Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 27, Number 131, Decatur, Adams County, 1 June 1929 — Page 1

WEATHER Mostly unsettled toniflh‘ and Sunday, Showers probable. Rising temperature

REPARATIONS PROBLEM IS SETTLED

Drunken Killer Cheats Law Bu Hurtina Self Before Train

SUICIDE ENDS RAMPAGE WHICH COSTS 3 LIVES 38-Year-Old War Veteran Kills Three Persons And Wounds Others FIGHTS OFF EIGHT detective squads I Chicago, June I.— U.R—A dramatic suicide before a speeding Northwestern passenger train today ended the drink-inspired rampage of Ferdinand Preuss, who killed two policemen and a I merchant and severely wounded three other persons late yesterday while defending himself i against capture in his west side tenement. After eluding one of the most intensive manhunts ever organized in the metropolitan area-50 squads of [detectives and policemen and the in- | cessant bong-bonging of the radio alarm system—the 38-year-old war [veteran today hurled himself before a westbound Freeport train which cut off his head and both arms. Wipes Out Detective Squad Where Preuss spent the night after this markmanship had prevailed against the combined efforts of eight detective squads which attempted to capture him in his home yesterday probably never will be known. While the law re-enforced its numbers before his home, Preuss coni tinned firing through the front and side windows with a pump shotgun .until he had wiped out one entire squad. Then lie fled down an alley ami was swallowed up by the teeming tenement district which had been the seen- of his drunken rampage. Then was organized a manhunt of unprecedented proportions. It was joined by every policeman who could be spared from regular patrol duty and was led by deputy Police Commissioner John Stege himself. Most of those who took part in the search were friends of Sergeant John 1 *e Conley, the 42-year-old detective twio-au squad leader .who was first to fall before Preuss’ pump gun. The crew of the Northwestern train which left the West Madison street station in Chicago at 8:28 a. m. today picked up the body of Preuss after their train had mangled it at the Kilbourn Avenue station and completed the identiflc.'ition before police: arrived. A Wisconsin fishing license in a coat pocket issued to Ferdinand Preuss left no doubt as to the suicides identity. Preuss was not armed. The pump gun, with which he had spread a ring of death around his west side basement apartment, had been left behind ami there was no sign of the revolver which he was said to have carried when he fled. Police, who went out to claim the (CONTINUED "ON PAGE FIVE) SHOOT IS HELD BY VIGILANTES 4. Good Scores Made In Practice Shoot Friday; Another Shoot Tuesday Several good records were made by members of the Adams county vigilance committee in thei rshoot held on Fred Schurger’s farm, west of the citv Friday afternoon Nine shooters were Present. Another shoot will be held at Berne next Tuesday afternoon, at 2:30 o’clock (standard time) after which a team will be selected to represent Adams county in the state vigilante shoot, to be held at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis, next m<*nth. In the pistol shooting at 15 and 25 vards, yesterday, Fled Dubach and Fred Schurger made the highest scores. They scored 42 and 35, respectively. Sheriff Harl Hollingsworth and Cecil Bess turned in the highest scores hi the rifle contest. Each scored 57 Points. Othpr scores included Fred Schmger, 53; Roy Dubach, 53; Fred Dubach, 41, and Bull Johnson, 38. The shooters fired at a target 200 yards sway in three positions, standing P’one and rapid fire.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Vol. XXVII. No. 131,

