Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 57, Number 193, Decatur, Adams County, 17 August 1959 — Page 1

'VOL. LVII. 193

v> * ,fSjKW. *-. Bfejiiß 600 POISONED AT PICNIC—A temporary hospital is set up in the National Guard Armory at Angola, Ind., after food poisoning struck down about half of the 1,200 persons attending an industrial drug firm’s picnic at a private resort near Angola. The poisoning, said to be a type of ptomaine, was blamed on ham served to the picnickers in sandwiches.

Food Poisoning Investigated Today

ELKHART, Ind. (UPI) — The president of a big patent medicine firm which sponsored an employes picnic at which about 800 persons became ill of acute food poisoning said today “there seems to be little question” that ham sandwiches “and possibly some of the other food” was responsible. Walter R. Beardsley, head of Miles Laboratories, Inc., in a prepared statement expressing the firfh’s "distress” over “a grievous day of suffering” said it appeared that the illness at a lake resort near Angola was due to “an exceptionally virulent strain of staphylococcus which were able to thrive due to the unusual hot weather.” Beardsley implied that the quick and efficient response by doctors, nurses, hospitals and police (and radio and television media) may have saved lives. He said it demonstrated “how resourceful and unselfish they can be when our community faces a sudden emergency? ’ The Miles firm makes medicines, including vitamin pills (One-A-Day), a nerve tonic (Dr, Miles Nervine), and an acid neutralizer (Alkaseltzer). Beardsley promised intensive investigations in cooperation with health officials to determine the cause of the poisoning. Dr. Andrew Offutt, Indiana health commissioner, said he felt sure staphloccocci \bacteria, a common food poisoning cause, was triggered by the lak of refrigeration. Offutt said, however, an official analysis should be completed by Tuesday. Officials said none of those stricken Saturday was in serious condition. There were about 3,000 persons at the picnic. Men, women and children began getting sick following lunch, which cued chicken, potato salad, baked cued chiken, potato salad, baked beans, and chocolate cake. A short time later, ambulances, buses and trucks were rushing the ill to the two Angola hospitals, the National Guard Armory and a public school building. Take Sick EtaKoute Hone Others who became ill on the way home were taken by police to hospitals at Elkhart and LaGrange. The caterer for most of the

1,500 Visit Preble During Festival

Gene Stoppenhagen, Eugene Bui- —■ ■ „ ~ mahn, and Paul Baughman were to 016 Reinhard twins, from Craig- all of Decatur. first place winners in the tractor ville,. with an accordion duet; Judges were Lorin Schwartz, pull Saturday at the Preble fire- third, toe Musical Cadets, Jack piano teacher fronr Umondale; man's festival, while eight - year- Judy Coles, Kenny Gaw, John Karl Reinking, choir director from old Lynetet Foust, Delphos, 0.. McGee, Ervin Franke, Jim Apple- the Zion Lutheran church, Decaand the Mellow Lanea, MohtpeUer, gate, all from Ossian and Fort tur; and Carl Garnet, band directook top placings in Fridays tai- Wayne; and fourth, Jean Brown, tor form Lancaster, in Wells counent cot test.' 13, route four, with a vocal solo. ty. Firemen association members Approximately 1200 persons at- The Mellow Lanes, first prize on the amateur talent committee tended Friday evening’s talent winners in the adult group, indud- were Karl Mann, Tocsin, and Ar•show at the annual Preble event, ed these musicians; Kay Teagle, tour Biebench, Preble, while a lightr crowd attended the piano; Dave Foy, trombone; Dean Stoppenhagen Wins First Pull Saturday morning and afternoon Gannett, saxophone, Gene Stanley, With the pulling field in excellent tractor pulls, president Gilbert trumpet, and Dorsey Brice, drums, condition, some of the highest pullEhelerding said this, morning. Pro- all from Montpelier. Second went ing percentages were recorded, ceeds will go to the maintenance to Lila Kruetzman, route two, Ehelreding commented today. Troof the Preble volunteer fire depart- with a baton twirling routine; phles were awarded to first ’and ment, which serves approximately third, the Rockin’ Rebels, from second placings in each of the 350 area members. Craigvflle, with Keith Mcßride, three divisions, while 310 and $7.50 In the children’s group for the Bill Mcßride, Sam Arnold, and prizes went to the third and fourth talent contest, the first place win- Gilbert Meckling; and fourth, a place winners, respectively, ner from Delphos presented a musical group, Joe McNerney, Gene Stoppenhagen won first out modern jazz dance. Second went Gary McKean and Larry Macklin, of IS entries in the lightweight di-

