Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 28, Number 96, Decatur, Adams County, 22 April 1930 — Page 1

|vu;rATHfR Lnlly ‘°’ r and Wedne*•lightly co |der L. south portomght; light ' avy frost north Central portion*.

IHIO PRISON FIRE DEATH

ifc DOIT GETS sBfIYEARSFOR fcziIEMENT H n( | Banker Returns, H, Guilty And Is Maken to Prison BsTEH EARLY f T (H>\Y \T home \pr i I 22 - < l\<lc Bechdolt, lonin cashier of the Savin-’s and K .mi'aiiv. returned Ibis morning, was H i.neared in court. \. u illv Io a charge of iii' nt and was senla of two to 1 I Hi*' Indiana slate lined SIOO and Im, I l’**r mu' year by Gillispi. - ' authorities Hint 'lM*. return today. 727 . was learned homo - <l* pnty went jiie-ted him. II" ia "ii" hour and asked ' a hearing in court. I---- ami I once. i ,; ..b"ii and Homer Me-sm-i.il deputy sheriffs .. \iih Bechdolt for ct'. Becndolt's onlv about his wife for himself. am a hid it's over." v that t’le shortage I and -oale banking de nre now cheeking the the trust company and shortage is not known k Gihispi announced that hire would be called to the case. Other ■ r ■ f.lml against Rech- ' . eared la- t Thur- ■ roiii'.. sing to F E Mr M|Kr '" *“' z ' , ' l ’ :i:i ■ Ti company. It ’ "tit to M.mtcom w'i. *e his wife was Appointed |p w " s n i'P r '’ :n,p| i r °- ’■^F nr " Trust company by dM” ’ morning. His bond ;3|Meil T SIOO.OOO. >KB^ Ofa ' P<?°nle j|W * ’iHiherirh Xirpl.ine mibergh plane when gHB I '' "■ Sunday *.Venina aflß* l ‘* 1 o'clock. The plan" mm'’--- record for a flight heIBH’- ■ am! Koieevi.lt T| ]( . ph in( . salic I over Indianapolis ' his city to Cleveland «|^W'" ' in Bluffton and other '' where tite plan" ” was plainly seen. CsHß"'' I'eiatur and while sev hearing it hut on*' or have seen it. “ ~ o Bros to IM DINSMORE B Officer to Be In DeBat ur Wednesday I Night at 7:30 ’ ■ M. Dinsmore, superintendSf Hie Indiana Baptist Conwill deliver an address nt Baptist church Wednight at 7:30 o’clock. Dr. address will be open to an*l all members of the are urged by those of the meeting to attend. "ork of the state organiza■wmtghout the state will be and several important ■ 8 will be discussed by the ■ barter. R ev . O. E. Miller. will preside at the ami will introduce Dr. Wiorn. W ! "'ednesday night speaker is ■ ’he prominent church work- ■ ’he state and a large attend--8 expected. The meeting JB 8 hehi i n t | le s lln( ] a y School *W n "' n of the First Baptist

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Vol. XXVIII. No. 96.

