Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 26, Number 296, Decatur, Adams County, 15 December 1928 — Page 3

fK MENACES STATE FOREST

IndlannP'’’ 1 ”'Ind., n '’ c - 1&~ (Special) U OW Indiana protects its 5,000 acre firP9 t at Henryville from fire, and the nHtant menace fire la to many thouf° ds »f acres of timber land in south’n Indiana, are described by Ralph Wilcox, ata"* Prester. Fire threatening this state properly eD tly—and incidentnly the second "t. this year. waR discovered from tower. In a few min- “ trained fire fighters on the re " VP summoned hy telephone, ruahed tbe scene and with equipment al- ’ in readiness for just such etner- * ncies proceeded with the business *f saving thousands of dollars worth o f property. Men formed in two crews and startpd cutting a lane on either side of lhe head of the on-coming flames. An axeman cleared a small path. Following came men with special rakes, then a orehman to start a back fire. This spread over considerable area and »hen the two flames met, fire was extinguished. Only the establishment of fire towband maintenance of a crew of trained figtiters averts destructive fires in ihis valuable state owned timber tract. The nature of the topography of the state forest with narrow ravines running up to high hills makes even the smallest fire of grave importance. It is estimated that 50,000 people visited the state forest last year,, according to Richard Leiber, conservation director, consequently the fire hazord is great with so many transits using the forest for recreational purposes. All precautions are taken to prevent fires, but in face of such ca’e, two serious fires started this year but were quickly subdued. Considering this precaution it is evident that thousands of acres of private owned forests need similar organized protection. Conservation officials estimate that for a maximum of 2 cents an acre all such land in southern Indiana can be placed under the same type of organization protection as the conservation department maintains at Dunes Park. Brown county game reserve, and the state forest. “Recognizing the forest fire problem on state land areas is alio recognition of the need of protection of the vast teritory of private land about us.” contends Mr. Leiber. In view of this situation the department progresses legislation to protect two million acres of native timber land, forest plantings and old abandoned fields reverting to forest cover in southern Indiana, by erection of a series of steel watch towers at small cost. Forest fire on private land was recently detected from the state tower and the loss of timber on 200 acres prevented by prompt action. Forest fire destroys not only the timber but also the entire forest families consisting of game, birds and other wild life

•NEWS FROM MAGLEY* g*«*«¥¥¥****S Mr. and Mrs. William Worthman Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bloemker motored to Fort Wayne Wednesday and visited at the Orphans home and took dinner with Mrs. Lewis Manns. Floyd Arnold and Miss Leia Schlickman were guests of Miss Alma Scherry Wednesday evening. Miss Emma Bloemker was a guest of her cousin. Miss Whelma Jaberg a few days last week. Mr. and Mrs. Milton Scherry enter tained for dinner, Sunday, Mr. and Mrs. Janies Hendricks and daughter Catherine May, and Mrs. William Hendricks of Fort Wayne. Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Miller called on George Miller and daughters, Emma and Olive, Thursday. Rev and Mrs. Grether and family and Losier Eckrote were dinner guests of Daniel Scherry and family, Sunday. Mrs. Caroline Jaberg and son Daniel and daughter Whelma, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Bloemker and daughter Emma. Misses Minnie and Irene Bloemker. Elsie Krutzman and Amanda Worthman were dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. John Hilgeman, Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. Otto Hildebrand and family and Mrs. Mina Hildebrand enterminated at dinner, Sunday, latters four sisters and their families namely Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Conrad, Mrs. William Bracht, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Bloemker, Mr. and Mrs. Martin RepPert and son Milton, also Mr. and Mrs. Harrj Warden, Misses Ida Borne, Edna Peters Irene Girod and Irene Scherry. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bloemker entertained at dinner Sunday, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Kolter and son Robert, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Kolter and son Robart, Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Kolter and fahtily, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Borne and family, of Preble, Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Kolter and family, of Decatur, and Mr. and Mrs. William Worthman. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Fruchte am! 'laughter Amanda, Mr. and Mrs. Frank were supper guests of Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Fruchte and Edward Scherry, Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dettinger and daughter Bettie entertained at dinner Sunday, Mr. and Mrs. David Shelter and children John and Helen, of Hunflngton, and Mr. and .Mrs. G. F. Keil and daughter Phyllis, of Van Wert, 0. Misses Alma Marcella and Milton Scherry were shoppers in Decatur Friday. Mr. and Mrs. Ernst Krutzman and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Krutzman were dinner gueats O s Mrs. Mina Reppert Sunday. — Get the Habit— Trade at Home, It Pays

