Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 36, Number 303, Decatur, Adams County, 24 December 1938 — Page 1

ol XXXVI. No. 303.

BISTMAS TO [EOBSERVED IN THIS CITY |in j|y Gatherings And Church Programs To Lead Observance Undents ot the city schools were hying their first day of the any Christmas vacation today fol|ine their dismissal Friday at 10011 ■ ~ the junior-senior high school, ; elaborate Christmas program presented with Christmas Jeaax. chorus singing and othriitertaininent comprising the »ram. Santa Claus made his M! auce at both the high and itral schools. leauwhile the city of Decatur i preparing to commemorate ’holiday, starting tonight with observance of Christmas Eve. lily gatherings are expected to prevalent tonight as youngsters I grownups wait for the arrivSt. Nick. jn Sunday the city and cdm6lty will mark Christmas Day. irches will mark the day with tors delivering the appropriate nous. At the St. Mary’s Catholchurch, nine masses will be L the first at 5 a. m. hniily dinners with the menu iposed of Christmas delicacies I be the main observance of the -following the morning church rices. Several churches will alpresent Christmas programs day night. hi Christmas Monday, the city lobserve a legal holiday. Busii will be generally suspended, post office will be closed, as | the bank and other public dings. No mail will be deliverfront the post office with the eption of special deliveries and I packages. she Daily Democrat will not llish Christmas Monday since day has been declared a legal Hay. He Christmas celebration will climaxed Monday night with a re at the Decatur country club, bored by the Delta Theta Tau I Psi lota Xi sororities. The afiis known as the annual charball. since the proceeds are to used for deserving families, dthough business will be resumhere on Tuesday, school studl will have a full week of vakrn remaining. The rural tools will resume classes on i Years Monday, while the city ools will not convene classes il Tuesday, January 3. o IIEF STEALS MS PRESENTS resents Taken From Under Tree At Clyde Butler Home Ity police and the sheriff's delatent were looking today for a lag and despicable criminal — one who last evening entered Clyde Butler home on North and street and stole all the preit from under a Christmas tree. It Cutler this morning cstlmatthe value of the presents at I The loot included an electric htmaster. a pair of shoes, drescameo ring, shirts, socks, ties I other presents, which were to given to members of Mr. and 1 Butler’s families. he thief went to the basement ihe home and secured a clothes let in which to carry away the packages. A *gw toys, bearing name of Mary Jo, daughter ot and Mrs. Butler, were the only lages not taken. theft occurred about 6:30 °ok last evening while the ButI were not at home. The thief led entrance by prying open a idow. A knife was stuck in the ICO"’INUED ON PAGE SIX) o Buys Health Bond I — ♦ Northeastern Indiana disII nurses association as vot-

ed purchase of a $5 health bond, W. Guy Brown, chairman of the Christmas Seal drive, announced today. Proceeds from the health bond fund are used to aid in the fight against tuberculosis and to provide milk for undernourished children.

fesTMAS .SEALS rir fil I ? o I/// WU isJiinn P* 0 Protect [j'Nomsfrom percuioji,

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Note Little Change In \ ictims’ Conditions Little change was reported today in the conditions of Mr und Mrs Lloyd Deßolt Decatur residents, who were Injured In the train auto collision at the High street crossing of the Nickel Plate' railroad Monday night, December 12. Both have been In a serious condition since the wreck, which I resulted in fatal injuries to Miss Agnes Beer, also of Decatur. CANDLELIGHT VESPERS HERE Christmas Vespers At M. E. Church Sunday Afternoon Candle light Christmas vespers will be held at the First M. E. church Sunday afternoon at 4:30 o’clock. Following is the complete program : Prelude: Violin and Organ, Mrs. R. W. Graham, Mrs. Avon Burk. Processional: “O Come All Ye Faithful," young peoples choir. Call to worship, the minister. Invocation, followed by the Lora’s Prayer. Christmas Carols, to be sung by the congregation. “Joy to the World,” history of •he '•ompositlon and author. "The First Noel," history of the composition and author. Cnristmas anthem, young peoples choir. Christmas carol to be sung by the congregation. “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks." Christmas scripture lesson: Luke 2. 1-20. Christmas anthem, young peoples choir. Christinas carol to be sung by the congregation. t “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" history ot composition. "The Nativity Scene" in tableau. The Service of the Candles: Christmas carol to be sung by the voting peoples choir. “Silent Night.” Vesper prayers by members of the congregation. Hymn “Holy. Holy, Holy,” by; (CONTINUED ON PAGE THREE) O Philippine Mail Clerks Are Slain Manila, P. 1., Dec. 24.—(U.R)—Two mail clerks were found shot to death in the baggage car when the Ilocos-Manila express train, reportedly carrying $75,000 in gold, arrived at Manila station late tonight. It was not immediately ascertainable whether the gold was stolen. _o_ ——— Harrv Hopkins Takes Oath As Secretary ■ - — Washington. Dec. 24.— (U.R) — j Harry L. Hopkins, lowa born, and former works progress administrator, took oath of office today as the secetary of commerce. Forty-four persons headed by President and Mrs. Roosevelt attended the ceremony in the president’s private study. Col. Harrington, designated ,by President Roosevelt as acting WPA administrator took over Hopkins' post. oCHECKS MAILED TO TAX UNITS County Auditor Mails Checks From Novemer Installment Checks are to be mailed today by Adams County Auditor John W. Tyndall to all taxing units in the county and to the state, representing the money collected during the November tax installment periodThc totals of the checks aie. state, $22,620.57: Blue Creek township. $2,929.77; French t «’ nship ’ $2,328.17; Hartford township. $.,- 054 01; Jefferson township, $, Kirkland 414-14: Monroe townsh p Preble township. * township, $4,073.56; St. Marys township, $6,468.13; Union township $2,189-34: Wabash township. $11,347-24; Washington township, I "£? »«.. .>»«•■ r* ■ Bel 41 757 32’ Decatur school, “ a P° or ‘ owlish ' p '