Deeds Os Heroism Are Told Os Prison Fire

(Convicts Fight Hard to Save Fellowmen As Flames Spread Columbus, O„ April 22.— <U.R)-— Epochal feats of heroism stood out today as the only bright spot on the mournful picture of the Ohio penitentiary catastrophe. Stories of the bravery of men who risked death some to succumb—in order to aid their fel low men, were recounted from the parched and twitching lips of others who, paralyzed by terror, watched the heroic deeds performed. Most of the individual heroes were convicts, many assigned to the category of killers and major criminals. In the space of three gruesome hours, they expiated for a life of crime. In squads ami singly they tore keys from reluctant guards and unlocked doors, until solid walls of flames blocked their passage. They refused to be impeded, and swept their way through the flames and to death. Some carried axes, snatched from tired firemen. Others carried dubs grabbed at random from lumber piles in the prison yard. Others used only their bare strength, which was increased to super-hu-man proportions as the gasping walls of trapped comrades penetrated the crackling flames and smote the ears of their rescuers. Members of Company K. classified as and refused privileges accorded other prisoners, were among the first to become organized for the rescue work. Hollow-eyed, but filled with indifference for impending death, they filed time after time into the acrid corridors singly and in fours with stretchers, battering down dooraj and carrying out victims. A giant negro, worn to the point (CONTINUED ON PAGE THREE) CLEAN-UP WEEK IS DESIGNATED Rubbish Will Be Collected By City Trucks Week of April 28 City clean-up week has been designated for the week of April 28 anil he city trucks, under the supervision of Street commissioner Amos Fisher will start next Tuesday. Citizens are requested to gather tin cans and bottles and other rubbish from the yards and alleys and place it in containers,, so that the city clean-up force can gather it up and haul it away. If the containers are wanted, the citizen should notify the driver. Each year the city council designates one week of the year as clean up week and the city street department conducts the drive. Commissioner Fisher also requests residents not to throw or dump rubbish and rakings from the yard in o the street, as the department will not gather it up. The co-operation of the citizens will be greatly appreciated and the street department will do everything possible to gather up the winter s accumulation of cans and other unsightly objects from the alleys and yards. Ashes will not be hauled away by the department. To Visit Flood Area Mt. Vernon, Ind., April 22. —<U.R) Flood conditions in the lower Wabash valley are such that a visit to the entire flood control committee of the house will be made to this district soon, Congressman Frank R. Reid, chairman of the committee, told Mt. Vernon people last night. Reid had visited Washington, Petersburg, Princeton. Mt. < armel, Griffith, and New Harmony, and left Mt. Vernon for Evansville. Bandit Returns Loot Fort Wayne, inu., April 22. <U.R) An aching conscience was given as the reason for the return of a

S2OO diamond ring and ?26a in cash stolen from the home of W. H. Finke, Fort Wayne. Finke told detectives a woman called him and informed him the ring and money would be found in a paper tiack in his garage. This note was scribbled on the b& “My man took it when he was drunk and I would not use money gotten this way. I hdpe all that was taken is here.”

Furatuhrd Hy Lai I fed >*rr«»

COMMENCEMENT DATECHANGED Annual Even to Be Held Here Wednesday Nijrht, May 28’ The annual Decatur high school commencement, exercises will he held at Decatur high school auditorium Wednesday night May 28, instead of Friday night May 30 as was formerly announced, Superintendent M. F. Worthman stated this afternoon. Major Norman A. Imrie, professor of social science at Culver Military Academy will be the speaker. Major Imrie. who is prominent as an orator and lecturer had previously been secured for the May 30 'program, but consented to the change in date. The. change to Wednesday night from Friday was made because it was feared that many people anxious to attend the Commencement exercises might have planned other activities for May 30. which is Decoration Day. and decides! to make the date change, provided Major Imrie could come at an earlier date the same week. Major imrie consented to change his itinerary during the week of May 28 in order that he might be able to be in Decatur Wednesday night. o K. of P. Members to Attend District Meet A number of members from this city are attending the district meeting of the Knights of Pythias iTxnlge at Columbia City today. ■This evening the dramatic tram of Decatur will give the play. “Damon and Pythias”. Those attending from Decatur include, Messrs. Freeh Hower. M. E. Hower., W. Guy Brown, Charles Broilbeck, I Joe Hunter, John Parrish, F. V. I Mills, Dr. Harold Devor, S. E. Brown. Joe Elzey, Roy Mumma, W. F. Beery. Elmer Chase, Marion Hoagland, Frank ’Peterson, John Stults and D. B. Erwin. INTEREST HIGH IN CALF CLUBS Many Entries in Three Classes in Adams County For 1930-31 The Adams County Boys’ anil Girls’ Dairy Calf Club is divided into three divisions, they being first, second and third year classes. The calf club is conducted co-op-eratively with the Adams County Dairy Herd Improvement Association and a great many of the calves used in calf club work are obtained from members of thg association. The members may enter the club on a three-year basis. Those starting with first year calves this year may continue with the same calves in the second year club and those in the second year may continue with the same heifers in the third year club. The calf club being on a three-year basis qpables the members to study the growth and development of their heifer until maturity and tlie production of the heifer for the first six months of lactation. Another important phase of the calf club work is the club organization itself. The calf club is organized into a regular body consisting of officers and committees. The club meets bi-monthly and the members arrange a program consisting of educational lectures, home talent selections and have sociable times. In this way the < alf club not only affords the members the opportunity of learning how to produce a good dairy heifer but also enables them to develop themselves Into better citizens. The calf club officers for the year are: President, Calvin R. Steury; vice-president, Frederick Duff; secretary-treasurer, Lorine Rich. These officers will be assisted by the following leaders: Osia VonGunten, Dale Moses, Ralph Christy, Solomon Mosser and David J. Mazelin. The county agent wifi soon consult the officers and arrange for a meeting in the near (CONTINUED PAGE TWO)