DECATUR DA LEV DEMOCRAT ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

food, James De Boni, said mem- ’ bers of the Miles picnic committee * picked up the food from his head- ‘ quarters here and took it to the 1 private preserve Miles had rented, ; in non - refrigerated company trucks. De Boni said “we always use ' refrigerated trucks” when ship- , ping ourselves. “This is a tragic situation, but I I do not feel we are responsible,” . he said. Walter Beardsley, president of > Miles Laboratories, said that the , company’s own chemists also were analyzing food samples in an effort to pin down the cause of the mass illness. Health Law Here Mayor Robert D. Cole, dty health officer Dr. John B. Terveer, and city health inspector Raymond Lehman announced this morning that the purpose of Decatur’s health ordinance, which carefully regulates the handling of food for public consumption, is to prevent tragedies such as this. Every restaurant, every food stand, tavern, grocery or other permanent place of business serving or handling food, is inspected twice a year. All temporary food stands, for sales, fairs, etc., are inspected, and the ordinance carefully inforced. Cooperation has been nearly 100% when the people working with food realise the consequences of unsanitary practices, Lehman stated. Only a handful of the ailing remained hospitalized today. Both Angola hospitals, which were jammed to capacity with suffering patients, reported normal conditions, with only two patients remaining in Elmhurst Hospital. Owner Sets New Rule All patients in LaGrange County Hospital at LaGrange were expected to be released today, with the exception of two with, heart conditions. The picnic was held at a private preserve, Bu c k Lake Ranch, which Miles had rented near Angola.

Wells County Girl Killed < Saturday Noon A 13-year-old girl was fatally injured and her mother and a brother injured in a car-truck crash at the intersection of State Roads 201 and 316 about 10:30 a m. Saturday. Rose Marie Schaefer, 13, route three, Bluffton, died at 2:45 p.m. Saturday in Wells county hospital, Bluffton, from a brain .concussion, fractured shoulder, and multiple lacerations and abrasions. She was a passenger in a car driven by her mother, Mrs. Kenneth Schaefer, 39. Investigating officers Wells county sheriff Raymond Durr and State trooper Richard Myers, said the Schaefer car was headed west on preferential highway 316, and that a milk truck driven by Bowman, 19, Bluffton, struck the Schaefer car. Charge Stop Sign Violation The officers stated they would press a charge of disregarding a stop sign against Bowman. The milk truck hit the car broadside, dislodging the car body from the rest of the chassis. The car was hurtled across the highway and snapped off a utility pole. All three persons in the car were thrown out of the wreckage. The milk truck’s van came loose, spilling milk cans along the highways. Mrs. Schaefer suffered a lacerated right chest and severe bruises over the entire body and legs, and has an intense swelling on the left side of her face. A son, Sammy R., 6, also a passenger in the car, was injured about the head and was in a stfte of semiconsciousness throughout the day and evening. Although his condition was not listed as serious, officials said they could not be sure of the extent of the child’s injuries. Services Tuesday ■Die girl’s body was taken to'the Goodwin funeral home, where services will be conducted at, 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. Services at the Apostolic Christian thurch will follow at 2-p.m. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Surviving besides the parents and the brother are another brother, David D., and the paternal grandfather, John Schaefer, Vera Cruz. Minnie Steele, 78 Dies This Morning Miss Minnie Steele, 78, of 934 Nuttman avenue, died at 2:10 a.m. this morning at the Adams bounty memorial hospital following a serious illnes for the past 11 days. The daughter of James Madison and Katherine Breiner Steele, she was born November 30, 1880, in Kirkland township. She was occupied for many years as a seamstress. A member of the Zion Lutheran church of Decatur, she was a member of the church’s needle club. Survivors include a brother, Edwin Steele, of Harrison township, Van Wert county, O.; two sisters, Mrs. Otto Bleeke, of Union township, and Mrs. Gerhard Reinking, of Decatur, and a great number of nephews and nieces. Friends may call after 7 p.m. this evening at the Zwick funeral home. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Zion Lutheran church, the ReV. Richard lie in state from 12:30 p.m. until C. Ludwig officiating. Hie body will the time of the -services. Burial will be in the Immanuel Lutheran cemetary in Union township.

