Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 56, Number 137, Decatur, Adams County, 11 June 1958 — Page 1

Vol. LVI. No. 137.

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MACMILLAN ADDRESSES GRADUATES— British Prime Minister Harold MacMillan delivers an address to the graduates at commencement exercises at John Hopkins University in Baltimore as President Eisenhower (left) and his brother Dr. Milton Eisenhower, President of the University, listen.

Acres Os Farm Land Flooded Along Wabash

By Dick Heller, Jr. i Thousands of acres of the ricife est Adams county farm land have been drowned out for the third consecutive year, a trip along the Wabash river Tuesday indicated. The river was still rising, and the crest is not expected until, late Wednesday or early Thurs-, day. More than 60 farms in Adams county border on the Wabash river. These are now covered with water, ranging from a few inches to several feet deep. During the past two seasons torrential rains have descended each spring to flood the plains along the river, not just once, but two, three, and four times. Farmers have lost two or three plantings, and finally their whole crop. The ten years before this the river seldom overflowed, and then only once, allowing a replanting. But now many of the farmers are really up against it. Especially those who have land only along the river. They have lost two consecutive crops. Fuel for last winter was bought on time. Seed this spring was bought on credit. Food has been scarce. Now the seed has been washed out. One farmer was seen by his neighbors Monday morning, standing beside his field, crying like a. baby. His whole crop was covered iyith two feet of water. He had no money for groceries, or more seed. His credit will be gone since he can grow no crop this year.) This was just one of scores of similar cases, right here in Adams county. The twisting, narrow channel of the Wabash river will not carry away the floodload of water. The water backs up over the valuable acres of Adams county farmland. More than the three-score farmers involved are affected. Their wives and children and other dependents must go without needed food and clothes, not for a few days but for years. The merchants of neighboring communities, such as New Corydon, Geneva, Linn Grove and as far away as Berne, are vitally affected. Tax values and tax collections drop, affecting everyone in the county, and especially in Jefferson, Wabash, and Hartford townships. Extra aid is required. Is this all necessary, a part of God's plan? No, it did not happen before the land was settled with people. The green forests and lush meadows absorbed the water, retaining it and releasing it slowly to the streams. But then man came, and cleared the land of timber, plowed the meadows and settled the land. Rains then fell upon bare, cultivated fields, and ran off into ’• drains and ditches, emptying into streams and rivers at an unprecedented rate. What is the solution to the plan? Must farmland be replanted with grass and trees? No, as man has (Continued on page five) _ INDIANA WEATHER Fair and cooler tonight. Thursday fair and not much temperature change. Low tonight 40s north, 50s south. High Thursday in the 70s. Sunset today 8:13 p. m. Sunrise Thursday 5:17 a. m. Outlook for Friday: Partly cloudy and warmer with scattered showers and thundershowers developing from southwest Low Thursday night mostly in 50s. High Friday 75 to 85.

DECATUR DAIIX DEMOCRAT

Thousands Os Acres Flooded Over Indiana Thousands Os Acres OF Crops Ruined By Floods In Indiana By United Press International Authorities and National Guardsmen prepared to evacuate about 2,500 persons from their homes along the rapidly-rising Wabash River at Peru this afternoon as the stream climbed far above flood level. It was the latest development as Hoosierland’s w’orst flood of the year, provoked by new heavy downpours, spread over thousands of acres of cropland and residential areas, driving hundreds of families from their homes. Shelters were set up in Peru churches and the American Legion home to care for about 1,000 families along the city’s south edge. The Wabash lapped near the top of a flood wall. Airmen from Bunker Hill Air Force Base helped in the evacuation. New rains measuring up to more than five inches soaked areas already waterlogged by three days of abnormal precipitation. Some cities have received more than 10 inches of rain since Sunday night Rivers and creeks splashed far above flood stage, some of them reaching perhaps record levels. More rain was possible today, weather bureau advisories said, and furthermore a new series of heavy thundershowers was pre? dieted for next weekend. A broad area of Northern Indiana, from Indianapolis northward about 100 miles, and from the Illinois to the Ohio state lines, comprised the heart of the flood zone. Guardsmen Help Victims National Guard troops were called to duty to aid law enforcement officers and Red Cross disaster units in evacuating families and sandbagging levees in some of the stricken areas. The toll of weather-connected deaths in Hoosierland climbed to 13, including 10 traffic fatalities occurring in rainstorms or on wet pavement, a teen-age boy struck by lightning, a man dead of a heart attack while being -evacuated from a flooded cottage, and a boy electrocuted when he , touched a cord while standing in , a puddle of rain water. The Mississinewa River at Marion* climbed to 16.84 feet today, believed to be the highest level in history and nearly a foot above the 1937 stage. Forty National Guardsmen called out by Mayor Willard Blackman on authorization of Governor Handley sandbagged a levee and helped move 75 to 100 families to higher ground. Fifty families were evacuated along the Wabash River at Wabash, where the stream was headed for its highest stage in 15 years. • Many Counties Hit Floods spread over parts of Miami, Carroll, Howard, Grant, Cass, Tippecanoe, Wabash, Madison, Tipton, Hamilton . and other (Continued on page five

