Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 62, Number 88, Decatur, Adams County, 13 April 1964 — Page 1

VOL. LXII. NO. 88.

Voting Places Are Studied By Board

A ditch petition and finding voting placets for the 40 county precincts occupied the Adams county commissioners until 11:30 a.m., when they left to inspect a site which had been questioned by some who use it. The commissioners approved and referred to the county surveyor a petition to clean and repair the Mathias Miller ditch in Sects. 25 and 36 of Monroe township, and 31, 30, 29 and 19 in Blue Creek township, where it enters Blue Creek. The ditch is an open ditch with a bottom of not more than six feet, not a dredge ditch, a cording to the petition, and the following people, all of route 2, Berne, with their acreage affected by the ditch, signed for the improvement: John Ludy, 40 acres: Clara A. Greulach, 175; Alma F. Miller, 40; Ben Jones, 116; Jacob E. Schwartz, 35; and Thurman Douglas, 61. Election Workers Pay Hie commissioners approved the following pay scale for election workers, the same scale as has been used for several years: inspectors, $22; clerks and judges, sl2; sheriffs, $9; meals, $3. County auditor Edward F. Jaberg reported that only six cards approving voting sites have been returned, and that the commissioners should locate sites for all 40 precincts before next Monday, so they can be properly advertised. Jack Zehr, of East Root precinct, reported that traffic using his wet, freshly graveled approach to Saddle lake cost him SIOO, while he received only S2O for use of his place as a voting spot. Board president Delmas Bollenbacher stated that he felt the rent for a day was low, but that it was in the budget for this year, and could not be raised. Zehr offered the commissioners the use of the double garage at his home, about 1,000 yards away, around the corner from the lake entrance, and the board decided that this would be better. / 1-A Voting Place Another board member reported that the city has sold die former street and light department warehouse, on Grant street, where precinct 1-A has voted, to the North Adams community schools. The board checked with Gail F. Grabill, school superintendent, who Dr. Harold V. DeVor Quitting Practice Dr. Harold V. DeVor, D. D. S., a Decatur dentist for the past 36 years, announced today that he is retiring effepfive immediately, for reasons of poor health. He has practiced here longer than any of the remaining five dentists. Dr. DeVor left this past weekend for Ixtapan, Mexico, where he will undergo treatment and rest for an ailment that has had him In great pain for some time. The DeVors sold their trailer court Jan. 11; they plan to return to Decatur, and make their home here, as soon as Dr. DeVor is in good health again. DHS Graduate Dr. DeVor, a native of Greenville, 0., moved here With his parents when he was three years old, and considers himself a “native” here. His father was a lumber inspector for Smith & Bell lumber yard. In 1923 DeVor was graduated from Decatur high school, and he then attended Ohio State University, graduating in dentistry in 1928. At that time he came to Decatur. and bought out the practice of Dr. John Clark, D.D.S., in what is now the Veterans of Foreign Wars home. He practiced there for six years with Dr. Frank Lose. He. then moved into the building on South Second street now occupied by attorney John L. DeVoss, and practiced there until he entered the armed forces in 1940. For six years, three of them overseas, Dr. DeVor served with the U. S. Army, attaining the rank of major before returning to Decatur in 1946. At that time he located in his present location in the Heller building on Monroe street, and has been there 18 years. Active Here ’ During his nearly four decades of professional life in Decatur Dr. DeVor has served as chancellor commander of the Knights of Pythias chapter here and as post commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He is a member of the Zion United Church of Christ. The retirement of the dean of v Decatur dentists leaves just five dentists practicing here: Dr. Ray Stingely, Dr. John B. Spaulding, Dr. Harold W. Bohnke, Dr.’° Robert R. Irwin, and Dr. William Gillig.

