Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 29, Number 71, Decatur, Adams County, 24 March 1931 — Page 1

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FIXING SURVIVORS REACH PORT TODAY

lITEATTORNEY' ■ISIRCUMENT W TRIAI H v land Brooks Makes Ruing Statement in ■ Brothers Case Rnse lawyer ■argL" I R VMEI ’’ Ho '!■" UP ■pstimonv d - v. n persons V Bl'e'ln’is ■!.• <1 \lfred K>, Chicju.. I : i!.un.- police wil? p:eiiic‘i| today by Staler V'. <’ WayK oo ks in | HS opernng state- ■ the jut'.' 11 vil ' - Brothers. ■, V Krina. Brothers attor■lowed Brooks with the dest I I. chaiging ■o> states testimony is "a ■ip arranged with I amis pro-, ■ the T'S I l 'ro>tult pur-j ■fstimony." ■s and Krum made their, statements while pacing ■a huge drawing of the Ill■entral std,oat tinder Michiwne in whi> li Lingle was t own from I- bind last June e map was placed at an risible to the jury and com thers, attired in a doublepi blue suit sat with his atl. his chin cupped in his left the hand the state charges | he shot that killed Lingle, gh he was hearing the first I de revelation of the state’s! ■frothers showed no emotion.! Ks picked up a pointer as; | tan naming the seven key I Kes and used it to trace on I; Kp their knowledge of Lingle’sL Br. He did not name one who I. ■y saw the slayer fire the*. ■ bullet that struck Lingle. | I courtroom was strangelyL while Brooks in calm, even’, proceeded with his presents-L When lie concluded without ! pee to the death penalty,l, was hardly a stir. I prosecutor identified Lingle Chicago Tribune reporter, | ; whose assignments was “the , igation of crime and men., eted with it.” it was in pur- 1 e of his duties that Lingle, jt ling to Brooks, started out to rashington Park race track < ly he was killed. i found at the races,’’ Brooks “some of tlie men from whom i itained information. He also a regular attendant at the because he played them’ a 1 deal. igle was 25 feet beyond the 1 king of the subway's rise to 1 Illinois central station plat«’hen a single pistol shot k Mtn in the hack and center e head, paralyzing his brain. I’d so quickly that his jaw 1 d on a cigar he was smoking * be pitched to the floor still if a racing form. bind Lingle and the murder-; 1 (re Clark “Red” Applegate, a ' mky racing enthusiast, and file. They knew Lingle, but not aware that he was in the !l. 1 r and Mrs. Applegate were a ' w behind the reporter at the ' bullet and saw a young - b'TiNUED ON PAGE THREE) JI'S MEETING ELL ATTENDED I Wien at Men’s Broth- 1 r nood Meeting Mon- It day Evening 1 1 1 men attended the regular ' cm J he Mens Brotherhood ' Methodist Episcopal church, '"the church parlors at 7:30 , Monday evening. rr >' Thompson, well known <idreTJ n ' <i t liVere<l ,he » rinc1 ’ et nt the evenln « on the 1 ° f "Evangelism.” ecatn' D m I c Was fllrnisl ’ (l d by 1 bort . n g ‘ SChOOI Glee CMS, i lien hl S , were given by Bev - • heir r, the club - '•escnli- ] CU ' ar W ° rk in tl,a 1 «>d. Programs for the com- < other W ° rk were dis tHbuted < X r ° Utine bus iness was F D 1 ini had charge of the ‘ Mhich was followed by a I e o°Uhe a M rer ™ b ™nts y in i meltlnl \ arch se ” tion - The 1 “he M Ot . the Bl ‘>therhood t “ eld Monday April 13. j

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Vol. XXIX. No. 71.

