Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 57, Number 260, Decatur, Adams County, 4 November 1959 — Page 1

Vol. LVII. No. 260.

Gage Elected Mayor By 4 Votes

Democrats In State Sweep

INDIANAPOLIS (UPD—lndiana Democrats today celebrated their second successive municipal election sweep, a victory which gave them a 71-to-37 margin in Hoosier mayor offices and wrested Fort Wayne. Elkhart and Lafayette away from the Republicans. The ballot-box triumph left the GOP with power in no city in the state's dozen largest. Although the Democrats neither registered a net gain nor a net loss in number of mayor seats, while the Republicans were increasing their number by five, it was in some ways a more sweeping win for the Democrats than in 1955. The crowning blow to the GOP was the loss of Elkhart. Unofficial returns Tuesday night gave Republican Frank Parmater a 10vote margin over Democrat Richard Coms. But official canvassing figures this morning gave Coras a 19-vote margin, 7,003 to 6,984/ At Dunkirk, where Republican Mayor Richard O. Overmyer and Democrat C. Wayne Hobson tied with 530 votes each, the State Election Board cited the Indiana Constitution and ruled Overmyer would retain his office four more years because no successor had been elected. Although the GOP registered a slight net gain in its number of mayors, the chief significance of the election was how nearly it duplicated what happened in 1955. The big blow was the loss by the Republicans of Fort Wayne, where Democrat Paul Burns barely edged former State Rep. Richard B. Fis hiring by about 1,000 votes out of more than 50,000 cast. Fort Wayne and Allen county have been GOP strongholds for years, and it was like the last bastion falling. Republicans took some heart in victory at Kokomo, the only city in the state’s most populous 25 which the GOP won. But it was a poor trade for Fort Wayne, Lafayette, Elkhart, and Columbus. The Democratic victory ranged downward from Indianapolis, the state capital and largest city, which reelected Mayor Charles H. Boswell over Republican William T. Sharp by more than 15,000 votes—the first time in 20 years the voters in the capital had kept the same part in power two terms in a row.

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DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Some Cities Shift Curiously, more cities shifted from Democratic to Republican than switched from Republican to Democratic. The margin was 21 to 17. But the Democrats won an overall mayoralty margin of 71 to 36, with the outcome in the 108th city likely to be settled by a coin flip, if the official tabulation confirms the unofficial vote of 530 votes each for Democratic Mayor Richard A. Overmyer and Republican C. Wayne Hobson at Dunkirk. The present division of mayors is 71 Democrats, 32 Republicans and 3 Independents. Democrats picked up all three of the “independent” cities, and two regular parties split two new cities created since the last election. Greenwood went Democratic and Lawrence went Republican. Mayors George Chacharis of Gary and Edward Voorde of South Bend won handily over their GOP rivals. Former Mayor Vernon Anderson, a Republican who served recently as Governor Handley’s administrative assistant, barely missed unseating Mayor Edward C. Dowling at Hammond. Anderson lost by about 1,150 votes. Tucker Slips In Mayor Ralph Tucker of Terre Haute, the 1956 Democratic gubernatorial nominee, also had a close call, beating shoe store owner Ray H. Hahn by only 2.430. At Kokomo, Republican John W. Miller defeated John Peacock in one of the state’s hottest mayor campaigns. The GOP capitalized on campaign fodder which lined up Peacock with former Mayor Olin R. Holt, who was convicted on federal charges in connection with alleged misappropriation of WPA labor during his administration in the 19305. Former Mayor Sherman G. Cox, a Republican, captured the four-way Peru mayoralty election, beating Mayor John P. Devine and two independents who once had Democratic party connections. The state’s only woman mayor. Mrs. Mary Bercik of Whiting, won by about 600 votes over hfer Republican rival and may have become the first woman ever elected mayor in Indiana. She was the incumbent but got the job by appointment when her husband died in office two years ago.