Decatur, Indiana, Monday, August 17,1959

Hoagland Youth Shot; Dies In Thicket, Hunter Brought To Decatur ■ ■ ———————■ . —I, .... ’ — . ■ — — ■

County Land Brings $23,463.25; Garage Fails to Sell At $9,000

The auction of three county-own-ed items, two parcels of land and the county garage, was partially successful Saturday as the land was sold for $23,463.25 for the 95.15 acres, while the county garage did not bring the appraised value of $9,000. About 40 persons attended thV farm sale, conducted by Charley Kent, Gerald Strickler, Ned Johnson, Bill Schnepf, and Phil Neuenschwander. The two pieces of land were bought by Mr. and Mrs. Henry L. Bieberich, of route 6, and Mr. and Mrs. Ken Friedt, 304 N. 11th. The breakdown of the acreage for the two parcels gives Friedt

County ASC Election Starts Next Week

Adams county farmers will elect community ASC committeemen by mail ballot from August 28 to September 9, ASC chairman James Garboden said today. The county agricultural stabilization and conservation committee Will mail ballots August 27. Instructions, takei. from the secretary’s 1 regulations about eligibility to hold office and eligibility to vote, will be included with the ballots. Voters will mail their ballot in a selfaddressed envelope which will also be enclosed. The name and address must be written, Garboden warned, pointing out that gummed labels will not be accepted instead of handwriting that must be on the mailing envelope before the vote will be accepted. A smaller plain envelope, unidentified, will be used for enclosing the ballot. Ballots must be received or postmarked not later than September 9, Garboden said. County Board Appointed A county election board of officially designated persons outside the ASC organization will supervise and direct the election. Leo N. Seltenright, county extension agent; Cletus J. Gillman, soil conservationist; Donald Norquest, of the Fanner’s home administration; Robert Long, president of the Farmer’s Union; and Erwin F. Fuelling, president of the Farm Bureau, are on the election board. The county election board has appointed a community election board in each township or community, made up of three farmers who are not now ASC officers. Each election board has selected ten nominees for comunity committeemen. In addition to the nomielection boards, other persons mpy nees selected by the community by petitions signed by ten or more eligible voters, and submitted to be added to the list of nominees the chairman of the community election board not later than August 25. The names will be added to the slate of nominees if they are found to be willing to serve and if they are eligible under the

_____________ J vision of the pull Saturday morning, with a 231 percentage. Wilmer Hetherington, with 227.47, won second; Henry Gallmeyer, 227.02, third; and Ron Selking, 226, fourth. In the middleweight division, 32 tractors were entered, with Eugene Bulmahn first with a 282.35 percentage. Second went to Donald Jeffrey, with 274; third, Hugo Bulmahn, 272; anß fourth, Paul Bauermeister, 271.39. Saturday evening, 39 tractors entered the heavyweight pull, and Paul Baughman, with a 268.50 percentage, won first place trophy. Hugo Bulmahn won second, with 253.07; Daniel Bieberich, third. 250.87; and Gerald Bulmahn, fourth. 248.44, < On the* ttwdtor puR committee were Vernod Macke, Donald Setking, and Irvin Worthman.