Former Policeman Made Priest *•**" • % — Alt ••• •• . J ... * I ffifg jjO * w, * * A ■til I* y £ l Father Daniel 11. Daly, left, former Chicago patrolman, receiving the congratulations of Deputy Commissioner James B. Scanlon of Chicago police department. Six I tindred former fellow policemen thronged Visitation Church, win ie the newly ordained priest celebrated his first mass. -

SENIOR CLASS TO PRESENT PLAY Il Seniors of Kirkland High School Will Give Play March 27-28 — The Senior class of Kirkland high school will present, “Lookin’ Love- i iy.” a three act play, at the Kirk- [ land high school auditorium. Friday l and Saturday nights, March 27 and 28. The play is a comedy and has an| interesting and colorful story. The ' action takes place at the Bordine i farmhouse in the summer. Nylesl Andrews and Walter Fr.iechte are the business managers and Milton Dettinger is the head usher. Tickets for the play are on sale by the seniors of Kirkland high school or may be secured at the door. Following is the cast of characters : Persimmon —The faithful old colored servant in the Bordine home Virgil lienschen Winnie Bordine —Who has inherited the debt-ridden Bordine faun [ Dorothy Isch ! Amarilla —The village post-mist-ress and broadcaster .. Esther Smith Buddie and Clytie—Winnie's brother and sister Ted Mann and Pollyanna Lehman Jennie Mathews — A friend of Winnie’s now on the stage Ruth Yake' Speed Hawkins —The sheriff whose I one desire is to “catch” Amarilla Raymond Borne Esther Hastings—Who has been i abroad Jean Houck! Bill Baker A promoter looking for something to promote Robert Beery | Pirn Dugan His pall and fellow-' promoter Charles Sladen ! Cholly—A young Englishman and I dramatic critic Standely Thompson I Moe—A theatrical producer. Robert Brown I o — ! Robbers Use Torches To Open Bank Vault Carthage, Tenn. March 24 —(UP) The vault of the Smith county bank was broken into and robbed of S2O. 000 in cash early today, officials of the bank announced. The robbers used acethylene torches to open the vault. They temoved all cash in the bank, except sls and a handful of pennies, and escaped in a truck driven vp to the back of the bank. O Ax Slayer’s Children Put In Orphans’ Home Terre Haute. Ind.. March 24 —p (UP) —Five children of Mrs. Anna Watts, mother of Mildred Johnsdn,. 16, slain by her husband, Lawrence I Johnson, 22, here January 26. were placed in custody of Glenn Orphan's Home authorities today as a result of testimony introduced in the trial I of the youthful slayer last week. < In the trial of Johnson, who was i found guilty of first degree murder i after he confessed slaying his wife by beating heir over the head with > an ax, testimony was given that 1 Mrs. Watts was “of loose character j and “morally unfit to raise child-1] ren"

I'urn In lied lly I |*rr«*N

A. .1. Frost Is Named Bankruptcy Trustee — Portland. March 24 —A. J. Frost, [Portland, Monday was appointed ■ trustee for the J. A. Long properties by Wheeler Ashcraft, trustee it bankruptcy, with bond set in the 'sum of $611,000. The trusteeship includes the J. A. Long Produce company, Joseph A. Long, the Standard Supply company and the Hoosier I Produce company, the latter at New i I castle. Bond for the Long comany was [ .set at $300,000 for A. J. Long indiv i'dually $250,000 for the Standaid i Supply company $60,000 and for the ; Hoosier Produce company, temporarily at SI,OOO. ending further investigation. 0 _— D.C.STEPHENSON ASKS NEW TRIAL Former Klan Leader Files Coram Nobis Petition At Noblesville — Noblesville, Ind., Mar. 24. —<U.R), —A coram nobis petition for a new' trial fdr D. ('. Stephenson, former klan dragon of Indiana, who now is serving a life term in Indiana state prison on a murder conviction, was filed in Hamilton circuit court here I late yesterday. Jenkins. Parker | and Brown, Gary attorneys, filed | the petition with Judge Fred E. i Hines. Numerous petitions have been I filed with various courts by attorneys for Stephenson during the five land one-half years since a jury I found him guilty on the charge of ! murdering Madge Oberholtzer. Stephenson's contentions in his [latest petition are that he was unj able to obtain a fair trial because |of the mob spirit prevailing; that J he dared not testify in his own de- ! tense for the same reason; that his [ life was threatened before and dur--1 ing the trial and that Hiram W. I Evans, imperial wizard of the klan, I had $101),000 spent spreading proiiiiganda against Stephenson, on orders that he must be convicted, regardless of guilt. Several other contentions made in previous petition's by Stephenson, were reiter(CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO) o —. — Liquor Sells at Eight Chickens Per Pint Huntington, Ind., March 24—(UP) Liquor sells for eight chickens a pint in Huntington county, jurymen were told in the trial of Ernest Sprong, of Marion, alleged chicken 1 thief. He was sentenced to three to 10 i years imprisonment for the alleged I thefts. — ■ —— 0- —————— I. U. Band Will Play • Daily at State Fair Bloomington. Ind., March 24 — Indiana university's band will give daily programs,at the 1931 state fair Capt. J. J. Pirtle, faculty supervisor announced. Fifty members of the 100-piece university band will be selected to play V. E. Dillard, musical director [said. This will make the third apj pearance of the musicians at the I Fair, it was said.