14 Killed As Tornado Rips Kansas Area 5,000 Are Forced To Fleee Homes As Flood Threat Grows By United Press International The Midwest reeled today under a juggernaut of deadly tornadoes and torrential rains that killed at least 14 persons and forced another 5,000 to flee their floodthreatened homes. A fast-striking twister pulverized a mile-long, three-block wide strip in El Dorado, Kan., late Tuesday, fourteen persons were reported killed, 150 homes destroyed, and more than 50 persons injured. Fourteen persons were killed, authorities said. Their bodies were taken from a temporary morgue, set up in the 4-H Club building in this southcentral Kansas town, to its two Authorities said at least 50 persons were injured. Severe thunderstorms drenched the battered states of Illinois and Indiana. In weather-caused accidents alone, 12 persons have been killed in Indiana since the storm barrage began late Sunday. The El Dorado tornado roared in from the west shortly before dusk, knocking out almost all electric and telephone service. Gov. George Docking authorized the use of National Guard troops following a declaration of martial law by City Manager Stanley Dial. Motorists Warn Town Emergency Red Cross stations were set up to handle those less seriously injured, while others were brought to the community’s only hospital. Officials credited quick-thinking by many citizens for helping hold the death toll down. Motorists cm the outskirts of town saw the black fhnnel swirling toward the city and sounded their horns to give advance warning. There was only 5 minutes notice before the twister struck. Observers said the wind drew up cars from a junk yard and tossed them around “like toys.’’ Most of the destruction was centered in the Graham Addition, a middle class residential area. Stormy weather continued to plague a vast area embracing most of the central Midwest. The U.S. Weather Bureau reported a string of tornadoes through parts of Missouri, Illinois, and western portions of Kentucky. Howling winds continued to take their toll of telephone poles and communications, property and crop damage, while hail stones four-inches wide pelted Emporia, Kam, and piled eight inches deep at Dixon, Mo. Funnel clouds were also reported through lower Michigan, but no tornadoes touched ground. Severe thunderstorms, meanwhile, racked the entire region. 5,000 Flee Floods The raging storms caused a C 47 Air Force plane with 12 men i aboard to make an emergency landing against a 30-knot cross- : wind at Mount Vernon, 111. No one : was injured. In Indiana, authorities said that at least 5,000 persons had been forced to, flee to high ground in advance of swollen rivers. Bridges I were closed along the Mississine- ■ wa River near Marion, Ind., as almost unceasing rains pelted the I region. Forty National Guardsmen • were ordered to patrol the levees • near Marion. i Rains up to nine inches deep poured a million dollars in damages into central Illinois and Indiana. Unrelenting downpours ■ turned the streets of Springfield, 111., into rivers, flooded under- ■ passes, and caused 10-foot high ' accumulations in recessed areas. (C-uuaiMd on Page Five)

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur Indiana, Wednesday, June 11,1958

State Charges Payoff By Mogilner On Profit In Highway Dealings , • . ||| r fr—----- - - - - - -j - - ■ - 1 I 111 ll—■■ I- ■ i ■ 11 1." 1... .1 I 1.1.1 BMM

