Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 28, Number 44, Decatur, Adams County, 20 February 1930 — Page 1

WEATHER t W K ,ton. fl ht »nd Frj „ cont.nur.l M - " ZL

OOHER JURY SELECTION STARTS TODAY

|fl MORNING *E DAMAGES Ifi.l CONCERN ■ U ] )l Pharmacy Suf■’n cav v J oss From X r e This Morning ■EVEN MAKE ■ |>E( oRD SPEED ■. „f unknown origin. Kh- i'n the K and M , v of this city at K.|.-, > k this mornHn/calN' il c l ,,ss scv ' ■Up.l dollars. It was (hinging tire ocK, r in .i,-.. iiy for some ■' Sr „ start."l at the rear of tH,r. a). 1 the owners. ■; K.dk an.l i:. I'. Myers, ’■ ' 111,1 eause. mad.- 'l'li. k run to th'.* 5.,011 the tire was rea„,| ■„-, save the hnwever. was total $r ;,... lt , lm | smoke ami .•> .Honage. The ■[- Heavy cloud , - :.r at < aused cel } . <-old creams i.. become com ruined. ■ p.-s unable to state of loss, hut it -.pinion of those that the less ■ id thousand F ~..i Pharmacy was only tew days ago by i ts from John TH.- pharmacy had ■ t:.. ' , placed in th? yesterday. ■Kcv- qii.e.i.o of other new her: added during this its? on tlm building from Hit.,- .1 Id the rear. n .1 damaged wads :i . .?>,out lb • build: by John Jose! I '. tange. ii.ught the fire lasi ■it w:.• their strenuous that 'Io- building was sav- ■ The Zin.nr : man family, who OU : . second floor of ■ Wing. moved yesterday. slur., building, loeat- - pharmacy was no. Si.m.. smoke however in that building. y Man Admits ■order nl New Yorker

*roit. .Mich., Feb. 20.—(UR)— • notches carved in the handle • revolver were for victim's he Beil because he “liked to .see finffer and die," James Baker, Warren, 0., told police toHe was arrested near Faria- • yesterday on a charge of (ring Henry Gaw, watchman [Guggenheim laboratories, in Fork. two years ago. ITTENO ELKS WHERE ( ? For Membership nve Made at Meet: officers Nominated than 7ft members of the attended the dinner and W held at the Elks Home on ' Second street last evening. served at 6:30 '■ tables being arranged in !™na and living rooms. The I was prepared by Mrs. Maud i Jtt'd K. A. Stucky and his r'cee assisted in serving it. r*’’”S the dinner the mem- - 101 the lodge were invited to . ro °ms where the regular 8e was held. During the ne Plans were discussed for "K the membership of the a M nominations for officers ,’ttarte. The first nominations last evening and the r "ill be held at the first " e "'Kht in March. * as voted to hold another meeting on Tuesday, March JI tl,i ' election occurs, proi’ b strict Deputy Richard ‘ Lafayette can arrange to “ ere on that date.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT s ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADA M S C 0 UN T Y

Vol. XXVIII. No. 44.

Former Local Man’s Auto Kills Woman Mrs. Senora Gorman, 78. Fort Wayne, was killed Wednesday night whelk she was struck by an automobile driven by Police Officer Clifford Kirkpatrick. known here as Clifford La Delle. .Mrs. Gorman was walking across the street who'll struck by the automobile. Mr. Kirkpatrick did not see her. She was knocked to the pavement and suffered a fractured skull. Investfga tion showed that the mishap was accidental and .Mr. Kirkpatrick was not held for questioning.