Rural School Building Rapidly disappearing; Jefferson Township Has A Consolidated School Os Most Modern Type

Editor’s Note;— This Is the first of a series of articles to be pubhshed In the Dally Democrat the next few weeks dealing with < hurches, Schools and Industries or Adams county. Suggestions from readers of the Democrat as ” what special local stories they would like to read will be great ly appreciated. Peqple who still think of country schools in terms of one-room buildmgs with wood-stoves in the center and all the grades | n the one room have quite a shock in store for them When they visit the various Adams county schools. On a two and a half acre plot exactly in the center of Jefferson township, located in the southeast part ol Adams county, is the Jefferson town ship high school building. It is r three-story brick building, built in 1921 and opened in the fall of that year as a consolidated school, including all common school grades from the first to the eighth and a commissioned four-year high school. In the six short years of existence, the school has made great educational and literary strides and today it is one of the leading high schools in Adams county. Its graduates can go forth in the world knowing that their education is equal to that of any high school graduate in the state. Let's visit a while at the Jefferson Center school. The building is situated six miles northeast of Geneva and six miles southeast of Berne. A macadam road passes directly in front of the school at the south. Common School In Connection At the entrance of the building, there is a small vestibule, and the lower grades of the common school are located on the first floor. The principal's office and school library reference room is located on a half floor between the first and second floors. The high school assembly room and the higher common school rooms are located on the second floor. The high school classes are conducted on the third floor.

This year, the school has an enrollment of 200 pupils in the 12 grades. The school has grown so that it is necessary to use one of the old oneroom school buildings for the manual training room. This building, also, is used as a practice room for the basketball team. It is too small, however. to play the game in, and a basket for practice shooting has been constructed at one end of the building. Sufficient space has been left at the east side of the high school building for an auditorium and gymnasium which will be built in the near future. Olen Marsh Is Principal Olen Marsh, of Randolph county, near Union City, is principal of the school. Mr. Marsh is a graduate of Ball Teachers College at Muncie and is well qualified for the position which he fills. Ably assisting Mr. Marsh in the high school are. Rolland Sprunger, H. L. Greider and Miss Gladys Teeters, (instructors. The common school grades are taught by Misses Madeline Robin, Ocia Hiestand and Helen Ken ney and Ray Duff. One of the interesting places in the school is the library reference room. A pupil is appointed each year to act as chief librarian and is responsible for all books, magazines and circulars in the library. Pupils are permitted to use the books for study and also are permitted to take the books home with them, free of charge, provided they return them in a specified time. Consolidated schools are becoming

BECATUR daily DEMOCRAT SATVRPAY, DECEMBER 15. 1928

a" *" ■' ; ~ -j i''Vi. I '?’ 4 1 c • 4 ■ vx'" || ' & ■K . -- -***- Jr T ■ I u 1 Abovt- is a photograph of the Jefferson township consolidated kS&Sc . “ school building, which was erected in 1921. This is the first entirely : - ■ consolidated school bmlo.ng m Adams county. To the right is shown " ”■> the Iran,- build.ng which is used by th- manual training classes. It ; was formerly used as a district school building.