House Passes Extension Os Trade Program Reciprocal Trade Measure Is Facing Tough Senate Road WASHINGTON (UPI) — The House overwhelmingly approved today President Eisenhower’s request for an unprecedented fiveyear extension of the reciprocal trade program with power to cut U.S. tariffs 25 per cent. The controversial measure slid through the House with surprising ease. Subjected to strong pressures from the administration and leaders of both parties, the House rejected on a 234-147 non-record ; vote a substitute measure offered by protectionists. This was sponsored by Rep. Richard M. Simpson (R-Pa.). The House then overwhelmingly rejected on a 268-146 roll call vote a motion by Rep. Daniel A. Reed (R-N.Y.) to kill the measure by sending it back to committee. The measure now goes to the Senate where it faces a tougher test. Protectionist sentiment is strong in the Senate. Their will be no limits on the amendments that can be offered in the Senate. Protectionist foes ot the meafc ure operated under sever harrot* caps in the House. They had agreed in advance to a self-im-posed gag-rule which permitted them to offer only one over-all substitute for the administration bifl. They had been confident of success only a few weeks ago, but the tide turned when the administration and Democratic leaders began applying extreme pressure (UontiuUfed on P a so five) Mrs. -Lillie Myers Ts Taken By Death Mrs. Lillie Myers, 42, a lifelong resident of Berne, died at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at her home. She suffered from a chronic heart ailment. A native of Monroe township, she was a member of the Cross Evangelical and Reformed church. Surviving are the husband, Russell, a daughter, Debbie Sue, and three brothers. The body is at the Yager funeral home. Miss Betsy Burk Is Enroute To Germany Exchange Student In Summer Months Miss Betsy Burk, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. James Burk, of Decatur, sailed from Montreal, Canada, on the S. S. Waterman this morning, bound for Germany, where she will spend eight weeks with a Westphalian family as an exchange student. Sunday, Mis Burk, her mother and her sisters Barbara and Jane, and Miss Rinda Decker, exchange student from Bluffton, left for the Canadian port of call. Miss Decker will also visit in Westphalia, near the home of Doctor Schmidt and his family, where Miss Burk will stay. After a ten-day cruise, the exchange students will land at Rotterdam, Holland; Miss Burk will entrain for Munster, Germany, where she will be greeted by the Schmidts. During the eight weeks. Miss Burk will accompany the family on their three-week vacation on an island in the North Sea. While she is in Germany, she will also travel through the Rhine and Black Forest country and will see several cathedral cities, such as Cologne. Miss Burk will return to the United States about the first week in September, when her ship will dock at New, York. A student at Decatur high school, Miss Burk is sponsored by the Rotary chib and was chosen through the American field services for the trip. - J

Escaped Fort Wayne Bandit Recaptured Daring Jail Break Is Staged Tuesday FORT WAYNE, Ind. (UPD—A daring, daylight break from the Allen County Jail here by Dari Parker, 27, Canton, Ohio, Tuesday ended about four hours later when fe was shot and captured by Ohio authorities at a roadblock near Hicksville, Ohio. Parker, who was held in the $50,000 Halloween mask robbery of a southside branch of the Lincoln National Bank & Trust Co. here last Oct. 19, was shot three times at the roadblock. But the wounds were minor. He was treated at Community Hospital at Hicksville. A U.S. deputy marshal took Parker under armed guard to the federal peni tentiary at Terre Haute where he l will be put in the maximum security section pending trial next September. Parker escaped irom the jail here with the aid of a file and gun obviously smuggled to him by a confederate. He filed two locks .in his cell and shot the lock off the door of a control room and forced Deputy Sheriff Ed Braidwood to give him his uniform. Parker then dashed into the street and stopped a car driven by Freddy Biolton, 30, a Fort Wayne mail carrier. Bolton said he stopped because he thought Parker was a police officer. Parker commandeered Bolton and his car and forced him to drive to Ohio. ' JHicksville Police Chief Fordyce McCurdy spotted the car near the city and gave chase. Parker was forced to stop at the junction of Ohio 2 and 49 where Ohio State Police Trooper Leroy Verbon had erected a roadblock. Parker emerged from the car with a pistol concealed under a handkerchief. As Verbon and McCurdy approached, Parker opened fire. The officers returned fire and Parker was struck three times. Bolton was not injured and FBI agents later cleared him of any connection with the escape. Seoul Leaders Meet Here Last Evening District Meeting Held Last Evening “What time is it?” E. E. Rydell, south district chairman, asked the members of the district Boy Scout committee Tuesday night at the Decatur Youth and Community Center. Representatives of scouting in Adams, Wells, and Jay counties were present for the meeting. Time is measured, Rydell said, by dates, events, and accomplishments, and is the most important capital asset anyone has. Some people waste it, spend it, save it, invest it, or serve it. “What are we doing with our time in scouting?” he asked. “Are we doing all we can to get the scouting program across in the few short years of scouting?” he concluded. Ted Biber stein, of Bluffton, chairman of camping and activities, reported that the fall district camporee will be held at the Wells county state game preserve October 3-5. Dr. William Freeby, of Decatur, will have charge of the health and safety program at the camporee. The campout at Franke park last weekend drew scouts from Decatur troops 62, 63, and 65, sponsored by the Decatur Lions, American Legion, and Trinity EUB church, and troops 67 and 69 from Berne and Geneva. Troops 63 and 65 of Decatur, and troop 69 from Geneva have already signed up for Big Island camp, he explained. Sylvan Zuercher, of Berne, will head the Adams county Order of the Arrow inspection team in the near future. Two members of the order will also serve .on it. The Geneva troop has already provided eight days and nights of hiking for its members, and the (Continued on page five)