about 54 acres, and Bieberich about 41. The sale at the farm ; lasted about two and a half hours, i The figure per acre is almost $247. [ The farm brought the exact ap- ' praised value set by Eli Graber, Austin McMichael, and Don Cook, . on May 15. Bidding on the county garage ■ lasted about two hours with a high bid of $7,500 by Roy Price, of route ; 6. The full appraised value had • to be attained to reach a sales agreement. The commissioners said this morning that no definite plans had been set for disposal of the garage, but discussion will : continue along this line. A new

1 secretary's regulations. These are the chairmen of the ’ community election boards: Blue ’ Creek, Frederick Schaadt, route one, Berne; French, Ramon Stoller, route four, Bluffton; Hartford, 1 Alfred E. Grogg, route two, Geneva; Jefferson, Orison Stolz, route ’ one, Bryant; Kirkland, Robert ‘ Bucher, route two, Decatur: Mon--1 roe, Emerson Lehman, route two, Berne; Preble, Loren Kruetzman, route two, Decatur; Root, Charles * Crosby, route one, Decatur; St. Mary’s, John W. Johnson, route ■ three, Decatur; Union, Herman ■ Geimer, route five, Decatur; Wabash, Rolandes Liechty, route one, Berne, and Washington, Hubert F. Gase. Nominees Announced Following is a list of nominees for community committeemen announced by the ASC this morning: Blue Creek: George Sipe, Elmer Myer, Harold E. DeArmond, Claude W. Marckle, Delmore Wechter, Francis Luginbill, Herbert Meyer, William Kauffman, Carl Smalley and Robert L. Sipe. French: Henry Schaffter, William Graiidlinard, Herman Kipfer, Gorman Erhart, Paul Baumgartner, Raymond Kipfer, Ramon Steffen, Palmer S. Moser, Lewellyn Lehman, Everett Stauffer. Hartford: Sherman Wasson, Joseph T. Glendining, Richard Leßoy Fields, Elmer Dubach, William Joray, Ferris Mertz, Harry F. Moser, Merle Alberson, Earl Moser and Willard Steiner. Jefferson: Willis Martin, H. David Mosser, Chester Brown, Glen W. Adams, Victor F. Bollenbacher, Herbert Schaadt, Wilbert Baker, Kenneth Beer, Holman Egly and Henry Rumple. Kirkland: Lloyd L. Byerly, Richard Kaehr, Glen Griffiths, Paul Germann, Richard Arnold, LaVerne Gerber, John Barger, Curtis Zim(Continued on page three) J. H. Former, 86 Dies In Pittsburg J. H. Fonner, 86, a native of Decatur, died of a heart attack in a Pittsburgh, Pa., hospital at 7:30 p.m. Saturday evening following a short illness. The son of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Fonner, who owned the present McMillen farm east of Decatur, he is survived by his widow, Barbara Gras Fonner. Mr. Fonner was formerly a member of the First Presbyterian church here. The Fonners moved to Fort Wayne about 50 years ago, where he was employed by the Bowser Company. They have lived in Pittsburgh, Pa., for many years since he retired. One daughter, Elizabeth Fonner, of Fort Worth, Tex., survives. Three sisters, Mrs. A. J. Smith and Miss Mary Fonner of Decatur, and Mrs. Edith Christian, of Marion, preceded him in death. Mrs. W. P. Shrock is a neice of the deceasedThe body was taken tothe Brandt funeral-home in Pittsburgh, where services willbe heldaV3;3o pjn. Tuesday.

