Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 61, Number 1, Decatur, Adams County, 2 January 1963 — Page 1

VOL.LXI NO. 1.

Blast Rips Packing Plant; Five Killed, Dozen Are Missing

Bloodmobile Unit In Decatur Jan. 9 Telephone appointments for the Wednesday, January 9 visit of the bloodmobile are being made by a number of volunteers, Mrs. Ferris Bower, head of the local blood program, said this morning. The mobile unit will be stationed at the Decatur Youth and Community Center from. 10 a. m. to 4 p. m. January 9. A total of eight volunteers began contacting prospective donors today. The volunteers include Mrs. Lloyd Bowman, Mrs. Henry Neireiter, Mrs. Laures Meyers, Mrs. Richard Green, Mrs. Robert Zwick, Mrs. Leo Curtin, Mrs. Francis Ellsworth and Mrs. Earl Fuhrman. Mrs. Cletus Miller is the chairman of the nurse recruitment for the bloodmobile visit, and Mrs. Lee Fleming is the canteen chairman. “Local Program” "Although Red Cross has been a vital force nationally and internationally, this remains basically a local program,” Mrs. Bower said this morning. “Its immediate impact is felt in the daily life of the community/ 8 Mrs. Bower explained. A significant part of the Red Cross strength in the local community is the membership of the AFL-CIO and its community services committees, as labor representatives on chapter boards, as , volunteers in the many activities of Red Cross, and as citizens. - Vital Service AFL-CIO officials have described the Red Cross blood program as one o fthe nation’s most vital services. Making whole blood and its fractions available to the sick and injured—at no cost for the blood—continues to be the heart of the program. —- The program also includes extensive research activities to discover new uses for this life-saviag fluid. ' ' / Donating blood takes less than an hour, with the Actual donation lasting only five minutes. Only one pint is taken from any one person, and there are approximately 12 to 15 pints in the human body, depending on weight. Mrs. Bower explained that blood is never wasted. If it is not used for a transfusion within 21 day.:, it is made into blood derivatives which keep indefinitely. Anyone between the ages of 18 and 59 who is able to pass the physical check-up is elegibile to give blood. Written permission of a parent is required for anyone unmarried and under the age of 21. Trio Arraigned On Two Charges Here Three young men, two from Decatur and the third from Bluffton, were arraigned in the Adams circuit court Monday afternoon, each on charges of second degree burglary and grand larceny. Arraigned were: Larry Harve Butler, 21, and Stephen Lee Brandenburg, 21, both of Decatur, and Larry D. Christianson, 22, rtf Bluffton. The charges against the three were read by Judge Myles F. Parrish, who explained their lawful rights to them. Hubert R. McClenahan was appointed by Judge Parrish as a pauper attorney for Butler. Brandenburg and Christianson are represented by Richard J. Sullivan. Released On Bond Butler and Christianson remained in the Adams county jail following arraignment, under $2,000 bond. Brandenburg was released after posting a property bond of. $4,000 A property bond must be twice the actual bond. , The youthful trio was taken into custody Sunday afternoon after looting four Monroe stores and tfie Fager Appliances and Sporting Goods store in Decatur. A total pt 15 firearms, with an estimated value of over $l,lOO, "tore stolen from the Decatur store. * Total value of the stolen articles (Continued On Page Three)