Warning From Algiers Scored By De Gaulle Order Commander In Algiers To Stay Away From Politics PARIS (UPI)-r-Premier Charles de Gartlle today ordered Gen. Raoul Salan, France’s supreme military and civil commander in Algeria, to keep out of politics. De Gaulle also denounced an Algerian Public Safety Committee warning to him Tuesday as “unfortunate.” De Gaulle moved fast to meet a direct challenge to his issued Tuesday by the all-Algeria Committee of Public safety, made up for the most part of right wing extremists who want to end all vestiges of the old political regime in the French government. This group issued a communique which was interpreted as open defiance of De Gaulle’s authority. It called for an end to all political parties in France, creation of a “real” government of public safety, and postponement of De Gaulle s plans to hold municipal elections in Algeria next month. The communique was seen beforehand by Salan, and apparently met with at least his taqit approval. These actions were reported to have angered De Gaulle, and he reacted sharply today. In a telegram to Salan, De Gaulle referred to the “unfortunate and untimely incident” of the Algeria Public Safety Committee declaration. De Gaulle said the committee’s action was “peremptory.” Addressed to Salan, the telegram said in part:’’ “I remind you that this committee has no other rights and role than to Express, under your control, the opinion of its members. The regular authority, and first of all yourself, cannot take sides about what this committee or any other political organization may express or demand.” In releasing the telegram, cabinet spokesman Andre Malraux made no mention of any of the three demands of the Algiers committee. Neither did he mention any date for the Algerian municipal elections, which generally are expected to be held next month. (Continued on six) Magdaline Sether Dies Last Evening Last Survivor Os Prominent Family Miss Magdaline Sether, 87, the last surviving member of a prominent Decatur family, died at 8 o’clock Tuesday evening at Fort Wayne, where she had resided for many years. She had been ill of complications for some time but her death was unexpected. She was born in Henry county, 0., March 31, 1871. a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mathias Sether, and lived in Decatur for many years before moving to Fort Wayne about 30 years ago. She hjd never married. Miss Sether was a member of . the Precious’ Blood Catholic church in Fort Wayne. Only near survivors are two nieces, Mrs. James Lose of Decatur, and Mrs. Margaret Barnett of Detroit, Mich.; one nephew, Edward Vian of Decatut, and a brother-in-law, Henry Vian of St. Henry, O. Three brothers and five sisters preceded her in death. Funeral services will be con- . ducted at 9 o’clock Friday morn- [ ing at the St. Mary’s Catholic church in this city, the Very Rev. . Msgr. J. J. Seimetz officiating. > Burial will be in the Catholic cemetery. The body was remov- , ed to the Gillig & Doan funeral home, where friends may call as- • ter 7 o’clock this evening until i time of the services. The Rosary . society will recite the rosary at 8 p. m. Thursday.

Nearly Five Inches Os Rain In County Rainfall Heavier In Some Portions Deluges of rain, which started Sunday morning and ended Tuesday, averaged 4.9 inches in Adams county, accoridng to final reports today. Although the rains appear to have ended in spite of the heavy blanket of clouds over the area, the effects are still being felt, as the St. Mary’s and ‘Wabash rivers spilled over their banks yesterday, putting roads and many acres of crops under water in the county. Six and one-tenth inches were recorded for the period from Sunday to Tuesday morning in southwestern Monroe township, while lows of 4.3 and 4.2 inches were recorded in French and Washington townships, and in extreme southwestern Kirkland for that length of time. Neighboring counties and towns also suffered from the downpours. Bluffton reported 4.3 inches of rain up until 7 a. m. Tuesday, while Portland and vicinity had recorded readings of 7.64 and 6.11 inches; the Salamonie river was holding its own Tuesday. Across the state line in Van Wert, 0., hopes raised for better weather for the peony festival today, as 4.76 inches was recorded. By townships, the general Adams county picture looked like this: slightly over 5.2 inches was ' recorded on the Arthur Koene- ‘ man farm in Preble township. At the Cecil Harvey farm, the June total was raised to 5.4 inches by the rains that came from Sunday morning to Wednesday morning, amounting to 5.1 inches for Root township. Four and two tenths inches of rain fell during that period in Kirkland township, on the Dan Fiechter farm. Eldon Holsapple reported an even 5 inches for Washington township, while the rain gauge on the Mrs. Bonnie Zimmermari farm read 4.3 inches. The average for the county, 4.9, was recorded on the Nimrod McCul(ContlnuM on page five) East Reich Promises Release Os Soldiers Pledges Release On Direct Negotiations BERLIN (UPI) — The East German Communists promised quick release today for nine captured American soldiers if the United States negotiates directly with their government. The United States announced Tuesday it would negotiate directly with the “kidnapers” but apparently did not inform the East Germans officially. The Communists made no mention of the offer today. x The servicemen were taken into custody Saturday when their Army helicopter was forced down in the Soviet zone. The official Communist Party newspaper Neues Dutschland made the promise of quick .release in an editorial advising Washington that nations such as ' East Germany and Communist I China exist. “It certainly can happen that ' an aircraft loses its way,” the ■ newspaper said, “and it also is recognized that the aircraft’s • crew acted corrently after the ■ landing in the German Democrat- ■ ic Republic (GPR). “But the violation of the air . space of the GDR still exists. ’ That is why the matter must be > cleared up as is usual between ■ civilized states.” Secretary of State John Foster ■ Dulles announced Tuesday the ■ United States would be willing to ' negotiate with East Germany. He said when someone is kidnaped it is necessary to deal with the kid- : napers—but this does not imply • recognition of the puppet regime I in East Germany* Reports in Berlin said East I Germany already had . asked ’ Washington to name a negotiator t empowered by written commission to take part in the talks. - ... A