in 1940.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

reported that Southeast school is badly crowded, and that the commissioners might use it for the primary, but that it had no extra space for the fall; Grabill also suggested that Monmouth was in a similar situation, and that a new voting place should be found for West Root. County attorney David A. Macklin informed the commissioners that the law reads as follows, from Bums 29-5017: “School buildings, fire stations and all other public buildings shall be made available to the county commissioners without charge to be used as voting places. The board then decided that it would like to use the two schools as voting places, as provided by law; they reasoned that in a democratic system, voting was just as important a governmental function as the use of every single school room for teaching. Elevator Controls The commissioners also discussed whether they should build a small concrete room with steel door to house the elevator power system in the men's room, where it has already been damaged, or move it to another location. The commissioners signed seven shares of Farm Bureau stock, earned by the county from 1963 purchases, and returned them to the Farm Bureau to get $35 cash for the general fund. While ordinary shareholders must wait until the shares come due, or the owner dies, governmental units may cash them at once. Letters Read The commissioners read a leter from Mrs. D. E. Bedint, of Maryville, Wash., who wrote to the commissioners to find out the location of the David L. Schwartz who makes buggy wheels and sells them throughout the country; auditor Jaberg replied with the proper address. The commissioners also received a letter from T. P. Hetu, chief inspector for the Hartford Steam Boil Inspection and Insurance Co., which inspected the boiler at the jail on March 23, and found* that it needed no repairs at the present time. Another letter, from a family living on the Peterson road, number 8%, said that they preferred using both names and numbers, as in Allen county and Van Wert county, and the present numbering system, rather that the more confusing Purdue system; the commissioners pointed out that just small signs with numbers would cost SB,OOO, and that larger signs with names would be more expensive. The commissioners still have the matter under consideration. Winchester Road Attorney David A. Macklin reported that Severin H. Schurger, Decatur attorney, had contacted him, and told him that the Harley Roons were willing to sell their half-acre on the Winchester road to the county now for S4OO, and that he would get them to sign a paper to that effect. Macklin has been authorized to petition the court to settle the matter; the Roods turned down SSOO and S7OO offers two weeks ago; they originally asked $2,500 for the half acre, which is assessed at $22 real value. The South Monroe voting place and Kirkland voting place were questioned, and the commissioners decided to eat early, and drive out to see the places for themselves. Hoagland Physician Dies Early Sunday Dr. Willard O. Smith, 86, prominent Hoagland physician, died at 7:30 a. m. Sunday at the Parkview memorial hospital, where he was admitted Saturday night He had been ill for five weeks. Dr. Smith, a lifelong resident of Hoagland, had practiced there his entire career. He was a member of the Hoagland Methodist church. Surviving are his wife. Rose; two sons, Russell Smith of Delta, 0., and John Smith of Ponca City, Okla.; five daughters, Mrs. Audrey Dudgeon of Glenmore, 0., Mrs. Josephine Mclntosh of Decatur, Mrs. Marjorie Lybarger of Hoagland, Mrs. Phyllis Duhm of Fort Wayne, and Mrs. Pat Federspiel of New Haven: 18 grandchildren; 18 great-grand-children: and three sisters, Mrs. E. E. Morris of Fort Wayne, and Mrs. J. H. Colter and Mrs. M. F. Shookman, both of Hoagland. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:30 p. m. Wednesday at the Hoagland Methodist church, the Rev. Duane Spires officiating. Burial will be in Antioch cemetery. Friends may call at the E. Harper & Son funeral home at New Haven from 7 p. m. today until 12 noon Wednesday, when the body will be removed to the church.

Grissom, Young To Ride First American Two-Seat Spaceship In Earth Orbit

HOUSTON (UPD—Space veteran Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom and former test pilot John W. Young will ride Americas first two-seater Gemini spaceship on a three-orbit around earth, possibly about Christmas time, it was announced today. Grissom, who rode a Redstone rocket on a 15-minute sub-orbital journey July 21, 1961 and said frankly he was “scared a good portion of the time,” will become the first American to make two flights into space. The selection of the stocky, moon-faced Grissom, 38, and dark-haired 33-year-old Young to the pioneering flight in the Project Gemini was announced by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at its new manned spacecraft center 25 miles south of Houston. Project Mercury veteran Walter M. Schirra, 40, who made a six-orbit space flight Oct. 3, 1962, was named a “backup” Gemini flight pilot along with new astronaut Thomas B. Stafford, 33. Grissom, an Air Force major and a member of the nation’s original seven-man Project Mercury team, will lend the hand of experience to the pilot’s seat inside the left hatch of the cone-shaped, 7,000-pound Gemini capsule. . Top Moon Prospect Riding in the co-pilot’s slow will be the steady - handed Young, a Navy lieutenant commander, whose comparative youth makes him a top prospect for a flight to the moon aboard a three-man Apollo spaceship which the United States plans to launch about 1970. Grissom, who just got out of his Mercury capsule before it sank in the Atlantic after his flight, said it was “a real honor” to be selected as leadoff man for the Gemini project. “I am very happy,” he said. “It is a real pleasure,” said Young. “We have got a lot of work ahead of us and I know it is going to be extremely interesting” Grissom has been assigned to the two-man Gemini orbital flight project since its inception and this was a factor in his selection, space officials said. Selection of the first Gemini pilots and Russia’s successful orbiting of a new, maneuverable satellite called “Polyot 2” Sunday were indications of stepped-up drives by the United States and Russia to send astronauts and cosmonauts on Decatur High Team Is Forestry Winner The Decatur high school team won the Adams county 4-H and FFA forestry judging contest, held Friday and Saturday at the county extension office. The Decatur team, coached by Bill Journay, won top honors with 1,146 points. Tteam members were Tom Schnepf, 390 points; Roger Lehrman, 380, and Steve Kohne, 376. Geneva, coached by Bill Kipfer, finished second with 1,120 points. Team members were Mary Lybarger, 400 points; Mary Ann Duff, 370; Kay Wheeler, 350. Third place winner was another Decatur team, also coached by Journay, with 700 points. Team members were Richard Doty, 370 points; Hans Lehr, 330. Adams Central placed fourth with 488 points. Coach is Martin Watson. Team members were Roger Ellenberger, 188 points; Lester Feller, 180; Mike Fennig, 120. The high individuals were: Mary Lybarger, Geneva, 400; Tom Schnepf, Decatur, 390; Roger Lehrman, Decatur, 380: Steve Kohne, Decatur, 376; Richard Doty, Decatur, 370; Mary Ann Duff, Geneva, 370; Kay Wheeler, Geneva, 350; Hans Lehr, Decatur, 330. The two top teams, Decatur and Geneva, will represent Adams county at the Fort Wayne district judging contest at Fremont Saturday, April 25.

