Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 62, Number 298, Decatur, Adams County, 18 December 1964 — Page 1

VOL. LXII. NO. 298.

20 Elderly Persons Die In Nursing Home Fire Near To Indianapolis

By HOBTENSE MYERS United Press International FOUNTAINTOWN, Ind. (UPI) —Fire swept through, a home for old people today and, authorities said, killed 20 patients. There were 19 known dead whose bodies were taken from the ashes of the Maples Convalescent Home and ano her was missing and presumed to be dead. Two of the elderly victims died in hospitals hours after the fire. Thirteen others were hospitalized and a 14th survivor was taken to a relative’s home. 'lbirty-four residents were in the home when the fire broke out.' Fourteen bodies were stretched out on the concrete floor of the Murphy Funeral Home at nearby Shelbyville. Two were at the Carmony Funeral Home there, one was at Morristown, another at Greenfield and another found in the basement of the fire-blackened debris was enroute to Murphy’s. State fire marshal’s inspector Howard Boegaholtz said the cause of the fire probably would never be known but it appeared “an overheated heating system,” overtaxed by maintaining an 80-degree temperature in the structure in near-

Prison Terms ! To Two Spies

NEWARK, N.J. (UPI)—A federal judge today sentenced convicted American spy John Butenko to 30 years in prison and his Russian co-defendant Igor Ivanov to 20 years. Both men could have received the death penalty on their convictions of plotting to pass Air Force defense secrets to members of the Russian United Nations delegation. U.S. District Court Judge Anthony T. Augelli, who heard the eight week trial, passed sentence after declaring that the two men had committed a “heinous crime.” “The offense strikes at the very heart of the national security of this country” he said. “Spying is a hazardous business.”

Space Center Picketing Off

CAPE KENNEDY (UPI) — Space construction began a slow return 'o nbrmal today after a carpenters union local withdrew pickets that stalled moonport and Air Force building for a day. Workers began returning to their jobs at dawn. An Army Corps of Engineers spokesman estimated that 80 to 85 per cent of the 4,500 - man work force would be on the job later today. The carpenters, members of Local 1685, set Up picket lines at entrances .to the spice center and at nearby Patrick Air Force Base in a surprise move Thursday to protest the use of non-union labor by one con- ’ tractor. About 3,500 workers refused to cross the lines Thursday. Key construction was halted at the vast Merritt Island Moon base, on the new Air Force Ti-tan-3 . military space rocket

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

zero weather, was responsible. The home was heated by two fuel oil furnaces. Boegaholtz said the fire apparently started in an interior .wall near a chimney and broke through at baseboard level in a first-floor closet. He ruled out electricity or propane gas as causes. Near Zero Weather The survivors, all old folks, were helped or carried from the blazing, two-story white frame building located at the edge of this Hoosier hamlet of 250 persons, Foun aintown is 10 miles southeast of Indianapolis. The temperature was 3 degrees above zero when the fire broke out in the morning darkness. Fife departments from throughout the Indiana countryside fought the blaze, but the water in their pumper trucks gave out. They had to crack through the ice of nearby Brandywine Creek for more water. “Old Brandywine” is an almost legendary stream in Indiana lore. It draws its fame from James Whitcomb Riley, Indiana’s poet laureate, who grew up in nearby Greenfield. “The Old Swimming Hole” of which Riley wrote is on ' the Brandywine eight miles from

To the end, however, Butenko and Ivanov maintained their innocence. Moments before sentencing, the 39-year-old bespectacled Butenko, a former $14,000-a-year electronics engineer, told the court: “I realize I have been found guilty according to our form of justice by a jury. But I know I’m innocent. I have done nothing to harm my country.” Through an interpreter, Ivanof, a chauffeur for the Soviet trade agency Amtorg, denied any soying and said he considered his arrest “an unfortunate misunderstanding.” His attorney had suggested that Ivanov be expelled from the country instead of sent to jail, but the judge did not heed the plea.