BANDITS ADMIT BANK ROBBERY Two of Three Arrested Confess Part In Theft Wednesday Afternoon Indianapolis, Feb. 20 — (UP) — Three bandits, two of whom confessed to the SI,OOO Cumberland State Bank robbery yesterday, were held by police today. One was caught in Richmond, another in Greenfield and the third at Cambridge City. The men are George E. Swift, 23. Indianapolis. William H. (Rocky) Stone, 19, Columbus. 0.. ami HarryReed, 'lB, of near Canton. Ohio. Reed was arrested early today at Cambridge City on infot mlltioii given by Swift, who had confessed in Richmond. Reed told police he was leader in the holdup. Police found $219 hidden in his room. He did not know that his companions had been arrested and went to his -oom in a Cambridge City apartment to meet them as they had previously arranged. Swift told Richmond police he met Sjone and Reed in Canton. 0.. while all three were working at P dance marathon. Ho said he aided in the holdup because he needed money fur a voting woman who lives in Indianapolis. <> The three men. driving a green auto answering the descrip'iop o f the one used in the Cumberland robbery, reached Richmond earlylast night. Just inside the city limits they stopped to repair a punctured tire. A cruising police squad passing along stopped to qnes'ion the men without thought that they might be the bank bandits. As the police ap-. nroacht I the trio, all three ran. Swift was caught, hut the other two escaped. After questioning Swift, police caught 'Reed at Cambridge City and Stone as he was driving in a taxi toward Greenfield.

MILK COMPANY CHANGES HANDS Steury Brothers Buv Local Concern From E. C. Phillips, Son Reuben and Calvin Steury of Monroe have purchased the Decatur Sanitary Milk company from E. ('. Phillips and son Paul, possession of the business being taken today by the Steury Brothers. The new owners are well-known dairymen of Monroe township and they will continue to operate the milk line from this city. The plant is located at the rear of the Phillips propert/ on South Seventa street. Mr. Phillips and son established the milk business in this city ten years ago. They were the first to pasteurize milk. Mr. Phillips stated this morning that he and his eon had not yet decided about their future business connections, but that in all probability they would engage in business in this city. Steury Brothers have a large herd of cattle on their farm and they intend to use as much of their own as possible. They will continue to operate the milk route in this city. o Resigns As Shipping Board Chairman Today Washington. Feb. 20. — (U.R) — Chairman T. V. O'Connor of the U. S. shipping board today asked President Hoover to relieve him from his duties as head of the board. He gave ill health as the reason for his request. O’Connor, however, expressed willingness to continue as a member of the board. The president took the request under consideration.

I lirliShril lly I ullnl I'rraa

LOCALPfISTCR HELPS OBTAIN HOME FOR AGED •r Idea Originating Here Is Accepted bv North ManChester Resident $187,000 GIFT IS RECEIVED Complete plans have been anj non need for the construction by , J. B. Peabody of North Mancheq--1 ter, Indiana, of a SIOO,OOO Old i Peoples Home, which when comI pleted will be turned over to the Indiana Synod of the Presbyterian church for maintenance and management. The idea of the home was started by members of the local Presbyterian church, and the Rev. H. H. Ferntheil was in«t rumentai in interesting Mr. Penbody to donate the ground and money for the building. Rev. Ferntheil is s*retary of the board, having charge of the construction of the building. Contracts have been signed ami the building work wIT proceed at once. Mr. Peabody liesides hioriginal gifts amounting to $187,000 also has agreed to give $12,000 a vear for the first few years unt’l the institution is placed on a sound financial basis. Present plans, according to Rev. Ferntheil. call tor the construction of a building which will house 50 (CONTINUED ON PAGE THREE)

WILL OBSERVE LENTEN SEASON Rpv. John Bapst Will Deliver Sennons at Catholic Church Here Rev. Father J. A Seimetz. pastor of St. Marys Catholic church in thi« city, announced today that the Rev. Father John Bapst of Bluffton, wouid deliver the series of Txrnten sermons at tlie local church. The season of Lent opens on Ash Wednesday. March 5. Easter Sunday does not come until April 20. this year, tlie date being one of the latest in the observance of the Re surection. Father Banst will deliver a series of six sermons on the "Sacrifice of the Mass.” Tlie firs’ sermon will bo given on Tuesday. March 11. Sermons will also be delivered oi> Marcli 18 and 25 and on April 1. 8. and possibly on April 15. Holy week services will begin on Thursday, April 17. Regulations and order of service wil be announced later by Father Seimetz at the Sunday masses, preceding the opening of Lent.