Wl Mrs. Laura Bosse Clerk-Treasurer p»* i ■ -.: i * Cart Gerber First District

GIVE TODAY -- THE UNITED WAY

Saw Mill And Barn

Destroyed By Fire The Decatur fire department answered two rural fire calls early this morning as a saw mill burned down one mile west of Monroe street, and a barn burned, killing several sheep and destroying a few tons of grain. The barn fire, two miles north and one mile east of Monmouth, starred around 2 a.m. with the fire department getting the call at 3 a.m. Hay, corn and oats were stored in the barn, along with several head of sheep. 7710 barn was owned by Thurman Schieferstein. The Addy and Slusher saw mill was totally destroyed, with the call coming in at 1:15 a.m. today. No estimates are made on rural fires by the fire department although extensive damage was done in both instances. A leaf fire was also extinguished at 413 Adams street at 11:45 a.m. Tuesday. The fire was the fourth leaf fire since Sunday. Fire chief Cedric Fisher cautioned all city residents to stand by all trash or leaf fires and attempt to keep them under control. The city street department is cooperating with the leaf pick-up project, but the assistance of homeowners who start the fires is urgently requested. INDIANA WEATHER Occasional rain with some scattered thunderstorms, windy and mild this afternoon and tonight. Chance of some locally heavy thunderstorms mainly south portion this afternoon and tonight. Thursday showers and thunderstorms ending, windy and turning much colder in afternoon or night. Low tonight 55 to 64. High Thursday mostly in the 60s. Sunset today 4:40 p.m. Sunrise Thursday 6:17 a.m. e.s.L, 7:17 a.m. e.d.t. Outlook for Friday: Colder, Partly cloudy south. Considerable cloudiness with snow flurries likely north. Lows 25 to 32. Highs 35 to 45. Many Cities Switch These 21 cities switched from Democratic to Republican mayors: Peru, Lebanon, Montpelier, Warsaw, Batesville, Bptler, Petersburg, Decatur, Mount Vernon, Delphi, Kendallville, Franklin, Attica, Crawfordsville, Portland, Princeton, Rochester, Monticello, Kokomo, _ Huntingburg and Salem. And these 17 switched from Republican to Democratic: Colum(Contlnueo on paca

Br ■ K ■■« w Frahk Braun At Large Lawrence Kohne Third District

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 1959.

Berne, Geneva Split Tickets In Elections Berne and Geneva split-voted, placing a Democratic mayor, clerk, and one of five councilmen in Berne, and a Democratic cleric in Geneva, the town board going solidly Republican in Tuesday!4 election there. Monroe’s unopposed Democratic ticket went in by 43 votes. In Berne, the personal popularity of the candidates, together with an undercurrent of the sewer-building project, shook up the city government. Mayor Forrest Balsiger, Democrat, who has been mayor since Berne became a city nine years ago, was reelected over Leland A. Neuen, Republican member of the present city council, by 132 votes. Democrats In Richard L. Lehman, Democratic clerk, was also reeleeted over Kenyon L. Sprunger by 326 votes, leading the ticket for the Democrats. Leslie Stuckey, of the northeast district, was the only Democrat councilman, elected by 35 votes. Four Republicans swept the other council seats, with Homer Neiderhauser leading the ticket, defeating Dr. James McCrory by 378 votes. Fred L. Kirsch defeated Edgar Lehman by 340 votes; Max Sprunger beat Dan Speicher by 294 votes, and in the closest race in Berne, Willard Wulliman edged out Roger Augsburger by 12 votes. Geneva Split In Geneva, the Democrat candidate for clerk-treasurer, Mrs. Annabelle Parrett, was the only Democrat victor, defeating Olive, Dickerson by five' votes. Lake Glendening edged out Clarence Buckingham in the closest race in the county, by two votes for town trustee, and Dean McWhinney defeated Walter Hofstetter by 16. Gail Hodgin won over Ray Umpleby by 37 votes. In Monroe, which reported in at 7 p. m.. the time the polls closed, Arthur W. Moeschberger was reelected clerk-treasurer, and town board members will be Paul Lobsiger, Orval J' Neuenschwander, and Kenneth Hoffman, all unopposed.