Decatur, Indiana, 46733, Monday, April 13, 1964. — 1.-, . — .

more ambitious flights into space this year. The next Soviet manned space shot is expected in a matter of days or weeks. It probably will involve an attempt to link up two Vostoktype spaceships launched separately into orbit—a feat America’s Gemini spacemen expect to try late in 1965.

North Adams Community Schools Sell Reppert Cabins 1 i v rV i \| *• u 1 V ; ■ I fl if i 11/Il 111 1111 JR Oli If « M iHZ/w l H ilrl IfTl IL ix liu I iln\ '.iurlliiil o kMw >sl I iIVi I / !■£■ It nil liAM ilOlßiUiKAfl ’St *Il I Wil I 11 H VI wytfti jC, : ' C, CABINS SOLD SATURDAY — The North Adams community schools sold seven small buildings Saturday from their 90-acre Bellmont property for a total of $477.50, and an old school bus for $252 Saturday afternoon on the site of the cabins. William F. Schnepf and T. D. Schieferstein auctioned the property. Buying the buildings were: cabin 1, Walter Stoppenhagen, S4O; cabins 2-3-4, Robert Hill, SSO; cabin 5, Glen Geyer, S6O; cabin 6, Jess Tricker, $127.50; utility building, Wayne Tague, $25; cabin 7, Al Beavers, S4O; cabins 8-9, Harold Taylor, Monroeville, SIOO. The school bus was sold to Maurice Colter, Van Wert, 0., for $252. —(Photo by Cole)

Weekend Burglaries Al Decalur Plants Local city police officers are investigating a pair of weekend burglaries at local factories. Over $77.50 was stolen in a' burglary at the Decatur Casting Co., which occurred sometime Saturday or Sunday. Entry to the building was gained through a door on the west side of the building. After gaining access to the building, the shies, or thieves, broke a window in a door tn the office, to reach through and unlock the door. The drawers in the office desks were ransacked, and one drawer ‘ which contained money was pried open. Taken from a cash box in the drawer was $25 in dimes, $5 in quarters, $4 in nickels, 30 one dollar bills and some other loose change, all of which amounted to $77.50. Force Open Machines Hie thieves then went to three vending machines at the rear of the plant, forced all three open and stole an undetermined amount of money from them. The other burglary occurred at the Decatur Industries plant oh Patterson Street, extended. Entry to the plant was gained through a door on the south side, again either Saturday yr Sunday. Three vending machines were damaged, but only one was opened and the money taken from the machine. The amount taken was undetermined. Ransack Offices The foreman’s office was entered, where several cabinets were ransacked, and desks and cabinets in the main offices were also ransacked. The thieves also forced their .way into a small office containing the plant safe, but did not attempt to open it. A desk and cabinet in that office were also ransacked. City police officers, who were informed of both burglaries this morning, are beginning an investigation of the break-ins.

The successful shot which put an unmanned Gemini capsule into orbit last Wednesday from Cape Kennedy kept alive the American hopes for getting more men into space before the end of this year. The nation’s last manned flight was the 22.9 orbit voyage of astronaut L. Gordon Cooper Jr., last May 16-17.