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Tuesday, April 22, 1930.

NAVAL TREATY SIGNED TODAY BY 5 NATIONS > e Secretary Stimson Is First To Sign; Great Britain Signs PACT IS THREE POWER ON LIMIT St. James Palace, London, April 22.—(U.R) —The London naval treaty of 1930, in which Great Britain formally relinquishes spremacy of the seas which she ruled for so lone, was signed today. The treaty recognizes absolute naritv between the navies of Britain and the United States; limits the navies of Britain. the United States ami Japan until 1936; imposes a battleshipbuilding holiday on the five ehiel sea powers; humanizes submarine warfare and limits the size and armaments of submarines. The treaty was signed by Great Britain, the United States. Japan, France and Italy. The latter two. however, did not participate in the limitations sections, having been uha'ble to agree on their quarrel over parity. Although the treaty achieves only three-power limitation, it regulates the navies of the three greatest sea powers, ami is the first comprehensive naval limitation treaty in history, covering warships of every class. It was the culmination of the , five-power conference began with piigh hopes 92 days ago, on Jah. 21. i The final plenary session of the ' conference and the signing of the 'treaty took place in the dingy magnificence of QitVen Anne’s drawing room of the palace. The treaty apportions sea power until 193 G among the three chief navies. Their fighting strengths are stabilized for six ' years, equilibrium of sea power in the Atlantic and Pacific is established, and the foundation for Anglo-American parity laid. In addition to the failure to achieve a five-power agreement, the treaty fails in the amount of tonnage t eduction hoped for by the United States and En a >ard at the start. France refused to- participate i the full five-power treaty because the British refused to guarantee French security. Italy refused full participation because France rejected the principle of Italian parity with her they signed the portions of the treaty agreeing to a battleship holiday until 1936, humanization of submarine warfare, limitation of submarine size and armament and other minor matters, promising to continue their negotiations towards eventually joining the treaty fully. Secretary Stimson signed first for the United States, listed alphabetically as "America." He affixed his name at 1'2:40 p. m„ and was followed by Ambassador Char(CONTINUED ON PAGE SIX) CLUB MEETING TO DRAW CROWD Local Women Ureged to Make Luncheon Reservations Soon CLUB MEETING .OtheeW Plans are nearing completion for the annual meeting of the Eighth District Federation of Clubs to be held at the Decatur Country Clu*> next Tuesday, April 29. Club women from all over the Eighth district will attend the meeting. Mrs. John W. Tyndall, district president will preside at the morning and afteinoon sessions. All Decatur club women are urg ed to attend the convention. Tickets for the luncheon, which will be served at 12:30 o’clock next Tuesday afternoon at the Country Club are on sale and may be obtained from Mrs. Tyndall or Mrs. O. L. Vance, district sec/etary-treasurer and chairman of the luncheon committee. Tickets also may be obtained front any affiliated club, president. Local women are urged to make their reservations for C?*e luncheon at once. The meeting will be an allday affair with sessions the morning and afternoon. Many visitors are expected.