the center of activity in the community and many pleasant hours are spent by the pupils at the various social and dramatic activities of Jefferson Center school. Classes Are Organized Three of the four high school classes are orgrganized and have class parties and take part, in other school activities. Miss Ruth Rumple is president of the senior class; Robert Stuper is president of the junior class and Doris Forman is president of the sophomore class. -The freshman class is not organized, but Principal Marsh stated that a president would be selected later. The entire school has joined together in organizing a chorus of mixed voices and it is used in the various school socials and programs. Chapel programs, with speakers and class stunts are held at regular intervals, at the school. The senior and junior classes of the school have combined this year

• to give a class play. It will be pre- ■ sented in the spring, shortly before ' school is dismissed for the summer • vacation. In previous years, both the I senior and junior classes gave sep- ’ arate plays. School Is Self-Governing Principal Marsh has installed a new ' self-government plan this year for the i ’ high school. He has organized a - board of five pupils to conduct the school affairs as far as the pupils have anything to do with such. The - board is known as the student couni cil and disposes of all school ques- . tions. The council also makes out the deportment grades for the pupils and . metes out discipline for unruly stni dents. The student council is selected by I the entire school by popular vote. This year, the council includes Paul Stolz. Theodore Morningstar, Ruth ( Rumple, Gladys Bollenbacher ami , Gale Butcher. The council also makes • suggestions to the faculty concerning I school work and school activities. Manual Training Compulsory All freshmen boys of Jefferson high school are compelled to take manual training, and the shop in the old school building is a busy place every day. The course includes the fundamentals of manual training and the boys have fine exhibits each year of the work done in the shop. The manual training class, several years ago, constructed a stage which can be placed in the assembly room when plays and recitals are given. The can then be taken, down and there is a place for it to be stored

in the manual training room. A large playground and baseball j field is located north of the school building, where the lower grade pupils play at recess and noon periods and where the baseball team practices and plays its home games. The pupils are brought to school each day and taken home by means of five large school buses. Garages for the buses are located west, of the high school building and a gasoline filling station for the township's buses is located near the garages. All pupils of the township are conveyed in the buses. The 20 pupils from out of the township furnish their own transportation. In some instances, transfer pupils charter a bus for the year and in other instances pupils drive their own cars tn and from school. “Outsiders" At School Besides the 180 pupils from Jefferson township, the other 20 attending the school are from Ohio, Jay county,

g i i a ! t I t - i g Have <)pen S 1 You an 3 * Enrolled Account « $ ? 7 Q /?, ?—k Today $ S = ? '/ X | Happy Returns of a f | Christmas Chib Member | I I SEE THAT HAPPY, CARE FREE LOOK ON HIS FACE? 11 : # WELL, it will still he there when the usual first-of-the-i & year hills begin to roll in. His Christmas is ail paid lor. g I ft The 25 Cent Club Pavs !in Fifty Weeks $12.50 why bring that up? Lets talk about next g [ft The so Cent club Pays Christmas. Our new Club is now being formed and we « [ i in Fifty Weeks $25.00 want morc people t(> have that ca refree look next if kW Christmas. | 5 S The $2.00 club Pavs Here is a list showing what you deposit weekh !<>■ ift in Fifty Weeks SIOO.OO 50 weeks and the totals after all deposits have been ft ; The $5.00 Club Pays made. Select the Club that best suits your needs. Bring « 11 S * n Fifty # your first deposit to the bank and get one ot our pass i ft The SIO.OO Club Pays books. Act today while the right motive has control of $ a,.. d..,...- your desires. , | y °“ We will add interest at the rate of 4‘t If all payments i J 9 Ri*e mad® when due or in advance of due dates. 111 1 i! Old Adams County Bank | f Is^W^W^W®*®*®*®*^®* o *®*®* o * s^o * o *®* l3 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 *