Charges Sayer Paid Mogilner To Send Letter Charges Attempt By Two Defendants To Obtain Exoneration INDIANAPOLIS (UPD — The state charged today that former Statehoust* aid William E. Sayer gave supersalesman Arthur J. Mogilner $2,500 to write a letter exonerating Sayer and former Indiana Adj. Gen. Elmer W. Sherwood in the highways scandals after Mogilner was indicted on 12 bribery counts. Deputy Prosecutor Asa J. Smith, outlining the state’s case in opening statements before a jury, said the secret meeting of Sayer and Mogilner followed a secret meeting in a car on a country road between all three defendants. Smith said Sherwood and Sayer hurried to Indianapolis from their Florida homes after Mogilner’s indictment and asked Mogilner to try to keep their names out of the case. Smith charged that Mogilner sold $1,630,912 worth of equipment and supplies to the State Highway Department in two years and ’ made nearly a quarter of a mil- ’ lion dollars in profits. t Others In Payoff Evidence also will show, Smith told the jurors, that subordinates ; in the highway department as well as the then chairman, Virgil (Red) Smith, received payments because Mogilner, Sherwood and Sayer “all agreed they should be taken care of’ for their “cooperation.” “There is no evidence,” Smith said, “that the governor (George Craig) knew anything about this. But they were taking advantage of him behind his back.” Smith said Mogilner first approached Red Smith about contracts, Smith referred him to Sayer in the governor’s office where Sayer was an administrative assistant to Craig, and Sayer sent him to Sherwood to pave the way for a deal by- which Sayer and Sherwood were to receive a specific percentage of profits. Mogilner “Front Man” “Sayer and Sherwood gave the good word to the proper people, and purchases were made,” the deputy prosecutor said. “Mogilner was the front man. They all knew about the payments to Red Smith, and all approved it and all did it together as one conspiracy.’’ Smith said Mogilner made $235,227 profit and divided $101,370 of it with the three men. Smith said Mogilner gave former State Highway Chairman Virgil (Red) Smith $43,675. He said Mogilner paid Sherwood & Associates $57,694. This is a public relations firm operated by , Elmer W. (Doc) Sherwood, for- . mer Indiana adjutant general, and William E. Sayer, former aid to ex-Gov. George Craig. Sherwood and Sayer are on trial . with Mogilner in the fourth trial growing out of highway scandals occurring in the latter stages of ; Craig’s administration. The scan- ' dais not only involved equipment ‘ contracts at lucrative profits but . highway right of way irrcgulari- ; ties, one of which resulted in ■ Virgil Smith’s conviction on con- ’ spiracy charges last year and a ! 2 to 14 year prison term. Seven Deals Listed The deputy prosecutor listed these Mogilner highway department contract deals: Front end loaders, $529,146 of ! (Continued on Page dix) I Late Bulletin ' UNITED NATIONS (UPI) > —The U. N. voted today, over ! Russia’s abstention, to send t a watchdog commission to insure Lebanon against subvert ' sion by the United Arab Re- - public. , t WASHINGTON (UPI) —The 1 State Department disclosed r today that an international - ring dealing in fake U. 8. passports has been smashed.

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