Rev. Hoff Observes 25th Year As Priest The Rev. William Hoff, pnstor of SS. Peter ami Paul's Catholic church, Huntington, celebrated his 25th anniversary in the priesthood Monday. A solemn high mass was celebrated at 10:30 o'clock, with the Rt. Rev. Bishop John F. Noll, D.D., of Fort Wayne attending the brant of the mass. The Rev. Fath- I services. Father Hoff was ceb>er J. A. Seiinetz of this city wa< | a. deacon of honor at the mass ; Many prieste from Indiana ami Ohio attended the silver jubilee mass. BELIEVES FREE : LIBRARY WOULD ( AID CHILDREN M. F. Worthman Favors' County-Wide System of Free Library OTHERS JOIN WITH ADVOCATES "Township children who are being deprived of the use of free library books are being cheated partly of their rights as young Americans,’’ M. F. Worthman, superintendent of Decatur public schools said today concerning the proposal started some weeks ago that Adams county have a free county library system. Much headway is being made by advocates of the county-wide system and many prominent Adams county citizens are joining ranks with those in favor of the free sys-j tern with the center library located at Decatur. The subject, which was first discussed in Decatur by local club women in 1920 was re-opened for discussion a ”ew weeks ago by Mrs. J. Sutton at a county meeting* of the Federation of Clubs. Worthipan's statement is as follows: "If any child in Adams County is being deprived of the free use of library books, he is being cheated partly of his rights as a young American citizen. Personally, I have always believed and have avdocated that many supplementary library books should be available for all children. We, teachers, teach from text books, but one text book on a particular subject cannot bring to our school children the wealth of interest and knowledge that they might get from a generous supply of books. The ambitious child must be given books for further reading An array of good books is a great asset to any conscientious teacher. Consequently, I am favoring a free library for Adams County. A county library on wheels will mean that every school, every community, in fact every individual will be given the privilege in securing recon*-j mendable books and worthwhile magazines. The township children and adults should be given the same privileges which are now being on joyed by the city population " Urges Tree Spraying Lafayette, Ind., Aipril 22—(U.R) — Weather conditions during the last two eeks have been particularly favorable to development of apple scab, C. L. Burkholder, Purdue University horticulturist, announced today in warning apple growers to protect their crops. Burkholder said effectiveness of the first spray application had been reduced greatly by recent heavy rains. He suggested that spraying lie begun immediately upon cessation of the spring showers. 0 _» Plan Reception For Rev. B. H. Franklin The members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of this city will hold a public reception for Rev. B. H. Franklin, their new pastor. Wednesday evening at 8 o'clock. All members and their families are especially urged to be present and the public is also invited. A special program has been arranged and a genera! social time will be enjoyed. o Report Seeing Eagles Portland, Ind., April 22.—(U.R) — Two large eagles have been seen in the vicinity of Portland recently. Farmers report the birds have invaded barn lots to capture poultry, lambs and small pigs. It is said the birds have wing spreads of seven or eight feet.

Hitttr, Ami liHrrffNllouul

TOLL MOUNTS

PRESBYTERIANS CLOSE TWO-GUV MEETING HERE Annual Session of Fort Wayne Presbytefy Is Completed Today MUCH BUSINESS IS TRANSACTED BULLETIN The Fort Wayne Presbytery j late this afternoon voted to permit women to act as elders and deacons in this Presbytery. At 3:45 o'clock the session in [ final meeting was urging the question of permitting women to be ordained ministers. Rev. 11. B. Masters of Philadelphia, Pa., chairman pl the Presbyterian Ministerial Pension hoard and former oastor of the Bort Wayne Preshvtery and Rev. G. 11. Bachelor, oastor of the Presbyterian church of Ligonier were nominated principal commissioners Io the General Assembly to be held this summer at Cincinnati and Bev. J. L. Chesnut of Fori Wayn” :«nd Bev. W. G. Pitkins of Howe were nominated as principal alternatives, at the morning session of the annual spring convention of the Fort Wayne Presbytery being held at the PresThe annual spring session was hyterian Church here. scheduled to close late this afternoon with the election of both I pastor and lay commissioners to ; the general assembly. It was pointed out that while Rev. Masters and Rev. Bachelor were the only two nominees to the assembly that others could lie nominated from the floor just before the election this afternoon. The election of the two regularly nominated at noon today, however, seemed certain. Lay commissioners also will be chosen late this afternoon and a stated e’erk of the session also will he elected. It was understood that there wa* no opposition to Rev. A. P. Bourns, present clerk and that in all probabilities he would be re-elected session clerk. Much business was disposed of at the Tuesday morning meeting. Various committee reports were heard and adopted. Several interesting di cussions took place and committees were appointed by tCONTINUED ON PAGE TWO) — o PASTOR URGED TO RETURN HERE Evangelicals Endorse Rev. M. W. Sunderman . and Ask Return By a unanimous vote, the board of trustees of the First Evangelical church of Decatur passed a resolution asking that the Rev. M. W. Sunderman, pastor of the local Evangelical church be returned to Decatur for another year .The meeting was held at the Evangelical church lar.t night. The board also voted to insfru"t the lay delegates from the local church to carry the resolution to the stationing hoard at the annua! convention to lie held nt South Bend, April 30 to May 4. Rev. Sunderman has been pastor of the local chunh for two years. Members of the church choir ami wives of the trustees also passed a resolution endorsing the action of the board in seeking the return of Rev. Sunderman. Following the business session the pastor was invited into the meeting and several 'short talks ot appreciation were given. Following the meeting refreshments were served to those present. 0 Demands Suspension of Warden Temporarily Columbus, 0., April 22—(U.R) • County Prosecutor John J. Chester today demanded that Warden P. E. Thomas of the state penitentiary be suspended until responsibility for last night's prison tire has been fixed. The request was made to State Director Hal H. Griswold, Thomas’ immediate superior. Griswold declined to discuss it.