MORRIS STORE PLANS OPENING Remodelled Variety Store to Open in Decatur Next Saturday Morning The newly remodeled store or the Morris 5 and 10c to $1 store will be formally opened to the public on Saturday. The store has been closed this week to arrange the stock and place the new counters and put on the flnish’ng touches. The Morris company now occupies the entire building in which it was located. The store has a frontage of 42 feet on Second street and extends back 132 feet. A new front has been placed in the building, the display windows being ten feet high. A red tiled block base decorates the outside of the building. All the fixtures, counters and wall backs are new in the store. At the rear of the large room a stock and office room has been erected. The trim along the wail is green felt with walnut finish woodwork. The Morris company located in this city about 20 years ago. The president of the company is Georg? Morris of Bluffton. Janies Halsey is the new local manager and announced today that the formal opening of the new store would be held at nine o’clock Saturday morning. A number of people are employed in the store this week.

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday, February 20, 193 Q.

W7/Z Teach President's School

™' ” ———— • » g ' ss Cl-.ri-.tine v c '’ r o/ y osemt f e, as been selected to WftA'' teach at PreslSuV dent Herbert Hoover's ! W in< nnt;,m % . school in \ Shenandoah '■' park - v,r s inia - Reared in an isolated corn1 11 worked her way through Berea ■' ■ t * - <? by working in * If the office ' ' ' z, t itsifchfe' r be dean. N V ** BI RMJi) 2l ? tSOwl

DECATUR MAN IN ACCIDENT Ollie Chronister Hurt When Car Is Struck Near Fort Wayne Ollie Chronister, of tlie La Fountain Handle Company, received min or injuries this morning at 7 o'clsck when another car whose driver is unknown struck tlie Ford Coupe which he was driving, causing the car to turn over twice. The accident occurred at tlie 'intersection at Anthony Blvd, and Federal Road 27, south of Fort Wayne. Mr. Chronister was enroute to Michigan when the accident occurred and was brought back to this city where it was leareir.i be suffered only minor bruises. The Ford coupe, which belonged to the La Fountain Handle Company was a) most completely demolished. The driver who ran into Mr Chronister got away before his identity was learned.

FSANK BREINER SEEKS OFFICE President of Commissioners to Seek Re-Election in Second District B. F. Breiner, president of the Adams county board of commissioners stated today that he would seek renomina'ion and election to the ewunty board of commissioners from the second district, subect to the decision of the Democratic voters at the primary election in May Mt. Breiner has served as president of the board tor several years. He has always been active in county politics and has served as a party worker for more than 25 years. He stated that he would make an active campaign for re-election, ami if it \yas the will of the voters of Adams county that he continue to serve them, he would strive to carry on his duties as efficiently and economically as possible. Mr. Breiner is superintendent of the Washington church Sunday School, west of Decatur and is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men. in which organziation he has seiW’d as a trustee for many years. —o Labor Head Urges Dry Law Modification Washington, Feb. 20. —(U.R) Modification of (he Volstead act to provide for 2.75 iper cent beer was urged by William Green, president of the American Federation of Labor, in a letter, made public here today, to ( hairman George W. Wickersham of the law enforcement commission. Both unemployment and the agricultural depression would be aided by such a program. Green said. He cited figures showing the brewing industry consumed 2,500,000 tons of coal each year prior to prohibition, in support of his contention that re-setablishment of brewing would materially cut unemployment.

