a needle after the king bad been put under an anaesthetic. Five doctors conferred together at Buckingham palace for more than an hour this afternoon. London, Dec. 8. U.R) King George's temperature is still high on account of the local condition in tlie lung and h's general condition is Hie same, an official bulletin issued by bis physicians said today. Tlie king lias had some hours of sleep, ills temperature is still raised on account of Hie local condition in the lung. His general condition is the same. Signed. Stanley Hewett, "Dawson of Penn.” Sir Stanley Hewett, apothecary surgeon to the king, spent the night in constant attendance in or near the king's lied chamber and on account of Hie king’s enfeebled condition telephoned frequently to Hie other physic lans. The Prime of Wales, heir to the throne, arrived at Cairo. Egypt at 8:30 I a. m. today in his race to his father’s j bedalde from an interrupted huntlug tour"in Africa His brother, the Duke of Gloucester, third son of the king, has sailed for Loudon on board the last Loti-ion , mail boat, the Balmoral Castle, from Capetown, South Africa To Examine Qualifications Os Roy O. West For Office Washington, Dec. 8. —(U.R) 1 he senate public lands committee decided today to conduct an extensive bearing into the qualification of Roy O West, for the post of secretary of interior and voted unanimously to summon West as first witness Wednesday. Witnesses including- Hubert \roik. chairman of the Republican national committee, and William J. Donor an. close adviser of President-elect Hoover, were called for Thursday morning. On behalf of Senator Olis F. Glenn of Illinois, representing West's interests, it was decided the hearings should lie public. TO RE-ORGANIZE STATE POLICE Otto G. Fifield, New Secretary Os State, To Make Many Changes Indianapolis, Dec. B.—(U.R) - Otto G. Fifield, secretary of state, under whose jurisdiction the slate police force is operated, lias announced that a complete re-organization of that branch is contemplated. The re-organization, as planned hy Field, would be along the lines used by the United States army, with himself in command. Robert T. Humes, recently reappointed chief of the police department, will be responsible for the department. generally, and George Me Hie, recently elected assistant clilet. will operate witli Hie clrel in gene) il | supervismn. Tlie state police officers will be equipped witli motorcycles for gener al use, Fifield said. He pointed out Hint tlie organization would functioi better on motorcycles, although tin re-organization plans do not includt tlie disbandment of automobiles. The state police, Fifield said, wil concentrate their work on road activ ities, but they will of course aid it tlie search for escaped criminals. The re-organization plan propose! that the present force of thirty mei be increased to fifty. Fifield said that the re-organizatioi cannot lie made in one move, bn plans for Hie change are alread' underway.

I’nrnlahrd B> I iilfrd

Tackled by Cupid * * It w - * ■ - 'v & U / 1 s’s J’ c e/N ' FFtWfe Ken Strong. New York University football star ami All American back, has fallen under Dan Cupid’s deft tackling. Cupid was "ient in" for Rella Harrison and played Hie game Iso well that Strong and the pretty I actress are to be married soon. SEIZE NARCOTICS WORTH MILLIONS Federal Agents In New V»rk Make Big Seizure In Drive On Drug Ring New York, Dec. 8. U.R) Two mil lion dollars worth of narcotics in two black steamer trunks, seized in a Forty-second street hotel here last night, was locked in a vault for safekeeping today. The narcotics will be used as evidence that Arnold Rothstein, murdered gambler, was Hie "brains" and financier of the “biggest drug rim, in tlie United States." Shortly after the seizure was made by federal agents without tlie knowledge of police, United States Attorney Charles 11. Tuttle made the following statement: "This seizure is a very large fraction of the drug supply of the biggest drug ring in tlie United States, and