| Blue Creek and Wabash townships in Adams county. All the pupils bring their lunches with them and there are rooms for the noon lunch in the basement. In warm weather, some of the pupils eat out on the playground. Besides educational, literary, musical and social activities, Jefferson has another phase of activity that the whole township is justly proud of. The high school has one of the best baseball teams in this part of the state, having lost but one game in I the last four years. The team has a spring and fall baseball schedule, there being no other athletic activity during the spring and early fall months. Principal Marsh is coach of the baseball team and the school has a large following in that sport. Athletics At Jefferson The Jefferson township basketball team is known throughout Adams county anti this section of Indiana

ami Ohio. The school has a varsity team; a second team and nn eighth I grade team. Mr. .Marsh is coach of I the varsity team and Rolland Sprunger is < ach of the second team and the eighth grt'ders. Since Jefferson is without a gymnasium. the team journeys to Berne where it practices on the floor al the Borne auditorium, two hours a week. The home games of the school also j ate played on the Berne floor. Basket I piactice is held at the school, some- j times on the net court on the playground and some times in the manual training room. Mr. Mulsh has adopted n system of selecting a varsity net captain on the ba: is of ability shown. For Instance. Cecil smitley is varsity cap-< tain at. present, but as soon as an-1 other player shows unusual ability in | a game, that player will be selected to act as captain for a few games. The basketball team this year Is said to be the Irest ever produced by Jefferson township, since the high school was opened in 1921. The second team and eighth graders also have been showing ability under the tutelage of Rolland Sprunger. The entire township tracks the -chool in ils projects and at all activities the parents and friends of the pupils attend in large numbers. The assembly, room at the school has a seating capacity for special progtams of ab ut 200 or 250, but at times the crowds are so largo that approximately 500 are packed into the i room to attend plays, and other programs. A visit to Jefferson consolidated school will convince any resident of Adams county that the school is a great success; that it is conducted in fine style and that a country pupil can secure as good an education as a city pupil. Jefferson center school is the only truly consolidated school in Adams county. There is no other school of any kind in the township and consequently it has the (picking of all citizens. It is worth the time to visit this . school and inspect every department.

PAGE THREE

GET RECORD OF ALL LONE SCOUTS This past week the Anthony Wayne Area Council, Jr,y Scouts of America, received, from the National Headquarters, records of all Lone Scouts In Ali leu. Adams, LeKalb, Huntington, 1 Noble, Steuben Wells and Whitley counties and hereafter all applications will lie sent through Ihe Area Headquarters at 890 8. Calhoun street, Fort Wayne, instead of being sent direct tn tlie National Headquarter-. All Line Scouts of the Aiea can n)W secure their supplies and equipment through | the Ama Meadqnarters. Four Lone Scout Tribes There are at the present time four Lone Scout tribes in the Area. The Wrtbun Tribe is located at Keystone in Wells county;, the Mangatha Tribe is also located at Keystone in Wells county The Pukune Tribe Is located at Auburn, and the Shawnee Tribe is in Fort Wayne. In addition to these tribes : there are a number cf Lone Scouts 1 that ate registered directly and not ' connected with any tribe. The Lone Scouts of the Area who are in good standing at the present time include; Roger Meshberger, Berne and Hugh B. Campbell, Geneva. Rural Boy Now Has Opportunities With the Area Council adopting lame Scouting as a part of Ils program means that the Scout program will extend beyond the t >wns of these counties and out to the Lone Boy on the farm. The new Boy Scout Handbook, which is a marvelous piece of work contains special features and changes In requirements in order to make Scout lore practical for the farm boy. Lone Scouts who registered with the consent of parents or teachers, now use the same program as do all other Scouts. The Area Council Headquarters has accepted this opportunity and stands ready to extend the benefits of Scouting to the boys on the farm. This gives the boy on the farm, who Is full of idealism and looking for away of extending his personality out into the world, an opprtunity to experience the romances of friendship, service and achievement which is so abundantly present in the Scout program. —o Mrs. Fred Engle and Miss Helen Christen accompanied the (I. E. Minstrels to Willshire, Ohio, last evening.