Rotarians Hold State Meeting ai West Baden West Baden. Ind., Feb. 20.—(U.R) —Some 700 delegates were expected to attend today's final session of the two-day conference of the 11 20th district Rotary clubs meeting at West Baden. William Lowe Bryan, president of Indiana university, and Dan Obern, Oklahoma City, gave tlie 'main addresses of yesterday's session. Dr. Bryan said lie bad no patience , witli flippant critics who pretend 1 1 to think ' that service clnlw are nothing but mutual admiration socities. The clubs platform services I of economic and social value, he said, and sometimes undertake ae , tivities of state-wide or interstate effect. ; Ohern traced the 25-year history of £he organization, its growth I from the Chicago Club Rotary Ini ternational to 3,2(>0 clubs in 54 countries, witli 130,000 members. Th:’ delegates ami their wives were entertained last night at Hie ■ annual governor's ball in tlie auditorium of the West Baden Springs hotel. 0 Plymouth Bank Closes ImUanapolis, Feb. 20. - (U.R) - Closing of the Plymouth State ' bank was announced by the state banking department today. Shrink ling of deposits was given by the ‘ bank’s board of directors as the cause for the action. * The bank was capitalized at $75,000, with deposits of $830,000 , and outstanding loans of $845.00:’, A F. Brooke was president and R. I G. Lee, cashier.

EICHER ISSUES ROAD WARNING Highway Superintendent Says Heavy Loads Must Stay Off Roads Stay off the roads with heavy loads during the present thaw! This was the order issued today by Chris Eicher, county highway superintendent. The statement was issued by Eicher after reports had come to his office that strick violation of the soft road laws had occurred in Adai is county several times the last few days. Mr. Eicher stated that several reports were being investigated at present and that while the roads were soft, the law concerning heavy hauling would be enforced to the very letter. A considerable loss has been reported through damage done to several county roads, it was stated today. All road workers have been ordered by the superintendent to report all infractions of the law. with a warning that all violations would be prosecuted. The road men throughout the county are working every day to recondition the roads, since the re cent high waters and heavy rains and spows. Roads throughout the county are reported to be in fairly good condition. Mr. Eicher stated that if the weather continued fair for a few more days all roads would be in excellent condition.

Stnte. Natlonnl And lutrrnniloiinl

JAIL DELIVERY IS FRUSTRATED Bank Bandit Attempts to Free Himself From Portland Jail Portland, Ind.. Feb. 20 —(U.R) — Chares O. Ross, Convicted of a charge of robbing the Pennville state hank, was discovered in an attempt to saw his way to freedom from the Port’and jail early today where he was held pending an appeal of the conviction liefore the state supreme court. Ross had sawed his way out of his cell and was at work on the bars of the jail window when Sheriff Ixm Wehrly discovered him. He was taken to the state prison at Michigan City today. (CONTINUED ON PAGE THREE) o Snook Reprieve Refused Columbus, O, Feb. 28. (U.R) -j Governor Myers Y. Cooper todayrefused a reprieve to Dr. James Howard Snook, former Ohio State university professor, who is to be executed Feb. 28 for the murder of Theora Hix. his co-ed inamorata. Snook's counsel had asked a reprieve on the ground that the former professor’s appeal to the U. S. supreme court cannot be acted upon until two weeks from Feb. 24, -M-hen the court will formally receive the appeal. The appeal was carried to the court of last resort on a writ of certiorari.