the papers we have seized and the evidence in our possession indicate ! that Arnold Hothstein had to do with arranging and financing of this ring Tuttles said he would “enlist the co- • operation of the grand Jury on Mon- ’ i n • > mMI TXVO‘ —ol ———— Columbus, Ohio, Bank Is Robbed Os $6,000 r Columbus, ().. Dee. 8. U.R)—‘Eour 1 bandits, one of them armed with a I small machine Run, held up the Linden branch of the Citizens Trust and * Savings company here today and escaped with between $6,00(1 and $",- 000. 0 —•— —— Rev. Miller Called To Peru Bv Death Os Friend >'• The Rev. and Mrs. O. E. Miller were II called yesterday to Peru to the home of Rev. and Mrs. A. E. Clem because c of the sudden death of Mrs. Clem. '■ Rev. Miller returned to Pent today to 11 remain for the funeral service totnor--11 row afternoon and to accompany the 0 friends to Greensburg, on Monday, s’ where burial will lie made. Announcements for the services in 11 the local Baptist church Sunday are made in the church announcements, n Mis. Clem, until recently, was serce flfry and direct''' of the womans misid sionary work of the Baptist churches ■n of the state, tesignlug on account of ill health. Rev. (Tern has been a iife >n tong intimate friend and is a relative it of Rev. Miller. Mrs. Clem also having ly been closely associated with the Miller family for a number of years.

Price Two Cents

POLICE, ACTING ON A TIP. SURPRISE TRIO DF BANBITS Two Policemen Slightly Wounded In Gun Battle Early Today — SLAIN MEN’S BODIES ARE BULLET-RIDDLED Indianapolis, Dec. 8. — *U.R>—• Two bandits were killed here todav in a gun battle with six policemen who had been tipped off that the men would attempt to rob the William Hohlt dry goods and hardware store. Two of the policemen were slightly wounded in the battle. Both the bandits were riddled with bullets from tint guns and revolvers In tiie hands of the police. One of the men, Carl Kittrell, 35, was killed almost instantly, and tlie other, Otto Price. 35, died after lieing taken to a liospital with seven bullet wounds in liis body. A third man. believed tn have been an accomplice, was captured near the scene. Police Receive Tip Police liad received Information that the robbery was to be staged in an effort to obtain $6,000 kept at the store to cash checks of Hie employees of two nearby manufacturing plants. Four members of tlie police emergency squad and two detectives were hidden in on automobile parked in a driveway near the store, and six had been placed in the store. Kittrell was the first Io enter the building. “Give us a pair of gloves," he salt! ‘ to tlie proprietor. When the latter reached for the gloves, Price entered and told another employee that lie wanted u pair of rlovns At these words two policemen who i had been "planted" behind a > onnter : placed themselves in view and one of I tlie bandits opened tire whi< h started the gun battle. While the gun battle waged inside the building, the police outside had blocked the bandits aroiitomobile In case they might try Io make an escape. o -- .lames A. Patten, M calthy Wheat Operator, Dies Chicago. Dec. 8. (U.R) James A. Patten, multi-millionaire wheat operator. died of bronchial pneumonia today at his home in Evanston. Two nurses, the financiers’ wife and two physicians were in the room with Patten when lie died. He was 1 76 years oid and until hla last illness he maintained a lively interest iu the world of t rade. When he first became ill his wife read tlie markets to him from the daily papers.

BAND PROMISES NICE SURPRISE junior Band Has Treat In Store For Public In Concert Sunday A surprise is in store for Decatur people who attend the band concert to be given in the Decatur high school auditorium, Sunday afternoon, at 2:15 o'clock, by the Junior band, according to persons who are in close touch with the band and know what great progress it has made during recent mouths. The concert will be dree and a cordial invitation is extended to the entire public) to attend. The first section of the Junior band is now composed of 3S members, most of whom have been playing together for the last two years. Under the capable direction of Prof. Dave Rice, they have made wonderful progress. A second section of the band, organized this fall, has more . than fifty members, most of whom are beginning the study of band i music. The youngest member of this • section is seven years old. Prof. Rice is director of this section, also. o — Sailors Killed By Blast s Port Arthur, Tex.. Dec. 8. —(U.R) —At f least three members of the crew of e the American OU tanker Gulf Line o were killed and several others injurS ed here today when an explosion in It he pump room directly under the crew's quarters wrecked the ship.

YOUR PAPERLIKE ONE OF THE FAMILY