complex and on other space projects. The corps spokesman said construction got under way slowly this morning but was picking up speed as workers returned. A spokesman for *he Brevard Building Trades Council said he expected a full force at work Monday. Willard Van Hoose, business agent for the carpenters local, said the union decided to withdraw its pickets la‘e Thursday night. He said negotiations are now underway to resolve the dispute with the contrac‘or, Akwa-Downey Construction Co., of Milwaukee, Wis. Thursday’s picketing was the fourth time this year that pickset lines had stalled construction at the space center. The previous dispues were stopped by federal court orders after tying up building for a total of eight days. -4 >.

Decatur Stores Now Open Every Night Until Christmas

Foun’aintown. The Brandywine waters couldn’t stop the flames which shot so high in the icy night they could be seen five miles away. It seemed the only ones who cried were the rescuers. State Trooper Ronald White, his voice shaking, said, “I got to the back door and I got in and found five people, all dead, in their beds, of smoke inhalation. “The survivors showed no emotion—no crying. It was terribly cold.” “I Loved Them All” Mrs. Valeria Everhart, a nurse’s aide at the home, wept as she saw the bodies removed “I loved them all.” Max McGraw, who owned and operated the home for 10 years, said, “I couldn’t stand to stay over there. They were my family.” Ralph Keller, who lives across the s'reet from the home, said, “I never heard anyone scream. I saw a fireman crying but there was no sound inside—nothing but the smoke.” “I would say none of those patients was able to get out on his own,” Fire Chief Carlos Jeffries ~aid. “Those who got out' were helped out. There was one woman who was standing on her feet outside, but she was holding onte a shed. I picked her up and put her into a chair.” One of the first men on the scene, Kenny Purbers, said, “a nurse told me “he kitchen’s on fire and the hall’s on fire.’ She was hysterical. She , couldn’t talk.” The firemen named a nurse, Mrs. Myrtle Donahue, as the heroine of the fire. It was she who led most of the patients out of the building, they said. Mrs. Donahue was one of 14 hospitalized in Shelbyville. Died In Sleep Firemen said those who lived had been sleeping on the first floor. Those on the second floor died, they - said. They hoped they died in their sleep. $1,200 More Received By Community Fund Mrs. Mabie Murray, 1964 Decatur Community Fund drive chairman, reported this morning that more than $1,200 in contributions has been turned in since the close of the drive last month. The late contributions have brought the drive total to $31,407.26, well over the $29,834 goal. Mrs. Murray said that the extra funds will be held for any emergencies which might arise. State Apportionment Group Meets Monday INDIANAPOLIS (UPI) — The Legislative Apportionment committees of the Indiana House and Senate will meet Monday, to begin work on new legislative and congressional districts. House Speaker-elect Richa-d D. Bodine completed naming the House committee Thursday. The group, representing all 11 congressional districts, will be made up of 11 Democrats and four Republicans. The Senate committee was appointed earlier. Although the committees will begin work slightly more than two weeks before the start of the 1965 General Assembly session, Bodine said he did not think they would have any plans ready for the Jan. 7 start of the session. The legislature is expected to redraw the legisla’ive and congressional districts in line with a federal court mandate for equal representation. With Democrats in control of bo‘h the

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTy

Decatur, Indiana, 46733, Friday, December 18, 1964.