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

BOARD APPROVES AUDITOR REPORT Settlement Sheet For Past Six Months Approved By State The settlement sheet, accounting for the money received and spent Iby Adams county during the last six months, has been approved by ; the state board of accounts and returned to Adams County Auditor Jonn W. Tyndall, who prepared it. The settlement sheet accounts for $210,795.41 handled during the last six months period. The sum of $213,208.30 was due the county In current property 1 I taxes. There was also owing the ! county $14,958 in delinquent taxes making a total due the county of $228,166.49. There remained unpaid after the November tax paying time $10,576.50 in current taxes and $12,560.77 in delinquent taxes making a total unpaid of $23,147.27. In addition, unpaid assessments amounted to $354.64 and certificates ot error to $211.16, making a total of money to be distributed of $204,463.42. from property taxes. There was ;'lso reported the following collections: bank taxes. $5,346.81; building and loan association taxes, $919.93and moratorium taxes $919.93 making a total available for distribution from all sources, $210,794.41. Distribution Auditor Tyndall showed the following distributions; State tax $4, 544.86; common school relief, $9,082.63; teachers retirement, $2,837.41; board of agriculture. $413.72, state forestry fund, $236.41; educational improvement, $2,334.25; Indiana Wolf Luke park fund, $233.44. County tax; $28,424.27; county welfare fund. $11,882.92; county bonds. $4,729. Township: $8,757.42; tuition; $27, : 884.71; special school, $59,164.87;; school building, $5,112.44; lownship. $131792.38; township road bond, $lB,164.50; liberty tax. $2,791.35; general fund of corporations: SIB,BBI.(CONTINUED ON PAGE SIX) O — GIVES REPORT ON INSANITY Sheriff’s Office Releases Report On Insanity Patients A compilation released today in :he county sheriff's office, disclosed that during the four-year term of Sheriff Dallas Brown, which ends January 1, a total of 39 residents of Adams county were held in custoday on insanity complaints. Os this number six were found sane and 33 were admitted to the state hospital for the insane at Richmond. Os the complaints, 10 were from, Decatur, seven from Monroe township. four from Wabash township, three each from Geneva, Root and Washington townships, two each from Preble. Hartford and Blue C”eek, one each from Berne, St. Mary’s and French townships. The number of complaints filed thus far in 1938 is equal to last year’s number, the largest number iin recent years, according to the records. Thirteen complaints have already been filed in 1938.' Os these but one was found sane by the court and ione was re-committed. The other 11 were admitted for the first time. Os the 11 admitted, two have been | released and one has died. In 1937 13 complaints were filed ' and two were found sane. Os the 11 admitted four have been released and three have died. Seven complaints were tiled in 1936 with three of the seven found by the court and the other four admitted to Easthaven hospital at | Richmond, Os the four one has .been released and two have died. In 1935 six complaints ware filed, one was found sane and the other five were admitted to Easthaven. Os these five, three have been rereased and two are dead. It is the duty of the sheriff to hold the alleged insane patients until after examination by the physicians and a hearing before the court. If adjudged sane the patient is released. If adjudged insane, it is the duty of the sheriff to take the patient to the asylum. The records were compiled in the sheriff’s office by Deputy Sheriff Leo Glllig. Easthaven authorities have indicated that the hospital is taxed to full capacity and tnat the county at present has its quota fil - ed.