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana. Tuesday, March 24, 1931.

INVESTIGATION OF GOVERNMENT IS DEMANDED New York State Legislature Decrees Thorough Probe of Affairs CITY DEPARTMENTS TO BE EXAMINED | Albany, N. Y„ Mar. 24.-<U.Rh 'The New York state legislature today decreed a top-to-bottom investigation of all angles of the New . York city government. Without waiting tor further ae- ' ■ tion on the negligence and misfeas-j lance charges brought to attempt | the removal of Mayor James J. ; I Walker, republicans in the state I 'capital last night started a drive! for a city-wide inquiry that was crowned with success a few hours I before dawn. The republican victory came as- 1 ter long, accumulated demands from civic and church organizations of the nation's largest city. (CONTINUED ON PAGE SIX) RENEWING GAS SERVICE LINES Work Has Started on Decatur Lines From Adams To .Jackson Streets I Work has started on renewing the gas service lines of the Northern Indiana Public Ser-ice Company on Second street from Adams street north to Jackson street and a dozen meu under the supervision of Del Stalter are employed on the job. Ferd O’Brien, manager of the local plant stated the work would take about six weeks and that the company would expend $2,000 in doing the job, of which $1,500 would be I paid out for labor. About 90 service lines will be renewed in the four blocks and the I pavement is being dug up in front I of the premises along the route. The I improvement is being made now. I Mr. O’Brien stated in order to give employment to labor and to put the new’ service lines down before the street is resurfaced. Individual services will be placed ialong the entire route at)d where . group connections are now’ in use these will be changed to individual connections. o Greensburg School Hangout For Thieves Greensburg Ind., March 24—(UP) —The West school building here has been found to be the hangout for petty thieves when Sheriff and policemen raided the building. Numerous articles of wearing apparel, food, blankets and a flashlight, was found in the attic by the officers. Identity of the robbers has not been discovered. ARGUE MOTION FOR NEW TRIAL Defense Attorneys For Virgil Kirkland File Motion Today Valparaiso, Ind., March 24—(UP) —A decision was expected here late today in the appeal of attorneys of Virgil Kirkland for a new trial. Kirkland was sentenced to life imprisonment on a charge of murdering Arlene Draves, his 18-year did sweetheart. Kirkland’s attorneys spent the morning arguing before Judge Grant Crumpacker but the life sentence was out of porportion to the crime upon which he was convicted. John Underwood, prosecuting attorney, was to present his arguments in opposition to the plea for a new trial, at the. afternoon hear ing. Oldest Jay County War Veteran Dies Portland, Ind , Mar. 24. —(U.R) — Jasper E. Franklin. 97. Jay county's oldest Civil War veteran, died at ids home nine miles southeast of here. Among the surviving relatives are 27 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