Price Two Cents

FAMOUS FIRES 'U.R) The fire at the Ohio State | Penitentiary, because of its heavy loss of life, will be classed as one of the worst disasters In recent history. It was the first groat prison fire. Other fire disasteis were mainly in theatres, churches and schools. Among the greatest fires of | this century were: Church at Coteshti, Rountania, 11(1 deaths, April 18. 1930. , Motion picture theatre, Chinkal Naval Base, Southern Korea, lU4 deaths, March 10, 1930. Glen Cinema, Paisley, Scotland, 72 deaths, Dec. 31. 1921). Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, O„ 125 deaths resulting from , fire releasing poison gases, Muy 15, 1929. I mirier Palace Theatre, Montr al, 76 deaths, Jan. 9, 1927. Theatre, Drumcollogtier, Ireland. 40 deaths, Sept. 5,192 G. School, Babb's Switch, Okla., 37 deaths. Dec. 24. 1924. School. Cleveland, N. C.. 73 deaths, May IS, 1923. Chemical plant, Pittsburgh, Pa., 100 deaths. May. 1925. Explosion and fire, Halifax. N. S„ 1.22(1 deaths, Dec. 6. 1917. Italian Theatre, Calumet, Mich., 72 deaths,- Dec. 24. 1913. Mining and lumber property. Porcupine district, Ontario, 400 deaths. July 10, 1911. Factory, New York, 147 deaths, March 25, 1911. ■Flores Theatre, Acapulso, Mexico. 300 deaths, Feb. 2, 1909. School. Collinwood. 0., 171 deaths, March 4,190 S. Mining property, Fairmount. W. Va., 400 deaths, 1907. Earthquake and fire, San Francisco, over 500 deaths. | April 18. 1906. itiqtiois Theatre, Chicago, 575 deaths. Dec. 30, 1903. Rhodes Opera House, Boyeftown. Pa., 169 deaths. Jan. 12, | 1903. Baptist Church. Birn*lnghani, ■ | Ala., Jls deaths. Sept. 20, 1902. Dock and Ship fire. Hoboken, N. J., 215 deaths, June 30. 1900. ® 0 HONOR ROLLS ARE ANNOUNCED Mary Helen Lose Is 1). C. H. S. Leader for Second Time The honor rolls for the* last six week's are completed with 'SB members of the high school attain ing honors. The freshmen have 23 members of the class on the honor rolls. Mary Helen Lose, a junior, has for the second time gained thhighest number of points on the high honor roll. She scored 34 points. High Honor Seniors: John Schmitt, Leo Schultz, Lawrence Beckmeyer, Viola Schmitz, Edith Lengerich, Helen Voglewede. Helen Finan. Juniors: Mary 11. Lose. Leo Dowling, Richard Wertzberger, Flotihla Harris, Monica Heiman. Mary Kohne, Loretta Malley, Henrietta Spangler. Sophomores: Mary Wertzberger, Florence Lengerich. Patricia Holt ' house, Naomi Faurote, Frances Lengerich, Barbara J. Keller. Matilda Yurkovic. Freshmen: Julius Baker. George Gase, J. Heblile, Charles Kruse. A. Spangler, J. Straub, M. Miller, Mildred Teeple, M. Rumschlag, N. Rumschlag, Mary Ullman. Honor Roll Seniors: Margaret Schumacker, Mary Fisher. Gerald Gage, John Schurger, George Harris. Juniors: Robert Eiting. Arthur Krick, Thomas Voglewede, Edna Schultz, Theresa Baker. Rose M. Schurger, Helen Teeple. Sophomores. Mary Ann Ixise. Freshmen: Edward Geimer, John Junk, R. Lengerich, G. Schultz. Mark Schurger, Mary J. Colchin. Dorothy Heiman, Dolores Kleppar, D. LaFontaine, A. Lengerich, Mary ('. Leonard, Lucille Miller. o : Decatur Young Lady Is Honored at Indianapolis Word was received that Miss Geraldine Hower, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Hower of this /ty, who Is a sophomore at N. A. G. U. Indianapolis, has been pledged to Delta Ph! Kappa, and honorary physical education sorority. The pledge, services were hied at the Lincoln. Hotel, Indianapolis.