Decatur, Indiana, Saturday, December 24,1938.

Nazi-U. S. Relations Strained

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Sumner Welles Dr. Hans Thomsen U. S. state department’s refusal to apologize to Germany for Secre tary of the Interior Harold L. Ickes’ denunciation of dictatorships in a recent Cleveland speech projects these men into the news spotlight At the same time, diplomatic and commercial relationship between the United States and Germany was seen as edging toward the break ing point. Acting Secretary of State Sunnier Welles bluntly rejected the Nazi demand for an official American apology. Welles told Dr Hans Thomsen, German charge d'affairs, that his government's request came with ill grace and impropriety In light of persistent attacks on American leaders by the controlled Nazi press. ,Dr. Thompson Is taking Ambassador Hans Dieckhoff’s place while that envoy remains "indefinitely" in Germany.

NEAR TRAGEDY MARS CONTEST Art Baker Severely Injured During Delphos Game Near tragedy struck the Decatur night at Delphos, Ohio in the early j Commodore basketball team last; night at Delphos, Ohio in the early part of the Commodore St. John’s . game. Leaping high into the air after the ball with one ot the opposing players, Art Baker, veteran Commodore player, sustained a freak injury that disrupted the game for fore than half an hour. Falling to the flor. Art suddenly cramped up and then slowly stiffened, his entire body turning blue.. Players and friends, thinking he was dying, screamed for a physi- ‘ clan. Some attributed his recovery to the quick thinking of a spectator, who sat close to the player. He rolled Art over on his stomach and began applying artificial respiration. The physicians, upon arrival began treating him. After being unconscious foi more than an hour, he railed and was able to walk away from the gym with the aid of his teammates. The phy(CONTINUED ON PAGE SIX) Regular Legion Meeting Tuesday The regular Legion meeting of i Adams Post No. 43 of American Legion will be held Tuesday, Dec. 2? at 8:00 o’clock at Legion hall. All members are urged to attend the last meeting ot 1938.

Business Outlook Series Is Prepared By I. U. Experts

(Editor’s Note: This is the second of a series of articles on the various lines of Indiana business prepared by members of the faculty of the Indiana University School of Business Administration.) Problems of Commercial Banking In Indiana During 1938 by (Dr. H. C. Sauvain, Director, Indiana University Bureau of Investment Research.) The most encouraging development to commercial bankers of Indiana during the past year has been the slight improvement in demand for loans by qualified borrowers. Although up-to-date data for Indiana banks as a group are not available, figures published currently by the federal reserve authorities for member banks in the Chicago and St. Louis federal reserve districts indicate clearly that the shrinkage in demand for loans which began with the business recession of 1937 has given way to renewed expansion. Since last summer the commercial banks through this part of the country have been reporting

Church Os God To Give Pageant Sunday “And There Were Shepherds." 1 is the name of the pageant to be given at the Church of God Sunday night at 7:30 o'clock. The shepherds are: Robert Strickler, Emery Hawkins, Clarence Strickler, Charles Chase. Herald, Catharine Pyle. Children — LaVaughn Strickler, Billie Bollinger. Joseph—Paul Strickler. Mary—Bonnie Flyback. Angels —Doris Andrews, Herbert Hawkins. FIRSTAUCTION STUDENT HERE Reppert Auctioneering School Will Open Tuesday The first student of the 1938 fall term of the Fred Reippert School of Auctioneering, which opens here next Tuesday, arrived in Decatur today. He is Albert Messersinith of Monte Vista, Colorado. Between 40 and 50 students are expected to be enrolled in the class by the opening day. The classes will convene T les day morning at 9 o'clock in the Yager building. All classes will be held there during the three weeks tenn. The first of the public sales will be held next Saturday and each week day evening during the remaindei of the term. Col. Reppert, founder of the school, will supervise its classes The instructors include Col. Roy Johnson, the Rev. Harry Thomp son and Col. Jack Brunton, of this city.

somewhat higher totals for loans, particularly those for ordinary business purposes. This improvement is of course attributable to the vigorous upswing in business which has developed during the last half of the year and which has caused many business concerns to seek additional bank credit in order to finance a larger volume of business. With most business observers optimistic about business prospects for 1939. it would appear that the outlook for some further increase in bank loans is moderately favorable. The trend of bank investments during the last year or so has been almost directly opposite to the trend of loans. The contrac tion in loans concurrent with the business recession provided the banks with additional funds for which they were obliged to seek employment in bond investments. As a result security holdings have increased quite appreciably since the latter part of 1937. As a matter of fact, this upward trend has not yet been affected by the recent expansion of loans and total bank investments are (CONTINUED ON PAGE FOUR)