(Express Children From Athens, Greece Vincennes Ind., March 24 —(UP) —Three children all under ID years Lif age will be "expressed" from [Athens, Greece, to Vincennes, their I father, Peter Bourlekas who lives I here, said. The Children, Ernest 9, George 7, and Irene, 5. were taken to Greece a year ago by a relative. Bourlekas, unable to return for them, has a ’• ranged with the express company for their return. Representatives of the company will buy the children’s passports, mee’ them at trains, ami pay their expenses. COMMISSIONERS [TO APPOINT MAN Successor of John Hoffman To Be Selected at Special Meeting . Legal notice of the special meet- [ rug of the board of county com- ! missioners for the purpose of filling the vacancy caused by the death of John G. Hoffman, commissioner from the first district, will not be given until Friday, Al-1 bert Harlow, county auditor stated I today. It is the duty of the board of commissioners to select a man to fill Mr. Hoffman's place on the | bpard and the law requires that a • six day notice of the meeting be | given. If the notice is published . Friday the special meeting of the j commissioners will be held April 1 or 2, Mr. Harlow’ stated. Mr. Hoffman was serving the , second year of his second term ! and the man appointed will fill the vacancy until a successor is elect-1 ed in November. 1932. The new term wijl begin January 1. 1933. Several names have been mentioned as possible successors to Mr. Hoffman, but County Commis(CONTINUED ON PAGE I’IVE) > Q.— ....... . WHEAT PRICES CONTINUE DROP Lower Prices Follow Federal Farm Board Announcement Chicago March 24 —(UP) —Heavy trading in the last fifteen minutes [of a tense session on the Chicago Board of Trade today pulled wheat prices almost back to yesterday'-’ close, after they had hit new lows for 35 years. July wheat at one time today ' touched 58% cents, the lowest it has been since 1896. September closed at 59 5-8 cents hut during the day had sold at 59, also a new low for more than 30 years. Washington, Mar. 24 —(U.R) —A steady decline toward low jvorld price levels today appeared inevital[e for American wheat. Among growers and traders there was an added anxiety. It was the' question, rapidly assuming the aspects of one of tlie government’s biggest problems, of what the federal farm board would do with the vast stores of wheat 'I acquired through its stabilization operations. The board's handsome, goodnatured (hairman. James C. Stone was asked about this yesterday. He refused to go beyond the announcement by which the libard made known its decision to abandon wheat purchases after July J. (CONTINUED ON I’ -.'.E THREE) Amnesia Victim Is Held at Indianapolis Indianapolis, March 24—(UP) — An amesia victim, who repeatedly ask to see “Paul” was at the police headquarters here today, after he was found wandering on the National road, 40 miles west of town. The man appeared to be about 40 old, weighed about 150 pounds and was five feet nine inches tall Robert Edeson Dies After Short Illness Hollywood, Mrch 24 — (UP) — Robert Edeson, 61, veteran of stage and screen, died here early today after a short illness. Edeson was considered one if America's foremost actors, having I played many important roles during • his career on the legitimate stage I atage and in motion pictures.