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (UPDAn explosion shattered a meat packing plant today, trapping dead and injured workmen in a huge pile of debris and endangering the survivors and firemen with deadly ammonia fumes from ruptured refrigeration units. Five men were dead on arrival at two hospitals, and at least 46 were injured and taken to those hospitals. St. Antnony’s Hospital said Carl Bender, 48, and an unidentified man were dead on arrival there. Union Hospital said Henry James Cottrell, Darrell Jarred and Homer Isle were dead on arrival there. Police Chief Frank Riddle said it was feared that several other men were trapped and dead inside and beneath a freezer buried beneath a stack of debris. Riddle said 12 or 13 men remained unaccounted for about five hours after the explosion. He said that among them was Donald Scott, brother of the owner of the plant, who was seated at his desk in an office at the time of the blast. Riddle said that a man identified as John Fisher was found alive in the debris and was given oxygen and morphine shots while still trapped in toe rubble up to his chest. About 250 persons were believed working in toe area when the explosion Occurred. About 200 were accounted for four hours later. Shocked survivors, some’ of them appearing to be slightly injured, stood around the damaged plant trying to help rescuers by describing the location rtf a cooler where they believed many were trapped. James Tidd, Lewis, said he and several others in the plant when the explosion occurred tried to get the cooler door open. "We were banging on the doormost of the men are in there—but we couldn’t open it because the ceiling had caved in behind toe door and toe debris prevented opening the door.” Jim Walker, an employe, said he was working upstairs in a meat-cutting unit when he heard an explosion that “sounded like someone slammed a big door shut, then the walls collapsed.” Bob Boerner, West Terre Haute, said he “heard an explosion and then toe floor caved in and the ceiling came down. Everything went black.” Boerner said he crawled part of toe way along a floor and finally reached safety. Heaps of wood, brick and cement were all that remained of part of toe building. Survivors believed that victims were trapped in and beneath the freezer unit which plunged to the basement from the main floor when the blast occurred. Probe Gun Deaths. Os Mother, Son HAMMOND, Ind. (UPI) — Authorities here were investigating toe gun deaths of Mrs. Patsy Murphy, 25, and her 9-year-old son, David, today. Edward Murphy found toe bodies of his wife and stepson, Tuesday after one of the four other Murphy children told him they saw their mother shoot David and then fall in her bedroom, Police said a pistol found at the scene apparently was used in the shootings. Auditions On Three Nights For Musical Auditions will be held Thursday, Friday, and Monday .nights for “The Music Man,” musical production sponsored by ■ the Decatur Junior Chamber of Commerce. The auditions will begin at 7 o'clock this evening. Wayne Roahrig, chairman of the Jaycee committee handling the production, has requested that persons auditioning Friday, use toe west entrance to high school building. Auditions will be held each evening in the music room of Decatur high school, located ta the new addition- to: the school. Persons are asked to use toe west entrance to toe building Friday due to toe basketball game that will be played in toe gymnasium that evening.

New Judge Panel Is Nominated By Stalls City court Judge John B. Stults announced this morning a new three-man panel of Decatur attorneys, one of whom will be selected as special judge to hear the "junk yard” case. Judge Stults’ new panel consists of toe following: John L. De Voss, David A. Macklin and Mark A. Morin. All three are Decatur lawyers. The same procedure will be followed as when the first panel of three attorneys was selected. City attorney Robert S. Anderson, act-' ing on three affidavits signed by Eleanor Wemhoff of Decatur, and Robert Smith, representing Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Gallogly and Edward T. Imel, will have ten days in which to agree upon one of the three to act as special judge. If no agreement is reached, Smith will be given two days to strike one of the three, and Anderson will then be given two days in which to strike another name. The remaining member of the panel will then become judge in the case, if he qualifies. Sullivan Disqualified The naming of a hew panel came about when Richard J. Sullivan was selected by the striking process, but disqualified himself. Sullivan, Hubert R. McClenahan and Lewis L. Smith composed the first three-member panel. McClenahan was struck by Robert Smith and Lewis Smith was struck by Anderson, leaving Sullivan as special judge. Sullivan, however, disqualified himself from serving since he has represeinted Gallogly in a pending suit. In accordance with legal procedure, a member of a panel such as the two panels presented by Judge Stults does not notify the court of a disqualification until he is selected.