Wea/t/iy Ohio Farmer Found Conscious; Is Believed Shot In Attempted Assassination Plot

SEVEN KILLED IN EXPLOSION OF AIRPLANE Bodies Os Victims, Plane Wreckage Scattered Over 15 Acres Uniontown, Ala.. Dec. 24—<U.R> —Something extraordinary occurred aboard the army bomber which crashed in flames last night, after an explosion heard 20 miles away, killing seven men. The bodies of all were horribly •;egmentrd and the segments were scattered over an area of 15 acres The largest piece of the plane which could be found was a tiny segment of its tail bearing the single word, “army." Army officers supervising the task of gathering the pieces of human bodies and fragments of airplane from the black mud of the rein-soaked prairie country, were sure of only one thing — that it hadn’t been an ordinary airplane accident. Apparently here had been a terrific explosion aboard the ship just before it ’rasned. They received a suggesion of sabotage in silence. An >rmy board of inquiry will go into hat later. Early today, only the fragments as four bodies had been gathered ind these fragments could not be ascribed to one identity. The pieces making up three more bodies still were to be found. The crew of lhe ship was as follows: First Lieut. James Dennis Undirhid, 28, Morgantown. N.C., pilot. First Lieut. John W. Pollard, army air reserve, Wasco, Cal., ao-pilot Capt. Fred Rueb, 36. army medcal corps, Letterman hospital, -an Francisco Presidio. Second Lieut. John Hydle. 30th egiment, San Francisco Presidio. Private Shelton S. Johnson, Northville, N. Y. Private Humpert Marro, Los kngeles. Private Ben L. Jones, Asheville, N. C The plane was a B-18 twin-mot-he bomber which crashed during ared Doi glas bomber, identical to a rain siorm near Lagrange, Ga.. Nov 18, killing eight soldiers. It was raining hard when the plane crashed last night. It flew low over Uniontown soon after 6 p in. suggesting that the pilot was not sure of his way. Soon after it had passed over, there was a terrific explosion which, Uniontown esidents said, was accompanied by a burst of flames and rattled the windows of houses for miles around The explosion was heard by residents as far as 20 miles away. The p'ane apparently settled to (CONTINUED ON PAGE THREE)

V. E. MCKISSIC TAKEN BY DEATH

Resident Os Near Geneva Dies Friday At Bluffton Hospital

Vector Earl McKissic, 57, resident of near Geneva, died at the Wells county hospital in Bluffton Friday evening at 5:30 o’clock. Hp had been in serious condition following a major operation 10 days ago. The deceased was born near Geneva July 18, 1881, the son of Adam and Elizabeth McKessic. He married Anna Welsh July 1, 1899. Mr. and Mrs. McKissis moved to Bluffton, where he was employed at the Red Cross factory for 22 years. He served one year as a member of the Bluffton city council. The family fnoved to a farm near Geneva in 1935. Mr. McKessic was a member of the Mothodist church. Surviving are the mother, the widow, one son, Don McKissic, of Bluffton; three daughters, Mrs. Esther Ross of Fairfield, Ohio. Mrs J Gwendolyn Wagoner, of Detroit,; Mich.; and Mrs. Genevieve Nute, of Chicago, 111., two sisters, Mrs. Marion Coon, of Muncie; and Mrs. Al Eckrote. of Texas, two brothers Charles McKissic, of Greenfield and John McKigsic, of Geneva. Two (CONTINUED ON PAGE SIX) i