Mnte, National (nil liil>-ru>iti>iunl N<-»«

HOOVER SPEAKS IN PORTO RICO THIS MORNING President Speaks To Legislature at San Juan, Porto Rico PRAISES RECORD OF THEO. ROOSEVELT San Juan. Porto Rico, Mar. 24. —<U.R) — Economic advancement jean !'■ made the “bulwark of liberty and freedom itself.'' President | Hoover told the people of Porto Rico this morning. He wan delivering his formal speech here before the legislature after a brief | visit to the island's largest city and just before returning to Ponce, I P.R.. there to embark on the Ixit-[ tieship Arizona for the Virgin j Islands. "We wish to see every Porto j Rican with the same opportunities in life to which we believe every American citizen is entitled," he said. “Economic advancement is not necessarily the foundation of morI al and spiritual advancement, but it can be made so if we so conduct our institutions that prosperity shall ll* diffused among all our | citizens. If we use its surplus to I advance the cultural, the moral I and spiritual welfare of our peo- . pie, then economic advancement ' serves not alone these purposes ! but becomes the bulwark of liber- | ty and freedom itself." The President praised the accomi plishments of the Porto Rican I people, noting the hardships in-1 ! flicted by the recent disastrous i hurricane and spoke words of eu- I couragement. He praised highly | the work of Col. Theodore Roose- J | velt. governor of Porto Rico. I Chief Justice Emilio Del Toro. greeting President Hoover, said: "All our spiritual and material forces are being mobilized for a nroper solution of our problems.! We are making extraordinary | .( CNTI.NUI- ON PAGE THREE) o— Two Elkhart Banks Reported Merged — Elkhart. Ind.. March 24 —(UP) —! Merger of the South Side Stat > j Bank and the St. Joseoh Valley ißank, both of Elkhart, became effective today, with all operations carried on at the St. Joseph Valley Building. Q Auctioneers To Give Program Over WOWO A mock auction sale conducted by Cols. Roy Johnson of this city and Carl Bartlett of Muncie will be given over radio station WOWO, Fort Wayne at 7:45 o’clock this evening. Cols Johnson and Bartlett have a sale of used automobiles in Foit Wayne Thursday and the program tonight will aid in advertising the event for Thursday. Friends of the auctioneers are invited to hear them this evening. STUDENT BOARD PROBES PARTIES Alleged Drinking Parties At I. U. Under Investigation Bloomington. Ind., Mar. 24 —(U.R) 1 —lnvestigation by student and i school leaders into alleged drink- i ing parties recently at Indiana I University fraternity houses, to- 1 day had the campus in an uproar ; while students awaited the action of the board of student affairs. ( Students have received reports that at least one fraternity house will be closed. It also was reported that several sorority girls had been expelled, and that others ' might follow. School authorities opened an investigation of the alleged drinking parties more than ten days 1 ago, after several dances at (CONTINUED ON PAGE STXI O Four Masked Men Rob Bank of $15,000 — St. Charles. Mo.. March 24 —(UP) h ! —Four masked men, dressed as far-1, mers. held up and robbed the Peop-j 'les Bank of $15,000 here today. The | I bandits escaped toward St. Louis 'in an auto driven by a fifth man. I

Price Two Cents

Commissioner Dead BW John G. Hoffman Funeral services for Mr. Hoffman. a member of the board of county commissioners will be held Thursday afternoon at the St. Paul Lutheran church. Preble township. Mr. Hoffman died Monday morning following an illness of pneumonia. PORTLAND JURY FREES J. A. LONG Poultry Dealer is Found Not Guilty of Criminal Assault Portland, Mar. 24. — (Special) — Joseph A. Long, for many years prominent in the wholesale poultry ! business here, last night was found | not guilty of a charge of criminal assault against Mae B. Denney in | a verdict returned by a jury after ■ an hour and 45 minutes’ delibera- ! tion. The final day of tlie trial took a (CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO) FATHER OF LOCAL ! TEACHER KILLED Alexander Short Killed While Hunting at Home Near Rockville Word has been received here of (he death of Alexander Short automobile salesman of Rockville, amt father of Miss Jessie B. Shor’, teacher of mathematics and Latin in the Decatur High School, who was accidentally killed Monday night about 8:30 o’clock, while hunting near his home. Mr. Short was chasing a ground hog near the fence in the back yard of his home, and when he attempted to climb over the fence, the gun which lie was carrying, accidentally was fired, killing Mr. Short. Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Short home. Miss Jessie Short left Monday night for Rockville. During her absence her classes in mathematics ami Latin will be taught by Mrs. ('. O. Porter, Hugh Andrews, and Superintendent M. F. Worthman. Accidential Death Rockville, Ind., March 24 —(UP) —A verdict of accidental death was returned today by coroner O. D. Switzer in the fatal shooting of Alexander Short 61, farmer near here, whose body was found at the edge of a field late yesterday. When Short tailed to return from hunting his wife started a searc.i and found the body lying along side a fence. The coroner expressed a belief Short had accidentally shot himself while dragging his loaded gun through the fence. Gary Lad Is Killed Instantly By Train Gary, Ind., March 24 — (UP) — Four-year old Kenneth Blanchard was killed instantly late yesterday when he walked onto the Michigan Central railroad tracks near his home, and was struck by a train. o Noblesville Boy Seriously Wounded Noblesville, Ind., March 24—(UP) —Guy Tomlinson, 14. was in a serious condition today from a .22 calibre bullet wound inflected arIcidentally by his brother, Ralph, 13, . while they were playing with a rifle. One of the boy’s lungs was punctured. The bullet, passed entirely through his body.