Large Alcohol Still Found Near Logansport I.ogansport, Ind., June I.—<U.R) Frank Fontana, 33, Chicago, Italian, was held in the county j n j| | ler(> today atler his arrest by raiders who found him operating the largest liquor still ever seized in the county. According to Sheriff William Zerbe, who directed the raid, Fontana said | he was paid S4O a week to run the still for a Chicago gangster known only as “Jimmie." The still was of 145-gallon dailycapacity, operating under Hit) pound steam pressure, ami used to produce sugar alcohol. EXPECT VDTE ON FARM BILL SOON Conferees Seek Satisfactory Compromise To Assure Adoption Next Week By Paul R. Mallon, UP Staff Correspondent Washington, June 1. — (U.R) — With both houses recessed for the weekend, farm bill conferees went to work today to complete a satisfactory compromise, clearing the way for early adoption of the legislation so congress may adjourn until fall. The dark legislative outlook cleared perceptibly when President Hoover announced at the White House late yesterday he would agree to adjournment if the farm bill is completed and a date est for a senate vote on the tariff bill. The leaders plan to fix November 9 as the date for the tariff vote. They spurred the farm conferees to stay away from the seashore this warm Saturday so a farm bill agreement may be made ready for senate action early next week. The White House statement did not dissuade the small republican group in the senate which started a tight several days ago to make congress stay and finish with the tariff bill. Senator Borah, Idaho ami Senator Jones, Washington, assistant Republican leaders, still favor this course. They are backed by perhaps ten midwestern senators and they may yet cause considerable embarrassment to the plan. It will require unanimous consent of the senate to fix a fall date for a tariff vote. Reports Say Lindy And Bride Are Honeymooning On Island Near Georgia Brunswick, Ga„ June I.— (U.K —A report that Col. Charles A. Lindbergh and his bride were honeymooning on an island off the coast of Georgia persisted here today. The reports indicated that the couple might be either at Sapelo Island as the guests of Howard E. Coffin, or St. Catherine Island, noted for its legends of pirate deeds, as the guests of James C. Wilson. Wilson is a director of the Trancontinental Air Transport corporation, with which Lindbergh is associated. The Coffin yacht Zapalia has arrived off the coast and an amphibian plane bearing Wilson and a group of friends was reported to have reached St. Catherine Island. Fire Causes $5,000 Damage At Indianapolis Indianapolis, June 1. U.R)—Fife of unknown origin destroyed quarters of the Indianapolis Saengerbund club, and damaged four wholesale commission houses in the Broker’s building today incurring damages estimated at $5,000. The blaze was discovered by an employe of a commission company, when flames burst from windows in the two-story building. The fire was believed to have originated in the rooms of the Saengerbund, on the second floor. oPin And Roller Skates Offer Clues In Murder Hebron, Ind., June I.—(U.R) Tlie identity of a gold pin with a pair of roller skates and the word “Chicago engraved on it, was a thin clue upon which police today hoped to learn who murdered a young woman and placed her body in a heavy woods near here. Police were of the opinion that the woman had won a skating contest and had been awarded the pin in Chicago

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National And lutrrunllwniil Nrwn

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Passengers on this St. Louis-bound bus from Chicago say the driver apparently fell asleep, the bus overturning with fifteen passengers, near Odell, 111. Nine of the injured were taken to hospitals.

FALLS 42 FEET TO RIVER BED William Kavanaugh. Os Portland, Well Known Here, Seriously Injured William H. Kavanaugh, of Portland, who has been working in the circulation department of the Daily Democrat for the last two weeks, soliciting subscriptions over the county, was seriously injured shortly before midnight, Thursday night, at the Defa more station, two miles west of Portland. Mr Kavanaugh is well known in Decatur and Adams county. Mr. Kavanaugh sustained ills injuries when he slipped and fell 42 feet from a bridge to a river bed. His injuries consist of a badly injured back, fractured arm, badly lacerated hip and numerous less serious injuries. He is a patient at the Jay county hospital in Portland. When the last car out of the Muncie terminal on the Muncie-Portland interurban line was approaching Portland, the motorman saw two horses on the track in front of his car. He stopped in time to prevent injury to the passengers and when lie investigated the reason for the horses remaining on the track, he learned that the' had fallen between the ties on (CONTINUED ON PAGE SIX) CHANGE RULES FOR CEMETERY New Regulations Adopted For Salem Cemetery; Place Is Beautified In response to an invitation of the board of trustees of the Salem cemetery, east of Decatur, for friends to assist in beautifying the cemetery on Decoration Day, more than tfty responded. The trustees, Dallas Spit'der and Daniel Helm, had made careful plans as to what was to be done, and all friends worked patiently towards accomplishing the Ideal. At 10 o’clock, all gathered under the Mg shade tree and the Rev. M. W. Sunderman made a brief address and read the resolutions recently adopted by the board as to the future regulations of the cemetery. These resolutions provided for the epening up of the old drive war through the middle of the cemetery and ordering friends to remove all obstructions. The board also ordered all cement and brick borders removed. Those present s-upplimented this resolution and ordered all foot stones removed. Friends were also requested to finish all graves on a level, and cover the graves with lawn. The board read the following resolutions: “That in the future, no grave shall be dug without the consent of the board of trustees. That five dollars shall be charged for each grave. A fee of five dollars shall be charged for digging the grave and one dollar for hauling the dirt away. The same shall be paid before the grave is dug. The charge for digging a grave of a child under ten years of age shall be three dollars.’’