Brief Session Held By Decatur Council Two light installation petitions were referred to the city light and power superintendent at the regular city council meeting Tuesday night in the council chambers at city hall. The council also heard a report from city engineer Ralph Roop, who told the group that the Yost Construction Co. had started construction on the 12th street sewer. The construction firm started to Install the 24-inch tile at 12th and Nuttman. The city also entered into agreement with Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Smith, of Root township, for a rural light extension. The cost of the extension was given at $144.68. Asking for the light installation in the middle of south Mix street were: Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Wagner, Mr. and Mrs. L. DeWayne Grafton, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Blackbum, Mr. and Mrs. G. H. McCammon, Mrs. Gerald M. Cowan, Mr. and Mrs. Robert R. Sittier, Troy Fennig, Fred W. Conrad, Mr. and Mrs. John A. Myers, Marvin Beery, William Hutker, and Mr. and Mrs. Henry S. Commager. Asking for the installation of a light at 11th and Adams streets were: Mr. and Mrs. Cloyce Durr, Mr. and rs. Charles Werst, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Shackley, Mrs. Ken Singleton, Mrs. John C. Morgan, Mr. and Mrs. Max Konrad, Mrs. Doyle Lee, and Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Huston. Variance Granted For Home Addition The city zoning board of appeals granted a variance to Ed Berling for an addition to his home at 328 S. First street at a regular meeting Monday night.

All Other Democrats Triumph In Municipal Election On Tuesday; Electric Utility Sale Is Favored

Sale Os Light System Carries By 777 Votes Decatur voters registered a re-, sounding "Yes” on the question of the sale of the electric light plant, the vote carrying by a majority of 777 votes, 2,040 to 1,263. While the vote strongly indicated that Decatur citizens favor the sale at a fair price, the appraisal at more than the offer by IndianaMichigan offered killed the present offre.. .T.h.e. .p.l.a.nt. .ca.nnos offer. The plant cannot be sold without a new and different offer. The sale carried every precinct except two, 1-B (cannery) and 2-B (firehouse). At the cannery 130 voted against, and 109 in favor of the sale, as compared with 37 in favor, and 129 against in the April 14 electioh. At the firehouse, 124 voted against, 117 in favor of the sale,, as compared with 144 against 61 in favor, in the spring election. Heavier Vote The vote was much heavier this fall, with 3,303 votes registered in the power plant election, as compared with 2,727 in' the spring, 576 more votes. . And the 62% vote ia favor of ■Sale strongly refutes thqpe who felt that the petitioners and those who signed it, were frightened into it. There were 2,269 names on the petition for the sale. This petition was never verified, that is, compared with actual voting records, to see how many were registered. And many of the signers did not vdte this time, or moved away, or have died. Undoubtedly many changed their minds. But still, 2,040 voted for the sale, as compared with 2.269 signing the petition. Also, the petition just called for reconsideration, not actually for the sale. Probably some businessmen signed the petition just to keep their farmer friends happy, too. Association Statement Louis Jacobs, president of the association for the betterment of Decatur, released the following statement this morning: “When 62% of the voters favor

Dunkirk Mayor May Stay On In Office PORTLAND, Ind. (UPD — Republican Mayor Richard A. Overmyer 'of Dunkirk is expected to keep his office four more years, even though his race with Democrat C. Wayne Hobson ended in a dead heat. Overmyer and Hobson tied with 530 votes apiece in unofficial returns, and the result was confirmed by an official canvass this morning. Dohrman Brotherton, Jay county clerk, said he asked the State Election Board what to do and “they told me Overmyer will remain in office if the tie remains in effect.” Edwin Steers Sr., veteran member of the State Election Board, said the Indiana Constitution provides that an incumbent mayor shall serve “until a successor is elected ahd duly qualified.” Steers said that since Overmyer’s opponent was not elected and therefore cannot qualify, Overymyer is entitled to remain in office just the same as if he had won reelection. Steers said the coin flip method of settling a tie is limited to tewn’ship offices. Hobson could ask a recount or legally contest the election, but unless he received more votes than Overmyer he could not keep the present mayor from retaining his office until after the 1963 municipal elections.