county garage is currently being built in Monroe and is near completion. Robert S. Anderson, county attorney, handled the legal aspects of the sale, and deposited the 20 per cent down payment for the farm land this morning. In order to initiate a new sale, the county council must give its authorization, including the terms of the sale, and then the commissioners must appoint new appraisers before the machinery is set into motion. The transaction then must be legally advertised for four weeks. All this must occur before a new sale is attempted. Berne Lady Dies - Sunday Morning Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m, Tuesday for Mrs. Elizabeth Graber, 82, who died about 11 a m. Sunday in the Adams county memorial hospital. Mrs. Graber had been in failing health since January and had been bedfast two weeks. She was bom ’ April 1, 1877, in Milan township. ' Allen county, the daughter of Christian and Barbara Schmucker ’ Schwartz. She resided most of her life on a farm three miles north of Berne, and had resided recently with her son. Victor C. Graber, in Berne. Her husband, Victor Graber, died in 1927. Surviving in addition to the son with whom she had resided, are another son, David V. Graber, Berne; a daughter, Mrs. Noah (Barbara) Habegger, Berne; nine grandchildren; and two sisters, Mrs. Dene Delagrange, Grabill; and Mrs. John Graber, Camden, Mich. Three sons and one daughter preceded her in death. Friends may call at the Yager funeral home. Services will be conFirst Mennonite church, of which ducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the she was a member. The Rev. Gordon Neuenschwander will officiate and burial will be in the MRE cemetary. Native's Son Dies In Fort W&yne Funeral services were conducted today at 1 p.m. in the DO. McComb and sons funeral home in Fort Wayne for James F. Burkhead, 18, who died Friday afternoon in St. Joseph’s hospital. Fort Wayne, following heart surgery. He had been a patient in the hospital five days, and had suffered from a heart condition for several years. Born in Wells county, he was the son of Herman Burkhead. formerly of Decatur, now of Tucson, Ariz. Surviving in addition to the father are the mother, Mrs. Vern Frederick, Fort Wayne, one brother, Kent Burkhead, Fort Wayne; and two sisters, Sharon, Fort Wayne; and Mrs. Joyce Apple, Overton, O. INDIANA WEATHER Partly cloudy north, mostly cloudy south with showers and • thundershowers over much of south portion this afternoon and early tonight, diminishing later tonight. Some heavy rainfall amounts likely again, especially in extreme southeast. Cooler north tonight. Tuesday partly cloudy with little temperature change although becoming less humid extreme north. Chance of some scattered afternoon thundershowers extreme south Tuesday. Low tonight 84 to 88 north, 88 to 72 south. High Tuesday 84 to 82. Sunset today 7:38 p.m. Sunrise Tuesday 8 a.m. Outlook for Wednesday: Partly eloudy north, partly cloudy with chance of scattered htanderahowers south. Lews 82 to 78. Highs 88 to 88.

Fads Sketchy After Fatal Shooting Here i A badly-shaken Hoagland man I remains in fair condition at the ■ Adams county memorial hospital suffering from shock following the , second fatal shooting of Indiana’s i brand new squirrel season which : started Saturday. Exact details of the shooting ■ were not available. At this time Allen county authorities believe i that Edward Knefelkamp, 27, of Hoagland and Donald Castle, 16, also of Hoagland, were dense that neither knew the other was in the area, and that Knefelkamp fired and hit Castle. Stumbles In This morning Knefelkamp stumbled into a Monroeville mortuary in a state of severe shock and told attendants that a boy had been shot. He could not answer further ’ questions and was brought to D> ■ catur for treatment. I According to the coroner, death ’ of Castle occurred about 8:30 o’clock this morning. Authorities [ spent considerable time searching i for the body after Knefelkamp’s i report, They eventually fpund the , boy dead of a bullet wound in the - head.in dense brush. r Under Sedation r Admitted to the local hospital, 1 Knefelkamp was put under seda- ' tion fololwing treatment by Dr. 1 Norval Rich. The Allen county ' coroner was unable to question him this noon, and will try again i tomorrow. • The first squirrel-season death occurred Saturday, the opening 1 day of the season, when Arlie James Clay, 43, of New Albany, was killed putting his gun in a car after a hunting expedition near Versailles. Lived Near Monroeville Castle was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Castle, of Hoagland route 1. He was born near Monroeville March 13, 1943. Several brothers and sisters survive. The body was taken to the Marquardt Funeral Home in Monroeville. No arrangements have been completed as yet.