Auction Graduation Exercises Are Held | Commencement exercises were held at 11:30 today at the Decatur Youth and Community Center for the 39 graduates of the 1964 Reppert auction school winter session. Die exercises were held after a dinner for the students and members of the school faculty. Faculty member Homer Pollock was the master of ceremonies for the event and a short graduation address was delivered by Q. R. Chafee, Towanda, Pa., dean of the school. The diplomas were handed out by Dr. Roland Reppert, owner of the school. Die ceremonies were shortened because of expected bad weather which may slow the students on their return journeys to their homps. Some of the scheduled addresses were made last night after the closing session of the school. The 39 graduates were: Raymond R. Baxter, Indianapolis; Miss Carol Boyles, Newville, Pa.;. LaVern Buchert, Lenora, Alberta, Canada; Michael Burns, Coldwater, Mich., W. Clark Camp, Sharpsburg, . Ga.; William Caswell, Uhricksville, O.; Jack Colson, Led-, better, Ky.; Ormand Dennison, Pembroke, Ontario, Canada; John Dobson, Warsaw, Ohio. Edlor Drewes, Napoleon, O.; Robert Dugan, Richland Cente;, Wis.; William Fields, Ridgevilli; Robert Fowler, Buckhannon, W. Va.; Ronal Gingerich, Hutchinson, Kan.; Harrv Gruber, New Tripoli, Pa.; William Hughes, Honeybrook, Pa.; Ed Hyde, Talledega, Ala.; Walter Jennings, LaGrange; Jack Johnson, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada: Lawrence Knarr, Turbotville, Pa. Orville Laughlin, Melrose. O.; M. Henry Leffler, Marion; Walter Millhouse; Hudson: John Morvkan, Hellertown, Pa.; Mrs. Leflore E. Moser, Berne; Frank Nance, Paris, Tenn.: Larrv Newell. Pittsboro, N. C.: Michael Quinn, Washington, Pa.; Mrs. Eileen Rice, Decatur; Vincent Shaffer, Senecaville, O.; Michael RusSO, New Castle. Pa : James Teets, Terra Alta, W. Va.; Jack Thompson, Harlan, Ky.: Arnold VanLue, Roann: Frank Wall, Cortland, O.; Jack Waller, Swainsboro, Ga.: David WelLs, Gallino-' lis. O.; Walter Young, Hartville, Ohio. INDIANA WEATHER Fair and cold tonight. Saturday sunny and a little warmer. Low tonight 5 to 10 above. High Saturday mostly in the 20s. Sunset today 5:22 p.m. Sunrise Saturday 8:01 a.m. Outlook for Sunday: Fair and ' a little warmer. Lows 12 to 16. Highs 25 to 32. House and Senate, the new alignments are expected to favor their party. Democrats named to the committee Thursday by Bodine were Charles K. Abshier, Evansville; William E. Babincsak, Munster; Robert V. Brod well, Indianapolis; H. Ross Brown, Campbellsburg; Leo F. Costello, Indianapolis; Valjean L. Dickinson, South Bend; Thomas L. Essex, Columbus; Dennis H. Heeke, Dubois; George E. Stephenson, Yorktown, and W. Wayne Townsend, Upland William J. Bright, Terre Haute, had been named earlier as chairman. ' Republicans named were Robert H. Bales, Danville; Ulrich H. Henrichs, Demotte; Elmer MacDonald, Fort Wayne; and Jack N. Smitherman, Mooresville.