City Judge i W* -Jr ! CT - *** Richard J. Sullivan an issue it is only reasonable to expect immediate action on it. Such a strong mandate in view of the fact that both parties were committed to abide by the will of the people makek further delays seem unreasonable. “We are requesting a special meeting of the city council at the earliest convenience to begin the necessary steps to complete the sale. “We wish to express our thanks to the many voters who agreed with us that Decatur should dispose of its plant and not go deeper into debt. We especially are grateful to the petition carriers and poll watchers who spent so much of their time and effort in getting out this wide majority vote.” One Write-in Vote For Von Doren In Virginia ARLINGTON, Va. (UPD— Charles Van Doren had at least one supporter in Virginia. He received one write-in vote for the Arlington board of supervisors during Tuesday’s local elections. Burial Rites Held For Smith Infant Janice Marie Smith, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul A. Smith, Fort Wayne, died at birth shortly before noon Tuesday at the Parkview memorial hospital. Surviving in addition to the parents are a sister, Cheryl Ann, and two brothers, Daniel and Michael, at home: and the grandparents. Mr. and Mrs. Forest Owens and Mr. and Mrs. Elmo Smith, all of Decatur. Graveside services were held this morning in the Catholic cemetery at Fort Wayne, the Very Rev. Msgr. Charles Girardot officiating. '

OFFICIAL DECATUR ELECTION RETURNS 'II & I 5 3 £ -~ E „ s’ S 5* SJ =5 _ S o >d 4 ' <3 2 S e S ■*s</3 Dec.tur City j | « | § | § g S 040, o <3 u O Election Q - - Q W 0 « ri . Aa November 3. 1959 - g s ’ . « „ p - . £ -i-i3 li’lJ ini naO 0 w *-» Eo O< < Q wr* * Precinct IZZ'-.- | awHWWH 304). 163) j~232)~134ji~»6ri60 £ 189! 173)) 185) 178) | 2061 1» Precinct 1-B | 106] 138 119) 121,; 143|| 141) 104)1 139) 108|| 186) 103)! 121, 117(| 113) 123)) 109) 130 Precinct 1-Cl ) 138) 136) | lW}'“Ssif 183|| 1701 104|| 178j~ 95) | 165 106 ) 1461 1231) 146 126)) 164|~96 Precinct 1-D ) 134) 194! | 166) 159)i 189l| 181 i 143)| 174) 148j| 153) 166) | 139) 178)| 137) _ITO|J 192| 133 Precinct 2-A ...1.... | 236| 180)1 274) 136): 295!| 278) 1311| 284) 117)| 260; 146,) 237) 168 ! 237) 166)1 266) 140 Precinct 2-B | 105; 144)) 143) 102) | 147) | 134) 102) | 145| 95|| 142) 99!) Precinct 2-C f 113) 117|| 127) 94|| 144|) 134‘ 92|| 136) 90)| 127) 991| 122) 104}j U4| Hl|| 154) 70 Precinct 3-A ! 2191 "196)1'2521 156)) 265|| 253) 154) 270) 134)) 252) 151;] 233! 165!; 2071 197'! 260| 130 Precinct 3-B | 175| ITOIT 'lßo|' 164)) 2OT|| 205| 140|| 210| 132)| 1881 150,1 163| 175)) 178) 167;! 200) 132 Precinct 3-C | 138) 115|| 151) 100) | 166)1 158| 90|) 165) 79) | 152! 99! j 148 101 ! 139) 108) | 166| 78 Decatur-Root| leorWWWaSii 202] 79|| 195) 87j| 187| 94)) 196 87)! 17U 113!| 206) 73 TOTAL |1704j1708!;2000:i37<>rr219 | 7|!2060130272i28 1219!! 1968 1373 t 1817'1507 1742 1592 2040 1263 MAJORITY | 630- |12197|| 758 H~9<»i II 595 || 310, "|| 150| )} 777~