Decatur, Indiana, Saturday, June 1, 1929.

Bus Turns Over: Injures 15

To Elect Superintendent Os Schools Next Monday The election of a countv school I superintendent will take place Monday morning, in t|je office of Clifton E. Striker, present superintendent, in the county court house. The county board of township trustees will cleet the superintendent. Mr. Striker is the only person who has publicly announced his candidacy for the office. He has served cne term. The new term will begin August 1. ORDINATION SERVICE HELD Alvin O. Engleman Ordained To Ministry At Magiey Reformed Church A very impressive service took place last night at the Salem Reformed church at Maglty, when Student Alvin O. Englemann, son of the Rev. O. J. Englemann, of Fort Wayne, was solemnly ordained to the Gospel Minis try. Dr. F. H Rupnow. pastor of St. John's Reformed church at Fort Wayne, and of whose congregation Student Englemann is a member, preached the ordination sermon; the Bev. D. Grether, of Magley, had charge of the liturgical service and the Rev. O. J. Englemann, father of Studen* Alvin Englemann, read the impressive and sacred ordination act, thus having the high honor of ordaining his , own son to the Gospel Ministry. Student Englemann had recently i completed his theological sudies in the Reformed chut ch Theological College and Seminary near Plymouth, Wisconsin. whete he spent eleven years, in preparation for his present work. He will follow a call to the Reformed church at Humboldt, Nebraska. Student Walter E. Scherry, of Magley, together tfith Student Englemann, were examined and licensed yesterday afternoon by the Fort Wayne CLlte-is, under whose care Ixitli students were during thei rcourse of study in school Student Scherry has also completed his theological course and, after having received a call from the charge he expet.es to serve, will likewise be ordained to the office of the ministry. I,QUO CHICKS LOST IN FIRE Earlv Morning Blaze Causes SI,OOO Damage At Poultry Farm Near Berne Bettie, June I.—(Special)—Fire of unknown origin caused damage estimated at SI,OOO ,at the poultry farm of the Rev. William Egle, one-half mile west of Berne, early this morning. More than 1,000 chicks, five weeks old. were burned in the fire. Rev. Egle, who is pastor of the Berne Missionary church, operates a small poultry farm and hatchery west of town. He had built a fire in one of the poultry houses airly this morning. At 4:30 o’clock, it was discovered that the building was burning. The Berne fire department was called and the firement succeeded in saving the other buildings.