Sen. Kerr’s Death Blow To Democrats

WASHINGTON (UPI) The death of Sen. Robert S. Kerr, “uncrowned king of the Senate,” left the Kennedy administration with a leadership gap in Congress today with toe new session only a week away. The Oklahoma Democrat, possibly the most influential man on Capitol Hill, died of a heart attack at 10:50 a.m. EST Tuesday in Doctors Hospital while sitting on a bed talking to his physician, Dr. James L. Keating. Kerr was admitted to toe hospital three weeks ago with a virus ailment. A few days later he had a heart attack but his administrative aide, Burl Hays, said Monday that Kerr was “showing steady improvement.” — President Kennedy had counted on the 66-year-old oil millionaire to help steer his tax-cut bill and other legislation through Congress. Notified of his death, Kennedy said Kerr would be greatly missed when Congress opens next Wednesday and “even more so in toe months ahead.” Kerr’s death will not change toe party lineup in the Senate where toe Democrats have a 67-33 edge on toe Republicans. There was speculation that Oklahoma's outgoing Democratic Gov. Howard Edmondson might fill the Senate seat. Edmondson could resign before Republican Henry Bellmon takes office as governor On Jan. 14 and INDIANA WEATHER i- Mostly cloudy through Thursday with a little very slight snow at times probably becoming mixed with a little rain Thursday. A litte warmer tonight. Low tonight in the 20s. High Thursday 27 to 34. Sunset today 5:32 p.m. Sunrise Thursday 8:06 a.m. Outlook for Friday: Cfoody north, partly cloudy south, eelder, with snow flurries Dorth. Low 17 to 25,. 25 to 33. .' - — ~ ‘

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday, January 2,1963.

Keappomhnenfs Announced By County Board Hugo Boerger, beginning another fbur-year term in office, was reelected chairman of the board of county commissioners, as the commissioners met New Year’s Day in the courthouse. In addition to Boerger being reelected to head the commissioners, Delmas Bollenbacher was chosen vice-chairman of toe board. <■* The commissioners also made their annual appointments, with all made being reappointments. Mrs. Edna Werst was reappointed matron of toe county courthouse for one year, and Mel Kohler was renamed as custodian of the courthouse. f Lawrence Noll was again appointed supelvisor of the Adams county highway department, with Bob Fuhrman reappointed as assistant supervisor of toe department. Macklin, Staley Named David Macklin was reappointed as county attorney, and James K. Staley was renamed as Adams county service officer. Bill Schnepf was reappointed foai four years to tote Adams planning commission, and Nagel was appointed to the board s of trustees of toe Adams county memorial hospital for four years. Dr. Norval Rich of Decatur was reappointed by toe commissioners as toe county physician. Commissioner Stanley Arnold was again selected to serve on the county planning commission to represent toe board of commissioners. Arnold is presently chairman of toe planning commission. Boerger was selected to serve as the commissioner on toe 4-H extension board.

get Lt. Gov. George Nigh to appoint him to the Senate until the next regular election in 1964. Democrats Lose Prestige Though they won’t lose the Senate seat to the GOP, the Democrats suffered a tremendous loss in prestige and influence in Kerr’s death. Both his friends and foes called him the Senate’s “uncrowned king” because of the power he exerted in legislative councils. The President, who planned to attend Kerr’s funeral, said in a statement of sympathy to the senator’s family, that, “his legislative accomplishments were exceptional.” “In the last two years alone,” Kennedy said, “almost every major bill enacted bore the mark of his untiring leadership and skill; The space program,. the trade bill, the tax bill of 1962, the improvements in social welfare and in national resource development.” .... . The Chief Executive’s tribute was an echo of the oft-repeated quip heard in the cloakroom of the 87th Congress—“ What Kerr wants, Kennedy gets.” Kerr’s influence extended far beyond his chairmanship of the space committee and membership on the finance and public works committees. Other national leaders joined in expressions of shock and sorrow at Kerr’s death. Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson said the nation had “lost one of our great resources.” Democratic National Chairman John M. Bailey termed Kerr “one of the great senators of his era in history.” Born In Log Cabin A big, genial man, Kerr rose from a log cabin birth in the old Indian Territory to become a millionaire even before he embarked on a political career with election as governor of Oklahoma in 1942. He easily won the Democratic (Continued on Page Three)

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KATANGA TROOPS—New fighting has erupted near Kamina, Katanga, between Unified Nations and Katangese troops, two *'of whom are shown during current action..