Mayor Cole Is Defeated For Reelection Donald F. Gage, of the Gage Tool and Engineering Co., edged out incumbent Democrat Mayor Robert D. Cole by four votes in the closest Decatur mayoralty race since 1885. Gage, the only Republican to be elected, carried 1-A (warehouse), 1- <cannery), 1-D (Dinner Bell), 2- (firehouse), and 2-C (Worthman Field), five of the city’s 11 precincts. Cole carried the other six precincts, but not by enough votes to catch Gage. Precinct 1-D carried the strongest for Gage, by 60 votes, and 2-A (court house) was Cole's strongest, with 56. Race In Doubt The race was in doubt all evening. especially when 1-C, (jail) precinct reported first, with only a margin of two for Cole. Those interested in the political races had the from four years ago with them to compare the votes. The race was nip and tuck all evening, with Gage leading by 100 votes with seven or eight precincts in. This was whittled away, until, with one precinct left, Gage led by only nine. Cole supporters were quite hopeful, because the precinct out, 3-B, had carried for Cole by 102 votes four years ago. However, they carried for Cole by only five votes, and Gage won by four. Recount Possible There has been considerable talk about a recount of the votes. Any city candidate has 15 days in which to file for a recount of any one precinct, group of precincts, or all the precincts. The opponent then has 10 additional days in which to file a counter-petition, asking for a recount in other precincts. Then Judge Myles F. Parrish would appoint a committee of three to recount the votes. Democrats Elected Norbert Aumann, popular Decatur electrician, led in the Democratic victory, swamping Edward Deitsch by 909 votes. Carl Gerber, Democrat, of Gerber’s Supermarket, overwhelmed Republican Robert L. August by 758 votes. Mrs. Laura Bosse, Democrat candidate for clerk-treasurer, beat her Republican opponent, Curtis P. Jones, by 630 votes. Lawrence Kohne. Democrat incumbent, was reelected by 595 votes over Ralph Smith, Sr., of Smith Dairy. Clyde Drake, Democratic member of the city council who trailed the ticket four years ago after

Mayor gWomßi t ' |||i E W i® w J!* >Donald F. Gage winning a tie primary, defeated Harold Teeter handily by 310 votes. The only newcomer for councilman was Democrat Frank Braun, retired GE employee, who defeated former city councilman Adolph Kolter, for councilman at large. Richard J. Sullivan, unopposed Democratic candidate for city judge, received 2,197 votes, more than any other Democratic candidate. Fifth Republican Totals for all candidates in Decatur, Berne, and Geneva will be found elsewhere tabulated by precinct. Gage is the fifth Republican to be elected mayor of Decatur. John M. Doan, present city chairman for the GOP, is the only Republican ever reelected, having been elected once by 35 votes, and reelected by 705 votes. In 1938 Forrest Elzey was elected over a Democrat by a majority of 398. In 1909, Judson Teeple was elected by 11 votes. R. W. Quinn, a Republican, was elected in 1894, but the city clerk’s record does not contain the voting record. Gage, and the other officials, will - take office January 1. 3,553 Calls Answered On Phone Recorder A total of 3,553 calls were answered on 3-2171 giving election results as fast as they could be recorded. This number represents only the calls that were received, since many of the people received a busy .signal, somtimes so many that the numbers 3-2 rang busy. Ten telephone lines were operating simulatancously to provide the service given.

Six Cents