School Christinas Program On Sunday Decatur high school’s annual Christmas program will be presented Sunday at 4 p.m. in the school gymnasium. „ Several departments within the school have cooperated to make the program possible. The art department, with Hubert Feasel as advisor, has prepared and set up each scene in the program. Speech instructor Tony Kelly has chosen students to portray shepherds, wise men, angels and the Holy Family. He has also selected senior Richard Anderson to be the narrator for the program. The music department, under Miss Helen Haubold, choir director, has prepared the choir for the musical program entitled "Songs of Christmas.” The Decatur high school choir has also been invited to sing a taped program over WANE-TV, channel 15, which will be seen at 5 p.m. Christmas day. Band director Richard Collins has prepared the band to participate in the program and home ’economics teacher Phyllis Houk has had the sophomore girls making richly colored turbans and robes for the characters who are in the program. The program will • be broadcast live over radio station WADM. Salesman Is Held For Bank Robbery INDIANAPOLIS (UPI) — James Branham, 22, Kokomo, a bread truck salesman who said he robbed a bank to get money to pay his debts, was held in lieu of SIO,OOO bond today in the Marion County Jail. Branham was arraigned before U.S. Commissioner Thomas Gibson, Jr., Thursday a few hours after he held up the Sharpsville branch of the Union S ate Bank and fled with $2,895. Gibson ordered him jailed when he was unable to post bond. Branham, who had paid off about SBOO of debts at Kokomo after the robbery, was arrested Thursday afternoon -as he headed south along U.S. 31 near Westerville, His pregnant wife and their young son were with him when he was arrested. Hamilton County Sheriff Marcus Passwater and Carmel Patrolman Rex Durr said Branham had about S6OO on his person and more money was found in a shoebox in the trunk of his car. He was arrested when Durr spotted Branham's bright red compact car which answered the description of the bandit's car. Branham had been sought since police learned he suddenly paid his employer S3OO in overdue route collections and then asked for a few days off. Branham, who formerly lived in New Albany, was placed on two years probation and fined .SSO last year in Bartholomew Circuit Court for the theft of stereo sets from Arvin Industries, Inc., Columbus, where he then worked. Local Ladv's Father Dies This Morning Joseoh Droto, 59, father of Mrs. Ernest J. Lesiuk, wife of the Adams county extension agent, died this morning at his home in Medina, O. Death was attributed to cancer. Mr. Droto was a member of St. Francis Xavier church at Medina. Funeral serveies will be held Monday morning at Medina.

5 SHOPPING DAYS LEFT CHRISTMAS SEALS fightTß and other RESPIRATORY DISEASES .. ° fl / VV o / I ° S 3 ° n ? v W_ o’’ s. - Chusbnas § (fadings

High School Singers Entertain Rotary The Decatur Rotary club enjoyed its annual Christmas program Thursday evening with the program, as has been the custom for many years, provided by the music department of Decatur high school. This year the vocal ensemble, under! the direction of Miss Helen Hpubold. sang a varied program and ended with the traditionel "Silent Night.” Gad Grabill was program chairman. The vocal ensemble consists of Cindy Haggerty, Jane Jacobs, Carole Mitch, Carol Hoverman, Barbara Conrad, Karla Meyer, Tom Schnepf; Leon Habegger, Tom Engle, Tim Singleton, Dan Miller and Dave Smith. In introducing the program, Miss Haubold explained that this group of 12 voices was a smaller group from the choir, with good voices who were willing to give additional time to added practice sessions. The group looked especially sharp in new Outfits of a cranberry color. The program opened with a spiritual called “Reach Down That Hand." The girls" double trio from the ensemble then sang “Dear Hearts and Gentle People.” The boys followed with "Sing Out,” "The River is Wtae,” and Tom Dooley.” Meredith Wilson's tuneful “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” was well received. They closed their program with the same number which has been used to close each program for many years, "Silent Night.” After thanking the ‘ singers, chairman Grabill invited aH to attend the Christmas program to be given at Decatur high school Sunday afternoon at 4 o’clock. He also said the choir had made a video tape this week which will be aired . over station WANE-TV at 4 p. m. on Christmas day. President Lowell Harper announced that as of January 1, several of the officers will move up to new positions since the club's former vice president, Gene Ziner, has left Decatur. Roger Schuster will assume the club vice presidency. Ed Hagan, who is now treasurer, will begin dut’es as secretary, and Roy Kalver will become treasurer. Robert Fravel Dies After Long Illness Robert F. Fravel, 65, a native of Geneva and brother of Herbert F ravel of Decatur, died at 3 o'clock this morning at his home in, Bridgeport. He had been in failing health for several years and seriously ill since Thanksgiving. He was born at Geneva April 22, 1899, a son of George and Alice Weaver-Fravel. Surviving are his wife, the former Lucille Cassidy; three daughters, Mre. Robert <Maryann) Cass of Indianapolis, Mrs. William Greta) Motz and Mrs. Robert tßetty) Cox, both of Fort Wayne; five sisters, , Miss Catherine Fravel of Geneva, Mrs. Vernon (Mary) Blowers of Denham Springs, La., Mrs. Amos. (Erma) Brunner and Mm. Charles (Virena) Blum of Flint, Mich., and Mrs. Albert (Gene) . Reid of Lapeer. Mich.; and three brothers, William Fravel of Geneva, Herbert Fravel of Decatur, and James Fravel of Fenton, Mich. On - brother, Charles, is deceased. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday at the Hampton & Gentry funeral home at Plainfield, with burial in Floral park cemetery at Indianapolis. Friends may call at. the funeral home after 6 p.m. Saturday until time-of the services.