Nearly 2 Inches Os Rain Falls Here

Great weather for growing corn! August’s second rain for Adams county fell Sautrday and Sunday, leaving an average 1.7 inch and raising hopes that aphid damage to the corn crop will end. This rain again will help the corn crop considerably, county agent Leo N. Seltenright said this morning. Just how .much damage it will do to the aphids, such as washing them off the corn, cannot be estimated, he added. The rain will help the corn develop faster and better, thus helping it to “outgrow” the aphid damage, which became more extensive about the last week in July than it has ever been in this area. Kain In Decatur In Decatur, observer Louis Landrum reported 1.1 inches in Decatur, but others in the area repotred Considerably more. The river was at 1.56 feet this morning. More rain is expected during the week, and can be absorbed by the ground. Most lawns in the area have turned brown because of lack of water during the past two weeks. Rainfall was general, leaving as much as 2.50 inches in Monroe township, and less than an inch, .90 inch in Union township. The scattered showers added to the humidity as it refreshed the dry fields and the lawns, making for the hot, humid weather that is uncomfortable but provides excellent growing conditions for the maturing corn fields. The rains began Saturday afternoon, leaving up to .50 in Mon-

Decafur Native Dies In Cleveland, 0. Word has been received of the death of Mrs. A. S. Rogers, 89, Cleveland, 0., Saturday in a Cleveland hospital. She was the former Miss Eta Billman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Billman, Decatur. Among the survivors is a sister, Mrs. Beatrice Stoneburner, Fort Wayne. Funeral services will be conducted and burial will be in Cleveland. Wells County Boys Admit Stoning Dog BLUFFTON, Ind. (UPD -Sheriff Raymond Durr said two of three boys acused of stoning a dog to death at the edge of a gravel pit have admitted the act. Durr said two 16-year-olds and a 15-year-old took a dog to the pit near Poneto July 1, triecHo drown it by attaching a stone by a rope to its neck, and stoned the animal to death when it slipped loose from the weight and struggled to the bank. Local Man's Cousin Dies in Allentown Funeral services were held today for Mrs. Mary E. Peters, 75, in Allentown, Pa., who passed away recently. Services were held at the Trexler funeral home, and burial followed in the Arlington cemetary. R, M. Fritzinger was a cousin of the deceased, and a number of other relatives live in Adams county. Late Bulletins A four-state alert has been sounded to search for Jack Hoskins, escaped killer and former mental patient who killed his wife, Carol Oldenburg Hoskins about a year ago last January. Hoskins and two youths broke out of a jail in lowa after he returned there for trial from a mental hospital. His wife was the netee of Mrs. William Schnepf of this city, and Hoskins may be looking for his son, who has been adopted by another, relative. Hoskins is considered'very dangerous.

roe township. As skies remained overcast, the rain came again Sunday afternoon an<f evening, beginning about 2 p.m. in Decatur, and continuing off and on throughout the afternoon and evening. Although there was. some heavy wind in places, the damage was only to tall crops, and at the Mazelin farm in Monroe township, some can for silo storage was damaged. Sweet corn was also slightly damaged in the area. First General August Rain This was the first general August * rain for Adams county, as scattered showers left up to 1.30 inches of rain in Hartford township Thursday, August 6, while none fell at the recording farms in Preble, Union and Jefferson townships. Jefferson township, at the Harley J. Reef farm, received the first good rain since July 23, when approximately an inch fell. The total county picture looked like this Monday morning for the townships, rain recorders, and totals for Saturday and Sunday: Preble township, Arthur Koeneman, 1.30 inch; Root, Cecil Harvey, 1.80; Union, Erwin Fuelling, .90; eastern Kirkland. Peter J. Spangler, 1.70; western Kirkland, Dan Fiechter, 2.20; Washington, Louis Landrum, 1.10, river, 1.58 feet; St. Mary’s, Richard Speakman, 1.90; French. Harold Moser, 2.10; Monroe, Ben Mabzelin, 2.50; Blue Creek, Austin Merriman, •1.80; Hartford, Ivan Huser. 1.10: Wabash, Jack Hurst, 1.40; Jefferson, Harley J. Reef, 2.00.

Six Cents