Dr. William Freeby City Health Officer Dr. C. William Freeby has been appointed by Decatur mayor Donald F. Gage as city health officer for a four-year term. Dr. Freeby replaces Dr. John B. Terveer as health officer for the city of Detatur\ Dr. R. E. Allison was appointed a member of the city’s board of health by toe mayor. Allison will serve a ‘ four-year term on toe board, whose other members are Dr. Freeby, Dr. Arthur H. Girod, Dr. Terveer, and Mrs. Jean C. Gillom. - Mrs. Gilliom was also reappointed for another four-year term. She serves as secretary for the board of health. Three appointments were made to the board of zoning appeals, with two of them reappointments. Replaces Original Member G. C .Mac Lean was appointed to Lthe» board to replace Charles B. Eciocid, and Lowell W. Harper and fchalmer DeßoJt were reappointed Io the board. All appointments are Mor four-year terms. H Mac Lean replaces one of the JLriginal members of the board in Chares Cloud, who was appointed to toe first board of zonng appeals in 1949. Other members of the board at present are Max Gilpin and Al Beavers. ' • Deßolt was also appointed to the planning commssion for a four-year term. All appointments were effective Tuesday, January 1, and were made by Mayor Gage and approved by the city council.

Ezra Brandyberry Dies Last Evening Ezra 6. Brandyberry, 63, veteran employe of the Decatur General Electric Co. plant until his retirement, died suddenly at 6 o’clock Tuesday evening at bis home, 607 Marshall street. He was born at Monroe Aug. 2, 1899, a son of Dennis and Ella Wisler-Brandyberry, and was married to Lena Pearson Oct. 29, 1920. Mr. BLandyberry was employed as an> inspector at toe G. E. plant for 33 years until his retiremeht in November of 1961 because of ill health. Surviving in addition to his wife are one daughter, Mrs Robert A. (Anna) Miller, and two-grandsons, Stephen and Timothy. The son-in-law is a missionary in Europe, but the family is presently in the United States on furlough. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at the Zwick funeral home, the Rev. W. R. Watson officiating*. Burial will be in the Decatur cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 p.m. today until time of the services. .... ■ DECATUR TEMPERATURES Local weather data for the 48 hour period ending at 11 a rm today. Monday Tuesday 12 noon 20 12 midnight .. 14 1 p.m. 21 1 a,m. 14 2 p.m 21 2 a.m. 14 3 p.m. 22 3 a m 13 4 p.m 20 4' a.m 13 >5 p.m. .... 18 5 a.m. 14 6 p.m. ... 18 6 a.m. 15 7 p.m.... 17 “7 IS 8 p.m..’16 8 a.m 17 9 p.m. : 16 9 a.m. 20 10 p.m: 16 10 a.m 26 11-p.m 1 14- 11 a-m- .....2» Tuesday Wednesday 12 noon 26 12 midnight .. 22 1 p.m 2X 1a m 22 2 p.m. 29 2 a.m. 22 3 p.m 30 3 a.m 22 4 p.m. 28 4 a.m. 22 5 p.m —. 27 5 ,a.m 22 6 p.m. 26 6 a.m. ....... 23 7 p.m x... 24 7 a.m 22 8 p.m: 24 8 a-m. 24 9 p.m 22 9 a.m 26 10 p.m 20 10 a.m—. 27 11 p.m. .20 11 a.m. 27 Precipitation Total for the 48 hour period ending at. 7 a.m. today, .0 inches. The St. Mary's river was at 1.20 feet. -

Logansport Church Is Damaged By Fire LOGANSPORT, Ind. (UPI) — Flames fought by the entire LOganspart Fire Department of 22 men from five companies left the eight basement rooms of toe Bethel Tabernacle here in ruin Monday night. ” Jury Commissioners Renamed By Judge Edward Berling and James Gattshall have been reappointed by Adams circuit court Judge Myles F. Parrish to serve as Jury commissioners for 1963. Berling and Gattshall were sworn in Monday, Judge Parrish said this morning. According to law, toe commissioners must be from separate political parties, and the commissioner of the opposite political faith as the county clerk holds the key to the'..fury, box which toSds the names of the prospective perBerling is a Democrat and Gattsons for jury duty. -* shall is a Republican. Since county clerk Richard Lewton is a Democrat, Gattshal thus has possession of the key to the jury box.