YOUR HOME PAPERLIKE ONE OF THE FAMILY

DEATH COUNT REACHES 319; MANY INJURED Convicts Aid In Orderly Fashion; Believe Mutiny Was Planned BELIEVE TOLL WILL BE HIGHER BULLETIN Columbus, Ohio, April 22— (Special)—The death toll at the Ohio State Prison fire mounted late this afternoon to 319. About 125 other prisoners are expected to die from burns. Another hundred prisoners are given a good chance to recover. BULLETIN Columbus. 0.. April 22. — (U.R)— The slow death that comes from burns and smoke-choked lungs continued to claim victims today of the fire at Ohio State prison where 315 men already have perished. Hospitals reported there were approximately 150 injured persons who had slight chance of recovery, and 100 others were suffering minor hurts. Pending the findings of the investigation ordered by Hal Griswold, state welfare director, it was said by officials that all evidence indicated prisoners had started the blaze in an attempt to escape. A pile of charred clothing, found in the cell tier where the fire started, was the evidence on which the theory was based.. All relief agencies were mustered here today with physicians and nurses volunteering to attempt to save the lives of the convicts who fought their way out of the blazing trap that their own comrades had set. In a cattle-barn on the State Fair Grounds, the dead were stretched in rows. All but 35 have been identified. Warden P. E. Thomas suspended guard Thomas Watkinson today, pending investigation of charges that Watkinson refused to relinquish to other guards keys to cells in which the convicts lost their lives. To Offer Aid Washington, April 22. —(U.R)- -The justice department today iWrecteil Albert MacDonald, warden of the reformatory at Chillicothe, 0., to offer whatever assistance he can to Warden Thomas of tha Olrfti State prison. Chillicothe is only 40 miles from Columbus. MacDonald will proceed immediately to Columbus where he will confer with Thomas as to the advisability ot housing some ot the State prisoners at the Chillicothe reformatory. Ctrhiinbiis, Oho. April 22 (U.R) The most appalling prison lire in historv, started in a Fruitless attempt tit mutiny, brought death to 31 I trnjiiot'e convicts al the state (CONTINUED ON PAGE SIX) DEAN DORWIN AWARDED S2OO Wins Third Place In National Chemistry Essay Contest Word was received here today that Deane Dorwin, student-instruc-tor at Ball Teachers College at Muncie and a son of Mrs. Maude Dorwin of Decatur, had been awarded third prize of S2OO for an essay on ‘‘The Relation Os Chemistry To The Development Os An Industry." Mr. Dorwin is a graduate of Decatur high school and attended college at. Franklin and Butler. This year he enrolled as a part time str. dent i.t Ball Teachers college anil then received an appointment as n chemistery instructor at the college. The essay contest was sponsored by the American Chemistry Society at Washington, D. C. The Society gave each contestant a question. * and all papers were graded by t> chemist. Mr. Dorwin received thii.l prize and the letter which accompanied hi.-* prize stated that there was little difference between the papers submitted by the first threo prize winners.