M.E.CONFERENCE HOLDSJLECTION Local Church Asks Rev. R. W. Stoakes to Return For Another Year The Rev. Ross W. Stoakes, pas tor of the Decatur Methodist church was given a vote of confidence and asked to return to the local charge for another year at ’he final quarterly conference of the officials of the local church held last night. More than 100 members of the official family of the church at tended the annual supper held at the church preceding the business conference. The conference began at 7:15 o’clock. District Superintendent Dr. .1. Thomas Bean highly commended the local church on its apparent ‘Youth Movement." in bis address to the conference. Annual reports were given by Nie various departments of the church and Sunday school. A great tribute was paid to Daniel Sprang, who resigned as treasurer of the church after serving in that capacity for 41 years. A resolution of appreciation was read by H. F. (’allow. The officials for the coming year were' chosen as follows: Trustees for three years: Virgil Knick, Avon Burk. Mrs. Christena Wicks. Trustees for two years: A. J. Smith. (’. L. Walters, Daniel Sprang. Trustees for one year: ('. D. Lew-ton, Paul Edwards and D. N. Erwin. Disbursing steward, Henry Heller, Communion* steward. John Niblick: District steward, Leigh Bowen: resident district steward, M. E. Hower; Stewards, F. W. Downs, Mrs. John T. Myers, Mrs. C. D. Lewton, D. J. Harkless, L. A. Graham, H. E. Butler, Mrs. R. D. Myers, W. F. Beery, Mrs. Leigh Bowen, H. F. Callow’, Mrs. B. J. Rice, Fred Handler, W. Guy Brown, A. D. Suttles, J. R. Parrish, B. J. Rice. E. W. Johnson, John Zimmerman, Herman Myers. Bryce Thomas, C. G. Porter, C. A. Burdg. Francis Howell, Samuel Peoples, Dee Fryback, B. R. Farr, Glenn Neptune, G. F. Eichorn. Dan H. Tyndall. Alva fcawson, E. Burt Lenhart. <W. J. Krick was elected chairman of the board of ushers; Wil! Bowers was chosen director of social and recreational activities; W O. Little was chosen as local preacher and J. T. Merryman was chosen trier of appeals. E. D. Colter was elected Sunday School superintendent. Other society presidents, are as follows: Women's Home Missionary, Mrs. C. D. Lewton; Women’s Foreign Missionary, Mrs. Delton Passwarer; Superintendent Intermediate league, Mts. Cora Downs; Superintendent Junior league, Mrs. Ross W. Stoakes; president High School league, Mary Mclntosh.

Price Two Cents

Anderson Factory Is Damaged By Flames Anderson, Ind., Feb. 2(1 (UP) — Fire damaged the Ames shovel and tool plant at Anderson last night, with a loss unofficially esilmated at from s2of)jioo to $400,000. The blaze originated in (lie ass< in [bly loom and was believed to have been caused I, ythe explosion of an oven. The Main assembly room where 100 men worked, was destroyed, but filemen were able to save many of the newer buildings of the plant. o BURL JOHNSON SEEKS OFFICE Decatur Police Officer Is I Democratic Candidate For County Sheriff Burl Johnson, Decatur resident and for the last three years a member of the local night police force today announced that he would seek the Democratic nomination for Sheriff of Adams county subject to the decision of the primary voters next May. Mr. Johnson has resided in Adams county his entire life, with the exception of .the three years he serv ed in the Rainbow Division of the American army during the World War. He is a member of the Adams nost American I-egion and of the Decatur Moose lodge. He is married and has two children. Mr Johnson stated today that he would start at once to make a thorough campaign throughout the county and if successful in the May primary, he s'ated he would do all I in his power to bring about success lof the entire Democratic ticket in the November election. The candidate has hail several ■ years of experience as a law enforcing official and he stated today that he was confident he could conduct the office which he seeks with honesty. efficiency and courage. Mr. Johnson is the third Democrat to announce for the office. , Johnson has been active for a number of years in Democratic politics in the city and county. In the city election last fall, lie served on several important politisal committees.

CHUD MURDER IS CONFESSED Orrviille. Ohio. Murder Is Cleared by Ten-Page Confession of Hannah Wooster. 0.. Feb. 20. - (U.R) — Child-stealing warrants were sworn out against two Akron bootleggers ; today after Charles Hannah. 58. I gave authorities a 10-page statement in which he admitted killing I Melvin Horst, 4. of Orrville, who j disappeared Dec. 27. I.D2S. No details of the confession were announced by Prosecutor Marion F. Graven of Wayne county, hut special Prosecutor Walter J. Mottgey described it as "thrilling.” Graven sent deputy sheriffs to Orrville anil Akron on missions said to be concerned with check ing Hannah’s latest "confession.” searching for the slain boy’s body and possibly making arrests. Hannah told an entirely new story, it was indicated in the announcement that Earl Conald, 42. former railroader, whom Hannah had accused in a pervious statement. was completely exonerated. The warrant against the two Akron bootleggers indicated the slaying of the Isiy.may have been an act of revenge against his uncle, fromer Orrville town marshal. 0 *— Oscar Bristol Suffers Stroke of Paralysis Oscar Bristol, who was recently adjudged insane in Adams circuit court and who was to have been, taken to Richmond State hospital today, suffered a stroke of paralysis Wednesday night and his condition today wild regarded as very serious. The attending physician stated this afternoon that the man's recovery was doubtful. He is being cared for at the county jail by Sheriff and Mrs. Harl Hollingsworth and members of his family have been with him since the stroke yesterday. Mr. Bristol who is 72 years of age is a farmer, residing northeast of Decatur. He is well-known in Decatur and Adams County.