Business Leaders And Johnson Confer

WASHINGTON (UPD— President Johnson followed up a long economic discussion with top labor leaders by offerings equal time today to a group of the nation's business elite. Fourteen top executives were invited to meet with the President at the White House. Press secretary George E. Reedy said thy were invited to give the President “their views on current problems.” The meeting was scheduled for 1 p.m. EST. The mee'ing, Reedy said, is similar in purpose to Thursday's session at which AFL-CIO President George Meany and other labor leaders gave the President their views on a wide variety of economic problems. List Os Leaders Invited to today's session were: Donald C. Cook, president of American Electric Power Co., New York; Frederick Kappel, chairman of American Telephone & Telegraph, NewYork; Henry Ford 11, chairman of Ford Motor Co., Dearborn, Mich.; Frazer B. Wilde, chairman of Connecticut General Life Insurance, Hartford: Charles Thornton, president of Litton Industries: Beverly Hills, Calif.; Thomas J. Watson Jr., chairman of International Business Machines, New York; Roger Blough, chairman of United States Steel, New York. Frederic Donner, chairman of General Motors, New York; David Rockefeller, chairman of Chase Manhattan Bank, New York; Frank Stanton, president of Columbia Broadcasting System, New York; Bill Stolk, chairman of American Can, New York; Michael McCarthy, president of Merrill, Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith, New York; William B. Murphy, president of Campbell Soup, Camden, N. J.; and Frank Magee

389 Calls Made To Santa Claus Here Nearly 400 telephone calls were placed to> Santa Claus the past three evening, according to a report from Kenny Nash, chairman of the annual Jaycee Santa Claus telephone project. Nash reported that some 125 calls were placed through the Jaycees’ direct line to the North Pole Thursday evening — the final evening —for a total of 389 calls during the three evenings. Nash explained that many more than 389 children talked with Santa, an as many as four and five children in a family would all speak with Santa during one telephone call. Thanks and appreciation to the Citizens Telephone Co., especially Mrs. Mabie Murray, were expressed by Nash on behalf of the local chapter.

Mrs. Holman Egly Corn Club Champion

Winners in the 1964-65 corn contest in Adams county were announced today by Ernest J. Lesiuk, county extension agent. Mrs. Holman Egly. of Berne route 2, is the senior five-acre corn club champion with a yield of 149.4 bushels per acre, and Jim LeFever, also of Berne route 2. is the junior five-acre corn club champion with a yield of 143.8 bushels per acre. , Pins and trophies will be presented to the winners at the annual farmers' achievement banquet to be held in March. Senior Club Yields Yield of .other senior club members are: Elmer J. Isch, Bluffton route 4, 148.6 bushels per acre; Edison Lehman, Berne route 2, 145.7; Ernie Isch, Bluffton route 4, 144.9; Holman Egly, Berne route 2, 142.9; Delmas Bollenbacher, Berne route 2,' Habegger, Berne route 1, 140.7; Hugo Bulmahn, Decatur route 2, 137.7; Martin Kipfer, Decatur route 4, 131.8; Mrs. Henry Heiman, Decatur route 4, 129.4; Joe L. „I.sch, Bluffton route 4, 125.4; Mrs. Delmas Bollenbacher, Berne route 2, 123.3; Henry Heiman. Decatur route 4, 122 3; Ervin Schuller, Decatur route 1, 121.7; Doyle