YOUR HOME PAPER—LIKE ONE OF THE FAMILY

RESCUE VESSEL SA6ONA ARRIVES AT ST. JOHNS. NF. 29 Mutilated Survivors Are On Board Relief Steamer AMERICANS THOUGHT KILLED IN BLAST St. Johns, N. F„ Mar. 24.—(U.R) — Tlie rescue ship Sagona steamed into port here today, bearing a tragic, battered group of 29 survivors of the sealer Viking, wrecked by an explosion in tlie grinding ice | floes off Horse Island. With its arrival, was revealed the fate of Varick Frissell and i Arthur E. Penrod, missing AmeriI cans. , Henry J. Sargent revealed that I Frissell actually was engaged in i making a sign to be placed on tlie powder magazine door, warning I the men to be careful, when tlie entire powder supply was ignited and Frissell and Penrod were blown up with the ship. “We were sitting at a table, Frissell. Penrod and myself." Sar- ' gent said, "when someone came in .and suggested that we make out a sign. ‘Danger,’ to be placed on I the door of the lewder magazine, l it was pointed out that the men were too careless and were entering the magazine witli lighted matches and cigarettes. "Frissell was actually- making out the sign. "Powder —Danger" when the explosion occurred. We were instantly enveloped in smoke and flames and separated by the force of the upheaval. “I never saw either of them again.” Sargent said. ’ Most of the group brought back to civilization by the Sagona were 1 injured. Some had broken limbi. Others crushed heads. And still others, their feet frozen, from exposure to the icy elements, limped lon improvised crutches. , Originally, the Sagona started | back from Whitt 1 Bay. near Horse | Island, with 126 survivors. All but 1129 it transferred to the steamer I Prospero, expected here later to- ' day. As soon as the Sagona was secured to tlie pier, doctors went I aboard and ordered eight of the (survivors removed to the hospital. I Among them were Captain Abram ' Kean and Mate Alfred Kean, of the ill-starred Viking. On the deck and from the salon windows of the Sagona could lie seen the Viking survivors, many whose faces were bandaged and others with arms in slings. They presented a spectacle which almost brought tears to tlie eyes of spectators on the pier. The more seriously injured were below, however. Tenderly the ambulance attendants lifted them into stretchers and carried them carefully off the ship. Not until (CONTINUED ON PAGE THREE) o — Zion Walther League Meeting Thursday The Zion Walter League will bold a meeting in tlie Zion Lutheran school house in this city, Thursday night at 8 o'clock. o BOARD ADOPTS SCHOOL TEXTS Books Now In Use Readopted For Use In Next Five Years Indianapolis, Mar. 24. —(U.R)I—The 1 —The textbook struggle, which drew the attention of the 1931 general assembly, was ended for the time being late yesterday when the state board of education, sitting as a school book commission, re-adopted for the next five years, the texts now in use. Books used in six subjects—English grammar, geography, home economics, U. S. history, physiology and spelling—were up for adoption this year. An attempt to further delay selection was made by President L. N. Hines, of Indiana State Teachers’ College, Terre Haute, but his motion to reject all bids in hand, and to receive others, was voted down. Dissatisfaction with the present (CONTINUED ON PAGE FIVE)