YOUR HOME PAPERLIKE ONE OF THE FAMILY

PROGRESS SLOW IN OPENING DAY OF MURDER CASE Judge D. E. Smith Retained by Geneva People to Help Prosecution LARGE ( ROWI) IS IN COURT BULLETIN The jury as it stood at 3:15 • o'clock this afternoon in the state vs. Booher murder case was: David W. Laisure, John J. Habepqer, Grant Owens, Jesse E. Eckrote, Joe L. McConnell, John C. Sink, Phillip Sauer, Goldie'G. Gottschalk, James C. Evert, Edwin Fuhrman, Noah Ellenberger, and Edwin Beer. Burkhart Lehman, a member of the regu'ar petit jury was dismissed for cause this morning. Both defense and state attorneys had questioned - each prospective juror with general interrogations, and neither side had used any of its preemptory challenges. Tlie first murder trial Io be lield in Adams circuit court since 19(1.3 opened at 9‘?o o'clock this morning when attorneys be<»an the task of selecting a inry to try the state vs. Boyd Booher ni'O'der case. The oneninif was del ived a L'df hom- hncause W. 11. Eichorn, of Bluffton, defense attorney, was delayed in getting to Decatnr. As court opened, the regular petit jury filed into the iurv box and was sworn in by Bernice Nelson, clerk of the Adams circuit court. Booher appeared in court, and while he was slightly nervous, he did not show any great concern. He was seated at the defense table with bis two attorneys. Across tlie court room, were the three prosecuting attorneys, Nathan Nelson. Adams county prosecutor, R. (’. Parrish of Fort Wayne arnointed by the court to assist Nelson and Judge David E. Smith of Fort Wayne retaineil by friends of Arch Beerbower over whoso l death tlie trial is being held. Just back of the prosecuting attorneys were seated two women, the mother and widow of tlie dead man. Judge Sutton sat in tlie case and ca’ied the court to order at 9:30 o'clock. D. B. firwin, delense counsel, made the opening statement to the jury and proceeded immediately examining jurors. Only general questions were asked this morning and progress was slow, indicating that it would take some time to select a jury to try the case. The court room was about' half filled when the case started, but in the next hour people began to (CONTINUED PAGE THREE) AUGSBURGER IS CANDIDATE French Township Farmer to Seek Commissioner’s Post, Third District Moses Augsburger, prominent French township farmer today announced that he would seek the Democratic nomination for Commissioner of the third Adams county district, subject to the decision of voters at the Democratic primary election next May. Mr. Augsburge.has been a political worker in Hart fold and French townships for more than 35 years. He served as trustee of Hartford township a number, of years ago and always has taken an activi interest in affairs of French township and of tlie entire county. Mr. Augsburger stated that ho felt sure he was well qualified to hold the important office and if nominated and electeel h? would serve the people of Adams county to the very best of his ability aim that he would conduct the affairs of his office in a most economic am.

iiumictu iiiui nt? wutiiu set?K ur‘ Democratic nomination for Commissioner of the third Adams county district, subject to the decision of voters at the Democratic primary election next May. Mr. Augsburger has been a political worker in Hart fotd and French townships for more than 35 years. Ho served as trustee of Hartford township a number, of years ago and always has taken an active interest in affairs of French township and of the entire county. Mr. Augsburger stated that he felt sure he was well qualified to hold the important office and if nominated and elected he would serve the people of Adams county to the very best of his ability anti that he would conduct the affairs of his office in a most economic and progressive manner. Mr. Augusburger has served as precinct committeeman of Hartford township, north precinct and also of French township precinct for the Democratic party and he always has been a worker for party interests.