BIBLE SCHOOL TO OPEN MONDAY Protestant Churches To Hold Annual Four Weeks School For Children With a large number of children al- [ ready enrolled, everything is in readiness for the opening of the annual | Daily Vacation Bible School, sponfj sored by the Protestant churches of 'the city, next Monday morning, at 8:30 o'clock. Officials of the school urge that the children start in on the first day and endeavor to have a perfect attendance record for the four weeks course. Children who have not yet enrolled are invited to come to the school at Die Central school building, Monday morning, and the' will be enrolled at that time. No enrollment fee is charged thia year, hut there will be an offering taken each morning and all pupils are asked to share in it. Unless it rains, the committee asks that the children meet at the Central school building in the following groups: 1. Four and five year old children at the front door with Mrs. Myers 2. All Ixiys and girls six years old or who have been in the first grade of school, at the east side (CONTINUED ON PAGE SIX) LOCAL MAN'S FATHER DIES Harrison Brunton, 63, Father Os John H. Brunton, Dies At Fort Wayne Harrison Brunton, 63, a retired farmer and father of John H. Riuntin. of Decatur, died Thursday night at h’s home in Fort Wayne, following an illness of paralysis. Mr. Brunton was first stricken with paralysis five years ago and had been bedfast s-x months. The deceased was born in Jackson, Ohio, and had lived in Fort Wayne for the last ten years. Prevlou- to moving to Fort Wayne, lie resided in Churubusco for twelve years. Surviving are the widow. Mrs, Ida Brunton; two sons. Jesse H., of Foit Warne, and John H.. of Decatur; three grandchildren; two brothers, Allison, of Ordway, Colo., and Anderson. cf Cassopolis, Mich.; two sisters, Mrs. Nancy Clark, of Paxton. 111., and Mrs. David Forster, of Roberts, 111.; two half-brothers, Jay Brunton, of Jackson, Ohio, and Eldon Brunton, of Dayton. Ohio. Funeral services will be held at the (CONTINUED ON PAGE SIX) Freuuent Precipitation Forecast For Next Week Weather outlook for the period of June 3 to 8, 1929: For the region of the Great Lakes: Precipitation at or near beginning of week and probably at frequent Intelvals thereafter; rising temperature Monday; mostly near normal remainder of week.

l-'lirnlxhral ll y lulled I‘reon

Young People To Conduct Evening Church Service The Young Peoples Choir and Christian Endeavor Society of the First Piesbyterlan church will have complete charge of the evening service on Sunday, June 2. at 7:30 o'clock. The young people have arranged a splendid program for the sei vices under the general theme” The leader of Leaders." There will be special mush by the vested choir, Scripture lesson and ptayers for the devotional period. A special offering will be taken for the purpose of defraying the expense of sending delegate* to the annual Young Peoples conference, which will be held at Winona Lake in July. DECATUR MEN I ARE SUBPOENAED

Federal Grand Jury Orders Two Local Men To Appear As Witnesses Two Decatur men, B. H. Elzey, American Cop agenty and Hurley Roop, have been ordered to appear before the Federal grand jury at South Bend as witnesses next i Thursday, according to word received in Decatur. It is presumed that the two men will be questioned in connection with the finding of a large alcohol still on a farm northeast of Decatur several week- ago, which resulted in the arrest of four men, all of whom have been bound over to the grand jury for investigation. It is thought that Mr. Elzey will be questioned concerning some express which came to his office in this city consigned to a man named Jones. It is thought the name was a ficticious • one and federal authorities are making an effort to find out who really received the express. Mr. Hoop testified recently at a hearing for F. J. Schmitt before a United States commissioner, at which time Mr. Schmitt was bound over to the grand jury and released under bond. Roop testified that he hauled some material to the farm house where the still was found, fnd on this testimony Mr. Schmitt was Ixitind over to the grand jury. As far as could be learned. Elzey an d Roop are the only two men from Decatur ordered to testify at the grand jury heating. Ed Miller, of Decatur, and Joe Oberto and Daniel lainionte. both of Chicago, were arrested at the time the still was confiscated. Miller is at liberty under bond, -while the other two are being still held lit he Allen county jail at Fort Wayne. ■ ■ ~o Geneva Youth Pays A Fine At Portland Portland, June I.—Bud Landers, a Geneva youth, drew a fine amounting to $16.50—55 and costs —in Squire George Fry's court Thursday, when he entered a plea of guilty to disturbing the peace. Landers, in company with other Geneva youths, is said to have pai l a visit to this city Tuesdav evening during which time they went to the Gause skating rink, West Water street, and created a disturbance | They were warned to keep still by the managers of the rink, but Landers failed to heed the warning. Affidavits for intoxication and for disturbing the peace were later sworn out against him, and he was placed under arrest. The youth, who it is said, has accompanied other Geneva boys to ibis city where they have been in the habit of racing about on the streets with old junk cars and otherwise disport ing themselves, intimated at fi-st that he intended to fight the charges against him on the ground that a person committing a misdemeanor or ciime must he arrested on the day the offense is alleged to have been committed. Finding however, that this did not hapixm to be the law. Landers agreed to plead guilty to the charge of disturbing the peace. If the one for intoxication was dropped. This vas done, and he settled. To Attend Convention Os Moose Legionnaires Mr and Mrs. J. M. Breiner and son Charles wil) motor to ludianaixilis Sunday, where Mis. Breiner will attend the state convention of the Moose Legionnaires. The convention will be held at the English hotel, Sunday. Mrs. Breiner is state chaplain of the Moose Legionnaires.