WREN RESIDENT TAKES OWN LIFE Mrs. John Krick Commits Suicide At Family Residence Mrs. John Krick. 46, committed suicide with a .22 ca. bre rifle Friday at the family home, one mile northeast of Wren, Ohio, hi Willshire township. The tragedy was discovered by her husband, who found the body on the floor of the family automobile, between the front and rear seats. Despondency over ill health is believed to have been the cause of her act. According to members of her family, Mrs. Krick had been ailing mentally for several weeks. Tracks in the snow, officers said, indicated she first walked to the right of the dwelling, then to the left side of the home, where the auto was parked. Entering the car. Mrs. Krick loaded the rifle which had been used by Mr. Krick while hunting Thursday. The bullet, a .22 long, entered the right side of the temple, above the opening of the ear and was embedded in the brain. The deceased was a native of Liberty township. Van Wert county. and besides the husband is survived by 12 children, the mother, Mrs. Anna Mihm, of Toledo, O„ and a sister, Mrs. Peter Agler, ot Fort Wayne. Funeral services will be held at the Ridge U. B. church, northwest of Rockford, 0., Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Burial will be in the church cemetery. q • CHURCH PLANS TWO SERVICES United Brethren Church To Hold Christmas Services The First United Brethren church, corner of Ninth and Madison, will observe Christmas Day with two special services. At the close of the Sunday school hour, a treat will be given each child present and a playlet presenting the needs of the Otterbein Home will be given. At the worship hour, in addition to the special music, Rev. James A. Weber will bring a message on, "The Wise Men Ask a Strange Question in Decatur." The message will suggest what might happen should the Wise Men walk through the streets looking for Jesus. At the evening worship hour, 7 p. m„ a candle-lighting service will be held, called, "The Star. The service is as follows: Organ Prelude. Darkness. The Star Appears. Poem — “Star ot the East we greet Thee.” Congregation — “Joy to the World." Scripture — The Christmas story. Poem _ “Light of Bethlehem." "Christ the Light" lighting of the big candle. Duet — “The Light of the World is Jesus.” Poem — **A Candle is a Lovely Thing.” Lighting of the small candles representing the points of the (CONTINUED ON PAGE SIX) Camera Club To Hear Fort Wayne Speaker

— It was announced today that Owen A. Forsyth, secretary of the Fort Wayne Camera club, will be the speaker at the final organization meeting of the Decatur camera club Tuesday night at 7:30 o’clock at the court room in the city hall. Norman Schroeder, camera expert of the Sunny Shick Wholesale Camera company, will also lie on the program. After the final organization ot the club, it is planned to have a print competition, each member furnishing two prints. They may be either contact prints in case, of the larger careras or the popular small size . of enlargements tor the miniature cameras. I

Price Two Cents.

j George Geisler Is Found At Home Near Willshire* This Morning; Wounded Thursday Night. CONDITION SERIOUS George Geisler, 71-year old wealthy Ohio farmer, living near Willshir o , was found conscious on the floor of hia summer kitchen early this morning with two bullet wounus in the back of his head. H-a is thought to have been ly-, Ing there since shot by unidentified assailants late Thursday evening. He was found this morning by a r.aighbor, who became suspicious when Geisler failed to go to the end of the lane for his mall. The neighbor immediately summoned Dr. L. M. Githens of Wren. Ohio, who brought the wounded man to the Adams county tnemori 'al hospital. Dr. Githens told a representaive of this newspaper that Geisler nad two bullets lodged in the back of his head, one behind the right ear and one behind the left .■ar. D' - .Githens said that Geisler was conscious when he arrived. He said that Geisler told him he was sitting in a chair of the summer kitchen Thursday night when first hit by a bullet that came from outside a window. A broken window corroborated his story, the doctor said. The doctor state that Geisler position on the floor indicated that he was first struck behind the left ear and knocked off his chair. Semi-conscious and kneeling over a footstool, with the right side of his head toward the window, he received the second bullet, in all J probability. Dr. Githens stated. The bullet was fired from a rifle, but he was not sure of the calibre, the doctor stated. The doctor said that he Immediately called Sheriff ON PAGE THREE) O Christmas Pageant At Bobo U. B. Church A Christmas pageant. “The White Gift," will be presented at the Bobo U. B. church Sunday evening at 8 o’clock. The public is invited to attend. o Moose Drill Team Will Meet Monday The drill team of the Loyal Order of Moose will meet at the Moose home Monday evening at 7 o'clock. The captain of the team requests that all members be present TEMPERATURE READINGS DEMOCRAT THERMOMETER 8:00 a.m 30 10:00 a.m 31 9:00 a.m 31 11:00 a.m. 32 WEATHER Occasional snow probable tonight and Sunday, colder in northwest portion Sunday afternoon; Monday generally fair and colder except snow flurries in extreme north portion. LOCAL MAN HELD FOR BAD CHECK H. L. Cleveland Arrested For Passing Fraudulent Check

H. L. Cleveland, 39, ot Ninth street, was arrested this morning by Sheriff Dallas Brown. State Officer Russell Prior and city police on a charge of issuing a fraudulent check. Cleveland is specifically charged with giving a fraudulent check I for $24.75 to Jesse C. Sutton, local I jeweler. Cleveland allegedly gave Sutton the check, drawn on the First State j bank ot this city, in payment for ■ a watch, valued at $24.75. Authorities allege that Cleveland passed five or six other fraudulent checks at local stores In the past few days. The check was given to Sutton on December 17. He will be arraigned in Adams circuit court, Prosecutor Arthur | E. Voglewede statedi