Kennedy Will Wage All-Out Battle For Reduction In Taxes

Editor’s Note: As President Kennedy surveys his first two years in the White House and looks at prospects for 1963 in a gravely troubled world, his views are reported on the highest authority in pie following article. By MERRIMAN SMITH UPI White House Reporter PALM BEACH, Fla. (UPI) — President Kennedy at the dawn of 1963 believes it will be possible to keep the country relatively prosperous and avoid a growth-stunting rise in unemployment. For this reason and beginning this month, he intends to wage an all-out fight in Congress for tax. reduction effective this year. The tax cut he envisions would not go into effect all at once. It would be phased to take effect at different times in order to lessen its impact on the budget deficit. Before Treasury Secretary Douglas Dillon puts the detailed administration, one-package tax reform bill before the House Ways and Means Committee late this month, toe President and his lieutenants face a first fight—over whether to keep the House Rules Committee at 15 members or allow it to revert to 12 members. Without a 15-member Rules Committee, Kennedy fears toe next two years will be virtually barren of legislative accomplishment and his program largely unadopted. Domestically and economically, the President feels toe nation is slightly better off than a year ago today. But without the tax reduction, he fears unemployment wflk rise dangerously. For this reason, once the Rules Committee fight is out of the way, the tax bill will have first priority on his list of needed legislation. 1 International Field In the international field, toe chief executive thinks Russia may have learned a lesson from

Castro Lashes Pres. Kennedy

HAVANA (UPD-Premier Fidel i Castro lashed out at President Kennedy today and ridiculed the United States for paying “indemnification” for 1,113 ransomed Cuban invasion prisoners. “They call it ransom,” Castro said. “We don’t care what they call it. “They had to agree to pay indemin ification. “For the first time in history, imperialism has paid war indemnification." Castro’s speech was the highlight of his regime’s observance of its fourth anniversary in power. He spoke after a two hour review of Cuba’s armed might before a reviewing stand.of some 400 Communist-world notables. Castro said the only reason toe United States paid toe ransom he demanded for the release of the invasion prisoners was "because they were defeated... "At Giron Beach (a reference to toe Bay of Pigs, invasion attempt) they (imperialists) suffered their first defeat in Latin America.” Castro ridiculed President Kennedy’s welcome address to toe freed Cuban prisoners in Miami’s Orange Bowl last Saturday. —Re called the release of the prisoners for foodstuffs and medical supplies “a historic . event . .. unprecedented.” Castro’s speech came after he reviewed a massive military parade featured by so-called overflights of modern Russian - built MIG fighter aircraft. Cuban announcers said the MiG’s included the MIG 21, toe Soviet supersonic fighter. All were presumed to be piloted by Cubans. Thousands of Cubans lined toe streets to watch men and women civilian militia parade with modern Czech weapons and to hear Castro. The anniversary observance actually comes a day late, presumably to avoid confusion with toe traditional celebration of New Year’s. President Osvaldo Dorticos gave a reeepfcMm -nt- tea Cuban pr««L dential palace Tuesday night for foreign diplomats and official visitors, including Soviet spaceman Pavel Popovich. A number of high Castroite officials attended the reception, including Industries Minister Ernesto (Che) Guevara and Castro’s