More Os Red Cross Drives Completed Two more townships have completed their Red Cross rural fund drives, and only 44 sections, out of 336, remain to report in the entire county, John B. Faurote, drive chairman, announced today. Kirkland and Preble townships, led respectively by Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Koi ter and Mr. and Mrs. Dorphus Schlickman, and Martin Selking and Mrs. Tom Buuck, joined French and Monroe in completing their drives. Onethird of townships, four of 12, have reported every section. All Over Goals , All four have also gone well over their goals. Kirkland raised $234.81 and had a goal of S2OO, while Preble raised $329.30, and had a goal of S3OO. Faurote thanked all the workers in the reporting sections for their fine jobs. Remaining to report are the following: Union and Blue Creek, three sections each; St. Mary’s, Washington, and Wabash, four each; Root and Hartford, seven each; and Jefferson, 12. Single Reports Mrs. Herbert E. Myers reported $7 and 100% from Sec. 27, Blue Creek township. Mrs. Robert Brown reported sll from Sec. 21, Kirkland; August Selking brought in $7.50 from Sec. 22, Preble township; and Robert Plumley reported Sec. 10, Union township 100% with $4. From Washington, reports were: Mrs. Oscar Ray, Sec. 13, $15.25; Mrs. Harvey L. Smith, Sec. 338, $9; Mrs. John E. Meyer, Sec. 48, $6.75; and Eddie McFarland, Sec. 15, sl. i A Jefferson, Hartford Mrs. Delmas Bollenbacher. brought in $5 from Sec. 7 and $8 from Sec. 8, Jefferson township. Hartford township reported as follows: Forest Shoemaker, Sec. 21, $4; Sec. %2, $2.75: Lester Zimmerman, Sec. 23, $7 and Sec. 24, $10; Lewis Martin, Sec. 25, $5, 100%; Harold Shoemaker, Sec. 26, $6; and SeC. 27, sl3; Joseph T. Glendenning, Sec. 33, $11.50, Sec. 34, $6, and Sec. 35, $3, 100%; Irvin T. Sprunger, Sec.

If Project Gemini is spared any major hitches for the next eight months, Grissom and Young will don silvery space suits and —about mid-morning on a day next December — climb through the hatches of a Gemini capsule on launch pad 19 at Cape Kennedy. . A two-stage Titan 2 will hurl them into an orbit ranging from

36, $5, 100%. Wabash Report Wabash township reported: Mrs. David Sprunger, Sec._ 2, $7; Mary Hirschy, Sec. 3, $10; Mrs. Doyle Mathys, Sec. 5, $6; Mrs. Richard Beitler, Sec. 6, $2.25; Arthur Werts, Sec. 7, $5; David Zuercher, Sec. 8, $5; Merlin Beer, Sec. 18, $4; Lula Walchle, Sec. 20, sl6; Mrs. Harold Long, Sec. 21 A, $6; Aveline Tschannen, Sec. 24, $9.70; David Horn, Sec. 28, $5; Thomas Sullivari, Sec. 30, $5; James McCollum, Sec. 31, $4, 100%, and Sec. 32, James Lybarger, Sec. 34, $3 and Sec. 35, $6. Timothy J. Singleton Nominated For Award Timothy J. Singleon, Decatur high school senior, has been nominated for the annual achievement awards program, sponsored by the national concil of teachers of English (NCTE). Announcement of his selection was made today by Miss Catherine Weidler, English teacher in the high school. For the seventh year, the council is conducting the national awards competition to grant recognition to outstanding high, school seniors for excellence in English. The writing abilities and literary awareness of each nominee will be judged by local and state committees. NCTE will announce the winners in December, 1964, and will send their names to every U. S. college and university with the recommendation that these students be considered for scholarship assistance. According to James R. Squire, executive secretary of NCTE, the achievement awards program is part of a comprehensive program undertaken by the council in cooperation with American schools to encourage improvement in English language and literature at all grade levels. The council is also cooperating with Project English, a national program sponsored by the U.S. office of education for improving English instruction. By stimulating interest in English studies and by supporting programs for improved instruction in English, the NCTE seeks to contribute to a national educational program of excellence.

1 about 100 miles to more than 180 miles above earth. The two I will circle earth three times, ■ cover a distance of about 80,000 ' miles in about 4% hours and - return to a landing in the Ati lantic Ocean south of Bermuda. I Schirra and Stafford would be used for the flight should Grisl som and Young not be able to i ' make it.