SEVEN CENTS

of Aluminum Co. of America. No Commitment Johnson, in his discussion with the labor leaders, gave no commitment on how he might support the Democratic platform's pledge to abolish state “right-to-work” laws. Meany told newsmen after the two hour and 15 minute meeting, “I’m quite sure the President is going to support the platform.” ■ Reedy also told newsmen the President "stands on the Democratic platform.” At issue in the right-to-work controversy is section 148 of the Taft-Hartly labor law which permits states to restrict federal provisions which allow labor management contracts recognizing the union shop. The Democratic platforms of 1960 and 1964 both called for repeal of section 148. Mrs. Chalmer Steele Dies This Morning Mrs. Margaret L. Steele, 61 of 428 West Washington street, Bluffton, wife of Chalmer Steele died at 4:45 am. today at the Wells county hospital in Bluffton, where she had been a patient since suffering a heart attack two days ago. She was born near Bluffton July 7. 1903. a daughter of Lewis J. and Clara Mechling-McCor-tnick,. and was married in Decatur Sept. 6, 1925, to Chalmer Steele. Mrs. Steele was a member of the Evangelical United Church of Christ. Surviving are her husband; two sons, Bobbie J. and Chalmer Steele, Jr., both of Bluffton; two daughters, Mrs. Max Mygrant and Mrs. Larry Wittwer, both of Bluffton; five grandchildren, and one sister, Mrs. Donald Knoble of Bluffton. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Goodwin funeral home at Bluffton, with the Rev. Ralph Koch dfficl- ’ ating. Burial will be in Elm Grove cemetery. Friends may calll at the funeral home after 7 p.m. today until time of the services. '

Good Fellows Club Previously Reported $553.63 Ku'm Join Us Class, Bethany E. U. B. 13.00 A Friend 2.00 Cravens Children f 5.00 A Friend 1.00 Dr: F. H. Zwick Family 10.00 A Friend 1.00 Military Order of Cootie 5.00 Mr. & Mrs. W. Guy Brown 5.00 Pocohontas Lodge 5.00 Flossie M. Hower 5.00 Total $605.63

Lehman, Berne route 2, 118.4; Marcus Luginbill, Berne route 2, 118.2. John Kipfer, Bluffton route 4, 117.8; Martin Habegger, Monroe route 1, 113.3; Ben Mazelin, Berne route 1, 111.8: Roger Koeneman, Decatur route 3. 111.7;\ Theodore J. Kipfer, Bluffton route 4, 111.2; Edgar Thieme. Monroeville route 2, 111; Robert Plumley, Monroeville route 2. 109: Irvin Worthman, Decatur route 2, 108.9; Phillip R. Moser, Decatur route 4, 107.2; H. David Mosser. Geneva route 2, 106.5; Mrs. H. David Mosser, Geneva route 2. 106.5; L. Reuben Schwartz. Berne route 1. 103.5; Wilbur Selking, Decatur route 2, 96.9; Richard Marbach. Decatur route 5. 91 9; Ezra Kaehr, Decatur route 4, 89.7; Richard Scheumann. Decatur route 2, 84.4; Harold Moser. Decatur route 4, 83.2; Ben Getke: Decatur route 5, 66.4. “* Junior Club Yields Yields of other junior club members are: Ronald Habegger, Monroe route 1. 125.9; Jerry I,ee Gerber, Bluffton route ,4, 114.6; Richard Schwartz. Berne route 1, 112.8; Ronnie Lee Mosser, Geneva route 2, 112; Larry Plumley, Monroeville, route 2, 111.9.