the Cuban missile venture and. thus helped to improve slightly | chances for keeping the world at peace in 1963. “—■ While this country has no intention of invading Cuba, the President has made it clear that absence of American action is contingent on Cuba living at peace with her neighbors. He believes in time that Premier Fidel Castro will be toppled, but he does not know how or when this change will take place. He wants it understood, however, that the United States would be sympathetic toward a shift to new and free government in Cuba. Generally, the President takes a guarded attitude toward the continuing East-West struggle in 1963. He finds toe military balance of power still on the side of the West. The United States in his opinion also has an edge in nuclear weapons. And despite stray hits to the contrary, he finds nd 1 currently dependable evidence that Russia! wants to improve relations with the west. Domestic and foreign prospects taken together, toe President sees 1963 as a year of increased peril for the United States, but an era of more, opportunities for advancement It is possible to report this and other Kennedy attitudes at the new year as» the result of conversations here in Palm Beach where he is spending a mixed rest-and-work holiday. His associates responsible for this report are clearly authoritative. Staff planning sessions for the legislative year resume today in Kennedy’s quarters. The President anticipates no less a laborious and troublesome year with Congress than he experienced in 1962. Ranked a shade behind tax reduction, medical care for toe aged financed through social security and federal aid to education will be pushed again by the administra-

SEVEN CENTS

i brother Raul, but toe premier himself was not present. Today’s speech will be Castro’s first since Nov. 2, when toe U.S. “arms blockade” of Cuba was still in force. S The premier was expected to review the events of 1962, including the continuing shortages which forced his regime to ration food, shoes and other clothing. He also was expected to touch on such matters as toe Cuban crisis and the release of toe 1,113 survivors of the ill-fated 1961 invasion. Merriman, Singleton Take Office Tuesday Omer Merriman and Roger Singleton officially began their duties as county assessor and sheriff respectively, today. Merriman begins his four-year term as assessor, being elected to the job in the November election. Merriman’s wife, Mary, will serve as deputy. Walter Koos was formerly toe assessor of Adams county, but was defeated for renomination. Singleton began his actual term as sheriff today, after completing the unexpired term of former sheriff Merle Affolder toe last part of 1962. Singleton’s deputies are Harold August and Warren Kneuss. Kneuss began his duties u a deputy Tuesday also. Singleton’s wife, Betty, is the secretary handling official papers, records, the radio, etc., in the sheriff’s office in the courthouse. Mrs. Lula K. Strahm, a resident of 227 Water St., is the new jail matron. Two hjew Year's Infants Born Here Two New-Year’s babies were born at the Adams county memorial hospital Tuesday, Jan. L The first Wants Pt toe new year are a baby boy, bom at 3:31 a. m. to Levi and Barbara D. Wickey Schwartz, of Berne route 1, and toe second was also a boy, the son of Reyes and Carolyn Sudduth Roman, 739 North 11th street, Decatur, born at 11:20 p. m. Tuesday.

. tion. The President is determined | to get a decision on Medicare in 1963 but he realizes this will be a difficult task. Economic Outlook Economically, he thinks business is reasonably good and for this reason, 1963 is a better time to put across a tax cut than waiting until unemployment rolls the nation into another recession. He regards his relations with the business community as more satisfactory than they were six months ago, but he also attributes this in part to business, itself, being more satisfactory than it was last June. He foreesees 1963 trouble in the labor - management field with hard-to-settle strikes arising from automation, work rules and technological changes, particularly when such changes result in abolition of jobs. The last unemployment figures showed about 5.8 per cent of the work force out of jobs. Kennedy believes that even with inroads ..caused by automation and the addition of one million people a year to the work forego unemployment can be kept from increasing if . Congress passes his new tax program.- With a taac reduction phased as the administration will propose, Kennedy would expect to keep unemployment below 6 per pent. Without the tax bill, there would be some growth in the production rate, but also a growth la unemployment probably higher than 6 per cent. Politically, the President regards his second term candidacy as more or less inevitable; he feels he is in geed political shape now, bnt he expects a decline in popularity of his administration as measured by opinion polls when Congress re-opens and fighting over domestic issues begins. According to associates, he does not have * 1964 Re(Continued on Page Four)