Price Two Cents

GERMANY’S WAR DEBT TO OTHER NATIONS FIXED Germans Must Pay $8,808,000,000 Over Period Os Fifty-Nine Years CONCESSIONS ARE MADE BY ALL SIDES By Ralph Helnzen, UP Staff Correspondent Paris, June I.—-U.R.—The reparations problem has been settled. Thomas, W. Lamont, American banker, announced today that the experts of seven nations, after struggling for almost four months with the complicated problem of how much Germany shal I pay for the World war. had at last reached a final agreement. The experts hope to sign the agreement early next week. The only obstacle is Belgium's refusal to sign until she has obtained satisfaction on her claim against Germany for the reflation of her currency during the war. Berlin and the allies were making every effort to appease the Belgians on tile question, which has been left outside the repartions agreement itself for settlement between the two nations. Germany has settled, in effect, for $8,080,000,000 cash. That is, if she paid the entire sum today, she would turn over that amount in gold. Divided Over 59 Years The money will be paid on the installment plan, however, and within the next 59 years Germany will pay an average of about $488,000,000 annually. That is, the allies will actually get about $28,000,0(10,00(1, interest being figured at 5 per cent. The knotty problems with which the experts struggled for so long were finally settled by concessions on all sides. The only problem not settled by the agreement was Belgium's claim for compensation on account of the deflation of her currency during the German war time occuptalon. The question was left for the two governments to settle between themselves. American Heads Conference Thus the work of the conference, under the chairmanship of Owen 1). Young, American financial genius, will have been 100 per cent successful if Emile Francqni, the Belgian delegate to the conference, permits the question of the Belgian marks settlement to be negotiated between Brussels and Berlin. The reparations staff worked all day on the final report of th econference, hoping to have the final draft conmpleted by tonight or tomorrow morning. The delegates would have two days to study it, with the possibility of a ceremonious signing on Tuesday or Wednesday after the citsstomary final touches have been applied. All the experts will be gone by next Saturday. J. I’. Morgan sailed today leaving Lamont with power to sign for him The general settlement was reachK'OXTIM KI) <>V PAGE I’HE) REVIEW BOARD MEETS MONDAY Board Is Expected To Make Changes In Personal Property Assessments The county board of review will meet Monday morning at 9 o'clock, in the office of County Assessor Jay ('lim“. in the court house, and organize for the annual session. The members of the board are Mr. Cline, Albert Harlow,j count.' auditor; Ed A. Ashbaucher, county treasurer: Daniel Sprang, of Decatur, and John Felty, of Geneva, the latter two being appointed by the judge of the Adams circuit court. The board will check the assessments on personal property and make whatever changes they deem necessary. The value of ]>ersonal pro-pet ty this year is less than a year ugo and it is likely that a few changes will be ordered by the board. The board will be in session during the month of June, and after the first week’s meeting, hearings will be held. Mr. Cline stated that no special days would be set for hearings, but that property owners would be heard on any day after the first week.

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