Mrs. Frank Martz Dies Last Evening Mrs. Mary Marta, 78, widow of Frank Martz, died at 6:45 p.m. Sunday at her home east of Monroe. She had been ill for six months and bedfast two months with a heart condition. A native of French township, she was a daughter of Peter D. and Elizabeth and was married to Frank Martz Sept. 1, 1945. Her husband preceded her in death March 4, 1961. Mrs. Martz was a member of the Monroe Friends church. Surviving are a foster daughter, Mrs. Paul Isgrigg of Indianapolis; two brothers, Menno M. Roth of Bluffton, and Noah Roth of Decatur, and two sisters, Mrs. Sarah Augsburger of El Monte, Calif., and Mrs. Emma Beer of Decatur. Two brothers are deceased. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Yager funeral home in Berne, with the Rev. Vernon Riley and the Rev. Paul Isgrigg, Indianapolis, officiating. Burial will be in the Evangelical Mennonite cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 12 noon Tuesday. Girl Scouts' Day Camps Set In June All registered Girl Scouts, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes and Seniors, are eligible for the Limber lost day camps, to be held June 23, 24 and 25, and June 30, July 1 and 2 at the Girl Scout cabin in Hanna-Nuttman park. The day camp fee will be $3. Checks should be made payable to the Limberlost Girl Scout Council, with the health form and registration, to Day Camp Registrar, Liberlost Girl Scout Council, 227 E. Washington Blvd., Fort Wayne, Ind. All registrations will be processed on a first come, first served basis, postmarked no earlier than 12 noon Monday, April 13, through April 21. Hie program will be the same as in all organized Girl Scput camps, the activities most successful in the outdoors. The day camp is staffed by volunteer ’ adults. Interested volunteers are asked to call Mrs. Dean Boltz, phone 3-4423, to give the preferred session.

SEVEN CENTS

Rev. Gerald Gerig Resigns Pastorate Rev. Gerald I. Gerig The Rev. Gerald I. Gerig, pastor of the Decatur Missionary church for the past eight years, submitted his resignation to the congregation Sunday. In announcing /is resignation. Rev. Gerig stated that he has accepted the pastorate of the First Missionary church in Berne. During his pastorate in Decatur, attendances have doubled in areas of the church work, giving has greatly increased, and the church building has been enlarged. Rev. Gerig has served as president of the Associated Churches 'of Decatur, and has served on numerous committees within the ministerial association. Commenting on his resignation. Rev. Gerig said, “we are grateful for the wonderful years we have been able to spend in Decatur. The people of this community have been wonderful to work with and the people of the church have made our ministry a real delight during these eight years. We have resigned to accept the cjll from Berne. This church is one of the strongest in the Missionary church association. With a Sunday school erf nearly 400, this church has made a real impact on the Berne area.” Rev. Gerig, his wife and three children will assume the Berne duties Sept. 1. Elsasser To Return In Concert Series Richard Elsasser, one of the world’s great concert organists, who recently delighted an enthusiastic crowd at the Community Center, will return to Decatur next year on the 1964455 Adams County Civic Music association series. Responding to popular demand. Mrs. Sherman Stucky, president of the organization, contacted the New York booking office of this handsome artist, and was assured that a date for his return engagement would be arranged. “In our eight years of engaging talent for the Civic Music series,” said Mrs. Stucky, “no performer has been accorded such resounding acclaim. In fact, it was the first time there was * standing ovation from the audience.” J Elsasser has appeared in concerts all over the world, has been on many television programs, and his recordings enjoy the largest sales of any organist In addition to this talented artist, three other high-quality concerts will be presented by the music association, which this week is conducting its annual membership campaign. The drive closes Saturday evening, and no memberships will be sold after that date. Tickets fbr any individual performance are never available, and concerts are limited to members only. A large group of workers *in both Decatur and Berne are active 0 this week, in an effort to bring the membership for the new season up to 900. The drive headquarters in Decatur is at the Community Center, phone 3-3130, and in Berne at the Berne Witness office. New members will have the privilege of hearing without charge the Karlsrude Chorale featuring 16 male voices, whose appearance will be Monday, May 4, at the Center. INDIANA WEATHER Partly Heady and cooler with diminishing winds tonight. Tuesday partly Heady, chance of scattered showers in afternoon or evening and not much change in temperatures. Low tonight 33 to 42. High Tuesday 46 to 53 north, around 60 south. Sunset to- * day 7:21 p. m. Sumtoe Tuesday 6:16 a. m. Outlook for Wednesday: Fate- and wanner. Lows 35 to 45. Highs 55 to 65.